Diana counted on her fingers. "It's been months, how does he manage? Is he... taking care of himself?"
Diana nearly choked. "That's private. I'm not answering that."
"Really?" Leah pretended to ponder. "Is it that you can't answer, or don't want to?"
"I'm a proper person, don't try to get anything out of me," Diana replied, feigning innocence while her mind raced with blush-inducing images.
Leah leaned closer. "Come on, he must be frustrated. Why not buy him something?"
Diana’s eyes lit up. "Like what?"
Leah whispered in her ear, describing various items. "This... and that... and..."
When she finished, she looked at Diana. "Which do you think is best? Or try them all?"
Diana considered. "I think the doll you mentioned sounds good."
"Then go with that," Leah agreed.
"But there's a problem," Diana said seriously. "If it’s a life-sized replica of me, I'd have to send in some... provocative photos. I can't do that, an
Ben sat there, looking dejected. "It's not salt. Those are my tears."James was baffled. "What nonsense are you spouting?""Sorry, Dad. I'm just not feeling well today. I've been crying a lot, and I'm a bit dizzy.""Dizzy?" James's eyebrow twitched in irritation.If it weren't for the guests, he would have taken off his shoe and given Ben a good thrashing. But seeing that Ben seemed genuinely upset and alone, he decided to cut him some slack.James's tone softened. "Alright, let's just eat. Everyone, help yourselves. We're family here, so dig in."The guests nodded and picked up their forks, starting to eat.Tony and Leah, tasting Ben's cooking for the first time, were impressed."This steak is really good, probably the best I've ever had," Tony said.Andrew, sitting beside him, whispered, "If you like it, I can learn to cook too.""I get it, but stop holding my hand under the table. There are people watching."
“I can't help it,” Ben said, counting on his fingers. “I can't wait to see Liora. It's been six days since we last saw each other.”He had planned to visit her tonight anyway, but his dad’s broken bone made for an unexpected, yet welcome, excuse.The group reached the office of the orthopedic chief on the third floor.Since only one family member was allowed inside, Ben accompanied James.Standing at the door, Ben was about to knock when James stopped him.“Wait.”Ben was puzzled. “What’s wrong?”“It’s the first time meeting my future daughter-in-law. I’m a bit nervous.”Future daughter-in-law?Ben sheepishly rubbed his nose. “Isn't that title a bit premature?”“What, you’re not dating Liora with the intention of marrying her?”“Of course I am! I just don’t know if Liora feels the same way. I’m afraid she might not want to go the distance with me.”James nodded. “That’s a legitimate concern.”
Liora's voice was soft and seductive. Ben swallowed hard, ready to kiss her again when his phone rang. Startled, he pulled away."Hold on, my phone's ringing..."He answered the call, his expression changing as he listened. He replied a few times and then hung up, looking crestfallen."It’s the production team... They need me back this afternoon.""This afternoon?""Yeah." Ben checked the time, his face full of disappointment. "Looks like we won't get to be together tonight after all."As he spoke, his eyes lingered on Liora's perfect figure, his frustration clear.Liora picked up her phone from the side table and checked the time."Forty minutes left before I start work."Hearing this, Ben felt a wave of sadness wash over him.Did this mean he only had forty minutes left to spend with Liora today?Ben suddenly felt a tightening around his neck. Liora had wrapped one arm around it, her other hand brushing t
Ivana's breathing was labored, her face contorted with pain like a wronged child."Hold me," she whispered.Before Jacob's brain could process, Jacob's arms had already enveloped her. Ivana clung to his waist, resting her head on his chest, biting her lip hard.Jacob held her gently, whispering, "If it hurts, let Dr. Myers give you some pain medication."Ivana nodded, then shook her head. "It won't help," she said quietly.Jacob looked down, a flicker of worry crossing his eyes. He gently patted her back, offering what little comfort he could. Gradually, Ivana's tense body began to relax, and her grip on his shirt loosened as the pain seemed to subside.Jacob stroked her hair and asked softly, "Does it hurt less now?"Ivana, her face buried in his chest, made a small, cat-like sound of assent. "Mm."Jacob let out a breath of relief and glanced at Dr. Myers, who was standing by. "You can go now. I'll take care of her."Dr
After a long pause, Ivana gazed at Jacob with pleading eyes and asked quietly, "Why won't you come over?"Jacob hesitated, feeling a mixture of confusion and frustration. "You seem a bit tense," Ivana noted softly, tilting her head.Jacob couldn't help but let out a small, derisive laugh. "Ha."He walked over and sat beside Ivana on the bed. "If you have something to say, just..."Before he could finish, Ivana leaned into him, her small hand pressing against his bare chest. The scent of her faint perfume filled the air as she fell into his embrace, catching him completely off guard.Jacob was momentarily stunned, his mind blank for a few seconds. Her delicate hand tightened on his chest, and he instinctively grabbed her hand, stopping her."What are you doing?" he demanded.Ivana looked up at him, her eyes full of innocence, and then she frowned slightly, a hint of hurt in her expression. "It hurts," she said softly.Jacob rele
Ivana sniffled, her eyes rimmed with red. “She had too many toxins building up in her body and didn’t make it. By the time she died, she was swollen and bruised beyond recognition. Dad buried her in a hurry. After Mom died, Dad worried I’d be too traumatized and might kill myself, ruining all his hard work. So he kept a close watch on me. But I didn’t want to kill myself… I wanted to kill him. He’s a madman, not fit to be my father.”Ivana continued in a low voice, “Dad and my uncles valued me greatly because I was the only one in years to successfully become a Voodoo Lwa. They were ecstatic, planning among themselves, saying the Boss would be thrilled when he saw me. They talked about how much money they’d make.”Jacob’s eyes narrowed slightly. “The Boss?”“Yeah... I don’t know who the Boss is. I just knew they were planning to sell me. So, on the day the Boss was supposed to come, I decided to kill my dad first. But I failed. Dad and my uncles tied me up and w
The relationships within the Nelson family were tangled, but Jacob remembered that Carl hadn’t had any prior conflicts with the Matthews Group.“Go and investigate this man thoroughly.”“We’re already on it,” Mitbahl replied, his eyes studying Jacob. “But, Captain, since Ivana’s origins are suspicious, shouldn’t we be more cautious with her? Maybe even confine her?”“No need,” Jacob said, turning the glass in his hand. “She’s not in good health, and besides… she’s not someone with malicious intentions.”Mitbahl stayed silent for a moment. Jacob noticed his intense stare, as if trying to bore a hole through him.“What are you staring at?”“You’re doomed.” Mitbahl made an exaggerated face. “You’ve fallen in love!”Jacob: ...“Get out!”“Just because I hit the mark, you get all defensive…”Mitbahl pouted, grumbling under his breath. As he walked towards the window, he turned back, a mischievous glint in his eye as he
Patrick walked over.“Kevin, you’re awake?”“Yeah.”Kevin walked in, his eyes scanning the tidy room before landing on the man sitting on the sofa.He climbed onto the sofa next to Yosef, puzzled.“Bro, what was that noise outside just now? It was so loud.”“Nothing much, just had Kirin feed the fish.”“Why would feeding fish make such a commotion?”“Feeding sharks.”“Oh.”Kevin’s expression showed sudden understanding, then he sighed. “Bro, when are we going back to the Rainbow City? Your health isn’t good; you can’t keep running around like this.”Yosef didn’t respond immediately.Then he said slowly, “We’re going back tomorrow.”“Really?”“Yeah, but before that, tonight I’m taking you to see someone.”“Who?”Yosef reached out and gently pinched Kevin’s cheek. “You’ve been wanting to see your angel sister, right? We’ll see her before we leave.”Kevin’s eyes lit up