David stepped out of Henry’s room, the door clicking softly shut behind him. His hands were stuffed deep into his pockets, his brows knit tightly in thought. He hadn’t even taken more than a few steps before he spotted Emma walking briskly down the hallway toward him, her posture rigid, her expression unreadable. He paused when he saw her. Emma's father had been the one to call him and had told him about the sudden collapse, about how Emma had performed CPR on Henry, and how it was thanks to her that Henry was still alive at all.But Mathew hadn’t told him everything.He hadn’t told him how Allison had managed to pin the blame on Claire and accused the little girl of being responsible.The mere idea felt absurd. Claire? The gentle, sweet, innocent child he'd met? No. That couldn’t be.As Emma neared him, she showed no sign of stopping. She looked straight ahead as if he wasn’t even there. David saw the slight tension in her jaw, the determination in her eyes. She was angry…rightful
David stood by the door, watching quietly as Emma spoke in hushed tones with the doctor treating Claire.He couldn’t hear what was being said, but his eyes stayed fixed on the two of them—on Emma gently rubbing Claire’s back, brushing a few strands of hair from her daughter’s forehead, and then wrapping her in a soft hug. Claire clung to her for a moment before Emma leaned in and kissed her on the forehead.There was something in the way Emma lingered for just a second longer—like she didn’t want to let go for a second.And then, she walked away through the opposite side of the hospital room.David remained where he was, unsure for a moment whether to stay or leave. But something in his chest tugged him forward. Maybe it was guilt. Maybe it was concern. Maybe it was something he didn’t even want to name.He slowly stepped into the room.Claire was sitting up on the hospital bed, her small fingers toying with the edge of the blanket covering her. She looked up when she heard his footst
Emma?David stepped onto the terrace, his eyes immediately drawn to a figure curled up in the corner.Emma sat there, her back against the wall, knees drawn to her chest, and her face buried in her arms. Her shoulders trembled with each silent sob. The sight of her like this tugged at David's heart.He approached slowly, careful not to startle her. Without saying a word, he sat down beside her, leaving a respectful distance. The silence between them was heavy, but not uncomfortable. Emma didn’t lift her head right away. She stayed still for a long moment, her face hidden behind her arms, as the tears quietly soaked her sleeves. She could feel David’s presence sitting beside her without saying a word. He didn’t rush her or ask questions. He simply waited.Finally, after what felt like forever, Emma slowly raised her head. Her eyes, red and swollen from crying, met his. There was no need for words between them. The moment their eyes locked, without a second thought, he reached out and
Allison was busy going through her phone in the hospital ward, trying to kill the boredom surrounding her, when she suddenly heard the door open. She looked up, and her eyes met her mother’s. Isabel stepped inside with her usual calm expression, closing the door gently behind her.For a second, neither of them spoke. Isabel walked over and placed her handbag on the chair before sitting down beside her daughter.“Mother,” Allison greeted, putting her phone aside and straightening up a little.Isabel returned her greeting with a soft nod, her sharp eyes scanning her daughter’s face, as though trying to read her emotions. After a short silence, Isabel spoke first.“How’s Henry doing?” she asked in a quiet tone.Allison sighed, her face pulling into a tired frown. “The doctor said his heart was a bit weak from too much running around. That’s what made him collapse, but... they assured me he’s getting better.”Isabel gave a small nod, her fingers lightly tapping against the armrest. “That
Isabel nodded slowly. “You heard me. First, he gave Claire 5% of the company shares, and now he’s planning to hand over the manor too. Can't you see the handwriting on the wall?”Allison’s throat tightened. Her hands curled into fists on her lap. She could hardly believe what she was hearing. How could this be happening? How could Emma, after all these years, still manage to take everything away from her? And now her daughter too was being pushed right into the place Allison had tried to hold onto for herself and for Henry.It wasn’t fair. None of it was.The jealousy twisted painfully inside her. "Emma always takes everything," Allison muttered bitterly. "She always does.”Isabel’s gaze lingered on her daughter, as if she were staring at a reflection of her own past. She could see it all written across Allison’s face — the sharp glint of hatred, and that silent burn of anger… Isabel knew that feeling all too well.When she married Mathew, stepping into the life Emma’s mother had lef
Allison stormed back and forth across the hospital room angrily. The more she thought about it, the more furious she became. Her mind replayed David’s voice over and over — the way he’d spoken to her, like she was the villain in all of this.“How dare he?” she hissed under her breath. “After everything I’ve done for him! After everything I’ve given up to be with him! He thinks he can threaten me — scare me into apologizing to Emma? To that woman and her brat?”Isabel sat quietly on the chair as she watched her daughter paced around in anger.“Allison…” Isabel finally spoke. “Trust me, it wouldn’t hurt to just —”But before Isabel could even finish talking, Allison cut her off. “Apologize?” she asked. “You too, Mom? So now you’re siding with them? When I need you the most, when I need my own mother to stand by me — you’re here telling me to apologize?”Isabel opened her mouth to speak, but the words faltered under the weight of her daughter’s bitter glare.“I don’t need your advice i
Allison smiled, thinking that her manipulation had worked on Christian. The moment she saw the falter in his steps, she knew the hook had sunk in deep. Gathering her courage, she stepped closer, her voice sweet and calm."Listen, maybe we could cooperate," she suggested, her lips curling into an almost innocent smile. "We both want something, Christian. You want Emma, and I want David. Why don’t we help each other? That way, it’s a win-win for both of us."She paused for a moment, waiting to see any sign of agreement from him. When he didn’t respond, she leaned in a little closer, lowering her voice to a soft, tempting tone."I even have a way of helping you. A way to ensure Emma completely belongs to you."Allison felt pleased with herself, thinking the game was already in her hands. Christian had always been sharp, but even the sharpest men fell for the right kind of persuasion — and she thought she had found the perfect bait.But in the next second, her confidence shattered.Chris
Allison lay on her bed, wide awake, staring at the ceiling. The ticking sound from the clock was the only noise in the quiet room, and it felt like it was making her more nervous with each tick. Her mind kept thinking about the same scary thought again and again.Would Christian really send that DNA report to David?She squeezed her eyes shut, her chest tight with panic. Christian's voice from the previous day still echoed in her head, cold and sharp: "Twenty-four hours, Allison.”But the hours were slipping away too fast. She had given it a thought to just apologize and get it over with, but the fear of humiliation had held her back.Now, her nerves were on the verge of snapping.Finally, Allison forced herself out of bed. She washed her face, dressed up, and made her way to the hospital. She felt so exhausted after she got home from the hospital last night and now, she was heading back there.The moment she stepped out of the elevator and turned the corner toward Henry's room, sh
One week later…“Sweetheart, try to eat a little more,” Emma urged softly.Claire lazily pushed the food around her plate, barely nibbling on her toast. “But I’m already satisfied.”Emma brushed a strand of hair from her face, her voice gentle. “I know, honey. Just a few more bites for me, okay?”Claire sighed but nodded, slowly picking up her fork and chewing a few more peas.Just then, a knock came at the front door.Claire’s eyes brightened instantly. “Is it Uncle Chris?” she squealed.Emma raised an eyebrow, surprised at how fast her daughter’s mood changed. Sure enough, Christian stood there, dressed casually but holding a small paper bag, a soft smile spreading across his face.“Hey,” he said as soon as the door opened. “How’s my favorite girl doing?”Claire waved from the dining table. “Uncle Chris!” she chirped.Christian walked in and placed the paper bag on the table. “I brought some fruit candies for you, Captain.” He looked over at Claire's plate, noticing she hadn't fin
Allison lay on her bed, wide awake, staring at the ceiling. The ticking sound from the clock was the only noise in the quiet room, and it felt like it was making her more nervous with each tick. Her mind kept thinking about the same scary thought again and again.Would Christian really send that DNA report to David?She squeezed her eyes shut, her chest tight with panic. Christian's voice from the previous day still echoed in her head, cold and sharp: "Twenty-four hours, Allison.”But the hours were slipping away too fast. She had given it a thought to just apologize and get it over with, but the fear of humiliation had held her back.Now, her nerves were on the verge of snapping.Finally, Allison forced herself out of bed. She washed her face, dressed up, and made her way to the hospital. She felt so exhausted after she got home from the hospital last night and now, she was heading back there.The moment she stepped out of the elevator and turned the corner toward Henry's room, sh
Allison smiled, thinking that her manipulation had worked on Christian. The moment she saw the falter in his steps, she knew the hook had sunk in deep. Gathering her courage, she stepped closer, her voice sweet and calm."Listen, maybe we could cooperate," she suggested, her lips curling into an almost innocent smile. "We both want something, Christian. You want Emma, and I want David. Why don’t we help each other? That way, it’s a win-win for both of us."She paused for a moment, waiting to see any sign of agreement from him. When he didn’t respond, she leaned in a little closer, lowering her voice to a soft, tempting tone."I even have a way of helping you. A way to ensure Emma completely belongs to you."Allison felt pleased with herself, thinking the game was already in her hands. Christian had always been sharp, but even the sharpest men fell for the right kind of persuasion — and she thought she had found the perfect bait.But in the next second, her confidence shattered.Chris
Allison stormed back and forth across the hospital room angrily. The more she thought about it, the more furious she became. Her mind replayed David’s voice over and over — the way he’d spoken to her, like she was the villain in all of this.“How dare he?” she hissed under her breath. “After everything I’ve done for him! After everything I’ve given up to be with him! He thinks he can threaten me — scare me into apologizing to Emma? To that woman and her brat?”Isabel sat quietly on the chair as she watched her daughter paced around in anger.“Allison…” Isabel finally spoke. “Trust me, it wouldn’t hurt to just —”But before Isabel could even finish talking, Allison cut her off. “Apologize?” she asked. “You too, Mom? So now you’re siding with them? When I need you the most, when I need my own mother to stand by me — you’re here telling me to apologize?”Isabel opened her mouth to speak, but the words faltered under the weight of her daughter’s bitter glare.“I don’t need your advice i
Isabel nodded slowly. “You heard me. First, he gave Claire 5% of the company shares, and now he’s planning to hand over the manor too. Can't you see the handwriting on the wall?”Allison’s throat tightened. Her hands curled into fists on her lap. She could hardly believe what she was hearing. How could this be happening? How could Emma, after all these years, still manage to take everything away from her? And now her daughter too was being pushed right into the place Allison had tried to hold onto for herself and for Henry.It wasn’t fair. None of it was.The jealousy twisted painfully inside her. "Emma always takes everything," Allison muttered bitterly. "She always does.”Isabel’s gaze lingered on her daughter, as if she were staring at a reflection of her own past. She could see it all written across Allison’s face — the sharp glint of hatred, and that silent burn of anger… Isabel knew that feeling all too well.When she married Mathew, stepping into the life Emma’s mother had lef
Allison was busy going through her phone in the hospital ward, trying to kill the boredom surrounding her, when she suddenly heard the door open. She looked up, and her eyes met her mother’s. Isabel stepped inside with her usual calm expression, closing the door gently behind her.For a second, neither of them spoke. Isabel walked over and placed her handbag on the chair before sitting down beside her daughter.“Mother,” Allison greeted, putting her phone aside and straightening up a little.Isabel returned her greeting with a soft nod, her sharp eyes scanning her daughter’s face, as though trying to read her emotions. After a short silence, Isabel spoke first.“How’s Henry doing?” she asked in a quiet tone.Allison sighed, her face pulling into a tired frown. “The doctor said his heart was a bit weak from too much running around. That’s what made him collapse, but... they assured me he’s getting better.”Isabel gave a small nod, her fingers lightly tapping against the armrest. “That
Emma?David stepped onto the terrace, his eyes immediately drawn to a figure curled up in the corner.Emma sat there, her back against the wall, knees drawn to her chest, and her face buried in her arms. Her shoulders trembled with each silent sob. The sight of her like this tugged at David's heart.He approached slowly, careful not to startle her. Without saying a word, he sat down beside her, leaving a respectful distance. The silence between them was heavy, but not uncomfortable. Emma didn’t lift her head right away. She stayed still for a long moment, her face hidden behind her arms, as the tears quietly soaked her sleeves. She could feel David’s presence sitting beside her without saying a word. He didn’t rush her or ask questions. He simply waited.Finally, after what felt like forever, Emma slowly raised her head. Her eyes, red and swollen from crying, met his. There was no need for words between them. The moment their eyes locked, without a second thought, he reached out and
David stood by the door, watching quietly as Emma spoke in hushed tones with the doctor treating Claire.He couldn’t hear what was being said, but his eyes stayed fixed on the two of them—on Emma gently rubbing Claire’s back, brushing a few strands of hair from her daughter’s forehead, and then wrapping her in a soft hug. Claire clung to her for a moment before Emma leaned in and kissed her on the forehead.There was something in the way Emma lingered for just a second longer—like she didn’t want to let go for a second.And then, she walked away through the opposite side of the hospital room.David remained where he was, unsure for a moment whether to stay or leave. But something in his chest tugged him forward. Maybe it was guilt. Maybe it was concern. Maybe it was something he didn’t even want to name.He slowly stepped into the room.Claire was sitting up on the hospital bed, her small fingers toying with the edge of the blanket covering her. She looked up when she heard his footst
David stepped out of Henry’s room, the door clicking softly shut behind him. His hands were stuffed deep into his pockets, his brows knit tightly in thought. He hadn’t even taken more than a few steps before he spotted Emma walking briskly down the hallway toward him, her posture rigid, her expression unreadable. He paused when he saw her. Emma's father had been the one to call him and had told him about the sudden collapse, about how Emma had performed CPR on Henry, and how it was thanks to her that Henry was still alive at all.But Mathew hadn’t told him everything.He hadn’t told him how Allison had managed to pin the blame on Claire and accused the little girl of being responsible.The mere idea felt absurd. Claire? The gentle, sweet, innocent child he'd met? No. That couldn’t be.As Emma neared him, she showed no sign of stopping. She looked straight ahead as if he wasn’t even there. David saw the slight tension in her jaw, the determination in her eyes. She was angry…rightful