I stood there, my heart shattering to see Ivy and Frank in the jewelry store. Dera's voice was soft, near desperation, as she said, "Frank, thank you for doing this with me. I thought you were marrying me out of necessity, but to see you walk with me here makes me hopeful."I could see the tension in Frank's jaw as he replied, "Can you get your business over with? I have things to do." His voice was cold, and I knew he was not pleased. Going shopping for special stones for their engagement jewelry with Dera made him feel empty.Why was he doing this in the first place? Was it worth it? Was this really the solution? Did he really want to marry Dera and experience another loveless marriage again? Would he be able to get over Ivy's real face? To be honest, when she plagiarized Lydia's work and accused Lydia of plagiarism, Deralost her face in Frank's eyes.She might have been hurt in rescuing him, but marrying her the ultimate way of repaying her for her legs? "Frank, what about this st
I gazed at Lydia, a million emotions boiling in my eyes. I swallowed hard and grunted in a low voice, "I don't believe you."Lydia chuckled and replied, "You don't have to. Dean is the man I love and chose to marry."I fell silent, the lump in my throat getting bigger. I glared at Lydia and took a step closer, advancing towards her.I could feel my heart thumping in my chest, Lydia's scent reaching my nostrils as I stepped closer."I don't think so because I can't see it in your eyes, Lydia. You don't look like someone who's in love right now," I breathed in a low, smooth tone.Lydia snorted and looked up at me. "Who are you to decide that?" she asked. "What do you have to stand on saying that I don't love the man I'm dating?""I may not have a right," I replied, "but I can prove it to you," and before Lydia could even see what was happening, I clasped the nape of her neck before sealing her mouth with a scorching kiss.Lydia's heart was pounding like a galloping horse as my lips move
there was an air of awkwardness between Dean and Lydia on the return.Lydia had seen her lipstick smudged just as she was stepping into the car. She saw herself in the window and her heart went thudding irregularly.Guilt ran a sharp spurt in her. What would Dean think of her now?Clearing her throat, she gazed at Dean, who was behind the wheel, and asked, "Why aren't you saying anything?"Dean raised an eyebrow at Lydia and asked, "About what?"The words got caught in Lydia's throat. How was it that she would inquire of her boyfriend why he was not standing up to her when he had witnessed another man kiss her? She furrowed her eyebrows and replied, "Actually, I didn't know Frank would follow me to the restroom. I-""You don't have to say anything, Lydia," interrupted Dean on Lydia's monologue. "I believe you. If something did happen, then it would be Frank Lanka's fault only."Lydia nibbled on her lower lip as shame overwhelmed her heart. Why was she treated by someone as kind as Dea
I couldn't help but get the feeling something was wrong. I had to talk to Adan, so I called him. "Adan, did you find anything out? Nana said something last night and made me wonder. I just keep wondering if Lydia could be Ruth," I said on the phone. "I do not believe that two different people can share the same face unless they are twin brothers." It was the next day and I had called my friend to ask about the investigation's progress. I did not know why, but something gave me the feeling that we were missing something.Lydia's dislike of me. the manner in which she shunned me. it did not seem as if she had only just met me a short while ago. I always suspected her identity but I believed it was impossible for her to be Ruth because I myself saw the explosion.But what my Nana said made me realize something. There was no way that we could be absolutely certain whether the ashes belonged to Ruth or not. We wouldn't even know if the ashes were mixed with a human soul or if they were onl
Days went by and finally, the day of Frank and Dera Pete's engagement ceremony had come.I, Lydia, in a black evening gown with cut-outs on the sides of my waist, entered the lavishly decorated hall with Dean."Are you sure about this? I know that I have accepted this invitation on your behalf but if you don't want to be here, we can leave," Dean said, his eyes looking down at me.I nodded with my head, "It's fine. Because you had already accepted, it would not be right if you went back on your word."Dean smiled and nodded, his heart calming as he looked at how carefree I looked.As soon as I walked into the corridor, the visitors couldn't help but whisper regarding me. Of course, I had been the center of scandal when individuals exported me and Frank together. It was a shock to others for me to be present at Frank's engagement ceremony."Is she not shameless? She almost took away Miss Pete's fiancé and still has the audacity to come for her engagement ceremony.""Imagine that? Perha
I had been closely following Bianca's messages in the past few days, hoping I would stumble on something regarding Lydia. However, the two females never said anything that would unlock Lydia's secret. I even began thinking about giving up since I thought that they were possibly being paranoid.I was at the engagement party when my phone suddenly buzzed and I got to read the exchange between Lydia and Bianca. My eyebrows knitted as I saw the children who were in the picture that Bianca sent to Lydia. "These children." I muttered to myself, my eyes scanning for Frank.This was big news! Lydia had children and one of them resembled Frank so much! The MC invited Frank and Dera Pete on the stage and my eyes widened. "No. I must show him this conversation before he goes up."I rushed to Frank and pointed the conversation to him. "What's going on?" Frank asked as he took the phone, his eyebrows furrowed in confusion as he read the conversation. "Read this and tell me what you make of it," I
What do you mean she's gone?" Dean asked, his eyebrows knitting in confusion."There's a possibility of kidnapping," I answered since Frank was not responding to Dean. "She is not in the restroom and her phone was found on the floor."Dean's furrowed eyebrows tightened and worry crept into him. He exclaimed, "That's impossible. Lydia has security following her around at all times. They are undercover for the most part but they are there to protect her if anything goes wrong.""That would not matter if an abductor is determined to kidnap someone," I replied just as Frank came bursting out of the bathroom."Frank! Where are you going?" I shouted after my friend in alarm."To see the CCTV," Frank replied through gritted teeth, his wounded fist leaving a trail of blood behind him.We all went to the CCTV room while everyone in the hall was left wondering what was happening. Where did Frank take off to and what about the engagement?Dera Pete clenched the armrests of her wheelchair tightly
The voice I recognized sent a shiver down the spine."Dera?" I spoke, keeping my eyes shut in order to see well.The woman knelt to meet my astonished eyes, jagged facial structure dawning clear. She wore a wicked grin plastered on her lips and her eyes flashed with deadly intent."The one and only," Dera grinned wickedly.My eyes widened like saucers. "You can walk?"Dera laughed outright. She shook her head and stood up straight before going somewhere to flip on the lights. Glaring at my wide eyes, she said, "Of course I can walk. What did you think? That I'm disabled? Is that why you thought you could steal Frank from me?""I never stole anyone from you-""Oh, but you did! Everything was moving along so well until you stepped in! I hate you as Lydia and hated you as Ruth!" Dera screamed hysterically. "Do you have any idea what I had to do to get Frank's notice? Who do you think you are to just appear out of thin air and steal his heart like that?"I scowled since I did not know Der
Miles gazed at the two children, his eyes welling up with tears. He replied, "So, I'm a grandfather. and I'm the last person to hear that my son has kids?""Miles, it's not so easy to say something to you when you've got a snake whispering in your ear," Charles said, his eyebrows knotting.Miles looked at his dad and barked, "Father, you've always been so hostile towards Celeste. She's a nice woman. You would notice that if you only let her alone. learning you people didn't tell me about my grandchildren simply because of my wife breaks my heart."He turned to look at Frank and said, "I'm your father, Frank.""Yes, you are, Dad. but-" Frank would have liked to ask Miles if he had, in fact, been playing father to him all those years. However, he maintained himself at arm's length because of the children. He sighed and uttered, "I'm sorry, Dad. I should have informed you when I found out about them."Miles gazed at Charles and gave him a reproachful look. "Father, you should have told m
I was shocked by the turn of events. "Well done for having got rid of Lewis Anade, ma'am. Now you can run the company without any encumbrances," Hannah Collins, the secretary of Lydia, said. I smiled.Whereas Lewis and Craig were released on bail to be tried, it was a relief not to have them. Otherwise, they could have brought about the downfall of Josephs & Co. "That's right. is Miss Lanka's design ready for production?" I asked."Yes, it is. I will watch over the project myself so no one else tries to steal it from you. But nobody will touch this now that Lewis is suffering," Hannah told her. "Mr Lanka actually takes a special interest in you, ma'am. He handled all that and you never had to lift a hand." I felt a grin surface in recollection of Frank. Indeed, Frank had taken an exceptional level of care towards me.He put me first and always put my safety and happiness into consideration. I felt safe with him. I felt at home when he was around."Arrange a special gift to give to Dia
He put me down on a reclining leather couch and dropped to his knees, standing between my legs.I blushed as Frank pushed his hands under my dress and began to take off my panties.As he did this, Frank glanced up at me, grinning when he saw me blush."C-Can we turn off the lights?" I asked, my heart pounding wildly in my chest.Touching my core was one thing, but having Frank's face against it was another. I was so nervous.Frank let out a low chuckle as he slid down my panties completely."I want to see all of you, baby," he murmured. "Now, spread those legs wide for me."I blushed again but slowly opened my legs wider. When Frank looked down at my center, he raised an eyebrow and said, "Someone came prepared.""Frank-" I tried to close my legs but Frank held them open."I love it." he exclaimed and before I knew what was happening, Frank dropped his head and buried his face between my legs.My eyes widened with shock at the sudden intrusion. Nevertheless, as soon as I felt Frank's
"A movie date?" I replied when I looked at the cinema in front of us."Yes. it's mid-week and it's not crowded, so we can go see a movie. I would have liked to book the whole place but I thought you'd like a full experience," Frank smiled. I glared at him and said, "Since when do you like movies? You used to say you find them boring."Frank chuckled strangely and responded, "I still don't like movies but for you, I can sit and watch a thousand movies if it would make you happy."I smiled hardly at all. I recalled how I used to plan movie nights on dates, though Frank hadn't been keen on this before.In fact, we never went on a date or hung out together. But now things were different. Frank was making an extra effort and I appreciated it."So what do we watch?" I said as we walked towards the counter to stand in line like everybody else.Frank scanned the screen and said, "Well, I don't know what you enjoy. We can watch a romance movie-""No, I prefer action films," I replied."Really?
Diane scoffed and said, "Well, my brother instructed his men to watch Lewis after that spectacle the other day. When he realized what they were going to do, he set a trap for him."Lydia felt warm inside. She had no idea Frank was discreetly looking out for her."Are you really buying Craig's shares?" Lydia asked.Diane nodded and said, "Yes, I am. It's time I too began investing.""Thanks for today." Lydia said, her heart full.Once Diane had left, Lydia's phone rang; it was Frank."Did you like my gift?" Frank's deep voice sounded on the phone."Yes, I did. Getting rid of the Anade has saved us a world of trouble. thank you, Frank," Lydia said."When are you going to call me baby, honey, or darling. I don't want to be just Frank to you," Frank said on the phone.Lydia's face reddened. She was not used to giving pet names. Gnawing at her lower lip, she said, "We shall see what the future holds.""I see. then I have to work harder to earn myself a sweet name," Frank replied. "I'll pic
"Diane Lanka? Is she the sister of Frank Lanka? Did she just call Miss Nakamura her sister-in-law?" Someone whispered."I did hear that Frank was once married to Miss Nakamura. Are they back together again?""Does this imply that the Lanka Cult will be in an alliance with the Nakamura & Co. Company? This is a good thing for us!""Hold on!" Craig yelled. "This is not the problem we are here to discuss. Miss Nakamura ruined the company's reputation and she has to go to prevent the VIP client from suing us.""Why would I sue my sister-in-law's firm? Have you lost your mind, old man?" Diane responded. She looked at Lydia and then whispered, "Frank told me you two got back together. Congratulations! I am so happy to see the two of you together again." Lydia smiled and blushed. "I see he could not wait to share the news, huh?""He's so thrilled, you have no idea," Diane whispered, then turned her focus to the rest of the room."I didn't come here today, not to see my sister-in-law being bul
One of the other directors walked in, holding what his contribution would be. "Miss Nakamura, I think there is only one thing left to do to appease the VIP client. We cannot afford to be sued at the moment."Lydia smiled wickedly. These aged men always played the same tricks. It was becoming tedious.She regarded him and them all before asking him, "And what do I need to do to appease the client?"Craig cleared his throat and stated, "You should resign your office and give it to Lewis. He will see this through.""I agree. Lewis Hendrix would lead the company better.""There's been one crisis after another since Miss Nakamura took the position. I think it's sufficient to say that she's failed to run the company.""Amen to that. We don't have money to pay for lawsuits. Who is going to fix this mess? Our reputation will be destroyed."The shareholders just kept expressing themselves after Craig's comment. Sitting in one of the chairs positioned around the large table, Lewis was wearing a
"A test period?" Freya Nakamura questioned, her brow furrowed in skepticism.I nodded and responded, "Yes, Ma'am. I know nothing that I tell you today will make you reconsider me. So, I'll show you that I'll make your daughter the happiest woman alive.""And you only need thirty days to do this?" Freya questioned, skepticism in her voice. "What if you are just faking for those thirty days?""I can never pretend with Lydia. I adore her. I may have discovered too late how much she mattered, but I'll spend the remainder of her life apologizing to her," I insisted, my tone heavy with determination.Freya scowled, her eyebrows furrowing. She looked at me and scrutinized me intensely before her eyes relaxed slightly."I see," she replied. "Since you're giving me thirty days to prove that you're worthy of my daughter, I'll give you a chance."My heart was pounding, but before I could respond, Freya went on, "But. if you fail to make Lydia happy or if you hurt her again, I want you to leave h
Smiling, I looked into Lydia's eyes and said, "This time, though, I want to do everything right. We will go out on dates like normal people. When I sweep you off your feet and make you fall in love with me the way you used to, I'll propose to you so that we can remarry.""Is that really necessary?" Lydia asked. "We are already married legally."I nodded and said, "Yes, it is needed. I owe you a wedding, baby.""I don't want to drop you off, baby. I want to stay with you and our kids," I said as we exited the car when we reached the Nakamura mansion. I let out a deep breath and added, "Being a gentleman is tough."I walked Lydia to the patio of the mansion and placed my arm around her waist, holding her close."I wish you'd remained with me tonight," I growled in my deep sexy voice.Lydia smiled and wrapped her arms around my neck, looking up at me."I know but. I have to tell Mom and Dad about our reconciliation first. Dad may have promised that he won't interfere but Mom won't be so