Everything that I had been looking forward to disappeared. I was completely disappointed.I felt that it was probably the feeling of being hopeless.I held the phone and was at a loss for words for a long time.There were some questions that I wanted to ask, but there was no point anymore.It was obvious where Ryan had gone.But he promised me that there wasn't going to be a next time.Therefore, this was his choice.The answer was obvious.All Grownups knew that in order to gain something, they had to first give up something else.I was probably the person he decided to sacrifice after careful consideration.I subconsciously rubbed my stomach. I suddenly began to wonder if I really should keep the child.If I decided to keep the child, then it would be very hard to cut off my connections with Ryan.The custody of the child alone would be a big problem."Charlotte?" Ryan called my name on the other end of the line."Okay."I didn't say anything else, or should I say I di
It was the third time that day.I had tried to tell Ryan about the child three times, but was never able to.It seemed that Ryan was destined not to meet the baby in my child.I was glad that I didn't tell him. That way, the divorce would be much simpler.Jelaston was a big city. If Ryan and I got divorced, it would be almost impossible for the two of us to meet again.Ryan would probably never find out that we had a child.Jane agreed with me after hearing what I had in mind. "Your child won't want a scumbag for a father. You're doing the right thing for not telling him."By the time I finished the IV drop and left the hospital, it was already two o'clock in the afternoon.Jane wrapped her arms around mine as we headed to the car park. "Your car has been sent to the garage for repairs. It was quite badly damaged and repairs would probably take a week. I'll go with you to collect your car when the repairs are finished. If you want to go anywhere for the next few days, you can j
"What?" I was dumbfounded.Ryan continued casually, "Jack Renolds. Wasn't he the one who gave you a lift back home that night? You went to see him as soon as he came back into the country."His voice was full of disdain and self-mockery.I furrowed my brows and locked gazes with him. I then asked in disbelief, "Are you saying that I have feelings for Jack?""Do you not?" He curved his lips into a sneer.To me, his expression was full of mockery.An uncontrollable anger that I had never felt arose in my head. I raised my hand and slapped him. "You're such a bastard, Ryan!"I tried my best to not cry, but tears still welled up in my eyes.After crying for a while, I couldn't help but laugh.It was hilarious. I loved Ryan for so many years, but in the end, all he could do was ask me if I had divorced him for another man. It was pointless to say anymore.Jane had arrived without me noticing and Tom was behind her.She dragged me out of the house, looked at Tom who seemed to be i
Ryan and I weren’t even officially divorced yet and Jessica was already in such a rush to get his things back.The shares were worth way too much, so I never planned on keeping them.I just didn’t want Jessica to get what she wanted so easily.I frowned slightly. "Who are you to ask me such a question?"Jessica chuckled arrogantly. "Are you trying to seize the shares? Those were given to Ryan's wife by Ryan himself. Once you divorce him, the shares won't belong to you anymore!""Have you still not gone to see a doctor?" I asked. "You need to go see a doctor as soon as possible. Otherwise, you might end up in a mental hospital and not just medication."Jessica squinted her eyes. "Charlotte, are you calling me crazy?!"I couldn't be bothered to argue with her, so I asked softly, "Have you received the letter of resignation? Please approve it as soon as possible.""Do I need you to tell me what to do? I submitted it to the Human Resource Department last night." She wished that I c
After hearing that question, I realized that besides William, there was another gaze fixed on me tightly.I actually found it hard to answer William's question.I didn't want to lie to William, but if I told the truth, William would definitely not allow us to get a divorce.After hesitating for a while, before I could say anything, William seemed to have already got an answer. "Alright, I think I know the answer. Please stay by his side for me. This kid didn't have a mother to raise him, that's why he has such a bad temper. Please forgive him."Finally, he grabbed Ryan's ear and said, "If you think I've been around for too long, you're welcome to piss me off so much that I die of a heart attack or something. No one will stop you two from getting a divorce if I'm not around.""Are you trying to use your life to force me to do something?" Ryan asked with a meaningful smile."How dare you speak to me like that?"William was furious and was about to hit him again, but Ryan dodged th
Glancing at the time, it was already past two o’clock in the morning.Didn’t he get off work with Jessica?How did he end up going drinking with Tom and the others? According to Tom, Jessica wasn't even there.I tried to call again, but his phone was already turned off. It had probably run out of battery.I had no choice but to get changed and head out. I took a taxi to their usual gathering place, a private club.When I arrived, most people had already dispersed.In the private room, only Tom and Jack remained.There was Ryan, dressed in a designer suit, his long legs crossed, sleeping soundly on the couch.As soon as Tom saw me, he looked helpless. "Charlotte, I don't know what's gotten into Ryan today. He kept drinking with Jack, and we couldn't stop him."I could vaguely guess why.He still stubbornly believed that there was something between Jack and me.Perhaps all men were like this. They could do as they pleased, but would never tolerate even the slightest possibilit
About 10 minutes later, I parked the car outside the courtyard."We're home, Ryan," I said as I opened the car door.Unexpectedly, the drunken man collapsed as I opened the door.I frowned and reluctantly pulled him back up. "Can you stand up on your own?"There was no response.I had to call Brenda, who was asleep, to help me carry Ryan back to his room."Mrs. Frost, do you need any help?" asked Brenda."No, you can go back to bed."I felt a bit embarrassed for disturbing her. I didn't want to trouble her further.After Brenda left, I endured the discomfort of the smell of alcohol and helped Ryan take off his shoes and tie, then I prepared to go downstairs.But as I turned around, I realized that he had suddenly grabbed my hand.With his eyes closed, he murmured, "Honey..."I didn't really think he was calling me. It was more likely that he and Jessica had progressed to the point of calling each other such intimate nicknames.I reached out and opened his eyelids. "Ryan, l
Even though there was a layer of fabric between us, my waist felt like it was burning. I was frozen, unable to move as if possessed by a ghost, but thankfully, my mind was clear. "We've been very clear about this. I don't want a third person involved in our marriage.""I'm sorry." The man rested his head against my back, his voice muffled.Would my heart soften? Of course, it would.No one could just easily erase several years of feelings overnight. I really wanted to give him another chance. But everything that had happened recently kept coming back to me. Would I choose him or myself?I sighed. "Ryan, you always knew you were in the wrong, but you kept repeating the same mistakes. It's meaningless."This time, I chose myself. I had chosen him for seven years, and that was enough.Ryan remained silent for a long time, not saying a word."Let go, we've reached the end of the road." I had never imagined that I would say such cold-hearted words to Ryan.What was unrequited love?
Westley knew why Zachary specifically mentioned these two things.Once the wedding was held, the whole world would know they were married.And once they had the child, he and Jordan would be very closely connected.Even if the hidden matters came to light, and there were issues between the Howard and Jackson families, it wouldn't be easy for Jordan to distance herself from him.But Westley didn't want to do that.He still needed to ask Jordan, and if she wanted to know, he would give her the choice.He had never really given her the power to choose before, he had always been forcing her into decisions."I'll notify you."Zachary didn't get involved in this matter and didn't say anything else.He first took Jordan and Westley back home.When they got out of the car, Jane said to Jordan, "Don't overthink it, this is all caused by the previous generation, it has nothing to do with us. If you keep thinking about it, aren't you punishing yourself for someone else's mistakes?"Jor
But he always had doubts in his heart.He had thought it was just a professional habit.Now he realized, it might not be, and this could be another kind of warning — from Grandpa.Someone like him, who could cause trouble for the Jackson family, was really quite extraordinary."It'll be fine, trust me, okay?"Jordan turned to hug him, burying her head in his shoulder.Westley gently patted her back, offering silent comfort.When she fell asleep, he took his phone and went to the balcony.He called his father."What a surprise," said Jonathan. "But... there must be a reason why you’re calling me so late at night, right?"Westley held a cigarette in his hand but didn't light it.To be honest, he wasn't feeling certain either.Sometimes, it was actually better to stay a little confused."Dad, do you know about the Jackson family?"Jonathan was silent for a moment. "You want to ask about your grandfather and the Jackson family?""Yes.""I advise you not to know too much abo
Jane also felt that finding out wouldn't mean anything. On the contrary, it might cause a fuss."Then we won't look into it. Let's just pretend we don't know anything."Jordan followed, "I agree with my sister."Zachary and Westley quickly exchanged a look.Westley agreed, saying they wouldn't investigate.But he was the kind of person who couldn't leave any potential risks, so he still needed to be clear about the cause and effect himself.Back at the Jackson family, Westley accompanied Calvin to play chess.Aunt Emily asked Zachary how things went.Zachary smiled faintly, replying, "It went well. No issues."Aunt Emily nodded. "Did both of them meet their grandma?""They did," said Zachary. "The two sisters took a peek, and I spoke with Calandra for a bit with Westley."Aunt Emily's gaze flickered. "What did you talk about?""Nothing much. Just some casual things." Zachary took out his phone. "Aunt Emily, I have a work call to make.""Go ahead and do what you have to."
The friend who Elvis took a bullet for was the same person who had brought Jordan to the Howard family back then.Westley suddenly felt that something he had overlooked was becoming clear.Zachary also sensed that something was off and signaled him to continue speaking.Westley said, "That friend had been with my grandfather for many years, they passed away one after the other."Calandra's expression suddenly changed, and she tightly grasped Westley's hand.Westley's heart sank, but he didn't show any emotion on his face. He gently asked, "Grandma, are you feeling unwell?"Calandra suddenly pushed Westley away. "It's all your fault!""If you had helped, how could all of this have happened?" Then Calandra began crying. "If it weren't for necessity, how could I have done such things? How could I lose my daughter, my granddaughter?"Westley and Zachary exchanged a glance and looked at Ruth. "Ruth, help Grandma get some rest. If she needs medicine, give it to her.""Okay." Ruth ha
The fact that Jordan resembled her mother was well known to everyone.She felt quite happy about it, but just as she was about to speak, the care worker’s words caused her to feel extremely upset."You look so much like her, so it's better if you don't go in."Jane patted Jordan's back, signaling her not to be upset.This wasn't her fault. It was beyond their control.Jordan shook her head, signaling that she was fine.Jane turned to the care worker and asked, "Can I go in then?"The care worker examined Jane closely and said, "You resemble your father a little, but thankfully, not as much as Mr. Jackson. However, I still suggest you don't go in. Even the slightest stimulus could be dangerous for someone who's sick."Jane hugged Jordan. "We really are sisters."Jordan gave a wry smile.Westley gently patted her head. "I'll go in first to take a look. Don't worry."He then turned to the care worker. "Take them to a warm place."The care worker led Jane and Jordan to enter fr
Everything was discussed in the group chat."You're not going?"Jane glanced at her grandfather. There was a rift between him and her grandmother, so it wasn't very convenient. But Aunt Emily was her grandmother's biological daughter.Since their grandmother had already lost two daughters, she should cherish Aunt Emily and Aunt Orianna even more.Aunt Emily's face darkened slightly. "Your grandmother is ill, so I won't go this time. If you can't stand it, just come back immediately. It'll be fine."Jane comforted Aunt Emily. "It's fine, I'll handle it. I still have some confidence when it comes to easing relationships."Aunt Emily forced a smile. "There's no need to force it. We're happy that your grandmother can live this long, without any pain when she leaves. As daughters, we're also relieved."Jane was curious, but since this matter was painful for the Jackson family, she didn't ask further.Zachary and Westley arrived late and apologized to Aunt Emily and Calvin."It's fi
"Do you think I'm stupid?" Jordan was no longer the fool she once was. "If we go down for breakfast in the morning, will they think we did something?"Westley smiled, hugging her and admitting his mistake. "I’m sorry, please don’t be mad.""You apologize every time, but you'll still do the same thing next time."Westley had originally thought that their real first time should be in the honeymoon suite.But the Jackson family's residence was hers, and it had been prepared for her from the beginning.He was indeed feeling tempted, but seeing how embarrassed she was, he decided to hold back.But then she insisted on getting close to him that night.It wasn't like he was impotent, how could he resist?"As for this matter, I didn’t do anything wrong. I’m apologizing because I love you.""Jordy."When he called her that, there was a sense of helplessness in his tone.Jordan also felt that she had overreacted.But in the Jackson family's residence with Westley... she really felt s
Aunt Emily also felt awkward. "Jane, it's cold today..."Jane glanced at the time and felt it was about time.She then took Calvin and Aunt Emily back home.Aunt Emily personally went to cook for everyone. She was full of joy since Jane and Jordan returned.Jane first gave Calvin his medicine and, with some free time, played chess with him.She didn't know how to play at all, but Calvin was very patient and taught her bit by bit.At dinner, they finally saw Westley and Jordan.Jane noticed that Jordan clearly avoided eye contact, her cheeks flushed with a bit of redness, feeling embarrassed and shy.Westley, however, remained calm and composed, looking refreshed."Grandpa, dinner time." Jane put down her chess piece. "Let’s get Westley to play with you after dinner, he plays better than me. Otherwise, it's just boring here with me."Calvin was in a good mood. "It's fine, I enjoy playing with anyone."As long as they were all around, safe, happy, and healthy, he was fine with
In the middle of it, Westley went outside to get some food to replenish Jordan.Jordan buried herself under the blanket, feeling extremely embarrassed.In the end, she had been the one to go back on her own words."Have something to eat."Westley pulled her out of the blanket, put his shirt on her, and carried her to the sofa.Jordan gave him a resentful look.Her pout clearly showed she was angry, but Westley only wanted to kiss her."Westley!"Jordan suddenly pushed him away. "You're so annoying."Westley handed her some cutlery. "Well, you can be mad at me all you want but you’ve got to eat something first."Jordan really was hungry. She hadn't eaten anything all morning and had used up a lot of energy.She turned her frustration into appetite.Westley ate a little too.Jordan's eyes darted around, hesitating to speak. "When you went downstairs earlier..."Westley knew what she wanted to ask, but pretended not to understand. "What do you mean?"Jordan glared at him. "