Steve's words hung in the air, creating a pause that felt like an eternity for Flora. She took a moment to grasp the weight of his disclosure."Go on, Mr. Steve, spill it," Flora urged, anticipation etched across her face."I'm not sure if time is on our side, but my brother James holds the key to revealing your truth to David. Evidence that your lost baby isn't his. Proof that you're responsible for the death of Rowan's first child. He's on his way to expose it all to David," Steve declared.Flora's legs trembled beneath her, her heart racing as if trying to escape its confines. It felt like her very heart had come to a standstill."Miss Flora, are you still with me?" Steve's words pierced through the chaos in her mind, bringing her back from the brink of despair. She had always prayed this day would never come."Yes, tell me, why are you sharing all of this with me?" Flora managed to find her voice amidst the turmoil of emotions."I did it because I know how deeply my brother loves
"No way, it's gotta be a prank," Rowan mumbled as she thought about the call. Then, she let the phone slip from her grasp and nestled her head back into the cozy quilt, still feeling half-asleep, drifting back into the world of dreams. Over an hour had passed since that mysterious call, and Rowan was savoring her deep slumber until the blaring alarm shocked her awake once again. She rubbed her tired eyes and reached out to silence the annoying alarm. Suddenly, the memory of the call flooded back, and she hastily grabbed her phone, scrolling through the contact list. Her mouth fell open in disbelief, the room seemed to grow warmer, and she rubbed her eyes twice as if hoping the situation would change. "Why on earth would someone ring me up at 6:00 am and call me Mrs. Thompson?" Rowan wondered aloud, her mind swirling with confusion. It just didn't add up, seeing that truly she received a call. Realizing the clock ticking and the pressing need to head to work, Rowan swiftly changed
Rowan felt a swirl of emotions as she sat across from David, watching the doctor go about his examinations. Being a science student, she could grasp the technicalities of what was happening, yet an uneasy sensation lingered within her. David's gaze, fixated on her with a warmth she couldn't quite comprehend, added to the mystery that had wrapped itself around the moment.The air felt charged with uncertainty, and Rowan found herself silently questioning the peculiar shift in David's demeanor. His smiles, directed solely at her, sent a cascade of goosebumps down her spine. It was a surreal experience – something she had yearned for, yet its sudden arrival left her feeling bewildered."Does memory loss lead people to change?" Rowan pondered the question within the confines of her own thoughts, grappling with the absence of answers. The enigma of David's altered behavior left her grappling with a mix of emotions, caught between the desire for this newfound warmth and the fear of its tran
Rowan toiled away in the open air, her hands covered in sweat as she worked. As she headed back inside, she unexpectedly collided with David's father. Her palms dampened with instant anxiety, aware that convincing him might be an uphill battle. Despite this, she mustered the courage to try. "Where are you going?" inquired David's father. "Uncle, I can't do what you want. I believe telling David the truth is the best option. I can't fulfill all those doctor's requests. They practically want me to stay with David," Rowan explained, her voice earnest. "It's just for a while, maybe one month, until they see changes. I know David has hurt you, and he may not deserve your help, but what if there's a reason he only remembered you? What if he wants another chance for both of you?" pleaded David's father, his emotions seeping through. "Uncle, I'm sorry. I can't. Moreover, he has a woman. Let him know that he has a woman; maybe that can aid in his recovery," Rowan insisted, resolute, and wa
Rowan couldn't focus on her food anymore. Her eyes kept drifting towards a person in the distance, questioning if it was truly David she was seeing."Are you okay?" James asked again, unable to continue eating as Rowan's gaze remained fixed on a particular spot.Cutlery clattered as James dropped it, following Rowan's line of sight."Nothing," Rowan said after James interrupted her thoughts, shifting her focus to a different spot.Hearing her response, James sensed she was hiding something. She had definitely seen someone she recognized."Did you know that man?" James dropped the bombshell, and Rowan's eyes widened. She felt a mix of relief and excitement that James had also noticed the person. It confirmed she wasn't imagining things."Did you see him too?" Rowan asked eagerly."Yeah, I saw the man you were staring at," James replied. Rowan moved closer to him, desperately seeking answers."Does he look like someone you know?" Rowan inquired, studying James closely. The proximity fel
"Are you faking it?" Rowan inquired, her eyes fixed on the photos of her and James nestled in the envelope David had handed her.At that moment, Rowan couldn't shake the feeling that David was the mysterious figure from the restaurant. How else did he get hold of those pictures? Someone had secretly captured their moments.However, David seemed oblivious to Rowan's question, his gaze unwaveringly focused on her. The sight of her beauty made him wonder if he had consciously dressed up for this encounter."Are you betraying me? Is that why you've been distant, uneasy around me?" David's question hit Rowan like a bolt of lightning, leaving her momentarily speechless."What?" she stuttered. At that moment, Rowan sensed that David might not even recall James."Are you cheating on me with this guy? Just be honest," David pressed on."I can't betray you, even if I wanted to…" Rowan mumbled, grappling with the intricacies of their relationship. They weren't married anymore; could it still be
"Come," David's mother gently beckoned, clasping Flora's hand in a reassuring grip, guiding her towards a seat."Tell me what happened," David's mother urged, tenderly attempting to stem the flow of tears welling in Flora's eyes."Mom, I'm lost. David seems repulsed by me, and I suspect Rowan might be poisoning his mind against me," Flora confessed, her voice quivering with uncertainty."That wicked witch wouldn't dare! And even if she did, I'll make my son see through her lies," David's mother declared, barely containing the anger simmering beneath the surface, aware that Rowan might be manipulating her son against Flora."Auntie, I can't bear losing David. After what you told me about Rowan faking my voice note and playing it for David, making him believe I'm cheating, don't you think she'll go to any lengths to keep David for herself, especially since she's carrying his child, David has no memory of me?" Flora questioned, desperation coloring her words.Upon hearing this, David's m
After James left Rowan and dialed Naomi's number, a surge of urgency propelled his words. He needed to see her. The address materialized on her phone almost instantly.Despite James's attempt to quell the storm within him, anger raged beneath the surface. The uncertainty of what Naomi might have said to Rowan on that pivotal day fueled his frustration.When Naomi finally graced the restaurant with her presence, an ethereal elegance surrounded her every step. All eyes gravitated toward her, enchanted by her beauty."Look at her, such allure, and her fashion sense is impeccable for her age.""A young soul with an extraordinary sense of style," murmured the onlookers, captivated by Naomi's allure.James sensed a ripple of commotion and turned to witness the collective gaze. His eyes collided with Naomi's, triggering an instant knot in his heart. For a fleeting moment, he found himself ensnared in her gaze, unable to avert his eyes until she stood before him."Uncle James, I'm here," Nao
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