Our gazes met, and I couldn't tell whether it was an unexpected, unspoken understanding or a long-planned encounter. Under the dim light, it felt like something was quietly growing between us.Nicholas suddenly reached out, his hand brushing lightly against my cheek. It felt like he was checking if
I was a bit lost. What did Nicholas mean by saying all of this? But no matter what, I just wanted to leave. Staying here felt suffocating.I turned to leave, only to hear the hurried, bare footsteps behind me. Each step was urgent, closing in fast.The night felt too emotional, not the right time fo
Nicholas pleaded, "Ariana, don't kick me out. I've missed you so much, and I've thought about you every day for the past three years."He suddenly seemed to recall something. He strode to the bed, snatched up his phone, and began tapping rapidly on the screen.A moment later, he flipped the screen a
Nicholas still had a bit of conscience left. He knew he was in the wrong, so he didn't argue when I told him to leave again.He silently got dressed, packing all of his belongings into the bag. As the door closed behind him, a barely noticeable sigh lingered in the air, unable to fade away.I went b
We froze momentarily upon seeing each other. Douglas awkwardly greeted me, saying, "Ms. Jones.""Nicholas, what are you trying to do now?" Upon seeing him, I couldn't help but feel my anger rising. Did he really think that what was online could make up for everything? What he did was childish, utte
The person was crying. "All the rumors about me online are fake! They're nothing but lies spread by Ariana. She is jealous that I'm the sister of the CEO of Hawk Corporation."She's always been jealous of my identity. She doesn't like how Nicholas treats me, or the closeness we share. "When I lived
Not only did I want to slap Claudia, but I wanted to do it in front of everyone."Claudia, back when you were in school and I visited you, you had someone slap me across the face. That first slap was payback. This one now? It's the interest."The moment I finished speaking, I delivered another slap
At work, I found myself distracted. Douglas had spoken to me several times, but I hadn't heard a word. Even though I was confident in my confrontation with Claudia, I had to admit that her words had affected me.Who was Nicholas really doing all this for? Claudia claimed it was for her—that he stood
The next day, I woke up alone in bed. Before I could even piece together my missing memories from last night, I felt an overwhelming urge to fall back asleep immediately.My head throbbed, but I still remembered today's schedule. Douglas and I were supposed to meet with the person in charge of the s
The next day, Douglas and I attended a dinner party. It wasn't for anything specific—just a chance to meet people and network.It had been ages since I drank this formally. With me being a new face to most, curiosity brought a steady stream of people holding up their glasses to me.Tonight, I didn't
I wasn't sure if Nicholas had ever studied parenting, but he was doing a great job.He gently patted Tabitha's back, waiting for her to fall completely asleep in her crib before setting the storybook down. Then, he quietly slipped out of the room.I followed him downstairs and saw him off at the doo
At work, I found myself distracted. Douglas had spoken to me several times, but I hadn't heard a word. Even though I was confident in my confrontation with Claudia, I had to admit that her words had affected me.Who was Nicholas really doing all this for? Claudia claimed it was for her—that he stood
Not only did I want to slap Claudia, but I wanted to do it in front of everyone."Claudia, back when you were in school and I visited you, you had someone slap me across the face. That first slap was payback. This one now? It's the interest."The moment I finished speaking, I delivered another slap
The person was crying. "All the rumors about me online are fake! They're nothing but lies spread by Ariana. She is jealous that I'm the sister of the CEO of Hawk Corporation."She's always been jealous of my identity. She doesn't like how Nicholas treats me, or the closeness we share. "When I lived
We froze momentarily upon seeing each other. Douglas awkwardly greeted me, saying, "Ms. Jones.""Nicholas, what are you trying to do now?" Upon seeing him, I couldn't help but feel my anger rising. Did he really think that what was online could make up for everything? What he did was childish, utte
Nicholas still had a bit of conscience left. He knew he was in the wrong, so he didn't argue when I told him to leave again.He silently got dressed, packing all of his belongings into the bag. As the door closed behind him, a barely noticeable sigh lingered in the air, unable to fade away.I went b
Nicholas pleaded, "Ariana, don't kick me out. I've missed you so much, and I've thought about you every day for the past three years."He suddenly seemed to recall something. He strode to the bed, snatched up his phone, and began tapping rapidly on the screen.A moment later, he flipped the screen a