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
After finishing my breakfast, I decided to head back to the apartment I shared with Jian. Just as I was getting into the car, my phone buzzed.“Hey, Zelda, let’s meet at the apartment,” Jian said, her tone urgent.“What’s going on?” I asked, already sensing trouble.“I’m not sure, but the landlord called and said we needed to come over immediately. Let’s meet there.”“Alright. I’m already on my way,” I replied.The drive to the apartment felt tense, though I couldn’t put my finger on why. When I arrived, it wasn’t long before Jian showed up. Together, we headed upstairs.The sight that greeted us on our floor stopped us in our tracks—our belongings were scattered outside the apartment. Clothes, bags, shoes—everything we owned was thrown out like garbage.The landlord, a stout, middle-aged woman with a smug air about her, was tossing o
As soon as she was gone, I couldn’t help it—I burst into laughter. "That was one hell of a performance, Hamer! I didn’t know you were such a good actor."Hamerr smirked. "What can I say? I adapt when needed. Glad it worked out.""Thank you so much for stepping in," I said, grateful."No problem," Hamer replied. "You’ve got the money back, and honestly, it’s for the best. This place wouldn’t hold good memories for you anyway. Time to move on."He started helping us gather our belongings. "Just let me handle the heavy stuff," he insisted. "You two focus on packing."While Hamer carried bags to the car, Jian stood watching me with a funny look on her face."What?" I asked, exasperated."Hamer really likes you," she said with a smirk. "I mean, how did he even know we were in trouble?""I don’t know," I said, shrugging. "Why don’t you ask him?"When Hamer returned for another tr
Hilda immediately started fake crying, her voice quivering with drama. "Ha, ha, it’s her, it’s... it's them!"James, looking as impassive as ever, raised an eyebrow. "What happened?" he asked, his gaze flickering briefly toward Hamer but betraying no other emotion.Hilda sniffled and wiped her eyes, her voice shaky. "I came here and saw Sister-in-Law and Hamer. I just wanted to check on them, and then all of a sudden, Zelda started asking me what I was doing here. And then Jian—she started insulting me! She was so rude! Sister-in-Law didn’t even defend me! They were trying to hurt me, calling me unworthy of being part of the Ferguson family, saying I didn’t live up to my name..." She started fake crying again, louder this time.Susan, ever the picture of composed concern, patted Hilda’s back soothingly, her voice soft. "Calm down, Hilda. It’s okay. James is going to handle this. Everything’s going to be alright."
I turned, panic bubbling in my chest, only to find James standing there. His expression was unreadable, but his grip on my arm was firm like he needed to keep me close."James?" I asked, my voice trembling, but my thoughts were still clouded by what I had just overheard. "What’s going on?"I wasn’t feeling well. The night before had been restless, and I could still feel the exhaustion pulling at me. I had taken a cold bath, and the lack of sleep and the nightmares were taking their toll. I hadn’t been wearing makeup lately since I was pregnant and decided to keep the baby. My complexion had taken a hit, but despite everything, I knew I still looked good.I sat at the table with Fu Jinchen, his gaze assessing me carefully. He didn’t miss much, and I could tell he was concerned. But, then again, concern was rarely something he showed in a genuine way.“You look so bad,” he said, his voice carrying the usual sharp edge. &l
"Let me go, James," I said firmly, trying to twist free from his grasp.He didn’t flinch, his grip only tightening as his dark eyes bore into mine. “No. I’m not letting you go. Not until you agree to come back home with me.”I paused, staring at him. His determination was unwavering, and for a moment, I felt the fight leave me. What was the point in resisting when I knew he wouldn’t budge?“Fine,” I relented, my tone clipped. “But I need to see Jian first. I left her alone at the restaurant, and she has to know I’m leaving.”James tilted his head slightly as if considering my request. “Alright. But I left my phone inside during the meeting, so I’ll need to grab it too.”Inside, I couldn’t help but smile. This dinner was supposed to be about Susan, about forging connections for her career. But the fact that James was willing to abandon it to be with me? That had to mean something. Maybe it meant I still mattered to him more than she did.“Okay,” I said quietly.“All right. I’ll see you
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