Charles carried Noelle to the living room. When he noticed she was only wearing a pair of flimsy slippers, his brows furrowed together. "Aren't your feet cold?""No," Noelle replied, shaking her head. However, when her gaze met Charles' dark eyes, she felt a sudden pang of guilt.She quickly lifted her feet and tucked them against Charles' thigh, trying to wiggle them under his clothes. "They're not cold anymore!"Charles narrowed his eyes but did not stop her from playing around. He squeezed her leg gently and felt the chill in her feet. "Don't do this again.""Got it."Noelle stuck out her tongue mischievously. "Why are you home so early today?""I missed you," Charles said in a low voice, his tone carrying a hint of a nasal drawl.His words stunned Noelle. Her heart warmed, and she instinctively hugged him tighter, unwilling to let go. "I missed you too," she murmured.Charles seemed pleased with her affectionate display. He ran his hand over her head, soothing her restless
"You should know that not everything is as perfect as it seems. If you open that box—""Charlie, you don't need to say it," Noelle interrupted quickly. "I understand what you're trying to tell me, but I can't go on living in ignorance like this. Do you understand?""Nelly, you still have me," Charles said, his lips trembling slightly. For the first time, he felt a deep ache for her.She was just a young woman, someone who deserved to live carefreely—not consumed by suspicion and doubt."I know you're good to me."However, Charles' kindness did not negate her need to uncover the truth. She understood he was worried about her, but sometimes, if she did not seek out the truth, she would remain trapped in a life of lies."Alright." He relented, knowing her determination. "If that's your decision, I'll stand by your side and face it with you. But promise me, no matter what happens, you won't harm yourself. Okay?"Thinking of Kelly, Noelle furrowed her brows before nodding. "Okay!"S
"Yes," Charles confirmed."Why are you asking about her?"Nancy knew Charles' personality. He would not ask unnecessary questions unless something important was at stake.Meanwhile, Clarisse, who was sitting beside Nancy, grew restless. "Is that Charlie? Can I say a few words to him? What does Charlie want to know?"Charles could hear Clarisse's voice on the other end and instinctively wanted to hang up, but then he heard her say, "Shirley? Charlie, are you asking about Shirley?"Charles hesitated. "Aunt Nancy, let her take the phone."Nancy handed the phone to Clarisse. Her heart pounded, and she felt it might leap into her throat. "Charlie, um… How are you and Noelle today?""We're fine," Charles replied, holding onto his patience. "Do you know Shirley?""Yes, I do." Clarisse nodded, despite knowing he could not see her. "Back when I lived in Capiton, Shirley often spent time there too. The circle was small, so many of her affairs were well-known. What do you want to ask?""
"Why are you suddenly asking about him?" Sean sounded surprised. "You have to understand, I was just a kid when my uncle left home. He hasn't returned since."Charles frowned. "And all these years, you've heard nothing about him?""What news could there possibly be? My old man said that since Uncle Harrison didn't want to come back, he could just die out there. So, over the years, no one from the Smiths has even tried to find him."Besides, my uncle was never the kind to stick around. He didn't have any real ties to Brookville.""Hmm?" Charles pressed further. He was too young to have a clear impression of Harrison back then, so he was unsure if he had even met the man. Now, he had to rely on Sean for information.Yet from Sean's tone, it did not seem like he knew much more than Charles did."My uncle left Brookville early on and moved to Capiton. As for how he did over there, I was too young to know. It wasn't until later, when the Smiths declared that they had disowned him, tha
Noelle leaned against Charles's chest, brushing her teeth with her back to him. Suddenly, a thought seemed to strike her, and she paused. "Charlie, how about we go back to the Hoffman residence today?""Hmm?" Charles looked up. "Why?""I feel like it's too much for you to take care of me alone. You still have to work during the day." She was not a child anymore, and relying on him all the time seemed unreasonable. "Look, you've even lost weight lately!"As she spoke, she pinched his face gently. "It's my fault.""You!" Charles sighed, lightly pinching her nose. "Alright, hurry up and wash your face. After breakfast, we'll head to the office.""Really? You're taking me to the office?""Weren't you the one who suggested it?" Charles dampened a towel and handed it to her. "How's the temperature?""Perfect!" After Noelle finished washing her face, Charles carried her out of the bathroom. Dangling her legs as he held her, Noelle moved her head close to his ear and blew softly while
Noelle could not help but smirk and shake her head. "Okay, Sean." She had just spaced out for a second. "But why are you looking for Charles? He's tied up in a meeting right now!"As she started to stand up, she asked, "What can I get you to drink?""Whoa, hold up! Don't even get up. If Charles hears that I had you, a pregnant lady, fetching coffee and water for me, he'd have my head!" Sean's face twisted into a comically horrified expression, making Noelle laugh and roll her eyes at him."Seriously, take a seat. I know my way around here like the back of my hand. I'll help myself!"With that, Sean grabbed a glass of water for himself and poured a warm cup for Noelle. "Remember, no cold water for you now that you're expecting!""Got it!"Noelle nodded. "You still haven't spilled the beans. What's up with Charles?"Sean was the type who would not show up without a good reason, so it must be something pressing.He glanced up casually. "Oh, it's nothing major. I just felt like dro
"No way!" Noelle quickly gestured with her hands. "That's not me!"She hesitated. "Well, do you think it's me?"Sean quirked an eyebrow. "If it’s not you, then who would it be?" The answer hit him almost instantly—Kelly. That woman.How had he overlooked it? Kelly and Noelle shared such a striking resemblance, so she looked a lot like Shirley too. “Did you go to that press conference yesterday about the scandal that’s all over the news?"Noelle nodded quickly, and just like that, everything clicked for Sean.That explained the late-night call from Charles. Even though Kelly was the one in the spotlight, Noelle must have had her doubts, prompting Charles to reach out to him.Putting two and two together, Sean got straight to the point. "Are you trying to figure out how you're connected to this Shirley? Or are you curious about your connection to Kelly, Grant, and the Andersons?"Noelle had harbored all these suspicions, but Sean's candidness still made her cheeks warm with embarr
"What?""Uncle had a fiancée back in the day.""Who?""Get this! It was Noelle's mom, Jade.""What?" A flicker of shock crossed Charles's narrow eyes. "You're telling me Uncle Harrison was engaged to Jade?""Yeah," Sean said, taking a sip of water and pausing momentarily. "I mean, it's wild how small our world is, right?" He was just as shocked when he first heard. "Jade is the last person you'd picture as a high-society debutante. But my aunt really thought she would be perfect for the part. Back in the day, Jade and my aunt were really close. I guess Jade wasn't as fiery back then! My aunt mentioned that Jade had a bit of a crush on my Uncle Harrison. But something went down, and Uncle Harrison took off to Capiton while Jade got married, as we know.”Charles squinted, caught off guard by the backstory. "What happened next?" He leaned in, eager for the rest of the story."There's not much to tell. Uncle Harrison never really came back after heading to Capiton. Word is that he s
Liliana did not take any medicine. She just sipped some warm water and went back to bed.Her sleep was restless, filled with dreams of her childhood, the bullies, the schoolyard taunts, and Sean...Liliana could not help thinking she was a mess. Sean had been so clear about his feelings, yet she kept trying to get close to him. Was she really that pathetic? She was even dreaming about him.She slept the whole day, waking and sleeping in fits and starts. If Keith had not kept trying to call her, eventually coming over to check on her, Liliana might have been in real trouble. She would have been sick and alone in her apartment, with no one the wiser.Ever since Keith got home last night, he could not stop worrying. He had not heard from Liliana all day, and she had not answered any of his many phone calls. Finally, he decided to go see her himself.He rang the doorbell over and over, and just when he thought Liliana might not be home, she slowly got up from her bed and opened the do
Liliana felt a wave of guilt as she watched Keith being so thoughtful.She had never felt like that before. Even though she knew she did not love Keith, she was still with him. When Keith was so kind to her, all she could think about was Sean.Liliana felt awful, but she did not know what to do about it.Keith caught Liliana's gaze. Her eyes looked a little teary. "It must be the cold. Go on up," he said.Liliana sighed. After a long moment, she gave Keith his coat back and went upstairs.Keith stayed until he saw the light turn on upstairs. Only then did he leave.Once home, Liliana rushed to the window to check if Keith was gone. When she saw he had left, the uneasy feeling inside her grew.She pulled a pregnancy test from her bag and headed to the bathroom.As the seconds slowly passed, Liliana felt like it was the longest wait ever.Liliana's eyes widened as the second pink line slowly appeared on the pregnancy test. Her face lost all color, and she stumbled backward, her
Keith spotted Liliana too. No one knew how long he had been there when he saw her step out of a car and freeze in place.Neither of them spoke. Liliana felt awkward. They were boyfriend and girlfriend, but it did not feel like enough.She knew Keith liked her a lot, and she had said yes to dating him. However, deep down, Liliana knew she was not being the girlfriend he deserved. Still, Keith was always so understanding.Just moments ago, she was in another guy's car, thinking about Sean.Seeing Keith just standing there and knowing the car was still behind her made Liliana feel like she was doing something wrong. She was torn about Sean but could not deny she liked how Keith treated her.Feeling more embarrassed than ever, Liliana gripped her bag, bit her lip, and managed a small smile. "Keith, what brings you here?"Keith had seen the car too. It had not left. As her boyfriend, he had a lot of questions, but he did not ask any of them. He just nodded. "I tried calling you, but y
Seeing Liliana still standing there, lost in her thoughts, Sean's anger flared. "Liliana, this is the last time I'm telling you. Get in the car.""How can I if you don't unlock the door?" Liliana said, feeling a mix of confusion and hurt.Even when she spoke, her voice was so soft. Next to Sean, she never seemed to be able to speak up confidently. It made sense, though. She was the one who had fallen for Sean first, and he did not love her back at all. She had always known that, had she not?Seeing Liliana looking so sad made Sean's heart clench, but he was getting impatient. "Look, I'm not used to playing chauffeur," he said.With that, Sean rolled up the car window. Liliana took a sharp breath and blinked in surprise at his words, but then she remembered he had not actually refused to drive her. She quickly opened the car door and climbed in.Once inside, she realized just how cold it was outside. She had only been standing there for a little bit, but she was already shivering.
Liliana's face turned even paler, but she could not deny Sean's logic.If something did happen to her, Charles would surely come after him. Even though her situation was awkward, she was still part of the Hoffman family. She was Tania and Peter’s guest today. If anything went wrong, Tania would surely hold Sean responsible, and Peter was Tania's boyfriend, after all.Thinking that through, Liliana almost laughed.Initially, upon seeing Sean's face, she had a tiny hope that he had forgotten their past and that they could go back to how things used to be.However, it was just wishful thinking. Sean was simply avoiding trouble, and since Peter had given him that responsibility, he was treating it strictly as a task.Liliana looked a bit pale as she pondered, and Sean noticed her unfortunate complexion. Despite that, she stubbornly refused to get into the car, and her face grew even more troubled. "Please get in the car," Sean urged.With a mix of emotions on her face, Liliana hesi
Tania could tell something was up with Liliana lately. She really wanted to be there for her friend, but she was caught up with Peter, who had just moved her into his place at Five Elements Residence.Peter was a tough nut to crack. Sometimes, Tania thought he did not like her because he was always so serious, but at night, he would ask for so much that it made her think he must be crazy about her.After their meal out, Tania had planned for Peter to drive Liliana home. They would drop her off and then head back together. However, Peter got a call and had to leave, taking Tania with him.Tania made Sean promise a bunch of times to take Liliana home because it was really late and she was worried.Once Tania and Peter were gone, Liliana felt the whole vibe change and get heavier. She could not believe Tania had asked Sean to take her home, and her heart started racing.Before Sean could get upset, Liliana got to her feet quickly and said, "Mr. Smith, it's getting late. I won't keep
Liliana's arm throbbed where Sean had grabbed it, but she bit her lip, refusing to give in. "I didn't do it on purpose. I had no idea she invited you.""Oh, you didn't know? Isn't she supposed to be your best friend?" Sean's voice was edged with sarcasm. "Or maybe this was your plan all along?""I didn't!" Liliana felt a tightness in her chest at his accusation.She pulled her arm free from his grasp, her face twisted with both anger and shame. "I truly didn't know.""Who knows what the truth is?" Sean said with a light laugh, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Tania doesn't know about us, and you think you're in the dark too? What if Tania found out who you really are? Would she...""Don't."Liliana's voice was loud and full of panic. "Please don't tell Tania." Deep down, she was being selfish. She did not want Tania to find out about her secrets.When she first became friends with Tania, all she wanted was a simple friendship. She did not want Tania to know about her embarrassi
The next few moments dragged on painfully for Liliana. She would have bolted if Tania, her best friend, had not been there.She felt that neither Sean nor Peter wanted to see her around.She did not want to be near them either.Peter was a mystery she did not dare to unravel, and as for Sean...Liliana snuck a peek at Sean when no one was looking. It had been over a month since she had last seen him, and despite herself, she was thrilled.She tried to bury her feelings in work every day, but she knew how hard it was to forget Sean completely.They had promised not to meet again, yet there they were. He could not possibly think she planned this encounter, could he?As Liliana watched Sean and lost herself in thought, she noticed him suddenly glance her way. She quickly turned away, dodging his gaze.Liliana felt like she was a thief caught red-handed when she unexpectedly ran into Sean.Upon laying eyes on Liliana, Sean could not quite figure out what he was feeling.They had
Tania's lips quivered, as if she wanted to say more, but seeing Liliana so determined, she held back.However, as Tania paid, she leaned in and whispered something to the cashier, then scribbled down an address. "Make sure it gets here, okay?"Tania settled the bill, grabbed the shopping bags, and linked arms with Liliana as they headed out. "Liliana, you're joining me for dinner tonight!"No backing out this time. You've canceled on me too many times already.""Okay, fine!"Liliana had no idea that Tania's dinner invitation also included Peter. If she had known, she would have stayed far away. When Liliana returned from the restroom, she found not just Tania and Peter, but also Sean sitting there. Her first instinct was to turn around and leave.She was about to do just that, her foot already inching backward, when Tania caught sight of her. "Liliana, where are you off to? We're right here!"Frozen in place, Liliana could not seem to move a muscle.Standing with her back to th