I never imagined I'd land in Medhelanon, only to bump into an acquaintance the moment I stepped into the hotel."Talk about running into the last person I wanted to see," I muttered.As we dragged our suitcases through the lobby, we nearly collided with Candy, who was heading out while chatting cheerfully with a group of foreigners.I was stunned.We had seen each other at the Kenway residence just the day before, so how on earth had she reached Berrada before me?Then I discovered there had been a midnight direct flight to Medhelanon the previous night. She must have taken it, arriving ahead of us, likely after a restful nap, and already adjusted to the local time.The Brigidlia Festival was approaching, and in families like hers, traditional reunions were a significant affair, especially this year, with her grandfather having just retired.Yet, here she was.I couldn't help but begrudgingly admire how hard she was working, despite being born into wealth. It was something I ha
We were in a foreign country, and Candy's raised voice drew the attention of every foreigner around us.Still, I ignored her and headed toward the elevator, Sean following closely behind with my luggage."Sean…" I hesitated, glancing at him. "Let's keep this little incident between us and not tell Soren, okay?"Sean nodded in understanding.After a brief silence, I couldn't shake off the worry that Candy had planted in my mind. "You've been with Soren for years. Has he ever faced any real danger?"Candy's irritation had struck a nerve, and I couldn't shake the unease about Soren's safety."No," Sean replied calmly. Seeing through my anxiety, he added quickly, "Miss Jones, there's no need to worry. Mr. Kenway's safety has never been compromised. Even if I'm not with him, there are always others looking out for him.""I see. Thank you."-Once in my room, I sent Soren a text to let him know I'd arrived before freshening up and lying down in bed. Despite my exhaustion, my ins
"Mm-hmm."I had assumed Sorne wouldn't know about what happened and that I wouldn't have to worry about it if Sean hadn't told him.Yet, he still found out eventually."Taylor, you know you can ignore her if you don't want to deal with her, right?" Soren asked, probably concerned that I might end up hearing something I shouldn't from Candy or get hurt by her.But I didn't care. "Don't worry. I'm not that much of a pushover. Besides, I've got Sean with me, don't I?""Okay, I'll leave it up to you to decide. But I don't think Candy will be around much longer. She'll probably return to the country in a few days."That was what I thought as well. Even if she was genuinely dedicated to her work, I doubted her family would let someone as precious as her stay overseas during the festival.As such, I wasn't that worried."By the way, has Edith been released from prison? Do you have any updates on your investigation?" I asked.Even though I was overseas, Edith's case had always lingere
Candy shrieked and leaped up as if shocked by electricity, grabbing her phone in a hurry."Taylor! That does it!" she snapped, her voice seething with anger.I simply smiled and apologized, "Sorry, it was an accident. I'll buy you another cup of coffee and pay for your phone if the coffee got into it and caused any damage."Naturally, I knew perfectly well that neither a coffee nor a new phone would matter to her. I just enjoyed getting under her skin.Everyone in the meeting room stared at Candy, both surprised and irritated by the disruption she caused.Candy had definitely embarrassed herself.Gritting her teeth, she spat, "I'll remember this, Taylor!"She snatched up her cell phone and stormed out, creating another scene.I turned back and calmly resumed the meeting.I expected Candy to be gone by the time the meeting ended. Instead, she'd changed her clothes and was waiting outside.The moment she saw me, she yelled, "Taylor!""What's the matter? Still haven't learned y
Sean was definitely going to do his job if Candy didn't back off.In the end, Candy didn't want to embarrass herself. She quickly pulled her hand back when she noticed bystanders approaching."You're going to regret being so stubborn one of these days, Taylor!" she snapped, then stormed off in anger.Sean turned to me. "Are you alright, Miss Jones?""I'm fine, don't worry," I said, reassuring him before returning to my work, unfazed by Candy's threat.-Families were gathering, and fireworks echoed through the skies back home, while we celebrated joyfully in Medhelanon.There were many fellow citizens around the globe, so it was easy to feel the festive spirit, even abroad.In fact, I had a bit to drink during lunch and felt slightly dizzy.On the way back to the hotel, I saw a couple kissing openly on the street—a sight that made me miss Soren more than ever.I couldn't help but try calling him. The phone rang for a while, and I was just about to hang up when he finally answ
As I held my phone tightly to my ear, Soren's deep, soothing voice filled my heart like a warm current, intensifying the longing that had been building inside me.As I gazed out the window, I recalled the couple I'd just seen passionately kissing and blurted, "I just saw a couple kissing openly in the streets, and it made me miss you so, so much..."I couldn't see his face, but I sensed his breathing quicken, and my own heart began to race.I couldn't believe I'd actually said something so mushy out loud. But I couldn't help it… The words had just slipped out."Taylor… Taylor..." he kept softly repeating my name.I could feel his excitement, imagining how desperately he wished he could grow wings and fly to me that very moment.I wanted to see him just as much, but Candy's words echoed in my mind, and reason slowly tempered my impulse."Soren, listen," I said. "You shouldn't come here. I'm going to be swamped over the next few days. Even if you came, I wouldn't have time for you
The alcohol in my system continued to take effect, making me feel woozy until I finally drifted into a deep sleep.I was out cold—I didn't even hear my phone ring twice. It wasn't until someone started banging on my door that I finally woke up.Still groggy, I checked the time. It was already midnight.I couldn't understand why someone would be banging on my door when we had the afternoon off and no need to wake up early.When I opened the door, Cherry and Sean were standing there. Both of them let out a breath of relief the moment they saw me."Thank goodness you're alright, Tay-Tay. Mr. Kenway thought something had happened to you. When you didn't answer his calls, he immediately asked Sean and me to come check on you," Cherry said.They looked visibly relieved.Cherry gave me a quick once-over before adding, "We were both really worried."My mind was still foggy, but it was beginning to clear. "I'm okay. I just had a little alcohol at lunch and didn't expect it to hit me so
Seconds felt like days ever since Soren decided to come to me.But what truly caught me off guard was that Jean arrived before he did!I even doubted my eyes when I saw her walk into my hotel."Hello, my dear!" Jean greeted me with a booming laugh. "What's the matter? Don't recognize me anymore? Your show starts tomorrow, right? I haven't missed it, have I?"It wasn't until I heard her laughter that I was sure—my best friend had actually come to visit me.I rushed over and slapped her arms in disbelief, my eyes wide. "Why didn't you tell me you were coming?! Shouldn't you be at home with your aunt and uncle instead?!"I pulled her into a tight hug, lifting her off the ground with so much joy that I felt like I could fly."I've been spending time with them every day. It's not like I have to stay just for the festival. Besides, they always try to set me up on blind dates around this time. It's really annoying."As such, I booked my flights early and told them I was going to Medhe
"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 drink—""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."I… 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 again—this 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 him—he 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 now—no 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 office—the 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 disrespectful—he 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 tell… Ren really loves you… You have a child now… It's good for you two to just get married."She paused, then added, "That way, I… can finally let go...