Sienna nodded and hummed in response."I'm not getting any younger, too, and I still haven't found the right woman to marry. Why don't we just settle and get married?" Daniel's hands sweated nervously as he spoke.Sienna's expression shifted suddenly.Not getting any younger? Settle?Without a word, she grabbed her bag, stood up, and started walking away.Daniel quickly caught up with Sienna and grabbed her arm, pulling her back. Urgency laced his words as he spoke, "Sienna, we're both adults now."We've moved beyond the awkward and shy stages of young love. Isn't blind dating and marriage all about assessing a person's compatibility?"Sienna managed a bitter smile, sadness evident in her eyes. Each word she uttered was laden with emphasis, "Mr. Morrison, I wasn't up to your standards before, and now I'm even less deserving of you.""I didn't mean any of those things I said when we broke up. They were all insincere," Daniel explained anxiously, gripping Sienna's arm with his ot
In the days that followed, Sienna felt completely disoriented. If she didn't love Daniel, there would be nothing to agonize over. She would have moved on decisively. But the problem was, she still loved him.Even after more than a year since their breakup, his pleas to get back together still stirred her heart. She scheduled a meeting with her lawyer to discuss court dates and other important matters.At the law firm, the lawyer was busy attending to other clients. She could hear an angry woman's voice coming from inside through the slightly ajar door."When he had nothing, I stood by him through hard times. We lived in a basement and ate expired bread. Our love endured many hardships."I defied my parents to be with him, supporting him every step of the way. He said I was the only one he would ever love, his everything. But he turned out to be a worthless scumbag."Now that he's successful, he's forgotten what we went through together. He transferred all his assets to his mistres
Daniel looked into Sienna's eyes, her determination causing a pang of emotion to prick his nose. Heartache flooded him in waves. He couldn't resist moving closer and reaching out to hug her.But Sienna recoiled and avoided his touch.Daniel was stunned briefly before withdrawing his hand. He sensed the lingering resentment in Sienna's heart. She seemed repelled by him.Perhaps his words during their breakup a year ago had deeply wounded her pride."Let's go register our marriage," Daniel suggested.Sienna paused before asking, "Shouldn't you discuss this with your family first?""It's not too late to inform them after we register." Daniel feared Sienna might change her mind, so he wanted to register their marriage promptly.Sienna hesitated. "I don't have my identification documents with me. Let's postpone it. You should speak to your parents first. Get their approval, and then come to me."I'd prefer to avoid family conflicts right from the start. Once you've had the chance to
Sienna stepped out of the car, her eyes sweeping over the red and yellow leaves scattered across the ground. She looked up at the long-missed sight of the house.Daniel unloaded the luggage and came to stand beside her. "Let's go inside. The code and fingerprint haven't changed."Sienna walked up to the door and pressed her fingerprint against the reader. With a soft click, the door unlocked. She pushed the door open.The spacious living room was bright and airy, unchanged from how she had arranged it. It was still warm and welcoming.However, there were a few new touches—several bouquets of fresh flowers and a large, newly-acquired green plant added vibrancy to the room. The living room felt alive."I'll take the luggage to the room. You can sit for a bit," Daniel said, lifting the suitcase toward the master bedroom.Sienna turned and grabbed the handle of her suitcase. "I can handle it myself."Daniel paused, then let go and handed it over to her.Dragging her suitcase and ca
Stocks, investments, real estate, salary, benefits, bonuses, and savings—all together amounted to hundreds of millions. Sienna couldn't bring herself to calculate the exact staggering amount.She couldn't imagine how she would ever measure up to Daniel. Feeling inadequate, she suggested, "You should consider a prenup."Was Sienna really planning to take revenge on him and then leave him?Daniel had no intention of letting Sienna leave after convincing her to marry him. He was determined to never give her any reason to consider divorce.With a wry smile, he gently patted her head and said affectionately, "If I sign a prenup, how will you spend all my money? How will you get your revenge?"Sienna had assumed his wealth was substantial, perhaps in tens of millions. Now, it appeared nearly limitless.His considerable income would keep flowing as long as his investments remained solid and his family’s business stayed afloat.Sienna shied away from his touch, her smile tinged with bit
The night was silent, and the maple forest outside was cloaked in darkness, with only a few scattered streetlights casting a faint glow on a corner of the garden.Sienna had gone to bed early in the evening but woke up at midnight, her stomach growling with hunger because she had skipped dinner.Stepping out of her room, Sienna found the living room brightly lit.Daniel was lounging on the couch in casual home attire, one arm resting on the back and the other holding his phone. Hearing her, he looked up.Their eyes met, and Sienna froze, her heart inexplicably tightening. Flustered, she asked, "You… haven't slept yet?"Daniel smiled warmly. "No, I haven't."He couldn't stop thinking about her. Though they were only separated by a wall and had seen each other just that morning, by nightfall, he found himself yearning to see her again.He waited quietly in the living room, not wanting to disturb her by knocking on her door.Sienna nodded and walked toward the kitchen.Daniel's g
When Sienna was dating Daniel, she never dared to imagine she could one day marry into a wealthy family.Now, with his sudden proposal, she impulsively agreed in the heat of the moment.The abrupt change left her feeling unprepared.Reflecting on it calmly, she realized she had acted too hastily.At that moment, Daniel walked over with a plate of mac and cheese topped with sausage and celery and a bowl of salad. He placed it in front of Sienna before sitting beside her."Try it and see if it's to your taste," he said.Sienna felt a warmth in her heart as she looked down at the dish. It looked delicious.Using the fork, she lightly ate some mac and cheese. It tasted just like home. Sienna smiled at him and said, "It's very good, thank you."Gazing at her tenderly, Daniel smiled back at her as he was very content.She began to eat quietly because she was really hungry.After a few bites, she held the bowl and ate the salad. She caught a glimpse of Daniel's gaze. It was tender
Daniel's reaction made Sienna feel a bit embarrassed. She shyly explained, "I'm sorry, I don't have many clothes. This dress is the most formal one I have. I hope you don't mind."Daniel smiled gently. He complimented her, "You're very gorgeous today."It was the first time Sienna had worn makeup in front of him. Back then, she also rarely wore dresses for him.She truly looked stunning.Daniel extended his hand to her.Sienna looked at his hand. After hesitating for a few seconds, she reached for it. The moment he held her hand, he felt very excited. Holding the hand of his love, he walked with her toward a future filled with happiness.Because they had missed their appointment, they had to rejoin the queue.Like other couples, they filled out the paperwork and waited in the hall to be called.Daniel looked at the numbers ahead of them and then glanced down at the number in his hand. His palms were sweaty from nerves, but he rubbed them in his thighs.A young man sitting ne
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