My performance had stretched on for what felt like hours, though in reality, it had only been forty minutes. I had lost count of how many times I had dived into the water and kicked back up, my tail swishing with precision, my lungs burning as I held my breath for as long as I could. Each time I surfaced, it was like breaking through a wall of exhaustion, but I kept going. I had to.I waved my tail one last time and started to rise for air when something unexpected happened. A hand—large, strong, and unyielding—plunged into the water and clamped around my arm like a vice.I barely had time to register what was happening before I was yanked out of the water, the suddenness of it leaving me gasping. Water streamed down my face, stinging my eyes, and I could hardly see. My vision blurred, but even through the haze, I knew who it was.That strength, that towering presence—it could only belong to one man.“James!” I gasped, my voice cracking with surprise and fury.I twisted in his grip, m
I curled into myself as much as I could, wrists still bound, the remains of the ridiculous fishtail costume trapping me in place. My face burned with humiliation, but I refused to show him fear."When did you take up fish filleting as a hobby, Mr. Ferguson?" I shot back, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "Is this part of your grand plan to—"Before I could finish, he slammed the knife into the bed, the blade piercing through the fabric and pinning the tail in place.I froze, my breath catching as panic surged.When the expected pain didn’t come, I slowly opened my eyes. The knife stood firm in the mattress, the fishtail trapped beneath it.I yanked at the fabric, trying to free myself, but it wouldn’t budge. Frustration bubbled in my chest, but his expression didn’t waver—cold, unyielding, and infuriatingly calm."Do you know your mistake?" His voice was low and deliberate like every word was meant to pierce through me.I glared at him, tears threatening to spill as I turned my head awa
James’s expression was calm, but the coldness in his eyes was impossible to ignore. His sharp gaze bore into me, and his voice dripped with mockery as he said,“Acting so thoughtful and virtuous, always putting others first. Since Grandma doesn’t like Susan, why don’t you speak up for her? Convince Grandma to accept her for me.”I stared at him, stunned. Of all the audacity. After everything, he wanted me, his wife, to plead on behalf of his mistress. My nails dug into my palms as I struggled to keep my composure. Every fibre of my being begged me to lash out, but I held back.I swallowed my pride and forced the words out. “Fine. I'll see what I can do.”His face hardened further, a storm cloud darkening his features. Without warning, he stood and loomed over me, his disdain palpable.“The Person of the Year, everybody,” he said coldly while clapping his hands. “You deserve a Good Wife Award.”My anger flared, but I kept my mouth shut. If this man weren’t my husband, I would have torn
I recognized the voice immediately, and a chill ran through me. It was Duan Kun. The realization was terrifying, but I forced myself to calm down. Instead of fighting, I leaned back against him, my mind racing for a way out.Duan Kun hesitated at my unexpected reaction, but then his demeanour shifted. His grip loosened slightly as a lecherous grin spread across his face."Mr Duan," I said, my voice low and enticing. "If you already know the kind of woman I am, surely you've come prepared with proper bargaining chips this time?"My words made him pause, his grip on my hair slackening further. I turned slightly, my hair brushing against his neck. His eyes darkened, and his breath quickened."Don't be so rough," I murmured, placing a hand lightly on his chest. "I don’t like that."His guard lowered as his ego inflated, mistaking my act for submission. When he leaned in for a kiss, the smell of his cheap cologne and stale cigarettes hit me, making my stomach churn. I twisted away, feignin
The world around me felt blurred and distant, as though I were underwater. But Xavier’s voice cut through the haze like a lifeline.“It’s okay,” he said, his tone warm but firm. “You were acting in self-defence, not murder! Our little Lizhi did a great job and was very brave to protect herself. That guy deserved it!”I felt his arms wrap around me, steady and strong, pulling me into a hug. His warmth seeped into my frozen body, and for the first time in hours, the suffocating weight on my chest began to ease.The female police officer stepped forward, her voice cautious but professional.“She still needs to be assessed for her injuries. She wasn’t cooperating earlier.”Xavier’s hand found the top of my head, his touch gentle as he ruffled my hair. “Don’t be afraid. I will always be with you.”I nodded, my eyes stinging with fresh tears. “I can do it,” I murmured, though my voice trembled.He let me go, but not before draping his windbreaker over my shoulders. It was heavy, the fabric
Xavier’s voice carried a note of reassurance, his persistence unwavering as he tried to reason with me."Zelda, Brother isn’t the impulsive 17-year-old he once was. He’s not going to fly off the handle. You can tell him, and it’ll be fine—"I couldn’t hold back the tears any longer. They slipped down my cheeks, and my voice trembled as I interrupted him."Brother, are you refusing to help me? Don’t you understand? I can’t let him know."The memory of Duan Kun flashed in my mind, his hands pinning me against the wall. I’d been terrified, but even at that moment, I was thinking. I can’t let him succeed. I can’t let this happen.Because if he had, James would have lost control. He would’ve sought revenge without hesitation, just like he did years ago, his hands stained with blood for my sake. I couldn’t let that happen again.So I fought back. I did what I had to. When I struck out at Duan Kun, there was no hesitation, no mercy. James Ferguson had been my armour then, the thought of him
Hellen’s triumphant demeanour faltered slightly, but she quickly regained her footing."What kind of question is that, James? Susan—is carrying your child! Who else could it belong to?"I bit the inside of my cheek, struggling to process this new revelation. Was she lying? Or was James telling the truth? For weeks, I'd assumed Susan's pregnancy was another calculated move to cement her place in his life, and I had resigned myself to being quietly displaced. Now, cracks were forming, and I didn’t know what to believe.James’s grip on me tightened slightly, his gaze never leaving his mother."You're making assumptions. Did you ask her, or did she tell you herself that the child is mine?"Hellen crossed her arms, her voice laced with irritation. "She didn't need to. The timing aligns perfectly, and she's always been close to you. Who else could it be?"James exhaled, his jaw tightening. "Close to me? We haven't been together for months. Unless there's some miraculous explanation, that ch
Boom! Boom! Boom!The pounding on the door jolted me.“Zelda, open the door!” James’s voice was sharp, impatient.I hadn’t realized how long I’d been inside. When the sound of his footsteps retreated, I barely had time to react before the heavy thud of his foot struck the door.I scrambled to unlock it just as he was about to break it down.James’s eyes narrowed as he took in my appearance. My hair was dripping, and my towel clinging to my trembling frame. His gaze darkened.“What the hell are you doing?” he demanded.“I…” My voice faltered as water dripped from my hairHis hand shot out, gripping my wrist. His fingers were like fire against my frozen skin. “You’re freezing. Were you taking a cold shower? Are you trying to kill yourself?”I blinked, dazed. “I didn’t feel it.”His frustration flared. “Unbelievable.” Without another word, he scooped me into his arms and carried me to the bed.He tucked the quilt around me, his movements brisk and annoyed.th. I was trembling uncontrollab
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
We arrived at Mrs. Bai’s room, but the doctor had already finished and left. She was lying there, so pale and thin, her eyes cloudy and unfocused, but tears were silently streaming down her face. It was heartbreaking.James went to her and gently took her hand.“Godmother,” he said, his voice low and steady. “I’ll take care of everything online. I won’t let anyone tarnish Luoqi’s name. Godfather and I… we’ll stabilize the company. If Bai’s survives this, if the stock price recovers, the internet will quiet down. They’ll let Luoqi rest in peace.”A flicker of something – hope? – touched Mrs. Bai’s face. Mr Bai stepped forward too, stroking his wife’s hair.“Listen to James,” he said softly. “As long as I’m alive, our son won’t have died in vain. Even if you don’t trust me, you have to trust James, right?”I watched them, my heart aching. Mrs. Bai, and Mr Bai… they’re known for their love and devotion to each other. Even with Mrs. Bai’s blindness and failing health, he’s always been by
When I pushed open the hospital room door, I saw him. James. Sitting on the bed, looking at some papers. A surge of… something… went through me. Annoyance? Worry? I marched over and snatched the documents from his hand.He looked up, surprised, probably thinking I was one of his bodyguards. His expression shifted from annoyance to… something else. I stood there, frowning, the papers clutched in my hand."The doctor said you need rest. You lost a lot of blood, and sleep helps your body heal. Don't you understand that? The Ferguson company can handle things for a day or two; it’s not like he can’t be transferred!" I know I was probably lecturing, but I couldn’t help it. He was being so reckless.He just looked at me. At me. And for a moment, the coldness that usually clung to his face seemed to melt away. Something flickered in his eyes… nostalgia? It was strange. Then I saw it. The ghost of a smile playing on his lips. And suddenly, I was remembering too.“Brother, you can’t go to bed
I caught Susan’s wrist before her hand could connect with my face."Are you angry because I exposed your lies?" I sneered.Her chest heaved, and she yanked her hand back, a flicker of something – fear? – in her eyes. She took a deep breath, trying to regain her composure."You saw your mother and your aunt and uncle just now, didn't you? They're badly hurt, no money for treatment. And you, their own flesh and blood, just walked right past them. Don't you think that's…inappropriate?""Don't we have you for that?" I retorted, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "Miss Susan is so kind and generous. Surely you can show them some of that generosity."Susan’s face twisted with frustration."Zelda Liamson, why are you so cold-hearted? You're a Ferguson now, carrying their grandchild, and you're just going to let your relatives suffer? Think about your reputation! What will people say?"She was seething. James’s very public slap, the withdrawal of the Wenger family’s investment…and now she was be
ZeldaI snorted, a small, involuntary sound of amusement. Turning on my heel, I left the coffee shop.Jian had perfect timing, arriving just in time to witness Susan Wenger's spectacular face-plant. Honestly, the schadenfreude was delicious.The moment I stepped out, the whispers, no, the shouts erupted."Susan Wenger, you've been lying to us all along! We even defended you! You're disgusting!""I've seen people pretend to be rich, but pretending to be someone's ex-girlfriend? That's a new low!""Mr Ferguson doesn't even look at you! You're so vain, it's embarrassing to be seen with you! Let's go!"It was a feeding frenzy. One by one, the sycophantic little group that had been fawning over Susan just moments ago deserted her. Her face, which had been so smug, crumpled. It was almost…pitiable. Almost.Even Hilder Ferguson, her supposed "friend," was disgusted."Susan, you lied to me too! That's too much!"She grabbed her bag and stormed out, leaving Susan scrambling after her, desperat
ZeldaI opened my eyes, realizing James had been quiet for a while. The recording had finished, but he was lying there motionless, his face eerily calm. I wondered if he'd fallen asleep. I nudged him, a little irritated."James?"He opened his eyes."Was he running a train in your stomach?" he asked, a teasing glint in his eyes.I rolled my eyes. I’d been so emotional, hearing the heartbeat for the first time, and that was his reaction."Don't you have anything else to say?" I huffed.He smirked, leaning closer."You called me 'hubby,' darling," he murmured. "Say it again. I want to hear it."My cheeks flushed. Why was he always so focused on the weirdest things? I glared at him."Did I? You must have misheard."Just moments ago, we’d been snuggled together, listening to the baby’s heartbeat, holding my belly, feeling so happy, so connected, like a real family. And in that moment, the word just slipped out. Now, under his teasing gaze, I was too embarrassed to repeat it.He wasn’t let