Ricky tried to free himself from Stan, but the other man kept a vice-like grip on his hand to stop him from running. Even so, Ricky protested. "No. I'd never agree to that—there's no way I can do it anyway. Just let me go!"Stan told him as politely as he could, "You're the best man for the job.""What do you mean I'm the best man for the job? Do you think Sheryl wouldn't be devastated if I were the one who told her?! I won't be the villain here! I refuse!"To Ricky, Stan might as well have been telling him the worst joke ever.Even if his mother had been at odds with Sheryl and Irene, there was no doubt that his mother had done more than her fair share of mistakes.And after he spent a lot of time with Sheryl and Irene, he could feel that they were generally kind, and long since considered them family. Sheryl had since become a mother figure as well… but if he told her that Irene was dead, she would die weeping!"Can't we hide it?" Ricky certainly believed that silence was the
Zachary was stunned. "You lost your job?"Lulu had already turned to leave, not remotely bothered to answer him.Zachary was not going to let up so soon, however, and caught her by the wrist."Let go!" Lulu exclaimed, appearing utterly disgusted by his touch.It certainly cut Zachary to the quick—she hated him so much already?"Do you really think that our past was that stupid?" Her words were basically a refusal to acknowledge their past relationship, and it was unacceptable to him.Even if they had broken up, they used to be truly in love. How could she dismiss it like that?"What else would it be?" someone suddenly asked.It was Ricky, who had returned with Lulu's drink, shooting Zachary a glare as he gave it to her. "You are the one who cheated Lulu, and then doubted her even though she clearly wasn't the one behind the banners, and you made her lose her job too. How despicable can you be? But it's fine—I'll take good care of her, and you don't have to worry. So stay aw
Zachary demanded, "You're the one who got Lulu fired, aren't you?"Ember could clearly hear his voice from upstairs!Mrs. Slate scoffed. "You call that a job? And yes, I framed her for a mistake and got her fired. She was the one who humiliated us with those banners at your wedding, and her behavior will only escalate if I don't straighten her out."Ember was naturally smug when she heard that—Mrs. Slate now hated Lulu to the bone, did she not?"Do you have any evidence it was her?" Zachary snapped."Evidence? She admitted it herself!" Mrs. Slate shot back, furious that Zachary was still thinking about Lulu. "You're married, Zahcary—you should be caring about Ember. Her family background matches ours, and she is the Lindts' only daughter. It's not just an individual marriage, but a marriage between families! Don't you understand how lucky you are?"Zachary had always known that his mother loved money and influence, and his father's philandering ways left her suffering considerabl
Stephen almost lost his footing the instant he saw Isaac inside the office.What was he doing here?!Pulling the doctor aside, he asked softly, "When did he get here?""Just now," the doctor replied. "He chased everyone out the instant he arrived. I think he's gathering Dr. Spencer's belongings."Carr became flustered—Irene repeatedly emphasized the importance that he gathered her belongings.What was he supposed to do now?"Is there something wrong, Dr. Carr?" The doctor noticed the look on his face. Stephen quickly shook his head. "It's nothing. Also, all of you should go about your business instead of standing around.The doctors dispersed, while Stephen, feeling too guilty to talk to Isaac, turned to leave as well.He would never dare.…A quietness loomed amid the rows of desks in the office, and Isaac was the only one seated there, at Irene's seat.There were stacks of books, research papers, patient medical histories, and various receipts on the table. Only one ph
Isaac stared at the letter for a long while without moving, as if he was frozen stiff.He was simply staggered… To think that Yvaine Lynd had written such a letter to Irene! He certainly never expected his mother to remember everything but not come back to him because she fell in love with Mick Gooding!Haha… the irony! His mother fell in love with another man. Did she even think what that made of his father?His fingers clenched, and the paper crumpled in his grasp.Stephen was mentioned in the letter…Rising to his feet, he stormed toward Stephen's office.Stephen looked up the instant he opened his office door and quickly rose to his feet when he saw that it was Isaac.While he had weathered his fair share of drama with patients and their families over the years, he felt pure, gripping fear around Isaac. Perhaps because he was feeling guilty and hid a lot of things from the man, he did not dare to meet Isaac's gaze. Even as he kept his eyes elsewhere, he asked, "Is ther
Irene agreed to be the scapegoat implicated with Yvaine's death. And it was all because Yvaine had written her letter, asking her to save Mick.She just wanted to carry out Yvaine's will, only for Isaac to misunderstand and give her the silent treatment.How miserable must she have felt? She could not tell him anything because Yvaine told her not to, leaving her to suffer it all alone!"My selfishness led to this. I shouldn't have asked someone innocent to take the fall just to save a friend, and cause a misunderstanding between you and her. I'm sorry—""'Sorry?'" Isaac scoffed. "Did you think that's going to cut it?!"Stephen did not dare to say a word in response—it was true, a mere sorry was not going to cut it."'Violated your ethics as a doctor', was it? Then you shouldn't keep your job, or you'll insult the profession," Isaac growled before turning to leave. He then stopped at the doorway, and added without looking back, "People like you don't deserve anything."With t
When the door opened and Irene saw the person standing outside, she exclaimed in surprise, "You?!""Stephen contacted me and gave me your address," Mick Gooding told her. "He wants someone to take care of you, since you've just arrived and probably not used to this place."Irene did not let him in immediately—naturally, she had her concerns."Don't worry," Mick assured her. "Stephen told me everything—your secret is safe with me."It was only then that Irene let him in.While Mick survived a car crash, he was injured considerably. It was only thanks to the advancement of medical technology that he made a full recovery. Even so, Yvaine's death still hit him badly—he looked much older now, and the tip of his hair was turning white, as if he aged a decade in an instant.After Mick entered, he gave Irene a business card. "Here's my number and address. Contact me if you need help." Irene took it out of politeness. "Thank you.""You don't have to. I mean, didn't you come here beca
Irene's call was soon answered. "Is there a problem? Why are you calling at this hour? It must be midnight over there…"Irene had been keeping contact with Stephen over the last six months, and he occasionally took photos or videos of Tommy there. In fact, he recently sent her a video of Tommy, but she was now calling him again, intent on asking for more favors despite it although she would be asking too much.But it was Tommy's birthday."Why aren't you saying anything?" Stephen noticed her silence. "Like I said, I've already gathered the stuff you left on your desk."Stephen did not dare to tell her the truth. Knowing that she would get worried, he decided to just tell her that she took everything—she was not going to find out from over there anyway.Irene said softly, "I know, but that's not what I'm asking about. It's my son's birthday…""It took me over a month to get that video for you," Stephen told her.It was certainly difficult for Stephen to reach Tommy, what with S
Soon after the wedding, Mr. Fowler proposed for Stan to work at his company to get used to the work over there.He was worried as he did not have much time left, and it would not do if he was gone before the proper arrangements were made.Still, Stan returned to Franconia with Isaac and his family, sorting out things at work and finishing every task he had on hand.While Isaac used to have a lot of free time with Stan around, he was just slightly busier after Stan left. After all, no company should operate in a way that losing a single person would stall all their operations.And after a week, Stan sorted out all the remaining tasks he had in Franconia and returned to Zidonia to start work at the Fowlers' family business.While Stan had property in Zidonia too, he moved into the Fowlers' mansion, but not as a live-in son-in-law. He was simply aware of Mr. Fowler's illness, and Rea wanted to spend more time with her parents.And as the son-in-law, he was obliged to do that much.
Despite feeling wistful, Mr. Fowler eventually passed Rea's hand to Stan. "I hope you will both cherish each other from now on."Rea told him, "We will."Thereafter, it was the usual proceedings of a wedding, with exchange of rings and vows, the wedding speech, and the luncheon!Though everything went smoothly, Mrs. Fowler could not help shedding tears.She was pleased that her daughter was finally getting married, especially since she was looking forward to this.But now that Rea really did marry, she was worried that her life might get difficult and unhappy.Such was the worrisome nature of mothers.-Later, Stan led Rea to Isaac's table.They were all acquainted, but Stan introduced everyone once again to reacquaint them with Rea.After all, she was no longer Zachary's friend's cousin now, but Stan's wife.Erin was grinning from ear to ear. "Congratulations.""Thank you." Rea smiled in return."Congrats," Baby said, imitating the adults.Rea reached out to stroke his c
Zachary said, "I heard you sealed the deal with Rea Fowler, and her family is preparing for your wedding."Stan smiled. "I'm the look of success—getting a girl couldn't be simpler. See? I'm getting married already.""Well, I guess we're all taken now," Erin said.Tommy poked his head up just then. "Congratulations, Uncle Stan.""Thank you." Stan chuckled, patting his head."Also, I heard that you're marrying into the Fowler family?" Zachary asked.Everyone turned to stare at Stan in shock, but it was understandable.Stan was not that modest that he would have to go that far—he had money and was successful enough to afford a wife.Still, Zachary—who knew the Fowlers—suggested, "To be fair, they do need someone to take care of the family business…"-Either way, it meant that Irene's family would be delaying their return trip to Franconia.After all, none of them had expected to attend Stan's wedding so soon after Zachary's.Stan himself did not expect that either, as he had
"What's the problem? We've already slept together," Rea said as she put her clothes on.She frowned as Stan was still on the bed and not moving. "What, are you going to stay in my bed forever?""What am I supposed to wear?" Stan shrugged. "You haven't brought my clothes here.""I'll get it for you."Rea remembered his suitcase then and hurried downstairs to bring it up."Wear whatever you like. I'll be waiting downstairs," she said and hurried away.Stan got out of bed and put on a suit—it was only right to dress formally when it came to discussing marriage.After cleaning up and heading downstairs, he found Rea sandwiched by her parents.Stan had no idea if she had already mentioned it, but both Mr. and Mrs. Fowler were both staring at him, leaving him further tense.Clearing his throat, Stan began, "Excuse me, but—""Yes, we agree to you marrying our daughter.""You mean marrying into our family," Rea corrected them.Everyone else was staring at her before asking all at o
If Rea asked her parents now, they would only get sad, and life would become difficult for everyoneWhat should she do to make them happy?Right, she could get married! Her parents would definitely be pleased. As for the choice of bridegroom, did she not have one readily available here?If Stan could pretend to be her boyfriend, he could definitely be her husband too.They could fake their marriage if they had to!Putting the medical file back where she found it, she wobbled up to her feet and left the room.Stan had yet to step out of the bathroom when she returned, so she sat on the bed and waited.After a while, Stan stepped out with a towel around his waist and paused when he saw Rea sitting there. "Where are my clothes?" He asked, presuming that Rea had forgotten since there was nothing on the bed or the table. "My suitcase is still in your car trunk."Rea turned toward him. "Let's get married."Stan was left speechless for a moment and soon chuckled, "Did you forge
Mrs. Fowler smacked her daughter, but while Rea thought she was angry, she said instead, "Just do your best."Rea's mind was blown—were her parents bewitched? They were completely different from before! A long time ago, her parents had used to tell her that she did not have to marry as long as she was happy.But later on, they had persistently sent her on blind dates… and now, they were telling her to seduce a man?Touching her mother's forehead, Rea asked, "Are you sick?"Mrs. Fowler slapped her hand off. "Your dad and I are leaving now.""Yeah." Mr. Fowler nodded. "The chauffeur is waiting."Rea walked them to the door and watched as their car left before returning inside.She did not go upstairs since Stan was asleep, and she would be bored—she was the type who just could not sit still.However, it was inappropriate if she left since that would leave nobody home.In her boredom, she thought of pranking Stan. She headed upstairs to find him asleep, and soundly at that.Ca
Unable to argue against her parents, Rea said, "Fine, fine. Whatever you say."Mrs. Fowler smiled. "Then help Stan upstairs to get some rest.""Which room?" Rea asked.Mrs. Fowler realized with a start and quickly said, "Oh, there's no bedding in the guest room… So let him stay in your room."Rea was left staring at her in shock. "When did you get so open-minded? Letting a man stay in your daughter's room?"Mrs. Fowler shrugged. "What can he do when he's drunk?""Haven't you heard of drunken fumbles?" Rea asked.Both Mr. and Mrs. Fowler shook their heads at the same time. "Nope."Rea was left totally speechless—this was just outrageous!She would think that Stan was actually their son, if it was not for the fact that they were not acquainted before.They were not like this before either—even if they were urging her to get married, they were not throwing her at a man like this!Mr. Fowler then said, "If anything happens, we'll demand that he takes responsibility and marries y
"I get it," Stan replied quietly. "I wouldn't have been upset even if you didn't explain yourself. But since you did, I forgive you."Rea's brow creased as she pursed her lips. "See? I knew it. We really shouldn't be too nice to you."While Stan was speechless, Mrs. Fowler was enthusiastically putting food on Stan's plate. "This is our family's favorite dish. Try it."Stan nodded after a bite. "It's good."Mrs. Fowler smiled, while Mr. Fowler poured him a glass of wine. "Can you hold your liquor?"Stan smiled. "More or less.""You're being humble now." Mr. Fowler smiled at him. "You're definitely a good drinker.""A little."Rea had enough right then. "Dad, Stan has work to do, and he has to return to Franconia tomorrow. You're going to make things difficult for him."Mr. Fowler smiled awkwardly. "Right…" "You think?" Rea huffed, snatching his wine away. "Everyone only gets to have one glass."Mr. Fowler glared at Rea. "Party pooper."Rea shrugged. "I'm doing this for your
Rea turned her head aside. "Then what's your hobby?"Stan did a double take and remembered his life… which was work and more work.It had been years since he took leave, and he would not get to goof off the last few days if it had not been for Zachary's wedding.Hobby? He certainly did not have anything like that.Now that he thought about it, his life was boring and monotonous, and he did not have anyone very close.That was why he wanted a kind, understanding wife to care and offer him company while he took care of her needs.When he looked up at Rea, he clearly felt that she was not for him—he needed someone to take care of him, but with her, he would be busy taking care of her instead."You're looking at me weirdly," Rea suddenly said."How so?" Stan asked.Rea moved closer, looking him in the eyes and asking solemnly, "Don't tell me—you've fallen for me?""You don't just suffer from a flawed personality—you're narcissistic too."Stan pursed his lips and checked the tim