Time appears to have regressed by over half a month.Simultaneously, Rowan found herself sprawled next to the bathroom toilet on the villa's first floor, her body wracked with uncomfortable retching.Leaning against the door frame, arms folded, David observed her every move in silence. Moments stretched on.Her delicate form remained draped over the toilet, showing no sign of respite.With a faint sigh, he finally stepped forward. As before, he crouched down behind her and gently patted her back.His hands encountered a warm sensation, revealing that this woman was far frailer than he had envisioned. The touch conveyed the prominence of her bones beneath the skin. He instinctively adjusted his touch, a touch of tenderness creeping into his actions."Feeling any better?" he inquired, his voice softer than he realized.Rowan struggled to respond, the discomfort in her stomach slowly subsiding. Yet, she could only bow her head, taking slow, deliberate breaths to ease the lingering unease
It was evident that David's complexion was in a state of disarray, although he didn't attempt to counter the woman's intense gaze. Abruptly, he rose from the sofa and declared, "I'll escort you home."Caught off guard, the woman paused for a moment. She declined, stating, "I'll drive myself."Persisting, David asserted, "Then I'll accompany you on the way."He hastened towards the living room's exit and glanced back to see the woman still seated on the coffee table, her gaze vacant. His brows furrowed as he prompted, "Let's go."She responded with a faint "oh," finally returning to her senses. She lifted the strap of the medical box that had recently been placed on the ground and slung it over her shoulder.Before departing, she cast a glance at Rowan, who seemed lost in thought, leaving her to wonder about her contemplations. Unexpectedly, she leaned down and whispered into Rowan's ear.She giggled softly, "Congratulations, Miss Rowan! I've known my junior for so many years, and I've
The silence hung in the air for what felt like an eternity, each passing second stretching out like the weight of decades on Rowan's shoulders.She battled with her own hesitation, a war raging within her, until she could no longer contain it. Her voice, hoarse and uncertain, broke the stillness."You believe this is James' child," she uttered.David's response was a question, wrapped in a mixture of disbelief and curiosity, "Isn't it?"He closed the physical gap between them in just a couple of strides, leaning in until his face was inches from hers. His words were a low whisper, carrying a sense of both challenge and intrigue, "Or are you about to tell me that you're carrying my child?"Their proximity made it impossible for Rowan to ignore the sardonic curl of his lips, blown up to an exaggerated scale. She swallowed hard, a lump forming in her throat.The confession she longed to make lingered unspoken, trapped in her chest. She realized, deep down, that no matter how earnest her
Tears still glistened in Rowan's eyes, tracing down both cheeks as she spoke with excitement. She didn't attempt to wipe them away, her wrist held in his grasp. Despite her words, it seemed like she hardly minded the tears, her misty eyes and flushed cheeks betraying her fervor.She resembled a young animal backed into a corner, standing her ground against him with unwavering determination. A strange feeling welled up within him, almost compelling him to release her hand. But the next moment, he recalled why he needed to maintain control.The delicate woman before him, outwardly demure, held a personality in stark contrast. She had manipulated him into marriage, and now she had cleverly maneuvered him once more. The memories of his own hesitations and regrets surged, stoking uncontrollable anger. And now, pregnant with another man's child, she audaciously stood before him, attempting to shake his composure.With each passing thought, his anger intensified, displacing the earlier odd e
Rowan hesitated, still unsure.After a restless night of tossing and turning, she began to feel that pulling James into the mess might just complicate things further.Even if David is truly angry, can she make him leave her alone if she drags James into it?If David becomes even more furious and takes aggressive actions, the drawbacks might be worse than the benefits.With frustration, she realized she shouldn't have involved an innocent person in these troubles just due to a momentary selfish urge.Finally, she decided and said, "Don't come down, I'll handle it."James noticed the change in her expression and could guess why she changed her mind temporarily.He comforted her gently, "You don't need to worry about bothering me, it's not a bother."Rowan smiled thankfully but insisted, "Last night, I was too anxious to think clearly. This issue between him and me shouldn't have dragged you in. I should go down and talk to him alone! After a night, he shouldn't be as unreasonable as ye
David found himself unable to counter his arguments, yet a sense of unhappiness lingered in his heart like an unshakable dark cloud in the sky.Since learning about Rowan's pregnancy just yesterday, his mind had been a whirlwind of chaos, fixated on a single thought: uncover the exact moment it had happened. Despite recognizing the irrationality of his pursuit, he acknowledged his inability to stake a claim in these matters.Even if Rowan and James had indeed initiated their relationship before finalizing their divorce, what grounds did he have to voice his objections? After all, he was the one who had been resolute in ending the marriage.Amidst the protracted silence, James patiently waited as David stared vacantly at the road ahead, signifying his tacit acceptance of the situation. With truth now laid bare, their conversation had reached an impasse.A casual glance in David's direction confirmed James's intuition; David's compliance was palpable. With no more to discuss, James grac
At the stroke of noon, James promptly ascended to the third floor. His colleague in the office was already well-acquainted with the peculiar situation and playfully ushered Rowan away with a chuckle. With an amiable grin, James turned to her and asked, "Care to join me for lunch?"Rowan nodded in agreement.Side by side, the two strolled down the staircase, a serene silence enveloping them. Their unspoken understanding, nurtured over the past few days, guided them as they stepped outside.Several days had elapsed since James's unexpected confession. However, during this span, the two of them had chosen not to revisit the events of that day. Rowan, for her part, adopted an ostrich-like approach, burying her head in the sand of denial. James refrained from pressing the issue; he comprehended that any inquiry now would yield a negative response.His restraint in questioning didn't imply inaction, though. Employing the pretext of coincidental errands, he began inviting Rowan to commute to
In Rowan's talking, she said, "This child belongs to the mother!" But her words got cut because the woman interrupted.Fingers kept pointing forward. The woman turned her head first. When she saw James, her eyes lit up, and she went to them quickly."Help Ryan!"She looked anxious before, but seeing James made her sound calmer.James reached out and held the child naturally."What happened? Why did he get sick suddenly?" James asked, looking serious.Now, the woman wasn't as worried as when she talked to Rowan earlier. She talked about what happened, with some tears.James checked the child in his arms. It seemed the child wasn't as sick as he thought, and he relaxed a bit.Then he spoke to the woman, trying to make her feel better. "Don't feel bad. It's not your fault he's sick. You did well by coming here quickly. Let's go!"The woman stopped crying and wiped her eyes.They walked away from where they were, going to the upper floor.James's words were comforting. They reached the el
Instantly, the air around David crackled with tension. He swiftly shed his suit, the fabric feeling heavy in his trembling as he handed it over to Richard, who felt like crying at the back of his boss—this was all his boss had been working for in the past few months: to have Miss Rowan to himself finally, without fear of Flora hurting her again. Just then, James' phone buzzed, interrupting the silence that engulfed the atmosphere. Seeing the caller, James picked up at once. "Hello, babe," James said into the phone, drawing curious glances from David and Richard. To them, only Rowan would receive such a nickname. Seeing their suspicious gazes, he switched the phone to loudspeaker. "Hi, Naomi, you can speak now," James invited. "Miss Rowan has been rushed to the hospital. She's unable to fly; she started having contractions before she entered the plane," Naomi informed them. Before James could reply, David snatched the phone from his hands. "Miss Naomi, this is her husband at the ho
The room was alive with happiness as Flora jubilated, knowing that in a few hours, every TV station and blogger would be buzzing about her wedding to David Thompson, the president of the Oregon group of companies."As the heiress of Seraphims Holding, I only deserve the best," Flora declared from where she lay on the bed, with Andrew planting kisses on her neck and along her jawline."You know I will compensate you handsomely. I panicked when I found out David had regained his memory but didn't want me anymore. I thought everything was over, after years of patiently waiting," Flora confessed, a smile playing on her lips."I've told you that you don't have any problems. Since you've opened up to me about your true feelings and that it's me you love, and only his money you desire, since you've promised that it's my child you'll carry in his house, then I don't have any issues. The wedding is set to proceed, and in a few hours, you'll be Mrs. Thompson officially, but inwardly, you'll be M
It had been a few days, and tension hung thick in the air as Steve returned to James's house to deliver his response. The silence that filled the room was deafening, each breath heavy with anticipation. Jessica, though she thought she was prepared for any outcome, couldn't help but rub her hands together nervously. Ryan, sensing the tension, rested his head on her lap, his instincts picking up on the palpable anxiety swirling around them. "So, brother, have you finally made your decision?" James asked, his tone harsh yet tinged with regret. In the past few days, he had come to realize that his emotions had clouded his judgment. He understood that everything Steve had done was out of love for him — Steve didn't want him to lose the love of his life, just as James had lost his. It was this realization that had prompted James to allow Steve to make his own decision, even if it meant James would have to bear the pain of parting with his brother, if only for a while. "Yes, kid brother,"
What?" David's father asked, surprised by his son's allegations. "Dad, answer me. Are you involved with her too?" David demanded. "No, I'm not. And I'm disappointed that you would think so little of your father," David's father said. "I don't care, Dad. If she knows something about you significant enough to trade for my safety, then it must be substantial, and I need to know about it today," David said defiantly "Sit down, and I will tell you everything," David's father said. Reluctantly, David slumped into the chair, his anger palpable, emanating from him like a dark cloud. "Firstly, I discovered the kind of person Flora was after you started seeing her. Knowing how much you love her compelled me to dig deeper. I didn't want you to end up with the wrong woman. After finding out that she was involved with different men, I decided to confront her myself instead of letting you do it. During our conversation, she confessed that her uncle had forced her into those situations and that
"What do you mean, David? It was the marriage certificate we both signed, isn't that what we both wanted back then? Just because you didn't have the memory doesn't change the fact that your mother is aware of it, and a mother can't lie," Flora's voice came over the phone, her tone laced with frustration and desperation. She wasn't even attempting to come to David's house, realizing she had nothing left to lose."Flora, even if it is true, I don't want this marriage anymore. We have to annul the certificate," David stated firmly, using a word he never wanted to utter."What? David, are you trying to use me and then discard me? We've been dating for almost seven years. Now you don't want me anymore, and you didn't consider the repercussions it will have on my family and me, on the company, on everyone who believed we would end up together... I won't force you, David, but think about the consequences. We are legally married starting next week. If we don't announce it publicly, I don't kn
Naomi could only hum softly as she listened to Rowan's teasing remarks. Bending down, she reached for the coffee cups placed in front of them, an order she had made for both of them. Savoring the warmth, she took a delicate sip before carefully placing the cup back on the table.Inwardly, Naomi grasped the subtle undertones of Rowan's words. Since meeting James, she felt a shift within herself, a desire to embody qualities that might earn his admiration. But could she confide in Rowan that the catalyst for her change was the very man who harbored feelings for her?"Miss Rowan, I can't say there's any love involved. Let's just say someone's critique nudged me towards self-improvement," Naomi replied, her voice tinged with uncertainty. Rowan's gentle smile lingered, leaving Naomi to ponder if her response had hit the mark."You know, being challenged by someone and feeling compelled to better oneself because of them, well, it's akin to love. You might not realize it now, but soon enough
Before James exited the hospital, he had arranged to meet Naomi, only to hear the distressing news that she was banned from leaving the house. Naomi, a pivotal figure in her father's company, had inadvertently stirred up trouble by being seen at clubs, inviting scrutiny from shareholders and adding pressure to her father's plate. She was slated to marry into another wealthy family to enhance the company's stature. James, though conflicted, found himself driving toward Naomi's house despite his vow to stay away and avoid complicating matters for both families. The prospect of being desired by Naomi's father for his daughter weighed heavily on him, even as he questioned his own intentions. Arriving at the grand mansion, James couldn't help but admire the exquisite taste of Naomi's father. The meticulously landscaped gardens, the elegant architecture both inside and out, and the grandeur of the estate left James in awe, despite his familiarity with opulent surroundings. "It seems I'll
David's desperate calls echoed in the air, chasing after Rowan who seemed to be slipping away from him. The tears streaming down her face mirrored the storm of emotions raging within her. The weight of reality crashed upon her, a cruel revelation that left her heart shattered. The love she thought would one day be hers had been claimed, sealed, and signed on a marriage certificate.Her steps quickened, driven by a mix of anguish and fear. She wished she could stop, and gather herself, but the intensity of her emotions made it impossible to fake composure. The fear of David thinking she was running away from his happiness gnawed at her, yet the pain of witnessing the love of her life marrying someone else was unbearable.Lost in the labyrinth of her thoughts and the ache in her chest, Rowan's misstep jolted her back to reality. Her leg collided with an obstacle, threatening to send her crashing to the ground. Just as she teetered on the edge of falling, a strong hand encircled her, savi
Three agonizing days had crawled by since Rowan left David's house. The deafening silence hung heavy in her heart as she resisted the urge to reach out to him or answer his father's calls. Flora's mysterious behavior and her cousin's news about an award only added to the tumult of emotions swirling within her. The absence of David was a constant ache, the void left by his departure filled with memories that refused to fade. Today found Rowan grappling with the challenges of the IT department at the hospital, a temporary distraction from the emotional turmoil. As she navigated the hospital corridors, a man emerged from a ward—discharged after six months of battling mental illness triggered by a traumatic accident. His struggle mirrored Rowan's own internal conflict. The man, seemingly normal at times but haunted by bouts of lunacy, resonated with her. What gripped her most was the unwavering love poured onto him by his family, clinging to the hope of his eventual restoration, even in