However, just as the thought surfaced, Aspen forced it down. She couldn't cry in his arms. What gave her the right to seek comfort from him?Aren carefully placed her in the passenger seat of his car, his gaze softening as he watched her cry. With a sigh, he said, "Stop crying. I'll take you to the hospital.""Do I look pathetic like this?"Aspen already knew the answer. Still, she let out a soft laugh dripping with self-mockery.But Aren cut straight to the point. "There's no need to act tough. If you want to cry, then cry."As soon as he finished speaking, he turned on the car's speakers and cranked the volume to the max. Aspen curled up in the seat, wailing uncontrollably.Aren said nothing. His eyes were filled with pain for her, but he remained silent as he drove steadily toward the hospital.Even with the deafening music, he could still hear her heart-wrenching sobs filled with despair and sorrow. Regret burned in his chest as his teeth clenched in frustration. If he had
The pain in Aspen's ankle was excruciating, but compared to the ache in her chest, it was nothing.At that moment, Aren pulled a phone from his pocket and handed it to her. "Your phone has been vibrating nonstop."Aspen glanced at the name on the screen and let out a disdainful smirk. She hung up without hesitation and tossed the phone aside.Where was he when she needed him? And now he decided to show up? What was the point?Colin stared at the disconnected call, his face stormy. Aspen really didn't know her place. She never had. Just then, one of his assistants, Anthony Seymour, walked in hesitantly, placing a stack of documents on the table."Mr. Fuller, I've thoroughly investigated everything. The death certificate, the cremation records, and the medical files—everything is here. Ms. Fuller… is indeed gone."As soon as he finished speaking, Anthony instinctively took a step back, wanting to avoid the storm that was about to erupt.Colin froze for a moment before snatchin
"I regretted leaving back then. Now, all I want is to stay by your side," Aren said. "Pen, you don't have to respond, but please don't push me away."Back then, he had been too stubborn, too afraid to speak up, and that hesitation had cost him the person he loved. Years had passed, but his feelings had never changed.The only person he had ever longed for was still her. This time, no matter what, he wouldn't let her slip away again.Maybe it was the sincerity in his voice, or maybe it was the way old feelings resurfaced, but Aspen's heart, long frozen over, seemed to thaw just a little.She had thought she was destined to have a cold, desolate life. She had never expected fate to bring her back to the one person she had once loved in her youth."Aspen, your daughter is dead, and yet here you are, cozying up to someone new?" Colin's voice cut through the moment like a blade, cold and simmering with restrained fury.He stood at the doorway with his arms crossed, his gaze filled wit
"Ms. Nicholls, didn't you know? Your child's condition is hereditary bone cancer. At most, she has six months to live. If I'm not mistaken, your mother passed away from the same disease. I advice you to get a thorough checkup yourself…"Aspen Nicholls felt like all the strength drained from her body. The doctor's words kept echoing in her mind as she stood there trembling uncontrollably."What's wrong, Mommy?" Sophie Fuller's sweet, gentle voice broke through Aspen's thoughts. The little girl looked up at her mother with concern. "Did I do something to make you unhappy?"Aspen's eyes fell on Sophie, lying frail and pale on the hospital bed. Guilt gnawed at her heart as she stared at her precious daughter's thin little face. She couldn't help but think Sophie didn't deserve such a fate."If it's my fault, I can apologize, okay?" Sophie forced a smile, trying her best to be brave.Aspen's heart twisted in agony. She couldn't believe her beloved child only had six months left. Aspe
Colin glanced at Gwyneth's hands on his arm, his expression growing darker. Finally, he said, "Fine. One month. But don't even think about pulling any tricks, Aspen. If you do, there will be consequences."Aspen gave him a faint smile. "As long as you spend time with Sophie, I'll fully cooperate." She paused and then added, "As her father, shouldn't you at least give her a birthday gift?"...Sophie lay quietly in Aspen's arms as the car headed toward the Fuller residence. Her voice trembled ever so lightly as she asked, "Mommy... is Daddy really coming?" Though she tried to hide it, the longing in her eyes was undeniable. Aspen gently patted her back and reassured her softly, "Of course he is, sweetheart."Sophie's eyes brightened for a moment before she hesitated. "Mommy, don't tell Daddy that I'm sick, okay? I don't want him to be upset."Aspen's eyes stung with tears, and her chest tightened painfully. She stroked Sophie's soft hair and whispered, "Okay, I promise."Sophi
Sophie suddenly smiled and said, "Because Mommy loves you. Daddy, you don't have to like me, but could you maybe like Mommy a little more? Can you be nicer to her from now on?"Her voice was soft, and her large, dark eyes gazed at Colin with hope. Colin's expression shifted subtly, and he scoffed internally. He had known from the beginning that Aspen couldn't possibly have pure intentions."Did she tell you to say that?" Colin asked coldly, his voice laced with condescension."No!" Sophie shook her head quickly.Colin didn't believe her and glanced dismissively at her. Sophie noticed the slight change in his demeanor and felt uneasy. She didn't want to upset him, but deep down, she knew the truth. She was like the sea princess in the story—her time was limited. Aspen kept saying she would get better, but Sophie could feel that her condition was serious.Still, if she was going to disappear like sea foam, she wanted Aspen to have someone who loved her after she was gone. With t
Apparently, Riley had forgotten to block Aspen from seeing that post. Aspen's eyes darkened slightly, and any trace of emotion faded from her face. Just yesterday, Colin had borrowed Gwyneth's diamond earrings and given them to Sophie. They had already been replaced with a new gift today.Aspen had to admit that Colin's efficiency was impressive. Then again, Gwyneth was the woman he truly cherished, so it was not surprising.Aspen chuckled softly. Just as she was about to close the social media app, a new message notification popped up. It read, "Aspen, I'm returning in ten days."The profile picture was blank, with the initials "A. J." displayed instead. It was someone who had been on her contact list for years—one she had not spoken to in six years. Aspen's breath hitched, but she didn't respond. ...At 4:20 pm, Colin had just wrapped up a grueling board meeting. It wasn't until Riley reminded him that he remembered he had promised to pick up Sophie. He got into his ca
Sophie coughed violently again. This time, the force of it left her unable to stay upright. She collapsed to her knees, and with a sickening sound, blood spurted from her mouth."Sophie!" Aspen's voice shook as she rushed to her side.Sophie's face was burning with fever, and her lips were deathly pale. She whispered weakly, "I'm okay, Mommy..." Aspen immediately scooped her up. "No, sweetheart. Mommy's taking you to the hospital."Sophie clung tightly to Aspen, her tear-filled eyes red. Aspen rushed to the hospital, barely stopping for breath. After a blood test, they sat outside the examination room, waiting for the results."Mommy... does Daddy hate me?" Sophie's small, fragile voice finally betrayed her inner fear.Aspen froze, unable to answer. The question tore her apart. She wanted so badly to say, "No, Sophie, Daddy doesn't hate you."However, the truth was far more cruel. If Sophie had been Gwyneth's child, Colin would have adored her. Aspen blinked away tears and fo
"I regretted leaving back then. Now, all I want is to stay by your side," Aren said. "Pen, you don't have to respond, but please don't push me away."Back then, he had been too stubborn, too afraid to speak up, and that hesitation had cost him the person he loved. Years had passed, but his feelings had never changed.The only person he had ever longed for was still her. This time, no matter what, he wouldn't let her slip away again.Maybe it was the sincerity in his voice, or maybe it was the way old feelings resurfaced, but Aspen's heart, long frozen over, seemed to thaw just a little.She had thought she was destined to have a cold, desolate life. She had never expected fate to bring her back to the one person she had once loved in her youth."Aspen, your daughter is dead, and yet here you are, cozying up to someone new?" Colin's voice cut through the moment like a blade, cold and simmering with restrained fury.He stood at the doorway with his arms crossed, his gaze filled wit
The pain in Aspen's ankle was excruciating, but compared to the ache in her chest, it was nothing.At that moment, Aren pulled a phone from his pocket and handed it to her. "Your phone has been vibrating nonstop."Aspen glanced at the name on the screen and let out a disdainful smirk. She hung up without hesitation and tossed the phone aside.Where was he when she needed him? And now he decided to show up? What was the point?Colin stared at the disconnected call, his face stormy. Aspen really didn't know her place. She never had. Just then, one of his assistants, Anthony Seymour, walked in hesitantly, placing a stack of documents on the table."Mr. Fuller, I've thoroughly investigated everything. The death certificate, the cremation records, and the medical files—everything is here. Ms. Fuller… is indeed gone."As soon as he finished speaking, Anthony instinctively took a step back, wanting to avoid the storm that was about to erupt.Colin froze for a moment before snatchin
However, just as the thought surfaced, Aspen forced it down. She couldn't cry in his arms. What gave her the right to seek comfort from him?Aren carefully placed her in the passenger seat of his car, his gaze softening as he watched her cry. With a sigh, he said, "Stop crying. I'll take you to the hospital.""Do I look pathetic like this?"Aspen already knew the answer. Still, she let out a soft laugh dripping with self-mockery.But Aren cut straight to the point. "There's no need to act tough. If you want to cry, then cry."As soon as he finished speaking, he turned on the car's speakers and cranked the volume to the max. Aspen curled up in the seat, wailing uncontrollably.Aren said nothing. His eyes were filled with pain for her, but he remained silent as he drove steadily toward the hospital.Even with the deafening music, he could still hear her heart-wrenching sobs filled with despair and sorrow. Regret burned in his chest as his teeth clenched in frustration. If he had
A chilling sensation ran down Aspen's back, but she couldn't afford to think—she had to escape. She struggled with all her might, her body thrashing wildly.In her panic, she kicked out, her foot landing squarely in the most vulnerable spot on Isaac's body. The impact made him grunt in pain, and his grip loosened for a fleeting second.Seizing the opportunity, Aspen scrambled onto the table and lunged for the door. As soon as it swung open, the glimpse of freedom filled her with desperate hope.But just as she took a step forward, a brutal force yanked her back. A sharp pain shot through her scalp as Isaac's palm came crashing down on her cheek."You bitch! Do you have a death wish?""Help! Somebody help me! Let go of me! Get away—don't touch me!"Aspen had seen her chance, and she refused to let it slip away. She clung to the doorframe with all the strength she had left, her fingers locked in a death grip.She couldn't give up. She wouldn't!"Help? This whole damn place belong
"Joseph owes me two million dollars. He said you'd be the payment," said Isaac.His eyes gleamed with greed, and his gaze was filled with aggression. He reached out, gripping Aspen's chin as he examined her face carefully.Shaking his head, he sneered. "A little too thin, but still not bad-looking. Two million seems like a bit of a loss.""No, no, please don't do this! I can give you the money! I'll pay the two million myself! Just don't do this!"Tears streamed down Aspen's face as her voice trembled with fear. She instinctively fumbled for her phone, pressing the buttons in desperation.Even though she had changed phones, the system settings remained the same—Colin was still listed as her emergency contact.The call went through as it dialed automatically. It went through five times, yet each time, the screen flashed the same response—no answer.Isaac easily noticed her attempt to call for help. But when he heard the endless ringing on the other end, he only chuckled."Little
Now that Colin was gone and they had gotten divorced, Aspen had no reason to keep this useless thing anymore.She removed the ring without hesitation and handed it over to Joseph. Her voice was calm as she said, "This is worth more than the apartment. Sell it, and don't ever contact or bother me again.""Pen, I knew you were a sensible young lady! I'm your only family in this world; don't worry, I'll always protect you. You've lost so much weight lately. Let me take you out for a good meal, alright?"Joseph's attitude shifted the moment he saw the diamond ring. Seeing his sudden change in demeanor, Aspen was reminded of her childhood.Back then, she had been closest to Joseph. She had followed him around every day, playing with him without a care.Her eyes then flickered toward the family photo hanging on the wall. Taking a deep breath, she hesitated for a moment before finally nodding in agreement.Joseph's eyes lit up instantly, and before she could react, he grabbed her hand a
Gwyneth's heart twisted with jealousy, but she didn't let it show. Instead, she sighed softly."Colin, I'm sorry. I really can't control my emotions. In the end, it's all my fault. If I had loved you a little less, maybe Ms. Nicholls wouldn't be acting this way.""Don't say such nonsense." Colin's gaze softened as he looked at the woman in his arms with concern.Yet even as he held her, he couldn't ignore the faint sense of impatience creeping into his chest. He didn't know where it came from or who it was directed at, so he could only suppress it for now.Taking out his phone, he called one of his assistants, Wyatt Davison."Find out where Sophie is.""Yes, sir."Gwyneth's expression darkened slightly. Sophie was already dead, but it was clear that Colin still refused to believe it. It seemed she needed to make him accept the truth as soon as possible.As long as that little nuisance was out of the picture, there would be no remaining ties between Colin and Aspen. And once tha
"Aspen, don't be ungrateful!" Colin frowned, and the fleeting guilt he had felt moments ago vanished in an instant.He had always thought of her as a scheming woman, but at least she had been rational. Now, she had completely lost her mind."Who's the one refusing to let go here? We're divorced, yet you're still clinging to me. What exactly do you want?"Did you only realize after losing me that you were actually in love with me all along? And now you want to get back together? Then what about your precious Ms. Sanders? What will you do with her?"Aspen suddenly burst into laughter, and her gaze was filled with disdain. The sharp mockery in her eyes cut straight into Gwyneth's heart."Colin, if you really love her, I can step aside," Gwyneth said softly. "I… I only stayed with you because I love you, not for anything else. If you don't love me anymore, you can just say so."As she spoke, tears welled up in her eyes and spilled down her cheeks. She wiped them away quickly, as if s
Aspen tilted her head back, desperately trying to hold back her tears. She didn't want them to fall. Finally, she looked at Colin and said in a cold, firm tone, "You still don't believe me, do you? Then come with me. I'll take you there. I want you to see it with your own eyes. Maybe then you'll finally believe me.""Aspen, if you dare lie to me, I won't let you or Joseph off the hook!"Joseph was Aspen's last remaining relative in the world and her only weakness. Colin had always been calculating; he knew exactly how to strike where it hurt most.But he hadn't realized that Aspen had changed. He hadn't noticed that she no longer cared.She couldn't care less if Joseph died right now!Without sparing Colin another glance, Aspen led him to Sophie's preschool, then to Sophie's art studio. After that, they visited Sophie's favorite dessert shop, her favorite amusement park, and finally returned to the park in the mansion's neighborhood.But no matter where they went, there wasn't