On the second day at the hospital, Mom's phone was inundated with calls from the company's shareholders. They threatened to come to the hospital if the company's issues weren't addressed.At first, I answered the calls, but they were only filled with complaints and curses, so I eventually stopped an
"My mom's gone. What do I need Jones Corporation for? Do whatever you want with it." My voice was as flat as a straight line.Mom lied to me. Money wasn't everything. No amount of wealth could bring her back, so what use was Jones Corporation to me now? There was a long silence on the line. I thoug
Pete's sudden action created the most intense moment of my recent days. It felt like a century since my heart last pounded this violently. It reminded me that I was still alive.Breathing heavily, I leaned against the wall and asked, "What are you doing?"He was dressed in a black suit. In the short
I smiled softly and called out, "Honey, let's go back."As I walked past Nicholas, his hidden emotions felt like a massive vortex. A gust of wind stirred, lifting the hem of my dress and ruffling his suit.Just as I was about to pass him, he stepped forward and blocked my path. Having spent four yea
Gritting my teeth, I struggled to suppress the sensations coursing through my body. I softly reminded him, "Nicholas, it's my mom's funeral today."I clung to his arms while my body trembled uncontrollably, but my restrained look only seemed to drive him further into a frenzy.His eyes, red with des
Pete must have hated me deeply. But to my surprise, he stayed by our side throughout Mom's cremation.Nicholas said Pete needn't trouble himself with his family matters, but Pete shook his head. "I want to bid my farewell to Mrs. Jones."I sighed inwardly and shifted my gaze from Pete to Nicholas. S
The house had changed once again since I left.On the coffee table was a bag of half-eaten potato chips, and magazines were scattered messily on the couch. One of the magazines, open to a page, featured a close-up of a male celebrity's face.I peeked over and saw a young-looking guy I didn't recogni
"It doesn't matter." I caressed Nicholas' cheek and asked wearily, "Where are you planning to sleep tonight?"As soon as the words left my mouth, I was stunned for a second. I realized how much it sounded like I was asking an ancient emperor where he wanted to stay.I couldn't help but laugh, but Ni
Everything in Coral Villa remained unchanged. I hadn't been forgetful to that extent. I still remembered those days when I stayed by Nicholas' side, feeling at peace with it all.At that time, I thought, "What's the big deal if I stay with him for the rest of my life?" We had already found some kin
"Ariana!"Nicholas caught up with me from behind, his warm hand grasping mine. I wasn't sure if it was from nervousness or the heat, but his palm was damp."Ariana, don't go back to Tabitha's room. Sleep in a different room instead."I rolled my eyes in my mind. After all this time, he was still thi
I didn't want to stay under the same roof as Nicholas, so I took my laptop and went to sit in the courtyard.A while later, Nicholas found me. As he approached, the cool summer breeze swirled around him, carrying it to where he sat beside me."Tabitha finished eating, and her little belly's all roun
Back at Coral Villa, Tabitha had also returned.I carried Tabitha upstairs and started unpacking her things from the suitcase. She was thrilled.Nicholas walked over and squatted beside her. "Tabitha, Daddy and Mommy prepared these for you. Do you want to kiss Daddy and Mommy?"Tabitha stared at him
Nicholas held one of Tabitha's outfits in his hands. It was so small it seemed no larger than a face towel he used to wash his face. He handled them with such care that his overflowing fatherly love seemed to seep into the fabric.I looked into his eyes earnestly and said, "You still have time to be
I pulled Nicholas' hands off my shoulders and turned silently to look out the window.The reflection in the car window showed his pain. I saw him open his mouth, but in the end, he said nothing.When we arrived at Coral Villa, the driver parked in front of the gate.As if eager to please me, Nichola
The drive back was silent and suffocating. Nicholas and I were separated by an invisible barrier, and neither of us dared to say another word to each other.His phone rang, breaking the oppressive quiet. After a few brief responses, he hung up and turned to me. "The police said her injuries are too
The sky had grown dark. A heavy feeling settled in my chest. I wanted to step out and get some air.Nicholas was still seething with anger at Claudia. But he refused to let go of me, holding my hand tightly.In a hoarse voice, I shook my head and said expressionlessly, "I'm not interested in her apo
Nicholas snapped, "Are you done yet?"He grabbed the vase next to him and hurled it at Claudia.The vase, though empty of flowers, still held water. It shattered against the wall with a crash, and shards of glass and water poured over Claudia's head.Claudia barely managed to hold her breath. She co