Kourtney felt her cheeks flush deeper as she realized the implications of their current position. She was seated on his lap with his arms encircling her waist, and the intensity of his gaze was undeniable. She immediately struggled to get off him, but the man just wouldn't budge. He held her tightly against him. âMr Woods, I beg you to let me go now.â âWhy the rush? We're a married couple, after all. What's wrong about sitting on me?â he rasped. Sebastian's tone was defensive, and he continued to hold her with an iron grip in a possessive manner. Even his usually composed expression was replaced by a flicker of something more primal. There was a burning heat evident in his eyes. Kourtney, on the other hand, was flustered and conflicted, her face a deep shade of crimson red. She wriggled in his embrace, desperately trying to free herself. âThis man! How much more petty can you get!â she thought. Meanwhile, Sebastian's body, against his better judgment, responded to the close proxi
"Nothing to be overly concerned about Mrs. Woods, just some series of physical breakdowns caused by extreme fatigue. Apparently, your husband is a workaholic," Ryan lied diplomatically.Kourtney's eyes narrowed in a mixture of relief and annoyance. "Fatigue? That's it?ââYes, he just needs some rest and a healthier work-life balance. It's not uncommon for high achievers to push themselves too hard. Bastian needs to learn when to take a break."Kourtney sneered. âOH⊠I see. It was nothing serious, and your friend here made me pamper and feed him like he was some dying old Grandpa! All this drama for fatigue?â Sebastian, unapologetic, shot back, "Well, isn't it nice to know you care so much?"Kourtney, not one to let Sebastian have the last word, retorted, "Oh, you'll be lucky if I even lift a finger again. You can feed yourself!âSebastian raised an eyebrow, a challenge in his eyes. "Is that so?âHe shot her a sour look while Ryan couldn't help but chuckle as he watched the bickering
Kourtney tightened her grip on the bag of fruits as she recognized the couple â Brandon, her ex-fiancĂ©, and her sister Kathlyn, the same people who had betrayed and cheated on her.They seemed so happy together, and a bitter taste filled her mouth as she recalled the pain they had caused her. Her stomach churned, and she felt a headache, witnessing the life that was stolen from her. The universe seemed to conspire against her today.Frozen in her steps, Kourtney debated whether to turn around and find an alternate route, but then, they were standing on the road leading back to Sebastian's room, blocking any escape.Brandon, with his keen eyes, spotted her first. âKourtney???â he called out.He had a somewhat surprised expression on his face as if he hadn't expected to run into her here.Kathlyn, on the other hand, wore a triumphant smirk, her eyes gleaming with a hint of mischief."Oh, look who's here! Our dear Kourtney."âOh, Hi,â Kourtney sneered with disgust evident on her face. B
âIâm just doing charity from the bottom of my good heart.â Sebastian smirked. âCharity or not, It's good to know that you care for your husband.â âMr Woods, are you gonna open your mouth or not?â Kourtney asked impatiently, âI might change my mind, you know.â Meanwhile, on the sidelines, Jamie cleared his throat. âUhmm... Madame, Sir... usually donât eat fruits. I meanâŠâ Sebastian shot him a deadly glare, silencing him immediately. Kourtney chuckled. âLMAO! Who doesn't like fruits? My God⊠you're such a weirdo, Mr Woods.â âI like it now,â Sebastian replied icily. âOh... I see! Open your mouth then,â she dangled the watermelon slice closer to his lips. Sebastian opened his mouth agape, his eyes fixed on Kourtney. His lips slightly brushed against her fingers now as he accepted the slice, unlike the time she fed him with a spoon. And just like that, Kourtney felt her heart thumping and her cheeks heating up. His lips coming in contact with her fingers made her feel some type
Four hours later, the room's background light had shifted from the warm glow of late afternoon to the dark shades of late night. Sebastian, ever the attentive partner, had dimmed the hospital room overhead lights to create a more soothing atmosphere so Kourtney could enjoy her sleep.Even though he needed more lighting to be able to work, he willingly turned down the lights so she could sleep better. He also couldnât stop himself from stealing glances at her every now and then.Even with tons of work documents in his hands, he watched her from time to time as she reclined softly against the pillows like a cute little toddler. And the tenderness in his eyes also spoke volumes. She looked so cute! Too cute! âMy wife is super adorable!â he murmured.With her looking like this, Sebastian couldnât possibly concentrate on his paperwork.He could hardly help himself anymore as he reached out to touch her. He gently brushed his fingers against her nose, cheeks, and lips. It wasn't weird or a
"I beg your pardon, Mr Woods. Did you forget our agreement? You promised to give me a one-week grace period before moving in together. And we still have three days left. Did you forget?â Kourtney sneered.She felt she still needed more time to adjust to this whole idea. She hadn't even had the courage to tell anyone about it yet; not even her best friend, Lilian Powell.Meanwhile, Sebastian's arrogant demeanor faltered for a moment. He hadn't anticipated her reminding him of their agreement, which he had reluctantly put in place.His eyebrows furrowed, and there was a conflict visible in his eyes. He hated to admit it, but Kourtney had a point. They did have an agreement, and he couldn't disregard it completely."Oh, right. I did say that, didn't I? "Yes, you did. So, stick to our agreement!âAfter a tense silence, he finally relented. "Fine, you win this round. You can go home, but I don't like it."Kourtney exhaled, feeling a sense of victory. "Gee, thanks.âSebastian, still feelin
Sebastian was the actual owner of the hospital and could do whatever he wanted. However, after a moment's consideration, he decided to let it go, even with the extreme power he held.With a shake of his head, he turned away, dismissing the idea of forcing her back in. He had missed three full workdays, and there were piles of paperwork awaiting his attention. The workload was a lot!Yet, as he delved into the sea of documents, thoughts of Kourtney lingered in his mind. Sebastian couldn't shake the distraction she had become. He could hardly concentrate while she was sleeping beside him, and he still couldn't even now that she was gone.Just the simple thoughts of her brief peck on his cheeks left him in a state of disarray. Her teasing kiss and the challenge in her eyes had left a lasting impression on him."Damn, what's wrong with me?" he muttered, frustrated by the unexpected intrusion of these thoughts.Her presence, or the memory of it, lingered in his mind. He shook his head, att
Woods Corporations.The entire boardroom was packed with higher-ups, executives, and top staffs of the Woods Corporation, all anxiously waiting for their big boss to arrive. It had been a few days since he was last seen in the office, and everyone was curious about his absence, especially since he never missed work.Speculations and gossip filled the room, with some suggesting that he must be enjoying his new married life and couldn't bear to be apart from his wife."He must be on an extended honeymoon," whispered one executive to another, causing a few chuckles to ripple through the room.âI honestly still can't imagine or picture âTHE President Woodsâ in a romantic setting with anyone. It feels surreal.ââI wonder what kind of lover he'd be amidst his cold personality,â Monica Steely, the leader of the HR Department, says out loud. She'd always had a massive crush on the CEO, much like every other female at the company.âWhat if⊠just what if he turns out to be a softie who simps fo
Ever since he had heard about his First Loveâs arrival yesterday, Kourtney had barely seen or spent time with her husband. For the first time since she moved in with him, Sebastian had been absent in their bed when she got up.And even in her deep slumber, she knew she didnât feel his warm embrace or presence last night. She was more than certain he hadnât spent the night here.She could feel it in her bones!Just as she was about to lose herself in her spiraling thoughts, she opened the bedroom door and stepped out, only to be met by the sight of two of Sebastianâs bodyguards waiting just outside.âGood morning, Mrs. Woods,â one of them greeted with a polite nod.âUhmm⊠where is he?â The question slipped from her lips before she could stop it.âMr. Woods had something to do at the company, so he left first,â the other bodyguard replied, his expression unreadable.Kourtney felt her heart drop. âHe left me here again to go to the company?â she thought as anger bubbled inside her.She w
Meanwhile, as Sebastian drove away, his mind raced.How could she just show up like that?He felt sick from the memories the woman stirred within him. The nights spent dreaming of what could have been, the love that had once filled his heart, now twisted into something dark and painful.God! She had turned him into a shadow of himself.Why had she returned?Was she here to stir up trouble?Sebastian was a clever man, quick to understand the intentions of others. She has to be here to cause trouble. Nothing more, nothing less.He gripped the steering wheel tightly as he navigated through the congested streets of Melbourne. The evening traffic crawled at a snail's pace, much worse than usual.Soon enough, he got to know there was a recent ghastly accident. A multi-car pileup around the scene had brought the main road to a standstill.Because of this, he was stuck in the traffic jam for hours with a throbbing headache pulsating at his temples.As Sebastian sat there, trapped in his sleek
âFine. Then letâs talk about that person you married... it was just for formalities, wasnât it?â Scarlet probed, her eyes glinting with curiosity.At her words, Sebastian chuckled darkly. âYou think you know everything, donât you?â Scarlet's heart raced as she saw a flicker of something glinting in his eyes the moment when she mentioned that person. He was smiling now! He even laughed!âHeâHe canât possibly have feelings for her,â she thought frantically. âNo! Not after everything we had.âHer eyes narrowed as she assessed him, taking in the wedding band that glinted against his skin.It was as if something suddenly snapped inside her. Consumed by a wave of jealousy, she rushed at him, wrapping her arms around his neck, and pressing her body against his. She had moved so quickly before his bodyguards could move an inch to stop her. She took them all by surprise.âI need you, Bastian,â she said with desperation.Her breath was warm against his skin. She wanted to feel the heat of
Across town, Sebastian Woods sat in a sleek conference room, surrounded by his British investors. The mood was tense; the meeting had been called unexpectedly. They were supposed to arrive the next day morning, but their flight had changed, and now he had to face them early.It was annoying just sitting there for him. He hated urgent and unplanned business meetings like this, but he just couldnât keep these people waiting. He liked to treat his foreign investors well as they were important to the growth of his company. He had to be there no matter what.But, despite the urgent nature of the meeting, Sebastianâs mind was miles away.âPresident Woods?â one of the investors interrupted, waving a hand in front of him. âAre you with us?ââSorry, yes. Letâs continue,â he replied, shaking his head to clear the fog of distraction.He wanted to focus on work, but his mind kept wandering back to HER.It was funny how he kept glancing at his phone on the table, hoping for a beep, a call, or even
They both turned towards the voice. It was Edwin Woods.âWhatâs it to you? This is not of your business,â Micheal challenged.âIâll tell you what? Itâs every one of my business. Thatâs my awesome sister-in-law,â Edwin said stepping close enough to separate Kourtney from Micheal.âSheâs a grown woman. She can make her own decisions.ââRight. But stay away from her!ââYouâll never stop being Sebastianâs little sidekick, will you?ââBeing a sidekick feels much better than being the incompetent failure that you are,â Edwin scoffed.Kourtney watched as both men went head to head with scornful words flying around. She didnât ask for any of this drama. She only wanted to come here and cry, then probably inhale the fresh scent of blooming roses till she felt satisfied.What was this evening turning into?She could feel the tension crackling in the air between them, like a storm ready to break. It was hard to believe that these two men were cousins who grew up together, yet here they were, gla
Micheal grinned on hearing her positive response. âIâm glad youâre so interested in hearing what I have to say.âKourtney was getting impatient now, âYeah, so what is it?âIn truth, she only wanted to get the conversation over with so he could leave her alone.The man smirked, reveling in the power he held over her. âTrust me. It's a perfect solution that we can both enjoy.âKourtney's instincts screamed at her to be cautious. The way Michael leaned in, his expression shifting to something more intense, made her stomach churn. She didnât want to hear whatever twisted proposal he had in mind, but a part of her was suddenly curious, almost desperate to know what could possibly come next.âWhat exactly do want?â she asked again, her voice tinged with a hint of annoyance as she silently wished he would suggest something that wouldnât make her hiss with contempt.âHmmm. So letâs be real here,â he started, his voice low and steady, almost hypnotic. âBastian is clearly not committed to you.
âMaybe that's why he still refused to let go of their old memories,â Kourtney continued talking to herself.She knew these images would be etched in her mind for a long time, a constant reminder of the love that had existed long before she came into the picture. Tears threatening to spill gathered in her eyes as she squatted down to pick up the photos.But on second thought, she felt a surge of defiance. She decided not to pick them up. Somehow, she wanted Sebastian to know she saw them without having to confront him about it.Did she even have the guts to bring it up?How could she possibly question him about something so personal?The thought sent a shiver down her spine.What would she even say to him? âHey, Sebastian, I found a box of your ex-girlfriend's photos, and Iâm feeling a bit insecure about itâ? That would sound like the ramblings of a jealous, obsessive woman, and she was determined not to be that person.She didnât want to come off as the psychotic wife who couldn't ha
Kourtneyâs steps were light as she approached the ornate double doors to Sebastianâs study on the uppermost floor of the Woods villa. He had left immediately after lunch, saying he had some important work to handle.She hissed, still a little hurt just thinking about it.It was Sunday, and she wondered what was so important that couldnât wait till a work day.And how long would it take for him to handle the sudden emergency?She needed a breather from all the drama unfolding after the news of Scarletâs arrival. Since her husband had left her all alone to her fate in the hands of his wicked aunts and other relatives who hated her guts, Kourtney knew it would be wise to just stay in her lane and not go back downstairs till when necessary.She pushed the doors open gently, not wanting to disturb the sanctity of his space. It was built and designed just like the one they had at Serenity Villa.Seems like the man took his bland and boring style so seriously. There was not even a single bri
âSo you had no idea she was coming?â Edwin pestered.âI donât!âSebastian, who had been sipping his glass of whiskey, answered in his usual stoic tone.But beneath his composed exterior was a man in complete disarray.The name Scarlet Thompson sent a jolt through him, memories flooding back from a time when he was young and infatuated. She was his first love, the one woman who had held his heart captive all those years ago.He felt a pang of somethingânostalgia, perhaps?Or was it something deeper?But why now?What could bring her back after all this time?***********Later that day, at the grand dining room of the Woods estate, the smell of fresh savory dishes filled the air as the family gathered for their traditional Sunday afternoon brunch.Kourtney could feel the buzzing tension around the table.The familyâs whispers were like daggers.She could hear tiny bits of their discussions.It was still all about the Scarlet Lady.She felt like she couldnât breathe properly.And Sebasti