Rolland is a straightforward person who openly shows his likes and dislikes. He expressed his hope that Rowan and James would develop and get to know each other, and he sincerely shared his thoughts.Upon arriving at the meeting place, he quietly gave Rowan a thumbs up, showing approval.Rolland had a positive first impression of James. James drove them around nearby neighborhoods, discussing the distances to and from work. James also pointed out suitable communities and even took them to a real estate agent.During the journey, Rolland asked James about his family, income, siblings, and whether he had a girlfriend. Some questions made Rowan feel uncomfortable, as it seemed more like a blind date than a helpful gesture.Luckily, James had a good temperament. He politely answered Rolland's questions, gracefully changed the subject when needed, and maintained a friendly demeanor throughout the day.While Rolland's lively personality and kindness made for a harmonious interaction, Rowan'
After being away for almost two weeks, Rowan returned to her community, where the artificial lake still shimmered peacefully, surrounded by lush green trees. The increasing heat drew more people to the lake in the evenings, seeking shade and relaxation.Carrying numerous bags of different sizes, Rowan sat on a wooden bench in the Huxin Pavilion, standing out from the casually dressed crowd passing by. Curious glances from her neighbors made her feel uneasy, as she always felt nervous when others stared at her, fearing she might have done something wrong.The attention from others made her stomach churn uncomfortably. She tried to soothe it by rubbing her abdomen gently, worried that she might feel nauseous. The discomfort in her stomach added to her unease, and she anxiously waited for it to pass.At that moment, James arrived at the scene, a bit late, with Bingo in tow. The dog seemed to remember Rowan and excitedly barked, wagging its tail, eager to run towards her.James, being per
It wasn't because Rowan was afraid of Flora that her heart beat faster, It's just that she and James's posture at this time is a little ambiguous, and it's just a subconscious reaction.The hand that was holding James's arm to stop him from going forward suddenly let go as if he had been burned.The whole person took two steps back, widening the distance between them. "Wow woof!"When Bingo came to a strange environment, she was a little uneasy at first, and a stranger suddenly appeared in the room, so frightened, she immediately clamped her tail and screamed wildly.James squatted down and put his arms around Bingo's neck, and kept smoothing his fur to soothe his emotions. "Don't be afraid, it's fine." Bingo gradually calmed down.But still staring at Flora closely, a low growl came out of her throat, as if warning her not to act rashly.Flora was taken aback by the sudden appearance of the dog at first, eelieved, he raised his eyebrows and began to look at the two people who ente
After Rowan finished her shower and was getting ready to go to bed, she received a call from James.After hesitating for a couple of seconds, she decided to answer it."Hello? James?" She got straight to the point, then quickly apologized for the delay."I've troubled you for the past two days, especially today. I didn't expect her to show up here suddenly, otherwise, she wouldn't have asked you to come back with me.""It's okay," James replied gently.Avoiding the topic, she asked with concern, "Has Miss Flora left?""Yeah, she's gone.""Did she cause any trouble for you?""No, everything was fine.""That's good! By the way, are you still feeling unwell?"Rowan paused for a moment, remembering the evening incident when she felt sick in the Huxin Pavilion, and he kindly offered to take her back.Embarrassed, she said, "I'm fine, don't worry.""If you often feel uncomfortable, it's best to get a check-up at the hospital. It wouldn't be good if you develop stomach problems in the future
Rowan's pressure mainly stemmed from Flora's few threats before she left. While she acknowledged that it was normal for her and James to have a connection as unmarried individuals, she couldn't help but worry about how David would react if he found out about it. After some contemplation, she decided to send David a text message to clarify things. Her message read, "I was busy just now and didn't hear the phone ringing. I'm going to take a break right away, so I won't call you back. You should also go to bed earlier." Almost immediately after sending the message, her phone started vibrating intensely with incoming notifications. David's response had arrived in less than ten seconds. With a sigh, she picked up the phone again and answered in a low voice, "Hello? Is there anything else you want to tell me?" There was a brief pause before David finally spoke, "You saw my text message." "I see," she replied calmly. The silence on the other end of the line made Rowan somewhat puzzled
As James and Rowan made their way back to the hospital, they encountered some traffic jams on the road, causing them to arrive well past working hours. Feeling embarrassed for being late, Rowan kept apologizing to her male colleague who had helped her apply for the job. Fortunately, he had a perpetually cheerful demeanor, and he reassured her kindly, "It's okay, don't worry about it." Rowan scratched her head, still feeling awkward, and asked, "If you're a few minutes late, will they deduct a significant amount from your salary?" The colleague pondered for a moment before responding, "According to the regulations, if you don't check in on time, there might be a salary deduction, but I don't think it will apply to you." This answer confused Rowan, and she inquired further, "Why not?" Both of them exchanged glances, and the colleague seemed to be even more puzzled than her. He replied with uncertainty, "Aren't you Dr. James' girlfriend?" This caught Rowan off guard, and she quickly
Rowan felt hesitant to speak, unsure of where to start. But James noticed her unease and couldn't help asking, "What's wrong?" She took a deep breath, trying to organize her thoughts. Before James had left the clinic earlier, his visit to the third floor to call her had been interpreted as a sign by her colleagues, leading them to believe that their relationship was much closer than just friends. Despite her denials, no one seemed convinced. Rowan recounted a moment when a nurse had lightly touched her arm and asked, "So it's true, we're going to have a proprietress?" Her attempts to deny the assumption were in vain. Shaking off those thoughts, Rowan decided to focus on the key question she wanted to ask, "James, I heard someone say that you opened this clinic today, is it true?" James surprised her with his frank admission, "Yes." His openness encouraged her, and she continued, now eager to discuss the questions that had been bothering her all day. "Is it true that you actually
As the days passed, Rowan continued to commute in James's car for the convenience it offered. The distance to the clinic was quite far, and taking his car was the simplest and most efficient way to get there and back.Surprisingly, the people at the clinic didn't react as strongly to their interactions as Rowan had imagined. Perhaps because James was the boss, most people were hesitant to gossip openly. Though she occasionally noticed teasing glances, it wasn't as uncomfortable as she had feared.Rowan's work in her new position went smoothly, and she quickly adapted to the responsibilities. James continued to join her for breakfast each morning, and after they finished their work, they often spent time together at the artificial lake, allowing Rowan to play with Bingo freely.Throughout this time, James never seemed to express any discomfort with their close friendship. As days passed, Rowan still hadn't found the right moment to talk about the rumors circulating in the clinic.On a
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