Zoe woke up in a hospital. The ceiling light was harsh on her eyes. So, she shut them again. She gave herself a couple of minutes and opened her eyes when they had adjusted.Then, she saw Mason sitting by the bed. He was dressed in formal attire and probably got here from the office. His eyes were bloodshot.Turning her head toward the window, she saw the moon on the horizon. She asked softly, “What time is it now?”“It’s one in the morning!” His voice was a little husky. Leaning over, he ran his hands across her face affectionately while he stared at her profoundly. They might’ve been a couple and did a lot of intimate stuff together, but it felt a little different now. Aside from the genuine love in his eyes, the way he was looking at her was the way a husband would look at his wife. However, the more affectionate he was toward her, the more it broke her heart.She simply couldn’t move on from Lilith.Leaning her cheeks on the white pillow, she listened to his breathing. B
That was why Zoe ducked when he tried to kiss her. An instinctive reaction was more telling than anything she could've said.He didn’t force her to do it. He reminded himself that it was good enough for them to still be together after so many heartbreaking split-ups.However, it didn’t hurt any less.Zoe had blocked him out. She built a thick wall in her heart, all because of what happened with Lilith. It was the middle of the night by the time Zoe passed out from sheer exhaustion. On the other hand, he didn’t have any desire to sleep. Opening the door, he walked all the way to the end of the hallway. Then, he pulled out a packet of cigarettes with trembling hands, took one out, and lit it up.The window was only half closed and he was only wearing a black shirt, which did nothing to fight the cold night air. With that said, he paid it no mind. He merely stood in the black of night and smoked without a word, taking in the depressing feeling of an unrequited love. Before t
Zoe’s body went stiff. He thought she’d turn him down. To his surprise, she actually thought about it and said softly, “Okay.”That stunned him. After a brief moment, he tightened his hug over her and asked, “Are you still mad?”She thought about it for a second and said, “I’m still upset at you. However, I can never understand how the old Zoe feels. I can’t sense any of the despair, nor do I know how it feels to be driven mad!”She said truthfully, “However, I no longer love you the same way I did, Mason.” With that, she turned around. Raising her head to look at her, she said in a husky voice, “From here on out, we are husband and wife! I can guarantee that I’ll fulfill the duty of a wife if you don’t do wrong by me anymore.“I’m going to let go of the past and I’m not just doing it for the kids. I’m also doing it for myself. The doctor said that I shouldn’t force myself to remember it.” Her tone was gentle, but there was a touch of bitterness in it. She had lost her memori
Noah had regretted that for a long time. He had doted on Zoe ever since they were young, but they had turned against each other that time. Hugging Zoe, he uttered sorrowfully, “I’m so glad you’re back!”She didn’t remember who he was, but his heartfelt hug stirred her heart so greatly that she wanted to cry. Hugging his arms, she said sobbingly, “Noah!”He patted her head. After they had grown up, they had never been this close to each other. However, he was so moved that Zoe was found again. He didn’t mind holding his younger sister the way he did when they were young. He was having a hard time letting her go.Mason, who was standing at the side, said dryly, “It’s cold out here. Let’s take this inside!”Wiping her tears, Mia said, “That’s right! You’re still not recovered fully too. Let’s head in.”So, all of them went into the manor. Everyone was seated. Yanni was leaning on her mom. Now, she was a smart girl who wasn’t just brilliant and capable, but she had also done a g
The next thing she knew, he had already kissed her neck. His lips were searing to the touch. It was slimy too. Then, his lips trailed her bathrobe and moved down her body. She raised her head slightly, trying to beat back the waves of pleasure he was giving her. She was turned on, but she resented it. Just as Mason was about to take things to the next level, she gripped his hand abruptly, trying to stop him from going further.Her voice was husky when she said, “I’m a little worn out, Mason.”Now, he was an extremely perceptive guy. So, it was only natural that he knew how a lady’s mind worked. She was just making up an excuse. She wasn’t tired. She just didn’t want to do it.With that said, he didn’t push it. He didn’t let go of her immediately either. Instead, he leaned on her shoulder and spent a long time calming himself before he walked into the bathroom.Moments later, she heard telltale sounds from there. He was probably taking care of it himself. As expected, there wa
He turned on the heater and made her favorite brand of coffee, Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee. He said in a deep voice when the coffee’s bitter odor filled up the entire room, “Having trouble sleeping? Is that why you were trying to dig up your past?”She didn’t deny it. He sat across the table. His voice was deeper than the dark of night when he spoke. “Our past isn’t exactly pleasant, Zoe. In fact, it is ugly and full of pain. I can tell you everything about it if that’s what you want.”She remained quiet at that. Then, he said bitterly, “I only have a condition. You can’t leave me.”That was something she could agree to. “It’s a deal!”His voice was husky as he recounted their past. He didn’t try to hide or sugarcoat anything. The full facade of their history was laid bare to her. He told her about Lilith and the night he slapped her in the study. He even told her about the time when he sent her to the rehabilitation center. Then, dawn rolled on and it stopped raining.
She was about to reject it when he held her slender waist. Raising her head, she saw him staring at her profoundly. There was something in his eyes too. It was lust.They locked gazes until both of their breathing became irregular. Both of them were mature adults. How were they not supposed to feel the sultry, electrifying charge dancing in the air?Then, she decided against rejecting him. Her voice was soft and warm. “Thank you.”His eyes grew darker at that. His voice was husky when he said, “We’re a married couple. It’s my duty to make you happy. Is there really a need for a ‘thank you?’”Her heart skipped a beat at that.It was a good thing he let it go. Taking her coat, he put it on her and said, “It’s about time. Let’s hit the road.”This was the first time they would appear in public after she came back to his side.Half an hour later, a black limousine pulled over in front of a hotel. Luke came over to open the backseat door. Mason got out of the car and blocked the
Zoe nodded, “Thanks, Rosemary. I appreciate this information.” The next thing she knew, Noah turned and looked at her. Both of them met each other’s gaze and exchanged meaningful glances. After a brief moment, he rose and walked over. Being a perceptive lady, Rosemary made an excuse and gave them some space. Zoe forced a smile on her face after her friend left and said, “Hi, Noah!”Sitting on the couch across from her, he turned his head sideways and glanced at Gianna before directing his gaze back at her again. Pulling a pack of cigarettes out of his front pocket, he took a cigarette out and tapped it on the table lightly. However, he didn’t light it up. He looked at her for a long time before he said softly, “It’s true, I’m about to divorce Gwynn. But, I’m not doing it because of other ladies. After all, ladies are nothing more than tools I used to spice up my life. They’re not substantial enough to mess up my marriage with Gwynn.”There. He put it all on the table. He
Zion and Gwen's marriage seemed inevitable, with no one putting up any resistance. Occasionally, Gwen even had a strange illusion.It all went so smoothly that the years of separation seemed like they had never happened, as if she and Zion had always been together. After their reunion, he didn’t even ask her about her life abroad and treated her just as he did before.She was no longer as youthful and tender, but Zion still saw her as if she were a 20-year-old girl. Gwen felt a bit dejected, thinking to herself, he must just like girls around 18-year-old.But unfortunately, the spring river flows eastward and cannot return!Zion only smiled.In winter, the days grew shorter. After work, Gwen arrived at Zion's villa, but he had not yet come home. The two housekeepers had already started preparing dinner.When Gwen got out of the car, she received a call from Zion. Her voice was soft and tender.“When will you be back?”On the other end, Zion checked the time and said, “I’ll be
Zion noticed Gwen gazing at him with those wide, expectant eyes again. With a chuckle, he reached into the pocket of his trench coat, pulled out a sleek wallet, and carefully extracted a platinum card. He placed it in her outstretched hand and said with a smile, “This is my secondary card. There’s no credit limit.” Gwen gasped softly, then teased, “Wow, aren’t you generous? Thank you, Teacher Qin.” Zion gave her a light tap on the head. Not missing a beat, Gwen wrapped her arms around his neck and grinned mischievously, “Thank you, my sugar daddy.” Zion’s response was to pull her close, cupping her cheeks as he kissed her fiercely. Though he once carried himself as an educator and now as a refined businessman, he found himself utterly smitten by her playful antics. After the kiss, Zion leaned close to Gwen's ear and murmured something uncharacteristically crude that sent a shiver down her spine. He playfully nipped her nose. “Turns out you’ve got a thing for bad boy
Zion could sense Gwen’s cautiousness and chuckled softly. Then, he cupped her face and planted a firm kiss on her lips. “Don’t worry, I won’t touch you. We agreed to save that for our wedding night. Besides, I just drank last night, so I probably wouldn’t be much use. I want your first time to be special, so I’ll make sure I’m well-prepared.” Gwen’s cheeks turned crimson. She buried her face in his chest, mumbling, “I don’t understand what you’re talking about.” How peculiar! Back then, even though they were together, their relationship had always been proper and restrained. But now, here they were, sharing a bed, their bodies so intimately close it was both thrilling and embarrassing. Gwen had never experienced this before. Zion seemed to understand her thoughts. He leaned in close to her ear and whispered, “I haven’t either. Before the wedding night, I’ll make sure to study hard.” Gwen didn’t dare ask how he planned to “study,” though she had a pretty good idea—i
Zion maintained a respectful demeanor and immediately greeted, “Mr. Noah.” Noah, however, didn’t make things difficult for him. He gave a light cough, which could be considered acknowledgment. Then, turning to his youngest daughter, he said, “Go upstairs first. Your mother’s been waiting for you all night; she probably has something to say to you.” Gwen hesitated and didn’t move at first. Zion gently nudged her, his voice soft, “You should go.” Only then did Gwen start to move. But before heading upstairs, she walked over to Noah. As the youngest daughter and the most adept at charming her way out of trouble, she hugged her father. Only then, with visible reluctance, did she head upstairs. Her father’s anger dissipated by more than half after the hug. Watching her go, Noah turned his attention to Zion, his tone calm but firm: “Have a seat. Let’s talk.” Zion immediately sat down and, with practiced ease, poured Noah a cup of tea. Noah feigned irritation and remarked, “
But Gwen was not satisfied.With reddened eyes, she pitifully asked again, "Are you married? Is there someone else by your side? Do you still love me?"As she asked, she was more persistent than before, yet it made the man's heart ache even more.Zion remembered that when they parted ways, Gwen was still an innocent, naive girl. Now, however, she was willing to ask such direct and revealing questions. The braver she became, the more pain he felt in his heart.Zion no longer teased her. He looked into her eyes and answered seriously."No, I'm not married. There's no one else by my side. Her leg healed, and she got married earlier this year. And yes, I still love you. Very much."...Gwen's eyes turned even redder.Her voice trembled as she said, "That doesn't mean I have to be with you. I'm still mad at you."Zion took a step forward and gently wiped away the tears at the corner of her eyes. It had been five years, and now she had become a teary little kitten. He remembered how
At that moment, Gwen was completely flustered. She didn’t understand what Zion meant, nor did she understand why he was deliberately getting close to her. She wanted to ask, but before she could, Zion had already led her out of the car. The restaurant arranged by the school leadership was nearby, just off campus. Gwen had been there with Zion before, but not in a private room. Returning to an old haunt brought a sense of nostalgia. Zion walked side by side with Gwen. He was six-foot tall, and she was about five-foot-five. They made for a strikingly good-looking pair. Considering their history, the school leaders naturally couldn’t resist teasing them a bit. Gwen felt slightly uncomfortable and replied, "We were young and foolish." Over the years, Zion had grown seasoned in the business world, exuding an effortless charm. He responded with a light smile, "I wonder if we can pick up where we left off—still holding a grudge?" As soon as those words were said, the schoo
After running away in a flurry that night, Gwen retreated into her home, avoiding the world outside for several days. Her father, Noah, meanwhile, busied himself with his new hobby of keeping turtles—purchased on a whim after his wife, Gwynn, teased him for being too old. In an attempt to prove his youth, Noah even released the turtles back into the wild one evening, making a point of marking one with the name "Zion" on its shell in a bold act of petty revenge. Gwynn, ever the pragmatist, found the gesture immature and pointless, but it brought him a fleeting sense of satisfaction. Gwen, however, was unaware of the antics her father had indulged in. All she knew was that her father had been unusually concerned during her self-imposed seclusion, urging her to get out and take a break. Noah's insistence that she shouldn’t remain cooped up at home was an attempt to draw her back into the world, to reconnect with life. But she couldn’t shake the weight of everything that had transp
In the lounge, Gwen curled up in Tegan’s embrace, crying silently. Tegan gently stroked her smooth black hair, sighing softly. “If you really like him, I’ll help you talk to him.”Gwen sobbed quietly, “Dad will say you’re being rebellious.”Tegan paused for a moment, then replied, “Your brother will help me, won’t he?”Gwen clung to Tegan, continuing to cry softly. She remembered that today was Yeager’s full moon celebration and decided to cry for just a little while. After all, who hasn’t shed tears in their youth?At that moment, there was a knock at the door. From the sound of it, the person outside had a very refined aura. Tegan immediately guessed who it was; it certainly wasn’t her husband. She gently rubbed Gwen’s head. “I’ll go answer it.”When Tegan opened the door, as expected, it was Zion standing outside. The two locked eyes, and after a moment of silence, Tegan calmly spoke, “You two talk.” Zion nodded.In the quiet lounge, the soft sound of Gwen’s crying fill
The following August. It was the party for Ocelotte and Molly's child. Molly had given birth to a boy, named Yeager Sanders, a name chosen by her eldest brother-in-law, Lorian. She was very fond of the name. As for Lorian and Tegan's youngest son, he was named Fergus Sanders. Yeager and Fergus were the next generation of boys in the Sanders family. However, the first child was still Lola, the one and only little princess. She loved following Gwen around. The little girl was now three and a half years old and about to start kindergarten. On the day of Yeager's party, Gwen was still taking Lola around, but she unexpectedly ran into an old acquaintance. It had truly been a long time. Since the year Zion had left for another country, although they had occasionally bumped into each other, they hadn’t had the chance for a proper meeting. How many years had passed? Gwen didn't dare to think about it, nor did she want to calculate. She vaguely felt it had been four