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
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
Tears welled up in my eyes as I stared at the screen, Jean's words echoing in my mind.She was right—it would be unfair to our child to hide his father's identity from him forever. In fact, it would be cruel.No matter how good a mother I was, I knew I could never give him the love of a father.On the other hand, Soren clearly loved children and would make an excellent father.I collected my thoughts and replied to Jean's message.Me: [I'll be there soon.]As soon as I was downstairs, however, doubt crept in.I hadn't lived in that neighborhood for long, and it had been two years since I'd left. The surroundings had changed a bit, and I nearly lost my way as I wandered through the area. It wasn't until Jean called me that I found the courage to head upstairs.I expected Amanda to answer the door, but instead, a tall man appeared.The bright light from behind him cast his face in shadow, and I couldn't see his features clearly.For a moment, I forgot how to breathe. My gaze
"Alright. You should go home to Hale," my aunt urged. "I'll take care of Mom, okay? Go home and get some proper rest. Bring Hale here tomorrow."I barely had time to respond before my phone rang. It was Jean. I wondered if my son had woken up and they couldn't calm him down."Hey, Jeannie? I'll be right there!" I said hurriedly.To my surprise, Jean stammered, "Er, T-Tay? Um..."A chill ran down my spine. Something was off. "What's going on, Jeannie?"I heard a shuffle—someone else had taken the phone.Then, a voice I hadn't heard in years, except in my dreams, spoke. "Which hospital are you at? I'll drive over."I froze. The phone nearly slipped from my hand.My aunt's expression turned serious. "What is it, Taylor? Is Hale upset because he couldn't see you?"I shook my head, stunned. My lips moved, but no sound came out.How? How did he know I was back? And to go straight to Amanda's?Soren... must've seen him. He had to have seen his son."Hello? Taylor, are you still th
Jean and Amanda arrived together. I was pulling my suitcase with one hand and pushing the pram with the other when they waved at me."Welcome back, my friend! Hale, come to your Jea-Jea!" Jean rushed forward and scooped my son out of the pram.Amanda didn't even glance at me. She had eyes only for Silas. "Whoa! He's a carbon copy of his old man! Where the hell did your genes go, girl?"Jean raised an eyebrow. "Told ya I wasn't exaggerating.""You weren't kidding. He wouldn't even need a paternity test to prove this lil' guy is the fruit of his loins," Amanda said loud enough that a few heads turned.I'd had enough of being ignored. "Hey! What about me? Did you two show up for me or for him?""Him, 100%. You're just his plus-one," Jean shot back with a grin.Amanda finally turned around and gave me a hug. "Oh, sorry, babe. Welcome back!"That hug made all the difference. "I could say the same about you both. It's really good to see you girls."We headed into the city. On the wa
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