As the night wore on, the temperature grew colder. The cries of a baby disturbed the hearing of Elena, who was still deep in sleep.She blinked her eyes to see the silhouette of a man who was rocking Ella in the crib next to the main bed. Elena smiled; the man seemed to genuinely care for Ella.Slowly, Ella stopped crying. The baby girl drifted back to sleep. The corners of Jonathan's lips pulled upward, forming an arch on his luscious lips.Being able to make Ella stop crying brought Jonathan great satisfaction. Suddenly, the man's mind drifted to the series of DNA tests he had taken some time ago.Was Jonathan ready to accept the fact that the test results showed that Ella was not his biological daughter? Will his affection for Ella fade instantly? .....Two weeks had passed since Jonathan submitted a blood sample for the DNA test. That morning, he was about to leave early to collect the test results that had kept him up all night."Honey, is it not too early to come to the office?
Jonathan returned to the parking lot where he had parked his car. His heart was beating uncontrollably, as if it were about to jump out. He wasn't sure if he should open the envelope containing the DNA test results that he had brought. After getting into the car, the man slammed his back on the back of the car seat and let out a long sigh. He seemed to be weighing: should he open it now or choose to keep it? He wasn't prepared to be disappointed if Ella proved not to be his biological daughter. He loved Ella so much.With a frustrated shake of his head, Jonathan finally chose to roughly break the seal on the envelope that had seemed to challenge him.He read the text of the test result letter in order. His eyes narrowed when he found the test results included in the letter, which stated that Ella was not his biological daughter.Jonathan gripped the paper tightly in his hands, leaving a crumpled mess where he held it. His heart beat painfully, while his jaw clenched tightly."How dar
Elena held Ella with her face close to the baby girl's face. Through the window, Elena wanted to show Ella the view of the blue Auckland sky with a few white clouds. It was a very sunny day, and of course the sun outside would bake the skin of anyone under it."Do you see there, darling? The sky is beautiful, and the sun is shining very brightly today. I hope that my days with you will be as beautiful as the sky and as bright as the sun shining this afternoon." Elena said to the baby, who was only silent and blinked his eyes.The conversation full of affectionate words from a mother to her child continued. Elena thought as if the baby in her arms understood what she was talking about.The sound of a phone ringing instantly disturbed her hearing, pausing Elena's conversation with the baby in her arms. Her eyes darted to the flat object that kept calling her to the bed. The screen seemed to be on, but Elena was reluctant to approach it.Elena chose to remain silent, guessing that the ca
Both of Elena's palms covered her gaping lips, which were quite wide. The woman panicked and looked in all directions, worried if anyone had seen what had just happened."What are you doing, Elena?" Asher hissed, both eyes bulging. In equal fear, the man held his head with both hands. What if, as conscious as Theresia would be, she told him about coming to the Hayes' house?"This is all because of you; leave now and don't let anyone see you," pleaded Elena, who immediately went to her room on the second floor. Occasionally, with a feeling of fear, Elena looked back at the body of the woman lying on the floor.Breathing heavily, Elena closed the door to her room. Overcome with anxiety over what she had just done, Elena could only walk back and forth, biting her fingernails. Her hands were cold and wet with sweat.Elena was afraid that Theresia suffered a dangerous condition due to the impact on her head because Elena was the one who pushed the woman down. It was her wish to subtly tort
This Sunday felt much different from the previous weeks. Usually, on weekends, they would spend time at the family villa at Waitemata Harbor. The sea breeze was soothing, and the view of the beautiful harbor was comforting, so a weekend at Waitemata Harbor was the perfect choice to refresh their tired minds.Jonathan bit his lower lip quite hard, leaving a fishy smell of blood from his own bite. He had to accept a harsh reality that was difficult for him to accept: a woman who was the number one in his life was sitting in a wheelchair in a very fragile state.Theresia's gaze looked blank. Her usually talkative lips were now tightly closed, and her pale and expressionless face showed that there was no more passion to live her life. She looked more like a living corpse.Under the warm morning sun, Jonathan squatted down to match the position of his mother's face."There's something you want; maybe I can bring it to you right away if you want." asked Jonathan with two eyebrows raised clo
An atmosphere of grief enveloped the Hayes family residence. Bouquets of flowers of various colors as condolences were lined up neatly; the name Elena Caroline Victor could not be separated from each bouquet there, making the sad atmosphere dominate.Jonthan watched the situation outside through the bedroom window with two hands in his pants pockets. Elena's name did not escape from each bouquet that came, then the man turned around, looking at the bed where Elena usually lies, but only emptiness he found. His eyes closed, inhaling the scent of Elena's fragrance that still lingered there. But it made him feel guilty. The words of apology spoken after Elena left would not reach her.The sound of knocking on the door was heard from outside, which immediately made him turn his head towards the source of the sound."Jo, the mourners have arrived. Come out to meet them," pleaded the sad-faced Edmund from behind the door. He thinned his lips as he leaned his face closer to the door, making
Jonathan took a deep breath as silence greeted him in the room. No more Elena, no more Ella. The room was quiet and felt colder than the time before Elena was in there. The heating didn't seem to be working properly.Jontahan touched Elena's belongings that were there. Elena's pajamas hanging in the closet, the array of makeup on the dressing table, and the luxurious bag she always carried when traveling. All the surfaces felt cold to the touch, and the image of the last moment of Elena's life flashed in his head: her screaming and her eyes wide open as fresh blood flowed from her head.Jonathan instantly moved his hands away from the objects, feeling that he was indirectly responsible for the poor woman's death. Had he known this was how it would turn out, he would have chosen to keep quiet about Elena's biggest lie and devote the rest of his life to the woman who had lied to him. He would have done anything to keep her alive. No one would have guessed that behind his burly body and
The eye contact between Amelie and Jonathan could no longer be avoided. Amelie's two hazel beads stared at Jonathan with hatred; the woman's jaw seemed to harden firmly.The bustling atmosphere around seemed to be invisible, as if it were only the two of them in the spacious tavern hall.Jonathan looked deeply at Amelie, who had a cold face. That woman was very different from the innocent girl he knew back then. She looked so tough and much braver than the shy girl Amelie used to be. Even so, her grace and beauty were timeless.Amelie tucked her unbound hair behind her ears, revealing a perfectly sculpted face—a masterpiece from the Creator that made the man continue to be overshadowed by her beautiful face every day.Jonathan's lips curled naturally, and the fog that enveloped his heart was instantly blown away by Amelie's charm, which brought a cool sea breeze caressing his heart.Axel, who was between them, looked at Amelie and Jonathan in turn. The boy knitted his eyebrows with a
Amelie's heart didn't stop beating when the morning came. She barely even slept last night, images of the thrilling moment running through her head. She was going to be a bride that day."Oh my, Miss, your hands are so cold," said the MUA, who had just shaken Amelie's hand to congratulate her on the upcoming wedding. There was nothing Amélie could do but smile blandly. She was so nervous that she was about to say her vows to Jonathan in front of the audience. "Ah, I'm just nervous." Amelie replied while squeezing the white dress she was wearing. "Hahaha, I know how that feels. I also experienced the same thing with you when the seconds of my wedding began," Linda recalled while putting the makeup equipment that was no longer in use into the makeup bag. "Believe me, it's only at the beginning. Once the vows are done, your heart will feel so relieved. You'll even cry tears of joy afterward." Linda nodded confidently; she too had experienced being in the position of the woman she had
The night was getting late. The night breeze was so cold that the thick blanket covering her body couldn't beat the chill of the night air, waking Irene up to check the heating.Irene's eyes blinked several times when she found the bed next to her empty without Robert, so the brunette woman walked out to find out where her husband was. When the door opened, Irene squinted to find her husband sitting on the steps of the servants' quarters terrace with his face turned up to the sky, leaning against a pillar made of natural stone with a melancholy look.Slowly, the woman walked over."Robert?" she called in a soft tone typical of a woman that instantly made the owner of the name turn his head. "Why are you outside? Is it cold, darling?" Irene touched her husband's shoulder and took a seat next to Robert, enduring the cold night air to keep the man she loved so much company."Irene, why are you awake?" asked Robert in a flat tone, masking the disappointment that was currently enveloping
Jonathan walked back to his room with a smile on his face. It made a few pairs of eyes look at him with a quizzical look, but they soon settled into their usual expressions when they bumped into Jonathan. When he walked into his office, a girl was already sitting there waiting for him. "I see you're happy today, sir," Krista Valerie said, smacking her lips as she watched him walk into the room. "Not just being; I'm very, very happy today." Jonathan sat down in his oversized chair. Not wanting to find out more about her superior's happy feelings, the girl cleared her throat and asked why she had been summoned to come to the room of the man who kept smiling like a mental patient. "Excuse me, sir, what need did you call me here?" Not immediately responding to his secretary's question, the man took a few folders from the pile of documents and handed them to the pretty girl."I will be leaving. During my absence, please take care of this work." With her eyebrows knitted, the girl sl
Amelie felt weak after seeing three pregnancy test kits showing the same result, with two red lines lined up. She didn't know what to do now. Was telling Jonathan about her pregnancy the right choice? She was so worried that the same thing would happen again. Jonathan would tell his family, and Theresia would ask her to abort the innocent fetus that Jonathan had planted in her womb. Instantly, the tears that had been receding fell down her cheeks. She would not be able to repeat the same story, bearing the pregnancy alone and raising the baby alone. Truly, it was a heavy responsibility. Amelie's reverie was interrupted by a knock on the door from outside. She quickly wiped away the tears until there were none left. Although her puffy face could not be hidden at all,. "Amelie, open the door." Marie anxiously knocked on the door and turned the knob repeatedly. Since her return from work, Amelie hasn't come out of her room; even now, the door is locked. Marie was worried that somethi
Amelie blinked as sleepiness still lingered in her eyes. She had to get up to get ready for work and take Axel to school, but her body seemed reluctant to get up, as if it were stuck to the bed she was currently on. She closed her eyes for a moment to remember what she had been feeling lately. Amelie had not been feeling well lately. Headaches often came and went, and her breasts were pain. Her sense of smell had become sensitive. Amelie's eyebrows knitted together, and then she got up from the bed with a little haste and grabbed the cell phone on the nightstand to open the period app and see when her last period was. For some reason, when she was about to open the period app on her phone, her heart suddenly started pounding. It was as if she was already sure that the answer she got was something that would disappoint her and shake her sanity. The woman, who was still wrapped in navy pajamas, then took a deep breath before finally exhaling slowly. "Calm down, Amelie, calm down. Ev
The sun is inching its way to the sunset, leaving an orange color on the horizon. The shop began to be quiet from visitors; one by one, among Demiurge visitors, they began to leave the shop after finishing with the activity of filling the stomach. Amelie wiped the table with a cloth as a closing activity in the tavern in the late afternoon. At the same time, Emery, who had just come out of Benitto's room, approached the woman with a rag, doing the same activity next to the table that Amelie was cleaning. Emery cleared her throat to make Amelie realize her presence. Instantly, the elegant woman turned her head and greeted Emery with a friendly face."Hey," greeted Amelie, who then returned her gaze to the shiny table, where she could see the reflection of her face on the lacquered table. Emery couldn't help but be curious about her best friend's encounter with the man Axel had told her about this afternoon."Sorry, Amelie, I hope you won't be offended if I ask." Emery said, which ma
Amelie's heart skipped a beat as she pulled back the blanket covering her body. Not a single piece of clothing clung to her body. She hurriedly cleaned herself up after her struggle with Jonathan last night.Under the shower that splashed her body with water, Amelie closed her eyes. She recalled the events of last night and cursed herself for easily letting Jonathan enjoy her body. 'Stupid, stupid Amelie, what if he leaves you again after this? Why didn't I ask him to wear protection last night?' Amelie's mind began to worry. Her hands slowly squeezed her wet hair until the pain of the tugging was felt.She shook her head, trying to dismiss all possibilities and prejudices against Jonathan. But the more she tried to dismiss them, the more brutally those prejudices attacked her head. ....................."Amelie, are you up early?" Jonathan blinked his eyes as he found Amelie just coming out of the bathroom with wet hair. The time was 04:35. Why was she taking a shower this early?
It was a very happy day for Axel. He could spend the weekend with his parents in the places he loved, something that had always been a dream of his since he often questioned his father's whereabouts."Dad, do you know? Today I'm so happy to be able to go on an excursion with my parents." Axel muttered on the way home. A moment after that, Axel yawned, and slowly his eyes closed.Jonathan stroked Axel's head as he sat on Amelie's lap, with one hand on the steering wheel. "I'm very happy too, sweetheart. We can have a three-day weekend after such a long day." Amelie smiled. She silently agreed that she felt the same way."He's asleep, Jo," Amelie whispered as she stroked Axel's head. The hair she was holding had grown longer; as Amelie recalled, it was only two months ago that she took Axel to the barbershop.The wheels continued to roll, and as Amelie looked out the window, she realized that it wasn't the way home. She refrained from asking; perhaps Jonathan wanted to buy something b
Amelie woke up and was surprised to find that her body position had changed. Amelie and Jonathan had their arms around each other. She immediately threw off Jonathan's burly arms that were hugging her body. "How can you hug me that easily? You pervert," Amelie grumbled as she walked to the toilet. The sound of the water tap and the cold temperature of the water touching her skin instantly brought her full consciousness back. She stared at her reflection in the mirror. Amelie patted her face and instantly groaned as the pats stung."Aw!" The pain she felt made her realize that the night she had spent with Jonathan was not a dream; it was a reality. Even the slap on her cheek left a red mark. Amelie's eyes were closed, with both hands supporting her body on the edge of the sink. A question that niggled at her heart arose. Was meeting Jonathan again a destiny?Amelie sighed as she walked back to her room. But when she arrived at the door, she heard Jonathan talking to someone on the