After nearly a month, Dean had finally recovered, though the scars of his recent wounds still adorned his body. Despite this, he moved with freedom unlike before.Their decision to divorce had been put on hold due to unforeseen circumstances. Determined to address the situation, Kaitlyn approached her father. As the only beloved daughter she was, he promptly understood her intentions and began reinstating investments in Dean's father's company.In the weeks that followed, Kaitlyn and Mr. Castellan found themselves growing closer. She couldn't forget his words from a week prior."When my son is fully recovered, I'll host an extravagant party in his honor, announcing his takeover of the business as he reconciles with you."Despite harboring guilt for withholding the truth from Dean, Kaitlyn found relief in the unfolding of events. Everything seemed to be falling into place as it should.Kaitlyn watched Dean on the treadmill and she couldn't help but feel excitement. As Kaitlyn watched
As Kaitlyn sat by her father's bedside, her hand clasped tightly around his, she couldn't shake the feeling of dread that loomed over her. Her father now lay unconscious before her, his face pale and drawn.In the hushed stillness of the hospital room, Fiona, the family's trusted doctor, entered quietly, her expression grave. Sensing the tension in the air, Kaitlyn looked up, her eyes brimming with worry."Fiona, how is he?" Kaitlyn's voice trembled with anxiety as she searched for any sign of hope in the doctor's demeanor.Fiona hesitated for a moment, her gaze softening with empathy. "I'm afraid the situation is dire," she began gently. "Your father's heart is deteriorating rapidly. His heart failure has worsened significantly."Kaitlyn's heart sank at the news, her grip on her father's hand tightening instinctively. "Is there anything we can do?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.Fiona's expression faltered briefly before she composed herself, masking the truth behind a
"I mean... It's still not certain, but... If I were you, I wouldn't sit still," Fiona cautioned, her tone grave as she handed him a black and gold envelope."I'll take my leave," she excused herself, leaving his study.Lucas stared down at the envelope in his hand."An inauguration ceremony," he mumbled, reading the inscription on the envelope as a smile played across his lips."Perfect."Meanwhile, Jane grimaced as she stretched her back, feeling the sharp twinge of pain shoot through her abdomen. She gritted her teeth, determined to push through the discomfort as she leaned against the nearby table for support. Every step was a challenge, but she refused to let her physical limitations hold her back. All she could think about was finding her baby, and she was willing to endure any amount of pain to make that happen.Suddenly, the door burst open, startling Jane. Lucas strode into the room, a wide smile lighting up his face as he waved an elegant invitation in hand."It's a good day,
The man's phone buzzed in the middle of his rest. As he opened his eyes, he glanced at his phone and checked the caller ID before answering. "Yes?" he answered curtly.The voice on the other end spoke urgently telling him the information he might need."...find her." The person on the other end of the line ordered. A flicker of determination flashed in the man's eyes as he replied, "Understood."He wasted no time as he hung up and swiftly made his way to the basement of his cabin. He turned the lights in the dark room and began to meticulously gather the necessary tools for his investigation, his movements precise and methodical.As he was seated at his computer, he accessed the encrypted files, his fingers flying across the keyboard with practiced ease. With each keystroke, the screen revealed vital information, confirming the identity he sought.A satisfied smile tugged at the corners of his lips as he closed the laptop. With his mission clear in his mind, he grabbed his car keys a
As the designer meticulously took Jane's measurements, Ivan settled into a comfortable lounge chair, his gaze drifting around the boutique as he waited patiently for her.Once the measurements were complete, the sales assistant approached Jane with a question. "Would you like to see some pre-made designs for reference?" she asked, her tone eager.Jane simply nodded in response, her curiosity piqued by the idea of exploring different dress options."Excellent. Follow me," the sales assistant instructed, leading Jane towards the fitting room area.Once inside, the sales assistant gestured towards the array of dresses prepared for Jane. "I've selected a few options for you to try on. The mirror is just over there," she said, indicating the mirror located near the lounge area."Thank you," Jane replied graciously, stepping into the fitting room to begin her dress fittings.The first dress she tried on was a flowing satin gown, adorned with delicate lace detailing. Its soft pastel hues com
As Jane whispered her daughter's name, she approached the incubator where Zoe lay. Her tiny form was surrounded by medical equipments. Jane's heart ached at the sight of her daughter, so fragile and vulnerable."Zoe..." Jane's voice trembled with emotion while her eyes began misting over with tears as she reached out a trembling hand towards the incubator.Ivan stood silently beside her, his presence offering quiet support. He watched as Jane's hand hovered over Zoe, hesitant yet longing.Suddenly, Zoe stirred, her delicate fingers twitching ever so slightly. Jane gasped, her heart leaping with hope as she leaned closer, her breath catching in her throat.And then, as if sensing her mother's presence, Zoe's eyelids fluttered open, revealing two bright, curious eyes that gazed up at Jane with both innocence and recognition.Tears streamed down Jane's cheeks as she let out a choked sob, overcome with a flood of different overwhelming emotions. She reached out, gently cupping Zoe's tiny
The night of the highly anticipated event has finally arrived, with guests beginning to fill the venue. However, for Mr. Castellan, it seems that challenges lie ahead."What?! It's not possible! Find the one who did it or this will end up in a mess!" Mr. Castellan's voice echoed with frustration as he paced back and forth, his phone pressed to his ear.Despite all the precautions taken to maintain a flawless facade and ensure everything proceeded smoothly, Zeke Castellan discovers that the baby he had taken and hidden away from its own father to conceal the truth, has now been stolen. Panic sets in as he struggles to comprehend how it could go wrong at such a crucial moment."Dad? Is everything alright?" Dean's concerned voice interrupts his thoughts as he approaches his father in the hallway.Mr. Castellan swiftly composes himself, offering his son a warm smile as he places his hands on Dean's shoulders. "Ah, my boy. There you are," he greets, masking his inner panic.Dean eyes his f
While Dean and Jane were engrossed in their conversation, Lucas made every effort to capture Kaitlyn's attention."Do you really love him?" Lucas's sudden question caught Kaitlyn off guard, sparking a wave of anger within her."Excuse me?" Kaitlyn retorted, tearing her attention away from Dean to glare at Lucas, her brow furrowed in irritation."I'm just saying, if you truly love him, you shouldn't have lied to him," Lucas stated bluntly, causing Kaitlyn to flinch, feeling as though he knew the secrets she'd been keeping."You have no right to accuse me," Kaitlyn shot back defensively, pointing an accusatory finger at Lucas, who merely chuckled and gently took her hand."Kaitlyn, you've changed," he whispered, his words striking a nerve as memories of her confrontation with Dean resurfaced. They were the very words she had thrown at him during their fraught conversation.Taken aback, Kaitlyn recoiled, her wide eyes betraying her shock as she cleared her throat, attempting to compose h
Kai immediately ordered Calix to resume driving towards their intended destination. As the car lurched forward, Kai swiftly reached for his handkerchief, expertly knotting it around Mae's wrists to secure her hands behind her back.Mae's heart pounded in her chest as she felt the fabric cinch tightly around her wrists, her movements restricted by the tight bindings. She shot a furious glare at Kai, her eyes blazing with defiance."What the hell do you think you're doing?!" Mae seethed, her voice laced with anger and fear.Kai's expression remained impassive as he tightened the knot, ensuring that Mae's hands were securely bound. "I'm making sure you don't do anything stupid," he replied curtly, his tone brooking no argument.Mae struggled against her restraints, her frustration mounting with each futile attempt to free herself. But Kai's grip was firm, his resolve unwavering as he maintained control over the situation.As the car finally came to a stop, Calix stepped out and opened th
As the evening drew to a close, Mae and Brian left the restaurant together, laughing at each other's jokes. The cool night air greeted them as they stepped out onto the street. Mae was feeling quite content until she suddenly flinched, her eyes landing on two familiar figures standing a short distance away.Her heart skipped a beat. It was Kai and Calix. Both of them seemed to be waiting for her, and the sight of them together filled her with anxiety and confusion.She quickly tapped Brian on the shoulder. "Brian, can you go ahead without me? I need to handle something."Brian looked at her with concern. "Are you sure everything's okay, Mae?"Mae forced a reassuring smile. "Yes, I'm fine. Really. It's just something I need to deal with."Brian hesitated, his worry evident. "Are you positive? I can stay if you need me to."She shook her head gently. "It's okay, Brian. Thank you for tonight. I’ll be fine."Though he was reluctant to leave her, Brian nodded. "Alright, if you're sure. But
The weekend finally arrived, and Mae, who usually cherished sleeping in on her days off, found herself waking up early. She stretched lazily and walked out of her room. She had a quick breakfast and she to get a head start on some chores.Mae moved through her apartment, tidying up and organizing. She washed the dishes, did a load of laundry, and straightened up her living room. The simple tasks helped settle her nerves as she thought about the date tonight. Despite her initial reluctance, she found herself growing curious about the kind of man she could possibly meet. Around mid-morning, Mae took a break and turned her attention to her bedroom closet. She carefully took out the dress she had bought a few days ago, laying it out on her bed. The navy blue fabric shimmered softly in the morning light, and Mae who weren't really a fan of wearing dresses somehow felt excited. The dress had felt perfect then, and now, as she looked at it, she felt reassured. It was the right choice.Afte
Days passed since Mae last saw Kai and Calix flew back home. Her life had settled into a quiet routine, though she couldn't deny being annoyed by the constant attention from the two men. Yet, in a strange way, she had grown accustomed to their presence and the trouble they brought.Mae sighed as she continued typing on her computer when her coworker, Sebastian, approached her with a cheeky smile and a cup of coffee in hand."Yo, Ms. Delgado," Sebastian greeted. "Busy as always, huh?"Mae smiled at Sebastian's greeting, setting aside her work momentarily. "Hey, Sebastian," she replied, returning his cheerful demeanor. "Yeah, you know how it is, always something to keep me occupied around here."Sebastian chuckled. "Tell me about it. So, any exciting plans for the weekend?"Mae shrugged. "Not really, just the usual. Probably catch up on some reading and maybe binge-watch a new series."Sebastian nodded, taking a sip of his coffee. "Sounds relaxing. I might hit up a party my friend's th
Mae stood up and looked him straight in the eyes."I don't want men who toy with me, and you're no exception. If I had the guts to leave behind the man I have loved for years, imagine what I can do to someone like you, whom I know nothing about except his name." Her words shocked Kai."So get the fuck out of here and don't show your face to me ever again. I am not obligated to answer to you. I owe you nothing.""Ha! Are you seriously doing this right now?" Kai chuckled bitterly, ruffling his hair."Yes. But if it's inconvenient for you, why don't you stay here for the night? I mean, I'm kind enough to at least care for someone's life," Mae spoke rudely."So you're choosing your... I don't know? Childhood love?" Kai mocked, displeased at the possibility that she might choose Calix. He was confused as well. Why would he even go after someone like Mae? Why would he feel this much pain from just words? Why does he feel like he is currently being dumped? He couldn't stand it.And so Mae a
But before she could even give a response, the door burst open, revealing Kai, who immediately dropped his smile the moment he saw her with another man.Kai's expression darkened as he took in the scene before him, his eyes flickering between Mae and Calix. She raised a brow at Kai's reaction, "Why are you here?" She asked nothing out of disrespect but just simply curious. Calix who was still weak from his fever, shifted uncomfortably on the couch, "This guy?" he murmured out of disbelief and rose from his seat defensively. There was an obvious tension in the room as Calix knew well who Kai is. "You're living with this guy?!" Calix scoffed that made her stand up, alarmed that a fight might break out."Calix, calm down. It's nothing like that." Mae pleaded and immediately blocked her arm in front of him only for Kai to take the chance to grab her. "It's exactly like that. So get out of this fucking place before I burn this down with you in it." Kai warned with predatory eyes starin
After checking out of the hotel, Mae immediately took a taxi back to her apartment.As she thought she had already gotten away from her problems, another one sprung up. Because as soon as she arrived at her apartment door, she caught sight of Calix sleeping on the floor.Calix was all curled up, looking pale, wearing only the clothes he wore yesterday.Just then, a neighbor passed by and saw Mae, unable to resist intruding."He's been there since last night," the lady informed Mae."What?" Mae flinched, surprised and worried."Yeah. I told him you and the other guy were out and that he should go home. But he said he wanted to wait for you. I guess he got worried when I said you're living with a guy," she shrugged and went inside her own apartment.Mae sighed and conceded to give Calix a proper apology after everything she had said yesterday. But the moment her hand touched his skin, Mae's eyes widened as she realized that Calix was hardly breathing because of his high fever.Without w
And so, Mae ended up sleeping beside Kaius. Although she was against it at first, she had no choice, such that Kaius never wanted to sleep anywhere else aside from Mae's side.He acted like a clingy child.It was a scary experience for Mae.Yet she was so deep in their sleep that she couldn't notice herself snuggling into Kai's arms, and it woke him up.Turns out, Mae had already unconsciously gotten used to sleeping with Kai beside her. Or more like, she had already gotten attached to the man.Kai stared down to look at what was causing his breathing to be compressed, and there he saw Mae curled up against his body. His throat down to his chest vibrated as he chuckled, enjoying the sight."And you wanted me to go home?" He mumbled almost in a whisper and brushed off a few strands of Mae's hair away from her face."Look at how much you've gotten used to me. Are you sure you want me away?" He added and carefully, gently pulled her closer, his arms wrapping around her."Ah, your quick l
Later that day, as the sun dipped, Mae decided to stay at a hotel rather than go back to her apartment because either she was going to meet Calix on the way, or Kai would be in her living room.She didn't really want to see either of them right now. It was a good thing she brought her phone and wallet with her.As soon as Mae entered her hotel room, she instantly jumped on the bed to cool her head off. She looked at her reflection on her phone screen and groaned, seeing how red and puffy her eyes looked."Yep. I look ugly," she confirmed, agreeing with what the little boy had said earlier.She turned and lay down on her back to stare at the ceiling."You know what? Damn those two. Grr! I couldn't even stay in my own apartment 'peacefully'," Mae complained and started flailing out of frustration.Eventually, she calmed down and let out a long sigh. "I need to figure out how to deal with this," she muttered to herself, staring back at the ceiling as if searching for answers. After a w