"After accompanying Amanda for hours of shopping, having to visit several electronic stores, Tommy finally invited Amanda for lunch at an outdoor cafe. The man sat casually, alternating between eating a chicken burrito, spaghetti, eggs, and french fries, occasionally taking sips of soft drink.Amanda laughed as she watched Tommy continuously stuff french fries into his mouth, which was still full of food."Are you hungry or just fond of them?" she asked.Tommy immediately smiled sheepishly. "Um... I'm really hungry... I didn't have time for breakfast.""Sorry for rushing you and making you forget your breakfast.""It's okay, as long as I've eaten now."Amanda took a tissue and reached out to wipe the corners of Tommy's lips, which were slightly stained with sauce and mayonnaise."Eh..." Tommy immediately blushed, not knowing how to react. "Um... sorry.""It's okay..." Amanda smiled. "You're cute.""Eh... This is embarrassing." Tommy quickly grabbed another tissue and hurriedly wiped h
Maelie was busy choosing clothes and making sure of the sizes by looking at the small piece of paper attached to the little clothes."If only I wasn't in such a hurry, maybe I could bring more clothes for them from Alaska," she thought with a pout. "Now it's so hard to buy clothes for them... Everything is expensive!"She sighed heavily, returning the little red clothes to the hangar and switching to another rack, checking prices and sizes suitable for her twins."Ugh, why is everything so expensive ..." she grumbled in frustration."Mae!"A woman's voice, not too loud from the south, startled her, making her turn immediately to see Olivia approaching and hugging her so tightly..."Why didn't you tell me you were back?" Olivia asked, releasing her embrace, looking at Maelie with surprise, especially at her new hair and the mole she had now, which she didn't have before. "And now your hair is so different... And when did you get that mole there?"Maelie smiled shyly. "It's to make peop
Maelie hurried away, not wanting to engage in any more interaction with Erland. Things were already too complicated now; she feared there would be many problems in the future if Erland were to remember her. Yet, she still wanted to stay in the shop longer. She hadn’t even gotten clothes for her child yet, but she had to leave now.“Wait, don’t go yet,” Erland grabbed Maelie’s hand quite firmly, pulling her closer. Now, there was only an inch between them; their noses were almost touching, and Erland could hear Maelie’s irregular breath. They stared at each other; Erland didn’t look away, while Maelie couldn’t hold Erland’s gaze any longer. She lowered her eyes because her heart was suddenly pounding. Maelie wanted to hug Erland tightly, and bury her face in his chest; it would have been so comforting for her. But she couldn’t do that; she had to keep her distance from Erland so he wouldn’t know she was his wife.“I…I have to leave now because…” Maelie didn’t finish her sentence, but E
Because of continuous insistence, Maelie finally went home to her uncle's house with Erland. She quickly unbuckled her seatbelt, intending to get out after opening the car door, but Erland was already holding her hand.“Huh, come on…” She stared at Erland in frustration. “Let go of me… What do you actually want?”"You..." Erland smiled.Maelie gave a faint smile. Erland's smile could still touch her heart, making her happy because even though he didn't remember him as her husband, he still seemed interested in her. But once again, she had to keep her distance."I think you're interested in me," Erland muttered.“No!” Maelie pulled her hand away with a pout. “You're too confident!”"Your eyes never lie!"“That's just your feeling... I couldn't possibly be interested in another man. I love my husband very much!” Maelie asserted.Erland gave a faint smile, then looked towards Teddy's house.“I don't think he's home... He should be curious about the presence of this car. But he didn't com
Erland immediately held his bleeding nose, staring at Tommy with full hatred."You still don't understand!" Tommy exclaimed angrily. "You... You are the source of her suffering... You're a liar, you're unworthy of her!" he continued, panting.Erland remained silent, clenching his fists, his breath racing."You don't know!" Tommy shouted again. "She's been keeping her distance all this time to find peace, to escape from the cruelty of your family, and you can't do anything... You can't calm her down... You only make her afraid, even until today!""It's useless for you to explain to me," Erland said softly as his emotions slowly subsided. "I don't remember anything... I just want to get close to her again and do my duty as her husband... I want to give our children love... You can't stop me, no one can... Even if my family or Tiffany tries something dangerous, it won't stop me. I'm not stupid... I can protect them!" he continued, occasionally tapping his chest."It's not that simple, fo
Several days passed...Maelie left her uncle's house to go to the supermarket, and buy decorations for the twins' second birthday celebration. As usual, she was always surprised by Erland's presence as if he knew she would come. But this time, the man seemed very relaxed in a plain white t-shirt, cap, and gray trousers."Why didn't you contact me?" Erland asked."Why should I contact you?" Maelie replied, choosing blue and pink ribbons."Because I know you miss me.""Hmm... You're too confident.""I know what you're thinking, Maelie," Erland said, sounding so sure, making Maelie immediately turn to him with a serious gaze. "I know your name...""Has your memory returned?" Maelie asked, picking up a box with balloon designs."My memory hasn't returned, and I don't wish it to," Erland continued to follow Maelie. "It's too bitter... to hear."Maelie furrowed her brows, now wondering if Erland already knew about their past and if she should pretend to have another husband. Questions flood
"Sis ... I hope you won't do anything foolish like before," Amanda said with a serious look.Maelie fell silent, with a disappointed look; Amanda's words truly hurt her."If you think my actions are foolish, then you shouldn't follow me... You can enjoy your life freely!" she exclaimed in frustration, then quickly walked towards her room and slammed the door shut.Amanda frowned, feeling strange about Maelie's attitude. 'Did I say something bad? did I say something wrong? isn't everything true? I... I just don't want her to drag into the old problem!'..."Mama!""Mum!"Ava and Aiden, who were playing on the carpet, were startled, seeing their mother immediately placing the shopping bags on the bed and sitting down."Mama ... What's happening?" Aiden approached Maelie."It's Okay, Honey." Maelie smiled, looking at Aiden's cute face, reminiscent of Erland."But you closed the door so loudly.""Um ... It's okay. I didn't mean to do that. Keep playing with your sibling," Maelie said, car
A few days passed...Tiffany sat silently on the single sofa in front of her room, gazing at the bright morning sky, beautiful yet not reflecting her deeply saddened, confused, and disappointed heart. Occasionally, she nibbled on the fruit available on the wide plate on the table to avoid the nausea caused by her early pregnancy."Now what? What's the point of being pregnant again if he's going to ignore me like before... Maelie isn't the reason anymore... What should I do?"She sighed heavily, then looked down at her flat stomach covered by the green dress she wore with open sleeves."Mommy!"The cute voice diverted her attention, making her turn to the door and finding Alaina running towards her, then hugging her stomach."Hey, Sweetie...""I miss daddy!" Alaina looked up, staring at her mother with a pout, sadness evident in her eyes. "He didn't come for my birthday... He didn't throw a celebration!"Tiffany sighed, recalling Alaina's birthday two days ago, no party, not even a wor
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