"Pretty much. I think she was just uncomfortable in a new place, so she was fussy and cried a lot."Willow looked at Yasmine in Kathy's arms, trying to picture Theodore calming their baby. The image in her mind was blurry, almost impossible to clearly imagine.…At Bassett Corporation, Theodore went back to his office after the morning meeting. He leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes to rest for a moment.Clark noticed and asked, "Didn't sleep well last night, Mr. Bassett?"Theodore opened his eyes and saw the file Clark was holding. "What do you need?""The bidding contract.""Give it to me."As soon as he took the file, his phone started buzzing on the desk. Theodore looked at his phone—it was a call from Iris."Hello?""Theodore," Iris said in a soft, sweet voice. "I'm out shopping with Bernice. I'm planning to make meatloaf for dinner tonight.""You don't need to do that," Theodore replied. "Let the maid take care of it.""It's okay. I want to try cooking myself
The lounge door was open, and many guests were gathered around. When Iris walked in, everyone turned to look at her. When she noticed Iris, Kathy looked surprised and annoyed. "What are you doing here?"Iris, flanked by Bernice—the same maid who had been so rude to Willow at the Bassett Residence—shot back, "Why does it matter to you?"Willow quickly handed Yasmine to Kathy. "Kathy, could you hold her for a moment?"Kathy instinctively took the baby and moved to the side. Iris proudly walked in with her big belly, as if she were parading a trophy. Everyone started whispering and gossiping about her. Willow looked tense and worried."I'm here to celebrate Yasmine's one-month milestone. Don't get the wrong idea." Iris spoke sweetly, but her smile seemed forced.Willow replied coolly, "There's no need to misunderstand. Guests are always welcome.""I'm glad to hear that. I brought these bracelets for Yasmine. Let's see if they fit," Iris said with a big smile, pulling out the silve
"Ms. Saville, you're not as important as you think."Willow's expression remained stern. "Today is my daughter's Sip and See party, and you showed up uninvited. "Out of respect for my husband, I won't dwell on your lack of manners. But playing innocent and staging your own little drama? I'm not interested in playing along.""Willow, you've misunderstood me. I didn't mean anything by it.""Didn't mean anything?" Willow's gaze dropped to Iris' pregnant belly. "You arrived here heavily pregnant. Those who know my husband might understand, but what about those who don't? "This could cause unnecessary misunderstandings. Are you planning to explain it to everyone? The Bassett family has a reputation to uphold."Unnecessary misunderstandings? Whispers began to circulate among the guests and the lounge was filled with tension. Did this mean that the child in Iris' stomach wasn't Theodore's?Iris' face instantly went pale. "Theodore," she called out.Willow's eyes remained fixed on Th
Willow's relentless questioning reminded Theodore of something. He furrowed his brow, deep in thought.Since the Sip and See party had not yet ended, Willow used the excuse of feeling unwell to take Yasmine and Kathy home. After she put Yasmine to sleep, Willow received a call from Terence."Willow, I have the hospital's pregnancy check-up report.""What does it say?""Due to professional confidentiality, I can't send you the original document. I can only answer your questions verbally.""Alright."There was a pause on the other end. Terence hesitated before he said, "The date should be between the 15th and 20th of that month."Willow calculated the dates and realized something. Her eyes narrowed slightly."Willow, why are you investigating this? Why does the exact date matter?""Dr. Roth, what if I told you that I suspect the child in Iris' belly isn't Theodore's?""What?"Willow tightened her grip on the phone, ready to explain. But when she heard the door open behind her,
"She's listening." A cold voice echoed through the room. There was a brief silence on the other end of the line. "Theodore? Where's Willow? What did you do to her? Why do you have her phone?" Matthew's voice was laced with concern, clearly worried about Willow.The more anxious Matthew sounded, the darker Theodore's expression became. "Mr. Evans, do you really think you're fit to be my daughter's stepfather? You're not," Theodore replied icily."Theodore, what you're doing is against the law. You're restricting Willow and Yasmine's freedom.""Restricting them?" Theodore tightened his grip and pulled Willow in front of him. "Tell him, Willow. Have I restricted you or our daughter's freedom?"Willow's eyes were misty, and her eye sockets were red. She gritted her teeth and said, "No.""Willow!" Matthew's voice grew even more frantic upon hearing her. "Are you okay?""She's fine," Theodore interrupted coldly. "Matthew, you want to take this to court? I'll see you there. "But let
The bedroom was dimly lit. Amidst Willow's intense struggle, the sound of the fabric tearing blended with her ragged breaths. Her resistance only intensified Theodore's anger. Another rip echoed through the room as more of her nightgown was torn away.A sharp noise rang in her ears, and a wave of bitter self-mockery surged within her. Gradually, her strength to resist faded. Her slender shoulders trembled slightly before finally ceased to resist.Her gaze, however, remained fixed on Theodore. They were filled with deep disappointment.Theodore's expression tightened as the anger in his eyes began to fade. At that moment, despite her being beneath him, he felt an immense distance between them.The weight that held her down suddenly lifted as Theodore released her. Willow's eyes flickered as she regained her senses, only to hear the door close behind him. The sound of running water from the bathroom soon followed.Steam filled the bathroom as hot water cascaded over Theodore's head,
"Theodore, you're being unreasonable!" she snapped."I can be even more unreasonable if you don't eat," he replied calmly."I didn't refuse to eat. I just don't want to eat with you.""Well, you've got it wrong. Starting today, unless I'm away on business, if I'm in Emperia, you'll be eating all three meals with me every day.""You—""Do you want me to feed you, or will you do it yourself?" His deep voice lingered in her ear. His gaze remained fixed on her as he held the milk in front of her, waiting for her decision.Willow was so furious that her eyes burned with anger. She had no choice but to grab the milk, gulping it down in a few large swallows. "Can you let go of me now?"Theodore glanced at the table. Willow was so frustrated that she nearly grounded her teeth to dust.Even after she finished the breakfast Kathy had prepared, Theodore still showed no intention of releasing her.With one last bit of egg left on the plate, Willow snapped, "I can't eat anymore!""Then
Willow arrived at Bassett Corporation with the lunch Kathy had packed."Madam Willow, Mr. Bassett is still in a meeting. Please wait for him in his office." Dinah's face lit up as soon as she saw Willow. She quickly made Willow some tea and brought out some snacks."Madam Willow, it's been so long since I last saw you. I missed the Sip and See party yesterday because something came up at the last minute, so I haven't seen the baby yet. Linda and the others were talking about how adorable she is."Willow smiled and replied, "I have photos. Would you like to see them?""Can I?""Of course." Willow immediately unlocked her phone. She presented Dinah with an album filled with photos of Yasmine from birth until now.As Dinah admired each photo, Willow's mind drifted back over the past month. It amazed her how quickly Yasmine had grown. She had transformed from a tiny red-faced newborn into a plump, soft little baby in just a few weeks."She's growing so fast.""Yes. Babies grow up
"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