The next morning.
Julian Sterling hadn't gone anywhere. He had spent the night in his car. As dawn broke, he woke up.
He glanced at his watch. Every day at this time, Lily would go downstairs for a walk. Thinking of this, he cursed himself for his lack of backbone. His heart was burning with anger, yet he was still concerned about her. He hit the steering wheel in frustration, the horn blaring abruptly in the early morning.
Lily had just stepped out of the complex when she heard the sound. She looked towards the parking spot and was startled to see him.
He saw her too, composed himself, and walked over without a word. The intensity in his eyes seemed to penetrate her heart. He asked, "Do you know how hurtful your wo
When Lily woke up, she felt as if she had been reborn. Barely moving her fingers, Julian, who had been dozing off at the edge of the bed, immediately woke up. He tenderly touched her pale face, asking with concern, "Do you want some water? Or something to eat?" People said that women with children usually looked fuller, but why did she still look so delicate?She shook her head, her gaze wandering around the room, "Where's the baby?"Julian held her hand tighter, "Next door. Your mom stayed until he fell asleep before leaving. There's a nurse with him now. Should I bring him here?" Her parents had stayed until the morning. Concerned about Henry's health, Julian had someone take them home to rest. As for himself, he had barely slept."Let him sleep. I don't have the strength
Julian Sterling had been feeling particularly vexed lately. Despite his philosophy of "choosing only one out of the myriad options," his efforts weren't acknowledged. The defiant woman, Lily Parker, had already borne him a son, and though the child was his, she stubbornly refused to agree to marriage. Julian had tried every trick in the book, yet she wouldn't budge. It was ironic that Julian, known for his reluctance to settle down, was now so eager to end his bachelorhood.He had planned to use his usual methods to make Lily Mrs. Sterling, but she had outmaneuvered him by finding a powerful ally, delaying their marriage for nearly a year. Their son was already learning to speak, and not only Julian but also his parents, anxious for their beloved grandson, were growing impatient.The source of his frustration was this powerful ally,
Moreover, Julian's sister Olivia had taken a liking to Lily and was now advising her on how to play hard to get. Lily, who could have easily been the happy Mrs. Sterling, was influenced by Olivia to join the workforce, working a nine-to-five job. To add insult to injury, Julian once went to pick her up and found her chatting amiably with a male colleague who, according to 'reliable sources', was one of several men undeterred by her status as a single mother and persistently pursuing her. The audacity of these men under his watchful eye infuriated Julian. He couldn't bear the thought of what might happen when he wasn't around!No, he had to act fast. He had indulged her whims for a year; it was time to extinguish any lingering flames of resistance. She was to be his wife and no one else's!After much thought, Julian decided he needed
Lily Parker opened her eyes to find Julian Sterling propped up on one elbow, gazing at her. His broad shoulders and arms, marked with scratches, were visible. Most infuriatingly, he wore a smug smile, like a cat that got the cream. Lily, annoyed, turned away, not wanting to see his triumphant look. But she was so sore that she couldn't even move.The previous night, it had been too long since they'd been intimate, and she couldn't keep up with his pace. He had been holding back for too long, and once he started, he was relentless. No matter how she pinched, cursed, or hit him, he didn't stop, only growing more excited, as if he had lost all reason. He held her waist and plundered without restraint, igniting a wildfire.This was a long-awaited moment for Julian, starved like a wolf, and he wasn't going to stop until he was fully satis
Thanks to the excellent genes of his parents, little Alexander Sterling was incredibly adorable, especially when he looked at someone with his big, round eyes, making it impossible to refuse any of his requests.His eyes were just like his mother's.Julian Sterling felt sentimental, remembering how he had been captivated by those innocent eyes. Ah, love.His temperament was just like his father's.Lily Parker felt helpless. Marrying a tyrant was one thing, but giving birth to a mini-tyrant was another. Such was life.Outside, little Alexander used the limitless potential inherited from his father to reign supreme, but once at home, he promptly displayed his
Julian Sterling was particularly fond of asking his youngest daughter, "Sophia, who do you love the most?" Each time, Sophia would answer with adoration, "I love Daddy the most." This response always filled him with a sense of paternal achievement. Today, holding his daughter in his arms, he asked again, "Sophia, is Daddy your favorite person?" This time, Sophia didn't nod immediately. Instead, she pondered deeply before concluding, "I love Daddy, but I also love Elliott." Julian's handsome face darkened. Stroking her hair, he narrowed his eyes and asked, "Who is Elliott?" The name clearly irked him. Sophia innocently replied, "Elliott is just Elliott!" Julian felt utterly defeated by her response. That evening, after Lily Parker finished her bath and saw Julian brooding on the bed, she asked, "What's wrong?" Julian huffed, "Do you know who Sophia says Elliott is?" "Elliott?" Lily paused while applying her face cream, thinking for a moment. "I think he must be Dominic Morriso
In the early days of autumn, a fine, persistent rain washed away the city's restlessness. Moving through the gentle drizzle, it felt as though one's soul could be cleansed and settled.Lily Parker closed her umbrella and stood silently outside an old-fashioned teahouse. A sudden gust of wind tousled her hair and lifted her skirt, setting the wind chimes on the door tinkling. Snapped back to reality, she mustered her courage and stepped inside.The room was dimly lit, with antique oil-paper lamps casting a warm glow. In a corner against the light, a lean figure in a khaki trench coat sat, his long fingers thoughtfully caressing a teacup, exuding an air of refined elegance.His familiar presence halted Lily's steps.M
"Hello," Lily managed to say after a long pause, her expression complex as she observed their unabashed closeness. He hadn't chosen their usual coffee shop but this teahouse, probably because of "her." He was always so considerate and attentive to others' feelings.Finally, another woman had the fortune of receiving his tenderness. She should feel relieved; hadn't she always wished to see him safe, happy, and content? Yet, why did her heart still ache, as if a hand was ruthlessly squeezing it, tearing it apart? The past was meant to be forgotten, for they could never return to what they were. She had Julian Sterling's child, and he had Madeline Foster by his side.Perhaps it was for the best. She could be at peace, knowing someone more suitable than herself was there to love and care for him.