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Chapter 6
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Life is Full of Fleeting Dreams Chapter 7
On June 1st, Steven left.He had told Lucy in advance that this trip would be busy, that he might not have time to message her.But there wasn't any shortage of news of him.All sent by Marilyn.Photos, videos—plenty of them.Steven taking Shawn diving.Steven carrying Sharon on his shoulders, watching fireworks.Steven cradling both children, lulling them to sleep.Steven feeding them at the dinner table.[He's such a good father. He takes care of everything himself. I barely need to lift a finger.][Look at how happy they are with their daddy. Can you really bear to let them live without him?][Oh, by the way, Steven promised the kids an island tour. Not just Maldove this time.][Steven bought me a new ring. Pretty, isn't it?]Attached was a photo of Marilyn's hand. On her left ring finger was a delicate women's ring—the exact one Lucy had picked out in a jewelry store not long ago.Lucy scrolled up, finding the picture of Steven feeding the kids.On his right ring fin
Life is Full of Fleeting Dreams Chapter 8
"Lucy? Are you listening?"The only response was the howling wind on the other end of the line. It swallowed up Lucy's voice entirely.Steven hesitated for a moment, about to call back, when another call came through.Marilyn's voice was urgent. "Steven! Get to the hospital now! The kids—something happened to them!"He froze. "Didn't I tell you to take them home by taxi? What happened?""Just come to the hospital and see for yourself!"The background was chaotic—children crying, voices overlapping.He clenched his jaw, striding toward the parking lot while dialing Lucy again. No matter how many times he called, all he got was the mechanical female voice: "The number you dialed is powered off. Your message will be transferred to voicemail…"Steven spoke into the receiver, his voice tight. "Lucy, call me back as soon as you get this. I'm worried."After a pause, he left another message. "Something came up at work. I have to head back to the company first, then I'll come find you
Life is Full of Fleeting Dreams Chapter 9
Marilyn's grievance deepened, but she took a step back, speaking with quiet resignation. "I know you want to stay with Lucy, so I never planned to force you. As long as you take a look at the kids, let them know their father still thinks of them, that's enough. As for me... I wouldn't dare ask for anything more.""Forget it. I'm already here. Lucy must be mad at me... I'll let her cool down and bring a gift back to make it up to her."Steven rubbed his temples, giving himself a way out.He had already told Lucy that he wouldn't be accompanying her. Even if he regretted it now, even if he wanted to watch the sunrise with her, it was too late. He might as well spend more time with the kids.For the past five years, he had lived cautiously, afraid she might catch on. Maybe it was time to loosen up a little.Sensing the moment, Marilyn gently took his arm, leading him toward the hospital room. She whispered as they walked, "The kids miss you terribly. It's been hard for me to manage b
Life is Full of Fleeting Dreams Chapter 10
Steven put aside all thoughts of Lucy and put on the mask of a loving father. Kneeling down, he asked the children, "I promise to stay with you for the next few days. Is there anything you want?"Shawn and Sharon exchanged a quick glance. The trick their mommy had taught them worked. Clinging to Steven's legs, they pleaded, "We want to go to the amusement park with you."Steven hesitated. Looking down, he said, "You're still recovering from a cold. If you go out now, you might get sick again. Let's wait until you're better."He rarely took them to public places. The risk of running into someone he knew was too high.Shawn, gripping the fabric of Steven's trousers, lowered his head. "I get it. Daddy must have something more important to do."Sharon's eyes welled up. "Daddy, please," she begged. "Just this once. Take us and Mommy. Other kids have family photos from the amusement park."Their words struck a tender spot in Steven's heart. It was as if something inside him crumbled, l
Life is Full of Fleeting Dreams Chapter 11
The vows still echoed in his ears, and Lucy hadn't changed. Not one bit.But something had changed. Perhaps the shift had happened long ago, hidden too well to notice until now.Steven recalled the wedding vows, his body swaying for a moment before he lowered his head in front of Camille, almost pleading. "It's not what you think. I never cheated after our marriage. The children—there's a reason for everything. I had no choice."Camille let out a cold laugh, her voice laced with mockery. "Not after marriage? So it was before, then? You really are a hypocrite.""I didn't cheat. From the very beginning, the only one I've ever loved is Lucy. I swear it. As long as you don't tell her, I'll take care of everything. She'll never know. You're her friend—do you really want to see her heartbroken?"Rage boiled in Camille's chest. Even now, at this point, he was still trying to lie. Her fury burned hotter.Steven spoke again, his voice tense. "I haven't been able to reach Lucy. Maybe she's
Life is Full of Fleeting Dreams Chapter 12
This was already the gentlest tone he could manage, suppressing his emotions for the sake of the young children.Yet Marilyn, caught up in her own triumph, failed to notice the warning signs. She barely concealed the schadenfreude in her eyes as she stepped forward to take Steven's hand. The moment he shook her off, her expression stiffened. Reluctantly, she offered an explanation. "I heard about Lucy, so I came to check on you."Had she not clenched her palm so tightly, she might have laughed outright.Lucy, who had occupied the position she had coveted for so long, was finally gone. No one would stand in her way anymore. Soon enough, she would rightfully become Mrs. Cooper."Who told you?" Steven's voice was cold as he stared at her.Sensing his displeasure, Marilyn softened her tone. "Your mother," she said. "When I saw you rushing out like that, I was worried something might happen, so I called her and your friends. Everyone was concerned and asked me to check on you.""You
Life is Full of Fleeting Dreams Chapter 13
The divorce agreement was meticulously drafted, the product of careful consultation with a lawyer.At the end, there was a letter from Lucy. It said she had known that he had another family, that she was the only one left in the dark.Steven stared at the divorce papers, his hands trembling. He wanted to examine them more closely, but his fingers, cramping with tension, refused to obey. The papers slipped from his grasp, scattering to the floor once more.He had never imagined she would find out. So, after all, there really was no such thing as a secret that could be kept forever.Five years. He had convinced himself his deception was flawless, airtight. But now, like a boomerang, it had come back, slicing through him without mercy.As if that weren't enough, Marilyn picked up the papers, her voice light with relief. "This is great. Since Lucy wants a divorce too, it saves us the trouble."The words landed like a fresh wound, sharp and deep. He wanted to lash out, to tell her s
Life is Full of Fleeting Dreams Chapter 14
The weight of the words made Steven stop in his tracks.He set the fish tank carefully on the living room table, ensuring it was steady before moving toward the guest room. The guest room's door was left ajar. Stepping lightly, he positioned himself behind Marilyn, listening in on her conversation.It had been a while since she last saw him leave the bedroom. Unaware of his presence, she let her guard down and spoke freely with her trusted friend."I never actually slept with Steven," she said. "It was his cousin. Yeah, the one who looks just like him. I got pregnant by accident, and that scumbag refused to take responsibility. So I figured—why not trap Steven instead? Who would've thought he'd be so easy to fool? Maybe I just played the part of a devoted lover too well."She laughed, a light, self-satisfied chuckle. "It's not hard if you want to pull it off. Just drug the guy, make sure he passes out, strip him down, and spend the night beside him. But the baby—" she paused, voi
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Life is Full of Fleeting Dreams Chapter 21
Lucy offered her blessing with quiet sincerity. "It's a good thing for a family to be together. I wish you happiness."Jacinta thanked her warmly, then hesitated before asking, "Miss Landon, are you planning to go back?""No," Lucy said. "I have nothing to do with the Cooper family anymore." Then, after a pause, she added, "I do have a favor to ask. Please don't tell anyone that I'm still alive—not even your husband."What was gone was gone, like a day that had already ended. There was no reason to look back.Jacinta agreed without a moment's hesitation. She smiled at Lucy and then at Finn, offering the same quiet understanding. "Women understand each other in ways men don't. Don't worry, I won't say a word."Lucy felt something shift inside her. Without lingering on small talk, she waved goodbye to Jacinta's daughter and then returned to her seat beside Finn.He, as always, looked unbothered. Scrolling through his phone, he glanced at her casually. "I read about this great break
Life is Full of Fleeting Dreams Chapter 20
News has an expiration date. No matter how sensational the rumors about Cooper Ventures were, eventually, the spectators grew weary of them.About two months later, no one spoke of it anymore. Lucy had weathered the storm unscathed and was now approaching her first summer vacation since joining the teaching program.In the dormitory, the volunteer teachers packed their belongings with cheerful anticipation. They made plans to bring local specialties for one another when they met again next semester. A few of them, whose homes were in the neighboring city, decided to travel together. Amid all the excitement, Lucy felt out of place. She didn't want to be asked about her hometown, so she quietly slipped away to the courtyard.Just then, Finn arrived, looking for her. Seeing her sitting outside, he was relieved to avoid the awkwardness of knocking on a female teacher's dormitory door. He approached and asked with concern, "Alina, have you decided where to go? I'm planning to travel."
Life is Full of Fleeting Dreams Chapter 19
"No," Lucy replied, careful to keep her voice steady, afraid of being recognized. She picked up her cup casually and added, "I've been feeling a bit under the weather. Just going to get some water."Without waiting for a response, she stepped out of the office and walked briskly toward the water room.Behind her, a few colleagues exchanged glances. One of them murmured, as if lost in thought, "I don't know why, but her back looks a lot like the woman from the news—Steven Cooper's former wife.""That's impossible. His wife was a painter, and Alina's profile says she teaches English. Stop overthinking it. Maybe she just knows someone who works at Cooper Ventures..."Lucy left the murmurs behind, trying to steady herself. But when she reached for the kettle, her fingers trembled, and the porcelain cup slipped from her grasp, shattering on the floor.The shards scattered in all directions, some landing in the steaming water. She flinched as the scalding liquid splashed onto the back o
Life is Full of Fleeting Dreams Chapter 18
At the mention of this, the other teachers stirred, eyes lighting up with anticipation. The hunger for gossip was unmistakable."This isn't just shocking news. This is a full-blown scandal. His wife just died in an accident a few days ago, and he's already bringing another woman home? There must be something more to this.""Maybe. But no one knows the details. My friend is just a regular employee, but even they heard the rumors spreading in the company. They say neither of the children are biologically his, and now the mother and her kids have all been kicked out by Mr. Cooper. No one knows where they went.""Wow. If I were a tabloid journalist, I'd be over the moon. This alone would keep me busy for the next half month. Even if nothing else happens, just the cheating scandal and the fact that the woman had him raising another man's kids could fuel countless articles."The discussion grew increasingly animated, and before long, everyone had forgotten the earlier claim that it would
Life is Full of Fleeting Dreams Chapter 17
"Huh?" Finn first looked puzzled, then broke into a knowing smile. "So, you've lost your memory?" he asked, his voice laced with amusement.Lucy knew full well how flimsy that excuse was, but she couldn't come up with anything more convincing. So, she stuck to it. "Let's just say I have. I don't remember anything from before," she said, as if repeating it would make it true.Was it really a matter of forgetting, or was it a refusal to remember? Only she knew the answer.Finn seemed to understand but didn't press her. Instead, he simply nodded. "Alright. In that case, congratulations on embarking on a brand-new journey in life."Something in her chest tightened. A brand-new journey—was that really possible? She had considered her previous marriage a complete failure, but even now, all she had managed to do was bring it to an end. Nothing felt new. Nothing felt like a beginning.They walked together in silence until they reached the empty classroom where the supplies were stored.F
Life is Full of Fleeting Dreams Chapter 16
As the words left his lips, he dragged his exhausted body back into the bedroom, not having eaten or drunk anything all day. Without looking back, he reached for the door and shut it behind him, sealing off his mother's voice along with the rest of the world.No matter how much he tried to restore it, the bedroom could never return to what it once was. The paint on the walls, scrubbed away with steel wool, left uneven scars behind.Steven pulled a chair over and sat at the foot of the bed. A strange, almost trance-like smile hovered on his lips as he settled in.His gaze locked onto the wedding photo hanging above the bed. He stared at it, as if by sheer will, he could freeze time and hold onto the past.Lucy's smile in the photo was warm and radiant. The way she looked at him back then was filled with love, untouched by the shadows of today. Neither of them had foreseen how everything would change.Steven sank into an abyss of pain, unable to climb out.Meanwhile, far from the b
Life is Full of Fleeting Dreams Chapter 15
He didn't say it outright, but the sympathy in his eyes was impossible to hide. He might as well have told Steven directly—there was no need for a paternity test. Those two children could never be his.Steven had prepared himself on the way to the hospital. He thought he was ready. But when he heard the doctor announce the results, it was as if he had been plunged into an ice-cold abyss. His body refused to respond.He didn't know how long it took before the blank space in his mind began to clear. When it did, all that remained was a seething fury.Without a word, he took Marilyn and her two children back the way they had come. This time, he didn't drive himself. He called for a driver, brought along a few trusted men, and instructed them to keep a close watch.Marilyn had never seen such an imposing scene before. She was trembling, barely daring to breathe, huddling with the children in the back seat.In the front passenger seat, Steven was silent. His face was stone-cold, his li
Life is Full of Fleeting Dreams Chapter 14
The weight of the words made Steven stop in his tracks.He set the fish tank carefully on the living room table, ensuring it was steady before moving toward the guest room. The guest room's door was left ajar. Stepping lightly, he positioned himself behind Marilyn, listening in on her conversation.It had been a while since she last saw him leave the bedroom. Unaware of his presence, she let her guard down and spoke freely with her trusted friend."I never actually slept with Steven," she said. "It was his cousin. Yeah, the one who looks just like him. I got pregnant by accident, and that scumbag refused to take responsibility. So I figured—why not trap Steven instead? Who would've thought he'd be so easy to fool? Maybe I just played the part of a devoted lover too well."She laughed, a light, self-satisfied chuckle. "It's not hard if you want to pull it off. Just drug the guy, make sure he passes out, strip him down, and spend the night beside him. But the baby—" she paused, voi
Life is Full of Fleeting Dreams Chapter 13
The divorce agreement was meticulously drafted, the product of careful consultation with a lawyer.At the end, there was a letter from Lucy. It said she had known that he had another family, that she was the only one left in the dark.Steven stared at the divorce papers, his hands trembling. He wanted to examine them more closely, but his fingers, cramping with tension, refused to obey. The papers slipped from his grasp, scattering to the floor once more.He had never imagined she would find out. So, after all, there really was no such thing as a secret that could be kept forever.Five years. He had convinced himself his deception was flawless, airtight. But now, like a boomerang, it had come back, slicing through him without mercy.As if that weren't enough, Marilyn picked up the papers, her voice light with relief. "This is great. Since Lucy wants a divorce too, it saves us the trouble."The words landed like a fresh wound, sharp and deep. He wanted to lash out, to tell her s
