Why would a Kenway—especially this mysterious "S"—show up at my wedding?I couldn't think of a reason. Did we mail our invitation to the wrong person?Well, at least he got to witness the most entertaining show in all of Metropolis the moment he arrived. I'd call that a win.My phone rang, pulling me out of my thoughts.It was Jean. She wasted no time, snarling, "Those two assholes! I almost smashed my phone just watching them! Girl, I'm so glad you fucking shot back at those pieces of shit!"I sighed and leaned back into my car seat. "Don't tell me it's gone viral.""Can you blame it? You don't see people this insane that often. You can't make this up!" she replied. "The Internet is split into two camps, and they're at war, Tay-Tay!"I closed my eyes, a headache beginning to pulse through my skull.I wanted revenge, yes. But I didn't want to drag myself into this maelstrom, too. I could capsize just as easily."Are you alright, Tay-Tay? You were attacked!" Jean asked, concern
Edward said someone was going to die.I groggily beamed at him, oddly gleeful. "Ooh, when's Maddison's funeral?""How could you be so inhuman?!" Edward growled, his face dark with rage.I had never seen him like this before.I frowned and shoved him toward the door. I was ready to slam it shut when he suddenly kicked it open and grabbed my arm.I was furious.Struggling, I slapped him across the face. "I can call the cops on you for home invasion. Piss off!"Edward ignored me, his grip firm, and forced me into his car."What the hell is wrong with you, Edward?! Let me out of here!""Her life hangs in the balance, Taylor! You're coming with me to the hospital!"He stomped on the gas pedal, and the car surged forward into the early morning light.I was confused. "What does this have to do with me, anyway? I'm not a doctor!"Edward's lips pressed into a grim line. He looked like a man on the edge, and as the car picked up speed, a knot of fear tightened in my chest.What if h
Well, no reason to keep this useless secret from him now, was there?I turned to Edward and smirked. "You already know this now? God. Breaking news! Maddison and Miles are my siblings by blood. Different moms, that's all.""B-But she's only two years your junior!" Edward cried out in disbelief."Oh, you noticed? Good. My prolific fuc—I mean, 'father'—had started his affair when I was just a one-year-old. Or maybe he started earlier. He did all he could to make my mom divorce him so he could marry the shameless homewrecker."Edward's shocked gaze flitted between Harry and Cameron."You've never told me anything about that," he muttered, a look of seeming guilt shadowing his face."Now, why would I tell anyone about my family's most shameful secret? Besides, I thought you were smart enough to deduce it on your own!" I replied scornfully.Was our shared blood type not enough of a giveaway? Dumbass.He said nothing, so I added, "Now you understand why I've been so against helping h
The nurse frowned. "You've been taking sleeping pills lately?""To help me sleep, yes. I took two pills." I glanced at the clock in the ER. "It was about four hours ago, I believe."The nurse shook her head. "Ah, that won't do. You won't pass the test."I shrugged, much to their dismay. "Sorry, guys. This time, it's not about my reluctance. I really can't help."Harry stomped his foot. "You are playing games with us, Taylor! Why didn't you just say you can't donate your stupid blood outright?!""Well, Edward basically abducted me from home before I could even make sense of this whole thing," I replied innocently, blinking."You!" Edward growled, glaring at me.Seeing their exasperated faces filled me with a petty sense of satisfaction.Just then, the ER door swung open."We're running low on blood supplies!" the nurse announced. "Have you found a donor yet?"Cameron's knees seemed to buckle as she shoved Harry forward. "Go and donate yours already! Our daughter is dying!"Ha
"Sorry. I came here in a hurry and didn't manage to grab my phone," I admitted."Ha, no problem! I haven't even started the app yet. You can pay me once you're home," she replied generously.I was honestly pretty surprised by that.I gave her the address as she entered it into her car's GPS. The car smoothly steered out of the parking lot and onto the driveway.Her phone rang after a while. She connected it to her Bluetooth earphones."Hello? Oh, yeah, I left. Mm-hmm. Just call your own driver!"Why? Well, something happened! I didn't have time to inform you, but trust me, you'll love it once I tell you at home."For real, no cap. Anyway, can't talk—driving! Byeee!"I glanced at the rear-view mirror instinctively.Was I hallucinating? A young, lean man stood by the roadside where we had just left.The morning rays illuminated him, bringing warmth to his cool, collected demeanor. His presence seemed to purify the air and silence the noise around him.He looked almost ethereal
The wedding drama had gone viral.I woke to a flood of unknown callers spamming my phone. That was when I knew: shit had really hit the fan.-It took less than two days for me to be doxxed. My personal and business information was out in the open, and things were spiraling out of control.As soon as I stepped out of my car, the path between me and the company gate was swarming with tabloid reporters.I silently thanked Cherry for her foresight in assigning security to escort me.Maddison was the one at fault, but her status as someone with an incurable illness had earned her sympathy points online.Most people were attacking me and the company's flagship website instead. Our server couldn't handle the onslaught.The PR department tried to put out the fire but achieved little. At my wit's end, I hired lawyers to help draft a statement. We were preparing to defend me through legal action.The chaos continued late into the night.When I noticed most of the media had finally dis
I did not even know what to say. Hence, I circled my desk and went out the door.Edward chased after me. "I know you can't find it in your heart to forgive me just yet, Tay, but ours is a six-year relationship! Love like this can't die just like that. You're the one I love, Tay. Nothing will change that!"But Maddie… I've watched Maddie grow up! She's always been a docile, timid girl. And now her disease is exacerbating her inferior complex."She's like a little sister to me—I can't just leave her to languish in this state!"I lost my temper. He was blocking my path again!"What the hell is your problem, Edward?! I'm not stopping you from being her simp, so why are you telling me all this?! Don't you think I've been pestered enough?!"He held onto my arm and tried to calm me down. "I know you've been frustrated and in a bad mood lately. I'm here to help with that.""You? Help me?" I scoffed and shoved him away. "How? Are you going to fight those internet trolls on my behalf?"H
"She might have loved you a little, but it's not as deeply as you tell yourself. She wanted to marry you because you were Taylor's fiancé. She's doing this to piss her off and take everything from her."Edward smiled cryptically. "Come on. Taylor told you that, didn't she? It's not true. Maddie's a guileless, innocent little girl. She's a bit impulsive and stubborn, but she's not a schemer."The expression on Jean's face was utterly indescribable. "God, here's a man who thinks he's big-brained suddenly getting his IQ dropped to room temperature. Wake up, dude. A pick-me girl is playing you like a fiddle."I blurted out a laugh.Edward's face darkened even more, and he began to look humiliated. He turned away.Jean wasn't about to let him off so easily. "Maddie has always been jealous of everything Taylor has. She absolutely can't stand Taylor getting anything nice for once."She'll do anything to snatch whatever Taylor has. If she can't do that, she'll destroy it just to make sur
"Your brother's taken him to meet your grandfather," I replied."I see. Why aren't you with them?" Soleil asked."I'm worried I might anger your grandfather by being there," I admitted with an embarrassed chuckle. "After all, I kept Hale's birth a secret from you all."I grabbed Soleil's hand and asked, "Do you know what your parents think about this? Honestly, I'm really worried, but your mother seemed so friendly with me, so...""Please! What else could they think?" Soleil patted my hand and led me to a bench. "Ren worked himself to the bone while you were gone. I'm serious! Days and nights of relentless focus."She leaned in, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial tone. "Candy chased after him like a madwoman, even confessing to him in public several times. But Ren ignored her completely."He got so fed up he told her grandfather he had no feelings for her whatsoever and never would, so she should find someone else."Candy was so furious she cried her eyes out. That was the l
I finally managed to ease all the tension that had built up.Soren walked over and asked gently, "I'm going to take Hale to meet Grandpa, so… Do you want to come along?"I looked at him, already knowing it probably wasn't a good idea.William had made it clear he didn't approve of Soren and me being together. He had someone else in mind—someone he considered more suitable to be Soren's wife. That was why I had agreed to step aside.Yet here I was, not only bringing a child into their home out of the blue but also about to present him to his great-grandfather.What would William think? He'd probably see me as manipulative, a woman who had schemed her way into their family."I don't think that's a good idea. I wouldn't want to upset your grandfather by accident," I replied softly, my thoughts clear."Alright then. I'll leave you to it.""Okay."After informing his parents, Soren carried Silas off to meet William, leaving me behind.An awkward silence settled over the room.Lis
They teared up from the excitement of meeting their grandson, unable to stop playing with him."Look, dear! He looks exactly like Soren when he was little! Oh my God, they look so much alike!" Lisbeth's voice trembled with excitement, a stark contrast to her usual calm demeanor.Even Marlon, typically stern and commanding, had the same reaction. He stared at Silas, who was nestled in Soren's arms, for a while before nodding and saying, "You're right, but Soren seems smarter."Soren sounded displeased. "Come on, don't be so harsh on him."Lisbeth laughed, dismissing her husband's remark as she gently coaxed, "Hello, my little precious. I'm your grandmother. Would you let me hold you, please?"Silas had been meeting too many strangers since we returned to the country, so he seemed a little caught off guard.He looked at me and said, "Mama…"Lisbeth followed his gaze, her eyes landing on me. Her initial joy subtly faded.Soren seized the moment. "Mom, why don't you play with Hale
My aunt frowned. "What does this mean? Do you think they'll accept you into their family?"I shook my head, instinctively feeling that wasn't going to happen. "That's impossible."What was the point of breaking up with Soren if all I had to do to be with him was bear them a son?I didn't understand the Kenways' intentions, but Soren wasn't giving me any room to escape.He arrived half an hour later, finding Silas and me.Since they'd played together just the day before, our son still remembered the man before him. Soren reached out, and Silas naturally threw his arms around his father.Honestly, I felt a twinge of jealousy. Blood was thicker than water, after all.Although they'd never lived together before, Silas had quickly adapted to Soren, welcoming him into his life with such a friendly demeanor.With our son in one arm, Soren opened the car door. "Get in."I resisted. "Do I really have to go? Can't you just take Hale with you instead?"Soren's direct stare was unwaverin
I held Silas' hand as I coaxed him, doing my best to calm him down.Fortunately, he was a cheerful little bunny with the courage of a lion. He stopped resisting the moment my aunt promised to buy him plenty of toys and food.My grandmother was awake when we entered the ward. Despite her frailty, her face lit up with a smile when she saw her great-grandson.My aunt led Silas to her bedside, and my grandmother reached out to clasp his tiny hand with her scrawny one.The scene struck me deeply, as if my grandmother was passing down her legacy.My nose stung with emotion at the sight.We stayed with her for a while, but her stamina waned after less than an hour.Seeing how she struggled to stay awake, I coaxed her gently, like soothing a child, "Why don't you get some rest, Grandma? We'll play again when you wake up. We've got nothing but time."My grandmother nodded reluctantly before drifting off to sleep.True to her word, my aunt bought Silas a generous haul of toys and snacks
Soren hesitated to leave. He spoke softly to Silas for a while, kissed him, and only let go when Amanda and Jean returned."What happened? How did your talk go?" Jean asked curiously, setting down my dinner.I smiled and answered calmly, "It went alright. I don't think he's planning to take my son away from me. He did ask if he could bring Hale home to meet his grandfather after we visit Grandma."Amanda nodded. "It's a reasonable request. Both your grandparents would be happy to see that you two have a family together."Jean raised an eyebrow. "What about you? Didn't he say anything to you?""What about?""What do you think?! You've already had his son. Shouldn't he be doing something about it? When are you two going to get back together, or get married? You should give Hale the perfect family, don't you think?"Jean looked at me, waiting for an answer.I simply shook my head. "I've never thought about that."The truth was, I still loved Soren, but I didn't want him for mysel
I had finished with the milk powder and was starting to shake the milk bottle when I glanced at him and said, "That's all I can offer to answer your questions."If you're trying to blame me for not telling you earlier, I'm sorry, but I don't have an explanation. I didn't know how to bring it up in that situation."Besides… I knew I wasn't in perfect health when I got pregnant. I had been on medication, and the doctor said there was no guarantee Hale would be healthy."At the time, I decided to do my best to take care of myself and wait for a second test. If it turned out I couldn't continue the pregnancy and had to either abort or even induce labor…"Anyway, there were too many factors to consider, so I didn't tell you."I handed the milk bottle to Silas and added, "You should sit down. He won't be able to drink his milk if you keep moving around."Soren took Silas back to the living room and sat down, while I unpacked my luggage to avoid facing his glares any longer.Once Silas
Silas kept crying, clinging to my neck like a koala.Soren looked both helpless and nervous. "Why is he crying? Is he unwell?"Seeing his anxious expression, my anger melted away. I even pitied him a little… He was nothing more than a father meeting his son for the first time.My tone softened as I explained, "He just woke up. He'll be fine in a minute."Soren nodded, his eyes fixed on Silas.As expected, the little fellow calmed down before long and started looking around… only to realize he was in an unfamiliar place surrounded by strangers.His gaze eventually settled on Soren.Silas was still teary-eyed, his mouth slightly pouted. When he spotted Soren, he grew calm, his eyes locked on the man before him.Father and son stared at each other for a while…I had no idea what Silas was thinking, but the way he looked at Soren was telling. It was as if he instinctively recognized the man as family.Silas probably didn't understand bloodlines or genetics, but he seemed certain
"What else do you think? Or do you think there's no need to explain because it has nothing to do with me at all?" Soren's voice was gentle, still soft out of consideration for our sleeping child.But I could tell he was angry, and that made me nervous.I avoided his gaze and replied softly, "It was an accident, and we were already separated for some time when I found out.""That's your reason for not telling me all this?" Soren clearly didn't believe a word I said.I pursed my lips and frowned.The truth was, there was nothing for me to explain. My pregnancy was an accident, and I decided to keep the child because I couldn't bring myself to end a life.Besides, I didn't have much time to think it over at the time.Cornered, I raised my voice, fighting back. "What do you want me to say? The fact is, he's here now. You're free to be part of his life if you want. Otherwise, you can forget he even exists.""Taylor!" My words only made Soren angrier. "How could you say something so