That night, Nancy and Celica arrived at the airport and headed straight to the hospital.When Celica saw Benson lying on the bed, looking much skinnier than before, she immediately started crying.Nancy's eyes reddened as well, and she held Celica as they walked over.The hand not covered by the blanket was full of needles.Benson was woken up by the sound of crying. When he opened his eyes and saw Nancy and Celica, his dispirited eyes suddenly lit up."Nancy, you're back."The man smiled and tried to sit up. Nancy hurried over to help him."I'm fine. Take Celica home to rest. She shouldn't be in the hospital so late.""You're already so sick. How could I go back?"Nancy stacked the pillows behind Benson before putting Celica into his arms.Celica was a good girl. She had just been scared when she had seen Benson lying in bed looking so loveless.She immediately stopped crying in Benson's arms.It had been many days since Benson had last seen Celica. He ran his fingers thro
Although Lynn had told him the truth, Yaacob still did not give her a chance to speak her mind. The man was only interested in the answer he had just received. He shut the window and left her.He sent a message to Randall. [Are you free for a drink today?][I can't today, I have something urgent to take care of!] Randall's urgent matter was actually Ethan's wound getting infected. Lola had called him in a hurry, and he was currently sending Ethan to the hospital.Lola held Ethan in the back seat and casually asked, "Are we going to the same hospital?""Yes.""Why don't we go to the second hospital? I heard that the doctors are slightly better there, and it's just one street away."Randall did not answer.He drove to the hospital that they had sent Ethan to the last time. The doctors there would better understand his situation.However, Lola suspected that he was going there to see Rowena.Even though it was still daytime, Rowena was at the hospital. She treated Ethan's w
Lola realized that she had lost her composure. She sat back down and acted like she did not understand Rowena's meaning."As a mother, I thank you for treating Ethan's infection. As for everything else, including my relationship with my husband, they have nothing to do with you. Honestly, Dr. Peck, I really admire you for stepping away three years ago. I hope you keep to your word, and don't try to pull any tricks."Had Rowena promised her anything?No.Lola had actually been the one to look for Rowena back then. Randall had wanted to break up with her, and she had come to ask Rowena to talk to Randall.Lola had also helped her when Rowena had been kidnapped.Owing her that favor, Rowena had indicated to Randall that she wanted to see him and Lola together.However, she had never promised Lola anything.She had cut ties with Randall for herself. Not anyone else.Lola was acting completely different from her usual self. It was like she had forgotten how pitifully she had behave
By the time Randall arrived at Rowena's place, she was having her dinner.Doctors are not actually healthier than anyone else. Their busy lives prevent them from having fixed schedules.Normally, Rowena would just go home and sleep after work. She would skip dinner if she had to.However, it was a Friday, so she had tomorrow off. She decided to leisurely make some steak for herself.It started to rain after midnight, so Rowena got up to close the balcony windows. She had just taken two bites of her steak when someone knocked on her door."It's already so late. Who could it be?"Rowena put on her slippers and walked to the door, looking through the peephole.The hospital dormitory was in need of improvements, and the corridor was dark so she could not see.Rowena was suspicious.She had always had a cold personality and was slightly unfriendly. Even though she had worked in the hospital for a while, she did not really have anyone she was close to at the hospital.The knocking
When had Rowena recovered her memory?Probably three years ago. She had nearly been kidnapped. During that incident, she had been hit on the back of her head, but she had not gone to the doctor or had it checked out.That night when she had returned home, flashes of her memory started pouring into her mind. It was a painful and agonizing process because most of the memories related to Randall.The first time they met was the worst memory to regain. How Randall had tried to force her to be with him; how he had broken up a lovely couple and forced Rowena to marry him… All her memories of Randall were bad and sorrowful.Randall had been right. When Rowena had suggested he be with Lola, she had regained her memory. However, she had hidden it from him, not knowing if she had been using Lola to get rid of him or if she had not had a choice.After all, Lola had been pregnant.Rowena did not know if she would have chosen differently if Lola had not been pregnant.Before she could decide
It was around seven in the morning. Most people would be out buying breakfast at this hour. People would be walking around the apartment.No matter how much Rowena hated seeing Randall in her apartment, she could not let him walk out now.That was a good thing for Randall. After he fixed the bed, he refused to leave. Though Rowena refused to talk to him, he ate the last sandwich in her fridge and went to the living room to read.After that, he went into the kitchen and came out with a cup of coffee."Here, drink this."Randall knew Rowena had the habit of saying nothing when she was angry or unhappy. When she had been married to him, she had been so angry that she had refused to talk to him for three months.Even though Randall was not a person who liked to talk, he was afraid her simmering anger would worsen her body's condition.He placed the cup beside her and started to clean up the mess he had made. The steak was left unfinished on the table because of the sudden events.H
When Rowena went back to work, she did not dare make eye contact with anyone. She felt like everyone was looking at her weirdly.During lunch, a nurse came over and asked her, "Dr. Peck, when are you going to introduce your boyfriend to us?""What— What are you talking about?" Rowena stuttered."Don't try to hide it from me." The nurse winked at her and touched her shoulder, "I heard all about it from Dr. Long. He said your boyfriend is very tall and well-dressed. He left your house on Sunday morning, but Dr. Long did not see his face."Rowena was speechless."I'm really curious what kind of man he is when you have such high standards. Is he very good-looking? Is your boyfriend William Yeeves?" the nurse pressed.Rowena did not know how to answer those questions. In the end, she picked up her lunch and ran back to her office. Though she had insufficient funds, she even started to consider moving.The hostel's soundproofing was so poor that she did not think she could live there
"Excuse me, I'm looking for Dr. Peck."Rowena had just finished her shift and was going to head back home when she heard someone asking for her. She looked over and saw a middle-aged couple walking towards her."Hi, I'm Rowena. Are you looking for—""Ah!"Rowena was going to introduce herself. Before she could finish her sentence, the lady slapped her. She then tried to grab her hair and continued to hurt her.Of course, now that Rowena knew the couple was up to no good, she was not going to let them do whatever they wanted. She had been slapped because she had not been anticipating the attack. Now, she put her guard up and swiftly did a taekwondo move to free herself.The fierce woman fell to the ground. The moment she realized she was no match for Rowena, she started crying.As she cried, she shouted at the top of her lungs, "This woman is having an affair with my daughter's husband, and now, she is hitting me! Anyone, please help!""I don't know who you are." Rowena was baff
Yaacob stayed in Nancy and Celica's house in Rhea City for a month without leaving.After sending Celica to kindergarten, Yaacob sent Nancy to the company.Nancy always asked him to stop the car two streets away from the company, but that day, Yaacob went a bit further, and she started to get anxious. "Stop the car, quick. Stop going forward. It's the peak hour right now. I can't let anyone see me."Yaacob stopped the car, but he did not unlock the door.He lowered the top of the convertible and asked her, "Is being with me that embarrassing to you?""I'm not with you. This is just a transaction!" Nancy insisted.She could not open the door and noticed that Yaacob had locked it. When she went to unlock it, her hand was pushed down by the man."Don't I make you happy? Is Celica unhappy? Don't you enjoy every night that we're together? You clearly have me in your heart, but why do you keep denying it? Nancy, what happened to your boldness and carefree spirit? Who do you want to im
Nancy had just stopped at Athenapolis to pick up some things she had left with Benson's friends when they had stayed there.She had also wanted to congratulate Rowena and Randall on their marriage and to apologize for not being able to attend their wedding.However, the next day, she could not get up at all.Fearing another intense night like the one before, she decided to book a flight to Rhea City that afternoon.The moment she sat on the plane, Nancy almost collapsed in her seat. Her lower back was aching.When she shut her eyes, her head was inexplicably flooded with certain images.It was like she was under a spell!"Ms., the flight is about to take off. Please switch off your phones," the flight attendant told Nancy.Nancy remembered that she had already turned off her phone.However, she turned around to see Celica looking at her phone unhappily."Sorry."Nancy switched off Celica's phone, but she did not seem happy about it. "Mommy… will Uncle Yaacob call me?""Even
After half a year, Nancy finally returned from America with Celica.Celica held Nancy's hand in one hand and a cat plushie that was almost half her size in another.As soon as they walked out of the VIP channel, Celica's sharp eyes immediately spotted the man who had come to pick them up. She abandoned her plushie as she rushed to him, hands outstretched and waiting to be carried."Uncle Yaacob! Uncle Yaacob!""Celica, don't run so fast!"Nancy could not stop her and could only follow behind, picking up the plushie along with some candy that had dropped from her pocket as she ran.Yaacob hurried forward and immediately scooped Celica up. He smelled the sweet scent of candy."Uncle Yaacob…"Celica hugged Yaacob, nuzzling her head against his. The fine and soft hair that was unique to a child warmed Yaacob's heart.It had been two years, but she had not forgotten him!It seemed like her memory was better than expected. She had probably gotten it from him.Of course, it was als
Randall and Rowena went to the same motel they had the last time.The boss remembered them as the ones who had broken his window, but he did not give them a hard time, warmly welcoming them instead.After all, the money that Randall had given him for it had been enough to replace the windows of the whole building. This time, Randall flexed his financial might again. He pulled out a wad of cash from his wallet and put it on the counter. "Boss, we want an entire floor.""Sir, do you want one room or two?""The whole floor!"Hearing what Randall said, Rowena looked at him in amazement. "Why so many rooms?""Have you forgotten how bad the soundproofing is here?" Randall replied.Rowena was speechless.The hotel owner was a veteran of this. He immediately put the money into the counter drawer and said, "Okay, I'll give you a key to a room on the third floor. I'll go knock on every door to clear the floor out right now. I assure you that you'll have an enjoyable night!"Rowena fel
"How absurd!"Randall's words were not meant to demean her. He just felt that it was too dangerous for the child to be there.Rowena, however, felt like she was being blamed for no reason."Why are you in a restaurant with this girl in the middle of the night?" Rowena asked Randall.Randall did not answer. He walked forward to help secure Dorothy before he took the dangerous weapon off her hands."Rowena, you should bring Sandy back for now."Rowena did not move."It's too dangerous for the both of you to be here. Listen to me!" Randall told her.Rowena did not respond. Instead, it was Dorothy who spoke: "Mr. Smith, why do you think she can just come and go as she pleases? I already told my subordinates that not even a fly is allowed out."Even though Rowena had been captured, she knew that they would not be able to walk free if anything happened to her so the man would not touch her so easily."Mrs. Browning, you just wanted to talk with me."Dorothy really liked talking to
Dorothy and Randall found themselves in a standoff. Suddenly, a hushed report from her subordinate reached Dorothy's ears. "Someone's outside, claiming to have information on Mr. Randall.""Who? Could it be that Yaacob has returned earlier than expected?" Dorothy, determined to prevail over Randall that night, insisted, "Don't let him in; I can't believe he would just barge in!""It's not Mr. Randall. It's a woman, accompanied by a child." The subordinate hesitated before providing more details.Rowena, who had given birth just four months ago, had swiftly regained her pre-pregnancy figure. She wore a navy blue striped shirt knotted at the waist, paired with snug jeans, showing no signs of her previous pregnancy. From behind, she looked slender and youthful, resembling a young girl. Yet, in front, she cradled a baby.The infant, only three or four months old, sported a hat with a few wisps of hair peeking out and a pacifier. The child's intelligent eyes darted around, exploring the
Four months later, the impending presidential election heightened the tension in Athenapolis. Harrison, eyeing reelection, aspired to forge an alliance with the Browning family and assimilate the Getson Group.Simultaneously, at this critical juncture, Yaacob had already partnered with Tom. He opted to collaborate with Yaacob after his unsuccessful bid to become part of the Browning family. Both were cunning strategists with centuries of experience, making their alliance arguably the most formidable.Tom, with backing from overseas financial giants, had a complex and mysterious identity. However, his requirements from Yaacob were surprisingly straightforward. He sought to use Yaacob to advance his political standing.On the flip side, Yaacob needed Tom's support to solidify his position within the Getson family, ensuring it remained stable. The previous presidential transition in Athenapolis had resulted in bloodshed and political turmoil, claiming Xander's life.This time, Randall
Lola pondered her predicament, finding her situation undesirable. She was infertile and struggling to establish stability despite numerous relationships. Her benefactor stood idly by as the original wife attacked her, too hesitant to intervene. After that day, Athenapolis no longer offered a solid ground for Lola.Dorothy sternly cautioned Lola, vowing to teach her a lesson whenever they crossed paths. Leaving Mr. Randall did not lead to greener pastures for Lola. She remained destitute. Rowena, the source of her misfortune, was to blame.Life with Randall had been tolerable. He never mistreated her, though love was absent. However, everything changed when Rowena reappeared. Witnessing Rowena's pregnancy with Randall intensified Lola's resentment, fueling an intense hatred. She harbored a fervent wish for Rowena and the unborn child to die!Lola understood that only Rowena's demise could rekindle hope for her. Unfortunately, Lola was uncertain about the vast power imbalance be
Having finally brought Rowena home, Randall became an aspiring intern dad. Opting against hiring a nanny, he naturally assumed the responsibility of caring for his pregnant wife.He would juggle the demands of running the company and handling household matters. Randall appeared fatigued, yet those with keen observation could discern a tired but content expression on his face. Lately, a newfound joy, previously unseen, frequently illuminated his features—the anticipation of becoming a father.During a visit to the hospital, a woman seated beside Rowena observed her pregnant belly and initiated a conversation, "Your belly is quite prominent. When are you due?""In about a month," Rowena replied."That's wonderful! Congratulations! I saw you during one of my check-ups. Is the man accompanying you each time your husband?" Others looked on with envy, expressing, "My husband isn't as involved. No matter how many times I ask, he never joins me for the appointment."Rowena remained silent