Lydia was so shocked she didn’t even know how to react. The news was completely unexpected. The doctor quickly prescribed folic acid, and neither of them said a word until they got into the car. Once seated, Quincy finally glanced at Lydia, clearly trying to contain his emotions."You…" he began, but Lydia cut him off, her voice betraying her nervousness. “I had no idea either. My period didn’t come for a month, but my cycle has always been irregular, so I didn’t think much of it.”Lydia truly didn’t know what to do about the little life growing inside her. Her parents still hadn’t approved of her relationship with Quincy, and just days ago, they were trying to set her up with Eugene. The thought of what her parents would do if they found out she was pregnant was terrifying.But despite all that, Lydia never considered not having the baby. This was her and Quincy’s child. The thought filled her with warmth, and she couldn’t help but start imagining their future together.Quincy n
Both Lydia and Quincy decided to keep the pregnancy a secret for now, especially from her parents. Lydia was particularly anxious. She feared that if her mother found out, she might cause a scene at Quincy’s company. But Lydia’s frequent absences from home, along with her early departure from the Ford family banquet, had made her mother increasingly worried.One evening, her parents had a discussion and decided to call her back home.In the Fay family living room, Mr. Fay sat on the sofa, glasses perched on his nose, pretending to read a newspaper. In reality, he was glancing toward the door, tapping his fingers as if waiting for someone.“Now, Hubby, remember what we talked about. You can’t lose your temper this time! You promised to speak kindly to our daughter, no yelling. We don’t want another argument,” Mrs. Fay reminded him.“I know, I know. Let’s wait until she’s back,” he responded, somewhat dismissively. After so many years together, Mrs. Fay was used to her husband’s
Quincy let out a sigh, gently helping Lydia sit down. "You don’t need to talk to me like that. If your dad wants to meet, I’ll go."Although Mr. Fay hadn’t formally acknowledged him, Quincy had already started seeing him as his future father-in-law. And in his mind, a father-in-law was like a second father. How could he refuse?Quincy planned to visit Fay Corporation at noon to meet her father. Lydia, worried, wanted to go with him, but he refused, insisting she stay at the company. After a bit of back and forth, Lydia finally agreed.As Quincy stepped out of the car in front of the towering Fay Corporation building, a wave of unexpected nerves hit him. He had been in plenty of meetings with high-profile companies and CEOs, especially when working alongside Nash, and by comparison, the Fay Corporation wasn’t even that big.Yet, the tension remained.Adjusting his tie, he took a deep breath and walked inside.The receptionist greeted him with a polite smile. “Good afternoon, sir
"Who told you to go off on your own without me? Do you dare try that again next time?" Lydia playfully scolded.Quincy could only chuckle in resignation. He glanced at her stomach, thinking, "Well, I definitely won't be taking any chances now." Lydia had become his top priority, and he knew he had to be extra careful from now on.The two of them understood the situation perfectly, but from Mr. Fay’s perspective, it looked quite different. His daughter had just run into Quincy’s arms without a second thought."Lydia, get up! Look at yourself!" Mr. Fay’s angry voice cut through the air, jolting Lydia back to reality. She immediately remembered her father was watching and quickly pulled away from Quincy.“Dad…”“Whenever I ask you to come to the company, you always find excuses. But when it’s to bring Quincy here, you’re here in no time,” Mr. Fay said coldly.Lydia was at a loss for words.Mr. Fay let out a heavy sigh, clearly displeased with Quincy, but he couldn’t go back on what
Mr. Fay maintained outward respect for Quincy in front of the business partner, formally introducing him, though he didn’t mention that Quincy was his future son-in-law.“So, this is one of Mr. Fay’s younger associates, huh? He certainly looks capable!” the business partner praised.“You’re too kind,” Quincy replied modestly.Despite the polite introduction, both Quincy and the business partner sensed the subtle distance in Mr. Fay’s tone when referring to him. This led the business partner to form a somewhat mixed impression of Quincy.Still, Quincy remained calm and composed. After a brief round of small talk, they sat down for dinner. The meal, served in a luxurious five-star hotel, was abundant. However, Quincy’s mind was elsewhere, focused on Lydia.He knew she had been struggling with morning sickness lately, and he was usually the one making sure she ate properly. He couldn’t help but wonder how she was managing on her own.Quincy discreetly pulled out his phone under the
“But I just can’t shake this feeling.” Lydia murmured, anxiety gnawing at her.“Unfortunately, you can’t reach Mr. Quincy right now unless you have someone who can get in touch with him,” her secretary suggested.Lydia’s eyes lit up. Why hadn’t she thought of that? She could call her father!Without wasting another moment, she dialed her father’s number, heart pounding with worry for both Quincy and her dad. As the phone rang, each second felt like an eternity, and she silently prayed that nothing had happened.Finally, the call connected.“Hello… signal’s bad here…” came Mr. Fay’s voice, crackling with interference.The signal was awful, and Lydia’s heart leapt back into her throat. Raising her voice, she tried to make herself heard. “Dad, where are you? I saw a video saying there might be an earthquake in Salt City!”“What? I can’t… hear you clearly,” Mr. Fay’s voice came in and out, making it hard to communicate.“I said there might be an earthquake where you are! Don’t go o
Mr. Fay lay under the blanket, listening to Mrs. Fay’s conversation with the doctor outside. From the sound of it, Lydia could tell her father had injured his leg, but she didn’t dare pull back the blanket to see for herself.Unconsciously, tears welled up in her eyes and began to soak the edge of the blanket. Lydia leaned against the hospital bed, overcome with guilt for her past stubbornness, for always defying her father. “Dad, I was wrong. I’ve really been so wrong.”“Why are you crying? I’m not dead or crippled,” came a strong voice from above her.Surprised, Lydia looked up to see her father, his face flushed with color. He was still as stern as ever, his thick brows knitted together, looking as if he could find fault with her at any moment. But this time, Lydia felt no defiance. Her eyes red from crying, she hugged her father tightly. “Dad, I’m so sorry I got here late.”“It’s just a little earthquake,” Mr. Fay said, clearly flustered by her display of affection, unsure
Lydia immediately toned down her excitement, unsure whether to let go of Quincy’s hand or not, worried her father might catch on. Feeling nervous, she shot a pleading look toward Quincy for help.Luckily, Quincy understood.With Mrs. Fay staying at the hospital to care for Mr. Fay, the two didn’t linger and left soon after. Since the biggest hurdle had been Mr. Fay’s disapproval of their relationship, Lydia wanted to secure everything while things were still in their favor. She had brought all the necessary documents with her just in case, so they decided to head to the courthouse and get their marriage license right away.A short while later, holding their official marriage license in her hands, Lydia’s face lit up with a radiant smile.She extended her hand toward Quincy and playfully said, “Hello, Mr. Quincy. From today onwards, let’s take care of each other.”Quincy’s charming smile, warm and intoxicating like the finest wine, softened his features. Seeing that no one was
Pharaoh noticed the resolute look in Nash’s eyes and knew exactly what kind of person he was. He had witnessed firsthand how well Nash treated Nina. Still, Pharaoh couldn't shake the reality that his days were numbered, prompting him to repeat his instructions again and again.Pharaoh had experienced it all—success, loss, and even redemption. Yet, the one thing he couldn’t make peace with was leaving his two children behind. Though he neither smoked nor drank, life was slipping away from him. Pharaoh believed his failing health was divine retribution for the sins he had committed in his past.He spent hours talking to Nash, who listened patiently, nodding in agreement as Pharaoh repeated his wishes. Despite trusting Micah to take care of things, Pharaoh still felt compelled to remind Micah, saying, “Don’t be reckless. The debts of the father often fall to the son. My remaining time has been spent with Nina, but the Yaren Tribe is now your responsibility. I expect you to make amen
Wilfred fell silent.If there was someone he couldn’t forget, it was Nina, his Ivy. But fate had not been kind. By the time he found her, she was already married to Nash and had his children. Later, when news of Nash’s death spread, Wilfred watched as Nina grieved deeply, her love for Nash evident in every tear she shed. No matter how much effort Wilfred put in, he could never truly step into her heart. He wanted Nina to be happy, to smile and laugh, even if it meant enduring his own loneliness and heartache. But the ache of unspoken love weighed heavily on him, pulling him into a spiral of internal struggle.Still, Wilfred quickly suppressed his emotions. “You’ve finished your work and now have time to meddle in my personal life?” he asked coolly, his voice cutting through the room. The assistant immediately froze, understanding he had crossed a line. “I wouldn’t dare.”“Good. Focus on your tasks and stop wasting time on meaningless matters,” Wilfred replied sharply.“Ye
No one knew how much longer Pharaoh had, but the moment a child took root in Freya’s womb or an embryo successfully developed, it would bring him a small sense of peace.Freya and Micah were determined. With the hospital director, Wilfred, personally overseeing their case, there was little room for doubt or objection. The egg retrieval process was excruciatingly painful for Freya. Micah’s heart ached for her, but he had already spoken with Pharaoh, and Pharaoh silently supported the decision. Micah felt a deep sense of guilt. “Freya, I’m sorry for putting you through this. You’ve seen Dad’s condition. I just… I don’t want him to…”He couldn’t finish the sentence. Even as a rational man, defining such a moment for his own father was too difficult. Freya embraced him, her voice steady and reassuring. “You don’t need to apologize. I’m willing to do this for you, for our family.”She knew that Micah’s push for this wasn’t selfish. It was out of love and an earnest wish to ease his
“Don’t say such things! You’re not going to die!" Nina held back her tears, fearing that once they started, she wouldn’t be able to stop.Pharaoh smiled calmly. “Life and death are natural parts of the world. Everyone has to face it eventually. But I’ve been lucky. I found you, reunited with you, got to be part of your life, and even earned your forgiveness. I’ve already lived a fulfilled life.“All right, let’s eat. No more heavy talk.” Pharaoh seemed wary of his own emotions, not wanting his words to bring him to tears.“Okay,” Nina agreed, swallowing her emotions and putting on a brave face. She made sure the two children stayed close to Pharaoh, their laughter a comforting distraction.The next day around noon, Micah and Freya arrived. Seeing them, Pharaoh immediately guessed they had come at Nina’s urging.“You both came? The Yaren Tribe is so busy right now, especially during this critical development phase. Didn’t I tell you to focus on the important work first?” Pharaoh sa
“Fish stew isn’t good for you right now. You need to eat lighter meals,” Nina said, trying to balance Pharaoh’s preferences with his health.Pharaoh smiled warmly. “Lately, everything tastes like nothing. I’d really like to eat something flavorful.”Before Nina could respond, Nash placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder and spoke up. “Let’s get you discharged, and once we’re home, Nina can cook it for you.”“Alright,” Pharaoh agreed, leaving Nina with no room to argue.Nash drove them home while Pharaoh held baby Scarlett in his arms. Meanwhile, Scarlett and Nina said their goodbyes at the hospital, parting ways.Once they arrived home, Nina went straight into the kitchen, and Nash joined her to help. “Dad’s not looking great,” Nash said quietly as he chopped vegetables. “If he wants to be home, let him. Whatever he wants to eat, whatever requests he has, let’s just give him that. And call your brother and tell him to come.”Nash’s words carried a weight that Nina couldn’t ign
Scarlett wasn’t swayed by Nina’s attempts to persuade her to stay, and Nina decided not to press further. After finishing lunch, Nina, Scarlett, and the children headed to the hospital to visit Pharaoh, with Nash driving them.Pharaoh had expressed a desire to move back home, but Nina firmly refused. At the hospital, his condition could be monitored around the clock, and Nina wasn’t willing to take any risks with his health. She couldn’t bear the thought of any sudden emergencies.Pharaoh’s face lit up when he saw the children. Orion clung to her grandfather, while little Gemma sat happily in his arms. Pharaoh gently pinched her cheeks, and she responded with a bright, toothy grin.“Pharaoh, am I really that invisible?” Scarlett teased, noticing how he only seemed to have eyes for the kids.Pharaoh finally turned his attention to Scarlett. “It’s been ages since I last saw you. My old eyes must be failing me. I didn’t even notice you. Sorry about that.”Scarlett smiled warmly. “Don
“The military is the military, but this is my home. Now that you’re here, there’s no way I’m letting you be treated poorly,” Nina said, holding Scarlett’s hand warmly. It had been a long time since they had seen each other, and seeing Scarlett now reminded her of Yvonne.Scarlett chuckled. “You could never treat me poorly. But I heard Pharaoh has been unwell. How is he doing?”“He’s undergoing chemotherapy,” Nina replied with a sigh. “With cancer, you never really know. Some people survive for decades, while others have only days after their diagnosis.”“I’d like to visit him,” Scarlett said. Despite everything, she felt a deep sense of gratitude toward Pharaoh. After all, he and Wilfred had trained her. Even though her past with Sawyer had been painful, it was behind her now. Everyone was trying to move forward.“Let’s eat first. I’ll take you to see him after,” Nina offered.“All right,” Scarlett agreed.Nina decided that leaving everything to the helper wasn’t enough. She
Ben looked at Jamie and asked, “Are you sure you can manage this on your own? Mom’s condition makes it hard to care for her without help. Turning her over in bed alone won’t be easy without a nurse.”Jamie’s lips curved into a faint smile. “Did you forget what I used to do? I’ve handled far worse jobs to pay for Charlie’s medical bills. Compared to that, this is nothing.”Her words tugged painfully at Ben’s heart. Jamie had carried the entire family’s burden on her own in the past, and the thought of her enduring so much made him ache.“I’m sorry… for everything before. You’ve been through so much,” he said in a low, hoarse voice.Jamie waved it off with a light laugh. “This isn’t some grand apology ceremony. Besides, haven’t we agreed to leave the past where it belongs?”Just as she finished speaking, her phone rang. It was Nina.“Come over with Charlie,” Nina said over the phone. “Gemma keeps asking about her little brother.”Nina genuinely considered Jamie a friend, and besid
Winnie gave a faint smile. “I’ve already let it go. But think about it, you’re now living a high-profile life as part of an influential family. Do you really want the media constantly digging into your past because of me?”She spoke calmly, but the weight of her words hit Jamie like a stone. Linda and Winnie were destined to live in the shadows.Jamie understood what Winnie was saying, but she also knew that no one could choose the circumstances of their birth. And she, for one, would never turn her back on her mother or her sister.“Winnie…” Jamie tried to argue, but Winnie interrupted her.“Don’t start, sis. Living a good life is the best thing you can do for both of us.“And even if I don’t leave now, I’ll have to eventually. You might be able to keep me here for a year, maybe two, but you can’t control my life forever. Right now, I just want a bit of freedom and to take Mom with me. I’ve already made up my mind, so let’s not waste time going in circles.”Jamie hesitated for a