Liam Walton lingered by the coffee table, his gaze fixated on the divorce papers as if they were some inscrutable code he couldn’t decipher. The neatly printed words seemed to carry an unbearable weight, pressing down on him. It wasn’t until a housekeeper came upstairs to announce that dinner was ready that he finally jolted out of his daze.“Sir, dinner is served,” the housekeeper said politely.Liam, still holding the thin stack of pages in his hand, looked up. “All right,” he replied quietly. He slid the papers into a drawer of the coffee table, making sure they were out of sight but not out of mind, and left the room.Descending the wide, elegantly carved staircase, he was struck by an unusual awareness of the home he had taken for granted for so many years. From the polished marble floors to the ornately framed portraits of Walton ancestors on the walls, everything seemed more alive than usual. Ever since he’d married Evelyn, he had spent far too many evenings preoccupied with bu
Adela was three months into her pregnancy, and the symptoms of morning sickness had hit her especially hard. Every night seemed longer than the last, her unsettled stomach often making sleep elusive. Despite her exhaustion, she had to admit that she was eating better than ever—each day, someone hired by Layson Norman delivered carefully prepared meals tailored to meet her nutritional needs. It was evident he wanted her to remain healthy for the sake of the baby.Still, Adela felt strangely detached from the life growing inside her. From a young age, she had believed children should be born into a loving relationship, yet here she was, expecting a child conceived more out of necessity than desire. Instead of excitement, she felt burdened, as if the baby were a reminder of a painful chapter of her life. She made every effort to remain calm, yet the thought of what lay ahead—giving birth, then heading off to a new place—occupied her mind constantly.One bright afternoon, Adela decided to
When Adela arrived at the hospital, she was immediately ushered into a VIP suite. The faint scent of antiseptic and the soft hum of medical equipment surrounded her, making her heart pound with apprehension. She underwent a comprehensive series of tests—checking her blood pressure, monitoring the baby’s heartbeat, and ensuring that everything was in order. Once the doctor declared there were no complications, Layson Norman slipped out, leaving Adela alone in the bright, sterile room.Lying on the adjustable bed, Adela tried flipping through a paperback she had brought, but the words blurred in front of her eyes. Although her gaze roamed over the text, her mind remained elsewhere—on the life she would lead once this baby came into the world. The baby she had agreed to have under contract, with no illusions of love or a shared future. She felt an unsettling mix of fear and relief, knowing that soon, her part of the bargain would be complete.Late that morning, her phone buzzed. Seeing H
Two months had slipped by since Adela left the hospital. She was back in her small apartment, methodically packing clothes for Herbie, who was perched on the sofa. The couch was piled high with folded pants, shirts, and socks, all destined for the suitcase that sat open on the floor. Herbie bounced out of the bedroom, clutching a stuffed rabbit in her arms—her face full of excitement and just a hint of uncertainty.“Adela, I want to bring my bunny to Grandma Anderson’s house!” she announced, hugging the plush rabbit close to her chest.Adela, busy sorting out a stack of warm sweaters, looked up. She patted the seat beside her in invitation, and Herbie plopped down, the bunny cradled on her lap. “Of course you can bring it. You can take anything that makes you happy.”When Adela had returned from the hospital, she had focused her energies on making arrangements for Herbie. The plan was both simple and heartbreaking: Herbie would move in temporarily with an older couple, the Lis, while
Adela felt Herbie’s arms clinging to her waist, the small girl’s sobs tearing at her heart. Unable to hold back any longer, tears slipped down Adela’s own cheeks. She had promised herself she would be strong, especially in front of Herbie, but there was no steel in the world strong enough to completely shield her from a moment like this. So she lowered herself to Herbie’s eye level, gathering her little sister into a trembling hug. Everyone around them—Mr. Anderson, Mrs. Anderson, and even Layson Norman—remained quiet. It was as if the weight of this farewell hung in the air, giving the scene a solemn hush.“I’ll come back for you,” Adela whispered, gently rubbing Herbie’s back in a soothing circle. She had said this so many times before, but saying it now felt like an act of desperation, as though those words were her last defense against heartbreak. It was all she could offer.Steeling herself, Adela gently pulled Herbie away and nudged her into Mrs. Anderson’s arms. It pained her t
Adela hadn’t gone more than a few steps before she felt someone grab her wrist. Surprised, she turned around to find herself face-to-face with Dexter Norman, whose expression was a mix of desperation and pleading. She had never seen him look so raw and vulnerable—like a man with nowhere to run, nowhere to hide. For a second, her heart clenched. Despite the tension and confusion between them in recent months, there was no denying that a genuine friendship had once bound them together.Dexter’s eyes were dark with an urgency she had never witnessed before. When he spoke, his voice came out a little unsteady, as if he were holding back a surge of emotion he didn’t quite know how to handle. “Don’t go,” he said softly, but with an intensity that made each word land heavily.Standing there by the airport terminal gate, Adela felt the weight of that plea. A part of her wanted to soothe him, to say something that would ease the pain etched onto his face. Yet she also knew she couldn’t waver n
Liam Walton gently guided his grandfather out of the bustling New York airport, his arm steady around the older man’s shoulders. They moved slowly, partly because of the crowd, partly because his grandfather’s health wasn’t what it used to be. These days, the old man’s legs gave him trouble, making walking any distance a challenge. It was for this reason Liam had initially asked him not to come see Adela off. But the elderly patriarch of the Walton family had been adamant: he wanted, no, needed, to witness Adela’s departure. There was no telling when—if ever—she might return, and he couldn’t bear the thought of never having another chance to confirm that she was safe and well, even if she refused to come home to the Walton family.As they stepped through the sliding glass doors, the hot summer air enveloped them, a startling contrast to the air-conditioned chill of the airport. Liam could sense the mix of regret and sadness radiating from his grandfather, though the old man’s face rem
Liam Walton was the first to recover his composure. For a moment, he had been caught off guard by the sight of Evelyn standing in front of him, wearing nothing but a loose nightgown and looking about as surprised as he felt. But as soon as his mind cleared, he curved his lips into a faint smile, the kind that usually signaled confidence—maybe even a hint of mischievousness.“May I come in?” he asked in an even tone, trying not to stare too blatantly at her disheveled hair or the pajamas that clung to her figure.Evelyn snapped out of her daze upon hearing his voice. Realizing she had been gaping at Liam, she cleared her throat and quickly lowered her gaze, stepping aside to grant him entrance. “Uh… yes, of course,” she said a bit awkwardly, pulling the door open wider.The moment she moved, Evelyn became acutely aware of her own reflection in a nearby mirror: hair messy, face devoid of any makeup, an old nightgown that bore faint creases from where she’d been sleeping. She couldn’t he
In the meeting room, Layson's gaze remained fixed on Adela, unnoticed by anyone else except for Cici, who was closely observing the subtle interaction.However, Marah couldn't help but scoff softly. When she saw that Layson had eyes only for Adela without sparing her even a glance, she felt a surge of jealousy. Taking a deep breath, she managed to suppress her irritation.As soon as the meeting ended, Marah approached Adela, feigning gentleness, her face adorned with a friendly smile.Cici, who had been keeping an eye on Adela the whole time, immediately noticed her low spirits after leaving the meeting room. Before Cici could ask, she was astonished to see Adela actually inviting Marah out for dinner, leaving her feeling irritated.But Adela seemed determined, smiling softly at Marah, "How about dinner tonight? It's my treat."Marah was still pretending innocence, gently nodding her head with a sweet smile. "Sure, I'd love to!"Cici couldn't hold back her dissatisfaction. Seeing Adel
Worried?Adela wasn't sure herself."If I said no, I'd probably be lying," Adela replied honestly. "But there's no point worrying. Let's just finish our autumn designs quickly; maybe the new boss will appreciate our work."Hearing that, Cici nodded seriously. "True. I should get back to work, then."Adela continued adjusting the details of her designs, fully absorbed until almost five in the afternoon when her phone buzzed lightly on the table. Glancing down, she saw a message from Layson."Let's have dinner together. I'll wait for you downstairs."Seeing his message instantly lifted her spirits, chasing away the gloom that had been hanging over her all day. She quickly typed a reply.Just as she was packing up, Marah walked over to her desk with a friendly smile. "Adela, do you remember last time when I mentioned having dinner together? Are you free tonight?"Adela was a little surprised. She hadn't expected Marah to be serious about that offer. But she'd already agreed to meet Layso
She hadn't slept the entire night.When the sunlight finally poured through the window, illuminating every corner of the room, Cora’s dry eyes immediately filled with tears. She sat motionless on the sofa, like a lifeless doll, completely oblivious to her surroundings.Ever since seeing Leopold’s lifeless body, her heart had stopped beating too.The doorbell rang repeatedly, more than a dozen times before she finally regained some awareness. Slowly, she dragged her heavy feet towards the door, stumbling a bit as she opened it.Outside, Adela was anxiously pressing the doorbell with one hand, holding breakfast in the other. The worry in her clear eyes was unmistakable.When the door finally opened, Adela visibly breathed a sigh of relief. Seeing Cora’s pale face, cracked lips, and red, swollen eyes, Adela felt a sharp pain in her heart. She quickly supported Cora and guided her gently to the dining table.Firmly placing her weak friend into the chair, Adela spoke clearly and earnestly,
Looking at the lifeless body lying there covered in blood, Cora could no longer hear the voices around her. No matter how much Mrs. Davis cursed or blamed her, Cora didn’t care anymore.She moved slowly toward the man lying motionless on the hospital bed. Mrs. Davis noticed her movement and immediately began shouting, "Stay away from my son! You have no right to touch him!"Mrs. Davis rushed forward, pulling Cora away from Leopold's side. She even raised her hand to strike her, but Layson quickly stepped in and stopped her."I'll handle this. Stay here and don’t move," Layson instructed Adela gently. He was worried Mrs. Davis, in her current state, would harm Adela as well.Cora didn't even notice how she’d reached Leopold's bedside; she just stared blankly at his pale face. Mrs. Davis grabbed Cora's arm so forcefully that she nearly lost her balance, trying desperately to get closer to her son again."Don't touch him! You're not allowed near him anymore!" Mrs. Davis screamed hysteric
"Adela, did you find Cora?" Layson’s familiar voice came through the phone, filling Adela with an unexpected longing."Yes, I found her. She’s with me," Adela replied softly.It took a moment before Layson continued, his voice unusually hoarse, clearly unwilling to speak of the tragedy. "Leopold Davis had an accident. He died in a car crash."The instant Adela heard this news, her first reaction was to look at Cora. The news was so shocking, so sudden, that it left her frozen in place. She'd just heard Cora express how she'd been waiting for Leopold to come to her, but now he was gone forever."Cora…" Adela called gently, unsure how to break such terrible news. Her heart ached deeply, knowing this revelation would devastate her friend."Where are you now? I'll come pick you both up," Layson's voice came again through the phone, steady yet heavy with sadness.For a moment, Adela didn't know how to respond. The news had completely overwhelmed her, but she quickly regained her composure
Early morning rain had left the old-fashioned street wet. Adela walked slowly along the road, her gaze drifting around uncertainly. It was her first time visiting this village.She had first heard about this place from Cora. This village was where Cora grew up and also where she'd first met Leopold Davis. So, when Cora disappeared, Adela immediately thought of coming here. Yet she wasn't certain if she'd really find Cora here.Although the village was small, locating one person wasn't exactly easy. Adela had been wandering for a while without any luck and was almost ready to give up when she suddenly spotted Cora sitting quietly on a small wooden bridge across a stream, her feet dangling in the clear water. She wore an absent-minded expression, seemingly lost in thought.Seeing her, Adela sighed with relief. She paused briefly, then walked towards the bridge and gently called out, "Cora!"Cora turned around slowly upon hearing someone call her name. When she recognized Adela, she seem
Early morning.When Adela opened her eyes, Layson was already gone. Bright sunlight streamed into the room, and she instinctively raised her hand to shield her eyes from the harsh rays. She wasn't sure how long she'd been asleep—her legs felt weak, and she didn't have the energy to sit up just yet.At that moment, the door opened, and Layson appeared wearing casual home clothes. Seeing Adela awake, he smiled warmly. "You're awake? Why didn't you sleep a bit longer—you were exhausted last night."As he spoke, he walked over and sat at the edge of the bed, affectionately running his fingers through her messy hair. Adela shot him an annoyed glare, thinking bitterly how he was responsible for her exhaustion, yet still dared to tease her about it.Seeing her blush, Layson chuckled softly, finding her embarrassment incredibly cute. The shy expression she'd worn last night was still vivid in his mind. "Come on, breakfast is ready."After saying that, he stood up. Adela tried moving her legs
Adela followed behind Layson until they reached the door of his apartment. She stared blankly at her hand, which was being gently held by him, and suddenly wondered how she'd ended up here with him. She tugged her hand away awkwardly and murmured, "Um…Layson, maybe I should go home."But since they'd already come this far, Layson wasn't going to let her leave now. Before Adela could react, he'd already pulled her inside, quickly closing the door behind them and wrapping his arms tightly around her waist. She felt his breath, warm and slightly rough, brushing gently against her ear. "Why so shy? It's not like this is your first time here."The dark room was faintly illuminated by lights from outside. Standing just inside the door, they remained in a warm embrace, creating an atmosphere filled with undeniable intimacy. Adela tried pushing him away softly. "Let go of me!"Layson didn't respond to her protests, instead chuckling quietly. "Didn't you say you missed me? Don't you think you
After parting ways with Cici, Adela didn't hail a cab home. Instead, she chose to walk alone along the street. Lost in thought, she wandered aimlessly, unaware of where she was heading. Just as she was drifting away into her thoughts, her phone suddenly rang, snapping her back to reality.“Hello?” she answered softly.A familiar voice spoke from the other end of the call. Today, hearing his voice at this particular moment felt strangely comforting, like stepping onto solid ground after floating in the clouds. "Where are you?" Layson asked gently."I'm..." She hesitated for a second, "I'm still near the company, on the street."He frowned slightly, glancing out his window. It was already dark outside. "It's late; why aren't you home yet?"His voice carried a hint of authority, but tonight, Adela found it oddly comforting instead of domineering. She bit her lip and smiled shyly, feeling playful and unusually bold. "Layson, I miss you so much."On the other end, Layson was momentarily ta