"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
"Flora, please let me go. I don't want any problems with you. Just let me go," Rowan pleaded, her voice tinged with desperation."Not so fast. Maybe your response will determine whether I let you go or not. Besides, we're at a dead end here. I doubt you know your way back into the company. The elevator won't take you back, and the outside buttons aren't working. You can only use it to come here, not the other way around," Flora stated, a sinister smile playing on her lips as she enjoyed the fear reflected in Rowan's eyes.Rowan couldn't believe what Flora was saying. She rushed to the door, frantically pressing the button, only to find it unresponsive. Panicking, she attempted to call David, not caring about anything else at that moment. But as she reached for her phone, it abruptly switched off."I guess luck is on my side," Flora taunted as she approached Rowan, witnessing the frustration in her futile attempts."Flora, let me go. James won't take it easy if anything happens to me,"
David immersed himself in work after his discussion with Rowan, and beneath the surface, he couldn't pinpoint why, but a calmness settled within him at the prospect of seeing Rowan again. He continued to sign electronic documents that had arrived in his email when his phone buzzed."Hello," he greeted, only to have his eyes widened in shock as his receptionist informed him that Rowan had returned and wanted to see him. Instantly, a mix of hope and worry surged within David. He hoped she hadn't come back to revoke her interest in the contract, but he sighed at the uncertainty.Deciding not to force anything, David resolved to give her the space to walk away if she had changed her mind. Meanwhile, Flora had seized the opportunity of Rowan's presence to gain access to David, who had been avoiding her for the past three days.As his office door opened and Rowan and Flora entered, David, engrossed in his work, directed the receptionist to send Rowan straight to his main office. He glanced
Moments after Flora confided in David, the door swung open, revealing Andrew's entrance. Flora's hands found a resting place on David's shoulders, her eyes following Andrew's every move. David lifted his eyes, meeting Andrew's gaze as it settled upon him.There was a brief pause, a moment of silence pregnant with unspoken tension. David's eyes, expressionless, methodically scanned Andrew from head to toe, a subtle signal of scrutiny. After this fleeting assessment, David redirected his attention to whatever occupied him.Curiosity sparked within him, and in a hushed tone, he muttered to Flora, "What is he doing here?" Flora responded with a subtle nod, signaling Andrew to speak.As Andrew began to address David, a firm and sharp reply cut through the air, "Okay, welcome to my office." The words, like icicles, hinted at a less-than-warm reception. Despite the evident coldness, Andrew tried to brush it off, acknowledging the implied discomfort."I'm sorry for the impromptu visit," Andre