"What do you think makes someone badly behaved?" I asked.He pondered for a moment, then replied, "Bullying others, stealing, lying—stuff like that."It was reassuring to hear he understood bullying was wrong, which made me doubt he'd actually harass his classmates. But why did everyone keep bringing up his pranks? I wanted to ask if he really put frogs in desks and backpacks, but I didn't want to spoil our rapport."That's exactly right! Let's get dinner first, then we can check out the games arcade.""We're really going to the arcade?" His face lit up as he practically jumped with excitement.I quickly pressed a finger to my lips. "Shh! If anyone tells Mr. Lloyd, we won't be able to go tonight."He clapped his hands over his mouth, glancing around with an adorably mischievous look. I ruffled his hair as we walked to the elevator."What would you like for dinner?" I asked as we descended."Spicy food! Let's get spicy food!""Can you handle hot food?""I'm tough! Spicy is not
Luke...I froze for a moment, struggling to maintain my composure while discreetly glancing at Emily sitting across from him.The restaurant was warm against the cold outside, and my eyes suddenly blurred with steam.I quickly looked away, putting my phone back in my bag and picking up my fork to eat the steamed pork on the table.What had tasted delicious and tender just moments ago now felt impossible to swallow.I forced myself to chew and swallow a few bites, but even the soft meat felt rough against my throat.Between my lost appetite and Ian not being able to handle the spice, I decided to pay and leave."Why aren't you eating anymore?" Ian asked."No time like the present - let's go get that fried chicken now."After a week, I'd thought I could handle seeing Luke normally. But just being in the same space with him, one look was enough to break down all my defenses.Afraid I might lose my composure, I quickly gathered our things."Yay!" Ian put his notebook back in h
Not bad for a "seasoned gamer" who had already played dozens of games at such a young age!Ian was clever - after a few tries, he quickly figured out the trick to the claw machine.When he successfully caught a plush toy, I held my breath, afraid any movement might break his concentration.Seconds later, when the claw released and the toy dropped down the chute, we locked eyes and excitedly grabbed each other's hands."I got it, Jen!”He pulled out the toy and handed it to me."You're amazing!""Let's do it again!"Ian was on a roll, getting better with each try, and soon my arms were full of plush toys.The couple from earlier had terrible luck, and they stopped to watch Ian.After he won another toy, the girlfriend lost it, complaining, "You can't even do better than a kid!""His machine must be easier!"The boyfriend hurried after her, trying to explain."It's just that you're terrible at it! Even with ten different machines, you'd still fail!"Their argument was soon
Ian quietly stayed by my side as I stood there in a daze.When we reached the main street, he reminded me, “Jen, your car is still in the parking lot."I stared at the busy traffic, feeling completely lost."Jen..."Ian tugged at my sleeve. I looked down at him as the scene from the arcade entrance played in my mind like a silent film.Of all the toys he'd won, only one remained in my hand. I apologized to him.He shook his head."I'm already so happy you took me to the arcade!" Ian looked up at the second floor where the arcade was. "It's nothing special anyway. I won't miss it!"His words and expression made me laugh. "You don't like the arcade?"How could he lose interest after trying just one game when he loved gaming so much and there were so many different ones to try?"I prefer playing games quietly, not with people watching. The arcade isn't for me."He seemed wise beyond his years, probably aware of his sensitive status and carrying burdens no child should have to b
Ian let go of my hand and watched the dancers in front of us intently.Though his moves weren't perfect, you could see how hard he was trying.Soon enough, he caught the rhythm and was dancing quite well.Seeing me still standing stiff as a board, he gave me an encouraging look. "Let me teach you, Jen!”His smile was as bright as spring flowers, and I couldn't disappoint his enthusiasm, so I started moving with him.Ian had an amazing memory - within minutes he'd learned all the moves. While pointing out my mistakes, he kept praising my dancing. I almost got lost in his endless compliments.He loved the plaza dancing, quickly becoming part of the group.His excitement was contagious, and I tried my best to keep up with the beat.If I hadn't been building up my stamina lately through training, I wouldn't have lasted this long.By the time the dancing ended, it was nearly ten.I checked my phone to find four missed calls from Mr. Lloyd.The loud music had drowned out my ringto
"I'm turning on my computer.""Hold on, I'll send you some screenshots."I opened my computer to look at Wendy's screenshots - Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter posts about Luke and Emily's supposed engagement."Is Luke really that famous?" Why were people abroad so interested in his marriage?I'd hoped Wendy would be too busy with work to notice the Luke and Emily situation, thinking I could keep it from her one day at a time.Since she already knew, I came clean.Wendy replied, "Emily is Mrs. Walker's chosen fiancée for him. Luke doesn't get along with his stepmother - he's too smart to agree to marry Emily.""Maybe Emily is different from Mrs. Walker.""Even if Emily was perfect in every way, Luke wouldn't love her!" Wendy said confidently."The evidence is right in front of us."I wanted to believe in Luke too, but his attitude toward me had shattered my trust."What evidence? If he could switch his feelings so easily, he wouldn't have kept you in his heart all these year
What about me?Was I just another piece in his game..."Should I send these screenshots to Luke?" Wendy mused."He's probably already seen them."Luke was extremely private about his background. Seeing these screenshots would make him uncomfortable, like his secrets were being exposed."You know him better than me. If you say he's seen them, I won't bother!"Wendy teased, "Aren't you curious about what your future mother-in-law is like?""Luke and I are impossible now.""Sweetie...""Wendy, we're just not meant to be."He needs someone on his level as a wife, not someone average like me."Looks like Luke's going to have a hard time winning you back."I stayed silent."Stand your ground, don't forgive him too easily. I'll always be on your side."It was almost eleven. Worried about disturbing my rest, Wendy chatted a bit more before hanging up.I stared at the screenshots, examining them again carefully.Was Luke's birth mother abroad?Would she see the news about his e
Last night at ten o'clock, when I was getting ready to go to sleep, I got a call from an unknown number in our city.The voice on the line, clear and pleasant, asked, "Are you Jen Middleton?"I didn't hesitate and said, "Yes, that's me. Who's this?"Instead of answering, the woman laughed and said, "Your husband is so wild in bed"I was completely confused and was about to ask who she was and how she knew anything about my husband, but the call was abruptly cut off, leaving a dial tone.At first, I thought it was just a prank and didn't think much of it.But as soon as I hung up the phone, a troubling thought crossed my mind: if it was just a prank, how did the caller know my name so accurately?Lost in my thoughts, I received a video through text from the same unknown number, followed by a message."Don't believe it? Take a close look at the true colors of your husband, Max Jennings."Even the mention of my husband’s name ‘Max Jennings' was alarmingly accurate.A few seconds