Realization dawned on Aurora. "Oh, I see. Well then, let's go to another store." Vicky frowned. "It's fine. The wedding jewelry has already been custom-made by the Harrisons." Aurora did not seem to mind. "Even if you already have some custom-made ones, what if you don't like them? As a woman, it's never wrong to buy more accessories." Aurora glanced at her. "I can't help but notice that you don't seem very enthusiastic about getting married. Are you still upset with Elijah?" Vicky's eyebrows twitched. "No." Vicky could not quite figure out the purpose behind Aurora taking her shopping and wondered if Aurora was trying to see if Vicky was lying about the wedding. Vicky was exhausted and she could barely form any coherent thought. Combined with her guilt and unease towards Aurora, she could not remain composed and think clearly. "Since you're not upset, let's go then. Even if we're angry, we still have to get married, right? It's not like we can break up with our respective
A couple stood before a mannequin and the woman pointed at the dress on it with a smile. "What about this one?" The man glanced at it and said endearingly, "We will buy it if you like it." "We've bought too many things. Are you still buying more?" The woman pouted. "We haven’t bought a lot. We still haven't visited a few shops ahead." The woman glanced at him in displeasure. "It's been a while since you came shopping with me." "I've been busy, and you know that." The man wrapped his arm around her waist and kissed her on the cheek. "Don't be mad. I will stay with you today, alright?" The woman beamed. "Promise? You aren't allowed to leave." "Don't worry. I won't go anywhere this time." Just as the two whispered sweet words into each other's ears, a woman's voice sounded from behind them. "Mister Harrisons?" The man froze and turned around, paling when he saw Aurora. "M- Miss Starling?" Aurora glanced at Elijah and then at the woman in his arms. "And who is this...
Aurora watched the scene unfold without much interest before turning to look at Vicky. Even though Vicky's sunglasses and face mask were covering her face, Aurora could still tell that she was not in a good mood. She knew her mind was somewhere else, so she tapped her on the shoulder and said, "It's best to talk to him, lest there be any misunderstanding." Vicky nodded. She was happy to take her suggestion since she had been thinking about how to get out of window shopping for quite a while. "I'll be on my way then." "Okay. Goodbye." … Once she got home, Vicky was about to call Elijah, but he beat her to it. "Vicky, I'm sorry," said Elijah remorsefully. At that moment, Vicky had a splitting headache since she did not get enough rest the previous night. Her exhaustion was compounded by the fact that she still went shopping with Aurora for most of the day. She massaged her temples. "Did you leave in a hurry because of her?" "Yvette and I have made plans to meet up pre
"Miss Starling, where are you right now?" Vicky asked with a frown. "I'm at Neon… Club. Come here right away… I'll be… waiting for you." "Miss Starling…" Vicky wanted to say something else, but Aurora suddenly hung up the phone. Vicky called her again, but she did not pick up this time. Without any other options, Vicky changed out of her pajamas and went to Neon Club to look for Aurora. … In a corner of the Neon Club, Aurora was sitting slumped against the sofa, and in front of her was a mess of empty bottles. Vicky walked over to her and asked, "Miss Starling, are you okay?" At the sound of Vicky's voice, Aurora's eyelashes fluttered before slowly opening her eyes. She must have drunk quite a lot because her eyes were red and unfocused. "Vic… ky… you came!" She beamed a rarely-seen drunken smile at Vicky. "I didn't… expect you… to really come!" Vicky sighed helplessly at the hopelessly drunk Aurora. "Miss Starling, you're drunk. Let me send you home." "Miss Sta
Vicky had first-hand experience of how hard it was to live the life of the rich and famous, so she could understand where Aurora was coming from. Originally, she came to Neon Club to check on Aurora because she was forced to do so. However, after listening to her, she could not help but sit down beside her and asked, "What's your dream, Aurora?" Aurora glanced at her. "Do you like watching series or movies?" Vicky shook her head. She had no interest in either. In fact, she rarely stepped foot inside a cinema. "Actually… I've been working abroad as a D-list actress but… but no matter how hard I try… I couldn't seem to get a breakout role…" "A breakout role?" Vicky was stunned. She found it hard to believe that someone like Aurora was only a D-list actress overseas. After all, given her background, it should not be hard for her to get the role of a female lead in a blockbuster movie. Plus, she had the kind of look that would make people fall in love with her even if she was t
Vicky thought she was still dreaming. It was either that, or she was still drunk. She pinched herself and the pain just made her sober up even further. She then fearfully pushed the man sleeping next to her away. The man's eyes snapped wide open as soon as she did that. He must have been unhappy about being awakened for his expression was one of coldness. "Why did you wake me up?" Tyler asked. He slowly sat up from the bed, and the blanket fell off him, revealing his toned chest that was filled with newly-made scratch marks. Vicky was shocked. She then looked down at herself and discovered that she was naked too. 'Did we… last night… again?' Vicky looked at Tyler in disbelief. "Tyler, what are you doing here?" "You should ask yourself that since you were the one who called me," he answered coldly. "I called you?" Vicky had no recollection of herself doing that. "When did I call you?" Tyler looked at her condescendingly. "Last night. You called me when you were drunk, as
"Let go of me…Ty… Mmph!" All of Vicky's voice and struggle were easily stopped by Tyler when a voice suddenly came from outside the door. "Vicky, are you awake?" Vicky's body instinctively tensed up. She looked at Tyler in disbelief. She had thought that he was the only one who came into her house, so she never expected that Aurora would be in there too. Tyler smiled when he saw just how pale Vicky had become. "I didn't want to leave Aurora in the car, so I brought her into the guest room." This used to be Tyler's house, so he knew the layout of the house very well. Vicky looked at his face, which was very close to hers, and suddenly felt as though he was a stranger, and that made her very afraid. "You should send her on her way if you don't want an audience for our show," said Tyler before kissing her violently on the lips again. Vicky had never felt so humiliated before. Her whole body started trembling while tears rolled down her cheeks. Tyler kissed away her tea
Vicky nodded without thinking. "Yes, just stay in here for the time being." She thought that Tyler would do as she said but instead, he asked, "Why should I?" "What would Aurora think if she saw you coming out of my room?" Having met her a few times, Vicky knew Aurora was no pushover. Also, everyone knew how difficult it was to be friends with an heiress. "Why are you so afraid of her finding out?" Tyler asked back. Vicky was stunned. "Well, aren't you?" "I didn't do anything wrong, so why should I be afraid?" Vicky suddenly laughed out of frustration. "So, you're saying that this is all my fault, and you're the innocent party in this?" "Of course." 'Oh, how I would love to beat him up right now,' thought Vicky. "You were the one who called me, and you were also the one who seduced me. It was all you. Even the last time, you were the one who came into my room," added Tyler. Vicky did not know why, but she found it hard to keep her cool whenever she was around Tyle
[Alright.]Aurora sighed in relief. "Vicky, we've been out for quite a while. Shall we head back?"Vicky glanced at Aurora. "Can we finally go back now?""Yes, we can go back... Huh?" Aurora sensed something was amiss. "Vicky, do you...know something?"Vicky smiled. "Every time I go out with friends, Tyler always bombards me with questions about when I'll be back and insists on picking me up. Strangely, he didn't ask me anything today. Also... I remember that it's my birthday today."Aurora was left speechless as she realized Vicky saw right through her act....By the time they got home, it was starting to get dark outside. Inside the mansion, it was quiet and pitch-black. Suddenly, a warm, yellow candlelight gradually illuminated the darkness, revealing a handsome face."Happy birthday, Vicky," Tyler said.Vicky gazed at the flickering candles, feeling a bit dazed.It was then she remembered that during the early days of their relationship, he had prepared a birthday surpri
Tyler showed great disdain when his wish of getting a daughter was let down. What irritated him most was that this son looked remarkably like him.After recovering from childbirth, Vicky accompanied a newly pregnant Aurora on a shopping trip for baby supplies.Upon hearing Vicky's story, Aurora could not help but ask, "Men are usually happy when they have sons, so why does Tyler prefer daughters?"Vicky sighed. "Tyler says that a family is never really balanced and happy unless they have one son and one daughter."Aurora nodded thoughtfully. "Indeed. Now that you have a son, having a daughter would be perfect. Vicky, have you and Tyler considered responding to the national call and having a third child?"Vicky shook her head. "The last time I gave birth, Tyler wasn't around, so he doesn't know what it was like. This time, he was scared out of his wits and had no intention of having more children. A few days ago, he even underwent a vasectomy."Aurora chuckled. "Daughters may be s
However, everything spiraled out of control.Tyler knew his behavior was despicable, but he could not control his emotions.When he loved, every cell within him longed for her. Every time he came to see her, he told himself it would be the last time. However, he found himself appearing at her house more and more frequently.Tyler knew he was in trouble, and it would not be long before he returned to his former self.Vicky was like a drug to him. Even though he knew that contact with her was toxic, he could not bring himself to let go.He knew she was pregnant with his child, and his most primal desires began to surge, making it impossible for him to resist the urge to make her stay.Vicky listened quietly to his confession, and her heart ached.She could not fight off the urge to hold him; her touch was firm and comforting.He only mentioned a few words about the time he regained consciousness, but Vicky knew he had endured a lot of pain. The fact that he was alive was a miracl
Tyler's lips quivered as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, he fell silent.What was there to say? It was not like he could apologize. The deed had been done, and his apology would not mean anything. Besides, he had no regrets whatsoever.Vicky stared at him. "You tampered with the surveillance, didn't you?""Yes.""And the servants and nannies. They're all under your control, right?"Tyler lowered his gaze. "Yes."Since all of this was real and not a dream, she must have been unconscious when Tyler returned. No matter how soundly she slept, she should have felt something. Since she had to take care of Lufian, she came home every day for meals, so she guessed that something was added to her food.For the past few days, she pretended to eat at home while secretly disposing of her meals. As it turned out, her suspicions were correct.Vicky repeated the question she asked before. "Why didn't you come to me?"Tyler remained silent once again."Did you come here just t
"Are you planning to leave just like that?"The man's body tensed.Click! The desk lamp was turned on, its warm, amber light illuminating the darkness."Why won't you look at me? Are you brave enough to do it but not to admit it?" echoed Vicky's gentle voice.Tyler snapped out of it and instinctively pulled his hand away from hers, ready to escape, only for Vicky's next words to pin him in place."If you leave now, I'll get rid of the baby in me tomorrow."He swiftly froze in place and turned back to her. "What did you just say?"Even though she prepared herself mentally, seeing the shock on his face made Vicky's eyes widen in shock. In an instant, her eyes welled up with tears. "You..."As Tyler met the shock in her eyes, he came to a sudden realization and turned his face away, looking anywhere but at her.When she learned about her pregnancy and knew she had not been dreaming, Vicky had a hunch about who it was that came and went freely into her home. The only one capable o
Vicky began to feel increasingly uneasy. She was pregnant without even knowing who the father was. That had to be one of the most absurd jokes in the world.Aurora, Noah, and the others were bewildered.They knew Vicky's character well, and she was not the type to casually sleep around. Besides, she still had feelings for Tyler, so she would never sleep with another man.Getting drunk was even more out of the question. After all, she was either working or taking care of her child. She had neither the time nor the inclination to go out drinking.Even Vicky herself was bewildered, and her thoughts were in disarray. "I... I don't know."The others exchanged glances, all noticing that Vicky's first instinct was not to terminate the pregnancy."Vicky, go home and think it over carefully. If you need anything, don't hesitate to call us," Aurora said gently.Vicky nodded absently.Back at home, Vicky reviewed the surveillance footage once more.She had watched it numerous times, but
Just then, a dish that Vicky usually enjoyed was brought to the table by the waiter.The aroma filled the air, but Vicky paled instantly. Before anyone could react, she retched and rushed to the bathroom.Everyone exchanged puzzled glances.Cece blinked. "What's wrong with Vicky?"Jennifer furrowed her brow. "Vicky doesn't look well. Is she ill?"The concerned Aurora chimed in, "Ever since Tyler's disappearance, Vicky hasn't been in the best mood. She even suffered from postpartum depression. Let's take her to the hospital after dinner. We can't afford for her to fall ill again."Everyone assumed that something was physically wrong with Vicky, but Noah, who remained silent, spoke up."I remember when Vicky was pregnant last time... She seemed to be very sensitive to certain smells."All eyes turned to Noah.Jennifer's eyes widened. "What are you trying to say, Noah?! You don't mean to suggest that...Vicky might be pregnant, do you?"Under the curious gazes of everyone, Noah c
As Anthony and Jennifer grew up in Lovian, and their families had deep roots there, they had to stay at Lovian as well. However, whenever they had free time, Jennifer often returned to Stoneford City to meet her friends for gatherings and meals.Vicky's birthday was approaching in a few days, and Jennifer came back early for the occasion.Lufian, on the other hand, became the darling of the group, and everyone loved him. Thus, one of the highlights of visiting Zendonia was to see Lufian.On this day, Vicky had some free time and decided to go to the airport to fetch Jennifer.Harvey held Lufian and walked out of Vicky's mansion.He had also come back early to celebrate Vicky's birthday. Like everyone else, he adored Lufian. His priority the moment he returned was to see Lufian, even though Lufian resembled Tyler most uncannily.Harvey carried Lufian and settled into the back seat, preparing to bond with him during the ride. Vicky sat in the driver's seat.Just as they were about
"Lufian is usually very well-behaved. He doesn't cause a fuss and is easy to handle.""Is his name Lufian?""That's right. Lufian Hart."Gloria's gaze flickered briefly but quickly returned to normal. "Have you given him a nickname?""Not yet," Vicky replied.Gloria did not say anything further.After playing with the child for a while, she carefully placed the necklace she had prepared around Lufian's neck.The baby played for a while and soon fell asleep.Gloria then gently returned Lufian to his stroller.Leaving the nursery, Vicky and Gloria engaged in casual conversation. They had no deep-seated grudges, and over time, their past love and hatred gradually faded away.Vicky smiled and remarked, "You seem to really like children. How about having one yourself? A kid would make a good companion for Lufian.""I'd like to, but I haven't found the right person," Gloria lamented.Gloria had been single for years. It was not because she could not forget Tyler or was waiting fo