In the following days, two bouquets arrived at a time, and the text messages continued.The man seemed relentless in messaging her, yet Emerald couldn’t spot any suspicious figures on her way home. Even without any direct action, the unease lingered, weighing down on her like a heavy stone, making it hard to breathe.Especially at night—each time her phone lit up, it felt like a monster with dim, watchful eyes, ready to devour her at any moment.One night, her phone rang. Emerald’s body jolted, but when she saw the familiar number on the screen, a sense of relief washed over her, and she quickly answered."Hello..." she said softly, her voice tinged with tension."What are you doing?" The deep voice on the other end brought a sense of security, like a protective barrier against her fear.Emerald gripped the phone, trying to calm herself. "Nothing."Alaric heard the unease in her voice. His brow furrowed slightly, but his tone remained calm as he said, "I’ll be back tomorrow.""Good."
“Aiden?” Mr. Santos sneered. “Such tenderness. If you care so much about kids, Teacher Greene, why don’t you become his mother? Then we can call it even.”A loud clap of thunder boomed in the sky. The room darkened as the wind howled, shaking the branches outside and casting menacing shadows across the walls.Lightning flashed, briefly illuminating the man’s face—his deranged grin and the scar on his forehead looking even more menacing.Just like that rainy night when Emerald had been pushed into the small woods.One of her shoes had fallen off, and her leg was scratched by branches and rocks, blood trickling down her skin.Heavy rain poured down, soaking them. The man cursed under his breath, tightening his grip on her slender ankle.Desperate, Emerald grabbed a rock and smashed it against his forehead.Blood splattered onto her white dress, staining it with vivid red blooms.But Mr. Santos only became more frenzied, pinning her down and tearing at her dress.Her tears mingled with t
Mr. Santos took a deep breath and watched Emerald as she ran through the rain, her figure like a ghost being chased by shadows.“Tell me, if you love her so much, why would you choose to destroy her like this?”“That’s not your concern. Just remember what you need to do.”After the conversation, he hung up abruptly, a sudden wave of boredom washing over him. He crushed his cigarette underfoot and muttered, “Poor Ms. Greene. Whether it’s then or now, you still haven’t escaped him.”Emerald felt the strong gusts of wind biting against her skin, the rain like sharp needles cutting into her as she ran toward the only place she could think of. It felt like she was running in circles; no matter how far she went, freedom seemed out of reach.Why was it so hard to pull herself out of this pit? She longed for a simple life, but fate seemed to have different plans.These men always found new ways to corner her, to break her spirit. After everything she had done, had she truly escaped becoming a
Emerald felt warmth spreading throughout her body. Amid the rising heat, she heard the gentle chime of a bell breaking the silence. A cool sensation brushed against her ankle, prompting her to open her drowsy eyes to take a look.From her angle, the sight was enchanting.Her legs were lifted by the man, Alaric kneeling between them. He bent his head, thick lashes shadowing his eyes, his lips drawn into a faintly focused line. His steady hands carefully placed an anklet around her ankle.At first glance, Emerald was captivated.The anklet was crafted from seven glass-carved lotus flowers, each petal crystal clear, free of impurities. This was a high-quality jadeite; if it had been a complete bracelet, it would be worth a small fortune. Delicately carved with a few tiny bells, the anklet held a refined elegance, lively yet graceful as it lay against her fair skin, making it appear even more luminous."Is this the gift you mentioned?" Emerald bit her lip. "It’s too valuable, I—"Alaric's
Alaric’s gaze fell on the blush creeping up to her jade-like earlobes, making him swallow dryly.I want to, he thought.But he knew Emerald had been through a lot. He wouldn’t let his desires take over now.His gaze shifted to the anklet around her ankle.Thankfully, she hadn’t taken it off.“Do you like this gift?”Emerald hesitated, then finally admitted, “Yes, I like it… but it’s too much.”"Gifts are neither trivial nor grand. Their true worth lies in your appreciation."At first, Emerald noticed the small "EL" etched inside the lotus charm— a subtle mark of her name. With its intricate craftsmanship and the perfect fit around her ankle, she knew it was something special made just for her.It wasn’t just any ordinary piece.“How far ahead did you plan this?”She gently caressed the lotus charm with her fingers, feeling the soft warmth radiating from it.Alaric answered calmly, “I ordered it the third night after our first encounter.”That meant this gift had been ready for three m
She held a cigarette between her lips, biting it lightly before lighting it, shielding the flame with her hand the way she had seen Alaric do. The glow played across her face, accentuating the patch of ointment on the slight swelling of her forehead.A few strands of hair fell over her face, giving her a slightly tousled but alluring look—not the pristine, prim image seen at school, but a blend of vulnerability and charm.Once the cigarette was lit, Emerald took a drag. With her left hand resting on her right arm, she held the cigarette between her right index and middle fingers, a hint of red glowing at the tip.Her expression was relaxed and nonchalant as she exhaled the smoke slowly from her red lips. In a deep, slow voice, she said, "It’s getting cold. The Santos family should go bankrupt."She turned to Alaric with a grin, "How was that? Not bad, right? That’s classic domineering CEO style. Now you try it—just like I did."Alaric’s eyes remained on her, captivated by her playful
No one could tell her what to do.From her mother’s failed relationship, she learned to protect herself by closing off her heart.But controlling her emotions was easier said than done.On the other side of the door, Alaric sat with his back against it, hands resting on his knees, his long legs slightly bent, feeling utterly alone.He had no idea what he was doing. He wanted to open his heart to her completely, to show her everything he felt. But even if he did, he knew she would still worry about a future that hadn’t even happened yet.He reached for his cigarettes but realized he’d left them in the kitchen.Going back with all the drama only to return would be embarrassing.They stayed in that standoff until midnight, and he assumed she must have fallen asleep by now.He whispered softly, “Cruel little thing.”When he opened the door, he was surprised to find her sitting there, waiting silently, her presence gentle yet determined.Emerald huddled in her bathrobe, her legs tucked ben
When someone feels pain, they often seek comfort. Emerald suddenly felt a strong desire to stay close to him. She hesitated slightly. "Um..."He looked down at her, patience in his gaze. "What's wrong? Are you uncomfortable?"Emerald bit her lip and softly said, "I just… miss you. Can you hold me?"As soon as the words left her mouth, he wrapped his strong arms around her, closing his eyes and breathing in the soft rose scent of her hair. He felt an overwhelming desire to hold her forever, to keep her so close that she'd become part of him.He held her gently, as if she were a fragile doll that might break with even the slightest pressure, wanting to give her the sense of security he himself felt.Emerald closed her eyes, savoring the peaceful moment. After a few minutes, Alaric lightly touched her head. "Good girl. Rest. The porridge is ready.""Okay," she replied.A little dizzy, Emerald texted the principal asking for leave, then lay down on the pillow and fell asleep. Just before
At night, after Emerald had fallen asleep, she would secretly call her mother—until Alaric caught her in the act.At the shareholders' meeting, Alaric eliminated four people and uncovered the one who had been secretly buying up scattered shares.It was Griffin.In a final twist, Mr. Corrigan betrayed him, and Griffin realized too late that he had been played.Alaric regarded him with an icy stare. “Did you really think I’d invite you here for anything else?”He took slow, deliberate steps toward Griffin. “You wanted Teacher Greene to forget me. But in the end, she forgot you instead. You schemed and plotted, but did you ever consider that this would be the outcome?”Griffin let out a bitter laugh, his eyes filled with resentment. “Alaric, you’re unbelievably lucky. Fate favors you—again.”His voice turned sharp with frustration. “Why does it always have to be you?”Alaric’s expression remained unreadable. “I know you blame me. You think your father abandoned you and your son.”Griffin
Now that Alaric had decided to marry Emerald, he naturally had to address the issue of inheritance.He had promised that he wouldn’t let Emerald suffer any injustice.James was thrilled but hesitant to believe it. He looked up at her cautiously and asked, “Can I really call you that?”Emerald knew that despite his tough exterior, he was actually very sensitive.She crouched down, gently running her fingers through James’s hair. “Of course, if you want to.”Without hesitation, James threw himself into her arms. “I do! Of course, I do—Mom.”His tears fell onto her neck, and Emerald’s lips curved into a soft smile.I just got a son this big out of nowhere.James was so attached to her that even when they walked, he would hook his little fingers around hers.It all felt like a dream.When Emerald looked up, she noticed Jamilah standing on the terrace, silently watching her. Their eyes met for a brief moment before Jamilah quickly turned away.James sighed and explained, “Mom, my sister ha
"Get ready, that’s where we’re landing," Alaric whispered in her ear.As they descended, Emerald noticed the intricate details within the rose fields—windmills, charming fairy-tale cottages, and delicate pathways weaving through the flowers.It was the kind of place that would go viral the moment people saw it—a dreamlike destination straight out of a storybook.Under Alaric’s steady control, they landed smoothly on the soft grass. The moment Emerald unbuckled her harness, she threw her arms around him, holding him close.The air was thick with the intoxicating scent of roses, and amidst it all, she could hear the steady rhythm of his heartbeat."Emerald Greene, I will never let anything hurt you again. From now on, I will make sure you're happy—forever.""Mm. I believe you.""Wow! This is straight out of a movie!" Iris gasped, pinching Gio’s arm. "I must be dreaming—this kind of romance isn’t even this dramatic in films!"Gio winced. "Ow!""That hurt!""Of course, it hurts! You pinch
Iris, still stunned, turned to stare at him. "Wait… is he that rich? So rich that he could casually win the title of ‘Little Prince’ or something?""He is the one who is the one who is the one.""Brother, why didn’t you tell me he was this handsome?! He’s so young and fair-skinned—he looks like he stepped straight out of an anime! Not a trace of that tacky, nouveau riche vibe at all."Even Emerald was taken aback, though not nearly as much as Iris.Noticing that the young man wasn’t much older than herself, she stepped forward, bent down, and offered him a hand."Are you okay?" she asked.Yngrid grabbed her hand and stood up, flashing a bright, friendly smile. “Don’t worry! Second Sister-in-law, you’re so beautiful! So gentle! No wonder Second Brother has been thinking about you for years—he finally got you.”Alaric frowned, glancing at the knife embedded in the table. “How many times have I told you? Stop running around with a knife in your hand.”Yngrid looked utterly clueless. “But
Emerald was sharp enough to catch the implication. This man was clearly from the Corrigan, but how could he be Alaric’s second brother?Nancy smiled. "It’s a long story. Sister-in-law, come inside quickly. Gabbi has been preparing all morning to welcome you."Gio, who was usually the most lively among them, suddenly looked uncharacteristically serious and polite. "Sorry to trouble you, then."Nancy turned his gaze to the other guest. "Welcome. You must be Ms. Benitez."Iris straightened up, her usual playfulness replaced by a bit of nervousness. "That’s me. Hello, hello."As the group walked inside, Gio trailed behind, but Iris discreetly poked his waist. "Who is he? You seem a little scared of him."She had met Gio’s friends many times, but she had never seen him act this cautious.Gio lowered his voice. "You may not recognize him, but you’ve definitely heard of the Medical Research Institute."Iris froze. "You mean the world’s number one pharmaceutical company?"Her mind was spinnin
The sun shone brightly, and magpies chirped from the branches—a perfect day.Iris, already waiting downstairs, let out a low whistle. “Tsk, tsk, tsk. Interlocked fingers? Teacher Greene, Mr. Corrigan, could you two be any sweeter?”Caught off guard, Emerald instinctively tried to pull her hand away.But Alaric tightened his grip. “Don’t let go.”Her cheeks flushed, and she nodded. “Okay.”Iris was about to whistle again when Gio quickly clamped a hand over her mouth. “For the love of god, stop teasing them. My Alaric is the most patient guy—until he’s not.”Iris blinked. “Huh? But Mr. Corrigan seems so refined and gentlemanly.”Gio scoffed. “That’s just for women. When it comes to me, he’s got a double standard.”Clearly, Gio had endured Alaric’s ruthlessness one too many times. If Iris kept poking fun at him, Alaric would undoubtedly find a way to get back at them both.Completely oblivious, Iris had no idea what was happening. She tried to push Alaric into the front passenger seat,
"I won’t say things like that again," she murmured. "If I do, I’m not just belittling myself—I’m belittling your love, too.""That’s right." Alaric rubbed her head gently. "The past is heavy baggage. If you can, let it go. The future will be so much better."She smiled. "Your little Greene has finally grown up.""You have a daddy boyfriend, so you have to grow up."Emerald wrapped her arms around his neck, her voice soft. "Thank you… for teaching me how to love.""It’s my greatest honor to receive Teacher Greene’s love."Their eyes met, the space between them shrinking as they leaned in—Then Alaric’s phone rang.He exhaled sharply, turning it off without hesitation."Sorry. Let’s pick up where we left off."The caller was persistent. Emerald sighed, nudging Alaric playfully. "Go on, Mr. Busy."He had already spent so much time with her over the past two days, and she was more than content.But Alaric never returned after heading to his study. Emerald waited alone until eleven o’clock
At first, Emerald worried that Gio was just fooling around and that Iris would end up getting hurt. But later, through Alaric, she realized that Gio was genuinely working hard for their future.It was only then that Emerald recognized how extreme her past views had been—believing that marriage was a trap and love was nothing more than fleeting sweetness.Iris, in her simplicity, had understood something far earlier than she did: love is about two people growing together, striving toward a shared future.Even someone like Iris, who had spent years drifting through life, was now determined to change. And that alone was a good start.Gio had seen all kinds of people in his world, but it was Iris—pure and untainted, like a blank canvas—who truly captured his heart. She made him want to protect her.Now, Emerald could finally put her worries to rest.The so-called unreliable playboy hadn’t even touched Iris all this time. That fact alone proved he was someone she could trust."Ember, I'm n
Alaric stared coldly at the woman standing before him, utterly unfazed by her desperation."It doesn't matter who it is. I don’t owe you an explanation."Yngrid’s emotions spiraled out of control again, but before she could lash out, Winston’s expression darkened. The usual elegance in his demeanor vanished, replaced by an icy sharpness."Do you need me to remind you of your place?" he said, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade.Emerald watched the scene unfold, quickly deducing that Winston held Yngrid’s fate in his hands. Yngrid’s reluctance was obvious, but in the end, she had no choice but to submit.She took slow, deliberate steps toward Emerald. "Emerald… I’m sorry for what happened," she forced out. "I apologize."Emerald didn’t miss the unwillingness in Yngrid’s eyes. And to be honest, she had no desire to accept it.But she also knew that she had finally convinced Alaric to reconcile, and the partnership with the Santos had been secured. Yngrid’s presence here w