Zach arrived at exactly twelve o'clock.The maids prepared the food on time too.Zach would usually eat in the company cafeteria, so Madelyn knew exactly why he had come all the way here today.Zach took out his suit and sent all the maids away upon entering the villa, leaving Madelyn alone inside.The maids had prepared plenty of dishes.Zach noticed the teacups on the table, which the maids had forgotten to clear. Then, his gaze grew hostile. "Someone came here today."Madelyn sat at the dining table and answered truthfully after eating a few bites of the food. "It was Yvonne. There was something I wanted to ask her about."Then, Zach saw the nail marks on her arm. "What was it? Why didn't you just ask me instead?"Does it hurt?""I'm fine. Let's eat," Madelyn said.Zach put a piece of chicken on her plate, and the way they interacted with each other looked exactly like a married couple. "It's been three days. I need an answer.""I can stay, but you can't touch me," Madely
Zach held her face and spoke indifferently as his expression turned serious. "Whatever I do is the right thing."He did not let Madelyn go and forced her to finish her meal sitting on his lap.Then, he took her back to the room to change into a dress of his liking. She was just like a toy to him, catering to all his preferences.Madelyn wore a long dress with a coat draped over her shoulder. Then, Zach took her into his car.They went to the Ventropolis' largest shopping complex, Jardin Commercial Town, a property owned by the Jardin Corporation.All of the shops here were frequently visited by wives of wealthy men. The shopping complex offered everything from designer handbags from overseas to various customizable luxury jewelry items...Zach held Madelyn's hand firmly, with bodyguards following behind."Just tell me if there's anything you'd like to buy," Zach said to her."There's nothing I need. Zach, I want to go back!" Madelyn had never enjoyed going out.Zach coaxed her
"You go on. I'll wait outside. People are going to laugh at me if they see a man like me going into a lingerie store. I think it's better for me to stay here. Take this card and spend however much you want. Then, show me everything you bought tonight." The man then gave the woman a peck after saying that.The woman took the card and chuckled shyly. "Hey, we're in public. Behave yourself."The man patted the woman's butt before she went inside. Then, he saw Madelyn, who was sitting outside just like him.His eyes instantly lit up.However, before he could take another step closer to Madelyn, Zach's bodyguards stopped him. "Get lost if you want to live.""God, what the fuck are you being so aggressive for?"The man sat back down as he continued to stare at Madelyn, "Hey, hottie! Why are your bodyguards so aggressive?"Madelyn ignored the man who sounded exactly like a playboy from a wealthy family."Don't talk much, huh? Cool. What's your number? Wanna have some fun with me tonig
Madelyn had once felt that doing everything for someone she loved was what made her happy.She had been mostly alone growing up. No one knew how much she had wished for a perfect family. That was why she wanted to compensate for this regret of hers by getting together with Zach in her past life.However, what he was doing now was already too little, too late in her eyes.Zach asked, "Do you like these?"Madelyn remained silent. She rarely brought these things with her when she went out.The salesperson beside them smiled and said, "Mr. Jardin, you have such good taste. This is the most popular lipstick color we have right now. And this is the last one left. It matches this young lady very well! It'll look great on her."Zach did not know how to use women's products. It seemed like he was unfamiliar with it as he tried to open the lid a couple of times but failed. Finally, he pinched Madelyn's cheeks with one hand, holding the lipstick with the other hand and about to apply it to
Zach responded, "If you want to go back there, I'll take you back there in the future."Zach entered the password before he pressed down the door handle. As soon as the door was opened, a familiar scent overwhelmed their senses. It was the perfume that Madelyn had used before. The scent was fresh and sweet. She used to put this perfume in the front passenger seat too, but it was later thrown into the trash can by Zach.When they entered the apartment, the newly purchased furniture was all neatly arranged. The pink sofa stood out.Zach said, "We'll have maids coming regularly to do the household chores. In the future, you can cook for me every day and wait for me to come home."The house was indeed decorated with a homely atmosphere. Everything was decorated according to Madelyn's preferences. However, she did not feel happy at all.Zach continued saying, "If you want to draw, I've specially prepared an art room for you."That art room was connected to Zach's study. There were win
The blood on Madelyn's arm had stained the bathtub. It was heart-wrenching.Zach said, "Madelyn, do you know about Stockholm Syndrome? As long as the hostage believes there's no possibility of escaping, she'll fall in love with a criminal..."Before he turned sixteen, Zach engaged in many criminal activities with Hayson's subordinates to make a living. He had witnessed a group of men being mean to a girl. Girls like her were made to work at nightclubs because they owed too much money with really high interest.When they were severely hurt mentally and physically to the point where they broke down, they would fall in love with the abusers. Zach had seen countless examples like this...Over the next two weeks, Zach stayed in Floral Loft. Before going to work, he would have Madelyn help him get dressed, tie his tie, and make breakfast.In the evening, Madelyn would prepare a table full of dishes waiting for him to come home to have dinner together.She did what a wife would do. Howe
Even Leonardo did not know about that.Madelyn went to the swan lake at Ventrocloud High School. The sculpture in the middle of the lake which had its arm broken, had been repaired.Back then, Ethan told her that there was a secret written at the back of the sculpture. She went to see it too.That secret was her name, Madelyn Jent.When they met here back then, there was actually nothing at the back of the sculpture. The things that he said were all lies that he made up just to make her laugh.After leaving the school, Madelyn heard the news that Ethan was getting married to Donna.On the street that Madelyn walked, the interview about their wedding date was playing on the roadside.Next, she headed to Ventropolis University, where Kennedy, Mya, and Lem were all studying.Mya hadn't bought her way into the university; she earned her admission through hard work. When Madelyn left, she had handed over all her notes to Mya.Mya was already in her first year at university, but her
Zach said, "What the Arnold family did in the past wasn't any better compared to what I did."As the saying goes, to the victor belong the spoils. Mrs. Arnold. Sr., whether you're truly mentally ill or just pretending to be, you should think carefully. Is the Arnold residence's land deed more important, or your grandson's life?"From what I know, the Arnold family has been struggling financially in recent years. How much longer do you think he can hold on? Huh?"Tomorrow is the deadline. Think about it carefully. I'll leave now!" He then smelled a foul odor and frowned. He put his hand in his pocket and left.The setting sun stretched Zach's shadow as he left through the villa's gate.Evelyn was once a person with high status. But now, she had dementia. She had lost control over her bladder and bowels. And without her servant, even eating and drinking had become a problem for her.Marta hurriedly helped Evelyn change into a clean set of clothes.In the dark room with only one oi
Liam was standing in the rain, and though it hadn't been long, he was thoroughly drenched.Blake quickly pulled him close, her voice laced with concern. "Are you crazy? It's pouring rain! What if you catch a cold?"Liam's look was subdued, his face showing signs of fatigue. "I'm okay. This is for you; I didn't want you to have to come out in this weather."As Blake took in his forlorn appearance, her heart softened suddenly. 'Am I losing my mind?' she thought."Now you'll have to pay more attention to me, Blake... I was just so scared of losing you. I've put everything I have into getting you to agree to marry me; the idea of you walking away is unbearable."Overwhelmed with emotion, Blake locked eyes with him. "Did she teach you to say that too?" she asked, her hand moving on its own to brush away the raindrops from his hair.A maid nearby, observing the scene, rushed over with a blanket and an umbrella. However, Grace, fully grasping the gravity of the moment, halted her. Ackno
Cecilia said, "It's fine. Let's give them a week. Rearrange the flight and all the plans for the trip. This is Blake's first time getting married and going abroad for honeymoon. I want to make sure she has a good time."Susan nodded. "Okay, Ms. Samford."Not long after Cecilia left, three editors who used to work for Olivia's company entered her office. All of them spoke in panic, "Ms. Blue, what should we do? Ms. Samford already knows everything. If the legal department finds out about it, will we go to jail?"Olivia remained calm as she said, "Don't panic. Just focus on your work.""But we got into this company through you. What if they say we got into this company through the back door and then fired us?"Olivia sat at her desk, supporting her forehead with her hands. She was obviously panicking. "Don't worry, I'll handle this."You guys can leave now."Olivia did not expect this matter to be exposed so soon. She wondered how Cecilia found out about it. 'Could it be that she'
StartReading Literary was the last place Cecilia wanted to be. But she made an exception this time.Olivia had just finalized a cooperative copyright deal with another website company. Several editors from her own company were there at StartReading Literary. As she entered the office, she saw all the editors from StartReading Literary sitting upright, not daring to make a sound.She also saw her office door was wide open. She frowned as she walked into her office and was surprised to see an unexpected gust.Olivia put down the documents in her hand. "Ms. Samford, what brings you here?"With her legs crossed and Susan standing behind her, Cecilia stared at Olivia, who was in front of her.Cecilia sneered and stood up. She ran her fingers along the desk. "StartReading is actually the last place I want to be. I came here because I found out that you enjoy meddling in other people's affairs. Otherwise, you wouldn't even qualify to see me."Olivia instantly looked wary. She remained s
Liam stood up. He watched as Blake, who looked weary, walked away. "Blake, what do you want me to do so you'll like me?"Blake did not stop walking. Instead, she took even bigger steps and left.She went to the Harper residence, which surprised everyone.Grace asked, "Blake? Why did you come back here? Where's Liam? Why didn't he come back with you?"Blake stuttered, unable to find the words. She just made up an excuse, saying, "It's nothing. I just wanted to come back."After Hannah and Yael left the wedding last night, they went back to the research institute.As for Simon, he went to the farm to manage the business.After Blake went to her room, Grace became worried. She followed her and saw her sitting with a blank expression in the room, not knowing what to do.When Blake saw Grace, she quickly adjusted her mood. "Grace, why are you here?""I came to check on you. Blake, what's wrong? Did you have a fight with Liam? You just had your wedding yesterday, and you're already
The pregnancy test report came out fifteen minutes after Blake did the test. She was indeed pregnant. She was even seven weeks pregnant.Blake had indeed been involved with Kevin while in Northern Myanmar over a month ago.She held the medical report while standing bewildered in the cold hospital corridor. Lights shone through the floor-to-ceiling window onto her body, but all Blake felt was the cold, which made her hands and feet numb.She was lost in her thoughts. 'I'm really pregnant. What should I do with this baby? I want it to be born more than anyone else. But now, everything has changed. This child shouldn't come into this world.'She wandered in the corridor. Suddenly, she saw someone coming out of another gynecological room.She thought, 'Some things are just destined by fate. When I long to see him, even catching a glimpse of him in a dream feels like a luxury, an unattainable wish. But now, when I don't want to see him, it seems he appears everywhere I go.'Kevin supp
Blake wondered, 'I'm now pregnant with Kevin's child. What should I do?'She woke up groggily when she felt someone carry her. She opened her heavy eyelids and asked, "What time is it now?"Liam responded, "It's four-thirty in the morning. It's still early; go back to sleep for a while more."Blake said in a hoarse voice, "I've made an appointment for an abortion at eight o'clock. Regardless of whether I'm really pregnant or not, I don't want to keep this child."She had thought about it all night and believed this was the best decision.Kevin was going to get engaged. Blake believed he would get married and Audrey would give birth to his children. There was simply no need for her to complicate things further.She thought, 'If I choose to be selfish and decide to keep this baby, and if people find out about it, my child will be treated as an illegitimate child. I don't even dare to imagine how badly the child will be treated.'If giving birth to the baby will bring it a lifetime
Blake continued, "What about you, Liam? Do you mind?"If you do, you can choose to divorce me. After all, I've wronged you. No one wants to marry a woman who's carrying someone else's child."Liam stepped forward on the shattered cup and hugged her tightly. "I don't mind. Blake, I love you, including everything about you. I don't mind your past. I just want to start over with you. I didn't tell you about the pregnancy because I was selfish; I wanted to keep you by my side."Blake, your child is my child. I want to raise the baby with you."Don't leave me, okay?"Blake did not know why, but she was not surprised by her pregnancy. However, she felt that there were still some things that she could not let go of, though she was unsure what those were.She was not as calm as she had imagined.She thought about her past events. Then, she indifferently said, "Liam, I don't want this child. Since I'm prepared to be with you, I won't keep this child. It wouldn't be fair to you."Liam di
On this romantic night, the moon was obscured by the clouds.Breathing heavily, Blake felt some pain in her abdomen. She asked to stop. "Liam, my stomach hurts. I think I'm going to have my period soon."Liam sobered up instantly. "I'll go get you some medicine."She peeked out from under the blanket as the bedside lamp turned on. She could clearly see Liam's naked upper body. Her face flushed as she averted her gaze. "It's fine. Just help me call the front desk and ask them to bring up a pack of sanitary pads. I'll go to the bathroom to deal with it."Liam replied, "Let's go to the hospital tomorrow for a check-up."Blake picked up her clothes from the floor and went to the bathroom. "It's okay. It's probably just my period."However, judging by the blood flowing out, it did not seem like menstrual blood to Blake. It looked like something else.Blake's voice came from the bathroom again. "I think we should go to the hospital."She sat on the toilet and watched the tall, slende
Blake had no bridesmaids, so she returned to the hotel room alone. As she stepped out of the elevator and was ready to use the room key card in her hand to swipe and enter the room, she suddenly saw a figure appear from the corner of her eye.She stopped her action and looked at the person who had left the wedding earlier.At that moment, Blake felt her breath catch, but it was only fleeting. She then quickly regained her composure and averted her gaze. She asked, "Didn't you leave? Why are you still here?"Kevin replied, "Congratulations."Upon hearing his congratulations, Blake felt a mix of amusement and discomfort. "There's nothing to congratulate. If anything, I should congratulate you. You're soon to be the mayor's son-in-law. In the future, we won't belong in the same social class anymore."I'm tired and came back to rest. You should leave now before Liam comes up and sees you here."Don't look for me again. I don't want him to misunderstand."Kevin responded, "Audrey and