I glanced up at Victoria's forehead, noting the deep worry lines as she scanned the test results in her hands. "What's wrong?" I asked, my attention momentarily diverted by the maids spilling watermelon juice on the table."This thyroid issue has thrown my routine into chaos, Victoria. I can't figure out how to handle my sugar cravings anymore!" I exclaimed, raising my glass of watermelon juice to eye level."It's not related to the cyst," Victoria stated, removing her glasses and placing the test results on the table, while she approached me.After taking a seat beside me, Victoria leaned back on the sofa, carefully observing my expression. "When was your last menstrual cycle?" she inquired.I adjusted my position, placing my handbag beside me. "I think it was around two months ago, but it didn't seem like anything major," I mentioned. "Is there something I should be concerned about, Victoria?"Victoria Quinn was not just a personal doctor to me; she was like an elder sister, a guidi
"What's that supposed to mean, Marissa?" Tyler asked, cutting in before Renee could respond. "Of course, she's my wife. She's meant to be here with me. Who else were you expecting?" His voice was friendly, but the underlying threat made it clear he wouldn't tolerate any criticism of his beloved wife. "Hey, you!" his mother, Julia Collins, snapped as she grabbed me by the ear. "I'll take care of this," she added with a tight smile, practically dragging me out of Tyler's private room. "Can't you see? It's just three damn days until his surgery. He's finally able to see again after three years. Don't you dare stir up any trouble! Here." I was momentarily speechless. This was the same woman who had begged me to marry her son three years ago, and now she was acting so strangely. "B-but Mom, you know I'm his wife and..." Spit!! Right onto my face. "Have you lost it, Marissa?" Julia's voice was sharp and furious. I wiped the saliva from my face, staring at my mother-in-
"Mom!" I quickly brushed away my tears with the edge of my sleeve and turned to face her."Marissa, stop pretending. Let's be honest. I'm not your mother, and you're not my daughter-in-law!?! We’ve both been living a lie for too long.”"B...I don't understand...""Marissa, no more excuses. You were only there because Renee wasn't. Accept it! His heart belongs to her, and he'll never leave her. In his eyes, she's the one who stood by him through everything. You need to understand that no matter what you do, his loyalty and love will always be with her.""Can't you tell him how it really was?""Tell him what? That you're his wife? Absolutely not!" A mocking smile played on her lips. "Be realistic, Marissa. You should be grateful you got to enjoy our family's wealth. You had the privilege of sleeping beside him while other girls only dreamed of it. You've lived a luxurious life. What more could you possibly want, dear?"I closed my eyes and bowed my head in disappointment. "So, that me
I couldn't contain my anger anymore. "I regret having to tell you this, Tyler Collins, but you're now a blind man who can't see what's right in front of you. Just three days ago, you weren't disabled. You could see everything clearly even when you were blind.""Marissa!" my ex-mother-in-law called out warmly. "Please, join us for lunch. As Renee's sister, it would mean a lot to me if you could stay a bit longer before you leave. I noticed your cab driver is already waiting."I understood Julia's intentions clearly. She was trying to demonstrate to Tyler just how eager she was to see me leave.For the first time, my eyes gleamed with a hint of mischief. "Sure, Julia. If you insist." Ignoring Julia's pale expression, I confidently took a seat right next to Tyler.Before Tyler could object, Renee placed a reassuring hand on his arm. "It's alright, Tyler. After all, she is my sister, and she'll be leaving soon."Both women concealed their true intentions, maintaining a facade to save
Renee gazed lovingly at his wife, who was giggling while enjoying the taste of the meal. "What's making you laugh?" Ms. Julia Collins asked with a smile, internally admiring how perfect they looked together. "Oh, it's just this meal. It's so delicious, I can't help but smile," she said, pushing her dishes aside and leaning her head on Tyler's shoulder. "Now that you two are together, just take care of each other. I need to head back home," Ms. Julia Collins announced. "Oh, mom, please stay a bit longer," Renee said with a pout, but Ms. Julia dismissed it with a wave of her hand. "My business needs my attention. It's time for you two to take on the responsibilities and bring a Collins heir into the world," Ms. Julia said, her voice firm yet affectionate. She owned a well-established boutique business and was proud of her accomplishments. Renee's eyes then fell on a silver tray on the center table. "Is that today's mail?" she asked. "No," Ms. Julia replied with a casual shrug.
"He wants to see Dr. Michael Kim? I told him Dr. Michael is on leave, but he insisted he won't leave until someone attends to him!" the woman said, her voice tinged with frustration. "It's fine! I think he should come with me," Victoria replied with a reassuring smile. As Tyler followed Victoria into her office, he took a seat in front of her desk, his intense gaze never leaving her. His two arms rested heavily on the desk, exuding an air of impatience. "Don't mind my office, I was just promoted here!" Victoria said, trying to lighten the mood with a smile. "So, what issues do you have?" Victoria asked, her tone professional yet curious. "I need a file concerning Marissa's pregnancy results," he said, pushing his palms onto the desk and leaning forward, his brooding figure casting a shadow over the room. Suddenly, Victoria felt the room shrink under the weight of his presence. The man before her was nothing like the polished image she had seen in newspapers and magazines. T
"Where were you?" Renee’s voice was sharp as Tyler walked into the bedroom. "The doctor told you to stay inside for six months, Tyler. Six months. Do you even care what could happen if you don’t listen?"He could see the worry turning into frustration, and then, a tremble in her voice. "I don’t know why you’re pushing yourself like this," she whispered, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Are am my not enough for you to stay safe?"A wave of guilt crashed over him. "Renee, I’m sorry. It’s just… I’m losing it being cooped up in here. Not even a glimpse of my work files? I’m going crazy. How am I supposed to survive six months of this?"Renee slipped off her skirt with a knowing smile, having learned how Tyler liked to be surprised. He had always wanted this closeness between them.“I have a few ideas if you’re up for it,” she murmured, her voice low as she knelt and reached for his belt, slowly tugging down the zipper.“Come to bed…” She moved onto the bed, leaning back as she ext
“No! I’m sending my team over. Just wait five minutes,” the man said into his phone as Tyler paced restlessly. Minutes later, the man’s phone rang. “Yes... go ahead... what?” Tyler’s eyes narrowed, watching the stunned expression that overtook the man’s face. “What’s going on?” Tyler demanded. “Dr. Victoria. Last night, she put her house up for sale and left town. She packed her essentials with the help of a driver and disappeared.” “What do you mean?” Tyler snapped, stepping closer. “There has to be a way to track her down.” The man swallowed, his face tense. “My team tried, but she left without a trace.” “We won’t be able to pinpoint her destination unless we get help from someone who knows the system—security personnel or airport staff, perhaps,” the man suggested, his tone grave. Tyler’s jaw clenched as he balled his hands into tight fists, frustration surging through him. No, he wouldn’t let it end here. He wasn’t about to give up so easily. He was determined
“How’s your pregnancy going?” Victoria asked, giving her friend’s belly a gentle pat. “And how are the little ones doing?”“They’re fine. Just dealing with the morning sickness—it’s been a bit rough. Other than that, things have been going smoothly.” I shifted nervously, my fingers fidgeting as my anxiety crept in.Victoria’s smile faltered as she studied me. “What’s wrong? You look upset.”I nodded, struggling to steady my trembling lips. “After finishing my course in LA, before marrying Tyler, I planned to complete my AADA program in the UK.”Victoria’s eyes widened slightly. “But doesn’t that require an entrance exam?” I nodded again, offering a shaky smile. “Yes, and that’s the thing. I took the test, and today I found out…”“For heaven’s sake, Marissa, just say it! You’re making my heart race,” Victoria urged, leaning forward.I took a shaky breath, the weight of the news crushing me. “I found out that I failed the test,” I whispered, unable to hold back the tears as they spil
“No! I’m sending my team over. Just wait five minutes,” the man said into his phone as Tyler paced restlessly. Minutes later, the man’s phone rang. “Yes... go ahead... what?” Tyler’s eyes narrowed, watching the stunned expression that overtook the man’s face. “What’s going on?” Tyler demanded. “Dr. Victoria. Last night, she put her house up for sale and left town. She packed her essentials with the help of a driver and disappeared.” “What do you mean?” Tyler snapped, stepping closer. “There has to be a way to track her down.” The man swallowed, his face tense. “My team tried, but she left without a trace.” “We won’t be able to pinpoint her destination unless we get help from someone who knows the system—security personnel or airport staff, perhaps,” the man suggested, his tone grave. Tyler’s jaw clenched as he balled his hands into tight fists, frustration surging through him. No, he wouldn’t let it end here. He wasn’t about to give up so easily. He was determined
"Where were you?" Renee’s voice was sharp as Tyler walked into the bedroom. "The doctor told you to stay inside for six months, Tyler. Six months. Do you even care what could happen if you don’t listen?"He could see the worry turning into frustration, and then, a tremble in her voice. "I don’t know why you’re pushing yourself like this," she whispered, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Are am my not enough for you to stay safe?"A wave of guilt crashed over him. "Renee, I’m sorry. It’s just… I’m losing it being cooped up in here. Not even a glimpse of my work files? I’m going crazy. How am I supposed to survive six months of this?"Renee slipped off her skirt with a knowing smile, having learned how Tyler liked to be surprised. He had always wanted this closeness between them.“I have a few ideas if you’re up for it,” she murmured, her voice low as she knelt and reached for his belt, slowly tugging down the zipper.“Come to bed…” She moved onto the bed, leaning back as she ext
"He wants to see Dr. Michael Kim? I told him Dr. Michael is on leave, but he insisted he won't leave until someone attends to him!" the woman said, her voice tinged with frustration. "It's fine! I think he should come with me," Victoria replied with a reassuring smile. As Tyler followed Victoria into her office, he took a seat in front of her desk, his intense gaze never leaving her. His two arms rested heavily on the desk, exuding an air of impatience. "Don't mind my office, I was just promoted here!" Victoria said, trying to lighten the mood with a smile. "So, what issues do you have?" Victoria asked, her tone professional yet curious. "I need a file concerning Marissa's pregnancy results," he said, pushing his palms onto the desk and leaning forward, his brooding figure casting a shadow over the room. Suddenly, Victoria felt the room shrink under the weight of his presence. The man before her was nothing like the polished image she had seen in newspapers and magazines. T
Renee gazed lovingly at his wife, who was giggling while enjoying the taste of the meal. "What's making you laugh?" Ms. Julia Collins asked with a smile, internally admiring how perfect they looked together. "Oh, it's just this meal. It's so delicious, I can't help but smile," she said, pushing her dishes aside and leaning her head on Tyler's shoulder. "Now that you two are together, just take care of each other. I need to head back home," Ms. Julia Collins announced. "Oh, mom, please stay a bit longer," Renee said with a pout, but Ms. Julia dismissed it with a wave of her hand. "My business needs my attention. It's time for you two to take on the responsibilities and bring a Collins heir into the world," Ms. Julia said, her voice firm yet affectionate. She owned a well-established boutique business and was proud of her accomplishments. Renee's eyes then fell on a silver tray on the center table. "Is that today's mail?" she asked. "No," Ms. Julia replied with a casual shrug.
I couldn't contain my anger anymore. "I regret having to tell you this, Tyler Collins, but you're now a blind man who can't see what's right in front of you. Just three days ago, you weren't disabled. You could see everything clearly even when you were blind.""Marissa!" my ex-mother-in-law called out warmly. "Please, join us for lunch. As Renee's sister, it would mean a lot to me if you could stay a bit longer before you leave. I noticed your cab driver is already waiting."I understood Julia's intentions clearly. She was trying to demonstrate to Tyler just how eager she was to see me leave.For the first time, my eyes gleamed with a hint of mischief. "Sure, Julia. If you insist." Ignoring Julia's pale expression, I confidently took a seat right next to Tyler.Before Tyler could object, Renee placed a reassuring hand on his arm. "It's alright, Tyler. After all, she is my sister, and she'll be leaving soon."Both women concealed their true intentions, maintaining a facade to save
"Mom!" I quickly brushed away my tears with the edge of my sleeve and turned to face her."Marissa, stop pretending. Let's be honest. I'm not your mother, and you're not my daughter-in-law!?! We’ve both been living a lie for too long.”"B...I don't understand...""Marissa, no more excuses. You were only there because Renee wasn't. Accept it! His heart belongs to her, and he'll never leave her. In his eyes, she's the one who stood by him through everything. You need to understand that no matter what you do, his loyalty and love will always be with her.""Can't you tell him how it really was?""Tell him what? That you're his wife? Absolutely not!" A mocking smile played on her lips. "Be realistic, Marissa. You should be grateful you got to enjoy our family's wealth. You had the privilege of sleeping beside him while other girls only dreamed of it. You've lived a luxurious life. What more could you possibly want, dear?"I closed my eyes and bowed my head in disappointment. "So, that me
"What's that supposed to mean, Marissa?" Tyler asked, cutting in before Renee could respond. "Of course, she's my wife. She's meant to be here with me. Who else were you expecting?" His voice was friendly, but the underlying threat made it clear he wouldn't tolerate any criticism of his beloved wife. "Hey, you!" his mother, Julia Collins, snapped as she grabbed me by the ear. "I'll take care of this," she added with a tight smile, practically dragging me out of Tyler's private room. "Can't you see? It's just three damn days until his surgery. He's finally able to see again after three years. Don't you dare stir up any trouble! Here." I was momentarily speechless. This was the same woman who had begged me to marry her son three years ago, and now she was acting so strangely. "B-but Mom, you know I'm his wife and..." Spit!! Right onto my face. "Have you lost it, Marissa?" Julia's voice was sharp and furious. I wiped the saliva from my face, staring at my mother-in-
I glanced up at Victoria's forehead, noting the deep worry lines as she scanned the test results in her hands. "What's wrong?" I asked, my attention momentarily diverted by the maids spilling watermelon juice on the table."This thyroid issue has thrown my routine into chaos, Victoria. I can't figure out how to handle my sugar cravings anymore!" I exclaimed, raising my glass of watermelon juice to eye level."It's not related to the cyst," Victoria stated, removing her glasses and placing the test results on the table, while she approached me.After taking a seat beside me, Victoria leaned back on the sofa, carefully observing my expression. "When was your last menstrual cycle?" she inquired.I adjusted my position, placing my handbag beside me. "I think it was around two months ago, but it didn't seem like anything major," I mentioned. "Is there something I should be concerned about, Victoria?"Victoria Quinn was not just a personal doctor to me; she was like an elder sister, a guidi