Ding dong—The doorbell rang.Emily glanced toward the door. "That must be Dylan, here to pick you up. Go run your hand under some cold water again," she said to Satan.She quickly dried her hands and rushed to open the door."Surprise! My dearest girlfriend, are you shocked? Are you thrilled?" Jackson stood at the door, holding a large bouquet of roses, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "Why aren't you saying anything? Are you so happy you're speechless?"Emily hesitated for a moment. "Didn't you say we were just going to have a video call tonight? What are you doing here so suddenly?""Well, that's why it’s called a surprise!" Jackson grinned. "So? Do you like it?""...Yes," Emily replied softly."Great! I knew you would." Jackson beamed as he handed her the bouquet. "It took me forever to find these. I went to so many flower shops, but none of them had the perfect shade of roses. Finally, I found this one place and bought their entire stock. Only the purest roses are worthy of yo
Emily watched as the tension between the two men escalated, her palms sweaty with anxiety. It was a confrontation she had unintentionally caused, and she knew that trying to mediate would only make things worse.Frustrated, she threw up her hands and said, "You two can argue all you want, I’m going to get some fresh air."Jackson quickly caught up to her as she moved toward the door. "I'll come with you," he said, possessively wrapping an arm around her shoulders, leading her out of the apartment with a firm grip. "Let’s head to the grocery store, okay? You promised you'd cook for me when we were in the UK but never got the chance. So, you’ll finally make it up to me tonight, right?"Emily sighed. "Does it have to be today?""The sooner the better! You’re always busy, and who knows when you'll have time again? Come on, let’s go," he said, their voices fading as they left.Inside the now-quiet apartment, Satan stood alone at the large window, staring out into the night. The room felt c
"We’ve only just started dating. Shouldn't we each spend Christmas with our own families?" Emily suggested, trying to keep things light.Jackson, however, wasn’t pleased. "I wanted to take you home to meet my parents. Emily, do you not want to meet my family at all?""I... I just think it’s not the right time yet," she tried to explain."We’ve known each other for years. How long do you need before it’s the right time?" Jackson’s frustration was evident, and Emily tried to calm him down."Jackson, these things take time. It’s a gradual process," she said gently.Jackson shook his head, his voice more serious now. "Your expression tells me you're resisting being a part of my life."Emily bit her lip, unable to find the words to refute him.He was right.Though she had agreed to be his girlfriend, she realized she and Jackson were never going to have a typical relationship. Jackson was always giving, always waiting for her to reciprocate. But every time he gave more, Emily found herself
"Is there a meeting this morning?" Emily glanced over her schedule. There was no mention of any meetings, but she double-checked just in case. "Do I need to attend?"Ken blinked at her, then grinned. "Of course you do! You're the soul of the entire luxury apartment project. Without you, the whole thing would grind to a halt. Come on, let's head up together."Emily quickly gathered her notes and documents related to the luxury apartment project, holding them close to her chest as she followed Ken to the elevator.It was the busiest time of day, and the elevator stopped at nearly every floor, packed with employees rushing to start their day.Ken sighed in frustration. "Ever since our company merged with the Norman Group, the number of employees skyrocketed. This building feels smaller every day."Emily raised an eyebrow. "Have all of the Norman Group's employees moved here?""Yep," Ken confirmed. "And get this—I don't know if I ever mentioned it, but our boss is the heir to the Norman G
In the conference room, seating arrangements were strategic. Regardless of who was presenting, the seat at the center was always reserved for the highest-ranking person.Vincent Norman, or "Satan," entered last. He was holding his phone, his brow furrowed slightly, scanning something on the screen. Dylan followed closely behind him.As Vincent walked through, people stood up, greeting him respectfully."Good morning, everyone. Please, have a seat," he said in his gravelly voice.Only after he sat down did the rest of the room follow suit. Dylan placed a folder in front of him, "Here are the finalized design plans for the luxury apartment project, sir.""Alright," Vincent replied, picking up the documents. "Let's begin."The lights dimmed, and the room was bathed in darkness except for the beam of light from the projector that illuminated the white screen behind Emily.Emily glanced at the slides on display. This wasn't her presentation; there were no credits, no names on the first sli
Emily was taken aback by how different Vincent Norman seemed today. It was as if he had fully returned to his role as the boss—detached, professional, and focused. Perhaps this was for the best, she thought. If everyone returned to their rightful roles, things would settle naturally.Vincent had always been a smart man. He wasn’t someone who should be held back by emotions. Especially now that she had Jackson by her side, it made sense for Vincent to distance himself from personal entanglements.Emily resolved to focus entirely on her work, setting her emotions aside."While large apartments can meet the spatial needs of growing families, the increased size also drives up the price. Our luxury apartment project is already located in a prime area, which means the price per square foot will be high. There aren’t many young families who can afford such expensive housing," she explained.Ken chimed in, "Exactly! I’ve thought about this too. The pricing will be steep, especially for large
Emily walked out of the conference room, heading straight for the elevator. Ken hurried after her, grabbing her arm. "Miranda, where are you going?""Back to my office. I can't handle this project."Ken looked worried. "But you can't be so direct with the boss like that. He's been through hell these past three years after his wife passed. Adding a few extra large suites won’t hurt, right? It could fulfill a wish for him."Emily suddenly felt a deep sense of weariness."Ken, Vincent is the boss. Whatever he decides, it's up to him. If he wants more large apartments, he can add them. I’ve done everything a designer should. The rest is not my responsibility."Ken scratched his chin, watching her closely. "Miranda, you're acting off today. You're usually so calm and polite, but today you're on edge, like you’ve got a short fuse."Emily replied flatly, "Women have those days every month. I’m just not feeling great."She had been using the file in her hands to discreetly cover the back of h
Winter in New York had already turned bone-chilling.Satan coughed softly, trying to suppress the sound, but even his restrained effort echoed with a rasp that made Emily feel uneasy. The kind of deep, hoarse cough that hinted at something far worse.“You shouldn’t be out here in the cold," Emily said. "Dylan already works too hard, and now he has to babysit you, taking care of your health. How much are you paying him to make him willing to play nurse for you?”Satan’s complexion was pale. He wiped the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand and quietly tucked it behind his back. “I’ll give Dylan the best compensation.”But Emily had already noticed his movements. Her gaze followed his hidden hand. “Show me.”“I’m fine.”Emily didn’t buy it. She reached over and pulled his hand from behind his back.“What’s this?” She pointed to the streak of red on his fingertips. “You’re coughing up blood again?”“It’s nothing.”“Coughing up blood is ‘nothing’? What does ‘serious’ look like, t
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