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
As she flipped through the papers, her eyes scanned the contents, and a deep frown etched across her face.Martha reveled in satisfaction as she witnessed Vivian's expression sour, her heart filled with joy.After finishing the reading, Vivian blinked away tears and looked up at Martha. "Um... I... I don't know what to say," she stuttered uncontrollably.Tears welled up in Martha's eyes. "Initially, when I found the file, I hesitated to open it, but curiosity got the better of me. How could Mia do this to you?"She paused, studying Vivian. "As soon as I found these documents, I couldn’t bring myself to not let you know about it. I know Mia’s my best friend but there’s a limit…” Martha’s voice trailed off from exhaustion .“I’m relieved to discover that the school gossip about her isn't true, but…”"I'm at a loss for words. Who would have guessed she was secretly married to Shawn Mandez all this time? No wonder she kept it hidden, perhaps to spare you the heartbreak."The more Martha s
A few days later. Magnificent Residential Area.On Saturday morning, the couple, having finished their breakfast, set off on their individual weekend routines, which had become a familiar part of their lives.Recent days had brought a sense of tranquility and peace between them. Mia, understanding her husband and his demeanor, found cohabiting with him to be surprisingly blissful.She now recognized that Shawn's usual cold exterior was merely a shield, concealing his vulnerability. They were alike—lonely, abandoned, and vulnerable.Arriving at the hospital, Mia eagerly made her way to the elevator, her spirits notably high. Exiting on her floor, she strolled down the hospital corridor with a calm demeanor. Pausing in front of a ward, she quietly turned the doorknob and entered.She approached patient 305's hospital bed with measured steps, settling into the chair beside it. Gently, she took hold of the person's hand, adorned with a pulse oximeter on the index finger. In a hushed ton