"What's going on? Who are they? Why are they in front of my house?"I panicked seeing several men and women in front of the gate. Some of them were holding cameras."Reporters and some from TV stations," Troy hissed without taking his eyes off the crowd not far from us."What? Reporters?" My eyes widened again seeing those people. Troy started driving the car closer."Tighten the coat you're wearing. We're getting out!" Troy urged."I don't want to. What do they want anyway?" I asked, panicking."How long are we going to stay here? They are news hunters. They won't leave until they get what they want.""This is definitely because we went to the mall earlier," I regretted.Troy glanced at me. I had already adjusted the coat I was wearing, covering the front of my body completely.Troy's car was almost right in front of the gate. All eyes suddenly turned towards us."Don't get out yet. Wait for me to open the door for you. Don't say anything and don't deny whatever I say later,
"Mom, what are you and Uncle Troy doing?" Suddenly, Gillian looked at us alternately in confusion.We were startled and immediately kept our distance. I tried to regain my composure.That was way too close! Besides, what was Troy trying to do by getting so close?"M-mommy had something in her eye. I was trying to clean it. Your poor mommy was crying," Troy answered, making me glare at him again.Gillian nodded in understanding. She looked at my eye, which Troy had just pointed to."Don't cry, Mom! Let Uncle Troy clean it," Gillian said in an adult-like manner, making Troy and me chuckle."Where's Baby Prince, Mom?" she asked as she walked towards Prince's room."Prince just fell asleep, sweetie. Go eat and then rest, okay?"My daughter nodded and walked into her room. One of my housekeepers followed her to the room.Troy looked at me again."Were you... crying because you miss Albert?" he asked softly."Hmmm... maybe," I replied awkwardly.If only he knew I was crying becau
Troy’s P.O.VI smiled as I opened my social media account on my phone. The photo of Sarah and me was the hottest news this morning."Hmm... beautiful!" I murmured unconsciously as I gazed at the woman standing beside me in the picture.Even though she already had two children, Sarah was still very beautiful and well-maintained. Her tall model-like figure and her lovely curves made my imagination soar every time I looked at her.Starting today, news about my closeness to Sarah would surely be a hot topic.I smiled happily. I wanted to see how Sarah would react after this.Suddenly, there was a knock on my office door."Come in!"As the door opened, Elena walked in carrying an invitation."Good morning, Mr. Peterson. Tonight there's an invitation for the grand opening of the Carla Hotel from Livingstone Property. You should attend since Ms. Carol Livingstone, the owner of the company, personally invited you yesterday.""Ms. Livingstone came here yesterday?" I asked, surprised.
"Welcome, Ms. Johnson!" A man in a safari suit greeted me at the grand opening of the Carla Hotel. The owner of this hotel was one of my company's business partners. Carol Livingstone, the beautiful owner of Livingstone Property, had met me several times during meetings."Thank you," I replied.I walked toward the hotel's ballroom. Almost all the guests came in pairs. Perhaps I was the only one who came alone to this event. Besides, I didn't have a partner, right?"Woah. Our CEO is getting more beautiful. By the way, Ms. Johnson, I heard that you’re close to that handsome actor Troy Peterson.” said a businessman who came with his wife."Don't believe the gossip!" I retorted with a soft laugh."Why didn't you bring that handsome actor with you, Sarah?" another guest asked."Yeah, we also want to meet him. Right, dear?"Laughter echoed from the women around me.This was all because of that news on social media. This was all because of what Troy had said.I stepped away from th
"Troy…" I tried to struggle as his strong hands gripped my arms. But my strength was nothing compared to Troy, whose body was twice the size of mine.Troy looked at me intensely.Why was my heart beating faster?We stared at each other for a few seconds. Our faces were only inches apart. I could feel his breath rising and falling. I could hear his heartbeat quickening."Erk-hem!" I snapped out of it and tried to break the silence by clearing my throat. I turned away. I really couldn't bear to look at him for long."Sarah... Why did you suddenly leave? Are you upset seeing me with Carol? Do you... not like seeing me with another woman?"I was still silent. Truly shocked to hear his questions, all of which were true."Please answer me. Am I right?" I was startled again by Troy's words."Don't be ridiculous! Besides, I have no right to be upset when you're with your fiancee. You're being absurd. I'm going to change my clothes now."I managed to free myself from his strong hands
"Calvin, I'm not going to the office today. If there's anything important, contact me on my phone!" "Alright, Ms. Johnson," Calvin replied from the other side. After dawn, I nursed Prince until he fell back asleep. Not only did he fall asleep, but I also unknowingly dozed off again. I don't know why, but I had a hard time falling asleep last night. After Troy left, my mind became restless. Seeing Troy's unusual behavior made me anxious. Even the usual goodnight text he sent every night didn't come last night."Mommy... Wake up! Uncle Troy is here to take us to the villa!" Gillian suddenly burst into my room. My daughter had the day off today because the upper classes were having exams. So, Troy took the initiative to take us on a trip."W-what? Uncle Troy is here?" I gasped at Gillian's words.Glancing at the clock, it was just seven in the morning."Gillian, please tell Sofia to prepare breakfast for Uncle Troy. I'll take a shower first. Ask him to start breakfast without me!"
"Gillian, sit up front with Uncle Troy, okay?" I tried to persuade Gillian."No, Mom. I want to play with my dolls in the back." Gillian had already taken the back seat with her three dolls.Troy chuckled."Stop fighting over the seats. Give way to the kids!" Troy smiled and teased me.I just sighed."I'm worried that Prince might get fussy and want to nurse. There are only two bottles of milk left."He opened the door for me and Prince in the front seat."Don't worry. If Prince gets fussy, we’ll stop somewhere for you to nurse later," Troy countered casually.I clicked my tongue. As if it was so easy to find a place to nurse!Prince was still sound asleep in my lap. He was getting heavier and taller. Prince looked very much like Albert. He was handsome, and his smile could make any woman’s heart flutter."Why are you smiling while looking at Prince?"I turned to see that Troy was already beside me and had started the car engine."Are you missing his dad?" Troy asked quietl
Troy’s P.O.V"The woman isn’t your wife, is she?" Grace looked at me with a suspicious gaze.I shook my head."Good to know she isn’t," Grace smiled widely.‘Sarah is not my wife now. But someday she will be. She will give birth to my children. We will have many children, and our palace will be even more crowded.’ I smiled to myself, imagining it."Let’s go to my bungalow for a bit. Mom will be very happy to see you." I turned back to the red-haired woman.Grace took my hand and pulled me outside.It might be okay to stop by Grace’s bungalow for a moment. It wasn’t too far from here."Joyce, tell Sarah that I’m going to Grace’s bungalow for a bit!""Sure, Mr. Peterson."After leaving a message with Joyce, Grace and I walked to her bungalow. Grace held my arm tightly. My Aunt Lucy’s stepdaughter had always been affectionate toward me. Aunt Lucy was my mom’s younger sister, who married Grace’s father when this girl was still in junior high."Where have you been? Why didn’t you
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