Irene smiled. "It hurts.""Then why are you carrying Tommy?" Sheryl asked as she put the glass of cranberry juice on the table. "Don't you know how heavy he is now? I guess you weren't hurt enough, huh?"Still, she was sympathetic enough to take Tommy off Irene's arms."Carry him when you're better," Sheryl said as she carried Tommy downstairs, not forgetting to remind her, "And finish your juice."Tommy pouted unhappily. "I hate you, Grandma."Sheryl tapped his little nose. "Be a good boy. Your mommy's sick right now, but she'll play with you when she's better.""You're lying. Mommy can carry me and she's smiling. She's not sick." Tommy started flailing his little feet. "Let me down."Sheryl did so, and he promptly ran up to the couch and threw himself on it angrily. "Be a good boy now," Sheryl coaxed. "How about I buy you another Transformers—""I don't wanna!" Tommy snapped, refusing it despite his recently developed fondness for Transformers.Unable to coax him whateve
Irene's voice was hoarse as she began, "Hold me, Isaac."Isaac did so, leaning in and wrapping his arms around her through the blanket, asking her softly, "Do your hips hurt?"As Irene stayed silent, Isaac chuckled. "What's gotten into you? Hmm? Tommy's eyes were red and puffy, just like yours. Are you going to cry too?"Irene sniffled. "Tommy was crying?""Oh, he's enjoying himself out in the courtyard now," Isaac said, his expression turning serious. "What about you?"Irene returned her hug, burying her face over his chest. "I just miss you.""Me too." Isaac chuckled. "I love you, Isaac."That was the only way she could tell him that she cared about him—because she could not tell him about her biochemical pregnancy.When Isaac lowered his gaze at her, she quickly averted her eyes.Even as tears trickled off the corner of her eye, she played it down and said, "Don't look at me. I'll get embarrassed." Isaac pulled the blanket up over her shoulders as he replied, "Yes, ma'a
Isaac frowned at Neil's short fuse."Your father was murdered. The police are building a case as we speak." Neil did not buy it at all. "You're only making excuses for your wife. Do you think I'd believe something so outrageous? Do I look that stupid and gullible to you?"Isaac really wanted to tell Neil he certainly was—he certainly was reluctant to speak with Neil's type, who always seemed to lack something in his cranium. They even discovered that he was working at a Fortune 500 company when they did a background check on him. How did he even get his job, with that measly bit of intelligence?And how did he not get fired?That was when James arrived with a policeman, who was the officer in charge of this case.Neil was cowed a little right then. "You don't have the right of reason even if you get the cops. I'm not afraid."James shot him a cool look. "Listen to what Officer Jenkins has to say first before you keep yapping.""What…" James's eyes flashed, but he stayed si
A man—a full-fledged adult at that—was bawling like a child!As Neil cried a river, James was pursing his lips in disdain.Still, he became more understanding when he considered Neil's misery from losing a loved one, even passing him a tissue.Be that as it may, it still took Neil a long while to calm down.Wiping his face and looking up at James, he asked, "This isn't a ploy, right?"James shook his head. "We won't lie to you. Your father was a good man."Neil nodded. "Okay."He was about to leave when Isaac called out to him. "I heard that you're working at Hartner Corp. Once you're done with your father's funeral arrangements, you'll be promoted when you return to work."Neil's eyes widened in shock—he had been working at Hartner for years, but he never had a chance to be promoted. And now… "Thank you," he exclaimed happily—a promotion naturally meant a bigger paycheck, but…Getting skeptical again, he asked, "You're not helping me with the promotion out of guilt, are y
"Know what?" Martin asked.Lulu pursed her lips. "You know what I'm talking about."Martin blinked. "No, I really don't.""Anyway, I'm getting sleepy." He yawned and wrapped his arms firmly around her. "Let's sleep!"However, Lulu felt uneasy and her heart was pounding. Still, she said determinedly, "I wouldn't have married you if I was convinced I can reconcile with my ex. I hope you can trust me when I say that you're my refuge, alright?" "Yeah, I know," Martin said, kissing her hair. "I misspoke and made you uncomfortable. I'll be more careful next time.""That's not it," Lulu said, shaking her head. Still, she took a while to prepare herself before saying, "The man we met at the lobby the other day? That's my ex.""I know," Martin said. Lulu was not surprised, and she lowered her gaze. "I should've known you'd pick up on it. I didn't tell you because I didn't want you to feel upset…""Cut that out," Martin said, holding her hand. "I knew you had a past even when I ch
Lulu promptly wheeled on the stewards who brought the breakfast cart and snapped, "We don't need this. Take it away!"Martin turned toward her just then.What happened? She usually would never get upset this easily… Still, he did not question her. Instead, he told the stewards, "You can take these away. We've actually been having breakfast here for a while…""Actually, sir, this isn't from our hotel," one of the stewards said awkwardly. "A gentleman had us deliver it."Martin promptly understood why Lulu got upset. The man they met at the lobby must have sent these. "Alright, just leave it here. You may go now," he said.Lulu stared at him in confusion. "Why? Don't you know who sent these?""I do," Martin replied.Lulu was even more confused. "If you do, then…"Martin did not explain, but instead closed the door after sending the stewards away. Then, he walked up to Lulu, and helped her sit down on the couch. "Would you change anything if you throw these away?" Martin
Zachary did not follow them since he had his pride. If he still tagged along after everything Lulu said, he would cheapen himself! So what was he still obsessing about?Lulu had already started over! As he stared at Lulu and Martin holding hands, he suddenly hung his head and chuckled self-deprecatingly. Maybe he had just made himself a joke for them, showing up here?He strode out of the hotel and drove away.Since she was happy now, he should not bother her.He could make amends by offering her his blessing anyway.…Irene was meeting Lulu at home.Mrs. Watson brewed a pot of tea for them, while the rest of the hilltop mansion was quiet—Tommy was still obsessively playing with his Bumblebee walker outside, while Irene's second child was asleep. "So? How is the case going?" Lulu asked directly. Irene had yet to ask Isaac for an update, but since he had returned home very late last night, it was probably resolved."I think it'll be resolved soon," Irene said, lookin
Despite her surprise, Irene quickly pulled Erin Gooding into the mansion."When did you come back?" she asked."Just got off the plane," Erin said, looking inside the mansion. "You have guests?"Irene pulled her along and made the introductions. "This is Lulu, my best friend, and this is Martin. He's a cop."Erin nodded at them. "Hello."Lulu smiled in return, but noticed that Erin was a lot more quiet than before. She certainly was less adorably energetic after what happened.Lulu got to her feet. "It's been a while since I've been in Cloud City, and I was thinking I should show Martin around."She excused herself since Irene had another visitor, and Irene nodded since she was not sure if Erin had something private to ask.As she walked with Lulu out of the mansion, she locked arms with her and said, "Come over and have dinner with us. We have yet to catch up even though you're back.""Yeah," Lulu promised.Irene had her old chauffeur drive them, since it was inconvenient