A faint sound of beeping monitors awakens Dean. Slowly, he opens his eyes, only to be met by the harsh brightness of the hospital room. As awareness settles in, he takes in his surroundings and realizes that he's confined to a hospital bed.His gaze shifts to his bandaged arm, evidence of the recent self-inflicted wound. With a cautious movement, he leans back on the pillow, still grappling with lingering dizziness.Turning his head to the right, Dean's eyes lock onto Kaitlyn, lying unconscious in another hospital bed. Concern etches his features, prompting him to attempt to rise, yet a groan of pain halts his movement.The room's door swings open, revealing Maria entering with a tray of fruits and flowers. The contrast between the sterile hospital setting and the vibrant colors of the offering creates a surreal atmosphere in the room.Maria, wearing a mixture of relief and concern, approaches Dean. "You scared us, Mr. Castellan. How are you feeling?"Dean, his thoughts momentarily sh
"Go back to your bed now," Kaitlyn says in a hushed tone, her words carrying the weariness of the hospital room."I don't want to," Dean persists, defiantly nuzzling into the curve of her neck, his embrace protective around her pregnant belly.The sterile atmosphere of the hospital bed, laden with the scent of antiseptics and medicinal undertones, is momentarily swept away by the unmistakable aroma of fresh strawberries emanating from Kaitlyn.'She really does smell like strawberries,' Dean muses, a genuine smile playing on his lips.However, the intimacy becomes a source of discomfort for Kaitlyn. Unwanted memories surge within her; she doesn't want her ex-husband's touch, yearning instead for the familiar embrace of someone else.Her thoughts involuntarily drift to Kyle. A soft whimper almost escapes her lips as she dearly misses him, trapped in a poignant longing that her current circumstances render unchangeable.Yet, her resolve to sacrifice her own yearning persists, driven by t
Having regained composure, Kaitlyn chooses to return to the hospital room for some rest. Upon entering, Dean hurriedly approaches her, desperation evident in his demeanor.He gently cups her cheeks, observing her puffy eyes and red nose. "What happened? Were you crying?" he inquires with deep concern etched on his face.Her response was a gentle push, his attempt at comfort dismissed."I want to sleep," she stated, avoiding eye contact. Though hurt, he accepted the rejection, attributing it to the unpredictability of her pregnancy hormones."Where have you been, though? Who were you with?" he managed to ask, keeping his composure, reluctant to entertain thoughts of Kaitlyn being with someone else."Can you please stop with those questions? It's not like I have the freedom to just go with anyone, knowing you'd-- ugh... Just stop asking questions. Please," she sighed in surrender, carefully climbing onto her bed.Dean stares at her, clenching his teeth. It seems like Kaitlyn is slipping
Alone in the chilly evening, Kaitlyn clutches herself, the echo of her footsteps lost beneath silent sobs. The cold air fails to quell the heat of her tears.Unbeknownst to her, she finds herself at a children's playground and decides to sit on a swing. Laughter and merriment surround her, but she remains isolated.Recollections of a time when her mother thrived and her father was healthy flood her mind, emphasizing the stark contrast to her current reality.'It's tough growing up,' she reflects, realizing the weight of the more significant challenges she faces compared to her carefree childhood.If only she had foreseen that her love for a man who couldn't appreciate her true self would lead to misery, she might have pursued her passion for painting beautiful scenes.Harshly wiping away her tears, a blend of self-pity and frustration takes hold. She resents her own heart, feeling vulnerable and lost without a clear path.These thoughts unleash another wave of tears, her sobs echoing
Muffled voices resonated through the hospital, blending with the noises of a wheeled bed gliding against the tiled floor. Kaitlyn, now in the emergency room, lay unconscious as nurses and doctors urgently collaborated to sustain her fragile hold on life.Amidst the controlled chaos, Dean, finally arriving at the hospital, stirred a commotion when denied entry to see his wife. Dr. Fiona Salvatore, the head doctor and Kaitlyn's friend, emerged from her office after being summoned. Shock gripped her as she witnessed Dean, his clothes stained with blood."What... happened?" she inquired, facing Dean with a wet face of tears."Fiona, please... Please save my wife... Save Kaitlyn..." Dean begged, holding onto the doctor's hand. Reacting to Kaitlyn's name, Fiona rushed into the emergency room, discovering a bloodied and battered Kaitlyn under the care of the medical staff. Suppressing her emotions, Fiona checked Kaitlyn's wrist for a faint pulse, determined to distinguish between Kaitlyn's a
Dean, who returned to his hotel room, sighed and took off his shirt. He laid on his bed, staring at the ceiling. Kaitlyn's words about wanting to die just wouldn't leave his mind. He knew she was devastated about losing their baby, but they could always try again.He thought it was his child too, and she should know he was devastated at losing their baby as well. But maybe it would be too selfish of him to tell her that.He sat up, got off the bed to have a bath when his phone rang. He immediately answered, thinking it was from the hospital, only to find out it was Cattalina, the model he took with him for the collaborative photography project."Good morning, Mr. Castellan. It's Cattalina Denver. Would you be able to meet with me and the Rileyville staff for the photoshoot today?" Cattalina asked politely on the other line.Dean sighed and rubbed his temples, "I'm sorry, Miss Denver. You already know what happened to my wife. She finally just woke up today, and I don't want to leave h
"I missed you..." The words Kaitlyn could only utter, smiling with courage. She was filled with guilt and sorrow, still mourning after having a miscarriage.Kyle grimaced at the thought of Kaitlyn smiling, still thinking about him after losing her child. His hand trembled with anger and sorrow as he gazed down at Kaitlyn, who was all battered up, leaning back on her hospital bed."Kyle...? Do you... not miss me?" Her question almost choked her; she felt like losing her breath, but she did not bother to show it.He stood there still, quiet, just staring at her."How could you be so stubborn, Kaitlyn?" He started speaking, disappointedly wiping his tears, grieving for her lost child. "I told you not to leave me. I told you to run away with me. But no. You did not listen. Now look at you. You're a mess. You left me brokenhearted, and now you lost your child. How stupid can you still be?" His anger overwhelmed him."Kyle, you don't understand... I—" She immediately got cut off when he yel
Kaitlyn and Dean successfully acquired all the necessary items they could carry. Upon returning home, Dean was met by his personal assistant, Trina, who held stacks of files."Good day, Mr. Castellan. Sorry to intrude. Maria let me in for some updates," she introduced.Dean, coming to a stop, exchanged glances with Kaitlyn, both surprised by Trina's sudden presence. Catching his stare, Kaitlyn looked back at him, still holding onto some of their purchases."Don't give me that look, Mr. Castellan. Handling this is your job," she shrugged and headed upstairs, Maria following with the remaining items.Dean sighed, scratching the back of his head, and settled onto the sofa.Dean gestured towards a plush chair. "Trina, please have a seat. What brings you here today?"Trina gracefully lowered herself into the chair, her poised demeanor reflecting professionalism. "I wanted to brief you on some recent company updates." She held a stack of files, each one likely containing a piece of crucial
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