Vicky did not pick up and soon after, Tyler sent her a text message.[If you get back here now, I can pretend that this never happened.]Vicky ignored his text and pretended it didn't exist.She thought that Tyler would continue to call or text her to threaten her, but Tyler fell into absolute silence afterward.A peaceful week went by before Vicky received a call from Aurora, who had not contacted Vicky for a while either."Vicky, have you gone home recently?""No," Vicky said."Oh. So you haven't been home either?"Vicky keenly sensed the implications in Aurora's words. "Miss Starling, are you not with him?""Yeah, I went for an audition, remember? The director called me in the evening and said I got the part. I'm on set now." Aurora's tone was light and cheerful.'If Aurora has been filming, then who is taking care of Tyler?' Vicky thought.Aurora quickly answered Vicky's confusion, "Because of the filming, Tyler and I had a big fight. He hasn't answered my calls for a we
Mister Harrisons seemed unwilling to bring it up again, and waved his hand in dismissal. "Never mind, let's not talk about that for now. The main reason we came here today is to take you and your grandmother away from here.""Leave... What do you mean?"Elijah's tone was heavy. "This place has already been mortgaged by us. Tonight will be our last dinner in this old house. After we finish eating, you and Grandma will have to pack your things. We're moving elsewhere."Vicky had not expected the situation to be so severe that they had to mortgage their property. Worried, she asked, "Isn't this old mansion a heritage of the Harrisons? Hasn't it been here for generations? Are we really giving it up just like that?"Mister Harrisons shot her a bitter smile. "In a few days, our family name will be gone, let alone this house. Not ending up on the streets would be considered fortunate for us."As they were speaking, Old Madam Harrisons was also brought down by the servant.When everyone
Moreover, they had been deceiving Old Madam Harrison all along, which made Vicky feel guilty. It felt like she was taking advantage of this opportunity to redefine her relationship with Elijah.With these thoughts in mind, Vicky did not argue and lowered her gaze, before taking the bracelet she was wearing off. "Grandma, please, I should return this bracelet to you..."Old Madam Harrison pushed the bracelet back. "A gift given away should not be taken back. From the moment I offered you this bracelet, it became your possession.""Grandma, this bracelet is a precious heirloom of the Harrisons. I can't accept it."Old Madam Harrison smiled. "When I said it was a family heirloom, it was just to let Elijah know that you are the granddaughter-in-law I have chosen, and that he shouldn't treat you casually. This is a gift from me to you, regardless of the situation... you should accept it."Vicky became even more hesitant about accepting it upon hearing her words. "Even if this bracelet
Past the door, the hall was empty and deserted with nothing but the gentle moonlight shining across the floor, casting a silvery glow.This was the place she had called home for four years, and even with her eyes closed, she could navigate it with ease.She did not turn on the lights, but instead ventured forward in the darkness, ascending the stairs.The house was quiet, and the sound of her footsteps sounded particularly crisp. As she pushed open the bedroom door, Vicky sensed that something was amiss.A scent that did not belong to her room hit her immediately.She widened her eyes, and suddenly caught sight of a tall and slender figure standing by the windows.In the darkness, the crimson flame at the end of his cigarette flickered intermittently.At the same time, a whiff of smoke drifted into her nostrils.Instinctively, Vicky reached for the switch on the wall and light instantly illuminated the room, causing her to squint her eyes until she adjusted to the new scene.O
"That works best, doesn't it?" He caressed her cheek gently. "Look at you. You came back, didn't you?"She slapped his hand out of the way in disdain.She had already lost all expectations and hopes for Tyler. Now that he blackmailed her into compliance, it disgusted her even further.A man of his status had plenty of ways to force her back into the house, but he chose the nastiest way to settle the score."You disgust me, Tyler Hart!" She said coldly.He did not seem to care about the resentment she spewed and chuckled. "Want to stab me again?"With the Harrisons at Tyler's mercy, Vicky dared not to act recklessly. "What on earth do you want, Tyler?""You know what I want."Vicky clenched her fists, raising her gaze. "So, you just wanted to keep sleeping with me?"There was no trace of surprise or satisfaction on Tyler's face, as if everything was just as it should be as he said casually, "Old Madam Harrison is reaching the end of her life and yet has to endure such suffering
Vicky looked up at him. "You don't want to be a murderer, do you?"Tyler stared at her quietly for a moment, before saying, "Seeing how you performed well today, I can let the Harrisons off the hook. For now.""For now?""That's right. If you upset me again, the Harrisons will suffer again."Vicky's heart sank.With Cece and Jennifer gone, Tyler had resorted to using the Harrisons as his hostage."For how long?" She said abruptly."What?""How long do you want me to keep sleeping with you?""Obviously, until I lose interest in y-"Before he could finish, Vicky interrupted him."Our arrangement ends on the day of your wedding." Determination and resolve flickered in her eyes. "If you still want to use the Harrisons to pressure me into doing what you want after your wedding day, then I'll just let you be."Tyler was somewhat surprised. "You don't care about the Harrisons anymore?"Vicky's tone was calm. "I don't want to hurt one person for the sake of another. Besides, if th
Both of them refrained from mentioning their "engagement" as that was conveniently the best way for them to end their arrangement. After a brief exchange, Vicky hung up the phone. After getting up, Vicky went to the bathroom to freshen up. As she looked at the previously empty bathroom, she was slightly stunned for a few seconds. There were some men's items in sight, including towels, toiletries with men's toothpaste, and toothbrushes. Even the bathrobe in the bathroom had an additional one in Tyler's size. Before their divorce, Tyler's belongings were always there even if Tyler did not stay at home often. After they filed for a divorce, Vicky cleared away all of Tyler's belongings. With the absence of those men's items, there was always a sense of emptiness, as if something was missing. However, Vicky had already gotten used to it after some time. Hence, the sight of his belongings somehow showing up in her house once more made her feel uneasy. Stepping out of the bathroom
"Fine. Even if you want to stay in my house to recuperate, why did you move your things into my room? If I remember correctly, your room is downstairs!" Vicky questioned him through gritted teeth. Tyler replied calmly, "The guest room is too small. It's not very comfortable to live in. Since none of you are here, I can naturally choose whichever room in the entire mansion I want to stay in." "Tyler, that house is mine, not yours." "As of this moment, that house is still under my name." It was only then that Vicky remembered. Although they had signed an agreement stating that the house belonged to her, the name on the deed had not been changed. "Would you like for me to move out, then, Mister Hart?" Tyler replied in a flat tone, "There's no need for that. Once my wound is completely healed, I will leave your house." "Tyler, how can you be so shameless?!" "I'm shameless because of you. If you didn't stab me and refused to take responsibility, I wouldn't have resorted to t
[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