You will never forget that I'm your boss, respect boundaries, and above all, no strings attached.Jason reads his rules out for Kendall. Since they were doing this, it was only right that they got all their cards out on the table.They were in a cozy restaurant that was still luxurious. He had this picked because it provided them with more privacy than any other spot that he could think of.He wore a simple black and white striped shirt and well-tailored pants. Kendall, as ever, was pretty in the most basic things. And lately, all she did was glow.“Are we clear?” He demanded.She squinted for a while before dropping her copy of the agreement on the table.“I have no issues with your rules, but you're yet to have mine.” She debated."All you needed to do was hand me a copy."She rolled her eyes. "I didn't know that it would be this formal…""Really, not formal?" He was sick and tired of her driving him nuts, and it was annoying that she kept at it.What he couldn't tell was if she was
"Kendall Gomez,”Doctor Sophia mumbled the name of her patient. She knew that it was against the confidentiality of her patient, but at this point, there was no way she could wriggle herself from this mess, and she had no choice. She knew who Thane Williams was, they were one of the richest families in the city, and she would be damn foolish to mess with them. “That's her name, Kendall Gomez.” She reiterated. “Good,” Thane said, his tone was flat as imagined. He opened his phone and typed out her name, needing it for whatever purpose later. "How careless can you be?!" Isabella cried. They could easily get Thane to drop another for the procedure, but they weren't going to act like this was a mistake. Also, Isabella was too cautious, and she would avoid everything that would make her children drag property with a strange woman from the blue, only because they chose to overlook a silly act. "Even if it means her taking out that child, I'd gladly pay for another, IVF." She stood up
What's a wedding without a bride… and what's a bride without a dress? Kendall's phone rang on the counter where she was making breakfast with Alicia. They were meant to have a bowl of pasta, with lots of veggies, sliced beef, and sausage.Keeping to his word, Jason gave her part of the money immediately after they signed the agreement. Their wedding was in three weeks' time, and that was just a show-off for his parents and curious people.Left for Jason, he wanted a simple court wedding, but not when he had a mother like Catherine. "I'm going to miss you," Alicia pouted and blinked like she would cry. “Aww.” Kendall stopped slicing the veggies for a minute and turned to look at Alicia who was on the other side of the table, pulling our ingredients from the shelves. “Well, I'm going to my husband’s house, you should go to yours.”Alicia spun into laughter, spotting the joke from afar. She lost her balance and held onto the edge of the table for support. "I'll try not to bring a gr
"I have the lady, Mr. Thane."“Good,” Thane responded to the caller who happened to be Doctor Sophia. It was exactly a week since he last visited. And sticking to his warning, she had provided the lady her junior colleague had accidentally used his sperm on. “I'll be there by 4 pm, make sure she is available.”"You can count on that, sir." She agreed to his terms and the call ended. He proceeded to dial Isabella barely a minute later. She picked up the second ring. “Hey, babe,” “How was your night?” “Good, just missing you.” She teased. “Good thing I'll be with you shortly.” He informed her cheerfully. "Doctor Sophia called, she has the lady.""That's… nice." She finally found a word for it. "Also, I just got the test result, I've been busy, you know," she made up a silly excuse. "Well, she's a perfect fit."“Double good news.” Thane grinned. "See you later."Clara, who was knitting a woolen bag, looked at her son and furrowed her forehead, waiting for him to spill what it was
“Do you think that this is a mistake?” Kendall’s voice was shaky as she held onto Alicia’s hands. “No, darling,” Alicia responded briefly and focused on arranging the pearls on the flowing white dress. It was already so perfect, but she wanted her best friend to shine like a diamond. “But I don't know if this will fall back to my face or even make me hate myself or...”“Leave.” Alicia’s directive to the makeup artist and her minions was blunt. She bowed and walked out her pallets and brushes, leaving the two ladies to deal with their troubles. “Kendi, breathe in...” she instructed her, abandoning the pearl project for a moment to focus on her dear friend. "... and out.”Kendall exhaled, feeling the same, but she flashed a fake smile to make her friend feel like her therapy section worked. "You have more than enough money, my darling,” she began, holding Kendall’s shoulders. "A handsome man to wake up to every morning, though grumpy,” she added. "Your surgery isn't a bother anym
Kendall's breath hitched in her throat when Thane's voice disrupted the peaceful ambiance of the chapel. The interruption caused the room to quiver, as though the atmosphere had turned to ice. She made eye contact with Jason, who was standing at the altar, his face showing a blend of puzzlement and worry. The visitors whispered, their voices fluctuating in volume like far-off thunder. Thane held up the wedding card, its glossy surface catching the light streaming through the stained glass. His lips curved into a curious smile as he spoke again, louder now, his eyes never leaving Kendall. “Kendall *Gomez*, huh? Interesting choice of name.” Isabella stood next to him, her hand gently placed on his arm, her eyes sparkling mischievously. She appeared to enjoy the spotlight, like a hunter enjoying the excitement of the chase. Her grin grew bigger, as if she had planned this moment to reveal a secret. Kendall's heart rate increased. She found it difficult to control her emotions, making
The softly glowing table lamp in the dimly lit room cast elongated shadows on the walls. Thane leaned back in his leather chair, giving his full attention to the individual before him. Isabella sat with a relaxed posture, legs crossed, her sharp gaze and a slight smirk on her lips. The atmosphere in the room was heavy with the electric excitement of their joint ideas.Thane stated in a low and measured voice that everything was arranged. He tapped a folder on the table, containing information known only to him and Isabella. Jason has executed his part flawlessly, while Kendall has served as a flawless pawn in the game.Isabella raised an eyebrow, intrigued by her curiosity. "What specifically do you plan to do to solve their marriage issues?”Thane’s lips curled into a sinister smile. “The goal is to create enough chaos that their marriage falls apart under its own weight. The fissures already exist; we just have to make them larger.Isabella's eyes sparked with a predatory shine. I'm
The large dining room seemed incredibly spacious, with a heavy silence as Jason and Kendall sat facing each other on the lengthy mahogany table. The candlelight flickered between them, creating elongated shadows on the walls, but they paid little attention. The marriage had been formalized, vows were declared, rings were swapped, yet the unspoken truth of their commitment lingered in the atmosphere.Kendall had not said a word since the ceremony. The weight of the day had penetrated deep within her, causing her to feel isolated and disconnected from her surroundings. Examining the ring on her finger, which seemed to represent more of a transaction than a token of affection, she doubted her capability to handle the circumstances.Jason broke the silence first, his voice cool but not unkind. “We need to talk about what comes next.”She lifted her head and locked eyes with him. Despite his calm appearance, she was able to sense the tension beneath his surface. Both of them were exploring
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