At Violet Villa. Charmine spent the summer with Chris, reading checker manuals and researching architectural designs. She had been on alert in case McKenzie and Julian tried anything, but nothing happened. Time passed, and the day of Senior Bailey’s birthday celebration had arrived. Charmine woke up to an empty bedroom that morning. She frowned and walked downstairs. In the living room, she saw Anthony and Momo standing by the door talking to Luke, and Luke left with a purple box in his hands. She frowned and asked, “What happened?” “Nothing, nothing!” Chris turned to her and shook his head vigorously. In order to make it less suspicious, Chris ran to Charmine and pulled at her hand to divert her attention. “Mommy, I’ll attend Grandpa’s birthday party with Daddy today! You have to take good care of yourself, alright?” Anthony walked over and said, “There’s breakfast inside the microwave. Remember to eat it.” “You’re going with Momo?” blurted Charmine. Anthony nodde
“Julian, I have to tell you something!” “Look, I’m busy now, tell me later.” Julian did not stop walking; he would not waste such a golden opportunity. Tiffany grabbed his arm in haste. “Julian, I’m pregnant.” Pregnant… Julian stopped dead in his tracks as his body jolted at the news. He could have sworn he used protection all the time whenever he slept with Tiffany, with the exception of that one time, around a month ago… Oliver’s eyes darkened. Tiffany looked Julian in the eyes and begged, “Julian, he’s thirty-five days old. Let’s get married, alright? I’ll give birth to our child, and we’ll live a happy life... I’ll help you to take care of the family, and with our abilities, we’ll make the Cabell family bigger and stronger than ever!” Julian looked at her. Marriage? Baby? His heart mellowed for a good second… That was until the image of Charmine’s face appeared in his head. Today was his only opportunity! There was only one pill in the world! He had to slee
Tiffany walked out of Bayview Apart, but Oliver still followed after her. “Don’t follow me. If you’re trying to help me, just leave me alone.” With that, she got in her car and said to the driver, “To Kaiser Hospital.” Kaiser Hospital was a private women’s clinic in Burlington. Oliver watched as the car drove out of view, the pain evident in his eyes. The kid… Was it his? Still, what could he do? He was merely an assistant, and there was nothing he could do… Tiffany sat in the car as she eyed the recording device in her hand, an evil smirk on her lips as she did. She picked up the phone and sent Joey a text: [Mum, I’m really sad and scared, but I’ve no other choices. I’ll try my best to live…] She then sent a text to Madam Cabell: [Auntie, I really wanted to be part of your family, I really wanted to keep the baby, but… I’m sorry.] Tiffany turned off her phone after those texts were sent. At the Jordan mansion... Joey was reading some documents when she rec
“Mr. Cabell, Senior Cabell and Madam Cabell would like you to meet them at Kaiser Hospital.” “Hospital? Why?” Julian frowned. Bruce replied, “Tiffany had an operation and almost died from blood loss. The Jordan family is making a scene now, asking you to give them an explanation.” Julian’s temple pulsed. What? Almost died from blood loss? The Jordans and the Cabells found out? How…? How could it be?! Today was his only opportunity! Once Anthony got back to Charmine, it would be over! It was a 20 minute-drive to Violet Villa... 20 minutes away! He said to Bruce, “I’ll be there in three hours. Let them calm down first—I’ll explain everything to them later.” “Sorry, Sir, but Senior Cabell insists that you go now. The Jordan family had started contacting reporters as well as attorneys!” If Julian chose to not go to the hospital, the Jordans would make the matter public and press charges against him! Damn it! Julian slammed on his steering wheel furiously. At Viol
At Kaiser Hospital... The pale Tiffany laid on the hospital bed, the sight of her a rather pitiable one. “Just let me do the operation,” muttered Tiffany to everyone in the ward. “I’ll be fine, I’ll stay alive. I don’t want to burden Julian…” “Don’t be silly, Tiffany! What do you mean, ‘burden’? Julian should be responsible over you! Don’t worry, we’ll make sure he explains everything to you,” assured Joey as she sat by her bed, her heart shattered into pieces. Meanwhile, Robert Jordan barked at Mitchell Cabell, “Where’s Julian? Is he a man? He’s all grown up, yet he’s still so irresponsible!” “Mr. Jordan, please calm down. We’ll make sure he apologizes to Tiffany,” Mitchell promised. They preferred Charmine over Tiffany, liking Charmine more than her, yet Tiffany carried a fetus—a boy, at that. How could they let Tiffany abort it? At that moment, Julian walked into the ward. Just as Julian walked past the door, however, Robert’s fist collided against his face with such
Tiffany howled and wailed as she repeatedly punched her belly, her being haunted by sadness and despair. Julian eventually caved as he gazed at Tiffany. “Tiffany, calm down!” said Julian in a firm, stern voice. “Calm yourself first!” Even as he attempted to calm her down, however, Julian did not take the ring given to him. “Enough!” Senior Jordan—who said not a word up to that moment—abruptly slammed his walking stick harshly against the floor. The sound resonated in the ward ominously, and everyone was startled. Even Tiffany’s harsh blows to her stomach stopped. Senior Jordan said, “Tiffany will give birth to the baby, and the Jordans will raise him. Today, the Jordans will terminate all contracts with the Cabells. This warning goes especially to you, Julian… Your reputation will be ruined!” Senior Jordan basically meant that there was no room for negotiation nor engagement; they were severing their ties with the Cabells entirely! Mitchell was terrified, the two famil
Julian’s eyes narrowed as he stepped toward him. “Senior Jordan, you’re mistaken. It’s not that I don’t love Tiffany; I just didn’t know what to think or say. I’ve already made up my mind, however, and I’ll get engaged with Tiffany in three days. I won’t let her down,” answered Julian, his reply solemn yet refined altogether. Tiffany’s eyes flickered at Julian’s reply. Engaged, not married—that was what he said. She was already pregnant for a month, and all he promised was an engagement? Tiffany knew Julian all too well that he promised such a thing to cool off the heat from everyone in the room. Once everyone let it slip past them, he would try to worm his way out of it. Julian… Oh, Julian! “Do you think we’re all fools here, Julian?” scoffed Senior Jordan. “Tiffany’s already pregnant, yet all you’re promising here is an engagement? Do you want the world to know that she was forced to get married?” “Our Tiffany isn’t for you to take it as you like and leave when you don’t!
“That’s right, Charmine; you have no chance with Julian anymore. You didn’t take the chance during the ceremony, and now it’s too late to get him back,” Madam Cabell scorned. Charmine merely scoffed, “Who said I came here to take him back?” “Then why are you here?” asked the puzzled Madam Cabell. Silently, Charmine’s gaze fleeted to Tiffany. Tiffany’s heart sank. Charmine’s gaze felt cold and sharp, like a scalpel ready to cut her skin open. Tiffany was guilty! What did Charmine know? Could she possibly know that this baby was not… Would Charmine expose her? Just as anxiety and uneasiness bubbled at Tiffany’s stomach, Charmine’s gaze suddenly shifted toward Julian. Julian matched her gaze. Charmine was not the shy woman she was from five years ago; her gaze was piercing and powerful. That made Julian want to conquer her, to own her, but she knew Tiffany had his baby... Just as Julian was about to speak, Charmine turned to look at Senior Jordan. “Grandpa, Tiffany’s
There was an unnoticeable glint in Sonia's eyes. She nestled herself further into Harry's arms as she added, "Let’s go to Pares. We'll come back after I give birth to the baby.""Alright."Harry stayed by Sonia's side as he watched over her, cared for her, and talked to her until she finally slept in his care.He stood up tiredly and walked out of the room to sit in the living room.Thuck!Something fell out of his pocket.He narrowed his eyes to the source of sound and spotted a USB.Since when did he have a USB in his pocket?With a small frown on his face, Harry curiously picked it up and noticed the front side of the USB glowing. Something was carved onto its surface, too.[Granger].Was it Dior’s USB? Why was her USB inside his pocket?Harry’s clear fingers held on the USB tightly. He thought for a moment before he took out a laptop, turned it on, and plugged in the USB.A moment later, the screen showed what seemed to be peculiar surveillance footage with a descriptio
Dior was still lost in her storm of thoughts when a shadowy figure zipped past her and ran toward Harry.When she spotted this familiar figure, she reacted quickly and held onto him."Let go of me!" growled Guy. "How dare he slap you and misunderstood you? I have to beat some sense into him!"Harry broke free and chased after Harry.Dior, despite having lost all hope and life in her, mustered the last strand of her will to chase after Guy and reeled him back. "Brother, don't," she muttered, "spare your energy…" Her sorrow clouded her eyes as she mumbled, "He’s the man I love. Even though he hates me, I won’t allow you to hurt him. As for the explanation…"Dior smiled ironically. "Whatever. That slap decimated every beautiful daydream I have about him, anyway."She no longer expected anything from him.He had no trust in her, so what would it matter if she finally got him? He did not even love her, and he did not trust her either.Dior smiled elegantly, but her eyes were fille
Dior looked forward to that new shift.She watched as Harry made his way into the restaurant silently, unable to deter her mind from the daydreams she had of him, of the new chapter of their story they would have.He would apologize to her, trying to redeem himself, and kiss her dearly as he embraced her. Later down the line, they would have a child of their own, too.Harry's long legs walked in strides, his dark gaze trained on Dior.The bright light shone on Dior’s delicately stunning face, and she also wore a red dress.He remembered her wearing this back in Mount Village.He could remember how alluring she looked back then, how they stayed in the same room, how she put down her ego to treat him with so much gentleness.Harry’s cold face mellowed down, but recalling a certain memory, the vague wistfulness in him vanished and he sat in front of her.Dior looked at him fondly, like she always would. "Long time no see."Her eyes burned brightly as if she wanted to drink in his
Dior examined the footage the moment she received it.True enough, it showed Sonia and George talking about their little deal. It also showed how Dior was telling the truth while they both ganged up on her.Dior’s frail heart felt as though it was rejuvenated once more, feeling as though blood was once more pumped into her heart. Her dull eyes devoid of hope regained their lost luster once more.Not thinking twice, she dialed Harry's number with this evidence, though he had to be busy, seeing as he did not pick up even after the phone rang for a long while.Just as she was about to hang up, Harry picked up the phone."What do you want?"On the other end of the call was the voice that she had missed for so long. His low, hoarse voice sounded so cold and emotionless.Hearing his voice brought Dior back to the image of his handsome face, and her heart skipped a beat.She tried her best to restrain her fluttering emotions as she tried to speak calmly, "Do you have time? I’d like to
At Mount Village…Inside the elegant bamboo house was Dior, dressed in a beige dress. She sat in the front yard as she took sips of her wine.The sunlight shone past the leaves and illuminated her, yet she exuded an air of loneliness.She swirled the glass and could not help recalling the moments she spent with Harry.In the beginning, she was attracted by his looks; he looked so gentle and elegant.She gave him money, kept him company, and continuously showed up around him in hopes of conquering him.Alas, she ended up in this state.The time she spent with him in Mount Village was the happiest time she had ever had. They had lived inside the bamboo house together, where he took care of her and claimed her to be his woman.They even laid inside the same room.Everything was so beautiful.Cursed was her luck, however, that it was just an illusion. He had been using her from the start, while he chose to stay with the woman who lied to him and even hurt him!No matter how mu
"Although Susan was unhappy, she should've voiced out her displeasure instead of bottling things. Cheating is wrong, regardless. Furthermore, if she wanted a career, she didn't have to stay home and depend on her husband."Grandma Bailey halted.Was that what Charmine truly thought of?Grandma Bailey thought Charmine would find Susan too aggressive unto herself.Charmine glanced at Susan again and apathetically commented, "She doesn't want to make money on her own, but she wants to be rich while complaining about her man not making time for her and taking care of her? If a woman has no ability of her own and also blames others for her miseries, all she's worth is to sit quietly at home and wait for her husband to come home. She also has no right to cheat! This is how the world works."Charmine patted Grandma Bailey’s shoulder and held Anthony’s hand, her words met with everyone's evidently surprised gazes and their silence.Grandma Bailey was shocked. Sure, Charmine sounded rathe
The colossal cruise started to drift away from the pier.Eric stood on the cruise and let the wind blow at him, loneliness and hatred still oozing from his being.He stared at the blue ocean ahead of him as Charmine's words rang in his mind unceasingly.'Will you really feel good after you've killed them?''You saw Susan suffering from a serious wound; would you still kill the one sibling you have left in the world?'"Forgive them and yourself.'Deliberating everything carefully, his lips curled into a bitter smile.It was true, after all, that Charmine understood him the most.Eric poured himself another drink and downed it with loneliness as he allowed the cruise to bring him wherever it would take him.…Susan was still inside the operating room when Charmine and the rest of the Baileys rushed into the hospital.Darryl stood before the room, his expression blank, his figure lonely and helpless.So many things had happened in half a day.He found out about his wife's inf
"No one's stopping you now. Eat!"Anthony clenched his hands tightly and took another glance at Charmine. He was more determined than before, and he was close to eating the pills in the bottle.Charmine, who was held hostage, gradually opened her eyes at that moment. Her gaze drifted toward Eric before she asked, her tone challenging, "Will you really feel good after you've killed them? You saw Susan suffering from a serious wound; would you still kill the one sibling you have left in the world?"Eric halted, and his eyes darkened.Charmine had just woken up, yet what she said…He cast a cold glance at Charmine. "It's my business, and it has nothing to do with you!"They were his family, and he did not want a family like this!Charmine looked squarely at him. "Eric, I don’t care if you used me or plotted against me all these years; I've treated you like a true friend, nothing more nor less. You were the only person who stayed by my side in the past five years, so I hope that you
Anthony's breath hitched when he saw Charmine.He clenched his fists and, without doubting himself, relented "I can agree to your terms, so let her go right away. This has nothing to do with her; you only hate me after all. As long as you let her go, I'll take the pill. Everything will end right away."Susan shook her head. "We'll die after eating the pill. I’m not taking that!"She had just reunited with Eric, and she did not want to die yet. She looked at Eric and begged, "Please let Anthony be, why don't you? He’s your brother, after all, and he doesn’t even know about your existence. If you’re really angry, just kill Charmine, and I'll make it up to you—"Anthony's expression contorted in sheer fury upon hearing Susan's plea, and he glared at her with murderous intent."This was all your fault, so what right do you have to make Charmine take your blame?!""What on earth are you going on about?" snapped Grandma Bailey. "Charmine has been kidnapped because of you, yet you want