Miranda hung up the phone, feeling a strange sense of unease.Who would be so insistent on remembering a room number, especially 2307? Life had a funny way of throwing coincidences at her.Just as she was lost in thought, there was a knock at the door.“Who is it?” she called out, her voice cautious. She wasn’t about to take any chances in a foreign country.A familiar voice answered from the other side, laced with playful exasperation. “It’s me, Jackson. Your incredibly handsome, unbeatable best friend.”Miranda couldn’t help but laugh. She walked to the door and opened it.Jackson poked his head in, glancing around theatrically, even taking an exaggerated sniff of the air.“What are you looking for, Mr. Detective?” she asked, amused by his antics.“Just making sure you’re not hiding any other guys in here,” Jackson quipped as he plopped down on her couch. “Man, I’m exhausted.”“What have you been up to?” Miranda asked, raising an eyebrow.“I was out getting Chinese food,” he replied
Miranda had known Jackson for years and understood his temperament all too well.There was no way she was going to avoid this conversation today.So, she stayed silent, conceding the inevitable.Jackson’s frustration was boiling over. "Three years ago, you were in surgery, pregnant and unconscious. The doctors needed a signature, and I signed for you. I told myself that once you woke up, I’d make sure you married me. Vincent didn’t ask, did he? He never asked about you in these three years. You know that, don’t you? While you were recovering, he inherited his family fortune, acquired the Reed empire, and expanded his own business. He’s been thriving—no sign of despair, no regret at all."Miranda opened her mouth to respond, but Jackson raised a hand, silencing her."I’ve seen him, Miranda," Jackson continued, voice intense. "I’ve seen him with another woman. She looks just like you, and you can’t tell me that’s a coincidence. Vincent’s type is clear—whether it's you or someone else, i
"Uncle Bert, don’t forget, I just won an award with a $10,000 prize. Money’s not a problem."Bert shook his head and said, "Even so, it’s important to save where we can. We’re just regular folks, and making money is never easy. Let’s join a group tour."Miranda nodded in agreement. "Alright, I’ll contact the guide now."Bert hesitated for a moment before asking, "By the way, Miranda, is Jackson... joining us on this trip?"Miranda paused briefly, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Do you want him to join us, Uncle?"Bert shook his head. "Miranda, I may be old, but I can still see what's going on. He likes you, but it’s clear you don’t feel the same."The words hit Miranda like a sudden gust of wind, freezing her in place.Just earlier, right in this very room, Jackson had poured his heart out to her. For a moment, she had almost softened and considered accepting him.Her feelings for Jackson were complicated. Sometimes, she wondered if she would ever truly fall in love ag
"Emily."Jackson's voice called her by her real name, not the new identity she had so carefully crafted."Is this your way of telling me, yet again, that you're rejecting me?"His words, heavy with frustration, caught Miranda off guard. She stood still, unable to find the right words. She had explained herself so many times before. Each time felt more futile than the last.Jackson sighed, exasperation lining his tone. “I just don’t get it... Why...”"Jackson, I'm sorry.""No, no, please," he interrupted sharply. "I can’t stand hearing ‘sorry’ or ‘thank you’ from you. It makes us feel like strangers—like we’re not even friends anymore."Miranda paused, feeling the weight of his words. "If you still want to, we can stay friends. Or if you prefer, we can be strangers. Whatever you decide, I’ll respect it."Jackson’s frustration mounted, and he looked ready to hit something. "Alright, alright, I’m done. I’m hanging up now.""Jackson, are you sure you’re okay?""I just need some time to cl
Emily had set her alarm for 6 AM, but she didn’t need it.She couldn’t sleep.The hotel was of high standard, and despite her room being one of the least luxurious, it was extremely quiet. The mattress was soft, the pillows plush, and the blanket warm and light. She’d drawn the curtains tightly, so no light could seep through from the outside.It was the perfect environment for a good night’s rest—yet Emily stayed wide awake until dawn.Maybe… just maybe…There was something about Room 2307.A kind of energy that refused to let her sleep.Whether it was mere coincidence or something more, the layout and decor of this room were eerily similar to the one at the Hilton Hotel, where she'd spent those unforgettable nights.The resemblance was so strong that when she closed her eyes, she could almost feel the warm body lying next to her, a chest she used to lean against. All she had to do was glance up to see the pale mask that once covered his face.Regret crept in—she should have asked fo
Emily and Mr. Satan sat across from each other in the living room, each holding a paper cup in hand.Mr. Satan drank with a sense of grace, carefully blowing on the hot liquid before taking small, deliberate sips.“Your cooking is excellent. This tastes really good,” he complimented.Emily gave a modest smile. “Thank you. But it’s not perfect. Here in Rome, it’s hard to find fresh ginger. When I make pork congee, I usually add some ginger slices to get rid of the smell and a bit of pepper for flavor. It would taste even better that way.”Mr. Satan seemed intrigued. “Is that how you always make congee? Or is that a typical way to make it in your hometown?”Emily chuckled lightly. “That’s just my way of making it. I’m sure the chefs in restaurants have their own methods, and their cooking is much better than mine.”Mr. Satan finished his congee rather quickly and reached for his wallet inside his jacket. He pulled out a bill and offered it to her. “Is a hundred dollars enough?”A hundre
At precisely 7 a.m., Emily and Bert stood in the hotel lobby, waiting.The tour guide, holding a small red flag, noticed them and waved excitedly. “Miss Carter!”Emily smiled warmly and waved back. “Good morning, Mr. Anderson.”“Good morning! I can’t believe you’re here earlier than I am.” The guide had a large backpack slung over his shoulder and was juggling several maps and a notebook in his hands.“Well, didn’t you say we needed to gather at seven?”“Yes, but our group is mostly older folks, and they move a bit slower in the mornings. A lot of them are used to having a proper breakfast. Rome might be romantic, but good luck finding breakfast staples like soy milk and fried dough sticks. I had to get up early and walk two streets over to pick them up from a friend’s place. By the time they finish eating and getting ready, I expect we’ll be leaving around 7:30 at the earliest.”Emily suddenly remembered the dumplings Jackson had bought for Bert the night before.Was it from the same
About an hour later, the tour bus arrived at the ancient ruins of the Colosseum.The group began slowly disembarking from the bus, with Mr. Anderson anxiously running back and forth, keeping an eye on everyone. He was sweating heavily, making sure none of the elderly tourists encountered any issues.As usual, Miranda was the last to step off the bus.Bert, visibly moved by the sight before him, pointed at the ruins and exclaimed to Miranda, “Emily, I’ve seen this on TV! It looks exactly like this!”Emily?Mr. Satan, who had been following close behind, thought he must have misheard. For a brief moment, it sounded like someone had called out Emily.But then Miranda’s response quickly shattered his hope. “Did you forget my name again? It’s Miranda.”“Oh, right, right, Miranda! Silly me,” Bert replied, chuckling.Mr. Satan, pretending to walk by casually, leaned in and asked quietly, “Miss Carter, do you have a name called Emily?”Miranda shook her head lightly. “My family has a bit of a
One year later. The house was filled with the soft glow of Christmas lights, their gentle hues dancing across the living room. Emily and Vincent had transformed their home into a cozy haven, with garlands, twinkling lights, and an extravagant Christmas tree that sparkled from every angle. The scent of cinnamon and pine mingled in the air as holiday music played softly in the background, creating a festive, heartwarming atmosphere. This Christmas, their first as a married couple, felt like the beginning of something truly beautiful, a peaceful moment carved from the chaos they’d left behind. Guests began to arrive, the first among them being Allen and Olivia, who had just returned from their honeymoon. They entered, hand-in-hand, faces glowing with happiness. Olivia had transformed over the last year. Now a poised and capable woman, she’d embraced her role in helping Allen manage the family business, but her girlish side was still evident. “Emily!” Olivia squealed as she hugged her f
"Three years ago, I nearly died." Emily snatched her passport back from Sophia’s hand. "This British couple is my family. They’re good people. They saved me and took me to England."She held the passport firmly. "And yet, you still wouldn’t let me go. You went to every length to forge my death certificate.""Do you all want to know why they wouldn’t leave a ‘dead’ woman alone?" Emily let out a bitter laugh. "Because this was their only chance to inherit the wealth I left behind.""I didn’t die; I’m alive and back to reclaim what’s rightfully mine. This time, no one will hurt me. Sophia, you and your mother won’t steal my inheritance, and you won’t ruin my wedding. Now, the ceremony continues."Satan stood in the grand hall, watching the strong, fearless woman Emily had become, a wave of unspeakable joy rising within him. His woman had become powerful.Dressed in a white gown, Emily walked slowly toward Satan, accompanied by Bert. The small diamonds on her gown sparkled under the light
“I know,” Emily said firmly.When Vincent slid the ring onto her finger, she felt a flash of disbelief. She’d expected Sophia to pull something, but Vincent’s unwavering stance took her by surprise. It’s over—everything’s finally over.Emily’s eyes glistened with tears.The priest’s voice resonated, “The groom may now kiss the bride…”Emily lowered her head, tears shimmering on her lashes. Vincent leaned in, kissing away the tear before it fell.Applause thundered through the church, and the priest laughed. “Go on, kiss her; she’s yours now.”Vincent didn’t hesitate, pulling Emily into a kiss. “You’re my wife, Emily. Finally.”Emily smiled through her tears. “Yes, I’m finally your wife.”Vincent turned with Emily still in his embrace, facing the crowd. “Emily and I are together now, and nothing will ever come between us again.”The guests watched, Meggie wiping tears of joy from her eyes.But Sophia wasn’t about to let things end on such a perfect note. Her face twisted with such fury
Dylan was right.Three days later, Emily Carter and Vincent Norman were to be married. With Meggie as the wedding’s head organizer, invitations bore Emily's name, revealing to everyone that Miranda—the talented designer making waves at the Pritzker Architecture Prize—was indeed Emily.The announcement stunned all of New York and the entire architecture community. So Miranda is really Emily? People couldn’t believe the city’s most eligible bachelor, Vincent, had been swept off his feet so quickly.The Norman family, known for their longstanding legacy, hosted an extravagant guest list. Alex greeted everyone warmly, while Mandy barely cracked a smile. She was still fuming—she’d barely started her schemes with Grace to find Vincent a “suitable” bride, only to be blindsided by this wedding! She muttered, “Wasn’t he supposed to be so deeply in love with Emily? Now he’s marrying someone else so fast?”Meggie overheard and firmly replied, “The bride is Emily.”“Oh, come on, Mom. She’s not—”
Emily suddenly felt super self-conscious. “Fine, I’ll drink it. But after I’m done, go back to your office!”With that, she tilted her head back and gulped down the entire glass of lemon water in one go. She quickly shoved the empty glass back into Vincent's hands, saying, "There, all done!"Vincent's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Great. Come to my office at lunchtime," he said with a hint of mischief.Emily frantically tried to signal him with her eyes, mouthing, “People are watching!”Vincent seemed completely unfazed and continued, “It’s freezing outside, so don’t go out. I already asked Dylan to pick up lunch for us; he’ll bring it up, and we’ll eat together.”“...Okay.”He’s gotta be done now, right? Emily thought to herself, hoping he’d leave before the entire office saw this unfold live.“Oh, one more thing,” Vincent added nonchalantly, “Don’t rush off after work. We’ll swing by and pick up your uncle first, then head to my place for dinner with my dad and Meggie.”Emily blink
As soon as Allen left the hospital room, Jackson turned pale and, with a sudden heave, threw up everything he’d just eaten, leaving a mess on the floor.The young nurse, no older than twenty, panicked and rushed toward the door to call a doctor, but Jackson stopped her. “Stay,” he commanded.The nurse looked at him with wide eyes, almost on the verge of tears as she saw his ashen face. “Sir, if you’re unwell, you really should let the doctor check—”“I’m not unwell,” Jackson replied, his voice cold, with a glint of harshness in his eyes. The nurse flinched slightly at his intense gaze.“Are you scared of me?” he asked, a smirk playing on his lips.“N-no, not at all,” the nurse stammered, shaking her head. “It’s just…”“Don’t worry about it,” he said, a faint sneer forming. “Fear is natural. I’ve never been the nicest person, and I don’t pretend to be.”“Oh no, you’re a good person, sir! You… well, you pay me well,” she replied hesitantly.“Money alone doesn’t make someone good,” Jacks
The projects across the company were running smoothly. Ken managed the technical aspects, and Daniel handled administration and overall decision-making. Even during Satan's three-year absence, The Great Wall Group retained its position as New York’s leading business powerhouse.As Emily browsed the recent news on her phone in the car, it was clear the city was engulfed in Christmas cheer, bright and bustling.Satan glanced over. “Any plans for Christmas?”She paused. “Not really. I’ll probably just stay in and watch TV with Bert.”He nodded without pressing further. Emily wondered what had prompted him to ask; he’d usually spend Christmas with his family.A slight smile crept across her face, but her expression held a tinge of sadness. The people in her life seemed to be growing fewer by the year. Christmas used to be difficult but joyful, a shared warmth despite the hardships. This year, it felt especially lonely. Sophia had long severed ties with the family, and William was gone. It
Jackson cut her off. “Then let me take you to meet my family! You’re amazing—they just don’t know you yet. Once they do, they’ll definitely support us being together. That way, we won’t have to choose, and we can stay together, right?”“What if they still don’t agree?”“I’ll talk to them. I’m committed to you for life. They’ll have to come around, whether they agree or not!”Emily couldn’t help but laugh. “But I don’t agree.”Jackson felt a pang of panic. He tried to sit up to reach her hand, but his body was still confined by the plaster, immobilizing him completely, and he was forced to lie back down. “Emily, are you worried because my parents don’t like you? If I love you, their initial reservations don’t matter; they’ll come to accept it.”“That’s part of it,” Emily admitted, “but there’s a more important reason…”A sinking feeling came over Jackson. “…What is it?”……Weather forecasts are rarely reliable, but this time, it turned out to be spot on.By evening, the sky was filled
Emily didn’t say anything, but her mind was a mess.“You don’t need to say so many sentimental things,” she replied softly. “For Meggie’s sake, I’ll go through with the wedding. Don’t worry.”“But I don’t want a fake wedding,” Satan replied. “I want it to be real.”The elevator stopped on the ground floor.Emily stepped out first, and unlike the warmth of the room upstairs, cold snowflakes were now drifting down outside, and the air felt sharp against her skin, like knives slicing across her face.Standing at the Hilton’s entrance, she asked, “Did you drive here?”“I took a cab.”“Did you sneak out again?”Satan shrugged with a wry smile. “Dylan’s been keeping too close an eye on me.”With no other option, Emily walked to the curb and flagged down a taxi for him, signaling for him to hurry up.“To St. Mary’s Hospital, please,” she instructed, then turned back to him. “When you get there, have Dylan call me to let me know you arrived safely, okay?”He nodded. “And what about you? What