Calista regarded him with suspicion and warned, "If you lie to me again, this engagement ring will turn straight into a break-up ring."Lucian, already laid bare to his core, saw no reason to persist. He raised his hand and ruffled the top of her head. "I won't lie to you anymore, but you might not understand the examination reports even if you read them yourself.""You don't need to worry about that. Stop making excuses. Head upstairs and fetch your report."When he brought the reports down, Calista was busy cooking in the kitchen. She wore a simple apron, and her hair was pulled back with a clip. A few loose strands framed her face. The sunlight shone on her, casting a subtle warmth on her thin earlobes and even revealing a thin layer of fuzz on them. This scene radiated warmth and nostalgia. It made Everglade Manor, which had always been cold and empty, suddenly feel like home. Lucian froze at the sight and hesitated to move forward. He was afraid that his appearance might
In the kitchen, the half-cut vegetables remained on top of the chopping board, and their clothes were scattered across the floor. She raised her hands to cover her face, embarrassed by herself.Bending down, she picked up the clothes one by one. When she picked up Lucian's suit, her hands paused. It felt heavy. There was something inside.Reaching into his pocket, she found a palm-sized diary. The cover was the texture of craft paper and wasn't too thick. From the side, the paper seemed a bit worn by the writing inside.Reflecting on the diary that Lucian had mentioned before, her heart suddenly raced. She lost interest in preparing her supper and went straight to the living room with the diary in hand.Calista switched on the lamp beside the couch and sat down with her legs folded. She took a deep breath and began to earnestly flip through the diary. It started with the date, followed by the events.…"She was bullied by her stepmother and step-sister. She arrived at school with
Looking at the closed doors before them, Lucian reminisced about the last time they did this. The first time they got married, they had arrived at the marriage bureau separately and hadn't specified a date or time to meet. After taking their pictures and filling out the necessary forms, the two sat in silence in the hall until they received their marriage certificate. A passer-by would be forgiven for thinking that they were there to file for divorce. But this time was different from the last. Lucian gazed at the elegantly dressed woman beside him, and his lips naturally curled upwards. He held her hand and their fingers intertwined, just like a normal couple."No, I gave them money.""You gave them money, and they just accepted it?""Well, they didn't refuse it I guess."Calista couldn't believe what she was hearing. These couples must have valued ceremonies and celebrations if they had bothered to come so early and stand in line. But Lucian… had just bought their places… lite
"I'm not." Calista turned to look at Lucian, who was following behind with his hands full of bags. Sensing her gaze, he lifted his head and gave her a pitiful look, causing her to giggle. "Mom, please keep those skincare products for yourself. I have plenty at home.""Skincare products are like clothes to women. You can never have too many."Hearing this, Lucian couldn't resist and interrupted, "She's probably worried they'll expire. She has a whole drawer full of them. She can't finish them even if she used them to paint the walls."Selena turned around and playfully swatted him on the head. "Why are you interrupting when I'm talking to Calista? Why are you playing the troublemaker? Are you envious that our relationship might be better than yours?"Selena waved her hands dismissively, urging him to leave. "Hurry up and go cook. Don't be a bother while Calista and I are chatting. You're always spouting nonsense with your foul mouth. It seems like you're trying to provoke me every
After their meal, Selena wanted to take Calista for a stroll but Lucian interjected, his face filled with frustration. "Mom, we just got married again today. Can't you leave us some time alone?"Selena looked at him. Although she seemed annoyed, her eyes didn't contain the same disdain it did before. "I guess you're wiser now. Alright, I'll give her back to you." With that, she withdrew her hand from Calista's arm and gently pushed her toward Lucian. "Since you've already gotten your marriage certificate, now it's time to set a date for the wedding. Why are you taking so long to settle on a date? Are you trying to find some unique day with a total solar eclipse for your wedding?"Lucian was left speechless by her sharp words. Selena turned around and left, holding Henry's hand. The satisfaction from mocking Lucian was evident on her face. She had even posted a collage on her social media, featuring nine pictures. There were eight beautiful pictures of Calista, followed by a pictu
They were all small matters. So small, in fact, that he couldn't even remember most of them. But surprisingly, Calista still remembered them. Some of her most vivid memories were of the early days of their marriage.She remembered when he returned and the words he had spoken to her, though they weren't the most pleasant words. She also remembered how he led her through the chaotic underground boxing gym to confront her debt collectors to settle the debts that were suffocating her. She also mentioned that during that time, to her, he was glowing. During that time, Calista was still new to it all and not yet desensitized to everything. The slap from Zachary left her deeply upset. How could she be aware of someone following her? "Are you crazy? It was the middle of the night and you watched me cry instead of going back to sleep." Lucian's tone was nonchalant, having no intention of boasting. "It was midnight and the amusement park was in a remote area. It wasn't safe for a girl."
Calista looked at Lucian's pursed lips. He was staring up at the roller coaster's tracks. Although she couldn't see his facial expressions clearly from where she stood, she felt his grip tightening around her hand. "Are you scared?""No."Calista tiptoed and stretched her neck to see his face. "Really?"He answered so quickly that it seemed evasive. Lucian pulled her back gently with one arm around her waist to prevent her from falling. "Really."The queue started to move forward as the previous batch of riders came down from the ride. They walked forward with Lucian half hugging her. "Stand still. Don't fall." The roller coaster could only accommodate about 20 riders at once. There were still a lot of people queuing in front of them even though they bought VIP tickets.He couldn't recall if he had ridden this ride before. He had only come here once, but that was a very long time ago.The roller coaster had height requirements, so he probably didn't get to ride it back then. Be
Calista suspected that Lucian had pretended to be scared to make her worry. But as she observed him, she noticed that his legs had really turned to jelly. She stifled a laugh and helped him unbuckle his seatbelt. "Can you manage if I hold you?"The question seemed to hit a nerve. He looked at her sadly with his lips pursed. His Adam's apple bobbed. After a moment, a small sound escaped his lips. "Yeah."The rest of the riders had already left their seats. The pair were ushered toward the exit by the staff under the amused gaze of the onlookers. Calista walked out in embarrassment while Lucian maintained his cool and calm demeanor. He paid no attention to the stares of others. The staff locked the exit once they had left. As they descended the stairs, Lucian stumbled on his feet and almost fell.She quickly supported him with one hand and held onto the railing with the other. Despite how panicked Lucian looked, Calista burst into laughter. She hadn't expected that Lucian would
Fabian said, "Mr. Ackerman was taken away by the Office of Inspector General this morning. Madam Cameron and the Bark family are reportedly the ones responsible."The Carter Group hadn't broken any laws, nor had they been financially entangled with the Ackermans for over a decade. Still, the long-standing ties between the two families ran deep. If Victor Ackerman had skeletons in his closet, Cade would have a hard time avoiding the fallout.Cade propped his hand against his cheek. "What about my wife?""Madam Cameron…" Fabian had to steel himself to answer Cade. "Madam Cameron left the country. She applied for a long-term visa."Even with reporters hounding him, that sentence rang loud and clear in Cade's ears.A long silence stretched before he let out a quiet, bitter laugh.He had never realized how much Cameron had orchestrated behind his back. The Ackermans or the media could trip him up for now, but her betrayal cut deeper. Every move had been calculated.And the most absur
Cade crossed the room as Cameron, already seated, leaned her cheek against her hand, skimming the menu. "Want a drink?" she asked casually.His heart skipped a beat.Cameron's appearance radiated deliberate perfection. From her flawlessly styled hair and expertly applied makeup to her impeccable outfit and carefully chosen accessories, every detail was considered. Even her expensive "Allure" perfume hinted at a desire to captivate.A private dining room meant for couples with only spouses in each other's company…Given the setup, sharing a drink seemed like an implicit invitation.Cade pressed his lips into a line, trying to ignore the rising curve of a smile. "Sure," he replied, his tone deceptively even. "We'll start with two bottles of Magnolia's Pulpit," Cameron said.Cade choked on his water, coughing as he asked, "Seriously?"Who would start a date with such a strong distilled spirit? With two bottles, no less.Cameron propped up her chin and raised an eyebrow. "Is that
Cameron stared at her screen, where Gale had just sent a single word. "Ready." Her lips curled up involuntarily.Cade noticed the smile. He didn't know who she was messaging, but it irritated him for some reason. After a long pause, he exhaled slowly and asked, "What if the Ackermans refuse to settle?"Cameron didn't bother to answer. She knew Violet and Victor would soon be in hot water, so she hadn't considered the aftermath. However, to Cade, her silence only confirmed his assumptions—she was reckless, unprepared, and acting purely on emotion. He clenched his jaw and finally stopped holding his breath. Then, suddenly, he pulled the car over with a sharp twist of the wheel. "Did you think it through before turning yourself in? What if the psych evaluation comes back clean, and the Ackermans insist on pressing charges? What then? You hurt Mirabelle badly. You think you'll have it easy in prison with the way they dote on her?" In contrast to Cade's exasperation, Cameron remaine
With Cade covering Cameron's mouth, there was no chance for her pointed words to offend anyone in the room. His palm was cool to the touch. It was a sensation she disliked. So, she couldn't help but tilt her head.When Cade noticed her movements, he gently stroked her cheek as if he were calming a child who was throwing a tantrum.Victor spent years in a position of authority, giving him an air of unspoken authority. His gaze hardened, and his lips pressed into a firm line as he watched Cade. "Cade, don't jeopardize the long-standing relationship between our families over a woman.""If that's how you see it." Cade glanced at the door. "Aren't you doing the same for a woman?"Victor snorted contemptuously. "How can a cheap girl who was merely adopted be worth anything compared to Mirabelle?""How is my daughter, a Yorksworth, worth any less than yours?" Blaire stood at the doorway as she took in the occupants of the home with her sharp gaze. She had been feeling restless ever sin
Mirabelle frowned. "Excuse me?"As soon as she finished speaking, Cameron walked up to her, grabbed her by her hair, and forcefully bent her over.Cameron held up the guest list Monica had sent her and shoved it in Mirabelle's face. "Call them. Tell them to be there by 3:00 p.m., or else…"She tightened her grip threateningly. "You can kiss this head of hair goodbye."Mirabelle pressed down on her scalp where it had been pulled, her voice distorted with pain when she spoke."Let go, Cameron! Are you out of your mind?""Didn't I tell you not to involve anyone else in our feud?""Can't take it anymore?"Mirabelle endured the pain of turning her head to flash a disdainful sneer at Cameron."This is just the appetizer. If you go against me, you'll eventually crawl out of Capeton with your tail between your legs. I'll call your business partner right now and pin the catastrophic failure of this event on you…"Seeing Mirabelle's condescending expression brought Cameron back to the
The kiss lifted the dark cloud that hung over Cade's mood over the past few days.The next day, as Fabian brought in documents for him to sign, Cade asked, "When is Cameron's show?"Fabian was taken aback for a split second but quickly replied. Fortunately, he was well-prepared and kept track of Cameron's events for the year in advance."Has the invitation been delivered?"Fabian swallowed, almost wanting to laugh to mock Cade. Given Cade's strained relationship with his wife, Cameron would sooner invite a dog than have him around. However, all Fabian could do was revel in Cade's misery in his mind while keeping a businesslike facade."It was probably already delivered. The front desk brought in a stack of mail yesterday. I haven't sorted it out yet."He had already sorted out the mail this morning. Everything had gone straight to the trash."Clear my schedule for the day. Make reservations at a restaurant for a celebratory dinner.""Yes, sir."On the day of the show, Monica
That was obviously an excuse to get Cade out of the picture. Knowing what Mirabelle had done to Cameron in the past, leaving the two of them alone was out of the question. Besides, it wasn't convenient for him to move the car, so he refused without a second thought."Get the attendant—"However, Cameron cut him off before he could finish."Ms. Ackerman is a guest. You should fulfill her requests if she has any."Cade cast her a cold glance. "Shut up." Why should he dance to Mirabelle's tune?Cameron stared at him. "Run along."He gritted his teeth as rage crossed his face. After a brief pause, he sneered and turned to leave. As soon as the door shut behind him, Mirabelle's calm expression slipped. "Did you make me come here just to show off how much you two love each other?""You call that love? I think we have different definitions of what 'love' is then. He's nothing more than…" Cameron's fingers lightly traced the cup's rim as she smirked and said, "A lap dog.""You fu
Cameron crossed her arms over her chest and gave the bouquet in Cade's hands a nonchalant glance."What are you trying to pull, Mr. Carter?""Fabian said it was Women's Day today.""So what?"There was silence all around. The sound of soothing music could be heard through the door. Cade was silent for a while. "We're not getting a divorce, Cameron."It was the same old topic that Cameron had grown too weary of. She turned around and felt for the cigarette box on the table. There was already a layer of cigarette butts in the ashtray next to it. Judging by the color of the lipstick marks, more than half of them were hers.Cade frowned. He clearly disapproved of her smoking but kept himself from stopping her.Smoke curled from between her lips. The flickering embers of the cigarette reflected in her eyes, softening her indifferent gaze. Through the thin haze, Cameron's lips curled into a wide, unrestrained smile. Every time she smiled in this way, it always filled Cade with a
Cade began unbuckling his belt as he spoke. When it came to this sort of thing, men often had a strong sense of competition, especially in the presence of a woman they were interested in."Such a dark atmosphere isn't right for our situation."Cameron didn't like him to begin. In such a dark atmosphere, there was no telling what kind of grotesque creature she might imagine him to be. It would be strange if she felt attraction for him.She leveled a steady stare at him. Cade's shirt was half undone, showing his tense muscles underneath. Under the influence of alcohol, his skin took on a faint reddish hue. There was a heart-pounding tension in the air as if something was about to ignite. Occasionally, his slightly heavy breaths could be heard."You haven't been working out recently, have you?" Cameron asked.Cade was confused.Cameron pressed her hand against his chest, right below his ribs, and gave it a little push. After a moment, she commented, "Your muscles are a little soft