Helen spent an entire day and night outside the villa, her head bowed, apologizing non-stop until she finally collapsed from exhaustion.When she came to, Andrew and Stephen were nowhere to be found.She was back in her own rental room.John and Yasmin's voices drifted in from outside, discussing what to do."We should head back home today. We can't stick around here. Helen won't just sit tight and follow orders. She's got legs and she'll take off again for sure. Let's leave while she's still out of it!" Yasmin urged.John agreed with a simple nod and replied firmly, "Okay."The moment the door swung open, Helen bolted, not even stopping to put on her shoes, though she made sure to snatch up her phone.With Andrew and Stephen so harsh and distant, Helen was at a loss as to who to turn to.In her frantic state, she thought of Chloe."Yes! Chloe's heart is so big, so she's bound to forgive me!"With that hope, Helen hopped on the next express train to Kingston City, determined
Chloe was in the middle of a wedding dress fitting when her phone buzzed non-stop. She was too caught up in taming the dress's wild hem to glance at it.She looked down and blurted out, "Jeff, could you check that for me?"Jeffrey, looking sharp in a black suit that made him look even taller, replied, "Sure."He casually leaned against the wall, grabbed Chloe's phone, and punched in her initials and birthday to unlock it.Reading Natalie's text, Jeffrey paused, a touch of jealousy in his voice as he read it out loud.[Hey, Chloe. Andrew and Stephen are hoping to crash your wedding. What's your take? Should we let them?]He moved closer, standing right behind Chloe, shooed away the dress shop assistant, and started fixing the hem himself.His tall frame almost wrapped around her, shielding her. His fingers, long and defined, traced the hem, and somehow, it felt more personal than it should."Jeff... Maybe... Let's just not invite them, okay?"Chloe locked eyes with Jeffrey's ea
Behind the scenes, Jeffrey had his crew ease up on the watch they kept over Andrew and Stephen. It was not that he was dropping his guard. He was merely setting the stage for them to make their move so he could be one step ahead, ready for whatever they would try.His people got the memo and sprang into action.Meanwhile, Jeffrey made sure to drop a little bombshell on Chloe's parents—Andrew and Stephen were heading to Kingston City for the wedding."What? After everything they've done to Chloe, they dare show up at her wedding?"Felicia was livid. She used to sing praises of Andrew and Stephen, even saw them as potential sons-in-law, but playing with Chloe's life?Unforgivable.Chloe must have been through hell when Helen went after her. To think, her lifelong friend, her rock, had turned a hostile shoulder to her over some flowers meant for another girl.There was no way Felicia would let them mess with Chloe's head, trying to force her to figure out who she really loved. No
Chloe and Jeffrey's fingers were interlocked as they faced Andrew and Stephen, their eyes wary and watchful. "Chloe, we've been friends since we were kids. How can you look at me like that?" Stephen pleaded, his heart aching under their guarded stares.Chloe just frowned, not in the mood for pointless chatter. After all, were they not the ones who had thrown away years of friendship first?She gazed at them calmly before replying, "Skip the excuses. I've got to get home. If you've got something to say, make it quick." Stephen opened his mouth to respond, but Andrew cut him off. Standing before Chloe, Andrew's eyes were a mix of icy resolve. "Chloe, we messed up. We never liked Helen, not really. We just wanted to make you jealous to figure out who you really cared about, but we never imagined things would turn out like this..." He laid out the whole story, including Helen's desperate move to Kingston City and her plea for Chloe's help. Chloe felt a twinge of resistance at t
Stephen's eyes were red with fury, his hands balled into fists. With a fierce resolve, he swung at Jeffrey."Why does it have to be him? I can't accept this, Chloe. If you don't want to get married, I'll whisk you away! We can go abroad or back to Marina City, wherever you want. It's all possible!"However, Jeffrey, who could have dodged with ease, just tilted his face slightly, letting Stephen's punch graze his cheek.It was not a bad hit, but it left a red streak.Jeffrey clutched his cheek, which was only slightly hurt, and sucked in a breath, his face contorting with the sting. Still, he looked as dashing as ever.Chloe saw the injury and her heart went out to him. She reached for his hand, trying to get a look at the wound."It's nothing, really. I'm fine. It doesn't hurt."Jeffrey tried to laugh it off, but Chloe only grew more worried.When he would not show her the injury, Chloe's worry turned to anger at Stephen, and she demanded, her voice icy."Stephen! Why did you
If they just walked away then, what was all that love they had clung to for years worth? What did a lifetime, over two decades of being together, even mean? Was all that time and emotion really worth less than what they felt for someone they had barely known a month? A fierce determination lit up in Andrew and Stephen's eyes.Together, they declared, "Let's team up. After that, it's every man for himself!"They did not even need to hash it out. They knew exactly what had to be done. Stephen got in touch with Lily and Teresa to dig up the last few family photos that chronicled their shared history, a timeline stretching back over twenty years. Sadly, the stash of group shots was thin since Chloe had burned most of them. They were left with mostly childhood solo shots of each other, but they were content. It was something to hold onto.Meanwhile, Andrew was busy making moves, sneaking allies into the Gibson family or winning them over. The wedding was just three days out, an
The well-wishing part of the ceremony had just wrapped up, and the live stream of Chloe and Jeffrey's actual wedding was underway.They stood at the historic Ethan Williams Estate in Kingston City, in the midst of a wedding that was the epitome of classic tradition.The old Victorian mansion had been transformed, decked out in white silk and golden ribbons that glimmered in the light. The sound of church bells filled the air, weaving a spell of celebration that touched everyone there.Jeffrey, looking sharp in his traditional wedding suit, made quite the entrance on a majestic white horse with a stunning carriage trailing behind him.The brass band set the mood with upbeat tunes as the procession tossed silver coins and fancy boxes of sweets to the excited onlookers.People were scooping up the treats and shouting their congratulations, their good vibes washing over the happy couple.Over at the estate, guests were treated to gold-plated keepsakes and boxes of handmade sweets, li
Andrew caught sight of Chloe's lavish wedding splashed across the news.His gaze locked onto a photo of Jeffrey on his phone, anger boiling up inside him.It had to be Jeffrey's doing, didn't it?It just had to be!With that thought burning in his mind, Andrew bolted from the hospital, ignoring Lily and Teresa's protests.…It was the first day of their married life.Jeffrey was cuddling Chloe in bed, a rare moment of tenderness.The soft sunlight and the crisp air outside could not have been less inviting.Then, out of nowhere, the peace was shattered by the insistent ringing of the doorbell.Jeffrey's brow creased in annoyance. Who could be bothering them then?He slipped on a robe and went to open the door.The moment it swung open, Andrew's fist came hurtling towards him. Jeffrey nimbly stepped aside, catching Andrew's fist with ease."What's gotten into you?!"Andrew's eyes were shadowed, his chin scruffy with a dark stubble. He had never let himself go like that bef
Andrew caught sight of Chloe's lavish wedding splashed across the news.His gaze locked onto a photo of Jeffrey on his phone, anger boiling up inside him.It had to be Jeffrey's doing, didn't it?It just had to be!With that thought burning in his mind, Andrew bolted from the hospital, ignoring Lily and Teresa's protests.…It was the first day of their married life.Jeffrey was cuddling Chloe in bed, a rare moment of tenderness.The soft sunlight and the crisp air outside could not have been less inviting.Then, out of nowhere, the peace was shattered by the insistent ringing of the doorbell.Jeffrey's brow creased in annoyance. Who could be bothering them then?He slipped on a robe and went to open the door.The moment it swung open, Andrew's fist came hurtling towards him. Jeffrey nimbly stepped aside, catching Andrew's fist with ease."What's gotten into you?!"Andrew's eyes were shadowed, his chin scruffy with a dark stubble. He had never let himself go like that bef
The well-wishing part of the ceremony had just wrapped up, and the live stream of Chloe and Jeffrey's actual wedding was underway.They stood at the historic Ethan Williams Estate in Kingston City, in the midst of a wedding that was the epitome of classic tradition.The old Victorian mansion had been transformed, decked out in white silk and golden ribbons that glimmered in the light. The sound of church bells filled the air, weaving a spell of celebration that touched everyone there.Jeffrey, looking sharp in his traditional wedding suit, made quite the entrance on a majestic white horse with a stunning carriage trailing behind him.The brass band set the mood with upbeat tunes as the procession tossed silver coins and fancy boxes of sweets to the excited onlookers.People were scooping up the treats and shouting their congratulations, their good vibes washing over the happy couple.Over at the estate, guests were treated to gold-plated keepsakes and boxes of handmade sweets, li
If they just walked away then, what was all that love they had clung to for years worth? What did a lifetime, over two decades of being together, even mean? Was all that time and emotion really worth less than what they felt for someone they had barely known a month? A fierce determination lit up in Andrew and Stephen's eyes.Together, they declared, "Let's team up. After that, it's every man for himself!"They did not even need to hash it out. They knew exactly what had to be done. Stephen got in touch with Lily and Teresa to dig up the last few family photos that chronicled their shared history, a timeline stretching back over twenty years. Sadly, the stash of group shots was thin since Chloe had burned most of them. They were left with mostly childhood solo shots of each other, but they were content. It was something to hold onto.Meanwhile, Andrew was busy making moves, sneaking allies into the Gibson family or winning them over. The wedding was just three days out, an
Stephen's eyes were red with fury, his hands balled into fists. With a fierce resolve, he swung at Jeffrey."Why does it have to be him? I can't accept this, Chloe. If you don't want to get married, I'll whisk you away! We can go abroad or back to Marina City, wherever you want. It's all possible!"However, Jeffrey, who could have dodged with ease, just tilted his face slightly, letting Stephen's punch graze his cheek.It was not a bad hit, but it left a red streak.Jeffrey clutched his cheek, which was only slightly hurt, and sucked in a breath, his face contorting with the sting. Still, he looked as dashing as ever.Chloe saw the injury and her heart went out to him. She reached for his hand, trying to get a look at the wound."It's nothing, really. I'm fine. It doesn't hurt."Jeffrey tried to laugh it off, but Chloe only grew more worried.When he would not show her the injury, Chloe's worry turned to anger at Stephen, and she demanded, her voice icy."Stephen! Why did you
Chloe and Jeffrey's fingers were interlocked as they faced Andrew and Stephen, their eyes wary and watchful. "Chloe, we've been friends since we were kids. How can you look at me like that?" Stephen pleaded, his heart aching under their guarded stares.Chloe just frowned, not in the mood for pointless chatter. After all, were they not the ones who had thrown away years of friendship first?She gazed at them calmly before replying, "Skip the excuses. I've got to get home. If you've got something to say, make it quick." Stephen opened his mouth to respond, but Andrew cut him off. Standing before Chloe, Andrew's eyes were a mix of icy resolve. "Chloe, we messed up. We never liked Helen, not really. We just wanted to make you jealous to figure out who you really cared about, but we never imagined things would turn out like this..." He laid out the whole story, including Helen's desperate move to Kingston City and her plea for Chloe's help. Chloe felt a twinge of resistance at t
Behind the scenes, Jeffrey had his crew ease up on the watch they kept over Andrew and Stephen. It was not that he was dropping his guard. He was merely setting the stage for them to make their move so he could be one step ahead, ready for whatever they would try.His people got the memo and sprang into action.Meanwhile, Jeffrey made sure to drop a little bombshell on Chloe's parents—Andrew and Stephen were heading to Kingston City for the wedding."What? After everything they've done to Chloe, they dare show up at her wedding?"Felicia was livid. She used to sing praises of Andrew and Stephen, even saw them as potential sons-in-law, but playing with Chloe's life?Unforgivable.Chloe must have been through hell when Helen went after her. To think, her lifelong friend, her rock, had turned a hostile shoulder to her over some flowers meant for another girl.There was no way Felicia would let them mess with Chloe's head, trying to force her to figure out who she really loved. No
Chloe was in the middle of a wedding dress fitting when her phone buzzed non-stop. She was too caught up in taming the dress's wild hem to glance at it.She looked down and blurted out, "Jeff, could you check that for me?"Jeffrey, looking sharp in a black suit that made him look even taller, replied, "Sure."He casually leaned against the wall, grabbed Chloe's phone, and punched in her initials and birthday to unlock it.Reading Natalie's text, Jeffrey paused, a touch of jealousy in his voice as he read it out loud.[Hey, Chloe. Andrew and Stephen are hoping to crash your wedding. What's your take? Should we let them?]He moved closer, standing right behind Chloe, shooed away the dress shop assistant, and started fixing the hem himself.His tall frame almost wrapped around her, shielding her. His fingers, long and defined, traced the hem, and somehow, it felt more personal than it should."Jeff... Maybe... Let's just not invite them, okay?"Chloe locked eyes with Jeffrey's ea
Helen spent an entire day and night outside the villa, her head bowed, apologizing non-stop until she finally collapsed from exhaustion.When she came to, Andrew and Stephen were nowhere to be found.She was back in her own rental room.John and Yasmin's voices drifted in from outside, discussing what to do."We should head back home today. We can't stick around here. Helen won't just sit tight and follow orders. She's got legs and she'll take off again for sure. Let's leave while she's still out of it!" Yasmin urged.John agreed with a simple nod and replied firmly, "Okay."The moment the door swung open, Helen bolted, not even stopping to put on her shoes, though she made sure to snatch up her phone.With Andrew and Stephen so harsh and distant, Helen was at a loss as to who to turn to.In her frantic state, she thought of Chloe."Yes! Chloe's heart is so big, so she's bound to forgive me!"With that hope, Helen hopped on the next express train to Kingston City, determined
The city official's harsh words stung Helen. She stomped her foot and snapped, "Alright, alright. I'm going!" Barely after she had called for a moving truck to haul her stuff, Helen was already feeling the pressure. With no destination in mind, the driver was losing his patience, repeatedly asking where to. It took her forever, but she finally choked out the name of her old neighborhood. "Head to the Orchid Lane Community." Her only hope was to talk to her old landlord about getting her place back.Luckily, it had only been a few days, and the apartment had not been snapped up yet. When Helen arrived at the Orchid Lane Community, the first thing she saw was a family camped out by the entrance. The Zimmers might not have been the height of fashion, but they were neat and tidy. Still, Helen could not help but look down on them, and it showed.She was about to tell the driver to just keep driving, but he was already out of the truck, unloading her bags."Helen! Give us the mo