"Excuse me!" I tried to break through the crowd of women and teenagers busy photographing Troy's face.It was quite difficult to get past these women. But finally, I arrived in front of Troy.The man was startled to see me, already in tears."Sarah!""Troy, Gillian is still missing!" I shouted unconsciously."Mommy! Why are you crying?" I immediately turned to the voice I had been longing to hear.It turned out Gillian was right next to Troy. He was holding on to her with his left hand tightly. While his right hand was stroking Prince, who was starting to get sleepy. Of course, I couldn't see Gillian earlier because she was covered by the women who were fighting to take photos with Troy."Gillian, come here, sweetie!" I grabbed my daughter and took her away from the crowd without caring about all the eyes watching. I ignored Troy's repeated calls for my name. For some reason, I felt so irritated. Why didn't Troy inform me that he had found Gillian? Why was he busy answering ques
"I want you!""Huh? W-what do you mean?"Troy stared at me deeply. His face was getting closer."Sir, excuse me. Miss Batterman and her mom are here." I heard Joyce's voice from outside the room.The door to this room was slightly ajar. Troy's housekeeper must have seen him holding me.Suddenly, Troy slowly released his embrace. He clicked his tongue in annoyance several times."What do they want now? They are always interrupting!" he grumbled as he walked away, leaving me still trying to calm my nerves.I sat on the bed, my heart pounding fast. My breath was heavy. Troy's gaze was so different earlier. He had never looked at me like that. I had one hand pressed against my still-racing heart.After calming down a bit, I got up to leave the room. The tension I had just felt made my throat dry and I felt thirsty.I faintly heard a heated argument between Troy and Lucy. I walked to the kitchen to get a drink. After drinking a glass of water, I started to head back to the room. It
"What time is your meeting?" Troy asked while driving. This morning the roads weren't too busy yet. We left for the city right after dawn."After lunch. The meeting is at my office," I replied while bottle-feeding Prince."I'll go with you then!""No need, Troy! You've been away from your company for too long. From now on, I'll handle Albert's company. If I need you, I'll definitely call you."I didn't tell Troy that the people I was meeting later were named Roy and Levin. I also didn't want to involve Troy here. Gradually, I needed to get used to managing without his help. He wouldn't always be there for me and the kids. Lucy would surely find a suitable woman for a handsome and successful man like him."Sarah, why are you daydreaming? Prince has finished his milk."Oh no! How could I be so careless? Ever since Lucy came to the bungalow yesterday, I had been spacing out a lot and having trouble sleeping."Are you sure you don't want me to come?" Troy asked again."No need, Tro
"Sarah?" Levin was very surprised to see me. The tall and well-built man with tan skin looked at me in disbelief."Levin? It really is you, Mr. Levin Batterman, CEO of Net Multicorp." I stared at him intensely. Levin looked quite different in his cream suit and dark brown tie compared to when I last saw him.Levin repeatedly looked me up and down, probably noticing my different appearance this time. Today, I was wearing formal attire: a long skirt and blazer. Unlike yesterday at the bungalow, where I wore a blouse and jeans."I had a hunch yesterday when Calvin mentioned the representatives from Net Multicorp were Mr. Levin and Mr. Roy Batterman," I said, smiling.We chuckled at the unexpected reunion."Please, have a seat, Mr. Batterman.""Thank you," replied the thick-bearded man."This company is actually a family business. My brother Roy and I are the ones managing it," he explained.I nodded in understanding."Sarah, you look stunning!" Levin spoke softly, leaning closer
"Troy and I are just good friends. My late husband entrusted me and the children to him before he passed away. Perhaps that’s why Troy feels responsible for us," I replied to Levin after thinking for a while.A smile spread across the face of the man said to resemble a bodybuilder."That's a relief. I thought you two were a couple. Because I've noticed Troy’s gaze towards you is different."I just laughed softly at Levin's comment. To be honest, I felt the same way about Troy’s gaze. The fluttering feelings I often experienced made me unsure of my own emotions."Hey, Earth to Sarah? Come on, finish your food!" Levin's voice snapped me back to reality. Why was I daydreaming about Troy?"Lucy intends to matchmake Troy with Grace, my niece. If he really doesn't have a special relationship with you, it will be easier for us to bring them closer."For some reason, I felt pain in my chest at Levin’s words. Was I jealous?I forced a bitter smile."Yes, hopefully, they are a good match
"Sarah!" The man stood up abruptly when he saw me arrive. Joshua did the same."I'm sorry, Ms. Johnson. I tried to ask Bradley to leave, but he insisted on waiting for you here." Joshua lowered his head, feeling guilty."Bradley. Y-you’re free?" My breath was ragged as I stuttered. Perhaps I was still traumatized by the events that happened between Bradley and me."I'm sorry. I’m really sorry!" Suddenly, Bradley knelt in front of me. His shoulders shook as he cried."When were you released?" I began to regain my composure. After all, I had known Bradley since high school. At the time of the incident, I felt like I didn’t know him at all."I was released just yesterday. I came here right away. I truly regret it while I was in prison. Please forgive me!" Bradley continued to bow before me."Get up.""No, I won’t get up until you forgive me!" Bradley remained kneeling in front of me."I said, get up!"He shook his head. "No. I’m willing to stay here until tomorrow if necessary."
"Troy, control your temper!" I shouted as Troy suddenly approached Bradley and grabbed the worn-out shirt that he was wearing."Mercy, Mr. Peterson! Please! I just came here to apologize!" Bradley struggled to break free from Troy's strong grip. Bradley's face turned pale and he trembled all over."Please stop it!" I had to approach Troy, whose face had been flushed red for a while. I was worried Troy couldn't control his emotions. Troy's body was much bigger than Bradley's."Troy, enough! He's not doing anything. He just wants to apologize to me." I kept trying to persuade Troy while clutching his jacket.Slowly, Troy released Bradley. However, he still glared at the scrawny man sharply, whose appearance looked very different from a few years ago.Bradley lowered his head while still trembling."Bradley, you'd better leave now!" I requested."But what about--""I'll let you know through Joshua later. For now, it's better if you leave!" I insisted before Troy got emotional agai
Troy's P.O.V"Sarah, please! Open the door! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to yell at you!"There was still no answer from inside. Prince's room door was also locked. Sarah must be very disappointed in me. Why was I so angry earlier that I spoke harshly to her? How foolish of me.Jealousy. Yes, it was all because I was too jealous. I was jealous seeing Sarah with another man.I walked to the sofa not far from Sarah's room. I would wait here until she came out of her room.Suddenly, I recalled the events from a few hours ago. My eyes widened when I saw a photo of Sarah and Levin going viral with the caption, "The woman rumored to be close to Troy Peterson is also close to another businessman."At that moment, my heart felt like it was about to burst. Both of my hands clenched into fists. No wonder she didn't want me to accompany her to the meeting.I looked at their photos again. It felt unbearable to see Levin touching Sarah's hand and guiding her like that.How could they get cl
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