Looking into his deep, dark eyes, Coco absentmindedly replied, "Okay."After strolling through the amusement park, Lucas drove them back to the mansion. "Go pack your things. I'll arrange for someone to take you back to your apartment."Lucas didn't step out of the car. Once Coco exited, he drove away.He feared that if he lingered, he would change his mind and break his promise to let her go.Once his car disappeared from sight, Coco turned around, entered the house, and went to her room to pack up. One by one, she placed her items in her suitcase, gradually erasing her presence from the mansion.After she finished packing, someone approached her and said respectfully, "Miss Souza. Mr. Gomez asked me to take you home. Let me carry your luggage for you.""Thank you," Coco graciously accepted.Before she left, she couldn't help turning back to take one last look at the mansion. She would probably never set foot here again.When she stepped into her apartment, Coco felt as thou
"Of course I'll go," Coco answered with a chuckle, "It's the wrap party of my first comic adaptation. I wouldn't miss it for the world.""Alright, then I'll go with you," Minnie replied.After Minnie left, Coco's smile gradually faded. She slapped her cheeks, reminding herself to pick herself up and become the old Coco again.Her reliance on Lucas stopped here. She needed to become a strong and independent Coco who didn't have to depend on others.In the following days, Coco settled into a routine, shuttling between her apartment and the studio.Her two assistants were aware of the incident at the Comic Con. These days, they kept their heads down and focused on their work, refraining from saying anything about it.One day, while Coco was working on her sketches with her assistants, her aunt, Clementine, came to look for her at the studio.The moment she saw Coco, Clementine fell to her knees. "Coco, I know our family has wronged you, but we're relatives after all. Please show me
Clementine's face turned pale. She glared at Coco, her resentment evident. "This isn't over," she spat before storming off.Coco turned around and saw her two assistants looking over. "Alright, let's get back to work," she said.One of the assistants voiced concern, "Coco, your aunt doesn't seem like the type that would let the matter rest. Shouldn't you take precautions?"The other assistant chimed in, "Don't worry, Coco's boyfriend is Lucas Gomez. What can her aunt do?"Coco pursed her lips. "You guys should stop saying that Lucas is my boyfriend. We've broken up," she revealed.Shocked, the two assistants exclaimed, "What? No way!""It's true. Alright, let's get back to work. If we don't finish this, you two will have to stay and work overtime," Coco stated.The assistants exchanged glances and swiftly returned to their tasks.Coco settled back into her chair. She had no idea what her aunt would do next, but she would not compromise!After Clementine exited the building,
He made the difficult decision to let her go and had refrained from seeing her since then, but he couldn't suppress the growing thoughts of her. It had only been a few days, yet he missed her so much. Somehow, she had become incredibly important to him, to the point where he would spend sleepless nights gazing emptily at the bed she once occupied in the mansion."Why can't you give me a little more time? How can you be so certain that I'll never fall in love with you?" He whispered these words into the air, sounding incredibly lonely.Coco's assistants departed the studio for the day, but Coco remained. She hunched over the worktable, engrossed in her artwork.A slight pang in her stomach caused her a bit of discomfort. Coco got up, brewed a cup of hot tea, and resumed her work. Immersing herself in her work and the beauty of art was her only solace from the troubles of reality.She continued painting until hunger interrupted her focus. Glancing up to check the time, she saw
Lucas frowned, worried about Coco. Her face was pale, and her body was trembling slightly."Are you going to take the subway back by yourself? Even in this state?" A sour look covered his face as he bent forward and picked her up."Don't... " Coco exclaimed, but it was no use. Lucas carried her in his arms, heading toward the subway exit.Many people in the subway turned their eyes to them. If she struggled, they would only attract more attention. Unable to think, Coco buried her head in Lucas' arms, hiding from their sight. Lucas glanced down at the woman in his arms. She no longer resisted his touch, obedient and docile like before. If he could, he would love to keep holding her like this. Lucas quickened his steps at the thought of her pale face. He carried her to his car within minutes and carefully put her in the passenger seat.Coco's face was very pale, a layer of sweat forming on her forehead."I'll take you to the hospital. You look unwell," Lucas said. He whisked a t
Awkwardly fidgeting, Lucas paced back and forth, guessing what caused her cramp. A voice suddenly rang beside him, "That must be your girlfriend." Lucas turned to see a man in his fifties, and he was unable to answer the latter."There's no need to ask. She's either his girlfriend or wife." The wife stood next to the stranger and chuckled. "Look at the worry on his face, the same way you used to worry about me.""You're my wife. Of course, I'll be worried about you," the man answered, and a sweet smile appeared on the wife's wrinkled face.Just then, the door opened, and Coco came out with a red face and a hand on her stomach."What did the doctor say?" Lucas asked worriedly.Coco looked very embarrassed. After hesitating slightly, she said, "I'll go buy something, you… Sit here and wait for a while.""What do you need? I'll go get it," Lucas said urgently."I'll get it myself," she said, her face turning red. "You're feeling unwell! What do you need and where can I get it
Coco's eyes flickered. "He's a nice guy. I'm just not good enough for him." She no longer had the confidence to date him. She could not make him fall in love with her anyway, so she chose to part ways with him!Coco's answer left the couple totally flabbergasted. They were at a loss for words.Silence blanketed the room. Just then, Lucas finally returned with the sanitary pads. Coco grabbed the pads and headed to the restroom. When she came out, she saw Lucas waiting outside."I'm having cramps because of my period, plus I've been stressed lately. Maybe that's why it hurts more than usual. I don't need any medicine. I'll be fine in a day or two with good rest," Coco explained."Anyway, I'm fine. Besides…" Coco paused hesitantly, chewing on her lips. "Since I'm on my period, that means I'm not pregnant. We should be relieved." Coco locked her eyes on Lucas, her expression intent.Lucas' heart sank at her words. Not pregnant? He had not thought of this at all, even when he had rus
"He's really good-looking. You have a good eye." The neighbor smiled and stepped into the elevator.Coco was embarrassed.Lucas reminded, "You'd better open the door or your other neighbors may come and ask again."Coco hesitated for a heartbeat. Then, she opened the door and let him inside."What else do you need, Mr. Gomez? I'm home now," Coco turned around, asking him.Lucas pursed his lips, his gaze on her abdomen. "Does it still hurt?""A little. But it's tolerable, just like my usual period cramps." As she spoke about her period cramps, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.Lucas frowned. He had no idea how much pain came with period cramps."I’ve heard a cup of hot ginger tea would make you feel better during period cramps," Lucas said abruptly, having heard that from his friends' past conversation with Caleb."And?" Coco asked in reply.Turning around, Lucas headed straight to the kitchen. Coco quickly followed, only to see him grabbing the tea and pot from her pantr