Overnight

Samuel walked into the bathroom, turned on the cold shower, and let the icy water hit him. Ciara, meanwhile, was curled up on the bed in the second bedroom, hugging her legs and berating herself. Why hadn’t she reacted more strongly to his embrace?

“Do you really want to marry into a wealthy family, Ciara Summers?” she thought. “You’re so shameless. Samuel was clearly repulsed. How could he be interested in someone just out of prison and pregnant?”

Her restless night was filled with self-reproach. She woke up early the next morning and found the living room empty. She quickly wrote a note on a piece of paper with her strong, neat handwriting: “Please excuse me, Mr. Fury. I assumed you wouldn’t return, and I’m sorry for using your bathroom. I’ll pretend nothing happened, and I hope you will too.”

After leaving the note, Ciara went to the hospital to visit Mary. She hadn’t seen the housekeeper that morning, realizing that Mary had made arrangements for her and Samuel to spend the night together.

When Ciara arrived at the ward, Mary’s eyes scanned her. “Sabbie, why are you up so early? You should be resting more.”

Embarrassed, Ciara replied, “Mom, let’s not talk about it.”

“Did you have a good night?” Mary asked with a smile.

“Yes,” Ciara said vaguely and hugged Mary tightly. “Thank you for everything.”

Mary held her close. “You and Samuel are such a good match. I knew it from the start. I’ll make sure you have a wonderful wedding.”

“Thanks, Mom.” Although it was just a pretense, Ciara felt grateful. Mary, however, was sincere in her wish to give Ciara a comfortable life.

Ciara spent the morning with Mary, chatting and keeping her company. As Mary needed to rest, Ciara left once she fell asleep. She was eager to find a job.

While walking down the street, Ciara noticed an ad for an Architectural Assistant position. Though she had studied architecture in college before her arrest, she knew her prospects were slim due to her lack of a degree and current circumstances. Still, she decided to try her luck.

Ciara quickly sketched some practical structural diagrams and had them printed. She emailed them with hope and then received a call from an unknown number.

“Hello?” she answered.

“Ciara.” Linda’s smug voice came through.

“How did you get my number?” Ciara asked, puzzled.

“Hah! Finding out your number was easy once I knew where you lived,” Linda replied with a laugh. “I’m sorry for my behavior yesterday. You can come by around four or five this afternoon to pick up your mother’s pictures.”

Ciara didn’t dwell on Linda’s sudden change of tone. She was just eager to retrieve the pictures. 

When Ciara arrived at the Luscious Residence later that day, she walked in and asked Ruby, “Where are my mother’s pictures? I’ll take them and leave.”

Ruby greeted her with an unusual warmth. “Why rush off, Ciara? Since you’re here, why not stay for a bit?”

“Not interested!” Ciara said coolly.

“Oh, really?” Ruby’s tone was dripping with sarcasm. “You’re too good for the house you grew up in? I suppose you’re too proud now that you’re marrying someone wealthier than us?”

“That’s right. I’ve found a husband who’s far richer than the Luscious family. Maybe I’ll even help your family out in the future,” Ciara replied, lifting her chin in arrogance.

Ruby was visibly fuming. “You dare make such boasts? Why don’t you bring your rich husband here so we can all meet him?”

As if on cue, Linda appeared at the door with a man. To Ciara’s surprise, the man was Samuel.

Ciara’s heart sank when she saw Samuel. She had expected that someone with his background would have relationships, but she never imagined Linda would be his girlfriend. It seemed life had its cruel ironies—those who had once tormented her were thriving while her own future felt bleak and uncertain.

Trying to mask her hurt, Ciara said calmly, “How would someone like me find a wealthy husband? I was just joking earlier. Since you have company, I’ll leave. Please just give me my mother’s pictures so I can go.”

She avoided looking at Samuel, as if they were strangers. Samuel remained stoic, his expression impassive. He didn’t want to be here, but most importantly, he hadn’t expected to see Ciara.

Colt and Ruby were privately pleased to see the lack of familiarity between Samuel and Ciara. Ciara was unaware that the man she once helped had become a prominent figure in South City overnight.

Linda exchanged a knowing glance with her parents and said, “Ciara, my boyfriend just arrived. It’s quite rude to leave now. He might think we mistreated you.”

Turning to Samuel, Linda added, “Darling Samuel, you weren’t aware, but my family supported her since she was a teenager. Despite that, she ended up in jail during her sophomore year.”

Samuel shot Ciara a disdainful look and said to Linda, “Avoid associating with such people in the future.”

“As you wish, Darling Samuel. But she must join us for dinner. After all, she lived with us for eight years and my family holds her dear,” Linda said sweetly, casting a mocking smile at Ciara.

Linda seemed eager to flaunt her relationship with Samuel, wanting Ciara to see how perfect they were. If not for the fear of Samuel discovering her true intentions, Linda might have directly told Ciara that the man she had sacrificed so much for was now her husband.

Determined not to waste the trip, Ciara agreed, “I’ll stay for dinner.” She had no other place to eat, and the dinner could be worth it if she could get the pictures and leave.

After sitting down, Ruby handed Ciara two photographs. As Ciara looked at her mother’s pictures, tears welled up. She had yet to learn how her mother died, and the indignity of eating with these people while holding her mother’s pictures was unbearable.

She decided to claim the money Samuel owed her and use it to investigate her mother’s death. If the Luscious family had a hand in it, they would pay dearly.

Ciara tucked the photos into her bag and sat in a corner. The Luscious family ignored her as they fawned over Samuel.

“Young Master Samuel, what do you think of your upcoming marriage to Linda?” Colt asked, trying to impress Samuel in a manner reminiscent of old-fashioned sycophancy.

Samuel, his tone cold, replied, “I’ll marry your daughter, but not for another two months.”

He was displeased with how the Luscious family discussed the marriage in front of him, and the sight of Ciara, who seemed indifferent, only added to his frustration.

Colt, feeling the sting of Samuel’s disapproval, meekly responded, “As you say.”

Linda, with a sugary tone, interjected, “Darling Samuel, I’m eager for our wedding. The weather will turn cold in two months. Couldn’t we have it this month instead?”

Samuel, irritated by her false sweetness, replied sharply, “The wedding will be in two months.”

Linda forced a strained smile. “Alright, if you say so.”

She shot Ciara a malevolent glare, but Ciara, more concerned with her hunger, ignored her. She was pregnant and needed to eat.

Sensing Linda’s gaze, Ciara turned and asked, “Is it time to eat?”

Linda was taken aback. Her attempt to provoke Ciara had no effect.

Samuel cast a curious glance at Ciara, noting her composure with a hint of surprise. 

When the maid served the dishes, Ciara immediately spotted the peach pudding cake, Linda’s favorite. She took the cake and started eating it before Linda could reach it.

Linda was incredulous. “You…” 

Ruby, seething with anger but restrained by Samuel’s presence, forced a smile. “Ciara, I didn’t realize you liked desserts so much.”

“Yes, I’ve always wanted to try it,” Ciara said between bites.

Ruby, her teeth clenched, laughed through her irritation. “Is there anything else you’d like?”

Ciara glanced at the table and mentioned a few more dishes. She knew they were likely cursing her internally, but she didn’t care. She needed to ensure her baby was well-fed.

After finishing her meal, Ciara put down her fork and said, “I’m full. I’ll be leaving now.”

Linda, no longer interested in playing the charming fiancée, taunted, “I guess you have to rush back to start your business, right?”