Hearing Brandon showering in the bathroom, Kinsey found it was hard to calm herself down.She thought it was only a contracted marriage with no intimate interaction when it was not necessary. She already accepted it when he didn't come back home for days.But what did he mean when he suddenly chose to stay home tonight? There was no extra bedroom in this house and Brandon didn't seem to have any intention of sleeping on the couch either. Was he waiting for her to sleep on the couch first?Many thoughts flashed through her mind but the moment she heard the door of the bathroom about to open, she covered herself with the sheet, pretending she was already asleep.Brandon stepped into the room and couldn't help but be entertained by Kinsey's faking sleep. He deliberately chose to lie down beside Kinsey and chuckled louder inwardly as he sensed how stiff the one beside him was.In a gentle motion, he drew her into his protective embrace. Kinsey couldn't pretend she was asleep anymore. She
Kinsey was nervous when Brandon took her to a boutique, preparing for the Ellison family party."How can we afford these lavish dresses?" Kinsey asked in awe of the multiple designer dresses she could choose from."This shop belonged to my friend and he let us borrow them as we like," Brandon replied casually.Kinsey couldn't help but be curious about Brandon's mysterious friend. What kind of person would lend such a luxurious dress?"Brandon, who's your friend with such amazing taste?" Kinsey asked, trying to unravel the mystery. Brandon chuckled, enjoying the curiosity in her eyes."You'll find out soon enough, Kinsey," Brandon replied with a playful wink.Brandon also hired a makeup artist for Kinsey. Kinsey tried to save the money for Connor's medical bill but Brandon comforted her that the makeup artist was arranged by his friend too. Kinsey had no chance to learn it was actually the top celebrities' makeup artists.Brandon was at a loss for words as he saw Kinsey walk out of the
The man standing before Kinsey was young, his face with a frivolous smile that made her instinctively want to avoid him."You seem lost. Can I help you?" He asked, his tone flirtatious."No, I'm not. I was just waiting for my partner," she said, trying to dismiss the stranger.Sensing the dismissive vibe of the woman before him, the man even took the initiative to prolong the conversation. "Since he's late, why don't we take this opportunity to get to know each other?"Kinsey felt uncomfortable with his forwardness and quickly interjected, "I'm sorry, but I'm already married," she said blatantly.To her surprise, instead of backing off, the man chuckled, his laughter ringing louder. "Married, huh? And to whom do I owe the pleasure of addressing?"Kinsey hesitated before replying, "My husband's name is Brandon Simons."The man's laughter intensified at the mention of Brandon's name, his demeanor becoming more mocking. "Brandon, you say? Well, what a lucky man he is to have snagged some
Kinsey's heart sank as she watched Brandon's demeanor change, his eyes devoid of warmth or affection. It was a stark reminder that their marriage was purely transactional, a business arrangement devoid of genuine emotion.She tried to muster up the courage to speak, to address the underlying tension between them. But before she could talk, an echo of the microphone cut her thoughts."Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like your attention," the emcee began. "We are about to begin the yearly auction of the Ellison family for a charity event," the emcee's announcement drew attention to the guests of the lavish party.As the emcee's voice rang out, Kinsey felt a pang of unease settle in her chest. The impending auction added a layer of tension to the strained atmosphere, thinking about her and Brandon's status."Get ready with your valuable gifts for tonight's event. I can't wait to witness the expensive gifts our honored guests have prepared," the emcee said excitedly. "We will begin in a short w
Kinsey's jaw dropped in disbelief, while Brandon's expression remained stoic, though a glimmer of satisfaction shone in his eyes. They had never imagined that Brandon's seemingly mundane gift would hold such extraordinary value.As Alexander's announcement sunk in, the murmurs spread like wildfire through the crowd."I can't believe it! Did he just say 100 million dollars?" one guest whispered incredulously to another."It's impossible. Who is this Brandon Simons anyway?" another replied, skepticism lacing his tone."I don't know, but if Alexander says it's worth that much, then it must be true," a third guest chimed in, her eyes widening in amazement.After paying for the gemstone, Brandon initiated a handshake with the founder of Roman Auction House. "It's nice doing business with you, Mr. Alexander," Brandon said as he shook the old man's hand."It's my pleasure," Alexander replied, taking Brandon's hand, beaming with joy. He was indeed lucky to buy the rare gem.For Kinsey, it was
Kinsey woke up with a heavy heart, her mind still replaying the image of Brandon in the car with another woman. But she quickly pushed those thoughts aside, knowing she had an important job interview."I can't let this distract me," she whispered in her voice a mix of determination and uncertainty."This is just a contract marriage, and Brandon doesn't have to explain everything to me," Kinsey comforted herself.Heading out the door, Kinsey tried to shake off the lingering feeling of betrayal. She had bigger things to worry about now – like securing a new job for herself and Connor. She went to the interview with her mind set on her future.As Kinsey approached the Quantum Group's towering 70-story building, she couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and excitement. The building stood tall and imposing, its sleek glass facade reflecting the sunlight in dazzling patterns. It symbolized power and success.This was her first time visiting the Quantum Group's headquarters, and the magnitud
Kinsey was furious, but she decided not to confront Brandon. As Kinsey turned away from Brandon and the woman, her heart was a turbulent storm of conflicting emotions. Anger, hurt, and confusion churned within her, but she pushed them aside, reminding herself that her marriage to Brandon was nothing more than a contract marriage.Before she could gather her thoughts, Olive's sudden appearance caught her off guard."You whore!" She lifted a hand and slapped Kinsey as hard as she could.The force of Olive's slap sent a sharp sting across Kinsey's cheek, leaving her stunned and speechless. Her hand instinctively rose to touch the spot where Olive's palm had struck her, her eyes wide with shock and disbelief."Why did you slap me?" Kinsey finally managed to stammer, her voice trembling with a mixture of pain and indignation.Olive's eyes blazed with fury as she unleashed a barrage of accusations against Kinsey. "You shameless woman! How dare you seduce Gordon, your future brother-in-law?
Kinsey's eyes widened in surprise. She hadn't expected Brandon to offer to pay for Blair's medical expenses, especially considering the circumstances."Are you sure about this, Brandon?" Kinsey asked, her voice filled with uncertainty.Brandon nodded, his gaze steady. "Let's just get this sorted out.""You think you can afford that?" Olive scoffed, her tone dripping with skepticism. "Blair needs the best treatment, and I doubt you can afford it."Brandon's lips curled into a sneer. "If I can afford to pay for Blair's treatment, then you should return Connor's custody to Kinsey."Olive's eyes widened in surprise, clearly not expecting such a bold response from Brandon. She hesitated, unsure of how to respond."Do you really think you can afford it?" Olive asked, her voice tinged with doubt."Do we have a deal?"Olive scoffed arrogantly. "Sure."You'll surely eat your words later for bragging about your capabilities. Olive was confident that Brandon was not stable enough to afford expen
Brandon and Kinsey slowly cut into the cake, and as the slice was pulled away, a collective gasp filled the room. The inside of the cake was a brilliant blue."It's a boy!" shouted Taylor, throwing her hands up in celebration.Those who had bet on a boy cheered, while those who had hoped for a girl joined in the joyous laughter. Cooper lifted Connor into the air, both of them laughing with excitement. "I have a playmate," Connor shouted.Brandon laughed and then turned to Kinsey, his eyes misty with emotion. "We’re having a son."Kinsey's smile was radiant. "Yes, we are. I can’t wait to meet him."Amelia clapped her hands, beaming with joy. "Congratulations! A little boy is going to bring so much happiness into your lives."Chelsea hugged Kinsey tightly. "I'm so happy for you both. This baby is going to be so loved."Grandpa Benjamin's eyes twinkled as he motioned for everyone to gather around. "I have a special gift for Brandon and Kinsey," he began, his voice warm with affection. "I
"If you ever look at her like that again, I will make your lives here like hell. Don't test me," Brandon said as he stepped forward, his voice low and menacing.Thomas and Johnny exchanged a wary glance, the threat in Brandon's tone cutting through their bravado. They knew all too well the reach of Brandon’s power, even within prison walls."Alright, alright," Johnny said, raising his hands in mock surrender. "No need to get all worked up. What do you want, Brandon?"Brandon took a deep breath, trying to control the anger boiling inside him. "I want to know why. Why did you kill my parents?"Thomas's face twisted with bitterness. "Elliot was always the golden child, wasn’t he? Dad’s favorite, the one trusted with everything. And what were we? The leftovers. We had to scrape by while he got it all handed to him."Johnny nodded, his expression mirroring Thomas’s resentment. "We hated him. We hated how he looked down on us, how he had everything we wanted. But we never meant to kill your
In the morning, Brandon gently caressed Kinsey’s scars, his fingers tracing the faint lines left by Blair’s brutal whipping. His jaw tightened as he thought about the pain his wife must have endured. His heart ached, a mix of anger and sorrow. He would make sure Blair paid for what she had done."Good morning, beautiful," Brandon whispered as he noticed Kinsey slowly flickering her eyelids open.Kinsey smiled, her cheeks flushing pink at the memory of the passionate night they had shared. They had both been insatiable, rediscovering each other most intimately. "Good morning," she replied softly, her voice filled with contentment.Brandon’s eyes softened as he looked at her. "How are you feeling?" he asked, his tone gentle."Better," Kinsey said, her smile widening. "Especially after last night."Brandon chuckled, leaning down to kiss her forehead. "I’m glad to hear that. What do you want for breakfast? I can have anything you like brought up."Kinsey’s face turned serious as she propp
For a moment, time seemed to stand still. Brandon's eyes widened in surprise, then filled with a joy so intense it took his breath away. "A baby?" he repeated, his voice choking with emotion.Kinsey nodded, tears of happiness welling up in her eyes. "Yes, Brandon. We're going to have a baby."A broad smile spread across Brandon's face, and he let out a joyful laugh, lifting Kinsey off her feet and spinning her around gently. "We're having a baby!" he exclaimed, his voice ringing with excitement. He set her down carefully, cupping her face in his hands and kissing her deeply.Kinsey melted into the kiss, feeling the warmth of his love and the reassurance of his touch. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer. "I was so nervous to tell you. I thought you wouldn't like to have a baby yet," she admitted, her voice soft against his lips.Brandon pulled back just enough to look into her eyes. "Nervous? Kinsey, this is the best news I've ever heard. You've made me the happies
The soft murmur of conversations and the clinking of champagne glasses filled the elegant ballroom where Taylor and Daniel’s wedding was in full swing. Brandon couldn’t take his eyes off his wife, Kinsey. She looked stunning in the custom gown he had arranged, a delicate creation that seemed to shimmer under the soft lights. Brandon himself was dressed in a tailored suit that complemented her dress perfectly, a symbol of their unity and love.As they stood together, Kinsey glanced up at him, feeling his gaze. "You look absolutely beautiful," Brandon murmured, his voice filled with admiration and love. "I can't believe how lucky I am to have you by my side."Kinsey blushed, a warm flush spreading across her cheeks. "Thank you, Brandon. You look incredibly handsome too. This suit... it’s perfect."Brandon smiled, his eyes twinkling with affection. "I wanted us to look our best tonight. It’s a special day for Taylor and Daniel, and I wanted to make sure we could celebrate it fully, as a
As Brandon and Kinsey stepped through the door of the Simons' Mansion, the last person they expected to see was Cooper. The man stood in the foyer, his posture tense but his eyes determined."Cooper?" Kinsey's voice trembled with shock. "What are you doing here?"Brandon’s initial reaction was fury. "What the hell are you doing in my house without any prior notice?" His voice was hard, filled with protective anger.Cooper raised his hands in a gesture of peace. "Please, Brandon, Kinsey. I know this is unexpected, but I need to talk to both of you. It's important."Brandon crossed his arms, his jaw tight. "You've got five minutes. Make it quick."Cooper took a deep breath, his eyes meeting Kinsey’s. "I'm here to tell you the truth about Connor. He’s my son, Kinsey. Alexa and I... we were together."The words hung in the air like a bombshell. Kinsey’s knees buckled, and she stumbled back, leaning against the wall for support but Brandon was quick to help her. "What? Connor... your son?"
Olive paced back and forth in the living room, her eyes blazing with fury as she glared at her husband, Jonathan, who sat calmly on the couch. The tension in the room was palpable, a storm of emotions ready to burst.“How could you, Jonathan?” Olive’s voice was sharp, almost a hiss. “How could you not let me talk to Brandon when you met him? Do you even care about Blair? She’s our daughter, and she’s been rotting in jail with no bail for days now!”Jonathan sighed heavily, running a hand through his thinning hair. He looked exhausted, a man burdened with too many troubles. “Olive, it’s not that simple. Blair has committed serious crimes. Kidnapping, detaining, whipping, and attempting to murder Kinsey… She’s lucky she’s even alive.”Olive’s eyes filled with tears of frustration and anger. “I know she’s done wrong, but she’s our child! I can’t just sit here and do nothing. We need to beg Brandon to drop the charges. It’s the only way to get her out.”Jonathan shook his head, his expres
Kinsey lay awake, Brandon's words echoing in her mind. "Jealous" Was she jealous? She couldn't deny the pangs of hurt and anger that had surfaced when she saw Chelsea with Brandon, and the thought pissed her off.Another thing that's bothering her is Taylor's wedding. She had promised Taylor and Daniel that she would bring Brandon to their wedding, but her pride kept her from asking him. Her mind churned with conflicting emotions, preventing her from finding peace.Morning came too soon, and with it, a heavy sense of unresolved tension. Kinsey dragged herself out of bed, her eyes heavy from lack of sleep. Determined to resolve things, she decided to talk to Brandon about the wedding. She steeled herself and walked to their room, only to find it empty.Her heart sank a little. "Where could he be this early in the morning?" she muttered.As she headed to the dining room for breakfast with Connor, she felt a mixture of disappointment and anxiety. Sitting across from Connor, who was cheer
Kinsey stood among her colleagues, her emotions a turbulent mix of anger, hurt, and embarrassment. As Brandon introduced himself with his usual charm and confidence, her mind replayed the memory of Chelsea in the elevator, each repetition stoking her resentment.Brandon tried to catch her eye, his smile warm and inviting, but she turned away, her face a mask of indifference. Internally, she was seething.The memory of Chelsea's face haunted her. "I’m visiting a friend on the top floor," Chelsea had said, the implication clear. Kinsey had been so naive, so stupid to trust Brandon, to confess her feelings to him. She felt a deep sense of betrayal and embarrassment.Kinsey felt insecure in every way possible. Chelsea is more fitting for Brandon. They match in status, in every way that counts. Unlike her, poor and stupid, abandoned by her own family.As Brandon spoke to the employees, detailing his vision for the company and his plans for the future, Ki