"What's the name of that bar?" Brewing teas for both of them, Travis asks in a serious tone, his hands steady. "I don't know. I don't remember!" Dawn shrugs as if it’s unimportant, though her fingers fidget against the table. "But I can gather other information!" Travis nods quietly, his eyes narrowing slightly. "So, you’ve been investigating things!" "Yeah. What did you think? That I would sit back and do nothing?" she snaps, her voice sharp but controlled. "I was planning to raise my baby away from everyone. And once he turned into an adult, I’d return home to kill you and her!" Travis’s eyes widen slightly. "Excuse me?" His brows arch, and he straightens in his seat. "You aren’t killing anyone!" "Relax," she says, waving a dismissive hand. "It’s just angry, intrusive thoughts. All I want is to see Spring and whoever the bastard is, suffering." "Same target," Travis mutters, pouring the hot tea into two delicate cups—the same tea she used to brew for him during calmer tim
What can they do now? Play petty games and act like bullies again? Dawn exhales sharply, her fingers gripping the edge of her phone as Travis's message flickers on the screen. His words carry a weight of guilt and concern. He has arranged for her to attend the reunion with bodyguards. She wants to be angry at him for being so overprotective, but deep down, she knows his actions stem from love. He’s been working himself to the bone, determined to clear his schedule before the final month of her pregnancy. The pressure he carries is palpable, his desire to protect her and their unborn son consuming him. After everything they’ve endured—the threats, the near-misses—he refuses to take any risks. Dawn sets her phone down, her chest tightening. She wishes Travis could be here tonight, but she doesn’t dwell on the thought for long. Tiara, stepped in at the last moment, eager to take his place. Tiara’s presence feels like a shield, a reminder that Dawn doesn’t have to face her past al
"My Lady!" Dawn flinches at the sound of a female voice behind her. The running faucet muffles the words, but she turns to find a female waitress standing there. Before Dawn can say anything, the waitress places a folded piece of paper on her purse and quickly leaves the restroom. Confused, Dawn picks up the note and glances at it. Her expression hardens, but she remains silent. Moments later, some of her classmates enter the bathroom. Among them is Nora Brown, her unmistakable presence commanding the room. Not wanting to waste energy on people she deems unimportant, Dawn turns to leave. But just as she reaches the door, a hand blocks her path. "So, you got pregnant!" Nora’s smirk widens as she shoves Dawn against the wall. "I wonder if the man who knocked you up knows how worthless you really are." Dawn gently shields her belly, her expression calm and composed. Her lack of reaction only fuels Nora’s rage. "Nora!" one of her underlings hisses, glancing nervously at the
"Dawn! Let's have dinner together!" Jake approaches her after finding her alone in the corner of the room. She has been trying to find Danny, who has yet to arrive. The sole purpose of coming here is to meet Danny, so it's upsetting that he hasn’t shown up yet. "Thank you. But I am a bit busy!" she says while trying to message Danny. "I don't know what happened between us, Dawn, but I don't want to ruin our friendship. Millie misses you too!" Dawn looks at him, clearly uninterested in his words. "Mr. Jake, I don't think we have any friendship." "Jake! What are you doing?" Spring approaches them and wraps her hand around his arm. "Oh! Dawn? Sorry! In this room, staying five feet apart is impossible since we're at the same party. Anyway, I think you’ve met my boyfriend. This is Jake." She grins. "So rest assured, I won’t come after Travis!" She chuckles, pressing a kiss on his cheek. Dawn looks unbothered once again and dials a number. The only friend who always had her back w
Surprisingly, the rest of the party goes smoothly. Danny is overly protective of Dawn, and even Tiara can’t stop talking about it. However, there are visible walls of friendship between them. Dawn feels overjoyed to spend what she believes might be her last moments with Danny. She knows he will soon become sick and pass away, which breaks her heart. Danny has turned into the kind of sweet friend she has always wanted. Meanwhile, Spring keeps her distance and avoids Dawn entirely, choosing instead to hang out with her own friends. Tiara is busy replying to Travis’s endless messages—about the bodyguards, the female waitstaff he sends, and everything else. Tiara is shocked when Travis first confides in her about his plan. He knows he won’t get much time to stay with Dawn, but he wants to ensure that everyone working at the event is replaced by his own people. So now, all the female staff and male security guards are part of the Ericson security team. “So, what about you coming to
The car pulls up in front of a vast expanse of land. At first glance, Dawn is confused by the darkness. She glances at Travis as he steps out of the car. Her heart starts thumping. She trusts him, but this scenario—away from the city, shrouded in darkness, the sound of crickets echoing in the air, and no one else around—makes her tremble slightly.She cradles her belly, trying not to let doubts creep in about whether Travis would ever hurt her or the baby."Why are we here? This doesn’t look like a date!" she asks, her jaw clenched tightly.Travis notices the troubled expression on her face. He opens her door and gently pecks her cheek. "We’re here!" he says with a grin.She tilts her head, trying to understand what’s happening, but her eyes widen in shock as the surroundings suddenly become illuminated by thousands of lights.The entire path is lined with glowing lights and vibrant flowers, forming arches that look like floral gates. At the end of the road stands a giant tent."What’
Travis’s eyes open with a panic when he feels the wetness on his arm. Thinking that it’s pouring and the raindrops are dripping off the ceiling of the tent, he almost jumps until… He finds Dawn crying silently in her sleep, tears streaming down his arm. “Dawn!” he mutters, looking worried. Gently wiping her face, he shakes her slowly, careful not to frighten her. “Dawn! Wake up! It’s fine,” he whispers, rubbing her back. “Do-Don’t kill him. Don’t kill my baby boy,” she sobs, wrapping her arms around her belly. Travis’s eyes moisten as she cries in his arms. He holds her without disrupting her dreams, whispering softly, “It’s just a dream. You are alright!” It has become a common occurrence for them. Travis shares the same nightmares, watching her and Asher dying constantly. It has become a part of his life, an unrelenting reminder of everything he must do to protect her and Asher. His heart echoes his sadness as he pulls her closer into his arms, resting her against his c
Spring's expression shifts to seriousness as she shakes the glass of wine. Her eyes are settled on her reflection in the counter. Beads of sweat gather at the corner of her left brow, with a deep frown between her eyebrows. "Don't worry!" A cold tone comes as she takes a glance at the sushi master. "She wasn't as important as you thought she would be." Spring looks up at the man. His blonde hair and dark blue eyes don't match the Sagari he has adorned himself with. She lowers her gaze, then reaches for the sliced raw squid sashimi he just prepared. "Fanny is my ex-boyfriend's sister. She was one of the most cunning people I have ever met," she says calmly, clenching the chopsticks. "So?" the man retorts. "She crossed the line—blackmailing us. How stupid!" Spring leans into the chair and meets his eyes with a sharp sigh. "You should have at least used her before killing her. Whatever. When will your brother be here?" The man grins playfully while cleaning the knife. "He won
Although it’s uncertain whether Jacklyn is telling the truth, the regret in her voice sounds almost convincing. She claims she acted out of resentment and anger toward her family, and for a moment, it’s easy to believe her. Jacklyn, Mr. Ericson’s niece, was in love—or so she thought. She had been dating a man from Mrs. Ericson’s side of the family, someone significantly older than her. At eighteen, she had been swept up in the thrill of it, oblivious to the fact that he was married, his wife expecting their first child. When the truth unraveled, disaster followed. Mrs. Ericson’s family cut all ties with the man, erasing him from the family would and exiling him without hesitation. Jacklyn, powerless and desperate, begged him to stay quiet. She knew her uncle’s unwavering devotion to the family’s strict principles—if he found out, there would be be no forgiveness. To her love is everything... She was supposed to be having a family with that man if they didn't kick him out. They s
Dawn feels vindictive as she corners Jacklyn, who has suddenly turned hostile toward her. In her previous life, Jacklyn never attended this party, nor did she have a boyfriend. So why is she acting so aggressively now? It is clear she is up to something. Her sudden accusation is absurd—too deliberate to be a coincidence. Dawn might have been soft, meek, and unbothered in her previous life, but not anymore. Now, she holds her breath at every unexpected turn, refusing to let anything slip by unnoticed. Right now, everyone’s attention is on Jacklyn, their gazes sharp with disappointment. Mr. Ericson, a man who rarely loses his temper, inhales deeply before shifting his focus to a nearby servant. “Take Mr. Taylor to the guest room,” he orders, sparing Taylor a glance before turning to Jacklyn. His eyes darken. “Jacklyn. In my study.” His voice is thunderous, cold as ice, sending a shiver down Jacklyn’s spine. She flinches, her lips parting as if to protest, but she quickly shuts
"I never thought things would blow up like this."Mr. Holden, barely past his 30s, stands under the harsh scrutiny of the crowd, their whispers laced with judgment and malice. The once-familiar faces around him are now unrecognizable—twisted with curiosity, disbelief, and something uglier… amusement. "I'm sure she’s lying. We all know Mr. Holden—he’s young and single." A voice comes..."Is this turning into some kind of drama? A scandal? Infidelity, maybe? What a joke!" "Well, you can’t expect much from people like her." The murmurs aren’t subtle. They are loud, venomous, designed to cut deep. The Ericsons, known for their dignity, stand frozen—red with anger and disbelief. These are supposed to be their people, their close-knit circle. Yet, they turn so quickly, like vultures drawn to fresh carrion. Dawn’s gaze flickers toward Danny, who stands stiffly, his face betraying his shock. He clearly hasn’t expected someone to humiliate her this way. But Dawn… she doesn’t care fo
Although the question lingers about why the future of those unrelated to them keeps changing, Travis ensures that nothing goes wrong this time. Like a vigilant CCTV, he keeps a watchful eye on his wife and the people interacting with her. The guests for the after-party begin arriving, their conversations filled with energy and excitement. Dawn, ever the gracious host, greets them all with her warm smile, engaging in lively chats. Travis, on the other hand, exchanges polite small talk when necessary, but he remains at a distance, carefully positioned to keep an unobstructed view of his wife. His protective instincts are heightened tonight, though he maintains an outwardly calm demeanor. As the evening progresses, all the guests have arrived—except for Mary and Danny. "Do you think they won’t come?" Dawn pulls Travis aside, her voice tinged with worry. She fidgets slightly, a sign of her eagerness to see her old friend. "Let me call them," Travis replies, pulling his phone fro
The first part of the baby shower, attended only by immediate family members, has gone perfectly and relaxed for Dawn. Travis, like a steel shield, keeps everything under control, ensuring she has the most comfortable experience. "Brother! Did you see her face? I don’t know how she’s Mom’s sister! She’s the complete opposite!" Tiara crosses her arms and grunts in disappointment. "Thankfully, she didn’t do anything to Sis!" Jim slyly sets aside a small piece of cake on his plate before sliding most of it onto Tiara’s. "Mom said she cheated with her best friend’s husband. That’s why she’s been ostracized from the family." "Cheated on her *own* husband?" Tiara almost screams, catching the attention of nearby guests. Jim sighs, pulling her to the couch. "Shut up. Don’t scream." "Sorry! Sorry! Cheating? In our family? That’s a forbidden act. They get kicked out immediately. How could she—?" "Well, it’s not the first time it’s happened. Grandpa, on Mom’s side, cheated on Grandma
Travis stands firm behind her, his hand resting gently on her shoulder as she sits upright on the couch. Across from her, Jasmine reclines with an air of superiority, her sharp eyes glinting with judgment. The corner of Jasmine’s lips twitches upward into a smug smirk as she glances briefly at Dawn before redirecting her attention to Travis.“So, tell me,” Jasmine begins, her tone laced with disdain, “what made you marry her, Travis? I introduced you to countless women—highly qualified, stunning women. And yet, you chose... this?”The room plunges into a suffocating silence. The weight of unspoken words hangs heavy in the air as all eyes shift to Jasmine. The glint in their gazes sharpens like predators zeroing in on prey.Travis’s fingers move in slow, soothing circles on Dawn’s shoulder, his voice steady but firm. “Because she’s the one I want to be with.”Jasmine scoffs, loud and dismissive. Her gaze sweeps over Dawn like a disinterested interviewer appraising a candidate. “So,” sh
Spring's expression shifts to seriousness as she shakes the glass of wine. Her eyes are settled on her reflection in the counter. Beads of sweat gather at the corner of her left brow, with a deep frown between her eyebrows. "Don't worry!" A cold tone comes as she takes a glance at the sushi master. "She wasn't as important as you thought she would be." Spring looks up at the man. His blonde hair and dark blue eyes don't match the Sagari he has adorned himself with. She lowers her gaze, then reaches for the sliced raw squid sashimi he just prepared. "Fanny is my ex-boyfriend's sister. She was one of the most cunning people I have ever met," she says calmly, clenching the chopsticks. "So?" the man retorts. "She crossed the line—blackmailing us. How stupid!" Spring leans into the chair and meets his eyes with a sharp sigh. "You should have at least used her before killing her. Whatever. When will your brother be here?" The man grins playfully while cleaning the knife. "He won
Travis’s eyes open with a panic when he feels the wetness on his arm. Thinking that it’s pouring and the raindrops are dripping off the ceiling of the tent, he almost jumps until… He finds Dawn crying silently in her sleep, tears streaming down his arm. “Dawn!” he mutters, looking worried. Gently wiping her face, he shakes her slowly, careful not to frighten her. “Dawn! Wake up! It’s fine,” he whispers, rubbing her back. “Do-Don’t kill him. Don’t kill my baby boy,” she sobs, wrapping her arms around her belly. Travis’s eyes moisten as she cries in his arms. He holds her without disrupting her dreams, whispering softly, “It’s just a dream. You are alright!” It has become a common occurrence for them. Travis shares the same nightmares, watching her and Asher dying constantly. It has become a part of his life, an unrelenting reminder of everything he must do to protect her and Asher. His heart echoes his sadness as he pulls her closer into his arms, resting her against his c
The car pulls up in front of a vast expanse of land. At first glance, Dawn is confused by the darkness. She glances at Travis as he steps out of the car. Her heart starts thumping. She trusts him, but this scenario—away from the city, shrouded in darkness, the sound of crickets echoing in the air, and no one else around—makes her tremble slightly.She cradles her belly, trying not to let doubts creep in about whether Travis would ever hurt her or the baby."Why are we here? This doesn’t look like a date!" she asks, her jaw clenched tightly.Travis notices the troubled expression on her face. He opens her door and gently pecks her cheek. "We’re here!" he says with a grin.She tilts her head, trying to understand what’s happening, but her eyes widen in shock as the surroundings suddenly become illuminated by thousands of lights.The entire path is lined with glowing lights and vibrant flowers, forming arches that look like floral gates. At the end of the road stands a giant tent."What’