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
Emily wasn’t particularly surprised by Mr. Satan’s arrival.One thing she had learned over the past three years was that every action and word had a purpose.Taking a couple of steps forward, Emily sat down on a bench reserved for tourists. Mr. Satan followed her, as expected. Though he no longer hid his interest in her, he still maintained a polite distance, making sure not to make her feel uncomfortable.“The Colosseum was once filled with blood, violence, and death. I doubt anyone watching the events here thousands of years ago could have imagined that it would one day become a tourist attraction, with benches for resting and ticket booths nearby,” Mr. Satan said lightly, his raspy voice somehow blending with the historical weight of the place.Emily had no interest in delving into people’s pasts. By now, everyone carried their own stories, stories not easily unraveled by strangers.“Thousands of years, and everything changes,” Emily said as her eyes drifted toward the horizon. “Ti
Emily walked over to where a few older men were standing, translating the sign for them. “It says: ‘Please protect the monuments and facilities. Do not climb over the railings. Please dispose of trash properly, and make sure to sort it into the appropriate bins.’”Bert paused for a moment, exchanging glances with the other men before bursting into laughter. “Oh, so that’s what it says! We were trying to guess if it was a historical description of the Colosseum.”If they wanted more detailed historical information, they'd have to find the tour guide. But when they looked around, Mr. Anderson was nowhere in sight.The group didn’t seem to mind, though. “It’s nice to explore on our own. Feels freer this way,” one of the men remarked.Bert nodded in agreement. “Yeah, I came out here to get some fresh air and relax, not be rushed around.”With that, the group slowly began walking ahead again.Bert turned back to Emily. “Hey, Miranda, want to join us?”Emily shook her head with a smile. “No
Mr. Anderson chuckled. “That gentleman looked like a big boss. He probably makes back the money he spent on this trip in a minute!”An older man sitting nearby asked, “If he’s so rich, why’d he join a low-budget senior tour group like ours? Five hundred euros wouldn’t even cover the cost of his round-trip flight.”Mr. Anderson glanced slyly in Emily’s direction, grinning. “Maybe the trip wasn’t the main attraction for him…”At his comment, the group’s curiosity shifted, and it didn’t take long for most of them to piece it together. The young woman traveling with her uncle, sweet, kind, and attractive, had probably caught the big boss’s eye. That’s why he joined the tour.Bert, however, wasn’t too pleased with the speculation. He nudged Emily’s shoulder, speaking softly. “Miranda, switch seats with me. I get dizzy looking out the window.”After they swapped seats, Bert sat upright, shielding Emily from the group’s gossiping eyes.His silent gesture made it clear, and the others quickly
The first day of the trip passed in a blur of exhaustion and long hours on the road.It was exactly what one would expect from a budget tour.They had only visited the Colosseum, and the rest of the afternoon was spent shuffling between various shopping stops. The people on the tour were less than pleased, but there was little Mr. Anderson could do—it was the company’s itinerary. At this price, visiting too many tourist spots would have put the travel agency out of business.By the time they returned to the hotel, it was already past 11 p.m. Mr. Anderson, after seeing all the elderly tourists safely to their rooms, collapsed onto a sofa in the lobby, thoroughly exhausted.As Emily passed by the front desk, the receptionist called out to her. “Miss Carter, there’s a package here for you.”“A package?”“Yes,” the receptionist replied, handing over a slim envelope. “It was delivered this afternoon. Since you weren’t here, we signed for it. Please check for any damage.”The packaging was
In the following days, Emily stayed in Rome, accompanying her Uncle Bert as they explored the city. Although Bert enjoyed visiting some of the historical sites, he struggled with the local cuisine. Being in his middle years, he found it difficult to adapt to the food in a foreign country. While the sights brought him joy, the meals left him uncomfortable. In fact, after a few attempts to avoid troubling Emily to fetch him food, he forced himself to eat local dishes, only to end up with a bad case of food poisoning, leaving him feeling weak and drained.Emily grew increasingly concerned. “Uncle, let me take you to the hospital. You’re not looking well.”But Bert firmly refused. “If I can’t handle the food here, what makes you think I’ll do better in one of their hospitals? I’ll be fine. I just need a few days of rest. When we get home, the first thing I’ll do is have a proper meal.”No matter how hard Emily tried to convince him, Bert adamantly avoided anything related to Rome. Instead
“That’s different,” Dylan responded smoothly. “Our CEO isn’t very experienced in negotiations, but almost every deal The Great Wall Group has made was handled by me. I believe I have better negotiation skills than him.”Emily remained noncommittal. “I won’t deny that, Dylan, but I’ve already accepted the offer from Stardream Group. I’m not the kind of person who backs out at the last minute.”“In business, just like in war, there’s nothing you can’t do if you set your mind to it. If you agree, The Great Wall Group will take care of everything, and you won’t have to worry about a thing.”Dylan’s relentless pressure made Emily frown slightly. “This isn’t about worry, Dylan. I’m genuinely happy with Stardream. I want to work with them. It’s not about salary or benefits.”“So, Miss Carter, it sounds like your mind is made up?”“That’s right,” Emily nodded. “I’ve made my decision.”Dylan gave a disappointed but resigned smile. “Well, in that case, I won’t push any further. Just know that t
The driver grumbled under his breath but took the money, seemingly relieved to drop them off and make a quick U-turn. The traffic ahead looked terrible, and nobody knew how long they’d be stuck.Emily helped Bert out of the car and knocked on the trunk, signaling for the driver to open it so they could retrieve their luggage. However, instead of complying, the driver slammed on the gas and sped off, leaving them standing there in shock.Bert cursed loudly. “What kind of person does that? We paid him, and we even tried to be considerate about his time! This feels like robbery! All our stuff is in there!”Luckily, Emily had all the important items like passports and documents in her handbag, so they wouldn’t miss their flight.“It’s fine. Getting on the plane is more important right now. We didn’t have anything too valuable in the luggage. I’ll transfer some money to your account once you’re back home, and you can replace whatever you need,” Emily reassured him.Bert sighed, looking dis
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