Erland was silent, looking at Maelie who was looking at him with hope, so he didn't have the heart to tell her about Tiffany being pregnant."Hey..." Maelie frowned. "Did you...""I've already said that I want to divorce." Erland stopped Maelie. "And her response made me even more convinced to leave her.""Really? What did she say?""She ..." Erland swallowed his saliva, trying to get rid of his nervousness. "She doesn't care about our marriage anymore so it doesn't matter if I want us to divorce..but she wants to leave all these problems to me... I mean... I have to explain to our family why we have to divorce... The point is, she doesn't want to take care of the divorce process." Finally, he lied but was still scared when Maelie frowned."Didn't she ask why you suddenly wanted a divorce? Why did she let you go so easily as if she didn't love you?" Maelie wondered.Erland sighed and shifted his focus to the spaghetti by moving it into the plate he had provided."I told you that there
At 4 pm, Amanda was at Luisa's Sweet Pastry, holding the inauguration without the presence of Maelie or Erland to avoid the cameras and the many people who were enthusiastic about tasting various pastry dishes and drinks without having to pay..It's not without reason, it's because Erland isn't ready to have new problems if lots of people spread photos of him with Maelie...However, he promised to show who he was in front of her extended family and close friends through a dinner that would be held at the bakery in a private room.Maelie was silent in the car, looking so beautiful in a blue dress with shoulders made as small as straps, wearing a full set of jewelry and make-up, and making her hair slightly curly.."I promise that when all our business is finished, you can show yourself as the owner of the bakery," said Erland who was sitting beside him."It's not a problem, I'm also happy to see Amanda become the owner….Besides, maybe she will come here often," replied Maelie calmly."Y
"Is she pregnant?" Teddy furrowed his brow, then looked at Maelie."Yes... it's normal because she has a husband," Erland replied.Teddy immediately clenched his fists, approaching Erland, but Maelie quickly stood up and blocked him."Uncle!" Maelie exclaimed angrily. "Please, stop blaming Erland. He has reasons for all the lies he told, and now I'm okay with it. Besides, look at what he's given me. He's made my dreams come true, my life is better now, I don't have to work hard anymore..."Teddy fell silent, looking at Maelie, who looked much more glamorous than usual."There's no need to argue here," Maelie said again. "And what would you do for me, anyway? I'm carrying his child, I love him, I'll only be happy with him... I won't be happy without him I'll be in trouble... This baby will need him so much!" she continued, pointing to her stomach.Teddy sighed, his gaze becoming melancholy."But you're just the second wife, the mistress... Are you sure his first wife will accept this?
Erland and Maelie got back into the car after finishing their conversation and meal together."Sir, your mother called several times," Ben said, handing Erland the phone from the driver's seat.Erland immediately took it, noticing missed calls from his mother."You don't just have one phone," Maelie muttered, suddenly feeling sad and hurt again. "But now I understand, maybe this is your way to keep hiding our relationship and hiding your relationship with your first wife from me," she continued, leaning back in her seat."Yeah... I have two phones. One I use when I'm with you and the other one I use when I'm with Tiffany," Erland replied anxiously."You're cunning.""I know.""You'd better call your mom, maybe it's important," Maelie suggested, then turned her face away. "I'll stay quiet."Erland sighed, then called his mother while Ben drove the car back to the mansion."Mom...""Erland, why is it so hard to reach you? Are you too busy there? Don't you have Tommy to help you handle y
"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
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