His eyes were dark. "Can't it be for some other reason?""Such as?" I didn't deny the fact that I was testing him.He pursed his lips. "I just want you to be healthy.""Sounds just like a birthday wish for elders at home."A thought crossed my mind and I smiled instantly. "Save that for next month at Grandpa's birthday banquet."Wishing for my health.Wishing for a hundred years of harmony with Jessica?When the nurse came to draw blood, as she disinfected my arm, I instinctively recoiled, my body tensing up.I had been afraid of needles since I was little.When I had fallen ill as a child, Dad would hold me, Mom would hold my other hand, comforting me during injections or blood tests.There would even be rewards.In the years since then, my health has been decent. I could handle common colds, and even with severe ones, I could just make do with some normal medicine. I rarely needed to draw blood.But I was still afraid of needles.However, I had already grown up. I was sc
In a daze, I thought of the past.Back then, Ryan and I had only been married for six months. My period was delayed by about 10 days. Even though he always used protection, I still faintly wondered if I might be pregnant each time. When I bought the pregnancy test kit, I was eager to share the news of being pregnant with him.Now that I really was pregnant, thinking about Ryan standing just a door away, I couldn't muster any excitement or joy. All I felt was fear and nervousness about what unexpected changes might come.The worst outcome would be losing this child.The mere two and a half years had turned everything upside down as if we were from different worlds now.My legs felt like lead as I walked to the door, my emotions complex, but I found no sign of Ryan outside! Where was he?All that remained was my handbag, left alone on the metal bench by the door.Had he left?I pulled out my phone from the bag, a message was on the screen."I have some urgent business. After the
I wanted to give him a second chance for the child and for myself.Jane didn't try to dissuade me, she simply asked, "Have you thought about the consequences if it doesn't work out?""Yeah, I've thought about it."If things didn't go as expected, I would disappear completely to avoid any possibility of losing the child.With this decision made, I lost all desire to go home and cook. I casually ate a salad in the neighborhood and then retreated to the sofa at home.While waiting for Ryan to return, I immersed myself in work with my laptop.I waited until the afternoon, but there was still no sign of him at the door.Unable to resist, I sent Ryan a message. "Are you coming back soon?"I waited for a while but didn’t receive any replies.What urgent matter could keep him this busy? I hadn't heard from Jane that anything had gone wrong at the company.With autumn days growing shorter and nights longer, the sun began to set by five o'clock.The orange sunset poured in. Outside th
I don't know how much time had passed before a nurse from the operating room came out calling names."Is Jessica's husband here?"Ryan walked up in big strides. "Doctor! I'm here."Those four words pierced my heart like daggers. The pain caused me to find it difficult to breathe.All the waiting throughout the day and the decision I had finally made became a joke at this moment.Standing there made me feel like I was a clown.We weren’t divorced just yet.My husband had already become someone else's husband.Not far away, he asked desperately, "How is she? Is it serious?""She lost a lot of blood, what do you think? But fortunately, you brought her to the hospital in time, she's fine now." After a short pause, the nurse added as if to reassure him, "The child is fine too."‘Child?’‘Jessica is pregnant?’‘They have a child now?’I couldn’t breathe and looked awkwardly at Ryan.He breathed a sigh of relief, his face finally softened a little. "That's good."Maybe my gaze
He wore a beige casual suit that accentuated his tall and elegant figure, exuding warmth and refinement.He smiled gently. "A friend is hospitalized, so I came to visit.""Oh, I see.""And what about you? Why are you here alone at the hospital?"I raised the medical report in my hand. "I came to pick up my health examination report."Jack's expression became serious. "Everything alright?""Yes."I had just undergone a company health check, and this time, like the last, everything was within normal range.Except that there was a child in my womb now.Jack nodded. "Have you eaten yet? How about we grab a bite together? Tom and Jane will also be joining us."He had probably added the second sentence to avoid suspicion.I rubbed my stomach, feeling a bit hungry, "Sure."I didn't know what to eat if I went home alone.Besides, with more people around, it wouldn't be so easy to get lost in thoughts.Jack handed the car over to his assistant to drive back, then rode with me to t
It seemed that I was destined to not be able to eat properly that day.Back home, I slept through the night in a daze. I felt like I was asleep and awake at the same time.The next day, I slept until noon, feeling lightheaded.I checked the fridge, made myself a tuna sandwich, drank some milk, and finally felt a little better.The concert was in the evening, still early now, instead of sinking into negative emotions, I decided to open my computer and prepare to work.First, I checked my social media as usual.Seeing a message from the official MS Group account, I couldn't help but perk up.Just as I was about to read it in detail, Jane's call came in. "Darling, are you okay?"I didn't want her to worry. "I'm fine.""Did Ryan go back home?"I hesitated for a moment. "No.""In that case, let's forget about him." Jane changed the subject. "I called to ask you, have you seen the news that MS is planning a collaborative collection?""I just saw it."In the past, these collabora
Seeing the incoming call on my phone, I felt I was imagining things. After a moment's pause, I answered, "Hello.""Are you at home?"He sounded like he was in a vast, empty space, his voice low and tinged with weariness.I stood up and walked to the balcony, stretching my neck to relieve the stiffness, enduring the discomfort, and deliberately asked, "Hmm, are you still busy?"Thinking about it, Jessica had lost so much blood. How could he be at ease?"I'm almost done."For some reason, his voice cleared up a little. "The ticket is on the console by the entrance. Remember to take it when you leave."Although it was expected, hearing it from him still left a bitter taste in my mouth. "You're not coming?""What are you talking about? Let's meet at the entrance of the stadium..." He chuckled softly.But just as he was speaking, a weak yet desperate question interrupted him suddenly, "Ryan, who are you calling? Didn't you promise me..."The voice abruptly stopped.It wasn't Ryan
Perhaps the person I was waiting for would never come.The girl was clever, smiling brightly as she asked, "Are you waiting for someone, Miss?""Yes.""Your friend must be stuck in traffic, it's really jammed around the stadium right now."Maybe sensing my disappointment, she walked over with a comforting smile, tilting her head slightly. "I'll wait with you.""Aren't you going in?""I didn't get a ticket."She shrugged, her mouth turning down in disappointment and helplessness.I chuckled lightly. "Then stay with me."He wasn't going to come. I wasn't waiting for him to come.I was waiting for me to be totally disappointed.Another whole hour passed, until the crowd in the square thinned out and people gradually dispersed. My hand holding the phone was almost numb from the cold.The announcement came over the broadcast that entry was about to close."Charlotte."A warm voice suddenly sounded from behind.I turned around in pleasant surprise, seeing Jack in the same brow
She now saw herself only as a sister figure to him. Even though they were a bit close, there was still a sense of distance and wariness.It was impossible for her to fully open up to him.But at that moment, suddenly talking about their relationship wasn't really appropriate.Besides, with how things had developed between her and Westley, if he intervened, it would just force them apart.In the end, it would be her who got hurt.‘Forget it.’Nathan decided to just watch how things would unfold.If Westley still didn't realize his mistakes and hurt Jordan again, then no matter what, he couldn't let them be together."Has Jasmine not come back?""Huh?" The topic changed too quickly, and Jordan was a little slow to react. "No.""Nathan, did you take anything from this room?"Nathan's gaze darkened slightly. "No."Noticing that he was in a bad mood, Jordan didn't ask about his situation with Jasmine."Jasmine probably has something she wants to do."Nathan could tell from her
"I've already picked out a few candidates, but I just haven't had the chance to arrange meetings for you yet. Maybe you've only ever been exposed to him since childhood. Try dating someone else, and you might realize he isn't the only one for you." Jordan shook her head. "Nathan, that's not it..." "I'm certain I like him—no matter how outstanding others are, I won't be interested." Nathan frowned. "You've never tried being with anyone else. How can you be so sure?" Of course, Jordan was sure. Ever since her youthful heart first fluttered, she had been certain, apart from Westley, she would never love anyone else. And that was precisely why his indifference had wounded her so deeply. She had filed for divorce and despised his later attempts at remorse. Because she had never wavered in her feelings—yet he only began to love her after she decided to let go. If he had realized it even a little sooner, they wouldn't have suffered through such a painful, drawn-out
"I’m not doing anything," Westley answered her question, squeezing her hand slightly. "Just need your help with something."Jordan was already in her 20s.How could she not understand the things between men and women?His voice was dangerously hoarse now, and what kind of help could he possibly need from her?"You do it yourself, I can't help.""Well, I’ll do all the hard work."He was the one doing all the hard work indeed.But he was holding her hand, making her hand... move with his!Jordan tried to pull her hand back. "Westley, you’re making me mad."Westley leaned on her shoulder and laughed lowly. "Alright, after you help me, feel free to get angry. Hit me however you want. But right now, Jordy, I can't stop."The temperature in the kitchen gradually rose.With the heating, it made the air dry and uncomfortable.She had just taken a shower to cool down, but now, a thin layer of sweat had formed.She felt hot.Jordan had nowhere to hide and couldn't break free.In t
The arm around her waist suddenly tightened.The breath sprayed near her ear, hot and unsettling.The man's hoarse voice came. "Don't want to sleep? Then how about we do something else?"Jordan gripped the blanket tightly, weakly lying, "I want to go to the bathroom. I haven't washed up yet either."Westley released her.Jordan quickly escaped. She didn't know what she might do if she stayed another second.Westley lowered his head, glancing at her, then sighed deeply.This was a pyrrhic victory.Jordan stayed in the bathroom for a long time.She even took a shower.But after finishing, she suddenly remembered that her bath towel had been taken by Westley.Standing in the bathroom, she felt like she had no way out.And in her haste to come in, she hadn't grabbed a change of clothes.She had impulsively picked up the clothes that Westley had swapped out of and her clothes and tossed them into the laundry basket.Her clothes were now all wet.She could only silently fume.
‘I’ve already taken my pants off and you’re just going to leave it at that?’She thought this must have been intentional on Westley's part.She raised her leg and kicked him, then turned around, pulling the blanket away, her back clearly showing a trace of resentment.Westley didn't mind, pulling both her and the blanket into his arms.He chuckled softly in her ear."Your reaction right now makes me think you're dissatisfied."The deliberate pause was even more teasing.Jordan immediately elbowed him.But because she was tangled in the blanket, she couldn't put much strength into it.The muffled laugh of the man in her ear clearly mocked her, making her even angrier.Her emotions flared up too quickly, and tears started falling.Westley felt the wetness on his arm, it was hot.He quickly sat up.He knew about her tendency to lose control of her tears, but seeing her cry still made his heart ache.He gently wiped the tears from the corner of her eye with his thumb and whis
"You can't possibly have nowhere to stay."Westley turned her around and found her eyes tightly closed.He laughed softly. "You used to try everything to see what’s in front of you right now, so what's wrong now?"Jordan had been influenced by dramas and novels back then.Because she was protected by the Howard family and watched over by Westley, there were no other men around her except for him.Even if there were, she couldn't see their abs.So at that time, she could only secretly look when he was training or at moments when he would take off his clothes.Leanne had also helped her a lot.When she was young, he saved her when she was hospitalized.He injured his shoulder, and he had to take off his clothes to apply medicine.During those days, she insisted on taking care of him and saw a lot.But all of this ended before she turned 18.It was like playing house, no one took it seriously.Later, she never had the chance to see Westley’s body again.Now, she couldn't loo
Westley's eyes flashed with a deep, meaningful smile.He replied calmly, "How did I trick you? I'm just being very sincere. I was just asking about the things from before. I didn't mean anything. If you're overthinking, then... Are you feeling guilty?"Jordan retorted immediately, "I'm not guilty!"Then, she weakly explained, "I didn't do anything wrong. My confession was real, and the words I said to your mom were for you. Later, I didn't contact you because your attitude toward me wasn't good. I didn't dare to reach out. So, it's all your fault."Westley laughed. "Alright, it's all my fault."He released her and stood up, heading toward the bathroom.Jordan stood frozen, not knowing why the conversation ended so abruptly.They didn't really reach any conclusion.But that wasn't the point. She followed him to the bathroom door and knocked."Westley, are you taking a shower?"There was no response. She pressed her ear to the door and thought she could hear water running.Alt
"I..."Jordan leaned on his shoulder, her voice soft. "Can you just say it?""Okay."Westley was easy to talk to. "You said that after giving it some thought, you might have mistaken your feelings for me. You might have confused sibling love with romantic love. Actually, maybe you don't really like me. That was the gist of it. The exact words, it's been so long, I don't remember."Jordan didn't believe that he didn't remember.If he didn't hold a grudge, he wouldn't have treated her the way he did afterward.He didn't even send her a message.Even when the Howard family invited them back for dinner, he had his subordinates contact her."You really are petty."Westley chuckled, pulling her even closer.He kissed the corner of her lips. "Yep, I'm petty. For the things I owe you, I'll apologize and make it up to you, but for the things I've done right, I'll remember them and make you pay me back."Jordan quickly grabbed his wrist, her speech speeding up."Westley, I can explai
Jordan was rendered speechless. "You didn't drink tonight. What, are you drunk from fruit juice?"Westley let go of her, changed his shoes, and, as if he were at his own home, casually unbuttoned his shirt and sat down on the sofa."Huh?"Jordan changed her shoes and walked over. She sat at the coffee table in front of him, her face serious as she said, "You'd better tell me the truth!"Westley leaned back against the sofa, his posture casual."What do you want me to confess?""I want you to..."The man suddenly moved closer, and Jordan swallowed her words.She stared wide-eyed at the extraordinarily handsome man in front of her.He had undone four buttons of his shirt, and as he moved, his muscular physique subtly showed through.Her gaze couldn't help but fall inside his collar.Suddenly, she felt her mouth becoming dry."Jordy, you need to take responsibility for your words.""I..."Before she could finish, her waist was grabbed, and before she could react, she was sit