"Didn't drink just now?" Soren asked."No." I was stunned. "Did you come here at this hour because you were worried I would be drunk?"That meant Soren hadn't stayed at the restaurant for long either. Or maybe he had, but not to spy on me. It was just a coincidence. Still, showing up here now couldn't possibly be a coincidence. He was worried about me.We locked eyes for a long time. I waited for him to say something—anything—but his lips remained pressed shut.It was cold outside, and I was starting to feel painfully underdressed. Just as I was about to invite him upstairs, he turned away and headed for his car."Wait!" I blurted out before I could stop myself.What reason did I have to make him stay? And what would happen if he did?It would just be the two of us alone in my unit—two recently broken-up partners in the middle of the night. The perfect recipe for disaster. It could only complicate things further.I forced myself to look away and headed for my unit. Once there
Cameron's whining assaulted my ear from the other side. I immediately grew wary."Where are you people? I thought the cops had taken him away to look into the Kennedys' case," I said flatly."He's so sick even the cops sent him back here after they were done.""Then he's in the hospital. So what? Why is he suddenly in a coma or whatever?""Because of Miles!" Cameron sobbed. "That piece of shit Edward set Miles up! My son is doomed!"By then, the Joneses only had Miles. They had to bail him out and save him, but there was one problem—an espionage charge was one of the hardest to clear, even in the shortest amount of time. One would need powerful friends to speed up the process.Who would stick their neck out for a bankrupt family with filth all over their name?Things were going so badly for them that Harry's stress must have worsened his condition."I told you. You can only get my money by exchanging it for your sincerity. Repent at my mom's grav—""Fuck you, Taylor! Your dad
"I'm not sure if I misunderstood you, but I have a feeling you see me as more than just a colleague, Mr. Young," I said, starting the conversation.Jamie froze for a moment, rubbing his nose awkwardly."I admire you," he confessed. "Having spent most of my life abroad, I've become a lot more Metropolitan in my outlook than some of the guys around here. Issues that men here might get hung up on, like your annulment, just don't bother me."Oh my god, he was so damn straightforward. I shivered internally."Thanks, but after everything I've been through, I'm just not expecting anything anymore," I replied, forcing a sad chuckle.I needed to make it clear to him before he started thinking there was any possibility."Taylor, I'm not like them. My parents are divorced, and they've lived extraordinary lives. They never interfered with my choices, or who I decided to spend time with, you know?"He paused, his gaze intense. "Personally, I'm not concerned about what others think of me. I g
"What? You're going to be here soon on a business trip?""Nope! I quit!" Amanda chirped excitedly, catching me by surprise. "I'm going to work in Metropolis now! We'll be able to meet up more often!""Whoa, is this related to that time you were job-hunting through a headhunting company?""Yeap! I got a better deal with higher pay and everything. Of course, I'm leaving! Besides, I can't stand staying home anymore. My neighbors—well, some of them—just wouldn't stop talking about relationships and all that."I could understand that.Sometimes, people left their hometowns to escape their families and the suffocating feeling of being stuck in a community that knew them all too well. Trying to meet all those social expectations could be a real burden.I was glad to have another friend in my corner. "Congratulations! You've just reached a whole new level in life! When are you coming?""Next week! I'm calling because I was hoping you could help me find a place to rent."A thought cross
I could feel the acid reflux building up. I was probably just hungry, right? I should definitely eat something after the meeting.Things turned out to be more than I had imagined.After the meeting ended, I stood up, taking two steps before feeling faint. My head throbbed, and my legs felt weak.I collapsed. As darkness slowly consumed me, I heard Jamie and Cherry rushing toward me at the same time.I had no idea what happened next.-When the world came back into focus, I found myself lying on a hospital bed."Tay-Tay! You're awake!" Cherry exclaimed, her face lighting up with a smile. "You really scared us! You just... collapsed like that! If it weren't for Mr. Young, you could have knocked yourself out on the window!"I still felt faint—hell, I was pretty nauseous."What happened? What did the doctor say?" I asked, trying to steady myself."No idea yet. They just took your blood sample. We're waiting for the results," she replied.As a figure approached, Cherry stood up.
Jamie and Cherry managed to get me into a large, expensive ward."I should stay with you tonight, Tay!" Cherry offered, her gaze lingering on the small bed next to mine meant for a caretaker.I frowned. "No, that's not necessary. I'm not that sick. I might even be discharged by the afternoon."I still didn't want to stay here. The feeling only grew stronger when I saw Soren in the corridor. If I stayed, I might run into him again. My heart couldn't bear another encounter with his distant indifference.More than that, I feared I might—out of weakness—use my current illness as an excuse to talk to him and ask him to come back. It would only cause more chaos.I silently prayed that the report would show I was fine and that I could leave immediately.After settling into bed, I said, "Mr. Young, the company will probably need you to give the others some direction. I'm fine with just Cherry here."Jamie gave me a meaningful look but nodded. "Understood. If you need anything, have Cher
"What is it? Can I go home now?" I asked immediately."Er, no," Cherry replied, shaking her head. "The doctors are here."I turned to see two white-coated figures enter. "Hello, Miss Jones. Here's your report."Before I could even glance at the paper, the doctor delivered the most unexpected news I could have imagined. "You're pregnant. You fainted because your body was experiencing the early discomforts of your pregnancy."What the hell?! "W-What did you just say? I… I'm pregnant?!""Yes," the doctor confirmed. "Only a few weeks along. But your overall health isn't great. Your blood pressure is high, you're anemic, and your cholesterol is a little elevated. Have you been overworking yourself lately? This isn't good for a mother, ma'am.""If you're expecting this child, you need to start taking better care of yourself. If not, now might be the right time for a safe abortion."The doctors bombarded me with information, not giving me a moment to process any of it.Thankfully, Che
"You have to keep this secret, Cherry, okay?" I said suddenly.Cherry frowned. "But why? Don't you want Mr. Kenway to know? This is huge—""Shh!" I interrupted.She fell silent."The doctors said my health isn't exactly the best, right?" I asked.I had already started thinking of myself as a mother. I wanted this child to grow up healthy, so I needed to be healthy.I had missed most of what the doctor had said because I was too shocked, but I planned to ask again."Well, the doctors said you've been overexerting yourself lately. You've got high blood pressure, high cholesterol, anemia…""Got it. I need some good sleep. Order me something big and filling, Cherry. I'll eat it after I wake up." I rolled to my side and closed my eyes.Cherry might have thought this was strange, but I couldn't care less. I just wanted to enjoy the experience of becoming a mother.I gently caressed my abdomen as I daydreamed about life with my child.-Later that day, the doctor came again.By t
Before I could respond, Jean asked, "Don't you think this is a bit unfair to your son? His father's still alive, yet he'll never get to know him.""I didn't say he won't ever see his dad. I just… don't want it to happen now," I muttered.I was afraid Soren would fight for custody. I thought it might be better to wait until Silas was old enough to make his own informed decisions. Then, if I had to, I'd let them meet."But this is when a son needs his dad the most! A father missing out on his child's early years will be something both of them regret deeply," Jean said gently.Her words echoed in my head. Thoughts spun out of control. I just wanted the conversation to end."I… I'll think about it. You should get some rest, too. Tomorrow we're going on an excursion!"-Jean stayed for four days before flying off to her next destination. Her family had been pressuring her to find a boyfriend for the past two years, and she'd spent every major festival, including Brigidlia, abroad jus
Soren had no idea whether I was still single or how I was faring. Just in case he ever needed to escape the confines his family had imposed on him and rescue me from my misery, he had chosen to remain single himself.The thought of hearing about me after he married must fill him with dread. If I was still alone, he wanted to be my partner again. He longed to be with me, but his family had ensnared him.My son had finished his bath. I rocked him to sleep before returning to the living room.Jean was gazing at the night view from the balcony. She turned to me. "I'm surprised people here celebrate Brigidlia too.""There are people who share our ethnicity and culture everywhere. A festival helps them feel connected.""So, is my boy asleep?" she asked."Mm-hmm. I don't let him nap too much during the day so he can sleep early at night. Then I can get some time to myself."She stared at me for a few seconds. "You're a goddamn superwoman, aren't you? Raising a kid on your own and still
I had dreamed of Soren several times over the past two years.Each time, he would see how difficult it had been to raise the child alone and strangle me, shouting, "I told you, didn't I? If I hear any news about your life being anything less than perfect, I'll drag you back here, whether you want it or not!"I would wake up with a start, muttering bitterly, "Why is this just a dream?"I missed Soren.Sometimes, I daydreamed about his reaction to seeing his own son. Other times, I imagined us getting back together and living as a real, happy family.That would be so great.Jean nodded. "I think so too! Do you know he's still single? I don't think he's let go of you yet.""That's impossible. Maybe he doesn't want a romantic relationship at all."She shook her head. "I heard that his grandfather's condition has worsened. He probably doesn't have long. And yet Soren still ignores his command to marry.""His grandfather is sick again?""What do you mean again? He's old and sick. I
I watched the city shrink below me before it blurred into nothingness.A young girl sitting next to me noticed and silently passed me a packet of tissues.I thanked her and tried to bury the emotions stirring inside me, doing my best to stifle the pain.The long flight was exhausting.I finally fell asleep, leaving the pain behind as I drifted into the waking hours.-Two years later, Jean arrived in Loegria to see her godson.I picked her up at the airport with him in tow.I spotted her from a distance and waved excitedly.Silas Jones, in his pram, waved back, babbling, "Jea-Jea! Jea-Jea!"By then, Silas was 15 months old. He could walk well but still hadn't learned to speak much.Jean hurried toward us, dragging her suitcase. "I'm finally here! The plane was delayed! I hope you weren't too worried…"I wrapped her in a tight embrace. "I'm fine! I saw the delay on the FIDS board. I wasn't in a rush, so I decided to wait."Jean looked down at Silas, scanning him from head t
After calming myself, I finally drove home.When I arrived, Amanda was surprised. "Hey, I thought you left before I did! When I didn't see you, I thought you went out to eat with Jean."I shook my head. "Nah. There was a traffic jam."I'd packed my personal belongings from my office into a box.Amanda looked at me closely and asked, "Hey, are you okay? I know how much you invested in this brand. It took a lot to get here. It must hurt to sell it now.""I'm a little sad, but it is what it is. I don't feel too bad about it.""Well, you don't sound too upbeat."I sank onto the couch, suddenly feeling exhausted. "He called me while I was on my way back.""He? You mean Soren?""Yeah.""What did he say? Did he want you to get back together?" Her gaze fell to my abdomen. "Did he find out about the pregnancy?"I shook my head. "No. I sold the company and returned his money. He called to ask where the money came from.""He suspected something, didn't he?""Suspected? He knew. He st
Soren finally asked, hesitantly, "Is that really the reason?"Oh, he believed me."Of course. What else?" I retorted.I was grateful this conversation was happening over the phone. If it had been face-to-face, I would've fallen apart in panic."I thought you were doing this to avoid me," he said, his tone cold.My heart skipped a beat, but I feigned calmness. "Don't overthink it. We've been broken up for a while now. If I wanted to avoid you, I would've done so long ago."He fell silent again. I knew it was time to hang up. The longer I spoke, the more openings he would find.Just as I was about to say goodbye, he asked, "You've moved?"He'd been trying to find me recently!Panic surged through me, and I tightened my grip on the steering wheel. "Yeah. Just recently.""To avoid me?""No! My college friend Amanda is staying in Metropolis now. Do you remember her? She was there during the centennial too. She even sat in your car—""I know who she is," he interrupted. "I rememb
Jean was efficient. She convinced her family to buy the Edwardian Taylor in record time. When the news broke, my colleagues were alarmed, thinking something bad had happened.I sent out a notice telling everyone not to panic. No one would be fired after the change of ownership. I also told them to keep the news under wraps.I worried that Soren was still watching my business and me. Maybe he'd notice something was off.The acquisition process went smoothly. I lowballed my company's price as a quiet thank-you for all the help I'd received along the way.Jean's father signed the contract and paid me immediately.Seeing the sudden swell in my bank account was dizzying. This company represented years of effort, bearing witness to my first relationship and even my civil partnership.And now, it was sold. The man who had started this with me was in prison, while I was preparing to leave.Everything is impermanent.I took some time to collect myself before paying off the remaining deb
"Cause' I miss you?" I replied.We went to the Oriole. Amanda and I had been there once before—back when we met Candy and tricked her into paying for our food.This time, I swapped wine for a fruit punch and thanked Amanda for coming. While we waited for our food, I got straight to the point.Amanda looked stunned. "Is… today supposed to be April first?"I laughed. "Ha! No. This isn't a joke. I'm going to sell the company and make you my COO. If you agree, then Jeannie will be your boss, not me."Jamie's contract hadn't matured yet, so he was still the manager instead of the COO. That's why I had so much work—covering that empty position, too.Amanda stared at me, confused. "But… why? Why sell your company? Are you… in trouble?""No, it's because…" I trailed off, unsure if anyone might be listening.I leaned in and whispered in her ear instead.Amanda blinked, clearly bewildered. She looked at my abdomen. "Soren's?!"I nodded."Oh my god. Are you sure you're not the main cha
I had been pretty worried about what to eat for lunch, but Jean's question solved the problem. I was craving food from the Oriole!"My usual favorites. If you'd be so kind, hee hee.""I'll get the cook on it.""Aww, you're the best, Jeannie," I cooed.Unfortunately, Jean saw through me. "Hmph! Flattery won't get you anywhere, lady! You're still going to get an earful when I get there!"Cherry returned from walking Bullet and asked what I wanted for lunch. I told her Jean was on her way with a feast."Oh! Should I return to the office now?""Nah. Stay and enjoy lunch with me first, at least!"Jean arrived a little after 11:00 p.m. with the Oriole's finest.As I lunged at the food, Jean asked, "You're not showing morning sickness yet, huh?""Nah. My pregnancy is still early. I'm fine." I was planning to use my relatively good appetite now to indulge and store energy for my little one.It was this thought that made me realize I still wanted to keep the baby."Jeannie, I want t