Confucius Ads Library: Ads

Ads for Sweeps on 2024-11-29

Id	Vlad	Saved	Scrape Time	Status	Scrape Result	Title	Body	Cta Type	Link Url	Page Name	Page Profile Uri	Page Like Count	Enddate	Cta Text	Caption	Display Format	Link Description	Link Url	Creation Time	Page Profile Picture Url	Page Entity Type	Page Is Profile Page	Current Page Name	Startdate	Actions
2,558,583	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	Yes	2024-11-29 19:23	active	1938	Subscribe to NewsBreak newsletter for local headlines and breaking news.	Grant 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	1969-12-31 18:00	Subscribe	www.newsbreakapp.com	IMAGE		http://fb.me/0wzTiNIU?utm_campaign=newsbreak_web_leadads_email_mb01_county_LA&s=facebook&adset=Grant+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/t39.35426-6/468600688_1784019009089448_8154829773380336614_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ZKSb-TB4ylsQ7kNvgHmMwEH&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=Ay4XaBuw-BXNnSiFAVzuDD9&oh=00_AYAlvRnc9w15sbCueYolZ7hmK1V88IbFhdHm8pApC97BoA&oe=67503907	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Louisiana Newsletter - NewsBreak US	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,558,139	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	No	2024-11-29 19:10	active	1938	Your Clan Aran Sweater	Find Your Name	SHOP_NOW	https://www.aran.com/clan-aran-sweaters?utm_source	Aran Sweater Market, Aran Islands, Ireland	https://www.facebook.com/aransweatermarket/	161,518	1969-12-31 18:00	Shop Now	aran.com	CAROUSEL	Find Your Name	https://www.aran.com/clan-aran-sweaters?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Clans-USInts&utm_term=clan-carousel	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/468444532_1097515388497070_4086163298786885272_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Z-3Qra7rVaEQ7kNvgHzBwpc&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=A4EltAMgDwHnKmDKxV9URK-&oh=00_AYDkmUTFOnp5ClJ3YfzEI1X-ocC-JxljlfyVBlPIal6DnQ&oe=67502C77	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Aran Sweater Market, Aran Islands, Ireland	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,557,868	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	Yes	2024-11-29 19:03	active	1938	Galaxy Shiprock FOOD TRUCK NIGHT	Have you been to the amazing Shiprock? Come paint your own Galaxy with Shiprock with or w/o snow!	BUY_TICKETS	https://kellyjodesignsbywine.com/events/9-7-flower	Kelly Jo Designs by Wine	https://www.facebook.com/KellyJoDesignsByWine/	21,513	1969-12-31 18:00	Buy tickets	kellyjodesignsbywine.com	EVENT	https://kellyjodesignsbywine.com/events/9-7-flower-power-blacklight-party-38-630pm-food-truck-night-3/	https://kellyjodesignsbywine.com/events/9-7-flower-power-blacklight-party-38-630pm-food-truck-night-3/	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/468624971_574444485133415_5057914845799784917_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=XFKYM9YFgMEQ7kNvgFaV4wI&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AE5gGFI2HD277Du0n64LQyL&oh=00_AYA5Az3fuvPTMJw56ZaRdyyAMwbgJKXlXXXbfX8GQNgEYw&oe=67502E9E	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Kelly Jo Designs by Wine	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,557,777	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	No	2024-11-29 19:01	active	1938		Para ella, casarse con su mejor amigo y quedar embarazada de su hijo fue un sueño hecho realidad. Pero en ese momento feliz, la mujer que amaba su marido regresó... ===== ¿Lo había oído bien? ¿Estoy embarazada? ¡Estoy embarazada de un bebé de Pierce! ¡Mi mejor amigo y mi primer amor! --Qué bueno que haya sido cautelosa, pudo haber perdido a su bebé, señorita Monroe --me dijo el ginecólogo con seriedad al ver la sorpresa en mis ojos. En ese momento, me toqué el vientre inconscientemente, sin poder creer que hubiera un bebé acostado allí. Cuando salí del hospital, no podía esperar para contarle a Pierce sobre nuestro bebé. Me preguntaba cuál sería su reacción. ¿Gritaría de felicidad? ¿Me baría y todo eso? ¡Dios! No podía contener mi felicidad. Incluso tomé mi cara roja entre mis manos mientras fantaseaba. Pero en el momento en que sentí el frío del anillo en mi dedo, mi corazón que latía salvajemente se calmó. 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 teníamos relaciones suales, él era considerado y cauteloso, y decía que no era necesario agregar más ataduras si no estábamos listos. Este bebé, en cierto modo, estaba fuera de los planes. --Señora, ¿está todo bien? ¿Necesita que llame al jefe? --preguntó mi conductor privado, Luke, preocupado al notar mi ceño fruncido. Luke era confiable como un miembro de la familia, pero no quería contarle porque quería que Pierce fuera el primero en enterarse de esta noticia. Él era el padre de mi bebé. --No --dije y negué con la cabeza, dándole a Luke una sonrisa tranquilizadora--. Está en el vuelo. Hablaré con él más tarde --y así vería su respuesta yo misma en sus crudas expresiones. Siempre fui buena en eso. Finalmente, cerré los ojos y recordé el día en que nos conocimos. Su brillante sonrisa a la luz del sol era tan deslumbrante que parecía un príncipe. Me enamoré de él a primera vista, mucho antes de que nos convirtiéramos en mejores amigos. Pero era sólo un amor no correspondido y yo lo sabía bien. En ese instante, bajé la ventanilla del auto para tomar un poco de aire fresco y, sin quererlo, vislumbré nuestra antigua escuela secundaria. Ese sentimiento amargo llenó mi pecho una vez más... Pierce fue mi primer amor, pero yo no era el suyo. En la escuela secundaria, yo no era más que una nerd aburrida a los ojos de los demás, mientras que Pierce Anderson era el brillante mariscal de campo. Todos se sorprendieron de que pudiéramos ser amigos. Aunque las hostilidades hacia mí aumentaron, disfruté estar cerca de él y poco a poco me di cuenta de que no quería ser sólo su amiga. Sin embargo, justo cuando estaba a punto de confesarle mis sentimientos, otra chica llegó a su vida. Sacudí la cabeza tratando de deshacerme de esos viejos y tristes recuerdos. Luego toqué el frío anillo de bodas en mi dedo y me dije que el pasado ya había pasado. Pierce dijo que habían terminado y que ahora yo era su esposa. Sí, yo era su esposa y además estaba embarazada de su bebé. Pronto, me sequé las lágrimas de las comisuras de los ojos y abrí la puerta de nuestra casa. Mi corazón se calmó al respirar el aroma de mi hogar, nuestra casa. Pierce y yo la decoramos juntos con nuestras propias manos. Lo disfrutamos. Sí, tal vez estaba pensando demasiado. Esa mujer había estado fuera de nuestras vidas durante mucho tiempo y los últimos tres años mi matrimonio con Pierce fueron tan hermosos como un cuento de hadas. Una vez dentro, miré el reloj de la pared. Para ese entonces, Pierce ya debería haberse bajado del avión. Estuvo más de un mes en viajes de negocios de nuestra empresa familiar. Pierce era el presidente de ADE, la empresa de revistas de moda líder en toda Asia, y yo era la vicepresidente de la compañía. No sólo éramos compañeros de vida, sino también buenos socios en el trabajo. En verdad lo extrañaba. De inmediato, marqué su número, pues tenía muchas ganas de escuchar su voz y saber cuándo llegaría a casa. Le prepararía una buena comida y él me premiaría con un dulce beso. Y luego podríamos... Vaya, en ese momento casi olvidé que estaba embarazada. Debía contarle eso primero y luego podríamos hacer otra cosa. Estaba imaginando felizmente nuestra encantadora reunión, pero mi corazón dio un vuelco cuando una voz de mujer cruzó la línea. --¿Hola? Al escuchar esa sola palabra, dejé caer mi teléfono, que se rompió al chocar contra el suelo, y mi cuerpo empezó a temblar incontrolablemente. ¡NO! ¡No podía ser ella! ¡No podía ser Lexi! ¡Ella ya estaba fuera de nuestras vidas! Debí haber escuchado mal. De inmediato, corrí hacia la nevera en un intento por calmarme con la ayuda de un poco de alhol. Pero en el momento en que toqué la botella de vo, recordé las palabras del médico sobre mi bebé. Debía tener cuidado por la salud de mi bebé, así que solo agarré una caja de leche y caminé hacia el sofá. En ese entonces, no sabía qué me hizo reconocer esa voz como la de Lexi. Nosotras nunca fuimos cercanas. Lexi Gilbert era la típica belleza rubia por la que los hombres se volvían locos. Ella era una animadora popular en la escuela secundaria, mientras que Pierce era el mariscal de campo estrella. Encajaba mejor con él que una nerd como yo, ¿verdad? No me sorprendió que se haya enamorado de ella. Mi orgullo no soportó ver al hombre que amaba volverse loco por otra mujer, así que una vez intenté alejarme de ellos en silencio, pero Pierce se negó a salirse de mi vida. Cada vez que me ahogaba en un mar de libros y estudios para olvidarlos, Pierce aparecía en mi puerta invitándome a salir. No podía decirle que no a su sonrisa encantadora y tampoco podía decirle que no porque afirmaba que era su deber como mi mejor amigo llevarme a disfrutar del mundo real. Para no arruinar nuestra amistad, oculté mi corazón roto y desempeñé 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 armé de valor y fui a estudiar al extranjero, sin saber que su abuela me llamaría para rogarme que regresara. Por supuesto, volví a toda prisa sólo para ver a Pierce sin vida. Lexi le había herido gravemente el corazón y el mío sufría por mi amado. Empecé a odiar a Lexi desde ese momento. Le había entregado a mi amado hombre, ¡cómo se atrevió a hacerle tanto daño! ¡Esa bruja! Pierce no le contó a nadie lo que pasó, excepto que había terminado con Lexi. Luego, la abuela arregló nuestro matrimonio. No entendí por qué estuvo de acuerdo hasta que un día lo escuché decir que casarse con cualquiera que no fuera Lexi sería lo mismo para él. Aquello me dolió mucho, pero aun así me casé con él sin pensarlo dos veces. Mi amado estaba destrozado y quería recomponerlo, sin importarme si eso me arruinaba a mí en el proceso. Me quedé dormida sintiéndome muy insegura y preocupada. Me desperté en medio de la noche cuando sentí que alguien acariciaba mi mejilla. Lentamente abrí los ojos y me di cuenta de que me había quedado dormida en la sala de estar. Alguien me levantó del sofá e inmediatamente reconocí su olor y tacto mientras lo miraba con los ojos entrecerrados. --Pierce… --Hmm --murmuró mientras caminaba hacia las escaleras--. ¿Por qué te dormiste en el sofá? Yo solo me quedé mirándolo a la cara y luego me dejó suavemente sobre la cama, acarició mi cabello y besó mi frente. Siempre fue tan gentil y por eso lo amaba tanto. Llevábamos más de un mes separados, mi cuerpo lo extrañaba y mi corazón lo anhelaba. --¿Dónde estabas? Te estuve esperando --dije mientras acariciaba su mejilla. --Acabo de encontrarme con un amigo. Dijiste que me estabas esperando, ¿es urgente? Al ver su rostro amable, de repente no quise arruinarle el momento, así que cerré mis labios entreabiertos y tragué la verdad para devolverla a mi estómago. Mañana, tal vez mañana tendría el coraje de afrontar todos los rompecabezas. De modo que solo sacudí la cabeza, hice un puchero y le dije que tenía sueño. Él se rió entre dientes y me dio un beso de buenas noches, pero en el momento en que estuvo a punto de dejarme, por alguna razón entré en pánico. Rápidamente lo agarré y lo bsé con toda mi pasión... Lo extrañaba y lo quería. --Espera, Kels --dijo y me detuvo, sujetando mis locas manos sobre la cama--. Pensé que habías dicho que tenías sueño y que necesitabas descansar. --Sí, pero te extraño --exclamé y lo miré con inocencia. Pude captar el deseo brillando en sus ojos, pero se desvaneció de pronto y yo no comprendía por qué. Solía ponerse feliz cuando yo tomaba la iniciativa. En ese instante, como si notara mi confusión, se rió entre dientes y me pellizcó juguetonamente la nariz. --Me daré una ducha. Huelo a alhol --manifestó. Yo solo asentí y lo miré mientras caminaba hacia el baño. Pronto la somnolencia volvió a atacarme, así que cerré los ojos para tomar una siesta. Sin embargo, ya era de mañana cuando abrí los ojos nuevamente y Pierce estaba a mi lado, poniendo una bandeja con comida en la mesita de noche. --¡Ey! --lo saludé y sonreí cuando me di cuenta de lo que había hecho. Me había preparado el desayuno para llevármelo a la cama. Era tan dulce. Él sonrió y se sentó en la cama. --Buen día. Le devolví la sonrisa mientras me sentaba en la cama. En ese momento, agarró la bandeja y la puso a mi lado. Al instante, levanté una ceja e incliné la cabeza mientras miraba su hermoso rostro. Sus cejas espesas y negras enmarcaban sus hermosos ojos de color marrón oscuro. Su nariz era orgullosa y puntiaguda y sus labios eran rojos y finos. Parecía un chico malo y sxy, incluso Damon Salvatore se avergonzaría de estar a su lado. Nadie tenía posibilidad alguna contra este hombre. --¿Qué es esto? ¿Un soborno? Me dejaste plantada anoche, chico malo --dije. Él no se rió. Exhaló un suspiro y colocó con suavidad mi cabello detrás de mis orejas antes de tomar mi mano y mirarme a los ojos. --Tengo algo que decirte. Al instante, sentí que mi corazón se aceleraba y pensé en nuestro bebé en mi útero. Tenía algo que decirme, yo también tenía algo que contarle. --¿Q-Qué cosa? --pregunté con voz temblorosa. De repente, dio un profundo suspiro y comenzó: --Sabes que eres importante para mí, ¿verdad? Asentí lentamente con los labios entreabiertos. No pude responder, tenía miedo de lo que estaba a punto de decir. Tenía un mal presentimiento. --Eras mi mejor amiga antes de casarnos. Eres una de las pocas personas que valoro… --prosiguió. Mientras hablaba, escondí mis puños cerrados debajo de la sábana. No sabía por qué me decía todo esto, pero ya podía sentir las lágrimas acumulándose en el rabillo de mis ojos. --Kelly... --hizo una pausa y cerró los ojos con fuerza antes de volver a mirarme a los ojos--. Creo que es hora de que nos divorciemos. --P-Pierce… --exclamé y sentí que mi corazón se apretaba. Él sonrió. --Sé que tú tampoco sientes nada por mí. Te casaste conmigo por mis abuelos, hiciste esto solo porque los amas. Ahora llegó el momento de nuestra verdadera felicidad, Kelly. Al oírlo, no pude evitar sacudir la cabeza. --¿De qué estás hablando, Pierce? --inquirí. --Lexi ha vuelto, Kelly. Mi primer amor ha vuelto. Capítulo 2 Punto de vista de Kelly--Llueve sobre mojado De inmediato, me levanté de la cama e intenté irme, pero Pierce me agarró la mano. Rápidamente me sequé las lágrimas que rodaban por mis mejillas antes de que él pudiera verlas. Luego, se paró frente a mí y me miró a la cara mientras yo intentaba con todas mis fuerzas mirar hacia abajo y evitar verlo a los ojos. Sentí que mi corazón se rompía en pedazos. Pensaba… pensaba que podría hacer que se enamorara de mí en esos tres años que pasamos juntos. Pensaba que sus sentimientos cambiarían y me vería como una mujer en lugar de solo su mejor amiga. Fui estúpida por tener esperanzas y soñar tan alto. Fallé. Sin importar cuánto lo intentara, su corazón pertenecía sólo a su primer amor: Lexi. --Kelly… En ese momento, contuve el aliento y me tragué el dolor mientras lo miraba. Luego fingí una sonrisa y dije: --Debo lavarme las manos antes de comer. Pero él me miró a los ojos como si intentara descubrir lo que estaba pensando. Yo sabía que él me conocía demasiado bien, así que traté con todas mis fuerzas de ocultar mi dolor y le sonreí. Finalmente, suspiró y soltó mi mano. --Bueno. Te esperaré aquí. Comamos y vayamos a trabajar juntos. ¿Juntos? ¿Por qué era tan cruel? ¿Quería que nos siguiéramos llevando bien como si no me hubiera pedido el divorcio? ¿Quería que nos quedáramos como estábamos justo después de decirme que su primer amor había regresado y quería divorciarse de mí? Oh Pierce, ¿qué estaba pasando por tu cabeza? Antes podía obligarme a mí misma a quedarme en el puesto de su mejor amiga mientras le deseaba felicidad, pero ya no tenía ese coraje después de los tres años que habíamos compartido. No había manera de que pudiera soportar esa tortura otra vez, en especial ahora que cargaba a su bebé. El bebé... en un principio pensé que era una buena noticia para nosotros, pero ahora... supongo que sería más bien una carga para él. Una carga que le impediría conseguir su verdadero amor y su libertad. Yo sabía muy bien cómo crecía un niño no deseado. Mis padres se divorciaron antes de que mi madre muriera y la nueva familia de mi padre me odiaba, lo que me dolía muchísimo. Por eso no quería que mi bebé experimentara lo mismo que yo sentí, así que debía mantener a mi bebé alejado de él. --No podemos --dije mientras fingía una nueva sonrisa--. Debo visitar el estudio para la sesión de fotos de nuestros nuevos modelos… --Iré contigo. --No --contesté y aparté su mano. Sus ojos siguieron mi mano antes de levantar la cara para mirarme de nuevo--. Tienes documentos que firmar. Nuestros horarios ya están organizados, ¿recuerdas? --Pero… --Tengo un conductor personal, Pierce. Estaré bien sola --afirmé. Finalmente, suspiró y asintió con calma. En ese momento, le di la espalda y entré al baño. Inmediatamente abrí la ducha y me paré bajo el agua fría. Las lágrimas cayeron en cascada por mis mejillas mientras me cubría la boca para reprimir los sollozos. Mis hombros temblaban mucho y cuando pensé en mi bebé, tragué saliva y traté de calmarme. Luego me limpié la cara y acaricié mi vientre. Debía ser fuerte y mantener la calma. No podía arriesgar la vida de mi bebé sólo porque me habían roto el corazón. Tenía que lidiar con esto de forma inteligente. Unos minutos después, tomé un respiro profundo y terminé mi ducha. Cuando salí del baño, me sorprendió ver que Pierce todavía estaba allí. Estaba luchando por arreglarse la corbata frente al espejo de cuerpo entero. También noté un par de zapatos y un vestido míos sobre la cama. --¡Ey! Elegí tu vestido para hoy --dijo. Como nuestro matrimonio no era público, Pierce dijo que haría pequeñas cosas para mí como marido. De hecho, lo había hecho bien y yo solía disfrutar de estos dulces momentos que me regalaba, pero ahora sentía que eso mismo me maría. Al segundo siguiente, agarré el vestido y entré al vestidor, sentiendo que me seguía. Volví a guardar el vestido blanco y elegí uno rojo. Cuando me di vuelta y lo tuve de frente, lo vi con la frente arrugada. --Hoy prefiero el rojo. Me sentiré hermosa con este vestido --expliqué con una sonrisa. Al instante, sus ojos se dirigieron al vestido que sostenía y su rostro inmediatamente se calmó. Al final asintió y caminó hacia mí. --Ya veo. Pero antes ayúdame a arreglar esto --me pidió. Sin dudarlo, puse mi vestido en su brazo y comencé a arreglarle la corbata. Podía sentir sus ojos mirándome intensamente y eso hacía que mi corazón latiera muy rápido. Respiré hondo y me mordí el labio inferior mientras luchaba por arreglar su corbata. De pronto, mi visión se volvió borrosa otra vez. ¡Maldición! --Kelly… No pude evitar sobresaltarme en shock. --¿Mmm? --¿Estás bien? --preguntó. Lo miré y sonreí: --Sí. --Tengo algo más que decirte. En ese instante, terminé de arreglarle la corbata y le quité rápidamente el vestido del brazo. Lo miré antes de pasar junto a él y dije: --Hablaremos después. Voy a llegar tarde. Lo escuché suspirar antes de volver a seguirme. Me vestí mientras él estaba detrás de mí. Estuvo en silencio todo el tiempo, como si estuviera pensando en algo. --Deberías desayunar antes de irte --comentó. Un segundo después, me paré frente a él y asentí. --Lo haré. Deberías irte ahora --respondí. --Kelly, estamos en la misma página, ¿verdad? --preguntó. Lo miré fijamente. No, Pierce. Nunca estuvimos en la misma página. Sólo fueron mis estúpidas fantasías. Pensaba que sentías algo por mí, pero estaba muy equivocada. --Si hablas del divorcio, lo entiendo, Pierce. Sé lo que tengo que hacer. Sólo dame algo de tiempo porque estoy muy ocupada con la empresa. No huiré. --Kelly, no estoy haciendo esto sólo por mí. También lo hago por ti. Has estado encerrada conmigo desde que nos casamos. Sé que no eres feliz porque en el fondo también 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 traté de darle la espalda, pero antes de poder hacerlo, él me sujetó por la cintura y me mantuvo en el lugar. Luego hizo todo lo posible para captar mis ojos hasta que lo consiguió. Su mirada era de preocupación. --Eres mi mejor amiga. No quiero perderte, Kels. Eres una de las pocas personas… --Lo sé --lo interrumpí con frustración. Parecía sorprendido, así que me calmé--. Ya lo sé. No tienes que preocuparte. Simplemente estoy estresada por el trabajo, no es por el divorcio. En ese instante, sus labios se separaron, asintió lentamente y soltó un suspiro. Luego, caminó hacia mí y me congelé cuando besó mi frente con dulzura… --Gracias, Kelly --susurró. Al oírlo, mi corazón se apretó. Habían pasado tres años pero todavía era una cobarde. «¿Por qué no puedes simplemente decirle que lo amas, Kelly? ¡Él es tu esposo y estás llevando su bebé! ¡Díselo y tal vez cambie de opinión!» pensé. Con eso en mente, tragué saliva y estuve a punto de decírselo, pero justo en ese momento su teléfono sonó. Pude ver el identificador de llamadas. Era Lexi. --Me tengo que ir --afirmó y se rascó la cabeza a modo de disculpa, mientras las comisuras de su boca se curvaban hacia arriba--. Llamé a Luke. Te espera afuera. Come antes de irte, ¿sí? Con eso, salió de nuestra habitación. De repente, las lágrimas que había logrado reprimir hasta ese momento volvieron a brotar. ¿Por qué había pensado que podría tener una oportunidad? Él tomó su decisión en el momento en que me pidió el divorcio, ¿verdad? Siempre que se trataba de Lexi me abandonaba. Capítulo 3 Punto de vista de Kelly--Mantener la compostura Entré al estudio con tacones rojos de cinco centímetros y un vestido igualmente rojo. Todos miraron en mi dirección cuando entré caminando por el pasillo y me saludaron con una sonrisa, pero mantuve mi rostro estoico, sin mostrar emoción alguna. La conversación de esa mañana con Pierce todavía estaba en mi cabeza, pero no podía permitir que afectara mi trabajo. No podía fallar en mi trabajo después de haber fracasado en mi matrimonio. De modo que respiré profundamente para recomponerme. Un momento después, cuando entré a la sala de la sesión de fotos, noté que todos estaban sumidos en el caos. --¡No podemos! No responde las llamadas. ¿Qué debemos hacer? La vicepresidente viene hoy, se enojará. --Podemos simplemente decirle la verdad. Ella es amable. --¡No lo será con esta situación, Lily! Nos va a regañar... --¿Qué está pasando aquí? --pregunté mientras entraba a la sala. De inmediato, el personal me miró con expresiones preocupadas y entonces supe que había un problema. --B-Buenos días, señorita Monroe. Señorita Monroe. Por supuesto, nadie sabía que Pierce y yo estábamos casados excepto nuestras familias. Sentí como si pellizcaran mi corazón con esa verdad. Dolía. Rápidamente, la miré sin comprender. --¿Qué ocurre? --T-tenemos un problema, señorita Monroe. La señorita Chen, nuestra modelo, no atiende nuestras llamadas. Dijo que escuchó que íbamos a cambiar de modelo así que… no quiere venir. Incluso... amenazó con presentar una demanda contra nosotros. Después de decir eso, inclinó la cabeza. Yo apreté los dientes y recorrí el lugar con la mirada. --¿Dónde está la directora de marketing? --inquirí. --E-Ella todavía está tratando de convencer a la señorita Chen, señorita Monroe. Luego de escuchar el problema, me masajeé la frente y cerré los ojos con fuerza. Un segundo después, me agarré del pelo y grité de ira. Sentí que todos a mi alrededor se sobresaltaban sorprendidos. Yo solo suspiré y tomé una gran bocanada de aire antes de mirar a mi alrededor. --Señorita Monroe... --¿Qué es todo esto, señorita Hayley? Tú eres la directora de marketing, ¿qué está pasando? --Señorita Monroe, no sé cómo sucedió, pero la señorita Chen escuchó que usted cambiará de modelo. Está a punto de presentar una demanda contra nosotros... ¿Cambiar de modelo? ¿Cómo es que yo no sabía nada al respecto? La señorita Chen siempre había sido nuestra modelo de confianza y, si no era necesario, cambiar de modelo para una sesión comercial con tan poca antelación sólo causaría muchos problemas a la empresa. Nunca permitiría un error como este. --Yo no pedí eso. Debe ser un error --la interrumpí para ahorrar tiempo--. ¡Arregla este desastre o tendré que despedirte! --Señorita Monroe... Fue el presidente quien nos pidió que la cambiáramos --explicó Hayley vacilante--. Lo ordenó ayer tan pronto como regresó de su viaje de negocios. Aquella verdad me golpeó con fuerza. ¿Fue orden de Pierce? ¿Por qué no me lo dijo? Solía discutir conmigo cada decisión importante antes de tomarla. --No puede ser... --exclamé confundida. Pierce no era un hombre de negocios despistado. Siempre mantuvo una clara distinción entre el trabajo y la vida personal, razón por la cual siempre tuvo éxito. Y esa fue también la razón por la que decidió mantener nuestro matrimonio en secreto. --Sí, Kelly. Yo di la orden. --Su voz me hizo retroceder. --S-Señor Presidente… --saludó Hayley y se inclinó con respeto al ver al hombre que apareció de repente detrás de mí. --Pierce, ¡creo que me debes una explicación sobre este cambio de modelo! --dije con los dientes apretados mientras me giraba para interrogarlo. Él sabía perfectamente cuánto esfuerzo puse para ganar este proyecto. Estuve días sin dormir y la señorita Chen era la persona ideal para este trabajo. De hecho, él también estuvo de acuerdo. Pero ahora… simplemente cambió la modelo a su gusto sin avisarme con antelación. Eso fue como abofetearme con fuerza en la cara. --Continúen con el trabajo. Yo se lo aclararé --le indicó él al personal para calmarlos, ignorando la ira que estaba a punto de salir de mis ojos. --¡Contéstame, Pierce! ¿Por qué cambias de modelo tan de repente? --No pude contener mi enojo. Él simplemente me tocó el hombro y me susurró: --Este no es el lugar para discutir al respecto. Te lo explicaré en el auto. En ese momento, miré a mi alrededor y noté que los demás nos miraban furtivamente. Luego me quité sus manos de encima y caminé hacia el estacionamiento, pero durante el camino, sentía mi corazón cada vez más pesado. Tenía la sensación de que su explicación no iba a gustarme. --Vamos, dímelo --exclamé ni bien nos sentamos en su auto. Antes de hablar, me miró a los ojos como si sopesara mis emociones, pero yo aparté la mirada de nuevo. No podía soportar sus miradas, no podía soportar esos ojos que nunca me miraban como yo quería. Él no sentía nada por mí y eso me dolía mucho. --Yo-yo… --hizo una pausa y suspiró--. Reemplacé a la señorita Chen porque Lexi quiere ser nuestra modelo. Ella también encaja en el proyecto, así que estuve de acuerdo... --¿Qué? --pregunté con incredulidad. De pronto, apretó los labios y miró hacia otro lado. Luego se revolvió el cabello antes de sacudir la cabeza y tomar mi mano. --Lamento no haberte dicho antes, fue muy repentino. Ella me pidió un favor, no pude decirle que no. Rápidamente, retiré mi mano y lo miré con dolor y enojo. --No pudiste decirle que no, así que preferiste dañar a la empresa, a nuestra empresa. Me traicionaste, Pierce. --Kels, vamos. Sabes cuánto la amo. Ella es mi primer amor. Al oírlo, cerré los ojos con dolor. «Oh sí, ella es tu primer amor. Siempre la quisiste a ella, sin que te importen los demás. Si ella te frunce el ceño un poco, puedes hacer la vista gorda ante el dolor y el esfuerzo de los demás. Eres tan cruel, Pierce» pensé. --Bueno, ya lo has decidido. No tengo voz y voto en esto ya que tú eres el presidente. Ahora vete, estaré en la oficina --indiqué con frialdad mientras abría la puerta del auto para salir. --Kelly… En ese instante, lo miré a los ojos y dije: --Ve a casa temprano. Hablaremos de nuestro divorcio esta noche. Capítulo 4 Punto de vista de Kelly--Plantada Me encontraba jugueteando con el anillo de bodas en mi dedo mientras lo esperaba. Le había dicho que volviera temprano a casa, pero todavía no regresaba y ni siquiera contestaba mis llamadas. Bueno, ahora que Lexi había vuelto, probablemente ya no veía a esta casa como su hogar. De pronto, mis ojos se dirigieron a mi informe de embarazo que estaba sobre la mesa. Qué gracioso. Todavía era tan ingenua para albergar un rayo de esperanza de que las cosas podrían cambiar si le hablaba del bebé, pero este bebé estaba fuera de sus planes. Me sequé las lágrimas que se acumulaban en el rabillo de mis ojos y agarré el informe. Ya eran las cinco de la mañana cuando miré el reloj de la pared. Intenté marcar su número nuevamente, pero seguía sin responder. ¿En qué estaba tan ocupado? ¿Estaba hiendo el a**r con Lexi? Debió haberla extrañado mucho, ¿verdad? Pronto, sin saber cuándo, me quedé dormida. Cuando sonó el despertador, inconscientemente toqué la almohada a mi lado. Frío como anoche, no había vuelto a casa todavía. Me burlé de mí misma al ver mi reflejo en el espejo de la cómoda. Los círculos oscuros bajo mis ojos se veían a simple vista y mi cabello era un total desastre, parecía un fantasma. De repente una oleada de náuseas inundó mi estómago y me di cuenta de que no había comido nada la noche anterior. De pronto, me sentí mal otra vez y rápidamente corrí hacia el lavabo y vomité. Escupí un líquido amarillento que sabía muy mal. De inmediato, me lavé la boca y miré mi propio reflejo en el espejo. Al verme, sacudí la cabeza y tomé mi frente en cuanto sentí ganas de vomitar de nuevo. Volví a escupir el líquido amarillento y mientras me lavaba la boca, sentí una cálida mano acariciando mi espalda. Inmediatamente levanté la cara y me encontré con un par de ojos marrones que me miraban a través del espejo. Detrás de mí con cara de preocupación estaba mi esposo Pierce. --¿Estás bien? ¿Te sientes mal? Debiste haberme dicho. Al instante, lo miré a través del espejo. --No respondiste mis llamadas --contesté. Ante aquellas palabras, la culpa apareció en sus ojos. --Lo lamento. Tenía cosas que hacer. Me quedé en la oficina toda la noche --afirmó. Rápidamente, me limpié la cara y pasé junto a él. Pierce me siguió mientras me sentaba frente al tocador y comenzaba a peinarme. --Kels… --Me desperté tarde. No pude preparar el desayuno. Mientras hablaba, intenté evitar sus ojos. Sentía que iba a perder los estribos y gritarle. En ningún momento sentí su egoísmo tan claramente como ahora. Decía que yo era su mejor amiga, pero nunca le habían importado mis necesidades, mis sentimientos. --Kels... sabes que no te pregunté eso. Estoy preocupado por tu salud... Kels, ¿todavía estamos bien? Ante aquella pregunta, dejé de peinarme y lentamente nuestras miradas se encontraron a través del espejo, otra vez. ¿De verdad me estaba preguntando eso? ¿Después de que me pidió el divorcio sin siquiera preguntarme si estaba de acuerdo? Él decidió por su cuenta sólo porque su primer amor había vuelto. No podía creer lo que hacía. Al final, fingí una sonrisa y dije: --No me siento bien hoy, Pierce, eso es todo. Un instante después, se puso de cuclillas a mi lado, lo cual no me resultó sorprendente porque sabía que realmente se preocupaba. Pero lo que sí me sorprendió fue que hacía todo esto después de enterrar una daga en mi corazón. --¿Estás bien? --preguntó mientras tocaba suavemente mi frente y mi cuello--. ¿Estás enferma? Dime cómo te sientes, Kels. --Mis sentimientos no importan --no pude evitar decir y parecía sorprendido por mis palabras. En ese instante, intenté evitarlo, pero me agarró de la muñeca y me hizo mirarlo. Su rostro ahora reflejaba su ira. Había perdido completamente la paciencia. --¿Qué te pasa, Kels? Has estado actuando así desde ayer. ¿Es por Lexi? ¿O porque no volví a casa anoche? --inquirió. Yo lo miré a los ojos, molesta. --¡Tú fuiste quien pidió el divorcio! Te pedí que regresaras temprano para hablar al respecto, pero me dejaste esperando toda la noche. ¿Pretendías que te diera la bienvenida con brazos abiertos después de eso, Pierce? --respondí. Al escucharme, apretó la mandíbula y sacudió la cabeza. --Kels, yo... --Ya basta. Hablaremos del divorcio después del trabajo. --¡Kels! --me llamó y me agarró de los hombros. La confusión y el dolor eran visibles en sus ojos--. ¿Estás... enamorada de mí? Aquello me desconcertó. ¿Enamorada? ¡Sí! Desde que estábamos en la escuela secundaria, desde que se convirtió en mi mejor amigo. ¿Quién no se enamoraría de alguien que te ha estado protegiendo desde entonces? Siempre he estado agradecida de tenerlo como mi mejor amigo y esposo, pero ahora… lo estaba perdiendo. Perdiéndolo irremediablemente. Decidí darle a nuestro matrimonio una última oportunidad, hacer un esfuerzo final... ...... ==== Casarse con su mejor amigo fue un sueño hecho realidad para Kelly, pero todo tiene realmente una limitación. Pierce es el primer amor de Kelly, pero como su mejor amiga, sabía bien que siempre había otra mujer en lo profundo de su corazón. Lexi Gilbert. Kelly finalmente se dio cuenta de que su feliz matrimonio de los últimos tres años era solo un hermoso sueño cuando Pierce pidió el divorcio solo porque Lexi regresó. Ella sólo podría ser su mejor amiga incluso si estuviera encinta de su bebé. ¿Por qué no merecía ser amada? ¿Qué sucederá en adelante? ¿Cómo podría Kelly salvar su corazón en esta batalla de amor y odio? Los capítulos disponibles son limitados aquí, haga click el botón abajo para instalar APP y disfrutar leyendo más contenidos maravillosos. (Al abrir el APP, directo accederá a este libro) &3&	LEARN_MORE	https://fbweb.manobook.com/14603375-fb_contact-spc	Heart-warming Novel	https://www.facebook.com/61565720283161/	963	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	fbweb.manobook.com	VIDEO		https://fbweb.manobook.com/14603375-fb_contact-spcp25_2-1030-core1.html?adid={{ad.id}}&char=157725&accid=860298072104208&rawadid=120215807642610204	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/466970542_1096251595184315_5623554266126603812_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=y7pnMqsivqUQ7kNvgFGBCCt&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AHpwOkFe1__Jk85Axg-AI6i&oh=00_AYCtj0oWKoOLyfU1P0gvLK_LvP1e8aVb70lZs4nDCMdjTw&oe=67501492	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Heart-warming Novel	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,559,955	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	No	2024-11-29 19:50	active	1939	My new husband is disabled, yet he manages to wear me out every night	Believing she wed him, a disabled man, solely for his wealth, he contemplated divorce and fleeing after what he thought was mere exploitation. Yet, post-marriage, he found himself profoundly in love with her. As she yearned for a divorce each day, all he desired was to shower her with affection and care. ===== Chapter1 How About We Get Married? "Kaelyn knows about our wedding, and now she's threatening to jump off a building. You are aware of her depression, aren't you? I have to go save her," Theo explained impatiently and pushed Elyse aside. "Today is our wedding day! What am I supposed to do if you leave? Kaelyn Bennett totally stabbed you in the back before. She's caused you so much pain-why the heck must you go see her right now?" The push caused Elyse to sprain her ankle, and as she fell to the floor, she awkwardly stretched out her hand, trying to hold him back. Theo's gaze turned even colder. "You're not in a position to judge what happened between me and Kaelyn. No matter her wrongs or the pain she caused, you don't measure up to her." A pain struck Elyse's heart. She realized that he had never truly forgotten Kaelyn. To him, she would never be as significant as Kaelyn was. "What did I do to deserve this? Why are you treating me this way? Please, just wait until the wedding is over. We're almost at the point of exchanging rings. You can leave after that." Theo dodged her hand and said with disgust, "You're more concerned with your wedding than a living person's life. You're so heartless. Let's reschedule the wedding." Without a glance at her pale face, he strode away from the ornate altar, oblivious to the puzzled looks of gathered guests. As the groom left, the crowd erupted into chaos. "No, please don't leave me, Theo! What should I do if you leave?" Elyse cried out, sitting pitifully on the floor. She trembled, tears ruining her carefully applied makeup. The man she had loved for three years, disregarding her dignity, had chosen another woman without a second thought on their big day. He was consumed with thoughts of Kaelyn's distress but seemed indifferent to how lost and humiliated she felt, left alone at the altar. All around her, countless eyes watched, some mocking, some pitying, and others even gloating. Elyse had never felt such torment! Her father, Lanny Lloyd, approached. She hoped for comfort, but instead, he scolded her sharply, "You can't even keep a man. How useless!" After berating her, he left with his wife, Glenda Lloyd, without a backward glance. Her sister, Mabel Lloyd, emerged from the crowd with a smirk. "Well, that's embarrassing, Elyse. Your groom ran off, and now you're a laughingstock. I'm embarrassed for you. Imagine how Mom and Dad feel." After saying that, she turned and left. One by one, all of Elyse's family members departed, leaving her completely alone. Initially, Theo's parents felt guilty, but upon witnessing her family's reaction, all traces of guilt dissipated. "Even her own parents didn't support her. It seems this isn't entirely Theo's fault." "Yes, if she were a good partner, why would her fiancé leave her?" "Did she cheat on him? What else would make a groom leave like that?" The murmurs of criticism from the surrounding guests grew louder and harsher. Suddenly, there were noises nearby. Turning around, Elyse spotted a man in a suit sitting alone in a wheelchair. The officiant, looking flustered, asked, "Where is your bride?" Wiping away her tears, she halted a passing staff member and inquired, "That man is a groom, right? Where is his bride?" The staff member glanced at her and responded, "She didn't show up. I heard it was because she couldn't deal with her husband's disability." "And he's been waiting here all this time?" The staff member nodded. The wheelchair-bound groom was facing away from Elyse, and they were a fair distance apart. She couldn't see his expression, but she understood the pain of being left alone. They were both unfortunate souls, abandoned. After a moment of reflection, a determined look settled in Elyse's eyes. She had loved Theo for three years, but he had betrayed her. Why should she remain loyal to him? She realized she didn't need to be with him at all. As she suddenly stood up, the guests who had been whispering and mocking her fell silent. All eyes instinctively focused on her as she lifted the hem of her dress and confidently walked toward the man in the wheelchair. The sight of a bride in a white wedding dress approaching left the man's guests equally stunned. Hearing the rustle of her dress, the man in the wheelchair turned around slowly. Elyse halted and gazed at the handsome man before her, a spark of surprise in her eyes. She then extended her hand and said, "Hello, I heard you're in need of a bride. My groom just left me. How about we get married?" Chapter2 What Was She Up To? "My name is Elyse Lloyd. If it's all right with you, we can get married today," she proposed confidently. Her bold proposal left the crowd in shock, prompting several to capture the moment with their phones. "Miss Lloyd, are you certain about this decision? Given my disability, I may not be able to provide the future you envision," the man replied openly, without hiding his condition, and gently urged her to think it over. "I've made up my mind," Elyse responded with determination. "I'm Jayden," he introduced himself. Seeing her resolve, Jayden Owen grasped her hand and shared his concern, "I fear you might regret this choice later on." Elyse chose not to respond. She was sure of her decision. She had once been solely focused on marrying Theo, who never truly reciprocated her love. Now, who she married seemed inconsequential. After efficiently wrapping up the wedding formalities at City Hall, Elyse and Jayden were now bound by matrimony, officially united as husband and wife. With the marriage certificate in hand, Elyse experienced a profound sense of relief. Theo had broken her heart, and she was resolute in never returning to him. Regarding her father, since she would not be marrying into the Ward family, he had another daughter to think about. She understood her little sister Mabel too well. As someone driven by greed, how could Mabel resist the temptation to become Theo's wife and a member of the Ward family? Thus, marrying Jayden was Elyse's perfect escape from her family's clutches. She had no intention of going back home again. While she gazed thoughtfully at the marriage certificate, Jayden asked, "What's on your mind? Regretting your decision to marry a disabled man?" Elyse shook her head, took hold of the wheelchair, and replied, "I think it was a good decision." Jayden smiled slightly, though his eyes betrayed a hint of skepticism and mistrust. How could any woman genuinely want to marry a disabled man? He figured she was just putting on an act-an act that couldn't last forever. He needed a bride momentarily to distract his family while he pursued his own goals. Well, he decided, he might as well see what she was up to. Elyse helped Jayden into the car, and they drove to his house. Jayden's home was opulent, complete with a garden and a swimming pool, and staffed with a butler in a tuxedo and uniformed maids. As Elyse stepped onto the plush wool carpet, she truly realized that her new husband was far from ordinary. The butler, Driscoll Lee, approached them respectfully and inquired, "Mr. Owen, is this your bride?" Surveying the opulent house and recollecting her newlywed husband's full name, a sudden realization dawned on Elyse. The Owens were the most influential family in town, and Jayden Owen was particularly notable among his peers for his business acumen and exceptional talent. He was one of the wealthiest men around. However, after a car accident a year ago that cost him his legs, Jayden had faded from the public eye and his prior achievements were largely forgotten. So, she had married the legendary Jayden Owen? Elyse recalled hearing rumors about his engagement to a girl from the Foster family. The bride who had disappeared on her wedding day was supposed to be that Foster girl. Upon hearing Jayden's full name at City Hall, Elyse hadn't dwelled on it much. If she had known his background sooner, she wouldn't have had the courage to broach the topic of marriage with him. Jayden noticed the shock and panic on her face but remained silent. He still doubted that she truly hadn't recognized him. After all, his disability was well known. "This is Elyse Lloyd, my wife. From now on, she will be the hostess here," Jayden introduced her firmly. "Joanna Foster escaped on our wedding day because she didn't want to marry a disabled man," he added bluntly. "Joanna Foster disappeared on the wedding day?" Driscoll expressed his surprise. The Foster family had been eager to forge a union with the Owen family through marriage, pushing for Jayden to marry Joanna. On the wedding day, however, the bride had disappeared. Wasn't this a deliberate humiliation of Jayden? Driscoll felt sympathy for him and offered some consolation, "Sir, perhaps it's for the best that she left. It seems you might have found the right person after all." Elyse had shown no concern for Jayden's disability and was willing to marry him. That indeed counted for something. Chapter3 He Could Walk Fluidly Looking at Jayden's legs, Elyse felt a wave of sympathy for him. Jayden had once been at the pinnacle of success, and now he seemed so vulnerable. Just because he was disabled, his bride had callously abandoned him at the altar, showing him no respect whatsoever. He must have felt even more devastated than she did during the wedding. Approaching Jayden, Elyse took his hand and said earnestly, "Don't worry. We are husband and wife now. I will take care of you for the rest of our lives." Jayden's expression turned rigid. Could she really mean it, promising to take care of him for a lifetime? He doubted her sincerity, thinking she was just putting on an act of compassion. Without a word, Jayden maneuvered his wheelchair into the study on the first floor. "I'm sorry," Driscoll said apologetically. "Since his accident, he's been a bit more temperamental." "It's fine. I understand," Elyse replied, dismissing it with a wave of her hand. Anyone in his situation might change. She then followed Driscoll upstairs to a room on the second floor. -- "Sir." In the study stood a bald man named Vinny Bailey, clad in a tight black shirt that accentuated his prominent tendons. Respectfully, Vinny ignited a lighter and lit a cigar for Jayden. "Joanna has gone abroad. The Foster family is desperately trying to come up with a solution." "They've taken thirty million and five major projects from me. Is this their way of repaying me?" Jayden let out a puff of smoke and remarked casually, "If I don't teach them a lesson, others will see me as a pushover. The Fosters need to learn a few things." "Do you want us to bring Joanna back?" Vinny inquired, nodding. "And as for your new wife, should we make some introductions with our men?" "No need." Jayden, cigar clenched between his teeth, lifted a document from the desk and strolled over to the window. The wheelchair was tucked away in a corner of the room, ignored, as he moved fluidly across the floor. This document detailed Elyse's entire life, from her childhood through to her college life, even including her romance with Theo. He casually flipped through the pages and drawled, "An ordinary woman. She married me just for my money." Back then, the Owens had declared their search for a wife for Jayden, aiming simply to secure an heir. Upon the announcement, no wealthy family was eager to marry their daughter to him, except for the Fosters, who had enriched themselves through their daughters' marriage. The Fosters' motive was straightforward-to exchange their daughter for resources and money. Vinny saw no other reason for Elyse to marry Jayden but for financial gain. Yet, there was another twist. "She was originally going to marry Theo Ward." "Ward? The Ward family that's well-known?" Jayden lifted an eyebrow. "Yes. But apparently, the groom ran off to reunite with his ex-girlfriend after receiving a phone call." Vinny paused, then speculated, "Maybe she married you just to spite Theo Ward." Jayden ceased perusing the documents and glanced up at Vinny with a hint of annoyance. "You're looking at it too simplistically. By marrying me, she stands to gain more. That's the real reason she married me, despite my disability." In Jayden's eyes, Elyse hadn't yet revealed her true intentions. But he didn't mind her interest in his money. He needed a wife to appease his family. If she married him for gain, it would make a future divorce simpler for him. -- Perched on the edge of the bed, Elysee scrolled through her phone and noticed the trending topics. #Bridegroom Ran Away For His Ex #Bride Marries Stranger To Anger Her Ranaway Groom She casually scrolled through the comments. The public deemed the entire situation unbelievable and both parties' actions as unreasonable. Nevertheless, discussions had thrust Elyse's name into circulation because of it. Some even discovered she was a violinist in an orchestra and stumbled upon a video of her past performance. Unable to resist, Elyse was watching these videos when Theo called. "Where are you, Elyse? Let's meet and talk." Chapter4 Who Were You Married To? As Elyse descended the stairs to the villa's entrance, Driscoll approached her with concern. "It's quite late. Where are you off to? Shall I arrange a car for you?" "No, thanks. I'll be back soon." Driscoll watched her depart before heading to the study. Elyse, having agreed to meet Theo, called a taxi and was soon en route. Fifteen minutes later, she entered a coffee shop and instantly noticed Theo, who was in high spirits, busy texting on his phone. A flicker of sarcasm crossed her eyes as she approached and sat across from him. Theo looked up, his expression souring. "Why are you so late? Do you have any idea how long I've been waiting?" Staring back at him, Elyse felt a chill. They had been together for a long time, yet he was always domineering toward her, a stark contrast to his demeanor with Kaelyn. She had once loved him, believing she could endure anything. Only today had she realized how foolish that was. If she didn't love herself, how could she expect anyone else to love her? "If you don't want to wait, you can leave," Elyse retorted icily. Theo, taken aback by her response, grew visibly more upset. "You're holding a grudge about what happened at the wedding, aren't you? I get why you're upset, but you can't be more understanding and reasonable? I left because Kaelyn was in dire straits-she was depressed and contemplating suicide." "You can go to anyone you want. You don't need to explain anything to me-I don't care anymore." Elyse found humor in his words. Theo couldn't believe she was indifferent. They had been together for three years, and everyone knew how deeply she loved him. He thought her claim of indifference was merely a result of anger. But he was confident he could easily resolve this. Just a few sweet words and she'd come back to him. "It's not a big deal. I came back to you after handling everything, didn't I? I'll visit your parents soon, and we can start planning the wedding again," Theo said. "No need for that." "What?" "There won't be a wedding." Elyse's face was devoid of emotion. "We're done." "Why are you still upset? I left at the wedding, but I came back for you. Can't you forgive me?" Theo frowned. "Forgive you? Forgive you for abandoning me for another woman?" Elyse slammed her hand on the table. "Do you have any idea what I've been through since you left? Your family has been calling me names, even though you were the one who left me at the altar- just for another woman!" "Elyse Lloyd!" Theo shouted her name furiously. "What others say is their issue. Isn't our three-year relationship strong enough for you to trust me?" "Three years, and yet you never forgot your ex," Elyse countered, her face marked by disappointment. "I believed we'd be together forever, but it seems three years was our limit. We're done, Theo. It's clear we're not suited for each other." While speaking, she retrieved a ring from her bag and set it down on the table-the same ring he had used to propose. She recalled the joy she felt that day, now overshadowed by her current despair. Elyse gave Theo one last look, mentally closing the chapter on their three years together. She grabbed her bag and departed without a backward glance. Theo was stunned. Was Elyse dumping him? He always saw her as a simp, her family reliant on his. How could she just walk away? Humiliated, he chased after her, grabbed her shoulder, and said forcefully, "You have no right to break things off! Remember, your father's business relies on me. Without me, your family has nothing. Come back, and we'll marry in a few days to make up for today!" "Let me go!" Elyse fought back fiercely and yelled with defiance and frustration, "I'm married. Stop bothering me!" "So what if you are married! You will always belong to me." After blurting that out, he froze and asked incredulously, "What did you say? You're married? Who to?" While he was momentarily dazed, Elyse wriggled free from his grip. She hadn't anticipated turning around to find Jayden sitting in a wheelchair quietly a few meters behind her. "Jayden!" she exclaimed. Chapter5 You Can Stand? "Didn't I make it clear? I'm married. We're over. This is my husband," Elyse said as she quickly moved to Jayden's side, gripping his arm. Theo stared at Jayden, failing to recognize him. With a sneer, he said, "To get back at me, you married a disabled man?" He then extended his hand, commanding in a domineering tone, "Elyse, come here! I'll make it up to you when we get back." But Elyse looked at him as if he were a stranger. "Did you hear me? Come here!" Theo grew frustrated. Elyse reflected on how she would have responded in the past-she would definitely walk over to his side. She had loved him deeply for three years. Her feelings had been genuine. Yet, the depth of her affection made the betrayal harder to bear. On her first birthday after they got together, she wanted to celebrate it by the sea. To make her happy, Theo bought a camera, promising to capture beautiful photos of her. As they were about to board the plane for their trip to the seaside, Kaelyn was injured on a film set and called Theo. Without any hesitation, Theo left her stranded at the airport. It was the most disappointing birthday Elyse had ever experienced. Theo had once vowed to attend her debut performance with her orchestra, yet she ended up not seeing him there. She lingered in the hall all night, only to learn the next day that he had missed the performance because Kaelyn had become drunk at a dinner party while trying to land a role. He stayed because he was worried she might be taken advantage of. For three years, he had been Kaelyn's protector, but he had never offered Elyse the same safeguard. This accumulation of disappointments came to a head at the wedding. She knew she deserved love and respect, not neglect. "I am Jayden's wife now. I owe my loyalty to him," declared Elyse with a chill in her voice. "Elyse Lloyd!" Theo roared, enraged. He thought Elyse was merely being spiteful and fabricating things due to the day's incidents. As he tried to seize her hand, Jayden intervened, blocking him swiftly. Theo struggled to free his hand, but was unable to. He couldn't overpower a disabled man? The realization pissed him off. "Release me!" Theo exploded with anger. "She has no desire to leave with you. Can't you understand?" Jayden pressed slowly, his force causing Theo's features to twist in distress. Jayden held on until Theo cried out in pain before releasing him. "Remember this day, Elyse. You'll regret it in the future!" With a hint of embarrassment, Theo glared at Elyse and stormed off after his declaration. Watching him leave, Elyse felt a bitter smile form within her. She knew Theo would not easily let go of being humiliated, but there was no turning back for them now. "Let's go home, Elyse." "Okay." After helping Jayden into the car, they both sat silently, gazing out the window and avoiding any mention of Theo. "How did you know I was out here?" Elyse asked, her curiosity piqued. Without turning to face her, Jayden replied, "Driscoll mentioned it wasn't safe for you to be alone at this hour, so I came to pick you up." In truth, he had suspected she was up to something secretive, but it turned out she was merely meeting her ex. This revelation left him slightly disappointed. "Since you've married me, you should sever ties with your ex. My family members are strict, and I can't cover for you if they find out you're still seeing another man." "I won't see him again. I met him just to return a ring," Elyse responded, nodding. Jayden said nothing more. As long as Elyse respected his boundaries, she was free to make her own choices. When they arrived home, Elyse noticed Jayden heading straight for the study again. Curious, she asked Driscoll, "Why is he always in the study?" "The study is not only his workplace, but it has also become a sanctuary for his soul," Driscoll explained. "And why doesn't he return to his room?" "He does sometimes, but we rarely know when. He prefers that we don't fuss over him too much." With that, Driscoll departed. After freshening up in her room, Elyse was preparing for bed, but her thoughts lingered on the day's events with Jayden. She realized that despite his reserved nature, he was genuinely concerned for her safety. Feeling grateful and wanting to express her thanks, she left her room and walked towards the study. As she approached, she noticed the door was slightly ajar, casting a sliver of light into the hallway. Elyse pushed the door open and to her surprise, saw Jayden standing. She gasped and asked, "Jayden, you can stand?" …… ==== "You need a bride, I need a groom. Why don't we get married?" Both abandoned at the altar, Elyse decided to tie the knot with the disabled stranger from the venue next door. Pitying his state, she vowed to spoil him once they were married. Little did she know that he was actually a powerful and healthy tycoon. Was Jayden's fake disability revealed just like that? What happens next? Available chapters here are limited, click the button below to install the App and enjoy more exciting chapters (Automatically jump to this novel when you open the app) &21&	LEARN_MORE	https://fbweb.moboreader.net/55905322-fb_contact-e	Her Time Tales	https://www.facebook.com/61565195476127/	238	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	fbweb.moboreader.net	IMAGE		https://fbweb.moboreader.net/55905322-fb_contact-enp12_8-c1-0720-core1.html?adid={{ad.id}}&char=060236&accid=1664678401027221&rawadid=120212902883970109	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/466003391_1335017341240859_6695481858965763410_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=InHAynVG_jAQ7kNvgHK1zt5&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AwBAA2eAQ_63wDhmQ5XgLFK&oh=00_AYChZvwyvkT1CYMIa4Q4X2fsz_4zypAVukyF4OapqK1Bhg&oe=67502A3A	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Her Time Tales	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,557,228	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2557211}'	No	2024-11-29 18:49	active	1937	🚨 YOU CAN WIN IN OUR $5,000 GIVEAWAY!	🤔What’s better than 25% OFF? 💸 $1,000 in your pocket. It’s the day every adventure seekers dream of. 25% OFF gear built for adventure. Fresh apparel to define your style. And the best part? You could win $1,000 cash, just for gearing up. 5 winners. $5,000 in prizes. And the gear that will take your adventures to the next level. Your story starts here. Click the link below. 👇 👉 [Shop Now] No purchase necessary to enter	LEARN_MORE	https://mountainoffroad.com/	Mountain Off Road (M.O.R.E)	https://www.facebook.com/MountainOffRoad/	27,059	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	mountainoffroad.com	IMAGE	$5K Giveaway + 25% OFF Everything You Love! 💥	https://mountainoffroad.com/	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/468543017_1271568773891964_7151424636361214889_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=m79xKdogKiEQ7kNvgFPjprg&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AJzWPn9rBNATbyuD3EvOPiO&oh=00_AYAutvGOnMaj1nPjG3gpVnDH7x_H1-YDa-l6NO6AcKSzsg&oe=67501929	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Mountain Off Road (M.O.R.E)	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,558,752	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	No	2024-11-29 19:26	active	1938	Just Listed	North Tonawanda, NY · $209,000		https://kellylimina.huntrealestate.com/mls=HJHB157	HUNT Real Estate ERA	https://www.facebook.com/HUNTKenTon/	439	1969-12-31 18:00		kellylimina.huntrealestate.com	IMAGE	For Sale: 4 beds, 2 baths, 1624 SqFt, 30 2nd Avenue, North Tonawanda, NY 14120 is a Multi Family home listed at $209,000, MLS #B1579465	https://kellylimina.huntrealestate.com/mls=HJHB1579465?utm_medium=display-ad&utm_source=adwerx	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/468664482_497301066648694_1647046702777286250_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=pmxHvr2RSwcQ7kNvgEU8s1-&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=A4UqbTlOw5APXOK1H8mqVIW&oh=00_AYCJw5zj-sE6AE8sgf2rS8T1-Q9T4m6uusGEVArPs1Tq_g&oe=67502372	PERSON_PROFILE	0	HUNT Real Estate ERA	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,557,980	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2557966}'	No	2024-11-29 19:06	active	1938	🔞Attention! Do not read in public！👉	As the daughter of Alpha, I was tortured since I was 6 years old, and more tragically, I was forced to marry the demon Alpha who killed his 9 ex-girlfriends... “Where is she?!” I hear the Beta Kyle scream. I groan and get to my feet, grabbing the cleaning basket and taking it with me. The moment he sees me, he strides towards me and his hand slices against my cheek. I don’t make a sound. Years of experience has taught me to keep my mouth shut at all times. “Neah, how useless your are! You still have not cleaned the office.” He snaps. I nod my head and my hand tightens on the cleaning basket. If I could just find the courage to swing it at his head, it would make my day. “We are trying to make a good impression on Alpha Dane. Do you not understand how important it is for us to join ourselves with his pack?!” I don’t answer, I keep my eyes low so that I didn’t have to look at his face. Alpha Dane, I had only ever heard rumours about him. From what I gathered, he was a ruthless man, and he was even claimed to have killed his 9 ex-girlfriends. “He is the Alpha of Black Shadow, the biggest pack in the world, we need him!” Beta Kyle continues. He places his hands on my shoulders, digging his nails into my thinning skin, ”Useless Wolf.” He mutters as he moves away. Quietly closing the door, I lean back against it, observing the already clean office. There was nothing out of place, it looked perfectly fine for a meeting with this so-called powerful Alpha. Closing my eyes, I slide down to the floor. I hated this house. I thought that when I turned 18, I could finally escape, but four years later, here I still am, a slave in my own home. Doing all the dirty tasks for my brother, Alpha Trey and the pack. While my ex mate, Beta Kyle was always reminding me of how worthless I am. The clearing of a throat makes me jump. I thought I was alone. Leaning forward, I see a handsome man sitting in a chair. A foot propped up on his knee. His short hair is dark and his eyes are a deep crimson colour, that don’t quite look right. They suddenly shift to me and I throw myself back against the door. Shrinking down to the ground. “Is this the way you greet all Alpha’s?” His deep voice rumbles through the room, an edge of amusement to his tone. “I’m sorry.” I whisper, getting to my feet. “I…I thought I was alone.” I had no idea who he was but I could feel the power radiating off of him, even without my Wolf. “Come forward.” He orders. I do as I’m told. Allowing him to see me properly and I am met with narrowed crimson eyes. I close my own eyes, expecting the worst. “You smell funny. Yet you are a Wolf, correct?” My head moved up and down, though I couldn’t tell how he was going to react. Most laughed when they discovered the truth about me. “I would prefer it if you spoke to me.” He growls, “I’m not in the mood to play games.” “Yes.” I whisper. “I am…I am a Wolf.” I couldn’t help but think of all the punishments I was going to have to endure. A whipping maybe? Starvation for another week? I wasn’t sure how much more my body could take. “How is it possible for you to not know I was in the room? You should have scented me.” “I…..” I hated the question. “I haven’t got all day!” He takes a swig from his drink. I knew why I couldn’t scent him. I knew why I hadn’t been aware of his presence, but telling people why was not something I ever liked to do. They never hear my side of the story. All they do is accept Alpha Trey's word as the truth. “You should open your eyes when you are talking to someone. Has your Alpha not taught you anything?” His deep voice sends a shiver through me. Slowly, I open my eyes and lower them. There was no way I was making direct eye contact. “My Wolf abilities were bound.” “Why?” If this is the Alpha that my brother is supposed to be meeting with, I knew I could screw everything up for him by saying too much. “It was a punishment.” “For what?” His deep voice rumbles through me. “For killing my parents.” I whispered. At this moment, the door swings open abruptly and my brother screeches at me “Neah, what are you doing in my office?!" He then turns to the crimson eyed man. “I am so sorry that my sister is bothering you, Alpha Dane." Crap, it was him...	LEARN_MORE	https://wwwedb.com/market/meganovel/13?lpid=11783&	New world publications	https://www.facebook.com/100090352943774/	3,763	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn More	wwwedb.com	DCO		https://wwwedb.com/market/meganovel/13?lpid=11783&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/t39.35426-6/450664948_1625574091346934_5464423536906748072_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=7q2g_m0RGogQ7kNvgFzcWeo&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=ARnRJIOHDY3EAuH8iCxrvu-&oh=00_AYDWwuh6ppW2OLAY0QdQO1Ul36pjHpNbdj5tjlDQerLlRA&oe=67502E95	PERSON_PROFILE	0	New world publications	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,558,529	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	No	2024-11-29 19:22	active	1938	Breaking news from Avoyelles Parish!	Avoyelles Parish News: LSU fans break out brutal 2-word chant for Brian Kelly. Install news app trusted by millions to stay informed of latest Avoyelles Parish local news!	INSTALL_MOBILE_APP	https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.	Louisiana Local News - News Break	https://www.facebook.com/LouisianaNewsBreak/	51,725	1969-12-31 18:00	Install now	www.newsbreakapp.com	IMAGE		https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.particlenews.newsbreak	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/468588312_2298033743894696_6566863774352654024_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Q5qAYbhQDtMQ7kNvgGS8cn4&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=A_wx7qhIJ-PVSbYcSZz83V7&oh=00_AYArr5B7hWuSMLnvFrbrDaB2dtDhO-5Aq5vazvH0BDaN6g&oe=67502057	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Louisiana Local News - News Break	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,559,357	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	No	2024-11-29 19:40	active	1939		For her, marrying her best friend and carrying his child was a dream come true. However, just at this joyful moment, the man's beloved returned... ===== "It's a good thing you're cautious. You could've lost your baby, Miss Monroe," the GYN told me seriously as she could see the shock in my eyes. Had I heard it right? I was pregnant? I was pregnant with a baby for Pierce--my best friend and my first crush! On the way out of the hospital, I couldn't wait to tell Pierce about our baby. I wondered what his reaction would be. Would he scream in happiness? God! I couldn't contain my happiness. I cupped my flushed face as I fantasized, but the moment I felt the cold of the simple ring on my finger, my wildly beating heart calmed down. I almost forgot that Pierce wasn't the type to be keen on having children, especially since our marriage was arranged by his family. Pierce was a complete gentleman, both as a friend and a husband. Every time we did intimate thing, he was considerate yet cautious, saying there was no need to add extra shackles when we weren't ready. This baby, in a way, was out of the plan. "Ma'am, is everything okay? Do you need to call the boss?" my private driver, Luke, asked worriedly as he noticed my frown. Luke was reliable, like family, but if I chose to share, I still wanted Pierce to be the first to know this news. He was my baby's father. "No," I shook my head, giving Luke a reassuring smile. "He's on a flight. I'll talk to him later myself." I wanted to sense his answer directly from his raw expressions. I was always good at that. I closed my eyes, recalling the first day we met. His bright smile in the sunlight was so dazzling; he was a Prince. Long before we became best friends, I fell in love with him at first sight. But it was only unrequited love; I knew that well. I slid down the car window to get some fresh air but accidentally caught a glimpse of our old high school. That bitter feeling filled my chest once again. Pierce was my first love, but I wasn't his. In high school, I was just a boring nerd in others' eyes while Pierce Anderson was the shining quarterback. Everyone was surprised that we could be friends. Though envy arose, I enjoyed being around him. I slowly realized that I didn't just want to be his friend. However, right when I was about to confess my feelings to him, another girl came into his life. I shook my head, trying to rid myself of those sad memories. I gripped the cold wedding ring on my finger, telling myself the past was the past. Pierce said they were over, and I was his wife now. I was his wife who was carrying his baby. I wiped the tears from the corners of my eyes and opened the door to our house. My heart calmed as I breathed in the scent of home. Our home. Pierce and I decorated it together with our own hands. We enjoyed it. Yes, I must have been overthinking. That woman had been out of our lives for a long time, and my marriage with Pierce had been as beautiful as a fairy tale for the past three years. I glanced at the clock on the wall. At this point, Pierce should have gotten off the plane. He had been traveling for over a month for the sake of our family's business. Pierce was the President of ADE, the leading fashion magazine company in Asia, and I was actually the Vice President. We were not only life partners but also good partners at work. I really missed him. I dialed his number immediately. I wanted to hear his voice now, to know when he would arrive home. I would prepare a good meal for him, and he would reward me with a sweet kss. Then we might do intimate thing... Oops, I almost forgot I was pregnant now. I needed to tell him this first before we could do anything else. I was happily envisioning our lovely reunion when my heart dropped as a woman's voice came over the line. [Hello?] I snapped the phone as just one word came out. My phone fell to the floor, and my body started shaking uncontrollably. NO! It couldn't be her! It couldn't be Lexi! She was already out of our lives! I must have misheard. I rushed to the fridge, attempting to calm myself with some alhol. But the moment I was reminded of the doctor's words and my baby. I needed to be cautious for my baby's sake. I turned to grab a box of milk and walked toward the sofa. I didn't know what made me recognize that as Lexi's voice at that moment. I meant Lexi and I were never close. Lexi Gilbert was a typical blonde beauty that men would go crazy for. She was the popular cheerleader in high school while Pierce was the star quarterback. A better match than he and a nerd like me, right? It wasn't surprising that he had fallen for her. My pride couldn't stand watching the man I loved go crazy for another woman. So I had once tried to stay away from them silently, but Pierce refused to quit my life. Every time I drowned myself in a sea of books and studies to forget them, Pierce would appear at my doorstep asking me out. I couldn't say no to his charming smile; I couldn't refuse when he claimed it was his duty as my best friend to take me out to enjoy the real world. To avoid ruining our friendship, I could only hide my broken heart, silently playing the role of his best friend while watching his happy face as he pursued another girl. I finally mustered the courage to study abroad when I learned that Pierce was planning to propose to Lexi. However, I never expected Grams would call to beg me to return. I hurried back only to see a lifeless Pierce. His heart was shattered, thanks to Lexi. My beloved sunshine boy was nowhere to be seen, and my heart bed for him. I started to hate Lexi from that moment. I gave up my cherished man for her, and how dared she harm him so badly! Pierce didn't tell anyone what happened except that he was done with Lexi. Grams arranged our marriage. I didn't understand why he agreed until the day I heard him say that marrying anyone but Lexi would be the same for him. It hurt like hell, but I still walked into this marriage without a second thought. My cherished boy was broken, and I wanted to fix him, not caring if I ruined myself in the process. I fell asleep at home, feeling insecure and worried. I woke up in the middle of the night when I felt someone caressing my cheek. Slowly, I opened my eyes and realized I had fallen asleep in the living room. Someone lifted me from the couch. I immediately recognized his scent and touch as I looked at him with heavy-lidded eyes. "Pierce..." "Hmm," he hummed as he walked toward the stairs. "Why did you sleep on the couch?" I stared at his face as he gently placed me down on the bed. He caressed my hair and kssed my forehead. He was always so gentle, and that was why I loved him so much. "Where have you been? I've been waiting for you," I said as I caressed his cheek. "Just met a friend. You said you were waiting for me; is it something urgent?" Looking at his gentle face, I suddenly didn't want to ruin the moment, so I closed my parted lips and swallowed the truth back down. Tomorrow, maybe tomorrow, I would have the courage to face all the puzzles. I shook my head and pouted, signaling that I was sleepy. He chuckled and carefully carried me to the bed. Just as he was about to leave me after giving me a goodnight kss, I panicked for some reason. I quickly grabbed him... I missed him. I wanted him. "Wait, Kels," he said, stopping me by pinning my hands to the bed. "I thought you said you were sleepy and needed to rest." "But I think I miss you more now." I looked at him with innocence and caught the dire flashing in his eyes, but I didn't know why it faded so quickly. He used to be happy when I took the initiative. As if noticing my confusion, he chuckled and playfully pinched my nose. "I'll just take a shower." I nodded and watched him as he walked toward the bathroom. But drowsiness struck again, so I closed my eyes to take a nap. However, it was already morning when I opened my eyes again, and Pierce was beside me, putting a tray of food on the bedside table. "Hey!" I greeted, smiling when I realized what he'd done. He had prepared breakfast for me. In bed. The sweetest. He smiled and sat on the edge of the bed. "Good morning." I grinned as I sat up. He carried the tray and put it beside me. I shot an eyebrow up, tilting my head as I stared at his handsome face. His deep brown eyes and thick, black eyebrows complemented his striking features. "What is this? Is this a bribe? You stood me up last night, bad boy." He didn't laugh. Instead, he heaved a sigh, gently tucking my hair behind my ear before taking my hand and staring into my eyes. "I have something to tell you." My heart raced. I thought about our baby. He had something to say, and I did too. "W-What is it?" I asked, feeling my voice tremble. He took a deep breath. "You know you're important to me, right?" I slowly nodded, my lips parted. I couldn't speak; I was scared of what he was about to say. I had a bad feeling about this. "You were my best friend before we got married. You're one of the few people I treasure..." I hid my clenched fists under the sheets. I didn't understand why he was telling me this, but I felt tears pooling in the corner of my eyes already. "Kelly..." He paused, squeezing his eyes shut before looking into mine again. "I-I think it's time for us to divorce." "P-Pierce..." My heart clenched. He smiled sadly. "I know you don't have feelings for me either. You only married me because of my grandparents. You just did this because you love them. Now it's time for our real happiness, Kelly." I shook my head. "W-What are you talking about, Pierce?" "Lexi is back, Kelly. My first love is back." Chapter 2 Kelly's POV--It Never Rains but It Pours I got off the bed and tried to leave, but Pierce grabbed my hand. I quickly wiped the tears rolling down my cheeks before he could see them. He stood in front of me, searching my face as I struggled to look down and avoid his gaze. My heart felt like it was breaking into pieces. I thought... I thought I could make him fall in love with me during those three years together. I believed his feelings would deepen, that he would see me as a woman rather than just a best friend. I was foolish to hope and dream so high. I had failed. No matter how hard I tried, his heart belonged only to his first love, Lexi. "Kelly..." I sucked in a breath and swallowed the pain as I looked at him. I forced a smile. "I need to wash up before eating." He stared into my eyes, trying to figure out what I was thinking. I knew he understood me too well, so I made a concerted effort to hide my pain and smiled back at him. He sighed and let go of my hand. "Okay. I'll wait for you here. Let's eat and go to work together." Together? How cruel could he be? He still wanted us to get along as if he hadn't just asked for a divorce? He wanted us to stay the same right after telling me that his first love was back and he wanted to divorce me? Oh, Pierce, what's going on in your head? If I used to be able to force myself to remain in the role of his best friend, wishing him happiness, I no longer had that courage after the three years we'd shared. There was no way I could endure that kind of torture again, especially now that I was carrying his baby. The baby... I had thought it was good news for us, but now... it felt more like a burden to him, I guess. A burden that would prevent him from pursuing his true love and freedom. I knew how an unwanted child could grow up. My parents divorced even before my mother died, and my father's new family hated me. It hurt like hell. I didn't want my baby to experience that same pain. I needed to keep my child away from it. I forced another smile. "We can't. I need to visit the studio for the photoshoot of our new models..." "I'll go with you--" "No." I pushed his hand away. His eyes followed my hand before he looked up at me again. "You have some documents to sign. Our schedules are already organized, remember?" "But..." "I have a personal driver, Pierce. I'll be fine going alone." He sighed and slowly nodded. I turned my back on him and entered the bathroom. I immediately opened the shower and stood under the cold water. Tears cascaded down my cheeks as I covered my mouth to suppress my sobs. My shoulders trembled violently, and when I thought about my baby, I swallowed hard, trying to calm myself down. I wiped my face and caressed my belly. I needed to be strong. I had to stay calm. I shouldn't put my baby's life at risk just because I got my heart broken. I had to handle this wisely. I took a deep breath and finished my shower. When I got out of the bathroom, I was shocked to see Pierce still there. He was struggling to fix his tie in front of the full-length mirror. I also noticed my pair of heels and dress on the bed. "Hey! I picked your dress for today." Since our marriage wasn't public, Pierce had said he would try to do little things for me as a husband. He did it well, and I used to enjoy these sweet moments, but now, they felt like dgers to my heart. I grabbed the dress and went into the walk-in closet. I felt him following me. I put the white dress back and picked a red one. When I turned to face him, his forehead was creased. "I prefer red today. I'd feel beautiful in this dress." His eyes landed on the dress I was holding, and his face immediately relaxed. He nodded and walked toward me. "I see. Help me fix this first." I placed my dress on his arm and started adjusting his tie. I could feel his eyes staring intently and it was making my heart beat so fast. I took a deep breath and chewed my bottom lip as I struggled to fix the tie. My vision started to blur again. D*n! "Kelly..." I jumped in shock. "Hmm?" "Are you okay?" I looked at him and smiled. "Yeah." "I have something else to say." I finished fixing his tie, then immediately grabbed the dress from him. I glanced at him before walking past him and said, "Let's just talk some other time. I'm going to be late." I heard him sigh as he followed me again. He's silent the whole time as if he's thinking about something. "You should eat before you leave." I turned to him and nodded. "I will. You should go now." "Kelly, we're on the same page, right?" I stared at him. No, Pierce. We're never on the same page. All of this was just my stupid fantasy. I thought you had feelings for me, and I was so wrong. "If it's about the divorce, I understand everything, Pierce. I know what I have to do. Just give me some time because I'm really busy with the company. I won't run away." "Kelly, I'm not just doing this for myself. I'm doing this for you too. You've been caged with me ever since we got married. I know you're not happy because deep down, you want to find the man you deserve. Someone who will truly love you. Not me. Not someone who's half-hearted." "I understand what you're trying to say, Pierce," I said, trying to turn away, but he held me by the waist, keeping me in place. He did everything he could to capture my gaze, and he succeeded. He looked at me worriedly. "You are my best friend. I don't want to lose you, Kels. You're one of the few people I..." "I know," I said out of frustration. He looked shocked, so I took a breath to calm myself. "I-I know. You don't have to worry. I'm just stressed about work. It's not about our divorce." His lips parted, and he slowly nodded, as if he could finally breathe properly. He walked toward me, and I froze when he gently kssed my forehead... "Thank you, Kelly," he whispered. My heart clenched. It had been three years, but I was still such a coward. Why couldn't I just tell him that I loved him? He's my husband, and I'm carrying his baby! If I told him, he might change his mind! I swallowed hard, ready to speak, but his phone rang. I didn't miss the caller ID. Again, it was Lexi. "I gotta go." He scratched his head in apology, and I didn't miss the upturned corners of his mouth. "I called Luke, and he's waiting outside. Eat before you go, okay?" With that, he left our room. The tears I had managed to hold back burst forth again. Why did I think I could have a chance? He had made his choice the moment he asked for a divorce, hadn't he? Whenever it came to Lexi, I was always the one he would abandon. Chapter 3 Kelly's POV--Stiff Upper Lip I entered the studio wearing two-inch red heels and a red dress. Everyone turned to look as I walked down the hallway, greeting me with smiles, but my face remained stoic, not showing any emotions at all. The conversation with Pierce this morning lingered in my mind, but I couldn't let it affect my work. I couldn't fail my work after I had failed my marriage. I took a deep breath to steady myself. However, when I entered the photoshoot room, I could notice everyone was in chaos. "We can't! She's not answering her calls. What should we do? The Vice President is coming today. She'll be furious." "We can just tell her the truth. She's nice." "Not in this situation, Lily! She'll scold us--" "What's happening here?" I asked, stepping further into the room. The staff turned to me with worried expressions, and I knew then that something was wrong. "G-Good morning, Miss Monroe." Miss Monroe. Of course, no one knew that Pierce and I were married except for our families. I felt a pinch in my heart because of that truth. It hurt. I stared at her blankly, "What? "W-We have a problem, Miss Monroe. Miss Chen, our model, has been refusing our calls. She said she heard that we're changing the model, so...she doesn't want to come here. She's even threatening to file a case against us." She bowed her head, and I gritted my teeth, scanning the room. "Where's the marketing manager?" "S-She's still trying to convince Miss Chen, Miss Monroe." I massaged my forehead, squeezing my eyes closed. I grabbed my hair and screamed in so much anger, causing everyone around me to jump in shock. I ganed, sucking in a breath before looking around. "Miss Monroe..." "What is this, Miss Hayley? You're the marketing manager. What's happening?" "Miss Monroe, I don't know how it happened, but Miss Chen heard that you're changing our model. She's about to file a case against us--" Changing the model? How had I not known about this? Miss Chen had always been a trusted partner, and if not necessary, changing models for a commercial shoot on short notice would only create chaos for the company. I would never allow such a costly mistake. "I never asked for that. You must be mistaken." I cut her off to save the time, "Fix this mess, or I'll have to fire you!" "Miss Monroe... It's Mr. President who ordered the change." Hayley spoke hesitantly. "He instructed us as soon as he returned from his business trip yesterday." The truth hit me hard. Pierce's order? Why hadn't he told me? He used to discuss every major decision with me first. "It shouldn't be..." Confusion clouded my mind. Pierce was not a clueless businessman; he maintained a clear distinction between work and personal matters, which was why he always succeeded. And that was also why he chose to keep our marriage a secret. "Yes, Kelly. I gave the order." The voice pulled me back. "M-Mr. President..." Hayley bowed in respect as the man suddenly appeared behind me. "I think you owe me an explanation, Pierce. About changing the model!" I snapped as I turned to face him. He knew how much effort I had put into securing this project. I hadn't slept well for days, and Miss Chen was the perfect fit for us. He had agreed too. But now... he just changed the model as he liked without informing me in advance. It felt like a hard sp in the face. "Go ahead with the work. I'll explain it to her." He pacified the staff first, ignoring the anger simmering in my eyes. "Answer me, Pierce! Why did you change the model so suddenly?" I couldn't contain my fury. He touched my shoulder and whispered, "This isn't the place to talk. Let me explain in the car." I glanced around, noticing others sneaking glances at us. I shook off his hand and walked toward the parking lot, my heart growing heavier with each step. I had a sinking feeling I wouldn't like his explanation. "Now, say it," I blurted once we were seated in his car. He stared into my eyes as if weighing my emotions. I looked away again.; I couldn't bear his gaze. I couldn't withstand his eyes that never looked at me the way I wanted him to. He had no feelings for me and it hurt so much. "I-I..." he paused, sighing. "I replaced Miss Chen because Lexi wants to be our model. She's also a good fit, so I agreed--" "What?" I asked in disbelief. He pressed his lips together and looked away, ruffling his hair in frustration before shaking his head and holding my hand. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner. It was just so sudden. She asked for a favor, and I couldn't say no." I pulled my hand away, looking at him with a mix of pain and anger. "You can't say no to her, so you'd rather harm the company--our company. You've betrayed me, Pierce." "Kels, come on. You know how much I love her. She's my first love." Painfully, I closed my eyes. Oh yes, she was your first love. She's always the one you want, no matter the cost. As long as she frowns a bit, you turn a blind eye to the pain and effort of others. You're so heartless, Pierce. "Well, you've made your decision. I don't have a say in this since you're the President. Just go. I'll be in the office." I said coldly, opening the car door to leave. "Kelly..." I looked him in the eyes. "Go home early. Let's talk about our divorce at home tonight." Chapter 4 Kelly's POV--Left High and Dry I was playing with the wedding ring on my finger. I told him to go home early, but he didn't come home at all. He wasn't even answering my calls. Well, now Lexi was back; this house was probably not home in his eyes anymore. My eyes turned to my pregnancy report on the table. What a mockery. I was still naive to hold a glimmer of hope that things would be different if I told him about the baby. But forget this baby thing was out of his plan. I wiped away the tears collecting at the corners of my eyes and picked up the report. It was 5 a.m. already when I looked at the clock on the wall. I tried to dial his number again, but it was still busy. What was he busy with? Was he busy staying with Lexi? He must have missed her a lot, didn't he? I didn't remember how I fell asleep. When the alarm clock went off, he didn't come home yet. I sneered at myself as I caught my reflection in the dresser mirror. The dark circles under my eyes were so clear, and my hair was a total mess, looking like a ghost. Suddenly, a wave of nausea flooded my stomach, and I realized I hadn't eaten anything last night. Feeling sick again, I ran to the sink and puked. I spat yellowish liquid, and while I was washing my mouth, I felt a warm hand caressing my back. I immediately lifted my face and met a pair of brown eyes looking at me through the mirror. Standing behind me with a worried expression was my husband, Pierce. I had always been thankful to have him as my best friend and husband, but now... I'm losing him. Hopelessly losing him. "Are you okay? Are you not feeling well? You should've told me." I stared at him through the mirror. "You didn't answer my calls." Guilt flickered in his eyes. "I'm sorry. I had some things to do. I stayed in the office all night." I wiped my face and walked past him. He followed me as I sat in front of the vanity and started combing my hair. "Kels..." "I woke up late. I failed to prepare breakfast." I tried to avoid his eyes. I felt like I would lose my temper and snap at him. There was no moment when I felt his selfishness so clearly as now. He called me his best friend, yet he had never seriously confronted my needs. My feelings. "Kels... you know I'm not asking about this. I'm just worried about your condition..." "Kels, are we still okay?" I stopped combing my hair and slowly met his eyes. Through the mirror, again. Really? He's asking me that? After he offered me a divorce without even asking if I was okay with it? He decided on his own, just because his first love is back. I couldn't believe him. I faked a smile. "I just don't feel well today, Pierce." He immediately squatted beside me, which was not surprising because I knew he truly cared. What surprised me was why he was still doing this after he buried a dagger in my heart. "Are you okay?" He gently touched my forehead and neck. "Are you sick? Tell me how you feel, Kels." "My feelings don't matter," I couldn't help but blurt out. He looked shocked by what I said. When I attempted to avoid him, he grabbed my wrist and made me face him. His face was mirroring his anger now. He was completely lost his patience. "What's wrong with you, Kels? You've been acting like this since yesterday. Is this about Lexi? Or was it because I didn't come home last night?" I looked him in the eyes, annoyed. "You're the one who asked for a divorce! I told you to come back earlier, but you just let me wait the whole night. How do you want me to greet you this morning, Pierce?" He clenched his jaws and shook his head. "Kels, I..." "Enough. We can talk about the divorce after work today." "Kels!" He called and grabbed my shoulders. Confusion and pain were visible in his eyes. "Are you... in love with me?" I was taken aback. In love? Yes! Ever since we were in high school. Ever since he became my best friend. Who wouldn't fall for someone who had been protecting you ever since? But of course, I couldn't tell him. It would only complicate things more. I didn't even want him to pity me. I shook my head and pushed his arms away. "Are you on dgs? I'm not in love with you." I turned my back on him and entered the bathroom again. I locked it before going to the bathtub. I should focus on myself. I can't let my emotions affect me, but... why are my tears falling again? "You are so pathetic, Kelly! You can't even tell him how you truly feel," I whispered to myself as I wiped my tears angrily. It took me almost an hour to bathe. When I was done, I realized Pierce had already left. I shook my head in disbelief. He's been constantly abandoning me. I can't believe we've reached this point. I thought we were okay. I was so stupid. * "Good morning, Miss Monroe..." "Good morning, Vice President..." I did not greet anyone back, just like how I used to greet them. I still felt pissed, and my mood seemed off. Irritation could easily take over me, and I couldn't control it. Probably because of Pierce's divorce proposal or because of my pregnancy. I was about to enter my office when I heard two girls talking. "Did you see her? I bet she's Mr. Anderson's girlfriend. They seemed close." My forehead creased. Pierce's girlfriend? "Ah! It's a waste that I didn't see her face, but I feel like it's Miss Lexi." "Lexi? Lexi Gilbert? The model?" "Yes! I bet my whole month's salary on this. They look good together." "Come on! Miss Monroe and Mr. Anderson look better together." "Are you serious? They're best friends. You know, some people are better off just friends. It's Mr. Anderson and Miss Monroe." I squeezed my eyes closed and pushed the door of my office. I slowly closed it and rested my back against it. This is harder than I expected. I took a deep breath and sat in my swivel chair. I opened the computer at the same time a notification popped up on the screen of my phone. My hands started shaking as soon as I saw the notification. It was Pierce's social media update. He uploaded a photo of him and Lexi together, eating in a fancy restaurant. I balled my fists and gritted my teeth. See, Kelly? That's what happens when you step into such a loveless marriage without a second thought. You would only break yourself if you continued on the wrong path. Just get a divorce. Spare him and yourself. Your baby needs a strong mommy... ...... ==== Marrying her best friend was a dream come true for Kelly, but everything truly has a limitation. Pierce is Kelly's first love, but as his best friend, she knew well there was always another woman deep in his heart, Lexi Gilbert. Kelly finally realized their happy marriage of the last three years was just a beautiful dream when Pierce asked for a divorce just because Lexi returned. She could only be his best friend even if she was carrying his baby. Since their friendship had become a cage, Kelly chose to set him free, as well as the miserable herself. But why then, it was Pierce who became the one who refused to move on? To make matters worse, her devil stepbrother also domineeringly stepped in at the same time, asking her to be his. What happens next? How could Kelly save her heart in this battle of love and hate? Available chapters here are limited, click the button below to install the App and enjoy more exciting chapters (Automatically jump to this novel when you open the app) &3&	LEARN_MORE	https://fbweb.moboreader.net/61818322-fb_contact-e	Heat stories	https://www.facebook.com/61563777993401/	335	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	fbweb.moboreader.net	VIDEO		https://fbweb.moboreader.net/61818322-fb_contact-encp25_2-1103-core3.html?adid={{ad.id}}&char=331118&accid=1435595577085911&rawadid=120213581612760597	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/466040390_575812368331663_7947229467778784832_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=hd1djumUxvgQ7kNvgGnapxa&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AFoXh0CENbNlY-Nmp5aAQMA&oh=00_AYDHzTb8ZEmnama7fm9LuszunTygDB1YlQNfYdZdQXBVTw&oe=675035C3	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Heat stories	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,557,287	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"is_bh_simple_request":true,"simple_request_ratio":0.49710982658959535,"is_bh_selenium":null,"selenium_ratio":null,"ratio_threshold":0.8}'	No	2024-11-29 18:51	active	1937		Christmas Giveaway 🎄🤭 The More You Comment & Tag Multiple Times The Better You Have A Chance Of Winning. Follow All Rules To Enter ! I Will Be Picking 3 Special Winners 🗣️ Dec 8th So Stay Tuned!!!! Turn On Your Post Notifications 🔔 Link In Bio To Book 🔗 * Hair Is Included In All Services * House Calls Available * A T.H.L experience awaits you! ➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖ -If viewing follow @theehairlair for all your hair needs 🩶 #hairpromotion #hairpromoters #contentcreator #influencer #greels #miamihairslylist #instagramgrowthhacks #instagramstrategy #contentcreator #influencer #howtogrowyouraccount #fashion #viralroole #viralpost #theehairlair #miamiknotless #miamiwigstylist #pastpresentfuture #knotlessmiami	VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE	http://instagram.com/theehairlair	theehairlair	https://www.instagram.com/_u/theehairlair	0	1969-12-31 18:00	Visit Instagram profile	instagram.com	IMAGE		http://instagram.com/theehairlair	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-19/464362641_462385756305433_722767878405142790_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s206x206&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=525117&_nc_ohc=13WKInhhY-8Q7kNvgEaLHjm&_nc_zt=24&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com&oh=00_AYAv9YT1bOHq1QANnVh5vBoLg5WX6q3HlgGeX0N28HETpA&oe=67504272	IG_ADS_IDENTITY	1	theehairlair	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
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2,558,238	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"is_bh_simple_request":false,"simple_request_ratio":0.9749617425845734,"is_bh_selenium":false,"selenium_ratio":1,"ratio_threshold":0.8}'	Yes	2024-11-29 19:13	active	1938	Professor in Daylight, s*x Freak in Nighttime	Chapter 1 Next One Rosa Everly and Elijah Sterling's divorce sent shockwaves through their circle. After all, Rosa had seemed utterly captivated by Elijah, chasing him with an almost obsessive devotion for years. But Rosa wasn't bothered by public opinion. Free from that cheating scumbag, she had a slew of admirers eager for their shot with her. Took today, for instance. Rosa arched her back, her cheeks flushed with excitement as she wrapped her legs around a man's waist, directing his every move. With each subtle tightening of her legs, his responses grew more fervent, each thrust feeling like it might tear her apart. She'd never known such raw, passionate intensity before. Elijah had always belittled her, dismissing her advances with scorn and mocking her as if she were some kind of bimbo, demanding that she behave like a dutiful little girl. Now, she was free to indulge her deepest desires and captivate with her full allure. The tipping point for the divorce came two weeks ago. Elijah had the nerve to parade his mistress around the office, and to add insult to injury; he stole Rosa's project to present it to her as a gift! Anyone who saw that project would know the blood, sweat, and tears Rosa poured into it. She'd spent a month burning the midnight oil, working late every single night. Rosa was incandescent with rage. Elijah's brazen infidelity and the betrayal at work pushed her to the edge. She was so furious that she started hurling things around. It was the last straw. Elijah had exploited her love, treating her unwavering dedication as nothing more than a chore she owed him. So, Rosa decided enough was enough. She'd been blinded by her one-sided affection, failing to see Elijah's true colors. Even when she brought up divorce, Elijah dismissed it as a bluff, never taking her seriously. But Rosa was done playing games. She swiftly signed the divorce papers, divided their assets, and walked away, leaving Elijah with no chance to change her mind. She had dealt with similar messes before and knew exactly how to handle them now. After her father's death, Rosa found herself the heir to a substantial fortune. The relatives who once adored her-and whom she had generously supported - revealed their true colors, turning into vultures circling around her and her mother. They used vile words to curse them, hoping to drive them to despair and seize control of the family's assets. But Rosa didn't crumble under the pressure. Instead, she stepped up, taking on the immense responsibility of managing the family business and keeping her father's company afloat. The relatives who had betrayed her soon came crawling back, their previously hostile faces now plastered with insincere smiles as they sought to win her favor. Rosa made sure they paid dearly for their treachery. "Aah..." Rosa's thoughts swirled with ecstasy as waves of pleasure washed over her. As she neared the peak of her c***x, her mind drifted to the idea of teaching her partner a few new tricks to make their next sx even more exhilarating. The following afternoon, her phone's abrupt ringing pulled her from her dreams. As Rosa reached for it, the man beside her tightened his embrace around her waist, holding her as if she were a precious treasure he was determined to protect. Rosa pushed gently at his arm, feeling the hard, defined muscles beneath her fingers. Her mind wandered back to their passionate night. She recalled the intensity of their sx, with her legs wrapped around his arms, her hips cradled by his powerful hands as they transitioned from the couch to the floor and finally to the bed. It wasn't just his strength that impressed her. Rosa brushed her lips, remembering how his touch-like that of a skilled magician-had left her tingling with every caress. Her hand wandered down, pleased to find his number two still standing strong, a testament to the pleasure he had given her. Rosa smiled, satisfied with his stamina and the energy he brought to their shared moments. The relentless buzz of her phone cut through the morning haze, prompting Rosa to gently disengage from the entangled sheets and the man's arms. "What's all the fuss about?" Rosa mumbled, her voice a breathless whisper, roughened by the night's c*l delights. Her gaze swept over him, taking in the evidence of the tumultuous night that had brought her to this point. His face was buried in the pillow, only his regal brows and sculpted nose betraying his presence. Rosa's eyes traced the lines of perfection carved into his features, a fleeting thought crossing her mind about perhaps not letting last night's plaything slip through her fingers. But as she was about to resign herself to this whim, her assistant's voice broke the silence. Her assistant said, his words tiptoeing over the line, "Sorry to disturb, Ms. Everly, but Mr. Sterling mentioned something about the company not running as smoothly as it should. He's waiting for you at home. I know he's your ex-husband, but privacy issues aside, it's just a business call..." "I understand. I'll handle it," Rosa said with a cold laugh, her tone dripping with disdain. Their families were still tangled in a web of shared interests. She was more than ready to deal with that piece of trash. With a decisive click, she ended the call and headed to the bathroom. The mirror reflected her image back at her-a vision of delicate beauty, like a flower in bloom. Yet, the soft radiance was marred by the lingering h***s of last night's passion, each traced a vivid reminder of their intense desire. When she emerged, her hair wrapped in a towel, the man had already stirred. He stood by the window, a towel slung low on his hips, smoking nonchalantly with his back turned. Rosa let her eyes roam over his physique with unabashed admiration. His broad shoulders and narrow waist sculpted a perfect V, muscles rippling under his skin with every slight movement. He resembled a satiated lion, leisurely surveying his territory. She wondered, 'How a man with such allure ends up working at Neon Mirage?' But the thought was quickly brushed aside. Neon Mirage was Phenara City's most prestigious nightclub, renowned for pairing clients with their perfect bedmates. The place was a playground of indulgence and fantasy, where everyone was a star in their own right. "Your name's Samuel, right?" Rosa called out, her tone brisk. The man didn't turn around, still gazing out the window. Rosa, eager to make her exit, didn't let his rudeness bother her. Rosa said, placing a check on the nightstand with a decisive slap. "Last night was quite an experience. I'd give your service a five-star review. And a little tip - next time, keep the smoke away from me." With that, she walked out the door. Once the door clicked shut behind her, the man finally turned. He picked up the check, examining it with a flick of his fingers, his eyes catching sight of the number on the paper. A smirk appeared on his face. "Next time, huh?" Just as he was pondering this, a sharply dressed man entered the room. "Mr. Madox, Mr. Thomas Madox is adamant about throwing a grand party to celebrate your return. He's insisting on inviting all the bigwigs." The so-called Mr. Madox's expression hardened as he dismissed the subordinate. "I have some personal matters to attend to. We'll deal with the party arrangements later." His gaze drifted back to the check with a smirk. He mused, 'Rosa, when we meet again, I'm sure you won't be mistaken about my name, right?' Chapter 2 Wrong Guy Before Rosa went to see her ex-husband, she made a stop at Neon Mirage. She knew the rules—if she wanted to keep that man around, she couldn’t bypass their manager. She had to clear it with the club. But something felt off. Sitting in the VIP lounge, arms crossed tightly, she frowned at the tall, skinny boy in front of her. He looked barely twenty, dressed in a white shirt and jeans, the quintessential image of a well-behaved student. He kept his eyes locked on his sneakers, clearly avoiding her gaze. A headache began to throb at Rosa's temples. "So, you're Samuel?" Rosa asked, her eyes narrowing with skepticism. "Yes," Samuel answered, glancing up momentarily before quickly lowering his head again. Rosa's frustration grew. This was all wrong. She'd been so drunk the previous night that she hadn't paid much attention to the man's appearance. This morning's hasty departure had left her with only a blurry memory of his face. Samuel might have had a similar hair color and profile, but his build and demeanor were entirely different. The man she recalled was a commanding presence - more lion than a kitten. "You're not him," Rosa said decisively. Both Samuel and her assistant were taken aback. The assistant's face went pale, his anxiety palpable. "Ms. Everly, he's the only Samuel listed in Neon Mirage." Surprisingly, the timid Samuel found a sudden surge of courage. He grabbed her hand. "Please, I really need this money. My dad's in the hospital with lung cancer, and I'm still in school, drowning in student loans..." Rosa turned her head, studying the boy's unexpected outburst. Samuel hesitated, like a gun with a jammed barrel, but then pressed on with growing desperation. "Please, don't send me away! I'll be whoever you need me to be. I'll give it my all. I just need the money..." Rosa sighed, her heart twitching with sympathy for the boy's plight. She remembered her own struggles after losing her father, watching her mother fall ill, and feeling utterly powerless. At least the boy's father was still alive. Rosa pulled out her checkbook and lifted the boy’s chin with her finger, making him look at her. His eyes were wide and innocent, like a helpless deer. Rosa scratched his chin playfully, like she was teasing a kitten. “Please me, and I’ll help treat your father.” Gratitude filled the boy’s eyes as he kissed the back of her hand. Rosa was tempted to tease him a little longer, but her ex-husband was already pushing her to meet up. With some regret, she left Neon Mirage. As she pulled out of the parking lot, a sleek black SUV passed by her car. The man in the backseat looked out the window calmly, his hawk-like eyes observing the scene outside. “Sorry, boss, I was driving too slow,” the driver said, feeling a chill run down his spine but still doing his duty. “Should we follow Ms. Everly and tell her that you’re the one she’s spending the night with?” “No need,” the man waved it off. Last night, he had told her a fake name for personal reasons to get into Neon Mirage, and unexpectedly met an interesting woman. They had a wonderful night together, and today he had planned to keep playing the part. Unfortunately, he was late, and this pleasant misunderstanding couldn’t continue. But they would have another chance to meet. He unlocked his phone and looked at an auction catalog, where one of the items up for bid was an estate bearing the name Everly. His voice took on a dangerous edge. "I may have missed my chance this time, but Ms. Everly will be the one begging to see me soon." In the wealthy district of Phenara City, a red sports car pulled up in front of a beautiful villa. Rosa stepped out, looking at her former home with disgust. She hated Elijah’s pretense. When they were still married, no matter how much she cried or yelled, Elijah never came home, always busy playing around outside. Now, after the divorce, Elijah wanted to meet at the house!? “What do you want?” Rosa walked through the door, and asked Elijah bluntly, who was waiting in the living room. To her surprise, the moment he saw her, Elijah suddenly lost it. He jumped up from the couch and shouted, “Rosa, where were you last night? Why didn’t you come home?” Rosa was stunned by her ex-husband’s shamelessness. They were divorced! The house was hers! Not only had he failed to move out on time, but now he dared to accuse her, trying to shift the blame once again!? Furious, Rosa let out a cold laugh. “If you’ve got something to say, just say it already. Just stop this pathetic game.” Elijah was taken aback. He had expected her to explain herself, to apologize, so he could move on to his real request. But there was no going back now, so Elijah forced down his discomfort and explained his reason for calling her. “There’s an issue with the Kayla’s project. I need you to take care of it. You know it’s a very important deal for both our families…” “Me? Take care of it? Have you lost your mind, Elijah?” Rosa was so furious at his audacity that she couldn't help but laugh. “Your girlfriend is the one in charge of the project—I’m just your ex-wife!” “Have you gone crazy?” Rosa pointed a finger at Elijah’s face, shouting. “You stole the project from me and handed it to your sweetheart like a gift!” Elijah frowned, wanting to say something, but before he could, several people in business attire walked through the door, followed by an unfamiliar couple. Shocked by the sudden intrusion, Elijah shifted focus. “Who are you people?” Rosa sneered, brushing her hair back, regaining her composure and elegance. She stood across from Elijah, her tone cool with disgust. “They’re the realtor and buyers here to check out the house. The court awarded me this property, and I’m free to sell it.” “Rosa, you’re selling our lovely home?” Elijah’s disbelief was clear. “What did you expect? We’re divorced. What am I supposed to do, keep it around just to disgust myself?” Rosa raised an eyebrow, pointing to the door. “Now, get out of my house!” Her final warning was sharp. “Now.” Elijah’s face flushed with anger and humiliation, but he had no choice. He handed over the keys and left in a hurry. After dealing with Elijah and wrapping up the sale of the house, Rosa finally felt a bit of relief. But no sooner had she relaxed when her personal cellphone buzzed. The number wasn’t one she recognized. A message popped up from the unfamiliar digits: “How did you enjoy last night?” Rosa couldn’t help but smile, thinking about the fun she had and the mix-up that followed today. “Interesting,” she replied. But in the next moment, she froze. She would never have given a hookup her personal number! That phone number was for family and close friends only. And she was sure this person wasn’t from either group. So who was he, and how had he gotten her private number? A chill crept up Rosa’s spine as she realized this man’s background might be far more complicated than she had thought. Chapter 3 Can't Wait to See the Look The Madox family, Phenara City's most influential clan, was hosting this year's charity auction. They seemed to be in high spirits, throwing an extravagant event and offering several priceless items for bid. The city's elite turned out in droves. Rosa, dazzling in a glamorous evening gown, reveled in the attention she commanded. She'd left her nominal lover, Samuel, at home, choosing instead to bring her assistant, Sebastian Moore. From her second-floor private box, Rosa flipped through the auction catalog. A breathtaking emerald necklace caught her eye. ''That could make a lovely birthday gift for Mom,' Rosa thought, mentally noting it for her shopping list. As she continued flipping through the pages, her finger stopped on the penultimate entry. There it was - Vintage-style Everly Estate, built a century ago by the family's viscount himself. This was the crown jewel of her evening's pursuit. Memories of carefree days spent there before her father's death came flooding back. She could almost feel the lush green lawns underfoot and see the vibrant red roses blooming in the garden. In the adjacent Box 9, a man in a tuxedo turned to the final page of the catalog. The auction house owner hovered nearby, bowing and scraping. "Mr. Madox, as per your instructions, we've replaced the final lot." "Well done." The man nodded in approval. Then, the auction house owner backed out of the box, his face beaming with satisfaction. The bidding for the emerald necklace kicked off at 300 thousand dollars. Rosa, fixated on securing the Everly Estate, decided to expedite the process. She jumped straight to the estimated value of the emerald necklace, hoping to wrap things up quickly. "500 thousand!" Her voice had barely faded when someone raised their paddle again. The auctioneer declared, "One million dollars. Mr. Sterling bids one million." Rosa thought, smirking to herself, 'dayum Elijah!' Without hesitation, she doubled the bid. "Two million." "Two and a half million." Elijah countered swiftly. "Five million." Rosa shot back without hesitation. "Five point five million," Elijah immediately responded. The bids flew back and forth, quickly rocketing well beyond the necklace's estimated value. Sebastian cautiously interjected, "Ms. Everly... You don't need to do this because of a scumbag..." Rosa flashed her assistant a reassuring smile. "I know. But if he's holding a grudge, I don't mind giving him another reason to hate me." The auctioneer's gavel crashed down with a thunderous boom. "Sold! To Mr. Sterling for this exquisite emerald necklace!" Far from crestfallen, Rosa wore a sly smirk as she glanced in Elijah's direction. Her scheme had unfolded flawlessly. The elites of Phenara City had just witnessed Elijah, scion of the Sterling family, tumble headlong into his ex-wife's glaringly obvious snare. He'd paid through the nose - eleven times over - for what amounted to little more than a glittering bauble. The socialites would be tittering behind their hands about this empty-headed fool for weeks to come. As the auction marched on, Rosa nonchalantly lifted her paddle for items that caught her fancy, more for appearances than any genuine desire to win. But when the Everly Estate materialized on the screen, she snapped to attention, her body coiled like a panther ready to pounce. This wasn't just any property. Nestled in one of Phenara City's most iconic parks, the historic Everly Estate was a crown jewel being reluctantly relinquished by its struggling caretakers to keep the wolves from the door. The starting bid flashed up: a cool 88 million. Without missing a beat, Rosa's voice rang out clear and strong. "200 million." Her paddle shot up, a flag of unwavering determination. She thought, 'Come hell or high water, I'll reclaim what is rightfully mine!' A hush fell over the opulent ballroom. The assembled glitterati held their collective breath, not daring to challenge Rosa, the indomitable head of the Everly Group. But then, from the shadows, a familiar voice piped up. It was none other than Elijah, the man Rosa had so ruthlessly cast aside and humiliated. "250 million," Elijah retorted, his tone oozing self-satisfaction. Rosa rolled her eyes. Sure, the Sterling family was swimming in cash, and Elijah was their prized heir. But he was still just a pampered trust-fund kid, barely calling his own shots. Rosa thought, 'How can his pocket change even compete with me, the head of the Everly family?' "500 million." Rosa fired back, unfazed. This was her own money, after all. "550." Elijah countered smoothly, his gaze unflinching. Rosa's instincts were on high alert. Something wasn't right. She thought, 'The Sterling family isn't exactly known for being reckless with their wealth, especially not with their bumbling heir at the helm. Unless... they are really determined to secure this estate?' No way was she letting them edge her out. "560 million," Rosa replied, her voice steady despite the adrenaline surging through her. She was pushing the limits, testing their resolve. Her ceiling was 843.67 million - every last cent she had at her disposal. "561 million." Elijah drawled, nudging the bid up by the smallest increment. Rosa's mind raced. She thought, 'Is the Sterling family stretching their limits too?' "600 million," Rosa declared, hoping to cut through the tension and bring this nerve-wracking game to an end. Every second spent locked in this twisted bidding war with Elijah made her skin crawl. "601 million," Elijah said, inching up the bid by the smallest increment possible. "Go to hell!" Rosa shot back, her patience evaporating. That jerk was playing her like a fool! "850 million!" In a last-ditch effort, Rosa threw everything she had into the pot, including some borrowed funds. She couldn't believe the Sterling family had deeper pockets. "One billion," Elijah said, his tone icy and composed. He knew he had Rosa on the ropes. He silently congratulated himself for his family's foresight in investing in tourism. Elijah was grinning from ear to ear. If he won, Rosa would be left with nothing but embarrassment. A billion-dollar bid made for a far juicier story than a mere five million. Rosa fumed internally, thinking, 'dayum it! At one billion, I'll be forced to sell off shares in my own company - my very leverage within the organization.' She daydreamed of using a baseball bat to smash Elijah's arrogant face. The auctioneer began his countdown. "Going once, one billion." This was her only chance to secure the family estate! If Elijah won, he'd never let it go. It was do or die. Rosa clenched her jaw, preparing to say, "One billion and..." But before she could finish, the auctioneer's voice cut through the tension. "Two billion! The bidder in Box 9 offers two billion." A hush fell over the room. Rosa's heart plummeted. She thought, 'Two billion... There is no way I can scrape together that kind of cash before the auction ends.' She instinctively glanced over at Box 9. Rosa wondered, 'Who is this enigmatic new bidder next to me? As long as it isn't Elijah, there is still a sliver of hope.' "Two billion, going once. Twice. Three times." The auctioneer's gavel came down with finality. "Sold!" Then, the staff brought the deed to Box 9. The man inside accepted it, but instead of sealing the deal immediately, he turned his gaze towards Rosa's box. He murmured with a smirk, "Rosa Everly, I can't wait to see the look on your face when you find out who I am." Rosa, meanwhile, was locked onto the neighboring box. For a brief, charged moment, their eyes locked across the space. Chapter 4 The Invatation Rosa was practically buzzing with impatience as the auction dragged on. Without a moment to spare, she sprinted to the neighboring box, her heart pounding in her chest. She took a steadying breath, plastered on her brightest smile, and knocked on the opulent mahogany door. "Hello, I'm..." Rosa started, but the door swung open silently, revealing a waiter in a tuxedo. Unfazed, Rosa continued, "I'm Rosa Everly from the adjacent box. I happen to share a surname with the estate you just acquired." The waiter gave a courteous bow. "Ms. Everly, I'm sorry, but the occupant has already left." "Oh?" Rosa's smile wavered for a heartbeat before it snapped back into place. She leaned into the box, hoping for a glimpse of any useful details. With practiced ease, she removed her Bulgari bracelet and subtly extended it towards the waiter. "My AC is acting up in my box. Any chance we could switch to this one?" “Sorry.” the attendant said. “I’m here to pass on a message from the owner of this private room. He added the final auction item at the last minute.” Rosa’s eyes brightened, and she turned around, giving the waiter a warm smile. “Thank you!” she replied sincerely. While Rosa was busy talking with the attendant, the owner of room nine had already left the auction house. In the back seat of his car, Julian Madox held his phone at arm’s length, clearly annoyed by the shouting coming from the other end. “Julian Madox! If I don’t see you tonight, don’t bother coming back any more!” The furious voice of an older man rang out before abruptly hanging up. “Turn around,” Julian instructed the driver as he ended the call. His gaze was sharp and intense. After a moment, he leaned back and let out a slow breath. “I forgive you.” If it hadn’t been for his father’s call, he would have been in that room, reconnecting with her. He would’ve brought up that night and playfully teased her about the mix-up. But Rosa Everly—why did you have to be Elijah’s ex-wife? With the complicated relationships between the Madox, Sterling, and Everly families, everything he was planning for this reunion could easily turn into a weapon against them in the future. Back in her private room, Rosa was lost in thought with the new clue she’d just received. Before she could process it all, her phone rang—it was her mother. “Rosa, the Madoxs are hosting a banquet this weekend, and Julian will be there,” her mother’s voice was so gentle. “Even though we’re not in-laws with the Madoxs anymore since your divorce, it’s still important to show up out of respect.” “Sure, Mom, I’ll go,” Rosa replied absentmindedly, still thinking about the auction. Then her mother’s emphasis on the name caught her attention. “Wait, Julian?” “He’s your Grandpa Thomas’ youngest son. You should call him Uncle Julian,” her mother said with a hint of a smile in her voice. “He’s been abroad for years, and now that he’s finally back home, Thomas is thrilled. He sent invitations to everyone in Phenara City.” Her mother continued, “You know, Grandpa Thomas was so good to you all these years isn’t just because you were married into the family.” Rosa understood that. Her relationship with Thomas Madox—and even with the Madox family—was something she had built herself. When she was 17, she’d snuck out with friends and stopped to help someone whose car had broken down. She found the driver unconscious and rushed him to the hospital. It was only when a crowd gathered at the hospital that she realized the man she’d saved was the head of the Madox family, one of the most influential families in Phenara City. Thomas was incredibly grateful, and years later, when Rosa’s father passed away and her relatives from the Everly side tried to take their assets, it was Thomas who stepped in, protecting their wealth with a trust fund and keeping the vultures at bay. “Don’t forget what I said,” her mother reminded her again. Rosa was about to brush it off when the auctioneer’s voice caught her attention. “And now, for our final auction item—a private collection from one of our distinguished guests.” Rosa quickly hung up the phone, straightening up in her seat. But was this person for real? Though the little rabbit was crafted from high-quality rosewood, the craftsmanship left much to be desired. It was a wooden rabbit sculpture that looked like something a child could have carved, yet the starting bid was set at a staggering one million dollars. The crowd murmured in confusion, unsure of the auction house's intentions. However, Rosa stayed sharp. She recognized that the rabbit was a clue from the occupant of Box 9 and couldn't afford to let anyone else snap it up. But, she didn't make a move, wary of provoking Elijah and a few other bored individuals who might create unnecessary trouble for her. As the seconds ticked by with no bids, she raised her paddle just as the auctioneer was about to declare it unsold. "One million," Rosa declared firmly. "Sold!" The gavel came down decisively. The rabbit was quickly delivered to Rosa, who examined it closely. There was something oddly familiar about it, but she pushed that thought aside. Instead, her attention was drawn to the accompanying note: Bach Hotel, Room 3303. Rosa's heart skipped a beat. That room was where she had spent that unforgettable night with the imposing man she could never forget. Rosa's mind was in overdrive. She thought, 'Could the man in Box 9 be the same one I've crossed paths with before? He seems to know all about the Everly Estate and the Sterling family's scheming. Why would he help me? If he has two billion, why was he masquerading as a waiter in Neon Mirage? And if he is so keen to continue our connection, why didn't he come face to face with me when we were just a room apart?' She rubbed her temples, trying to piece it all together. Rosa's thoughts churned as she pondered the situation. 'Is the owner of Room 9 trying to use the night to blackmail me? But why would he? I'm divorced, not involved in any scandalous affair. My reputation and my company are intact. Does he have another reason to keep me away? Was there something more between us?' Her mind was a jumble of confusion. Then, Rosa called out to her assistant, handing over the rabbit and the note, "Sebastian, I need you to dig into this trinket and find out who stayed in that hotel room. Also, keep an eye on my relatives! The Everly Estate isn't up for grabs." Meanwhile, in the parking lot, a sleek black sedan smoothly cruised past Rosa's red sports car. In the backseat, a man held his phone at arm's length, grimacing at the booming voice on the other end. "You ungrateful brat! Get your bottom back here! You've been back for days and haven't even seen your old man!" In stark contrast, Rosa's mother, Alice Everly, spoke with soothing warmth, "The Madox family is throwing a banquet this weekend. Julian will be there, too. Even though you're no longer tied to them after your divorce from Elijah, it's still important to show up." Rosa replied absentmindedly, her thoughts still tangled in the auction, "Sure, Mom. I'll be there." Then, she registered her mother's emphasis. "Julian?" Alice said with a chuckle, "That's right, Thomas' favorite youngest son. He's been overseas for years, but now he's finally back for good. Thomas is ecstatic, throwing a big party and inviting everyone in Phenara City. You know, Rosa, Thomas' kindness to you all these years isn't just because you were married to his adopted daughter's son." Rosa knew her favorable standing with Thomas and the Madox family was entirely her own doing. At seventeen, she'd snuck out to meet friends and stumbled upon a broken-down car. When she stopped to help, she found the driver unconscious. Without a second thought, she rushed him to the hospital, her heart racing. It wasn't until later, amidst a whirlwind of well-wishers, that she realized she had saved none other than Thomas Madox, the patriarch of Phenara City's oldest and most prestigious family. Thomas never forgot her act of heroism. When Rosa's father passed away and unscrupulous relatives tried to plunder the Everly family's fortune, Thomas stepped in. He ensured the assets were placed in a trust fund, protecting them from greedy hands. "Remember that, dear," Alice said gently. "Don't worry, Mom. Love you." On the other side, however, the atmosphere was far less warm. "If I don't see you tonight, don't even think about coming back!" The old man's voice crackled through the phone before he slammed it down. "Turn around," the man in the backseat said coldly to his driver, closing the call screen. The driver responded with a curt nod, "Yes, sir." As they drove beneath a streetlamp, the driver's face was briefly illuminated. Had Rosa been there, she would have recognized him as the waiter from Box 9. The driver ventured, "Mr. Madox, I'm sorry, but I told Ms. Everly that you added the final auction item." The man's eyes narrowed, his gaze intense. After a protracted silence, he reclined, shut his eyes, and let out a deep breath. "I forgive you." Every step he'd taken to arrange this reunion might potentially be used against them in the future. He realized his folly - he shouldn't have pursued a deeper connection with Rosa beyond their familial ties. Chapter 5 Nightmare The Madox family had spared no expense for Julian's welcome party. Thomas had gone to extremes, wishing he could polish every single leaf on the estate until they gleamed. Rosa, trying to steer clear of the Sterling family, timed her arrival at the Madox Mansion to perfection. But her attempt at a discreet entrance was abruptly interrupted when a splash of vibrant yellow swooped in from behind. Hannah Madox's exuberant voice rang out as she pulled Rosa aside. "Rosa! Sweetie, I need a huge favor. You've got to tell everyone we've been inseparable lately, got it?" Rosa immediately understood. Hannah's tardiness meant she'd been out partying rather than helping with the setup. "Come on, spill it. Where have you been? I need the whole story to cover for you," Rosa urged. Hannah tossed her hair with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Maldiva Islands... Met a few... no, an incredibly charming guy." Rosa said with resignation, "Your family must be used to your lifestyle by now. What are you afraid of?" Hannah's tone shifted to one of dread mixed with admiration. "But Uncle Julian is back! He's the ultimate nightmare for all us kids in the Madox family." "That bad, huh?" Rosa's curiosity was piqued. Hannah looked as though she might explode. "Nightmare doesn't even begin to cover it! He's barely older than me, but I have to call him 'uncle'. At school, his name is practically legendary. Everyone's always comparing me to this perfect Julian, Mr. Untouchable." She ran her fingers through her hair anxiously. "And get this - he's a ruthless tyrant at home and work, but to the outside world, he's practically Prince Charming! The whole school adores him, and he's never even had a scandal. He's been the boogeyman for all us, a nightmare we'd rather forget. You dodged a bullet by not going to our school, Rosa. Otherwise, you'd have been hearing 'Julian this, Julian that' day in, day out. We finally caught a break when he went abroad, but now he's back! I've got to be on my best behavior, or I'll never hear the end of it from my friends about letting Uncle Julian down." “An orange Hermès Kelly in lizard texture,” Rosa said, naming her price. “Done!” Hannah agreed without hesitation. “As long as we can keep it a secret!” “Keep what a secret?” Rosa and Hannah turned to see Grandpa Thomas approaching with a man beside him. Thomas was all smiles. “I heard Hannah got into some trouble, so I rushed right over!” “Grandpa!” Hannah said, clinging to Thomas’s arm and putting on a sweet act. “Your granddaughter has been such a good girl this month, spending all her time with Rosa learning about business.” Rosa didn’t hear what Hannah just had said; all her attention was fixed on the man Thomas had brought over. He looked to be in his thirties, with sharp, defined features and an air of calm authority that made him seem like a god from Greek mythology. When he caught sight of her, surprise flickered in his deep-set eyes, which glimmered with a cold intensity. Rosa's heart started racing for no apparent reason. It wasn’t attraction or admiration; it felt more like being prey in the sights of a predator. Julian Madox. In that instant, Rosa recognized him—the youngest son of Thomas Madox, the most enigmatic second-generation member of the Madox family. Just as Rosa was about to say something, his gaze slid past her. His profile was striking, reminiscent of an ancient Greek sculpture, which felt oddly familiar. Before she could place him, an annoying voice interrupted her thoughts. “Rosa, you finally made it! Elijah and I are getting engaged—hope you’re not upset!” Rosa turned to face the speaker. Kayla, Elijah's lover. With a cold smile, Rosa replied, “You don’t get to call me Rosa.” She knew Kayla’s friendliness was just a way to manipulate her. Kayla, a mistress, was in a tricky position here, and her greeting was meant to show everyone that she and Rosa were on good terms, as if she had earned Rosa’s forgiveness. That way, when she married Elijah, she wouldn’t look too bad in the headlines in Phenara City. Rosa scoffed, “You slept with my husband and now you're pretending like nothing happened? Are you serious?” Kayla’s expression soured as Rosa spoke nothing but the truth. Kayla always claimed that she started pursuing Elijah only after Rosa and Elijah divorced, but Rosa knew they had been an item long before that! In fact, on the night of Rosa’s wedding, Elijah had reached out to Kayla to comfort her! “I didn’t!” Kayla put on her usual facade, feigning innocent. “You can’t just slander us because you have issues with me!” “Really?” Julian chuckled lightly. “Weren’t you two already acquainted long before? In high school, Elijah even had a Sterling family crest ring he wanted to give you.” “How do you know that?” Kayla gasped, taken aback. That was her secret with Elijah! “You shameless bast3rds,” Hannah chimed in, defending her friend. “We don’t want you here!” Julian waved his hand, and a Madox family servant politely escorted Kayla out. “Thank you,” Rosa said to the three Madoxs. “Sorry for causing you trouble.” “Speaking of trouble,” Julian turned to Hannah, “what exactly are you trying to hide from Rosa?” “Don’t mention it” Hannah said. “Let me take a guess,” the man said, smiling and showing off his handsome features. “Is it about drunken nights in Phantasm or couples’ diving in the Maldives?” Bingo. In that moment, Rosa understood why Hannah viewed her uncle as a nightmare. To him, they were practically transparent. Chapter 6 Unknown Shadows Rosa gaped, thinking, 'How could he possibly be so informed? Didn't he just return today?' With a clever feign of ignorance, she smoothly replied, "Oh, it was merely some crucial networking. Phenara City is really pushing to expand its tertiary sector, so we went out to conduct some market research." Julian looked at her with amused disbelief but chose not to press further. Thomas, who was well aware of the younger generation's penchant for fun and games, chuckled indulgently. "As long as you're taking the initiative, that's the main thing." Rosa flashed Thomas a grateful smile, about to respond, when Clara, Thomas' adopted daughter, approached with her son Elijah in tow. "Dad, Julian!" Clara cooed, latching onto Thomas' arm. Her gaze then fell on Rosa, and her voice turned syrupy sweet. "Oh, isn't this Elijah's ex-wife? Elijah, honey, say hello to Rosa." But Elijah seemed oblivious to his mother's urging. His eyes were locked on Rosa and Julian, a storm brewing in his expression. He thought, 'My ex-wife shacking up with that college boy Samuel wasn't enough? Now she's eyeing other men too? Was everything she ever told me a lie?' A cocktail of anger and jealousy roiled in Elijah's gut. Thomas, ever the diplomat, stepped in to defuse the tension. "Rosa, let me make a proper introduction. This is Julian, my youngest son. Since you're a close friend of Hannah's, treat him a family, just like she does." Thomas stepped in to defuse the tension with the Sterling family, making it clear that Rosa's presence at the gala had nothing to do with them. He aimed to prevent the Sterling family from making a fuss or using the situation against her. Rosa said with poise, extending her hand to Julian, "Rosa Everly. Pleasure to meet you, Julian." He shook her hand firmly yet gently. "Julian Madox. The pleasure's all mine, Rosa." To everyone's surprise, Julian then drew Rosa into a light, warm embrace. "It's truly a delight to meet you," Julian murmured, his deep, velvety voice sending a pleasant shiver down Rosa's spine. "May I have this dance?" Julian asked, bowing slightly with one hand extended, the other tucked behind his back in a charming gesture. "I'd be honored," Rosa replied, placing her hand in his. She sensed Julian was offering her a graceful escape from the Sterling family's pettiness. As they floated onto the dance floor, neither of them noticed the fury burning in Elijah's eyes. He thought, 'She was the one who pursued me first! She practically begged for our marriage! And now she can't even look at me?' Elijah's fists clenched in barely contained rage. Rosa whispered as they swayed to the music, "Thank you, Julian. For rescuing me just in time." Julian's rich voice rumbled above her. "My pleasure. Happy to be of service." As the song drew to a close, Julian followed etiquette with a kiss on her hand and gently released her from his embrace. Rosa gracefully stepped back, only to be met by Sebastian, who approached with urgency etched into his features. "Ms. Everly, Samuel just called. There's been a break-in at your villa. The place has been ransacked." Her eyes turned to cold steel as she absently reached for a cocktail from a passing tray. "Is Samuel hurt?" Sebastian shook his head. "No, he said he's fine - just some minor injuries he can manage. But he did mention... it was the Sterling family's people who did it." Rosa barked, downing her cocktail in a single gulp before rattling off the address, "Get a doctor over to Emerald Villa, I'm heading there myself." Sebastian's expression turned worried. "What about today's gala?" Rosa's gaze was steely as she looked towards the grand hall. "It's just a party. Samuel's life could be on the line." She added with a glance towards the cheerful Sterling family, "I'll tell Thomas later. They're going to pay for this." At Emerald Villa, Rosa found Samuel battered and bruised, with a broken finger among his injuries. Her personal physician was already at work, tending to his wounds. "I'm staying the night," Rosa declared firmly. She continued, settling beside him, "They won't dare show up again with me here. You need to rest." Samuel's voice was barely audible, tinged with guilt. "I'm so sorry for causing trouble. They told me if I valued my life, I should get as far away from you as possible. They're out to hurt you." Rosa's mind flashed back to the confrontation at the Madox Mansion. "I know. This is on me; they're targeting me. The Sterling family is nothing but bullies who prey on the weak. Once you're healed, there's a job waiting for you at my company." Samuel's eyes widened in disbelief. Rosa said with a playful smirk, "A finance prodigy from Crestwood University, aren't you? You didn't think I'd keep someone around without checking their background, did you? How would you like a chance to get even?" Samuel was overwhelmed by emotion. This woman had not only helped save his father and allowed him to continue his studies but now offered to help him reclaim his dignity. He looked at her as if she were a goddess sent from the heavens. Samuel thought to himself, 'Oh, goddess, please shower me with your mercy.' Rosa, with a phone in one hand and her other gently ruffling his hair, said softly, "Get some rest." Samuel asked, his disappointment palpable, "You're leaving? I thought you said you'd stay." Rosa shook her head, regret in her eyes. "I'm sorry, but I have to break that promise. Sebastian will stay with you; he's just as good as me being here." Changing into a business suit, Rosa left. She couldn't reveal the real reason for her departure to Samuel. Just now, as she prepared to stay, she received a new message from the unknown number. It contained two images: one of the Everly Estate deed and another of a familiar room number. Standing in front of room 3303 at the Bach Hotel, Rosa knocked softly. The door wasn't locked, swinging open a crack at her touch. The room beyond was shrouded in darkness. Taking a deep breath, Rosa gripped the handle, pushed the door open, and stepped into the unknown shadows that awaited her. ... Open the app and continue reading the rest of the story . 👉 (It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app)	INSTALL_MOBILE_APP	https://www.dreame.com/story/646012160-professor-i	Novelclub-online	https://www.facebook.com/100091719427096/	4,027	1969-12-31 18:00	Install now	dreame.com	IMAGE	After splitting up with her cheating ex-husband, Anna had a wild and passionate night with a handsome guy and it was just perfect! Anna decided to keep this man by paying him, but the guy was so mysterious and only met her in dark rooms. "Room 3303. You know what I mean." At the same time, an amazin...	https://www.dreame.com/story/646012160-professor-in-daylight--s-x-freak-in-nighttime?utm_source=facebook_ads_wapofficial&utm_campaign=Double-dreame-en-winnie-newtest-facebook-0-cpc-6117846-stfcy-241125周-1129-yw-01-6117846	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/468882622_504217449308985_251563625401292552_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=cHPI4KevvNIQ7kNvgGpjk5M&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AwlaTFnXnbXVFfpcrE0KArg&oh=00_AYB3eAxX7m8mtl6x7mC8PuQ3RTPwOAHQkCSF85Qo0GC21w&oe=67501612	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Novelclub-online	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
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2,557,084	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2557265}'	Yes	2024-11-29 18:47	active	1937		🔥 𝘽𝙡𝙖𝙘𝙠 𝙁𝙧𝙞𝙙𝙖𝙮 𝙂𝙡𝙑𝙀𝘼𝙒𝘼𝙔! 🔥 🤑 Enter for a chance to 𝗪𝗹𝗡 $200 credit to use on any of my services! ⁽ᵛᵃˡⁱᵈ ᶠᵒʳ ᵘᵖ ᵗᵒ ¹ ʸᵉᵃʳ⁾ OR A FREE 2024 Holiday Shoot ~ Your Choice. 𝙃𝙀𝙍𝙀𝙎 𝙒𝙃𝘼𝙏 𝙔𝙊𝙐'𝙑𝙀 𝙂𝙊𝙏𝙏𝘼 𝘿𝙊: • Make sure you LIKE/ FOLLOW my page! • You must LIKE THIS POST! • Comment "DONE" & TAG 3 friends! (𝘗𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘱𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘔𝘜𝘚𝘛 𝘊𝘖𝘔𝘗𝘓𝘌𝘛𝘌 𝘈𝘓𝘓 𝘚𝘛𝘌𝘗𝘚 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥!) 🔥𝙒𝘼𝙉𝙏 𝙩𝙤 𝙜𝙚𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙣𝙖𝙢𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙬𝙞𝙘𝙚?? 🔥 Go to the top of my page, Select the 3 dots near our name, Click "INVITE FRIENDS" & "INVITE ALL".... Screen shot the screen right after you do this & post it in the comments under your entry!! 𝙒𝙡𝙉𝙉𝙀𝙍 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙗𝙚 𝙍𝘼𝙉𝘿𝙊𝙈𝙇𝙔 𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝘿𝙀𝘾𝙀𝙈𝘽𝙀𝙍 6th & 𝙖𝙣𝙣𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙙 on my page!! 𝘎𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘭𝘶𝘤𝘬 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘭𝘭 & 𝘛𝘏𝘈𝘕𝘒 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘓𝘖𝘝𝘌 & 𝘚𝘜𝘗𝘗𝘖𝘙𝘛! - Jessica Laine @topfans	MESSAGE_PAGE		Jessica Laine Photography	https://www.facebook.com/JessicaLainePhotograph/	1,835	1969-12-31 18:00	Send message		IMAGE			1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/468783853_1296571831535782_5815157091939574049_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Yv9LXMiWnXcQ7kNvgG8r7d7&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AzL4q8ixKyUeT7BBzEUqaCU&oh=00_AYDg_IpUN2D6C1S73gfkJEN1ZZOdq8kQREQtwOSNPeEeFw&oe=67503003	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Jessica Laine Photography	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
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2,558,501	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	No	2024-11-29 19:21	active	1938	Learn About Pharmacy Technician Certification: All You Need To Know	Explore Info About Pharmacy Technician Certification: Your Complete Guide.	LEARN_MORE	https://sarb.path-2-career.com/article/sarb-pharma	Career Compass	https://www.facebook.com/61565893242719/	344	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	sarb.path-2-career.com	IMAGE	Understanding pharmacy technician certification: Your comprehensive guide By Eric Wong \| November 28, 2024 Are you considering a career as a pharmacy technician? Discover the vital role of pharmacy technician certification, the process to obtain it, potential benefits, and career prospects. This gui...	https://sarb.path-2-career.com/article/sarb-pharmacy-technician-certification-ea/?channel=mm_ch368&rac=Learn%20About%20Pharmacy%20Technician%20Certification%3A%20All%20You%20Need%20To%20Know	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/468459456_990823443061842_4794486468788693388_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=U2F4kxIP9PcQ7kNvgFP3ZKD&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AeVMfCVnpEP1NXJlL4UaQ8u&oh=00_AYCmWrFmQX06LdSJFGc1Ea0_SX2kSl1zwFL_kapQ2sFmjg&oe=67503415	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Career Compass	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,559,323	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	Yes	2024-11-29 19:39	active	1939	Read next chapter	She and her stepsister fell in love with the same man, but when he knelt down to beg her to save her stepsister, she felt desperate. She demanded to become his wife to save her stepsister. Two years later, when she got the divorce agreement as scheduled, she realized that she had ended up losing everything. ===== Emma Cooper boarded her flight home after three grueling months of filming. Today was also the final day of Emma's contractual marriage. The four-hour journey felt endless, but at last, the plane touched down. Once she retrieved her suitcase, she made her way toward the exit, expecting a company car. But as soon as the doors slid open, she spotted someone familiar--Edwin Reid, the Jenner family's long-time driver. He stood by a sleek black Rolls-Royce, his posture rigid and respectful, waiting. Dragging her suitcase, she approached. Edwin immediately took over, wordlessly opening the car door for her. Inside, a man sat in silence. His presence was cold yet commanding, encased in a perfectly tailored black suit. His sharply chiseled face devoid of any expression, he didn't look up--not even a glance her way. It was Ricky Jenner, her husband of two years. His unexpected appearance caught her off guard, though she quickly remembered why he was here. Their arrangement was ending today. Of course, he would show up. Emma slid into the car, maintaining a careful distance, the space between them as silent and tense as ever. For two years, Ricky had made it clear--he didn't want her close. Tonight was the first time they had been seated so near, and the closeness felt foreign. The faint scent of his cologne lingered between them, familiar but distant, like everything about him. Edwin quietly loaded her suitcase into the trunk and slid back behind the wheel. As the car pulled away from the airport, the silence inside grew suffocating. Ricky's expression remained as cold and distant as ever, his presence casting a shadow over the space. Emma's heart raced, each breath coming in shallow, uneasy waves. Twenty minutes later, the Rolls-Royce rolled to a stop in front of the Jenner family's grand estate. Before Emma could collect her thoughts, the butler rushed out, swiftly opening the door. Ricky stepped out first, his long strides carrying him toward the house without so much as a glance in her direction. "Let's go to the study," he muttered, his tone clipped, not even bothering to slow his pace. Emma's nerves had been on edge the entire ride. She knew what was coming. The moment she entered the study, she saw Ricky pull out a stack of papers from the desk drawer, tossing them in front of her. "Let's get a divorce," he said. Emma's heart twisted painfully in her chest, but she remained composed. She had loved Ricky for ten years, and wearing the title of Mrs. Jenner had never brought her closer to his heart. His body, his soul--none of him had ever belonged to her. "Nicola is old enough to marry now, isn't she?" Emma said, her voice trembling despite her best effort to keep it steady. Ricky's brow twitched slightly, a flicker of impatience crossing his sharp features. He didn't bother responding to her comment. Instead, he immediately extended the pen toward her, a silent demand. Emma forced a smile, but it felt like a crack in her mask. Without her usual makeup, her lips looked pale, and her face seemed drained of life. The exhaustion was undeniable. "Just sign it," Ricky said, emotionless and firm. She accepted the pen and, without sparing a glance at the contents of the contract, flipped to the last page and signed her name. The act felt final, yet hollow. As she placed the pen down, Emma glanced up at Ricky. His eyes, still striking, stared back at her with an icy detachment that sent a shiver through her. It was as if he was looking at a stranger, not his wife. "It's getting late. I'll move out tomorrow, if that's alright?" Emma asked, her voice fragile, her smile tense as she searched Ricky's face for even a shred of warmth. But Ricky's response came swift and sharp, dashing any hope. "Edwin will take you to a hotel." Was he really sending her away this very moment? Not even allowing her the courtesy of one last night under this roof? Her forced smile faltered, then vanished altogether. The silence between them stretched, heavy. Their eyes locked for a fleeting moment before she turned away, her heart hardening with each step as she left the room. In her bedroom, Emma took the suitcase she hadn't even had the chance to unpack. When she dragged her suitcase downstairs, the maids rushed to help, but she waved them off, her smile weary. "Thank you, but I can handle it." They exchanged helpless glances, standing quietly in a line as they watched her approach the door. In the two years she had spent in this house, Emma had grown to care for the people here. Everyone, except Ricky, had shown her warmth. A pang of sorrow hit her, but after enduring two years of emotional isolation, she no longer had the strength to fight. It was over. Time to move on, and finally, let go. Despite the searing pain ripping through her chest, Emma remained dry-eyed. She had learned how to hide her emotions well. As she slid into the backseat of the car, she forced herself to appear composed. Edwin drove her through the city streets and dropped her off at a five-star hotel. Without a word, he left. Inside, Emma checked in and powered on her phone, which had been off for hours. There was a missed call from her father, Colby Cooper. She inhaled deeply, bracing herself as she dialed his number. Colby picked up almost immediately. "Emma, Nicola's condition has worsened," he said, his voice rough, weighed down with exhaustion and worry. Emma's heart skipped a beat. "What? When did this happen?" "About a week ago." "Why didn't you tell me sooner?" she asked. "You were busy filming. I didn't want to burden you," Colby explained. Emma paused, the silence between them heavy. Her mind flashed back to two years ago, when she had donated her bone marrow to save Nicola Cooper. The realization hit her--she knew exactly why her father was calling. "What do you need me to do?" she asked, her voice steady but resigned. "No, there's nothing you need to do. Ricky's already taken care of everything--he's brought in top doctors, and the hospital found a bone marrow match for Nicola from the registry. You just need to visit when you can," Colby said. Emma stayed silent, her chest tightening. Colby, sensing her hesitation, gave her Nicola's room number and urged her to come soon, mentioning how much Nicola missed her. A sharp pain gripped her heart. She managed a weak "okay" before quickly ending the call, unable to hear more. That night felt endless. She tossed and turned on the unfamiliar hotel bed, her mind racing. By 2 a.m., she gave in, ordering a bottle of red wne. She drank most of it before finally drifting off into a fitful sleep. The next morning, close to noon, Emma was jolted awake by her phone ringing. Her agent's voice was quick and urgent on the other end. She pitched the idea of her joining a popular rural reality show--one that guaranteed fame for all who participated. "I'm not interested. I need a break," she replied, her voice groggy with exhaustion. Her agent snapped, clearly frustrated, "A break? Do you think you can take a break whenever you feel like it? Look, you've been in this industry for three years. You've turned down intimate scenes, refused reality shows and avoided any publicity stunts with male celebrities. The company has bent over backward to accommodate you! But what now?" Her voice grew sharper. "Three years in, and you still lack ambition. Keep this up, and your career will be done." "Then let it be done." "Emma, you..." Her agent's voice was cut off as Emma ended the call without hesitation. The frustration simmered inside her, but she didn't dwell on it. She headed straight to the bathroom, ignoring the incessant buzzing of her phone. After a long shower, feeling slightly more clear-headed, she decided to reach out to Jenifer Howard, a close friend she hadn't seen for a while. Emma asked if she could stay at Jenifer's place for a few days. Jenifer was thrilled and agreed, coming over to pick her up almost immediately. Once settled at Jenifer's, Emma unpacked her things and shared a quiet meal with her friend. That afternoon, she made her way to Ecatin General Hospital. Standing outside Nicola's room, Emma watched through the glass as the caregiver tried feeding her sister. Nicola, frail and pale, managed only a few bites before she began to retch. Emma's chest tightened with a sorrow she couldn't fully articulate. Nicola was her half-sister, five years younger and barely twenty now. They had been inseparable as children; Nicola had always looked up to her, following her everywhere. But everything changed when they both fell in love with Ricky. Two years ago, when Nicola was first diagnosed with leukemia, Ricky had been beside himself with worry. That was when the truth hit Emma--Ricky didn't love her. His heart belonged to Nicola. Chapter 2 You Don't Deserve To Be Around Nicola Back then, Emma's blod test results had come back clear--there were no complications, no signs of rejection. She could save Nicola. In truth, Emma wouldn't have hesitated to donate her bone marrow to a stranger, let alone her own sister. But before she could even voice her decision, Ricky had already thought of her as cold and indifferent, assuming she wouldn't step up to save Nicola. He was so desperate that he even knelt before her, pleading for her help--a sight that shattered Emma's heart. Never in her life had she seen Ricky humble himself for anyone like that. She had known Ricky since they were kids. From elementary school to high school, they had been inseparable. Childhood sweethearts, as some might have called them. Ricky used to get into fights with other boys just to defend her, and he would stay up late into the night to help her prepare for exams. She had believed, naively, that after all those years of being by his side, she would eventually earn his love. But she was wrong. Feelings, she had come to understand, were never won by logic or time. Emma was never as good at acting cute or knowing exactly how to please Ricky as Nicola. While he cared for both of them, the way he doted on Nicola was always more tender, more genuine. He must have loved her deeply. The thought pierced Emma's heart, and her eyes stung with unshed tears. What hurt most wasn't just Ricky's love for Nicola but the fact that he had assumed she was heartless enough to let her sister die. That judgment, so harsh and wrong, had infuriated her. In a moment of blind anger, she had demanded that Ricky marry her. She wanted to be his wife. Even though the marriage would only last two year, she had believed--foolishly--that it would be enough time for Ricky to fall in love with her. But reality, sharp and unforgiving, had torn that hope apart. She had lost. Miserably. "You still have the nerve to show your face here?" A biting voice yanked Emma out of her thoughts. Emma quickly wiped away her tears and turned to see Verena Cooper standing behind her, her expression instantly turning cold. Verena, her stepmother, was forty but looked a decade younger. With her perfectly styled hair and chic designer clothes, she exuded elegance and control. When Emma was still mourning the loss of her mother, Verena, who had been the family's servant, got pregnant. The father of the baby was Colby. "Spare me the crocodile tears!" Verena sneered, brushing past Emma as she entered the hospital room. Emma swallowed her frustration and followed behind, forcing herself to remain composed. When Nicola saw her, a faint light flickered in her otherwise tired eyes. "Emma," she said softly, a trace of warmth in her voice. Emma smiled, walking over to gently take Nicola's hand. "I heard you've been missing me." Nicola nodded, her expression gentle. "I haven't seen you for three months. I really missed you." Emma's heart twisted painfully. Nicola, with her innocence and kindness, made everything so much more difficult. How could her own sister, the one she'd loved and cared for, be the one standing between her and the man she longed for? When Nicola had fallen ill, Emma had crossed a line she could never uncross--using that tragedy to secure her place as Mrs. Jenner. She had expected Nicola to resent her for it, maybe even despise her. In her mind, their meetings would be cold, filled with resentment and distance. But Nicola still cared about her as though nothing had changed. And that was the hardest part of all. Every time Emma looked at her sister, the guilt became unbearable. "I'm taking a break right now, so I've got plenty of time to spend with you," Emma said, her eyes still red from emotion, but she forced a smile. Nicola's face lit up. "That's amazing! I want you to visit me every day until I'm discharged, okay?" "Of course, I'll be here every day," Emma replied warmly. From the side, Verena rolled her eyes, glaring at Emma with open contempt. She held her tongue for Nicola's sake, but every time she looked at Emma, her anger flared. She couldn't forget how Nicola had become a shell of herself when Ricky married Emma. Fighting her bitterness, Verena coaxed Nicola to sleep. Once Nicola was asleep, she turned to Emma, her voice cold. "Ricky's coming soon to see Nicola. If you don't want an uncomfortable scene, you'd better go." Emma stood silently, taking in her words. After one last glance at Nicola, now peacefully asleep, she turned and headed for the door. Just as she reached the doorway, Verena's voice cut through the air once more. "Don't bother coming back. After everything you've done to her, you don't deserve to be around Nicola." Emma didn't say a word. She walked out, her steps heavy with the weight of a truth she'd long grown accustomed to carrying. Emma quietly closed the door behind her and collapsed onto a bench in the corridor. She buried her face in her hands as tears flowed uncontrollably, her body shaking with silent sobs. Jenifer had been waiting outside in the car for far too long. Concerned, she decided to head into the hospital to check on Emma. When she entered the corridor and saw Emma hunched over on the bench, looking utterly defeated, Jenifer was about to rush over when she noticed Ricky stepping out of the elevator. He paused when he spotted Emma, but after a brief pause, he walked toward her. Emma had been following Ricky everywhere since childhood; she knew the sound of his footsteps anywhere. Hearing that familiar rhythm, she quickly wiped her face and tried to compose herself, though the effort felt futile. "Are you here to see Nicola?" she asked, forcing a smile as she looked up at him. Her eyes were swollen from crying, with streaks of smudged makeup on her face. She looked fragile, a shadow of her usual self. Ricky's response was indifferent. "You've already visited her?" "Yes," Emma whispered. For a moment, something in her appearance must have stirred a hint of sympathy, because Ricky, in an unusual display of kindness, added softly, "Don't worry. Nicola will be undergoing a bone marrow transplant soon. She'll get better soon enough." "I know." With just those words, Ricky simply turned to push open the door to Nicola's room. But before he could step inside, Emma couldn't help but call after him, "Please, take good care of her." If she couldn't have him, then maybe it was time to let go, to give him back to Nicola--the one he truly loved. Ricky paused, his hand on the door. Without turning to face her, he replied in a voice laced with restrained anger, "I don't need you to remind me. I'll take care of her." His words were sharp, each syllable weighted with frustration. Emma flinched. She had already signed the divorce papers, freeing him from their hollow marriage, giving him the chance to return to Nicola. This was what he had always wanted, wasn't it? So why did he still seem so furious with her? Was he really that eager to be rid of her? Did he hate her that much? Ricky disappeared into the room, but Emma remained frozen on the bench, her eyes locked on the closed door. She felt hollow, lost in the emptiness of it all. Jenifer, who had been watching from a distance, couldn't bear it any longer. She rushed over, gently pulling Emma to her feet and dragging her away from the hospital ward. In the days that followed, Emma continued visiting the hospital, but she no longer went inside Nicola's room. She only stood by the door, looking through the glass to catch a glimpse of her sister. Sometimes she would see Ricky taking Nicola for walks outside, their closeness painfully clear. From afar, she would watch, a quiet spectator to the life she had no part in. Ricky's coldness toward her was always in stark contrast to his gentle care for Nicola, a contrast that left Emma with a deep, aching wound that never seemed to heal. A month later, Nicola successfully underwent her bone marrow transplant. There were no signs of rejection or complications, and her recovery was progressing smoothly. For the first time in a long while, Emma felt a sense of relief. In the past month, Ricky spent nearly all his time at the hospital, constantly by Nicola's side. He seemed to have forgotten about going to the courthouse with her to finalize the divorce. Emma had watched enough of his affection toward Nicola. She was ready to close this chapter, ready to walk away and rebuild her life. That day, she made up her mind to call him. The phone rang for what felt like an eternity before Ricky finally picked up. "What is it?" he asked, his tone as cold and detached as ever. Emma didn't hesitate. "When are we going to finalize the divorce?" There was a heavy pause on the other end of the line. When Ricky finally spoke again, his voice was distant, but his words caught her off guard. "I haven't signed the papers yet." Her heart skipped a beat. After all this time, he still hadn't signed the divorce papers? Emma froze for a moment, her mind racing. Why hadn't Ricky signed the papers yet? Could he have changed his mind? Was there a possibility he no longer wanted the divorce? The thought was fleeting and absurd, and she quickly dismissed it. Ricky had always wanted to be free of her. Now that Nicola was recovering and old enough to marry, there was no reason for him to hold on. This delay couldn't possibly mean anything different. "Meet me at the courthouse tomorrow at nine," she said, her tone sharp, leaving no room for discussion before hanging up the phone. Meanwhile, in Ricky's office. For two years, Ricky had been waiting for this moment--the end of their marriage. The divorce papers had been drawn up months ago, prepared by his assistant, ready for the final signatures that would sever their ties for good. He had thought the moment he signed would bring relief, a clean break. But after Emma had actually signed them, something gnawed at him. A strange unease he couldn't shake. Ricky wasn't sure anymore, not even of himself. He wasn't something to be traded or handed over between two women. His decisions were his own--no one else had the right to make them for him. He calmly finished his work, then pulled the divorce papers from his desk drawer and tore them to pieces. "Divorce?" Ricky's lips twisted into a mocking smile. "It's not that simple. The game has just begun." ...... ==== Two years ago, Ricky found himself coerced into marrying Emma to protect the woman he cherished. From Ricky's perspective, Emma was despicable, resorting to underhanded schemes to ensure their marriage. He maintained a distant and cold attitude toward her, reserving his warmth for another. Yet, Emma remained wholeheartedly dedicated to Ricky for more than ten years. As she grew weary and considered relinquishing her efforts, Ricky was seized by a sudden fear. What happens next? Available chapters here are limited, click the button below to install the App and enjoy more exciting chapters (Automatically jump to this novel when you open the app) &3&	LEARN_MORE	https://fbweb.moboreader.net/62445322-fb_contact-e	Fun Novel	https://www.facebook.com/100090881055588/	1,257	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	fbweb.moboreader.net	VIDEO		https://fbweb.moboreader.net/62445322-fb_contact-enj103_2-1101-core1.html?adid={{ad.id}}&char=331118&accid=233925549638247&rawadid=120213135762120604	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465673344_1248850759787366_8542297832339954376_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=P12pyr7DcHkQ7kNvgHPnHCE&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=ABuhCMg3jR6S1M2N6qsoHh4&oh=00_AYAr_XBT_pTHmKnwveNJ9iN0TuJe3enpvJcRHfZnrYnhAA&oe=67503C76	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Fun Novel	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,557,586	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	No	2024-11-29 18:58	active	1938	Best Friend Divorced Me When I Carried His Baby	For her, marrying her best friend and carrying his child was a dream come true. However, just at this joyful moment, the man's beloved returned... ===== "It's a good thing you're cautious. You could've lost your baby, Miss Monroe," the GYN told me seriously as she could see the shock in my eyes. Had I heard it right? I was pregnant? I was pregnant with a baby for Pierce--my best friend and my first crush! On the way out of the hospital, I couldn't wait to tell Pierce about our baby. I wondered what his reaction would be. Would he scream in happiness? God! I couldn't contain my happiness. I cupped my flushed face as I fantasized, but the moment I felt the cold of the simple ring on my finger, my wildly beating heart calmed down. I almost forgot that Pierce wasn't the type to be keen on having children, especially since our marriage was arranged by his family. Pierce was a complete gentleman, both as a friend and a husband. Every time we did intimate thing, he was considerate yet cautious, saying there was no need to add extra shackles when we weren't ready. This baby, in a way, was out of the plan. "Ma'am, is everything okay? Do you need to call the boss?" my private driver, Luke, asked worriedly as he noticed my frown. Luke was reliable, like family, but if I chose to share, I still wanted Pierce to be the first to know this news. He was my baby's father. "No," I shook my head, giving Luke a reassuring smile. "He's on a flight. I'll talk to him later myself." I wanted to sense his answer directly from his raw expressions. I was always good at that. I closed my eyes, recalling the first day we met. His bright smile in the sunlight was so dazzling; he was a Prince. Long before we became best friends, I fell in love with him at first sight. But it was only unrequited love; I knew that well. I slid down the car window to get some fresh air but accidentally caught a glimpse of our old high school. That bitter feeling filled my chest once again. Pierce was my first love, but I wasn't his. In high school, I was just a boring nerd in others' eyes while Pierce Anderson was the shining quarterback. Everyone was surprised that we could be friends. Though envy arose, I enjoyed being around him. I slowly realized that I didn't just want to be his friend. However, right when I was about to confess my feelings to him, another girl came into his life. I shook my head, trying to rid myself of those sad memories. I gripped the cold wedding ring on my finger, telling myself the past was the past. Pierce said they were over, and I was his wife now. I was his wife who was carrying his baby. I wiped the tears from the corners of my eyes and opened the door to our house. My heart calmed as I breathed in the scent of home. Our home. Pierce and I decorated it together with our own hands. We enjoyed it. Yes, I must have been overthinking. That woman had been out of our lives for a long time, and my marriage with Pierce had been as beautiful as a fairy tale for the past three years. I glanced at the clock on the wall. At this point, Pierce should have gotten off the plane. He had been traveling for over a month for the sake of our family's business. Pierce was the President of ADE, the leading fashion magazine company in Asia, and I was actually the Vice President. We were not only life partners but also good partners at work. I really missed him. I dialed his number immediately. I wanted to hear his voice now, to know when he would arrive home. I would prepare a good meal for him, and he would reward me with a sweet kss. Then we might do intimate thing... Oops, I almost forgot I was pregnant now. I needed to tell him this first before we could do anything else. I was happily envisioning our lovely reunion when my heart dropped as a woman's voice came over the line. [Hello?] I snapped the phone as just one word came out. My phone fell to the floor, and my body started shaking uncontrollably. NO! It couldn't be her! It couldn't be Lexi! She was already out of our lives! I must have misheard. I rushed to the fridge, attempting to calm myself with some alhol. But the moment I was reminded of the doctor's words and my baby. I needed to be cautious for my baby's sake. I turned to grab a box of milk and walked toward the sofa. I didn't know what made me recognize that as Lexi's voice at that moment. I meant Lexi and I were never close. Lexi Gilbert was a typical blonde beauty that men would go crazy for. She was the popular cheerleader in high school while Pierce was the star quarterback. A better match than he and a nerd like me, right? It wasn't surprising that he had fallen for her. My pride couldn't stand watching the man I loved go crazy for another woman. So I had once tried to stay away from them silently, but Pierce refused to quit my life. Every time I drowned myself in a sea of books and studies to forget them, Pierce would appear at my doorstep asking me out. I couldn't say no to his charming smile; I couldn't refuse when he claimed it was his duty as my best friend to take me out to enjoy the real world. To avoid ruining our friendship, I could only hide my broken heart, silently playing the role of his best friend while watching his happy face as he pursued another girl. I finally mustered the courage to study abroad when I learned that Pierce was planning to propose to Lexi. However, I never expected Grams would call to beg me to return. I hurried back only to see a lifeless Pierce. His heart was shattered, thanks to Lexi. My beloved sunshine boy was nowhere to be seen, and my heart bed for him. I started to hate Lexi from that moment. I gave up my cherished man for her, and how dared she harm him so badly! Pierce didn't tell anyone what happened except that he was done with Lexi. Grams arranged our marriage. I didn't understand why he agreed until the day I heard him say that marrying anyone but Lexi would be the same for him. It hurt like hell, but I still walked into this marriage without a second thought. My cherished boy was broken, and I wanted to fix him, not caring if I ruined myself in the process. I fell asleep at home, feeling insecure and worried. I woke up in the middle of the night when I felt someone caressing my cheek. Slowly, I opened my eyes and realized I had fallen asleep in the living room. Someone lifted me from the couch. I immediately recognized his scent and touch as I looked at him with heavy-lidded eyes. "Pierce..." "Hmm," he hummed as he walked toward the stairs. "Why did you sleep on the couch?" I stared at his face as he gently placed me down on the bed. He caressed my hair and kssed my forehead. He was always so gentle, and that was why I loved him so much. "Where have you been? I've been waiting for you," I said as I caressed his cheek. "Just met a friend. You said you were waiting for me; is it something urgent?" Looking at his gentle face, I suddenly didn't want to ruin the moment, so I closed my parted lips and swallowed the truth back down. Tomorrow, maybe tomorrow, I would have the courage to face all the puzzles. I shook my head and pouted, signaling that I was sleepy. He chuckled and carefully carried me to the bed. Just as he was about to leave me after giving me a goodnight kss, I panicked for some reason. I quickly grabbed him... I missed him. I wanted him. "Wait, Kels," he said, stopping me by pinning my hands to the bed. "I thought you said you were sleepy and needed to rest." "But I think I miss you more now." I looked at him with innocence and caught the dire flashing in his eyes, but I didn't know why it faded so quickly. He used to be happy when I took the initiative. As if noticing my confusion, he chuckled and playfully pinched my nose. "I'll just take a shower." I nodded and watched him as he walked toward the bathroom. But drowsiness struck again, so I closed my eyes to take a nap. However, it was already morning when I opened my eyes again, and Pierce was beside me, putting a tray of food on the bedside table. "Hey!" I greeted, smiling when I realized what he'd done. He had prepared breakfast for me. In bed. The sweetest. He smiled and sat on the edge of the bed. "Good morning." I grinned as I sat up. He carried the tray and put it beside me. I shot an eyebrow up, tilting my head as I stared at his handsome face. His deep brown eyes and thick, black eyebrows complemented his striking features. "What is this? Is this a bribe? You stood me up last night, bad boy." He didn't laugh. Instead, he heaved a sigh, gently tucking my hair behind my ear before taking my hand and staring into my eyes. "I have something to tell you." My heart raced. I thought about our baby. He had something to say, and I did too. "W-What is it?" I asked, feeling my voice tremble. He took a deep breath. "You know you're important to me, right?" I slowly nodded, my lips parted. I couldn't speak; I was scared of what he was about to say. I had a bad feeling about this. "You were my best friend before we got married. You're one of the few people I treasure..." I hid my clenched fists under the sheets. I didn't understand why he was telling me this, but I felt tears pooling in the corner of my eyes already. "Kelly..." He paused, squeezing his eyes shut before looking into mine again. "I-I think it's time for us to divorce." "P-Pierce..." My heart clenched. He smiled sadly. "I know you don't have feelings for me either. You only married me because of my grandparents. You just did this because you love them. Now it's time for our real happiness, Kelly." I shook my head. "W-What are you talking about, Pierce?" "Lexi is back, Kelly. My first love is back." Chapter 2 Kelly's POV--It Never Rains but It Pours I got off the bed and tried to leave, but Pierce grabbed my hand. I quickly wiped the tears rolling down my cheeks before he could see them. He stood in front of me, searching my face as I struggled to look down and avoid his gaze. My heart felt like it was breaking into pieces. I thought... I thought I could make him fall in love with me during those three years together. I believed his feelings would deepen, that he would see me as a woman rather than just a best friend. I was foolish to hope and dream so high. I had failed. No matter how hard I tried, his heart belonged only to his first love, Lexi. "Kelly..." I sucked in a breath and swallowed the pain as I looked at him. I forced a smile. "I need to wash up before eating." He stared into my eyes, trying to figure out what I was thinking. I knew he understood me too well, so I made a concerted effort to hide my pain and smiled back at him. He sighed and let go of my hand. "Okay. I'll wait for you here. Let's eat and go to work together." Together? How cruel could he be? He still wanted us to get along as if he hadn't just asked for a divorce? He wanted us to stay the same right after telling me that his first love was back and he wanted to divorce me? Oh, Pierce, what's going on in your head? If I used to be able to force myself to remain in the role of his best friend, wishing him happiness, I no longer had that courage after the three years we'd shared. There was no way I could endure that kind of torture again, especially now that I was carrying his baby. The baby... I had thought it was good news for us, but now... it felt more like a burden to him, I guess. A burden that would prevent him from pursuing his true love and freedom. I knew how an unwanted child could grow up. My parents divorced even before my mother died, and my father's new family hated me. It hurt like hell. I didn't want my baby to experience that same pain. I needed to keep my child away from it. I forced another smile. "We can't. I need to visit the studio for the photoshoot of our new models..." "I'll go with you--" "No." I pushed his hand away. His eyes followed my hand before he looked up at me again. "You have some documents to sign. Our schedules are already organized, remember?" "But..." "I have a personal driver, Pierce. I'll be fine going alone." He sighed and slowly nodded. I turned my back on him and entered the bathroom. I immediately opened the shower and stood under the cold water. Tears cascaded down my cheeks as I covered my mouth to suppress my sobs. My shoulders trembled violently, and when I thought about my baby, I swallowed hard, trying to calm myself down. I wiped my face and caressed my belly. I needed to be strong. I had to stay calm. I shouldn't put my baby's life at risk just because I got my heart broken. I had to handle this wisely. I took a deep breath and finished my shower. When I got out of the bathroom, I was shocked to see Pierce still there. He was struggling to fix his tie in front of the full-length mirror. I also noticed my pair of heels and dress on the bed. "Hey! I picked your dress for today." Since our marriage wasn't public, Pierce had said he would try to do little things for me as a husband. He did it well, and I used to enjoy these sweet moments, but now, they felt like dgers to my heart. I grabbed the dress and went into the walk-in closet. I felt him following me. I put the white dress back and picked a red one. When I turned to face him, his forehead was creased. "I prefer red today. I'd feel beautiful in this dress." His eyes landed on the dress I was holding, and his face immediately relaxed. He nodded and walked toward me. "I see. Help me fix this first." I placed my dress on his arm and started adjusting his tie. I could feel his eyes staring intently and it was making my heart beat so fast. I took a deep breath and chewed my bottom lip as I struggled to fix the tie. My vision started to blur again. D*n! "Kelly..." I jumped in shock. "Hmm?" "Are you okay?" I looked at him and smiled. "Yeah." "I have something else to say." I finished fixing his tie, then immediately grabbed the dress from him. I glanced at him before walking past him and said, "Let's just talk some other time. I'm going to be late." I heard him sigh as he followed me again. He's silent the whole time as if he's thinking about something. "You should eat before you leave." I turned to him and nodded. "I will. You should go now." "Kelly, we're on the same page, right?" I stared at him. No, Pierce. We're never on the same page. All of this was just my stupid fantasy. I thought you had feelings for me, and I was so wrong. "If it's about the divorce, I understand everything, Pierce. I know what I have to do. Just give me some time because I'm really busy with the company. I won't run away." "Kelly, I'm not just doing this for myself. I'm doing this for you too. You've been caged with me ever since we got married. I know you're not happy because deep down, you want to find the man you deserve. Someone who will truly love you. Not me. Not someone who's half-hearted." "I understand what you're trying to say, Pierce," I said, trying to turn away, but he held me by the waist, keeping me in place. He did everything he could to capture my gaze, and he succeeded. He looked at me worriedly. "You are my best friend. I don't want to lose you, Kels. You're one of the few people I..." "I know," I said out of frustration. He looked shocked, so I took a breath to calm myself. "I-I know. You don't have to worry. I'm just stressed about work. It's not about our divorce." His lips parted, and he slowly nodded, as if he could finally breathe properly. He walked toward me, and I froze when he gently kssed my forehead... "Thank you, Kelly," he whispered. My heart clenched. It had been three years, but I was still such a coward. Why couldn't I just tell him that I loved him? He's my husband, and I'm carrying his baby! If I told him, he might change his mind! I swallowed hard, ready to speak, but his phone rang. I didn't miss the caller ID. Again, it was Lexi. "I gotta go." He scratched his head in apology, and I didn't miss the upturned corners of his mouth. "I called Luke, and he's waiting outside. Eat before you go, okay?" With that, he left our room. The tears I had managed to hold back burst forth again. Why did I think I could have a chance? He had made his choice the moment he asked for a divorce, hadn't he? Whenever it came to Lexi, I was always the one he would abandon. Chapter 3 Kelly's POV--Stiff Upper Lip I entered the studio wearing two-inch red heels and a red dress. Everyone turned to look as I walked down the hallway, greeting me with smiles, but my face remained stoic, not showing any emotions at all. The conversation with Pierce this morning lingered in my mind, but I couldn't let it affect my work. I couldn't fail my work after I had failed my marriage. I took a deep breath to steady myself. However, when I entered the photoshoot room, I could notice everyone was in chaos. "We can't! She's not answering her calls. What should we do? The Vice President is coming today. She'll be furious." "We can just tell her the truth. She's nice." "Not in this situation, Lily! She'll scold us--" "What's happening here?" I asked, stepping further into the room. The staff turned to me with worried expressions, and I knew then that something was wrong. "G-Good morning, Miss Monroe." Miss Monroe. Of course, no one knew that Pierce and I were married except for our families. I felt a pinch in my heart because of that truth. It hurt. I stared at her blankly, "What? "W-We have a problem, Miss Monroe. Miss Chen, our model, has been refusing our calls. She said she heard that we're changing the model, so...she doesn't want to come here. She's even threatening to file a case against us." She bowed her head, and I gritted my teeth, scanning the room. "Where's the marketing manager?" "S-She's still trying to convince Miss Chen, Miss Monroe." I massaged my forehead, squeezing my eyes closed. I grabbed my hair and screamed in so much anger, causing everyone around me to jump in shock. I ganed, sucking in a breath before looking around. "Miss Monroe..." "What is this, Miss Hayley? You're the marketing manager. What's happening?" "Miss Monroe, I don't know how it happened, but Miss Chen heard that you're changing our model. She's about to file a case against us--" Changing the model? How had I not known about this? Miss Chen had always been a trusted partner, and if not necessary, changing models for a commercial shoot on short notice would only create chaos for the company. I would never allow such a costly mistake. "I never asked for that. You must be mistaken." I cut her off to save the time, "Fix this mess, or I'll have to fire you!" "Miss Monroe... It's Mr. President who ordered the change." Hayley spoke hesitantly. "He instructed us as soon as he returned from his business trip yesterday." The truth hit me hard. Pierce's order? Why hadn't he told me? He used to discuss every major decision with me first. "It shouldn't be..." Confusion clouded my mind. Pierce was not a clueless businessman; he maintained a clear distinction between work and personal matters, which was why he always succeeded. And that was also why he chose to keep our marriage a secret. "Yes, Kelly. I gave the order." The voice pulled me back. "M-Mr. President..." Hayley bowed in respect as the man suddenly appeared behind me. "I think you owe me an explanation, Pierce. About changing the model!" I snapped as I turned to face him. He knew how much effort I had put into securing this project. I hadn't slept well for days, and Miss Chen was the perfect fit for us. He had agreed too. But now... he just changed the model as he liked without informing me in advance. It felt like a hard sp in the face. "Go ahead with the work. I'll explain it to her." He pacified the staff first, ignoring the anger simmering in my eyes. "Answer me, Pierce! Why did you change the model so suddenly?" I couldn't contain my fury. He touched my shoulder and whispered, "This isn't the place to talk. Let me explain in the car." I glanced around, noticing others sneaking glances at us. I shook off his hand and walked toward the parking lot, my heart growing heavier with each step. I had a sinking feeling I wouldn't like his explanation. "Now, say it," I blurted once we were seated in his car. He stared into my eyes as if weighing my emotions. I looked away again.; I couldn't bear his gaze. I couldn't withstand his eyes that never looked at me the way I wanted him to. He had no feelings for me and it hurt so much. "I-I..." he paused, sighing. "I replaced Miss Chen because Lexi wants to be our model. She's also a good fit, so I agreed--" "What?" I asked in disbelief. He pressed his lips together and looked away, ruffling his hair in frustration before shaking his head and holding my hand. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner. It was just so sudden. She asked for a favor, and I couldn't say no." I pulled my hand away, looking at him with a mix of pain and anger. "You can't say no to her, so you'd rather harm the company--our company. You've betrayed me, Pierce." "Kels, come on. You know how much I love her. She's my first love." Painfully, I closed my eyes. Oh yes, she was your first love. She's always the one you want, no matter the cost. As long as she frowns a bit, you turn a blind eye to the pain and effort of others. You're so heartless, Pierce. "Well, you've made your decision. I don't have a say in this since you're the President. Just go. I'll be in the office." I said coldly, opening the car door to leave. "Kelly..." I looked him in the eyes. "Go home early. Let's talk about our divorce at home tonight." Chapter 4 Kelly's POV--Left High and Dry I was playing with the wedding ring on my finger. I told him to go home early, but he didn't come home at all. He wasn't even answering my calls. Well, now Lexi was back; this house was probably not home in his eyes anymore. My eyes turned to my pregnancy report on the table. What a mockery. I was still naive to hold a glimmer of hope that things would be different if I told him about the baby. But forget this baby thing was out of his plan. I wiped away the tears collecting at the corners of my eyes and picked up the report. It was 5 a.m. already when I looked at the clock on the wall. I tried to dial his number again, but it was still busy. What was he busy with? Was he busy staying with Lexi? He must have missed her a lot, didn't he? I didn't remember how I fell asleep. When the alarm clock went off, he didn't come home yet. I sneered at myself as I caught my reflection in the dresser mirror. The dark circles under my eyes were so clear, and my hair was a total mess, looking like a ghost. Suddenly, a wave of nausea flooded my stomach, and I realized I hadn't eaten anything last night. Feeling sick again, I ran to the sink and puked. I spat yellowish liquid, and while I was washing my mouth, I felt a warm hand caressing my back. I immediately lifted my face and met a pair of brown eyes looking at me through the mirror. Standing behind me with a worried expression was my husband, Pierce. I had always been thankful to have him as my best friend and husband, but now... I'm losing him. Hopelessly losing him. "Are you okay? Are you not feeling well? You should've told me." I stared at him through the mirror. "You didn't answer my calls." Guilt flickered in his eyes. "I'm sorry. I had some things to do. I stayed in the office all night." I wiped my face and walked past him. He followed me as I sat in front of the vanity and started combing my hair. "Kels..." "I woke up late. I failed to prepare breakfast." I tried to avoid his eyes. I felt like I would lose my temper and snap at him. There was no moment when I felt his selfishness so clearly as now. He called me his best friend, yet he had never seriously confronted my needs. My feelings. "Kels... you know I'm not asking about this. I'm just worried about your condition..." "Kels, are we still okay?" I stopped combing my hair and slowly met his eyes. Through the mirror, again. Really? He's asking me that? After he offered me a divorce without even asking if I was okay with it? He decided on his own, just because his first love is back. I couldn't believe him. I faked a smile. "I just don't feel well today, Pierce." He immediately squatted beside me, which was not surprising because I knew he truly cared. What surprised me was why he was still doing this after he buried a dagger in my heart. "Are you okay?" He gently touched my forehead and neck. "Are you sick? Tell me how you feel, Kels." "My feelings don't matter," I couldn't help but blurt out. He looked shocked by what I said. When I attempted to avoid him, he grabbed my wrist and made me face him. His face was mirroring his anger now. He was completely lost his patience. "What's wrong with you, Kels? You've been acting like this since yesterday. Is this about Lexi? Or was it because I didn't come home last night?" I looked him in the eyes, annoyed. "You're the one who asked for a divorce! I told you to come back earlier, but you just let me wait the whole night. How do you want me to greet you this morning, Pierce?" He clenched his jaws and shook his head. "Kels, I..." "Enough. We can talk about the divorce after work today." "Kels!" He called and grabbed my shoulders. Confusion and pain were visible in his eyes. "Are you... in love with me?" I was taken aback. In love? Yes! Ever since we were in high school. Ever since he became my best friend. Who wouldn't fall for someone who had been protecting you ever since? But of course, I couldn't tell him. It would only complicate things more. I didn't even want him to pity me. I shook my head and pushed his arms away. "Are you on dgs? I'm not in love with you." I turned my back on him and entered the bathroom again. I locked it before going to the bathtub. I should focus on myself. I can't let my emotions affect me, but... why are my tears falling again? "You are so pathetic, Kelly! You can't even tell him how you truly feel," I whispered to myself as I wiped my tears angrily. It took me almost an hour to bathe. When I was done, I realized Pierce had already left. I shook my head in disbelief. He's been constantly abandoning me. I can't believe we've reached this point. I thought we were okay. I was so stupid. * "Good morning, Miss Monroe..." "Good morning, Vice President..." I did not greet anyone back, just like how I used to greet them. I still felt pissed, and my mood seemed off. Irritation could easily take over me, and I couldn't control it. Probably because of Pierce's divorce proposal or because of my pregnancy. I was about to enter my office when I heard two girls talking. "Did you see her? I bet she's Mr. Anderson's girlfriend. They seemed close." My forehead creased. Pierce's girlfriend? "Ah! It's a waste that I didn't see her face, but I feel like it's Miss Lexi." "Lexi? Lexi Gilbert? The model?" "Yes! I bet my whole month's salary on this. They look good together." "Come on! Miss Monroe and Mr. Anderson look better together." "Are you serious? They're best friends. You know, some people are better off just friends. It's Mr. Anderson and Miss Monroe." I squeezed my eyes closed and pushed the door of my office. I slowly closed it and rested my back against it. This is harder than I expected. I took a deep breath and sat in my swivel chair. I opened the computer at the same time a notification popped up on the screen of my phone. My hands started shaking as soon as I saw the notification. It was Pierce's social media update. He uploaded a photo of him and Lexi together, eating in a fancy restaurant. I balled my fists and gritted my teeth. See, Kelly? That's what happens when you step into such a loveless marriage without a second thought. You would only break yourself if you continued on the wrong path. Just get a divorce. Spare him and yourself. Your baby needs a strong mommy... ...... ==== Marrying her best friend was a dream come true for Kelly, but everything truly has a limitation. Pierce is Kelly's first love, but as his best friend, she knew well there was always another woman deep in his heart, Lexi Gilbert. Kelly finally realized their happy marriage of the last three years was just a beautiful dream when Pierce asked for a divorce just because Lexi returned. She could only be his best friend even if she was carrying his baby. Since their friendship had become a cage, Kelly chose to set him free, as well as the miserable herself. But why then, it was Pierce who became the one who refused to move on? To make matters worse, her devil stepbrother also domineeringly stepped in at the same time, asking her to be his. What happens next? How could Kelly save her heart in this battle of love and hate? Available chapters here are limited, click the button below to install the App and enjoy more exciting chapters (Automatically jump to this novel when you open the app) &3&	LEARN_MORE	https://fbweb.moboreader.net/61818322-fb_contact-e	Heat stories	https://www.facebook.com/61563777993401/	335	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	fbweb.moboreader.net	IMAGE		https://fbweb.moboreader.net/61818322-fb_contact-encp25_2-1103-core3.html?adid={{ad.id}}&char=331118&accid=1435595577085911&rawadid=120213581705350597	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/466049350_575445598203957_7586567258420079573_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Ixz4mjjs1FUQ7kNvgEzC8vK&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AShmCAQ5JDRR1Nr2bjeNMte&oh=00_AYCVZu_BzaNWYM_d7qYZGZ6jewNgSrfxHHsithd0QRUBUQ&oe=67503794	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Heat stories	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete

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