Confucius Ads Library: Ads

Id	Vlad	Saved	Scrape Time	Status	Scrape Result	Title	Body	Cta Type	Link Url	Page Name	Page Profile Uri	Page Like Count	Enddate	Cta Text	Caption	Display Format	Link Description	Link Url	Creation Time	Page Profile Picture Url	Page Entity Type	Page Is Profile Page	Current Page Name	Startdate	Actions
2,725,433	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	No	2025-03-02 01:30	active	2671	BREAKING THE INTERNET! Fashion's hottest one-shoulder black ruffle blouse is selling out fast!	Warning: This Showstopper Won’t Last! 🖤 The Black Ruffle Blouse That’s Breaking the Internet! 🔥 Fashion girls are OBSESSED with this jaw-dropping, show-stopping one-shoulder black ruffle blouse! Pure drama, pure luxury, and guaranteed to turn heads. Paired with a sleek Sai Sankoh pencil skirt, this look is elegance with an edge. ✨ Limited Edition – Selling Out Fast!	LEARN_MORE	https://saisankoh.com/collections/new-arrivals	Sai Sankoh	https://www.facebook.com/shopsaisankoh/	5,719	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	saisankoh.com	VIDEO		https://saisankoh.com/collections/new-arrivals	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481213022_656497520259784_5532110443374011738_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Fss9SNtF7ZEQ7kNvgG5pNq3&_nc_oc=AdgRr9YTZg9DYOlPR-ZBLdM_n5JMxNiqGI9E2Ci4fahUZ6_1MBlOTNOvsRPGbaWANgTGq53TOn7Oc87L3jpXudTL&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AbpvRiodQqvZLFaKgWKT0CJ&oh=00_AYDcX_8agajFVPylZ3VF4OloodbAUTP-42tQeUENz4_H3g&oe=67C9E49A	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Sai Sankoh	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,724,863	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	No	2025-03-02 01:30	active	2671	Playing with MGK and Travis Barker	Jamming with my favorite drummer in the world Travis Barker and he brought his friend Machine Gun Kelly. #blink182 #mgk #travisbarker #drummer #vegasband	LEARN_MORE	http://www.johnallredmusic.com/	John Allred Donohoe	https://www.facebook.com/jallredmusic/	1,104	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	www.johnallredmusic.com	VIDEO		http://www.johnallredmusic.com/	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-lga3-3.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481059976_627427103361323_7687292508078981934_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=yzEu48XqYWoQ7kNvgEOqW6N&_nc_oc=AdhphG6ntT6w9DFgf1SVj6cGNxGuk8GQm4hrk9njPQ2Mxz4P7x2Myi0ODl57_FBdYxGujMz70yLw_Q9Gs3v_MLua&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-3.xx&_nc_gid=A9uCEVq_Nne-nVSyt7bJ1b5&oh=00_AYC6n81xTLbGQ0zIOUVM7lU-JFh45WaTl2SsohefxMhiPQ&oe=67C9C2B0	PERSON_PROFILE	0	John Allred Donohoe	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,724,979	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2724977}'	No	2025-03-02 01:30	active	2671	APTA Learning Center	Explore top courses and more...	LEARN_MORE	https://learningcenter.apta.org/	American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)	https://www.facebook.com/AmericanPhysicalTherapyAssociation/	107,140	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn More	learningcenter.apta.org	CAROUSEL	Explore top courses and more...	https://learningcenter.apta.org/	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-lga3-3.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/482002604_1286958222533696_4895862632344522534_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=QIAAwxlCCcoQ7kNvgGIT5N1&_nc_oc=AdhXLDj_N8IpJRHCcZQ4_VsPSCGKrY0ELTE3DWe3Gg6iZSnH8-Ax00VMgJwrJ1vjs-jGMG92txnq6z-f5pY57jJ1&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-3.xx&_nc_gid=AMMbdMnH76Fax4MWNLX6FR0&oh=00_AYBZHCSMT-0Xp2P_zaBEmEANIOFtOJMZWILufrnYGS3UrA&oe=67C9BDC5	PERSON_PROFILE	0	American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,724,804	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2724797}'	No	2025-03-02 01:30	active	2671	Hesston Stak-hand 10		LEARN_MORE	https://www.legacybidder.com/auctions/6442/lot/170	Legacy Auction Company	https://www.facebook.com/LegacyAuctionCompany/	3,307	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn More	legacybidder.com	CAROUSEL		https://www.legacybidder.com/auctions/6442/lot/170356-hesston-stak-hand-10	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481772340_2232005253944694_7500905827620795971_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=9CyJqzHKFOUQ7kNvgHVDvPV&_nc_oc=AdhHEEohy397wrq6RGoYM55rZXEIKP1LwXdtl39ahr-jNE2K3gZHSGmwA22ANBNGdNQaqNalpHlF46xZi0m_WEDz&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A6_UhDicm9siJHv65Ko0Lml&oh=00_AYB3ZdxfOlPSPmFzsTLNAj41q6MXOPtTuxvDveDlqYHYLQ&oe=67C9C23D	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Legacy Auction Company	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,725,390	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2725389}'	No	2025-03-02 01:30	active	2671		Feel the rhythm, move to the beat! 💃🔥 📸: @regina_cosplay (code "Reginacosplay" for 20% off for discount)⁠ Sexy Halter Hollow Out Backless Chain Fishtail Lingerie Dress⁠ Product ID MK14609🔎⁠ ⁠ 🛍https://www.modakawa.com/products/sexy-halter-hollow-out-backless-chain-fishtail-lingerie-dress ⁠Tap Bio Link 2 Shop⁠ #modakawa #modakawaofficial #modakawagal #lingerie #intimate #hot #sexy #outfits #dress #hotoutfit #maidcosplay #ootd #sexyoutfits #hot #hotoutfits #lingerie #maidcosplay #maid #cosplay #cosplaygirl #blackdress #blackdresses #cosplaygirls #altgirl	SHOP_NOW	https://www.modakawa.com/products/sexy-halter-holl	Modakawa	https://www.facebook.com/Modakawa/	207,333	1969-12-31 18:00	Shop Now	www.modakawa.com	DCO		https://www.modakawa.com/products/sexy-halter-hollow-out-backless-chain-fishtail-lingerie-dress?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=ads_9021&utm_campaign=MK14609-po-20250123&utm_content=po	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-lga3-3.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/474583355_9238240466288981_1088508721885163153_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=mYP9o1R13HUQ7kNvgGoOoWU&_nc_oc=Adi5rYTkRnkxOLU33QPvXuhvNE-qDMP6PBTcSncC6mdN_c-nerkjJcfeN7cHI7R9C8f5wDMA0XI9TAPoor1Zuoo5&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-3.xx&_nc_gid=AgEoQhsDoGNlcO-WZ34-h_o&oh=00_AYDgxeelL-RAEbsf0GguoIl-dlK8dJxRpNOfBz68Zk_Tsg&oe=67C9F21A	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Modakawa	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,724,851	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	No	2025-03-02 01:30	active	2671		Todo lo que agarramos en Temu por $0 🤩 código: dwy9642. Solo para los nuevos usuarios en la App. #temuhaul #temufinds #temucodes #viral #trending #home #toddler #ropadetemu link in Bio🔗	SHOP_NOW	https://www.temu.com/ul/kuiper/uk1.html?subj=bundl	gloriaruelas7	https://www.instagram.com/_u/gloriaruelas7	0	1969-12-31 18:00	Shop now	www.temu.com	VIDEO		https://www.temu.com/ul/kuiper/uk1.html?subj=bundle-un&_bg_fs=1&_p_mat2_type=m6001&_p_jump_id=901&_x_vst_scene=adg&locale_override=211~~USD&_p_rfs=1&_x_ads_channel=kol_metabca&_x_ads_sub_channel=kol&_x_campaign=10298501-lc-0-st&_x_cid=2064196913kol_tiktok&_x_bg_adid=19495814&_x_ads_set={{campaign.id}}&_x_ads_id={{adset.id}}&_x_ads_creative_id={{ad.id}}&_x_ns_source={{site_source_name}}&_x_ns_placement={{placement}}	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-lga3-3.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.2885-19/472405850_2020157208501588_9098386642466554986_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s206x206_tt6&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=525117&_nc_ohc=yb1igrFZ6NYQ7kNvgF6aryC&_nc_oc=AdjICj-8WtGBPBS_tke55zXl4US0OPxwxXQkj5o-HLhZjn7AIWr_RRaWb1Nn9Uzvc6xSfn3snVWc6MBQSYR-Hcfv&_nc_zt=24&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-3.cdninstagram.com&oh=00_AYCyD3BnkNjH4N_ToO5GK39rLDKg14g4M0e7QS0gDgm-xw&oe=67C9D31C	IG_ADS_IDENTITY	1	gloriaruelas7	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,725,457	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2725456}'	No	2025-03-02 01:30	active	2671	Remolque cama baja		WHATSAPP_MESSAGE	https://api.whatsapp.com/send?phone=5217721620334	Ixagric Ingenieria y Maquinaria	https://www.facebook.com/ixagric/	1,422	1969-12-31 18:00	Send WhatsApp Message	api.whatsapp.com	CAROUSEL		https://api.whatsapp.com/send?phone=5217721620334	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-lga3-3.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/482027303_991224535682722_4168953452574730861_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=uMocRbatVmkQ7kNvgGDars5&_nc_oc=Adj0A3oUchwg5PdTvTha2MYWRE2lPSdZRSmotiwQdVsJDUDF6jSc0gPRtI6NP6VAJqlwheCW1u_lj_nXarBRtCxn&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-3.xx&_nc_gid=AJFMSPS8zBlOkFCYpaS5Xil&oh=00_AYD8-8gdmDKX1nP0uYaSqCuYmyeyd1WbZCjimkP_Hu6V8g&oe=67C9F2F2	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Ixagric Ingenieria y Maquinaria	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,724,508	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2724507}'	Yes	2025-03-02 01:30	active	2671	Feel the advanced texture from pure hand！	Wait for the world to change in this second, or seize this second to change the world！	WHATSAPP_MESSAGE	https://api.whatsapp.com/send	HERME	https://www.facebook.com/61572912826132/	0	1969-12-31 18:00	Send WhatsApp Message	api.whatsapp.com	DCO		https://api.whatsapp.com/send	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/480397366_1874601796612779_8729662533030849463_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Ta4IPLFsIBUQ7kNvgHKPy3Y&_nc_oc=AdjKWsgwmgLkNh5wA3bNfubfP2HA-BVhbf3ybfHNRFS6o1fWWM-crsXQH-YhegkOmfYpbKZD7AGA6ic66yIfsXHi&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AYb1JMRLyYXKQv0udOljylK&oh=00_AYAlKJ1BwTjWKWBDuXNkgbhc3sLDXgtp1O2j0FyqBI059w&oe=67C9E66E	PERSON_PROFILE	0	HbagShop	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,724,711	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2724356}'	No	2025-03-02 01:30	active	2671		Let’s shop👛💋💍👚🤩 Please read over pin post before claiming ✅✅✅✅ #livestreaming #liveshow #boutiqueshopping #womensupportingwomenbusiness #boutiqueshopping #designerfashions	CALL_NOW		The Stylush Beauty Bar	https://www.facebook.com/sophiasclosetshop/	2,622	1969-12-31 18:00	Call now		VIDEO			1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-lga3-3.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481043912_1113177340610406_3633337558694780800_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=hkVtkxpQhsEQ7kNvgHgcag6&_nc_oc=AdjcBCWOiLT_CRflLDtIArwecL_3P4hFNVkfuAdc887tIWN-KMPJphc0ZBkmali2M2vNN-i5s7vWvDoyHJpc5sUz&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-3.xx&_nc_gid=AHKqUKuzZXHjVW15pZs7hdg&oh=00_AYCJZimt7wtUnmjy1NK7ukOHVJutBv5bdarwNRb67sv7nw&oe=67C9E916	PERSON_PROFILE	0	The Stylush Beauty Bar	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,725,000	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	No	2025-03-02 01:30	active	2671	✨Teaching a course on human geographies?	🌍 A perfect text for any sociology or culture course, 'Introducing Human Geographies' introduces students on how people interact with the world, environment, and cultures around them. 💡Don't delay and request your inspection copy for this essential reference guide! ⬇️	LEARN_MORE	https://www.routledge.com/Introducing-Human-Geogra	Routledge Books	https://www.facebook.com/RoutledgeBooksPublisher/	8,109	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn More	routledge.com	DCO	{{product.description}}	https://www.routledge.com/Introducing-Human-Geographies/Dombroski-Goodwin-Qian-Williams-Cloke/p/book/9780367211769?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=paid&utm_campaign=C7734950378_AMERIB_SingleImage_HumanGeographies_Education_FeatureBenefit	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/475101210_503593262754845_5929604801449609374_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=FRDRPSKFQkMQ7kNvgEAT_P_&_nc_oc=AdiJDWlEHs-rPyvfFvmcL1mtYID7JSznmkJxbLNMC-kHZIlbNP60xYckct_6Em-bZHlyOUJel2aqgZlanwFaBpMr&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AL1hXwYXoDyzMfqBby3bdOj&oh=00_AYBhfvO9Fvt_SmTmCMxr1CgUHE8d5dZDU5GyUfjlFmo1-Q&oe=67C9C009	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Routledge Books	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,725,567	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	Yes	2025-03-02 01:30	active	2671	🔥《Revenge with My Undercover Cop Hubby》for free now!🥰🥰🥰	"We've looked into your case. You've been missing for five years. Two years ago, your husband had you declared legally deceased and removed from official records. We managed to get in touch with him, but ... you should be prepared. He's remarried." Kelly Yeager sat frozen in her chair at the police station, struggling to process the officer's words. It all felt so surreal. Five years ago, she had traveled with a medical team to provide aid in Oasisvale, only to be taken hostage by terrorists. After enduring the suffering, she and her team had finally been rescued by peacekeeping forces, allowing her to return home at last. The thought of her husband, Eric Gray, had kept her going through all those years. From the moment they met in college to the day they married, their love had been everything to her. He was her whole world. She had often imagined their reunion—perhaps they would embrace through tears, overwhelmed by the miracle of finding each other again. But she never expected that she'd return to a life where he had already moved on. Outside, the Seaville city in Drakonia was bathed in the warmth of spring. The leaves whispered in the breeze, and the sunlight cast gentle golden hues. Kelly sat by the window, absentmindedly reaching out as if trying to grasp something familiar. Five years of desert life had made her a stranger to the world she once knew. The horrors she had witnessed left her unable to speak—her trauma manifesting as aphasia. On the day of her rescue, she cried as though finally releasing all the fear and grief that had built up over the years. She had believed that once she saw Eric, the wounds in her heart would start to heal. But reality slapped her in the face. Eric had erased her from his life in the third year of her absence. Not long after, he had married someone else. The police station door swung open, and a man hurried inside, his face filled with urgency. Though five years had passed, his appearance remained largely unchanged—except for a newfound maturity and steadiness in his demeanor. Dressed in an impeccably tailored suit, his wealth was apparent. The watch on his wrist alone was worth a fortune. It was clear that life had treated Eric well in her absence. "Kelly ... " his voice trembled as he scanned the room. The moment his eyes landed on her, emotion flooded his face, turning his gaze red-rimmed. Kelly parted her lips, but no sound came out. If she hadn't heard it from the police herself—that he had moved on, married again, and even had children—she might have believed, just for a moment, that he still cared. "You've been through so much," Eric murmured as he stepped closer, resisting the instinct to pull her into his arms. "Come home with me." Kelly didn't move. Could she even call it home anymore? "Kelly, you're safe now. It's all behind you," he reassured her, crouching to meet her eyes. Tears blurred her vision. The police must have been mistaken. How could the man who once adored her enough to climb a mountain at dawn just to leave a love lock at the peak have given his heart to someone else? Had it all been a lie? "Mr. Gray, I've already informed you about her condition," the police officer in charge of Kelly's case walked over and spoke softly. "The trauma has caused her to lose her ability to speak." A flicker of pain crossed Eric's face before he gently reached for her hand. Without resisting, Kelly allowed him to lead her out of the station, her steps slow and hesitant. She had believed that escaping hell meant she was finally returning to paradise. But reality sent a chill through her body. "Kelly, I'll take you to a hotel for now. A lot has changed over the years, and as for home ... " Eric trailed off. He had no intention of bringing her back—he was afraid of upsetting her. Kelly took out a pen and paper, her hand moving swiftly as she wrote, "Take me home!" That house wasn't just a place to her—it was their marital home. It was the symbol of the love they had shared for five years, the place where her happiest memories began. Eric froze, his expression unreadable. Seconds stretched into silence before he finally spoke, his voice heavy. "Kelly ... I'm sorry." Her hands clenched, trembling. Even in the chaos of war, with bullets flying past her, she had never felt fear like that. Yet, he continued, "You were gone for five years. Everyone believed you were dead. I moved on and remarried. My wife and daughter live there now. Sorry, I can't do anything that would hurt them." At that moment, the heart that had been clinging to hope finally shattered. Chapter 2 Her Home Is Not Hers Anymore "That's my home." Kelly's emotions surged, threatening to overwhelm her. She struggled to stay composed, using sign language to tell Eric that the house belonged to her. But he didn't understand. Just like their current relationship—so close, yet impossibly distant. A heavy silence settled between them, and once again, Kelly bore the weight of her pain alone. Five years had taught her to keep her suffering to herself. Tears dripped onto the back of her hand. Her fingers trembled as she clutched the pen and scribbled on the paper in uneven handwriting. "I want to go home and get my things." Eric opened his mouth as if to persuade but stopped when he saw the tears in her eyes. After a long pause, he finally relented. "Alright." The car ride was quiet. Kelly gazed out the window, lost in thought. There was a time when she believed the passenger seat beside Eric would always be hers. But now, cartoon stickers decorated the dashboard, and trinkets belonging to his wife filled the space. The man who once swore he'd never abandon her, who promised his love would last forever, had given his heart to another—just three years after she disappeared. Seaville's shimmering skyline blurred past her, a stark contrast to the endless deserts of Oasisvale. The dazzling lights felt surreal, almost suffocating. It had only been five years. Just five years. Why had the world left her behind? "Have my parents abandoned me too?" Kelly couldn't suppress the thought any longer and scribbled the question on the paper. There had been six of them taken that day. Her mentor, already elderly, had children waiting for him. Her senior, who had always quarreled with her husband and even considered divorce before disappearing, was greeted by that very same husband the moment she stepped off the plane in Drakonia. Everyone was claimed by someone—except Kelly. She tried calling every number she had memorized by heart, but none connected. When Eric never showed up to get her, she reassured herself that maybe he was swamped at the hospital. When her parents didn't come, she reasoned that they were aging and might not have gotten the news. But the truth was far crueler than any excuse she could come up with. "Kelly, let's talk about your parents tomorrow, alright?" Eric said after pulling into a parking space, his expression uneasy. A deep sense of dread crept over her. She shook her head insistently, desperate for answers now. "Come inside first. My wife made dinner." Avoiding the topic, Eric stepped out of the car and opened the door for her. Some things hadn't changed. As she exited, he instinctively placed a hand above her head, making sure she wouldn't bump it—just like he always had. Once, that kind of tenderness had been meant for her alone. But things were different now. Love hadn't just faded—it had been given to someone else. "You know her." As they entered the elevator, Eric spoke again, maybe to prepare her in case she got upset. "She's Dr. Lynch's daughter. She was there for me when I crazily searched for you. I became a wreck because of you. She pulled me out of it and stayed by my side ever since." Kelly lowered her gaze, her hands clenched into fists. It turned out that his wife was Regina Lynch, Beau Lynch's daughter. She had been their junior back in school. She was bold, direct, and unashamed. She had pursued Eric openly, even confronted Kelly about it. She had said, "I don't care if he's taken. If he's not married, he'll be mine eventually." Kelly had never taken Regina seriously. She had believed, without a doubt, that Eric's love for her was unshakable. She had been wrong. The elevator doors slid open on the 19th floor. Kelly hesitated. They had chosen the marital home here because she loved higher floors. The view of Seaville's river from here was breathtaking. Because it was a river-facing unit, the price had been much steeper than other layouts. She hadn't wanted to burden Eric's family, so she had asked her parents for an extra 230,000 dollars to secure it. That was supposed to be their home. A place they each owned 50% of after marriage. Now, the other woman lived there. Eric entered the password. The lock clicked open. Kelly stared at him. Five years had passed, yet he had never changed the password. Was that a foolish gesture of lingering sentiment? After all, the password was her birthday. Before she could process that thought, a small figure came rushing toward Eric. "Daddy!" A little girl flung herself into his arms. Eric tensed, darting a nervous glance at Kelly before turning an irritated look toward Regina. "I told you to take Faye to your parents' place." Regina remained silent, her eyes settling on Kelly. Kelly, however, wasn't looking at Regina. Her gaze was locked on the child. Eric had remarried three years after she disappeared. But judging by the girl's age, she wasn't a toddler of one or two—she looked closer to four or five. Kelly's breath caught. Her head snapped up, eyes blazing with anger as she turned to Eric, demanding an explanation. Chapter 3 Her Parents Died "I'll explain for Eric," Regina spoke up. Kelly's hands trembled as she signed her response, her gestures sharp with anger. "I don't need you—I want him to explain!" Regina couldn't understand sign language, but her eyes held pity as if she felt sorry for Kelly. Tears welled up in Kelly's eyes. She felt as if Regina's gaze was cutting right through her. The sympathy in both Eric's and Regina's eyes felt like sharp blades slicing into her heart. At that moment, regret washed over Kelly. Why haven't I died in Oasisvale? If I had died there, I wouldn't have to endure such a torment now. Her shaking hands fell to her sides, and she stopped resisting. The physical torture from being held captive by terrorists had never broken her, but the emotional wounds being inflicted now were unbearable. "When Dr. Cooper volunteered for the medical relief mission in Oasisvale, Eric was completely against you going. You had just gotten married back then. You were his whole world, and he couldn't bear the thought of losing you. But you—so caught up in your so-called dream, your desire for peace, your need to play the hero—insisted on going anyway," Regina's voice dripped with resentment. She blamed Kelly instead. "Regina." Eric covered his forehead, his voice low as he tried to stop her. "You left without a second thought. Did you ever consider how Eric felt? When news of your team's kidnapping reached Drakonia, he lost his mind. He drowned himself in alcohol, searching for any trace of you ... " Regina's eyes reddened with emotion. Kelly's fingers trembled as she looked at Eric. He had supported her decision when she joined Tyson Cooper's peacekeeping mission. He once said, "Kelly, I'll stand by whatever choice you make. I'll wait for you to come back." Those words had kept her going. She had endured, holding onto the belief that Eric would be waiting for her. "I admit I didn't play fair when it came to Eric, but I don't regret a thing. I love him. I gave him a child. Whether he loves me or not doesn't matter—I know he will someday." Regina lifted her chin, her expression victorious. "I insisted on having our daughter. When he was at his lowest, falling apart, I was the one who stayed by his side. He was moved by my devotion, so he agreed to be with me—to give Faye a real family." With a triumphant smile, Regina lifted her daughter, Faye Gray, as if showing off a prize. "How old are you?" Kelly wrote the question down for the child. "Five," Faye answered clearly, already capable of reading and forming thoughts of her own. Kelly stared at Faye numbly. Five years old? That meant Eric had already betrayed her before she even left for Solmaris. His so-called undying love turned out to mean nothing. "This is my home," Kelly gripped the pen tightly and wrote the words down. Regina didn't hesitate to make her stance clear. "I know you and Eric bought this house together, but that doesn't change the reality. Kelly, you need to accept the truth. I'll return the money you put into it, but I'm Eric's wife now. I hope you can understand and step aside." She was pushing Kelly to end the marriage herself. "Eric and I have already packed up your belongings. They're in the basement. If you want them, you'll have to get them from there," Regina added before heading back to her room with Faye. Kelly remained frozen in place, overwhelmed by a dull ache spreading through her chest. The living room had once been decorated with photos of her and Eric, capturing the moments of their younger days. Now, those images had been replaced. The frames displayed photos of Eric with Regina and Faye, accompanied by scattered toys. Eric had always been obsessed with cleanliness, ensuring every corner of the house remained spotless. Yet, now, children's toys and clothes lay strewn across the floor, and he didn't seem to mind. So, he was capable of tolerating the mess after all. Regina had spoken at length, yet Eric hadn't uttered a single word to contradict her. He let her speak on his behalf. "Come in first," Eric murmured, his voice soft, his gaze avoiding Kelly's. Kelly didn't move. Lowering her head, she scribbled on the paper, "No, Eric. I want to go home. If it's not too much trouble, please take me back to Silverglow Bay." That was where her parents lived. Losing her husband was bearable—at least she still had them. Eric's fingers tightened around the doorframe as he hesitated. His head lowered slightly, and his eyes turned red. "Kelly ... I'm sorry." She stood there, frozen, unable to grasp what he meant. The police had seemed reluctant to tell her anything, and Eric had avoided the topic altogether. Now, the truth finally came out. "Your parents ... passed away in the second year after your incident." Eric kept his head bowed, his tears silently falling to the floor. Kelly's world tilted, the room spinning around her. It felt as if something had detonated inside her, tearing her apart from the inside out. Her legs trembled, and she could barely keep herself upright as she hurriedly wrote, "How? What happened?" She couldn't comprehend it. Her parents had been healthy, and she was their only child. They had stable careers as officials and were only a few years away from retirement. How could they be gone? Chapter 4 Mistakened for His Mistress Eric remained quiet for a long time before finally meeting Kelly's gaze. His voice was heavy with sorrow, "After your accident, your parents desperately sought help to save you. They trusted the wrong people and were scammed, losing everything they had. No matter how much I tried to convince them, they wouldn't listen." He paused as if struggling to continue. "That day, the hospital sent me to Stoneville. Before leaving, I visited them. But that night, I got a call. Their house had caught fire. They ... they didn't make it." Though Eric hadn't said it outright, Kelly understood. Her parents had been tricked out of their life savings while trying to save her. In their despair, they chose to end their lives. Her vision blurred, and as an overwhelming sorrow crashed down on her, a strange numbness settled in its place. "Kelly!" A dull thud echoed as she collapsed to the floor, slipping into unconsciousness. "Kelly, come home soon. Your dad is making ribs for you tonight." "Kelly, talk to your mom for me. She's upset again and refuses to share a room with me." "Kelly, my sweet girl ... Live well ... " ... When Kelly finally came to, her breaths were shallow and uneven. She blinked, scanning the room as an unsettling realization sank in—this place, once filled with warmth, now felt foreign and cold. Eric must have been worried about her. Instead of booking a hotel, he let her stay in the guest room. It was already late. From beyond the door, she could hear Eric and Regina arguing. "Why did you let her stay here? Do you still have feelings for her? Eric, I've been with you all these years! "Don't lie to me! You still love her, don't you? You couldn't even bother changing the password! "Fine. If she's so important to you, I'll leave. I'll take Faye with me. She doesn't have to be the one to divorce you—I will. Now that she's back, our marriage doesn't mean anything anymore!" Regina's voice was sharp, deliberately raised so Kelly would hear every word. For five years, Kelly had believed that coming back to Seaville would put an end to her suffering. She thought she still had her parents' love and Eric's devotion. But nothing was the same. Kelly got out of bed, the stifling unfamiliarity pressing down on her. The thought that she and Eric could become strangers had never crossed her mind before. As she stepped out of the room, she nearly bumped into Regina, who was storming off with Faye in her arms. Regina's glare was full of resentment, as though blaming Kelly for simply being alive. "Why did you come back? Everything was fine before! You should've just died out there!" she snapped, losing all restraint. "Regina!" Eric's temper flared. Before he could stop himself, he struck her in front of Faye. Maybe he thought how cruel her words had been. Regina's face twisted in shock. She stared at Eric, disbelief flashing in her eyes before she turned and stormed out. "You hit me for her!" Faye wailed, her sobs piercing the night air. Eric stood frozen, his expression torn between guilt, regret, and unease. By then, the noise had drawn the attention of the neighbors. Some had even pulled out their phones to record. "Regina, you and Eric always get along well with each other. What happened?" one of them asked. Kelly glanced around. When she and Eric had first bought this place, it had been an unfinished pre-sale home. The two of them had worked together to fit out it, carefully picking out every detail, from bare walls to cozy corners. Back then, there weren't many residents in the neighborhood, and she hadn't met most of them. Now, five years later, to those people, Regina was Eric's only and one wife. The realization that someone else had taken over the life she had built was suffocating. "Who is that woman? Is she a mistress?" a neighbor murmured. "You're a witch! Why did you come? Why did you steal Daddy from Mommy? You're ruining everything!" Faye's tearful voice rang out, making the situation even worse. It was obvious an adult had fed her those words. And since even a child was accusing Kelly, the neighbors easily assumed she was the mistress. "Look at her—she's so scrawny! How could she ever compare to Regina? Eric, don't be an idiot and throw away your life over this." "Exactly! It's disgraceful to ruin a family like this. Shameless!" Kelly stood frozen, overwhelmed by shock and helplessness. She turned to Eric, searching for some kind of defense. Ruin the family? Shameless? That had once been my home. Regina was the one who had torn it apart. Both Regina and Faye were using her silence against her, knowing she had no way to fight back. All Kelly could do was hope—hope that Eric would step in and tell the truth. Chapter 5 Another Man Like Her Nightmare But Eric didn't do anything. "This is my home! He's my husband! Your mother is the one who took him from me!" Kelly lost control, grabbing a pen and notebook and furiously scribbling to release her frustration. A five-year-old might not even understand words, but that didn't matter. Even so, Eric quickly positioned himself in front of his wife and daughter, looking at Kelly with pleading eyes. "Kelly, Faye is just a child. Don't let others judge her. Please ... " He was begging her—to spare him some dignity, at least in front of their daughter. Kelly stared at him in disbelief. Was he seriously asking her to take the blame as a mistress so his daughter wouldn't face criticism? If anyone deserved blame, it was Regina. She knew Eric was married and still shamelessly pursued him. Maybe it was the overwhelming despair. Kelly struck Eric hard across the face. Regina wasn't the only one at fault. If Eric had never touched her, none of that would have happened. "You witch! Why did you hit Daddy?" Faye broke free from Regina's grasp and ran toward Kelly, shoving her. Kelly was frail. Five years of suffering had left her almost unrecognizable. The force of a five-year-old was enough to send her stumbling. She hit the ground hard, her elbow scraping against the pavement, blood seeping from the wound. "Kelly!" Eric rushed forward to help her, but she recoiled, avoiding his touch. She looked at him with bitterness, her eyes filled with pain. "Kelly!" Kelly scrambled to her feet, clutching her notebook and pen, and bolted in a panic. That was her home—yet she was being treated like an outcast, like a pest that needed to be driven away. "You shameless homewrecker! How dare you show up here!" "Destroying someone else's family—do you have no shame?" Their harsh words rang in her ears as she fled. Her entire body ached, inside and out. There wasn't a single part of her that didn't feel pain. She ran as fast as she could until her legs could carry her no further. When she finally stopped, breathless and shaking, she raised a trembling hand and slapped herself hard across the face. The sting dulled the chaos in her mind, but it couldn't erase her self-loathing. Why couldn't she speak up? Why did she run away like a coward? That was her home; that was her husband. Why was she the one carrying all the blame? ... Silverglow Bay. It took Kelly an hour of walking before she finally arrived. She stood outside the house where she had spent her childhood, yet now it felt distant—almost foreign. Maybe Eric had lied. Maybe her parents were still here, waiting for her. "Hey, pretty! It's late. Why aren't you in bed?" A voice called out from the roadside. A thug with a cigarette hanging from his lips whistled at her. Silverglow Bay had once been a lively neighborhood. But after most residents left due to a demolition project, it had turned into a haven for drifters and troublemakers. After five years away, Kelly barely recognized the environment. The unfamiliarity made her uneasy. She clutched her wrist tightly and tried to hurry past the group of thugs without drawing attention. "All alone tonight, huh?" One of them—drunk—flicked away his cigarette and grabbed her arm. Kelly had always been striking. Since childhood, her parents had nurtured her talents in music and dance, ensuring she stood out wherever she went. But years of suffering had dulled her glow. In war-ravaged Oasisvale, her beauty had felt more like a curse than a blessing. The thug's touch sent a jolt of fear through her. Before she could stop herself, she lashed out, slapping him across the face. The thug's expression darkened with anger. "You little—" He raised his hand to strike her. Kelly flinched, instinctively dropping to the ground and shielding her head. Her body reacted on its own, instincts taking over as she curled up in defense. But before the strike could reach her, a sudden cry of pain cut through the night, followed by a heavy thud as the thug collapsed to the ground. A figure stood before her, his presence overwhelming. Kelly lifted her head, fear tightening in her chest. The glare of the light obscured his face, but she didn't need to see him—his voice alone sent shivers down her spine. "Get lost!" his deep, commanding tone cut through the air like a blade. The hooded figure loomed over them, his presence radiating an undeniable threat. The thugs didn't want trouble and quickly ran away. "Kelly, even after returning to Drakonia, you're still getting pushed around. What am I supposed to do with you?" his rough voice carried a chilling edge, sending a wave of unease through her. Kelly's knees nearly buckled, and her breath caught in her throat. Shock and fear clouded her wide eyes. It was him—Zev Lockhart. He wasn't dead. Worse, he had tracked them to Drakonia. Zev wasn't just any threat. He was part of a terrorist organization. For Kelly, he was the person she dreaded most. Chapter 6 The Kidnapping Was No Coincidence Zev couldn't be alive. It wasn't possible. Kelly had seen him shot, his body collapsing into a pool of blood when the peacekeeping forces arrived. She could have saved him. She didn't. To her, Zev was nothing more than a criminal, a dangerous member of a terrorist organization. All she had wanted was to get away. So, she had left him behind. From that day forward, the desperate look in his eyes had haunted her dreams. "You can't run from me, Kelly." Zev's voice was low, carrying a quiet menace that sent a chill through her. Something in her snapped. Summoning all the strength she could muster, she turned and bolted toward home. Silverglow Bay was an old residential complex built for officials and their families. It had no elevator, and her apartment was on the third floor. The motion-sensor lights flickered on and off as Kelly sprinted toward her home. At that moment, she forgot her parents were gone. Her instincts told her that home was still the safest place. She pounded on the door, her mouth opening, but no sound came out. She wanted to scream for her parents, but she couldn't. Her aphasia had begun the day she watched a colleague get shot in the head right before her eyes. The merciless terrorists had executed him for attempting to escape. Footsteps echoed on the stairs. Kelly's breath hitched as fear gripped her, but still, no words would come. Dad, Mom ... save me! Kelly screamed in her heart, slamming her fists against the door with desperation. No one responded. Her gaze fell on the charred marks across the doorframe. Reality hit her like a tidal wave—Eric hadn't lied. Her parents were gone. "Go on, Kelly. Shout for help. See if anyone comes to save you," Zev taunted, drawing closer until she was cornered. Terror swallowed her whole. All she wanted was to get away. "If you're scared, just say something ... anything," he pushed, his voice low and insistent. But instead of answering, Kelly bolted toward the corridor window. She would rather die than fall into his hands. Just as she reached it, Zev yanked her back, wrapping his arms tightly around her. His voice sounded a little nervous, "D*mn it ... Kelly! I was wrong! I didn't mean to scare you. I just wanted to hear you speak ... " He pulled back his hood, hurriedly trying to explain. But Kelly trembled violently, no longer hearing his words. Her mind was fixed on one thought—she had to end her life. Zev's voice rang out, filled with urgency, "Kelly! Lucas didn't just randomly kidnap your medical team—it was planned!" Kelly froze. Her mind, clouded by fear, slowly started piecing things together. She turned toward Zev, her expression full of shock. What is he saying? "Lucas' group was dealing with a massive outbreak of a lung virus. Your team specializes in this field. Someone at your hospital fed him information—" Zev continued. But before he could finish, a voice interrupted him. "Kelly? Are you here?" Eric's worried call echoed from downstairs. Realizing she hadn't gone anywhere else, he had correctly guessed she would be here. Zev's expression darkened. "Kelly, don't trust anyone at your hospital." Then, without another word, he leaped out of the corridor window. Kelly's breath caught. That was the third floor. He was insane. "Kelly!" Eric reached her, panting, and immediately pulled her into a tight embrace. "I'm sorry. Let's go home." But Kelly didn't move. She stood frozen, her head shaking slightly. That place wasn't her home anymore. Seeing her tear-streaked face, Eric felt his heartache and slapped himself hard. "This is all my fault. Kelly, hit me if you want." He struck his face repeatedly. If she didn't stop him, it seemed he would just keep going. She didn't stop him. But she couldn't hold it in any longer—her cries erupted, raw and broken. "Kelly ... " Eric cupped her face, surprised. The fact that she was making any sound at all, even if it was just crying, was a good sign. As a neurosurgeon, Eric had consulted specialists after Kelly's sudden loss of speech. Her silence wasn't just emotional trauma—it was reactive aphasia. "Kelly, I'm sorry," Eric murmured, his arms tightening around her. "You came back so suddenly—I didn't know how to react. Just give me a little time, okay? I'll take care of everything. I won't let anything happen to you again." His voice wavered with emotion, "You mean so much to me." Kelly's sobs grew uncontrollably. Her chest ached, and the world around her blurred as if she could barely breathe. Eric claimed she was important to him. Why did that sound so absurd? "Come home with me, Kelly. We need to talk," his voice was thick with emotion. Maybe he was being sincere. But Kelly didn't want to hear it anymore. Zev's warning echoed in her head, "Don't trust anyone at your hospital." Her team had been kidnapped. She had suffered for five long years. Her parents had died, their grievances unresolved. Everything she had once held dear was gone. And now, she finally understood—the nightmare she had endured hadn't been a coincidence. It had all been planned from the start.	LEARN_MORE	https://page.joyreadland.com/h5-book-share-custom4	Read the world-3	https://www.facebook.com/61561778493802/	1,116	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	page.joyreadland.com	IMAGE		https://page.joyreadland.com/h5-book-share-custom4.html?lang=en&id=9922&brand=2&app=0&ppid=6492&pid=FBW2A&utm_source=FBW2A&utm_medium={{placement}}&utm_campaign={{campaign.id}}&utm_term={{adset.id}}&utm_content={{ad.id}}&pixel_id=816574679413893&ori_campaign_id=120219025399320283&ori_adset_id=120219025414110283&ori_ad_id=120219025434750283	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481454280_658044620123517_52969896071552877_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=68N0EF3mjRIQ7kNvgEiJt8W&_nc_oc=AdiZKJZpjh6m1fmmZoySseJkBkrlA8NxIWggwSYqoxnQQ14uA4ADpoo9MPQnonSANfNqtIVRm3T7HKy7Fs_m3Z3B&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-1.xx&_nc_gid=Autq5icJw2lLVnMhKkSzxg5&oh=00_AYDyc8bD2MopkJBhT-yaYDs-B4b4998CU8lQe3V973ZSeA&oe=67C9C05C	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Read the world-3	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,725,565	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	No	2025-03-02 01:30	active	2671	🔥《Revenge with My Undercover Cop Hubby》for free now!🥰🥰🥰	"We've looked into your case. You've been missing for five years. Two years ago, your husband had you declared legally deceased and removed from official records. We managed to get in touch with him, but ... you should be prepared. He's remarried." Kelly Yeager sat frozen in her chair at the police station, struggling to process the officer's words. It all felt so surreal. Five years ago, she had traveled with a medical team to provide aid in Oasisvale, only to be taken hostage by terrorists. After enduring the suffering, she and her team had finally been rescued by peacekeeping forces, allowing her to return home at last. The thought of her husband, Eric Gray, had kept her going through all those years. From the moment they met in college to the day they married, their love had been everything to her. He was her whole world. She had often imagined their reunion—perhaps they would embrace through tears, overwhelmed by the miracle of finding each other again. But she never expected that she'd return to a life where he had already moved on. Outside, the Seaville city in Drakonia was bathed in the warmth of spring. The leaves whispered in the breeze, and the sunlight cast gentle golden hues. Kelly sat by the window, absentmindedly reaching out as if trying to grasp something familiar. Five years of desert life had made her a stranger to the world she once knew. The horrors she had witnessed left her unable to speak—her trauma manifesting as aphasia. On the day of her rescue, she cried as though finally releasing all the fear and grief that had built up over the years. She had believed that once she saw Eric, the wounds in her heart would start to heal. But reality slapped her in the face. Eric had erased her from his life in the third year of her absence. Not long after, he had married someone else. The police station door swung open, and a man hurried inside, his face filled with urgency. Though five years had passed, his appearance remained largely unchanged—except for a newfound maturity and steadiness in his demeanor. Dressed in an impeccably tailored suit, his wealth was apparent. The watch on his wrist alone was worth a fortune. It was clear that life had treated Eric well in her absence. "Kelly ... " his voice trembled as he scanned the room. The moment his eyes landed on her, emotion flooded his face, turning his gaze red-rimmed. Kelly parted her lips, but no sound came out. If she hadn't heard it from the police herself—that he had moved on, married again, and even had children—she might have believed, just for a moment, that he still cared. "You've been through so much," Eric murmured as he stepped closer, resisting the instinct to pull her into his arms. "Come home with me." Kelly didn't move. Could she even call it home anymore? "Kelly, you're safe now. It's all behind you," he reassured her, crouching to meet her eyes. Tears blurred her vision. The police must have been mistaken. How could the man who once adored her enough to climb a mountain at dawn just to leave a love lock at the peak have given his heart to someone else? Had it all been a lie? "Mr. Gray, I've already informed you about her condition," the police officer in charge of Kelly's case walked over and spoke softly. "The trauma has caused her to lose her ability to speak." A flicker of pain crossed Eric's face before he gently reached for her hand. Without resisting, Kelly allowed him to lead her out of the station, her steps slow and hesitant. She had believed that escaping hell meant she was finally returning to paradise. But reality sent a chill through her body. "Kelly, I'll take you to a hotel for now. A lot has changed over the years, and as for home ... " Eric trailed off. He had no intention of bringing her back—he was afraid of upsetting her. Kelly took out a pen and paper, her hand moving swiftly as she wrote, "Take me home!" That house wasn't just a place to her—it was their marital home. It was the symbol of the love they had shared for five years, the place where her happiest memories began. Eric froze, his expression unreadable. Seconds stretched into silence before he finally spoke, his voice heavy. "Kelly ... I'm sorry." Her hands clenched, trembling. Even in the chaos of war, with bullets flying past her, she had never felt fear like that. Yet, he continued, "You were gone for five years. Everyone believed you were dead. I moved on and remarried. My wife and daughter live there now. Sorry, I can't do anything that would hurt them." At that moment, the heart that had been clinging to hope finally shattered. Chapter 2 Her Home Is Not Hers Anymore "That's my home." Kelly's emotions surged, threatening to overwhelm her. She struggled to stay composed, using sign language to tell Eric that the house belonged to her. But he didn't understand. Just like their current relationship—so close, yet impossibly distant. A heavy silence settled between them, and once again, Kelly bore the weight of her pain alone. Five years had taught her to keep her suffering to herself. Tears dripped onto the back of her hand. Her fingers trembled as she clutched the pen and scribbled on the paper in uneven handwriting. "I want to go home and get my things." Eric opened his mouth as if to persuade but stopped when he saw the tears in her eyes. After a long pause, he finally relented. "Alright." The car ride was quiet. Kelly gazed out the window, lost in thought. There was a time when she believed the passenger seat beside Eric would always be hers. But now, cartoon stickers decorated the dashboard, and trinkets belonging to his wife filled the space. The man who once swore he'd never abandon her, who promised his love would last forever, had given his heart to another—just three years after she disappeared. Seaville's shimmering skyline blurred past her, a stark contrast to the endless deserts of Oasisvale. The dazzling lights felt surreal, almost suffocating. It had only been five years. Just five years. Why had the world left her behind? "Have my parents abandoned me too?" Kelly couldn't suppress the thought any longer and scribbled the question on the paper. There had been six of them taken that day. Her mentor, already elderly, had children waiting for him. Her senior, who had always quarreled with her husband and even considered divorce before disappearing, was greeted by that very same husband the moment she stepped off the plane in Drakonia. Everyone was claimed by someone—except Kelly. She tried calling every number she had memorized by heart, but none connected. When Eric never showed up to get her, she reassured herself that maybe he was swamped at the hospital. When her parents didn't come, she reasoned that they were aging and might not have gotten the news. But the truth was far crueler than any excuse she could come up with. "Kelly, let's talk about your parents tomorrow, alright?" Eric said after pulling into a parking space, his expression uneasy. A deep sense of dread crept over her. She shook her head insistently, desperate for answers now. "Come inside first. My wife made dinner." Avoiding the topic, Eric stepped out of the car and opened the door for her. Some things hadn't changed. As she exited, he instinctively placed a hand above her head, making sure she wouldn't bump it—just like he always had. Once, that kind of tenderness had been meant for her alone. But things were different now. Love hadn't just faded—it had been given to someone else. "You know her." As they entered the elevator, Eric spoke again, maybe to prepare her in case she got upset. "She's Dr. Lynch's daughter. She was there for me when I crazily searched for you. I became a wreck because of you. She pulled me out of it and stayed by my side ever since." Kelly lowered her gaze, her hands clenched into fists. It turned out that his wife was Regina Lynch, Beau Lynch's daughter. She had been their junior back in school. She was bold, direct, and unashamed. She had pursued Eric openly, even confronted Kelly about it. She had said, "I don't care if he's taken. If he's not married, he'll be mine eventually." Kelly had never taken Regina seriously. She had believed, without a doubt, that Eric's love for her was unshakable. She had been wrong. The elevator doors slid open on the 19th floor. Kelly hesitated. They had chosen the marital home here because she loved higher floors. The view of Seaville's river from here was breathtaking. Because it was a river-facing unit, the price had been much steeper than other layouts. She hadn't wanted to burden Eric's family, so she had asked her parents for an extra 230,000 dollars to secure it. That was supposed to be their home. A place they each owned 50% of after marriage. Now, the other woman lived there. Eric entered the password. The lock clicked open. Kelly stared at him. Five years had passed, yet he had never changed the password. Was that a foolish gesture of lingering sentiment? After all, the password was her birthday. Before she could process that thought, a small figure came rushing toward Eric. "Daddy!" A little girl flung herself into his arms. Eric tensed, darting a nervous glance at Kelly before turning an irritated look toward Regina. "I told you to take Faye to your parents' place." Regina remained silent, her eyes settling on Kelly. Kelly, however, wasn't looking at Regina. Her gaze was locked on the child. Eric had remarried three years after she disappeared. But judging by the girl's age, she wasn't a toddler of one or two—she looked closer to four or five. Kelly's breath caught. Her head snapped up, eyes blazing with anger as she turned to Eric, demanding an explanation. Chapter 3 Her Parents Died "I'll explain for Eric," Regina spoke up. Kelly's hands trembled as she signed her response, her gestures sharp with anger. "I don't need you—I want him to explain!" Regina couldn't understand sign language, but her eyes held pity as if she felt sorry for Kelly. Tears welled up in Kelly's eyes. She felt as if Regina's gaze was cutting right through her. The sympathy in both Eric's and Regina's eyes felt like sharp blades slicing into her heart. At that moment, regret washed over Kelly. Why haven't I died in Oasisvale? If I had died there, I wouldn't have to endure such a torment now. Her shaking hands fell to her sides, and she stopped resisting. The physical torture from being held captive by terrorists had never broken her, but the emotional wounds being inflicted now were unbearable. "When Dr. Cooper volunteered for the medical relief mission in Oasisvale, Eric was completely against you going. You had just gotten married back then. You were his whole world, and he couldn't bear the thought of losing you. But you—so caught up in your so-called dream, your desire for peace, your need to play the hero—insisted on going anyway," Regina's voice dripped with resentment. She blamed Kelly instead. "Regina." Eric covered his forehead, his voice low as he tried to stop her. "You left without a second thought. Did you ever consider how Eric felt? When news of your team's kidnapping reached Drakonia, he lost his mind. He drowned himself in alcohol, searching for any trace of you ... " Regina's eyes reddened with emotion. Kelly's fingers trembled as she looked at Eric. He had supported her decision when she joined Tyson Cooper's peacekeeping mission. He once said, "Kelly, I'll stand by whatever choice you make. I'll wait for you to come back." Those words had kept her going. She had endured, holding onto the belief that Eric would be waiting for her. "I admit I didn't play fair when it came to Eric, but I don't regret a thing. I love him. I gave him a child. Whether he loves me or not doesn't matter—I know he will someday." Regina lifted her chin, her expression victorious. "I insisted on having our daughter. When he was at his lowest, falling apart, I was the one who stayed by his side. He was moved by my devotion, so he agreed to be with me—to give Faye a real family." With a triumphant smile, Regina lifted her daughter, Faye Gray, as if showing off a prize. "How old are you?" Kelly wrote the question down for the child. "Five," Faye answered clearly, already capable of reading and forming thoughts of her own. Kelly stared at Faye numbly. Five years old? That meant Eric had already betrayed her before she even left for Solmaris. His so-called undying love turned out to mean nothing. "This is my home," Kelly gripped the pen tightly and wrote the words down. Regina didn't hesitate to make her stance clear. "I know you and Eric bought this house together, but that doesn't change the reality. Kelly, you need to accept the truth. I'll return the money you put into it, but I'm Eric's wife now. I hope you can understand and step aside." She was pushing Kelly to end the marriage herself. "Eric and I have already packed up your belongings. They're in the basement. If you want them, you'll have to get them from there," Regina added before heading back to her room with Faye. Kelly remained frozen in place, overwhelmed by a dull ache spreading through her chest. The living room had once been decorated with photos of her and Eric, capturing the moments of their younger days. Now, those images had been replaced. The frames displayed photos of Eric with Regina and Faye, accompanied by scattered toys. Eric had always been obsessed with cleanliness, ensuring every corner of the house remained spotless. Yet, now, children's toys and clothes lay strewn across the floor, and he didn't seem to mind. So, he was capable of tolerating the mess after all. Regina had spoken at length, yet Eric hadn't uttered a single word to contradict her. He let her speak on his behalf. "Come in first," Eric murmured, his voice soft, his gaze avoiding Kelly's. Kelly didn't move. Lowering her head, she scribbled on the paper, "No, Eric. I want to go home. If it's not too much trouble, please take me back to Silverglow Bay." That was where her parents lived. Losing her husband was bearable—at least she still had them. Eric's fingers tightened around the doorframe as he hesitated. His head lowered slightly, and his eyes turned red. "Kelly ... I'm sorry." She stood there, frozen, unable to grasp what he meant. The police had seemed reluctant to tell her anything, and Eric had avoided the topic altogether. Now, the truth finally came out. "Your parents ... passed away in the second year after your incident." Eric kept his head bowed, his tears silently falling to the floor. Kelly's world tilted, the room spinning around her. It felt as if something had detonated inside her, tearing her apart from the inside out. Her legs trembled, and she could barely keep herself upright as she hurriedly wrote, "How? What happened?" She couldn't comprehend it. Her parents had been healthy, and she was their only child. They had stable careers as officials and were only a few years away from retirement. How could they be gone? Chapter 4 Mistakened for His Mistress Eric remained quiet for a long time before finally meeting Kelly's gaze. His voice was heavy with sorrow, "After your accident, your parents desperately sought help to save you. They trusted the wrong people and were scammed, losing everything they had. No matter how much I tried to convince them, they wouldn't listen." He paused as if struggling to continue. "That day, the hospital sent me to Stoneville. Before leaving, I visited them. But that night, I got a call. Their house had caught fire. They ... they didn't make it." Though Eric hadn't said it outright, Kelly understood. Her parents had been tricked out of their life savings while trying to save her. In their despair, they chose to end their lives. Her vision blurred, and as an overwhelming sorrow crashed down on her, a strange numbness settled in its place. "Kelly!" A dull thud echoed as she collapsed to the floor, slipping into unconsciousness. "Kelly, come home soon. Your dad is making ribs for you tonight." "Kelly, talk to your mom for me. She's upset again and refuses to share a room with me." "Kelly, my sweet girl ... Live well ... " ... When Kelly finally came to, her breaths were shallow and uneven. She blinked, scanning the room as an unsettling realization sank in—this place, once filled with warmth, now felt foreign and cold. Eric must have been worried about her. Instead of booking a hotel, he let her stay in the guest room. It was already late. From beyond the door, she could hear Eric and Regina arguing. "Why did you let her stay here? Do you still have feelings for her? Eric, I've been with you all these years! "Don't lie to me! You still love her, don't you? You couldn't even bother changing the password! "Fine. If she's so important to you, I'll leave. I'll take Faye with me. She doesn't have to be the one to divorce you—I will. Now that she's back, our marriage doesn't mean anything anymore!" Regina's voice was sharp, deliberately raised so Kelly would hear every word. For five years, Kelly had believed that coming back to Seaville would put an end to her suffering. She thought she still had her parents' love and Eric's devotion. But nothing was the same. Kelly got out of bed, the stifling unfamiliarity pressing down on her. The thought that she and Eric could become strangers had never crossed her mind before. As she stepped out of the room, she nearly bumped into Regina, who was storming off with Faye in her arms. Regina's glare was full of resentment, as though blaming Kelly for simply being alive. "Why did you come back? Everything was fine before! You should've just died out there!" she snapped, losing all restraint. "Regina!" Eric's temper flared. Before he could stop himself, he struck her in front of Faye. Maybe he thought how cruel her words had been. Regina's face twisted in shock. She stared at Eric, disbelief flashing in her eyes before she turned and stormed out. "You hit me for her!" Faye wailed, her sobs piercing the night air. Eric stood frozen, his expression torn between guilt, regret, and unease. By then, the noise had drawn the attention of the neighbors. Some had even pulled out their phones to record. "Regina, you and Eric always get along well with each other. What happened?" one of them asked. Kelly glanced around. When she and Eric had first bought this place, it had been an unfinished pre-sale home. The two of them had worked together to fit out it, carefully picking out every detail, from bare walls to cozy corners. Back then, there weren't many residents in the neighborhood, and she hadn't met most of them. Now, five years later, to those people, Regina was Eric's only and one wife. The realization that someone else had taken over the life she had built was suffocating. "Who is that woman? Is she a mistress?" a neighbor murmured. "You're a witch! Why did you come? Why did you steal Daddy from Mommy? You're ruining everything!" Faye's tearful voice rang out, making the situation even worse. It was obvious an adult had fed her those words. And since even a child was accusing Kelly, the neighbors easily assumed she was the mistress. "Look at her—she's so scrawny! How could she ever compare to Regina? Eric, don't be an idiot and throw away your life over this." "Exactly! It's disgraceful to ruin a family like this. Shameless!" Kelly stood frozen, overwhelmed by shock and helplessness. She turned to Eric, searching for some kind of defense. Ruin the family? Shameless? That had once been my home. Regina was the one who had torn it apart. Both Regina and Faye were using her silence against her, knowing she had no way to fight back. All Kelly could do was hope—hope that Eric would step in and tell the truth. Chapter 5 Another Man Like Her Nightmare But Eric didn't do anything. "This is my home! He's my husband! Your mother is the one who took him from me!" Kelly lost control, grabbing a pen and notebook and furiously scribbling to release her frustration. A five-year-old might not even understand words, but that didn't matter. Even so, Eric quickly positioned himself in front of his wife and daughter, looking at Kelly with pleading eyes. "Kelly, Faye is just a child. Don't let others judge her. Please ... " He was begging her—to spare him some dignity, at least in front of their daughter. Kelly stared at him in disbelief. Was he seriously asking her to take the blame as a mistress so his daughter wouldn't face criticism? If anyone deserved blame, it was Regina. She knew Eric was married and still shamelessly pursued him. Maybe it was the overwhelming despair. Kelly struck Eric hard across the face. Regina wasn't the only one at fault. If Eric had never touched her, none of that would have happened. "You witch! Why did you hit Daddy?" Faye broke free from Regina's grasp and ran toward Kelly, shoving her. Kelly was frail. Five years of suffering had left her almost unrecognizable. The force of a five-year-old was enough to send her stumbling. She hit the ground hard, her elbow scraping against the pavement, blood seeping from the wound. "Kelly!" Eric rushed forward to help her, but she recoiled, avoiding his touch. She looked at him with bitterness, her eyes filled with pain. "Kelly!" Kelly scrambled to her feet, clutching her notebook and pen, and bolted in a panic. That was her home—yet she was being treated like an outcast, like a pest that needed to be driven away. "You shameless homewrecker! How dare you show up here!" "Destroying someone else's family—do you have no shame?" Their harsh words rang in her ears as she fled. Her entire body ached, inside and out. There wasn't a single part of her that didn't feel pain. She ran as fast as she could until her legs could carry her no further. When she finally stopped, breathless and shaking, she raised a trembling hand and slapped herself hard across the face. The sting dulled the chaos in her mind, but it couldn't erase her self-loathing. Why couldn't she speak up? Why did she run away like a coward? That was her home; that was her husband. Why was she the one carrying all the blame? ... Silverglow Bay. It took Kelly an hour of walking before she finally arrived. She stood outside the house where she had spent her childhood, yet now it felt distant—almost foreign. Maybe Eric had lied. Maybe her parents were still here, waiting for her. "Hey, pretty! It's late. Why aren't you in bed?" A voice called out from the roadside. A thug with a cigarette hanging from his lips whistled at her. Silverglow Bay had once been a lively neighborhood. But after most residents left due to a demolition project, it had turned into a haven for drifters and troublemakers. After five years away, Kelly barely recognized the environment. The unfamiliarity made her uneasy. She clutched her wrist tightly and tried to hurry past the group of thugs without drawing attention. "All alone tonight, huh?" One of them—drunk—flicked away his cigarette and grabbed her arm. Kelly had always been striking. Since childhood, her parents had nurtured her talents in music and dance, ensuring she stood out wherever she went. But years of suffering had dulled her glow. In war-ravaged Oasisvale, her beauty had felt more like a curse than a blessing. The thug's touch sent a jolt of fear through her. Before she could stop herself, she lashed out, slapping him across the face. The thug's expression darkened with anger. "You little—" He raised his hand to strike her. Kelly flinched, instinctively dropping to the ground and shielding her head. Her body reacted on its own, instincts taking over as she curled up in defense. But before the strike could reach her, a sudden cry of pain cut through the night, followed by a heavy thud as the thug collapsed to the ground. A figure stood before her, his presence overwhelming. Kelly lifted her head, fear tightening in her chest. The glare of the light obscured his face, but she didn't need to see him—his voice alone sent shivers down her spine. "Get lost!" his deep, commanding tone cut through the air like a blade. The hooded figure loomed over them, his presence radiating an undeniable threat. The thugs didn't want trouble and quickly ran away. "Kelly, even after returning to Drakonia, you're still getting pushed around. What am I supposed to do with you?" his rough voice carried a chilling edge, sending a wave of unease through her. Kelly's knees nearly buckled, and her breath caught in her throat. Shock and fear clouded her wide eyes. It was him—Zev Lockhart. He wasn't dead. Worse, he had tracked them to Drakonia. Zev wasn't just any threat. He was part of a terrorist organization. For Kelly, he was the person she dreaded most. Chapter 6 The Kidnapping Was No Coincidence Zev couldn't be alive. It wasn't possible. Kelly had seen him shot, his body collapsing into a pool of blood when the peacekeeping forces arrived. She could have saved him. She didn't. To her, Zev was nothing more than a criminal, a dangerous member of a terrorist organization. All she had wanted was to get away. So, she had left him behind. From that day forward, the desperate look in his eyes had haunted her dreams. "You can't run from me, Kelly." Zev's voice was low, carrying a quiet menace that sent a chill through her. Something in her snapped. Summoning all the strength she could muster, she turned and bolted toward home. Silverglow Bay was an old residential complex built for officials and their families. It had no elevator, and her apartment was on the third floor. The motion-sensor lights flickered on and off as Kelly sprinted toward her home. At that moment, she forgot her parents were gone. Her instincts told her that home was still the safest place. She pounded on the door, her mouth opening, but no sound came out. She wanted to scream for her parents, but she couldn't. Her aphasia had begun the day she watched a colleague get shot in the head right before her eyes. The merciless terrorists had executed him for attempting to escape. Footsteps echoed on the stairs. Kelly's breath hitched as fear gripped her, but still, no words would come. Dad, Mom ... save me! Kelly screamed in her heart, slamming her fists against the door with desperation. No one responded. Her gaze fell on the charred marks across the doorframe. Reality hit her like a tidal wave—Eric hadn't lied. Her parents were gone. "Go on, Kelly. Shout for help. See if anyone comes to save you," Zev taunted, drawing closer until she was cornered. Terror swallowed her whole. All she wanted was to get away. "If you're scared, just say something ... anything," he pushed, his voice low and insistent. But instead of answering, Kelly bolted toward the corridor window. She would rather die than fall into his hands. Just as she reached it, Zev yanked her back, wrapping his arms tightly around her. His voice sounded a little nervous, "D*mn it ... Kelly! I was wrong! I didn't mean to scare you. I just wanted to hear you speak ... " He pulled back his hood, hurriedly trying to explain. But Kelly trembled violently, no longer hearing his words. Her mind was fixed on one thought—she had to end her life. Zev's voice rang out, filled with urgency, "Kelly! Lucas didn't just randomly kidnap your medical team—it was planned!" Kelly froze. Her mind, clouded by fear, slowly started piecing things together. She turned toward Zev, her expression full of shock. What is he saying? "Lucas' group was dealing with a massive outbreak of a lung virus. Your team specializes in this field. Someone at your hospital fed him information—" Zev continued. But before he could finish, a voice interrupted him. "Kelly? Are you here?" Eric's worried call echoed from downstairs. Realizing she hadn't gone anywhere else, he had correctly guessed she would be here. Zev's expression darkened. "Kelly, don't trust anyone at your hospital." Then, without another word, he leaped out of the corridor window. Kelly's breath caught. That was the third floor. He was insane. "Kelly!" Eric reached her, panting, and immediately pulled her into a tight embrace. "I'm sorry. Let's go home." But Kelly didn't move. She stood frozen, her head shaking slightly. That place wasn't her home anymore. Seeing her tear-streaked face, Eric felt his heartache and slapped himself hard. "This is all my fault. Kelly, hit me if you want." He struck his face repeatedly. If she didn't stop him, it seemed he would just keep going. She didn't stop him. But she couldn't hold it in any longer—her cries erupted, raw and broken. "Kelly ... " Eric cupped her face, surprised. The fact that she was making any sound at all, even if it was just crying, was a good sign. As a neurosurgeon, Eric had consulted specialists after Kelly's sudden loss of speech. Her silence wasn't just emotional trauma—it was reactive aphasia. "Kelly, I'm sorry," Eric murmured, his arms tightening around her. "You came back so suddenly—I didn't know how to react. Just give me a little time, okay? I'll take care of everything. I won't let anything happen to you again." His voice wavered with emotion, "You mean so much to me." Kelly's sobs grew uncontrollably. Her chest ached, and the world around her blurred as if she could barely breathe. Eric claimed she was important to him. Why did that sound so absurd? "Come home with me, Kelly. We need to talk," his voice was thick with emotion. Maybe he was being sincere. But Kelly didn't want to hear it anymore. Zev's warning echoed in her head, "Don't trust anyone at your hospital." Her team had been kidnapped. She had suffered for five long years. Her parents had died, their grievances unresolved. Everything she had once held dear was gone. And now, she finally understood—the nightmare she had endured hadn't been a coincidence. It had all been planned from the start.	LEARN_MORE	https://page.joyreadland.com/h5-book-share-custom4	Read the world-3	https://www.facebook.com/61561778493802/	1,116	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	page.joyreadland.com	IMAGE		https://page.joyreadland.com/h5-book-share-custom4.html?lang=en&id=9922&brand=2&app=0&ppid=6492&pid=FBW2A&utm_source=FBW2A&utm_medium={{placement}}&utm_campaign={{campaign.id}}&utm_term={{adset.id}}&utm_content={{ad.id}}&pixel_id=816574679413893&ori_campaign_id=120219025399320283&ori_adset_id=120219025414110283&ori_ad_id=120219025564140283	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/480884074_650719067460508_5965819353633541608_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=mSZijImYjIcQ7kNvgEHq3RE&_nc_oc=Adg8-DoOiqakjJuVk7K3aLsTwkoU5gmlJcwJdNIADf6zo1YWjhFylgo2gI3wMrmGead7bNbAGe93PpSmUtYFvOg0&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-1.xx&_nc_gid=Autq5icJw2lLVnMhKkSzxg5&oh=00_AYAfFK8lexwBimwnSgYdP2wHDNVLafyz_vOnfZZI80u0zA&oe=67C9E7A7	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Read the world-3	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,724,322	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	No	2025-03-02 01:30	active	2671	Do Past Hurts Still Make You Angry?, by Kelly Irvin	How should a Christian respond to ongoing, discouraging grief and suffering imposed by others? Presented by Kelly Irvin, March 1, 2025, at United Church of God in Northwest Arkansas.	NO_BUTTON	https://youtu.be/Wxp1TH7A1jg	United Church of God - NWA	https://www.facebook.com/Sabbath.NWA/	1,198	1969-12-31 18:00	No button	youtube.com	IMAGE	How should a Christian respond to ongoing, discouraging grief and suffering imposed by others?Presented by Kelly Irvin, March 1, 2025, at United Church of Go...	https://youtu.be/Wxp1TH7A1jg	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481254588_593776563658290_4017251695656286012_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0t6hsSJ1MOgQ7kNvgHZmYLP&_nc_oc=AdhRDJKCz4o2KPgUIn1hLT_mICTWMwWjYvpi20KU98xhzrRxa7xHMQsDcPWgFix70Jdz3pAchhJfIdiKinWCrllL&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A5w5xEK3Ajuw4BDxjekzEQt&oh=00_AYBHafKe83Rc6UfJSiY07EkjetQjAdycUpF01jTYp154YA&oe=67C9DC90	PERSON_PROFILE	0	United Church of God - NWA	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,724,599	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2724529}'	Yes	2025-03-02 01:30	active	2671	👇Download ReelShort TV to watch more series	Hailey is cash-strapped 💸 and desperate for a way to pay her mother's hefty medical bills 🏥💊. Her family agrees to help her, on the condition she marries 💍 the billionaire Samuel Trent , who's in a coma 😴 after a near-fatal car accident 🚗💥. However, it wouldn't be long before the infamous Samuel Trent would wake up... only to discover he's engaged to a complete stranger ！	WATCH_MORE	https://w2a.reelshort.com/w2a/booksAdvPageV2/?book	ReelShort	https://www.facebook.com/reelshortapp/	1,235,821	1969-12-31 18:00	Watch more	w2a.reelshort.com	VIDEO		https://w2a.reelshort.com/w2a/booksAdvPageV2/?book_id=678df762ecd01d2a7a0c77e3&chapterId=smz4q7xdnb&chapterIndex=1&mediaType=fb&px=25247865436%253A1813&push_type=2&book_type=1&campaign_id={{campaign.id}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-lga3-3.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481068739_924771799736852_4455764760450561892_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=5kMHjeS_TBgQ7kNvgFtsgxZ&_nc_oc=AdhsKDK3YxiRvOCfs3oQEio6R1JaGQtlfspne-XfuD1b9kFCisciUhO_sjnnRIHeDEMMHmGqXFVFgOsmkGrObIgL&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-3.xx&_nc_gid=AB4uGqcvmjAnlVL77KDoSt4&oh=00_AYBzci3-sp2IERgmp_3rME85CDbavl2acHHvHse2oGgLcQ&oe=67C9D72F	PERSON_PROFILE	0	ReelShort	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,724,395	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2724356}'	Yes	2025-03-02 01:30	active	2671		ST Pat's Start today!!💃🏻💃🏻💃🏻 www.kellyshotel.com.au 03 5996 1004 all day dining like 7 days a week eat in + express pick up 1📲 2🛺 3👅👅👅			Kelly's Cranbourne	https://www.facebook.com/kellysmotorclubhotel/	24,834	1969-12-31 18:00			VIDEO			1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-lga3-3.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481058586_1378900836802560_2280617400905416013_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=J0MuGS67WDEQ7kNvgHSmUyB&_nc_oc=AdgZWya_C67MHplYcJwWam4bbgmjTiL3SJBxIlUNVCDAl8NBYN511PXs_fHh7JRN22Q2k3IqIiKeyv18svOwwanZ&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-3.xx&_nc_gid=ATjrwcuZKOCMLfvtg6MIOQT&oh=00_AYAdl7eSUlSxjBC_w6GSOH4WlGop_YNJQjhLJt7OLy1FJw&oe=67C9D6F9	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Kelly's Cranbourne	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,724,279	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2724283}'	Yes	2025-03-02 01:30	active	2671	🔥🔥Click to read the next chapter for free👉	I got home after a long day, and my parents were waiting for me in the living room. "Catherine, sit down. We need to talk," my father said, looking quite agitated. "What's going on, Dad?" I asked tiredly. I had worked all day, gone to college at night, and upon getting home, all I wanted was to take a shower and crash into bed. But that wasn't possible. "Catherine, your cousin's wedding invitation has arrived," my mother said. "That little tramp is not my cousin!" I snapped, already getting angry. "Catherine, she is your cousin," my mother insisted. "You need to stop this childish behavior. Melissa already hit her and caused a scene here at home. Enough! She's my sister's daughter, which makes her your cousin." "I'm sorry, Mom, but she means nothing to me," I tried to stay calm. "She slept with my boyfriend in my bed. That's not something she should do." I had been dating Claude for four years; he was my first boyfriend, and I found him in my bed, in my room, sleeping with Kelly, my cousin! I was in shock. Of course, Melissa, my best friend, went after them. Since then, things had been tensed at home because my parents insisted it was silly and that I should act as if nothing had happened and go back to being around my cousin. "He was wrong, Catherine, since he was your boyfriend," my mother argued. "Kelly, poor thing, was seduced. He dishonored her, now he's marrying her so she won't be talked about badly in town." "Oh, Mom! Spare me! The whole town knows Kelly is a shameless woman..." I lost my patience. "Catherine, watch your language!" my father scolded me. "Look, if you don't want to be around Kelly, fine, but you're going to this wedding. And enough with this rude behavior." "I'm what?" I thought I had heard wrong. "You're going to your cousin's wedding, Catherine. That's an order! We're your parents, and you'll obey," my mother spoke angrily at me as if I were the one in the wrong. "I'm sorry, Mom, but I won't! I follow your rules, I'm a good daughter, but this time I can't. I was the one who was wronged! I have every right not to want to be the family joke anymore," I said, already crying. "ENOUGH, CATHERINE!" my father shouted, startling me. "You're going to this wedding, and that's final." "But, Dad..." "I don't want to hear it, Catherine! It's important to your mother to keep peace in the family. So you're going, period," my father said, leaving no room for argument. I spent the night crying in my room. The next day, I told Melissa everything. She wasted no time and arranged invitations to a masquerade ball, a gala event. She told my parents it would be crucial for my career since the city's most important businesspeople would be there. I could make valuable connections, and our professors had promised to introduce us to various entrepreneurs who could open doors for our professional future. At first, my parents weren't entirely convinced, but Melissa's parents talked to them and persuaded them that it would be an excellent opportunity for my future. So they agreed that I should take advantage of it. "Catherine, you can't say no to me! I've already bought the tickets and masks, and I even convinced your parents that this is a super important event for your professional future, which was such hard work. This party is going to be incredible, and you're not going to miss it!" Melissa looked at me with puppy dog eyes, clasping her hands together as if begging. I was sitting at my desk at work in the middle of a Thursday afternoon, between taking messages and making calls, when Mel showed up with coffee, chocolate muffins, and this persistence about getting me to agree to go to the masquerade ball, which was the biggest annual event in our city. "Oh, Mel, how is it that I can never say no to you? Alright, I'll go!" I agreed to go to the ball, but I still wasn't sure. Either way, I was going to sleep at Mel's house to avoid the wedding, but I wasn't planning on going to the party. However, Melissa kept pushing until she convinced me to go. On Saturday, we got ready at her place. "Wow, girl! You look absolutely stunning!" She handed me a beautiful golden mask, intricately designed like lace that covered up to my nose, and I put it on. I was wearing a shimmering red satin dress, and the mask matched perfectly. "So, are we ready?" "Yes, we're ready," I replied and grabbed my purse. "Oh, I forgot my perfume." "No problem, you can use my mom's new perfume. She won't mind." When Fred, Mel's boyfriend, saw us, he smiled, gave Mel a kiss, and said: "Girls, you look gorgeous! I think you'll leave this party with a new boyfriend, Cat." "No boyfriend, Fred. Actually, I think I'd better stay, I'm not in the party mood. Please, Mel, let me stay?" Chapter 2 There was no way out - my friend dragged me to the ball. As soon as we got in, Mel pulled us to the bar and whispered in my ear: "It's an open bar tonight, so you're going to drink until all that sadness washes away!" Mel handed me two tequila shots while holding two more in her hands. "Let's down these!" We knocked back the tequila, and Fred was already handing each of us a cosmopolitan. Melissa dragged me to the dance floor, and I was actually having fun. When a slow song started playing, Fred and Mel began slow dancing together. I took that as my cue to head to the buffet, but I didn't make it there. I felt someone grab my hand, and when I turned around, there was a man in a black mask smiling at me - and what a smile! He kissed my hand and pulled me close, whispering in my ear with a husky voice: "Surely the most beautiful woman in the room won't deny me a dance, will she?" "And why not? Let's dance," I smiled back at him. It was impossible to resist that seductive husky voice and that gorgeous crooked smile! He was tall with broad shoulders, had a charming smile and blue eyes - so blue they were almost violet. He had sinfully tempting lips, brown hair, and when he pulled me by the waist, I placed my hands on his chest and could feel he was a wall of well-defined muscle. Although the mask concealed his face, he was very charming and enchanting. "I've been watching you since you arrived," this mysterious man whispered in my ear. "You're so beautiful!" "You're kind. But you're not from around here, are you?" He had a powerful presence, radiating authority. "No. A friend convinced me to come to this party." "Looks like we have something in common - my friends convinced me to come too." "Lucky me!" "And why's that?" I smiled. "Because I was captivated the moment I saw you. You're stunning." As he whispered in my ear, I got goosebumps, feeling my face flush and my body tingle - he truly had me enchanted. "Even with the mask?" "Even with the mask! You're too beautiful." "You're such a charmer." "You think I'm charming?" "You know you are. And handsome too." "I'm glad you like what you see." "And what do you do for a living, handsome?" - I felt a bit dizzy, not sure if it was from the drink or the delicious cologne that man was wearing. I ended up stumbling over my own feet. "Are you okay?" "I think I need some air." "Come with me." - He pulled me into a dark hallway that led to an emergency exit and started fanning my face. - "I really want to kiss you. May I?" - I nodded yes. He looked into my eyes, held the back of my neck, and our lips met. It started slow but deepened; he pressed me against the wall, and the kiss intensified even more, almost taking our breath away. When he broke the kiss so we could breathe, we looked into each other's eyes - it was like throwing gasoline on fire. He ran his hand down my waist to my leg and pulled my leg up to his waist. I was completely surrendered by then, feeling his body against mine. I went crazy with desire and pulled him closer, wrapping my leg around his waist. "You're a great kisser!" - I smiled at him and felt my whole body tingle. "Oh, beautiful, you're incredible. I want you so badly, here, right now!" - he said between kisses and slipped his hand under my dress, pulling it up and reaching my underwear. I was on fire when he put his hand inside my underwear and yelled. - "Oh! So delicious! So hot, so wet!" - He said and kissed me harder while unzipping his pants. With a quick movement, like someone who had done this before, he tore my underwear and caressed my entrance, as if asking for permission. He looked into my eyes again and asked: "What do you want me to do?" "I want you inside me now!" I responded shamelessly, already panting with desire. I couldn't resist those eyes and that husky voice. I'd never been like this before - normally, I would have pulled away the moment he grabbed my hand, but tonight I had promised myself to have fun and live in the moment if someone interesting came along. And that's exactly what I was doing, living in the moment. Hearing me, he entered me slowly, watching as I leaned my head against the wall and savored every inch of him - and he was huge. He took the opportunity to scatter kisses along my neck. When he was fully inside, he paused and whispered between kisses in my ear: "Now I'm going to move." He pulled out only to thrust back in with full force this time, and it was incredible. I was completely lost and driven wild by his movements as he moved in and out of me frantically. We lost control and gave ourselves over completely, as if nothing else existed around us. I felt a haze in my eyes as my climax began to build, and I moaned softly in his ear. At that moment, he seemed to go crazy, lifting my other leg to his waist as I wrapped them around him. Kissing me intensely, he thrust even harder into me - it was heaven on earth. I came again, even more intensely than before, leaving me breathless. As I was coming, he whispered that he was close to his limit feeling me pulse around him, and soon I felt his hot release inside me. We stayed there against that wall, completely breathless, his forehead resting against mine. While kissing me, he slowly withdrew, and I was thoroughly satisfied - as Melissa would say. I smiled and he looked at me, gave me a soft kiss and said: "You're truly amazing!" He gently lowered my legs until my feet touched the ground, fixed my dress, adjusted his pants, and hugged me. It was so intimate, so affectionate - despite the wildness of our encounter and the intensity with which we'd given in to each other, he was still gentle with me. I'd never had such an incredible experience, but I'd only ever been with my ex until now. And my ex had never cared about hugging me afterward, or worried about my pleasure - for him, it was just about getting in and out until he was satisfied. So having a man care about me, about my pleasure, take care of me - it was new, and amazingly so. He kissed my neck and whispered in my ear: "So, beautiful, I still don't know your name." It took me seconds to process and finally realize that I'd just slept with a complete stranger whose name I didn't even know. Just as I was about to speak, he pulled his phone from his pocket and asked for a minute to answer it. He stepped away slightly and I could only hear him raising his voice saying: "What did you say?" At that moment, the stranger ran off as if he'd forgotten about me, or as if he was just running away from the woman he'd quickly hooked up with at the party. Of course, Catherine, you're an idiot! But so what? I was just having fun too, and I didn't even know who the guy was, and he didn't know who I was. All good. I pulled myself together, looked in vain for my underwear - no idea where he'd thrown it - and left that hallway. I went back to the table and found Mel and Fred making out. They soon stopped and focused on me: "Mel, I think I found the Big Bad Wolf!" I laughed, and she laughed with me. "When we get home, I want to know everything!" "Of course you do!" I replied with sparkling eyes. "Prince, I think we can go now. What do you think, Cat?" "I'm ready whenever you are!" I said, downing a glass of water. "Let's go then, girls!" Fred said and led us to the exit. We'd barely gotten home when Mel started demanding: "Tell me everything - who is he, how it went, how it didn't go, everything." I laughed and told her everything. When I finished speaking, my friend was staring at me open-mouthed and asked: "You guys used protection, right?" My heart started racing! We hadn't used protection. I shook my head no at her; I was in shock realizing how careless I'd been. She immediately tried to calm me down: "No, Cat, calm down. I'm sure nothing will come of it. But you should get some tests done to make sure everything's okay. I'm going to the kitchen to make us some tea. Don't freak out!" Chapter 3 On Monday during lunch, I met Mel. She handed me a small bag from a fancy store, and I looked at her, confused. "My mom asked me to give this to you. She said it's perfect for you and doesn't suit her," Mel said with a big smile. I opened the bag, and inside was the perfume I had worn to the ball. A huge smile spread across my face. I loved that perfume, and it was part of the best night of my life. I just hoped that my best night hadn't left me with an STD as a souvenir. With that thought, I thanked Mel and told her I'd call her mom later, then mentioned I wanted to call the lab to schedule some tests. I called the laboratory and was informed that I needed a doctor's prescription to get the tests covered by health insurance. Thank God the company provided health insurance for employees because otherwise, I wouldn't know what to do. My salary wasn't high, and what little was left after covering college expenses went to helping at home, since my mom didn't work outside the house and my dad didn't make much as a driver. So I made a doctor's appointment, but the earliest available slot was two weeks away, and I waited anxiously. The more days passed, the more nervous I became, though Mel did everything to calm me down. On the scheduled date, she went to the doctor's with me. With the list of tests in hand, she personally scheduled the lab work and insisted on accompanying me. Three weeks had passed since the party when I finally got the tests done. The results came back five days later, and I returned to the doctor. Of course, Mel was with me. The doctor checked the results and looked me in the eyes: "Miss Catherine, your health is excellent. You're healthy. But from now on, you'll need to take better care of yourself." I breathed a sigh of relief, but was I really about to get lectured by the doctor for having unprotected bedlife with a stranger? Well, I deserved it - not using protection was silly, I could have caught a disease. And then he continued: "Congratulations, you're conceived! I'm going to refer you to an OB-GYN for prenatal care..." I didn't hear anything else, just the blood pulsing in my ears. I couldn't believe this! conceived? How would I explain this? It's not possible. Me, of all people, the perfect goody-two-shoes who never stepped out of line, who always considered the consequences before doing anything, who was always responsible - the first time I let rationality slide, I ended up conceived and didn't even know who the father was! Mel held my hand and kept repeating: "Calm down, Cat, everything will be okay!" How could everything be okay? I didn't even know who the father was. I would have to tell my parents, their only daughter would break their hearts. They would be disappointed, hate me, and kick me out of the house. How could I explain that I don't even know what the father of my child looks like? I was already hyperventilating. Suddenly, I felt the doctor taking my hand and speaking calmly: "Easy now, dear! The situation, from what I can see, isn't ideal, but you can't get this nervous, it will harm your baby. Now you have to take care of yourself for the baby's sake. I'm sure the people who love you will support and help you. But you need to calm down because only you can ensure this baby develops healthily and is born strong. Do you understand me?" I looked at that short, white-haired, slightly chubby gentleman, with his glasses perched on the tip of his nose, and nodded positively. Somehow he calmed me down a bit, maybe because his eyes sparkled with a kindness and understanding that we rarely see these days. The doctor asked his secretary to bring me some chamomile tea, and while I drank it and tried to calm down, he gave all the information to Melissa, who listened attentively. We left the office and Melissa took me to a diner, saying we needed to eat something. As soon as I sat down, I felt the tears falling. My friend hugged me and told me once again that I wasn't alone. I looked at her and said: "The only thing I'm sure of right now is that I want you and Fred to be my child's godparents because I know you'll support them and give them lots of love." Her eyes sparkled, and she burst into tears, responding between sobs: "I'll be the best godmother in the world and I'll always be close to our baby! And I'm sure Fred will be very happy too!" She assured me she would always be by my side, made it clear that I wouldn't go through anything alone, and that she would be with me when I talked to my parents. My parents... oh! I started thinking and decided I wouldn't hide it from them for even a day; I would tell them that very night. I wouldn't go to college, I would go home to talk to them. Mel immediately supported me and said: "Let's go then, I'm with you!" When we arrived at my house, my parents were startled, and my mom came right over, worried: "Girls, didn't you go to class today? Is everything okay?" "Not really, Mom. I need to talk to you both." My parents immediately realized it was something very serious. We all sat in the living room and I told them what was happening, admitting I had been irresponsible by hooking up with a stranger at the party. I obviously didn't go into details, but I made it clear that I couldn't find my child's father again. The disappointment in their eyes was evident. My mother was sobbing uncontrollably, saying I was ruined. My father hadn't said anything yet. Seeing how upset my mother was, Melissa quickly went to the kitchen and came back with a glass of sugar water for her. Melissa always gives sugar water to nervous people, saying it calms them down - I never understood that. Finally, my father spoke: "You made a huge mistake and there's no going back." My parents were very simple people. My father was a tall, strong man, and my mother was an older version of me, but both had great character and solid principles they always made sure to pass on to me. Hearing my father emphasize that I had messed up made my heart ache even more. I started crying and said: "I know, Dad, I was irresponsible. But there's nothing I can do now. I'll drop out of college to raise my child. And I'm going to pack my bags..." "Pack your bags? You're very mistaken if you think you're leaving this house like that. You made a mistake, and you disappointed us, but we love you, we'll get through this and we'll help you. You're not alone, my daughter! And neither is this child!" My father said this and my heart filled with hope. "But Dad, I brought shame to you..." "You're not the first and won't be the last single mother in this world. We would have liked things to be different for you, not so difficult. You've always been so responsible! But if this is how it is, we'll face it together. You won't leave college - more than ever, you need to grow in life to take care of your child. You're going to be a single mother, your responsibility is huge. We'll help you, and even though it will be difficult, everything will work out." Melissa was already crying and quickly spoke to my parents: "Mr. Anthony, Mrs. Selina, you can count on me, I'll help with everything! Besides, I'm this baby's godmother, Cat is like a sister to me, and I'll always be around." My parents looked at her gratefully. I looked at those three feeling completely blessed to have them in my life, full of love for them and experiencing a totally new feeling for that little being still growing inside me, whose existence I had just discovered! As difficult as being a single mother would be, that night at the ball was the best night of my life. I could never forget those violet-blue eyes looking at me with adoration during our furtive encounter and everything my body experienced that night. I would always have that sweet memory with me. The following months were difficult. I kept the dress, shoes, mask, and perfume that Mel's mother gave me in a box. On difficult days, I would open that box and relive that night in my memory. Although I had a peaceful pregnancy, people's comments and cruelty were hard to bear. To make matters worse, after they got married, my ex and my cousin moved in with her parents, who lived on the same street as us. They made sure to humiliate me with nasty comments whenever they saw me and spread throughout the neighborhood that I didn't know who my child's father was and that I was a loose woman, which was why Claude had left me. I wanted to end them! Kelly's mother, who was my mother's sister, never missed a chance to come to our house and torment us, saying how fortunate it was that her daughter wasn't like me, that she was a good girl who had married a decent man. She seemed to have forgotten that she had stolen my boyfriend and slept with him in my bed. But I swallowed it all; it wasn't worth arguing with these people, and I didn't want to transmit negative feelings to my child. As the days went by, I loved that baby more and more. I had no idea such love could exist. Everything I did, I did for him. I would protect him from everything; I would give my life to him. And surprisingly, during the whole time of carrying with a baby, everything seemed to flow in my favor, things were falling into place and working out. My boss was great, understood my situation, and even gave me a small raise, which was a huge help! Mel and Fred showered me with attention, they were in love with their godchild even before knowing if it would be a girl or boy. They insisted on buying everything for the nursery, which turned out beautiful. Mel accompanied me to all appointments and every test, never missing anything. She even organized two baby showers - one at the company and another at college. My child would come into the world surrounded by love. I found out I was having a boy and decided to name him Peter. And so it was. Peter was born healthy, with a pair of huge violet-blue eyes that would never let me forget the night that changed my life, but was also the best night I'd ever had! I would never forget that man! My son was surrounded by love from the first moment. My parents were enchanted by their grandson. Mel and Fred came to our house every day to see their godson and check how we were doing. Mel was always there supporting me in everything. Her parents also came to visit Peter and said they would be honorary grandparents since they considered me their daughter too, which I found beautiful. They also surrounded me with care. They insisted on giving the stroller as a gift, and the day Peter was born, they came to the maternity ward with a huge basket of flowers and welcome balloons. After my maternity leave ended, my son stayed in my mother's care while I was at work and college. I worked hard and devoted all my time not spent at college or work to my son. With the help of my parents and my son's godparents, I managed everything and didn't miss any semester in college, graduating alongside my friend Melissa. It was a great moment for me and my family. With my diploma in hand, I would now pursue a better future, with the firm purpose that my son would never lack anything. Chapter 4 When I graduated, Peter was already two years old. By then, he was walking everywhere, always clinging to grandma - which was his first word. He was a beautiful boy with straight black hair, fair skin, a cute little upturned nose, and those huge violet eyes that made me sigh. He was my sunshine! And now I would have more time for him. After graduation, my boss called me in for a chat. He was an excellent boss and said he was very happy with my work at the company, but he knew I deserved to go far, so I should look for a job in my field, and he would understand. He assured me that my job at the construction company would be mine for as long as I wanted, and if I left and things didn't work out, I would always have a place to come back to. However, he advised that I should seek something in my field of study to provide a better future for my son. I was very touched by this and accepted his good advice. I told Melissa, and she immediately said she would talk to her father about reaching out to some contacts. It didn't take long before Mr. Oliver Larson, Mel's father, called me to his office and handed me a card, saying: "Catherine, I know you're an excellent girl and a good professional. I spoke with a friend, and he arranged an interview for you at Miller Group. It's for the position of CEO's assistant. If you get this job, you'll be working in your field at a global company. It's an excellent position, but it's not here in Bellwood. You would have to move to Paradise Port. I know it's a huge step, but I think you should consider it - it will be excellent for you. Anyway, send an email to the address on the card with your response, either declining the position or accepting the virtual interview." "Mr. Larson, I don't have words to thank you! You've always been so good to me! Miller Group is one of the largest business conglomerates in the country! Working there is a dream! I'll definitely accept the interview, and if I have to move, I will. I know it will be a great opportunity," I said with conviction. It wouldn't be bad to get away from those nasty family members, especially now that "queen" Kelly was conceived and her mother decided to ask for all of Peter's things for the child of that dishonest couple! Thankfully, my mom told her that was absurd, but it wouldn't matter anyway since I had already given everything Peter had outgrown to an acquaintance who was conceived. My mom had been very upset with her sister, as she was always dismissing my son, always referring to him as the fatherless boy, which really hurt my mom. Leaving this city, I'll only regret leaving my parents and friends behind, but I know they'll support me once again. I thanked Mr. Larson and left the office. When I got to my desk, I spoke with my boss, another Mr. Larson, but since he didn't like being called that, I addressed him by his first name: "Aldo, your brother got me an interview at Miller Group." He smiled: "I know, he just called me. I think you should grab this opportunity. If it doesn't work out, you can always come back." I smiled at him and immediately sent an email to schedule the interview. I quickly received confirmation that the interview would be the next day at ten in the morning, and since I had already taken the initiative to send my resume, the interview would be brief. That night at home, I talked to my parents, who understood, even though they were worried about how I would manage to raise a child alone in another city and got teary-eyed about being far from their grandson. They supported me as always and were happy about the opportunity I received. I asked them not to tell anyone. When Mel arrived - she came every day to see her godson - I told her everything, and she helped me prepare for the next day. At the time of the interview, I went to the meeting room at my workplace; my boss had given me permission. I sat down and waited for the call. I was interviewed by a very kind and intelligent woman, Mrs. Mariana Taylor. It was very pleasant; we talked for two hours. She gave me all the information about the position, salary, and benefits. At the end, she said: "Catherine, you're hired! You'll be replacing me since I'm taking a director position at the London branch, so you'll be taking over my position here. I'd like you to start as soon as possible because I'm leaving in ten days and would like to hand everything over to you before I go. And I'd rather not reschedule my departure. When can you start?" "I just need my boss to release me, but I think I can be there on Monday." - it was already Friday, would Aldo agree to release me today? "Perfect. You can send me an email confirmation after you talk to him. Do you have any questions?" "No, ma'am. Everything is clear." "Great! Welcome to Miller Group. I'm sure you'll do very well. I'll see you on Monday." She ended the call, and my heart was racing - I had done it. The job was great, the salary even better, and I would have chances to progress. It was a dream. But now it was time to rush and sort everything out. I immediately went to talk to my boss. He was happy about it, called accounting, and had them process my settlement right away. After that, he let me go, saying I would always have a place to come back if needed, but he knew I would do very well. I thanked him for everything and left. I sent the confirmation email to Mrs. Taylor, saying I would be at the company at eight on Monday morning, and went straight to talk to Mel and her father - I had to thank them. And that's when Mel surprised me: "Did you think you were going to take my godson away just like that? No way! My father got me an interview at Lynx World in Paradise Port. I'm moving with you, and we'll live together. What do you think?" This was perfect! I was overjoyed, but quickly asked: "Mel, what about Fred?" "Fred has already requested a transfer to the Paradise Port branch at his company; he'll have better opportunities there too. He's coming in fifteen days. Friend, it's a new life for all three of us." I was so happy. Mel had orchestrated everything. Fred would drive us there, and she would take care of Peter while I worked until we found a daycare. She already had three daycares to visit, and her father had already made available a furnished apartment in the city for us. It was too good to be true; I was even scared. Noticing this, Mel nudged me and said: "Learn to accept the good things life offers you!" I smiled at her, and we went to my parents' house. It was time to break the news and say goodbye. Paradise Port is on the other side of the country, so we wouldn't see each other for a while. My parents were happy until I said I would leave the next morning - then the farewell became sad. It was hard to leave them behind, but it was necessary. With the salary I would receive, I could help them now. That was good. The next morning, Fred and Mel arrived right on time. Mel's father had given her a pickup truck as a gift, which made moving our stuff much easier. Fred loaded everything into the truck, and off we went - it would be a full day on the road. We arrived in Paradise Port late Saturday night. Peter was exhausted but had enjoyed himself immensely during the trip - everything was new and exciting to him. We got settled in, ordered some food, and after eating, went to bed. On Sunday, we explored the city to get our bearings. Paradise Port was a huge, modern industrial city on the coast. Its port attracted lots of business, making it a first-world urban center. The apartment where we would be living was close to one of the daycares Mel had contacted, which was great. It wasn't far from the company either - I could get there in twenty minutes by subway. The apartment was beautiful, with a modern design, great ventilation, and huge windows that let in plenty of natural light. That evening, we dropped Fred off at the airport and headed home to rest. The next day would be a big one - I would be starting my new job, while Mel had her virtual interview and would schedule a meeting with the director of the daycare near our apartment to visit and talk. I tucked my son into bed; he was worn out from all the fun he'd had today. As I watched him sleeping peacefully, I felt confident that we would have a really good life here. Peter now had his own room, and Mel and I had planned to buy some things to make it feel more personal and give it our own touch. I grabbed the baby monitor and went to my room. I opened one of my boxes and started organizing everything. When I opened the last box, I took out the box containing my memories from the ball night. I opened it, ran my hand over that beautiful dress, and sighed once again. I picked up the perfume and thought, "Why not?" Starting tomorrow, I would wear this perfume every day - my salary was good, and when this bottle ran out, I could buy another. I put the box away, left the perfume on the dresser, and went to bed full of expectations for this new life that was opening up before me. Chapter 5 I showed up at the company at 8:00 a.m. Mrs. Taylor gave me a warm welcome and introduced me to everyone, and they were all very kind. The boss wasn't there - he was traveling and would return at the end of the week. The office was beautiful, very modern, decorated in white with stainless steel and green accents, managing to be both professional and welcoming. It was elegant, and I really liked it. I was particularly glad I had chosen to wear a black suit with a dark green silk blouse underneath and black heels. I would need to dress elegantly every day now, after all, I would be working directly with the company president. Mid-morning, I received a message from Mel saying she had managed to schedule an appointment with the director of the daycare near our apartment during lunch hour. I explained the situation to Mrs. Taylor and asked if it would be possible to leave during that time, assuring her I would be back on schedule. "So you have a child. How old is he?" she asked with a smile. "He's two years old. He's a very clever little boy. He wasn't planned, but he's the reason for my life!" "What's his name?" "Peter." "Peter. A strong name. You're not married, I know that, but what about your son's father, are you still together?" My heart sank - how could I explain to her that I didn't know who the father was? But I don't lie, so let's face the truth. I told her that Peter's father was someone I met at a party and never saw again. She looked at me seriously, but there was no judgment in her eyes. Then she said: "You have my respect, Catherine. It's not easy being a single mother, and it's very difficult to tell truths like this when you know they might trigger others' judgment. Thank you for your trust and honesty. Go take care of the daycare arrangements for your son, we'll continue this afternoon - no need to rush." I thanked her and said goodbye, heading off to meet Mel and Peter. My admiration and respect for Mrs. Taylor only grew. She's a woman in her mid-fifties, with very light blonde hair and almost transparent blue eyes. She's a beautiful and elegant woman, but most importantly, she's very welcoming. We got along very well. During the rest of the morning, she filled me in with information about the work, and I took notes on everything. At lunchtime, I left the building, and Mel was already waiting at the door with Peter. I got in the car, and we went to lunch before heading to the daycare. Mel and I loved the daycare, and Peter was already fitting in, running around with his new little friends - he's such an outgoing boy. That made me so happy! My son was happy! We decided not to look at other daycares since this one was excellent and very close to home, just three blocks away. We completed the enrollment and sorted out all the details. The director suggested we let Peter stay until the end of the day since he was having fun and could start adapting. Mel agreed to pick him up at the end of the day. Mel dropped me back at the company and told me she'd head home to prepare for her job interview later in the afternoon. I returned to my office, arriving before Mrs. Taylor. I sat at the desk and started reviewing everything she had already told me. The phone on the desk rang, and I wasn't sure what to do, but since this would be my desk, I answered in my most professional voice: "Miller Group, Executive Office, good afternoon, how may I help you?" I heard a deathly silence on the other end followed by a long sigh. Someone spoke up with obvious impatience, in a strong and slightly hoarse voice: "Put Mariana on." I was startled but kept my composure and replied: "I'm sorry, sir, but Mrs. Taylor hasn't returned from lunch yet. May I help you, or would you like to leave a message?" "Who is this speaking," he asked, even more impatiently. "My name is Catherine, I'm Mr. Miller's new executive assistant." "But I don't know you," he seemed to grow more impatient with each word. "It's my first day here, sir. Would you like to leave a message?" "Tell Mariana to call me as soon as she sets foot in the office." "Certainly, sir. And your name is?" "Looks like I'm your boss!" He snapped and hung up. Wow, what a stressed-out man! This wasn't in the job description. My throat immediately tightened. Had I already made a bad impression on my boss? I was so screwed! I started thinking I wouldn't last long in this job. Shortly after, Mrs. Taylor arrived and I passed on the message with a worried look on my face. She looked at me with a smile, as if understanding my concern, and asked: "Was he calm?" I looked at her and couldn't help myself: "He was on the verge of a nervous breakdown. I'm pretty sure I could see his jugular vein popping out of his neck." She burst out laughing and then said: "You two are going to get along great! You'll tame the beast, I'm sure of it." I wasn't so sure about that. Maybe I shouldn't even unpack my bags, this man was going to eat me alive!	LEARN_MORE	https://redtgb.com/market/buenovela/3?lpid=17966&u	Random Reading	https://www.facebook.com/61559743679549/	374	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	redtgb.com	VIDEO		https://redtgb.com/market/buenovela/3?lpid=17966&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-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/475600156_2033200230437885_3804473697305464122_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=tEZhAFFOxR8Q7kNvgFRzQN-&_nc_oc=AdgEt8cT8VCaWHtjZaRFPU_J2FCzBg34usiiV34mR3A095uM4frK92uAtY3s0sdwYIAVOC2alfKXJOe1KCSrqdP0&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AV1zLrwXuXq_gXG6Cgw4u7b&oh=00_AYDFdd8U1vyGDS7VNjLS3aFqxIsE4iwd0py35-e3vrAgKA&oe=67C9CC07	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Random Reading	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,724,352	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2724500}'	Yes	2025-03-02 01:30	active	2671		Stephanie’s loving two must-haves! Our Sharon Bra with scalloped edges and the Kelly 2.0 with deep cups. Both are wireless but so supportive, with thick straps and a comfy wide band for all-day comfort. Perfect for any occasion! 👌 #forlest #forlestbra #wirelessbra #supportyourcomfort #brareview #supportivebra #womensdaysale	SHOP_NOW	https://forlest.com/collections/best-seller	Forlest	https://www.facebook.com/forlestofficial/	10,309	1969-12-31 18:00	Shop Now	forlest.com	DCO	Forlest specializes in wirefree comfort bra, suitable for fuller bust women. Get Forlest's best sellers now, with additional discounts for new customers.	https://forlest.com/collections/best-seller	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-lga3-3.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481471812_643593304815788_1139639229435413373_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=VowdUY7qejEQ7kNvgFagb97&_nc_oc=AdhN05yaGFtAoBQe-8NmA7LGVHuvESS5y7wZVaNlmoABykUwXd3CK8WVxiDNsvuAGy3HS-fiRR75zOlO-rP0zO5U&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-3.xx&_nc_gid=AhBEMIzpjibViahUabd4pMt&oh=00_AYBBVL3EfKYk-2iNQKLMUe4YWvmKDHHgju91h-raW9gSSw&oe=67C9C5EA	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Forlest	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,724,653	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2725206}'	No	2025-03-02 01:30	active	2671	Thinking About A Move?	Price: $495,000.00 For Sale 4 BD / 3.5 BA in Collinsville, OK! Click to see all pictures and more details now 14103 N 58th East Avenue \| Exclusively listed by Kelly Kilmer RE/MAX RESULTS 156527	LEARN_MORE	http://fb.me/	Upgrade To This Home	https://www.facebook.com/100083291982701/	984	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	kelly-kilmer.remaxresultsok.com	IMAGE		http://fb.me/	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-lga3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481657843_950230823903509_7170455428333095600_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=y5KJSdmzCeMQ7kNvgFK0haz&_nc_oc=AdhBiQsCnU91wLCiA4j0q5IOSmYIXqDLmebih3mgVhE9ugdW33nvQ7nXXLkv4fT8R2L-ps7kGU6WHsZBlgRyojwG&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-2.xx&_nc_gid=ApZHEN-EbmJLxMe69cAsxqa&oh=00_AYCDE-f_YkQ69eUViwdSxJJ0XgwUbZOhS1jsrG4OGWizjw&oe=67C9C4BB	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Upgrade To This Home	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,724,882	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2724356}'	No	2025-03-02 01:30	active	2671		Kelly Saxon Photography Murfreesboro TN Maternity and Newborn Photography www.kellysaxon.com Our Belly to Baby Collection includes a Maternity AND Newborn session in one collection! As a bonus for booking a Belly to Baby Collection, we include parents of the baby AND siblings all together and separate! Whats better than getting an updated family picture after your newborn is born and your family is complete! Follow this link to set up your Belly to Baby Collection https://form.jotform.com/matuek/session-request #franklintnmoms #nashvillephotographer #brentwoodtn #murfreesborosmallbusiness #tnphotographer #newbornphotography #pregnancy #newborn #nashvillenewbornphotographer #newbornphotographer #bestnewbornphotographer #bellybump #newbornphotographystudio #studiophotography #murfreesborophotographer #nashvillemom #pregnantlife #maternity #maternityshoot #bellytobaby #maternityphotos #murfreesboronewborn #babysession #baby #babyshowergift #murfreesboronewbornphotographer #newbornbabies #murfreesboromom #familyphotography #nashvillematernityphotographer	MESSAGE_PAGE		Kelly Saxon Photography	https://www.facebook.com/kellysaxonphotography/	4,959	1969-12-31 18:00	Send message		MULTI_IMAGES			1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481288488_589787937349224_6316350751803003932_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=6JhOgh5YF1IQ7kNvgH3s4b1&_nc_oc=AdhnYFogRUiY2uIucBgLYTl4EmwPBQ0GRUV6KKIql38TOjC_rRUyKl8dZjhXsy1_RHYsU5WHR9kW31BOhNWadjs9&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ARXJPSw5kkVm7f353zBRJVy&oh=00_AYCXfNrhXIESXw7GW8TbdRvyVv6Il_0TkK_UaNS6Odb27w&oe=67C9F306	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Kelly Saxon Photography	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,724,680	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2724688}'	Yes	2025-03-02 01:30	active	2671			VIEW_INSTAGRAM_PROFILE	http://instagram.com/persiankellybundy	Persian Kelly Bundy	https://www.facebook.com/61561804795840/	0	1969-12-31 18:00	Visit Instagram Profile	instagram.com	CAROUSEL		http://instagram.com/persiankellybundy	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481471060_607518582178186_1923240318211755208_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=W3DWNOFDo3cQ7kNvgHk5BMl&_nc_oc=AdjSokqJWm3mYW_VN2vGsESSsrqUgrY7C0KfXXHs26xljsYTIO4bQa1dNC8xhNCcTNN7BxszuP86Tnu72xq2a663&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AVpDB7xODYSHLGpdbprSMN6&oh=00_AYCMCP9P1LYZfZvUBDqv3963NeaIP-rEZZ1flGuKQ1IUbw&oe=67C9DD39	PERSON_PROFILE	0	Persian Kelly Bundy	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete

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