"Pretend like we're making out."Alex whispered."Someone is watching us, Elisha."Alex sensed Elisha's alert posture. At this time, she was undoubtedly feeling tense.He struggled to hold back a smile.Earlier, Elisha had shown a stern and calm demeanor, but it turned out that she wasn't all that strong."Relax, Elisha. I don't know who gave him the orders to keep an eye on us, but we can trick them."Elisha looked into Alex's eyes as if she were trying to read his intention."Okay. I will pretend to ask you to fix my dress. What do you think?""That’s nice. Not only lovely, but you're also smart, Elisha."Alex spoke like an excited child."Alright. Then—"Elisha turned her back first. She lifted her hair so that it showed her dress which was backless."I think the bottom of my dress feels loose. Please check. Are there any open buttons, or are the straps not firmly attached?"Alex’s eyes alighted as if he had never seen someone's back. He took in Elisha’s back appearance."Have you
As Elisha had expected, her dinner with the Winters had been atrocious. How could she swallow food when the main course served was hatred and suspicious glances? "So, you are, er— 'Miss I don't know who'?" Diora smiled slyly and talked to Elisha. "Shouldn't you have introduced yourself earlier? Well, that is, if you understand manners." 'Clang!' "Manners?" Bellona certainly didn't miss the chance. "Oh, Diora. Dear. What do you mean by manners?" Diora chuckled for no apparent reason. "The Winter family is very decent. So, all his family members must have understood the concern of manners well. But—" She glanced at Elisha, still smiling. "Of course, it is impossible to generalize with someone who is not a family member. So, there's no need to compare." Diora would probably still be laughing if only Alex didn't interrupt her. "I wonder how old Auntie is?" Diora's forehead creased, and her expression of displeasure was on her face. "What do you want? Why are you suddenly
Suddenly, Elisha felt her hands and feet get cold. It wasn't easy for her to maintain her composure in front of clearly hostile people. It felt like she was facing a bunch of venomous snakes ready to attack her. "Relax." Alex held her hand under the table. "You have me, Elisha." Strangely, Elisha felt her courage return, and her mind cleared. But when she spotted Elliott's glare, it made her discouraged. "Apologize, Sir. It was clear that I was the one at fault." Elisha noticed that her voice was trembling slightly. "I've been presumptuous to come to a party without being invited. I also did not immediately properly introduce myself. Then, above all, I'm guilty of agreeing to marry Alex without a second thought." "So you're admitting that everything was your fault?" "I do, Sir. Even though various reasons underlie everything, that doesn't change the fact that I am indeed guilty." Elliott peered heavily at Elisha. His gaze was like someone who was judging the price of an ite
Elisha restrained herself from turning and looking at Alex. But from the firm grip on her hand, it was clear that Alex was also trying to be patient. "Thank you for your attention, Ms. For me, it was the most heartfelt thing today. I'm so touched by it." Elisha decided to end this drama that was increasingly draining her patience instantly. She answered with a calm voice and a detached manner. Elliott's eyes became sharpened. He felt it could not be wrong to observe how this would all play out. He then glanced at Alex. Elliot was also surprised by Alex, who could stay calm like now. He knew that Diora's words were very far from reality, and usually, Alex would be emotional in response. 'It's impossible, isn't it, if Alex behaves because he has his wife?' Elliott thought about it more deeply. 'I knew that he wasn't someone who would do anything for a woman. So, my thinking just now is very unreasonable.' "But— but I—" Diora was still sobbing and sobbing again. "What else th
Elisha glanced at Alex, who gave her a faint head shake. She then took a sip of water and remained silent as per Alex's instruction."I wonder, what have I done wrong so that you guys are so complicated?"Alex's deep voice interrupted. Everyone’s eyes were now focused on him. "What do you mean?" Aramis shouted. "So you don't feel guilty at all, Alex?""No need to shout, Uncle. I can still hear you anyway."Alex continued to eat and speak softly while no one else thought about lifting a fork."You—" Aramis was about to burst into flames from anger. "How dare you—""Why did you make it so complicated?"Alex spoke leisurely."Tell me what I've done wrong. No need to scream 'you're guilty, you're guilty' on and on. It makes you sound like a broken record."Aramis' anger seemed to be unbearable. He didn't care anymore, even though Elliott was there."Sir! Alex had tarnished the Winter family's name by getting married suddenly. He did without even asking for approval from you.""I agree.
"I need you because I need a wife, Elisha.""What?""For my grandfather, the ability to lead a person can be seen from how he manages his family. Therefore, one of the requirements to participate in the competition to become the next heir was that person must be married.""But, Alex—""I know you just want to say I could have chosen another woman, right?""Sure. You have a bunch of lovers that you can choose—""There are, indeed, many women around me, but I can't have a simple preference for any woman to be my wife.""That's—""Many of them were women sent by my uncles and aunts. They sent some to spy on me and others to kill me. Elisha, how would you feel if, after making love, it turned out that your partner intended to stick a knife in your heart?""I don't know— I mean, I never—""I know that you are not that kind of girl. When holding a knife, you prefer to aim it at your neck.""Alex, that's not what I'm meaning. It's just—""I've started to forget my desire to be heir to this f
"I want you to answer my question." There was a smirk. Elliott slowly moved his wrinkled face to look at Elisha. "I wonder, why have you been more silent since earlier?" Elisha was still silent, listening. "What my two daughters-in-law, Diora and Bellona, said to you, couldn't you have replied earlier? But why are you just silent? Did you expect Alex to stand up for you, or did you think I would sympathize with you then?" The annoyed expression that initially graced the faces of the four members of the Winter family now turned into smiles. They thought that this time Elisha couldn't empower anymore in front of an Elliott Winter. A few moments passed before she finally answered. "Not at all, Sir," she answered with a smile that stunned everyone. "How could I have the audacity to do such a thing." "Then, why? Tell me the reason you don't reply to all of their words." "There is no particular reason. I don't take their word because, well, that's an unnecessary thing to do." T
When compared the Foster family is still not comparable to the Winter family. However, the Foster family still cannot be underestimated.Even when compared to the origin of the Bellona family, the Quinn family, the Foster family held a higher position. Especially when compared to the Avery family, which is Diora's family.Both in terms of good name and the amount of wealth owned, the Foster family is still superior to the Quinn and Avery families.And now, the daughter of the family was in front of them. Moreover, Elisha wasn't just an ordinary Foster member.She is the only daughter of Tedris Foster, the current head of the Foster family. So, it means she will be the next primary heir."How did Alex find the woman?"Aramis threw down his jacket as soon as he entered his workroom.The family dinner was over, and he returned with his anger.As the eldest child, Aramis and his family live in the Winter family's residence, while Aeron and his family live in another house, which is also s
'Alex gave me twenty million dollars to stop trying to contact you. He also put pressure on Dudley Baker with the help of a woman named Nora Hawk, if I remember correctly.' Elisha rubbed her sweaty forehead. She had never expected to hear such a thing. Alex had lied to her. He lied to her from the start. "If so, is it possible that everything he's said all this time is also a lie?" she whispered. "He said he loves me and that he needs me... Those are all lies?" Elisha's head throbbed painfully. Being in a relationship with someone who couldn't tell the difference between lying and not wasn't something Elisha could hope for. "Madame, are you all right?" "What?" "Since you were in prison earlier, you've been more silent." Elisha smiled faintly. "It's okay, sir Evan. I'm fine. But can you take me to my dad's? I want to see him." "Of course, madam. But don't forget that later you have lunch plans with Sir Alex in his office." "Ah, about that, I'll meet Alex with my family's dri
After the storm, there will be a rainbow, which suits the current situation.Elisha woke to the morning sunshine. She stretched a little, enjoying the sensual feel of the sheet against her naked body. And she saw him.Alex was sitting in a chair near the window, wearing only his shorts, reading something on his cell phone. She came to him.Elisha climbed into his lap and curled herself against him as he wrapped her in his embrace."Good morning," she whispered.Alex put down his phone and looked at his wife intently.He felt the soft heat of her breast against his chest, the gentle touch of her hand on his cheek. He closed his eyes when her lips were soft against his as she kissed him."It's killing me," he said gruffly. "I feel like my sanity depends on you, Wife.""What?""My desire for you is a burden on my soul. I'm desperate for you. I want to have you completely. Your mind, your heart, and also your body. I want to have all of that, Wife.""Alex, I—""Would you believe me if I s
It's been a month since Aeron's funeral.Today, Elliott decided to visit the graves of his wife and two sons.First of all, he visited Natasha's grave. There, Elliott spent half an hour recounting what had happened.He tells about Aramis, who is now in jail. Elliott also expressed his great disappointment towards Aramis, whom, although he was not his biological son, he had raised well."I feel guilty towards Aeron because all this time I hardly ever paid attention to him, Natasha," he said in a very low voice. "All this time, I thought of him as a useless child without me first trying to teach him well."Of course, Elliott's regrets didn't stop there. There was another, even greater regret he felt."Adrianus." He whispered. "Even though our son was innocent, I kicked him out cruelly. I never even wanted to meet him and his family, not until he and his wife died in an accident. Then, Natasha, do you know what more terrible things I have done?"Elliott looked at his wife's tombstone. Th
"Sir, this— Is what you said just now true?"Harris Hilton's voice sounded so surprised. Not long after, he hurriedly apologized for speaking in such an exclamatory tone."That's right, Harris. Please keep this secret to yourself. My children can't find out just yet. I'm telling you this so that I don't explode.""But why? How could you keep something this big a secret even for so many years?""I had to, Harris! Do you think I would do it if I still had a choice? The Winter family's reputation is at stake, and there is no way out.""But, this— Excuse me, sir. I didn't think that—""My younger sister, Maura, attends a boarding school in Switzerland. But one day, she suddenly came home pregnant. We are, of course, shocked by a situation like that. Moreover, Maura didn't want to tell who the man who had made her pregnant was. She carried the secret even to the end. She died in childbirth."There was silence for a few moments until Harry finally found his voice again. "So how— Ah, apologi
Aeron's funeral took place on a beautiful day.The sky looks so blue, decorated with white clouds. The sun was shining brightly, and the air was refreshing. Truly a perfect day to spend on vacation.Alex frowned.This pleasant weather seemed to mock those who were grieving.Many people attended Aeron's funeral, including Diora, his ex-wife. Alex could see Diora standing a bit away and alone. She looked like she didn't want people to recognize her.Neither Pamela nor David accompanied Diora because Alex knew that his two cousins were with Elisha, his wife.Alex snorted in amusement while one corner of his lips pulled upwards.Now, he felt ridiculous about himself. It didn't feel long ago that he had been irritated that David was clinging to Elisha like a kitten following its mother everywhere.But now, Alex was grateful.He was grateful for having Elisha because it was thanks to his wife that his two cousins could be stronger through this terrible storm."Wife, I miss you.""I'm he
Three days passed in the blink of an eye.Alex was sitting looking at Elisha, who was making up. All the movements that his wife did seemed to be inseparable from his pair of deep blue eyes.He watches her when Elisha looks up when wearing eyeliner or when her lips are slightly parted when Elisha applies lipstick, and he doesn't feel bored at all.This was crazy.Ever since Alex realized his feelings for Elisha, he didn't want to leave his wife. Even to go to work, he felt so lazy, whereas before, Alex was a workaholic. He didn't seem like he was, but surprisingly Alex didn't mind.This was weird."Is there something weird?""Pardon?""Alex, since earlier, you have been looking at me incessantly. So, what's wrong? Is there anything strange about my appearance?"He smiled. "I think you have caught me, Wife," he said.Alex approached Elisha, hugged her from behind, then rested his chin on Elisha's shoulder. He looked at himself and Elisha in the mirror and was amazed by how perfect th
"Of course, we'll come, Aeron. Don't worry. Anyway, please prepare lots of delicious food for us."Aeron heard a soft groan which was followed by a chuckle. He smiled, too, because he could imagine that on the other side of the call, Adrianus was being beaten by Willona."All right," he said with laughter. "See you tonight.""See you tonight. Oh, and Aeron.""Yes?""I'm glad you invited us. Thank you."Aeron was silent for a few moments. He, too, felt so moved.It had been quite some time since Adrianus had been chased out of the house by Elliot, and finally, tonight, they would gather again for dinner together."I feel happy too, Brother," he said then. "See you tonight."Their phone call finally ended. Aeron then informed Aramis that Adrianus and his family were coming. After that, he waited happily but impatiently for dinner.But in fact, everything ended not according to Aeron's expectations.That night Adrianus had an accident that killed him and his wife, Willona. And the dinne
Aeron was very shocked when he found out how Pamela was.His daughter needed treatment to remove all the effects of the drug in her body. On top of that, Pamela was clearly under a lot of mental stress.Aeron sat hunched over and covered his face with both hands.He was relieved already that David had regained consciousness after undergoing various treatments for the concussion he had. But now, he again felt worried about Pamela's condition."Oh, Lord. Why is everything getting messed up like this?"Aeron groaned and wailed. He felt that the happiness that he had, now shattered in the blink of an eye.Hadn't his life been nearly perfect all this time?Even though he is not the main heir in his family, Aeron has more than enough wealth. He has a magnificent house and all kinds of other luxuries.Aeron also has a beautiful wife and two children, a daughter, and a son.Her life is perfect. He has everything. But now, everything seemed to be turned upside down."Why am I going through all
In the quiet bedroom, only the sound of two people breathing could be heard.Elisha was breathing, calming down to an even pace, and Alex lowered his head, turned her body sideways, then wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her into his arms.He embraced her for a while, then covered her lips, eyes, and forehead with kisses."Alex, I think we should get up now.""Mmhh."Elisha laughed. Alex's kisses amused her."Stop it. Ha-ha. Alex, please. That’s ticklish.""Then, how about I make it not ticklish?""No! Alex, it's already morning.""We can still make it. Wife, there is plenty of time."Alex whispered, then bit her neck and left another hickey there.His hand stealthily slipped from her back to her waist, but Elisha twisted her body and naturally pushed his hand away.When the smooth sensation of her skin disappeared from his palm, he reached out stubbornly and grabbed her buttocks.This time, Elisha pushed away from his chest."Wife?""We can’t, Alex. Don't you have to go to w