I wiped my eyes one last time, breathing deeply as I stood up. My legs felt weak, but the heaviness in my chest had lessened. The storm of emotions that had crashed over me moments before had finally subsided.I glanced up at Hammer Yassir, feeling a flush of embarrassment creep into my cheeks.He didn’t say anything about my breakdown, only offered a gentle, understanding smile that made me feel even more self-conscious.I dropped my gaze, and that’s when I noticed the coffee stain on his chest.The dark splatter spread across his coat, a visible reminder of how he had stepped between me and the fury that was Hilder Ferguson. If he hadn’t shielded me, I’d have been the one walking around with coffee all over me—and even more humiliation.“I’m sorry for what happened today,” I said, my voice soft but sincere. “I’ll buy you a new shirt and coat.”His grin widened as if he’d been waiting for my words.“Perfect. Let’s go.”I blinked, thrown off. “Go?”Hammer pointed to his stained shirt.
ZeldaI heard him give the instructions, and for a brief moment, I allowed myself to feel a tiny flicker of relief. The weight on my chest had been so heavy for so long. But just as quickly, my tears started falling again, faster this time, uncontrollably. The car felt too small, the air too thick, and the driver, undoubtedly terrified of the tension, kept perfectly silent.I didn't want to cry again. I knew it wouldn't help. But despite all my efforts to stop, the sobs kept coming, small and intermittent.Then he spoke, cold and firm, cutting through the heavy air between us.“Zelda Liamson, if you cry again, I will regret it!”I froze. His voice, low and menacing, made my tears stop instantly, my chest tightening. I shrank against the window, as if trying to disappear into the glass, my heart pounding as if it might burst out of my chest.“Don’t be so mean,” I muttered, my voice barely audible. “I’m not crying anymore.”He didn’t say anything. His eyes, colder than I’d ever seen the
My fingers trembled slightly as I fixed his tie, the weight of memories pressing down on me. I forced a smile, trying to sound casual, though my heart ached with each word."I was just thinking," I murmured, "I tied a tie for you once before. Do you remember it?"I glanced up at him, searching his eyes for any flicker of recognition. His Adam’s apple moved, a subtle sign that he remembered far more than he would ever admit. But his voice came out cold and distant like a wall slamming shut between us."I don’t remember."A bitter pang spread through me, though I kept my smile in place. Of course, he wouldn’t admit it. Of course, he would pretend it meant nothing. But I remembered everything, down to the smallest detail.It had been ten years ago, on his ceremony. It wasn’t just another family event—it was the day the future leader of the Ferguson family would take his first steps into manhood. Every detail had been carefully planned for months.The grandeur, the formality—everything po
My explanation hit a dead stop, and the air caught in my chest like a tight fist. I stared at James Ferguson, my mind swirling in disbelief. Divorce papers barely signed, and he couldn’t wait to tell her?The sight of Susan Wenger standing there, as if she had every right to witness this moment, made my stomach churn. No matter how ready I was to walk away from this marriage, I didn’t want her presence contaminating the air on the very day I freed myself.The bitterness slipped from my lips before I could hold it back.“So impatient. Why didn’t you just agree earlier?” I laughed, short and sharp, turning to leave.Before I could take more than a step, his hand wrapped around my wrist. Heat and tension shot up my arm as he pulled me back.“Do you think I invited them here?” His voice was low, dangerous.I refused to meet his eyes. My pulse thudded, but I yanked my arm free, holding onto the last shred of dignity I had left.“Let me go. We are divorced. Mr. Ferguson, kindly respect your
Zelda“Where are you taking my son?“My mother’s desperate words echoed in the sterile hospital room as she clung tightly to Michael, her eyes wild with fear and calculation. Her grip on him, frail yet tenacious, made me sick with a mix of pity and rage. She held him like a possession, not a person."You can't just take him away like this!" she wailed, her voice sharp, slicing through the thick tension that had been building for weeks."He's my only son. What will I do when I get old? Who will take care of me?" She looked at me, her youngest, as if I were a shadow—unworthy of the same value.Gary, my uncle, stood stiffly in front of me, blocking my path like a gatekeeper of misery. His words were soaked with blame."Zelda, this is your fault. He’s your mother’s lifeblood. Do you think you can whisk him away abroad in secret? What if he dies on the plane? What if he never comes back? Can you live with your mother’s grief then?"Tian, my aunt, chimed in with her patronizing tone. Her ey
ZeldaThe room felt like it was spinning. The noise—the shouting, the accusations, the jeers—pressed down on me like a weight I couldn’t push off. Jian’s voice cut through the chaos first."Zelda, are you okay?"I nodded, but my throat was tight, and I couldn’t get a word out. My heart was racing so fast it felt like it might burst from my chest. Gary lay on the ground, clutching his side, putting on the most dramatic display of agony I had ever seen."Ouch, ouch! My ribs—she broke my ribs!" His groans filled the air like a bad performance.My mother knelt beside him, wringing her hands. "Gary, what’s wrong with you?""Sister, that damned girl broke my ribs! You must demand compensation! Medical expenses, more this time!"I felt the fire rising inside me, burning away the lump of shock that had clogged my throat. My fists clenched at my sides. Every word out of his mouth was a lie, and he knew it."Zelda Liamson!" Tian screeched from where she sat, holding her back as if she’d been st
It was Hammer Yassir.Relief swept over me the moment I saw him. His white coat gave him an aura of calm authority, and as he stepped into the room, the chaos seemed to freeze. His voice, deep and steady, cut through the noise like a scalpel."The hospital security will be here soon, stop making trouble!" he barked. "This is a hospital! Those who are watching the fun, please go away!"The crowd, which had been growing larger with every second of drama, began to scatter as if commanded by an unseen force. I finally allowed myself to breathe, the tension in my chest easing slightly.He turned toward the nurses next, his tone softer but no less commanding."Go check on the patient first."I moved aside as the head nurse led her team into the ward. My hands trembled slightly as I stepped away from my brother’s bed, but I forced myself to stand tall. Michael’s fate depended on me staying sharp and composed, not on emotions or theatrics.As I walked toward Hammer and Jian, I noticed that Ji
Hammer Yassir’s calm, composed words hung between us like a protective shield. He smiled as if unfazed by the tension crackling in the air, his tone polite."Michael Liamson is my patient. Whether I’ve resigned or not, I will remain responsible for his care. Zelda is my friend and junior sister—helping her is only natural." His eyes didn’t waver as they locked on James Ferguson’s hand gripping my shoulder.The weight of his stare was like a challenge. "Since Mr Ferguson and Zelda have registered for divorce, perhaps a bit of distance would be appropriate."I felt James's hand tighten just slightly, a subtle increase in pressure that seemed almost possessive, even though his expression remained infuriatingly calm. He raised an eyebrow and responded smoothly."It’s just registration," he murmured, his voice low and filled with a deliberate edge. "Nothing can be said until the dust settles, right, Mrs. Ferguson?"My breath caught as he leaned in, his lips so close to my ear that his word
ZeldaLilian Wenger's red eyes and embarrassed flush were hard to ignore. She’s a dancer of some renown, and those in the arts often possess a certain nobility. But the comfortable life she was accustomed to was clearly weighing on her, the thought of losing it all outweighing any sense of shame.I never expected Susan to still be lying to her parents, still clinging to the fiction that James is her child’s father. My brow furrowed.“Please?” I prompted.“James has stopped investing in the Wenger family. It was agreed upon, but he’s cut us off without warning. Our funding has dried up…” This was news to me.James hadn’t breathed a word of it.“Zee, for your grandmother’s sake, you can’t just stand by and watch the Wenger family crumble. Grandma and Grandpa built that business.”Grandmother Wenger passed away when I was five. My memories are hazy, but I remember her warmth and her adoration. It’s undeniable that my adoption by the Fergusons was tied to my connection to the Wenger famil
ZeldaI woke up in the big bed at the Mansion, disoriented. The last thing I remembered was being in the car with James, the argument hanging heavy in the air. I looked down. My clothes had been changed. They were clean and fresh. Aunt Jiang, no doubt.My lips felt strange, a little sore, with a faint medicinal scent, like antiseptic. Someone had been… cleaning them? The thought made me uneasy.Aunt Jiang bustled in.“Madam, you’re finally awake! I’ve been to check on you twice. Breakfast is ready. Please eat quickly, so you can take it to your husband.”“How did I get home last night?” I asked, my voice still thick with sleep.“Mr. Ferguson carried you back himself, Madam. He took care of you all night before returning to the hospital. He wouldn’t let me help. I don’t know if his wound reopened. He looked so worried. His face was so pale when he left…”My brow furrowed. Guilt, sharp and unexpected, pierced through me. Aunt Jiang’s words painted a picture of James, concerned and carin
ZeldaA prickling sensation crawled up my spine. Something was wrong. As the man reached for me, I reacted instinctively, swinging my bag and hitting him squarely in the face.“Someone, help! Help!” I yelled, my voice ringing out across the crowded club.The commotion drew attention, but the two men were quick. One grabbed the woman in the red dress, while the other wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me close.“Baby, stop making trouble,” he said loudly, his voice dripping with false concern. “Let’s not quarrel, okay? It’s all my fault! Sorry, my wife drank too much…”He was trying to drag me away, to make it look like a lovers’ spat.Panic clawed at me. I saw, out of the corner of my eye, that the people I’d hoped would notice were buying his act, turning back to their dancing.“I’m gay!” I shouted, desperation giving my voice an edge. “Let me and my wife go! We’re a couple! We don’t even know you!”I struggled against his grip, trying to reach the woman in the red dress. “Let
ZeldaMy heart plummeted. James… he’d lied. Deliberately.The thought echoed in my mind, a cold, sharp shard of ice. He’d manufactured this whole injury, just to manipulate me, just for the baby. The same way Hellen Ferguson only cared about the child, not about… me.The realization stung, leaving me feeling foolish and betrayed.My legs had gone numb. I hadn’t even noticed the bodyguards leaving. I sank to the floor, hugging my knees, trying to contain the rising panic. After what felt like an eternity, I forced myself to stand. I clutched the incubator, a fragile shield against the truth, and walked to his ward. I needed to hear it from him. I needed to understand.But as I cracked open the door, their voices drifted out, stopping me cold.“Brother has succeeded in wooing his wife? Didn’t little Zelda Liamson cry and make a fuss before, insisting on getting a divorce and going abroad?” Miguel’s voice was laced with that familiar, subtle mockery.Then Yuell Qing’s laughter was sharp
ZeldaI blinked, realizing just how cunning James really was. He hadn't explicitly said anything about cancelling the divorce, but he’d subtly manoeuvred me into this position. Unbelievable.I puffed out my cheeks."You wish! I can't even count the ways you've made me unhappy. I'm only staying temporarily because of Little One, and because your injury is partly my fault! Don't think you've won me over that easily. You're just an…apprentice husband at best!""Apprentice husband?" James raised an eyebrow.I nodded firmly. "Don't you understand? Like the interns at Ferguson's. You're on probation. Less than a month. If your performance is satisfactory, I'll consider things. But if it's not…Mr. Ferguson should be very clear on the process, right?"He was silent for a moment, then I narrowed my eyes."Do you have any objections?“He clicked his tongue, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Then perhaps Mrs. Ferguson could enlighten me on the criteria for this…internship? What requirements must
Zelda"What paternity test?" I asked, my brow furrowed. I took the phone from James, staring at the report on the screen.It wasn't a paternity test at all. It was a kinship test. And the result…grandfather-granddaughter? My confusion deepened."Whose grandchild is this?"I scrolled back, finally taking in the names of the individuals involved in the assessment. My eyes widened in surprise."It's…Bai Luoqi's child?"Luoqi! It all clicked into place. He’d passed away, which explained why James was so invested in this child. Luoqi had been busy with the Bai family’s overseas business these past few years, just like Susan.They’d both been out of the Country. And then, the timing…Susan had returned with James and the Bai's. The media had assumed they were Susan’s parents, making all sorts of incorrect assumptions. No wonder they’d all come back together."So," I said slowly, piecing it together, "the Bai family's IPO is at a critical stage. Luoqi's death is a huge blow, and you’re trying
ZeldaMy mind was a whirlwind. Tissues, where were the tissues? Liamson, Zelda Liamson, that's me, and right now I was trying desperately to stop James's nosebleed. It was all so embarrassing!And then there was James, throwing that cup of water. At Xavier! His brother. I felt a surge of mortification."I told you to stop messing around!" I scolded, my cheeks burning. "This whole ward is a mess!"James, bless his heart, just looked gloomy."It's inconvenient," he mumbled, "Let's just get discharged tomorrow.""Discharged?" I exclaimed, aghast. "How can we? Your injuries aren't nearly healed! And…and I need to see Xavier. James, why did you hit him?"I turned to go out, but James grabbed my wrist, his grip surprisingly tight. It startled me."What's wrong?" I asked, looking at him.He seemed to realize he'd been too rough and loosened his hold a little."I think…I think my wound might have opened again. It hurts," he said, his brow furrowed.My worry instantly eclipsed everything else.
I was stunned. My head snapped back, and a jolt of disbelief running through me.“How could you even think that?!” I exclaimed, my voice rising in disbelief. “There’s nothing between me and my Hammer. I don’t… I don’t like him! How could you even imagine such a thing?”James’s expression was a mixture of anger and something else… hurt? He sneered a harsh, bitter sound.“He coveted you back then. He even dared to come to the Ferguson family to propose! And in the past two years, he abandoned his life as the heir to the Yassir family to work at the Ferguson hospital… just to be near you. You kissed in the car. You hid your pregnancy. You talked about divorce. You were going to go abroad with him! And just now… you were snuggled in his arms! What am I supposed to think, Zelda? What?”His words hit me like a physical blow. He loosened his grip on my chin, but the damage was done. My neck felt strained, stretched to its limit. I stared at him, his eyes burning with a cold fury, and a wave
ZeldaHis hand, James’s hand, was a vice around my waist. His fingers pressed right on the bruise, a throbbing reminder of his unfounded anger. The scene in the ward replayed in my mind, fueling my own simmering frustration. He’d stormed out, furious, without even knowing what had happened.Then, his accusation about Hammer. I glanced at Hammer’s cheek, the fading bruise a testament to James’s… overreaction. Something snapped. I shoved him away, my brow furrowed.“James, have you said enough?!” I retorted, my voice trembling slightly. “I just fell asleep. Brother was worried I’d catch a cold and put his coat on me. Is that so terrible? I asked him for help at the airport. If you want to blame someone, blame me. Why involve him?”A wave of hurt washed over me. If James hadn’t forgotten I was waiting outside, would I have fallen asleep on that bench? And he had hugged Susan in front of me, without a word of explanation, but my innocent interaction with Hammer was enough to ignite his ra