Willow and Theodore stood in the airport lobby after sending Erica and Cedar off."You knew early on that Cedar was going to study abroad, didn't you?" Willow asked with reddened eyes.Theodore gave a light nod and answered, "I'm sorry.""What are you sorry about? I really have to thank you. Thank you and Erica for helping Cedar. "If it weren't for you guys, Cedar wouldn't have gotten a recommendation letter from Stephen, and he wouldn't have gained admission into Harlings so smoothly.""Cedar is indeed talented in architecture. Even without my mom and Stephen's help, he would've gotten into an elite university sooner or later.""Still, thank you." Then, Willow took a deep breath and glanced at the time. "Let's go back.""I'll take you home.""No thanks. Isaac is waiting for me outside." Willow showed little expression on her face as she put her hands into the pockets of her coat. "When you have time, let's go and settle the divorce procedures."Theodore furrowed his eyebrows
Matthew put one hand on his chest, approximately where his heart was."I promise I'll treat the baby like my own. I'll be good to you and everyone in your family.”Willow was stunned, unable to speak for a long while. She knew Matthew had feelings for her—many had fallen for her in university. However, hadn't all those feelings faded? Besides, they had already been friends for a decade."Matthew, I always thought that you treated me the same way you treated Joey. You even seem to have more feelings for Joey, if I may add. After all, the two of you have spent more time together. You don't have to do this out of sympathy.""Sympathy? Why would you think I'm doing this because I sympathize with you? Willow, I'm serious. I bought this ring immediately when you divorced Quentin. I had no idea you would end up with Theodore after that.""Wait a minute." Willow was confused. "Aren't you dating Joey?""Joey?" Matthew's expression turned cold. "Did she say that to you?""No, but I saw yo
Matthew's words hit Joey like a sledgehammer. She felt the world spinning. "Did she say yes?""She hasn't yet, but I believe she will after she gives birth to the baby. Joey, I know I've done you wrong, but I'll make it up to you if I have the chance."He would make it up to her? Joey bit her lip and hung up.…Three months later, Willow was in City Hospital's obstetrics and gynecology department."Harder! Harder!""Focus on your breathing. Don't scream! Just push harder."Willow lay on the maternity bed completely drenched in sweat as if she was laying in a puddle of water. Her hair was stuck to her face.She knew that giving birth would be difficult, but no imagination, expectation, or knowledge could have prepared her for the moment she lay on the bed. No one could understand the pain a pregnant woman experienced when giving birth.She felt like her lower body was being torn open. The pain surged continuously until it was almost numbing.…The wind was howling, and it was
In her ward, Willow leaned against the bed, feeling surprisingly energized despite just having given birth. Her heart brimmed with joy as she gazed at the baby in the crib."What a pretty baby. She looks just like you." Matthew bent down and gazed at the baby tenderly. "A daughter is great. She'll be sweet and caring, and she'll definitely grow to be as beautiful as you are.""Oh, you can't possibly know all that right now.""By the way, have you decided on her name?"Willow answered with a smile, "I'll call her Yasmine. Yasmine Jett.""Yasmine Bassett." She heard a man speaking, his voice cold but assertive.Theodore stepped into the room, his gaze never moving away from Willow. He said, "My daughter should take the Bassett name, not the Jett name."Willow narrowed her eyes. Matthew frowned too. "Why did you come here again?"Clark was behind Theodore, accompanied by a middle-aged woman. He quickly explained, "Mr. Bassett went shopping for the best baby products for Madam Will
Yasmine laid in the crib. There was a small mole visible on her forehead.She hadn't opened her eyes yet, and her tiny face looked paler compared to when she just came out of the delivery room. However, she still looked like a thin, wrinkly baby monkey. She had tiny facial features, which were so adorable that made people want to protect her.Theodore was thrilled beyond words. He had been the epitome of calm and collected, but he couldn't hide the smile on his face at this moment."Willow, can I hold her?""Okay." Willow nodded.Theodore carefully carried Yasmine out of the crib and into his arms. Yasmine was as light as a feather as she snuggled quietly in his embrace."Yasmine, I'm your dad. I'm Dad…" He repeated himself like a child. He looked gentle and loving as the sunlight shone on him through the windows.Willow looked at him in a daze. All the dissatisfaction in her heart had faded a little at this moment."Willow, look! Yasmine smiled." Theodore held Yasmine in fro
Being a stepmother was no easy feat. That was why many women refused to have their husbands bring along a child from their ex-wives.However, Iris decided to do the opposite. She knew very well that if Willow's child stayed with her, it was a legitimate reason for Theodore to meet them frequently. Those frequent meetings could rekindle something else.Iris didn't plan on hiding anything. She said honestly, "Aunt Ellie, nothing ever escapes your keen eyes.""I can help you, but what's in it for me?""Is Finley feeling comfortable since he just joined the company?"Iris got a hold of Ellie's weakness immediately. When Finley quit the entertainment industry, Theodore—under Sara's wishes—arranged for him to enter Bassett Corporation.Unfortunately, Finley was having a tough time in the company. After all, he was used to having complete freedom. He couldn't fit in here."If you have me around Theodore, how much help do you think I can be for Finley?"Ellie narrowed her eyes. Nothing
"That's my daughter! You have no right to take her away!" Willow wanted to charge forward but was held down by two bodyguards. She struggled in vain.Ellie held Yasmine as she brushed her finger across Yasmine's cheek. The tender sensation of her skin made Ellie soften in maternal love, but Ellie quickly resumed her cold and stern self."Ms. Jett, as someone who has gone through this before, let me give you some advice. It's a good thing to give the Bassett family the baby. Maybe this will be your backup plan in the future."Back then, she had handed Finley to Sara first before she joined the Bassett family. She didn't know who was the easier target to control between Iris and Willow. However, she was sure that balancing between the two of them was the most advantageous option."Let's go," Ellie said and left with Yasmine in her arms. Willow stumbled as she chased after Ellie, only to see two cars speeding away."Ms. Jett!" Annie and Isaac soon caught up to her.Willow grabbed Is
Ellie was a mom too, so she really understood how Willow was feeling right now and felt sorry for her. But sadly, feeling sorry wasn't going to help.She gently pulled her hand away from Willow's and said, "Ms. Jett, I'm sorry, but if you want to blame someone, blame Madam Sara. I have to follow her orders."Willow replied, "Then tell Madam Sara that if I can't see my child, I'm staying right here. I won't move."Ellie frowned. A chilly breeze blew past them, scattering the leaves. Willow stood by the gate without a coat, looking pale and tired, but she was determined. She wasn't going to move no matter what."Fine. Stay if you want," Ellie said with a frown and started to walk away. After a few steps, she stopped and turned back, saying, "One more thing—today's situation wasn't Madam Sara's idea."Willow froze. If it wasn't Sara's idea, then whose was it? However, she didn't get an answer because Ellie had already gone inside."Ms. Jett," Isaac called out as he rushed over after
"What choice do you think I need to make?" Theodore stepped closer. His tone was filled with displeasure. "What are my choices?"Willow hesitated for a moment but maintained her composure as she voiced her concerns. "We need to face reality, Theodore. I will take Yasmine back to Portumville, and you're tied to the Bassett family. Who knows what will happen in the future?""So, you're giving me a heads-up so I can find someone else sooner?""I—""Should I be thanking you then?" Theodore's anger flared. "Willow, this is what's on your mind after everything we've been through? What do you take me for? What do you take yourself for?""I…" Willow found herself speechless."Are you doing this on purpose?""No, I'm not." Willow tried to explain herself, but for once, her words failed her.Theodore's eyes burned with frustration. Seeing her struggling to justify herself only fueled his anger more. He grabbed her wrist and pulled her close.Willow let out a startled muffle, but it was
Willow noticed something odd and asked, "When did you two get so close? Cedar, you even know what game Jessica likes?"Cedar casually replied, "She posted about it on Instagram."Willow's expression changed to one of realization. "Oh, right. I remember now."After saying that, she looked at Jessica with a raised eyebrow and proudly said, "See how thoughtful Cedar is? He remembered such details and even brought the game you wanted. I wonder which lucky girl will end up with him."Jessica forced a smile and awkwardly shoved the game console under the pillow as if it were something unpleasant to touch.Yasmine raised her head. "End up with him? What does that mean?"Willow patiently explained, "It means who will marry Uncle Cedar.""It must be Ms. Sweeney!" Yasmine pointed to the bed next to her and blurted out, "Uncle Cedar saved her. She said she'll marry him to repay the favor."Willow's face was filled with shock while Jessica quickly waved her hand. "No! I never said that. Wh
At the City Hospital, since both Willow and Jessica needed to stay in the hospital, Terence decided to use a bit of his authority to arrange for them to share a room."So what are your plans? Are you not going back to Portumville?" Jessica asked."I still have to go back. The company headquarters is there. Have you ever seen a president of a public company who never goes to the office? Joywell is still growing. I can't leave," Willow explained."So when are you planning to go back?"Willow hesitated. "I'm still thinking."Balancing a career and family was tough. One had to give way to the other."There's nothing to think about. You wouldn't want to give up Joywell's prime opportunity, and you wouldn't want to keep flying back and forth to see Yasmine. Just have Theodore go with you to Portumville then."Jessica, with her independent mindset, often focused on herself and didn't always consider the practicalities of others' situations.Just then, a knock came at the door. "Come i
As Theodore closed the door behind him, Terence turned to him with a concerned look. "Aren't you going to stay with her?""Let her be alone for a while," Theodore replied.Through the glass on the door, Theodore could see the frail figure lying on the hospital bed, and his heart ached for her."By the way, how's Jessica?"Terence responded, "She's fine. Cedar's with her. Thankfully, he noticed in time, and the sleeping pills weren't of a lethal dose."Joey had drugged Jessica with an overdose of sleeping pills. Then, she was left unconscious and tied up in a small storage room at an apartment in Marldosa Gardens.Following that, Joey hired someone from the black market to drive Jessica's car to Portumville, which caused the car's GPS to show up constantly on the highway.Terence couldn't help but ask, "Are Cedar and Jessica…""I don't know," Theodore replied flatly, "but it's not a bad thing.""Not necessarily," Terence said, crossing his arms. "It's fine for the heiress of Re
At the hospital, Willow's neck wound had been stitched up with four sutures. She had to stay in the hospital for observation.Terence was still in the operating room with Matthew. Over an hour had passed with no news. Yet, Matthew's family couldn't be reached at the moment.Theodore sat by her bedside. "Be careful.""I'm fine," Willow replied, leaning against the headboard. "How did you find out that Joey and I were at the riverbank?""Matthew called me." Theodore's voice was rough. He covered Willow with a blanket and began to explain the recent events."I had a DNA test done with Yasmine and confirmed Iris' claims. At least it proved that Joey was the one who took Yasmine back then. After that, I had Clark start investigating Joey."The first thing Clark did was track down the doctor who did the DNA test for Matthew and Yasmine, and sure enough, Joey was there meeting him."When Clark arrived, the doctor was already dead. His body was hidden in the garage at Marldosa Gardens.
Willow's words crushed Joey completely.Possessiveness? To others, her years of admiration and waiting were nothing more than laughable possessiveness."They're over there!" A voice suddenly rang out. Following that, the chaotic sound of footsteps echoed from the other side of the rocks.Willow looked up to see a tall, familiar figure rushing toward her. Without needing to guess, she knew how anxious the man must have been. Her nose tingled, and tears suddenly began to fall.As Joey glanced at the approaching police, she tightened her grip on Willow and dragged her backward. "Don't come any closer! Stay back!" she shouted.Theodore, who was more frightened than he had ever been, also roared, "Don't go any further! Let her go, Joey.""Let her go?" Joey laughed bitterly. "And let her reunite with your family? Dream on!""Joey." Willow managed to squeeze out the words through her pain. "Stop it, Joey."Even at this moment, she hoped Joey would have a change of heart and turn awa
Willow lay on the rocks as her neck bled and stained the collar of her white shirt. The scene was shocking. But compared to the pool of blood beneath Matthew, her injuries were nothing. Even though she desperately tried to escape, the distance she crawled was far from enough to save her life.Footsteps approached from behind; Joey had released Matthew and was walking toward Willow."Do you know what he just told me?" Joey's voice came from behind as Willow continued to crawl away.Joey didn't stop her, and she merely paced alongside Willow. For every step Willow took, Joey mirrored her, patiently recounting her conversation with Matthew."I asked him if he ever loved me. Do you know what he said?""He told me to let you go."In the wind of the river, Joey's laughter sounded particularly eerie. "Even at this moment, he only thinks of you. His loyalty to you is absolute, isn't it? I want to ask you a question."Suddenly, Joey squatted down and yanked Willow's hair, forcing her
"Leave right now?" Joey asked incredulously. She then burst into tears. "If only you had said this three years ago!""It's not too late now.""It is too late," Joey said as she shook her head. Willow felt herself being choked. She struggled for breath as the immense force pressed against her neck and pulled her toward the edge of the rocky outcrop with the raging river below."Joey!" Matthew staggered closer."Don't come any closer!"Willow felt a sharp pain in her neck as the knife's blade dug deeper into her flesh."Joey." She gritted her teeth against the agony and asked, "So Yasmine really was stolen by you, wasn't she?""You're still asking such questions at this point? Willow, you really are stupid.""Where's Yasmine?""Ha! What do you think?" Joey's laughter was manic.The rhetorical question sent Willow plummeting into despair as if reliving the anguish from three years ago. It felt like her heart and lungs shook violently, and every nerve of hers screamed in pain.
"We've known each other for so many years, and now, suddenly, I plan to leave Emperia. It's hard not to feel a bit reluctant," Joey said with a hint of nostalgia, her expression darkening as she turned to look at Willow.As the river breeze blew, Willow felt something unfamiliar about the woman in front of her, as if she had never known her at all."What's wrong?"Joey noticed the strange look in Willow's eyes.Willow steadied herself, hiding her immense shock and confusion behind her clenched fist, and casually asked, "When do you plan to leave? Have you decided where to go?""We're thinking of heading to Westwood first. Do you still remember we made a promise in college to go to Westwood for our graduation trip?""I remember.""But you suddenly decided to get married at that time and got busy with matters at Strand Real Estate.""Actually, you didn't have to worry about me. You could have gone without me.""Didn't you know? Matthew liked you, so when he heard you weren't goi