“I can only say that fate was in play between your daughter and us. Fate brought you two and us together. You’re our benefactor. It’s our fortune that one good deed led us to be rewarded by a gushing spring of repayment from you. However, a bigger blessing is still waiting for you. You two will have a smooth and sweet life in the future.”Thaddeus was incredibly pleased to hear those words. He felt that the money he spent was well worth it.He glanced at the obedient little woman beside him, and his eyes filled with joy and contentment.“Thank you for blessing Mona and me. I’ve already arranged for a car for you at the hospital entrance. So we won’t see you off.”The breakfast shop owner and his wife glanced at each other and wisely excused themselves.Mona pulled away from Thaddeus, her expression indifferent and cold.“Why do you keep telling people that we’re husband and wife? We’re divorced, okay? Can you stop talking nonsense? How am I supposed to meet people in the future?”
Mona was 80% sure that this fully covered-up woman across from her was Isabel.The woman stood there for a few seconds, then squeezed into the crowd and entered the elevator.When the elevator doors closed, Mona watched the woman disappear from sight, and her curiosity grew stronger.With Isabel’s temperament, she would definitely use the special VIP channel if she came to the hospital. However, she was acting sneaky, as if she did not want people to know that she came to see a doctor. There might be something fishy going on.Driven by curiosity, Mona stood in place for a while and watched the elevator floor display. Every time there was a pause in the elevator number, she would look up according to the floor numbers and finally saw Isabel’s figure in the corridor of the sixth floor.Mona glanced at the floor directory and saw that the sixth floor was the maternity department.Confused, she waited for the elevator to descend to the first floor before also going up to the sixth fl
“This is a hospital, not your private domain.”Before Mona could speak, Thaddeus looked at Isabel with a cold and indifferent face.Isabel was stunned and said in surprise, “Thaddeus?”She was wearing sunglasses, so she only noticed Mona. She did not realize that the tall and stalwart man next to Mona was Thaddeus.Isabel averted her gaze behind the sunglasses and felt guilt in her heart. The man who went in with her rushed out to look for her. When he saw Mona and Thaddeus, he swallowed the words he was just about to say.It was obvious that the two people had a guilty conscience. Thaddeus glanced at them and asked casually, “What are you doing here?”Isabel gulped. “I’m pregnant, so I asked my friend to accompany me for a checkup.”Mona frowned and narrowed her eyes at Isabel. It was clear she was lying.Thaddeus was unmoved and remained indifferent. He asked quietly out of courtesy, “Does Victor know about this?”“Don’t tell him yet.” Isabel was a little flustered and quick
On the contrary, the two men on the side were extremely calm and indifferent.Mona stood by and observed Victor and Thaddeus’s reactions.She found it strange. Why did someone as indifferent as Thaddeus, who could simply pretend to be concerned and say a few words out of courtesy, insist on making Isabel come here? Did he find something suspicious?On the other hand, with the way Isobel was acting, it was hard not to doubt her...The person whose reaction surprised Mona the most was Victor.Even though he had just found out his fiancee was pregnant, he was completely indifferent as if he was a spectator. There was no expression on his face, especially when he learned that Isabel took medicine that might have a bad effect on the fetus. He was not worried at all.“I didn’t take medicine! Stop asking me.” Isabel was so annoyed by the doctor’s question that she stood up and walked to Victor. “No matter what, I’m getting rid of this baby today.”Victor put his hands into his pockets
Thaddeus’s tone was certain, as if he was a general planning his strategy. Even if he was not on the battlefield, he analyzed the enemy in a clear and organized manner.Mona became increasingly confused. She felt ridiculous, as she simply could not understand what Thaddeus was saying.Meanwhile, Isabel sat there, lost in thought. Her eyes were hollow and unfocused, and her vision gradually blurred. Then, she suddenly thought of something, and her eyes welled up with tears. It turned out that this was all a plot concocted by Victor!“Victor Cornwell! Was Finn sent by you?!”Isabel suddenly stood up and rushed in front of Victor, yelling hysterically at him.Victor looked down at Isabel, his eyes filled with disgust and contempt.He did not say a word, which was the same as admitting it.Isabel’s eyes reddened. She grabbed Victor’s collar with both hands, her expression ferocious and twisted as if she wanted to strangle him.“Victor, I told my parents to buy shares for you to occ
“If I have to admit defeat in my life, it’ll be when I’m dying in your hands. Would you believe me if I said that?”The man’s thin lips brushed against Mona’s ear, and his warm breath swept over the sensitive area on the side of her ear.“Stay away from me.” Mona’s body leaned limply into Thaddeus’s arms.Thaddeus looked down at the extraordinarily beautiful woman in his arms. When she moved, it was like someone had taken a feather and brushed it over his heart, causing his heart to flutter. He lowered his head and nibbled on her earlobe. His gentle and low voice carried a compelling magnetism. “I... you...”Mona’s body tingled as an electric current ran down her back. Her entire person froze.She panicked and pushed him away in resistance. “This is a hospital. Don’t mess around!”Thaddeus looked at her delicate and charming palm-sized face, pink and tender to the touch.It was as if she was still a seventeen or eighteen-year-old girl. It was irresistible to tease her.He laugh
If it were in the past and Isabel spoke to her in such a commanding tone, Mona would have turned to leave or rushed in to scold Isabel to vent the anger in her heart.However, Mona did not want to do that now. Even if Isabel were just a stranger, she would still want to go over and offer a little help or comfort so that Isabel would feel better.Mona pushed open the door of the ward and walked in. She saw Isabel sitting in a hospital bed with her hair mussed up messily. Her face was swollen due to her crying, and since she had just gotten an abortion procedure, her face was white as paper from losing too much blood. She looked like she had aged twenty years.“Mona, did you come to laugh at me?”Isabel half-opened her eyes and stared at Mona, asking weakly.Mona shook her head and moved a chair to sit by the bed. “Do you need any help? Or I can call your family. I remember you have an older brother.”“No, don’t call my brother.” Isabel waved her hand in agitation. “You must never
Mona sat by the hospital bed with her long eyelashes lowered. Under the light, the two beautiful shadows cast under her eyes were like a pretty butterfly flapping its wings.Victor and Susan were childhood sweethearts. They were each other’s first love and had the purest romantic memories. They must have experienced a lot of bitter and memorable things like other couples.There must have been love in their relationship.However, that had nothing to do with Mona. Now, she was Mona Ortega, not Susan Mayers.“I don’t love him. Sometimes, I even think he’s a stranger. I don’t understand him. Right now, I’m Mona Ortega. I used to be married to another man and am the mother of two children. This is my life, and Victor has never been a part of it.”Mona gave her answer truthfully. Thaddeus, who was standing in the doorway, had a pleased look in his eyes.These were the most pleasant words of their relationship that he heard from the woman’s mouth. She only had him and their children in
The couple was tired after a time of bonding, and they lay on the wicker chair, closing their eyes before slipping into dreamland. Sometime later, Thaddeus felt a chill and opened his eyes. His T-shirt was wet, and Bobby and Millie were spraying water at him with water guns. The youngest child was nearby too in her stroller. She suckled on a pacifier and watched the bustle. “Where’s your mommy?” Thaddeus shuffled his hair and looked around, searching for Mona. “Freeze, Daddy. We have held Mommy captive. Surrender yourself to us.” Acting like the boss, Millie pointed her massive water gun at her daddy. Thaddeus had indulged his eldest daughter so much that the girl would only have things her way. Nevertheless, Thaddeus played along since it was only a game. He knew his children well. Millie took after Mona and was shrewd. Still, Millie would be on her best behavior when in public. “Hurry up and surrender, Daddy. Put your hands up, and we will release Mommy.” Millie poked
It was a cooling breeze for the Summer as flowers bloomed in the garden of Fontaine Residence. Mona rested on a wicker chair under the wine arbor, holding in hand the latest issue of the weekly design magazine, with her face on the cover. In the photo, she held a trophy up on the stage of a design competition, standing out amidst the radiant background. Since the birth of her youngest, Mona took a month off for rest before picking up her passion again and returning to the world of design. Recently, she won first place in an international design competition and found fame. Mona was happy with her life and enjoyed the rich and peaceful state of things. She had time to herself for once during the weekend, so she found a quiet spot to enjoy time alone while the kids had a nap. The sunlight shone over Mona through the leaves, basking her in warmth. She let out a yawn and closed her eyes for a nap. Thaddeus walked out of the house and saw the woman enjoying the moment of bliss. The t
“Mommy, did the baby kick you today?” Millie wobbled her way over and placed her hand on Mona’s belly. She could feel the baby stirring inside her mommy’s stomach. Millie was pleasantly surprised. “The baby kicked me! Mommy, is the baby swimming inside your belly?” “Yeah. The baby is kicking.” Mona affectionately caressed her belly. The fetus had been kicking and rolling a lot more lately, so she could not get much sleep. The tall and strong man drew near and looked tenderly at Mona. His husky voice lingered in Mona’s ear. “Weren’t you craving strawberries? I placed an order, and the fruit is being airlifted here as we speak. It’ll arrive tonight.” “Yay.” Mona was gleeful. Since the beginning of her pregnancy, she had become quite fussy and craved the strangest food. She wanted caviar from Japan, cookies from France, and strawberries from the highlands. Anything she asked for would be transported fresh to the house the next day.The man had taken good care of her during her en
“No. I won’t let myself go.” The man huffed heavily after finishing his sit-ups. Then, he rolled out of bed and got changed in the walk-in closet. Mona stared at the man’s well-toned back, gasping at his body upkeep. People would probably have a hard time believing he was a father of three. With that in mind, Mona became aware of a potential threat. She got up and drew close to the man. “You’re responsible for taking care of the baby once the child is born.” Thaddeus straightened his tie. “Alright. I can do that. I want to be present in the baby’s life and your pregnancy. You should rest at home once your belly gets bigger. I’ll handle Bobby and Millie’s school run, okay?” The man pinched Mona’s face dotingly. “Now you’re talking. Are you heading out?” Mona got up on her tiptoes to brush off the dust from his shoulders. “Yeah. I need to sort out a lot of paperwork.” “I wrote down notes of the meeting I attended on your behalf a few days ago.” Mona walked out to retrieve a
Thaddeus was in the hospital for a week before he was discharged. The election day for the successor of the Fontaine Group was two weeks later, but Thaddeus had not made a full recovery in his legs. He remained in a wheelchair and persisted in his daily physiotherapy. Mona had a room freed up in Fontaine Residence for Thaddeus’ rehabilitation. A specialized doctor would come around the house every day to help Thaddeus with his recovery. Thaddeus was a strong man to fight through the pain in his physiotherapy sessions. That day, Mona watched as the workers hung a decorative painting on the wall in the hallway. She ordered paintings of her preference and had them shipped from abroad. Mona instructed the workers to put it up, not paying attention to the wobbly painting that had been hung behind her. The painting was about to hit her from the back. Thaddeus was exiting the rehabilitation room when he caught sight of the danger. Getting up from his wheelchair, Thaddeus took large stri
The few pictures of Mona and Victor at the height of a tussle gave the impression that they were having an intimate moment. Thaddeus went through the photos with a look of disdain. “So you stood there and pretended to take pictures of me to show me these? You set my wife up with another man to tell me she was cheating on me?” It was not hard to guess the game the paparazzi were playing, but who was he trying to fool? The man was dumbstruck, as it never occurred to him that Thaddeus could see through him. It had taken the three of them to come up with the idea. However, it had not taken much for Thaddeus to foil their plan. Mona let out a relieved smile. She thought that Thaddeus would be furious at the look of the pictures and had prepared herself to give a long explanation. She was surprised that Thaddeus quickly saw through the attempt to drive them apart. Their relationship was solid, and no one could come between them. Mona thought to herself with glee when she took
Mona stood in front of Thaddeus, blocking his face as she confronted the paparazzi who took their picture. “Hand over the camera!” “There’s nothing in the camera. Besides, it’s my personal property. Why should I give it to you?” “You clearly took a picture of my husband. You have some nerve to say there’s nothing.” Mona grabbed the man by the wrist and lifted her foot to kick. Thaddeus grabbed her wrist to stop her. “You’re pregnant. Think about the child.” Thaddeus pulled Mona back, leaving himself exposed to the paparazzi. “Why do you want to photograph me? Do you want to see me in a wheelchair? Take a picture then.” Thaddeus pulled a straight face. His nonchalant gaze spoke of intimidation. Dumbstruck, the paparazzi looked at Thaddeus’ legs and smiled dryly. “What happened to your legs, Mr. Fontaine?” Thaddeus did not answer. However, his dark eyes flicked chillingly as he looked murderously at the paparazzi. Even in a wheelchair, Thaddeus did not have to say anythi
With the help of the two caretakers, Thaddeus sat in the wheelchair. He had overcome his emotions and pulled himself together. His mind was clear as he sorted out what he should do next. Thaddeus called the assistant into the room and laid out the following plan. “I won’t attend any media interviews before the election, but I won’t disappear from the public eye either. I don’t want to give the press something to talk about. My wife will represent me. Going forward, whatever she says or does will be considered my own. She has the authority to attend all corporate conferences, big or small.” Mona dropped her jaw in shock. She was to attend company meetings and speak on his behalf. It was trying to make the impossible happen. On second thought, Thaddeus must have his reasons to do so. She had the confidence to do a good job anyway. The assistant took note of everything Thaddeus said. The Fontaine Group was about to choose its next leader, and with Thaddeus still in recovery, the
“It’s okay. That’s normal after surgery. The doctor gave me a heads-up. Since it’s a brain operation, you might have damage to the motor nerve. With the help of physiotherapy, you’ll be back to running in no time.” Mona consoled Thaddeus. Thaddeus lifted his hands and gave Mona a gentle push. “Leave.” Mona froze. She looked at the man who was fine a second ago, not knowing what to do. “Can you leave? I need some time alone,” Fixing his gaze on Mona, Thaddeus spoke callously. “Okay. I’ll be right outside if you need me.” It dawned on Mona why the man was persistent in driving her away. He did not want her to see him at his worst. In a way, he was trying to protect his pride and dignity as a man. However, they were a married couple. Mona would never turn her back on him. Mona could understand the man’s vulnerability and his feelings at the moment. Hence, she said nothing and quietly left the ward to give Thaddeus the time and space to sort his emotions. Instead of doing n