Since the night before, Rowan couldn't shake off the weight of James' advice. The notion of leaving town for a while, if only to safeguard her baby's well-being, clung to her thoughts. The hitch? It came with a hefty price tag, one she couldn't bear. The financial burden loomed large, and the fear of being unfairly blamed for baby Flora's loss by David's family cast a long shadow over her mind. Attempting to veil her concern, Rowan feigned indifference to James and Jessica, pretending that she no longer cared about David and Flora. But the truth cut deep. Her heart throbbed with pain as she grappled with the realization that David unquestioningly believed Flora, while every word from Rowan's mouth was met with doubt. Despite her self-made promise to remain unaffected, the hurt persisted. It was a bitter pill to swallow, realizing that the same woman who had taken her baby's life was trusted by David, while Rowan herself was cast in suspicion. Now, she found herself reluctantly accept
Rowan stepped out into the open to greet the person waiting for her. As she laid eyes on them, her heart raced because she expected it to be David or his dad coming to settle things. But to her surprise, it wasn't them. She wondered why the visitors didn't come inside, and it dawned on her that she hadn't seen them since she started her shift in the morning. "Why are you out here, and why aren't you in your uniform?" Rowan asked, feeling a mix of confusion and concern. Before her words could sink in, one of the visitors let out a long hiss and scoffed. "I told you she wouldn't care. Look at how she's acting as if she didn't know we've been fired," one of the nurses who had insulted Rowan the night before replied. They were the unexpected visitors seeking her. "What are you talking about? Fired? How?" Rowan asked, her confusion deepening as she struggled to make sense of their words. Please, Rowan," one of the nurses begged, reaching out towards her and even dropping to her knees. R
Flora, just off the phone with Andrew, felt a mix of anticipation and excitement as she prepared to rest on her bed. The door unexpectedly burst open, revealing David, who always seemed to carry an air of quiet charm, even though his smiles were rare.In those fleeting moments, Flora's heart swelled with affection, marveling at David's consistent allure. His face might not light up often, but his mere presence had a captivating quality."David!" Flora exclaimed, her eyes shining with joy. She feigned an attempt to rise from the bed, creating a moment of suspense. Her relationship with David had hit a rocky patch, and she was determined to dispel any doubts, striving for the seamless connection they once shared."Don't move. You're not fully healed," David stated with a touch of concern. While not a practicing doctor, his grasp of medical knowledge, acquired during his time in school, shone through."Thanks," Flora replied, a subtle smile playing on her lips. As David drew near, gently
"Calm down, Andrew," Flora pleaded, her voice tinged with desperation. She reached out to gently touch his arm, hoping to quell the storm brewing within him. "You remember, I've told you before. All I want is to marry David, use his help for my family's business, and then, of course, I'll divorce him and come back to you."But Andrew was beyond calming. His anger simmered beneath the surface, threatening to boil over. "Don't tell me to calm down," he snapped, his frustration evident. Love mixed with regret in his eyes. "I agreed because I love you, but I never thought you'd sacrifice our child for your own desires. I regret letting you make that choice, driven by your greed."Flora, seemingly unfazed, scoffed. She shifted in her seat, a nonchalant posture that belied the tension in the room. "You act like you're not reaping the benefits of my relationship with David. Should I withdraw the help I'm giving you to settle down here so you can return to the states?" she challenged, her ton
David greeted the doctor with genuine warmth, expressing sincere thanks. On his drive back to the office, he found his mind fixated on the image of Flora with that mysterious man. Returning to the office, an eerie silence enveloped the space, amplifying the emptiness. David, feeling an urgent need to process his thoughts, headed straight to his office. As he settled into his swiveling chair, he couldn't escape the whirlwind of emotions. Retrieving his phone, he dialed his cousin's number. The first ring was like a lifeline, and his cousin's voice brought a sense of comfort. "Hello, cousin brother," she greeted, her tone a soothing balm. "Hey, when did you pick Flora up from the hospital?" David's inquiry carried a mix of curiosity and an undercurrent of concern. "About 2 hours ago. Is everything okay?" His cousin's question hung in the air, sensing a palpable tension. Little did she know, those two hours marked the time David witnessed Flora and the mysterious man together in the
David's words hit Rowan like a tidal wave, making anger course through her veins. Why all of a sudden was he showing interest in her child? Was it because Flora, too, had experienced the pain of losing a child?Rowan was shocked at the depths of David's despicability. To think he would lay claim to a child he had once doubted even existed was beyond her comprehension. Memories flooded her mind, especially the painful recollection of when she had lost a baby, and he had refused to stand by her side."David, I promised never to intrude on your family matters. Please, just leave," Rowan pleaded, her words carrying a mix of frustration and desperation.But David, with an air of self-righteousness, declared, "I would love to leave, but you're carrying my child, and it's my responsibility to care for and protect our baby."Rowan couldn't hold back a scoff, and her response cut through the air like a knife, "Protect? Have you ever protected me or anything that came from me? The first child—I
Rowan settled into the car, the weight of the day's events lingering heavily in her thoughts. James, despite his demanding schedule, had insisted on accompanying her to the appointment. It was a thoughtful gesture, considering she usually took her days off on her prenatal appointment days. "How was it?" James asked, casting a fleeting glance her way as he ignited the engine."It was fine," she replied, her words barely scratching the surface of the emotional turmoil within. The complexities of her feelings for David and her bond with James left her unsure of what to reveal.Sharing feelings with someone who regards you as a close friend can be a labyrinth of emotions, Rowan contemplated. Protecting James from unnecessary pain held her back from opening up, yet silence carried its own weight."Drop me at the next bus stop; I'll take a cab home," Rowan suggested, careful not to betray her true destination."Why? I'll take you home myself," James insisted, his concern evident in the sin
"What is it?" Rowan asked, and in an instant, David brought out a document, extending it towards Rowan for her to read.Gently, she accepted the document, carefully unraveling it to peruse each letter written on the paper. "What's this, a contract?" Rowan inquired."Yes, so that if your boyfriend asks you not to do it again, you won't have any reason to say no, as the contract will bind us," David explained."This is cheating," Rowan retorted, her tone laced with anger."It would be if you signed the document without knowing its contents. You can read the document thoroughly to have a proper understanding," David calmly responded, his eyes tracing Rowan as she delved into the details. Observing her, David wondered why she always maintained a gentle and calm expression, even in the face of challenges. He pondered if everything about Rowan was a facade."I guess I'll get to know her just as Father wanted," David whispered to himself. At that moment, Rowan lifted her head, and their eyes
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