Christine engaged in a lengthy phone conversation with Ethan and Loukas, carefully avoiding mentioning the room incident, despite her little angel's persistent curiosity about the hotel. His nosiness couldn't be more apparent. She was resolved to administer some form of punishment upon returning home, but for now, her only method of discipline was to deny him the satisfaction he sought. She had to admit, he was quite the schemer. A part of her felt an odd sense of pride in his intelligence, even though her secrets were perilously close to being exposed. She had to outsmart him at any cost. Her message inbox was brimming with texts from Simon, offering apologies for his immature behavior. No one could deny his childishness, but could she truly blame him? His instincts were unsettlingly accurate. She might call him tomorrow for a chat, but first, she needed to mentally prepare for spending the night in the same room as his brother. Hunter pondered if Christine would join him for a d
Hunter's eyes widened in shock upon noticing the caller ID and even more upon observing the sudden shift in Christine's demeanor. Reality struck like a thunderbolt, transforming her from a woman consumed by primal desire to one filled with immediate outrage in a mere split second. The lust in her eyes was swiftly replaced by a blend of disbelief and indignation. Despite her struggles to resist, she had succumbed to temptation. Martha had inadvertently spared her from a dire mistake, but she felt anything but saved. She was, for all intents and purposes, devastated. However, she was unable to pinpoint the exact origin of her tumultuous emotions. Was it due to her momentary lapse in judgement, or because they hadn't seen their intimate encounter to its conclusion? Or perhaps, was it the stark realization that they never would? If it were the latter, that revelation would remain her closely guarded secret. "Please remove yourself," she demanded, her voice thick with unspoken emotion.
"Well, wouldn't you just love to know that?" He retorted playfully. There was silence on the other end for a few seconds, before Martha responded. "Actually, yes, I would. I'm curious to know who this woman is, who's willing to involve herself with a man she presumes to be married. You haven't broken our agreement, I trust?" He rolled his eyes in exasperation. "I haven't." "So she's the kind who would throw herself at a married man then?" Hunter's irritation mounted by the second. Martha's probing questions were pushing him to the edge. "I don't owe you any explanations. And let's not forget who's truly responsible for our divorce." When he'd married her, he'd been in love. But she hadn't turned out to be the woman he thought she was. Her demeanor changed subtly day by day until he couldn't recognize the woman he had married. It felt as if she'd been wearing a masterfully designed mask the whole time. In fact, she might have been. His most cherished memory of her was from their w
For Christine, motherhood took precedence over all else. It was her first, second, and third priority, with everything else demoted to a distant fourth. Being separated from her son was a heartache she never enjoyed, even if Ethan could be a handful - a trait that seemed to have amplified since he'd met Hunter. For the moment, she had to content herself with communicating with him over the phone. "Grandpa's spoiling me, but I miss you so much, Mommy!" Ethan's endearing voice was like a tug on her heartstrings, eliciting an ache within her that echoed the profound longing she felt for him. "Oh, my sweet angel, I miss you too! How I wish I could return home tonight!" "Mommy, did something happen? Is Daddy not treating you well?" Ethan's concern was palpable, and Christine could practically envision the worried frown creasing his small face. A soft sigh escaped Christine's lips, followed by a gentle smile that she was grateful Ethan couldn't see. His delight at her potential union wi
'What exactly is she implying?' Hunter puzzled over her words. The woman's tone seemed complimentary, but a bitter undertone laced her expression. 'She must know something about Christine, a secret perhaps.' His curiosity was shared by others in the crowd, who, engaged in hushed conversations, directed their undivided attention towards Christine. "Doesn't that sound a bit fishy to you?" one guest mused aloud, catching the attention of a nearby group. "I thought I was the only one who noticed," another chimed in, clearly relieved he wasn't the only one with lingering questions. "Do you think they're hiding something?" a woman in an elegant gown murmured, her eyes narrowed in suspicion. "How did such a young woman manage to build a successful business? It's almost unnatural," an older gentleman stated, skepticism clearly evident in his tone. "What's her backstory? I feel like there's more to Christine Blaine than meets the eye," another guest wondered aloud, further fueling the poo
Early in the morning, Eric signed the contract for the new Smart Home Project, a venture destined for success. The mere thought of increasing his financial return tenfold in just a few years incited a dance of joy in his mind. Physically, he remained composed - he was Eric Black, after all, one of the world's wealthiest individuals. But who would resist the allure of accumulating more wealth and prestige? His eager gaze landed on Christine, observing her with an intensity that bordered on longing. "I was disappointed when you left early last night," he voiced, his tone tinged with genuine regret. And he was disappointed, though only for about ten minutes before he found comfort in the company of a blonde, a woman whose striking attributes could turn heads in both heaven and hell. Eric's wife was often away on extensive travels, presumably seeking refuge from his affairs and the accompanying social scandal. Or perhaps she was entangled in her own complications; no one knew. "I'm sor
Martha's heart pounded wildly, echoing through her ears like a raging drum. She could swear she was on the verge of a heart attack, but it was merely a panic attack, fueled by her spiraling thoughts. Rage surged from her core, spreading to the furthest edges of her being. Her blood simmered, bubbling with an intoxicating mix of fear and anger. The fear of losing everything was unbearable. Her image, her prosperous career, the sizable monthly alimony Hunter had generously provided after their divorce—all threatened to slip away from her grasp. Her palms were slick with sweat, her face flushed and feverish, her mind teetering on the brink of madness. All because of Christine. Christine, the unending thorn in her flesh, her perpetual tormentor. Always outshining her with her radiant beauty, her effervescent charm, and her razor-sharp intellect. A constant specter casting an impenetrable shadow over Martha, rendering her invisible by comparison. "Martha, you're next! You need to go in!"
The car pulled up to the house, and Christine spotted Ethan peering out from his bedroom window, likely waiting impatiently for her return. The moment his eyes fell on her, he darted down the stairs and out the door, making a beeline for the car where she stood. "Mommy!" He wrapped his arms around her legs with all the strength his small body could muster. 'So this is what pure happiness feels like!' Christine thought to herself, a surge of joy washing over her. She scooped Ethan up into her arms, pressing a lingering kiss on his forehead. It seemed as though the scent of his hair alone had the power to erase her worries. Despite all her problems, he was her greatest blessing. "Oh, baby, you're getting so big! I can barely lift you!" She feigned a disappointed tone. A wide grin spread across Ethan's face, his smile revealing a few missing teeth. He had never looked more endearing, his joy radiating from his eyes. "Yes, Mommy, I'm not a kid anymore!" She chuckled. "I see that. I'