It was ten o’clock. Jemma held Gracie’s photo frame close to her heart, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. Placed gently on her bed was the wedding gown that Gracie had once chosen for her own wedding when Ryan proposed to her. Jemma felt a deep pang of sorrow, knowing how eagerly Gracie had prepared for her special day, only for fate to cruelly take her away before she could marry Ryan. "Mom... Can you hear me?" Jemma spoke softly, her voice trembling with emotion as she addressed the photo. "I wish you were here. You would've loved to see me in wedding gown. You had so many dreams for me... for us. We were supposed to plan this together, my wedding. You were so excited about it, weren't you?" She paused, fighting back the tears that threatened to overflow. "I miss you every day, especially today... on this day when I'm supposed to feel the happiest. It's not fair, Mom. Why did you have to leave me so soon?" Jemma's voice quivered with a mix of grief and longing. Gently runn
Yohan was sitting on the bed, gently wiping the blood from Sara's lips. Jemma looked at Noah with a mix of worry and confusion. After a while, Sara tried to open her eyes. "Leave us alone." Yohan's rough voice broke the silence. Noah and Jemma exchanged looks and then quietly left the room. "Close the door," Yohan instructed once more. Jemma shut the door and stood with Noah outside the bedroom. Sara gradually opened her eyes, and as her vision cleared, she saw Yohan. Tears welled up in her eyes upon seeing him. Yohan observed her tears and then started cleaning the corner of her lips. "Yohan..." "I don't want to hear you," he said coldly. "I know I made a mistake. I didn't do it intentionally to hurt you. It was a mistake. My first mistake... Can't you forgive me?" Yohan applied ointment as he replied, "Whether it's the first or last mistake, it doesn't deserve forgiveness." "Yohan..." He interrupted, "Jimmy has returned. Inform him about Jemma's wedding plans and recover
Sara stood up as soon as she saw Yohan, while Assistant Nolan, standing behind Yohan, awkwardly exited the room. Ignoring Sara, Yohan slouched into his chair, delving into the documents on his desk. Sara approached and softly said, "I brought you some food. You should eat, it's already four o'clock." Yohan remained silent. "It's late and you haven't eaten yet," Sara persisted, her voice gentle. Yohan curtly replied, "I've got loads of work. Just leave." "Yohan..." "Get the hell out of here," he exploded, angrily tossing papers off his desk. Sara flinched at the sudden outburst, her body trembling. Sara's eyes filled with tears, and Yohan, noticing her tears, furrowed his brows deeply, turning away and slipping his hands into his pockets. "I've told you, I don't even want to look at you. Why do you keep coming back in front of me?" he questioned sharply. "I’m your wife," Sara replied softly. "You didn't remember that when you were in his bed?" His voice escalated as he turned
"Hey Milli, I heard the new CEO is in today. I was supposed to hand this file to him by tomorrow, but I finished it now. Can you take it to his office? I gotta jet, catch you tomorrow." She swiftly closed her file and lifted her gaze, extending the file towards the person, she widened her eyes in wonder. "Jay... You!" Jemma exclaimed, rising from her chair in surprise. Jay raised an eyebrow and replied in a low voice, "Surprise!" Jemma took in Jay's appearance. He was in a suit. "What brings you here?" Jay stepped closer, eyeing the nameplate on the table. "Is this how you address your CEO, dear manager?" Jemma's eyes widened. "CEO?" Jay nodded, "I knew you'd be as surprised as I was when I saw your name on the list of managers." "I can't believe it! You're the CEO of Venus Group? How did I not know this?" "On the day of the party when you didn't recognize my father, the chairman of the group, I was wondering why. Then I figured out that maybe my father hasn't made public ap
Yohan stepped out of his bedroom in his gym clothes, all set to head to the gym. As he passed by the living room, he noticed Noah rushing out of the villa. He approached Sara and spotted cigarette butts scattered on the table. "Does Jimmy smoke?" Yohan asked. Sara glanced at him, "Are you asking me? Don’t you know?" "How would I know?" "How should I know then? He shares everything with you. Don’t tell me you taught him to smoke." "Come on, that's ridiculous! People smoke if they want to. He is young, at this age everyone smokes." Sara gave him an angry look, "He just left. Talk to him and find out what's wrong." Saying this, she headed straight to the kitchen. Yohan sighed deeply as he looked at the cigarette butts, feeling uneasy about Noah. Noah wasn't at work today, and he didn't answer any calls, not even from Jemma. Jemma was worried, thinking Noah might be upset about her plans to marry Jay. But Noah was furious. For years, people had mocked him about rumours that now se
Soft sunlight gently kissed dew-kissed petals as birds chirped, filling the air with a quiet melody on the peaceful morning.In the dining room, Jia was having breakfast while Sara waited for Jemma to join them.Sara asked finally, "Why hasn't Jemma come out for breakfast? Isn't she supposed to go to work today?""She'll probably come soon, Sa Mom. Maybe she's taking longer with her makeup," Jia responded."Jemma doesn't usually wear that much makeup," Sara remarked."Yesterday she found out her boyfriend is her new CEO. Maybe that's why she's doing extra," Jia said with a chuckle.Sara gave her a look and said gently, "You've started talking a lot. Come on, get up and go to school. Andrew is waiting for you.""Jemma and I usually go together. She hasn't arrived yet," Jia replied."I'll ask Jack to drop her off. You go now," Sara said."Okay, Sa Mom," Jia kissed Sara's cheek and left for school. Sara then instructed Nisha, "Nisha, stop collecting the plates and go check on Jemma. She'
Yohan clenched his jaw, removed his gun, unlocked it, and aimed it between Noah's brows. Sara gasped, taken aback. Yohan's eyes bore a cold intensity. Noah, unmoving, met Yohan's gaze without flinching. Sara's attention fixated on the trigger, noticing Yohan's steady hand. "What are you waiting for? I won't beg for my life anymore," Noah retorted, a hint of defiance in his tone. Struggling to rein in his anger, Yohan addressed Sara, "Tell him to leave before I kill him." "Go ahead, kill me," challenged Noah. Yohan, securing his fury, admitted, "If you weren't Kevin's son, I'd empty this gun into you." Noah smirked, "You won't. Mom always said you loved me more than anything in the world." Yohan affirmed, "Exactly. Even if my own son were here now, I'd have killed him." "No," Noah countered, "You won't harm me because you love my Mom more than anything in the world. She betrayed my father for you. So, my advice? End it here." Sara and Yohan were stunned. Noah seemed to know a t
"I only love Sara and will always love her," stated Yohan Dixon, the chairman of Dixon Group. “Yes, even though I was Kevin's wife, I had an affair with Yohan, which continued after Kevin passed away," confirmed Sara Owen, Yohan Dixon's ex-wife and so-called mistress. Sara's eyes widened in shock as she read the news. "This... Jimmy did this?" she asked, incredulous. Yohan nodded. "Sara, the news agency owner confirmed it. Jimmy threatened him to publish this." "He's my son, Yohan. He loves you the most. He couldn't do this," Sara insisted. "Sara, what he did to Jemma isn't fucking enough proof of what he's capable of?" Yohan's frustration surfaced, followed by a cough. Sara noticed his weakened state and rubbed his back. "What's wrong, Yohan? You don't seem well. Should I call the doctor?" Sara's worry grew. "Leave me be," Yohan grumbled, struggling to get up and heading laboriously to the master bedroom. Sara felt ashamed, watching him go, filled with worry and tension. Yohan
"How... How is that possible? I remember, we chatted the morning I got attacked. You were the one telling me the baby was all healthy. What the hell happened?" "Maybe it's just my rotten luck, Jemma. But seeing you with Sunny, I can't help but be grateful you made it through and had a healthy baby." "Oh, Jia..." Jemma enveloped her in a tight hug, both women clinging to each other as tears flowed freely. Meanwhile, Noah reached the October Villa. As he approached, Yohan shot him a glare colder than a snowstorm. "Dad... Mom..." Noah greeted them, his eyes darting around to gauge the situation. Sunny was playing with Yohan. Noah swallowed hard, sensing trouble. "How can you be so careless, Jimmy? Why'd you let Jemma come here alone at this hour? You know the danger's not over yet," Sara scolded, her tone edged with worry. "Mom, I didn't want her to come, but she insisted..." "You're avoiding the situation, Jimmy. You can't change the past, but you shouldn't be dodging what's happ
"Jimmy, it's been days. I want to see her and the baby. What's the big deal?"He sighed, "I promise, we'll go later. I just need to sort some things out first."Jemma, growing more anxious, insisted, "But I've been waiting, Jimmy. I can't wait any longer. What's going on?"Noah, worried about her mental state, softened his tone, "Listen, babe. Trust me, I'll take you to see Jia, okay? I don't want to rush into things."Jemma, feeling a pang of doubt, couldn't hold back, "Are you hiding something from me? Why won't you just take me?""No, Jemma, it's not like that.""Jimmy..." her eyes turned tearful."Okay. I'll take you out to dinner tonight, at October Villa. Jia's staying there, and we can see her afterward. Deal?"Jemma hesitated for a moment, then agreed, "Okay, dinner it is. But you better not forget about it.Noah smiled, relieved that he had managed to divert her attention, "I won't. Now, let me get going, okay?"Jemma agreed, watching him leave for the office. As the door clo
Noah trudged back from work, the day's burdens still hanging on his shoulders. Opening the bedroom door, he caught sight of Jemma singing a lullaby to Sunny in her sweet voice. Emotions surged within him, and he quietly closed the door, not wanting to disturb their tender moment.Sinking into the living room couch, Noah leaned back with a heavy sigh. Guilt and regret enveloped him as he grappled with the reality of their situation. Conflicting emotions swirled as he recognised the joy in Jemma's happiness but couldn't shake the haunting feeling that everything was amiss.Jemma placed Sunny in the cot and, on her way to the kitchen for water, found Noah sitting in the dimly lit living room, a cigarette in one hand and a glass of whisky in the other. She touched his shoulder, and he opened his eyes, extinguishing the cigarette and placing the glass on the table."Tired?" she asked.Noah sighed deeply, rubbing the gap between his eyes. "Is Sunny asleep?"Jemma nodded, her palm on his che
The next morning dawned, casting a feeble light across the hospital room. The oxygen mask, a constant companion in her struggle for breath, had been removed, leaving her vulnerable in the stark hospital room.As Jemma slowly opened her eyes, the sterile scent of the hospital greeted her senses. Her gaze fell on Noah, sitting at the edge of the bed, his face etched with a mixture of exhaustion and sorrow. Desperation flickered in her eyes, and as she tried to speak, her voice emerged as a raspy whisper, "Jimmy... where's our baby?"Noah's heart clenched at the question, the weight of the unspoken truth hanging heavily in the air. He hesitated, avoiding her gaze, and gently urged, "Jemma, just take it easy. You need to rest."But Jemma, fueled by a mother's instinct and the gnawing fear that something was amiss, persisted, "Jimmy, please, where's our baby? Why won't you tell me?"His throat tightened with the burden of the truth he wasn't ready to share. Trying to divert her attention,
In the quiet aftermath, the doctor delivered a bittersweet message – Jia had given birth to a healthy baby boy, and she was fine. The family found themselves torn between joy for the new life and grief for the loss of Jemma's child. The terrace became a haven for Noah, who stood near the railing, his hands tucked into his pockets, gazing into the vast darkness.Jacob approached silently, standing beside him.Noah's shoulders slumped, burdened by the weight of the night. Understanding the unspoken unrest, Jacob placed a hand on Noah's shoulder."It's tough, Jimmy," Jacob finally said.Noah remained silent, still lost in the abyss of his thoughts."It's okay, Jimmy. It's not your mistake." Jacob added."You shouldn't have brought Jia here," Noah mumbled."I couldn't lie to her, and... I couldn't stop her," Jacob replied."How's she?" Noah asked, his voice strained."She's fine. Delivery went smoothly, not too hard on her. It's life.""How's the baby?" Noah's voice caught in his throat.
On a lovely evening, Jemma, bored at home, craved ice cream. Spontaneously, she called her driver and headed to the best ice cream spot. The cool sweetness lifted her spirits, turning a mundane evening into a delight.As Jemma indulged in her favourite ice cream, she decided to tease Noah, ignoring his earlier warnings about venturing out alone. Clueless about the impending twist in her evening, she initiated a video call, capturing the picturesque scene of her enjoying the sweet treat.Noah's face lit up when he saw Jemma's call, and his initial joy was evident as he glimpsed her savouring the ice cream. A smile played on his lips. However, his expression shifted when he noticed the unfamiliar surroundings and the people bustling behind her.Concern etched across his face, Noah interrupted her playful banter. "Jemma, where are you? You're not at home, are you?" he asked, his voice betraying a mix of worry and irritation.Jemma, still in her carefree mood, laughed, "Relax, Jimmy! Just
Yohan looked straight into her eyes, "Your mother didn't make a mistake giving birth to you and your brother. Being a mother ain't a mistake. The real mistake is not being able to bring a child into the world. And you didn't make a mistake wanting to bring life into this world."Jia lowered her head, tears welling up."He's a good guy. I'm proud of you."Jia rested her head on his shoulder, and he tightened his grip on her hand, patting it with his other hand."Jimmy's mad at him, not at you or your child. They're buddies. They'll figure it out.""Thanks, Dad."…Noah stepped out of the bathroom, catching sight of Jemma massaging her own feet. With a quick stride, he approached her."What are you doing? Lie down," he insisted, guiding her to lean back onto the bed. Noah grabbed a cushion, placing it behind her for support. Carefully, he lifted her leg, settling it on his thigh, and started massaging it gently.Jemma looked at him deeply, a gentle smile playing on her lips, radiating w
"Jimmy, just hear me out. It's true. It's Jacob, but...""I don't want to hurt you. Back off," he warned, and Sara covered her mouth in shock at the revelation."Mom, get her out of here," Noah yelled at his stunned mother. Jemma wasn't giving up, clinging to his arms to stop him."Jimmy, please... don't be so furious. At least try to understand. We can talk.""Jemma..." his dark eyes sent shivers down her spine, and she realized the magnitude of his anger.In the bedroom, as Jia and Jacob heard Noah's furious voice, Jia clutched Jacob's hand in fear. "Jacob...""Don't worry, I'll talk to him. Let me go.""No... no... please... please, Jacob..."Jacob gently released his hand from her grip and stepped out of the bedroom. Noah caught sight of him, and his anger surged."Freaking scoundrel!" Ignoring Jemma, he shoved her aside and lunged at Jacob."Jimmy... Jimmy..." Jemma screamed, almost drowned out by the chaos.Jacob attempted, "Jimmy, let's talk, okay.""I'll kill you!" But Noah un
"You won't do anything to him, brother. Please..." Jia approached him in fear."I'll kill that coward, Jia," Noah gritted his teeth, eyes blazing with anger."He's not a coward, brother.""This is pure cowardice. Who the hell leaves you in such a condition?" he shouted angrily."No brother, don't do anything to him. Please... he was going to tell you...""When? After the baby's born? It's been seven fucking months, Jia!" he screamed, shaking her. Jemma approached Jia, holding her shoulders, and said to Noah, "Jimmy, don't scare her. We can talk calmly.""I'm warning you, Jemma. Ask her who he is or get her ready to see his dead body in twenty-four hours."Saying that, he stormed out of the apartment furiously, leaving everyone shocked and scared. Jia sobbed, holding Jemma's hands, "Jemma... please... tell brother not to do anything to him... please... Jemma...""Calm down... calm down, Jia... don't cry... I'll talk to him."Jia rushed to Sara, stumbling into her legs, "Mom... please..