"Speak," Mark said, waving a hand as someone handed him a glass of whiskey."It would be in terrible taste to hold a wedding so soon after the death of the groom's father," my mother began carefully. "I've been discussing this with the planners, and we all agree it would be wise to return to the original date—"She didn't get to finish. Mark hurled the glass against the wall behind us, shattering it with a deafening crash. The sound startled us both, and the glass passed so close to us that we couldn't help but cry out in fear. The nearby staff began to retreat quietly—trained to disappear when my father became like this."I don't give a damn about terrible taste!" Mark roared. "That wedding will happen on the scheduled date!"He advanced toward my mother in a way that made my stomach twist. She was trembling but didn't step back. I couldn't just stand there."But Father..." I stammered, trying to steady my voice. "What if Lawrence doesn't want to marry me on that date? It's not o
The vase shattered as I hit the floor, and a shard sliced into my arm. Blood trickled down as my mother rushed to me, the sound of her frantic footsteps mixing with the cautious return of the staff from their hiding places. Meanwhile, my father was already halfway up the stairs, storming off without so much as a glance back.-Since the cut on my arm required care at home, I couldn't accompany Mark to the Lewis funeral. Instead, I arrived later with my mother. The place was packed—so crowded it was overwhelming. I even spotted a famous director and a governor from another state among the attendees.Naively, I had thought our family was well-off, but seeing this sheer display of wealth, I realized there were levels even among the rich.I hadn't thought about it much before—Mark had always shielded me from financial concerns. Despite that, watching him panic about money now felt strange. Standing in the shadow of this grand mansion, it became clear that the Lewis family had never kno
Emma White's P.O.V.My heart was in my throat from the moment I got into the car with Jason. Being here with him was an outright act of defiance against Mark, and all I could do was pray it wouldn't end badly. Not only had I snuck away from the funeral of my father's business partner, but I hadn't even greeted my fiancé. My only comfort was that Jason had been careful with our escape.He figured out a way to get the car out of the parking area without drawing attention. He stopped by the roadside to pick me up from the bushes where I'd hidden. I'd been watching over my shoulder constantly, but there was no sign of anyone following us. I'd turned off my phone, and I'd seen him do the same.After a few minutes of driving, Jason pulled into a pharmacy and came out with supplies for my arm. The next stop didn't help the rhythm of my heart—it was a secluded motel, far from everything. My fingers gripped the hem of my dress tightly."Sorry this is the best place I could think of," he sai
I stopped caring about my fears—about him, about his feelings for other women. If I had made it this far, I was ready to risk everything for a kiss. Leaning in, I closed the distance between us and pressed my lips to his.I moved my lips softly against his, coaxing a reaction. After a few seconds, he responded, his lips enveloping mine with a mix of tenderness and firmness. He pulled me closer, and I realized that no amount of time had diminished this love. It felt like the first time yet also like the comfort of a familiar embrace."Emma..." he whispered, trying to pull back, but I wouldn't let him. I kissed him again, refusing to let him go."Your lips are the only solace I have... don't deny me this," I pleaded.Despite my words, he managed to turn his face away slightly."If the rumors are true, don't do this to yourself..." he said, guilt weighing heavily in his voice."What rumors? People have said so much about me it's hard to know what's real and what's not.""They're sa
I was floating in a cloud of comfort I didn't want to leave, but my body jolted involuntarily, shaking me awake. As my eyes fluttered open, I realized my apartment was bathed in the shadows of the night. Everything was dark and quiet—I had fallen completely asleep.Lawrence was still sprawled across my legs, fast asleep. He looked so peaceful, almost childlike, and it struck me just how exhausted he must have been. I blinked several times, trying to focus my vision in the dim light, then reached out to fumble for my phone where I'd left it nearby.When I finally found it, the time surprised me—it was past midnight. My notifications were overflowing with unread messages from earlier in the evening including one from Jason. He'd written about an hour ago, apologizing and explaining that an emergency had come up, but he promised to return my car tomorrow.Raising an eyebrow, I couldn't help but smile. I could imagine exactly what kind of "emergency" he'd had. I set the phone aside and
"You don't have to apologize for anything, Sara," Lawrence said softly. "It's not like I suffered being around you all those years. And I never told you because I was scared... scared you'd push me away. That was my issue, not yours—never yours. But I took it out on you by keeping my distance, making excuses to avoid you."My heart pounded, drowning out everything else. I couldn't stop myself from speaking the truth I'd been holding back."If you know that... why do you keep making excuses?" I asked. His eyes widened in shock. "I'm here, Lawrence. I could be here for the rest of your life if you just stop running.""Sara... I..." His voice trailed off, conflicted.I placed my hand near his mouth, closing my eyes as I shifted to get more comfortable."Think about it. That's all I'm asking. Just think about it."And with that, I fell asleep faster than I expected. Lawrence had a decision to make—I'd already made mine.-When I woke up, it was daylight. I was alone on the couch, t
I hated vomiting—it was one of the most disgusting things in the world. Yet, there I was, hunched over the toilet, throwing up bitter, clear liquid. Lawrence knelt beside me, holding my hair back and gently patting my back. I felt utterly miserable.After a few more dry heaves, my nausea subsided by a fraction—just a tiny fraction."I want to die. I feel so awful," I groaned, lifting my head weakly."Why are you throwing up? Did you get up in the middle of the night to eat something?" he asked, rolling off some toilet paper to wipe my mouth. Somehow, this had become the most romantic situation we'd ever been in."No, it was that bacon. It looked and smelled bad—it must've been spoiled," I muttered, my stomach still churning."Spoiled? But I tasted it—it wasn't bad..."I shouldn't have imagined him eating it, but I did. The thought of that greasy, awful-looking bacon made my nausea return, though this time it was only dry heaves."Does anyone in your family or circle have a virus
Lawrence stared at the test with an expression I couldn't decipher. It was as though disbelief had taken over his face. My stomach twisted like I was on a rollercoaster about to drop as he turned the test toward me.On the little screen, the words were unmistakable:"Pregnant 3+"My hands flew to my head, and my eyes filled with tears. Without a word, I sank to the floor and started sobbing."My little bean is already heading to kindergarten and I didn't even know," I wailed hysterically.Lawrence burst into laughter. He tried to suppress it, but it bubbled over until he was both laughing and crying at the same time. Somehow, his reaction triggered something in me, and I started laughing too, the absurdity of it all overtaking my despair. He crouched down to my level, wiping my face gently with his hand."You're insane, you know that?" he said, his tone soft despite the teasing."I'm also psychologically pregnant," I rambled, barely able to stop myself. "This is all a dream. We'
If I had the superpower to walk up walls, trust me, I'd be doing it right now. How could I not? Lawrence, Emma, and Jason were all at that chaotic political debate. Sure, I agreed with the plan, but that was with the condition I'd be there, not isolated in my parents' house, waiting anxiously for updates and glued to the television.The program was showing introductions for each gubernatorial candidate while they took a commercial break. During the downtime, they cut to shots of the audience settling in their seats. My eyes stayed locked on the screen, my nails reduced to stubs, while I heard my mother coming down the stairs."Look at all these treasures I found, darling!" she exclaimed.I didn't take my eyes off the television, still focused on the delayed start."What did you find?" I asked absentmindedly."If you'd just turn around, you'd see what your mother is trying to show you."Sighing, I tore my attention from the screen and turned around. What greeted me left me both am
The officer's words hung in the air, echoing like a death sentence."Yes, yes, we'll confirm everything at the station," he repeated, motioning for Jason to be taken away.I stepped in their path, refusing to move. They asked me to step aside several times, but I stood firm. Just when I thought they might physically remove me, a voice froze everyone in place. Mark's voice."What's going on here?" he asked, his tone feigning martyrdom, like a man miraculously reborn.One of the officers summarized the situation—how they had been forced to shoot the sniper in the back and were accusing Jason of being his accomplice. I glanced at Jason helplessly, my heart breaking as he avoided my eyes. He wouldn't even look at me."Do you know him?" the officer pressed. "Do you have any idea why he would target you?""Unfortunately, yes, I know him. He has threatened my life multiple times and my daughter's too, driven by some sick obsession with her," Mark declared.Jason finally snapped, liftin
Emma White's P.O.V.The chaos in the auditorium was absolute—shouts, people running in all directions, and sheer panic painted a scene of hell. My eyes stayed locked on Mark, who lay on the ground with blood smeared across his face. I couldn't move, paralyzed by shock and confusion."Get down! Don't just stand there," Lawrence urged, pulling me to a crouch.Obediently, I dropped low, realizing we weren't the only ones doing so. Others had also taken cover, waiting for the madness to subside. Though the gunshots had ceased, the frenzy hadn't. I couldn't get a clear view of how badly Mark was hurt—his security team had dragged him behind the podium."What just happened?" I asked Lawrence breathlessly."Whatever it was, it wasn't fatal," he replied, his eyes scanning the stage.From my crouched position, I saw Mark rising to his feet, ignoring his guards' insistence to stay down. My mother suddenly bolted from her seat, rushing to the stage the moment she spotted him. Her face was e
"What's more humiliating than being left alone during the debate? That was the plan—to show everyone that neither his wife nor daughter supports him after his scandals, emphasizing the danger he represents," Lawrence argued."I have to go. I'm sorry, but it's something I need to do. What's your take?" I pressed, glancing at the others.In the end, we agreed Lawrence would accompany me with his security team, Jason would be nearby to help extract my mother if necessary, and Sara offered to provoke Mark by visibly supporting Isabelle Silver.Oddly enough, Lawrence scolded Sara, telling her to stop meddling and stay with her parents that afternoon. Even more strangely, Sara didn't argue. Instead, she pouted and quietly placed her hand over her stomach in a... peculiar way.Was it just me, or did she have a bit of a belly?-All the progress I'd made in the days away from Mark seemed to crumble the moment we arrived at the auditorium for the candidates' debate. Seeing his face on the
"With you... I'd want everything."I smiled like a love-struck fool, nibbling on my fruit as my heart melted. If there were ever going to be kids in our future, I had to be at my healthiest. Jason started talking about his morning routine, and I listened with the phone tucked against my shoulder as I continued preparing breakfast. But as I poured the batter onto the pan, it struck me how odd it was that my mom hadn't come out of her room yet."That's strange. My mom's still asleep," I said, glancing toward her door."Did you check to see if she might've stepped out?" Jason suggested gently."Why would she leave? We agreed neither of us would go anywhere... I'll check."I put the phone down for a moment and knocked on her door, calling out softly. There was no response. When I opened it, the room was empty—her bed neatly made, her shoes gone. My heart raced as my phone buzzed again, this time showing my mom's number. Picking it up, I quickly explained the situation to Jason and tol
Emma White's P.O.V.I woke up wrapped in an unexpected sense of peace. Despite the unfamiliar bed and the small, borrowed space, it was a kind of calm I'd never known before. Peace, as it turned out, wasn't something you could buy, no matter how much money you had.Life in Lawrence's apartment had been surprisingly pleasant. Each day felt a little brighter, a little safer. As I got up and made my way to the bathroom, I splashed my face with cool water, noticing with delight how much my skin had improved.By the time I reached the kitchen, I was in an unusually cheerful mood. Pancakes seemed like the perfect breakfast, so I opened the fridge to grab some pre-cut fruit—melons and papayas, today's choice. The sight of the neatly packed container brought a smile to my face. I plucked a piece of melon and popped it into my mouth. It was perfect.Setting the fruit on the counter, I gathered the rest of the ingredients: oatmeal, eggs, and milk. The clock on the microwave caught my attenti
"Have you forgotten that you're still engaged to Emma White? Because I certainly haven't," Lionel accused, his tone sharper than a blade."The repeated delays in the wedding should've given you a clue—it's not happening," Lawrence stated firmly."Then why is the engagement still active? Wouldn't it have been simpler to handle this in order? Or do you enjoy fueling the rumors about my daughter? You've turned her into your mistress," Lionel spat, his glare piercing.Lawrence visibly flinched at the accusation, guilt washing over him. He seemed lost for words, so I stepped in."Dad... are you really going to echo the same gossip as those busybodies? I already told you—there was never a real relationship between Emma and Lawrence. That engagement was arranged by their parents," I explained, trying to diffuse the tension."There was never anything between us," Lawrence added, his tone desperate for clarity. "Not emotionally, not physically. It was entirely a business arrangement."At
In my head, an apocalyptic soundtrack was playing; on my parents' faces, an apocalyptic expression was forming. My apartment had turned into the ninth circle of hell. From this moment on, everything spiraled out of control. Lawrence turned to face Lionel and Clara while I instinctively clung to his back, using him as a human shield."Sara Brown!" my dad bellowed."She's not here!" I shouted, clutching Lawrence so tightly my arms ached."What are you doing with that boy?!" my father roared.Still pressed against Lawrence, I could see him glance around the room, taking in the chaos of scattered clothing—including undergarments. And then, Lawrence did something unforgivable."Isn't it obvious, sir?" he said, calm as ever.Lawrence clearly wanted to watch the world burn, and my dad wasn't about to disappoint. He lunged toward us, but my mom intercepted him, wrapping her arms around his middle to stop a full-blown disaster. Meanwhile, I stayed glued to Lawrence's back, peeking out fro
"Because I just found out from Richard!" I exclaimed, watching Lawrence's brows lift in genuine surprise. "He said Emma is their half-sister, which officially makes Victoria the ultimate hypocrite. I mean, how was she planning to marry you off to the half-sister of your half-brothers? And I was supposed to be the 'incestuous' one because of her wild theory that you and I might be siblings?""Why would Richard tell you that?" Lawrence asked, his curiosity piqued.I looked at him with a mix of tenderness and pity. I knew that Lawrence had said back in that room that he didn't see Richard and Julian as brothers, but I also knew him better than anyone.Gently, I stroked his face. "Because deep down, those two brats care about you, and they still see you as their brother."He shook his head, unconvinced. "You heard them. All they care about is the money. I even offered to give them some before the will was read but they ignored me and kept coming at me. I'm done, Sara. Let them file wha