After Wela closed the door, Frank moved closer to Kara. One of his hand rose to stroke her pale cheek. His movements were so light as if he was afraid of increasing the pain there. "I'm sorry," he whispered softly. "If I knew this could happen, I would have let you eat Ben's chocolate." Frank thought he would feel better after saying those words. But apparently not, the image of Kara stumbling into his arms recurred more and more often. Her groan pierced his heart. After one quick breath, Frank rose from the edge of the bed. It would be better for him to continue working than to dwell on regrets. When she woke up, Kara immediately frowned. Her head still felt heavy, but the world wasn't spinning like before. "Are you still dizzy?" Kara looked to the side. Frank was standing with his hands stuffed in his pockets. He was dressed casually. Instead of answering, Kara sat down. Knowing she was in the CEO's bed, her brows furrowed. "Don't be surprised," Frank interrupted before Kara
"Good evening, Mrs. Kara Martin? I'm Cathy from the Savior Scholarship Organizers. I hope you don’t mind that I contact you at this time. I've been trying to reach you since this afternoon." Kara quickly checked the notification panel. There were 12 missed calls. "I’m truly sorry. I'm a bit busy today," she answered awkwardly. Her brain started to wonder whether it was the right time to turn down the scholarship or not. She could not let Louis and Emily to be anywhere near Frank, let alone Rowan Harper. “Once again, we congratulate your children for their scholarship achievement. Now, we look forward to your cooperation to complete some of the documents.” Kara didn't fully pay attention to the documents she had to prepare. She was too busy compiling logical reasons to convey. However, as she was about to interrupt, the caller had already changed the topic. “For the inaugural event this Saturday, the founder of Savior Group invites the three of you to attend. We will provide speci
Kara was 170 cm tall, but in Frank Harper's arms, her body looked tiny. She was now like a doll that listened to her owner's heartbeat. After a while, nothing happened to the walls surrounding them. The guards could no longer be heard, only Rowan's voice grumbling incoherently. "My grandson!" The old man raised his volume again. “I know you must be hiding somewhere. Don't feel like you've won because I won't leave until you come out." Kara's worry spiked again. Being in that narrow space for 30 minutes felt like an eternity, let alone hours? “Remember, Frank. You still have to be responsible for your actions. You dare to leave the company just because of a girl. You have to bear the consequences.” Kara blinked. She didn't expect that Rowan thought the same as her. Frank couldn't possibly go that far if he didn't care about her. Meanwhile, Frank's smile had faded. His lips were pressed tightly and his jaw throbbed furiously. His grandfather was always watching and interfering in
Suddenly, the dream played in Frank's mind. Remembering how real the touch felt, he gasped. ‘Oh my God!’ Frank stared at his own hands. ‘I really touched her?’ After swallowing hard, Frank started to stammer. "Don't get me wrong, Kara. I didn't mean to take the opportunity. I didn't even realize what I was doing." Kara didn't answer. She was too busy catching her breath. She did not want to let out a sob. "Trust me. I do not mean—" "You lecherous man! Don't expect me to forgive you. Starting today, I quit." After throwing pillows at Frank, Kara got out of bed. "Wait a minute, Kara. Please don't be reckless." Frank tried to stop her, but the girl slapped his hand away. "I don't want to have a perverted boss like you!" "I'm not that kind of guy. It's just ...." Frank was silent, looking for the right explanation. However, he couldn't possibly confess about his dream. "Kara, I won't be able to protect you from my grandfather if you're not my secretary anymore." Kara laughed s
"What do you mean? You think I'm interested in that stupid girl? I already have Isabela, remember?" Jeremy held back a smile. He already understood. Frank always used his fiancee to hide his true feeling. "Isn't Kara Martin your entertainment amidst your busy schedule? You must be very bored right now. That's what I was thinking." After nodding, Jeremy retreated to the side of the wall. He busied himself with the schedule table which he had not accessed for a long time. Meanwhile, Frank let out a faint sigh. He felt like a fool. Jeremy's teasing was not something easy to deal with. ‘Damn! Why did this gossiper come back so quickly? My freedom is getting limited now.’ Straightening his pen again, Frank glanced briefly at Kara's desk. After sighing in resignation, he began to immerse himself in work. *** “Mommy, come here quickly! You don't have free time like this every day," Emily whispered in enthusiasm. She couldn't wait to show off the bookshelf that had become her favorite
"Because of that, I take it very seriously that I decide to quit. I will leave and disappear from this city." Kara nodded firmly. Frank snorted lightly. "Are you really stupid or pretending to be innocent? My grandfather is not an ordinary man. His men are spread all over this country. Moving to other city is not enough to save yourself." Kara took a deep breath. She knew that what Frank said was true. However, only that way, she had a chance to secure the twins. "I've resigned, so my safety is no longer your concern." "Nonsense!" Frank pounded the table. A second later, he tore Kara's letter into shreds. "I am your only option for survival." Kara sighed. With a tired expression, she took another envelope out of her bag and placed it on the table. "My business is done. Excuse me." Kara turned towards the door. However, after a few steps, Frank had turned her body so that they were facing each other. "What demon has gotten into you, hmm? Wake up, Kara! You have no future out th
"Hubby? I came all the way here, canceling the catwalk to arrange our wedding, but you greet me like this?" Frank raised an eyebrow. A tall and slim woman had just pushed the door wider. She wore a bright red dress that showed off her smooth shoulders. A bag studded with crystals dangled from her slender fingers. The light reflection from it made Frank frown. "We're not married yet, so don't call me that." While Kara froze in confusion, Isabela blinked in disbelief. "What's wrong with you, Hubby? We're getting married soon. It's natural for me to call you that. Do you want me to keep calling you Handsome?" Frank snorted in amusement. His attitude made Kara furrow her eyebrows, especially as his arms wrapped around her more tightly. "Every call from your mouth sounds bad," Frank sighed thinly. Isabela spontaneously clenched her jaw. How could Frank have the heart to be rude to her in front of strangers? "Who is she? Why do you ... keep hugging her? You do realize that your fian
Isabela's lips pressed tightly. Her nose flared to compensate for the shortness of her breath. "You really prefer her?" "Of course." The model's cynical laughter erupted again. "Okay, don't blame me if something bad happens to you two. I've reminded you. But if you want to change, there's still time left, Hubby. Think wisely. Don't let this cunning woman brainwash you." After taking a deep breath, Isabela put a sly smile on her face. "Vidi ...." A man wearing a bowler hat stepped in. "Hand over all the money in your wallet." Isabela raised her hands. A moment later, a wad of money landed in her grasp. "Thank you for entertaining my fiance in my absence. Now that I'm back, you should come to your senses. Here ... accept your payment and stay away from him." Isabela threw money in Kara's face. The poor girl could only gasp. Her eyes shook as she watched the top model leave. Everything still felt like a nightmare to her. "Since she has gone, shall we celebrate it? I think this is
Philip rushed in and grabbed Barbara's hand. Before he could say anything, Barbara was pushing again. After Briony came out, Barbara breathed a sigh of relief. “Philip .... Our child has been born.”Even though his head was nodding, Philip blinked in confusion. His mouth was agape, not knowing how to respond. "Yes ...," he sighed after a few moments. Briony's cries helped him regain his senses. "Wow," Philip blinked. He bent down, stroking his wife's hair with mixed feelings. "You're so great, Babe. You can give birth that fast." Barbara smiled proudly. "Our efforts weren't in vain, Phil. I was actually scared earlier. Briony's urge was very strong. But Louis and Emily forbade me to push. I tried to hold it in until finally, I gave in." Philip sighed in amazement and disbelief. Still looking stiff, he kissed Barbara's temple. "You're amazing, Babe. I'm glad you didn't encounter any major difficulties." Philip wiped the tears from her face. "I'm happy too. But where were you? I to
"Louis, Auntie is about to give birth!" Emily rose with a high arch of her eyebrows. "You’re right! We have to take her to the hospital!" Wasting no time, Louis grabbed Barbara's hand, pulling her to turn around. "Come on, Auntie. Let's go back to the car." However, Barbara shook her head. Her face was pale, her body tense. Her feet seemed to be glued to the earth. "What's wrong, Auntie?" "Call Philip," she muttered softly. "What?" "Call Philip!" The twins flinched. After one nod, they ran towards Philip. "Uncle Philip! Uncle Philip!" "Hey, where are you guys going?" Barbara exclaimed again. The twins braked. When they looked back, Barbara was waving. "Why did you leave me here alone?" Her voice was shrill. "You told us to call Uncle Philip!" Louis shook his head, not understanding. "Yeah, but don't leave me here." While limping, she inched closer to Louis and Emily. "One person calls him. One more person, hold me!" The twins blinked. Not because they didn't understand, b
"Hello, Orion," Emily whispered as the tiny baby in the box opened his eyes. Her hand reached out, trying to reach his chubby cheek. From the other side of the box, Louis also looked inside. "Hello, Oscar." "Louis?" Emily scolded with round eyes. "Why do you call him Oscar? This is our first meeting with him. Don't make a bad impression." Louis pursed his lips. "Okay, sorry. I'm used to it. Let me repeat." After clearing his throat, he looked down again. "Hello, Orion. It's me, Louis. I'm your cousin." Emily smiled slightly and nodded. "That's just right." After giving Louis thumbs up, she waved her hand downwards. "And I'm Emily. Nice to meet you, Orion." For a few moments, the two toddlers were busy observing Orion. Philip and Barbara were amused by their comments. "It turns out that Uncle Philip was right. Orion looks like both of his parents. His eyes are like Auntie's, while his nose and mouth are like Uncle's." "His chin also looks like Uncle’s, but his hair looks like
A nurse tried to calm Ava. However, the woman still shook her head, rejecting all the words directed at her. She was very weak. The pain seemed to knock out all the bones in her body. Her brain could no longer function normally. "No. I have no strength anymore. I can't continue." After taking a heavy breath, Jeremy bowed. The nurse had shifted. Jeremy had more freedom to stroke Ava's hair which was wet with sweat and her face which was flooded with tears. "Ava, can you hear me? Ava?" Their gazes finally met. Jeremy could see the desperation in those brown eyes. "I can't take it anymore, Jeremy. I can't. Let the doctor take it out. I can't take it anymore." Jeremy's chest felt like it had been torn apart. He almost choked with pain. Stroking Ava's shoulder, he shook his head. "No, I know you. You're not someone who never gives up, Ava. You can do it." "But I don't have the energy anymore, Jeremy." "There is. There definitely is." Jeremy grabbed Ava's shaking fingers. "This is f
"Look at this, Brandon." Louis placed a stack of photo paper on the table. Then, he showed them one by one to his friend. "This is a picture of Russell crying. This is a picture of him laughing. And this is a picture of Russell being angry." "Can babies get angry? Isn't he still too young to understand anything?" Brandon shook his head faintly. Louis shrugged. "I don't know about that. But when Russell sees something he doesn't like, his hands keep flapping and his mouth makes sounds ...." Louis imitated a baby's moan which made the librarian glance. "Russell also has sharp eyes, Brandon. If he feels annoyed by us, he will glare while furrowing his eyebrows." Emily touched the base of her eyebrows, checking to see if they were the same shape as Russell's eyebrows in the picture. Brandon smiled at Emily's expression. "I think he must be really cute when he's angry." "Yes!" Emily nodded quickly. "He's always cute, all the time. Louis, show him a picture of Russell in the shower."
"Oh, look at Russell, Louis. Isn't he very handsome? He's clean and smells good." Emily put her nose closer to Russell's face. When she managed to kiss that very soft cheek, she giggled holding back her laughter. She didn't want to disturb Kara who was sleeping in Frank's arms. "Yes, he is very handsome. He looks like me. Isn't that right, Grandma?" Louis raised his gaze towards the woman holding Russell. Susan smiled amusedly. "Yes, he looks like you. Only his nose is a little sharper." Louis' lips immediately pursed. His forefinger pointed at his own nose. "How sharp do you want Russell's nose to be? My nose is already very sharp." Susan chuckled at Louis' answer. "I’m just joking, Louis. It doesn't matter whose nose is sharper. What's important is that you're both healthy." Louis nodded in agreement. His hands then rose to touch the baby's feet. "Grandma, is Russell heavy?" Susan raised her eyebrows. "Do you want to carry him?" Louis glanced at Emily. "How about you try fir
"Hello, Good Boy," Kara held Russell carefully, as if the little creature was a very fragile pearl. Tears could not stop running down her face. After kissing the baby who was covered in a towel, Kara whispered again, "This is Mommy, Russell. I'm happy that I can finally hug you like this." While biting his lips, Frank also bowed. He stroked the tiny back then kissed his head. "And this is Daddy, Russell. Daddy is also happy that you are finally here." Still with a wide smile and red eyes, Frank looked at Kara gently. Before the pool of emotion dripped again, he quickly kissed her forehead. Kara closed her eyes accepting the warmth. "Thank you for giving birth to our son, Queen Bee," Frank whispered hoarsely. Kara smiled wider and nodded faintly. "Thank you for accompanying me here." "That's what I should have done a long time ago." Frank stroked her cheek before kissing her again. "Daddy, we want to see Russell too! Can we come closer?" Emily asked, jumping a little on the chai
Kara was sitting on the bed. Her head rested on the broad shoulder next to her. Closing her eyes, she tried to catch her breath."Is there any news from the Twins?" she asked quietly. Frank shook his head. His hands kept to massage Kara's fingers. "You don't need to worry about them, Queen Bee. They are independent and intelligent children. They will understand that you have to give birth soon. Let's celebrate their birthday after Russell is born, hmm?" After a short nod, Kara turned her head further. "Are you crying?" Frank's eyebrows pulled together. Moving his head away so that it would be easier to see her, he shook his head. "Why do you think I'm crying?" "Your voice is shaky, Frank." Pursing his lips, Frank took a deep breath. "I'm not crying." "Then why are your eyes red and watery?" Frank blinked firmly. "I'm not crying," he repeated with more emphasis. Still out of breath, Kara let out a laugh. Her head tilted slightly, waiting for his tears to fall. "Are you sure?"
"Hello, Brandon. Welcome to our event," Louis shook his classmate's hand. "Hello, Louis. Happy birthday. I hope you live a long and healthy life," the blonde boy said, occasionally glancing at Emily. "Thank you, Brandon. Did you come alone?" Brandon nodded. "Yes, my parents had to attend another event. So, only the driver took me here." After one blink, Brandon offered his hand to Emily. "Happy birthday too, Emily. You're so beautiful tonight." Emily shook Brandon's hand with a sweet smile. "Thanks, Brandon. You also look cool tonight. The jacket suits you." Brandon blushed. His lips twitched to suppress the excitement in his chest. "Thank you, Emily. I deliberately asked my mother to look for the best outfit. I want to look cool at this event." "Your mom has a good sense of fashion," Emily nodded before glancing to the side. "Louis, I think you should try a regular tie like Brandon. You're five years old. It's time for you to leave that bow tie behind. You should try somethin