"Do you have to leave tonight?" Lana asked, absentmindedly staring into her bowl."In a couple of days," Kai replied."Can't you stay? I don't want you to go," Lana said, hoping to keep Kai by her side.Kai remained silent for a moment before finally speaking, "It's different this time. The mission is critical, and they need me to complete it.""Alright, I support you. You're the best. When you come up with a groundbreaking cancer treatment, both the baby and I will be so proud of you," she said with a warm smile.Kai grinned and caressed her hair gently. He said, "Then wait here for me, okay? I worry about you being alone at home. The hospital is close to the research institute, and I'll visit whenever I can.""I understand. I'll wait here for you," Lana said.After dinner, Kai washed the dishes before retreating to his room for a bath. When he was done, he left a single bedside lamp on. Just as sleep began to claim him, he heard the door creak open. Lana, clad in maternity paj
"For the past three months, Lana has thought of me as Andrew. But I've never felt the joy of truly having her," confessed Kai.It was rare for Kai to open his heart to anyone, even to Zach. Initially, Kai considered Zach a mere pawn against the wealthy Jardin family. Now that Hayson was gone, only Zach remained. However, Zach's hatred for Hayson was not any less potent than Kai's own. Since Zach had killed his own father, he could be ruthless to anyone. However, the one soft spot he had was for Madelyn."So what's your plan?" Zach asked.Kai sighed, "I'll take it one step at a time. Better for her to live in the present than to wallow in memories that bring her pain."Kai remembered how Lana kneeled at the Stewart residence, hoping to catch a glimpse of Andrew. But he was long gone, and everyone knew it."Do you remember the wager we made four years ago?" Kai asked as he placed his hands in the pockets of his coat and looked toward Zach. His once carefree eyes had lost something i
Serena blinked her innocent eyes, momentarily taken aback, "Me? Is something the matter?"Kevin responded, "You'll find out soon enough, Ms. Smith."Within a short span of twenty minutes inside the private lounge, a complete dossier on Serena was delivered to Zach. As Serena entered the lounge, she found a man in a tailored black suit, oozing an alluring but restrained aura, engrossed in some documents. She did not know where to rest her gaze, so she tried to act natural. Flicking her long hair behind her ear, she asked, "Mr. Jardin, I heard you wanted to see me?"Zach retrieved a photo from the pile of papers and tossed it in front of Serena. As the photo drifted down, he commented, "Nice work on your face."Serena's smile instantly froze on her face, "H-how did you get a photo of me from before?"'I had made sure those pictures were destroyed.' Serena thought. Staring at her past self in the picture, she felt as if a bomb had gone off in her head, yet she forcefully subdued the
Kevin was taken aback by the transformation in Zach since the accident that befell Madelyn.Two hours later, Kevin walked into Madelyn's room with a file bag in hand and said, "Sir, I've brought everything you requested."Zach, after carefully wiping Madelyn's hands, covered them with a blanket. He said, "From now on, take charge of the company matters. Don't come to me with every little thing—only the major contracts needing my signature. You've been with me long enough; you know what to do."Kevin eyed Zach, his disbelief clear. "You're walking away from everything? You built it all from nothing." His gaze shifted to Madelyn, still and silent on the bed. "Is this permanent? What if she doesn't wake up?""I owe her that much." Zach's voice was gentle, his touch tender on Madelyn's face. "Now, go. Don't disturb her rest any further."Kevin nodded after a pause. "Understood, sir." He couldn't help but think, 'Mr. Jardin's lost it.'True to his word, Zach left his empire behind, de
Mya was consumed by guilt. She questioned if the situation could have been averted had she not passed the note to Madelyn.As Kennedy escorted her out of the hospital, Mya wiped away her tears and suddenly shoved him, her face flushed with anger. "This is your fault. If you hadn't insisted on me giving Madelyn that note, she wouldn't be in this mess.""Give her back!" Mya cried out in despair.Kennedy's eyes were heavy with regret as he murmured an apology, "I'm sorry, Mya. I never thought things would turn out this way."'She must have seen those emails I sent.' He wondered if his emails had been the catalyst."Sorry? You knew, Kennedy! You knew Madelyn was sick. Why did you have to upset her? Ethan is gone, so what? Couldn't you have waited until she recovered to tell her? Now the doctors aren't sure she'll even regain consciousness. What am I supposed to do? She's my only friend. Please, keep your distance. This is on you."The raised voices drew a nurse's attention, leading t
The stark truth hit Zach hard, demanding he face it despite its severity."I don't care what it takes, I want you to cure her," Zach demanded, his voice tinged with desperation."It's not that simple. She's resisting the treatment, refusing to wake up. At this rate, even a miracle wouldn't be enough to save her," Kai responded, weary resignation filling his eyes."Fine. If the medical treatments here can't help, then I'll take her abroad. Surely someone out there can do something," Zach shot back, stubborn hope clouding his judgment.Kai had to admit that Zach seemed to have lost his grip on reality. "Perhaps there's one last resort," Kai mused cautiously.Avoiding any disclosure of Madelyn's true background and the mysterious Hawk family, Kai sought the advice of Agustin.He began, his voice laden with urgency, "Agustin, that's how it stands. If you could perhaps share something about Alicia Wood, it might jolt her awake."Still recovering from surgery, Agustin sat in his hospi
A reporter asked, "Ms. Smith, the international news reported that Ms. Jent's artwork was just awarded the gold prize in Libertyville. What are your thoughts? Do you think your art could surpass hers?" a reporter asked.Ignoring the question, Serena donned her sunglasses and walked away, flanked by her bodyguards. She snapped, "Make sure those reporters who just asked those questions won't show their faces around me again.""Yes, Ms. Smith."'Madelyn Jent? The Jent family was nothing now. How is she an heiress? She only depended on that freeloading Zach of hers!' Serena thought to herself. She found herself feeling superior, almost triumphant, thinking about the Jent family's downfall."Make sure this afternoon's papers please me. I don't want to see that wretched name in them," Serena warned."As you wish, Ms. Smith."When Serena returned home, her mother, Zoe Parker, looked at her transformed face with dismay because it reminded her of someone from the past. While sitting on th
The headline in the newspaper wrote that "Madelyn Smith Seeks Mentorship with Leonardo Monet for Upcoming Exhibition."Kevin stared at Serena's picture on the newspaper, who had undergone plastic surgery to closely resemble Madelyn. He gestured toward a painting behind Serena and remarked to Mr. Jardin, "Look at these paintings. They look familiar, don't they?"Zach squinted and said, "You're referring to the paintings behind her? They look like the ones from Madelyn's album."Kevin confirmed, "Ms. Jent always carried that album around; it was dear to her. After she left Ventrocloud High, she said it went missing. I never suspected Serena might have it."Zach also remembered flipping through Madelyn's art album. She told him that the places that she drew were all real and that they were places she wanted to go to. It seemed that the lost album was now in Serena's hand."How foolish of her," Zach said. "Is everything ready to go?"Kevin nodded and replied, "We've gathered all the
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