His mother had passed away on his birthday, that was sad.Mia, unsure of how to console him, chose to remain silent, her heart filled with sympathy."Today marks three years since I lost her," Shawn uttered, his gaze distant, his voice low. "And I caused it. If only I hadn't insisted on..." His voice trailed off, bitterness and regret evident in every word.Unable to find the right words to comfort him, "Let's go visit her." Mia offered.Shawn turned to her, wearing a puzzled expression. "Right now?"She simply nodded. It was the anniversary of his mother's death, it was only right he paid his respects.It wasn't that Shawn didn't want to visit his mother; he had never gone on the actual anniversary due to an annual bout of fever. He would always go to her grave the following day. However, with someone to take care of him this time, he could make it today... There was still time."Okay," Mia then nodded before swiftly making her way into the walk-in closet to change. Soon, the couple
When the CEO arrived at Beats Corporation, his assistant was already waiting for him in the parking lot, as usual. Lucas had steeled himself for a challenging day ahead already.However, the moment his boss stepped out of the vehicle, he couldn't help but notice an unusual lightness in his demeanor. While his expression remained typically inscrutable, there was a noticeable vibrancy about him.As they strode towards the CEO's office, Shawn instructed calmly, "Call back those individuals I let go two days ago. Additionally, ensure the entire team is compensated for any inconveniences caused by the impromptu meeting."Lucas was dumbfounded. He questioned his own hearing for a moment, certain he hadn't correctly processed what his boss had just said. This was the first time something like this was happening.Never before had the CEO called back to work those he... And to think he was going to compensate the officials for attending the meeting on the weekend...The CEO's assistant couldn'
As the evening wore on, Max found himself unable to shake the events of that afternoon from his mind. The sight of Mia entering that unfamiliar luxurious vehicle and the unsettling call from the other day... Everything seemed to fit together, connecting the dots. However, it was difficult for him to accept the truth. How could she be involved in that?How could someone he had known for half his life possess such a side to her? Was it because of their breakup? Perhaps she had fallen into depression and resorted to... actions, since their relationship had ended. The thoughts continued to haunt him deep into the night.Feeling overwhelmed, he finally reached for his phone and dialed Mia's number, determined to hear the truth directly from her. Maybe then he could come to terms with it.____After a tumultuous day, Mia eventually retired to bed, completely drained from her schoolwork and her relentless complaints about Shawn visiting her school. The exhaustion weighed heavily on her.Sh
And just like that, the CEO ceased his nighttime lessons with his wife and dedicated himself to teaching her full time.Their bedroom lounge served as the classroom, and Shawn devoted all his attention to ensuring Mia comprehended every subject he taught.Mia appeared to be making progress, though she encountered difficulties with Mathematics, prompting them to concentrate more on that subject.Although she initially didn't like the arrangement, over time, she realized it wasn't a bad idea after all; in fact, it was the best idea.At school, the teachers focused on all the students collectively, often neglecting the needs of average and struggling students. However, at home, Mia received undivided attention.And with Shawn being her teacher, she found learning easy. For that, she was extremely grateful to him.During one of their routine study sessions, Mia couldn't contain her concern any longer and asked, "You haven't been going to work because of me, I feel bad. Is it really okay?"
Mia jerked and glanced to her side, startled. To her amazement, Shawn sat calmly beside her, engrossed in his work on the MacBook perched on his lap."Huh?" Her surprise was palpable.Wasn't he supposed to be in New York? When did he return?With a decisive click, Shawn hit the send button, swiftly shutting the laptop before stowing it away. He turned to face his wife. "Why the long face? Did the exams not go well?"Mia pouted, looking up at him. Aish. Did he think she was a complete dullard?Sneering, she turned away, her mind dwelling on the tense encounter with her dad earlier. Her expression fell once again.Noticing her somber expression, Shawn reached out, cupping her soft cheek gently. "Talk to me. What's wrong?" His deep voice had a soothing quality that resonated in her ears.Mia found herself gazing into his grey eyes, drawn into their depths, her mind drifting away. All her worries seemed to melt as she let out a sigh, different from the ones that had burdened her before. I
There was yet another surprise? Mia glanced around anxiously. Just then, ahead in the walkway, Grandpa Mandez was cautiously making his way towards them, with Anderson and Amanda guiding him. Despite his age and illness, the old man appeared rather lively."Grandpa!" Mia exclaimed with excitement.She swiftly handed her bouquet to the nearest man, Shawn, and hurried over to his side."Yes, yes," Old Master Mandez beamed upon seeing his granddaughter-in-law.Seeing the old man hale and hearty in this way sincerely felt like the greatest gift Mia could ask for. Last she heard, he was out of the country for a medical examination… "When did you return, Grandpa?" Mia inquired."Hmn, just now." He presented her with a beautiful bouquet. "Congratulations on your graduation."Mia grew teary as she breathed in the fragrance, saying, "Thank you, Grandpa."The old man had just returned and was supposed to be resting, but because of her, he had made his way there.Old Master Mandez’s arrival c
She narrowed her eyes before swiftly grabbing her phone. Two calls had to be made.Selecting the first contact, she dialed the number. "Hello, hey babe. You don't need to come pick me up; my aunt's already here. Just rest well, okay? We had a long day.""I'll call you when I get home. Bye." She hung up.Martha didn't want Max to know, not just yet. She aimed for him to discover it in the most unpleasant way possible, hoping it would extinguish any lingering feelings he was still having for Mia. She'd figure out the details on how to go about it later. For now, there was another call to make.A smug smile played on her lips as she scrolled through her contact list.—————After Vivian and her parents returned home, a joyous atmosphere enveloped them."Now that you've completed high school, it's time for you to frequent the company and pay attention to things. Your father is getting old," urged Arnold Thompson.Vivian smiled cutely and replied, "Okay, Dad."Barbara, on the side, squeake
Earlier, after the Mandez family had enjoyed a full evening of wining and dining, they collectively decided to call it a night.As they stepped outside, Amanda bid her farewells and returned to her own family. Meanwhile, Shawn and Mia opted to accompany Grandpa Mandez to his house. Once there, Shawn guided the elderly man to his room and assisted him into bed.“Now that she's graduated high school, the two of you should start thinking about giving me great-grandchildren,” Grandpa Mandez mumbled with closed eyes.Shawn, the old man's grandson, remained silent.Once Shawn finished tucking his grandfather in, he returned to the living room to join his wife before they took their leave. In contrast to Shawn's brisk pace, Mia moved at a more leisurely speed. By the time she was finishing putting on her slippers, her husband had already vanished from sight.Without delay, Mia hurriedly rushed outside to catch up.“Wifey, why are your legs so short?” Shawn teased, giving her a mocking sneer
Jennifer Mandez smiled, observing the girl's downcast expression as she joined her side. She gently took off her gloves and cradled Mia's cheeks in her palms."Be free with me, Mia. I'm your mother as well. I held that title before I resumed being Shawn's mother," she chuckled.She paused briefly before continuing, "I want you to forgive me for hurting you. I apologize sincerely. Now, I know better. You're a rare gem, and I wouldn't want Sunshine to be with anyone but you."Mia's eyes widened, "Does that mean we have your blessing to proceed…?"She nodded, grinning."Thank you, Mom!" The girl squeaked happily, and they embraced in a tight, warm hug.“Now, we have to start preparing for the wedding. The date’s just around the corner.”She nodded and they both returned back inside.Soon, the wedding day arrived. Despite the commonality of extravagant weddings among the wealthy, Shawn and Mia's celebration stood out for its simplicity. Only a select few family and friends were invited, a
Shawn's lips tightened. "I believe you," he paused, "however, it's not you that I was referring to; it's the person behind you."‘Huh?’ Amanda's tears ceased instantly, and she swiftly turned to look behind her, as did everyone else.Anderson.Confusion swept through the room."You sending provoking pictures to Yvonne, making her rush back to the country... I was initially going to let you be. However, things changed after discovering you were the one who instigated the accident three years ago. And then you completely crossed the line by sending me those absurd threat messages," Shawn's icy voice confronted Anderson.Anderson stood, clearly taken aback. He hadn't anticipated Shawn's discovery to be so soon. He usually covered his tracks meticulously…“Why? After all these years working for Grandfather, why engage in such actions?” Shawn's brows furrowed deeply.Anderson chuckled. There was nothing to hide anymore, so why not come out clean? “Exactly. I've toiled for the old geezer fo
Upon arriving home, Shawn tenderly lifted his wife and placed her in their bedroom; she had fallen asleep during the ride. Delicately, he undressed her and tucked her into bed, taking a moment to remove her makeup with beauty wipes.As he disposed of the used wipes, Mia's phone started ringing on the nightstand. Without hesitation, he picked it up and noticed that the caller ID was unknown. He answered the call and brought the phone to his ear."Mia, I apologize. It's all my fault. Please, let's reconcile and go back to how we used to be."Upon hearing those words from the caller, Shawn's brows furrowed in irritation. Without uttering a word, he promptly ended the call. 'Dimwit.' As he placed the phone back on the stand, his thumb inadvertently pressed the photos app and opened it.He perched on the edge of the bed, smiling as he scrolled through the pictures on the girl’s phone. Soon, he stumbled upon an unexpected image—none other than a picture of himself, Shawn Mandez. In it, he
Veronica observed, sipping her cocktail, "Ah, so you two are acquainted." She taunted Martha, "Give this cocktail a try; after all, you seem to enjoy coveting what doesn't belong to you."Martha, a hint of fear in her voice, responded quickly, "Um, I don't know him."Veronica clicked her tongue in irritation, shaking her head at Martha's facade. How could she have been so blind to see the girl’s true color all these while?Everyone eyed the person who had just stepped in with confused expressions on their faces. The boy seemed to be around their age, however, he wasn’t familiar at all. He didn't bear the hallmarks of someone from their high school."Who's he?""No idea.""Recognize him?""Not at all."Veronica smiled, reassuring them, "Relax, everyone. You're about to meet him now."Martha's heart raced, fear escalating within her.Veronica turned to the newcomer, asking, "Tell us who you are and what brings you here."The guy's eyes shifted, locking onto Martha. "I'm Jason, Martha's
"Vicky Lewis!" Gasps echoed through the room as all eyes fixated on the newcomer.Mia was also taken aback to see her. She hadn't crossed paths with Vicky since she was expelled from high school, making tonight's encounter unexpected. Instinctively, an uneasy feeling settled within her.Was she here to bully her?However, Mia wasn't alone in her discomfort. Another individual seemed to be grappling with an even stronger sense of unease in response to Vicky's presence.'Why is she here? How did she manage to appear?' Martha gnawed on her lip, nearly drawing blood.After the girl's family faced bankruptcy and her father was incarcerated, Martha believed it spelled the end for Vicky Lewis.Despite Vicky’s persistent calls and attempts to connect, she remained indifferent, never acknowledging her.Long ago, she'd blocked her contact when her incessant calls became irritating. She wasn't responsible for her father's corruption or having a baby mama. She hadn't urged her to bully Mia to the
Upon entering the venue, a chorus of admiration erupted as Martha made her presence known.“You're as dazzling as ever, Martha.”“Your skin is positively radiant.”“Share your beauty secrets with us.”In a chic caramel knee-length dress beautified with subtle floral patterns, paired with classic silver heels, she exuded elegance. A silver necklace firmly adorned on her neck added a touch of poise, creating a simple yet tasteful look for the one-month school reunion.Martha waved her hand dismissively, cheeks turning a rosy hue as she blushed at the compliments pouring in. “Oh, come on, you guys. Enough about me. You all look fantastic yourselves,” she chuckled, taking her seat."Ah, I know. Max is treating her well.""Trueeee!" The collective cooing echoed.Martha simply giggled. "He'll be joining us shortly also.""Thank goodness that Mia girl didn't succeed back then," remarked one of Martha's ex-classmates, and the rest nodded in agreement.Martha's expression dropped upon hearing
"I'll leave now, and never cross your path again."Shawn stood in silence, observing the girl. Without warning, he marched towards the mini lounge, retrieving a lighter from the center table.Returning to Mia, he set ablaze the documents held in his grasp before one could comprehend what was about to happen.Mia let out an immediate shriek, her eyes widening in sheer horror. "What are you—?""You are mistaken. We're eternally linked—bound forever," Shawn calmly muttered as ashes drifted to the floor.Mia blinked rapidly at him."With that resolved, let's head downstairs for dinner. It’s late," he said, changing from his robe into more casual attire.Mia remained rooted in place, her heart burdened and fatigued. "But I don't belong here... your betro—""That's not your concern, Little One. We're married. Legally married. Are you willing to discard that for a meaningless contract?"She frowned at his words.Shawn's mouth twitched as he took her hand, guiding her downstairs to the dining
Three years prior,As an intern, Charlotte found herself working late into the night on this particular day. Upon completing her tasks at B.Y TV building, she headed out. As she walked down the road, a young man approached her."Miss, Master Davis would like to see you. Please, come with me."Upon hearing this, Charlotte felt a mix of surprise and anticipation.The Davis family had consistently opposed her relationship with Damien, and the reasons remained a mystery to her. Perhaps, they were here to reconcile with her. That was her initial assumption.She promptly followed the man to the car, her heart beating rapidly in her chest as she got in."Uncle, Aunt," she bowed politely.Master Davis and his wife cast disdainful glances at the girl.“The reason we summoned you today is straightforward,” Madam Davis spoke. “Sever ties with our son. We don't want you for him.”Upon hearing the woman's heart-wrenching words, a wave of sadness engulfed Charlotte. "Wh-why? Did I do something wron
Stella and her younger siblings were bewildered to see Madam Mandez. She was meant to be deceased—three years prior, they attended her burial ceremony. How was it possible for her to stand before them now?Their astonishment outweighed any excitement, rendering them unable to leap towards her in joy at the unexpected reunion after several years. Was she a ghost?"Master Davis, Madam Davis," Jennifer greeted with a subtle smile, gesturing for the visitors to take their seats.Madam Davis closed the gap between them, taking Jennifer's hands in hers and patting them comfortingly. "It must have been challenging for you these past few years. Are you alright?"She and her husband had learnt that the woman didn’t die in the accident and had been in a coma all these while, only waking up recently…Jennifer Mandez nodded, "I'm fine, thank you, Natasha. Please, take your seat."Madam Davis nodded and then took her seat beside her husband.“It’s good to see you're doing well. However, we've come