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2,767,245	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2767248}'	Yes	2025-03-03 18:54	active	2790	Wird sie ihm vergeben?	[Synchron] Leidenschaftliche Ehe Als er sah, wie sie einen anderen Mann umarmte, wurde er eifersücchtig und wollte sich rächen. Aber was er tat, verletzte sie und ihreGefühle.	LEARN_MORE	https://w2a.shorttv.live/v4/fb02.html?shorttv_adid	Shortmax	https://www.facebook.com/61567035028054/	48,722	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	w2a.shorttv.live	VIDEO		https://w2a.shorttv.live/v4/fb02.html?shorttv_adid=52201&language=de&timestamp=1740828819693&utm_source=facebook&campaign_id={{campaign.id}}&campaign_name={{campaign.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&utm_id=101636	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481082237_1166239611834608_936597546767685348_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=XiZCNvOh3-sQ7kNvgGPs9i0&_nc_oc=AdhOxBwjFYifMc2fPX3hLk4iJppSOyNKXYmxyBWGUPEz0Se0fI0DXWsDj4guiv1F-LdcWcWualSzj40jEE3zyrQc&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ApBiU8KC9vHLWFHkBTD_nqw&oh=00_AYDLZe3Kj42oapPtC2SeoqRJZjH-yLpAuW9I1CapUNPa1w&oe=67CC06EA	PERSON_PROFILE	0	0	Shortmax	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,766,443	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2766449}'	No	2025-03-03 18:48	active	2790	🔥🔥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/	375	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	redtgb.com	IMAGE		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-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/475429297_1073133101245942_3321038084363768500_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=16z0vn-ven0Q7kNvgEQ28k5&_nc_oc=AdjeDJ0yNPBL0w1bRhd3tPBBCuoTRzq8kfDdWQ4ySY9eMB36m7FYdLt0nrZ-sKtRWQQpSa2wcao1hvi5DlG1Q-Pd&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AgSFmTAr--PxyTNfRZOd7n1&oh=00_AYB8daBe3Cm9Wc51fTJ9W_Yf8XN69LoYGCz2a5St0LagMQ&oe=67CC0CDF	PERSON_PROFILE	0	0	Random Reading	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,766,455	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	Yes	2025-03-03 18:48	active	2790	Читать следующую главу👉	Когда он наконец вспомнил о девушке, которая всегда ждала его дома, она вдруг подала на развод. Глядя на подписанные документы о разводе, он был уверен, что она пожалеет. Однако после развода она становится популярной. Увидев её, он умолял о повторном браке! ===== «Спасены! Они спасены!» Из тлеющего пекла появились пожарные, вынося Карину Савельеву в безопасное место у обочины дороги. Её черты лица, обычно утончённые и выразительные, теперь были измазаны сажей; её искрящиеся глаза потускнели, превратившись в пустой, потерянный взгляд. Когда сознание прояснилось, Карина ощутила, как волна благодарности затопила её обычное самообладание. Её голос, хриплый и слабый, произнёс глубокое «спасибо» спасителям. Дрожащими руками она нащупала телефон, её пальцы задрожали ещё сильнее, когда она набрала знакомый номер. «Абонент, которого вы пытаетесь вызвать, временно недоступен. Пожалуйста, перезвоните позже...» После нескольких гудков раздалось автоматическое сообщение, от которого к горлу подступил комок, а внутри забурлили невысказанные отчаяние и горечь. Бах! Оглушительный взрыв резко оборвал холодный механический голос в трубке. Карина вскинула голову, и на её лице отразился ужас: квартира, из которой она только что выбралась, вспыхнула огнём. Куски обломков взметнулись в воздух от силы взрыва, разлетаясь по небу. Паника охватила толпу, и только что спасённые люди кричали от ужаса. Они прижались друг к другу, ища утешения в объятиях, их крики пронзали хаотичную сцену. В резком контрасте с этим Карина лежала одна на носилках, и её одиночество казалось ещё острее на фоне всеобщего смятения. «Костя...» – борясь с подступающим к позвоночнику страхом, Карина плотно сжала губы и снова набрала номер мужа, не теряя решимости. Однако после нескольких коротких гудков звонок оборвался, оставив её в гнетущей тишине. В этот момент на экране её телефона мелькнуло уведомление из Инстаграма. Лента новостей пестрила последними сплетнями: #АннаНикулина #ЗагадочныйБойфренд. Согласно посту, продюсер известного шоу пригласил знаменитую звезду Анну Никулину на ужин, который быстро перестал быть приятным, когда она отказалась поднять бокал. Этот акт неповиновения привёл к конфликту, который прервал властный бойфренд Анны. Он ворвался в отдельный зал ресторана, пренебрежительно отмахнулся от продюсера и увёл Анну. В посте ярко описывалась сцена того, как влиятельный мужчина защищает свою возлюбленную. Впрочем, вероятно из-за его известности, на прилагающихся фотографиях была видна только его спина, сохраняя анонимность. Тем временем Анна, одетая в просторный мужской пиджак, сияла улыбкой, протягивая ему руку, когда они уходили вместе. Карина не могла оторвать глаз от экрана, её взгляд был прикован к изображению. Это был он – Константин Новиков! Пиджак, небрежно наброшенный на Анну, не оставлял сомнений. Карина слишком хорошо знала, что каждая вещь в гардеробе Константина была безупречно сшита личным портным за границей. Она до побеления костяшек сжала телефон, словно невидимая рука стиснула её душу, причиняя острую, жгучую боль. В самый отчаянный момент её жизни Константин холодно сбросил звонок, предпочтя быть рядом с Анной. Чего стоил их двухлетний брак? Слёзы, которые она пыталась сдержать, хлынули по лицу. Даже когда она запрокинула голову назад в тщетной попытке остановить их, они продолжали течь. В их кругах шептались о том, что Анна всегда была первой любовью Константина. Семья Новиковых никогда не одобряла Анну, считая её простое происхождение неподходящим. Вынужденные расстаться из-за семейного давления, именно Анна поставила точку в их отношениях, но прошлое, как оказалось, не так просто оставить позади. Константин упорно стремился занять лидирующую позицию в семье Новиковых, лелея мечту наконец-то воссоединиться с Анной. Но когда он достиг своей цели, то обнаружил, что девушка уже выбрала другого. Вопреки ожиданиям семьи и, возможно, из чувства горечи, Константин обратился к Карине – женщине, столь же не обременённой богатством и положением в обществе, – предложив ей стать госпожой Новиковой, тем самым пресекая все попытки родственников найти ему другую партию. В то время Карина испытывала сильное давление со стороны отца, Тимура Савельева, который подталкивал её к браку с плейбоем, сыном делового партнёра, чтобы оплатить огромные расходы на лечение бабушки. Движимые собственными мотивами, Константин и Карина согласились на брак по расчёту. Изначально рассчитанный всего на год, их договорной брак растянулся на более долгий срок, поддерживаемый негласным соглашением между ними. Со временем Карина начала верить в подлинность их союза, не подозревая, что это было лишь продолжением её надежд. Всего несколько минут назад пожар едва не унёс жизнь Карины. В тот критический момент она потянулась к Константину, но дважды получила отказ, пока он проводил время с Анной. Эта жестокая реальность разбила иллюзии Карины, показав, что её мнимый переход от притворства к настоящим отношениям был лишь фасадом, который поддерживали её собственные желания. Карина была даже не временной заменой в жизни Константина, а всего лишь пешкой, использованной назло его семье. После долгой паузы на глаза девушки навернулись неудержимые и пронзительные слёзы. Возможно, пришло время освободиться от оков собственных надежд и перестать обманывать себя. Глава 2 Актуальные темы Огромное количество пострадавших от пожара буквально захлестнуло больницу, заставляя и без того измотанных врачей и медсестёр из последних сил пытаться оказать помощь всем нуждающимся. Карину лишь слегка задело разлетевшейся на осколки вешалкой для одежды, оставившей на её икре глубокую рваную рану. По сравнению с царившим вокруг хаосом её травмы казались почти незначительными. В местной больнице ей удалось получить минимальную помощь – наскоро обработали и перебинтовали рану, – после чего она взяла такси и отправилась домой. Вилла «Прибрежная», записанная на имя Константина, формально являлась их супружеским гнёздышком. Одинокая жизнь давно стала привычной для Карины, поскольку мужчина почти никогда не бывал дома. Она распрощалась с экономкой, обнаружив, что вполне может обходиться заказом готовой еды, доставкой продуктов и редкими визитами приходящей уборщицы. Теперь она оказалась единственной обитательницей просторной гостиной, погрузившись в диван и рассеянно оглядывая пустое пространство. Строгий монохромный интерьер не добавлял помещению ни капли уюта. К ней подкралось леденящее душу осознание: это огромное, элегантное пространство больше напоминало колоссальный склеп, ставший безмолвной могилой для потерянных лет молодости и незаметно угасшей любви. В этом холодном, наполненном эхом доме заметил бы кто-нибудь, если бы однажды её дыхание просто остановилось? Карина устало вздохнула и, тяжело опираясь на холодную стену, с трудом начала подниматься по лестнице в свою спальню на втором этаже. Каждый шаг отдавался мучительной болью, острые уколы пронзали её от кожи до самых костей. Дом, пустой и гулкий, отражал эхом даже малейшие звуки, усиливая ощущение полного одиночества. Именно сегодня, среди этой глубокой тишины, Карина по-настоящему осознала всепоглощающую природу своего одиночества – оно стало почти осязаемым, окутывало её чувства своей текстурой и скорбным шёпотом, сжимало сердце подобно тискам, вызывая тупую, непрекращающуюся боль. Добравшись наконец до убежища своей спальни, она рухнула на кровать, воплощая собой полное физическое и душевное изнеможение. Именно в тот момент, тишину прорезал резкий телефонный звонок. «Ты звонила мне раньше. Что тебе нужно?» – голос Константина прозвучал в трубке холодно и отстранённо, как всегда. Девушка растерялась от его неожиданного звонка. Она приоткрыла губы, чтобы ответить, но слова застряли в горле, а с другого конца провода вдруг донёсся мягкий женский голос: «Костя, может, присоединишься ко мне...» От нахлынувших эмоций Карина до боли стиснула телефон, её сердце с каждой секундой колотилось всё сильнее. Не в силах сдержать нарастающую панику, она потребовала: «Кто там с тобой?» Константин не ответил на вопрос, лишь произнёс равнодушным тоном: «Если тебе что-то нужно, поговорим, когда я вернусь. Сейчас у меня неотложные дела, поэтому я вынужден закончить разговор». Он тут же оборвал связь, не дав Карине возможности что-либо сказать. Когда в ушах раздались короткие гудки, губы Карины искривились в горькой усмешке. Какой же глупой она себя чувствовала! В глубине души она прекрасно знала, каким будет его ответ, но всё равно цеплялась за надежду услышать это из его уст. С чувством горькой иронии Карина включила планшет и пролистала горячие темы дня. Один заголовок сразу бросился ей в глаза: «Известную актрису защитил от домогательств на деловом ужине её влиятельный возлюбленный». Язвительная улыбка скривила её губы. Карина слишком хорошо знала, что значит подвергаться домогательствам на подобных ужинах. Она отчётливо помнила своё первое серьёзное прослушивание после прихода в шоу-бизнес – агент привёл её на ужин с влиятельным режиссёром и продюсером драматического сериала «Вздохи Безмятежности». Будучи новичком в головокружительном мире шоу-бизнеса, Карина чувствовала себя невероятно уязвимой, не зная, как лавировать в мутных водах подобных встреч. Продюсер беззастенчиво разглядывал её, насмешливо спрашивая: «Это и есть тот новый талант, которого вы представляете? Выглядит она неплохо, но любопытно посмотреть, как справится с выивкой. Вот что я скажу: если сможешь осушить эту бтылку залпом, обеспечу тебе прослушивание на главную роль». Карина хотела отказаться, но под настойчивым давлением своего агента была вынуждена. К вечеру её спешно увезли в больницу с тяжёлым отравлением. Её агент, обеспокоенный тем, что роль может достаться кому-то другому, торопливо оплатил больничные счета и исчез. В итоге девушка провела несколько долгих дней в больничной палате в полном одиночестве. Но ещё до того, как Карину выписали, в прессе разлетелась новость о том, что главную роль во «Вздохах Безмятежности» получила Анна. Позже агент отчитал Карину за недостаток амбиций, возмущаясь: «Ты привлекательнее Анны, так почему же не можешь проявить больше настойчивости? Она просто подольстилась к господину Новикову, и ей почти не пришлось прикладывать усилий. Её окружают люди, готовые исполнить любой каприз. Я слышал, что господин Новиков лично посодействовал, чтобы она получила главную роль в этом проекте!» После выхода сериала Анна моментально стала звездой, стремительно взлетев на вершину актёрского Олимпа. С того момента Карина оставила свои актёрские амбиции и решила полностью посвятить себя поддержке мужа, Константина. В конце концов, как бы она ни старалась, ей никогда не получить тех карьерных возможностей, которые, казалось, сами падали в руки Анне благодаря случайным замечаниям Константина. Тогда Карина считала, что заняла место, предназначавшееся Анне, став госпожой Новиковой, а значит, была перед ней в долгу. Уступая Анне карьерные возможности, Карина полагала, что они рассчитаются с этим негласным долгом. Однако Карина и представить не могла, что Анна захочет получить не только желанную карьеру, но и сердце Константина. Наблюдая за тем, как расцветает профессиональная и личная жизнь Анны, Карина с болью осознала, что слишком увлеклась погоней за любовью в ущерб карьере, а теперь осталась без того и другого. Со слезами на глазах девушка понимала, что последние два года были трагической ошибкой. Получи она второй шанс, она бы не позволила себе быть такой наивной и не дала бы своему сердцу так безрассудно попасть в плен очарования Константина. «Госпожа Савостова, новый договор об авторских правах подготовлен. Пожалуйста, проверьте его на предмет возможных несоответствий». Жужжание телефона вырвало Карину из размышлений. Она посмотрела на прикреплённый к сообщению PDF-файл, и её мысли на мгновение спутались. Под псевдонимом, Екатерина Савостова, Карина когда-то сделала себе имя как подающий надежды сценарист, продав множество сценариев на заре своей карьеры. В начале пути под именем Екатерины, Карина часто продавала свои работы за бесценок, вынужденная срочно добывать наличные. Со временем эти сценарии превратились в кассовые фильмы и успешные сериалы, что вознесло репутацию Екатерины на небывалую высоту. К тому моменту Карина уже была замужем за Константином и больше не страдала от финансовых проблем, которые раньше доводили её до отчаяния, – огромные счета за лечение бабушки остались в прошлом. После разрешения финансовых трудностей жизнь Карины сосредоточилась на домашних обязанностях, поскольку она стремилась стать образцовой женой для Константина. На фоне этих перемен её псевдоним Екатерина Савостова постепенно отошёл в тень. Однако прошлое Екатерины ещё не собиралось окончательно уходить в небытие. Недавно объявился заинтересованный покупатель, готовый заплатить внушительную сумму за один из её старых сценариев. Карина, впрочем, колебалась насчёт продажи. Она высказала несколько замечаний по поводу предложенного контракта, и, к её удивлению, покупатель оказался достаточно порядочным, чтобы внести соответствующие правки. Держа в руках исправленный контракт, Карина сделала глубокий вдох, и её решимость окрепла. Её пальцы уверенно забегали по клавиатуре телефона, набирая чёткое распоряжение. «Подготовьте соглашение о разводе согласно моим условиям и обеспечьте его доставку Константину Новикову в офис Новиков Групп». Не дожидаясь ответа, она отложила телефон и, прихрамывая, направилась в ванную, причём каждый её шаг был наполнен решимостью и вновь обретённой независимостью. Глава 3 Обмен удобствами Прошло тридцать минут, прежде чем Карина наконец выбралась из ванны, поскольку её конечности были тяжёлыми и не слушались. Подняв взгляд, она замерла, увидев своё отражение в зеркале, где кожа казалась гладкой и безупречной, как тончайший фарфор, сияя естественным светом. Её глаза, глубокие омуты соблазна, искрились чарующим, мягким теплом, притягивая взгляд каждого, кто осмеливался встретиться с ней глазами. Несмотря на то, что в свои двадцать пять она приближалась к концу третьего десятка, Карина радовалась тому, что время ещё не успело оставить свой отпечаток на её безупречном лице. Определённо, женщине с такой внешностью не пристало жалеть себя. Погружённая в размышления, Карина небрежно опустила правую ногу на холодный пол, позабыв, что именно эта нога была травмирована. Плотно обёрнутая пищевой плёнкой для защиты от влаги, перетянутая конечность почти потеряла кровообращение, отчего жутко онемела. Когда её ступня коснулась пола, нога предательски скользнула вперёд. «Ах!» – вскрикнула девушка, её руки беспорядочно заметались в воздухе в отчаянной попытке найти точку опоры. В тот самый момент, когда она была на грани болезненного падения, дверь ванной распахнулась. На пороге стоял Константин, его безупречно сидящий костюм подчёркивал внушительную фигуру. Когда их взгляды встретились, он на мгновение замер, явно удивлённый, а затем быстрыми шагами преодолел разделявшее их расстояние. У Карины перехватило дыхание, когда мужчина подхватил её на руки, как невесту, неожиданно крепко обхватив за талию. Застигнутая врасплох его внезапным появлением, Карина с ужасом осознала, что совершенно обнжена. Волна смущения захлестнула её, и она инстинктивно прикрыла руками гдь. Это был их первый момент такой близости со дня свадьбы, и от неловкости её пальцы невольно поджались. Константин посмотрел на неё сверху вниз с озорной усмешкой. «Давай будем честными, ведь здесь особо не на что смотреть», – мягко поддел он её. Чувствуя себя одновременно униженной и слегка раздражённой, Карина парировала: «О, господин Новиков, после всего, что вы повидали, полагаю, вас уже ничем не удивить». Её формы третьего размера были сдержанно привлекательны, с той особой чутвенностью, которая затмевала болезненно плоское, почти угловатое телосложение Анны. Впрочем, Карина прекрасно понимала, что без любви даже самая совершенная фигура меркнет по сравнению с очарованием той, кого действительно любишь. Константин невозмутимо потянулся к висевшему за дверью халату и накинул его на неё. Его брови нахмурились при её комментарии: «О чём ты говоришь, Карина?» Какая-то мысль пришла ему в голову, и его лицо стало ещё более напряжённым. «Скажи-ка, ты отправила документы на развод посреди ночи только для того, чтобы заманить меня сюда – чтобы я застал тебя обнжённой? – в его голосе смешались недоверие и раздражение. – Я же сказал, что завален работой. Неужели нужно было устраивать весь этот спектакль?» Карину задел его обвинительный тон, вновь разжигая напряжение между ними. Он всегда так быстро терял терпение с ней. Она была не из тех, кто легкомысленно бросается такими словами, как развод или расставание. Впервые за два года брака она заговорила о разводе, но он, казалось, оставался равнодушным к её переживаниям. Он просто отмахнулся от её тревог, словно она преувеличивала из-за пустяков. Несмотря на пульсирующую боль в ноге, Карина собралась с силами и произнесла: «Поставьте меня на пол». Константин, однако, не обратил на её слова внимания, разглядывая её забинтованную ногу. Его брови слегка сдвинулись. «Что случилось с твоей ногой? Это какая-то изощрённая уловка, чтобы вернуть меня?» От этих слов Карина издала горький смешок. Похоже, он считал её просто жаждущей внимания, и, не получив его, она, вероятно, придумала историю, чтобы заманить его обратно и разыграть перед ним драму своего положения. С бесстрастным лицом она солгала: «Это косметическая процедура, которую нельзя мочить». «Почему ты вдруг решила сделать такую процедуру?» – спросил Константин будничным тоном, вынося её из ванной и не развивая тему дальше. Он был крупным, и сквозь тонкую рубашку она отчётливо ощущала тепло его тела и рельеф грудных мышц. Эта близость создавала мучительное напряжение для Карины, уже решившей окончательно порвать с ним. Её голос невольно стал выше, приобретя резкие нотки: «О, с каких это пор вас стали интересовать такие мелочи, господин Новиков?» Впервые Константин услышал от неё такой едкий сарказм, и это показалось ему странно забавным. Сохраняя невозмутимость, он ответил: «Ты моя жена, вполне естественно, что я беспокоюсь о твоём благополучии». «Правда? – теперь в голосе Карины звучали мрачные нотки. – Кажется, ты никогда по-настоящему не считал меня своей женой. Я боюсь, что даже если бы я умерла, ты бы узнал об этом нескоро». Ведь в тот самый момент Константин был поглощён встречей со своей первой любовью, слишком увлечённый, чтобы услышать её отчаянные призывы о помощи. Застигнутый врасплох её обвинением, мужчина удивлённо распахнул глаза, а затем недоверчиво усмехнулся: «Карина, откуда вдруг такая вспышка гнева? Только из-за того, что я был занят сегодня днём и пропустил твой звонок? Может быть, я слишком многое тебе позволял в последнее время, и это сделало тебя чересчур самонадеянной?» Девушка застыла, потрясённая. Он обвиняет её в самонадеянности? Она поняла, что их брак всегда был односторонним. В его глазах она была не более чем деловым партнёром, женщиной, променявшей свою свободу на финансовую стабильность. Их союз должен был стать простым обменом удобствами, но она, как последняя дура, глубоко в него влюбилась. В коварных играх любви тот, кто влюбляется первым, неизбежно оказывается в проигрышном положении. Пренебрежительная реакция Константина ошеломила Карину, поскольку он отмахнулся от её чувств как от пустяка, а в груди затянулся тугой узел удушья. «Я сказала немедленно поставить меня на землю!» – воскликнула Карина, резко отворачивая голову, её голос звенел от нетерпения. Константин промолчал, без труда донёс её до кровати и внезапно разжал руки. Карина ощутила рывок, когда опора исчезла, её сердце пропустило удар, и она инстинктивно уцепилась за него. Их тла столкнулись на кровати, её халат опасно распахнулся, грозя полностью разойтись от малейшего движения. Опираясь на локоть, Константин смотрел на неё сверху вниз, его губы изогнулись в лукавой, дразнящей усмешке: «Разве не ты хотела, чтобы тебя отпустили? Так почему же теперь цепляешься за меня?» Его глаза, глубокие и сверкающие, как полуночное озеро, усыпанное звёздами, заворожили её. В этих небесных глубинах Карина увидела своё отражение. В такие моменты ей казалось, что он испытывает к ней настоящие чувства. Увы, его сердце оставалось крепостью, предназначенной для Анны, а Карине оставались лишь пустые фантазии. «Скучно!» – произнесла она безо всякого энтузиазма и попыталась подняться, но её рука случайно коснулась чего-то неожиданного. «Не двигайся, иначе я не ручаюсь за последствия», – предупредил он низким, хриплым голосом. Нахмурившись, Карина мысленно выругалась, услышав эти слова. Это был неоспоримый факт. Первобытные инстинкты управляли действиями мужчин. Отсутствие чувств не отменяло их базовых желний. И всё же она не осмеливалась провоцировать Константина. Отвернув лицо, она замерла, не шевелясь. Карина, чувствуя раздражение, парировала: «Разве ты не говорил, что здесь не на что смотреть? Что за реакция теперь, господин Новиков? Неужели вас настолько легко впечатлить?» Не успели эти слова сорваться с её губ, как она осознала возможные последствия своего острого языка. Волна сожаления накрыла Карину, но вместо гнева Константин усмехнулся: «Ты всё-таки моя жена. Раз уж этого не изменить, можно и смириться. К тому же прошло уже немало лет с тех пор, как мы стали мужем и женой – было бы совсем неправильно полностью тебя игнорировать». Глава 4 Ты сошла с ума? Он обхватил её тонкую талию, притягивая к себе нежно, но уверенно. Ткань костюма едва коснулась щеки Карины, высвобождая смесь ароматов: знакомый древесный запах, переплетающийся с неожиданной цитрусовой ноткой лимона. Это был безошибочно узнаваемый аромат Jo Malone «Голубая агава и какао» – фирменный парфюм Анны. От этого осознания к горлу Карины подступила тошнота. Желудок скрутило, и она резким движением оттолкнула его, приподнимаясь с сухим рвотным позывом. «Уф...» Её желудок был пуст весь день, и ей нечем было даже срыгнуть. Жлани во взгляде Константина угасло, сменившись холодным, отстранённым выражением, когда он слегка отодвинулся. Заметив неподдельное недомогание и покрасневшие глаза Карины, Константин истолковал её реакцию как откровенное отвращение к их близости. Он помедлил, и холодно произнёс: «Карина, такая реакция только на меня, или ты так реагируешь на всех мужчин?» Воздух в комнате заледенел, сгустившись от напряжения. Девушка сглотнула ком в горле, её глаза расширились от шока, когда она уставилась на него. С тех пор как они поженились, она разорвала отношения почти со всеми друзьями-мужчинами, а теперь Константин небрежно бросал ей в лицо слова острее битого стекла. Годы любви, которые она вложила в их отношения, теперь казались абсолютно напрасными. Жар возмущения пополз по шее, окрасив щёки ярким багрянцем. Не раздумывая, она вскинула руку и влепила Константину звонкую пёчину. Все её подавленные обиды за день вырвались в этом стремительном движении. Халат, распахнувшийся в пылу момента, соскользнул с её плеч. Не обращая внимания на смущение, она быстро собрала ткань и запахнула её на себе резкими, решительными движениями. От пощёчины на щеке Константина остался лёгкий алый след в виде отпечатка её гнева. Его глаза, расширенные от изумления, встретились с её взглядом. «Карина, ты в своём уме?» Сошла с ума? Да, она явно была безумна, раз влюбилась в него с самого начала. Карина кипела от ярости, сердце колотилось в груди. Вдруг резкое жужжание телефона на столе прорезало нарастающее напряжение, его вибрация принесла краткую передышку в их противостоянии. Константин мельком взглянул на сообщение, с щелчком выключил телефон и направился к двери, его спина была напряжена. Её голос, твёрдый и непреклонный, полетел ему вслед: «Мы разводимся! Подпиши бумаги, прежде чем выйдешь за дверь!» Константин на мгновение замер и резко бросил: «У меня есть дела. Когда вернусь, сделаю что захочешь». С этими словами он с силой захлопнул дверь. Карина проводила взглядом его непоколебимую фигуру, чувствуя, как гнетущая тяжесть вновь сдавливает грудь. Игнорируя острую боль в ноге, она решительно похромала к планшету. Дрожащими пальцами она торопливо открыла страницу Анны в Инстаграме. Анна только что опубликовала новый пост. На фотографии она лежала с пластырем от температуры на лбу, всё ещё укутанная в знакомый пиджак Константина. Подпись гласила: «Во время болезни становлюсь такой прилипчивой. Жаль, что рядом никого нет. Держитесь в тепле и берегите себя, все!» Совпадение по времени этих событий не оставляло Карине почти никаких сомнений в том, что Константин помчался ухаживать за Анной. Интуиция Карины кричала, что это не случайность; Анна намеренно пыталась зацепить за живое сердце Константина. Похоже, её тактика сработала. Даже прямая угроза развода от Карины не смогла перевесить театральную демонстрацию беззащитности Анны. Кипя от ярости, девушка затряслась, как лист на ветру. Стиснув зубы, она резко сорвала полиэтиленовую плёнку с пострадавшей ноги. После долгого пребывания в ванне оставшаяся влага впиталась в кожу, воспалив рану до ярко-красного цвета и болезненной припухлости. Она тоже умела быть слабой. Даже в самые тяжёлые времена в округе она позволяла себе уязвимость, тихо всхлипывая в утешающих объятиях бабушки, особенно тогда, когда обожглась кипящим чайником. Но для такой слабости было своё время и место, и сейчас был не тот случай. Жестокая реальность ухода Константина заставила Карину осознать необходимость полагаться только на себя. Прикусив губу, она уверенными движениями обработала пульсирующую рану, а затем тщательно перебинтовала её. С новой решимостью она поднялась и выдвинула чёрный чемодан из дальнего угла просторной гардеробной – тот самый, с которым она вошла в этот дом полной надежд невестой. Затем она взяла комплект свежей одежды и оставила банковскую карту на прикроватной тумбочке. На эту карту она перевела все до копейки свои заработанные за год деньги, окончательно разрывая финансовые связи с Константином за последние два года и вычёркивая его из своей жизни навсегда. Волоча за собой тяжёлый чемодан, она с трудом выбралась из роскошной виллы. Проходя через ворота, она плотнее закуталась в бейсбольную куртку, её одинокий силуэт растворялся в окутавшей темноте. Ночной воздух ранней весны был пронизывающе холодным, в нём не осталось и следа тепла, но даже этот холод казался слабым по сравнению со льдом, сковавшим разбитое сердце Карины. Она пришла сюда с чемоданом и сердцем, полным надежд, а теперь уходила с разбитыми мечтами, совершенно одна. Горькая усмешка скользнула по её губам. Если бы только она не влюбилась в него так безоглядно, если бы только предложила расстаться по-хорошему в конце оговорённого года, возможно, она не брела бы сейчас потерянной душой, тенью своего прежнего «я». Анне не пришлось даже пальцем пошевелить, а Карина уже пала, окончательно сломленная и безнадёжно потерянная. Глава 5 Встреча Тем временем в ВИП-комнате клуба «Оазис», самого дорогого места в Ортовске, царило оживление. Освещаемая ярким светом, разношёрстная компания мужчин и женщин наслаждалась эксклюзивностью обстановки под звуки грохочущей музыки. Внезапно дверь распахнулась, и в проёме появился Константин. Караоке внезапно оборвалось, и толпа повернулась, чтобы в унисон поприветствовать его: «Константин...» Не успели они продолжить, как из-за его спины вышла женщина, закутанная с ног до головы в плащ. Анна сняла маску, взяла Константина под руку и, излучая обаяние, обратилась к присутствующим: «Мой помощник внезапно уехал, и я осталась без компании. Не желая проводить вечер в одиночестве, я пригласила Константина присоединиться ко мне. Надеюсь, вы не против?» Анна обладала удивительной красотой. Её вишнёвые губы, изящный носик, мерцающие уязвимым очарованием глаза притягивали взгляд и вызывали у окружающих желние защитить её. Она казалась неземной. В отличие от неё, Карина отличалась яркой внешностью. Анна, в сравнении с ней, обладала более мягкой и сдержанной элегантностью. Однако, как это часто бывает, в сердечных делах нет простых путей. Константин и Карина состояли в браке, но лишь формально, поэтому он не приглашал её на частные светские мероприятия. Его знакомые редко общались с Кариной, поэтому не чувствовали себя обязанными защищать её. Услышав комментарий Анны, присутствующие на мгновение смутились, но затем быстро пришли в себя и, любезно улыбнувшись, сказали: «Здесь собрались друзья, поэтому не стоит беспокоиться о формальностях». Анна понимающе улыбнулась и грациозно направилась за Константином в шумную комнату. Мероприятие проводилось с целью выразить признательность Константину за его вклад. Когда они вошли в зал, толпа расступилась, словно море, пропуская их к почётным местам. Лидер группы протянул Константину бкал вна и с широкой ухмылкой заявил: «Мы вам очень благодарны, господин Новиков! О ваших исключительных талантах говорит весь город, и я сегодня лично в этом убедился. Без вашего опыта этот контракт не заключили бы!» Их встреча ознаменовала запуск новой торговой платформы, переговоры о создании которой велись с многочисленными местными брендами в Ортовске. Однако ситуация кардинально изменилась, когда на сцену вышел технологический гигант «Джой», резко обостривший конкуренцию. Конкуренция с «Джой» напоминала классическую историю о Давиде и Голиафе и выглядела безнадёжно сложной. В порыве отчаяния они, использовав связи, обратились к Константину за помощью. С присущей ему стремительностью Константин разработал хитроумный план и быстро обеспечил сделку, вырвав её из лап «Джой» ещё до того, как бизнес-ассоциация успела заключить соглашение. И этот мастерский ход принёс успех. Это событие лишь укрепило уважение людей к Константину. Артур Морозов, сияя от гордости, хвастался: «Только посмотрите на его друзей! Они думали, что смогут заключать сделки прямо у нас под носом, явно недооценивая влияние Константина!» Артур, родившийся в богатой семье Морозовых, причислял себя к самым близким друзьям Константина. Он оброс полезными связями, и именно через него к Константину в отчаянии обратились за помощью. Тем временем сам Константин, ставший центром всеобщего обсуждения, невозмутимо откинулся на диване, купаясь в мягком сиянии верхнего света. Он прекрасно владел искусством принимать комплименты, поэтому выражение его лица оставалось спокойным и отстранённым. Рассеянный свет подчёркивал угловатые черты его лица, отбрасывая эффектные тени на высокую переносицу и резко очерченную линию подбородка. Мужчина напоминал оживший шедевр. Своей природной грацией и отрешённой манерой поведения он затмевал великолепие всего мира. После череды тостов, когда стало очевидно, что Константин всего лишь пригубил вно, остальные члены компании притихли, предоставив ему возможность немного отдохнуть. Анну немного лихорадило, поэтому она не пла и тихо устроилась рядом с Константином, с обожанием глядя на него. Артур, очарованный этой, казалось бы, идеальной парой, размышлял о прихотях судьбы, а затем незаметно сделал их снимок на свой смартфон и поделился им в социальных сетях. Когда вечер подходил к концу, а сп*ртное заканчивалось, дверь комнаты снова распахнулась, и на пороге появился личный помощник Константина, Олег Бролов, который поприветствовал собравшихся вежливым кивком, не умаляя при этом собственного достоинства, и встал перед боссом. В помещении повисла тишина, и Анна, не в силах сдержать любопытство, наклонилась и прошептала: «Что случилось?» Проигнорировав её вопрос, Олег не сводил глаз с Константина. Покраснев от смущения, Анна повернулась к своему спутнику и нерешительно спросила: «Мне уйти?» Константин выпрямился и тихо приказал: «Говори». Охваченный дурным предчувствием, Олег вздрогнул и осторожно произнёс: «Господин Новиков, госпожа Новикова уехала из виллы Прибрежная и...Госпожа Новикова оставила банковскую карту – ту самую, которую вы когда-то ей вручили». ... Что будет дальше? Количество глав здесь ограничено, нажмите на кнопку ниже, чтобы установить приложение и продолжить чтение более захватывающих глав! (Вы будете автоматически перенаправлены на книгу, когда откроете приложение) &4&	LEARN_MORE	https://fbweb.litradnovie.com/15407418-fb_contact-	Romantic Fiction	https://www.facebook.com/61564727788108/	421	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	fbweb.litradnovie.com	VIDEO		https://fbweb.litradnovie.com/15407418-fb_contact-rup26_2-250212-core1.html?adid={{ad.id}}&char=157725&accid=1139909194125854&exdata=55DF4B83FF0AC7277F5A8553F6F87850F03805B17937747F	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481059627_1377411619941697_6661510005641853641_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=3mKanBWixyQQ7kNvgHv098j&_nc_oc=Adit97yAs58HNvjrtDOoPzfwTBClcgOycsBZpnbL5afOxdzhGJOE4a68hsLw4U4LvYlJBTNNLRPUk9E4QvBxmmYT&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AgSFmTAr--PxyTNfRZOd7n1&oh=00_AYDk7H2Tsq5H1Xz8xXdweddaEU5ToF170Z4fmw2-qH7JzA&oe=67CC05BA	PERSON_PROFILE	0	0	Romantic Fiction	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,766,461	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2767156}'	Yes	2025-03-03 18:48	active	2790	pie	Pie!!☘☘☘ www.kellyshotel.com.au 03 5996 1004			Kelly's Cranbourne	https://www.facebook.com/kellysmotorclubhotel/	24,842	1969-12-31 18:00			VIDEO			1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481172926_1264048827986803_2469260818783890517_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=SITNjfEZ0QoQ7kNvgG3A2E3&_nc_oc=AdhmvUk6hpmbKMrjI9dEAS8XI6_qs5U1BRNGCf7O87WvJIq9egOJfCIax4k60gKIN7MrJbiyKi6yVDBVFX4AW2Rb&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AgSFmTAr--PxyTNfRZOd7n1&oh=00_AYA2d9Ej40gle420KukqxeHLfdt8XEY6d1AdXKMJ06ytbg&oe=67CC03C3	PERSON_PROFILE	0	0	Kelly's Cranbourne	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,766,471	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2767156}'	No	2025-03-03 18:48	active	2790		MURDER AT DONWELL ABBEY, book 2 in The Emma Knightley Mysteries, is now up for preorder from Kensington Publishing Corp. Emma and her beloved Mr. Knightley are once more on the case, as murder strikes closer to home than ever! Please visit my website to read the book blurb and an exclusive excerpt: https://bit.ly/43mBz7g			Vanessa Kelly	https://www.facebook.com/vanessakellyauthor/	17,626	1969-12-31 18:00			IMAGE			1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/482127258_1654337658528111_8421740338293482750_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=HYPRZOUkcWsQ7kNvgEdWr1H&_nc_oc=AdjDASqfCCUGSAPd1TJ_BP2O051nZDQeezBxueApT3ejOrCsqKQrE0RA_w31EH3Gq6cr-j36VeNA9UVDL7CNh900&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AlW8h4lGgFrm1af7E3FnNj_&oh=00_AYDnIc82bDF1ox3O8Xl5OqjvdeLYyq1FXqx1pcinY9dDnA&oe=67CC34AC	PERSON_PROFILE	0	0	Vanessa Kelly	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,767,678	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	Yes	2025-03-03 18:57	active	2790	⭐ Customers Love Herrnstein KIA! 🚗❤️	Don’t just take our word for it—see what our happy customers are saying! 🏆 ✅ Fast, easy, and hassle-free car buying ✅ Top-tier customer service & support ✅ Trusted by drivers just like YOU! Join the thousands who trust Herrnstein KIA for their next vehicle or service! Experience excellence today! 🎯 🔹 Read Our Reviews & Visit Us Today! 🔹 #CustomerLove #FiveStarService #HerrnsteinKIA #DriveHappy	LEARN_MORE	https://www.google.com/search?q=Herrnstein+Kia&sca	Herrnstein Kia	https://www.facebook.com/61573128089098/	0	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	google.com	IMAGE	4.1 ★ · Kia dealer	https://www.google.com/search?q=Herrnstein+Kia&sca_esv=dcbcef83952848e4&rlz=1C1GCEA_enUS1043US1044&ei=r04ZZ6PYGofl5NoPq9na-Ag&ved=0ahUKEwjj65HHnqWJAxWHMlkFHausFo8Q4dUDCA8&uact=5&oq=Herrnstein+Kia&gs_lp=Egxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAiDkhlcnJuc3RlaW4gS2lhMgsQLhiABBjHARivATIFEAAYgAQyBRAAGIAEMgUQABiABDIFEAAYgAQyBhAAGBYYHjILEAAYgAQYhgMYigUyCxAAGIAEGIYDGIoFMgsQABiABBiGAxiKBTIIEAAYgAQYogQyGhAuGIAEGMcBGK8BGJcFGNwEGN4EGOAE2AEBSMoJUNoCWNoCcAF4AZABAJgBTKABTKoBATG4AQPIAQD4AQL4AQGYAgKgAl3CAgoQABiwAxjWBBhHwgINEAAYgAQYsAMYQxiKBcICGRAuGIAEGLADGNEDGEMYxwEYyAMYigXYAQHCAhkQLhiABBiwAxhDGMcBGMgDGIoFGK8B2AEBmAMAiAYBkAYUugYGCAEQARgIkgcBMqAHrAk&sclient=gws-wiz-serp#lrd=0x8847095dc1779195:0x1b7590f0ee44f9a7,1,,,,	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481908325_553060321124469_2018433602686389781_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=24tEcM0BXowQ7kNvgF0fRD1&_nc_oc=AdgjZuewDHUCXSDcEsfwF-WHpUTPfoboizqW1GoOa3dgK4nHHiqf_KTg-sGKUzlUQljoJgeaH-r8RogudtafCt9A&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=A7yANMIMjbMSpge4Nl0uyj1&oh=00_AYC5iQYfjq9qaqF6ZXv-o5xFuvoAcsxU_d_KSrlgXQ6y3A&oe=67CC21FE	PERSON_PROFILE	0	0	Herrnstein Kia	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,766,493	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	Yes	2025-03-03 18:48	active	2790	Sip, Paint, & Be Irish at Icebox - MAR 17 - 6pm	Sip, Paint, & Be Irish! March 17th! Icebox on Picacho - 6pm We are painting on a wood pallet board! Instructional class plus a stencil! 4 leaf or 3 leaf clover! (Or paint whatever you want!) $40/person, 10% off food and drinks for painters. RSVP at www.paintartesia.com/home Questions - Kelly at 575-323-0772	EVENT_RSVP	https://www.facebook.com/events/1610245609633799/	Paint With Us	https://www.facebook.com/paintwithusartesia/	1,568	1969-12-31 18:00	INTERESTED	Sip, Paint, & Be Irish at Icebox - MAR 17 - 6pm	EVENT	Icebox on Picacho - 6pm We are painting on a wood pallet board! Instructional class plus a stencil! 4 leaf or 3 leaf clover! (Or paint whatever you want!) $40/person, 10% off food and drinks for painters. RSVP at www.paintartesia.com/home Questions - Kelly at 575-323-0772	https://www.facebook.com/events/1610245609633799/	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481988729_1415340446114084_6329392738256231886_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=8eb41wAr3ScQ7kNvgExnrvF&_nc_oc=Adihcmafn3wg--2GBfAxxWZncBfEgDcsdLIIAYgTWSnoiFDW6ceXxw3eu_Un3RSHIr387RuFiq1lheWiiivfA4zl&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AlW8h4lGgFrm1af7E3FnNj_&oh=00_AYCS-5z09G4M1W5c47N_IsUbOvUjNUSLDpA7LMCYiOfHHA&oe=67CC2E6B	PERSON_PROFILE	0	0	Paint With Us	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,766,507	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	Yes	2025-03-03 18:48	active	2790	Upholstered Ottoman with Storage	Upholstered Ottoman with Storage - $75.00 Like NEW round tufted ottoman with extra storage space compartment. Smoke free, pet free home. Facebook Marketplace	CONTACT_US	https://facebook.com/marketplace/item/176078809449	Kelly M. Dempsey	https://www.facebook.com/Kelly-M-Dempsey-496605127741382/	0	1969-12-31 18:00	Contact us		IMAGE		https://facebook.com/marketplace/item/1760788094497570/	1969-12-31 18:00		REGULAR_PAGE	1	1	Kelly M. Dempsey	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,767,624	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2767621}'	Yes	2025-03-03 18:57	active	2790	Hunt Slonem	Unmistakble Bunnies	LEARN_MORE	https://www.sunvalleyart.com/	Sun Valley Contemporary Gallery	https://www.facebook.com/sunvalleycontemporarygallery/	76	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn More	www.sunvalleyart.com	CAROUSEL	Unmistakble Bunnies	https://www.sunvalleyart.com/	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481186784_1390518878974028_1719115323875749210_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=BneqVxN2THkQ7kNvgF7LbA7&_nc_oc=AdiHIx2yFI-sY4i8zIT1VuF47caExXyYS0trguHrGtDReZshjC8vcZrK3FNYQ4dVQl3flqEzJIZhL8VsjS5Z2MQp&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AX-Y-6-OYtYd6dcTeOggHY0&oh=00_AYD7fNAM35Sd8OgC8h9BUjionI2l9ESUuzQg29mN6HHlLA&oe=67CC0A1A	PERSON_PROFILE	0	0	Sun Valley Contemporary Gallery	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,767,745	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2767710}'	No	2025-03-03 18:57	active	2790	Love's Trenches (DUBBED)	Mia Bale, the daughter of the wealthiest family, works as an intern in her family's company. Unexpectedly, she encounters Ken Leed, the CEO of a collaborating company who is also her former boyfriend, having vanished without explanation three years ago. As Mia tries to reconcile with Ken, she faces obstacles from Lily Cork, who exacerbates misunderstandings between them.	WATCH_MORE	https://fb.dramabox.com/db_land_page/DLLPF1059365.	DramaBox- movies and drama	https://www.facebook.com/61552602510168/	151,346	1969-12-31 18:00	Watch more	fb.dramabox.com	VIDEO		https://fb.dramabox.com/db_land_page/DLLPF1059365.html?language=en&timestamp=1740724747181&channelCode=DLLPF1059365&bid=41000112446&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&ad_group_name={{adset.name}}&ad_group_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481471040_1298651771419952_4758394080485011247_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=RQQXuy7TRgwQ7kNvgGpEzVf&_nc_oc=AdhcI_xhZhzqOWw7YzTGDgpA_W3odTmB7dyH31ShE-MpYOUrNTiYiCzSq_7NGRX5B4zZ9Qh7N3xBE5C-Rb1S2vts&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AaVW1ZEf7xkTAclSFhDpCOl&oh=00_AYAjwAGYPUATZoM6s3dmnHPC4ydtjJ1LwAGk5GLbqwZBxQ&oe=67CC184D	PERSON_PROFILE	0	0	DramaBox- movies and drama	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,767,535	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2767523}'	Yes	2025-03-03 18:56	active	2790	Foot Pain? Feel long-lasting relief after just 1st treatment!	👋 Hey Salem and surroundings! For anyone dealing with Numbness, Burning, Tingling, Pain While Walking… WE CAN HELP! For a limited time, we are giving away 20 vouchers for a 𝗥𝗮𝗽𝗶𝗱 𝗡𝗲𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗵𝘆 𝗣𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗳 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗵 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗲𝘀 𝗘𝘅𝗮𝗺, 𝗫-𝗥𝗮𝘆 (𝗶𝗳 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗱), 𝗜𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄, 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝟭𝘀𝘁 𝗡𝗲𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗵𝘆 𝗣𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗳 𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 (𝗶𝗳 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲) ALL for just $49. (Limit 1 per person. New patients only) If you have more questions, don’t hesitate to click "SIGN UP" and our team will answer any and all questions you have before you make any payment! After reading our testimonials, we have no doubt you'll want to experience us for yourself! We have several 5 🌟 Reviews you can check out. Here are our patients top reported benefits: ✅ Pain Relief ✅ Improved Flexibility and Mobility ✅ Walk up and down stairs without pain or fear of falling ✅ Standup without aid ✅ Go to the supermarket without using "the scooter" ✅ Play with grandchildren without pain ✅ Improved Sleep ✅ Increased Energy Levels ✅ Happier Family Life This is PERFECT for anyone desiring to have their best health! 🚨 Our schedule is limited and availability is on a first come, first serve basis. 👉 Claim your $𝟰𝟵 𝗥𝗮𝗽𝗶𝗱 𝗡𝗲𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗵𝘆 𝗣𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗳 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 + 𝗘𝘅𝗮𝗺, 𝗫-𝗥𝗮𝘆 (𝗶𝗳 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗱), 𝗜𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄, 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝟭𝘀𝘁 𝗡𝗲𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗵𝘆 𝗣𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗳 𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 (𝗶𝗳 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲) voucher today by clicking the "SIGN UP" button below or by calling "971-328-4067". 👉 𝗠𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗶𝗱 𝗱𝗼 𝗡𝗢𝗧 𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗥𝗮𝗽𝗶𝗱 𝗡𝗲𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗵𝘆 𝗣𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗳 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺. Serving Salem and all surrounding areas. Oregon Medical Centers 2515 Liberty ST NE Salem, OR 97301 971-328-4067	LEARN_MORE	http://fb.me/	Oregon Medical Centers	https://www.facebook.com/61555175677050/	39	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn More	fb.me	DCO	⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4.7 (205+)	http://fb.me/	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481267024_1815268575940691_374381265170295617_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=4Lii_eciwwAQ7kNvgF2CEM6&_nc_oc=Adg0X5LeysAXiju7c0iP3NSGF8DcvrQ4Wd-mREK-9SwmyfbZzdeVTchxwZonD_ZQEG44oOqCm0__wlxXYVXDGrP-&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=A7jxxoUbIB9jbng04IGjl8d&oh=00_AYAmi1YeMVPpVAFllhuC6LVQTORrRbHGSFzk73Y8op6YBA&oe=67CC0C05	PERSON_PROFILE	0	0	Oregon Medical Centers	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,766,544	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2766540}'	Yes	2025-03-03 18:49	active	2790	🔥Your Next Book Boyfriend!	Waking up in Vegas next to a rockstar I hate is bad. Finding a ring on my finger—even worse. Sam Ryder is everything I shouldn’t want—arrogant, infuriating, and way too charming. He’s my brother’s best friend, my exact opposite, and the man who kissed me then walked away. One wild Vegas night and an entire bottle of champagne later. I don’t remember tying the knot. Now, he calls me cupcake, like he owns me. When my brother hires me to manage the band, I should say no. After all, his bass guitar player is the man I’m technically married to. But now, I’m stuck with Sam’s ridiculous nicknames, wicked smiles, and magic fingers. I can’t seem to stay out of his bed—or his life. I know we should end it. I want my freedom. Instead, I’m left with a baby on the way and a husband I can’t resist. Continue Reading - FREE with Kindle Unlimited: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DV3W5L6J	LEARN_MORE	https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DV3W5L6J	Kelly Thomas	https://www.facebook.com/100092267142796/	103	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DV3W5L6J	IMAGE	💔 From Enemies to Lovers!	https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DV3W5L6J	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481445023_2699176410276295_2198143468568331984_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=lkA13L7lH58Q7kNvgHZm4Y3&_nc_oc=Adj4l89ScNDOxYBT485dkdC8n7oH611mbcF72SLUwaOmHtnDTw2BHN5j71Q1GqsHgvseQ7hkmE90n3PqkvlzeRWw&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AaVTl3arWYGEbu35Vi0mCeD&oh=00_AYB3jkgE0ho1lvAngSPf_tmYYzzxi51eKmIqgO-xWoMX2g&oe=67CC1293	PERSON_PROFILE	0	0	Kelly Thomas	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,766,569	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	Yes	2025-03-03 18:49	active	2790		Join us as we follow Kelly on her journey with Operation Smile. We're giving you an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at one of our surgical programs. Witness the compassionate care, the meticulous planning and the incredible skill of our volunteer surgeons and nurses as they work to transform a patient's life. #surgery #globalsurgery #cleft	LEARN_MORE	https://bit.ly/m/OperationSmile	Operation Smile	https://www.facebook.com/operationsmile/	173,169	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	bit.ly	VIDEO		https://bit.ly/m/OperationSmile	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/482050585_2349246542110273_2620711292651287966_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=XlmBCsquJZgQ7kNvgGWwHKv&_nc_oc=AdhjKqmvyAyfD0ONdlBXOrtEzkN4wUeqvPuDjyQYte5QWKdkdMtPViDB-QeBxbDAfXj4Av7O2uxmy32N4rqWV0pS&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AQeKVeBCg0hjLGj80bECvH8&oh=00_AYCInCM1Zn1BSYRHrw3D64vrwm_LdvyhZx2bvYvURJ9PeA&oe=67CC1E46	PERSON_PROFILE	0	0	Operation Smile	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,767,509	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2767510}'	Yes	2025-03-03 18:56	active	2790	Treefort Music Fest ✦ March 26 - 30, 2025 in Boise, ID	Like what you see? Remi Wolf, Sofi Tukker, Shakey Graves and Bright Eyes take the stage at Treefort 2025 this March 26-30th 🎱	LEARN_MORE	https://treefortmusicfest.com/tickets/	Treefort Music Fest	https://www.facebook.com/treefortmusicfest/	29,875	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn More	treefortmusicfest.com	DCO	Snag your pass for Treefort 2025!	https://treefortmusicfest.com/tickets/	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/480856935_1479935472965378_7010215199892630219_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=5oUy-o2WTO8Q7kNvgHh1gEc&_nc_oc=AdhwL4FMNaIgnSkN-RJsjb5ULuxFPjxIsyYqba9HSiCDhqgEiWskc7O_XpljhmytiKfsnxVI644_rfJimk4Vndkv&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=Ao3qKV1QRXSwsb3sNDDFfrG&oh=00_AYBk-Q45th8iXbYK1uGXk9FO6Cr4lXXNnbKpnD7Apdpc0A&oe=67CC0901	PERSON_PROFILE	0	0	Treefort Music Fest	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,766,453	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) null	Yes	2025-03-03 18:48	active	2790	Read next chapter	To survive, she climbed into her so-called uncle's bed. Two years later, she realized she was just a toy. Heartbroken, she left after seeing him at his first love's prenatal checkup. ===== The winters in Ulares were bone-chilling, but inside Cloudscape Mansion, the air was thick with warmth and passion. "Uncle Ethan…" Nyla Green gasped, her voice catching. Ethan's lips quirked into a satisfied smirk. "Being so well-behaved tonight, aren't you?" "Don't you like it when I'm well-behaved?" The hunger in Ethan's eyes was undeniable. "What is it you want?" Settling into the armchair by the window, he asked, his mood seemingly lighter than usual. "Will you give me anything I ask for?" Nyla's voice was soft, hesitant, her hopeful gaze fixed on his sharp, handsome face. "Depends on what it is," Ethan replied evenly. "I want to be Mrs. Brooks." The warmth in Ethan's expression disappeared, replaced by a glacial stare that sent a chill down her spine. Nyla's heart sank as he let out a mocking laugh. "I've been too soft on you," he said coldly. "You think that gives you the right to ask for something like that?" Nyla bit her lip, "Callie's back, isn't she? You're planning to marry her, aren't you?" Callie Higgins--the name itself was enough to twist Nyla's gut. She was Ethan's first love--the woman who had once saved his life from kidnappers when he was eighteen. After the incident, their families agreed that Ethan and Callie would get engaged when the time was right. Ethan's expression flickered, just for a moment, but it was enough for Nyla to know she'd struck a nerve. She'd been with him for two years; she knew him well. "I just want a status. You know how hard it is for me in the Brooks family. Without protection, I--" "Protection?" Ethan cut her off, his tone sharp. In a flash, he was in front of her, gripping her chin firmly. His dark eyes bored into hers, fierce and unyielding. "Do you think I don't see through you, Nyla? You think you're worthy of being Mrs. Brooks?" Chapter 2 Time To Let Go "Ethan Brooks, you haven't changed a bit--still as cold-hearted as ever," Nyla snapped. The warm atmosphere had long since turned to ice. Nyla's expression was calm, though her intentions were anything but hidden. Tears glimmered in her defiant eyes. "If you're not willing to give me what I want, then this is it. From today, we're done. Beyond being my step-uncle, you have nothing to do with me anymore." Ethan's sneer was sharp, cutting through the tension like a blde. "You're the one who climbed into my bd back then. And now you want to walk away? Nyla, do you really think I'm that easy to deal with?" It had been a while since the Green family's sudden collapse. Overnight, Nyla's world unraveled. Her father, Lorenzo Green, took his own life to prove his innocence, and her brother was thrown behind bars. Her mother, desperate to survive, became the mi*ress of Ethan's elder brother, Ryland Brooks. When Ryland's wife passed away, Nyla's mother--pregnant with Ryland's child--married him. The Brooks family made no secret of their disdain. Nyla had always known her place, keeping her distance from the Brooks family whenever possible. But they never intended to stop tormenting her. Out of options, she had turned to Ethan. As the current leader of the Brooks family and one of the most powerful men in Ulares, Ethan was the only one who could offer her protection. "So, what do we call this... arrangement?" Her voice was low, almost mocking. Ethan's gaze lingered on her face--dangerously beautiful, the kind that brought chaos wherever it went. "If you want something else, I might consider it," he said, his tone indifferent as he released her. The implication was clear: he wasn't letting go, not yet. Bitterness rose in Nyla's throat. She could endure being his bdmates, but she wouldn't let herself become the other woman. That was one boundary she refused to cross. "Ethan, I'm tired. This... whatever it is, it's over." The word "over" felt hollow--Ethan had never acknowledged what they had in the first place. She pulled her torn dress over her body, her hands trembling but her resolve firm. Ethan's expression darkened. "What are you trying to prove with this tantrum?" Nyla paused, holding herself together with every ounce of willpower. She stood tall, meeting his gaze. "Mr. Brooks, if you can't give me what I want, then let's not waste any more time. I need to move on." Her words struck a nerve. Ethan grabbed her arm, "Move on? To who?" His voice dripped with menace. "Who else could ever satisfy you like I do? Don't act like this was all some mistake. You crawled into my bd, Nyla. Don't think I'll let you forget that." Nyla's composure cracked as anger flared in her chest. She glared at him, tears brimming. "So what if I did? I regret it! You're going to marry Callie, and I'm supposed to sit here and wait for your scraps? I may be shameless, Ethan, but I'm not that pathetic." The air between them was suffocating, heavy with unspoken truths and unbearable tension. A sudden ring shattered the silence. Ethan glanced at his phone, irritation flickering across his face. He was about to ignore the call until he saw the name. Callie. He released Nyla and answered without hesitation. Nyla watched in silence, her heart sinking at his gentle tone. He'd only ever used it with her in bd. She felt the humiliation settle deep in her chst. "I'll be there soon." Ethan finished the called and then dressed. He turned to Nyla. "I'll have Jackson transfer the money to your account. Don't even think about leaving." The door clicked shut behind him. Nyla sat still, staring at the empty space he left behind. Then, with a bitter laugh, she wiped her tears away. If she couldn't have what she wanted, then she'd take back what little was left of her dignity. It was time to let go. Chapter 3 So What If I Am? Nyla, now in her senior year of college, had already begun her internship while managing her own studio--a venture she had started during her junior year. She specialized in fashion design, and her studio was her pride and joy. But lately, the pressure from competitors had been relentless. Someone clearly wanted her out of Ulares. Despite the frustration, Nyla refused to back down. After a restless night, her body ached as she got ready for the day. She couldn't bring herself to wear her usual professional attire, opting instead for a casual outfit. Even in simple clothes, her elegance and charisma turned heads wherever she went. As she walked into the studio, her receptionist hesitated before approaching her. "Miss Green... um, your mother is here," she said nervously. "We tried to stop her, but... she's holding a baby, and we didn't want to risk anything." Nyla gave her a reassuring smile. Her mother, Vicki Brooks, was difficult to deal with. "It's fine. I understand. You can get back to work." Relieved, the receptionist nodded and returned to her desk. Nyla's studio wasn't large, but every inch of it reflected her touch. She had designed the interior herself, favoring a minimalist elegance that radiated sophistication. In the lounge area, she spotted her mother cradling a baby in her arms. Nolan Brooks, a premature baby, had come into the world when Vicki was in her forties. His arrival had nearly cost both their lives, and since then, Vicki's world revolved entirely around him. Standing silently in the doorway, Nyla observed her mother. Vicki's expression softened as she gently rocked Nolan, her maternal warmth unmistakable. For a fleeting moment, Nyla saw the woman Vicki used to be--a gentle, understanding wife and mother, back when the Green family was intact. But that version of her mother was gone. Now, Vicki was only a mother to Nolan. The thought stung, but Nyla pushed the feeling aside and walked into the lounge. She sat across from Vicki, who glanced up briefly before returning her attention to Nolan. Nyla's assistant quickly brought over a cup of coffee and slipped away without a word. Picking up the cup, Nyla stirred it slowly, the clinking of the spoon breaking the silence. "Why are you here?" she asked, her tone even. Vicki's gaze flickered disapprovingly over Nyla's casual outfit. "You're going out dressed like that? Don't you realize you're representing the Brooks family now? Everything you do reflects on us." Leaning back on the sofa, Nyla replied with a calm, measured voice, "My last name is Green. I've never been part of the Brooks family." Vicki's lips tightened, her frustration evident. "You--" She stopped herself, glancing down at Nolan, who stirred in her arms. Lowering her voice, she continued, "Ryland has arranged a date for you tomorrow at Delight Restaurant. You'll be meeting the second son of the Fowler family. He's from a respectable background, and it's time you start thinking about your future." Nyla raised an eyebrow, a bitter smile tugging at her lips. The second son of the Fowler family had recently been released from prison. Ryland certainly had a knack for picking matches. "I don't have time," Nyla replied dismissively, taking a sip of her coffee. Vicki's composure cracked. "No time? You didn't go to school or your studio yesterday. And you didn't come home last night either. I heard you were at a bar." She had done her homework. Nyla's late-night escapades and partying were the reason Vicki had stormed over. That kind of behavior was unacceptable. If it weren't for Nolan dozing off in her arms, she'd have already started yelling. Then Vicki's sharp eyes zeroed in on a faint red mrk on Nyla's neck. Her expression darkened. "What's that on your neck?" she hissed. "I'm warning you, Nyla. If you're fooling around, I won't tolerate it!" Nyla paused mid-sip, setting her cup down deliberately. She met Vicki's glare with calm indifference. Her mother still looked youthful despite her age. Money sure did wonders, Nyla mused. "And what if I am?" she said, leaning back. "You haven't cared about me in years, so why pretend now? Take your precious son and leave." Chapter 4 Family Dinner "Nyla!" Vicki shot to her feet, her sudden movement jolting Nolan awake in her arms. The baby let out a wail that pierced through the studio. "It's okay, Nolan. Shh, you're okay," Vicki murmured, turning her attention to him and pointedly ignoring Nyla. "We'll go home soon, sweetheart. Be good for Mommy." Nyla rubbed her ears, the irony of the scene grating on her nerves. Without a word, she turned to leave. "Don't forget." Vicki's strained voice rang out behind her. "I've always been the one begging for help for your brother. Do you have any idea how much he's suffered in prison? And your sister-in-law? I've been the one sending her money to survive. If you had even a shred of consideration for me, you'd listen to what I say!" Nyla froze mid-step, her gaze drifting up to the ceiling as a wave of helplessness rolled over her. After the incident all those years ago, her brother had been jailed, and her pregnant sister-in-law had been so traumatized she ended up hospitalized. The baby--already five months along--couldn't be saved, and her sister-in-law's health had never recovered. The family sold everything they owned, borrowed from anyone who'd listen, and still came up short. Eventually, their options ran dry, and even close relatives cut ties. Nyla's sister-in-law finally gave up, saying she didn't want to be a burden. Vicki's marriage into the wealthy Brooks family had brought temporary relief, but her sister-in-law's lingering illness had turned into a lifelong battle--one that drained both money and hope. And Vicki, to her credit, had been the one subsidizing the expensive treatments. Nyla's fingers curled and relaxed along the edge of her sleeve--a quiet gesture of powerless compromise. "Fine. I'll go." Vicki let out a relieved sigh, her tone softening. "There's a family dinner at the Brooks Mansion tonight. Leave work early and make sure you're there. You can't miss it." Nyla felt an immediate headache brewing. She'd planned to avoid Ethan for at least a little while longer, but her plans were thwarted before they'd even begun. "I know you hate going to these things, but think about me. Think about your little brother. He's just a child, Nyla. If you don't look out for him, who will? Please, just do this for me." Vicki's words left no room for refusal. Nyla was at a loss for words. Her mother asked her to protect Nolan, but who would protect her? The Brooks family wore their civility like sheep's clothing, but beneath it, she knew better. They were wolves--every single one of them--and none would spare her if given the chance. And yet, Nyla never voiced these grievances to Vicki. It would only be pointless. Vicki would call her immature, blame her for the Brooks family's hostility, insist that Nyla brought it all upon herself. So Nyla could only swallow her resentment. Later that afternoon, Nyla left work early as instructed. She took her time getting home and changed clothes, knowing Vicki would nitpick if she didn't look the part. She settled on a gray, short tweed jacket over a black skirt--poised, polished, and appropriately elegant. Nyla despised the cold. If it weren't for the Brooks family gathering, she would have bundled herself in two down jackets and called it a day. These social charades were a performance she loathed--hollow and suffocating. But Vicki insisted she need to integrate. Half an hour later, Nyla stepped out of the taxi in front of the imposing Brooks Mansion. Just as she turned to head inside, a sleek Maybach pulled up beside her. Nyla didn't intend to acknowledge anyone--until the license plate caught her eye. Ethan's car. The tinted window rolled down slowly, and two faces came into view--elegant, pristine, and altogether too perfect. "Hello, Nyla." A woman's voice broke the moment. "I'm Callie." Chapter 5 Rivals In Love Nyla had imagined meeting Callie in countless scenarios. Maybe it would happen during one of those stolen moments with Ethan, where they'd be caught red-handed. Or perhaps at Callie and Ethan's engagement party, where Nyla would dutifully offer her congratulations as a younger member of the Brooks family. But never like this--never with Callie deliberately approaching her. Nyla glanced at Ethan, suspicious. Was he behind this? But Ethan's gaze remained locked on her, his dark eyes betraying nothing. Those eyes had a way of pulling people in. She quickly looked away, her voice cold. "Hello. Did you need something?" Nyla didn't like the Brooks family, and she liked Callie even less. Callie was, after all, a rival in love. "Oh, nothing at all. I'd just heard Ethan had a breathtakingly beautiful niece, and I couldn't resist coming to meet you. I hope that's all right," Callie replied, her voice soft and syrupy, the kind of tone that made others instinctively want to protect her, a stark contrast to Nyla's cool tone. "You're exaggerating. I'm just an ordinary person." An ordinary person who was all too easy to manipulate. The moment the words left her mouth, Nyla felt Ethan's gaze on her--sharp, teasing. She met his eyes, her expression frosty, but he didn't look away. Instead, his lips parted, and his cool voice cut through the air. "Let's go. Don't waste time on people who don't matter." Callie offered an apologetic smile. "We'll head in, then. Would you like to join us? It's a bit of a walk." The words "people who don't matter" stung more than Nyla cared to admit. Last night, Ethan had been so close--so possessive he wouldn't let her leave--and now he was acting like a stranger. Huh. If Ethan chose acting as his career, he would win the Best Actor award, and Nyla would gladly be the one throwing tomatoes at his acceptance speech. Plastering on a bitter smile, she replied, "No thanks. I don't feel comfortable riding in a stranger's car." Without waiting for a response, she turned and walked away. Behind her, the sleek Maybach sped off, its icy wind brushing her cheeks and nearly drawing tears from her eyes. But she refused to cry--not here, not at the Brooks family estate. The sprawling Brooks Mansion loomed ahead, its gardens and private villas spread across more than seven thousand square feet. It was the largest private residence in Ulares and an unyielding symbol of the Brooks family's influence. The family dinner was held in the main house of the estate, and by the time Nyla arrived, the room was already packed. Her eyes immediately found Ethan, standing beside Callie, who was chatting amicably with the wife of Ethan's second brother. They looked disturbingly at ease with one another. "Why are you so late? Didn't I tell you to leave work early?" The voice belonged to Vicki, who appeared beside Nyla in a black gown and white mink shawl, exuding effortless grace. Nyla forced a smile, though she detested the way Vicki had shed her real self to fit into the Brooks family mold. "It's a long drive. Besides, I'm here now, aren't I?" Her eyes roved over the crowd. Faces turned her way, some barely hiding their disdain. "Honestly, we shouldn't have bothered coming." Vicki tightened her grip on Nyla's hand, her voice dropping to a whisper. "If you listened to Ryland and made connections with the Fowler family, we wouldn't be in this position." Nyla's tone sharpened. "If you're in such a rush, feel free to go see my blind date yourself." "Don't be ridiculous!" Vicki hissed, glancing around nervously. The last thing she wanted was to cause a scene here. "Then stop nagging me," Nyla retorted. "Unless you want me to make a real fuss." Vicki bit back her frustration, unwilling to press further. Nyla slipped away and found an empty corner, determined to stay invisible until the endless family dinner wrapped up. But, of course, the peace didn't last. "Nyla, why are you sitting here all by yourself? Are you feeling out of place?" Callie's sugary voice rang in her ear. "I can show you around if you'd like." Chapter 6 Definition Of Decorum "Thank you, I appreciate your concern, Miss Higgins, but that won't be necessary." Nyla blinked leisurely, suppressing a yawn. The previous night had been relentless and exhausting, and as she sat in the quiet corner, weary and disinterested, she had thought no one would disturb her. Unexpectedly, Callie had come over, initiating conversation. As Nyla observed the gentle expression on Callie's face, a sardonic grin took root in her thoughts. She now understood Ethan's distaste for her; he evidently preferred someone more like Callie. "Leave her be, Callie. That woman is nothing but trouble. Who knows who she'll charm next? You're too good for her." These words came from Stella Brooks, the daughter of Ethan's second brother. Nyla turned toward Stella, her expression teasingly challenging. "Perhaps you're right. Maybe I should seek out Lukas for an enlightening chat in his bedroom. He'd probably appreciate it. And perhaps tomorrow I'll drop by Austen's place--I still know how to get in." Lukas Brooks, Stella's younger brother, had been captivated by Nyla from the start, wanting nothing more than to stay by her side. His family, convinced of Nyla's manipulative charm, met her with cold disdain. Consequently, Lukas found himself transferred to a distant boarding school. Austen Mitchell, the focus of Stella's unrequited affections, had grown up next door to Nyla. Their families were intertwined, and he always saw Nyla as kin, a fact unknown to many. This was the root of Stella's vehement animosity toward Nyla. Originally, Nyla endured her insults, but Stella's escalation to physical threats forced Nyla to retaliate. "Shame on you!" Stella seethed, her cheeks burning. "Don't think for a moment you belong in the Brooks household just because you share our roof! You're no better than your mother. It's clear now why your family crumbled--you thrive on being a shameless intruder!" Shadows flickered in Nyla's eyes, her fist tightening inside her sleeve, though her expression remained calm. "Has Austen actually accepted your advances? You seem to be the one relentlessly pursuing him. He freely opens his door to me. Can you say the same? Your efforts seem futile. He shows no interest in you." Stella's eyes welled up, her hand lifted for a slap, but Callie intervened just in time. "Stella, that was uncalled for. Why would you say such things?" Callie's voice carried the weight of a mentor scolding a student. Flushed and tearful, Stella bit her tongue following Callie's sharp scolding. With a restrained smile but firm voice, Callie maintained her composed aristocratic air. "You're under the Brooks' roof now, Nyla. It's high time to leave your old ways behind. We expect decorum in a family of the Brooks family's standing." Nyla noted Callie's attempt to shame her and wondered about her motives. Her secret with Ethan was safe. What was driving Callie's hostility? Was it just a personal dislike? Nyla's lethargy vanished, replaced by simmering annoyance. "Stella called me a shameless intruder and hurled insults, yet you don't accuse her of indecorum. I merely stated some facts, less harshly than her, and yet here you are, Miss Higgins, accusing me of impropriety." Nyla's voice was measured as she locked eyes with Callie, her laughter tinged with scorn. "So, this is your definition of decorum, Miss Higgins? Your upbringing must indeed be exemplary." Chapter 7 Lecture Me On Callie's Behalf? Callie's expression shifted, her eyes softening with a tinge of apology. "I didn't mean it like that," she said gently. "I just thought… it might help you to fit in better with the Brooks family." Nyla's gaze swept over the two women in front of her. Stella still looked like she was ready to tear her apart, while Callie's carefully composed friendliness had started to crumble. Suddenly, the family dinner didn't seem so dull after all. One person warned her not to dream too big about the Brooks family, and the other subtly reminded her of her place as an outsider. How delightfully amusing. "And what does that have to do with you, Miss Higgins?" Nyla asked, standing abruptly. A sly smile curved her lips as she added, "Stella does have a point, though. Who knows who I'll charm next? Maybe one day… Ethan will end up in my bd too. Instead of worrying about me, Miss Higgins, you might want to keep an eye on yourself." The smile vanished as quickly as it had appeared. Without waiting for a response, Nyla turned and strode toward the garden. "You bch! How dare you even think about Uncle Ethan!" Stella's shrill voice pierced the air. "Callie, see? She doesn't deserve your kindness. She's shameless!" Callie's eyes lingered on Nyla's retreating figure, all pretense of kindness gone. Her voice was cold and measured. "Just an outsider. Does she really think the Brooks family will protect her? Let's see how long she lasts." The garden, though chilled by the winter air, offered a quiet sanctuary to Nyla. Dinner still hadn't been served--Roger Brooks, Ethan's father, hadn't arrived yet. Nyla was grateful she wasn't particularly hungry. Otherwise, she might have had an outright clash with Vicki and left. Most of the flowers had withered, leaving the once vibrant landscape barren and forlorn. She studied the decayed flowers, finding an odd comfort in their desolation. Settling onto a swing tucked in the corner of the garden, Nyla pushed herself back and forth lightly, lost in thought. The Ethan situation was spiraling. If things ended between them now, her carefully laid plans would collapse. When she first approached Ethan, she'd told herself it was all calculated--a means to an end. But somewhere along the way, her emotions had betrayed her. She'd been starved of love for so long that the taste of it--however fleeting--had made her greedy. She didn't want to let him go. "Do you think you can hide out here after stirring trouble?" Ethan's voice cut through the stillness, sharp yet calm. "Do you think the Brooks family is that forgiving?" Nyla froze for a second before resuming her lazy swaying. The light from the house spilled onto her figure, casting her in an ethereal glow that made her seem almost otherworldly--a delicate flower in a crumbling garden. She tilted her head slightly, her hair spilling across her chest, and smiled faintly. "So, are you here to lecture me on your future fiancée's behalf?" Her eyes, glimmering with playful defiance, locked onto his. Ethan hated and loved those eyes--the mischievous glint that made her look like a sly little fox, always drawing him closer. "You're getting bolder." "If that's your reason, you can save your breath," Nyla retorted, bitterness threading her words. "I won't apologize. And you don't have to remind me of my place either. Whether the Brooks family hates me or not is none of your concern. After all, I'm just… insignificant, right?" Ethan's expression darkened instantly. He crossed the distance between them in a few long strides and pulled her down onto his lap as sat on the swing, its frame graning under their combined weight. "Have you already forgotten who was in my b*d yesterday, pleasing me?" Nyla's eyes widened as she struggled against him, "Let go of me! Ethan, this is the Brooks Mansion. Someone will see!" ...... What happens next? Available chapters here are limited, click the button below to install the App and enjoy more exciting chapters (Automatically jump to this novel when you open the app) &3&	LEARN_MORE	https://fbweb.moboreader.net/67687322-fb_contact-e	Fun Novel	https://www.facebook.com/100090881055588/	1,340	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	fbweb.moboreader.net	VIDEO		https://fbweb.moboreader.net/67687322-fb_contact-ena255_2-0124-core1.html?adid={{ad.id}}&char=331118&accid=233925549638247&exdata=7FAD4AB9C958D0044D1E28A83EA030F73C78A3EFF1558C98	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/476465502_9177470765669208_8073763403894157457_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=iU_Z5_8v7jAQ7kNvgGNbNFQ&_nc_oc=AdjMrCmo15O_uwjzi1lthQAPOVVe3OoRYNYhu-G6z8lPcip-rOONwUbGS-486Y2PsFCNj3IP4oM3G8o6IrrsAR8K&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AgSFmTAr--PxyTNfRZOd7n1&oh=00_AYDoyI9s5MQvItcvFZ56YoM3Cvkn7JAoMll0a57IQK2jKA&oe=67CC29AA	PERSON_PROFILE	0	0	Fun Novel	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
2,766,847	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2767240}'	Yes	2025-03-03 18:52	active	2790	❤️😍O que acontece a seguir👉Clique aqui para continuar lendo👉	Cheguei em casa depois de um dia puxado e meus pais estavam me esperando na sala. - Catarina, senta aí que precisamos conversar. – Meu pai falou e parecia bem nervoso. - Pode falar, pai, o que aconteceu? – Perguntei ao meu pai cansado, eu tinha trabalhado o dia todo, ido pra faculdade à noite e, ao chegar em casa, a única coisa que eu queria era tomar um banho e cair na cama. Mas não foi possível. - Catarina, chegou o convite de casamento da sua prima. – Minha mãe falou. - Aquela mulherzinha não é minha prima! – Falei já ficando nervosa. - Catarina, ela é a sua prima. – Minha mãe falou. – É melhor você parar com esse ataque de infantilidade. A Melissa já bateu nela e fez um escândalo aqui em casa. Agora chega! Ela é filha da minha irmã, portanto é sua prima. - Me desculpa, mãe, mas ela não é nada pra mim. – Tentei manter a calma. – Ela ficou com o meu namorado na minha cama, isso não é coisa que se faça. Eu namorava o Cláudio há quatro anos, ele foi meu primeiro namorado, e o encontrei na minha cama, no meu quarto, transando com a Kelly, minha prima! Eu fiquei em choque. Claro que a Melissa, minha melhor amiga, partiu pra cima deles. Desde então as coisas ficaram tensas em minha casa, pois meus pais insistiam que era uma bobagem e que eu deveria agir como se nada tivesse acontecido e voltasse a conviver com a minha prima. - Errado foi ele, Catarina, que era seu namorado. – Minha mãe argumentou. – A Kelly, coitada, foi seduzida, ele a desonrou, agora vai se casar com ela pra ela não ficar mal falada na cidade. - Ah, mãe! Me poupe e se poupe! A cidade inteira sabe que a Kelly é uma vadia... – Perdi a paciência. - Catarina, olha o vocabulário! – Meu pai chamou a minha atenção. – Olha aqui, se você não quer conviver com a Kelly tudo bem, mas você vai a esse casamento. E chega desse comportamento grosseiro. - Eu o quê? – Achei que eu tinha ouvido errado. - Você vai ao casamento da sua prima, Catarina. Isso é uma ordem! Nós somos os seus pais e você vai obedecer. – Minha mãe falava brava comigo, como se eu fosse a errada nessa situação. - Sinto muito, mãe, mas eu não vou! Eu sigo as regras de vocês, eu sou uma boa filha, mas dessa vez não vai dar. Eu fui a ofendida! Eu tenho todo o direito de não querer ser a piada da família mais. – Falei já chorando. - CHEGA, CATARINA! – Meu pai gritou e me assustou. – Você vai a esse casamento e ponto final. - Mas, pai... - Não quero saber, Catarina! É importante pra sua mãe manter a paz na família. Então você vai e pronto. – Meu pai falou não dando margem para questionamentos. Fui para o meu quarto e passei a noite chorando. No dia seguinte contei tudo para a Melissa, que não perdeu tempo, arrumou os convites para um baile de máscaras, evento de gala, falando para os meus pais que seria importantíssimo para a minha carreira, já que os empresários mais importantes da cidade estariam lá, eu faria contatos muito importantes e nossos professores haviam prometido nos apresentar a vários empresários que abririam portas para o nosso futuro profissional. Em princípio meus pais não estavam muito convencidos, mas os pais da Melissa conversaram com eles e os convenceram de que seria uma excelente oportunidade para o meu futuro. Então eles concordaram que eu deveria aproveitar a oportunidade. - Catarina, você não pode me dizer não! Já comprei os convites, as máscaras e já até convenci seus pais de que é um evento importantíssimo para o seu futuro profissional, o que me deu um trabalhão. Essa festa vai ser incrível e você não vai perder! – Melissa, falava e me olhava com os olhos de um cachorrinho abandonado, juntando as mãos como se suplicando. Eu estava sentada em minha mesa no trabalho, no meio da tarde de uma quinta feira, entre anotar recados e fazer ligações, e a Mel apareceu com café, bolinhos de chocolate e essa insistência para eu aceitar ir no baile de máscaras que acontecia anualmente e era o maior evento em nossa cidade. - Ai, Mel, como é que pode eu não conseguir dizer não pra você? Está bem, eu vou! Eu concordei em ir ao baile, mas eu ainda não tinha certeza. De qualquer forma eu iria dormir na casa da Mel para fugir do casamento, mas não iria à festa, contudo, Melissa tanto fez que me convenceu a ir pra festa. No sábado nos arrumamos na casa dela. - Quê isso, hein, amiga! Tá gata demais! – Ela me entregou uma máscara dourada, linda, toda trabalhada como se fosse uma renda, que cobria até o nariz e eu a coloquei. Eu usava um vestido de cetim vermelho brilhante e a máscara combinou perfeitamente. – Então, estamos prontas? - Sim estamos prontas. – Respondi e peguei minha bolsa. – Ih, esqueci meu perfume. - Não, tem problema, você vai usar o perfume novo da minha mãe. Ela não se importa. Quando o Fernando, namorado da Mel, nos viu sorriu, deu um beijo na Mel e disse: - Garotas, vocês estão lindíssimas! Acho que você vai sair dessa festa com um namorado novo, Cat. - Sem namorado, Nando. Na verdade, eu acho que é melhor eu ficar, eu não estou no clima pra festa. Por favor, Mel, deixa eu ficar? CAPÍTULO 2: O grande baile, a tequila, os cosmopolitans e o estranho irresistível Não teve jeito, minha amiga me arrastou para o baile. Logo que entramos a Mel nos arrastou para o bar e falou no meu ouvido: - A festa é open bar, então hoje você vai beber para afogar de vez a tristeza! –A Mel me entregou dois shots de tequila e com mais dois em suas mãos me falou: - Vamos virar! – viramos a tequila e o Fernando já entregava uma taça de cosmopolitan para cada uma. Melissa me arrastou para a pista de dança e até que eu estava me divertindo. Começou uma música lenta e o Nando e a Mel começaram a dançar agarradinhos, aproveitei a deixa e me encaminhei para o buffet, mas não consegui chegar, senti uma mão puxando a minha e quando olhei para trás havia um homem com uma máscara preta sorrindo pra mim, e que sorriso! Ele beijou minha mão e me puxou para perto dizendo no meu ouvido com uma voz rouca: - A mulher mais linda do salão não vai me negar uma dança, vai? - E por que não? Vamos dançar. – Sorri pra ele. Era impossível resistir aquela voz rouca sedutora e aquele sorriso lindo meio de lado! Ele era alto, ombros largos, um sorriso encantador e olhos azuis, tão azuis que eram quase violeta. Ele tinha uma boca que convidava ao pecado, cabelos castanhos, e quando me puxou pela cintura eu apoiei as mãos em seu corpo e percebi que ele era uma parede de músculos bem definidos. Embora a máscara não permitisse ver seu rosto, ele era muito charmoso e encantador. - Eu estava observando você desde que chegou. – Aquele homem, com ar misterioso, falou no meu ouvido. – Você é tão linda! - Você é gentil. Mas você não é da cidade, é? – Ele tinha uma presença forte, emanava poder. - Não. Um amigo me convenceu a vir a essa festa. - Parece que temos algo em comum, meus amigos também me convenceram a vir. - Sorte minha! - E por que? – Sorri. - Porque eu fiquei fascinado quando te vi. Você é muito linda. – Enquanto ele falava no meu ouvido eu ia me arrepiando, sentindo meu rosto esquentar e o corpo formigar, ele realmente me encantou. - Mesmo com a máscara? - Mesmo com a máscara! Você é linda demais. - Você é um sedutor. - Você me acha sedutor? - Você sabe que é. E lindo também. - Que bom que você gosta do que vê. – Eu me senti um pouco zonza, não sei se pela bebida ou pelo perfume delicioso que aquele homem usava. Acabei tropeçando nos meus próprios pés. - Você está bem? - Acho que preciso de um pouco de ar. - Vem comigo. - Ele me puxou para um corredor sem iluminação que dava para uma saída de emergência e ficou assoprando o meu rosto. – Eu quero muito te beijar. Posso? – Eu fiz que sim com a cabeça. Ele olhou nos meus olhos, segurou a minha nuca e nossos lábios se encontraram, começou lento, mas foi se aprofundando, ele me encostou na parede e o beijo se intensificou ainda mais, quase nos roubando o fôlego, quando ele interrompeu o beijo para respirarmos, nos olhamos nos olhos, foi como jogar gasolina no fogo, ele passou a mão pela minha cintura, desceu até minha coxa e puxou minha perna para sua cintura. Eu já estava completamente entregue nesse momento, sentindo seu corpo contra o meu, eu fiquei louca de tesão e o puxei para mais perto envolvendo sua cintura com minha perna. - Você beija bem! – Sorri pra ele e senti meu corpo todo se arrepiar. – Ah, linda, você é incrível, eu quero muito você, aqui, agora! – ele disse entre beijos e enfiou a mão sob o meu vestido o puxando pra cima e chegando a minha calcinha. Eu estava em chamas quando ele enfiou a mão dentro da minha calcinha e gemeu. – Ah! Que delícia! Tão quente, tão molhadinha! – Disse e me beijou com mais força, enquanto abria o zíper da sua calça. Com um movimento rápido, de quem já tinha feito aquilo antes, ele rasgou minha calcinha e acariciou minha entrada, como se pedisse permissão. Olhou nos meus olhos de novo e me perguntou: - O que você quer que eu faça? - Eu quero que você esteja dentro de mim agora! – Respondi sem nenhum pudor, eu já estava arfando de tanto tesão. Eu não resisti aqueles olhos e aquela voz rouca. Eu nunca fui assim, normalmente eu teria me desvencilhado dele no momento em que me puxou pela mão, mas aquela noite eu havia prometido a mim mesma que iria me divertir e se aparecesse alguém interessante eu viveria o momento. E era o que eu estava fazendo, vivendo aquele momento. Ao me ouvir, ele foi entrando em mim devagar, observando eu encostar minha cabeça na parede e aproveitar cada centímetro dele, e ele era enorme. Ele aproveitou para espalhar beijos pelo meu pescoço. Quando acabou de entrar ele parou e falou entre beijos no meu ouvido: - Agora eu vou me mexer. – E começou a sair, só pra entrar de novo com toda força dessa vez, e foi uma delícia, eu estava completamente entregue e enlouquecida com os movimentos dele que entrava e saia de mim freneticamente. Nos descontrolamos e nos entregamos totalmente, como se não tivesse nada ao nosso redor, eu senti uma névoa em meus olhos e o climax começando a se formar e gemi baixinho no ouvido dele, nesse momento parece que ele enlouqueceu, puxou minha outra perna para sua cintura e eu o entrelacei. Me beijando intensamente ele entrava e saia com mais força ainda em mim, era o paraíso na terra. Eu gozei gemendo na boca dele e foi um climax incrível, mas ele continuou o movimento e logo outro climax se formou, e gozei novamente, um climax ainda maior que o anterior que me deixou sem fôlego, enquanto eu gozava ele me disse baixinho que estava no limite me sentindo pulsar ao seu redor, logo eu senti o gozo dele quente dentro de mim. Ficamos ali encostados naquela parede, totalmente sem fôlego, a testa dele encostada a minha. Enquanto me beijava, ele começou a sair de mim e eu estava completamente bem comida, como diria a Melissa. Eu sorri e ele me olhou, me deu um selinho e disse: - Você é realmente incrível! Gentilmente ele baixou minhas pernas até meus pés tocarem o chão, colocou o meu vestido em ordem, arrumou sua calça e me abraçou. Isso foi tão íntimo, tão afetuoso, apesar da loucura daquele encontro e da ferocidade com que nos entregamos, ele ainda era cuidadoso comigo. Eu nunca tinha tido uma relação tão maravilhosa, mas eu só tinha transado com meu ex até então. E meu ex nunca tinha se preocupado em me abraçar depois, nem se preocupava com meu prazer, para ele a coisa se resumia a entrar e sair até ele estar satisfeito, então, o fato de um homem se preocupar comigo, com meu prazer, cuidar de mim, foi novidade, e uma novidade incrível. Ele me deu um beijo no pescoço e perguntou no meu ouvido: - Então, linda, eu ainda não sei o seu nome. – Levei segundos para processar e finalmente me dar conta de que acabei de transar com um completo estranho e nem sei o nome dele. Quando eu ia abrir a boca pra falar, ele puxou o celular do bolso e me pediu um minuto para atender. Se afastou um pouco e só pude ouvir ele elevando a voz e dizendo: - O que você disse? – Nesse momento aquele estranho saiu correndo como se tivesse se esquecido de mim, ou como se só estivesse fugindo da rapariga que comeu rapidinho na festa. Mas e daí? Foda-se eu só estava me divertindo também e eu nem sabia quem era o cara e ele não sabia quem eu era. Tudo certo. Me recompus, procurei minha calcinha rasgada inutilmente, onde ele a teria jogado eu não faço ideia, e saí daquele corredor. Voltei pra mesa e encontrei a Mel e o Nando se agarrando. Logo eles pararam e focaram em mim: - Mel, acho que encontrei o Lobo Mau! – Eu ri e ela riu comigo. - Quando chegarmos em casa quero saber tudo! - Claro que quer! – respondi com os olhos brilhando. - Príncipe, acho que já podemos ir. O que acha, Cat? - Eu estou pronta quando vocês quiserem! – falei virando um copo de água. - Então vamos, garotas! – Fernando falou e nos conduziu para a saída. Mal chegamos e a Mel já foi me ordenando: - Conta tudo, quem é, como foi, como não foi, tudo. Eu ri e contei tudo pra ela, quando terminei de falar minha amiga me olhava de boca aberta e me perguntou: - Vocês usaram camisinha, né? Meu coração disparou! A gente não usou preservativo. E eu balancei a cabeça em negativa para ela, eu estava em choque por me dar conta do quão descuidada eu fui. Ela já foi logo me acalmando: - Não, Cat, calma. Com certeza não vai dar nada. Mas você deve fazer uns exames para garantir que está tudo bem. Vou na cozinha preparar um chá pra gente. Não surta! CAPÍTULO 3: Chegou a hora da verdade Na segunda, na hora do almoço, encontrei a Mel e ela me entregou uma sacolinha de uma loja chique. Olhei pra ela sem entender. - Minha mãe mandou eu te entregar. Ela disse que ele é perfeito para você e não combina com ela. – A Mel falou com um grande sorriso. Abri a sacolinha e lá dentro estava o perfume que eu usei para ir ao baile. Eu abri um grande sorriso. Eu amei aquele perfume e ele era parte da melhor noite da minha vida. Liguei para o laboratório e fui informada que precisaria apresentar um pedido médico para fazer os exames pelo plano de saúde. Graças a Deus a empresa pagava plano de saúde para os funcionários, porque se não, não sei o que faria, meu salário não era alto e o pouco que sobrava depois de cobrir as despesas da faculdade eu ajudava em casa, já que minha mãe não trabalhava fora e meu pai também não ganhava muito como motorista. Então marquei o médico que só tinha horário para quinze dias depois e aguardei agoniada. Quanto mais os dias passavam mais nervosa eu estava, a Mel fazia de tudo para me acalmar. Na data marcada ela foi comigo ao médico. Com a lista de exames nas mãos ela mesma marcou o laboratório e fez questão de me acompanhar. Já tinham se passado três semanas desde a festa quando eu finalmente consegui fazer os exames. Os resultados saíram cinco dias depois e eu voltei ao médico. Claro que a Mel estava comigo. O médico verificou os resultados e me olhou nos olhos: - Srta. Catarina, sua saúde está ótima. Você está saudável. Mas, daqui pra frente terá que se cuidar melhor. Eu respirei aliviada Ele continuou falando: - Parabéns, você está grávida! Vou encaminhá-la para um ginecologista obstetra para que você faça o pré natal.... Eu não ouvi mais nada, só o sangue pulsando em meus ouvidos. Eu não podia acreditar nisso! Grávida? Como eu iria explicar? Não é possível. Na primeira vez que deixo a racionalidade de lado acabo grávida e nem sei quem é o pai! A Mel segurava minha mão e repetia: - Calma, Cat, vai ficar tudo bem! Como ficaria tudo bem? Eu nem sabia quem era o pai. Eu teria que contar isso para os meus pais, sua única filha acabaria com eles. Eles ficariam decepcionados, iriam me odiar, me colocariam pra fora de casa. Como eu ia explicar que não sei nem como é a cara do pai do meu filho? Eu já estava hiperventilando. De repente, senti o médico pegando minha mão e falando calmamente: - Filha, calma! A situação, pelo que percebo, não é a melhor, mas você não pode ficar nervosa assim, isso fará mal para o seu bebê, agora você tem que se cuidar por ele. Tenho certeza que as pessoas que te amam vão te apoiar e ajudar. Mas você precisa se acalmar, porque só você pode cuidar para que esse bebê se desenvolva saudável e nasça forte. Você me compreende? O médico pediu a secretária para trazer um chá de camomila para mim e enquanto eu bebia o chá e tentava me acalmar ele passava todas as informações para a Melissa que ouvia tudo atentamente. Saímos do consultório e a Melissa me levou para uma lanchonete dizendo que nós precisávamos comer alguma coisa. Logo que me sentei senti as lágrimas caírem. Minha amiga me abraçou e me disse mais uma vez que eu não estava sozinha. Olhei para ela e disse: - A única certeza que tenho agora é que quero você e o Nando como padrinhos do meu filho, porque sei que vocês vão apoiá-lo e dar a ele muito amor. Os olhos dela brilharam e ela explodiu em lágrimas e soluçando me respondeu: - Eu vou ser a melhor madrinha do mundo e vou estar sempre perto do nosso bebê! E tenho certeza que o Nando vai ficar muito feliz também! Ela garantiu que estaria ao meu lado sempre, deixou claro que eu não passaria por nada sozinha e que estaria comigo quando eu fosse falar com meus pais. Meus pais... ai! Comecei a raciocinar e decidi que não iria esconder deles nem por um dia, ia contar naquela noite mesmo, não iria a faculdade, pois iria pra casa falar com eles. A Mel logo me apoiou e disse: - Então vamos, eu estou com você! Quando chegamos em minha casa meus pais se assustaram e minha mãe já veio toda preocupada: - Meninas, vocês não foram a aula hoje? Está tudo bem? - Não muito, mãe. Eu preciso falar com vocês. Meus pais perceberam logo que era algo muito sério. Nos sentamos todos na sala e eu contei a eles o que estava acontecendo e que eu fui irresponsável e fiquei com um estranho na festa, não entrei em detalhes obviamente, mas deixei claro que não poderia encontrar o pai do meu filho de novo. A decepção nos olhos deles era evidente. Minha mãe soluçava de tanto chorar e dizia que eu estava arruinada. Meu pai até então não havia dito nada. A Melissa vendo como minha mãe estava nervosa foi logo na cozinha e voltou com um copo de água com açúcar para ela. Melissa sempre dá água com açúcar pra quem está nervoso dizendo que acalma, eu nunca entendi isso. Por fim, meu pai falou: - Você cometeu um erro muito grande e não tem volta. Ouvir meu pai enfatizar que eu errei fez meu coração doer ainda mais. Eu comecei a chorar e fui falando: - Eu sei, pai, eu fui irresponsável. Mas agora não tem jeito. Eu vou deixar a faculdade para poder criar meu filho. E já vou fazer minha mala... - Fazer a mala? Você está muito enganada se acha que vai sair dessa casa assim. Você errou, nos decepcionou, mas nós te amamos, vamos superar isso e vamos ajudar você. Você não está sozinha, minha filha! E essa criança também não! – Meu pai disse isso e meu coração se encheu de esperança. - Mas pai, eu envergonhei vocês... - Você não é a primeira e não será a última mãe solteira nesse mundo. Nós gostaríamos que as coisas fossem diferentes para você, que não fossem tão difíceis. Você sempre foi tão responsável! Mas, se é assim, nós vamos enfrentar isso. Você não vai deixar a faculdade, mais do que nunca você precisa crescer na vida para cuidar do seu filho, você vai ser mãe solteira, sua responsabilidade é muito grande. Nós vamos te ajudar e, mesmo que seja com dificuldade, vai dar tudo certo. A Melissa já estava chorando e logo falou com os meus pais: - Sr. Antônio, Dona Celina, vocês contem comigo, vou ajudar em tudo! Até porque eu sou a madrinha desse bebê, a Cat é como uma irmã pra mim, e vou estar sempre por perto. Meus pais olharam para ela com gratidão. Eu olhei para aqueles três me sentindo completamente abençoada por tê-los em minha vida, cheia de amor por eles e um sentimento totalmente novo por aquele serzinho que ainda crescia dentro de mim e que eu acabava de descobrir a existência! Por mais difícil que fosse ser mãe solteira, aquela noite no baile foi a melhor noite da minha vida. Eu nunca vou poder esquecer aqueles olhos azuis violeta me olhando com adoração durante nosso encontro furtivo e tudo o que meu corpo experimentou naquela noite. Eu sempre teria essa doce lembrança comigo. Os meses seguintes foram difíceis. Guardei em uma caixa o vestido, os sapatos, a máscara e o perfume que a mãe da Mel me deu. Em dias difíceis eu abria aquela caixa e revivia em minha memória aquela noite. Embora eu tenha tido uma gravidez tranquila, os comentários e a maldade das pessoas era difícil suportar. Para piorar, depois que se casaram, meu ex e minha prima foram morar com os pais dela, que moravam na mesma rua que nós, e eles faziam questão de me humilhar com comentários maldosos sempre que me viam e espalharam no bairro inteiro que eu não sabia quem era o pai do meu filho e que eu era uma perdida, por isso que o Cláudio me deixou. Eu queria matá-los! A mãe da Kelly, que era irmã da minha mãe, também não perdia a oportunidade de ir lá em casa nos atormentar, dizendo que ainda bem que a filha dela não era como eu, que era uma boa moça, que tinha se casado com um homem decente. Parecia ter esquecido que aquela puta roubou meu namorado e transou com ele na minha cama. Mas eu engolia tudo, não valia a pena bater boca com essa gente e eu não queria transmitir sentimentos ruins ao meu filho. Quanto mais os dias passavam, mais eu amava aquele bebê, eu não tinha ideia que poderia existir um amor assim. Tudo o que eu fazia, fazia por ele. Eu o protegeria de tudo, eu daria a minha vida por ele. E, por incrível que pareça, com a gravidez parecia que todas as coisas fluíam para o meu bem, tudo ia se encaminhando e dando certo. Descobri que eu teria um menino e decidi que se chamaria Pedro. E assim foi. Pedro nasceu saudável, com um par de imensos olhos azuis violeta que nunca me deixariam esquecer da noite que mudou a minha vida, mas que foi a melhor noite que eu vivi! Eu nunca esqueceria aquele homem! CAPÍTULO 4: Depois da faculdade Quando eu me formei, Pedro já estava com dois anos. A essa altura ele já andava para todos os lados, sempre agarrado na vovó, que foi a primeira palavrinha que ele disse. Era um menino lindo, cabelinhos amigos bem lisinhos, pele clara, um nariz arrebitadinho e aqueles enormes olhos violeta que me faziam suspirar. Ele era o meu sol! E agora eu teria mais tempo pra ele. Após a formatura meu chefe me chamou para conversar, ele era um ótimo chefe, disse que estava muito feliz comigo na empresa, mas sabia que eu merecia chegar muito longe, então eu deveria procurar emprego na minha área, que ele compreenderia. Garantiu que meu emprego na construtora seria meu enquanto eu quisesse e que se eu saísse e não desse certo eu teria para onde voltar. Mas que eu deveria buscar algo na minha área de formação, para dar um futuro muito melhor para o meu filho. Eu fiquei muito emocionada com isso e aceitei o seu bom conselho. Contei pra Melissa e ela logo me disse que ia falar com o pai dela para que ele acionasse alguns contatos. E não demorou, o Sr. Otávio Lascuran, pai da Mel, me chamou no escritório dele e me entregou um cartão, me dizendo: - Catarina, sei que você é uma ótima garota e uma boa profissional. Falei com um amigo e ele conseguiu uma entrevista para você no Grupo Mellendez, é para o cargo de assistente do CEO do grupo. Se você conseguir esse emprego vai exercer sua profissão em uma empresa global, é um excelente cargo, mas não é aqui em Campanário. Você teria que se mudar para Porto Paraíso. Eu sei que é um passo enorme, mas acho que você deveria considerar, vai ser excelente para você. Enfim, envie um e-mail para o endereço eletrônico no cartão com a sua resposta desistindo da vaga ou aceitando a entrevista virtual. - Sr. Lascuran, eu não tenho palavras para agradecer! Vocês sempre foram tão bons comigo! O Grupo Mellendez é um dos maiores conglomerados de empresas do país! Trabalhar lá é um sonho! Eu vou aceitar a entrevista sim, se tiver que me mudar eu vou, sei que será uma grande oportunidade. – falei com convicção, pois não seria ruim me afastar daquelas pessoas maldosas da minha família, principalmente agora que a “rainha” Kelly estava grávida e a mãe dela resolveu pedir tudo que é do Pedro pro rebento do casal canalha! Ainda bem que minha mãe disse a ela que isso era um absurdo, mas que de qualquer forma seria impossível, pois eu já havia dado tudo que não servia mais para o Pedro para uma conhecida que estava grávida. Minha mãe andava muito chateada com a irmã, pois ela estava sempre se desfazendo do meu filho, sempre se referia a ele como o menino sem pai e isso magoou muito minha mãe. Indo embora dessa cidade, só vou lamentar em deixar meus pais e meus amigos, mas sei que eles vão me apoiar mais uma vez. Agradeci ao Sr. Lascuran e sai do escritório. Cheguei a minha mesa e falei com o meu chefe, outro Sr. Lascuran, mas ele não gostava de ser chamado assim então o chamava pelo nome: - Aldo, seu irmão conseguiu uma entrevista pra mim no Grupo Mellendez. Ele sorriu: - Eu sei, ele acabou de me ligar, acho que você deve agarrar a oportunidade, se não der certo você volta. Sorri pra ele e fui logo enviar o e-mail para marcar a entrevista. Recebi rapidamente a confirmação de que a entrevista seria no dia seguinte às dez horas da manhã, já que eu já havia tomado a iniciativa de enviar o meu currículo, a entrevista seria rápida. Naquela noite em casa falei com os meus pais que entenderam, mesmo se preocupando em como eu ia cuidar de uma criança sozinha em outra cidade e ficando chorosos porque ficariam longe do neto. Me apoiaram como sempre e ficaram felizes com a oportunidade que eu recebi. Pedi que eles não contassem para ninguém. Quando a Mel chegou, ela ia todos os dias ver o afilhado, contei tudo e ela me ajudou a me preparar para o dia seguinte. Na hora da entrevista, fui para a sala de reuniões do meu trabalho, meu chefe havia me liberado, me sentei e esperei a chamada. Fui entrevistada por uma senhora muito gentil e inteligente, Sra. Mariana Toledo. Foi muito agradável, conversamos por duas horas, ela me passou todas as informações do cargo, salário e benefícios, no final ela me disse: - Catarina, você está contratada! Você vai me substituir, já que eu estou indo para um cargo de diretoria na filial de Londres, então você ocupará meu cargo aqui. De modo que gostaria que você começasse o mais rápido possível, pois eu viajo daqui a dez dias e gostaria de lhe passar tudo antes de ir. E também não gostaria de reagendar a minha partida. Quando você pode começar? - Eu preciso apenas que meu chefe me libere, mas creio que posso estar aí na segunda. – Já era sexta, será que o Aldo concordaria em me liberar ainda hoje? - Perfeito. Você pode me enviar um e-mail confirmando depois de falar com ele. Você tem alguma dúvida? - Não, senhora. Está tudo claro. -Ótimo! Bem vinda ao Grupo Mellendez, tenho certeza que você vai se sair muito bem. Te espero na segunda. Ela encerrou a chamada e meu coração estava disparado, eu tinha conseguido. O emprego era ótimo, o salário melhor ainda e eu ainda teria chance de progredir. Era um sonho. Mas era hora de correr para resolver tudo. Fui imediatamente falar com meu chefe. Ele ficou feliz, ligou para a contabilidade e mandou fazer meu acerto imediatamente. Após o acerto ele me liberou, disse que eu teria sempre um lugar para voltar se precisasse, mas que sabia que eu iria me dar muito bem. O agradeci por tudo e saí. Mandei o e-mail de confirmação para a Sra. Mariana, dizendo que na segunda, às oito da manhã, estaria na empresa, e fui logo falar com a Mel e o pai dela, tinha que agradecer. E aí foi a Mel quem me surpreendeu: - O que você achou, que ia levar meu afilhado embora assim? Não vai mesmo! Meu pai conseguiu uma entrevista para mim na Lince Mundi em Porto Paraíso. Eu vou me mudar com você e vamos morar juntas. O que acha? Isso era perfeito! Fiquei muito feliz, mas logo perguntei: - Mel, mas e o Nando? - O Nando já pediu na empresa a transferência dele pra filial de Porto Paraíso, lá ele terá mais oportunidades também. Ele vai daqui a quinze dias. Amiga, vida nova para nós três. Eu estava muito feliz. A Mel já havia orquestrado tudo. O Nando ia nos levar e ela ficaria com o Pedro para eu trabalhar até conseguirmos a creche. Ela já tinha três creches para visitar e o pai dela já havia disponibilizado um apartamento mobiliado na cidade pra gente. Era bom demais, eu estava até com medo. Percebendo, a Mel me cutucou e me disse: - Aprenda a aceitar as coisas boas que a vida te oferece! Eu sorri pra ela e fomos para a casa dos meus pais. Era hora de dar a notícia e nos despedir. Porto Paraíso fica do outro lado do país, então ficaríamos sem nos ver um tempo. Meus pais ficaram felizes, até eu dizer que partiria na manhã seguinte, aí a despedida foi uma tristeza. Era difícil deixá-los para trás, mas era necessário. Com o salário que eu receberia, poderia ajudá-los agora. Isso era bom. Na manhã seguinte o Nando e a Mel chegaram pontualmente. O pai da Mel deu uma caminhonete de presente para ela, o que facilitou muito fazer nossa mudança. O Nando colocou tudo na caminhonete e lá fomos nós, seria o dia todo na estrada. Chegamos a Porto Paraíso já era tarde da noite de sábado, Pedrinho estava muito cansado, se divertiu muito durante a viagem, era tudo novidade. Nos acomodamos, pedimos comida e depois de comer fomos dormir. No domingo percorremos a cidade reconhecendo tudo, Porto Paraíso era uma cidade muito grande, cheia de indústrias, muito moderna, ficava no litoral e o porto atraia muitos negócios para a cidade, era um centro urbano de primeiro mundo. O apartamento em que iríamos morar ficava perto de uma das creches que a Mel havia contactado, isso era ótimo, e também não ficava longe da empresa, de metrô eu chegaria em vinte minutos. Era lindo, decorado em estilo moderno e bem arejado e iluminado, com janelas enormes. À noite deixamos o Nando no aeroporto e de volta em casa fomos descansar, o dia seguinte seria um grande dia, eu começaria no emprego e a Mel faria sua entrevista virtual e marcaria com a diretora da creche perto do apartamento para irmos conhecer e conversar. Coloquei meu filho na cama, ele estava cansado de tanto que se divertiu hoje. Eu observei por um tempo seu soninho tranquilo e estava confiante de que aqui nós teríamos uma vida muito boa. Pedro agora tinha seu próprio quarto, eu e a Mel combinamos de comprar umas coisinhas para deixar bem a nossa cara, dar um toque pessoal. Peguei a babá eletrônica e fui para o meu quarto. Abri uma das minhas caixas e comecei a arrumar tudo ali. Quando abri a última caixa, tirei dela a caixa com minhas lembranças da noite do baile, a abri, passei a mão por aquele vestido lindo e suspirei mais uma vez. Peguei o perfume e pensei, “por que não?”, a partir de amanhã eu usaria esse perfume todos os dias, meu salário era bom e quando esse acabasse eu poderia comprar outro. Guardei a caixa, deixei o perfume sobre a penteadeira e fui dormir cheia de expectativas com essa vida nova que se abria a minha frente. CAPÍTULO 5: Meu novo chefe é muito estressado Me apresentei na empresa às oito da manhã. Fui muito bem recebida pela Sra. Mariana, que me apresentou todo mundo e todos foram gentis. O chefe não estava lá, estava viajando e chegaria no final da semana. O escritório era lindo, muito moderno, todo decorado em branco, aço inox e detalhes verdes, muito profissional e acolhedor ao mesmo tempo. Era elegante e eu gostei muito. Fiquei particularmente feliz por ter escolhido vestir um terno amigo, com uma blusa de cetim verde escuro por baixo e saltos amigos. Eu deveria estar elegante todos os dias agora, afinal ia trabalhar direto com o presidente da empresa. No meio da manhã recebi uma mensagem da Mel dizendo que conseguiu marcar com a diretora da creche próxima ao nosso apartamento para a hora do almoço. Expliquei a situação a Sra. Mariana e perguntei se seria possível me liberar no horário, mas que eu estaria de volta a tempo. - Então você tem um filho. Qual a idade dele? – ela me perguntou com um sorriso. - Ele tem dois anos. É um garotinho muito esperto. Não foi planejado, mas é a razão da minha vida! - Qual o nome dele? - Pedro. - Pedro. Um nome forte. Você não é casada, isso eu sei, mas e o pai do seu filho, vocês continuam juntos? – Meu coração despencou, como é que eu explico pra ela que não sei quem é o pai? Mas eu não minto, então vamos enfrentar a verdade. Contei para ela que o pai do Pedro era um homem que eu conheci em uma festa e nunca mais vi, ela me olhava séria, não havia julgamento nos olhos dela. Então me disse: - Você tem o meu respeito, Catarina, não é fácil ser mãe solteira, e é muito difícil contar verdades como essa que você sabe que vai despertar o julgamento dos outros. Obrigada pela confiança e honestidade. Vai lá resolver a creche para o seu filho, continuamos à tarde, não precisa correr. Agradeci e me despedi dela indo encontrar a Mel e o Pedro. Minha admiração e respeito pela Sra. Mariana só cresciam. Ela é uma mulher de uns cinquenta e cinco anos, cabelos loiros bem claros e olhos azuis quase transparentes. É uma mulher bonita e elegante, mas principalmente é muito acolhedora. Nós nos demos muito bem. Durante o resto da manhã ela me encheu de informações sobre o trabalho e eu ia anotando tudo. Na hora do almoço eu saí do prédio e a Mel já estava me esperando na porta com o Pedro. Entrei no carro e fomos almoçar antes de ir à creche. Eu e a Mel adoramos a creche e o Pedro já estava enturmado correndo com os novos amiguinhos, ele é um menino muito extrovertido. Isso me deixou muito feliz! Meu filho estava feliz! Desistimos de ver as outras creches, pois essa era ótima e ficava muito perto de casa, a três quarteirões de distância. Fizemos a matrícula e acertamos todos os detalhes. A diretora sugeriu que deixássemos o Pedro até o final do dia, já que ele estava se divertindo e assim já ia se adaptando. A Mel ficou de buscá-lo no fim do dia. A Mel me deixou na empresa novamente e me disse que voltaria pra casa para se preparar para a entrevista de trabalho que seria no meio da tarde. Voltei à minha sala e cheguei antes da Sra. Mariana. Sentei à mesa e fui repassando tudo o que ela já havia me informado. O telefone sobre a mesa tocou e eu fiquei sem saber o que fazer, mas aquela seria minha mesa, então atendi com a voz mais profissional possível: - Grupo Mellendez, presidência, boa tarde, em que posso ajudar? Ouvi do outro lado um silêncio sepulcral seguido de um longo suspiro. Alguém vociferou do outro lado, com certa impaciência e uma voz forte e meio rouca: - Passa para a Mariana. Levei um susto, mas me controlei e respondi: - Desculpe, senhor, mas a senhora Mariana ainda não retornou do almoço. Posso ajudá-lo ou o senhor gostaria de deixar um recado? - Quem está falando? – falou do outro lado ainda mais impaciente. - Meu nome é Catarina, sou a nova assessora do Sr. Mellendez. - Mas eu não te conheço. – Parecia que ele ficava mais impaciente a cada vez que falava. - É que hoje é meu primeiro dia, senhor. O senhor gostaria de deixar um recado? - Diga a Mariana para me ligar assim que puser os pés no escritório. - Perfeitamente, senhor. E qual o seu nome? - Parece que eu sou o seu chefe! – falou rispidamente e desligou o telefone. Nossa, que homem estressado! Isso não estava na descrição do cargo. Imediatamente minha garganta apertou, meu chefe e eu já tinha causado má impressão? Eu estava muito ferrada! Comecei a pensar que não ia durar nesse emprego. Pouco depois a Sra. Mariana chegou e eu lhe transmiti o recado com uma cara de preocupação. Ela olhou pra mim sorrindo, como se entendesse meu receio, e perguntou: - Ele estava calmo? Eu olhei pra ela e não aguentei: - Ele estava a ponto de ter um colapso nervoso. Certamente a jugular dele estava saltando no pescoço. Ela caiu na gargalhada e depois disse: - Vocês dois vão se dar muito bem! Você vai domar a fera, tenho certeza. Eu não tinha essa certeza. Talvez eu nem devesse desfazer as malas, esse homem iria me engolir viva!	LEARN_MORE	https://alplk.com/market/buenovela/3?lpid=17914&ut	Casa dos livros	https://www.facebook.com/61558148557550/	25,332	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	alplk.com	IMAGE	🔥Mais grandes romances aqui🔥	https://alplk.com/market/buenovela/3?lpid=17914&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}}	1969-12-31 18:00	https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/481793323_1177321770706157_363767754842878135_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Drpi_t0CJbgQ7kNvgECJBP5&_nc_oc=AdjEQQ8mzdMHGSclcvGRlBeFSLDrU78H27sMLhR61BucXjYQ9Dumc8HLzmfGqIjnX1i4Hh8bP9X9pshxX_1UwkMi&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AC9RrAsQ0DeOypm8wXo_dMP&oh=00_AYCGTWu5FHyeADucaO2Zb7c7gqpjVb8qdsD8doWBgZhOCg&oe=67CC1C06	PERSON_PROFILE	0	0	Casa dos livros	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete
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2,766,442	/src/Template/Ads/index.ctp (line 281) '{"alias":2766449}'	Yes	2025-03-03 18:48	active	2790	🔥🔥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/	375	1969-12-31 18:00	Learn more	redtgb.com	IMAGE		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-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/475764744_630701712707883_6555445484022900728_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=UavITxrmeX8Q7kNvgGJuIiX&_nc_oc=Adiqm84ltrEgjLT0D9GGh_rc5upYY_l5wj9YY6V36zY7R-MmVP_H5jMpBthpKuOPZ-MQ0JK5LQR7TrbS95HyRprt&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AgSFmTAr--PxyTNfRZOd7n1&oh=00_AYCGR3EGN7sJy4-3SeNrMeiqpKAzyFDSSjk8v2IjhyWSHQ&oe=67CC046B	PERSON_PROFILE	0	0	Random Reading	1969-12-31 18:00	View Edit Delete

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