Due to the earlier car incident, both of them remained silent until they reached the upstairs landing and approached Rowan's apartment door.As Rowan retrieved her keys from her bag, the closed door was met with eager barks and the rhythmic sound of claws scratching against it. The noise wasn't deafening, but it resonated clearly down the corridor.Almost instinctively, Rowan considered grabbing an extra key to free Bingo and let it spend some time with her. Over time, Bingo had grown fond of Rowan, and now, every time it heard her opening the door, it yearned to dash in her direction.She had secured half of her keys when it suddenly occurred to her that someone was standing beside her.Rolland gazed curiously at the door opposite, locking eyes with Rowan, and asked inquisitively, "Is it that clever? Does it actually know when you're back?"Rowan momentarily halted, her key-laden hand, before smoothly switching to the other key with a nonchalant expression. She slid it into her own d
Rowan picked up the phone."Hello?""Rowan, did you have dinner yet?" James asked, his voice gentle.It seemed like James called just to check if Rowan had eaten.Rowan, hearing James' normal tone, instantly relaxed. He walked back into the room from the porch and replied, "No, I was just about to invite you for dinner, but I noticed you haven't returned home yet"She had another question she wanted to ask: why was he so anxious that he had to handle it at night?However, upon reflection, she felt that her timing wasn't appropriate.She chose different words, "Carry on with your tasks, don't worry about Bingo! Just let it stay at my place tonight, and I'll take care of it."James wasn't overly polite in his response, simply saying, "Okay."After a pause, he inquired again, "Aren't you curious about my pressing matter?"Rowan answered honestly, "A little bit."James smiled softly and remarked, "But I don't want to ask. I wouldn't want to misunderstand your concern for me."Rowan felt a
The following morning, James arrived to walk the dog as usual. Rowan anticipated that he might want to discuss the lingering issue from the previous night, but to her surprise, he simply glanced at her sleepy dog, Rolland, who was trotting behind her, and offered a light smile along with a heartfelt "Thank you."If James didn't initiate the conversation, Rowan suspected she wouldn't have the courage to bring up the topic herself. Thus, the day passed, time stretching on until the approaching evening.As the day drew to a close, Rowan organized for Rolland to be dropped off at home. She inserted the key into her front door's lock, and as she did so, the door swung open from behind. There stood James, a warm smile gracing his features."Hey, do you have a moment to chat?" he inquired.Rowan's heart quickened, her curiosity piqued. "Of course, I'm free."With the key still in her hand, she turned and stepped across the threshold into James's house. However, what greeted her was far from
Jessica moved in just two days ago. James intentionally gave Rowan a day off and didn't go to work himself. The mother and son had many possessions, filling up an entire truckload. Upon inspection, Rowan noticed that most of the items were children's toys and small furniture, like cradles. Jessica had very few personal belongings of her own. Even though items like the small wooden bed took up space, fortunately, Rowan's belongings were similar to Jessica's. She didn't have many essential possessions herself. The house remained as empty as she had described, with enough room to arrange everything. Furthermore, since these small things were tightly packed, the space seemed more vibrant and lively. Ryan was an exceptionally quiet child. He rarely cried or laughed. When playfully interacting with him, he would gaze at you with large, round eyes filled with curiosity, resembling a little adult. This always brought a smile to Rowan's face. . At times, he doesn't feel well, and inste
They were slightly delayed before departing. By the time James's car was parked in the hospital's underground parking lot, their appointment time was nearly upon them.Rowan was someone who disliked arriving late. Observing her watch, with only a couple of small divisions separating the minute hand from pointing at 12, anxiety began to bubble within her. She was ready to quickly exit the car.However, it was James who gently held her hand and comforted her with a soft voice. "Two minutes late won't be a problem. The doctor won't take in other patients during your appointment slot. Relax, take your time getting out of the car."His words carried the soothing effect of a gentle spring breeze. Rowan took a deep breath and gradually found her composure.James sensed her growing relaxation, noticing her grip on his hand was less tense than before. He lightly patted the back of her hand and said, "Let's go, we can take our time going up."Rowan nodded in agreement.The elevator area on the u
After a brief moment of consideration, she opted to provide more context. "Just to be clear, the child isn't his."The doctor's movement of removing his plastic gloves seemed to halt, frozen in place like a martial arts master's paralyzing technique. After a pause, he managed a somewhat awkward "Oh."He went on to explain, his embarrassment palpable, "I observed how close you two are, and I assumed you were heading towards marriage... Clearly, I made a mistaken assumption. I apologize.""It's alright," Rowan reassured him. She didn't hold any offense, as her intention was to ensure that James wasn't inadvertently perceived as the father.For Rowan, the matter was settled.When James entered the room to hear the results, the doctor regarded him with a mixture of sympathy and warmth.An unusual combination of emotions, given the situation.Seeing James appear slightly uncomfortable, Rowan couldn't fathom what might have caused this misunderstanding.Rowan's health was determined to be
Before Rowan could respond, James interjected."I think you'd better direct that message to the lady next to you. Why did she suddenly change her schedule to come for a checkup here today, only to conveniently appear and intercept us?"Flora widened her eyes, looking at David's mother with a mix of feigned distress and innocence."Aunt... I clearly told you about this a while back, right? Someone recommended this hospital to me, saying the doctors here are more skilled. So, I thought I'd give it a try..."David's mother hastily reached out, patting the back of Flora's hand reassuringly. "Absolutely, I can vouch for that!"Turning her gaze to James, her eyes sharpened suddenly. "Don't try to manipulate the situation! I know very well what kind of person Rowan is. You might seem kind and talented, but don't let her deceive you with a few words. Don't let yourself be misled!""Mom!" David intervened, his voice calm yet firm. "There's no point in continuing this discussion. Let's go."Dav
The dull sound of the ceramic hitting the wooden tabletop reverberated through the room, creating a slightly tense atmosphere. Flora's once-smiling expression froze, her eyes widening in surprise.David's father's gaze was laser-focused on David's face, his eyes sharp and searching.With a composed demeanor, he inquired in a deep voice, "Rowan is pregnant?"David continued eating his meal with a detached demeanor, his response to his father's question minimal.David's mother, however, was quite vocal and didn't hide her desire to see David and Flora married soon. The Thompson family had been embroiled in disputes about this matter, with David's father consistently opposing the marriage for reasons known only to him. In contrast, David's mother was a staunch supporter of Flora and the marriage.Flora, adept at reading the room, quickly chimed in to appease David's mother. Her call of "Auntie" was filled with just the right amount of respect and enthusiasm.David's father, however, rema
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