“Thane?”With his bulk filling the doorway, he stood there. Though his expression was composed, she could not help but notice the intense intensity in his eyes, which gave her shivers. There was tension in the air between them, only magnified by the way he held himself, so calm, so quiet. Strange feelings of dread began to seep into Kendall's chest; she had a gut feeling that this visit would not be beneficial."Kendall," he said, his voice soft but with a hint of menace in it that made her stomach turn around. A somewhat smiling expression played on his lips, yet it was cold. "We must have a conversation." Kendall's fingers gripped the wood of the doorframe tightly, as though it was the only thing keeping her grounded. Especially at this point, the last thing she wanted was to be left alone with Thane. Especially with everything hanging by such a fragile thread. She started, trying to remain composed, her voice trailing off a little. "Now's not really a good time—" However, Thane in
Kendall stirred her coffee without paying much attention, her mind preoccupied with the thoughts of the day ahead as she sat at the kitchen island. Upon seeing the clock, she recognized that it was becoming extremely late. Though "early" seemed to signify something different these days, Jason had promised to get home early. Her phone chimed on the counter while she was sipping, interrupting her moment of concentration.It was a notification from a news app. The headline screamed at her: “CEO Jason Carter’s Shocking Past: Ties to a Family Scandal!”Kendall’s heart raced. Her fingers trembled as she opened the newspaper and read the years-old accusations made against Jason's family. She started to realise the ramifications as she dug farther. She was not just reading about Jason; she was now part of the story. Fantastic," she whispered beneath her breath, her fury building. She took a deep breath and reached for her phone, frantically trying to call Jason. "Hello, Kendall," he replied
As Kendall walked out of the lift and towards Jason's office, the sound of her heels clicking against Carter Enterprises' polished floors reverberated sharply through the hallway. The weight of the message Jason had sent earlier that morning continued to hang over Kendall, and each step she took felt heavier than the last. “We need to talk at the office. Meet me here.” For hours, she pondered over those words, experiencing a mix of fascination and dread. She felt her stomach tying in knots after reading the words, and it had remained that way since.In comparison to the lovely morning outside, the air in the office felt unusually cold. It was cold around her, not even the bright sunshine coming in through the glass windows to warm her. She could feel eyes on her, the occasional glances from employees as she passed by, making the tension in her shoulders tighten. Although Jason's company had never seemed particularly welcoming, it felt oppressive today. She and Jason had been harborin
As the car came to a halt outside the opulent hotel hosting the charity event, Kendall felt her heart rate increase. An instant later, a feeling of anxiousness crashed through her due to the bright lights and hordes of cameras waiting outside. Jason was sitting next to her, seemingly unaffected by the outside world, as he remained composed and at ease. His expression was unreadable, his focus on the flashing cameras ahead.“You ready?” Jason’s voice broke the silence, his eyes turning to her.With a hard gulp, Kendall nervously smoothed the hem of her evening gown with her fingers. Although the garment Alicia had chosen for her was stunning—sleek and black satin with a sophisticated neckline—it seemed more like armor than actual clothing. She didn’t feel ready. Not for the cameras, not for the questions, not for the need to put on a happy front. "As prepared as I can be," she answered, speaking softer than she had meant to. Jason nodded curtly to her, then opened the car door and st
Though the car ride home from the gala was filled with silence, Jason and Kendall's anxiety was evident; it was as though the air inside the car had become heavy with unspoken words. Gazing out the window, Kendall's reflection became indistinct against the flickering city lights. She sensed that the heaviness of the night was overwhelming her, pressing on her chest. His jaw was tightly clenched as he sat beside her. She could feel the storm brewing, waiting to erupt the moment they were alone.The moment they stepped into the penthouse, Jason’s calm facade shattered.As soon as the door behind them closed, he turned on her and said, "What the hell was that tonight?" The sharpness in his words caught Kendall off guard, causing her to blink. "What do you mean?" With a savage motion, "You—" he cut the air with his hand.“You were a nervous wreck out there. It was written all over your face. Do you know how that looks? How it does reflects on us?”“Reflects on us?” Kendall echoed, her vo
As evening descended on the city, Kendall sat by her bedroom window and gazed out at the sky that was growing darker. Her thoughts were consumed by the previous encounter she had with Jason, their disagreement still echoing in her ears. She had wanted space, a moment to breathe, but space seemed to only magnify the growing distance between them. Each day, their relationship felt more like a series of cold transactions rather than a marriage. It was basically a commercial arrangement, and she couldn't help but feel constrained by its conditions. As her mind raced with ideas, Alicia's message on her phone beeped, requesting her to stop by. Kendall paused for a brief while. Alicia had been the one constant through all of this chaos. Their friendship, though tested, still provided a sliver of comfort. But lately, even Alicia seemed to be pulling back, her usual easy confidence replaced by an underlying tension. Still, Kendall needed someone, and she couldn’t turn Alicia away.Kendall rep
There was a change in the atmosphere between Kendall and Alicia. Despite Alicia apologizing, Kendall was unable to rid herself of the nagging suspicion lingering within her. There was something off about the way Alicia tried to cover up her mistake about Clara. She had faith in Alicia - or so she believed - but now that faith felt shaky, worn out. While Kendall remained in her room's silence, she found herself repeatedly going through their conversation, analyzing each word carefully.Was Alicia hiding something more?It wasn’t just about the secrets Alicia had kept regarding Jason’s family. There was another thing, something below the exterior. Kendall couldn't pinpoint it exactly, but Alicia had been acting strangely for weeks. Her occasional avoidance of eye contact, her confidence appearing unsteady at unexpected times. And now, after the slip-up about Clara, Kendall couldn’t help but wonder if Alicia had been keeping other things from her as well.Her thoughts were interrupted by
Kendall walked back and forth in the living room, thoughts rushing through her mind. After a few days passed, Alicia continued to hide things, and Kendall couldn't shake off the growing suspicion from their previous talk. Alicia was concealing something significant, something with the potential to alter everything. Kendall was fed up with the partial truths and avoiding responses. She required explanations, and she was determined to receive them this evening.Alicia showed up shortly after, her face tight as though she was already aware of what was about to happen. She entered cautiously, quickly scanning the room before focusing on Kendall."We have to have a conversation," Kendall said, her voice more harsh than she meant.Alicia let out a sigh as she placed her purse on the sofa. “I figured as much.”Kendall folded her arms, her stare never faltering. What have you kept from me, Alicia? I need the truth—about Jason, about the family. You let something slip the other day, and I know
A YEAR LATERJason stood on the soft carpet, lifting Liam in the air, his hearty laughter echoing in the warm room. Liam let out a joyful cry, extending his small hands towards his father's face. "Do you find that amusing, eh?" Jason grinned and delicately lowered Liam, placing a kiss on his round cheek. Kendall lounged on the sofa with her legs tucked beneath her, sipping tea as she observed. Her smile was soft but filled with pride. “He loves when you do that. It’s his favorite game now.” Jason looked over at her, his expression tender. Certainly, it is. "He's already seeking thrills, just like his father." “Thrill-seeker?” Kendall arched her eyebrow, placing her cup onto the coffee table. "Do you actually mean stubborn?" He’s definitely inherited that from you.” Jason chuckled, settling Liam into his lap. “I prefer to think of it as determination.” He leaned forward conspiratorially and whispered to Liam, “Don’t let your mom fool you. You get that charm from me too.” Liam
Kendall sensed her muscles were sore and smelled antiseptic about her. A faint discomfort in her stomach was a reminder of the procedures she had undergone. The warm, subdued light of the setting sun illuminated the room, but her vision was cloudy and her thoughts was foggy.A well-known voice called out Kendall's name, filled with relief and a touch of remorse. She blinked, forcing her eyes to focus. Jason was next to her, his usual sharp attitude mellowed by tiredness. His shirt looked wrinkled, his tie was untied, and his face showed signs of countless restless nights. "Jason?" she rasped, her parched throat feeling rough. “What… where am I?” He gently informed her that she was in the hospital, moving closer in the process. You underwent a cesarean section, and the physicians performed surgery for your cervical cancer. You’ve been unconscious for days.” His concerned was evident in the wavering of his voice. She instinctively reached towards her stomach, but he intercepted her
Jason walked back and forth in the clean waiting room of the hospital, his hands tightly clenched by his sides. The remote sound of machines beeping, the soft whispers of doctors in the corridor, and the tap of shoes against the linoleum surface felt excessively clear and intense. The rhythm of his own heart drowned out his thinking.“Why? Why did she wait to tell me?”His thoughts continued to rush, but it was futile. The doctors had rushed Kendall into surgery, explaining everything so quickly that their words became a blur. Cervical cancer. Emergency cesarean. Save both her and the baby. Jason wanted to scream, to tear at something, but instead, he stood frozen, his gaze fixed on the closed doors where Kendall had been taken. He had failed her. How could he not have seen that? For weeks and months on end, he failed to realize that something was amiss. His thoughts constantly went back to their disputes, to the times when she appeared delicate yet remained silent. “Mr. Carter?”J
Kendall stood on Jason's mansion doorstep, holding her coat tightly as her hands shook. The chill of the evening air nipped at her skin, yet it paled in comparison to the frostiness within her. She had to do this. There wasn't any alternative available. Jason had an unreadable expression on his face when the door opened, his eyes looking at her as if she was unfamiliar."Jason..." she said with a voice that cracked, her eyes begging for empathy. He stood silently, observing her, not responding right away, as though anticipating her to say something."I have to speak with you," Kendall murmured, moving closer, feeling her legs wobble beneath her. Jason moved out of the way, allowing her to enter silently, but he still stood rigidly, as if ready for combat. The door closed with a click.Kendall stopped in the foyer, trying to regain her balance. She momentarily lost focus, but quickly blinked to clear her vision. "Jason, I have been foolish," she started softly, her voice now filled
Isabella stood at the entrance to Thane's estate, holding her luggage tightly, afraid she might drop it. The large house stood in front of her, its impressive exterior highlighting the void she felt within. She had no other place to go, but she was determined not to give up. Not now. Not after everything.With fingers trembling, she pressed the doorbell, fighting to stay standing despite her overwhelming desperation. Before too much time had passed, the door swung open and Thane appeared, his expression devoid of any warmth. He hesitated before inviting her in, staring at her for a moment too long. Isabella swallowed, attempting to maintain her composure. "I—Thane," she began, her voice faltering, "I—I don’t know where else to go. Jason... he left me. He—he doesn’t care about me. "I have no one else to go to but you." She began to cry as her voice broke, allowing the tears to fill her eyes. She wished they appeared authentic; she wished he would trust her. Thane didn’t budge. His
Jason sat at his desk, gazing at the mountains of paperwork that had grown over the previous few days. The workstation was buzzing with activity, from phone calls to hushed chats, yet he remained calm and composed. His mind was elsewhere—on her. On Kendall."Mr. Carter?" A voice snapped him out of his thoughts.Jason looked over and saw Jane, his assistant, standing at the doorway with a pile of papers. She paused, observing the absent-minded expression in his eyes. She mentioned that you requested to be informed once the DNA test results are received. Jason’s pulse quickened. He stood up, walking briskly toward her. "Hand them over to me." Passing him the envelope, he impatiently tore it open. As he opened the papers, his heart raced while he quickly looked over the results. He breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing the confirmation that Isabella is not expecting. "He whispered, relieved as the tension he had been holding onto for days finally lifted." However, the feeling of reli
Tension grew in his jaw as he tightly gripped the doorframe with his hand. "Why on earth are you here?" Isabella stood at the entrance, her lips curling into a smug grin. She entered with a sense of ownership, her heels making a sharp clicking noise on the tiled floor. Jason remained still, obstructing her way deeper into the house. "Wow, that's not a very hospitable greeting," she remarked, but still pushed past him. "Is that how you say hello to the mother of your soon-to-be-born baby?" Jason's expression turned menacing, his hands tightening at his sides. “Cut the act, Isabella. What do you want?” "Regarding what is owed to me," she answered calmly, pivoting to confront him with a self-assured lift of her chin. With Kendall conveniently gone, I am ready to take my rightful position. For our child’s sake, of course.” He let out a cold, humorless laugh, his eyes narrowing. “Rightful place? You mean as a liar and manipulator? Spare me your theatrics.” Her smile faltered brief
Jason was positioned at the top of the lengthy meeting table, sitting with perfect posture in his crisp suit, though his thoughts were elsewhere. The board members' voices became a blur as he focused on the charts and projections on the screen. Jason’s gaze lingered on his tablet, his jaw tight. “Mr. Carter, do you agree?” His head snapped up, piercing eyes scanning the room. A beat passed as he composed himself, erasing any trace of distraction. “Yes,” he replied curtly, his voice steady, though he had no idea what they had asked. “Proceed as outlined.” An approving murmur spread through the room, but Jason paid little attention. He couldn't stop thinking about Kendall, remembering her tearful face and the vulnerability in her voice when she said his name. He moved around in his chair, tightening his jaw. “Concentrate, for crying out loud. This isn’t the time to be weak.” But no matter how much he willed himself to concentrate, the image lingered, seared into his thoughts. "
Jason was in his study with a half-empty decanter of whiskey providing him with some bitter comfort on the table. Thane's words echoed in his mind like a disturbing tune, preventing him from finding peace. His teeth gritted and his hand gripped the crystal glass tightly, causing the liquid inside to shake. He whispered to himself, pondering, his tone a mix of anger and hopelessness. "What happens if the child is not mine?" His mother's unwavering belief in him reverberated in his thoughts, her defense against his father and Thane's relentless pressure lingering in his memory. Catherine Carter always saw the best in Jason, even when he couldn't see it himself. But was he worthy of that faith now? He finished the remaining drink, the sensation of burning in his throat a harsh diversion from the pain in his chest. Kendall's tear-streaked face and trembling voice, pleading for his understanding, came back to his memory once more, but he couldn't find the empathy. Jason slammed the g