"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
I would recognize that voice anywhere. This figure was real.This figure was him. The man who had pretended to be a stranger when we met earlier today.My heart raced after he helped me. I remembered how he had treated me earlier, and a wave of grief swept over me.I shrugged off his touch. "What kind of kink is this? Why are you watching someone sleep in the middle of the night like a ghost? You scared me!""Sorry," he murmured, his voice as gentle as it had always been when he spoke to me. It was hard to believe he was the same man I had seen earlier. "I just wanted to make sure you were alright."My throat tightened. What if he already knew?But maybe he didn't. His response suggested he didn't."Nothing. Just fatigue. It hit me harder than expected. The doctor said all I need is rest," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady.He seemed to smile. "I was sick a few days ago, too. Just got better.""I heard from Candy.""Guess we're in the same boat."My chest tightened.
Soren left. So did my sleep.I woke up very late the next morning.When the doctor came for a check-up, I asked about my condition. All I needed was some bedrest, so I decided to discharge myself.I had to leave. I couldn't bear the thought of another encounter with Soren.-Our new apartment was larger and brighter than the last place I'd rented.Bullet was especially pleased. Still, I couldn't take him for a walk anymore."Get some rest, Tay. I'll take Bullet out!" Cherry said kindly as she grabbed the leash and fastened it around his neck. She left shortly after.I sat on the couch, absentmindedly caressing my abdomen. I was home, yet a tight knot of anxiety still lingered.I had asked the doctor about the pneumonia medication I'd taken. I'd swallowed those pills long before I knew I was pregnant, and I worried they might have adverse effects.The doctor had asked for more details but still couldn't offer a clear answer. He had simply said, "There's a risk."I had already
"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...