Zelda stood frozen, heart pounding in disbelief. Had she really heard what she thought she’d heard? The conversation between James and his father replayed in her mind, each word sinking deeper. Was everything James had done, bringing his grandmother, asking for forgiveness, pleading for another chance…all just a calculated move to protect his company?A chill washed over her as she pressed a hand to her heart, tears beginning to well in her eyes. She felt herself spiralling, the happiness she’d clung to just moments ago crumbling. It had all been a lie, an illusion that shattered in an instant.Suddenly, her phone rang. She picked it up absentmindedly, barely noticing the caller ID."Zelda?" a familiar voice spoke.It took her a moment to recognize it. "Oh, Hammer," she replied, trying to steady her voice. “Hello. How are you? Is my brother okay? Is Michael okay?”“Don’t worry. Your brother is fine. He passed through the procedure with flying colours,” Hammer reassured her gently. "Ac
"James, what did you do to this poor young lady again?" the grandmother asked, unable to keep her thoughts to herself any longer."Nothing, Grandma. We’re fine," James replied, taking Zelda's hand in his and resting it on the table for everyone to see.Zelda's first instinct was to pull her hand away, but, sensing the eyes around the table, she let it stay, suppressing her frustration."You are very lucky to have Zelda as your wife," the grandmother continued, her voice firm but filled with warmth. "I hope you know that, James, and that you cherish her. Because if you lose her, I don’t know what will become of you.""I know that, Grandma," James said, his voice lowering with a hint of acknowledgement.But Helen, unable to hold back, interjected, "What’s so special about Zelda? She should be grateful James even married her. There are countless women who’d love to be in her position. She’s the lucky one here, and honestly, she isn’t even close to James’s level."The grandmother's eyes n
“I want to go see my brother,” Zelda said softly, her voice carrying a sense of quiet determination.James glanced at her, noting the resolve in her eyes. “It’s fine; you can go,” he replied, though his tone was reluctant.“He’s been transported to the other city. I want to go and stay with him while he goes through this treatment.”James’s jaw tightened, but he nodded slowly. “For how long?”“I don’t know,” Zelda replied, her gaze steady. “For as long as he needs me there.”“Zelda, I already told you. I’m not letting you go. You’re not getting a divorce.” James’s tone was firm, almost final, as he continued, “And we already discussed this. I said I’m going to take care of Michael’s hospital bills and find him another specialist. Not just Hammer, he is not the only specialist but someone truly capable. So, you don’t need to go anywhere. Your brother will get the best treatment here, and you’ll stay here with me.”Zelda sat in silence, feeling exhaustion settling in. “I’m so tired, Jam
Zelda stood frozen, unable to read or fully comprehend the scene unfolding before her. Susan was on the floor, clutching her stomach, tears streaming down her face as she looked up at Zelda with an accusatory glare. It was as if Zelda had committed some unforgivable sin, but all she had done was give Susan a reality check—a sharp slap that seemed to have shattered Susan’s carefully crafted illusion.And there was James, kneeling beside Susan, setting down the breakfast he had apparently brought for her. He held her protectively in his arms, his voice soft as he asked her how she was feeling, if she was alright. Zelda felt a surge of pain twist in her chest as she watched them. The warmth in his voice, the concern in his eyes, she hadn’t seen that side of James in so long, and certainly not directed at her.Finally, James looked up at Zelda, his eyes blazing with fury.“What have you done? What did you do to her?” he demanded, his words sharp and accusatory.Zelda held her ground, unsh
Just as Susan began crying louder, a nurse entered the room, trying to soothe her. Chen, sensing the unfolding drama, discreetly slipped out, not wanting any part of it. As he stepped outside, he ran directly into Susan's mother, Mrs. Wenger. She gave him a questioning look, but he avoided eye contact and hurried down the hall toward his boss, James.Inside the ward, Mrs. Wenger found Susan sitting on the bed, tears streaming down her face, as she clutched her cheek and wailed. The nurse continued to try to calm her, but Susan only cried harder, turning her face dramatically toward her mother.“What’s wrong, Susan?” Mrs. Wenger asked, concerned. She examined the cheek Susan was clutching but saw nothing unusual. “What happened? What’s wrong with your cheek?”Susan’s voice trembled as she sobbed louder. “Can’t you see it? Zelda…she hates me!”Mrs Wenger’s face twisted with confusion. “Who hates you? What’s going on, Susan?”Susan continued to sob, barely coherent, until her mother fina
The boardroom lingered in whispers, with several members trying to rationalize what they’d just witnessed."I'm sure someone’s playing a trick on Mr. Ferguson," one man muttered. "Even if he had those issues, he’d never rely on fraudulent sources. He has the money for the best, most discreet treatment."Another agreed, “Yes, yes, exactly.” But Charles sat back with a smirk, clearly entertained.James’s jaw clenched as he tried to shake off the embarrassment, steeling himself to continue. "Back to the presentation," he said, resuming as if nothing had happened.The room’s silence finally lifted, and they returned their focus to the work, though James’s fury simmered just out of sight. As soon as the meeting ended, he was the first out of the room, striding swiftly down the hall toward his office. He hoped to make it back without further interruptions, but Charles quickly caught up, matching his pace.Charles Ting, a tall, good-looking man with a sharp, self-assured grin, walked alongsi
The question echoed in her mind as she sank into a nearby chair. She had worked so hard for this position, thought it was the first step toward a new life, a life she had planned, a life that included her future interning with Mister Lee, away from the city. She had dreams, hopes, and a clear path she had been following... until now.This wasn’t supposed to happen. It couldn't be real. Everything had been going smoothly. She had just served James the divorce papers that morning, hadn’t that been the turning point? She had finally taken control of her life, and now this.Her heart thudded painfully in her chest as the realization hit her: _This wasn’t a coincidence._Zelda thought the pieces fit too well to be a coincidence. She picked up her phone and called James. He didn’t answer the first time or the second, but on the third ring, just when she thought he wouldn’t pick up, he finally answered.“James,” she began.“How can I help you, Zelda?” he replied, unbothered. “I’m busy.”“Did
Zelda’s patience had reached its breaking point. As she walked down the road, James’s car crawled along behind her, and each slow roll of the wheels fueled her irritation until it simmered into fury. She stopped abruptly, turning to face the car, and the car stopped as well.Locking eyes with Cheng through the window, she saw him quickly avert his gaze. She tried to see James through the window but she couldn't, although she could almost imagine his smile right now.Without a second thought, she strode toward the car, threw open the back door, and glared at him. James gave her a smug smile, as if certain she was finally submitting, finally returning to him.Zelda looked down, her eyes landing on the red velvet cake sitting neatly on his lap. She wasn’t about to climb in next to him. Instead, she grabbed the box, yanked it out of his hands, and stepped back.She glanced at the cake, then back at James. He turned away, staring straight ahead as if nothing was amiss. But Zelda had other
ZeldaAs the door shut, James exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. His body was tense, his fists clenched at his sides.James stood motionless, staring at the door, his jaw clenched so tightly that I thought he might break.Mr Ferguson was the first to speak, his voice firm but not unkind.“James, I know you’re angry, but she’s still your mother.”James let out a bitter laugh, shaking his head. “Still my mother?” His voice wavered. “What kind of mother does this to her child? What kind of mother lets him suffer for years and then—then when the truth comes out, she refuses to even acknowledge it?”His father sighed, rubbing a hand down his face. “She’s scared, James. Scared of losing everything she’s built, scared of what the truth means.”James turned on him, pained.“And what about me? Does she care how scared I was? How much I lost? How I spent years believing I was the mistake, that everything that went wrong was somehow my fault?”Helen’s voice trembled from the doorw
ZeldaI sit on the edge of the bed, staring at the divorce papers I had once been so ready to sign. My hands rest over my stomach, where our child—my child—grows.I told myself I wouldn't cry over James Ferguson again. But here I am, my heart still aching in ways I wish it wouldn't.He had always been my saviour. When I was just a scared thirteen-year-old girl, lost and alone, James had taken me in. I admired him, idolized him. But then admiration turned into something else. Love. The kind that consumed me, that I could never shake off, no matter how hard I tried.But James had never seen me that way.First, it was Susan Wenger... I watched as he gave everything to Susan, how he smiled at her the way I had always wished he would look at me. And when Susan was gone, I thought—maybe—just maybe, James would see me.But then came Luoxing.And that had been the final proof I needed to know the truth. I was never going to be James's first choice.That was why I decided to leave. I refused t
JamesThe Bai estate was as grand as ever, standing as a symbol of power, wealth, and the history that bound our families together.Or so I thought.I stepped inside without hesitation. No one stopped me. They never would. For years, I had been welcomed here like a son.I had thought I was.But tonight, the weight of betrayal clung to me like a second skin, suffocating, inescapable and true.As I entered the main hall, I found them all gathered—Mr. Bai, Mrs. Bai, and their daughter, Bai Luoxing.The moment they saw me, Luoxing was the first to react. She stood up, her eyes filled with something between relief and hesitation."James!"I lifted a hand to my head, stopping her in her tracks.She hesitated, then slowly sat back down, casting a quick glance toward her mother.Mrs Bai, ever composed, sat calmly at the head of the table, an air of relaxed control around her. She didn’t look surprised to see me.She probably didn’t know that I knew everything.Mr. Bai, on the other hand, was
JamesA slow, numbing realization crept over me, drowning out everything else.The Bai family hadn’t just manipulated me.They had shaped my entire life."They couldn’t just bring Luoxing back," Dom continued, his voice low. "Not when the whole world was looking for her. Not when they hadn't gotten anything from their attempt. So they kept her hidden, cared for her, made sure no one found her."I barely heard him. My mind was already racing ahead, connecting pieces I had never thought to question before."But the Ferguson family—" My voice caught. "We never stopped searching for her.""And that’s exactly what they wanted."I snapped my gaze to him."Think about it, James." Dom leaned forward, the dim light casting sharp shadows on his face."Your parents. Your grandmother. You. You were all drowning in guilt, haunted by the loss of a little girl you thought you failed to protect. You clung to Madame Bai and saw her as a second mother because she was grieving too. She played her role p
JamesThe air in the car was filled with tension, Zelda's rigid posture and clenched phone screaming her silent fury at me. I deserved it—every bit of her anger, every cold shoulder. But damn if it didn't carve a hollow ache in my chest.Then my phone buzzed, slicing through the suffocating quiet.I answered, and within seconds, the tension in my shoulders eased."We found Dom."The words sent a rush of grim satisfaction through me. Finally. After all the hunting, all the dead ends—we had him.My grip tightened on the phone. "Alive?""Barely. He's talking."Good.I glanced at Zelda, still stubbornly turned away from me, her reflection faint in the window. This changed everything. With Dom's testimony, the Bai family's carefully constructed lies would crumble.But first—"Keep him secure. I'll be there soon."Hanging up, I studied Zelda's profile. She thought this was about the divorce. About me stalling.She had no idea the storm that was coming.And for once, I'd be the one to shield
JamesMadam Bai’s fingers combed through Bai Luoxing’s hair with practised tenderness, her voice saccharine."Don’t cry. Mom knows your heart is too soft—you would have stopped me if you knew."Then she lifted her chin, her blind eyes fixed in my direction with eerie precision."James, I only helped your wife leave because she wanted to. I didn’t want you two to become bitter enemies. You may not understand my intentions, but the truth is, this all started with her desire to run. Luoxing is innocent."Innocent.The word tasted like ash."So sending men to hunt her down—was that also a favour?" My voice was lethally quiet.Madam Bai’s wrinkled face twisted in feigned confusion."Hunt her? James, I only sent people to find her after she disappeared! For her safety! And my nephew—where is Dom? Did you see him?"Zelda stiffened beside me. I could almost hear the furious drum of her heartbeat.I stared at the woman who had once been like a second mother to me.Even now, faced with the trut
JamesMy lashes lowered, hiding the smug satisfaction in my gaze as I buried my face against her again. Good. She didn’t push me away this time.Then— Thump.Something struck the side of my face.I froze.Before I could process it, another hit—this time square on the bridge of my nose. Not painful, but sharp, like a tiny jolt of electricity.My head snapped up, eyes wide."Was that… Littleton?"Zelda’s lips curled, amusement flickering in her gaze before she pressed them flat again."Littleton’s here to teach you some manners," she said dryly.Of course, it was Littleton.Even in the womb, my kid couldn’t stand watching their shameless father grovelling like this and decided to intervene.A stunned laugh caught in my throat.I stared at the slight swell of her belly, then slowly raised my hand, pressing my fingers where I’d been kicked. The impact had been soft, muted by layers of flesh and fluid, but it sent a current straight through my chest.My heart hammered—not from fever, but s
JamesThe pain in my chest was sharp, unrelenting, as I watched her smile—so effortless, so free. As if I meant nothing.If it were up to me, I’d never let her go.Especially not now, with those men hovering around her like vultures, waiting for their chance. But I couldn’t do anything. Not anymore.I didn’t dare to force her, didn’t dare to manipulate things behind her back like I used to. One wrong move, and she’d slip even further from my grasp.And then there was Dom. Until he was dealt with, she wasn’t safe here."Don’t worry," I said, my voice steady despite the storm inside me. "I’ll fulfil your wish this time. Consider it… compensation for the wedding."That damned wedding. My fault. All of it.Maybe ending this marriage was the only way to truly start over. She looked at me then, her eyes searching mine, and for the first time, she saw it—my resolve. No tricks, no games. This was real.Her lashes fluttered, her grip on my collar loosening as she whispered,"So after we land…
ZeldaOf course I couldn't bear it.I never wanted to compete with Bai Luoxing for anything. She was the one who forced her way into my marriage. Even then, I retreated—step by step, until I'd put an ocean between us.Yet the Bai family still wouldn't let me go. They wanted me dead. How vicious could they be?But Leiy hadn't said much earlier. Even I was only guessing. Did James... already know it was them?My eyes widened in shock. "You knew? Bai Luoxing helped me leave the country, and the Bai family has been hunting me since I landed—"His face darkened at the mention of my escape. "How else do you think I found you?"I pressed my lips together, then let out a cold laugh."Well, color me surprised. I thought even if I accused the Bai family, you'd assume I was just smearing their name out of spite."The pain that flashed across his face was sharp enough to almost make me regret my words. Almost.His chest heaved, and before I could react, his hand shot out, gripping the back of my