Several minutes earlier .... As soon as she passed the entrance, Ava's face changed. Her breathing was heavy, her steps slowed. "How could he say we were going to get married? When did he propose to me? No—let alone proposing, he never even confessed his love." With pursed lips, Ava looked back. Jeremy looked like he was being lectured by his mother. The two toddlers there also looked patronizing. "But is he really that stupid?" Her speech now sounded pitiful. "He must have made the decision without thinking twice. Marrying me would be the same as destroying his reputation and future. Didn't he think about that?" Then, with her head bowed, Ava continued walking. “He should learn from the incident at the boutique earlier. He should look for a partner who is comparable to him, not a girl like me.” After a long sigh, Ava straightened her head. "Reality is not as beautiful as a fairy tale. Princes and commoners will not be able to live happily. Their peace will definitely be disturbe
As Ava left, Mrs. Connor looked away. She didn't want to look at Jeremy. However, Jeremy still faced her. His expression was so firm. His hands were clenched into fists. "Ava is your biological daughter, but why do you treat her like someone else's daughter? Don't you feel sorry for her?" Instead of feeling insulted, Mrs. Connor raised her chin. "I'm just being objective. It doesn't matter if she's my daughter or not, if she's wrong, she's still guilty. She must be reprimanded and taught a lesson. She must stop embarrassing her family." "But, your accusations against her are not true. She is innocent." Mrs. Connor snorted in disgust. "Don't defend her. That just makes me even more convinced that you two are in an unhealthy relationship." "I'm not defending her. I'm just telling the truth." Suddenly, her finger rose in front of her face. "Don't think that you have paid for my care, you can do whatever you want. Ava is my daughter. It is my duty to educate her. You have no right t
"Come on, Ava. It's not easy for me to beg like this. Don't say that my efforts are not enough. Do I need to kneel before you so that you give me a chance?" "What can you do? What is your strategy to change my mother's thinking? Improve my relationship with Eva?" Jeremy's head almost tilted back. Strategizing was not his thing, but Frank's. So far, he just asked for instructions and carried them out. "Are you still confused?" Jeremy blinked, forcing his brain to come up with an idea. "I will collect evidence to refute Eva's accusations against you." "Do you think my mother will believe it? She must think that your evidence has been manipulated." "No. I'll—" "Then how do you prove that we're not having an affair?" Jeremy's jaw throbbed. "We don't need to prove it. Everyone knows you're not a call girl. Only your mother and adopted sister can't see that. Maybe after we show them your account, they'll stop making this up. You've never received payment other than your salary as a
Ava occasionally closed her eyes. Her common sense was in danger of being washed away. The naughty Jeremy had lulled her. However, as much as possible, she tried to stay sane. "Jeremy, stop," she begged between fiery gasps. Her hands pushed against the strong shoulders above her, hoping it would create some distance. But apparently, her touch actually added to the fire. Jeremy slowly crawled down, exploring every inch of her body. The air around them grew hotter. Ava became even more panicked. "No! Not there. Jeremy?" Ava tried to get up, but the next second, she lay back down. With her eyes closed, she bit her lip, holding back the vibrations that were trying to paralyze her mind. "How is it, Ava? Have you made a decision? Which way do you choose?" Jeremy whispered in an intriguing voice. Ava shook her head weakly. Her attention was divided by the pounding of her heart and the rush of her blood. "We can never be together, Jeremy. So stop. We can't do this." "You choose to ret
Blinking gently, Jeremy fixed Ava's clothes. "Now you are my lover. That means you are my choice, the best girl I have ever met. So, you can't feel small or inferior anymore. You have to be strong and confident." A warm feeling surrounded Ava's heart. Once again, Jeremy made a request that was far from selfish. "I've never felt small," Ava said vaguely. She didn't want to be seen as pathetic by her lover. "Are you sure?" Jeremy turned to straighten the hair that was messy due to his actions. "Then why did you let Eva bully you? I don't like seeing that." Ava's mouth opened, but didn't utter a word. Jeremy was right. In front of Eva, who was always defended by her mother, she felt small. "Next time, if someone bullies you, don't hesitate to fight back. You don't need to be afraid of the consequences. I'm behind you. If your opponent is hard to beat, I'll step forward." "But Eva is my sister. Hurting her is the same as hurting my mother." Ava looked down. The next second, Jeremy r
Jeremy's expression suddenly turned tense. "Is it a serious problem?" Ava nodded. "It hurts my heart not to say it." "What is it?" Jeremy sounded impatient. "I'm sorry if in the past, I thought you were a stiff, cold and heartless man. I even swore and cursed at you. In fact, you were only doing your duty. I was the one who was at fault at that time." Jeremy's eyebrows pressed against his forehead. "I remember your harsh sentences, but ... it turns out that's how you judged me?" Smiling wryly, Ava nodded. "Didn't you think like that about me too? A stiff girl who was selfish and heartless? Don't pretend you don't remember. The way you looked at me stated it clearly." Jeremy snorted a laugh. His heart was relieved to realize that his worries had been excessive. "Okay, I think the problem is clear now. Are we even?" Frowning, Ava shook her head. "Not yet. Do you remember the first moment you faced me? You held me like this." Ava pushed Jeremy until he fell on the bed. Then, she
"Maybe he has made peace with Ava," Louis said sweetly. His eyes moved to follow Jeremy who was walking casually along the glass window. It was only when the man pushed open the door that they realized he was on the phone. "Yes, I've met the twins .... Okay, I'll convey your regards to them. You get some rest. Don't get sick again. And don't forget to eat .... See you tonight." Everyone's eyes widened at Jeremy's soft voice. Not only that, his smile was surprising, and the twinkle in his eyes ... Jeremy looked clearly in love! "Is that Ava?" Louis asked as Jeremy hung up the phone. The man smiled faintly. "Yes, Ava sends her regards to you." Jeremy pulled out a chair and sat down. Blinking, he studied them one by one. "Why are you looking at me like that?" "Have Uncle and Ava made up?" Emily represented everyone's surprise. Jeremy smiled mysteriously. "We're dating now." "What?!" Everyone leaned their heads forward. The twins' round eyes seemed like they were going to jump out
A few minutes earlier, Ava was still on the phone. " You get some rest. Don't get sick again. And don't forget to eat.”Jeremy's voice was light. Ava couldn't help but smile. "Okay. Don't forget to eat either. See you tonight." "Yeah, see you tonight." After hanging up the phone, Ava bit her lip. However, her cheeks still pulled up a smile. "Jeremy is very sweet and caring. I would never have known if I still closed my heart." While clutching the phone, Ava looked at her other hand. There was nothing there, but her eyes sparkled as if the world's most expensive diamond was on her finger. "I hope I can take good care of this ring." Then, clenching her fist, she exhaled quickly. "I can't let him down. I'm a different Ava now. I'm stronger, more assertive and confident." While Ava was focused on planting suggestions, someone suddenly knocked on the door. Thinking it was Melanie, Ava opened it. "Yes Mrs. Mel—Senior Bryan?" Ava's eyebrows rose, as did her tone. Bryan was tickled to
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