"She's pregnant." Joshua told the news to his family, as well as Clarice's family as he asked them all to pay attention to him. Without further ado, he simply told them the news.Their expressions were clearly shocked that their marriage had already been presented with the good news of Clarice's pregnancy."What did you say?" asked Terry, wanting Joshua to repeat himself.His mother looked surprised and he wanted to make sure she hadn't misheard him. And Joshua looked at Clarice. "Do you want to say it again for me, Baby?"Clarice nodded her head and looked at Terry and in turn at the others. "I'm pregnant with Joshua's child, Terry."The sound of a happy crowd clapping their hands echoed in the ballroom. Terry didn't have any reaction, but that didn't matter to Clarice and Joshua, as they knew what Terry's attitude towards Clarice was like."Congratulations, Clarice and Joshua!" shouted Jessy. "We are so happy knowing that our family is growing!"Clarice smiled even though under the
"Are you sure you can make me love you?" asked Clarice, after she had finished breakfast for Joshua."I'm very sure. Even before I got you, I was sure you would marry me. And it happened." He looked so cool when he said that like he already prepared it since who knew.Clarice's lips seemed to lock suddenly. Somehow Joshua was so sure of everything that he managed to get her and marry her. Was he doing some kind of affirmation or something? It was like Clarice was horrified by Joshua's level of confidence.He chuckled at the seriousness in Clarice's expression. He even stole a kiss on her cheek, making her cheeks flush again."Let's have a shower together, wife, and stop thinking about something you don't know the answer to."It would be a daily activity for Clarice and Joshua after they officially became husband and wife. Showering together, making love in the morning, having breakfast together, and many other things that Clarice had yet to experience. One thing that Joshua was oblig
Joana laughed at Clarice's expression as she couldn't answer her question. She knew the mind and expression of a woman who liked someone but was reluctant to reveal it, as seen in her expression. Unfortunately, Joana couldn't conclude directly in front of Clarice, because she knew how Clarice was trapped by her boss in the first place."Forget it, Clarice. I want to keep you company at my boss's apartment," Joana said, diverting."Hmm? He didn't tell me you were coming here.""Well, he's been calling me since this morning, actually."Clarice didn't know if this was Joshua's way of keeping her immobilized, or if it was so she could have a friend. Yet before leaving, Joshua had given her the car keys to use wherever she wanted."Does that mean you're not working?" asked Clarice.Joana waved her hand in front of Clarice. "Don't worry, my boss aka your husband is good at working alone without a companion. In fact, he often works alone without me."Somehow, hearing Joana refer to him as 'y
"I–I don't feel that way at all, Joana. Oh, whatever. You'd better wait here. I'll just be a minute." Clarice opted to get out of the car when she finally reached Joel's grave. At least she could tone down her embarrassment in front of Joana. Being with Joana was enough to make her tense, just as she was with Joshua. Maybe because they were work partners, so she felt they were the same in some ways. After Clarice bought the flowers, she went to Joel's grave where she was surprised by someone who was there. Terry Archer. Joshua and Joel's mother. Clarice stood where she was without daring to take a step forward. She hoped Terry wouldn't notice her, but she would have noticed her anyway since she was leaving after her visit. There was no greeting from Clarice or Terry. Both of them were still looking at each other and showing expressions that were hard to understand. Terry even occasionally gazed at Clarice's stomach, where her future grandchild was in her daughter-in-law's belly.
"I heard you went to Joel's grave," Joshua said, opening the conversation as they arrived at a fancy restaurant. The restaurant was deserted, with only a few glamorous-looking patrons, indicating that the restaurant Clarice and Joshua went to was for people who could afford the bill."Hmm, yeah. Joana told you.""You should have asked my permission first, Clarice."Clarice glanced at him as she read the menu. "I thought you would let me, Joshua. Like you said at the beginning.""I did. But even so, when you plan to go somewhere, just let me know. I don't want anything to happen to my wife. I forgive you this time, but next time, let me know where you're going even if it's just through a message."Clarice nodded her head. It was like she did something wrong, which made him have to forgive her. If her husband had set the rules, then she had to abide by them, and wasn't that the way it should be?"Answer when I speak, Clarice. I don't need gestures or signs. You have a mouth and can spea
Joshua saw the confusion and shock on his wife's face. He felt her face look cute and sweet, which seemed to turn him on day after day. He also couldn't wait to get to their mansion and do hot and sweaty things there.Suddenly, Clarice covered her mouth, making Joshua feel strange. "What's wrong?""I need to use the restroom!" Clarice stood up and went to the restroom where she first had to ask the waiter where the restroom was.Joshua followed her. Of course, he didn't want anything bad to happen to his wife. And anyone seeing a man heading towards the ladies' room, like Joshua, was not unusual. Apart from the fact that the patrons were wealthy, they also had the power if one of the employees dared to interfere.Clarice was rather surprised to see Joshua following her as she vomited in the sink. "Ugh, don't look! It will disgust you" said Clarice, feeling embarrassed.In fact, Joshua had seen it and he never felt disgusted if it came out of Clarice. That was the love he had for Clari
It was the first night at the Mansion. Yeah ... the mansion that Joshua had built and bought as his place of love to be with Clarice. When they got out of the car, Joshua momentarily let Clarice admire the mansion with a stunned expression. Joshua leaned against the car with his hands in his pockets. Then he remembered Clarice's wish to be carried into the house like a newlywed. The smile on his face was obvious. "Woah! Jo–Joshua!" cried Clarice, who was surprised by Joshua's sudden gesture of carrying her. "Isn't this what you wanted, Mrs. Archer?" They were very close. Not even once did Joshua's face show that he was struggling or finding it hard to carry Clarice. As if Clarice was just a light thing to carry, he didn't feel heavy at all. "B–but what if someone sees us?" "Like I care, huh?" Joshua started walking into the mansion while carrying her. His heart felt good about himself being able to touch his wife. Moreover, the distance was so close that he couldn't stop poundi
After finally getting the Kebab, for which Joshua had to drive around New York City, Clarice ate it in the car. But she only ate three bites, after which she gave it to Joshua without any guilt on her face. Joshua accepted the Kebab with surprise as he looked at her. "I've had enough. Now, let's go home," Clarice said. "So you told me to finish it?" "Yeah. Just finish it. I want to see you eat that Kebab all the way through." That night was the strangest night for Joshua. When he had never felt anything like this from any woman, and this was the first time since he had been with Clarice that she had ordered him to do so, he found it strange. But as a wish from his wife, Joshua ate the Kebab as he drove the car. And when the food was finished in his hand, he saw Clarice already asleep by his side. Joshua chuckled as he shook his head. "Are you craving or playing with me, Clarice? How can I do what you tell me to do?" he said, as Clarice slept. After they got to the mansion, Jos
Clarice cried after she heard the judge's decision that Joshua's sentence could not be commuted or even reduced. Because Joshua committed a murder that left two victims dead, Joshua was sentenced to life imprisonment.Clarice immediately left the courtroom and chose to take a deep breath of air outside. Her body shook with unceasing crying. Her chest felt so tight that she couldn't bear to see Joshua in person forever.Then Darren came and touched her shoulder. Clarice immediately turned around and looked at him. "What?" she asked."He's waiting for you. Meet him, I think he wants to have you at a time like this. He needs you, Clarice."Clarice almost refused. Yeah ... she wasn't in the mood to meet her husband for now, but what Darren said was true. She just needed to strengthen her heart more to face her husband.A big part of Clarice also blamed herself because if she hadn't told Joshua that she would be relieved if he confessed at the police station, then the life sentence wouldn't
A month without Joshua in her life still leaves Clarice struggling to cope with new days. She continued to visit the prison and even the phone calls from Joshua came every day. Clarice always considered her visits to the prison as a form of encouragement for her even if it only lasted for a few hours, because she was honestly never satisfied with that limited communication.Her relationship with Darren was also still going on as it should. Clarice continued to think of Darren as her mentor while Darren always secretly monitored Clarice's condition when she was away from him because he thought that was what Joshua wanted from Clarice; to be safe when she was away from him.Clarice finally managed to understand some of Joshua's work after a month of learning from Darren. She was glad that she understood so quickly that she didn't have to keep calling Darren or meeting him because all she wanted to do was get away from Darren.Joana had even started living at the Mansion as well so they
Darren put Clarice on his bed. He took off her high heels and covered her with a blanket. Sighing and massaging the bridge of his nose, he stared at Clarice for a few moments. He felt that this was the first time he would have a special relationship with his best friend's wife. All this time he had been with other women who were different and single of course. Then fate made him have to have business with Clarice. Joshua's offer was tantalizing, any man who saw Clarice would immediately want to agree to the offer. But his little heart said it was difficult."How can you share your wife with me just because you're in jail, Joshua?" he asked as he looked at Clarice who had fallen asleep due to drunkenness. "What if I fall for her, Joshua? Doesn't that make our friendship break?"This time Darren restrained himself. He rolled out the bed cover on his couch and picked up a pillow. He lay down on it and closed his eyes to sleep.The next morning Clarice woke up, opening her eyes slowly. S
Clarice drove her car to the prison where Joshua was. She had the desire to visit Joshua every day when she finished work or when she was free. Unfortunately, she didn't bring Axcel this time as she went straight to the place. She smiled to herself just thinking about seeing Joshua. She even tidied up her appearance and wanted to show off a little to Joshua that she was now a career woman. Even though Clarice was still upset with Joshua about the talk about Darren and her, she was still going to see him.Clarice waited in the meeting room with her body sitting up straight and her heart beating fast."Hey, gorgeous," greeted Joshua who Clarice had been missing for the past day.Clarice stood up and hugged him immediately. She even aggressively kissed him blindly, not caring about some of the other visitors.Joshua then pulled away realizing that Clarice's lust had peaked. "Hey, are you alright, Clarice?" Joshua asked. They ended up sitting together, side by side with Clarice's head on
"Alright, Clarice ... based on the expression on your face, I think Joshua told you about you and Darren things. Is that right? I mean, no offense because I was told by him too so as not to be surprised if something happens between you two," Joana said quickly in one breath.Clarice's eyes widened in shock. "He told you that too?! What the hell is he doing?! I got so upset when he said things like that to me. I mean ... How could he—"Clarice chose not to continue because she was honestly embarrassed and didn't know what to do. Just the thought of her being with her husband's best friend made her shudder with horror because it was tantamount to cheating on her."Look, Clarice ... I've been in the position of not being able to have sex a few times. So sometimes I choose to have one-night stands with other men on different nights. I mean, I just want to say that staying horny is not fun."Clarice sighed as she rolled her eyes. Her hands were clasped around her waist and she seemed to be
Accompanied by Joana and Darren, Clarice entered the police station and began to meet Joshua who was now wearing an orange suit which means he was now a prisoner. Clarice, Joana, and Darren stood tensely as they waited for Joshua to appear. Although there were chairs and tables, they were not interested in sitting down until they saw Joshua in person.Joshua arrived shortly after they had waited. Handcuffed and then released to meet his friends and family, the warden left him behind."Boss … I'm glad you okay," Joana said, sounding sad."Joshua, I'm going to try to get you out of here as soon as possible," Darren said without any reply.There was only Clarice who didn't say anything but remained silent with her body trembling and her eyes filled with tears.Joshua looked at her with a smile that was so strange to Clarice's eyes. Yeah ... they looked at each other but Clarice saw a different smile from him. A sad smile that Joshua had never shown in his life."No hugs for your now con
Her eyes flickered as she sighed looking up at Joshua. And Clarice knew the meaning of that look, that Joshua wanted her to talk about what she was feeling. "So," Joshua said with a sigh, then sat back in his chair, "what haven't you told me about how you feel lately, Baby?"Like she was in a game where she had to choose one or the other, Clarice really couldn't choose. She was so reluctant to even tell him what was bothering her that her tears came, falling.Joshua quickly stood up and his burly hands touched her wet cheeks and wiped them. "Hey, what have I done to make you cry, Baby?"That was the problem. Clarice's lips were almost closed and she couldn't open them. She couldn't say it because she didn't want to hurt his feelings."Look, if something is bothering you lately, you should tell me immediately. And if it's because of me, I'll be prepared to listen.""That's the point, Joshua! I can't! I can't tell you how I feel these past few days!" responded Clarice quickly. "I can't
The year of Axcel's birth was the biggest celebration Clarice has ever had in her life. She didn't even expect that her son's birthday would be celebrated as big as her wedding with Joshua But she's happy that it was the celebration he deserved.Although Clarice initially told Joshua that there was no need for a big celebration, Joshua made their son's birthday celebration a big one with the help of Joana who was always ready whenever Joshua needed her."So, what about all this? Do you like it?" asked Joshua, whispering at her side.Clarice smiled without looking at him but at the festivities of Axcel's birthday."It's too much. But I'm happy. Well, I don't even know if Axcel understood his birthday or not because he's only one year old."Joshua put his arm around her shoulders and squeezed gently. "It doesn't matter if he understands or not, the important thing is that we try our best for him, Clarice, and we made a picture moment with him.The smile on Clarice's lips was always ther
They returned to the mansion just the two of them. This time they again left Axcel at Harry and Flora's house because Joshua felt that he and Clarice needed to rest without interruption.Actually, Clarice had never minded Axcel's presence at the Mansion even when she was tired. But she knew that she couldn't defy Joshua's orders which sometimes she really couldn't refuse."Would you like a warm bath? I'll prepare it for you, Clarice," Joshua said, looking at his wife with a tired face."Hmm, yeah. I think that's a good idea. I'll rest for a while until you finish preparing the warm water," Clarice said.Joshua watched her until she lay down on the bed and then he went into the bathroom and started preparing the bathtub for them to soak in together.When Joshua came out of the bathroom, he saw Clarice already asleep on the bed, snoring softly. Joshua didn't have the heart to wake her up because Clarice looked so peaceful in her sleep.Joshua then decided to take a shower first to clean