Since Rowan's departure, James had buried himself in work, drowning in tasks and responsibilities. Whispers circulated among the staff, speculating whether James was secretly in love with Rowan, unable to express his feelings as he grew increasingly moody with her absence.Some brave souls attempted to inquire about Rowan, but James brushed them off, insisting they focus on their duties until Rowan returned."Doctor, you seem off these days. Is everything alright?" the head nurse ventured, concern etched in her voice as she approached James.James nodded tersely, masking his inner turmoil behind a facade of composure."Doctor, you know they say a problem shared is a problem halved. You can trust me, sir. I'm here to help," the nurse persisted gently, her sincerity evident."Thank you, but I'm fine," James replied, his tone clipped."Sir, you know—" the nurse began again, only to be cut off by James's sudden outburst of anger."I said I'm fine! If you have no work to do, I can find som
Today was different. James returned home earlier than usual, his temper simmering beneath the surface, impossible to contain. He was seething with annoyance that his own brother would betray him by disclosing his intentions to Flora.Steve's actions had left James feeling betrayed, questioning his brother's motives. Steve had made decisions for others without considering their feelings, leaving Jessica and marrying someone else in a misguided attempt to protect their family and secure his own future.As James pulled into the driveway and stepped out of his car, his anger burned hot within him. He didn't bother with his suitcase; instead, he marched straight into Rowan's apartment."Uncle James, you're back early! You must really love this favorite dish of yours. I'll be done soon. Find a place to sit," Jessica greeted him cheerfully, emerging from the kitchen as soon as she heard his car. She opened the door for him, oblivious to the storm raging inside him.But James hadn't returned
David immersed himself in the kitchen, concocting a meal for Rowan, she observed him with a blend of curiosity and suspicion."You know I can cook," Rowan remarked, her eyes trained on David as he deftly navigated the kitchen."And I say I don't want you to cook. Just watch me while I prepare your delicious meal," David replied, his tone light but his eyes serious.Rowan couldn't help but feel a pang of doubt as she watched David effortlessly move around the kitchen. "It baffles me that you remember how to cook, yet you don't remember anyone," she mused, her words tinged with skepticism.David sensed the undercurrent of uncertainty in Rowan's voice, her unspoken questions hanging heavy in the air. He understood her doubts, grappling with his own fragmented memories in her presence."I guess humans don't forget what they've learned. Isn't that why you asked me that day if I had started regaining my memory after seeing me operate laptops?" David responded, his voice tinged with a hint o
The atmosphere inside the club felt electric as James stepped through the door, every gaze turning toward him as if he were the main act of the evening. He could sense the weight of expectation, the curiosity swirling around him like a thick fog. Some eyes held intrigue, others speculation, but all of them seemed to acknowledge his presence with an intensity that unsettled him.As he made his way through the dimly lit space, the thumping bass of the music reverberated through his bones, adding to the pulsating energy of the room. It was as if each beat echoed the tumultuous rhythm of his own thoughts, a chaotic symphony playing out against the backdrop of the club's vibrant atmosphere.Despite the lively surroundings, James couldn't shake the heaviness in his heart. The image of Rowan and David lingered in his mind like an unresolved melody, haunting him with its unanswered questions and unspoken truths. He felt a knot of frustration tightening in his chest, a mix of anger and longing
Jessica's heart pounded with worry as she dialed James' number once again, only to be met with the same unreachable tone. Panic gnawed at her insides, a knot tightening in her stomach with each failed attempt to reach him. Steve, on the other hand, seemed unfazed by the situation."Are you going to remain this way? Your brother hasn't come back home, and you don't look restless or worried about it," Jessica snapped, her frustration boiling over. But Steve, carrying Ryan, simply turned away and headed towards the bedroom, indifferent to her concern."You are wicked and arrogant, Steve. Can't you think of the help he's rendered to your son and me instead of judging him for one mistake he committed today?" Jessica's voice trembled with emotion, pleading for understanding. Yet Steve's silence only fueled her anger as he disappeared into the bedroom, leaving her alone with her fears.With a frustrated sigh, Jessica sank into her chair, her mind swirling with anxiety. In desperation, she tu
The room was bathed in soft morning light, its gentle glow casting a serene ambiance. James stirred as the light danced across his face, coaxing him from his slumber. Blinking away the remnants of sleep, his gaze settled on Naomi, who lay peacefully beside him. Sensing his movement, Naomi stirred awake, her eyes meeting James's with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension.As Naomi slipped down from the bed in search of her car keys, memories of the previous night flooded back. She recalled bringing James to the hotel room, his drunken insistence on intimacy, and her futile attempts to break free from his grasp. Despite her efforts, she had found herself trapped in a disconcerting situation, ultimately succumbing to exhaustion and sleeping beside him.James's inquiry broke the silence, his voice strained with a hint of indignation. Naomi felt a surge of frustration at his obliviousness to the events of the night before, coupled with the underlying resentment stemming from his behavior
"You know, I still don't believe James will ask his brother to leave or do the right thing," Rowan stated to Jessica, who stood beside her.After James arrived home, he offered a flimsy excuse and didn't bother engaging in any discussion with Rowan. It was as if he didn't even acknowledge her presence.However, after a while, he visited Rowan's apartment and confronted his brother, who seemed equally angered."I can't allow you in my apartment again. Do the needful if you still want Jessica and Ryan, or if you prefer your second woman because of the stability she offers as the president of the family company," James said in an unfriendly manner. Steve appeared ready to retaliate, but Jessica intervened."Don't worry, I will leave. I'll find us an apartment by tomorrow," Steve declared, but Jessica stopped him."I can't continue to live in hiding, scared of letting people know about my Ryan. Make a decision as Uncle James said. You need to choose if you want us or not. But you don't ha
Chapter."Yes, boss," Richard replied, his voice reflecting a mixture of deference and uncertainty."Offer him a contract," David said, his words catching Richard off guard."A contract, boss? What if Miss Flora becomes upset? She might wonder why you didn't offer her family a contract. The shareholders could summon you, especially since you're pretending to have lost your memory. You can't show up now, unless you want Miss Flora to discover the truth," Richard expressed his concerns to David, his voice tinged with apprehension."Don't worry. Offer it to him, but keep it discreet for now. Only you and the accountant who disperses funds should know. And make sure you emphasize that nobody else must find out for the time being," David instructed, his tone resolute. Richard nodded in understanding, and they resumed their focus on the tasks that demanded David's attention.Richard couldn't help but admire David. Despite his demeanor often being perceived as cold and aloof, he treated peop
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