Maia opened her eyes and winked at him playfully. She sat up, rubbed her eyes, and smiled at him sweetly. “How did you know I was already awake?” “It’s hard not to notice when I can feel your arms around my waist tighten.” “You’d notice such a small detail?” “I’d notice anything that involved you.”Maia just smiled at him as she leaned against his chest. “Tess probably used another identity to leave Prismara City. It looks like the photograph we received is real.” Cedric nodded. “This time we need to make a stop at Nordic College.” “Yeah. If Tess had to attend Nordic College’s anniversary celebration, then who was the one who killed Mom? Even though Tess confessed to that crime, how could she do it when she’s not even here? Why lie?” “She’s trying to protect someone.” Maia grabbed onto Cedric’s arm tightly when she heard his words. “The person that she wants to protect—could it be Errol?” Maia was horrified to think of this. “B-but why would he do this? Why did he want t
Maia was taken aback by Gigi’s information. There was obviously no such thing as a bed-quake. It was just that those two were making too much noise!Cedric just smirked at them. “Aunt Maia, isn’t it a cool secret? I’m sure you didn’t know that there was such a thing!” “Yup, it’s very interesting. It’s my first time hearing this. I’ll make sure to take note of a bed-quake next time.”“Yeah! It’s really really bad. It’s so wobbly that my head was spinning!” Gigi exclaimed. Maia could not help but laugh at Gigi’s cute reaction.“Aunt Maia, there’s one more thing!” “Yeah, what is it?”“Mommy and Daddy said they’re going to bring me to a super big kindy! Daddy said it’s called a college! It’s a bigger version of my kindy!” When Maia heard Gigi, she knew that Eddie and Amanda were planning to bring her along to their college’s celebration. “Did you see that tiny wooden book?“Wooden book? You mean this?” Maia took out the invitation card that was made of wood from her bag.“Yes!
Maia took the elevator and went upstairs, leaving the men behind. Cedric turned toward Eddie and commented. “Looks like you have a death wish to dare mess with your wife.”Eddie nodded his head nervously. “I think I’m already dead.” Cedric did not reply, as he stepped into the elevator and went upstairs, too.Baz smiled at Eddie as he greeted him. “How can I help you, Baz?” Eddie glanced at Baz as he massaged his temples. “Don’t worry about me, Mr. Eddie. It’s just that I think I should warn you that the next time you’re at it, you should be more careful. Ms. Gigi was telling us how there was a bed-quake.”Eddie already felt his head spinning. After listening to Baz's comments, he stood rooted to the spot. There was nothing more he wanted to do than bury himself on the spot. “There are two people I can never mess with, one of whom is my wife and the other my daughter.” Baz could not endure any longer as he turned around and laughed quietly at Eddie’s reaction. Back upstairs,
Maia saw the blood as well but continued to pretend that she did not. Everyone in the family was aware of her condition. There was nothing more they could do. Cedric quietly handed her a glass of water.Lauren smiled as she took it and drank it. “Lauren, don’t rush.” Maia was worried that she would choke herself. Lauren just waved nonchalantly. “I have to finish the water my son gave me.”Just then, a knock came through the door. A housekeeper walked into the room with a tray of snacks and another glass of water. “Lauren, since you’ve managed to finish the glass of water from Cedric, how about finishing this glass as well?” “Sure.” Maia handed Lauren another glass of water as Lauren started to tear up.“My girl, I don’t deserve your kindness. I know that you’ve noticed I haven’t had much to drink. That’s why you’re trying to feed me, right?” Lauren commented as she drank the other glass of water slowly. Maia nodded. “I noticed this the last time we had a video call. I t
“I’ve been kept there for so long that I forgot how foods outside taste. It didn’t help that Grandma hired chefs with Michelin stars. Their cooking was so top-notch that I had to have at least five to six meals every day.”Amanda felt so sorry for herself and added, “I loved you the most, and you also said that you loved me more than anyone in the world. How could you make fun of my belly?” Then, tears started to fall.Eddie was worried when he saw her crying. “I’m not making fun of your belly, Amanda. I’m telling you, that’s the last thing I want to do. Gigi twisted my words.”Wheeling himself, he moved in front of her and grabbed her hand. “Don’t you believe me, Amanda? I’ve loved and waited for you for so long. I spent days and nights thinking about you. Don’t you believe in me?”“Well…” He was heartbroken to see her in this state. Then, he produced a handmade wristband from his pocket. “Do you remember this?”She looked at the worn-out wristband. It was handmade. So, it didn
Lauren looked at Maia and smirked before yelling, “Are you okay, Eddie?”Gigi also shouted, “Daddy!”Amanda heard the loud thud and stopped in her tracks. Looking at everyone’s expression, she realized something must’ve gone wrong!Whipping her head around, she looked at the garden. Eddie’s wheelchair was overturned and he was on the floor. She raced toward him without any hesitation.“Eddie!” She was worried sick about him, “Are you okay? How did you fall from your wheelchair? Are you hurt?” Her eyes were red to begin with. The sight of him falling straight up brought her to tears.“Everything’s fine. I’m okay.” His legs were limp on the floor and he extended his hand to her, “I didn’t mean to make fun of you, Amanda, I swear. You have to believe me.”Nodding, she said, “I do. I believe in you, Eddie.” Then, she picked the wheelchair up and said, “I shouldn’t have gotten mad at you.” She wiped her tears and continued, “It’s my fault that you fell out of your wheelchair. I’m
“She was so happy when she learned that both of you had forgiven her. She wanted to make it up to both of you with whatever time she had left. However, time is against her.“Lauren might not let it show, but she knew better than anyone about her condition. She’d tell everyone she was okay every time she had an episode, but she was just putting on a brave face. She didn’t want us to worry about her.“The truth was, she really wished Cedric would call her ‘Mom,’ even if it was just once. It’s one of her dying wishes.”Amanda looked pleadingly into Maia’s eyes. It took her less than a second to catch Amanda’s drift. “I know what you’re trying to say, Amanda. I also know that Lauren wanted Cedric to call her ‘Mom,’ but you have no idea what he went through as a child. “Not only did his biological mother not love him, but she deceived and manipulated him.” Maia felt suffocated at the mention of Cedric’s feelings.Looking at Amanda, she continued, “All of us are capable of processing
Lauren looked at Gigi and rubbed her head with a smile. “You’re so sweet, Gigi. I’m not in pain anymore, and it’s all thanks to you. I think I’m going to buy you a tiara next time so that it’ll grant you strength to magically remove pain!”Gigi’s eyes glinted. She extended her hands and started to count using her fingers. “You’ve bought me eight tiaras, Grandma! I’ve got lots of them! Can you give it to your friend’s younger sister?”“My friend’s sister?” Lauren took her hand and asked, “Who do you mean?”“T-That friend you always hang out with.”“Oh. You mean Juniper.”Nodding, the little girl said, “Juniper’s younger sister loves the tiara you bought me! Can I give one of mine to her?”“Go right ahead.” Lauren nodded. “I bought it for you as a gift. That means it belongs to you. It’s up to you what you want to do with it!”Lauren looked at her granddaughter and grinned from ear to ear. Then Maia poured her a cup of warm water. She looked at the smile on Maia’s face and said,
Amanda came to sit next to Maia as she said, “I’m glad you’ve noticed this as well. Lauren is usually quite into the drama that she’s watching on TV. Today’s episode was a sad one, so I was wondering why she was still so happy watching it.” Lauren smiled back at them and replied, “I’m just really happy. I’ve never thought that I’d be able to see my eldest son again and that he has such a kind and beautiful wife by his side. “Eddie was also able to find his loved one, and I was lucky enough to be a grandmother. I never thought that I’d be able to go on a family trip with all my sons.” She started to tear up.“Lauren, don’t cry,” Maia said as she handed Lauren a handkerchief to dry her tears. Lauren wiped her tears as she smiled and nodded. “Don’t worry about me. I’m just being dramatic.” She looked around and asked, “Where’s Cedric? Is he with Eddie?”Maia nodded. “Yeah. This new project is a bit of a hassle, so he went over to try to help.” Lauren sighed, “Eddie’s father an
Cedric just smiled when he saw Maia’s worried reaction. “You sure you’ll keep your promise?” Maia tugged the blanket closer to herself and nodded. Maia would not dare to say no. If Cedric decided to do as he had said, she would just end up in bed the whole morning. “We can register our marriage anytime. You mean it?” She knew that Cedric was just baiting her, but she had no choice. She did not know what he would do next. When she glanced at his handsome face, her heart could not help but skip a beat. Just then, Cedric took out two pieces of paper from the bedside drawer. Maia was taken aback as she saw the document. They were marriage registration forms, and they were already filled in. “T-This was a setup! You’ve already had this all planned out from the beginning!” Maia scanned through the forms and was surprised to see that the only section left empty was the signature. Maia did not know when Cedric had started to prepare all this, but it looked like it had been a whil
Cedric glanced at Baz and asked, “How does it feel to miss someone so much?”Baz’s smile froze as he shook his head quickly. “Now, I can finally understand why you hate being separated from Ms. Maia.”Cedric just looked at Baz coldly. Baz quickly added when he noticed Cedric’s glare, “I’m just saying that you love your wife very much, and that man who’s like you would definitely understand.”“That’s a fact,” Cedric replied as he turned around and walked back into the bedroom. Baz immediately stopped him as he asked. “Mr. Cedric, why don’t you tell Ms. Maia the real reason why you’re so against calling Ms. Lauren your mother? Why didn’t you tell her the scars on your back were inflicted by Ms. Rita?” It was a horrible and unimaginable part of his childhood. “I don’t want to frighten her.”“But it’s difficult for you as well, Mr. Cedric. Calling Ms. Lauren your mother brings back horrible memories for you too.” “It doesn’t matter. I’ll do anything for her.” Cedric replied as he
“Is that true?” Gigi asked her grandmother.Lauren nodded and said, “Of course it is. Has grandma ever lied to you?”“Wow! Grandma, what was Daddy like when he was a kid?” Gigi was excited. She was not sleepy anymore as she pestered Lauren to tell her more. “Whenever I brought him to attend events, he would always cry. I still remember he had wet his pants once in kindergarten.” Gigi covered her mouth and giggled happily. Amanda laughed and looked at Eddie. “Did you really wet your pants?”Eddie palmed his forehead and told his mother, “Stop embarrassing me in front of my daughter, Mom.” Lauren just smiled happily back at her son. At the same time, Maia tugged on the hem of Cedric’s shirt and questioned cheekily, “Did you wet your pants when you were a kid?” Cedric drew her into his arms in response and threatened, “Maia, it seems like you won’t be able to go to bed tonight.” “I’m not afraid of your empty threats,” Maia replied. “Are you sure about that?”Maia nod
It was hard to believe he’d change his mind out of nowhere. She blinked and gawked at him. She almost forgot to breathe because of the sheer shock. Her face turned red from it, too. “Hey, breathe.” Cedric frowned. He realized her eyes were widening and her cheeks were completely reddened. Then, her lungs worked, and she started drawing breath again. She gripped the hem of his shirt instinctively. “Hmm?” Cocking his brow, he looked at her casually while taking her hands in his. “Do you want to know why I changed my mind?”She nodded immediately. Needless to say, she wanted to spring that question on him, but she wondered if she should. On the other hand, he merely chuckled and didn’t say anything. All he did was fix a deep, passionate stare at her. His eyes were filled with love and affection when he did it. Realizing that he wasn’t going to talk, she was bewildered. “W-Why aren’t you saying anything?”His grin widened at what she said. Reaching out, he pinched her fair ch
Taking his hands, she rested her fair cheeks on his palm.“Is there another reason you did it?” She asked. “I had someone plant something in the painting.”“What do you mean?” She pressed.“A wire.”Then, it hit her. “D-Does this mean you knew Fidelia would buy the painting at all costs?”“Mm-hmm.” He nodded.Pursing her lips, she said, “I guess it tracks. After all, Fidelia will surely buy anything you donate to Nordic College. She loves you so much that she peeled an entire bowl of prawns for you.”“Do peeling prawns mean she loves me?” He cocked his brow.She nodded instinctively.“Well, then. Do you know how much I love you now?”Maia was initially pondering something, but she was scattered the moment she heard what he said!Her face turned red. She couldn’t decide if she should nod or shake her head now. The only thing she could do now was change the topic. “Wait a minute. I just asked Gigi to bid on it. Did I almost mess up your plan?” Her brows were furrowed. She
“Maia!” Amanda called out to her and hastened over. “D-Did you just say I was already on trending search?”“Mm-hmm.” Nodding, she handed her phone to Amanda. Amanda saw the search topic ‘Amanda Tate Burst Out Laughing.’ and was rooted to the spot.“H-How’s this already up there?”Maia chuckled. “There are so many people in the dining hall. There’s no way you can keep it from spreading on the internet for long. Even Gigi and Eddie got on the trending search. They were right behind you. “Valentines Group has also started working on the public relations angle. I browsed the internet and didn’t find any overly vicious remarks either. None of the marketing accounts were trying to stir up trouble either. All of Gigi’s pictures were censored as well. So, there’s nothing to be worried about here.”Amanda let out a sigh of relief at what she said. “It’s a good thing that no one attacked Gigi on the internet. Otherwise, I’m going to start chasing them with a machete that’s one foot long!
“Why, you!” Fidelia took the glass of fruit juice from the table and spilled it all over him!The sticky juices clung to his cheeks for a second before rolling down them.“Listen up, plastic face! It doesn’t matter if I can’t lay a finger on Maia because Cedric loves and protects her. It isn’t your place to make fun of me! Who do you think you are, Neilson? “You’re nothing more than my family’s lap dog. Look at how stiff your face is. You’ve wasted a perfectly good glass of fruit juice!”Staring at him angrily, Fidelia warned him nastily. She was so gripped with rage that her chest was rising and falling hastily. Then, she gritted her teeth and threw the empty glass at him.Catching the glass midair, he lowered his head. “You make a fine point, Ms. Fidelia.” Wiping the fruit juice from his cheeks, he apologized again. “Please calm down, Ms. Fidelia. You have to look at where we are now. It’d be wise not to make Mr. Thomas mad again.”“Are you seriously warning me again? Who do
Maia made up a reason so Amanda could take Gigi away. Amanda nodded, carried her daughter, and left the scene. All Gigi did was speak the truth, but Fidelia’s face grew grim and shot the three-year-old girl a terrible look. It was clear that Fidelia might do something outrageous to Gigi again if she didn’t divert her attention from the little girl. After all, Fidelia didn’t care about the consequences of her actions at all!So, she looked at Fidelia and said, “I’m not sure why you kept trying to win my husband’s heart, but I’ve been sitting here the whole time. Are you ignoring me on purpose? Or, are you so arrogant that you care only about Cedric and nobody else?”Fidelia immediately shifted her gaze to Maia. Glaring at her, she directed all of her anger and frustration at Maia. “What are you trying to say, Maia? My dad saved Cedric’s life. So, is there anything wrong with me peeling the shrimp for him? What’s the problem if I try to win his heart? What does it have to do with