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, quickly wiping her tears and hiding her emotions. "You are not feeling fine? Steve, go ahead and call the doctor, " Colton ordered, turning to his assistant. "Don't bother Mr. Colton, it’s nothing serious," Andrea said hurriedly, horrified at the thought of staying in the hospital any longer. She hated needles and dreaded the possibility of more injections. "I’ll be fine once I get home." Colton frowned but didn’t press further. "Alright. I’ll take you home then. What’s your address?" Andrea froze. Home. The one place she didn’t want to go right now. Anthony had been the one that was keeping her in that house and now that he has left her, she was certain her family would use the opportunity to treat her even worse. And her grandmother won't hesitate to do what she had wanted to do all these while. Throw her out. Her family had only tolerated her because of Anthony’s influence. Now he was gone; she couldn’t bear the thought of facing them. Instead of replying to Colton, she pulled out her phone she and called Mira, her best friend. "How can you forget so soon?" Mira's voice sounded immediately Andrea told her to pick her up from the hospital. " I told you last week I was leaving the country, and you didn’t even call to check on me!" Mira’s voice held a note of hurt. Andrea winced. "I’m so sorry, Mira. I’ve just been... distracted. How was your trip?" For the next five minutes, Mira and Andrea talked about her accident and Mira's experience abroad, but Andrea’s mind wandered. She struggled to focus on her friend’s words. When Mira finished speaking, Andrea ended the call quickly, afraid Mira would bring up another topics she wasn’t ready to handle. Colton had been observing her closely. He could sense her frustration and disappointment. "You don’t have anywhere to go, do you?" he asked quietly. Andrea sighed, her shoulders slumping. "Just take me home," she said helplessly. Colton studied her for a moment before nodding. He still can't believe that he was showing concern for the strange woman on the bed. "You’re sure everything is alright?" "Yes, I’m fine," she replied, forcing a weak smile. "In that case, we’ll get going." After settling her hospital bills, they drove toward the address Andrea had reluctantly given them. Fifteen minutes later, Steve stopped the car in front of Thompson's home. Stepping out of the car, Andrea immediately noticed Evelyn as she was emerging from the house. Dressed to perfection and radiating confidence, her presence commanding. As soon as Colton saw Evelyn, his expression shifted. The cold, distant demeanor Andrea had known him with vanished, replaced by a look of warmth and familiarity. To Andrea’s surprise—and disappointment—he walked toward Evelyn, his body language entirely different from the reserved man she thought she knew. Andrea’s heart sank. Do they know each other? She wondered, watching them with a mixture of confusion and unease.“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
"See who we have here," Evelyn said, smiling mischievously, her glass of red wine dangling between her fingers. "What are you doing here, Andrea? Are you following me around? No matter what, I won't take you back" Anthony asked. Andrea furrowed her brow and smiled wryly. Did he really think I was still desperately in love with him? The thought made her heart race, but she squared her shoulders. She wasn’t the same naïve woman who had once been betrayed by Anthony and Evelyn. With Colton by her side, she would reclaim her mother’s legacy and destroy anyone who dared stand in her way that includes Anthony. "Come off it, Andrea, and accept your reality," Evelyn smirked as Anthony pulled her into his arms. "She’s the one I chose, not you, so get that into your head," Anthony said, his tone dismissive. Evelyn smiled, took another sip of her wine, and turned to Andrea. "I’m sorry, sis, but was that t
"You’re useless and so stupid. How could you embarrass me like this?" Evelyn told Anthony, her voice trembling with frustration. Feeling utterly devastated, she smashed the glass in her hand and stormed out of the hall. The women nearby chuckled quietly among themselves. "Isn’t that the over-pampered daughter of the Thompsons? Just because she won some awards doesn't mean she would talk to Mr Colton like that" "Of course she is. I’m sure she had no idea what she was walking into." "Look at how she insulted the other lady, only to end up being the one humiliated." Evelyn caught bits of their conversation as she walked past the exit. Her face burned with shame, and tears began to stream down her cheeks. "Bastard," she muttered under her breath. "I’ll make you pay Andrea, for humiliating me like this, you idiot."
Andrea stood there, speechless. She had seen Melissa do it intentionally. "Here, let me clean it up for you," Melissa said, pulling a dirty towel from her bag. Before Andrea could stop her, Melissa began wiping the dress, making the stain worse. "That’s enough!" Andrea said, grabbing Melissa’s hand. "What? sister-in-law? Don’t you want my help cleaning up your mess?" Melissa asked mockingly. "Thanks, but I’m fine," Andrea said coldly. "I have to go." "You look so messy and dirty. Are you sure you don’t want my help anymore?" Melissa taunted as Andrea walked away through the back door, unwilling to return to the party in her soiled dress. As soon as Andrea left, Melissa burst into laughter. "Stupid girl," she sneered. "You look exactly like what you truly are: trash." Melissa tur
Colton, however, noticed her disappointment. He turned toward the door after making the payment, unwilling to let her see how deeply the sight of her in the dress affected him. He’d be lucky if he made it through dinner without giving himself away. In the car, Colton tried to keep his focus elsewhere, but every stolen glance at her sent his thoughts spiraling. Her dress fit perfectly, accentuating her figure, while her flawless skin seemed to glow under the dim light. Her ocean-blue eyes glimmered in the darkness, and her thin lips sparkled, tempting him in ways he hadn’t anticipated. His heart tightened. Was it palpitating? Evelyn, with all her energy and cheerfulness, had never made his heart race like this. A sudden screech broke the silence as Colton slammed on the brakes, causing Andrea to jolt forward and fall into him. Instinctively, he caught her, holding her protectively.
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