JamesI let go of Jim abruptly, my attention snapping to the letter Leiy held out. The envelope bore my name, and the handwriting was unmistakably Zelda’s. My chest tightened as I took it, my fingers trembling slightly despite my best efforts to steady them.Leiy’s voice broke through the haze of my thoughts. “It’s addressed to you. It must have been sent when Madam was still there.”I barely registered his words as I tore open the envelope. Inside was a single sheet of paper, thin and fragile, with just a few lines of text. My eyes scanned the words slowly, each one cutting deeper than the last. By the time I finished reading, my vision was blurred, my chest heaving with a mix of anger, pain, and disbelief.I crumpled the letter in my fist, my jaw clenched so tightly it ached. Without a word, I turned and strode out of the room, my mind racing. Jim’s voice followed me, calm and unhurried, as if he hadn’t just been at the receiving end of my fury.“Take care, Mr. Ferguson.”I stopped
ZeldaAn hour later, I found myself in a secluded villa, safe and hidden from prying eyes. Lisa had prepared a cup of calming tea for me, and I sipped it slowly, the warmth soothing both my stomach and my nerves. I was waiting for Jim’s call, my mind swirling with questions and doubts. Why had he gone out of his way to help me? What did he want in return?When the phone finally rang, I answered immediately, my voice steady but laced with curiosity."Mr Nan, can I ask why you’re helping me like this?"Jim’s voice was light, almost playful."What do you think? I want to keep a beautiful woman in a golden house?"I froze, my breath catching in my throat. My heart skipped a beat, and for a moment, I didn’t know how to respond. But then I heard him laugh, and the tension in my chest eased slightly."Seriously? I didn’t realize you’re quite narcissistic," I shot back, my tone teasing but my cheeks burning with embarrassment.Jim chuckled again, and I could almost picture the smirk on his fa
JamesThe words hit me like a sledgehammer, each one carving deeper into the fragile shell I’d built around myself. Jian’s voice was sharp, unrelenting, and every accusation she hurled at me felt like a knife twisting in my chest. I wanted to know—no, I *needed* to know—how much I had missed, how much I had destroyed without even realizing it. It was a masochistic urge, a desperate need to understand how I had failed her so completely.I stood there, my hand clenched around the broken porcelain, the shards digging into my palm. The pain was nothing compared to the storm raging inside me. Jian’s words echoed in my mind, each one a revelation I wasn’t prepared for."Are your material compensations what Zelda wants? Zelda’s scholarship and prize money from her fashion modelling were enough for her to live on! She could have left the Ferguson family a long time ago. She’s talented, James. She is a model, a fashion designer and a choreographer, she has millions of fans. Do you know why she
JamesI stood in front of the French window, my eyes fixed on the retreating figures of Bai Luoxing and Hellen Ferguson as they left the courtyard. The car pulled away, and the mansion fell into silence once more. But my mind was anything but quiet.Something about that day—the day Zelda and Bai Luoxing had coffee together—gnawed at me. I hadn’t thought much of it at the time, but now, it felt significant.I picked up my phone and dialled, my voice low and urgent."Twenty days ago, Zelda and Bai Luoxing had coffee in the café opposite the hospital. Check the surveillance footage from that day. Find out if any of the waiters overheard their conversation."I hung up and turned around, my gaze sweeping across the bedroom. Hellen Ferguson had said Zelda’s things were still here, and she was right. The room was filled with traces of her—a cashmere shawl draped over the sofa, her favourite lotion on the dressing table, the faint scent of her perfume lingering in the air. It was as if she ha
ZeldaThe man stood there, his short hair appearing jet black under the soft glow of the house lights, a stark contrast to the fair-haired locals. My heart skipped a beat, and for a moment, I was frozen in place. Startled, I loosened my grip on the flowerpot, and it slipped from my hands, tumbling off the stand."Careful!" A deep, mellow voice called out, and before I could react, a strong arm wrapped around my shoulders, pulling me away from the stand.The man’s hand shot up, blocking the falling flowerpot just in time. It shattered on the ground, the sound sharp and sudden.My heart was pounding like a drum, and I looked up, dazed, to see a familiar face. My initial shock and confusion slowly turned to astonishment."Boss Nan?" I breathed.It was Jim. Not who I had thought for a moment. My heart was still racing, but the surge of emotions settled as I realized it wasn’t him. It wasn’t James.Jim’s hands were still on my shoulders, his touch warm against my cold skin. He smiled down
ZeldaWhen Lisa walked back into the house, I felt a wave of relief wash over me. I hadn’t realized how tense I’d been until she appeared, breaking the strange atmosphere that had settled between Jim and me. I wasn’t sure why I felt so on edge around him.He had helped me so much, and I was grateful, but there was something about his presence that made me uneasy."Lisa, look, Mr. Nan brought us a lot of delicious food. Come and try it," I said, waving her over to the table where Jim had laid out an assortment of pastries and treats.Lisa glanced at the spread but didn’t move closer. Instead, she gave me a knowing look, her eyes flicking briefly between Jim and me."Mr. Nan brought this for you, Zelda. I can’t just eat it. You two talk. I’m going back to my room first."Her tone was light, almost teasing, but it made me feel even more awkward. I wasn’t sure why she was acting this way, but I wasn’t exactly grateful for her quick exit.Just as I was about to say something, Lisa paused a
ZeldaI woke up late the next morning, surprised by how well I had slept. After hearing about the Bai family’s relentless search for me, I had expected a restless night, but instead, I had slept deeply and peacefully. Even Littleton had been unusually quiet, giving me a rare break from the usual nighttime kicks.I stretched lazily, feeling refreshed, and walked over to the window to open the curtains.The world outside was a pristine white, the snow had stopped and the sky clearing to a soft, pale blue. I smiled, taking in the peaceful scene, but my eyes suddenly caught on something unusual. On the terrace of the neighbour’s house, about twenty meters away, stood a snowman.It wasn’t just any snowman. It was half a person’s height, with a crooked red woollen hat perched on its round head, a red scarf wrapped around its neck, and a row of heart-shaped buttons down its front. In its arms, it held a bunch of fresh angel tears, the delicate pink bell flowers swaying gently in the breeze.
ZeldaThose eyes…My heartbeat faltered, a sudden, heavy thud in my chest as if the world had stilled around me. The cup in my hand slipped—Bang!It shattered against the floor, hot water scattering in all directions."Careful!"A deep voice cut through the haze of my thoughts. A figure moved faster than I could react, strong arms wrapping around me, pulling me back just as the scalding water hit the spot where I’d stood.The warmth of his chest pressed against my back, steadying me before I could even register the danger."What’s going on?""Are you burned?"Lisa’s voice, sharp with alarm, clashed with the man’s low, concerned tone above me. She rushed forward, her body shielding mine as she glared at the stranger, her protective stance unmistakable.I barely noticed. My limbs still felt weak, my breath uneven. Slowly, I lifted my gaze.The man had stepped back, his brow furrowed in polite worry, but there was something else there—surprise? Recognition?No. I must have imagined it.
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