All eyes turned towards the door, anticipation etched on their faces. Merrick, quick to catch on, glanced at Nora before addressing the newcomer. "Ah, her best friend," he remarked casually Innerly, attempting to diffuse any potential confusion. Alice, sensing the change in atmosphere, greeted everyone with a cheerful, "What's up, everyone?"As Alice's gaze swept across the scene, she caught sight of a familiar figure seated at the dining table. Her eyes widened in shock, unable to comprehend the unexpected sight before her. "Nora... your boss?" Alice stammered, her voice filled with confusion and disbelief on seeing Merrick. "How did he get here? When? From Where?" Her questions tumbled out, betraying her utter bewilderment at the unfolding situation.Nora nervously bit her lower lip, a subtle sign of her unease, and then turned to Alice, attempting to divert attention from the probing question. "Come on, Alice, let's have dinner. It's getting late," she suggested, hoping to steer th
"Was the guy from that night drunk?" Alice asked, her voice quivering. Nora paused for a moment, recollecting the blurred memories of that evening. "I'm not entirely sure," she confessed, her words carrying a hint of ambiguity. "We simply enjoyed each other's company that night, but the way he wrote that paper the next morning... it seemed clear he wasn't drunk," she stated.Nora sighed, breaking the silence that hung in the air. "Anyways, I need to move on. It's been several years already," she said, her voice tinged with nostalgia. "And it's not a mistake to me anymore. Thanks to him, I met Mia and Axel. That's the most wonderful gift anyone could ask for."Alice nodded, understanding the weight of Nora's words. "You're right, Nora. Life has a funny way of leading us down unexpected paths which sometimes leads to blessings. Mia and Axel are truly blessings in disguise."After their heartfelt conversation, Nora and Alice walked back to the cozy living room, their footsteps echoing s
"Go and get a shower," Nora encouraged her, her voice filled with warmth and care. Alice mustered a tired smile, grateful for Nora's thoughtfulness. With a nod, Alice rose from her seat, her steps guided by the promise of rest after taking her bath.In the next room, Nora took her bath first, the soothing water cascading over her body, washing away the weariness of the day. She changed into her comfortable nightwear, the soft fabric embracing her skin like a gentle caress. Content with her own preparations, she encouraged Alice to do the same, ensuring that her dear friend would find solace and rejuvenation in the simple act of self-care.With the tasks completed, Nora bid Alice and Mia a heartfelt goodnight, her voice carrying a sense of warmth and affection. She made her way back to her room, where Merrick patiently awaited her return.Merrick lay on the bed, his gaze fixed upon the ceiling, lost in his own thoughts. As Nora entered the room, her eyes caught sight of Merrick's conte
As Nora nestled back into the comfort of her pillows, a blissful smile graced her lips. The memory of Merrick's touch and his sweet departure lingered in her mind, filling her heart.As the morning sun bathed the room in its golden glow, Nora, Alice, and the kids awoke, fully embracing the new day. Nora busied herself in the kitchen, preparing a delicious breakfast for the family. Alice, curious and perceptive, approached Nora with a mischievous glint in her eyes, whispering in a conspiratorial tone."Nora, did something happen between you and Merrick last night?" Alice inquired, her voice barely above a whisper, a playful smile dancing on her lips.Nora's face flushed with embarrassment and delight. She stammered, trying to find the right words, "N….No, Alice, nothing happened at all. We just spent... time together."Alice's laughter filled the air as she playfully nudged Nora's arm. "Oh, come on, silly girl. I can see it in your eyes. Something definitely happened."Unable to hide h
Nora was surprised as she furrowed her brow. "Then why did you ask me to bring them? I thought they were important," she said, her tone filled with confusion.Merrick's expression softened, and he reached out to gently caress her cheek. "I asked you to bring them because I wanted to see you," he confessed, his voice carrying a hint of vulnerability. "I was...jealous, Nora. I thought you had a connection with William, and it made me sad."Nora's eyes widened in shock, She hadn't expected this revelation. "Merrick, I didn't realize you felt that way," she whispered, her voice filled with surprise. "I never had any romantic interest in William. My heart has always been with you even though you were really harsh to me then."Merrick's eyes softened, reflecting a profound sense of happiness. "I'm glad to hear that, Nora. When I discovered my jealousy, it made me realize just how much I care about you. I wanted to take a chance, to show you my feelings and make my move."Nora couldn't help
Once his order was ready, Merrick headed to the pharmacy next door. Stepping inside, he walked the aisles since the pharmacy doctor wasn't around only his sales worker, as Merrick searched for the necessary medications to alleviate William's symptoms himself. He carefully read the labels, ensuring he selected the right remedies to offer comfort and relief.With the food and medicine in hand, Merrick headed towards Taylor Corporation. His heart swelled with concern for William, and he hoped that these thoughtful offerings would help alleviate William's discomfort from his illness.*****The night before, Austin had engaged in a serious conversation with his wife, Chloe, about their son Desmond's unfortunate incident involving glue and a chair at school. Both parents agreed that action needed to be taken, and Austin took it upon himself to address the situation. After dropping off Desmond at school, he made his way to the office of the school head, determined to find answers.Entering t
Noticing Mia's discomfort, Austin's expression softened. Unaware of the true cause of her distress, he continued, his tone sympathetic. "I apologize if I startled you. Please know that I mean no harm. I simply wanted to ask for your mom's contact information."Axel, feeling protective of his Mom, interjected, his voice filled with concern. "Why do you need her contact?" he asked, his eyes narrowing slightly.Austin met Axel's gaze, his intentions transparent. "It's been a while since we've seen each other, and I thought it would be nice to reconnect as friends. I assure you, there's no ulterior motive. I just want to stay in touch."Mia, her anxiety slowly ebbing, looked at Austin. She understood the significance of her mother's contact information and the potential connection it could bring with Austin since he said they were friends.Axel, after a brief pause, nodded in understanding, realizing that Austin's intentions were genuine. He turned to Mia, offering silent reassurance with
Finally, William broke the silence, his voice filled with confusion and concern. "When did this happen?" he asked, his words measured. Merrick's expression softened, realizing the impact of his revelation. "It began a few days ago like I said," he answered, his voice gentler. "We connected on a deeper level, and it just felt right."William's shoulders slumped slightly, a tinge of defeat coloring his voice. "So, you beat me to it," he admitted a hint of resignation in his words. Merrick raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. "I thought you weren't interested in her," William added his tone surprised with mild disappointment.Merrick leaned back on his chair, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "I was," he confessed, his voice tinged with vulnerability. "Although I didn't want to admit it to myself. I tried to act tough, but deep down, I realized I had fallen harder than I thought."A flicker of sympathy softened William's features as he absorbed Merrick's confession. He reac