"Have the two of you thought this through? Maybe things aren't as bad as they seem. Maybe all you need is a little communication," the man said, pushing our papers back toward us.Alarmed, I glared at Edward."What the hell is this? Even if you drag this out, we'll still see each other this Thursday—in court! How is this gonna help?" I hissed in a low, angry voice.He stared at me quietly for a moment before stating, "I agree to this annulment. Our relationship is beyond repair."I breathed a sigh of relief."I see," the man said, taking the papers back. "There will be a 30-day cooldown period during which either party can retract their consent. If no retraction occurs within that time, your annulment will be finalized."I was baffled—and pretty damn pissed. A 30-day cooldown period?! Who was this for?! Why was it so hard to just break away from this dick?!"Okay, fine. Thanks," I muttered as politely as I could before walking out.Edward followed me as we stepped out of the bu
I feigned being caught in a trap and replied, "Fine, I guess I have no choice!"After hanging up, I thought things through. I knew Soren and I had some sentiments involved, but we had never done anything overtly suggestive in public.I also knew Edith well enough. If she had any real evidence of us being together, she would have used it against me immediately instead of resorting to vague threats after Edward was forced to end this charade.I was pretty sure she had nothing substantial. She probably thought she could make something up and see if she could change her brother's fate.My deductions reassured me, calming my nerves, but I still decided to show up for Soren's sake. He was too important a figure—I wouldn't allow a single scandal to sully his flawless image.-I drove to the coffee shop at the address Edith had given me.I spotted her almost immediately—she had chosen a secluded table behind a row of indoor plants.I was sure she hadn't informed her brother about this.
The pain and humiliation Edward caused me were worse than any mere "affair" most people could even hope to pull off."He was forced to do that, Taylor! Maddison was suffering from late-stage cancer, and Edward was just trying to help a dying woman. Doesn't that show you how kind and considerate he is?"I frowned. The Kennedys were not okay. Every single one of them talked like they had a worm in their heads. I was pretty sure this elite family was on its last legs.Anyway, who gave a shit? I just wanted to see the goddamn "evidence.""Show me the video, or I'm leaving right now."Edith stubbornly ignored me.I rose to my feet."Wait!" she finally called out.I sat back down just as the waitress arrived with our orders."Two glasses, please," Edith told her.The waitress dutifully poured for both of us before wishing us a pleasant evening.Once she left, though, I got straight to the point. "Your proof. Now."Edith pouted unhappily. "Fine, but don't bother trying to delete i
The straw seemed to be soaked far more than the water level should have allowed. But why? I hadn't touched my drink since the waitress had poured it.Had someone tampered with my juice? Perhaps they had stirred it while I hadn't been looking. But for what purpose?A disturbing thought crossed my mind—one that was almost too difficult to believe.Had Edith spiked my drink? Could she have done it in public?It seemed hard to fathom she would be angry enough to do something like that.But what would her motive be? Revenge? Was she trying to kill me?Though, if she killed me, she wouldn't be able to live with the consequences.The next terrible thought that crossed my mind was that she might have spiked my drink with a date rape drug, intending to ruin my life in revenge. That seemed like the most plausible explanation.I couldn't know for certain whether my suspicions were true, but one thing was clear—I was not touching that juice, not even with a ten-foot pole.Noticing my sile
I poured the rest into Edith's glass, nearly spilling it over the brim. She quickly took two sips.I watched, my heart racing.There was no virus or germ on my end—I hadn't even taken a sip.But what about the drug she'd spiked in my drink? I had no idea what it was—or its effect.Yes, I was feeling uneasy. But then again, if anything happened, it would be her own fault. She did this to herself!While she answered Edward's call, I texted Cherry, asking her to call me in ten minutes with an excuse—something urgent at the company. I had about five or six minutes left.Edith was still fuming. She gulped down more orange juice and continued her tirade. "Do you ever look at yourself and feel disgusted by the failure you've become?"You had a hand in your sister's death. You sent your own dad to jail. I heard you cornered your stepmother."And now you want to divorce a man who's done nothing but remain faithful to you. What do you think you'll gain from all this? Do you see how alone
Edward got out of his car just in time.Since he was here, I thought I was no longer morally compelled to go after Edith."Your sister is in trouble. Go look for her!" I said.He seemed confused. "What? Edith told me to come here for you! She said you've both been drinking.""I didn't drink! And more importantly, don't worry about me. Your sister is in trouble! She's driving when she shouldn't!"Edward could tell I was serious. Alarmed, he pulled out his phone.She didn't answer.A severe expression shadowed his face as he ran back to his car.After watching him leave, I drove off as well.What happened to Edith was no longer my concern. I had informed her family. My responsibility ended there.-Unfortunately, things escalated quickly. Well past midnight, long after I had fallen asleep, my phone rang.I groggily picked it up, and Edward's voice immediately howled through the receiver. "What did you do to my sister?! What did you do?! Why did you end up fine after dinner wh
Well, well, well! I decided to let him believe whatever he wanted for as long as he pleased. That way, when I finally revealed my evidence, it would hit him even harder."I'll show you what really happened very soon," I said. "Where are you all now? At home? Or the hospital?""The hospital."The Kennedys owned a private hospital. If anything were to happen to Edith, the family would have insisted on keeping it under wraps. They would only trust their own doctors.I bought a bouquet and rushed to the hospital.-As I stepped out of the elevator into the corridor, I spotted Edward and overheard snippets of his conversation with his lawyer.I caught the word "rape."So, it was true. The Kennedy heiress had been sexually violated.No wonder her brother was so furious with me.I felt a fleeting pang of regret. But then I reminded myself of how much Edward had hurt and slandered me. I told myself not to be too soft. Even if I hadn't let Edith drink that orange juice and had simply
It was too late. I had passed my phone to Edward.Sally leaned in, curiosity etched on her face.Edward's expression darkened.Sally's shock deepened, and she turned to her daughter, stammering, "You… What did you… What have both of you—""Explain this right now, Edith Kennedy!" Edward bellowed at his sister. "What the hell happened last night?!""I-I…" Edith stammered, tears streaming down her face.Edward had lost it. He stormed toward her, shoving the screen in her face. "Don't look away! You were the one who drugged her! You lied! You fucking lied to everyone!""I didn't! I didn't lie!" Edith wailed. "I didn't say it was her! You're the one who thought so! Don't blame me!"She turned to me, her fury intensifying. "What the hell is wrong with you, bitch?! I've already been punished in the most painful way possible, so why are you doing this?! You want me to kill myself, don't you?!"I frowned and replied innocently, "Your brother was the one who forced me to make a statemen
"Oh, you're changing jobs?" I asked."Aye. I think I've done all that's worthwhile in my current position. I want a change of environment and platform," Amanda replied."I get it. Honestly, it's impressive that you've worked at the same company for years."We went to have dinner at the Oriole. There, I told her everything I'd been through.There was never a dull moment on Amanda's face. The expressions she made in quick succession were a show of their own."I did not imagine Ed to be this kind of asshole at all! You two were like a perfect match back then! You were the academy's most famous couple!"Her words pulled me into old memories for a moment."So, what's next?" she asked. "I bet you already have suitors, right? That coat is proof!"She pointed at the trench coat on the chair next to me with her chin.Since the parking lot of the Oriole was a short distance away, I had put it on again to brace against the cold."Yeah. You could say that. But I'm not interested for now.
"How long till your friend is here?" Soren asked.I checked my phone. "About half an hour from now."Without warning, he slipped off his trench coat and draped it over me, pulling it down over my head."The temperature is below zero, and you're still wearing so little. Ladies really do endure the cold for the sake of fashion," he remarked."Ah, I'm fine!" I quickly protested, startled. "I'm not even cold! And if I take this, you'll freeze once you step outside.""The car is right outside—I'll be fine. But you'll be here for another thirty minutes. I don't want you freezing," he insisted.Worried that I might take it off, he grabbed the sleeves and tied them securely around my arms."Now you're warm," he said with satisfaction."Dude, I look like a prisoner tied up."He patted my head. "Never seen a prisoner this beautiful."My cheeks burned. My heart swelled with joy."I'll be off now. See you tomorrow.""Right. Bye-bye."I watched his tall, gallant figure disappear throug
The centennial was happening soon. I had sent the dresses I designed to the faculty a day before the event and was now heading to the airport—Amanda was arriving today.What I didn't expect was seeing Soren at the airport!He was wearing a large black trench coat, making him look even more refined. As he strode gallantly through the arrival gate, several young women stopped in their tracks, staring at him like a pack of fangirls.Unfortunately, I was one of them too.I even blinked a few times to make sure I wasn't hallucinating.Soren seemed surprised to see me as well. His solemn, serious expression melted away into gentleness as soon as he noticed me.Michael—who was pushing the luggage trolley beside him—spoke up in surprise. "I didn't expect to see you here, Miss Jones! Did you come because you knew Mr. Kenway was returning to the city today?"I opened my mouth—then immediately realized I had no idea how to answer.If I said no, it would be embarrassing for Soren. But if I
Jean asked, "So, how did he take it? It must have been pretty embarrassing to be rejected."I shook my head. "I had lunch at the estate. Uh, they invited your head chef just for that."Jean tsked. "Dude, he goes above and beyond for you, and yet you rejected him. Amazing."I ignored her and continued. "Madame Kenway kept dropping hints during lunch, and I told her… I'm not in the mood to be in a relationship. I just wanna focus on my career.""Right. If you start dating so soon after your annulment, everyone will start thinking you've been planning this from the start."God, it really took a best friend to understand you."I know, right?! That's what I told Soren too! I don't want people to think he got in the middle of my relationship with Edward!"And I already have a bad reputation—I destroyed my own family and all that! If they start making up rumors about him having an affair with me, and that somehow being the reason I got divorce… A stain like that could ruin his family's
"No way!" I retorted reflexively.Jean had known me for years, though. She smiled, her eyes narrowing. "Spill the beans, girl. Seeing someone new, haven't you?"I bit my lip. My cheeks were warming up again. Was it the bonfire or…"Come on, just say it! It's just the two of us here! Oh, I know… Is it 'Mr. Kenway'? I've seen both of you together twice, and honestly, the way y'all look at each other? I smell a situation."Honestly? The real reason I wanted to be here was so I could talk about my drama to my best friend instead of bottling it up. Naturally, I was easily coaxed into opening up.A smug grin appeared on my face before I knew it. "Girl, he confessed to me! But I—""He what?!" Jean cried out in shock, staring at me. "The hell is with this speed?! You've just ended things with Edward, and now he's already confessed? Could it be that he had been…"She lowered her voice and finished, "Thirsting for you?"I was speechless."Can you not? I haven't even received the legal d
Was it just me, or did he sound a little jealous? Something felt off, but luckily, it was still easy to feign ignorance.I coughed quietly. "Well, it's getting late. I should drive home. Please tell Mr. Rockefeller my thanks."I was about to hang up when Soren suddenly called out, "Taylor."I froze and brought the phone closer. "Yes?""I get jealous when you praise other guys in front of me. Please remember that I'm the first one to tell you how I feel, so you better be fair and just in the process. Otherwise…"His gentlemanly voice had taken on a new, mesmerizing quality. It was low, soft, yet brimming with assertiveness and authority.It felt as though my soul had been petrified by some kind of charming magic."Otherwise… what?" I whispered, my heart racing."You'll know when it happens," he replied cryptically. "Though I'd rather you never find out."I couldn't understand what he meant at first."The roads will be slippery because of the snow, so please drive safely," he s
"Good evening, Taylor." Soren's voice was low and soft.The way he enunciated his words made him sound so proper and gentlemanly. It was so refreshing that I felt as if the cold had left me.My mind started to blank. I suddenly realized I could not speak. In the end, I could only squeeze out lamely, "So… had your dinner?"He chuckled. "Yes. You?""Me?" I suddenly felt like my soul had snapped back into my body. "You really don't know?""Huh? Is that something I should know?" Soren asked, confused.Wait. So Richard didn't report anything to Soren after all! I had been fooled!"Oh… damn it," I muttered, smacking my forehead. "Mr. Rockefeller played me like a fiddle…""Huh? You mean Ritchie? What did he do?"I sat up straight and forced myself to calm down. Well, I started the conversation, so I had to finish it myself."I had dinner with that colleague after we finished discussing work. We were eating at a seafood hotpot place. Then, when we were about to finish, we saw Mr. Roc
When we were almost finished, I heard someone call out, "Miss Jones! Fancy seeing you here!"I looked up, stunned. It was Soren's best friend, Richard!"Mr. Rockefeller, hello!" I said, rising to greet him.He nodded. "Hello to you too."Richard then glanced at the man sitting opposite me."This is my newly hired General Manager, Jamie Young," I quickly introduced. "Mr. Young, this is Richard Rockefeller of Rockefeller Media. He's one of the city's elites. Who knows, we might work with him one day."Jamie stood and extended his hand. "Pleased to meet you, Mr. Rockefeller!"Richard shook his hand. "Likewise!"He turned back to me. "It's the weekend today, so why aren't you hanging out with Soren? It's the first snow of the year. People are in a pretty festive mood."I knew exactly what he meant. The snow had blanketed the city in white, and people were out enjoying it, taking pictures, playing, and simply reveling in the change of season."We met earlier today, but I have thin
When someone cared about another person, they were mindful of everything that person possessed. Even the smallest pain was worthy of concern.Real life wasn't like fiction. Most people didn't experience cataclysmic events or life-threatening situations. Thus, where else could we show our care and love, if not through the mundane sufferings of daily life?The more I thought about it, the more I regretted how I'd spoken to Soren. I really needed to apologize."Miss Jones? Miss Jones!"I snapped out of my thoughts. "Oh! Yes?"Jamie fixed me with a questioning look. "Are you alright? We can always talk about this on Monday.""No, let's do it today. I'm free today." I forced myself to sit up, holding the ice pack to my forehead while flipping through the documents with my free hand. "What are your questions? I'll answer them."This company was the culmination of my blood, sweat, and tears. And now, I had found someone just as invested in making it better as I was! How could I be a de