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
As Zelda sat on the couch, a sudden memory crashed into her mind like a wave. She recalled a time, two months ago, when James had briefly returned for a meeting. He was supposed to fly back out that same night, but Zelda had managed to convince him to at least go home and change before his flight. She remembered how she had hoped to get him to stay longer, maybe even spend the night with her. She had pleaded with him, her voice soft but insistent,"Why don’t you spend a little time with me? You’ve been gone for months."James had looked back at her, his eyes unreadable, and asked, "You’re horny, aren’t you?"The question had stung, but Zelda hadn’t responded. When he approached her, his touch had been both possessive and unyielding, a force she couldn’t resist. That night, their connection was rough, almost harsh. And when he left afterwards, he’d shown no signs of hesitation, boarding his flight, just had he had planned earlier without a second glance.But now, in the dim quiet of Ji
Zelda pushed the door open and found it ajar, stepping inside to find Jianne watching her with concern."Are you okay?" Jeanne asked gently, sensing something was off.Zelda sighed, feeling the weight of everything she had just discovered."I don't know, Jianne. I just... I don’t know."Just as Jianne was searching for something comforting to say, Zelda’s phone rang, interrupting the tense moment. Jeanne handed her bag over, and Zelda absentmindedly pulled out her phone without checking the caller ID.She put it to her ear, and the unmistakable voice of Susan Wenger filled the line."Hello, Noelle...““How can I help you?" Zelda asked, maintaining the alias she used to protect her identity in the fashion and music world."I've been telling my manager to call you repeatedly, to ask you to design clothes for my new line," Susan’s voice dripped with impatience. "It’s being promoted in a song I’m releasing soon, and you’ve been avoiding my team. What's the issue?"Zelda’s voice was calm,
Zelda had been looking for a job for three days, but her search was fruitless. No one in the fashion or modelling industry would give her a chance. She had practically exhausted every contact, every opportunity. Each rejection felt like another slap in the face, another reminder that she wasn’t just fighting the industry, she was fighting James’s influence over it.Zelda had overheard James talking with his father, casually discussing ways to keep them married and out of a divorce scandal. He wanted her back on his terms, and this was his way of reminding her of his power. But if James thought this would break her, he was wrong. Zelda was determined not to be manipulated into crawling back to him.Thankfully, she had her friend Grace, who worked in the film industry. Grace had helped Zelda get a few odd jobs, assisting on sets and holding lights for camera crews. It wasn’t glamorous, but it kept her afloat, and it was a small step forward. On the third day of her part-time work, Zelda
Zelda narrowed her eyes at Susan, her expression challenging. But Susan, sensing the weight of everyone's eyes on her, quickly shifted her tone, softening her voice."I'm sorry, sister," she said, her words dripping with an insincere sweetness. "I hope you're not still mad about the other day. I know you didn't push me, but I was too weak. James thought you did, but I tried to explain it to him that it wasn’t your fault.""Really?" Zelda asked, her voice cool, her gaze pointedly fixed on Susan."Of course, sister," Susan continued, keeping her eyes downcast. "You know that James only cares about me, that's all."Zelda smiled, though her eyes held no warmth. "Okay, then. I want you to apologize sincerely and look me in the eye when you do it. I want you to apologize for everything."Susan hesitated, glancing toward James as if looking for backup. She clearly didn’t want to give Zelda the satisfaction of an apology, and Zelda knew it. It was a scene that brought back an old, painful mem
James looked at Zelda with a wide smile, his eyes sparkling with amusement. Zelda met his gaze, her lips pressing into a tight line as she tried to act unbothered."What?" she asked, her voice sharp and filled with an air of indifference, though she could feel the heat rising in her cheeks."Nothing," James replied, his smile never fading. "Tell me, what is it?“ She persisted.“ Are you jealous?" James asked, his eyes twinkling with a hint of teasing."Jealous? Why would I be jealous?" Zelda shot back, her voice firm as she crossed her arms over her chest.She raised an eyebrow, trying to maintain the control she so desperately wanted.James leaned in slightly, his voice lowering, a subtle challenge in his tone."Well, why were you shouting at her right now? If you're not jealous, if you don't think she’s going to steal me from you? But she can’t. I’m all yours. I am your husband, and we’re never getting divorced."Zelda’s eyes flickered with annoyance, and she raised her hand in a di
ZeldaMy face flushed crimson, a wave of guilt washing over me. I couldn't even bring myself to look at Grandma, her expression a mix of surprise and delight."Grandma," I whispered, my voice barely audible, "I'm so sorry. I knew how much you wanted James and me to have a baby, but I… I still kept it a secret."I was so ashamed, I couldn't lift my head.But instead of scolding me, Grandma pulled me into a warm embrace, patting my back gently."My child," she murmured, her voice thick with emotion. "I’m so sorry… for misunderstanding you."As a woman, she understood. She knew the pain, the disappointment, the deep-seated reasons why I might have kept my pregnancy hidden, choosing to face it alone."Silly child," Grandma said, pulling back to look at me, her eyes brimming with tears. "I’m so happy, so relieved… I don't even have time to be angry! Oh, my goodness… you’re pregnant!"Jus
James frowned, thinking back, and a vague memory of the incident surfaced. He explained, a hint of helplessness in his voice,“ Mr and Mrs Wenger were supposed to meet me there that day for a business discussion. Susan bought the roses for her mother. She had a scratch on her hand, and I simply helped her carry them. Later, my flight was delayed, and I had other commitments, so we didn't end up having dinner. As for her holding my hand… I honestly don’t remember that."He paused, his eyes narrowing slightly."How do you know all this? It’s as if you were there, watching it all unfold."My stomach clenched. Thinking back to that day, all I could see was myself, wandering the streets of a foreign city, lost and heartbroken, crying like a fool. I felt like such a naive idiot, manipulated by Susan's carefully crafted narrative. I didn't want to tell him how devastated I’d been, how much it had hurt.But now wasn’t t
SusanHis eyes were like glaciers, and the weight of his gaze pressed down on me, making my face feel clammy and cold. I hadn't expected him to deny it so bluntly. I'd been so sure he'd keep up the pretence, at least until after the baby was born.Hellen spun around, her face a mask of anxious fury."Susan, say something!" she hissed. "Didn't you tell me the child is James's?" She was relying on this too.I swayed, suddenly finding myself unable to feign dizziness or any other convenient ailment under his cold, indifferent stare. I knew he wouldn't tolerate any more of my tricks.My lips were dry and trembling as I looked at Hellen, tears I could force no longer welling in my eyes."I… Auntie," I stammered, my voice barely a whisper, "I never explicitly said the child was Mr. Ferguson's. You… you misunderstood."Hellen's face contorted with rage, a flush rising in her cheeks. She looked at me, at my carefully crafted inn
Susan Wenger hurried to catch up, still clutching the bouquet."Sister, I mean well. It's fine if I don't go into the ward. Just help me take these in as a small token of my appreciation. And… have you asked James about it yet? Is he happy at the thought of our babies growing up together? Actually, I was thinking… wouldn’t it be lovely if my baby could recognize James as his godfather in the future…?"It was like a swarm of flies buzzing incessantly around my ears. That last bit pushed me over the edge. I stopped abruptly, whirled around, snatched the bouquet from her hands, and threw it to the ground.Then, I stomped on it, grinding the flowers into a pulp with a few swift kicks, my eyes blazing at Susan."The flowers are gone," I said, my voice tight with barely suppressed rage. "And you can go too! My husband and I have discussed it. We're planning on having a second, maybe even a third child. That way, our babies will have b
Susan Wenger had a real talent for getting under my skin. Even though I knew her tactics, even though I knew I shouldn't believe a word she said, I still felt a surge of anger.When I pushed open the door to James’s room, my face was set in a frown. He looked up, a faint smile touching his lips, and held out a hand."What took you so long?"I walked over, my expression darkening. Instead of taking his hand, I slapped it hard."James Ferguson," I said, my voice trembling, "you're going to explain to me right now what's going on with Susan Wenger's baby. Or I swear I'll take Little One and leave!" Tears welled up in my eyes.I stood there, hands on my hips, trying to look fierce, like a cornered kitten puffing itself up.James looked surprised. He pulled me into his arms, onto the bed."Who did you see out there?" he asked, his voice gentle. "What happened?""Don't change the subject!" I glared at him.He pursed his lips. "You'll find out about it later," he said.His evasiveness only f
ZeldaI clutched James's angiography film and headed towards the inpatient building. As the elevator doors opened, I bumped into someone.Instinctively, my hand went to my barely-there bump. "I'm sorry," I murmured."Sorry," the other person echoed.I looked up and saw another pregnant woman. She was also cradling her belly. Our synchronised movements created a moment of shared understanding, and we both smiled."You're pregnant too, right?" she asked, her voice warm and friendly.I nodded. "I'm only three months along. I'm not even showing yet. You look like you're five or six months?""Not quite five yet," she replied.I stared at her rounded belly, the size of a small watermelon, a flicker of worry crossing my mind. Why was my "fruit" still just a tiny bean sprout?She chuckled at my expression."You're young, and it's your first, isn't it? Don't let your slim figure fool you. After the first trimester, your belly will pop. It changes every day like a balloon being blown up."I nod
Mortified and annoyed, I pulled away from James, glaring at him. I scrambled off the bed, determined to face the doctors to salvage what was left of my dignity."Wait a minute…" James said, his voice husky."Wait for what?" I snapped. "If I wait any longer, I'll die of embarrassment!" Having the doctors waiting outside was torture enough.But James grabbed my waist, pulling me back against him. "If you go open the door now," he murmured, "we'll be even more embarrassed."He tugged me closer, and I blushed furiously, unable to move, biting my lip."You're injured," I whispered, "why are you still…""The injury isn't there," he replied, a smirk in his voice.He’d just had me on top of him, crying and carrying on. If he hadn’t reacted, there would have been a problem.I was speechless. I tried to cover my tracks, pulling the quilt up and tucking it around him. "You…," I mumbled, turning away, unable to meet his eyes.James looked at my flustered, embarrassed face and cleared his throat.
Zelda"Little one?" James's voice was a low rumble, a flicker of something – amusement? – in his eyes.Even after I practically shoved him away, I couldn't bring myself to tell him. The divorce… leaving… it was all still so tangled in my mind. But now, the word was out. Did it mean things were changing?I nodded, taking his hand and pressing it against my lower abdomen. My own hand trembled."James," I whispered, my voice thick with unshed tears, "Little one is… the nickname I gave the baby. I'm… I'm pregnant. Over three months."The words tumbled out, a dam breaking. I’d been so emotional, so terrified. But he deserved to know. Little one’s father. And what if… what if something happened to him? The thought was a shard of ice in my heart.The regret would be unbearable – for him, for the Little one, for me.But then the fear clamped down again. His past words echoed in my ears: Abort the baby if you're pregnant. His coldness… it was a weight on my soul. I watched his face, searching
The scent… it was him.It flooded my senses, a painful, sweet ache. I froze, though. Terrified. I couldn't move, couldn't bring myself to pull away the hand covering my eyes. What if it wasn't real? What if I opened my eyes and he was gone, just a phantom conjured by my own desperate longing? What if this embrace was just another cruel trick my mind was playing?Tears streamed down my face, silent and hot. Soon, his hand was wet. I felt the shift in him, a ripple of something… was it pain? My heart ached with a dull throb. Especially knowing… knowing about the baby. The thought made the fear twist into something sharper, more desperate.His hand moved, so gently, to my shoulders. He turned me, ever so slowly. Then, his fingers brushed my face, wiping away the tears."Zee," he whispered, his voice so soft, so familiar. "Be good, open your eyes. Brother is here. It's okay."I couldn't. My lashes fluttered, more tears escaping."I'm scared," I choked out. "It's… it's all fake. A hallucin