"How is Celine?" Sarah began the conversation."Mom is fine. She sends her regards," Alex, who let his shoulder-length hair flow freely, occasionally glanced at Sarah.Sarah smiled warmly when their eyes met, while Alex maintained his cold demeanor.To Sarah, Alex didn't resemble Albert at all. Maybe because Alex was Celine's child from her previous marriage."Have some more, Alex! Don't be shy!" Sarah tried to break the awkward atmosphere."Mm." the handsome, long-haired man murmured without looking at Sarah.They fell silent again. Alex had finished his meal."Celine said you wanted to help me with Albert's company. Is that true? If so, come with me to the office tomorrow!"Alex turned, surprised at Sarah's words."My mom told you that?" Alex scoffed.Sarah nodded."Don't you mind?" Alex asked, astonished at how relaxed Sarah seemed."Why should I? I'm actually happy if someone helps me manage Albert's company. Meanwhile, I can focus more on my own company.""What? You h
"Sorry, is there something wrong?" Sarah asked, puzzled by Alex's unblinking stare."Oh, uh, n-no, nothing. I just doubted you driving," he replied nervously."Don't worry. Since Albert got sick, I've gotten used to driving myself.""Oh, that's good!" Alex replied coolly.They didn't talk much during the drive. Sarah occasionally asked questions or talked about the traffic to ease the awkwardness, but Alex's responses remained indifferent and cold.They soon arrived in front of Albert's company which was large and grand."Let's get out. We're here." Sarah got out and started walking towards the lobby, with Alex striding alongside her."Good morning, Ms. Johnson!""Welcome, Ms. Johnson!"Almost all the employees nodded respectfully as they passed through the lobby and staff cubicles."Good morning Ms. Johnson. Is there a meeting today?" Calvin approached Sarah."No, I'm just here to introduce Mr. Alex Bolton to you."Alex, this is Albert's personal assistant, Calvin. He has
"Alex Bolton. Just call me Alex!" the handsome man introduced himself."Sit down, Troy," Sarah requested."Am I interrupting?" Troy felt uneasy with Alex's indifferent attitude."Oh no, Troy. I'm done. Should we go now?"Alex's gaze never left Sarah. Troy noticed and suspected that Alex didn't like seeing Sarah leave with him.Sarah stood up."Okay, Alex. I'm heading to my office.""Hmm..."Sarah just smiled at Alex's apparent reluctance to talk to her. Then she and Troy headed towards the exit."Sarah!" Alex suddenly called out."What's up?" Sarah turned around."Send me your office address! I'll pick you up later!" he said, surprising both Sarah and Troy."No need, Alex. Sarah's coming with me. We have work to do together today. Let's go, Sarah!"Alex just stood there with his hands on his hips, watching them leave. For some reason, he seemed unwilling to see Sarah with another man."Damn it! What's wrong with me?" he muttered.-In the car on the way to the office, T
"Ms. Johnson, someone is looking for you," Bradley entered Sarah's office."Who? Troy?" Sarah looked at her watch. It was still half an hour before the end of the workday. Troy usually picked her up on time."No, ma'am. He said his name is Alex.""W-what? Alex?"Sarah almost jumped at the mention of his name. 'Why is Alex here? Didn't Troy say he was going to pick me up?'Bradley nodded."Alright, let him in," Sarah requested, feeling curious.'Why is Alex coming to my office? He must have gotten the address from Calvin,' Sarah thought to herself."Wow, your office is part of a big company too."Sarah stood up abruptly as Alex suddenly walked into her office. The man complimented Sarah's company, but his expression remained cold, almost mocking. Sarah found it hard to understand him."Please, sit down! I'm really surprised you came here." Sarah sat back down in her chair."As I said this morning, I will pick you up and take you home with me.""Oh... yeah. But didn't Troy
"Troy!"Troy turned when he heard Sarah's voice. Then his eyes shifted to Alex, who was casually walking behind Sarah."Have you been here long?" Sarah asked, trying to take Prince from Troy's arms."Go inside first! Freshen up. It looks like Prince is hungry," Troy insisted, still holding Prince.Sarah obeyed and immediately went into her house.Alex walked towards the pavilion, passing by Troy. He actually wanted to get closer to Sarah's children. However, he hesitated because he had never liked children. But he saw that Gillian was already grown up. Maybe someday he would start getting closer to her."So you picked Sarah up?" Troy asked as Alex walked past him."So what? Don't I live in the same house as her? It's only natural for me to go home with her," Alex replied defiantly.Troy just snorted in annoyance. He tried to control his emotions because Prince and Gillian were with him.Troy glared angrily at Alex, who entered the pavilion. He felt that Alex had some ulterior
"The beach? You're taking me to the beach, Troy?"Sarah gasped in delight as she saw the beautiful view before her. She had been wondering where they were going since they were heading north in the car."Want to get out?" Troy asked, stopping the car on the grass facing the beach.Sarah nodded, still amazed by the stunning nighttime view. The colorful lights in the distance looked beautiful."Wait here!" Troy grabbed his jacket and got out, jogging around the car to open the door for Sarah.Sarah looked at Troy with a smile as he suddenly acted sweet by opening the door for her.Sarah stepped out and walked to the front, leaning against the car. Troy followed her and draped his jacket over her shoulders from behind.Sarah was startled and turned around."The wind is pretty strong. I don't want you catching a cold," Troy said."Thank you," Sarah replied, pulling the jacket tighter around her."It's unusual for you to bring me here."Troy leaned against the car next to Sarah.
"I love you, Sarah," Troy confessed in a half whisper. He took one of Sarah's fingers and kissed it briefly.Sarah smiled, her eyes brimming with emotion as she looked at the handsome man in front of her.Troy looked up again, smiling at Sarah's beautiful smile. There were tears at the corners of her eyes, which he quickly wiped away with his fingers."So... Do you accept me?" Troy asked, looking at Sarah intently and full of hope.Sarah nodded shyly, then lowered her face.Troy was very happy to see Sarah's response. He lifted her chin with two fingers."Look at me, darling."Sarah felt like screaming with excitement when Troy called her "darling." Her heart was pounding wildly. She lifted her face, and they looked at each other, both breathing heavily.Slowly, Troy cupped Sarah's cheeks. The beautiful woman was startled but seemed hypnotized by Troy's gaze.Troy began to move closer to Sarah. Closer and closer, until his warm, rapid breath brushed her face. She wanted to pul
"Since when?" Sarah looked at Troy full of questions."Do you remember, our dads used to be close friends? When I was a teenager, I often heard them talking about how they would arrange for us to be wed someday. Secretly, I found out who you were and... honestly, I immediately fell in love with you."Sarah was stunned by Troy's confession."But at that time, we were both teenagers. I didn't have the courage to confess my love to you. I kept that love buried until my family and I moved to America. One by one, our parents left us forever. My busy schedule managing the company there kept me from seeing you here, and I had to hear the news that you had married that jerk Derrick. I was heartbroken for a while. Then I came back when I heard you had divorced Derrick. But then, I had to let you go again to Albert. Now, I won't let anyone take you from me."Sarah felt a deep emotion, unable to hold back the tears that had been wanting to fall."Troy, I'm sorry!" Sarah said between her sobs
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