Search


SEARCH!

Ads for Diet on 2024-11-29

Id Vlad Saved Scrape Time Status Scrape Result Original Ad Adarchiveid Creative Links Title Body Cta Type Link Url Pageid Page Name Page Profile Uri Page Like Count Collationcount Collationid Currency Enddate Entitytype Fevinfo Gatedtype Hasuserreported Hiddensafetydata Hidedatastatus Impressionstext Impressionsindex Isaaaeligible Isactive Isprofilepage Cta Text Pageinfo Pageisdeleted Pagename Reachestimate Reportcount Ad Creative Byline Caption Dynamic Versions Effective Authorization Category Display Format Link Description Link Url Page Welcome Message Creation Time Page Profile Picture Url Page Entity Type Page Is Profile Page Instagram Actor Name Instagram Profile Pic Url Instagram Url Instagram Handle Is Reshared Version Branded Content Current Page Name Disclaimer Label Page Is Deleted Root Reshared Post Additional Info Ec Certificates Country Iso Code Instagram Branded Content Spend Startdate Statemediarunlabel Actions
2,558,354
/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) 
'{"alias":2557870}'
Yes 2024-11-29 19:17 active 1938 0 {{product.brand}} Fella Health https://www.facebook.com/fellahealth/ 0 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/468334972_1745973242843890_1638856288508534948_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=3yyFYuqveOsQ7kNvgG_0hZb&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=A4xSbnAA-nCDFHP6cIIwgnx&oh=00_AYD4vpmKw5QEF22Ap5bbkSN6TTQppFgiGOLwbnVFOhVflg&oe=675049C3 PERSON_PROFILE 0 0 0 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 View Edit
Delete
2,558,353
/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) 
'{"alias":2558350}'
No 2024-11-29 19:17 active 1938 0 VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE http://instagram.com/frank_kelly001 frank_kelly001 https://www.instagram.com/_u/frank_kelly001 0 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 0 0 0 0 0 0 Visit Instagram Profile 0 instagram.com CAROUSEL http://instagram.com/frank_kelly001 1969-12-31 18:00 https://scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-19/451590556_324740450604829_7626777581139552571_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s206x206&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=525117&_nc_ohc=jjN5HgoC3XUQ7kNvgHvDP4b&_nc_zt=24&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com&oh=00_AYDYqQosNvxzARr9BazSljbGvRK6nQKOxo4WVauk2bgIBA&oe=67502C15 IG_ADS_IDENTITY 1 0 0 frank_kelly001 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 View Edit
Delete
2,558,287
/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) 
'{"alias":2557870}'
Yes 2024-11-29 19:15 active 1938 0 šŸ§ The Aimee Kelly Crew is BACK, with our 7th Annual Holiday Giveaway Event! šŸŽ We've had plenty of gracious donations in the past, and this year is no different! Thanks to the support and generosity of some of our favorite local businesses, we have OVER $5,000 WORTH OF GIFTS, sure to bring you fun and joy this holiday season! šŸ‘ To enter, simply "like and shareā€ the giveaway post and comment with a friend who you'd like to share these gifts with! You must enter on my main post to be eligible to win. šŸŽ„ Stay tuned to our Facebook and Instagram pages starting Sunday, December 1st through Thursday, December 5th for your chance to win! šŸ“Æ Weā€™ll be announcing ALL the winners from each giveaway day on December 8th. Each winner will be randomly selected, and I will personally spread the Christmas cheer by contacting you directly! ā€¼ļø Just a quick reminder, friends: Donā€™t be a cotton-headed nini muggins! Scammers sit on a throne of lies. If someone asks for money or personal info, donā€™t believe it! Weā€™d never do that! Remember, smilingā€™s our favorite, but staying safe is even better! ā¤ļø Good luck and happy holidays! #RealtorAimeeKelly #TheAimeeKellyCrew #eXpRealty #Giveaways #FreeGifts #SupportLocalBusiness @realtorabigailbechthold @realtor_beth_hernandez @duanedesilets @jennifer.a.weller @tekelly82 Realtor Aimee Kelly https://www.facebook.com/RealtorAimeeK/ 2,310 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 VIDEO 1969-12-31 18:00 https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/468536118_1149714726588497_6977373166457966228_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=pfQwTpvC7toQ7kNvgF6gsvX&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AS7MWWULPlQTsUlJgQGUTZo&oh=00_AYBxN-tZynTG_tdEK47RjxCxpy1MJkEbINcGNHZo_Onw6w&oe=675020A4 PERSON_PROFILE 0 0 0 Realtor Aimee Kelly 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 View Edit
Delete
2,558,223
/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) 
null
No 2024-11-29 19:13 active 1938 0 Turn heads with LeBagā€™s PLUME cover, featuring sleek black feathers to elevate your Birkin or Kelly. Available now. Link in bio āœØ SHOP_NOW https://lebagparis.com/products/plume?variant=4962 LeBag Paris https://www.facebook.com/61559499430931/ 59 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 0 0 0 0 0 0 Shop now 0 lebagparis.com VIDEO https://lebagparis.com/products/plume?variant=49623429677369 1969-12-31 18:00 https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/462618497_541766821836022_3023201645171679648_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Dv-NtQ-FHeEQ7kNvgFKQ2wG&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AaYBoIa2-pU7m4GiR2ptzEs&oh=00_AYCUvxEqTgk8DPp2Ngsf6jDmBbwc-H6L91RSgWmpY92OjQ&oe=67501818 PERSON_PROFILE 0 0 0 LeBag Paris 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 View Edit
Delete
2,558,224
/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) 
null
Yes 2024-11-29 19:13 active 1938 0 Up to 30% Off Our best sale of the year - up to 30% off everything! Ends this Monday at midnight. SHOP_NOW https://bambuearth.com/discount/KELLYKODYWL?redire Positravelty https://www.facebook.com/positravelty/ 271,653 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 0 0 0 0 0 0 Shop now 0 bambuearth.com VIDEO https://bambuearth.com/discount/KELLYKODYWL?redirect=/collections/influencer&coupon=KELLYKODYWL 1969-12-31 18:00 https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/468827152_1289883945535296_5994509127929129691_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=PwLNOVUSCKMQ7kNvgG1aocF&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AaYBoIa2-pU7m4GiR2ptzEs&oh=00_AYCMNTtR1x35lwd5PBWEueD80WKEi8JGeHzkmS5e-MUjkA&oe=67503C28 PERSON_PROFILE 0 0 0 Positravelty 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 View Edit
Delete
2,558,402
/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) 
'{"alias":2558382}'
Yes 2024-11-29 19:18 active 1938 0 VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE http://instagram.com/opyumexpresseast opyumexpresseast https://www.instagram.com/_u/opyumexpresseast 0 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 0 0 0 0 0 0 Visit Instagram Profile 0 instagram.com CAROUSEL http://instagram.com/opyumexpresseast 1969-12-31 18:00 https://scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-19/384301925_1996009854095317_8373893908513348245_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s206x206_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=525117&_nc_ohc=n-l2xpHV4uwQ7kNvgGl62DT&_nc_zt=24&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com&oh=00_AYB4gcMqIAlXvwqJKdlYiMhVlxS2byek1vCwzg1XrX_A_A&oe=675037B2 IG_ADS_IDENTITY 1 0 0 opyumexpresseast 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 View Edit
Delete
2,558,400
/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) 
'{"alias":2558382}'
Yes 2024-11-29 19:18 active 1938 0 VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE http://instagram.com/opyumexpresseast opyumexpresseast https://www.instagram.com/_u/opyumexpresseast 0 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 0 0 0 0 0 0 Visit Instagram Profile 0 instagram.com CAROUSEL http://instagram.com/opyumexpresseast 1969-12-31 18:00 https://scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-19/384301925_1996009854095317_8373893908513348245_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s206x206_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=525117&_nc_ohc=n-l2xpHV4uwQ7kNvgGl62DT&_nc_zt=24&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com&oh=00_AYB4gcMqIAlXvwqJKdlYiMhVlxS2byek1vCwzg1XrX_A_A&oe=675037B2 IG_ADS_IDENTITY 1 0 0 opyumexpresseast 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 View Edit
Delete
2,558,383
/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) 
'{"alias":2558382}'
Yes 2024-11-29 19:18 active 1938 0 INSTAGRAM_MESSAGE http://instagram.com/opyumexpresseast opyumexpresseast https://www.instagram.com/_u/opyumexpresseast 0 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 0 0 0 0 0 0 Send Message 0 instagram.com CAROUSEL http://instagram.com/opyumexpresseast 1969-12-31 18:00 https://scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-19/384301925_1996009854095317_8373893908513348245_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s206x206_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=525117&_nc_ohc=n-l2xpHV4uwQ7kNvgGl62DT&_nc_zt=24&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com&oh=00_AYB4gcMqIAlXvwqJKdlYiMhVlxS2byek1vCwzg1XrX_A_A&oe=675037B2 IG_ADS_IDENTITY 1 0 0 opyumexpresseast 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 View Edit
Delete
2,558,382
/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) 
null
No 2024-11-29 19:18 active 1938 0 INSTAGRAM_MESSAGE http://instagram.com/opyumexpresseast opyumexpresseast https://www.instagram.com/_u/opyumexpresseast 0 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 0 0 0 0 0 0 Send Message 0 instagram.com CAROUSEL http://instagram.com/opyumexpresseast 1969-12-31 18:00 https://scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-19/384301925_1996009854095317_8373893908513348245_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s206x206_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=525117&_nc_ohc=n-l2xpHV4uwQ7kNvgGl62DT&_nc_zt=24&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com&oh=00_AYB4gcMqIAlXvwqJKdlYiMhVlxS2byek1vCwzg1XrX_A_A&oe=675037B2 IG_ADS_IDENTITY 1 0 0 opyumexpresseast 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 View Edit
Delete
2,558,386
/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) 
'{"alias":2558382}'
No 2024-11-29 19:18 active 1938 0 INSTAGRAM_MESSAGE http://instagram.com/opyumexpresseast opyumexpresseast https://www.instagram.com/_u/opyumexpresseast 0 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 0 0 0 0 0 0 Send Message 0 instagram.com CAROUSEL http://instagram.com/opyumexpresseast 1969-12-31 18:00 https://scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-19/384301925_1996009854095317_8373893908513348245_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s206x206_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=525117&_nc_ohc=n-l2xpHV4uwQ7kNvgGl62DT&_nc_zt=24&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com&oh=00_AYB4gcMqIAlXvwqJKdlYiMhVlxS2byek1vCwzg1XrX_A_A&oe=675037B2 IG_ADS_IDENTITY 1 0 0 opyumexpresseast 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 View Edit
Delete
2,558,392
/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) 
'{"alias":2558382}'
No 2024-11-29 19:18 active 1938 0 BOOK_TRAVEL http://instagram.com/opyumexpresseast opyumexpresseast https://www.instagram.com/_u/opyumexpresseast 0 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 0 0 0 0 0 0 Book Now 0 instagram.com CAROUSEL http://instagram.com/opyumexpresseast 1969-12-31 18:00 https://scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-19/384301925_1996009854095317_8373893908513348245_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s206x206_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=525117&_nc_ohc=n-l2xpHV4uwQ7kNvgGl62DT&_nc_zt=24&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com&oh=00_AYB4gcMqIAlXvwqJKdlYiMhVlxS2byek1vCwzg1XrX_A_A&oe=675037B2 IG_ADS_IDENTITY 1 0 0 opyumexpresseast 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 View Edit
Delete
2,558,393
/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) 
'{"alias":2558382}'
No 2024-11-29 19:18 active 1938 0 BOOK_TRAVEL http://instagram.com/opyumexpresseast opyumexpresseast https://www.instagram.com/_u/opyumexpresseast 0 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 0 0 0 0 0 0 Book Now 0 instagram.com CAROUSEL http://instagram.com/opyumexpresseast 1969-12-31 18:00 https://scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-19/384301925_1996009854095317_8373893908513348245_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s206x206_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=525117&_nc_ohc=n-l2xpHV4uwQ7kNvgGl62DT&_nc_zt=24&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com&oh=00_AYB4gcMqIAlXvwqJKdlYiMhVlxS2byek1vCwzg1XrX_A_A&oe=675037B2 IG_ADS_IDENTITY 1 0 0 opyumexpresseast 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 View Edit
Delete
2,557,716
/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) 
'{"is_bh_simple_request":false,"simple_request_ratio":1,"is_bh_selenium":false,"selenium_ratio":1,"ratio_threshold":0.8}'
No 2024-11-29 19:00 active 1938 0 Para ella, casarse con su mejor amigo y quedar embarazada de su hijo fue un sueƱo hecho realidad. Pero en ese momento feliz, la mujer que amaba su marido regresĆ³... ===== ĀæLo habĆ­a oĆ­do bien? ĀæEstoy embarazada? Ā”Estoy embarazada de un bebĆ© de Pierce! Ā”Mi mejor amigo y mi primer amor! --QuĆ© bueno que haya sido cautelosa, pudo haber perdido a su bebĆ©, seƱorita Monroe --me dijo el ginecĆ³logo con seriedad al ver la sorpresa en mis ojos. En ese momento, me toquĆ© el vientre inconscientemente, sin poder creer que hubiera un bebĆ© acostado allĆ­. Cuando salĆ­ del hospital, no podĆ­a esperar para contarle a Pierce sobre nuestro bebĆ©. Me preguntaba cuĆ”l serĆ­a su reacciĆ³n. ĀæGritarĆ­a de felicidad? ĀæMe b**arĆ­a y todo eso? Ā”Dios! No podĆ­a contener mi felicidad. Incluso tomĆ© mi cara roja entre mis manos mientras fantaseaba. Pero en el momento en que sentĆ­ el frĆ­o del anillo en mi dedo, mi corazĆ³n que latĆ­a salvajemente se calmĆ³. Casi olvidaba que Pierce no estaba interesado en tener hijos, menos considerando que nuestro matrimonio fue arreglado por su familia. Por supuesto, Pierce era un completo caballero, como amigo y como marido. Cada vez que tenĆ­amos relaciones s**uales, Ć©l era considerado y cauteloso, y decĆ­a que no era necesario agregar mĆ”s ataduras si no estĆ”bamos listos. Este bebĆ©, en cierto modo, estaba fuera de los planes. --SeƱora, ĀæestĆ” todo bien? ĀæNecesita que llame al jefe? --preguntĆ³ mi conductor privado, Luke, preocupado al notar mi ceƱo fruncido. Luke era confiable como un miembro de la familia, pero no querĆ­a contarle porque querĆ­a que Pierce fuera el primero en enterarse de esta noticia. Ɖl era el padre de mi bebĆ©. --No --dije y neguĆ© con la cabeza, dĆ”ndole a Luke una sonrisa tranquilizadora--. EstĆ” en el vuelo. HablarĆ© con Ć©l mĆ”s tarde --y asĆ­ verĆ­a su respuesta yo misma en sus crudas expresiones. Siempre fui buena en eso. Finalmente, cerrĆ© los ojos y recordĆ© el dĆ­a en que nos conocimos. Su brillante sonrisa a la luz del sol era tan deslumbrante que parecĆ­a un prĆ­ncipe. Me enamorĆ© de Ć©l a primera vista, mucho antes de que nos convirtiĆ©ramos en mejores amigos. Pero era sĆ³lo un amor no correspondido y yo lo sabĆ­a bien. En ese instante, bajĆ© la ventanilla del auto para tomar un poco de aire fresco y, sin quererlo, vislumbrĆ© nuestra antigua escuela secundaria. Ese sentimiento amargo llenĆ³ mi pecho una vez mĆ”s... Pierce fue mi primer amor, pero yo no era el suyo. En la escuela secundaria, yo no era mĆ”s que una nerd aburrida a los ojos de los demĆ”s, mientras que Pierce Anderson era el brillante mariscal de campo. Todos se sorprendieron de que pudiĆ©ramos ser amigos. Aunque las hostilidades hacia mĆ­ aumentaron, disfrutĆ© estar cerca de Ć©l y poco a poco me di cuenta de que no querĆ­a ser sĆ³lo su amiga. Sin embargo, justo cuando estaba a punto de confesarle mis sentimientos, otra chica llegĆ³ a su vida. SacudĆ­ la cabeza tratando de deshacerme de esos viejos y tristes recuerdos. Luego toquĆ© el frĆ­o anillo de bodas en mi dedo y me dije que el pasado ya habĆ­a pasado. Pierce dijo que habĆ­an terminado y que ahora yo era su esposa. SĆ­, yo era su esposa y ademĆ”s estaba embarazada de su bebĆ©. Pronto, me sequĆ© las lĆ”grimas de las comisuras de los ojos y abrĆ­ la puerta de nuestra casa. Mi corazĆ³n se calmĆ³ al respirar el aroma de mi hogar, nuestra casa. Pierce y yo la decoramos juntos con nuestras propias manos. Lo disfrutamos. SĆ­, tal vez estaba pensando demasiado. Esa mujer habĆ­a estado fuera de nuestras vidas durante mucho tiempo y los Ćŗltimos tres aƱos mi matrimonio con Pierce fueron tan hermosos como un cuento de hadas. Una vez dentro, mirĆ© el reloj de la pared. Para ese entonces, Pierce ya deberĆ­a haberse bajado del aviĆ³n. Estuvo mĆ”s de un mes en viajes de negocios de nuestra empresa familiar. Pierce era el presidente de ADE, la empresa de revistas de moda lĆ­der en toda Asia, y yo era la vicepresidente de la compaƱƭa. No sĆ³lo Ć©ramos compaƱeros de vida, sino tambiĆ©n buenos socios en el trabajo. En verdad lo extraƱaba. De inmediato, marquĆ© su nĆŗmero, pues tenĆ­a muchas ganas de escuchar su voz y saber cuĆ”ndo llegarĆ­a a casa. Le prepararĆ­a una buena comida y Ć©l me premiarĆ­a con un dulce beso. Y luego podrĆ­amos... Vaya, en ese momento casi olvidĆ© que estaba embarazada. DebĆ­a contarle eso primero y luego podrĆ­amos hacer otra cosa. Estaba imaginando felizmente nuestra encantadora reuniĆ³n, pero mi corazĆ³n dio un vuelco cuando una voz de mujer cruzĆ³ la lĆ­nea. --ĀæHola? Al escuchar esa sola palabra, dejĆ© caer mi telĆ©fono, que se rompiĆ³ al chocar contra el suelo, y mi cuerpo empezĆ³ a temblar incontrolablemente. Ā”NO! Ā”No podĆ­a ser ella! Ā”No podĆ­a ser Lexi! Ā”Ella ya estaba fuera de nuestras vidas! DebĆ­ haber escuchado mal. De inmediato, corrĆ­ hacia la nevera en un intento por calmarme con la ayuda de un poco de al**hol. Pero en el momento en que toquĆ© la botella de v**o, recordĆ© las palabras del mĆ©dico sobre mi bebĆ©. DebĆ­a tener cuidado por la salud de mi bebĆ©, asĆ­ que solo agarrĆ© una caja de leche y caminĆ© hacia el sofĆ”. En ese entonces, no sabĆ­a quĆ© me hizo reconocer esa voz como la de Lexi. Nosotras nunca fuimos cercanas. Lexi Gilbert era la tĆ­pica belleza rubia por la que los hombres se volvĆ­an locos. Ella era una animadora popular en la escuela secundaria, mientras que Pierce era el mariscal de campo estrella. Encajaba mejor con Ć©l que una nerd como yo, Āæverdad? No me sorprendiĆ³ que se haya enamorado de ella. Mi orgullo no soportĆ³ ver al hombre que amaba volverse loco por otra mujer, asĆ­ que una vez intentĆ© alejarme de ellos en silencio, pero Pierce se negĆ³ a salirse de mi vida. Cada vez que me ahogaba en un mar de libros y estudios para olvidarlos, Pierce aparecĆ­a en mi puerta invitĆ”ndome a salir. No podĆ­a decirle que no a su sonrisa encantadora y tampoco podĆ­a decirle que no porque afirmaba que era su deber como mi mejor amigo llevarme a disfrutar del mundo real. Para no arruinar nuestra amistad, ocultĆ© mi corazĆ³n roto y desempeƱƩ en silencio el papel de su mejor amiga, siempre a su lado y observando su rostro feliz por otra chica. Finalmente, cuando supe que Pierce planeaba proponerle matrimonio a Lexi, me armĆ© de valor y fui a estudiar al extranjero, sin saber que su abuela me llamarĆ­a para rogarme que regresara. Por supuesto, volvĆ­ a toda prisa sĆ³lo para ver a Pierce sin vida. Lexi le habĆ­a herido gravemente el corazĆ³n y el mĆ­o sufrĆ­a por mi amado. EmpecĆ© a odiar a Lexi desde ese momento. Le habĆ­a entregado a mi amado hombre, Ā”cĆ³mo se atreviĆ³ a hacerle tanto daƱo! Ā”Esa bruja! Pierce no le contĆ³ a nadie lo que pasĆ³, excepto que habĆ­a terminado con Lexi. Luego, la abuela arreglĆ³ nuestro matrimonio. No entendĆ­ por quĆ© estuvo de acuerdo hasta que un dĆ­a lo escuchĆ© decir que casarse con cualquiera que no fuera Lexi serĆ­a lo mismo para Ć©l. Aquello me doliĆ³ mucho, pero aun asĆ­ me casĆ© con Ć©l sin pensarlo dos veces. Mi amado estaba destrozado y querĆ­a recomponerlo, sin importarme si eso me arruinaba a mĆ­ en el proceso. Me quedĆ© dormida sintiĆ©ndome muy insegura y preocupada. Me despertĆ© en medio de la noche cuando sentĆ­ que alguien acariciaba mi mejilla. Lentamente abrĆ­ los ojos y me di cuenta de que me habĆ­a quedado dormida en la sala de estar. Alguien me levantĆ³ del sofĆ” e inmediatamente reconocĆ­ su olor y tacto mientras lo miraba con los ojos entrecerrados. --Pierceā€¦ --Hmm --murmurĆ³ mientras caminaba hacia las escaleras--. ĀæPor quĆ© te dormiste en el sofĆ”? Yo solo me quedĆ© mirĆ”ndolo a la cara y luego me dejĆ³ suavemente sobre la cama, acariciĆ³ mi cabello y besĆ³ mi frente. Siempre fue tan gentil y por eso lo amaba tanto. LlevĆ”bamos mĆ”s de un mes separados, mi cuerpo lo extraƱaba y mi corazĆ³n lo anhelaba. --ĀæDĆ³nde estabas? Te estuve esperando --dije mientras acariciaba su mejilla. --Acabo de encontrarme con un amigo. Dijiste que me estabas esperando, Āæes urgente? Al ver su rostro amable, de repente no quise arruinarle el momento, asĆ­ que cerrĆ© mis labios entreabiertos y traguĆ© la verdad para devolverla a mi estĆ³mago. MaƱana, tal vez maƱana tendrĆ­a el coraje de afrontar todos los rompecabezas. De modo que solo sacudĆ­ la cabeza, hice un puchero y le dije que tenĆ­a sueƱo. Ɖl se riĆ³ entre dientes y me dio un beso de buenas noches, pero en el momento en que estuvo a punto de dejarme, por alguna razĆ³n entrĆ© en pĆ”nico. RĆ”pidamente lo agarrĆ© y lo b*sĆ© con toda mi pasiĆ³n... Lo extraƱaba y lo querĆ­a. --Espera, Kels --dijo y me detuvo, sujetando mis locas manos sobre la cama--. PensĆ© que habĆ­as dicho que tenĆ­as sueƱo y que necesitabas descansar. --SĆ­, pero te extraƱo --exclamĆ© y lo mirĆ© con inocencia. Pude captar el deseo brillando en sus ojos, pero se desvaneciĆ³ de pronto y yo no comprendĆ­a por quĆ©. SolĆ­a ā€‹ā€‹ā€‹ā€‹ponerse feliz cuando yo tomaba la iniciativa. En ese instante, como si notara mi confusiĆ³n, se riĆ³ entre dientes y me pellizcĆ³ juguetonamente la nariz. --Me darĆ© una ducha. Huelo a al**hol --manifestĆ³. Yo solo asentĆ­ y lo mirĆ© mientras caminaba hacia el baƱo. Pronto la somnolencia volviĆ³ a atacarme, asĆ­ que cerrĆ© los ojos para tomar una siesta. Sin embargo, ya era de maƱana cuando abrĆ­ los ojos nuevamente y Pierce estaba a mi lado, poniendo una bandeja con comida en la mesita de noche. --Ā”Ey! --lo saludĆ© y sonreĆ­ cuando me di cuenta de lo que habĆ­a hecho. Me habĆ­a preparado el desayuno para llevĆ”rmelo a la cama. Era tan dulce. Ɖl sonriĆ³ y se sentĆ³ en la cama. --Buen dĆ­a. Le devolvĆ­ la sonrisa mientras me sentaba en la cama. En ese momento, agarrĆ³ la bandeja y la puso a mi lado. Al instante, levantĆ© una ceja e inclinĆ© la cabeza mientras miraba su hermoso rostro. Sus cejas espesas y negras enmarcaban sus hermosos ojos de color marrĆ³n oscuro. Su nariz era orgullosa y puntiaguda y sus labios eran rojos y finos. ParecĆ­a un chico malo y s*xy, incluso Damon Salvatore se avergonzarĆ­a de estar a su lado. Nadie tenĆ­a posibilidad alguna contra este hombre. --ĀæQuĆ© es esto? ĀæUn soborno? Me dejaste plantada anoche, chico malo --dije. Ɖl no se riĆ³. ExhalĆ³ un suspiro y colocĆ³ con suavidad mi cabello detrĆ”s de mis orejas antes de tomar mi mano y mirarme a los ojos. --Tengo algo que decirte. Al instante, sentĆ­ que mi corazĆ³n se aceleraba y pensĆ© en nuestro bebĆ© en mi Ćŗtero. TenĆ­a algo que decirme, yo tambiĆ©n tenĆ­a algo que contarle. --ĀæQ-QuĆ© cosa? --preguntĆ© con voz temblorosa. De repente, dio un profundo suspiro y comenzĆ³: --Sabes que eres importante para mĆ­, Āæverdad? AsentĆ­ lentamente con los labios entreabiertos. No pude responder, tenĆ­a miedo de lo que estaba a punto de decir. TenĆ­a un mal presentimiento. --Eras mi mejor amiga antes de casarnos. Eres una de las pocas personas que valoroā€¦ --prosiguiĆ³. Mientras hablaba, escondĆ­ mis puƱos cerrados debajo de la sĆ”bana. No sabĆ­a por quĆ© me decĆ­a todo esto, pero ya podĆ­a sentir las lĆ”grimas acumulĆ”ndose en el rabillo de mis ojos. --Kelly... --hizo una pausa y cerrĆ³ los ojos con fuerza antes de volver a mirarme a los ojos--. Creo que es hora de que nos divorciemos. --P-Pierceā€¦ --exclamĆ© y sentĆ­ que mi corazĆ³n se apretaba. Ɖl sonriĆ³. --SĆ© que tĆŗ tampoco sientes nada por mĆ­. Te casaste conmigo por mis abuelos, hiciste esto solo porque los amas. Ahora llegĆ³ el momento de nuestra verdadera felicidad, Kelly. Al oĆ­rlo, no pude evitar sacudir la cabeza. --ĀæDe quĆ© estĆ”s hablando, Pierce? --inquirĆ­. --Lexi ha vuelto, Kelly. Mi primer amor ha vuelto. CapĆ­tulo 2 Punto de vista de Kelly--Llueve sobre mojado De inmediato, me levantĆ© de la cama e intentĆ© irme, pero Pierce me agarrĆ³ la mano. RĆ”pidamente me sequĆ© las lĆ”grimas que rodaban por mis mejillas antes de que Ć©l pudiera verlas. Luego, se parĆ³ frente a mĆ­ y me mirĆ³ a la cara mientras yo intentaba con todas mis fuerzas mirar hacia abajo y evitar verlo a los ojos. SentĆ­ que mi corazĆ³n se rompĆ­a en pedazos. Pensabaā€¦ pensaba que podrĆ­a hacer que se enamorara de mĆ­ en esos tres aƱos que pasamos juntos. Pensaba que sus sentimientos cambiarĆ­an y me verĆ­a como una mujer en lugar de solo su mejor amiga. Fui estĆŗpida por tener esperanzas y soƱar tan alto. FallĆ©. Sin importar cuĆ”nto lo intentara, su corazĆ³n pertenecĆ­a sĆ³lo a su primer amor: Lexi. --Kellyā€¦ En ese momento, contuve el aliento y me traguĆ© el dolor mientras lo miraba. Luego fingĆ­ una sonrisa y dije: --Debo lavarme las manos antes de comer. Pero Ć©l me mirĆ³ a los ojos como si intentara descubrir lo que estaba pensando. Yo sabĆ­a que Ć©l me conocĆ­a demasiado bien, asĆ­ que tratĆ© con todas mis fuerzas de ocultar mi dolor y le sonreĆ­. Finalmente, suspirĆ³ y soltĆ³ mi mano. --Bueno. Te esperarĆ© aquĆ­. Comamos y vayamos a trabajar juntos. ĀæJuntos? ĀæPor quĆ© era tan cruel? ĀæQuerĆ­a que nos siguiĆ©ramos llevando bien como si no me hubiera pedido el divorcio? ĀæQuerĆ­a que nos quedĆ”ramos como estĆ”bamos justo despuĆ©s de decirme que su primer amor habĆ­a regresado y querĆ­a divorciarse de mĆ­? Oh Pierce, ĀæquĆ© estaba pasando por tu cabeza? Antes podĆ­a obligarme a mĆ­ misma a quedarme en el puesto de su mejor amiga mientras le deseaba felicidad, pero ya no tenĆ­a ese coraje despuĆ©s de los tres aƱos que habĆ­amos compartido. No habĆ­a manera de que pudiera soportar esa tortura otra vez, en especial ahora que cargaba a su bebĆ©. El bebĆ©... en un principio pensĆ© que era una buena noticia para nosotros, pero ahora... supongo que serĆ­a mĆ”s bien una carga para Ć©l. Una carga que le impedirĆ­a conseguir su verdadero amor y su libertad. Yo sabĆ­a muy bien cĆ³mo crecĆ­a un niƱo no deseado. Mis padres se divorciaron antes de que mi madre muriera y la nueva familia de mi padre me odiaba, lo que me dolĆ­a muchĆ­simo. Por eso no querĆ­a que mi bebĆ© experimentara lo mismo que yo sentĆ­, asĆ­ que debĆ­a mantener a mi bebĆ© alejado de Ć©l. --No podemos --dije mientras fingĆ­a una nueva sonrisa--. Debo visitar el estudio para la sesiĆ³n de fotos de nuestros nuevos modelosā€¦ --IrĆ© contigo. --No --contestĆ© y apartĆ© su mano. Sus ojos siguieron mi mano antes de levantar la cara para mirarme de nuevo--. Tienes documentos que firmar. Nuestros horarios ya estĆ”n organizados, Āærecuerdas? --Peroā€¦ --Tengo un conductor personal, Pierce. EstarĆ© bien sola --afirmĆ©. Finalmente, suspirĆ³ y asintiĆ³ con calma. En ese momento, le di la espalda y entrĆ© al baƱo. Inmediatamente abrĆ­ la ducha y me parĆ© bajo el agua frĆ­a. Las lĆ”grimas cayeron en cascada por mis mejillas mientras me cubrĆ­a la boca para reprimir los sollozos. Mis hombros temblaban mucho y cuando pensĆ© en mi bebĆ©, traguĆ© saliva y tratĆ© de calmarme. Luego me limpiĆ© la cara y acariciĆ© mi vientre. DebĆ­a ser fuerte y mantener la calma. No podĆ­a arriesgar la vida de mi bebĆ© sĆ³lo porque me habĆ­an roto el corazĆ³n. TenĆ­a que lidiar con esto de forma inteligente. Unos minutos despuĆ©s, tomĆ© un respiro profundo y terminĆ© mi ducha. Cuando salĆ­ del baƱo, me sorprendiĆ³ ver que Pierce todavĆ­a estaba allĆ­. Estaba luchando por arreglarse la corbata frente al espejo de cuerpo entero. TambiĆ©n notĆ© un par de zapatos y un vestido mĆ­os sobre la cama. --Ā”Ey! ElegĆ­ tu vestido para hoy --dijo. Como nuestro matrimonio no era pĆŗblico, Pierce dijo que harĆ­a pequeƱas cosas para mĆ­ como marido. De hecho, lo habĆ­a hecho bien y yo solĆ­a disfrutar de estos dulces momentos que me regalaba, pero ahora sentĆ­a que eso mismo me m**arĆ­a. Al segundo siguiente, agarrĆ© el vestido y entrĆ© al vestidor, sentiendo que me seguĆ­a. VolvĆ­ a guardar el vestido blanco y elegĆ­ uno rojo. Cuando me di vuelta y lo tuve de frente, lo vi con la frente arrugada. --Hoy prefiero el rojo. Me sentirĆ© hermosa con este vestido --expliquĆ© con una sonrisa. Al instante, sus ojos se dirigieron al vestido que sostenĆ­a y su rostro inmediatamente se calmĆ³. Al final asintiĆ³ y caminĆ³ hacia mĆ­. --Ya veo. Pero antes ayĆŗdame a arreglar esto --me pidiĆ³. Sin dudarlo, puse mi vestido en su brazo y comencĆ© a arreglarle la corbata. PodĆ­a sentir sus ojos mirĆ”ndome intensamente y eso hacĆ­a que mi corazĆ³n latiera muy rĆ”pido. RespirĆ© hondo y me mordĆ­ el labio inferior mientras luchaba por arreglar su corbata. De pronto, mi visiĆ³n se volviĆ³ borrosa otra vez. Ā”MaldiciĆ³n! --Kellyā€¦ No pude evitar sobresaltarme en shock. --ĀæMmm? --ĀæEstĆ”s bien? --preguntĆ³. Lo mirĆ© y sonreĆ­: --SĆ­. --Tengo algo mĆ”s que decirte. En ese instante, terminĆ© de arreglarle la corbata y le quitĆ© rĆ”pidamente el vestido del brazo. Lo mirĆ© antes de pasar junto a Ć©l y dije: --Hablaremos despuĆ©s. Voy a llegar tarde. Lo escuchĆ© suspirar antes de volver a seguirme. Me vestĆ­ mientras Ć©l estaba detrĆ”s de mĆ­. Estuvo en silencio todo el tiempo, como si estuviera pensando en algo. --DeberĆ­as desayunar antes de irte --comentĆ³. Un segundo despuĆ©s, me parĆ© frente a Ć©l y asentĆ­. --Lo harĆ©. DeberĆ­as irte ahora --respondĆ­. --Kelly, estamos en la misma pĆ”gina, Āæverdad? --preguntĆ³. Lo mirĆ© fijamente. No, Pierce. Nunca estuvimos en la misma pĆ”gina. SĆ³lo fueron mis estĆŗpidas fantasĆ­as. Pensaba que sentĆ­as algo por mĆ­, pero estaba muy equivocada. --Si hablas del divorcio, lo entiendo, Pierce. SĆ© lo que tengo que hacer. SĆ³lo dame algo de tiempo porque estoy muy ocupada con la empresa. No huirĆ©. --Kelly, no estoy haciendo esto sĆ³lo por mĆ­. TambiĆ©n lo hago por ti. Has estado encerrada conmigo desde que nos casamos. SĆ© que no eres feliz porque en el fondo tambiĆ©n quieres encontrar al hombre que te mereces. Alguien que realmente te ame, no yo. No alguien indiferente. --Entiendo lo que tratas de decir, Pierce --dije y tratĆ© de darle la espalda, pero antes de poder hacerlo, Ć©l me sujetĆ³ por la cintura y me mantuvo en el lugar. Luego hizo todo lo posible para captar mis ojos hasta que lo consiguiĆ³. Su mirada era de preocupaciĆ³n. --Eres mi mejor amiga. No quiero perderte, Kels. Eres una de las pocas personasā€¦ --Lo sĆ© --lo interrumpĆ­ con frustraciĆ³n. ParecĆ­a sorprendido, asĆ­ que me calmĆ©--. Ya lo sĆ©. No tienes que preocuparte. Simplemente estoy estresada por el trabajo, no es por el divorcio. En ese instante, sus labios se separaron, asintiĆ³ lentamente y soltĆ³ un suspiro. Luego, caminĆ³ hacia mĆ­ y me congelĆ© cuando besĆ³ mi frente con dulzuraā€¦ --Gracias, Kelly --susurrĆ³. Al oĆ­rlo, mi corazĆ³n se apretĆ³. HabĆ­an pasado tres aƱos pero todavĆ­a era una cobarde. Ā«ĀæPor quĆ© no puedes simplemente decirle que lo amas, Kelly? Ā”Ɖl es tu esposo y estĆ”s llevando su bebĆ©! Ā”DĆ­selo y tal vez cambie de opiniĆ³n!Ā» pensĆ©. Con eso en mente, traguĆ© saliva y estuve a punto de decĆ­rselo, pero justo en ese momento su telĆ©fono sonĆ³. Pude ver el identificador de llamadas. Era Lexi. --Me tengo que ir --afirmĆ³ y se rascĆ³ la cabeza a modo de disculpa, mientras las comisuras de su boca se curvaban hacia arriba--. LlamĆ© a Luke. Te espera afuera. Come antes de irte, ĀæsĆ­? Con eso, saliĆ³ de nuestra habitaciĆ³n. De repente, las lĆ”grimas que habĆ­a logrado reprimir hasta ese momento volvieron a brotar. ĀæPor quĆ© habĆ­a pensado que podrĆ­a tener una oportunidad? Ɖl tomĆ³ su decisiĆ³n en el momento en que me pidiĆ³ el divorcio, Āæverdad? Siempre que se trataba de Lexi me abandonaba. CapĆ­tulo 3 Punto de vista de Kelly--Mantener la compostura EntrĆ© al estudio con tacones rojos de cinco centĆ­metros y un vestido igualmente rojo. Todos miraron en mi direcciĆ³n cuando entrĆ© caminando por el pasillo y me saludaron con una sonrisa, pero mantuve mi rostro estoico, sin mostrar emociĆ³n alguna. La conversaciĆ³n de esa maƱana con Pierce todavĆ­a estaba en mi cabeza, pero no podĆ­a permitir que afectara mi trabajo. No podĆ­a fallar en mi trabajo despuĆ©s de haber fracasado en mi matrimonio. De modo que respirĆ© profundamente para recomponerme. Un momento despuĆ©s, cuando entrĆ© a la sala de la sesiĆ³n de fotos, notĆ© que todos estaban sumidos en el caos. --Ā”No podemos! No responde las llamadas. ĀæQuĆ© debemos hacer? La vicepresidente viene hoy, se enojarĆ”. --Podemos simplemente decirle la verdad. Ella es amable. --Ā”No lo serĆ” con esta situaciĆ³n, Lily! Nos va a regaƱar... --ĀæQuĆ© estĆ” pasando aquĆ­? --preguntĆ© mientras entraba a la sala. De inmediato, el personal me mirĆ³ con expresiones preocupadas y entonces supe que habĆ­a un problema. --B-Buenos dĆ­as, seƱorita Monroe. SeƱorita Monroe. Por supuesto, nadie sabĆ­a que Pierce y yo estĆ”bamos casados ā€‹ā€‹excepto nuestras familias. SentĆ­ como si pellizcaran mi corazĆ³n con esa verdad. DolĆ­a. RĆ”pidamente, la mirĆ© sin comprender. --ĀæQuĆ© ocurre? --T-tenemos un problema, seƱorita Monroe. La seƱorita Chen, nuestra modelo, no atiende nuestras llamadas. Dijo que escuchĆ³ que Ć­bamos a cambiar de modelo asĆ­ queā€¦ no quiere venir. Incluso... amenazĆ³ con presentar una demanda contra nosotros. DespuĆ©s de decir eso, inclinĆ³ la cabeza. Yo apretĆ© los dientes y recorrĆ­ el lugar con la mirada. --ĀæDĆ³nde estĆ” la directora de marketing? --inquirĆ­. --E-Ella todavĆ­a estĆ” tratando de convencer a la seƱorita Chen, seƱorita Monroe. Luego de escuchar el problema, me masajeĆ© la frente y cerrĆ© los ojos con fuerza. Un segundo despuĆ©s, me agarrĆ© del pelo y gritĆ© de ira. SentĆ­ que todos a mi alrededor se sobresaltaban sorprendidos. Yo solo suspirĆ© y tomĆ© una gran bocanada de aire antes de mirar a mi alrededor. --SeƱorita Monroe... --ĀæQuĆ© es todo esto, seƱorita Hayley? TĆŗ eres la directora de marketing, ĀæquĆ© estĆ” pasando? --SeƱorita Monroe, no sĆ© cĆ³mo sucediĆ³, pero la seƱorita Chen escuchĆ³ que usted cambiarĆ” de modelo. EstĆ” a punto de presentar una demanda contra nosotros... ĀæCambiar de modelo? ĀæCĆ³mo es que yo no sabĆ­a nada al respecto? La seƱorita Chen siempre habĆ­a sido nuestra modelo de confianza y, si no era necesario, cambiar de modelo para una sesiĆ³n comercial con tan poca antelaciĆ³n sĆ³lo causarĆ­a muchos problemas a la empresa. Nunca permitirĆ­a un error como este. --Yo no pedĆ­ eso. Debe ser un error --la interrumpĆ­ para ahorrar tiempo--. Ā”Arregla este desastre o tendrĆ© que despedirte! --SeƱorita Monroe... Fue el presidente quien nos pidiĆ³ que la cambiĆ”ramos --explicĆ³ Hayley vacilante--. Lo ordenĆ³ ayer tan pronto como regresĆ³ de su viaje de negocios. Aquella verdad me golpeĆ³ con fuerza. ĀæFue orden de Pierce? ĀæPor quĆ© no me lo dijo? SolĆ­a ā€‹ā€‹discutir conmigo cada decisiĆ³n importante antes de tomarla. --No puede ser... --exclamĆ© confundida. Pierce no era un hombre de negocios despistado. Siempre mantuvo una clara distinciĆ³n entre el trabajo y la vida personal, razĆ³n por la cual siempre tuvo Ć©xito. Y esa fue tambiĆ©n la razĆ³n por la que decidiĆ³ mantener nuestro matrimonio en secreto. --SĆ­, Kelly. Yo di la orden. --Su voz me hizo retroceder. --S-SeƱor Presidenteā€¦ --saludĆ³ Hayley y se inclinĆ³ con respeto al ver al hombre que apareciĆ³ de repente detrĆ”s de mĆ­. --Pierce, Ā”creo que me debes una explicaciĆ³n sobre este cambio de modelo! --dije con los dientes apretados mientras me giraba para interrogarlo. Ɖl sabĆ­a perfectamente cuĆ”nto esfuerzo puse para ganar este proyecto. Estuve dĆ­as sin dormir y la seƱorita Chen era la persona ideal para este trabajo. De hecho, Ć©l tambiĆ©n estuvo de acuerdo. Pero ahoraā€¦ simplemente cambiĆ³ la modelo a su gusto sin avisarme con antelaciĆ³n. Eso fue como abofetearme con fuerza en la cara. --ContinĆŗen con el trabajo. Yo se lo aclararĆ© --le indicĆ³ Ć©l al personal para calmarlos, ignorando la ira que estaba a punto de salir de mis ojos. --Ā”ContĆ©stame, Pierce! ĀæPor quĆ© cambias de modelo tan de repente? --No pude contener mi enojo. Ɖl simplemente me tocĆ³ el hombro y me susurrĆ³: --Este no es el lugar para discutir al respecto. Te lo explicarĆ© en el auto. En ese momento, mirĆ© a mi alrededor y notĆ© que los demĆ”s nos miraban furtivamente. Luego me quitĆ© sus manos de encima y caminĆ© hacia el estacionamiento, pero durante el camino, sentĆ­a mi corazĆ³n cada vez mĆ”s pesado. TenĆ­a la sensaciĆ³n de que su explicaciĆ³n no iba a gustarme. --Vamos, dĆ­melo --exclamĆ© ni bien nos sentamos en su auto. Antes de hablar, me mirĆ³ a los ojos como si sopesara mis emociones, pero yo apartĆ© la mirada de nuevo. No podĆ­a soportar sus miradas, no podĆ­a soportar esos ojos que nunca me miraban como yo querĆ­a. Ɖl no sentĆ­a nada por mĆ­ y eso me dolĆ­a mucho. --Yo-yoā€¦ --hizo una pausa y suspirĆ³--. ReemplacĆ© a la seƱorita Chen porque Lexi quiere ser nuestra modelo. Ella tambiĆ©n encaja en el proyecto, asĆ­ que estuve de acuerdo... --ĀæQuĆ©? --preguntĆ© con incredulidad. De pronto, apretĆ³ los labios y mirĆ³ hacia otro lado. Luego se revolviĆ³ el cabello antes de sacudir la cabeza y tomar mi mano. --Lamento no haberte dicho antes, fue muy repentino. Ella me pidiĆ³ un favor, no pude decirle que no. RĆ”pidamente, retirĆ© mi mano y lo mirĆ© con dolor y enojo. --No pudiste decirle que no, asĆ­ que preferiste daƱar a la empresa, a nuestra empresa. Me traicionaste, Pierce. --Kels, vamos. Sabes cuĆ”nto la amo. Ella es mi primer amor. Al oĆ­rlo, cerrĆ© los ojos con dolor. Ā«Oh sĆ­, ella es tu primer amor. Siempre la quisiste a ella, sin que te importen los demĆ”s. Si ella te frunce el ceƱo un poco, puedes hacer la vista gorda ante el dolor y el esfuerzo de los demĆ”s. Eres tan cruel, PierceĀ» pensĆ©. --Bueno, ya lo has decidido. No tengo voz y voto en esto ya que tĆŗ eres el presidente. Ahora vete, estarĆ© en la oficina --indiquĆ© con frialdad mientras abrĆ­a la puerta del auto para salir. --Kellyā€¦ En ese instante, lo mirĆ© a los ojos y dije: --Ve a casa temprano. Hablaremos de nuestro divorcio esta noche. CapĆ­tulo 4 Punto de vista de Kelly--Plantada Me encontraba jugueteando con el anillo de bodas en mi dedo mientras lo esperaba. Le habĆ­a dicho que volviera temprano a casa, pero todavĆ­a no regresaba y ni siquiera contestaba mis llamadas. Bueno, ahora que Lexi habĆ­a vuelto, probablemente ya no veĆ­a a esta casa como su hogar. De pronto, mis ojos se dirigieron a mi informe de embarazo que estaba sobre la mesa. QuĆ© gracioso. TodavĆ­a era tan ingenua para albergar un rayo de esperanza de que las cosas podrĆ­an cambiar si le hablaba del bebĆ©, pero este bebĆ© estaba fuera de sus planes. Me sequĆ© las lĆ”grimas que se acumulaban en el rabillo de mis ojos y agarrĆ© el informe. Ya eran las cinco de la maƱana cuando mirĆ© el reloj de la pared. IntentĆ© marcar su nĆŗmero nuevamente, pero seguĆ­a sin responder. ĀæEn quĆ© estaba tan ocupado? ĀæEstaba h**iendo el a**r con Lexi? DebiĆ³ haberla extraƱado mucho, Āæverdad? Pronto, sin saber cuĆ”ndo, me quedĆ© dormida. Cuando sonĆ³ el despertador, inconscientemente toquĆ© la almohada a mi lado. FrĆ­o como anoche, no habĆ­a vuelto a casa todavĆ­a. Me burlĆ© de mĆ­ misma al ver mi reflejo en el espejo de la cĆ³moda. Los cĆ­rculos oscuros bajo mis ojos se veĆ­an a simple vista y mi cabello era un total desastre, parecĆ­a un fantasma. De repente una oleada de nĆ”useas inundĆ³ mi estĆ³mago y me di cuenta de que no habĆ­a comido nada la noche anterior. De pronto, me sentĆ­ mal otra vez y rĆ”pidamente corrĆ­ hacia el lavabo y vomitĆ©. EscupĆ­ un lĆ­quido amarillento que sabĆ­a muy mal. De inmediato, me lavĆ© la boca y mirĆ© mi propio reflejo en el espejo. Al verme, sacudĆ­ la cabeza y tomĆ© mi frente en cuanto sentĆ­ ganas de vomitar de nuevo. VolvĆ­ a escupir el lĆ­quido amarillento y mientras me lavaba la boca, sentĆ­ una cĆ”lida mano acariciando mi espalda. Inmediatamente levantĆ© la cara y me encontrĆ© con un par de ojos marrones que me miraban a travĆ©s del espejo. DetrĆ”s de mĆ­ con cara de preocupaciĆ³n estaba mi esposo Pierce. --ĀæEstĆ”s bien? ĀæTe sientes mal? Debiste haberme dicho. Al instante, lo mirĆ© a travĆ©s del espejo. --No respondiste mis llamadas --contestĆ©. Ante aquellas palabras, la culpa apareciĆ³ en sus ojos. --Lo lamento. TenĆ­a cosas que hacer. Me quedĆ© en la oficina toda la noche --afirmĆ³. RĆ”pidamente, me limpiĆ© la cara y pasĆ© junto a Ć©l. Pierce me siguiĆ³ mientras me sentaba frente al tocador y comenzaba a peinarme. --Kelsā€¦ --Me despertĆ© tarde. No pude preparar el desayuno. Mientras hablaba, intentĆ© evitar sus ojos. SentĆ­a que iba a perder los estribos y gritarle. En ningĆŗn momento sentĆ­ su egoĆ­smo tan claramente como ahora. DecĆ­a que yo era su mejor amiga, pero nunca le habĆ­an importado mis necesidades, mis sentimientos. --Kels... sabes que no te preguntĆ© eso. Estoy preocupado por tu salud... Kels, ĀætodavĆ­a estamos bien? Ante aquella pregunta, dejĆ© de peinarme y lentamente nuestras miradas se encontraron a travĆ©s del espejo, otra vez. ĀæDe verdad me estaba preguntando eso? ĀæDespuĆ©s de que me pidiĆ³ el divorcio sin siquiera preguntarme si estaba de acuerdo? Ɖl decidiĆ³ por su cuenta sĆ³lo porque su primer amor habĆ­a vuelto. No podĆ­a creer lo que hacĆ­a. Al final, fingĆ­ una sonrisa y dije: --No me siento bien hoy, Pierce, eso es todo. Un instante despuĆ©s, se puso de cuclillas a mi lado, lo cual no me resultĆ³ sorprendente porque sabĆ­a que realmente se preocupaba. Pero lo que sĆ­ me sorprendiĆ³ fue que hacĆ­a todo esto despuĆ©s de enterrar una daga en mi corazĆ³n. --ĀæEstĆ”s bien? --preguntĆ³ mientras tocaba suavemente mi frente y mi cuello--. ĀæEstĆ”s enferma? Dime cĆ³mo te sientes, Kels. --Mis sentimientos no importan --no pude evitar decir y parecĆ­a sorprendido por mis palabras. En ese instante, intentĆ© evitarlo, pero me agarrĆ³ de la muƱeca y me hizo mirarlo. Su rostro ahora reflejaba su ira. HabĆ­a perdido completamente la paciencia. --ĀæQuĆ© te pasa, Kels? Has estado actuando asĆ­ desde ayer. ĀæEs por Lexi? ĀæO porque no volvĆ­ a casa anoche? --inquiriĆ³. Yo lo mirĆ© a los ojos, molesta. --Ā”TĆŗ fuiste quien pidiĆ³ el divorcio! Te pedĆ­ que regresaras temprano para hablar al respecto, pero me dejaste esperando toda la noche. ĀæPretendĆ­as que te diera la bienvenida con brazos abiertos despuĆ©s de eso, Pierce? --respondĆ­. Al escucharme, apretĆ³ la mandĆ­bula y sacudiĆ³ la cabeza. --Kels, yo... --Ya basta. Hablaremos del divorcio despuĆ©s del trabajo. --Ā”Kels! --me llamĆ³ y me agarrĆ³ de los hombros. La confusiĆ³n y el dolor eran visibles en sus ojos--. ĀæEstĆ”s... enamorada de mĆ­? Aquello me desconcertĆ³. ĀæEnamorada? Ā”SĆ­! Desde que estĆ”bamos en la escuela secundaria, desde que se convirtiĆ³ en mi mejor amigo. ĀæQuiĆ©n no se enamorarĆ­a de alguien que te ha estado protegiendo desde entonces? Siempre he estado agradecida de tenerlo como mi mejor amigo y esposo, pero ahoraā€¦ lo estaba perdiendo. PerdiĆ©ndolo irremediablemente. DecidĆ­ darle a nuestro matrimonio una Ćŗltima oportunidad, hacer un esfuerzo final... ...... ==== Casarse con su mejor amigo fue un sueƱo hecho realidad para Kelly, pero todo tiene realmente una limitaciĆ³n. Pierce es el primer amor de Kelly, pero como su mejor amiga, sabĆ­a bien que siempre habĆ­a otra mujer en lo profundo de su corazĆ³n. Lexi Gilbert. Kelly finalmente se dio cuenta de que su feliz matrimonio de los Ćŗltimos tres aƱos era solo un hermoso sueƱo cuando Pierce pidiĆ³ el divorcio solo porque Lexi regresĆ³. Ella sĆ³lo podrĆ­a ser su mejor amiga incluso si estuviera encinta de su bebĆ©. ĀæPor quĆ© no merecĆ­a ser amada? ĀæQuĆ© sucederĆ” en adelante? ĀæCĆ³mo podrĆ­a Kelly salvar su corazĆ³n en esta batalla de amor y odio? Los capĆ­tulos disponibles son limitados aquĆ­, haga click el botĆ³n abajo para instalar APP y disfrutar leyendo mĆ”s contenidos maravillosos. (Al abrir el APP, directo accederĆ” a este libro) &3& LEARN_MORE https://fbweb.manobook.com/14603375-fb_contact-spc Fun Novels https://www.facebook.com/61563251196448/ 1,978 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 0 0 0 0 0 0 Learn more 0 fbweb.manobook.com VIDEO https://fbweb.manobook.com/14603375-fb_contact-spcp25_2-1030-core1.html?adid={{ad.id}}&char=157725&accid=860298072104208&rawadid=120215437210490204 1969-12-31 18:00 https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465388990_857529966594206_1491965613002144319_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=cMEEBQLhgDkQ7kNvgGBb6m2&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ACd7E6XlEtd4y6GYWtx53s8&oh=00_AYBp1VBZIP9XldDw7SrMwKNKWCPihcmuOKRdjvhAsX15zA&oe=67504B56 PERSON_PROFILE 0 0 0 Fun Novels 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 View Edit
Delete
2,558,427
/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) 
'{"alias":2557870}'
Yes 2024-11-29 19:19 active 1938 0 Taking a break from reality to enjoy a little bit of fantasy. Making magic at Universal StudiosšŸ”„ā¤ļøā¤ļø Kelly Egbusinwa https://www.facebook.com/jessiepayne.514/ 236 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 MULTI_IMAGES 1969-12-31 18:00 https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/468800940_3826837777582943_2310724650825353358_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=llVVPcmUDusQ7kNvgHRfXa2&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=Awco-mcRc6kqHsHvP0u_OPA&oh=00_AYArcquwg3_b-G0zjKCIn6RGpYdLlHZ93c_2fbICUTJL8g&oe=67504076 PERSON_PROFILE 0 0 0 Kelly Egbusinwa 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 View Edit
Delete
2,558,428
/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) 
'{"alias":2557870}'
Yes 2024-11-29 19:19 active 1938 0 ā€œGratitude is the healthiest of human emotionsā€ Call it a custom, a family tradition, a treasured opportunity, or just a heartfelt initiative that has been happening for the past 25 years. It would not be Thanksgiving Season at Emilyā€™s Produce without a customary note of THANKS to our loyal community and customers. If youā€™ve been following our communications over the past 25 years, you know that our notes of THANKS have been hitting mailboxes and social media platforms on or near Thanksgiving Day without delay. The notes of THANKS have been filled with sincere gratitude and transparency, and they convey how your loyalty has impacted our family and our business, and how it has inspired us to be the best local agricultural and customer service providers that we can be. This season, we disseminate a message that is even more important than the last. Each year, we have more to highlight, more to be proud of, and more to learn from. We have had many opportunities over the past year to see exactly what honesty, loyalty, and support means to our family, to our business, and to our team. Whether weā€™ve been faced with unique challenges, hardships, milestones, accomplishments, failures or success, weā€™ve balanced our actions and reactions with resilience and readiness as we move towards the future in a positive direction. Your devoted and longstanding support inspires us, it motivates us, and it contributes towards the sustainable future that we are building for our family - the next generation of farmers and business entrepreneurs. As we look towards another 25 years of superior products and service at Emilyā€™s Produce, we commemorate all the positive outcomes that occurred during the 2024 Season. We proudly pay tribute to those members of our team who provided a level of service that defines our familyā€™s morals and business standards, and we proudly acknowledge the next generation of our family who continue to demonstrate their devotion to local agriculture and entrepreneurship through every risk and reward of the farming profession. We say THANK YOU for your trust in our family, for your kind words and gestures, and for your efforts in referring our business to your family and friends. We notice EVERY action and effort that leads you to our doorstep, into our fields, or onto our social media pages. Beginning on Thanksgiving Day, itā€™s time to take a break, time to innovate, collaborate, and rejuvenate. We leave the 2024 Season behind and eagerly await our responsibilities of speaking and presenting at multiple winter conferences, attending meetings and educational seminars, learning new best practices, ordering seed, returning to the greenhouse, and formulating a plan to make the 2025 Season even better! No matter how many times that youā€™ve visited us, referred us, encouraged us or believed in us ā€¦ We say THANK YOU! We genuinely appreciate you giving us a reason to share our most sincere gratitude every Thanksgiving Season! ā¤ļø The Jacksons ~ Paul, Kelly, Emily, & Kyle https://coastalstylemag.com/emilys-produce-2/ https://www.stardem.com/news/local_news/farm-family-brings-emily-s-produce-full-circle-in-its-25th-year/article_e412e4a2-4eb5-11ef-bc17-5366755835a7.html?utm_campaign=blox&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social Emily's Produce https://www.facebook.com/emilysproduce/ 15,346 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 MULTI_IMAGES 1969-12-31 18:00 https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/468459943_1765337744283377_5729083491105262397_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=yabYjDhbuFgQ7kNvgGH4rf2&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AUMgQ8KC2aoFw4UP9t0hAkA&oh=00_AYBlUz34FASeMP-NEvHI7YCosTgbtQ_a4RZSakA5Zq7E4w&oe=6750380C PERSON_PROFILE 0 0 0 Emily's Produce 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 View Edit
Delete
2,559,065
/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) 
'{"alias":2559009}'
No 2024-11-29 19:35 active 1939 0 4 Interest-free Payments Let us be your guide for the Black Friday.āœØ āœ…60%off buy 1āƒ£ get 1āƒ£ & Any order 10% off Sitewide Learn more:http://italojewelry.io/Cwo šŸŽFree shipping & Easy returnšŸŽ SHOP_NOW https://www.italojewelry.com/?utm_source=facebook. Italo Jeweler https://www.facebook.com/italojeweler/ 20,103 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 0 0 0 0 0 0 Shop now 0 www.italojewelry.com VIDEO āœ…Easy Return & One Year Warranty https://www.italojewelry.com/?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=fb-1130-02&utm_campaign=1211-17 1969-12-31 18:00 https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/467471375_539675452175694_6097788389831265683_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=h8e7WUXja28Q7kNvgESMniY&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ANCq9cAMezjmZkGYRbQZIqk&oh=00_AYDotcfoROROpFTgmZhkCQcPY_Za9UyqBro2AOteZaBtcg&oe=67501C5F PERSON_PROFILE 0 0 0 Italo Jeweler 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 View Edit
Delete
2,558,412
/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) 
'{"alias":2557870}'
No 2024-11-29 19:19 active 1938 0 155 Whitaker Lane, New Hope, AL ONLINE AUCTION ENDS TUESDAY, DEC. 17 at NOON 155 Whitaker Lane, New Hope, AL 35760 5200 Sq. Ft. Metal Building on 6.41Ā± Acres Also selling fishing tackle, covered utility trailer, insulated cargo container, cooler/chiller, metal shelving, storage bins, and more! ** PREVIEW ALL ITEMS & REAL ESTATE ** SUNDAY, DEC. 8 from 2pm to 4pm or by appointment. Once home to Kellyā€™s Sales, a live-bait producer & tackle manufacturing business, this versatile building is ideal for any commercial use. It features a loading bay, multiple roll-up doors, office space, bathroom, and ample overhead storage ā€“ perfect for contractors, shop owners, or hobbyists. Plus, the infrastructure is in place to restart the live bait business if desired. Its end of road location on 6.41Ā± acres is perfect for those needing some privacy. We are also offering a covered trailer, cooler & chiller, insulated cargo container, various lots of fishing tackle, shelving, minnow tanks, retail cricket boxes, and storage bins for online bidding. REDSTONE AUCTIONS 256-696-SOLD (7653) Craig Buchanan AL#1365 John Tumminello AL#5564 Redstone Auctions https://www.facebook.com/redstoneauctions/ 697 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 VIDEO 1969-12-31 18:00 https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/468494035_1115892026877950_2480850170696906360_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=AxS9Y1iVOKUQ7kNvgEABPGm&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AkfjysyM_VPaotcvsAZOYm8&oh=00_AYDdBIYM3lWE03TrQ3-7c2fnPYiLiPwksVqRwauk1-r97w&oe=6750433F PERSON_PROFILE 0 0 0 Redstone Auctions 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 View Edit
Delete
2,558,531
/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) 
null
No 2024-11-29 19:22 active 1938 0 Subscribe to NewsBreak newsletter for local headlines and breaking news. Concordia Parish, LA News: LSU fans break out brutal 2-word chant for Brian Kelly. SUBSCRIBE http://fb.me/0wzTiNIU?utm_campaign=newsbreak_web_l Louisiana Newsletter - NewsBreak US https://www.facebook.com/100075805094995/ 3,144 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 0 0 0 0 0 0 Subscribe 0 www.newsbreakapp.com IMAGE http://fb.me/0wzTiNIU?utm_campaign=newsbreak_web_leadads_email_mb01_county_LA&s=facebook&adset=Concordia+Parish%2C+LA&ad=2024-11-28_upImg_0wzTiNIU_cjv&utm_source={{site_source_name}}&utm_medium={{placement}} 1969-12-31 18:00 https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/468663647_577145861349564_6674031599208756341_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=LUsVRKSvVyIQ7kNvgHXYPZL&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=A_wx7qhIJ-PVSbYcSZz83V7&oh=00_AYAkEfPFHAc9j9yLbt2GlXIAh6JWgI2AhRArsNQWTjerlQ&oe=67502D52 PERSON_PROFILE 0 0 0 Louisiana Newsletter - NewsBreak US 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 View Edit
Delete
2,557,154
/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) 
'{"is_bh_simple_request":true,"simple_request_ratio":0.6142857142857143,"is_bh_selenium":null,"selenium_ratio":null,"ratio_threshold":0.8}'
Yes 2024-11-29 18:48 active 1937 0 To celebrate the launch of our vanlife clothing brand we will be giving away a DJI 3 Fly More Combo @djiglobal šŸ‘šŸ„³ To enter: šŸš 1. Follow our IG @vanlife.us ā¤ļø 2. Like and Save this post šŸ‘Æ 3. Tag some friends (one entry for each friend that you tag) šŸ”¼ 4. Share this post to your story (10 entries) The giveaway will end on December 30th at 5pm EST and we will announce the winner on our IG story šŸ™Œ Good Luck šŸ€ VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE https://www.instagram.com/_u/vanlife.us VanLife US https://www.facebook.com/61569392012913/ 0 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 0 0 0 0 0 0 Visit Instagram profile 0 instagram.com IMAGE https://www.instagram.com/_u/vanlife.us 1969-12-31 18:00 https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/468457947_2029446707507109_5077626558384273469_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=JSd6euSbos0Q7kNvgEW0I8H&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AU-lMvU5VEhoQVPVfGX2F9e&oh=00_AYDtiL-Y6AJA9ApeI8snWW32w9HPm7GBffNTgQFzCUPi2Q&oe=67503229 PERSON_PROFILE 0 0 0 VanLife US 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 View Edit
Delete
2,559,144
/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) 
'{"alias":2559137}'
Yes 2024-11-29 19:36 active 1939 0 šŸ”„šŸ”„Click to read the next chapter for freešŸ‘‰ Chapter 1 Liesel Sharp had just unlocked her phone while waiting for her IV drip to be done when she received a message from her best friend, Chelsea Walden. "Jacob's back." She faltered. She and Jacob Ford had barely spoken throughout their month-long cold war, so she had no idea he was back. Soon, she received another message. "He's brought a young woman back with him." A photo had been sent with the message. The young woman in the photo resembled Liesel a littleā€”she was Natalie Sharp, Liesel's younger half-sister. She'd been raised in the countryside. Chelsea continued, "The Sharp family is throwing them a welcome-back party. Do you want to crash it, Lili?" She knew what Liesel was like. Liesel would give Jacob a taste of his own medicine if he dared to do anything to her. There was even a chance she would set the Sharp residence on fire. Liesel checked her IV bag. She'd had a high fever for three days now, and the back of her hand was swollen from the constant IV drips she'd been on. She wasn't in the mood for that nonsense. "No," she replied. Then, she shut her eyes to get some rest. It was close to 10:00 pm when she took a cab back to Viewpoint Residences. The fever had taken its toll on her, so she soon drifted into a restless sleep. Jacob returned at some point, which woke her up. "Did I wake you?" he asked while rolling up the sleeves of his ironed shirt. The dim light made his skin glow, adding a hint of iciness to his already cold demeanor. He looked down at her with an indifferent gaze. His voice was as alluring as always, though. "No." Liesel's voice was a little nasal because she'd just woken up. She explained lazily, "I wasn't sleeping too soundly after taking my meds." He frowned slightly. "Are you sick?" She chuckled softly. She'd been sick for a while now and had mentioned it in her texts to him when admitting defeat. Yet he looked like he'd only just noticed. She poured two glasses of water and handed one to him. "How are things at Norton City? I heard from Brook that there seemed to be some trouble with it. Youā€”" Her throat felt dry and uncomfortable; she wasn't in the mood to chat. Still, someone had to back downā€”it had been nearly two months since they'd seen each other. However, Jacob cut her off. "Let's divorce." She stared at him and almost lost her grip on her glass. Her throat seemed to hurt more now. He didn't explain himself. All he said was, "You can ask for whatever you want. I won't shortchange you." Liesel's heart clenched, but she soon regained her composure. "We can discuss this if this is because you left to pick Natalie up two months ago." "It's not." He looked at her, his gaze aloof. "This is a loveless marriage, Liesel. There's no point in keeping it going." It was true that the marriage alliance between the Ford and Sharp families had never been the one Jacob had hoped for. Liesel was the eldest daughter of the Sharp family, but he'd never wanted to marry her. Their accidental encounter that night was the only thing that had made him choose to take responsibility for her. Liesel lowered her eyes and said slowly, "Alright. All I want is the house at Northview Garden, and I won't quit my job after the divorce." Her mother, Heather Mallone, had left the house for her. For whatever reason, it had ended up in the Ford family's hands and become one of her wedding gifts. As for her career, she'd worked hard and built a network within Ford Corporation. She couldn't allow the divorce to wipe her efforts away. Jacob didn't object. He looked at her and said, "Okay. Anything else?" "No." Liesel shook her head. "If it bothers you, I can move out tomorrow." He seemed surprised by how accommodating she was. He cautioned her calmly, "Make sure you've thought this through, Liesel. I don't want there to be anything between us after the divorce." "Don't worry about that." She smiled. He seemed to want to say something else, but his phone rang. He answered it and hung up shortly after. Then, he said, "I have something else to do. I'll get a lawyer to talk to you about the divorce." Soon after he left, Liesel saw a trending topic on him and Natalie showing up together somewhere. In hindsight, fate was such a twisted thing. Back then, Heather could not tolerate even the slightest flaw in her marriage. After learning about Natalie's existence, she forced her husband, Jeffrey Sharp, to send Natalie to the countryside so she could grow up there. Less than two years after Heather's death, Jeffrey had remarried, turning Liesel into a joke. Natalie had also been brought back from the countryside. Fate loved playing jokes on everyoneā€”no one would've expected Natalie to be the one who held Jacob's heart. ā€¦ Liesel only woke up the following noon. Her cold was much better now. A lawyer brought her the divorce agreement, making sure to go through the allocation of assets. Jacob truly hadn't shortchanged her. Aside from the house at Northview Garden, he'd also given her some other real estate. The lawyer said, "Sign here if you don't have any objection to the clauses, Ms. Sharp." Liesel nodded and signed the agreement without hesitation. The divorce would take some more time to finalize, though. Jacob was busy, so Liesel didn't get to see him at all. She reminded the lawyer, "Please tell Mr. Ford to expedite the finalization of the divorce if he's not too busy. Dragging this out won't do any of us favors." After settling the divorce, Liesel moved out of her and Jacob's marital home. Chelsea heard about this and invited her out for coffee. "You know about Natalie, right? She studied hard in the countryside after being banished by your mother and later got into a good university. Jacob ran into her at Alden University when he went there to give a talk." Chelsea snorted. She continued, "I heard Natalie was really in awe of him; it helped that she was so hardworking and optimistic. Your father was desperate to matchmake them, you know. But here's the questionā€”why would someone as wonderful as her not realize what a contemptible move it is to ruin someone's marriage?" Chelsea had always been defensive of people she counted as her own, and she scorned those who knowingly got involved with people who had significant others. The fact that Natalie was an illegitimate child only made Chelsea despise her more. Liesel looked unfazed, though. "It's all in the past now. Jacob and I are already divorced, so she's not really ruining the marriage." She chuckled. She had mixed feelings about the whole thing. "Besides, it's not like Jacob and I ever had feelings for each other." She lowered her gaze and suddenly remembered the first time she and Jacob had met. The year Heather had died, she'd caused one of Jeffrey's business deals to fall through. She'd been overjoyed and had dragged Chelsea out for a celebration. After the celebration, she'd refused to let go of a handsome man she'd latched onto. They'd both had too much to drink and had ended up in bed. It was only later that she'd learned he was Jacob Ford, her fiancĆ©. Rumor had it that he'd never wanted to marry her, but he'd looked at her the following morning and said, "I'm willing to take responsibility for this, Liesel. What about you?" He'd proposed marriage. Liesel had looked at him, and a rare moment of rashness had taken over her. She'd said, "Let's do it." To tell the truth, there wasn't anything bad about Jacob. He didn't love her but had never played the field or slept around with other women. He was also calm and level-headed, considerate and gentle. She didn't even have any complaints about their adventures in bed. But things had changed after he'd run into Natalie at Alden University two months ago. Chelsea looked at Liesel while feeling bitter. The latter hadn't said anything, but Chelsea knew how she felt. Judging from Liesel's personality, there was no way she would've settled for Jacob for so long if she didn't have feelings for him. "Maybe you should go back to Shifter Corporation, Lili. Why continue suffering at Ford Corporation? I feel nauseous at the thought of those two pieces of trash being there." Liesel had always been prideful and stubborn. After Heather's death, she'd used whatever she'd inherited to set up Shifter Corporation, wanting to compete with the Sharp family's company. However, she'd left it in the hands of Heather's friend, Jonathan Shifter. The outside world only knew it as Jonathan's company. "Marriage is marriage, and work is work," Liesel said. "I'm not going to give up on my career over a failed marriage." That was what she thoughtā€”it was also what Jacob had promised her. But when she headed to work the next day, she discovered she'd been transferred from her position as his secretary to the project department manager. Chapter 2 Liesel had taken a week of sick leave. She'd only learned about the transfer when returning to work. A colleague gossiped with her, sounding pointed as they said, "I bet you still don't know this, Ms. Sharp. We have a new secretary whose last name is also Sharp. It looks like there's something special about her." Liesel didn't expect to hear that. Had Jacob actually given Natalie a job by his side? Soon, Jacob summoned Liesel to the CEO's office. When she entered and stood before him, he looked at her indifferently. "Since you want to stay at the company, continuing to hold the position of my personal secretary isn't appropriate. "The project department manager was transferred to a branch company, leaving a vacancy there. The timing is just right." Liesel knew very well that Jacob had always been clear-headed. He would never allow her to cause Natalie any discomfort or disappointment. Rather than saying the transfer was his recognition of Liesel's abilities, it would be more accurate to say he merely didn't want Natalie to misunderstand. "Okay," Liesel said. He frowned slightly and said, "Natalie hasn't seen much of the world since she's just graduated. You should give her more guidance." Liesel didn't say no. Setting everything else aside, she did need to hand over the work she had in handā€”it was her responsibility as an employee. She headed downstairs, running into Natalie on her way. The latter was a rookie and a greenhorn, so some of the veterans had tricked her into buying them over a dozen cups of coffee. She hurried around with a light sheen of sweat on her forehead, looking obedient yet silly. She faltered when she saw Liesel. "Lieā€”" She seemed to think of something and stuck out her tongue. "Ms. Liesel." Liesel frowned at her and said, "You're here as Mr. Ford's secretary, not to run errands. Set the coffee aside and come with me." Natalie paled. Still, she did as told and followed Liesel. Everyone else in the department settled down. Liesel had no intention of picking on Natalie. After all, banishing the latter to the countryside again wouldn't bring Heather back to life. Besides, before her death, Heather had already lost interest in being mad at the Sharp family. "These are the most recently saved files. This is a list of things to pay attention to when working with Mr. Ford, and this is his latest schedule," Liesel said. "Avoid wearing too many accessories during work unless necessary for a gathering or business meeting. "As a secretary, what's more important is your ability to think on your feet and react to whatever that's happened." Natalie blinked as a light blush spread across her cheeks. "Is this one not allowed, too? Mr. Ford gave this to me, and I quite like it. Can't I wear it?" Liesel's gaze flitted past the necklace she wore. It took her aback for a split second. She'd like that particular necklace for some time. Once, Jacob had nonchalantly asked her, "Do all little ladies like accessories like that?" It turned out he was getting it for Natalie. "That's up to you." Liesel lowered her gaze to conceal the emotions in her eyes. Her tone remained calm as she continued, "It's fine as long as it doesn't affect your work." Natalie smiled sweetly without saying anything else. Liesel showed her the ropes and gave her a run-through of the overall workflow. When she was done, Natalie said, "I get the feeling that you don't really like me, Liesel. Is it because of Mr. Ford?" Liesel looked at her. She didn't avert her gaze. Instead, she just smiled and continued, "It's hard to tell who's wrong and right when it comes to matters of the heartā€”it was the same with my mother and our father. Whatever it is, I still want to be friends with youā€¦" "Natalie." Liesel stopped her there. "Morals and ethics still bind all matters of the heart. You wouldn't have been banished to the countryside if not for that. Do only what you must, and stop thinking everyone around you is a fool." Jeffrey had had an affair, which led to Natalie's birth. Even if Heather was already dead, Liesel didn't think she could shamelessly forgive Natalie's mother on Heather's behalf, let alone allow Natalie to do the forgiving. What right did Natalie have to talk about right or wrong? Liesel turned and left. She returned to her office and texted Jacob. "Do you have time to get the divorce settled today, Mr. Ford? Let's get that divorce certificate." He didn't stand her up. They met at the courthouse at 2:00 pm. Liesel signed whatever papers she needed to and looked at him. "It's all ready. Your turn to sign." She hadn't had time to change her outfit before leaving the office, so she still wore a professional-looking women's suit. Her hair cascaded over her shoulders, which framed her aloof yet delicate face. She looked beautiful. Jacob watched her for a while before looking away. "You seem to be in quite a rush." "Hmm? No, I'm not," Liesel answered after a beat. "We've already signed the papers. There's no point in dragging this out." He didn't say anything else and quickly signed. After they got their divorce certificates and left the courthouse, Jacob looked at her. "All better now?" "Yep." She nodded. She was about to leave when he got in his car and rolled down the window. "I'll drop you back." Liesel hesitated. She was about to turn him down when a wave of nausea washed over her, making her retch. When she returned to her senses, she saw Jacob watching her with narrowed eyes. "Are you conceived?" Her heart sank. It had been a month since they'd last slept. He'd been rather rough that night and hadn't used any protection. But things couldn't be that coincidental, right? Could she have gotten conceived from that one time? She clenched her fists. "I can't be." He was about to say something else when his phone rang. He answered it. When he hung up, his brows were furrowed. "I have work to do." He looked at her pointedly. "We can't have children, Liesel. I hope this is just a coincidence." Liesel's heart clenched, but she didn't say anything. Throughout her and Jacob's three-year marriage, they'd always been careful with preventive measures. That time a month ago was the only time neither of them had done anything. But how could she have conceived so easily? She pushed the thought out of her mind and took a cab back to the company. When she arrived, she noticed the tension in the air. A colleague leaned close to her and whispered in trepidation, "There's been a problem with the products from Hardin Group. That new secretary signed the papers during the handover without checking the stock properly." Liesel frowned. She'd deliberately reminded Natalie to check everything before signing for them. It didn't help that Hardin Group was more cunning than others. This wasn't their first time trying to pull something like this. Shortly after, her assistant came and said, "Mr. Ford wants to see you, Ms. Sharp." Liesel pushed open the door to Jacob's office. Natalie stood inside. Her nose was red, and she was biting her lip. She looked pitiful yet adorable. Her words made Liesel frown, though. "I'm sorry, Jake. I had no idea I needed to check everything when accepting the stock. Ms. Liesel did tell me to check the items but didn't caution me that Hardin Group would be so cunning. It's all my faultā€¦" Jacob looked at Liesel coldly. "Nat's just graduated, so she knows nothing about these things. You know very well what Hardin Group is capable of. Why didn't you give her a heads-up?" Chapter 3 Liesel's heart twinged slightly, but she said calmly, "I reminded Ms. Natalie about the stock handover. The office has surveillance cameras. You can check the footage if you don't believe me, Mr. Ford." Natalie paled. Tears welled in her eyes, and she said pitifully, "I-I probably didn't hear you because my mind wandered. That's why I made such a mistake." Liesel ignored her. "We can't let Hardin Group manipulate us for stocks worth millions. I'll handle this, but the company also has rules to uphold. Natalie will need to be reprimanded accordingly." She turned and left the office to check on the stocks. Now that they'd already been accepted, from a legal perspective, Ford Corporation had no choice but to swallow its woes and live with the situation. Still, there was hope for this. Uriah Hardin, the third son of the Hardin family, managed Hardin Group. However, his brother, Elijah Hardin, was the second son and favored by his family. He also wanted to usurp Uriah's position. If she could turn this matter into a power play, she could turn the tables on Hardin Group. At 8:00 pm, Liesel and Elijah met at a restaurant. His roguish, flippant look landed on her. "Have you invited the wrong man, Ms. Sharp? I'm not the one who calls the shots at Hardin Group, nor am I interested in you." Liesel was beautiful but too boring in his eyes. He liked his women obedient and gentle. They were cuter that way. Liesel ignored his words and placed a document before him. "These are some of the tracks Mr. Uriah has left in the industry over the years, Mr. Elijah. I won't beat around the bushā€”I don't believe you're uninterested in Hardin Group. Take him down, and this deal with Ford Corporation will be yours." The flippant look in Elijah's eyes faded away. He narrowed his eyes and appraised her with interest. His mother wasn't his father, Richard Hardin's first wife, and Richard favored Uriah over him. But was there anyone in the Hardin family who didn't want to have something to do with the company? After a long silence, he drawled, "What's in it for you if I take him down?" "I need you to switch out the subpar products Hardin Group has just supplied to Ford Corporation. Cooperating with you is also good for us because you don't pull dirty tricks." Liesel didn't mind pulling a few tricks when doing business, but Uriah's methods were too lowbrow. She was scornful of him. Elijah looked at her. Then, he raised his glass and said meaningfully, "I hope things will work out the way you wish, Ms. Sharp." A few tables away, Jacob's assistant, Jesse Lane, noticed Liesel. In a low voice, he told Jacob, "Ms. Sharp is here, too, Mr. Ford." Jacob followed his line of sight and frowned slightly. Elijah had a reputation for being a dandyā€”what was Liesel doing with him? Liesel didn't notice Jacob. She and Elijah soon ended their discussion; Jesse approached her then. He said, "Mr. Ford is waiting for you, Ms. Sharp." Elijah glanced at him before turning back to Liesel. "You should consider joining Hardin Group if you ever get sick of being at Ford Corporation, Ms. Sharp. We always know a good thing when we see it." A woman with nothing but good looks would quickly become boring, but she would be a valuable resource if she were beautiful and brainy. Liesel didn't respond to Elijah's words. Instead, she politely bid him farewell before following Jesse to Jacob's car. It was 11:00 pm, and the night breeze was rather chilly. Liesel's lips were a little pale as she got into the car. She lowered her eyes, and her wrists were briefly exposed underneath her suit jacket. It made her seem rather weak and pitiful. Jacob frowned. He'd never noticed her being this skinny. "Have you settled the problem with Hardin Group?" She nodded, looking tired. "Yeah. Elijah is harder to deal with than Uriah, but he's already agreed to switch out the subpar products. We'll just need to send someone to handle the handover." Jacob's gaze flitted past her. "Natalie is young and naive. You can't completely blame her for this." Liesel paused before saying softly, "You're Ford Corporation's CEO. It's up to you how you want to handle her." Natalie was young, huh? She'd been even younger than Natalie when joining Ford Corporation, but Jacob had never cut her any slack. "I've yet to tell Grandpa about the divorce," he said, switching the subject. Vincent Ford had been recuperating at home these past years and couldn't be aggravated. Even if Liesel and Jacob had never been the most loving couple, Vincent probably still couldn't handle the news of their divorce. Liesel looked down. "Got it. I'll tell him about this when the time is right." Jacob didn't say anything else. Liesel had had a bit to drink without eating anything. After a while, she curled up in her seat and drifted off. Her face was pale. When Jacob noticed something was wrong with her, he frowned. He was about to instruct Jesse to take them to the hospital when she woke up. "Where are we?" she asked, her voice hoarse. He said, "I'm taking you to the hospital." Liesel's heart skipped a beat as she thought of something. However, she kept her tone nonchalant and said, "There's no need for that. My stomach just feels a little upset. I'll be fine after resting at home." Jacob looked at her. His gaze was deep and sharp. It was as if he could read her thoughts. After a while, he said, "Fine." She relaxed. Back home, she called Chelsea and said a little grimly, "Buy me a test." ā€¦ The following day, Liesel was supposed to attend a welcome-back party for Alex Stone, one of her and Jacob's mutual friends. Alex had called her before his return to invite her to the party. Perhaps it was because he'd heard about the divorce and wanted to help them reconcile. The party was already in full swing when Liesel arrived. She heard Alex's voice through the door. "Have you and Liesel really divorced? Was it because of Natalie?" Liesel faltered, her hand on the doorknob. After a pause, Jacob said, "It has nothing to do with Natalie. Liesel and I aren't a good match." "Tsk. How are you two not a good match?" Alex asked. "I think Liesel is fantastic. She's pretty, intelligent, and has won many people's recognition at Ford Corporation. Why are you so obsessed with Natalie? Don't forget that Liesel saved you in the past. Sometimes, some things are just too little, too late." He'd met Natalie before and could tell she was nothing but a young woman with a few tricks up her sleeve. She couldn't compare to Liesel. Liesel had managed to save Jacob from the hands of his abductors. How could someone like Natalie compare to her bravery and determination? Jacob would have much to regret if he and Liesel really were to divorce. This time, Jacob remained silent for a longer time. Then he said, "You can't force matters of the heart." Liesel lowered her eyes and slowly clenched her fists. Alex stopped trying to change Jacob's mind. Instead, he said, "You'd better think this through. You may not like her, but plenty of others do." Liesel didn't linger. She texted Alex on WhatsApp and told him she wasn't attending the party because she had to attend to something else. Then, she asked Chelsea out. Chelsea gave her the test and asked hesitantly, "You're not really conceived, are you, Lili?" Chapter 4 Liesel held the test tightly. "I'm not sure yet." Her period had yet to come this month, and the retching from beforeā€¦ She suspected something was up. "What are you going to do if you are?" Chelsea looked at her hesitantly. "Will Jacob accept it?" Liesel dropped her gaze. Jacob would never want a child she'd brought into the world. Besides, they were already divorcedā€”it was bad for them both if she were to keep the childā€¦ even if it was one she'd longed for in the past. After a long silence, she said, "No, he won't. There's no point in keeping lingering attachments or forcing someone to do something against their will. If I'm conceived, I'll lose the baby." She'd waited for a baby that hadn't come over the past three years. Now, it was long past the time for that. Liesel was in a bad mood, so she didn't do the test on the spot. Instead, she and Chelsea had some drinks. Well, she only had a sip or two of a drink with the lowest possible wine content. She only remembered the test when she arrived at the company the following day. She headed to the bathroom and did the test. Then, she was dumbstruck when she saw the two lines on it. She was conceivedā€¦ with Jacob's child. Her face turned pale. Just then, someone entered the bathroom. In her panic, she threw the test into the trashcan and clenched her fists. Was she really going to lose her and Jacob's child? A pang of pain swept past her heart. Liesel was in a meeting but she was distracted. When it was over, a colleague leaned close to her, looking excited to share gossip. "Did you hear, Ms. Sharp? Someone from our department is conceived." The competition within Ford Corporation had always been intense, and carrying a baby was something that would easily affect one's career and ascension up the ladder. The colleague couldn't help saying gleefully, "I wonder who it is. They're being hush-hush about this, aren't they?" Liesel's heart skipped a beat. She looked up and happened to meet Jacob's cool, calm gaze. He said, "Come to my office, Ms. Sharp." She clenched her fists. When she entered Jacob's office, he said, "I'll have Jesse take you for an examination in a couple of days." Her heart stuttered, and she blurted out, "It's not me." "This is just to be safe. I'm sure you don't want any trouble to arise from this." Liesel couldn't stop him. She could only suppress her panic and say, "Okay." Natalie came her way when she left the office. The former bit her lip and said uneasily, "What happened last time was a misunderstanding, Ms. Liesel. You won't get mad at me for that, will you? I had no idea Hardin Group would pull such a dirty trick and try to stuff subpar products on us!" "That's none of my business," Liesel said indifferently. "The company has its system for rewards and punishments. You'll have to bear the consequences of your mistakes. It's as simple as that." She had nothing much to say to Natalie. Setting aside their relationship, she'd always drawn a clear line between her professional and private lives. There was no need to drag personal grudges into work. Natalie sighed in relief. "It's Dad's birthday next week, Liesel. He hasn't seen you for so long. How about you come home so we can celebrate as a family?" Jeffrey's birthday was a week after Heather's death anniversary. Liesel looked at Natalie and said, "I'm not in the mood to scheme and play mind games with you, Natalie. "If you're not a complete idiot, you'll understand what I mean when I say your father's birthday isn't a good day for me and my mother." Natalie faltered. Then, her face turned red, and she said, "I know it's only a week after Heather's death anniversary, but you can't revive the dead. We still have to celebrate Dad's birthday since he's alive, right? "I've never blamed Heather for banishing me to the countryside, so why do you have to keep holding a grudge against Dad?" "You know very well why my mother sent you to the countryside," Liesel said icily. "If I were to forgive the person who'd caused her death and even celebrate his birthday, it wouldn't prove that I'm generous enough to bury the hatchet. It would just show that I'm heartless." Natalie blanched. Her eyes turned red as tears welled in them. "I didn't mean anything else by this, Liesel. I justā€”" "I don't care what you meant," Liesel interrupted. "When at work, we're nothing more than colleagues. You should focus on your work, Ms. Natalie." She turned and left, not wanting to play mind games with Natalie. She took the afternoon off to head to the hospital. It didn't even occur to her what Natalie thought of her words. Unfortunately, it seemed Natalie was more cowardly than she'd expected. The former had been so absent-minded while walking that she'd twisted her ankle. Jacob brought her to the hospital. "Congratulations. You're six weeks conceived." Liesel happened to run into Jacob, who was holding Natalie up, when she was leaving the hospital with her report. The doctor's words reverberated in her mind. "Your body cannot handle the surgery, Ms. Sharp. If you proceed with it, you might not be able to conceive in the future. I'd advise you to think this through." Liesel felt bitter. She was conceived with Jacob's child, which was something to be happy and expectant about. But would he allow her to keep it? Jacob noticed the look on her face while Natalie hesitantly called out to her. "Lieā€”Ms. Liesel." Jacob's gaze flitted past her. "What are you doing here?" She hid her report behind her and said softly, "I came for a follow-up check because my cold isn't completely gone yet." He narrowed his eyes at her. Natalie seemed to notice something and tugged his sleeve. She looked a little glum. "You should have something to discuss with Ms. Sharp, Mr. Ford. I'll head back first." Jacob frowned but didn't make her stay. "I'll have someone take you back." She nodded obediently. Liesel sighed in relief and stuffed the report into her bag. When she and Jacob were in his car, he glanced at her. "Are you that nervous to be around me? The more you act like this, the more I'll think you're conceived." She subconsciously wanted to deny it but forced herself to smile. She asked, "What will you do if I really am conceived, then?" "Make you lose it," he said without hesitation as he looked her in the eye. She knew it. A pang of pain swept past her heart, and she shook her head as she said bitterly, "It's just a cold." Jacob scrutinized her for a while before saying, "I heard you and Nat got into a small fight today, leading to her twisting her ankle while heading downstairs. "She's young and naive but is kind. She also doesn't get into arguments with others that easily. You should be nicer to her and be more accommodating if anything happens in the future." Liesel's bitterness bubbled up in her. No one in this world could avoid being more favorable to certain people. She said, "She's not a child, Mr. Ford. There's nothing for me to accommodate." Chapter 5 Liesel looked at Jacob. Her tone was calm as she said, "I don't owe Natalie anything, nor do I owe you. Work-wise, I'm only her senior. Regarding my personal life, my mother didn't owe her anything. "Natalie came knocking on our door when her mother chose to marry another. No woman can accept her husband's illegitimate daughter. She might have had Natalie sent to the countryside, but Natalie was also given more than enough money to survive there. "I don't owe her, whether professionally or personally. Why should I be more accommodating and tolerant of her? Why should I back down when facing off against her?" When she finished her speech, silence descended upon the car. Jacob looked at her. She wore a simple dress that clung to her curves, and her delicate features were arranged into her usual mask of aloofness. There was something cold and tenacious about her. She was so brilliant that one could almost neglect her beauty. His gaze flitted over her eyes. After a moment of silence, he said gently, "I'm sorry. I didn't handle this matter appropriately." Liesel didn't say anything. He looked her in the eye and said, "I shouldn't have made you suppress yourself and back down for Natalie's sake. You're a wonderful woman, Liesel. Even though we're divorced now, I still hope you'll live your own life." She clenched her fists and tried to keep her tears at bay. She couldn't deny that she really, really liked Jacob. However, certain things just couldn't be forced. ā€¦ Liesel headed home. She had someone ask around about the doctor Jacob was going to arrange to examine her. Meanwhile, Chelsea was worried. "Can't you just tell him the truth? He might not be that cruel. You two were together for three years, after all." "I'd rather not." Liesel caressed her belly. She was silent for a while before saying, "Since I can't lose the child, there's no need to let Jacob know about this. We're already divorced, and this child is part of my life now. I'll need your help dealing with the doctor." Whatever it was, she couldn't let Jacob find out about the baby. Chelsea didn't object. She seemed to think of something and said, "Natalie used to intern at Shifter Corporation. Do you think it's just a coincidence, or does she know something?" This came as a surprise to Liesel. Natalie had interned at Shifter Corporation? Did she know it belonged to Liesel, orā€¦ It piqued Liesel's suspicions, but she didn't dwell on the matter. "It's probably just a coincidence. She graduated from Alden University, and Shifter Corporation does campus recruitments there, too." Chelsea had only brought it up since it had occurred to her. She smiled and said, "Mr. Shifter and Neal should be back soon, right? I'm sure you'll feel more secure with them around." Neal Shifter was Jonathan's son, and the Shifter family had been managing Shifter Corporation on Liesel's behalf all these years. Since Heather's passing, the Shifters had become like family to Liesel. She smiled, and a rare hint of relief flashed in her eyes. ā€¦ The following day, news of Uriah's downfall broke out. Elijah looked like a dandy but had surprisingly ruthless methods. He'd gotten someone to leak information on the dirty tricks Uriah had pulled to the paparazzi. Coincidentally, Uriah had recently murdered someone while driving under the influence and had gotten a scapegoat to take the fall. Thanks to everything being lumped together, he was soon arrested. Elijah had proper quality stocks delivered to Ford Corporation in exchange for the subpar stocks. When Liesel went to handle the handover, he watched her with interest. "Don't you trust me, Ms. Sharp?" He raised an eyebrow and eyed the light sheen of sweat at her temples. His gaze turned pointed. She smiled and blinked at him. "I wouldn't put it that way. Better safe than sorry, right?" Her smile and rare moment of slyness made her glow. Her eyes were so bright. Elijah smirked at the sight. It looked like the rumors about her couldn't be trusted at all. She was much more interesting than those naive young women. Jacob and Natalie happened to see this. Natalie approached with a smile and said, "You and Ms. Liesel seem to get along very well, Mr. Hardin. It looks like this matter was a blessing in disguise." Her tone was light-hearted and lively, which carried a hint of a young woman's naivety and cheer. Her words made one's imagination wander, though. It was as if Liesel and Elijah were more involved than they seemed. Jacob's expression darkened when he took in the smile on Liesel's face. Then, he said coolly, "Sorry to have troubled you over this, Mr. Hardin." "Oh, it was no trouble at all." Elijah smiled meaningfully. "Nothing is considered troublesome when I have someone as gorgeous as Ms. Liesel attending to me." "Ms. Liesel has always drawn a clear line between work and pleasure. You might have gotten the wrong idea, Mr. Hardin." Jacob's gaze flitted over Liesel. Elijah's smile widened. "Drawing a clear line between work and pleasure isn't the same as being heartless. One has to be thick-skinned when pursuing a woman, right? Or are you interfering in your employee's personal life, Mr. Ford?" Jacob faltered. Then, he said, "I'll leave you to it, Mr. Hardin." He turned and left with Natalie in tow. Liesel watched them. Her gaze was aloof. However, Elijah saw the glumness deep inside. He said, "Your precious Mr. Ford isn't all that great. Why don't you consider other fish in the sea?" There was a hint of amorosity to his words. Liesel returned to her senses and chuckled. "I remember you saying that I'm not your type, Mr. Hardin. Have you changed your mind?" Elijah looked at her. If he had to be honest, she was too stubborn and inflexible for his tastes. She was indeed not his type. Yet she was pretty and intelligent enough to mask her inflexibility. "Not really." He leaned closer. "But I'll make an exception for you. You should really consider my proposal." Liesel didn't take his words to heart. She was just glad she'd managed to resolve the stock problem and prevent Ford Corporation from suffering any losses. Jacob punished Natalie by docking three months of her pay and bonuses. Then, he paid Liesel double her salary. The colleagues in Liesel's department were pleased when she returned. "I'll admit itā€”I can't stand those who got in here because of their connections. Anyone else would've been fired ages ago." "I know, right? She's supposed to have graduated from Alden University, yet she made such a huge mistake immediately after taking over as Mr. Ford's secretary. Even if we were to talk about looks alone, it's not like she can compare with Ms. Sharp! I wonder what Mr. Ford sees in herā€¦" Ford Corporation was one of the biggest in the industry, so it was harder for rookies to find their footing there compared to other companies. Their situation would only be worse if they didn't have the skills to back themselves up. It wasn't appropriate for Liesel to comment on the subject, but she knew it wasn't right to pick on Natalie like that. "Stop." She could feel a headache coming on as she stopped the gossip. "She's just a young woman who's new to this. You guys should focus on your work. I'll treat everyone to a nice meal in a couple of days, okay?" Only then did the crowd zip their lips and get back to work. Liesel needed to hand a contract to Jacob now that she was done with the matter with Hardin Corporation. She headed to his office and was about to knock when she heard Natalie's voice. Inside the room, Natalie bit her lip. Her eyes were red as she said, "I'm too useless, aren't I, Jake? Everyone says I can't compare to Ms. Liesel." Jacob frowned, and a hint of displeasure flashed in his eyes. He wiped her tears and said, "What's the point of comparing yourself to her? You two aren't the same." Liesel faltered outside the door. She only pushed it open after a beat. LEARN_MORE https://beokn.com/market/buenovela/3?lpid=14615&ut Indulge in story https://www.facebook.com/61552702618591/ 853 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 0 0 0 0 0 0 Learn More 0 beokn.com DCO https://beokn.com/market/buenovela/3?lpid=14615&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} 1969-12-31 18:00 https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/462258138_523943137164426_369908901029657521_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=p3VguCSW7FMQ7kNvgHTRtev&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AEIbVdUYaUJl3xWUVovqkBv&oh=00_AYCyOnhpYw1OyptfQI0xHUwFSz_J15FMsbusyaQl4VppQw&oe=67501BBD PERSON_PROFILE 0 0 0 Indulge in story 0 0 1969-12-31 18:00 View Edit
Delete

Page 16 of 175, showing 20 record(s) out of 3,492 total

Download CSV New Ads