No matter how many times Adam let her down, Amber always got up and nurtured new hope. Even though she had promised herself to move on, cursing her ex-lover for all the suffering that had happened, she still ran back to him. "Adam," Amber mumbled as she froze the tears. "I know you wouldn't have the heart to leave me alone." With a small smile on her face, Amber opened the door. She was ready to welcome. "Surprise!" A man outstretched his arms outside the door. In an instant, the corners of Amber's lips moved down. Her hope wilted again and her joy faded. "Bass?" the woman sighed in disbelief. "No need to be so surprised. You should’ve been suspicious I haven't wished you a happy birthday." With a big smile, Sebastian took a step forward and put a hand on his own shoulder. "Your best friend flew 7,599 km to say it in person. Happy birthday, Miss Rude." Amber bit her lip as she took a quick breath. The sadness that had frozen before was flowing again from her eyes. Witnessing that
"See? Isn't it easy?" Sebastian raised an eyebrow. With a slanted curve of lips, Amber shrugged. "That’s because you know how." After closing the fireplace door, the man turned to face his friend. "Now, are you hungry? I bought a fruit tart for your birthday cake. I hope it's still in shape." "You bought it for me?" Amber sighed in disbelief. "It's not expensive, but it looks delicious," Sebastian explained while taking his suitcase. A box neatly tied to the holder. Smiling wryly, the woman walked over to him. "Finally, I have a husband-to-be who cares about me," she murmured. Sebastian spontaneously snorted. He didn’t notice sadness in the round eyes locked on him. "I believe Julian was far more considerate, but you ignored him." Amber's expression instantly turned sour. She didn't expect her best friend to peel the old wound. "You never get tired of teasing me, huh?" While carrying the box in both hands, the man winked. "That's my hobby." Casually, he placed the fruit tart o
"Do you still have the results of the examination?" the doctor asked in a serious tone. Taking a deep breath, Adam shook his head. "No, Doc." "Do you remember what caused it?" The widower's brows instantly knitted together. "I don't remember what the term was, but it had to do with a low sperm count. I don't remember the numbers either." "Oligospermia?" the doctor said with one raised eyebrow. Adam's eyes widened at that term. "What's that?" “A condition that causes male infertility in which the sperm count is less than standard. Do you remember the severity of it?” The widower shook his head again. A second later, the man beside him leaned back and folded his arms in front of his chest. "Actually, it's not impossible that someone diagnosed with infertility can have a child." "What does it mean?" "Listen! There are several factors that can cause oligospermia," the doctor explained before raising three fingers. “Medical, environmental, and lifestyle factors.” Adam's eyebrows
Adam gripped Sebastian's collar with his stout hands. His eyes were bloodshot in the darkness. As his lungs were full of rage, he let out a thunderous breath. "Listen! Amber is mine, her baby is mine, and her love is also mine. You are the one who should stay away from our lives!” Pressing the corners of his lips with tongue, Sebastian laughed dryly. “Why are you so sure that Amber loves you? If so, she wouldn't have chosen to go with me, Mister Smith. Why is she even reluctant to live with you?” "Stop that bullshit!" Sebastian straightened up and put on an insulting face. "I'm not making this up. She has accepted my proposal. We will leave your cottage tomorrow and return home to hold the wedding. Are you willing to come if we invite you?” As Adam's grip grew stronger, their distance got narrowed. “You think it's easy to separate us? Listen to me carefully! I will never let you take Amber from me.” "I didn't take her. She came to me. She was the one who hugged me first and rest
Amber was stunned when she went out of the bathroom. Adam greeted her again at the door. The man no longer showed his back, but a red box that had made her cry for minutes in Sebastian's arms. "I know it's too late. But ..., happy birthday, Amber," Adam said, forcing a smile. Getting the surprise she no longer expected, a sigh blew quickly from her mouth. "Is this your best effort?" she asked disdainfully. "You are so pathetic, Adam." Before Amber walked away, the man shifted to block her steps. "Listen to me! This is the proof that I really care about you. I know I've been cold to you lately. But, I acted like that to deny my love for you. I thought it was fake. I'm afraid you'll get hurt if I make you a love escape." "I'm a love escape. That's a fact," Amber interrupted with a firm nod. Her eyebrows were raised high in annoyance. "No, Amber," Adam breathed desperately. “I couldn't have gone to town just to buy this kind of cake if it weren't for the woman I love. I love you, Am
"No," Adam sighed as he got up and ran after the car. "Amber! Please ... give me a chance! Amber!" Unfortunately, the car kept moving forward. The speed was even getting faster. "Amber!" Adam quickened his pace. However, by the time he reached the edge of the road, the car was already yards ahead, too far to catch up. “Amber, come back!” he shouted with all his might. Hearing the voice of despair, the woman bit her lip. Her head was dizzy, her chest constricted, and her heart ached. However, she didn’t dare to turn around. All she could do was just clutching the folder on her lap. "Amber, are you okay?" Sebastian asked, worried about the trembling all over the woman's body. Amber was unable to answer. She just looked down, looking at the folder that had Adam's name on it. Slowly, memories began to emerge. The woman remembered the time when they were a pair of lovers. As she realized the man was still lodged in her heart, she spontaneously looked back. When her eyes caught Adam
"Welcome home, Amber," Adam whispered as they entered the living room. Without hesitation, he kissed the cheek of the woman who looked up at him. "Is this my home?" Amber asked, raising an eyebrow. "Of course. Everything I have is yours too,” the man said while stroking the shoulder in his arm. Instead of widening her smile, the woman stepped away and narrowed her eyes. "But I'm not officially your wife yet. I am neither Mrs. Smith nor the mistress of this house." While laughing faintly, Adam grabbed his lover's shoulders. “You will soon be my wife, Amber, the hostess of this house. What else do you doubt?” "Your sincerity?" Sebastian cut as he slipped in through the gap between the door and Adam's back. "Don't forget that the stability of your mentality is still in question." "Do you think I'm crazy?" the host replied in a displeased tone. He had been annoyed that the man didn't leave right away. "You haven't shown your emotional maturity, Mister Smith. It's only natural that
"Why do you ask such a silly question, Adam?" Amber whispered as she was sitting upright on the couch. She was confused whether to move or stay in her position. "That's not a silly question, Amber. From the start, I’ve suspected that this man also had feelings for you,” Adam explained, making Sebastian's jaw throb in anger. Meanwhile, Amber tried to melt the tension through her flat laugh. "It’s impossi—" "If I really love her, is it a sin?" Sebastian interrupted, raising his eyebrows. He didn't care anymore if Amber looked at him in amazement. "Oh, now you admit that you love your best friend?" "Yes. So what? Are you afraid that I will compete with you? Take her attention away from you?” Adam spontaneously let out an eerie laugh. While returning his gaze to Amber, he pointed his index finger at Sebastian. "Did you hear it? This is the reason why I can't calm down when he’s beside you. This man loves you, Amber.” Not believing what she heard, the woman walked over to Sebastian.
Amber quietly opened the workroom door. Seeing her husband was daydreaming, she lifted the corner of her lips. "What are you doing, Jewel?" Adam spontaneously turned to the direction of the voice. Knowing the presence of his wife, his smile grew wider. "Hey .... Is Ashley sleeping?" "Yes," Amber answered while approaching. Then, casually, she sat on her husband's lap. "Why are you still here? Is your work not done yet?" As Adam rubbed the back of his neck, Amber began to investigate the table. Turned out, the computer had been off. The files were also neatly organized in the folders. What’s left there was only a cell phone displaying an image. "You really like that picture, hmm?" Amber concluded while glancing sweetly. Spotted by those warm eyes, Adam let out a smile. After kissing Amber’s shoulder, he nodded. "It's all thanks to you. I wouldn't have been able to fix my relationship with Mother if you didn't follow us." "I didn't do anything. When I got there, you guys have been
"I know you must have doubted what I said," Mrs. Smith cried, breaking the silence. "Is there something I have to do to prove my point? Your mother really wants to change, Adam." Still with furrowed brows, the man snorted. "Why only now? Is it because Ed abandoned you?" Mrs. Smith shook her head briskly. "No, don't get me wrong. The tension between us has nothing to do with Ed. I was too stupid to use him to take all yours." "Non sense ...." "Do you know that Ed scolded me? He's tired of being dragged down by my selfishness. Your brother said he didn't want to help me bully you anymore." Before Adam could object, Mrs. Smith continued. "Since then, I've started to realize. But, I still convince myself that you don't deserve to be happy. Your mother is very stupid, hmm?" Adam suddenly fell silent. From under the frown, he looked intently at his mother. “Why should I believe?” "I haven't even used a penny of your money, Adam. I feel guilty every time I see your transfer papers. Sh
After his mother slammed the door, Adam rubbed Amber's arm. Noticing his wife's disheveled look, he whispered, "Are you all right?" The woman nodded. "Yeah, you?" Adam took a deep breath. After raising an eyebrow, he curled up his lips. "Yeah. I'm glad nothing happened. I was afraid my mother would do something reckless. Sorry for letting her carry Ashley." "It's okay, Jewel. I think Ashley is happy to have met her grandmother," Amber said while stroking her daughter's head. The little baby had closed her eyes again. She seemed so peaceful. "Look, she's smiling again." "She must want to cheer you up," Adam whispered before landing a soft kiss on Ashley's forehead. "Not only me, but you too. We are lucky to have such a kind baby. This must be your good karma. You remain patient with your mother, even though she has been hurt you many times." Disagreeing, Adam shook his head. "Your sweet karma too, Precious. You are much more filial to your parents. Anyway, they are coming here, r
As the silence was hanging in the air, people in that room were exchanging glances. No one dared to speak until Ruby broke the silence. "May I carry her?" "Of course," Amber answered, patting Adam's arm. Understanding the code given, Adam took Ashley out of her tiny bed. As soon as the adorable baby arrived in Ruby's arms, all eyes started to tear up. "Hey, look at this tiny face! Why are you so cute, Ashley?" Ruby whispered in a trembling voice. The emotion almost pushed the tears out of bounds. "This pretty nose is very similar to Amber's, while these thin lips ... a hundred percent copy of her father." As that woman studied every detail of the baby, Amber asked lightly, "Would you like to take a picture with Ashley?" In an instant, Ruby's wistful eyes were tinged with shock. "Is it okay? Didn't you two agree not to publish your daughter's face?" "Take the photo as a keepsake. You can print it and store it in your wallet or diary," Amber said, glancing at Nick. Realizing the
“Hurry up! I can’t stand it anymore!" Amber shouted while squeezing her husband's clothes. Panic, Adam started to circle around the yard. Maybe he dropped the key somewhere. Meanwhile, Nick was busy groping his own body. When his hand pressed against his trouser pocket, his eyes widened perfectly. "Shall we just take my car?" the fat man suggested while showing his car keys. Still out of breath, Amber turned to the vehicle parked beside Adam's car. "You think I weigh up to a ton? People must be laughing when they see you take me in that truck!" she grumbled in a shrill voice. Nick spontaneously grimaced at it. "Sorry, Madam. It's not a truck, but a mini box van for dry cargo. I use it to deliver jewelry." "You have nothing to be ashamed of, Precious," Adam continued with a reassuring nod. "The car is used to carrying valuables." Suddenly, Amber closed her eyes again. The pain that twisted in her stomach grew crazier. "Okay! Quickly tak
"Hello, Mrs. Smith. How are you feeling?" Nick said when welcoming Amber to his house. He secretly felt proud to see his whistle hanging around the woman's neck. "Very well. We’re sorry to bother you, Nick. It's actually one week earlier than the doctor predicted. But Adam keeps insisting that we should stay at your house." Seeing Amber's guilty expression, Nick chuckled. "It’s not a problem at all. What the boss thinks is true. It's best if we are on guard. The hospital is too far from your cottage." "You're a wise man, Nick," Adam said while carrying three large bags he'd pulled from the trunk. “Seems like, I’ve put my trust in the right person.” Once again, the fat man chuckled. Taking one of the bags from Adam's hand, he waved. "Come on! Let me show you your room! I’ve asked Tina to clean it this morning." As Nick led the way, Amber leaned toward her husband. "Who's Tina?" "I don't know. Maybe, his new girlfriend," Adam replied wit
"I’m sincere," Amber nodded swiftly. "It's just I regret their attitude that never changes. I can’t tell how long they will stand to make you suffer." Smiling a little, Adam stroked her cheek. Now that he had known the reason, his love to her grew larger. "Don't worry! I'm sure they won't ask for anything more after this. I've got nothing for them to grab." "What about our house? Should we apply for a transfer of assets? I think it would be safer if the certificate was registered in my name." Stifling a laugh, Adam nodded. He knew that half of Amber's heart was actually not willing to see him sacrifice so much. "That's why, I insisted on handing over the company to you. But you kept refusing." "I don't want people to think of you as a slave to my love, Jewel. It’s not normal for a man giving all his wealth to his wife? He’ll be called a stupid man. I don't want you to be branded like that." Thinking that Amber was so adorable, Adam kissed the tip of her nose. "I have no problem
"Now it's my turn to give you a gift," Ruby said awkwardly. "A gift? When did you prepare it? You spent most of the time in bed," Amber asked wide-eyed. "Online shopping is not something difficult," Ruby said before smiling faintly. Without further ado, she handed her the box. "Take this as an apology as well as my thanks. You may open it now." After giving Adam her whistle, the pregnant woman lifted the lid of the box. As soon as she found a neatly folded red knitted cloth, she let out a faint sigh. "Is this a form of protest because we threw away the white sweater you gave Adam?" "Otherwise, I want to bury bad memories about it. I hope a new sweater could remind you of the new me." "Well then, from this moment on, Adam and I will make lots of sweet memories with this sweater," Amber said as she took out the gift from the box. However, a second later, the curve of her lips froze. Turned out, there was another sweater in the box. "You
"Hey," Amber said, reluctant to call her brother-in-law’s name, "Ruby wants to talk to you." In an instant, Ed's eyes widened. Without further ado, he entered through the gap between Amber and the door. "Has Ruby changed her mind?" Adam inquired as he rose from his seat. After closing the door, he guided his wife to sit down carefully. "No." Confused, the man's eyebrows arched perfectly. "So?" "Ruby wants to end their relationship as soon as possible. That way, she can stay at Mr. Berg's residence without any worries," Amber explained before raising an eyebrow. "How about you? Did something happen while I was inside?" Lifting the corners of his lips, Adam kissed his wife's hand. "Believe it or not, I feel nothing. Yes, I'm annoyed to see Ed. But knowing he's got what he deserves, I don't feel relieved either, like nothing's changed." "Because no matter what happens to them, our lives will still be the same?" "Yes." As h