Marcia glanced at her flushed reflection in the mirror, blushing furiously as she splashed some water onto the glass. "Marcia, you're getting so shameless these days! What on earth are you thinking?" she scolded herself.Shaking her head, she muttered under her breath and gave her face another splash of cold water. After a deep breath, she stepped out of the bathroom.In the room, Elijah was standing in front of the wardrobe, picking out his outfit for the day. When he saw Marcia walking out barefoot, his brows furrowed slightly, and he quickly strode over to scoop her up in his arms. "The floor is cold. Why aren't you wearing shoes?"Marcia giggled, her voice light and teasing. "It's so hot; I feel like I'm going to melt. How can it be cold?""Hot?" Elijah's lips curled into a mischievous smile. "Where exactly are you hot? Let me cool you down!""Elijah, stop it!" Marcia playfully pushed against his chest. "Come on, it's nearly afternoon already! I'm starving! You promised to take me
"Friends? I thought she might be your girlfriend!" Rebecca teased with a soft smile.As soon as you walked in, I recognized Eli immediately! It's been what, seven or eight years since we last saw each other after I left for France!" She glanced at Elijah shyly and added softly, "I just returned from France a few days ago. Who would've thought I'd run into you today, Eli? What a coincidence!"Elijah was momentarily taken aback. "Oh? Really? Haha, what a coincidence!"He seemed unaware of what he was saying, but Marcia certainly wasn't. Her face stiffened with barely contained anger.A coincidence? Then what am I supposed to be?Hayden's words echoed in her mind. If they had met just a few days earlier, I'd probably be out of the picture, and the one planning a wedding with him would've been Rebecca.Rebecca's eyes sparkled at Elijah's response. She giggled, her eyes forming crescent moons, and playfully patted his arm. "Eli, you're still as charming as ever! By the way, what are you u
Elijah was genuinely angry when he saw Marcia in such a state. Regret filled his heart as he gripped her shoulders and said in a deep voice, "Cia, I swear, you're the only one in my heart! I was just caught off guard seeing her again—I didn't know how to react!""Hmph... Your first reaction is always the most honest. It's not late,"Marcia retorted."It's not too late—how could it be too late? Cia, let me be honest with you, even if it's embarrassing. When I met Rebecca, I was in my rebellious phase. My dad had cut me off financially, and I was living off money I earned from odd jobs!"Elijah's face showed a trace of awkwardness.He knew his image might be ruined tonight, but if he didn't explain, his wife wouldn't forgive him—and that would be worse.Marcia raised an eyebrow skeptically. "Oh? She's not stupid. Surely, being at the same school, she must've known who you were. No matter how much your dad cut you off, your clothe
As Elijah's deep and magnetic voice resonated alongside the piano, singing with heartfelt sincerity, Marcia's smile gradually faded.Her gaze fixed intently on his figure as he finally appeared.When the song concluded, Elijah sat composed at the piano, offering Marcia a gentle smile. Meeting his eyes, Marcia chuckled lightly, "Elijah, you're so old-fashioned!"Elijah casually played a few notes—a melody from the song they had heard while waiting outside the Register Office that evening."But isn't this the kind of old-fashioned cheesiness you love?"he replied with a soft smile, his eyes filled with earnestness.Marcia was momentarily stunned by his words, recalling something she had blurted out the day before.That morning, the two of them had just woken up. Elijah clung to her from behind, unwilling to let go.Marcia, feeling hot and noticing the evident change in the man behind her, grew alarmed. She twisted slightly, t
Rebecca stormed out of the hall, her heart seething with anger and frustration.The man she had yearned for all these years, the man she had resolved to leave behind with great determination—he was now humbling himself for another woman, all for the sake of money!That woman was pale and frail, with not a hint of beauty. How could someone like her capture Elijah's attention? Rebecca fumed. Even when she stood before Elijah herself, he didn't spare her a second glance!But what infuriated Rebecca the most was the look in Elijah's eyes. It was love. She recognized it immediately because those mesmerizing eyes had once gazed at her with the same tenderness. To see Elijah now look at another woman that way was unbearable.Rebecca had always been confident. Even when she recklessly decided to break up with Elijah and flew to France alone, she believed that upon her return, Elijah would still be drawn to her as he always had been.Especially now th
"Hmm—"Just as Rebecca could no longer resist rushing forward, Moore appeared. He swiftly covered her mouth and dragged her out of the hall."Rebecca, what on earth are you trying to do? You can't offend him—you'll be ruined!" Moore's wide eyes brimmed with seriousness. "Didn't you return to the UK to build a better future? Trust me, if you gain his support, all your troubles will disappear. Don't interrupt them like this! They're here to enjoy their first candlelit dinner after the wedding. Do you know how much attention this will bring to my restaurant? He's about to leave, satisfied with everything, especially his wife. She's happy! I need them to leave here blissfully!"Rebecca clenched her fists, her voice sharp. "I... I know him! Elijah, I know him!"Moore gave her a skeptical look. "If you know him, why did you marry Porter back in France? Elijah is much wealthier!"Rebecca's eyes reddened without her realizing it. "Yes, why? Why
Wayne suppressed the uneasiness in his heart. After a brief pause, he continued, "Patricia, we were just caught off guard by the sudden appearance of such a stunning beauty in the office! Everyone was too dazzled to speak! Haha, don't get the wrong idea!"He deliberately addressed her as "Patricia" in every sentence, his tone friendly but not overly familiar.Marcia smiled faintly. "You really like to joke around. I've been on leave for personal reasons these past few days. If it caused any disruption to work, I hope you'll all bear with me. By the way, where's Kevin?"Wayne quickly responded, "Oh, not at all! Work is a team effort! As for Kevin, I believe he's out at a meeting with Booth. He should be back later. Speaking of which, Patricia, the boss hasn't been in the office recently either. There are some documents that need his signature. What should we do about them?"Marcia, hearing this, didn't hesitate. "Just give those documents to me. He's away
Marcia tidied up the documents on her desk, her fingers unconsciously fiddling with the necklace around her neck as she drifted into a daze. Ever since sending Elijah off at the airport last night, she had unexpectedly been unable to sleep.The empty side of the bed felt strangely vast. Her heart, too, felt hollow. When had she become so accustomed to his warm, firm embrace beside her, the comfort she needed to drift off to sleep?Struggling to stay awake until dawn, Marcia spent a long time in bed, lost in thought, before deciding to return to work at Azure. She couldn't bear staying home like a forlorn woman, haunted by Elijah's lingering presence in every corner of the house, which made her yearning for him inescapable.The busy pace at Azure, on the other hand, filled her with purpose.After successfully organizing the data and sending off her report, Marcia's gaze fell on the first name in her inbox: "Elijah."A sweet smile unconsciously spread
Elijah frowned. "Impossible?" He couldn't understand. "But then... how could you? No, we're going to the hospital right now! The doctors I know are far more reliable than him. I've always found him suspicious. Let's get you checked first, then we can talk about this.""Are you not happy that I can conceive?"Elijah shook his head. "How could I not be happy? But I don't trust him. Let's go to the hospital, okay?"He was overwhelmed with joy, but beneath that joy lay deep concern. If Jeff was lying, how would Marcia handle it? He could live without a child, but he couldn't bear to see Marcia fall into despair again.He never wanted to see her cry. That pain would be far worse than not having a child."Eli, sit down first." Marcia dared not let him take her to the hospital—if they found out she had recently lost a pregnancy, things would be disastrous."The surgery two years ago... Jeff was actually the lead surgeon." Marcia watched Elijah's expression darken as her voice unconsciously d
Marcia leaned against Elijah's chest, yet a slight unease crept into her heart.She still remembered Jeff's instructions—no intimacy for a month. But when she stole a glance at Elijah, his brows were tightly furrowed, his expression serious. For some reason, her heart softened again and again."Eli, what are you thinking about?"Hearing the slight anxiety in Marcia's voice, Elijah held her tightly, resting his head against her neck. His voice was low and gentle. "Nothing. I just think... it's really good that you're here.""Myron is really getting engaged? To... that Nancy?" Marcia traced her fingers over his firm arm, feeling a growing sense of security.She wished she could rely on him like this forever."Mm." Elijah's response was muffled, carrying a hint of an unspoken heaviness.Marcia thought for a moment. "His family has a rule that a man can only marry one woman in his lifetime, right? Does your family have a rule like that?"Elijah chuckled lightly and ran his fingers through
Elijah let out a soft sigh and gently pulled Marcia behind him. "What are you doing?"Marcia bit her lip, feeling a bit foolish for her reaction. Why did she assume Hayden would actually come to blows with Elijah?Elijah, standing tall and unwavering, met Hayden's gaze head-on, his expression calm. "To bring Myron back to Liverpool.""Back to Liverpool? If he's taking that woman with him, then what's the point? He might as well not come back at all! Damn it!" Hayden raised his fist but ultimately slammed it against the table instead."Hayden, sit down." Myron's voice was deep and hoarse. He seemed exhausted, yet his expression remained resolute. "I chose to marry Nancy on my own. It has nothing to do with my mother or Eli. I appreciate your concern, but enough with the arguments."He glanced at Kevin and chuckled. "What are you scheming now? Think I'm lying?"Kevin cleared his throat awkwardly. "Not at all. If you say so, then it must be true." He had initially suspected this was just
"Patricia, I thought you two would head straight to the second floor!" Hayden teased with a mischievous grin, taking a sip of his orange juice.Marcia ignored him, her eyes immediately landing on Myron, who sat beside Kevin with a face as dark as ink. At the head of the dining table sat a frail, pale-skinned elderly woman who was scrutinizing her with an assessing gaze.Marcia couldn't help but feel nervous."Auntie, this is Patricia. What do you think? Beautiful, right?" Elijah draped an arm over Marcia's shoulder, grinning proudly.Gloria took a sip of water before smiling lightly. "Hmm, she is beautiful. No wonder you've been so restless, eager to come home!""That's not true! I'm also happy to spend more time with you!" Elijah chuckled, then gently nudged Marcia forward. "Cia, come say hello to Auntie."His eyes were filled with warmth, a look that was second nature to him in front of Myron and the others. But for Gloria, it was the first time witnessing this side of him, and she
Marcia and Elijah walked hand in hand toward the villa. Since it was located in the suburbs, the fresh air was a rare luxury.A cool breeze brushed against Marcia's face, making her instinctively shrink her neck."Are you cold?" Elijah asked, his voice tinged with concern as he pulled her into his embrace. "I was worried you'd feel uncomfortable if we stayed in the car for too long. Looks like I miscalculated again!"Marcia shook her head and snuggled against his chest with a soft laugh. "Not at all. The air is refreshing, and the scenery is beautiful. But how did you know I was feeling restless in the car? Do you have some kind of mind-reading power? That would be incredible!"Elijah chuckled, gently ruffling her hair. "Your nose is all red. You look just like a little bunny. Makes me want to eat you up!"As he spoke, he playfully rubbed her cheeks. When Marcia looked up at him with a smile, he couldn't resist leaning down to kiss her cool lips."Aren't they waiting for us inside? Le
Seeing the two of them like this, Marcia couldn't shake the strange feeling growing inside her. She pulled out her phone to check for any messages from Elijah. The last thing on their chat was a simple "Good night" from both of them. A faint smile curved her lips.She casually snapped a photo of the highway scenery outside the car window and sent it to Elijah.Since it was still early, she hadn't expected an immediate response. But to her surprise, he seemed to have been awake all night—his reply came almost instantly."Already on the road? Are you tired? You should get some rest in the car!"Marcia bit her lip lightly and typed back curiously, "Did you not sleep? I'm not tired. I've been resting at home these past few days.""Hmm, I heard about that. Why are you so lazy and always sleeping?" Elijah chuckled, then added, "Even though I feel bad for you, my love, I'm so happy that I'll see you soon."Seeing him call her lazy, Marcia instinctively glanced at Kevin, who was driving. It h
Ever since that terrible experience, Marcia had developed a subtle aversion to "Calderstones."Elijah had been away for five days now. They spoke on the phone daily—sometimes just exchanging a few words, other times lingering as if they couldn't bear to hang up.The distance seemed to intensify their feelings, making them feel like a couple deeply in love.A call in the early morning. The phone was warm in her hand. Though sadness still lingered in her heart, Marcia felt as if Elijah was slowly healing her, piece by piece.Since her surgery, she had become more sensitive—more reliant on Elijah. She wanted him to return, yet at the same time, she hoped he wouldn't come back too soon. She longed for his embrace but also feared the warmth he brought.Torn between these emotions, her longing for him only grew stronger.Sometimes, as she lay in her empty bed, she couldn't help but imagine what it would be like if he were beside her&md
"He's just a wolf in sheep's clothing," Hayden remarked leisurely, pouring himself a cup of hot water. Watching the steam rise, he smiled faintly and casually asked, "Patricia, did you already know Myron was fine? Otherwise, how could you be in the mood to come out for a meal?"Marcia was momentarily stunned. After a brief silence, she chuckled. "I contacted Eli. Besides, there wasn't much to eat at home. Everyone's had a tough day—it's only right that we treat ourselves to a meal. Why? Do you think there's something wrong with that?"Hayden smirked. "Not at all. Just a funny coincidence." He blew on his cup, took a small sip, and added, "Anyone who didn't know better would think you hadn't been home at all."Shirley shot him a glare. "Hayden, your mindset is all wrong!""Oh?" Hayden raised an eyebrow and turned to look at her.Shirley shook her head dramatically and said with an air of seriousness, "Have you been spending too much time with Demon? You've picked up the nasty habit of
"Did she ask you anything? Or did she want you to do something?" Marcia sat up straight, her tone cold and sharp.Jeff snapped out of his thoughts and replied calmly, "She was curious if you were pregnant. Oh, that reminds me, was she the one at Calderstones that time...?"Before he could finish, he paused, realization dawning on his face. "No wonder!"Marcia stared at him intently. "What did you tell her? Did you take her money? What about Alan? Was he there too?"Jeff shot her a glare. "I'm a doctor. What do you take me for? She's pregnant, and Alan? Oh, you mean that man? No, I didn't see him."Pregnant? A sharp pain struck Marcia's heart. Kate was pregnant again, while she… she had lost her child.Fate was truly laughable. The heavens remained as unfair as ever.Perhaps sensing her hatred too clearly, Jeff coughed lightly and continued, "Alright, stop glaring at me. I'm on your side."Marcia eyed him suspiciously but said nothing.Jeff sighed. "I refused to be her private doctor,