Mila didn't immediately accept Nathan's proposal. Instead, she feigned sleep. It wasn't that she didn't want to marry him. She simply couldn't commit at the moment.She wished to wait until Oliver was apprehended and Loretta had her vengeance before she could fully embrace marriage with Nathan. With Oliver still on the loose, she couldn't find peace.The following morning, the doctor arrived to examine Nathan. He ensured Nathan's wound wouldn't become infected before approving his release from the hospital.…Back at Hoffis Manor, Nathan rushed to Jasper's room, eager to reunite with his son after a month apart. As he embraced Jasper, he couldn't help but marvel at how much the child had grown in such a short time.Seated nearby, Mila observed Nathan cradling their child. She couldn't shake the feeling that the little one seemed tiny and protected in Nathan's embrace.Nathan's affectionate smile, tender gaze, and striking features painted a beautiful picture in Mila's eyes. Jas
"I want to take Jay with me. I want to feed him, give him baths, dress him, and sleep with him," Elio said."He's not a toy, Elio," Mila replied."He's more than just a toy. He cries, he laughs, he even makes cute little sounds," Elio explained.Jasper looked at Elio with big, round eyes and a toothless grin, then made a soft cooing sound.Elio laughed excitedly. "Jay made that cute sound again. He did it again."Then, he left with Jay in his arms. "Jay, let's go play in the room."Nathan quickly got up to watch over both children, ignoring his leg injuries as he followed them outside.Mila sighed helplessly, stood up, and followed them out.Tristan and Michaela were in the living room. When they saw Nathan carrying Elio and Jasper downstairs, they hurried over to help."Nate, your leg is injured. How can you manage carrying two children?" Michaela took Elio, while Tristan held Jay."This little injury doesn't matter," Nathan reassured, feeling that everyone was overly concer
Nathan smiled in response.Robert took the gifts for Nathan.Cameron approached Nathan, draped his arm around Nathan's shoulders, and patted him. Taking a quick look at Nathan, Cameron asked, "You doing okay?""Yeah, I'm good," Nathan replied.Cameron was still his friend, so he was polite.Fenna greeted politely, "Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Hoffis."Since Fenna and Cameron were Nathan's friends, Tristan and Michaela warmly invited them in. "Please, come inside."Cameron also quickly greeted, "Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Hoffis.""Hello," the couple replied together. "Come on in and take a seat."Mila sat on the couch, keeping an eye on Jasper and Elio. When she saw the guests arriving, she smiled warmly, but inside, she felt disgusted.Fenna had visited Nathan in the hospital the previous night but came to Hoffis Manor again, using Cameron as an excuse.Cameron approached Mila and greeted her, "Hey, Wanda, it's been a while.""Hello, Cameron," Mila replied politely. She stood up and moti
Michaela's sense of security had vanished during her years of confinement.It was only in Nathan's presence, as she observed the soldiers from the nearby military base coming and going, that she found solace.Meanwhile, Nathan ignored Fenna's question and turned to Cameron. "Let's head to the study. I have something to discuss with you.""Sure," Cameron replied, rising from his seat. He addressed Fenna, "You stay here with Mr. and Mrs. Hoffis in the living room. I need to talk to Nate."Fenna nodded with a smile. Her eyes fixed on Nathan as she replied, "Got it. You guys go ahead."As Nathan and Cameron disappeared into the study, Fenna's gaze wandered around the living room. "Your house is incredibly spacious and elegant, Mr. and Mrs. Hoffis."Michaela and Tristan exchanged glances, feeling uneasy with Fenna's presence."It's nothing special," Michaela replied tersely.Fenna glanced toward the second floor and asked, "How many maternity nurses does Jay have?""We have two mat
Fenna's face darkened as she questioned, "So, Nate and Wanda sleep together?"Robert's smile vanished in an instant. He regarded Fenna with disbelief, wondering if she was out of her mind.Fenna quickly clarified, "They didn't sleep together during their time at the military base."Robert's expression hardened. "Ms. Hudson, if you'll excuse me, I have other matters to attend to."With that, he turned away to deal with his own affairs.…Meanwhile, in the study, Cameron's expression soured as he heard Nathan's words.He rested his head in his hands, his expression filled with concern as he spoke, "I know Fenna's had feelings for you for years, and she's always been devoted."I thought she'd eventually move on since you're married and happy with Wanda. I didn't realize she was so fixated.""I think it's time to consider professional help for her. Her feelings for me are becoming obsessive. It's affecting my life," Nathan said.Cameron turned to Nathan nervously. "Has she done a
Nathan and Cameron followed the sound to the living room, only to find it empty. They realized the noise was coming from Mila's studio and hurried over to see what was happening.The door was left open. The studio was filled with paintings hanging on the walls and some propped against the floor.Fenna crouched down, feigning nervousness as she attempted to lift a sizable painting from the ground. She said sheepishly, "Sorry, Nate. I accidentally knocked over this painting."Nathan's face darkened, while Cameron hurried to help Fenna lift the painting. Yet, as they lifted it, Cameron's complexion drained of color, and he stood frozen in disbelief.On the four-foot square wooden board lay a portrait painted by Mila, depicting her family of three. However, it was marred by splatters of black ink.Cameron's voice rang out in dismay. "How could you damage someone else's painting?"Fenna's expression fell as she gestured toward the spilled ink on the floor, explaining, "I didn't mean t
Cameron was frustrated and stamped his foot. "Why did you have to touch someone else's stuff? How will you fix this?""I can only pay a few tens of thousands at most," Fenna said firmly.A voice from the doorway interrupted. "Just leave."Nathan turned and saw Mila, looking upset and cold. He walked over, feeling sorry, and took her hand to comfort her. "Don't be upset, Wanda. I'll make sure Fenna takes responsibility for this."Cameron looked guilty and quickly apologized to Mila. "I'm really sorry, Wanda. Fenna accidentally damaged the painting. We'll compensate but can we discuss the price?"Fenna looked nervous, biting her lip as she glanced at Mila.To Mila, the painting held immense personal value. She respected Cameron and understood his concern for Fenna.Mila realized that making Fenna pay would burden Cameron, especially since they were government employees with modest incomes.Out of consideration for Cameron, Mila repeated coldly, "Just leave. There's no need for co
"From the moment I first saw you, you reminded me of someone I'd loved for years. But then, Sally returned, and everyone in the Hoffis family claimed she was their granddaughter."We hadn't seen each other in a decade, so I had no clue what had become of you. I never questioned your family. After all, how could close relatives not recognize their own granddaughter?" Nathan explained.Mila's somber mood lightened a bit. "So, did you fall in love with me at first sight?""Not exactly. It was more like a strong sense of familiarity. Some inexplicable feelings drew me to you back then," Nathan replied.Mila gazed at him, feeling thankful. "Nate, thank you for not wanting to divorce back then, and for your persistence. That's why we didn't drift apart."Nathan gently cupped her face and looked at her intently. "Regarding your painting, we can't just ignore what happened. Even if you're not upset, I am."Curious, Mila asked, "What do you propose?"Nathan pointed toward the corner wher
Jasper became concerned as Imogen placed her hand over her heart. He asked, "Are you experiencing any chest pains? Have you consulted a doctor? I can take you for a check-up."Imogen reassured him, gently holding his arm. "Jasper, I'm fine. I'm just trying to figure out how to balance my future family and career."Jasper smiled knowingly, gently patting her head before pulling her into an embrace. He recognized her uniqueness—her drive to pursue her career and showcase her skills and talents. The thought of being a stay-at-home mother or merely a trophy wife held no appeal for her whatsoever.Holding her close, Jasper murmured, "Imogen, have you forgotten about your husband's financial prowess?"Imogen couldn't suppress a chuckle.Jasper reassured her of his commitment, "As long as you're on board, I can arrange a driver to drive you to work, an assistant to handle all your tasks, and you won't have to worry about anything. When you return home, there will be maids and me to ens
After returning from her journey across the globe, Imogen headed straight to the hospital. During her travels, she started noticing subtle changes in her body—nausea, fatigue, and a stronger need for rest. Her hunch was confirmed when tests revealed she was pregnant.She felt a blend of anticipation and apprehension. The idea of being pregnant raised thoughts of focusing on family life and raising children. Yet, she valued her career and was steadily demonstrating her skills. She wasn't ready to give it up just yet.When Imogen arrived home and stepped through the front door, she found Gregory and Carol were there. They had just returned from their trip as well, bringing back gifts. "Hi, Mom, Dad," Imogen greeted them.Still excited about their travels, Gregory and Carol eagerly recounted their adventures to Jasper.When Jasper heard Imogen's voice, he quickly stood and walked over to her, taking her hand. "Imogen, I woke up early and didn't see you around. Where did you go?"
Jasper thought the idea was brilliant and agreed, "Let's plan our route and leave next week."Imogen gently pushed him back, her hands on his chest. "Sure, but let me get up first. We'll map out our journey, set a schedule, and go on a trip for our wedding."Jasper took her wrists and lifted them above the pillow. "Let's discuss this tomorrow. I have some pressing matters to attend to at the moment."Imogen was about to respond when Jasper leaned in and kissed her deeply. Their lips intertwined with passion.…A week later, Imogen received another call from Yulia's lawyer, who conveyed Yulia's apologies and expressed her desire for Imogen's forgiveness. Yulia also requested Imogen to intervene with Nathan on her behalf.Imogen decided to ignore the request. She believed in the fairness of the law. It reminded her of Zoey, who had fraudulently claimed her degree and ended up in prison at Jasper's behest.As for Yulia, she had orchestrated attacks on Gregory, caused Carol to lose
Imogen's heart raced as she slowly hugged Jasper, her voice bashful yet resolute. "Jasper, you'll always have a place in my heart."Jasper tensed slightly, his senses on high alert. He met her eyes. A glint of anticipation sparked in his gaze as he eagerly murmured, "Say it one more time. Say it—""I love you, Jasper," Imogen said gently.Jasper's eyes immediately filled with tears as he held Imogen tightly, his body shaking. Overwhelmed by emotion, he could only whisper her name into her ear. "Imogen… Imogen…""Do you love me?" Imogen asked, her voice tinged with shyness.Jasper frowned. "I do love you. Haven't you always known?""I still want to hear it," Imogen said."I love you. I love you with all my heart," Jasper declared, gazing at her with intense passion and unwavering resolve.Feeling a bit stiff from his tight hug, Imogen gently pushed him away. "I love you, too, but I must get up and go to work.""Not today," Jasper responded, scooping and carrying her back to bed
"If it's a gift, why not accept it?" Mila whispered.Gregory quickly took the check, looking unsure of his next move.Once his money was accepted, Oakley assumed the issue was settled. He took Yulia's hand and began to leave the ward, saying, "Well, I'll leave with Yulia for now."Still feeling resentful, Yulia glanced back and shot Imogen a glare as they departed.The ward fell silent. Feeling uneasy, Gregory and Carol exchanged anxious glances."Nate, we can't go easy on them," Mila whispered.Nathan smiled knowingly. He took Mila's hand, gently caressed it, and said quietly, "Don't worry. I'll ensure our in-laws get the justice they deserve."Mila nodded, feeling reassured. Gregory and Carol, who were listening nearby, felt deeply moved and grateful.Since Gregory was injured and confined to bed, the meeting between Jasper's and Imogen's parents ended earlier than expected. After saying goodbye to their parents, Jasper and Imogen headed home. On their way home, Jasper felt
Yulia was renowned for her boldness and strong-willed nature. Aware of Oakley's wealth, influence, and dual reputation in legal and illicit circles, she feared no one and held a contemptuous attitude toward others, including senior military figures."You need to apologize to Ms. Imogen immediately," Oakley whispered urgently.Pointing at Imogen, Yulia muttered irritably, "Her? Oh, please! If anyone owes an apology, it's her to me."Oakley wiped his forehead nervously, trembling with anxiety. Everyone's expressions around them darkened visibly. Jasper suppressed his anger; his hands clenched into fists.Before he could speak, Yulia grumbled, "Jay, you blocked me before understanding everything, and then you terminated our contract. That's just too much."Mila couldn't shake her worry for Jasper. If he couldn't manage his relationship with Yulia appropriately, it could severely impact his marriage. Concerned that he might not handle it well, Mila intervened. "Ms. Gibson, please resp
Carol no longer believed the portrayal of wealthy women on television.Jasper took Imogen's hand, and they sat down on the couch together, feeling anxious. It was their parents' first meeting, and the hospital setting added to the tension. If things went wrong and their relationship soured, their future would look bleak.Imogen was particularly anxious. Her palms were growing clammy. Jasper pulled out a tissue and gently wiped her palms before reassuringly saying, "There's no need to be nervous. My parents are easygoing."Offering an awkward smile, Imogen teased him, whispering, "You seem more nervous than I am, don't you think?"Jasper chuckled but offered no reply. Dealing with Gregory and Carol was sure to be a bit daunting.Typically reserved around strangers, Nathan found it difficult to start a conversation at that moment. Meanwhile, Gregory and Carol felt apprehensive and cautious, worried that any misstep could upset the Morrisons and cause problems for Imogen.Sensing th
Mila approached them with a bouquet, smiling. "Yes, we're in the right place. We've come to visit you, our in-laws."The term "in-laws" caught Gregory off guard as he lay in the bed. Despite his injuries, he quickly propped himself up, struggling to sit upright. Carol, equally surprised, cautiously accepted the gift from Nathan's outstretched hands.Jasper and Imogen took the next elevator, so they hadn't reached the ward yet.Nathan quickly set his things down and hurried over, gently placing a reassuring hand on Gregory's shoulder. "You're injured. Don't get up. Just lie down and rest.""General Morrison, I…" Gregory's voice faltered in distress.Carol's hands trembled uncontrollably as she glanced nervously at Mila, worried that Mila and Nathan had overheard her argument with Gregory.Nathan spoke in a gentle tone, "Please, don't call me General Morrison. It sounds too formal. You both are older than me. Just call me Nathan, and I'll call you two by name in return."Mila came
In the hospital ward, Gregory had been asleep for over an hour when the nurse woke him to change his medication.After the change, Carol peeled an orange for him to eat. They shared the segments, chatting idly."Imogen really picked a good husband. Even these oranges he bought are unusually sweet," Carol said, marveling at the oranges. Gregory glanced at the orange and said, "They must be expensive.""Yes, they're sold by the piece in big supermarkets. Also, they're more expensive than beef and lamb," Carol said before eating another sweet segment.Gregory pondered for a moment. Then he curiously asked, "Someone ruined our house's floor. Do you think Jasper would help us repair it?"Carol shot him a look and replied, "Listen, don't burden Imogen with this. Don't even bring it up.""Why would it burden Imogen? With Jasper's wealth, this is nothing.""Enough," Carol snapped. "That's his business. No matter how poor we are, we shouldn't ask for what isn't ours." "You're too stu