"Are you really dizzy? Why are you so calm?" I touched Albert's forehead with the back of my hand. But his temperature was normal."Stop touching me." He brushed my hand away in irritation."Why are you so grumpy? Did you take the wrong meds?" I tried to joke, even though I saw the seriousness in his face, a face I only just realized was really handsome now that we were close. No wonder so many women were crazy about him.Albert exhaled sharply. Then suddenly, his hazel eyes looked deeply into mine."Joy, why do you never understand my feelings?" he whispered."W-what do you mean?" I started to guess where this conversation was heading.Albert sighed again, longer this time. He looked away for a moment, then locked his eyes with mine. Our gaze was locked. I couldn’t look away from those beautiful hazel eyes."Joy, I've sworn not to lose the love of my life a second time."Albert took my hands and held them. His eyes looked deeply into mine, and I felt an unusual flutter."I've
Albert refused to let me take him home. He got his chauffeur to pick him up from the hospital instead."It's already late; you should go home," Albert said, patting my head.I felt awkward because of his gesture."Thanks for caring about me," he continued, smiling and trying to tease me."Oh, come on! Who's caring? Don't get too full of yourself!" I replied, pretending to be annoyed.Albert laughed again.We parted ways in the hospital lobby. Joshua was already there to pick me up. Suddenly, my phone rang.It was Sofia. I wondered what it was. It was unusual for the house help to call."Hello, Sofia. What's up?""Ma'am... I'm so sorry...""What's wrong, Sofia? Please, tell me quickly!" I panicked, fearing bad news about Gillian, my daughter."Sorry, ma'am. After school, Gillian asked to be taken to her grandmother's house. I tried calling you, but I couldn't reach you. Since Gillian insisted, we went there."I breathed a sigh of relief."Alright, it's okay, Sofia. I’m on m
These past few days, I had a lot on my mind. I was still mulling over the merger with Peterson Group."You really should rethink teaming up with Peterson Group. Don't rush into decisions," Albert said during yesterday's lunch."What do you know about that company?""You and Bradley should really dig into it. Troy's known to play dirty." Albert's words caught me off guard. Was Troy really like that?If he was, I would outright refuse to collaborate with Peterson Group. Regarding the arranged marriage and the company merger, I needed to investigate it myself.As usual, I contacted Carrie, my friend and business partner. She had extensive knowledge of the business world, especially the property sector that I was interested in."Carrie, please gather all the information you can about Peterson Group and send it to me as soon as possible.""Sure thing, Sarah."I hung up with Carrie and called Bradley through the office phone."Hey, Brad, I need an office girl to my office, pronto!"
"Your company is impressive, Troy," I started the conversation."Yes! It's all thanks to my hard work all this time," Troy proudly replied, adjusting his imaginary tie."Sarah, have you made a decision regarding our arranged marriage?""S-sorry! I can't talk about it right now. My company is in trouble." I deliberately baited Troy."What seems to be the problem? How can I help?""It seems like someone wants me to go bankrupt," I replied firmly, observing the response from this overly handsome man."Oh, really? Then I'll send my people to investigate." Troy looked at me with a hint of concern on his face. Only God knows if he was being sincere."It's best not to involve outsiders in your company's internal affairs right now.""What do you mean?" I retorted.Troy just smirked. Could he be referring to Albert? This was such a pain. Why were they both suspicious of each other?"Don't fully trust anyone, Sarah! The business world is cruel. Even those closest to you can be wolves i
"Come on, I'll give you a ride home," Albert offered.With tired steps, I followed Albert who was walking beside me. That earlier incident still had me all tense and a bit emotional.I hopped in and sat in the passenger seat after Albert opened the car door for me. After putting on my seatbelt, Albert revved up the car."Joy, you really scared the heck out of me.""Huh? Scared? Why?" I asked, puzzled."I was scared of losing you....""What's that supposed to mean?" I replied, feeling embarrassed."Do you know? There's this new thing about the Earth not being round," Albert said with a serious face."Huh, seriously? How come I haven't heard about it?" I asked, confused."Because ever since I met you, the Earth became the shape of a heart. Teehee!"Oh, Albert. That was so cheesy! I smiled shyly, too embarrassed to even look at his face. Suddenly, my heart felt all warm. What was this feeling, though?"Joy, you know what the most beautiful night is?""Hmm... the first night?"
[Sarah, it looks like we have to step in and kick Derrick's family out.]This morning, I received a text from Carrie while I was getting ready to head to the office, so I had to pause for a moment.Me: Yea. I really want to kick them out myself. When are those debt collectors heading there again?Carrie: Today.Me: Alright. Let's meet up there then. Bring all the important documents.Carrie: Got it, boss.While waiting for Joshua in the lobby, I messaged Bradley that I'd only be coming into the office in the afternoon."We're not going to the office. We're heading to Gillian's grandma's house.""Got it, Ma’am," Joshua replied.The car headed towards Derrick's house. It did not take long for us to arrive."We'll park here for now," I said to Joshua as the car stopped a few meters away from Derrick's house.Carrie's car was parked up front. She and some debt collectors must be there now. I had better wait for a while before following her inside.It was only 7 a.m.. So Derrick
Author’s P.O.VThe fact that Sarah was ignoring Derrick annoyed the hell out of him. He could not believe she had just walked away after kicking his family out."You're such a snob!" Derrick shouted, still standing at the gate. Then he went back inside because the debt collectors were still there."You have until tomorrow to vacate this house! Understand?" barked one of the biggest, scariest debt collectors."Sir, it's really cruel to give us just one day. We have a lot of stuff!" Kendall protested, glaring slightly."Your boss is heartless!" she added."Enough! Not another word or I'll kick you all out right now!" another debt collector barked.The debt collectors were furious with Kendall's attitude. Meanwhile, Carrie was annoyed seeing Kendall dare to speak up after Sarah left."Watch out! This house better be empty by tomorrow!" the debt collector said firmly.Carrie and the debt collectors left them."Oh, Derrick! What are we going to do? Where are we going to stay? Waaa
Sarah’s P.O.VI was grateful that I was able to buy this house. That way, I finally fulfilled Gillian's earnest request. Carrie took care of everything before her departure to Monteray.I renovated this house so Gillian could feel comfortable and invite her friends over to play.Meanwhile, Ruth and Derrick were renting the unit next door. That homewrecker Kendall was there as well."Sweetheart, I'm going to the office now, okay? You're starting your school break, right?""Yes, Mommy. Be safe on the road!""Okay, sweetie." I kissed her adorable cheeks."Sofia, please take care of Gillian. Don't let her go out alone. If she wants to play or go to her friend’s house, please accompany her.""Yes, Ma'am."I stepped into the car that Joshua had prepared for me earlier.Bobby, the new security guard at my house, ran to open the gate. But when the gate opened, he was stunned to see many neighborhood women gathered right in front of it. They were shopping from the vegetable seller who
Arnold and Erica's faces became tense as they saw the doctor standing in the doorway."How is she, doctor?" Erica couldn't wait to hear about Irene and her baby."Congratulations, sir. You have a healthy baby girl," the female doctor said, and for a moment, Arnold and Erica breathed a sigh of relief.But their faces remained anxious, as they still hadn't heard about Irene's condition."How is the mother, doctor?" Arnold asked, his voice trembling."Are you her husband?" The doctor looked at Arnold intently."Y-yes, doctor," Arnold stammered, feeling guilty for never accompanying Irene to her hospital visits."Sir, Irene's condition is... critical. We are still trying to stop the bleeding. Please pray for her."Arnold was stunned by the doctor's words. He couldn't say anything as the doctor turned and left him and Erica in the waiting room."Oh God, what kind of husband am I? Erica... Erica... Irene is critical. What should I do?" Arnold shook Erica's body in frustration."All
"Irene, are you okay? Is Arnold taking good care of you?" Erica asked in a panic when Irene contacted her. Irene's voice sounded hoarse and rough, making Erica worried."When are you coming back to Jaketon? I want you to be here when I give birth.""Wait, where's Arnold? Is he still not paying attention to you?" Erica's concern grew. She rarely received calls from Arnold, except when there was a work-related issue that needed to be discussed."Arnold... he says he's very busy with work."Erica let out a heavy sigh. From Irene's voice, she suspected Erica was in trouble. But it seemed that the heavily pregnant woman was still keeping things to herself."Alright, Irene. I'll finish my work here. I'll try to come back before you give birth. You and your baby need to stay healthy, okay?""Thank you. Thank you!"After hanging up with Irene, Erica sent a message to Arnold, urging him to be more attentive to Irene. However, Erica did not answer Arnold's calls when he tried to reach her
Sarah squealed as Troy lifted her. Her husband's strong arms carried her bridal-style toward an enormous bed. The beautiful bed was surrounded by thin yet lovely curtains, and sprinkled with rose petals that filled the room with a fragrant aroma."The doctor said we're allowed now, ahem... so, it's okay, right?" Troy gently laid Sarah's body on the luxurious and comfortable bed.Sarah smiled, her face blushing as Troy hovered over her. His face was so close to hers."I've missed you too, Troy!" The beautiful woman wrapped her arms around Troy's neck, and he couldn't wait any longer. He began planting kisses on Sarah's face, which soon turned into passionate lip-locks that he couldn't get enough of.It was unclear who initiated it, but a few minutes later, they had both discarded everything that was on their bodies. Like their first night, they were eager to satisfy each other. The intense expression of love and the deep longing drove Troy wild. He didn't want to miss even an inch o
"Honey, are you awake?" Troy gently caressed Sarah's face. She blinked, just waking up from her sleep. Sarah turned onto her side to face Troy."What time is it?""It's six in the morning. We're still going to the office today, right?"Sarah sat up. "Of course. You're going to the office too, right?""Yes, darling. Oh, by the way, how's the breastmilk stash for Kingsley? Do we have enough?""More than enough," Sarah replied, hurrying to the bathroom to freshen up. Unbeknownst to her, Troy quietly followed her into the bathroom, which she had forgotten to lock. Ever since giving birth to Kingsley, Sarah usually remembered to lock the door."Troy!" Sarah squealed, surprised to see Troy standing behind her just as she was undressing.Troy's heart raced at the sight of his wife's body, which he hadn't touched in almost two months. This morning, Troy felt bold enough to approach Sarah, especially after the doctor confirmed yesterday that she had fully recovered. She had also complete
"Are we going home now, honey?" Irene asked as she sat up on the gurney. The IV needle had just been removed from her hand. Her face still looked pale."Just a moment," Arnold replied curtly without turning to look at her, making Irene take a deep breath to ease the pain that kept gnawing at her. Since Erica left, Irene noticed that Arnold had been pacing back and forth, trying to call someone on his phone. She guessed he was trying to reach Erica, but she wasn't answering.Irene sat silently, waiting for Arnold, who was still pacing in front of her. Theresa, who had promised to return, ended up not coming back."Alright, let's go home. Can you walk?" Arnold asked as he watched Irene, who was struggling to get down from the gurney with her weak body."Excuse me, ma'am, please use this wheelchair. Your body is still very weak." An ER staff member offered a wheelchair. Irene, who had just stood up from the gurney, slowly sat down in the wheelchair. The staff then pushed the wheelchai
"Yes, congratulations again on your wife's pregnancy. If the observations go well, she can go home this evening."Arnold only nodded at the doctor's explanation. He remained silent even after the doctor left the room. What he had just heard was completely unexpected."H-honey, aren't you happy that I'm pregnant?" Irene asked in a trembling voice. Her chest felt tight, unable to find any trace of happiness on Arnold's face after hearing about her pregnancy. Instead, she saw confusion and surprise. Irene tried to suppress the sadness and disappointment she felt."Is it because it's not Erica who's pregnant?" Irene asked again, this time steeling herself to hear Arnold's response."Don't overthink it. Mom and Dad will be thrilled. I'll go out for a bit." Arnold quickly left Irene and headed to the waiting area in front of the ER.'It's only his mom and dad who are happy. Arnold isn't.' Irene clutched her chest, which felt overwhelmingly tight, trying to hold back her tears. She strug
Diego hugged Carrie tightly. His heart was finally at ease. The different traumas they had both been struggling with had finally been overcome.The same was true for Carrie. Since she had been secretly seeing a psychiatrist a month after marrying Diego, the trauma from her past had gradually faded. The beautiful woman with reddish hair had slowly been able to forget the painful memories of her past after several months of treatment. However, she was reluctant to be upfront with Diego about her recovery. She also felt too proud to make the first move or ask Diego not to leave her in bed."Where are you going, honey?" Carrie clutched her husband's strong arm one night while they were being intimate. But Diego still got up and left her."Sorry, Carrie. I-I just can't..."Carrie was stunned by her husband's rejection. She couldn't understand why Diego kept choosing to satisfy his desires in the bathroom."Should I just tell him that I'm better now? Shouldn't he realize that I'm no lon
"Why are you in such a hurry, honey? Weren't you supposed to stay here for three days?" Irene had been watching Arnold eat quickly since he left the bedroom. Her husband hadn't said much since then. The sweet words or loving gestures that should be present between newlyweds were completely absent for Irene. It was as if Arnold had already forgotten what happened last night.Arnold didn't answer. He only glanced briefly at Irene, who was sitting across from him. A few minutes later, he got up, grabbed his car keys from the table, and said, "I'm leaving. Don't wait for me!" Without waiting for Irene's response, Arnold hurried out to his car. He only gave a brief glance at Irene, who was watching him leave with an unreadable expression. But Arnold didn't care. His mind was entirely focused on Erica. He felt guilty about his first wife.'Erica, forgive me. What did I do last night? What if Irene really gets pregnant? It will be difficult to divorce her later.' Arnold ran his hands thro
Irene was still sobbing, her back turned to Arnold. She lay there, trying to endure the pain, not just physically but also emotionally. Without realizing it, Arnold had mentioned Erica's name at the end of their bedroom session, which made Irene's pain multiply tenfold.Arnold quickly fell asleep from exhaustion beside Irene. He felt relieved that the desire he had been harboring since that morning was finally satisfied. Although it was Erica he truly wanted, Irene was still legally his wife.After crying her heart out, Irene tried to get up and clean herself. Slowly, she sat at the edge of the bed, reached for her clothes, and put them on again.She remembered her mother-in-law's request earlier that morning. Drew had called her and spoke over the phone."Irene, you need to get pregnant as soon as possible! We know Arnold hasn't touched you yet. You have to make him sleep with you!" Drew's words over the phone had shocked Irene."Mom... how do you know... that I haven't been... t