"Wait for me!" Willow exclaimed.…Soon, the three of them found a nearby restaurant for lunch.Surprisingly, Theodore was considerate. He knew that a child's meal was different from an adult's, so he instructed the chef to cook Yasmine's steak well-done and with minimal seasoning."Yasmine, wipe your hands.""They're clean!"Yasmine grinned and made a funny face at Theodore.He patiently cut her steak into small pieces and even wiped her mouth after each bite.As she watched how meticulously he cared for Yasmine, Willow found herself momentarily lost in thought.Maybe he wasn't the ideal husband, but he would make a great father. He probably spent a lot of time taking care of children at home, which explained why Iris often used their child as a shield.After lunch, Yasmine was drawn to the children's play area. A waiter led her away, leaving Willow and Theodore alone at the table."I remember you don't have many relatives, and that your mom raised you and your brother on h
Willow inexplicably agreed to Theodore's request.She couldn't even explain her own actions. She wasn't sure if she truly wanted to give Yasmine a good time before her biological parents took her away, or if it was an attempt to soothe the guilt she'd carried for three years and pretending that her own daughter was still alive.Whatever the case was, both she and Theodore knew neither of them were there for work.…"Work? What kind of work is he so busy with that he can't even answer the phone?"In her hotel room, Iris clutched her phone and angrily shouted at Sean on the other end. "Tell me where he is right now!""Ms. Saville, I'm sorry. I can't share that information with you. If there's anything you need, feel free to tell me, and I'll handle it.""Handle it? How could you possibly handle it? My son is sick and needs his father by his side. Can you take care of that?""Ms. Saville." Sean said with obvious exasperation, "Please try to understand Mr. Bassett. Every time you'v
"Oh no, the ice cream is melting!" Yasmine exclaimed in surprise.Willow snapped back to reality and glanced at the ice cream in her hand. She quickly handed it over to Theodore, only to realize he didn't have a free hand to take it."Why don't you put Yasmine down?""No need."Theodore bent down slightly and took a bite from the ice cream in Willow's hand.Willow's face suddenly flushed with self-consciousness. Only then did she notice the curious, somewhat amused stares of the people around them."Can't you just hold it yourself?"Theodore said seriously, "There are too many people around. What if I put Yasmine down and she runs off and gets lost?"Willow had no response to that.Being the clever little girl she was, Yasmine played along with the situation. As they continued their play, people mistook them for a family of three. Yasmine didn't hesitate to start calling Willow and Theodore "Mommy" and "Daddy".The amusement park was filled with families. While they waited in
Suddenly, a heavy rain began to pour outside. Despite the loud rumbling of thunder, Willow's voice was crystal clear."How long has this been going on?" she asked again."What?""Don't play dumb with me! How long have you been relying on this medication?"She continued as her tone was laced with anger, "Dr. Roth mentioned before that you had symptoms of drug dependency."He thought it was because you were taking sleeping pills for so long, but he has no idea you've been taking these, does he?""This medication doesn't really have any serious side effects," Theodore replied."No serious side effects? Then why is it listed as a controlled substance by the World Health Organization?"Willow was so furious that she slammed the bottle of pills down on the coffee table.After a brief moment of shock, Theodore slowly sat up. "How do you know this drug is banned?""I have a friend who used to take it."If she hadn't recognized the pills, she might've thought they were just regular p
Sean had barely begun to speak when Iris cut him off angrily. "If Theodore isn't coming, there's no way I'm sending Yaron to the hospital by myself! Tell him to call me back." With that, she ended the call abruptly.Sean stared at his phone and said bitterly, "You heard her. There's no point in giving the phone back to Theodore since she's being completely unreasonable. "If something serious had happened to Yaron, do you really think she'd still be waiting for Mr. Bassett?"Willow's brow creased in concern. "But what if something really is wrong? Sean, you should go, just in case." Then, she reached for her coat and added, "I'll come with you. Better safe than sorry."The rain was coming down in sheets as Willow and Sean drove to the hotel. When they rang the doorbell, Iris answered, her face tightening the moment she saw them standing together."What are you doing here? Where's Theodore?" Iris demanded.Willow remained expressionless and replied, "He's caught up with somethin
Willow and Sean took Yaron to the hospital. When the doctor checked Yaron's temperature, it was dangerously close to 104 degrees.The doctor, assuming Willow was Yaron's mother, snapped at her. "Why did you wait so long to bring him in? Don't you realize a fever this high could cause brain damage?"Willow stayed silent, cradling Yaron as he received an IV at the infusion center. Though he was only three, he was noticeably plump, and she could feel the full weight of his body pressing into her. It was clear that the Bassetts had spoiled him."Mommy…" Yaron's murmur drifted over.Willow leaned closer and realized he was talking in his sleep."Mommy, I'm cold. I don't want to take a bath. The water's too cold."Willow was startled. Cold bath water? How could that be?…The next morning, the doctor came to check on Yaron."The fever's gone down," he said."Yaron's been having recurring fevers for the past few days. Could there be something else going on? Should he stay in the hos
Theodore was at a loss for words.Sean cut straight to the point. "Mr. Bassett, there's something you don't know. Yaron's been having fevers over and over because Ms. Saville has been giving him cold baths. "If Ms. Jett hadn't rushed over last night and taken him to the hospital, the doctor said he could've suffered brain damage."Theodore's expression darkened instantly. Just then, a pounding echoed through the room as someone banged on the door."Willow! Willow, open up!" Iris' voice was unmistakable even through the door.Exhausted from the night before, Willow didn't have the energy to engage with anyone. She glanced at Theodore. "Sort out your own family problems."Theodore's expression hardened and he clenched his fists. "Please, just watch over Yaron while I handle this."Willow hummed in response and guided Yaron into the bedroom to escape the chaos brewing outside. She was far too exhausted to face Iris' madness.The relentless banging on the door continued until Th
Willow stood behind the door, too stunned to gather her thoughts. Had Theodore known all this time that Yaron wasn't his son? For three years?Her eyes drifted toward the balcony, where Yasmine, who was still in her pajamas, played happily with Yaron. The two children, quick to bond, had become friends after exchanging only a few words.In the living room, Theodore reached out to help Iris to her feet.Iris had always believed that every man had a weakness for a woman's tears. It was an unspoken rule she lived by. She was certain that if she could just melt Theodore's heart, everything would fall into place. But compassion, like everything else, had its limits, and Theodore's for her had long since run dry after the past three years."I told you I'd take responsibility, but there are things I can't give you. I made that clear a long time ago. Sean, take her back to Emperia now." Theodore's cold voice cut through the room.The moment he released her hand, Iris felt her legs give
"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