"You're lying," Erland murmured."I'm not lying," Maelie replied, sneering, her hand caressing Erland's muscular and slightly hairy chest while her eyes remained fixed on his hazel eyes. "Now you're saying I'm beautiful... That's true and I know it. I could easily get love from other men... but I don't do it. Even though I could... I choose to stay with you because I'm pregnant, and I want wealth," she continued, occasionally biting her lower lip as if captivated by Erland's body."Whatever you said, I know you're lying...""Then tell me why you're saying I'm lying."Erland shifted his gaze from her lips to her neck, then stroked her shoulder."Because you're a good girl," he said."Then what do you think a good girl deserves to have a liar man?" Maelie asked, making Erland immediately look at her.Erland just remained silent, pained, realizing his mistake, making him feel suffocated and quickly turning away."If I hadn't already married Tiffany, I would marry you without having to li
The next day...Maelie had already woken up but hadn't moved from the bed at all, instead, she glanced at Erland who was still asleep next to her while embracing her belly. She shifted her position, gazing at her handsome husband's face, and slowly caressed it.'Would I be wrong if I said you belong to me? When can I be free from this guilt? I want you... I want us to live together like before, peaceful, calm... But it feels impossible... In reality, I'm just a parasite to you and your wife,' she said silently, filled with an endless dilemma, feeling frustrated and choosing to release her embrace, intending to get up from the bed but immediately being held back."No, stay here!" Erland exclaimed with his slightly open eyes, embracing Maelie from behind and kissing her neck. "Stay here until we're hungry," he continued.Maelie smiled faintly."A good husband wouldn't let his wife go hungry," she said."Hmmm... I know that... But right now, I just want to be with you, embracing you in t
After lounging lazily on the bed, Erland and Maelie decided to get up and enjoy breakfast in the dining room, accompanied by Amanda and Tommy, who happened to come to discuss work."I told my mom," Erland said while eating stir-fried chicken with vegetables."What?" Tommy asked, raising his eyebrows."I told my mom about my relationship with Maelie," Erland explained casually, then resumed eating with his fork.Tommy swallowed his food, staring at Erland with wide eyes as if surprised, while Maelie and Amanda remained silent, focusing on their food."You're crazy, Boss," Tommy muttered, furrowing his brow and shaking his head. "You're asking for trouble...""No... this isn't trouble," Erland replied, raising his eyebrows. "I'm sure she'll help me deal with this issue... But actually, this isn't a problem... I feel like I don't have a problem... Choosing who I'll marry and who I'll spend my life with until I'm old are not a problem," he continued casually, resuming eating."But..." Tom
Many times, Maelie changed clothes but couldn't find the right one that she felt was appropriate for her. She felt she had to look perfect because she didn't want to disappoint Erland's mother..."No no no... It's too glamorous... Too many beads!" she said as she looked at herself in a red dress with several beads on the sleeves and chest.Finally, she took off the dress and threw it in any direction then took it back from the cupboard."Hi Baby, What are you doing?"Erland entered the clothing room and saw a lot of clothes scattered on the floor."I feel like I have to wear attractive clothes when I meet your mother," answered Maelie worriedly."You don't need to be confused, all these clothes are nice and suit you.""You always admire me so I don't believe it!" Maelie emphasized while wearing a black dress with small strap-like shoulders. “This is my first time meeting your mother... I must look attractive so she doesn't regret having a daughter-in-law like me!""Hmm, okay..." Erland
Sacramento California Tommy got out of his car and opened the door for Rosalia, then led her towards the front door of Maelie's mansion.Rosalia gazed at the mansion, imagining Maelie and Erland inside."This is quite nice and equivalent to his mansion in New York. What if his father finds out she bought this for his affair? It would be a big problem!" She said to herself anxiously."Mom..."Erland greeted them immediately from the front door along with Maelie. He embraced his mother for a moment, then released her with a smile."This...," he turned to Maelie, who smiled awkwardly. "My wife."Rosalia immediately stared at Maelie, who looked graceful in a red and white dress, her arms covered, some of her hair clipped back to reveal a maternal look, her makeup subtle with peach lipstick, and her blue eyes captivating."Um..." Maelie suddenly felt unsure of what to say."You are so beautiful," Rosalia said, embracing Maelie. "I don't know what to say... My son is in the wrong, but you
"But leaving her isn't the best step for now," Maelie said anxiously. "And maybe you should learn to be sweet to her again, like before. Do this for the sake of your baby," she continued."And it will make her think that I love her, then it'll be difficult to leave her!" Erland retorted harshly. "And I know you'll be very sad when I'm with her... What's the point of being with her if it will only hurt you while being together will hurt her or myself? Isn't that asking for trouble, seeking unpleasant things?"Maelie sighed, then stood up and approached Erland, hugging him from behind, feeling she needed to persuade him not to divorce Tiffany."I'll be fine," she whispered."No, you'll be sad," Erland replied without turning."I know I'm the winner here and you'll never change, so I won't be sad.""Maybe you have the generosity to let me go, but I can't surrender myself to her, it hurts me too much," Erland said angrily, then released Maelie's embrace and turned to face her. "Please...
Several days passed...Reluctantly, Erland followed his mother's request not to divorce Tiffany, even though today he would go to Nevada for work matters and Tiffany turned out to be in his apartment."I didn't expect her to come!" he said with annoyance."Maybe she misses you," Maelie replied, sitting beside Erland who was putting on his shoes. Sadness was evident on her face, unable to deny that her heart was starting to ache because she had to let her husband share love and attention again, there was also the worry that his first wife would settle in Nevada, thus depriving him of the chance to see her in Sacramento.Erland finished putting on his shoes and turned to Maelie, who looked elegant in a vanilla-colored dress with open sleeves and light makeup, but slowly he noticed the sadness in her eyes, so he immediately hugged her."I hate this!" he said sorrowfully and angrily. "I don't want to leave you..."Maelie released Erland's embrace with grace and looked at him with a smile.
At 7 p.m. in Reno, Nevada.Maelie and Amanda entered a ballroom adorned in shades of red and white, decorated with red roses, red balloons, and much more, giving the room a romantic ambiance. Guests began to arrive, talking and shaking hands, while Maelie and her sister helped with the service, arranging desserts in small love-shaped cups on the tables, where there were plenty of beautiful wine glasses and other dishes."Leo, where's the special cake?" Maelie asked as she approached Leo, who had just arrived."Um, Olivia and the others are bringing it here. I just need to prepare the space for them to pass without the cake getting damaged," Leo replied, scanning the area."Okay..."Maelie stepped aside, and shortly after, her team arrived with their large, shiny maroon love-shaped cake, adorned with cream resembling flowers and chocolate leaves turned green."Be careful," she said anxiously.People there immediately noticed the cake, as did the cameramen and Amanda, who promptly captu
Several months passed...The situation improved, and Erland tried to forgive himself, rise from his despair, and was, of course, supported by Maelie, who always understood him, and he also received help from a psychiatrist.Despite this, he still often worried about Tiffany, wondering if she could be happy with the guilt of having aborted their child. And he still often saw Alaina from a distance at school.The man still felt something was missing, but he didn't want to have high expectations and chose to live his life as it was. Naturally, he focused on Maelie, the woman who was always there for him and accepted him despite the suffering he had caused her....Tonight, on their 6th wedding anniversary, the man took his wife to a hotel. He invited her to dine on the terrace balcony, with a view of the night lit by stars and the lights of vehicles and skyscrapers, and of course, the most beautiful sight was his wife, looking stunning in a long red dress with bare shoulders and her hair
At 10:00 PM, Maelie was pacing back and forth on the porch, waiting for Erland who had not come home yet and was ignoring her calls and messages.Amanda felt bored and genuinely sad seeing her sister so worried. Luckily, Teddy and Jane had returned to Sacramento and did not witness this chaos."Why don't you just act normal... Doesn't he usually come home late too?" she asked with a displeased look."For me, this is unusual... I feel like he doesn't want to see me anymore," Maelie replied anxiously, glancing towards the gate and seeing the security guard hurriedly opening it as a black car entered the yard."Tommy..."Realizing it was Tommy's car, Maelie immediately approached him as soon as he stopped in the yard. Amanda also walked over as the man got out of the car."Mae," greeted Tommy."Do you know where Erland is? Did you manage to investigate him today?" Maelie asked eagerly.Tommy nodded with a worried look. "Yes... I was with him all day, but I didn't learn much about what's
Thomas entered Erland's room and saw him sleeping on the sofa, with a lot of files that needed to be reviewed on the table."How could he neglect his work?" he grumbled as he approached his son, intending to wake him up, but his attention was diverted to Tommy, who had just arrived."Mr. Gerald," called Tommy.Thomas turned to Tommy, noticing he was carrying a file."Is there a problem?""No, there's good news," Tommy replied with a smile, handing the file to Thomas. "Carlos' diamond company is willing to collaborate with our company, all the terms are in there," he continued, glancing at the file.Thomas looked at the file with a frown, realizing there was a lot to read, then he remembered Erland and closed the file again."Since yesterday, Erland hasn't done any of his tasks," he said, turning back to Tommy. "And now he's fallen asleep. This is very unusual for him, do you know what he does at home that makes him still need rest at the office?""Um..." Tommy bit his lower lip, glanc
With unsteady steps, Erland climbed the stairs to the upper floor, arriving at the room and finding Maelie standing by the window. She turned towards him as soon as she sensed his presence."Erland..."Maelie immediately greeted Erland with a worried look."You're drunk again!" She grabbed his arm, looking at his dull face, the smell of alcohol from his breath making her wince. "Oh my God ... You stink!"Erland stared deeply at Maelie and then smiled."You are so beautiful!" he exclaimed lazily.Ignoring Erland's compliment, Maelie led him to the bed, laying his body on the edge. She took off his shoes and placed them near the foot of the bed."Why are you always like this? What exactly are you dealing with?" she wondered as she unbuttoned his shirt, which was damp and reeked of alcohol, imagining him spilling drinks on himself.Before she finished unbuttoning his shirt, he suddenly pulled her down onto his chest, then rolled over, making her lie beneath him."Erland...." She gasped i
Erland stopped his car in the driveway of the Billy Johnson family mansion, got out quickly, and saw Alaina just getting out of the car with Tiffany. He smiled at the little girl who was pouting at him from a distance, then took a package from his car."That's not my dad," Alaina muttered with a serious look."Why is he here? I thought everything was over," Tiffany mused, watching Erland walk toward them with a rather large pink paper bag."Hey..." Erland sighed as he reached them. "I... I brought this for her." He lifted the paper bag slightly."This feels strange after what you did," Tiffany said flatly.Erland smiled thinly."This isn't strange... She used to be my daughter, so I still love her and want to see her," he replied casually, then squatted in front of Alaina with a smile. "Sweetie... Daddy missed you so much."Alaina remained silent with a pout, clearly displeased with Erland's presence."Daddy bought LEGO for you; we can build a Barbie house together," Erland said, hand
Leo stood near the gate of an elite school, watching Alaina as she exited the building with her friends, looking around as if searching for someone. He entered the grounds and approached his daughter with a smile."You ..." Alaina squinted at Leo, slowing her small steps."Sweetheart ..." Leo crouched in front of Alaina and briefly touched her cheek. "I've come to pick you up.""Tony is supposed to pick me up," Alaina said, frowning. "Grandma said I'm not allowed to go home with strangers, so I have to wait for Tony here!" she continued, then ran toward a waiting bench near the security post.Leo exhaled sharply, stood back up, and looked at Alaina, who looked so cute and pretty with her long brown hair, wearing pink pants, a white shirt, and a red bag.'I can't waste this opportunity,' he thought, glancing around until his gaze fell on a luxury car stopping in front of the gate."Damn, she's here!" he said, clenching his fists, seeing Tiffany hurriedly exit the car and approach Alain
The next day...Maelie had just woken up after crying herself to sleep the night before. She glanced around the quiet room and saw Erland standing in front of the dresser, getting dressed. She quickly got out of bed and went to the bathroom to wash her face and brush her teeth.When she returned to the bedroom, she saw her husband sitting on the sofa, putting on his shoes. She felt a desire to approach him but felt awkward after their fight last night.Her attention shifted to his injured hand, which was unbandaged and looked terrible. She walked to the small cot, opened the drawer, took out the first aid kit, and approached him.She sat beside him, took his right hand, and placed it on her lap, examining the wound."A wound like this needs to be treated and covered with a bandage," she said."You always know how to heal wounds, but this time, I'm not so sure," Erland replied flatly.Maelie swallowed hard, sensing the deeper meaning behind Erland's words, perhaps referring to the caus
"Why isn't your husband home yet at this hour?" Teddy asked as he saw Maelie and Jane exit the twins' room. "It's already late," he added, glancing at his watch, which showed 10 PM.Maelie swallowed hard and walked to the sofa."Maybe he's busy," she said."But I think it's unusual for a boss to work this late," replied Teddy, frowning and glancing at Jane, who immediately sat next to him."You don't know how busy he is... you don't understand his job, so you should stay quiet," Jane said with a displeased look.Teddy exhaled harshly. "I just don't want him to treat Maelie the way he treated his first wife. I don't want him to get bored, start leaving her often, and then fall in love with a new girl...""Teddy!" Jane interrupted in a soft voice. "You shouldn't say that. You'll ruin your niece's mood!"Teddy remained silent, turning his face away as Maelie quickly stood up."I need to go to my room now," Maelie said.Jane nodded, letting Maelie walk towards the stairs. She then turned
Erland stopped his car at the side of the road, near a bridge where Tiffany was standing with Benjamin. He quickly got out and approached his ex-wife with a serious look."What are you doing here?" he asked."Waiting for you," Tiffany replied flatly.Erland frowned, feeling odd about Tiffany’s attitude. After staying away from him for so long, she suddenly wanted to meet again."He won’t hurt you, no gun or anything dangerous," Benjamin said flatly.Erland stayed silent."We need to talk. I'll be waiting in the car," Tiffany said, then walked towards her car.Curious, Erland followed Tiffany and got into her car, sitting beside her uncomfortably. He looked around, making sure there were no paparazzi or anyone who could take their pictures, which could cause trouble or gossip if their meeting became public."How are you?" Tiffany asked, looking at Erland, who looked dashing in his gray suit but with a beard that was too thick and hair that was too long, unlike his usual self. "You look