The Rivers were among the influential families in Bloom Valley. Though they didn't belong to the great echelon of Hillsdale Town, they were still considered one of the wealthiest families among the Bloom Valley Citizens.
A maid answered the door in no time, and after a brief greeting, she left the door open, allowing Andrea access to the house. Stepping into the Rivers' lavish living room, Andrea smiled, taking in the magnificent space. This wasn't her first time here, but each visit left her awestruck by the exotic décor. Most of the furnishings were imported from top-tier interior design companies outside the city, showcasing both wealth and taste. Andrea entered Anthony's room, and paused, her eyes fixed on his gorgeous figure. He stood by the window, shirtless, his handsome features illuminated by the soft afternoon light. Andrea's breath hitched, and for a moment, her thoughts strayed into forbidden territory. This was the first time she'd seen him like this, and the sight stirred something deep within her unfamiliar, sinful desire. Anthony turned, startled, only to find himself suddenly enveloped in Andrea's slender arms. She pulled him into a warm embrace. Anthony smiled, wrapping his strong arms around her in return. As their eyes met, Andrea felt an undeniable pull toward him. Today, she had decided to reveal the truth she had kept hidden for so long. "I have some good news for you," she said, her face lighting up with excitement. Anthony raised a curious brow. Andrea wasn't usually this cheerful, and her happiness piqued his interest. "What's this about? What's the good news?" he asked. Andrea's excitement was contagious, but her next words caught Anthony off guard. "Anthony," she began, "we can have a baby now. I'm ready. I'm willing to give myself to you, my love" Anthony froze. He knitted his brow, and his heart palpitations could be heard by Andrea, who still rested her head on his bare chest. He pulled Andrea to arm's length and gave her a questioning look. “You want to have sex with me?” “Isn't that what you always wanted? Come on, love, let's have fun,” Andera said, pulling Anthony closer, but he was resistant at first. The truth was Andrea had always been indifferent to intimacy, a trait Anthony found frustrating and made him consider her boring. Her sudden enthusiasm for sex left him suspicious -especially since he had just been with someone else moments ago. "Listen," Andrea began, sensing his hesitation. "I know how much you love the idea of having a baby. And I understand it's the only way your parents will approve of us. So, I've been tracking my ovulation. I even met with a sonographer. Right now, I'm ready-it's the perfect time to conceive." Anthony felt his body stiffen. Her words echoed in his mind, leaving him numb. "Who wants to have a baby? And with whom? Andrea, of all people?" he thought to himself, panic rising. He remained silent, struggling to process what was just unfolding. He had told Andrea those lies just so she could grant him access to her sanctuary, but little did he know that Andrea took his words to heart and acted upon them.; who wants to have a baby with a boring woman like Andrea? Not to talk of spending the rest of his life with her. “Look, Andrea, you don't have to go through this because of me, I mean we can wait until you are ready” “I am ready, Anthony, right now, I am ready to have you,” Andrea said, slamming her lips on his mouth and pushing him towards the bed.Anthony's excitement from a few years ago about having Andrea had already vanished the moment he started sleeping with another woman. Now, he felt absolutely nothing for her. He was numb, detached, and utterly indifferent.Andrea, unaware of the turmoil brewing within him, leaned in closer. She unbuttoned his shirt and kissed him passionately, her affection genuine and uninhibited.But thirty minutes have passed and Anthony still couldn’t perform. He lay there, motionless, fragile like jelly.“What’s wrong?” Andrea asked, her voice tinged with confusion. “Don’t you feel anything for me? Why can’t..... you, you know, get it up? Is something wrong?”Anthony sighed, feeling cornered and humiliated. “Look, Andrea, your sudden demand for sex is stressing me out. That’s why this is happening. Just give it time—it’ll work,” he muttered, cursing her under his breath. The embarrassment weighed on him, his handsome face marred by humiliation.“How dare you put me in this position?” he snapped i
“Evelyn is such an adorable woman. She knows how to make a man happy, nothing like you, a boring kitten," Anthony said, grabbing his pants and putting them on. Andrea’s heart started pounding. Her hands and legs trembled violently, causing her to stagger backward until her back slammed against the cold wall. She leaned against it, using it to support her legs, which felt like jelly. A terrible stab of pain shot through her chest, sharp and unbearable. It hurts like hell. “You cheated on me with Evelyn? How could you do this to me? I loved you, Anthony, and this is how you repay me?” Andrea’s voice quivered as her body shook uncontrollably. She didn’t even realize her eyes were brimming with tears. For three years, she had loved and cherished Anthony. She had worked tirelessly to meet his standards, to rise to his level, and to prove she was worthy of his love. Just when she thought she was ready to show him the depth of her feelings and full commitment, he shattered her world. “
Andrea woke up with a painful headache; as she looked around the unfamiliar room, she found herself. Her eyes caught the hospital gown she wore. The sharp smell of disinfectant and the faint beeping of medical monitors crept into her awareness. Blinking against the harsh hospital lighting, she struggled to piece together how she’d ended up here. She has a sudden flash of memory—Anthony, Evelyn, their betrayal, and the accident— it all rushed back to her, hitting like a wave down to her skull.She felt her eyes wet up, but she swallowed them down. Crying felt like losing and she was done losing to people who didn’t deserve it.“You’re awake.” A deep and steady voice startled her. She turned her head slowly, and saw a tall handsome man standing by the window, illuminating against the afternoon light. He was striking in his early thirties, with piercing dark eyes that seemed to see right through her. His well-tailored suit and polished demeanor spoke of power, but there was a softness
Steve nodded, returned to the car, and drove them back to the hospital. By the time they arrived, Andrea had already been discharged.Andrea adjusted herself on the hospital bed as the two men entered the room. The doctor had just informed her of her discharge, and she was about to call her best friend when Colton walked in with Steve, his assistant."I can see you are getting better," Colton said, pulling a seat and sitting on it."Yes, I am." Andrea looks up facing him with a smile "Sorry for causing you trouble," She stuttered, her voice trembling slightly.The reckless way she ran into him filled her memory and a wave of shame washed over her. Then came the thought of what prompted such action in the first place. Instantly her eyes sting with unshed tears. It hurts to remember how Anthony and Evelyn betrayed her. "Is everything alright? Why are you crying?" Colton’s voice softened with concern."It's nothing. I just have a little headache. I’m feeling unwell," Andrea said, quic
“Ms. Thompson, I was trying to reach you earlier. Why didn’t you show up at City Hall? And, by the way, what are you doing here?” Colton asked, his gaze shifting uneasily around the house.Evelyn’s expression twisted in disgust.“What do you think I’m doing here? This is my home,” she snapped. She had never wanted Colton to know where she lived. The very thought of him meeting her family filled her with shame. And now here he was, standing in her space. "What if Anthony sees us together?" She thought. Panic bubbled beneath her cold exterior, though she refused to show it.Colton frowned. “I didn’t know this was your place. But now that I’ve found you, let’s head back to City Hall before they close for the day.” Colton said in desperation.Evelyn laughed mockingly, her cold glare cutting through him.“Did you seriously think I would stoop so low as to marry someone like you?” She scoffed and turned her attention to the luxurious car parked outside. A smirk tugged at her lips. “Don
The previous day At Hillsdale Airport, Colton Hudson stepped out of the terminal, a suitcase clenched tightly in his hand. His sharp eyes scanned the bustling hall, only to land on two familiar figures at the far end—his stepsister Melissa and his stepmother Victoria. Colton’s jaw tightened, and he turned to his assistant, Steve. His voice was cold and rigid. “What are they doing here?” Steve squirmed under Colton’s icy gaze. “I have no idea, sir.” “Send them away. I don’t want to see them.” Steve hesitated, swallowing hard. “Sir, this is a public airport. I can’t just send them away. They have the right to be here if they want to.” Colton’s fist clenched, his glare sharpening. “Don’t let them come near me. If they do, you’ll regret it.” Steve paled, his nerves fraying. No one knew Colton better than him, and he was well aware of what his boss was capable of. “Yes, sir,” he mumbled, scurrying off to approach the two women. After a brief conversation, Melissa and Victori
Andrea blinked, sure she had misheard him. “What did you just say?” “Let’s get married,” Colton repeated, his tone calm and matter-of-fact. “You need a fresh start, and I need a wife for... practical reasons. It’s a win-win.” “Are you insane?” Andrea asked, incredulous. Colton crossed his arms. “You’ve seen through something painful, and I’m offering you a way out. Stability. Security. I can make your problems disappear.” he said and rested one of his hands on her shoulder. Andrea shoved his hands away and bolted toward the door, but Colton was faster. He caught her wrist and pulled her back into his firm embrace, pinning her gently within his strong arms. His heart raced as his fingers brushed through her hair with uncharacteristic tenderness. Even though he hates women more than anything, especially now the only woman he loves has betrayed him, he has to do this for the sake of his company. “Please, hear me out,” he said, his voice low but urgent. “I desperate
The next morning, Andrea stood outside City Hall, her heart pounding in her chest. She wore a simple white dress Colton had arranged for her, its elegance stark against the chaos of her emotions. Colton stood beside her, dressed in a tailored black suit that fit him perfectly. He exuded confidence and power. So handsome and charming that Andrea was left drooling. His eyes were cold and darker and for a moment, Andrea wondered if she’d made a deal with the devil. "Are you ready?" Colton asked, his voice calm but with a hint of impatience. Andrea swallowed hard. "Ready as I’ll ever be." They stepped inside, the cold, sterile atmosphere of the government building doing little to ease Andrea’s nerves. The officiant greeted them with a polite smile, guiding them to the signing table. "Please have a seat" She said and waited for them to settle down before asking them the usual simple questions about their willingne
Andrea woke up to the buzzing sound of her phone. She quickly grabbed it, only to hear Elijah’s voice on the other end.“Darling, hope you slept well,” Elijah said.Andrea imagined him with that annoying, dirty smile on his face, and she twisted her lips in anger.“Useless thing. Weren’t you supposed to help me out last night? And what did you do instead? You turned useless.”Elijah chuckled. “Sweetheart, I still value my life—even though I love you. How could I stand up to Mr. Hudson? You didn’t tell me you wanted to mess with him! If I’d known, I wouldn’t have shown up at all. Look, I’m still young, and I don’t want to die just yet.”“You’re just as stupid as Milo. Both of you deserve to die a million times,” Andrea snapped.Elijah laughed again. “Don’t say that. You’d be heartbroken if we died.”“Idiot,” she muttered before hanging up.Looking around, Andrea suddenly realized she was in an unfamiliar room. She jumped out of bed and glanced around again—Colton wasn’t there, and this
“Yes, I will not” Andrea challenged him. She was exhausted, angry, and determined to provoke him, which was why she insisted on staying with Mr. Handsome. When Colton saw that she wasn’t willing to move, he gently bent down and lifted her off the ground. Her body was cradled securely in his warm arms, his intoxicating scent sending a volcanic eruption through her entire being. Andrea became numb as his dark irises stared down at her, daring her to resist. “Let me down, Colton, or I’ll jump.” A malicious smirk tugged at Colton’s lips. “Choose, Andrea—let me carry you out as my bride, or let go of my hands and fall, break your bones. Trust me, the latter will hurt so much you won’t be able to walk for months.” Andrea was speechless. What a shameless man... how dare he? Steven chuckled. Mr. Hudson sure has a way of making people obey, he thought. As for Rosa, her face twisted in disgust, red with anger. Mr. Handsome, however, remained indifferent, calmly chewing his meat.
"Please get us a spare plate. Three people can’t finish this lamb, and it’s not good to waste food," Andrea said.The waiter hurried out and returned with her request.Steve coughed, side-eyeing Colton, while Andrea casually dished out food for herself and her very lucky companion. She even dropped huge pieces on Steven’s plate. Steven couldn't help but nodded his head in delight, a gesture that made him look like a betrayal.Then, to everyone’s horror (except hers), she picked up a piece of meat, leaned in, and plopped it into the man’s mouth like he was a baby bird."Go on and eat it," she cooed. "The lamb is so tender and taste good. Eat and see."The man innocently opened his mouth and received the meat. He closed his eyes as the flavor hit his tongue, a smile curling on his lips. He returned the favor, feeding Andrea a piece, and she accepted it with exaggerated delight.Colton clenched his fists. The air-conditioned room su
She went upstairs to change and messaged the person she had originally planned to meet, apologizing for canceling earlier and giving them the new address. The person didn’t mind—Andrea was doing them a favor, after all.In five minutes, she came downstairs. Despite the rush, she looked stunning.Her short black evening dress contrasted beautifully with her snow-white skin. With rosy lips, pearly teeth, and delicate features, Andrea looked like a work of art—no wonder men were drawn to her.Steven swallowed the lump in his throat.“Ehmm… if you’re ready, let’s go.”Andrea nodded, and they left.In a VIP room at the Sweet Cherry Hotel, Colton was having dinner with Mr. Green and his daughter, Rosa.Rosa scooped a large portion of salad onto Colton’s plate.“You need more veggies. You men don’t know how to take care of yourselves.”“Mr. Hudson, you’re lucky to have Rosa by your side,” Mr. Green said between bites of lamb ribs. “She’s just like her mother—caring and devoted.”“You flatter
After Colton dropped Andrea off, she returned tmo her office only to find a bouquet of flowers waiting on her desk. Tucked within the arrangement was a small red card. She picked it up and read the two simple words:"Thank you."Andrea turned the card over but found no name. Perplexed, she asked the front desk who had delivered it, only to be told it came via a delivery man. Andrea racked her brain for who might’ve sent them, but only one name came to her mind—Colton.Without wasting a second, she dialed his number.“Missing me already?” Colton’s deep voice teased, laced with a smug undertone.“Did you send me flowers?” she asked flatly.“Is that your way of asking me to?”Andrea felt as though a bucket of hot water had been poured on her. What kind of man is this, and what nonsense is he spewing?“Come on, darling, if you want flowers, just say so.”Andrea clenched her fists in frustration. Speaking to Colton was pointless. She ended the call abruptly and threw herself into work. Lat
“Come. You’ll sit beside me and watch me eat. Maybe that’ll bring my appetite back.” Andrea cursed Milo a thousand times over for dragging her to the one hotel where Colton was scheduled to have lunch. Of all the places in the city... Colton took her wrist—firm but not rough—and pulled her from her seat, guiding her through the grand dining hall into a private room cloaked in soft lighting and velvet silence. It wasn’t until they entered that Andrea noticed they weren’t alone. Two men—Judah and Roosevelt—sat lounging in leather chairs, wine glasses in hand. Judah looked up. “Who’s she?” Roosevelt smirked, eyes gleaming with mischief. “Can’t you tell? Our mighty Colton’s found himself a woman.” Judah’s brows knit together as he glanced between Andrea and Colton. “That can’t be. He’s with Rosa.” A flicker of frost passed through Colton’s gaze. One look from him, and Judah shut his mouth. The waiter arrived just in time to break the silence. Orders were placed, wine was po
Andrea was lost in thought when a group of men walked into the room. She didn’t notice them until someone grabbed her wrist. She looked up, thinking it was Milo, only to meet the dark brown eyes of Colton. The familiar scent of sandalwood filled the air. Colton was looking at her, his gaze faint, his pupils examining the face of the girl sitting in front of him, her face was without makeup. Her skin was fair with a healthy flush, her delicate features highlighted by slightly upturned eyes that made her look like a fox. Her nose was straight and pointed. She looked delicate and pure. Could be considered innocent if not because of her lies to him earlier. “What are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be busy with work?” Colton sneered. Andrea, caught off guard, smiled shyly, like a fox ready to seduce its prey. “Mr. Hudson, what are you doing here?” Steve chuckled, knowing Colton had met his match in Andrea Thompson. A woman who is never afraid to offend him. Colton glared at
“Andrea, why didn’t you come earlier? You promised to here”“I’m sorry, something came up. I’ll meet you later during lunch.”“Okay, I’ll send the address,” the other person said and ended the call.Andrea spent the whole morning working on her idea. It wasn’t long before noon arrived, and she started feeling hungry. Just as she was about to shut down her laptop, her phone beeped with a message.The address for her lunch date had been sent. Andrea quickly tied up her work, stood up, and was about to leave when her phone rang. She picked it up and saw that it was Colton.“Hi,” she said.“Have you eaten lunch yet?” Andrea's heart raced hearing his voice. What charm did this man have on her, that even his voice affected her this much.“Not yet.” she whispered.“Okay, let’s have lunch together.” Andrea's heart beat so fast, that she clenched tightly on the phone, why inviting her over for lunch? She thought.“No, I have some work to do. Let’s have dinner instead.”“If that’s what you wan
“I know you’ll like it. Ms. Morris is the best cook I’ve ever known,” Colton said softly as he leaned in, adding more food to Andrea’s plate with care.“I can't finish that much,” she murmured.“You’re too thin. You need to put on a little weight. Come on, eat for me.”Andrea paused, her lips parting slightly. How could he just say that so casually? She ate a lot—more than most people she knew—but her body never seemed to change. Unlike her friend Mira, who had to follow a strict diet just to maintain her figure, Andrea couldn’t gain weight no matter what she eat. Some people were just built this way... and she guessed she was one of them.They finished the meal in silence, a quiet comfort settling between them—yet beneath it, a strange tension pulsed, unspoken and unacknowledged.When Andrea was done, she stood and reached for her bag, but Colton’s voice stopped her.“Wait.”She turned. “What is it?”“I’m done too. Let me drop you off.”Andrea hesitated, her fingers tightening around