I was fast asleep when Jian burst into my room, shaking me awake."Zelda, Zelda, wake up. You have to see this."Groggy, I rubbed my eyes. "What? What's going on?""Come on, wake up! Someone is destroying your page, ruining you as an artist!" she said, her voice filled with urgency.I sat up, trying to process her words. "What do you mean?" I asked, still half asleep. I assumed she was talking about my design career and my dream of becoming a fashion designer."No," she said, frustration in her tone. "I'm talking about your page as Noelle, the composer and producer."My heart skipped a beat. I suddenly felt more awake, more alert. "What happened?""Look at this first," she said, grabbing her phone and pressing play on a video.It was Susan, singing my song—the one I had sold her for two million. It sounded beautiful, of course, but I knew the truth. I had written that song. I could hear the intelligence and effort she put into making it sound good, but it was still my work, my creatio
The line went dead after I hung up. Jian snorted beside me, her arms crossed as she leaned against the table. “You’re way too tense, Zelda. Let’s grab breakfast and stop overthinking.”I tugged her out of the room and down the street until we stumbled upon a quaint little restaurant. The smell of freshly steamed buns wafted through the air, luring us inside.Midway through breakfast, my phone buzzed, and I saw Xavier Ferguson’s name flashing on the screen. I answered quickly."Sister-in-law," he began in his usual calm tone, "the police wrapped up their investigation. They've classified it as attempted sexual assault. You acted in self-defence; you're in the clear. As for Duan, he regained consciousness last night and will be transferred to the detention centre in two days. He won't be getting off lightly. Also, your information has been blocked, so you can relax now."Relief washed over me. "Really? Thank you so much, Xavier." I replied softly, though my voice didn’t carry the cheer
When I raised my head to glare at James, my voice dripped with sarcasm. “My instincts tell me you’ve got a delusional disorder, and my head says narcissism—both in their final stages. Shall I check where to register you for treatment?”Instead of being offended, his lips curled slightly, exuding that insufferable calm he always carried.“Before diagnosing me, it might help your credibility if you put on your skirt first,” he said, his tone laced with mockery.It hit me then—the full scope of my predicament. When he walked in, I’d been mid-motion, awkwardly peeling my skirt off with my backside in full view. To make matters worse, the torn fabric was still hanging around my knees, leaving my thighs exposed to the cold air.Meanwhile, he stood there in his pristine suit, his tie perfectly knotted as if he were attending a gala. The absurdity of it all made my face flush hot. Anyone walking in would immediately think I’d been trying to seduce him.My embarrassment quickly turned to anger
I didn’t have time to think before I grabbed the man’s outstretched hand and flipped him over my shoulder.Bang!He landed on the ground with a heavy thud, the cotton candy he had been holding flying out of his grasp. Without hesitation, I kicked it away like it was something toxic, then quickly turned to Xander, pulling him close.“Are you okay?” I asked, scanning him for any injuries.“I’m fine, Sister,” he reassured me, then pointed to the man still sprawled on the ground. “But I’m not so sure about him.”I turned to look. The man was tall and lanky, his long arms and legs splayed awkwardly. He didn’t even attempt to stand, just lay there, waving weakly when our eyes met.“Miss,” he said in a dramatic tone, “I saved you once. Did you really have to repay me by being so harsh?”That voice. It struck a chord of familiarity. My ears perked up, and the memory hit me.“Wait—you’re the guy on the motorcycle from the other day!”He smiled, his eyes crinkling behind a large mask. His voice
"Are you Zelda's brother?" Nan asked, looking surprised.I was about to explain the situation—that Xander was my brother through marriage—but before I could, James spoke up."Do you have an issue with that?" he asked his tone calm but with an underlying challenge.I frowned. It seemed that James was deliberately letting Nan believe that, without correcting him. I knew this was intentional.Nan, completely unaware, changed his tune, apologizing to James and offering to get drinks for everyone. He turned to James, asking if he was thirsty. I couldn’t help but feel sorry for the boy, as James was clearly messing with him."He's not thirsty!" I cut in, stopping Nan before he went off to fetch drinks. "Don’t worry about him," I added, not wanting to see Nan get used this way.James squeezed my hand, his voice playful. "If he wants to chase someone, he has to learn to run errands. I’m just giving him a chance to show off," he said, looking at Nan with a teasing smirk.Nan smiled and winked
“Are you okay?” Nan’s voice pulled me back as he appeared from somewhere in the crowd, steadying me before I could hit the ground.I straightened myself, glancing up just in time to see James’s tall figure weaving through the crowd. His arms were wrapped protectively around someone. Though I couldn’t make out the face, I didn’t need to—I knew it was Susan Wenger.“Don’t push! Someone fell down!” a voice called from the back, but the crowd pressed forward anyway, eager to catch the drone show that had started just beyond the haunted house.I forced myself to look away from James and turned to Nan.“Where are the children?” I asked, my voice tight with worry.He gave me a reassuring smile. “They’re fine. Don’t worry. Let’s get out of here first.”I nodded, letting him guide me as we moved through the throng. It wasn’t long before the crowd thinned and we could finally breathe. Overhead, drones began to light up the night sky, their formations accompanied by gasps and cheers.I glanced u
When I got Xander home, I thought I’d finally have some peace, but Nan wouldn’t take no for an answer. He insisted it was “on the way” and practically dragged me into his car. I had no energy to argue.When we pulled up at my Apartment, I got out quickly, hoping he’d take the hint and leave. But no—he followed me, his voice warm and concerned.“With all the stuff online, would you like me to recommend a reliable lawyer or public relations firm?”I paused, surprised by his sincerity. Of course, he would know about the chaos. The ugly headlines about Noelle had been trending all day.I turned to him, meeting his earnest gaze, and forced a small smile.“Don’t you think I’m really greedy for money, like they say, just because I accepted that two million deal?”Nan raised an eyebrow and shook his head. “How could that be? You’re my idol. If anything, you’re worth way more than that. The person who got to use your music should feel honoured.”His tone was so serious that I nearly laughed. T
James threw me on the bed like I was a sack of potatoes, then stomped over to my closet, yanked out some clothes, and threw them at me."Put this on and come with me!" he barked.I sat up, completely disoriented, my hair a mess, and my anger bubbling to the surface. There was no way I’d comply with his ridiculous demands, especially not at this hour."Have you completely lost your goddamn mind?!" I snapped, brushing my hair out of my face. "I’m not going anywhere with you! If you won’t agree to a divorce, we can separate. Two years apart, and I can file for divorce on my own!"I squared my shoulders, staring him down despite the knot of anxiety tightening in my chest.James's expression darkened, his presence more suffocating than ever."Separate?" he sneered. "You think you can walk away just like that? If I don’t agree with the divorce, you’re going nowhere, Zelda!"Then he turned to grab the quilt from my bed.I backed away instinctively, wrapping my arms around myself."What are y
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