"Why are you here?" Brendan asked.Emily said softly, her voice filled with tenderness, "I came because I miss you. Is there a problem? Bren, don't you want me here?""It's not that." Brendan's voice was unusually loving and tender. "I was just surprised. It's late already. How will you get back?""Then I won't go back." Emily adjusted his collar. "Bren, can I stay here tonight?"Brendan hesitated for a moment, then covered his mouth. "I was just joking. I know you're tired from your work, so I won't disturb you.""I'm sorry." Brendan's eyes showed guilt.Emily leaned against him. "Don't apologize. It's not just your fault. I should have been more careful and not used the incense without knowing its effects on you."She sighed. "Let's not dwell on this. Where is Ms. McKinnon?"A flicker of emotion crossed Brendan's eyes. "She's asleep.""She goes to bed so early?" Emily was surprised."Well, pregnant women tend to do that. Let's go downstairs and talk."Listening from inside
Brendan's eyes fell on the woman's pale face and then on her frozen red hands. "You're mad?" he said. "I thought you had already returned to your room."Deirdre felt resentment and helplessness welling up in her heart. "Brendan, stop pretending. I don't believe you didn't know I was in the study. You purposely didn't come here. You left me alone on purpose."Brendan's eyes remained calm, and he didn't bother to refute her."I'm glad you recognize that. I did it to teach you a lesson. Otherwise, you might develop misguided feelings for someone you shouldn't be coveting."He spoke self-righteously, causing Deirdre's eyes to turn red with anger."So you just left me here to freeze in the cold? Brendan, was I the one who pursued you? You are shameless. From the beginning to the end, you held me by your side and embraced me. And now you tell me not to have delusional thoughts? How could you be so disgraceful!?"Brendan looked ashamed but didn't say much. "It was just a misunderstandin
Deirdre's ears burned, and shame and embarrassment filled her face. She asked, her voice trembling, "Is that enough?"Brendan didn't respond and walked away with determined steps. Shortly after he left, Mrs. Wanner came upstairs.Brendan instructed her, "Go and make Deirdre some hot tea."Mrs. Wanner nodded repeatedly, cautiously glancing at Brendan. She wanted to speak but hesitated.Brendan noticed and furrowed his brow. "Just say it."Unable to hold back, Mrs. Wanner asked, "Mr. Brighthall, after Ms. Collins left, did you go to your room to take a medicated bath? Were you feeling unwell and neglected Ms. McKinnon because of it? You didn't intentionally leave her alone in the study, right?"Brendan's black eyes turned icy, and his gaze grew even colder after hearing her questions. He didn't nod or deny, only saying, "Go and make hot tea."Mrs. Wanner felt a little happy in her heart. Wasn't that an implicit confirmation? It seemed that deep down, Brendan still cared about
Back when Deirdre had a congested nose from the cold, she couldn't smell anything. Curious about a particular scent, she asked, "What's that smell?"Mrs. Wanner's eyes shifted, and she replied, "What smell are you referring to?""The scent of herbs," Deirdre clarified.Mrs. Wanner chuckled nervously and said, "Oh, that must be the tea. I added some medicinal herbs to it."Deirdre didn't pay much attention to it and casually responded, "I see. I'm going back to my room."As she made her way out of Brendan's room, she had to pass by the study. Just as she reached the door, it swung open, revealing Brendan standing there, observing her slightly flushed complexion."Are you finished?" Brendan asked.Deirdre didn't feel like responding, and Brendan seemed unfazed. "Since you've finished the tea, you should rest early.""I don't need your concern. I can take care of myself," Deirdre retorted."Very well." Brendan closed the study door.As Deirdre walked past Brendan on her way to h
Brendan's foot pressed on the brakes as he fixed his gaze on the changing numbers of the traffic light. Disdain filled his tone as he spoke to Deirdre. "Do you think I'm a fool, Deirdre? You can't retrieve the money you gave away, and now you want me to be a scapegoat?"Deirdre's irritation grew. "Wasn't it your fiancee who deceived me first? Or are you planning to side with the oppressor?"Brendan turned back, started the car, and scoffed. "Side with the oppressor? It's astonishing that you can even say that."Deirdre clenched her lips tightly. "I don't care. $30,000 may be insignificant to you, but I won't let you off easily. If you refuse to give it to me, I'll ask Emily Collins! Not only will I ask her, but I'll also tell her that you forced me to undress and take a shower last night in your study!"Brendan gave her a look."Deirdre, have you suddenly become more courageous? Or do you think you can do whatever you want just because you're carrying a child now?" Brendan's tone
"What do you mean 'understand'? She doesn't have to say 'Mom' clearly. A few sounds will satisfy me." Josie snorted.Brendan glanced at Deirdre and said, "Did you hear that? They are doing well. If you behave and Joseph's legs recover, I will arrange a well-paying and comfortable job for him at the resort. He will have a worry-free life."Deirdre's gaze remained calm, subtly radiating a gleam of light."Thank you," she sincerely expressed her gratitude. "Thank you, Brendan."Brendan was taken aback for a moment, feeling oddly awkward."No need to thank me. It's what you deserve. There's no need for gratitude between us. It's a mutually beneficial arrangement," he replied.Deirdre placed her hand on her belly and spoke earnestly. "If you treat the child well and ensure she never suffers, if you prioritize her, then I want to thank you. She's better off staying with you than going to an orphanage. I don't have the ability to protect her, but you do."Brendan stared at her for a lo
Josie's anxiety was evident as she questioned, "Discuss? What can you two possibly discuss? He spoke so harshly before, and you two were supposed to have nothing to do with each other. How come you two are together again? You must be deceived!"Understanding Josie's concerns, Deirdre tried to reassure her, saying, "Josie, don't worry. I'm fully aware and won't be deceived. Besides, we are not together.""Not together?" Josie was puzzled. "If you're not together, then how..."Deirdre explained, "I made a deal with him.""A deal?" Josie asked, seeking clarification.Deirdre briefly explained Brendan's desire for a child.Josie shook her head disapprovingly. "No! Deirdre, have you lost your mind? How can you give him the child? You know what kind of woman Emily Collins is. She won't treat the child well. The child will suffer!"Deirdre smiled faintly. "But if I don't agree, the child will be sent to an orphanage. Instead of being an orphan, at least with Brendan, the baby will have
Brendan's gaze turned deep and serene, his voice carrying the same emotions as always."Hmm," he replied, turning his head slightly. "It's good that you know."How could Deirdre not know? She knew all too well, which made her even more grateful to Brendan for keeping her grounded and preventing any illusions from taking hold.Once back home, she immersed herself in a soothing bath, letting go of all her exhaustion.In the following days, they led a calm life, barely exchanging more than a nod with each other.But on this particular day, they coincidentally bumped into each other while getting a meal. Mrs. Wanner, wearing a smile, took out two tickets from her bag and placed them in front of them.Brendan glanced at them sideways. "What's this?""My youngest son has a friend at the theater, and they've arranged a fantastic performance today," Mrs. Wanner explained, her gaze shifting between the two. "He specifically saved two tickets for me, but I'm not interested in those young