Manhattan, New York, US. 17 Years Ago"Here's your breakfast," Lionel put down the tray containing the breakfast in the morning.Mikael raised his head and glanced at him for a moment, then he looked away and ignored him. His eyes hurt from crying all night—either because he was worried about Claire or because he was angry with himself.“Eat, Mike. Then I'll take you to school." Lionel sat beside him and started spreading jam on the bread. "Today, you have breakfast with me because your Mommy and Daddy are not home.""I don't care about them," Mikael answered curtly, then pulled the blanket over him, "I don't want breakfast, and I didn't go to school this morning." He said.Lionel took a deep breath, “Don't do anything that will make your parents even more angry,” he gave advice—just like he always did when Mikael fought with Claire."Didn't I say that I don't care about them?"Once again, Lionel exhaled deeply, “get ready for school if you don't want breakfast. We can buy the breakfa
Manhattan, New York, US. 11 AMClaire waved at Josephine as the car driven by Michael drove away from the front yard of the Williams family's mansion.They finally went home by car after finishing breakfast.Lionel offered to take the helicopter home to avoid traffic jams. However, Claire was still afraid of yesterday's incident, so she asked Michael to use the car.Luckily Michael wasn't angry and asked Lionel to send the car to him.Claire didn't know where Michael got the car quickly because, as far as she could remember, Michael's and Williams' mansions were quite far. Michael also didn't want to borrow Josephine's car even though she had already offered a car to them."When are we leaving for San Francisco?" Claire turned to Michael, who was driving his car.A fragment of memory about their accident in Venice came back to Claire's head when she saw Michael driving beside her.Her heart skipped a beat as she remembered how bad things had gone that night. However, Claire was desper
San Francisco Center for Reproductive HealthSan Francisco, California, US. 10 AMThey had been in San Francisco for two days. Yesterday she asked Michael to walk around exploring California from afternoon to night because she was bored in the apartment. There weren't many tourist spots they could visit, so they just walked around a few food street spots to spend time in the afternoon.Then finally, the day that Claire had been waiting for came…Claire lay nervously as the obstetrician did some checkups on her.She and Michael arrived at the clinic an hour ago, and she has gone through lab tests, including blood, urine, and other tests. The check-up aims to determine hormone progesterone levels, thyroid, luteinizing, and follicle-stimulating.Now she will do a transvaginal ultrasound to determine the condition of her uterus, neck, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. She grabbed Michael's arm when she felt the ultrasound tool touching her body. An uncomfortable pain made her hold Michael's h
Michael's PenthouseSan Francisco, California, US. 8 AMIt's been almost three weeks since Claire and Michael moved to San Francisco.Every morning she always got up early to prepare everything—food, clothes, and even cleaned the penthouse without the help of a maid.Michael always forced her to use cleaning services and buy food at restaurants so she wouldn't have to do everything herself, but Claire refused because she liked doing the housework.In the past, she loved working and spending time in the office with her friends. However, after she got married, she only wanted to take care of everything herself—to take care of her husband, their food, and their house.However, they lived in a large mansion, so Claire couldn't clean it herself. Two chefs and dozens of maids are always there to do anything she needs, and they forbid her from getting close to the kitchen because they feel it is inappropriate for her to do so. Finally, she felt as if she was trapped in the mansion without be
Michael's Private jetSan Francisco, California, US. 11 AM'Hey, it's me, Claire. I just wanted to let you know that I'm going back to Manhattan today because my husband has a few jobs. I hope we can meet soon.’Claire read the text message she had written to Anderson before sending it to that man.Right now, she is on Michael's private plane to go to Manhattan, New York.To be honest, she still wanted to do therapy at the clinic, but she didn't want to be selfish by forcing Michael to stay longer. After all, he had left his job for three weeks to be with her in San Francisco. Maybe next time, she would continue her therapy when Michael had finished his work.'Hey, Claire. Stop introducing yourself every time you text. I always knew it was you because I was waiting for your message. By the way, is your husband's work in San Francisco done? If you come home this afternoon, can we meet tomorrow morning? I think it would be great if I could meet my son-in-law at breakfast.’Claire smiled
Williams MansionManhattan, New York, US. 7 PM"How was your trip, Claire?" John asked as they were sitting together at the dining table eating dinner.Claire looked up, "everything good, Dad." She smiled briefly.“And…” he turned to look at Josephine who was sitting on his right, “what about your medication?”Claire swallowed her food and then downed a glass of water before she wiped her lips with a napkin, “Michael and I haven't been in a rush to have a child. However, I was worried about my condition when I heard the results of my check-up. That's why I followed Abigail's advice to get treatment in San Francisco. But the doctor said there is no problem, so I just need hormone therapy.""Thankfully, there are no problems. I was worried when I saw you so gloomy recently,” Josephine reached out and clasped her hands on the table—supporting her through her serene eyes."Well, it's just my worry. Michael never pressured me to have children soon,” Claire smiled briefly.John cleared his
Clan Leandro Armory BaseVenice, Italy. 10 PM"I don't understand what happened with you," Mikael let out a long breath. He was trying hard not to explode his anger at what had just happened."What happened to me?" Claire replied as if she didn't feel guilty for what happened."You disappeared from Lionel, and you still ask what happened to you?""Why did you report to Michael?"Mikael faintly heard Claire's voice asking Lionel.Then Lionel replied, "I'm just doing my job."Claire clucked softly."Claire," Mikael muttered. He clenched his fists and tried not to show his anger at Claire.She didn't know how much he panicked when Lionel said she had disappeared.Damn it. It's too much. And he knew he was worried because he cared about Claire. And sometimes, his caring turned into… into something stronger—something that made him willing to beg under Claire's feet for something he didn't understand.Claire let out a long breath, “I'm fine. You don't need to worry."Mikael closed his eyes.
William's MansionManhattan, New York, US. 9 AM"Where's Lionel?" Claire frowned when she didn't see Lionel in her car.Today, Claire planned to meet Anderson at his office to chat a bit longer without interrupting his work. However, she couldn't find Lionel—a bodyguard who always followed her every step."Lionel went to Italy last night on urgent business, Mrs Williams." The driver answered while opening the car door."To Italy?" She muttered under her breath, "what happened to him? Why did he go to Italy without telling me?" She took her cell phone from her bag and called Michael.Since last night she felt her heart pounding hard—as if she was worried about something. She couldn't reach Michael after their last call.She wanted to tell Michael about her meeting with Anderson, but he ignored her. Even now, she still can not call Michael.Claire took a deep breath and looked at her cell phone screen worriedly.'I don't know what's happening, but I'm worried about you. Call me as soon
Mikael’s Mansion.Yonkers, New York, US. A few months later.Mikael gazed at the sprawling grounds of his mansion, which had begun to bloom with flowers, with butterflies fluttering freely.Claire had started planting flowers in their mansion’s yard two weeks ago, and the blossoms were beginning to bloom in the spring, transforming the once-dreary mansion into something beautiful.Mikael had been away from that building for nearly six years. Even though there were still servants cleaning and maintaining the place every day, it had felt gloomy when they first moved in a few months ago.However, Claire only took a few days to make significant changes to the mansion. Cecilia's laughter echoed in every corner, bringing a new light that Mikael had never imagined before. Claire had begun to do her part—adding magical touches that his mind struggled to comprehend, but his heart could feel.And now, as spring had arrived, everything was starting to grow lushly—especially Mikael's heart, which
Chapter 117 Perfect Family in the MorningMikael’s ApartmentManhattan, New York, US. 9 AMClaire nearly jumped in surprise when she felt a cold kiss on her neck in the midst of the chilly air. Her hands moved to push the man away—the only person allowed to do such a thing to her.“Mike,” she groaned irritably.“Are you going to keep hiding under the blankets until the afternoon?” Mikael chuckled and continued showering her with cold kisses along her neck and face.Claire opened her eyes and pouted. When she turned her head, she didn’t find Cecilia there and concluded that she had woken up late, meaning Cecilia was already awake.“Get away from me!” she said while pushing Mikael away, even though she knew her refusal was futile.“Do you really want me to go?” Mikael raised his eyebrows.Claire rolled her eyes as she noticed the drastic change in their interactions.She had known Mikael her entire life, but she felt unprepared for all of this. Waking up to see Mikael’s handsome face in
Mikael’s ApartmentManhattan, New York, US. 1 AMOnce again, Claire woke up with soreness between her thighs, and the memories of what she’d done replayed in her mind. Her eyes weren’t fully open yet, but she knew it was still nighttime—the sun hadn’t risen, unlike a few days ago when she awoke.A large, warm hand wrapped around her waist tightly, keeping her from falling off the sofa in the living room. A thick blanket covered her bare body, and she knew that the man behind her was also still undressed, even though he was awake.She could feel the gentle strokes along her back and steady breaths against her neck. The man hadn’t said a word, but Claire knew he was awake, or at least hadn’t slept since she had immediately closed her eyes after their last... game, however many hours ago.She had been right to worry—she’d lose control again if she let Mikael talk to her at night. And yes, she had lost control once more.There was no denying that she missed every touch from this man. Ther
Mikael’s ApartmentManhattan, New York, US. 9 PMSnow once again blanketed the streets of New York, which were adorned with Christmas lights and bustling with pedestrians going about their activities. Some chose to step aside, seeking warmth from the cold, while others continued to stroll, enjoying the frozen snowflakes falling around them.Amid the hustle of New York, Mikael opted to sit in the main room of his apartment with two mugs of hot chocolate—one for him and one for Claire.The cool air from the balcony door, which wasn’t fully closed, made the room feel cold—typical of the chilly end-of-year weather.Mikael had endured many terrible years, but it seemed he would close this one with a sweet gift—Cecilia.“This is the best year-end I’ve ever had,” Mikael smiled.Sometimes, he forgot the last time he had smiled, but in the past few days, he had lost count of how many times he’d smiled because it happened so often.“Good for you,” Claire responded flatly.Sometimes, Mikael wond
Michael’s GraveManhattan, New York, US. 9 AMClaire stepped forward, clutching a bouquet of white roses she had bought just before arriving at... her destination.“Mom,” Cecilia reached for her hand, prompting Claire to turn and offer a brief smile to the little girl.“That’s okay, Cecilia.” Mikael crouched in front of Cecilia and lifted her into his arms when he noticed she felt scared.Claire had never taken Cecilia to a cemetery before, but Cecilia had seen graves on television, and it always piqued her curiosity.Cecilia didn’t have anyone to visit in Canada, so she never went to a cemetery. But now, she was in New York, and… she felt like she had to visit one of the graves she missed the most—Michael’s grave.“Daddy, I’m scared,” Cecilia said quietly, hiding her face against Mikael’s chest.“Aren’t you here with Daddy and Mommy?” Mikael kissed her hair softly, “You don’t need to be scared, right?”“Yes, Daddy.” Cecilia nodded but kept hiding her face, making Mikael chuckle affec
Mikael’s ApartmentManhattan, New York, US. 11 PMTime passes day by day, and Claire feels unable to stop them. The end of the year is approaching, but she feels she still can’t leave this year behind—a year that has brought her many surprises and… happiness.She is living in Mikael’s apartment.They sleep together in the same room, on the same bed, and under the same blanket. However, nothing happens between them except… sleep, in the literal meaning.It’s not that Claire wants anything else. Honestly, she still can’t believe what she did with Mikael on the nights following the moment she killed Anderson with a gun in her hand.That night, she was completely unhinged and couldn’t think clearly. Everything she discussed with Mikael drove her further into madness, and they ended that madness in an even crazier way. However, she would try to control herself not to do that again… at least until she was truly sure about her decisions and what she wanted to do next.Now, she lives with Mik
Williams MansionManhattan, New York, US. 1 PM“Oh my God,” Josephine Williams gasped, covering her mouth in surprise when she saw Claire standing at the mansion door.“Mom,” Claire gave a brief smile and reached out to hug her.They had met briefly yesterday, but that encounter meant nothing to either Josephine or Claire. At the time, everything was chaotic, and Claire’s only concern had been calming Cecilia, who was crying hysterically out of fear.“My dear,” Josephine sighed as she hugged Claire, “I’ve been waiting for word from you since last night.”“Sorry to make you worry, Mom. I’m fine. You don’t have to worry about me.”“I know you’re fine,” Josephine released the hug and cupped Claire’s face, looking at her closely. “I just needed to hear from you. It’s the only thing that could ease my mind.”Claire smiled and nodded. Years had passed since her childhood, but Josephine still saw her as a little princess she would always worry about. Claire hadn’t understood Josephine’s mind
Mikael’s Mansion Manhattan, New York, US. 10 AM “Do you like these eggs, Cecilia?” “Can I have more?” “You want more?” “I want! I want!” “Sure, Princess! You’ll have mine, and I’ll make another one for you.” Claire blinked as the voices broke through her sleep. She opened her eyes for a few seconds, but the pull of sleep soon coaxed them shut again. Sunlight poured through the large windows at the center of the room, illuminating the sofa that faced the balcony. Despite it being late in the year, the day was bright enough for the midday sun to break through and gently warm Claire’s still-closed eyelids. She stretched, feeling a familiar ache from yesterday morning—the same kind of soreness she used to experience years ago. As much as she wanted to forget what had happened last night, Claire couldn’t deny that when she closed her eyes, all she could think about was the way Mikael had kissed her, letting his hands roam her body—touching her with tenderness and passion. “Daddy,
Mikael’s ApartmentManhattan, New York, US. 4 AMMikael still couldn’t believe what had just happened.Yes, it was hard for him to truly accept that, at this moment, he was lying next to Claire, who was curled up, shivering under his arm. Her eyes were closed while her body, from her waist down to her feet, was covered by the thick blanket he had given her after they had finished their long, wild sex.Claire’s confession had made Mikael lose control. He didn’t know how else to express the madness in his heart but through a kiss, a reflex to Claire’s long confession. However, that kiss had only ignited a fire within him, pulling him back into the burning circle.And the more surprising thing was... Claire accepted his touch.Mikael leaned down to kiss Claire’s shoulder and whatever else his lips could reach—her head, her forehead, and the nape of her neck, which was covered by strands of her red hair.Claire had stopped coloring her hair since Mikael wasn’t sure when. But he remembered