Derrick was startled when he heard Gillian call him "Daddy." He was too overwhelmed with joy to speak."Here, this is for you, Daddy!" Gillian handed the bouquet she had been holding to Derrick."Thank you, Gillian. I am so—""Mommy, let's go home quickly!" Gillian interrupted, cutting off Derrick before he could express his feelings. The little girl still seemed distant from him.Derrick opened the front passenger door for Sarah, but she insisted, "I'll sit in the back with Gillian," and opened the back door herself, sitting beside her daughter.Derrick's heart sank, but he nodded slightly and closed the front door."Mom, where didDaddy go? Why didn't he come into the auditorium?" Gillian's voice trembled as she asked, seemingly wanting to let out the sadness she had been holding back."He told you he had a sudden meeting, right? Now, let's go home and wait for him there."Gillian weakly nodded and laid her head on Sarah's lap.Sarah's heart ached as she heard Gillian's quiet
"Damn, why is it still so congested on a Saturday?" Troy muttered, occasionally gripping the steering wheel. He was eager to get back home as quickly as possible. Upon finding his phone left in the car, Troy immediately tried to contact Sarah. However, his wife didn't answer. He tried sending a message but received no reply.Troy decided to pass by Gillian's school and stopped to ask one of the security guards."Excuse me! Is the children's performance event still ongoing?""Oh, it ended an hour ago, sir. All the guests have already left," the security guard at the post answered.Hearing the security guard's response, Troy quickly got back into the car and drove home. Throughout the journey, he was filled with anxiety, prompting him to increase the car's speed.In less than fifteen minutes, he arrived home. Troy immediately got out of the car and hurried inside to find Sarah and Gillian."Lily, where is Sarah?" Troy asked Lily, who rushed to meet him in the living room."Madam a
"You... you're not mad?" Troy moved closer and gently caressed Sarah's face.Sarah was momentarily enchanted by Troy's touch. She gazed deeply into his protective, steady eyes. For a moment, she forgot they were about to have a serious conversation."How could I be mad at a man who sincerely loves my children? A man who is always there for me." Sarah returned Troy's gaze intensely.Troy felt a sense of peace at that moment."Thank you, sweetheart!" Troy hugged Sarah tightly, noticing that her body had become a bit fuller.They hugged for a while, as if they were reconnecting after the tension that had built up between them over the past few days. The strain they had both experienced had been emotionally draining, but their longing for each other was undeniable.Now, that longing seemed to overflow, allowing them to momentarily forget the arguments they had been having lately.Slowly, Sarah loosened the embrace. She felt a bit calmer, even though Troy hadn't spoken yet. She could
"Mommy... Mommy...!" Troy suddenly stood up when he heard Gillian's shout from outside.The dining room, which was connected to the living room, made it easy for Troy and Sarah to see Gillian's arrival through the large glass window.From the gate, Derrick could be seen guiding Chloe, while Gillian was skipping toward the porch."Mommy, Chloe is here," Gillian's voice echoed from outside."You continue eating. I'll go out," Sarah quickly headed outside without waiting for a response from Troy.Seeing Derrick on the porch, Troy quickly followed Sarah. When he reached the porch, his gaze immediately fell on the young girl who had been on his mind, filling him with guilt."Gillian... I'm so sorry, sweetheart!" Troy approached the beautiful girl who was on the verge of adolescence.But Gillian froze when she saw her stepfather at the house. Her eyes reflected deep disappointment.Troy's heart pounded. He felt a sharp pain seeing the way Gillian looked at him."Gillian..." Troy tri
"Out late again. Where have you been all day, Erica?"Erica, who had just stepped out of her black Lexus, was startled. Her father was already standing in front of the main door of their home."Dad? Why aren't you asleep yet?" Erica tried to divert the conversation. She was exhausted and didn't want to argue with her dad again. She had spent the entire day following Troy and his family, ending the night at a nightclub she had been frequenting lately."How could I sleep when my daughter is still out? You should have a man accompanying you when you're out this late."Erica began to feel uneasy whenever her dad brought up the topic of her partner. To this day, she hasn't succeeded in fulfilling her father's request to introduce her future husband."Dad, it's late. Let me walk you to your room," Erica said, guiding Michael toward his room. She didn't want him to start discussing her potential husband. She was too tired for that."Wait! I want to talk about our collaboration with Eter
"Are you sure you want to receive that woman, Erica, in your office?" Carrie, who happened to be in Sarah's office, looked worried, even though she didn't know exactly what was happening between Erica and her friend. She had asked Sarah about this several times already. She could see the hesitation on her face. Lately, Sarah had been complaining about the closeness between Erica and Troy.Sarah shook her head, her face expressionless."I'm actually very curious about her reason for meeting me," Sarah replied calmly. But even so, Carrie remained concerned. She sighed heavily a few times. Carrie and Sarah were more than just friends and colleagues; their closeness had developed since before they got married."Should I tell Troy?" Carrie asked again."No need, Carrie. As long as she's coming into my office alone, there's nothing to worry about.""But, Sarah—""It's fine! Don't worry. Leave me alone. She should be here any moment now."Carrie took a deep breath. She looked at Sarah
"We've got trouble. Michael has halted the project. All the workers are demanding accountability. They want the remaining wages as per their contract." Without knocking, Diego burst into Troy's office.Troy had anticipated this would happen. He immediately stood up."It seems we need to meet with Michael right away. I'll negotiate with him." Troy clenched his fists."Wait, Troy. What if his demands are quite heavy this time? Sorry, but I've heard that Erica is interested in you." Diego's gaze seemed to demand an immediate answer.Troy sank back into his chair."It looks like I might have to sell all my assets."Hearing Troy's words, Diego quickly shook his head in despair."Don't make any rash decisions. You should think this through carefully!" Diego spoke softly but with emphasis."I don't have any other options. I can't let Sarah down." Troy spoke quietly, staring blankly ahead."What about the fate of our thousands of employees? What about the project funds we've invested?
"Forgive me! All of this is beyond my control. Please, don't keep torturing me with this guilt, Erica!" Troy's voice trembled. Erica's tears truly broke him. His heart ached and he was utterly confused.Erica's sobs had successfully unsettled him, making it impossible for him to think clearly. For a moment, he was at a loss for words until he spoke softly again."Tell me what I need to do to make amends. But please, don't involve Sarah in this. You know how important she is to me."Hearing Troy's words, Erica closed her eyes. The wound reopened, bleeding once again. She knew she would never be able to have Troy's heart. The love she felt was incredibly painful. As the only child of Michael Lewis, she had everything she needed, except for one thing money couldn't buy—true love. Why couldn't she have the kind of love that other women had? A love that brought happiness. A love where both needed each other."Erica..." At this moment, a sense of pity filled Troy's chest, making him feel