The driver turned on the heater in the car, and the cold air immediately disappeared."You don't need to know about that.""So, you admit you have something to do with it, huh?"Zach remained silent.Madelyn lifted her head and finally looked at him, "Why are you being quiet? Are you admitting it?"Her tone made Zach feel like she was standing on the Arnold family's side.He extended his arm, intending to touch her hair, but she moved away.He put down his hand."Knowing anything about this is not going to do you any good. Just stay out of it." Zach shifted the subject, "We'll get the paperwork done for this kid in a few days."Madelyn became more certain of her assumptions upon seeing how dismissive he was, "Why won't you admit that you killed Mrs. Arnold Sr.? Zach, murdering is illegal; you could be put in jail or even punished by the death penalty!""Are you worried about me?" Zach asked.Madelyn looked helpless, "This is not the point! Murdering someone...""Madelyn!" Z
Margaret stepped back and gestured aimlessly, "Oh my gosh! Ms. Jent, I've got to say, this child really looks like you and Mr. Jardin. Look at his eyes, nose, and mouth. It's like a combination of both of you!"'A combination?'Madelyn lowered her gaze and forced a smile, pretending not to care, "I'm no longer able to conceive. If this child does happen to resemble me, it's probably just a coincidence."From the beginning, Madelyn was also skeptical. But as time passed, this child, who was initially malnourished and skinny, had become plump and healthy. When she watched him at night, there was a voice in her heart telling her, 'Look at how much this child looks like you. He's your child.'Madelyn knew very well that she could not get pregnant in this lifetime. Besides, she had never had a child. So, the fact that this child looked like she and Zach were nothing more than a coincidence. There was a chance for people to look similar, even without any blood relation. Perhaps this chil
Madelyn could not escape Zach's clutches that night. Under the veil of night, a lamp cast its light inside the room. If one were to look in the window, one would see two figures engaged in an intimate embrace. The heavy breathing of a man and woman faintly echoed in the hallway.Scattered all over the soft carpet were pieces of the torn, thin chiffon nightgown. Madelyn had slipped from the floor-to-ceiling window, bearing the marks of a rather intense encounter. An empty, expensive bottle of wine lay on the floor. A drop of red liquid was at the bottle's opening, radiating a sparkling hue. The scent of alcohol and debauchery filled the room.It was not until the first light of dawn appeared on the horizon that Madelyn finally managed to sleep soundly. When she woke up, it was already three in the afternoon. Someone had tidied up the originally messy room at some point and had changed her into a fresh set of pajamas. When she reached down between her legs, she felt nothing but sorenes
Thinking about it, Madelyn suddenly lost her appetite. At that moment, Zach came down from upstairs. After clarifying matters with Kevin, he walked over to sit beside Madelyn. Seeing the uneaten bowl of oatmeal with fruits, he asked, "What's wrong? Is it not to your liking?""Why... don't you legally adopt this child yourself? Why do you place the responsibility on me?" Madelyn asked.Zach narrowed his eyes, "Is there a difference? Regardless of who legally adopts him, he's our child!"'That's not how it works at all!' Madelyn thought."There is a difference. He..." Suddenly, Madelyn stopped mid-sentence and looked away. She stood up, handed the child to Margaret, and said, "Nothing, forget it! You promised to take me to visit my father. I'll go upstairs to change.""Stop!"However, Madelyn did not stop her steps. Zach followed her upstairs, and the argument continued even to the middle of the stairs.Margaret held the child and left discreetly. It was not anything unusual for t
Kai rushed to the ward where Agustin had already regained consciousness. He had a gentle face, but his brows were furrowed. He was panting while clutching his chest."You may leave for now," Kai told the nurse.The nurse said, "Alright, Dr. Stewart."Agustin lay in the bed and spoke hoarsely, "Don't worry. It's just an ongoing health problem."Kai fetched a cushion and placed it behind Agustin's back.Agustin asked, "Has he awakened?"In an instant, a coldness flickered in Kai's eyes, "His awakening was only a matter of time. Agustin, rest assured; Hayson won't live for much longer."Agustin inquired, "Is that young girl really Hayson's biological daughter?"He noticed her as early as four or five years ago. The first time he saw her, she bore an uncanny resemblance to Alicia! There was not a trace of Hayson in her to the point he had doubts..."If not him, then who else could it be?" Alicia was only pregnant with one person's child back then. If it were not for Hayson, the Ha
Madelyn thought Cecilia was indeed better than her. Apart from her artistic skills, she knew nothing and did not know business matters. In her previous life, Zach and Cecilia had been the perfect couple, battling in the business arena. No wonder Zach fell for someone like Cecilia."I won't go with you to settle in France. My home is here, and I won't leave!" said Madelyn.'Even if I've to die, I won't leave my home.'"Just go and take a look. If you don't like it, we can come back." Zach held her hand and kissed it gently, "We'll set off in a week after I finish handling things here. When the time comes, I'll be there with you wherever you want to go."Madelyn pulled her hand away, rubbing it vigorously. "I've said it. I won't go! Even if you want to go, I won't follow you!"'When Zach loves me, he is willing to give me everything. However, when I offer him my love when he no longer loves me, he doesn't cherish it anymore. That's the kind of person Zach is! It's me in the previous
As Zach approached, Yvonne's heart raced. She was speechless, both from seeing him at the hospital and the realization that he knew she was there. He took the test report from her hands, his icy gaze fixed on her. Before she knew it, Zach's bodyguards were escorting her away. The weight of his silent intensity filled her with dread about what might come next.Zach did not like it when people nosed around in his private matters. Yvonne had done just that by finding out a secret he shared with Madelyn. She remembered a night when she knelt outside the Jent residence in the rain. Zach had ignored her, showing that he really did not care. She felt that if she vanished, Zach would not care about that either."Zach, tell them to let me go!" Yvonne pleaded, her panic evident as she struggled. She looked at Zach's distant back, "Where are we going, Zach? What are you going to do? I'm so sorry for snooping! I promise I won't tell anyone about it. Please trust me."'Zach and Madelyn are sibli
Suddenly, Kai's eyes opened wide, showing a deep emotion he usually hid. He quickly grabbed his car keys from the table and left the hospital, heading to a place he had promised himself he would never return to. He was lost in a whirlwind of thought.'If Madelyn isn't Hayson's daughter, then who is she?' The gravity of this idea troubled Kai deeply. Overwhelmed with frustration, he slammed on the steering wheel. 'Damn it!'At the Jent residence in Southern Haven Villas, Madelyn was cleaning Dalton's mouth after he spat out some milk. Suddenly, a wave of unease came over her.Margaret entered and said, "Ms. Jent, how about taking your noon nap? I'll keep an eye on Dal.""Thanks, I'll do that." Madelyn stretched her shoulders, and as she did, a maid came in."Ms. Jent, Dr. Stewart is here to see you."'Kai?' Madelyn glanced around, wondering, 'What's he here for?' "Alright, I'll be right down," she said.Wanting to discuss something with him, she grabbed a certain photo from und
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