‘I was thinking at that time, didn’t she want me to marry her? Her cautions, her understanding, and all her grievances were all fake?‘It was not that I didn’t sympathize with her, but whenever I sympathized with this woman and wanted to make up for her, she gave me a feeling that she didn’t need me to sympathize with her.‘Was she heartless? I didn’t know, and I didn’t want to know. Even though I had a fling with Sandy, and she actually knew about it, she had never stopped me. Was she so self-abased?‘Actually, no, she was not self-abased. She was just colder and more heartless than any ordinary woman.‘I started to feel like I could never see through her. She would be happy whenever I treated her better. However, I had never seen her be happy, and I had seldom seen her smile ever since. Even if I offered to accompany her to dinner, she would always come up with any kind of excuse to avoid me.‘Yes, she started avoiding me.‘Perhaps it was because I had already gotten used to he
‘But she didn’t.‘Sandy’s pregnancy was like a ticking time bomb that had exploded right next to me and completely caught me off guard. On one side, it was the ex who I couldn’t get my mind off and was pregnant with my child; on the other, it was the woman who wanted to marry me. I really didn’t know what to do.‘Whenever I saw Sandy cry, I would always think of Pearl. Pearl has never cried, and I’ve never seen her cry or show her fragile side to me ever since I got to know her.‘When the engagement was canceled, and she moved out of the apartment, I couldn’t control my urge any longer and defiled her while I was drunk. I finally got my hands on the woman that I once despised.‘She isn’t as bad as I thought, and it wasn’t that she couldn’t or wouldn’t cry. It was just that she didn’t care. It hurts me deep down when I see her crying. That’s why I didn’t want to see her cry.‘It’s undeniable that I have feelings for Pearl. Perhaps I was already tempted from the moment I started pay
“Colton—” Maisie wanted to stop him, but it was already too late.‘He could’ve mentioned anyone, but he mentioned Nollace instead.’Sure enough, when Daisie heard Nollace’s name, her delighted face dimmed in an instant.Colton realized that he had misspoken and scratched his head. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to say that. Just invite whoever you want. I’m not—”Before he could finish speaking, Daisie had already sprinted upstairs, and the slamming of a door followed the series of footsteps.Maisie glanced at Colton, and the latter pouted. “I didn’t mean it.”Maisie patted his head. “Go and comfort your sister.”“I know.” Colton put down the flower in her hand and followed Daisie upstairs.He came to Daisie’s room and knocked on the door. “Daisie, it was all my fault, and I’m apologizing to you now! So please open the door!”Daisie, who was standing downstairs, heard Colton’s voice and could not help but chuckle.‘Colton can be disagreeable and critical from time to time, but he
The bodyguard nodded and drove away.“Mom!” Daisie took Zephir to Maisie’s side and introduced him to her, “Mom, this is Zephir, the friend I’ve been mentioning to you.”Zephir greeted her politely, “Hello, Mrs. Goldmann. I study in the same school as Daisie. I’m currently in the sixth grade, and my name is Zephir Gosling.”Maisie laughed. “It’s nice to meet you, Zephir.”‘This boy seems very humble and polite.’She then glanced at Daisie. “You’re in charge of your friend tonight. You have to entertain your guest well.”Daisie nodded. “I know, Mom, I’ll definitely try my best to entertain him!”After Daisie took Zephir away, Barbara came over with Beatrice in her arms. “Your daughter is quite popular among boys, huh?”Not to mention, as far as Daisie’s appearance was concerned, she was already very pretty-looking at the age of nine. She would definitely look breathtaking in another few years' time.Maisie rubbed her temples. “Yeah, this is the pain in my *ss right now.”‘Afte
“Colton, hold on to these for me. The smoke just got into my eyes.” Daisie handed the uncooked skewers to Colton, who looked reluctant but grabbed them from her anyway.Barbara picked up a tissue and helped her wipe her eyes, feeling rather helpless and funny. “How did you manage to get so dirty from only grilling a few skewers?”Zephir looked at Colton. “Perhaps I can grill them for her?”“I don’t need your help.” Colton squatted down and placed the skewers back on the grill.Daisie smacked his head while he was at it. “Don’t yell at my guest!”He talked back with a cowardly tone. “Alright, alright, I shouldn’t yell.”Lisa sat in her seat, stared at the noisy but harmonious scene over at the grill, and looked a little downcast and lonely as if it was a scene that she could not fit into.…The Santiago manor looked relatively lonely and still compared to the bustling Goldmann mansion. Antonio was away because he had to deal with his company’s affairs, so Mrs. Santiago and Pearl
Pearl stared at Tanner and did not utter a single word.‘I’m pregnant. But Mom doesn’t let me tell Tanner about this.’Tanner claimed that he had hurt a woman before this, but he kept apologizing to her.These things were constantly replaying in her mind like a fragmentary video. Even though she could not remember anything, she kept on feeling a sense of heaviness looming within her chest cavity, making it very difficult for her to breathe.“Pearl, what’s the matter with you?” Tanner wanted to caress her cheek, but she ducked his hand abruptly.“I feel a little tired. I wish to rest.”His hand froze in mid-air, only a few inches away from her face. But seeing that she had said that, he slowly withdrew his hand and could not help but clench it tightly.After a while, he stood up with a smile. “Then you should go and grab some rest first. I’ll come to visit you some other day.”When Tanner was leaving the manor, Pearl stared at his back and did not know what to think about.At B
Nolan smiled and grabbed her by her waist. “You’re the lady of the house here, but you can’t make a decision?”Maisie leaned in half an inch. “I’m discussing with you, the lord of the house.”Nolan carried her to the table and put his hands behind her on the table. He then put his lips close to her cheeks. “Our discussions would be more fruitful at night.”Maisie chuckled and put a finger to his lips. “That’s not a discussion. That’s a transaction.”He laughed. “Transactions are so old-fashioned.” He then buried his face on her neck, brushing his lips against her skin. “That’s part of the fun.”Maisie felt ticklish, so she escaped. “You’re so naughty even during the daytime.”He kissed her lips. “Ever since I met you, I’ve forgotten what not being naughty means.” His hand slowly unbuttoned her clothes.At that moment, there was the sound of shattered china downstairs.Maisie immediately pushed him away and tidied up her clothes. “What was that?”Nolan hugged her. “Zee, don’t l
Maisie shook her head and sat on his lap. “I just think that it’s a waste. Antonio Santiago is quite a big name in the jewelry industry. He founded La Perla over 30 years ago and thought that he would be able to pass it to his daughter, but he probably never thought that it would go to someone else.”He pushed her hair behind her. “Maybe Antonio knew that he had had a good run, but he didn’t teach or spend enough time with his daughter. After what happened, fame and fortune are no longer as important as family.”Maisie paused and stared at Nolan. “If it was Daisie, would you—”“Yes.” Nolan lowered his head and kissed her forehead, then leaned in closer to her. “I can give up fame and fortune as long as I have you.”Her eyes welled up. She looked down and smiled when Nolan pulled her into a hug and kissed the top of her head.At the same time, at the Santiagos’…Mrs. Santiago finished packing her bags when she went into the study. She saw her husband standing in front of the photo