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
"Madam, please don't be too discouraged. Your situation is not too serious. The ability to conceive is closely related to one's emotional state. Please keep a positive attitude and cooperate with the treatment. I believe you will have a healthy baby."It was the hottest season in LA, but Emily Carter, just out of the hospital, felt like she was enveloped in a chill as if a cold breeze had swept over her, causing her body to uncontrollably shiver.Her Mother-in-law, Carol, stood at the hospital entrance, grabbed Emily's hand as soon as she saw her, and snatched the health report from her, murmuring incessantly, "Let me see. How can someone be married for so many years without having a child?"Emily instinctively tried to snatch the report back.But Carol pushed her away, disregarding Emily's pale face, and opened the report right there on the street.Emily staggered back, almost falling. The recent stress had taken a toll on her, and she realized that she hadn't drunk water for a long
An hour later, Emily returned to the Reed family's villa.As soon as she entered, Emily saw Carol peeling an apple for Sophia.Nathan, on the other hand, sat by, his gaze fixed on Sophia's slightly swollen belly. His face bore a tenderness she had never seen before.They appeared to be a harmonious family.Emily pushed the door open and Carol's smile faded. "I thought you had left... Sophia, don't mind her, have an apple."Sophia looked uneasy as she tried to stand, clutching her waist.Nathan squeezed her hand. "Sit down, don't worry about anything else."Nathan stood up, his imposing figure dominating the room. "Emily, let's talk."Upstairs was her and Nathan's bedroom.Unfortunately, in the four years since, Nathan's visits home could be counted on one hand, mostly confined to the study.Entering the room, he approached the bed, lit a cigar, his voice icy. "Speak, what are your conditions?"Emily was puzzled. "What?""How much money will it take for you to agree to a divorce?" Nath
Nathan immediately dialed for an ambulance.The sound of the ambulance echoed downstairs. Each sound seemed to pierce Emily's ears.Nathan carried Sophia into the car, rushing down the stairs without looking back at Emily even once.Carol stood at the door, hands on hips, chest heaving with anger. She instructed the maid to throw all of Emily's belongings out and then pushed her out of the gate."You wretched woman, how dare you attempt to murder the future heir of our Reed family. Get out, don't ever stay in our house again!"With a loud bang, the villa's gate slowly closed before Emily's eyes.Emily looked at the scattered clothes on the ground, her fists clenched so tightly that her nails almost pierced into her flesh.In truth, she didn't have much belongings. When she married Nathan, besides some basic necessities, she brought nothing else into this villa except for a pair of earrings left by her mother and some basic living supplies. The earrings were her mother's legacy, which
A man's voice blasted through the phone, dripping with frustration: "We've been holed up in room 2302 all night, a dozen of us. Not a single woman showed up! You're sending us here to take nude pictures of some chick, but my boys wasted a whole night waiting. Sophia, you better not be playing games with us."Sophia's brow furrowed. "That woman didn't go to 2302? That doesn't make any sense..."Knowing that Olivia frequented the bar, Sophia had bribed the security beforehand. Once Olivia entered room 2302, the security would bring in a few guys to strip her down, and then Sophia would use those nude photos to pressure Emily into divorcing Nathan.Emily only had Olivia as a friend, and she couldn't afford to have those compromising photos leaked. So, she'd surely opt for a divorce with Nathan.But fate had a different plan in store. Just hours ago, Sophia received a call from the bar's security. They had spotted Emily entering the bar!It seemed like luck was on Sophia's side. She decid
Emily slammed the phone down, her screen almost shattered by her furious press.Emily was trembling with anger. That was her cousin, whom she treated like family, acting like a devil!"Miss, Miss?" The nurse on the other end kept urging, "Is your father going to have the surgery or not..."Beep beep beep... A message came in."Have you decided? ——Satan"Emily's hand pressed on a pocket, where there lay a bank card.Without hesitation, she took out the card and handed it to the nurse, "Where do I pay?"The nurse led her to pay the fee and complete the procedures. The door of the operating room closed again, the bright red "In Surgery" sign glaring.She withdrew three hundred thousand from Satan's card.Emily sighed bitterly. She had finally sold herself for a price."I agree with you."When these words were sent out, she felt lost.Soon, Satan replied."Okay, tonight, same place, Hilton Hotel, Room 2307, nine o'clock, I'll be waiting for you."Emily put her phone away, not wanting to l
"Sophia!" Emily gave Sophia a cold glance, her eyes carrying a deep warning. "The nurse said someone needs to go to the pharmacy to pick up medication. Would you mind doing it? I need to talk to Nathan." Sophia interjected, "Emily, why not just talk here? We're all family, there's nothing to hide, right Nathan?" Emily chuckled icily, "Sophia, I need to speak with your brother-in-law alone, please leave." Emily didn't want to create conflict with Sophia in front of their father, but Sophia was being too brazen today. Emily didn't care about herself, but if her father's heart condition worsened because of this, she wouldn't let Sophia off the hook! Before Sophia could say anything else, she glanced back at Nathan. Seeing no objection from him, she left the room in frustration to fetch the medication from the pharmacy on the first floor. Emily took a deep breath, trying not to let her father notice anything. "Nathan, could you step outside for a moment? I need to talk to you."
When Emily went to the pharmacy and got the prescription and payment receipt, she finally understood why Sophia hadn't picked up the medication and why Mr. Satan had given her money.Just the post-operative anti-rejection drugs cost over a hundred thousand, and that was just for a week's supply."Miss?" The staff at the payment counter saw her pause and called out, "Are you sure you want to buy this medicine?"Emily nodded, handing over her card. "Yes, of course."After spending the evening accompanying her father in the hospital room, it was already past eight o'clock when she took the subway back to the hotel.Looking up at the clock in the hotel lobby, it read eight fifty.She had ten minutes left until the time she had arranged to meet Mr. Satan.If the last time was her stumbling into the wrong room while drunk and ending up with Mr. Satan, then this time, it was her entering room 2307 voluntarily while completely sober.Her hand on the door handle began to tremble involuntarily.
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