“Dad didn't even say a word. He just went straight into his room and never came out. Sa Mom was crying a lot. She said Dad has become really quiet. He doesn't talk to anyone and stays locked in his room all the time. Mom has to be with him all the time because sometimes he feels dizzy and has these episodes from his bipolar disorder."Noah became cold."After you left, Jemma and I also left the villa. I used to be mad at him before, but seeing him like this makes me feel terrible. Mom mentioned that when he's alone, he spends hours in your room looking at your childhood photos and your medals. Everyone at school says he won't live much longer because of the mess you've caused to his company and he's all stressed out. I'm scared, brother. Please don't be mad at Dad. He loves you so much. If you ruin him, how will I, Sa Mom, Grandpa, and Grandma cope?"Noah felt a wave of emotions listening to Jia. It touched his heart knowing Yohan missed him despite the rough situation between them. G
As soon as Sara stepped out of the master bedroom, Nisha hurried to inform her, "Mr. Jenkins is here." Sara squinted in confusion, "Ryan... unexpectedly, without a heads-up..." Entering the living room, Sara spotted Ryan standing near the couch with his back turned to her. "Ryan..." Ryan turned around, "Hey, Sara." "You're back from abroad!" "Yeah, got in this morning." "Did you have lunch?" "Will head home and have lunch with Jemma. Promised her that." "It's Sunday. She's probably enjoying her day off." "How's Yohan?" "Oh! Yohan... he's slowly recovering. He's just sleeping." "Better. I wanted to talk to you, that's why I'm here." "Me?" Ryan nodded with a hint of sadness, "Sara, about a week ago, some photos gone viral on the internet about Noah and Jemma. Found out when I got back today. Is it true there's something between them?" Sara's expression turned serious, "Have you spoken to Jemma about it?" "I know my daughter, Sara. Since breaking up with Jay, she's been ver
Sara cautiously pushed open the door to Noah's bedroom, peering in with Noah by her side. Yohan stood facing the wall where Noah's pictures, medals, and certificates hung in frames. Noah felt a pang of sadness and guilt as he observed Yohan's figure, noticing that he had lost weight. "Yohan stays here like this every day after dinner. He won't move until I call him to bed," Sara murmured softly. Noah walked into the room and halted behind Yohan. As Yohan glimpsed his reflection in the photos, his face suddenly brightened. He turned around, but upon seeing Noah standing in front of him, he froze, as if his mind was struggling to sense whether it was a hallucination or a real encounter.Noah stood in awe as he laid eyes on Yohan. The sight of him stunned Noah to his core. Yohan's face had transformed significantly; the once vibrant aura around him had waned. His complexion was pallid, and the spark in his eyes had diminished. He appeared gaunt, visibly thinner than before, and there wa
The evening was set for the Vento University Student Association's grand party, inviting all graduates. The venue sparkled with vibrant lights and pulsating music, creating an electric atmosphere. Graduates reunited, enjoying the chance to meet old friends, laughter echoing as they shared tales, clinked glasses, and recollected about college days. Joy and harmony filled the air, an evening where cherished memories were restored amid the delightful ambience.As Jay stood among his friends, his gaze subtly shifted towards Jemma, who was engrossed in conversation with her friends. She looked glamorous in her elegant black dress, her charm shining effortlessly across the room. Jay couldn't help but admire her grace and beauty from a distance, a soft smile forming on his lips as he watched her amidst the crowd. Jemma appeared stunning in her tempting black backless dress. The mid-rise waistline complemented her figure beautifully, highlighting her slender outline. The dress, with its grace
Jay realized his possessive behaviour and said, "I'm sorry. Let's eat." Jemma felt a sudden dizziness, pressing the space between her eyes. "Are you fine?" Jay asked. "Feeling dizzy," she responded. Jay motioned to the waiter and got her a drink. "Have this. It might help." They ate and drank in the garden, away from the party's commotion and crowds. Jemma's dizziness increased. Attempting to stand, she felt woozy. Jay offered help. "Are you alright?" "Yeah, I should go…" Jemma attempted to stand. Jay suggested, "Stay here. I'll get more drinks for you." He left, leaving Jemma feeling uneasy and wanting to leave. She unsteadily made her way toward the exit. Just as she reached the elevator, Ben appeared. "Ben!" Jemma slurred. "You broke up with Jay, so why are you acting all sweet with him now?" Ben taunted. "Let me go," she pleaded. "Talk sweetly to me too. Let me put my hands on your shoulders," he jeered. As he tried to grab her, she pushed him away, "What are you do
Jemma rubbed her temples as she woke up, feeling confused about her surroundings. Nisha walked in holding a glass of lemonade and placed it on the bedside table. "Morning, Miss." Jemma groaned, "How did I end up here?" "Last night, Young Master carried you on his shoulder." "Jimmy?" "Yeah, Ma'am saw and freaked out. He put you in bed and dashed off without changing his shirt." "Shirt?" "You had puked on him!" Jemma, still fuzzy about the details of the previous night, closed her eyes, trying to recollect. "Have the lemonade Ma'am sent for you. Then get ready. Breakfast's waiting. Jia's super stoked knowing you're here." "Okay," Jemma murmured. When Jemma entered the dining hall, she found everyone already seated. She gave hesitant greetings to Sara and Yohan, then received a warm hug from Jia. "You're finally here! I've been begging you to visit me," Jia complained playfully. "Jia, let her eat first. She just arrived," Sara interjected, serving breakfast onto Jemma's plate
Jacob grabbed the whisky from Noah's hand, scolding him, "What's wrong with you? It's your wedding day, man! You can't be getting hammered. Let's go, everyone's waiting.""I don't want to do this," Noah said, his voice rough, turning away."Come on, Jimmy, you can't bail out now. Forget everything and just do it," Jacob insisted."No!" Noah shouted.Looking around, Jacob approached him, "Jimmy, seriously, you can't back out. You should see your mom and uncle, they're ecstatic. Your mom can't stop smiling."Noah covered his face with his hands, "I can't go through with this. I just can't...""For your mom's sake, man. Please, don't do this. Let's go. They're all waiting for you."Noah wiped his face, Jacob dabbed a tissue on him, straightened his suit, and they left the room. The wedding wasn't a big affair; it was held in the spacious area of the Jenkins House.The venue was a spectacle of beauty, adorned with flowers in soft hues. The aisle was lined with petals, leading to an intric
Sara had made sure the servants didn't disturb Jemma and Noah in the morning so they could sleep in. When Jemma arrived at the dining room for breakfast, everyone looked at her blushing. Her eyes were a bit puffy from crying the night before, so everyone thought Noah had arrived late and they'd spent the wedding night together.But when Jemma mentioned, "I'm heading to work," confusion struck everyone."You just got married yesterday. You look tired. Take a few days off," Sara suggested."I'm okay, Aunt.""Alright, but check with Jimmy first. What will we say if he wakes up and asks about you?""He didn't come home," Jemma revealed.Everyone was shocked."He didn't come?" Sara asked, surprised.Not wanting to elaborate, Jemma stood up, "I'll be late. Gotta go.""Let's go, Jemma. Andrew will drop us," Jia said, accompanying Jemma.Sara and Yohan exchanged glances.Sara was worried about Noah's absence. She asked, "Where's Jimmy?""Did you try calling him yesterday?" Yohan asked."I ask
"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..