Ads for foobar on 2024-12-09
| Id | Vlad | Saved | Scrape Time | Status | Scrape Result | Original Ad | Adarchiveid | Creative Links | Title | Body | Cta Type | Link Url | Pageid | Page Name | Page Profile Uri | Page Like Count | Collationcount | Collationid | Currency | Enddate | Entitytype | Fevinfo | Gatedtype | Hasuserreported | Hiddensafetydata | Hidedatastatus | Impressionstext | Impressionsindex | Isaaaeligible | Isactive | Isprofilepage | Cta Text | Pageinfo | Pageisdeleted | Pagename | Reachestimate | Reportcount | Ad Creative | Byline | Caption | Dynamic Versions | Effective Authorization Category | Display Format | Link Description | Link Url | Page Welcome Message | Creation Time | Page Profile Picture Url | Page Entity Type | Page Is Profile Page | Instagram Actor Name | Instagram Profile Pic Url | Instagram Url | Instagram Handle | Is Reshared | Version | Branded Content | Current Page Name | Disclaimer Label | Page Is Deleted | Root Reshared Post | Additional Info | Ec Certificates | Country Iso Code | Instagram Branded Content | Spend | Startdate | Statemediarunlabel | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2,619,835 |
/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281)
'{"alias":2619833}'
|
No | 2024-12-09 18:45 | active | 1979 | 0 |
|
โ โ Winning option 2๏ธโฃ | NO_BUTTON | http://www.lepetitchef.com/ | Le Petit Chef | https://www.facebook.com/Smallestchef/ | 198,309 | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | No Button | 0 | lepetitchef.com | CAROUSEL | http://www.lepetitchef.com/ | 1969-12-31 18:00 | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/469863682_576565461634859_8422463703190726816_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=QA4EYd7_45EQ7kNvgGQj3U5&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=A0ZbvnLAdQ_J1wOiKHlpdFF&oh=00_AYCY59bkweUaJ3naV0AcV84PDAXxpf7g_OrKPnSd-0AR5Q&oe=675D4A21 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 0 | Le Petit Chef | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2,627,898 |
/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281)
'{"alias":2628704}'
|
No | 2024-12-10 16:42 | active | 1985 | 0 | Get 21 Days for JUST $21 ๐ฅ | ๐ฅ Hey Mamaroneck! Unleash Your Potential at UFC Gym! ๐ Join us for an exclusive 21-day journey for just $21! ๐ Why UFC Gym? Here's What We Offer: 1๏ธโฃ Exciting Coach-Led Workouts: Our 60-minute sessions are never the same, keeping you engaged and motivated every step of the way! 2๏ธโฃ FREE PARKING: Convenience is key! Enjoy hassle-free parking every time you visit. 3๏ธโฃ 24-HOUR ACCESS: Fit your training into your busy schedule with round-the-clock access. 4๏ธโฃ Multiple Programs: With over 70 classes a week, you can choose the program that suits your interests and goals. 5๏ธโฃ Unlimited Classes: Get the most out of your membership with unlimited access to all our classes! ๐ช Why MMA for Adults? ๐ช โ Increased Focus and Body Awareness โ Improved Discipline and Mental Toughness โ Enhanced Physical Fitness and Stress Relief At UFC Gym, we're more than just a fighting gym โ we're a community dedicated to fitness and growth. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced athlete, we'll take you to the next level! ๐ Don't Miss Out! Limited Spots Available โ Enroll Now! ๐ | LEARN_MORE | http://fb.me/ | UFC GYM | https://www.facebook.com/UFCGymMamaroneck/ | 1,665 | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Learn more | 0 | fb.me | VIDEO | http://fb.me/ | 1969-12-31 18:00 | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/450955525_1229272351574817_3987636162053635914_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=SH0gSpyHVkUQ7kNvgGidGTo&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AoY1gElS7YiDHSA1GhcuVvN&oh=00_AYCOpYsaOQB59Rpv7NOIeSA6DBmWdLQaD-LDHigHcDXbkQ&oe=675E83A5 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 0 | UFC GYM | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2,622,182 |
/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281)
'{"alias":2620802}'
|
No | 2024-12-09 18:57 | active | 1980 | 0 | Non-Surgical Rapid Back Pain Relief Program in South Denver, CO | Tired of gritting your teeth through constant back pain? ๐ฌ Want to finally get back to a normal and pain-free life? Join thousands of Highlands Ranch residents who have restored their lives and mobility with this all-natural back treatment protocol. โ We treat back pain at all phases, whether you suffer from mild discomfort or excruciating sciatica painโฆ and the best part isโฆ NO SURGERY OR HARMFUL DRUGS. These breakthrough treatments are now available in SOUTH DENVER, CO ๐ Stop living with your pain, find relief with our back treatment protocol: โ Reverse years of Sciatica and back pain โ NO steroid shots โ NO addictive and harmful drugs โ Cleared by the FDA โ 100% safe and NO negative side effects โ NO injections Donโt ignore the dangers of wildly invasive back surgeries: โ Ghastly hospital bills โ Months or years of painful recovery โ Potentially serious complications and life-long side effects โ Even the possibility of death! โ ๏ธ Is this breakthrough back pain treatment protocol for you? Find out with a Free ๐ฅ๐ฎ๐ฝ๐ถ๐ฑ ๐๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ธ ๐ฃ๐ฎ๐ถ๐ป ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐น๐ถ๐ฒ๐ณ ๐ฃ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ด๐ฟ๐ฎ๐บ ๐๐ผ๐ป๐๐๐น๐๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐๐ต๐ถ๐ฐ๐ต ๐ถ๐ป๐ฐ๐น๐๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ ๐ฎ๐ป ๐๐ ๐ฎ๐บ, ๐๐บ๐ฎ๐ด๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐๐ถ๐ฒ๐, ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ฝ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ฑ๐ถ๐ป๐ด๐, ๐ซ-๐ฅ๐ฎ๐ (๐ถ๐ณ ๐ป๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฑ), ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐ถ๐ฟ๐๐ ๐ง๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฎ๐น ๐ฆ๐ฝ๐ถ๐ป๐ฎ๐น ๐๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ผ๐บ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ง๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐ (๐ถ๐ณ ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ๐ถ๐ฑ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ) ALL for Free, to see if we can help you. To see if you qualify, click โSign Upโ to fill out our Quick Questionnaire. Any information submitted is secured and will not be shared or used in spam. ๐Click โSign Upโ Today ๐ Serving South Denver and all surrounding areas. Premier Pain Management 8671 S Quebec St., Suite 150 Highlands Ranch, CO 80130 (720) 741-8555 | SIGN_UP | http://fb.me/ | Premier Pain Management | https://www.facebook.com/61559396142368/ | 12 | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Sign Up | 0 | fb.me | DCO | โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธ 4.9 (150+) | http://fb.me/ | 1969-12-31 18:00 | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/468837270_1390570705686750_3578362239592461065_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=hTSRij5CgzAQ7kNvgFWsFZm&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AdS67yqk-gWGGPfvztjyh27&oh=00_AYDmCbi9XrNawpEXHUNM1tB07OobH21I5AS-_dyZhl4GcA&oe=675D4BBD | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 0 | Premier Pain Management | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2,622,562 |
/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281)
null |
No | 2024-12-09 19:36 | active | 1981 | 0 |
|
Read next chapter | Emerging from the confines of marriage, she blossomed from a mundane housewife to a renowned painter with a legion of admirers. When her ex-husband sought reconciliation at her doorstep, he witnessed her in the arms of a prominent man. "Meet your new sister-in-law!" ===== In the dimly lit, opulent private cinema, the most exclusive jewelry auction was being broadcast live. "One million, going once, going twice--" The rich cadence of the auctioneer's voice echoed through the room, the man tightened his grip around Alicia Bennett's waist... With the intensity between them only grew fiercer as time passed... The auctioneer's gavel fell. "Sold for ten million! Let's give a round of applause to Mr. Joshua Yates!" The name struck Alicia like a lightning bolt. Her body instantly went rigid, something that the man couldn't help but notice, flicked lazily toward the screen. The camera zoomed in on Joshua Yates's face, every detail of his familiar features displayed in perfect clarity. "Joshua Yates, the second son of the Yates family... an acquaintance perhaps?" he drawled, the corners of his mouth tugging into a sly smile. Alicia's frown deepened. The last thing she wanted was to discuss it, she didn't respond. The man, upon seeing the situation, chuckled lightly before his movements grew even more relentless... ...... When it was over, Alicia took advantage of the man's time in the shower and quietly made her escape. When Caden Ward finally emerged from the bathroom, not catching sight of the woman's figure, he curled his lips slightly. Moments later, his assistant, Hank Ford, burst into the room, clearly on edge, "Er, apologies, Mr. Ward. I let my guard down. Give me a moment, and I'll have her brought back immediately." They had just returned to the country, taking every precaution. And yet, a woman had managed to slip through the cracks of their security. Caden's features calm, almost indifferent. "No need. I was... a willing participant." Hank's eyes widened in shock. In all the time he'd known Caden, the man had never slept with a woman,even physical contact. There were even rumors that Caden might suffer from some secret ailment. Yet now, those whispers seemed to evaporate in the face of this unexpected turn of events. Before Hank could make sense of it, Caden's deep voice pulled him back to reality. "I want you to look into Joshua's personal life. Have the report on my desk in half an hour." Tonight, Alicia had stumbled into his room, feverish and desperate. It was obvious she'd been framed. And then came the revelation--Alicia was still a pureness. Two years of marriage to Joshua... Yet she was still untouched? Caden's lips curled into a satisfied smile. But as he reflected, one thing became abundantly clear--Alicia had no idea who she'd been with due to the d*ug's effects. ... By the time Alicia returned home, the first light of dawn filtered through the windows. Only then did she realize how long she had been out. But before she could dwell any further, her phone rang. It was her bestie, Monica Flynn, calling. "Alicia!" Monica practically screeched from the other end of the line, her voice high-pitched with worry. "How are you now?" Alicia exhaled deeply, kicking off her shoes carelessly. "I've been better," she murmured. Monica's anger bubbled over, her words sharp and unrelenting. "Joshua's beyond disgusting! If he doesn't want to stay married, he should just grow a spine and divorce you already! What kind of sick man would scheme against his own wife?" The sharp pain of betrayal shot through Alicia's chest. Yesterday was their second anniversary. Joshua had texted her, suggesting they celebrate. Daring to hope he had changed, she had dressed up to the nine's, only to be met with disappointment and a d*ug-laced drink that sent her spiraling into a night of confusion and chaos. Was Joshua really the mastermind behind this? Swallowing the bitterness that tried clawing its way to the surface, Alicia forced herself to climb the stairs, her movements slow and weary. "It's fine, Monica. I'll handle it." Monica, ever protective, wasn't convinced. "'Handle it'? What do you mean you'll handle it? Just say the word, and I'll be over in a heartbeat." Alicia couldn't help the small, tired smile that tugged at her lips, hanging up the phone. But her heart still felt heavy, just as she lost focus, the door to her bedroom creaked open. She lifted her gaze, and almost instantly, her stomach dropped. There, fresh from a shower, a towel wrapped loosely around his waist, stood Joshua. He stared down at her. Chapter 2 Divorce Alicia snapped out of her daze as soon as she met the icy gaze of Joshua, her so-called husband. His expression remained unchanged, cold and indifferent as ever, as though he was looking at a stranger. The only thing out of place was the scars on his lips. A wave of disgust washed over her, she pushed him away and was about to enter. Joshua frowned, his hand shooting out to grab her wrist. "Alicia, what's with the attitude?" He seemed quite unhappy with her this time, which was a rare thing, considering how little he bothered to come home. Normally, Alicia would have welcomed him back with open arms, a flicker of joy lighting up her tired features, but today she looked drained, almost hollow. She didn't resist his grip, meeting his gaze with a calmness that unnerved him. "Haven't I always been like this? Obedient, sensible, making sure the house is in order, ensuring you're comfortable, ready to give your best at work." A small, bitter smile tugged at her lips. "Isn't that what you like most about me? It makes things easier for you, doesn't it? Frees up time for your other... 'special someone'." Joshua's eyes darkened at the veiled accusation. Denial hovered on his lips, but he didn't bother. Why should he? He dropped her hand and said gruffly, "Actually, that's why I'm here. We need to talk." Alicia vigorously rubbed her wrist, as though she was trying to erase his touch. "So, are you planning to finally go public with her?" Joshua's expression twisted instantly, his calm facade cracking. "What do you know? Did you have me stalked by a private investigator or something?" Alicia let out a soft, humorless laugh. "Is that necessary? Last night, you spared no expense to make her happy. Even a blind person could tell you're mad about her." He stared at her, unsettled by her icy tone. It was still her voice, still Alicia, but there was something different about her... For some reason, he felt inexplicably hurt, like a thorn pricking his heart. Perhaps it was the way she looked at him now--her eyes, once warm and filled with love for him, were now completely empty. There was no anger, no pain, just... nothing. It was a stark contrast to the woman who used to look at him as if he were her entire world. For reasons he couldn't explain, the sight of her like this stirred something in him, an unfamiliar dissatisfaction. Annoyed by his own reaction, Joshua decided to hit back, his voice harder now. "She's pregnant. It's a delicate pregnancy, so I bought her a little something to lift her spirits." Alicia's fists clenched before she could stop them. P**gnant? So, the nights she had stayed up waiting for him to come home, he'd been with another woman, working diligently to start a new family? Seeing Alicia wince a little, Joshua felt a flicker of satisfaction. "It's not that I don't want to touch you," he said, voice dripping with condescension. "You're just about as thrilling as watching paint dry. No man would want that." His cruel words pierced through Alicia, yet she managed to remain composed on the surface. It wasn't that she avoided intimacy; she just wasn't the one to initiate it. Did that make her so undesirable? Was it a sin? Taking a slow, steady breath, Alicia willed herself to stay calm. "Fine," she replied quietly. "Let's get a divorce then. You can give her the title she wants." The word "divorce" made Joshua's eyelid twitch involuntarily. He scoffed, eyes narrowing with suspicion. "Is this another one of your games?" Convinced he was right, his voice grew colder, more biting. "Alicia, for two years, you've pulled every childish stunt, begging for my attention. Aren't you tired yet? Because I sure as hell am." He paused, letting his disdain sink in. "You claim to love me so much. Could you really walk away from me?" Alicia couldn't help the bitter laugh that escaped her. Love him? Did he even understand what that meant? When Joshua's business had crumbled, leaving him with nothing but debt and shattered dreams, it had been Alicia who emptied her savings to pull him from the wreckage. Out of gratitude--or maybe obligation--he had married her. For two long years, she had been the dutiful wife, supporting him as he clawed his way to success. And what had Alicia gotten in return? She had been cast aside like a useless relic, while another woman carried his child. Her love, her loyalty, had been ground into the dirt beneath his feet. To care for this man any longer would be masochism. Her voice steady, Alicia said, "Draft the divorce agreement. I'll agree to whatever terms you want." And with that, she turned and disappeared through the door, leaving Joshua standing alone in the hallway. For a moment, he stared after her angrily, but then a cold, mocking smile tugged at his lips. Fine, she can play the martyr. He doubted she could keep it up for long. Storming out of the house, Joshua headed straight to the apartment where his lover, Lilliana Green, awaited him. "Well, that was fast," she teased upon hearing Joshua was getting a divorce, raising a brow. "Seems she wasn't as tough to deal with as you claimed." "She's cunning," Joshua muttered, the edge of suspicion creeping into his voice. "I don't know if she's actually agreeing to the divorce or just playing me." Lilliana's arms draping lazily around his neck, "Relax, Joshua, even if she changes her mind, it's too late." Joshua's brow furrowed. "What do you mean?" Chapter 3 Letting Go Lilliana's eyes flickered with shadowy intent. She wasn't foolish enough to show her cards now, so she waved it off with an effortless excuse. "During your two-year marriage, she has lived quietly in the shadows as a mere housewife, disconnected from your world. When you're assertive, would she dare to say a word?" Joshua pursed his lips into a hard line. During the past two years, Alicia had indeed done everything for him--given him support and solace. She had loved him fiercely, but at the end of it all, what value did love truly hold? Against all odds, he had clawed his way to the top, and he'd finally grasped the power he craved. That success, however, hadn't come easy, and it wasn't love that secured his position--it was alliances with the powerful. The prestige of the Green family daughter, that title alone, was worth far more than Alicia's devoted love. As these thoughts plagued his mind, Lilliana said happily, "Joshua, congratulations on escaping the grind. Shall we celebrate?" For a moment, Joshua's gaze flickered down to her, but Alicia's indifferent face suddenly flashed before his eyes. Since leaving the house earlier, Alicia hadn't once called him to ask for his whereabouts. Before, if he had been upset with her, she would've called him in a panic. A sharp, inexplicable irritation surged within him. Without thinking, he pushed Lilliana back, "You're only a few weeks' pregnant. Be careful." Lilliana, sharp as ever, sensed he was distracted. "Joshua, what's wrong?" she asked gently. "Don't you want to get divorced?" Joshua's response was instant. "Of course I want to divorce her." Her eyes narrowed as she studied him. "Then why don't you seem very happy?" Joshua offered a quick excuse, his voice steady but distant. "My father's condition has worsened. He doesn't have much time left, and Caden returned last night. He's likely here to claim his inheritance. I need to figure out how to handle him." Lilliana blinked, momentarily thrown. "Caden? Your brother from your father's first marriage? He doesn't even carry the Yates name anymore. What right does he have to fight you for the inheritance?" Joshua's expression darkened. It was true--but at the end of the day, he was still the son of a home-wrecker. All these years of relentless effort had not only been to carve out a name for himself in the Yates family, but to push Caden into the shadows where he belonged. One way or another, Joshua was hell-bent on winning. Meanwhile, Alicia stirred from her sleep. Darkness had already fallen, yet she felt even more drained than before. It was because her dreams revolved around that stranger. when her phone buzzed with a call from Monica did she snap out of her daze. "Alicia, I got your bl**d test results. I passed them to a friend of mine with some serious connections. He's digging around to see who bought the stuff." Alicia sat up a little straighter, her mind sharpening. "Thanks, Monica. Appreciate it." "If you really want to thank me, do me a favor: stop obsessing over that j**k. And after the divorce, focus on your career. You owe me that much." Alicia's chest warmed, her head lowering in quiet gratitude. "I know, I know." Now that she thought about it, she had come to the realization that her feelings for Joshua had never been pure love--they were born out of a debt, a sense of obligation. Her family's expectations had always weighed heavily on her, and in that lonely, stifled childhood, it was Joshua who had been there. His companionship had nurtured a vague affection she'd confused for love. "Lucky for me, love's never been something I've held onto tightly," Alicia murmured. "These last two years... I'll just see it as repaying his kindness." Monica paused, her usual boldness tempered with thoughtfulness. She knew better than anyone how, once upon a time, Joshua had indeed loved Alicia. But, it turned out love could be a fleeting thing. "Alicia, I really hope you've let go for good," Monica said with a convicted sigh. A sharp pang hit Alicia's chest, her eyes stinging as she fought back the urge to cry. Quickly, she pressed her hand to her eyelids, refusing to let the tears fall. It was only then she noticed something startling. Stunned, she stared at her hand. The wedding ring--something she had once held onto so tightly--was gone. Gone for a whole day and night, and she hadn't even noticed. Suddenly, her heart felt lighter, the weight of everything she'd been carrying beginning to lift. She whispered, more to herself than anyone, "Yes, I've truly let go." ... It didn't take long for Joshua to notice. He had returned to grab something quickly when his eyes fell on her hand. His brow furrowed as he asked, without thinking, "Where's your wedding ring?" Chapter 4 Her Nemesis Alicia's only concern now was leaving Joshua, so she ignored his question and asked flatly, "Are the divorce papers ready yet?" That word again--"divorce". Irritation flickered across Joshua's eyes. "What's the rush?" he snapped, his voice cold and sharp. "My father's finalizing his will, and if word gets out about my divorce, it'll ruin my standing. Now, pack your things--we're having dinner at the Yates Mansion this afternoon." With Caden's return, the family was throwing a welcome-home dinner for him. They also hoped that by doing so, it'd lift the spirits of Jerald Yates, Joshua's father. However, maintaining the charade of a happy marriage was the last thing on Alicia's mind. "I'm not going," she announced curtly. "Just get the divorce finalized and stop wasting my time." Joshua laughed, a sound that held no warmth. "Oh, come on, Alicia. Stop pretending. You hid the ring because you don't actually want to leave me, right? You can't stand the thought of being without me." He leaned in, smirking, and added, "You've worked hard these past two years. Even if we divorce, I'll still take care of you--as long as you keep me happy." Alicia's eyes widened, disbelief turning into anger. Hid the ring? Couldn't bear to be without him? His arrogant words sounded like nails on a chalkboard to Alicia's ears. With a sharp sneer, she shot back, "Oh, Mr. Yates, how could I possibly make you happy? Don't worry, I'll return the ring--wouldn't want this plain Jane to irk you, right? Once you have it, we're finalizing the divorce immediately." But Joshua wasn't fazed by her venom. He thought he knew her too well, convinced this was just another ploy to get his attention. Without thinking too much, he tossed a bag at her. "We've got guests today. Dress appropriately, and don't make me look bad." Alicia looked down at the bag, her mind flashing back to the countless times she had visited the mansion dressed in modest, unassuming clothes-- doing everything to blend in, to please him and his family. But now, with their divorce looming on the horizon, Alicia no longer cared to play the part of a dutiful wife. After slipping into the outfit, she carefully applied a touch of makeup, just enough to bring out the vibrance in her already flawless complexion. The subtle enhancements accentuated her smooth skin and delicate features, lending her a certain glow. When Joshua saw her descending the staircase, he froze for a brief moment, eyes lingering. Perhaps it was the way the dress hugged Alicia's graceful curves, making her seem more alluring than usual. At the entrance of the Yates Mansion, they both slipped into their familiar roles, masking the tension between them with practiced ease. Alicia casually looped her arm through Joshua's, their movements synchronized as they walked into the courtyard. Though Jerald was too ill to receive anyone, the grand hall bustled with life, relatives filling the space with chatter. The noise hummed around her, but for some reason, as soon as Alicia crossed the threshold, a sharp chill pricked at her skin. She instinctively looked up, her gaze immediately drawn to the figure lounging casually at the far end of the room. Legs crossed, dark shirt unbuttoned just enough to reveal a sliver of his collarbone, the man oozed arrogance, his presence commanding. When Alicia's eyes finally met his-- a familiar, authoritative stare that pinned her in place-- her mind raced as emotions began to surge uncontrollably. Joshua noticed the shift in her demeanor, his brows furrowing as he asked, "What's going on with you?" Alicia's breath caught in her throat. One word escaped her lips, barely audible. "Caden?" Just the mention of his name sent a chill down her spine. To her, Caden was the embodiment of her nightmares. Due to their families' friendship, their paths first crossed at the tender age of ten. Caden, having taken a year off, transferred to her school, and from that moment, Alicia's perfect world began to unravel. She could no longer claim the top spot. No matter how relentless her efforts, no matter how late she stayed up studying, Caden was always a step ahead. He would outscore her by the smallest of margins--a point, maybe two--leaving her perpetually stranded in second place. Anyone else might have accepted defeat, settled into the role of runner-up. But not Alicia. Born into the once prestigious Bennett family, she was raised under the suffocating weight of living up to her family name. Excellence wasn't just a goal--it was the currency by which she could earn her parents' affection. Failure was not an option, yet Caden had the audacity to snatch away everything she'd worked for with what seemed like effortless ease. It was as if he'd set his sights on her from the very beginning, and Alicia, stubborn to a fault, refused to back down. Their rivalry spanned over a decade, a relentless battle fought both openly and in the shadows, and their final showdown took place in college, just before their graduation, at the national competition. Alicia poured her heart and soul into that moment, her focus razor-sharp as she aimed for nothing less than perfection. And she achieved it, having garnered a perfect score. But Caden, ever the serpent, had bribed the judges, twisting the results in his favor. Alicia was forced, once again, into second place. The sting of injustice was deep, but the harshest blow came from her father, Phil Bennett. Over the phone, his voice dripped with disappointment in her ranking. Alicia, having grown accustomed to his tirades, said nothing. She waited for his anger to ebb, then asked quietly, "I'm graduating soon. Will you come back?" Her mother, Donna, had always been her softer solace. She comforted Alicia that day, promising they'd be there for her graduation. But life had other plans. Phil and Donna, rushing back from Itrubisite to attend the graduation, perished in a tragic plane crash. Overnight, Alicia's world crumbled, left an orphan in this cruel world. Since that day, she had never challenged Caden again. Afterward, Caden left Warrington to build his career overseas. ... "He's back for the inheritance," Joshua muttered, his voice barely audible. Alicia cast him a sidelong glance as he continued, "With a family empire as big as ours, an eldest son like him wouldn't give up so easily." Her brow furrowed slightly. It was true--the Yates empire was massive, a legacy most would kill for. But Caden had accumulated his own fortune, surpassing even the family's vast wealth. Did he really care about the inheritance? Then again, this was Caden. Competing was in his blood. Even if he didn't care about the fortune itself, he'd fight tooth and nail just to win, to toy with everyone else. The man had a knack for stirring chaos purely for his own amusement. Alicia had been his rival for as long as she could remember, and even now, the thought of giving him so much as a glance felt like a waste of energy. She turned to walk away. But Joshua caught her wrist, his grip firm yet tense. "I know you two don't get along," he said. "But he's still my elder brother. We need to maintain appearances." Her body stiffened at the touch, and she immediately tried to pull her hand free. Joshua's frown deepened. "Alicia, behave," he hissed. Irritation flared in her chest. "I'm not refusing to go in. Just let go of me first. I don't want your filthy hands touching me." A flicker of something dark passed over Joshua's face, and instead of releasing her, he intertwined their fingers, squeezing them tight. Alicia bit her tongue, silently fuming. As they neared, Caden's gaze slowly lifted, his eyes narrowing in a lazy, almost bored assessment of them. "Caden," Joshua greeted, his tone strained, meeting his brother's gaze with forced cordiality. Caden's eyes flicked to their entwined hands, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Your girlfriend?" he asked indifferently, as though he didn't recognize Alicia. Chapter 5 We Meet Again So Soon Alicia's nerves coiled tight like a spring. That voice... Her messy thoughts blurred into chaos, but one thing broke through the haze--Joshua's calm declaration. "Alicia and I have been married for two years now. She cares about me, so we kept it low-key. Just went straight for the registration; no ceremony. You were busy abroad at the time, so we didn't bother you." Caden arched a brow, his voice laced with venomous mockery. "Oh, so she's my sister-in-law." The way he spat the words "sister-in-law" felt more like a s*ap than a title, leaving no doubt about his contempt for her. Alicia could feel the man's sneer underneath every syllable. And all this was thanks to her so-called husband, Joshua. Her hand trembled as she snatched a tissue, vigorously wiping her hand. "Looks like Alicia's a bit of a germophobe," Caden observed, his tone a casual jab at her disgust. Joshua's expression darkened, the tension between them thickening. He hadn't expected her to humiliate him like this. "It seems I've spoiled her too much," he muttered, his voice low and tight with irritation. Caden's eyes gleamed with a dangerous glint. "If it's a serious condition, she should get treated. It could impact her role as a mother. You know how badly our father has wanted a grandchild." At this, something flickered across Joshua's eyes. Even though Alicia, his wife, was right beside him, he went ahead and lied through his teeth. "Thanks for the concern, Caden, but I already have good news for Dad. I just haven't gotten around to telling him yet." Caden's smirk deepened, his gaze flicking toward Alicia, who was about done with the bullshit of a charade. She quietly excused herself and strode off. "How far along is she?" he asked meaningfully. "Doesn't seem like she's pregnant." Joshua didn't miss a beat. "Just a month." The answer was as much a threat as it was an announcement. Now, the inheritance stakes had just been raised, and Jerald, ever focused on continuing the family line, would certainly take his unborn grandchild into consideration. Caden's smile hardened, and Joshua delivered the final blow with a smug undertone. "You'd better catch up, Caden. I can't always be one step ahead." Caden, unfazed, waved his hand lazily. "No rush." ... Alicia stepped onto the terrace, the cool night breeze washing over her skin. She drank in the fresh air hungrily to steady her nerves. Pulling out her phone, she quickly dialed the manager of the private cinema again. "Have you found the ring?" she asked anxiously. The manager hesitated, sounding troubled. "Ms. Bennett, we've searched thoroughly and questioned all the staff, but... we really couldn't find any ring." "Then..." Alicia clenched her fist, her mind racing. "Do you have the contact details of the guest who booked the room that day?" "I'm sorry, but due to our privacy policy, we can't disclose any information on our clients." Her heart sank. "I see," she sighed with resignation. "Please tell me immediately if anything turns up, okay?" In a perfect world, she could've just bought an identical ring and pass it off for the original. Unfortunately, Joshua had that ring custom-made, and it wasn't easy to replicate. After dinner, it started to rain. The relatives began to trickle out one by one. Joshua stood by her side as they made their way to the car, his eyes trailing down to her bare wrist. "If you liked that bracelet at the auction, then I can buy you something like it," he said coolly. Alicia had to resist the urge to roll her eyes sardonically. She didn't believe for a second that Joshua had a change of heart towards her. "Trying to buy my silence, huh?" Her words were sharp, slicing right through Joshua's tender facade. "No need. I have no desire to be tangled up in your affairs." Joshua hadn't intended to sound like that, but her mocking tone struck a nerve. His jaw clenched, and a bitter smile crossed his lips. "Fine. Don't take it. The money I spend on you is a waste anyway." Alicia bit the inside of her cheek before adding firmly, "Joshua, I already told you. I'm willing to leave this marriage empty-handed. Let's sign the divorce papers tomorrow morning and end this once and for all." His smile twisted into something dark, something dangerous. "What about the ring?" "I lost it." Joshua's eyes narrowed, his tone unrelenting. "I don't care about anything else. I want the ring." She could barely contain her frustration, her breath hitching as he delivered his final blow. "If you can't find it," he said coldly, "I'll assume you're holding onto it because you still care about me." Just then, Joshua's phone rang; it was Lilliana calling. "Joshua." She mewled his name pitifully. "The thunder is so loud. I'm scared to sleep alone... Can you come over?" The car wasn't heading anywhere near Lilliana's and Joshua was furious with Alicia, so without a second thought, he kicked her out into the rain and sped off. He didn't even leave her an umbrella. Alicia stood frozen by the roadside, the downpour quickly soaking through her clothes. The cold rain seeped into her bones, chilling her to the core. Gritting her chattering teeth, she swallowed the bitter taste in her mouth and began trudging along the drenched pavement. Behind her, the soft hum of an engine crept closer. A sleek, low-profile Maybach rolled up beside her, its headlights cutting through the rain. "Mr. Ward," the driver said, glancing back, "I believe that's Ms. Bennett." The car slowed to a stop. Caden glanced out the window, his sharp eyes narrowing on Alicia's lonesome figure. She had just paused, her fingers gathering the fabric of her soaked dress, tying it up to ease her stride. Caden's lips curled into a faint. "Invite her inside," he drawled. The car came to a halt next to Alicia. The driver stepped out, holding a large umbrella over her head, his voice polite. "Ms. Bennett, it's hard to find a cab at this hour. May I offer you a ride home?" Alicia's eyes flicked up, recognizing the man as the Yates family's driver. She hesitated for a moment before nodding, her voice soft but steady. "Thank you. Sorry for the inconvenience." However, as soon as she slipped into the backseat of the car, she locked eyes with its other passenger--Caden. "We meet again so soon, sister-in-law?" His voice, smooth as velvet, carried a hint of mischief. ...... 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) &9& | LEARN_MORE | https://fbweb.moboreader.net/63310322-fb_contact-e | Love Story Now | https://www.facebook.com/100083950326074/ | 25,616 | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Learn more | 0 | fbweb.moboreader.net | IMAGE | https://fbweb.moboreader.net/63310322-fb_contact-ena265_2-1025-core2.html?adid={{ad.id}}&char=295122&accid=968271541620686&rawadid=120215495179180541 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/468663642_8951691011558592_499743717750170814_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=5zFKO17q-lkQ7kNvgFv4VSX&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AyF_ZOGe8oPoFvBtixoKCYC&oh=00_AYD40DW6kTZ-zAjp6gYr0vSwrVky6W1gi_mnk-jZfFV-vg&oe=675D6163 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 0 | Love Story Now | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2,626,994 |
/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281)
null |
No | 2024-12-10 04:54 | active | 1984 | 0 | ๐จIt's time for a giveaway!๐จย What better way to celebrate the holiday season than with a giveaway for an e-gift card to use on your favorite/wishlist items from Melissa & Doug?! Now through December 31, visit the link in bio to enter for your chance to be one of ourย fiveย winners of a $200 Melissa & Doug e-gift card! | SIGN_UP | https://teams.microsoft.com/l/message/19:262628e3- | Melissa & Doug | https://www.facebook.com/MelissaAndDoug/ | 417,999 | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Sign up | 0 | teams.microsoft.com | VIDEO | https://teams.microsoft.com/l/message/19:262628e3-9b80-41f2-9116-74caf4e7253b_b604f1a9-7639-4213-862e-0ff05d1a0421@unq.gbl.spaces/1733344217127?context=%7B%22contextType%22%3A%22chat%22%7D | 1969-12-31 18:00 | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/469830030_1625963374988808_6168738190502449274_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=30ZXU8EObqUQ7kNvgFSPJYw&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AjbiHvjUvQAz4bEkSouYYJ-&oh=00_AYCFZdIq_tnLGs2Evw8bjlmrh_XC-NbeSthkc-P8X8hY1Q&oe=675DF290 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 0 | Melissa & Doug | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2,628,623 |
/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281)
'{"alias":2628607}'
|
Yes | 2024-12-10 16:48 | active | 1985 | 0 | Back Pain ๐ค Solutions That LAST | If you suffer from chronic back pain, keep reading โฌ๏ธ At Trinity Chiropractic, we understand how debilitating this can be in your day to day life. From waking up in the morning, to regular tasks throughout the day, until you lay down at nightโฆ Back pain infects every aspect of your days - itโs time to do something about it. We specialize in advanced decompression therapy, which is a non-surgical treatment designed to alleviate pressure on your spinal discs and nerves. Our comprehensive approach begins with a thorough assessment conducted by our expert team, who will tailor a plan to treat your specific needs. Our aim is to not only relieve your pain, but safeguard you from future ails and discomfort. Weโre not just building you a treatment plan - we are building you a LIFE plan. Stop letting your back pain take the back seat. Learn more about our therapy solutions at the link below | LEARN_MORE | https://www.glendaleoffer.com/decompression | Trinity Chiropractic | https://www.facebook.com/GlendaleChiro/ | 1,342 | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Learn more | 0 | glendaleoffer.com | VIDEO | Click To Claim | https://www.glendaleoffer.com/decompression | 1969-12-31 18:00 | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/469996635_1593533274629558_5911763761158811027_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=oBCdxw9U3GMQ7kNvgF3DuNi&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A9eGaDA8LJGphgAWzExY2dF&oh=00_AYCJ1eAEhBQ2RIDnVGZMAMXWYGYnTTQUEkIInWLNBucctg&oe=675EA3C1 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 0 | Trinity Chiropractic | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2,622,794 |
/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281)
'{"alias":2622795}'
|
No | 2024-12-09 19:36 | active | 1981 | 0 |
|
๐Attention! Do not read in public๏ผ๐ | "Carrisa Sinclair, you're the only woman I'll ever love in my life. I will never take a concubine!" Carissa Sinclair stared at the hypocritical man before her, his heartfelt promises still echoing in her ears. At the time of her husband's departure for battle, she used her dowry to support the household and care for her in-laws. In the end, however, she was met with betrayal; Barrett Warren used his military achievements to request the king's permission to take another legitimate wife, placing her on equal footing with him. She was the Marquis of Northwatch's daughter, and she herself was also highly skilled in martial arts. After her family was destroyed, she had no choice but to marry a good husband as her mother had wished, learning to be obedient and manage household affairs to put her mother at ease. But the man before her was no virtuous partner. Barrett's handsome face bore a hint of apology, yet his words were resolute, "Carissa, the king has issued a royal edict for this marriage. Aurora will be joining our household. There's no question about it." Despite feeling a mix of disgust and unwillingness, she still asked, "What about your parents? Do they agree?" "They do. It was a royal edict. Besides, Aurora is straightforward, cheerful, and lovable. She visited my mother a while ago." They agreed? Hah... How ironic! All her sincere efforts over the past year turned out to be feeding a dog. "Carissa, when I married you, I didn't understand love. I thought you were a suitable match for a wife until I met Rory." Talking about the woman he loved, his eyes softened and filled with deep affection. He turned back to Carissa and added, "She's unlike any woman I've ever met. I love her deeply. I hope you'll agree to this." Carissa curled her lips in a faint smile; beneath her seemingly teary eyes gleamed a sharp, fierce determination, "Invite General Yates over. I have a few things to ask her." "There's no need for that. Carissa, she's different from any woman you know. She's a general, and she's above the usual household squabbles. She wouldn't want to meet you," Barrett refused instantly. Carissa retorted, "What kind of women do I know? What kind of woman am I to you? Have you forgotten? I'm also the daughter of a noble family. My father and my six brothers died on the Southern Frontier three years ago-" "That's them," Barrett interrupted. "But you're a delicate woman suited for the comforts of home. Aurora has no respect for such women. She's straightforward and unrestrained. If she meets you, she might say things you won't like. Why put yourself through that?" As Carissa looked up, the striking beauty mark under the corner of her eye became more evident in the light. She calmly said, "It's fine. If she says anything unpleasant, I'll ignore it. Understanding the bigger picture and acting with dignity are essential virtues for any matriarch. Don't you trust me?" Barrett sighed in frustration. "Why put yourself through this? There was a royal edict for this marriage. Even when Aurora moves in, you'll be in separate wings. She won't compete with you for control of the household. She doesn't care about those things." "Do you really think I'm attached to managing this household?" Carissa countered. Running this mansion was no easy task. Just the monthly medicine for Barrett's mother cost dozens of silver coins. Then, there was food, clothing, and social obligationsโall these things required money. This household was practically a hollow shell. Over the past year, Carissa had used much of her dowry to keep things running. And this was her reward. "Enough, I won't argue with you. I just needed to inform you. Whether you agree or not changes nothing," said Barrett, his patience wearing thin. Carissa watched him leave in a huff, feeling even more the irony in her heart. "My lady, my lord was too much!" said Lulu, Carissa's maid, wiping her tears away. "Don't call him that!" Carissa gave her a stern look. "We never consummated the marriage. He's not your lord." "Help me get ready; we're going to the royal palace." "What do we need to go to the royal palace for... Oh! Are you asking the king to revoke the decree?" Lulu asked innocently, tilting her head. Carissa tapped her on the forehead. "Silly girl, is it worth it for us to continue wasting our youth on someone like that?" Lulu covered her forehead and exclaimed, "Then why are we going to the palace?" "Of course, to seek a decree for divorce." Barrett Warren could leverage his achievements to request a marriage from the king, and she, Carissa Sinclair, could also use the military merits of the Marquis' family of Northwatch to request an edict for an amicable divorce. Since her husband's heart no longer belongs to her, why should she cling on? As for the substantial dowry she had given over the years, there's no reason to let this heartless family benefit from it for free. She will reclaim every single cent. With clear brows and resolute expression, Carissa Sinclair's gentle face radiated unwavering determination...... | LEARN_MORE | https://shgjfh.com/market/meganovel/13?lpid=13831& | Random Reading | https://www.facebook.com/61559743679549/ | 323 | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Learn More | 0 | shgjfh.com | DCO | https://shgjfh.com/market/meganovel/13?lpid=13831&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}} | 1969-12-31 18:00 | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/466106984_3867692586841273_7731293001766244204_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=2oSWVETFuIsQ7kNvgFtglAD&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A3ynZ9GvDxDdOijU8TXcGzv&oh=00_AYCGKoNOUqb2EOlUIc0rtUKPwrhLziaE85uAmp7LVBorvQ&oe=675D51C5 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 0 | Random Reading | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2,621,761 |
/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281)
'{"alias":2621016}'
|
No | 2024-12-09 18:57 | active | 1980 | 0 | โค๏ธ๐O que acontece a seguir๐Clique aqui para continuar lendo๐ | Cheguei em casa depois de um dia puxado e meus pais estavam me esperando na sala. - Catarina, senta aรญ que precisamos conversar. โ Meu pai falou e parecia bem nervoso. - Pode falar, pai, o que aconteceu? โ Perguntei ao meu pai cansado, eu tinha trabalhado o dia todo, ido pra faculdade ร noite e, ao chegar em casa, a รบnica coisa que eu queria era tomar um banho e cair na cama. Mas nรฃo foi possรญvel. - Catarina, chegou o convite de casamento da sua prima. โ Minha mรฃe falou. - Aquela mulherzinha nรฃo รฉ minha prima! โ Falei jรก ficando nervosa. - Catarina, ela รฉ a sua prima. โ Minha mรฃe falou. โ ร melhor vocรช parar com esse ataque de infantilidade. A Melissa jรก bateu nela e fez um escรขndalo aqui em casa. Agora chega! Ela รฉ filha da minha irmรฃ, portanto รฉ sua prima. - Me desculpa, mรฃe, mas ela nรฃo รฉ nada pra mim. โ Tentei manter a calma. โ Ela ficou com o meu namorado na minha cama, isso nรฃo รฉ coisa que se faรงa. Eu namorava o Clรกudio hรก quatro anos, ele foi meu primeiro namorado, e o encontrei na minha cama, no meu quarto, transando com a Kelly, minha prima! Eu fiquei em choque. Claro que a Melissa, minha melhor amiga, partiu pra cima deles. Desde entรฃo as coisas ficaram tensas em minha casa, pois meus pais insistiam que era uma bobagem e que eu deveria agir como se nada tivesse acontecido e voltasse a conviver com a minha prima. - Errado foi ele, Catarina, que era seu namorado. โ Minha mรฃe argumentou. โ A Kelly, coitada, foi seduzida, ele a desonrou, agora vai se casar com ela pra ela nรฃo ficar mal falada na cidade. - Ah, mรฃe! Me poupe e se poupe! A cidade inteira sabe que a Kelly รฉ uma vadia... โ Perdi a paciรชncia. - Catarina, olha o vocabulรกrio! โ Meu pai chamou a minha atenรงรฃo. โ Olha aqui, se vocรช nรฃo quer conviver com a Kelly tudo bem, mas vocรช vai a esse casamento. E chega desse comportamento grosseiro. - Eu o quรช? โ Achei que eu tinha ouvido errado. - Vocรช vai ao casamento da sua prima, Catarina. Isso รฉ uma ordem! Nรณs somos os seus pais e vocรช vai obedecer. โ Minha mรฃe falava brava comigo, como se eu fosse a errada nessa situaรงรฃo. - Sinto muito, mรฃe, mas eu nรฃo vou! Eu sigo as regras de vocรชs, eu sou uma boa filha, mas dessa vez nรฃo vai dar. Eu fui a ofendida! Eu tenho todo o direito de nรฃo querer ser a piada da famรญlia mais. โ Falei jรก chorando. - CHEGA, CATARINA! โ Meu pai gritou e me assustou. โ Vocรช vai a esse casamento e ponto final. - Mas, pai... - Nรฃo quero saber, Catarina! ร importante pra sua mรฃe manter a paz na famรญlia. Entรฃo vocรช vai e pronto. โ Meu pai falou nรฃo dando margem para questionamentos. Fui para o meu quarto e passei a noite chorando. No dia seguinte contei tudo para a Melissa, que nรฃo perdeu tempo, arrumou os convites para um baile de mรกscaras, evento de gala, falando para os meus pais que seria importantรญssimo para a minha carreira, jรก que os empresรกrios mais importantes da cidade estariam lรก, eu faria contatos muito importantes e nossos professores haviam prometido nos apresentar a vรกrios empresรกrios que abririam portas para o nosso futuro profissional. Em princรญpio meus pais nรฃo estavam muito convencidos, mas os pais da Melissa conversaram com eles e os convenceram de que seria uma excelente oportunidade para o meu futuro. Entรฃo eles concordaram que eu deveria aproveitar a oportunidade. - Catarina, vocรช nรฃo pode me dizer nรฃo! Jรก comprei os convites, as mรกscaras e jรก atรฉ convenci seus pais de que รฉ um evento importantรญssimo para o seu futuro profissional, o que me deu um trabalhรฃo. Essa festa vai ser incrรญvel e vocรช nรฃo vai perder! โ Melissa, falava e me olhava com os olhos de um cachorrinho abandonado, juntando as mรฃos como se suplicando. Eu estava sentada em minha mesa no trabalho, no meio da tarde de uma quinta feira, entre anotar recados e fazer ligaรงรตes, e a Mel apareceu com cafรฉ, bolinhos de chocolate e essa insistรชncia para eu aceitar ir no baile de mรกscaras que acontecia anualmente e era o maior evento em nossa cidade. - Ai, Mel, como รฉ que pode eu nรฃo conseguir dizer nรฃo pra vocรช? Estรก bem, eu vou! Eu concordei em ir ao baile, mas eu ainda nรฃo tinha certeza. De qualquer forma eu iria dormir na casa da Mel para fugir do casamento, mas nรฃo iria ร festa, contudo, Melissa tanto fez que me convenceu a ir pra festa. No sรกbado nos arrumamos na casa dela. - Quรช isso, hein, amiga! Tรก gata demais! โ Ela me entregou uma mรกscara dourada, linda, toda trabalhada como se fosse uma renda, que cobria atรฉ o nariz e eu a coloquei. Eu usava um vestido de cetim vermelho brilhante e a mรกscara combinou perfeitamente. โ Entรฃo, estamos prontas? - Sim estamos prontas. โ Respondi e peguei minha bolsa. โ Ih, esqueci meu perfume. - Nรฃo, tem problema, vocรช vai usar o perfume novo da minha mรฃe. Ela nรฃo se importa. Quando o Fernando, namorado da Mel, nos viu sorriu, deu um beijo na Mel e disse: - Garotas, vocรชs estรฃo lindรญssimas! Acho que vocรช vai sair dessa festa com um namorado novo, Cat. - Sem namorado, Nando. Na verdade, eu acho que รฉ melhor eu ficar, eu nรฃo estou no clima pra festa. Por favor, Mel, deixa eu ficar? CAPรTULO 2: O grande baile, a tequila, os cosmopolitans e o estranho irresistรญvel Nรฃo teve jeito, minha amiga me arrastou para o baile. Logo que entramos a Mel nos arrastou para o bar e falou no meu ouvido: - A festa รฉ open bar, entรฃo hoje vocรช vai beber para afogar de vez a tristeza! โA Mel me entregou dois shots de tequila e com mais dois em suas mรฃos me falou: - Vamos virar! โ viramos a tequila e o Fernando jรก entregava uma taรงa de cosmopolitan para cada uma. Melissa me arrastou para a pista de danรงa e atรฉ que eu estava me divertindo. Comeรงou uma mรบsica lenta e o Nando e a Mel comeรงaram a danรงar agarradinhos, aproveitei a deixa e me encaminhei para o buffet, mas nรฃo consegui chegar, senti uma mรฃo puxando a minha e quando olhei para trรกs havia um homem com uma mรกscara preta sorrindo pra mim, e que sorriso! Ele beijou minha mรฃo e me puxou para perto dizendo no meu ouvido com uma voz rouca: - A mulher mais linda do salรฃo nรฃo vai me negar uma danรงa, vai? - E por que nรฃo? Vamos danรงar. โ Sorri pra ele. Era impossรญvel resistir aquela voz rouca sedutora e aquele sorriso lindo meio de lado! Ele era alto, ombros largos, um sorriso encantador e olhos azuis, tรฃo azuis que eram quase violeta. Ele tinha uma boca que convidava ao pecado, cabelos castanhos, e quando me puxou pela cintura eu apoiei as mรฃos em seu corpo e percebi que ele era uma parede de mรบsculos bem definidos. Embora a mรกscara nรฃo permitisse ver seu rosto, ele era muito charmoso e encantador. - Eu estava observando vocรช desde que chegou. โ Aquele homem, com ar misterioso, falou no meu ouvido. โ Vocรช รฉ tรฃo linda! - Vocรช รฉ gentil. Mas vocรช nรฃo รฉ da cidade, รฉ? โ Ele tinha uma presenรงa forte, emanava poder. - Nรฃo. Um amigo me convenceu a vir a essa festa. - Parece que temos algo em comum, meus amigos tambรฉm me convenceram a vir. - Sorte minha! - E por que? โ Sorri. - Porque eu fiquei fascinado quando te vi. Vocรช รฉ muito linda. โ Enquanto ele falava no meu ouvido eu ia me arrepiando, sentindo meu rosto esquentar e o corpo formigar, ele realmente me encantou. - Mesmo com a mรกscara? - Mesmo com a mรกscara! Vocรช รฉ linda demais. - Vocรช รฉ um sedutor. - Vocรช me acha sedutor? - Vocรช sabe que รฉ. E lindo tambรฉm. - Que bom que vocรช gosta do que vรช. โ Eu me senti um pouco zonza, nรฃo sei se pela bebida ou pelo perfume delicioso que aquele homem usava. Acabei tropeรงando nos meus prรณprios pรฉs. - Vocรช estรก bem? - Acho que preciso de um pouco de ar. - Vem comigo. - Ele me puxou para um corredor sem iluminaรงรฃo que dava para uma saรญda de emergรชncia e ficou assoprando o meu rosto. โ Eu quero muito te beijar. Posso? โ Eu fiz que sim com a cabeรงa. Ele olhou nos meus olhos, segurou a minha nuca e nossos lรกbios se encontraram, comeรงou lento, mas foi se aprofundando, ele me encostou na parede e o beijo se intensificou ainda mais, quase nos roubando o fรดlego, quando ele interrompeu o beijo para respirarmos, nos olhamos nos olhos, foi como jogar gasolina no fogo, ele passou a mรฃo pela minha cintura, desceu atรฉ minha coxa e puxou minha perna para sua cintura. Eu jรก estava completamente entregue nesse momento, sentindo seu corpo contra o meu, eu fiquei louca de tesรฃo e o puxei para mais perto envolvendo sua cintura com minha perna. - Vocรช beija bem! โ Sorri pra ele e senti meu corpo todo se arrepiar. โ Ah, linda, vocรช รฉ incrรญvel, eu quero muito vocรช, aqui, agora! โ ele disse entre beijos e enfiou a mรฃo sob o meu vestido o puxando pra cima e chegando a minha calcinha. Eu estava em chamas quando ele enfiou a mรฃo dentro da minha calcinha e gemeu. โ Ah! Que delรญcia! Tรฃo quente, tรฃo molhadinha! โ Disse e me beijou com mais forรงa, enquanto abria o zรญper da sua calรงa. Com um movimento rรกpido, de quem jรก tinha feito aquilo antes, ele rasgou minha calcinha e acariciou minha entrada, como se pedisse permissรฃo. Olhou nos meus olhos de novo e me perguntou: - O que vocรช quer que eu faรงa? - Eu quero que vocรช esteja dentro de mim agora! โ Respondi sem nenhum pudor, eu jรก estava arfando de tanto tesรฃo. Eu nรฃo resisti aqueles olhos e aquela voz rouca. Eu nunca fui assim, normalmente eu teria me desvencilhado dele no momento em que me puxou pela mรฃo, mas aquela noite eu havia prometido a mim mesma que iria me divertir e se aparecesse alguรฉm interessante eu viveria o momento. E era o que eu estava fazendo, vivendo aquele momento. Ao me ouvir, ele foi entrando em mim devagar, observando eu encostar minha cabeรงa na parede e aproveitar cada centรญmetro dele, e ele era enorme. Ele aproveitou para espalhar beijos pelo meu pescoรงo. Quando acabou de entrar ele parou e falou entre beijos no meu ouvido: - Agora eu vou me mexer. โ E comeรงou a sair, sรณ pra entrar de novo com toda forรงa dessa vez, e foi uma delรญcia, eu estava completamente entregue e enlouquecida com os movimentos dele que entrava e saia de mim freneticamente. Nos descontrolamos e nos entregamos totalmente, como se nรฃo tivesse nada ao nosso redor, eu senti uma nรฉvoa em meus olhos e o climax comeรงando a se formar e gemi baixinho no ouvido dele, nesse momento parece que ele enlouqueceu, puxou minha outra perna para sua cintura e eu o entrelacei. Me beijando intensamente ele entrava e saia com mais forรงa ainda em mim, era o paraรญso na terra. Eu gozei gemendo na boca dele e foi um climax incrรญvel, mas ele continuou o movimento e logo outro climax se formou, e gozei novamente, um climax ainda maior que o anterior que me deixou sem fรดlego, enquanto eu gozava ele me disse baixinho que estava no limite me sentindo pulsar ao seu redor, logo eu senti o gozo dele quente dentro de mim. Ficamos ali encostados naquela parede, totalmente sem fรดlego, a testa dele encostada a minha. Enquanto me beijava, ele comeรงou a sair de mim e eu estava completamente bem comida, como diria a Melissa. Eu sorri e ele me olhou, me deu um selinho e disse: - Vocรช รฉ realmente incrรญvel! Gentilmente ele baixou minhas pernas atรฉ meus pรฉs tocarem o chรฃo, colocou o meu vestido em ordem, arrumou sua calรงa e me abraรงou. Isso foi tรฃo รญntimo, tรฃo afetuoso, apesar da loucura daquele encontro e da ferocidade com que nos entregamos, ele ainda era cuidadoso comigo. Eu nunca tinha tido uma relaรงรฃo tรฃo maravilhosa, mas eu sรณ tinha transado com meu ex atรฉ entรฃo. E meu ex nunca tinha se preocupado em me abraรงar depois, nem se preocupava com meu prazer, para ele a coisa se resumia a entrar e sair atรฉ ele estar satisfeito, entรฃo, o fato de um homem se preocupar comigo, com meu prazer, cuidar de mim, foi novidade, e uma novidade incrรญvel. Ele me deu um beijo no pescoรงo e perguntou no meu ouvido: - Entรฃo, linda, eu ainda nรฃo sei o seu nome. โ Levei segundos para processar e finalmente me dar conta de que acabei de transar com um completo estranho e nem sei o nome dele. Quando eu ia abrir a boca pra falar, ele puxou o celular do bolso e me pediu um minuto para atender. Se afastou um pouco e sรณ pude ouvir ele elevando a voz e dizendo: - O que vocรช disse? โ Nesse momento aquele estranho saiu correndo como se tivesse se esquecido de mim, ou como se sรณ estivesse fugindo da rapariga que comeu rapidinho na festa. Mas e daรญ? Foda-se eu sรณ estava me divertindo tambรฉm e eu nem sabia quem era o cara e ele nรฃo sabia quem eu era. Tudo certo. Me recompus, procurei minha calcinha rasgada inutilmente, onde ele a teria jogado eu nรฃo faรงo ideia, e saรญ daquele corredor. Voltei pra mesa e encontrei a Mel e o Nando se agarrando. Logo eles pararam e focaram em mim: - Mel, acho que encontrei o Lobo Mau! โ Eu ri e ela riu comigo. - Quando chegarmos em casa quero saber tudo! - Claro que quer! โ respondi com os olhos brilhando. - Prรญncipe, acho que jรก podemos ir. O que acha, Cat? - Eu estou pronta quando vocรชs quiserem! โ falei virando um copo de รกgua. - Entรฃo vamos, garotas! โ Fernando falou e nos conduziu para a saรญda. Mal chegamos e a Mel jรก foi me ordenando: - Conta tudo, quem รฉ, como foi, como nรฃo foi, tudo. Eu ri e contei tudo pra ela, quando terminei de falar minha amiga me olhava de boca aberta e me perguntou: - Vocรชs usaram camisinha, nรฉ? Meu coraรงรฃo disparou! A gente nรฃo usou preservativo. E eu balancei a cabeรงa em negativa para ela, eu estava em choque por me dar conta do quรฃo descuidada eu fui. Ela jรก foi logo me acalmando: - Nรฃo, Cat, calma. Com certeza nรฃo vai dar nada. Mas vocรช deve fazer uns exames para garantir que estรก tudo bem. Vou na cozinha preparar um chรก pra gente. Nรฃo surta! CAPรTULO 3: Chegou a hora da verdade Na segunda, na hora do almoรงo, encontrei a Mel e ela me entregou uma sacolinha de uma loja chique. Olhei pra ela sem entender. - Minha mรฃe mandou eu te entregar. Ela disse que ele รฉ perfeito para vocรช e nรฃo combina com ela. โ A Mel falou com um grande sorriso. Abri a sacolinha e lรก dentro estava o perfume que eu usei para ir ao baile. Eu abri um grande sorriso. Eu amei aquele perfume e ele era parte da melhor noite da minha vida. Liguei para o laboratรณrio e fui informada que precisaria apresentar um pedido mรฉdico para fazer os exames pelo plano de saรบde. Graรงas a Deus a empresa pagava plano de saรบde para os funcionรกrios, porque se nรฃo, nรฃo sei o que faria, meu salรกrio nรฃo era alto e o pouco que sobrava depois de cobrir as despesas da faculdade eu ajudava em casa, jรก que minha mรฃe nรฃo trabalhava fora e meu pai tambรฉm nรฃo ganhava muito como motorista. Entรฃo marquei o mรฉdico que sรณ tinha horรกrio para quinze dias depois e aguardei agoniada. Quanto mais os dias passavam mais nervosa eu estava, a Mel fazia de tudo para me acalmar. Na data marcada ela foi comigo ao mรฉdico. Com a lista de exames nas mรฃos ela mesma marcou o laboratรณrio e fez questรฃo de me acompanhar. Jรก tinham se passado trรชs semanas desde a festa quando eu finalmente consegui fazer os exames. Os resultados saรญram cinco dias depois e eu voltei ao mรฉdico. Claro que a Mel estava comigo. O mรฉdico verificou os resultados e me olhou nos olhos: - Srta. Catarina, sua saรบde estรก รณtima. Vocรช estรก saudรกvel. Mas, daqui pra frente terรก que se cuidar melhor. Eu respirei aliviada Ele continuou falando: - Parabรฉns, vocรช estรก grรกvida! Vou encaminhรก-la para um ginecologista obstetra para que vocรช faรงa o prรฉ natal.... Eu nรฃo ouvi mais nada, sรณ o sangue pulsando em meus ouvidos. Eu nรฃo podia acreditar nisso! Grรกvida? Como eu iria explicar? Nรฃo รฉ possรญvel. Na primeira vez que deixo a racionalidade de lado acabo grรกvida e nem sei quem รฉ o pai! A Mel segurava minha mรฃo e repetia: - Calma, Cat, vai ficar tudo bem! Como ficaria tudo bem? Eu nem sabia quem era o pai. Eu teria que contar isso para os meus pais, sua รบnica filha acabaria com eles. Eles ficariam decepcionados, iriam me odiar, me colocariam pra fora de casa. Como eu ia explicar que nรฃo sei nem como รฉ a cara do pai do meu filho? Eu jรก estava hiperventilando. De repente, senti o mรฉdico pegando minha mรฃo e falando calmamente: - Filha, calma! A situaรงรฃo, pelo que percebo, nรฃo รฉ a melhor, mas vocรช nรฃo pode ficar nervosa assim, isso farรก mal para o seu bebรช, agora vocรช tem que se cuidar por ele. Tenho certeza que as pessoas que te amam vรฃo te apoiar e ajudar. Mas vocรช precisa se acalmar, porque sรณ vocรช pode cuidar para que esse bebรช se desenvolva saudรกvel e nasรงa forte. Vocรช me compreende? O mรฉdico pediu a secretรกria para trazer um chรก de camomila para mim e enquanto eu bebia o chรก e tentava me acalmar ele passava todas as informaรงรตes para a Melissa que ouvia tudo atentamente. Saรญmos do consultรณrio e a Melissa me levou para uma lanchonete dizendo que nรณs precisรกvamos comer alguma coisa. Logo que me sentei senti as lรกgrimas caรญrem. Minha amiga me abraรงou e me disse mais uma vez que eu nรฃo estava sozinha. Olhei para ela e disse: - A รบnica certeza que tenho agora รฉ que quero vocรช e o Nando como padrinhos do meu filho, porque sei que vocรชs vรฃo apoiรก-lo e dar a ele muito amor. Os olhos dela brilharam e ela explodiu em lรกgrimas e soluรงando me respondeu: - Eu vou ser a melhor madrinha do mundo e vou estar sempre perto do nosso bebรช! E tenho certeza que o Nando vai ficar muito feliz tambรฉm! Ela garantiu que estaria ao meu lado sempre, deixou claro que eu nรฃo passaria por nada sozinha e que estaria comigo quando eu fosse falar com meus pais. Meus pais... ai! Comecei a raciocinar e decidi que nรฃo iria esconder deles nem por um dia, ia contar naquela noite mesmo, nรฃo iria a faculdade, pois iria pra casa falar com eles. A Mel logo me apoiou e disse: - Entรฃo vamos, eu estou com vocรช! Quando chegamos em minha casa meus pais se assustaram e minha mรฃe jรก veio toda preocupada: - Meninas, vocรชs nรฃo foram a aula hoje? Estรก tudo bem? - Nรฃo muito, mรฃe. Eu preciso falar com vocรชs. Meus pais perceberam logo que era algo muito sรฉrio. Nos sentamos todos na sala e eu contei a eles o que estava acontecendo e que eu fui irresponsรกvel e fiquei com um estranho na festa, nรฃo entrei em detalhes obviamente, mas deixei claro que nรฃo poderia encontrar o pai do meu filho de novo. A decepรงรฃo nos olhos deles era evidente. Minha mรฃe soluรงava de tanto chorar e dizia que eu estava arruinada. Meu pai atรฉ entรฃo nรฃo havia dito nada. A Melissa vendo como minha mรฃe estava nervosa foi logo na cozinha e voltou com um copo de รกgua com aรงรบcar para ela. Melissa sempre dรก รกgua com aรงรบcar pra quem estรก nervoso dizendo que acalma, eu nunca entendi isso. Por fim, meu pai falou: - Vocรช cometeu um erro muito grande e nรฃo tem volta. Ouvir meu pai enfatizar que eu errei fez meu coraรงรฃo doer ainda mais. Eu comecei a chorar e fui falando: - Eu sei, pai, eu fui irresponsรกvel. Mas agora nรฃo tem jeito. Eu vou deixar a faculdade para poder criar meu filho. E jรก vou fazer minha mala... - Fazer a mala? Vocรช estรก muito enganada se acha que vai sair dessa casa assim. Vocรช errou, nos decepcionou, mas nรณs te amamos, vamos superar isso e vamos ajudar vocรช. Vocรช nรฃo estรก sozinha, minha filha! E essa crianรงa tambรฉm nรฃo! โ Meu pai disse isso e meu coraรงรฃo se encheu de esperanรงa. - Mas pai, eu envergonhei vocรชs... - Vocรช nรฃo รฉ a primeira e nรฃo serรก a รบltima mรฃe solteira nesse mundo. Nรณs gostarรญamos que as coisas fossem diferentes para vocรช, que nรฃo fossem tรฃo difรญceis. Vocรช sempre foi tรฃo responsรกvel! Mas, se รฉ assim, nรณs vamos enfrentar isso. Vocรช nรฃo vai deixar a faculdade, mais do que nunca vocรช precisa crescer na vida para cuidar do seu filho, vocรช vai ser mรฃe solteira, sua responsabilidade รฉ muito grande. Nรณs vamos te ajudar e, mesmo que seja com dificuldade, vai dar tudo certo. A Melissa jรก estava chorando e logo falou com os meus pais: - Sr. Antรดnio, Dona Celina, vocรชs contem comigo, vou ajudar em tudo! Atรฉ porque eu sou a madrinha desse bebรช, a Cat รฉ como uma irmรฃ pra mim, e vou estar sempre por perto. Meus pais olharam para ela com gratidรฃo. Eu olhei para aqueles trรชs me sentindo completamente abenรงoada por tรช-los em minha vida, cheia de amor por eles e um sentimento totalmente novo por aquele serzinho que ainda crescia dentro de mim e que eu acabava de descobrir a existรชncia! Por mais difรญcil que fosse ser mรฃe solteira, aquela noite no baile foi a melhor noite da minha vida. Eu nunca vou poder esquecer aqueles olhos azuis violeta me olhando com adoraรงรฃo durante nosso encontro furtivo e tudo o que meu corpo experimentou naquela noite. Eu sempre teria essa doce lembranรงa comigo. Os meses seguintes foram difรญceis. Guardei em uma caixa o vestido, os sapatos, a mรกscara e o perfume que a mรฃe da Mel me deu. Em dias difรญceis eu abria aquela caixa e revivia em minha memรณria aquela noite. Embora eu tenha tido uma gravidez tranquila, os comentรกrios e a maldade das pessoas era difรญcil suportar. Para piorar, depois que se casaram, meu ex e minha prima foram morar com os pais dela, que moravam na mesma rua que nรณs, e eles faziam questรฃo de me humilhar com comentรกrios maldosos sempre que me viam e espalharam no bairro inteiro que eu nรฃo sabia quem era o pai do meu filho e que eu era uma perdida, por isso que o Clรกudio me deixou. Eu queria matรก-los! A mรฃe da Kelly, que era irmรฃ da minha mรฃe, tambรฉm nรฃo perdia a oportunidade de ir lรก em casa nos atormentar, dizendo que ainda bem que a filha dela nรฃo era como eu, que era uma boa moรงa, que tinha se casado com um homem decente. Parecia ter esquecido que aquela puta roubou meu namorado e transou com ele na minha cama. Mas eu engolia tudo, nรฃo valia a pena bater boca com essa gente e eu nรฃo queria transmitir sentimentos ruins ao meu filho. Quanto mais os dias passavam, mais eu amava aquele bebรช, eu nรฃo tinha ideia que poderia existir um amor assim. Tudo o que eu fazia, fazia por ele. Eu o protegeria de tudo, eu daria a minha vida por ele. E, por incrรญvel que pareรงa, com a gravidez parecia que todas as coisas fluรญam para o meu bem, tudo ia se encaminhando e dando certo. Descobri que eu teria um menino e decidi que se chamaria Pedro. E assim foi. Pedro nasceu saudรกvel, com um par de imensos olhos azuis violeta que nunca me deixariam esquecer da noite que mudou a minha vida, mas que foi a melhor noite que eu vivi! Eu nunca esqueceria aquele homem! CAPรTULO 4: Depois da faculdade Quando eu me formei, Pedro jรก estava com dois anos. A essa altura ele jรก andava para todos os lados, sempre agarrado na vovรณ, que foi a primeira palavrinha que ele disse. Era um menino lindo, cabelinhos amigos bem lisinhos, pele clara, um nariz arrebitadinho e aqueles enormes olhos violeta que me faziam suspirar. Ele era o meu sol! E agora eu teria mais tempo pra ele. Apรณs a formatura meu chefe me chamou para conversar, ele era um รณtimo chefe, disse que estava muito feliz comigo na empresa, mas sabia que eu merecia chegar muito longe, entรฃo eu deveria procurar emprego na minha รกrea, que ele compreenderia. Garantiu que meu emprego na construtora seria meu enquanto eu quisesse e que se eu saรญsse e nรฃo desse certo eu teria para onde voltar. Mas que eu deveria buscar algo na minha รกrea de formaรงรฃo, para dar um futuro muito melhor para o meu filho. Eu fiquei muito emocionada com isso e aceitei o seu bom conselho. Contei pra Melissa e ela logo me disse que ia falar com o pai dela para que ele acionasse alguns contatos. E nรฃo demorou, o Sr. Otรกvio Lascuran, pai da Mel, me chamou no escritรณrio dele e me entregou um cartรฃo, me dizendo: - Catarina, sei que vocรช รฉ uma รณtima garota e uma boa profissional. Falei com um amigo e ele conseguiu uma entrevista para vocรช no Grupo Mellendez, รฉ para o cargo de assistente do CEO do grupo. Se vocรช conseguir esse emprego vai exercer sua profissรฃo em uma empresa global, รฉ um excelente cargo, mas nรฃo รฉ aqui em Campanรกrio. Vocรช teria que se mudar para Porto Paraรญso. Eu sei que รฉ um passo enorme, mas acho que vocรช deveria considerar, vai ser excelente para vocรช. Enfim, envie um e-mail para o endereรงo eletrรดnico no cartรฃo com a sua resposta desistindo da vaga ou aceitando a entrevista virtual. - Sr. Lascuran, eu nรฃo tenho palavras para agradecer! Vocรชs sempre foram tรฃo bons comigo! O Grupo Mellendez รฉ um dos maiores conglomerados de empresas do paรญs! Trabalhar lรก รฉ um sonho! Eu vou aceitar a entrevista sim, se tiver que me mudar eu vou, sei que serรก uma grande oportunidade. โ falei com convicรงรฃo, pois nรฃo seria ruim me afastar daquelas pessoas maldosas da minha famรญlia, principalmente agora que a โrainhaโ Kelly estava grรกvida e a mรฃe dela resolveu pedir tudo que รฉ do Pedro pro rebento do casal canalha! Ainda bem que minha mรฃe disse a ela que isso era um absurdo, mas que de qualquer forma seria impossรญvel, pois eu jรก havia dado tudo que nรฃo servia mais para o Pedro para uma conhecida que estava grรกvida. Minha mรฃe andava muito chateada com a irmรฃ, pois ela estava sempre se desfazendo do meu filho, sempre se referia a ele como o menino sem pai e isso magoou muito minha mรฃe. Indo embora dessa cidade, sรณ vou lamentar em deixar meus pais e meus amigos, mas sei que eles vรฃo me apoiar mais uma vez. Agradeci ao Sr. Lascuran e sai do escritรณrio. Cheguei a minha mesa e falei com o meu chefe, outro Sr. Lascuran, mas ele nรฃo gostava de ser chamado assim entรฃo o chamava pelo nome: - Aldo, seu irmรฃo conseguiu uma entrevista pra mim no Grupo Mellendez. Ele sorriu: - Eu sei, ele acabou de me ligar, acho que vocรช deve agarrar a oportunidade, se nรฃo der certo vocรช volta. Sorri pra ele e fui logo enviar o e-mail para marcar a entrevista. Recebi rapidamente a confirmaรงรฃo de que a entrevista seria no dia seguinte ร s dez horas da manhรฃ, jรก que eu jรก havia tomado a iniciativa de enviar o meu currรญculo, a entrevista seria rรกpida. Naquela noite em casa falei com os meus pais que entenderam, mesmo se preocupando em como eu ia cuidar de uma crianรงa sozinha em outra cidade e ficando chorosos porque ficariam longe do neto. Me apoiaram como sempre e ficaram felizes com a oportunidade que eu recebi. Pedi que eles nรฃo contassem para ninguรฉm. Quando a Mel chegou, ela ia todos os dias ver o afilhado, contei tudo e ela me ajudou a me preparar para o dia seguinte. Na hora da entrevista, fui para a sala de reuniรตes do meu trabalho, meu chefe havia me liberado, me sentei e esperei a chamada. Fui entrevistada por uma senhora muito gentil e inteligente, Sra. Mariana Toledo. Foi muito agradรกvel, conversamos por duas horas, ela me passou todas as informaรงรตes do cargo, salรกrio e benefรญcios, no final ela me disse: - Catarina, vocรช estรก contratada! Vocรช vai me substituir, jรก que eu estou indo para um cargo de diretoria na filial de Londres, entรฃo vocรช ocuparรก meu cargo aqui. De modo que gostaria que vocรช comeรงasse o mais rรกpido possรญvel, pois eu viajo daqui a dez dias e gostaria de lhe passar tudo antes de ir. E tambรฉm nรฃo gostaria de reagendar a minha partida. Quando vocรช pode comeรงar? - Eu preciso apenas que meu chefe me libere, mas creio que posso estar aรญ na segunda. โ Jรก era sexta, serรก que o Aldo concordaria em me liberar ainda hoje? - Perfeito. Vocรช pode me enviar um e-mail confirmando depois de falar com ele. Vocรช tem alguma dรบvida? - Nรฃo, senhora. Estรก tudo claro. -รtimo! Bem vinda ao Grupo Mellendez, tenho certeza que vocรช vai se sair muito bem. Te espero na segunda. Ela encerrou a chamada e meu coraรงรฃo estava disparado, eu tinha conseguido. O emprego era รณtimo, o salรกrio melhor ainda e eu ainda teria chance de progredir. Era um sonho. Mas era hora de correr para resolver tudo. Fui imediatamente falar com meu chefe. Ele ficou feliz, ligou para a contabilidade e mandou fazer meu acerto imediatamente. Apรณs o acerto ele me liberou, disse que eu teria sempre um lugar para voltar se precisasse, mas que sabia que eu iria me dar muito bem. O agradeci por tudo e saรญ. Mandei o e-mail de confirmaรงรฃo para a Sra. Mariana, dizendo que na segunda, ร s oito da manhรฃ, estaria na empresa, e fui logo falar com a Mel e o pai dela, tinha que agradecer. E aรญ foi a Mel quem me surpreendeu: - O que vocรช achou, que ia levar meu afilhado embora assim? Nรฃo vai mesmo! Meu pai conseguiu uma entrevista para mim na Lince Mundi em Porto Paraรญso. Eu vou me mudar com vocรช e vamos morar juntas. O que acha? Isso era perfeito! Fiquei muito feliz, mas logo perguntei: - Mel, mas e o Nando? - O Nando jรก pediu na empresa a transferรชncia dele pra filial de Porto Paraรญso, lรก ele terรก mais oportunidades tambรฉm. Ele vai daqui a quinze dias. Amiga, vida nova para nรณs trรชs. Eu estava muito feliz. A Mel jรก havia orquestrado tudo. O Nando ia nos levar e ela ficaria com o Pedro para eu trabalhar atรฉ conseguirmos a creche. Ela jรก tinha trรชs creches para visitar e o pai dela jรก havia disponibilizado um apartamento mobiliado na cidade pra gente. Era bom demais, eu estava atรฉ com medo. Percebendo, a Mel me cutucou e me disse: - Aprenda a aceitar as coisas boas que a vida te oferece! Eu sorri pra ela e fomos para a casa dos meus pais. Era hora de dar a notรญcia e nos despedir. Porto Paraรญso fica do outro lado do paรญs, entรฃo ficarรญamos sem nos ver um tempo. Meus pais ficaram felizes, atรฉ eu dizer que partiria na manhรฃ seguinte, aรญ a despedida foi uma tristeza. Era difรญcil deixรก-los para trรกs, mas era necessรกrio. Com o salรกrio que eu receberia, poderia ajudรก-los agora. Isso era bom. Na manhรฃ seguinte o Nando e a Mel chegaram pontualmente. O pai da Mel deu uma caminhonete de presente para ela, o que facilitou muito fazer nossa mudanรงa. O Nando colocou tudo na caminhonete e lรก fomos nรณs, seria o dia todo na estrada. Chegamos a Porto Paraรญso jรก era tarde da noite de sรกbado, Pedrinho estava muito cansado, se divertiu muito durante a viagem, era tudo novidade. Nos acomodamos, pedimos comida e depois de comer fomos dormir. No domingo percorremos a cidade reconhecendo tudo, Porto Paraรญso era uma cidade muito grande, cheia de indรบstrias, muito moderna, ficava no litoral e o porto atraia muitos negรณcios para a cidade, era um centro urbano de primeiro mundo. O apartamento em que irรญamos morar ficava perto de uma das creches que a Mel havia contactado, isso era รณtimo, e tambรฉm nรฃo ficava longe da empresa, de metrรด eu chegaria em vinte minutos. Era lindo, decorado em estilo moderno e bem arejado e iluminado, com janelas enormes. ร noite deixamos o Nando no aeroporto e de volta em casa fomos descansar, o dia seguinte seria um grande dia, eu comeรงaria no emprego e a Mel faria sua entrevista virtual e marcaria com a diretora da creche perto do apartamento para irmos conhecer e conversar. Coloquei meu filho na cama, ele estava cansado de tanto que se divertiu hoje. Eu observei por um tempo seu soninho tranquilo e estava confiante de que aqui nรณs terรญamos uma vida muito boa. Pedro agora tinha seu prรณprio quarto, eu e a Mel combinamos de comprar umas coisinhas para deixar bem a nossa cara, dar um toque pessoal. Peguei a babรก eletrรดnica e fui para o meu quarto. Abri uma das minhas caixas e comecei a arrumar tudo ali. Quando abri a รบltima caixa, tirei dela a caixa com minhas lembranรงas da noite do baile, a abri, passei a mรฃo por aquele vestido lindo e suspirei mais uma vez. Peguei o perfume e pensei, โpor que nรฃo?โ, a partir de amanhรฃ eu usaria esse perfume todos os dias, meu salรกrio era bom e quando esse acabasse eu poderia comprar outro. Guardei a caixa, deixei o perfume sobre a penteadeira e fui dormir cheia de expectativas com essa vida nova que se abria a minha frente. CAPรTULO 5: Meu novo chefe รฉ muito estressado Me apresentei na empresa ร s oito da manhรฃ. Fui muito bem recebida pela Sra. Mariana, que me apresentou todo mundo e todos foram gentis. O chefe nรฃo estava lรก, estava viajando e chegaria no final da semana. O escritรณrio era lindo, muito moderno, todo decorado em branco, aรงo inox e detalhes verdes, muito profissional e acolhedor ao mesmo tempo. Era elegante e eu gostei muito. Fiquei particularmente feliz por ter escolhido vestir um terno amigo, com uma blusa de cetim verde escuro por baixo e saltos amigos. Eu deveria estar elegante todos os dias agora, afinal ia trabalhar direto com o presidente da empresa. No meio da manhรฃ recebi uma mensagem da Mel dizendo que conseguiu marcar com a diretora da creche prรณxima ao nosso apartamento para a hora do almoรงo. Expliquei a situaรงรฃo a Sra. Mariana e perguntei se seria possรญvel me liberar no horรกrio, mas que eu estaria de volta a tempo. - Entรฃo vocรช tem um filho. Qual a idade dele? โ ela me perguntou com um sorriso. - Ele tem dois anos. ร um garotinho muito esperto. Nรฃo foi planejado, mas รฉ a razรฃo da minha vida! - Qual o nome dele? - Pedro. - Pedro. Um nome forte. Vocรช nรฃo รฉ casada, isso eu sei, mas e o pai do seu filho, vocรชs continuam juntos? โ Meu coraรงรฃo despencou, como รฉ que eu explico pra ela que nรฃo sei quem รฉ o pai? Mas eu nรฃo minto, entรฃo vamos enfrentar a verdade. Contei para ela que o pai do Pedro era um homem que eu conheci em uma festa e nunca mais vi, ela me olhava sรฉria, nรฃo havia julgamento nos olhos dela. Entรฃo me disse: - Vocรช tem o meu respeito, Catarina, nรฃo รฉ fรกcil ser mรฃe solteira, e รฉ muito difรญcil contar verdades como essa que vocรช sabe que vai despertar o julgamento dos outros. Obrigada pela confianรงa e honestidade. Vai lรก resolver a creche para o seu filho, continuamos ร tarde, nรฃo precisa correr. Agradeci e me despedi dela indo encontrar a Mel e o Pedro. Minha admiraรงรฃo e respeito pela Sra. Mariana sรณ cresciam. Ela รฉ uma mulher de uns cinquenta e cinco anos, cabelos loiros bem claros e olhos azuis quase transparentes. ร uma mulher bonita e elegante, mas principalmente รฉ muito acolhedora. Nรณs nos demos muito bem. Durante o resto da manhรฃ ela me encheu de informaรงรตes sobre o trabalho e eu ia anotando tudo. Na hora do almoรงo eu saรญ do prรฉdio e a Mel jรก estava me esperando na porta com o Pedro. Entrei no carro e fomos almoรงar antes de ir ร creche. Eu e a Mel adoramos a creche e o Pedro jรก estava enturmado correndo com os novos amiguinhos, ele รฉ um menino muito extrovertido. Isso me deixou muito feliz! Meu filho estava feliz! Desistimos de ver as outras creches, pois essa era รณtima e ficava muito perto de casa, a trรชs quarteirรตes de distรขncia. Fizemos a matrรญcula e acertamos todos os detalhes. A diretora sugeriu que deixรกssemos o Pedro atรฉ o final do dia, jรก que ele estava se divertindo e assim jรก ia se adaptando. A Mel ficou de buscรก-lo no fim do dia. A Mel me deixou na empresa novamente e me disse que voltaria pra casa para se preparar para a entrevista de trabalho que seria no meio da tarde. Voltei ร minha sala e cheguei antes da Sra. Mariana. Sentei ร mesa e fui repassando tudo o que ela jรก havia me informado. O telefone sobre a mesa tocou e eu fiquei sem saber o que fazer, mas aquela seria minha mesa, entรฃo atendi com a voz mais profissional possรญvel: - Grupo Mellendez, presidรชncia, boa tarde, em que posso ajudar? Ouvi do outro lado um silรชncio sepulcral seguido de um longo suspiro. Alguรฉm vociferou do outro lado, com certa impaciรชncia e uma voz forte e meio rouca: - Passa para a Mariana. Levei um susto, mas me controlei e respondi: - Desculpe, senhor, mas a senhora Mariana ainda nรฃo retornou do almoรงo. Posso ajudรก-lo ou o senhor gostaria de deixar um recado? - Quem estรก falando? โ falou do outro lado ainda mais impaciente. - Meu nome รฉ Catarina, sou a nova assessora do Sr. Mellendez. - Mas eu nรฃo te conheรงo. โ Parecia que ele ficava mais impaciente a cada vez que falava. - ร que hoje รฉ meu primeiro dia, senhor. O senhor gostaria de deixar um recado? - Diga a Mariana para me ligar assim que puser os pรฉs no escritรณrio. - Perfeitamente, senhor. E qual o seu nome? - Parece que eu sou o seu chefe! โ falou rispidamente e desligou o telefone. Nossa, que homem estressado! Isso nรฃo estava na descriรงรฃo do cargo. Imediatamente minha garganta apertou, meu chefe e eu jรก tinha causado mรก impressรฃo? Eu estava muito ferrada! Comecei a pensar que nรฃo ia durar nesse emprego. Pouco depois a Sra. Mariana chegou e eu lhe transmiti o recado com uma cara de preocupaรงรฃo. Ela olhou pra mim sorrindo, como se entendesse meu receio, e perguntou: - Ele estava calmo? Eu olhei pra ela e nรฃo aguentei: - Ele estava a ponto de ter um colapso nervoso. Certamente a jugular dele estava saltando no pescoรงo. Ela caiu na gargalhada e depois disse: - Vocรชs dois vรฃo se dar muito bem! Vocรช vai domar a fera, tenho certeza. Eu nรฃo tinha essa certeza. Talvez eu nem devesse desfazer as malas, esse homem iria me engolir viva! | LEARN_MORE | https://hunled.com/market/buenovela/3?lpid=15216&u | Casa dos livros | https://www.facebook.com/61558148557550/ | 17,787 | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Learn more | 0 | hunled.com | VIDEO | ๐ฅMais grandes romances aqui๐ฅ | https://hunled.com/market/buenovela/3?lpid=15216&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}} | 1969-12-31 18:00 | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/469477570_2772081576284462_6097389695270762677_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=f6jAghjBnxwQ7kNvgEoZZrd&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ARBbsPnLgLl4JpT_i7wZL7w&oh=00_AYA7zqERmuxf3GVeOkcPWsuUWTr4T-X-lojOzO9C90ygUA&oe=675D68E7 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 0 | Casa dos livros | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2,629,186 |
/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281)
'{"alias":2629184}'
|
No | 2024-12-10 16:51 | active | 1985 | 0 |
|
UP TO 70% OFF + Free Gifts๐ฅ | Christmas Sale is Live!๐๐ "90%โ ๐ณ Moissanite costs 9x LESS than diamonds, yet SHINES 2x BRIGHTER โ Passes Diamond Tester. โ NEVER Fades or Tarnishes. โUff iโll be real the shine is brazy!๐ฅ And tbf it's aint just the shine it's how it makes me feel.โ - Darius J. UP TO 70% OFF - Shop Now! Buy now, pay later with Afterpay or PayPal. | SHOP_NOW | https://icecartel.com/pages/christmas-sale | Icecartel | https://www.facebook.com/icecartelcom/ | 6,206 | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Shop Now | 0 | icecartel.com | DCO | FREE 4-DAY SHIPPING ๐ฆ | https://icecartel.com/pages/christmas-sale | 1969-12-31 18:00 | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/469606642_484885294082501_2612755700356406378_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=dzt9DiWp8C0Q7kNvgGFjsDo&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AnzJDhGQ99VFbaoernj6jZa&oh=00_AYBMHVSrsqAMVrBC20yQolqFyNUTwuNC_oHiTkOOF_Rg9g&oe=675EA1B4 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 0 | Icecartel | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2,628,013 |
/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281)
null |
Yes | 2024-12-10 16:43 | active | 1985 | 0 | โ An effective solution for prostatitis... | ๐ซ๐. ๐ฉ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ถ'๐ต๐๐๐๐, ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐จ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ฉ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ผ๐๐๐๐๐๐, ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐. โจ ๐ฏ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐: โ ๐บ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ โ ๐ฐ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ | SHOP_NOW | https://gxjayq.com/1202xhQW353.html | Dr. Barbara O'Neill | https://www.facebook.com/61570504612167/ | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Shop now | 0 | gxjayq.com | VIDEO | https://gxjayq.com/1202xhQW353.html | 1969-12-31 18:00 | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/469797051_3973344482951638_8220742624096182873_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=L95OCOS1jCQQ7kNvgGeb5Pc&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AUYs7IgYpjRDCDyWb8zvIxC&oh=00_AYBvS7m87Qkr0nnP6Zg1GIGJv2u7esw_CbAXW5-vUuDCmg&oe=675E9C2E | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 0 | Dr. Barbara O'Neill | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2,625,002 |
/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281)
'{"alias":2624302}'
|
Yes | 2024-12-09 21:03 | active | 1982 | 0 |
|
๐Attention! Do not read in public๏ผ๐ | In Merika State, the two of them lay close together on the hotel bed. As their passion grew, Justin Yatesโs husky voice, filled with allure, murmured, โEm, how about having a child with me?โ Caught up in the moment, Emily Yates replied without thinking. It wasnโt until they were lying together afterward that she remembered what he had said. โA child?โ she repeated, a trace of intimacy lingering in her eyes. The look stirred Justinโs desire again. She was a constant temptation to him. Pushing those thoughts aside, he pulled out a ring and slipped it onto her left hand. โAre you proposing to me?โ she asked. โYes.โ โCan I finally have your child now?โ Justin asked, smiling. His eyes were warm, but there was no love in them, as if he were gazing past her, waiting for someone elseโs answer. โIโll give you plenty,โ she replied, momentarily surprised. Proposing in bed wasnโt exactly romantic or formal, but she didnโt mind. She had waited three years for this moment, and it was worth it. Three years ago, she had been injured near the beach, hitting her head on a rock. When she woke up, she had no memory. Justin had saved her. The first thing she saw when she woke was his face, and one look left her captivated. Later, she learned that Justin had paid her hospital bills. She also learned of his identity. He was the CEO of RC Corporation. He proposed that she be his contract lover, and without hesitation, she agreed. They signed an agreement, defining their relationship, and he gave her the name Emily Yates. Yes, she was drawn to his looks. Despite their arrangement, the past three years felt like any other relationship. In the first year, she was a hidden lover. In the second, he introduced her as his girlfriend to his circle. Now, with three years approaching, he was proposing. Once she was part of his social circle, she heard whispers about a woman who had been his first love, someone he cherished deeply in college. She had disappeared without a trace, and he had been searching for her ever since. Over the years, Justin had lost hope she was still alive. That was why he finally proposed. Emily didnโt mind. Everyone has a past. Looking at the diamond ring on her left ring finger, she felt like it had all been worth it. The sound of running water came from the bathroom. Justin was showering. Calming down, Emily wrapped a towel around herself and got out of bed to pick up their scattered clothes. A soft *clink* echoed as something hit the floor. It was Justinโs cardholder. She bent down to pick it up, and a photo slipped out. It was old, with frayed edges, as if it had been looked at countless times. The woman in the photo looked like her but younger, just how she would have looked three years ago. Emily didnโt remember ever taking this photo, but she had lost her memory. Maybe she had forgotten. She was just about to put the cardholder back when a large, slender hand appeared, taking it from her. Justin emerged from the bathroom, his hair still damp and falling over his eyes, now tinged with a hint of displeasure. โDonโt touch my things,โ he said coldly, his tone a sharp contrast to the intimacy they had just shared. Turning away from her, he put the cardholder back in his briefcase, his whole demeanor suddenly distant and guarded. Emily froze. Was he really getting defensive over a photo? She looked at him, confused. Wasnโt that her old picture? Before she could ask, Justin seemed to realize that his reaction had been out of line. He turned back and grasped her chin. With a playful glint in his eye, he ran his thumb over her still-swollen lips, toying with them. His voice was cool, devoid of warmth, but his words were deeply suggestive, clearly aiming to change the subject. โWeโre going to be late for the art exhibit. If you rather stay here, I wouldnโt mind going another round.โ Her cheeks flushed at his teasing, and she gently pushed him away. Her thoughts were scattered, and she quickly forgot about the photo. Justin had come to Merika State on business and had received an invitation to an art exhibition by Haley Quinn. He brought Emily along, planning to take her to the show once his work was done. Haley, a painter who had withdrawn from the public eye three years ago, rarely held exhibitions, making this one a rare event. Emily dressed quickly, while Justin had already changed into a fresh suit. The gallery was close to the hotel, so they walked there. Arm in arm, they strolled down the street, enjoying the perfect atmosphere. Just as Emily felt an overwhelming sense of happiness, Justin suddenly stopped. โJustin, whatโs wrong?โ She followed his gaze. Across the street, a disheveled woman, her clothes too dirty to recognize their original color, was recklessly crossing the traffic, oblivious to the danger. The woman pushed Emily aside and wrapped her arms tightly around Justinโs waist. She sobbed uncontrollably, gasping for air. โJustin, I finally found you. You came looking for me, didnโt you?โ Emily stumbled from the shove, the bright sunlight momentarily blinding her. The woman looked eerily familiar. She resembled the one in the photo from the cardholder and, in a way, even looked like Emily herself. โEmma? Is that really you?โ Justinโs voice trembled, his eyes locked onto the woman in his arms, as if afraid she might disappear again. Just moments ago, he had proposed to Emily. Now, right there in the street, he held another woman. He gently wiped away the womanโs tears with a tenderness so delicate, as if afraid of breaking something precious. โYes, itโs me,โ the woman sobbed, nodding desperately. Frail as she was, she clung to him. Justin was known for his fastidiousness and love of cleanliness, but he now held her tightly. He was soothing her with gentle words, as if she were a lost treasure he had finally recovered. He was afraid that even the slightest rough movement might hurt her. They seemed oblivious to everything around them, including Emily. Justin seemed to have forgotten Emily was still there. The woman in his arms had cried herself into unconsciousness. He took off his expensive jacket and draped it over her. He then slipped his arms under her knees and held her tightly as he carried her back toward the hotel. Emily stood there, feeling like an outsider. Her arm still ached from where she had been shoved, and she could still feel the warmth of Justinโs touch lingering around her waist. Just minutes ago, he had been tangled up with her in bed, proposing marriage. Now, he was leaving her in the middle of the street, carrying a woman who seemed to come out of nowhere. He had tossed aside his usual grace, holding this woman, who looked like a beggar, and rushed back to the hotel. The people around them pointed and whispered, like they were watching some sort of spectacle. Emily wanted to follow him, but her first step faltered. She steadied herself against a nearby building, catching a glimpse of her reflection in the window. Her flawless makeup now showed a hint of disarray. Chapter 2 Tears had fallen without her noticing, smudging the fresh makeup around her eyes. Emily glanced down at the diamond ring on her left hand, a sense of foreboding spreading through her. The sudden appearance of this woman might shatter the happiness she had been waiting for. She couldnโt just stand here. She had to know who this woman was. After a moment to gather herself, she headed back to the hotel. The plane flew from Merika State back to Haven State. At Lichfield Hospital, Emily stood at the door of a hospital room, arms crossed, trying to see inside through the window. Justinโs friend, Zac White, the director of Lichfield Hospital, along with other doctors, were examining the restless woman on the hospital bed. Two female nurses held her steady as they conducted their checks. On the plane, her face had already been cleaned, and she had been given fresh clothes. โEmma Xander? Hasnโt she... disappeared for the past four years?โ Zac was shocked. Where had Justin found her? The Yates and White families had pulled every string they could to find Emma, but after four years with no trace, they had finally given up. And now, here she was. After completing their examination, the doctors and nurses left the room. A heavy silence fell over the space. A moment later, Justinโs voice seemed to echo from a distance as he gazed at the woman, now sound asleep after a sedative. โHow is she doing?โ โSheโs malnourished, traumatized, and a bit disoriented, but otherwise fine. She just needs some time to recover.โ Justin stood by her bedside, clearly prepared to stay with her. Zac hesitated, wanting to say something, but thought better of it and left the room. He opened the door to find Emily waiting outside. Feeling awkward for his friend, Zac adjusted his silver-framed glasses and greeted her with a polite smile. โHi, Miss Yates.โ Emily nodded in acknowledgment. โDr. White, whatโs her name? And what is her relationship with Justin?โ she asked bluntly, desperate to know who this woman was. Zac hesitated, uncertain how to explain that Emma was Justinโs long-lost first love. This was his friendโs private matter, after all, and not his to reveal. Before he could find the words, Justin opened the door and saw them standing outside. He frowned, clearly displeased. โDidnโt I tell you to go home? Why are you still here?โ Justinโs voice dripped with disdain and impatience, as if his irritation had taken on a life of its own. Emily stood her ground, unafraid. She needed answers. โYou proposed to me in Merika State just 16 hours ago, but now youโre holding another woman and completely ignoring me. And youโre not even coming home? Staying out all night?โ โStop being unreasonable. Leave. Now,โ he ordered, his voice cold and commanding, his gaze on her as though she were an unruly employee who had crossed the line. Seeing Justinโs dark expression, Zac stepped in, concerned that Emily might end up on the losing side of this argument. When Justin was angry, it rarely boded well for anyone. โItโs late. Let me arrange a car to take Miss Yates home,โ Zac offered, trying to ease the tension. Emily, however, refused Zacโs offer. She wasnโt leaving without answers. โYou think Iโm being unreasonable? Iโm your fiancรฉe. You left me on the street in a foreign country to carry another woman away without a second thought. Did you ever consider how I felt? โIโll go, but only if you leave the hospital with me. There are doctors and nurses here to care for that woman. Right now, youโre coming home with me.โ Desperate, Emily reached out to grab Justinโs arm. But before she could make contact, her arm was blocked by Justinโs personal bodyguard, William Carter. Emily was stunned, unable to believe what she was seeing. It felt as though her heart was being torn in two. Justin had always been there for her, always caring, always the first to pick up her calls, no matter if he was in a meeting or on a business trip. If she ever needed him, he would show up immediately. If she couldnโt be reached, he would search the whole city until he found her. But now, with this woman in the hospital room, he wouldnโt even let her near him? โWhat do you mean by this?โ Emilyโs voice trembled, mirroring the unease in her heart. Justin didnโt respond. He stared at her with cold, detached eyes, as if she were a stranger and not the fiancรฉe he had just proposed to. Time seemed to stretch, each second feeling like an eternity. Finally, he spoke, his words sharp and emotionless. โDonโt be childish.โ Childish? Once, he had said he loved how she depended on him, how she claimed him for herself. And now he was calling her childish? โIf you want to stay here with her, then what about our marriage? You proposed to me just today!โ Emilyโs heart ached, squeezing painfully in her chest. She knew it wasnโt the right moment to bring this up, but she couldnโt accept the idea that her future husband would spend the night in the hospital with another woman. Zac stood nearby, listening in shock. Marriage? Had Justin really proposed to Emily? And what about Emma in the hospital room? Justin glanced over his shoulder, worried that the woman asleep in the hospital bed might hear them and wake up. Emily noticed the concern in his eyes. It was an expression she had seen many times when he had worried about her. But now, that look was for someone else. He turned back to Emily, his voice still icy. โIf you donโt want to get married, we can call it off. This isnโt the place for your drama. William, have the driver take her home.โ He didnโt like being threatened, especially when it came to his marriage. Without another glance at her, he opened the door to the hospital room and went back inside. William stepped forward, maintaining his respectful tone. โMiss Yates, please donโt make this difficult for me. Itโs time for you to go home.โ Zac looked at Emily with sympathy. โMiss Yates, itโs late. Maybe itโs best to talk things over with Justin another time.โ But how could they ever discuss this again? Her fiancรฉ had just left her humiliated, choosing to stay with another woman without a care for her dignity. The hospital hallway lights felt harsh, blinding her with their brightness. Realizing that staying there made her look like a fool, Emily decided she wouldnโt let herself be a spectacle for others to watch. Clenching her purse tightly, Emily turned to leave. As she took a step, her vision blurred, and she nearly collapsed. Both Zac and William rushed to steady her, their grip gentlemanly but firm. โIโll walk you to the car,โ Zac offered. Leaning against the wall, Emily took a moment to steady herself, then shook her head. โIโm fine. I can get back on my own.โ Her footsteps wobbled as she walked down the hallway, but she managed to keep her head high until she was out of their sight. After returning to the hospital room, Justin glanced down at Emma, who lay pale and frail on the bed. A strange weight settled in his chest, and the pervasive smell of antiseptic only added to his irritation. He tugged at his shirt collar, unbuttoning the top two buttons, but the air still felt suffocating. He stepped back out into the hallway, finding Zac and William waiting there. Emily was gone. โShe left?โ he asked, visibly more at ease now that she was no longer around. He didnโt want her disturbing Emmaโs rest. โYes, sheโs gone,โ Zac replied, hands in the pockets of his lab coat, nodding. With both of them standing there, Justin didnโt bother asking how Emily had left. โIโm stepping out for a break,โ he said. Chapter 3 โSo, Emma Xanderโs back. What are you going to do?โ Zac asked, breaking the silence. He didnโt mention Emily, but they both knew what he meant. One woman was the college sweetheart, the first love who had once saved Justinโs life. The other was the girlfriend who had been with him for three years, sharing his most intimate moments, and now, his fiancรฉe. After a long pause, Justin replied, his voice cold and detached. โShe was just a stand-in. She could never compare to Emma.โ He went on, his tone utterly indifferent, as if he hadnโt been the one to propose to Emily in Merika State. โThe role of Mrs. Yates will never be hers. It can only belong to Emma.โ In a way, Emily had saved him the trouble of saying it himself when she had brought up their marriage in the hallway. Zac and Justin had been close friends since childhood, both growing up in privileged families, each carrying a bit of that self-centered mindset typical of their social circle. But this time, Zac couldnโt help feeling sorry for Emily. Emily, though an orphan with no family or wealth, was straightforward and honest. Over the past three years, she had complemented Justin perfectly, and in Zacโs eyes, they had seemed genuinely happy together. On the other hand, considering how long Emma had been abroad, it wasnโt hard to guess what she might have gone through. Zac didnโt care about things like V-card or a womanโs past, but he had always found Emma to be somewhat pretentious. Even back in college, she often disregarded Justinโs concerns, running off on her own without a second thought. After graduation, she mysteriously vanished during an overseas reunion party organized by a close group of alumni. Despite mobilizing every possible connection, they never found her. Even the police suggested they give up, implying that a young woman disappearing overseas was likely gone for good. At that time, Justin hadnโt fully taken over the company and wasnโt yet experienced in handling crises like these. Around the same time, his father, Henry Yates, was in a car accident and died despite emergency treatment. After the funeral, Justin was suddenly thrust into the dual responsibilities of inheriting the company and fending off his uncle, Harry Yates, who was trying to seize control. Thanks to his grandfatherโs intervention, Justin managed to stabilize the corporation. By then, the critical window to find Emma had long passed, and any chance of finding her had all but disappeared. Zac clearly remembered how Justin had been consumed with frustration and self-blame during those days. And then Emily had come into his life, bringing him some peace. For that, Zac was truly grateful to her. โEmilyโs been with you for three years,โ Zac said, trying to speak up for her. โSheโs an orphan, with no one else in the world. Isnโt it a bit cruel to treat her like this?โ โThen Iโll keep her around,โ Justin replied casually, brushing it off like it was no big deal. โBut marriage? Thatโs not going to happen.โ His tone was so offhanded, as if having another woman around didnโt matter at all. He didnโt see a problem with it. Keep her around? Really? Was he expecting her to stay hidden away as his stand-in lover, someone he kept out of sight? A mistress? A side piece? Emily didnโt leave the hospital right away. She sat on a bench behind the flower bed, letting the cold night air wash over her. She hadnโt expected to find out the truth like this. It turned out she was only here because she happened to look almost exactly like his lost one true love. And since she had lost her memory, he saw the perfect opportunity to mold her into the image of the woman he truly missed, hiding the truth from her and using her as a substitute. All the affection and indulgence he had shown her, it was never really for her. It was for the woman he had lost. Emma Xander. So that was her name, the one he had loved all his life. That was why he named her Emily, a name that allowed him to keep calling out for the one he had always loved. Even in their most intimate moments, he would call her โEm.โ Whenever he whispered โEmโ in that deep, seductive voice, full of passion, she would lose herself completely, sinking further into him. It turned out he was simply looking at her face and calling out another womanโs name all along. It dawned on her that the photo in Justinโs wallet must have been of Emma, not her. She had foolishly assumed the woman in that picture was herself. What a joke. From start to finish, Justin had shaped her into the image of his hidden love, his one true love. And she had naively believed that she had won him over, making him fall in love with her. In truth, she was nothing more than a piece in their story. Emily felt her heart plunge from a mountaintop to the depths of despair. She had gone from being a proud fiancรฉe to a hidden stand-in, a shadow. She had liked, maybe even loved Justin. But her pride couldnโt accept that she had been someone elseโs replacement all along, or that she was now the secret other woman. Resolved to leave, she felt a small sense of relief that Justin had only proposed. They werenโt married yet, and breaking up would be far easier than going through a divorce. For a moment, she felt grateful for Emmaโs sudden appearance. โMiss Yates, where are you?โ the driver called, stepping out of the car after waiting a while. โIโm here.โ Emily pulled herself from her thoughts, putting on her usual calm expression. โIs it just you? Whereโs Mr. Yates?โ he asked. โHeโs not coming back.โ Emily rose from the bench by the flower bed and walked back to the car with the driver. She wore a cream-colored, knee-length dress in a sweet, innocent style. As an artist, she was open to trying any look, but it was Justin who had said he liked this style. So, for the past three years, she had dressed this way for him. The spring breeze brushed her bare calves, sending a chill through her. Zac looked a bit uncomfortable, โEmily didnโt leave?โ So, she had heard everything they had said. Justinโs tone was just as indifferent, cold, and unfeeling. โGood. Let her hear it. She needs to know her place and avoid causing any more scenes like tonight.โ With that, he turned and walked away from the garden, completely unfazed by the fact that Emily had overheard him. Emily sat quietly during the ride back to Villa One. Mrs. Zimmer greeted her at the door, her face lighting up warmly after a few days apart. โYouโre back! It mustโve been tiring, traveling with Mr. Yates.โ Emily nodded wearily, barely acknowledging her. โYes.โ โWhereโs Mr. Yates?โ Mrs. Zimmer glanced behind her, looking for Justin. โHe wonโt be back tonight.โ Emilyโs voice was detached, as if his return made no difference to her. Mrs. Zimmer looked slightly disappointed at first, but then her face lit up with a knowing smile, the kind that came from having seen a lot in life. She took Emilyโs suitcase and gently urged her to go get some rest in the bedroom. Once inside, Emily understood Mrs. Zimmerโs smile. The room was dimly lit, with candles arranged at various heights, casting a soft, romantic glow. Flowers and scented candles adorned the surfaces, and a bottle of champagne sat open on the table. Even the usual heavy gray curtains had been replaced with delicate lace, adding an air of intimacy. The bed was covered in thick rose petals, the entire room transformed into a romantic setting. Clearly, this had been Justinโs arrangement before their trip. Exhausted, Emily didnโt have the energy to clean up, and it was too late to bother Mrs. Zimmer. Chapter 4 Emily found the remote to turn on the lights, then looked for something handy to snuff out each candle one by one. Afterward, she retrieved her nightgown from the closet and headed for a shower. As she walked into the bathroom, she noticed the ring still on her left hand. She slipped it off and tossed it into the corner of her jewelry box. When she returned to the bedroom, she brushed all the rose petals off the bed and settled under the covers, pulling them over her head. She instinctively lay on the left side of the bed, where she was used to sleeping. Justin would always hold her close, gradually shifting over to the left with her until they were practically glued together. Now, the right side of the bed was glaringly empty. To fill the space, she scooted to the center, tossing the extra pillow onto the floor, finally feeling comfortable. She turned off the lights and went to sleep. Two days passed without any word from Justin. He was likely at the hospital with Emma or busy with work. Emily didnโt care and hadnโt reached out, maintaining a complete radio silence. The morning sun was bright, and the spring breeze was warm as she lounged on a deck chair in the villaโs garden, enjoying a face mask. Her mind wandered to practical matters. She had spent some time reviewing the contract she signed three years ago to be Justinโs โcontract lover.โ It was set to expire automatically after three years, which was now less than four months away. When it ended, she would receive a payout of twenty million. Between that, and the allowance and holiday bonuses he had given her over the years, she had saved nearly six million. She had barely spent any of it, so it was all tucked away. It seemed she would be in decent shape financially, and finding a job after leaving wouldnโt be too hard. As for a place to live, she could buy a similarly sized home, and maybe invite Helen to move in as a roommate. It would be nice to have company. She did regret not being able to take Mrs. Zimmer with her. If she could, it would be perfect. The phone on the coffee table buzzed, interrupting her thoughts. Emily picked it up, unlocked it with her fingerprint, and a new message notification popped up at the top of the screen. She tapped to open it. It was from her friend, Helen Walker. They had met a year ago while shopping, when Helen insisted on becoming friends after seeing her just once. With no memory of any past friendships, Emily had found Helen easy to talk to, and they had gradually become close. โHow was your time in Merika State? When are you coming back?โ Helen had attached a mischievous emoji with a smirk. โIโm already back.โ โAlready? That was quick.โ โI thought Justin looked strong. Guess he didnโt last long? Not up to it?โ โNot just โnot up to itโ. He canโt even get started.โ Emily replied, seizing the chance to curse him. On the other end, Helen raised an eyebrow. It looked like Justin had managed to tick off her friend. But she wasnโt too concerned as they had argued before. Couples fought, and it usually blew over. โPerfect timing then. Iโm heading to the TC Mall in a bit to stock up on some new clothes. Letโs hit the mall together and grab some food afterward. Get ready and meet me there.โ โSounds good. Iโll see you at the mall.โ Emily agreed readily. She had spent the past couple of days clearing out the sweet, youthful clothes she didnโt like. Her wardrobe could use a refresh. She put down the phone and washed off her face mask. Glancing at the nearly empty wardrobe, she picked out a casual athletic outfit and did a quick, simple makeup look. Fresh and tidy, she got ready to head out. โMrs. Zimmer, Iโm meeting a friend to go shopping. Iโll have lunch out,โ Emily said, slinging her bag over her shoulder. โAlright, Miss Yates. Will you be back for dinner?โ Mrs. Zimmer, who was supervising the housekeeperโs cleaning, looked up to ask. Emily paused while slipping on her shoes, thinking about how unpredictable Helen could be and that they hadnโt seen each other in a while. She might not be back for dinner. โNot sure yet. Iโll text you later if Iโll be back in time.โ โUnderstood.โ As Emily opened the door, she found Justinโs assistant, Sam Spencer, just about to knock. โHi, Sam,โ she greeted him coolly, planning to step around him to leave. โHi, Miss Yates. Mr. Yates has a flight out of town this afternoon for a business trip. Could I trouble you to help pack his things before you go?โ Samโs tone was respectful, as usual. Emily didnโt move. โMrs. Zimmer, Justinโs going on a trip. Could you please help with his packing?โ โMiss Yates, thisโฆ?โ Samโs face showed confusion. โWhat? Before I came along, didnโt Justin have someone to handle his luggage?โ Her expression was calm, her tone light. โOf course. Youโre absolutely right, Miss Yates,โ Sam replied, beads of sweat forming as he carefully balanced his response, not daring to offend either side. In the past, Emily had always packed for Justinโs business trips. She had done it so many times that she knew exactly what he would need for any occasion. But now, she had no desire to continue. He had used her as a stand-in, and every time he watched her pack his bags, he must have thought she looked foolish. Three years. Now that she thought back, there had been plenty of strange looks and behaviors from Justin that she hadnโt picked up on. She had been utterly blind. But she wouldnโt be foolish anymore. Emily was ready to leave, but Sam was blocking the door, preventing her from going. She urged Mrs. Zimmer to hurry with the packing. Mrs. Zimmer quickly filled the suitcase and handed it to Sam, who was waiting in the living room. He glanced at his watch. Ten minutes had barely passed. That was fast. "Mrs. Zimmer, are you sure itโs all packed? Should we check to make sure nothingโs missing?" he asked cautiously. Emily replied without emotion, โIsnโt the flight at noon? If you keep dragging your feet, heโll miss it. Besides, anything he needs can be bought over there.โ She checked her watch, starting to feel a bit pressed for time. If she delayed much longer, Helen would end up waiting impatiently, and they would miss out on shopping before lunch. And who wanted to try on clothes with a full stomach? โOf course, Miss Yates. Iโll head over to the office to pick up Mr. Yates,โ Sam said with a polite smile, making his way out. Emily nodded and headed down to the garage. She chose a white luxury car and drove off. Meanwhile, Sam took the suitcase to the sleek black car parked discreetly by the curb. He placed it in the trunk, then settled into the front passenger seat. The driver, Justinโs bodyguard, William, started the car. But instead of heading to the airport, they were bound for Lichfield Hospital. โHow much longer until Emilyโs contract is up?โ Justinโs voice was calm and emotionless, as if he were discussing a routine business matter. Sam immediately understood that the question was directed at him. He quickly recalled the contract details. โLess than four months, Mr. Yates.โ โDraft a new agreement and deliver it to her when the time comes,โ Justin instructed. Keeping her around for three years had cost him little, and continuing to support her wasnโt an issue. But he was done with her. He wouldnโt touch her again or return to Villa One. Recalling the scene from the hospital hallway two nights ago, he added without hesitation, โInclude a clause that ensures she never shows up in front of Emma again.โ Sam was momentarily taken aback but quickly regained his professional composure. โUnderstood, Mr. Yates.โ Chapter 5 People said billionaires were cold and indifferent in their personal lives, switching women as easily as they changed clothes. For the past three years, Mr. Yates had only been with Miss Yates, making him seem like a devoted man. But it looked like he could move on in an instant. Who knew how long Miss Xander would last by his side? Sam had joined the company three years ago, right when Justin took over RC Corporation, so he wasnโt familiar with the complicated history between Emma and Justin. Inside TC Mall, Emily was browsing through clothes, each piece a far cry from her usual sweet and innocent style. โBabe, switching things up?โ Helen asked, watching as Emily picked up a long black dress with a slitted hem. It would look stunning on Emilyโs curves. Emily held the dress up to herself in the mirror, unfazed. โYep, time for a change. Do you think this would look better with a shawl or a jacket?โ She turned to give Helen a look. โA shawl, definitely. Itโll highlight your figure beautifully,โ Helen replied with her usual style advice. โThatโs what I thought too.โ Helen eyed the dress. โThat dress is so feminine. Will your guy even let you wear it out? Doesnโt Justin only let you wear those sweet, innocent schoolgirl outfits?โ Helen couldnโt help but mentally criticize Justinโs taste. What kind of fashion sense did he have anyway? A multinational CEO, a man with a grip on the Haven State economy, yet he liked her to dress like a schoolgirl. โHis taste doesnโt matter anymore. Itโs not something Iโm concerned about,โ Emily replied casually, completely indifferent. She handed the dress to a fitting assistant with a similar build, having her try it on for her. High-end stores like this one often had staff who modeled the clothes for clients, so she didnโt have to try them on herself. Emily picked out a few more items in different styles for the assistant to model. If she liked them, she would buy them. When she was satisfied with her choices, she scanned her card and paid, then filled out the delivery details for Villa One. The clothes would be sent straight there. After they had finished shopping, they went for lunch. With no one else around, Emily finally shared her situation with Helen that she had been Justinโs stand-in for his one true love. Now that his true love had returned, she was planning to leave him. โThat despicable man!โ Helen burst out, her emotions flaring. โKeep it down.โ Emily quickly covered Helenโs mouth and glanced around to see if anyone at nearby tables was paying attention to them. Helen lowered her voice but was still fuming. โJustin might look put-together, but heโs not even half a man. His first love disappears, so he goes and finds a stand-in? โWhy didnโt he just get plastic surgery to look like her? Then he could see her every time he looked in the mirror. โGood for you for walking away. You should break up with him. No! Just breaking up is too good for that pompous human garbage! You need to dump him into the sewers!โ LMAO, where did Helen even learn these insults from? Just then, the server brought out a tray with seasoned meats, fresh vegetables, and a variety of salsas. Emily began assembling her own tacos, adding the toppings she liked best. โThe contractโs up in four months. Iโm planning to buy a place.โ โWhat for? Just stay with me. Iโve got a room for you.โ โMy address is still tied to Justinโs place. Since Iโve decided to leave, I need a clean break. Iโll need my own place to change everything over,โ Emily explained, outlining her plan. Her heart felt numb now, no longer as raw as it had been the night sheโd learned the truth in the hospital garden. โThen you can cancel your lease and move in with me! Weโll be family!" Emily suggested excitedly. Helen suppressed the impulse to tell Emily that they were already family. Given Emily's amnesia, she didnโt want to overwhelm her with too much information all at once. Instead, she nodded. โAlright, Iโll move in with you. Iโll start looking around for a place for you. Actually the place I rent now is quite nice. The location and neighborhood are perfect. Iโll check if the landlordโs interested in selling, though itโs a resale property.โ โI donโt care if itโs new or used. As long as itโs clean and ready to go, Iโm good.โ Emily didnโt need much. After leaving the cushy life she had been used to, she was perfectly fine doing things on her own. She found the independence kind of refreshing. After lunch, they picked up some accessories to go with the new outfits, light enough to carry back on her own. Emily said goodbye to Helen and drove back to Villa One. By the time she got back, the clothes she had bought that morning had already been delivered, ironed, and neatly hung in the walk-in closet by the house staff. She hadnโt bought much, just enough to last the next few months and to keep the move as hassle-free as possible. The womenโs side of the closet was nearly empty, with only a few of her favorite pieces hanging. She grabbed a new loungewear set to change into and happened to glance over at the menโs side, packed with Justinโs clothes. Emily didnโt linger. She strode past it without a second thought. As she was heading to the bathroom, her phone rang from the sofa. She put down the clothes and picked up the call. โHello, is this Miss Yates?โ โYes, this is.โ โIโm a nurse from Lichfield Hospital. Your health screening results are in. When would be a convenient time for you to come pick them up?โ Emily remembered that Justin had taken her for a checkup just before their trip to Merika State. She had forgotten all about it until this call. โIโll come by tomorrow morning.โ โVery well. Have a nice day.โ The next day, Emily went to Lichfield Hospital. โPlan to have a baby?โ โThatโs right. Mr. Yates specifically requested it during his screening. Your health is excellent, Miss Yates. Your ovulation cycle is regular, so we recommend folic acid, Vitamin B1, and plenty of protein. With the right timing and frequency, you should be expecting good news soon.โ The doctor adjusted his glasses and smiled warmly. Emilyโs fingers tightened around the report, a heavy feeling settling in her chest. She had been trying hard not to think about Justin lately, but this report hit her unexpectedly hard. โMiss Yates, Iโll prescribe you two boxes of folic acid and Vitamin B1. Be sure to take them regularly.โ Emily interrupted him, finding an excuse to refuse. โThanks, doctor, but that wonโt be necessary. Iโll get them on my own.โ The doctor wasnโt surprised. Wealthy women like her often had access to premium brands from various sources, so declining hospital-prescribed supplements wasnโt unusual. Emily left the hospital in a daze, only coming to her senses when she reached a sunny spot outside. She tossed the health report into the trash bin. With Emma back, Justin clearly had no intention of having children with her. And she certainly didnโt want to give him one, either. It was easier to pretend she didnโt know what the checkup had really been for. Meanwhile, in the hospitalโs garden, the spring sunlight was warm and gentle. Justin was pushing Emmaโs wheelchair, letting her enjoy the sunshine. โJustin, youโre busy with work. You donโt have to be here with me all the time. I can manage on my own,โ Emma said, her voice soft and considerate. โFocus on getting better. Donโt worry about anything else.โ Justin felt a deep guilt about Emmaโs disappearance, blaming himself for not protecting her better. He believed his negligence had allowed her to be taken and vanish without a trace. Over the past few days, he had tried to gather clues from her about what happened, but whenever he brought it up, she would break down, unable to share any details. Emily hadnโt expected to see Justin at the hospital. Hadnโt Sam said Justin was out of town on a business trip? | LEARN_MORE | https://beokn.com/market/buenovela/3?lpid=15056&ut | Random Reading | https://www.facebook.com/61559743679549/ | 323 | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Learn More | 0 | beokn.com | DCO | https://beokn.com/market/buenovela/3?lpid=15056&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}} | 1969-12-31 18:00 | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/464601896_901814508153856_1029011708717057110_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=-EFPBYi2pIIQ7kNvgHTsV7K&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AlmUtHPLNj2yPRSCH0AkxGV&oh=00_AYBhtUy2k68y_TKm7A3oCmDA7nIOB8QqQXE5Qg13ytPrfA&oe=675D655B | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 0 | Random Reading | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2,626,007 |
/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281)
'{"alias":2625734}'
|
Yes | 2024-12-09 21:03 | active | 1982 | 0 |
|
๐ฟโจ Celebra con Raรญz de Oliva ๐๐ฝ๏ธ Sorprende a tus seres queridos con nuestras charolas gourmet y postres caseros: โจ Bastones de hojaldre con cremoso brie y mermelada casera. โจ Bruschettas de requesรณn con jamรณn serrano gourmet. โจ Basque burnt cheesecake. ๐ Consulta nuestro calendario de entregas de diciembre y asegura tu pedido con tiempo. ๐ฒ Haz tu pedido por WhatsApp al: 686 211 0877 | MESSAGE_PAGE | Raรญz de Oliva | https://www.facebook.com/raizdeoliva/ | 8,368 | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Send message | 0 | MULTI_IMAGES | 1969-12-31 18:00 | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/469562378_430383056802715_1997737084463235307_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=zAp21-6OtukQ7kNvgGHa7o4&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=A9PiDPo1DfvDGfsSBKapD24&oh=00_AYCsguxo3nYnpPnI-IWXkE4JcseTdj27uZ_Qo7yv0uT-Pw&oe=675D741A | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 0 | Raรญz de Oliva | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2,625,191 |
/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281)
'{"alias":2624823}'
|
No | 2024-12-09 21:03 | active | 1982 | 0 |
|
๐ฅ๐ฅClick to read the next chapter for free๐ | Chapter 0001 "Where's the patient's husband? Why hasn't he come yet? If he doesn't sign soon, it'll be too late,โ a doctor urged. "The patient's husband refuses to come. He said to let her fend for herself,โ a nurse replied. "Fend for herself..." When Suzy Frost, battered and barely clinging to life on the operating table, heard those words, something inside her stirred. Summoning the last of her strength, she slowly raised her hand. "Give me my phone..." Seeing her condition, the nurse quickly handed her the phone. Enduring excruciating pain, Suzy redialed the number that was almost etched into her brain. Just as the call was about to disconnect automatically, it finally went through. "I already told you that her life or death is none of my business!" the man on the other end spoke, his voice full of displeasure and impatience. "Dylan..." With every word Suzy spoke, a searing pain shot through her body, "After you took Anne away, the kidnappers detonated the bomb, and I was hurt, badly..." "Heh..." Before she could finish, the man on the other end let out a cold, dismissive chuckle. "Suzy, your acting is really improving. That weak little voice almost sounds convincing." "...I'm not lying to you, I really am hurt." "Is that so?" His tone grew even more scornful. "Then I wish you a speedy journey to death!" "Dylan..." "Beep beep beep..." Undeterred, Suzy tried calling again. "Sorry, the number you have dialed is unavailable.โ The doctor, no longer able to stand by in silence, spoke gently, "Miss Frost, your condition is very serious. If you have any other family members present, they're also authorized to sign on your behalf.โ What other family did she have? In this world, he was the only one who could sign the consent form. No matter how much it hurt, Suzy fought back the tears that streamed down her pale cheeks and asked the doctor with a faint smile, "Can I sign for myself?" "...Yes!" With her last ounce of strength, Suzy signed the consent form for the surgery. The operation lasted four hours and was finally over, but her condition worsened two hours post-surgery, and Suzy was moved to the ICU. For 24 hours, Suzy lay in a coma, unable to open her eyes, but her mind was alert, and she could hear the nurses discussing as they changed her bandages. "Even if the marriage is struggling, a husband can't just ignore his seriously injured wife! You wouldn't believe itโI called him several more times, but it just kept going to voicemail. Doesn't he care even a little?" lamented the nurse. "Here's some juicy gossip for youโthe CEO of Wright Corporation, Dylan Wright, who's rumored to be disinterested in women and hasn't married even at thirty, actually has a girlfriend, and she's hospitalized right here in our hospital. Heโs taking care of her around the clock in the VVIP ward on the top floor." "Itโs strange how different men can beโone boyfriend is incredibly devoted, and another is worse than an animal!" Little did she know, Dylan was so close, merely an inquiry away from knowing that Suzy hadn't lied to him. Yet, he refused to waste a moment on her, simply because... she wasn't worth it! Her eyes, tightly shut, suddenly flew open, startling the nurse who was wiping her face. "You're awake!" Once awake, Suzy was immediately given a thorough check-up and, finding no serious injuries, was moved to a regular room. That night, deep in the silence, despite still being confined to her bed, Suzy removed her oxygen mask and dragged her injured left leg, wounded in the explosion, to the top floor. Outside the hospital room, through the glass, Suzy watched as Dylan tenderly fed Anne Wheeler fruits by her bedside. Her fists tightened, but the anguish in her chest, like a swarm of needles pricking at her heart, didnโt ease in the slightest. Three days ago, Suzy and Anne had been kidnapped together. Knowing how important Anne was to him, and despite their rivalry, Suzy had fiercely protected her. For two days and nights, Suzy was tortured by the kidnappers, bearing injuries all over her body, while Anne only suffered minor superficial wounds. Finally, Dylan came... "I choose to save Anne. As for Suzy, do as you please..." He was not only unconcerned about Suzy but even suspected that the kidnapping was a drama she had orchestrated herself. He had never trusted her! The intimate scene in the hospital room turned Suzy's eyes, once filled with love, utterly cold. "It's time to end this!" The moment Suzy turned to leave, Dylan felt something stir and whirled around, just as Anne let out a pained cry. Dylan quickly asked, "What's wrong?" Anne glanced at the door and then gave Dylan a weak smile. "I accidentally pulled at my wound." "Do you need a doctor?" "I'm not that frail," Anne replied teasingly. "But Mr. Dylan, you should head back. You've been with me day and night; Suzy must be upset again..." She paused, "Mr. Dylan, honestly, Suzy isn't wrong. No matter what our relationship was in the past, you are now her husband. No woman could tolerate her husband being so kind to another woman, so whatever she does is understandable. Don't be angry with her, otherwise, Madam Grace might hear of it..." Dylan cut her off, "It's getting late, you should sleep." "Mr. Dylan..." "Listen to me!" "Alright then." As Anne closed her eyes, Dylan glanced once more towards the door. Was it really... He remembered the weak voice on the phone that day. His lips tightened, and he stood up. Just as he moved, Anne grabbed his hand. "Mr. Dylan, my wound still hurts a bit. Could you blow on it for me?" A flicker of hesitation crossed his eyes before Dylan finally replied in a deep voice, "Alright." โฆ Suzy didn't return to her room but left the hospital directly. A taxi took her back to the villa where she had lived with Dylan for three years. As she walked inside from the front gate, memories of the past three years with Dylan flooded back like a tidal wave. It had been a blend of sour, bitter, and spicy moments in their life together, but sweetness was conspicuously absent. Dylan had always believed that Suzy married him as part of a calculated scheme. In truth, he wasn't entirely wrong; Suzy had indeed manipulated events to marry him, but her motives were never what he assumedโshe wasn't after his wealth or status; she was after the man himself. She had hoped that time would prove her true intentions, but three years had only intensified his disdain for her. She could never forget his cruel words, "Then I wish you a speedy journey to death!" "Dylan, you might not realize it, but I've actually been living in desperation all along. These past three years, I tried to climb out, to be normal, to be by your side, but you clearly didn't care. Since that's the case, I'll grant your wish." Taking what she needed and discarding what she didn't, Suzy left behind only the signed divorce papers and the keys to the villa. She walked away without a trace of longing, leaving nothing behind. Chapter 0002 The next morning, after spending yet another night at the hospital because Anne's pain had kept her from letting him leave, Dylan was finally on his way to the office. As they approached an intersection, he suddenly instructed the driver, "Take me to Bayview Heights." He had been wearing the same clothes for two days and needed a change. Otherwise, he wasnโt too keen on returning to that place. Upon arriving at the villa, instead of the warm welcome he might have expected, he was met with an eerie silence and a chilling sight on the living room tableโa divorce agreement! Dylanโs gaze lingered on the signed divorce papers and the keys resting on top. With an unreadable expression, he paused for a moment before turning and heading upstairs. This was his first time entering Suzy's room. They usually lived separate lives, like oil and water, never mixing. The room was as clean and orderly as he expected. Over the past three years, she had personally taken care of his every need. It was hard to deny that in some ways, she had been a competent wife... Realizing his thoughts, Dylanโs brows furrowed, and he stepped forward to open her wardrobe. Clothes and jewelry, everything related to the Wright family were still there. Just as she had written in the divorce papers, she had left without taking anything, leaving with nothing but the clothes on her back. So, her cries of impending death that day, were they all just an act? He sneered. โSuzy, Iโm curious to see what game youโre playing this time.โ His phone rang. Pulling it from his pocket and seeing the caller ID, a trace of disappointment flashed in his eyesโa feeling he might not have even noticed himself. โWhat is it?โ On the other end, his assistant sounded particularly anxious, โSir, Miss Wheeler has had an accident!โ His brow tightened immediately. โIโm on my way!โ At the hospital, although bodyguards were posted at the entrance and surveillance revealed no suspicious individuals, Anne had somehow been poisoned and was in critical condition. Anne's primary doctor speculated, โMr. Wright, itโs highly likely that Miss Wheeler was poisoned before she even arrived at the hospitalโฆโ Anne cut off the doctor before he could finish, "Mr. Dylan, please don't blame Suzy. She was just trying to protect her marriage! If I had listened to her and left you as she suggested, none of this would have happened. So, this is all my own fault..." "At a time like this, you should be worried about yourself, not that ruthless woman," Dylan replied sharply. His eyes hardened as he pulled out his phone to call Suzy. "I'm sorry, the number you have dialed is unavailable..." The fury in his eyes could have swallowed someone whole. He coldly ordered his assistant, who was standing by, "Search the entire city for Suzy!" Meanwhile, at Hillside Villa. "Ah-choo..." As soon as Suzy entered, she sneezed, causing Allen Wheeler, who followed her in, to become instantly anxious. "Boss, did you catch a cold?" Sniffling slightly, Suzy sneezed again. "It's nothing." "You've sneezed twice; you definitely have a cold!" Allen set down Suzy's luggage and hurried to the kitchen. "I need to make you some ginger tea right away." Watching Allenโs worried and hurried back, Suzy thought of Dylanโs cold words, "I already told you that her life or death is none of my business!" People who cared about her would worry over something as small as a sneeze. Those who didnโt wouldnโt have flinched even if they saw her hangingโtheyโd think she was just swinging. Three years ago, she had done everything to marry Dylan, to repay a perceived debt, she had toned down her personality, and humbled herself to the dust, working tirelessly. Thinking back, she realized she must have been out of her mind. Even if he had saved her three years ago, it was her first time, and he really wasnโt at a loss. The notion that she owed him anything was utterly absurd. Pushing down the pain in her heart, Suzy stopped Allen at the kitchen door. "Forget the ginger tea. However, the Goodwin family in North Avenue could use your help as a facilitator." "The Goodwin family?" Suzyโs eyes narrowed slightly. "The murderer who murdered my parents, and my own attacker three years ago, might both be connected to the Goodwin family." Upon hearing this, Allenโs eyebrows furrowed deeply. "The Goodwins are influential in politics, and it seems the player behind the scenes is bigger than we imagined. Martin Goodwin, the head of the Goodwin family, has been ill lately, searching for a renowned doctor. Iโll pass on the news that you are the miracle doctor to them soon." Ten minutes later, Allen told Suzy, "Boss, the Goodwin family needs you urgently; they want you to come as soon as possible, but your injuries..." In fact, the moment Allen saw Suzy, he wanted to ask about her injuries and where she had been these past three years. Since she was alive, why hadnโt she contacted them? But she never mentioned it, and knowing her temperament, he didnโt dare pry. Suzy knew Allen was worried about her, but she didnโt want to bring up anything related to Dylan with anyone. It was all over, and she would never contact him in the future; there was simply no need to let them know. Yet, saying nothing would certainly not ease his concerns. After a moment, she explained to Allen, "I took care of a dog for three years, but it never grew tame; it bit me instead." Allenโs anger flared immediately. "Where is that beast? I'll knock his teeth out." No one could harm his boss and get away with it! "Heโs dead!" Dead in her heart. "Tell the Goodwin family that Iโll be there two days from now, four in the afternoon!" Two days passed in a blink. At Wright Corporation, in the CEO's office. Dylan looked up as his assistant, Desmond Hill, entered. "Didnโt find her?" โThere isnโt a doctor who knows how to treat the poisoning,โ Desmond said hesitantly, then added, โAs for Mrs. Wright, sheโs an orphan with no family. Everything sheโs done over the past three years has been connected to you, and nothing suspicious has come upโฆ so we havenโt been able to locate her either.โ "It had been two days..." Was she intentionally hiding, or could she have... Realizing he was actually worried about her, Dylan's brows knitted together. "Intensify the search!" "Yes!" Standing by the floor-to-ceiling windows, Dylan gazed into the distance, his eyes flickering with a complexity even he hadnโt noticed. "Suzy, you better pray you can hide forever.โ "Sir..." Desmond, who had left just a minute earlier, hurried back in without even knocking, breathless with urgency. "Look at this!" Dylan, thinking there might be news of Suzy, took the phone and saw... "Red Falcon?" "A miracle doctor in the alternative medicine world!" Desmond exclaimed, excitedly. "Sheโs renowned for curing all kinds of poisons and diseases. People call her 'The Healer of Legends,' known for treating even the most severe injuries. She disappeared three years ago, and everyone thought she was gone for good, but now sheโs reappeared. โI've just received reliable information that today at four in the afternoon, she'll be visiting the Goodwin family in North Avenue to treat Mr. Martin. Sir, perhaps Miss Wheeler could try her treatment?" "The Goodwin family at North Avenue.." The fact that the Goodwins had called upon her was proof enough of her skill. "Go invite her!" After a pause, Dylan stopped Desmond at the door. "I'll go myself." Chapter 0003 North Avenue was an hour and a half drive from South Avenue. Suzy arrived at the Goodwin familyโs estate as promised in disguise. Using the pretense of treating an illness, she took the opportunity to hypnotize Martin. Unfortunately, she didnโt manage to extract any useful information. As she left, deep in thought, a sudden pain shot through her forehead as she bumped into someone... โSorryโฆโ The apology got stuck in her throat the moment she recognized the face. Dylan? What was he doing here? It was truly a case of enemies crossing paths in the most unexpected of places! In less than two seconds, Suzy tore her gaze away and walked off, her expression completely indifferent. Dylan stood there, confused. She was about to apologize to him, so why did her attitude change the moment she saw him? Especially how she suddenly looked at himโit was as if they were mortal enemies. Dylan turned, watching the direction she went, his eyes narrowing. That figure looked just like Suzyโฆ โMr. Wright, weโre so honored by your presence. Iโm sorry for not greeting you properlyโฆโ The voice of the Goodwin familyโs butler snapped Dylan out of his thoughts. By the time he glanced back, the woman had disappeared. Following the butler to see Martin, Dylan found the old man looking healthy, his complexion rosy, as if fully recovered from his illness. Dylan wasted no time and stated his reason for coming. But the reply was unexpected: the miracle doctor had just left, barely moments ago. Dylan was speechless. The woman he had run into earlier, the one with freckles all over her faceโwas she the miracle doctor? Knowing it was already too late to chase after her, Dylan quickly bid farewell to Martin. To his surprise, the woman hadnโt left yet. Seeing her car just start to pull away, Dylan hurried over, โWait a secโ" But his words were drowned out by the roar of the engine. Now he was almost certainโthis woman had something against him. He quickly got into his car and chased after her. As soon as Suzy saw the black luxurious car speeding after her in the rearview mirror, her brow furrowed. Did he recognize her? She wasnโt bragging, but her disguise was so flawless that not even her parents, if they were alive, would be able to recognize her. And Dylan? After three years of marriage, he had barely ever looked at her properly. So why was he chasing her so relentlessly? Just because she hadnโt apologized earlier? With a cold smirk tugging at her lips, Suzy floored the gas pedal. "You owe me a lot more than I owe you!" The red car shot forward like a bolt of lightning. "Interesting." Dylanโs eyes narrowed as he accelerated. The red car and the black one sped through the winding mountain roads, like two fierce predators locked in a relentless chase. At first, Dylan was confident in his driving skillsโhe was a man, after all. How could he not catch up to a woman? But in the final stretch, the woman suddenly did a sharp U-turn and drove straight toward him. He quickly jerked the steering wheel to the right, barely avoiding a collision. However, the speed was too fast, and his car skidded into the mountainside. Though he wasnโt hurt, his car stalled out. Through the windshield, his eyes met hers. She flashed him a playful smile, then gave him a thumbs-down, taunting him with a level of arrogance that sent his blood boiling. Moments later, she reversed her car with impressive speed, leaving him in the dust. "Red Falconโฆ" She wasnโt just a miracle doctor; she was also an ace racer. Although she wasnโt good-looking, her talents were undeniable. But why did she harbor such animosity toward him? Back at the office, the first thing Dylan did was instruct Desmond, "Dig into everything you can find on Red Falconโleave no detail out." He had to find out what heโd done to make her so mad at him. Half an hour later, Desmond returned with a defeated expression. "Sir, all the information on Red Falcon is locked behind a heavily encrypted firewall. Weโve switched through several tech experts, but none of them have been able to break in." "...Send me the link." โฆ "Boss, someoneโs digging into your files!" Allen handed his laptop to Suzy, who was lounging on the couch watching a show. "It started about half an hour ago. Theyโve cycled through a few people, and the latest one is pretty skilled. Iโm having a hard time keeping them at bay." "Is that so?" Suzy's eyes narrowed, and she sat up. "Let me handle this." Her fingers flew across the keyboard, lines of code flashing rapidly on the screen. Within minutes, she closed the laptop and tossed it back onto the couch, stretching lazily. "Letโs go grab something to eat." Meanwhile, back at his desk, Dylan stared at the screen in disbelief as the code on his computer spelled out one wordโ LOSER! He nearly smashed the computer in frustration. Watching the taunting word flash on the screen and feeling the stormy tension building around Dylan, Desmond didnโt dare breathe too loudly. Their bossโ hacking skills were top-tier, not just in South Avenue but globally, so how could this happen? Noticing Dylanโs darkening expression, Desmond hesitated for a moment before offering a timid suggestion. "Sir, they probably donโt know itโs you, so Iโm sure they didnโt mean it personally..." "Get out!" "Yes, sir!" "Wait." Dylan stopped Desmond as he was about to leave. "Use the contact information the Goodwins provided. Offer her ten million for the treatment." The main goal was to get her to cure Anneโs poisoningโeverything else was secondary. A shadow flickered in Dylanโs eyes as he quickly formulated his next move. โฆ Just as the food was being placed on the table, Allenโs phone rang. It was from an unfamiliar number. He glanced across the table at Suzy, who nodded, signaling him to answer. He pressed the speakerphone button as he picked up. "Is this the miracle doctor, Red Falcon?" It was Desmond! Suzyโs hand froze mid-motion as she was about to pick up her fork. Was Dylan really that determined to get an apology from her? Naturally, Dylan, who had never tasted defeat, couldnโt swallow his pride after being repeatedly taunted by her. Not wanting to get further entangled with him, Suzy motioned for Allen to hang up. "Iโm sorry, youโve got the wrong person." Just as Allen was about to end the call, Desmond quickly interjected, "Wait, please! I have a patient who desperately needs the miracle doctorโs help. Weโre willing to offer ten million as payment for the treatment!" Suzy paused, her expression unreadable. So that was the real reason behind Dylanโs relentless pursuit? Their encounter at the Goodwin family estate hadnโt been a coincidence after all? For Dylan to personally reach out and offer such a high fee... Concerned that it might involve Grace Lawson, Dylanโs grandmother, who had always been kind to her, Suzy used lip movements to instruct Allen to ask for more details. Allen asked, "Can you provide some basic information about the patient? You can send it to my phone." Hearing some progress, Desmond eagerly replied, "Of course, Iโll send it right away." As soon as the call ended, Desmond sent over all the relevant details. The moment Suzy saw that the patient was Anne, she casually tossed the phone back to Allen. "Tell them I donโt treat for money. I believe in destiny, and this patient is not fated to meet me.โ Allen blinked in confusion and thought, "Since when do you have such rules?" Though Allen sensed something off about Suzyโs expression, he didnโt ask any questions. Instead, he simply relayed her message to Desmond. Upon receiving the response, Desmond immediately reported Suzyโs message to Dylan. Dylanโs eyes narrowed slightly. "Add another ten million!" He couldn't believe she'd turn down that much money. Suzy sneered. "Twenty million?" A twisted urge suddenly gripped herโshe wanted to test just how much Dylan truly valued Anne. Her eyes narrowed slyly. "Tell them Iโll make a house call for two hundred million. Not a penny less." Chapter 0004 "Two hundred million?" Dylan barely hesitated. "Deal!" Three years ago, after being drugged during an ambush, a girl saved his life despite being seriously injured herself. After a night together, the girl disappeared by morning. It had been too dark that night to see her face clearly, but he vaguely remembered a faint, distinctive scent on her, like some kind of herbal remedy. After investigating, he traced it back to the Wheeler family. Anne had been frail and sickly since childhood and had relied on natural remedies for years. According to her, on the day he was attacked, she was kidnapped and managed to escape. Along the way, she encountered him. Ignoring her own safety, she dragged her wounded body and gave herself to him to save his life. At the time, she was only eighteen. Anne saved his life, and he promised her marriage. Even though his grandmother, Grace, disapproved, he vowed never to marry anyone else. Yet out of nowhere, Suzy showed up. She orchestrated a heroic act, earning Graceโs favor, and step by step, manipulated Grace into forcing him to marry her. With her goal achieved, Suzy saw Anne as a thorn in her side, constantly picking fights. Lately, things had escalated โ first, a kidnapping, and now poisoning... Two hundred million, or even more โ as long as someone was willing to help save Anne, heโd pay any price. He owed Anne too much. โฆ Meanwhile, Allen immediately informed Suzy after receiving a response. "Boss, they've agreed." He agreedโฆ It was impossible not to feel something. After all, she had loved Dylan for so many years. She couldnโt help but wonder, if it were her who was poisoned, would he do the same? No, he wouldnโt! Heโd wish for her death as soon as possible. That way, no one would stand in the way of him and Anne ever again. Suzy clenched her fists, suppressing the aching pain in her heart. "Deal!" It was two hundred million โ since he was foolish and rich, why shouldnโt she take advantage of it? But... Who exactly poisoned Anne? What was the motive? And as for the previous kidnapping, after investigating all this while, there was still no answer. There must be a connection somewhere. It seemed a visit to the hospital tonight was necessary, to first determine the exact poison in Anne's system before following the clues. That night, when all was quiet, Suzy, dressed in a nurse uniform prepared by Allen, sneaked into Anneโs hospital room. The girl on the bed had a ghostly pale face and weak breathing. Dylan would probably be heartbroken seeing her like this. It was said that Anne had once saved Dylan, which was why he held her dear. In fact, they were quite similar; Suzy also fell in love with Dylan on the night he saved her. A self-mocking smile curled her lips. Suzy had schemed to marry him, thinking he was single. After all, rumors had it that he was indifferent to women and devoted only to his work, to the extent that his grandmother who raised him suspected he was gay! It was only after marriage that Suzy found out he had a girl he liked; it was just that Grace did not approve of Anne, so she never mentioned Anne in front of Suzy. Three years ago, while Suzy thought she was using Grace, wasnโt Grace actually using her too? Remembering that shrewd old lady, Suzy chuckled softly. "Age certainly does sharpen the wit!" Not wanting to waste more time, Suzy reached out to check Anneโs condition. Her brows furrowed instantly; her condition appeared to beโฆ Indeed it was! Her expression suddenly changed. Suzy pulled out a syringe from her pocket, aimed the needle at a vein in Anne's left arm, and was about to insert it when her hand was suddenly grabbed. Using all her strength, Anne clutched the intruder's wrist. "Who sent you?" The medical staff in and out of this hospital room were carefully selected, and Anne knew each one well. The moment she saw the person in front of her, she knew something was off. Unimpressed by Anneโs awakening, Suzy shook off her hand and continued her previous action. As the sharp needle tip was about to pierce into her arm, Anne suddenly pushed Suzy and quickly sat up from the bed, reaching for the call button by the bedside. However, before she could touch it, her arm was pinned against the wall. Though most of the intruder's face was hidden by a mask, the chilling glare from her eyes was like a sword laced with murderous intent. Anne became even more panicked. โI am Dylanโs most beloved woman. If you dare hurt me, he will never forgive youโฆโ โSlap!โ After slapping Anne, Suzy grabbed her chin. "If you donโt want to die, keep quiet!" Her face stung from the slap, and her jaw felt like it was about to be crushed. However, from the intruder's words, it seemed she wasnโt here to murder her. Anneโs fear slightly subsided, and she stopped struggling. Seeing her finally quiet down, Suzy released her chin. After drawing the blood with the needle and finishing her task, Suzy removed the needle and left, not caring about the still bleeding puncture site. Having suffered such a grievance, Anne was not about to let it go. She quickly pressed the call button, โSomeone is trying to murderโฆโ Before she could finish, her throat was grabbed. The woman's speed was alarmingly fast, shocking Anne. โI didnโt want to murder youโฆโ Suzyโs fingers tightened inch by inch around her neck. โBut since you seem tired of living, Iโll grant your wish!โ This wasnโt just a threat; Suzy genuinely intended to murder Anne. Indeed, Anne was no saint; she was quite skilled in manipulating situations. Over the past three years, she had framed others multiple times. Suzy had been patient only because Anne was Dylanโs favorite. Now... She didnโt care about who he loved. Furthermore, Anne owed Suzy that much. If it hadnโt been for her protection, Anne wouldnโt have survived long enough for Dylan to rescue her from the kidnappers. Seeing Anne's face turn red with difficulty breathing and veins popping on her forehead, the murderous intent in Suzy's eyes deepened. Just a bit more pressure and Anneโs life would be over! Suddenly, the sound of footsteps approached. They were distant, inaudible to most, but Suzy, with her exceptional hearing, could hear them clearly. It was Dylan! She felt a bit disgusted by how familiar she was with his steps. As the footsteps grew closer, Suzyโs gaze hardened, and with a swift motion, she knocked Anne unconscious with a sharp blow to the neck. After all, Anne was worth two hundred millionโthere was no reason to turn down that kind of money. Shifting her gaze slightly, Suzy quickly opened the door to the balcony and then slipped into the bathroom. The next second, the door was pushed open. Dylan entered, his eyes falling on the open sliding door to the balcony. His brows furrowed as he instructed Desmond, who followed behind him. "Close the door..." His words were cut off by a startled cry. "Ah..." Anne, who had thought she was doomed, suddenly opened her eyes, staring blankly at the ceiling, gasping for air in terror. "Did I wake you? I've been too busy these last few days to visit. How are you feeling?" Dylan walked to the bedside, noticing her distressed expression. "Did you have a nightmare?" Turning and seeing Dylan, Anne immediately threw herself into his arms, showing him the marks on her neck and the needle mark on her arm, "Mr. Dylan, just now, a woman disguised as a nurse drew my blood and then tried to strangle me." Chapter 0005 Dylanโs eyes shifted back to the balcony, giving Desmond a subtle look. Desmond searched the area and reported, โSir, thereโs no one here.โ โCall the doctor.โ Dylanโs gaze turned cold. "And tell the hospital to lock down all exits. Not a soul steps foot inside or out without my explicit authorization." โYes, sir!โ After the doctorโs examination confirmed that only blood had been drawn and nothing else had been done to her, Anne finally let out a sigh of relief. The attackerโs identity was still a mystery, and with her current vulnerable condition, it was hard not to feel afraid. But what puzzled her was why someone would go through so much effort just to draw her blood. However... With a shift in her gaze, Anneโs eyes welled up with tears. "Mr. Dylan, thereโs something Iโve hesitated to say, but sheโs really gone too far this time." It was a perfect opportunity to throw dirt on Suzyโs name, and Anne couldnโt let it slip by. Gripping his hand, her tears flowed even harder. "Iโm already half-dead from the poisonโwhy wonโt she leave me alone? Does she think Iโm not dying fast enough, so she sends someone in the middle of the night to drain my blood?" Dylan's expression darkened, but he didnโt respond directly. He simply said, "Weโve already found someone who can cure you with an antidote.โ Anneโs eyes flashed briefly with surprise, though she quickly masked it. "But... I was told that this poison has no cure.โ โThereโs always someone better who can treat you. Weโve arranged everything with a miracle doctor named Red Falcon, who will help detoxify you. Youโll be cured soon.โ โRed Falcon?โ Anne questioned, trying to hide her unease. โIs she really that skilled?โ โYes, Mr. Martin from the North Avenue had a terminal illness, and thanks to her treatment, he made a full recovery.โ Dylanโs voice softened. โDonโt worry, Iโll handle everything.โ For Anne, it was always โIโll handle everythingโฆโ For Suzy, it was always โThis doesnโt concern meโฆโ Listening from her hiding spot in the bathroom, Suzy had convinced herself she'd be numb to Dylan's tenderness toward Anne. Yet, as his gentle tone drifted through the door, she felt an unexpected pang. Despite everything, it still stung. Tired of eavesdropping, Suzy silently opened the window and leaped out. Like a bat in the night, she vanished without a traceโso swiftly, no one would ever know. At the hospital entrance. Growing anxious from waiting, Allen was just about to go in and help when he finally spotted Suzy emerging. He hurried out of the car and rushed over, giving her a quick once-over. โBoss, are you okay?โ โIโm fine.โ Suzy kept walking without stopping. โStop worrying about nothing.โ However, Allen sensed something was off. Logically, with the kind of influence Suzy had, Allen knew he shouldnโt be worried. But the ambush three years ago had left him deeply scarred. He could never forget the moment he saw her fall off that cliff with his own eyes. For three years, Allen had hated himself for not protecting Suzy, failing in his duty as her subordinate. So, when Suzy called to inform him she was still alive, Allen swore that, this time, he would give up his life if necessary to keep her from getting hurt again. He wanted to handle this mission for her, but she wouldnโt allow it. From the rearview mirror, Allen glanced at Suzy, who had been silent since getting into the car. He couldnโt shake the feeling that there was something complicated between her and Anne. Allen realized he needed to find someone to discreetly investigate the matter. His gaze hadnโt fully returned to the road when Suzy caught him staring. He cleared his throat awkwardly. โBoss, did you find out what kind of poison it was?โ Suzy paused briefly. โItโs Scarlet Veil.โ โScreechโฆโ The brakes squealed as Allen slammed on them in shock. โScarlet Veil? But that was your masterpiece! Didnโt you destroy it along with the formula three years ago?โ โThereโs one last doseโฆ with the Harlow family.โ โClaude Harlow?โ Allenโs eyes widened. โWhat kind of grudge could he possibly have against a young girl to go this far? Everyone knows that poison starts off mild, but once it hits againโฆ sheโll be no better than a dog in heatโฆโ Suzy had created the sinister poison to deal with a monster in the past. Even she was confused. The Harlows and Wrights had no bad blood between them. In fact, the Harlows even had business dealings with the Wheeler family. If Claude was behind the poisoning, sheโd rule him out as a suspect in the earlier kidnapping. That much was certain. There was no way Claude would have, or could have, let Suzy come so close to dying in that explosion. No matter who it was, she was determined to find them. It wasnโt about proving her innocence to Dylan. She simply wouldnโt swallow that humiliation! Whether it was the kidnapping, the ambush from three years ago, or the one responsible for murdering her familyโshe wasnโt going to let any of them off the hook. Her eyes burned with hatred when Allen suddenly handed her the phone. "Boss, Dylan sent a message. He wants to arrange the treatment as soon as possible." Thinking of that deceitful man and his tenderness, she said, "Tell him the dealโs off." Earning two hundred million was tempting, but what intrigued her more was seeing what would happen to Anne after the second wave of poisoning hit her. โฆ In the corridor outside Anne's hospital room. Though Dylanโs face remained expressionless, his eyes were as cold as ice. "What did you just say? Repeat it." Desmond, bracing himself, repeated, "Red Falcon said the deal is off." He regretted it now. He never should have mentioned Red Falcon to Dylan that day. This Red Falconโfirst she demanded an outrageous sum, and now she was backing out. Didnโt she know just how bad Dylanโs temper was? Suppressing his rage, Dylan growled. "Give me the phone." Desmond quickly handed it over. Dylan dialed the number. It rang but went unanswered. Once, twice, and again, until his patience wore thin. Finally, a soft voice came through, "Sorry, I was busy." Desmond quickly wiped the sweat that had started to drip down his forehead. Thank goodness the call got answeredโotherwise, his phone wouldโve met a tragic end. The phone itself wasnโt worth much, but the data stored inside was priceless to him. โIโm looking for Red Falcon,โ Dylan said bluntly. โSheโs not available. If thereโs something you need, you can tell me, and Iโll pass it along.โ Dylanโs eyes narrowed. โThe price was already agreed upon. Why cancel now?โ โPlease, Mr. Wright, stay calm. Itโs true that canceling the arrangement on our side is a bit abrupt, and we apologize. But we have our reasons. Do you think weโd walk away from two hundred million so easily if we didnโt have a reason to?โ โWhatโs the reason?โ โThatโs not something we can share with you, Mr. Wright. I suggest you find someone else quickly before Miss Anne misses the best window for treatment.โ Without waiting for a response, Allen hung up the phone. The next secondโฆ Smash! Desmond watched in despair as yet another phone met its fate. His heart shattered even more than the phone. โFind her!โ Dylan ordered, his voice cold. He was determined to see what kind of game she was playing now. Desmond wanted to say, โEasier said than done.โ Not just Red Falcon, but also Suzy, who had been missing without a trace for so long. Why did it seem like every woman around him enjoyed playing hide and seek? Inside the hospital room, Anne had been listening to the commotion outside. Once she heard Dylan and Desmond leave, she quickly locked the door and pulled out another phone hidden under her pillow. โDylan found someone to help me get an antidote, but I overheard that they backed out.โ Anne sneered. โHe keeps saying how great this Red Falcon is, but it seems sheโs all talk. She mustโve realized she couldnโt actually cure me, so she ran at the last minute.โ โIf she created the poison, she definitely knows how to cure it.โ โSo, you know her? If she made the poison, why would she suddenly refuse to help? I overheard Dylan offering two hundred million for her treatment!โ Since Dylan was willing to spend that much money on her, Anne could tell just how important she was to Dylan. The truth didnโt matter. Once she solidified her place as Dylanโs wife, even if he discovered she wasn't his true savior, his feelings for her would shield her from consequences. There was a long pause on the other end of the line before the person finally responded, โIsnโt this exactly what you wanted? Youโll soon face the second wave of the poison. I hope all your wishes come true.โ โThanks for the good wishes. Once Iโve secured Dylan, thereโll be plenty of rewards for you.โ โฆ The quickest way to find out if Claude was behind the poisoning was to ask him directly. Even though it seemed unlikely, Suzy decided she needed to meet with him. After all, they hadnโt seen each other in three years. So, the first thing she did upon returning to Hillside Villa was to ask Allen to look into Claudeโs whereabouts. Before she could finish eating an apple, Allen had the information ready. โClaudeโs on a business trip to Montara.โ โBook a flight.โ The next morning, Suzy boarded a plane bound for Montara. Allen wanted to accompany Suzy, but she refused, assigning him other tasks to handle. It had been three years since sheโd been on a plane, and as she gazed at the clouds outside the window, Suzy felt a sense of freedom, like a bird returning to the sky. For those three years, her life had revolved entirely around Dylan. In her attempt to be the perfect wife, she barely left the house and spent her days thinking about how to take better care of him. Every morning at five, she got up to make him breakfast. She hand-washed all his clothes, even his socks and underwear. While he was at work, she counted the minutes, waiting like a lovesick fool for his return. Looking back now, she couldnโt believe she had lived like that for three years. What on earth had she been thinking? After landing, she went straight to Claudeโs hotel, only to be told, โMr. Claude checked out early this morning.โ Suzy was speechless. She had planned on surprising him. Oh well, since she was already here, she might as well treat it like a vacation. Suzy spent the day shopping, buying plenty of things before catching her flight back home. She had to admit that being single has its perks! The farther away men were, the better. At the airport, Suzy spotted Allen waiting from a distance. โOver hereโฆโ Her smile froze instantly. Dylan? Surrounded by a crowd, Dylan was heading straight in her direction. Suzy quickly turned her back and thought, โAnother unlucky day.โ It wasnโt that she feared him; she just didnโt want to see him. And she was pretty sure he didnโt want to see her either. To avoid mutual disdain, Suzy slipped into the restroom. Dylan scanned the area, but there was no sign of Suzy. โAre you sure she was on this flight?โ Desmond, sweating profusely, stammered, โIโve double-checked several times. Mrs. Wright was definitely on this flight from Montara.โ Desmond could hardly contain his excitement when he first got the news. Suzyโs disappearance, Red Falconโs cancellation, and the woman who had infiltrated Anneโs hospital room only to escape under full lockdownโthose three women had pushed Dylan to the brink of an explosion. Thank goodness there was finally news about Suzy. Otherwise, if Dylan exploded, Desmond would be the first casualty. Wiping sweat from his forehead, Desmond said, "Iโve got people stationed at every exit. We should be able to find her soon." Half an hour later... Dylanโs voice turned icy. โWhere is she?โ Desmond wished he could cut out his own tongue. Sometimes, it was best not to speak too soon! He couldnโt understand how Suzy, an ordinary person, was so good at slipping away. โDesmond, your performance is really slipping. If this keeps up, I think it might be time to send you to South Allica for some additional training,โ Dylan said coldly before walking off. It had been half an hour, and Suzy had probably already made her escape. The fact that she could disappear under these circumstances made it clear that he had seriously underestimated her abilities. Outside the airport, a line of sleek black cars was parked, with the leading one looking particularly impressive. Desmond jogged ahead, opening the door for Dylan, who was just about to step into the car when, out of the corner of his eye, he spotted somethingโฆ In an instant, Dylan turned, took several swift strides, and grabbed the shoulder of a woman standing nearby. hapter 0006 When Dylan spun the woman around to face him, his expression darkened instantly, like a shadow passing over his features. From behind, she had looked strikingly similar to Suzy, but her front was a different story. Her appearance was plain, a far cry from Suzyโs striking beauty. The fact that heโd even momentarily considered Suzy attractive only made Dylan's scowl deepen. "Hey, handsome, your approach is pretty unique. I like it," the woman said with a playful smile, leaning toward him. "I live close by. How about we..." "Iโve got the wrong person," Dylan cut her off. As he stepped back, the woman nearly stumbled but wasnโt discouraged. She moved closer again. "Donโt be shy. Weโre both adults here. Whatโs there to hold back?" With a sharp glare, Dylan signaled to Desmond, who quickly stepped in to handle the situation. Once the two of them had driven off, Suzy slipped into Allenโs car, slowly peeling off the human-skin mask from her face. She had thought their encounter was a coincidence, but it turned out Dylan had deliberately come looking for her. But why? After all the commotion, what was he trying to achieve? She had already stepped aside. What more could he possibly want? Allen seemed equally puzzled. His curiosity finally got the better of him, and he couldnโt help but ask, โBoss, I just found out... Dylan wasnโt looking for Red Falcon. Heโs been trying to find his missing wifeโฆโ "Yeah, thatโs me," Suzy said calmly. There was no point in hiding it anymore. "...Youโre married?" Allen was visibly stunned. "Was. I got married, then divorced." "Was it because of Anne?" Allenโs tone was laced with frustration. The fact that Dylan was willing to spend two hundred million on Anne was a clear sign of their deep connection. Unable to hold back, Allen muttered a curse under his breath. "Like mother, like daughter. Sheโs just as rotten as her mom." Suzy immediately caught the significance of his words. "You and the Wheeler family..." "I have nothing to do with the Wheelers," Allen said sharply, gripping the steering wheel. It was a painful chapter of Allenโs life, one he had never shared with Suzy. He had always planned to take his revenge quietly, without burdening her with his past. After all, Suzy had her own scores to settle. Anneโs mother, Helena Fox, and his own were cousins. An unexpected tragedy left her an orphan, and his grandmother, moved by sympathy, took Helena in. Little did she know, she was nurturing a wolf in sheepโs clothing. On the surface, Helena seemed sweet and caring, but beneath that facade, she was as cold and calculating. When Allen was eight, he walked in on his father, William Wheeler, having an affair with Helena while his mother was away on a business trip โ and in his mother's own bed, no less. Not long after, they drove his mother to her death and tried to burn him alive. He suffered severe burns across most of his body. If it hadnโt been for Suzy saving him while he was trying to escape, he wouldnโt even be alive today. She nursed him back to health, gave him a new face, and turned him into the person he was now โ someone William wouldnโt recognize, even if they stood face to face. Suzy could tell at a glance that Allen was lying. Since he didnโt want to delve deeper into the subject, she didnโt push him further. Everyone has their own secrets. She shifted the conversation. "Did you take care of what I asked before I left?" Allen opened the glove compartment and pulled out a blue folder. "The investigation confirms that thereโs never been any conflict between the Goodwin family and the Turner family, not now or three years ago. And there's no way the Goodwins could learn about your real identity." Suzy had once been the heiress of the Frosts, the wealthiest family. Years ago, a brutal assassination wiped out her entire family in a single night, from relatives to servantsโa total of thirty lives, all murdered. The murderers were beyond cruel. Everyone believed that no one from the Frost family survived, unaware that someone had risked their life to save Suzy. For years, she had kept her identity hidden. Apart from Allen, Raven Murray, and Riley White, no one else knew who she really was. And none of them would ever betray her. Suzy opened the folder, flipping through the pages. She found nothing out of the ordinary; everything seemed in order. Yet, three years ago, she distinctly remembered the kidnappers mentioning the Goodwin family. Closing the folder, she tossed it aside casually. "You can dodge the first blow, but not the second." "Yes, if the Goodwin family is really involved, no matter how powerful they are, theyโll pay the price in full," Allen said before asking, "What about Claude?" Suzy leaned back in her chair, her eyes half-closed. "He returned early. I didnโt get a chance to see him." "So, are we heading to the Harlow family next?" "Weโll see." After all the running around, Suzy was feeling tired. Sheโd head home for some rest first. Besides, Anneโs second wave of poisoning was set for tonight. Suzy needed to be well-rested to fully enjoy what was about to unfold. โฆ That night, at the hospital. Anne had been unusually thirsty since dinner. She drank plenty of water, yet the discomfort only worsened. She knew it was timeโthe second wave of the poison was hitting. In a panic, she called Dylan. "Mr. Dylan, where are you? I feel so awful..." she moaned as soon as the line connected, not waiting for a response. But it wasnโt Dylan who answeredโit was his sister, Diana Wright. "Feeling awful? Call a doctor. Whatโs the point of calling my brother?" Diana had always disliked Anne. "And this is my final warning. My brother is married. Whether itโs me or my grandmother, weโve both accepted his wife as family. Youโd better stay far away from him." Anne wasnโt fond of Diana either. "Oh really? You probably donโt know that theyโre divorced, do you? And it was Suzy who initiated it." "You're lying!" Diana snapped, not believing a word. "My sister-in-law loves my brother. Thereโs no way she would ever ask for a divorce." "If you don't believe me, go ask your brother. And by the way, your dear sister-in-law has run off with some random guy and hasnโt been seen since!" "You witch! Say one more bad word about her, and I'll rip your mouth apart..." Diana was in the middle of her furious rant when the phone was snatched away by Dylan. She looked up. "Brother, that witch Anne just said that your wife wants a divorce!" Dylanโs face was cold. "Watch your manners." "My manners? I rather show some manners to a dog than her! Now tell meโis Suzy divorcing you or not?" "Thatโs none of your business," he said, his dark eyes narrowing. "What you should be focused on is your exam tomorrow." With that, he turned to leave. Diana chased after him. "How can it not concern me? She saved Grandmaโs life! If it werenโt for her, weโd both be orphans by now. You canโt be so heartless..." No matter what she said, Dylan kept walking without a word. Frustrated, Diana stomped her foot. "Iโm calling Grandma!" Dylan knew Diana would go straight to Grace to complain. He couldnโt figure out what spell Suzy had cast over both his grandmother and his sister. They adored her to the point of obsession. The only reason he hadnโt launched a full search for Suzy was to avoid alarming Grace, who was currently enjoying her vacation overseas. But now it seemed the secret was out. With that thought, he redialed Anneโs number to find out how she knew about the divorce. "Mr. Dylan, Mr. Dylan..." The moment the call connected, Anneโs pained voice came through. "Whatโs wrong?" Dylan asked. "I feel terrible, I really feel like Iโm dying. Please come and save me!" "Donโt panic. Iโm on my way." Chapter 0007 At the hospital. The moment Dylan stepped through the door, Anne threw herself into his arms. She clung to him like a rag doll, trembling against him. "Dylan, I feel awful... I feel so terrible..." โWhere does it hurt?โ Dylan tried to push her away, but instead of letting go, she only clung tighter. "Everywhere..." Anne moaned, placing his hand on her front. "Especially here, it feels like bugs crawling under my skinโitching, unbearable. Mr. Dylan, please help me!" Her behavior was clearly not normal. โIโll call the doctor.โ โNo, I donโt want a doctor. I want you.โ Anne clung to him like a vine, her hands restlessly undoing his shirt buttons. โPlease, Mr. Dylan, help me, I feel like Iโm dying. If you donโt help me, I really will die...โ As her fingers worked to undo the buttons, Dylan grabbed her wrists. โAnne, calm down...โ โI canโt calm down...โ She leaned in, trying to kiss him, whispering his name over and over, โMr. Dylan, Mr. Dylan...โ Just as she was about to succeed, Dylan forcefully pushed her away, sending her sprawling to the floor. His resistance spoke volumes, even if he hadnโt said a word. A flicker of coldness flashed in Anneโs eyes, but when she looked up again, only sadness remained. โMr. Dylan, do you hate me?โ Dylan didnโt respond, nor did he help her up. Instead, he turned away. โIโm calling a doctor.โ Anne wasnโt about to let him leave. She scrambled to her feet and wrapped herself around him from behind. โI told you, I donโt want a doctor. I want you! Please, Mr. Dylan, take me...โ โAnne, something is clearly wrong with you,โ Dylan said, his lips pressed into a thin line. โYou need to see a doctor.โ โNo doctor can help me. Only you can save me.โ As she spoke, Anne began stripping off her own clothes. โPlease, save me. Iโm begging you.โ Just when Anne thought she had succeeded, a sharp pain shot through the back of her head, and everything went black as she crumpled to the floor. Watching Anne fall unconscious, Suzy, who had been hiding in the wardrobe, retracted the silver needle that she had prepared to throw. It wasnโt about helping Dylanโit was simply that she couldnโt bear to watch the scene unfold. It was the kind of thing that could make her eyes bleed. What she didnโt expect was that Dylan would actually... Anne was supposed to be the woman he loved most. Suzy couldnโt quite understand why he knocked her out. Dylan scooped Anne up in his arms and laid her back on the hospital bed before pressing the call button for the doctor. When the doctor arrived, Dylan briefly explained what had just happened. โIs this related to the poison in her system?โ After a quick examination, the doctor nodded. โYes, youโre right. The poison in Miss Anneโs body is highly unusual. The last time the poison flared up, nothing like this happened. Now, itโs suddenly escalated, and who knows what could happen next. We need to detox her as soon as possible.โ Dylan frowned and thought about what the doctor said. There had been no word from Red Falcon. Forget about tracking her downโshe hadnโt even answered a single phone call. Desmond had been trying for days, but every attempt had gone unanswered. Detoxing Anne was proving to be no simple task. For the first time, he found himself played by a woman who had him in the palm of her hand. With his jaw tight, Dylan commanded, โFor now, find a way to alleviate her symptoms.โ โThatโs going to be difficult...โ the doctor began. โThis poison is something Iโve never encountered before, and I know nothing about it. Iโm concerned that if we administer the wrong medication, it could worsen her condition instead of easing it. So...โ The doctor pressed his lips together before continuing, โAt this point, the safest way to relieve her symptoms might be for you, Mr. Wright, to help Miss Anne personally.โ โAbsolutely not!โ Dylan didnโt hesitate. โIf it comes to that, weโll use sedatives.โ โBut that might not be safe eitherโฆโ โAt least that way, sheโll maintain her dignity,โ Dylan muttered, his voice low as he looked at Anne lying unconscious. โI canโt let her lose her honor.โ So, it wasnโt that he wouldnโt touch herโhe just didnโt want her to be ridiculed. Suzyโs mind flashed back to a day when she had gone to his office to deliver some documents he had left behind at home. His employees had mistaken her for the maid, and from start to finish, he hadnโt said a single word to correct them. They had been married for three years, and not once had he shown her the respect a wife deserved. Yet, when it came to Anne, he shielded her at every turn... Suzy didnโt want to compare, but moments like this always brought it to the surface, no matter how hard she tried. Why was she even watching this pathetic drama? She really should find a way to slip out of here. And as luck would have it, the opportunity presented itself. The doctor left, and moments later, Dylanโs phone rang. Probably to avoid waking Anne, he stepped out of the room with his phone. Seizing her chance, Suzy quietly slipped out of the wardrobe. But just as she thought sheโd made her escape, Dylan walked back in. Their eyes locked. The air between them went dead silent. Suzy reacted quickly, darting toward the balcony. Dylan was just as fast, his long strides closing the distance. Just as she was about to leap off the balcony, his hand caught her shoulder, yanking her back. "Speak. Who sent you?" Suzy let out a cold laugh. "The hospital is a public place. Iโm allowed to come and go as I please. Do I need your permission now?" She wasnโt worried at all about Dylan recognizing her voice. Before going out, she always used a voice-altering agentโnot to hide from him specifically, but out of long-standing habit. Keeping her true identity hidden was a necessity. Though she hadnโt gone so far as to disguise herself today, just a simple mask, there was no way Dylan would figure it out. She wouldnโt give him the chance. "So, you think you can just come and go as you please, huh..." Dylan's grip on her shoulder tightened, his voice growing colder. "Since you're here, why don't you stay for a while?" "The windโs pretty strong tonightโcareful you donโt bite your tongue!" Suzy swiftly dodged his grip, twisting out of his hold, and in one fluid motion, threw a sharp punch directly at him. But Dylan wasnโt easy prey either, effortlessly dodging her attack. The two were locked in a fierce exchange, trading blow after blow, kick after kick. After dozens of moves, neither had the upper hand. Dylan chuckled, "Not bad." Suzy smirked. "You're not too shabby yourself, Mr. Wright." But then, his eyes flashed dangerously, and he switched tactics, aiming a series of strikes at her abdomen. Realizing his intent, Suzy shifted her defenses to protect her midsection, but in an unexpected move, Dylan suddenly diverted his hand, reaching for her mask instead. | LEARN_MORE | https://beokn.com/market/buenovela/3?lpid=14871&ut | Indulge in story | https://www.facebook.com/61552702618591/ | 865 | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Learn More | 0 | beokn.com | DCO | https://beokn.com/market/buenovela/3?lpid=14871&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}} | 1969-12-31 18:00 | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/463603676_1575537693071797_6068888192638989593_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ckZexQ_58PgQ7kNvgFgVnex&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A6NmLnNe3rwn79sbYOF9Rky&oh=00_AYCva9GDTsk1G01CmLt9mAMlFgqwRMCr3wFzibDY-ppqEw&oe=675D674A | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 0 | Indulge in story | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2,625,232 |
/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281)
'{"alias":2623991}'
|
No | 2024-12-09 21:03 | active | 1982 | 0 |
|
Read more FREE chapters๐ | This wasnโt the first time I received photos of Owen cheating on me. The blonde hair and slender build of the woman kissing him reminded me of my best friend Josie. Could it beโฆ? No, she would never do that to me! With trembling fingers, I dropped my phone. How could my husband cheat on me?! I thought I was the most important person in his life. After 7 horrible years at the orphanage, I was adopted by Owenโs family. I saved Owen's life when we were young. His family was so grateful that they took me in. How could Owen betray me after everything we went through?! We grew up together and were always inseparable. We fell in love and got married when we were 22 years old. I canโt believe that was almost 3 years ago now. But Owen had been acting very strange lately. These photos seemed to explain whyโฆ I had to confront him. โOwen?โ I called out. โOwen, where are you?โ He didn't answer. He must be upstairs. I walked up the stairs and heard him talking to his friend Simon on the phone. As I was about to knock on the door, I overheard: โNo, I donโt think I love her anymore.โ His words gave me icy chills. โYou should be happy, Simon. I know you like Noah. If we get a divorce, you can have her.โ Owen continued. โHe said...what?โ I couldnโt believe my ears and cried in my heart, โHow dare he talk about me like that? I wasn't just some object he could give away! โ Hearing Owenโs frivolous talk with his friend, I felt sick. I grew up with him and got married for so many years. But he recently acted like a stranger. Did he have a new love? Why did he treat me in such a cruel way?! I was almost to open the door to question him, but suddenly I hesitated, โQuestion him and then what? Do I want divorce? No, I donโt think so. Anyway, I have to calm down. At least I need to have a talk with him first. I need to know what happened to our marriage.โ So, I quietly made my way back downstairs. I tried to forget about what I heard by preparing dinner. As I was dishing up our pasta, the delightful scent of italian herbs drifted through the house. I heard Owen come downstairs. โJust in time for your dinner, hun!โ I said, trying to sound normal. But he was wearing his coat and gelled hair. He looked handsome as ever and ready to leave. I could smell his aftershave - my favorite smell in the world. โWhere are you going? Itโs getting late and dinner is ready.โ I said. โDinner with a client. Donโt wait for me.โ Owen replied and left without hesitation. I sat alone at the table, looking at the food Iโd carefully prepared for him. Tears were streaming down my cheeks. I listlessly turned the spaghetti round and round with my fork. I wasnโt hungry. After storing away the leftovers, I stared at the TV for a while. Nothing could get my mind off of Owen and whoever that blonde tramp was. I made my way to the bathroom. I washed my mascara stained face and looked at myself in the mirror. Why did he stop loving me? Am I not beautiful enough? Did I not do enough to make him happy? I gave my body a scrutinizing glance, suddenly seeing all the parts of me that werenโt perfect. My belly wasnโt as flat as it used to be. Maybe I shouldโve had my lips done, like my friend Josie. Mine always used to be fuller than hers. But now she had the plump, luscious lips of a model. After washing up, I went to bed. Dropping my face into my pillow, I felt miserable. I tried to fall asleep, but my mind kept wandering. Where was Owen? And with who? Will he even come home tonight? At 1 am, I finally heard the key turn in the front door. From all the stumbling I could hear Owen was very drunk. I swiftly made my way downstairs to help him to the bedroom. He started kissing me and said a blurry name. I tried to identify what it was. After he repeated it many times, I was shocked. It sounded like... โJoiseโ! โJosieโฆ? Were you with Josie?โ I asked with panic in my voice. I helped his heavy body into bed. He grunted some words I couldnโt understand. I couldnโt believe my husband cheated on me with my best friend. I cried and pleaded with him to see that it was me, not Josie. He pushed me away. As his head hit the pillow, he started snoring right away. Looking at my husband - completely drunk - I didnโt recognize the man I knew and loved. I tried to sleep next to him. But it felt like I was lying next to a stranger. I went downstairs and sat on the sofa all night, wide eyed, thinking about what happened between us. The next morning, Owen came downstairs after a shower. I wanted to ask him how he was feeling. He must be hungover. When I got up from the couch, I felt very weak and feverish. The sleepless night must've made me sick. โOwen, are you OK?โ I asked as I struggled to walk over to him. I really wanted to hug him. If only for a sense of comfort. He swept my arms away and told me to leave him alone. I was so weak and dizzy, his push made me fall. Owen was stunned for a moment. Then he said coldly, โIf youโre sick, go see a doctor.โ I scrambled up to my feet, and looked at him with a shocked expression. Suddenly, his phone rang. As he lifted it to his ear, the screen lit up. I could clearly see who was calling: โJosieโ. Chapter 2 - Hope Noah My heart sank when Owen picked up the phone. The screen clearly said โJosieโ. He answered: โHello? Yes, of course, sir. I can take a look at those documents for you.โ I couldn't believe Owen was lying to my face. He glanced at me, then quickly walked over to the kitchen. When he thought I couldn't hear him, his voice softened. He sounded so sweet. Although I couldnโt hear his words, the way he spoke to Josie reminded me of the beginning of our romance. Owen was still trying to hide his betrayal from me. He must have forgotten that he gave away his secret last night, when he called me Josie. Those pictures on my phone left no doubt. He was cheating on me, with my best friend. I leaned up against the wall. I felt weakened by my fever and this emotional rollercoaster. I stared at my husband as he came back inside the living room. He avoided my eyes. It felt as if he had become a stranger. In the past, he wouldโve never let me suffer like this. โIโll pick you up later.โ Owen said, ready to go. I grabbed his hand and begged him to stay with me. โPlease, donโt leave. I'm sick, Owen. I need to see a doctor. Iโm too weak to be all by myself.โ He was very impatient. He said he had some important business to deal with. I couldnโt help crying as I watched him leave. My husband and my best friend were betraying me, behind my back. I walked up the stairs slowly, carefully holding on to the railing. I was so weak and fragile. Bed rest was my best option right now. I really needed my husband to take care of me. When we got married, he vowed to me: โIn sickness and in health, in good times and badโ. This was definitely a bad time, and he was nowhere to be seen. When I woke up from my nap, I felt even worse. In my feverish haze, I reached for my phone and tried to call Owen. I opened my recent contacts and found that Owen had not had any calls with me these days at all. I had to open the contact list to look for him, but a few minutes later I dialed out with a headache and dizziness. Almost immediately I heard: โHello, Noah?โ The voice on the phone sounded very deep. I figured Owen got a cold after his late night out. โIโm so sick, Iโm so weak. I need to get to the hospital. Please, come back, pleaseโฆโ I pleaded, my voice weak and trembling. โIโll be right there.โ Said the voice on the phone and hung up right away. His voice sounded different from before. And his tone was a little urgent. Whatโs wrong? I didnโt have enough energy to think about it. At least he might still care about me. That comforted me a lot. Before long, there was a heavy knock on the door. Did Owen leave his key? I opened the door, expecting to look into Owen's gray eyes, but found Raymond's kind, hazel brown eyes instead. What was he doing here? Raymond was Owenโs uncle. He was only several years older, but very mature. He was tall, tanned and handsome. His chocolate brown hair matched his eyes. With his strong, square jaw and muscular body. I always thought Owen was one of the most attractive men I knew. It wasn't until Raymondโs appearance that I realized how dominant the handsome genes are in this family in terms of good looking. After living in Australia for most of his life, he had come back several years ago to take over his familyโs business. By now, he was the most successful CEO in the city. Although all women admired him, he remained single. โDoes Owen know youโre sick?โ Raymond said, looking concerned. โHow did you know I'm sick? Do I look that terrible?โ I asked, suddenly aware that I was only wearing my little nightgown, had no make-up on and had my hair up in a messy bun. Raymond smiled. โDon't worry, Noah. I got your call earlier.โ Oops, I must have pressed the number of โOwenโs Bossโ instead of โOwenโ. I apologized for the inconvenience. โYou are a member of our family, Noah. Itโs my duty to take care of you. And you are never an inconvenience to me.โ Raymond said as he took me by the arm to support me. He led me to his streamlined, dark gray Mercedes to drive me to the hospital. I sat down on the cream colored leather seat. His car smelled brand new. The seat was heated, which helped warm me up, but I was still shivering. Raymond took off his suede blazer and handed it to me. His simple act of kindness made me feel warm, inside and out. โThank you, Raymond. This means a lot to me.โ I said with a relieved sigh. โOf course, Noah. Whenever you need me, Iโll be there.โ He responded. He still had a slight Australian accent. He asked me what happened. I wouldnโt have shared my familyโs private problems with another man who I didnโt even know very well. But at that time, I was on the very edge of a breakdown. I really needed someone to talk to. Yet when I lost two of my closest persons on the same day, my husband and my best friend, who else could I talk to? โI donโt think Owen loves me as much as before. It seems that he has some secrets with another woman, who used to be my best girlfriend. I couldn't sleep all night. I think that's what caused my fever.โ I concluded. I was in tears again by the time I finished the story. โHow could they do this to you? You are the best thing that's ever happened to Owen. If he can't see that, he is an even bigger idiot than I thought!โ Raymond shouted out. His shocked, angry expression showed me how much he cared. โPlease, don't say a word about this to Owen. I haven't confronted him yet. I need to do this myself.โ I responded. We sat quietly for a while, his hand resting very close to my thigh. I felt so weak and miserable. But his presence helped. When seeing the private doctor, I tried to get out of the car but almost fell. Raymond flung an arm around me, just in time to catch me. I blushed as I looked up to him. My face was very close to his. His piercing eyes looked at me with an intensity I hadnโt seen before. I smelled something fresh. It might be his aftershave. I remembered Owen also used it, and I always told he that I love what he smelled. But I found Raymondโs aftershave smelled a little special. โRaymond? Noah? What are you doing?!โ I suddenly heard Owenโs angry voice. Chapter 3 - Truth Noah Raymond quickly let go of me as Owen approached us. Just before taking a step back. I stumbled over to my husband. I wanted to lean on him for support, but he didnโt seem to care about me at all. All I could read on his face was anger. I tried to be strong and stand by myself, shivering with fever. โSo, youโve got a new love, huh? I saw you flirting with my uncle!โ Owen spat his angry words at me. I turned pale. How could he say this to me? Especially after what he had done? I wasnโt the one who couldnโt be trusted! โOwen! How dare you talk to her like that! Itโs not our familyโs manner!โ Raymond berated him. He was fuming with rage at the injustice. He also knew about Owen's betrayal. Owen was a little timid when Raymond got angry. Although Raymond was only 31 years old, he had become a successful CEO. He had idolized Raymond when he was a child. And now, Raymond was also his boss. Owen had recently started working at his company. Raymondโs fists were clenched and his tense muscles were visible through his buttoned up shirt. He looked like he was about to hit Owen. I didnโt want them to fight over me, so I tried to calm them both down. โRaymond, itโs okay. Owen will take me in to see a doctor. Thank you for driving me here.โ I said gratefully. โPlease, donโt say anything about Josieโ, I tried to tell him mentally through the look in my eyes. He nodded slightly, as if he understood. He relaxed and his eyes softened when he looked at me. I turned back to my angry husband. I couldnโt detect any sign of trust in his eyes. I supposed he should be concerned about my health rather than the relationship between me and Raymond. โOwen, I can explain. I tried to call you, but I was so sick I accidentally dialed Raymondโs number. He brought me to see the doctor. You should be grateful to him. Without him I would still be miserable in bed, all alone.โ Owen grabbed me and said, โWell, I was just on my way to come and get you. Then I saw you get out of uncle Raymond's car and โfallโ right into his arms.โ He looked at Raymond with an arrogant smirk. โYou can go back to your important job now, uncle. Iโll look after my wife.โ Raymondโs eyes were cold, but he respected my wishes. He didn't object. After warning Owen that heโd better take good care of me, he got back in his car and drove off. Although I was glad I could lean on Owen, something didn't feel right. I realized I was still wearing his suede jacket. It was so soft and warm, protecting me from the cold autumn wind. When the doctor dealt with my fever, Owen didnโt want to speak to me, let alone look at me. He was engaging himself in typing on his phone. The doctor told me I shouldn't have waited much longer. My fever was so high I could have fainted. After getting examined and taking medicine for my fever, Owen drove me home. We sat next to each other in our car that held many memories. All our road trips and getaways together. Those times were over now. After an uncomfortable silence, I decided to address the elephant in the room. โOwenโฆ What is going on? Do you still love me? Do you still regard me as your wife?โ I asked. โSo what? Whose wife do you want to be?โ Owen hissed. I couldn't believe how horrible he was to me after what he had done. โI know you cheated on me, Owen.โ I uttered with pain in my voice. โYouโve been seeing Josie, right?โ Owen stopped the car with a jerk and pulled over. We sat in silence for a while as he processed my words. โWhat do you know, Noah?โ he pressed, looking me in the eyes at last. I finally confronted him about all the things that had been weighing heavily on my heart. I explained: โSomeone sent me photos of the two of you together. The first time, they didn't show your face. So I didnโt want to believe it. But in the ones I received yesterday, it was clearly you. All those nights, when you told me you had to leave town for business... You lied to me. You spent them at a hotel with another woman! Then, last night, you kissed me and called me Josie. And this morning, I saw it was her calling you. You pretended it was a client. โOwen, we have grown up together since we were kids. I always thought we knew each other the most and could trust each other. I canโt believe you would cheat me like that!โ I cried, โOwen, did you fall in love with another woman... Is she my best friend Josie?!โ His eyes showed a moment of doubt. Then, resolution. His mouth tightened as he clenched his jaw. Just when I thought he wouldnโt answer, Owen said: โItโs true. I love her. I love Josie.โ Chapter 4 - Hurt Noah I just couldn't accept it. I loved him so much. How could he cheat on me? โWhy, Owen? I thought we loved each other. I thought we would be together forever. Did I do something wrong?โ I cried. Owen didn't respond. He drove us home in silence. His cruelty was too much for me to bear. I stared at the raindrops on the window. I felt more depressed than ever. That afternoon, Owen left again. I tried having some food and a nap, hoping that would help me heal. But I just couldn't fall asleep until Owen came back home in the early evening. I had to talk to him. I got out of bed and met him at the top of the stairs. โOwen, we need to talk about what happened. You can't keep going out and avoiding me.โ He was obviously drunk again. All he said was, โI donโt have anything to say to you. I am moving out, Noah. I supposed our years of marriage is a mistake!โ I took his hands in mine and begged him to stay and try to work it out. But he shook off my hands and pushed me away. I was standing right on the edge of the staircase. His push made me lose balance, and I tumbled down the stairs. I managed to grab onto the railing so I didnโt fall all the way down. But my head hit the wall when I tried to break my fall. I felt my forehead was bleeding. It was so painful that I couldnโt get up. I thought Owen would help me, but only heard: โYou lost your footing. Itโs not my fault.โ There was a sudden knock on the door. Owen stumbled past me down the stairs. โRaymond? What are you doing here? Now is not a good time.โ โI came to ask you what is going on. You need to give me an explanation. You havenโt โฆ Noah?โ Raymond suddenly saw me sitting on the stairs behind Owen. He pushed Owen aside and ran over to me in alarm. Seeing my messy hair and injured forehead, he instantly knew what happened between us. He punched Owen in the face. โThis is how you treat your wife?! I donโt believe you. Donโt you see Noah is bleeding? Did you hurt her? What a disgusting thing you smelled! You drunk idiot!โ Raymond raged at his nephew. I didnโt even have time to explain. Raymond immediately wrapped me up in his suit jacket and took me to see the doctor. โTwice in one day? That must be a record.โ The doctor said wearily. I gave her a wry grin and answered, โNot by choiceโฆโ The doctor took care of my wounds. I needed a couple of stitches and had some pretty bad bruises, but I would be okay. Thankfully, I didn't break any bones. It was getting dark outside. The autumn breeze was busy blowing the leaves off the maple trees surrounding the hospital parking lot. Raymond and I made our way back to the car. Our feet rustled through the thick carpet of yellow, brown and scarlet red leaves. After my second - and hopefully last - doctor's visit of the day, we sat next to each other in silence. We were back in his beautiful Mercedes. I could get used to these comfortable, heated seats. I felt a bit embarrassed. Raymond kept on having to save me. At least this time, I was wearing clothes and make-up, and my brown hair was neatly tied in a long, wavy ponytail. โI donโt normally need so much help, you know.โ I broke the ice. โI happen to be a strong, independent woman most of the time.โ Raymond laughed heartily. โJokes aside, I'm really grateful for everything you've done for me.โ I continued. โWhy did you come over tonight, Raymond?โ โOwen hadnโt come to work at the company for days. And I wanted to speak to him about what happened this morning, with you. I tried to call him, but he never answered. I decided to come over. To see for myself what was wrong with him.โ Raymond explained. โI just canโt believe what he did to you!โ He continued. โIf he ever does anything like that again, please tell me. Iโll teach him a lesson.โ His stern face showed how much he meant it. I took a deep breath. He had a way of making me feel safe and secure. โThank you, Raymond. Iโm okay now. It was an accident. Owen didnโt push me off the stairs on purpose. He didnโt mean to hurt me.โ I explained. Raymond looked a little angry, but he still carefully drove me home. โGoodbye, Raymond. Thank you again, for everything.โ I said with feeling as he hugged me. โBye, Noah. Itโs been my pleasure. Please be safe. Call me if you need anything.โ He said. He gently patted me on my head as comfort as if I was a little girl and got back in his car. His simple actions made me feel warm. I thanked him and walked home. I entered the house. It was quiet and dark downstairs. I walked up to our room. When I opened our bedroom door, all I could see was Owen and Josie kissing on the bed. Chapter 5 - The Necklace Noah I couldnโt believe my eyes! While the hours I was leaving, my husband was screwing with my best friend in my room! Didnโt he remember I got hurt because of him?! How ridiculous! Even though I had seen Owen and Josieโs betrayal before in photos, witnessing it in real life was way worse. It felt like a million knives stabbed me in the chest. My heart shattered. โHow dare you cheat on me in our home! In our own bed, for Godโs sake!โ I cried out. They hadnโt heard me open the bedroom door over the romantic music that was playing. They turned around with shocked looks on their faces. If I wasnโt so devastated, it mightโve been funny. Owen's mouth had lipstick smears all over it, and Josieโs blonde hair was disheveled. They were both in their underwear. Clothes were spread out all over our bedroom floor. I tried to hold back my tears. I didn't want to show them my pain. My crying might come across as weakness. I demanded an explanation. โI donโt believe this. Owen! Did you forget I am your wife?! Josie, why did you betray me too?! I treat you as my best friend. How dare you take my husband away from me!โ I insisted. Josie hid away in Owenโs arms. Owen comforted her gently, then snapped at me: โYouโve already seen us together anyway, haven't you, Noah?โ โI am done with you.โ He continued. โOur whole relationship was based on a lie. Josie shouldโve been with me all along!โ I didnโt understand. โWhat are you talking about, Owen?โ He held up a delicate golden necklace with a tear shaped ruby that had been resting on Josieโs collarbone. โRemember this, Noah? The truth has finally come out. It was Josie who saved my life all those years ago, not you. You pretended that it was you in front of my parents. Youโve made her suffer long enough!โ I was shocked. Why did Josie have my necklace? I couldn't believe her betrayal. I tried to explain to Owen that I lost that necklace before I was adopted by his family. I told him I would never lie to him. Especially about something so important. But Owen didnโt believe me. โJosie,โ I cried. โHow could you do this to me? Why would you steal my necklace? You know how much it means to me! Weโve been best friends since the orphanage, havenโt we? Does that mean nothing to you?โ โNoah, you know this necklace has always belonged to me. I was the one who saved Owen. But you stole my life to be adopted,โJosie played innocent with me, โI should have been the one who grew up with Owen! I see you as my sister, so I never attempted to reveal your lie until Owen found this necklace in my old jewelry box several months ago.โ This convinced Owen even more that I had been bullying her. He wrapped his arms around her. Over his shoulder, when he couldnโt see, Josie gave me a quick, mean smirk. I knew Josie had a mean side. She always had, even when we were kids. But so far, she had only taken it out on her boyfriends and whoever got on her bad side, not on me. I never thought she might treat me in such a mean way! I had searched everywhere but couldn't find my necklace. It turned out that she was the thief who was always around me. How could she tell such outrageous lies as if it were natural๏ผ I left the bedroom, rushed downstairs and broke down on the couch. Oh, what a nightmare! How could I make Owen see the truth? A little later, Owen and Josie came downstairs, all dressed up again. Josie was wearing her Prada pumps and the sleek, mint green dress I gifted her for her birthday. It accentuated her long legs and slender silhouette. I had to admit, she looked beautiful. I used to dress in a simple way such as simple jeans, white blouse and sneakers. Maybe I looked less attractive compared to Josie. Owen had an arm around Josieโs waist and warned me, โYouโd better stay out of our life from now on. Iโll move to another villa with Josie.โ I couldn't believe it. After 3 years of marriage, he trusted her story over mine. And now he wanted nothing to do with me. We used to be happily married. Our whole lives, ever since I saved him, we had been so close. We used to laugh together, cry together, play pranks on each otherโฆ But now, everything changed, simply because of a necklace. In fact, โnecklaceโ is just an excuse for his betrayal. I didnโt believe our years of affection couldnโt prove my heart. โNoah, my life was ruined by you. You owe me that.โ Josie said. โOne day youโll both regret this. I didnโt do anything wrong.โ I sobbed. As they walked out, I faintly heard Owen reply: โItโs my fault. I should have found you earlier, or you wouldnโt have suffered so much.โ I could only guess at his last insult as the door closed behind them. I zoned out in front of the TV and poured myself some of Owenโs whisky. The past couple of days had been the worst of my life ever since I lost my parents. My body and mind had been through so much. I felt numb. I must have fallen asleep on the couch. The sudden loud jingle of my phone ringing woke me up. The bright midmorning sun was shining in through the large windows. Looks like I slept in late. Disoriented, I picked up my phone and saw it was Owen calling. I accepted the call and brought the phone to my ear. Before I could say a word, I heard Owenโs angry shouting: โHow dare you do this to Josie! Those guys you hired? You must pay for what you have done!โ Chapter 6 - Choice Noah โWhat?! What guys? I just woke up, Owen. I have no idea what youโre talking about.โ I replied to the angry voice on the phone. โMore lies! I canโt believe you, Noah. You're despicable!โ Owen shouted. He was so loud, I had to move the phone away from my ear. โOwen, please calm down. All I remember is you leaving with Josie last night. I fell asleep on the couch. What happened?โ โJosie is in the hospital because of you. I demand that you come here right now and apologize to her!โ He ended the call before I could reply. What was this about? Would my life ever go back to normal? I decided to find out what was going on. My fever was over. Although my head still hurt, the wound was healing rapidly. I took a refreshing shower and got into a pencil skirt and light blue blouse. I combed my hair and decided to wear it in natural loose waves today. After a quick breakfast, I slipped into my high heels and coat, and made my way to my car. It was a crisp sunny day. I arrived at the hospital. At least it wasn't me who needed to see the doctor this time. โOh, itโs our โold friendโ.โ The nurse said jokingly. I smiled as she directed me to Josieโs room. As soon as I knocked on the door, Owen opened it with an enraged look on his face. โFinally! That took you long enough.โ He whispered angrily. โJosie is sleeping.โ He came out and gently closed the door behind him. We walked towards the chairs in the hallway. โI have no idea what happened, Owen.โ I said honestly. โCan you please tell me what is going on? Some guys attacked her?โ โAre you still pretending you weren't behind this? You are unbelievable.โ He shook his head, then continued. โJosie was attacked by some hooligans this morning, on her way to work. She shouted out and fainted from fear. Thankfully, a police officer was nearby. He heard her scream. She has a heavy concussion from the fall. She'll have to stay here a few days to recover.โ โWhat? That's horrible!โ I replied in shock. Although I was angry with Josie, I wouldn't wish this on anyone. โStop your act now, Noah. Those guys were arrested. They told the police someone paid them to kidnap Josie, because she broke up a marriage.โ No wonder he doubted me. But I couldnโt believe the trust between us was so fragile. โWould you believe me if I swore to you it wasn't me?โ I asked with a last glimmer of hope. His reply made it clear to me that there was no hope left for us: โNever again will I believe a single word you say, Noah.โ I refused to apologize. I didn't have anything to do with this. If anyone needed to stand out and make an apology, it was them for what they had done to me๏ผ On my way out, I contacted a friend who had lots of connections all over the city. I asked her to investigate the situation. I also called the office on my way home, to let them know I was still recovering from my fever and head wound. My boss was understanding. She told me to take as long as I needed. In the evening, Owen came home just as I was about to have dinner. โI didnโt prepare your dinner. I guess you would have dinner with Josie?โ I said plainly. I didnโt know why he came back at this time, but I didnโt care about it anymore. He ignored my words and said, โYou still donโt want to apologize, right? You have two choices, Noah. Apologize and make amends with Josie, or divorce me and get out of this house!โ โJosie is the one who betrayed us both. She lied to you, Owen. She stole my necklace. She is the one who should apologize!โ I argued. Owen burst out in rage and slapped me in the face. I stared at him in disbelief. I was totally disappointed. Over the past few days he had hit me, pushed me, cheated on me. He had hurt me in every way. I made up my mind. โI choose divorce.โ I said coldly. โGood. My lawyer will contact you in the next morning,โOwen said ruthlessly with a wicked smile, โOh, Iโve prepared another โsurpriseโ for you. Hope you will enjoy it!โ | LEARN_MORE | https://redtgb.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=14837&u | Random Reading | https://www.facebook.com/61559743679549/ | 323 | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Learn More | 0 | redtgb.com | DCO | https://redtgb.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=14837&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}} | 1969-12-31 18:00 | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/463312667_1475866000469340_6412121946724874326_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=pX_oSjA0x1gQ7kNvgE6Pfry&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A6NmLnNe3rwn79sbYOF9Rky&oh=00_AYB7qkWnD24aRphtKb_jsgB-wS6-x1ouCtc6JN2T3mvZyQ&oe=675D6F01 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 0 | Random Reading | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2,621,898 |
/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281)
null |
No | 2024-12-09 18:57 | active | 1980 | 0 |
|
Seguir leyendo๐๐ | Ella decidiรณ divorciarse de su marido, que siempre habรญa estado enamorado de su primer amor. Inesperadamente, รฉl se negรณ a dejarla ir. Para empeorar las cosas, su hermanastro diabรณlico tambiรฉn intervino al mismo tiempo de manera dominante, ยกqueriรฉndola para รฉl! ===== ยฟLo habรญa oรญdo bien? ยฟEstoy embarazada? ยกEstoy embarazada de un bebรฉ de Pierce! ยกMi mejor amigo y mi primer amor! --Quรฉ bueno que haya sido cautelosa, pudo haber perdido a su bebรฉ, seรฑorita Monroe --me dijo el ginecรณlogo con seriedad al ver la sorpresa en mis ojos. En ese momento, me toquรฉ el vientre inconscientemente, sin poder creer que hubiera un bebรฉ acostado allรญ. Cuando salรญ del hospital, no podรญa esperar para contarle a Pierce sobre nuestro bebรฉ. Me preguntaba cuรกl serรญa su reacciรณn. ยฟGritarรญa de felicidad? ยฟMe b**arรญa y todo eso? ยกDios! No podรญa contener mi felicidad. Incluso tomรฉ mi cara roja entre mis manos mientras fantaseaba. Pero en el momento en que sentรญ el frรญo del anillo en mi dedo, mi corazรณn que latรญa salvajemente se calmรณ. 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 tenรญamos relaciones s**uales, รฉl era considerado y cauteloso, y decรญa que no era necesario agregar mรกs ataduras si no estรกbamos listos. Este bebรฉ, en cierto modo, estaba fuera de los planes. --Seรฑora, ยฟestรก todo bien? ยฟNecesita que llame al jefe? --preguntรณ mi conductor privado, Luke, preocupado al notar mi ceรฑo fruncido. Luke era confiable como un miembro de la familia, pero no querรญa contarle porque querรญa que Pierce fuera el primero en enterarse de esta noticia. รl era el padre de mi bebรฉ. --No --dije y neguรฉ con la cabeza, dรกndole a Luke una sonrisa tranquilizadora--. Estรก en el vuelo. Hablarรฉ con รฉl mรกs tarde --y asรญ verรญa su respuesta yo misma en sus crudas expresiones. Siempre fui buena en eso. Finalmente, cerrรฉ los ojos y recordรฉ el dรญa en que nos conocimos. Su brillante sonrisa a la luz del sol era tan deslumbrante que parecรญa un prรญncipe. Me enamorรฉ de รฉl a primera vista, mucho antes de que nos convirtiรฉramos en mejores amigos. Pero era sรณlo un amor no correspondido y yo lo sabรญa bien. En ese instante, bajรฉ la ventanilla del auto para tomar un poco de aire fresco y, sin quererlo, vislumbrรฉ nuestra antigua escuela secundaria. Ese sentimiento amargo llenรณ mi pecho una vez mรกs... Pierce fue mi primer amor, pero yo no era el suyo. En la escuela secundaria, yo no era mรกs que una nerd aburrida a los ojos de los demรกs, mientras que Pierce Anderson era el brillante mariscal de campo. Todos se sorprendieron de que pudiรฉramos ser amigos. Aunque las hostilidades hacia mรญ aumentaron, disfrutรฉ estar cerca de รฉl y poco a poco me di cuenta de que no querรญa ser sรณlo su amiga. Sin embargo, justo cuando estaba a punto de confesarle mis sentimientos, otra chica llegรณ a su vida. Sacudรญ la cabeza tratando de deshacerme de esos viejos y tristes recuerdos. Luego toquรฉ el frรญo anillo de bodas en mi dedo y me dije que el pasado ya habรญa pasado. Pierce dijo que habรญan terminado y que ahora yo era su esposa. Sรญ, yo era su esposa y ademรกs estaba embarazada de su bebรฉ. Pronto, me sequรฉ las lรกgrimas de las comisuras de los ojos y abrรญ la puerta de nuestra casa. Mi corazรณn se calmรณ al respirar el aroma de mi hogar, nuestra casa. Pierce y yo la decoramos juntos con nuestras propias manos. Lo disfrutamos. Sรญ, tal vez estaba pensando demasiado. Esa mujer habรญa estado fuera de nuestras vidas durante mucho tiempo y los รบltimos tres aรฑos mi matrimonio con Pierce fueron tan hermosos como un cuento de hadas. Una vez dentro, mirรฉ el reloj de la pared. Para ese entonces, Pierce ya deberรญa haberse bajado del aviรณn. Estuvo mรกs de un mes en viajes de negocios de nuestra empresa familiar. Pierce era el presidente de ADE, la empresa de revistas de moda lรญder en toda Asia, y yo era la vicepresidente de la compaรฑรญa. No sรณlo รฉramos compaรฑeros de vida, sino tambiรฉn buenos socios en el trabajo. En verdad lo extraรฑaba. De inmediato, marquรฉ su nรบmero, pues tenรญa muchas ganas de escuchar su voz y saber cuรกndo llegarรญa a casa. Le prepararรญa una buena comida y รฉl me premiarรญa con un dulce beso. Y luego podrรญamos... Vaya, en ese momento casi olvidรฉ que estaba embarazada. Debรญa contarle eso primero y luego podrรญamos hacer otra cosa. Estaba imaginando felizmente nuestra encantadora reuniรณn, pero mi corazรณn dio un vuelco cuando una voz de mujer cruzรณ la lรญnea. --ยฟHola? Al escuchar esa sola palabra, dejรฉ caer mi telรฉfono, que se rompiรณ al chocar contra el suelo, y mi cuerpo empezรณ a temblar incontrolablemente. ยกNO! ยกNo podรญa ser ella! ยกNo podรญa ser Lexi! ยกElla ya estaba fuera de nuestras vidas! Debรญ haber escuchado mal. De inmediato, corrรญ hacia la nevera en un intento por calmarme con la ayuda de un poco de al**hol. Pero en el momento en que toquรฉ la botella de v**o, recordรฉ las palabras del mรฉdico sobre mi bebรฉ. Debรญa tener cuidado por la salud de mi bebรฉ, asรญ que solo agarrรฉ una caja de leche y caminรฉ hacia el sofรก. En ese entonces, no sabรญa quรฉ me hizo reconocer esa voz como la de Lexi. Nosotras nunca fuimos cercanas. Lexi Gilbert era la tรญpica belleza rubia por la que los hombres se volvรญan locos. Ella era una animadora popular en la escuela secundaria, mientras que Pierce era el mariscal de campo estrella. Encajaba mejor con รฉl que una nerd como yo, ยฟverdad? No me sorprendiรณ que se haya enamorado de ella. Mi orgullo no soportรณ ver al hombre que amaba volverse loco por otra mujer, asรญ que una vez intentรฉ alejarme de ellos en silencio, pero Pierce se negรณ a salirse de mi vida. Cada vez que me ahogaba en un mar de libros y estudios para olvidarlos, Pierce aparecรญa en mi puerta invitรกndome a salir. No podรญa decirle que no a su sonrisa encantadora y tampoco podรญa decirle que no porque afirmaba que era su deber como mi mejor amigo llevarme a disfrutar del mundo real. Para no arruinar nuestra amistad, ocultรฉ mi corazรณn roto y desempeรฑรฉ 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 armรฉ de valor y fui a estudiar al extranjero, sin saber que su abuela me llamarรญa para rogarme que regresara. Por supuesto, volvรญ a toda prisa sรณlo para ver a Pierce sin vida. Lexi le habรญa herido gravemente el corazรณn y el mรญo sufrรญa por mi amado. Empecรฉ a odiar a Lexi desde ese momento. Le habรญa entregado a mi amado hombre, ยกcรณmo se atreviรณ a hacerle tanto daรฑo! ยกEsa bruja! Pierce no le contรณ a nadie lo que pasรณ, excepto que habรญa terminado con Lexi. Luego, la abuela arreglรณ nuestro matrimonio. No entendรญ por quรฉ estuvo de acuerdo hasta que un dรญa lo escuchรฉ decir que casarse con cualquiera que no fuera Lexi serรญa lo mismo para รฉl. Aquello me doliรณ mucho, pero aun asรญ me casรฉ con รฉl sin pensarlo dos veces. Mi amado estaba destrozado y querรญa recomponerlo, sin importarme si eso me arruinaba a mรญ en el proceso. Me quedรฉ dormida sintiรฉndome muy insegura y preocupada. Me despertรฉ en medio de la noche cuando sentรญ que alguien acariciaba mi mejilla. Lentamente abrรญ los ojos y me di cuenta de que me habรญa quedado dormida en la sala de estar. Alguien me levantรณ del sofรก e inmediatamente reconocรญ su olor y tacto mientras lo miraba con los ojos entrecerrados. --Pierceโฆ --Hmm --murmurรณ mientras caminaba hacia las escaleras--. ยฟPor quรฉ te dormiste en el sofรก? Yo solo me quedรฉ mirรกndolo a la cara y luego me dejรณ suavemente sobre la cama, acariciรณ mi cabello y besรณ mi frente. Siempre fue tan gentil y por eso lo amaba tanto. Llevรกbamos mรกs de un mes separados, mi cuerpo lo extraรฑaba y mi corazรณn lo anhelaba. --ยฟDรณnde estabas? Te estuve esperando --dije mientras acariciaba su mejilla. --Acabo de encontrarme con un amigo. Dijiste que me estabas esperando, ยฟes urgente? Al ver su rostro amable, de repente no quise arruinarle el momento, asรญ que cerrรฉ mis labios entreabiertos y traguรฉ la verdad para devolverla a mi estรณmago. Maรฑana, tal vez maรฑana tendrรญa el coraje de afrontar todos los rompecabezas. De modo que solo sacudรญ la cabeza, hice un puchero y le dije que tenรญa sueรฑo. รl se riรณ entre dientes y me dio un beso de buenas noches, pero en el momento en que estuvo a punto de dejarme, por alguna razรณn entrรฉ en pรกnico. Rรกpidamente lo agarrรฉ y lo b*sรฉ con toda mi pasiรณn... Lo extraรฑaba y lo querรญa. --Espera, Kels --dijo y me detuvo, sujetando mis locas manos sobre la cama--. Pensรฉ que habรญas dicho que tenรญas sueรฑo y que necesitabas descansar. --Sรญ, pero te extraรฑo --exclamรฉ y lo mirรฉ con inocencia. Pude captar el deseo brillando en sus ojos, pero se desvaneciรณ de pronto y yo no comprendรญa por quรฉ. Solรญa โโโโponerse feliz cuando yo tomaba la iniciativa. En ese instante, como si notara mi confusiรณn, se riรณ entre dientes y me pellizcรณ juguetonamente la nariz. --Me darรฉ una ducha. Huelo a al**hol --manifestรณ. Yo solo asentรญ y lo mirรฉ mientras caminaba hacia el baรฑo. Pronto la somnolencia volviรณ a atacarme, asรญ que cerrรฉ los ojos para tomar una siesta. Sin embargo, ya era de maรฑana cuando abrรญ los ojos nuevamente y Pierce estaba a mi lado, poniendo una bandeja con comida en la mesita de noche. --ยกEy! --lo saludรฉ y sonreรญ cuando me di cuenta de lo que habรญa hecho. Me habรญa preparado el desayuno para llevรกrmelo a la cama. Era tan dulce. รl sonriรณ y se sentรณ en la cama. --Buen dรญa. Le devolvรญ la sonrisa mientras me sentaba en la cama. En ese momento, agarrรณ la bandeja y la puso a mi lado. Al instante, levantรฉ una ceja e inclinรฉ la cabeza mientras miraba su hermoso rostro. Sus cejas espesas y negras enmarcaban sus hermosos ojos de color marrรณn oscuro. Su nariz era orgullosa y puntiaguda y sus labios eran rojos y finos. Parecรญa un chico malo y s*xy, incluso Damon Salvatore se avergonzarรญa de estar a su lado. Nadie tenรญa posibilidad alguna contra este hombre. --ยฟQuรฉ es esto? ยฟUn soborno? Me dejaste plantada anoche, chico malo --dije. รl no se riรณ. Exhalรณ un suspiro y colocรณ con suavidad mi cabello detrรกs de mis orejas antes de tomar mi mano y mirarme a los ojos. --Tengo algo que decirte. Al instante, sentรญ que mi corazรณn se aceleraba y pensรฉ en nuestro bebรฉ en mi รบtero. Tenรญa algo que decirme, yo tambiรฉn tenรญa algo que contarle. --ยฟQ-Quรฉ cosa? --preguntรฉ con voz temblorosa. De repente, dio un profundo suspiro y comenzรณ: --Sabes que eres importante para mรญ, ยฟverdad? Asentรญ lentamente con los labios entreabiertos. No pude responder, tenรญa miedo de lo que estaba a punto de decir. Tenรญa un mal presentimiento. --Eras mi mejor amiga antes de casarnos. Eres una de las pocas personas que valoroโฆ --prosiguiรณ. Mientras hablaba, escondรญ mis puรฑos cerrados debajo de la sรกbana. No sabรญa por quรฉ me decรญa todo esto, pero ya podรญa sentir las lรกgrimas acumulรกndose en el rabillo de mis ojos. --Kelly... --hizo una pausa y cerrรณ los ojos con fuerza antes de volver a mirarme a los ojos--. Creo que es hora de que nos divorciemos. --P-Pierceโฆ --exclamรฉ y sentรญ que mi corazรณn se apretaba. รl sonriรณ. --Sรฉ que tรบ tampoco sientes nada por mรญ. Te casaste conmigo por mis abuelos, hiciste esto solo porque los amas. Ahora llegรณ el momento de nuestra verdadera felicidad, Kelly. Al oรญrlo, no pude evitar sacudir la cabeza. --ยฟDe quรฉ estรกs hablando, Pierce? --inquirรญ. --Lexi ha vuelto, Kelly. Mi primer amor ha vuelto. Capรญtulo 2 Punto de vista de Kelly--Llueve sobre mojado De inmediato, me levantรฉ de la cama e intentรฉ irme, pero Pierce me agarrรณ la mano. Rรกpidamente me sequรฉ las lรกgrimas que rodaban por mis mejillas antes de que รฉl pudiera verlas. Luego, se parรณ frente a mรญ y me mirรณ a la cara mientras yo intentaba con todas mis fuerzas mirar hacia abajo y evitar verlo a los ojos. Sentรญ que mi corazรณn se rompรญa en pedazos. Pensabaโฆ pensaba que podrรญa hacer que se enamorara de mรญ en esos tres aรฑos que pasamos juntos. Pensaba que sus sentimientos cambiarรญan y me verรญa como una mujer en lugar de solo su mejor amiga. Fui estรบpida por tener esperanzas y soรฑar tan alto. Fallรฉ. Sin importar cuรกnto lo intentara, su corazรณn pertenecรญa sรณlo a su primer amor: Lexi. --Kellyโฆ En ese momento, contuve el aliento y me traguรฉ el dolor mientras lo miraba. Luego fingรญ una sonrisa y dije: --Debo lavarme las manos antes de comer. Pero รฉl me mirรณ a los ojos como si intentara descubrir lo que estaba pensando. Yo sabรญa que รฉl me conocรญa demasiado bien, asรญ que tratรฉ con todas mis fuerzas de ocultar mi dolor y le sonreรญ. Finalmente, suspirรณ y soltรณ mi mano. --Bueno. Te esperarรฉ aquรญ. Comamos y vayamos a trabajar juntos. ยฟJuntos? ยฟPor quรฉ era tan cruel? ยฟQuerรญa que nos siguiรฉramos llevando bien como si no me hubiera pedido el divorcio? ยฟQuerรญa que nos quedรกramos como estรกbamos justo despuรฉs de decirme que su primer amor habรญa regresado y querรญa divorciarse de mรญ? Oh Pierce, ยฟquรฉ estaba pasando por tu cabeza? Antes podรญa obligarme a mรญ misma a quedarme en el puesto de su mejor amiga mientras le deseaba felicidad, pero ya no tenรญa ese coraje despuรฉs de los tres aรฑos que habรญamos compartido. No habรญa manera de que pudiera soportar esa tortura otra vez, en especial ahora que cargaba a su bebรฉ. El bebรฉ... en un principio pensรฉ que era una buena noticia para nosotros, pero ahora... supongo que serรญa mรกs bien una carga para รฉl. Una carga que le impedirรญa conseguir su verdadero amor y su libertad. Yo sabรญa muy bien cรณmo crecรญa un niรฑo no deseado. Mis padres se divorciaron antes de que mi madre muriera y la nueva familia de mi padre me odiaba, lo que me dolรญa muchรญsimo. Por eso no querรญa que mi bebรฉ experimentara lo mismo que yo sentรญ, asรญ que debรญa mantener a mi bebรฉ alejado de รฉl. --No podemos --dije mientras fingรญa una nueva sonrisa--. Debo visitar el estudio para la sesiรณn de fotos de nuestros nuevos modelosโฆ --Irรฉ contigo. --No --contestรฉ y apartรฉ su mano. Sus ojos siguieron mi mano antes de levantar la cara para mirarme de nuevo--. Tienes documentos que firmar. Nuestros horarios ya estรกn organizados, ยฟrecuerdas? --Peroโฆ --Tengo un conductor personal, Pierce. Estarรฉ bien sola --afirmรฉ. Finalmente, suspirรณ y asintiรณ con calma. En ese momento, le di la espalda y entrรฉ al baรฑo. Inmediatamente abrรญ la ducha y me parรฉ bajo el agua frรญa. Las lรกgrimas cayeron en cascada por mis mejillas mientras me cubrรญa la boca para reprimir los sollozos. Mis hombros temblaban mucho y cuando pensรฉ en mi bebรฉ, traguรฉ saliva y tratรฉ de calmarme. Luego me limpiรฉ la cara y acariciรฉ mi vientre. Debรญa ser fuerte y mantener la calma. No podรญa arriesgar la vida de mi bebรฉ sรณlo porque me habรญan roto el corazรณn. Tenรญa que lidiar con esto de forma inteligente. Unos minutos despuรฉs, tomรฉ un respiro profundo y terminรฉ mi ducha. Cuando salรญ del baรฑo, me sorprendiรณ ver que Pierce todavรญa estaba allรญ. Estaba luchando por arreglarse la corbata frente al espejo de cuerpo entero. Tambiรฉn notรฉ un par de zapatos y un vestido mรญos sobre la cama. --ยกEy! Elegรญ tu vestido para hoy --dijo. Como nuestro matrimonio no era pรบblico, Pierce dijo que harรญa pequeรฑas cosas para mรญ como marido. De hecho, lo habรญa hecho bien y yo solรญa disfrutar de estos dulces momentos que me regalaba, pero ahora sentรญa que eso mismo me m**arรญa. Al segundo siguiente, agarrรฉ el vestido y entrรฉ al vestidor, sentiendo que me seguรญa. Volvรญ a guardar el vestido blanco y elegรญ uno rojo. Cuando me di vuelta y lo tuve de frente, lo vi con la frente arrugada. --Hoy prefiero el rojo. Me sentirรฉ hermosa con este vestido --expliquรฉ con una sonrisa. Al instante, sus ojos se dirigieron al vestido que sostenรญa y su rostro inmediatamente se calmรณ. Al final asintiรณ y caminรณ hacia mรญ. --Ya veo. Pero antes ayรบdame a arreglar esto --me pidiรณ. Sin dudarlo, puse mi vestido en su brazo y comencรฉ a arreglarle la corbata. Podรญa sentir sus ojos mirรกndome intensamente y eso hacรญa que mi corazรณn latiera muy rรกpido. Respirรฉ hondo y me mordรญ el labio inferior mientras luchaba por arreglar su corbata. De pronto, mi visiรณn se volviรณ borrosa otra vez. ยกMaldiciรณn! --Kellyโฆ No pude evitar sobresaltarme en shock. --ยฟMmm? --ยฟEstรกs bien? --preguntรณ. Lo mirรฉ y sonreรญ: --Sรญ. --Tengo algo mรกs que decirte. En ese instante, terminรฉ de arreglarle la corbata y le quitรฉ rรกpidamente el vestido del brazo. Lo mirรฉ antes de pasar junto a รฉl y dije: --Hablaremos despuรฉs. Voy a llegar tarde. Lo escuchรฉ suspirar antes de volver a seguirme. Me vestรญ mientras รฉl estaba detrรกs de mรญ. Estuvo en silencio todo el tiempo, como si estuviera pensando en algo. --Deberรญas desayunar antes de irte --comentรณ. Un segundo despuรฉs, me parรฉ frente a รฉl y asentรญ. --Lo harรฉ. Deberรญas irte ahora --respondรญ. --Kelly, estamos en la misma pรกgina, ยฟverdad? --preguntรณ. Lo mirรฉ fijamente. No, Pierce. Nunca estuvimos en la misma pรกgina. Sรณlo fueron mis estรบpidas fantasรญas. Pensaba que sentรญas algo por mรญ, pero estaba muy equivocada. --Si hablas del divorcio, lo entiendo, Pierce. Sรฉ lo que tengo que hacer. Sรณlo dame algo de tiempo porque estoy muy ocupada con la empresa. No huirรฉ. --Kelly, no estoy haciendo esto sรณlo por mรญ. Tambiรฉn lo hago por ti. Has estado encerrada conmigo desde que nos casamos. Sรฉ que no eres feliz porque en el fondo tambiรฉn 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 tratรฉ de darle la espalda, pero antes de poder hacerlo, รฉl me sujetรณ por la cintura y me mantuvo en el lugar. Luego hizo todo lo posible para captar mis ojos hasta que lo consiguiรณ. Su mirada era de preocupaciรณn. --Eres mi mejor amiga. No quiero perderte, Kels. Eres una de las pocas personasโฆ --Lo sรฉ --lo interrumpรญ con frustraciรณn. Parecรญa sorprendido, asรญ que me calmรฉ--. Ya lo sรฉ. No tienes que preocuparte. Simplemente estoy estresada por el trabajo, no es por el divorcio. En ese instante, sus labios se separaron, asintiรณ lentamente y soltรณ un suspiro. Luego, caminรณ hacia mรญ y me congelรฉ cuando besรณ mi frente con dulzuraโฆ --Gracias, Kelly --susurrรณ. Al oรญrlo, mi corazรณn se apretรณ. Habรญan pasado tres aรฑos pero todavรญa era una cobarde. ยซยฟPor quรฉ no puedes simplemente decirle que lo amas, Kelly? ยกรl es tu esposo y estรกs llevando su bebรฉ! ยกDรญselo y tal vez cambie de opiniรณn!ยป pensรฉ. Con eso en mente, traguรฉ saliva y estuve a punto de decรญrselo, pero justo en ese momento su telรฉfono sonรณ. Pude ver el identificador de llamadas. Era Lexi. --Me tengo que ir --afirmรณ y se rascรณ la cabeza a modo de disculpa, mientras las comisuras de su boca se curvaban hacia arriba--. Llamรฉ a Luke. Te espera afuera. Come antes de irte, ยฟsรญ? Con eso, saliรณ de nuestra habitaciรณn. De repente, las lรกgrimas que habรญa logrado reprimir hasta ese momento volvieron a brotar. ยฟPor quรฉ habรญa pensado que podrรญa tener una oportunidad? รl tomรณ su decisiรณn en el momento en que me pidiรณ el divorcio, ยฟverdad? Siempre que se trataba de Lexi me abandonaba. Capรญtulo 3 Punto de vista de Kelly--Mantener la compostura Entrรฉ al estudio con tacones rojos de cinco centรญmetros y un vestido igualmente rojo. Todos miraron en mi direcciรณn cuando entrรฉ caminando por el pasillo y me saludaron con una sonrisa, pero mantuve mi rostro estoico, sin mostrar emociรณn alguna. La conversaciรณn de esa maรฑana con Pierce todavรญa estaba en mi cabeza, pero no podรญa permitir que afectara mi trabajo. No podรญa fallar en mi trabajo despuรฉs de haber fracasado en mi matrimonio. De modo que respirรฉ profundamente para recomponerme. Un momento despuรฉs, cuando entrรฉ a la sala de la sesiรณn de fotos, notรฉ que todos estaban sumidos en el caos. --ยกNo podemos! No responde las llamadas. ยฟQuรฉ debemos hacer? La vicepresidente viene hoy, se enojarรก. --Podemos simplemente decirle la verdad. Ella es amable. --ยกNo lo serรก con esta situaciรณn, Lily! Nos va a regaรฑar... --ยฟQuรฉ estรก pasando aquรญ? --preguntรฉ mientras entraba a la sala. De inmediato, el personal me mirรณ con expresiones preocupadas y entonces supe que habรญa un problema. --B-Buenos dรญas, seรฑorita Monroe. Seรฑorita Monroe. Por supuesto, nadie sabรญa que Pierce y yo estรกbamos casados โโexcepto nuestras familias. Sentรญ como si pellizcaran mi corazรณn con esa verdad. Dolรญa. Rรกpidamente, la mirรฉ sin comprender. --ยฟQuรฉ ocurre? --T-tenemos un problema, seรฑorita Monroe. La seรฑorita Chen, nuestra modelo, no atiende nuestras llamadas. Dijo que escuchรณ que รญbamos a cambiar de modelo asรญ queโฆ no quiere venir. Incluso... amenazรณ con presentar una demanda contra nosotros. Despuรฉs de decir eso, inclinรณ la cabeza. Yo apretรฉ los dientes y recorrรญ el lugar con la mirada. --ยฟDรณnde estรก la directora de marketing? --inquirรญ. --E-Ella todavรญa estรก tratando de convencer a la seรฑorita Chen, seรฑorita Monroe. Luego de escuchar el problema, me masajeรฉ la frente y cerrรฉ los ojos con fuerza. Un segundo despuรฉs, me agarrรฉ del pelo y gritรฉ de ira. Sentรญ que todos a mi alrededor se sobresaltaban sorprendidos. Yo solo suspirรฉ y tomรฉ una gran bocanada de aire antes de mirar a mi alrededor. --Seรฑorita Monroe... --ยฟQuรฉ es todo esto, seรฑorita Hayley? Tรบ eres la directora de marketing, ยฟquรฉ estรก pasando? --Seรฑorita Monroe, no sรฉ cรณmo sucediรณ, pero la seรฑorita Chen escuchรณ que usted cambiarรก de modelo. Estรก a punto de presentar una demanda contra nosotros... ยฟCambiar de modelo? ยฟCรณmo es que yo no sabรญa nada al respecto? La seรฑorita Chen siempre habรญa sido nuestra modelo de confianza y, si no era necesario, cambiar de modelo para una sesiรณn comercial con tan poca antelaciรณn sรณlo causarรญa muchos problemas a la empresa. Nunca permitirรญa un error como este. --Yo no pedรญ eso. Debe ser un error --la interrumpรญ para ahorrar tiempo--. ยกArregla este desastre o tendrรฉ que despedirte! --Seรฑorita Monroe... Fue el presidente quien nos pidiรณ que la cambiรกramos --explicรณ Hayley vacilante--. Lo ordenรณ ayer tan pronto como regresรณ de su viaje de negocios. Aquella verdad me golpeรณ con fuerza. ยฟFue orden de Pierce? ยฟPor quรฉ no me lo dijo? Solรญa โโdiscutir conmigo cada decisiรณn importante antes de tomarla. --No puede ser... --exclamรฉ confundida. Pierce no era un hombre de negocios despistado. Siempre mantuvo una clara distinciรณn entre el trabajo y la vida personal, razรณn por la cual siempre tuvo รฉxito. Y esa fue tambiรฉn la razรณn por la que decidiรณ mantener nuestro matrimonio en secreto. --Sรญ, Kelly. Yo di la orden. --Su voz me hizo retroceder. --S-Seรฑor Presidenteโฆ --saludรณ Hayley y se inclinรณ con respeto al ver al hombre que apareciรณ de repente detrรกs de mรญ. --Pierce, ยกcreo que me debes una explicaciรณn sobre este cambio de modelo! --dije con los dientes apretados mientras me giraba para interrogarlo. รl sabรญa perfectamente cuรกnto esfuerzo puse para ganar este proyecto. Estuve dรญas sin dormir y la seรฑorita Chen era la persona ideal para este trabajo. De hecho, รฉl tambiรฉn estuvo de acuerdo. Pero ahoraโฆ simplemente cambiรณ la modelo a su gusto sin avisarme con antelaciรณn. Eso fue como abofetearme con fuerza en la cara. --Continรบen con el trabajo. Yo se lo aclararรฉ --le indicรณ รฉl al personal para calmarlos, ignorando la ira que estaba a punto de salir de mis ojos. --ยกContรฉstame, Pierce! ยฟPor quรฉ cambias de modelo tan de repente? --No pude contener mi enojo. รl simplemente me tocรณ el hombro y me susurrรณ: --Este no es el lugar para discutir al respecto. Te lo explicarรฉ en el auto. En ese momento, mirรฉ a mi alrededor y notรฉ que los demรกs nos miraban furtivamente. Luego me quitรฉ sus manos de encima y caminรฉ hacia el estacionamiento, pero durante el camino, sentรญa mi corazรณn cada vez mรกs pesado. Tenรญa la sensaciรณn de que su explicaciรณn no iba a gustarme. --Vamos, dรญmelo --exclamรฉ ni bien nos sentamos en su auto. Antes de hablar, me mirรณ a los ojos como si sopesara mis emociones, pero yo apartรฉ la mirada de nuevo. No podรญa soportar sus miradas, no podรญa soportar esos ojos que nunca me miraban como yo querรญa. รl no sentรญa nada por mรญ y eso me dolรญa mucho. --Yo-yoโฆ --hizo una pausa y suspirรณ--. Reemplacรฉ a la seรฑorita Chen porque Lexi quiere ser nuestra modelo. Ella tambiรฉn encaja en el proyecto, asรญ que estuve de acuerdo... --ยฟQuรฉ? --preguntรฉ con incredulidad. De pronto, apretรณ los labios y mirรณ hacia otro lado. Luego se revolviรณ el cabello antes de sacudir la cabeza y tomar mi mano. --Lamento no haberte dicho antes, fue muy repentino. Ella me pidiรณ un favor, no pude decirle que no. Rรกpidamente, retirรฉ mi mano y lo mirรฉ con dolor y enojo. --No pudiste decirle que no, asรญ que preferiste daรฑar a la empresa, a nuestra empresa. Me traicionaste, Pierce. --Kels, vamos. Sabes cuรกnto la amo. Ella es mi primer amor. Al oรญrlo, cerrรฉ los ojos con dolor. ยซOh sรญ, ella es tu primer amor. Siempre la quisiste a ella, sin que te importen los demรกs. Si ella te frunce el ceรฑo un poco, puedes hacer la vista gorda ante el dolor y el esfuerzo de los demรกs. Eres tan cruel, Pierceยป pensรฉ. --Bueno, ya lo has decidido. No tengo voz y voto en esto ya que tรบ eres el presidente. Ahora vete, estarรฉ en la oficina --indiquรฉ con frialdad mientras abrรญa la puerta del auto para salir. --Kellyโฆ En ese instante, lo mirรฉ a los ojos y dije: --Ve a casa temprano. Hablaremos de nuestro divorcio esta noche. Capรญtulo 4 Punto de vista de Kelly--Plantada Me encontraba jugueteando con el anillo de bodas en mi dedo mientras lo esperaba. Le habรญa dicho que volviera temprano a casa, pero todavรญa no regresaba y ni siquiera contestaba mis llamadas. Bueno, ahora que Lexi habรญa vuelto, probablemente ya no veรญa a esta casa como su hogar. De pronto, mis ojos se dirigieron a mi informe de embarazo que estaba sobre la mesa. Quรฉ gracioso. Todavรญa era tan ingenua para albergar un rayo de esperanza de que las cosas podrรญan cambiar si le hablaba del bebรฉ, pero este bebรฉ estaba fuera de sus planes. Me sequรฉ las lรกgrimas que se acumulaban en el rabillo de mis ojos y agarrรฉ el informe. Ya eran las cinco de la maรฑana cuando mirรฉ el reloj de la pared. Intentรฉ marcar su nรบmero nuevamente, pero seguรญa sin responder. ยฟEn quรฉ estaba tan ocupado? ยฟEstaba h**iendo el a**r con Lexi? Debiรณ haberla extraรฑado mucho, ยฟverdad? Pronto, sin saber cuรกndo, me quedรฉ dormida. Cuando sonรณ el despertador, inconscientemente toquรฉ la almohada a mi lado. Frรญo como anoche, no habรญa vuelto a casa todavรญa. Me burlรฉ de mรญ misma al ver mi reflejo en el espejo de la cรณmoda. Los cรญrculos oscuros bajo mis ojos se veรญan a simple vista y mi cabello era un total desastre, parecรญa un fantasma. De repente una oleada de nรกuseas inundรณ mi estรณmago y me di cuenta de que no habรญa comido nada la noche anterior. De pronto, me sentรญ mal otra vez y rรกpidamente corrรญ hacia el lavabo y vomitรฉ. Escupรญ un lรญquido amarillento que sabรญa muy mal. De inmediato, me lavรฉ la boca y mirรฉ mi propio reflejo en el espejo. Al verme, sacudรญ la cabeza y tomรฉ mi frente en cuanto sentรญ ganas de vomitar de nuevo. Volvรญ a escupir el lรญquido amarillento y mientras me lavaba la boca, sentรญ una cรกlida mano acariciando mi espalda. Inmediatamente levantรฉ la cara y me encontrรฉ con un par de ojos marrones que me miraban a travรฉs del espejo. Detrรกs de mรญ con cara de preocupaciรณn estaba mi esposo Pierce. --ยฟEstรกs bien? ยฟTe sientes mal? Debiste haberme dicho. Al instante, lo mirรฉ a travรฉs del espejo. --No respondiste mis llamadas --contestรฉ. Ante aquellas palabras, la culpa apareciรณ en sus ojos. --Lo lamento. Tenรญa cosas que hacer. Me quedรฉ en la oficina toda la noche --afirmรณ. Rรกpidamente, me limpiรฉ la cara y pasรฉ junto a รฉl. Pierce me siguiรณ mientras me sentaba frente al tocador y comenzaba a peinarme. --Kelsโฆ --Me despertรฉ tarde. No pude preparar el desayuno. Mientras hablaba, intentรฉ evitar sus ojos. Sentรญa que iba a perder los estribos y gritarle. En ningรบn momento sentรญ su egoรญsmo tan claramente como ahora. Decรญa que yo era su mejor amiga, pero nunca le habรญan importado mis necesidades, mis sentimientos. --Kels... sabes que no te preguntรฉ eso. Estoy preocupado por tu salud... Kels, ยฟtodavรญa estamos bien? Ante aquella pregunta, dejรฉ de peinarme y lentamente nuestras miradas se encontraron a travรฉs del espejo, otra vez. ยฟDe verdad me estaba preguntando eso? ยฟDespuรฉs de que me pidiรณ el divorcio sin siquiera preguntarme si estaba de acuerdo? รl decidiรณ por su cuenta sรณlo porque su primer amor habรญa vuelto. No podรญa creer lo que hacรญa. Al final, fingรญ una sonrisa y dije: --No me siento bien hoy, Pierce, eso es todo. Un instante despuรฉs, se puso de cuclillas a mi lado, lo cual no me resultรณ sorprendente porque sabรญa que realmente se preocupaba. Pero lo que sรญ me sorprendiรณ fue que hacรญa todo esto despuรฉs de enterrar una daga en mi corazรณn. --ยฟEstรกs bien? --preguntรณ mientras tocaba suavemente mi frente y mi cuello--. ยฟEstรกs enferma? Dime cรณmo te sientes, Kels. --Mis sentimientos no importan --no pude evitar decir y parecรญa sorprendido por mis palabras. En ese instante, intentรฉ evitarlo, pero me agarrรณ de la muรฑeca y me hizo mirarlo. Su rostro ahora reflejaba su ira. Habรญa perdido completamente la paciencia. --ยฟQuรฉ te pasa, Kels? Has estado actuando asรญ desde ayer. ยฟEs por Lexi? ยฟO porque no volvรญ a casa anoche? --inquiriรณ. Yo lo mirรฉ a los ojos, molesta. --ยกTรบ fuiste quien pidiรณ el divorcio! Te pedรญ que regresaras temprano para hablar al respecto, pero me dejaste esperando toda la noche. ยฟPretendรญas que te diera la bienvenida con brazos abiertos despuรฉs de eso, Pierce? --respondรญ. Al escucharme, apretรณ la mandรญbula y sacudiรณ la cabeza. --Kels, yo... --Ya basta. Hablaremos del divorcio despuรฉs del trabajo. --ยกKels! --me llamรณ y me agarrรณ de los hombros. La confusiรณn y el dolor eran visibles en sus ojos--. ยฟEstรกs... enamorada de mรญ? Aquello me desconcertรณ. ยฟEnamorada? ยกSรญ! Desde que estรกbamos en la escuela secundaria, desde que se convirtiรณ en mi mejor amigo. ยฟQuiรฉn no se enamorarรญa de alguien que te ha estado protegiendo desde entonces? Siempre he estado agradecida de tenerlo como mi mejor amigo y esposo, pero ahoraโฆ lo estaba perdiendo. Perdiรฉndolo irremediablemente. Decidรญ darle a nuestro matrimonio una รบltima oportunidad, hacer un esfuerzo final... ...... ==== Casarse con su mejor amigo fue un sueรฑo hecho realidad para Kelly, pero todo tiene realmente una limitaciรณn. Pierce es el primer amor de Kelly, pero como su mejor amiga, sabรญa bien que siempre habรญa otra mujer en lo profundo de su corazรณn. Lexi Gilbert. Kelly finalmente se dio cuenta de que su feliz matrimonio de los รบltimos tres aรฑos era solo un hermoso sueรฑo cuando Pierce pidiรณ el divorcio solo porque Lexi regresรณ. Ella sรณlo podrรญa ser su mejor amiga incluso si estuviera encinta de su bebรฉ. ยฟPor quรฉ no merecรญa ser amada? ยฟQuรฉ sucederรก en adelante? ยฟCรณmo podrรญa Kelly salvar su corazรณn en esta batalla de amor y odio? Los capรญtulos disponibles son limitados aquรญ, haga click el botรณn abajo para instalar APP y disfrutar leyendo mรกs contenidos maravillosos. (Al abrir el APP, directo accederรก a este libro) &5& | LEARN_MORE | https://fbweb.manobook.com/14603375-fb_contact-spc | Happy reading | https://www.facebook.com/61566043183664/ | 469 | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Learn more | 0 | fbweb.manobook.com | IMAGE | https://fbweb.manobook.com/14603375-fb_contact-spcp25_2-1030-core1.html?adid={{ad.id}}&char=124213&accid=158964247257618&rawadid=120216736379500492 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465262052_917453783135926_5490302574428081581_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=2sb9Jnu9ax4Q7kNvgGVAIc0&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AMxuBoAMWit_C8kesGZmYtD&oh=00_AYBZFa-wTQt0D6YFyo3nGx2-HAN6YwqzUbgO5JbHpH8dQw&oe=675D4B42 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 0 | Happy reading | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2,626,650 |
/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281)
'{"alias":2626591}'
|
No | 2024-12-10 04:54 | active | 1984 | 0 |
|
Who doesnโt love spending a festive winter night at nearby favorite, @thebowerybar? Weโre giving away a $50 gift card to one luck winner โ how to enter: 1๏ธโฃ Follow @livedotblock. 2๏ธโฃ Tag who youโd bring 3๏ธโฃ For bonus points, share this post to your story and tag us so we can see. One winner will be selected and notified via DM on 12/12. Good luck! #LiveDotBlock | Dot Block Dorchester | https://www.facebook.com/livedotblock/ | 43 | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | IMAGE | 1969-12-31 18:00 | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/469747937_1324493668710966_7807340422235122946_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=MTlru97tIrsQ7kNvgHyqRF5&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AQAXdhe060ANeH0LR0hXSZ7&oh=00_AYDY1vuIjIX4X-8lEQZIyQSFjwHaaWCyihzZNUAQNlyygg&oe=675DD51B | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 0 | Dot Block Dorchester | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2,627,227 |
/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281)
null |
Yes | 2024-12-10 04:54 | active | 1984 | 0 |
|
EXCLUSIVE POSTCARD GIVEAWAY | See Timothรฉe Chalamet as Bob Dylan opening weekend and pick up a free souvenir postcard set at the box office while supplies last. | GET_SHOWTIMES | https://drafthouse.com/boston/show/a-complete-unkn | Alamo Drafthouse Boston | https://www.facebook.com/AlamoBoston/ | 4,640 | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Get Showtimes | 0 | drafthouse.com | DCO | Alamo Drafthouse | https://drafthouse.com/boston/show/a-complete-unknown | 1969-12-31 18:00 | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/469526995_1238386023943716_3188949609201128331_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fG3nfo2nR-EQ7kNvgFAm1Io&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AzlKDEh5cZSrFUoDw2PpCgR&oh=00_AYB_6u3bSYfyIQKhACipqCGOXZS4yKGSvnkp6Q0YNn59MQ&oe=675DE65D | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 0 | Alamo Drafthouse Boston | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2,625,745 |
/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281)
'{"alias":2625734}'
|
Yes | 2024-12-09 21:03 | active | 1982 | 0 |
|
You have to see this stuff in person! We carry 8 great colors of Resolve 6.0 luxury vinyl plank flooring. These are the big 9 x 60โ planks, and theyโre 6mm thick. They have a very strong 22 mil scratch resistant wear layer. Everyone will love your new floor. Check out the website links below for more info. $2.99/SF 352-787-7282 Financing available. #lakecountyflorida #centralflorida #leesburgflorida https://resolvefloor.com/products/resolve-6-0/ https://www.patssalesinc.com/lvp | NO_BUTTON | Pats Sales of Leesburg | https://www.facebook.com/PatsSalesOfLeesburg/ | 8,855 | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | No button | 0 | MULTI_IMAGES | 1969-12-31 18:00 | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/469690019_602294832147286_964847479188454137_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Pv4dxp-ifpAQ7kNvgGCPxFT&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AEgNstovdqJmjgJk4lingOo&oh=00_AYD0sZcl8uvtgWb2hR6sIhGd4X8pGJZnvsMfA-Xu3Bx9MQ&oe=675D7F80 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 0 | Pats Sales of Leesburg | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2,620,261 |
/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281)
'{"alias":2619298}'
|
No | 2024-12-09 18:45 | active | 1979 | 0 | GIVEAWAY TIME! Weโre giving away a Snow Machine Squatch, long sleeve or hooded roamer! All you need to do is like this video, share it and tag a friend in the comments below. If donโt want to wait, shop now at www.lakeandlure.com. See you on Facebook live this weekend! #adventureswithpurpose #giveaway #giveawayalert #sasquatch #sasquatchsighting #bigfoot #bigfootisreal #bigfootsighting | NO_BUTTON | Lake&Lure | https://www.facebook.com/lakeandlureco/ | 634 | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | No button | 0 | VIDEO | 1969-12-31 18:00 | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/469651068_604956811919936_619799207291610674_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=f40DtvvkAJ0Q7kNvgFQUS3r&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=Ak9L6e7eLVT_oIs7jN8ZdL1&oh=00_AYDlpxKQy3rF8xFZfYXwTWeWYEdAk8NVtbn3zHmxbDjahw&oe=675D4B70 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 0 | Lake&Lure | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2,625,473 |
/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281)
'{"alias":2625734}'
|
No | 2024-12-09 21:03 | active | 1982 | 0 |
|
Come take advantage of our Season of Savings Sale! We offer a little bit of everything in this store- furniture, mattresses, clothing, kitchenware, baby items, flooring, shingles, plywood, composite decking, tools and so much more. -Clothes 50% OFF -Shoes 85% OFF -Appliances 10% OFF -Freezers 20% OFF -Select Linens $5 -Vinyl Flooring Starting at $1.25 sqโ -Composite Decking $1.75 LF -Furniture Up To 50% OFF Remember Itโs a steal not a deal! Salvage World of Gulfport 665 E Pass Rd Suite A Gulfport, MS 39507 2282841631 | MESSAGE_PAGE | Salvage World of Gulfport | https://www.facebook.com/SalvageWorldOfGulfport/ | 69,388 | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Send message | 0 | MULTI_IMAGES | 1969-12-31 18:00 | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/469886473_1135687161519624_7640209339520752992_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=_rotHNl-kJoQ7kNvgFN7aO4&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AJ1lEOKPuhhQGHO2OgvPWDJ&oh=00_AYBYTVLuy1pSRw1iAvnjKPNJIbAwBDluk6Iy_1mLrnblCw&oe=675D6194 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 0 | Salvage World of Gulfport | 0 | 0 | 1969-12-31 18:00 | View Edit Delete |
Page 275 of 518, showing 20 record(s) out of 10,346 total