I hesitated a little before taking it. "Thank you."Oh no. I just remembered—I still had his other handkerchief with me!After dabbing my eyes with this new one, I said timidly, "Um, I'll return this after I wash—""It's alright. You can pass it to me," Soren said, taking the handkerchief.I stared intently at my food, hoping to hide my burning cheeks.Once we finished our meal, I summoned a waitress for the bill. However, she informed me that it had already been paid."By whom?" I exclaimed."Soren, duh!" Soleil chirped, leaping to her feet.I rose from my seat, too."Mr. Kenway, the lunch was supposed to be on me!" I protested, flustered."Oh, who cares? It's just a meal, and my brother has too much money to spend. Let him pay for someone he l—"Soren suddenly coughed—loudly and pointedly.Soleil corrected, "Like I was saying, it's because there's a plus-one this time. Me! So we should be the ones footing the bill, ha!"I blinked, stunned.What had Soleil been about to
"Next time, tell me if you're coming to eat. It'll be on the house!" Jean said. "Taylor, you gotta let me know after you've set the time.""Wait, you're serious?""Duh? I actually planned to turn your meal into my treat, but you guys paid before I could."While we were still talking, Michael approached Soren quickly. "Sir, the car is here."Jean understood. "Well, that's all from me! I shouldn't keep all of you busy folks out here. See y'all next time!""Bye, Jeannie!" Soleil chirped, waving.Soren's schedule was tight enough that his car was waiting right outside the entrance. Michael had already opened the door for him."I'll go now. Have fun," he said through the rolled-down window.I waved at him, trying hard to suppress the feelings that surfaced when I looked at his face.The Audi drove away.Soleil let out a dramatic sigh. "Finally! He's gone! I am now freee! Let's go!"-I drove a modest electric car for my city needs. It was pretty good for what it was, and I loved
More importantly, had Soren already realized my feelings for him?!Oh God, no! Nooo! I had to shut down this topic immediately to protect that flimsy wall of tissue paper—or we wouldn't even be friends anymore!I scrambled to change the subject. "Anyway, Jeannie invited us to dine for free, right? Any day in mind?""The weekend would be nice. I'll leave the details to you," Soleil replied."Got it."We arrived at my company soon enough, and I showed her all my Rococo-inspired designs.She was surprised and cried out, "You've made this many designs already?!""I'm planning to participate in February's fashion show in Medhelanon with this series. Once I finish my current commissions, I'll start on this project.""Oh my God, it's… amazing!" she exclaimed. "This has to be confidential, right? And you're just gonna show 'em to me?! You trust me too much!""You're not a fellow competitor, are you? So it's fine. Besides, this is just one of the series I've planned. I have plenty more
I had already assembled a support group of eyewitnesses, and this was what he pulled off again?!I had to inform them not to show up in court tomorrow until further notice.The women were very patient with this last-minute cancellation—after all, they were here for the 60% discount on all Edwardian Tailor products. They even reassured me that they were at my every beck and call.Nonetheless, I wasn't going to just let Edward bid his sweet time.-After a night of consideration, I decided to pay that dickhead a visit. I figured he'd be looking for the same doctor who had helped him recover back then.And I was right.Edith and Sally were stunned to see me.Edith wasted no time raising her voice. "What the hell are you doing here?! Are you really coming here to drag him to court for your selfish request?!""What's his illness now?" I asked straight away."What's your business?""I'm interested in knowing when he'll finally get better so we can get this divorce over with. I hat
"Are you blind, or are you just a goddamn monster with no empathy?! Do you see the state he's in right now?!" Edith screamed."I wasn't the one who did this to him, you buffoon, so how about you miss me with that moralist crap?" I retorted, snatching the form back and slamming it onto the table next to his bed."I saved your life for years, Edward. With my blood. I owe you nothing. Everything I could give, I have already given you."You're the one who betrayed and hurt me, so don't you dare call me a monster after everything you've done. If you truly know you're in the wrong, then sign this form right now!" I demanded.He stared at me. Then, slowly, he took the paper from my hand.I expected him to tear it apart, so I warned him, "I have plenty of copies, Edward. You can't destroy them all."To my surprise, he flexed his palm at me and said, "A pen, please."I was stunned."A pen, please," he reiterated. "I thought you wanted me to sign."Edith stared at him in disbelief. "Are
Edward stared at me in renewed shock. "You've changed in two months. It's like you're not the Taylor I knew.""Oh yeah? Maybe you should congratulate me on my rebirth. I'm no longer the kind of idiotic doormat everyone could walk over," I retorted.Everything I'd gone through in the past few weeks felt like a cleansing fire. I was reborn from it, like a phoenix.I should be proud that I survived it, and now my life and career were at new heights.Had I been even a little weaker or more naïve, I would have been burned to ashes. I wouldn't be standing here, listening to him react with shock at my transformation.The Kennedys watched me in stunned silence.I sighed, tucking the form back into my bag. "Get well soon. I'll be waiting."I turned to leave and opened the door."Taylor, I'll help Mr. Jones out of this," Edward declared."Are you nuts?!" I spun around, perplexed. "What good will that do?!""I'll be able to help you," he claimed."What?!""You're just confused by your
Jean was stunned. "What the hell? He changed his stance?!""I don't know what's with him, either. I think he's actually possessed. I can't predict him," I replied."He even said he's gonna help Harry and that this was for my sake. He claimed he didn't want me to 'regret' what I did to him, so he was basically atoning for my sins. Or something.""Dafuq?! Is he actually hospitalized for insanity?!" Jean exclaimed.I laughed tiredly. Even I had no explanation for any of this.After the call, I thought about asking Soren about his invitation. But at the same time… I was too timid to bring it up.I hadn't received an invitation, after all.Maybe we had some sort of psychic connection because he called me right at that moment.I laughed when I saw his name—maybe we really were bound together in some way."Hello? Lord Soren, what is it?" I answered.Since he wouldn't let me call him Mr. Kenway, I figured I'd just be cheeky instead.As expected, he laughed. "Really? You're gonna add
"I'm not sure, but I brought my annulment form when I visited him, and for some reason, he signed it. Maybe his conscience finally kicked in. Regardless, once he's discharged, we'll resume the procedure."I sounded excited—as though I was already one step closer to freedom from this marriage."That sounds great. Congrats on getting closer to freedom," Soren said."Thank you."I overheard someone speaking from the other side and was sure he had to still be at work."You should get back to whatever you're working on. I need to drive. Talk some other time?" I suggested."Sounds good. Drive safely."I was close to reaching my company. After stopping the car, I thought about our conversation, and suddenly… I felt like I was a woman having a secret affair!Was it just me, or did Soren seem unusually invested in my separation progress?The way I reported to him felt like I was trying to comfort a lover who couldn't wait for us to be legally "single" again.Then, the fact that I co
"Your brother's taken him to meet your grandfather," I replied."I see. Why aren't you with them?" Soleil asked."I'm worried I might anger your grandfather by being there," I admitted with an embarrassed chuckle. "After all, I kept Hale's birth a secret from you all."I grabbed Soleil's hand and asked, "Do you know what your parents think about this? Honestly, I'm really worried, but your mother seemed so friendly with me, so...""Please! What else could they think?" Soleil patted my hand and led me to a bench. "Ren worked himself to the bone while you were gone. I'm serious! Days and nights of relentless focus."She leaned in, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial tone. "Candy chased after him like a madwoman, even confessing to him in public several times. But Ren ignored her completely."He got so fed up he told her grandfather he had no feelings for her whatsoever and never would, so she should find someone else."Candy was so furious she cried her eyes out. That was the l
I finally managed to ease all the tension that had built up.Soren walked over and asked gently, "I'm going to take Hale to meet Grandpa, so… Do you want to come along?"I looked at him, already knowing it probably wasn't a good idea.William had made it clear he didn't approve of Soren and me being together. He had someone else in mind—someone he considered more suitable to be Soren's wife. That was why I had agreed to step aside.Yet here I was, not only bringing a child into their home out of the blue but also about to present him to his great-grandfather.What would William think? He'd probably see me as manipulative, a woman who had schemed her way into their family."I don't think that's a good idea. I wouldn't want to upset your grandfather by accident," I replied softly, my thoughts clear."Alright then. I'll leave you to it.""Okay."After informing his parents, Soren carried Silas off to meet William, leaving me behind.An awkward silence settled over the room.Lis
They teared up from the excitement of meeting their grandson, unable to stop playing with him."Look, dear! He looks exactly like Soren when he was little! Oh my God, they look so much alike!" Lisbeth's voice trembled with excitement, a stark contrast to her usual calm demeanor.Even Marlon, typically stern and commanding, had the same reaction. He stared at Silas, who was nestled in Soren's arms, for a while before nodding and saying, "You're right, but Soren seems smarter."Soren sounded displeased. "Come on, don't be so harsh on him."Lisbeth laughed, dismissing her husband's remark as she gently coaxed, "Hello, my little precious. I'm your grandmother. Would you let me hold you, please?"Silas had been meeting too many strangers since we returned to the country, so he seemed a little caught off guard.He looked at me and said, "Mama…"Lisbeth followed his gaze, her eyes landing on me. Her initial joy subtly faded.Soren seized the moment. "Mom, why don't you play with Hale
My aunt frowned. "What does this mean? Do you think they'll accept you into their family?"I shook my head, instinctively feeling that wasn't going to happen. "That's impossible."What was the point of breaking up with Soren if all I had to do to be with him was bear them a son?I didn't understand the Kenways' intentions, but Soren wasn't giving me any room to escape.He arrived half an hour later, finding Silas and me.Since they'd played together just the day before, our son still remembered the man before him. Soren reached out, and Silas naturally threw his arms around his father.Honestly, I felt a twinge of jealousy. Blood was thicker than water, after all.Although they'd never lived together before, Silas had quickly adapted to Soren, welcoming him into his life with such a friendly demeanor.With our son in one arm, Soren opened the car door. "Get in."I resisted. "Do I really have to go? Can't you just take Hale with you instead?"Soren's direct stare was unwaverin
I held Silas' hand as I coaxed him, doing my best to calm him down.Fortunately, he was a cheerful little bunny with the courage of a lion. He stopped resisting the moment my aunt promised to buy him plenty of toys and food.My grandmother was awake when we entered the ward. Despite her frailty, her face lit up with a smile when she saw her great-grandson.My aunt led Silas to her bedside, and my grandmother reached out to clasp his tiny hand with her scrawny one.The scene struck me deeply, as if my grandmother was passing down her legacy.My nose stung with emotion at the sight.We stayed with her for a while, but her stamina waned after less than an hour.Seeing how she struggled to stay awake, I coaxed her gently, like soothing a child, "Why don't you get some rest, Grandma? We'll play again when you wake up. We've got nothing but time."My grandmother nodded reluctantly before drifting off to sleep.True to her word, my aunt bought Silas a generous haul of toys and snacks
Soren hesitated to leave. He spoke softly to Silas for a while, kissed him, and only let go when Amanda and Jean returned."What happened? How did your talk go?" Jean asked curiously, setting down my dinner.I smiled and answered calmly, "It went alright. I don't think he's planning to take my son away from me. He did ask if he could bring Hale home to meet his grandfather after we visit Grandma."Amanda nodded. "It's a reasonable request. Both your grandparents would be happy to see that you two have a family together."Jean raised an eyebrow. "What about you? Didn't he say anything to you?""What about?""What do you think?! You've already had his son. Shouldn't he be doing something about it? When are you two going to get back together, or get married? You should give Hale the perfect family, don't you think?"Jean looked at me, waiting for an answer.I simply shook my head. "I've never thought about that."The truth was, I still loved Soren, but I didn't want him for mysel
I had finished with the milk powder and was starting to shake the milk bottle when I glanced at him and said, "That's all I can offer to answer your questions."If you're trying to blame me for not telling you earlier, I'm sorry, but I don't have an explanation. I didn't know how to bring it up in that situation."Besides… I knew I wasn't in perfect health when I got pregnant. I had been on medication, and the doctor said there was no guarantee Hale would be healthy."At the time, I decided to do my best to take care of myself and wait for a second test. If it turned out I couldn't continue the pregnancy and had to either abort or even induce labor…"Anyway, there were too many factors to consider, so I didn't tell you."I handed the milk bottle to Silas and added, "You should sit down. He won't be able to drink his milk if you keep moving around."Soren took Silas back to the living room and sat down, while I unpacked my luggage to avoid facing his glares any longer.Once Silas
Silas kept crying, clinging to my neck like a koala.Soren looked both helpless and nervous. "Why is he crying? Is he unwell?"Seeing his anxious expression, my anger melted away. I even pitied him a little… He was nothing more than a father meeting his son for the first time.My tone softened as I explained, "He just woke up. He'll be fine in a minute."Soren nodded, his eyes fixed on Silas.As expected, the little fellow calmed down before long and started looking around… only to realize he was in an unfamiliar place surrounded by strangers.His gaze eventually settled on Soren.Silas was still teary-eyed, his mouth slightly pouted. When he spotted Soren, he grew calm, his eyes locked on the man before him.Father and son stared at each other for a while…I had no idea what Silas was thinking, but the way he looked at Soren was telling. It was as if he instinctively recognized the man as family.Silas probably didn't understand bloodlines or genetics, but he seemed certain
"What else do you think? Or do you think there's no need to explain because it has nothing to do with me at all?" Soren's voice was gentle, still soft out of consideration for our sleeping child.But I could tell he was angry, and that made me nervous.I avoided his gaze and replied softly, "It was an accident, and we were already separated for some time when I found out.""That's your reason for not telling me all this?" Soren clearly didn't believe a word I said.I pursed my lips and frowned.The truth was, there was nothing for me to explain. My pregnancy was an accident, and I decided to keep the child because I couldn't bring myself to end a life.Besides, I didn't have much time to think it over at the time.Cornered, I raised my voice, fighting back. "What do you want me to say? The fact is, he's here now. You're free to be part of his life if you want. Otherwise, you can forget he even exists.""Taylor!" My words only made Soren angrier. "How could you say something so