In the evening, Maisie went to pick up Ryleigh.Ryleigh was wearing a suspender skirt and had a pair of ponytails, looking pure and energetic. She got into the car and fastened her seat belt. “Why would you think of asking me out for a drink all of a sudden?”Maisie had already started the car and departed. She only gave off a depressing smile. “I’m in a bad mood.”“You and Nolan, did you quarrel or what?” Ryleigh sensed her emotions. “Wasn’t everything fine between the two of you before you went to Stoslo?”Maisie’s eyelashes twitched, but she could not bear to utter the sentence “we’re going through a divorce” in the end.She did not say it, maybe because she wanted to maintain the marriage in front of others, even if she was only lying to herself for a short moment.When they came to a bar, both of them ordered a cocktail respectively. Ryleigh stirred the drink with a straw and turned to look at her. “Zee, are you okay?”Maisie paused for a split second but then changed the s
“Lew, it’s strange that you actually called your fiancée here to drink with us.” Tanner Hannigan was holding a red wine glass, and his gaze was fixed on Louis as he teased and chuckled.Louis did not respond to him.Ryleigh threw the snacks on the table at him. “Nonsense! What are you blabbering about over there?”Tanner avoided the projectiles and laughed. “We’re all living in the same circle. Who wouldn’t know about the engagement between the Hills and the Lucases?”No one in the social circle did not know about the news about the engagement between the Hills and the Lucases. It was already a fact that had been planned and prepared round the clock. Even if Ryleigh did not want to acknowledge the fact, she could not hide from it for the rest of her life.Donovan Santiago, sitting beside Louis, also teased Helios with a chuckle. “Hels, are you still not going to start thinking about your marriage?”Helios put down his glass. “I’m not in a hurry.”“You’re not in a hurry? You’re a
Ryleigh did not want to stay here alone, so she was grabbing her handbag when she turned around and found out that Maisie’s phone was on the couch.“Sigh, how did she…”When she picked up the phone and tapped on the screen, she saw an unread text message when the screen lit up. She was obviously shocked when she saw the content of the text message.Louis looked at her. “Is it her phone?”Ryleigh did not answer, picked up her handbag, and quickly dashed out of the room.“Lew, what are they…” Donovan asked while the other two looked a little confused.Louis took a deep breath and got up. “You guys should continue. I’ll catch up to them and check things out.”As soon as Ryleigh walked out of the bar, Louis came up to her, held her, and said slowly, “Call Helios and ask him where he is. I’ll take you there.”Ryleigh was still trapped in a daze.Louis thought she did not hear him and was about to say something when Ryleigh suddenly looked up at him. “Mr. Goldmann wants to divorce Z
“Yes, I envied him for having parents who love him, and I envied the freedom that he has.” Helios explained with a smile.The loneliness in his eyes made Maisie feel that he was indeed envious of Nolan.Helios added indifferently, “Someone once told me that it will be a tragedy if humans don’t have any dreams and don’t have the guts to live for themselves but only know how to follow the rules and survive this world, jumping from one day to another.”He then turned to look at her. “The person who said that was Nolan’s mother, Aunt Natasha Knowles.”Maisie opened her mouth but did not speak.He continued to say slowly, “The elders in my family have always been very strict. When I was young, besides learning etiquette and established practices, I also had to read various books to supplement my knowledge. And after I went to a private college, I had to learn even more things. Thus, I didn't have enough time to relax. I didn’t even dare to hope to be able to make friends back then.”M
Maisie stopped talking.‘I’ve heard from Cherie about the story between the Bouchers and the Knowles. If Yael hadn’t given up on Natasha because of his family’s arrangement back then, perhaps, Nolan wouldn’t have been the Nolan that I’ve known and loved. Helios wouldn’t have been the Helios who’s sitting right beside me either.‘Everything has already been predestined, and if I hadn’t changed my mind back then, perhaps I would’ve never met Nolan.‘The absurd event from six years ago led us to tread into each other’s life, sowing a seed that would only sprout later on. Six years later, the gears of fate started turning again, causing us to run into each other once again. But isn’t this all my choice? If I hadn’t chosen to come back to Zlokova to fight for Vaenna but continued to enjoy the fame and fortune that I had earned in Stoslo, I might’ve never met the father of my kids.’Helios took a glimpse at his watch. “It’s very late already. I’ll fetch you home.”After hearing so much,
“Nolan, you—” Louis wanted to rush over and beat him up, but Ryleigh was holding him back, and he couldn’t just push her away. Louis rarely lost his temper and would never fight someone without a valid reason, but Nolan crossed a line!“That's enough.”Maisie looked calm as a statue—her expression was impossible to read. Her fingers curled, turned cold, and shuddered. She looked at Nolan, her eyes finally turning red, and tears almost fell out of them. Still, Nolan wouldn’t look at her. He didn’t dare. “Nolan, what can you do to me if I choose not to proceed with the divorce?” Yes, she had lost her dignity, but she still wanted to try and salvage their relationship. She took a step back but wouldn’t accept the divorce. She wouldn’t leave even if he chased her away. How could she believe that the man who had risked his life to protect her in Stoslo didn’t love her anymore or that he was already tired of her? “Maisie, didn’t you hear him? Getting a divorce with him would be y
There wasn’t much time left. The door slammed shut, and the black car drove away, disappearing into the dark night. Maisie stood on the spot. When she lowered her head, the tears that had blurred out her vision fell to her shoes and splattered like a blooming flower.Ryleigh ran to her and held her shoulders. “Maisie, why wouldn’t you let go when he’s already—”“You wouldn't understand.” Maisie cut her off, the lights casting a long shadow and displaying her sad silhouette. After a long time, she said in a low voice, “Send me back to Vanderbilt manor, please.”She never looked up.Helios stared at her for a while and said, “I’ll go get the car.”Maisie was quiet all the way back. She took her phone, thanked Helios, and got out of the car without looking back when they arrived at the Vanderbilt manor. Helios watched her walk to the door. He was in deep thought while frowning. He then picked up his phone and sent a message. In the meantime, at the Goldmann mansion…Nolan wa
“Don’t you need to work?”“Sigh, I can apply for time off. I just won’t get paid for a few days.” Ryleigh waved her arm dismissively.Maisie picked up the coffee, took a sip, and started feeling nauseated. She immediately put down the cup and rushed to the washroom. “Zee?” Ryleigh stood up. Maisie rushed to the washroom and into one of the stalls. She started throwing up once she flipped the lid up.“Zee, are you alright?”Ryleigh stood outside. When she saw her throwing up, she looked surprised, “Zee, are you—”Her mind went straight there. Maisie immediately froze. She had been feeling nauseated, didn’t have an appetite, and her period was late. No way!?Maisie flushed and walked out with a hand on her stomach, looking much paler. Ryleigh was worried. “Do you want me to go to the hospital for a check-up with you?”Maisie didn’t object. What if she really was pregnant? What should she do? Nolan wanted a divorce, so what would happen to the child? Ryleigh brought Maisie