One of the others asked, "Huh? Isn't Edward's family super rich?"Candy looked at them with disdain and replied, "You people really are so shallow! That was a Rolls Royce Cullinanâa model so rare and luxurious that you can't buy it even if you're rich."She paused for a moment, then added, "To own one, your wealth has to span generations. Even then, you'd still need to be chosen in order to purchase it.""WowâĶ"Everyone seemed flabbergasted, while Candy turned to me and asked, "Does your husband fit the criteria?"I simply chuckled. "I never said he owned the car, did I? Can't it just be a friend's car?"One of the others was even more stunned and curiously asked, "Taylor, I heard some guy spent 40,000,000 dollars just to buy you a braceletâĶ Could that be the same friend who owns that Rolls Royce?"I smiled. "Who knows?"Surprised, Candy exclaimed, "40,000,000 dollars for a bracelet? And for you? Are you sure that story's true? No rich man would ever be that stupid.""It's tru
"Who?" I asked.Jean patted my shoulder excitedly. "Turn around and see for yourself!"I turned around, completely unprepared to see Soren!He was walking into the canteen with several of the academy's faculty deans, drawing all eyes to him.My former coursemates greeted the faculty deans respectfully, and the latter waved back in acknowledgment.At that moment, Soren noticed where I was sitting and curled his lips into a smile.I was so shocked to see him heading in my direction that I quickly waved my hand to stop him.He seemed to understand what I meant, as his smile turned into a helpless expression.Just then, the vice-rector struck up a conversation with him and gestured for him to head up to the second floor.After shooting me another glance, he complied, making me heave a sigh of relief.Canteen No. 5 served slightly higher-quality food at a slightly higher price point than the other cafeterias in the academy. It also had a VIP room on the second floor.That space w
I bet any other woman would have gone weak in the knees if they received such treatment.A sudden ring from my phone snapped me out of my "drunken" stupor.It was a text from Jean.Jean: [Are you sure you don't want a man as perfect as him?]I grabbed my phone, my fingers trembling slightly from the excitement bubbling inside me.After pondering for a while, I couldn't hold it in any longer and replied.Me: [I'm the one who designed that suit he's wearing.]Jean instantly responded with a barrage of screaming emojis.Jean: [Are you seriously still going to say there's nothing between you two when there's obviously love in the air?!]I shook my head and pursed my lips, trying to remain calm.Amanda frowned and stared at me for a moment before asking probingly, "Do you know him, Taylor?""Shh, I'm listening to his speech."I tried to change the subject, but Amanda's eyes suddenly widened as realization dawned on her. "Is he the owner of that Rolls-Royce? Is he the one who spe
Edward, for the life of me, was one of the second batch of distinguished alumni!Moreover, he had donated 13,000,000 dollars to the academy for its 100th anniversary.Honestly, 13,000,000 dollars was a very significant amount, but the impact it caused was nothing compared to Soren's contribution.Even so, I was slightly astonished.In the past, I had tried to ask Edward for money to buy back the bracelet that had been pawned offâout of desperation. Yet, he had told me he wasn't able to gather that much cash.In the end, though, he had been able to spend millions of dollars at an auction just to make Maddison happy.And now, he'd spent a whopping 13,000,000 dollars on the academy. So, at the end of the day, he had the moneyâbut refused to spend it on me, even if I had only asked for a loan.I sneered, feeling nothing but disgust as I watched him walk up to the podium, as handsome as he was.To my surprise, Soren, who was a VIP guest, had been asked to hand out certificates to th
I rolled my eyes at them and said, quite rudely, "Are you blind, Candy? The academy sorted us by faculty for seating.""Why are you yelling at me?!" Candy snapped, tilting her head in annoyance. "Edward ran into me and asked where you were, so I thought I'd help him out of kindness."Edward met my gaze and said, "I came to see youâand to say hi to my old coursemates while I'm at it. After all, we were all so close in the past."He was clearly hinting at something. Everyone at the academy knew that he and I had once been lovers, and we even became a kind of legend after I went to great lengths to care for him when he fell ill.Thus, technically, he wasn't wrongâmy coursemates had been our audience.Before I could say anything, Candy, as always, butted in. "Why are you two acting like strangers? Aren't you a couple? You were so madly in love back then, you probably would've died for him."I shot her a cold glare and said, dripping with sarcasm, "How thick-skinned and shameless can
Like a puppet master pulling the strings, I got up and followed Soren without even asking what it was about.Behind me, I could faintly hear the others in an uproar."Isn't that the distinguished alumnus who gave a speech just now? The one who donated 195,000,000 dollars? That's him!""Oh my godâĶ He seems so familiar with Taylor! I never knew they were acquainted.""Tee-hee! He's even more handsome up close! And tall! He's literally the most handsome man I've ever seen in my life!"They were still talking, but their voices faded into the background. My mind was completely taken over by thoughts of Soren.He led me to the front, where the main table was.As we walked, he explained, "The faculty deans were saying that this year marks the 30th anniversary of your fashion design major, along with the science, arts, and fashion faculties."They're planning to organize an academic and cultural exchange event, and I immediately thought of you. They'd like to have a chat and see if you
Soren hadn't drunk much and was still conscious, but his face had already started to turn slightly red. His eyes also glistened with a new intensity."Do you still want to spend some time with your former coursemates?" Soren asked me when he noticed the crowd beginning to leave, some still chatting with their friends.My heart raced as I looked at him. "I need to go back to my table to collect my stuff.""Okay, go ahead. I've still got some things to take care of, but I'll call you when I'm ready to leave later."Once again, I insisted, "I can go back home myself if you're busy. You don't need to trouble yourself.""It's no trouble," he replied. "I'm just going to spend some time with my coursemates."Soren looked straight into my eyes with a faint smile as he asked, "Are you worried I might do something unthinkable because I'm drunk?"My face flushed instantly, and I shook my head. "No, I know you're not that kind of person."His smile grew wider as he stared at me even more i
Amanda and I both sneezed as a cold breeze hit us when we left the party.The snow from a few days ago had come and gone quickly, followed by sunny days. Still, it was inevitable that the cold would return soon enough.Amanda, dressed too lightly, was shivering from the chill.She asked, "How are you heading back?""I amâ"At that moment, someone emerged from the gym and called out to me, "Taylor."We turned toward the voice. Lo and behold, it was Edward, again.He was such a pain in the ass!I could already tell he reeked of alcohol as he approached, something that immediately rubbed me the wrong way.Although I didn't care about his life anymore, I still felt a deep anger whenever I thought about all the effort I had put into saving him years ago."I'll take you two home," he declared. "My car's right at the entrance."He then turned to Amanda and asked, "Which hotel are you staying at?"Amanda looked at me for a moment before replying, "It's okay. We're about to find som
"So what? It's always couples' intimacy hour everywhere," Soren replied with a grin, leaning in for a kiss.I turned away. "You reek of alcohol!"He sniffed himself, clearly thinking he smelled bad, too. I expected him to ignore it and keep going, but instead, he pulled me upright. "Let's go. To the showers!"I guessed he was worried that our first time after two years would be ruined by bad breath and stench.He tried to lift me into his arms, but I was concerned he might be too tipsy. We had a playful struggle before he finally scooped me up in a bridal carry."I told you. I'm not drunk!" he insisted.I realized there was no escaping him today, so I reminded him, "Our son is still at the hospital, Soren. With Aunt Sarah.""Mm-hmm. Once his mommy and daddy love each other very much, he'll see us.""Soren! Be serious!""Loving my wife is the most serious thing there is."-Two months later, my grandmother passed away peacefully in her sleep. Soren and I had only just woken u
I got up and shot Soren a glance. "You guys must have been worried about him over these two years. Thank you for taking care of him.""Why, you're welcome," Richard replied with exaggerated pomp. "He didn't torment us, actually. He took it out on his subordinates. He worked like a machine, and everyone under him had to do the same. You should really thank his employees the most!"A pang shot through me as I looked at Soren. I'd heard about this from Jean, but hearing it again from his close friends only deepened that painful regret.I thought I'd been kind, but it was likely the cruelest thing I'd ever done to him. And yet, he held no blame against me and still loved me.It moved me. I filled both our glasses to the brim.Soren looked baffled. "What are you doing? They didn't specifically want to make you drinkâ""A toast to our relationship, my love," I said, passing him his glass.Soren froze, clearly not expecting this from me.The crowd, though, had already erupted into che
Being with Soren felt like a walk in the sunniest, coolest spring. He told me he loved me, and that made me his equal.Know what? It made me feel confident all of a sudden.We locked eyes for a long time before I pulled away."IâĶ I'm basically unemployed right now," I muttered.I was about to launch a new business, but my grandmother's illness and my son's age forced me to set everything aside again."It wasn't easy raising a child alone, Tay, so don't put so much pressure on yourself. Besides, with your skills, it's only a matter of time before your career takes off again."I beamed. "You really think so? That's a lot of confidence, dude.""Of course I do." He held my hands. "Starting a business takes time and energy, so how about you move in with me? I'll raise our son while you focus on what you want to do."I laughed. "Oh God, was that the whole point of this talk from the start?"Soren laughed as well, his handsome face relaxing. "Well, now that we're getting married, whe
Soren smiled. "No need to doubt. That was one of my ulterior motives."So he wanted me to agree to our marriage because he wanted sex?!I stared at him, unmoving."Come on, I'm sending you both up," he said, his driver's presence making things awkward.Soren took the baby from my arms and strode inside.In the elevator, he stared at me without blinking.I grew self-conscious. "What?""Nothing. I just wanted to look at you, not missing a single detail," Soren replied matter-of-factly. "I hadn't dared do that before we started talking again because I was afraid you might be upset."I felt even more embarrassed.He set Silas in the cot, then turned to me and walked away.It was too late. He wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me into his chest. I saw his face loom over mine and cried out, "Don't do this, Soren! This is Amanda's place!"His reason and restraint were still functioning, turning his kiss into a brief peck."When will you move to my villa?" he breathed."N
I knew what had happened to me. I knew what two years had done to my face. A woman aged much faster when she had a child, after all.Celebrities looked the way they did because they didn't bear the weight of child-rearing. They had the money to pamper their faces and dedicate themselves to rigorous exercise routines.I had raised my son on my own. I had help when I needed it most, but most of the time, it was just me."So, you don't think I've grown older and uglier?" I muttered.Soren laughed."Oh, I do!" he teased. "But you're the mother of my son.""What does that mean?! And you said you weren't pitying me!"He laughed againâthis time, affectionately. "I was joking. I don't think you're any less than who you were back then. I actually wish you'd grow older, too. That way, only I remain by your side."I couldn't come up with a response to something so ridiculous."Do you need me to throw a grand, elaborate proposal to finally convince you I'm serious about wanting to spend t
"It's the way he looks at you. His eyes look suspicious!"Suspicious, my ass. Jamie was so far away from him by now that there was no way Soren could see anything in Jamie's "eyes."I sneered. "Don't be daft. He's got a girlfriend now." "Oh, really?""Yes, really. Can we go now?"My old colleagues had been staring at us, and I really didn't want to become the subject of their gossip. I just wanted to leave.Soren finally told the driver to go.Silas had probably exhausted himself from crying. It didn't take long for him to fall asleep in my arms.Soren stretched his arms out. "Let me.""I'm fine. It's okay for him to sleep like this. My arms are fine," I replied.I didn't want to give him an excuse to enter Amanda's residence with me again. I was only here temporarily, and I certainly didn't want things to get... steamy and intimate at her place. Besides, I didn't want to be steamy with him, period.Soren withdrew his arms sheepishly and snickered to himself.Annoyed, and
"Hello?""When are you coming back?" Soren asked in a low voice.I stood and left the lively private room. "I'm having lunch with some old colleagues. What's up?""Wow. So while I was trying to handle our son, you went out to have fun," he whined.Please. He wanted Silas with himâhe was just being dramatic.The wine gave me enough courage to respond, "Weren't you the one complaining about missing out on your son's childhood? I'm just being considerate.""Fine. Where are you? I'll bring Silas to you. He wants his mom nowâno one here can calm him down," he replied.Just as I had expected.I figured lunch was nearing its end anyway, so I gave him the address. "Call me when you arrive. I'll meet you at the entrance.""Got it."I returned to the room and quietly told Amanda, "I have to leave soon. You guys go ahead."She checked her phone. "Nah, we should all start packing up. We still have to work this afternoon!""Oh, right."I paid for our meal while the others chatted.Whe
The company had seen some new hires, but many were familiar faces.Case in point: Cherry Birkin. Now Amanda's assistant and principal secretary, she was ecstatic to see me."Tay-Tay! You're back!" she cried, rushing over to grab my arms. "It really is you! I'm so glad you came to see us. After disappearing for two years, I honestly thought you'd never come back!"Amanda, who had been the one to welcome me, stood beside me, smiling. "See? Your old colleagues have been complaining about you being heartless.""Aww, I'm sorry for being gone so long! How about this? Lunch is on me! Cherry, gather the old crew and invite them over!""You got it!" she replied eagerly.I stepped into Amanda's officeâthe same one where I used to work.A lot had changed in the interior, but everything felt warm and welcoming. The company was thriving under her and Jamie's leadership.There was a knock at the door. I turned to see the man himself."So, you really are back, Taylor," he said with a grin. "
I was irritated. If I were being generous, I'd say Soren was being proactive. If I were being honest, though, I'd call it disrespectfulâhe was undermining my agency!"I haven't even agreed to this yet!" I snapped, straightening my back and glaring at him as the seniors watched. "Who gave you the right to make decisions for me?!"Soren barely reacted. "You overthink everything. You hesitate more than you need to, so I thought... why not just ask your grandmother and aunt?"Turning to Sarah, he added, "What do you think, Aunt Sarah? Do you approve of us being together?"Sarah blinked, stunned, then shot a quick glance at my grandmother. My grandmother raised her hand, as though she had something to say. I leaned in immediately. "I'm listening, Grandma..."She took a deep breath, grasped my hand, and said, her voice raspy, "I can tellâĶ Ren really loves youâĶ You have a child nowâĶ It's good for you two to just get married."She paused, then added, "That way, IâĶ can finally let go...