Dean's nightlife stays the same, surrounded by beauties but fixated on Kaitlyn.He orders a strong drink, watching the bartender's impressive moves with glasses.The bartender hands him an espresso martini, and he casually sips it.Despite the club's loud noises, it quiets his mind momentarily. The alcohol, however, only numbs his emotions, while the letter he holds continues to bother him.The late father-in-law's letter reveals Kaitlyn, his missing wife, was pregnant, sparking a flood of possibilities and what-ifs, unsettling Dean's thoughts.Loving Kaitlyn was never on the table. He never saw her romantically, let alone as the mother of his child. Admitting his current emotions is something he avoids, convincing himself it might stem from the knowledge of his wife running away with their unborn child.Dean inhales deeply, exhaling with palms pressed together, as if imploring for an end to his struggles.With his drink drained, ready to depart, a hand halts him, forcing him back int
After expressing gratitude to McGuain for the photograph, Dean, now in a sober state, makes his way to their former shared house.Upon entering, he sinks into the bed, delicately unveiling the photograph. His eyes fixate on Kaitlyn standing by the seashore, bathed in the hues of a sunset, smiling as she gently caresses her baby bump. It's a moment frozen in time, distant yet intimate.Dean's fingers linger on the image, tracing the contours of the captured happiness. "You look genuinely happy, Kaitlyn," he murmurs, his voice a hushed reflection of his emotions. "I wish I could have shared that moment with you, embraced the serenity of the sea breeze, and felt the anticipation of our child together."As he talks to the photograph, a floodgate of emotions opens. "I didn't realize what we had until it slipped away. I initiated the divorce, thinking it was the right choice, but seeing you like this makes me question everything."The room absorbs his whispered confessions, a sacred space f
The next day, a noticeable shift occurs in Dean's mood, transforming from gloomy and moody to bright and sunny. The entire company takes note of the CEO's sudden change in personality, unaware of the driving force behind it-Dean's newfound determination and hope in finding Kaitlyn.As Dean diligently monitors his company's activities at his desk, his secretary, Abby, knocks on his office door seeking permission to enter."Come in."Abby walks in with a stack of papers, placing them on Dean's desk. His groan of frustration fills the room at the sight of the new workload.Abby, with a formal chuckle, acknowledges the burden of paperwork, "Busy day ahead, huh, Sir?"Dean, still looking at the papers, replies, "Yeah, it never ends.""Well, here are the reports for today. I'll leave you to it."As Abby turns to leave, she adds, "Oh, and I was thinking, a cup of coffee might help you stay active. Want me to grab one for you, Sir?"Dean, asserting his independence, rejects the offer, "No, th
As Kyle realizes his own words, he silently thanks the stars that Kaitlyn didn't hear him, fearing she might think he's a creep with ulterior motives.Kaitlyn, busy savoring her slice of pizza, steals a glance at Kyle, inviting him to join her. At that moment, Kyle captures the cutest photo of her.Kyle, suppressing laughter, reviews the stolen shot on his camera. "You look like a pregnant squirrel in this photo," he chuckles.Kaitlyn, unaware of the captured moment, raises an eyebrow. "What are you talking about?"Kyle bursts into laughter, unable to contain himself. Kaitlyn, now intrigued, asks, "What? What? Whaaaaaat?" confusion evident in her voice.Kyle, still chuckling, shows Kaitlyn the photo on his camera. "Look at this! You, my friend, are the cutest pregnant squirrel ever."Kaitlyn, seeing the photo, bursts into laughter herself. "Oh my gosh, is that me? I look ridiculous!"Kyle, wiping away a tear of laughter, nods. "It's the pizza happiness. Pure joy!"Kaitlyn, amused, tak
That night, Kyle grappled with sleep, rolling on his bed like an enamored high schooler. The daring move of flirting with a pregnant woman left him wide-eyed. Sitting up abruptly, he initiated a charming self-debate."Why, oh why, did I flirt with a pregnant lady?" Kyle playfully scolded himself. In the midst of his internal debate, Kyle suddenly burst into laughter, the kind that escapes like a girl with a secret crush. Amused by his own actions, he continued to chuckle, shaking his head.Then, still smiling, he mumbled to himself, "I even offered to go with her to the doctor's appointment. What was I thinking?" The room echoed with the lightheartedness of his self-reflection.Amidst his laughter, Kyle couldn't help but recall what he had said to Kaitlyn about being an overprotective husband. Still grinning, he mumbled to himself, "Overprotective husband? Really nailed it tonight, didn't I?" The room filled with a blend of amusement and self-awareness as he reflected on his whimsica
Carlo immerses himself in the investigation, determined to uncover Kaitlyn's whereabouts. Dean's reliance on him adds pressure to find crucial clues in the search.Mia hands over a steaming cup of coffee, her eyes reflecting concern. "How's the investigation going? Any leads on where she might be, love?" she inquires, settling onto his lap.Carlo accepts the coffee, savoring the warmth as he replies, "It's been intense. They're counting on me. Still working through it, though."Mia's fingers gently run through his hair, a comforting gesture. "I made your favorite coffee. Take a break and tell me what's going on, love."He appreciates the effort, taking a thoughtful sip. "Following some leads, but it's tough. She seems to have vanished without a trace."Empathy tightens Mia's expression. "I hate seeing you like this. We'll find her. What's the plan now, love?"He sighs, staring into the coffee. "Putting together pieces. Need to revisit some places. Your support means everything."Mia l
The weekend arrives, and Kaitlyn is immersed in preparations for her doctor's appointment.Opening her wardrobe, she sighs, "Choosing something comfortable for the doctor's visit is a task in itself."Her belly has grown, making it a challenge to fit into the old dresses. She carefully selects a baby blue off-shoulder, long-sleeved dress that catches her eye, "This should do."Looking at herself in the mirror, she frowns, "I feel like I've gained so much weight lately. Kyle's constant pampering doesn't help."Playfully rubbing her pregnant belly, she giggles and scolds, "Hey, little one, you're making mommy a bit plump."Out of nowhere, as Kaitlyn contemplates her appearance, she receives an unexpected response from her baby. A faint kick takes her by surprise, causing a flinch of shock. It's the first noticeable movement from her baby, and the excitement it sparks is palpable. Gasping in awe, Kaitlyn is filled with wonder at the newfound connection with the little life growing inside
As Kaitlyn settled onto the examination bed for her second ultrasound, Dr. Guillian covered her lower body with a blanket and lifted her dress slightly to prepare. Unbeknownst to him, Kyle, for reasons he couldn't quite explain, felt a sudden twinge of irritation.Dr. Guillian, oblivious to Kyle's discomfort, attempted to lighten the mood. "Alright, Kaitlyn, just a bit of cold gel on your tummy for the ultrasound. Ready?"Kaitlyn nodded, and as the doctor began applying the cold gel, he engaged in conversation to distract from any potential discomfort."You know, the second time seeing your baby on the ultrasound is still special. Each glimpse reveals a bit more about their little world."Kyle, trying to shake off the unexplained irritation, forced a smile and replied, "Yeah, I bet. It's just amazing how technology allows us to witness these moments.""Kaitlyn, you've reached the second trimester, and I must say, your baby is developing exceptionally well. Surprisingly, for this ear
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