| Scrape | 23 |
|---|---|
| Id | 858 |
| Active | 1 |
| Created Epoch | 1,716,681,603 |
| Modified Epoch | 1,723,710,522 |
| Scrape Epoch | 1,716,681,781 |
| Created | 5/25/24, 7:00 PM |
| Modified | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM |
| Status | completed |
| Notes | |
| Dataset External No | 858 |
| Filename |
| Id | Active | Status | Created | Modified | Created Epoch | Modified Epoch | Notes | Scrape Result Id | Original Ad Id | Adarchiveid | Collationcount | Collationid | Currency | Enddate | Entitytype | Fevinfo | Gatedtype | Hasuserreported | Hiddensafetydata | Hidedatastatus | Impressionstext | Impressionsindex | Isaaaeligible | Isactive | Isprofilepage | Pageid | Pageinfo | Pageisdeleted | Pagename | Reachestimate | Reportcount | Ad Creative Id | Byline | Caption | Cta Text | Dynamic Versions | Effective Authorization Category | Display Format | Title | Link Description | Link Url | Page Welcome Message | Creation Time | Page Id | Page Name | Page Profile Picture Url | Page Entity Type | Page Is Profile Page | Instagram Actor Name | Instagram Profile Pic Url | Instagram Url | Instagram Handle | Is Reshared | Version | Body | Branded Content | Current Page Name | Disclaimer Label | Page Like Count | Page Profile Uri | Page Is Deleted | Root Reshared Post | Cta Type | Additional Info | Ec Certificates | Country Iso Code | Instagram Branded Content | Spend | Startdate | Statemediarunlabel | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1841065 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 5/4/25, 10:14 AM | 1716682322 | 1746371684 | 858 | 484727797317617 | 1 | 3.8233189212365E+15 | 1716620400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 465231436915042 | 0 | Round Hill Pines Beach Resort | 120209928093240713 | roundhillpinesresort.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Purely Lake Tahoe. | Free parking after 5pm | https://www.roundhillpinesresort.com/ | 1716313534 | 4.6523143691504E+14 | Round Hill Pines Beach Resort | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/444151843_474469511617545_4871444314462096977_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=yaqhqphuifIQ7kNvgHPBqAk&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYAdcrHYUfW9xloG4qO5y2gKPZVtcXVHLPSykb0ZiVEKSQ&oe=66584DD8 | person_profile | 0 | Round Hill Pines Beach Resort | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/444190415_426693070154938_8110181002765708861_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=8RQ198zY55oQ7kNvgE9WTyU&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYDbE2Ox2AvUIMfeFzoUwjvQwDXVtTA0FfeaynDcxJX6Aw&oe=6658651F | 0 | 3 | Cocktails with toes in the sand and the best sunset view on the Lake. The Rum Bar awaits the pleasure of your company. | Round Hill Pines Beach Resort | 6666 | https://facebook.com/roundhillpines | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1716620400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841046 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 6/5/25, 4:52 AM | 1716682322 | 1749117172 | 858 | 291958790652671 | 3 | 1.1673076476229E+15 | 1716620400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 1 | 0 | 106230892147834 | 0 | Wahooly | 120208392486660620 | shopwahooly.com | Shop now | NONE | video | Free Worldwide Shipping! | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5 Reviews! | https://shopwahooly.com/products/auto-tracking-phone-holder | 1716120664 | 1.0623089214783E+14 | Wahooly | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441550888_1499627580626532_1414101930248845522_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=hi4iCK3vLxgQ7kNvgEXFM7C&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYDiUaF5pSb9IRY4V_D1kFjBl3lq-x4mtW07zS34H1ZoWQ&oe=665856B7 | person_profile | 0 | Wahooly | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441604688_8032235373454880_6938820003090827366_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=i7qCRILsbRgQ7kNvgHNPKQ5&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYBTb2OKATPGhPd_CKG_wBereJnliyzdMzOPySWriOOtww&oe=66585A8E | 0 | 3 | Capture perfect selfies every time with our Auto Tracking Phone Holder – stay in the frame effortlessly! 📸 | Wahooly | 58 | https://facebook.com/Wahoooly | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1716620400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841055 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682322 | 1723710525 | 858 | 782761196703175 | 5 | 3.5342400771126E+14 | 1713596400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 101065786425886 | 0 | Fit Fusion Hub | 120205438995860685 | fitfusionhub.co | Shop now | NONE | video | Free Worldwide Shipping! | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5 Reviews! | https://fitfusionhub.co/products/waist-twisting-disc | 1711382962 | 1.0106578642589E+14 | Fit Fusion Hub | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/433479221_420110183937191_478106752442852752_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=WnGwb8UqOGEQ7kNvgGmdoNd&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYCQdyIOxjOf2JWz2ogJsQuagaTDrVoQtERZ3JNZvQRWtw&oe=66584E3F | person_profile | 0 | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/433490542_7094954960616616_7004627976478776710_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=hApKbSkljkMQ7kNvgFLF6jz&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYAbMf3G8Kj7Hxmjoc5v561ZP5EcbsbehKGypHAmIYORHw&oe=665865C2 | 0 | 3 | Spin into shape with the Waist Twisting Disc – Fun meets fitness with a twist of magnetic magic for balance and core strength! | Fit Fusion Hub | 46 | https://facebook.com/fitfusionhub | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1713423600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841056 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682322 | 1723710525 | 858 | 793146902699782 | 6 | 1.0968745049686E+15 | 1712818800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 101065786425886 | 0 | Fit Fusion Hub | 120205340264730685 | fitfusionhub.co | Shop now | NONE | video | Free Worldwide Shipping! | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5 Reviews! | https://fitfusionhub.co/products/electric-protein-shaker | 1711116031 | 1.0106578642589E+14 | Fit Fusion Hub | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/432067347_1063576474745018_724497605306183776_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=pmKgKRkdM9QQ7kNvgH0twd6&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYCvWjFDG5fvZhrEoneFbBi7dZuUOO7AXyGTRZbtLTXFEg&oe=665850EC | person_profile | 0 | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/432063006_408226161794850_4398130670109671840_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=FLz-h2dDoG4Q7kNvgFtyXJ-&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYD667MpO-Nben9MTqvh9d_ZVXUejdtZCZhNS50nlxkKJA&oe=66585C85 | 0 | 3 | Shake up your routine with the 650ml Electric Protein Shaker – Perfect blends on the go with auto-stirring technology! 🥤✨ | Fit Fusion Hub | 46 | https://facebook.com/fitfusionhub | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1712646000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841033 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682322 | 1723710527 | 858 | 1085453815851018 | 1 | 1.1566214422666E+15 | 1716620400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 104875444530306 | 0 | Local Housing Source | 6570749304885 | fb.me | Learn more | NONE | image | Looking to buy your dream home? We're here to help! | Unlock 1% Cash Back - Start Your Self-Guided Home Tours Today! | http://fb.me/ | 1715204504 | 1.0487544453031E+14 | Local Housing Source | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/440419583_850873686870671_3628036198154600773_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=okpUZzydsMkQ7kNvgH3GrAQ&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYDmL2Iw-UlFfbFd8GaK3gjL4Ej4eMo6aLIl07hLLuz6CQ&oe=66584F43 | person_profile | 0 | Real Estate & Relationships | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/440429991_7539246896191137_1043276014159100063_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=JGxnvZHtKvAQ7kNvgErnE-R&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYB4z_rz7ppU3y4xyk2ri8DDRQNwmwQ_nfCn2GC3Qav1jw&oe=66584969 | 0 | 3 | Get 1% Cash Back When You Buy a Home!<br /> <br /> Looking to buy your dream home? We're here to help! Get expert guidance and 1% cash back on your closing costs when you buy with Local Housing Source. It's a win-win!<br /> <br /> Why Choose Us?<br /> <br /> 1% Cash Back on Closing Costs: Sign with us, and you’ll get real money back when you close. <br /> Expert Guidance: Our experienced agents guide you from start to finish, making the home-buying process a breeze. <br /> Hassle-Free Tours: Explore homes at your pace with flexible self-guided tours. Simple Offer Process: When you're ready to make an offer, our easy process ensures a smooth transaction.<br /> <br /> Why This Matters?<br /> <br /> With our 1% cash back, you could save thousands on your new home. In 2023, our average rebate was $31,038. Think about what you could do with that extra cash!<br /> <br /> Ready to Get Started?<br /> <br /> Contact Local Housing Source today and let's find your dream home together. With us, buying a home has never been easier—or more rewarding.<br /> <br /> Contact Us Now! | Local Housing Source | 3 | https://facebook.com/100071426276633 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1715583600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841109 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682324 | 1723710529 | 858 | 1879390642474185 | 1 | 7.7004547176018E+14 | 1716620400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 214305385109285 | 0 | Delaney Worldwide | 120208791531700084 | delaneyworldwide.com | Learn More | NONE | carousel | Trusted Movers For a Smooth Transition | Stress-free relocation. | http://www.delaneyworldwide.com/ | 1713558864 | 2.1430538510928E+14 | Delaney Worldwide | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/436547483_7464615606938391_7957480284726591432_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kEom74zF8voQ7kNvgHO_paR&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYBdRifw1CaLllkFxW9MnKG4bq1ZRpwtcLMQMl5TDGVCSg&oe=6658693B | person_profile | 0 | Delaney Worldwide Inc | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/439625953_400220496122398_789550840492018026_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=JthjNWUBn9sQ7kNvgHO5RTh&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYAxuSPJ_op01qIuKcRorifRCPdVB4Dc4Wy7IuRoyneIlw&oe=6658576B | 0 | 3 | Stress-free relocation. | Delaney Worldwide | 1 | https://facebook.com/61557773368721 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1713855600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841149 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682326 | 1723710531 | 858 | 478272224667453 | 1 | 9.8867341249763E+14 | 1715497200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 220948471097418 | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | 120208322655090240 | beokn.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | 😍Read the next chapters👉 | https://beokn.com/market/buenovela/3?lpid=11222&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1715247646 | 2.2094847109742E+14 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441959051_459948103069197_1403971259308613209_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=GMbylYSvS5gQ7kNvgEIq7eL&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYC81AOB8TCCDLAHyeDy1n4tMuAEwz6U5oRPerAbMIXi6g&oe=6658579C | person_profile | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441520392_1857443494727194_4363879934185925189_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=uMrutYUE9y8Q7kNvgFcuNQB&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYCx-HziBm_aJGb_ZR-phjgqMqsEYGEFIB3qb95a_YwOAA&oe=6658462A | 0 | 3 | Melody Swanson had her cell phone's torch turned on to light the path to a white cottage amidst the lavenders. The night breeze was chilly, but all she had on was a white, sleeveless nightgown and lounge slippers. Her expression lifted when she saw she was getting close to the cottage. But the next second, someone reached out from the bushes beside her and gripped her right shoulder tightly. She yelped in shock, dropping her phone onto the ground. The faint light disappeared. The next thing she knew, she was dragged into a hot embrace. "I'll give you a million for one night!" The man's voice rang out behind her. It was deep and smooth. Melody's heart raced at this plot twist. Before she knew it, she'd been flipped onto her front and pinned to the ground amidst the sea of flowers. She widened her eyes and flailed, trying to escape. "No, wait! You've got the wrong person!" "Stop moving, sweetheart. Or are you that desperate for it?" the man rasped. "Let me go!" Melody struggled harder, but the man's tall and toned figure held her in place as he flipped her onto her back. She started feeling scared. She widened her eyes even more, but all she could see were the stars in the sky behind the man's head. There was barely enough light for her to see the man's chiseled features—the desire burning in his eyes was clear as day, though. It was almost as bright as the stars above. Melody tried her best to escape but to no avail. Pain shot through her; the man leaned down to kiss her and swallow her cries. After a long while, he spoke again. His voice was alluring and hoarse. "You're so sweet, darling. I'll give you a million for another round. How about that?" "You're a monster!" Melody's voice was also hoarse from her crying. How could he do something like this to her in such a saintly place? The wind lifted her dress, stained purple by the lavenders they'd crushed underneath them. The scent was oddly intoxicating. They were in Violetville, which was famous for its sea of lavenders. It was so picturesque that many film companies had been attracted to film there. It gradually turned into a filming base. Recently, John Wales, an internationally renowned director, brought a crew of award-winning actors and actresses to Violetville to film a huge production. He'd happened to catch sight of Melody, who was home from college for the holidays. He'd invited her to play the role of an important side character. Melody hadn't expected her sister, Queenie Swanson, to trick her out of the house in the middle of the night upon hearing the news. Queenie had locked the door and refused to open it no matter how she pleaded. Their parents heard everything but did nothing to stop Queenie. The words Queenie had said not too long ago were still reverberating in Melody's mind. "You were capable of catching that director's eye, weren't you? Is it because you've already slept with him? What are you still doing here, then? Go sleep in his hotel room! I won't open the door for you, so get lost!" With no place to go, Melody had no choice but to take shelter in the white cottage amidst the sea of flowers, which was only meant for sightseeing. She hadn't expected to experience something like this, though. Her family's betrayal and the man's advances made her tears flow. They wet the flowers crushed underneath her body. Melody didn't know how long it would take for the man to be sated; it was as if he would never tire. When the sky started turning bright, he finally stopped. He released her hands, which he'd kept pinned in place. Melody immediately grabbed the nearest object and smashed it over the man's head. He'd been saying, "Tell me your name, sweet—" Melody smashed a rock on his head before he could finish. He didn't manage to dodge it—perhaps he was too relaxed after having had his fill of her. Chapter 2 The man swayed on the spot from the impact. Melody pushed him away; he lay there, looking up at her blearily. She lifted the rock, intending to strike him again. This was self-defense! But the words echoed hollowly in her mind—she couldn't do it—she couldn't take his life. Even of a monster, it would stain her forever. Ultimately, she threw the bloodied rock aside and staggered to her feet. She took a step and happened to kick her phone. Melody picked it up and pulled out the cash tucked underneath her phone case. It was the change she'd gotten after doing some grocery shopping. She threw it at the man and snarled, "Listen up—I bought your services for one night, and that's your fee. Keep the change! And don't think it's too little. That's all you're worth!" With that, she turned and stumbled out of the sea of lavenders. The man's vision was already starting to blur. The blood trickled down his forehead and over his eyes. It dyed his vision red as he watched Melody walk away from him. The color of the flowers' stains on her nightgown seemed to mix with the blood in his eyes, giving him the impression that the flowers were blossoming. He was reminded of the night they'd just had together. "Don't go…" he mumbled, reaching for her. But the darkness overtook him. The luxury watch on his wrist gleamed as his hand fell to the ground limply. … Two months later, there was an uproar at the Swanson residence. "You're expecting a baby before marriage! You're a disgrace to the Swanson family! Get out of here!" Horace Swanson shoved Melody away furiously. "This is a small town, and the people here are all good, honest people. How could you pick up all these bad habits from those celebrities whose private lives are so messed up? Leave now! I'll just act like I never gave birth to you!" Susan Lett waved a hand, looking utterly disappointed. "You should leave, Melody. If the neighbors hear about this, how do you expect Mom and Dad to continue living here? I'm not married yet, you know. I don't want you to affect my reputation." Queenie stabbed an apple slice with a toothpick and ate it. She sat on the couch, looking like she was enjoying the show. Melody pointed at her. "Queenie's the one who locked me out of the house that night because she wanted to get the chance to be in that film! That's why I ended up getting assaulted. Why do you guys refuse to believe me?" Horace stood up and stormed over to her, giving her a hard slap. "Shut up, you imbecile! You're the one who did something so shameless, yet you're still trying to push the blame onto your sister! Don't ever step foot in here again!" "I raised your sister myself, so I know how kind and loving she is. How can you say that about her?" Susan pulled Queenie, who looked aggrieved, into her arms. She gave Melody, who'd fallen to the floor from Horace's slap, a reproachful look. "Is it really like Madam Williams said, Mom? Am I not your daughter? Is that why you won't believe me?" Melody didn't want to cry, but the tears refused to stay in her eyes. They streamed down her face. "You… Of course you're my daughter! That's why I know what a bad apple you are! How dare you try to blame me when your misbehavior? Leave! Now!" "Fine! I'll go!" Melody staggered to her feet and walked out the door, looking resolute and lonely. … Five years passed in the blink of an eye. Ford Manor was located among a cluster of villas halfway up a mountain in Tottenstone. Ethan Ford was having the same dream again. The woman in his dream wore a white dress, as usual. She had a long, silky smooth hair. He couldn't see her face, though. She didn't seem to enjoy his ministrations—she cried and pleaded with him to let her go, but he couldn't stop himself from sinking deeper. He held her close. In the next second, he opened his eyes and woke up from the dream. Chapter 3 It was this dream again. Ethan had experienced it almost every night for the past five years. No other woman had managed to arouse him since that incident—only the woman in his dreams could. He'd had the same dream for 1,826 days, including today. Even if he was already used to it, Ethan was still irritated. He wiped the sweat from his face; even his hair was damp. He got out of bed. His perfect figure was like a model's, but his face was more handsome than any model could ever have. His demeanor was cold, regal, and domineering. Ethan took a moment to compose himself. He strode to the bathroom after pushing the steamy images out of his mind. The butler, Bill Jones, heard this and came into the room. He quickly changed the soiled sheets. He'd just finished when Ethan came out of the bathroom with nothing but a towel around his waist. As soon as he graced the room with his toned figure, the atmosphere turned somewhat sensual. Bill stood there with his head bowed. When he saw Ethan head to the wardrobe, he said, "Ms. Wendy Nielson called to invite you out for dinner, Mr. Ford. Should I make arrangements? It's high time you let loose and have some fun, sir." Wendy was the daughter of a politician and one of the most well-known socialites in the region. She'd invited Ethan out countless times since running into him at a banquet a year ago. Ethan grabbed a black shirt and put it on, his back muscles rolling as he did so. He didn't even turn back as he said, "You're too noisy." Bill knew this meant Ethan was turning down the invitation. He didn't dare say anything else. 40 minutes later, Ethan strode out of the villa. His assistant, James Sawyer, hurriedly opened the door to a luxury car parked outside. Ethan got into the car elegantly. As the car drove past the main gates, Ethan glanced at the rearview mirror to see two bodyguards stop a woman in a cap and tracksuit. She tried to run after the car; her ponytail swung with her actions. Ethan retracted his gaze and said to James, "Tell the bodyguards they're out of jobs if I see any strangers as soon as I leave the house again." Sweat beaded on James' forehead. "Yes, sir." "Have you found anything on that woman from five years ago?" Ethan tugged on his tie, his eyes cold. He didn't even need to look at anyone to make them shudder. James stuttered, "N-Not yet, sir." "I'll give you another month. If you can't find anything, you can get lost, too!" Unbeknownst to Ethan, the woman he was searching for was behind him. Her figure became smaller and smaller in the rearview mirror. "Mr. Ford, don't go!" Melody finally liberated herself from the bodyguards, but she wasn't in time to catch up with the car. She wanted to run after it, but the bodyguards stopped her again. Amidst the tussle, she fell to the floor and landed on her arm. Pain shot through her. She raised her head to look at the car, but it was long gone. Oh no! It had already been a month—she'd staked out every place that Ethan could possibly be at, but someone had stopped her every time. She couldn't even get close to him. It had taken all her connections to get Ethan's address; she'd waited outside for him from 3:00 am onward for several days in a row. Still, she'd failed to even get close to him, let alone speak to him. "Mr. Sawyer just called us. If you show up here again tomorrow, you'll have to pay!" one of the bodyguards warned. Melody looked back at them and pleaded, "Can you please just let me see Mr. Ford? I only have a few things to say to him—it'll only take five minutes! It's about something important, I swear. This has to do with someone's life!" Chapter 4 "Every woman who wants to see Mr. Ford says they need him to save lives! He's not interested in you, okay? There's no point throwing yourself at him," one bodyguard snapped. "Get lost! Don't come here anymore!" another said. They looked like they would resort to violence if Melody refused to leave. She had no choice but to get up and trudge down the mountain, looking glum. "It's rare to see such a gorgeous woman. I'm sure she'd be set for life if she were to go after some other rich kid. Too bad she's greedy—doesn't she realize where she is? Even Phoebe Shaw, that award-winning actress, isn't worthy of shining Mr. Ford's shoes, let alone her!" one bodyguard said. "You're right about her not knowing her place, but I have to say that she's a lot prettier than Phoebe Shaw," the other said. They continued chatting as they headed into the villa. … It was already the afternoon by the time Melody returned to the hospital. She saw Clive Zimmerman's attending physician, Tom Filbert, come out of the hospital room before Clive's. She hurried over to him. "Dr. Filbert, how has Clive been recently?" "Oh, Mrs. Zimmerman. I've already made your husband's condition clear to you—we need to find a matching donor as soon as possible for the bone marrow transplant. Otherwise…" Tom shook his head. Melody paled. Tom continued, "The hospital's been searching for a matching donor, but your husband's condition is deteriorating too quickly. He's running out of time. "As his family, you need to work with us. Try to think of any relatives he might have and bring them to the hospital so we can check their bone marrow. Maybe one of them might be a match…" Melody paled even more. Tom continued talking, but she couldn't really hear him anymore. She asked with difficulty, "How long does he still have if we can't find a donor?" Tom shook his head. "The bone marrow transplant has to be done within a month. Otherwise, he'll only have three to five months at most." Melody clenched her jaw; her expression became resolute. "I've already found a bone marrow that matches Clive's, but the person hasn't agreed to become a donor yet. I'll find a way to persuade him! "Please make the necessary arrangements for the transplant, Dr. Filbert. I'll bring the donor over before the surgery!" "That's great! I'll arrange for the transplant to be done in ten days, then. Remember to bring the donor over as soon as possible—he needs to be checked before the surgery." "Alright." Melody nodded. But once Tom was gone, she slumped against the wall weakly. What was she going to do? The surgery was in ten days, but she'd made zero progress. She hadn't even gotten close to Ethan, let alone persuaded him to donate his bone marrow to Clive. Ethan was the wealthiest man in Emperia, after all. A hair on his head was worth more than most other individuals' lives. Even if she did manage to speak to him, how was she going to get him to agree to help Clive? What was she going to do? Melody approached Clive's hospital room. Before she opened the door, she heard her children, Jacob and Jamie Swanson, singing. They were singing an Enolian song that had been dedicated to the singer's father. Melody peeped inside through the window on the door. Jacob and Jamie wore identical uniforms as they stood hand-in-hand before the window. The sunlight shone down on them, and they swayed on the spot while singing. Clive sat up in bed, also basking in the sunlight as he clapped his hands to the beat of the song. The hospital gown he had on looked too big for him because of the weight he'd lost, and he looked rather haggard. It didn't take away from his good looks, though. There was a gentle smile on his face. He didn't look like a patient who was on the brink of death. Instead, he looked like a patron of the arts—one who was enjoying a grand musical. Melody's eyes turned red. She turned away to dry her tears. Chapter 5 Five years ago, Melody had been kicked out of her home without a penny. At the time, she'd already carried Jacob and Jamie. When she'd been backed into a corner, Clive had taken her in. Not only had he helped her quit school, but he'd also taken care of her the whole time. Later, he'd even offered to marry her so that Jacob and Jamie wouldn't end up becoming illegitimate children. He'd helped her too many times to count over the years—she had to repay him. His parents and relatives were all dead, and he now had serious disease. If she were to give up on him, he could only wait for death to take him. He was still so young and outstanding; this wasn't the end he deserved! No matter what, Melody had to convince Ethan to donate his bone marrow to Clive. She didn't care how difficult it would be! … That night, Melody hid in a storage room at Privo Country Club, Tottenstone's most exclusive club. An auction was being held there that night, and it had taken her some time to find out that Ethan would be in attendance. Anyone who could get an invitation to the auction had to be a bigwig in Emperia's business world or an influential politician; Melody was neither, so she didn't have an invitation. Fortunately, she'd heard about the organizers of the auction holding something of a show for young women at the very end of the auction. It was supposed to be a show, but it was more like the young women were auctioning off their first time. Like regular auctions, the highest bidder would get. As long as Melody could blend in with them, she would have the chance to get to Ethan. At the moment, the young women who were being auctioned were standing by in the waiting room opposite the storage room. Melody was waiting for a chance to sneak in when she suddenly heard a muffled conversation outside. "Come with me!" "Listen to me, Ned. I came here willingly—as long as someone bids on me tonight, we'll have money for your mother's medical bills. It's worth giving up my cherry to save her life!" "I don't need you to sacrifice yourself for me like this, Elaine! I love you! I've managed to get the money, so let's go!" "Really?" "Yeah!" "That's great! Let's go!" The footsteps faded into the distance. Melody came out of the storage room. She picked up the clothes and name tag that read "Elaine Johnson" from the floor and smiled as she looked down the corridor. She wished the couple all the best and also thanked them for this opportunity. An hour later, Melody stood barefoot on the marble floor, wearing only a bikini as she waited for her turn. "Next, let's welcome the beautiful Ms. Elaine Johnson, our eighth participant of the night! She's still a college student, everyone." The host's voice rang out on the other side of the curtain. Suddenly, Melody hesitated. She'd never worn anything so revealing in public before. "Get in there! What are you doing?" When an employee saw her standing there dazedly, he pushed her. She was caught off guard and stumbled onto the stage. The blinding spotlight landed on her; she could sense countless men staring at her. Melody stood there stiffly, so helpless that she was unable to move. Ethan wasn't the slightest bit interested in these things. He'd intended to leave immediately after the auction was over, but Wayne Smith of Ditham Corporation had approached him for a chat. He'd answered him perfunctorily while glancing at the stage. Then, he saw Melody. He narrowed his eyes and sat up, the laziness he'd earlier displayed fading from sight. The lights reflected off Melody's fair skin; they made her look like she was almost glowing. She didn't strut and show her stuff like those women before her. Instead, she stood there with her head bowed so no one could see what she looked like. All they could see was her silky smooth hair. But to Ethan, the sight of her was enough to arouse him. It was like a fire had started burning in him. On stage, Melody remained silent, feeling pierced by the men's gazes. They made her feel like she was standing there in her birthday suit. Chapter 6 Melody knew she couldn't act like this. She was here to look for Ethan; she had to save Clive's life! She couldn't act like this! She clenched her jaw and raised her head, revealing her innocent yet sensual face to the crowd. After a round of gasps, auction paddles flew into the air. "100,000!" "200,000!" "500,000!" "580,000!" … Melody couldn't hear the sound of the bidding anymore—she was too anxious to track Ethan down. He was the wealthiest man in Emperia and the CEO of Regalia International, so he frequently made headlines. She'd long since committed his handsome face to memory. But before she could locate him, she felt a strong sense of oppression coming her way. She instinctively looked at the direction from which it had come. Then, she met a man's gaze. His eyes were cold and calm, yet there seemed to be molten lava buried within them. She could sense his kingly demeanor as his eyes threatened to suck her in. Melody lowered her head. He was terrifying. When Ethan saw her drop her head to avoid his gaze, he smirked. Wayne noticed this and stopped talking to glance at the stage. Then, his eyes lit up, and he chuckled. "She's a gorgeous one, isn't she? Are you interested in her, Mr. Ford?" Ethan didn't answer. Instead, he lifted a hand. James hurried forward to await his instruction. "I want her!" Ethan said. Then, he stood up and strode off. Several people had been bidding on Melody, but they stopped when they saw Ethan stand up. They got to their feet simultaneously to see him off. James hurriedly held up the auction paddle in his hand. He didn't even need to call out a price—no one else would dare bid on Melody. Who would dare to do so now that they knew Ethan was interested in her? They'd be getting themselves a one-way ticket to bankruptcy if they were to try to fight him for her. On stage, the host cried excitedly, "Oh! Mr. Ford's won the auction for our lovely Ms. Johnson! Looks like someone's in luck!" Melody didn't know how she was led off stage. She followed the employees dazedly and asked them incredulously, "Is Mr. Ford really the one who bid on me? Mr. Ethan Ford? The CEO of Regalia International?" The employees could totally understand why she was acting like this. Anyone would be out of their minds with joy if Ethan were to pick them. "Would there be anyone else with that name? Congratulations, miss. Come with me, please. I'll take you to get your clothes changed. We don't want to keep Mr. Ford waiting." "She's so lucky!" "It's not like she has such a great figure. She's not even that pretty!" "Why didn't he pick me? That was Ethan Ford! I would've paid to be with him!" "Yeah, keep dreaming. You wouldn't be worthy of him even if you were to give up everything you own! Didn't you hear about the granddaughter of some country's leader trying and failing to spend a night with Mr. Ford? She offered to pay him a hefty sum, too!" … As Melody followed the employees away, she heard the other women participating in the auction whispering among themselves about her. None of their words registered, though. She was still in disbelief that she'd succeeded just like that. Things had gone so smoothly! How was she going to beg him to agree to donate his bone marrow? Would he be moved if she were to get on her knees before him? Ten minutes later, Melody had changed into a white strappy minidress and a matching pair of 4-inch heels. She was brought to the 28th floor. | Galaxy in the Book | 68 | https://facebook.com/61555646245426 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1715324400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841151 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682326 | 1723710531 | 858 | 949279386902962 | 7 | 1.4895026953017E+15 | 1716188400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 220948471097418 | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | 120211846693390779 | qweasdzxconline.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | 😍Read the next chapters👉 | https://qweasdzxconline.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=11090&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1715085862 | 2.2094847109742E+14 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438129100_1146045226739178_2601865360875538189_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fLOSJhfepkYQ7kNvgHEd_wc&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYChz9Lv9Hi46YygQOTRcWVO3N7OQd15Ym_VowKXHVuLnA&oe=66584690 | person_profile | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/440747644_315502774915635_6353252339687881796_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kPZJVk2zb8oQ7kNvgFDgFVU&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYD__mO6mWyaS-XJiX9OhX8t7XcRfbo1yfMNPMeAXVO6_w&oe=66583557 | 0 | 3 | 🔞"Ned Fletcher, with how you're treating Angie right now, aren't you worried that you're going to regret it when you finally regain your memories one day? You loved her so much before and you two got married for love! Despite you forgetting your feelings about her, how could you post so many indecent photos of her on social media?" Ned spoke nonchalantly, saying, "Why are you still holding me hostage with morals and principles? She was the one who framed me by lowly methods. I was just warning her. If Ingrid hadn't asked me to stop, I'd have gone even further! By the way, show your respect to Ingrid. She’s not a new girl but my only one forever and never!" Angeline Emmerson heard the talk standing outside the door. She used to be treated ever so lovingly by Ned in the past. Angeline felt her eyes reddening and filling with tears. The Ned she knew had died in the car accident that happened four years ago. The one inside was merely a stranger! Angeline inhaled deeply. Then, she pushed the door open. Ned looked up and saw her entering. "Who brought you here?" Angeline stared at Ned and said, "I've already made a police report regarding your spiked drink at the event and your spreading of my photos for revenge." Hearing this, everyone's reactions differed from one another. Angeline continued, "Ned Fletcher, it's true that I wanted to try rekindling our relationship, but I would never have stooped so low as to do those disgusting things to you. I didn't want to let go of this relationship because I was worried that the Ned I knew would return someday and blame me for giving up on him so easily," Angeline placed the divorce agreement she'd been hugging onto the table. "I tried my best, but I'm tired now. Ned Fletcher, I'm giving up on you. I don't want you anymore." Ned's eyes traveled from the divorce agreement to Angeline's face. There was a hint of surprise in his cold eyes. "Let's finalize the divorce after the police have cleared my name and you have publicly apologized to me." | Galaxy in the Book | 68 | https://facebook.com/61555646245426 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1716015600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841174 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682327 | 1723710532 | 858 | 1647538179348259 | 2 | 9.748784076486E+14 | 1716620400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 250753834794512 | 0 | Read freely | 120211565986950196 | redtgb.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | ❤️😍What happens next👉Click Here to read on👉 | https://redtgb.com/market/buenovela/3?lpid=11204&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1714661788 | 2.5075383479451E+14 | Read freely | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441255115_1177880883571742_5075201022874715379_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=g4JsrhWfitkQ7kNvgFeAKBG&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYBpTaGCiNETtYR_kV1GWW7Rzpt8y2OGe5kzssk6sCPaMg&oe=66583EF3 | person_profile | 0 | Read freely | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441055224_676099334622461_3142011906559831658_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=A4yVK4Sv1HwQ7kNvgEPlR3e&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYB-QI79bY-wsfuSD-aSCQRZreHGaTJ0yga_aI_hRJR6fA&oe=66584D39 | 0 | 3 | My husband and boss Adam, is laughing at every joke that leaves the lips of his first love while I watch them through the glass doors that separates his office from mine. I had been dutifully preparing some documents that needed his signature and also setting up his meetings for the day like I have done for 7 years as his secretary but since Sophia’s arrival, I have been unable to get any work done. I feel a pang in my chast every time Adam laughs, almost tearing up at the thought that he has never laughed like that around me. I stare at her slender frame, her lush black hair that bounces back into place even when she throws her head back in laughter and the grace in every of her movements. Sophia is an epitome of feminine grace and every of her features is proof of why Adam has been hung up over her even though they separated years ago. Even though he married me. The dark binds of his office are brought down abruptly, blocking my view of them both and now all I can see is black. It is as if Adam is trying to prevent me from prying even though I am his wife and privacy shouldn’t be a thing between us, especially when it comes to a woman he used to love so much. I still remember how shocked I was when she walked up to me earlier, heels clicking ever so sophisticatedly on the office tiles. I saw the feet cladded in shiny red heels before I raised my head to look at her. “Aria, I didn’t know you still worked here! I can’t believe Adam is still making you work even after you both got married. That man is something, isn’t he?” She said, smiling sweetly with blood red lips that would look horrifying on me if I dared to try that shade of lipstick. I couldn’t speak, caught in the shock of staring face to face with her after all these years, especially as she still had the same aura of wealth and confidence that I have always known her to possess. For a split second, she made me feel insecure in my gray office wear and my tight bun hair and the fact that I wore little to no makeup. “Sophia!” Adam’s voice was what broke me out of that trance I was stuck in as he stepped out of his office and there, right in front of me, he hugged her ever so tightly like an old time friend before he led her back into his office without sparing me as little as a glance. Now, they are alone together in his office, the blinds of his office pulled shut so that I can’t see them but can only hear their muffled voices and his own laughter every now and then. I squirm in my seat uncomfortably each time they laugh, gripping the edges of my table tightly and too destabilized to get any work done while they are both holed up in there. I stare at the calendar on my table. Today’s date is marked with a red marker and I sigh deeply. Does he even know today is our third wedding anniversary? Every year, it seems like I am the only one who remembers it and now with Sophia’s appearance, I can already tell that today will pass by like it’s just another day. I knew she was coming today. Being his secretary is the only reason why I knew the things Adam would rather keep from me. He already briefed me about a new business partner that just returned to the country two months ago and will be at the office at any time. What I didn’t know or should I say, what he purposely kept from me was that the so-called business partner was Sophia Bradley and perhaps the reason why he has been more cold and indifferent than usual, ever since her return. My heart aches at the realization but it aches even more because there is nothing I can do about it. I have never had a place in Adam’s heart but he has been the only one in mine. I loved him from the very moment he saved my life years ago but I can say the same for him. He always reminds me even without speaking, that our marriage is nothing but an attempt at fulfilling his grandfather’s wishes and I knew if he had gotten his way, he would have never looked at me twice, not to talk of getting married to me. Grandfather’s love for me is perhaps the only reason I am still sane in this loveless marriage. The old man never ceases to show how much he cherishes me but when has that ever been enough? I am married to Adam and not his family. The clock ticks endlessly, yet Adam remains in there with her. Their laughter dies down all of a sudden and I can barely hear a word they are saying. Unable to hold back anymore, I stand before the restlessness kil ls me. I am his wife and I deserve to know what is going on. To look natural, I quickly make two cups of coffee. After all, I am his secretary and this is a part of my job. Nervous sweat breaks out on my forehead as I make my way to his office with unsure steps. Inhaling sharply, I open the door and step in. My heart clenches at the sight of them both, relaxed in each other’s company as they sit so close to each other on one of the couches in his office. I swallow hard and try to walk over to the table with the best confidence I could muster. “I made coffee.” I say but they don’t even acknowledge my presence, lost in each other and whatever they were discussing. I study Sophia for a moment, watching as she twirls her cherry blonde hair with a finger while seated with one leg crossed over the other to reveal a prov0cative amount of thi9hs, smiling so brightly that I can’t tell if she’s faking it. I want to turn around and leave but my feet fail to move. I can’t just leave like this. For how long will I keep quiet and svck it up? “Sir,” I call, looking directly at Adam. We are married but he never fails to remind me that I address him as my boss at work. Adam doesn’t even make a move to look at me and anger rises inside of me, slowly boiling. “Sir,” I call again and that is when he finally regards me with a cold look that almost deters me but I remain firm under his gaze. “There is something I need to talk to you about, it’s important.” I lie right through my teeth. I can feel Sophia’s gaze burning through me but I try not to look at her, for the fear that my confidence would slip away if I do. Adam just waves me off. “It can wait. As you can see, I have a guest.” “It can’t wait.” I say, even more firmly but he is already back to smiling and listening to Sophia speak like a lovesick teenage boy. I call him a few more times and unable to hold back any longer, I call him by his name instead. “Adam!” They both look up at me with a mix of expressions. That of Adam is pure anger while Sophia is obviously irritated. I know she has never liked me and back when I was just his secretary and she was his girlfriend, she complained about every single thing I did. “Adam, what is this? Is this how you let your employees disrespect you?” She says it with absolute disgust and disrespect. I am stunned at her words, so stunned that I scoff. Employee? She dares to talk down on me like that even when she knows fully well that I am not just an employee. Adam stands, his tall frame causing his shadow to sweep over me while I grip the tray of coffee tightly in my hands. “Aria, out. Now.” He commands and I am filled with so much hurt that my hands shake and my lips quiver. “Why should I? I have every reason to be in this room and I have every right to speak for you to listen to me.” Sophia stands at once. “It seems as though your wife has a bone to pick with me and I will not sit here and take such insults.” She begins to walk away and of course, Adam follows her. I try to move out of her way but my attempt fails when her shoulder heavily bumps into mine in a way that is too fierce to be considered unintentional. I lose grip of the tray and stagger forward and just like that, the hot coffee spills all over her very expensive looking dress and mine. She shrieks, backing away from me only to glare at me the next second. “What the hel is wrong with you?” She yells. Adam rushes to her side in less than a minute, fussing over her stained dress and even offering her his handkerchief while I stand there, drenched in coffee as my husband takes care of another woman. I feel the tears prickling at the corner of my eyes but what does crying in front of this woman make me? “I can’t believe you! What did I ever do to you? Go ahead and dislike me all you want but there is a limit to how far you can go and you just crossed that.” She says again, seething in uncontained anger. Adam turns to me, eyes dark with rage. It makes me shiver. Makes me feel unimaginable pain to know he is mad at me because of another woman. “Apologise right now!” He commands and I scoff. How can he stand there and take her side when I did nothing wrong? “Why should I do that? I have done nothing wrong. She bumped into me!” I defend myself, my voice breaking. Lips quivering. “I did no such thing!” Sophia says defensively but her eyes tell a different story. “You heard me, Aria. Apologize to her right now.” Adam says again, still intently looking at me. I almost laugh at the fact that the only time he is looking me directly in the eyes after three years of marriage is when another woman is involved. I shake my head, finding all of this hard to believe. “So you believe her over me? You take her words for it but mine does not matter? I am your wife.” “A wife I never wanted to marry!” He yells back and shatters what is left of my broken heart. Chapter 2 I am speechless for the next few seconds as his words hit me like a freight train. I wait. I wait for his hard eyes to soften with remorse at the harsh words he threw at me but that doesn’t happen. He is glowering at me, nose flaring angrily. “Adam, how…how could you say that to me?” I say, my eyes crossing over to Sophia who is now hiding her own frame behind his tall, muscular one, “In front of her?” “Because it’s the truth!” He yells again, startling me into making a small helpless sound. Adam has never yelled at me. And even though it hurts me to admit that he is truly saying the truth, he has never said it to my face and I never really thought he would. I have always known it yet it hurts to hear it come from him. It feels like a thousand needles are pricking my heart and making me bleed out with so much pain. He runs his fingers through his hair, seeming frustrated. Like he would rather not have this conversation with me. And just when I think it is over, he continues to speak, breaking me even further. “You were nothing but a mere secretary who wormed her way into my life. If you hadn’t forced yourself on me that night, none of this would have happened! This marriage would have never happened and you know it.” He brings up the past. Our past. The night that meant everything to me but clearly means nothing to him. I swallow over and over again till my throat and mouth become dry. I can’t cry. No, I can’t appear weak. Not in front of Adam and definitely not in front of Sophia so I keep my tears at bay, urging them to return before they spill down my cheeks. “I never forced myself on you, Adam. Why won’t you believe me?” I manage to say but he raises a hand to tell me to stop talking and I clamp my lips shut. “Do not stand there and try to look innocent, Aria because that is far from who you are. I simply said the truth and I do not care if you cannot take it.” He says and stares at me intently. “Do not let what happened today repeat itself again. Know your place and I will not have any reason to talk to you like this. Do you understand?” He lays emphasis on every word of warning he is giving me and turns his back against me before I can even open my mouth to speak again. “Are you okay?” I can’t believe how his voice goes from hard to soft in the next second as he fusses over Sophia. Sophia makes a face that has me balling my fingers into a fist. A face that clearly says she is not okay. “The coffee was hot and I think I might have to visit the hospital to prevent the burn from leaving a scar.” She says in a quiet voice. I look down at my own body that is also drenched in the same coffee. The coffee wasn’t hot enough to cause a burn but Adam believes her instantly. He pulls her into a hug and embarrassment washes over me like a bucket of ice. “I’ll drive. Wait here, I will get my keys.” he says as he pulls away, rushing to his office table to grab his car keys before coming back to her side. He takes her purse from her and leads her out. They both seem so lost in each other that they forget my existence totally, leaving me to stand alone in the middle of the room. Silence falls over me and I am left with my thoughts, licking the wound that his words caused. I have never been able to convince Adam that I didn’t force myself on him yet till this very day, he still believes I drugged him into sleeping with him on the night we were having dinner with his family three years ago. I can never forget the pure look of disgust and shock on his face when we both woke up in each other’s arms the next morning. I knew since then that Adam would never love me, yet I was hopeful. As the years go by, the hope keeps dwindling with his grandfather, being the only support system in everything. Sighing, I return to my office and pick up my phone. My eyes widens when I see that a number has called my phone repeatedly all the time I was in Adam’s office. The dread that fills me stems from the fact that I recognise the number as the hospital’s number. I call back instantly, my heart racing. They pick up on the second ring. “Mrs Miller, we have been trying to reach you all afternoon!” A female voice says. “Why? Is something wrong? Is my grandmother okay?” I ask, rushing my words as I am filled with dread and panic. “You need to be at the hospital, your grandmother—” I don’t wait to hear the rest of her words. I race out of the room and call on a taxi to drive me to the hospital. I go straight to her hospital room but the sheets and blankets are already being neatly arranged and the bed is empty. More panic. More dread. “Where is my grandmother?” I ask, “Where is she?” The nurse cleaning the room gives me a look of pity that nauseates me. “I am sorry, Mrs Miller but your grandmother died ten minutes ago and has been moved to the hospital’s mortuary. I am sorry.” She says. The world around me stops and I don’t know how I am able to walk on my two feet to the mortuary where the Nurse leads me. She stops at the door and points to my grandmother laying on a table in the room, her body covered in a white sheet from head to toe. I walk to the bedside with shaky legs and the moment I take the sheet off and set my eyes on her pale face, I burst out into a loud sob, wishing I could go back to a month ago so I can prevent that accident that made her this way. The accident that took my only living family away from me. “Grandma…” I call in a broken voice as I reach for her hand. They are too cold, so lifeless and the tears begin to leave my eyes in torrents as I remember how warm these hands used to be when they held my face. “I’m sorry…I’m so sorry.” I cry, holding tightly unto her and hating myself for not being there in her last moments. I should have been there with her but I was too busy worrying about my place in my husband’s life. The nurse comes into the room and says, “She asked us to give you this.” I wipe my tears, sniffling as I take what seems to be a key chain from her. I couldn’t think of a reason why grandmother’s parting gift to me would be a key chain but I can’t seem to care. Her cold hands slammed me into the reality of what had happened. Grandmother is dead. I fall to my knees by the bed and weep, muttering and calling for her to return to me. “Aria.” Adam’s voice calls from behind me. I am both surprised and relieved to find him there. He must have been contacted by the hospital as well and stopped by since he already came here with Sophia anyway. Sophia is standing in the room with us but I ignore her. I focus on Adam because I need him. I need someone to hold me and tell me everything will be fine. “Adam.” I cry as I walk over to him and hug him without a second thought, my tears gathering and falling again. His body stiffens at my touch but I don’t let go. I need his warmth. I need him because he is really all that I have left and I can’t bear to lose him too. I expect him to push me away but he doesn’t. He doesn’t hug me back too but I can’t find it in me to care as I sob uncontrollably. My tears subside and I sniffle repeatedly and slowly let go of him. He clears his throat and takes out his phone, saying; “I’ll place a call to start making preparations for her funeral.” He turns around to leave with Sophia also following him but I can’t bear the sight of him turning his back to me and leaving. I grab his hand. “Stay.” I sound so weak and helpless but I do not give a damm, “Please, don’t go. Stay with me.” I beg. Adam opens his mouth to say something but a sharp cry stuns us both. We spin around at the same time to the source of the cry and she is crouching, holding her stomach with an expression of pain. Adam rushes to Sophia’s side in a heartbeat and my heart sinks further down my stomach. “Sophia, are you okay?” He asks with concern ringing high in his voice. She shakes her head, “There is something I’ve been wanting to tell you but didn’t know how.” She says, holding her stomach as she looks directly at me. “What is it?” Adam asks, still very much concerned. “Adam…I…I am pre9nant.” Chapter 3 Grandmother’s funeral is being held on a gloomy day, much to my displeasure. I listened to the weather forecast so I could choose the perfect day for the funeral, and according to the forecast, the day is supposed to be sunny and bright just like Grandmother. I feel duped standing by grandmother’s grave with the sky covered in clouds that only worsen the dark and depressing feeling that has settled in my guts since her death. I have cried so much that I have no tears left to shed at grandmother’s grave and now have to wear dark sunglasses to hide how red and puffy my eyes are rather than to complement my black dress. There are a few people hanging around the other graves in the cemetery to pay their last respects to their loved ones and at each grave, there are at least two people; couples holding each other, families comforting each other and even church processions. I am alone, with no one to comfort me since no one else bothered to attend my grandmother's funeral. With her gone, I realize how lonely I actually am and the thought deals another blow to my already damaged heart. I try hard to get the heartbreaking events of the past few days off my mind and when I finally succeed, I turn my focus back to my grandmother. She’s smiling in the framed picture placed by her tombstone and I force a smile as well as a fond memory of her slips into my mind. “Aria, my child, you can’t frown like that everytime or you’ll get wrinkles like me before you are even my age!” She would say and then go ahead to spread my lips into a smile with her fingers. Grandmother was a cheerful soul who would tell me stories, mostly the ones about my birth and how she knew from the very first day that she set her eyes on me that I was going to be a really beautiful and amazing child. I shared everything with her and talking to her about my marriage was one of the things that made it bearable. I don’t know what I’d do without Grandmother. Tears start to gather in my eyes again and I take off the sunglasses to wipe them off before they start to fall. I already promised myself not to cry anymore; Grandmother wouldn’t want that. Sniffling, I begin to place the things I brought with me by her grave; Tulips, which were her favorite flowers; Peaches, her favorite fruit and finally some sweets because grandmother had a really sweet tooth and never listened to me whenever I told her they were bad for her age. “There are no sweets in heaven, Aria. It’s only right that I take as much as I can down here before the big guy calls me up there.” She would say at the same she unwraps another candy and tosses it into her mouth. She would talk on and on about ‘The big guy’ and ‘Up there’ like she was always prepared for the day she would die. I can’t help it anymore, I burst into tears, falling on my knees by her grave as it dawns on me fully that she is really gone. “I should have let you have all the candies in the world. I should have been there with you at your dying moment. I should have held your hands and told you it’s gonna be okay. I–” My voice breaks, the deep regret and tears choking me and making me lose my train of thoughts. I can’t think of a thing to say anymore and so I just cry, sobbing so hard my body shakes. I hear confident footsteps approaching me and feel a presence behind me that causes my sobs to come to a pause. My heart races and hope swells inside of me when the person puts a hand on my shoulder. I whip my head around, expecting to see Adam but my hope quickly shatters when I see that it is Adam uncle, Regis. “Regis.” I say, sniffing and wiping my tears in a rush. “Here,” He hands me his handkerchief, stuffing it in my hand and closing my palm around it before I can even refuse. I say a barely audible thank you before I dab at the tears with the hanky that smelt like him. “I came as soon as I heard, I’m sorry about your Grandmother, Aria.” He says in a sincere and kind voice. Regis has always been kind to me even when I was just a secretary. Whenever he came to visit his nephew at the office, he would stop to say hi and hand me a canned coffee with a smile on his face. However, he left the country to study a few days before our wedding and only returned not too long ago. This is the first time seeing him since his return and the kind look in his eyes assures me that if he had been around, I would have had another person rooting for me just like Adam’s grandfather. “You didn’t have to.” I say quietly, trying to downplay how much it actually means to me that at least, one person cares enough to be here with me. Regis looks around as if searching for something and then he frowns when our eyes meet again. “You’re alone? Where the hel is Adam?” He asks, his voice a little hard. My cheeks redden in embarrassment. Regis has only just returned and probably doesn’t know anything yet. I am not willing to talk either. I force a smile and begin to pack the excess things I bought for my grandmother's funeral. Regis joins me wordlessly and I sigh in silent appreciation of how he doesn’t ask anymore questions. He takes everything from my hands even before I can protest. “Did you drive here?” He asks and I shake my head. I came here in a Taxi. “C’mon, we’ll take my car.” He says and walks in front of me. I have no choice but to follow him. We have just gotten outside of the cemetery when a car drives into the parking space right beside Regis’ car. The car is familiar and I keep doubting who it belongs to until Adam steps out of the car, eyes trained on me as he walks over. The first thing I notice is his Royal Blue suit and I feel the slow brewing of anger inside of me. How could he show up wearing that? It is like a blatant disrespect of my Grandmother and I can’t stand to watch her get disrespected even in her death. It is clear that he came from the office; little surprise there and it would have been better if he didn’t come at all as I now realize how looking at him only infuriates me. He had managed to avoid me in the past three days since the hospital incident. Three days since Sophia announced that she was pre9nant and shook my world. I didn’t need anyone to tell me who the baby belonged to as he walks towards me now, I feel nothing but resentment for him. “Is it over? Crap, I must have lost track of time.” He says before turning to his uncle and giving him a tight smile of appreciation that I find nauseating. “Thank you for being here with her, uncle.” Regis merely crosses his arms, staring back at his nephew, “Care to explain why you are only just coming?” Regis thows the question at him and I face Adam too, crossing my arms. “Yes, Adam. Tell me what was more important than being at my grandmother’s funeral.” I already know the answer but I still wait to hear him say it so I can have a reason to hate him even more. “I really wanted to be here, Aria but you know…” He trails off, running a hand through his hair, “I had to be with Sophia.” The sound of her name is what does it for me; the same woman who is the reason I wasn’t around to witness grandmother’s dying moments. “Did you really come all the way here to tell me you were with another woman you slept with and impregnated?” “What?” Regis is the one who speaks, his voice echoing his shock as he looks from me to Adam. Adam’s usual blank look remains as if he is unaffected by my words and the pain he has caused me. “Let’s not do this here, Aria. You know I can’t just leave her.” I scoff. “I never stopped you. You know what? You should have never come here. You should have stayed with her since that is where your loyalties lie now and I am no longer in the picture.” Adam frowns, moving closer and intimidating me just a little with his height and muscular frame, “What does that mean? You are my wife.” “Ex-wife,” I say the words without even thinking. I didn’t think any of this through but I don’t care because my entire being seems to agree that this is what’s best for me, “I want a divorce, Adam.” His eyes grow wide, unable to contain the shock at my words and I am proud of myself that I finally got a reaction that isn’t anger or coldness from him. “Both the divorce papers and my resignation will find their way to you soon.” I add before he can get over his shock and I don’t wait for him to reply as I turn to an equally stunned Regis. “Take me home, Regis.” Chapter 4 Adam’s POV I want a divorce. The words circle around my head non-stop. Of all the shets I have had the pleasure of hearing–and trust me, I hear a lot of crap as a CEO–Aria asking for a divorce out of nowhere has to be the worst. I am a man who takes pride in my strength and ability to handle situations no matter how unexpected they are. It comes with the job, yet for some reason, I am unable to utter a single word or move my feet until she gets into the car with my uncle. When I finally come to my senses, she is long gone, leaving me to drown in the pool of shock she created. I am shocked at her audacity; the way she looked me in the eyes as she hit me with those words. Aria’s cold hazel eyes totally betrayed the meek and timid trait that I have only ever known her for. I am equally shocked at myself for actually being affected by it when I shouldn't have batted an eyelash, after all, I never wanted to marry her. The three years of living with Aria felt like I was in bonda9e created by her own deceit and my grandfather’s overbearing attitude. I never cared about Aria yet the sound of divorce numbed me completely that I am unable to think straight until the door to my car opens and reminds me that I am still standing still in front of the cemetery. My personal assistant steps out of the car and speaks. “Sir, your appointment with the Taylor Enterprises is thirty minutes from now. It’s more than an hour’s drive from here, we should leave now if–” “Cancel it,” I say, heading back to the car, not quite in the right mind to process anything, not even a meeting whose outcome was worth millions of dollars. My assistant follows behind me in a hurry, obviously confused. “But sir, that isn’t the only appointment for the day. You also have…” He starts to read out my packed schedule for the day as I finally get into the car. “Cancel them all!” I say, settling into the leather seats of the car and loosening my tie at the same time as it feels like I am slowly losing the ability to breathe, “Get in and turn the dann AC on.” I command him, unable to prevent my anger and irritation from reflecting in my voice. Finally noticing the negative emotions rolling out of me in waves, he mutters his response before getting into the driver’s seat and pulling the car out of the cemetery’s parking lot. We get to the highway, air is emitting from not only the AC in the car yet I feel heat rising from inside of me and not even loosening a few buttons on my shirt helped. All I can think about is Aria and the dammed divorce. My shock is long gone and I am now stewing in nothing but anger, bordering on rage. Who the hel does she think she is? What gives her the boldness to think she makes the call for divorce? If anyone should be asking for a divorce, It should be me. I am the one who married her against my will. She’s the one who found me so irresistible that she went as far as dru9ging me just to have me. If anyone deserves to slam divorce papers in her face, it is me but the thought never crossed my mind. She’s a good secretary, dutiful, efficient and always at my beck and call. She also doubles as a good wife, never getting in my way or needy for attention. Aria takes whatever I give her; the little time, the irregular sax and the little communication, all that I deemed appropriate for our kind of relationship. The sudden switch has me racking my brain, thinking of different possibilities and all the things that could have gone wrong. A thought crosses my mind and it intensifies my anger in a way that I can’t even understand. “Find out if Aria has been meeting anyone lately. Men in particular.” I say. My assistant meets my eyes through the rearview mirror. His eyes fail to hide his surprise that I am asking him to look into my wife and the possibility that she’s been seeing other men. I can’t rule out all the possibilities and if Aria has really been cheating on me, I swear to God– My phone vibrates beside me on the leather seats. Sophia’s name pops up on the screen in a message notification. She’s asking me when next I would be available for an appointment at the doctor’s office. Seeing Sophia’s message douses my anger but leaves me with a far more disturbing emotion. I thought of all the reasons why my quiet wife is suddenly asking for a divorce but it never crossed my mind that impregnating the woman I once loved could be the reason. I think back to that day two months ago when yet again, I let drinking lead me into making the worst decisions. All I had to do was pick Sophia up at the airport, drive her to her hotel and return home. Instead, I took the invite to have a drink in her hotel room; for old time’s sake, she called it. We did more than just have a drink that night and the outcome is the baby growing inside of Sophia. I can’t call it a mistake yet deep down, I know it should have never happened. I should have never let myself get tempted by the thought of how being inside of Sophia will feel after three years. I want the child. It’s my baby and I don’t plan on losing it but it comes at a price that I never thought would be a problem which is the divorce with Aria. I can’t let Aria divorce me. I need her. At the office and in my home. She’s been my secretary for seven years and no one can do her job like her. I also pay her well and make sure she doesn’t need anything as my wife. How does she plan to survive without me anyway? Does she think that by asking for divorce, she has put herself on a higher level than me? What game is she playing with me now? Ha! Women thinking that they can live without a man and his support. As I think deeply about these things, I also think of a way to remedy them. I just need to do something to appeal to her. “What do women like?” I asked my assistant. He hesitates at first, surprised by the sudden question before he clears his throat and answers, “Erm, designer bags I guess and oh, flowers.” I am already scrolling through an online store on my phone, clicking away at every expensive bag that catches my eyes until I have already ordered a number to last her an entire year. Then we make a stop at the flower shop on the way home. Turns out there are more than a hundred thousand flowers and I can’t even decide which one to get for Aria because apparently, women have favorites when it comes to things as trivial as flowers as well. In the end, I pick Lilies because the attendant at the flowershop claims it’s most women’s favorite. I head home after that with only one single thought at the back of my mind; I won’t let Aria divorce me. Chapter 5 I’m thankful that Regis doesn’t ask any questions as he drives me back home. He offers to drive me into the compound but I turn him down and wait till he drives off before I sigh and walk into the house. The house is brimming with maids who rush over to me the instant they hear the door open but I raise a hand to stop them all from coming close to me. I am no longer the mistress of the house. I walk past them all to get to my room. Adam and I only share a room when he is looking to satisfy his saxual urges. He crawls into my bed and peppers kisses all over my body till I give in and that is the only time I ever feel wanted by him. As I walk into the room, I refrain from staring at the bed for longer than I should, afraid that the memories of us tangled up in sheets with him buried deep inside of me will break my resolve. And right now, I have only one resolve–to leave Adam for good. I begin to pack while that resolve is still strong, not even stopping for one moment to think about the fact that I have nowhere to go. I can’t bear to stay one more day under the same roof with Adam, knowing how deeply his betrayal cut. I only pack a few things that are important, assuring myself that I will come back for the rest of my things later when the divorce is finalized. I am only halfway through packing when I hear the sound of a familiar voice that never fails to send chills down my spine and even right this moment, I can already feel the chilling crawl of dread and it makes me stop packing immediately. Adam’s mother, Elodie and his sister Eva are here. I exhale sharply, trying to keep my breathing under control and to also keep the terrible memories of them from flushing into the forefront of my mind. A few more deep exhales and I finally get a hold of myself, resuming packing my things. Once I finish packing, I haul the heavy suitcase out of the room and walk into the living room where Elodie and Eva are seated on one of the couches, legs crossed over one another like they owned the place. Elodie has her signature scowl on her face that doesn’t fade even when I bow to greet her. “Why are you here?” Elodie asks, standing. I am confused by her question and my inability to give an answer makes her scoff, her face contorting into the ugliest form annoyance can take. “I almost forgot how dumb you are.” Elodie says again. Dumb. Her favorite word to throw at me the way she pleases and of course, it doesn’t hurt less today. In fact, it is even more painful now that I realize that besides having to live with Adam’s indifference, I have also had to deal with his mother’s hatred and utter disrespect for me and all along, my response has either been silence or an apology that she never deserved. “Why are you here instead of the office, huh?” She sneers and continues, “My son works tirelessly day and night just to make money for someone like you to leech off him, all he asks of you is to do your job as his secretary and yet you can’t even do that one thing? Do you think you are entitled to his money just because you are his wife?” Her words are like hard blows to the chast, every single word that strung her sentences together hitting nerves and breaking right through them. I feel something rising inside of me. It has always been there but I have always managed to control it. To top it all, Eva, Adam’s snobbish sister had to chip in, “She’s a trickster who duped my poor innocent brother and I wonder why isn’t she at the office! Such a lazy bumm! I don’t even know how Grandpa accepted such a penniless betch to be part of our elite family!” “I had to be at my grandmother’s funeral.” I respond simply, hoping the scowl on her face will disappear but it gets even more profound and she adds a scoff for good measure. Did Elodie and Eva not know that my grandmother died? “Is she dead for real? Or is it just an act?!” Eva has the guts to ask me and I glare at her. Elodie continues, “Of course, that’s your excuse for being a lazy gold digger. Tell me, did that grandmother of yours teach you to go after other people’s money instead of working for your own?” That very thing that has been rising inside me since I saw Adam’s mother reaches its peak. It’s anger. It is red, pure and fiery and controls my whole being that I can not even bring myself to care about anything other than keeping my grandmother’s name from being soiled. “Do not talk about my grandmother like that!” I yell and she jumps slightly, startled by my outburst. “Did you just yell at me?” she says, taking a step forward but I don’t flinch as I stare back into her eyes. Eva approaches me and she lashes out, “Did you just shout at my mother?!!!” Eva has always tried to demean me and every possible way at every chance presented to her. She grabs my arm, presses it harshly, making me wince in pain. Elodie smiles and as usually, she is greatly entertained. I push Eva with the other hand and she tumbles on the sofa. She remains shocked for I have always allowed them to bully me and this time, I retaliate. “Did you forget your place? You are nothing but a–” “Gold digger who married your son for his money, yes, I get it!” I snap at her, having had enough of the name calling every damm time, “But you don’t have to worry about that anymore because I already filed for a divorce. I am leaving your son so you can go ahead and swallow all of his money for all I care.” I turn around to leave, huffing as I drag the heavy suitcase with me but then Elodie clamps her hand down on the suitcase to stop me. She looks at the suitcase in amusement. “You are really leaving!” Elodie can’t even hide the joy in her tone. “Yes, so please just stop and let me go.” She shakes her head, “Not so fast! You can’t just leave.” And then she signals to two of the maids who have been standing, watching the whole exchange. “Search her!” She orders when they come forward. They hesitate and she glares at them. “Did you not hear her? She is no longer the mistress of the house. Search her right now.” I am too stunned to react when the maids finally snatch my suitcase from me. Eva tries to hold me preventing me from snatching back my bag from the maids. “What do you think you’re doing?” I say, my voice shaky. “I can’t just let you leave. Who knows what valuables you have stolen from my son inside that germ ridden bag of yours.” My mouth opens and closes several times at her words as I can’t even come up with a single string of sentences to say to her. I just watch as my things come tumbling to the ground in the rough search. Tears of humiliation burned at the back of my eyes. I don’t struggle any more from Eva’s grip and she stares at me triumphantly. “What is that? Hand it over.” Adam’s mother says when one of the maids found a gold bracelet I had lodged into my case. Grandmother’s bracelet, the only thing I have left of her. “No!” I rush forward to stop her from handing it over but I am too late. Adam’s mother is already holding and inspecting the bracelet. “Oh, wow! Mom, you finally found something she stole from Adam!” Eva exclaimed enthusiastically. Upon saying those words, she drags me and throws me onto the marble. I hit my nose. As I touch it, blood is coming out. I wipe it quickly and spring up to my feet. “I knew it! You took something. Did my son buy this for you? What gives you the right to think you can walk away with something he got for you after filing for a divorce?” Elodie snaps. “That doesn’t belong to your son! It is mine and I will appreciate it if you give it back.” She does the exact opposite and only continues to accuse me of being a thief until the door opens and Adam walks in. I don’t feel relief at his presence like I usually do when his mother treats me this way, instead, I feel nothing but resentment for him. I want to scream how much I hate him to his face. His face twists into confusion when he sees the situation. “What is going on here?” He asks, walking further into the house and looking from his mother to me. “Thank goodness you arrived, son. This leech was about to leave with something that clearly doesn’t belong to her.” His mother responds. “And she hit me!!!” Eva adds, almost in tears, complaining to Adam. This time, Adam is too shocked to ask me why I hit his dear sister. I thought,as he did in the past, he would force me to apologize, but this time, he did nothing. I wonder why. My eyes are starting to water for some reason and I am confused as to why Adam’s appearance suddenly triggered them yet I smile through the tears. “Adam, will you please tell your mother that I have never gotten a gift from you?” Adam falters, seemingly speechless for a second as he stares at his hands. I also look down at his hands and I finally understand why my eyes sting with tears and why I am sniffling in preparation of a sneeze that rocks my entire body. Lilies. I am all ergic to them. Despite the tears rolling down my cheeks, I start to laugh. I laugh so hard, ignoring the burning gazes of everyone present in the room who probably think I have gone crazy. I sneeze in between laughs, yet I don’t stop laughing as I turn to Adam’s mother. “I have been married to your son for three years and he doesn’t even know I am all ergic to lilies, yet you think he is capable of getting me a bracelet?” I shake my head at my sad reality. Chapter 6 Adam hands the flowers over to one of the maids, asking her to put it in a vase or whatever. He clears his throat, trying and failing miserably to hide his embarrassment in front of his mother, his sister and the maids. “The flowers weren’t for you.” He says, voice hard as he stares at me for a brief second. I barely even feel anything when he says that because I genuinely don’t care anymore, I just want to get the hel out of this house and never return. I don’t even care about the rest of my things which I am yet to pack, I just want to turn my back on this horrible life already. I hear Eva sniggers. Adam seems like he wants to say something to me but then he decides against it and turns to his mother instead. “Mum, please return the bracelet to her.” She snorts and shakes her head stubbornly, “I am not letting her leave with it.” Adam grunts, a sign that he is slowly losing his patience, “ I have never seen that bracelet mother, it belongs to Aria. Please, give it back.” Adam’s mother doesn’t immediately move to do as she is told but the moment she does, it is with an annoyed huff as she tosses the bracelet at me. I catch it in my palms while she heads back to sit in the same position as earlier when I first walked into the living room. I fall to my knees by the mess the maids made out of my clothes and then I begin to arrange them again, rushing through the process so I can get out of here fast to stop the repeated sting of humiliation. Adam standing there and just watching me clean up his mother’s mess without as much as an apology from either of them only adds to the rising level of humiliation. Once done, I stand and face Adam squarely, taking in the same clothes he wore to the cemetery earlier and getting reminded of all the reasons why I am making the best decision of my life. “As I said before, it is over between us. The divorce papers and my resignation letter will find their way to you soon.” I say, ignoring the way his face twisted, “Goodbye, Adam.” I turn around before I can even hear his response. I don’t want to look at Adam, not anymore. I walk away from him, going straight for the door and turning its knob for what I hope is the very last time. I have barely taken a step outside the door when Adam’s strong hand grabs my upper arm and twists me around to look at him. I have worked with him for seven years, four of which I was just his secretary and that was enough for me to know the kind of man Adam Miller is. He is usually composed with a blank expression that shows how in control he is. Right now, Adam is neither composed nor in control. He seems like he has lost grip of it and the meaning of those words don’t even matter to him anymore as he holds my arm in a tight grip. I struggle to break free of his hold. “Let me go.” I snap at him but Adam only narrows his eyes at me, his anger burning past his blue eyes. “You can’t just leave, Aria.” He growls. “You can’t tell me what to do, Adam. At least not anymore. Let me go!” “Does this even make any sense to you!” He yells in my face as he lets go of my hand to run his hand through his hair, “ You can’t just spring this kind of shet on me.” “It’s not springing if we have both had it coming from the very moment we shared our vows which you have already broken. We both know this marriage should have never happened so cut the crap and let me leave.” I say, practically fuming before turning around in another attempt to leave. “What about grandfather? You are taking such a big step without talking to the old man who set it all up anyway. The man who has been nothing but good to you.” I turn back to face Adam, hating his attempt at making me feel guilty. My thoughts go to his grandfather momentarily and I try to imagine the old man’s reaction to me filing for a divorce when he cares about me so much. However, I don’t waver. I refuse to let those thoughts come between me and my freedom. I refuse to put the wish of another over my own happiness. “I will talk to grandfather. Believe me, you have nothing to worry about.” I say and make another attempt to leave but of course, Adam doesn’t give up as he speaks again. “I won’t sign it Aria, I won’t sign the goddamm papers!” “What the hel is wrong with you?” I yell out my frustration, “Why won’t you just let me go?” He stares me down, eyes burning stubbornly, “I won’t sign the papers and I won’t accept your resignation either. The company has rules you have to follow and you can’t just decide to resign without prior notice especially when there is a lot of work at the office which I pay you to do!” I scoff, unable to believe his nerve. Unable to get over his selfish thinking and absolute lack of remorse for the things he has done. “You have Sophia, don’t you?” I shoot at him and his brows furrow. “What does that even mean?” “Everyone adores Sophia. She is smart, beautiful and can get your work done for you and oh, don’t forget the fact that she is also pre9nant with your child! How perfect is that?” Adam’s mother springs up, surprise evident in her features. Clearly, she is just learning about her coming grandson. “Adam, is what she says true? You have a child on the way?” Eva asked excitedly. Adam’s expression don’t give anything away and he doesn’t even spare his mother or sister a glance. He is still looking straight at me. “Aria, what happened between Sophia and I wasn’t intentional, it just–” “Don’t you dare make excuses for her! Who cares what she thinks? Sophia is who you have always deserved. The only woman who actually deserves to be my daughter-in-law.” Adam’s mother cut in while making sure to give me a nasty look that doesn’t even surprise me anymore. I shrug at Adam, a way to show him that I was right. Everyone wants Sophia, including him and he can’t even bring himself to deny it. He continues to ignore his mother. “Aria, it was an accident.” He says again and I nod, like I am agreeing to his words. “Three years ago, you didn’t think the same way. You didn’t think you accidentally slept with me but instead believed I had gone as far as dru9ging you to sleep with you. What changed, Adam? Because all I see right now is a bloody hypocrite and a coward who would rather blame others for his mistakes.” When I turn my back to him this time, I don’t stop walking. I don’t turn around. “Aria! Aria, get back here while I am still being nice. Aria, I swear to God if you walk out that door, I won’t take you back even if you go on your knees. You need me, Aria. You can’t survive without me!” Adam yells after me but I don’t stop walking as his arrogant words only fueled my desire to get away from him as fast as I can. I block out the rest of his words as I open the door and welcome my peace and freedom. I am never going back to that sad reality. | Read freely | 18 | https://facebook.com/61557986570531 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1716534000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841176 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682327 | 1723710532 | 858 | 1647538179348259 | 2 | 9.748784076486E+14 | 1716620400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 250753834794512 | 0 | Read freely | 120211565986950196 | redtgb.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | ❤️😍What happens next👉Click Here to read on👉 | https://redtgb.com/market/buenovela/3?lpid=11204&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1714661788 | 2.5075383479451E+14 | Read freely | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441255115_1177880883571742_5075201022874715379_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=g4JsrhWfitkQ7kNvgFeAKBG&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYBpTaGCiNETtYR_kV1GWW7Rzpt8y2OGe5kzssk6sCPaMg&oe=66583EF3 | person_profile | 0 | Read freely | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441055224_676099334622461_3142011906559831658_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=A4yVK4Sv1HwQ7kNvgEPlR3e&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYB-QI79bY-wsfuSD-aSCQRZreHGaTJ0yga_aI_hRJR6fA&oe=66584D39 | 0 | 3 | My husband and boss Adam, is laughing at every joke that leaves the lips of his first love while I watch them through the glass doors that separates his office from mine. I had been dutifully preparing some documents that needed his signature and also setting up his meetings for the day like I have done for 7 years as his secretary but since Sophia’s arrival, I have been unable to get any work done. I feel a pang in my chast every time Adam laughs, almost tearing up at the thought that he has never laughed like that around me. I stare at her slender frame, her lush black hair that bounces back into place even when she throws her head back in laughter and the grace in every of her movements. Sophia is an epitome of feminine grace and every of her features is proof of why Adam has been hung up over her even though they separated years ago. Even though he married me. The dark binds of his office are brought down abruptly, blocking my view of them both and now all I can see is black. It is as if Adam is trying to prevent me from prying even though I am his wife and privacy shouldn’t be a thing between us, especially when it comes to a woman he used to love so much. I still remember how shocked I was when she walked up to me earlier, heels clicking ever so sophisticatedly on the office tiles. I saw the feet cladded in shiny red heels before I raised my head to look at her. “Aria, I didn’t know you still worked here! I can’t believe Adam is still making you work even after you both got married. That man is something, isn’t he?” She said, smiling sweetly with blood red lips that would look horrifying on me if I dared to try that shade of lipstick. I couldn’t speak, caught in the shock of staring face to face with her after all these years, especially as she still had the same aura of wealth and confidence that I have always known her to possess. For a split second, she made me feel insecure in my gray office wear and my tight bun hair and the fact that I wore little to no makeup. “Sophia!” Adam’s voice was what broke me out of that trance I was stuck in as he stepped out of his office and there, right in front of me, he hugged her ever so tightly like an old time friend before he led her back into his office without sparing me as little as a glance. Now, they are alone together in his office, the blinds of his office pulled shut so that I can’t see them but can only hear their muffled voices and his own laughter every now and then. I squirm in my seat uncomfortably each time they laugh, gripping the edges of my table tightly and too destabilized to get any work done while they are both holed up in there. I stare at the calendar on my table. Today’s date is marked with a red marker and I sigh deeply. Does he even know today is our third wedding anniversary? Every year, it seems like I am the only one who remembers it and now with Sophia’s appearance, I can already tell that today will pass by like it’s just another day. I knew she was coming today. Being his secretary is the only reason why I knew the things Adam would rather keep from me. He already briefed me about a new business partner that just returned to the country two months ago and will be at the office at any time. What I didn’t know or should I say, what he purposely kept from me was that the so-called business partner was Sophia Bradley and perhaps the reason why he has been more cold and indifferent than usual, ever since her return. My heart aches at the realization but it aches even more because there is nothing I can do about it. I have never had a place in Adam’s heart but he has been the only one in mine. I loved him from the very moment he saved my life years ago but I can say the same for him. He always reminds me even without speaking, that our marriage is nothing but an attempt at fulfilling his grandfather’s wishes and I knew if he had gotten his way, he would have never looked at me twice, not to talk of getting married to me. Grandfather’s love for me is perhaps the only reason I am still sane in this loveless marriage. The old man never ceases to show how much he cherishes me but when has that ever been enough? I am married to Adam and not his family. The clock ticks endlessly, yet Adam remains in there with her. Their laughter dies down all of a sudden and I can barely hear a word they are saying. Unable to hold back anymore, I stand before the restlessness kil ls me. I am his wife and I deserve to know what is going on. To look natural, I quickly make two cups of coffee. After all, I am his secretary and this is a part of my job. Nervous sweat breaks out on my forehead as I make my way to his office with unsure steps. Inhaling sharply, I open the door and step in. My heart clenches at the sight of them both, relaxed in each other’s company as they sit so close to each other on one of the couches in his office. I swallow hard and try to walk over to the table with the best confidence I could muster. “I made coffee.” I say but they don’t even acknowledge my presence, lost in each other and whatever they were discussing. I study Sophia for a moment, watching as she twirls her cherry blonde hair with a finger while seated with one leg crossed over the other to reveal a prov0cative amount of thi9hs, smiling so brightly that I can’t tell if she’s faking it. I want to turn around and leave but my feet fail to move. I can’t just leave like this. For how long will I keep quiet and svck it up? “Sir,” I call, looking directly at Adam. We are married but he never fails to remind me that I address him as my boss at work. Adam doesn’t even make a move to look at me and anger rises inside of me, slowly boiling. “Sir,” I call again and that is when he finally regards me with a cold look that almost deters me but I remain firm under his gaze. “There is something I need to talk to you about, it’s important.” I lie right through my teeth. I can feel Sophia’s gaze burning through me but I try not to look at her, for the fear that my confidence would slip away if I do. Adam just waves me off. “It can wait. As you can see, I have a guest.” “It can’t wait.” I say, even more firmly but he is already back to smiling and listening to Sophia speak like a lovesick teenage boy. I call him a few more times and unable to hold back any longer, I call him by his name instead. “Adam!” They both look up at me with a mix of expressions. That of Adam is pure anger while Sophia is obviously irritated. I know she has never liked me and back when I was just his secretary and she was his girlfriend, she complained about every single thing I did. “Adam, what is this? Is this how you let your employees disrespect you?” She says it with absolute disgust and disrespect. I am stunned at her words, so stunned that I scoff. Employee? She dares to talk down on me like that even when she knows fully well that I am not just an employee. Adam stands, his tall frame causing his shadow to sweep over me while I grip the tray of coffee tightly in my hands. “Aria, out. Now.” He commands and I am filled with so much hurt that my hands shake and my lips quiver. “Why should I? I have every reason to be in this room and I have every right to speak for you to listen to me.” Sophia stands at once. “It seems as though your wife has a bone to pick with me and I will not sit here and take such insults.” She begins to walk away and of course, Adam follows her. I try to move out of her way but my attempt fails when her shoulder heavily bumps into mine in a way that is too fierce to be considered unintentional. I lose grip of the tray and stagger forward and just like that, the hot coffee spills all over her very expensive looking dress and mine. She shrieks, backing away from me only to glare at me the next second. “What the hel is wrong with you?” She yells. Adam rushes to her side in less than a minute, fussing over her stained dress and even offering her his handkerchief while I stand there, drenched in coffee as my husband takes care of another woman. I feel the tears prickling at the corner of my eyes but what does crying in front of this woman make me? “I can’t believe you! What did I ever do to you? Go ahead and dislike me all you want but there is a limit to how far you can go and you just crossed that.” She says again, seething in uncontained anger. Adam turns to me, eyes dark with rage. It makes me shiver. Makes me feel unimaginable pain to know he is mad at me because of another woman. “Apologise right now!” He commands and I scoff. How can he stand there and take her side when I did nothing wrong? “Why should I do that? I have done nothing wrong. She bumped into me!” I defend myself, my voice breaking. Lips quivering. “I did no such thing!” Sophia says defensively but her eyes tell a different story. “You heard me, Aria. Apologize to her right now.” Adam says again, still intently looking at me. I almost laugh at the fact that the only time he is looking me directly in the eyes after three years of marriage is when another woman is involved. I shake my head, finding all of this hard to believe. “So you believe her over me? You take her words for it but mine does not matter? I am your wife.” “A wife I never wanted to marry!” He yells back and shatters what is left of my broken heart. Chapter 2 I am speechless for the next few seconds as his words hit me like a freight train. I wait. I wait for his hard eyes to soften with remorse at the harsh words he threw at me but that doesn’t happen. He is glowering at me, nose flaring angrily. “Adam, how…how could you say that to me?” I say, my eyes crossing over to Sophia who is now hiding her own frame behind his tall, muscular one, “In front of her?” “Because it’s the truth!” He yells again, startling me into making a small helpless sound. Adam has never yelled at me. And even though it hurts me to admit that he is truly saying the truth, he has never said it to my face and I never really thought he would. I have always known it yet it hurts to hear it come from him. It feels like a thousand needles are pricking my heart and making me bleed out with so much pain. He runs his fingers through his hair, seeming frustrated. Like he would rather not have this conversation with me. And just when I think it is over, he continues to speak, breaking me even further. “You were nothing but a mere secretary who wormed her way into my life. If you hadn’t forced yourself on me that night, none of this would have happened! This marriage would have never happened and you know it.” He brings up the past. Our past. The night that meant everything to me but clearly means nothing to him. I swallow over and over again till my throat and mouth become dry. I can’t cry. No, I can’t appear weak. Not in front of Adam and definitely not in front of Sophia so I keep my tears at bay, urging them to return before they spill down my cheeks. “I never forced myself on you, Adam. Why won’t you believe me?” I manage to say but he raises a hand to tell me to stop talking and I clamp my lips shut. “Do not stand there and try to look innocent, Aria because that is far from who you are. I simply said the truth and I do not care if you cannot take it.” He says and stares at me intently. “Do not let what happened today repeat itself again. Know your place and I will not have any reason to talk to you like this. Do you understand?” He lays emphasis on every word of warning he is giving me and turns his back against me before I can even open my mouth to speak again. “Are you okay?” I can’t believe how his voice goes from hard to soft in the next second as he fusses over Sophia. Sophia makes a face that has me balling my fingers into a fist. A face that clearly says she is not okay. “The coffee was hot and I think I might have to visit the hospital to prevent the burn from leaving a scar.” She says in a quiet voice. I look down at my own body that is also drenched in the same coffee. The coffee wasn’t hot enough to cause a burn but Adam believes her instantly. He pulls her into a hug and embarrassment washes over me like a bucket of ice. “I’ll drive. Wait here, I will get my keys.” he says as he pulls away, rushing to his office table to grab his car keys before coming back to her side. He takes her purse from her and leads her out. They both seem so lost in each other that they forget my existence totally, leaving me to stand alone in the middle of the room. Silence falls over me and I am left with my thoughts, licking the wound that his words caused. I have never been able to convince Adam that I didn’t force myself on him yet till this very day, he still believes I drugged him into sleeping with him on the night we were having dinner with his family three years ago. I can never forget the pure look of disgust and shock on his face when we both woke up in each other’s arms the next morning. I knew since then that Adam would never love me, yet I was hopeful. As the years go by, the hope keeps dwindling with his grandfather, being the only support system in everything. Sighing, I return to my office and pick up my phone. My eyes widens when I see that a number has called my phone repeatedly all the time I was in Adam’s office. The dread that fills me stems from the fact that I recognise the number as the hospital’s number. I call back instantly, my heart racing. They pick up on the second ring. “Mrs Miller, we have been trying to reach you all afternoon!” A female voice says. “Why? Is something wrong? Is my grandmother okay?” I ask, rushing my words as I am filled with dread and panic. “You need to be at the hospital, your grandmother—” I don’t wait to hear the rest of her words. I race out of the room and call on a taxi to drive me to the hospital. I go straight to her hospital room but the sheets and blankets are already being neatly arranged and the bed is empty. More panic. More dread. “Where is my grandmother?” I ask, “Where is she?” The nurse cleaning the room gives me a look of pity that nauseates me. “I am sorry, Mrs Miller but your grandmother died ten minutes ago and has been moved to the hospital’s mortuary. I am sorry.” She says. The world around me stops and I don’t know how I am able to walk on my two feet to the mortuary where the Nurse leads me. She stops at the door and points to my grandmother laying on a table in the room, her body covered in a white sheet from head to toe. I walk to the bedside with shaky legs and the moment I take the sheet off and set my eyes on her pale face, I burst out into a loud sob, wishing I could go back to a month ago so I can prevent that accident that made her this way. The accident that took my only living family away from me. “Grandma…” I call in a broken voice as I reach for her hand. They are too cold, so lifeless and the tears begin to leave my eyes in torrents as I remember how warm these hands used to be when they held my face. “I’m sorry…I’m so sorry.” I cry, holding tightly unto her and hating myself for not being there in her last moments. I should have been there with her but I was too busy worrying about my place in my husband’s life. The nurse comes into the room and says, “She asked us to give you this.” I wipe my tears, sniffling as I take what seems to be a key chain from her. I couldn’t think of a reason why grandmother’s parting gift to me would be a key chain but I can’t seem to care. Her cold hands slammed me into the reality of what had happened. Grandmother is dead. I fall to my knees by the bed and weep, muttering and calling for her to return to me. “Aria.” Adam’s voice calls from behind me. I am both surprised and relieved to find him there. He must have been contacted by the hospital as well and stopped by since he already came here with Sophia anyway. Sophia is standing in the room with us but I ignore her. I focus on Adam because I need him. I need someone to hold me and tell me everything will be fine. “Adam.” I cry as I walk over to him and hug him without a second thought, my tears gathering and falling again. His body stiffens at my touch but I don’t let go. I need his warmth. I need him because he is really all that I have left and I can’t bear to lose him too. I expect him to push me away but he doesn’t. He doesn’t hug me back too but I can’t find it in me to care as I sob uncontrollably. My tears subside and I sniffle repeatedly and slowly let go of him. He clears his throat and takes out his phone, saying; “I’ll place a call to start making preparations for her funeral.” He turns around to leave with Sophia also following him but I can’t bear the sight of him turning his back to me and leaving. I grab his hand. “Stay.” I sound so weak and helpless but I do not give a damm, “Please, don’t go. Stay with me.” I beg. Adam opens his mouth to say something but a sharp cry stuns us both. We spin around at the same time to the source of the cry and she is crouching, holding her stomach with an expression of pain. Adam rushes to Sophia’s side in a heartbeat and my heart sinks further down my stomach. “Sophia, are you okay?” He asks with concern ringing high in his voice. She shakes her head, “There is something I’ve been wanting to tell you but didn’t know how.” She says, holding her stomach as she looks directly at me. “What is it?” Adam asks, still very much concerned. “Adam…I…I am pre9nant.” Chapter 3 Grandmother’s funeral is being held on a gloomy day, much to my displeasure. I listened to the weather forecast so I could choose the perfect day for the funeral, and according to the forecast, the day is supposed to be sunny and bright just like Grandmother. I feel duped standing by grandmother’s grave with the sky covered in clouds that only worsen the dark and depressing feeling that has settled in my guts since her death. I have cried so much that I have no tears left to shed at grandmother’s grave and now have to wear dark sunglasses to hide how red and puffy my eyes are rather than to complement my black dress. There are a few people hanging around the other graves in the cemetery to pay their last respects to their loved ones and at each grave, there are at least two people; couples holding each other, families comforting each other and even church processions. I am alone, with no one to comfort me since no one else bothered to attend my grandmother's funeral. With her gone, I realize how lonely I actually am and the thought deals another blow to my already damaged heart. I try hard to get the heartbreaking events of the past few days off my mind and when I finally succeed, I turn my focus back to my grandmother. She’s smiling in the framed picture placed by her tombstone and I force a smile as well as a fond memory of her slips into my mind. “Aria, my child, you can’t frown like that everytime or you’ll get wrinkles like me before you are even my age!” She would say and then go ahead to spread my lips into a smile with her fingers. Grandmother was a cheerful soul who would tell me stories, mostly the ones about my birth and how she knew from the very first day that she set her eyes on me that I was going to be a really beautiful and amazing child. I shared everything with her and talking to her about my marriage was one of the things that made it bearable. I don’t know what I’d do without Grandmother. Tears start to gather in my eyes again and I take off the sunglasses to wipe them off before they start to fall. I already promised myself not to cry anymore; Grandmother wouldn’t want that. Sniffling, I begin to place the things I brought with me by her grave; Tulips, which were her favorite flowers; Peaches, her favorite fruit and finally some sweets because grandmother had a really sweet tooth and never listened to me whenever I told her they were bad for her age. “There are no sweets in heaven, Aria. It’s only right that I take as much as I can down here before the big guy calls me up there.” She would say at the same she unwraps another candy and tosses it into her mouth. She would talk on and on about ‘The big guy’ and ‘Up there’ like she was always prepared for the day she would die. I can’t help it anymore, I burst into tears, falling on my knees by her grave as it dawns on me fully that she is really gone. “I should have let you have all the candies in the world. I should have been there with you at your dying moment. I should have held your hands and told you it’s gonna be okay. I–” My voice breaks, the deep regret and tears choking me and making me lose my train of thoughts. I can’t think of a thing to say anymore and so I just cry, sobbing so hard my body shakes. I hear confident footsteps approaching me and feel a presence behind me that causes my sobs to come to a pause. My heart races and hope swells inside of me when the person puts a hand on my shoulder. I whip my head around, expecting to see Adam but my hope quickly shatters when I see that it is Adam uncle, Regis. “Regis.” I say, sniffing and wiping my tears in a rush. “Here,” He hands me his handkerchief, stuffing it in my hand and closing my palm around it before I can even refuse. I say a barely audible thank you before I dab at the tears with the hanky that smelt like him. “I came as soon as I heard, I’m sorry about your Grandmother, Aria.” He says in a sincere and kind voice. Regis has always been kind to me even when I was just a secretary. Whenever he came to visit his nephew at the office, he would stop to say hi and hand me a canned coffee with a smile on his face. However, he left the country to study a few days before our wedding and only returned not too long ago. This is the first time seeing him since his return and the kind look in his eyes assures me that if he had been around, I would have had another person rooting for me just like Adam’s grandfather. “You didn’t have to.” I say quietly, trying to downplay how much it actually means to me that at least, one person cares enough to be here with me. Regis looks around as if searching for something and then he frowns when our eyes meet again. “You’re alone? Where the hel is Adam?” He asks, his voice a little hard. My cheeks redden in embarrassment. Regis has only just returned and probably doesn’t know anything yet. I am not willing to talk either. I force a smile and begin to pack the excess things I bought for my grandmother's funeral. Regis joins me wordlessly and I sigh in silent appreciation of how he doesn’t ask anymore questions. He takes everything from my hands even before I can protest. “Did you drive here?” He asks and I shake my head. I came here in a Taxi. “C’mon, we’ll take my car.” He says and walks in front of me. I have no choice but to follow him. We have just gotten outside of the cemetery when a car drives into the parking space right beside Regis’ car. The car is familiar and I keep doubting who it belongs to until Adam steps out of the car, eyes trained on me as he walks over. The first thing I notice is his Royal Blue suit and I feel the slow brewing of anger inside of me. How could he show up wearing that? It is like a blatant disrespect of my Grandmother and I can’t stand to watch her get disrespected even in her death. It is clear that he came from the office; little surprise there and it would have been better if he didn’t come at all as I now realize how looking at him only infuriates me. He had managed to avoid me in the past three days since the hospital incident. Three days since Sophia announced that she was pre9nant and shook my world. I didn’t need anyone to tell me who the baby belonged to as he walks towards me now, I feel nothing but resentment for him. “Is it over? Crap, I must have lost track of time.” He says before turning to his uncle and giving him a tight smile of appreciation that I find nauseating. “Thank you for being here with her, uncle.” Regis merely crosses his arms, staring back at his nephew, “Care to explain why you are only just coming?” Regis thows the question at him and I face Adam too, crossing my arms. “Yes, Adam. Tell me what was more important than being at my grandmother’s funeral.” I already know the answer but I still wait to hear him say it so I can have a reason to hate him even more. “I really wanted to be here, Aria but you know…” He trails off, running a hand through his hair, “I had to be with Sophia.” The sound of her name is what does it for me; the same woman who is the reason I wasn’t around to witness grandmother’s dying moments. “Did you really come all the way here to tell me you were with another woman you slept with and impregnated?” “What?” Regis is the one who speaks, his voice echoing his shock as he looks from me to Adam. Adam’s usual blank look remains as if he is unaffected by my words and the pain he has caused me. “Let’s not do this here, Aria. You know I can’t just leave her.” I scoff. “I never stopped you. You know what? You should have never come here. You should have stayed with her since that is where your loyalties lie now and I am no longer in the picture.” Adam frowns, moving closer and intimidating me just a little with his height and muscular frame, “What does that mean? You are my wife.” “Ex-wife,” I say the words without even thinking. I didn’t think any of this through but I don’t care because my entire being seems to agree that this is what’s best for me, “I want a divorce, Adam.” His eyes grow wide, unable to contain the shock at my words and I am proud of myself that I finally got a reaction that isn’t anger or coldness from him. “Both the divorce papers and my resignation will find their way to you soon.” I add before he can get over his shock and I don’t wait for him to reply as I turn to an equally stunned Regis. “Take me home, Regis.” Chapter 4 Adam’s POV I want a divorce. The words circle around my head non-stop. Of all the shets I have had the pleasure of hearing–and trust me, I hear a lot of crap as a CEO–Aria asking for a divorce out of nowhere has to be the worst. I am a man who takes pride in my strength and ability to handle situations no matter how unexpected they are. It comes with the job, yet for some reason, I am unable to utter a single word or move my feet until she gets into the car with my uncle. When I finally come to my senses, she is long gone, leaving me to drown in the pool of shock she created. I am shocked at her audacity; the way she looked me in the eyes as she hit me with those words. Aria’s cold hazel eyes totally betrayed the meek and timid trait that I have only ever known her for. I am equally shocked at myself for actually being affected by it when I shouldn't have batted an eyelash, after all, I never wanted to marry her. The three years of living with Aria felt like I was in bonda9e created by her own deceit and my grandfather’s overbearing attitude. I never cared about Aria yet the sound of divorce numbed me completely that I am unable to think straight until the door to my car opens and reminds me that I am still standing still in front of the cemetery. My personal assistant steps out of the car and speaks. “Sir, your appointment with the Taylor Enterprises is thirty minutes from now. It’s more than an hour’s drive from here, we should leave now if–” “Cancel it,” I say, heading back to the car, not quite in the right mind to process anything, not even a meeting whose outcome was worth millions of dollars. My assistant follows behind me in a hurry, obviously confused. “But sir, that isn’t the only appointment for the day. You also have…” He starts to read out my packed schedule for the day as I finally get into the car. “Cancel them all!” I say, settling into the leather seats of the car and loosening my tie at the same time as it feels like I am slowly losing the ability to breathe, “Get in and turn the dann AC on.” I command him, unable to prevent my anger and irritation from reflecting in my voice. Finally noticing the negative emotions rolling out of me in waves, he mutters his response before getting into the driver’s seat and pulling the car out of the cemetery’s parking lot. We get to the highway, air is emitting from not only the AC in the car yet I feel heat rising from inside of me and not even loosening a few buttons on my shirt helped. All I can think about is Aria and the dammed divorce. My shock is long gone and I am now stewing in nothing but anger, bordering on rage. Who the hel does she think she is? What gives her the boldness to think she makes the call for divorce? If anyone should be asking for a divorce, It should be me. I am the one who married her against my will. She’s the one who found me so irresistible that she went as far as dru9ging me just to have me. If anyone deserves to slam divorce papers in her face, it is me but the thought never crossed my mind. She’s a good secretary, dutiful, efficient and always at my beck and call. She also doubles as a good wife, never getting in my way or needy for attention. Aria takes whatever I give her; the little time, the irregular sax and the little communication, all that I deemed appropriate for our kind of relationship. The sudden switch has me racking my brain, thinking of different possibilities and all the things that could have gone wrong. A thought crosses my mind and it intensifies my anger in a way that I can’t even understand. “Find out if Aria has been meeting anyone lately. Men in particular.” I say. My assistant meets my eyes through the rearview mirror. His eyes fail to hide his surprise that I am asking him to look into my wife and the possibility that she’s been seeing other men. I can’t rule out all the possibilities and if Aria has really been cheating on me, I swear to God– My phone vibrates beside me on the leather seats. Sophia’s name pops up on the screen in a message notification. She’s asking me when next I would be available for an appointment at the doctor’s office. Seeing Sophia’s message douses my anger but leaves me with a far more disturbing emotion. I thought of all the reasons why my quiet wife is suddenly asking for a divorce but it never crossed my mind that impregnating the woman I once loved could be the reason. I think back to that day two months ago when yet again, I let drinking lead me into making the worst decisions. All I had to do was pick Sophia up at the airport, drive her to her hotel and return home. Instead, I took the invite to have a drink in her hotel room; for old time’s sake, she called it. We did more than just have a drink that night and the outcome is the baby growing inside of Sophia. I can’t call it a mistake yet deep down, I know it should have never happened. I should have never let myself get tempted by the thought of how being inside of Sophia will feel after three years. I want the child. It’s my baby and I don’t plan on losing it but it comes at a price that I never thought would be a problem which is the divorce with Aria. I can’t let Aria divorce me. I need her. At the office and in my home. She’s been my secretary for seven years and no one can do her job like her. I also pay her well and make sure she doesn’t need anything as my wife. How does she plan to survive without me anyway? Does she think that by asking for divorce, she has put herself on a higher level than me? What game is she playing with me now? Ha! Women thinking that they can live without a man and his support. As I think deeply about these things, I also think of a way to remedy them. I just need to do something to appeal to her. “What do women like?” I asked my assistant. He hesitates at first, surprised by the sudden question before he clears his throat and answers, “Erm, designer bags I guess and oh, flowers.” I am already scrolling through an online store on my phone, clicking away at every expensive bag that catches my eyes until I have already ordered a number to last her an entire year. Then we make a stop at the flower shop on the way home. Turns out there are more than a hundred thousand flowers and I can’t even decide which one to get for Aria because apparently, women have favorites when it comes to things as trivial as flowers as well. In the end, I pick Lilies because the attendant at the flowershop claims it’s most women’s favorite. I head home after that with only one single thought at the back of my mind; I won’t let Aria divorce me. Chapter 5 I’m thankful that Regis doesn’t ask any questions as he drives me back home. He offers to drive me into the compound but I turn him down and wait till he drives off before I sigh and walk into the house. The house is brimming with maids who rush over to me the instant they hear the door open but I raise a hand to stop them all from coming close to me. I am no longer the mistress of the house. I walk past them all to get to my room. Adam and I only share a room when he is looking to satisfy his saxual urges. He crawls into my bed and peppers kisses all over my body till I give in and that is the only time I ever feel wanted by him. As I walk into the room, I refrain from staring at the bed for longer than I should, afraid that the memories of us tangled up in sheets with him buried deep inside of me will break my resolve. And right now, I have only one resolve–to leave Adam for good. I begin to pack while that resolve is still strong, not even stopping for one moment to think about the fact that I have nowhere to go. I can’t bear to stay one more day under the same roof with Adam, knowing how deeply his betrayal cut. I only pack a few things that are important, assuring myself that I will come back for the rest of my things later when the divorce is finalized. I am only halfway through packing when I hear the sound of a familiar voice that never fails to send chills down my spine and even right this moment, I can already feel the chilling crawl of dread and it makes me stop packing immediately. Adam’s mother, Elodie and his sister Eva are here. I exhale sharply, trying to keep my breathing under control and to also keep the terrible memories of them from flushing into the forefront of my mind. A few more deep exhales and I finally get a hold of myself, resuming packing my things. Once I finish packing, I haul the heavy suitcase out of the room and walk into the living room where Elodie and Eva are seated on one of the couches, legs crossed over one another like they owned the place. Elodie has her signature scowl on her face that doesn’t fade even when I bow to greet her. “Why are you here?” Elodie asks, standing. I am confused by her question and my inability to give an answer makes her scoff, her face contorting into the ugliest form annoyance can take. “I almost forgot how dumb you are.” Elodie says again. Dumb. Her favorite word to throw at me the way she pleases and of course, it doesn’t hurt less today. In fact, it is even more painful now that I realize that besides having to live with Adam’s indifference, I have also had to deal with his mother’s hatred and utter disrespect for me and all along, my response has either been silence or an apology that she never deserved. “Why are you here instead of the office, huh?” She sneers and continues, “My son works tirelessly day and night just to make money for someone like you to leech off him, all he asks of you is to do your job as his secretary and yet you can’t even do that one thing? Do you think you are entitled to his money just because you are his wife?” Her words are like hard blows to the chast, every single word that strung her sentences together hitting nerves and breaking right through them. I feel something rising inside of me. It has always been there but I have always managed to control it. To top it all, Eva, Adam’s snobbish sister had to chip in, “She’s a trickster who duped my poor innocent brother and I wonder why isn’t she at the office! Such a lazy bumm! I don’t even know how Grandpa accepted such a penniless betch to be part of our elite family!” “I had to be at my grandmother’s funeral.” I respond simply, hoping the scowl on her face will disappear but it gets even more profound and she adds a scoff for good measure. Did Elodie and Eva not know that my grandmother died? “Is she dead for real? Or is it just an act?!” Eva has the guts to ask me and I glare at her. Elodie continues, “Of course, that’s your excuse for being a lazy gold digger. Tell me, did that grandmother of yours teach you to go after other people’s money instead of working for your own?” That very thing that has been rising inside me since I saw Adam’s mother reaches its peak. It’s anger. It is red, pure and fiery and controls my whole being that I can not even bring myself to care about anything other than keeping my grandmother’s name from being soiled. “Do not talk about my grandmother like that!” I yell and she jumps slightly, startled by my outburst. “Did you just yell at me?” she says, taking a step forward but I don’t flinch as I stare back into her eyes. Eva approaches me and she lashes out, “Did you just shout at my mother?!!!” Eva has always tried to demean me and every possible way at every chance presented to her. She grabs my arm, presses it harshly, making me wince in pain. Elodie smiles and as usually, she is greatly entertained. I push Eva with the other hand and she tumbles on the sofa. She remains shocked for I have always allowed them to bully me and this time, I retaliate. “Did you forget your place? You are nothing but a–” “Gold digger who married your son for his money, yes, I get it!” I snap at her, having had enough of the name calling every damm time, “But you don’t have to worry about that anymore because I already filed for a divorce. I am leaving your son so you can go ahead and swallow all of his money for all I care.” I turn around to leave, huffing as I drag the heavy suitcase with me but then Elodie clamps her hand down on the suitcase to stop me. She looks at the suitcase in amusement. “You are really leaving!” Elodie can’t even hide the joy in her tone. “Yes, so please just stop and let me go.” She shakes her head, “Not so fast! You can’t just leave.” And then she signals to two of the maids who have been standing, watching the whole exchange. “Search her!” She orders when they come forward. They hesitate and she glares at them. “Did you not hear her? She is no longer the mistress of the house. Search her right now.” I am too stunned to react when the maids finally snatch my suitcase from me. Eva tries to hold me preventing me from snatching back my bag from the maids. “What do you think you’re doing?” I say, my voice shaky. “I can’t just let you leave. Who knows what valuables you have stolen from my son inside that germ ridden bag of yours.” My mouth opens and closes several times at her words as I can’t even come up with a single string of sentences to say to her. I just watch as my things come tumbling to the ground in the rough search. Tears of humiliation burned at the back of my eyes. I don’t struggle any more from Eva’s grip and she stares at me triumphantly. “What is that? Hand it over.” Adam’s mother says when one of the maids found a gold bracelet I had lodged into my case. Grandmother’s bracelet, the only thing I have left of her. “No!” I rush forward to stop her from handing it over but I am too late. Adam’s mother is already holding and inspecting the bracelet. “Oh, wow! Mom, you finally found something she stole from Adam!” Eva exclaimed enthusiastically. Upon saying those words, she drags me and throws me onto the marble. I hit my nose. As I touch it, blood is coming out. I wipe it quickly and spring up to my feet. “I knew it! You took something. Did my son buy this for you? What gives you the right to think you can walk away with something he got for you after filing for a divorce?” Elodie snaps. “That doesn’t belong to your son! It is mine and I will appreciate it if you give it back.” She does the exact opposite and only continues to accuse me of being a thief until the door opens and Adam walks in. I don’t feel relief at his presence like I usually do when his mother treats me this way, instead, I feel nothing but resentment for him. I want to scream how much I hate him to his face. His face twists into confusion when he sees the situation. “What is going on here?” He asks, walking further into the house and looking from his mother to me. “Thank goodness you arrived, son. This leech was about to leave with something that clearly doesn’t belong to her.” His mother responds. “And she hit me!!!” Eva adds, almost in tears, complaining to Adam. This time, Adam is too shocked to ask me why I hit his dear sister. I thought,as he did in the past, he would force me to apologize, but this time, he did nothing. I wonder why. My eyes are starting to water for some reason and I am confused as to why Adam’s appearance suddenly triggered them yet I smile through the tears. “Adam, will you please tell your mother that I have never gotten a gift from you?” Adam falters, seemingly speechless for a second as he stares at his hands. I also look down at his hands and I finally understand why my eyes sting with tears and why I am sniffling in preparation of a sneeze that rocks my entire body. Lilies. I am all ergic to them. Despite the tears rolling down my cheeks, I start to laugh. I laugh so hard, ignoring the burning gazes of everyone present in the room who probably think I have gone crazy. I sneeze in between laughs, yet I don’t stop laughing as I turn to Adam’s mother. “I have been married to your son for three years and he doesn’t even know I am all ergic to lilies, yet you think he is capable of getting me a bracelet?” I shake my head at my sad reality. Chapter 6 Adam hands the flowers over to one of the maids, asking her to put it in a vase or whatever. He clears his throat, trying and failing miserably to hide his embarrassment in front of his mother, his sister and the maids. “The flowers weren’t for you.” He says, voice hard as he stares at me for a brief second. I barely even feel anything when he says that because I genuinely don’t care anymore, I just want to get the hel out of this house and never return. I don’t even care about the rest of my things which I am yet to pack, I just want to turn my back on this horrible life already. I hear Eva sniggers. Adam seems like he wants to say something to me but then he decides against it and turns to his mother instead. “Mum, please return the bracelet to her.” She snorts and shakes her head stubbornly, “I am not letting her leave with it.” Adam grunts, a sign that he is slowly losing his patience, “ I have never seen that bracelet mother, it belongs to Aria. Please, give it back.” Adam’s mother doesn’t immediately move to do as she is told but the moment she does, it is with an annoyed huff as she tosses the bracelet at me. I catch it in my palms while she heads back to sit in the same position as earlier when I first walked into the living room. I fall to my knees by the mess the maids made out of my clothes and then I begin to arrange them again, rushing through the process so I can get out of here fast to stop the repeated sting of humiliation. Adam standing there and just watching me clean up his mother’s mess without as much as an apology from either of them only adds to the rising level of humiliation. Once done, I stand and face Adam squarely, taking in the same clothes he wore to the cemetery earlier and getting reminded of all the reasons why I am making the best decision of my life. “As I said before, it is over between us. The divorce papers and my resignation letter will find their way to you soon.” I say, ignoring the way his face twisted, “Goodbye, Adam.” I turn around before I can even hear his response. I don’t want to look at Adam, not anymore. I walk away from him, going straight for the door and turning its knob for what I hope is the very last time. I have barely taken a step outside the door when Adam’s strong hand grabs my upper arm and twists me around to look at him. I have worked with him for seven years, four of which I was just his secretary and that was enough for me to know the kind of man Adam Miller is. He is usually composed with a blank expression that shows how in control he is. Right now, Adam is neither composed nor in control. He seems like he has lost grip of it and the meaning of those words don’t even matter to him anymore as he holds my arm in a tight grip. I struggle to break free of his hold. “Let me go.” I snap at him but Adam only narrows his eyes at me, his anger burning past his blue eyes. “You can’t just leave, Aria.” He growls. “You can’t tell me what to do, Adam. At least not anymore. Let me go!” “Does this even make any sense to you!” He yells in my face as he lets go of my hand to run his hand through his hair, “ You can’t just spring this kind of shet on me.” “It’s not springing if we have both had it coming from the very moment we shared our vows which you have already broken. We both know this marriage should have never happened so cut the crap and let me leave.” I say, practically fuming before turning around in another attempt to leave. “What about grandfather? You are taking such a big step without talking to the old man who set it all up anyway. The man who has been nothing but good to you.” I turn back to face Adam, hating his attempt at making me feel guilty. My thoughts go to his grandfather momentarily and I try to imagine the old man’s reaction to me filing for a divorce when he cares about me so much. However, I don’t waver. I refuse to let those thoughts come between me and my freedom. I refuse to put the wish of another over my own happiness. “I will talk to grandfather. Believe me, you have nothing to worry about.” I say and make another attempt to leave but of course, Adam doesn’t give up as he speaks again. “I won’t sign it Aria, I won’t sign the goddamm papers!” “What the hel is wrong with you?” I yell out my frustration, “Why won’t you just let me go?” He stares me down, eyes burning stubbornly, “I won’t sign the papers and I won’t accept your resignation either. The company has rules you have to follow and you can’t just decide to resign without prior notice especially when there is a lot of work at the office which I pay you to do!” I scoff, unable to believe his nerve. Unable to get over his selfish thinking and absolute lack of remorse for the things he has done. “You have Sophia, don’t you?” I shoot at him and his brows furrow. “What does that even mean?” “Everyone adores Sophia. She is smart, beautiful and can get your work done for you and oh, don’t forget the fact that she is also pre9nant with your child! How perfect is that?” Adam’s mother springs up, surprise evident in her features. Clearly, she is just learning about her coming grandson. “Adam, is what she says true? You have a child on the way?” Eva asked excitedly. Adam’s expression don’t give anything away and he doesn’t even spare his mother or sister a glance. He is still looking straight at me. “Aria, what happened between Sophia and I wasn’t intentional, it just–” “Don’t you dare make excuses for her! Who cares what she thinks? Sophia is who you have always deserved. The only woman who actually deserves to be my daughter-in-law.” Adam’s mother cut in while making sure to give me a nasty look that doesn’t even surprise me anymore. I shrug at Adam, a way to show him that I was right. Everyone wants Sophia, including him and he can’t even bring himself to deny it. He continues to ignore his mother. “Aria, it was an accident.” He says again and I nod, like I am agreeing to his words. “Three years ago, you didn’t think the same way. You didn’t think you accidentally slept with me but instead believed I had gone as far as dru9ging you to sleep with you. What changed, Adam? Because all I see right now is a bloody hypocrite and a coward who would rather blame others for his mistakes.” When I turn my back to him this time, I don’t stop walking. I don’t turn around. “Aria! Aria, get back here while I am still being nice. Aria, I swear to God if you walk out that door, I won’t take you back even if you go on your knees. You need me, Aria. You can’t survive without me!” Adam yells after me but I don’t stop walking as his arrogant words only fueled my desire to get away from him as fast as I can. I block out the rest of his words as I open the door and welcome my peace and freedom. I am never going back to that sad reality. | Read freely | 18 | https://facebook.com/61557986570531 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1716534000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841181 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682328 | 1723710532 | 858 | 216463318195471 | 1 | 3.5079396395983E+14 | 1716620400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1475434976107462 | 0 | Weiss Property Management | 120207717711510579 | weisspm.com | Contact Us | NONE | carousel | Expertise You Can Trust | Enhance your curb appeal | https://weisspm.com/lawn-mowing-and-landscaping/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=display&utm_campaign=sr_transform_your_property_with_weiss_property &utm_term={{ad.id}}&utm_content=4656879-e32-n-m-c{{campaign.id}}-g{{adset.id}}-a{{ad.id}}-u-cat-k-mod | 1710771508 | 1.4754349761075E+15 | Weiss Property Management | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/433883042_3571553513062526_408461915678430278_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=A8vdvDV192YQ7kNvgEG_ia0&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYAXtyA-Da9E_KZdN8HtPmjaHz1czFVer0Axza4V_th_Yw&oe=66586847 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Enhance your curb appeal | Weiss Property Management | 808 | https://facebook.com/weisspm1 | 0 | CONTACT_US | 1710831600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841189 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682328 | 1723710533 | 858 | 1361528064521212 | 1 | 7.4287710132688E+14 | 1715410800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 250753834794512 | 0 | Read freely | 120208075188720056 | beokn.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | ❤️😍What happens next👉Click Here to read on👉 | https://beokn.com/market/buenovela/3?lpid=11230&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1715224592 | 2.5075383479451E+14 | Read freely | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/422079631_823590829824839_4719608256142825580_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=zRrWu5cWNVoQ7kNvgGlPwcN&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYDOKfR6AdQVBkGHxZ7oRkovEG_cTVH3Fhai_NcioNO3Lg&oe=665834C6 | person_profile | 0 | Read freely | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441057328_1702104656985535_4588455529970348064_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=o0QCZODViNgQ7kNvgHrHhkE&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYCq8jC5eDyRX5crJStFEQcpuaK8E5JvRlMOeIvajggmRg&oe=6658688A | 0 | 3 | Yvette Snyder stood at the entrance of the hospital, her body frail, clutching a report in her thin hands. Three words on the report stood out: "No conception detected". "You've been married for three years. How are you not conceived?" Her mother, Yara Cadwell, demanded, jabbing a finger in Yvette's face disappointedly. Yara was dressed lavishly and wore high heels. "Why are you so useless? If you don't get conceived soon, the Lanes are going to kick you out of the family. What's going to happen to our family then?" Yvette looked at Yara blankly. She had a lot to say, but the words were stuck in her throat. In the end, all she could manage was, "I'm sorry." "I don't want you to be sorry. I want you to give birth to Xavier's child. Do you understand me?" Yvette's throat felt tight; she didn't know how to answer Yara. In their three years of marriage, her husband, Xavier Lane, had never slept with her. How could she ever have his child? Yara stared at Yvette. The latter's weak demeanor was so unlike her own. Finally, she said coldly before leaving, "If you really can't give him a child, then find him a woman who can. At least he'll appreciate you for that." Yvette stared after Yara's retreating figure in disbelief. Had her own mother just told her to find another woman for her husband to sleep with? ... As Yvette made her journey home, she couldn't stop thinking about Yara's parting words. Suddenly, a loud ringing in her ear drowned out her thoughts. She knew that her condition had worsened. Just then, she received a message on her phone. It was from Xavier, and the content was the same as always. "I'm not coming home tonight." In the past three years they had been married, Xavier had never spent the night at home before. He had never so much as touched Yvette either. Yvette could remember their wedding night three years ago. He had told her, "Since your family is bold enough to trick me into marrying you, you'd better be prepared to spend the rest of your life in loneliness." Three years ago, the Snyder and Lane families had decided to form an alliance through marriage. Both families had agreed to mutually beneficial terms in the agreement. But when the day of the wedding came around, the Snyder family went back on their word and transferred all of their assets away, including the billions that Xavier had paid to marry Yvette. Yvette's eyes dulled at the memory. She replied to Xavier's text with her usual response: "Okay." Without her realizing it, the report she was holding got scrunched up in her hands. When she got home, Yvette tossed the report into the trash can. Every month, around this time, she would feel unusually lethargic. Yvette didn't prepare dinner for herself. She just leaned back on the couch, blearily drifting in and out of sleep. The rumbling in her ear persisted. That was another reason why Xavier hated her—she was hard of hearing, which, to the rich and powerful, was no better than being crippled. Xavier would never allow her to carry his child. … At 5 o'clock in the morning, the pendulum clock on the wall chimed dully. Xavier would be home in an hour. Yvette realized too late that she had fallen asleep on the couch. She got up hastily and went to the kitchen to prepare Xavier's breakfast. Xavier was a meticulous man who was strict about punctuality, not only with himself but also with the people around him. He arrived home at six o'clock sharp. Xavier was a tall and handsome man. Clad in a smart tailored suit, his demeanor was quiet and reserved, yet undoubtedly masculine. However, to Yvette, he was cold and distant. Xavier didn't even look at Yvette. He walked right past her to look at the food on the table and said with a scoff, "You do this every day. Are you a nanny or what?" Over the past three years, Yvette had been doing the same things over and over again. She wore the same dark clothes and replied to his messages with the same singular word. If it hadn't been for the business alliance and the Snyders' deceit, Xavier would never have married a woman like Yvette. At the word "nanny", the rumbling in Yvette's ears returned. She swallowed, feeling a lump in her throat, and said bravely, "Xav, do you have someone that you like?" Her sudden question surprised Xavier. His eyes darkened. "What do you mean by that?" Yvette raised her head and stared at him, swallowing the bile rising in the back of her throat. "If you love someone else, you can be with her—" Before she could finish, Xavier interrupted her. "You're mad." ... After Xavier left, Yvette sat on the balcony alone, staring out into the cold rain. The sound of the raindrops drifted in and out of clarity. She took off her hearing aids, letting the world around her fall into silence. A month ago, her doctor had told her, "Ms. Snyder, there's been a pathological change in your auditory nerves and some of your cranial nerves, causing your hearing to worsen. If this goes on, you may lose your hearing completely." Not used to a silent world, Yvette went to the living room and turned on the television. She turned up the volume to the max, which allowed her to hear some sound. By coincidence, the television was showing an interview with Daphne Reyes, an internationally renowned singer known for her love songs. Yvette's hands trembled slightly as she gripped the remote control. Daphne was Xavier's first love. It had been a long time since Yvette had seen her, but Daphne was still as pretty as ever. She was confident and relaxed in front of the cameras, unlike the shy and frightened young woman who had begged the Snyders for sponsorship in the past. When the interviewer asked Daphne why she had returned to her home country, her answer was bold. "I came home to get my first love back." The remote control slipped out of Yvette's hands. Her heart also fell to her stomach. Flustered, Yvette turned off the television and went to the table to clean up the uneaten breakfast. When she got to the kitchen, she found that Xavier had forgotten to take his phone. She picked it up and saw the unread messages on the lock screen. "Xav, you must have been unhappy over the past few years, right?" "I know you don't love her. How about we meet up tonight? I've missed you." Yvette stared blankly at the messages until the screen went dark again. Then, she called a cab to Xavier's office. On the way, she stared out of the window. The rain fell incessantly. It felt like it would never stop. Xavier never liked it when Yvette visited him at his office, so whenever she was there, she would take the service elevator from the loading bay. When Xavier's assistant, Mark Xyrax, saw her, he just greeted her impassively, "Ms. Snyder." No one around Xavier considered Yvette his wife. She was nothing but a smear on his reputation. When Xavier saw Yvette bringing him his phone, he frowned. She was always like this. No matter what he forgot, be it his lunch, his documents, a shirt, or even an umbrella, she would bring them to him. "I thought I told you that you didn't need to deliver my things to me yourself." Yvette froze. "Sorry, I forgot." Since when had her memory been so bad? Maybe she had panicked after seeing Daphne's message and became afraid that Xavier would disappear from her life suddenly. Before she left, she looked back at Xavier. Unable to help herself, she blurted out, "Xav, do you still like Daphne?" Xavier thought that Yvette had been behaving rather strangely lately. She kept forgetting things and asking weird questions. How could a person like her be his wife? Impatiently, he replied, "If you have so much free time, go find yourself something to do." Yvette had tried getting a job before, but Xavier's mother, Shannon Guetta, had reprimanded her without holding back. "Do you want the whole world to know that Xav married a disabled woman with hearing issues?" Therefore, Yvette had given up on finding a job and focused on her fruitless life as "Mrs. Lane" at Dewberry Estate. … At home, she sat alone until nightfall. She couldn't sleep. Just then, the phone on her bedside table rang loudly. It was a call from an unfamiliar number. Yvette picked up the call. A familiar voice, yet one she dreaded, sounded from the other end. "Is this Yvvy? Xav is drunk. Can you come pick him up?" When Yvette arrived at Sternhow Club, she heard loud coaxing and jeering from the wealthy heirs inside the private room. "Daph, didn't you say you came back to get our dear Mr. Lane back into your arms? This is your chance now. Go on, tell him how you feel!" Daphne was a pretty woman who was popular wherever she went. She was also Xavier's first love, so the rich young men of the upper crust were happy to push the two together. Daphne wasn't shy at all. She turned to Xavier and said without any reservations, "I like you, Xav. Please be with me again." That was what Yvette heard when she arrived at the door of the private room. Inside, the other people were urging Xavier to answer Daphne. His best friend, Tristan Shaw, was the most vocal among them. "Xav, you've been waiting for Daphne for three years. She's back now. So, go on, answer her!" Yvette stood frozen outside the door. Her heart was pounding. Just then, one of the men pulled the door open. "Ms. Snyder?" Chapter 2 Everyone in the private room looked over at the door. For a moment, the room was eerily silent. Yvette immediately caught sight of Xavier in the middle of the room. His eyes were clear and bright. He was clearly not drunk. She knew that she had been tricked by Daphne. When Xavier saw Yvette, his pupils constricted. Everyone else in the room looked awkward, including Tristan, who had been the most vocal in getting Xavier to accept Daphne's confession earlier. Yvette shouldn't have gone there. Daphne was the first to break the silence. "Please don't get the wrong idea, Yvvy. Tristan was joking. Xavier and I are just friends." Before Yvette could answer, Xavier stood up impatiently. "There's no need to explain it to her." Then, he stalked over to Yvette. "What are you doing here?" "I thought you were drunk, so I came to take you home," Yvette answered truthfully. Xavier scoffed. "You really didn't retain anything I told you, did you?" Lowering his voice, he said softly so that only she could hear him, "Are you here to remind everyone that I was tricked into marrying you three years ago? Did you think they forgot?" Yvette was stunned. Xavier gave her a cold look. "Stop seeking attention. You're only making me hate you more." With that, he turned away, leaving Yvette standing alone. Yvette stared after his retreating figure, unable to snap out of her shock. None of the other scions in the room took pity on her when they saw Xavier ignoring her. Tristan even had no qualms in telling Daphne, who was feigning distress, "You're too kind, Daphne. You didn't need to explain anything. "If Yvette hadn't scammed Xav, he would've married you in the first place. You wouldn't have needed to suffer abroad as well." Despite the constant ringing in her ears, Yvette could still hear every word clearly. She knew better than anyone that even if Xavier hadn't married her, he wouldn't have married Daphne. Daphne was a nobody with no background, after all. Daphne was well aware of this as well. That was why she had chosen to break up with Xavier and leave the country. How had everything turned out to be Yvette's fault? When Yvette left Sternhow Club with her umbrella, she felt as if she had been enveloped by darkness. Just then, a lithe figure appeared beside her. It was Daphne. She was decked out in fine clothes, complete with high heels. She looked smug. "It's a cold night, isn't it? So, how does it feel to get scoffed at by Xavier after you came all the way here at this time to get him?" Yvette didn't answer her, but Daphne didn't mind her silence. She just continued speaking. "I do pity you, you know. You've never experienced true love before, have you? "Do you know that when I was with Xav, he would cook for me himself? When I was sick, he would drop everything and stay with me. "Has Xav ever told you he loves you? He used to say that to me all the time…" Yvette listened to Daphne's rambling quietly, her mind going over the past three years she had been married to Xavier. He had never so much as stepped into the kitchen during that time. When she had gotten sick, he had never comforted her. He had never told her he loved her either. … That night, Yvette couldn't fall asleep. She had only just found out that the man she had loved for the past 12 years had once loved another with all his heart, in the spectacular way that only young people could. At that moment, she realized that it was time for her to give him up. She had a sleepless night. The next morning, Xavier returned home. The glare he gave her was cold. "How attached are you to the Lane family's money, to me, your money-making robot?" he demanded. Yvette was stunned. She didn't know what had gotten into him so early in the morning. Instinctively, she said, "I never wanted your money." She had only ever wanted Xavier. Xavier laughed in disdain. "Then, why did your mother come to my office and beg me to give you a child?" Yvette was stunned. She stared into Xavier's eyes. It was only then that she realized that he wasn't angry about what had happened last night. Xavier had no desire to waste his breath on her. "If you want to continue staying with me and keep your family afloat, tell your mother to behave herself!" ... In the end, Yvette didn't need to look for Yara. Yara found Yvette instead. She was no longer cold and distant; she gripped Yvette's hands and said gently, "Yvvy, you should ask Xavier to give you a child. He doesn't have to do it biologically. He could do it through scientific measures." Scientific measures. Yvette stared at Yara in shock as the latter continued, "Daphne told me that Xavier hasn't slept with you in the past three years." That was the last straw for Yvette. She didn't know why Xavier would tell Daphne about that. Maybe he really loved Daphne a lot. With that thought, she suddenly felt relieved. "Just let it go, Mom." Yara paused. She frowned. "What?" "I'm tired. I want to get a divorce—" Before she could finish, Yara slapped her hard across the face. The kind, motherly facade was gone in an instant. She jabbed a finger at Yvette and gritted out, "You have no right to ask for a divorce! "Without the Lane family, what do you think you're going to do? Who's going to remarry a disabled divorcee like you?" Yvette felt her body go numb. Yara had never liked Yvette, even when the latter had been a child. Yara had been a famous dancer. The fact that she had given birth to a daughter with hearing issues was one of her biggest regrets. Therefore, she had sent Yvette away to be taken care of by a nanny. She had only allowed Yvette to return home when the latter started school. People used to tell Yvette that every mother loved their child. So, she had done everything she could to excel at everything in hopes of making Yara happy. Despite her hearing issues, she had been at the top of her class in dance, music, and art classes. But no matter how hard she tried, Yara still didn't consider her a good daughter. In Yara's words, Yvette wasn't "complete". Not only physically, but also in love and familial relationships. After Yara left, Yvette used some makeup to cover up the red print on her face. Then, she packed her bags quietly. Even after three years of married life, all her personal belongings fit into a single suitcase. After she finished packing up, she gathered her courage and sent Xavier a message. "Are you free tonight? I need to talk to you." Xavier didn't reply to her. Yvette's eyes darkened. She knew that he didn't want to reply to her messages. All she could do was wait for him to come home in the morning. She had thought that he wouldn't come home that night, but he got back at midnight. Yvette wasn't asleep at the time. She went up to him and took his coat and bag from him with familiarity in her actions. It was as if they were a normal married couple. Xavier's cold voice broke the peace. "Don't send me inane texts again." As Yvette held Xavier's coat, her hand trembled slightly. "I won't do it again," she mumbled. Xavier didn't notice anything wrong with her tone. He went straight to his study. Generally, if he came home, he would stay holed up in his study. He probably thought that someone who was hard of hearing would live in a silent world. Either that, or he simply didn't care about Yvette. That would explain why he got straight to discussing his acquisition of Snyder Group in his study as if nothing was wrong. When Yvette brought him some soup, she heard Xavier animatedly discussing work with his employees. He was talking about the acquisition of Snyder Group, her father, James Snyder's company. She didn't know how to feel about that. She knew that her brother, Terrence Synder, was useless at running a business, so it was only a matter of time before Snyder Group fell. However, she had never thought that her own husband would be the first to cause Snyder Group's downfall. "Xav," she interrupted. Xavier was slightly startled. Out of guilt, or maybe some other emotion, he quickly hung up the phone and closed his laptop. Feigning ignorance, Yvette walked into the study and placed the bowl in front of him. "Have some soup, then get to bed soon. Your health is more important than work." For some reason, Xavier felt himself relax when he heard her soft voice. She probably hadn't heard anything. Feeling conflicted, he stopped Yvette before she could leave. "You said you wanted to talk to me. What is it?" Hearing this, Yvette turned back to look at him. Softly, she said, "I just wanted to ask if you're free in the morning so we can go and file for divorce." Chapter 3 Yvette's voice was calm and impassive, as though divorce were a menial matter to her. Xavier's pupils contracted. "What did you just say?" Over the last three years, no matter what he had done, Yvette had never brought up divorce. In truth, Xavier knew that Yvette loved him. Her eyes, which were usually dull and empty, were clear and bright now. "I'm sorry for being a burden over the last few years, Mr. Lane. We should get divorced." Xavier clenched his fists unconsciously. "You heard what I said earlier, didn't you? Snyder Group was already failing; it won't matter whether I buy it or someone else does. What are you trying to do by bringing up divorce? "Is it because you want money? Or a child? Or do you want me to leave Snyder Group alone?" he asked coldly. "Don't forget that I don't love you. Your threats won't work on me!" At that moment, he seemed like a stranger to Yvette. A lump formed in her throat as her ears began throbbing. Even though she was wearing her hearing aids, she could barely hear what Xavier was saying. She could only answer his last question. "I don't want anything." Afraid that he would notice something wrong with her, Yvette left the study in a hurry. As he watched her leave, Xavier felt frustrated for some reason. He had never felt like this before. Not one to hold in his emotions, he flipped the table over. The bowl of soup that Yvette had brought him spilled all over the ground. ... Back in her own room, Yvette forced herself to swallow a handful of pills. She reached up to touch her ear. As she retracted her fingers, she saw crimson blood on them. Thanks to the medicine, her hearing recovered a little by the time it was dawn. Yvette stared blankly at the soft rays of sunlight streaming from the window. "The rain has stopped," she said quietly to herself. Xavier didn't leave the manor that day. He was in the living room bright and early, settled on the couch, waiting for Yvette to apologize and express her regret to him. This wasn't the first time Yvette had lost her temper with him. However, after every tantrum, she would apologize to him before long. Xavier figured that it would be the same this time around. Soon, he saw Yvette coming out of her room, all freshened up. She wore her usual dark-colored clothes. She dragged a suitcase with one hand while holding a piece of paper in the other. She handed the paper to him. It was a divorce agreement. "Let me know when you have time, Xav." With that, she left the manor, pulling her suitcase behind her. It was bright and sunny outside. Yvette felt as if she had gotten a new chance at life. Meanwhile, Xavier sat frozen on the couch, still clutching the divorce agreement in his hand. It took him a long time to come back to his senses. It was Saturday. Usually, around this time of the year, Xavier would take Yvette back to his hometown to pay respects to his ancestors. During this time, they would have to endure strange looks from his extended family. However, he was alone that day, which made him extraordinarily happy. At Lane Mansion, Shannon and the rest of the Lanes were surprised to see him alone. In the past, Yvette had always been the first one to turn up every year and the last to leave since she had been trying to please everyone. Why wasn't she there today? Shanon frowned and asked Xavier, "Where's Yvette, Xav?" Xavier's expression turned cold. "She wanted a divorce and left me." Everyone fell silent in disbelief when he said that. Shannon was shocked. She knew that Yvette probably loved Xavier more than anything in the world, only surpassed by his own parents. Seven years ago, Yvette had even protected Xavier with her own body when someone had attempted to stab him. Four years ago, not long after the two had gotten engaged, something had happened to Xavier while he had been on a business trip in Dibay. Everyone had been convinced that he was dead, but Yvette had refused to believe that. She had dropped everything and gone to the foreign city just to look for him. Then, after they had gotten married, Yvette had taken care of almost everything in his life with meticulous precision, including being polite to everyone around him, even his secretaries. She had always been afraid of offending them. Yvette clearly couldn't live without Xavier. So, why had she suggested getting a divorce? Shannon had no idea, but she was glad that Yvette had finally decided to let Xavier go. "She's not worthy to be your wife anyway. It's a good thing that you're divorcing her. She doesn't deserve you," she said The others immediately chimed in. "Yeah, you're young and handsome, Xav. You're in your best years now. Yvette's been dragging you down all this time!" Instantly, the gathering turned into a slander fest. They spoke of Yvette as if she were an unforgivable criminal. Xavier should have felt happy that they were defending him, but for some reason, he found their words too sharp and crass. He left Lane Mansion earlier than usual and made his way back to Dewberry Estate. The sky was just starting to darken when he arrived home. He opened the door and entered the manor. When he saw nothing but darkness, he remembered, with a start, that Yvette had left. He changed into his house slippers and tossed his coat into the washer. For some reason, he felt unusually exhausted today. He went to the wine cellar to get a bottle of wine so that he could celebrate Yvette's leaving. However, when he got to the wine cellar and saw the locked door, he realized too late that he didn't have the key. He didn't like strangers in his house, so there were no maids or servants at Dewberry Estate. Ever since he had married Yvette, she had been the one taking care of the household affairs. He could only go back to his room. Picking up his phone, he scrolled through his messages only to find work-related texts. Yvette hadn't called or texted him to apologize at all. Tossing his phone aside, he got up and headed over to the kitchen. When he opened the door of the fridge, he was stunned. Apart from food, there were also a lot of supplements. He picked one of the bags up and read the instructions on it. "Take five times a day for incapable of conceived." He took a whiff of the supplement. It smelled disgusting. He recalled that Yvette always smelled strange. So, this was why. He scoffed silently. They had never slept, so no matter how much medicine she took, she would never have gotten conceived. ... Meanwhile, over in a dark and dinky hotel, Yvette opened her eyes blearily. Her head was pounding. The world was silent. She knew, then, that her condition had worsened again. Before this, she had still been able to hear some sounds, even without her hearing aids. She pushed herself up and felt around on the bedside table until she found her medicine. She popped the pills in her mouth, tasting their bitterness. The day before, she had left Dewberry Estate, which had been her home for the past three years. At first, she had gone to her parents' house, Snyder Residence. However, at the door, she had overheard Yara and Terrence discussing how they would marry her off to an old man if the Lanes kicked her out. Yvette had blanked upon hearing that. It was then that she finally realized that she had no place to call home anymore. Even though she hadn't eaten anything in two days, she still didn't feel hungry. However, it was too quiet. The silence scared her. It had been raining more frequently in Tirion this year than it had in previous years. Yvette stared out at the passing pedestrians. Most of them were paired up or in groups. She was the only one alone. She bought a bus ticket heading out of the city. She decided to go to her nanny's house in the countryside. Viola Xenos, her nanny, had taken care of her when she was a child. It was already 9:00 pm when Yvette got there. When Viola saw Yvette, she looked pleasantly surprised. Yvette teared up when she saw Viola's warm smile. She reached out to her and hugged her. "Viola." Due to health issues, Viola had never married and didn't have children of her own. Yvette was closer to her than she was to her own mother. That night, Yvette cuddled up in Viola's embrace, just like she had when she was a child. Viola wrapped her arms around Yvette, only to realize that the latter was very thin. She pressed a hand on the Yvette's bony back, trembling uncontrollably. Forcing herself to calm down, she asked cautiously, "Has Xavier been treating you well, Yvvy?" Yvette felt a sharp pain in her throat when she heard Xavier's name. She wanted to lie to Viola and tell her that Xavier had treated her well, but she knew that Viola wasn't silly. Since she had already made up her mind to leave him, there was no need to lie to herself or to the people who loved her any longer. "The person he loves has returned. I've decided to let him go and divorce him." Viola was stunned. She couldn't believe her ears. Yvette had told her multiple times before that she wanted to spend the rest of her life with Xavier. Not knowing what else to say, she comforted Yvette by telling her that there were plenty of other fish in the sea. There was bound to be one who would love her. Yvette just nodded silently. The buzzing in her ears drowned out Viola's comforting voice. That night, she managed to get a good night's sleep, which was rare. However, when she woke up, she was greeted with the alarming sight of blood staining the spot where her head had laid on the pillow. Yvette touched her right ear. Her fingers felt sticky. She looked at her hand. It was covered in blood. Chapter 4 Even Yvette's hearing aids were stained red. Her pupils contracted, and she quickly grabbed some tissues to wipe her ear. Then, she stripped the bedsheets and washed them. She was afraid that Viola would worry about her if she found out that her illness was worsening. So, she cleaned up the mess and found an excuse to bid goodbye to Viola. Before she left, she placed a part of her savings on the bedside table without telling Viola. Viola walked Yvette to the bus stop and waved goodbye reluctantly. … After Yvette left, Viola couldn't stop thinking about how thin the former was. Unable to just sit by, she called Lane Group. When the secretary heard that Viola was Yvette's nanny and wanted to speak to Xavier, she transferred the call to Xavier's line. It was the third day after Yvette had left Xavier. It was also the first time in three days that he had received a call about her. Sitting behind his desk, he felt exceptionally pleased. Just as he had expected, Yvette wouldn't be able to last more than three days without him—or so he thought. Viola's voice came through the other line, sounding weighed with age. "Mr. Lane, I am Yvvy's nanny. I've been taking care of her since she was a baby. "Please, I beg you, treat her well. Don't hurt her more than you already have. She's not as strong as she seems on the surface. "When she was born, Mrs. Snyder left her in my care because she didn't like that Yvvy is hard of hearing. Yvvy only returned home when she had to start going to school. "The Snyders have never treated her as one of their own. Apart from Mr. Snyder, everyone else treated her like she was a maid. "You and Mr. Snyder are the most important people she has in this world. I'm begging you, please. Please be kind to her." Xavier's mood darkened when he heard what Viola said. "Did she tell you to give me this sob story because she didn't want to face me herself?" he asked coldly. "Why should I care about her life? If you ask me, she deserved everything she got!" That said, he hung up the phone without waiting for an answer. Viola had heard Yvette gushing about how nice Xavier was to her. So, it was only then that she realized the truth—Xavier wasn't a good man at all. He wasn't a good husband to Yvette. ... Yvette sat on the bus, heading home. Just then, her phone vibrated. It was a message from Xavier. "You said you wanted to get divorced, right? I'll see you at 10:00 am tomorrow." Yvette stared at the text blankly for a while before replying, "Okay." Just one word. It infuriated Xavier and completely ruined his mood. Unable to work anymore, he called up his friends and invited them out for drinks. Daphne was also at the club when he arrived. "I'm not going home until I'm drunk!" she declared. Tristan sat down beside Xavier. He couldn't help asking curiously, "How's Deaf Yvvy?" Xavier raised an eyebrow at him. "There's no need to talk about her ever again. We're filing for divorce tomorrow." Tristan was stunned. He couldn't believe his ears. "Really?" Beside them, Daphne brightened. She poured out a shot for him. "Congrats on getting back your freedom, Xav!" Xavier drank a lot that night. Daphne offered to send him home, but he rejected her suggestion. "No need. It's not appropriate." If he and Yvette were going to get divorced tomorrow, she might come home that night. Daphne wasn't happy about the rejection. "Why? You're divorcing her anyway. Why wouldn't it be appropriate? Are you still scared that she might find out about our relationship?" Their relationship? Xavier narrowed his eyes. "You're overthinking this." He got into his own car. Out of consideration, he also called a cab to send Daphne home. On the drive home, he kept unlocking his phone to check if Yvette had sent him any messages. She hadn't. When he reached Dewberry Estate, it was dark. With a stormy expression, Xavier opened the door and turned on the light. Yvette was nowhere to be seen. She hadn't come home. The manor was left exactly the way it had been when she had left. Still feeling the effects of the wine, Xavier threw himself heavily onto the couch and soon fell asleep. In his nightmares, Yvette was covered in blood, but there was a smile on her face. "I don't love you anymore, Xav," she said. When Xavier jolted awake, the sky outside had just brightened up. He rubbed his forehead and went to the bathroom to freshen himself up. Then, he changed into a smart suit and made his way to the courthouse. At the entrance of the courthouse, he spotted Yvette standing under a tree not far off. As usual, she was dressed in dark-colored clothes. From the distance, she looked incredibly frail and thin as she stood amid the drizzle. It was as if a single gust of wind could knock her over. Xavier could still remember how young and lively she had been when they had first gotten married. She hadn't been as thin and gloomy back then. Holding an umbrella, he walked toward Yvette. It took her a few moments to notice him. Xiaver hadn't changed much over the last three years. He was as handsome and as confident as ever, with the added hint of matureness that came with age. Yvette was a little dazed. The last three years felt like a blink in time to her, yet she also seemed to have exhausted a whole lifetime. Xavier stalked over to Yvette and gazed at her coldly. He was waiting for her to apologize to him. She had been sulking enough. It was time to put an end to this. However, Yvette just said, "I'm sorry to pull you away from your work. Let's go in." Xavier stiffened, but he quickly recovered. "Don't regret this." With that, he turned and headed into the courthouse. Yvette stared after him sadly. Would she regret this? She didn't know either. In the courthouse, the judge asked them if they were sure about going through with the divorce. Yvette's answer was firm. "Yes." Her determined expression frustrated Xavier. After filing for divorce, they still had to return to the courthouse in a month. If they didn't show up, then the divorce would be considered null. As they left the courthouse, Yvette looked at Xavier, her expression unusually calm. "I'll see you next month. Take care." With that, she stepped out into the rain, hailed a cab, and left. Xavier was left standing on the spot. He didn't know how to feel as he watched her car leave. Relieved, probably. Relieved that he wouldn't need to put up with her any longer or endure others' ridicule for having a disabled wife. ... In the cab, Yvette leaned against the window and stared blankly at the rain droplets on the glass. In the rearview mirror, the driver suddenly saw blood dripping from her ear. He was shocked by the sight. "Miss? Miss!" Yvette didn't answer him. The driver hastily stopped the car. Yvette was confused. They weren't at her destination yet. Why had they stopped? She looked over at the driver and saw him mouthing silently. She realized that she had gone deaf again. "I'm sorry, I can't hear you. What are you saying?" In the end, the driver had to type out what he wanted to say on his phone so that he could tell her about her bleeding ear. Yvette reached out belatedly and felt the warm sensation in her ear. She was used to it now. "It's alright. This happens all the time. I'm fine." She was hard of hearing, but her ears hadn't bled like this before. Two years ago, at a gathering, Tristan had pushed her into a swimming pool. Yvette didn't know how to swim, so she had almost drowned. At the same time, her eardrums had also expanded due to the pressure. She had been sent to the hospital, but the damage had been done. At the time, she had been told that everything was fine. Why was this happening again? The cab driver was still worried, so he dropped her off at the hospital she told him. After thanking him, Yvette went into the hospital on her own. This time, she saw her usual doctor, Tom Jensen. "Dr. Jensen, my memory has been rather bad lately. I kept forgetting what I'm doing," she said. When she had woken up at the hotel that morning, it had taken her a long time to remember that she had to file for divorce with Xavier. Tom looked at her latest report worriedly. "Ms. Snyder, I think you should consider getting tested for other things. Specifically, mental health issues." Mental health… Following Tom's recommendation, Yvette went and got a psychiatric diagnosis. She was diagnosed with depression. It turned out that patients with severe depression often experienced memory loss. Before heading back to the hotel, Yvette stopped and bought a notebook and a pen. She wrote down everything that had happened lately. She placed the notebook right beside her bed so that it would be the first thing she saw when she woke up in the morning. News of her and Xavier's divorce spread quickly. That night, Yara called her multiple times, but she didn't hear anything. … When she woke up the next morning, she saw a barrage of texts from Yara. "Where are you?" "Who do you think you are? Even if you're getting a divorce, Xavier should have been the one to ask for it!" "You're such a jinx! Back when you got married, your dad got into a car crash and died. What's going to happen now that you're getting divorced? Do you want Snyder Group to go bankrupt? Is that it?" Yvette stared at the messages. She was used to the verbal bully by now. She typed out a reply. "Mom, it's time that we live by our own merits. We shouldn't depend on others so much." Yara's response was swift. "You're such an ingrate! I shouldn't have given birth to you in the first place!" Yvette didn't bother replying to that. She placed her phone aside. She just had to wait a month. Once the divorce was finalized, she would be able to leave Tirion and start a new life. … Yvette's health worsened over the next few days. She often found herself completely deaf. Sometimes, it took a very long time for her hearing to go back to normal. Her memory was deteriorating too. On the bright side, even though her hearing loss was incurable, at least she could do something about the depression. She tried everything she could to keep herself happy. She busied herself by registering as a volunteer online. She spent time taking care of abandoned old people and orphans. Helping them made her feel like she had a reason to continue living. A few days later, Yvette woke up in the morning and checked her notebook as usual. Then, she got ready to head out to the orphanage. When she picked up her phone, she saw several unread messages. There were messages from Terrance and Yara, as well as Daphne. She opened the texts one by one. Yara: "As you wished, Snyder Group is no more." Terrence: "Keep hiding. You're the most cowardly and cruel person I've ever seen." Daphne: "My condolences, Yvette. Actually, I think Snyder Group would thrive better under Xav." Daphne: "Since your family has helped me so much in the past, do let me know if you need anything. I'll help you if I can." Yvette had no idea what was happening. She closed the messaging app. Almost immediately, she got a notification about the latest news. Chapter 5 Yvette watched the news and saw the press conference held by Lane Group. It was an announcement that Xavier had successfully acquired Snyder Group. James' company no longer existed in the world. … Things on Xavier's end had been extra pleasant lately. He had acquired Snyder Group and gotten his revenge. "The Snyder family finally got what they deserved for tricking you into that marriage three years ago." Tristan chuckled. Yet, he changed the topic in the next instant. He asked Xavier, "Xav, has Deaf Yvvy approached you during the past few days?" Xavier froze halfway through signing a document. He didn't know why, but people around him kept mentioning Yvette these days. "No," he replied coldly. That shocked Tristan. After all, how could Yvette not do anything when something this massive had happened to her family? With that in mind, he spoke again. "Could it be that she's finally come around? I heard her family has been looking everywhere for her. Nobody knows where she's gone—" He kept blabbering on. Xavier frowned, feeling utterly annoyed. "Get out!" Tristan jolted. That was when he realized that Xavier was furious. Not daring to say another word, Tristan bolted out of the CEO's office. Once outside, he took his phone and called his assistant, Avery Fitzpatrick. "Have you found Yvette?" "Yes, she's in a small hotel in Hexim Pass," answered Avery. Tristan had Avery send him the location before he drove there. He refused to let Yvette off the hook so easily. So what if she was willing to divorce Xavier now? She had already prevented Xavier and Daphne from being together for over three years! Besides, Daphne had saved Tristan's life once, so he owed her. It rained outside. Yvette finished her volunteer work and picked up her medication from the hospital. Then, she held an umbrella while walking back to the hotel. There were very few people on the road. Tristan drove his car but kept his eyes on Yvette's slim back. He deliberately sped up as he drove past her, sending a puddle of rainwater splashing onto her. Yvette shot him a blank stare. Tristan happened to meet her emotionless gaze through his rearview mirror. He didn't know why, but he felt inexplicably nervous. Yvette recognized Tristan's luxurious, dark gray Bugatti. Yet, she retracted her gaze and pretended not to notice him. Even so, Tristan refused to stop there. He deliberately slowed his car and followed her. "Hey, Deaf Yvvy. So, you have a temper now, huh? "You're not even going to greet me now? Didn't you used to love greeting me? Didn't you enjoy tickling my fancy?" Yvette remained stoic while the former mocked her. She used to do everything to win over those around Xavier, including his friends. It was all because she liked him. She had figured that Xavier's family and friends would one day accept her. Alas, it seemed she had been too naïve. At the previous gathering, Tristan had declared that he was Daphne's friend. He couldn't care less about maintaining his gentlemanly, upper-class image when siding with Daphne. He had insulted Yvette and called her shameless. In the end, he had also thrown her into the pool, leaving her to die. Since then, Yvette had steered clear of him. Upon receiving no reaction or response from Yvette, Tristan stopped the car, opened the door, and strolled toward her. He grabbed her arm and asked, "What stunts are you planning to pull this time?" Yvette's arm hurt, so she looked up at him. "I don't know what you're saying." She wanted to pry his hand off her arm, but he flung her aside. "Don't touch me with your filthy hands!" Tristan bellowed. Yvette stumbled backward before falling to the ground with a loud thud. Tristan froze on the spot in slight disbelief. It baffled him to see Yvette resorting to such tricks. He had only pushed her with a slight force, so how could she fall like that? Seeing people looking their way, he nervously got back into his car. Still, he gave her a warning before driving away. "Don't mess with Daph just because you're a disabled person, Yvette! "She's different from you. It's taken her a lot of effort to get to where she is now, so you'd better not disrupt her and Xav's relationship again!" After driving away, he even told the Snyder family where Yvette was staying. Yvette's hands and knees were scraped when she fell. It hurt so much that she couldn't stand for a long time. Deep down, she didn't understand why Tristan was so blind to what was right and wrong. She recalled risking her life to rescue him from a car that had been about to explode four years ago. His face had been covered in blood, and his eyes hadn't been visible. However, he had spoken in the warmest voice. He had said, "Thank you. I promise I'll repay you someday." Yvette couldn't help but bitterly wonder if this was his way of repaying her. … Once Yvette returned to the hotel, she took a shower and applied medication to her scraped skin. Then, she lay down in a daze. The fall hardened her determination to leave Xavier for good. … The sun was shining brightly outside when Yvette woke up. She got up and headed to the living area, only to see Yara sitting on the couch, wearing a formal dress. Yara didn't seem to care one bit that Yvette had just woken up. She picked the document off the coffee table and handed it to the latter. "Take a good look at this. It's the backup plan I've selected for you." Yvette accepted the document but saw the title "prenuptial agreement" on the cover. She flipped through the pages while reading the contents aloud. "Ms. Yvette Snyder will marry Mr. Liam Lorimer. As his wife, she'll devote herself to him and look after him until the end of his life. Liam will look after Yvette's family, which includes maintaining their quality of life. He'll also provide 300 million as funds for the Snyder family." Following that, the document stated Liam's details. He was an entrepreneur from the older generation in Tirion. He was 78 years old that year. Yvette's mind tensed. At that moment, Yara spoke up again. "Mr. Lorimer has expressed that he doesn't mind that you were married before. "He'll help revive our family's reputation from the ashes, as long as you marry him. Come on, dearest. You wouldn't let me and Terrence down, right?" Yvette's face paled even more. "I can't agree to what you're asking of me." Yara had never imagined that Yvette would reject her so candidly. She blew up in a fit of rage at once. "What right do you have to refuse? I gave you life!" Hearing that, Yvette met Yara's gaze. "How about I return my life to you? Would that mean I no longer owe you?" "What did you say?" Yara shrilled. Yvette's pale lips moved as she said, "If I returned my life to you, would it mean you'd no longer be my mother? And I'll no longer be indebted to you for giving birth to me?" Yara sneered, not believing Yvette would dare do such a thing. "Okay, then. I won't force you to marry Mr. Lorimer if you give your life back to me. But the question is, do you have the guts to do it?" "Give me a month." Yvette seemed determined. In Yara's eyes, Yvette seemed like a crazed person. She warned, "You'd best not threaten me by only saying you'll end your life. We're not that close, so I don't care if you die. However, you must sign this document if you're too afraid to end your life." … Yvette had suppressed all her emotions to the brim and needed to vent somewhere. So, she went to a bar. She sat in a corner, drinking and watching the crowd happily dance in a daze. That was when a dashing man with striking eyes noticed Yvette, who was all alone. He approached and asked, "Yvette?" Yvette stared at the man but didn't recognize him. Still dazed, she asked, "Do you know how one can achieve happiness?" The man was confused. "What did you say?" Yvette continued drinking as she spoke. "The doctor says I'm ill and should try to be happier, but I can't make myself feel happy…" That sparked discomfort in the man, Claude Lander. He wondered if Yvette had forgotten about him. Also, he was confused by what she said—something about being ill and needing to be happier. "You shouldn't be in a place like this if you want to be happy. Why don't I drive you home?" Claude spoke in a gentle tone. A smile curved across Yvette's face as she looked at him. "You're a good person." Complex emotions stirred in Claude when he saw her bitter smile. He wondered what she had been through these past few years. Why did she seem so sorrowful? Meanwhile, Xavier was also at the bar. After settling the divorce papers, he had let himself loose every night. On top of that, he hadn't returned to Dewberry Estate in a long time. It was getting late. When the crowd was about to leave, Daphne noticed a familiar figure in a corner of the bar. She exclaimed, "Isn't that Yvvy?" Xavier glanced in the direction Daphne was staring in and saw a man merrily chatting with Yvette. His expression soured at once. He was disappointed in Yvette for getting drunk at a bar and chatting up another man. He felt like he had thought too highly of her before. "Should we go and check up on her, Xav?" asked Daphne. "No," was all Xavier said before speedily leaving. On the other hand, Yvette declined Claude's offer. "There's no need to trouble yourself. I can go home on my own." Claude was still worried about Yvette, so he ran after her when he noticed her leaving the bar. "Do you really not remember me?" Yvette gazed at him but couldn't recall who he was. "It's Chubbs. Have you forgotten?" Claude reminded her. Only then did Yvette remember her friend, Chubbs, whom she met when she had been living with Viola in the countryside. Back then, Claude had been chubbier and nowhere near Yvette's height. Yet, his six-foot-two-inch frame now towered over her. He had even grown to have handsome features. "I remember now! You've changed so much. I didn't even recognize you!" said Yvette. Meeting an old friend away from home was a pleasant thing. But only a slight smile curved on Yvette's face. That upset Claude. "Come on. I'll drive you home," Claude stated. When he dropped her off, he was shocked to learn she lived in a run-down hotel. Yvette shifted in embarrassment. "Sorry, it's not a glamorous place. Please don't tell Viola I'm living in such a place. I don't want her to worry." Claude nodded. Since it was getting late, it was unwise for him to stay longer. So, he left after telling Yvette he would visit her the next day. He didn't notice the matte black car lingering in a dark area beneath the hotel as he walked out. Now that Claude had left, Yvette felt dizzy and had an upset stomach from drinking too much. That was when someone knocked hard on the door. Yvette had just opened the door when Xavier grabbed her wrist. He exerted so much strength on her slender wrist that it felt close to snapping in half. "You've made me look at you in a new light, Yvette!" Xavier snarled while shutting and locking the door. He then forcefully led her to the couch. He sneered with words as sharp and lethal as a blade, "So, you've already settled on which family you'll marry into next, huh? I knew you wouldn't be so willing to let me go for no reason!" Yvette didn't know why he had come over, nor did she know how he had seen Claude. She was only briefly dazed. Once she snapped out of it, she shot a furious look at Xavier and didn't bother explaining herself to him. The rims of her eyes reddened. "You and I aren't that different from each other." The Snyder family had tricked Xavier into marrying Yvette. However, Xavier had treated her coldly for three years while remaining entangled with his first love. Neither Xavier nor Yvette was a better person than the other. Xavier had also drunk some wine, so he reeked of it. Eyes reddening, he pinched Yvette's chin and spoke with a dangerously low voice. "Who is he? When did you guys meet?" That was the first time Yvette had seen him behave like this. She suddenly chuckled. "Are you jealous?" Xavier's gaze grew tense as he scoffed. "You're unworthy of such a reaction." Yvette became choked up. That was when Xavier leaned in domineeringly and continued interrogating her. "Has he already touched you? Huh?" In her three years of marriage, Yvette had given up on her work and declined to meet her friends whenever they had occasionally invited her out. She had done so to obey the Lane family's rules. But now Xavier was suspicious of her. Relief washed over Yvette just then. She questioned him back, "What do you think?" That utterly angered Xavier, and his heated hands started travelling down her body. | Read freely | 18 | https://facebook.com/61557986570531 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1715324400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841193 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682329 | 1723710533 | 858 | 1361528064521212 | 1 | 7.4287710132688E+14 | 1715410800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 250753834794512 | 0 | Read freely | 120208075188720056 | beokn.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | ❤️😍What happens next👉Click Here to read on👉 | https://beokn.com/market/buenovela/3?lpid=11230&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1715224592 | 2.5075383479451E+14 | Read freely | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/422079631_823590829824839_4719608256142825580_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=zRrWu5cWNVoQ7kNvgGlPwcN&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYDOKfR6AdQVBkGHxZ7oRkovEG_cTVH3Fhai_NcioNO3Lg&oe=665834C6 | person_profile | 0 | Read freely | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441057328_1702104656985535_4588455529970348064_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=o0QCZODViNgQ7kNvgHrHhkE&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYCq8jC5eDyRX5crJStFEQcpuaK8E5JvRlMOeIvajggmRg&oe=6658688A | 0 | 3 | Yvette Snyder stood at the entrance of the hospital, her body frail, clutching a report in her thin hands. Three words on the report stood out: "No conception detected". "You've been married for three years. How are you not conceived?" Her mother, Yara Cadwell, demanded, jabbing a finger in Yvette's face disappointedly. Yara was dressed lavishly and wore high heels. "Why are you so useless? If you don't get conceived soon, the Lanes are going to kick you out of the family. What's going to happen to our family then?" Yvette looked at Yara blankly. She had a lot to say, but the words were stuck in her throat. In the end, all she could manage was, "I'm sorry." "I don't want you to be sorry. I want you to give birth to Xavier's child. Do you understand me?" Yvette's throat felt tight; she didn't know how to answer Yara. In their three years of marriage, her husband, Xavier Lane, had never slept with her. How could she ever have his child? Yara stared at Yvette. The latter's weak demeanor was so unlike her own. Finally, she said coldly before leaving, "If you really can't give him a child, then find him a woman who can. At least he'll appreciate you for that." Yvette stared after Yara's retreating figure in disbelief. Had her own mother just told her to find another woman for her husband to sleep with? ... As Yvette made her journey home, she couldn't stop thinking about Yara's parting words. Suddenly, a loud ringing in her ear drowned out her thoughts. She knew that her condition had worsened. Just then, she received a message on her phone. It was from Xavier, and the content was the same as always. "I'm not coming home tonight." In the past three years they had been married, Xavier had never spent the night at home before. He had never so much as touched Yvette either. Yvette could remember their wedding night three years ago. He had told her, "Since your family is bold enough to trick me into marrying you, you'd better be prepared to spend the rest of your life in loneliness." Three years ago, the Snyder and Lane families had decided to form an alliance through marriage. Both families had agreed to mutually beneficial terms in the agreement. But when the day of the wedding came around, the Snyder family went back on their word and transferred all of their assets away, including the billions that Xavier had paid to marry Yvette. Yvette's eyes dulled at the memory. She replied to Xavier's text with her usual response: "Okay." Without her realizing it, the report she was holding got scrunched up in her hands. When she got home, Yvette tossed the report into the trash can. Every month, around this time, she would feel unusually lethargic. Yvette didn't prepare dinner for herself. She just leaned back on the couch, blearily drifting in and out of sleep. The rumbling in her ear persisted. That was another reason why Xavier hated her—she was hard of hearing, which, to the rich and powerful, was no better than being crippled. Xavier would never allow her to carry his child. … At 5 o'clock in the morning, the pendulum clock on the wall chimed dully. Xavier would be home in an hour. Yvette realized too late that she had fallen asleep on the couch. She got up hastily and went to the kitchen to prepare Xavier's breakfast. Xavier was a meticulous man who was strict about punctuality, not only with himself but also with the people around him. He arrived home at six o'clock sharp. Xavier was a tall and handsome man. Clad in a smart tailored suit, his demeanor was quiet and reserved, yet undoubtedly masculine. However, to Yvette, he was cold and distant. Xavier didn't even look at Yvette. He walked right past her to look at the food on the table and said with a scoff, "You do this every day. Are you a nanny or what?" Over the past three years, Yvette had been doing the same things over and over again. She wore the same dark clothes and replied to his messages with the same singular word. If it hadn't been for the business alliance and the Snyders' deceit, Xavier would never have married a woman like Yvette. At the word "nanny", the rumbling in Yvette's ears returned. She swallowed, feeling a lump in her throat, and said bravely, "Xav, do you have someone that you like?" Her sudden question surprised Xavier. His eyes darkened. "What do you mean by that?" Yvette raised her head and stared at him, swallowing the bile rising in the back of her throat. "If you love someone else, you can be with her—" Before she could finish, Xavier interrupted her. "You're mad." ... After Xavier left, Yvette sat on the balcony alone, staring out into the cold rain. The sound of the raindrops drifted in and out of clarity. She took off her hearing aids, letting the world around her fall into silence. A month ago, her doctor had told her, "Ms. Snyder, there's been a pathological change in your auditory nerves and some of your cranial nerves, causing your hearing to worsen. If this goes on, you may lose your hearing completely." Not used to a silent world, Yvette went to the living room and turned on the television. She turned up the volume to the max, which allowed her to hear some sound. By coincidence, the television was showing an interview with Daphne Reyes, an internationally renowned singer known for her love songs. Yvette's hands trembled slightly as she gripped the remote control. Daphne was Xavier's first love. It had been a long time since Yvette had seen her, but Daphne was still as pretty as ever. She was confident and relaxed in front of the cameras, unlike the shy and frightened young woman who had begged the Snyders for sponsorship in the past. When the interviewer asked Daphne why she had returned to her home country, her answer was bold. "I came home to get my first love back." The remote control slipped out of Yvette's hands. Her heart also fell to her stomach. Flustered, Yvette turned off the television and went to the table to clean up the uneaten breakfast. When she got to the kitchen, she found that Xavier had forgotten to take his phone. She picked it up and saw the unread messages on the lock screen. "Xav, you must have been unhappy over the past few years, right?" "I know you don't love her. How about we meet up tonight? I've missed you." Yvette stared blankly at the messages until the screen went dark again. Then, she called a cab to Xavier's office. On the way, she stared out of the window. The rain fell incessantly. It felt like it would never stop. Xavier never liked it when Yvette visited him at his office, so whenever she was there, she would take the service elevator from the loading bay. When Xavier's assistant, Mark Xyrax, saw her, he just greeted her impassively, "Ms. Snyder." No one around Xavier considered Yvette his wife. She was nothing but a smear on his reputation. When Xavier saw Yvette bringing him his phone, he frowned. She was always like this. No matter what he forgot, be it his lunch, his documents, a shirt, or even an umbrella, she would bring them to him. "I thought I told you that you didn't need to deliver my things to me yourself." Yvette froze. "Sorry, I forgot." Since when had her memory been so bad? Maybe she had panicked after seeing Daphne's message and became afraid that Xavier would disappear from her life suddenly. Before she left, she looked back at Xavier. Unable to help herself, she blurted out, "Xav, do you still like Daphne?" Xavier thought that Yvette had been behaving rather strangely lately. She kept forgetting things and asking weird questions. How could a person like her be his wife? Impatiently, he replied, "If you have so much free time, go find yourself something to do." Yvette had tried getting a job before, but Xavier's mother, Shannon Guetta, had reprimanded her without holding back. "Do you want the whole world to know that Xav married a disabled woman with hearing issues?" Therefore, Yvette had given up on finding a job and focused on her fruitless life as "Mrs. Lane" at Dewberry Estate. … At home, she sat alone until nightfall. She couldn't sleep. Just then, the phone on her bedside table rang loudly. It was a call from an unfamiliar number. Yvette picked up the call. A familiar voice, yet one she dreaded, sounded from the other end. "Is this Yvvy? Xav is drunk. Can you come pick him up?" When Yvette arrived at Sternhow Club, she heard loud coaxing and jeering from the wealthy heirs inside the private room. "Daph, didn't you say you came back to get our dear Mr. Lane back into your arms? This is your chance now. Go on, tell him how you feel!" Daphne was a pretty woman who was popular wherever she went. She was also Xavier's first love, so the rich young men of the upper crust were happy to push the two together. Daphne wasn't shy at all. She turned to Xavier and said without any reservations, "I like you, Xav. Please be with me again." That was what Yvette heard when she arrived at the door of the private room. Inside, the other people were urging Xavier to answer Daphne. His best friend, Tristan Shaw, was the most vocal among them. "Xav, you've been waiting for Daphne for three years. She's back now. So, go on, answer her!" Yvette stood frozen outside the door. Her heart was pounding. Just then, one of the men pulled the door open. "Ms. Snyder?" Chapter 2 Everyone in the private room looked over at the door. For a moment, the room was eerily silent. Yvette immediately caught sight of Xavier in the middle of the room. His eyes were clear and bright. He was clearly not drunk. She knew that she had been tricked by Daphne. When Xavier saw Yvette, his pupils constricted. Everyone else in the room looked awkward, including Tristan, who had been the most vocal in getting Xavier to accept Daphne's confession earlier. Yvette shouldn't have gone there. Daphne was the first to break the silence. "Please don't get the wrong idea, Yvvy. Tristan was joking. Xavier and I are just friends." Before Yvette could answer, Xavier stood up impatiently. "There's no need to explain it to her." Then, he stalked over to Yvette. "What are you doing here?" "I thought you were drunk, so I came to take you home," Yvette answered truthfully. Xavier scoffed. "You really didn't retain anything I told you, did you?" Lowering his voice, he said softly so that only she could hear him, "Are you here to remind everyone that I was tricked into marrying you three years ago? Did you think they forgot?" Yvette was stunned. Xavier gave her a cold look. "Stop seeking attention. You're only making me hate you more." With that, he turned away, leaving Yvette standing alone. Yvette stared after his retreating figure, unable to snap out of her shock. None of the other scions in the room took pity on her when they saw Xavier ignoring her. Tristan even had no qualms in telling Daphne, who was feigning distress, "You're too kind, Daphne. You didn't need to explain anything. "If Yvette hadn't scammed Xav, he would've married you in the first place. You wouldn't have needed to suffer abroad as well." Despite the constant ringing in her ears, Yvette could still hear every word clearly. She knew better than anyone that even if Xavier hadn't married her, he wouldn't have married Daphne. Daphne was a nobody with no background, after all. Daphne was well aware of this as well. That was why she had chosen to break up with Xavier and leave the country. How had everything turned out to be Yvette's fault? When Yvette left Sternhow Club with her umbrella, she felt as if she had been enveloped by darkness. Just then, a lithe figure appeared beside her. It was Daphne. She was decked out in fine clothes, complete with high heels. She looked smug. "It's a cold night, isn't it? So, how does it feel to get scoffed at by Xavier after you came all the way here at this time to get him?" Yvette didn't answer her, but Daphne didn't mind her silence. She just continued speaking. "I do pity you, you know. You've never experienced true love before, have you? "Do you know that when I was with Xav, he would cook for me himself? When I was sick, he would drop everything and stay with me. "Has Xav ever told you he loves you? He used to say that to me all the time…" Yvette listened to Daphne's rambling quietly, her mind going over the past three years she had been married to Xavier. He had never so much as stepped into the kitchen during that time. When she had gotten sick, he had never comforted her. He had never told her he loved her either. … That night, Yvette couldn't fall asleep. She had only just found out that the man she had loved for the past 12 years had once loved another with all his heart, in the spectacular way that only young people could. At that moment, she realized that it was time for her to give him up. She had a sleepless night. The next morning, Xavier returned home. The glare he gave her was cold. "How attached are you to the Lane family's money, to me, your money-making robot?" he demanded. Yvette was stunned. She didn't know what had gotten into him so early in the morning. Instinctively, she said, "I never wanted your money." She had only ever wanted Xavier. Xavier laughed in disdain. "Then, why did your mother come to my office and beg me to give you a child?" Yvette was stunned. She stared into Xavier's eyes. It was only then that she realized that he wasn't angry about what had happened last night. Xavier had no desire to waste his breath on her. "If you want to continue staying with me and keep your family afloat, tell your mother to behave herself!" ... In the end, Yvette didn't need to look for Yara. Yara found Yvette instead. She was no longer cold and distant; she gripped Yvette's hands and said gently, "Yvvy, you should ask Xavier to give you a child. He doesn't have to do it biologically. He could do it through scientific measures." Scientific measures. Yvette stared at Yara in shock as the latter continued, "Daphne told me that Xavier hasn't slept with you in the past three years." That was the last straw for Yvette. She didn't know why Xavier would tell Daphne about that. Maybe he really loved Daphne a lot. With that thought, she suddenly felt relieved. "Just let it go, Mom." Yara paused. She frowned. "What?" "I'm tired. I want to get a divorce—" Before she could finish, Yara slapped her hard across the face. The kind, motherly facade was gone in an instant. She jabbed a finger at Yvette and gritted out, "You have no right to ask for a divorce! "Without the Lane family, what do you think you're going to do? Who's going to remarry a disabled divorcee like you?" Yvette felt her body go numb. Yara had never liked Yvette, even when the latter had been a child. Yara had been a famous dancer. The fact that she had given birth to a daughter with hearing issues was one of her biggest regrets. Therefore, she had sent Yvette away to be taken care of by a nanny. She had only allowed Yvette to return home when the latter started school. People used to tell Yvette that every mother loved their child. So, she had done everything she could to excel at everything in hopes of making Yara happy. Despite her hearing issues, she had been at the top of her class in dance, music, and art classes. But no matter how hard she tried, Yara still didn't consider her a good daughter. In Yara's words, Yvette wasn't "complete". Not only physically, but also in love and familial relationships. After Yara left, Yvette used some makeup to cover up the red print on her face. Then, she packed her bags quietly. Even after three years of married life, all her personal belongings fit into a single suitcase. After she finished packing up, she gathered her courage and sent Xavier a message. "Are you free tonight? I need to talk to you." Xavier didn't reply to her. Yvette's eyes darkened. She knew that he didn't want to reply to her messages. All she could do was wait for him to come home in the morning. She had thought that he wouldn't come home that night, but he got back at midnight. Yvette wasn't asleep at the time. She went up to him and took his coat and bag from him with familiarity in her actions. It was as if they were a normal married couple. Xavier's cold voice broke the peace. "Don't send me inane texts again." As Yvette held Xavier's coat, her hand trembled slightly. "I won't do it again," she mumbled. Xavier didn't notice anything wrong with her tone. He went straight to his study. Generally, if he came home, he would stay holed up in his study. He probably thought that someone who was hard of hearing would live in a silent world. Either that, or he simply didn't care about Yvette. That would explain why he got straight to discussing his acquisition of Snyder Group in his study as if nothing was wrong. When Yvette brought him some soup, she heard Xavier animatedly discussing work with his employees. He was talking about the acquisition of Snyder Group, her father, James Snyder's company. She didn't know how to feel about that. She knew that her brother, Terrence Synder, was useless at running a business, so it was only a matter of time before Snyder Group fell. However, she had never thought that her own husband would be the first to cause Snyder Group's downfall. "Xav," she interrupted. Xavier was slightly startled. Out of guilt, or maybe some other emotion, he quickly hung up the phone and closed his laptop. Feigning ignorance, Yvette walked into the study and placed the bowl in front of him. "Have some soup, then get to bed soon. Your health is more important than work." For some reason, Xavier felt himself relax when he heard her soft voice. She probably hadn't heard anything. Feeling conflicted, he stopped Yvette before she could leave. "You said you wanted to talk to me. What is it?" Hearing this, Yvette turned back to look at him. Softly, she said, "I just wanted to ask if you're free in the morning so we can go and file for divorce." Chapter 3 Yvette's voice was calm and impassive, as though divorce were a menial matter to her. Xavier's pupils contracted. "What did you just say?" Over the last three years, no matter what he had done, Yvette had never brought up divorce. In truth, Xavier knew that Yvette loved him. Her eyes, which were usually dull and empty, were clear and bright now. "I'm sorry for being a burden over the last few years, Mr. Lane. We should get divorced." Xavier clenched his fists unconsciously. "You heard what I said earlier, didn't you? Snyder Group was already failing; it won't matter whether I buy it or someone else does. What are you trying to do by bringing up divorce? "Is it because you want money? Or a child? Or do you want me to leave Snyder Group alone?" he asked coldly. "Don't forget that I don't love you. Your threats won't work on me!" At that moment, he seemed like a stranger to Yvette. A lump formed in her throat as her ears began throbbing. Even though she was wearing her hearing aids, she could barely hear what Xavier was saying. She could only answer his last question. "I don't want anything." Afraid that he would notice something wrong with her, Yvette left the study in a hurry. As he watched her leave, Xavier felt frustrated for some reason. He had never felt like this before. Not one to hold in his emotions, he flipped the table over. The bowl of soup that Yvette had brought him spilled all over the ground. ... Back in her own room, Yvette forced herself to swallow a handful of pills. She reached up to touch her ear. As she retracted her fingers, she saw crimson blood on them. Thanks to the medicine, her hearing recovered a little by the time it was dawn. Yvette stared blankly at the soft rays of sunlight streaming from the window. "The rain has stopped," she said quietly to herself. Xavier didn't leave the manor that day. He was in the living room bright and early, settled on the couch, waiting for Yvette to apologize and express her regret to him. This wasn't the first time Yvette had lost her temper with him. However, after every tantrum, she would apologize to him before long. Xavier figured that it would be the same this time around. Soon, he saw Yvette coming out of her room, all freshened up. She wore her usual dark-colored clothes. She dragged a suitcase with one hand while holding a piece of paper in the other. She handed the paper to him. It was a divorce agreement. "Let me know when you have time, Xav." With that, she left the manor, pulling her suitcase behind her. It was bright and sunny outside. Yvette felt as if she had gotten a new chance at life. Meanwhile, Xavier sat frozen on the couch, still clutching the divorce agreement in his hand. It took him a long time to come back to his senses. It was Saturday. Usually, around this time of the year, Xavier would take Yvette back to his hometown to pay respects to his ancestors. During this time, they would have to endure strange looks from his extended family. However, he was alone that day, which made him extraordinarily happy. At Lane Mansion, Shannon and the rest of the Lanes were surprised to see him alone. In the past, Yvette had always been the first one to turn up every year and the last to leave since she had been trying to please everyone. Why wasn't she there today? Shanon frowned and asked Xavier, "Where's Yvette, Xav?" Xavier's expression turned cold. "She wanted a divorce and left me." Everyone fell silent in disbelief when he said that. Shannon was shocked. She knew that Yvette probably loved Xavier more than anything in the world, only surpassed by his own parents. Seven years ago, Yvette had even protected Xavier with her own body when someone had attempted to stab him. Four years ago, not long after the two had gotten engaged, something had happened to Xavier while he had been on a business trip in Dibay. Everyone had been convinced that he was dead, but Yvette had refused to believe that. She had dropped everything and gone to the foreign city just to look for him. Then, after they had gotten married, Yvette had taken care of almost everything in his life with meticulous precision, including being polite to everyone around him, even his secretaries. She had always been afraid of offending them. Yvette clearly couldn't live without Xavier. So, why had she suggested getting a divorce? Shannon had no idea, but she was glad that Yvette had finally decided to let Xavier go. "She's not worthy to be your wife anyway. It's a good thing that you're divorcing her. She doesn't deserve you," she said The others immediately chimed in. "Yeah, you're young and handsome, Xav. You're in your best years now. Yvette's been dragging you down all this time!" Instantly, the gathering turned into a slander fest. They spoke of Yvette as if she were an unforgivable criminal. Xavier should have felt happy that they were defending him, but for some reason, he found their words too sharp and crass. He left Lane Mansion earlier than usual and made his way back to Dewberry Estate. The sky was just starting to darken when he arrived home. He opened the door and entered the manor. When he saw nothing but darkness, he remembered, with a start, that Yvette had left. He changed into his house slippers and tossed his coat into the washer. For some reason, he felt unusually exhausted today. He went to the wine cellar to get a bottle of wine so that he could celebrate Yvette's leaving. However, when he got to the wine cellar and saw the locked door, he realized too late that he didn't have the key. He didn't like strangers in his house, so there were no maids or servants at Dewberry Estate. Ever since he had married Yvette, she had been the one taking care of the household affairs. He could only go back to his room. Picking up his phone, he scrolled through his messages only to find work-related texts. Yvette hadn't called or texted him to apologize at all. Tossing his phone aside, he got up and headed over to the kitchen. When he opened the door of the fridge, he was stunned. Apart from food, there were also a lot of supplements. He picked one of the bags up and read the instructions on it. "Take five times a day for incapable of conceived." He took a whiff of the supplement. It smelled disgusting. He recalled that Yvette always smelled strange. So, this was why. He scoffed silently. They had never slept, so no matter how much medicine she took, she would never have gotten conceived. ... Meanwhile, over in a dark and dinky hotel, Yvette opened her eyes blearily. Her head was pounding. The world was silent. She knew, then, that her condition had worsened again. Before this, she had still been able to hear some sounds, even without her hearing aids. She pushed herself up and felt around on the bedside table until she found her medicine. She popped the pills in her mouth, tasting their bitterness. The day before, she had left Dewberry Estate, which had been her home for the past three years. At first, she had gone to her parents' house, Snyder Residence. However, at the door, she had overheard Yara and Terrence discussing how they would marry her off to an old man if the Lanes kicked her out. Yvette had blanked upon hearing that. It was then that she finally realized that she had no place to call home anymore. Even though she hadn't eaten anything in two days, she still didn't feel hungry. However, it was too quiet. The silence scared her. It had been raining more frequently in Tirion this year than it had in previous years. Yvette stared out at the passing pedestrians. Most of them were paired up or in groups. She was the only one alone. She bought a bus ticket heading out of the city. She decided to go to her nanny's house in the countryside. Viola Xenos, her nanny, had taken care of her when she was a child. It was already 9:00 pm when Yvette got there. When Viola saw Yvette, she looked pleasantly surprised. Yvette teared up when she saw Viola's warm smile. She reached out to her and hugged her. "Viola." Due to health issues, Viola had never married and didn't have children of her own. Yvette was closer to her than she was to her own mother. That night, Yvette cuddled up in Viola's embrace, just like she had when she was a child. Viola wrapped her arms around Yvette, only to realize that the latter was very thin. She pressed a hand on the Yvette's bony back, trembling uncontrollably. Forcing herself to calm down, she asked cautiously, "Has Xavier been treating you well, Yvvy?" Yvette felt a sharp pain in her throat when she heard Xavier's name. She wanted to lie to Viola and tell her that Xavier had treated her well, but she knew that Viola wasn't silly. Since she had already made up her mind to leave him, there was no need to lie to herself or to the people who loved her any longer. "The person he loves has returned. I've decided to let him go and divorce him." Viola was stunned. She couldn't believe her ears. Yvette had told her multiple times before that she wanted to spend the rest of her life with Xavier. Not knowing what else to say, she comforted Yvette by telling her that there were plenty of other fish in the sea. There was bound to be one who would love her. Yvette just nodded silently. The buzzing in her ears drowned out Viola's comforting voice. That night, she managed to get a good night's sleep, which was rare. However, when she woke up, she was greeted with the alarming sight of blood staining the spot where her head had laid on the pillow. Yvette touched her right ear. Her fingers felt sticky. She looked at her hand. It was covered in blood. Chapter 4 Even Yvette's hearing aids were stained red. Her pupils contracted, and she quickly grabbed some tissues to wipe her ear. Then, she stripped the bedsheets and washed them. She was afraid that Viola would worry about her if she found out that her illness was worsening. So, she cleaned up the mess and found an excuse to bid goodbye to Viola. Before she left, she placed a part of her savings on the bedside table without telling Viola. Viola walked Yvette to the bus stop and waved goodbye reluctantly. … After Yvette left, Viola couldn't stop thinking about how thin the former was. Unable to just sit by, she called Lane Group. When the secretary heard that Viola was Yvette's nanny and wanted to speak to Xavier, she transferred the call to Xavier's line. It was the third day after Yvette had left Xavier. It was also the first time in three days that he had received a call about her. Sitting behind his desk, he felt exceptionally pleased. Just as he had expected, Yvette wouldn't be able to last more than three days without him—or so he thought. Viola's voice came through the other line, sounding weighed with age. "Mr. Lane, I am Yvvy's nanny. I've been taking care of her since she was a baby. "Please, I beg you, treat her well. Don't hurt her more than you already have. She's not as strong as she seems on the surface. "When she was born, Mrs. Snyder left her in my care because she didn't like that Yvvy is hard of hearing. Yvvy only returned home when she had to start going to school. "The Snyders have never treated her as one of their own. Apart from Mr. Snyder, everyone else treated her like she was a maid. "You and Mr. Snyder are the most important people she has in this world. I'm begging you, please. Please be kind to her." Xavier's mood darkened when he heard what Viola said. "Did she tell you to give me this sob story because she didn't want to face me herself?" he asked coldly. "Why should I care about her life? If you ask me, she deserved everything she got!" That said, he hung up the phone without waiting for an answer. Viola had heard Yvette gushing about how nice Xavier was to her. So, it was only then that she realized the truth—Xavier wasn't a good man at all. He wasn't a good husband to Yvette. ... Yvette sat on the bus, heading home. Just then, her phone vibrated. It was a message from Xavier. "You said you wanted to get divorced, right? I'll see you at 10:00 am tomorrow." Yvette stared at the text blankly for a while before replying, "Okay." Just one word. It infuriated Xavier and completely ruined his mood. Unable to work anymore, he called up his friends and invited them out for drinks. Daphne was also at the club when he arrived. "I'm not going home until I'm drunk!" she declared. Tristan sat down beside Xavier. He couldn't help asking curiously, "How's Deaf Yvvy?" Xavier raised an eyebrow at him. "There's no need to talk about her ever again. We're filing for divorce tomorrow." Tristan was stunned. He couldn't believe his ears. "Really?" Beside them, Daphne brightened. She poured out a shot for him. "Congrats on getting back your freedom, Xav!" Xavier drank a lot that night. Daphne offered to send him home, but he rejected her suggestion. "No need. It's not appropriate." If he and Yvette were going to get divorced tomorrow, she might come home that night. Daphne wasn't happy about the rejection. "Why? You're divorcing her anyway. Why wouldn't it be appropriate? Are you still scared that she might find out about our relationship?" Their relationship? Xavier narrowed his eyes. "You're overthinking this." He got into his own car. Out of consideration, he also called a cab to send Daphne home. On the drive home, he kept unlocking his phone to check if Yvette had sent him any messages. She hadn't. When he reached Dewberry Estate, it was dark. With a stormy expression, Xavier opened the door and turned on the light. Yvette was nowhere to be seen. She hadn't come home. The manor was left exactly the way it had been when she had left. Still feeling the effects of the wine, Xavier threw himself heavily onto the couch and soon fell asleep. In his nightmares, Yvette was covered in blood, but there was a smile on her face. "I don't love you anymore, Xav," she said. When Xavier jolted awake, the sky outside had just brightened up. He rubbed his forehead and went to the bathroom to freshen himself up. Then, he changed into a smart suit and made his way to the courthouse. At the entrance of the courthouse, he spotted Yvette standing under a tree not far off. As usual, she was dressed in dark-colored clothes. From the distance, she looked incredibly frail and thin as she stood amid the drizzle. It was as if a single gust of wind could knock her over. Xavier could still remember how young and lively she had been when they had first gotten married. She hadn't been as thin and gloomy back then. Holding an umbrella, he walked toward Yvette. It took her a few moments to notice him. Xiaver hadn't changed much over the last three years. He was as handsome and as confident as ever, with the added hint of matureness that came with age. Yvette was a little dazed. The last three years felt like a blink in time to her, yet she also seemed to have exhausted a whole lifetime. Xavier stalked over to Yvette and gazed at her coldly. He was waiting for her to apologize to him. She had been sulking enough. It was time to put an end to this. However, Yvette just said, "I'm sorry to pull you away from your work. Let's go in." Xavier stiffened, but he quickly recovered. "Don't regret this." With that, he turned and headed into the courthouse. Yvette stared after him sadly. Would she regret this? She didn't know either. In the courthouse, the judge asked them if they were sure about going through with the divorce. Yvette's answer was firm. "Yes." Her determined expression frustrated Xavier. After filing for divorce, they still had to return to the courthouse in a month. If they didn't show up, then the divorce would be considered null. As they left the courthouse, Yvette looked at Xavier, her expression unusually calm. "I'll see you next month. Take care." With that, she stepped out into the rain, hailed a cab, and left. Xavier was left standing on the spot. He didn't know how to feel as he watched her car leave. Relieved, probably. Relieved that he wouldn't need to put up with her any longer or endure others' ridicule for having a disabled wife. ... In the cab, Yvette leaned against the window and stared blankly at the rain droplets on the glass. In the rearview mirror, the driver suddenly saw blood dripping from her ear. He was shocked by the sight. "Miss? Miss!" Yvette didn't answer him. The driver hastily stopped the car. Yvette was confused. They weren't at her destination yet. Why had they stopped? She looked over at the driver and saw him mouthing silently. She realized that she had gone deaf again. "I'm sorry, I can't hear you. What are you saying?" In the end, the driver had to type out what he wanted to say on his phone so that he could tell her about her bleeding ear. Yvette reached out belatedly and felt the warm sensation in her ear. She was used to it now. "It's alright. This happens all the time. I'm fine." She was hard of hearing, but her ears hadn't bled like this before. Two years ago, at a gathering, Tristan had pushed her into a swimming pool. Yvette didn't know how to swim, so she had almost drowned. At the same time, her eardrums had also expanded due to the pressure. She had been sent to the hospital, but the damage had been done. At the time, she had been told that everything was fine. Why was this happening again? The cab driver was still worried, so he dropped her off at the hospital she told him. After thanking him, Yvette went into the hospital on her own. This time, she saw her usual doctor, Tom Jensen. "Dr. Jensen, my memory has been rather bad lately. I kept forgetting what I'm doing," she said. When she had woken up at the hotel that morning, it had taken her a long time to remember that she had to file for divorce with Xavier. Tom looked at her latest report worriedly. "Ms. Snyder, I think you should consider getting tested for other things. Specifically, mental health issues." Mental health… Following Tom's recommendation, Yvette went and got a psychiatric diagnosis. She was diagnosed with depression. It turned out that patients with severe depression often experienced memory loss. Before heading back to the hotel, Yvette stopped and bought a notebook and a pen. She wrote down everything that had happened lately. She placed the notebook right beside her bed so that it would be the first thing she saw when she woke up in the morning. News of her and Xavier's divorce spread quickly. That night, Yara called her multiple times, but she didn't hear anything. … When she woke up the next morning, she saw a barrage of texts from Yara. "Where are you?" "Who do you think you are? Even if you're getting a divorce, Xavier should have been the one to ask for it!" "You're such a jinx! Back when you got married, your dad got into a car crash and died. What's going to happen now that you're getting divorced? Do you want Snyder Group to go bankrupt? Is that it?" Yvette stared at the messages. She was used to the verbal bully by now. She typed out a reply. "Mom, it's time that we live by our own merits. We shouldn't depend on others so much." Yara's response was swift. "You're such an ingrate! I shouldn't have given birth to you in the first place!" Yvette didn't bother replying to that. She placed her phone aside. She just had to wait a month. Once the divorce was finalized, she would be able to leave Tirion and start a new life. … Yvette's health worsened over the next few days. She often found herself completely deaf. Sometimes, it took a very long time for her hearing to go back to normal. Her memory was deteriorating too. On the bright side, even though her hearing loss was incurable, at least she could do something about the depression. She tried everything she could to keep herself happy. She busied herself by registering as a volunteer online. She spent time taking care of abandoned old people and orphans. Helping them made her feel like she had a reason to continue living. A few days later, Yvette woke up in the morning and checked her notebook as usual. Then, she got ready to head out to the orphanage. When she picked up her phone, she saw several unread messages. There were messages from Terrance and Yara, as well as Daphne. She opened the texts one by one. Yara: "As you wished, Snyder Group is no more." Terrence: "Keep hiding. You're the most cowardly and cruel person I've ever seen." Daphne: "My condolences, Yvette. Actually, I think Snyder Group would thrive better under Xav." Daphne: "Since your family has helped me so much in the past, do let me know if you need anything. I'll help you if I can." Yvette had no idea what was happening. She closed the messaging app. Almost immediately, she got a notification about the latest news. Chapter 5 Yvette watched the news and saw the press conference held by Lane Group. It was an announcement that Xavier had successfully acquired Snyder Group. James' company no longer existed in the world. … Things on Xavier's end had been extra pleasant lately. He had acquired Snyder Group and gotten his revenge. "The Snyder family finally got what they deserved for tricking you into that marriage three years ago." Tristan chuckled. Yet, he changed the topic in the next instant. He asked Xavier, "Xav, has Deaf Yvvy approached you during the past few days?" Xavier froze halfway through signing a document. He didn't know why, but people around him kept mentioning Yvette these days. "No," he replied coldly. That shocked Tristan. After all, how could Yvette not do anything when something this massive had happened to her family? With that in mind, he spoke again. "Could it be that she's finally come around? I heard her family has been looking everywhere for her. Nobody knows where she's gone—" He kept blabbering on. Xavier frowned, feeling utterly annoyed. "Get out!" Tristan jolted. That was when he realized that Xavier was furious. Not daring to say another word, Tristan bolted out of the CEO's office. Once outside, he took his phone and called his assistant, Avery Fitzpatrick. "Have you found Yvette?" "Yes, she's in a small hotel in Hexim Pass," answered Avery. Tristan had Avery send him the location before he drove there. He refused to let Yvette off the hook so easily. So what if she was willing to divorce Xavier now? She had already prevented Xavier and Daphne from being together for over three years! Besides, Daphne had saved Tristan's life once, so he owed her. It rained outside. Yvette finished her volunteer work and picked up her medication from the hospital. Then, she held an umbrella while walking back to the hotel. There were very few people on the road. Tristan drove his car but kept his eyes on Yvette's slim back. He deliberately sped up as he drove past her, sending a puddle of rainwater splashing onto her. Yvette shot him a blank stare. Tristan happened to meet her emotionless gaze through his rearview mirror. He didn't know why, but he felt inexplicably nervous. Yvette recognized Tristan's luxurious, dark gray Bugatti. Yet, she retracted her gaze and pretended not to notice him. Even so, Tristan refused to stop there. He deliberately slowed his car and followed her. "Hey, Deaf Yvvy. So, you have a temper now, huh? "You're not even going to greet me now? Didn't you used to love greeting me? Didn't you enjoy tickling my fancy?" Yvette remained stoic while the former mocked her. She used to do everything to win over those around Xavier, including his friends. It was all because she liked him. She had figured that Xavier's family and friends would one day accept her. Alas, it seemed she had been too naïve. At the previous gathering, Tristan had declared that he was Daphne's friend. He couldn't care less about maintaining his gentlemanly, upper-class image when siding with Daphne. He had insulted Yvette and called her shameless. In the end, he had also thrown her into the pool, leaving her to die. Since then, Yvette had steered clear of him. Upon receiving no reaction or response from Yvette, Tristan stopped the car, opened the door, and strolled toward her. He grabbed her arm and asked, "What stunts are you planning to pull this time?" Yvette's arm hurt, so she looked up at him. "I don't know what you're saying." She wanted to pry his hand off her arm, but he flung her aside. "Don't touch me with your filthy hands!" Tristan bellowed. Yvette stumbled backward before falling to the ground with a loud thud. Tristan froze on the spot in slight disbelief. It baffled him to see Yvette resorting to such tricks. He had only pushed her with a slight force, so how could she fall like that? Seeing people looking their way, he nervously got back into his car. Still, he gave her a warning before driving away. "Don't mess with Daph just because you're a disabled person, Yvette! "She's different from you. It's taken her a lot of effort to get to where she is now, so you'd better not disrupt her and Xav's relationship again!" After driving away, he even told the Snyder family where Yvette was staying. Yvette's hands and knees were scraped when she fell. It hurt so much that she couldn't stand for a long time. Deep down, she didn't understand why Tristan was so blind to what was right and wrong. She recalled risking her life to rescue him from a car that had been about to explode four years ago. His face had been covered in blood, and his eyes hadn't been visible. However, he had spoken in the warmest voice. He had said, "Thank you. I promise I'll repay you someday." Yvette couldn't help but bitterly wonder if this was his way of repaying her. … Once Yvette returned to the hotel, she took a shower and applied medication to her scraped skin. Then, she lay down in a daze. The fall hardened her determination to leave Xavier for good. … The sun was shining brightly outside when Yvette woke up. She got up and headed to the living area, only to see Yara sitting on the couch, wearing a formal dress. Yara didn't seem to care one bit that Yvette had just woken up. She picked the document off the coffee table and handed it to the latter. "Take a good look at this. It's the backup plan I've selected for you." Yvette accepted the document but saw the title "prenuptial agreement" on the cover. She flipped through the pages while reading the contents aloud. "Ms. Yvette Snyder will marry Mr. Liam Lorimer. As his wife, she'll devote herself to him and look after him until the end of his life. Liam will look after Yvette's family, which includes maintaining their quality of life. He'll also provide 300 million as funds for the Snyder family." Following that, the document stated Liam's details. He was an entrepreneur from the older generation in Tirion. He was 78 years old that year. Yvette's mind tensed. At that moment, Yara spoke up again. "Mr. Lorimer has expressed that he doesn't mind that you were married before. "He'll help revive our family's reputation from the ashes, as long as you marry him. Come on, dearest. You wouldn't let me and Terrence down, right?" Yvette's face paled even more. "I can't agree to what you're asking of me." Yara had never imagined that Yvette would reject her so candidly. She blew up in a fit of rage at once. "What right do you have to refuse? I gave you life!" Hearing that, Yvette met Yara's gaze. "How about I return my life to you? Would that mean I no longer owe you?" "What did you say?" Yara shrilled. Yvette's pale lips moved as she said, "If I returned my life to you, would it mean you'd no longer be my mother? And I'll no longer be indebted to you for giving birth to me?" Yara sneered, not believing Yvette would dare do such a thing. "Okay, then. I won't force you to marry Mr. Lorimer if you give your life back to me. But the question is, do you have the guts to do it?" "Give me a month." Yvette seemed determined. In Yara's eyes, Yvette seemed like a crazed person. She warned, "You'd best not threaten me by only saying you'll end your life. We're not that close, so I don't care if you die. However, you must sign this document if you're too afraid to end your life." … Yvette had suppressed all her emotions to the brim and needed to vent somewhere. So, she went to a bar. She sat in a corner, drinking and watching the crowd happily dance in a daze. That was when a dashing man with striking eyes noticed Yvette, who was all alone. He approached and asked, "Yvette?" Yvette stared at the man but didn't recognize him. Still dazed, she asked, "Do you know how one can achieve happiness?" The man was confused. "What did you say?" Yvette continued drinking as she spoke. "The doctor says I'm ill and should try to be happier, but I can't make myself feel happy…" That sparked discomfort in the man, Claude Lander. He wondered if Yvette had forgotten about him. Also, he was confused by what she said—something about being ill and needing to be happier. "You shouldn't be in a place like this if you want to be happy. Why don't I drive you home?" Claude spoke in a gentle tone. A smile curved across Yvette's face as she looked at him. "You're a good person." Complex emotions stirred in Claude when he saw her bitter smile. He wondered what she had been through these past few years. Why did she seem so sorrowful? Meanwhile, Xavier was also at the bar. After settling the divorce papers, he had let himself loose every night. On top of that, he hadn't returned to Dewberry Estate in a long time. It was getting late. When the crowd was about to leave, Daphne noticed a familiar figure in a corner of the bar. She exclaimed, "Isn't that Yvvy?" Xavier glanced in the direction Daphne was staring in and saw a man merrily chatting with Yvette. His expression soured at once. He was disappointed in Yvette for getting drunk at a bar and chatting up another man. He felt like he had thought too highly of her before. "Should we go and check up on her, Xav?" asked Daphne. "No," was all Xavier said before speedily leaving. On the other hand, Yvette declined Claude's offer. "There's no need to trouble yourself. I can go home on my own." Claude was still worried about Yvette, so he ran after her when he noticed her leaving the bar. "Do you really not remember me?" Yvette gazed at him but couldn't recall who he was. "It's Chubbs. Have you forgotten?" Claude reminded her. Only then did Yvette remember her friend, Chubbs, whom she met when she had been living with Viola in the countryside. Back then, Claude had been chubbier and nowhere near Yvette's height. Yet, his six-foot-two-inch frame now towered over her. He had even grown to have handsome features. "I remember now! You've changed so much. I didn't even recognize you!" said Yvette. Meeting an old friend away from home was a pleasant thing. But only a slight smile curved on Yvette's face. That upset Claude. "Come on. I'll drive you home," Claude stated. When he dropped her off, he was shocked to learn she lived in a run-down hotel. Yvette shifted in embarrassment. "Sorry, it's not a glamorous place. Please don't tell Viola I'm living in such a place. I don't want her to worry." Claude nodded. Since it was getting late, it was unwise for him to stay longer. So, he left after telling Yvette he would visit her the next day. He didn't notice the matte black car lingering in a dark area beneath the hotel as he walked out. Now that Claude had left, Yvette felt dizzy and had an upset stomach from drinking too much. That was when someone knocked hard on the door. Yvette had just opened the door when Xavier grabbed her wrist. He exerted so much strength on her slender wrist that it felt close to snapping in half. "You've made me look at you in a new light, Yvette!" Xavier snarled while shutting and locking the door. He then forcefully led her to the couch. He sneered with words as sharp and lethal as a blade, "So, you've already settled on which family you'll marry into next, huh? I knew you wouldn't be so willing to let me go for no reason!" Yvette didn't know why he had come over, nor did she know how he had seen Claude. She was only briefly dazed. Once she snapped out of it, she shot a furious look at Xavier and didn't bother explaining herself to him. The rims of her eyes reddened. "You and I aren't that different from each other." The Snyder family had tricked Xavier into marrying Yvette. However, Xavier had treated her coldly for three years while remaining entangled with his first love. Neither Xavier nor Yvette was a better person than the other. Xavier had also drunk some wine, so he reeked of it. Eyes reddening, he pinched Yvette's chin and spoke with a dangerously low voice. "Who is he? When did you guys meet?" That was the first time Yvette had seen him behave like this. She suddenly chuckled. "Are you jealous?" Xavier's gaze grew tense as he scoffed. "You're unworthy of such a reaction." Yvette became choked up. That was when Xavier leaned in domineeringly and continued interrogating her. "Has he already touched you? Huh?" In her three years of marriage, Yvette had given up on her work and declined to meet her friends whenever they had occasionally invited her out. She had done so to obey the Lane family's rules. But now Xavier was suspicious of her. Relief washed over Yvette just then. She questioned him back, "What do you think?" That utterly angered Xavier, and his heated hands started travelling down her body. | Read freely | 18 | https://facebook.com/61557986570531 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1715324400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841066 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 5/18/25, 3:12 PM | 1716682322 | 1747599175 | 858 | 960031428933388 | 1 | 9.7753446725539E+14 | 1716620400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 465231436915042 | 0 | Round Hill Pines Beach Resort | 120209927926620713 | roundhillpinesresort.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Purely Lake Tahoe | Free parking after 5pm | https://www.roundhillpinesresort.com/ | 1716313112 | 4.6523143691504E+14 | Round Hill Pines Beach Resort | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/442372518_7500106513408497_181182159695703350_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=q9bn2Y4SEKEQ7kNvgFydFOf&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYBTfsjahvreMNYnc1NpIUOZwsEc4DmikH3OaIkuuPBPHQ&oe=66584366 | person_profile | 0 | Round Hill Pines Beach Resort | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/442471244_960745662418080_2551407165487156537_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=XWEUyvv47L4Q7kNvgHMGnKn&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYAjvV3UedLqHE9uVRJqUZJ7WHm1osA29ha0hnVfiR0LqQ&oe=66584556 | 0 | 3 | Casual lakeside dining with an elevated menu on Tahoe’s best sunset beach. Free parking after 5pm. | Round Hill Pines Beach Resort | 6666 | https://facebook.com/roundhillpines | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1716620400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841062 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682322 | 1723710522 | 858 | 1552976648597938 | 1 | 1.6096497365248E+15 | 1716620400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 114588168402434 | 0 | SphereBuilder Community - PHL | 120210459030710312 | l.adbuilder.pro | Learn more | NONE | video | By Austin Sahd | Details and contact info >>> | https://l.adbuilder.pro/tPTEX2/6204 | 1716512376 | 1.1458816840243E+14 | SphereBuilder Community - PHL | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/442414336_3661747080750034_100427737502194039_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=RvUrSELLPdsQ7kNvgGKgLSV&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYAWuaWB2VBF7PZwdMUcOBdtyv86YK6etH8nQ6gjITyK1g&oe=66584CE5 | person_profile | 0 | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/442445404_1929871954112713_3935953419988957884_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=HwW8tFYvuU4Q7kNvgG_gELj&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYDBa-KkBPi3mOAYsI7GiIQoYXJMy21DFMXCqIoGwrAVDA&oe=66584298 | 0 | 3 | The Sahd Realty Group just Sold this Rancher in Hempfield! Real Estate markets change quickly. Are you curious what your property is worth? Reach out for a free analysis! | SphereBuilder Community - PHL | 17 | https://facebook.com/spherebuilderphl | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1716534000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841063 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682322 | 1723710523 | 858 | 1113538109697149 | 1 | 4.2451232037286E+14 | 1716620400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 123761154145420 | 0 | SphereBuilder Community - BAL | 120209330407310097 | l.adbuilder.pro | Learn more | NONE | video | By Rico Dimattia | Details and contact info >>> | https://l.adbuilder.pro/uW0YYu/26544 | 1716412714 | 1.2376115414542E+14 | SphereBuilder Community - BAL | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/444487676_361766896452564_6099431023650457919_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Aq3R_QFhovcQ7kNvgHMGOJ1&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYB-4mz4eAOHkkMRSUm8k3_iqK3NOyxR6_F6vuaN2xvqHw&oe=66584D66 | person_profile | 0 | SphereBuilder Community - BAL | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441582934_382906387450166_4872992002286859609_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=EMmAX72JjQoQ7kNvgFudgpz&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYAOCLCgQztARxxWJoRBw18WlzD1Gn2bAZ8_z5-vRj5fXw&oe=665840E8 | 0 | 3 | Recently sold in 21851! Markets change quickly. Curious what your home's worth? Reach out for a free analysis. | SphereBuilder Community - BAL | 12 | https://facebook.com/spherebuilderbal | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1716361200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841067 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682322 | 1723710523 | 858 | 771650285042697 | 1 | 7.8445179375206E+14 | 1716620400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 114588168402434 | 0 | SphereBuilder Community - PHL | 120210241654590312 | l.adbuilder.pro | Learn more | NONE | video | By Lakme Kota | Details and contact info >>> | https://l.adbuilder.pro/HTqppv/25175 | 1716052982 | 1.1458816840243E+14 | SphereBuilder Community - PHL | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/436344054_392577420440399_2243150399079535156_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=oB-Fru_Rqb4Q7kNvgHKuYJb&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYCSLCcTKdtUfYipx-6yZlWKazUZcw8Ris2Z3MCnuUynzg&oe=66583843 | person_profile | 0 | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/436465142_413413138264858_277513439317670095_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=vO-UxBRPO8UQ7kNvgFDFsDg&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYAOCV2H5zXenkba9nzn--UpUEdYHaXFbXt1bLWgX9Udxw&oe=6658627A | 0 | 3 | Recently sold in 08046! Markets change quickly. Curious what your home's worth? Reach out for a free analysis. | SphereBuilder Community - PHL | 17 | https://facebook.com/spherebuilderphl | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1716015600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841068 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682322 | 1723710523 | 858 | 320988284371763 | 1 | 1.356227765042E+15 | 1716620400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 272230874563 | 0 | Acme Fresh Market | 120212188671040729 | acmestores.com | Shop Now | NONE | carousel | Refreshing Sparkling Ice Flavored Water | Stay hydrated and refreshed! | https://www.acmestores.com/weeklyspecials?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=display&utm_campaign=sr_Memorial_Day&utm_term={{ad.id}}&utm_content=4764117-e32-n-m-c{{campaign.id}}-g{{adset.id}}-a{{ad.id}}-u-cat-k-mod | 1715958258 | 272230874563 | Acme Fresh Market | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441408057_3820695298249570_5828566851702324290_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Pel6qKa0In4Q7kNvgHLQo8m&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYDS5cCijE6Usqm3JGQXlHQtUcjpfWAzjEQ1GU5ZxGq48g&oe=66583738 | person_profile | 0 | Acme Fresh Market | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/428362441_1184117675931006_8002274772592100459_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Dpnj5iiWQKoQ7kNvgE6p4uV&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYDmNIExb3lSd2lGHyBkM2difGLxRciGVsufljyDX2t0Cg&oe=6658579B | 0 | 3 | Stay hydrated and refreshed! | Acme Fresh Market | 28778 | https://facebook.com/AcmeFreshMarket | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1716447600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841069 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682322 | 1723710523 | 858 | 320988284371763 | 1 | 1.356227765042E+15 | 1716620400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 272230874563 | 0 | Acme Fresh Market | 120212188671040729 | acmestores.com | Shop Now | NONE | carousel | Refreshing Sparkling Ice Flavored Water | Stay hydrated and refreshed! | https://www.acmestores.com/weeklyspecials?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=display&utm_campaign=sr_Memorial_Day&utm_term={{ad.id}}&utm_content=4764117-e32-n-m-c{{campaign.id}}-g{{adset.id}}-a{{ad.id}}-u-cat-k-mod | 1715958258 | 272230874563 | Acme Fresh Market | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441408057_3820695298249570_5828566851702324290_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Pel6qKa0In4Q7kNvgHLQo8m&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYDS5cCijE6Usqm3JGQXlHQtUcjpfWAzjEQ1GU5ZxGq48g&oe=66583738 | person_profile | 0 | Acme Fresh Market | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/428362441_1184117675931006_8002274772592100459_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Dpnj5iiWQKoQ7kNvgE6p4uV&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYDmNIExb3lSd2lGHyBkM2difGLxRciGVsufljyDX2t0Cg&oe=6658579B | 0 | 3 | Stay hydrated and refreshed! | Acme Fresh Market | 28778 | https://facebook.com/AcmeFreshMarket | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1716447600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841070 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682322 | 1723710524 | 858 | 320988284371763 | 1 | 1.356227765042E+15 | 1716620400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 272230874563 | 0 | Acme Fresh Market | 120212188671040729 | acmestores.com | Shop Now | NONE | carousel | Refreshing Sparkling Ice Flavored Water | Stay hydrated and refreshed! | https://www.acmestores.com/weeklyspecials?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=display&utm_campaign=sr_Memorial_Day&utm_term={{ad.id}}&utm_content=4764117-e32-n-m-c{{campaign.id}}-g{{adset.id}}-a{{ad.id}}-u-cat-k-mod | 1715958258 | 272230874563 | Acme Fresh Market | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441408057_3820695298249570_5828566851702324290_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Pel6qKa0In4Q7kNvgHLQo8m&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYDS5cCijE6Usqm3JGQXlHQtUcjpfWAzjEQ1GU5ZxGq48g&oe=66583738 | person_profile | 0 | Acme Fresh Market | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/428362441_1184117675931006_8002274772592100459_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Dpnj5iiWQKoQ7kNvgE6p4uV&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYDmNIExb3lSd2lGHyBkM2difGLxRciGVsufljyDX2t0Cg&oe=6658579B | 0 | 3 | Stay hydrated and refreshed! | Acme Fresh Market | 28778 | https://facebook.com/AcmeFreshMarket | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1716447600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841071 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682322 | 1723710524 | 858 | 1145111480152180 | 1 | 3.7378884513214E+14 | 1716620400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 272230874563 | 0 | Acme Fresh Market | 120212188968800729 | acmestores.com | Shop Now | NONE | carousel | Grab This Deal Before It's Gone | Stock up today! | https://www.acmestores.com/weeklyspecials?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=display&utm_campaign=sr_Memorial_Day&utm_term={{ad.id}}&utm_content=4764117-e32-n-m-c{{campaign.id}}-g{{adset.id}}-a{{ad.id}}-u-cat-k-mod | 1715958756 | 272230874563 | Acme Fresh Market | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/444138582_430917652895654_4894466464943829763_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=7Z3zYyYJeVMQ7kNvgEKnrzG&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYBS2ofZdfH0-QpUw3eL3ImxEPNiu8HkpXZWCLM8yeWvvA&oe=66585367 | person_profile | 0 | Acme Fresh Market | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/436381850_400689149634618_6283278477458733675_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=--k-BfZ5TKIQ7kNvgEiqI0j&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYAJSeCdpPRgZUSvoXF-IZflXKiw8hocQhwFxS-bhZ1BqA&oe=66585A5F | 0 | 3 | Stock up today! | Acme Fresh Market | 28778 | https://facebook.com/AcmeFreshMarket | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1716447600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841072 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682322 | 1723710524 | 858 | 1145111480152180 | 1 | 3.7378884513214E+14 | 1716620400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 272230874563 | 0 | Acme Fresh Market | 120212188968800729 | acmestores.com | Shop Now | NONE | carousel | Grab This Deal Before It's Gone | Stock up today! | https://www.acmestores.com/weeklyspecials?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=display&utm_campaign=sr_Memorial_Day&utm_term={{ad.id}}&utm_content=4764117-e32-n-m-c{{campaign.id}}-g{{adset.id}}-a{{ad.id}}-u-cat-k-mod | 1715958756 | 272230874563 | Acme Fresh Market | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/444138582_430917652895654_4894466464943829763_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=7Z3zYyYJeVMQ7kNvgEKnrzG&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYBS2ofZdfH0-QpUw3eL3ImxEPNiu8HkpXZWCLM8yeWvvA&oe=66585367 | person_profile | 0 | Acme Fresh Market | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/436381850_400689149634618_6283278477458733675_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=--k-BfZ5TKIQ7kNvgEiqI0j&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYAJSeCdpPRgZUSvoXF-IZflXKiw8hocQhwFxS-bhZ1BqA&oe=66585A5F | 0 | 3 | Stock up today! | Acme Fresh Market | 28778 | https://facebook.com/AcmeFreshMarket | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1716447600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841073 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682322 | 1723710524 | 858 | 1145111480152180 | 1 | 3.7378884513214E+14 | 1716620400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 272230874563 | 0 | Acme Fresh Market | 120212188968800729 | acmestores.com | Shop Now | NONE | carousel | Grab This Deal Before It's Gone | Stock up today! | https://www.acmestores.com/weeklyspecials?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=display&utm_campaign=sr_Memorial_Day&utm_term={{ad.id}}&utm_content=4764117-e32-n-m-c{{campaign.id}}-g{{adset.id}}-a{{ad.id}}-u-cat-k-mod | 1715958756 | 272230874563 | Acme Fresh Market | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/444138582_430917652895654_4894466464943829763_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=7Z3zYyYJeVMQ7kNvgEKnrzG&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYBS2ofZdfH0-QpUw3eL3ImxEPNiu8HkpXZWCLM8yeWvvA&oe=66585367 | person_profile | 0 | Acme Fresh Market | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/436381850_400689149634618_6283278477458733675_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=--k-BfZ5TKIQ7kNvgEiqI0j&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYAJSeCdpPRgZUSvoXF-IZflXKiw8hocQhwFxS-bhZ1BqA&oe=66585A5F | 0 | 3 | Stock up today! | Acme Fresh Market | 28778 | https://facebook.com/AcmeFreshMarket | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1716447600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841074 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682322 | 1723710524 | 858 | 1810045079472661 | 1 | 4.568075768683E+14 | 1716620400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 272230874563 | 0 | Acme Fresh Market | 120212188894280729 | acmestores.com | Shop Now | NONE | carousel | Quench Your Thirst | Hurry in! | https://www.acmestores.com/weeklyspecials?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=display&utm_campaign=sr_Memorial_Day&utm_term={{ad.id}}&utm_content=4764117-e32-n-m-c{{campaign.id}}-g{{adset.id}}-a{{ad.id}}-u-cat-k-mod | 1715958527 | 272230874563 | Acme Fresh Market | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441711482_467069152657748_3919964026146622754_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=NQsCI-Ep2RQQ7kNvgGmnfYk&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYB-qgPHokygx8IwnvIPjw42i128GUBHc7JzlzhyfOyZgQ&oe=6658680A | person_profile | 0 | Acme Fresh Market | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/442411960_1669140950557241_3348096771484698688_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=r5aCD1uUpJ8Q7kNvgFWTgDM&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYAL_9ifYV_is6Om5d-BKC1wOZDYQjRMeirPKDkTWJ_KRA&oe=665855C4 | 0 | 3 | Hurry in! | Acme Fresh Market | 28778 | https://facebook.com/AcmeFreshMarket | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1716447600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841075 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682322 | 1723710524 | 858 | 1810045079472661 | 1 | 4.568075768683E+14 | 1716620400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 272230874563 | 0 | Acme Fresh Market | 120212188894280729 | acmestores.com | Shop Now | NONE | carousel | Quench Your Thirst | Hurry in! | https://www.acmestores.com/weeklyspecials?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=display&utm_campaign=sr_Memorial_Day&utm_term={{ad.id}}&utm_content=4764117-e32-n-m-c{{campaign.id}}-g{{adset.id}}-a{{ad.id}}-u-cat-k-mod | 1715958527 | 272230874563 | Acme Fresh Market | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441711482_467069152657748_3919964026146622754_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=NQsCI-Ep2RQQ7kNvgGmnfYk&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYB-qgPHokygx8IwnvIPjw42i128GUBHc7JzlzhyfOyZgQ&oe=6658680A | person_profile | 0 | Acme Fresh Market | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/442411960_1669140950557241_3348096771484698688_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=r5aCD1uUpJ8Q7kNvgFWTgDM&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYAL_9ifYV_is6Om5d-BKC1wOZDYQjRMeirPKDkTWJ_KRA&oe=665855C4 | 0 | 3 | Hurry in! | Acme Fresh Market | 28778 | https://facebook.com/AcmeFreshMarket | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1716447600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841076 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682322 | 1723710524 | 858 | 1810045079472661 | 1 | 4.568075768683E+14 | 1716620400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 272230874563 | 0 | Acme Fresh Market | 120212188894280729 | acmestores.com | Shop Now | NONE | carousel | Quench Your Thirst | Hurry in! | https://www.acmestores.com/weeklyspecials?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=display&utm_campaign=sr_Memorial_Day&utm_term={{ad.id}}&utm_content=4764117-e32-n-m-c{{campaign.id}}-g{{adset.id}}-a{{ad.id}}-u-cat-k-mod | 1715958527 | 272230874563 | Acme Fresh Market | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441711482_467069152657748_3919964026146622754_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=NQsCI-Ep2RQQ7kNvgGmnfYk&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYB-qgPHokygx8IwnvIPjw42i128GUBHc7JzlzhyfOyZgQ&oe=6658680A | person_profile | 0 | Acme Fresh Market | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/442411960_1669140950557241_3348096771484698688_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=r5aCD1uUpJ8Q7kNvgFWTgDM&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYAL_9ifYV_is6Om5d-BKC1wOZDYQjRMeirPKDkTWJ_KRA&oe=665855C4 | 0 | 3 | Hurry in! | Acme Fresh Market | 28778 | https://facebook.com/AcmeFreshMarket | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1716447600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841051 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682322 | 1723710524 | 858 | 395942533186562 | 6 | 1.1253808420402E+15 | 1715929200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 101065786425886 | 0 | Fit Fusion Hub | 120205440052460685 | fitfusionhub.co | Shop now | NONE | video | Free Worldwide Shipping! | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5 Reviews! | https://fitfusionhub.co/products/adjustable-squat-blocks | 1711385052 | 1.0106578642589E+14 | Fit Fusion Hub | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/434558423_799224488763855_375982975789020658_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ng4AglkIesUQ7kNvgF4Yfkf&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYCknUR9gWT4xryJjRR3mWrNKT61l9KKy2mka5DsD0rd_Q&oe=665856A3 | person_profile | 0 | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/433175380_757940223099853_1695113958356397612_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=-9rhsjri8EwQ7kNvgGLybB0&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYDqAw4Bycl5cbleFKtR3N6IK8-Ee0N2ydwvIDBpCM_ymw&oe=665863F0 | 0 | 3 | Raise the bar on your squats and deadlifts with the Adjustable Squat Block – custom stability for peak performance! 🏋️♂️ | Fit Fusion Hub | 46 | https://facebook.com/fitfusionhub | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1715842800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841053 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682322 | 1723710524 | 858 | 446797251111798 | 5 | 1.7556765916298E+15 | 1714114800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 101065786425886 | 0 | Fit Fusion Hub | 120205439332780685 | fitfusionhub.co | Shop now | NONE | video | Free Worldwide Shipping! | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5 Reviews! | https://fitfusionhub.co/products/digital-hand-gripper | 1711383736 | 1.0106578642589E+14 | Fit Fusion Hub | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/433282456_1333868253967337_1113881468506284985_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=G2Ar4mFvn2IQ7kNvgE1TEoz&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYAaZE5_GFL-pCqeIG4BGVL_gyGypMmHKOtgXTcUU0fZfw&oe=6658673D | person_profile | 0 | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/433436070_421680633846828_4591200998363717083_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=8ZOiaMOtWt8Q7kNvgEqtC6E&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYCCvraCacIJ2RiF6L91g-9Ocw4Y-inQGKoyvsa0QEyvfQ&oe=66585AAA | 0 | 3 | Crush your fitness goals with precision – Grab the Digital Hand Gripper for smart strength tracking at your fingertips! 💪 | Fit Fusion Hub | 46 | https://facebook.com/fitfusionhub | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1713942000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841054 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682322 | 1723710524 | 858 | 730261222590017 | 6 | 7.2548876299288E+14 | 1713769200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 101065786425886 | 0 | Fit Fusion Hub | 120205439173170685 | fitfusionhub.co | Shop now | NONE | video | Free Worldwide Shipping! | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5 Reviews! | https://fitfusionhub.co/products/massage-hook | 1711383319 | 1.0106578642589E+14 | Fit Fusion Hub | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/433123906_955377466034851_3980822897028520513_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=qJDosU5jfcwQ7kNvgHguxQs&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYCT8DGQBfT74LcYNs61NOHw9tPUa8-knfwl0LwF0ACZPA&oe=665836C2 | person_profile | 0 | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/434281725_25737010635886282_2450402894438612038_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=yDIn33sZIDgQ7kNvgHVaBpw&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYC6V6x3ozKB_eOajssRFY8VJcTGUFt4xjzkuPGgJiiljA&oe=665844BC | 0 | 3 | Unwind in comfort with the Massage Hook – Your at-home solution for deep relaxation and pain relief 🌿 | Fit Fusion Hub | 46 | https://facebook.com/fitfusionhub | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1713682800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841057 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682322 | 1723710525 | 858 | 940233510969718 | 4 | 4.299501528349E+14 | 1711350000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 101065786425886 | 0 | Fit Fusion Hub | 120205339917860685 | fitfusionhub.co | Shop now | NONE | video | Free Worldwide Shipping! | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5 Reviews! | https://fitfusionhub.co/products/breathing-trainer | 1711115126 | 1.0106578642589E+14 | Fit Fusion Hub | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/409159508_909907801139692_4675947778815173690_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Ypy1ACzc5uYQ7kNvgFML6lf&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYCXFXtYaqSJdF-DvVK4w1qYMXRYsHSRK1lJ44SGjhZQZQ&oe=66583903 | person_profile | 0 | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/434199605_1355640305829901_533890186268236937_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=khAlgbhAgk4Q7kNvgE74HVV&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYA8j1rVPOxCY_LK8zwwQH9l3Pf_MfXhYBCWwMY9TkonjA&oe=665860AB | 0 | 3 | Boost your lungs, boost your performance! Get the portable Breathing Trainer for peak fitness. 🏋️♂️ | Fit Fusion Hub | 46 | https://facebook.com/fitfusionhub | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1711090800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841058 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682322 | 1723710525 | 858 | 949006196933375 | 4 | 1.8474876090456E+15 | 1713682800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 112869771908331 | 0 | FurHaven | 120210839648410237 | furhaven.co | Shop now | NONE | video | Free Worldwide Shipping! | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5 Reviews! | https://furhaven.co/products/crawling-crab-learning-toy-for-infants | 1712927784 | 1.1286977190833E+14 | FurHaven | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/435172890_810174554464881_3840244123437137377_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ecY18_RsREYQ7kNvgGIrZeC&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYDbFZXhgm46m1wSTt4m8LiPj0ktrBZLVnmmfPz_esxJnA&oe=66583B7B | person_profile | 0 | Fur Haven | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/435199818_978593933935320_2431553962050734042_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Oump5y7eYPYQ7kNvgHgXJnt&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYAiiWdr-IO9sCUPWIJX1HTM_w5jTNC7BLA7abAMaxIl3A&oe=6658383C | 0 | 3 | Make playtime a developmental dance with the Crawling Crab—where every giggle is a step towards growth! 🦀 | FurHaven | 43 | https://facebook.com/FurHavenn | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1713510000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841059 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682322 | 1723710525 | 858 | 1454863848475764 | 4 | 4.0207777608654E+14 | 1713250800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 101065786425886 | 0 | Fit Fusion Hub | 120205340382510685 | fitfusionhub.co | Shop now | NONE | video | Free Worldwide Shipping! | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5 Reviews! | https://fitfusionhub.co/products/elastic-pull-rope | 1711116410 | 1.0106578642589E+14 | Fit Fusion Hub | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/433685284_230951176767937_5577598456174420825_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=txW6H97GBtMQ7kNvgFZPRYP&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYBNZUt56yAfBZ_91qPlDo4EluWbpOb05qGaGLWwptqFkg&oe=665852C6 | person_profile | 0 | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/433673307_964959445189060_119075567916080744_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ogM3cCbkm_kQ7kNvgHTYp5D&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYCUDiY10LtlF3-bktGgaGJxTj2mN48wkkXxUH5jyHSuqg&oe=6658601E | 0 | 3 | Unlock a full-body workout anytime, anywhere with the Elastic Pull Rope—your go-to for fitness flexibility! 💪🏠🌟 | Fit Fusion Hub | 46 | https://facebook.com/fitfusionhub | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1713078000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841060 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682322 | 1723710525 | 858 | 482608427452217 | 1 | 9.3823369799243E+14 | 1716620400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 114588168402434 | 0 | SphereBuilder Community - PHL | 120210456800020312 | l.adbuilder.pro | Learn more | NONE | video | By Charles D Davies | Details and contact info >>> | https://l.adbuilder.pro/YHFOjq/27292 | 1716504035 | 1.1458816840243E+14 | SphereBuilder Community - PHL | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/443718794_424057997030877_8543564257956508049_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fu9PY4i4eEwQ7kNvgHrzBUo&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYAMdecVClCoU4SKlIbdv-FK19vHcQFdIWUA2AyLnpjAvg&oe=66584414 | person_profile | 0 | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441952005_362725279691564_1909057662565977191_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=bWDL962vtasQ7kNvgGNwRVM&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYDmCW9k_ie1-yodjz6KNn1cS5xbb93Z1IwSSfRdJ9Ngww&oe=66583EA3 | 0 | 3 | Recently sold for $20,000 over list price! Markets change quickly. Curious what your home's worth? Reach out for a free analysis. | SphereBuilder Community - PHL | 17 | https://facebook.com/spherebuilderphl | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1716447600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841061 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682322 | 1723710525 | 858 | 811363677586396 | 1 | 2.2109156692605E+15 | 1716620400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 114970411603490 | 0 | SphereBuilder Community - GWA | 120211611933810247 | l.adbuilder.pro | Learn more | NONE | video | By Monica Bryant | Details and contact info >>> | https://l.adbuilder.pro/EFSOUG/26135 | 1716469631 | 1.1497041160349E+14 | SphereBuilder Community - GWA | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/444124040_751848213687991_8796771863244627962_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=4jBZKkNTkQUQ7kNvgEH8a-h&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYCzAncnr94ZiKRageRBSdtfyVw6jbNG8xIZB35jgfHuAg&oe=66583C08 | person_profile | 0 | SphereBuilder Community - GWA | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441491871_434821879264329_3940877703288461830_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Zu0j_r7osIEQ7kNvgG0tyaA&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYBfWOSvf3O4dDKLSa0NfvPvhW3QiGKn33F3n36nPOzi8g&oe=66585B4C | 0 | 3 | Recently sold in 20724! Markets change quickly. Curious what your home's worth? Reach out for a free analysis. | SphereBuilder Community - GWA | 26 | https://facebook.com/spherebuildergwa | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1716447600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841110 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682324 | 1723710526 | 858 | 1879390642474185 | 1 | 7.7004547176018E+14 | 1716620400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 214305385109285 | 0 | Delaney Worldwide | 120208791531700084 | delaneyworldwide.com | Learn More | NONE | carousel | Trusted Movers For a Smooth Transition | Stress-free relocation. | http://www.delaneyworldwide.com/ | 1713558864 | 2.1430538510928E+14 | Delaney Worldwide | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/436547483_7464615606938391_7957480284726591432_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kEom74zF8voQ7kNvgHO_paR&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYBdRifw1CaLllkFxW9MnKG4bq1ZRpwtcLMQMl5TDGVCSg&oe=6658693B | person_profile | 0 | Delaney Worldwide Inc | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/439625953_400220496122398_789550840492018026_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=JthjNWUBn9sQ7kNvgHO5RTh&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYAxuSPJ_op01qIuKcRorifRCPdVB4Dc4Wy7IuRoyneIlw&oe=6658576B | 0 | 3 | Stress-free relocation. | Delaney Worldwide | 1 | https://facebook.com/61557773368721 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1713855600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841184 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682328 | 1723710526 | 858 | 379270718294139 | 1 | 7.4703713420808E+14 | 1716534000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 241155789412943 | 0 | Inland Valley Recovery Services | 120206695304000591 | www.inlandvalleyrecovery.org | Contact us | NONE | video | Your Road To Recovery Starts Here | Break free from addiction. | https://www.inlandvalleyrecovery.org/ | 1710394723 | 2.4115578941294E+14 | Inland Valley Recovery Services | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/431869361_348072008207042_2220250795207324178_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=QGdEeBxr9eAQ7kNvgFsYcY0&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYCywfDi9ZvDo3SJt5LxYRYvY7qmKkeZDZ2dCB6oR7qyzg&oe=66586BFB | person_profile | 0 | Inland Valley Recovery | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/430738651_330975669947882_1433483430364268567_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=eQoX98bM3FUQ7kNvgE1KZe0&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYC88CzidnvGREjDwY3wop8Td2JVSyAUufzm79cJrvX9pA&oe=66585173 | 0 | 3 | Are you or someone you love battling a fentanyl addiction? You're not alone. We are ready to help you. | Inland Valley Recovery Services | 2175 | https://facebook.com/InlandValleyRecoveryServices | 0 | CONTACT_US | 1710486000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841048 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682322 | 1723710527 | 858 | 972679340901539 | 7 | 1.2064298805452E+15 | 1716102000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 106230892147834 | 0 | Wahooly | 120208293656010620 | shopwahooly.com | Shop now | NONE | video | Free Worldwide Shipping! | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5 Reviews! | https://shopwahooly.com/products/ice-mist-fan | 1715875867 | 1.0623089214783E+14 | Wahooly | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/442468372_1004831011071640_25202267722090086_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=u91GIYYabJ0Q7kNvgEK8i4x&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYAhANeWzSLrv807v9nT2JOixNAtuCHcZ5x1EB4JU_xt9g&oe=66586441 | person_profile | 0 | Wahooly | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441307918_1164651814718579_1326818427859314245_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=DCMrN9VTgMgQ7kNvgGA8r3Z&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYAa8KztRFUV-cF-AqMhga9NRv6n3_NVDOJazuVukGcUvg&oe=665866DA | 0 | 3 | Beat the heat and purify your air with the Ice Mist Fan—your ultimate 3-in-1 cooling companion! ❄️🌀 | Wahooly | 58 | https://facebook.com/Wahoooly | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1715842800 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841030 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682321 | 1723710527 | 858 | 423749427026143 | 1 | 3.7501563186038E+15 | 1716620400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 104875444530306 | 0 | Local Housing Source | 6570727845885 | fb.me | Learn more | NONE | image | Looking to buy your dream home? We're here to help! | Unlock 1% Cash Back - Start Your Self-Guided Home Tours Today! | http://fb.me/ | 1715201708 | 1.0487544453031E+14 | Local Housing Source | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/439973004_299796529843476_4483588303994630058_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Swvl81RS3PUQ7kNvgFyWyfX&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYBrCWsIDZPBEohUTVOXHYz2bqXmw5eP3atNcI5s_vV1_g&oe=665839F6 | person_profile | 0 | Real Estate & Relationships | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/439993251_3589845414611525_3419059592762973266_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=gDsd8PVNqTYQ7kNvgEWvS8g&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYCbMMAQnNYm8T__x2vcbJr2oI5wGHfHgro292xIz7sOrw&oe=66583D02 | 0 | 3 | Get 1% Cash Back When You Buy a Home!<br /> <br /> Looking to buy your dream home? We're here to help! Get expert guidance and 1% cash back on your closing costs when you buy with Local Housing Source. It's a win-win!<br /> <br /> Why Choose Us?<br /> <br /> 1% Cash Back on Closing Costs: Sign with us, and you’ll get real money back when you close. <br /> Expert Guidance: Our experienced agents guide you from start to finish, making the home-buying process a breeze. <br /> Hassle-Free Tours: Explore homes at your pace with flexible self-guided tours. Simple Offer Process: When you're ready to make an offer, our easy process ensures a smooth transaction.<br /> <br /> Why This Matters?<br /> <br /> With our 1% cash back, you could save thousands on your new home. In 2023, our average rebate was $31,038. Think about what you could do with that extra cash!<br /> <br /> Ready to Get Started?<br /> <br /> Contact Local Housing Source today and let's find your dream home together. With us, buying a home has never been easier—or more rewarding.<br /> <br /> Contact Us Now! | Local Housing Source | 3 | https://facebook.com/100071426276633 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1715583600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841034 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682322 | 1723710527 | 858 | 1410270169609921 | 1 | 1.6351301739296E+15 | 1716620400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 104875444530306 | 0 | Local Housing Source | 6570727986085 | fb.me | Learn more | NONE | image | Looking to buy your dream home? We're here to help! | Unlock 1% Cash Back - Start Your Self-Guided Home Tours Today! | http://fb.me/ | 1715201718 | 1.0487544453031E+14 | Local Housing Source | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438216027_1175157643924936_566433797385876292_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=24Xqe0QnNxwQ7kNvgHqWgQg&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYDeFS03TDk3fqtgbcN9-pPvW8eSCcRuoENgTVUiFp9wRQ&oe=66584D91 | person_profile | 0 | Real Estate & Relationships | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438301081_808904951183066_2270625212804958399_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=qhwY-cGz4ykQ7kNvgGvWfHb&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYASq-fN9oXyB_o_NccHMnIEadajEmSZ5_AHMBnTq1fAvw&oe=665852D6 | 0 | 3 | Get 1% Cash Back When You Buy a Home!<br /> <br /> Looking to buy your dream home? We're here to help! Get expert guidance and 1% cash back on your closing costs when you buy with Local Housing Source. It's a win-win!<br /> <br /> Why Choose Us?<br /> <br /> 1% Cash Back on Closing Costs: Sign with us, and you’ll get real money back when you close. <br /> Expert Guidance: Our experienced agents guide you from start to finish, making the home-buying process a breeze. <br /> Hassle-Free Tours: Explore homes at your pace with flexible self-guided tours. Simple Offer Process: When you're ready to make an offer, our easy process ensures a smooth transaction.<br /> <br /> Why This Matters?<br /> <br /> With our 1% cash back, you could save thousands on your new home. In 2023, our average rebate was $31,038. Think about what you could do with that extra cash!<br /> <br /> Ready to Get Started?<br /> <br /> Contact Local Housing Source today and let's find your dream home together. With us, buying a home has never been easier—or more rewarding.<br /> <br /> Contact Us Now! | Local Housing Source | 3 | https://facebook.com/100071426276633 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1715583600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841040 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682322 | 1723710528 | 858 | 748017274188153 | 1716620400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 141502009216768 | 0 | Brendon Burchard - Live. Love. Matter. | 6595425795017 | www.growthday.com | Get offer | NONE | video | Rich Habits vs Poor Habits 🔥 | https://www.growthday.com/wealth-habits | 1715196219 | 1.4150200921677E+14 | Brendon Burchard - Live. Love. Matter. | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/440931731_1318810739509778_1549389703064481686_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=qa71QoZQOrcQ7kNvgFHOYfY&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYCz9nOONmcvNdMXJj1UEp0KFKTlJ7zeNjZi_ioo2QQk8g&oe=66586C4C | person_profile | 0 | Brendon Burchard | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438222761_426124996786484_809686441971798828_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=u3OFLXe46skQ7kNvgHUQO2P&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYDRCC2vfE86eUMhxrsU7lYIU6QhzNEVrZZMwB78RrEZ2w&oe=66586BFC | 0 | 3 | There are better ways of thinking about the abundance in your life, your finances, & your future success… 👀<br /> <br /> Get my Wealth Habits Masterclass & Discover the Habits of Financial Champions 🏆<br /> <br /> This is a Limited Time Offer so Get Started Now!🔥 | Brendon Burchard - Live. Love. Matter. | 5024182 | https://facebook.com/brendonburchardfan | 0 | GET_OFFER_VIEW | 1715238000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841043 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682322 | 1723710528 | 858 | 624461703169271 | 1 | 4.3310230580463E+14 | 1711177200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 101479542560743 | 0 | ConsumerSafe.com | 120205741070030259 | contact.consumersafe.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | See If You Qualify | They set aside $4.5 billion... | https://contact.consumersafe.com/roundup/ | 1710166508 | 1.0147954256074E+14 | ConsumerSafe.com | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/431615458_770690081512177_3495676478623739503_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=9xv9TXhbBuYQ7kNvgGEIuGC&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYBu7etAYE0Q72fYuZDLiCDb5QCkIhM28wylEhTJupLOGg&oe=66583C05 | person_profile | 0 | Consumersafe.com | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/431770947_782259450625980_2788408335447563369_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=T1FudKMblDIQ7kNvgF1RlJP&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYAzGsHJUaFxEVTAim9UReL0wK_OYh-WGXGLE106cwt9KA&oe=66583EE9 | 0 | 3 | Roundup weedkiller has been linked to Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. If you or someone you know used Roundup and was later diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, you could be eligible to receive significant compensation as part of a settlement. Click to learn more and see if you qualify. | ConsumerSafe.com | 1426 | https://facebook.com/consumersafedotcom | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1710140400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841077 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682323 | 1723710528 | 858 | 679771527573816 | 1 | 9.5691207609713E+14 | 1716620400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 108164895515 | 0 | LifeCare Alliance | 120208883012670396 | lifecarealliance.org | Learn more | NONE | image | Supporting Independence & Dignity | You can make a difference! | https://www.lifecarealliance.org/beingtherematters/ | 1714765915 | 108164895515 | LifeCare Alliance | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438144986_672527694998886_2515713942064662129_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=msKNXDiWybcQ7kNvgHZwbok&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYBspEg_VCr80FkqzU41F6GP-AK_iuHRbECBXfucq799fA&oe=66586BF7 | person_profile | 0 | LifeCare Alliance | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/440413863_1589580615151604_4716376650662036087_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=D6ovawJVwdMQ7kNvgGkDvL2&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYCHn0GDEqD5qty4fTdhoanJUokAIwT8HxGBLwqGze5NyA&oe=66586802 | 0 | 3 | Explore the vital services we provide for seniors and those with medical challenges. From Meals on Wheels to our Free Cancer Clinic, Help-at-Home and so much more, Being There Matters. Join the Alliance – donate or volunteer today! | LifeCare Alliance | 4032 | https://facebook.com/LifeCareAlliance | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1715151600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841079 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682323 | 1723710528 | 858 | 345924945175506 | 10 | 4.0432693580309E+14 | 1716620400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 1 | 0 | 342924965562549 | 0 | Random Reading | 120211511879180002 | ocankn.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | 😍Read the next chapters👉 | https://ocankn.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=10463&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1715765000 | 3.4292496556255E+14 | Random Reading | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/435922042_247479561755579_3821431404594820167_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=WhysPRo_lQkQ7kNvgEZ2J99&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYBoEst8jJboeq7euSmQea_4KqzI3HAyHhaPwBJeuhQRKA&oe=66586988 | person_profile | 0 | Random Reading | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/436197202_765438095699980_1525197823077953944_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=DflzpDrA-WYQ7kNvgE4paFb&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYCZW98CxYAFuHu2zNEXP4KyFCvFQsz4wVPZmlfYRL96Pw&oe=665863E1 | 0 | 3 | I had never seen Felix like this - fury was written all over his face, and his lanky figure was trembling slightly. I've known Felix since we were born. Our mothers were best friends and they were trying to pair us up again just now. I had a crush on him, and he always treated me kindly. But now, he glared at me and spat, "This is all your fault. You're constantly following me around! That's why they misunderstood! Stay away from me!" I hadn't expected him to say something like that. I stared at him dumbfounded. Both my parents and Felix's parents ceased their conversation about our wedding and future. Felix wasn't done yet. "Who gave you guys the right to make my life decisions for me? I'm my own man. I'll never marry her, so you all can just stop trying to pair us up!" Felix shouted as he glared at everyone in the house. His eyes were filled with hate. It made me want to curl up into a ball out of embarrassment. The house remained completely silent. Everyone's gaze was on me, and I could feel my heart throbbing in pain. 18 years. We spent every day together for 18 years. He was my world, and I gave him everything. Yet, all I got was humiliation. He had trampled all over my dignity and self-worth in front of his whole family and mine… My father, usually calm, flushed crimson at Felix's harsh words, his fists clenched. Mom, too, looked angry and embarrassed, jaw agape, her expression one of disbelief. Uncle Austin, Felix's father, slapped Felix, scolding, "You rebellious boy! Who taught you to behave like that?" The impact of slap sent Felix reeling, and he hit his head on the corner of the wall. Felix slumped to the floor in pain, leaving an unmistakable streak of red on the white walls. Aunt Mel rushed forward with concern, "Felix, my son! Are you alright?" Felix shot me a scathing glare as if I had committed an unspeakable crime. "Are you happy now, Luna?" he spat. I stared back at him with wide eyes, tears streaming down my face and onto the floor. Even though I liked him, that didn't mean he could throw wild accusations and embarrass me as he pleased! I liked him, but I, too, had my sense of dignity! If loving him was a crime and the reason why he thought he could humiliate me, then I would gladly change! "I'm sorry, Felix. I never thought that my actions would have bugged you so much," I forced the humiliation down as I continued, "I, Luna Lawson, swear that from this moment onward, I will never bother you again, Felix." I bit my lip hard, and the sharp tang of blood exploded across my tongue. I, Luna Lawson, also swear to myself - I won't endure the same humiliation AGAIN! | Random Reading | 1 | https://facebook.com/61559743679549 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1716447600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841081 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682323 | 1723710528 | 858 | 345924945175506 | 10 | 4.0432693580309E+14 | 1716620400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 1 | 0 | 342924965562549 | 0 | Random Reading | 120211511879180002 | ocankn.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | 😍Read the next chapters👉 | https://ocankn.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=10463&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1715765000 | 3.4292496556255E+14 | Random Reading | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/435922042_247479561755579_3821431404594820167_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=WhysPRo_lQkQ7kNvgEZ2J99&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYBoEst8jJboeq7euSmQea_4KqzI3HAyHhaPwBJeuhQRKA&oe=66586988 | person_profile | 0 | Random Reading | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/436197202_765438095699980_1525197823077953944_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=DflzpDrA-WYQ7kNvgE4paFb&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYCZW98CxYAFuHu2zNEXP4KyFCvFQsz4wVPZmlfYRL96Pw&oe=665863E1 | 0 | 3 | I had never seen Felix like this - fury was written all over his face, and his lanky figure was trembling slightly. I've known Felix since we were born. Our mothers were best friends and they were trying to pair us up again just now. I had a crush on him, and he always treated me kindly. But now, he glared at me and spat, "This is all your fault. You're constantly following me around! That's why they misunderstood! Stay away from me!" I hadn't expected him to say something like that. I stared at him dumbfounded. Both my parents and Felix's parents ceased their conversation about our wedding and future. Felix wasn't done yet. "Who gave you guys the right to make my life decisions for me? I'm my own man. I'll never marry her, so you all can just stop trying to pair us up!" Felix shouted as he glared at everyone in the house. His eyes were filled with hate. It made me want to curl up into a ball out of embarrassment. The house remained completely silent. Everyone's gaze was on me, and I could feel my heart throbbing in pain. 18 years. We spent every day together for 18 years. He was my world, and I gave him everything. Yet, all I got was humiliation. He had trampled all over my dignity and self-worth in front of his whole family and mine… My father, usually calm, flushed crimson at Felix's harsh words, his fists clenched. Mom, too, looked angry and embarrassed, jaw agape, her expression one of disbelief. Uncle Austin, Felix's father, slapped Felix, scolding, "You rebellious boy! Who taught you to behave like that?" The impact of slap sent Felix reeling, and he hit his head on the corner of the wall. Felix slumped to the floor in pain, leaving an unmistakable streak of red on the white walls. Aunt Mel rushed forward with concern, "Felix, my son! Are you alright?" Felix shot me a scathing glare as if I had committed an unspeakable crime. "Are you happy now, Luna?" he spat. I stared back at him with wide eyes, tears streaming down my face and onto the floor. Even though I liked him, that didn't mean he could throw wild accusations and embarrass me as he pleased! I liked him, but I, too, had my sense of dignity! If loving him was a crime and the reason why he thought he could humiliate me, then I would gladly change! "I'm sorry, Felix. I never thought that my actions would have bugged you so much," I forced the humiliation down as I continued, "I, Luna Lawson, swear that from this moment onward, I will never bother you again, Felix." I bit my lip hard, and the sharp tang of blood exploded across my tongue. I, Luna Lawson, also swear to myself - I won't endure the same humiliation AGAIN! | Random Reading | 1 | https://facebook.com/61559743679549 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1716447600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841083 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682323 | 1723710528 | 858 | 345924945175506 | 10 | 4.0432693580309E+14 | 1716620400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 1 | 0 | 342924965562549 | 0 | Random Reading | 120211511879180002 | ocankn.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | 😍Read the next chapters👉 | https://ocankn.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=10463&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1715765000 | 3.4292496556255E+14 | Random Reading | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/435922042_247479561755579_3821431404594820167_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=WhysPRo_lQkQ7kNvgEZ2J99&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYBoEst8jJboeq7euSmQea_4KqzI3HAyHhaPwBJeuhQRKA&oe=66586988 | person_profile | 0 | Random Reading | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/436197202_765438095699980_1525197823077953944_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=DflzpDrA-WYQ7kNvgE4paFb&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYCZW98CxYAFuHu2zNEXP4KyFCvFQsz4wVPZmlfYRL96Pw&oe=665863E1 | 0 | 3 | I had never seen Felix like this - fury was written all over his face, and his lanky figure was trembling slightly. I've known Felix since we were born. Our mothers were best friends and they were trying to pair us up again just now. I had a crush on him, and he always treated me kindly. But now, he glared at me and spat, "This is all your fault. You're constantly following me around! That's why they misunderstood! Stay away from me!" I hadn't expected him to say something like that. I stared at him dumbfounded. Both my parents and Felix's parents ceased their conversation about our wedding and future. Felix wasn't done yet. "Who gave you guys the right to make my life decisions for me? I'm my own man. I'll never marry her, so you all can just stop trying to pair us up!" Felix shouted as he glared at everyone in the house. His eyes were filled with hate. It made me want to curl up into a ball out of embarrassment. The house remained completely silent. Everyone's gaze was on me, and I could feel my heart throbbing in pain. 18 years. We spent every day together for 18 years. He was my world, and I gave him everything. Yet, all I got was humiliation. He had trampled all over my dignity and self-worth in front of his whole family and mine… My father, usually calm, flushed crimson at Felix's harsh words, his fists clenched. Mom, too, looked angry and embarrassed, jaw agape, her expression one of disbelief. Uncle Austin, Felix's father, slapped Felix, scolding, "You rebellious boy! Who taught you to behave like that?" The impact of slap sent Felix reeling, and he hit his head on the corner of the wall. Felix slumped to the floor in pain, leaving an unmistakable streak of red on the white walls. Aunt Mel rushed forward with concern, "Felix, my son! Are you alright?" Felix shot me a scathing glare as if I had committed an unspeakable crime. "Are you happy now, Luna?" he spat. I stared back at him with wide eyes, tears streaming down my face and onto the floor. Even though I liked him, that didn't mean he could throw wild accusations and embarrass me as he pleased! I liked him, but I, too, had my sense of dignity! If loving him was a crime and the reason why he thought he could humiliate me, then I would gladly change! "I'm sorry, Felix. I never thought that my actions would have bugged you so much," I forced the humiliation down as I continued, "I, Luna Lawson, swear that from this moment onward, I will never bother you again, Felix." I bit my lip hard, and the sharp tang of blood exploded across my tongue. I, Luna Lawson, also swear to myself - I won't endure the same humiliation AGAIN! | Random Reading | 1 | https://facebook.com/61559743679549 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1716447600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841085 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682323 | 1723710529 | 858 | 345924945175506 | 10 | 4.0432693580309E+14 | 1716620400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 1 | 0 | 342924965562549 | 0 | Random Reading | 120211511879180002 | ocankn.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | 😍Read the next chapters👉 | https://ocankn.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=10463&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1715765000 | 3.4292496556255E+14 | Random Reading | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/435922042_247479561755579_3821431404594820167_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=WhysPRo_lQkQ7kNvgEZ2J99&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYBoEst8jJboeq7euSmQea_4KqzI3HAyHhaPwBJeuhQRKA&oe=66586988 | person_profile | 0 | Random Reading | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/436197202_765438095699980_1525197823077953944_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=DflzpDrA-WYQ7kNvgE4paFb&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYCZW98CxYAFuHu2zNEXP4KyFCvFQsz4wVPZmlfYRL96Pw&oe=665863E1 | 0 | 3 | I had never seen Felix like this - fury was written all over his face, and his lanky figure was trembling slightly. I've known Felix since we were born. Our mothers were best friends and they were trying to pair us up again just now. I had a crush on him, and he always treated me kindly. But now, he glared at me and spat, "This is all your fault. You're constantly following me around! That's why they misunderstood! Stay away from me!" I hadn't expected him to say something like that. I stared at him dumbfounded. Both my parents and Felix's parents ceased their conversation about our wedding and future. Felix wasn't done yet. "Who gave you guys the right to make my life decisions for me? I'm my own man. I'll never marry her, so you all can just stop trying to pair us up!" Felix shouted as he glared at everyone in the house. His eyes were filled with hate. It made me want to curl up into a ball out of embarrassment. The house remained completely silent. Everyone's gaze was on me, and I could feel my heart throbbing in pain. 18 years. We spent every day together for 18 years. He was my world, and I gave him everything. Yet, all I got was humiliation. He had trampled all over my dignity and self-worth in front of his whole family and mine… My father, usually calm, flushed crimson at Felix's harsh words, his fists clenched. Mom, too, looked angry and embarrassed, jaw agape, her expression one of disbelief. Uncle Austin, Felix's father, slapped Felix, scolding, "You rebellious boy! Who taught you to behave like that?" The impact of slap sent Felix reeling, and he hit his head on the corner of the wall. Felix slumped to the floor in pain, leaving an unmistakable streak of red on the white walls. Aunt Mel rushed forward with concern, "Felix, my son! Are you alright?" Felix shot me a scathing glare as if I had committed an unspeakable crime. "Are you happy now, Luna?" he spat. I stared back at him with wide eyes, tears streaming down my face and onto the floor. Even though I liked him, that didn't mean he could throw wild accusations and embarrass me as he pleased! I liked him, but I, too, had my sense of dignity! If loving him was a crime and the reason why he thought he could humiliate me, then I would gladly change! "I'm sorry, Felix. I never thought that my actions would have bugged you so much," I forced the humiliation down as I continued, "I, Luna Lawson, swear that from this moment onward, I will never bother you again, Felix." I bit my lip hard, and the sharp tang of blood exploded across my tongue. I, Luna Lawson, also swear to myself - I won't endure the same humiliation AGAIN! | Random Reading | 1 | https://facebook.com/61559743679549 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1716447600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841087 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682323 | 1723710529 | 858 | 345924945175506 | 10 | 4.0432693580309E+14 | 1716620400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 1 | 0 | 342924965562549 | 0 | Random Reading | 120211511879180002 | ocankn.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | 😍Read the next chapters👉 | https://ocankn.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=10463&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1715765000 | 3.4292496556255E+14 | Random Reading | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/435922042_247479561755579_3821431404594820167_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=WhysPRo_lQkQ7kNvgEZ2J99&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYBoEst8jJboeq7euSmQea_4KqzI3HAyHhaPwBJeuhQRKA&oe=66586988 | person_profile | 0 | Random Reading | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/436197202_765438095699980_1525197823077953944_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=DflzpDrA-WYQ7kNvgE4paFb&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYCZW98CxYAFuHu2zNEXP4KyFCvFQsz4wVPZmlfYRL96Pw&oe=665863E1 | 0 | 3 | I had never seen Felix like this - fury was written all over his face, and his lanky figure was trembling slightly. I've known Felix since we were born. Our mothers were best friends and they were trying to pair us up again just now. I had a crush on him, and he always treated me kindly. But now, he glared at me and spat, "This is all your fault. You're constantly following me around! That's why they misunderstood! Stay away from me!" I hadn't expected him to say something like that. I stared at him dumbfounded. Both my parents and Felix's parents ceased their conversation about our wedding and future. Felix wasn't done yet. "Who gave you guys the right to make my life decisions for me? I'm my own man. I'll never marry her, so you all can just stop trying to pair us up!" Felix shouted as he glared at everyone in the house. His eyes were filled with hate. It made me want to curl up into a ball out of embarrassment. The house remained completely silent. Everyone's gaze was on me, and I could feel my heart throbbing in pain. 18 years. We spent every day together for 18 years. He was my world, and I gave him everything. Yet, all I got was humiliation. He had trampled all over my dignity and self-worth in front of his whole family and mine… My father, usually calm, flushed crimson at Felix's harsh words, his fists clenched. Mom, too, looked angry and embarrassed, jaw agape, her expression one of disbelief. Uncle Austin, Felix's father, slapped Felix, scolding, "You rebellious boy! Who taught you to behave like that?" The impact of slap sent Felix reeling, and he hit his head on the corner of the wall. Felix slumped to the floor in pain, leaving an unmistakable streak of red on the white walls. Aunt Mel rushed forward with concern, "Felix, my son! Are you alright?" Felix shot me a scathing glare as if I had committed an unspeakable crime. "Are you happy now, Luna?" he spat. I stared back at him with wide eyes, tears streaming down my face and onto the floor. Even though I liked him, that didn't mean he could throw wild accusations and embarrass me as he pleased! I liked him, but I, too, had my sense of dignity! If loving him was a crime and the reason why he thought he could humiliate me, then I would gladly change! "I'm sorry, Felix. I never thought that my actions would have bugged you so much," I forced the humiliation down as I continued, "I, Luna Lawson, swear that from this moment onward, I will never bother you again, Felix." I bit my lip hard, and the sharp tang of blood exploded across my tongue. I, Luna Lawson, also swear to myself - I won't endure the same humiliation AGAIN! | Random Reading | 1 | https://facebook.com/61559743679549 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1716447600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841089 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682323 | 1723710529 | 858 | 404621832409719 | 28 | 9.6783316154479E+14 | 1716534000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 161163937074221 | 0 | Massive story | 120210797601370002 | ocankn.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | 😍Read the next chapters👉 | https://ocankn.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=10463&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1716634519 | 1.6116393707422E+14 | Massive story | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438221346_347076918382053_5509872404599054561_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=6SfQBNP1dcMQ7kNvgGOhoxt&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYD_63cbe8hIksbUnnTuG2d1BAWvrWo_5kBes3J8TQMtQw&oe=66583C9D | person_profile | 0 | Massive story | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438240590_982215810240924_7779339330704555568_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=cY1buDiRWQYQ7kNvgH8bYo1&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYAZf-KrXNJeyltLwURFWz0EN7NesDf2MjnJvfNn540NPA&oe=665845E0 | 0 | 3 | I had never seen Felix like this - fury was written all over his face, and his lanky figure was trembling slightly. I've known Felix since we were born. Our mothers were best friends and they were trying to pair us up again just now. I had a crush on him, and he always treated me kindly. But now, he glared at me and spat, "This is all your fault. You're constantly following me around! That's why they misunderstood! Stay away from me!" I hadn't expected him to say something like that. I stared at him dumbfounded. Both my parents and Felix's parents ceased their conversation about our wedding and future. Felix wasn't done yet. "Who gave you guys the right to make my life decisions for me? I'm my own man. I'll never marry her, so you all can just stop trying to pair us up!" Felix shouted as he glared at everyone in the house. His eyes were filled with hate. It made me want to curl up into a ball out of embarrassment. The house remained completely silent. Everyone's gaze was on me, and I could feel my heart throbbing in pain. 18 years. We spent every day together for 18 years. He was my world, and I gave him everything. Yet, all I got was humiliation. He had trampled all over my dignity and self-worth in front of his whole family and mine… My father, usually calm, flushed crimson at Felix's harsh words, his fists clenched. Mom, too, looked angry and embarrassed, jaw agape, her expression one of disbelief. Uncle Austin, Felix's father, slapped Felix, scolding, "You rebellious boy! Who taught you to behave like that?" The impact of slap sent Felix reeling, and he hit his head on the corner of the wall. Felix slumped to the floor in pain, leaving an unmistakable streak of red on the white walls. Aunt Mel rushed forward with concern, "Felix, my son! Are you alright?" Felix shot me a scathing glare as if I had committed an unspeakable crime. "Are you happy now, Luna?" he spat. I stared back at him with wide eyes, tears streaming down my face and onto the floor. Even though I liked him, that didn't mean he could throw wild accusations and embarrass me as he pleased! I liked him, but I, too, had my sense of dignity! If loving him was a crime and the reason why he thought he could humiliate me, then I would gladly change! "I'm sorry, Felix. I never thought that my actions would have bugged you so much," I forced the humiliation down as I continued, "I, Luna Lawson, swear that from this moment onward, I will never bother you again, Felix." I bit my lip hard, and the sharp tang of blood exploded across my tongue. I, Luna Lawson, also swear to myself - I won't endure the same humiliation AGAIN! | Massive story | 672 | https://facebook.com/61552493980605 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1716361200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841091 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682323 | 1723710529 | 858 | 404621832409719 | 28 | 9.6783316154479E+14 | 1716534000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 161163937074221 | 0 | Massive story | 120210797601370002 | ocankn.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | 😍Read the next chapters👉 | https://ocankn.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=10463&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1716634519 | 1.6116393707422E+14 | Massive story | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438221346_347076918382053_5509872404599054561_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=6SfQBNP1dcMQ7kNvgGOhoxt&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYD_63cbe8hIksbUnnTuG2d1BAWvrWo_5kBes3J8TQMtQw&oe=66583C9D | person_profile | 0 | Massive story | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438240590_982215810240924_7779339330704555568_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=cY1buDiRWQYQ7kNvgH8bYo1&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYAZf-KrXNJeyltLwURFWz0EN7NesDf2MjnJvfNn540NPA&oe=665845E0 | 0 | 3 | I had never seen Felix like this - fury was written all over his face, and his lanky figure was trembling slightly. I've known Felix since we were born. Our mothers were best friends and they were trying to pair us up again just now. I had a crush on him, and he always treated me kindly. But now, he glared at me and spat, "This is all your fault. You're constantly following me around! That's why they misunderstood! Stay away from me!" I hadn't expected him to say something like that. I stared at him dumbfounded. Both my parents and Felix's parents ceased their conversation about our wedding and future. Felix wasn't done yet. "Who gave you guys the right to make my life decisions for me? I'm my own man. I'll never marry her, so you all can just stop trying to pair us up!" Felix shouted as he glared at everyone in the house. His eyes were filled with hate. It made me want to curl up into a ball out of embarrassment. The house remained completely silent. Everyone's gaze was on me, and I could feel my heart throbbing in pain. 18 years. We spent every day together for 18 years. He was my world, and I gave him everything. Yet, all I got was humiliation. He had trampled all over my dignity and self-worth in front of his whole family and mine… My father, usually calm, flushed crimson at Felix's harsh words, his fists clenched. Mom, too, looked angry and embarrassed, jaw agape, her expression one of disbelief. Uncle Austin, Felix's father, slapped Felix, scolding, "You rebellious boy! Who taught you to behave like that?" The impact of slap sent Felix reeling, and he hit his head on the corner of the wall. Felix slumped to the floor in pain, leaving an unmistakable streak of red on the white walls. Aunt Mel rushed forward with concern, "Felix, my son! Are you alright?" Felix shot me a scathing glare as if I had committed an unspeakable crime. "Are you happy now, Luna?" he spat. I stared back at him with wide eyes, tears streaming down my face and onto the floor. Even though I liked him, that didn't mean he could throw wild accusations and embarrass me as he pleased! I liked him, but I, too, had my sense of dignity! If loving him was a crime and the reason why he thought he could humiliate me, then I would gladly change! "I'm sorry, Felix. I never thought that my actions would have bugged you so much," I forced the humiliation down as I continued, "I, Luna Lawson, swear that from this moment onward, I will never bother you again, Felix." I bit my lip hard, and the sharp tang of blood exploded across my tongue. I, Luna Lawson, also swear to myself - I won't endure the same humiliation AGAIN! | Massive story | 672 | https://facebook.com/61552493980605 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1716361200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841093 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682323 | 1723710529 | 858 | 404621832409719 | 28 | 9.6783316154479E+14 | 1716534000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 161163937074221 | 0 | Massive story | 120210797601370002 | ocankn.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | 😍Read the next chapters👉 | https://ocankn.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=10463&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1716634519 | 1.6116393707422E+14 | Massive story | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438221346_347076918382053_5509872404599054561_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=6SfQBNP1dcMQ7kNvgGOhoxt&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYD_63cbe8hIksbUnnTuG2d1BAWvrWo_5kBes3J8TQMtQw&oe=66583C9D | person_profile | 0 | Massive story | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438240590_982215810240924_7779339330704555568_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=cY1buDiRWQYQ7kNvgH8bYo1&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYAZf-KrXNJeyltLwURFWz0EN7NesDf2MjnJvfNn540NPA&oe=665845E0 | 0 | 3 | I had never seen Felix like this - fury was written all over his face, and his lanky figure was trembling slightly. I've known Felix since we were born. Our mothers were best friends and they were trying to pair us up again just now. I had a crush on him, and he always treated me kindly. But now, he glared at me and spat, "This is all your fault. You're constantly following me around! That's why they misunderstood! Stay away from me!" I hadn't expected him to say something like that. I stared at him dumbfounded. Both my parents and Felix's parents ceased their conversation about our wedding and future. Felix wasn't done yet. "Who gave you guys the right to make my life decisions for me? I'm my own man. I'll never marry her, so you all can just stop trying to pair us up!" Felix shouted as he glared at everyone in the house. His eyes were filled with hate. It made me want to curl up into a ball out of embarrassment. The house remained completely silent. Everyone's gaze was on me, and I could feel my heart throbbing in pain. 18 years. We spent every day together for 18 years. He was my world, and I gave him everything. Yet, all I got was humiliation. He had trampled all over my dignity and self-worth in front of his whole family and mine… My father, usually calm, flushed crimson at Felix's harsh words, his fists clenched. Mom, too, looked angry and embarrassed, jaw agape, her expression one of disbelief. Uncle Austin, Felix's father, slapped Felix, scolding, "You rebellious boy! Who taught you to behave like that?" The impact of slap sent Felix reeling, and he hit his head on the corner of the wall. Felix slumped to the floor in pain, leaving an unmistakable streak of red on the white walls. Aunt Mel rushed forward with concern, "Felix, my son! Are you alright?" Felix shot me a scathing glare as if I had committed an unspeakable crime. "Are you happy now, Luna?" he spat. I stared back at him with wide eyes, tears streaming down my face and onto the floor. Even though I liked him, that didn't mean he could throw wild accusations and embarrass me as he pleased! I liked him, but I, too, had my sense of dignity! If loving him was a crime and the reason why he thought he could humiliate me, then I would gladly change! "I'm sorry, Felix. I never thought that my actions would have bugged you so much," I forced the humiliation down as I continued, "I, Luna Lawson, swear that from this moment onward, I will never bother you again, Felix." I bit my lip hard, and the sharp tang of blood exploded across my tongue. I, Luna Lawson, also swear to myself - I won't endure the same humiliation AGAIN! | Massive story | 672 | https://facebook.com/61552493980605 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1716361200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841095 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682324 | 1723710529 | 858 | 404621832409719 | 28 | 9.6783316154479E+14 | 1716534000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 161163937074221 | 0 | Massive story | 120210797601370002 | ocankn.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | 😍Read the next chapters👉 | https://ocankn.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=10463&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1716634519 | 1.6116393707422E+14 | Massive story | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438221346_347076918382053_5509872404599054561_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=6SfQBNP1dcMQ7kNvgGOhoxt&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYD_63cbe8hIksbUnnTuG2d1BAWvrWo_5kBes3J8TQMtQw&oe=66583C9D | person_profile | 0 | Massive story | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438240590_982215810240924_7779339330704555568_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=cY1buDiRWQYQ7kNvgH8bYo1&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYAZf-KrXNJeyltLwURFWz0EN7NesDf2MjnJvfNn540NPA&oe=665845E0 | 0 | 3 | I had never seen Felix like this - fury was written all over his face, and his lanky figure was trembling slightly. I've known Felix since we were born. Our mothers were best friends and they were trying to pair us up again just now. I had a crush on him, and he always treated me kindly. But now, he glared at me and spat, "This is all your fault. You're constantly following me around! That's why they misunderstood! Stay away from me!" I hadn't expected him to say something like that. I stared at him dumbfounded. Both my parents and Felix's parents ceased their conversation about our wedding and future. Felix wasn't done yet. "Who gave you guys the right to make my life decisions for me? I'm my own man. I'll never marry her, so you all can just stop trying to pair us up!" Felix shouted as he glared at everyone in the house. His eyes were filled with hate. It made me want to curl up into a ball out of embarrassment. The house remained completely silent. Everyone's gaze was on me, and I could feel my heart throbbing in pain. 18 years. We spent every day together for 18 years. He was my world, and I gave him everything. Yet, all I got was humiliation. He had trampled all over my dignity and self-worth in front of his whole family and mine… My father, usually calm, flushed crimson at Felix's harsh words, his fists clenched. Mom, too, looked angry and embarrassed, jaw agape, her expression one of disbelief. Uncle Austin, Felix's father, slapped Felix, scolding, "You rebellious boy! Who taught you to behave like that?" The impact of slap sent Felix reeling, and he hit his head on the corner of the wall. Felix slumped to the floor in pain, leaving an unmistakable streak of red on the white walls. Aunt Mel rushed forward with concern, "Felix, my son! Are you alright?" Felix shot me a scathing glare as if I had committed an unspeakable crime. "Are you happy now, Luna?" he spat. I stared back at him with wide eyes, tears streaming down my face and onto the floor. Even though I liked him, that didn't mean he could throw wild accusations and embarrass me as he pleased! I liked him, but I, too, had my sense of dignity! If loving him was a crime and the reason why he thought he could humiliate me, then I would gladly change! "I'm sorry, Felix. I never thought that my actions would have bugged you so much," I forced the humiliation down as I continued, "I, Luna Lawson, swear that from this moment onward, I will never bother you again, Felix." I bit my lip hard, and the sharp tang of blood exploded across my tongue. I, Luna Lawson, also swear to myself - I won't endure the same humiliation AGAIN! | Massive story | 672 | https://facebook.com/61552493980605 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1716361200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841097 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682324 | 1723710529 | 858 | 404621832409719 | 28 | 9.6783316154479E+14 | 1716534000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 161163937074221 | 0 | Massive story | 120210797601370002 | ocankn.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | 😍Read the next chapters👉 | https://ocankn.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=10463&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1716634519 | 1.6116393707422E+14 | Massive story | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438221346_347076918382053_5509872404599054561_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=6SfQBNP1dcMQ7kNvgGOhoxt&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYD_63cbe8hIksbUnnTuG2d1BAWvrWo_5kBes3J8TQMtQw&oe=66583C9D | person_profile | 0 | Massive story | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438240590_982215810240924_7779339330704555568_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=cY1buDiRWQYQ7kNvgH8bYo1&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYAZf-KrXNJeyltLwURFWz0EN7NesDf2MjnJvfNn540NPA&oe=665845E0 | 0 | 3 | I had never seen Felix like this - fury was written all over his face, and his lanky figure was trembling slightly. I've known Felix since we were born. Our mothers were best friends and they were trying to pair us up again just now. I had a crush on him, and he always treated me kindly. But now, he glared at me and spat, "This is all your fault. You're constantly following me around! That's why they misunderstood! Stay away from me!" I hadn't expected him to say something like that. I stared at him dumbfounded. Both my parents and Felix's parents ceased their conversation about our wedding and future. Felix wasn't done yet. "Who gave you guys the right to make my life decisions for me? I'm my own man. I'll never marry her, so you all can just stop trying to pair us up!" Felix shouted as he glared at everyone in the house. His eyes were filled with hate. It made me want to curl up into a ball out of embarrassment. The house remained completely silent. Everyone's gaze was on me, and I could feel my heart throbbing in pain. 18 years. We spent every day together for 18 years. He was my world, and I gave him everything. Yet, all I got was humiliation. He had trampled all over my dignity and self-worth in front of his whole family and mine… My father, usually calm, flushed crimson at Felix's harsh words, his fists clenched. Mom, too, looked angry and embarrassed, jaw agape, her expression one of disbelief. Uncle Austin, Felix's father, slapped Felix, scolding, "You rebellious boy! Who taught you to behave like that?" The impact of slap sent Felix reeling, and he hit his head on the corner of the wall. Felix slumped to the floor in pain, leaving an unmistakable streak of red on the white walls. Aunt Mel rushed forward with concern, "Felix, my son! Are you alright?" Felix shot me a scathing glare as if I had committed an unspeakable crime. "Are you happy now, Luna?" he spat. I stared back at him with wide eyes, tears streaming down my face and onto the floor. Even though I liked him, that didn't mean he could throw wild accusations and embarrass me as he pleased! I liked him, but I, too, had my sense of dignity! If loving him was a crime and the reason why he thought he could humiliate me, then I would gladly change! "I'm sorry, Felix. I never thought that my actions would have bugged you so much," I forced the humiliation down as I continued, "I, Luna Lawson, swear that from this moment onward, I will never bother you again, Felix." I bit my lip hard, and the sharp tang of blood exploded across my tongue. I, Luna Lawson, also swear to myself - I won't endure the same humiliation AGAIN! | Massive story | 672 | https://facebook.com/61552493980605 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1716361200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841099 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682324 | 1723710529 | 858 | 7599646173405331 | 4 | 8.1189217383301E+14 | 1716620400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 1 | 0 | 220948471097418 | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | 120211846693390779 | qweasdzxconline.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | 😍Read the next chapters👉 | https://qweasdzxconline.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=11090&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1715085862 | 2.2094847109742E+14 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438129100_1146045226739178_2601865360875538189_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fLOSJhfepkYQ7kNvgHEd_wc&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYChz9Lv9Hi46YygQOTRcWVO3N7OQd15Ym_VowKXHVuLnA&oe=66584690 | person_profile | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/440747644_315502774915635_6353252339687881796_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kPZJVk2zb8oQ7kNvgFDgFVU&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYD__mO6mWyaS-XJiX9OhX8t7XcRfbo1yfMNPMeAXVO6_w&oe=66583557 | 0 | 3 | 🔞"Ned Fletcher, with how you're treating Angie right now, aren't you worried that you're going to regret it when you finally regain your memories one day? You loved her so much before and you two got married for love! Despite you forgetting your feelings about her, how could you post so many indecent photos of her on social media?" Ned spoke nonchalantly, saying, "Why are you still holding me hostage with morals and principles? She was the one who framed me by lowly methods. I was just warning her. If Ingrid hadn't asked me to stop, I'd have gone even further! By the way, show your respect to Ingrid. She’s not a new girl but my only one forever and never!" Angeline Emmerson heard the talk standing outside the door. She used to be treated ever so lovingly by Ned in the past. Angeline felt her eyes reddening and filling with tears. The Ned she knew had died in the car accident that happened four years ago. The one inside was merely a stranger! Angeline inhaled deeply. Then, she pushed the door open. Ned looked up and saw her entering. "Who brought you here?" Angeline stared at Ned and said, "I've already made a police report regarding your spiked drink at the event and your spreading of my photos for revenge." Hearing this, everyone's reactions differed from one another. Angeline continued, "Ned Fletcher, it's true that I wanted to try rekindling our relationship, but I would never have stooped so low as to do those disgusting things to you. I didn't want to let go of this relationship because I was worried that the Ned I knew would return someday and blame me for giving up on him so easily," Angeline placed the divorce agreement she'd been hugging onto the table. "I tried my best, but I'm tired now. Ned Fletcher, I'm giving up on you. I don't want you anymore." Ned's eyes traveled from the divorce agreement to Angeline's face. There was a hint of surprise in his cold eyes. "Let's finalize the divorce after the police have cleared my name and you have publicly apologized to me." | Galaxy in the Book | 68 | https://facebook.com/61555646245426 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1716274800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841101 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682324 | 1723710529 | 858 | 7599646173405331 | 4 | 8.1189217383301E+14 | 1716620400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 1 | 0 | 220948471097418 | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | 120211846693390779 | qweasdzxconline.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | 😍Read the next chapters👉 | https://qweasdzxconline.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=11090&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1715085862 | 2.2094847109742E+14 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438129100_1146045226739178_2601865360875538189_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fLOSJhfepkYQ7kNvgHEd_wc&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYChz9Lv9Hi46YygQOTRcWVO3N7OQd15Ym_VowKXHVuLnA&oe=66584690 | person_profile | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/440747644_315502774915635_6353252339687881796_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kPZJVk2zb8oQ7kNvgFDgFVU&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYD__mO6mWyaS-XJiX9OhX8t7XcRfbo1yfMNPMeAXVO6_w&oe=66583557 | 0 | 3 | 🔞"Ned Fletcher, with how you're treating Angie right now, aren't you worried that you're going to regret it when you finally regain your memories one day? You loved her so much before and you two got married for love! Despite you forgetting your feelings about her, how could you post so many indecent photos of her on social media?" Ned spoke nonchalantly, saying, "Why are you still holding me hostage with morals and principles? She was the one who framed me by lowly methods. I was just warning her. If Ingrid hadn't asked me to stop, I'd have gone even further! By the way, show your respect to Ingrid. She’s not a new girl but my only one forever and never!" Angeline Emmerson heard the talk standing outside the door. She used to be treated ever so lovingly by Ned in the past. Angeline felt her eyes reddening and filling with tears. The Ned she knew had died in the car accident that happened four years ago. The one inside was merely a stranger! Angeline inhaled deeply. Then, she pushed the door open. Ned looked up and saw her entering. "Who brought you here?" Angeline stared at Ned and said, "I've already made a police report regarding your spiked drink at the event and your spreading of my photos for revenge." Hearing this, everyone's reactions differed from one another. Angeline continued, "Ned Fletcher, it's true that I wanted to try rekindling our relationship, but I would never have stooped so low as to do those disgusting things to you. I didn't want to let go of this relationship because I was worried that the Ned I knew would return someday and blame me for giving up on him so easily," Angeline placed the divorce agreement she'd been hugging onto the table. "I tried my best, but I'm tired now. Ned Fletcher, I'm giving up on you. I don't want you anymore." Ned's eyes traveled from the divorce agreement to Angeline's face. There was a hint of surprise in his cold eyes. "Let's finalize the divorce after the police have cleared my name and you have publicly apologized to me." | Galaxy in the Book | 68 | https://facebook.com/61555646245426 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1716274800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841103 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682324 | 1723710529 | 858 | 7599646173405331 | 4 | 8.1189217383301E+14 | 1716620400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 1 | 0 | 220948471097418 | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | 120211846693390779 | qweasdzxconline.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | 😍Read the next chapters👉 | https://qweasdzxconline.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=11090&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1715085862 | 2.2094847109742E+14 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438129100_1146045226739178_2601865360875538189_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fLOSJhfepkYQ7kNvgHEd_wc&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYChz9Lv9Hi46YygQOTRcWVO3N7OQd15Ym_VowKXHVuLnA&oe=66584690 | person_profile | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/440747644_315502774915635_6353252339687881796_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kPZJVk2zb8oQ7kNvgFDgFVU&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYD__mO6mWyaS-XJiX9OhX8t7XcRfbo1yfMNPMeAXVO6_w&oe=66583557 | 0 | 3 | 🔞"Ned Fletcher, with how you're treating Angie right now, aren't you worried that you're going to regret it when you finally regain your memories one day? You loved her so much before and you two got married for love! Despite you forgetting your feelings about her, how could you post so many indecent photos of her on social media?" Ned spoke nonchalantly, saying, "Why are you still holding me hostage with morals and principles? She was the one who framed me by lowly methods. I was just warning her. If Ingrid hadn't asked me to stop, I'd have gone even further! By the way, show your respect to Ingrid. She’s not a new girl but my only one forever and never!" Angeline Emmerson heard the talk standing outside the door. She used to be treated ever so lovingly by Ned in the past. Angeline felt her eyes reddening and filling with tears. The Ned she knew had died in the car accident that happened four years ago. The one inside was merely a stranger! Angeline inhaled deeply. Then, she pushed the door open. Ned looked up and saw her entering. "Who brought you here?" Angeline stared at Ned and said, "I've already made a police report regarding your spiked drink at the event and your spreading of my photos for revenge." Hearing this, everyone's reactions differed from one another. Angeline continued, "Ned Fletcher, it's true that I wanted to try rekindling our relationship, but I would never have stooped so low as to do those disgusting things to you. I didn't want to let go of this relationship because I was worried that the Ned I knew would return someday and blame me for giving up on him so easily," Angeline placed the divorce agreement she'd been hugging onto the table. "I tried my best, but I'm tired now. Ned Fletcher, I'm giving up on you. I don't want you anymore." Ned's eyes traveled from the divorce agreement to Angeline's face. There was a hint of surprise in his cold eyes. "Let's finalize the divorce after the police have cleared my name and you have publicly apologized to me." | Galaxy in the Book | 68 | https://facebook.com/61555646245426 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1716274800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841105 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682324 | 1723710529 | 858 | 7599646173405331 | 4 | 8.1189217383301E+14 | 1716620400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 1 | 0 | 220948471097418 | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | 120211846693390779 | qweasdzxconline.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | 😍Read the next chapters👉 | https://qweasdzxconline.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=11090&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1715085862 | 2.2094847109742E+14 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438129100_1146045226739178_2601865360875538189_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fLOSJhfepkYQ7kNvgHEd_wc&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYChz9Lv9Hi46YygQOTRcWVO3N7OQd15Ym_VowKXHVuLnA&oe=66584690 | person_profile | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/440747644_315502774915635_6353252339687881796_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kPZJVk2zb8oQ7kNvgFDgFVU&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYD__mO6mWyaS-XJiX9OhX8t7XcRfbo1yfMNPMeAXVO6_w&oe=66583557 | 0 | 3 | 🔞"Ned Fletcher, with how you're treating Angie right now, aren't you worried that you're going to regret it when you finally regain your memories one day? You loved her so much before and you two got married for love! Despite you forgetting your feelings about her, how could you post so many indecent photos of her on social media?" Ned spoke nonchalantly, saying, "Why are you still holding me hostage with morals and principles? She was the one who framed me by lowly methods. I was just warning her. If Ingrid hadn't asked me to stop, I'd have gone even further! By the way, show your respect to Ingrid. She’s not a new girl but my only one forever and never!" Angeline Emmerson heard the talk standing outside the door. She used to be treated ever so lovingly by Ned in the past. Angeline felt her eyes reddening and filling with tears. The Ned she knew had died in the car accident that happened four years ago. The one inside was merely a stranger! Angeline inhaled deeply. Then, she pushed the door open. Ned looked up and saw her entering. "Who brought you here?" Angeline stared at Ned and said, "I've already made a police report regarding your spiked drink at the event and your spreading of my photos for revenge." Hearing this, everyone's reactions differed from one another. Angeline continued, "Ned Fletcher, it's true that I wanted to try rekindling our relationship, but I would never have stooped so low as to do those disgusting things to you. I didn't want to let go of this relationship because I was worried that the Ned I knew would return someday and blame me for giving up on him so easily," Angeline placed the divorce agreement she'd been hugging onto the table. "I tried my best, but I'm tired now. Ned Fletcher, I'm giving up on you. I don't want you anymore." Ned's eyes traveled from the divorce agreement to Angeline's face. There was a hint of surprise in his cold eyes. "Let's finalize the divorce after the police have cleared my name and you have publicly apologized to me." | Galaxy in the Book | 68 | https://facebook.com/61555646245426 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1716274800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841111 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682324 | 1723710529 | 858 | 302398159575876 | 6 | 7.9376878362617E+15 | 1716274800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 220948471097418 | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | 120211846693390779 | qweasdzxconline.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | 😍Read the next chapters👉 | https://qweasdzxconline.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=11090&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1715085862 | 2.2094847109742E+14 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438129100_1146045226739178_2601865360875538189_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fLOSJhfepkYQ7kNvgHEd_wc&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYChz9Lv9Hi46YygQOTRcWVO3N7OQd15Ym_VowKXHVuLnA&oe=66584690 | person_profile | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/440747644_315502774915635_6353252339687881796_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kPZJVk2zb8oQ7kNvgFDgFVU&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYD__mO6mWyaS-XJiX9OhX8t7XcRfbo1yfMNPMeAXVO6_w&oe=66583557 | 0 | 3 | 🔞"Ned Fletcher, with how you're treating Angie right now, aren't you worried that you're going to regret it when you finally regain your memories one day? You loved her so much before and you two got married for love! Despite you forgetting your feelings about her, how could you post so many indecent photos of her on social media?" Ned spoke nonchalantly, saying, "Why are you still holding me hostage with morals and principles? She was the one who framed me by lowly methods. I was just warning her. If Ingrid hadn't asked me to stop, I'd have gone even further! By the way, show your respect to Ingrid. She’s not a new girl but my only one forever and never!" Angeline Emmerson heard the talk standing outside the door. She used to be treated ever so lovingly by Ned in the past. Angeline felt her eyes reddening and filling with tears. The Ned she knew had died in the car accident that happened four years ago. The one inside was merely a stranger! Angeline inhaled deeply. Then, she pushed the door open. Ned looked up and saw her entering. "Who brought you here?" Angeline stared at Ned and said, "I've already made a police report regarding your spiked drink at the event and your spreading of my photos for revenge." Hearing this, everyone's reactions differed from one another. Angeline continued, "Ned Fletcher, it's true that I wanted to try rekindling our relationship, but I would never have stooped so low as to do those disgusting things to you. I didn't want to let go of this relationship because I was worried that the Ned I knew would return someday and blame me for giving up on him so easily," Angeline placed the divorce agreement she'd been hugging onto the table. "I tried my best, but I'm tired now. Ned Fletcher, I'm giving up on you. I don't want you anymore." Ned's eyes traveled from the divorce agreement to Angeline's face. There was a hint of surprise in his cold eyes. "Let's finalize the divorce after the police have cleared my name and you have publicly apologized to me." | Galaxy in the Book | 68 | https://facebook.com/61555646245426 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1715670000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841113 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682324 | 1723710530 | 858 | 302398159575876 | 6 | 7.9376878362617E+15 | 1716274800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 220948471097418 | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | 120211846693390779 | qweasdzxconline.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | 😍Read the next chapters👉 | https://qweasdzxconline.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=11090&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1715085862 | 2.2094847109742E+14 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438129100_1146045226739178_2601865360875538189_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fLOSJhfepkYQ7kNvgHEd_wc&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYChz9Lv9Hi46YygQOTRcWVO3N7OQd15Ym_VowKXHVuLnA&oe=66584690 | person_profile | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/440747644_315502774915635_6353252339687881796_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kPZJVk2zb8oQ7kNvgFDgFVU&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYD__mO6mWyaS-XJiX9OhX8t7XcRfbo1yfMNPMeAXVO6_w&oe=66583557 | 0 | 3 | 🔞"Ned Fletcher, with how you're treating Angie right now, aren't you worried that you're going to regret it when you finally regain your memories one day? You loved her so much before and you two got married for love! Despite you forgetting your feelings about her, how could you post so many indecent photos of her on social media?" Ned spoke nonchalantly, saying, "Why are you still holding me hostage with morals and principles? She was the one who framed me by lowly methods. I was just warning her. If Ingrid hadn't asked me to stop, I'd have gone even further! By the way, show your respect to Ingrid. She’s not a new girl but my only one forever and never!" Angeline Emmerson heard the talk standing outside the door. She used to be treated ever so lovingly by Ned in the past. Angeline felt her eyes reddening and filling with tears. The Ned she knew had died in the car accident that happened four years ago. The one inside was merely a stranger! Angeline inhaled deeply. Then, she pushed the door open. Ned looked up and saw her entering. "Who brought you here?" Angeline stared at Ned and said, "I've already made a police report regarding your spiked drink at the event and your spreading of my photos for revenge." Hearing this, everyone's reactions differed from one another. Angeline continued, "Ned Fletcher, it's true that I wanted to try rekindling our relationship, but I would never have stooped so low as to do those disgusting things to you. I didn't want to let go of this relationship because I was worried that the Ned I knew would return someday and blame me for giving up on him so easily," Angeline placed the divorce agreement she'd been hugging onto the table. "I tried my best, but I'm tired now. Ned Fletcher, I'm giving up on you. I don't want you anymore." Ned's eyes traveled from the divorce agreement to Angeline's face. There was a hint of surprise in his cold eyes. "Let's finalize the divorce after the police have cleared my name and you have publicly apologized to me." | Galaxy in the Book | 68 | https://facebook.com/61555646245426 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1715670000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841115 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682324 | 1723710530 | 858 | 302398159575876 | 6 | 7.9376878362617E+15 | 1716274800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 220948471097418 | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | 120211846693390779 | qweasdzxconline.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | 😍Read the next chapters👉 | https://qweasdzxconline.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=11090&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1715085862 | 2.2094847109742E+14 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438129100_1146045226739178_2601865360875538189_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fLOSJhfepkYQ7kNvgHEd_wc&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYChz9Lv9Hi46YygQOTRcWVO3N7OQd15Ym_VowKXHVuLnA&oe=66584690 | person_profile | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/440747644_315502774915635_6353252339687881796_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kPZJVk2zb8oQ7kNvgFDgFVU&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYD__mO6mWyaS-XJiX9OhX8t7XcRfbo1yfMNPMeAXVO6_w&oe=66583557 | 0 | 3 | 🔞"Ned Fletcher, with how you're treating Angie right now, aren't you worried that you're going to regret it when you finally regain your memories one day? You loved her so much before and you two got married for love! Despite you forgetting your feelings about her, how could you post so many indecent photos of her on social media?" Ned spoke nonchalantly, saying, "Why are you still holding me hostage with morals and principles? She was the one who framed me by lowly methods. I was just warning her. If Ingrid hadn't asked me to stop, I'd have gone even further! By the way, show your respect to Ingrid. She’s not a new girl but my only one forever and never!" Angeline Emmerson heard the talk standing outside the door. She used to be treated ever so lovingly by Ned in the past. Angeline felt her eyes reddening and filling with tears. The Ned she knew had died in the car accident that happened four years ago. The one inside was merely a stranger! Angeline inhaled deeply. Then, she pushed the door open. Ned looked up and saw her entering. "Who brought you here?" Angeline stared at Ned and said, "I've already made a police report regarding your spiked drink at the event and your spreading of my photos for revenge." Hearing this, everyone's reactions differed from one another. Angeline continued, "Ned Fletcher, it's true that I wanted to try rekindling our relationship, but I would never have stooped so low as to do those disgusting things to you. I didn't want to let go of this relationship because I was worried that the Ned I knew would return someday and blame me for giving up on him so easily," Angeline placed the divorce agreement she'd been hugging onto the table. "I tried my best, but I'm tired now. Ned Fletcher, I'm giving up on you. I don't want you anymore." Ned's eyes traveled from the divorce agreement to Angeline's face. There was a hint of surprise in his cold eyes. "Let's finalize the divorce after the police have cleared my name and you have publicly apologized to me." | Galaxy in the Book | 68 | https://facebook.com/61555646245426 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1715670000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841117 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682325 | 1723710530 | 858 | 302398159575876 | 6 | 7.9376878362617E+15 | 1716274800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 220948471097418 | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | 120211846693390779 | qweasdzxconline.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | 😍Read the next chapters👉 | https://qweasdzxconline.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=11090&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1715085862 | 2.2094847109742E+14 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438129100_1146045226739178_2601865360875538189_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fLOSJhfepkYQ7kNvgHEd_wc&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYChz9Lv9Hi46YygQOTRcWVO3N7OQd15Ym_VowKXHVuLnA&oe=66584690 | person_profile | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/440747644_315502774915635_6353252339687881796_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kPZJVk2zb8oQ7kNvgFDgFVU&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYD__mO6mWyaS-XJiX9OhX8t7XcRfbo1yfMNPMeAXVO6_w&oe=66583557 | 0 | 3 | 🔞"Ned Fletcher, with how you're treating Angie right now, aren't you worried that you're going to regret it when you finally regain your memories one day? You loved her so much before and you two got married for love! Despite you forgetting your feelings about her, how could you post so many indecent photos of her on social media?" Ned spoke nonchalantly, saying, "Why are you still holding me hostage with morals and principles? She was the one who framed me by lowly methods. I was just warning her. If Ingrid hadn't asked me to stop, I'd have gone even further! By the way, show your respect to Ingrid. She’s not a new girl but my only one forever and never!" Angeline Emmerson heard the talk standing outside the door. She used to be treated ever so lovingly by Ned in the past. Angeline felt her eyes reddening and filling with tears. The Ned she knew had died in the car accident that happened four years ago. The one inside was merely a stranger! Angeline inhaled deeply. Then, she pushed the door open. Ned looked up and saw her entering. "Who brought you here?" Angeline stared at Ned and said, "I've already made a police report regarding your spiked drink at the event and your spreading of my photos for revenge." Hearing this, everyone's reactions differed from one another. Angeline continued, "Ned Fletcher, it's true that I wanted to try rekindling our relationship, but I would never have stooped so low as to do those disgusting things to you. I didn't want to let go of this relationship because I was worried that the Ned I knew would return someday and blame me for giving up on him so easily," Angeline placed the divorce agreement she'd been hugging onto the table. "I tried my best, but I'm tired now. Ned Fletcher, I'm giving up on you. I don't want you anymore." Ned's eyes traveled from the divorce agreement to Angeline's face. There was a hint of surprise in his cold eyes. "Let's finalize the divorce after the police have cleared my name and you have publicly apologized to me." | Galaxy in the Book | 68 | https://facebook.com/61555646245426 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1715670000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841119 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682325 | 1723710530 | 858 | 302398159575876 | 6 | 7.9376878362617E+15 | 1716274800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 220948471097418 | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | 120211846693390779 | qweasdzxconline.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | 😍Read the next chapters👉 | https://qweasdzxconline.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=11090&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1715085862 | 2.2094847109742E+14 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438129100_1146045226739178_2601865360875538189_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fLOSJhfepkYQ7kNvgHEd_wc&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYChz9Lv9Hi46YygQOTRcWVO3N7OQd15Ym_VowKXHVuLnA&oe=66584690 | person_profile | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/440747644_315502774915635_6353252339687881796_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kPZJVk2zb8oQ7kNvgFDgFVU&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYD__mO6mWyaS-XJiX9OhX8t7XcRfbo1yfMNPMeAXVO6_w&oe=66583557 | 0 | 3 | 🔞"Ned Fletcher, with how you're treating Angie right now, aren't you worried that you're going to regret it when you finally regain your memories one day? You loved her so much before and you two got married for love! Despite you forgetting your feelings about her, how could you post so many indecent photos of her on social media?" Ned spoke nonchalantly, saying, "Why are you still holding me hostage with morals and principles? She was the one who framed me by lowly methods. I was just warning her. If Ingrid hadn't asked me to stop, I'd have gone even further! By the way, show your respect to Ingrid. She’s not a new girl but my only one forever and never!" Angeline Emmerson heard the talk standing outside the door. She used to be treated ever so lovingly by Ned in the past. Angeline felt her eyes reddening and filling with tears. The Ned she knew had died in the car accident that happened four years ago. The one inside was merely a stranger! Angeline inhaled deeply. Then, she pushed the door open. Ned looked up and saw her entering. "Who brought you here?" Angeline stared at Ned and said, "I've already made a police report regarding your spiked drink at the event and your spreading of my photos for revenge." Hearing this, everyone's reactions differed from one another. Angeline continued, "Ned Fletcher, it's true that I wanted to try rekindling our relationship, but I would never have stooped so low as to do those disgusting things to you. I didn't want to let go of this relationship because I was worried that the Ned I knew would return someday and blame me for giving up on him so easily," Angeline placed the divorce agreement she'd been hugging onto the table. "I tried my best, but I'm tired now. Ned Fletcher, I'm giving up on you. I don't want you anymore." Ned's eyes traveled from the divorce agreement to Angeline's face. There was a hint of surprise in his cold eyes. "Let's finalize the divorce after the police have cleared my name and you have publicly apologized to me." | Galaxy in the Book | 68 | https://facebook.com/61555646245426 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1715670000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841121 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682325 | 1723710530 | 858 | 350229604734306 | 16 | 9.8242705956723E+14 | 1715324400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 220948471097418 | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | 120211846693390779 | qweasdzxconline.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | 😍Read the next chapters👉 | https://qweasdzxconline.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=11090&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1715085862 | 2.2094847109742E+14 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438129100_1146045226739178_2601865360875538189_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fLOSJhfepkYQ7kNvgHEd_wc&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYChz9Lv9Hi46YygQOTRcWVO3N7OQd15Ym_VowKXHVuLnA&oe=66584690 | person_profile | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/440747644_315502774915635_6353252339687881796_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kPZJVk2zb8oQ7kNvgFDgFVU&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYD__mO6mWyaS-XJiX9OhX8t7XcRfbo1yfMNPMeAXVO6_w&oe=66583557 | 0 | 3 | 🔞"Ned Fletcher, with how you're treating Angie right now, aren't you worried that you're going to regret it when you finally regain your memories one day? You loved her so much before and you two got married for love! Despite you forgetting your feelings about her, how could you post so many indecent photos of her on social media?" Ned spoke nonchalantly, saying, "Why are you still holding me hostage with morals and principles? She was the one who framed me by lowly methods. I was just warning her. If Ingrid hadn't asked me to stop, I'd have gone even further! By the way, show your respect to Ingrid. She’s not a new girl but my only one forever and never!" Angeline Emmerson heard the talk standing outside the door. She used to be treated ever so lovingly by Ned in the past. Angeline felt her eyes reddening and filling with tears. The Ned she knew had died in the car accident that happened four years ago. The one inside was merely a stranger! Angeline inhaled deeply. Then, she pushed the door open. Ned looked up and saw her entering. "Who brought you here?" Angeline stared at Ned and said, "I've already made a police report regarding your spiked drink at the event and your spreading of my photos for revenge." Hearing this, everyone's reactions differed from one another. Angeline continued, "Ned Fletcher, it's true that I wanted to try rekindling our relationship, but I would never have stooped so low as to do those disgusting things to you. I didn't want to let go of this relationship because I was worried that the Ned I knew would return someday and blame me for giving up on him so easily," Angeline placed the divorce agreement she'd been hugging onto the table. "I tried my best, but I'm tired now. Ned Fletcher, I'm giving up on you. I don't want you anymore." Ned's eyes traveled from the divorce agreement to Angeline's face. There was a hint of surprise in his cold eyes. "Let's finalize the divorce after the police have cleared my name and you have publicly apologized to me." | Galaxy in the Book | 68 | https://facebook.com/61555646245426 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1715151600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841123 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682325 | 1723710530 | 858 | 350229604734306 | 16 | 9.8242705956723E+14 | 1715324400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 220948471097418 | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | 120211846693390779 | qweasdzxconline.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | 😍Read the next chapters👉 | https://qweasdzxconline.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=11090&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1715085862 | 2.2094847109742E+14 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438129100_1146045226739178_2601865360875538189_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fLOSJhfepkYQ7kNvgHEd_wc&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYChz9Lv9Hi46YygQOTRcWVO3N7OQd15Ym_VowKXHVuLnA&oe=66584690 | person_profile | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/440747644_315502774915635_6353252339687881796_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kPZJVk2zb8oQ7kNvgFDgFVU&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYD__mO6mWyaS-XJiX9OhX8t7XcRfbo1yfMNPMeAXVO6_w&oe=66583557 | 0 | 3 | 🔞"Ned Fletcher, with how you're treating Angie right now, aren't you worried that you're going to regret it when you finally regain your memories one day? You loved her so much before and you two got married for love! Despite you forgetting your feelings about her, how could you post so many indecent photos of her on social media?" Ned spoke nonchalantly, saying, "Why are you still holding me hostage with morals and principles? She was the one who framed me by lowly methods. I was just warning her. If Ingrid hadn't asked me to stop, I'd have gone even further! By the way, show your respect to Ingrid. She’s not a new girl but my only one forever and never!" Angeline Emmerson heard the talk standing outside the door. She used to be treated ever so lovingly by Ned in the past. Angeline felt her eyes reddening and filling with tears. The Ned she knew had died in the car accident that happened four years ago. The one inside was merely a stranger! Angeline inhaled deeply. Then, she pushed the door open. Ned looked up and saw her entering. "Who brought you here?" Angeline stared at Ned and said, "I've already made a police report regarding your spiked drink at the event and your spreading of my photos for revenge." Hearing this, everyone's reactions differed from one another. Angeline continued, "Ned Fletcher, it's true that I wanted to try rekindling our relationship, but I would never have stooped so low as to do those disgusting things to you. I didn't want to let go of this relationship because I was worried that the Ned I knew would return someday and blame me for giving up on him so easily," Angeline placed the divorce agreement she'd been hugging onto the table. "I tried my best, but I'm tired now. Ned Fletcher, I'm giving up on you. I don't want you anymore." Ned's eyes traveled from the divorce agreement to Angeline's face. There was a hint of surprise in his cold eyes. "Let's finalize the divorce after the police have cleared my name and you have publicly apologized to me." | Galaxy in the Book | 68 | https://facebook.com/61555646245426 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1715151600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841125 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682325 | 1723710530 | 858 | 350229604734306 | 16 | 9.8242705956723E+14 | 1715324400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 220948471097418 | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | 120211846693390779 | qweasdzxconline.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | 😍Read the next chapters👉 | https://qweasdzxconline.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=11090&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1715085862 | 2.2094847109742E+14 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438129100_1146045226739178_2601865360875538189_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fLOSJhfepkYQ7kNvgHEd_wc&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYChz9Lv9Hi46YygQOTRcWVO3N7OQd15Ym_VowKXHVuLnA&oe=66584690 | person_profile | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/440747644_315502774915635_6353252339687881796_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kPZJVk2zb8oQ7kNvgFDgFVU&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYD__mO6mWyaS-XJiX9OhX8t7XcRfbo1yfMNPMeAXVO6_w&oe=66583557 | 0 | 3 | 🔞"Ned Fletcher, with how you're treating Angie right now, aren't you worried that you're going to regret it when you finally regain your memories one day? You loved her so much before and you two got married for love! Despite you forgetting your feelings about her, how could you post so many indecent photos of her on social media?" Ned spoke nonchalantly, saying, "Why are you still holding me hostage with morals and principles? She was the one who framed me by lowly methods. I was just warning her. If Ingrid hadn't asked me to stop, I'd have gone even further! By the way, show your respect to Ingrid. She’s not a new girl but my only one forever and never!" Angeline Emmerson heard the talk standing outside the door. She used to be treated ever so lovingly by Ned in the past. Angeline felt her eyes reddening and filling with tears. The Ned she knew had died in the car accident that happened four years ago. The one inside was merely a stranger! Angeline inhaled deeply. Then, she pushed the door open. Ned looked up and saw her entering. "Who brought you here?" Angeline stared at Ned and said, "I've already made a police report regarding your spiked drink at the event and your spreading of my photos for revenge." Hearing this, everyone's reactions differed from one another. Angeline continued, "Ned Fletcher, it's true that I wanted to try rekindling our relationship, but I would never have stooped so low as to do those disgusting things to you. I didn't want to let go of this relationship because I was worried that the Ned I knew would return someday and blame me for giving up on him so easily," Angeline placed the divorce agreement she'd been hugging onto the table. "I tried my best, but I'm tired now. Ned Fletcher, I'm giving up on you. I don't want you anymore." Ned's eyes traveled from the divorce agreement to Angeline's face. There was a hint of surprise in his cold eyes. "Let's finalize the divorce after the police have cleared my name and you have publicly apologized to me." | Galaxy in the Book | 68 | https://facebook.com/61555646245426 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1715151600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841127 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682325 | 1723710530 | 858 | 350229604734306 | 16 | 9.8242705956723E+14 | 1715324400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 220948471097418 | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | 120211846693390779 | qweasdzxconline.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | 😍Read the next chapters👉 | https://qweasdzxconline.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=11090&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1715085862 | 2.2094847109742E+14 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438129100_1146045226739178_2601865360875538189_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fLOSJhfepkYQ7kNvgHEd_wc&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYChz9Lv9Hi46YygQOTRcWVO3N7OQd15Ym_VowKXHVuLnA&oe=66584690 | person_profile | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/440747644_315502774915635_6353252339687881796_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kPZJVk2zb8oQ7kNvgFDgFVU&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYD__mO6mWyaS-XJiX9OhX8t7XcRfbo1yfMNPMeAXVO6_w&oe=66583557 | 0 | 3 | 🔞"Ned Fletcher, with how you're treating Angie right now, aren't you worried that you're going to regret it when you finally regain your memories one day? You loved her so much before and you two got married for love! Despite you forgetting your feelings about her, how could you post so many indecent photos of her on social media?" Ned spoke nonchalantly, saying, "Why are you still holding me hostage with morals and principles? She was the one who framed me by lowly methods. I was just warning her. If Ingrid hadn't asked me to stop, I'd have gone even further! By the way, show your respect to Ingrid. She’s not a new girl but my only one forever and never!" Angeline Emmerson heard the talk standing outside the door. She used to be treated ever so lovingly by Ned in the past. Angeline felt her eyes reddening and filling with tears. The Ned she knew had died in the car accident that happened four years ago. The one inside was merely a stranger! Angeline inhaled deeply. Then, she pushed the door open. Ned looked up and saw her entering. "Who brought you here?" Angeline stared at Ned and said, "I've already made a police report regarding your spiked drink at the event and your spreading of my photos for revenge." Hearing this, everyone's reactions differed from one another. Angeline continued, "Ned Fletcher, it's true that I wanted to try rekindling our relationship, but I would never have stooped so low as to do those disgusting things to you. I didn't want to let go of this relationship because I was worried that the Ned I knew would return someday and blame me for giving up on him so easily," Angeline placed the divorce agreement she'd been hugging onto the table. "I tried my best, but I'm tired now. Ned Fletcher, I'm giving up on you. I don't want you anymore." Ned's eyes traveled from the divorce agreement to Angeline's face. There was a hint of surprise in his cold eyes. "Let's finalize the divorce after the police have cleared my name and you have publicly apologized to me." | Galaxy in the Book | 68 | https://facebook.com/61555646245426 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1715151600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841129 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682325 | 1723710530 | 858 | 350229604734306 | 16 | 9.8242705956723E+14 | 1715324400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 220948471097418 | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | 120211846693390779 | qweasdzxconline.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | 😍Read the next chapters👉 | https://qweasdzxconline.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=11090&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1715085862 | 2.2094847109742E+14 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438129100_1146045226739178_2601865360875538189_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fLOSJhfepkYQ7kNvgHEd_wc&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYChz9Lv9Hi46YygQOTRcWVO3N7OQd15Ym_VowKXHVuLnA&oe=66584690 | person_profile | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/440747644_315502774915635_6353252339687881796_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kPZJVk2zb8oQ7kNvgFDgFVU&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYD__mO6mWyaS-XJiX9OhX8t7XcRfbo1yfMNPMeAXVO6_w&oe=66583557 | 0 | 3 | 🔞"Ned Fletcher, with how you're treating Angie right now, aren't you worried that you're going to regret it when you finally regain your memories one day? You loved her so much before and you two got married for love! Despite you forgetting your feelings about her, how could you post so many indecent photos of her on social media?" Ned spoke nonchalantly, saying, "Why are you still holding me hostage with morals and principles? She was the one who framed me by lowly methods. I was just warning her. If Ingrid hadn't asked me to stop, I'd have gone even further! By the way, show your respect to Ingrid. She’s not a new girl but my only one forever and never!" Angeline Emmerson heard the talk standing outside the door. She used to be treated ever so lovingly by Ned in the past. Angeline felt her eyes reddening and filling with tears. The Ned she knew had died in the car accident that happened four years ago. The one inside was merely a stranger! Angeline inhaled deeply. Then, she pushed the door open. Ned looked up and saw her entering. "Who brought you here?" Angeline stared at Ned and said, "I've already made a police report regarding your spiked drink at the event and your spreading of my photos for revenge." Hearing this, everyone's reactions differed from one another. Angeline continued, "Ned Fletcher, it's true that I wanted to try rekindling our relationship, but I would never have stooped so low as to do those disgusting things to you. I didn't want to let go of this relationship because I was worried that the Ned I knew would return someday and blame me for giving up on him so easily," Angeline placed the divorce agreement she'd been hugging onto the table. "I tried my best, but I'm tired now. Ned Fletcher, I'm giving up on you. I don't want you anymore." Ned's eyes traveled from the divorce agreement to Angeline's face. There was a hint of surprise in his cold eyes. "Let's finalize the divorce after the police have cleared my name and you have publicly apologized to me." | Galaxy in the Book | 68 | https://facebook.com/61555646245426 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1715151600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841131 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682325 | 1723710530 | 858 | 472704218538310 | 12 | 8.4162250112428E+14 | 1715929200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 220948471097418 | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | 120211846693390779 | qweasdzxconline.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | 😍Read the next chapters👉 | https://qweasdzxconline.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=11090&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1715085862 | 2.2094847109742E+14 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438129100_1146045226739178_2601865360875538189_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fLOSJhfepkYQ7kNvgHEd_wc&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYChz9Lv9Hi46YygQOTRcWVO3N7OQd15Ym_VowKXHVuLnA&oe=66584690 | person_profile | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/440747644_315502774915635_6353252339687881796_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kPZJVk2zb8oQ7kNvgFDgFVU&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYD__mO6mWyaS-XJiX9OhX8t7XcRfbo1yfMNPMeAXVO6_w&oe=66583557 | 0 | 3 | 🔞"Ned Fletcher, with how you're treating Angie right now, aren't you worried that you're going to regret it when you finally regain your memories one day? You loved her so much before and you two got married for love! Despite you forgetting your feelings about her, how could you post so many indecent photos of her on social media?" Ned spoke nonchalantly, saying, "Why are you still holding me hostage with morals and principles? She was the one who framed me by lowly methods. I was just warning her. If Ingrid hadn't asked me to stop, I'd have gone even further! By the way, show your respect to Ingrid. She’s not a new girl but my only one forever and never!" Angeline Emmerson heard the talk standing outside the door. She used to be treated ever so lovingly by Ned in the past. Angeline felt her eyes reddening and filling with tears. The Ned she knew had died in the car accident that happened four years ago. The one inside was merely a stranger! Angeline inhaled deeply. Then, she pushed the door open. Ned looked up and saw her entering. "Who brought you here?" Angeline stared at Ned and said, "I've already made a police report regarding your spiked drink at the event and your spreading of my photos for revenge." Hearing this, everyone's reactions differed from one another. Angeline continued, "Ned Fletcher, it's true that I wanted to try rekindling our relationship, but I would never have stooped so low as to do those disgusting things to you. I didn't want to let go of this relationship because I was worried that the Ned I knew would return someday and blame me for giving up on him so easily," Angeline placed the divorce agreement she'd been hugging onto the table. "I tried my best, but I'm tired now. Ned Fletcher, I'm giving up on you. I don't want you anymore." Ned's eyes traveled from the divorce agreement to Angeline's face. There was a hint of surprise in his cold eyes. "Let's finalize the divorce after the police have cleared my name and you have publicly apologized to me." | Galaxy in the Book | 68 | https://facebook.com/61555646245426 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1715583600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841133 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682325 | 1723710530 | 858 | 472704218538310 | 12 | 8.4162250112428E+14 | 1715929200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 220948471097418 | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | 120211846693390779 | qweasdzxconline.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | 😍Read the next chapters👉 | https://qweasdzxconline.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=11090&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1715085862 | 2.2094847109742E+14 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438129100_1146045226739178_2601865360875538189_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fLOSJhfepkYQ7kNvgHEd_wc&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYChz9Lv9Hi46YygQOTRcWVO3N7OQd15Ym_VowKXHVuLnA&oe=66584690 | person_profile | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/440747644_315502774915635_6353252339687881796_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kPZJVk2zb8oQ7kNvgFDgFVU&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYD__mO6mWyaS-XJiX9OhX8t7XcRfbo1yfMNPMeAXVO6_w&oe=66583557 | 0 | 3 | 🔞"Ned Fletcher, with how you're treating Angie right now, aren't you worried that you're going to regret it when you finally regain your memories one day? You loved her so much before and you two got married for love! Despite you forgetting your feelings about her, how could you post so many indecent photos of her on social media?" Ned spoke nonchalantly, saying, "Why are you still holding me hostage with morals and principles? She was the one who framed me by lowly methods. I was just warning her. If Ingrid hadn't asked me to stop, I'd have gone even further! By the way, show your respect to Ingrid. She’s not a new girl but my only one forever and never!" Angeline Emmerson heard the talk standing outside the door. She used to be treated ever so lovingly by Ned in the past. Angeline felt her eyes reddening and filling with tears. The Ned she knew had died in the car accident that happened four years ago. The one inside was merely a stranger! Angeline inhaled deeply. Then, she pushed the door open. Ned looked up and saw her entering. "Who brought you here?" Angeline stared at Ned and said, "I've already made a police report regarding your spiked drink at the event and your spreading of my photos for revenge." Hearing this, everyone's reactions differed from one another. Angeline continued, "Ned Fletcher, it's true that I wanted to try rekindling our relationship, but I would never have stooped so low as to do those disgusting things to you. I didn't want to let go of this relationship because I was worried that the Ned I knew would return someday and blame me for giving up on him so easily," Angeline placed the divorce agreement she'd been hugging onto the table. "I tried my best, but I'm tired now. Ned Fletcher, I'm giving up on you. I don't want you anymore." Ned's eyes traveled from the divorce agreement to Angeline's face. There was a hint of surprise in his cold eyes. "Let's finalize the divorce after the police have cleared my name and you have publicly apologized to me." | Galaxy in the Book | 68 | https://facebook.com/61555646245426 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1715583600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841135 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682325 | 1723710530 | 858 | 472704218538310 | 12 | 8.4162250112428E+14 | 1715929200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 220948471097418 | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | 120211846693390779 | qweasdzxconline.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | 😍Read the next chapters👉 | https://qweasdzxconline.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=11090&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1715085862 | 2.2094847109742E+14 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438129100_1146045226739178_2601865360875538189_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fLOSJhfepkYQ7kNvgHEd_wc&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYChz9Lv9Hi46YygQOTRcWVO3N7OQd15Ym_VowKXHVuLnA&oe=66584690 | person_profile | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/440747644_315502774915635_6353252339687881796_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kPZJVk2zb8oQ7kNvgFDgFVU&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYD__mO6mWyaS-XJiX9OhX8t7XcRfbo1yfMNPMeAXVO6_w&oe=66583557 | 0 | 3 | 🔞"Ned Fletcher, with how you're treating Angie right now, aren't you worried that you're going to regret it when you finally regain your memories one day? You loved her so much before and you two got married for love! Despite you forgetting your feelings about her, how could you post so many indecent photos of her on social media?" Ned spoke nonchalantly, saying, "Why are you still holding me hostage with morals and principles? She was the one who framed me by lowly methods. I was just warning her. If Ingrid hadn't asked me to stop, I'd have gone even further! By the way, show your respect to Ingrid. She’s not a new girl but my only one forever and never!" Angeline Emmerson heard the talk standing outside the door. She used to be treated ever so lovingly by Ned in the past. Angeline felt her eyes reddening and filling with tears. The Ned she knew had died in the car accident that happened four years ago. The one inside was merely a stranger! Angeline inhaled deeply. Then, she pushed the door open. Ned looked up and saw her entering. "Who brought you here?" Angeline stared at Ned and said, "I've already made a police report regarding your spiked drink at the event and your spreading of my photos for revenge." Hearing this, everyone's reactions differed from one another. Angeline continued, "Ned Fletcher, it's true that I wanted to try rekindling our relationship, but I would never have stooped so low as to do those disgusting things to you. I didn't want to let go of this relationship because I was worried that the Ned I knew would return someday and blame me for giving up on him so easily," Angeline placed the divorce agreement she'd been hugging onto the table. "I tried my best, but I'm tired now. Ned Fletcher, I'm giving up on you. I don't want you anymore." Ned's eyes traveled from the divorce agreement to Angeline's face. There was a hint of surprise in his cold eyes. "Let's finalize the divorce after the police have cleared my name and you have publicly apologized to me." | Galaxy in the Book | 68 | https://facebook.com/61555646245426 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1715583600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841137 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682325 | 1723710530 | 858 | 472704218538310 | 12 | 8.4162250112428E+14 | 1715929200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 220948471097418 | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | 120211846693390779 | qweasdzxconline.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | 😍Read the next chapters👉 | https://qweasdzxconline.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=11090&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1715085862 | 2.2094847109742E+14 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438129100_1146045226739178_2601865360875538189_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fLOSJhfepkYQ7kNvgHEd_wc&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYChz9Lv9Hi46YygQOTRcWVO3N7OQd15Ym_VowKXHVuLnA&oe=66584690 | person_profile | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/440747644_315502774915635_6353252339687881796_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kPZJVk2zb8oQ7kNvgFDgFVU&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYD__mO6mWyaS-XJiX9OhX8t7XcRfbo1yfMNPMeAXVO6_w&oe=66583557 | 0 | 3 | 🔞"Ned Fletcher, with how you're treating Angie right now, aren't you worried that you're going to regret it when you finally regain your memories one day? You loved her so much before and you two got married for love! Despite you forgetting your feelings about her, how could you post so many indecent photos of her on social media?" Ned spoke nonchalantly, saying, "Why are you still holding me hostage with morals and principles? She was the one who framed me by lowly methods. I was just warning her. If Ingrid hadn't asked me to stop, I'd have gone even further! By the way, show your respect to Ingrid. She’s not a new girl but my only one forever and never!" Angeline Emmerson heard the talk standing outside the door. She used to be treated ever so lovingly by Ned in the past. Angeline felt her eyes reddening and filling with tears. The Ned she knew had died in the car accident that happened four years ago. The one inside was merely a stranger! Angeline inhaled deeply. Then, she pushed the door open. Ned looked up and saw her entering. "Who brought you here?" Angeline stared at Ned and said, "I've already made a police report regarding your spiked drink at the event and your spreading of my photos for revenge." Hearing this, everyone's reactions differed from one another. Angeline continued, "Ned Fletcher, it's true that I wanted to try rekindling our relationship, but I would never have stooped so low as to do those disgusting things to you. I didn't want to let go of this relationship because I was worried that the Ned I knew would return someday and blame me for giving up on him so easily," Angeline placed the divorce agreement she'd been hugging onto the table. "I tried my best, but I'm tired now. Ned Fletcher, I'm giving up on you. I don't want you anymore." Ned's eyes traveled from the divorce agreement to Angeline's face. There was a hint of surprise in his cold eyes. "Let's finalize the divorce after the police have cleared my name and you have publicly apologized to me." | Galaxy in the Book | 68 | https://facebook.com/61555646245426 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1715583600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841139 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682325 | 1723710530 | 858 | 472704218538310 | 12 | 8.4162250112428E+14 | 1715929200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 220948471097418 | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | 120211846693390779 | qweasdzxconline.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | 😍Read the next chapters👉 | https://qweasdzxconline.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=11090&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1715085862 | 2.2094847109742E+14 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438129100_1146045226739178_2601865360875538189_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fLOSJhfepkYQ7kNvgHEd_wc&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYChz9Lv9Hi46YygQOTRcWVO3N7OQd15Ym_VowKXHVuLnA&oe=66584690 | person_profile | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/440747644_315502774915635_6353252339687881796_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kPZJVk2zb8oQ7kNvgFDgFVU&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYD__mO6mWyaS-XJiX9OhX8t7XcRfbo1yfMNPMeAXVO6_w&oe=66583557 | 0 | 3 | 🔞"Ned Fletcher, with how you're treating Angie right now, aren't you worried that you're going to regret it when you finally regain your memories one day? You loved her so much before and you two got married for love! Despite you forgetting your feelings about her, how could you post so many indecent photos of her on social media?" Ned spoke nonchalantly, saying, "Why are you still holding me hostage with morals and principles? She was the one who framed me by lowly methods. I was just warning her. If Ingrid hadn't asked me to stop, I'd have gone even further! By the way, show your respect to Ingrid. She’s not a new girl but my only one forever and never!" Angeline Emmerson heard the talk standing outside the door. She used to be treated ever so lovingly by Ned in the past. Angeline felt her eyes reddening and filling with tears. The Ned she knew had died in the car accident that happened four years ago. The one inside was merely a stranger! Angeline inhaled deeply. Then, she pushed the door open. Ned looked up and saw her entering. "Who brought you here?" Angeline stared at Ned and said, "I've already made a police report regarding your spiked drink at the event and your spreading of my photos for revenge." Hearing this, everyone's reactions differed from one another. Angeline continued, "Ned Fletcher, it's true that I wanted to try rekindling our relationship, but I would never have stooped so low as to do those disgusting things to you. I didn't want to let go of this relationship because I was worried that the Ned I knew would return someday and blame me for giving up on him so easily," Angeline placed the divorce agreement she'd been hugging onto the table. "I tried my best, but I'm tired now. Ned Fletcher, I'm giving up on you. I don't want you anymore." Ned's eyes traveled from the divorce agreement to Angeline's face. There was a hint of surprise in his cold eyes. "Let's finalize the divorce after the police have cleared my name and you have publicly apologized to me." | Galaxy in the Book | 68 | https://facebook.com/61555646245426 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1715583600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841143 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682326 | 1723710530 | 858 | 478272224667453 | 1 | 9.8867341249763E+14 | 1715497200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 220948471097418 | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | 120208322655090240 | beokn.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | 😍Read the next chapters👉 | https://beokn.com/market/buenovela/3?lpid=11222&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1715247646 | 2.2094847109742E+14 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441959051_459948103069197_1403971259308613209_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=GMbylYSvS5gQ7kNvgEIq7eL&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYC81AOB8TCCDLAHyeDy1n4tMuAEwz6U5oRPerAbMIXi6g&oe=6658579C | person_profile | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441520392_1857443494727194_4363879934185925189_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=uMrutYUE9y8Q7kNvgFcuNQB&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYCx-HziBm_aJGb_ZR-phjgqMqsEYGEFIB3qb95a_YwOAA&oe=6658462A | 0 | 3 | Melody Swanson had her cell phone's torch turned on to light the path to a white cottage amidst the lavenders. The night breeze was chilly, but all she had on was a white, sleeveless nightgown and lounge slippers. Her expression lifted when she saw she was getting close to the cottage. But the next second, someone reached out from the bushes beside her and gripped her right shoulder tightly. She yelped in shock, dropping her phone onto the ground. The faint light disappeared. The next thing she knew, she was dragged into a hot embrace. "I'll give you a million for one night!" The man's voice rang out behind her. It was deep and smooth. Melody's heart raced at this plot twist. Before she knew it, she'd been flipped onto her front and pinned to the ground amidst the sea of flowers. She widened her eyes and flailed, trying to escape. "No, wait! You've got the wrong person!" "Stop moving, sweetheart. Or are you that desperate for it?" the man rasped. "Let me go!" Melody struggled harder, but the man's tall and toned figure held her in place as he flipped her onto her back. She started feeling scared. She widened her eyes even more, but all she could see were the stars in the sky behind the man's head. There was barely enough light for her to see the man's chiseled features—the desire burning in his eyes was clear as day, though. It was almost as bright as the stars above. Melody tried her best to escape but to no avail. Pain shot through her; the man leaned down to kiss her and swallow her cries. After a long while, he spoke again. His voice was alluring and hoarse. "You're so sweet, darling. I'll give you a million for another round. How about that?" "You're a monster!" Melody's voice was also hoarse from her crying. How could he do something like this to her in such a saintly place? The wind lifted her dress, stained purple by the lavenders they'd crushed underneath them. The scent was oddly intoxicating. They were in Violetville, which was famous for its sea of lavenders. It was so picturesque that many film companies had been attracted to film there. It gradually turned into a filming base. Recently, John Wales, an internationally renowned director, brought a crew of award-winning actors and actresses to Violetville to film a huge production. He'd happened to catch sight of Melody, who was home from college for the holidays. He'd invited her to play the role of an important side character. Melody hadn't expected her sister, Queenie Swanson, to trick her out of the house in the middle of the night upon hearing the news. Queenie had locked the door and refused to open it no matter how she pleaded. Their parents heard everything but did nothing to stop Queenie. The words Queenie had said not too long ago were still reverberating in Melody's mind. "You were capable of catching that director's eye, weren't you? Is it because you've already slept with him? What are you still doing here, then? Go sleep in his hotel room! I won't open the door for you, so get lost!" With no place to go, Melody had no choice but to take shelter in the white cottage amidst the sea of flowers, which was only meant for sightseeing. She hadn't expected to experience something like this, though. Her family's betrayal and the man's advances made her tears flow. They wet the flowers crushed underneath her body. Melody didn't know how long it would take for the man to be sated; it was as if he would never tire. When the sky started turning bright, he finally stopped. He released her hands, which he'd kept pinned in place. Melody immediately grabbed the nearest object and smashed it over the man's head. He'd been saying, "Tell me your name, sweet—" Melody smashed a rock on his head before he could finish. He didn't manage to dodge it—perhaps he was too relaxed after having had his fill of her. Chapter 2 The man swayed on the spot from the impact. Melody pushed him away; he lay there, looking up at her blearily. She lifted the rock, intending to strike him again. This was self-defense! But the words echoed hollowly in her mind—she couldn't do it—she couldn't take his life. Even of a monster, it would stain her forever. Ultimately, she threw the bloodied rock aside and staggered to her feet. She took a step and happened to kick her phone. Melody picked it up and pulled out the cash tucked underneath her phone case. It was the change she'd gotten after doing some grocery shopping. She threw it at the man and snarled, "Listen up—I bought your services for one night, and that's your fee. Keep the change! And don't think it's too little. That's all you're worth!" With that, she turned and stumbled out of the sea of lavenders. The man's vision was already starting to blur. The blood trickled down his forehead and over his eyes. It dyed his vision red as he watched Melody walk away from him. The color of the flowers' stains on her nightgown seemed to mix with the blood in his eyes, giving him the impression that the flowers were blossoming. He was reminded of the night they'd just had together. "Don't go…" he mumbled, reaching for her. But the darkness overtook him. The luxury watch on his wrist gleamed as his hand fell to the ground limply. … Two months later, there was an uproar at the Swanson residence. "You're expecting a baby before marriage! You're a disgrace to the Swanson family! Get out of here!" Horace Swanson shoved Melody away furiously. "This is a small town, and the people here are all good, honest people. How could you pick up all these bad habits from those celebrities whose private lives are so messed up? Leave now! I'll just act like I never gave birth to you!" Susan Lett waved a hand, looking utterly disappointed. "You should leave, Melody. If the neighbors hear about this, how do you expect Mom and Dad to continue living here? I'm not married yet, you know. I don't want you to affect my reputation." Queenie stabbed an apple slice with a toothpick and ate it. She sat on the couch, looking like she was enjoying the show. Melody pointed at her. "Queenie's the one who locked me out of the house that night because she wanted to get the chance to be in that film! That's why I ended up getting assaulted. Why do you guys refuse to believe me?" Horace stood up and stormed over to her, giving her a hard slap. "Shut up, you imbecile! You're the one who did something so shameless, yet you're still trying to push the blame onto your sister! Don't ever step foot in here again!" "I raised your sister myself, so I know how kind and loving she is. How can you say that about her?" Susan pulled Queenie, who looked aggrieved, into her arms. She gave Melody, who'd fallen to the floor from Horace's slap, a reproachful look. "Is it really like Madam Williams said, Mom? Am I not your daughter? Is that why you won't believe me?" Melody didn't want to cry, but the tears refused to stay in her eyes. They streamed down her face. "You… Of course you're my daughter! That's why I know what a bad apple you are! How dare you try to blame me when your misbehavior? Leave! Now!" "Fine! I'll go!" Melody staggered to her feet and walked out the door, looking resolute and lonely. … Five years passed in the blink of an eye. Ford Manor was located among a cluster of villas halfway up a mountain in Tottenstone. Ethan Ford was having the same dream again. The woman in his dream wore a white dress, as usual. She had a long, silky smooth hair. He couldn't see her face, though. She didn't seem to enjoy his ministrations—she cried and pleaded with him to let her go, but he couldn't stop himself from sinking deeper. He held her close. In the next second, he opened his eyes and woke up from the dream. Chapter 3 It was this dream again. Ethan had experienced it almost every night for the past five years. No other woman had managed to arouse him since that incident—only the woman in his dreams could. He'd had the same dream for 1,826 days, including today. Even if he was already used to it, Ethan was still irritated. He wiped the sweat from his face; even his hair was damp. He got out of bed. His perfect figure was like a model's, but his face was more handsome than any model could ever have. His demeanor was cold, regal, and domineering. Ethan took a moment to compose himself. He strode to the bathroom after pushing the steamy images out of his mind. The butler, Bill Jones, heard this and came into the room. He quickly changed the soiled sheets. He'd just finished when Ethan came out of the bathroom with nothing but a towel around his waist. As soon as he graced the room with his toned figure, the atmosphere turned somewhat sensual. Bill stood there with his head bowed. When he saw Ethan head to the wardrobe, he said, "Ms. Wendy Nielson called to invite you out for dinner, Mr. Ford. Should I make arrangements? It's high time you let loose and have some fun, sir." Wendy was the daughter of a politician and one of the most well-known socialites in the region. She'd invited Ethan out countless times since running into him at a banquet a year ago. Ethan grabbed a black shirt and put it on, his back muscles rolling as he did so. He didn't even turn back as he said, "You're too noisy." Bill knew this meant Ethan was turning down the invitation. He didn't dare say anything else. 40 minutes later, Ethan strode out of the villa. His assistant, James Sawyer, hurriedly opened the door to a luxury car parked outside. Ethan got into the car elegantly. As the car drove past the main gates, Ethan glanced at the rearview mirror to see two bodyguards stop a woman in a cap and tracksuit. She tried to run after the car; her ponytail swung with her actions. Ethan retracted his gaze and said to James, "Tell the bodyguards they're out of jobs if I see any strangers as soon as I leave the house again." Sweat beaded on James' forehead. "Yes, sir." "Have you found anything on that woman from five years ago?" Ethan tugged on his tie, his eyes cold. He didn't even need to look at anyone to make them shudder. James stuttered, "N-Not yet, sir." "I'll give you another month. If you can't find anything, you can get lost, too!" Unbeknownst to Ethan, the woman he was searching for was behind him. Her figure became smaller and smaller in the rearview mirror. "Mr. Ford, don't go!" Melody finally liberated herself from the bodyguards, but she wasn't in time to catch up with the car. She wanted to run after it, but the bodyguards stopped her again. Amidst the tussle, she fell to the floor and landed on her arm. Pain shot through her. She raised her head to look at the car, but it was long gone. Oh no! It had already been a month—she'd staked out every place that Ethan could possibly be at, but someone had stopped her every time. She couldn't even get close to him. It had taken all her connections to get Ethan's address; she'd waited outside for him from 3:00 am onward for several days in a row. Still, she'd failed to even get close to him, let alone speak to him. "Mr. Sawyer just called us. If you show up here again tomorrow, you'll have to pay!" one of the bodyguards warned. Melody looked back at them and pleaded, "Can you please just let me see Mr. Ford? I only have a few things to say to him—it'll only take five minutes! It's about something important, I swear. This has to do with someone's life!" Chapter 4 "Every woman who wants to see Mr. Ford says they need him to save lives! He's not interested in you, okay? There's no point throwing yourself at him," one bodyguard snapped. "Get lost! Don't come here anymore!" another said. They looked like they would resort to violence if Melody refused to leave. She had no choice but to get up and trudge down the mountain, looking glum. "It's rare to see such a gorgeous woman. I'm sure she'd be set for life if she were to go after some other rich kid. Too bad she's greedy—doesn't she realize where she is? Even Phoebe Shaw, that award-winning actress, isn't worthy of shining Mr. Ford's shoes, let alone her!" one bodyguard said. "You're right about her not knowing her place, but I have to say that she's a lot prettier than Phoebe Shaw," the other said. They continued chatting as they headed into the villa. … It was already the afternoon by the time Melody returned to the hospital. She saw Clive Zimmerman's attending physician, Tom Filbert, come out of the hospital room before Clive's. She hurried over to him. "Dr. Filbert, how has Clive been recently?" "Oh, Mrs. Zimmerman. I've already made your husband's condition clear to you—we need to find a matching donor as soon as possible for the bone marrow transplant. Otherwise…" Tom shook his head. Melody paled. Tom continued, "The hospital's been searching for a matching donor, but your husband's condition is deteriorating too quickly. He's running out of time. "As his family, you need to work with us. Try to think of any relatives he might have and bring them to the hospital so we can check their bone marrow. Maybe one of them might be a match…" Melody paled even more. Tom continued talking, but she couldn't really hear him anymore. She asked with difficulty, "How long does he still have if we can't find a donor?" Tom shook his head. "The bone marrow transplant has to be done within a month. Otherwise, he'll only have three to five months at most." Melody clenched her jaw; her expression became resolute. "I've already found a bone marrow that matches Clive's, but the person hasn't agreed to become a donor yet. I'll find a way to persuade him! "Please make the necessary arrangements for the transplant, Dr. Filbert. I'll bring the donor over before the surgery!" "That's great! I'll arrange for the transplant to be done in ten days, then. Remember to bring the donor over as soon as possible—he needs to be checked before the surgery." "Alright." Melody nodded. But once Tom was gone, she slumped against the wall weakly. What was she going to do? The surgery was in ten days, but she'd made zero progress. She hadn't even gotten close to Ethan, let alone persuaded him to donate his bone marrow to Clive. Ethan was the wealthiest man in Emperia, after all. A hair on his head was worth more than most other individuals' lives. Even if she did manage to speak to him, how was she going to get him to agree to help Clive? What was she going to do? Melody approached Clive's hospital room. Before she opened the door, she heard her children, Jacob and Jamie Swanson, singing. They were singing an Enolian song that had been dedicated to the singer's father. Melody peeped inside through the window on the door. Jacob and Jamie wore identical uniforms as they stood hand-in-hand before the window. The sunlight shone down on them, and they swayed on the spot while singing. Clive sat up in bed, also basking in the sunlight as he clapped his hands to the beat of the song. The hospital gown he had on looked too big for him because of the weight he'd lost, and he looked rather haggard. It didn't take away from his good looks, though. There was a gentle smile on his face. He didn't look like a patient who was on the brink of death. Instead, he looked like a patron of the arts—one who was enjoying a grand musical. Melody's eyes turned red. She turned away to dry her tears. Chapter 5 Five years ago, Melody had been kicked out of her home without a penny. At the time, she'd already carried Jacob and Jamie. When she'd been backed into a corner, Clive had taken her in. Not only had he helped her quit school, but he'd also taken care of her the whole time. Later, he'd even offered to marry her so that Jacob and Jamie wouldn't end up becoming illegitimate children. He'd helped her too many times to count over the years—she had to repay him. His parents and relatives were all dead, and he now had serious disease. If she were to give up on him, he could only wait for death to take him. He was still so young and outstanding; this wasn't the end he deserved! No matter what, Melody had to convince Ethan to donate his bone marrow to Clive. She didn't care how difficult it would be! … That night, Melody hid in a storage room at Privo Country Club, Tottenstone's most exclusive club. An auction was being held there that night, and it had taken her some time to find out that Ethan would be in attendance. Anyone who could get an invitation to the auction had to be a bigwig in Emperia's business world or an influential politician; Melody was neither, so she didn't have an invitation. Fortunately, she'd heard about the organizers of the auction holding something of a show for young women at the very end of the auction. It was supposed to be a show, but it was more like the young women were auctioning off their first time. Like regular auctions, the highest bidder would get. As long as Melody could blend in with them, she would have the chance to get to Ethan. At the moment, the young women who were being auctioned were standing by in the waiting room opposite the storage room. Melody was waiting for a chance to sneak in when she suddenly heard a muffled conversation outside. "Come with me!" "Listen to me, Ned. I came here willingly—as long as someone bids on me tonight, we'll have money for your mother's medical bills. It's worth giving up my cherry to save her life!" "I don't need you to sacrifice yourself for me like this, Elaine! I love you! I've managed to get the money, so let's go!" "Really?" "Yeah!" "That's great! Let's go!" The footsteps faded into the distance. Melody came out of the storage room. She picked up the clothes and name tag that read "Elaine Johnson" from the floor and smiled as she looked down the corridor. She wished the couple all the best and also thanked them for this opportunity. An hour later, Melody stood barefoot on the marble floor, wearing only a bikini as she waited for her turn. "Next, let's welcome the beautiful Ms. Elaine Johnson, our eighth participant of the night! She's still a college student, everyone." The host's voice rang out on the other side of the curtain. Suddenly, Melody hesitated. She'd never worn anything so revealing in public before. "Get in there! What are you doing?" When an employee saw her standing there dazedly, he pushed her. She was caught off guard and stumbled onto the stage. The blinding spotlight landed on her; she could sense countless men staring at her. Melody stood there stiffly, so helpless that she was unable to move. Ethan wasn't the slightest bit interested in these things. He'd intended to leave immediately after the auction was over, but Wayne Smith of Ditham Corporation had approached him for a chat. He'd answered him perfunctorily while glancing at the stage. Then, he saw Melody. He narrowed his eyes and sat up, the laziness he'd earlier displayed fading from sight. The lights reflected off Melody's fair skin; they made her look like she was almost glowing. She didn't strut and show her stuff like those women before her. Instead, she stood there with her head bowed so no one could see what she looked like. All they could see was her silky smooth hair. But to Ethan, the sight of her was enough to arouse him. It was like a fire had started burning in him. On stage, Melody remained silent, feeling pierced by the men's gazes. They made her feel like she was standing there in her birthday suit. Chapter 6 Melody knew she couldn't act like this. She was here to look for Ethan; she had to save Clive's life! She couldn't act like this! She clenched her jaw and raised her head, revealing her innocent yet sensual face to the crowd. After a round of gasps, auction paddles flew into the air. "100,000!" "200,000!" "500,000!" "580,000!" … Melody couldn't hear the sound of the bidding anymore—she was too anxious to track Ethan down. He was the wealthiest man in Emperia and the CEO of Regalia International, so he frequently made headlines. She'd long since committed his handsome face to memory. But before she could locate him, she felt a strong sense of oppression coming her way. She instinctively looked at the direction from which it had come. Then, she met a man's gaze. His eyes were cold and calm, yet there seemed to be molten lava buried within them. She could sense his kingly demeanor as his eyes threatened to suck her in. Melody lowered her head. He was terrifying. When Ethan saw her drop her head to avoid his gaze, he smirked. Wayne noticed this and stopped talking to glance at the stage. Then, his eyes lit up, and he chuckled. "She's a gorgeous one, isn't she? Are you interested in her, Mr. Ford?" Ethan didn't answer. Instead, he lifted a hand. James hurried forward to await his instruction. "I want her!" Ethan said. Then, he stood up and strode off. Several people had been bidding on Melody, but they stopped when they saw Ethan stand up. They got to their feet simultaneously to see him off. James hurriedly held up the auction paddle in his hand. He didn't even need to call out a price—no one else would dare bid on Melody. Who would dare to do so now that they knew Ethan was interested in her? They'd be getting themselves a one-way ticket to bankruptcy if they were to try to fight him for her. On stage, the host cried excitedly, "Oh! Mr. Ford's won the auction for our lovely Ms. Johnson! Looks like someone's in luck!" Melody didn't know how she was led off stage. She followed the employees dazedly and asked them incredulously, "Is Mr. Ford really the one who bid on me? Mr. Ethan Ford? The CEO of Regalia International?" The employees could totally understand why she was acting like this. Anyone would be out of their minds with joy if Ethan were to pick them. "Would there be anyone else with that name? Congratulations, miss. Come with me, please. I'll take you to get your clothes changed. We don't want to keep Mr. Ford waiting." "She's so lucky!" "It's not like she has such a great figure. She's not even that pretty!" "Why didn't he pick me? That was Ethan Ford! I would've paid to be with him!" "Yeah, keep dreaming. You wouldn't be worthy of him even if you were to give up everything you own! Didn't you hear about the granddaughter of some country's leader trying and failing to spend a night with Mr. Ford? She offered to pay him a hefty sum, too!" … As Melody followed the employees away, she heard the other women participating in the auction whispering among themselves about her. None of their words registered, though. She was still in disbelief that she'd succeeded just like that. Things had gone so smoothly! How was she going to beg him to agree to donate his bone marrow? Would he be moved if she were to get on her knees before him? Ten minutes later, Melody had changed into a white strappy minidress and a matching pair of 4-inch heels. She was brought to the 28th floor. | Galaxy in the Book | 68 | https://facebook.com/61555646245426 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1715324400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841145 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682326 | 1723710531 | 858 | 478272224667453 | 1 | 9.8867341249763E+14 | 1715497200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 220948471097418 | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | 120208322655090240 | beokn.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | 😍Read the next chapters👉 | https://beokn.com/market/buenovela/3?lpid=11222&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1715247646 | 2.2094847109742E+14 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441959051_459948103069197_1403971259308613209_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=GMbylYSvS5gQ7kNvgEIq7eL&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYC81AOB8TCCDLAHyeDy1n4tMuAEwz6U5oRPerAbMIXi6g&oe=6658579C | person_profile | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441520392_1857443494727194_4363879934185925189_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=uMrutYUE9y8Q7kNvgFcuNQB&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYCx-HziBm_aJGb_ZR-phjgqMqsEYGEFIB3qb95a_YwOAA&oe=6658462A | 0 | 3 | Melody Swanson had her cell phone's torch turned on to light the path to a white cottage amidst the lavenders. The night breeze was chilly, but all she had on was a white, sleeveless nightgown and lounge slippers. Her expression lifted when she saw she was getting close to the cottage. But the next second, someone reached out from the bushes beside her and gripped her right shoulder tightly. She yelped in shock, dropping her phone onto the ground. The faint light disappeared. The next thing she knew, she was dragged into a hot embrace. "I'll give you a million for one night!" The man's voice rang out behind her. It was deep and smooth. Melody's heart raced at this plot twist. Before she knew it, she'd been flipped onto her front and pinned to the ground amidst the sea of flowers. She widened her eyes and flailed, trying to escape. "No, wait! You've got the wrong person!" "Stop moving, sweetheart. Or are you that desperate for it?" the man rasped. "Let me go!" Melody struggled harder, but the man's tall and toned figure held her in place as he flipped her onto her back. She started feeling scared. She widened her eyes even more, but all she could see were the stars in the sky behind the man's head. There was barely enough light for her to see the man's chiseled features—the desire burning in his eyes was clear as day, though. It was almost as bright as the stars above. Melody tried her best to escape but to no avail. Pain shot through her; the man leaned down to kiss her and swallow her cries. After a long while, he spoke again. His voice was alluring and hoarse. "You're so sweet, darling. I'll give you a million for another round. How about that?" "You're a monster!" Melody's voice was also hoarse from her crying. How could he do something like this to her in such a saintly place? The wind lifted her dress, stained purple by the lavenders they'd crushed underneath them. The scent was oddly intoxicating. They were in Violetville, which was famous for its sea of lavenders. It was so picturesque that many film companies had been attracted to film there. It gradually turned into a filming base. Recently, John Wales, an internationally renowned director, brought a crew of award-winning actors and actresses to Violetville to film a huge production. He'd happened to catch sight of Melody, who was home from college for the holidays. He'd invited her to play the role of an important side character. Melody hadn't expected her sister, Queenie Swanson, to trick her out of the house in the middle of the night upon hearing the news. Queenie had locked the door and refused to open it no matter how she pleaded. Their parents heard everything but did nothing to stop Queenie. The words Queenie had said not too long ago were still reverberating in Melody's mind. "You were capable of catching that director's eye, weren't you? Is it because you've already slept with him? What are you still doing here, then? Go sleep in his hotel room! I won't open the door for you, so get lost!" With no place to go, Melody had no choice but to take shelter in the white cottage amidst the sea of flowers, which was only meant for sightseeing. She hadn't expected to experience something like this, though. Her family's betrayal and the man's advances made her tears flow. They wet the flowers crushed underneath her body. Melody didn't know how long it would take for the man to be sated; it was as if he would never tire. When the sky started turning bright, he finally stopped. He released her hands, which he'd kept pinned in place. Melody immediately grabbed the nearest object and smashed it over the man's head. He'd been saying, "Tell me your name, sweet—" Melody smashed a rock on his head before he could finish. He didn't manage to dodge it—perhaps he was too relaxed after having had his fill of her. Chapter 2 The man swayed on the spot from the impact. Melody pushed him away; he lay there, looking up at her blearily. She lifted the rock, intending to strike him again. This was self-defense! But the words echoed hollowly in her mind—she couldn't do it—she couldn't take his life. Even of a monster, it would stain her forever. Ultimately, she threw the bloodied rock aside and staggered to her feet. She took a step and happened to kick her phone. Melody picked it up and pulled out the cash tucked underneath her phone case. It was the change she'd gotten after doing some grocery shopping. She threw it at the man and snarled, "Listen up—I bought your services for one night, and that's your fee. Keep the change! And don't think it's too little. That's all you're worth!" With that, she turned and stumbled out of the sea of lavenders. The man's vision was already starting to blur. The blood trickled down his forehead and over his eyes. It dyed his vision red as he watched Melody walk away from him. The color of the flowers' stains on her nightgown seemed to mix with the blood in his eyes, giving him the impression that the flowers were blossoming. He was reminded of the night they'd just had together. "Don't go…" he mumbled, reaching for her. But the darkness overtook him. The luxury watch on his wrist gleamed as his hand fell to the ground limply. … Two months later, there was an uproar at the Swanson residence. "You're expecting a baby before marriage! You're a disgrace to the Swanson family! Get out of here!" Horace Swanson shoved Melody away furiously. "This is a small town, and the people here are all good, honest people. How could you pick up all these bad habits from those celebrities whose private lives are so messed up? Leave now! I'll just act like I never gave birth to you!" Susan Lett waved a hand, looking utterly disappointed. "You should leave, Melody. If the neighbors hear about this, how do you expect Mom and Dad to continue living here? I'm not married yet, you know. I don't want you to affect my reputation." Queenie stabbed an apple slice with a toothpick and ate it. She sat on the couch, looking like she was enjoying the show. Melody pointed at her. "Queenie's the one who locked me out of the house that night because she wanted to get the chance to be in that film! That's why I ended up getting assaulted. Why do you guys refuse to believe me?" Horace stood up and stormed over to her, giving her a hard slap. "Shut up, you imbecile! You're the one who did something so shameless, yet you're still trying to push the blame onto your sister! Don't ever step foot in here again!" "I raised your sister myself, so I know how kind and loving she is. How can you say that about her?" Susan pulled Queenie, who looked aggrieved, into her arms. She gave Melody, who'd fallen to the floor from Horace's slap, a reproachful look. "Is it really like Madam Williams said, Mom? Am I not your daughter? Is that why you won't believe me?" Melody didn't want to cry, but the tears refused to stay in her eyes. They streamed down her face. "You… Of course you're my daughter! That's why I know what a bad apple you are! How dare you try to blame me when your misbehavior? Leave! Now!" "Fine! I'll go!" Melody staggered to her feet and walked out the door, looking resolute and lonely. … Five years passed in the blink of an eye. Ford Manor was located among a cluster of villas halfway up a mountain in Tottenstone. Ethan Ford was having the same dream again. The woman in his dream wore a white dress, as usual. She had a long, silky smooth hair. He couldn't see her face, though. She didn't seem to enjoy his ministrations—she cried and pleaded with him to let her go, but he couldn't stop himself from sinking deeper. He held her close. In the next second, he opened his eyes and woke up from the dream. Chapter 3 It was this dream again. Ethan had experienced it almost every night for the past five years. No other woman had managed to arouse him since that incident—only the woman in his dreams could. He'd had the same dream for 1,826 days, including today. Even if he was already used to it, Ethan was still irritated. He wiped the sweat from his face; even his hair was damp. He got out of bed. His perfect figure was like a model's, but his face was more handsome than any model could ever have. His demeanor was cold, regal, and domineering. Ethan took a moment to compose himself. He strode to the bathroom after pushing the steamy images out of his mind. The butler, Bill Jones, heard this and came into the room. He quickly changed the soiled sheets. He'd just finished when Ethan came out of the bathroom with nothing but a towel around his waist. As soon as he graced the room with his toned figure, the atmosphere turned somewhat sensual. Bill stood there with his head bowed. When he saw Ethan head to the wardrobe, he said, "Ms. Wendy Nielson called to invite you out for dinner, Mr. Ford. Should I make arrangements? It's high time you let loose and have some fun, sir." Wendy was the daughter of a politician and one of the most well-known socialites in the region. She'd invited Ethan out countless times since running into him at a banquet a year ago. Ethan grabbed a black shirt and put it on, his back muscles rolling as he did so. He didn't even turn back as he said, "You're too noisy." Bill knew this meant Ethan was turning down the invitation. He didn't dare say anything else. 40 minutes later, Ethan strode out of the villa. His assistant, James Sawyer, hurriedly opened the door to a luxury car parked outside. Ethan got into the car elegantly. As the car drove past the main gates, Ethan glanced at the rearview mirror to see two bodyguards stop a woman in a cap and tracksuit. She tried to run after the car; her ponytail swung with her actions. Ethan retracted his gaze and said to James, "Tell the bodyguards they're out of jobs if I see any strangers as soon as I leave the house again." Sweat beaded on James' forehead. "Yes, sir." "Have you found anything on that woman from five years ago?" Ethan tugged on his tie, his eyes cold. He didn't even need to look at anyone to make them shudder. James stuttered, "N-Not yet, sir." "I'll give you another month. If you can't find anything, you can get lost, too!" Unbeknownst to Ethan, the woman he was searching for was behind him. Her figure became smaller and smaller in the rearview mirror. "Mr. Ford, don't go!" Melody finally liberated herself from the bodyguards, but she wasn't in time to catch up with the car. She wanted to run after it, but the bodyguards stopped her again. Amidst the tussle, she fell to the floor and landed on her arm. Pain shot through her. She raised her head to look at the car, but it was long gone. Oh no! It had already been a month—she'd staked out every place that Ethan could possibly be at, but someone had stopped her every time. She couldn't even get close to him. It had taken all her connections to get Ethan's address; she'd waited outside for him from 3:00 am onward for several days in a row. Still, she'd failed to even get close to him, let alone speak to him. "Mr. Sawyer just called us. If you show up here again tomorrow, you'll have to pay!" one of the bodyguards warned. Melody looked back at them and pleaded, "Can you please just let me see Mr. Ford? I only have a few things to say to him—it'll only take five minutes! It's about something important, I swear. This has to do with someone's life!" Chapter 4 "Every woman who wants to see Mr. Ford says they need him to save lives! He's not interested in you, okay? There's no point throwing yourself at him," one bodyguard snapped. "Get lost! Don't come here anymore!" another said. They looked like they would resort to violence if Melody refused to leave. She had no choice but to get up and trudge down the mountain, looking glum. "It's rare to see such a gorgeous woman. I'm sure she'd be set for life if she were to go after some other rich kid. Too bad she's greedy—doesn't she realize where she is? Even Phoebe Shaw, that award-winning actress, isn't worthy of shining Mr. Ford's shoes, let alone her!" one bodyguard said. "You're right about her not knowing her place, but I have to say that she's a lot prettier than Phoebe Shaw," the other said. They continued chatting as they headed into the villa. … It was already the afternoon by the time Melody returned to the hospital. She saw Clive Zimmerman's attending physician, Tom Filbert, come out of the hospital room before Clive's. She hurried over to him. "Dr. Filbert, how has Clive been recently?" "Oh, Mrs. Zimmerman. I've already made your husband's condition clear to you—we need to find a matching donor as soon as possible for the bone marrow transplant. Otherwise…" Tom shook his head. Melody paled. Tom continued, "The hospital's been searching for a matching donor, but your husband's condition is deteriorating too quickly. He's running out of time. "As his family, you need to work with us. Try to think of any relatives he might have and bring them to the hospital so we can check their bone marrow. Maybe one of them might be a match…" Melody paled even more. Tom continued talking, but she couldn't really hear him anymore. She asked with difficulty, "How long does he still have if we can't find a donor?" Tom shook his head. "The bone marrow transplant has to be done within a month. Otherwise, he'll only have three to five months at most." Melody clenched her jaw; her expression became resolute. "I've already found a bone marrow that matches Clive's, but the person hasn't agreed to become a donor yet. I'll find a way to persuade him! "Please make the necessary arrangements for the transplant, Dr. Filbert. I'll bring the donor over before the surgery!" "That's great! I'll arrange for the transplant to be done in ten days, then. Remember to bring the donor over as soon as possible—he needs to be checked before the surgery." "Alright." Melody nodded. But once Tom was gone, she slumped against the wall weakly. What was she going to do? The surgery was in ten days, but she'd made zero progress. She hadn't even gotten close to Ethan, let alone persuaded him to donate his bone marrow to Clive. Ethan was the wealthiest man in Emperia, after all. A hair on his head was worth more than most other individuals' lives. Even if she did manage to speak to him, how was she going to get him to agree to help Clive? What was she going to do? Melody approached Clive's hospital room. Before she opened the door, she heard her children, Jacob and Jamie Swanson, singing. They were singing an Enolian song that had been dedicated to the singer's father. Melody peeped inside through the window on the door. Jacob and Jamie wore identical uniforms as they stood hand-in-hand before the window. The sunlight shone down on them, and they swayed on the spot while singing. Clive sat up in bed, also basking in the sunlight as he clapped his hands to the beat of the song. The hospital gown he had on looked too big for him because of the weight he'd lost, and he looked rather haggard. It didn't take away from his good looks, though. There was a gentle smile on his face. He didn't look like a patient who was on the brink of death. Instead, he looked like a patron of the arts—one who was enjoying a grand musical. Melody's eyes turned red. She turned away to dry her tears. Chapter 5 Five years ago, Melody had been kicked out of her home without a penny. At the time, she'd already carried Jacob and Jamie. When she'd been backed into a corner, Clive had taken her in. Not only had he helped her quit school, but he'd also taken care of her the whole time. Later, he'd even offered to marry her so that Jacob and Jamie wouldn't end up becoming illegitimate children. He'd helped her too many times to count over the years—she had to repay him. His parents and relatives were all dead, and he now had serious disease. If she were to give up on him, he could only wait for death to take him. He was still so young and outstanding; this wasn't the end he deserved! No matter what, Melody had to convince Ethan to donate his bone marrow to Clive. She didn't care how difficult it would be! … That night, Melody hid in a storage room at Privo Country Club, Tottenstone's most exclusive club. An auction was being held there that night, and it had taken her some time to find out that Ethan would be in attendance. Anyone who could get an invitation to the auction had to be a bigwig in Emperia's business world or an influential politician; Melody was neither, so she didn't have an invitation. Fortunately, she'd heard about the organizers of the auction holding something of a show for young women at the very end of the auction. It was supposed to be a show, but it was more like the young women were auctioning off their first time. Like regular auctions, the highest bidder would get. As long as Melody could blend in with them, she would have the chance to get to Ethan. At the moment, the young women who were being auctioned were standing by in the waiting room opposite the storage room. Melody was waiting for a chance to sneak in when she suddenly heard a muffled conversation outside. "Come with me!" "Listen to me, Ned. I came here willingly—as long as someone bids on me tonight, we'll have money for your mother's medical bills. It's worth giving up my cherry to save her life!" "I don't need you to sacrifice yourself for me like this, Elaine! I love you! I've managed to get the money, so let's go!" "Really?" "Yeah!" "That's great! Let's go!" The footsteps faded into the distance. Melody came out of the storage room. She picked up the clothes and name tag that read "Elaine Johnson" from the floor and smiled as she looked down the corridor. She wished the couple all the best and also thanked them for this opportunity. An hour later, Melody stood barefoot on the marble floor, wearing only a bikini as she waited for her turn. "Next, let's welcome the beautiful Ms. Elaine Johnson, our eighth participant of the night! She's still a college student, everyone." The host's voice rang out on the other side of the curtain. Suddenly, Melody hesitated. She'd never worn anything so revealing in public before. "Get in there! What are you doing?" When an employee saw her standing there dazedly, he pushed her. She was caught off guard and stumbled onto the stage. The blinding spotlight landed on her; she could sense countless men staring at her. Melody stood there stiffly, so helpless that she was unable to move. Ethan wasn't the slightest bit interested in these things. He'd intended to leave immediately after the auction was over, but Wayne Smith of Ditham Corporation had approached him for a chat. He'd answered him perfunctorily while glancing at the stage. Then, he saw Melody. He narrowed his eyes and sat up, the laziness he'd earlier displayed fading from sight. The lights reflected off Melody's fair skin; they made her look like she was almost glowing. She didn't strut and show her stuff like those women before her. Instead, she stood there with her head bowed so no one could see what she looked like. All they could see was her silky smooth hair. But to Ethan, the sight of her was enough to arouse him. It was like a fire had started burning in him. On stage, Melody remained silent, feeling pierced by the men's gazes. They made her feel like she was standing there in her birthday suit. Chapter 6 Melody knew she couldn't act like this. She was here to look for Ethan; she had to save Clive's life! She couldn't act like this! She clenched her jaw and raised her head, revealing her innocent yet sensual face to the crowd. After a round of gasps, auction paddles flew into the air. "100,000!" "200,000!" "500,000!" "580,000!" … Melody couldn't hear the sound of the bidding anymore—she was too anxious to track Ethan down. He was the wealthiest man in Emperia and the CEO of Regalia International, so he frequently made headlines. She'd long since committed his handsome face to memory. But before she could locate him, she felt a strong sense of oppression coming her way. She instinctively looked at the direction from which it had come. Then, she met a man's gaze. His eyes were cold and calm, yet there seemed to be molten lava buried within them. She could sense his kingly demeanor as his eyes threatened to suck her in. Melody lowered her head. He was terrifying. When Ethan saw her drop her head to avoid his gaze, he smirked. Wayne noticed this and stopped talking to glance at the stage. Then, his eyes lit up, and he chuckled. "She's a gorgeous one, isn't she? Are you interested in her, Mr. Ford?" Ethan didn't answer. Instead, he lifted a hand. James hurried forward to await his instruction. "I want her!" Ethan said. Then, he stood up and strode off. Several people had been bidding on Melody, but they stopped when they saw Ethan stand up. They got to their feet simultaneously to see him off. James hurriedly held up the auction paddle in his hand. He didn't even need to call out a price—no one else would dare bid on Melody. Who would dare to do so now that they knew Ethan was interested in her? They'd be getting themselves a one-way ticket to bankruptcy if they were to try to fight him for her. On stage, the host cried excitedly, "Oh! Mr. Ford's won the auction for our lovely Ms. Johnson! Looks like someone's in luck!" Melody didn't know how she was led off stage. She followed the employees dazedly and asked them incredulously, "Is Mr. Ford really the one who bid on me? Mr. Ethan Ford? The CEO of Regalia International?" The employees could totally understand why she was acting like this. Anyone would be out of their minds with joy if Ethan were to pick them. "Would there be anyone else with that name? Congratulations, miss. Come with me, please. I'll take you to get your clothes changed. We don't want to keep Mr. Ford waiting." "She's so lucky!" "It's not like she has such a great figure. She's not even that pretty!" "Why didn't he pick me? That was Ethan Ford! I would've paid to be with him!" "Yeah, keep dreaming. You wouldn't be worthy of him even if you were to give up everything you own! Didn't you hear about the granddaughter of some country's leader trying and failing to spend a night with Mr. Ford? She offered to pay him a hefty sum, too!" … As Melody followed the employees away, she heard the other women participating in the auction whispering among themselves about her. None of their words registered, though. She was still in disbelief that she'd succeeded just like that. Things had gone so smoothly! How was she going to beg him to agree to donate his bone marrow? Would he be moved if she were to get on her knees before him? Ten minutes later, Melody had changed into a white strappy minidress and a matching pair of 4-inch heels. She was brought to the 28th floor. | Galaxy in the Book | 68 | https://facebook.com/61555646245426 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1715324400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841147 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682326 | 1723710531 | 858 | 478272224667453 | 1 | 9.8867341249763E+14 | 1715497200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 220948471097418 | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | 120208322655090240 | beokn.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | 😍Read the next chapters👉 | https://beokn.com/market/buenovela/3?lpid=11222&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1715247646 | 2.2094847109742E+14 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441959051_459948103069197_1403971259308613209_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=GMbylYSvS5gQ7kNvgEIq7eL&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYC81AOB8TCCDLAHyeDy1n4tMuAEwz6U5oRPerAbMIXi6g&oe=6658579C | person_profile | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441520392_1857443494727194_4363879934185925189_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=uMrutYUE9y8Q7kNvgFcuNQB&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYCx-HziBm_aJGb_ZR-phjgqMqsEYGEFIB3qb95a_YwOAA&oe=6658462A | 0 | 3 | Melody Swanson had her cell phone's torch turned on to light the path to a white cottage amidst the lavenders. The night breeze was chilly, but all she had on was a white, sleeveless nightgown and lounge slippers. Her expression lifted when she saw she was getting close to the cottage. But the next second, someone reached out from the bushes beside her and gripped her right shoulder tightly. She yelped in shock, dropping her phone onto the ground. The faint light disappeared. The next thing she knew, she was dragged into a hot embrace. "I'll give you a million for one night!" The man's voice rang out behind her. It was deep and smooth. Melody's heart raced at this plot twist. Before she knew it, she'd been flipped onto her front and pinned to the ground amidst the sea of flowers. She widened her eyes and flailed, trying to escape. "No, wait! You've got the wrong person!" "Stop moving, sweetheart. Or are you that desperate for it?" the man rasped. "Let me go!" Melody struggled harder, but the man's tall and toned figure held her in place as he flipped her onto her back. She started feeling scared. She widened her eyes even more, but all she could see were the stars in the sky behind the man's head. There was barely enough light for her to see the man's chiseled features—the desire burning in his eyes was clear as day, though. It was almost as bright as the stars above. Melody tried her best to escape but to no avail. Pain shot through her; the man leaned down to kiss her and swallow her cries. After a long while, he spoke again. His voice was alluring and hoarse. "You're so sweet, darling. I'll give you a million for another round. How about that?" "You're a monster!" Melody's voice was also hoarse from her crying. How could he do something like this to her in such a saintly place? The wind lifted her dress, stained purple by the lavenders they'd crushed underneath them. The scent was oddly intoxicating. They were in Violetville, which was famous for its sea of lavenders. It was so picturesque that many film companies had been attracted to film there. It gradually turned into a filming base. Recently, John Wales, an internationally renowned director, brought a crew of award-winning actors and actresses to Violetville to film a huge production. He'd happened to catch sight of Melody, who was home from college for the holidays. He'd invited her to play the role of an important side character. Melody hadn't expected her sister, Queenie Swanson, to trick her out of the house in the middle of the night upon hearing the news. Queenie had locked the door and refused to open it no matter how she pleaded. Their parents heard everything but did nothing to stop Queenie. The words Queenie had said not too long ago were still reverberating in Melody's mind. "You were capable of catching that director's eye, weren't you? Is it because you've already slept with him? What are you still doing here, then? Go sleep in his hotel room! I won't open the door for you, so get lost!" With no place to go, Melody had no choice but to take shelter in the white cottage amidst the sea of flowers, which was only meant for sightseeing. She hadn't expected to experience something like this, though. Her family's betrayal and the man's advances made her tears flow. They wet the flowers crushed underneath her body. Melody didn't know how long it would take for the man to be sated; it was as if he would never tire. When the sky started turning bright, he finally stopped. He released her hands, which he'd kept pinned in place. Melody immediately grabbed the nearest object and smashed it over the man's head. He'd been saying, "Tell me your name, sweet—" Melody smashed a rock on his head before he could finish. He didn't manage to dodge it—perhaps he was too relaxed after having had his fill of her. Chapter 2 The man swayed on the spot from the impact. Melody pushed him away; he lay there, looking up at her blearily. She lifted the rock, intending to strike him again. This was self-defense! But the words echoed hollowly in her mind—she couldn't do it—she couldn't take his life. Even of a monster, it would stain her forever. Ultimately, she threw the bloodied rock aside and staggered to her feet. She took a step and happened to kick her phone. Melody picked it up and pulled out the cash tucked underneath her phone case. It was the change she'd gotten after doing some grocery shopping. She threw it at the man and snarled, "Listen up—I bought your services for one night, and that's your fee. Keep the change! And don't think it's too little. That's all you're worth!" With that, she turned and stumbled out of the sea of lavenders. The man's vision was already starting to blur. The blood trickled down his forehead and over his eyes. It dyed his vision red as he watched Melody walk away from him. The color of the flowers' stains on her nightgown seemed to mix with the blood in his eyes, giving him the impression that the flowers were blossoming. He was reminded of the night they'd just had together. "Don't go…" he mumbled, reaching for her. But the darkness overtook him. The luxury watch on his wrist gleamed as his hand fell to the ground limply. … Two months later, there was an uproar at the Swanson residence. "You're expecting a baby before marriage! You're a disgrace to the Swanson family! Get out of here!" Horace Swanson shoved Melody away furiously. "This is a small town, and the people here are all good, honest people. How could you pick up all these bad habits from those celebrities whose private lives are so messed up? Leave now! I'll just act like I never gave birth to you!" Susan Lett waved a hand, looking utterly disappointed. "You should leave, Melody. If the neighbors hear about this, how do you expect Mom and Dad to continue living here? I'm not married yet, you know. I don't want you to affect my reputation." Queenie stabbed an apple slice with a toothpick and ate it. She sat on the couch, looking like she was enjoying the show. Melody pointed at her. "Queenie's the one who locked me out of the house that night because she wanted to get the chance to be in that film! That's why I ended up getting assaulted. Why do you guys refuse to believe me?" Horace stood up and stormed over to her, giving her a hard slap. "Shut up, you imbecile! You're the one who did something so shameless, yet you're still trying to push the blame onto your sister! Don't ever step foot in here again!" "I raised your sister myself, so I know how kind and loving she is. How can you say that about her?" Susan pulled Queenie, who looked aggrieved, into her arms. She gave Melody, who'd fallen to the floor from Horace's slap, a reproachful look. "Is it really like Madam Williams said, Mom? Am I not your daughter? Is that why you won't believe me?" Melody didn't want to cry, but the tears refused to stay in her eyes. They streamed down her face. "You… Of course you're my daughter! That's why I know what a bad apple you are! How dare you try to blame me when your misbehavior? Leave! Now!" "Fine! I'll go!" Melody staggered to her feet and walked out the door, looking resolute and lonely. … Five years passed in the blink of an eye. Ford Manor was located among a cluster of villas halfway up a mountain in Tottenstone. Ethan Ford was having the same dream again. The woman in his dream wore a white dress, as usual. She had a long, silky smooth hair. He couldn't see her face, though. She didn't seem to enjoy his ministrations—she cried and pleaded with him to let her go, but he couldn't stop himself from sinking deeper. He held her close. In the next second, he opened his eyes and woke up from the dream. Chapter 3 It was this dream again. Ethan had experienced it almost every night for the past five years. No other woman had managed to arouse him since that incident—only the woman in his dreams could. He'd had the same dream for 1,826 days, including today. Even if he was already used to it, Ethan was still irritated. He wiped the sweat from his face; even his hair was damp. He got out of bed. His perfect figure was like a model's, but his face was more handsome than any model could ever have. His demeanor was cold, regal, and domineering. Ethan took a moment to compose himself. He strode to the bathroom after pushing the steamy images out of his mind. The butler, Bill Jones, heard this and came into the room. He quickly changed the soiled sheets. He'd just finished when Ethan came out of the bathroom with nothing but a towel around his waist. As soon as he graced the room with his toned figure, the atmosphere turned somewhat sensual. Bill stood there with his head bowed. When he saw Ethan head to the wardrobe, he said, "Ms. Wendy Nielson called to invite you out for dinner, Mr. Ford. Should I make arrangements? It's high time you let loose and have some fun, sir." Wendy was the daughter of a politician and one of the most well-known socialites in the region. She'd invited Ethan out countless times since running into him at a banquet a year ago. Ethan grabbed a black shirt and put it on, his back muscles rolling as he did so. He didn't even turn back as he said, "You're too noisy." Bill knew this meant Ethan was turning down the invitation. He didn't dare say anything else. 40 minutes later, Ethan strode out of the villa. His assistant, James Sawyer, hurriedly opened the door to a luxury car parked outside. Ethan got into the car elegantly. As the car drove past the main gates, Ethan glanced at the rearview mirror to see two bodyguards stop a woman in a cap and tracksuit. She tried to run after the car; her ponytail swung with her actions. Ethan retracted his gaze and said to James, "Tell the bodyguards they're out of jobs if I see any strangers as soon as I leave the house again." Sweat beaded on James' forehead. "Yes, sir." "Have you found anything on that woman from five years ago?" Ethan tugged on his tie, his eyes cold. He didn't even need to look at anyone to make them shudder. James stuttered, "N-Not yet, sir." "I'll give you another month. If you can't find anything, you can get lost, too!" Unbeknownst to Ethan, the woman he was searching for was behind him. Her figure became smaller and smaller in the rearview mirror. "Mr. Ford, don't go!" Melody finally liberated herself from the bodyguards, but she wasn't in time to catch up with the car. She wanted to run after it, but the bodyguards stopped her again. Amidst the tussle, she fell to the floor and landed on her arm. Pain shot through her. She raised her head to look at the car, but it was long gone. Oh no! It had already been a month—she'd staked out every place that Ethan could possibly be at, but someone had stopped her every time. She couldn't even get close to him. It had taken all her connections to get Ethan's address; she'd waited outside for him from 3:00 am onward for several days in a row. Still, she'd failed to even get close to him, let alone speak to him. "Mr. Sawyer just called us. If you show up here again tomorrow, you'll have to pay!" one of the bodyguards warned. Melody looked back at them and pleaded, "Can you please just let me see Mr. Ford? I only have a few things to say to him—it'll only take five minutes! It's about something important, I swear. This has to do with someone's life!" Chapter 4 "Every woman who wants to see Mr. Ford says they need him to save lives! He's not interested in you, okay? There's no point throwing yourself at him," one bodyguard snapped. "Get lost! Don't come here anymore!" another said. They looked like they would resort to violence if Melody refused to leave. She had no choice but to get up and trudge down the mountain, looking glum. "It's rare to see such a gorgeous woman. I'm sure she'd be set for life if she were to go after some other rich kid. Too bad she's greedy—doesn't she realize where she is? Even Phoebe Shaw, that award-winning actress, isn't worthy of shining Mr. Ford's shoes, let alone her!" one bodyguard said. "You're right about her not knowing her place, but I have to say that she's a lot prettier than Phoebe Shaw," the other said. They continued chatting as they headed into the villa. … It was already the afternoon by the time Melody returned to the hospital. She saw Clive Zimmerman's attending physician, Tom Filbert, come out of the hospital room before Clive's. She hurried over to him. "Dr. Filbert, how has Clive been recently?" "Oh, Mrs. Zimmerman. I've already made your husband's condition clear to you—we need to find a matching donor as soon as possible for the bone marrow transplant. Otherwise…" Tom shook his head. Melody paled. Tom continued, "The hospital's been searching for a matching donor, but your husband's condition is deteriorating too quickly. He's running out of time. "As his family, you need to work with us. Try to think of any relatives he might have and bring them to the hospital so we can check their bone marrow. Maybe one of them might be a match…" Melody paled even more. Tom continued talking, but she couldn't really hear him anymore. She asked with difficulty, "How long does he still have if we can't find a donor?" Tom shook his head. "The bone marrow transplant has to be done within a month. Otherwise, he'll only have three to five months at most." Melody clenched her jaw; her expression became resolute. "I've already found a bone marrow that matches Clive's, but the person hasn't agreed to become a donor yet. I'll find a way to persuade him! "Please make the necessary arrangements for the transplant, Dr. Filbert. I'll bring the donor over before the surgery!" "That's great! I'll arrange for the transplant to be done in ten days, then. Remember to bring the donor over as soon as possible—he needs to be checked before the surgery." "Alright." Melody nodded. But once Tom was gone, she slumped against the wall weakly. What was she going to do? The surgery was in ten days, but she'd made zero progress. She hadn't even gotten close to Ethan, let alone persuaded him to donate his bone marrow to Clive. Ethan was the wealthiest man in Emperia, after all. A hair on his head was worth more than most other individuals' lives. Even if she did manage to speak to him, how was she going to get him to agree to help Clive? What was she going to do? Melody approached Clive's hospital room. Before she opened the door, she heard her children, Jacob and Jamie Swanson, singing. They were singing an Enolian song that had been dedicated to the singer's father. Melody peeped inside through the window on the door. Jacob and Jamie wore identical uniforms as they stood hand-in-hand before the window. The sunlight shone down on them, and they swayed on the spot while singing. Clive sat up in bed, also basking in the sunlight as he clapped his hands to the beat of the song. The hospital gown he had on looked too big for him because of the weight he'd lost, and he looked rather haggard. It didn't take away from his good looks, though. There was a gentle smile on his face. He didn't look like a patient who was on the brink of death. Instead, he looked like a patron of the arts—one who was enjoying a grand musical. Melody's eyes turned red. She turned away to dry her tears. Chapter 5 Five years ago, Melody had been kicked out of her home without a penny. At the time, she'd already carried Jacob and Jamie. When she'd been backed into a corner, Clive had taken her in. Not only had he helped her quit school, but he'd also taken care of her the whole time. Later, he'd even offered to marry her so that Jacob and Jamie wouldn't end up becoming illegitimate children. He'd helped her too many times to count over the years—she had to repay him. His parents and relatives were all dead, and he now had serious disease. If she were to give up on him, he could only wait for death to take him. He was still so young and outstanding; this wasn't the end he deserved! No matter what, Melody had to convince Ethan to donate his bone marrow to Clive. She didn't care how difficult it would be! … That night, Melody hid in a storage room at Privo Country Club, Tottenstone's most exclusive club. An auction was being held there that night, and it had taken her some time to find out that Ethan would be in attendance. Anyone who could get an invitation to the auction had to be a bigwig in Emperia's business world or an influential politician; Melody was neither, so she didn't have an invitation. Fortunately, she'd heard about the organizers of the auction holding something of a show for young women at the very end of the auction. It was supposed to be a show, but it was more like the young women were auctioning off their first time. Like regular auctions, the highest bidder would get. As long as Melody could blend in with them, she would have the chance to get to Ethan. At the moment, the young women who were being auctioned were standing by in the waiting room opposite the storage room. Melody was waiting for a chance to sneak in when she suddenly heard a muffled conversation outside. "Come with me!" "Listen to me, Ned. I came here willingly—as long as someone bids on me tonight, we'll have money for your mother's medical bills. It's worth giving up my cherry to save her life!" "I don't need you to sacrifice yourself for me like this, Elaine! I love you! I've managed to get the money, so let's go!" "Really?" "Yeah!" "That's great! Let's go!" The footsteps faded into the distance. Melody came out of the storage room. She picked up the clothes and name tag that read "Elaine Johnson" from the floor and smiled as she looked down the corridor. She wished the couple all the best and also thanked them for this opportunity. An hour later, Melody stood barefoot on the marble floor, wearing only a bikini as she waited for her turn. "Next, let's welcome the beautiful Ms. Elaine Johnson, our eighth participant of the night! She's still a college student, everyone." The host's voice rang out on the other side of the curtain. Suddenly, Melody hesitated. She'd never worn anything so revealing in public before. "Get in there! What are you doing?" When an employee saw her standing there dazedly, he pushed her. She was caught off guard and stumbled onto the stage. The blinding spotlight landed on her; she could sense countless men staring at her. Melody stood there stiffly, so helpless that she was unable to move. Ethan wasn't the slightest bit interested in these things. He'd intended to leave immediately after the auction was over, but Wayne Smith of Ditham Corporation had approached him for a chat. He'd answered him perfunctorily while glancing at the stage. Then, he saw Melody. He narrowed his eyes and sat up, the laziness he'd earlier displayed fading from sight. The lights reflected off Melody's fair skin; they made her look like she was almost glowing. She didn't strut and show her stuff like those women before her. Instead, she stood there with her head bowed so no one could see what she looked like. All they could see was her silky smooth hair. But to Ethan, the sight of her was enough to arouse him. It was like a fire had started burning in him. On stage, Melody remained silent, feeling pierced by the men's gazes. They made her feel like she was standing there in her birthday suit. Chapter 6 Melody knew she couldn't act like this. She was here to look for Ethan; she had to save Clive's life! She couldn't act like this! She clenched her jaw and raised her head, revealing her innocent yet sensual face to the crowd. After a round of gasps, auction paddles flew into the air. "100,000!" "200,000!" "500,000!" "580,000!" … Melody couldn't hear the sound of the bidding anymore—she was too anxious to track Ethan down. He was the wealthiest man in Emperia and the CEO of Regalia International, so he frequently made headlines. She'd long since committed his handsome face to memory. But before she could locate him, she felt a strong sense of oppression coming her way. She instinctively looked at the direction from which it had come. Then, she met a man's gaze. His eyes were cold and calm, yet there seemed to be molten lava buried within them. She could sense his kingly demeanor as his eyes threatened to suck her in. Melody lowered her head. He was terrifying. When Ethan saw her drop her head to avoid his gaze, he smirked. Wayne noticed this and stopped talking to glance at the stage. Then, his eyes lit up, and he chuckled. "She's a gorgeous one, isn't she? Are you interested in her, Mr. Ford?" Ethan didn't answer. Instead, he lifted a hand. James hurried forward to await his instruction. "I want her!" Ethan said. Then, he stood up and strode off. Several people had been bidding on Melody, but they stopped when they saw Ethan stand up. They got to their feet simultaneously to see him off. James hurriedly held up the auction paddle in his hand. He didn't even need to call out a price—no one else would dare bid on Melody. Who would dare to do so now that they knew Ethan was interested in her? They'd be getting themselves a one-way ticket to bankruptcy if they were to try to fight him for her. On stage, the host cried excitedly, "Oh! Mr. Ford's won the auction for our lovely Ms. Johnson! Looks like someone's in luck!" Melody didn't know how she was led off stage. She followed the employees dazedly and asked them incredulously, "Is Mr. Ford really the one who bid on me? Mr. Ethan Ford? The CEO of Regalia International?" The employees could totally understand why she was acting like this. Anyone would be out of their minds with joy if Ethan were to pick them. "Would there be anyone else with that name? Congratulations, miss. Come with me, please. I'll take you to get your clothes changed. We don't want to keep Mr. Ford waiting." "She's so lucky!" "It's not like she has such a great figure. She's not even that pretty!" "Why didn't he pick me? That was Ethan Ford! I would've paid to be with him!" "Yeah, keep dreaming. You wouldn't be worthy of him even if you were to give up everything you own! Didn't you hear about the granddaughter of some country's leader trying and failing to spend a night with Mr. Ford? She offered to pay him a hefty sum, too!" … As Melody followed the employees away, she heard the other women participating in the auction whispering among themselves about her. None of their words registered, though. She was still in disbelief that she'd succeeded just like that. Things had gone so smoothly! How was she going to beg him to agree to donate his bone marrow? Would he be moved if she were to get on her knees before him? Ten minutes later, Melody had changed into a white strappy minidress and a matching pair of 4-inch heels. She was brought to the 28th floor. | Galaxy in the Book | 68 | https://facebook.com/61555646245426 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1715324400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841153 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682326 | 1723710531 | 858 | 949279386902962 | 7 | 1.4895026953017E+15 | 1716188400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 220948471097418 | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | 120211846693390779 | qweasdzxconline.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | 😍Read the next chapters👉 | https://qweasdzxconline.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=11090&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1715085862 | 2.2094847109742E+14 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438129100_1146045226739178_2601865360875538189_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fLOSJhfepkYQ7kNvgHEd_wc&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYChz9Lv9Hi46YygQOTRcWVO3N7OQd15Ym_VowKXHVuLnA&oe=66584690 | person_profile | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/440747644_315502774915635_6353252339687881796_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kPZJVk2zb8oQ7kNvgFDgFVU&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYD__mO6mWyaS-XJiX9OhX8t7XcRfbo1yfMNPMeAXVO6_w&oe=66583557 | 0 | 3 | 🔞"Ned Fletcher, with how you're treating Angie right now, aren't you worried that you're going to regret it when you finally regain your memories one day? You loved her so much before and you two got married for love! Despite you forgetting your feelings about her, how could you post so many indecent photos of her on social media?" Ned spoke nonchalantly, saying, "Why are you still holding me hostage with morals and principles? She was the one who framed me by lowly methods. I was just warning her. If Ingrid hadn't asked me to stop, I'd have gone even further! By the way, show your respect to Ingrid. She’s not a new girl but my only one forever and never!" Angeline Emmerson heard the talk standing outside the door. She used to be treated ever so lovingly by Ned in the past. Angeline felt her eyes reddening and filling with tears. The Ned she knew had died in the car accident that happened four years ago. The one inside was merely a stranger! Angeline inhaled deeply. Then, she pushed the door open. Ned looked up and saw her entering. "Who brought you here?" Angeline stared at Ned and said, "I've already made a police report regarding your spiked drink at the event and your spreading of my photos for revenge." Hearing this, everyone's reactions differed from one another. Angeline continued, "Ned Fletcher, it's true that I wanted to try rekindling our relationship, but I would never have stooped so low as to do those disgusting things to you. I didn't want to let go of this relationship because I was worried that the Ned I knew would return someday and blame me for giving up on him so easily," Angeline placed the divorce agreement she'd been hugging onto the table. "I tried my best, but I'm tired now. Ned Fletcher, I'm giving up on you. I don't want you anymore." Ned's eyes traveled from the divorce agreement to Angeline's face. There was a hint of surprise in his cold eyes. "Let's finalize the divorce after the police have cleared my name and you have publicly apologized to me." | Galaxy in the Book | 68 | https://facebook.com/61555646245426 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1716015600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841155 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682326 | 1723710531 | 858 | 949279386902962 | 7 | 1.4895026953017E+15 | 1716188400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 220948471097418 | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | 120211846693390779 | qweasdzxconline.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | 😍Read the next chapters👉 | https://qweasdzxconline.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=11090&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1715085862 | 2.2094847109742E+14 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438129100_1146045226739178_2601865360875538189_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fLOSJhfepkYQ7kNvgHEd_wc&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYChz9Lv9Hi46YygQOTRcWVO3N7OQd15Ym_VowKXHVuLnA&oe=66584690 | person_profile | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/440747644_315502774915635_6353252339687881796_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kPZJVk2zb8oQ7kNvgFDgFVU&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYD__mO6mWyaS-XJiX9OhX8t7XcRfbo1yfMNPMeAXVO6_w&oe=66583557 | 0 | 3 | 🔞"Ned Fletcher, with how you're treating Angie right now, aren't you worried that you're going to regret it when you finally regain your memories one day? You loved her so much before and you two got married for love! Despite you forgetting your feelings about her, how could you post so many indecent photos of her on social media?" Ned spoke nonchalantly, saying, "Why are you still holding me hostage with morals and principles? She was the one who framed me by lowly methods. I was just warning her. If Ingrid hadn't asked me to stop, I'd have gone even further! By the way, show your respect to Ingrid. She’s not a new girl but my only one forever and never!" Angeline Emmerson heard the talk standing outside the door. She used to be treated ever so lovingly by Ned in the past. Angeline felt her eyes reddening and filling with tears. The Ned she knew had died in the car accident that happened four years ago. The one inside was merely a stranger! Angeline inhaled deeply. Then, she pushed the door open. Ned looked up and saw her entering. "Who brought you here?" Angeline stared at Ned and said, "I've already made a police report regarding your spiked drink at the event and your spreading of my photos for revenge." Hearing this, everyone's reactions differed from one another. Angeline continued, "Ned Fletcher, it's true that I wanted to try rekindling our relationship, but I would never have stooped so low as to do those disgusting things to you. I didn't want to let go of this relationship because I was worried that the Ned I knew would return someday and blame me for giving up on him so easily," Angeline placed the divorce agreement she'd been hugging onto the table. "I tried my best, but I'm tired now. Ned Fletcher, I'm giving up on you. I don't want you anymore." Ned's eyes traveled from the divorce agreement to Angeline's face. There was a hint of surprise in his cold eyes. "Let's finalize the divorce after the police have cleared my name and you have publicly apologized to me." | Galaxy in the Book | 68 | https://facebook.com/61555646245426 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1716015600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841157 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682326 | 1723710531 | 858 | 949279386902962 | 7 | 1.4895026953017E+15 | 1716188400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 220948471097418 | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | 120211846693390779 | qweasdzxconline.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | 😍Read the next chapters👉 | https://qweasdzxconline.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=11090&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1715085862 | 2.2094847109742E+14 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438129100_1146045226739178_2601865360875538189_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fLOSJhfepkYQ7kNvgHEd_wc&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYChz9Lv9Hi46YygQOTRcWVO3N7OQd15Ym_VowKXHVuLnA&oe=66584690 | person_profile | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/440747644_315502774915635_6353252339687881796_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kPZJVk2zb8oQ7kNvgFDgFVU&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYD__mO6mWyaS-XJiX9OhX8t7XcRfbo1yfMNPMeAXVO6_w&oe=66583557 | 0 | 3 | 🔞"Ned Fletcher, with how you're treating Angie right now, aren't you worried that you're going to regret it when you finally regain your memories one day? You loved her so much before and you two got married for love! Despite you forgetting your feelings about her, how could you post so many indecent photos of her on social media?" Ned spoke nonchalantly, saying, "Why are you still holding me hostage with morals and principles? She was the one who framed me by lowly methods. I was just warning her. If Ingrid hadn't asked me to stop, I'd have gone even further! By the way, show your respect to Ingrid. She’s not a new girl but my only one forever and never!" Angeline Emmerson heard the talk standing outside the door. She used to be treated ever so lovingly by Ned in the past. Angeline felt her eyes reddening and filling with tears. The Ned she knew had died in the car accident that happened four years ago. The one inside was merely a stranger! Angeline inhaled deeply. Then, she pushed the door open. Ned looked up and saw her entering. "Who brought you here?" Angeline stared at Ned and said, "I've already made a police report regarding your spiked drink at the event and your spreading of my photos for revenge." Hearing this, everyone's reactions differed from one another. Angeline continued, "Ned Fletcher, it's true that I wanted to try rekindling our relationship, but I would never have stooped so low as to do those disgusting things to you. I didn't want to let go of this relationship because I was worried that the Ned I knew would return someday and blame me for giving up on him so easily," Angeline placed the divorce agreement she'd been hugging onto the table. "I tried my best, but I'm tired now. Ned Fletcher, I'm giving up on you. I don't want you anymore." Ned's eyes traveled from the divorce agreement to Angeline's face. There was a hint of surprise in his cold eyes. "Let's finalize the divorce after the police have cleared my name and you have publicly apologized to me." | Galaxy in the Book | 68 | https://facebook.com/61555646245426 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1716015600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841159 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682326 | 1723710531 | 858 | 949279386902962 | 7 | 1.4895026953017E+15 | 1716188400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 220948471097418 | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | 120211846693390779 | qweasdzxconline.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | 😍Read the next chapters👉 | https://qweasdzxconline.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=11090&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1715085862 | 2.2094847109742E+14 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438129100_1146045226739178_2601865360875538189_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fLOSJhfepkYQ7kNvgHEd_wc&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYChz9Lv9Hi46YygQOTRcWVO3N7OQd15Ym_VowKXHVuLnA&oe=66584690 | person_profile | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/440747644_315502774915635_6353252339687881796_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kPZJVk2zb8oQ7kNvgFDgFVU&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYD__mO6mWyaS-XJiX9OhX8t7XcRfbo1yfMNPMeAXVO6_w&oe=66583557 | 0 | 3 | 🔞"Ned Fletcher, with how you're treating Angie right now, aren't you worried that you're going to regret it when you finally regain your memories one day? You loved her so much before and you two got married for love! Despite you forgetting your feelings about her, how could you post so many indecent photos of her on social media?" Ned spoke nonchalantly, saying, "Why are you still holding me hostage with morals and principles? She was the one who framed me by lowly methods. I was just warning her. If Ingrid hadn't asked me to stop, I'd have gone even further! By the way, show your respect to Ingrid. She’s not a new girl but my only one forever and never!" Angeline Emmerson heard the talk standing outside the door. She used to be treated ever so lovingly by Ned in the past. Angeline felt her eyes reddening and filling with tears. The Ned she knew had died in the car accident that happened four years ago. The one inside was merely a stranger! Angeline inhaled deeply. Then, she pushed the door open. Ned looked up and saw her entering. "Who brought you here?" Angeline stared at Ned and said, "I've already made a police report regarding your spiked drink at the event and your spreading of my photos for revenge." Hearing this, everyone's reactions differed from one another. Angeline continued, "Ned Fletcher, it's true that I wanted to try rekindling our relationship, but I would never have stooped so low as to do those disgusting things to you. I didn't want to let go of this relationship because I was worried that the Ned I knew would return someday and blame me for giving up on him so easily," Angeline placed the divorce agreement she'd been hugging onto the table. "I tried my best, but I'm tired now. Ned Fletcher, I'm giving up on you. I don't want you anymore." Ned's eyes traveled from the divorce agreement to Angeline's face. There was a hint of surprise in his cold eyes. "Let's finalize the divorce after the police have cleared my name and you have publicly apologized to me." | Galaxy in the Book | 68 | https://facebook.com/61555646245426 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1716015600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841160 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682326 | 1723710531 | 858 | 949279386902962 | 7 | 1.4895026953017E+15 | 1716188400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 220948471097418 | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | 120211846693390779 | qweasdzxconline.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | 😍Read the next chapters👉 | https://qweasdzxconline.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=11090&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1715085862 | 2.2094847109742E+14 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438129100_1146045226739178_2601865360875538189_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fLOSJhfepkYQ7kNvgHEd_wc&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYChz9Lv9Hi46YygQOTRcWVO3N7OQd15Ym_VowKXHVuLnA&oe=66584690 | person_profile | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/440747644_315502774915635_6353252339687881796_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kPZJVk2zb8oQ7kNvgFDgFVU&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYD__mO6mWyaS-XJiX9OhX8t7XcRfbo1yfMNPMeAXVO6_w&oe=66583557 | 0 | 3 | 🔞"Ned Fletcher, with how you're treating Angie right now, aren't you worried that you're going to regret it when you finally regain your memories one day? You loved her so much before and you two got married for love! Despite you forgetting your feelings about her, how could you post so many indecent photos of her on social media?" Ned spoke nonchalantly, saying, "Why are you still holding me hostage with morals and principles? She was the one who framed me by lowly methods. I was just warning her. If Ingrid hadn't asked me to stop, I'd have gone even further! By the way, show your respect to Ingrid. She’s not a new girl but my only one forever and never!" Angeline Emmerson heard the talk standing outside the door. She used to be treated ever so lovingly by Ned in the past. Angeline felt her eyes reddening and filling with tears. The Ned she knew had died in the car accident that happened four years ago. The one inside was merely a stranger! Angeline inhaled deeply. Then, she pushed the door open. Ned looked up and saw her entering. "Who brought you here?" Angeline stared at Ned and said, "I've already made a police report regarding your spiked drink at the event and your spreading of my photos for revenge." Hearing this, everyone's reactions differed from one another. Angeline continued, "Ned Fletcher, it's true that I wanted to try rekindling our relationship, but I would never have stooped so low as to do those disgusting things to you. I didn't want to let go of this relationship because I was worried that the Ned I knew would return someday and blame me for giving up on him so easily," Angeline placed the divorce agreement she'd been hugging onto the table. "I tried my best, but I'm tired now. Ned Fletcher, I'm giving up on you. I don't want you anymore." Ned's eyes traveled from the divorce agreement to Angeline's face. There was a hint of surprise in his cold eyes. "Let's finalize the divorce after the police have cleared my name and you have publicly apologized to me." | Galaxy in the Book | 68 | https://facebook.com/61555646245426 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1716015600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841161 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682326 | 1723710531 | 858 | 1687081411831650 | 1 | 1.0777107900007E+15 | 1714892400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 108401345691237 | 0 | JoyReels | 120207768284090738 | play.google.com | Watch more | NONE | video | 😹This series is so incredible! I can't stop watching! Next episode is amazing! | https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.joyreels.video | 1714468439 | 1.0840134569124E+14 | JoyReels | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/440403555_1634058157338919_9031291769942722988_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=cujmsMoQP6gQ7kNvgHQL4xd&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYChpcQymjWSed6MvPnvnUfjzmYtg9L2ZftaJDpY-6s4Zw&oe=66585D1B | person_profile | 0 | JoyReels | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/440466030_2282054168654469_2910559909362688042_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=XwvUvQcqKYwQ7kNvgEx13g3&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYAXyKyRvimHkkzb62R4QN8F20LtpT9NyfE_VZOyfre9eA&oe=6658478A | 0 | 3 | 😍😍After humiliated by his bride-to-be on the wedding rehearsal but Adam was soon told his true identity as the heir of the richest family in the US. On the journey of returning as a CEO, taking over his family’s business, our true heir gradually finds out his true love, who has been by his side from the very beginning… | JoyReels | 1907 | https://facebook.com/JoyReels02 | 0 | WATCH_MORE | 1714806000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841162 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682326 | 1723710532 | 858 | 418698121118742 | 2 | 1.1073877738836E+15 | 1716620400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 250753834794512 | 0 | Read freely | 120211567322350196 | redtgb.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | ❤️😍What happens next👉Click Here to read on👉 | https://redtgb.com/market/buenovela/3?lpid=11204&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1714662940 | 2.5075383479451E+14 | Read freely | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438089261_447799151235312_6029709431750639075_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=itcu0warMXMQ7kNvgGDwkGM&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYBPjQtzmXxmSBX72aotnBOjUf21urkTkgIItQ27XMzPeg&oe=66586185 | person_profile | 0 | Read freely | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438088058_1022190709478833_2477123772758539994_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=qyTrvW5olmEQ7kNvgHUEGHq&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYA3PmMPoU3NZF1kXHlyq2EPBLWiuFc9D7ZSkGGY-7mcHA&oe=66583F2B | 0 | 3 | “Did you really come all the way here to tell me you were with another woman you slept with and impregnated?” “What?” Regis is the one who speaks, his voice echoing his shock as he looks from me to Adam. Adam’s usual blank look remains as if he is unaffected by my words and the pain he has caused me. “Let’s not do this here, Aria. You know I can’t just leave her.” I scoff. “I never stopped you. You know what? You should have never come here. You should have stayed with her since that is where your loyalties lie now and I am no longer in the picture.” Adam frowns, moving closer and intimidating me just a little with his height and muscular frame, “What does that mean? You are my wife.” “Ex-wife,” I say the words without even thinking. I didn’t think any of this through but I don’t care because my entire being seems to agree that this is what’s best for me, “I want a divorce, Adam.” His eyes grow wide, unable to contain the shock at my words and I am proud of myself that I finally got a reaction that isn’t anger or coldness from him. | Read freely | 18 | https://facebook.com/61557986570531 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1716534000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841164 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682326 | 1723710532 | 858 | 418698121118742 | 2 | 1.1073877738836E+15 | 1716620400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 250753834794512 | 0 | Read freely | 120211567322350196 | redtgb.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | ❤️😍What happens next👉Click Here to read on👉 | https://redtgb.com/market/buenovela/3?lpid=11204&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1714662940 | 2.5075383479451E+14 | Read freely | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438089261_447799151235312_6029709431750639075_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=itcu0warMXMQ7kNvgGDwkGM&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYBPjQtzmXxmSBX72aotnBOjUf21urkTkgIItQ27XMzPeg&oe=66586185 | person_profile | 0 | Read freely | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438088058_1022190709478833_2477123772758539994_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=qyTrvW5olmEQ7kNvgHUEGHq&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYA3PmMPoU3NZF1kXHlyq2EPBLWiuFc9D7ZSkGGY-7mcHA&oe=66583F2B | 0 | 3 | “Did you really come all the way here to tell me you were with another woman you slept with and impregnated?” “What?” Regis is the one who speaks, his voice echoing his shock as he looks from me to Adam. Adam’s usual blank look remains as if he is unaffected by my words and the pain he has caused me. “Let’s not do this here, Aria. You know I can’t just leave her.” I scoff. “I never stopped you. You know what? You should have never come here. You should have stayed with her since that is where your loyalties lie now and I am no longer in the picture.” Adam frowns, moving closer and intimidating me just a little with his height and muscular frame, “What does that mean? You are my wife.” “Ex-wife,” I say the words without even thinking. I didn’t think any of this through but I don’t care because my entire being seems to agree that this is what’s best for me, “I want a divorce, Adam.” His eyes grow wide, unable to contain the shock at my words and I am proud of myself that I finally got a reaction that isn’t anger or coldness from him. | Read freely | 18 | https://facebook.com/61557986570531 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1716534000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841166 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682326 | 1723710532 | 858 | 418698121118742 | 2 | 1.1073877738836E+15 | 1716620400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 250753834794512 | 0 | Read freely | 120211567322350196 | redtgb.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | ❤️😍What happens next👉Click Here to read on👉 | https://redtgb.com/market/buenovela/3?lpid=11204&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1714662940 | 2.5075383479451E+14 | Read freely | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438089261_447799151235312_6029709431750639075_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=itcu0warMXMQ7kNvgGDwkGM&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYBPjQtzmXxmSBX72aotnBOjUf21urkTkgIItQ27XMzPeg&oe=66586185 | person_profile | 0 | Read freely | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438088058_1022190709478833_2477123772758539994_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=qyTrvW5olmEQ7kNvgHUEGHq&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYA3PmMPoU3NZF1kXHlyq2EPBLWiuFc9D7ZSkGGY-7mcHA&oe=66583F2B | 0 | 3 | “Did you really come all the way here to tell me you were with another woman you slept with and impregnated?” “What?” Regis is the one who speaks, his voice echoing his shock as he looks from me to Adam. Adam’s usual blank look remains as if he is unaffected by my words and the pain he has caused me. “Let’s not do this here, Aria. You know I can’t just leave her.” I scoff. “I never stopped you. You know what? You should have never come here. You should have stayed with her since that is where your loyalties lie now and I am no longer in the picture.” Adam frowns, moving closer and intimidating me just a little with his height and muscular frame, “What does that mean? You are my wife.” “Ex-wife,” I say the words without even thinking. I didn’t think any of this through but I don’t care because my entire being seems to agree that this is what’s best for me, “I want a divorce, Adam.” His eyes grow wide, unable to contain the shock at my words and I am proud of myself that I finally got a reaction that isn’t anger or coldness from him. | Read freely | 18 | https://facebook.com/61557986570531 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1716534000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841168 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682326 | 1723710532 | 858 | 418698121118742 | 2 | 1.1073877738836E+15 | 1716620400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 250753834794512 | 0 | Read freely | 120211567322350196 | redtgb.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | ❤️😍What happens next👉Click Here to read on👉 | https://redtgb.com/market/buenovela/3?lpid=11204&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1714662940 | 2.5075383479451E+14 | Read freely | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438089261_447799151235312_6029709431750639075_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=itcu0warMXMQ7kNvgGDwkGM&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYBPjQtzmXxmSBX72aotnBOjUf21urkTkgIItQ27XMzPeg&oe=66586185 | person_profile | 0 | Read freely | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438088058_1022190709478833_2477123772758539994_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=qyTrvW5olmEQ7kNvgHUEGHq&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYA3PmMPoU3NZF1kXHlyq2EPBLWiuFc9D7ZSkGGY-7mcHA&oe=66583F2B | 0 | 3 | “Did you really come all the way here to tell me you were with another woman you slept with and impregnated?” “What?” Regis is the one who speaks, his voice echoing his shock as he looks from me to Adam. Adam’s usual blank look remains as if he is unaffected by my words and the pain he has caused me. “Let’s not do this here, Aria. You know I can’t just leave her.” I scoff. “I never stopped you. You know what? You should have never come here. You should have stayed with her since that is where your loyalties lie now and I am no longer in the picture.” Adam frowns, moving closer and intimidating me just a little with his height and muscular frame, “What does that mean? You are my wife.” “Ex-wife,” I say the words without even thinking. I didn’t think any of this through but I don’t care because my entire being seems to agree that this is what’s best for me, “I want a divorce, Adam.” His eyes grow wide, unable to contain the shock at my words and I am proud of myself that I finally got a reaction that isn’t anger or coldness from him. | Read freely | 18 | https://facebook.com/61557986570531 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1716534000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841170 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682327 | 1723710532 | 858 | 418698121118742 | 2 | 1.1073877738836E+15 | 1716620400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 250753834794512 | 0 | Read freely | 120211567322350196 | redtgb.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | ❤️😍What happens next👉Click Here to read on👉 | https://redtgb.com/market/buenovela/3?lpid=11204&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1714662940 | 2.5075383479451E+14 | Read freely | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438089261_447799151235312_6029709431750639075_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=itcu0warMXMQ7kNvgGDwkGM&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYBPjQtzmXxmSBX72aotnBOjUf21urkTkgIItQ27XMzPeg&oe=66586185 | person_profile | 0 | Read freely | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438088058_1022190709478833_2477123772758539994_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=qyTrvW5olmEQ7kNvgHUEGHq&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYA3PmMPoU3NZF1kXHlyq2EPBLWiuFc9D7ZSkGGY-7mcHA&oe=66583F2B | 0 | 3 | “Did you really come all the way here to tell me you were with another woman you slept with and impregnated?” “What?” Regis is the one who speaks, his voice echoing his shock as he looks from me to Adam. Adam’s usual blank look remains as if he is unaffected by my words and the pain he has caused me. “Let’s not do this here, Aria. You know I can’t just leave her.” I scoff. “I never stopped you. You know what? You should have never come here. You should have stayed with her since that is where your loyalties lie now and I am no longer in the picture.” Adam frowns, moving closer and intimidating me just a little with his height and muscular frame, “What does that mean? You are my wife.” “Ex-wife,” I say the words without even thinking. I didn’t think any of this through but I don’t care because my entire being seems to agree that this is what’s best for me, “I want a divorce, Adam.” His eyes grow wide, unable to contain the shock at my words and I am proud of myself that I finally got a reaction that isn’t anger or coldness from him. | Read freely | 18 | https://facebook.com/61557986570531 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1716534000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841172 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682327 | 1723710532 | 858 | 1647538179348259 | 2 | 9.748784076486E+14 | 1716620400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 250753834794512 | 0 | Read freely | 120211565986950196 | redtgb.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | ❤️😍What happens next👉Click Here to read on👉 | https://redtgb.com/market/buenovela/3?lpid=11204&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1714661788 | 2.5075383479451E+14 | Read freely | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441255115_1177880883571742_5075201022874715379_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=g4JsrhWfitkQ7kNvgFeAKBG&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYBpTaGCiNETtYR_kV1GWW7Rzpt8y2OGe5kzssk6sCPaMg&oe=66583EF3 | person_profile | 0 | Read freely | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441055224_676099334622461_3142011906559831658_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=A4yVK4Sv1HwQ7kNvgEPlR3e&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYB-QI79bY-wsfuSD-aSCQRZreHGaTJ0yga_aI_hRJR6fA&oe=66584D39 | 0 | 3 | My husband and boss Adam, is laughing at every joke that leaves the lips of his first love while I watch them through the glass doors that separates his office from mine. I had been dutifully preparing some documents that needed his signature and also setting up his meetings for the day like I have done for 7 years as his secretary but since Sophia’s arrival, I have been unable to get any work done. I feel a pang in my chast every time Adam laughs, almost tearing up at the thought that he has never laughed like that around me. I stare at her slender frame, her lush black hair that bounces back into place even when she throws her head back in laughter and the grace in every of her movements. Sophia is an epitome of feminine grace and every of her features is proof of why Adam has been hung up over her even though they separated years ago. Even though he married me. The dark binds of his office are brought down abruptly, blocking my view of them both and now all I can see is black. It is as if Adam is trying to prevent me from prying even though I am his wife and privacy shouldn’t be a thing between us, especially when it comes to a woman he used to love so much. I still remember how shocked I was when she walked up to me earlier, heels clicking ever so sophisticatedly on the office tiles. I saw the feet cladded in shiny red heels before I raised my head to look at her. “Aria, I didn’t know you still worked here! I can’t believe Adam is still making you work even after you both got married. That man is something, isn’t he?” She said, smiling sweetly with blood red lips that would look horrifying on me if I dared to try that shade of lipstick. I couldn’t speak, caught in the shock of staring face to face with her after all these years, especially as she still had the same aura of wealth and confidence that I have always known her to possess. For a split second, she made me feel insecure in my gray office wear and my tight bun hair and the fact that I wore little to no makeup. “Sophia!” Adam’s voice was what broke me out of that trance I was stuck in as he stepped out of his office and there, right in front of me, he hugged her ever so tightly like an old time friend before he led her back into his office without sparing me as little as a glance. Now, they are alone together in his office, the blinds of his office pulled shut so that I can’t see them but can only hear their muffled voices and his own laughter every now and then. I squirm in my seat uncomfortably each time they laugh, gripping the edges of my table tightly and too destabilized to get any work done while they are both holed up in there. I stare at the calendar on my table. Today’s date is marked with a red marker and I sigh deeply. Does he even know today is our third wedding anniversary? Every year, it seems like I am the only one who remembers it and now with Sophia’s appearance, I can already tell that today will pass by like it’s just another day. I knew she was coming today. Being his secretary is the only reason why I knew the things Adam would rather keep from me. He already briefed me about a new business partner that just returned to the country two months ago and will be at the office at any time. What I didn’t know or should I say, what he purposely kept from me was that the so-called business partner was Sophia Bradley and perhaps the reason why he has been more cold and indifferent than usual, ever since her return. My heart aches at the realization but it aches even more because there is nothing I can do about it. I have never had a place in Adam’s heart but he has been the only one in mine. I loved him from the very moment he saved my life years ago but I can say the same for him. He always reminds me even without speaking, that our marriage is nothing but an attempt at fulfilling his grandfather’s wishes and I knew if he had gotten his way, he would have never looked at me twice, not to talk of getting married to me. Grandfather’s love for me is perhaps the only reason I am still sane in this loveless marriage. The old man never ceases to show how much he cherishes me but when has that ever been enough? I am married to Adam and not his family. The clock ticks endlessly, yet Adam remains in there with her. Their laughter dies down all of a sudden and I can barely hear a word they are saying. Unable to hold back anymore, I stand before the restlessness kil ls me. I am his wife and I deserve to know what is going on. To look natural, I quickly make two cups of coffee. After all, I am his secretary and this is a part of my job. Nervous sweat breaks out on my forehead as I make my way to his office with unsure steps. Inhaling sharply, I open the door and step in. My heart clenches at the sight of them both, relaxed in each other’s company as they sit so close to each other on one of the couches in his office. I swallow hard and try to walk over to the table with the best confidence I could muster. “I made coffee.” I say but they don’t even acknowledge my presence, lost in each other and whatever they were discussing. I study Sophia for a moment, watching as she twirls her cherry blonde hair with a finger while seated with one leg crossed over the other to reveal a prov0cative amount of thi9hs, smiling so brightly that I can’t tell if she’s faking it. I want to turn around and leave but my feet fail to move. I can’t just leave like this. For how long will I keep quiet and svck it up? “Sir,” I call, looking directly at Adam. We are married but he never fails to remind me that I address him as my boss at work. Adam doesn’t even make a move to look at me and anger rises inside of me, slowly boiling. “Sir,” I call again and that is when he finally regards me with a cold look that almost deters me but I remain firm under his gaze. “There is something I need to talk to you about, it’s important.” I lie right through my teeth. I can feel Sophia’s gaze burning through me but I try not to look at her, for the fear that my confidence would slip away if I do. Adam just waves me off. “It can wait. As you can see, I have a guest.” “It can’t wait.” I say, even more firmly but he is already back to smiling and listening to Sophia speak like a lovesick teenage boy. I call him a few more times and unable to hold back any longer, I call him by his name instead. “Adam!” They both look up at me with a mix of expressions. That of Adam is pure anger while Sophia is obviously irritated. I know she has never liked me and back when I was just his secretary and she was his girlfriend, she complained about every single thing I did. “Adam, what is this? Is this how you let your employees disrespect you?” She says it with absolute disgust and disrespect. I am stunned at her words, so stunned that I scoff. Employee? She dares to talk down on me like that even when she knows fully well that I am not just an employee. Adam stands, his tall frame causing his shadow to sweep over me while I grip the tray of coffee tightly in my hands. “Aria, out. Now.” He commands and I am filled with so much hurt that my hands shake and my lips quiver. “Why should I? I have every reason to be in this room and I have every right to speak for you to listen to me.” Sophia stands at once. “It seems as though your wife has a bone to pick with me and I will not sit here and take such insults.” She begins to walk away and of course, Adam follows her. I try to move out of her way but my attempt fails when her shoulder heavily bumps into mine in a way that is too fierce to be considered unintentional. I lose grip of the tray and stagger forward and just like that, the hot coffee spills all over her very expensive looking dress and mine. She shrieks, backing away from me only to glare at me the next second. “What the hel is wrong with you?” She yells. Adam rushes to her side in less than a minute, fussing over her stained dress and even offering her his handkerchief while I stand there, drenched in coffee as my husband takes care of another woman. I feel the tears prickling at the corner of my eyes but what does crying in front of this woman make me? “I can’t believe you! What did I ever do to you? Go ahead and dislike me all you want but there is a limit to how far you can go and you just crossed that.” She says again, seething in uncontained anger. Adam turns to me, eyes dark with rage. It makes me shiver. Makes me feel unimaginable pain to know he is mad at me because of another woman. “Apologise right now!” He commands and I scoff. How can he stand there and take her side when I did nothing wrong? “Why should I do that? I have done nothing wrong. She bumped into me!” I defend myself, my voice breaking. Lips quivering. “I did no such thing!” Sophia says defensively but her eyes tell a different story. “You heard me, Aria. Apologize to her right now.” Adam says again, still intently looking at me. I almost laugh at the fact that the only time he is looking me directly in the eyes after three years of marriage is when another woman is involved. I shake my head, finding all of this hard to believe. “So you believe her over me? You take her words for it but mine does not matter? I am your wife.” “A wife I never wanted to marry!” He yells back and shatters what is left of my broken heart. Chapter 2 I am speechless for the next few seconds as his words hit me like a freight train. I wait. I wait for his hard eyes to soften with remorse at the harsh words he threw at me but that doesn’t happen. He is glowering at me, nose flaring angrily. “Adam, how…how could you say that to me?” I say, my eyes crossing over to Sophia who is now hiding her own frame behind his tall, muscular one, “In front of her?” “Because it’s the truth!” He yells again, startling me into making a small helpless sound. Adam has never yelled at me. And even though it hurts me to admit that he is truly saying the truth, he has never said it to my face and I never really thought he would. I have always known it yet it hurts to hear it come from him. It feels like a thousand needles are pricking my heart and making me bleed out with so much pain. He runs his fingers through his hair, seeming frustrated. Like he would rather not have this conversation with me. And just when I think it is over, he continues to speak, breaking me even further. “You were nothing but a mere secretary who wormed her way into my life. If you hadn’t forced yourself on me that night, none of this would have happened! This marriage would have never happened and you know it.” He brings up the past. Our past. The night that meant everything to me but clearly means nothing to him. I swallow over and over again till my throat and mouth become dry. I can’t cry. No, I can’t appear weak. Not in front of Adam and definitely not in front of Sophia so I keep my tears at bay, urging them to return before they spill down my cheeks. “I never forced myself on you, Adam. Why won’t you believe me?” I manage to say but he raises a hand to tell me to stop talking and I clamp my lips shut. “Do not stand there and try to look innocent, Aria because that is far from who you are. I simply said the truth and I do not care if you cannot take it.” He says and stares at me intently. “Do not let what happened today repeat itself again. Know your place and I will not have any reason to talk to you like this. Do you understand?” He lays emphasis on every word of warning he is giving me and turns his back against me before I can even open my mouth to speak again. “Are you okay?” I can’t believe how his voice goes from hard to soft in the next second as he fusses over Sophia. Sophia makes a face that has me balling my fingers into a fist. A face that clearly says she is not okay. “The coffee was hot and I think I might have to visit the hospital to prevent the burn from leaving a scar.” She says in a quiet voice. I look down at my own body that is also drenched in the same coffee. The coffee wasn’t hot enough to cause a burn but Adam believes her instantly. He pulls her into a hug and embarrassment washes over me like a bucket of ice. “I’ll drive. Wait here, I will get my keys.” he says as he pulls away, rushing to his office table to grab his car keys before coming back to her side. He takes her purse from her and leads her out. They both seem so lost in each other that they forget my existence totally, leaving me to stand alone in the middle of the room. Silence falls over me and I am left with my thoughts, licking the wound that his words caused. I have never been able to convince Adam that I didn’t force myself on him yet till this very day, he still believes I drugged him into sleeping with him on the night we were having dinner with his family three years ago. I can never forget the pure look of disgust and shock on his face when we both woke up in each other’s arms the next morning. I knew since then that Adam would never love me, yet I was hopeful. As the years go by, the hope keeps dwindling with his grandfather, being the only support system in everything. Sighing, I return to my office and pick up my phone. My eyes widens when I see that a number has called my phone repeatedly all the time I was in Adam’s office. The dread that fills me stems from the fact that I recognise the number as the hospital’s number. I call back instantly, my heart racing. They pick up on the second ring. “Mrs Miller, we have been trying to reach you all afternoon!” A female voice says. “Why? Is something wrong? Is my grandmother okay?” I ask, rushing my words as I am filled with dread and panic. “You need to be at the hospital, your grandmother—” I don’t wait to hear the rest of her words. I race out of the room and call on a taxi to drive me to the hospital. I go straight to her hospital room but the sheets and blankets are already being neatly arranged and the bed is empty. More panic. More dread. “Where is my grandmother?” I ask, “Where is she?” The nurse cleaning the room gives me a look of pity that nauseates me. “I am sorry, Mrs Miller but your grandmother died ten minutes ago and has been moved to the hospital’s mortuary. I am sorry.” She says. The world around me stops and I don’t know how I am able to walk on my two feet to the mortuary where the Nurse leads me. She stops at the door and points to my grandmother laying on a table in the room, her body covered in a white sheet from head to toe. I walk to the bedside with shaky legs and the moment I take the sheet off and set my eyes on her pale face, I burst out into a loud sob, wishing I could go back to a month ago so I can prevent that accident that made her this way. The accident that took my only living family away from me. “Grandma…” I call in a broken voice as I reach for her hand. They are too cold, so lifeless and the tears begin to leave my eyes in torrents as I remember how warm these hands used to be when they held my face. “I’m sorry…I’m so sorry.” I cry, holding tightly unto her and hating myself for not being there in her last moments. I should have been there with her but I was too busy worrying about my place in my husband’s life. The nurse comes into the room and says, “She asked us to give you this.” I wipe my tears, sniffling as I take what seems to be a key chain from her. I couldn’t think of a reason why grandmother’s parting gift to me would be a key chain but I can’t seem to care. Her cold hands slammed me into the reality of what had happened. Grandmother is dead. I fall to my knees by the bed and weep, muttering and calling for her to return to me. “Aria.” Adam’s voice calls from behind me. I am both surprised and relieved to find him there. He must have been contacted by the hospital as well and stopped by since he already came here with Sophia anyway. Sophia is standing in the room with us but I ignore her. I focus on Adam because I need him. I need someone to hold me and tell me everything will be fine. “Adam.” I cry as I walk over to him and hug him without a second thought, my tears gathering and falling again. His body stiffens at my touch but I don’t let go. I need his warmth. I need him because he is really all that I have left and I can’t bear to lose him too. I expect him to push me away but he doesn’t. He doesn’t hug me back too but I can’t find it in me to care as I sob uncontrollably. My tears subside and I sniffle repeatedly and slowly let go of him. He clears his throat and takes out his phone, saying; “I’ll place a call to start making preparations for her funeral.” He turns around to leave with Sophia also following him but I can’t bear the sight of him turning his back to me and leaving. I grab his hand. “Stay.” I sound so weak and helpless but I do not give a damm, “Please, don’t go. Stay with me.” I beg. Adam opens his mouth to say something but a sharp cry stuns us both. We spin around at the same time to the source of the cry and she is crouching, holding her stomach with an expression of pain. Adam rushes to Sophia’s side in a heartbeat and my heart sinks further down my stomach. “Sophia, are you okay?” He asks with concern ringing high in his voice. She shakes her head, “There is something I’ve been wanting to tell you but didn’t know how.” She says, holding her stomach as she looks directly at me. “What is it?” Adam asks, still very much concerned. “Adam…I…I am pre9nant.” Chapter 3 Grandmother’s funeral is being held on a gloomy day, much to my displeasure. I listened to the weather forecast so I could choose the perfect day for the funeral, and according to the forecast, the day is supposed to be sunny and bright just like Grandmother. I feel duped standing by grandmother’s grave with the sky covered in clouds that only worsen the dark and depressing feeling that has settled in my guts since her death. I have cried so much that I have no tears left to shed at grandmother’s grave and now have to wear dark sunglasses to hide how red and puffy my eyes are rather than to complement my black dress. There are a few people hanging around the other graves in the cemetery to pay their last respects to their loved ones and at each grave, there are at least two people; couples holding each other, families comforting each other and even church processions. I am alone, with no one to comfort me since no one else bothered to attend my grandmother's funeral. With her gone, I realize how lonely I actually am and the thought deals another blow to my already damaged heart. I try hard to get the heartbreaking events of the past few days off my mind and when I finally succeed, I turn my focus back to my grandmother. She’s smiling in the framed picture placed by her tombstone and I force a smile as well as a fond memory of her slips into my mind. “Aria, my child, you can’t frown like that everytime or you’ll get wrinkles like me before you are even my age!” She would say and then go ahead to spread my lips into a smile with her fingers. Grandmother was a cheerful soul who would tell me stories, mostly the ones about my birth and how she knew from the very first day that she set her eyes on me that I was going to be a really beautiful and amazing child. I shared everything with her and talking to her about my marriage was one of the things that made it bearable. I don’t know what I’d do without Grandmother. Tears start to gather in my eyes again and I take off the sunglasses to wipe them off before they start to fall. I already promised myself not to cry anymore; Grandmother wouldn’t want that. Sniffling, I begin to place the things I brought with me by her grave; Tulips, which were her favorite flowers; Peaches, her favorite fruit and finally some sweets because grandmother had a really sweet tooth and never listened to me whenever I told her they were bad for her age. “There are no sweets in heaven, Aria. It’s only right that I take as much as I can down here before the big guy calls me up there.” She would say at the same she unwraps another candy and tosses it into her mouth. She would talk on and on about ‘The big guy’ and ‘Up there’ like she was always prepared for the day she would die. I can’t help it anymore, I burst into tears, falling on my knees by her grave as it dawns on me fully that she is really gone. “I should have let you have all the candies in the world. I should have been there with you at your dying moment. I should have held your hands and told you it’s gonna be okay. I–” My voice breaks, the deep regret and tears choking me and making me lose my train of thoughts. I can’t think of a thing to say anymore and so I just cry, sobbing so hard my body shakes. I hear confident footsteps approaching me and feel a presence behind me that causes my sobs to come to a pause. My heart races and hope swells inside of me when the person puts a hand on my shoulder. I whip my head around, expecting to see Adam but my hope quickly shatters when I see that it is Adam uncle, Regis. “Regis.” I say, sniffing and wiping my tears in a rush. “Here,” He hands me his handkerchief, stuffing it in my hand and closing my palm around it before I can even refuse. I say a barely audible thank you before I dab at the tears with the hanky that smelt like him. “I came as soon as I heard, I’m sorry about your Grandmother, Aria.” He says in a sincere and kind voice. Regis has always been kind to me even when I was just a secretary. Whenever he came to visit his nephew at the office, he would stop to say hi and hand me a canned coffee with a smile on his face. However, he left the country to study a few days before our wedding and only returned not too long ago. This is the first time seeing him since his return and the kind look in his eyes assures me that if he had been around, I would have had another person rooting for me just like Adam’s grandfather. “You didn’t have to.” I say quietly, trying to downplay how much it actually means to me that at least, one person cares enough to be here with me. Regis looks around as if searching for something and then he frowns when our eyes meet again. “You’re alone? Where the hel is Adam?” He asks, his voice a little hard. My cheeks redden in embarrassment. Regis has only just returned and probably doesn’t know anything yet. I am not willing to talk either. I force a smile and begin to pack the excess things I bought for my grandmother's funeral. Regis joins me wordlessly and I sigh in silent appreciation of how he doesn’t ask anymore questions. He takes everything from my hands even before I can protest. “Did you drive here?” He asks and I shake my head. I came here in a Taxi. “C’mon, we’ll take my car.” He says and walks in front of me. I have no choice but to follow him. We have just gotten outside of the cemetery when a car drives into the parking space right beside Regis’ car. The car is familiar and I keep doubting who it belongs to until Adam steps out of the car, eyes trained on me as he walks over. The first thing I notice is his Royal Blue suit and I feel the slow brewing of anger inside of me. How could he show up wearing that? It is like a blatant disrespect of my Grandmother and I can’t stand to watch her get disrespected even in her death. It is clear that he came from the office; little surprise there and it would have been better if he didn’t come at all as I now realize how looking at him only infuriates me. He had managed to avoid me in the past three days since the hospital incident. Three days since Sophia announced that she was pre9nant and shook my world. I didn’t need anyone to tell me who the baby belonged to as he walks towards me now, I feel nothing but resentment for him. “Is it over? Crap, I must have lost track of time.” He says before turning to his uncle and giving him a tight smile of appreciation that I find nauseating. “Thank you for being here with her, uncle.” Regis merely crosses his arms, staring back at his nephew, “Care to explain why you are only just coming?” Regis thows the question at him and I face Adam too, crossing my arms. “Yes, Adam. Tell me what was more important than being at my grandmother’s funeral.” I already know the answer but I still wait to hear him say it so I can have a reason to hate him even more. “I really wanted to be here, Aria but you know…” He trails off, running a hand through his hair, “I had to be with Sophia.” The sound of her name is what does it for me; the same woman who is the reason I wasn’t around to witness grandmother’s dying moments. “Did you really come all the way here to tell me you were with another woman you slept with and impregnated?” “What?” Regis is the one who speaks, his voice echoing his shock as he looks from me to Adam. Adam’s usual blank look remains as if he is unaffected by my words and the pain he has caused me. “Let’s not do this here, Aria. You know I can’t just leave her.” I scoff. “I never stopped you. You know what? You should have never come here. You should have stayed with her since that is where your loyalties lie now and I am no longer in the picture.” Adam frowns, moving closer and intimidating me just a little with his height and muscular frame, “What does that mean? You are my wife.” “Ex-wife,” I say the words without even thinking. I didn’t think any of this through but I don’t care because my entire being seems to agree that this is what’s best for me, “I want a divorce, Adam.” His eyes grow wide, unable to contain the shock at my words and I am proud of myself that I finally got a reaction that isn’t anger or coldness from him. “Both the divorce papers and my resignation will find their way to you soon.” I add before he can get over his shock and I don’t wait for him to reply as I turn to an equally stunned Regis. “Take me home, Regis.” Chapter 4 Adam’s POV I want a divorce. The words circle around my head non-stop. Of all the shets I have had the pleasure of hearing–and trust me, I hear a lot of crap as a CEO–Aria asking for a divorce out of nowhere has to be the worst. I am a man who takes pride in my strength and ability to handle situations no matter how unexpected they are. It comes with the job, yet for some reason, I am unable to utter a single word or move my feet until she gets into the car with my uncle. When I finally come to my senses, she is long gone, leaving me to drown in the pool of shock she created. I am shocked at her audacity; the way she looked me in the eyes as she hit me with those words. Aria’s cold hazel eyes totally betrayed the meek and timid trait that I have only ever known her for. I am equally shocked at myself for actually being affected by it when I shouldn't have batted an eyelash, after all, I never wanted to marry her. The three years of living with Aria felt like I was in bonda9e created by her own deceit and my grandfather’s overbearing attitude. I never cared about Aria yet the sound of divorce numbed me completely that I am unable to think straight until the door to my car opens and reminds me that I am still standing still in front of the cemetery. My personal assistant steps out of the car and speaks. “Sir, your appointment with the Taylor Enterprises is thirty minutes from now. It’s more than an hour’s drive from here, we should leave now if–” “Cancel it,” I say, heading back to the car, not quite in the right mind to process anything, not even a meeting whose outcome was worth millions of dollars. My assistant follows behind me in a hurry, obviously confused. “But sir, that isn’t the only appointment for the day. You also have…” He starts to read out my packed schedule for the day as I finally get into the car. “Cancel them all!” I say, settling into the leather seats of the car and loosening my tie at the same time as it feels like I am slowly losing the ability to breathe, “Get in and turn the dann AC on.” I command him, unable to prevent my anger and irritation from reflecting in my voice. Finally noticing the negative emotions rolling out of me in waves, he mutters his response before getting into the driver’s seat and pulling the car out of the cemetery’s parking lot. We get to the highway, air is emitting from not only the AC in the car yet I feel heat rising from inside of me and not even loosening a few buttons on my shirt helped. All I can think about is Aria and the dammed divorce. My shock is long gone and I am now stewing in nothing but anger, bordering on rage. Who the hel does she think she is? What gives her the boldness to think she makes the call for divorce? If anyone should be asking for a divorce, It should be me. I am the one who married her against my will. She’s the one who found me so irresistible that she went as far as dru9ging me just to have me. If anyone deserves to slam divorce papers in her face, it is me but the thought never crossed my mind. She’s a good secretary, dutiful, efficient and always at my beck and call. She also doubles as a good wife, never getting in my way or needy for attention. Aria takes whatever I give her; the little time, the irregular sax and the little communication, all that I deemed appropriate for our kind of relationship. The sudden switch has me racking my brain, thinking of different possibilities and all the things that could have gone wrong. A thought crosses my mind and it intensifies my anger in a way that I can’t even understand. “Find out if Aria has been meeting anyone lately. Men in particular.” I say. My assistant meets my eyes through the rearview mirror. His eyes fail to hide his surprise that I am asking him to look into my wife and the possibility that she’s been seeing other men. I can’t rule out all the possibilities and if Aria has really been cheating on me, I swear to God– My phone vibrates beside me on the leather seats. Sophia’s name pops up on the screen in a message notification. She’s asking me when next I would be available for an appointment at the doctor’s office. Seeing Sophia’s message douses my anger but leaves me with a far more disturbing emotion. I thought of all the reasons why my quiet wife is suddenly asking for a divorce but it never crossed my mind that impregnating the woman I once loved could be the reason. I think back to that day two months ago when yet again, I let drinking lead me into making the worst decisions. All I had to do was pick Sophia up at the airport, drive her to her hotel and return home. Instead, I took the invite to have a drink in her hotel room; for old time’s sake, she called it. We did more than just have a drink that night and the outcome is the baby growing inside of Sophia. I can’t call it a mistake yet deep down, I know it should have never happened. I should have never let myself get tempted by the thought of how being inside of Sophia will feel after three years. I want the child. It’s my baby and I don’t plan on losing it but it comes at a price that I never thought would be a problem which is the divorce with Aria. I can’t let Aria divorce me. I need her. At the office and in my home. She’s been my secretary for seven years and no one can do her job like her. I also pay her well and make sure she doesn’t need anything as my wife. How does she plan to survive without me anyway? Does she think that by asking for divorce, she has put herself on a higher level than me? What game is she playing with me now? Ha! Women thinking that they can live without a man and his support. As I think deeply about these things, I also think of a way to remedy them. I just need to do something to appeal to her. “What do women like?” I asked my assistant. He hesitates at first, surprised by the sudden question before he clears his throat and answers, “Erm, designer bags I guess and oh, flowers.” I am already scrolling through an online store on my phone, clicking away at every expensive bag that catches my eyes until I have already ordered a number to last her an entire year. Then we make a stop at the flower shop on the way home. Turns out there are more than a hundred thousand flowers and I can’t even decide which one to get for Aria because apparently, women have favorites when it comes to things as trivial as flowers as well. In the end, I pick Lilies because the attendant at the flowershop claims it’s most women’s favorite. I head home after that with only one single thought at the back of my mind; I won’t let Aria divorce me. Chapter 5 I’m thankful that Regis doesn’t ask any questions as he drives me back home. He offers to drive me into the compound but I turn him down and wait till he drives off before I sigh and walk into the house. The house is brimming with maids who rush over to me the instant they hear the door open but I raise a hand to stop them all from coming close to me. I am no longer the mistress of the house. I walk past them all to get to my room. Adam and I only share a room when he is looking to satisfy his saxual urges. He crawls into my bed and peppers kisses all over my body till I give in and that is the only time I ever feel wanted by him. As I walk into the room, I refrain from staring at the bed for longer than I should, afraid that the memories of us tangled up in sheets with him buried deep inside of me will break my resolve. And right now, I have only one resolve–to leave Adam for good. I begin to pack while that resolve is still strong, not even stopping for one moment to think about the fact that I have nowhere to go. I can’t bear to stay one more day under the same roof with Adam, knowing how deeply his betrayal cut. I only pack a few things that are important, assuring myself that I will come back for the rest of my things later when the divorce is finalized. I am only halfway through packing when I hear the sound of a familiar voice that never fails to send chills down my spine and even right this moment, I can already feel the chilling crawl of dread and it makes me stop packing immediately. Adam’s mother, Elodie and his sister Eva are here. I exhale sharply, trying to keep my breathing under control and to also keep the terrible memories of them from flushing into the forefront of my mind. A few more deep exhales and I finally get a hold of myself, resuming packing my things. Once I finish packing, I haul the heavy suitcase out of the room and walk into the living room where Elodie and Eva are seated on one of the couches, legs crossed over one another like they owned the place. Elodie has her signature scowl on her face that doesn’t fade even when I bow to greet her. “Why are you here?” Elodie asks, standing. I am confused by her question and my inability to give an answer makes her scoff, her face contorting into the ugliest form annoyance can take. “I almost forgot how dumb you are.” Elodie says again. Dumb. Her favorite word to throw at me the way she pleases and of course, it doesn’t hurt less today. In fact, it is even more painful now that I realize that besides having to live with Adam’s indifference, I have also had to deal with his mother’s hatred and utter disrespect for me and all along, my response has either been silence or an apology that she never deserved. “Why are you here instead of the office, huh?” She sneers and continues, “My son works tirelessly day and night just to make money for someone like you to leech off him, all he asks of you is to do your job as his secretary and yet you can’t even do that one thing? Do you think you are entitled to his money just because you are his wife?” Her words are like hard blows to the chast, every single word that strung her sentences together hitting nerves and breaking right through them. I feel something rising inside of me. It has always been there but I have always managed to control it. To top it all, Eva, Adam’s snobbish sister had to chip in, “She’s a trickster who duped my poor innocent brother and I wonder why isn’t she at the office! Such a lazy bumm! I don’t even know how Grandpa accepted such a penniless betch to be part of our elite family!” “I had to be at my grandmother’s funeral.” I respond simply, hoping the scowl on her face will disappear but it gets even more profound and she adds a scoff for good measure. Did Elodie and Eva not know that my grandmother died? “Is she dead for real? Or is it just an act?!” Eva has the guts to ask me and I glare at her. Elodie continues, “Of course, that’s your excuse for being a lazy gold digger. Tell me, did that grandmother of yours teach you to go after other people’s money instead of working for your own?” That very thing that has been rising inside me since I saw Adam’s mother reaches its peak. It’s anger. It is red, pure and fiery and controls my whole being that I can not even bring myself to care about anything other than keeping my grandmother’s name from being soiled. “Do not talk about my grandmother like that!” I yell and she jumps slightly, startled by my outburst. “Did you just yell at me?” she says, taking a step forward but I don’t flinch as I stare back into her eyes. Eva approaches me and she lashes out, “Did you just shout at my mother?!!!” Eva has always tried to demean me and every possible way at every chance presented to her. She grabs my arm, presses it harshly, making me wince in pain. Elodie smiles and as usually, she is greatly entertained. I push Eva with the other hand and she tumbles on the sofa. She remains shocked for I have always allowed them to bully me and this time, I retaliate. “Did you forget your place? You are nothing but a–” “Gold digger who married your son for his money, yes, I get it!” I snap at her, having had enough of the name calling every damm time, “But you don’t have to worry about that anymore because I already filed for a divorce. I am leaving your son so you can go ahead and swallow all of his money for all I care.” I turn around to leave, huffing as I drag the heavy suitcase with me but then Elodie clamps her hand down on the suitcase to stop me. She looks at the suitcase in amusement. “You are really leaving!” Elodie can’t even hide the joy in her tone. “Yes, so please just stop and let me go.” She shakes her head, “Not so fast! You can’t just leave.” And then she signals to two of the maids who have been standing, watching the whole exchange. “Search her!” She orders when they come forward. They hesitate and she glares at them. “Did you not hear her? She is no longer the mistress of the house. Search her right now.” I am too stunned to react when the maids finally snatch my suitcase from me. Eva tries to hold me preventing me from snatching back my bag from the maids. “What do you think you’re doing?” I say, my voice shaky. “I can’t just let you leave. Who knows what valuables you have stolen from my son inside that germ ridden bag of yours.” My mouth opens and closes several times at her words as I can’t even come up with a single string of sentences to say to her. I just watch as my things come tumbling to the ground in the rough search. Tears of humiliation burned at the back of my eyes. I don’t struggle any more from Eva’s grip and she stares at me triumphantly. “What is that? Hand it over.” Adam’s mother says when one of the maids found a gold bracelet I had lodged into my case. Grandmother’s bracelet, the only thing I have left of her. “No!” I rush forward to stop her from handing it over but I am too late. Adam’s mother is already holding and inspecting the bracelet. “Oh, wow! Mom, you finally found something she stole from Adam!” Eva exclaimed enthusiastically. Upon saying those words, she drags me and throws me onto the marble. I hit my nose. As I touch it, blood is coming out. I wipe it quickly and spring up to my feet. “I knew it! You took something. Did my son buy this for you? What gives you the right to think you can walk away with something he got for you after filing for a divorce?” Elodie snaps. “That doesn’t belong to your son! It is mine and I will appreciate it if you give it back.” She does the exact opposite and only continues to accuse me of being a thief until the door opens and Adam walks in. I don’t feel relief at his presence like I usually do when his mother treats me this way, instead, I feel nothing but resentment for him. I want to scream how much I hate him to his face. His face twists into confusion when he sees the situation. “What is going on here?” He asks, walking further into the house and looking from his mother to me. “Thank goodness you arrived, son. This leech was about to leave with something that clearly doesn’t belong to her.” His mother responds. “And she hit me!!!” Eva adds, almost in tears, complaining to Adam. This time, Adam is too shocked to ask me why I hit his dear sister. I thought,as he did in the past, he would force me to apologize, but this time, he did nothing. I wonder why. My eyes are starting to water for some reason and I am confused as to why Adam’s appearance suddenly triggered them yet I smile through the tears. “Adam, will you please tell your mother that I have never gotten a gift from you?” Adam falters, seemingly speechless for a second as he stares at his hands. I also look down at his hands and I finally understand why my eyes sting with tears and why I am sniffling in preparation of a sneeze that rocks my entire body. Lilies. I am all ergic to them. Despite the tears rolling down my cheeks, I start to laugh. I laugh so hard, ignoring the burning gazes of everyone present in the room who probably think I have gone crazy. I sneeze in between laughs, yet I don’t stop laughing as I turn to Adam’s mother. “I have been married to your son for three years and he doesn’t even know I am all ergic to lilies, yet you think he is capable of getting me a bracelet?” I shake my head at my sad reality. Chapter 6 Adam hands the flowers over to one of the maids, asking her to put it in a vase or whatever. He clears his throat, trying and failing miserably to hide his embarrassment in front of his mother, his sister and the maids. “The flowers weren’t for you.” He says, voice hard as he stares at me for a brief second. I barely even feel anything when he says that because I genuinely don’t care anymore, I just want to get the hel out of this house and never return. I don’t even care about the rest of my things which I am yet to pack, I just want to turn my back on this horrible life already. I hear Eva sniggers. Adam seems like he wants to say something to me but then he decides against it and turns to his mother instead. “Mum, please return the bracelet to her.” She snorts and shakes her head stubbornly, “I am not letting her leave with it.” Adam grunts, a sign that he is slowly losing his patience, “ I have never seen that bracelet mother, it belongs to Aria. Please, give it back.” Adam’s mother doesn’t immediately move to do as she is told but the moment she does, it is with an annoyed huff as she tosses the bracelet at me. I catch it in my palms while she heads back to sit in the same position as earlier when I first walked into the living room. I fall to my knees by the mess the maids made out of my clothes and then I begin to arrange them again, rushing through the process so I can get out of here fast to stop the repeated sting of humiliation. Adam standing there and just watching me clean up his mother’s mess without as much as an apology from either of them only adds to the rising level of humiliation. Once done, I stand and face Adam squarely, taking in the same clothes he wore to the cemetery earlier and getting reminded of all the reasons why I am making the best decision of my life. “As I said before, it is over between us. The divorce papers and my resignation letter will find their way to you soon.” I say, ignoring the way his face twisted, “Goodbye, Adam.” I turn around before I can even hear his response. I don’t want to look at Adam, not anymore. I walk away from him, going straight for the door and turning its knob for what I hope is the very last time. I have barely taken a step outside the door when Adam’s strong hand grabs my upper arm and twists me around to look at him. I have worked with him for seven years, four of which I was just his secretary and that was enough for me to know the kind of man Adam Miller is. He is usually composed with a blank expression that shows how in control he is. Right now, Adam is neither composed nor in control. He seems like he has lost grip of it and the meaning of those words don’t even matter to him anymore as he holds my arm in a tight grip. I struggle to break free of his hold. “Let me go.” I snap at him but Adam only narrows his eyes at me, his anger burning past his blue eyes. “You can’t just leave, Aria.” He growls. “You can’t tell me what to do, Adam. At least not anymore. Let me go!” “Does this even make any sense to you!” He yells in my face as he lets go of my hand to run his hand through his hair, “ You can’t just spring this kind of shet on me.” “It’s not springing if we have both had it coming from the very moment we shared our vows which you have already broken. We both know this marriage should have never happened so cut the crap and let me leave.” I say, practically fuming before turning around in another attempt to leave. “What about grandfather? You are taking such a big step without talking to the old man who set it all up anyway. The man who has been nothing but good to you.” I turn back to face Adam, hating his attempt at making me feel guilty. My thoughts go to his grandfather momentarily and I try to imagine the old man’s reaction to me filing for a divorce when he cares about me so much. However, I don’t waver. I refuse to let those thoughts come between me and my freedom. I refuse to put the wish of another over my own happiness. “I will talk to grandfather. Believe me, you have nothing to worry about.” I say and make another attempt to leave but of course, Adam doesn’t give up as he speaks again. “I won’t sign it Aria, I won’t sign the goddamm papers!” “What the hel is wrong with you?” I yell out my frustration, “Why won’t you just let me go?” He stares me down, eyes burning stubbornly, “I won’t sign the papers and I won’t accept your resignation either. The company has rules you have to follow and you can’t just decide to resign without prior notice especially when there is a lot of work at the office which I pay you to do!” I scoff, unable to believe his nerve. Unable to get over his selfish thinking and absolute lack of remorse for the things he has done. “You have Sophia, don’t you?” I shoot at him and his brows furrow. “What does that even mean?” “Everyone adores Sophia. She is smart, beautiful and can get your work done for you and oh, don’t forget the fact that she is also pre9nant with your child! How perfect is that?” Adam’s mother springs up, surprise evident in her features. Clearly, she is just learning about her coming grandson. “Adam, is what she says true? You have a child on the way?” Eva asked excitedly. Adam’s expression don’t give anything away and he doesn’t even spare his mother or sister a glance. He is still looking straight at me. “Aria, what happened between Sophia and I wasn’t intentional, it just–” “Don’t you dare make excuses for her! Who cares what she thinks? Sophia is who you have always deserved. The only woman who actually deserves to be my daughter-in-law.” Adam’s mother cut in while making sure to give me a nasty look that doesn’t even surprise me anymore. I shrug at Adam, a way to show him that I was right. Everyone wants Sophia, including him and he can’t even bring himself to deny it. He continues to ignore his mother. “Aria, it was an accident.” He says again and I nod, like I am agreeing to his words. “Three years ago, you didn’t think the same way. You didn’t think you accidentally slept with me but instead believed I had gone as far as dru9ging you to sleep with you. What changed, Adam? Because all I see right now is a bloody hypocrite and a coward who would rather blame others for his mistakes.” When I turn my back to him this time, I don’t stop walking. I don’t turn around. “Aria! Aria, get back here while I am still being nice. Aria, I swear to God if you walk out that door, I won’t take you back even if you go on your knees. You need me, Aria. You can’t survive without me!” Adam yells after me but I don’t stop walking as his arrogant words only fueled my desire to get away from him as fast as I can. I block out the rest of his words as I open the door and welcome my peace and freedom. I am never going back to that sad reality. | Read freely | 18 | https://facebook.com/61557986570531 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1716534000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841178 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682328 | 1723710532 | 858 | 1647538179348259 | 2 | 9.748784076486E+14 | 1716620400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 250753834794512 | 0 | Read freely | 120211565986950196 | redtgb.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | ❤️😍What happens next👉Click Here to read on👉 | https://redtgb.com/market/buenovela/3?lpid=11204&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1714661788 | 2.5075383479451E+14 | Read freely | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441255115_1177880883571742_5075201022874715379_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=g4JsrhWfitkQ7kNvgFeAKBG&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYBpTaGCiNETtYR_kV1GWW7Rzpt8y2OGe5kzssk6sCPaMg&oe=66583EF3 | person_profile | 0 | Read freely | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441055224_676099334622461_3142011906559831658_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=A4yVK4Sv1HwQ7kNvgEPlR3e&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYB-QI79bY-wsfuSD-aSCQRZreHGaTJ0yga_aI_hRJR6fA&oe=66584D39 | 0 | 3 | My husband and boss Adam, is laughing at every joke that leaves the lips of his first love while I watch them through the glass doors that separates his office from mine. I had been dutifully preparing some documents that needed his signature and also setting up his meetings for the day like I have done for 7 years as his secretary but since Sophia’s arrival, I have been unable to get any work done. I feel a pang in my chast every time Adam laughs, almost tearing up at the thought that he has never laughed like that around me. I stare at her slender frame, her lush black hair that bounces back into place even when she throws her head back in laughter and the grace in every of her movements. Sophia is an epitome of feminine grace and every of her features is proof of why Adam has been hung up over her even though they separated years ago. Even though he married me. The dark binds of his office are brought down abruptly, blocking my view of them both and now all I can see is black. It is as if Adam is trying to prevent me from prying even though I am his wife and privacy shouldn’t be a thing between us, especially when it comes to a woman he used to love so much. I still remember how shocked I was when she walked up to me earlier, heels clicking ever so sophisticatedly on the office tiles. I saw the feet cladded in shiny red heels before I raised my head to look at her. “Aria, I didn’t know you still worked here! I can’t believe Adam is still making you work even after you both got married. That man is something, isn’t he?” She said, smiling sweetly with blood red lips that would look horrifying on me if I dared to try that shade of lipstick. I couldn’t speak, caught in the shock of staring face to face with her after all these years, especially as she still had the same aura of wealth and confidence that I have always known her to possess. For a split second, she made me feel insecure in my gray office wear and my tight bun hair and the fact that I wore little to no makeup. “Sophia!” Adam’s voice was what broke me out of that trance I was stuck in as he stepped out of his office and there, right in front of me, he hugged her ever so tightly like an old time friend before he led her back into his office without sparing me as little as a glance. Now, they are alone together in his office, the blinds of his office pulled shut so that I can’t see them but can only hear their muffled voices and his own laughter every now and then. I squirm in my seat uncomfortably each time they laugh, gripping the edges of my table tightly and too destabilized to get any work done while they are both holed up in there. I stare at the calendar on my table. Today’s date is marked with a red marker and I sigh deeply. Does he even know today is our third wedding anniversary? Every year, it seems like I am the only one who remembers it and now with Sophia’s appearance, I can already tell that today will pass by like it’s just another day. I knew she was coming today. Being his secretary is the only reason why I knew the things Adam would rather keep from me. He already briefed me about a new business partner that just returned to the country two months ago and will be at the office at any time. What I didn’t know or should I say, what he purposely kept from me was that the so-called business partner was Sophia Bradley and perhaps the reason why he has been more cold and indifferent than usual, ever since her return. My heart aches at the realization but it aches even more because there is nothing I can do about it. I have never had a place in Adam’s heart but he has been the only one in mine. I loved him from the very moment he saved my life years ago but I can say the same for him. He always reminds me even without speaking, that our marriage is nothing but an attempt at fulfilling his grandfather’s wishes and I knew if he had gotten his way, he would have never looked at me twice, not to talk of getting married to me. Grandfather’s love for me is perhaps the only reason I am still sane in this loveless marriage. The old man never ceases to show how much he cherishes me but when has that ever been enough? I am married to Adam and not his family. The clock ticks endlessly, yet Adam remains in there with her. Their laughter dies down all of a sudden and I can barely hear a word they are saying. Unable to hold back anymore, I stand before the restlessness kil ls me. I am his wife and I deserve to know what is going on. To look natural, I quickly make two cups of coffee. After all, I am his secretary and this is a part of my job. Nervous sweat breaks out on my forehead as I make my way to his office with unsure steps. Inhaling sharply, I open the door and step in. My heart clenches at the sight of them both, relaxed in each other’s company as they sit so close to each other on one of the couches in his office. I swallow hard and try to walk over to the table with the best confidence I could muster. “I made coffee.” I say but they don’t even acknowledge my presence, lost in each other and whatever they were discussing. I study Sophia for a moment, watching as she twirls her cherry blonde hair with a finger while seated with one leg crossed over the other to reveal a prov0cative amount of thi9hs, smiling so brightly that I can’t tell if she’s faking it. I want to turn around and leave but my feet fail to move. I can’t just leave like this. For how long will I keep quiet and svck it up? “Sir,” I call, looking directly at Adam. We are married but he never fails to remind me that I address him as my boss at work. Adam doesn’t even make a move to look at me and anger rises inside of me, slowly boiling. “Sir,” I call again and that is when he finally regards me with a cold look that almost deters me but I remain firm under his gaze. “There is something I need to talk to you about, it’s important.” I lie right through my teeth. I can feel Sophia’s gaze burning through me but I try not to look at her, for the fear that my confidence would slip away if I do. Adam just waves me off. “It can wait. As you can see, I have a guest.” “It can’t wait.” I say, even more firmly but he is already back to smiling and listening to Sophia speak like a lovesick teenage boy. I call him a few more times and unable to hold back any longer, I call him by his name instead. “Adam!” They both look up at me with a mix of expressions. That of Adam is pure anger while Sophia is obviously irritated. I know she has never liked me and back when I was just his secretary and she was his girlfriend, she complained about every single thing I did. “Adam, what is this? Is this how you let your employees disrespect you?” She says it with absolute disgust and disrespect. I am stunned at her words, so stunned that I scoff. Employee? She dares to talk down on me like that even when she knows fully well that I am not just an employee. Adam stands, his tall frame causing his shadow to sweep over me while I grip the tray of coffee tightly in my hands. “Aria, out. Now.” He commands and I am filled with so much hurt that my hands shake and my lips quiver. “Why should I? I have every reason to be in this room and I have every right to speak for you to listen to me.” Sophia stands at once. “It seems as though your wife has a bone to pick with me and I will not sit here and take such insults.” She begins to walk away and of course, Adam follows her. I try to move out of her way but my attempt fails when her shoulder heavily bumps into mine in a way that is too fierce to be considered unintentional. I lose grip of the tray and stagger forward and just like that, the hot coffee spills all over her very expensive looking dress and mine. She shrieks, backing away from me only to glare at me the next second. “What the hel is wrong with you?” She yells. Adam rushes to her side in less than a minute, fussing over her stained dress and even offering her his handkerchief while I stand there, drenched in coffee as my husband takes care of another woman. I feel the tears prickling at the corner of my eyes but what does crying in front of this woman make me? “I can’t believe you! What did I ever do to you? Go ahead and dislike me all you want but there is a limit to how far you can go and you just crossed that.” She says again, seething in uncontained anger. Adam turns to me, eyes dark with rage. It makes me shiver. Makes me feel unimaginable pain to know he is mad at me because of another woman. “Apologise right now!” He commands and I scoff. How can he stand there and take her side when I did nothing wrong? “Why should I do that? I have done nothing wrong. She bumped into me!” I defend myself, my voice breaking. Lips quivering. “I did no such thing!” Sophia says defensively but her eyes tell a different story. “You heard me, Aria. Apologize to her right now.” Adam says again, still intently looking at me. I almost laugh at the fact that the only time he is looking me directly in the eyes after three years of marriage is when another woman is involved. I shake my head, finding all of this hard to believe. “So you believe her over me? You take her words for it but mine does not matter? I am your wife.” “A wife I never wanted to marry!” He yells back and shatters what is left of my broken heart. Chapter 2 I am speechless for the next few seconds as his words hit me like a freight train. I wait. I wait for his hard eyes to soften with remorse at the harsh words he threw at me but that doesn’t happen. He is glowering at me, nose flaring angrily. “Adam, how…how could you say that to me?” I say, my eyes crossing over to Sophia who is now hiding her own frame behind his tall, muscular one, “In front of her?” “Because it’s the truth!” He yells again, startling me into making a small helpless sound. Adam has never yelled at me. And even though it hurts me to admit that he is truly saying the truth, he has never said it to my face and I never really thought he would. I have always known it yet it hurts to hear it come from him. It feels like a thousand needles are pricking my heart and making me bleed out with so much pain. He runs his fingers through his hair, seeming frustrated. Like he would rather not have this conversation with me. And just when I think it is over, he continues to speak, breaking me even further. “You were nothing but a mere secretary who wormed her way into my life. If you hadn’t forced yourself on me that night, none of this would have happened! This marriage would have never happened and you know it.” He brings up the past. Our past. The night that meant everything to me but clearly means nothing to him. I swallow over and over again till my throat and mouth become dry. I can’t cry. No, I can’t appear weak. Not in front of Adam and definitely not in front of Sophia so I keep my tears at bay, urging them to return before they spill down my cheeks. “I never forced myself on you, Adam. Why won’t you believe me?” I manage to say but he raises a hand to tell me to stop talking and I clamp my lips shut. “Do not stand there and try to look innocent, Aria because that is far from who you are. I simply said the truth and I do not care if you cannot take it.” He says and stares at me intently. “Do not let what happened today repeat itself again. Know your place and I will not have any reason to talk to you like this. Do you understand?” He lays emphasis on every word of warning he is giving me and turns his back against me before I can even open my mouth to speak again. “Are you okay?” I can’t believe how his voice goes from hard to soft in the next second as he fusses over Sophia. Sophia makes a face that has me balling my fingers into a fist. A face that clearly says she is not okay. “The coffee was hot and I think I might have to visit the hospital to prevent the burn from leaving a scar.” She says in a quiet voice. I look down at my own body that is also drenched in the same coffee. The coffee wasn’t hot enough to cause a burn but Adam believes her instantly. He pulls her into a hug and embarrassment washes over me like a bucket of ice. “I’ll drive. Wait here, I will get my keys.” he says as he pulls away, rushing to his office table to grab his car keys before coming back to her side. He takes her purse from her and leads her out. They both seem so lost in each other that they forget my existence totally, leaving me to stand alone in the middle of the room. Silence falls over me and I am left with my thoughts, licking the wound that his words caused. I have never been able to convince Adam that I didn’t force myself on him yet till this very day, he still believes I drugged him into sleeping with him on the night we were having dinner with his family three years ago. I can never forget the pure look of disgust and shock on his face when we both woke up in each other’s arms the next morning. I knew since then that Adam would never love me, yet I was hopeful. As the years go by, the hope keeps dwindling with his grandfather, being the only support system in everything. Sighing, I return to my office and pick up my phone. My eyes widens when I see that a number has called my phone repeatedly all the time I was in Adam’s office. The dread that fills me stems from the fact that I recognise the number as the hospital’s number. I call back instantly, my heart racing. They pick up on the second ring. “Mrs Miller, we have been trying to reach you all afternoon!” A female voice says. “Why? Is something wrong? Is my grandmother okay?” I ask, rushing my words as I am filled with dread and panic. “You need to be at the hospital, your grandmother—” I don’t wait to hear the rest of her words. I race out of the room and call on a taxi to drive me to the hospital. I go straight to her hospital room but the sheets and blankets are already being neatly arranged and the bed is empty. More panic. More dread. “Where is my grandmother?” I ask, “Where is she?” The nurse cleaning the room gives me a look of pity that nauseates me. “I am sorry, Mrs Miller but your grandmother died ten minutes ago and has been moved to the hospital’s mortuary. I am sorry.” She says. The world around me stops and I don’t know how I am able to walk on my two feet to the mortuary where the Nurse leads me. She stops at the door and points to my grandmother laying on a table in the room, her body covered in a white sheet from head to toe. I walk to the bedside with shaky legs and the moment I take the sheet off and set my eyes on her pale face, I burst out into a loud sob, wishing I could go back to a month ago so I can prevent that accident that made her this way. The accident that took my only living family away from me. “Grandma…” I call in a broken voice as I reach for her hand. They are too cold, so lifeless and the tears begin to leave my eyes in torrents as I remember how warm these hands used to be when they held my face. “I’m sorry…I’m so sorry.” I cry, holding tightly unto her and hating myself for not being there in her last moments. I should have been there with her but I was too busy worrying about my place in my husband’s life. The nurse comes into the room and says, “She asked us to give you this.” I wipe my tears, sniffling as I take what seems to be a key chain from her. I couldn’t think of a reason why grandmother’s parting gift to me would be a key chain but I can’t seem to care. Her cold hands slammed me into the reality of what had happened. Grandmother is dead. I fall to my knees by the bed and weep, muttering and calling for her to return to me. “Aria.” Adam’s voice calls from behind me. I am both surprised and relieved to find him there. He must have been contacted by the hospital as well and stopped by since he already came here with Sophia anyway. Sophia is standing in the room with us but I ignore her. I focus on Adam because I need him. I need someone to hold me and tell me everything will be fine. “Adam.” I cry as I walk over to him and hug him without a second thought, my tears gathering and falling again. His body stiffens at my touch but I don’t let go. I need his warmth. I need him because he is really all that I have left and I can’t bear to lose him too. I expect him to push me away but he doesn’t. He doesn’t hug me back too but I can’t find it in me to care as I sob uncontrollably. My tears subside and I sniffle repeatedly and slowly let go of him. He clears his throat and takes out his phone, saying; “I’ll place a call to start making preparations for her funeral.” He turns around to leave with Sophia also following him but I can’t bear the sight of him turning his back to me and leaving. I grab his hand. “Stay.” I sound so weak and helpless but I do not give a damm, “Please, don’t go. Stay with me.” I beg. Adam opens his mouth to say something but a sharp cry stuns us both. We spin around at the same time to the source of the cry and she is crouching, holding her stomach with an expression of pain. Adam rushes to Sophia’s side in a heartbeat and my heart sinks further down my stomach. “Sophia, are you okay?” He asks with concern ringing high in his voice. She shakes her head, “There is something I’ve been wanting to tell you but didn’t know how.” She says, holding her stomach as she looks directly at me. “What is it?” Adam asks, still very much concerned. “Adam…I…I am pre9nant.” Chapter 3 Grandmother’s funeral is being held on a gloomy day, much to my displeasure. I listened to the weather forecast so I could choose the perfect day for the funeral, and according to the forecast, the day is supposed to be sunny and bright just like Grandmother. I feel duped standing by grandmother’s grave with the sky covered in clouds that only worsen the dark and depressing feeling that has settled in my guts since her death. I have cried so much that I have no tears left to shed at grandmother’s grave and now have to wear dark sunglasses to hide how red and puffy my eyes are rather than to complement my black dress. There are a few people hanging around the other graves in the cemetery to pay their last respects to their loved ones and at each grave, there are at least two people; couples holding each other, families comforting each other and even church processions. I am alone, with no one to comfort me since no one else bothered to attend my grandmother's funeral. With her gone, I realize how lonely I actually am and the thought deals another blow to my already damaged heart. I try hard to get the heartbreaking events of the past few days off my mind and when I finally succeed, I turn my focus back to my grandmother. She’s smiling in the framed picture placed by her tombstone and I force a smile as well as a fond memory of her slips into my mind. “Aria, my child, you can’t frown like that everytime or you’ll get wrinkles like me before you are even my age!” She would say and then go ahead to spread my lips into a smile with her fingers. Grandmother was a cheerful soul who would tell me stories, mostly the ones about my birth and how she knew from the very first day that she set her eyes on me that I was going to be a really beautiful and amazing child. I shared everything with her and talking to her about my marriage was one of the things that made it bearable. I don’t know what I’d do without Grandmother. Tears start to gather in my eyes again and I take off the sunglasses to wipe them off before they start to fall. I already promised myself not to cry anymore; Grandmother wouldn’t want that. Sniffling, I begin to place the things I brought with me by her grave; Tulips, which were her favorite flowers; Peaches, her favorite fruit and finally some sweets because grandmother had a really sweet tooth and never listened to me whenever I told her they were bad for her age. “There are no sweets in heaven, Aria. It’s only right that I take as much as I can down here before the big guy calls me up there.” She would say at the same she unwraps another candy and tosses it into her mouth. She would talk on and on about ‘The big guy’ and ‘Up there’ like she was always prepared for the day she would die. I can’t help it anymore, I burst into tears, falling on my knees by her grave as it dawns on me fully that she is really gone. “I should have let you have all the candies in the world. I should have been there with you at your dying moment. I should have held your hands and told you it’s gonna be okay. I–” My voice breaks, the deep regret and tears choking me and making me lose my train of thoughts. I can’t think of a thing to say anymore and so I just cry, sobbing so hard my body shakes. I hear confident footsteps approaching me and feel a presence behind me that causes my sobs to come to a pause. My heart races and hope swells inside of me when the person puts a hand on my shoulder. I whip my head around, expecting to see Adam but my hope quickly shatters when I see that it is Adam uncle, Regis. “Regis.” I say, sniffing and wiping my tears in a rush. “Here,” He hands me his handkerchief, stuffing it in my hand and closing my palm around it before I can even refuse. I say a barely audible thank you before I dab at the tears with the hanky that smelt like him. “I came as soon as I heard, I’m sorry about your Grandmother, Aria.” He says in a sincere and kind voice. Regis has always been kind to me even when I was just a secretary. Whenever he came to visit his nephew at the office, he would stop to say hi and hand me a canned coffee with a smile on his face. However, he left the country to study a few days before our wedding and only returned not too long ago. This is the first time seeing him since his return and the kind look in his eyes assures me that if he had been around, I would have had another person rooting for me just like Adam’s grandfather. “You didn’t have to.” I say quietly, trying to downplay how much it actually means to me that at least, one person cares enough to be here with me. Regis looks around as if searching for something and then he frowns when our eyes meet again. “You’re alone? Where the hel is Adam?” He asks, his voice a little hard. My cheeks redden in embarrassment. Regis has only just returned and probably doesn’t know anything yet. I am not willing to talk either. I force a smile and begin to pack the excess things I bought for my grandmother's funeral. Regis joins me wordlessly and I sigh in silent appreciation of how he doesn’t ask anymore questions. He takes everything from my hands even before I can protest. “Did you drive here?” He asks and I shake my head. I came here in a Taxi. “C’mon, we’ll take my car.” He says and walks in front of me. I have no choice but to follow him. We have just gotten outside of the cemetery when a car drives into the parking space right beside Regis’ car. The car is familiar and I keep doubting who it belongs to until Adam steps out of the car, eyes trained on me as he walks over. The first thing I notice is his Royal Blue suit and I feel the slow brewing of anger inside of me. How could he show up wearing that? It is like a blatant disrespect of my Grandmother and I can’t stand to watch her get disrespected even in her death. It is clear that he came from the office; little surprise there and it would have been better if he didn’t come at all as I now realize how looking at him only infuriates me. He had managed to avoid me in the past three days since the hospital incident. Three days since Sophia announced that she was pre9nant and shook my world. I didn’t need anyone to tell me who the baby belonged to as he walks towards me now, I feel nothing but resentment for him. “Is it over? Crap, I must have lost track of time.” He says before turning to his uncle and giving him a tight smile of appreciation that I find nauseating. “Thank you for being here with her, uncle.” Regis merely crosses his arms, staring back at his nephew, “Care to explain why you are only just coming?” Regis thows the question at him and I face Adam too, crossing my arms. “Yes, Adam. Tell me what was more important than being at my grandmother’s funeral.” I already know the answer but I still wait to hear him say it so I can have a reason to hate him even more. “I really wanted to be here, Aria but you know…” He trails off, running a hand through his hair, “I had to be with Sophia.” The sound of her name is what does it for me; the same woman who is the reason I wasn’t around to witness grandmother’s dying moments. “Did you really come all the way here to tell me you were with another woman you slept with and impregnated?” “What?” Regis is the one who speaks, his voice echoing his shock as he looks from me to Adam. Adam’s usual blank look remains as if he is unaffected by my words and the pain he has caused me. “Let’s not do this here, Aria. You know I can’t just leave her.” I scoff. “I never stopped you. You know what? You should have never come here. You should have stayed with her since that is where your loyalties lie now and I am no longer in the picture.” Adam frowns, moving closer and intimidating me just a little with his height and muscular frame, “What does that mean? You are my wife.” “Ex-wife,” I say the words without even thinking. I didn’t think any of this through but I don’t care because my entire being seems to agree that this is what’s best for me, “I want a divorce, Adam.” His eyes grow wide, unable to contain the shock at my words and I am proud of myself that I finally got a reaction that isn’t anger or coldness from him. “Both the divorce papers and my resignation will find their way to you soon.” I add before he can get over his shock and I don’t wait for him to reply as I turn to an equally stunned Regis. “Take me home, Regis.” Chapter 4 Adam’s POV I want a divorce. The words circle around my head non-stop. Of all the shets I have had the pleasure of hearing–and trust me, I hear a lot of crap as a CEO–Aria asking for a divorce out of nowhere has to be the worst. I am a man who takes pride in my strength and ability to handle situations no matter how unexpected they are. It comes with the job, yet for some reason, I am unable to utter a single word or move my feet until she gets into the car with my uncle. When I finally come to my senses, she is long gone, leaving me to drown in the pool of shock she created. I am shocked at her audacity; the way she looked me in the eyes as she hit me with those words. Aria’s cold hazel eyes totally betrayed the meek and timid trait that I have only ever known her for. I am equally shocked at myself for actually being affected by it when I shouldn't have batted an eyelash, after all, I never wanted to marry her. The three years of living with Aria felt like I was in bonda9e created by her own deceit and my grandfather’s overbearing attitude. I never cared about Aria yet the sound of divorce numbed me completely that I am unable to think straight until the door to my car opens and reminds me that I am still standing still in front of the cemetery. My personal assistant steps out of the car and speaks. “Sir, your appointment with the Taylor Enterprises is thirty minutes from now. It’s more than an hour’s drive from here, we should leave now if–” “Cancel it,” I say, heading back to the car, not quite in the right mind to process anything, not even a meeting whose outcome was worth millions of dollars. My assistant follows behind me in a hurry, obviously confused. “But sir, that isn’t the only appointment for the day. You also have…” He starts to read out my packed schedule for the day as I finally get into the car. “Cancel them all!” I say, settling into the leather seats of the car and loosening my tie at the same time as it feels like I am slowly losing the ability to breathe, “Get in and turn the dann AC on.” I command him, unable to prevent my anger and irritation from reflecting in my voice. Finally noticing the negative emotions rolling out of me in waves, he mutters his response before getting into the driver’s seat and pulling the car out of the cemetery’s parking lot. We get to the highway, air is emitting from not only the AC in the car yet I feel heat rising from inside of me and not even loosening a few buttons on my shirt helped. All I can think about is Aria and the dammed divorce. My shock is long gone and I am now stewing in nothing but anger, bordering on rage. Who the hel does she think she is? What gives her the boldness to think she makes the call for divorce? If anyone should be asking for a divorce, It should be me. I am the one who married her against my will. She’s the one who found me so irresistible that she went as far as dru9ging me just to have me. If anyone deserves to slam divorce papers in her face, it is me but the thought never crossed my mind. She’s a good secretary, dutiful, efficient and always at my beck and call. She also doubles as a good wife, never getting in my way or needy for attention. Aria takes whatever I give her; the little time, the irregular sax and the little communication, all that I deemed appropriate for our kind of relationship. The sudden switch has me racking my brain, thinking of different possibilities and all the things that could have gone wrong. A thought crosses my mind and it intensifies my anger in a way that I can’t even understand. “Find out if Aria has been meeting anyone lately. Men in particular.” I say. My assistant meets my eyes through the rearview mirror. His eyes fail to hide his surprise that I am asking him to look into my wife and the possibility that she’s been seeing other men. I can’t rule out all the possibilities and if Aria has really been cheating on me, I swear to God– My phone vibrates beside me on the leather seats. Sophia’s name pops up on the screen in a message notification. She’s asking me when next I would be available for an appointment at the doctor’s office. Seeing Sophia’s message douses my anger but leaves me with a far more disturbing emotion. I thought of all the reasons why my quiet wife is suddenly asking for a divorce but it never crossed my mind that impregnating the woman I once loved could be the reason. I think back to that day two months ago when yet again, I let drinking lead me into making the worst decisions. All I had to do was pick Sophia up at the airport, drive her to her hotel and return home. Instead, I took the invite to have a drink in her hotel room; for old time’s sake, she called it. We did more than just have a drink that night and the outcome is the baby growing inside of Sophia. I can’t call it a mistake yet deep down, I know it should have never happened. I should have never let myself get tempted by the thought of how being inside of Sophia will feel after three years. I want the child. It’s my baby and I don’t plan on losing it but it comes at a price that I never thought would be a problem which is the divorce with Aria. I can’t let Aria divorce me. I need her. At the office and in my home. She’s been my secretary for seven years and no one can do her job like her. I also pay her well and make sure she doesn’t need anything as my wife. How does she plan to survive without me anyway? Does she think that by asking for divorce, she has put herself on a higher level than me? What game is she playing with me now? Ha! Women thinking that they can live without a man and his support. As I think deeply about these things, I also think of a way to remedy them. I just need to do something to appeal to her. “What do women like?” I asked my assistant. He hesitates at first, surprised by the sudden question before he clears his throat and answers, “Erm, designer bags I guess and oh, flowers.” I am already scrolling through an online store on my phone, clicking away at every expensive bag that catches my eyes until I have already ordered a number to last her an entire year. Then we make a stop at the flower shop on the way home. Turns out there are more than a hundred thousand flowers and I can’t even decide which one to get for Aria because apparently, women have favorites when it comes to things as trivial as flowers as well. In the end, I pick Lilies because the attendant at the flowershop claims it’s most women’s favorite. I head home after that with only one single thought at the back of my mind; I won’t let Aria divorce me. Chapter 5 I’m thankful that Regis doesn’t ask any questions as he drives me back home. He offers to drive me into the compound but I turn him down and wait till he drives off before I sigh and walk into the house. The house is brimming with maids who rush over to me the instant they hear the door open but I raise a hand to stop them all from coming close to me. I am no longer the mistress of the house. I walk past them all to get to my room. Adam and I only share a room when he is looking to satisfy his saxual urges. He crawls into my bed and peppers kisses all over my body till I give in and that is the only time I ever feel wanted by him. As I walk into the room, I refrain from staring at the bed for longer than I should, afraid that the memories of us tangled up in sheets with him buried deep inside of me will break my resolve. And right now, I have only one resolve–to leave Adam for good. I begin to pack while that resolve is still strong, not even stopping for one moment to think about the fact that I have nowhere to go. I can’t bear to stay one more day under the same roof with Adam, knowing how deeply his betrayal cut. I only pack a few things that are important, assuring myself that I will come back for the rest of my things later when the divorce is finalized. I am only halfway through packing when I hear the sound of a familiar voice that never fails to send chills down my spine and even right this moment, I can already feel the chilling crawl of dread and it makes me stop packing immediately. Adam’s mother, Elodie and his sister Eva are here. I exhale sharply, trying to keep my breathing under control and to also keep the terrible memories of them from flushing into the forefront of my mind. A few more deep exhales and I finally get a hold of myself, resuming packing my things. Once I finish packing, I haul the heavy suitcase out of the room and walk into the living room where Elodie and Eva are seated on one of the couches, legs crossed over one another like they owned the place. Elodie has her signature scowl on her face that doesn’t fade even when I bow to greet her. “Why are you here?” Elodie asks, standing. I am confused by her question and my inability to give an answer makes her scoff, her face contorting into the ugliest form annoyance can take. “I almost forgot how dumb you are.” Elodie says again. Dumb. Her favorite word to throw at me the way she pleases and of course, it doesn’t hurt less today. In fact, it is even more painful now that I realize that besides having to live with Adam’s indifference, I have also had to deal with his mother’s hatred and utter disrespect for me and all along, my response has either been silence or an apology that she never deserved. “Why are you here instead of the office, huh?” She sneers and continues, “My son works tirelessly day and night just to make money for someone like you to leech off him, all he asks of you is to do your job as his secretary and yet you can’t even do that one thing? Do you think you are entitled to his money just because you are his wife?” Her words are like hard blows to the chast, every single word that strung her sentences together hitting nerves and breaking right through them. I feel something rising inside of me. It has always been there but I have always managed to control it. To top it all, Eva, Adam’s snobbish sister had to chip in, “She’s a trickster who duped my poor innocent brother and I wonder why isn’t she at the office! Such a lazy bumm! I don’t even know how Grandpa accepted such a penniless betch to be part of our elite family!” “I had to be at my grandmother’s funeral.” I respond simply, hoping the scowl on her face will disappear but it gets even more profound and she adds a scoff for good measure. Did Elodie and Eva not know that my grandmother died? “Is she dead for real? Or is it just an act?!” Eva has the guts to ask me and I glare at her. Elodie continues, “Of course, that’s your excuse for being a lazy gold digger. Tell me, did that grandmother of yours teach you to go after other people’s money instead of working for your own?” That very thing that has been rising inside me since I saw Adam’s mother reaches its peak. It’s anger. It is red, pure and fiery and controls my whole being that I can not even bring myself to care about anything other than keeping my grandmother’s name from being soiled. “Do not talk about my grandmother like that!” I yell and she jumps slightly, startled by my outburst. “Did you just yell at me?” she says, taking a step forward but I don’t flinch as I stare back into her eyes. Eva approaches me and she lashes out, “Did you just shout at my mother?!!!” Eva has always tried to demean me and every possible way at every chance presented to her. She grabs my arm, presses it harshly, making me wince in pain. Elodie smiles and as usually, she is greatly entertained. I push Eva with the other hand and she tumbles on the sofa. She remains shocked for I have always allowed them to bully me and this time, I retaliate. “Did you forget your place? You are nothing but a–” “Gold digger who married your son for his money, yes, I get it!” I snap at her, having had enough of the name calling every damm time, “But you don’t have to worry about that anymore because I already filed for a divorce. I am leaving your son so you can go ahead and swallow all of his money for all I care.” I turn around to leave, huffing as I drag the heavy suitcase with me but then Elodie clamps her hand down on the suitcase to stop me. She looks at the suitcase in amusement. “You are really leaving!” Elodie can’t even hide the joy in her tone. “Yes, so please just stop and let me go.” She shakes her head, “Not so fast! You can’t just leave.” And then she signals to two of the maids who have been standing, watching the whole exchange. “Search her!” She orders when they come forward. They hesitate and she glares at them. “Did you not hear her? She is no longer the mistress of the house. Search her right now.” I am too stunned to react when the maids finally snatch my suitcase from me. Eva tries to hold me preventing me from snatching back my bag from the maids. “What do you think you’re doing?” I say, my voice shaky. “I can’t just let you leave. Who knows what valuables you have stolen from my son inside that germ ridden bag of yours.” My mouth opens and closes several times at her words as I can’t even come up with a single string of sentences to say to her. I just watch as my things come tumbling to the ground in the rough search. Tears of humiliation burned at the back of my eyes. I don’t struggle any more from Eva’s grip and she stares at me triumphantly. “What is that? Hand it over.” Adam’s mother says when one of the maids found a gold bracelet I had lodged into my case. Grandmother’s bracelet, the only thing I have left of her. “No!” I rush forward to stop her from handing it over but I am too late. Adam’s mother is already holding and inspecting the bracelet. “Oh, wow! Mom, you finally found something she stole from Adam!” Eva exclaimed enthusiastically. Upon saying those words, she drags me and throws me onto the marble. I hit my nose. As I touch it, blood is coming out. I wipe it quickly and spring up to my feet. “I knew it! You took something. Did my son buy this for you? What gives you the right to think you can walk away with something he got for you after filing for a divorce?” Elodie snaps. “That doesn’t belong to your son! It is mine and I will appreciate it if you give it back.” She does the exact opposite and only continues to accuse me of being a thief until the door opens and Adam walks in. I don’t feel relief at his presence like I usually do when his mother treats me this way, instead, I feel nothing but resentment for him. I want to scream how much I hate him to his face. His face twists into confusion when he sees the situation. “What is going on here?” He asks, walking further into the house and looking from his mother to me. “Thank goodness you arrived, son. This leech was about to leave with something that clearly doesn’t belong to her.” His mother responds. “And she hit me!!!” Eva adds, almost in tears, complaining to Adam. This time, Adam is too shocked to ask me why I hit his dear sister. I thought,as he did in the past, he would force me to apologize, but this time, he did nothing. I wonder why. My eyes are starting to water for some reason and I am confused as to why Adam’s appearance suddenly triggered them yet I smile through the tears. “Adam, will you please tell your mother that I have never gotten a gift from you?” Adam falters, seemingly speechless for a second as he stares at his hands. I also look down at his hands and I finally understand why my eyes sting with tears and why I am sniffling in preparation of a sneeze that rocks my entire body. Lilies. I am all ergic to them. Despite the tears rolling down my cheeks, I start to laugh. I laugh so hard, ignoring the burning gazes of everyone present in the room who probably think I have gone crazy. I sneeze in between laughs, yet I don’t stop laughing as I turn to Adam’s mother. “I have been married to your son for three years and he doesn’t even know I am all ergic to lilies, yet you think he is capable of getting me a bracelet?” I shake my head at my sad reality. Chapter 6 Adam hands the flowers over to one of the maids, asking her to put it in a vase or whatever. He clears his throat, trying and failing miserably to hide his embarrassment in front of his mother, his sister and the maids. “The flowers weren’t for you.” He says, voice hard as he stares at me for a brief second. I barely even feel anything when he says that because I genuinely don’t care anymore, I just want to get the hel out of this house and never return. I don’t even care about the rest of my things which I am yet to pack, I just want to turn my back on this horrible life already. I hear Eva sniggers. Adam seems like he wants to say something to me but then he decides against it and turns to his mother instead. “Mum, please return the bracelet to her.” She snorts and shakes her head stubbornly, “I am not letting her leave with it.” Adam grunts, a sign that he is slowly losing his patience, “ I have never seen that bracelet mother, it belongs to Aria. Please, give it back.” Adam’s mother doesn’t immediately move to do as she is told but the moment she does, it is with an annoyed huff as she tosses the bracelet at me. I catch it in my palms while she heads back to sit in the same position as earlier when I first walked into the living room. I fall to my knees by the mess the maids made out of my clothes and then I begin to arrange them again, rushing through the process so I can get out of here fast to stop the repeated sting of humiliation. Adam standing there and just watching me clean up his mother’s mess without as much as an apology from either of them only adds to the rising level of humiliation. Once done, I stand and face Adam squarely, taking in the same clothes he wore to the cemetery earlier and getting reminded of all the reasons why I am making the best decision of my life. “As I said before, it is over between us. The divorce papers and my resignation letter will find their way to you soon.” I say, ignoring the way his face twisted, “Goodbye, Adam.” I turn around before I can even hear his response. I don’t want to look at Adam, not anymore. I walk away from him, going straight for the door and turning its knob for what I hope is the very last time. I have barely taken a step outside the door when Adam’s strong hand grabs my upper arm and twists me around to look at him. I have worked with him for seven years, four of which I was just his secretary and that was enough for me to know the kind of man Adam Miller is. He is usually composed with a blank expression that shows how in control he is. Right now, Adam is neither composed nor in control. He seems like he has lost grip of it and the meaning of those words don’t even matter to him anymore as he holds my arm in a tight grip. I struggle to break free of his hold. “Let me go.” I snap at him but Adam only narrows his eyes at me, his anger burning past his blue eyes. “You can’t just leave, Aria.” He growls. “You can’t tell me what to do, Adam. At least not anymore. Let me go!” “Does this even make any sense to you!” He yells in my face as he lets go of my hand to run his hand through his hair, “ You can’t just spring this kind of shet on me.” “It’s not springing if we have both had it coming from the very moment we shared our vows which you have already broken. We both know this marriage should have never happened so cut the crap and let me leave.” I say, practically fuming before turning around in another attempt to leave. “What about grandfather? You are taking such a big step without talking to the old man who set it all up anyway. The man who has been nothing but good to you.” I turn back to face Adam, hating his attempt at making me feel guilty. My thoughts go to his grandfather momentarily and I try to imagine the old man’s reaction to me filing for a divorce when he cares about me so much. However, I don’t waver. I refuse to let those thoughts come between me and my freedom. I refuse to put the wish of another over my own happiness. “I will talk to grandfather. Believe me, you have nothing to worry about.” I say and make another attempt to leave but of course, Adam doesn’t give up as he speaks again. “I won’t sign it Aria, I won’t sign the goddamm papers!” “What the hel is wrong with you?” I yell out my frustration, “Why won’t you just let me go?” He stares me down, eyes burning stubbornly, “I won’t sign the papers and I won’t accept your resignation either. The company has rules you have to follow and you can’t just decide to resign without prior notice especially when there is a lot of work at the office which I pay you to do!” I scoff, unable to believe his nerve. Unable to get over his selfish thinking and absolute lack of remorse for the things he has done. “You have Sophia, don’t you?” I shoot at him and his brows furrow. “What does that even mean?” “Everyone adores Sophia. She is smart, beautiful and can get your work done for you and oh, don’t forget the fact that she is also pre9nant with your child! How perfect is that?” Adam’s mother springs up, surprise evident in her features. Clearly, she is just learning about her coming grandson. “Adam, is what she says true? You have a child on the way?” Eva asked excitedly. Adam’s expression don’t give anything away and he doesn’t even spare his mother or sister a glance. He is still looking straight at me. “Aria, what happened between Sophia and I wasn’t intentional, it just–” “Don’t you dare make excuses for her! Who cares what she thinks? Sophia is who you have always deserved. The only woman who actually deserves to be my daughter-in-law.” Adam’s mother cut in while making sure to give me a nasty look that doesn’t even surprise me anymore. I shrug at Adam, a way to show him that I was right. Everyone wants Sophia, including him and he can’t even bring himself to deny it. He continues to ignore his mother. “Aria, it was an accident.” He says again and I nod, like I am agreeing to his words. “Three years ago, you didn’t think the same way. You didn’t think you accidentally slept with me but instead believed I had gone as far as dru9ging you to sleep with you. What changed, Adam? Because all I see right now is a bloody hypocrite and a coward who would rather blame others for his mistakes.” When I turn my back to him this time, I don’t stop walking. I don’t turn around. “Aria! Aria, get back here while I am still being nice. Aria, I swear to God if you walk out that door, I won’t take you back even if you go on your knees. You need me, Aria. You can’t survive without me!” Adam yells after me but I don’t stop walking as his arrogant words only fueled my desire to get away from him as fast as I can. I block out the rest of his words as I open the door and welcome my peace and freedom. I am never going back to that sad reality. | Read freely | 18 | https://facebook.com/61557986570531 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1716534000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841185 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682328 | 1723710533 | 858 | 1361528064521212 | 1 | 7.4287710132688E+14 | 1715410800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 250753834794512 | 0 | Read freely | 120208075188720056 | beokn.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | ❤️😍What happens next👉Click Here to read on👉 | https://beokn.com/market/buenovela/3?lpid=11230&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1715224592 | 2.5075383479451E+14 | Read freely | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/422079631_823590829824839_4719608256142825580_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=zRrWu5cWNVoQ7kNvgGlPwcN&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYDOKfR6AdQVBkGHxZ7oRkovEG_cTVH3Fhai_NcioNO3Lg&oe=665834C6 | person_profile | 0 | Read freely | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441057328_1702104656985535_4588455529970348064_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=o0QCZODViNgQ7kNvgHrHhkE&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYCq8jC5eDyRX5crJStFEQcpuaK8E5JvRlMOeIvajggmRg&oe=6658688A | 0 | 3 | Yvette Snyder stood at the entrance of the hospital, her body frail, clutching a report in her thin hands. Three words on the report stood out: "No conception detected". "You've been married for three years. How are you not conceived?" Her mother, Yara Cadwell, demanded, jabbing a finger in Yvette's face disappointedly. Yara was dressed lavishly and wore high heels. "Why are you so useless? If you don't get conceived soon, the Lanes are going to kick you out of the family. What's going to happen to our family then?" Yvette looked at Yara blankly. She had a lot to say, but the words were stuck in her throat. In the end, all she could manage was, "I'm sorry." "I don't want you to be sorry. I want you to give birth to Xavier's child. Do you understand me?" Yvette's throat felt tight; she didn't know how to answer Yara. In their three years of marriage, her husband, Xavier Lane, had never slept with her. How could she ever have his child? Yara stared at Yvette. The latter's weak demeanor was so unlike her own. Finally, she said coldly before leaving, "If you really can't give him a child, then find him a woman who can. At least he'll appreciate you for that." Yvette stared after Yara's retreating figure in disbelief. Had her own mother just told her to find another woman for her husband to sleep with? ... As Yvette made her journey home, she couldn't stop thinking about Yara's parting words. Suddenly, a loud ringing in her ear drowned out her thoughts. She knew that her condition had worsened. Just then, she received a message on her phone. It was from Xavier, and the content was the same as always. "I'm not coming home tonight." In the past three years they had been married, Xavier had never spent the night at home before. He had never so much as touched Yvette either. Yvette could remember their wedding night three years ago. He had told her, "Since your family is bold enough to trick me into marrying you, you'd better be prepared to spend the rest of your life in loneliness." Three years ago, the Snyder and Lane families had decided to form an alliance through marriage. Both families had agreed to mutually beneficial terms in the agreement. But when the day of the wedding came around, the Snyder family went back on their word and transferred all of their assets away, including the billions that Xavier had paid to marry Yvette. Yvette's eyes dulled at the memory. She replied to Xavier's text with her usual response: "Okay." Without her realizing it, the report she was holding got scrunched up in her hands. When she got home, Yvette tossed the report into the trash can. Every month, around this time, she would feel unusually lethargic. Yvette didn't prepare dinner for herself. She just leaned back on the couch, blearily drifting in and out of sleep. The rumbling in her ear persisted. That was another reason why Xavier hated her—she was hard of hearing, which, to the rich and powerful, was no better than being crippled. Xavier would never allow her to carry his child. … At 5 o'clock in the morning, the pendulum clock on the wall chimed dully. Xavier would be home in an hour. Yvette realized too late that she had fallen asleep on the couch. She got up hastily and went to the kitchen to prepare Xavier's breakfast. Xavier was a meticulous man who was strict about punctuality, not only with himself but also with the people around him. He arrived home at six o'clock sharp. Xavier was a tall and handsome man. Clad in a smart tailored suit, his demeanor was quiet and reserved, yet undoubtedly masculine. However, to Yvette, he was cold and distant. Xavier didn't even look at Yvette. He walked right past her to look at the food on the table and said with a scoff, "You do this every day. Are you a nanny or what?" Over the past three years, Yvette had been doing the same things over and over again. She wore the same dark clothes and replied to his messages with the same singular word. If it hadn't been for the business alliance and the Snyders' deceit, Xavier would never have married a woman like Yvette. At the word "nanny", the rumbling in Yvette's ears returned. She swallowed, feeling a lump in her throat, and said bravely, "Xav, do you have someone that you like?" Her sudden question surprised Xavier. His eyes darkened. "What do you mean by that?" Yvette raised her head and stared at him, swallowing the bile rising in the back of her throat. "If you love someone else, you can be with her—" Before she could finish, Xavier interrupted her. "You're mad." ... After Xavier left, Yvette sat on the balcony alone, staring out into the cold rain. The sound of the raindrops drifted in and out of clarity. She took off her hearing aids, letting the world around her fall into silence. A month ago, her doctor had told her, "Ms. Snyder, there's been a pathological change in your auditory nerves and some of your cranial nerves, causing your hearing to worsen. If this goes on, you may lose your hearing completely." Not used to a silent world, Yvette went to the living room and turned on the television. She turned up the volume to the max, which allowed her to hear some sound. By coincidence, the television was showing an interview with Daphne Reyes, an internationally renowned singer known for her love songs. Yvette's hands trembled slightly as she gripped the remote control. Daphne was Xavier's first love. It had been a long time since Yvette had seen her, but Daphne was still as pretty as ever. She was confident and relaxed in front of the cameras, unlike the shy and frightened young woman who had begged the Snyders for sponsorship in the past. When the interviewer asked Daphne why she had returned to her home country, her answer was bold. "I came home to get my first love back." The remote control slipped out of Yvette's hands. Her heart also fell to her stomach. Flustered, Yvette turned off the television and went to the table to clean up the uneaten breakfast. When she got to the kitchen, she found that Xavier had forgotten to take his phone. She picked it up and saw the unread messages on the lock screen. "Xav, you must have been unhappy over the past few years, right?" "I know you don't love her. How about we meet up tonight? I've missed you." Yvette stared blankly at the messages until the screen went dark again. Then, she called a cab to Xavier's office. On the way, she stared out of the window. The rain fell incessantly. It felt like it would never stop. Xavier never liked it when Yvette visited him at his office, so whenever she was there, she would take the service elevator from the loading bay. When Xavier's assistant, Mark Xyrax, saw her, he just greeted her impassively, "Ms. Snyder." No one around Xavier considered Yvette his wife. She was nothing but a smear on his reputation. When Xavier saw Yvette bringing him his phone, he frowned. She was always like this. No matter what he forgot, be it his lunch, his documents, a shirt, or even an umbrella, she would bring them to him. "I thought I told you that you didn't need to deliver my things to me yourself." Yvette froze. "Sorry, I forgot." Since when had her memory been so bad? Maybe she had panicked after seeing Daphne's message and became afraid that Xavier would disappear from her life suddenly. Before she left, she looked back at Xavier. Unable to help herself, she blurted out, "Xav, do you still like Daphne?" Xavier thought that Yvette had been behaving rather strangely lately. She kept forgetting things and asking weird questions. How could a person like her be his wife? Impatiently, he replied, "If you have so much free time, go find yourself something to do." Yvette had tried getting a job before, but Xavier's mother, Shannon Guetta, had reprimanded her without holding back. "Do you want the whole world to know that Xav married a disabled woman with hearing issues?" Therefore, Yvette had given up on finding a job and focused on her fruitless life as "Mrs. Lane" at Dewberry Estate. … At home, she sat alone until nightfall. She couldn't sleep. Just then, the phone on her bedside table rang loudly. It was a call from an unfamiliar number. Yvette picked up the call. A familiar voice, yet one she dreaded, sounded from the other end. "Is this Yvvy? Xav is drunk. Can you come pick him up?" When Yvette arrived at Sternhow Club, she heard loud coaxing and jeering from the wealthy heirs inside the private room. "Daph, didn't you say you came back to get our dear Mr. Lane back into your arms? This is your chance now. Go on, tell him how you feel!" Daphne was a pretty woman who was popular wherever she went. She was also Xavier's first love, so the rich young men of the upper crust were happy to push the two together. Daphne wasn't shy at all. She turned to Xavier and said without any reservations, "I like you, Xav. Please be with me again." That was what Yvette heard when she arrived at the door of the private room. Inside, the other people were urging Xavier to answer Daphne. His best friend, Tristan Shaw, was the most vocal among them. "Xav, you've been waiting for Daphne for three years. She's back now. So, go on, answer her!" Yvette stood frozen outside the door. Her heart was pounding. Just then, one of the men pulled the door open. "Ms. Snyder?" Chapter 2 Everyone in the private room looked over at the door. For a moment, the room was eerily silent. Yvette immediately caught sight of Xavier in the middle of the room. His eyes were clear and bright. He was clearly not drunk. She knew that she had been tricked by Daphne. When Xavier saw Yvette, his pupils constricted. Everyone else in the room looked awkward, including Tristan, who had been the most vocal in getting Xavier to accept Daphne's confession earlier. Yvette shouldn't have gone there. Daphne was the first to break the silence. "Please don't get the wrong idea, Yvvy. Tristan was joking. Xavier and I are just friends." Before Yvette could answer, Xavier stood up impatiently. "There's no need to explain it to her." Then, he stalked over to Yvette. "What are you doing here?" "I thought you were drunk, so I came to take you home," Yvette answered truthfully. Xavier scoffed. "You really didn't retain anything I told you, did you?" Lowering his voice, he said softly so that only she could hear him, "Are you here to remind everyone that I was tricked into marrying you three years ago? Did you think they forgot?" Yvette was stunned. Xavier gave her a cold look. "Stop seeking attention. You're only making me hate you more." With that, he turned away, leaving Yvette standing alone. Yvette stared after his retreating figure, unable to snap out of her shock. None of the other scions in the room took pity on her when they saw Xavier ignoring her. Tristan even had no qualms in telling Daphne, who was feigning distress, "You're too kind, Daphne. You didn't need to explain anything. "If Yvette hadn't scammed Xav, he would've married you in the first place. You wouldn't have needed to suffer abroad as well." Despite the constant ringing in her ears, Yvette could still hear every word clearly. She knew better than anyone that even if Xavier hadn't married her, he wouldn't have married Daphne. Daphne was a nobody with no background, after all. Daphne was well aware of this as well. That was why she had chosen to break up with Xavier and leave the country. How had everything turned out to be Yvette's fault? When Yvette left Sternhow Club with her umbrella, she felt as if she had been enveloped by darkness. Just then, a lithe figure appeared beside her. It was Daphne. She was decked out in fine clothes, complete with high heels. She looked smug. "It's a cold night, isn't it? So, how does it feel to get scoffed at by Xavier after you came all the way here at this time to get him?" Yvette didn't answer her, but Daphne didn't mind her silence. She just continued speaking. "I do pity you, you know. You've never experienced true love before, have you? "Do you know that when I was with Xav, he would cook for me himself? When I was sick, he would drop everything and stay with me. "Has Xav ever told you he loves you? He used to say that to me all the time…" Yvette listened to Daphne's rambling quietly, her mind going over the past three years she had been married to Xavier. He had never so much as stepped into the kitchen during that time. When she had gotten sick, he had never comforted her. He had never told her he loved her either. … That night, Yvette couldn't fall asleep. She had only just found out that the man she had loved for the past 12 years had once loved another with all his heart, in the spectacular way that only young people could. At that moment, she realized that it was time for her to give him up. She had a sleepless night. The next morning, Xavier returned home. The glare he gave her was cold. "How attached are you to the Lane family's money, to me, your money-making robot?" he demanded. Yvette was stunned. She didn't know what had gotten into him so early in the morning. Instinctively, she said, "I never wanted your money." She had only ever wanted Xavier. Xavier laughed in disdain. "Then, why did your mother come to my office and beg me to give you a child?" Yvette was stunned. She stared into Xavier's eyes. It was only then that she realized that he wasn't angry about what had happened last night. Xavier had no desire to waste his breath on her. "If you want to continue staying with me and keep your family afloat, tell your mother to behave herself!" ... In the end, Yvette didn't need to look for Yara. Yara found Yvette instead. She was no longer cold and distant; she gripped Yvette's hands and said gently, "Yvvy, you should ask Xavier to give you a child. He doesn't have to do it biologically. He could do it through scientific measures." Scientific measures. Yvette stared at Yara in shock as the latter continued, "Daphne told me that Xavier hasn't slept with you in the past three years." That was the last straw for Yvette. She didn't know why Xavier would tell Daphne about that. Maybe he really loved Daphne a lot. With that thought, she suddenly felt relieved. "Just let it go, Mom." Yara paused. She frowned. "What?" "I'm tired. I want to get a divorce—" Before she could finish, Yara slapped her hard across the face. The kind, motherly facade was gone in an instant. She jabbed a finger at Yvette and gritted out, "You have no right to ask for a divorce! "Without the Lane family, what do you think you're going to do? Who's going to remarry a disabled divorcee like you?" Yvette felt her body go numb. Yara had never liked Yvette, even when the latter had been a child. Yara had been a famous dancer. The fact that she had given birth to a daughter with hearing issues was one of her biggest regrets. Therefore, she had sent Yvette away to be taken care of by a nanny. She had only allowed Yvette to return home when the latter started school. People used to tell Yvette that every mother loved their child. So, she had done everything she could to excel at everything in hopes of making Yara happy. Despite her hearing issues, she had been at the top of her class in dance, music, and art classes. But no matter how hard she tried, Yara still didn't consider her a good daughter. In Yara's words, Yvette wasn't "complete". Not only physically, but also in love and familial relationships. After Yara left, Yvette used some makeup to cover up the red print on her face. Then, she packed her bags quietly. Even after three years of married life, all her personal belongings fit into a single suitcase. After she finished packing up, she gathered her courage and sent Xavier a message. "Are you free tonight? I need to talk to you." Xavier didn't reply to her. Yvette's eyes darkened. She knew that he didn't want to reply to her messages. All she could do was wait for him to come home in the morning. She had thought that he wouldn't come home that night, but he got back at midnight. Yvette wasn't asleep at the time. She went up to him and took his coat and bag from him with familiarity in her actions. It was as if they were a normal married couple. Xavier's cold voice broke the peace. "Don't send me inane texts again." As Yvette held Xavier's coat, her hand trembled slightly. "I won't do it again," she mumbled. Xavier didn't notice anything wrong with her tone. He went straight to his study. Generally, if he came home, he would stay holed up in his study. He probably thought that someone who was hard of hearing would live in a silent world. Either that, or he simply didn't care about Yvette. That would explain why he got straight to discussing his acquisition of Snyder Group in his study as if nothing was wrong. When Yvette brought him some soup, she heard Xavier animatedly discussing work with his employees. He was talking about the acquisition of Snyder Group, her father, James Snyder's company. She didn't know how to feel about that. She knew that her brother, Terrence Synder, was useless at running a business, so it was only a matter of time before Snyder Group fell. However, she had never thought that her own husband would be the first to cause Snyder Group's downfall. "Xav," she interrupted. Xavier was slightly startled. Out of guilt, or maybe some other emotion, he quickly hung up the phone and closed his laptop. Feigning ignorance, Yvette walked into the study and placed the bowl in front of him. "Have some soup, then get to bed soon. Your health is more important than work." For some reason, Xavier felt himself relax when he heard her soft voice. She probably hadn't heard anything. Feeling conflicted, he stopped Yvette before she could leave. "You said you wanted to talk to me. What is it?" Hearing this, Yvette turned back to look at him. Softly, she said, "I just wanted to ask if you're free in the morning so we can go and file for divorce." Chapter 3 Yvette's voice was calm and impassive, as though divorce were a menial matter to her. Xavier's pupils contracted. "What did you just say?" Over the last three years, no matter what he had done, Yvette had never brought up divorce. In truth, Xavier knew that Yvette loved him. Her eyes, which were usually dull and empty, were clear and bright now. "I'm sorry for being a burden over the last few years, Mr. Lane. We should get divorced." Xavier clenched his fists unconsciously. "You heard what I said earlier, didn't you? Snyder Group was already failing; it won't matter whether I buy it or someone else does. What are you trying to do by bringing up divorce? "Is it because you want money? Or a child? Or do you want me to leave Snyder Group alone?" he asked coldly. "Don't forget that I don't love you. Your threats won't work on me!" At that moment, he seemed like a stranger to Yvette. A lump formed in her throat as her ears began throbbing. Even though she was wearing her hearing aids, she could barely hear what Xavier was saying. She could only answer his last question. "I don't want anything." Afraid that he would notice something wrong with her, Yvette left the study in a hurry. As he watched her leave, Xavier felt frustrated for some reason. He had never felt like this before. Not one to hold in his emotions, he flipped the table over. The bowl of soup that Yvette had brought him spilled all over the ground. ... Back in her own room, Yvette forced herself to swallow a handful of pills. She reached up to touch her ear. As she retracted her fingers, she saw crimson blood on them. Thanks to the medicine, her hearing recovered a little by the time it was dawn. Yvette stared blankly at the soft rays of sunlight streaming from the window. "The rain has stopped," she said quietly to herself. Xavier didn't leave the manor that day. He was in the living room bright and early, settled on the couch, waiting for Yvette to apologize and express her regret to him. This wasn't the first time Yvette had lost her temper with him. However, after every tantrum, she would apologize to him before long. Xavier figured that it would be the same this time around. Soon, he saw Yvette coming out of her room, all freshened up. She wore her usual dark-colored clothes. She dragged a suitcase with one hand while holding a piece of paper in the other. She handed the paper to him. It was a divorce agreement. "Let me know when you have time, Xav." With that, she left the manor, pulling her suitcase behind her. It was bright and sunny outside. Yvette felt as if she had gotten a new chance at life. Meanwhile, Xavier sat frozen on the couch, still clutching the divorce agreement in his hand. It took him a long time to come back to his senses. It was Saturday. Usually, around this time of the year, Xavier would take Yvette back to his hometown to pay respects to his ancestors. During this time, they would have to endure strange looks from his extended family. However, he was alone that day, which made him extraordinarily happy. At Lane Mansion, Shannon and the rest of the Lanes were surprised to see him alone. In the past, Yvette had always been the first one to turn up every year and the last to leave since she had been trying to please everyone. Why wasn't she there today? Shanon frowned and asked Xavier, "Where's Yvette, Xav?" Xavier's expression turned cold. "She wanted a divorce and left me." Everyone fell silent in disbelief when he said that. Shannon was shocked. She knew that Yvette probably loved Xavier more than anything in the world, only surpassed by his own parents. Seven years ago, Yvette had even protected Xavier with her own body when someone had attempted to stab him. Four years ago, not long after the two had gotten engaged, something had happened to Xavier while he had been on a business trip in Dibay. Everyone had been convinced that he was dead, but Yvette had refused to believe that. She had dropped everything and gone to the foreign city just to look for him. Then, after they had gotten married, Yvette had taken care of almost everything in his life with meticulous precision, including being polite to everyone around him, even his secretaries. She had always been afraid of offending them. Yvette clearly couldn't live without Xavier. So, why had she suggested getting a divorce? Shannon had no idea, but she was glad that Yvette had finally decided to let Xavier go. "She's not worthy to be your wife anyway. It's a good thing that you're divorcing her. She doesn't deserve you," she said The others immediately chimed in. "Yeah, you're young and handsome, Xav. You're in your best years now. Yvette's been dragging you down all this time!" Instantly, the gathering turned into a slander fest. They spoke of Yvette as if she were an unforgivable criminal. Xavier should have felt happy that they were defending him, but for some reason, he found their words too sharp and crass. He left Lane Mansion earlier than usual and made his way back to Dewberry Estate. The sky was just starting to darken when he arrived home. He opened the door and entered the manor. When he saw nothing but darkness, he remembered, with a start, that Yvette had left. He changed into his house slippers and tossed his coat into the washer. For some reason, he felt unusually exhausted today. He went to the wine cellar to get a bottle of wine so that he could celebrate Yvette's leaving. However, when he got to the wine cellar and saw the locked door, he realized too late that he didn't have the key. He didn't like strangers in his house, so there were no maids or servants at Dewberry Estate. Ever since he had married Yvette, she had been the one taking care of the household affairs. He could only go back to his room. Picking up his phone, he scrolled through his messages only to find work-related texts. Yvette hadn't called or texted him to apologize at all. Tossing his phone aside, he got up and headed over to the kitchen. When he opened the door of the fridge, he was stunned. Apart from food, there were also a lot of supplements. He picked one of the bags up and read the instructions on it. "Take five times a day for incapable of conceived." He took a whiff of the supplement. It smelled disgusting. He recalled that Yvette always smelled strange. So, this was why. He scoffed silently. They had never slept, so no matter how much medicine she took, she would never have gotten conceived. ... Meanwhile, over in a dark and dinky hotel, Yvette opened her eyes blearily. Her head was pounding. The world was silent. She knew, then, that her condition had worsened again. Before this, she had still been able to hear some sounds, even without her hearing aids. She pushed herself up and felt around on the bedside table until she found her medicine. She popped the pills in her mouth, tasting their bitterness. The day before, she had left Dewberry Estate, which had been her home for the past three years. At first, she had gone to her parents' house, Snyder Residence. However, at the door, she had overheard Yara and Terrence discussing how they would marry her off to an old man if the Lanes kicked her out. Yvette had blanked upon hearing that. It was then that she finally realized that she had no place to call home anymore. Even though she hadn't eaten anything in two days, she still didn't feel hungry. However, it was too quiet. The silence scared her. It had been raining more frequently in Tirion this year than it had in previous years. Yvette stared out at the passing pedestrians. Most of them were paired up or in groups. She was the only one alone. She bought a bus ticket heading out of the city. She decided to go to her nanny's house in the countryside. Viola Xenos, her nanny, had taken care of her when she was a child. It was already 9:00 pm when Yvette got there. When Viola saw Yvette, she looked pleasantly surprised. Yvette teared up when she saw Viola's warm smile. She reached out to her and hugged her. "Viola." Due to health issues, Viola had never married and didn't have children of her own. Yvette was closer to her than she was to her own mother. That night, Yvette cuddled up in Viola's embrace, just like she had when she was a child. Viola wrapped her arms around Yvette, only to realize that the latter was very thin. She pressed a hand on the Yvette's bony back, trembling uncontrollably. Forcing herself to calm down, she asked cautiously, "Has Xavier been treating you well, Yvvy?" Yvette felt a sharp pain in her throat when she heard Xavier's name. She wanted to lie to Viola and tell her that Xavier had treated her well, but she knew that Viola wasn't silly. Since she had already made up her mind to leave him, there was no need to lie to herself or to the people who loved her any longer. "The person he loves has returned. I've decided to let him go and divorce him." Viola was stunned. She couldn't believe her ears. Yvette had told her multiple times before that she wanted to spend the rest of her life with Xavier. Not knowing what else to say, she comforted Yvette by telling her that there were plenty of other fish in the sea. There was bound to be one who would love her. Yvette just nodded silently. The buzzing in her ears drowned out Viola's comforting voice. That night, she managed to get a good night's sleep, which was rare. However, when she woke up, she was greeted with the alarming sight of blood staining the spot where her head had laid on the pillow. Yvette touched her right ear. Her fingers felt sticky. She looked at her hand. It was covered in blood. Chapter 4 Even Yvette's hearing aids were stained red. Her pupils contracted, and she quickly grabbed some tissues to wipe her ear. Then, she stripped the bedsheets and washed them. She was afraid that Viola would worry about her if she found out that her illness was worsening. So, she cleaned up the mess and found an excuse to bid goodbye to Viola. Before she left, she placed a part of her savings on the bedside table without telling Viola. Viola walked Yvette to the bus stop and waved goodbye reluctantly. … After Yvette left, Viola couldn't stop thinking about how thin the former was. Unable to just sit by, she called Lane Group. When the secretary heard that Viola was Yvette's nanny and wanted to speak to Xavier, she transferred the call to Xavier's line. It was the third day after Yvette had left Xavier. It was also the first time in three days that he had received a call about her. Sitting behind his desk, he felt exceptionally pleased. Just as he had expected, Yvette wouldn't be able to last more than three days without him—or so he thought. Viola's voice came through the other line, sounding weighed with age. "Mr. Lane, I am Yvvy's nanny. I've been taking care of her since she was a baby. "Please, I beg you, treat her well. Don't hurt her more than you already have. She's not as strong as she seems on the surface. "When she was born, Mrs. Snyder left her in my care because she didn't like that Yvvy is hard of hearing. Yvvy only returned home when she had to start going to school. "The Snyders have never treated her as one of their own. Apart from Mr. Snyder, everyone else treated her like she was a maid. "You and Mr. Snyder are the most important people she has in this world. I'm begging you, please. Please be kind to her." Xavier's mood darkened when he heard what Viola said. "Did she tell you to give me this sob story because she didn't want to face me herself?" he asked coldly. "Why should I care about her life? If you ask me, she deserved everything she got!" That said, he hung up the phone without waiting for an answer. Viola had heard Yvette gushing about how nice Xavier was to her. So, it was only then that she realized the truth—Xavier wasn't a good man at all. He wasn't a good husband to Yvette. ... Yvette sat on the bus, heading home. Just then, her phone vibrated. It was a message from Xavier. "You said you wanted to get divorced, right? I'll see you at 10:00 am tomorrow." Yvette stared at the text blankly for a while before replying, "Okay." Just one word. It infuriated Xavier and completely ruined his mood. Unable to work anymore, he called up his friends and invited them out for drinks. Daphne was also at the club when he arrived. "I'm not going home until I'm drunk!" she declared. Tristan sat down beside Xavier. He couldn't help asking curiously, "How's Deaf Yvvy?" Xavier raised an eyebrow at him. "There's no need to talk about her ever again. We're filing for divorce tomorrow." Tristan was stunned. He couldn't believe his ears. "Really?" Beside them, Daphne brightened. She poured out a shot for him. "Congrats on getting back your freedom, Xav!" Xavier drank a lot that night. Daphne offered to send him home, but he rejected her suggestion. "No need. It's not appropriate." If he and Yvette were going to get divorced tomorrow, she might come home that night. Daphne wasn't happy about the rejection. "Why? You're divorcing her anyway. Why wouldn't it be appropriate? Are you still scared that she might find out about our relationship?" Their relationship? Xavier narrowed his eyes. "You're overthinking this." He got into his own car. Out of consideration, he also called a cab to send Daphne home. On the drive home, he kept unlocking his phone to check if Yvette had sent him any messages. She hadn't. When he reached Dewberry Estate, it was dark. With a stormy expression, Xavier opened the door and turned on the light. Yvette was nowhere to be seen. She hadn't come home. The manor was left exactly the way it had been when she had left. Still feeling the effects of the wine, Xavier threw himself heavily onto the couch and soon fell asleep. In his nightmares, Yvette was covered in blood, but there was a smile on her face. "I don't love you anymore, Xav," she said. When Xavier jolted awake, the sky outside had just brightened up. He rubbed his forehead and went to the bathroom to freshen himself up. Then, he changed into a smart suit and made his way to the courthouse. At the entrance of the courthouse, he spotted Yvette standing under a tree not far off. As usual, she was dressed in dark-colored clothes. From the distance, she looked incredibly frail and thin as she stood amid the drizzle. It was as if a single gust of wind could knock her over. Xavier could still remember how young and lively she had been when they had first gotten married. She hadn't been as thin and gloomy back then. Holding an umbrella, he walked toward Yvette. It took her a few moments to notice him. Xiaver hadn't changed much over the last three years. He was as handsome and as confident as ever, with the added hint of matureness that came with age. Yvette was a little dazed. The last three years felt like a blink in time to her, yet she also seemed to have exhausted a whole lifetime. Xavier stalked over to Yvette and gazed at her coldly. He was waiting for her to apologize to him. She had been sulking enough. It was time to put an end to this. However, Yvette just said, "I'm sorry to pull you away from your work. Let's go in." Xavier stiffened, but he quickly recovered. "Don't regret this." With that, he turned and headed into the courthouse. Yvette stared after him sadly. Would she regret this? She didn't know either. In the courthouse, the judge asked them if they were sure about going through with the divorce. Yvette's answer was firm. "Yes." Her determined expression frustrated Xavier. After filing for divorce, they still had to return to the courthouse in a month. If they didn't show up, then the divorce would be considered null. As they left the courthouse, Yvette looked at Xavier, her expression unusually calm. "I'll see you next month. Take care." With that, she stepped out into the rain, hailed a cab, and left. Xavier was left standing on the spot. He didn't know how to feel as he watched her car leave. Relieved, probably. Relieved that he wouldn't need to put up with her any longer or endure others' ridicule for having a disabled wife. ... In the cab, Yvette leaned against the window and stared blankly at the rain droplets on the glass. In the rearview mirror, the driver suddenly saw blood dripping from her ear. He was shocked by the sight. "Miss? Miss!" Yvette didn't answer him. The driver hastily stopped the car. Yvette was confused. They weren't at her destination yet. Why had they stopped? She looked over at the driver and saw him mouthing silently. She realized that she had gone deaf again. "I'm sorry, I can't hear you. What are you saying?" In the end, the driver had to type out what he wanted to say on his phone so that he could tell her about her bleeding ear. Yvette reached out belatedly and felt the warm sensation in her ear. She was used to it now. "It's alright. This happens all the time. I'm fine." She was hard of hearing, but her ears hadn't bled like this before. Two years ago, at a gathering, Tristan had pushed her into a swimming pool. Yvette didn't know how to swim, so she had almost drowned. At the same time, her eardrums had also expanded due to the pressure. She had been sent to the hospital, but the damage had been done. At the time, she had been told that everything was fine. Why was this happening again? The cab driver was still worried, so he dropped her off at the hospital she told him. After thanking him, Yvette went into the hospital on her own. This time, she saw her usual doctor, Tom Jensen. "Dr. Jensen, my memory has been rather bad lately. I kept forgetting what I'm doing," she said. When she had woken up at the hotel that morning, it had taken her a long time to remember that she had to file for divorce with Xavier. Tom looked at her latest report worriedly. "Ms. Snyder, I think you should consider getting tested for other things. Specifically, mental health issues." Mental health… Following Tom's recommendation, Yvette went and got a psychiatric diagnosis. She was diagnosed with depression. It turned out that patients with severe depression often experienced memory loss. Before heading back to the hotel, Yvette stopped and bought a notebook and a pen. She wrote down everything that had happened lately. She placed the notebook right beside her bed so that it would be the first thing she saw when she woke up in the morning. News of her and Xavier's divorce spread quickly. That night, Yara called her multiple times, but she didn't hear anything. … When she woke up the next morning, she saw a barrage of texts from Yara. "Where are you?" "Who do you think you are? Even if you're getting a divorce, Xavier should have been the one to ask for it!" "You're such a jinx! Back when you got married, your dad got into a car crash and died. What's going to happen now that you're getting divorced? Do you want Snyder Group to go bankrupt? Is that it?" Yvette stared at the messages. She was used to the verbal bully by now. She typed out a reply. "Mom, it's time that we live by our own merits. We shouldn't depend on others so much." Yara's response was swift. "You're such an ingrate! I shouldn't have given birth to you in the first place!" Yvette didn't bother replying to that. She placed her phone aside. She just had to wait a month. Once the divorce was finalized, she would be able to leave Tirion and start a new life. … Yvette's health worsened over the next few days. She often found herself completely deaf. Sometimes, it took a very long time for her hearing to go back to normal. Her memory was deteriorating too. On the bright side, even though her hearing loss was incurable, at least she could do something about the depression. She tried everything she could to keep herself happy. She busied herself by registering as a volunteer online. She spent time taking care of abandoned old people and orphans. Helping them made her feel like she had a reason to continue living. A few days later, Yvette woke up in the morning and checked her notebook as usual. Then, she got ready to head out to the orphanage. When she picked up her phone, she saw several unread messages. There were messages from Terrance and Yara, as well as Daphne. She opened the texts one by one. Yara: "As you wished, Snyder Group is no more." Terrence: "Keep hiding. You're the most cowardly and cruel person I've ever seen." Daphne: "My condolences, Yvette. Actually, I think Snyder Group would thrive better under Xav." Daphne: "Since your family has helped me so much in the past, do let me know if you need anything. I'll help you if I can." Yvette had no idea what was happening. She closed the messaging app. Almost immediately, she got a notification about the latest news. Chapter 5 Yvette watched the news and saw the press conference held by Lane Group. It was an announcement that Xavier had successfully acquired Snyder Group. James' company no longer existed in the world. … Things on Xavier's end had been extra pleasant lately. He had acquired Snyder Group and gotten his revenge. "The Snyder family finally got what they deserved for tricking you into that marriage three years ago." Tristan chuckled. Yet, he changed the topic in the next instant. He asked Xavier, "Xav, has Deaf Yvvy approached you during the past few days?" Xavier froze halfway through signing a document. He didn't know why, but people around him kept mentioning Yvette these days. "No," he replied coldly. That shocked Tristan. After all, how could Yvette not do anything when something this massive had happened to her family? With that in mind, he spoke again. "Could it be that she's finally come around? I heard her family has been looking everywhere for her. Nobody knows where she's gone—" He kept blabbering on. Xavier frowned, feeling utterly annoyed. "Get out!" Tristan jolted. That was when he realized that Xavier was furious. Not daring to say another word, Tristan bolted out of the CEO's office. Once outside, he took his phone and called his assistant, Avery Fitzpatrick. "Have you found Yvette?" "Yes, she's in a small hotel in Hexim Pass," answered Avery. Tristan had Avery send him the location before he drove there. He refused to let Yvette off the hook so easily. So what if she was willing to divorce Xavier now? She had already prevented Xavier and Daphne from being together for over three years! Besides, Daphne had saved Tristan's life once, so he owed her. It rained outside. Yvette finished her volunteer work and picked up her medication from the hospital. Then, she held an umbrella while walking back to the hotel. There were very few people on the road. Tristan drove his car but kept his eyes on Yvette's slim back. He deliberately sped up as he drove past her, sending a puddle of rainwater splashing onto her. Yvette shot him a blank stare. Tristan happened to meet her emotionless gaze through his rearview mirror. He didn't know why, but he felt inexplicably nervous. Yvette recognized Tristan's luxurious, dark gray Bugatti. Yet, she retracted her gaze and pretended not to notice him. Even so, Tristan refused to stop there. He deliberately slowed his car and followed her. "Hey, Deaf Yvvy. So, you have a temper now, huh? "You're not even going to greet me now? Didn't you used to love greeting me? Didn't you enjoy tickling my fancy?" Yvette remained stoic while the former mocked her. She used to do everything to win over those around Xavier, including his friends. It was all because she liked him. She had figured that Xavier's family and friends would one day accept her. Alas, it seemed she had been too naïve. At the previous gathering, Tristan had declared that he was Daphne's friend. He couldn't care less about maintaining his gentlemanly, upper-class image when siding with Daphne. He had insulted Yvette and called her shameless. In the end, he had also thrown her into the pool, leaving her to die. Since then, Yvette had steered clear of him. Upon receiving no reaction or response from Yvette, Tristan stopped the car, opened the door, and strolled toward her. He grabbed her arm and asked, "What stunts are you planning to pull this time?" Yvette's arm hurt, so she looked up at him. "I don't know what you're saying." She wanted to pry his hand off her arm, but he flung her aside. "Don't touch me with your filthy hands!" Tristan bellowed. Yvette stumbled backward before falling to the ground with a loud thud. Tristan froze on the spot in slight disbelief. It baffled him to see Yvette resorting to such tricks. He had only pushed her with a slight force, so how could she fall like that? Seeing people looking their way, he nervously got back into his car. Still, he gave her a warning before driving away. "Don't mess with Daph just because you're a disabled person, Yvette! "She's different from you. It's taken her a lot of effort to get to where she is now, so you'd better not disrupt her and Xav's relationship again!" After driving away, he even told the Snyder family where Yvette was staying. Yvette's hands and knees were scraped when she fell. It hurt so much that she couldn't stand for a long time. Deep down, she didn't understand why Tristan was so blind to what was right and wrong. She recalled risking her life to rescue him from a car that had been about to explode four years ago. His face had been covered in blood, and his eyes hadn't been visible. However, he had spoken in the warmest voice. He had said, "Thank you. I promise I'll repay you someday." Yvette couldn't help but bitterly wonder if this was his way of repaying her. … Once Yvette returned to the hotel, she took a shower and applied medication to her scraped skin. Then, she lay down in a daze. The fall hardened her determination to leave Xavier for good. … The sun was shining brightly outside when Yvette woke up. She got up and headed to the living area, only to see Yara sitting on the couch, wearing a formal dress. Yara didn't seem to care one bit that Yvette had just woken up. She picked the document off the coffee table and handed it to the latter. "Take a good look at this. It's the backup plan I've selected for you." Yvette accepted the document but saw the title "prenuptial agreement" on the cover. She flipped through the pages while reading the contents aloud. "Ms. Yvette Snyder will marry Mr. Liam Lorimer. As his wife, she'll devote herself to him and look after him until the end of his life. Liam will look after Yvette's family, which includes maintaining their quality of life. He'll also provide 300 million as funds for the Snyder family." Following that, the document stated Liam's details. He was an entrepreneur from the older generation in Tirion. He was 78 years old that year. Yvette's mind tensed. At that moment, Yara spoke up again. "Mr. Lorimer has expressed that he doesn't mind that you were married before. "He'll help revive our family's reputation from the ashes, as long as you marry him. Come on, dearest. You wouldn't let me and Terrence down, right?" Yvette's face paled even more. "I can't agree to what you're asking of me." Yara had never imagined that Yvette would reject her so candidly. She blew up in a fit of rage at once. "What right do you have to refuse? I gave you life!" Hearing that, Yvette met Yara's gaze. "How about I return my life to you? Would that mean I no longer owe you?" "What did you say?" Yara shrilled. Yvette's pale lips moved as she said, "If I returned my life to you, would it mean you'd no longer be my mother? And I'll no longer be indebted to you for giving birth to me?" Yara sneered, not believing Yvette would dare do such a thing. "Okay, then. I won't force you to marry Mr. Lorimer if you give your life back to me. But the question is, do you have the guts to do it?" "Give me a month." Yvette seemed determined. In Yara's eyes, Yvette seemed like a crazed person. She warned, "You'd best not threaten me by only saying you'll end your life. We're not that close, so I don't care if you die. However, you must sign this document if you're too afraid to end your life." … Yvette had suppressed all her emotions to the brim and needed to vent somewhere. So, she went to a bar. She sat in a corner, drinking and watching the crowd happily dance in a daze. That was when a dashing man with striking eyes noticed Yvette, who was all alone. He approached and asked, "Yvette?" Yvette stared at the man but didn't recognize him. Still dazed, she asked, "Do you know how one can achieve happiness?" The man was confused. "What did you say?" Yvette continued drinking as she spoke. "The doctor says I'm ill and should try to be happier, but I can't make myself feel happy…" That sparked discomfort in the man, Claude Lander. He wondered if Yvette had forgotten about him. Also, he was confused by what she said—something about being ill and needing to be happier. "You shouldn't be in a place like this if you want to be happy. Why don't I drive you home?" Claude spoke in a gentle tone. A smile curved across Yvette's face as she looked at him. "You're a good person." Complex emotions stirred in Claude when he saw her bitter smile. He wondered what she had been through these past few years. Why did she seem so sorrowful? Meanwhile, Xavier was also at the bar. After settling the divorce papers, he had let himself loose every night. On top of that, he hadn't returned to Dewberry Estate in a long time. It was getting late. When the crowd was about to leave, Daphne noticed a familiar figure in a corner of the bar. She exclaimed, "Isn't that Yvvy?" Xavier glanced in the direction Daphne was staring in and saw a man merrily chatting with Yvette. His expression soured at once. He was disappointed in Yvette for getting drunk at a bar and chatting up another man. He felt like he had thought too highly of her before. "Should we go and check up on her, Xav?" asked Daphne. "No," was all Xavier said before speedily leaving. On the other hand, Yvette declined Claude's offer. "There's no need to trouble yourself. I can go home on my own." Claude was still worried about Yvette, so he ran after her when he noticed her leaving the bar. "Do you really not remember me?" Yvette gazed at him but couldn't recall who he was. "It's Chubbs. Have you forgotten?" Claude reminded her. Only then did Yvette remember her friend, Chubbs, whom she met when she had been living with Viola in the countryside. Back then, Claude had been chubbier and nowhere near Yvette's height. Yet, his six-foot-two-inch frame now towered over her. He had even grown to have handsome features. "I remember now! You've changed so much. I didn't even recognize you!" said Yvette. Meeting an old friend away from home was a pleasant thing. But only a slight smile curved on Yvette's face. That upset Claude. "Come on. I'll drive you home," Claude stated. When he dropped her off, he was shocked to learn she lived in a run-down hotel. Yvette shifted in embarrassment. "Sorry, it's not a glamorous place. Please don't tell Viola I'm living in such a place. I don't want her to worry." Claude nodded. Since it was getting late, it was unwise for him to stay longer. So, he left after telling Yvette he would visit her the next day. He didn't notice the matte black car lingering in a dark area beneath the hotel as he walked out. Now that Claude had left, Yvette felt dizzy and had an upset stomach from drinking too much. That was when someone knocked hard on the door. Yvette had just opened the door when Xavier grabbed her wrist. He exerted so much strength on her slender wrist that it felt close to snapping in half. "You've made me look at you in a new light, Yvette!" Xavier snarled while shutting and locking the door. He then forcefully led her to the couch. He sneered with words as sharp and lethal as a blade, "So, you've already settled on which family you'll marry into next, huh? I knew you wouldn't be so willing to let me go for no reason!" Yvette didn't know why he had come over, nor did she know how he had seen Claude. She was only briefly dazed. Once she snapped out of it, she shot a furious look at Xavier and didn't bother explaining herself to him. The rims of her eyes reddened. "You and I aren't that different from each other." The Snyder family had tricked Xavier into marrying Yvette. However, Xavier had treated her coldly for three years while remaining entangled with his first love. Neither Xavier nor Yvette was a better person than the other. Xavier had also drunk some wine, so he reeked of it. Eyes reddening, he pinched Yvette's chin and spoke with a dangerously low voice. "Who is he? When did you guys meet?" That was the first time Yvette had seen him behave like this. She suddenly chuckled. "Are you jealous?" Xavier's gaze grew tense as he scoffed. "You're unworthy of such a reaction." Yvette became choked up. That was when Xavier leaned in domineeringly and continued interrogating her. "Has he already touched you? Huh?" In her three years of marriage, Yvette had given up on her work and declined to meet her friends whenever they had occasionally invited her out. She had done so to obey the Lane family's rules. But now Xavier was suspicious of her. Relief washed over Yvette just then. She questioned him back, "What do you think?" That utterly angered Xavier, and his heated hands started travelling down her body. | Read freely | 18 | https://facebook.com/61557986570531 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1715324400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841191 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682329 | 1723710533 | 858 | 1361528064521212 | 1 | 7.4287710132688E+14 | 1715410800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 250753834794512 | 0 | Read freely | 120208075188720056 | beokn.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | ❤️😍What happens next👉Click Here to read on👉 | https://beokn.com/market/buenovela/3?lpid=11230&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1715224592 | 2.5075383479451E+14 | Read freely | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/422079631_823590829824839_4719608256142825580_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=zRrWu5cWNVoQ7kNvgGlPwcN&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYDOKfR6AdQVBkGHxZ7oRkovEG_cTVH3Fhai_NcioNO3Lg&oe=665834C6 | person_profile | 0 | Read freely | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441057328_1702104656985535_4588455529970348064_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=o0QCZODViNgQ7kNvgHrHhkE&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYCq8jC5eDyRX5crJStFEQcpuaK8E5JvRlMOeIvajggmRg&oe=6658688A | 0 | 3 | Yvette Snyder stood at the entrance of the hospital, her body frail, clutching a report in her thin hands. Three words on the report stood out: "No conception detected". "You've been married for three years. How are you not conceived?" Her mother, Yara Cadwell, demanded, jabbing a finger in Yvette's face disappointedly. Yara was dressed lavishly and wore high heels. "Why are you so useless? If you don't get conceived soon, the Lanes are going to kick you out of the family. What's going to happen to our family then?" Yvette looked at Yara blankly. She had a lot to say, but the words were stuck in her throat. In the end, all she could manage was, "I'm sorry." "I don't want you to be sorry. I want you to give birth to Xavier's child. Do you understand me?" Yvette's throat felt tight; she didn't know how to answer Yara. In their three years of marriage, her husband, Xavier Lane, had never slept with her. How could she ever have his child? Yara stared at Yvette. The latter's weak demeanor was so unlike her own. Finally, she said coldly before leaving, "If you really can't give him a child, then find him a woman who can. At least he'll appreciate you for that." Yvette stared after Yara's retreating figure in disbelief. Had her own mother just told her to find another woman for her husband to sleep with? ... As Yvette made her journey home, she couldn't stop thinking about Yara's parting words. Suddenly, a loud ringing in her ear drowned out her thoughts. She knew that her condition had worsened. Just then, she received a message on her phone. It was from Xavier, and the content was the same as always. "I'm not coming home tonight." In the past three years they had been married, Xavier had never spent the night at home before. He had never so much as touched Yvette either. Yvette could remember their wedding night three years ago. He had told her, "Since your family is bold enough to trick me into marrying you, you'd better be prepared to spend the rest of your life in loneliness." Three years ago, the Snyder and Lane families had decided to form an alliance through marriage. Both families had agreed to mutually beneficial terms in the agreement. But when the day of the wedding came around, the Snyder family went back on their word and transferred all of their assets away, including the billions that Xavier had paid to marry Yvette. Yvette's eyes dulled at the memory. She replied to Xavier's text with her usual response: "Okay." Without her realizing it, the report she was holding got scrunched up in her hands. When she got home, Yvette tossed the report into the trash can. Every month, around this time, she would feel unusually lethargic. Yvette didn't prepare dinner for herself. She just leaned back on the couch, blearily drifting in and out of sleep. The rumbling in her ear persisted. That was another reason why Xavier hated her—she was hard of hearing, which, to the rich and powerful, was no better than being crippled. Xavier would never allow her to carry his child. … At 5 o'clock in the morning, the pendulum clock on the wall chimed dully. Xavier would be home in an hour. Yvette realized too late that she had fallen asleep on the couch. She got up hastily and went to the kitchen to prepare Xavier's breakfast. Xavier was a meticulous man who was strict about punctuality, not only with himself but also with the people around him. He arrived home at six o'clock sharp. Xavier was a tall and handsome man. Clad in a smart tailored suit, his demeanor was quiet and reserved, yet undoubtedly masculine. However, to Yvette, he was cold and distant. Xavier didn't even look at Yvette. He walked right past her to look at the food on the table and said with a scoff, "You do this every day. Are you a nanny or what?" Over the past three years, Yvette had been doing the same things over and over again. She wore the same dark clothes and replied to his messages with the same singular word. If it hadn't been for the business alliance and the Snyders' deceit, Xavier would never have married a woman like Yvette. At the word "nanny", the rumbling in Yvette's ears returned. She swallowed, feeling a lump in her throat, and said bravely, "Xav, do you have someone that you like?" Her sudden question surprised Xavier. His eyes darkened. "What do you mean by that?" Yvette raised her head and stared at him, swallowing the bile rising in the back of her throat. "If you love someone else, you can be with her—" Before she could finish, Xavier interrupted her. "You're mad." ... After Xavier left, Yvette sat on the balcony alone, staring out into the cold rain. The sound of the raindrops drifted in and out of clarity. She took off her hearing aids, letting the world around her fall into silence. A month ago, her doctor had told her, "Ms. Snyder, there's been a pathological change in your auditory nerves and some of your cranial nerves, causing your hearing to worsen. If this goes on, you may lose your hearing completely." Not used to a silent world, Yvette went to the living room and turned on the television. She turned up the volume to the max, which allowed her to hear some sound. By coincidence, the television was showing an interview with Daphne Reyes, an internationally renowned singer known for her love songs. Yvette's hands trembled slightly as she gripped the remote control. Daphne was Xavier's first love. It had been a long time since Yvette had seen her, but Daphne was still as pretty as ever. She was confident and relaxed in front of the cameras, unlike the shy and frightened young woman who had begged the Snyders for sponsorship in the past. When the interviewer asked Daphne why she had returned to her home country, her answer was bold. "I came home to get my first love back." The remote control slipped out of Yvette's hands. Her heart also fell to her stomach. Flustered, Yvette turned off the television and went to the table to clean up the uneaten breakfast. When she got to the kitchen, she found that Xavier had forgotten to take his phone. She picked it up and saw the unread messages on the lock screen. "Xav, you must have been unhappy over the past few years, right?" "I know you don't love her. How about we meet up tonight? I've missed you." Yvette stared blankly at the messages until the screen went dark again. Then, she called a cab to Xavier's office. On the way, she stared out of the window. The rain fell incessantly. It felt like it would never stop. Xavier never liked it when Yvette visited him at his office, so whenever she was there, she would take the service elevator from the loading bay. When Xavier's assistant, Mark Xyrax, saw her, he just greeted her impassively, "Ms. Snyder." No one around Xavier considered Yvette his wife. She was nothing but a smear on his reputation. When Xavier saw Yvette bringing him his phone, he frowned. She was always like this. No matter what he forgot, be it his lunch, his documents, a shirt, or even an umbrella, she would bring them to him. "I thought I told you that you didn't need to deliver my things to me yourself." Yvette froze. "Sorry, I forgot." Since when had her memory been so bad? Maybe she had panicked after seeing Daphne's message and became afraid that Xavier would disappear from her life suddenly. Before she left, she looked back at Xavier. Unable to help herself, she blurted out, "Xav, do you still like Daphne?" Xavier thought that Yvette had been behaving rather strangely lately. She kept forgetting things and asking weird questions. How could a person like her be his wife? Impatiently, he replied, "If you have so much free time, go find yourself something to do." Yvette had tried getting a job before, but Xavier's mother, Shannon Guetta, had reprimanded her without holding back. "Do you want the whole world to know that Xav married a disabled woman with hearing issues?" Therefore, Yvette had given up on finding a job and focused on her fruitless life as "Mrs. Lane" at Dewberry Estate. … At home, she sat alone until nightfall. She couldn't sleep. Just then, the phone on her bedside table rang loudly. It was a call from an unfamiliar number. Yvette picked up the call. A familiar voice, yet one she dreaded, sounded from the other end. "Is this Yvvy? Xav is drunk. Can you come pick him up?" When Yvette arrived at Sternhow Club, she heard loud coaxing and jeering from the wealthy heirs inside the private room. "Daph, didn't you say you came back to get our dear Mr. Lane back into your arms? This is your chance now. Go on, tell him how you feel!" Daphne was a pretty woman who was popular wherever she went. She was also Xavier's first love, so the rich young men of the upper crust were happy to push the two together. Daphne wasn't shy at all. She turned to Xavier and said without any reservations, "I like you, Xav. Please be with me again." That was what Yvette heard when she arrived at the door of the private room. Inside, the other people were urging Xavier to answer Daphne. His best friend, Tristan Shaw, was the most vocal among them. "Xav, you've been waiting for Daphne for three years. She's back now. So, go on, answer her!" Yvette stood frozen outside the door. Her heart was pounding. Just then, one of the men pulled the door open. "Ms. Snyder?" Chapter 2 Everyone in the private room looked over at the door. For a moment, the room was eerily silent. Yvette immediately caught sight of Xavier in the middle of the room. His eyes were clear and bright. He was clearly not drunk. She knew that she had been tricked by Daphne. When Xavier saw Yvette, his pupils constricted. Everyone else in the room looked awkward, including Tristan, who had been the most vocal in getting Xavier to accept Daphne's confession earlier. Yvette shouldn't have gone there. Daphne was the first to break the silence. "Please don't get the wrong idea, Yvvy. Tristan was joking. Xavier and I are just friends." Before Yvette could answer, Xavier stood up impatiently. "There's no need to explain it to her." Then, he stalked over to Yvette. "What are you doing here?" "I thought you were drunk, so I came to take you home," Yvette answered truthfully. Xavier scoffed. "You really didn't retain anything I told you, did you?" Lowering his voice, he said softly so that only she could hear him, "Are you here to remind everyone that I was tricked into marrying you three years ago? Did you think they forgot?" Yvette was stunned. Xavier gave her a cold look. "Stop seeking attention. You're only making me hate you more." With that, he turned away, leaving Yvette standing alone. Yvette stared after his retreating figure, unable to snap out of her shock. None of the other scions in the room took pity on her when they saw Xavier ignoring her. Tristan even had no qualms in telling Daphne, who was feigning distress, "You're too kind, Daphne. You didn't need to explain anything. "If Yvette hadn't scammed Xav, he would've married you in the first place. You wouldn't have needed to suffer abroad as well." Despite the constant ringing in her ears, Yvette could still hear every word clearly. She knew better than anyone that even if Xavier hadn't married her, he wouldn't have married Daphne. Daphne was a nobody with no background, after all. Daphne was well aware of this as well. That was why she had chosen to break up with Xavier and leave the country. How had everything turned out to be Yvette's fault? When Yvette left Sternhow Club with her umbrella, she felt as if she had been enveloped by darkness. Just then, a lithe figure appeared beside her. It was Daphne. She was decked out in fine clothes, complete with high heels. She looked smug. "It's a cold night, isn't it? So, how does it feel to get scoffed at by Xavier after you came all the way here at this time to get him?" Yvette didn't answer her, but Daphne didn't mind her silence. She just continued speaking. "I do pity you, you know. You've never experienced true love before, have you? "Do you know that when I was with Xav, he would cook for me himself? When I was sick, he would drop everything and stay with me. "Has Xav ever told you he loves you? He used to say that to me all the time…" Yvette listened to Daphne's rambling quietly, her mind going over the past three years she had been married to Xavier. He had never so much as stepped into the kitchen during that time. When she had gotten sick, he had never comforted her. He had never told her he loved her either. … That night, Yvette couldn't fall asleep. She had only just found out that the man she had loved for the past 12 years had once loved another with all his heart, in the spectacular way that only young people could. At that moment, she realized that it was time for her to give him up. She had a sleepless night. The next morning, Xavier returned home. The glare he gave her was cold. "How attached are you to the Lane family's money, to me, your money-making robot?" he demanded. Yvette was stunned. She didn't know what had gotten into him so early in the morning. Instinctively, she said, "I never wanted your money." She had only ever wanted Xavier. Xavier laughed in disdain. "Then, why did your mother come to my office and beg me to give you a child?" Yvette was stunned. She stared into Xavier's eyes. It was only then that she realized that he wasn't angry about what had happened last night. Xavier had no desire to waste his breath on her. "If you want to continue staying with me and keep your family afloat, tell your mother to behave herself!" ... In the end, Yvette didn't need to look for Yara. Yara found Yvette instead. She was no longer cold and distant; she gripped Yvette's hands and said gently, "Yvvy, you should ask Xavier to give you a child. He doesn't have to do it biologically. He could do it through scientific measures." Scientific measures. Yvette stared at Yara in shock as the latter continued, "Daphne told me that Xavier hasn't slept with you in the past three years." That was the last straw for Yvette. She didn't know why Xavier would tell Daphne about that. Maybe he really loved Daphne a lot. With that thought, she suddenly felt relieved. "Just let it go, Mom." Yara paused. She frowned. "What?" "I'm tired. I want to get a divorce—" Before she could finish, Yara slapped her hard across the face. The kind, motherly facade was gone in an instant. She jabbed a finger at Yvette and gritted out, "You have no right to ask for a divorce! "Without the Lane family, what do you think you're going to do? Who's going to remarry a disabled divorcee like you?" Yvette felt her body go numb. Yara had never liked Yvette, even when the latter had been a child. Yara had been a famous dancer. The fact that she had given birth to a daughter with hearing issues was one of her biggest regrets. Therefore, she had sent Yvette away to be taken care of by a nanny. She had only allowed Yvette to return home when the latter started school. People used to tell Yvette that every mother loved their child. So, she had done everything she could to excel at everything in hopes of making Yara happy. Despite her hearing issues, she had been at the top of her class in dance, music, and art classes. But no matter how hard she tried, Yara still didn't consider her a good daughter. In Yara's words, Yvette wasn't "complete". Not only physically, but also in love and familial relationships. After Yara left, Yvette used some makeup to cover up the red print on her face. Then, she packed her bags quietly. Even after three years of married life, all her personal belongings fit into a single suitcase. After she finished packing up, she gathered her courage and sent Xavier a message. "Are you free tonight? I need to talk to you." Xavier didn't reply to her. Yvette's eyes darkened. She knew that he didn't want to reply to her messages. All she could do was wait for him to come home in the morning. She had thought that he wouldn't come home that night, but he got back at midnight. Yvette wasn't asleep at the time. She went up to him and took his coat and bag from him with familiarity in her actions. It was as if they were a normal married couple. Xavier's cold voice broke the peace. "Don't send me inane texts again." As Yvette held Xavier's coat, her hand trembled slightly. "I won't do it again," she mumbled. Xavier didn't notice anything wrong with her tone. He went straight to his study. Generally, if he came home, he would stay holed up in his study. He probably thought that someone who was hard of hearing would live in a silent world. Either that, or he simply didn't care about Yvette. That would explain why he got straight to discussing his acquisition of Snyder Group in his study as if nothing was wrong. When Yvette brought him some soup, she heard Xavier animatedly discussing work with his employees. He was talking about the acquisition of Snyder Group, her father, James Snyder's company. She didn't know how to feel about that. She knew that her brother, Terrence Synder, was useless at running a business, so it was only a matter of time before Snyder Group fell. However, she had never thought that her own husband would be the first to cause Snyder Group's downfall. "Xav," she interrupted. Xavier was slightly startled. Out of guilt, or maybe some other emotion, he quickly hung up the phone and closed his laptop. Feigning ignorance, Yvette walked into the study and placed the bowl in front of him. "Have some soup, then get to bed soon. Your health is more important than work." For some reason, Xavier felt himself relax when he heard her soft voice. She probably hadn't heard anything. Feeling conflicted, he stopped Yvette before she could leave. "You said you wanted to talk to me. What is it?" Hearing this, Yvette turned back to look at him. Softly, she said, "I just wanted to ask if you're free in the morning so we can go and file for divorce." Chapter 3 Yvette's voice was calm and impassive, as though divorce were a menial matter to her. Xavier's pupils contracted. "What did you just say?" Over the last three years, no matter what he had done, Yvette had never brought up divorce. In truth, Xavier knew that Yvette loved him. Her eyes, which were usually dull and empty, were clear and bright now. "I'm sorry for being a burden over the last few years, Mr. Lane. We should get divorced." Xavier clenched his fists unconsciously. "You heard what I said earlier, didn't you? Snyder Group was already failing; it won't matter whether I buy it or someone else does. What are you trying to do by bringing up divorce? "Is it because you want money? Or a child? Or do you want me to leave Snyder Group alone?" he asked coldly. "Don't forget that I don't love you. Your threats won't work on me!" At that moment, he seemed like a stranger to Yvette. A lump formed in her throat as her ears began throbbing. Even though she was wearing her hearing aids, she could barely hear what Xavier was saying. She could only answer his last question. "I don't want anything." Afraid that he would notice something wrong with her, Yvette left the study in a hurry. As he watched her leave, Xavier felt frustrated for some reason. He had never felt like this before. Not one to hold in his emotions, he flipped the table over. The bowl of soup that Yvette had brought him spilled all over the ground. ... Back in her own room, Yvette forced herself to swallow a handful of pills. She reached up to touch her ear. As she retracted her fingers, she saw crimson blood on them. Thanks to the medicine, her hearing recovered a little by the time it was dawn. Yvette stared blankly at the soft rays of sunlight streaming from the window. "The rain has stopped," she said quietly to herself. Xavier didn't leave the manor that day. He was in the living room bright and early, settled on the couch, waiting for Yvette to apologize and express her regret to him. This wasn't the first time Yvette had lost her temper with him. However, after every tantrum, she would apologize to him before long. Xavier figured that it would be the same this time around. Soon, he saw Yvette coming out of her room, all freshened up. She wore her usual dark-colored clothes. She dragged a suitcase with one hand while holding a piece of paper in the other. She handed the paper to him. It was a divorce agreement. "Let me know when you have time, Xav." With that, she left the manor, pulling her suitcase behind her. It was bright and sunny outside. Yvette felt as if she had gotten a new chance at life. Meanwhile, Xavier sat frozen on the couch, still clutching the divorce agreement in his hand. It took him a long time to come back to his senses. It was Saturday. Usually, around this time of the year, Xavier would take Yvette back to his hometown to pay respects to his ancestors. During this time, they would have to endure strange looks from his extended family. However, he was alone that day, which made him extraordinarily happy. At Lane Mansion, Shannon and the rest of the Lanes were surprised to see him alone. In the past, Yvette had always been the first one to turn up every year and the last to leave since she had been trying to please everyone. Why wasn't she there today? Shanon frowned and asked Xavier, "Where's Yvette, Xav?" Xavier's expression turned cold. "She wanted a divorce and left me." Everyone fell silent in disbelief when he said that. Shannon was shocked. She knew that Yvette probably loved Xavier more than anything in the world, only surpassed by his own parents. Seven years ago, Yvette had even protected Xavier with her own body when someone had attempted to stab him. Four years ago, not long after the two had gotten engaged, something had happened to Xavier while he had been on a business trip in Dibay. Everyone had been convinced that he was dead, but Yvette had refused to believe that. She had dropped everything and gone to the foreign city just to look for him. Then, after they had gotten married, Yvette had taken care of almost everything in his life with meticulous precision, including being polite to everyone around him, even his secretaries. She had always been afraid of offending them. Yvette clearly couldn't live without Xavier. So, why had she suggested getting a divorce? Shannon had no idea, but she was glad that Yvette had finally decided to let Xavier go. "She's not worthy to be your wife anyway. It's a good thing that you're divorcing her. She doesn't deserve you," she said The others immediately chimed in. "Yeah, you're young and handsome, Xav. You're in your best years now. Yvette's been dragging you down all this time!" Instantly, the gathering turned into a slander fest. They spoke of Yvette as if she were an unforgivable criminal. Xavier should have felt happy that they were defending him, but for some reason, he found their words too sharp and crass. He left Lane Mansion earlier than usual and made his way back to Dewberry Estate. The sky was just starting to darken when he arrived home. He opened the door and entered the manor. When he saw nothing but darkness, he remembered, with a start, that Yvette had left. He changed into his house slippers and tossed his coat into the washer. For some reason, he felt unusually exhausted today. He went to the wine cellar to get a bottle of wine so that he could celebrate Yvette's leaving. However, when he got to the wine cellar and saw the locked door, he realized too late that he didn't have the key. He didn't like strangers in his house, so there were no maids or servants at Dewberry Estate. Ever since he had married Yvette, she had been the one taking care of the household affairs. He could only go back to his room. Picking up his phone, he scrolled through his messages only to find work-related texts. Yvette hadn't called or texted him to apologize at all. Tossing his phone aside, he got up and headed over to the kitchen. When he opened the door of the fridge, he was stunned. Apart from food, there were also a lot of supplements. He picked one of the bags up and read the instructions on it. "Take five times a day for incapable of conceived." He took a whiff of the supplement. It smelled disgusting. He recalled that Yvette always smelled strange. So, this was why. He scoffed silently. They had never slept, so no matter how much medicine she took, she would never have gotten conceived. ... Meanwhile, over in a dark and dinky hotel, Yvette opened her eyes blearily. Her head was pounding. The world was silent. She knew, then, that her condition had worsened again. Before this, she had still been able to hear some sounds, even without her hearing aids. She pushed herself up and felt around on the bedside table until she found her medicine. She popped the pills in her mouth, tasting their bitterness. The day before, she had left Dewberry Estate, which had been her home for the past three years. At first, she had gone to her parents' house, Snyder Residence. However, at the door, she had overheard Yara and Terrence discussing how they would marry her off to an old man if the Lanes kicked her out. Yvette had blanked upon hearing that. It was then that she finally realized that she had no place to call home anymore. Even though she hadn't eaten anything in two days, she still didn't feel hungry. However, it was too quiet. The silence scared her. It had been raining more frequently in Tirion this year than it had in previous years. Yvette stared out at the passing pedestrians. Most of them were paired up or in groups. She was the only one alone. She bought a bus ticket heading out of the city. She decided to go to her nanny's house in the countryside. Viola Xenos, her nanny, had taken care of her when she was a child. It was already 9:00 pm when Yvette got there. When Viola saw Yvette, she looked pleasantly surprised. Yvette teared up when she saw Viola's warm smile. She reached out to her and hugged her. "Viola." Due to health issues, Viola had never married and didn't have children of her own. Yvette was closer to her than she was to her own mother. That night, Yvette cuddled up in Viola's embrace, just like she had when she was a child. Viola wrapped her arms around Yvette, only to realize that the latter was very thin. She pressed a hand on the Yvette's bony back, trembling uncontrollably. Forcing herself to calm down, she asked cautiously, "Has Xavier been treating you well, Yvvy?" Yvette felt a sharp pain in her throat when she heard Xavier's name. She wanted to lie to Viola and tell her that Xavier had treated her well, but she knew that Viola wasn't silly. Since she had already made up her mind to leave him, there was no need to lie to herself or to the people who loved her any longer. "The person he loves has returned. I've decided to let him go and divorce him." Viola was stunned. She couldn't believe her ears. Yvette had told her multiple times before that she wanted to spend the rest of her life with Xavier. Not knowing what else to say, she comforted Yvette by telling her that there were plenty of other fish in the sea. There was bound to be one who would love her. Yvette just nodded silently. The buzzing in her ears drowned out Viola's comforting voice. That night, she managed to get a good night's sleep, which was rare. However, when she woke up, she was greeted with the alarming sight of blood staining the spot where her head had laid on the pillow. Yvette touched her right ear. Her fingers felt sticky. She looked at her hand. It was covered in blood. Chapter 4 Even Yvette's hearing aids were stained red. Her pupils contracted, and she quickly grabbed some tissues to wipe her ear. Then, she stripped the bedsheets and washed them. She was afraid that Viola would worry about her if she found out that her illness was worsening. So, she cleaned up the mess and found an excuse to bid goodbye to Viola. Before she left, she placed a part of her savings on the bedside table without telling Viola. Viola walked Yvette to the bus stop and waved goodbye reluctantly. … After Yvette left, Viola couldn't stop thinking about how thin the former was. Unable to just sit by, she called Lane Group. When the secretary heard that Viola was Yvette's nanny and wanted to speak to Xavier, she transferred the call to Xavier's line. It was the third day after Yvette had left Xavier. It was also the first time in three days that he had received a call about her. Sitting behind his desk, he felt exceptionally pleased. Just as he had expected, Yvette wouldn't be able to last more than three days without him—or so he thought. Viola's voice came through the other line, sounding weighed with age. "Mr. Lane, I am Yvvy's nanny. I've been taking care of her since she was a baby. "Please, I beg you, treat her well. Don't hurt her more than you already have. She's not as strong as she seems on the surface. "When she was born, Mrs. Snyder left her in my care because she didn't like that Yvvy is hard of hearing. Yvvy only returned home when she had to start going to school. "The Snyders have never treated her as one of their own. Apart from Mr. Snyder, everyone else treated her like she was a maid. "You and Mr. Snyder are the most important people she has in this world. I'm begging you, please. Please be kind to her." Xavier's mood darkened when he heard what Viola said. "Did she tell you to give me this sob story because she didn't want to face me herself?" he asked coldly. "Why should I care about her life? If you ask me, she deserved everything she got!" That said, he hung up the phone without waiting for an answer. Viola had heard Yvette gushing about how nice Xavier was to her. So, it was only then that she realized the truth—Xavier wasn't a good man at all. He wasn't a good husband to Yvette. ... Yvette sat on the bus, heading home. Just then, her phone vibrated. It was a message from Xavier. "You said you wanted to get divorced, right? I'll see you at 10:00 am tomorrow." Yvette stared at the text blankly for a while before replying, "Okay." Just one word. It infuriated Xavier and completely ruined his mood. Unable to work anymore, he called up his friends and invited them out for drinks. Daphne was also at the club when he arrived. "I'm not going home until I'm drunk!" she declared. Tristan sat down beside Xavier. He couldn't help asking curiously, "How's Deaf Yvvy?" Xavier raised an eyebrow at him. "There's no need to talk about her ever again. We're filing for divorce tomorrow." Tristan was stunned. He couldn't believe his ears. "Really?" Beside them, Daphne brightened. She poured out a shot for him. "Congrats on getting back your freedom, Xav!" Xavier drank a lot that night. Daphne offered to send him home, but he rejected her suggestion. "No need. It's not appropriate." If he and Yvette were going to get divorced tomorrow, she might come home that night. Daphne wasn't happy about the rejection. "Why? You're divorcing her anyway. Why wouldn't it be appropriate? Are you still scared that she might find out about our relationship?" Their relationship? Xavier narrowed his eyes. "You're overthinking this." He got into his own car. Out of consideration, he also called a cab to send Daphne home. On the drive home, he kept unlocking his phone to check if Yvette had sent him any messages. She hadn't. When he reached Dewberry Estate, it was dark. With a stormy expression, Xavier opened the door and turned on the light. Yvette was nowhere to be seen. She hadn't come home. The manor was left exactly the way it had been when she had left. Still feeling the effects of the wine, Xavier threw himself heavily onto the couch and soon fell asleep. In his nightmares, Yvette was covered in blood, but there was a smile on her face. "I don't love you anymore, Xav," she said. When Xavier jolted awake, the sky outside had just brightened up. He rubbed his forehead and went to the bathroom to freshen himself up. Then, he changed into a smart suit and made his way to the courthouse. At the entrance of the courthouse, he spotted Yvette standing under a tree not far off. As usual, she was dressed in dark-colored clothes. From the distance, she looked incredibly frail and thin as she stood amid the drizzle. It was as if a single gust of wind could knock her over. Xavier could still remember how young and lively she had been when they had first gotten married. She hadn't been as thin and gloomy back then. Holding an umbrella, he walked toward Yvette. It took her a few moments to notice him. Xiaver hadn't changed much over the last three years. He was as handsome and as confident as ever, with the added hint of matureness that came with age. Yvette was a little dazed. The last three years felt like a blink in time to her, yet she also seemed to have exhausted a whole lifetime. Xavier stalked over to Yvette and gazed at her coldly. He was waiting for her to apologize to him. She had been sulking enough. It was time to put an end to this. However, Yvette just said, "I'm sorry to pull you away from your work. Let's go in." Xavier stiffened, but he quickly recovered. "Don't regret this." With that, he turned and headed into the courthouse. Yvette stared after him sadly. Would she regret this? She didn't know either. In the courthouse, the judge asked them if they were sure about going through with the divorce. Yvette's answer was firm. "Yes." Her determined expression frustrated Xavier. After filing for divorce, they still had to return to the courthouse in a month. If they didn't show up, then the divorce would be considered null. As they left the courthouse, Yvette looked at Xavier, her expression unusually calm. "I'll see you next month. Take care." With that, she stepped out into the rain, hailed a cab, and left. Xavier was left standing on the spot. He didn't know how to feel as he watched her car leave. Relieved, probably. Relieved that he wouldn't need to put up with her any longer or endure others' ridicule for having a disabled wife. ... In the cab, Yvette leaned against the window and stared blankly at the rain droplets on the glass. In the rearview mirror, the driver suddenly saw blood dripping from her ear. He was shocked by the sight. "Miss? Miss!" Yvette didn't answer him. The driver hastily stopped the car. Yvette was confused. They weren't at her destination yet. Why had they stopped? She looked over at the driver and saw him mouthing silently. She realized that she had gone deaf again. "I'm sorry, I can't hear you. What are you saying?" In the end, the driver had to type out what he wanted to say on his phone so that he could tell her about her bleeding ear. Yvette reached out belatedly and felt the warm sensation in her ear. She was used to it now. "It's alright. This happens all the time. I'm fine." She was hard of hearing, but her ears hadn't bled like this before. Two years ago, at a gathering, Tristan had pushed her into a swimming pool. Yvette didn't know how to swim, so she had almost drowned. At the same time, her eardrums had also expanded due to the pressure. She had been sent to the hospital, but the damage had been done. At the time, she had been told that everything was fine. Why was this happening again? The cab driver was still worried, so he dropped her off at the hospital she told him. After thanking him, Yvette went into the hospital on her own. This time, she saw her usual doctor, Tom Jensen. "Dr. Jensen, my memory has been rather bad lately. I kept forgetting what I'm doing," she said. When she had woken up at the hotel that morning, it had taken her a long time to remember that she had to file for divorce with Xavier. Tom looked at her latest report worriedly. "Ms. Snyder, I think you should consider getting tested for other things. Specifically, mental health issues." Mental health… Following Tom's recommendation, Yvette went and got a psychiatric diagnosis. She was diagnosed with depression. It turned out that patients with severe depression often experienced memory loss. Before heading back to the hotel, Yvette stopped and bought a notebook and a pen. She wrote down everything that had happened lately. She placed the notebook right beside her bed so that it would be the first thing she saw when she woke up in the morning. News of her and Xavier's divorce spread quickly. That night, Yara called her multiple times, but she didn't hear anything. … When she woke up the next morning, she saw a barrage of texts from Yara. "Where are you?" "Who do you think you are? Even if you're getting a divorce, Xavier should have been the one to ask for it!" "You're such a jinx! Back when you got married, your dad got into a car crash and died. What's going to happen now that you're getting divorced? Do you want Snyder Group to go bankrupt? Is that it?" Yvette stared at the messages. She was used to the verbal bully by now. She typed out a reply. "Mom, it's time that we live by our own merits. We shouldn't depend on others so much." Yara's response was swift. "You're such an ingrate! I shouldn't have given birth to you in the first place!" Yvette didn't bother replying to that. She placed her phone aside. She just had to wait a month. Once the divorce was finalized, she would be able to leave Tirion and start a new life. … Yvette's health worsened over the next few days. She often found herself completely deaf. Sometimes, it took a very long time for her hearing to go back to normal. Her memory was deteriorating too. On the bright side, even though her hearing loss was incurable, at least she could do something about the depression. She tried everything she could to keep herself happy. She busied herself by registering as a volunteer online. She spent time taking care of abandoned old people and orphans. Helping them made her feel like she had a reason to continue living. A few days later, Yvette woke up in the morning and checked her notebook as usual. Then, she got ready to head out to the orphanage. When she picked up her phone, she saw several unread messages. There were messages from Terrance and Yara, as well as Daphne. She opened the texts one by one. Yara: "As you wished, Snyder Group is no more." Terrence: "Keep hiding. You're the most cowardly and cruel person I've ever seen." Daphne: "My condolences, Yvette. Actually, I think Snyder Group would thrive better under Xav." Daphne: "Since your family has helped me so much in the past, do let me know if you need anything. I'll help you if I can." Yvette had no idea what was happening. She closed the messaging app. Almost immediately, she got a notification about the latest news. Chapter 5 Yvette watched the news and saw the press conference held by Lane Group. It was an announcement that Xavier had successfully acquired Snyder Group. James' company no longer existed in the world. … Things on Xavier's end had been extra pleasant lately. He had acquired Snyder Group and gotten his revenge. "The Snyder family finally got what they deserved for tricking you into that marriage three years ago." Tristan chuckled. Yet, he changed the topic in the next instant. He asked Xavier, "Xav, has Deaf Yvvy approached you during the past few days?" Xavier froze halfway through signing a document. He didn't know why, but people around him kept mentioning Yvette these days. "No," he replied coldly. That shocked Tristan. After all, how could Yvette not do anything when something this massive had happened to her family? With that in mind, he spoke again. "Could it be that she's finally come around? I heard her family has been looking everywhere for her. Nobody knows where she's gone—" He kept blabbering on. Xavier frowned, feeling utterly annoyed. "Get out!" Tristan jolted. That was when he realized that Xavier was furious. Not daring to say another word, Tristan bolted out of the CEO's office. Once outside, he took his phone and called his assistant, Avery Fitzpatrick. "Have you found Yvette?" "Yes, she's in a small hotel in Hexim Pass," answered Avery. Tristan had Avery send him the location before he drove there. He refused to let Yvette off the hook so easily. So what if she was willing to divorce Xavier now? She had already prevented Xavier and Daphne from being together for over three years! Besides, Daphne had saved Tristan's life once, so he owed her. It rained outside. Yvette finished her volunteer work and picked up her medication from the hospital. Then, she held an umbrella while walking back to the hotel. There were very few people on the road. Tristan drove his car but kept his eyes on Yvette's slim back. He deliberately sped up as he drove past her, sending a puddle of rainwater splashing onto her. Yvette shot him a blank stare. Tristan happened to meet her emotionless gaze through his rearview mirror. He didn't know why, but he felt inexplicably nervous. Yvette recognized Tristan's luxurious, dark gray Bugatti. Yet, she retracted her gaze and pretended not to notice him. Even so, Tristan refused to stop there. He deliberately slowed his car and followed her. "Hey, Deaf Yvvy. So, you have a temper now, huh? "You're not even going to greet me now? Didn't you used to love greeting me? Didn't you enjoy tickling my fancy?" Yvette remained stoic while the former mocked her. She used to do everything to win over those around Xavier, including his friends. It was all because she liked him. She had figured that Xavier's family and friends would one day accept her. Alas, it seemed she had been too naïve. At the previous gathering, Tristan had declared that he was Daphne's friend. He couldn't care less about maintaining his gentlemanly, upper-class image when siding with Daphne. He had insulted Yvette and called her shameless. In the end, he had also thrown her into the pool, leaving her to die. Since then, Yvette had steered clear of him. Upon receiving no reaction or response from Yvette, Tristan stopped the car, opened the door, and strolled toward her. He grabbed her arm and asked, "What stunts are you planning to pull this time?" Yvette's arm hurt, so she looked up at him. "I don't know what you're saying." She wanted to pry his hand off her arm, but he flung her aside. "Don't touch me with your filthy hands!" Tristan bellowed. Yvette stumbled backward before falling to the ground with a loud thud. Tristan froze on the spot in slight disbelief. It baffled him to see Yvette resorting to such tricks. He had only pushed her with a slight force, so how could she fall like that? Seeing people looking their way, he nervously got back into his car. Still, he gave her a warning before driving away. "Don't mess with Daph just because you're a disabled person, Yvette! "She's different from you. It's taken her a lot of effort to get to where she is now, so you'd better not disrupt her and Xav's relationship again!" After driving away, he even told the Snyder family where Yvette was staying. Yvette's hands and knees were scraped when she fell. It hurt so much that she couldn't stand for a long time. Deep down, she didn't understand why Tristan was so blind to what was right and wrong. She recalled risking her life to rescue him from a car that had been about to explode four years ago. His face had been covered in blood, and his eyes hadn't been visible. However, he had spoken in the warmest voice. He had said, "Thank you. I promise I'll repay you someday." Yvette couldn't help but bitterly wonder if this was his way of repaying her. … Once Yvette returned to the hotel, she took a shower and applied medication to her scraped skin. Then, she lay down in a daze. The fall hardened her determination to leave Xavier for good. … The sun was shining brightly outside when Yvette woke up. She got up and headed to the living area, only to see Yara sitting on the couch, wearing a formal dress. Yara didn't seem to care one bit that Yvette had just woken up. She picked the document off the coffee table and handed it to the latter. "Take a good look at this. It's the backup plan I've selected for you." Yvette accepted the document but saw the title "prenuptial agreement" on the cover. She flipped through the pages while reading the contents aloud. "Ms. Yvette Snyder will marry Mr. Liam Lorimer. As his wife, she'll devote herself to him and look after him until the end of his life. Liam will look after Yvette's family, which includes maintaining their quality of life. He'll also provide 300 million as funds for the Snyder family." Following that, the document stated Liam's details. He was an entrepreneur from the older generation in Tirion. He was 78 years old that year. Yvette's mind tensed. At that moment, Yara spoke up again. "Mr. Lorimer has expressed that he doesn't mind that you were married before. "He'll help revive our family's reputation from the ashes, as long as you marry him. Come on, dearest. You wouldn't let me and Terrence down, right?" Yvette's face paled even more. "I can't agree to what you're asking of me." Yara had never imagined that Yvette would reject her so candidly. She blew up in a fit of rage at once. "What right do you have to refuse? I gave you life!" Hearing that, Yvette met Yara's gaze. "How about I return my life to you? Would that mean I no longer owe you?" "What did you say?" Yara shrilled. Yvette's pale lips moved as she said, "If I returned my life to you, would it mean you'd no longer be my mother? And I'll no longer be indebted to you for giving birth to me?" Yara sneered, not believing Yvette would dare do such a thing. "Okay, then. I won't force you to marry Mr. Lorimer if you give your life back to me. But the question is, do you have the guts to do it?" "Give me a month." Yvette seemed determined. In Yara's eyes, Yvette seemed like a crazed person. She warned, "You'd best not threaten me by only saying you'll end your life. We're not that close, so I don't care if you die. However, you must sign this document if you're too afraid to end your life." … Yvette had suppressed all her emotions to the brim and needed to vent somewhere. So, she went to a bar. She sat in a corner, drinking and watching the crowd happily dance in a daze. That was when a dashing man with striking eyes noticed Yvette, who was all alone. He approached and asked, "Yvette?" Yvette stared at the man but didn't recognize him. Still dazed, she asked, "Do you know how one can achieve happiness?" The man was confused. "What did you say?" Yvette continued drinking as she spoke. "The doctor says I'm ill and should try to be happier, but I can't make myself feel happy…" That sparked discomfort in the man, Claude Lander. He wondered if Yvette had forgotten about him. Also, he was confused by what she said—something about being ill and needing to be happier. "You shouldn't be in a place like this if you want to be happy. Why don't I drive you home?" Claude spoke in a gentle tone. A smile curved across Yvette's face as she looked at him. "You're a good person." Complex emotions stirred in Claude when he saw her bitter smile. He wondered what she had been through these past few years. Why did she seem so sorrowful? Meanwhile, Xavier was also at the bar. After settling the divorce papers, he had let himself loose every night. On top of that, he hadn't returned to Dewberry Estate in a long time. It was getting late. When the crowd was about to leave, Daphne noticed a familiar figure in a corner of the bar. She exclaimed, "Isn't that Yvvy?" Xavier glanced in the direction Daphne was staring in and saw a man merrily chatting with Yvette. His expression soured at once. He was disappointed in Yvette for getting drunk at a bar and chatting up another man. He felt like he had thought too highly of her before. "Should we go and check up on her, Xav?" asked Daphne. "No," was all Xavier said before speedily leaving. On the other hand, Yvette declined Claude's offer. "There's no need to trouble yourself. I can go home on my own." Claude was still worried about Yvette, so he ran after her when he noticed her leaving the bar. "Do you really not remember me?" Yvette gazed at him but couldn't recall who he was. "It's Chubbs. Have you forgotten?" Claude reminded her. Only then did Yvette remember her friend, Chubbs, whom she met when she had been living with Viola in the countryside. Back then, Claude had been chubbier and nowhere near Yvette's height. Yet, his six-foot-two-inch frame now towered over her. He had even grown to have handsome features. "I remember now! You've changed so much. I didn't even recognize you!" said Yvette. Meeting an old friend away from home was a pleasant thing. But only a slight smile curved on Yvette's face. That upset Claude. "Come on. I'll drive you home," Claude stated. When he dropped her off, he was shocked to learn she lived in a run-down hotel. Yvette shifted in embarrassment. "Sorry, it's not a glamorous place. Please don't tell Viola I'm living in such a place. I don't want her to worry." Claude nodded. Since it was getting late, it was unwise for him to stay longer. So, he left after telling Yvette he would visit her the next day. He didn't notice the matte black car lingering in a dark area beneath the hotel as he walked out. Now that Claude had left, Yvette felt dizzy and had an upset stomach from drinking too much. That was when someone knocked hard on the door. Yvette had just opened the door when Xavier grabbed her wrist. He exerted so much strength on her slender wrist that it felt close to snapping in half. "You've made me look at you in a new light, Yvette!" Xavier snarled while shutting and locking the door. He then forcefully led her to the couch. He sneered with words as sharp and lethal as a blade, "So, you've already settled on which family you'll marry into next, huh? I knew you wouldn't be so willing to let me go for no reason!" Yvette didn't know why he had come over, nor did she know how he had seen Claude. She was only briefly dazed. Once she snapped out of it, she shot a furious look at Xavier and didn't bother explaining herself to him. The rims of her eyes reddened. "You and I aren't that different from each other." The Snyder family had tricked Xavier into marrying Yvette. However, Xavier had treated her coldly for three years while remaining entangled with his first love. Neither Xavier nor Yvette was a better person than the other. Xavier had also drunk some wine, so he reeked of it. Eyes reddening, he pinched Yvette's chin and spoke with a dangerously low voice. "Who is he? When did you guys meet?" That was the first time Yvette had seen him behave like this. She suddenly chuckled. "Are you jealous?" Xavier's gaze grew tense as he scoffed. "You're unworthy of such a reaction." Yvette became choked up. That was when Xavier leaned in domineeringly and continued interrogating her. "Has he already touched you? Huh?" In her three years of marriage, Yvette had given up on her work and declined to meet her friends whenever they had occasionally invited her out. She had done so to obey the Lane family's rules. But now Xavier was suspicious of her. Relief washed over Yvette just then. She questioned him back, "What do you think?" That utterly angered Xavier, and his heated hands started travelling down her body. | Read freely | 18 | https://facebook.com/61557986570531 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1715324400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841052 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682322 | 1723710534 | 858 | 433697319024398 | 6 | 1.6550246085646E+15 | 1715497200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 101065786425886 | 0 | Fit Fusion Hub | 120205439851020685 | fitfusionhub.co | Shop now | NONE | video | Free Worldwide Shipping! | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5 Reviews! | https://fitfusionhub.co/products/boxing-resistance-bands | 1711384631 | 1.0106578642589E+14 | Fit Fusion Hub | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/431574138_333371179735017_6865493517643319687_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=3yT3NcgfZuEQ7kNvgHMYfas&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYD5gT8hcr1GtE6jjOz9DeP4aHWOHA6uLttchxwBXemWLQ&oe=6658357D | person_profile | 0 | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/434017644_1862051540904358_4679136093091877076_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=SB4h49Djd6YQ7kNvgFqRdnM&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYDUa_V3-hWx8z_hiLTAj9_8NsnCBUR_zR_AM_0xiHziPg&oe=665843CC | 0 | 3 | Boost your athletic edge with Boxing Resistance Bands – train for power, strength, and agility, and be the champion you're meant to be! 💥 | Fit Fusion Hub | 46 | https://facebook.com/fitfusionhub | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1715410800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841031 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682321 | 1723710534 | 858 | 808263717521709 | 1 | 8.3975895818570E+14 | 1716620400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 104875444530306 | 0 | Local Housing Source | 6570749306885 | fb.me | Learn more | NONE | image | Looking to buy your dream home? We're here to help! | Unlock 1% Cash Back - Start Your Self-Guided Home Tours Today! | http://fb.me/ | 1715204501 | 1.0487544453031E+14 | Local Housing Source | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438196786_1472824976966338_2174514676878751328_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=JyLd373uRawQ7kNvgFH3ito&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYC2VkSpMq7R_1H9zKXUl8avZ4yOaQlFyW_DcbMjGhhLDQ&oe=6658630A | person_profile | 0 | Real Estate & Relationships | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438221565_1766175757244327_2951415971854871140_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=rBw0FBrveGwQ7kNvgGm_z1o&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYBx1Xqab2oYm9Ta6_BbAzuGdZdoqudu2IPSBvSfdJ47yQ&oe=66584564 | 0 | 3 | Get 1% Cash Back When You Buy a Home!<br /> <br /> Looking to buy your dream home? We're here to help! Get expert guidance and 1% cash back on your closing costs when you buy with Local Housing Source. It's a win-win!<br /> <br /> Why Choose Us?<br /> <br /> 1% Cash Back on Closing Costs: Sign with us, and you’ll get real money back when you close. <br /> Expert Guidance: Our experienced agents guide you from start to finish, making the home-buying process a breeze. <br /> Hassle-Free Tours: Explore homes at your pace with flexible self-guided tours. Simple Offer Process: When you're ready to make an offer, our easy process ensures a smooth transaction.<br /> <br /> Why This Matters?<br /> <br /> With our 1% cash back, you could save thousands on your new home. In 2023, our average rebate was $31,038. Think about what you could do with that extra cash!<br /> <br /> Ready to Get Started?<br /> <br /> Contact Local Housing Source today and let's find your dream home together. With us, buying a home has never been easier—or more rewarding.<br /> <br /> Contact Us Now! | Local Housing Source | 3 | https://facebook.com/100071426276633 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1715583600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841032 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682321 | 1723710534 | 858 | 896192805611446 | 1 | 9.8742360961962E+14 | 1716620400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 104875444530306 | 0 | Local Housing Source | 6570749303285 | fb.me | Learn more | NONE | image | Looking to buy your dream home? We're here to help! | Unlock 1% Cash Back - Start Your Self-Guided Home Tours Today! | http://fb.me/ | 1715204501 | 1.0487544453031E+14 | Local Housing Source | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441606069_2820102754795391_5482728560855268146_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=2Wm3njNzXAYQ7kNvgHfMTAw&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYDX_h5zWprNlWpBqpTH3bGmWkzTG9B1atVMAspURIspQA&oe=665850B5 | person_profile | 0 | Real Estate & Relationships | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/440471227_1106909747199095_7957424625153813580_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=R9RdIg9ROtEQ7kNvgEBUbZa&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYA9aNqKRHx4dH8ubLxm9dnj0k9mgbEVAw_3IOOBXXXPDw&oe=66586AAC | 0 | 3 | Get 1% Cash Back When You Buy a Home!<br /> <br /> Looking to buy your dream home? We're here to help! Get expert guidance and 1% cash back on your closing costs when you buy with Local Housing Source. It's a win-win!<br /> <br /> Why Choose Us?<br /> <br /> 1% Cash Back on Closing Costs: Sign with us, and you’ll get real money back when you close. <br /> Expert Guidance: Our experienced agents guide you from start to finish, making the home-buying process a breeze. <br /> Hassle-Free Tours: Explore homes at your pace with flexible self-guided tours. Simple Offer Process: When you're ready to make an offer, our easy process ensures a smooth transaction.<br /> <br /> Why This Matters?<br /> <br /> With our 1% cash back, you could save thousands on your new home. In 2023, our average rebate was $31,038. Think about what you could do with that extra cash!<br /> <br /> Ready to Get Started?<br /> <br /> Contact Local Housing Source today and let's find your dream home together. With us, buying a home has never been easier—or more rewarding.<br /> <br /> Contact Us Now! | Local Housing Source | 3 | https://facebook.com/100071426276633 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1715583600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841049 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682322 | 1723710534 | 858 | 364773666547126 | 3 | 1.4503721990179E+15 | 1716188400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 101065786425886 | 0 | Fit Fusion Hub | 120205440160240685 | fitfusionhub.co | Shop now | NONE | video | Free Worldwide Shipping! | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5 Reviews! | https://fitfusionhub.co/products/spray-water-bottle | 1711385222 | 1.0106578642589E+14 | Fit Fusion Hub | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/434184238_1072920160456235_24173197660041531_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Ir0xTXpFjBkQ7kNvgGJDNl-&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYBMq5zAeT7Y4SbothEuiifdfB7d2Qy5OEBczefjliE9CA&oe=66584798 | person_profile | 0 | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/434367076_1410016319635911_4146421580755421988_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=oIF_cLMZGEkQ7kNvgFpzVi3&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYAcsggPH2hJwzDyFE2q6D8gFcPpzdTclhmKmaTfa5Igyw&oe=6658652C | 0 | 3 | Sip, spray, and stay refreshed on the move with the stylish 700ml Spray Water Bottle, your ultimate hydration companion! 💦👟 | Fit Fusion Hub | 46 | https://facebook.com/fitfusionhub | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1716102000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841035 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682322 | 1723710534 | 858 | 1936986736817811 | 1 | 7.5422171679118E+14 | 1716620400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 104875444530306 | 0 | Local Housing Source | 6570727809285 | fb.me | Learn more | NONE | image | Looking to buy your dream home? We're here to help! | Unlock 1% Cash Back - Start Your Self-Guided Home Tours Today! | http://fb.me/ | 1715201704 | 1.0487544453031E+14 | Local Housing Source | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/440960165_1162803774732266_1771840509886786318_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=3rw7obgo1WMQ7kNvgGKnMqc&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYAejmOiBHkqKQNw0tKMs2UzRo-IcOigQtEfGXXs-otCuA&oe=66585655 | person_profile | 0 | Real Estate & Relationships | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/440945302_3694135694191645_7042391855741683783_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=iLPInXRGESIQ7kNvgGnT2Zf&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYCHDSqBMdGafKdPho8_Dj5XqnRuxB_OJJGINO2J5R6Ggw&oe=66583666 | 0 | 3 | Get 1% Cash Back When You Buy a Home!<br /> <br /> Looking to buy your dream home? We're here to help! Get expert guidance and 1% cash back on your closing costs when you buy with Local Housing Source. It's a win-win!<br /> <br /> Why Choose Us?<br /> <br /> 1% Cash Back on Closing Costs: Sign with us, and you’ll get real money back when you close. <br /> Expert Guidance: Our experienced agents guide you from start to finish, making the home-buying process a breeze. <br /> Hassle-Free Tours: Explore homes at your pace with flexible self-guided tours. Simple Offer Process: When you're ready to make an offer, our easy process ensures a smooth transaction.<br /> <br /> Why This Matters?<br /> <br /> With our 1% cash back, you could save thousands on your new home. In 2023, our average rebate was $31,038. Think about what you could do with that extra cash!<br /> <br /> Ready to Get Started?<br /> <br /> Contact Local Housing Source today and let's find your dream home together. With us, buying a home has never been easier—or more rewarding.<br /> <br /> Contact Us Now! | Local Housing Source | 3 | https://facebook.com/100071426276633 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1715583600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841037 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682322 | 1723710534 | 858 | 477942217919342 | 5 | 7.9330905624098E+14 | 1715324400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 110757928736038 | 0 | HappyMe's | 120208390565450724 | norvure.com | Shop now | NONE | image | Let Your Pup Roam Safely With This Tie Out Stake | 40% Off Until Midnight | https://norvure.com/products/tanglefree%E2%84%A2-360-swivel-dog-tie-out-stake | 1715049493 | 1.1075792873604E+14 | HappyMe's | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/440410296_320816604184579_4382935421732099458_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=5D2VheNQpvYQ7kNvgH6KsaI&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYCVl3iFGvDjFPyDq1ScRP__c9vDoiE_uPGh5zywYIdgfw&oe=66584FBC | person_profile | 0 | HappyMe's | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438118318_3775657095983445_6022554941443760618_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=317iMtc8JyQQ7kNvgGMM1pI&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYDh2ggEFgkehMy_jBy5DwxqmlV_xujDh8_wB3n3Jy9ImQ&oe=66583D52 | 0 | 3 | 🐾 Give your furry friend the freedom to explore without tangles! TangleFree™ 360° Swivel Dog Tie-Out Stake ensures your pet's safety and your peace of mind during outdoor playtime.<br /> <br /> 👇 Click Below To Get Yours 40% Off Until Midnight | HappyMe's | 4239 | https://facebook.com/100094368992659 | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1715065200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841036 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682322 | 1723710534 | 858 | 409446078673032 | 5 | 1.6334756740528E+15 | 1715324400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 110757928736038 | 0 | HappyMe's | 120208390565430724 | norvure.com | Shop now | NONE | image | Let Your Pup Roam Safely With This Tie Out Stake | 40% Off Until Midnight | https://norvure.com/products/tanglefree%E2%84%A2-360-swivel-dog-tie-out-stake | 1715049494 | 1.1075792873604E+14 | HappyMe's | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/424585601_786195066602972_3927234968190252650_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Sb12YOi0LBEQ7kNvgEBb4R3&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYC3-QGWUX5R6VEquE78HA9bIkB3wWgEOpvDENZaOmhCcg&oe=66584934 | person_profile | 0 | HappyMe's | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441954458_3672786402991305_4834993696482844962_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=1XStpUvxMNcQ7kNvgH6RXoj&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYByFTqXYM62AYv14Pn0_fTBQFO7fEu0kyVCM2XIDUVWcA&oe=665837DE | 0 | 3 | 🐾 Give your furry friend the freedom to explore without tangles! TangleFree™ 360° Swivel Dog Tie-Out Stake ensures your pet's safety and your peace of mind during outdoor playtime.<br /> <br /> 👇 Click Below To Get Yours 40% Off Until Midnight | HappyMe's | 4239 | https://facebook.com/100094368992659 | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1715065200 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841042 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682322 | 1723710535 | 858 | 1166053964572493 | 1716620400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 141502009216768 | 0 | Brendon Burchard - Live. Love. Matter. | 6595423031217 | www.growthday.com | Get offer | NONE | video | Rich Habits vs Poor Habits 🔥 | https://www.growthday.com/wealth-habits | 1715196129 | 1.4150200921677E+14 | Brendon Burchard - Live. Love. Matter. | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/440856476_456355950210869_6997305553728848491_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=4iaJ3veuLMIQ7kNvgFy9l5z&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYCOFpSkcXA3_RFcAYu1jFnXRCf_uKoFZiHn0i4Y_0Bttg&oe=6658347D | person_profile | 0 | Brendon Burchard | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/440441916_2193424464338103_3846034478650822593_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=yNRyjSeqH80Q7kNvgFN0kO_&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYChx4SiVNdiwWYflV7FOKQqfOB92iHqidayaFKxa85oxQ&oe=665842F7 | 0 | 3 | There are better ways of thinking about the abundance in your life, your finances, & your future success… 👀<br /> <br /> Get my Wealth Habits Masterclass & Discover the Habits of Financial Champions 🏆<br /> <br /> This is a Limited Time Offer so Get Started Now!🔥 | Brendon Burchard - Live. Love. Matter. | 5024182 | https://facebook.com/brendonburchardfan | 0 | GET_OFFER_VIEW | 1715238000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841044 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682322 | 1723710535 | 858 | 624461703169271 | 1 | 4.3310230580463E+14 | 1711177200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 101479542560743 | 0 | ConsumerSafe.com | 120205741070030259 | contact.consumersafe.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | See If You Qualify | They set aside $4.5 billion... | https://contact.consumersafe.com/roundup/ | 1710166508 | 1.0147954256074E+14 | ConsumerSafe.com | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/431615458_770690081512177_3495676478623739503_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=9xv9TXhbBuYQ7kNvgGEIuGC&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYBu7etAYE0Q72fYuZDLiCDb5QCkIhM28wylEhTJupLOGg&oe=66583C05 | person_profile | 0 | Consumersafe.com | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/431770947_782259450625980_2788408335447563369_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=T1FudKMblDIQ7kNvgF1RlJP&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYAzGsHJUaFxEVTAim9UReL0wK_OYh-WGXGLE106cwt9KA&oe=66583EE9 | 0 | 3 | Roundup weedkiller has been linked to Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. If you or someone you know used Roundup and was later diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, you could be eligible to receive significant compensation as part of a settlement. Click to learn more and see if you qualify. | ConsumerSafe.com | 1426 | https://facebook.com/consumersafedotcom | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1710140400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841045 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682322 | 1723710535 | 858 | 624461703169271 | 1 | 4.3310230580463E+14 | 1711177200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 101479542560743 | 0 | ConsumerSafe.com | 120205741070030259 | contact.consumersafe.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | See If You Qualify | They set aside $4.5 billion... | https://contact.consumersafe.com/roundup/ | 1710166508 | 1.0147954256074E+14 | ConsumerSafe.com | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/431615458_770690081512177_3495676478623739503_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=9xv9TXhbBuYQ7kNvgGEIuGC&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYBu7etAYE0Q72fYuZDLiCDb5QCkIhM28wylEhTJupLOGg&oe=66583C05 | person_profile | 0 | Consumersafe.com | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/431770947_782259450625980_2788408335447563369_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=T1FudKMblDIQ7kNvgF1RlJP&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYAzGsHJUaFxEVTAim9UReL0wK_OYh-WGXGLE106cwt9KA&oe=66583EE9 | 0 | 3 | Roundup weedkiller has been linked to Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. If you or someone you know used Roundup and was later diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, you could be eligible to receive significant compensation as part of a settlement. Click to learn more and see if you qualify. | ConsumerSafe.com | 1426 | https://facebook.com/consumersafedotcom | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1710140400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841047 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682322 | 1723710535 | 858 | 900340618565276 | 8 | 4.8932180011543E+14 | 1716361200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 106230892147834 | 0 | Wahooly | 120208392423100620 | shopwahooly.com | Shop now | NONE | video | Free Worldwide Shipping! | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5 Reviews! | https://shopwahooly.com/products/5-in-1-electric-cleaning-brush | 1716120107 | 1.0623089214783E+14 | Wahooly | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/445369565_754895103435413_7066811352263620264_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=-tsEbn2wua4Q7kNvgE-hsMi&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYCLLzyp2mCU6UOjVjMdhpwsfaTAbP3ABeZ0XYXuQZ3Mvw&oe=665846CA | person_profile | 0 | Wahooly | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/445355136_3621059924778770_8791879604436347797_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=DwOYVIzZgx0Q7kNvgFpVTkY&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYDuD-flSAzr5Aij07jMI-Svybdm76UBX1RYMXrRsMPnXg&oe=66583BCD | 0 | 3 | Say goodbye to tedious scrubbing and hello to sparkling clean surfaces with our 5-in-1 Electric Cleaning Brush! 🧼✨ | Wahooly | 58 | https://facebook.com/Wahoooly | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1716188400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841080 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682323 | 1723710535 | 858 | 345924945175506 | 10 | 4.0432693580309E+14 | 1716620400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 1 | 0 | 342924965562549 | 0 | Random Reading | 120211511879180002 | ocankn.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | 😍Read the next chapters👉 | https://ocankn.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=10463&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1715765000 | 3.4292496556255E+14 | Random Reading | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/435922042_247479561755579_3821431404594820167_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=WhysPRo_lQkQ7kNvgEZ2J99&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYBoEst8jJboeq7euSmQea_4KqzI3HAyHhaPwBJeuhQRKA&oe=66586988 | person_profile | 0 | Random Reading | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/436197202_765438095699980_1525197823077953944_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=DflzpDrA-WYQ7kNvgE4paFb&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYCZW98CxYAFuHu2zNEXP4KyFCvFQsz4wVPZmlfYRL96Pw&oe=665863E1 | 0 | 3 | I had never seen Felix like this - fury was written all over his face, and his lanky figure was trembling slightly. I've known Felix since we were born. Our mothers were best friends and they were trying to pair us up again just now. I had a crush on him, and he always treated me kindly. But now, he glared at me and spat, "This is all your fault. You're constantly following me around! That's why they misunderstood! Stay away from me!" I hadn't expected him to say something like that. I stared at him dumbfounded. Both my parents and Felix's parents ceased their conversation about our wedding and future. Felix wasn't done yet. "Who gave you guys the right to make my life decisions for me? I'm my own man. I'll never marry her, so you all can just stop trying to pair us up!" Felix shouted as he glared at everyone in the house. His eyes were filled with hate. It made me want to curl up into a ball out of embarrassment. The house remained completely silent. Everyone's gaze was on me, and I could feel my heart throbbing in pain. 18 years. We spent every day together for 18 years. He was my world, and I gave him everything. Yet, all I got was humiliation. He had trampled all over my dignity and self-worth in front of his whole family and mine… My father, usually calm, flushed crimson at Felix's harsh words, his fists clenched. Mom, too, looked angry and embarrassed, jaw agape, her expression one of disbelief. Uncle Austin, Felix's father, slapped Felix, scolding, "You rebellious boy! Who taught you to behave like that?" The impact of slap sent Felix reeling, and he hit his head on the corner of the wall. Felix slumped to the floor in pain, leaving an unmistakable streak of red on the white walls. Aunt Mel rushed forward with concern, "Felix, my son! Are you alright?" Felix shot me a scathing glare as if I had committed an unspeakable crime. "Are you happy now, Luna?" he spat. I stared back at him with wide eyes, tears streaming down my face and onto the floor. Even though I liked him, that didn't mean he could throw wild accusations and embarrass me as he pleased! I liked him, but I, too, had my sense of dignity! If loving him was a crime and the reason why he thought he could humiliate me, then I would gladly change! "I'm sorry, Felix. I never thought that my actions would have bugged you so much," I forced the humiliation down as I continued, "I, Luna Lawson, swear that from this moment onward, I will never bother you again, Felix." I bit my lip hard, and the sharp tang of blood exploded across my tongue. I, Luna Lawson, also swear to myself - I won't endure the same humiliation AGAIN! | Random Reading | 1 | https://facebook.com/61559743679549 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1716447600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841078 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682323 | 1723710535 | 858 | 345924945175506 | 10 | 4.0432693580309E+14 | 1716620400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 1 | 0 | 342924965562549 | 0 | Random Reading | 120211511879180002 | ocankn.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | 😍Read the next chapters👉 | https://ocankn.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=10463&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1715765000 | 3.4292496556255E+14 | Random Reading | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/435922042_247479561755579_3821431404594820167_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=WhysPRo_lQkQ7kNvgEZ2J99&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYBoEst8jJboeq7euSmQea_4KqzI3HAyHhaPwBJeuhQRKA&oe=66586988 | person_profile | 0 | Random Reading | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/436197202_765438095699980_1525197823077953944_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=DflzpDrA-WYQ7kNvgE4paFb&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYCZW98CxYAFuHu2zNEXP4KyFCvFQsz4wVPZmlfYRL96Pw&oe=665863E1 | 0 | 3 | I had never seen Felix like this - fury was written all over his face, and his lanky figure was trembling slightly. I've known Felix since we were born. Our mothers were best friends and they were trying to pair us up again just now. I had a crush on him, and he always treated me kindly. But now, he glared at me and spat, "This is all your fault. You're constantly following me around! That's why they misunderstood! Stay away from me!" I hadn't expected him to say something like that. I stared at him dumbfounded. Both my parents and Felix's parents ceased their conversation about our wedding and future. Felix wasn't done yet. "Who gave you guys the right to make my life decisions for me? I'm my own man. I'll never marry her, so you all can just stop trying to pair us up!" Felix shouted as he glared at everyone in the house. His eyes were filled with hate. It made me want to curl up into a ball out of embarrassment. The house remained completely silent. Everyone's gaze was on me, and I could feel my heart throbbing in pain. 18 years. We spent every day together for 18 years. He was my world, and I gave him everything. Yet, all I got was humiliation. He had trampled all over my dignity and self-worth in front of his whole family and mine… My father, usually calm, flushed crimson at Felix's harsh words, his fists clenched. Mom, too, looked angry and embarrassed, jaw agape, her expression one of disbelief. Uncle Austin, Felix's father, slapped Felix, scolding, "You rebellious boy! Who taught you to behave like that?" The impact of slap sent Felix reeling, and he hit his head on the corner of the wall. Felix slumped to the floor in pain, leaving an unmistakable streak of red on the white walls. Aunt Mel rushed forward with concern, "Felix, my son! Are you alright?" Felix shot me a scathing glare as if I had committed an unspeakable crime. "Are you happy now, Luna?" he spat. I stared back at him with wide eyes, tears streaming down my face and onto the floor. Even though I liked him, that didn't mean he could throw wild accusations and embarrass me as he pleased! I liked him, but I, too, had my sense of dignity! If loving him was a crime and the reason why he thought he could humiliate me, then I would gladly change! "I'm sorry, Felix. I never thought that my actions would have bugged you so much," I forced the humiliation down as I continued, "I, Luna Lawson, swear that from this moment onward, I will never bother you again, Felix." I bit my lip hard, and the sharp tang of blood exploded across my tongue. I, Luna Lawson, also swear to myself - I won't endure the same humiliation AGAIN! | Random Reading | 1 | https://facebook.com/61559743679549 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1716447600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841082 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682323 | 1723710535 | 858 | 345924945175506 | 10 | 4.0432693580309E+14 | 1716620400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 1 | 0 | 342924965562549 | 0 | Random Reading | 120211511879180002 | ocankn.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | 😍Read the next chapters👉 | https://ocankn.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=10463&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1715765000 | 3.4292496556255E+14 | Random Reading | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/435922042_247479561755579_3821431404594820167_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=WhysPRo_lQkQ7kNvgEZ2J99&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYBoEst8jJboeq7euSmQea_4KqzI3HAyHhaPwBJeuhQRKA&oe=66586988 | person_profile | 0 | Random Reading | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/436197202_765438095699980_1525197823077953944_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=DflzpDrA-WYQ7kNvgE4paFb&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYCZW98CxYAFuHu2zNEXP4KyFCvFQsz4wVPZmlfYRL96Pw&oe=665863E1 | 0 | 3 | I had never seen Felix like this - fury was written all over his face, and his lanky figure was trembling slightly. I've known Felix since we were born. Our mothers were best friends and they were trying to pair us up again just now. I had a crush on him, and he always treated me kindly. But now, he glared at me and spat, "This is all your fault. You're constantly following me around! That's why they misunderstood! Stay away from me!" I hadn't expected him to say something like that. I stared at him dumbfounded. Both my parents and Felix's parents ceased their conversation about our wedding and future. Felix wasn't done yet. "Who gave you guys the right to make my life decisions for me? I'm my own man. I'll never marry her, so you all can just stop trying to pair us up!" Felix shouted as he glared at everyone in the house. His eyes were filled with hate. It made me want to curl up into a ball out of embarrassment. The house remained completely silent. Everyone's gaze was on me, and I could feel my heart throbbing in pain. 18 years. We spent every day together for 18 years. He was my world, and I gave him everything. Yet, all I got was humiliation. He had trampled all over my dignity and self-worth in front of his whole family and mine… My father, usually calm, flushed crimson at Felix's harsh words, his fists clenched. Mom, too, looked angry and embarrassed, jaw agape, her expression one of disbelief. Uncle Austin, Felix's father, slapped Felix, scolding, "You rebellious boy! Who taught you to behave like that?" The impact of slap sent Felix reeling, and he hit his head on the corner of the wall. Felix slumped to the floor in pain, leaving an unmistakable streak of red on the white walls. Aunt Mel rushed forward with concern, "Felix, my son! Are you alright?" Felix shot me a scathing glare as if I had committed an unspeakable crime. "Are you happy now, Luna?" he spat. I stared back at him with wide eyes, tears streaming down my face and onto the floor. Even though I liked him, that didn't mean he could throw wild accusations and embarrass me as he pleased! I liked him, but I, too, had my sense of dignity! If loving him was a crime and the reason why he thought he could humiliate me, then I would gladly change! "I'm sorry, Felix. I never thought that my actions would have bugged you so much," I forced the humiliation down as I continued, "I, Luna Lawson, swear that from this moment onward, I will never bother you again, Felix." I bit my lip hard, and the sharp tang of blood exploded across my tongue. I, Luna Lawson, also swear to myself - I won't endure the same humiliation AGAIN! | Random Reading | 1 | https://facebook.com/61559743679549 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1716447600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841084 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682323 | 1723710535 | 858 | 345924945175506 | 10 | 4.0432693580309E+14 | 1716620400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 1 | 0 | 342924965562549 | 0 | Random Reading | 120211511879180002 | ocankn.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | 😍Read the next chapters👉 | https://ocankn.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=10463&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1715765000 | 3.4292496556255E+14 | Random Reading | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/435922042_247479561755579_3821431404594820167_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=WhysPRo_lQkQ7kNvgEZ2J99&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYBoEst8jJboeq7euSmQea_4KqzI3HAyHhaPwBJeuhQRKA&oe=66586988 | person_profile | 0 | Random Reading | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/436197202_765438095699980_1525197823077953944_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=DflzpDrA-WYQ7kNvgE4paFb&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYCZW98CxYAFuHu2zNEXP4KyFCvFQsz4wVPZmlfYRL96Pw&oe=665863E1 | 0 | 3 | I had never seen Felix like this - fury was written all over his face, and his lanky figure was trembling slightly. I've known Felix since we were born. Our mothers were best friends and they were trying to pair us up again just now. I had a crush on him, and he always treated me kindly. But now, he glared at me and spat, "This is all your fault. You're constantly following me around! That's why they misunderstood! Stay away from me!" I hadn't expected him to say something like that. I stared at him dumbfounded. Both my parents and Felix's parents ceased their conversation about our wedding and future. Felix wasn't done yet. "Who gave you guys the right to make my life decisions for me? I'm my own man. I'll never marry her, so you all can just stop trying to pair us up!" Felix shouted as he glared at everyone in the house. His eyes were filled with hate. It made me want to curl up into a ball out of embarrassment. The house remained completely silent. Everyone's gaze was on me, and I could feel my heart throbbing in pain. 18 years. We spent every day together for 18 years. He was my world, and I gave him everything. Yet, all I got was humiliation. He had trampled all over my dignity and self-worth in front of his whole family and mine… My father, usually calm, flushed crimson at Felix's harsh words, his fists clenched. Mom, too, looked angry and embarrassed, jaw agape, her expression one of disbelief. Uncle Austin, Felix's father, slapped Felix, scolding, "You rebellious boy! Who taught you to behave like that?" The impact of slap sent Felix reeling, and he hit his head on the corner of the wall. Felix slumped to the floor in pain, leaving an unmistakable streak of red on the white walls. Aunt Mel rushed forward with concern, "Felix, my son! Are you alright?" Felix shot me a scathing glare as if I had committed an unspeakable crime. "Are you happy now, Luna?" he spat. I stared back at him with wide eyes, tears streaming down my face and onto the floor. Even though I liked him, that didn't mean he could throw wild accusations and embarrass me as he pleased! I liked him, but I, too, had my sense of dignity! If loving him was a crime and the reason why he thought he could humiliate me, then I would gladly change! "I'm sorry, Felix. I never thought that my actions would have bugged you so much," I forced the humiliation down as I continued, "I, Luna Lawson, swear that from this moment onward, I will never bother you again, Felix." I bit my lip hard, and the sharp tang of blood exploded across my tongue. I, Luna Lawson, also swear to myself - I won't endure the same humiliation AGAIN! | Random Reading | 1 | https://facebook.com/61559743679549 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1716447600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841086 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682323 | 1723710535 | 858 | 345924945175506 | 10 | 4.0432693580309E+14 | 1716620400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 1 | 0 | 342924965562549 | 0 | Random Reading | 120211511879180002 | ocankn.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | 😍Read the next chapters👉 | https://ocankn.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=10463&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1715765000 | 3.4292496556255E+14 | Random Reading | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/435922042_247479561755579_3821431404594820167_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=WhysPRo_lQkQ7kNvgEZ2J99&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYBoEst8jJboeq7euSmQea_4KqzI3HAyHhaPwBJeuhQRKA&oe=66586988 | person_profile | 0 | Random Reading | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/436197202_765438095699980_1525197823077953944_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=DflzpDrA-WYQ7kNvgE4paFb&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYCZW98CxYAFuHu2zNEXP4KyFCvFQsz4wVPZmlfYRL96Pw&oe=665863E1 | 0 | 3 | I had never seen Felix like this - fury was written all over his face, and his lanky figure was trembling slightly. I've known Felix since we were born. Our mothers were best friends and they were trying to pair us up again just now. I had a crush on him, and he always treated me kindly. But now, he glared at me and spat, "This is all your fault. You're constantly following me around! That's why they misunderstood! Stay away from me!" I hadn't expected him to say something like that. I stared at him dumbfounded. Both my parents and Felix's parents ceased their conversation about our wedding and future. Felix wasn't done yet. "Who gave you guys the right to make my life decisions for me? I'm my own man. I'll never marry her, so you all can just stop trying to pair us up!" Felix shouted as he glared at everyone in the house. His eyes were filled with hate. It made me want to curl up into a ball out of embarrassment. The house remained completely silent. Everyone's gaze was on me, and I could feel my heart throbbing in pain. 18 years. We spent every day together for 18 years. He was my world, and I gave him everything. Yet, all I got was humiliation. He had trampled all over my dignity and self-worth in front of his whole family and mine… My father, usually calm, flushed crimson at Felix's harsh words, his fists clenched. Mom, too, looked angry and embarrassed, jaw agape, her expression one of disbelief. Uncle Austin, Felix's father, slapped Felix, scolding, "You rebellious boy! Who taught you to behave like that?" The impact of slap sent Felix reeling, and he hit his head on the corner of the wall. Felix slumped to the floor in pain, leaving an unmistakable streak of red on the white walls. Aunt Mel rushed forward with concern, "Felix, my son! Are you alright?" Felix shot me a scathing glare as if I had committed an unspeakable crime. "Are you happy now, Luna?" he spat. I stared back at him with wide eyes, tears streaming down my face and onto the floor. Even though I liked him, that didn't mean he could throw wild accusations and embarrass me as he pleased! I liked him, but I, too, had my sense of dignity! If loving him was a crime and the reason why he thought he could humiliate me, then I would gladly change! "I'm sorry, Felix. I never thought that my actions would have bugged you so much," I forced the humiliation down as I continued, "I, Luna Lawson, swear that from this moment onward, I will never bother you again, Felix." I bit my lip hard, and the sharp tang of blood exploded across my tongue. I, Luna Lawson, also swear to myself - I won't endure the same humiliation AGAIN! | Random Reading | 1 | https://facebook.com/61559743679549 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1716447600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841088 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682323 | 1723710535 | 858 | 404621832409719 | 28 | 9.6783316154479E+14 | 1716534000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 161163937074221 | 0 | Massive story | 120210797601370002 | ocankn.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | 😍Read the next chapters👉 | https://ocankn.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=10463&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1716634519 | 1.6116393707422E+14 | Massive story | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438221346_347076918382053_5509872404599054561_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=6SfQBNP1dcMQ7kNvgGOhoxt&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYD_63cbe8hIksbUnnTuG2d1BAWvrWo_5kBes3J8TQMtQw&oe=66583C9D | person_profile | 0 | Massive story | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438240590_982215810240924_7779339330704555568_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=cY1buDiRWQYQ7kNvgH8bYo1&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYAZf-KrXNJeyltLwURFWz0EN7NesDf2MjnJvfNn540NPA&oe=665845E0 | 0 | 3 | I had never seen Felix like this - fury was written all over his face, and his lanky figure was trembling slightly. I've known Felix since we were born. Our mothers were best friends and they were trying to pair us up again just now. I had a crush on him, and he always treated me kindly. But now, he glared at me and spat, "This is all your fault. You're constantly following me around! That's why they misunderstood! Stay away from me!" I hadn't expected him to say something like that. I stared at him dumbfounded. Both my parents and Felix's parents ceased their conversation about our wedding and future. Felix wasn't done yet. "Who gave you guys the right to make my life decisions for me? I'm my own man. I'll never marry her, so you all can just stop trying to pair us up!" Felix shouted as he glared at everyone in the house. His eyes were filled with hate. It made me want to curl up into a ball out of embarrassment. The house remained completely silent. Everyone's gaze was on me, and I could feel my heart throbbing in pain. 18 years. We spent every day together for 18 years. He was my world, and I gave him everything. Yet, all I got was humiliation. He had trampled all over my dignity and self-worth in front of his whole family and mine… My father, usually calm, flushed crimson at Felix's harsh words, his fists clenched. Mom, too, looked angry and embarrassed, jaw agape, her expression one of disbelief. Uncle Austin, Felix's father, slapped Felix, scolding, "You rebellious boy! Who taught you to behave like that?" The impact of slap sent Felix reeling, and he hit his head on the corner of the wall. Felix slumped to the floor in pain, leaving an unmistakable streak of red on the white walls. Aunt Mel rushed forward with concern, "Felix, my son! Are you alright?" Felix shot me a scathing glare as if I had committed an unspeakable crime. "Are you happy now, Luna?" he spat. I stared back at him with wide eyes, tears streaming down my face and onto the floor. Even though I liked him, that didn't mean he could throw wild accusations and embarrass me as he pleased! I liked him, but I, too, had my sense of dignity! If loving him was a crime and the reason why he thought he could humiliate me, then I would gladly change! "I'm sorry, Felix. I never thought that my actions would have bugged you so much," I forced the humiliation down as I continued, "I, Luna Lawson, swear that from this moment onward, I will never bother you again, Felix." I bit my lip hard, and the sharp tang of blood exploded across my tongue. I, Luna Lawson, also swear to myself - I won't endure the same humiliation AGAIN! | Massive story | 672 | https://facebook.com/61552493980605 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1716361200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841090 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682323 | 1723710535 | 858 | 404621832409719 | 28 | 9.6783316154479E+14 | 1716534000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 161163937074221 | 0 | Massive story | 120210797601370002 | ocankn.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | 😍Read the next chapters👉 | https://ocankn.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=10463&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1716634519 | 1.6116393707422E+14 | Massive story | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438221346_347076918382053_5509872404599054561_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=6SfQBNP1dcMQ7kNvgGOhoxt&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYD_63cbe8hIksbUnnTuG2d1BAWvrWo_5kBes3J8TQMtQw&oe=66583C9D | person_profile | 0 | Massive story | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438240590_982215810240924_7779339330704555568_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=cY1buDiRWQYQ7kNvgH8bYo1&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYAZf-KrXNJeyltLwURFWz0EN7NesDf2MjnJvfNn540NPA&oe=665845E0 | 0 | 3 | I had never seen Felix like this - fury was written all over his face, and his lanky figure was trembling slightly. I've known Felix since we were born. Our mothers were best friends and they were trying to pair us up again just now. I had a crush on him, and he always treated me kindly. But now, he glared at me and spat, "This is all your fault. You're constantly following me around! That's why they misunderstood! Stay away from me!" I hadn't expected him to say something like that. I stared at him dumbfounded. Both my parents and Felix's parents ceased their conversation about our wedding and future. Felix wasn't done yet. "Who gave you guys the right to make my life decisions for me? I'm my own man. I'll never marry her, so you all can just stop trying to pair us up!" Felix shouted as he glared at everyone in the house. His eyes were filled with hate. It made me want to curl up into a ball out of embarrassment. The house remained completely silent. Everyone's gaze was on me, and I could feel my heart throbbing in pain. 18 years. We spent every day together for 18 years. He was my world, and I gave him everything. Yet, all I got was humiliation. He had trampled all over my dignity and self-worth in front of his whole family and mine… My father, usually calm, flushed crimson at Felix's harsh words, his fists clenched. Mom, too, looked angry and embarrassed, jaw agape, her expression one of disbelief. Uncle Austin, Felix's father, slapped Felix, scolding, "You rebellious boy! Who taught you to behave like that?" The impact of slap sent Felix reeling, and he hit his head on the corner of the wall. Felix slumped to the floor in pain, leaving an unmistakable streak of red on the white walls. Aunt Mel rushed forward with concern, "Felix, my son! Are you alright?" Felix shot me a scathing glare as if I had committed an unspeakable crime. "Are you happy now, Luna?" he spat. I stared back at him with wide eyes, tears streaming down my face and onto the floor. Even though I liked him, that didn't mean he could throw wild accusations and embarrass me as he pleased! I liked him, but I, too, had my sense of dignity! If loving him was a crime and the reason why he thought he could humiliate me, then I would gladly change! "I'm sorry, Felix. I never thought that my actions would have bugged you so much," I forced the humiliation down as I continued, "I, Luna Lawson, swear that from this moment onward, I will never bother you again, Felix." I bit my lip hard, and the sharp tang of blood exploded across my tongue. I, Luna Lawson, also swear to myself - I won't endure the same humiliation AGAIN! | Massive story | 672 | https://facebook.com/61552493980605 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1716361200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841092 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682323 | 1723710535 | 858 | 404621832409719 | 28 | 9.6783316154479E+14 | 1716534000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 161163937074221 | 0 | Massive story | 120210797601370002 | ocankn.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | 😍Read the next chapters👉 | https://ocankn.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=10463&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1716634519 | 1.6116393707422E+14 | Massive story | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438221346_347076918382053_5509872404599054561_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=6SfQBNP1dcMQ7kNvgGOhoxt&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYD_63cbe8hIksbUnnTuG2d1BAWvrWo_5kBes3J8TQMtQw&oe=66583C9D | person_profile | 0 | Massive story | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438240590_982215810240924_7779339330704555568_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=cY1buDiRWQYQ7kNvgH8bYo1&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYAZf-KrXNJeyltLwURFWz0EN7NesDf2MjnJvfNn540NPA&oe=665845E0 | 0 | 3 | I had never seen Felix like this - fury was written all over his face, and his lanky figure was trembling slightly. I've known Felix since we were born. Our mothers were best friends and they were trying to pair us up again just now. I had a crush on him, and he always treated me kindly. But now, he glared at me and spat, "This is all your fault. You're constantly following me around! That's why they misunderstood! Stay away from me!" I hadn't expected him to say something like that. I stared at him dumbfounded. Both my parents and Felix's parents ceased their conversation about our wedding and future. Felix wasn't done yet. "Who gave you guys the right to make my life decisions for me? I'm my own man. I'll never marry her, so you all can just stop trying to pair us up!" Felix shouted as he glared at everyone in the house. His eyes were filled with hate. It made me want to curl up into a ball out of embarrassment. The house remained completely silent. Everyone's gaze was on me, and I could feel my heart throbbing in pain. 18 years. We spent every day together for 18 years. He was my world, and I gave him everything. Yet, all I got was humiliation. He had trampled all over my dignity and self-worth in front of his whole family and mine… My father, usually calm, flushed crimson at Felix's harsh words, his fists clenched. Mom, too, looked angry and embarrassed, jaw agape, her expression one of disbelief. Uncle Austin, Felix's father, slapped Felix, scolding, "You rebellious boy! Who taught you to behave like that?" The impact of slap sent Felix reeling, and he hit his head on the corner of the wall. Felix slumped to the floor in pain, leaving an unmistakable streak of red on the white walls. Aunt Mel rushed forward with concern, "Felix, my son! Are you alright?" Felix shot me a scathing glare as if I had committed an unspeakable crime. "Are you happy now, Luna?" he spat. I stared back at him with wide eyes, tears streaming down my face and onto the floor. Even though I liked him, that didn't mean he could throw wild accusations and embarrass me as he pleased! I liked him, but I, too, had my sense of dignity! If loving him was a crime and the reason why he thought he could humiliate me, then I would gladly change! "I'm sorry, Felix. I never thought that my actions would have bugged you so much," I forced the humiliation down as I continued, "I, Luna Lawson, swear that from this moment onward, I will never bother you again, Felix." I bit my lip hard, and the sharp tang of blood exploded across my tongue. I, Luna Lawson, also swear to myself - I won't endure the same humiliation AGAIN! | Massive story | 672 | https://facebook.com/61552493980605 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1716361200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841094 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682324 | 1723710535 | 858 | 404621832409719 | 28 | 9.6783316154479E+14 | 1716534000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 161163937074221 | 0 | Massive story | 120210797601370002 | ocankn.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | 😍Read the next chapters👉 | https://ocankn.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=10463&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1716634519 | 1.6116393707422E+14 | Massive story | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438221346_347076918382053_5509872404599054561_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=6SfQBNP1dcMQ7kNvgGOhoxt&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYD_63cbe8hIksbUnnTuG2d1BAWvrWo_5kBes3J8TQMtQw&oe=66583C9D | person_profile | 0 | Massive story | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438240590_982215810240924_7779339330704555568_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=cY1buDiRWQYQ7kNvgH8bYo1&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYAZf-KrXNJeyltLwURFWz0EN7NesDf2MjnJvfNn540NPA&oe=665845E0 | 0 | 3 | I had never seen Felix like this - fury was written all over his face, and his lanky figure was trembling slightly. I've known Felix since we were born. Our mothers were best friends and they were trying to pair us up again just now. I had a crush on him, and he always treated me kindly. But now, he glared at me and spat, "This is all your fault. You're constantly following me around! That's why they misunderstood! Stay away from me!" I hadn't expected him to say something like that. I stared at him dumbfounded. Both my parents and Felix's parents ceased their conversation about our wedding and future. Felix wasn't done yet. "Who gave you guys the right to make my life decisions for me? I'm my own man. I'll never marry her, so you all can just stop trying to pair us up!" Felix shouted as he glared at everyone in the house. His eyes were filled with hate. It made me want to curl up into a ball out of embarrassment. The house remained completely silent. Everyone's gaze was on me, and I could feel my heart throbbing in pain. 18 years. We spent every day together for 18 years. He was my world, and I gave him everything. Yet, all I got was humiliation. He had trampled all over my dignity and self-worth in front of his whole family and mine… My father, usually calm, flushed crimson at Felix's harsh words, his fists clenched. Mom, too, looked angry and embarrassed, jaw agape, her expression one of disbelief. Uncle Austin, Felix's father, slapped Felix, scolding, "You rebellious boy! Who taught you to behave like that?" The impact of slap sent Felix reeling, and he hit his head on the corner of the wall. Felix slumped to the floor in pain, leaving an unmistakable streak of red on the white walls. Aunt Mel rushed forward with concern, "Felix, my son! Are you alright?" Felix shot me a scathing glare as if I had committed an unspeakable crime. "Are you happy now, Luna?" he spat. I stared back at him with wide eyes, tears streaming down my face and onto the floor. Even though I liked him, that didn't mean he could throw wild accusations and embarrass me as he pleased! I liked him, but I, too, had my sense of dignity! If loving him was a crime and the reason why he thought he could humiliate me, then I would gladly change! "I'm sorry, Felix. I never thought that my actions would have bugged you so much," I forced the humiliation down as I continued, "I, Luna Lawson, swear that from this moment onward, I will never bother you again, Felix." I bit my lip hard, and the sharp tang of blood exploded across my tongue. I, Luna Lawson, also swear to myself - I won't endure the same humiliation AGAIN! | Massive story | 672 | https://facebook.com/61552493980605 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1716361200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841096 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682324 | 1723710535 | 858 | 404621832409719 | 28 | 9.6783316154479E+14 | 1716534000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 161163937074221 | 0 | Massive story | 120210797601370002 | ocankn.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | 😍Read the next chapters👉 | https://ocankn.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=10463&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1716634519 | 1.6116393707422E+14 | Massive story | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438221346_347076918382053_5509872404599054561_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=6SfQBNP1dcMQ7kNvgGOhoxt&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYD_63cbe8hIksbUnnTuG2d1BAWvrWo_5kBes3J8TQMtQw&oe=66583C9D | person_profile | 0 | Massive story | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438240590_982215810240924_7779339330704555568_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=cY1buDiRWQYQ7kNvgH8bYo1&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYAZf-KrXNJeyltLwURFWz0EN7NesDf2MjnJvfNn540NPA&oe=665845E0 | 0 | 3 | I had never seen Felix like this - fury was written all over his face, and his lanky figure was trembling slightly. I've known Felix since we were born. Our mothers were best friends and they were trying to pair us up again just now. I had a crush on him, and he always treated me kindly. But now, he glared at me and spat, "This is all your fault. You're constantly following me around! That's why they misunderstood! Stay away from me!" I hadn't expected him to say something like that. I stared at him dumbfounded. Both my parents and Felix's parents ceased their conversation about our wedding and future. Felix wasn't done yet. "Who gave you guys the right to make my life decisions for me? I'm my own man. I'll never marry her, so you all can just stop trying to pair us up!" Felix shouted as he glared at everyone in the house. His eyes were filled with hate. It made me want to curl up into a ball out of embarrassment. The house remained completely silent. Everyone's gaze was on me, and I could feel my heart throbbing in pain. 18 years. We spent every day together for 18 years. He was my world, and I gave him everything. Yet, all I got was humiliation. He had trampled all over my dignity and self-worth in front of his whole family and mine… My father, usually calm, flushed crimson at Felix's harsh words, his fists clenched. Mom, too, looked angry and embarrassed, jaw agape, her expression one of disbelief. Uncle Austin, Felix's father, slapped Felix, scolding, "You rebellious boy! Who taught you to behave like that?" The impact of slap sent Felix reeling, and he hit his head on the corner of the wall. Felix slumped to the floor in pain, leaving an unmistakable streak of red on the white walls. Aunt Mel rushed forward with concern, "Felix, my son! Are you alright?" Felix shot me a scathing glare as if I had committed an unspeakable crime. "Are you happy now, Luna?" he spat. I stared back at him with wide eyes, tears streaming down my face and onto the floor. Even though I liked him, that didn't mean he could throw wild accusations and embarrass me as he pleased! I liked him, but I, too, had my sense of dignity! If loving him was a crime and the reason why he thought he could humiliate me, then I would gladly change! "I'm sorry, Felix. I never thought that my actions would have bugged you so much," I forced the humiliation down as I continued, "I, Luna Lawson, swear that from this moment onward, I will never bother you again, Felix." I bit my lip hard, and the sharp tang of blood exploded across my tongue. I, Luna Lawson, also swear to myself - I won't endure the same humiliation AGAIN! | Massive story | 672 | https://facebook.com/61552493980605 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1716361200 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841100 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682324 | 1723710535 | 858 | 7599646173405331 | 4 | 8.1189217383301E+14 | 1716620400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 1 | 0 | 220948471097418 | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | 120211846693390779 | qweasdzxconline.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | 😍Read the next chapters👉 | https://qweasdzxconline.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=11090&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1715085862 | 2.2094847109742E+14 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438129100_1146045226739178_2601865360875538189_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fLOSJhfepkYQ7kNvgHEd_wc&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYChz9Lv9Hi46YygQOTRcWVO3N7OQd15Ym_VowKXHVuLnA&oe=66584690 | person_profile | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/440747644_315502774915635_6353252339687881796_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kPZJVk2zb8oQ7kNvgFDgFVU&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYD__mO6mWyaS-XJiX9OhX8t7XcRfbo1yfMNPMeAXVO6_w&oe=66583557 | 0 | 3 | 🔞"Ned Fletcher, with how you're treating Angie right now, aren't you worried that you're going to regret it when you finally regain your memories one day? You loved her so much before and you two got married for love! Despite you forgetting your feelings about her, how could you post so many indecent photos of her on social media?" Ned spoke nonchalantly, saying, "Why are you still holding me hostage with morals and principles? She was the one who framed me by lowly methods. I was just warning her. If Ingrid hadn't asked me to stop, I'd have gone even further! By the way, show your respect to Ingrid. She’s not a new girl but my only one forever and never!" Angeline Emmerson heard the talk standing outside the door. She used to be treated ever so lovingly by Ned in the past. Angeline felt her eyes reddening and filling with tears. The Ned she knew had died in the car accident that happened four years ago. The one inside was merely a stranger! Angeline inhaled deeply. Then, she pushed the door open. Ned looked up and saw her entering. "Who brought you here?" Angeline stared at Ned and said, "I've already made a police report regarding your spiked drink at the event and your spreading of my photos for revenge." Hearing this, everyone's reactions differed from one another. Angeline continued, "Ned Fletcher, it's true that I wanted to try rekindling our relationship, but I would never have stooped so low as to do those disgusting things to you. I didn't want to let go of this relationship because I was worried that the Ned I knew would return someday and blame me for giving up on him so easily," Angeline placed the divorce agreement she'd been hugging onto the table. "I tried my best, but I'm tired now. Ned Fletcher, I'm giving up on you. I don't want you anymore." Ned's eyes traveled from the divorce agreement to Angeline's face. There was a hint of surprise in his cold eyes. "Let's finalize the divorce after the police have cleared my name and you have publicly apologized to me." | Galaxy in the Book | 68 | https://facebook.com/61555646245426 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1716274800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841098 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682324 | 1723710535 | 858 | 7599646173405331 | 4 | 8.1189217383301E+14 | 1716620400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 1 | 0 | 220948471097418 | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | 120211846693390779 | qweasdzxconline.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | 😍Read the next chapters👉 | https://qweasdzxconline.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=11090&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1715085862 | 2.2094847109742E+14 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438129100_1146045226739178_2601865360875538189_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fLOSJhfepkYQ7kNvgHEd_wc&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYChz9Lv9Hi46YygQOTRcWVO3N7OQd15Ym_VowKXHVuLnA&oe=66584690 | person_profile | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/440747644_315502774915635_6353252339687881796_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kPZJVk2zb8oQ7kNvgFDgFVU&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYD__mO6mWyaS-XJiX9OhX8t7XcRfbo1yfMNPMeAXVO6_w&oe=66583557 | 0 | 3 | 🔞"Ned Fletcher, with how you're treating Angie right now, aren't you worried that you're going to regret it when you finally regain your memories one day? You loved her so much before and you two got married for love! Despite you forgetting your feelings about her, how could you post so many indecent photos of her on social media?" Ned spoke nonchalantly, saying, "Why are you still holding me hostage with morals and principles? She was the one who framed me by lowly methods. I was just warning her. If Ingrid hadn't asked me to stop, I'd have gone even further! By the way, show your respect to Ingrid. She’s not a new girl but my only one forever and never!" Angeline Emmerson heard the talk standing outside the door. She used to be treated ever so lovingly by Ned in the past. Angeline felt her eyes reddening and filling with tears. The Ned she knew had died in the car accident that happened four years ago. The one inside was merely a stranger! Angeline inhaled deeply. Then, she pushed the door open. Ned looked up and saw her entering. "Who brought you here?" Angeline stared at Ned and said, "I've already made a police report regarding your spiked drink at the event and your spreading of my photos for revenge." Hearing this, everyone's reactions differed from one another. Angeline continued, "Ned Fletcher, it's true that I wanted to try rekindling our relationship, but I would never have stooped so low as to do those disgusting things to you. I didn't want to let go of this relationship because I was worried that the Ned I knew would return someday and blame me for giving up on him so easily," Angeline placed the divorce agreement she'd been hugging onto the table. "I tried my best, but I'm tired now. Ned Fletcher, I'm giving up on you. I don't want you anymore." Ned's eyes traveled from the divorce agreement to Angeline's face. There was a hint of surprise in his cold eyes. "Let's finalize the divorce after the police have cleared my name and you have publicly apologized to me." | Galaxy in the Book | 68 | https://facebook.com/61555646245426 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1716274800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841102 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682324 | 1723710535 | 858 | 7599646173405331 | 4 | 8.1189217383301E+14 | 1716620400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 1 | 0 | 220948471097418 | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | 120211846693390779 | qweasdzxconline.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | 😍Read the next chapters👉 | https://qweasdzxconline.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=11090&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1715085862 | 2.2094847109742E+14 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438129100_1146045226739178_2601865360875538189_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fLOSJhfepkYQ7kNvgHEd_wc&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYChz9Lv9Hi46YygQOTRcWVO3N7OQd15Ym_VowKXHVuLnA&oe=66584690 | person_profile | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/440747644_315502774915635_6353252339687881796_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kPZJVk2zb8oQ7kNvgFDgFVU&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYD__mO6mWyaS-XJiX9OhX8t7XcRfbo1yfMNPMeAXVO6_w&oe=66583557 | 0 | 3 | 🔞"Ned Fletcher, with how you're treating Angie right now, aren't you worried that you're going to regret it when you finally regain your memories one day? You loved her so much before and you two got married for love! Despite you forgetting your feelings about her, how could you post so many indecent photos of her on social media?" Ned spoke nonchalantly, saying, "Why are you still holding me hostage with morals and principles? She was the one who framed me by lowly methods. I was just warning her. If Ingrid hadn't asked me to stop, I'd have gone even further! By the way, show your respect to Ingrid. She’s not a new girl but my only one forever and never!" Angeline Emmerson heard the talk standing outside the door. She used to be treated ever so lovingly by Ned in the past. Angeline felt her eyes reddening and filling with tears. The Ned she knew had died in the car accident that happened four years ago. The one inside was merely a stranger! Angeline inhaled deeply. Then, she pushed the door open. Ned looked up and saw her entering. "Who brought you here?" Angeline stared at Ned and said, "I've already made a police report regarding your spiked drink at the event and your spreading of my photos for revenge." Hearing this, everyone's reactions differed from one another. Angeline continued, "Ned Fletcher, it's true that I wanted to try rekindling our relationship, but I would never have stooped so low as to do those disgusting things to you. I didn't want to let go of this relationship because I was worried that the Ned I knew would return someday and blame me for giving up on him so easily," Angeline placed the divorce agreement she'd been hugging onto the table. "I tried my best, but I'm tired now. Ned Fletcher, I'm giving up on you. I don't want you anymore." Ned's eyes traveled from the divorce agreement to Angeline's face. There was a hint of surprise in his cold eyes. "Let's finalize the divorce after the police have cleared my name and you have publicly apologized to me." | Galaxy in the Book | 68 | https://facebook.com/61555646245426 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1716274800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841104 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682324 | 1723710536 | 858 | 7599646173405331 | 4 | 8.1189217383301E+14 | 1716620400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 1 | 0 | 220948471097418 | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | 120211846693390779 | qweasdzxconline.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | 😍Read the next chapters👉 | https://qweasdzxconline.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=11090&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1715085862 | 2.2094847109742E+14 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438129100_1146045226739178_2601865360875538189_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fLOSJhfepkYQ7kNvgHEd_wc&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYChz9Lv9Hi46YygQOTRcWVO3N7OQd15Ym_VowKXHVuLnA&oe=66584690 | person_profile | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/440747644_315502774915635_6353252339687881796_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kPZJVk2zb8oQ7kNvgFDgFVU&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYD__mO6mWyaS-XJiX9OhX8t7XcRfbo1yfMNPMeAXVO6_w&oe=66583557 | 0 | 3 | 🔞"Ned Fletcher, with how you're treating Angie right now, aren't you worried that you're going to regret it when you finally regain your memories one day? You loved her so much before and you two got married for love! Despite you forgetting your feelings about her, how could you post so many indecent photos of her on social media?" Ned spoke nonchalantly, saying, "Why are you still holding me hostage with morals and principles? She was the one who framed me by lowly methods. I was just warning her. If Ingrid hadn't asked me to stop, I'd have gone even further! By the way, show your respect to Ingrid. She’s not a new girl but my only one forever and never!" Angeline Emmerson heard the talk standing outside the door. She used to be treated ever so lovingly by Ned in the past. Angeline felt her eyes reddening and filling with tears. The Ned she knew had died in the car accident that happened four years ago. The one inside was merely a stranger! Angeline inhaled deeply. Then, she pushed the door open. Ned looked up and saw her entering. "Who brought you here?" Angeline stared at Ned and said, "I've already made a police report regarding your spiked drink at the event and your spreading of my photos for revenge." Hearing this, everyone's reactions differed from one another. Angeline continued, "Ned Fletcher, it's true that I wanted to try rekindling our relationship, but I would never have stooped so low as to do those disgusting things to you. I didn't want to let go of this relationship because I was worried that the Ned I knew would return someday and blame me for giving up on him so easily," Angeline placed the divorce agreement she'd been hugging onto the table. "I tried my best, but I'm tired now. Ned Fletcher, I'm giving up on you. I don't want you anymore." Ned's eyes traveled from the divorce agreement to Angeline's face. There was a hint of surprise in his cold eyes. "Let's finalize the divorce after the police have cleared my name and you have publicly apologized to me." | Galaxy in the Book | 68 | https://facebook.com/61555646245426 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1716274800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841106 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682324 | 1723710536 | 858 | 7599646173405331 | 4 | 8.1189217383301E+14 | 1716620400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 1 | 0 | 220948471097418 | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | 120211846693390779 | qweasdzxconline.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | 😍Read the next chapters👉 | https://qweasdzxconline.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=11090&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1715085862 | 2.2094847109742E+14 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438129100_1146045226739178_2601865360875538189_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fLOSJhfepkYQ7kNvgHEd_wc&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYChz9Lv9Hi46YygQOTRcWVO3N7OQd15Ym_VowKXHVuLnA&oe=66584690 | person_profile | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/440747644_315502774915635_6353252339687881796_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kPZJVk2zb8oQ7kNvgFDgFVU&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYD__mO6mWyaS-XJiX9OhX8t7XcRfbo1yfMNPMeAXVO6_w&oe=66583557 | 0 | 3 | 🔞"Ned Fletcher, with how you're treating Angie right now, aren't you worried that you're going to regret it when you finally regain your memories one day? You loved her so much before and you two got married for love! Despite you forgetting your feelings about her, how could you post so many indecent photos of her on social media?" Ned spoke nonchalantly, saying, "Why are you still holding me hostage with morals and principles? She was the one who framed me by lowly methods. I was just warning her. If Ingrid hadn't asked me to stop, I'd have gone even further! By the way, show your respect to Ingrid. She’s not a new girl but my only one forever and never!" Angeline Emmerson heard the talk standing outside the door. She used to be treated ever so lovingly by Ned in the past. Angeline felt her eyes reddening and filling with tears. The Ned she knew had died in the car accident that happened four years ago. The one inside was merely a stranger! Angeline inhaled deeply. Then, she pushed the door open. Ned looked up and saw her entering. "Who brought you here?" Angeline stared at Ned and said, "I've already made a police report regarding your spiked drink at the event and your spreading of my photos for revenge." Hearing this, everyone's reactions differed from one another. Angeline continued, "Ned Fletcher, it's true that I wanted to try rekindling our relationship, but I would never have stooped so low as to do those disgusting things to you. I didn't want to let go of this relationship because I was worried that the Ned I knew would return someday and blame me for giving up on him so easily," Angeline placed the divorce agreement she'd been hugging onto the table. "I tried my best, but I'm tired now. Ned Fletcher, I'm giving up on you. I don't want you anymore." Ned's eyes traveled from the divorce agreement to Angeline's face. There was a hint of surprise in his cold eyes. "Let's finalize the divorce after the police have cleared my name and you have publicly apologized to me." | Galaxy in the Book | 68 | https://facebook.com/61555646245426 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1716274800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841107 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682324 | 1723710536 | 858 | 7599646173405331 | 4 | 8.1189217383301E+14 | 1716620400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 1 | 0 | 220948471097418 | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | 120211846693390779 | qweasdzxconline.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | 😍Read the next chapters👉 | https://qweasdzxconline.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=11090&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1715085862 | 2.2094847109742E+14 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438129100_1146045226739178_2601865360875538189_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fLOSJhfepkYQ7kNvgHEd_wc&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYChz9Lv9Hi46YygQOTRcWVO3N7OQd15Ym_VowKXHVuLnA&oe=66584690 | person_profile | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/440747644_315502774915635_6353252339687881796_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kPZJVk2zb8oQ7kNvgFDgFVU&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYD__mO6mWyaS-XJiX9OhX8t7XcRfbo1yfMNPMeAXVO6_w&oe=66583557 | 0 | 3 | 🔞"Ned Fletcher, with how you're treating Angie right now, aren't you worried that you're going to regret it when you finally regain your memories one day? You loved her so much before and you two got married for love! Despite you forgetting your feelings about her, how could you post so many indecent photos of her on social media?" Ned spoke nonchalantly, saying, "Why are you still holding me hostage with morals and principles? She was the one who framed me by lowly methods. I was just warning her. If Ingrid hadn't asked me to stop, I'd have gone even further! By the way, show your respect to Ingrid. She’s not a new girl but my only one forever and never!" Angeline Emmerson heard the talk standing outside the door. She used to be treated ever so lovingly by Ned in the past. Angeline felt her eyes reddening and filling with tears. The Ned she knew had died in the car accident that happened four years ago. The one inside was merely a stranger! Angeline inhaled deeply. Then, she pushed the door open. Ned looked up and saw her entering. "Who brought you here?" Angeline stared at Ned and said, "I've already made a police report regarding your spiked drink at the event and your spreading of my photos for revenge." Hearing this, everyone's reactions differed from one another. Angeline continued, "Ned Fletcher, it's true that I wanted to try rekindling our relationship, but I would never have stooped so low as to do those disgusting things to you. I didn't want to let go of this relationship because I was worried that the Ned I knew would return someday and blame me for giving up on him so easily," Angeline placed the divorce agreement she'd been hugging onto the table. "I tried my best, but I'm tired now. Ned Fletcher, I'm giving up on you. I don't want you anymore." Ned's eyes traveled from the divorce agreement to Angeline's face. There was a hint of surprise in his cold eyes. "Let's finalize the divorce after the police have cleared my name and you have publicly apologized to me." | Galaxy in the Book | 68 | https://facebook.com/61555646245426 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1716274800 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841108 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682324 | 1723710536 | 858 | 1879390642474185 | 1 | 7.7004547176018E+14 | 1716620400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 214305385109285 | 0 | Delaney Worldwide | 120208791531700084 | delaneyworldwide.com | Learn More | NONE | carousel | Trusted Movers For a Smooth Transition | Stress-free relocation. | http://www.delaneyworldwide.com/ | 1713558864 | 2.1430538510928E+14 | Delaney Worldwide | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/436547483_7464615606938391_7957480284726591432_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kEom74zF8voQ7kNvgHO_paR&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYBdRifw1CaLllkFxW9MnKG4bq1ZRpwtcLMQMl5TDGVCSg&oe=6658693B | person_profile | 0 | Delaney Worldwide Inc | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/439625953_400220496122398_789550840492018026_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=JthjNWUBn9sQ7kNvgHO5RTh&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYAxuSPJ_op01qIuKcRorifRCPdVB4Dc4Wy7IuRoyneIlw&oe=6658576B | 0 | 3 | Stress-free relocation. | Delaney Worldwide | 1 | https://facebook.com/61557773368721 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1713855600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841112 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682324 | 1723710536 | 858 | 302398159575876 | 6 | 7.9376878362617E+15 | 1716274800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 220948471097418 | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | 120211846693390779 | qweasdzxconline.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | 😍Read the next chapters👉 | https://qweasdzxconline.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=11090&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1715085862 | 2.2094847109742E+14 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438129100_1146045226739178_2601865360875538189_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fLOSJhfepkYQ7kNvgHEd_wc&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYChz9Lv9Hi46YygQOTRcWVO3N7OQd15Ym_VowKXHVuLnA&oe=66584690 | person_profile | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/440747644_315502774915635_6353252339687881796_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kPZJVk2zb8oQ7kNvgFDgFVU&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYD__mO6mWyaS-XJiX9OhX8t7XcRfbo1yfMNPMeAXVO6_w&oe=66583557 | 0 | 3 | 🔞"Ned Fletcher, with how you're treating Angie right now, aren't you worried that you're going to regret it when you finally regain your memories one day? You loved her so much before and you two got married for love! Despite you forgetting your feelings about her, how could you post so many indecent photos of her on social media?" Ned spoke nonchalantly, saying, "Why are you still holding me hostage with morals and principles? She was the one who framed me by lowly methods. I was just warning her. If Ingrid hadn't asked me to stop, I'd have gone even further! By the way, show your respect to Ingrid. She’s not a new girl but my only one forever and never!" Angeline Emmerson heard the talk standing outside the door. She used to be treated ever so lovingly by Ned in the past. Angeline felt her eyes reddening and filling with tears. The Ned she knew had died in the car accident that happened four years ago. The one inside was merely a stranger! Angeline inhaled deeply. Then, she pushed the door open. Ned looked up and saw her entering. "Who brought you here?" Angeline stared at Ned and said, "I've already made a police report regarding your spiked drink at the event and your spreading of my photos for revenge." Hearing this, everyone's reactions differed from one another. Angeline continued, "Ned Fletcher, it's true that I wanted to try rekindling our relationship, but I would never have stooped so low as to do those disgusting things to you. I didn't want to let go of this relationship because I was worried that the Ned I knew would return someday and blame me for giving up on him so easily," Angeline placed the divorce agreement she'd been hugging onto the table. "I tried my best, but I'm tired now. Ned Fletcher, I'm giving up on you. I don't want you anymore." Ned's eyes traveled from the divorce agreement to Angeline's face. There was a hint of surprise in his cold eyes. "Let's finalize the divorce after the police have cleared my name and you have publicly apologized to me." | Galaxy in the Book | 68 | https://facebook.com/61555646245426 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1715670000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841114 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682324 | 1723710536 | 858 | 302398159575876 | 6 | 7.9376878362617E+15 | 1716274800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 220948471097418 | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | 120211846693390779 | qweasdzxconline.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | 😍Read the next chapters👉 | https://qweasdzxconline.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=11090&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1715085862 | 2.2094847109742E+14 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438129100_1146045226739178_2601865360875538189_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fLOSJhfepkYQ7kNvgHEd_wc&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYChz9Lv9Hi46YygQOTRcWVO3N7OQd15Ym_VowKXHVuLnA&oe=66584690 | person_profile | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/440747644_315502774915635_6353252339687881796_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kPZJVk2zb8oQ7kNvgFDgFVU&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYD__mO6mWyaS-XJiX9OhX8t7XcRfbo1yfMNPMeAXVO6_w&oe=66583557 | 0 | 3 | 🔞"Ned Fletcher, with how you're treating Angie right now, aren't you worried that you're going to regret it when you finally regain your memories one day? You loved her so much before and you two got married for love! Despite you forgetting your feelings about her, how could you post so many indecent photos of her on social media?" Ned spoke nonchalantly, saying, "Why are you still holding me hostage with morals and principles? She was the one who framed me by lowly methods. I was just warning her. If Ingrid hadn't asked me to stop, I'd have gone even further! By the way, show your respect to Ingrid. She’s not a new girl but my only one forever and never!" Angeline Emmerson heard the talk standing outside the door. She used to be treated ever so lovingly by Ned in the past. Angeline felt her eyes reddening and filling with tears. The Ned she knew had died in the car accident that happened four years ago. The one inside was merely a stranger! Angeline inhaled deeply. Then, she pushed the door open. Ned looked up and saw her entering. "Who brought you here?" Angeline stared at Ned and said, "I've already made a police report regarding your spiked drink at the event and your spreading of my photos for revenge." Hearing this, everyone's reactions differed from one another. Angeline continued, "Ned Fletcher, it's true that I wanted to try rekindling our relationship, but I would never have stooped so low as to do those disgusting things to you. I didn't want to let go of this relationship because I was worried that the Ned I knew would return someday and blame me for giving up on him so easily," Angeline placed the divorce agreement she'd been hugging onto the table. "I tried my best, but I'm tired now. Ned Fletcher, I'm giving up on you. I don't want you anymore." Ned's eyes traveled from the divorce agreement to Angeline's face. There was a hint of surprise in his cold eyes. "Let's finalize the divorce after the police have cleared my name and you have publicly apologized to me." | Galaxy in the Book | 68 | https://facebook.com/61555646245426 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1715670000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841116 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682325 | 1723710536 | 858 | 302398159575876 | 6 | 7.9376878362617E+15 | 1716274800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 220948471097418 | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | 120211846693390779 | qweasdzxconline.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | 😍Read the next chapters👉 | https://qweasdzxconline.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=11090&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1715085862 | 2.2094847109742E+14 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438129100_1146045226739178_2601865360875538189_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fLOSJhfepkYQ7kNvgHEd_wc&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYChz9Lv9Hi46YygQOTRcWVO3N7OQd15Ym_VowKXHVuLnA&oe=66584690 | person_profile | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/440747644_315502774915635_6353252339687881796_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kPZJVk2zb8oQ7kNvgFDgFVU&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYD__mO6mWyaS-XJiX9OhX8t7XcRfbo1yfMNPMeAXVO6_w&oe=66583557 | 0 | 3 | 🔞"Ned Fletcher, with how you're treating Angie right now, aren't you worried that you're going to regret it when you finally regain your memories one day? You loved her so much before and you two got married for love! Despite you forgetting your feelings about her, how could you post so many indecent photos of her on social media?" Ned spoke nonchalantly, saying, "Why are you still holding me hostage with morals and principles? She was the one who framed me by lowly methods. I was just warning her. If Ingrid hadn't asked me to stop, I'd have gone even further! By the way, show your respect to Ingrid. She’s not a new girl but my only one forever and never!" Angeline Emmerson heard the talk standing outside the door. She used to be treated ever so lovingly by Ned in the past. Angeline felt her eyes reddening and filling with tears. The Ned she knew had died in the car accident that happened four years ago. The one inside was merely a stranger! Angeline inhaled deeply. Then, she pushed the door open. Ned looked up and saw her entering. "Who brought you here?" Angeline stared at Ned and said, "I've already made a police report regarding your spiked drink at the event and your spreading of my photos for revenge." Hearing this, everyone's reactions differed from one another. Angeline continued, "Ned Fletcher, it's true that I wanted to try rekindling our relationship, but I would never have stooped so low as to do those disgusting things to you. I didn't want to let go of this relationship because I was worried that the Ned I knew would return someday and blame me for giving up on him so easily," Angeline placed the divorce agreement she'd been hugging onto the table. "I tried my best, but I'm tired now. Ned Fletcher, I'm giving up on you. I don't want you anymore." Ned's eyes traveled from the divorce agreement to Angeline's face. There was a hint of surprise in his cold eyes. "Let's finalize the divorce after the police have cleared my name and you have publicly apologized to me." | Galaxy in the Book | 68 | https://facebook.com/61555646245426 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1715670000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841118 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682325 | 1723710536 | 858 | 302398159575876 | 6 | 7.9376878362617E+15 | 1716274800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 220948471097418 | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | 120211846693390779 | qweasdzxconline.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | 😍Read the next chapters👉 | https://qweasdzxconline.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=11090&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1715085862 | 2.2094847109742E+14 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438129100_1146045226739178_2601865360875538189_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fLOSJhfepkYQ7kNvgHEd_wc&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYChz9Lv9Hi46YygQOTRcWVO3N7OQd15Ym_VowKXHVuLnA&oe=66584690 | person_profile | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/440747644_315502774915635_6353252339687881796_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kPZJVk2zb8oQ7kNvgFDgFVU&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYD__mO6mWyaS-XJiX9OhX8t7XcRfbo1yfMNPMeAXVO6_w&oe=66583557 | 0 | 3 | 🔞"Ned Fletcher, with how you're treating Angie right now, aren't you worried that you're going to regret it when you finally regain your memories one day? You loved her so much before and you two got married for love! Despite you forgetting your feelings about her, how could you post so many indecent photos of her on social media?" Ned spoke nonchalantly, saying, "Why are you still holding me hostage with morals and principles? She was the one who framed me by lowly methods. I was just warning her. If Ingrid hadn't asked me to stop, I'd have gone even further! By the way, show your respect to Ingrid. She’s not a new girl but my only one forever and never!" Angeline Emmerson heard the talk standing outside the door. She used to be treated ever so lovingly by Ned in the past. Angeline felt her eyes reddening and filling with tears. The Ned she knew had died in the car accident that happened four years ago. The one inside was merely a stranger! Angeline inhaled deeply. Then, she pushed the door open. Ned looked up and saw her entering. "Who brought you here?" Angeline stared at Ned and said, "I've already made a police report regarding your spiked drink at the event and your spreading of my photos for revenge." Hearing this, everyone's reactions differed from one another. Angeline continued, "Ned Fletcher, it's true that I wanted to try rekindling our relationship, but I would never have stooped so low as to do those disgusting things to you. I didn't want to let go of this relationship because I was worried that the Ned I knew would return someday and blame me for giving up on him so easily," Angeline placed the divorce agreement she'd been hugging onto the table. "I tried my best, but I'm tired now. Ned Fletcher, I'm giving up on you. I don't want you anymore." Ned's eyes traveled from the divorce agreement to Angeline's face. There was a hint of surprise in his cold eyes. "Let's finalize the divorce after the police have cleared my name and you have publicly apologized to me." | Galaxy in the Book | 68 | https://facebook.com/61555646245426 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1715670000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841120 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682325 | 1723710536 | 858 | 302398159575876 | 6 | 7.9376878362617E+15 | 1716274800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 220948471097418 | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | 120211846693390779 | qweasdzxconline.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | 😍Read the next chapters👉 | https://qweasdzxconline.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=11090&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1715085862 | 2.2094847109742E+14 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438129100_1146045226739178_2601865360875538189_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fLOSJhfepkYQ7kNvgHEd_wc&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYChz9Lv9Hi46YygQOTRcWVO3N7OQd15Ym_VowKXHVuLnA&oe=66584690 | person_profile | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/440747644_315502774915635_6353252339687881796_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kPZJVk2zb8oQ7kNvgFDgFVU&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYD__mO6mWyaS-XJiX9OhX8t7XcRfbo1yfMNPMeAXVO6_w&oe=66583557 | 0 | 3 | 🔞"Ned Fletcher, with how you're treating Angie right now, aren't you worried that you're going to regret it when you finally regain your memories one day? You loved her so much before and you two got married for love! Despite you forgetting your feelings about her, how could you post so many indecent photos of her on social media?" Ned spoke nonchalantly, saying, "Why are you still holding me hostage with morals and principles? She was the one who framed me by lowly methods. I was just warning her. If Ingrid hadn't asked me to stop, I'd have gone even further! By the way, show your respect to Ingrid. She’s not a new girl but my only one forever and never!" Angeline Emmerson heard the talk standing outside the door. She used to be treated ever so lovingly by Ned in the past. Angeline felt her eyes reddening and filling with tears. The Ned she knew had died in the car accident that happened four years ago. The one inside was merely a stranger! Angeline inhaled deeply. Then, she pushed the door open. Ned looked up and saw her entering. "Who brought you here?" Angeline stared at Ned and said, "I've already made a police report regarding your spiked drink at the event and your spreading of my photos for revenge." Hearing this, everyone's reactions differed from one another. Angeline continued, "Ned Fletcher, it's true that I wanted to try rekindling our relationship, but I would never have stooped so low as to do those disgusting things to you. I didn't want to let go of this relationship because I was worried that the Ned I knew would return someday and blame me for giving up on him so easily," Angeline placed the divorce agreement she'd been hugging onto the table. "I tried my best, but I'm tired now. Ned Fletcher, I'm giving up on you. I don't want you anymore." Ned's eyes traveled from the divorce agreement to Angeline's face. There was a hint of surprise in his cold eyes. "Let's finalize the divorce after the police have cleared my name and you have publicly apologized to me." | Galaxy in the Book | 68 | https://facebook.com/61555646245426 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1715670000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841122 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682325 | 1723710536 | 858 | 350229604734306 | 16 | 9.8242705956723E+14 | 1715324400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 220948471097418 | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | 120211846693390779 | qweasdzxconline.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | 😍Read the next chapters👉 | https://qweasdzxconline.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=11090&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1715085862 | 2.2094847109742E+14 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438129100_1146045226739178_2601865360875538189_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fLOSJhfepkYQ7kNvgHEd_wc&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYChz9Lv9Hi46YygQOTRcWVO3N7OQd15Ym_VowKXHVuLnA&oe=66584690 | person_profile | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/440747644_315502774915635_6353252339687881796_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kPZJVk2zb8oQ7kNvgFDgFVU&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYD__mO6mWyaS-XJiX9OhX8t7XcRfbo1yfMNPMeAXVO6_w&oe=66583557 | 0 | 3 | 🔞"Ned Fletcher, with how you're treating Angie right now, aren't you worried that you're going to regret it when you finally regain your memories one day? You loved her so much before and you two got married for love! Despite you forgetting your feelings about her, how could you post so many indecent photos of her on social media?" Ned spoke nonchalantly, saying, "Why are you still holding me hostage with morals and principles? She was the one who framed me by lowly methods. I was just warning her. If Ingrid hadn't asked me to stop, I'd have gone even further! By the way, show your respect to Ingrid. She’s not a new girl but my only one forever and never!" Angeline Emmerson heard the talk standing outside the door. She used to be treated ever so lovingly by Ned in the past. Angeline felt her eyes reddening and filling with tears. The Ned she knew had died in the car accident that happened four years ago. The one inside was merely a stranger! Angeline inhaled deeply. Then, she pushed the door open. Ned looked up and saw her entering. "Who brought you here?" Angeline stared at Ned and said, "I've already made a police report regarding your spiked drink at the event and your spreading of my photos for revenge." Hearing this, everyone's reactions differed from one another. Angeline continued, "Ned Fletcher, it's true that I wanted to try rekindling our relationship, but I would never have stooped so low as to do those disgusting things to you. I didn't want to let go of this relationship because I was worried that the Ned I knew would return someday and blame me for giving up on him so easily," Angeline placed the divorce agreement she'd been hugging onto the table. "I tried my best, but I'm tired now. Ned Fletcher, I'm giving up on you. I don't want you anymore." Ned's eyes traveled from the divorce agreement to Angeline's face. There was a hint of surprise in his cold eyes. "Let's finalize the divorce after the police have cleared my name and you have publicly apologized to me." | Galaxy in the Book | 68 | https://facebook.com/61555646245426 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1715151600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841124 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682325 | 1723710536 | 858 | 350229604734306 | 16 | 9.8242705956723E+14 | 1715324400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 220948471097418 | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | 120211846693390779 | qweasdzxconline.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | 😍Read the next chapters👉 | https://qweasdzxconline.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=11090&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1715085862 | 2.2094847109742E+14 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438129100_1146045226739178_2601865360875538189_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fLOSJhfepkYQ7kNvgHEd_wc&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYChz9Lv9Hi46YygQOTRcWVO3N7OQd15Ym_VowKXHVuLnA&oe=66584690 | person_profile | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/440747644_315502774915635_6353252339687881796_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kPZJVk2zb8oQ7kNvgFDgFVU&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYD__mO6mWyaS-XJiX9OhX8t7XcRfbo1yfMNPMeAXVO6_w&oe=66583557 | 0 | 3 | 🔞"Ned Fletcher, with how you're treating Angie right now, aren't you worried that you're going to regret it when you finally regain your memories one day? You loved her so much before and you two got married for love! Despite you forgetting your feelings about her, how could you post so many indecent photos of her on social media?" Ned spoke nonchalantly, saying, "Why are you still holding me hostage with morals and principles? She was the one who framed me by lowly methods. I was just warning her. If Ingrid hadn't asked me to stop, I'd have gone even further! By the way, show your respect to Ingrid. She’s not a new girl but my only one forever and never!" Angeline Emmerson heard the talk standing outside the door. She used to be treated ever so lovingly by Ned in the past. Angeline felt her eyes reddening and filling with tears. The Ned she knew had died in the car accident that happened four years ago. The one inside was merely a stranger! Angeline inhaled deeply. Then, she pushed the door open. Ned looked up and saw her entering. "Who brought you here?" Angeline stared at Ned and said, "I've already made a police report regarding your spiked drink at the event and your spreading of my photos for revenge." Hearing this, everyone's reactions differed from one another. Angeline continued, "Ned Fletcher, it's true that I wanted to try rekindling our relationship, but I would never have stooped so low as to do those disgusting things to you. I didn't want to let go of this relationship because I was worried that the Ned I knew would return someday and blame me for giving up on him so easily," Angeline placed the divorce agreement she'd been hugging onto the table. "I tried my best, but I'm tired now. Ned Fletcher, I'm giving up on you. I don't want you anymore." Ned's eyes traveled from the divorce agreement to Angeline's face. There was a hint of surprise in his cold eyes. "Let's finalize the divorce after the police have cleared my name and you have publicly apologized to me." | Galaxy in the Book | 68 | https://facebook.com/61555646245426 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1715151600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841126 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682325 | 1723710536 | 858 | 350229604734306 | 16 | 9.8242705956723E+14 | 1715324400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 220948471097418 | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | 120211846693390779 | qweasdzxconline.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | 😍Read the next chapters👉 | https://qweasdzxconline.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=11090&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1715085862 | 2.2094847109742E+14 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438129100_1146045226739178_2601865360875538189_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fLOSJhfepkYQ7kNvgHEd_wc&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYChz9Lv9Hi46YygQOTRcWVO3N7OQd15Ym_VowKXHVuLnA&oe=66584690 | person_profile | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/440747644_315502774915635_6353252339687881796_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kPZJVk2zb8oQ7kNvgFDgFVU&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYD__mO6mWyaS-XJiX9OhX8t7XcRfbo1yfMNPMeAXVO6_w&oe=66583557 | 0 | 3 | 🔞"Ned Fletcher, with how you're treating Angie right now, aren't you worried that you're going to regret it when you finally regain your memories one day? You loved her so much before and you two got married for love! Despite you forgetting your feelings about her, how could you post so many indecent photos of her on social media?" Ned spoke nonchalantly, saying, "Why are you still holding me hostage with morals and principles? She was the one who framed me by lowly methods. I was just warning her. If Ingrid hadn't asked me to stop, I'd have gone even further! By the way, show your respect to Ingrid. She’s not a new girl but my only one forever and never!" Angeline Emmerson heard the talk standing outside the door. She used to be treated ever so lovingly by Ned in the past. Angeline felt her eyes reddening and filling with tears. The Ned she knew had died in the car accident that happened four years ago. The one inside was merely a stranger! Angeline inhaled deeply. Then, she pushed the door open. Ned looked up and saw her entering. "Who brought you here?" Angeline stared at Ned and said, "I've already made a police report regarding your spiked drink at the event and your spreading of my photos for revenge." Hearing this, everyone's reactions differed from one another. Angeline continued, "Ned Fletcher, it's true that I wanted to try rekindling our relationship, but I would never have stooped so low as to do those disgusting things to you. I didn't want to let go of this relationship because I was worried that the Ned I knew would return someday and blame me for giving up on him so easily," Angeline placed the divorce agreement she'd been hugging onto the table. "I tried my best, but I'm tired now. Ned Fletcher, I'm giving up on you. I don't want you anymore." Ned's eyes traveled from the divorce agreement to Angeline's face. There was a hint of surprise in his cold eyes. "Let's finalize the divorce after the police have cleared my name and you have publicly apologized to me." | Galaxy in the Book | 68 | https://facebook.com/61555646245426 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1715151600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841128 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682325 | 1723710536 | 858 | 350229604734306 | 16 | 9.8242705956723E+14 | 1715324400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 220948471097418 | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | 120211846693390779 | qweasdzxconline.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | 😍Read the next chapters👉 | https://qweasdzxconline.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=11090&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1715085862 | 2.2094847109742E+14 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438129100_1146045226739178_2601865360875538189_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fLOSJhfepkYQ7kNvgHEd_wc&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYChz9Lv9Hi46YygQOTRcWVO3N7OQd15Ym_VowKXHVuLnA&oe=66584690 | person_profile | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/440747644_315502774915635_6353252339687881796_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kPZJVk2zb8oQ7kNvgFDgFVU&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYD__mO6mWyaS-XJiX9OhX8t7XcRfbo1yfMNPMeAXVO6_w&oe=66583557 | 0 | 3 | 🔞"Ned Fletcher, with how you're treating Angie right now, aren't you worried that you're going to regret it when you finally regain your memories one day? You loved her so much before and you two got married for love! Despite you forgetting your feelings about her, how could you post so many indecent photos of her on social media?" Ned spoke nonchalantly, saying, "Why are you still holding me hostage with morals and principles? She was the one who framed me by lowly methods. I was just warning her. If Ingrid hadn't asked me to stop, I'd have gone even further! By the way, show your respect to Ingrid. She’s not a new girl but my only one forever and never!" Angeline Emmerson heard the talk standing outside the door. She used to be treated ever so lovingly by Ned in the past. Angeline felt her eyes reddening and filling with tears. The Ned she knew had died in the car accident that happened four years ago. The one inside was merely a stranger! Angeline inhaled deeply. Then, she pushed the door open. Ned looked up and saw her entering. "Who brought you here?" Angeline stared at Ned and said, "I've already made a police report regarding your spiked drink at the event and your spreading of my photos for revenge." Hearing this, everyone's reactions differed from one another. Angeline continued, "Ned Fletcher, it's true that I wanted to try rekindling our relationship, but I would never have stooped so low as to do those disgusting things to you. I didn't want to let go of this relationship because I was worried that the Ned I knew would return someday and blame me for giving up on him so easily," Angeline placed the divorce agreement she'd been hugging onto the table. "I tried my best, but I'm tired now. Ned Fletcher, I'm giving up on you. I don't want you anymore." Ned's eyes traveled from the divorce agreement to Angeline's face. There was a hint of surprise in his cold eyes. "Let's finalize the divorce after the police have cleared my name and you have publicly apologized to me." | Galaxy in the Book | 68 | https://facebook.com/61555646245426 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1715151600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841130 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682325 | 1723710536 | 858 | 350229604734306 | 16 | 9.8242705956723E+14 | 1715324400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 220948471097418 | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | 120211846693390779 | qweasdzxconline.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | 😍Read the next chapters👉 | https://qweasdzxconline.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=11090&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1715085862 | 2.2094847109742E+14 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438129100_1146045226739178_2601865360875538189_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fLOSJhfepkYQ7kNvgHEd_wc&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYChz9Lv9Hi46YygQOTRcWVO3N7OQd15Ym_VowKXHVuLnA&oe=66584690 | person_profile | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/440747644_315502774915635_6353252339687881796_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kPZJVk2zb8oQ7kNvgFDgFVU&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYD__mO6mWyaS-XJiX9OhX8t7XcRfbo1yfMNPMeAXVO6_w&oe=66583557 | 0 | 3 | 🔞"Ned Fletcher, with how you're treating Angie right now, aren't you worried that you're going to regret it when you finally regain your memories one day? You loved her so much before and you two got married for love! Despite you forgetting your feelings about her, how could you post so many indecent photos of her on social media?" Ned spoke nonchalantly, saying, "Why are you still holding me hostage with morals and principles? She was the one who framed me by lowly methods. I was just warning her. If Ingrid hadn't asked me to stop, I'd have gone even further! By the way, show your respect to Ingrid. She’s not a new girl but my only one forever and never!" Angeline Emmerson heard the talk standing outside the door. She used to be treated ever so lovingly by Ned in the past. Angeline felt her eyes reddening and filling with tears. The Ned she knew had died in the car accident that happened four years ago. The one inside was merely a stranger! Angeline inhaled deeply. Then, she pushed the door open. Ned looked up and saw her entering. "Who brought you here?" Angeline stared at Ned and said, "I've already made a police report regarding your spiked drink at the event and your spreading of my photos for revenge." Hearing this, everyone's reactions differed from one another. Angeline continued, "Ned Fletcher, it's true that I wanted to try rekindling our relationship, but I would never have stooped so low as to do those disgusting things to you. I didn't want to let go of this relationship because I was worried that the Ned I knew would return someday and blame me for giving up on him so easily," Angeline placed the divorce agreement she'd been hugging onto the table. "I tried my best, but I'm tired now. Ned Fletcher, I'm giving up on you. I don't want you anymore." Ned's eyes traveled from the divorce agreement to Angeline's face. There was a hint of surprise in his cold eyes. "Let's finalize the divorce after the police have cleared my name and you have publicly apologized to me." | Galaxy in the Book | 68 | https://facebook.com/61555646245426 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1715151600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841132 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682325 | 1723710536 | 858 | 472704218538310 | 12 | 8.4162250112428E+14 | 1715929200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 220948471097418 | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | 120211846693390779 | qweasdzxconline.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | 😍Read the next chapters👉 | https://qweasdzxconline.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=11090&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1715085862 | 2.2094847109742E+14 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438129100_1146045226739178_2601865360875538189_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fLOSJhfepkYQ7kNvgHEd_wc&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYChz9Lv9Hi46YygQOTRcWVO3N7OQd15Ym_VowKXHVuLnA&oe=66584690 | person_profile | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/440747644_315502774915635_6353252339687881796_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kPZJVk2zb8oQ7kNvgFDgFVU&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYD__mO6mWyaS-XJiX9OhX8t7XcRfbo1yfMNPMeAXVO6_w&oe=66583557 | 0 | 3 | 🔞"Ned Fletcher, with how you're treating Angie right now, aren't you worried that you're going to regret it when you finally regain your memories one day? You loved her so much before and you two got married for love! Despite you forgetting your feelings about her, how could you post so many indecent photos of her on social media?" Ned spoke nonchalantly, saying, "Why are you still holding me hostage with morals and principles? She was the one who framed me by lowly methods. I was just warning her. If Ingrid hadn't asked me to stop, I'd have gone even further! By the way, show your respect to Ingrid. She’s not a new girl but my only one forever and never!" Angeline Emmerson heard the talk standing outside the door. She used to be treated ever so lovingly by Ned in the past. Angeline felt her eyes reddening and filling with tears. The Ned she knew had died in the car accident that happened four years ago. The one inside was merely a stranger! Angeline inhaled deeply. Then, she pushed the door open. Ned looked up and saw her entering. "Who brought you here?" Angeline stared at Ned and said, "I've already made a police report regarding your spiked drink at the event and your spreading of my photos for revenge." Hearing this, everyone's reactions differed from one another. Angeline continued, "Ned Fletcher, it's true that I wanted to try rekindling our relationship, but I would never have stooped so low as to do those disgusting things to you. I didn't want to let go of this relationship because I was worried that the Ned I knew would return someday and blame me for giving up on him so easily," Angeline placed the divorce agreement she'd been hugging onto the table. "I tried my best, but I'm tired now. Ned Fletcher, I'm giving up on you. I don't want you anymore." Ned's eyes traveled from the divorce agreement to Angeline's face. There was a hint of surprise in his cold eyes. "Let's finalize the divorce after the police have cleared my name and you have publicly apologized to me." | Galaxy in the Book | 68 | https://facebook.com/61555646245426 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1715583600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841134 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682325 | 1723710536 | 858 | 472704218538310 | 12 | 8.4162250112428E+14 | 1715929200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 220948471097418 | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | 120211846693390779 | qweasdzxconline.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | 😍Read the next chapters👉 | https://qweasdzxconline.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=11090&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1715085862 | 2.2094847109742E+14 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438129100_1146045226739178_2601865360875538189_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fLOSJhfepkYQ7kNvgHEd_wc&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYChz9Lv9Hi46YygQOTRcWVO3N7OQd15Ym_VowKXHVuLnA&oe=66584690 | person_profile | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/440747644_315502774915635_6353252339687881796_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kPZJVk2zb8oQ7kNvgFDgFVU&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYD__mO6mWyaS-XJiX9OhX8t7XcRfbo1yfMNPMeAXVO6_w&oe=66583557 | 0 | 3 | 🔞"Ned Fletcher, with how you're treating Angie right now, aren't you worried that you're going to regret it when you finally regain your memories one day? You loved her so much before and you two got married for love! Despite you forgetting your feelings about her, how could you post so many indecent photos of her on social media?" Ned spoke nonchalantly, saying, "Why are you still holding me hostage with morals and principles? She was the one who framed me by lowly methods. I was just warning her. If Ingrid hadn't asked me to stop, I'd have gone even further! By the way, show your respect to Ingrid. She’s not a new girl but my only one forever and never!" Angeline Emmerson heard the talk standing outside the door. She used to be treated ever so lovingly by Ned in the past. Angeline felt her eyes reddening and filling with tears. The Ned she knew had died in the car accident that happened four years ago. The one inside was merely a stranger! Angeline inhaled deeply. Then, she pushed the door open. Ned looked up and saw her entering. "Who brought you here?" Angeline stared at Ned and said, "I've already made a police report regarding your spiked drink at the event and your spreading of my photos for revenge." Hearing this, everyone's reactions differed from one another. Angeline continued, "Ned Fletcher, it's true that I wanted to try rekindling our relationship, but I would never have stooped so low as to do those disgusting things to you. I didn't want to let go of this relationship because I was worried that the Ned I knew would return someday and blame me for giving up on him so easily," Angeline placed the divorce agreement she'd been hugging onto the table. "I tried my best, but I'm tired now. Ned Fletcher, I'm giving up on you. I don't want you anymore." Ned's eyes traveled from the divorce agreement to Angeline's face. There was a hint of surprise in his cold eyes. "Let's finalize the divorce after the police have cleared my name and you have publicly apologized to me." | Galaxy in the Book | 68 | https://facebook.com/61555646245426 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1715583600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841136 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682325 | 1723710536 | 858 | 472704218538310 | 12 | 8.4162250112428E+14 | 1715929200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 220948471097418 | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | 120211846693390779 | qweasdzxconline.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | 😍Read the next chapters👉 | https://qweasdzxconline.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=11090&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1715085862 | 2.2094847109742E+14 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438129100_1146045226739178_2601865360875538189_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fLOSJhfepkYQ7kNvgHEd_wc&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYChz9Lv9Hi46YygQOTRcWVO3N7OQd15Ym_VowKXHVuLnA&oe=66584690 | person_profile | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/440747644_315502774915635_6353252339687881796_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kPZJVk2zb8oQ7kNvgFDgFVU&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYD__mO6mWyaS-XJiX9OhX8t7XcRfbo1yfMNPMeAXVO6_w&oe=66583557 | 0 | 3 | 🔞"Ned Fletcher, with how you're treating Angie right now, aren't you worried that you're going to regret it when you finally regain your memories one day? You loved her so much before and you two got married for love! Despite you forgetting your feelings about her, how could you post so many indecent photos of her on social media?" Ned spoke nonchalantly, saying, "Why are you still holding me hostage with morals and principles? She was the one who framed me by lowly methods. I was just warning her. If Ingrid hadn't asked me to stop, I'd have gone even further! By the way, show your respect to Ingrid. She’s not a new girl but my only one forever and never!" Angeline Emmerson heard the talk standing outside the door. She used to be treated ever so lovingly by Ned in the past. Angeline felt her eyes reddening and filling with tears. The Ned she knew had died in the car accident that happened four years ago. The one inside was merely a stranger! Angeline inhaled deeply. Then, she pushed the door open. Ned looked up and saw her entering. "Who brought you here?" Angeline stared at Ned and said, "I've already made a police report regarding your spiked drink at the event and your spreading of my photos for revenge." Hearing this, everyone's reactions differed from one another. Angeline continued, "Ned Fletcher, it's true that I wanted to try rekindling our relationship, but I would never have stooped so low as to do those disgusting things to you. I didn't want to let go of this relationship because I was worried that the Ned I knew would return someday and blame me for giving up on him so easily," Angeline placed the divorce agreement she'd been hugging onto the table. "I tried my best, but I'm tired now. Ned Fletcher, I'm giving up on you. I don't want you anymore." Ned's eyes traveled from the divorce agreement to Angeline's face. There was a hint of surprise in his cold eyes. "Let's finalize the divorce after the police have cleared my name and you have publicly apologized to me." | Galaxy in the Book | 68 | https://facebook.com/61555646245426 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1715583600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841138 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682325 | 1723710536 | 858 | 472704218538310 | 12 | 8.4162250112428E+14 | 1715929200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 220948471097418 | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | 120211846693390779 | qweasdzxconline.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | 😍Read the next chapters👉 | https://qweasdzxconline.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=11090&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1715085862 | 2.2094847109742E+14 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438129100_1146045226739178_2601865360875538189_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fLOSJhfepkYQ7kNvgHEd_wc&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYChz9Lv9Hi46YygQOTRcWVO3N7OQd15Ym_VowKXHVuLnA&oe=66584690 | person_profile | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/440747644_315502774915635_6353252339687881796_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kPZJVk2zb8oQ7kNvgFDgFVU&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYD__mO6mWyaS-XJiX9OhX8t7XcRfbo1yfMNPMeAXVO6_w&oe=66583557 | 0 | 3 | 🔞"Ned Fletcher, with how you're treating Angie right now, aren't you worried that you're going to regret it when you finally regain your memories one day? You loved her so much before and you two got married for love! Despite you forgetting your feelings about her, how could you post so many indecent photos of her on social media?" Ned spoke nonchalantly, saying, "Why are you still holding me hostage with morals and principles? She was the one who framed me by lowly methods. I was just warning her. If Ingrid hadn't asked me to stop, I'd have gone even further! By the way, show your respect to Ingrid. She’s not a new girl but my only one forever and never!" Angeline Emmerson heard the talk standing outside the door. She used to be treated ever so lovingly by Ned in the past. Angeline felt her eyes reddening and filling with tears. The Ned she knew had died in the car accident that happened four years ago. The one inside was merely a stranger! Angeline inhaled deeply. Then, she pushed the door open. Ned looked up and saw her entering. "Who brought you here?" Angeline stared at Ned and said, "I've already made a police report regarding your spiked drink at the event and your spreading of my photos for revenge." Hearing this, everyone's reactions differed from one another. Angeline continued, "Ned Fletcher, it's true that I wanted to try rekindling our relationship, but I would never have stooped so low as to do those disgusting things to you. I didn't want to let go of this relationship because I was worried that the Ned I knew would return someday and blame me for giving up on him so easily," Angeline placed the divorce agreement she'd been hugging onto the table. "I tried my best, but I'm tired now. Ned Fletcher, I'm giving up on you. I don't want you anymore." Ned's eyes traveled from the divorce agreement to Angeline's face. There was a hint of surprise in his cold eyes. "Let's finalize the divorce after the police have cleared my name and you have publicly apologized to me." | Galaxy in the Book | 68 | https://facebook.com/61555646245426 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1715583600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841140 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682325 | 1723710536 | 858 | 472704218538310 | 12 | 8.4162250112428E+14 | 1715929200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 220948471097418 | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | 120211846693390779 | qweasdzxconline.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | 😍Read the next chapters👉 | https://qweasdzxconline.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=11090&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1715085862 | 2.2094847109742E+14 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438129100_1146045226739178_2601865360875538189_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fLOSJhfepkYQ7kNvgHEd_wc&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYChz9Lv9Hi46YygQOTRcWVO3N7OQd15Ym_VowKXHVuLnA&oe=66584690 | person_profile | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/440747644_315502774915635_6353252339687881796_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kPZJVk2zb8oQ7kNvgFDgFVU&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYD__mO6mWyaS-XJiX9OhX8t7XcRfbo1yfMNPMeAXVO6_w&oe=66583557 | 0 | 3 | 🔞"Ned Fletcher, with how you're treating Angie right now, aren't you worried that you're going to regret it when you finally regain your memories one day? You loved her so much before and you two got married for love! Despite you forgetting your feelings about her, how could you post so many indecent photos of her on social media?" Ned spoke nonchalantly, saying, "Why are you still holding me hostage with morals and principles? She was the one who framed me by lowly methods. I was just warning her. If Ingrid hadn't asked me to stop, I'd have gone even further! By the way, show your respect to Ingrid. She’s not a new girl but my only one forever and never!" Angeline Emmerson heard the talk standing outside the door. She used to be treated ever so lovingly by Ned in the past. Angeline felt her eyes reddening and filling with tears. The Ned she knew had died in the car accident that happened four years ago. The one inside was merely a stranger! Angeline inhaled deeply. Then, she pushed the door open. Ned looked up and saw her entering. "Who brought you here?" Angeline stared at Ned and said, "I've already made a police report regarding your spiked drink at the event and your spreading of my photos for revenge." Hearing this, everyone's reactions differed from one another. Angeline continued, "Ned Fletcher, it's true that I wanted to try rekindling our relationship, but I would never have stooped so low as to do those disgusting things to you. I didn't want to let go of this relationship because I was worried that the Ned I knew would return someday and blame me for giving up on him so easily," Angeline placed the divorce agreement she'd been hugging onto the table. "I tried my best, but I'm tired now. Ned Fletcher, I'm giving up on you. I don't want you anymore." Ned's eyes traveled from the divorce agreement to Angeline's face. There was a hint of surprise in his cold eyes. "Let's finalize the divorce after the police have cleared my name and you have publicly apologized to me." | Galaxy in the Book | 68 | https://facebook.com/61555646245426 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1715583600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841142 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682326 | 1723710536 | 858 | 478272224667453 | 1 | 9.8867341249763E+14 | 1715497200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 220948471097418 | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | 120208322655090240 | beokn.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | 😍Read the next chapters👉 | https://beokn.com/market/buenovela/3?lpid=11222&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1715247646 | 2.2094847109742E+14 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441959051_459948103069197_1403971259308613209_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=GMbylYSvS5gQ7kNvgEIq7eL&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYC81AOB8TCCDLAHyeDy1n4tMuAEwz6U5oRPerAbMIXi6g&oe=6658579C | person_profile | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441520392_1857443494727194_4363879934185925189_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=uMrutYUE9y8Q7kNvgFcuNQB&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYCx-HziBm_aJGb_ZR-phjgqMqsEYGEFIB3qb95a_YwOAA&oe=6658462A | 0 | 3 | Melody Swanson had her cell phone's torch turned on to light the path to a white cottage amidst the lavenders. The night breeze was chilly, but all she had on was a white, sleeveless nightgown and lounge slippers. Her expression lifted when she saw she was getting close to the cottage. But the next second, someone reached out from the bushes beside her and gripped her right shoulder tightly. She yelped in shock, dropping her phone onto the ground. The faint light disappeared. The next thing she knew, she was dragged into a hot embrace. "I'll give you a million for one night!" The man's voice rang out behind her. It was deep and smooth. Melody's heart raced at this plot twist. Before she knew it, she'd been flipped onto her front and pinned to the ground amidst the sea of flowers. She widened her eyes and flailed, trying to escape. "No, wait! You've got the wrong person!" "Stop moving, sweetheart. Or are you that desperate for it?" the man rasped. "Let me go!" Melody struggled harder, but the man's tall and toned figure held her in place as he flipped her onto her back. She started feeling scared. She widened her eyes even more, but all she could see were the stars in the sky behind the man's head. There was barely enough light for her to see the man's chiseled features—the desire burning in his eyes was clear as day, though. It was almost as bright as the stars above. Melody tried her best to escape but to no avail. Pain shot through her; the man leaned down to kiss her and swallow her cries. After a long while, he spoke again. His voice was alluring and hoarse. "You're so sweet, darling. I'll give you a million for another round. How about that?" "You're a monster!" Melody's voice was also hoarse from her crying. How could he do something like this to her in such a saintly place? The wind lifted her dress, stained purple by the lavenders they'd crushed underneath them. The scent was oddly intoxicating. They were in Violetville, which was famous for its sea of lavenders. It was so picturesque that many film companies had been attracted to film there. It gradually turned into a filming base. Recently, John Wales, an internationally renowned director, brought a crew of award-winning actors and actresses to Violetville to film a huge production. He'd happened to catch sight of Melody, who was home from college for the holidays. He'd invited her to play the role of an important side character. Melody hadn't expected her sister, Queenie Swanson, to trick her out of the house in the middle of the night upon hearing the news. Queenie had locked the door and refused to open it no matter how she pleaded. Their parents heard everything but did nothing to stop Queenie. The words Queenie had said not too long ago were still reverberating in Melody's mind. "You were capable of catching that director's eye, weren't you? Is it because you've already slept with him? What are you still doing here, then? Go sleep in his hotel room! I won't open the door for you, so get lost!" With no place to go, Melody had no choice but to take shelter in the white cottage amidst the sea of flowers, which was only meant for sightseeing. She hadn't expected to experience something like this, though. Her family's betrayal and the man's advances made her tears flow. They wet the flowers crushed underneath her body. Melody didn't know how long it would take for the man to be sated; it was as if he would never tire. When the sky started turning bright, he finally stopped. He released her hands, which he'd kept pinned in place. Melody immediately grabbed the nearest object and smashed it over the man's head. He'd been saying, "Tell me your name, sweet—" Melody smashed a rock on his head before he could finish. He didn't manage to dodge it—perhaps he was too relaxed after having had his fill of her. Chapter 2 The man swayed on the spot from the impact. Melody pushed him away; he lay there, looking up at her blearily. She lifted the rock, intending to strike him again. This was self-defense! But the words echoed hollowly in her mind—she couldn't do it—she couldn't take his life. Even of a monster, it would stain her forever. Ultimately, she threw the bloodied rock aside and staggered to her feet. She took a step and happened to kick her phone. Melody picked it up and pulled out the cash tucked underneath her phone case. It was the change she'd gotten after doing some grocery shopping. She threw it at the man and snarled, "Listen up—I bought your services for one night, and that's your fee. Keep the change! And don't think it's too little. That's all you're worth!" With that, she turned and stumbled out of the sea of lavenders. The man's vision was already starting to blur. The blood trickled down his forehead and over his eyes. It dyed his vision red as he watched Melody walk away from him. The color of the flowers' stains on her nightgown seemed to mix with the blood in his eyes, giving him the impression that the flowers were blossoming. He was reminded of the night they'd just had together. "Don't go…" he mumbled, reaching for her. But the darkness overtook him. The luxury watch on his wrist gleamed as his hand fell to the ground limply. … Two months later, there was an uproar at the Swanson residence. "You're expecting a baby before marriage! You're a disgrace to the Swanson family! Get out of here!" Horace Swanson shoved Melody away furiously. "This is a small town, and the people here are all good, honest people. How could you pick up all these bad habits from those celebrities whose private lives are so messed up? Leave now! I'll just act like I never gave birth to you!" Susan Lett waved a hand, looking utterly disappointed. "You should leave, Melody. If the neighbors hear about this, how do you expect Mom and Dad to continue living here? I'm not married yet, you know. I don't want you to affect my reputation." Queenie stabbed an apple slice with a toothpick and ate it. She sat on the couch, looking like she was enjoying the show. Melody pointed at her. "Queenie's the one who locked me out of the house that night because she wanted to get the chance to be in that film! That's why I ended up getting assaulted. Why do you guys refuse to believe me?" Horace stood up and stormed over to her, giving her a hard slap. "Shut up, you imbecile! You're the one who did something so shameless, yet you're still trying to push the blame onto your sister! Don't ever step foot in here again!" "I raised your sister myself, so I know how kind and loving she is. How can you say that about her?" Susan pulled Queenie, who looked aggrieved, into her arms. She gave Melody, who'd fallen to the floor from Horace's slap, a reproachful look. "Is it really like Madam Williams said, Mom? Am I not your daughter? Is that why you won't believe me?" Melody didn't want to cry, but the tears refused to stay in her eyes. They streamed down her face. "You… Of course you're my daughter! That's why I know what a bad apple you are! How dare you try to blame me when your misbehavior? Leave! Now!" "Fine! I'll go!" Melody staggered to her feet and walked out the door, looking resolute and lonely. … Five years passed in the blink of an eye. Ford Manor was located among a cluster of villas halfway up a mountain in Tottenstone. Ethan Ford was having the same dream again. The woman in his dream wore a white dress, as usual. She had a long, silky smooth hair. He couldn't see her face, though. She didn't seem to enjoy his ministrations—she cried and pleaded with him to let her go, but he couldn't stop himself from sinking deeper. He held her close. In the next second, he opened his eyes and woke up from the dream. Chapter 3 It was this dream again. Ethan had experienced it almost every night for the past five years. No other woman had managed to arouse him since that incident—only the woman in his dreams could. He'd had the same dream for 1,826 days, including today. Even if he was already used to it, Ethan was still irritated. He wiped the sweat from his face; even his hair was damp. He got out of bed. His perfect figure was like a model's, but his face was more handsome than any model could ever have. His demeanor was cold, regal, and domineering. Ethan took a moment to compose himself. He strode to the bathroom after pushing the steamy images out of his mind. The butler, Bill Jones, heard this and came into the room. He quickly changed the soiled sheets. He'd just finished when Ethan came out of the bathroom with nothing but a towel around his waist. As soon as he graced the room with his toned figure, the atmosphere turned somewhat sensual. Bill stood there with his head bowed. When he saw Ethan head to the wardrobe, he said, "Ms. Wendy Nielson called to invite you out for dinner, Mr. Ford. Should I make arrangements? It's high time you let loose and have some fun, sir." Wendy was the daughter of a politician and one of the most well-known socialites in the region. She'd invited Ethan out countless times since running into him at a banquet a year ago. Ethan grabbed a black shirt and put it on, his back muscles rolling as he did so. He didn't even turn back as he said, "You're too noisy." Bill knew this meant Ethan was turning down the invitation. He didn't dare say anything else. 40 minutes later, Ethan strode out of the villa. His assistant, James Sawyer, hurriedly opened the door to a luxury car parked outside. Ethan got into the car elegantly. As the car drove past the main gates, Ethan glanced at the rearview mirror to see two bodyguards stop a woman in a cap and tracksuit. She tried to run after the car; her ponytail swung with her actions. Ethan retracted his gaze and said to James, "Tell the bodyguards they're out of jobs if I see any strangers as soon as I leave the house again." Sweat beaded on James' forehead. "Yes, sir." "Have you found anything on that woman from five years ago?" Ethan tugged on his tie, his eyes cold. He didn't even need to look at anyone to make them shudder. James stuttered, "N-Not yet, sir." "I'll give you another month. If you can't find anything, you can get lost, too!" Unbeknownst to Ethan, the woman he was searching for was behind him. Her figure became smaller and smaller in the rearview mirror. "Mr. Ford, don't go!" Melody finally liberated herself from the bodyguards, but she wasn't in time to catch up with the car. She wanted to run after it, but the bodyguards stopped her again. Amidst the tussle, she fell to the floor and landed on her arm. Pain shot through her. She raised her head to look at the car, but it was long gone. Oh no! It had already been a month—she'd staked out every place that Ethan could possibly be at, but someone had stopped her every time. She couldn't even get close to him. It had taken all her connections to get Ethan's address; she'd waited outside for him from 3:00 am onward for several days in a row. Still, she'd failed to even get close to him, let alone speak to him. "Mr. Sawyer just called us. If you show up here again tomorrow, you'll have to pay!" one of the bodyguards warned. Melody looked back at them and pleaded, "Can you please just let me see Mr. Ford? I only have a few things to say to him—it'll only take five minutes! It's about something important, I swear. This has to do with someone's life!" Chapter 4 "Every woman who wants to see Mr. Ford says they need him to save lives! He's not interested in you, okay? There's no point throwing yourself at him," one bodyguard snapped. "Get lost! Don't come here anymore!" another said. They looked like they would resort to violence if Melody refused to leave. She had no choice but to get up and trudge down the mountain, looking glum. "It's rare to see such a gorgeous woman. I'm sure she'd be set for life if she were to go after some other rich kid. Too bad she's greedy—doesn't she realize where she is? Even Phoebe Shaw, that award-winning actress, isn't worthy of shining Mr. Ford's shoes, let alone her!" one bodyguard said. "You're right about her not knowing her place, but I have to say that she's a lot prettier than Phoebe Shaw," the other said. They continued chatting as they headed into the villa. … It was already the afternoon by the time Melody returned to the hospital. She saw Clive Zimmerman's attending physician, Tom Filbert, come out of the hospital room before Clive's. She hurried over to him. "Dr. Filbert, how has Clive been recently?" "Oh, Mrs. Zimmerman. I've already made your husband's condition clear to you—we need to find a matching donor as soon as possible for the bone marrow transplant. Otherwise…" Tom shook his head. Melody paled. Tom continued, "The hospital's been searching for a matching donor, but your husband's condition is deteriorating too quickly. He's running out of time. "As his family, you need to work with us. Try to think of any relatives he might have and bring them to the hospital so we can check their bone marrow. Maybe one of them might be a match…" Melody paled even more. Tom continued talking, but she couldn't really hear him anymore. She asked with difficulty, "How long does he still have if we can't find a donor?" Tom shook his head. "The bone marrow transplant has to be done within a month. Otherwise, he'll only have three to five months at most." Melody clenched her jaw; her expression became resolute. "I've already found a bone marrow that matches Clive's, but the person hasn't agreed to become a donor yet. I'll find a way to persuade him! "Please make the necessary arrangements for the transplant, Dr. Filbert. I'll bring the donor over before the surgery!" "That's great! I'll arrange for the transplant to be done in ten days, then. Remember to bring the donor over as soon as possible—he needs to be checked before the surgery." "Alright." Melody nodded. But once Tom was gone, she slumped against the wall weakly. What was she going to do? The surgery was in ten days, but she'd made zero progress. She hadn't even gotten close to Ethan, let alone persuaded him to donate his bone marrow to Clive. Ethan was the wealthiest man in Emperia, after all. A hair on his head was worth more than most other individuals' lives. Even if she did manage to speak to him, how was she going to get him to agree to help Clive? What was she going to do? Melody approached Clive's hospital room. Before she opened the door, she heard her children, Jacob and Jamie Swanson, singing. They were singing an Enolian song that had been dedicated to the singer's father. Melody peeped inside through the window on the door. Jacob and Jamie wore identical uniforms as they stood hand-in-hand before the window. The sunlight shone down on them, and they swayed on the spot while singing. Clive sat up in bed, also basking in the sunlight as he clapped his hands to the beat of the song. The hospital gown he had on looked too big for him because of the weight he'd lost, and he looked rather haggard. It didn't take away from his good looks, though. There was a gentle smile on his face. He didn't look like a patient who was on the brink of death. Instead, he looked like a patron of the arts—one who was enjoying a grand musical. Melody's eyes turned red. She turned away to dry her tears. Chapter 5 Five years ago, Melody had been kicked out of her home without a penny. At the time, she'd already carried Jacob and Jamie. When she'd been backed into a corner, Clive had taken her in. Not only had he helped her quit school, but he'd also taken care of her the whole time. Later, he'd even offered to marry her so that Jacob and Jamie wouldn't end up becoming illegitimate children. He'd helped her too many times to count over the years—she had to repay him. His parents and relatives were all dead, and he now had serious disease. If she were to give up on him, he could only wait for death to take him. He was still so young and outstanding; this wasn't the end he deserved! No matter what, Melody had to convince Ethan to donate his bone marrow to Clive. She didn't care how difficult it would be! … That night, Melody hid in a storage room at Privo Country Club, Tottenstone's most exclusive club. An auction was being held there that night, and it had taken her some time to find out that Ethan would be in attendance. Anyone who could get an invitation to the auction had to be a bigwig in Emperia's business world or an influential politician; Melody was neither, so she didn't have an invitation. Fortunately, she'd heard about the organizers of the auction holding something of a show for young women at the very end of the auction. It was supposed to be a show, but it was more like the young women were auctioning off their first time. Like regular auctions, the highest bidder would get. As long as Melody could blend in with them, she would have the chance to get to Ethan. At the moment, the young women who were being auctioned were standing by in the waiting room opposite the storage room. Melody was waiting for a chance to sneak in when she suddenly heard a muffled conversation outside. "Come with me!" "Listen to me, Ned. I came here willingly—as long as someone bids on me tonight, we'll have money for your mother's medical bills. It's worth giving up my cherry to save her life!" "I don't need you to sacrifice yourself for me like this, Elaine! I love you! I've managed to get the money, so let's go!" "Really?" "Yeah!" "That's great! Let's go!" The footsteps faded into the distance. Melody came out of the storage room. She picked up the clothes and name tag that read "Elaine Johnson" from the floor and smiled as she looked down the corridor. She wished the couple all the best and also thanked them for this opportunity. An hour later, Melody stood barefoot on the marble floor, wearing only a bikini as she waited for her turn. "Next, let's welcome the beautiful Ms. Elaine Johnson, our eighth participant of the night! She's still a college student, everyone." The host's voice rang out on the other side of the curtain. Suddenly, Melody hesitated. She'd never worn anything so revealing in public before. "Get in there! What are you doing?" When an employee saw her standing there dazedly, he pushed her. She was caught off guard and stumbled onto the stage. The blinding spotlight landed on her; she could sense countless men staring at her. Melody stood there stiffly, so helpless that she was unable to move. Ethan wasn't the slightest bit interested in these things. He'd intended to leave immediately after the auction was over, but Wayne Smith of Ditham Corporation had approached him for a chat. He'd answered him perfunctorily while glancing at the stage. Then, he saw Melody. He narrowed his eyes and sat up, the laziness he'd earlier displayed fading from sight. The lights reflected off Melody's fair skin; they made her look like she was almost glowing. She didn't strut and show her stuff like those women before her. Instead, she stood there with her head bowed so no one could see what she looked like. All they could see was her silky smooth hair. But to Ethan, the sight of her was enough to arouse him. It was like a fire had started burning in him. On stage, Melody remained silent, feeling pierced by the men's gazes. They made her feel like she was standing there in her birthday suit. Chapter 6 Melody knew she couldn't act like this. She was here to look for Ethan; she had to save Clive's life! She couldn't act like this! She clenched her jaw and raised her head, revealing her innocent yet sensual face to the crowd. After a round of gasps, auction paddles flew into the air. "100,000!" "200,000!" "500,000!" "580,000!" … Melody couldn't hear the sound of the bidding anymore—she was too anxious to track Ethan down. He was the wealthiest man in Emperia and the CEO of Regalia International, so he frequently made headlines. She'd long since committed his handsome face to memory. But before she could locate him, she felt a strong sense of oppression coming her way. She instinctively looked at the direction from which it had come. Then, she met a man's gaze. His eyes were cold and calm, yet there seemed to be molten lava buried within them. She could sense his kingly demeanor as his eyes threatened to suck her in. Melody lowered her head. He was terrifying. When Ethan saw her drop her head to avoid his gaze, he smirked. Wayne noticed this and stopped talking to glance at the stage. Then, his eyes lit up, and he chuckled. "She's a gorgeous one, isn't she? Are you interested in her, Mr. Ford?" Ethan didn't answer. Instead, he lifted a hand. James hurried forward to await his instruction. "I want her!" Ethan said. Then, he stood up and strode off. Several people had been bidding on Melody, but they stopped when they saw Ethan stand up. They got to their feet simultaneously to see him off. James hurriedly held up the auction paddle in his hand. He didn't even need to call out a price—no one else would dare bid on Melody. Who would dare to do so now that they knew Ethan was interested in her? They'd be getting themselves a one-way ticket to bankruptcy if they were to try to fight him for her. On stage, the host cried excitedly, "Oh! Mr. Ford's won the auction for our lovely Ms. Johnson! Looks like someone's in luck!" Melody didn't know how she was led off stage. She followed the employees dazedly and asked them incredulously, "Is Mr. Ford really the one who bid on me? Mr. Ethan Ford? The CEO of Regalia International?" The employees could totally understand why she was acting like this. Anyone would be out of their minds with joy if Ethan were to pick them. "Would there be anyone else with that name? Congratulations, miss. Come with me, please. I'll take you to get your clothes changed. We don't want to keep Mr. Ford waiting." "She's so lucky!" "It's not like she has such a great figure. She's not even that pretty!" "Why didn't he pick me? That was Ethan Ford! I would've paid to be with him!" "Yeah, keep dreaming. You wouldn't be worthy of him even if you were to give up everything you own! Didn't you hear about the granddaughter of some country's leader trying and failing to spend a night with Mr. Ford? She offered to pay him a hefty sum, too!" … As Melody followed the employees away, she heard the other women participating in the auction whispering among themselves about her. None of their words registered, though. She was still in disbelief that she'd succeeded just like that. Things had gone so smoothly! How was she going to beg him to agree to donate his bone marrow? Would he be moved if she were to get on her knees before him? Ten minutes later, Melody had changed into a white strappy minidress and a matching pair of 4-inch heels. She was brought to the 28th floor. | Galaxy in the Book | 68 | https://facebook.com/61555646245426 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1715324400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841141 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682326 | 1723710537 | 858 | 478272224667453 | 1 | 9.8867341249763E+14 | 1715497200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 220948471097418 | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | 120208322655090240 | beokn.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | 😍Read the next chapters👉 | https://beokn.com/market/buenovela/3?lpid=11222&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1715247646 | 2.2094847109742E+14 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441959051_459948103069197_1403971259308613209_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=GMbylYSvS5gQ7kNvgEIq7eL&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYC81AOB8TCCDLAHyeDy1n4tMuAEwz6U5oRPerAbMIXi6g&oe=6658579C | person_profile | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441520392_1857443494727194_4363879934185925189_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=uMrutYUE9y8Q7kNvgFcuNQB&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYCx-HziBm_aJGb_ZR-phjgqMqsEYGEFIB3qb95a_YwOAA&oe=6658462A | 0 | 3 | Melody Swanson had her cell phone's torch turned on to light the path to a white cottage amidst the lavenders. The night breeze was chilly, but all she had on was a white, sleeveless nightgown and lounge slippers. Her expression lifted when she saw she was getting close to the cottage. But the next second, someone reached out from the bushes beside her and gripped her right shoulder tightly. She yelped in shock, dropping her phone onto the ground. The faint light disappeared. The next thing she knew, she was dragged into a hot embrace. "I'll give you a million for one night!" The man's voice rang out behind her. It was deep and smooth. Melody's heart raced at this plot twist. Before she knew it, she'd been flipped onto her front and pinned to the ground amidst the sea of flowers. She widened her eyes and flailed, trying to escape. "No, wait! You've got the wrong person!" "Stop moving, sweetheart. Or are you that desperate for it?" the man rasped. "Let me go!" Melody struggled harder, but the man's tall and toned figure held her in place as he flipped her onto her back. She started feeling scared. She widened her eyes even more, but all she could see were the stars in the sky behind the man's head. There was barely enough light for her to see the man's chiseled features—the desire burning in his eyes was clear as day, though. It was almost as bright as the stars above. Melody tried her best to escape but to no avail. Pain shot through her; the man leaned down to kiss her and swallow her cries. After a long while, he spoke again. His voice was alluring and hoarse. "You're so sweet, darling. I'll give you a million for another round. How about that?" "You're a monster!" Melody's voice was also hoarse from her crying. How could he do something like this to her in such a saintly place? The wind lifted her dress, stained purple by the lavenders they'd crushed underneath them. The scent was oddly intoxicating. They were in Violetville, which was famous for its sea of lavenders. It was so picturesque that many film companies had been attracted to film there. It gradually turned into a filming base. Recently, John Wales, an internationally renowned director, brought a crew of award-winning actors and actresses to Violetville to film a huge production. He'd happened to catch sight of Melody, who was home from college for the holidays. He'd invited her to play the role of an important side character. Melody hadn't expected her sister, Queenie Swanson, to trick her out of the house in the middle of the night upon hearing the news. Queenie had locked the door and refused to open it no matter how she pleaded. Their parents heard everything but did nothing to stop Queenie. The words Queenie had said not too long ago were still reverberating in Melody's mind. "You were capable of catching that director's eye, weren't you? Is it because you've already slept with him? What are you still doing here, then? Go sleep in his hotel room! I won't open the door for you, so get lost!" With no place to go, Melody had no choice but to take shelter in the white cottage amidst the sea of flowers, which was only meant for sightseeing. She hadn't expected to experience something like this, though. Her family's betrayal and the man's advances made her tears flow. They wet the flowers crushed underneath her body. Melody didn't know how long it would take for the man to be sated; it was as if he would never tire. When the sky started turning bright, he finally stopped. He released her hands, which he'd kept pinned in place. Melody immediately grabbed the nearest object and smashed it over the man's head. He'd been saying, "Tell me your name, sweet—" Melody smashed a rock on his head before he could finish. He didn't manage to dodge it—perhaps he was too relaxed after having had his fill of her. Chapter 2 The man swayed on the spot from the impact. Melody pushed him away; he lay there, looking up at her blearily. She lifted the rock, intending to strike him again. This was self-defense! But the words echoed hollowly in her mind—she couldn't do it—she couldn't take his life. Even of a monster, it would stain her forever. Ultimately, she threw the bloodied rock aside and staggered to her feet. She took a step and happened to kick her phone. Melody picked it up and pulled out the cash tucked underneath her phone case. It was the change she'd gotten after doing some grocery shopping. She threw it at the man and snarled, "Listen up—I bought your services for one night, and that's your fee. Keep the change! And don't think it's too little. That's all you're worth!" With that, she turned and stumbled out of the sea of lavenders. The man's vision was already starting to blur. The blood trickled down his forehead and over his eyes. It dyed his vision red as he watched Melody walk away from him. The color of the flowers' stains on her nightgown seemed to mix with the blood in his eyes, giving him the impression that the flowers were blossoming. He was reminded of the night they'd just had together. "Don't go…" he mumbled, reaching for her. But the darkness overtook him. The luxury watch on his wrist gleamed as his hand fell to the ground limply. … Two months later, there was an uproar at the Swanson residence. "You're expecting a baby before marriage! You're a disgrace to the Swanson family! Get out of here!" Horace Swanson shoved Melody away furiously. "This is a small town, and the people here are all good, honest people. How could you pick up all these bad habits from those celebrities whose private lives are so messed up? Leave now! I'll just act like I never gave birth to you!" Susan Lett waved a hand, looking utterly disappointed. "You should leave, Melody. If the neighbors hear about this, how do you expect Mom and Dad to continue living here? I'm not married yet, you know. I don't want you to affect my reputation." Queenie stabbed an apple slice with a toothpick and ate it. She sat on the couch, looking like she was enjoying the show. Melody pointed at her. "Queenie's the one who locked me out of the house that night because she wanted to get the chance to be in that film! That's why I ended up getting assaulted. Why do you guys refuse to believe me?" Horace stood up and stormed over to her, giving her a hard slap. "Shut up, you imbecile! You're the one who did something so shameless, yet you're still trying to push the blame onto your sister! Don't ever step foot in here again!" "I raised your sister myself, so I know how kind and loving she is. How can you say that about her?" Susan pulled Queenie, who looked aggrieved, into her arms. She gave Melody, who'd fallen to the floor from Horace's slap, a reproachful look. "Is it really like Madam Williams said, Mom? Am I not your daughter? Is that why you won't believe me?" Melody didn't want to cry, but the tears refused to stay in her eyes. They streamed down her face. "You… Of course you're my daughter! That's why I know what a bad apple you are! How dare you try to blame me when your misbehavior? Leave! Now!" "Fine! I'll go!" Melody staggered to her feet and walked out the door, looking resolute and lonely. … Five years passed in the blink of an eye. Ford Manor was located among a cluster of villas halfway up a mountain in Tottenstone. Ethan Ford was having the same dream again. The woman in his dream wore a white dress, as usual. She had a long, silky smooth hair. He couldn't see her face, though. She didn't seem to enjoy his ministrations—she cried and pleaded with him to let her go, but he couldn't stop himself from sinking deeper. He held her close. In the next second, he opened his eyes and woke up from the dream. Chapter 3 It was this dream again. Ethan had experienced it almost every night for the past five years. No other woman had managed to arouse him since that incident—only the woman in his dreams could. He'd had the same dream for 1,826 days, including today. Even if he was already used to it, Ethan was still irritated. He wiped the sweat from his face; even his hair was damp. He got out of bed. His perfect figure was like a model's, but his face was more handsome than any model could ever have. His demeanor was cold, regal, and domineering. Ethan took a moment to compose himself. He strode to the bathroom after pushing the steamy images out of his mind. The butler, Bill Jones, heard this and came into the room. He quickly changed the soiled sheets. He'd just finished when Ethan came out of the bathroom with nothing but a towel around his waist. As soon as he graced the room with his toned figure, the atmosphere turned somewhat sensual. Bill stood there with his head bowed. When he saw Ethan head to the wardrobe, he said, "Ms. Wendy Nielson called to invite you out for dinner, Mr. Ford. Should I make arrangements? It's high time you let loose and have some fun, sir." Wendy was the daughter of a politician and one of the most well-known socialites in the region. She'd invited Ethan out countless times since running into him at a banquet a year ago. Ethan grabbed a black shirt and put it on, his back muscles rolling as he did so. He didn't even turn back as he said, "You're too noisy." Bill knew this meant Ethan was turning down the invitation. He didn't dare say anything else. 40 minutes later, Ethan strode out of the villa. His assistant, James Sawyer, hurriedly opened the door to a luxury car parked outside. Ethan got into the car elegantly. As the car drove past the main gates, Ethan glanced at the rearview mirror to see two bodyguards stop a woman in a cap and tracksuit. She tried to run after the car; her ponytail swung with her actions. Ethan retracted his gaze and said to James, "Tell the bodyguards they're out of jobs if I see any strangers as soon as I leave the house again." Sweat beaded on James' forehead. "Yes, sir." "Have you found anything on that woman from five years ago?" Ethan tugged on his tie, his eyes cold. He didn't even need to look at anyone to make them shudder. James stuttered, "N-Not yet, sir." "I'll give you another month. If you can't find anything, you can get lost, too!" Unbeknownst to Ethan, the woman he was searching for was behind him. Her figure became smaller and smaller in the rearview mirror. "Mr. Ford, don't go!" Melody finally liberated herself from the bodyguards, but she wasn't in time to catch up with the car. She wanted to run after it, but the bodyguards stopped her again. Amidst the tussle, she fell to the floor and landed on her arm. Pain shot through her. She raised her head to look at the car, but it was long gone. Oh no! It had already been a month—she'd staked out every place that Ethan could possibly be at, but someone had stopped her every time. She couldn't even get close to him. It had taken all her connections to get Ethan's address; she'd waited outside for him from 3:00 am onward for several days in a row. Still, she'd failed to even get close to him, let alone speak to him. "Mr. Sawyer just called us. If you show up here again tomorrow, you'll have to pay!" one of the bodyguards warned. Melody looked back at them and pleaded, "Can you please just let me see Mr. Ford? I only have a few things to say to him—it'll only take five minutes! It's about something important, I swear. This has to do with someone's life!" Chapter 4 "Every woman who wants to see Mr. Ford says they need him to save lives! He's not interested in you, okay? There's no point throwing yourself at him," one bodyguard snapped. "Get lost! Don't come here anymore!" another said. They looked like they would resort to violence if Melody refused to leave. She had no choice but to get up and trudge down the mountain, looking glum. "It's rare to see such a gorgeous woman. I'm sure she'd be set for life if she were to go after some other rich kid. Too bad she's greedy—doesn't she realize where she is? Even Phoebe Shaw, that award-winning actress, isn't worthy of shining Mr. Ford's shoes, let alone her!" one bodyguard said. "You're right about her not knowing her place, but I have to say that she's a lot prettier than Phoebe Shaw," the other said. They continued chatting as they headed into the villa. … It was already the afternoon by the time Melody returned to the hospital. She saw Clive Zimmerman's attending physician, Tom Filbert, come out of the hospital room before Clive's. She hurried over to him. "Dr. Filbert, how has Clive been recently?" "Oh, Mrs. Zimmerman. I've already made your husband's condition clear to you—we need to find a matching donor as soon as possible for the bone marrow transplant. Otherwise…" Tom shook his head. Melody paled. Tom continued, "The hospital's been searching for a matching donor, but your husband's condition is deteriorating too quickly. He's running out of time. "As his family, you need to work with us. Try to think of any relatives he might have and bring them to the hospital so we can check their bone marrow. Maybe one of them might be a match…" Melody paled even more. Tom continued talking, but she couldn't really hear him anymore. She asked with difficulty, "How long does he still have if we can't find a donor?" Tom shook his head. "The bone marrow transplant has to be done within a month. Otherwise, he'll only have three to five months at most." Melody clenched her jaw; her expression became resolute. "I've already found a bone marrow that matches Clive's, but the person hasn't agreed to become a donor yet. I'll find a way to persuade him! "Please make the necessary arrangements for the transplant, Dr. Filbert. I'll bring the donor over before the surgery!" "That's great! I'll arrange for the transplant to be done in ten days, then. Remember to bring the donor over as soon as possible—he needs to be checked before the surgery." "Alright." Melody nodded. But once Tom was gone, she slumped against the wall weakly. What was she going to do? The surgery was in ten days, but she'd made zero progress. She hadn't even gotten close to Ethan, let alone persuaded him to donate his bone marrow to Clive. Ethan was the wealthiest man in Emperia, after all. A hair on his head was worth more than most other individuals' lives. Even if she did manage to speak to him, how was she going to get him to agree to help Clive? What was she going to do? Melody approached Clive's hospital room. Before she opened the door, she heard her children, Jacob and Jamie Swanson, singing. They were singing an Enolian song that had been dedicated to the singer's father. Melody peeped inside through the window on the door. Jacob and Jamie wore identical uniforms as they stood hand-in-hand before the window. The sunlight shone down on them, and they swayed on the spot while singing. Clive sat up in bed, also basking in the sunlight as he clapped his hands to the beat of the song. The hospital gown he had on looked too big for him because of the weight he'd lost, and he looked rather haggard. It didn't take away from his good looks, though. There was a gentle smile on his face. He didn't look like a patient who was on the brink of death. Instead, he looked like a patron of the arts—one who was enjoying a grand musical. Melody's eyes turned red. She turned away to dry her tears. Chapter 5 Five years ago, Melody had been kicked out of her home without a penny. At the time, she'd already carried Jacob and Jamie. When she'd been backed into a corner, Clive had taken her in. Not only had he helped her quit school, but he'd also taken care of her the whole time. Later, he'd even offered to marry her so that Jacob and Jamie wouldn't end up becoming illegitimate children. He'd helped her too many times to count over the years—she had to repay him. His parents and relatives were all dead, and he now had serious disease. If she were to give up on him, he could only wait for death to take him. He was still so young and outstanding; this wasn't the end he deserved! No matter what, Melody had to convince Ethan to donate his bone marrow to Clive. She didn't care how difficult it would be! … That night, Melody hid in a storage room at Privo Country Club, Tottenstone's most exclusive club. An auction was being held there that night, and it had taken her some time to find out that Ethan would be in attendance. Anyone who could get an invitation to the auction had to be a bigwig in Emperia's business world or an influential politician; Melody was neither, so she didn't have an invitation. Fortunately, she'd heard about the organizers of the auction holding something of a show for young women at the very end of the auction. It was supposed to be a show, but it was more like the young women were auctioning off their first time. Like regular auctions, the highest bidder would get. As long as Melody could blend in with them, she would have the chance to get to Ethan. At the moment, the young women who were being auctioned were standing by in the waiting room opposite the storage room. Melody was waiting for a chance to sneak in when she suddenly heard a muffled conversation outside. "Come with me!" "Listen to me, Ned. I came here willingly—as long as someone bids on me tonight, we'll have money for your mother's medical bills. It's worth giving up my cherry to save her life!" "I don't need you to sacrifice yourself for me like this, Elaine! I love you! I've managed to get the money, so let's go!" "Really?" "Yeah!" "That's great! Let's go!" The footsteps faded into the distance. Melody came out of the storage room. She picked up the clothes and name tag that read "Elaine Johnson" from the floor and smiled as she looked down the corridor. She wished the couple all the best and also thanked them for this opportunity. An hour later, Melody stood barefoot on the marble floor, wearing only a bikini as she waited for her turn. "Next, let's welcome the beautiful Ms. Elaine Johnson, our eighth participant of the night! She's still a college student, everyone." The host's voice rang out on the other side of the curtain. Suddenly, Melody hesitated. She'd never worn anything so revealing in public before. "Get in there! What are you doing?" When an employee saw her standing there dazedly, he pushed her. She was caught off guard and stumbled onto the stage. The blinding spotlight landed on her; she could sense countless men staring at her. Melody stood there stiffly, so helpless that she was unable to move. Ethan wasn't the slightest bit interested in these things. He'd intended to leave immediately after the auction was over, but Wayne Smith of Ditham Corporation had approached him for a chat. He'd answered him perfunctorily while glancing at the stage. Then, he saw Melody. He narrowed his eyes and sat up, the laziness he'd earlier displayed fading from sight. The lights reflected off Melody's fair skin; they made her look like she was almost glowing. She didn't strut and show her stuff like those women before her. Instead, she stood there with her head bowed so no one could see what she looked like. All they could see was her silky smooth hair. But to Ethan, the sight of her was enough to arouse him. It was like a fire had started burning in him. On stage, Melody remained silent, feeling pierced by the men's gazes. They made her feel like she was standing there in her birthday suit. Chapter 6 Melody knew she couldn't act like this. She was here to look for Ethan; she had to save Clive's life! She couldn't act like this! She clenched her jaw and raised her head, revealing her innocent yet sensual face to the crowd. After a round of gasps, auction paddles flew into the air. "100,000!" "200,000!" "500,000!" "580,000!" … Melody couldn't hear the sound of the bidding anymore—she was too anxious to track Ethan down. He was the wealthiest man in Emperia and the CEO of Regalia International, so he frequently made headlines. She'd long since committed his handsome face to memory. But before she could locate him, she felt a strong sense of oppression coming her way. She instinctively looked at the direction from which it had come. Then, she met a man's gaze. His eyes were cold and calm, yet there seemed to be molten lava buried within them. She could sense his kingly demeanor as his eyes threatened to suck her in. Melody lowered her head. He was terrifying. When Ethan saw her drop her head to avoid his gaze, he smirked. Wayne noticed this and stopped talking to glance at the stage. Then, his eyes lit up, and he chuckled. "She's a gorgeous one, isn't she? Are you interested in her, Mr. Ford?" Ethan didn't answer. Instead, he lifted a hand. James hurried forward to await his instruction. "I want her!" Ethan said. Then, he stood up and strode off. Several people had been bidding on Melody, but they stopped when they saw Ethan stand up. They got to their feet simultaneously to see him off. James hurriedly held up the auction paddle in his hand. He didn't even need to call out a price—no one else would dare bid on Melody. Who would dare to do so now that they knew Ethan was interested in her? They'd be getting themselves a one-way ticket to bankruptcy if they were to try to fight him for her. On stage, the host cried excitedly, "Oh! Mr. Ford's won the auction for our lovely Ms. Johnson! Looks like someone's in luck!" Melody didn't know how she was led off stage. She followed the employees dazedly and asked them incredulously, "Is Mr. Ford really the one who bid on me? Mr. Ethan Ford? The CEO of Regalia International?" The employees could totally understand why she was acting like this. Anyone would be out of their minds with joy if Ethan were to pick them. "Would there be anyone else with that name? Congratulations, miss. Come with me, please. I'll take you to get your clothes changed. We don't want to keep Mr. Ford waiting." "She's so lucky!" "It's not like she has such a great figure. She's not even that pretty!" "Why didn't he pick me? That was Ethan Ford! I would've paid to be with him!" "Yeah, keep dreaming. You wouldn't be worthy of him even if you were to give up everything you own! Didn't you hear about the granddaughter of some country's leader trying and failing to spend a night with Mr. Ford? She offered to pay him a hefty sum, too!" … As Melody followed the employees away, she heard the other women participating in the auction whispering among themselves about her. None of their words registered, though. She was still in disbelief that she'd succeeded just like that. Things had gone so smoothly! How was she going to beg him to agree to donate his bone marrow? Would he be moved if she were to get on her knees before him? Ten minutes later, Melody had changed into a white strappy minidress and a matching pair of 4-inch heels. She was brought to the 28th floor. | Galaxy in the Book | 68 | https://facebook.com/61555646245426 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1715324400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841144 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682326 | 1723710537 | 858 | 478272224667453 | 1 | 9.8867341249763E+14 | 1715497200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 220948471097418 | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | 120208322655090240 | beokn.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | 😍Read the next chapters👉 | https://beokn.com/market/buenovela/3?lpid=11222&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1715247646 | 2.2094847109742E+14 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441959051_459948103069197_1403971259308613209_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=GMbylYSvS5gQ7kNvgEIq7eL&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYC81AOB8TCCDLAHyeDy1n4tMuAEwz6U5oRPerAbMIXi6g&oe=6658579C | person_profile | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441520392_1857443494727194_4363879934185925189_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=uMrutYUE9y8Q7kNvgFcuNQB&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYCx-HziBm_aJGb_ZR-phjgqMqsEYGEFIB3qb95a_YwOAA&oe=6658462A | 0 | 3 | Melody Swanson had her cell phone's torch turned on to light the path to a white cottage amidst the lavenders. The night breeze was chilly, but all she had on was a white, sleeveless nightgown and lounge slippers. Her expression lifted when she saw she was getting close to the cottage. But the next second, someone reached out from the bushes beside her and gripped her right shoulder tightly. She yelped in shock, dropping her phone onto the ground. The faint light disappeared. The next thing she knew, she was dragged into a hot embrace. "I'll give you a million for one night!" The man's voice rang out behind her. It was deep and smooth. Melody's heart raced at this plot twist. Before she knew it, she'd been flipped onto her front and pinned to the ground amidst the sea of flowers. She widened her eyes and flailed, trying to escape. "No, wait! You've got the wrong person!" "Stop moving, sweetheart. Or are you that desperate for it?" the man rasped. "Let me go!" Melody struggled harder, but the man's tall and toned figure held her in place as he flipped her onto her back. She started feeling scared. She widened her eyes even more, but all she could see were the stars in the sky behind the man's head. There was barely enough light for her to see the man's chiseled features—the desire burning in his eyes was clear as day, though. It was almost as bright as the stars above. Melody tried her best to escape but to no avail. Pain shot through her; the man leaned down to kiss her and swallow her cries. After a long while, he spoke again. His voice was alluring and hoarse. "You're so sweet, darling. I'll give you a million for another round. How about that?" "You're a monster!" Melody's voice was also hoarse from her crying. How could he do something like this to her in such a saintly place? The wind lifted her dress, stained purple by the lavenders they'd crushed underneath them. The scent was oddly intoxicating. They were in Violetville, which was famous for its sea of lavenders. It was so picturesque that many film companies had been attracted to film there. It gradually turned into a filming base. Recently, John Wales, an internationally renowned director, brought a crew of award-winning actors and actresses to Violetville to film a huge production. He'd happened to catch sight of Melody, who was home from college for the holidays. He'd invited her to play the role of an important side character. Melody hadn't expected her sister, Queenie Swanson, to trick her out of the house in the middle of the night upon hearing the news. Queenie had locked the door and refused to open it no matter how she pleaded. Their parents heard everything but did nothing to stop Queenie. The words Queenie had said not too long ago were still reverberating in Melody's mind. "You were capable of catching that director's eye, weren't you? Is it because you've already slept with him? What are you still doing here, then? Go sleep in his hotel room! I won't open the door for you, so get lost!" With no place to go, Melody had no choice but to take shelter in the white cottage amidst the sea of flowers, which was only meant for sightseeing. She hadn't expected to experience something like this, though. Her family's betrayal and the man's advances made her tears flow. They wet the flowers crushed underneath her body. Melody didn't know how long it would take for the man to be sated; it was as if he would never tire. When the sky started turning bright, he finally stopped. He released her hands, which he'd kept pinned in place. Melody immediately grabbed the nearest object and smashed it over the man's head. He'd been saying, "Tell me your name, sweet—" Melody smashed a rock on his head before he could finish. He didn't manage to dodge it—perhaps he was too relaxed after having had his fill of her. Chapter 2 The man swayed on the spot from the impact. Melody pushed him away; he lay there, looking up at her blearily. She lifted the rock, intending to strike him again. This was self-defense! But the words echoed hollowly in her mind—she couldn't do it—she couldn't take his life. Even of a monster, it would stain her forever. Ultimately, she threw the bloodied rock aside and staggered to her feet. She took a step and happened to kick her phone. Melody picked it up and pulled out the cash tucked underneath her phone case. It was the change she'd gotten after doing some grocery shopping. She threw it at the man and snarled, "Listen up—I bought your services for one night, and that's your fee. Keep the change! And don't think it's too little. That's all you're worth!" With that, she turned and stumbled out of the sea of lavenders. The man's vision was already starting to blur. The blood trickled down his forehead and over his eyes. It dyed his vision red as he watched Melody walk away from him. The color of the flowers' stains on her nightgown seemed to mix with the blood in his eyes, giving him the impression that the flowers were blossoming. He was reminded of the night they'd just had together. "Don't go…" he mumbled, reaching for her. But the darkness overtook him. The luxury watch on his wrist gleamed as his hand fell to the ground limply. … Two months later, there was an uproar at the Swanson residence. "You're expecting a baby before marriage! You're a disgrace to the Swanson family! Get out of here!" Horace Swanson shoved Melody away furiously. "This is a small town, and the people here are all good, honest people. How could you pick up all these bad habits from those celebrities whose private lives are so messed up? Leave now! I'll just act like I never gave birth to you!" Susan Lett waved a hand, looking utterly disappointed. "You should leave, Melody. If the neighbors hear about this, how do you expect Mom and Dad to continue living here? I'm not married yet, you know. I don't want you to affect my reputation." Queenie stabbed an apple slice with a toothpick and ate it. She sat on the couch, looking like she was enjoying the show. Melody pointed at her. "Queenie's the one who locked me out of the house that night because she wanted to get the chance to be in that film! That's why I ended up getting assaulted. Why do you guys refuse to believe me?" Horace stood up and stormed over to her, giving her a hard slap. "Shut up, you imbecile! You're the one who did something so shameless, yet you're still trying to push the blame onto your sister! Don't ever step foot in here again!" "I raised your sister myself, so I know how kind and loving she is. How can you say that about her?" Susan pulled Queenie, who looked aggrieved, into her arms. She gave Melody, who'd fallen to the floor from Horace's slap, a reproachful look. "Is it really like Madam Williams said, Mom? Am I not your daughter? Is that why you won't believe me?" Melody didn't want to cry, but the tears refused to stay in her eyes. They streamed down her face. "You… Of course you're my daughter! That's why I know what a bad apple you are! How dare you try to blame me when your misbehavior? Leave! Now!" "Fine! I'll go!" Melody staggered to her feet and walked out the door, looking resolute and lonely. … Five years passed in the blink of an eye. Ford Manor was located among a cluster of villas halfway up a mountain in Tottenstone. Ethan Ford was having the same dream again. The woman in his dream wore a white dress, as usual. She had a long, silky smooth hair. He couldn't see her face, though. She didn't seem to enjoy his ministrations—she cried and pleaded with him to let her go, but he couldn't stop himself from sinking deeper. He held her close. In the next second, he opened his eyes and woke up from the dream. Chapter 3 It was this dream again. Ethan had experienced it almost every night for the past five years. No other woman had managed to arouse him since that incident—only the woman in his dreams could. He'd had the same dream for 1,826 days, including today. Even if he was already used to it, Ethan was still irritated. He wiped the sweat from his face; even his hair was damp. He got out of bed. His perfect figure was like a model's, but his face was more handsome than any model could ever have. His demeanor was cold, regal, and domineering. Ethan took a moment to compose himself. He strode to the bathroom after pushing the steamy images out of his mind. The butler, Bill Jones, heard this and came into the room. He quickly changed the soiled sheets. He'd just finished when Ethan came out of the bathroom with nothing but a towel around his waist. As soon as he graced the room with his toned figure, the atmosphere turned somewhat sensual. Bill stood there with his head bowed. When he saw Ethan head to the wardrobe, he said, "Ms. Wendy Nielson called to invite you out for dinner, Mr. Ford. Should I make arrangements? It's high time you let loose and have some fun, sir." Wendy was the daughter of a politician and one of the most well-known socialites in the region. She'd invited Ethan out countless times since running into him at a banquet a year ago. Ethan grabbed a black shirt and put it on, his back muscles rolling as he did so. He didn't even turn back as he said, "You're too noisy." Bill knew this meant Ethan was turning down the invitation. He didn't dare say anything else. 40 minutes later, Ethan strode out of the villa. His assistant, James Sawyer, hurriedly opened the door to a luxury car parked outside. Ethan got into the car elegantly. As the car drove past the main gates, Ethan glanced at the rearview mirror to see two bodyguards stop a woman in a cap and tracksuit. She tried to run after the car; her ponytail swung with her actions. Ethan retracted his gaze and said to James, "Tell the bodyguards they're out of jobs if I see any strangers as soon as I leave the house again." Sweat beaded on James' forehead. "Yes, sir." "Have you found anything on that woman from five years ago?" Ethan tugged on his tie, his eyes cold. He didn't even need to look at anyone to make them shudder. James stuttered, "N-Not yet, sir." "I'll give you another month. If you can't find anything, you can get lost, too!" Unbeknownst to Ethan, the woman he was searching for was behind him. Her figure became smaller and smaller in the rearview mirror. "Mr. Ford, don't go!" Melody finally liberated herself from the bodyguards, but she wasn't in time to catch up with the car. She wanted to run after it, but the bodyguards stopped her again. Amidst the tussle, she fell to the floor and landed on her arm. Pain shot through her. She raised her head to look at the car, but it was long gone. Oh no! It had already been a month—she'd staked out every place that Ethan could possibly be at, but someone had stopped her every time. She couldn't even get close to him. It had taken all her connections to get Ethan's address; she'd waited outside for him from 3:00 am onward for several days in a row. Still, she'd failed to even get close to him, let alone speak to him. "Mr. Sawyer just called us. If you show up here again tomorrow, you'll have to pay!" one of the bodyguards warned. Melody looked back at them and pleaded, "Can you please just let me see Mr. Ford? I only have a few things to say to him—it'll only take five minutes! It's about something important, I swear. This has to do with someone's life!" Chapter 4 "Every woman who wants to see Mr. Ford says they need him to save lives! He's not interested in you, okay? There's no point throwing yourself at him," one bodyguard snapped. "Get lost! Don't come here anymore!" another said. They looked like they would resort to violence if Melody refused to leave. She had no choice but to get up and trudge down the mountain, looking glum. "It's rare to see such a gorgeous woman. I'm sure she'd be set for life if she were to go after some other rich kid. Too bad she's greedy—doesn't she realize where she is? Even Phoebe Shaw, that award-winning actress, isn't worthy of shining Mr. Ford's shoes, let alone her!" one bodyguard said. "You're right about her not knowing her place, but I have to say that she's a lot prettier than Phoebe Shaw," the other said. They continued chatting as they headed into the villa. … It was already the afternoon by the time Melody returned to the hospital. She saw Clive Zimmerman's attending physician, Tom Filbert, come out of the hospital room before Clive's. She hurried over to him. "Dr. Filbert, how has Clive been recently?" "Oh, Mrs. Zimmerman. I've already made your husband's condition clear to you—we need to find a matching donor as soon as possible for the bone marrow transplant. Otherwise…" Tom shook his head. Melody paled. Tom continued, "The hospital's been searching for a matching donor, but your husband's condition is deteriorating too quickly. He's running out of time. "As his family, you need to work with us. Try to think of any relatives he might have and bring them to the hospital so we can check their bone marrow. Maybe one of them might be a match…" Melody paled even more. Tom continued talking, but she couldn't really hear him anymore. She asked with difficulty, "How long does he still have if we can't find a donor?" Tom shook his head. "The bone marrow transplant has to be done within a month. Otherwise, he'll only have three to five months at most." Melody clenched her jaw; her expression became resolute. "I've already found a bone marrow that matches Clive's, but the person hasn't agreed to become a donor yet. I'll find a way to persuade him! "Please make the necessary arrangements for the transplant, Dr. Filbert. I'll bring the donor over before the surgery!" "That's great! I'll arrange for the transplant to be done in ten days, then. Remember to bring the donor over as soon as possible—he needs to be checked before the surgery." "Alright." Melody nodded. But once Tom was gone, she slumped against the wall weakly. What was she going to do? The surgery was in ten days, but she'd made zero progress. She hadn't even gotten close to Ethan, let alone persuaded him to donate his bone marrow to Clive. Ethan was the wealthiest man in Emperia, after all. A hair on his head was worth more than most other individuals' lives. Even if she did manage to speak to him, how was she going to get him to agree to help Clive? What was she going to do? Melody approached Clive's hospital room. Before she opened the door, she heard her children, Jacob and Jamie Swanson, singing. They were singing an Enolian song that had been dedicated to the singer's father. Melody peeped inside through the window on the door. Jacob and Jamie wore identical uniforms as they stood hand-in-hand before the window. The sunlight shone down on them, and they swayed on the spot while singing. Clive sat up in bed, also basking in the sunlight as he clapped his hands to the beat of the song. The hospital gown he had on looked too big for him because of the weight he'd lost, and he looked rather haggard. It didn't take away from his good looks, though. There was a gentle smile on his face. He didn't look like a patient who was on the brink of death. Instead, he looked like a patron of the arts—one who was enjoying a grand musical. Melody's eyes turned red. She turned away to dry her tears. Chapter 5 Five years ago, Melody had been kicked out of her home without a penny. At the time, she'd already carried Jacob and Jamie. When she'd been backed into a corner, Clive had taken her in. Not only had he helped her quit school, but he'd also taken care of her the whole time. Later, he'd even offered to marry her so that Jacob and Jamie wouldn't end up becoming illegitimate children. He'd helped her too many times to count over the years—she had to repay him. His parents and relatives were all dead, and he now had serious disease. If she were to give up on him, he could only wait for death to take him. He was still so young and outstanding; this wasn't the end he deserved! No matter what, Melody had to convince Ethan to donate his bone marrow to Clive. She didn't care how difficult it would be! … That night, Melody hid in a storage room at Privo Country Club, Tottenstone's most exclusive club. An auction was being held there that night, and it had taken her some time to find out that Ethan would be in attendance. Anyone who could get an invitation to the auction had to be a bigwig in Emperia's business world or an influential politician; Melody was neither, so she didn't have an invitation. Fortunately, she'd heard about the organizers of the auction holding something of a show for young women at the very end of the auction. It was supposed to be a show, but it was more like the young women were auctioning off their first time. Like regular auctions, the highest bidder would get. As long as Melody could blend in with them, she would have the chance to get to Ethan. At the moment, the young women who were being auctioned were standing by in the waiting room opposite the storage room. Melody was waiting for a chance to sneak in when she suddenly heard a muffled conversation outside. "Come with me!" "Listen to me, Ned. I came here willingly—as long as someone bids on me tonight, we'll have money for your mother's medical bills. It's worth giving up my cherry to save her life!" "I don't need you to sacrifice yourself for me like this, Elaine! I love you! I've managed to get the money, so let's go!" "Really?" "Yeah!" "That's great! Let's go!" The footsteps faded into the distance. Melody came out of the storage room. She picked up the clothes and name tag that read "Elaine Johnson" from the floor and smiled as she looked down the corridor. She wished the couple all the best and also thanked them for this opportunity. An hour later, Melody stood barefoot on the marble floor, wearing only a bikini as she waited for her turn. "Next, let's welcome the beautiful Ms. Elaine Johnson, our eighth participant of the night! She's still a college student, everyone." The host's voice rang out on the other side of the curtain. Suddenly, Melody hesitated. She'd never worn anything so revealing in public before. "Get in there! What are you doing?" When an employee saw her standing there dazedly, he pushed her. She was caught off guard and stumbled onto the stage. The blinding spotlight landed on her; she could sense countless men staring at her. Melody stood there stiffly, so helpless that she was unable to move. Ethan wasn't the slightest bit interested in these things. He'd intended to leave immediately after the auction was over, but Wayne Smith of Ditham Corporation had approached him for a chat. He'd answered him perfunctorily while glancing at the stage. Then, he saw Melody. He narrowed his eyes and sat up, the laziness he'd earlier displayed fading from sight. The lights reflected off Melody's fair skin; they made her look like she was almost glowing. She didn't strut and show her stuff like those women before her. Instead, she stood there with her head bowed so no one could see what she looked like. All they could see was her silky smooth hair. But to Ethan, the sight of her was enough to arouse him. It was like a fire had started burning in him. On stage, Melody remained silent, feeling pierced by the men's gazes. They made her feel like she was standing there in her birthday suit. Chapter 6 Melody knew she couldn't act like this. She was here to look for Ethan; she had to save Clive's life! She couldn't act like this! She clenched her jaw and raised her head, revealing her innocent yet sensual face to the crowd. After a round of gasps, auction paddles flew into the air. "100,000!" "200,000!" "500,000!" "580,000!" … Melody couldn't hear the sound of the bidding anymore—she was too anxious to track Ethan down. He was the wealthiest man in Emperia and the CEO of Regalia International, so he frequently made headlines. She'd long since committed his handsome face to memory. But before she could locate him, she felt a strong sense of oppression coming her way. She instinctively looked at the direction from which it had come. Then, she met a man's gaze. His eyes were cold and calm, yet there seemed to be molten lava buried within them. She could sense his kingly demeanor as his eyes threatened to suck her in. Melody lowered her head. He was terrifying. When Ethan saw her drop her head to avoid his gaze, he smirked. Wayne noticed this and stopped talking to glance at the stage. Then, his eyes lit up, and he chuckled. "She's a gorgeous one, isn't she? Are you interested in her, Mr. Ford?" Ethan didn't answer. Instead, he lifted a hand. James hurried forward to await his instruction. "I want her!" Ethan said. Then, he stood up and strode off. Several people had been bidding on Melody, but they stopped when they saw Ethan stand up. They got to their feet simultaneously to see him off. James hurriedly held up the auction paddle in his hand. He didn't even need to call out a price—no one else would dare bid on Melody. Who would dare to do so now that they knew Ethan was interested in her? They'd be getting themselves a one-way ticket to bankruptcy if they were to try to fight him for her. On stage, the host cried excitedly, "Oh! Mr. Ford's won the auction for our lovely Ms. Johnson! Looks like someone's in luck!" Melody didn't know how she was led off stage. She followed the employees dazedly and asked them incredulously, "Is Mr. Ford really the one who bid on me? Mr. Ethan Ford? The CEO of Regalia International?" The employees could totally understand why she was acting like this. Anyone would be out of their minds with joy if Ethan were to pick them. "Would there be anyone else with that name? Congratulations, miss. Come with me, please. I'll take you to get your clothes changed. We don't want to keep Mr. Ford waiting." "She's so lucky!" "It's not like she has such a great figure. She's not even that pretty!" "Why didn't he pick me? That was Ethan Ford! I would've paid to be with him!" "Yeah, keep dreaming. You wouldn't be worthy of him even if you were to give up everything you own! Didn't you hear about the granddaughter of some country's leader trying and failing to spend a night with Mr. Ford? She offered to pay him a hefty sum, too!" … As Melody followed the employees away, she heard the other women participating in the auction whispering among themselves about her. None of their words registered, though. She was still in disbelief that she'd succeeded just like that. Things had gone so smoothly! How was she going to beg him to agree to donate his bone marrow? Would he be moved if she were to get on her knees before him? Ten minutes later, Melody had changed into a white strappy minidress and a matching pair of 4-inch heels. She was brought to the 28th floor. | Galaxy in the Book | 68 | https://facebook.com/61555646245426 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1715324400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841146 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682326 | 1723710537 | 858 | 478272224667453 | 1 | 9.8867341249763E+14 | 1715497200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 220948471097418 | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | 120208322655090240 | beokn.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | 😍Read the next chapters👉 | https://beokn.com/market/buenovela/3?lpid=11222&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1715247646 | 2.2094847109742E+14 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441959051_459948103069197_1403971259308613209_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=GMbylYSvS5gQ7kNvgEIq7eL&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYC81AOB8TCCDLAHyeDy1n4tMuAEwz6U5oRPerAbMIXi6g&oe=6658579C | person_profile | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441520392_1857443494727194_4363879934185925189_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=uMrutYUE9y8Q7kNvgFcuNQB&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYCx-HziBm_aJGb_ZR-phjgqMqsEYGEFIB3qb95a_YwOAA&oe=6658462A | 0 | 3 | Melody Swanson had her cell phone's torch turned on to light the path to a white cottage amidst the lavenders. The night breeze was chilly, but all she had on was a white, sleeveless nightgown and lounge slippers. Her expression lifted when she saw she was getting close to the cottage. But the next second, someone reached out from the bushes beside her and gripped her right shoulder tightly. She yelped in shock, dropping her phone onto the ground. The faint light disappeared. The next thing she knew, she was dragged into a hot embrace. "I'll give you a million for one night!" The man's voice rang out behind her. It was deep and smooth. Melody's heart raced at this plot twist. Before she knew it, she'd been flipped onto her front and pinned to the ground amidst the sea of flowers. She widened her eyes and flailed, trying to escape. "No, wait! You've got the wrong person!" "Stop moving, sweetheart. Or are you that desperate for it?" the man rasped. "Let me go!" Melody struggled harder, but the man's tall and toned figure held her in place as he flipped her onto her back. She started feeling scared. She widened her eyes even more, but all she could see were the stars in the sky behind the man's head. There was barely enough light for her to see the man's chiseled features—the desire burning in his eyes was clear as day, though. It was almost as bright as the stars above. Melody tried her best to escape but to no avail. Pain shot through her; the man leaned down to kiss her and swallow her cries. After a long while, he spoke again. His voice was alluring and hoarse. "You're so sweet, darling. I'll give you a million for another round. How about that?" "You're a monster!" Melody's voice was also hoarse from her crying. How could he do something like this to her in such a saintly place? The wind lifted her dress, stained purple by the lavenders they'd crushed underneath them. The scent was oddly intoxicating. They were in Violetville, which was famous for its sea of lavenders. It was so picturesque that many film companies had been attracted to film there. It gradually turned into a filming base. Recently, John Wales, an internationally renowned director, brought a crew of award-winning actors and actresses to Violetville to film a huge production. He'd happened to catch sight of Melody, who was home from college for the holidays. He'd invited her to play the role of an important side character. Melody hadn't expected her sister, Queenie Swanson, to trick her out of the house in the middle of the night upon hearing the news. Queenie had locked the door and refused to open it no matter how she pleaded. Their parents heard everything but did nothing to stop Queenie. The words Queenie had said not too long ago were still reverberating in Melody's mind. "You were capable of catching that director's eye, weren't you? Is it because you've already slept with him? What are you still doing here, then? Go sleep in his hotel room! I won't open the door for you, so get lost!" With no place to go, Melody had no choice but to take shelter in the white cottage amidst the sea of flowers, which was only meant for sightseeing. She hadn't expected to experience something like this, though. Her family's betrayal and the man's advances made her tears flow. They wet the flowers crushed underneath her body. Melody didn't know how long it would take for the man to be sated; it was as if he would never tire. When the sky started turning bright, he finally stopped. He released her hands, which he'd kept pinned in place. Melody immediately grabbed the nearest object and smashed it over the man's head. He'd been saying, "Tell me your name, sweet—" Melody smashed a rock on his head before he could finish. He didn't manage to dodge it—perhaps he was too relaxed after having had his fill of her. Chapter 2 The man swayed on the spot from the impact. Melody pushed him away; he lay there, looking up at her blearily. She lifted the rock, intending to strike him again. This was self-defense! But the words echoed hollowly in her mind—she couldn't do it—she couldn't take his life. Even of a monster, it would stain her forever. Ultimately, she threw the bloodied rock aside and staggered to her feet. She took a step and happened to kick her phone. Melody picked it up and pulled out the cash tucked underneath her phone case. It was the change she'd gotten after doing some grocery shopping. She threw it at the man and snarled, "Listen up—I bought your services for one night, and that's your fee. Keep the change! And don't think it's too little. That's all you're worth!" With that, she turned and stumbled out of the sea of lavenders. The man's vision was already starting to blur. The blood trickled down his forehead and over his eyes. It dyed his vision red as he watched Melody walk away from him. The color of the flowers' stains on her nightgown seemed to mix with the blood in his eyes, giving him the impression that the flowers were blossoming. He was reminded of the night they'd just had together. "Don't go…" he mumbled, reaching for her. But the darkness overtook him. The luxury watch on his wrist gleamed as his hand fell to the ground limply. … Two months later, there was an uproar at the Swanson residence. "You're expecting a baby before marriage! You're a disgrace to the Swanson family! Get out of here!" Horace Swanson shoved Melody away furiously. "This is a small town, and the people here are all good, honest people. How could you pick up all these bad habits from those celebrities whose private lives are so messed up? Leave now! I'll just act like I never gave birth to you!" Susan Lett waved a hand, looking utterly disappointed. "You should leave, Melody. If the neighbors hear about this, how do you expect Mom and Dad to continue living here? I'm not married yet, you know. I don't want you to affect my reputation." Queenie stabbed an apple slice with a toothpick and ate it. She sat on the couch, looking like she was enjoying the show. Melody pointed at her. "Queenie's the one who locked me out of the house that night because she wanted to get the chance to be in that film! That's why I ended up getting assaulted. Why do you guys refuse to believe me?" Horace stood up and stormed over to her, giving her a hard slap. "Shut up, you imbecile! You're the one who did something so shameless, yet you're still trying to push the blame onto your sister! Don't ever step foot in here again!" "I raised your sister myself, so I know how kind and loving she is. How can you say that about her?" Susan pulled Queenie, who looked aggrieved, into her arms. She gave Melody, who'd fallen to the floor from Horace's slap, a reproachful look. "Is it really like Madam Williams said, Mom? Am I not your daughter? Is that why you won't believe me?" Melody didn't want to cry, but the tears refused to stay in her eyes. They streamed down her face. "You… Of course you're my daughter! That's why I know what a bad apple you are! How dare you try to blame me when your misbehavior? Leave! Now!" "Fine! I'll go!" Melody staggered to her feet and walked out the door, looking resolute and lonely. … Five years passed in the blink of an eye. Ford Manor was located among a cluster of villas halfway up a mountain in Tottenstone. Ethan Ford was having the same dream again. The woman in his dream wore a white dress, as usual. She had a long, silky smooth hair. He couldn't see her face, though. She didn't seem to enjoy his ministrations—she cried and pleaded with him to let her go, but he couldn't stop himself from sinking deeper. He held her close. In the next second, he opened his eyes and woke up from the dream. Chapter 3 It was this dream again. Ethan had experienced it almost every night for the past five years. No other woman had managed to arouse him since that incident—only the woman in his dreams could. He'd had the same dream for 1,826 days, including today. Even if he was already used to it, Ethan was still irritated. He wiped the sweat from his face; even his hair was damp. He got out of bed. His perfect figure was like a model's, but his face was more handsome than any model could ever have. His demeanor was cold, regal, and domineering. Ethan took a moment to compose himself. He strode to the bathroom after pushing the steamy images out of his mind. The butler, Bill Jones, heard this and came into the room. He quickly changed the soiled sheets. He'd just finished when Ethan came out of the bathroom with nothing but a towel around his waist. As soon as he graced the room with his toned figure, the atmosphere turned somewhat sensual. Bill stood there with his head bowed. When he saw Ethan head to the wardrobe, he said, "Ms. Wendy Nielson called to invite you out for dinner, Mr. Ford. Should I make arrangements? It's high time you let loose and have some fun, sir." Wendy was the daughter of a politician and one of the most well-known socialites in the region. She'd invited Ethan out countless times since running into him at a banquet a year ago. Ethan grabbed a black shirt and put it on, his back muscles rolling as he did so. He didn't even turn back as he said, "You're too noisy." Bill knew this meant Ethan was turning down the invitation. He didn't dare say anything else. 40 minutes later, Ethan strode out of the villa. His assistant, James Sawyer, hurriedly opened the door to a luxury car parked outside. Ethan got into the car elegantly. As the car drove past the main gates, Ethan glanced at the rearview mirror to see two bodyguards stop a woman in a cap and tracksuit. She tried to run after the car; her ponytail swung with her actions. Ethan retracted his gaze and said to James, "Tell the bodyguards they're out of jobs if I see any strangers as soon as I leave the house again." Sweat beaded on James' forehead. "Yes, sir." "Have you found anything on that woman from five years ago?" Ethan tugged on his tie, his eyes cold. He didn't even need to look at anyone to make them shudder. James stuttered, "N-Not yet, sir." "I'll give you another month. If you can't find anything, you can get lost, too!" Unbeknownst to Ethan, the woman he was searching for was behind him. Her figure became smaller and smaller in the rearview mirror. "Mr. Ford, don't go!" Melody finally liberated herself from the bodyguards, but she wasn't in time to catch up with the car. She wanted to run after it, but the bodyguards stopped her again. Amidst the tussle, she fell to the floor and landed on her arm. Pain shot through her. She raised her head to look at the car, but it was long gone. Oh no! It had already been a month—she'd staked out every place that Ethan could possibly be at, but someone had stopped her every time. She couldn't even get close to him. It had taken all her connections to get Ethan's address; she'd waited outside for him from 3:00 am onward for several days in a row. Still, she'd failed to even get close to him, let alone speak to him. "Mr. Sawyer just called us. If you show up here again tomorrow, you'll have to pay!" one of the bodyguards warned. Melody looked back at them and pleaded, "Can you please just let me see Mr. Ford? I only have a few things to say to him—it'll only take five minutes! It's about something important, I swear. This has to do with someone's life!" Chapter 4 "Every woman who wants to see Mr. Ford says they need him to save lives! He's not interested in you, okay? There's no point throwing yourself at him," one bodyguard snapped. "Get lost! Don't come here anymore!" another said. They looked like they would resort to violence if Melody refused to leave. She had no choice but to get up and trudge down the mountain, looking glum. "It's rare to see such a gorgeous woman. I'm sure she'd be set for life if she were to go after some other rich kid. Too bad she's greedy—doesn't she realize where she is? Even Phoebe Shaw, that award-winning actress, isn't worthy of shining Mr. Ford's shoes, let alone her!" one bodyguard said. "You're right about her not knowing her place, but I have to say that she's a lot prettier than Phoebe Shaw," the other said. They continued chatting as they headed into the villa. … It was already the afternoon by the time Melody returned to the hospital. She saw Clive Zimmerman's attending physician, Tom Filbert, come out of the hospital room before Clive's. She hurried over to him. "Dr. Filbert, how has Clive been recently?" "Oh, Mrs. Zimmerman. I've already made your husband's condition clear to you—we need to find a matching donor as soon as possible for the bone marrow transplant. Otherwise…" Tom shook his head. Melody paled. Tom continued, "The hospital's been searching for a matching donor, but your husband's condition is deteriorating too quickly. He's running out of time. "As his family, you need to work with us. Try to think of any relatives he might have and bring them to the hospital so we can check their bone marrow. Maybe one of them might be a match…" Melody paled even more. Tom continued talking, but she couldn't really hear him anymore. She asked with difficulty, "How long does he still have if we can't find a donor?" Tom shook his head. "The bone marrow transplant has to be done within a month. Otherwise, he'll only have three to five months at most." Melody clenched her jaw; her expression became resolute. "I've already found a bone marrow that matches Clive's, but the person hasn't agreed to become a donor yet. I'll find a way to persuade him! "Please make the necessary arrangements for the transplant, Dr. Filbert. I'll bring the donor over before the surgery!" "That's great! I'll arrange for the transplant to be done in ten days, then. Remember to bring the donor over as soon as possible—he needs to be checked before the surgery." "Alright." Melody nodded. But once Tom was gone, she slumped against the wall weakly. What was she going to do? The surgery was in ten days, but she'd made zero progress. She hadn't even gotten close to Ethan, let alone persuaded him to donate his bone marrow to Clive. Ethan was the wealthiest man in Emperia, after all. A hair on his head was worth more than most other individuals' lives. Even if she did manage to speak to him, how was she going to get him to agree to help Clive? What was she going to do? Melody approached Clive's hospital room. Before she opened the door, she heard her children, Jacob and Jamie Swanson, singing. They were singing an Enolian song that had been dedicated to the singer's father. Melody peeped inside through the window on the door. Jacob and Jamie wore identical uniforms as they stood hand-in-hand before the window. The sunlight shone down on them, and they swayed on the spot while singing. Clive sat up in bed, also basking in the sunlight as he clapped his hands to the beat of the song. The hospital gown he had on looked too big for him because of the weight he'd lost, and he looked rather haggard. It didn't take away from his good looks, though. There was a gentle smile on his face. He didn't look like a patient who was on the brink of death. Instead, he looked like a patron of the arts—one who was enjoying a grand musical. Melody's eyes turned red. She turned away to dry her tears. Chapter 5 Five years ago, Melody had been kicked out of her home without a penny. At the time, she'd already carried Jacob and Jamie. When she'd been backed into a corner, Clive had taken her in. Not only had he helped her quit school, but he'd also taken care of her the whole time. Later, he'd even offered to marry her so that Jacob and Jamie wouldn't end up becoming illegitimate children. He'd helped her too many times to count over the years—she had to repay him. His parents and relatives were all dead, and he now had serious disease. If she were to give up on him, he could only wait for death to take him. He was still so young and outstanding; this wasn't the end he deserved! No matter what, Melody had to convince Ethan to donate his bone marrow to Clive. She didn't care how difficult it would be! … That night, Melody hid in a storage room at Privo Country Club, Tottenstone's most exclusive club. An auction was being held there that night, and it had taken her some time to find out that Ethan would be in attendance. Anyone who could get an invitation to the auction had to be a bigwig in Emperia's business world or an influential politician; Melody was neither, so she didn't have an invitation. Fortunately, she'd heard about the organizers of the auction holding something of a show for young women at the very end of the auction. It was supposed to be a show, but it was more like the young women were auctioning off their first time. Like regular auctions, the highest bidder would get. As long as Melody could blend in with them, she would have the chance to get to Ethan. At the moment, the young women who were being auctioned were standing by in the waiting room opposite the storage room. Melody was waiting for a chance to sneak in when she suddenly heard a muffled conversation outside. "Come with me!" "Listen to me, Ned. I came here willingly—as long as someone bids on me tonight, we'll have money for your mother's medical bills. It's worth giving up my cherry to save her life!" "I don't need you to sacrifice yourself for me like this, Elaine! I love you! I've managed to get the money, so let's go!" "Really?" "Yeah!" "That's great! Let's go!" The footsteps faded into the distance. Melody came out of the storage room. She picked up the clothes and name tag that read "Elaine Johnson" from the floor and smiled as she looked down the corridor. She wished the couple all the best and also thanked them for this opportunity. An hour later, Melody stood barefoot on the marble floor, wearing only a bikini as she waited for her turn. "Next, let's welcome the beautiful Ms. Elaine Johnson, our eighth participant of the night! She's still a college student, everyone." The host's voice rang out on the other side of the curtain. Suddenly, Melody hesitated. She'd never worn anything so revealing in public before. "Get in there! What are you doing?" When an employee saw her standing there dazedly, he pushed her. She was caught off guard and stumbled onto the stage. The blinding spotlight landed on her; she could sense countless men staring at her. Melody stood there stiffly, so helpless that she was unable to move. Ethan wasn't the slightest bit interested in these things. He'd intended to leave immediately after the auction was over, but Wayne Smith of Ditham Corporation had approached him for a chat. He'd answered him perfunctorily while glancing at the stage. Then, he saw Melody. He narrowed his eyes and sat up, the laziness he'd earlier displayed fading from sight. The lights reflected off Melody's fair skin; they made her look like she was almost glowing. She didn't strut and show her stuff like those women before her. Instead, she stood there with her head bowed so no one could see what she looked like. All they could see was her silky smooth hair. But to Ethan, the sight of her was enough to arouse him. It was like a fire had started burning in him. On stage, Melody remained silent, feeling pierced by the men's gazes. They made her feel like she was standing there in her birthday suit. Chapter 6 Melody knew she couldn't act like this. She was here to look for Ethan; she had to save Clive's life! She couldn't act like this! She clenched her jaw and raised her head, revealing her innocent yet sensual face to the crowd. After a round of gasps, auction paddles flew into the air. "100,000!" "200,000!" "500,000!" "580,000!" … Melody couldn't hear the sound of the bidding anymore—she was too anxious to track Ethan down. He was the wealthiest man in Emperia and the CEO of Regalia International, so he frequently made headlines. She'd long since committed his handsome face to memory. But before she could locate him, she felt a strong sense of oppression coming her way. She instinctively looked at the direction from which it had come. Then, she met a man's gaze. His eyes were cold and calm, yet there seemed to be molten lava buried within them. She could sense his kingly demeanor as his eyes threatened to suck her in. Melody lowered her head. He was terrifying. When Ethan saw her drop her head to avoid his gaze, he smirked. Wayne noticed this and stopped talking to glance at the stage. Then, his eyes lit up, and he chuckled. "She's a gorgeous one, isn't she? Are you interested in her, Mr. Ford?" Ethan didn't answer. Instead, he lifted a hand. James hurried forward to await his instruction. "I want her!" Ethan said. Then, he stood up and strode off. Several people had been bidding on Melody, but they stopped when they saw Ethan stand up. They got to their feet simultaneously to see him off. James hurriedly held up the auction paddle in his hand. He didn't even need to call out a price—no one else would dare bid on Melody. Who would dare to do so now that they knew Ethan was interested in her? They'd be getting themselves a one-way ticket to bankruptcy if they were to try to fight him for her. On stage, the host cried excitedly, "Oh! Mr. Ford's won the auction for our lovely Ms. Johnson! Looks like someone's in luck!" Melody didn't know how she was led off stage. She followed the employees dazedly and asked them incredulously, "Is Mr. Ford really the one who bid on me? Mr. Ethan Ford? The CEO of Regalia International?" The employees could totally understand why she was acting like this. Anyone would be out of their minds with joy if Ethan were to pick them. "Would there be anyone else with that name? Congratulations, miss. Come with me, please. I'll take you to get your clothes changed. We don't want to keep Mr. Ford waiting." "She's so lucky!" "It's not like she has such a great figure. She's not even that pretty!" "Why didn't he pick me? That was Ethan Ford! I would've paid to be with him!" "Yeah, keep dreaming. You wouldn't be worthy of him even if you were to give up everything you own! Didn't you hear about the granddaughter of some country's leader trying and failing to spend a night with Mr. Ford? She offered to pay him a hefty sum, too!" … As Melody followed the employees away, she heard the other women participating in the auction whispering among themselves about her. None of their words registered, though. She was still in disbelief that she'd succeeded just like that. Things had gone so smoothly! How was she going to beg him to agree to donate his bone marrow? Would he be moved if she were to get on her knees before him? Ten minutes later, Melody had changed into a white strappy minidress and a matching pair of 4-inch heels. She was brought to the 28th floor. | Galaxy in the Book | 68 | https://facebook.com/61555646245426 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1715324400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841148 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682326 | 1723710537 | 858 | 478272224667453 | 1 | 9.8867341249763E+14 | 1715497200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 220948471097418 | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | 120208322655090240 | beokn.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | 😍Read the next chapters👉 | https://beokn.com/market/buenovela/3?lpid=11222&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1715247646 | 2.2094847109742E+14 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441959051_459948103069197_1403971259308613209_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=GMbylYSvS5gQ7kNvgEIq7eL&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYC81AOB8TCCDLAHyeDy1n4tMuAEwz6U5oRPerAbMIXi6g&oe=6658579C | person_profile | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441520392_1857443494727194_4363879934185925189_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=uMrutYUE9y8Q7kNvgFcuNQB&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYCx-HziBm_aJGb_ZR-phjgqMqsEYGEFIB3qb95a_YwOAA&oe=6658462A | 0 | 3 | Melody Swanson had her cell phone's torch turned on to light the path to a white cottage amidst the lavenders. The night breeze was chilly, but all she had on was a white, sleeveless nightgown and lounge slippers. Her expression lifted when she saw she was getting close to the cottage. But the next second, someone reached out from the bushes beside her and gripped her right shoulder tightly. She yelped in shock, dropping her phone onto the ground. The faint light disappeared. The next thing she knew, she was dragged into a hot embrace. "I'll give you a million for one night!" The man's voice rang out behind her. It was deep and smooth. Melody's heart raced at this plot twist. Before she knew it, she'd been flipped onto her front and pinned to the ground amidst the sea of flowers. She widened her eyes and flailed, trying to escape. "No, wait! You've got the wrong person!" "Stop moving, sweetheart. Or are you that desperate for it?" the man rasped. "Let me go!" Melody struggled harder, but the man's tall and toned figure held her in place as he flipped her onto her back. She started feeling scared. She widened her eyes even more, but all she could see were the stars in the sky behind the man's head. There was barely enough light for her to see the man's chiseled features—the desire burning in his eyes was clear as day, though. It was almost as bright as the stars above. Melody tried her best to escape but to no avail. Pain shot through her; the man leaned down to kiss her and swallow her cries. After a long while, he spoke again. His voice was alluring and hoarse. "You're so sweet, darling. I'll give you a million for another round. How about that?" "You're a monster!" Melody's voice was also hoarse from her crying. How could he do something like this to her in such a saintly place? The wind lifted her dress, stained purple by the lavenders they'd crushed underneath them. The scent was oddly intoxicating. They were in Violetville, which was famous for its sea of lavenders. It was so picturesque that many film companies had been attracted to film there. It gradually turned into a filming base. Recently, John Wales, an internationally renowned director, brought a crew of award-winning actors and actresses to Violetville to film a huge production. He'd happened to catch sight of Melody, who was home from college for the holidays. He'd invited her to play the role of an important side character. Melody hadn't expected her sister, Queenie Swanson, to trick her out of the house in the middle of the night upon hearing the news. Queenie had locked the door and refused to open it no matter how she pleaded. Their parents heard everything but did nothing to stop Queenie. The words Queenie had said not too long ago were still reverberating in Melody's mind. "You were capable of catching that director's eye, weren't you? Is it because you've already slept with him? What are you still doing here, then? Go sleep in his hotel room! I won't open the door for you, so get lost!" With no place to go, Melody had no choice but to take shelter in the white cottage amidst the sea of flowers, which was only meant for sightseeing. She hadn't expected to experience something like this, though. Her family's betrayal and the man's advances made her tears flow. They wet the flowers crushed underneath her body. Melody didn't know how long it would take for the man to be sated; it was as if he would never tire. When the sky started turning bright, he finally stopped. He released her hands, which he'd kept pinned in place. Melody immediately grabbed the nearest object and smashed it over the man's head. He'd been saying, "Tell me your name, sweet—" Melody smashed a rock on his head before he could finish. He didn't manage to dodge it—perhaps he was too relaxed after having had his fill of her. Chapter 2 The man swayed on the spot from the impact. Melody pushed him away; he lay there, looking up at her blearily. She lifted the rock, intending to strike him again. This was self-defense! But the words echoed hollowly in her mind—she couldn't do it—she couldn't take his life. Even of a monster, it would stain her forever. Ultimately, she threw the bloodied rock aside and staggered to her feet. She took a step and happened to kick her phone. Melody picked it up and pulled out the cash tucked underneath her phone case. It was the change she'd gotten after doing some grocery shopping. She threw it at the man and snarled, "Listen up—I bought your services for one night, and that's your fee. Keep the change! And don't think it's too little. That's all you're worth!" With that, she turned and stumbled out of the sea of lavenders. The man's vision was already starting to blur. The blood trickled down his forehead and over his eyes. It dyed his vision red as he watched Melody walk away from him. The color of the flowers' stains on her nightgown seemed to mix with the blood in his eyes, giving him the impression that the flowers were blossoming. He was reminded of the night they'd just had together. "Don't go…" he mumbled, reaching for her. But the darkness overtook him. The luxury watch on his wrist gleamed as his hand fell to the ground limply. … Two months later, there was an uproar at the Swanson residence. "You're expecting a baby before marriage! You're a disgrace to the Swanson family! Get out of here!" Horace Swanson shoved Melody away furiously. "This is a small town, and the people here are all good, honest people. How could you pick up all these bad habits from those celebrities whose private lives are so messed up? Leave now! I'll just act like I never gave birth to you!" Susan Lett waved a hand, looking utterly disappointed. "You should leave, Melody. If the neighbors hear about this, how do you expect Mom and Dad to continue living here? I'm not married yet, you know. I don't want you to affect my reputation." Queenie stabbed an apple slice with a toothpick and ate it. She sat on the couch, looking like she was enjoying the show. Melody pointed at her. "Queenie's the one who locked me out of the house that night because she wanted to get the chance to be in that film! That's why I ended up getting assaulted. Why do you guys refuse to believe me?" Horace stood up and stormed over to her, giving her a hard slap. "Shut up, you imbecile! You're the one who did something so shameless, yet you're still trying to push the blame onto your sister! Don't ever step foot in here again!" "I raised your sister myself, so I know how kind and loving she is. How can you say that about her?" Susan pulled Queenie, who looked aggrieved, into her arms. She gave Melody, who'd fallen to the floor from Horace's slap, a reproachful look. "Is it really like Madam Williams said, Mom? Am I not your daughter? Is that why you won't believe me?" Melody didn't want to cry, but the tears refused to stay in her eyes. They streamed down her face. "You… Of course you're my daughter! That's why I know what a bad apple you are! How dare you try to blame me when your misbehavior? Leave! Now!" "Fine! I'll go!" Melody staggered to her feet and walked out the door, looking resolute and lonely. … Five years passed in the blink of an eye. Ford Manor was located among a cluster of villas halfway up a mountain in Tottenstone. Ethan Ford was having the same dream again. The woman in his dream wore a white dress, as usual. She had a long, silky smooth hair. He couldn't see her face, though. She didn't seem to enjoy his ministrations—she cried and pleaded with him to let her go, but he couldn't stop himself from sinking deeper. He held her close. In the next second, he opened his eyes and woke up from the dream. Chapter 3 It was this dream again. Ethan had experienced it almost every night for the past five years. No other woman had managed to arouse him since that incident—only the woman in his dreams could. He'd had the same dream for 1,826 days, including today. Even if he was already used to it, Ethan was still irritated. He wiped the sweat from his face; even his hair was damp. He got out of bed. His perfect figure was like a model's, but his face was more handsome than any model could ever have. His demeanor was cold, regal, and domineering. Ethan took a moment to compose himself. He strode to the bathroom after pushing the steamy images out of his mind. The butler, Bill Jones, heard this and came into the room. He quickly changed the soiled sheets. He'd just finished when Ethan came out of the bathroom with nothing but a towel around his waist. As soon as he graced the room with his toned figure, the atmosphere turned somewhat sensual. Bill stood there with his head bowed. When he saw Ethan head to the wardrobe, he said, "Ms. Wendy Nielson called to invite you out for dinner, Mr. Ford. Should I make arrangements? It's high time you let loose and have some fun, sir." Wendy was the daughter of a politician and one of the most well-known socialites in the region. She'd invited Ethan out countless times since running into him at a banquet a year ago. Ethan grabbed a black shirt and put it on, his back muscles rolling as he did so. He didn't even turn back as he said, "You're too noisy." Bill knew this meant Ethan was turning down the invitation. He didn't dare say anything else. 40 minutes later, Ethan strode out of the villa. His assistant, James Sawyer, hurriedly opened the door to a luxury car parked outside. Ethan got into the car elegantly. As the car drove past the main gates, Ethan glanced at the rearview mirror to see two bodyguards stop a woman in a cap and tracksuit. She tried to run after the car; her ponytail swung with her actions. Ethan retracted his gaze and said to James, "Tell the bodyguards they're out of jobs if I see any strangers as soon as I leave the house again." Sweat beaded on James' forehead. "Yes, sir." "Have you found anything on that woman from five years ago?" Ethan tugged on his tie, his eyes cold. He didn't even need to look at anyone to make them shudder. James stuttered, "N-Not yet, sir." "I'll give you another month. If you can't find anything, you can get lost, too!" Unbeknownst to Ethan, the woman he was searching for was behind him. Her figure became smaller and smaller in the rearview mirror. "Mr. Ford, don't go!" Melody finally liberated herself from the bodyguards, but she wasn't in time to catch up with the car. She wanted to run after it, but the bodyguards stopped her again. Amidst the tussle, she fell to the floor and landed on her arm. Pain shot through her. She raised her head to look at the car, but it was long gone. Oh no! It had already been a month—she'd staked out every place that Ethan could possibly be at, but someone had stopped her every time. She couldn't even get close to him. It had taken all her connections to get Ethan's address; she'd waited outside for him from 3:00 am onward for several days in a row. Still, she'd failed to even get close to him, let alone speak to him. "Mr. Sawyer just called us. If you show up here again tomorrow, you'll have to pay!" one of the bodyguards warned. Melody looked back at them and pleaded, "Can you please just let me see Mr. Ford? I only have a few things to say to him—it'll only take five minutes! It's about something important, I swear. This has to do with someone's life!" Chapter 4 "Every woman who wants to see Mr. Ford says they need him to save lives! He's not interested in you, okay? There's no point throwing yourself at him," one bodyguard snapped. "Get lost! Don't come here anymore!" another said. They looked like they would resort to violence if Melody refused to leave. She had no choice but to get up and trudge down the mountain, looking glum. "It's rare to see such a gorgeous woman. I'm sure she'd be set for life if she were to go after some other rich kid. Too bad she's greedy—doesn't she realize where she is? Even Phoebe Shaw, that award-winning actress, isn't worthy of shining Mr. Ford's shoes, let alone her!" one bodyguard said. "You're right about her not knowing her place, but I have to say that she's a lot prettier than Phoebe Shaw," the other said. They continued chatting as they headed into the villa. … It was already the afternoon by the time Melody returned to the hospital. She saw Clive Zimmerman's attending physician, Tom Filbert, come out of the hospital room before Clive's. She hurried over to him. "Dr. Filbert, how has Clive been recently?" "Oh, Mrs. Zimmerman. I've already made your husband's condition clear to you—we need to find a matching donor as soon as possible for the bone marrow transplant. Otherwise…" Tom shook his head. Melody paled. Tom continued, "The hospital's been searching for a matching donor, but your husband's condition is deteriorating too quickly. He's running out of time. "As his family, you need to work with us. Try to think of any relatives he might have and bring them to the hospital so we can check their bone marrow. Maybe one of them might be a match…" Melody paled even more. Tom continued talking, but she couldn't really hear him anymore. She asked with difficulty, "How long does he still have if we can't find a donor?" Tom shook his head. "The bone marrow transplant has to be done within a month. Otherwise, he'll only have three to five months at most." Melody clenched her jaw; her expression became resolute. "I've already found a bone marrow that matches Clive's, but the person hasn't agreed to become a donor yet. I'll find a way to persuade him! "Please make the necessary arrangements for the transplant, Dr. Filbert. I'll bring the donor over before the surgery!" "That's great! I'll arrange for the transplant to be done in ten days, then. Remember to bring the donor over as soon as possible—he needs to be checked before the surgery." "Alright." Melody nodded. But once Tom was gone, she slumped against the wall weakly. What was she going to do? The surgery was in ten days, but she'd made zero progress. She hadn't even gotten close to Ethan, let alone persuaded him to donate his bone marrow to Clive. Ethan was the wealthiest man in Emperia, after all. A hair on his head was worth more than most other individuals' lives. Even if she did manage to speak to him, how was she going to get him to agree to help Clive? What was she going to do? Melody approached Clive's hospital room. Before she opened the door, she heard her children, Jacob and Jamie Swanson, singing. They were singing an Enolian song that had been dedicated to the singer's father. Melody peeped inside through the window on the door. Jacob and Jamie wore identical uniforms as they stood hand-in-hand before the window. The sunlight shone down on them, and they swayed on the spot while singing. Clive sat up in bed, also basking in the sunlight as he clapped his hands to the beat of the song. The hospital gown he had on looked too big for him because of the weight he'd lost, and he looked rather haggard. It didn't take away from his good looks, though. There was a gentle smile on his face. He didn't look like a patient who was on the brink of death. Instead, he looked like a patron of the arts—one who was enjoying a grand musical. Melody's eyes turned red. She turned away to dry her tears. Chapter 5 Five years ago, Melody had been kicked out of her home without a penny. At the time, she'd already carried Jacob and Jamie. When she'd been backed into a corner, Clive had taken her in. Not only had he helped her quit school, but he'd also taken care of her the whole time. Later, he'd even offered to marry her so that Jacob and Jamie wouldn't end up becoming illegitimate children. He'd helped her too many times to count over the years—she had to repay him. His parents and relatives were all dead, and he now had serious disease. If she were to give up on him, he could only wait for death to take him. He was still so young and outstanding; this wasn't the end he deserved! No matter what, Melody had to convince Ethan to donate his bone marrow to Clive. She didn't care how difficult it would be! … That night, Melody hid in a storage room at Privo Country Club, Tottenstone's most exclusive club. An auction was being held there that night, and it had taken her some time to find out that Ethan would be in attendance. Anyone who could get an invitation to the auction had to be a bigwig in Emperia's business world or an influential politician; Melody was neither, so she didn't have an invitation. Fortunately, she'd heard about the organizers of the auction holding something of a show for young women at the very end of the auction. It was supposed to be a show, but it was more like the young women were auctioning off their first time. Like regular auctions, the highest bidder would get. As long as Melody could blend in with them, she would have the chance to get to Ethan. At the moment, the young women who were being auctioned were standing by in the waiting room opposite the storage room. Melody was waiting for a chance to sneak in when she suddenly heard a muffled conversation outside. "Come with me!" "Listen to me, Ned. I came here willingly—as long as someone bids on me tonight, we'll have money for your mother's medical bills. It's worth giving up my cherry to save her life!" "I don't need you to sacrifice yourself for me like this, Elaine! I love you! I've managed to get the money, so let's go!" "Really?" "Yeah!" "That's great! Let's go!" The footsteps faded into the distance. Melody came out of the storage room. She picked up the clothes and name tag that read "Elaine Johnson" from the floor and smiled as she looked down the corridor. She wished the couple all the best and also thanked them for this opportunity. An hour later, Melody stood barefoot on the marble floor, wearing only a bikini as she waited for her turn. "Next, let's welcome the beautiful Ms. Elaine Johnson, our eighth participant of the night! She's still a college student, everyone." The host's voice rang out on the other side of the curtain. Suddenly, Melody hesitated. She'd never worn anything so revealing in public before. "Get in there! What are you doing?" When an employee saw her standing there dazedly, he pushed her. She was caught off guard and stumbled onto the stage. The blinding spotlight landed on her; she could sense countless men staring at her. Melody stood there stiffly, so helpless that she was unable to move. Ethan wasn't the slightest bit interested in these things. He'd intended to leave immediately after the auction was over, but Wayne Smith of Ditham Corporation had approached him for a chat. He'd answered him perfunctorily while glancing at the stage. Then, he saw Melody. He narrowed his eyes and sat up, the laziness he'd earlier displayed fading from sight. The lights reflected off Melody's fair skin; they made her look like she was almost glowing. She didn't strut and show her stuff like those women before her. Instead, she stood there with her head bowed so no one could see what she looked like. All they could see was her silky smooth hair. But to Ethan, the sight of her was enough to arouse him. It was like a fire had started burning in him. On stage, Melody remained silent, feeling pierced by the men's gazes. They made her feel like she was standing there in her birthday suit. Chapter 6 Melody knew she couldn't act like this. She was here to look for Ethan; she had to save Clive's life! She couldn't act like this! She clenched her jaw and raised her head, revealing her innocent yet sensual face to the crowd. After a round of gasps, auction paddles flew into the air. "100,000!" "200,000!" "500,000!" "580,000!" … Melody couldn't hear the sound of the bidding anymore—she was too anxious to track Ethan down. He was the wealthiest man in Emperia and the CEO of Regalia International, so he frequently made headlines. She'd long since committed his handsome face to memory. But before she could locate him, she felt a strong sense of oppression coming her way. She instinctively looked at the direction from which it had come. Then, she met a man's gaze. His eyes were cold and calm, yet there seemed to be molten lava buried within them. She could sense his kingly demeanor as his eyes threatened to suck her in. Melody lowered her head. He was terrifying. When Ethan saw her drop her head to avoid his gaze, he smirked. Wayne noticed this and stopped talking to glance at the stage. Then, his eyes lit up, and he chuckled. "She's a gorgeous one, isn't she? Are you interested in her, Mr. Ford?" Ethan didn't answer. Instead, he lifted a hand. James hurried forward to await his instruction. "I want her!" Ethan said. Then, he stood up and strode off. Several people had been bidding on Melody, but they stopped when they saw Ethan stand up. They got to their feet simultaneously to see him off. James hurriedly held up the auction paddle in his hand. He didn't even need to call out a price—no one else would dare bid on Melody. Who would dare to do so now that they knew Ethan was interested in her? They'd be getting themselves a one-way ticket to bankruptcy if they were to try to fight him for her. On stage, the host cried excitedly, "Oh! Mr. Ford's won the auction for our lovely Ms. Johnson! Looks like someone's in luck!" Melody didn't know how she was led off stage. She followed the employees dazedly and asked them incredulously, "Is Mr. Ford really the one who bid on me? Mr. Ethan Ford? The CEO of Regalia International?" The employees could totally understand why she was acting like this. Anyone would be out of their minds with joy if Ethan were to pick them. "Would there be anyone else with that name? Congratulations, miss. Come with me, please. I'll take you to get your clothes changed. We don't want to keep Mr. Ford waiting." "She's so lucky!" "It's not like she has such a great figure. She's not even that pretty!" "Why didn't he pick me? That was Ethan Ford! I would've paid to be with him!" "Yeah, keep dreaming. You wouldn't be worthy of him even if you were to give up everything you own! Didn't you hear about the granddaughter of some country's leader trying and failing to spend a night with Mr. Ford? She offered to pay him a hefty sum, too!" … As Melody followed the employees away, she heard the other women participating in the auction whispering among themselves about her. None of their words registered, though. She was still in disbelief that she'd succeeded just like that. Things had gone so smoothly! How was she going to beg him to agree to donate his bone marrow? Would he be moved if she were to get on her knees before him? Ten minutes later, Melody had changed into a white strappy minidress and a matching pair of 4-inch heels. She was brought to the 28th floor. | Galaxy in the Book | 68 | https://facebook.com/61555646245426 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1715324400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841150 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682326 | 1723710537 | 858 | 478272224667453 | 1 | 9.8867341249763E+14 | 1715497200 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 220948471097418 | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | 120208322655090240 | beokn.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | 😍Read the next chapters👉 | https://beokn.com/market/buenovela/3?lpid=11222&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1715247646 | 2.2094847109742E+14 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441959051_459948103069197_1403971259308613209_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=GMbylYSvS5gQ7kNvgEIq7eL&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYC81AOB8TCCDLAHyeDy1n4tMuAEwz6U5oRPerAbMIXi6g&oe=6658579C | person_profile | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441520392_1857443494727194_4363879934185925189_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=uMrutYUE9y8Q7kNvgFcuNQB&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYCx-HziBm_aJGb_ZR-phjgqMqsEYGEFIB3qb95a_YwOAA&oe=6658462A | 0 | 3 | Melody Swanson had her cell phone's torch turned on to light the path to a white cottage amidst the lavenders. The night breeze was chilly, but all she had on was a white, sleeveless nightgown and lounge slippers. Her expression lifted when she saw she was getting close to the cottage. But the next second, someone reached out from the bushes beside her and gripped her right shoulder tightly. She yelped in shock, dropping her phone onto the ground. The faint light disappeared. The next thing she knew, she was dragged into a hot embrace. "I'll give you a million for one night!" The man's voice rang out behind her. It was deep and smooth. Melody's heart raced at this plot twist. Before she knew it, she'd been flipped onto her front and pinned to the ground amidst the sea of flowers. She widened her eyes and flailed, trying to escape. "No, wait! You've got the wrong person!" "Stop moving, sweetheart. Or are you that desperate for it?" the man rasped. "Let me go!" Melody struggled harder, but the man's tall and toned figure held her in place as he flipped her onto her back. She started feeling scared. She widened her eyes even more, but all she could see were the stars in the sky behind the man's head. There was barely enough light for her to see the man's chiseled features—the desire burning in his eyes was clear as day, though. It was almost as bright as the stars above. Melody tried her best to escape but to no avail. Pain shot through her; the man leaned down to kiss her and swallow her cries. After a long while, he spoke again. His voice was alluring and hoarse. "You're so sweet, darling. I'll give you a million for another round. How about that?" "You're a monster!" Melody's voice was also hoarse from her crying. How could he do something like this to her in such a saintly place? The wind lifted her dress, stained purple by the lavenders they'd crushed underneath them. The scent was oddly intoxicating. They were in Violetville, which was famous for its sea of lavenders. It was so picturesque that many film companies had been attracted to film there. It gradually turned into a filming base. Recently, John Wales, an internationally renowned director, brought a crew of award-winning actors and actresses to Violetville to film a huge production. He'd happened to catch sight of Melody, who was home from college for the holidays. He'd invited her to play the role of an important side character. Melody hadn't expected her sister, Queenie Swanson, to trick her out of the house in the middle of the night upon hearing the news. Queenie had locked the door and refused to open it no matter how she pleaded. Their parents heard everything but did nothing to stop Queenie. The words Queenie had said not too long ago were still reverberating in Melody's mind. "You were capable of catching that director's eye, weren't you? Is it because you've already slept with him? What are you still doing here, then? Go sleep in his hotel room! I won't open the door for you, so get lost!" With no place to go, Melody had no choice but to take shelter in the white cottage amidst the sea of flowers, which was only meant for sightseeing. She hadn't expected to experience something like this, though. Her family's betrayal and the man's advances made her tears flow. They wet the flowers crushed underneath her body. Melody didn't know how long it would take for the man to be sated; it was as if he would never tire. When the sky started turning bright, he finally stopped. He released her hands, which he'd kept pinned in place. Melody immediately grabbed the nearest object and smashed it over the man's head. He'd been saying, "Tell me your name, sweet—" Melody smashed a rock on his head before he could finish. He didn't manage to dodge it—perhaps he was too relaxed after having had his fill of her. Chapter 2 The man swayed on the spot from the impact. Melody pushed him away; he lay there, looking up at her blearily. She lifted the rock, intending to strike him again. This was self-defense! But the words echoed hollowly in her mind—she couldn't do it—she couldn't take his life. Even of a monster, it would stain her forever. Ultimately, she threw the bloodied rock aside and staggered to her feet. She took a step and happened to kick her phone. Melody picked it up and pulled out the cash tucked underneath her phone case. It was the change she'd gotten after doing some grocery shopping. She threw it at the man and snarled, "Listen up—I bought your services for one night, and that's your fee. Keep the change! And don't think it's too little. That's all you're worth!" With that, she turned and stumbled out of the sea of lavenders. The man's vision was already starting to blur. The blood trickled down his forehead and over his eyes. It dyed his vision red as he watched Melody walk away from him. The color of the flowers' stains on her nightgown seemed to mix with the blood in his eyes, giving him the impression that the flowers were blossoming. He was reminded of the night they'd just had together. "Don't go…" he mumbled, reaching for her. But the darkness overtook him. The luxury watch on his wrist gleamed as his hand fell to the ground limply. … Two months later, there was an uproar at the Swanson residence. "You're expecting a baby before marriage! You're a disgrace to the Swanson family! Get out of here!" Horace Swanson shoved Melody away furiously. "This is a small town, and the people here are all good, honest people. How could you pick up all these bad habits from those celebrities whose private lives are so messed up? Leave now! I'll just act like I never gave birth to you!" Susan Lett waved a hand, looking utterly disappointed. "You should leave, Melody. If the neighbors hear about this, how do you expect Mom and Dad to continue living here? I'm not married yet, you know. I don't want you to affect my reputation." Queenie stabbed an apple slice with a toothpick and ate it. She sat on the couch, looking like she was enjoying the show. Melody pointed at her. "Queenie's the one who locked me out of the house that night because she wanted to get the chance to be in that film! That's why I ended up getting assaulted. Why do you guys refuse to believe me?" Horace stood up and stormed over to her, giving her a hard slap. "Shut up, you imbecile! You're the one who did something so shameless, yet you're still trying to push the blame onto your sister! Don't ever step foot in here again!" "I raised your sister myself, so I know how kind and loving she is. How can you say that about her?" Susan pulled Queenie, who looked aggrieved, into her arms. She gave Melody, who'd fallen to the floor from Horace's slap, a reproachful look. "Is it really like Madam Williams said, Mom? Am I not your daughter? Is that why you won't believe me?" Melody didn't want to cry, but the tears refused to stay in her eyes. They streamed down her face. "You… Of course you're my daughter! That's why I know what a bad apple you are! How dare you try to blame me when your misbehavior? Leave! Now!" "Fine! I'll go!" Melody staggered to her feet and walked out the door, looking resolute and lonely. … Five years passed in the blink of an eye. Ford Manor was located among a cluster of villas halfway up a mountain in Tottenstone. Ethan Ford was having the same dream again. The woman in his dream wore a white dress, as usual. She had a long, silky smooth hair. He couldn't see her face, though. She didn't seem to enjoy his ministrations—she cried and pleaded with him to let her go, but he couldn't stop himself from sinking deeper. He held her close. In the next second, he opened his eyes and woke up from the dream. Chapter 3 It was this dream again. Ethan had experienced it almost every night for the past five years. No other woman had managed to arouse him since that incident—only the woman in his dreams could. He'd had the same dream for 1,826 days, including today. Even if he was already used to it, Ethan was still irritated. He wiped the sweat from his face; even his hair was damp. He got out of bed. His perfect figure was like a model's, but his face was more handsome than any model could ever have. His demeanor was cold, regal, and domineering. Ethan took a moment to compose himself. He strode to the bathroom after pushing the steamy images out of his mind. The butler, Bill Jones, heard this and came into the room. He quickly changed the soiled sheets. He'd just finished when Ethan came out of the bathroom with nothing but a towel around his waist. As soon as he graced the room with his toned figure, the atmosphere turned somewhat sensual. Bill stood there with his head bowed. When he saw Ethan head to the wardrobe, he said, "Ms. Wendy Nielson called to invite you out for dinner, Mr. Ford. Should I make arrangements? It's high time you let loose and have some fun, sir." Wendy was the daughter of a politician and one of the most well-known socialites in the region. She'd invited Ethan out countless times since running into him at a banquet a year ago. Ethan grabbed a black shirt and put it on, his back muscles rolling as he did so. He didn't even turn back as he said, "You're too noisy." Bill knew this meant Ethan was turning down the invitation. He didn't dare say anything else. 40 minutes later, Ethan strode out of the villa. His assistant, James Sawyer, hurriedly opened the door to a luxury car parked outside. Ethan got into the car elegantly. As the car drove past the main gates, Ethan glanced at the rearview mirror to see two bodyguards stop a woman in a cap and tracksuit. She tried to run after the car; her ponytail swung with her actions. Ethan retracted his gaze and said to James, "Tell the bodyguards they're out of jobs if I see any strangers as soon as I leave the house again." Sweat beaded on James' forehead. "Yes, sir." "Have you found anything on that woman from five years ago?" Ethan tugged on his tie, his eyes cold. He didn't even need to look at anyone to make them shudder. James stuttered, "N-Not yet, sir." "I'll give you another month. If you can't find anything, you can get lost, too!" Unbeknownst to Ethan, the woman he was searching for was behind him. Her figure became smaller and smaller in the rearview mirror. "Mr. Ford, don't go!" Melody finally liberated herself from the bodyguards, but she wasn't in time to catch up with the car. She wanted to run after it, but the bodyguards stopped her again. Amidst the tussle, she fell to the floor and landed on her arm. Pain shot through her. She raised her head to look at the car, but it was long gone. Oh no! It had already been a month—she'd staked out every place that Ethan could possibly be at, but someone had stopped her every time. She couldn't even get close to him. It had taken all her connections to get Ethan's address; she'd waited outside for him from 3:00 am onward for several days in a row. Still, she'd failed to even get close to him, let alone speak to him. "Mr. Sawyer just called us. If you show up here again tomorrow, you'll have to pay!" one of the bodyguards warned. Melody looked back at them and pleaded, "Can you please just let me see Mr. Ford? I only have a few things to say to him—it'll only take five minutes! It's about something important, I swear. This has to do with someone's life!" Chapter 4 "Every woman who wants to see Mr. Ford says they need him to save lives! He's not interested in you, okay? There's no point throwing yourself at him," one bodyguard snapped. "Get lost! Don't come here anymore!" another said. They looked like they would resort to violence if Melody refused to leave. She had no choice but to get up and trudge down the mountain, looking glum. "It's rare to see such a gorgeous woman. I'm sure she'd be set for life if she were to go after some other rich kid. Too bad she's greedy—doesn't she realize where she is? Even Phoebe Shaw, that award-winning actress, isn't worthy of shining Mr. Ford's shoes, let alone her!" one bodyguard said. "You're right about her not knowing her place, but I have to say that she's a lot prettier than Phoebe Shaw," the other said. They continued chatting as they headed into the villa. … It was already the afternoon by the time Melody returned to the hospital. She saw Clive Zimmerman's attending physician, Tom Filbert, come out of the hospital room before Clive's. She hurried over to him. "Dr. Filbert, how has Clive been recently?" "Oh, Mrs. Zimmerman. I've already made your husband's condition clear to you—we need to find a matching donor as soon as possible for the bone marrow transplant. Otherwise…" Tom shook his head. Melody paled. Tom continued, "The hospital's been searching for a matching donor, but your husband's condition is deteriorating too quickly. He's running out of time. "As his family, you need to work with us. Try to think of any relatives he might have and bring them to the hospital so we can check their bone marrow. Maybe one of them might be a match…" Melody paled even more. Tom continued talking, but she couldn't really hear him anymore. She asked with difficulty, "How long does he still have if we can't find a donor?" Tom shook his head. "The bone marrow transplant has to be done within a month. Otherwise, he'll only have three to five months at most." Melody clenched her jaw; her expression became resolute. "I've already found a bone marrow that matches Clive's, but the person hasn't agreed to become a donor yet. I'll find a way to persuade him! "Please make the necessary arrangements for the transplant, Dr. Filbert. I'll bring the donor over before the surgery!" "That's great! I'll arrange for the transplant to be done in ten days, then. Remember to bring the donor over as soon as possible—he needs to be checked before the surgery." "Alright." Melody nodded. But once Tom was gone, she slumped against the wall weakly. What was she going to do? The surgery was in ten days, but she'd made zero progress. She hadn't even gotten close to Ethan, let alone persuaded him to donate his bone marrow to Clive. Ethan was the wealthiest man in Emperia, after all. A hair on his head was worth more than most other individuals' lives. Even if she did manage to speak to him, how was she going to get him to agree to help Clive? What was she going to do? Melody approached Clive's hospital room. Before she opened the door, she heard her children, Jacob and Jamie Swanson, singing. They were singing an Enolian song that had been dedicated to the singer's father. Melody peeped inside through the window on the door. Jacob and Jamie wore identical uniforms as they stood hand-in-hand before the window. The sunlight shone down on them, and they swayed on the spot while singing. Clive sat up in bed, also basking in the sunlight as he clapped his hands to the beat of the song. The hospital gown he had on looked too big for him because of the weight he'd lost, and he looked rather haggard. It didn't take away from his good looks, though. There was a gentle smile on his face. He didn't look like a patient who was on the brink of death. Instead, he looked like a patron of the arts—one who was enjoying a grand musical. Melody's eyes turned red. She turned away to dry her tears. Chapter 5 Five years ago, Melody had been kicked out of her home without a penny. At the time, she'd already carried Jacob and Jamie. When she'd been backed into a corner, Clive had taken her in. Not only had he helped her quit school, but he'd also taken care of her the whole time. Later, he'd even offered to marry her so that Jacob and Jamie wouldn't end up becoming illegitimate children. He'd helped her too many times to count over the years—she had to repay him. His parents and relatives were all dead, and he now had serious disease. If she were to give up on him, he could only wait for death to take him. He was still so young and outstanding; this wasn't the end he deserved! No matter what, Melody had to convince Ethan to donate his bone marrow to Clive. She didn't care how difficult it would be! … That night, Melody hid in a storage room at Privo Country Club, Tottenstone's most exclusive club. An auction was being held there that night, and it had taken her some time to find out that Ethan would be in attendance. Anyone who could get an invitation to the auction had to be a bigwig in Emperia's business world or an influential politician; Melody was neither, so she didn't have an invitation. Fortunately, she'd heard about the organizers of the auction holding something of a show for young women at the very end of the auction. It was supposed to be a show, but it was more like the young women were auctioning off their first time. Like regular auctions, the highest bidder would get. As long as Melody could blend in with them, she would have the chance to get to Ethan. At the moment, the young women who were being auctioned were standing by in the waiting room opposite the storage room. Melody was waiting for a chance to sneak in when she suddenly heard a muffled conversation outside. "Come with me!" "Listen to me, Ned. I came here willingly—as long as someone bids on me tonight, we'll have money for your mother's medical bills. It's worth giving up my cherry to save her life!" "I don't need you to sacrifice yourself for me like this, Elaine! I love you! I've managed to get the money, so let's go!" "Really?" "Yeah!" "That's great! Let's go!" The footsteps faded into the distance. Melody came out of the storage room. She picked up the clothes and name tag that read "Elaine Johnson" from the floor and smiled as she looked down the corridor. She wished the couple all the best and also thanked them for this opportunity. An hour later, Melody stood barefoot on the marble floor, wearing only a bikini as she waited for her turn. "Next, let's welcome the beautiful Ms. Elaine Johnson, our eighth participant of the night! She's still a college student, everyone." The host's voice rang out on the other side of the curtain. Suddenly, Melody hesitated. She'd never worn anything so revealing in public before. "Get in there! What are you doing?" When an employee saw her standing there dazedly, he pushed her. She was caught off guard and stumbled onto the stage. The blinding spotlight landed on her; she could sense countless men staring at her. Melody stood there stiffly, so helpless that she was unable to move. Ethan wasn't the slightest bit interested in these things. He'd intended to leave immediately after the auction was over, but Wayne Smith of Ditham Corporation had approached him for a chat. He'd answered him perfunctorily while glancing at the stage. Then, he saw Melody. He narrowed his eyes and sat up, the laziness he'd earlier displayed fading from sight. The lights reflected off Melody's fair skin; they made her look like she was almost glowing. She didn't strut and show her stuff like those women before her. Instead, she stood there with her head bowed so no one could see what she looked like. All they could see was her silky smooth hair. But to Ethan, the sight of her was enough to arouse him. It was like a fire had started burning in him. On stage, Melody remained silent, feeling pierced by the men's gazes. They made her feel like she was standing there in her birthday suit. Chapter 6 Melody knew she couldn't act like this. She was here to look for Ethan; she had to save Clive's life! She couldn't act like this! She clenched her jaw and raised her head, revealing her innocent yet sensual face to the crowd. After a round of gasps, auction paddles flew into the air. "100,000!" "200,000!" "500,000!" "580,000!" … Melody couldn't hear the sound of the bidding anymore—she was too anxious to track Ethan down. He was the wealthiest man in Emperia and the CEO of Regalia International, so he frequently made headlines. She'd long since committed his handsome face to memory. But before she could locate him, she felt a strong sense of oppression coming her way. She instinctively looked at the direction from which it had come. Then, she met a man's gaze. His eyes were cold and calm, yet there seemed to be molten lava buried within them. She could sense his kingly demeanor as his eyes threatened to suck her in. Melody lowered her head. He was terrifying. When Ethan saw her drop her head to avoid his gaze, he smirked. Wayne noticed this and stopped talking to glance at the stage. Then, his eyes lit up, and he chuckled. "She's a gorgeous one, isn't she? Are you interested in her, Mr. Ford?" Ethan didn't answer. Instead, he lifted a hand. James hurried forward to await his instruction. "I want her!" Ethan said. Then, he stood up and strode off. Several people had been bidding on Melody, but they stopped when they saw Ethan stand up. They got to their feet simultaneously to see him off. James hurriedly held up the auction paddle in his hand. He didn't even need to call out a price—no one else would dare bid on Melody. Who would dare to do so now that they knew Ethan was interested in her? They'd be getting themselves a one-way ticket to bankruptcy if they were to try to fight him for her. On stage, the host cried excitedly, "Oh! Mr. Ford's won the auction for our lovely Ms. Johnson! Looks like someone's in luck!" Melody didn't know how she was led off stage. She followed the employees dazedly and asked them incredulously, "Is Mr. Ford really the one who bid on me? Mr. Ethan Ford? The CEO of Regalia International?" The employees could totally understand why she was acting like this. Anyone would be out of their minds with joy if Ethan were to pick them. "Would there be anyone else with that name? Congratulations, miss. Come with me, please. I'll take you to get your clothes changed. We don't want to keep Mr. Ford waiting." "She's so lucky!" "It's not like she has such a great figure. She's not even that pretty!" "Why didn't he pick me? That was Ethan Ford! I would've paid to be with him!" "Yeah, keep dreaming. You wouldn't be worthy of him even if you were to give up everything you own! Didn't you hear about the granddaughter of some country's leader trying and failing to spend a night with Mr. Ford? She offered to pay him a hefty sum, too!" … As Melody followed the employees away, she heard the other women participating in the auction whispering among themselves about her. None of their words registered, though. She was still in disbelief that she'd succeeded just like that. Things had gone so smoothly! How was she going to beg him to agree to donate his bone marrow? Would he be moved if she were to get on her knees before him? Ten minutes later, Melody had changed into a white strappy minidress and a matching pair of 4-inch heels. She was brought to the 28th floor. | Galaxy in the Book | 68 | https://facebook.com/61555646245426 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1715324400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841152 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682326 | 1723710537 | 858 | 949279386902962 | 7 | 1.4895026953017E+15 | 1716188400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 220948471097418 | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | 120211846693390779 | qweasdzxconline.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | 😍Read the next chapters👉 | https://qweasdzxconline.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=11090&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1715085862 | 2.2094847109742E+14 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438129100_1146045226739178_2601865360875538189_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fLOSJhfepkYQ7kNvgHEd_wc&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYChz9Lv9Hi46YygQOTRcWVO3N7OQd15Ym_VowKXHVuLnA&oe=66584690 | person_profile | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/440747644_315502774915635_6353252339687881796_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kPZJVk2zb8oQ7kNvgFDgFVU&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYD__mO6mWyaS-XJiX9OhX8t7XcRfbo1yfMNPMeAXVO6_w&oe=66583557 | 0 | 3 | 🔞"Ned Fletcher, with how you're treating Angie right now, aren't you worried that you're going to regret it when you finally regain your memories one day? You loved her so much before and you two got married for love! Despite you forgetting your feelings about her, how could you post so many indecent photos of her on social media?" Ned spoke nonchalantly, saying, "Why are you still holding me hostage with morals and principles? She was the one who framed me by lowly methods. I was just warning her. If Ingrid hadn't asked me to stop, I'd have gone even further! By the way, show your respect to Ingrid. She’s not a new girl but my only one forever and never!" Angeline Emmerson heard the talk standing outside the door. She used to be treated ever so lovingly by Ned in the past. Angeline felt her eyes reddening and filling with tears. The Ned she knew had died in the car accident that happened four years ago. The one inside was merely a stranger! Angeline inhaled deeply. Then, she pushed the door open. Ned looked up and saw her entering. "Who brought you here?" Angeline stared at Ned and said, "I've already made a police report regarding your spiked drink at the event and your spreading of my photos for revenge." Hearing this, everyone's reactions differed from one another. Angeline continued, "Ned Fletcher, it's true that I wanted to try rekindling our relationship, but I would never have stooped so low as to do those disgusting things to you. I didn't want to let go of this relationship because I was worried that the Ned I knew would return someday and blame me for giving up on him so easily," Angeline placed the divorce agreement she'd been hugging onto the table. "I tried my best, but I'm tired now. Ned Fletcher, I'm giving up on you. I don't want you anymore." Ned's eyes traveled from the divorce agreement to Angeline's face. There was a hint of surprise in his cold eyes. "Let's finalize the divorce after the police have cleared my name and you have publicly apologized to me." | Galaxy in the Book | 68 | https://facebook.com/61555646245426 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1716015600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841154 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682326 | 1723710537 | 858 | 949279386902962 | 7 | 1.4895026953017E+15 | 1716188400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 220948471097418 | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | 120211846693390779 | qweasdzxconline.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | 😍Read the next chapters👉 | https://qweasdzxconline.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=11090&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1715085862 | 2.2094847109742E+14 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438129100_1146045226739178_2601865360875538189_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fLOSJhfepkYQ7kNvgHEd_wc&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYChz9Lv9Hi46YygQOTRcWVO3N7OQd15Ym_VowKXHVuLnA&oe=66584690 | person_profile | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/440747644_315502774915635_6353252339687881796_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kPZJVk2zb8oQ7kNvgFDgFVU&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYD__mO6mWyaS-XJiX9OhX8t7XcRfbo1yfMNPMeAXVO6_w&oe=66583557 | 0 | 3 | 🔞"Ned Fletcher, with how you're treating Angie right now, aren't you worried that you're going to regret it when you finally regain your memories one day? You loved her so much before and you two got married for love! Despite you forgetting your feelings about her, how could you post so many indecent photos of her on social media?" Ned spoke nonchalantly, saying, "Why are you still holding me hostage with morals and principles? She was the one who framed me by lowly methods. I was just warning her. If Ingrid hadn't asked me to stop, I'd have gone even further! By the way, show your respect to Ingrid. She’s not a new girl but my only one forever and never!" Angeline Emmerson heard the talk standing outside the door. She used to be treated ever so lovingly by Ned in the past. Angeline felt her eyes reddening and filling with tears. The Ned she knew had died in the car accident that happened four years ago. The one inside was merely a stranger! Angeline inhaled deeply. Then, she pushed the door open. Ned looked up and saw her entering. "Who brought you here?" Angeline stared at Ned and said, "I've already made a police report regarding your spiked drink at the event and your spreading of my photos for revenge." Hearing this, everyone's reactions differed from one another. Angeline continued, "Ned Fletcher, it's true that I wanted to try rekindling our relationship, but I would never have stooped so low as to do those disgusting things to you. I didn't want to let go of this relationship because I was worried that the Ned I knew would return someday and blame me for giving up on him so easily," Angeline placed the divorce agreement she'd been hugging onto the table. "I tried my best, but I'm tired now. Ned Fletcher, I'm giving up on you. I don't want you anymore." Ned's eyes traveled from the divorce agreement to Angeline's face. There was a hint of surprise in his cold eyes. "Let's finalize the divorce after the police have cleared my name and you have publicly apologized to me." | Galaxy in the Book | 68 | https://facebook.com/61555646245426 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1716015600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841156 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682326 | 1723710537 | 858 | 949279386902962 | 7 | 1.4895026953017E+15 | 1716188400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 220948471097418 | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | 120211846693390779 | qweasdzxconline.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | 😍Read the next chapters👉 | https://qweasdzxconline.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=11090&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1715085862 | 2.2094847109742E+14 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438129100_1146045226739178_2601865360875538189_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fLOSJhfepkYQ7kNvgHEd_wc&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYChz9Lv9Hi46YygQOTRcWVO3N7OQd15Ym_VowKXHVuLnA&oe=66584690 | person_profile | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/440747644_315502774915635_6353252339687881796_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kPZJVk2zb8oQ7kNvgFDgFVU&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYD__mO6mWyaS-XJiX9OhX8t7XcRfbo1yfMNPMeAXVO6_w&oe=66583557 | 0 | 3 | 🔞"Ned Fletcher, with how you're treating Angie right now, aren't you worried that you're going to regret it when you finally regain your memories one day? You loved her so much before and you two got married for love! Despite you forgetting your feelings about her, how could you post so many indecent photos of her on social media?" Ned spoke nonchalantly, saying, "Why are you still holding me hostage with morals and principles? She was the one who framed me by lowly methods. I was just warning her. If Ingrid hadn't asked me to stop, I'd have gone even further! By the way, show your respect to Ingrid. She’s not a new girl but my only one forever and never!" Angeline Emmerson heard the talk standing outside the door. She used to be treated ever so lovingly by Ned in the past. Angeline felt her eyes reddening and filling with tears. The Ned she knew had died in the car accident that happened four years ago. The one inside was merely a stranger! Angeline inhaled deeply. Then, she pushed the door open. Ned looked up and saw her entering. "Who brought you here?" Angeline stared at Ned and said, "I've already made a police report regarding your spiked drink at the event and your spreading of my photos for revenge." Hearing this, everyone's reactions differed from one another. Angeline continued, "Ned Fletcher, it's true that I wanted to try rekindling our relationship, but I would never have stooped so low as to do those disgusting things to you. I didn't want to let go of this relationship because I was worried that the Ned I knew would return someday and blame me for giving up on him so easily," Angeline placed the divorce agreement she'd been hugging onto the table. "I tried my best, but I'm tired now. Ned Fletcher, I'm giving up on you. I don't want you anymore." Ned's eyes traveled from the divorce agreement to Angeline's face. There was a hint of surprise in his cold eyes. "Let's finalize the divorce after the police have cleared my name and you have publicly apologized to me." | Galaxy in the Book | 68 | https://facebook.com/61555646245426 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1716015600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841158 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682326 | 1723710537 | 858 | 949279386902962 | 7 | 1.4895026953017E+15 | 1716188400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 220948471097418 | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | 120211846693390779 | qweasdzxconline.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | 😍Read the next chapters👉 | https://qweasdzxconline.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=11090&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1715085862 | 2.2094847109742E+14 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438129100_1146045226739178_2601865360875538189_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fLOSJhfepkYQ7kNvgHEd_wc&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYChz9Lv9Hi46YygQOTRcWVO3N7OQd15Ym_VowKXHVuLnA&oe=66584690 | person_profile | 0 | Galaxy in the Book | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/440747644_315502774915635_6353252339687881796_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kPZJVk2zb8oQ7kNvgFDgFVU&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYD__mO6mWyaS-XJiX9OhX8t7XcRfbo1yfMNPMeAXVO6_w&oe=66583557 | 0 | 3 | 🔞"Ned Fletcher, with how you're treating Angie right now, aren't you worried that you're going to regret it when you finally regain your memories one day? You loved her so much before and you two got married for love! Despite you forgetting your feelings about her, how could you post so many indecent photos of her on social media?" Ned spoke nonchalantly, saying, "Why are you still holding me hostage with morals and principles? She was the one who framed me by lowly methods. I was just warning her. If Ingrid hadn't asked me to stop, I'd have gone even further! By the way, show your respect to Ingrid. She’s not a new girl but my only one forever and never!" Angeline Emmerson heard the talk standing outside the door. She used to be treated ever so lovingly by Ned in the past. Angeline felt her eyes reddening and filling with tears. The Ned she knew had died in the car accident that happened four years ago. The one inside was merely a stranger! Angeline inhaled deeply. Then, she pushed the door open. Ned looked up and saw her entering. "Who brought you here?" Angeline stared at Ned and said, "I've already made a police report regarding your spiked drink at the event and your spreading of my photos for revenge." Hearing this, everyone's reactions differed from one another. Angeline continued, "Ned Fletcher, it's true that I wanted to try rekindling our relationship, but I would never have stooped so low as to do those disgusting things to you. I didn't want to let go of this relationship because I was worried that the Ned I knew would return someday and blame me for giving up on him so easily," Angeline placed the divorce agreement she'd been hugging onto the table. "I tried my best, but I'm tired now. Ned Fletcher, I'm giving up on you. I don't want you anymore." Ned's eyes traveled from the divorce agreement to Angeline's face. There was a hint of surprise in his cold eyes. "Let's finalize the divorce after the police have cleared my name and you have publicly apologized to me." | Galaxy in the Book | 68 | https://facebook.com/61555646245426 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1716015600 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841163 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682326 | 1723710537 | 858 | 418698121118742 | 2 | 1.1073877738836E+15 | 1716620400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 250753834794512 | 0 | Read freely | 120211567322350196 | redtgb.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | ❤️😍What happens next👉Click Here to read on👉 | https://redtgb.com/market/buenovela/3?lpid=11204&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1714662940 | 2.5075383479451E+14 | Read freely | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438089261_447799151235312_6029709431750639075_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=itcu0warMXMQ7kNvgGDwkGM&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYBPjQtzmXxmSBX72aotnBOjUf21urkTkgIItQ27XMzPeg&oe=66586185 | person_profile | 0 | Read freely | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438088058_1022190709478833_2477123772758539994_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=qyTrvW5olmEQ7kNvgHUEGHq&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYA3PmMPoU3NZF1kXHlyq2EPBLWiuFc9D7ZSkGGY-7mcHA&oe=66583F2B | 0 | 3 | “Did you really come all the way here to tell me you were with another woman you slept with and impregnated?” “What?” Regis is the one who speaks, his voice echoing his shock as he looks from me to Adam. Adam’s usual blank look remains as if he is unaffected by my words and the pain he has caused me. “Let’s not do this here, Aria. You know I can’t just leave her.” I scoff. “I never stopped you. You know what? You should have never come here. You should have stayed with her since that is where your loyalties lie now and I am no longer in the picture.” Adam frowns, moving closer and intimidating me just a little with his height and muscular frame, “What does that mean? You are my wife.” “Ex-wife,” I say the words without even thinking. I didn’t think any of this through but I don’t care because my entire being seems to agree that this is what’s best for me, “I want a divorce, Adam.” His eyes grow wide, unable to contain the shock at my words and I am proud of myself that I finally got a reaction that isn’t anger or coldness from him. | Read freely | 18 | https://facebook.com/61557986570531 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1716534000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841165 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682326 | 1723710537 | 858 | 418698121118742 | 2 | 1.1073877738836E+15 | 1716620400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 250753834794512 | 0 | Read freely | 120211567322350196 | redtgb.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | ❤️😍What happens next👉Click Here to read on👉 | https://redtgb.com/market/buenovela/3?lpid=11204&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1714662940 | 2.5075383479451E+14 | Read freely | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438089261_447799151235312_6029709431750639075_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=itcu0warMXMQ7kNvgGDwkGM&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYBPjQtzmXxmSBX72aotnBOjUf21urkTkgIItQ27XMzPeg&oe=66586185 | person_profile | 0 | Read freely | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438088058_1022190709478833_2477123772758539994_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=qyTrvW5olmEQ7kNvgHUEGHq&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYA3PmMPoU3NZF1kXHlyq2EPBLWiuFc9D7ZSkGGY-7mcHA&oe=66583F2B | 0 | 3 | “Did you really come all the way here to tell me you were with another woman you slept with and impregnated?” “What?” Regis is the one who speaks, his voice echoing his shock as he looks from me to Adam. Adam’s usual blank look remains as if he is unaffected by my words and the pain he has caused me. “Let’s not do this here, Aria. You know I can’t just leave her.” I scoff. “I never stopped you. You know what? You should have never come here. You should have stayed with her since that is where your loyalties lie now and I am no longer in the picture.” Adam frowns, moving closer and intimidating me just a little with his height and muscular frame, “What does that mean? You are my wife.” “Ex-wife,” I say the words without even thinking. I didn’t think any of this through but I don’t care because my entire being seems to agree that this is what’s best for me, “I want a divorce, Adam.” His eyes grow wide, unable to contain the shock at my words and I am proud of myself that I finally got a reaction that isn’t anger or coldness from him. | Read freely | 18 | https://facebook.com/61557986570531 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1716534000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841167 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682326 | 1723710537 | 858 | 418698121118742 | 2 | 1.1073877738836E+15 | 1716620400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 250753834794512 | 0 | Read freely | 120211567322350196 | redtgb.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | ❤️😍What happens next👉Click Here to read on👉 | https://redtgb.com/market/buenovela/3?lpid=11204&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1714662940 | 2.5075383479451E+14 | Read freely | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438089261_447799151235312_6029709431750639075_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=itcu0warMXMQ7kNvgGDwkGM&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYBPjQtzmXxmSBX72aotnBOjUf21urkTkgIItQ27XMzPeg&oe=66586185 | person_profile | 0 | Read freely | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438088058_1022190709478833_2477123772758539994_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=qyTrvW5olmEQ7kNvgHUEGHq&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYA3PmMPoU3NZF1kXHlyq2EPBLWiuFc9D7ZSkGGY-7mcHA&oe=66583F2B | 0 | 3 | “Did you really come all the way here to tell me you were with another woman you slept with and impregnated?” “What?” Regis is the one who speaks, his voice echoing his shock as he looks from me to Adam. Adam’s usual blank look remains as if he is unaffected by my words and the pain he has caused me. “Let’s not do this here, Aria. You know I can’t just leave her.” I scoff. “I never stopped you. You know what? You should have never come here. You should have stayed with her since that is where your loyalties lie now and I am no longer in the picture.” Adam frowns, moving closer and intimidating me just a little with his height and muscular frame, “What does that mean? You are my wife.” “Ex-wife,” I say the words without even thinking. I didn’t think any of this through but I don’t care because my entire being seems to agree that this is what’s best for me, “I want a divorce, Adam.” His eyes grow wide, unable to contain the shock at my words and I am proud of myself that I finally got a reaction that isn’t anger or coldness from him. | Read freely | 18 | https://facebook.com/61557986570531 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1716534000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841169 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682327 | 1723710537 | 858 | 418698121118742 | 2 | 1.1073877738836E+15 | 1716620400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 250753834794512 | 0 | Read freely | 120211567322350196 | redtgb.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | ❤️😍What happens next👉Click Here to read on👉 | https://redtgb.com/market/buenovela/3?lpid=11204&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1714662940 | 2.5075383479451E+14 | Read freely | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438089261_447799151235312_6029709431750639075_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=itcu0warMXMQ7kNvgGDwkGM&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYBPjQtzmXxmSBX72aotnBOjUf21urkTkgIItQ27XMzPeg&oe=66586185 | person_profile | 0 | Read freely | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/438088058_1022190709478833_2477123772758539994_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=qyTrvW5olmEQ7kNvgHUEGHq&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYA3PmMPoU3NZF1kXHlyq2EPBLWiuFc9D7ZSkGGY-7mcHA&oe=66583F2B | 0 | 3 | “Did you really come all the way here to tell me you were with another woman you slept with and impregnated?” “What?” Regis is the one who speaks, his voice echoing his shock as he looks from me to Adam. Adam’s usual blank look remains as if he is unaffected by my words and the pain he has caused me. “Let’s not do this here, Aria. You know I can’t just leave her.” I scoff. “I never stopped you. You know what? You should have never come here. You should have stayed with her since that is where your loyalties lie now and I am no longer in the picture.” Adam frowns, moving closer and intimidating me just a little with his height and muscular frame, “What does that mean? You are my wife.” “Ex-wife,” I say the words without even thinking. I didn’t think any of this through but I don’t care because my entire being seems to agree that this is what’s best for me, “I want a divorce, Adam.” His eyes grow wide, unable to contain the shock at my words and I am proud of myself that I finally got a reaction that isn’t anger or coldness from him. | Read freely | 18 | https://facebook.com/61557986570531 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1716534000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841171 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682327 | 1723710537 | 858 | 1647538179348259 | 2 | 9.748784076486E+14 | 1716620400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 250753834794512 | 0 | Read freely | 120211565986950196 | redtgb.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | ❤️😍What happens next👉Click Here to read on👉 | https://redtgb.com/market/buenovela/3?lpid=11204&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1714661788 | 2.5075383479451E+14 | Read freely | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441255115_1177880883571742_5075201022874715379_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=g4JsrhWfitkQ7kNvgFeAKBG&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYBpTaGCiNETtYR_kV1GWW7Rzpt8y2OGe5kzssk6sCPaMg&oe=66583EF3 | person_profile | 0 | Read freely | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441055224_676099334622461_3142011906559831658_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=A4yVK4Sv1HwQ7kNvgEPlR3e&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYB-QI79bY-wsfuSD-aSCQRZreHGaTJ0yga_aI_hRJR6fA&oe=66584D39 | 0 | 3 | My husband and boss Adam, is laughing at every joke that leaves the lips of his first love while I watch them through the glass doors that separates his office from mine. I had been dutifully preparing some documents that needed his signature and also setting up his meetings for the day like I have done for 7 years as his secretary but since Sophia’s arrival, I have been unable to get any work done. I feel a pang in my chast every time Adam laughs, almost tearing up at the thought that he has never laughed like that around me. I stare at her slender frame, her lush black hair that bounces back into place even when she throws her head back in laughter and the grace in every of her movements. Sophia is an epitome of feminine grace and every of her features is proof of why Adam has been hung up over her even though they separated years ago. Even though he married me. The dark binds of his office are brought down abruptly, blocking my view of them both and now all I can see is black. It is as if Adam is trying to prevent me from prying even though I am his wife and privacy shouldn’t be a thing between us, especially when it comes to a woman he used to love so much. I still remember how shocked I was when she walked up to me earlier, heels clicking ever so sophisticatedly on the office tiles. I saw the feet cladded in shiny red heels before I raised my head to look at her. “Aria, I didn’t know you still worked here! I can’t believe Adam is still making you work even after you both got married. That man is something, isn’t he?” She said, smiling sweetly with blood red lips that would look horrifying on me if I dared to try that shade of lipstick. I couldn’t speak, caught in the shock of staring face to face with her after all these years, especially as she still had the same aura of wealth and confidence that I have always known her to possess. For a split second, she made me feel insecure in my gray office wear and my tight bun hair and the fact that I wore little to no makeup. “Sophia!” Adam’s voice was what broke me out of that trance I was stuck in as he stepped out of his office and there, right in front of me, he hugged her ever so tightly like an old time friend before he led her back into his office without sparing me as little as a glance. Now, they are alone together in his office, the blinds of his office pulled shut so that I can’t see them but can only hear their muffled voices and his own laughter every now and then. I squirm in my seat uncomfortably each time they laugh, gripping the edges of my table tightly and too destabilized to get any work done while they are both holed up in there. I stare at the calendar on my table. Today’s date is marked with a red marker and I sigh deeply. Does he even know today is our third wedding anniversary? Every year, it seems like I am the only one who remembers it and now with Sophia’s appearance, I can already tell that today will pass by like it’s just another day. I knew she was coming today. Being his secretary is the only reason why I knew the things Adam would rather keep from me. He already briefed me about a new business partner that just returned to the country two months ago and will be at the office at any time. What I didn’t know or should I say, what he purposely kept from me was that the so-called business partner was Sophia Bradley and perhaps the reason why he has been more cold and indifferent than usual, ever since her return. My heart aches at the realization but it aches even more because there is nothing I can do about it. I have never had a place in Adam’s heart but he has been the only one in mine. I loved him from the very moment he saved my life years ago but I can say the same for him. He always reminds me even without speaking, that our marriage is nothing but an attempt at fulfilling his grandfather’s wishes and I knew if he had gotten his way, he would have never looked at me twice, not to talk of getting married to me. Grandfather’s love for me is perhaps the only reason I am still sane in this loveless marriage. The old man never ceases to show how much he cherishes me but when has that ever been enough? I am married to Adam and not his family. The clock ticks endlessly, yet Adam remains in there with her. Their laughter dies down all of a sudden and I can barely hear a word they are saying. Unable to hold back anymore, I stand before the restlessness kil ls me. I am his wife and I deserve to know what is going on. To look natural, I quickly make two cups of coffee. After all, I am his secretary and this is a part of my job. Nervous sweat breaks out on my forehead as I make my way to his office with unsure steps. Inhaling sharply, I open the door and step in. My heart clenches at the sight of them both, relaxed in each other’s company as they sit so close to each other on one of the couches in his office. I swallow hard and try to walk over to the table with the best confidence I could muster. “I made coffee.” I say but they don’t even acknowledge my presence, lost in each other and whatever they were discussing. I study Sophia for a moment, watching as she twirls her cherry blonde hair with a finger while seated with one leg crossed over the other to reveal a prov0cative amount of thi9hs, smiling so brightly that I can’t tell if she’s faking it. I want to turn around and leave but my feet fail to move. I can’t just leave like this. For how long will I keep quiet and svck it up? “Sir,” I call, looking directly at Adam. We are married but he never fails to remind me that I address him as my boss at work. Adam doesn’t even make a move to look at me and anger rises inside of me, slowly boiling. “Sir,” I call again and that is when he finally regards me with a cold look that almost deters me but I remain firm under his gaze. “There is something I need to talk to you about, it’s important.” I lie right through my teeth. I can feel Sophia’s gaze burning through me but I try not to look at her, for the fear that my confidence would slip away if I do. Adam just waves me off. “It can wait. As you can see, I have a guest.” “It can’t wait.” I say, even more firmly but he is already back to smiling and listening to Sophia speak like a lovesick teenage boy. I call him a few more times and unable to hold back any longer, I call him by his name instead. “Adam!” They both look up at me with a mix of expressions. That of Adam is pure anger while Sophia is obviously irritated. I know she has never liked me and back when I was just his secretary and she was his girlfriend, she complained about every single thing I did. “Adam, what is this? Is this how you let your employees disrespect you?” She says it with absolute disgust and disrespect. I am stunned at her words, so stunned that I scoff. Employee? She dares to talk down on me like that even when she knows fully well that I am not just an employee. Adam stands, his tall frame causing his shadow to sweep over me while I grip the tray of coffee tightly in my hands. “Aria, out. Now.” He commands and I am filled with so much hurt that my hands shake and my lips quiver. “Why should I? I have every reason to be in this room and I have every right to speak for you to listen to me.” Sophia stands at once. “It seems as though your wife has a bone to pick with me and I will not sit here and take such insults.” She begins to walk away and of course, Adam follows her. I try to move out of her way but my attempt fails when her shoulder heavily bumps into mine in a way that is too fierce to be considered unintentional. I lose grip of the tray and stagger forward and just like that, the hot coffee spills all over her very expensive looking dress and mine. She shrieks, backing away from me only to glare at me the next second. “What the hel is wrong with you?” She yells. Adam rushes to her side in less than a minute, fussing over her stained dress and even offering her his handkerchief while I stand there, drenched in coffee as my husband takes care of another woman. I feel the tears prickling at the corner of my eyes but what does crying in front of this woman make me? “I can’t believe you! What did I ever do to you? Go ahead and dislike me all you want but there is a limit to how far you can go and you just crossed that.” She says again, seething in uncontained anger. Adam turns to me, eyes dark with rage. It makes me shiver. Makes me feel unimaginable pain to know he is mad at me because of another woman. “Apologise right now!” He commands and I scoff. How can he stand there and take her side when I did nothing wrong? “Why should I do that? I have done nothing wrong. She bumped into me!” I defend myself, my voice breaking. Lips quivering. “I did no such thing!” Sophia says defensively but her eyes tell a different story. “You heard me, Aria. Apologize to her right now.” Adam says again, still intently looking at me. I almost laugh at the fact that the only time he is looking me directly in the eyes after three years of marriage is when another woman is involved. I shake my head, finding all of this hard to believe. “So you believe her over me? You take her words for it but mine does not matter? I am your wife.” “A wife I never wanted to marry!” He yells back and shatters what is left of my broken heart. Chapter 2 I am speechless for the next few seconds as his words hit me like a freight train. I wait. I wait for his hard eyes to soften with remorse at the harsh words he threw at me but that doesn’t happen. He is glowering at me, nose flaring angrily. “Adam, how…how could you say that to me?” I say, my eyes crossing over to Sophia who is now hiding her own frame behind his tall, muscular one, “In front of her?” “Because it’s the truth!” He yells again, startling me into making a small helpless sound. Adam has never yelled at me. And even though it hurts me to admit that he is truly saying the truth, he has never said it to my face and I never really thought he would. I have always known it yet it hurts to hear it come from him. It feels like a thousand needles are pricking my heart and making me bleed out with so much pain. He runs his fingers through his hair, seeming frustrated. Like he would rather not have this conversation with me. And just when I think it is over, he continues to speak, breaking me even further. “You were nothing but a mere secretary who wormed her way into my life. If you hadn’t forced yourself on me that night, none of this would have happened! This marriage would have never happened and you know it.” He brings up the past. Our past. The night that meant everything to me but clearly means nothing to him. I swallow over and over again till my throat and mouth become dry. I can’t cry. No, I can’t appear weak. Not in front of Adam and definitely not in front of Sophia so I keep my tears at bay, urging them to return before they spill down my cheeks. “I never forced myself on you, Adam. Why won’t you believe me?” I manage to say but he raises a hand to tell me to stop talking and I clamp my lips shut. “Do not stand there and try to look innocent, Aria because that is far from who you are. I simply said the truth and I do not care if you cannot take it.” He says and stares at me intently. “Do not let what happened today repeat itself again. Know your place and I will not have any reason to talk to you like this. Do you understand?” He lays emphasis on every word of warning he is giving me and turns his back against me before I can even open my mouth to speak again. “Are you okay?” I can’t believe how his voice goes from hard to soft in the next second as he fusses over Sophia. Sophia makes a face that has me balling my fingers into a fist. A face that clearly says she is not okay. “The coffee was hot and I think I might have to visit the hospital to prevent the burn from leaving a scar.” She says in a quiet voice. I look down at my own body that is also drenched in the same coffee. The coffee wasn’t hot enough to cause a burn but Adam believes her instantly. He pulls her into a hug and embarrassment washes over me like a bucket of ice. “I’ll drive. Wait here, I will get my keys.” he says as he pulls away, rushing to his office table to grab his car keys before coming back to her side. He takes her purse from her and leads her out. They both seem so lost in each other that they forget my existence totally, leaving me to stand alone in the middle of the room. Silence falls over me and I am left with my thoughts, licking the wound that his words caused. I have never been able to convince Adam that I didn’t force myself on him yet till this very day, he still believes I drugged him into sleeping with him on the night we were having dinner with his family three years ago. I can never forget the pure look of disgust and shock on his face when we both woke up in each other’s arms the next morning. I knew since then that Adam would never love me, yet I was hopeful. As the years go by, the hope keeps dwindling with his grandfather, being the only support system in everything. Sighing, I return to my office and pick up my phone. My eyes widens when I see that a number has called my phone repeatedly all the time I was in Adam’s office. The dread that fills me stems from the fact that I recognise the number as the hospital’s number. I call back instantly, my heart racing. They pick up on the second ring. “Mrs Miller, we have been trying to reach you all afternoon!” A female voice says. “Why? Is something wrong? Is my grandmother okay?” I ask, rushing my words as I am filled with dread and panic. “You need to be at the hospital, your grandmother—” I don’t wait to hear the rest of her words. I race out of the room and call on a taxi to drive me to the hospital. I go straight to her hospital room but the sheets and blankets are already being neatly arranged and the bed is empty. More panic. More dread. “Where is my grandmother?” I ask, “Where is she?” The nurse cleaning the room gives me a look of pity that nauseates me. “I am sorry, Mrs Miller but your grandmother died ten minutes ago and has been moved to the hospital’s mortuary. I am sorry.” She says. The world around me stops and I don’t know how I am able to walk on my two feet to the mortuary where the Nurse leads me. She stops at the door and points to my grandmother laying on a table in the room, her body covered in a white sheet from head to toe. I walk to the bedside with shaky legs and the moment I take the sheet off and set my eyes on her pale face, I burst out into a loud sob, wishing I could go back to a month ago so I can prevent that accident that made her this way. The accident that took my only living family away from me. “Grandma…” I call in a broken voice as I reach for her hand. They are too cold, so lifeless and the tears begin to leave my eyes in torrents as I remember how warm these hands used to be when they held my face. “I’m sorry…I’m so sorry.” I cry, holding tightly unto her and hating myself for not being there in her last moments. I should have been there with her but I was too busy worrying about my place in my husband’s life. The nurse comes into the room and says, “She asked us to give you this.” I wipe my tears, sniffling as I take what seems to be a key chain from her. I couldn’t think of a reason why grandmother’s parting gift to me would be a key chain but I can’t seem to care. Her cold hands slammed me into the reality of what had happened. Grandmother is dead. I fall to my knees by the bed and weep, muttering and calling for her to return to me. “Aria.” Adam’s voice calls from behind me. I am both surprised and relieved to find him there. He must have been contacted by the hospital as well and stopped by since he already came here with Sophia anyway. Sophia is standing in the room with us but I ignore her. I focus on Adam because I need him. I need someone to hold me and tell me everything will be fine. “Adam.” I cry as I walk over to him and hug him without a second thought, my tears gathering and falling again. His body stiffens at my touch but I don’t let go. I need his warmth. I need him because he is really all that I have left and I can’t bear to lose him too. I expect him to push me away but he doesn’t. He doesn’t hug me back too but I can’t find it in me to care as I sob uncontrollably. My tears subside and I sniffle repeatedly and slowly let go of him. He clears his throat and takes out his phone, saying; “I’ll place a call to start making preparations for her funeral.” He turns around to leave with Sophia also following him but I can’t bear the sight of him turning his back to me and leaving. I grab his hand. “Stay.” I sound so weak and helpless but I do not give a damm, “Please, don’t go. Stay with me.” I beg. Adam opens his mouth to say something but a sharp cry stuns us both. We spin around at the same time to the source of the cry and she is crouching, holding her stomach with an expression of pain. Adam rushes to Sophia’s side in a heartbeat and my heart sinks further down my stomach. “Sophia, are you okay?” He asks with concern ringing high in his voice. She shakes her head, “There is something I’ve been wanting to tell you but didn’t know how.” She says, holding her stomach as she looks directly at me. “What is it?” Adam asks, still very much concerned. “Adam…I…I am pre9nant.” Chapter 3 Grandmother’s funeral is being held on a gloomy day, much to my displeasure. I listened to the weather forecast so I could choose the perfect day for the funeral, and according to the forecast, the day is supposed to be sunny and bright just like Grandmother. I feel duped standing by grandmother’s grave with the sky covered in clouds that only worsen the dark and depressing feeling that has settled in my guts since her death. I have cried so much that I have no tears left to shed at grandmother’s grave and now have to wear dark sunglasses to hide how red and puffy my eyes are rather than to complement my black dress. There are a few people hanging around the other graves in the cemetery to pay their last respects to their loved ones and at each grave, there are at least two people; couples holding each other, families comforting each other and even church processions. I am alone, with no one to comfort me since no one else bothered to attend my grandmother's funeral. With her gone, I realize how lonely I actually am and the thought deals another blow to my already damaged heart. I try hard to get the heartbreaking events of the past few days off my mind and when I finally succeed, I turn my focus back to my grandmother. She’s smiling in the framed picture placed by her tombstone and I force a smile as well as a fond memory of her slips into my mind. “Aria, my child, you can’t frown like that everytime or you’ll get wrinkles like me before you are even my age!” She would say and then go ahead to spread my lips into a smile with her fingers. Grandmother was a cheerful soul who would tell me stories, mostly the ones about my birth and how she knew from the very first day that she set her eyes on me that I was going to be a really beautiful and amazing child. I shared everything with her and talking to her about my marriage was one of the things that made it bearable. I don’t know what I’d do without Grandmother. Tears start to gather in my eyes again and I take off the sunglasses to wipe them off before they start to fall. I already promised myself not to cry anymore; Grandmother wouldn’t want that. Sniffling, I begin to place the things I brought with me by her grave; Tulips, which were her favorite flowers; Peaches, her favorite fruit and finally some sweets because grandmother had a really sweet tooth and never listened to me whenever I told her they were bad for her age. “There are no sweets in heaven, Aria. It’s only right that I take as much as I can down here before the big guy calls me up there.” She would say at the same she unwraps another candy and tosses it into her mouth. She would talk on and on about ‘The big guy’ and ‘Up there’ like she was always prepared for the day she would die. I can’t help it anymore, I burst into tears, falling on my knees by her grave as it dawns on me fully that she is really gone. “I should have let you have all the candies in the world. I should have been there with you at your dying moment. I should have held your hands and told you it’s gonna be okay. I–” My voice breaks, the deep regret and tears choking me and making me lose my train of thoughts. I can’t think of a thing to say anymore and so I just cry, sobbing so hard my body shakes. I hear confident footsteps approaching me and feel a presence behind me that causes my sobs to come to a pause. My heart races and hope swells inside of me when the person puts a hand on my shoulder. I whip my head around, expecting to see Adam but my hope quickly shatters when I see that it is Adam uncle, Regis. “Regis.” I say, sniffing and wiping my tears in a rush. “Here,” He hands me his handkerchief, stuffing it in my hand and closing my palm around it before I can even refuse. I say a barely audible thank you before I dab at the tears with the hanky that smelt like him. “I came as soon as I heard, I’m sorry about your Grandmother, Aria.” He says in a sincere and kind voice. Regis has always been kind to me even when I was just a secretary. Whenever he came to visit his nephew at the office, he would stop to say hi and hand me a canned coffee with a smile on his face. However, he left the country to study a few days before our wedding and only returned not too long ago. This is the first time seeing him since his return and the kind look in his eyes assures me that if he had been around, I would have had another person rooting for me just like Adam’s grandfather. “You didn’t have to.” I say quietly, trying to downplay how much it actually means to me that at least, one person cares enough to be here with me. Regis looks around as if searching for something and then he frowns when our eyes meet again. “You’re alone? Where the hel is Adam?” He asks, his voice a little hard. My cheeks redden in embarrassment. Regis has only just returned and probably doesn’t know anything yet. I am not willing to talk either. I force a smile and begin to pack the excess things I bought for my grandmother's funeral. Regis joins me wordlessly and I sigh in silent appreciation of how he doesn’t ask anymore questions. He takes everything from my hands even before I can protest. “Did you drive here?” He asks and I shake my head. I came here in a Taxi. “C’mon, we’ll take my car.” He says and walks in front of me. I have no choice but to follow him. We have just gotten outside of the cemetery when a car drives into the parking space right beside Regis’ car. The car is familiar and I keep doubting who it belongs to until Adam steps out of the car, eyes trained on me as he walks over. The first thing I notice is his Royal Blue suit and I feel the slow brewing of anger inside of me. How could he show up wearing that? It is like a blatant disrespect of my Grandmother and I can’t stand to watch her get disrespected even in her death. It is clear that he came from the office; little surprise there and it would have been better if he didn’t come at all as I now realize how looking at him only infuriates me. He had managed to avoid me in the past three days since the hospital incident. Three days since Sophia announced that she was pre9nant and shook my world. I didn’t need anyone to tell me who the baby belonged to as he walks towards me now, I feel nothing but resentment for him. “Is it over? Crap, I must have lost track of time.” He says before turning to his uncle and giving him a tight smile of appreciation that I find nauseating. “Thank you for being here with her, uncle.” Regis merely crosses his arms, staring back at his nephew, “Care to explain why you are only just coming?” Regis thows the question at him and I face Adam too, crossing my arms. “Yes, Adam. Tell me what was more important than being at my grandmother’s funeral.” I already know the answer but I still wait to hear him say it so I can have a reason to hate him even more. “I really wanted to be here, Aria but you know…” He trails off, running a hand through his hair, “I had to be with Sophia.” The sound of her name is what does it for me; the same woman who is the reason I wasn’t around to witness grandmother’s dying moments. “Did you really come all the way here to tell me you were with another woman you slept with and impregnated?” “What?” Regis is the one who speaks, his voice echoing his shock as he looks from me to Adam. Adam’s usual blank look remains as if he is unaffected by my words and the pain he has caused me. “Let’s not do this here, Aria. You know I can’t just leave her.” I scoff. “I never stopped you. You know what? You should have never come here. You should have stayed with her since that is where your loyalties lie now and I am no longer in the picture.” Adam frowns, moving closer and intimidating me just a little with his height and muscular frame, “What does that mean? You are my wife.” “Ex-wife,” I say the words without even thinking. I didn’t think any of this through but I don’t care because my entire being seems to agree that this is what’s best for me, “I want a divorce, Adam.” His eyes grow wide, unable to contain the shock at my words and I am proud of myself that I finally got a reaction that isn’t anger or coldness from him. “Both the divorce papers and my resignation will find their way to you soon.” I add before he can get over his shock and I don’t wait for him to reply as I turn to an equally stunned Regis. “Take me home, Regis.” Chapter 4 Adam’s POV I want a divorce. The words circle around my head non-stop. Of all the shets I have had the pleasure of hearing–and trust me, I hear a lot of crap as a CEO–Aria asking for a divorce out of nowhere has to be the worst. I am a man who takes pride in my strength and ability to handle situations no matter how unexpected they are. It comes with the job, yet for some reason, I am unable to utter a single word or move my feet until she gets into the car with my uncle. When I finally come to my senses, she is long gone, leaving me to drown in the pool of shock she created. I am shocked at her audacity; the way she looked me in the eyes as she hit me with those words. Aria’s cold hazel eyes totally betrayed the meek and timid trait that I have only ever known her for. I am equally shocked at myself for actually being affected by it when I shouldn't have batted an eyelash, after all, I never wanted to marry her. The three years of living with Aria felt like I was in bonda9e created by her own deceit and my grandfather’s overbearing attitude. I never cared about Aria yet the sound of divorce numbed me completely that I am unable to think straight until the door to my car opens and reminds me that I am still standing still in front of the cemetery. My personal assistant steps out of the car and speaks. “Sir, your appointment with the Taylor Enterprises is thirty minutes from now. It’s more than an hour’s drive from here, we should leave now if–” “Cancel it,” I say, heading back to the car, not quite in the right mind to process anything, not even a meeting whose outcome was worth millions of dollars. My assistant follows behind me in a hurry, obviously confused. “But sir, that isn’t the only appointment for the day. You also have…” He starts to read out my packed schedule for the day as I finally get into the car. “Cancel them all!” I say, settling into the leather seats of the car and loosening my tie at the same time as it feels like I am slowly losing the ability to breathe, “Get in and turn the dann AC on.” I command him, unable to prevent my anger and irritation from reflecting in my voice. Finally noticing the negative emotions rolling out of me in waves, he mutters his response before getting into the driver’s seat and pulling the car out of the cemetery’s parking lot. We get to the highway, air is emitting from not only the AC in the car yet I feel heat rising from inside of me and not even loosening a few buttons on my shirt helped. All I can think about is Aria and the dammed divorce. My shock is long gone and I am now stewing in nothing but anger, bordering on rage. Who the hel does she think she is? What gives her the boldness to think she makes the call for divorce? If anyone should be asking for a divorce, It should be me. I am the one who married her against my will. She’s the one who found me so irresistible that she went as far as dru9ging me just to have me. If anyone deserves to slam divorce papers in her face, it is me but the thought never crossed my mind. She’s a good secretary, dutiful, efficient and always at my beck and call. She also doubles as a good wife, never getting in my way or needy for attention. Aria takes whatever I give her; the little time, the irregular sax and the little communication, all that I deemed appropriate for our kind of relationship. The sudden switch has me racking my brain, thinking of different possibilities and all the things that could have gone wrong. A thought crosses my mind and it intensifies my anger in a way that I can’t even understand. “Find out if Aria has been meeting anyone lately. Men in particular.” I say. My assistant meets my eyes through the rearview mirror. His eyes fail to hide his surprise that I am asking him to look into my wife and the possibility that she’s been seeing other men. I can’t rule out all the possibilities and if Aria has really been cheating on me, I swear to God– My phone vibrates beside me on the leather seats. Sophia’s name pops up on the screen in a message notification. She’s asking me when next I would be available for an appointment at the doctor’s office. Seeing Sophia’s message douses my anger but leaves me with a far more disturbing emotion. I thought of all the reasons why my quiet wife is suddenly asking for a divorce but it never crossed my mind that impregnating the woman I once loved could be the reason. I think back to that day two months ago when yet again, I let drinking lead me into making the worst decisions. All I had to do was pick Sophia up at the airport, drive her to her hotel and return home. Instead, I took the invite to have a drink in her hotel room; for old time’s sake, she called it. We did more than just have a drink that night and the outcome is the baby growing inside of Sophia. I can’t call it a mistake yet deep down, I know it should have never happened. I should have never let myself get tempted by the thought of how being inside of Sophia will feel after three years. I want the child. It’s my baby and I don’t plan on losing it but it comes at a price that I never thought would be a problem which is the divorce with Aria. I can’t let Aria divorce me. I need her. At the office and in my home. She’s been my secretary for seven years and no one can do her job like her. I also pay her well and make sure she doesn’t need anything as my wife. How does she plan to survive without me anyway? Does she think that by asking for divorce, she has put herself on a higher level than me? What game is she playing with me now? Ha! Women thinking that they can live without a man and his support. As I think deeply about these things, I also think of a way to remedy them. I just need to do something to appeal to her. “What do women like?” I asked my assistant. He hesitates at first, surprised by the sudden question before he clears his throat and answers, “Erm, designer bags I guess and oh, flowers.” I am already scrolling through an online store on my phone, clicking away at every expensive bag that catches my eyes until I have already ordered a number to last her an entire year. Then we make a stop at the flower shop on the way home. Turns out there are more than a hundred thousand flowers and I can’t even decide which one to get for Aria because apparently, women have favorites when it comes to things as trivial as flowers as well. In the end, I pick Lilies because the attendant at the flowershop claims it’s most women’s favorite. I head home after that with only one single thought at the back of my mind; I won’t let Aria divorce me. Chapter 5 I’m thankful that Regis doesn’t ask any questions as he drives me back home. He offers to drive me into the compound but I turn him down and wait till he drives off before I sigh and walk into the house. The house is brimming with maids who rush over to me the instant they hear the door open but I raise a hand to stop them all from coming close to me. I am no longer the mistress of the house. I walk past them all to get to my room. Adam and I only share a room when he is looking to satisfy his saxual urges. He crawls into my bed and peppers kisses all over my body till I give in and that is the only time I ever feel wanted by him. As I walk into the room, I refrain from staring at the bed for longer than I should, afraid that the memories of us tangled up in sheets with him buried deep inside of me will break my resolve. And right now, I have only one resolve–to leave Adam for good. I begin to pack while that resolve is still strong, not even stopping for one moment to think about the fact that I have nowhere to go. I can’t bear to stay one more day under the same roof with Adam, knowing how deeply his betrayal cut. I only pack a few things that are important, assuring myself that I will come back for the rest of my things later when the divorce is finalized. I am only halfway through packing when I hear the sound of a familiar voice that never fails to send chills down my spine and even right this moment, I can already feel the chilling crawl of dread and it makes me stop packing immediately. Adam’s mother, Elodie and his sister Eva are here. I exhale sharply, trying to keep my breathing under control and to also keep the terrible memories of them from flushing into the forefront of my mind. A few more deep exhales and I finally get a hold of myself, resuming packing my things. Once I finish packing, I haul the heavy suitcase out of the room and walk into the living room where Elodie and Eva are seated on one of the couches, legs crossed over one another like they owned the place. Elodie has her signature scowl on her face that doesn’t fade even when I bow to greet her. “Why are you here?” Elodie asks, standing. I am confused by her question and my inability to give an answer makes her scoff, her face contorting into the ugliest form annoyance can take. “I almost forgot how dumb you are.” Elodie says again. Dumb. Her favorite word to throw at me the way she pleases and of course, it doesn’t hurt less today. In fact, it is even more painful now that I realize that besides having to live with Adam’s indifference, I have also had to deal with his mother’s hatred and utter disrespect for me and all along, my response has either been silence or an apology that she never deserved. “Why are you here instead of the office, huh?” She sneers and continues, “My son works tirelessly day and night just to make money for someone like you to leech off him, all he asks of you is to do your job as his secretary and yet you can’t even do that one thing? Do you think you are entitled to his money just because you are his wife?” Her words are like hard blows to the chast, every single word that strung her sentences together hitting nerves and breaking right through them. I feel something rising inside of me. It has always been there but I have always managed to control it. To top it all, Eva, Adam’s snobbish sister had to chip in, “She’s a trickster who duped my poor innocent brother and I wonder why isn’t she at the office! Such a lazy bumm! I don’t even know how Grandpa accepted such a penniless betch to be part of our elite family!” “I had to be at my grandmother’s funeral.” I respond simply, hoping the scowl on her face will disappear but it gets even more profound and she adds a scoff for good measure. Did Elodie and Eva not know that my grandmother died? “Is she dead for real? Or is it just an act?!” Eva has the guts to ask me and I glare at her. Elodie continues, “Of course, that’s your excuse for being a lazy gold digger. Tell me, did that grandmother of yours teach you to go after other people’s money instead of working for your own?” That very thing that has been rising inside me since I saw Adam’s mother reaches its peak. It’s anger. It is red, pure and fiery and controls my whole being that I can not even bring myself to care about anything other than keeping my grandmother’s name from being soiled. “Do not talk about my grandmother like that!” I yell and she jumps slightly, startled by my outburst. “Did you just yell at me?” she says, taking a step forward but I don’t flinch as I stare back into her eyes. Eva approaches me and she lashes out, “Did you just shout at my mother?!!!” Eva has always tried to demean me and every possible way at every chance presented to her. She grabs my arm, presses it harshly, making me wince in pain. Elodie smiles and as usually, she is greatly entertained. I push Eva with the other hand and she tumbles on the sofa. She remains shocked for I have always allowed them to bully me and this time, I retaliate. “Did you forget your place? You are nothing but a–” “Gold digger who married your son for his money, yes, I get it!” I snap at her, having had enough of the name calling every damm time, “But you don’t have to worry about that anymore because I already filed for a divorce. I am leaving your son so you can go ahead and swallow all of his money for all I care.” I turn around to leave, huffing as I drag the heavy suitcase with me but then Elodie clamps her hand down on the suitcase to stop me. She looks at the suitcase in amusement. “You are really leaving!” Elodie can’t even hide the joy in her tone. “Yes, so please just stop and let me go.” She shakes her head, “Not so fast! You can’t just leave.” And then she signals to two of the maids who have been standing, watching the whole exchange. “Search her!” She orders when they come forward. They hesitate and she glares at them. “Did you not hear her? She is no longer the mistress of the house. Search her right now.” I am too stunned to react when the maids finally snatch my suitcase from me. Eva tries to hold me preventing me from snatching back my bag from the maids. “What do you think you’re doing?” I say, my voice shaky. “I can’t just let you leave. Who knows what valuables you have stolen from my son inside that germ ridden bag of yours.” My mouth opens and closes several times at her words as I can’t even come up with a single string of sentences to say to her. I just watch as my things come tumbling to the ground in the rough search. Tears of humiliation burned at the back of my eyes. I don’t struggle any more from Eva’s grip and she stares at me triumphantly. “What is that? Hand it over.” Adam’s mother says when one of the maids found a gold bracelet I had lodged into my case. Grandmother’s bracelet, the only thing I have left of her. “No!” I rush forward to stop her from handing it over but I am too late. Adam’s mother is already holding and inspecting the bracelet. “Oh, wow! Mom, you finally found something she stole from Adam!” Eva exclaimed enthusiastically. Upon saying those words, she drags me and throws me onto the marble. I hit my nose. As I touch it, blood is coming out. I wipe it quickly and spring up to my feet. “I knew it! You took something. Did my son buy this for you? What gives you the right to think you can walk away with something he got for you after filing for a divorce?” Elodie snaps. “That doesn’t belong to your son! It is mine and I will appreciate it if you give it back.” She does the exact opposite and only continues to accuse me of being a thief until the door opens and Adam walks in. I don’t feel relief at his presence like I usually do when his mother treats me this way, instead, I feel nothing but resentment for him. I want to scream how much I hate him to his face. His face twists into confusion when he sees the situation. “What is going on here?” He asks, walking further into the house and looking from his mother to me. “Thank goodness you arrived, son. This leech was about to leave with something that clearly doesn’t belong to her.” His mother responds. “And she hit me!!!” Eva adds, almost in tears, complaining to Adam. This time, Adam is too shocked to ask me why I hit his dear sister. I thought,as he did in the past, he would force me to apologize, but this time, he did nothing. I wonder why. My eyes are starting to water for some reason and I am confused as to why Adam’s appearance suddenly triggered them yet I smile through the tears. “Adam, will you please tell your mother that I have never gotten a gift from you?” Adam falters, seemingly speechless for a second as he stares at his hands. I also look down at his hands and I finally understand why my eyes sting with tears and why I am sniffling in preparation of a sneeze that rocks my entire body. Lilies. I am all ergic to them. Despite the tears rolling down my cheeks, I start to laugh. I laugh so hard, ignoring the burning gazes of everyone present in the room who probably think I have gone crazy. I sneeze in between laughs, yet I don’t stop laughing as I turn to Adam’s mother. “I have been married to your son for three years and he doesn’t even know I am all ergic to lilies, yet you think he is capable of getting me a bracelet?” I shake my head at my sad reality. Chapter 6 Adam hands the flowers over to one of the maids, asking her to put it in a vase or whatever. He clears his throat, trying and failing miserably to hide his embarrassment in front of his mother, his sister and the maids. “The flowers weren’t for you.” He says, voice hard as he stares at me for a brief second. I barely even feel anything when he says that because I genuinely don’t care anymore, I just want to get the hel out of this house and never return. I don’t even care about the rest of my things which I am yet to pack, I just want to turn my back on this horrible life already. I hear Eva sniggers. Adam seems like he wants to say something to me but then he decides against it and turns to his mother instead. “Mum, please return the bracelet to her.” She snorts and shakes her head stubbornly, “I am not letting her leave with it.” Adam grunts, a sign that he is slowly losing his patience, “ I have never seen that bracelet mother, it belongs to Aria. Please, give it back.” Adam’s mother doesn’t immediately move to do as she is told but the moment she does, it is with an annoyed huff as she tosses the bracelet at me. I catch it in my palms while she heads back to sit in the same position as earlier when I first walked into the living room. I fall to my knees by the mess the maids made out of my clothes and then I begin to arrange them again, rushing through the process so I can get out of here fast to stop the repeated sting of humiliation. Adam standing there and just watching me clean up his mother’s mess without as much as an apology from either of them only adds to the rising level of humiliation. Once done, I stand and face Adam squarely, taking in the same clothes he wore to the cemetery earlier and getting reminded of all the reasons why I am making the best decision of my life. “As I said before, it is over between us. The divorce papers and my resignation letter will find their way to you soon.” I say, ignoring the way his face twisted, “Goodbye, Adam.” I turn around before I can even hear his response. I don’t want to look at Adam, not anymore. I walk away from him, going straight for the door and turning its knob for what I hope is the very last time. I have barely taken a step outside the door when Adam’s strong hand grabs my upper arm and twists me around to look at him. I have worked with him for seven years, four of which I was just his secretary and that was enough for me to know the kind of man Adam Miller is. He is usually composed with a blank expression that shows how in control he is. Right now, Adam is neither composed nor in control. He seems like he has lost grip of it and the meaning of those words don’t even matter to him anymore as he holds my arm in a tight grip. I struggle to break free of his hold. “Let me go.” I snap at him but Adam only narrows his eyes at me, his anger burning past his blue eyes. “You can’t just leave, Aria.” He growls. “You can’t tell me what to do, Adam. At least not anymore. Let me go!” “Does this even make any sense to you!” He yells in my face as he lets go of my hand to run his hand through his hair, “ You can’t just spring this kind of shet on me.” “It’s not springing if we have both had it coming from the very moment we shared our vows which you have already broken. We both know this marriage should have never happened so cut the crap and let me leave.” I say, practically fuming before turning around in another attempt to leave. “What about grandfather? You are taking such a big step without talking to the old man who set it all up anyway. The man who has been nothing but good to you.” I turn back to face Adam, hating his attempt at making me feel guilty. My thoughts go to his grandfather momentarily and I try to imagine the old man’s reaction to me filing for a divorce when he cares about me so much. However, I don’t waver. I refuse to let those thoughts come between me and my freedom. I refuse to put the wish of another over my own happiness. “I will talk to grandfather. Believe me, you have nothing to worry about.” I say and make another attempt to leave but of course, Adam doesn’t give up as he speaks again. “I won’t sign it Aria, I won’t sign the goddamm papers!” “What the hel is wrong with you?” I yell out my frustration, “Why won’t you just let me go?” He stares me down, eyes burning stubbornly, “I won’t sign the papers and I won’t accept your resignation either. The company has rules you have to follow and you can’t just decide to resign without prior notice especially when there is a lot of work at the office which I pay you to do!” I scoff, unable to believe his nerve. Unable to get over his selfish thinking and absolute lack of remorse for the things he has done. “You have Sophia, don’t you?” I shoot at him and his brows furrow. “What does that even mean?” “Everyone adores Sophia. She is smart, beautiful and can get your work done for you and oh, don’t forget the fact that she is also pre9nant with your child! How perfect is that?” Adam’s mother springs up, surprise evident in her features. Clearly, she is just learning about her coming grandson. “Adam, is what she says true? You have a child on the way?” Eva asked excitedly. Adam’s expression don’t give anything away and he doesn’t even spare his mother or sister a glance. He is still looking straight at me. “Aria, what happened between Sophia and I wasn’t intentional, it just–” “Don’t you dare make excuses for her! Who cares what she thinks? Sophia is who you have always deserved. The only woman who actually deserves to be my daughter-in-law.” Adam’s mother cut in while making sure to give me a nasty look that doesn’t even surprise me anymore. I shrug at Adam, a way to show him that I was right. Everyone wants Sophia, including him and he can’t even bring himself to deny it. He continues to ignore his mother. “Aria, it was an accident.” He says again and I nod, like I am agreeing to his words. “Three years ago, you didn’t think the same way. You didn’t think you accidentally slept with me but instead believed I had gone as far as dru9ging you to sleep with you. What changed, Adam? Because all I see right now is a bloody hypocrite and a coward who would rather blame others for his mistakes.” When I turn my back to him this time, I don’t stop walking. I don’t turn around. “Aria! Aria, get back here while I am still being nice. Aria, I swear to God if you walk out that door, I won’t take you back even if you go on your knees. You need me, Aria. You can’t survive without me!” Adam yells after me but I don’t stop walking as his arrogant words only fueled my desire to get away from him as fast as I can. I block out the rest of his words as I open the door and welcome my peace and freedom. I am never going back to that sad reality. | Read freely | 18 | https://facebook.com/61557986570531 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1716534000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841173 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682327 | 1723710537 | 858 | 1647538179348259 | 2 | 9.748784076486E+14 | 1716620400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 250753834794512 | 0 | Read freely | 120211565986950196 | redtgb.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | ❤️😍What happens next👉Click Here to read on👉 | https://redtgb.com/market/buenovela/3?lpid=11204&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1714661788 | 2.5075383479451E+14 | Read freely | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441255115_1177880883571742_5075201022874715379_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=g4JsrhWfitkQ7kNvgFeAKBG&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYBpTaGCiNETtYR_kV1GWW7Rzpt8y2OGe5kzssk6sCPaMg&oe=66583EF3 | person_profile | 0 | Read freely | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441055224_676099334622461_3142011906559831658_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=A4yVK4Sv1HwQ7kNvgEPlR3e&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYB-QI79bY-wsfuSD-aSCQRZreHGaTJ0yga_aI_hRJR6fA&oe=66584D39 | 0 | 3 | My husband and boss Adam, is laughing at every joke that leaves the lips of his first love while I watch them through the glass doors that separates his office from mine. I had been dutifully preparing some documents that needed his signature and also setting up his meetings for the day like I have done for 7 years as his secretary but since Sophia’s arrival, I have been unable to get any work done. I feel a pang in my chast every time Adam laughs, almost tearing up at the thought that he has never laughed like that around me. I stare at her slender frame, her lush black hair that bounces back into place even when she throws her head back in laughter and the grace in every of her movements. Sophia is an epitome of feminine grace and every of her features is proof of why Adam has been hung up over her even though they separated years ago. Even though he married me. The dark binds of his office are brought down abruptly, blocking my view of them both and now all I can see is black. It is as if Adam is trying to prevent me from prying even though I am his wife and privacy shouldn’t be a thing between us, especially when it comes to a woman he used to love so much. I still remember how shocked I was when she walked up to me earlier, heels clicking ever so sophisticatedly on the office tiles. I saw the feet cladded in shiny red heels before I raised my head to look at her. “Aria, I didn’t know you still worked here! I can’t believe Adam is still making you work even after you both got married. That man is something, isn’t he?” She said, smiling sweetly with blood red lips that would look horrifying on me if I dared to try that shade of lipstick. I couldn’t speak, caught in the shock of staring face to face with her after all these years, especially as she still had the same aura of wealth and confidence that I have always known her to possess. For a split second, she made me feel insecure in my gray office wear and my tight bun hair and the fact that I wore little to no makeup. “Sophia!” Adam’s voice was what broke me out of that trance I was stuck in as he stepped out of his office and there, right in front of me, he hugged her ever so tightly like an old time friend before he led her back into his office without sparing me as little as a glance. Now, they are alone together in his office, the blinds of his office pulled shut so that I can’t see them but can only hear their muffled voices and his own laughter every now and then. I squirm in my seat uncomfortably each time they laugh, gripping the edges of my table tightly and too destabilized to get any work done while they are both holed up in there. I stare at the calendar on my table. Today’s date is marked with a red marker and I sigh deeply. Does he even know today is our third wedding anniversary? Every year, it seems like I am the only one who remembers it and now with Sophia’s appearance, I can already tell that today will pass by like it’s just another day. I knew she was coming today. Being his secretary is the only reason why I knew the things Adam would rather keep from me. He already briefed me about a new business partner that just returned to the country two months ago and will be at the office at any time. What I didn’t know or should I say, what he purposely kept from me was that the so-called business partner was Sophia Bradley and perhaps the reason why he has been more cold and indifferent than usual, ever since her return. My heart aches at the realization but it aches even more because there is nothing I can do about it. I have never had a place in Adam’s heart but he has been the only one in mine. I loved him from the very moment he saved my life years ago but I can say the same for him. He always reminds me even without speaking, that our marriage is nothing but an attempt at fulfilling his grandfather’s wishes and I knew if he had gotten his way, he would have never looked at me twice, not to talk of getting married to me. Grandfather’s love for me is perhaps the only reason I am still sane in this loveless marriage. The old man never ceases to show how much he cherishes me but when has that ever been enough? I am married to Adam and not his family. The clock ticks endlessly, yet Adam remains in there with her. Their laughter dies down all of a sudden and I can barely hear a word they are saying. Unable to hold back anymore, I stand before the restlessness kil ls me. I am his wife and I deserve to know what is going on. To look natural, I quickly make two cups of coffee. After all, I am his secretary and this is a part of my job. Nervous sweat breaks out on my forehead as I make my way to his office with unsure steps. Inhaling sharply, I open the door and step in. My heart clenches at the sight of them both, relaxed in each other’s company as they sit so close to each other on one of the couches in his office. I swallow hard and try to walk over to the table with the best confidence I could muster. “I made coffee.” I say but they don’t even acknowledge my presence, lost in each other and whatever they were discussing. I study Sophia for a moment, watching as she twirls her cherry blonde hair with a finger while seated with one leg crossed over the other to reveal a prov0cative amount of thi9hs, smiling so brightly that I can’t tell if she’s faking it. I want to turn around and leave but my feet fail to move. I can’t just leave like this. For how long will I keep quiet and svck it up? “Sir,” I call, looking directly at Adam. We are married but he never fails to remind me that I address him as my boss at work. Adam doesn’t even make a move to look at me and anger rises inside of me, slowly boiling. “Sir,” I call again and that is when he finally regards me with a cold look that almost deters me but I remain firm under his gaze. “There is something I need to talk to you about, it’s important.” I lie right through my teeth. I can feel Sophia’s gaze burning through me but I try not to look at her, for the fear that my confidence would slip away if I do. Adam just waves me off. “It can wait. As you can see, I have a guest.” “It can’t wait.” I say, even more firmly but he is already back to smiling and listening to Sophia speak like a lovesick teenage boy. I call him a few more times and unable to hold back any longer, I call him by his name instead. “Adam!” They both look up at me with a mix of expressions. That of Adam is pure anger while Sophia is obviously irritated. I know she has never liked me and back when I was just his secretary and she was his girlfriend, she complained about every single thing I did. “Adam, what is this? Is this how you let your employees disrespect you?” She says it with absolute disgust and disrespect. I am stunned at her words, so stunned that I scoff. Employee? She dares to talk down on me like that even when she knows fully well that I am not just an employee. Adam stands, his tall frame causing his shadow to sweep over me while I grip the tray of coffee tightly in my hands. “Aria, out. Now.” He commands and I am filled with so much hurt that my hands shake and my lips quiver. “Why should I? I have every reason to be in this room and I have every right to speak for you to listen to me.” Sophia stands at once. “It seems as though your wife has a bone to pick with me and I will not sit here and take such insults.” She begins to walk away and of course, Adam follows her. I try to move out of her way but my attempt fails when her shoulder heavily bumps into mine in a way that is too fierce to be considered unintentional. I lose grip of the tray and stagger forward and just like that, the hot coffee spills all over her very expensive looking dress and mine. She shrieks, backing away from me only to glare at me the next second. “What the hel is wrong with you?” She yells. Adam rushes to her side in less than a minute, fussing over her stained dress and even offering her his handkerchief while I stand there, drenched in coffee as my husband takes care of another woman. I feel the tears prickling at the corner of my eyes but what does crying in front of this woman make me? “I can’t believe you! What did I ever do to you? Go ahead and dislike me all you want but there is a limit to how far you can go and you just crossed that.” She says again, seething in uncontained anger. Adam turns to me, eyes dark with rage. It makes me shiver. Makes me feel unimaginable pain to know he is mad at me because of another woman. “Apologise right now!” He commands and I scoff. How can he stand there and take her side when I did nothing wrong? “Why should I do that? I have done nothing wrong. She bumped into me!” I defend myself, my voice breaking. Lips quivering. “I did no such thing!” Sophia says defensively but her eyes tell a different story. “You heard me, Aria. Apologize to her right now.” Adam says again, still intently looking at me. I almost laugh at the fact that the only time he is looking me directly in the eyes after three years of marriage is when another woman is involved. I shake my head, finding all of this hard to believe. “So you believe her over me? You take her words for it but mine does not matter? I am your wife.” “A wife I never wanted to marry!” He yells back and shatters what is left of my broken heart. Chapter 2 I am speechless for the next few seconds as his words hit me like a freight train. I wait. I wait for his hard eyes to soften with remorse at the harsh words he threw at me but that doesn’t happen. He is glowering at me, nose flaring angrily. “Adam, how…how could you say that to me?” I say, my eyes crossing over to Sophia who is now hiding her own frame behind his tall, muscular one, “In front of her?” “Because it’s the truth!” He yells again, startling me into making a small helpless sound. Adam has never yelled at me. And even though it hurts me to admit that he is truly saying the truth, he has never said it to my face and I never really thought he would. I have always known it yet it hurts to hear it come from him. It feels like a thousand needles are pricking my heart and making me bleed out with so much pain. He runs his fingers through his hair, seeming frustrated. Like he would rather not have this conversation with me. And just when I think it is over, he continues to speak, breaking me even further. “You were nothing but a mere secretary who wormed her way into my life. If you hadn’t forced yourself on me that night, none of this would have happened! This marriage would have never happened and you know it.” He brings up the past. Our past. The night that meant everything to me but clearly means nothing to him. I swallow over and over again till my throat and mouth become dry. I can’t cry. No, I can’t appear weak. Not in front of Adam and definitely not in front of Sophia so I keep my tears at bay, urging them to return before they spill down my cheeks. “I never forced myself on you, Adam. Why won’t you believe me?” I manage to say but he raises a hand to tell me to stop talking and I clamp my lips shut. “Do not stand there and try to look innocent, Aria because that is far from who you are. I simply said the truth and I do not care if you cannot take it.” He says and stares at me intently. “Do not let what happened today repeat itself again. Know your place and I will not have any reason to talk to you like this. Do you understand?” He lays emphasis on every word of warning he is giving me and turns his back against me before I can even open my mouth to speak again. “Are you okay?” I can’t believe how his voice goes from hard to soft in the next second as he fusses over Sophia. Sophia makes a face that has me balling my fingers into a fist. A face that clearly says she is not okay. “The coffee was hot and I think I might have to visit the hospital to prevent the burn from leaving a scar.” She says in a quiet voice. I look down at my own body that is also drenched in the same coffee. The coffee wasn’t hot enough to cause a burn but Adam believes her instantly. He pulls her into a hug and embarrassment washes over me like a bucket of ice. “I’ll drive. Wait here, I will get my keys.” he says as he pulls away, rushing to his office table to grab his car keys before coming back to her side. He takes her purse from her and leads her out. They both seem so lost in each other that they forget my existence totally, leaving me to stand alone in the middle of the room. Silence falls over me and I am left with my thoughts, licking the wound that his words caused. I have never been able to convince Adam that I didn’t force myself on him yet till this very day, he still believes I drugged him into sleeping with him on the night we were having dinner with his family three years ago. I can never forget the pure look of disgust and shock on his face when we both woke up in each other’s arms the next morning. I knew since then that Adam would never love me, yet I was hopeful. As the years go by, the hope keeps dwindling with his grandfather, being the only support system in everything. Sighing, I return to my office and pick up my phone. My eyes widens when I see that a number has called my phone repeatedly all the time I was in Adam’s office. The dread that fills me stems from the fact that I recognise the number as the hospital’s number. I call back instantly, my heart racing. They pick up on the second ring. “Mrs Miller, we have been trying to reach you all afternoon!” A female voice says. “Why? Is something wrong? Is my grandmother okay?” I ask, rushing my words as I am filled with dread and panic. “You need to be at the hospital, your grandmother—” I don’t wait to hear the rest of her words. I race out of the room and call on a taxi to drive me to the hospital. I go straight to her hospital room but the sheets and blankets are already being neatly arranged and the bed is empty. More panic. More dread. “Where is my grandmother?” I ask, “Where is she?” The nurse cleaning the room gives me a look of pity that nauseates me. “I am sorry, Mrs Miller but your grandmother died ten minutes ago and has been moved to the hospital’s mortuary. I am sorry.” She says. The world around me stops and I don’t know how I am able to walk on my two feet to the mortuary where the Nurse leads me. She stops at the door and points to my grandmother laying on a table in the room, her body covered in a white sheet from head to toe. I walk to the bedside with shaky legs and the moment I take the sheet off and set my eyes on her pale face, I burst out into a loud sob, wishing I could go back to a month ago so I can prevent that accident that made her this way. The accident that took my only living family away from me. “Grandma…” I call in a broken voice as I reach for her hand. They are too cold, so lifeless and the tears begin to leave my eyes in torrents as I remember how warm these hands used to be when they held my face. “I’m sorry…I’m so sorry.” I cry, holding tightly unto her and hating myself for not being there in her last moments. I should have been there with her but I was too busy worrying about my place in my husband’s life. The nurse comes into the room and says, “She asked us to give you this.” I wipe my tears, sniffling as I take what seems to be a key chain from her. I couldn’t think of a reason why grandmother’s parting gift to me would be a key chain but I can’t seem to care. Her cold hands slammed me into the reality of what had happened. Grandmother is dead. I fall to my knees by the bed and weep, muttering and calling for her to return to me. “Aria.” Adam’s voice calls from behind me. I am both surprised and relieved to find him there. He must have been contacted by the hospital as well and stopped by since he already came here with Sophia anyway. Sophia is standing in the room with us but I ignore her. I focus on Adam because I need him. I need someone to hold me and tell me everything will be fine. “Adam.” I cry as I walk over to him and hug him without a second thought, my tears gathering and falling again. His body stiffens at my touch but I don’t let go. I need his warmth. I need him because he is really all that I have left and I can’t bear to lose him too. I expect him to push me away but he doesn’t. He doesn’t hug me back too but I can’t find it in me to care as I sob uncontrollably. My tears subside and I sniffle repeatedly and slowly let go of him. He clears his throat and takes out his phone, saying; “I’ll place a call to start making preparations for her funeral.” He turns around to leave with Sophia also following him but I can’t bear the sight of him turning his back to me and leaving. I grab his hand. “Stay.” I sound so weak and helpless but I do not give a damm, “Please, don’t go. Stay with me.” I beg. Adam opens his mouth to say something but a sharp cry stuns us both. We spin around at the same time to the source of the cry and she is crouching, holding her stomach with an expression of pain. Adam rushes to Sophia’s side in a heartbeat and my heart sinks further down my stomach. “Sophia, are you okay?” He asks with concern ringing high in his voice. She shakes her head, “There is something I’ve been wanting to tell you but didn’t know how.” She says, holding her stomach as she looks directly at me. “What is it?” Adam asks, still very much concerned. “Adam…I…I am pre9nant.” Chapter 3 Grandmother’s funeral is being held on a gloomy day, much to my displeasure. I listened to the weather forecast so I could choose the perfect day for the funeral, and according to the forecast, the day is supposed to be sunny and bright just like Grandmother. I feel duped standing by grandmother’s grave with the sky covered in clouds that only worsen the dark and depressing feeling that has settled in my guts since her death. I have cried so much that I have no tears left to shed at grandmother’s grave and now have to wear dark sunglasses to hide how red and puffy my eyes are rather than to complement my black dress. There are a few people hanging around the other graves in the cemetery to pay their last respects to their loved ones and at each grave, there are at least two people; couples holding each other, families comforting each other and even church processions. I am alone, with no one to comfort me since no one else bothered to attend my grandmother's funeral. With her gone, I realize how lonely I actually am and the thought deals another blow to my already damaged heart. I try hard to get the heartbreaking events of the past few days off my mind and when I finally succeed, I turn my focus back to my grandmother. She’s smiling in the framed picture placed by her tombstone and I force a smile as well as a fond memory of her slips into my mind. “Aria, my child, you can’t frown like that everytime or you’ll get wrinkles like me before you are even my age!” She would say and then go ahead to spread my lips into a smile with her fingers. Grandmother was a cheerful soul who would tell me stories, mostly the ones about my birth and how she knew from the very first day that she set her eyes on me that I was going to be a really beautiful and amazing child. I shared everything with her and talking to her about my marriage was one of the things that made it bearable. I don’t know what I’d do without Grandmother. Tears start to gather in my eyes again and I take off the sunglasses to wipe them off before they start to fall. I already promised myself not to cry anymore; Grandmother wouldn’t want that. Sniffling, I begin to place the things I brought with me by her grave; Tulips, which were her favorite flowers; Peaches, her favorite fruit and finally some sweets because grandmother had a really sweet tooth and never listened to me whenever I told her they were bad for her age. “There are no sweets in heaven, Aria. It’s only right that I take as much as I can down here before the big guy calls me up there.” She would say at the same she unwraps another candy and tosses it into her mouth. She would talk on and on about ‘The big guy’ and ‘Up there’ like she was always prepared for the day she would die. I can’t help it anymore, I burst into tears, falling on my knees by her grave as it dawns on me fully that she is really gone. “I should have let you have all the candies in the world. I should have been there with you at your dying moment. I should have held your hands and told you it’s gonna be okay. I–” My voice breaks, the deep regret and tears choking me and making me lose my train of thoughts. I can’t think of a thing to say anymore and so I just cry, sobbing so hard my body shakes. I hear confident footsteps approaching me and feel a presence behind me that causes my sobs to come to a pause. My heart races and hope swells inside of me when the person puts a hand on my shoulder. I whip my head around, expecting to see Adam but my hope quickly shatters when I see that it is Adam uncle, Regis. “Regis.” I say, sniffing and wiping my tears in a rush. “Here,” He hands me his handkerchief, stuffing it in my hand and closing my palm around it before I can even refuse. I say a barely audible thank you before I dab at the tears with the hanky that smelt like him. “I came as soon as I heard, I’m sorry about your Grandmother, Aria.” He says in a sincere and kind voice. Regis has always been kind to me even when I was just a secretary. Whenever he came to visit his nephew at the office, he would stop to say hi and hand me a canned coffee with a smile on his face. However, he left the country to study a few days before our wedding and only returned not too long ago. This is the first time seeing him since his return and the kind look in his eyes assures me that if he had been around, I would have had another person rooting for me just like Adam’s grandfather. “You didn’t have to.” I say quietly, trying to downplay how much it actually means to me that at least, one person cares enough to be here with me. Regis looks around as if searching for something and then he frowns when our eyes meet again. “You’re alone? Where the hel is Adam?” He asks, his voice a little hard. My cheeks redden in embarrassment. Regis has only just returned and probably doesn’t know anything yet. I am not willing to talk either. I force a smile and begin to pack the excess things I bought for my grandmother's funeral. Regis joins me wordlessly and I sigh in silent appreciation of how he doesn’t ask anymore questions. He takes everything from my hands even before I can protest. “Did you drive here?” He asks and I shake my head. I came here in a Taxi. “C’mon, we’ll take my car.” He says and walks in front of me. I have no choice but to follow him. We have just gotten outside of the cemetery when a car drives into the parking space right beside Regis’ car. The car is familiar and I keep doubting who it belongs to until Adam steps out of the car, eyes trained on me as he walks over. The first thing I notice is his Royal Blue suit and I feel the slow brewing of anger inside of me. How could he show up wearing that? It is like a blatant disrespect of my Grandmother and I can’t stand to watch her get disrespected even in her death. It is clear that he came from the office; little surprise there and it would have been better if he didn’t come at all as I now realize how looking at him only infuriates me. He had managed to avoid me in the past three days since the hospital incident. Three days since Sophia announced that she was pre9nant and shook my world. I didn’t need anyone to tell me who the baby belonged to as he walks towards me now, I feel nothing but resentment for him. “Is it over? Crap, I must have lost track of time.” He says before turning to his uncle and giving him a tight smile of appreciation that I find nauseating. “Thank you for being here with her, uncle.” Regis merely crosses his arms, staring back at his nephew, “Care to explain why you are only just coming?” Regis thows the question at him and I face Adam too, crossing my arms. “Yes, Adam. Tell me what was more important than being at my grandmother’s funeral.” I already know the answer but I still wait to hear him say it so I can have a reason to hate him even more. “I really wanted to be here, Aria but you know…” He trails off, running a hand through his hair, “I had to be with Sophia.” The sound of her name is what does it for me; the same woman who is the reason I wasn’t around to witness grandmother’s dying moments. “Did you really come all the way here to tell me you were with another woman you slept with and impregnated?” “What?” Regis is the one who speaks, his voice echoing his shock as he looks from me to Adam. Adam’s usual blank look remains as if he is unaffected by my words and the pain he has caused me. “Let’s not do this here, Aria. You know I can’t just leave her.” I scoff. “I never stopped you. You know what? You should have never come here. You should have stayed with her since that is where your loyalties lie now and I am no longer in the picture.” Adam frowns, moving closer and intimidating me just a little with his height and muscular frame, “What does that mean? You are my wife.” “Ex-wife,” I say the words without even thinking. I didn’t think any of this through but I don’t care because my entire being seems to agree that this is what’s best for me, “I want a divorce, Adam.” His eyes grow wide, unable to contain the shock at my words and I am proud of myself that I finally got a reaction that isn’t anger or coldness from him. “Both the divorce papers and my resignation will find their way to you soon.” I add before he can get over his shock and I don’t wait for him to reply as I turn to an equally stunned Regis. “Take me home, Regis.” Chapter 4 Adam’s POV I want a divorce. The words circle around my head non-stop. Of all the shets I have had the pleasure of hearing–and trust me, I hear a lot of crap as a CEO–Aria asking for a divorce out of nowhere has to be the worst. I am a man who takes pride in my strength and ability to handle situations no matter how unexpected they are. It comes with the job, yet for some reason, I am unable to utter a single word or move my feet until she gets into the car with my uncle. When I finally come to my senses, she is long gone, leaving me to drown in the pool of shock she created. I am shocked at her audacity; the way she looked me in the eyes as she hit me with those words. Aria’s cold hazel eyes totally betrayed the meek and timid trait that I have only ever known her for. I am equally shocked at myself for actually being affected by it when I shouldn't have batted an eyelash, after all, I never wanted to marry her. The three years of living with Aria felt like I was in bonda9e created by her own deceit and my grandfather’s overbearing attitude. I never cared about Aria yet the sound of divorce numbed me completely that I am unable to think straight until the door to my car opens and reminds me that I am still standing still in front of the cemetery. My personal assistant steps out of the car and speaks. “Sir, your appointment with the Taylor Enterprises is thirty minutes from now. It’s more than an hour’s drive from here, we should leave now if–” “Cancel it,” I say, heading back to the car, not quite in the right mind to process anything, not even a meeting whose outcome was worth millions of dollars. My assistant follows behind me in a hurry, obviously confused. “But sir, that isn’t the only appointment for the day. You also have…” He starts to read out my packed schedule for the day as I finally get into the car. “Cancel them all!” I say, settling into the leather seats of the car and loosening my tie at the same time as it feels like I am slowly losing the ability to breathe, “Get in and turn the dann AC on.” I command him, unable to prevent my anger and irritation from reflecting in my voice. Finally noticing the negative emotions rolling out of me in waves, he mutters his response before getting into the driver’s seat and pulling the car out of the cemetery’s parking lot. We get to the highway, air is emitting from not only the AC in the car yet I feel heat rising from inside of me and not even loosening a few buttons on my shirt helped. All I can think about is Aria and the dammed divorce. My shock is long gone and I am now stewing in nothing but anger, bordering on rage. Who the hel does she think she is? What gives her the boldness to think she makes the call for divorce? If anyone should be asking for a divorce, It should be me. I am the one who married her against my will. She’s the one who found me so irresistible that she went as far as dru9ging me just to have me. If anyone deserves to slam divorce papers in her face, it is me but the thought never crossed my mind. She’s a good secretary, dutiful, efficient and always at my beck and call. She also doubles as a good wife, never getting in my way or needy for attention. Aria takes whatever I give her; the little time, the irregular sax and the little communication, all that I deemed appropriate for our kind of relationship. The sudden switch has me racking my brain, thinking of different possibilities and all the things that could have gone wrong. A thought crosses my mind and it intensifies my anger in a way that I can’t even understand. “Find out if Aria has been meeting anyone lately. Men in particular.” I say. My assistant meets my eyes through the rearview mirror. His eyes fail to hide his surprise that I am asking him to look into my wife and the possibility that she’s been seeing other men. I can’t rule out all the possibilities and if Aria has really been cheating on me, I swear to God– My phone vibrates beside me on the leather seats. Sophia’s name pops up on the screen in a message notification. She’s asking me when next I would be available for an appointment at the doctor’s office. Seeing Sophia’s message douses my anger but leaves me with a far more disturbing emotion. I thought of all the reasons why my quiet wife is suddenly asking for a divorce but it never crossed my mind that impregnating the woman I once loved could be the reason. I think back to that day two months ago when yet again, I let drinking lead me into making the worst decisions. All I had to do was pick Sophia up at the airport, drive her to her hotel and return home. Instead, I took the invite to have a drink in her hotel room; for old time’s sake, she called it. We did more than just have a drink that night and the outcome is the baby growing inside of Sophia. I can’t call it a mistake yet deep down, I know it should have never happened. I should have never let myself get tempted by the thought of how being inside of Sophia will feel after three years. I want the child. It’s my baby and I don’t plan on losing it but it comes at a price that I never thought would be a problem which is the divorce with Aria. I can’t let Aria divorce me. I need her. At the office and in my home. She’s been my secretary for seven years and no one can do her job like her. I also pay her well and make sure she doesn’t need anything as my wife. How does she plan to survive without me anyway? Does she think that by asking for divorce, she has put herself on a higher level than me? What game is she playing with me now? Ha! Women thinking that they can live without a man and his support. As I think deeply about these things, I also think of a way to remedy them. I just need to do something to appeal to her. “What do women like?” I asked my assistant. He hesitates at first, surprised by the sudden question before he clears his throat and answers, “Erm, designer bags I guess and oh, flowers.” I am already scrolling through an online store on my phone, clicking away at every expensive bag that catches my eyes until I have already ordered a number to last her an entire year. Then we make a stop at the flower shop on the way home. Turns out there are more than a hundred thousand flowers and I can’t even decide which one to get for Aria because apparently, women have favorites when it comes to things as trivial as flowers as well. In the end, I pick Lilies because the attendant at the flowershop claims it’s most women’s favorite. I head home after that with only one single thought at the back of my mind; I won’t let Aria divorce me. Chapter 5 I’m thankful that Regis doesn’t ask any questions as he drives me back home. He offers to drive me into the compound but I turn him down and wait till he drives off before I sigh and walk into the house. The house is brimming with maids who rush over to me the instant they hear the door open but I raise a hand to stop them all from coming close to me. I am no longer the mistress of the house. I walk past them all to get to my room. Adam and I only share a room when he is looking to satisfy his saxual urges. He crawls into my bed and peppers kisses all over my body till I give in and that is the only time I ever feel wanted by him. As I walk into the room, I refrain from staring at the bed for longer than I should, afraid that the memories of us tangled up in sheets with him buried deep inside of me will break my resolve. And right now, I have only one resolve–to leave Adam for good. I begin to pack while that resolve is still strong, not even stopping for one moment to think about the fact that I have nowhere to go. I can’t bear to stay one more day under the same roof with Adam, knowing how deeply his betrayal cut. I only pack a few things that are important, assuring myself that I will come back for the rest of my things later when the divorce is finalized. I am only halfway through packing when I hear the sound of a familiar voice that never fails to send chills down my spine and even right this moment, I can already feel the chilling crawl of dread and it makes me stop packing immediately. Adam’s mother, Elodie and his sister Eva are here. I exhale sharply, trying to keep my breathing under control and to also keep the terrible memories of them from flushing into the forefront of my mind. A few more deep exhales and I finally get a hold of myself, resuming packing my things. Once I finish packing, I haul the heavy suitcase out of the room and walk into the living room where Elodie and Eva are seated on one of the couches, legs crossed over one another like they owned the place. Elodie has her signature scowl on her face that doesn’t fade even when I bow to greet her. “Why are you here?” Elodie asks, standing. I am confused by her question and my inability to give an answer makes her scoff, her face contorting into the ugliest form annoyance can take. “I almost forgot how dumb you are.” Elodie says again. Dumb. Her favorite word to throw at me the way she pleases and of course, it doesn’t hurt less today. In fact, it is even more painful now that I realize that besides having to live with Adam’s indifference, I have also had to deal with his mother’s hatred and utter disrespect for me and all along, my response has either been silence or an apology that she never deserved. “Why are you here instead of the office, huh?” She sneers and continues, “My son works tirelessly day and night just to make money for someone like you to leech off him, all he asks of you is to do your job as his secretary and yet you can’t even do that one thing? Do you think you are entitled to his money just because you are his wife?” Her words are like hard blows to the chast, every single word that strung her sentences together hitting nerves and breaking right through them. I feel something rising inside of me. It has always been there but I have always managed to control it. To top it all, Eva, Adam’s snobbish sister had to chip in, “She’s a trickster who duped my poor innocent brother and I wonder why isn’t she at the office! Such a lazy bumm! I don’t even know how Grandpa accepted such a penniless betch to be part of our elite family!” “I had to be at my grandmother’s funeral.” I respond simply, hoping the scowl on her face will disappear but it gets even more profound and she adds a scoff for good measure. Did Elodie and Eva not know that my grandmother died? “Is she dead for real? Or is it just an act?!” Eva has the guts to ask me and I glare at her. Elodie continues, “Of course, that’s your excuse for being a lazy gold digger. Tell me, did that grandmother of yours teach you to go after other people’s money instead of working for your own?” That very thing that has been rising inside me since I saw Adam’s mother reaches its peak. It’s anger. It is red, pure and fiery and controls my whole being that I can not even bring myself to care about anything other than keeping my grandmother’s name from being soiled. “Do not talk about my grandmother like that!” I yell and she jumps slightly, startled by my outburst. “Did you just yell at me?” she says, taking a step forward but I don’t flinch as I stare back into her eyes. Eva approaches me and she lashes out, “Did you just shout at my mother?!!!” Eva has always tried to demean me and every possible way at every chance presented to her. She grabs my arm, presses it harshly, making me wince in pain. Elodie smiles and as usually, she is greatly entertained. I push Eva with the other hand and she tumbles on the sofa. She remains shocked for I have always allowed them to bully me and this time, I retaliate. “Did you forget your place? You are nothing but a–” “Gold digger who married your son for his money, yes, I get it!” I snap at her, having had enough of the name calling every damm time, “But you don’t have to worry about that anymore because I already filed for a divorce. I am leaving your son so you can go ahead and swallow all of his money for all I care.” I turn around to leave, huffing as I drag the heavy suitcase with me but then Elodie clamps her hand down on the suitcase to stop me. She looks at the suitcase in amusement. “You are really leaving!” Elodie can’t even hide the joy in her tone. “Yes, so please just stop and let me go.” She shakes her head, “Not so fast! You can’t just leave.” And then she signals to two of the maids who have been standing, watching the whole exchange. “Search her!” She orders when they come forward. They hesitate and she glares at them. “Did you not hear her? She is no longer the mistress of the house. Search her right now.” I am too stunned to react when the maids finally snatch my suitcase from me. Eva tries to hold me preventing me from snatching back my bag from the maids. “What do you think you’re doing?” I say, my voice shaky. “I can’t just let you leave. Who knows what valuables you have stolen from my son inside that germ ridden bag of yours.” My mouth opens and closes several times at her words as I can’t even come up with a single string of sentences to say to her. I just watch as my things come tumbling to the ground in the rough search. Tears of humiliation burned at the back of my eyes. I don’t struggle any more from Eva’s grip and she stares at me triumphantly. “What is that? Hand it over.” Adam’s mother says when one of the maids found a gold bracelet I had lodged into my case. Grandmother’s bracelet, the only thing I have left of her. “No!” I rush forward to stop her from handing it over but I am too late. Adam’s mother is already holding and inspecting the bracelet. “Oh, wow! Mom, you finally found something she stole from Adam!” Eva exclaimed enthusiastically. Upon saying those words, she drags me and throws me onto the marble. I hit my nose. As I touch it, blood is coming out. I wipe it quickly and spring up to my feet. “I knew it! You took something. Did my son buy this for you? What gives you the right to think you can walk away with something he got for you after filing for a divorce?” Elodie snaps. “That doesn’t belong to your son! It is mine and I will appreciate it if you give it back.” She does the exact opposite and only continues to accuse me of being a thief until the door opens and Adam walks in. I don’t feel relief at his presence like I usually do when his mother treats me this way, instead, I feel nothing but resentment for him. I want to scream how much I hate him to his face. His face twists into confusion when he sees the situation. “What is going on here?” He asks, walking further into the house and looking from his mother to me. “Thank goodness you arrived, son. This leech was about to leave with something that clearly doesn’t belong to her.” His mother responds. “And she hit me!!!” Eva adds, almost in tears, complaining to Adam. This time, Adam is too shocked to ask me why I hit his dear sister. I thought,as he did in the past, he would force me to apologize, but this time, he did nothing. I wonder why. My eyes are starting to water for some reason and I am confused as to why Adam’s appearance suddenly triggered them yet I smile through the tears. “Adam, will you please tell your mother that I have never gotten a gift from you?” Adam falters, seemingly speechless for a second as he stares at his hands. I also look down at his hands and I finally understand why my eyes sting with tears and why I am sniffling in preparation of a sneeze that rocks my entire body. Lilies. I am all ergic to them. Despite the tears rolling down my cheeks, I start to laugh. I laugh so hard, ignoring the burning gazes of everyone present in the room who probably think I have gone crazy. I sneeze in between laughs, yet I don’t stop laughing as I turn to Adam’s mother. “I have been married to your son for three years and he doesn’t even know I am all ergic to lilies, yet you think he is capable of getting me a bracelet?” I shake my head at my sad reality. Chapter 6 Adam hands the flowers over to one of the maids, asking her to put it in a vase or whatever. He clears his throat, trying and failing miserably to hide his embarrassment in front of his mother, his sister and the maids. “The flowers weren’t for you.” He says, voice hard as he stares at me for a brief second. I barely even feel anything when he says that because I genuinely don’t care anymore, I just want to get the hel out of this house and never return. I don’t even care about the rest of my things which I am yet to pack, I just want to turn my back on this horrible life already. I hear Eva sniggers. Adam seems like he wants to say something to me but then he decides against it and turns to his mother instead. “Mum, please return the bracelet to her.” She snorts and shakes her head stubbornly, “I am not letting her leave with it.” Adam grunts, a sign that he is slowly losing his patience, “ I have never seen that bracelet mother, it belongs to Aria. Please, give it back.” Adam’s mother doesn’t immediately move to do as she is told but the moment she does, it is with an annoyed huff as she tosses the bracelet at me. I catch it in my palms while she heads back to sit in the same position as earlier when I first walked into the living room. I fall to my knees by the mess the maids made out of my clothes and then I begin to arrange them again, rushing through the process so I can get out of here fast to stop the repeated sting of humiliation. Adam standing there and just watching me clean up his mother’s mess without as much as an apology from either of them only adds to the rising level of humiliation. Once done, I stand and face Adam squarely, taking in the same clothes he wore to the cemetery earlier and getting reminded of all the reasons why I am making the best decision of my life. “As I said before, it is over between us. The divorce papers and my resignation letter will find their way to you soon.” I say, ignoring the way his face twisted, “Goodbye, Adam.” I turn around before I can even hear his response. I don’t want to look at Adam, not anymore. I walk away from him, going straight for the door and turning its knob for what I hope is the very last time. I have barely taken a step outside the door when Adam’s strong hand grabs my upper arm and twists me around to look at him. I have worked with him for seven years, four of which I was just his secretary and that was enough for me to know the kind of man Adam Miller is. He is usually composed with a blank expression that shows how in control he is. Right now, Adam is neither composed nor in control. He seems like he has lost grip of it and the meaning of those words don’t even matter to him anymore as he holds my arm in a tight grip. I struggle to break free of his hold. “Let me go.” I snap at him but Adam only narrows his eyes at me, his anger burning past his blue eyes. “You can’t just leave, Aria.” He growls. “You can’t tell me what to do, Adam. At least not anymore. Let me go!” “Does this even make any sense to you!” He yells in my face as he lets go of my hand to run his hand through his hair, “ You can’t just spring this kind of shet on me.” “It’s not springing if we have both had it coming from the very moment we shared our vows which you have already broken. We both know this marriage should have never happened so cut the crap and let me leave.” I say, practically fuming before turning around in another attempt to leave. “What about grandfather? You are taking such a big step without talking to the old man who set it all up anyway. The man who has been nothing but good to you.” I turn back to face Adam, hating his attempt at making me feel guilty. My thoughts go to his grandfather momentarily and I try to imagine the old man’s reaction to me filing for a divorce when he cares about me so much. However, I don’t waver. I refuse to let those thoughts come between me and my freedom. I refuse to put the wish of another over my own happiness. “I will talk to grandfather. Believe me, you have nothing to worry about.” I say and make another attempt to leave but of course, Adam doesn’t give up as he speaks again. “I won’t sign it Aria, I won’t sign the goddamm papers!” “What the hel is wrong with you?” I yell out my frustration, “Why won’t you just let me go?” He stares me down, eyes burning stubbornly, “I won’t sign the papers and I won’t accept your resignation either. The company has rules you have to follow and you can’t just decide to resign without prior notice especially when there is a lot of work at the office which I pay you to do!” I scoff, unable to believe his nerve. Unable to get over his selfish thinking and absolute lack of remorse for the things he has done. “You have Sophia, don’t you?” I shoot at him and his brows furrow. “What does that even mean?” “Everyone adores Sophia. She is smart, beautiful and can get your work done for you and oh, don’t forget the fact that she is also pre9nant with your child! How perfect is that?” Adam’s mother springs up, surprise evident in her features. Clearly, she is just learning about her coming grandson. “Adam, is what she says true? You have a child on the way?” Eva asked excitedly. Adam’s expression don’t give anything away and he doesn’t even spare his mother or sister a glance. He is still looking straight at me. “Aria, what happened between Sophia and I wasn’t intentional, it just–” “Don’t you dare make excuses for her! Who cares what she thinks? Sophia is who you have always deserved. The only woman who actually deserves to be my daughter-in-law.” Adam’s mother cut in while making sure to give me a nasty look that doesn’t even surprise me anymore. I shrug at Adam, a way to show him that I was right. Everyone wants Sophia, including him and he can’t even bring himself to deny it. He continues to ignore his mother. “Aria, it was an accident.” He says again and I nod, like I am agreeing to his words. “Three years ago, you didn’t think the same way. You didn’t think you accidentally slept with me but instead believed I had gone as far as dru9ging you to sleep with you. What changed, Adam? Because all I see right now is a bloody hypocrite and a coward who would rather blame others for his mistakes.” When I turn my back to him this time, I don’t stop walking. I don’t turn around. “Aria! Aria, get back here while I am still being nice. Aria, I swear to God if you walk out that door, I won’t take you back even if you go on your knees. You need me, Aria. You can’t survive without me!” Adam yells after me but I don’t stop walking as his arrogant words only fueled my desire to get away from him as fast as I can. I block out the rest of his words as I open the door and welcome my peace and freedom. I am never going back to that sad reality. | Read freely | 18 | https://facebook.com/61557986570531 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1716534000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841175 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682327 | 1723710537 | 858 | 1647538179348259 | 2 | 9.748784076486E+14 | 1716620400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 250753834794512 | 0 | Read freely | 120211565986950196 | redtgb.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | ❤️😍What happens next👉Click Here to read on👉 | https://redtgb.com/market/buenovela/3?lpid=11204&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1714661788 | 2.5075383479451E+14 | Read freely | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441255115_1177880883571742_5075201022874715379_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=g4JsrhWfitkQ7kNvgFeAKBG&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYBpTaGCiNETtYR_kV1GWW7Rzpt8y2OGe5kzssk6sCPaMg&oe=66583EF3 | person_profile | 0 | Read freely | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441055224_676099334622461_3142011906559831658_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=A4yVK4Sv1HwQ7kNvgEPlR3e&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYB-QI79bY-wsfuSD-aSCQRZreHGaTJ0yga_aI_hRJR6fA&oe=66584D39 | 0 | 3 | My husband and boss Adam, is laughing at every joke that leaves the lips of his first love while I watch them through the glass doors that separates his office from mine. I had been dutifully preparing some documents that needed his signature and also setting up his meetings for the day like I have done for 7 years as his secretary but since Sophia’s arrival, I have been unable to get any work done. I feel a pang in my chast every time Adam laughs, almost tearing up at the thought that he has never laughed like that around me. I stare at her slender frame, her lush black hair that bounces back into place even when she throws her head back in laughter and the grace in every of her movements. Sophia is an epitome of feminine grace and every of her features is proof of why Adam has been hung up over her even though they separated years ago. Even though he married me. The dark binds of his office are brought down abruptly, blocking my view of them both and now all I can see is black. It is as if Adam is trying to prevent me from prying even though I am his wife and privacy shouldn’t be a thing between us, especially when it comes to a woman he used to love so much. I still remember how shocked I was when she walked up to me earlier, heels clicking ever so sophisticatedly on the office tiles. I saw the feet cladded in shiny red heels before I raised my head to look at her. “Aria, I didn’t know you still worked here! I can’t believe Adam is still making you work even after you both got married. That man is something, isn’t he?” She said, smiling sweetly with blood red lips that would look horrifying on me if I dared to try that shade of lipstick. I couldn’t speak, caught in the shock of staring face to face with her after all these years, especially as she still had the same aura of wealth and confidence that I have always known her to possess. For a split second, she made me feel insecure in my gray office wear and my tight bun hair and the fact that I wore little to no makeup. “Sophia!” Adam’s voice was what broke me out of that trance I was stuck in as he stepped out of his office and there, right in front of me, he hugged her ever so tightly like an old time friend before he led her back into his office without sparing me as little as a glance. Now, they are alone together in his office, the blinds of his office pulled shut so that I can’t see them but can only hear their muffled voices and his own laughter every now and then. I squirm in my seat uncomfortably each time they laugh, gripping the edges of my table tightly and too destabilized to get any work done while they are both holed up in there. I stare at the calendar on my table. Today’s date is marked with a red marker and I sigh deeply. Does he even know today is our third wedding anniversary? Every year, it seems like I am the only one who remembers it and now with Sophia’s appearance, I can already tell that today will pass by like it’s just another day. I knew she was coming today. Being his secretary is the only reason why I knew the things Adam would rather keep from me. He already briefed me about a new business partner that just returned to the country two months ago and will be at the office at any time. What I didn’t know or should I say, what he purposely kept from me was that the so-called business partner was Sophia Bradley and perhaps the reason why he has been more cold and indifferent than usual, ever since her return. My heart aches at the realization but it aches even more because there is nothing I can do about it. I have never had a place in Adam’s heart but he has been the only one in mine. I loved him from the very moment he saved my life years ago but I can say the same for him. He always reminds me even without speaking, that our marriage is nothing but an attempt at fulfilling his grandfather’s wishes and I knew if he had gotten his way, he would have never looked at me twice, not to talk of getting married to me. Grandfather’s love for me is perhaps the only reason I am still sane in this loveless marriage. The old man never ceases to show how much he cherishes me but when has that ever been enough? I am married to Adam and not his family. The clock ticks endlessly, yet Adam remains in there with her. Their laughter dies down all of a sudden and I can barely hear a word they are saying. Unable to hold back anymore, I stand before the restlessness kil ls me. I am his wife and I deserve to know what is going on. To look natural, I quickly make two cups of coffee. After all, I am his secretary and this is a part of my job. Nervous sweat breaks out on my forehead as I make my way to his office with unsure steps. Inhaling sharply, I open the door and step in. My heart clenches at the sight of them both, relaxed in each other’s company as they sit so close to each other on one of the couches in his office. I swallow hard and try to walk over to the table with the best confidence I could muster. “I made coffee.” I say but they don’t even acknowledge my presence, lost in each other and whatever they were discussing. I study Sophia for a moment, watching as she twirls her cherry blonde hair with a finger while seated with one leg crossed over the other to reveal a prov0cative amount of thi9hs, smiling so brightly that I can’t tell if she’s faking it. I want to turn around and leave but my feet fail to move. I can’t just leave like this. For how long will I keep quiet and svck it up? “Sir,” I call, looking directly at Adam. We are married but he never fails to remind me that I address him as my boss at work. Adam doesn’t even make a move to look at me and anger rises inside of me, slowly boiling. “Sir,” I call again and that is when he finally regards me with a cold look that almost deters me but I remain firm under his gaze. “There is something I need to talk to you about, it’s important.” I lie right through my teeth. I can feel Sophia’s gaze burning through me but I try not to look at her, for the fear that my confidence would slip away if I do. Adam just waves me off. “It can wait. As you can see, I have a guest.” “It can’t wait.” I say, even more firmly but he is already back to smiling and listening to Sophia speak like a lovesick teenage boy. I call him a few more times and unable to hold back any longer, I call him by his name instead. “Adam!” They both look up at me with a mix of expressions. That of Adam is pure anger while Sophia is obviously irritated. I know she has never liked me and back when I was just his secretary and she was his girlfriend, she complained about every single thing I did. “Adam, what is this? Is this how you let your employees disrespect you?” She says it with absolute disgust and disrespect. I am stunned at her words, so stunned that I scoff. Employee? She dares to talk down on me like that even when she knows fully well that I am not just an employee. Adam stands, his tall frame causing his shadow to sweep over me while I grip the tray of coffee tightly in my hands. “Aria, out. Now.” He commands and I am filled with so much hurt that my hands shake and my lips quiver. “Why should I? I have every reason to be in this room and I have every right to speak for you to listen to me.” Sophia stands at once. “It seems as though your wife has a bone to pick with me and I will not sit here and take such insults.” She begins to walk away and of course, Adam follows her. I try to move out of her way but my attempt fails when her shoulder heavily bumps into mine in a way that is too fierce to be considered unintentional. I lose grip of the tray and stagger forward and just like that, the hot coffee spills all over her very expensive looking dress and mine. She shrieks, backing away from me only to glare at me the next second. “What the hel is wrong with you?” She yells. Adam rushes to her side in less than a minute, fussing over her stained dress and even offering her his handkerchief while I stand there, drenched in coffee as my husband takes care of another woman. I feel the tears prickling at the corner of my eyes but what does crying in front of this woman make me? “I can’t believe you! What did I ever do to you? Go ahead and dislike me all you want but there is a limit to how far you can go and you just crossed that.” She says again, seething in uncontained anger. Adam turns to me, eyes dark with rage. It makes me shiver. Makes me feel unimaginable pain to know he is mad at me because of another woman. “Apologise right now!” He commands and I scoff. How can he stand there and take her side when I did nothing wrong? “Why should I do that? I have done nothing wrong. She bumped into me!” I defend myself, my voice breaking. Lips quivering. “I did no such thing!” Sophia says defensively but her eyes tell a different story. “You heard me, Aria. Apologize to her right now.” Adam says again, still intently looking at me. I almost laugh at the fact that the only time he is looking me directly in the eyes after three years of marriage is when another woman is involved. I shake my head, finding all of this hard to believe. “So you believe her over me? You take her words for it but mine does not matter? I am your wife.” “A wife I never wanted to marry!” He yells back and shatters what is left of my broken heart. Chapter 2 I am speechless for the next few seconds as his words hit me like a freight train. I wait. I wait for his hard eyes to soften with remorse at the harsh words he threw at me but that doesn’t happen. He is glowering at me, nose flaring angrily. “Adam, how…how could you say that to me?” I say, my eyes crossing over to Sophia who is now hiding her own frame behind his tall, muscular one, “In front of her?” “Because it’s the truth!” He yells again, startling me into making a small helpless sound. Adam has never yelled at me. And even though it hurts me to admit that he is truly saying the truth, he has never said it to my face and I never really thought he would. I have always known it yet it hurts to hear it come from him. It feels like a thousand needles are pricking my heart and making me bleed out with so much pain. He runs his fingers through his hair, seeming frustrated. Like he would rather not have this conversation with me. And just when I think it is over, he continues to speak, breaking me even further. “You were nothing but a mere secretary who wormed her way into my life. If you hadn’t forced yourself on me that night, none of this would have happened! This marriage would have never happened and you know it.” He brings up the past. Our past. The night that meant everything to me but clearly means nothing to him. I swallow over and over again till my throat and mouth become dry. I can’t cry. No, I can’t appear weak. Not in front of Adam and definitely not in front of Sophia so I keep my tears at bay, urging them to return before they spill down my cheeks. “I never forced myself on you, Adam. Why won’t you believe me?” I manage to say but he raises a hand to tell me to stop talking and I clamp my lips shut. “Do not stand there and try to look innocent, Aria because that is far from who you are. I simply said the truth and I do not care if you cannot take it.” He says and stares at me intently. “Do not let what happened today repeat itself again. Know your place and I will not have any reason to talk to you like this. Do you understand?” He lays emphasis on every word of warning he is giving me and turns his back against me before I can even open my mouth to speak again. “Are you okay?” I can’t believe how his voice goes from hard to soft in the next second as he fusses over Sophia. Sophia makes a face that has me balling my fingers into a fist. A face that clearly says she is not okay. “The coffee was hot and I think I might have to visit the hospital to prevent the burn from leaving a scar.” She says in a quiet voice. I look down at my own body that is also drenched in the same coffee. The coffee wasn’t hot enough to cause a burn but Adam believes her instantly. He pulls her into a hug and embarrassment washes over me like a bucket of ice. “I’ll drive. Wait here, I will get my keys.” he says as he pulls away, rushing to his office table to grab his car keys before coming back to her side. He takes her purse from her and leads her out. They both seem so lost in each other that they forget my existence totally, leaving me to stand alone in the middle of the room. Silence falls over me and I am left with my thoughts, licking the wound that his words caused. I have never been able to convince Adam that I didn’t force myself on him yet till this very day, he still believes I drugged him into sleeping with him on the night we were having dinner with his family three years ago. I can never forget the pure look of disgust and shock on his face when we both woke up in each other’s arms the next morning. I knew since then that Adam would never love me, yet I was hopeful. As the years go by, the hope keeps dwindling with his grandfather, being the only support system in everything. Sighing, I return to my office and pick up my phone. My eyes widens when I see that a number has called my phone repeatedly all the time I was in Adam’s office. The dread that fills me stems from the fact that I recognise the number as the hospital’s number. I call back instantly, my heart racing. They pick up on the second ring. “Mrs Miller, we have been trying to reach you all afternoon!” A female voice says. “Why? Is something wrong? Is my grandmother okay?” I ask, rushing my words as I am filled with dread and panic. “You need to be at the hospital, your grandmother—” I don’t wait to hear the rest of her words. I race out of the room and call on a taxi to drive me to the hospital. I go straight to her hospital room but the sheets and blankets are already being neatly arranged and the bed is empty. More panic. More dread. “Where is my grandmother?” I ask, “Where is she?” The nurse cleaning the room gives me a look of pity that nauseates me. “I am sorry, Mrs Miller but your grandmother died ten minutes ago and has been moved to the hospital’s mortuary. I am sorry.” She says. The world around me stops and I don’t know how I am able to walk on my two feet to the mortuary where the Nurse leads me. She stops at the door and points to my grandmother laying on a table in the room, her body covered in a white sheet from head to toe. I walk to the bedside with shaky legs and the moment I take the sheet off and set my eyes on her pale face, I burst out into a loud sob, wishing I could go back to a month ago so I can prevent that accident that made her this way. The accident that took my only living family away from me. “Grandma…” I call in a broken voice as I reach for her hand. They are too cold, so lifeless and the tears begin to leave my eyes in torrents as I remember how warm these hands used to be when they held my face. “I’m sorry…I’m so sorry.” I cry, holding tightly unto her and hating myself for not being there in her last moments. I should have been there with her but I was too busy worrying about my place in my husband’s life. The nurse comes into the room and says, “She asked us to give you this.” I wipe my tears, sniffling as I take what seems to be a key chain from her. I couldn’t think of a reason why grandmother’s parting gift to me would be a key chain but I can’t seem to care. Her cold hands slammed me into the reality of what had happened. Grandmother is dead. I fall to my knees by the bed and weep, muttering and calling for her to return to me. “Aria.” Adam’s voice calls from behind me. I am both surprised and relieved to find him there. He must have been contacted by the hospital as well and stopped by since he already came here with Sophia anyway. Sophia is standing in the room with us but I ignore her. I focus on Adam because I need him. I need someone to hold me and tell me everything will be fine. “Adam.” I cry as I walk over to him and hug him without a second thought, my tears gathering and falling again. His body stiffens at my touch but I don’t let go. I need his warmth. I need him because he is really all that I have left and I can’t bear to lose him too. I expect him to push me away but he doesn’t. He doesn’t hug me back too but I can’t find it in me to care as I sob uncontrollably. My tears subside and I sniffle repeatedly and slowly let go of him. He clears his throat and takes out his phone, saying; “I’ll place a call to start making preparations for her funeral.” He turns around to leave with Sophia also following him but I can’t bear the sight of him turning his back to me and leaving. I grab his hand. “Stay.” I sound so weak and helpless but I do not give a damm, “Please, don’t go. Stay with me.” I beg. Adam opens his mouth to say something but a sharp cry stuns us both. We spin around at the same time to the source of the cry and she is crouching, holding her stomach with an expression of pain. Adam rushes to Sophia’s side in a heartbeat and my heart sinks further down my stomach. “Sophia, are you okay?” He asks with concern ringing high in his voice. She shakes her head, “There is something I’ve been wanting to tell you but didn’t know how.” She says, holding her stomach as she looks directly at me. “What is it?” Adam asks, still very much concerned. “Adam…I…I am pre9nant.” Chapter 3 Grandmother’s funeral is being held on a gloomy day, much to my displeasure. I listened to the weather forecast so I could choose the perfect day for the funeral, and according to the forecast, the day is supposed to be sunny and bright just like Grandmother. I feel duped standing by grandmother’s grave with the sky covered in clouds that only worsen the dark and depressing feeling that has settled in my guts since her death. I have cried so much that I have no tears left to shed at grandmother’s grave and now have to wear dark sunglasses to hide how red and puffy my eyes are rather than to complement my black dress. There are a few people hanging around the other graves in the cemetery to pay their last respects to their loved ones and at each grave, there are at least two people; couples holding each other, families comforting each other and even church processions. I am alone, with no one to comfort me since no one else bothered to attend my grandmother's funeral. With her gone, I realize how lonely I actually am and the thought deals another blow to my already damaged heart. I try hard to get the heartbreaking events of the past few days off my mind and when I finally succeed, I turn my focus back to my grandmother. She’s smiling in the framed picture placed by her tombstone and I force a smile as well as a fond memory of her slips into my mind. “Aria, my child, you can’t frown like that everytime or you’ll get wrinkles like me before you are even my age!” She would say and then go ahead to spread my lips into a smile with her fingers. Grandmother was a cheerful soul who would tell me stories, mostly the ones about my birth and how she knew from the very first day that she set her eyes on me that I was going to be a really beautiful and amazing child. I shared everything with her and talking to her about my marriage was one of the things that made it bearable. I don’t know what I’d do without Grandmother. Tears start to gather in my eyes again and I take off the sunglasses to wipe them off before they start to fall. I already promised myself not to cry anymore; Grandmother wouldn’t want that. Sniffling, I begin to place the things I brought with me by her grave; Tulips, which were her favorite flowers; Peaches, her favorite fruit and finally some sweets because grandmother had a really sweet tooth and never listened to me whenever I told her they were bad for her age. “There are no sweets in heaven, Aria. It’s only right that I take as much as I can down here before the big guy calls me up there.” She would say at the same she unwraps another candy and tosses it into her mouth. She would talk on and on about ‘The big guy’ and ‘Up there’ like she was always prepared for the day she would die. I can’t help it anymore, I burst into tears, falling on my knees by her grave as it dawns on me fully that she is really gone. “I should have let you have all the candies in the world. I should have been there with you at your dying moment. I should have held your hands and told you it’s gonna be okay. I–” My voice breaks, the deep regret and tears choking me and making me lose my train of thoughts. I can’t think of a thing to say anymore and so I just cry, sobbing so hard my body shakes. I hear confident footsteps approaching me and feel a presence behind me that causes my sobs to come to a pause. My heart races and hope swells inside of me when the person puts a hand on my shoulder. I whip my head around, expecting to see Adam but my hope quickly shatters when I see that it is Adam uncle, Regis. “Regis.” I say, sniffing and wiping my tears in a rush. “Here,” He hands me his handkerchief, stuffing it in my hand and closing my palm around it before I can even refuse. I say a barely audible thank you before I dab at the tears with the hanky that smelt like him. “I came as soon as I heard, I’m sorry about your Grandmother, Aria.” He says in a sincere and kind voice. Regis has always been kind to me even when I was just a secretary. Whenever he came to visit his nephew at the office, he would stop to say hi and hand me a canned coffee with a smile on his face. However, he left the country to study a few days before our wedding and only returned not too long ago. This is the first time seeing him since his return and the kind look in his eyes assures me that if he had been around, I would have had another person rooting for me just like Adam’s grandfather. “You didn’t have to.” I say quietly, trying to downplay how much it actually means to me that at least, one person cares enough to be here with me. Regis looks around as if searching for something and then he frowns when our eyes meet again. “You’re alone? Where the hel is Adam?” He asks, his voice a little hard. My cheeks redden in embarrassment. Regis has only just returned and probably doesn’t know anything yet. I am not willing to talk either. I force a smile and begin to pack the excess things I bought for my grandmother's funeral. Regis joins me wordlessly and I sigh in silent appreciation of how he doesn’t ask anymore questions. He takes everything from my hands even before I can protest. “Did you drive here?” He asks and I shake my head. I came here in a Taxi. “C’mon, we’ll take my car.” He says and walks in front of me. I have no choice but to follow him. We have just gotten outside of the cemetery when a car drives into the parking space right beside Regis’ car. The car is familiar and I keep doubting who it belongs to until Adam steps out of the car, eyes trained on me as he walks over. The first thing I notice is his Royal Blue suit and I feel the slow brewing of anger inside of me. How could he show up wearing that? It is like a blatant disrespect of my Grandmother and I can’t stand to watch her get disrespected even in her death. It is clear that he came from the office; little surprise there and it would have been better if he didn’t come at all as I now realize how looking at him only infuriates me. He had managed to avoid me in the past three days since the hospital incident. Three days since Sophia announced that she was pre9nant and shook my world. I didn’t need anyone to tell me who the baby belonged to as he walks towards me now, I feel nothing but resentment for him. “Is it over? Crap, I must have lost track of time.” He says before turning to his uncle and giving him a tight smile of appreciation that I find nauseating. “Thank you for being here with her, uncle.” Regis merely crosses his arms, staring back at his nephew, “Care to explain why you are only just coming?” Regis thows the question at him and I face Adam too, crossing my arms. “Yes, Adam. Tell me what was more important than being at my grandmother’s funeral.” I already know the answer but I still wait to hear him say it so I can have a reason to hate him even more. “I really wanted to be here, Aria but you know…” He trails off, running a hand through his hair, “I had to be with Sophia.” The sound of her name is what does it for me; the same woman who is the reason I wasn’t around to witness grandmother’s dying moments. “Did you really come all the way here to tell me you were with another woman you slept with and impregnated?” “What?” Regis is the one who speaks, his voice echoing his shock as he looks from me to Adam. Adam’s usual blank look remains as if he is unaffected by my words and the pain he has caused me. “Let’s not do this here, Aria. You know I can’t just leave her.” I scoff. “I never stopped you. You know what? You should have never come here. You should have stayed with her since that is where your loyalties lie now and I am no longer in the picture.” Adam frowns, moving closer and intimidating me just a little with his height and muscular frame, “What does that mean? You are my wife.” “Ex-wife,” I say the words without even thinking. I didn’t think any of this through but I don’t care because my entire being seems to agree that this is what’s best for me, “I want a divorce, Adam.” His eyes grow wide, unable to contain the shock at my words and I am proud of myself that I finally got a reaction that isn’t anger or coldness from him. “Both the divorce papers and my resignation will find their way to you soon.” I add before he can get over his shock and I don’t wait for him to reply as I turn to an equally stunned Regis. “Take me home, Regis.” Chapter 4 Adam’s POV I want a divorce. The words circle around my head non-stop. Of all the shets I have had the pleasure of hearing–and trust me, I hear a lot of crap as a CEO–Aria asking for a divorce out of nowhere has to be the worst. I am a man who takes pride in my strength and ability to handle situations no matter how unexpected they are. It comes with the job, yet for some reason, I am unable to utter a single word or move my feet until she gets into the car with my uncle. When I finally come to my senses, she is long gone, leaving me to drown in the pool of shock she created. I am shocked at her audacity; the way she looked me in the eyes as she hit me with those words. Aria’s cold hazel eyes totally betrayed the meek and timid trait that I have only ever known her for. I am equally shocked at myself for actually being affected by it when I shouldn't have batted an eyelash, after all, I never wanted to marry her. The three years of living with Aria felt like I was in bonda9e created by her own deceit and my grandfather’s overbearing attitude. I never cared about Aria yet the sound of divorce numbed me completely that I am unable to think straight until the door to my car opens and reminds me that I am still standing still in front of the cemetery. My personal assistant steps out of the car and speaks. “Sir, your appointment with the Taylor Enterprises is thirty minutes from now. It’s more than an hour’s drive from here, we should leave now if–” “Cancel it,” I say, heading back to the car, not quite in the right mind to process anything, not even a meeting whose outcome was worth millions of dollars. My assistant follows behind me in a hurry, obviously confused. “But sir, that isn’t the only appointment for the day. You also have…” He starts to read out my packed schedule for the day as I finally get into the car. “Cancel them all!” I say, settling into the leather seats of the car and loosening my tie at the same time as it feels like I am slowly losing the ability to breathe, “Get in and turn the dann AC on.” I command him, unable to prevent my anger and irritation from reflecting in my voice. Finally noticing the negative emotions rolling out of me in waves, he mutters his response before getting into the driver’s seat and pulling the car out of the cemetery’s parking lot. We get to the highway, air is emitting from not only the AC in the car yet I feel heat rising from inside of me and not even loosening a few buttons on my shirt helped. All I can think about is Aria and the dammed divorce. My shock is long gone and I am now stewing in nothing but anger, bordering on rage. Who the hel does she think she is? What gives her the boldness to think she makes the call for divorce? If anyone should be asking for a divorce, It should be me. I am the one who married her against my will. She’s the one who found me so irresistible that she went as far as dru9ging me just to have me. If anyone deserves to slam divorce papers in her face, it is me but the thought never crossed my mind. She’s a good secretary, dutiful, efficient and always at my beck and call. She also doubles as a good wife, never getting in my way or needy for attention. Aria takes whatever I give her; the little time, the irregular sax and the little communication, all that I deemed appropriate for our kind of relationship. The sudden switch has me racking my brain, thinking of different possibilities and all the things that could have gone wrong. A thought crosses my mind and it intensifies my anger in a way that I can’t even understand. “Find out if Aria has been meeting anyone lately. Men in particular.” I say. My assistant meets my eyes through the rearview mirror. His eyes fail to hide his surprise that I am asking him to look into my wife and the possibility that she’s been seeing other men. I can’t rule out all the possibilities and if Aria has really been cheating on me, I swear to God– My phone vibrates beside me on the leather seats. Sophia’s name pops up on the screen in a message notification. She’s asking me when next I would be available for an appointment at the doctor’s office. Seeing Sophia’s message douses my anger but leaves me with a far more disturbing emotion. I thought of all the reasons why my quiet wife is suddenly asking for a divorce but it never crossed my mind that impregnating the woman I once loved could be the reason. I think back to that day two months ago when yet again, I let drinking lead me into making the worst decisions. All I had to do was pick Sophia up at the airport, drive her to her hotel and return home. Instead, I took the invite to have a drink in her hotel room; for old time’s sake, she called it. We did more than just have a drink that night and the outcome is the baby growing inside of Sophia. I can’t call it a mistake yet deep down, I know it should have never happened. I should have never let myself get tempted by the thought of how being inside of Sophia will feel after three years. I want the child. It’s my baby and I don’t plan on losing it but it comes at a price that I never thought would be a problem which is the divorce with Aria. I can’t let Aria divorce me. I need her. At the office and in my home. She’s been my secretary for seven years and no one can do her job like her. I also pay her well and make sure she doesn’t need anything as my wife. How does she plan to survive without me anyway? Does she think that by asking for divorce, she has put herself on a higher level than me? What game is she playing with me now? Ha! Women thinking that they can live without a man and his support. As I think deeply about these things, I also think of a way to remedy them. I just need to do something to appeal to her. “What do women like?” I asked my assistant. He hesitates at first, surprised by the sudden question before he clears his throat and answers, “Erm, designer bags I guess and oh, flowers.” I am already scrolling through an online store on my phone, clicking away at every expensive bag that catches my eyes until I have already ordered a number to last her an entire year. Then we make a stop at the flower shop on the way home. Turns out there are more than a hundred thousand flowers and I can’t even decide which one to get for Aria because apparently, women have favorites when it comes to things as trivial as flowers as well. In the end, I pick Lilies because the attendant at the flowershop claims it’s most women’s favorite. I head home after that with only one single thought at the back of my mind; I won’t let Aria divorce me. Chapter 5 I’m thankful that Regis doesn’t ask any questions as he drives me back home. He offers to drive me into the compound but I turn him down and wait till he drives off before I sigh and walk into the house. The house is brimming with maids who rush over to me the instant they hear the door open but I raise a hand to stop them all from coming close to me. I am no longer the mistress of the house. I walk past them all to get to my room. Adam and I only share a room when he is looking to satisfy his saxual urges. He crawls into my bed and peppers kisses all over my body till I give in and that is the only time I ever feel wanted by him. As I walk into the room, I refrain from staring at the bed for longer than I should, afraid that the memories of us tangled up in sheets with him buried deep inside of me will break my resolve. And right now, I have only one resolve–to leave Adam for good. I begin to pack while that resolve is still strong, not even stopping for one moment to think about the fact that I have nowhere to go. I can’t bear to stay one more day under the same roof with Adam, knowing how deeply his betrayal cut. I only pack a few things that are important, assuring myself that I will come back for the rest of my things later when the divorce is finalized. I am only halfway through packing when I hear the sound of a familiar voice that never fails to send chills down my spine and even right this moment, I can already feel the chilling crawl of dread and it makes me stop packing immediately. Adam’s mother, Elodie and his sister Eva are here. I exhale sharply, trying to keep my breathing under control and to also keep the terrible memories of them from flushing into the forefront of my mind. A few more deep exhales and I finally get a hold of myself, resuming packing my things. Once I finish packing, I haul the heavy suitcase out of the room and walk into the living room where Elodie and Eva are seated on one of the couches, legs crossed over one another like they owned the place. Elodie has her signature scowl on her face that doesn’t fade even when I bow to greet her. “Why are you here?” Elodie asks, standing. I am confused by her question and my inability to give an answer makes her scoff, her face contorting into the ugliest form annoyance can take. “I almost forgot how dumb you are.” Elodie says again. Dumb. Her favorite word to throw at me the way she pleases and of course, it doesn’t hurt less today. In fact, it is even more painful now that I realize that besides having to live with Adam’s indifference, I have also had to deal with his mother’s hatred and utter disrespect for me and all along, my response has either been silence or an apology that she never deserved. “Why are you here instead of the office, huh?” She sneers and continues, “My son works tirelessly day and night just to make money for someone like you to leech off him, all he asks of you is to do your job as his secretary and yet you can’t even do that one thing? Do you think you are entitled to his money just because you are his wife?” Her words are like hard blows to the chast, every single word that strung her sentences together hitting nerves and breaking right through them. I feel something rising inside of me. It has always been there but I have always managed to control it. To top it all, Eva, Adam’s snobbish sister had to chip in, “She’s a trickster who duped my poor innocent brother and I wonder why isn’t she at the office! Such a lazy bumm! I don’t even know how Grandpa accepted such a penniless betch to be part of our elite family!” “I had to be at my grandmother’s funeral.” I respond simply, hoping the scowl on her face will disappear but it gets even more profound and she adds a scoff for good measure. Did Elodie and Eva not know that my grandmother died? “Is she dead for real? Or is it just an act?!” Eva has the guts to ask me and I glare at her. Elodie continues, “Of course, that’s your excuse for being a lazy gold digger. Tell me, did that grandmother of yours teach you to go after other people’s money instead of working for your own?” That very thing that has been rising inside me since I saw Adam’s mother reaches its peak. It’s anger. It is red, pure and fiery and controls my whole being that I can not even bring myself to care about anything other than keeping my grandmother’s name from being soiled. “Do not talk about my grandmother like that!” I yell and she jumps slightly, startled by my outburst. “Did you just yell at me?” she says, taking a step forward but I don’t flinch as I stare back into her eyes. Eva approaches me and she lashes out, “Did you just shout at my mother?!!!” Eva has always tried to demean me and every possible way at every chance presented to her. She grabs my arm, presses it harshly, making me wince in pain. Elodie smiles and as usually, she is greatly entertained. I push Eva with the other hand and she tumbles on the sofa. She remains shocked for I have always allowed them to bully me and this time, I retaliate. “Did you forget your place? You are nothing but a–” “Gold digger who married your son for his money, yes, I get it!” I snap at her, having had enough of the name calling every damm time, “But you don’t have to worry about that anymore because I already filed for a divorce. I am leaving your son so you can go ahead and swallow all of his money for all I care.” I turn around to leave, huffing as I drag the heavy suitcase with me but then Elodie clamps her hand down on the suitcase to stop me. She looks at the suitcase in amusement. “You are really leaving!” Elodie can’t even hide the joy in her tone. “Yes, so please just stop and let me go.” She shakes her head, “Not so fast! You can’t just leave.” And then she signals to two of the maids who have been standing, watching the whole exchange. “Search her!” She orders when they come forward. They hesitate and she glares at them. “Did you not hear her? She is no longer the mistress of the house. Search her right now.” I am too stunned to react when the maids finally snatch my suitcase from me. Eva tries to hold me preventing me from snatching back my bag from the maids. “What do you think you’re doing?” I say, my voice shaky. “I can’t just let you leave. Who knows what valuables you have stolen from my son inside that germ ridden bag of yours.” My mouth opens and closes several times at her words as I can’t even come up with a single string of sentences to say to her. I just watch as my things come tumbling to the ground in the rough search. Tears of humiliation burned at the back of my eyes. I don’t struggle any more from Eva’s grip and she stares at me triumphantly. “What is that? Hand it over.” Adam’s mother says when one of the maids found a gold bracelet I had lodged into my case. Grandmother’s bracelet, the only thing I have left of her. “No!” I rush forward to stop her from handing it over but I am too late. Adam’s mother is already holding and inspecting the bracelet. “Oh, wow! Mom, you finally found something she stole from Adam!” Eva exclaimed enthusiastically. Upon saying those words, she drags me and throws me onto the marble. I hit my nose. As I touch it, blood is coming out. I wipe it quickly and spring up to my feet. “I knew it! You took something. Did my son buy this for you? What gives you the right to think you can walk away with something he got for you after filing for a divorce?” Elodie snaps. “That doesn’t belong to your son! It is mine and I will appreciate it if you give it back.” She does the exact opposite and only continues to accuse me of being a thief until the door opens and Adam walks in. I don’t feel relief at his presence like I usually do when his mother treats me this way, instead, I feel nothing but resentment for him. I want to scream how much I hate him to his face. His face twists into confusion when he sees the situation. “What is going on here?” He asks, walking further into the house and looking from his mother to me. “Thank goodness you arrived, son. This leech was about to leave with something that clearly doesn’t belong to her.” His mother responds. “And she hit me!!!” Eva adds, almost in tears, complaining to Adam. This time, Adam is too shocked to ask me why I hit his dear sister. I thought,as he did in the past, he would force me to apologize, but this time, he did nothing. I wonder why. My eyes are starting to water for some reason and I am confused as to why Adam’s appearance suddenly triggered them yet I smile through the tears. “Adam, will you please tell your mother that I have never gotten a gift from you?” Adam falters, seemingly speechless for a second as he stares at his hands. I also look down at his hands and I finally understand why my eyes sting with tears and why I am sniffling in preparation of a sneeze that rocks my entire body. Lilies. I am all ergic to them. Despite the tears rolling down my cheeks, I start to laugh. I laugh so hard, ignoring the burning gazes of everyone present in the room who probably think I have gone crazy. I sneeze in between laughs, yet I don’t stop laughing as I turn to Adam’s mother. “I have been married to your son for three years and he doesn’t even know I am all ergic to lilies, yet you think he is capable of getting me a bracelet?” I shake my head at my sad reality. Chapter 6 Adam hands the flowers over to one of the maids, asking her to put it in a vase or whatever. He clears his throat, trying and failing miserably to hide his embarrassment in front of his mother, his sister and the maids. “The flowers weren’t for you.” He says, voice hard as he stares at me for a brief second. I barely even feel anything when he says that because I genuinely don’t care anymore, I just want to get the hel out of this house and never return. I don’t even care about the rest of my things which I am yet to pack, I just want to turn my back on this horrible life already. I hear Eva sniggers. Adam seems like he wants to say something to me but then he decides against it and turns to his mother instead. “Mum, please return the bracelet to her.” She snorts and shakes her head stubbornly, “I am not letting her leave with it.” Adam grunts, a sign that he is slowly losing his patience, “ I have never seen that bracelet mother, it belongs to Aria. Please, give it back.” Adam’s mother doesn’t immediately move to do as she is told but the moment she does, it is with an annoyed huff as she tosses the bracelet at me. I catch it in my palms while she heads back to sit in the same position as earlier when I first walked into the living room. I fall to my knees by the mess the maids made out of my clothes and then I begin to arrange them again, rushing through the process so I can get out of here fast to stop the repeated sting of humiliation. Adam standing there and just watching me clean up his mother’s mess without as much as an apology from either of them only adds to the rising level of humiliation. Once done, I stand and face Adam squarely, taking in the same clothes he wore to the cemetery earlier and getting reminded of all the reasons why I am making the best decision of my life. “As I said before, it is over between us. The divorce papers and my resignation letter will find their way to you soon.” I say, ignoring the way his face twisted, “Goodbye, Adam.” I turn around before I can even hear his response. I don’t want to look at Adam, not anymore. I walk away from him, going straight for the door and turning its knob for what I hope is the very last time. I have barely taken a step outside the door when Adam’s strong hand grabs my upper arm and twists me around to look at him. I have worked with him for seven years, four of which I was just his secretary and that was enough for me to know the kind of man Adam Miller is. He is usually composed with a blank expression that shows how in control he is. Right now, Adam is neither composed nor in control. He seems like he has lost grip of it and the meaning of those words don’t even matter to him anymore as he holds my arm in a tight grip. I struggle to break free of his hold. “Let me go.” I snap at him but Adam only narrows his eyes at me, his anger burning past his blue eyes. “You can’t just leave, Aria.” He growls. “You can’t tell me what to do, Adam. At least not anymore. Let me go!” “Does this even make any sense to you!” He yells in my face as he lets go of my hand to run his hand through his hair, “ You can’t just spring this kind of shet on me.” “It’s not springing if we have both had it coming from the very moment we shared our vows which you have already broken. We both know this marriage should have never happened so cut the crap and let me leave.” I say, practically fuming before turning around in another attempt to leave. “What about grandfather? You are taking such a big step without talking to the old man who set it all up anyway. The man who has been nothing but good to you.” I turn back to face Adam, hating his attempt at making me feel guilty. My thoughts go to his grandfather momentarily and I try to imagine the old man’s reaction to me filing for a divorce when he cares about me so much. However, I don’t waver. I refuse to let those thoughts come between me and my freedom. I refuse to put the wish of another over my own happiness. “I will talk to grandfather. Believe me, you have nothing to worry about.” I say and make another attempt to leave but of course, Adam doesn’t give up as he speaks again. “I won’t sign it Aria, I won’t sign the goddamm papers!” “What the hel is wrong with you?” I yell out my frustration, “Why won’t you just let me go?” He stares me down, eyes burning stubbornly, “I won’t sign the papers and I won’t accept your resignation either. The company has rules you have to follow and you can’t just decide to resign without prior notice especially when there is a lot of work at the office which I pay you to do!” I scoff, unable to believe his nerve. Unable to get over his selfish thinking and absolute lack of remorse for the things he has done. “You have Sophia, don’t you?” I shoot at him and his brows furrow. “What does that even mean?” “Everyone adores Sophia. She is smart, beautiful and can get your work done for you and oh, don’t forget the fact that she is also pre9nant with your child! How perfect is that?” Adam’s mother springs up, surprise evident in her features. Clearly, she is just learning about her coming grandson. “Adam, is what she says true? You have a child on the way?” Eva asked excitedly. Adam’s expression don’t give anything away and he doesn’t even spare his mother or sister a glance. He is still looking straight at me. “Aria, what happened between Sophia and I wasn’t intentional, it just–” “Don’t you dare make excuses for her! Who cares what she thinks? Sophia is who you have always deserved. The only woman who actually deserves to be my daughter-in-law.” Adam’s mother cut in while making sure to give me a nasty look that doesn’t even surprise me anymore. I shrug at Adam, a way to show him that I was right. Everyone wants Sophia, including him and he can’t even bring himself to deny it. He continues to ignore his mother. “Aria, it was an accident.” He says again and I nod, like I am agreeing to his words. “Three years ago, you didn’t think the same way. You didn’t think you accidentally slept with me but instead believed I had gone as far as dru9ging you to sleep with you. What changed, Adam? Because all I see right now is a bloody hypocrite and a coward who would rather blame others for his mistakes.” When I turn my back to him this time, I don’t stop walking. I don’t turn around. “Aria! Aria, get back here while I am still being nice. Aria, I swear to God if you walk out that door, I won’t take you back even if you go on your knees. You need me, Aria. You can’t survive without me!” Adam yells after me but I don’t stop walking as his arrogant words only fueled my desire to get away from him as fast as I can. I block out the rest of his words as I open the door and welcome my peace and freedom. I am never going back to that sad reality. | Read freely | 18 | https://facebook.com/61557986570531 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1716534000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841177 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682327 | 1723710538 | 858 | 1647538179348259 | 2 | 9.748784076486E+14 | 1716620400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 250753834794512 | 0 | Read freely | 120211565986950196 | redtgb.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | ❤️😍What happens next👉Click Here to read on👉 | https://redtgb.com/market/buenovela/3?lpid=11204&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1714661788 | 2.5075383479451E+14 | Read freely | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441255115_1177880883571742_5075201022874715379_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=g4JsrhWfitkQ7kNvgFeAKBG&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYBpTaGCiNETtYR_kV1GWW7Rzpt8y2OGe5kzssk6sCPaMg&oe=66583EF3 | person_profile | 0 | Read freely | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441055224_676099334622461_3142011906559831658_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=A4yVK4Sv1HwQ7kNvgEPlR3e&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYB-QI79bY-wsfuSD-aSCQRZreHGaTJ0yga_aI_hRJR6fA&oe=66584D39 | 0 | 3 | My husband and boss Adam, is laughing at every joke that leaves the lips of his first love while I watch them through the glass doors that separates his office from mine. I had been dutifully preparing some documents that needed his signature and also setting up his meetings for the day like I have done for 7 years as his secretary but since Sophia’s arrival, I have been unable to get any work done. I feel a pang in my chast every time Adam laughs, almost tearing up at the thought that he has never laughed like that around me. I stare at her slender frame, her lush black hair that bounces back into place even when she throws her head back in laughter and the grace in every of her movements. Sophia is an epitome of feminine grace and every of her features is proof of why Adam has been hung up over her even though they separated years ago. Even though he married me. The dark binds of his office are brought down abruptly, blocking my view of them both and now all I can see is black. It is as if Adam is trying to prevent me from prying even though I am his wife and privacy shouldn’t be a thing between us, especially when it comes to a woman he used to love so much. I still remember how shocked I was when she walked up to me earlier, heels clicking ever so sophisticatedly on the office tiles. I saw the feet cladded in shiny red heels before I raised my head to look at her. “Aria, I didn’t know you still worked here! I can’t believe Adam is still making you work even after you both got married. That man is something, isn’t he?” She said, smiling sweetly with blood red lips that would look horrifying on me if I dared to try that shade of lipstick. I couldn’t speak, caught in the shock of staring face to face with her after all these years, especially as she still had the same aura of wealth and confidence that I have always known her to possess. For a split second, she made me feel insecure in my gray office wear and my tight bun hair and the fact that I wore little to no makeup. “Sophia!” Adam’s voice was what broke me out of that trance I was stuck in as he stepped out of his office and there, right in front of me, he hugged her ever so tightly like an old time friend before he led her back into his office without sparing me as little as a glance. Now, they are alone together in his office, the blinds of his office pulled shut so that I can’t see them but can only hear their muffled voices and his own laughter every now and then. I squirm in my seat uncomfortably each time they laugh, gripping the edges of my table tightly and too destabilized to get any work done while they are both holed up in there. I stare at the calendar on my table. Today’s date is marked with a red marker and I sigh deeply. Does he even know today is our third wedding anniversary? Every year, it seems like I am the only one who remembers it and now with Sophia’s appearance, I can already tell that today will pass by like it’s just another day. I knew she was coming today. Being his secretary is the only reason why I knew the things Adam would rather keep from me. He already briefed me about a new business partner that just returned to the country two months ago and will be at the office at any time. What I didn’t know or should I say, what he purposely kept from me was that the so-called business partner was Sophia Bradley and perhaps the reason why he has been more cold and indifferent than usual, ever since her return. My heart aches at the realization but it aches even more because there is nothing I can do about it. I have never had a place in Adam’s heart but he has been the only one in mine. I loved him from the very moment he saved my life years ago but I can say the same for him. He always reminds me even without speaking, that our marriage is nothing but an attempt at fulfilling his grandfather’s wishes and I knew if he had gotten his way, he would have never looked at me twice, not to talk of getting married to me. Grandfather’s love for me is perhaps the only reason I am still sane in this loveless marriage. The old man never ceases to show how much he cherishes me but when has that ever been enough? I am married to Adam and not his family. The clock ticks endlessly, yet Adam remains in there with her. Their laughter dies down all of a sudden and I can barely hear a word they are saying. Unable to hold back anymore, I stand before the restlessness kil ls me. I am his wife and I deserve to know what is going on. To look natural, I quickly make two cups of coffee. After all, I am his secretary and this is a part of my job. Nervous sweat breaks out on my forehead as I make my way to his office with unsure steps. Inhaling sharply, I open the door and step in. My heart clenches at the sight of them both, relaxed in each other’s company as they sit so close to each other on one of the couches in his office. I swallow hard and try to walk over to the table with the best confidence I could muster. “I made coffee.” I say but they don’t even acknowledge my presence, lost in each other and whatever they were discussing. I study Sophia for a moment, watching as she twirls her cherry blonde hair with a finger while seated with one leg crossed over the other to reveal a prov0cative amount of thi9hs, smiling so brightly that I can’t tell if she’s faking it. I want to turn around and leave but my feet fail to move. I can’t just leave like this. For how long will I keep quiet and svck it up? “Sir,” I call, looking directly at Adam. We are married but he never fails to remind me that I address him as my boss at work. Adam doesn’t even make a move to look at me and anger rises inside of me, slowly boiling. “Sir,” I call again and that is when he finally regards me with a cold look that almost deters me but I remain firm under his gaze. “There is something I need to talk to you about, it’s important.” I lie right through my teeth. I can feel Sophia’s gaze burning through me but I try not to look at her, for the fear that my confidence would slip away if I do. Adam just waves me off. “It can wait. As you can see, I have a guest.” “It can’t wait.” I say, even more firmly but he is already back to smiling and listening to Sophia speak like a lovesick teenage boy. I call him a few more times and unable to hold back any longer, I call him by his name instead. “Adam!” They both look up at me with a mix of expressions. That of Adam is pure anger while Sophia is obviously irritated. I know she has never liked me and back when I was just his secretary and she was his girlfriend, she complained about every single thing I did. “Adam, what is this? Is this how you let your employees disrespect you?” She says it with absolute disgust and disrespect. I am stunned at her words, so stunned that I scoff. Employee? She dares to talk down on me like that even when she knows fully well that I am not just an employee. Adam stands, his tall frame causing his shadow to sweep over me while I grip the tray of coffee tightly in my hands. “Aria, out. Now.” He commands and I am filled with so much hurt that my hands shake and my lips quiver. “Why should I? I have every reason to be in this room and I have every right to speak for you to listen to me.” Sophia stands at once. “It seems as though your wife has a bone to pick with me and I will not sit here and take such insults.” She begins to walk away and of course, Adam follows her. I try to move out of her way but my attempt fails when her shoulder heavily bumps into mine in a way that is too fierce to be considered unintentional. I lose grip of the tray and stagger forward and just like that, the hot coffee spills all over her very expensive looking dress and mine. She shrieks, backing away from me only to glare at me the next second. “What the hel is wrong with you?” She yells. Adam rushes to her side in less than a minute, fussing over her stained dress and even offering her his handkerchief while I stand there, drenched in coffee as my husband takes care of another woman. I feel the tears prickling at the corner of my eyes but what does crying in front of this woman make me? “I can’t believe you! What did I ever do to you? Go ahead and dislike me all you want but there is a limit to how far you can go and you just crossed that.” She says again, seething in uncontained anger. Adam turns to me, eyes dark with rage. It makes me shiver. Makes me feel unimaginable pain to know he is mad at me because of another woman. “Apologise right now!” He commands and I scoff. How can he stand there and take her side when I did nothing wrong? “Why should I do that? I have done nothing wrong. She bumped into me!” I defend myself, my voice breaking. Lips quivering. “I did no such thing!” Sophia says defensively but her eyes tell a different story. “You heard me, Aria. Apologize to her right now.” Adam says again, still intently looking at me. I almost laugh at the fact that the only time he is looking me directly in the eyes after three years of marriage is when another woman is involved. I shake my head, finding all of this hard to believe. “So you believe her over me? You take her words for it but mine does not matter? I am your wife.” “A wife I never wanted to marry!” He yells back and shatters what is left of my broken heart. Chapter 2 I am speechless for the next few seconds as his words hit me like a freight train. I wait. I wait for his hard eyes to soften with remorse at the harsh words he threw at me but that doesn’t happen. He is glowering at me, nose flaring angrily. “Adam, how…how could you say that to me?” I say, my eyes crossing over to Sophia who is now hiding her own frame behind his tall, muscular one, “In front of her?” “Because it’s the truth!” He yells again, startling me into making a small helpless sound. Adam has never yelled at me. And even though it hurts me to admit that he is truly saying the truth, he has never said it to my face and I never really thought he would. I have always known it yet it hurts to hear it come from him. It feels like a thousand needles are pricking my heart and making me bleed out with so much pain. He runs his fingers through his hair, seeming frustrated. Like he would rather not have this conversation with me. And just when I think it is over, he continues to speak, breaking me even further. “You were nothing but a mere secretary who wormed her way into my life. If you hadn’t forced yourself on me that night, none of this would have happened! This marriage would have never happened and you know it.” He brings up the past. Our past. The night that meant everything to me but clearly means nothing to him. I swallow over and over again till my throat and mouth become dry. I can’t cry. No, I can’t appear weak. Not in front of Adam and definitely not in front of Sophia so I keep my tears at bay, urging them to return before they spill down my cheeks. “I never forced myself on you, Adam. Why won’t you believe me?” I manage to say but he raises a hand to tell me to stop talking and I clamp my lips shut. “Do not stand there and try to look innocent, Aria because that is far from who you are. I simply said the truth and I do not care if you cannot take it.” He says and stares at me intently. “Do not let what happened today repeat itself again. Know your place and I will not have any reason to talk to you like this. Do you understand?” He lays emphasis on every word of warning he is giving me and turns his back against me before I can even open my mouth to speak again. “Are you okay?” I can’t believe how his voice goes from hard to soft in the next second as he fusses over Sophia. Sophia makes a face that has me balling my fingers into a fist. A face that clearly says she is not okay. “The coffee was hot and I think I might have to visit the hospital to prevent the burn from leaving a scar.” She says in a quiet voice. I look down at my own body that is also drenched in the same coffee. The coffee wasn’t hot enough to cause a burn but Adam believes her instantly. He pulls her into a hug and embarrassment washes over me like a bucket of ice. “I’ll drive. Wait here, I will get my keys.” he says as he pulls away, rushing to his office table to grab his car keys before coming back to her side. He takes her purse from her and leads her out. They both seem so lost in each other that they forget my existence totally, leaving me to stand alone in the middle of the room. Silence falls over me and I am left with my thoughts, licking the wound that his words caused. I have never been able to convince Adam that I didn’t force myself on him yet till this very day, he still believes I drugged him into sleeping with him on the night we were having dinner with his family three years ago. I can never forget the pure look of disgust and shock on his face when we both woke up in each other’s arms the next morning. I knew since then that Adam would never love me, yet I was hopeful. As the years go by, the hope keeps dwindling with his grandfather, being the only support system in everything. Sighing, I return to my office and pick up my phone. My eyes widens when I see that a number has called my phone repeatedly all the time I was in Adam’s office. The dread that fills me stems from the fact that I recognise the number as the hospital’s number. I call back instantly, my heart racing. They pick up on the second ring. “Mrs Miller, we have been trying to reach you all afternoon!” A female voice says. “Why? Is something wrong? Is my grandmother okay?” I ask, rushing my words as I am filled with dread and panic. “You need to be at the hospital, your grandmother—” I don’t wait to hear the rest of her words. I race out of the room and call on a taxi to drive me to the hospital. I go straight to her hospital room but the sheets and blankets are already being neatly arranged and the bed is empty. More panic. More dread. “Where is my grandmother?” I ask, “Where is she?” The nurse cleaning the room gives me a look of pity that nauseates me. “I am sorry, Mrs Miller but your grandmother died ten minutes ago and has been moved to the hospital’s mortuary. I am sorry.” She says. The world around me stops and I don’t know how I am able to walk on my two feet to the mortuary where the Nurse leads me. She stops at the door and points to my grandmother laying on a table in the room, her body covered in a white sheet from head to toe. I walk to the bedside with shaky legs and the moment I take the sheet off and set my eyes on her pale face, I burst out into a loud sob, wishing I could go back to a month ago so I can prevent that accident that made her this way. The accident that took my only living family away from me. “Grandma…” I call in a broken voice as I reach for her hand. They are too cold, so lifeless and the tears begin to leave my eyes in torrents as I remember how warm these hands used to be when they held my face. “I’m sorry…I’m so sorry.” I cry, holding tightly unto her and hating myself for not being there in her last moments. I should have been there with her but I was too busy worrying about my place in my husband’s life. The nurse comes into the room and says, “She asked us to give you this.” I wipe my tears, sniffling as I take what seems to be a key chain from her. I couldn’t think of a reason why grandmother’s parting gift to me would be a key chain but I can’t seem to care. Her cold hands slammed me into the reality of what had happened. Grandmother is dead. I fall to my knees by the bed and weep, muttering and calling for her to return to me. “Aria.” Adam’s voice calls from behind me. I am both surprised and relieved to find him there. He must have been contacted by the hospital as well and stopped by since he already came here with Sophia anyway. Sophia is standing in the room with us but I ignore her. I focus on Adam because I need him. I need someone to hold me and tell me everything will be fine. “Adam.” I cry as I walk over to him and hug him without a second thought, my tears gathering and falling again. His body stiffens at my touch but I don’t let go. I need his warmth. I need him because he is really all that I have left and I can’t bear to lose him too. I expect him to push me away but he doesn’t. He doesn’t hug me back too but I can’t find it in me to care as I sob uncontrollably. My tears subside and I sniffle repeatedly and slowly let go of him. He clears his throat and takes out his phone, saying; “I’ll place a call to start making preparations for her funeral.” He turns around to leave with Sophia also following him but I can’t bear the sight of him turning his back to me and leaving. I grab his hand. “Stay.” I sound so weak and helpless but I do not give a damm, “Please, don’t go. Stay with me.” I beg. Adam opens his mouth to say something but a sharp cry stuns us both. We spin around at the same time to the source of the cry and she is crouching, holding her stomach with an expression of pain. Adam rushes to Sophia’s side in a heartbeat and my heart sinks further down my stomach. “Sophia, are you okay?” He asks with concern ringing high in his voice. She shakes her head, “There is something I’ve been wanting to tell you but didn’t know how.” She says, holding her stomach as she looks directly at me. “What is it?” Adam asks, still very much concerned. “Adam…I…I am pre9nant.” Chapter 3 Grandmother’s funeral is being held on a gloomy day, much to my displeasure. I listened to the weather forecast so I could choose the perfect day for the funeral, and according to the forecast, the day is supposed to be sunny and bright just like Grandmother. I feel duped standing by grandmother’s grave with the sky covered in clouds that only worsen the dark and depressing feeling that has settled in my guts since her death. I have cried so much that I have no tears left to shed at grandmother’s grave and now have to wear dark sunglasses to hide how red and puffy my eyes are rather than to complement my black dress. There are a few people hanging around the other graves in the cemetery to pay their last respects to their loved ones and at each grave, there are at least two people; couples holding each other, families comforting each other and even church processions. I am alone, with no one to comfort me since no one else bothered to attend my grandmother's funeral. With her gone, I realize how lonely I actually am and the thought deals another blow to my already damaged heart. I try hard to get the heartbreaking events of the past few days off my mind and when I finally succeed, I turn my focus back to my grandmother. She’s smiling in the framed picture placed by her tombstone and I force a smile as well as a fond memory of her slips into my mind. “Aria, my child, you can’t frown like that everytime or you’ll get wrinkles like me before you are even my age!” She would say and then go ahead to spread my lips into a smile with her fingers. Grandmother was a cheerful soul who would tell me stories, mostly the ones about my birth and how she knew from the very first day that she set her eyes on me that I was going to be a really beautiful and amazing child. I shared everything with her and talking to her about my marriage was one of the things that made it bearable. I don’t know what I’d do without Grandmother. Tears start to gather in my eyes again and I take off the sunglasses to wipe them off before they start to fall. I already promised myself not to cry anymore; Grandmother wouldn’t want that. Sniffling, I begin to place the things I brought with me by her grave; Tulips, which were her favorite flowers; Peaches, her favorite fruit and finally some sweets because grandmother had a really sweet tooth and never listened to me whenever I told her they were bad for her age. “There are no sweets in heaven, Aria. It’s only right that I take as much as I can down here before the big guy calls me up there.” She would say at the same she unwraps another candy and tosses it into her mouth. She would talk on and on about ‘The big guy’ and ‘Up there’ like she was always prepared for the day she would die. I can’t help it anymore, I burst into tears, falling on my knees by her grave as it dawns on me fully that she is really gone. “I should have let you have all the candies in the world. I should have been there with you at your dying moment. I should have held your hands and told you it’s gonna be okay. I–” My voice breaks, the deep regret and tears choking me and making me lose my train of thoughts. I can’t think of a thing to say anymore and so I just cry, sobbing so hard my body shakes. I hear confident footsteps approaching me and feel a presence behind me that causes my sobs to come to a pause. My heart races and hope swells inside of me when the person puts a hand on my shoulder. I whip my head around, expecting to see Adam but my hope quickly shatters when I see that it is Adam uncle, Regis. “Regis.” I say, sniffing and wiping my tears in a rush. “Here,” He hands me his handkerchief, stuffing it in my hand and closing my palm around it before I can even refuse. I say a barely audible thank you before I dab at the tears with the hanky that smelt like him. “I came as soon as I heard, I’m sorry about your Grandmother, Aria.” He says in a sincere and kind voice. Regis has always been kind to me even when I was just a secretary. Whenever he came to visit his nephew at the office, he would stop to say hi and hand me a canned coffee with a smile on his face. However, he left the country to study a few days before our wedding and only returned not too long ago. This is the first time seeing him since his return and the kind look in his eyes assures me that if he had been around, I would have had another person rooting for me just like Adam’s grandfather. “You didn’t have to.” I say quietly, trying to downplay how much it actually means to me that at least, one person cares enough to be here with me. Regis looks around as if searching for something and then he frowns when our eyes meet again. “You’re alone? Where the hel is Adam?” He asks, his voice a little hard. My cheeks redden in embarrassment. Regis has only just returned and probably doesn’t know anything yet. I am not willing to talk either. I force a smile and begin to pack the excess things I bought for my grandmother's funeral. Regis joins me wordlessly and I sigh in silent appreciation of how he doesn’t ask anymore questions. He takes everything from my hands even before I can protest. “Did you drive here?” He asks and I shake my head. I came here in a Taxi. “C’mon, we’ll take my car.” He says and walks in front of me. I have no choice but to follow him. We have just gotten outside of the cemetery when a car drives into the parking space right beside Regis’ car. The car is familiar and I keep doubting who it belongs to until Adam steps out of the car, eyes trained on me as he walks over. The first thing I notice is his Royal Blue suit and I feel the slow brewing of anger inside of me. How could he show up wearing that? It is like a blatant disrespect of my Grandmother and I can’t stand to watch her get disrespected even in her death. It is clear that he came from the office; little surprise there and it would have been better if he didn’t come at all as I now realize how looking at him only infuriates me. He had managed to avoid me in the past three days since the hospital incident. Three days since Sophia announced that she was pre9nant and shook my world. I didn’t need anyone to tell me who the baby belonged to as he walks towards me now, I feel nothing but resentment for him. “Is it over? Crap, I must have lost track of time.” He says before turning to his uncle and giving him a tight smile of appreciation that I find nauseating. “Thank you for being here with her, uncle.” Regis merely crosses his arms, staring back at his nephew, “Care to explain why you are only just coming?” Regis thows the question at him and I face Adam too, crossing my arms. “Yes, Adam. Tell me what was more important than being at my grandmother’s funeral.” I already know the answer but I still wait to hear him say it so I can have a reason to hate him even more. “I really wanted to be here, Aria but you know…” He trails off, running a hand through his hair, “I had to be with Sophia.” The sound of her name is what does it for me; the same woman who is the reason I wasn’t around to witness grandmother’s dying moments. “Did you really come all the way here to tell me you were with another woman you slept with and impregnated?” “What?” Regis is the one who speaks, his voice echoing his shock as he looks from me to Adam. Adam’s usual blank look remains as if he is unaffected by my words and the pain he has caused me. “Let’s not do this here, Aria. You know I can’t just leave her.” I scoff. “I never stopped you. You know what? You should have never come here. You should have stayed with her since that is where your loyalties lie now and I am no longer in the picture.” Adam frowns, moving closer and intimidating me just a little with his height and muscular frame, “What does that mean? You are my wife.” “Ex-wife,” I say the words without even thinking. I didn’t think any of this through but I don’t care because my entire being seems to agree that this is what’s best for me, “I want a divorce, Adam.” His eyes grow wide, unable to contain the shock at my words and I am proud of myself that I finally got a reaction that isn’t anger or coldness from him. “Both the divorce papers and my resignation will find their way to you soon.” I add before he can get over his shock and I don’t wait for him to reply as I turn to an equally stunned Regis. “Take me home, Regis.” Chapter 4 Adam’s POV I want a divorce. The words circle around my head non-stop. Of all the shets I have had the pleasure of hearing–and trust me, I hear a lot of crap as a CEO–Aria asking for a divorce out of nowhere has to be the worst. I am a man who takes pride in my strength and ability to handle situations no matter how unexpected they are. It comes with the job, yet for some reason, I am unable to utter a single word or move my feet until she gets into the car with my uncle. When I finally come to my senses, she is long gone, leaving me to drown in the pool of shock she created. I am shocked at her audacity; the way she looked me in the eyes as she hit me with those words. Aria’s cold hazel eyes totally betrayed the meek and timid trait that I have only ever known her for. I am equally shocked at myself for actually being affected by it when I shouldn't have batted an eyelash, after all, I never wanted to marry her. The three years of living with Aria felt like I was in bonda9e created by her own deceit and my grandfather’s overbearing attitude. I never cared about Aria yet the sound of divorce numbed me completely that I am unable to think straight until the door to my car opens and reminds me that I am still standing still in front of the cemetery. My personal assistant steps out of the car and speaks. “Sir, your appointment with the Taylor Enterprises is thirty minutes from now. It’s more than an hour’s drive from here, we should leave now if–” “Cancel it,” I say, heading back to the car, not quite in the right mind to process anything, not even a meeting whose outcome was worth millions of dollars. My assistant follows behind me in a hurry, obviously confused. “But sir, that isn’t the only appointment for the day. You also have…” He starts to read out my packed schedule for the day as I finally get into the car. “Cancel them all!” I say, settling into the leather seats of the car and loosening my tie at the same time as it feels like I am slowly losing the ability to breathe, “Get in and turn the dann AC on.” I command him, unable to prevent my anger and irritation from reflecting in my voice. Finally noticing the negative emotions rolling out of me in waves, he mutters his response before getting into the driver’s seat and pulling the car out of the cemetery’s parking lot. We get to the highway, air is emitting from not only the AC in the car yet I feel heat rising from inside of me and not even loosening a few buttons on my shirt helped. All I can think about is Aria and the dammed divorce. My shock is long gone and I am now stewing in nothing but anger, bordering on rage. Who the hel does she think she is? What gives her the boldness to think she makes the call for divorce? If anyone should be asking for a divorce, It should be me. I am the one who married her against my will. She’s the one who found me so irresistible that she went as far as dru9ging me just to have me. If anyone deserves to slam divorce papers in her face, it is me but the thought never crossed my mind. She’s a good secretary, dutiful, efficient and always at my beck and call. She also doubles as a good wife, never getting in my way or needy for attention. Aria takes whatever I give her; the little time, the irregular sax and the little communication, all that I deemed appropriate for our kind of relationship. The sudden switch has me racking my brain, thinking of different possibilities and all the things that could have gone wrong. A thought crosses my mind and it intensifies my anger in a way that I can’t even understand. “Find out if Aria has been meeting anyone lately. Men in particular.” I say. My assistant meets my eyes through the rearview mirror. His eyes fail to hide his surprise that I am asking him to look into my wife and the possibility that she’s been seeing other men. I can’t rule out all the possibilities and if Aria has really been cheating on me, I swear to God– My phone vibrates beside me on the leather seats. Sophia’s name pops up on the screen in a message notification. She’s asking me when next I would be available for an appointment at the doctor’s office. Seeing Sophia’s message douses my anger but leaves me with a far more disturbing emotion. I thought of all the reasons why my quiet wife is suddenly asking for a divorce but it never crossed my mind that impregnating the woman I once loved could be the reason. I think back to that day two months ago when yet again, I let drinking lead me into making the worst decisions. All I had to do was pick Sophia up at the airport, drive her to her hotel and return home. Instead, I took the invite to have a drink in her hotel room; for old time’s sake, she called it. We did more than just have a drink that night and the outcome is the baby growing inside of Sophia. I can’t call it a mistake yet deep down, I know it should have never happened. I should have never let myself get tempted by the thought of how being inside of Sophia will feel after three years. I want the child. It’s my baby and I don’t plan on losing it but it comes at a price that I never thought would be a problem which is the divorce with Aria. I can’t let Aria divorce me. I need her. At the office and in my home. She’s been my secretary for seven years and no one can do her job like her. I also pay her well and make sure she doesn’t need anything as my wife. How does she plan to survive without me anyway? Does she think that by asking for divorce, she has put herself on a higher level than me? What game is she playing with me now? Ha! Women thinking that they can live without a man and his support. As I think deeply about these things, I also think of a way to remedy them. I just need to do something to appeal to her. “What do women like?” I asked my assistant. He hesitates at first, surprised by the sudden question before he clears his throat and answers, “Erm, designer bags I guess and oh, flowers.” I am already scrolling through an online store on my phone, clicking away at every expensive bag that catches my eyes until I have already ordered a number to last her an entire year. Then we make a stop at the flower shop on the way home. Turns out there are more than a hundred thousand flowers and I can’t even decide which one to get for Aria because apparently, women have favorites when it comes to things as trivial as flowers as well. In the end, I pick Lilies because the attendant at the flowershop claims it’s most women’s favorite. I head home after that with only one single thought at the back of my mind; I won’t let Aria divorce me. Chapter 5 I’m thankful that Regis doesn’t ask any questions as he drives me back home. He offers to drive me into the compound but I turn him down and wait till he drives off before I sigh and walk into the house. The house is brimming with maids who rush over to me the instant they hear the door open but I raise a hand to stop them all from coming close to me. I am no longer the mistress of the house. I walk past them all to get to my room. Adam and I only share a room when he is looking to satisfy his saxual urges. He crawls into my bed and peppers kisses all over my body till I give in and that is the only time I ever feel wanted by him. As I walk into the room, I refrain from staring at the bed for longer than I should, afraid that the memories of us tangled up in sheets with him buried deep inside of me will break my resolve. And right now, I have only one resolve–to leave Adam for good. I begin to pack while that resolve is still strong, not even stopping for one moment to think about the fact that I have nowhere to go. I can’t bear to stay one more day under the same roof with Adam, knowing how deeply his betrayal cut. I only pack a few things that are important, assuring myself that I will come back for the rest of my things later when the divorce is finalized. I am only halfway through packing when I hear the sound of a familiar voice that never fails to send chills down my spine and even right this moment, I can already feel the chilling crawl of dread and it makes me stop packing immediately. Adam’s mother, Elodie and his sister Eva are here. I exhale sharply, trying to keep my breathing under control and to also keep the terrible memories of them from flushing into the forefront of my mind. A few more deep exhales and I finally get a hold of myself, resuming packing my things. Once I finish packing, I haul the heavy suitcase out of the room and walk into the living room where Elodie and Eva are seated on one of the couches, legs crossed over one another like they owned the place. Elodie has her signature scowl on her face that doesn’t fade even when I bow to greet her. “Why are you here?” Elodie asks, standing. I am confused by her question and my inability to give an answer makes her scoff, her face contorting into the ugliest form annoyance can take. “I almost forgot how dumb you are.” Elodie says again. Dumb. Her favorite word to throw at me the way she pleases and of course, it doesn’t hurt less today. In fact, it is even more painful now that I realize that besides having to live with Adam’s indifference, I have also had to deal with his mother’s hatred and utter disrespect for me and all along, my response has either been silence or an apology that she never deserved. “Why are you here instead of the office, huh?” She sneers and continues, “My son works tirelessly day and night just to make money for someone like you to leech off him, all he asks of you is to do your job as his secretary and yet you can’t even do that one thing? Do you think you are entitled to his money just because you are his wife?” Her words are like hard blows to the chast, every single word that strung her sentences together hitting nerves and breaking right through them. I feel something rising inside of me. It has always been there but I have always managed to control it. To top it all, Eva, Adam’s snobbish sister had to chip in, “She’s a trickster who duped my poor innocent brother and I wonder why isn’t she at the office! Such a lazy bumm! I don’t even know how Grandpa accepted such a penniless betch to be part of our elite family!” “I had to be at my grandmother’s funeral.” I respond simply, hoping the scowl on her face will disappear but it gets even more profound and she adds a scoff for good measure. Did Elodie and Eva not know that my grandmother died? “Is she dead for real? Or is it just an act?!” Eva has the guts to ask me and I glare at her. Elodie continues, “Of course, that’s your excuse for being a lazy gold digger. Tell me, did that grandmother of yours teach you to go after other people’s money instead of working for your own?” That very thing that has been rising inside me since I saw Adam’s mother reaches its peak. It’s anger. It is red, pure and fiery and controls my whole being that I can not even bring myself to care about anything other than keeping my grandmother’s name from being soiled. “Do not talk about my grandmother like that!” I yell and she jumps slightly, startled by my outburst. “Did you just yell at me?” she says, taking a step forward but I don’t flinch as I stare back into her eyes. Eva approaches me and she lashes out, “Did you just shout at my mother?!!!” Eva has always tried to demean me and every possible way at every chance presented to her. She grabs my arm, presses it harshly, making me wince in pain. Elodie smiles and as usually, she is greatly entertained. I push Eva with the other hand and she tumbles on the sofa. She remains shocked for I have always allowed them to bully me and this time, I retaliate. “Did you forget your place? You are nothing but a–” “Gold digger who married your son for his money, yes, I get it!” I snap at her, having had enough of the name calling every damm time, “But you don’t have to worry about that anymore because I already filed for a divorce. I am leaving your son so you can go ahead and swallow all of his money for all I care.” I turn around to leave, huffing as I drag the heavy suitcase with me but then Elodie clamps her hand down on the suitcase to stop me. She looks at the suitcase in amusement. “You are really leaving!” Elodie can’t even hide the joy in her tone. “Yes, so please just stop and let me go.” She shakes her head, “Not so fast! You can’t just leave.” And then she signals to two of the maids who have been standing, watching the whole exchange. “Search her!” She orders when they come forward. They hesitate and she glares at them. “Did you not hear her? She is no longer the mistress of the house. Search her right now.” I am too stunned to react when the maids finally snatch my suitcase from me. Eva tries to hold me preventing me from snatching back my bag from the maids. “What do you think you’re doing?” I say, my voice shaky. “I can’t just let you leave. Who knows what valuables you have stolen from my son inside that germ ridden bag of yours.” My mouth opens and closes several times at her words as I can’t even come up with a single string of sentences to say to her. I just watch as my things come tumbling to the ground in the rough search. Tears of humiliation burned at the back of my eyes. I don’t struggle any more from Eva’s grip and she stares at me triumphantly. “What is that? Hand it over.” Adam’s mother says when one of the maids found a gold bracelet I had lodged into my case. Grandmother’s bracelet, the only thing I have left of her. “No!” I rush forward to stop her from handing it over but I am too late. Adam’s mother is already holding and inspecting the bracelet. “Oh, wow! Mom, you finally found something she stole from Adam!” Eva exclaimed enthusiastically. Upon saying those words, she drags me and throws me onto the marble. I hit my nose. As I touch it, blood is coming out. I wipe it quickly and spring up to my feet. “I knew it! You took something. Did my son buy this for you? What gives you the right to think you can walk away with something he got for you after filing for a divorce?” Elodie snaps. “That doesn’t belong to your son! It is mine and I will appreciate it if you give it back.” She does the exact opposite and only continues to accuse me of being a thief until the door opens and Adam walks in. I don’t feel relief at his presence like I usually do when his mother treats me this way, instead, I feel nothing but resentment for him. I want to scream how much I hate him to his face. His face twists into confusion when he sees the situation. “What is going on here?” He asks, walking further into the house and looking from his mother to me. “Thank goodness you arrived, son. This leech was about to leave with something that clearly doesn’t belong to her.” His mother responds. “And she hit me!!!” Eva adds, almost in tears, complaining to Adam. This time, Adam is too shocked to ask me why I hit his dear sister. I thought,as he did in the past, he would force me to apologize, but this time, he did nothing. I wonder why. My eyes are starting to water for some reason and I am confused as to why Adam’s appearance suddenly triggered them yet I smile through the tears. “Adam, will you please tell your mother that I have never gotten a gift from you?” Adam falters, seemingly speechless for a second as he stares at his hands. I also look down at his hands and I finally understand why my eyes sting with tears and why I am sniffling in preparation of a sneeze that rocks my entire body. Lilies. I am all ergic to them. Despite the tears rolling down my cheeks, I start to laugh. I laugh so hard, ignoring the burning gazes of everyone present in the room who probably think I have gone crazy. I sneeze in between laughs, yet I don’t stop laughing as I turn to Adam’s mother. “I have been married to your son for three years and he doesn’t even know I am all ergic to lilies, yet you think he is capable of getting me a bracelet?” I shake my head at my sad reality. Chapter 6 Adam hands the flowers over to one of the maids, asking her to put it in a vase or whatever. He clears his throat, trying and failing miserably to hide his embarrassment in front of his mother, his sister and the maids. “The flowers weren’t for you.” He says, voice hard as he stares at me for a brief second. I barely even feel anything when he says that because I genuinely don’t care anymore, I just want to get the hel out of this house and never return. I don’t even care about the rest of my things which I am yet to pack, I just want to turn my back on this horrible life already. I hear Eva sniggers. Adam seems like he wants to say something to me but then he decides against it and turns to his mother instead. “Mum, please return the bracelet to her.” She snorts and shakes her head stubbornly, “I am not letting her leave with it.” Adam grunts, a sign that he is slowly losing his patience, “ I have never seen that bracelet mother, it belongs to Aria. Please, give it back.” Adam’s mother doesn’t immediately move to do as she is told but the moment she does, it is with an annoyed huff as she tosses the bracelet at me. I catch it in my palms while she heads back to sit in the same position as earlier when I first walked into the living room. I fall to my knees by the mess the maids made out of my clothes and then I begin to arrange them again, rushing through the process so I can get out of here fast to stop the repeated sting of humiliation. Adam standing there and just watching me clean up his mother’s mess without as much as an apology from either of them only adds to the rising level of humiliation. Once done, I stand and face Adam squarely, taking in the same clothes he wore to the cemetery earlier and getting reminded of all the reasons why I am making the best decision of my life. “As I said before, it is over between us. The divorce papers and my resignation letter will find their way to you soon.” I say, ignoring the way his face twisted, “Goodbye, Adam.” I turn around before I can even hear his response. I don’t want to look at Adam, not anymore. I walk away from him, going straight for the door and turning its knob for what I hope is the very last time. I have barely taken a step outside the door when Adam’s strong hand grabs my upper arm and twists me around to look at him. I have worked with him for seven years, four of which I was just his secretary and that was enough for me to know the kind of man Adam Miller is. He is usually composed with a blank expression that shows how in control he is. Right now, Adam is neither composed nor in control. He seems like he has lost grip of it and the meaning of those words don’t even matter to him anymore as he holds my arm in a tight grip. I struggle to break free of his hold. “Let me go.” I snap at him but Adam only narrows his eyes at me, his anger burning past his blue eyes. “You can’t just leave, Aria.” He growls. “You can’t tell me what to do, Adam. At least not anymore. Let me go!” “Does this even make any sense to you!” He yells in my face as he lets go of my hand to run his hand through his hair, “ You can’t just spring this kind of shet on me.” “It’s not springing if we have both had it coming from the very moment we shared our vows which you have already broken. We both know this marriage should have never happened so cut the crap and let me leave.” I say, practically fuming before turning around in another attempt to leave. “What about grandfather? You are taking such a big step without talking to the old man who set it all up anyway. The man who has been nothing but good to you.” I turn back to face Adam, hating his attempt at making me feel guilty. My thoughts go to his grandfather momentarily and I try to imagine the old man’s reaction to me filing for a divorce when he cares about me so much. However, I don’t waver. I refuse to let those thoughts come between me and my freedom. I refuse to put the wish of another over my own happiness. “I will talk to grandfather. Believe me, you have nothing to worry about.” I say and make another attempt to leave but of course, Adam doesn’t give up as he speaks again. “I won’t sign it Aria, I won’t sign the goddamm papers!” “What the hel is wrong with you?” I yell out my frustration, “Why won’t you just let me go?” He stares me down, eyes burning stubbornly, “I won’t sign the papers and I won’t accept your resignation either. The company has rules you have to follow and you can’t just decide to resign without prior notice especially when there is a lot of work at the office which I pay you to do!” I scoff, unable to believe his nerve. Unable to get over his selfish thinking and absolute lack of remorse for the things he has done. “You have Sophia, don’t you?” I shoot at him and his brows furrow. “What does that even mean?” “Everyone adores Sophia. She is smart, beautiful and can get your work done for you and oh, don’t forget the fact that she is also pre9nant with your child! How perfect is that?” Adam’s mother springs up, surprise evident in her features. Clearly, she is just learning about her coming grandson. “Adam, is what she says true? You have a child on the way?” Eva asked excitedly. Adam’s expression don’t give anything away and he doesn’t even spare his mother or sister a glance. He is still looking straight at me. “Aria, what happened between Sophia and I wasn’t intentional, it just–” “Don’t you dare make excuses for her! Who cares what she thinks? Sophia is who you have always deserved. The only woman who actually deserves to be my daughter-in-law.” Adam’s mother cut in while making sure to give me a nasty look that doesn’t even surprise me anymore. I shrug at Adam, a way to show him that I was right. Everyone wants Sophia, including him and he can’t even bring himself to deny it. He continues to ignore his mother. “Aria, it was an accident.” He says again and I nod, like I am agreeing to his words. “Three years ago, you didn’t think the same way. You didn’t think you accidentally slept with me but instead believed I had gone as far as dru9ging you to sleep with you. What changed, Adam? Because all I see right now is a bloody hypocrite and a coward who would rather blame others for his mistakes.” When I turn my back to him this time, I don’t stop walking. I don’t turn around. “Aria! Aria, get back here while I am still being nice. Aria, I swear to God if you walk out that door, I won’t take you back even if you go on your knees. You need me, Aria. You can’t survive without me!” Adam yells after me but I don’t stop walking as his arrogant words only fueled my desire to get away from him as fast as I can. I block out the rest of his words as I open the door and welcome my peace and freedom. I am never going back to that sad reality. | Read freely | 18 | https://facebook.com/61557986570531 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1716534000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841179 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682328 | 1723710538 | 858 | 1647538179348259 | 2 | 9.748784076486E+14 | 1716620400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 250753834794512 | 0 | Read freely | 120211565986950196 | redtgb.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | ❤️😍What happens next👉Click Here to read on👉 | https://redtgb.com/market/buenovela/3?lpid=11204&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1714661788 | 2.5075383479451E+14 | Read freely | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441255115_1177880883571742_5075201022874715379_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=g4JsrhWfitkQ7kNvgFeAKBG&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYBpTaGCiNETtYR_kV1GWW7Rzpt8y2OGe5kzssk6sCPaMg&oe=66583EF3 | person_profile | 0 | Read freely | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441055224_676099334622461_3142011906559831658_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=A4yVK4Sv1HwQ7kNvgEPlR3e&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYB-QI79bY-wsfuSD-aSCQRZreHGaTJ0yga_aI_hRJR6fA&oe=66584D39 | 0 | 3 | My husband and boss Adam, is laughing at every joke that leaves the lips of his first love while I watch them through the glass doors that separates his office from mine. I had been dutifully preparing some documents that needed his signature and also setting up his meetings for the day like I have done for 7 years as his secretary but since Sophia’s arrival, I have been unable to get any work done. I feel a pang in my chast every time Adam laughs, almost tearing up at the thought that he has never laughed like that around me. I stare at her slender frame, her lush black hair that bounces back into place even when she throws her head back in laughter and the grace in every of her movements. Sophia is an epitome of feminine grace and every of her features is proof of why Adam has been hung up over her even though they separated years ago. Even though he married me. The dark binds of his office are brought down abruptly, blocking my view of them both and now all I can see is black. It is as if Adam is trying to prevent me from prying even though I am his wife and privacy shouldn’t be a thing between us, especially when it comes to a woman he used to love so much. I still remember how shocked I was when she walked up to me earlier, heels clicking ever so sophisticatedly on the office tiles. I saw the feet cladded in shiny red heels before I raised my head to look at her. “Aria, I didn’t know you still worked here! I can’t believe Adam is still making you work even after you both got married. That man is something, isn’t he?” She said, smiling sweetly with blood red lips that would look horrifying on me if I dared to try that shade of lipstick. I couldn’t speak, caught in the shock of staring face to face with her after all these years, especially as she still had the same aura of wealth and confidence that I have always known her to possess. For a split second, she made me feel insecure in my gray office wear and my tight bun hair and the fact that I wore little to no makeup. “Sophia!” Adam’s voice was what broke me out of that trance I was stuck in as he stepped out of his office and there, right in front of me, he hugged her ever so tightly like an old time friend before he led her back into his office without sparing me as little as a glance. Now, they are alone together in his office, the blinds of his office pulled shut so that I can’t see them but can only hear their muffled voices and his own laughter every now and then. I squirm in my seat uncomfortably each time they laugh, gripping the edges of my table tightly and too destabilized to get any work done while they are both holed up in there. I stare at the calendar on my table. Today’s date is marked with a red marker and I sigh deeply. Does he even know today is our third wedding anniversary? Every year, it seems like I am the only one who remembers it and now with Sophia’s appearance, I can already tell that today will pass by like it’s just another day. I knew she was coming today. Being his secretary is the only reason why I knew the things Adam would rather keep from me. He already briefed me about a new business partner that just returned to the country two months ago and will be at the office at any time. What I didn’t know or should I say, what he purposely kept from me was that the so-called business partner was Sophia Bradley and perhaps the reason why he has been more cold and indifferent than usual, ever since her return. My heart aches at the realization but it aches even more because there is nothing I can do about it. I have never had a place in Adam’s heart but he has been the only one in mine. I loved him from the very moment he saved my life years ago but I can say the same for him. He always reminds me even without speaking, that our marriage is nothing but an attempt at fulfilling his grandfather’s wishes and I knew if he had gotten his way, he would have never looked at me twice, not to talk of getting married to me. Grandfather’s love for me is perhaps the only reason I am still sane in this loveless marriage. The old man never ceases to show how much he cherishes me but when has that ever been enough? I am married to Adam and not his family. The clock ticks endlessly, yet Adam remains in there with her. Their laughter dies down all of a sudden and I can barely hear a word they are saying. Unable to hold back anymore, I stand before the restlessness kil ls me. I am his wife and I deserve to know what is going on. To look natural, I quickly make two cups of coffee. After all, I am his secretary and this is a part of my job. Nervous sweat breaks out on my forehead as I make my way to his office with unsure steps. Inhaling sharply, I open the door and step in. My heart clenches at the sight of them both, relaxed in each other’s company as they sit so close to each other on one of the couches in his office. I swallow hard and try to walk over to the table with the best confidence I could muster. “I made coffee.” I say but they don’t even acknowledge my presence, lost in each other and whatever they were discussing. I study Sophia for a moment, watching as she twirls her cherry blonde hair with a finger while seated with one leg crossed over the other to reveal a prov0cative amount of thi9hs, smiling so brightly that I can’t tell if she’s faking it. I want to turn around and leave but my feet fail to move. I can’t just leave like this. For how long will I keep quiet and svck it up? “Sir,” I call, looking directly at Adam. We are married but he never fails to remind me that I address him as my boss at work. Adam doesn’t even make a move to look at me and anger rises inside of me, slowly boiling. “Sir,” I call again and that is when he finally regards me with a cold look that almost deters me but I remain firm under his gaze. “There is something I need to talk to you about, it’s important.” I lie right through my teeth. I can feel Sophia’s gaze burning through me but I try not to look at her, for the fear that my confidence would slip away if I do. Adam just waves me off. “It can wait. As you can see, I have a guest.” “It can’t wait.” I say, even more firmly but he is already back to smiling and listening to Sophia speak like a lovesick teenage boy. I call him a few more times and unable to hold back any longer, I call him by his name instead. “Adam!” They both look up at me with a mix of expressions. That of Adam is pure anger while Sophia is obviously irritated. I know she has never liked me and back when I was just his secretary and she was his girlfriend, she complained about every single thing I did. “Adam, what is this? Is this how you let your employees disrespect you?” She says it with absolute disgust and disrespect. I am stunned at her words, so stunned that I scoff. Employee? She dares to talk down on me like that even when she knows fully well that I am not just an employee. Adam stands, his tall frame causing his shadow to sweep over me while I grip the tray of coffee tightly in my hands. “Aria, out. Now.” He commands and I am filled with so much hurt that my hands shake and my lips quiver. “Why should I? I have every reason to be in this room and I have every right to speak for you to listen to me.” Sophia stands at once. “It seems as though your wife has a bone to pick with me and I will not sit here and take such insults.” She begins to walk away and of course, Adam follows her. I try to move out of her way but my attempt fails when her shoulder heavily bumps into mine in a way that is too fierce to be considered unintentional. I lose grip of the tray and stagger forward and just like that, the hot coffee spills all over her very expensive looking dress and mine. She shrieks, backing away from me only to glare at me the next second. “What the hel is wrong with you?” She yells. Adam rushes to her side in less than a minute, fussing over her stained dress and even offering her his handkerchief while I stand there, drenched in coffee as my husband takes care of another woman. I feel the tears prickling at the corner of my eyes but what does crying in front of this woman make me? “I can’t believe you! What did I ever do to you? Go ahead and dislike me all you want but there is a limit to how far you can go and you just crossed that.” She says again, seething in uncontained anger. Adam turns to me, eyes dark with rage. It makes me shiver. Makes me feel unimaginable pain to know he is mad at me because of another woman. “Apologise right now!” He commands and I scoff. How can he stand there and take her side when I did nothing wrong? “Why should I do that? I have done nothing wrong. She bumped into me!” I defend myself, my voice breaking. Lips quivering. “I did no such thing!” Sophia says defensively but her eyes tell a different story. “You heard me, Aria. Apologize to her right now.” Adam says again, still intently looking at me. I almost laugh at the fact that the only time he is looking me directly in the eyes after three years of marriage is when another woman is involved. I shake my head, finding all of this hard to believe. “So you believe her over me? You take her words for it but mine does not matter? I am your wife.” “A wife I never wanted to marry!” He yells back and shatters what is left of my broken heart. Chapter 2 I am speechless for the next few seconds as his words hit me like a freight train. I wait. I wait for his hard eyes to soften with remorse at the harsh words he threw at me but that doesn’t happen. He is glowering at me, nose flaring angrily. “Adam, how…how could you say that to me?” I say, my eyes crossing over to Sophia who is now hiding her own frame behind his tall, muscular one, “In front of her?” “Because it’s the truth!” He yells again, startling me into making a small helpless sound. Adam has never yelled at me. And even though it hurts me to admit that he is truly saying the truth, he has never said it to my face and I never really thought he would. I have always known it yet it hurts to hear it come from him. It feels like a thousand needles are pricking my heart and making me bleed out with so much pain. He runs his fingers through his hair, seeming frustrated. Like he would rather not have this conversation with me. And just when I think it is over, he continues to speak, breaking me even further. “You were nothing but a mere secretary who wormed her way into my life. If you hadn’t forced yourself on me that night, none of this would have happened! This marriage would have never happened and you know it.” He brings up the past. Our past. The night that meant everything to me but clearly means nothing to him. I swallow over and over again till my throat and mouth become dry. I can’t cry. No, I can’t appear weak. Not in front of Adam and definitely not in front of Sophia so I keep my tears at bay, urging them to return before they spill down my cheeks. “I never forced myself on you, Adam. Why won’t you believe me?” I manage to say but he raises a hand to tell me to stop talking and I clamp my lips shut. “Do not stand there and try to look innocent, Aria because that is far from who you are. I simply said the truth and I do not care if you cannot take it.” He says and stares at me intently. “Do not let what happened today repeat itself again. Know your place and I will not have any reason to talk to you like this. Do you understand?” He lays emphasis on every word of warning he is giving me and turns his back against me before I can even open my mouth to speak again. “Are you okay?” I can’t believe how his voice goes from hard to soft in the next second as he fusses over Sophia. Sophia makes a face that has me balling my fingers into a fist. A face that clearly says she is not okay. “The coffee was hot and I think I might have to visit the hospital to prevent the burn from leaving a scar.” She says in a quiet voice. I look down at my own body that is also drenched in the same coffee. The coffee wasn’t hot enough to cause a burn but Adam believes her instantly. He pulls her into a hug and embarrassment washes over me like a bucket of ice. “I’ll drive. Wait here, I will get my keys.” he says as he pulls away, rushing to his office table to grab his car keys before coming back to her side. He takes her purse from her and leads her out. They both seem so lost in each other that they forget my existence totally, leaving me to stand alone in the middle of the room. Silence falls over me and I am left with my thoughts, licking the wound that his words caused. I have never been able to convince Adam that I didn’t force myself on him yet till this very day, he still believes I drugged him into sleeping with him on the night we were having dinner with his family three years ago. I can never forget the pure look of disgust and shock on his face when we both woke up in each other’s arms the next morning. I knew since then that Adam would never love me, yet I was hopeful. As the years go by, the hope keeps dwindling with his grandfather, being the only support system in everything. Sighing, I return to my office and pick up my phone. My eyes widens when I see that a number has called my phone repeatedly all the time I was in Adam’s office. The dread that fills me stems from the fact that I recognise the number as the hospital’s number. I call back instantly, my heart racing. They pick up on the second ring. “Mrs Miller, we have been trying to reach you all afternoon!” A female voice says. “Why? Is something wrong? Is my grandmother okay?” I ask, rushing my words as I am filled with dread and panic. “You need to be at the hospital, your grandmother—” I don’t wait to hear the rest of her words. I race out of the room and call on a taxi to drive me to the hospital. I go straight to her hospital room but the sheets and blankets are already being neatly arranged and the bed is empty. More panic. More dread. “Where is my grandmother?” I ask, “Where is she?” The nurse cleaning the room gives me a look of pity that nauseates me. “I am sorry, Mrs Miller but your grandmother died ten minutes ago and has been moved to the hospital’s mortuary. I am sorry.” She says. The world around me stops and I don’t know how I am able to walk on my two feet to the mortuary where the Nurse leads me. She stops at the door and points to my grandmother laying on a table in the room, her body covered in a white sheet from head to toe. I walk to the bedside with shaky legs and the moment I take the sheet off and set my eyes on her pale face, I burst out into a loud sob, wishing I could go back to a month ago so I can prevent that accident that made her this way. The accident that took my only living family away from me. “Grandma…” I call in a broken voice as I reach for her hand. They are too cold, so lifeless and the tears begin to leave my eyes in torrents as I remember how warm these hands used to be when they held my face. “I’m sorry…I’m so sorry.” I cry, holding tightly unto her and hating myself for not being there in her last moments. I should have been there with her but I was too busy worrying about my place in my husband’s life. The nurse comes into the room and says, “She asked us to give you this.” I wipe my tears, sniffling as I take what seems to be a key chain from her. I couldn’t think of a reason why grandmother’s parting gift to me would be a key chain but I can’t seem to care. Her cold hands slammed me into the reality of what had happened. Grandmother is dead. I fall to my knees by the bed and weep, muttering and calling for her to return to me. “Aria.” Adam’s voice calls from behind me. I am both surprised and relieved to find him there. He must have been contacted by the hospital as well and stopped by since he already came here with Sophia anyway. Sophia is standing in the room with us but I ignore her. I focus on Adam because I need him. I need someone to hold me and tell me everything will be fine. “Adam.” I cry as I walk over to him and hug him without a second thought, my tears gathering and falling again. His body stiffens at my touch but I don’t let go. I need his warmth. I need him because he is really all that I have left and I can’t bear to lose him too. I expect him to push me away but he doesn’t. He doesn’t hug me back too but I can’t find it in me to care as I sob uncontrollably. My tears subside and I sniffle repeatedly and slowly let go of him. He clears his throat and takes out his phone, saying; “I’ll place a call to start making preparations for her funeral.” He turns around to leave with Sophia also following him but I can’t bear the sight of him turning his back to me and leaving. I grab his hand. “Stay.” I sound so weak and helpless but I do not give a damm, “Please, don’t go. Stay with me.” I beg. Adam opens his mouth to say something but a sharp cry stuns us both. We spin around at the same time to the source of the cry and she is crouching, holding her stomach with an expression of pain. Adam rushes to Sophia’s side in a heartbeat and my heart sinks further down my stomach. “Sophia, are you okay?” He asks with concern ringing high in his voice. She shakes her head, “There is something I’ve been wanting to tell you but didn’t know how.” She says, holding her stomach as she looks directly at me. “What is it?” Adam asks, still very much concerned. “Adam…I…I am pre9nant.” Chapter 3 Grandmother’s funeral is being held on a gloomy day, much to my displeasure. I listened to the weather forecast so I could choose the perfect day for the funeral, and according to the forecast, the day is supposed to be sunny and bright just like Grandmother. I feel duped standing by grandmother’s grave with the sky covered in clouds that only worsen the dark and depressing feeling that has settled in my guts since her death. I have cried so much that I have no tears left to shed at grandmother’s grave and now have to wear dark sunglasses to hide how red and puffy my eyes are rather than to complement my black dress. There are a few people hanging around the other graves in the cemetery to pay their last respects to their loved ones and at each grave, there are at least two people; couples holding each other, families comforting each other and even church processions. I am alone, with no one to comfort me since no one else bothered to attend my grandmother's funeral. With her gone, I realize how lonely I actually am and the thought deals another blow to my already damaged heart. I try hard to get the heartbreaking events of the past few days off my mind and when I finally succeed, I turn my focus back to my grandmother. She’s smiling in the framed picture placed by her tombstone and I force a smile as well as a fond memory of her slips into my mind. “Aria, my child, you can’t frown like that everytime or you’ll get wrinkles like me before you are even my age!” She would say and then go ahead to spread my lips into a smile with her fingers. Grandmother was a cheerful soul who would tell me stories, mostly the ones about my birth and how she knew from the very first day that she set her eyes on me that I was going to be a really beautiful and amazing child. I shared everything with her and talking to her about my marriage was one of the things that made it bearable. I don’t know what I’d do without Grandmother. Tears start to gather in my eyes again and I take off the sunglasses to wipe them off before they start to fall. I already promised myself not to cry anymore; Grandmother wouldn’t want that. Sniffling, I begin to place the things I brought with me by her grave; Tulips, which were her favorite flowers; Peaches, her favorite fruit and finally some sweets because grandmother had a really sweet tooth and never listened to me whenever I told her they were bad for her age. “There are no sweets in heaven, Aria. It’s only right that I take as much as I can down here before the big guy calls me up there.” She would say at the same she unwraps another candy and tosses it into her mouth. She would talk on and on about ‘The big guy’ and ‘Up there’ like she was always prepared for the day she would die. I can’t help it anymore, I burst into tears, falling on my knees by her grave as it dawns on me fully that she is really gone. “I should have let you have all the candies in the world. I should have been there with you at your dying moment. I should have held your hands and told you it’s gonna be okay. I–” My voice breaks, the deep regret and tears choking me and making me lose my train of thoughts. I can’t think of a thing to say anymore and so I just cry, sobbing so hard my body shakes. I hear confident footsteps approaching me and feel a presence behind me that causes my sobs to come to a pause. My heart races and hope swells inside of me when the person puts a hand on my shoulder. I whip my head around, expecting to see Adam but my hope quickly shatters when I see that it is Adam uncle, Regis. “Regis.” I say, sniffing and wiping my tears in a rush. “Here,” He hands me his handkerchief, stuffing it in my hand and closing my palm around it before I can even refuse. I say a barely audible thank you before I dab at the tears with the hanky that smelt like him. “I came as soon as I heard, I’m sorry about your Grandmother, Aria.” He says in a sincere and kind voice. Regis has always been kind to me even when I was just a secretary. Whenever he came to visit his nephew at the office, he would stop to say hi and hand me a canned coffee with a smile on his face. However, he left the country to study a few days before our wedding and only returned not too long ago. This is the first time seeing him since his return and the kind look in his eyes assures me that if he had been around, I would have had another person rooting for me just like Adam’s grandfather. “You didn’t have to.” I say quietly, trying to downplay how much it actually means to me that at least, one person cares enough to be here with me. Regis looks around as if searching for something and then he frowns when our eyes meet again. “You’re alone? Where the hel is Adam?” He asks, his voice a little hard. My cheeks redden in embarrassment. Regis has only just returned and probably doesn’t know anything yet. I am not willing to talk either. I force a smile and begin to pack the excess things I bought for my grandmother's funeral. Regis joins me wordlessly and I sigh in silent appreciation of how he doesn’t ask anymore questions. He takes everything from my hands even before I can protest. “Did you drive here?” He asks and I shake my head. I came here in a Taxi. “C’mon, we’ll take my car.” He says and walks in front of me. I have no choice but to follow him. We have just gotten outside of the cemetery when a car drives into the parking space right beside Regis’ car. The car is familiar and I keep doubting who it belongs to until Adam steps out of the car, eyes trained on me as he walks over. The first thing I notice is his Royal Blue suit and I feel the slow brewing of anger inside of me. How could he show up wearing that? It is like a blatant disrespect of my Grandmother and I can’t stand to watch her get disrespected even in her death. It is clear that he came from the office; little surprise there and it would have been better if he didn’t come at all as I now realize how looking at him only infuriates me. He had managed to avoid me in the past three days since the hospital incident. Three days since Sophia announced that she was pre9nant and shook my world. I didn’t need anyone to tell me who the baby belonged to as he walks towards me now, I feel nothing but resentment for him. “Is it over? Crap, I must have lost track of time.” He says before turning to his uncle and giving him a tight smile of appreciation that I find nauseating. “Thank you for being here with her, uncle.” Regis merely crosses his arms, staring back at his nephew, “Care to explain why you are only just coming?” Regis thows the question at him and I face Adam too, crossing my arms. “Yes, Adam. Tell me what was more important than being at my grandmother’s funeral.” I already know the answer but I still wait to hear him say it so I can have a reason to hate him even more. “I really wanted to be here, Aria but you know…” He trails off, running a hand through his hair, “I had to be with Sophia.” The sound of her name is what does it for me; the same woman who is the reason I wasn’t around to witness grandmother’s dying moments. “Did you really come all the way here to tell me you were with another woman you slept with and impregnated?” “What?” Regis is the one who speaks, his voice echoing his shock as he looks from me to Adam. Adam’s usual blank look remains as if he is unaffected by my words and the pain he has caused me. “Let’s not do this here, Aria. You know I can’t just leave her.” I scoff. “I never stopped you. You know what? You should have never come here. You should have stayed with her since that is where your loyalties lie now and I am no longer in the picture.” Adam frowns, moving closer and intimidating me just a little with his height and muscular frame, “What does that mean? You are my wife.” “Ex-wife,” I say the words without even thinking. I didn’t think any of this through but I don’t care because my entire being seems to agree that this is what’s best for me, “I want a divorce, Adam.” His eyes grow wide, unable to contain the shock at my words and I am proud of myself that I finally got a reaction that isn’t anger or coldness from him. “Both the divorce papers and my resignation will find their way to you soon.” I add before he can get over his shock and I don’t wait for him to reply as I turn to an equally stunned Regis. “Take me home, Regis.” Chapter 4 Adam’s POV I want a divorce. The words circle around my head non-stop. Of all the shets I have had the pleasure of hearing–and trust me, I hear a lot of crap as a CEO–Aria asking for a divorce out of nowhere has to be the worst. I am a man who takes pride in my strength and ability to handle situations no matter how unexpected they are. It comes with the job, yet for some reason, I am unable to utter a single word or move my feet until she gets into the car with my uncle. When I finally come to my senses, she is long gone, leaving me to drown in the pool of shock she created. I am shocked at her audacity; the way she looked me in the eyes as she hit me with those words. Aria’s cold hazel eyes totally betrayed the meek and timid trait that I have only ever known her for. I am equally shocked at myself for actually being affected by it when I shouldn't have batted an eyelash, after all, I never wanted to marry her. The three years of living with Aria felt like I was in bonda9e created by her own deceit and my grandfather’s overbearing attitude. I never cared about Aria yet the sound of divorce numbed me completely that I am unable to think straight until the door to my car opens and reminds me that I am still standing still in front of the cemetery. My personal assistant steps out of the car and speaks. “Sir, your appointment with the Taylor Enterprises is thirty minutes from now. It’s more than an hour’s drive from here, we should leave now if–” “Cancel it,” I say, heading back to the car, not quite in the right mind to process anything, not even a meeting whose outcome was worth millions of dollars. My assistant follows behind me in a hurry, obviously confused. “But sir, that isn’t the only appointment for the day. You also have…” He starts to read out my packed schedule for the day as I finally get into the car. “Cancel them all!” I say, settling into the leather seats of the car and loosening my tie at the same time as it feels like I am slowly losing the ability to breathe, “Get in and turn the dann AC on.” I command him, unable to prevent my anger and irritation from reflecting in my voice. Finally noticing the negative emotions rolling out of me in waves, he mutters his response before getting into the driver’s seat and pulling the car out of the cemetery’s parking lot. We get to the highway, air is emitting from not only the AC in the car yet I feel heat rising from inside of me and not even loosening a few buttons on my shirt helped. All I can think about is Aria and the dammed divorce. My shock is long gone and I am now stewing in nothing but anger, bordering on rage. Who the hel does she think she is? What gives her the boldness to think she makes the call for divorce? If anyone should be asking for a divorce, It should be me. I am the one who married her against my will. She’s the one who found me so irresistible that she went as far as dru9ging me just to have me. If anyone deserves to slam divorce papers in her face, it is me but the thought never crossed my mind. She’s a good secretary, dutiful, efficient and always at my beck and call. She also doubles as a good wife, never getting in my way or needy for attention. Aria takes whatever I give her; the little time, the irregular sax and the little communication, all that I deemed appropriate for our kind of relationship. The sudden switch has me racking my brain, thinking of different possibilities and all the things that could have gone wrong. A thought crosses my mind and it intensifies my anger in a way that I can’t even understand. “Find out if Aria has been meeting anyone lately. Men in particular.” I say. My assistant meets my eyes through the rearview mirror. His eyes fail to hide his surprise that I am asking him to look into my wife and the possibility that she’s been seeing other men. I can’t rule out all the possibilities and if Aria has really been cheating on me, I swear to God– My phone vibrates beside me on the leather seats. Sophia’s name pops up on the screen in a message notification. She’s asking me when next I would be available for an appointment at the doctor’s office. Seeing Sophia’s message douses my anger but leaves me with a far more disturbing emotion. I thought of all the reasons why my quiet wife is suddenly asking for a divorce but it never crossed my mind that impregnating the woman I once loved could be the reason. I think back to that day two months ago when yet again, I let drinking lead me into making the worst decisions. All I had to do was pick Sophia up at the airport, drive her to her hotel and return home. Instead, I took the invite to have a drink in her hotel room; for old time’s sake, she called it. We did more than just have a drink that night and the outcome is the baby growing inside of Sophia. I can’t call it a mistake yet deep down, I know it should have never happened. I should have never let myself get tempted by the thought of how being inside of Sophia will feel after three years. I want the child. It’s my baby and I don’t plan on losing it but it comes at a price that I never thought would be a problem which is the divorce with Aria. I can’t let Aria divorce me. I need her. At the office and in my home. She’s been my secretary for seven years and no one can do her job like her. I also pay her well and make sure she doesn’t need anything as my wife. How does she plan to survive without me anyway? Does she think that by asking for divorce, she has put herself on a higher level than me? What game is she playing with me now? Ha! Women thinking that they can live without a man and his support. As I think deeply about these things, I also think of a way to remedy them. I just need to do something to appeal to her. “What do women like?” I asked my assistant. He hesitates at first, surprised by the sudden question before he clears his throat and answers, “Erm, designer bags I guess and oh, flowers.” I am already scrolling through an online store on my phone, clicking away at every expensive bag that catches my eyes until I have already ordered a number to last her an entire year. Then we make a stop at the flower shop on the way home. Turns out there are more than a hundred thousand flowers and I can’t even decide which one to get for Aria because apparently, women have favorites when it comes to things as trivial as flowers as well. In the end, I pick Lilies because the attendant at the flowershop claims it’s most women’s favorite. I head home after that with only one single thought at the back of my mind; I won’t let Aria divorce me. Chapter 5 I’m thankful that Regis doesn’t ask any questions as he drives me back home. He offers to drive me into the compound but I turn him down and wait till he drives off before I sigh and walk into the house. The house is brimming with maids who rush over to me the instant they hear the door open but I raise a hand to stop them all from coming close to me. I am no longer the mistress of the house. I walk past them all to get to my room. Adam and I only share a room when he is looking to satisfy his saxual urges. He crawls into my bed and peppers kisses all over my body till I give in and that is the only time I ever feel wanted by him. As I walk into the room, I refrain from staring at the bed for longer than I should, afraid that the memories of us tangled up in sheets with him buried deep inside of me will break my resolve. And right now, I have only one resolve–to leave Adam for good. I begin to pack while that resolve is still strong, not even stopping for one moment to think about the fact that I have nowhere to go. I can’t bear to stay one more day under the same roof with Adam, knowing how deeply his betrayal cut. I only pack a few things that are important, assuring myself that I will come back for the rest of my things later when the divorce is finalized. I am only halfway through packing when I hear the sound of a familiar voice that never fails to send chills down my spine and even right this moment, I can already feel the chilling crawl of dread and it makes me stop packing immediately. Adam’s mother, Elodie and his sister Eva are here. I exhale sharply, trying to keep my breathing under control and to also keep the terrible memories of them from flushing into the forefront of my mind. A few more deep exhales and I finally get a hold of myself, resuming packing my things. Once I finish packing, I haul the heavy suitcase out of the room and walk into the living room where Elodie and Eva are seated on one of the couches, legs crossed over one another like they owned the place. Elodie has her signature scowl on her face that doesn’t fade even when I bow to greet her. “Why are you here?” Elodie asks, standing. I am confused by her question and my inability to give an answer makes her scoff, her face contorting into the ugliest form annoyance can take. “I almost forgot how dumb you are.” Elodie says again. Dumb. Her favorite word to throw at me the way she pleases and of course, it doesn’t hurt less today. In fact, it is even more painful now that I realize that besides having to live with Adam’s indifference, I have also had to deal with his mother’s hatred and utter disrespect for me and all along, my response has either been silence or an apology that she never deserved. “Why are you here instead of the office, huh?” She sneers and continues, “My son works tirelessly day and night just to make money for someone like you to leech off him, all he asks of you is to do your job as his secretary and yet you can’t even do that one thing? Do you think you are entitled to his money just because you are his wife?” Her words are like hard blows to the chast, every single word that strung her sentences together hitting nerves and breaking right through them. I feel something rising inside of me. It has always been there but I have always managed to control it. To top it all, Eva, Adam’s snobbish sister had to chip in, “She’s a trickster who duped my poor innocent brother and I wonder why isn’t she at the office! Such a lazy bumm! I don’t even know how Grandpa accepted such a penniless betch to be part of our elite family!” “I had to be at my grandmother’s funeral.” I respond simply, hoping the scowl on her face will disappear but it gets even more profound and she adds a scoff for good measure. Did Elodie and Eva not know that my grandmother died? “Is she dead for real? Or is it just an act?!” Eva has the guts to ask me and I glare at her. Elodie continues, “Of course, that’s your excuse for being a lazy gold digger. Tell me, did that grandmother of yours teach you to go after other people’s money instead of working for your own?” That very thing that has been rising inside me since I saw Adam’s mother reaches its peak. It’s anger. It is red, pure and fiery and controls my whole being that I can not even bring myself to care about anything other than keeping my grandmother’s name from being soiled. “Do not talk about my grandmother like that!” I yell and she jumps slightly, startled by my outburst. “Did you just yell at me?” she says, taking a step forward but I don’t flinch as I stare back into her eyes. Eva approaches me and she lashes out, “Did you just shout at my mother?!!!” Eva has always tried to demean me and every possible way at every chance presented to her. She grabs my arm, presses it harshly, making me wince in pain. Elodie smiles and as usually, she is greatly entertained. I push Eva with the other hand and she tumbles on the sofa. She remains shocked for I have always allowed them to bully me and this time, I retaliate. “Did you forget your place? You are nothing but a–” “Gold digger who married your son for his money, yes, I get it!” I snap at her, having had enough of the name calling every damm time, “But you don’t have to worry about that anymore because I already filed for a divorce. I am leaving your son so you can go ahead and swallow all of his money for all I care.” I turn around to leave, huffing as I drag the heavy suitcase with me but then Elodie clamps her hand down on the suitcase to stop me. She looks at the suitcase in amusement. “You are really leaving!” Elodie can’t even hide the joy in her tone. “Yes, so please just stop and let me go.” She shakes her head, “Not so fast! You can’t just leave.” And then she signals to two of the maids who have been standing, watching the whole exchange. “Search her!” She orders when they come forward. They hesitate and she glares at them. “Did you not hear her? She is no longer the mistress of the house. Search her right now.” I am too stunned to react when the maids finally snatch my suitcase from me. Eva tries to hold me preventing me from snatching back my bag from the maids. “What do you think you’re doing?” I say, my voice shaky. “I can’t just let you leave. Who knows what valuables you have stolen from my son inside that germ ridden bag of yours.” My mouth opens and closes several times at her words as I can’t even come up with a single string of sentences to say to her. I just watch as my things come tumbling to the ground in the rough search. Tears of humiliation burned at the back of my eyes. I don’t struggle any more from Eva’s grip and she stares at me triumphantly. “What is that? Hand it over.” Adam’s mother says when one of the maids found a gold bracelet I had lodged into my case. Grandmother’s bracelet, the only thing I have left of her. “No!” I rush forward to stop her from handing it over but I am too late. Adam’s mother is already holding and inspecting the bracelet. “Oh, wow! Mom, you finally found something she stole from Adam!” Eva exclaimed enthusiastically. Upon saying those words, she drags me and throws me onto the marble. I hit my nose. As I touch it, blood is coming out. I wipe it quickly and spring up to my feet. “I knew it! You took something. Did my son buy this for you? What gives you the right to think you can walk away with something he got for you after filing for a divorce?” Elodie snaps. “That doesn’t belong to your son! It is mine and I will appreciate it if you give it back.” She does the exact opposite and only continues to accuse me of being a thief until the door opens and Adam walks in. I don’t feel relief at his presence like I usually do when his mother treats me this way, instead, I feel nothing but resentment for him. I want to scream how much I hate him to his face. His face twists into confusion when he sees the situation. “What is going on here?” He asks, walking further into the house and looking from his mother to me. “Thank goodness you arrived, son. This leech was about to leave with something that clearly doesn’t belong to her.” His mother responds. “And she hit me!!!” Eva adds, almost in tears, complaining to Adam. This time, Adam is too shocked to ask me why I hit his dear sister. I thought,as he did in the past, he would force me to apologize, but this time, he did nothing. I wonder why. My eyes are starting to water for some reason and I am confused as to why Adam’s appearance suddenly triggered them yet I smile through the tears. “Adam, will you please tell your mother that I have never gotten a gift from you?” Adam falters, seemingly speechless for a second as he stares at his hands. I also look down at his hands and I finally understand why my eyes sting with tears and why I am sniffling in preparation of a sneeze that rocks my entire body. Lilies. I am all ergic to them. Despite the tears rolling down my cheeks, I start to laugh. I laugh so hard, ignoring the burning gazes of everyone present in the room who probably think I have gone crazy. I sneeze in between laughs, yet I don’t stop laughing as I turn to Adam’s mother. “I have been married to your son for three years and he doesn’t even know I am all ergic to lilies, yet you think he is capable of getting me a bracelet?” I shake my head at my sad reality. Chapter 6 Adam hands the flowers over to one of the maids, asking her to put it in a vase or whatever. He clears his throat, trying and failing miserably to hide his embarrassment in front of his mother, his sister and the maids. “The flowers weren’t for you.” He says, voice hard as he stares at me for a brief second. I barely even feel anything when he says that because I genuinely don’t care anymore, I just want to get the hel out of this house and never return. I don’t even care about the rest of my things which I am yet to pack, I just want to turn my back on this horrible life already. I hear Eva sniggers. Adam seems like he wants to say something to me but then he decides against it and turns to his mother instead. “Mum, please return the bracelet to her.” She snorts and shakes her head stubbornly, “I am not letting her leave with it.” Adam grunts, a sign that he is slowly losing his patience, “ I have never seen that bracelet mother, it belongs to Aria. Please, give it back.” Adam’s mother doesn’t immediately move to do as she is told but the moment she does, it is with an annoyed huff as she tosses the bracelet at me. I catch it in my palms while she heads back to sit in the same position as earlier when I first walked into the living room. I fall to my knees by the mess the maids made out of my clothes and then I begin to arrange them again, rushing through the process so I can get out of here fast to stop the repeated sting of humiliation. Adam standing there and just watching me clean up his mother’s mess without as much as an apology from either of them only adds to the rising level of humiliation. Once done, I stand and face Adam squarely, taking in the same clothes he wore to the cemetery earlier and getting reminded of all the reasons why I am making the best decision of my life. “As I said before, it is over between us. The divorce papers and my resignation letter will find their way to you soon.” I say, ignoring the way his face twisted, “Goodbye, Adam.” I turn around before I can even hear his response. I don’t want to look at Adam, not anymore. I walk away from him, going straight for the door and turning its knob for what I hope is the very last time. I have barely taken a step outside the door when Adam’s strong hand grabs my upper arm and twists me around to look at him. I have worked with him for seven years, four of which I was just his secretary and that was enough for me to know the kind of man Adam Miller is. He is usually composed with a blank expression that shows how in control he is. Right now, Adam is neither composed nor in control. He seems like he has lost grip of it and the meaning of those words don’t even matter to him anymore as he holds my arm in a tight grip. I struggle to break free of his hold. “Let me go.” I snap at him but Adam only narrows his eyes at me, his anger burning past his blue eyes. “You can’t just leave, Aria.” He growls. “You can’t tell me what to do, Adam. At least not anymore. Let me go!” “Does this even make any sense to you!” He yells in my face as he lets go of my hand to run his hand through his hair, “ You can’t just spring this kind of shet on me.” “It’s not springing if we have both had it coming from the very moment we shared our vows which you have already broken. We both know this marriage should have never happened so cut the crap and let me leave.” I say, practically fuming before turning around in another attempt to leave. “What about grandfather? You are taking such a big step without talking to the old man who set it all up anyway. The man who has been nothing but good to you.” I turn back to face Adam, hating his attempt at making me feel guilty. My thoughts go to his grandfather momentarily and I try to imagine the old man’s reaction to me filing for a divorce when he cares about me so much. However, I don’t waver. I refuse to let those thoughts come between me and my freedom. I refuse to put the wish of another over my own happiness. “I will talk to grandfather. Believe me, you have nothing to worry about.” I say and make another attempt to leave but of course, Adam doesn’t give up as he speaks again. “I won’t sign it Aria, I won’t sign the goddamm papers!” “What the hel is wrong with you?” I yell out my frustration, “Why won’t you just let me go?” He stares me down, eyes burning stubbornly, “I won’t sign the papers and I won’t accept your resignation either. The company has rules you have to follow and you can’t just decide to resign without prior notice especially when there is a lot of work at the office which I pay you to do!” I scoff, unable to believe his nerve. Unable to get over his selfish thinking and absolute lack of remorse for the things he has done. “You have Sophia, don’t you?” I shoot at him and his brows furrow. “What does that even mean?” “Everyone adores Sophia. She is smart, beautiful and can get your work done for you and oh, don’t forget the fact that she is also pre9nant with your child! How perfect is that?” Adam’s mother springs up, surprise evident in her features. Clearly, she is just learning about her coming grandson. “Adam, is what she says true? You have a child on the way?” Eva asked excitedly. Adam’s expression don’t give anything away and he doesn’t even spare his mother or sister a glance. He is still looking straight at me. “Aria, what happened between Sophia and I wasn’t intentional, it just–” “Don’t you dare make excuses for her! Who cares what she thinks? Sophia is who you have always deserved. The only woman who actually deserves to be my daughter-in-law.” Adam’s mother cut in while making sure to give me a nasty look that doesn’t even surprise me anymore. I shrug at Adam, a way to show him that I was right. Everyone wants Sophia, including him and he can’t even bring himself to deny it. He continues to ignore his mother. “Aria, it was an accident.” He says again and I nod, like I am agreeing to his words. “Three years ago, you didn’t think the same way. You didn’t think you accidentally slept with me but instead believed I had gone as far as dru9ging you to sleep with you. What changed, Adam? Because all I see right now is a bloody hypocrite and a coward who would rather blame others for his mistakes.” When I turn my back to him this time, I don’t stop walking. I don’t turn around. “Aria! Aria, get back here while I am still being nice. Aria, I swear to God if you walk out that door, I won’t take you back even if you go on your knees. You need me, Aria. You can’t survive without me!” Adam yells after me but I don’t stop walking as his arrogant words only fueled my desire to get away from him as fast as I can. I block out the rest of his words as I open the door and welcome my peace and freedom. I am never going back to that sad reality. | Read freely | 18 | https://facebook.com/61557986570531 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1716534000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841183 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682328 | 1723710538 | 858 | 216463318195471 | 1 | 3.5079396395983E+14 | 1716620400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1475434976107462 | 0 | Weiss Property Management | 120207717711510579 | weisspm.com | Contact Us | NONE | carousel | Expertise You Can Trust | Enhance your curb appeal | https://weisspm.com/lawn-mowing-and-landscaping/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=display&utm_campaign=sr_transform_your_property_with_weiss_property &utm_term={{ad.id}}&utm_content=4656879-e32-n-m-c{{campaign.id}}-g{{adset.id}}-a{{ad.id}}-u-cat-k-mod | 1710771508 | 1.4754349761075E+15 | Weiss Property Management | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/433883042_3571553513062526_408461915678430278_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=A8vdvDV192YQ7kNvgEG_ia0&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYAXtyA-Da9E_KZdN8HtPmjaHz1czFVer0Axza4V_th_Yw&oe=66586847 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Enhance your curb appeal | Weiss Property Management | 808 | https://facebook.com/weisspm1 | 0 | CONTACT_US | 1710831600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841180 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682328 | 1723710538 | 858 | 216463318195471 | 1 | 3.5079396395983E+14 | 1716620400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1475434976107462 | 0 | Weiss Property Management | 120207717711510579 | weisspm.com | Contact Us | NONE | carousel | Expertise You Can Trust | Enhance your curb appeal | https://weisspm.com/lawn-mowing-and-landscaping/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=display&utm_campaign=sr_transform_your_property_with_weiss_property &utm_term={{ad.id}}&utm_content=4656879-e32-n-m-c{{campaign.id}}-g{{adset.id}}-a{{ad.id}}-u-cat-k-mod | 1710771508 | 1.4754349761075E+15 | Weiss Property Management | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/433883042_3571553513062526_408461915678430278_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=A8vdvDV192YQ7kNvgEG_ia0&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYAXtyA-Da9E_KZdN8HtPmjaHz1czFVer0Axza4V_th_Yw&oe=66586847 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Enhance your curb appeal | Weiss Property Management | 808 | https://facebook.com/weisspm1 | 0 | CONTACT_US | 1710831600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841186 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682328 | 1723710538 | 858 | 1361528064521212 | 1 | 7.4287710132688E+14 | 1715410800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 250753834794512 | 0 | Read freely | 120208075188720056 | beokn.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | ❤️😍What happens next👉Click Here to read on👉 | https://beokn.com/market/buenovela/3?lpid=11230&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1715224592 | 2.5075383479451E+14 | Read freely | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/422079631_823590829824839_4719608256142825580_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=zRrWu5cWNVoQ7kNvgGlPwcN&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYDOKfR6AdQVBkGHxZ7oRkovEG_cTVH3Fhai_NcioNO3Lg&oe=665834C6 | person_profile | 0 | Read freely | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441057328_1702104656985535_4588455529970348064_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=o0QCZODViNgQ7kNvgHrHhkE&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYCq8jC5eDyRX5crJStFEQcpuaK8E5JvRlMOeIvajggmRg&oe=6658688A | 0 | 3 | Yvette Snyder stood at the entrance of the hospital, her body frail, clutching a report in her thin hands. Three words on the report stood out: "No conception detected". "You've been married for three years. How are you not conceived?" Her mother, Yara Cadwell, demanded, jabbing a finger in Yvette's face disappointedly. Yara was dressed lavishly and wore high heels. "Why are you so useless? If you don't get conceived soon, the Lanes are going to kick you out of the family. What's going to happen to our family then?" Yvette looked at Yara blankly. She had a lot to say, but the words were stuck in her throat. In the end, all she could manage was, "I'm sorry." "I don't want you to be sorry. I want you to give birth to Xavier's child. Do you understand me?" Yvette's throat felt tight; she didn't know how to answer Yara. In their three years of marriage, her husband, Xavier Lane, had never slept with her. How could she ever have his child? Yara stared at Yvette. The latter's weak demeanor was so unlike her own. Finally, she said coldly before leaving, "If you really can't give him a child, then find him a woman who can. At least he'll appreciate you for that." Yvette stared after Yara's retreating figure in disbelief. Had her own mother just told her to find another woman for her husband to sleep with? ... As Yvette made her journey home, she couldn't stop thinking about Yara's parting words. Suddenly, a loud ringing in her ear drowned out her thoughts. She knew that her condition had worsened. Just then, she received a message on her phone. It was from Xavier, and the content was the same as always. "I'm not coming home tonight." In the past three years they had been married, Xavier had never spent the night at home before. He had never so much as touched Yvette either. Yvette could remember their wedding night three years ago. He had told her, "Since your family is bold enough to trick me into marrying you, you'd better be prepared to spend the rest of your life in loneliness." Three years ago, the Snyder and Lane families had decided to form an alliance through marriage. Both families had agreed to mutually beneficial terms in the agreement. But when the day of the wedding came around, the Snyder family went back on their word and transferred all of their assets away, including the billions that Xavier had paid to marry Yvette. Yvette's eyes dulled at the memory. She replied to Xavier's text with her usual response: "Okay." Without her realizing it, the report she was holding got scrunched up in her hands. When she got home, Yvette tossed the report into the trash can. Every month, around this time, she would feel unusually lethargic. Yvette didn't prepare dinner for herself. She just leaned back on the couch, blearily drifting in and out of sleep. The rumbling in her ear persisted. That was another reason why Xavier hated her—she was hard of hearing, which, to the rich and powerful, was no better than being crippled. Xavier would never allow her to carry his child. … At 5 o'clock in the morning, the pendulum clock on the wall chimed dully. Xavier would be home in an hour. Yvette realized too late that she had fallen asleep on the couch. She got up hastily and went to the kitchen to prepare Xavier's breakfast. Xavier was a meticulous man who was strict about punctuality, not only with himself but also with the people around him. He arrived home at six o'clock sharp. Xavier was a tall and handsome man. Clad in a smart tailored suit, his demeanor was quiet and reserved, yet undoubtedly masculine. However, to Yvette, he was cold and distant. Xavier didn't even look at Yvette. He walked right past her to look at the food on the table and said with a scoff, "You do this every day. Are you a nanny or what?" Over the past three years, Yvette had been doing the same things over and over again. She wore the same dark clothes and replied to his messages with the same singular word. If it hadn't been for the business alliance and the Snyders' deceit, Xavier would never have married a woman like Yvette. At the word "nanny", the rumbling in Yvette's ears returned. She swallowed, feeling a lump in her throat, and said bravely, "Xav, do you have someone that you like?" Her sudden question surprised Xavier. His eyes darkened. "What do you mean by that?" Yvette raised her head and stared at him, swallowing the bile rising in the back of her throat. "If you love someone else, you can be with her—" Before she could finish, Xavier interrupted her. "You're mad." ... After Xavier left, Yvette sat on the balcony alone, staring out into the cold rain. The sound of the raindrops drifted in and out of clarity. She took off her hearing aids, letting the world around her fall into silence. A month ago, her doctor had told her, "Ms. Snyder, there's been a pathological change in your auditory nerves and some of your cranial nerves, causing your hearing to worsen. If this goes on, you may lose your hearing completely." Not used to a silent world, Yvette went to the living room and turned on the television. She turned up the volume to the max, which allowed her to hear some sound. By coincidence, the television was showing an interview with Daphne Reyes, an internationally renowned singer known for her love songs. Yvette's hands trembled slightly as she gripped the remote control. Daphne was Xavier's first love. It had been a long time since Yvette had seen her, but Daphne was still as pretty as ever. She was confident and relaxed in front of the cameras, unlike the shy and frightened young woman who had begged the Snyders for sponsorship in the past. When the interviewer asked Daphne why she had returned to her home country, her answer was bold. "I came home to get my first love back." The remote control slipped out of Yvette's hands. Her heart also fell to her stomach. Flustered, Yvette turned off the television and went to the table to clean up the uneaten breakfast. When she got to the kitchen, she found that Xavier had forgotten to take his phone. She picked it up and saw the unread messages on the lock screen. "Xav, you must have been unhappy over the past few years, right?" "I know you don't love her. How about we meet up tonight? I've missed you." Yvette stared blankly at the messages until the screen went dark again. Then, she called a cab to Xavier's office. On the way, she stared out of the window. The rain fell incessantly. It felt like it would never stop. Xavier never liked it when Yvette visited him at his office, so whenever she was there, she would take the service elevator from the loading bay. When Xavier's assistant, Mark Xyrax, saw her, he just greeted her impassively, "Ms. Snyder." No one around Xavier considered Yvette his wife. She was nothing but a smear on his reputation. When Xavier saw Yvette bringing him his phone, he frowned. She was always like this. No matter what he forgot, be it his lunch, his documents, a shirt, or even an umbrella, she would bring them to him. "I thought I told you that you didn't need to deliver my things to me yourself." Yvette froze. "Sorry, I forgot." Since when had her memory been so bad? Maybe she had panicked after seeing Daphne's message and became afraid that Xavier would disappear from her life suddenly. Before she left, she looked back at Xavier. Unable to help herself, she blurted out, "Xav, do you still like Daphne?" Xavier thought that Yvette had been behaving rather strangely lately. She kept forgetting things and asking weird questions. How could a person like her be his wife? Impatiently, he replied, "If you have so much free time, go find yourself something to do." Yvette had tried getting a job before, but Xavier's mother, Shannon Guetta, had reprimanded her without holding back. "Do you want the whole world to know that Xav married a disabled woman with hearing issues?" Therefore, Yvette had given up on finding a job and focused on her fruitless life as "Mrs. Lane" at Dewberry Estate. … At home, she sat alone until nightfall. She couldn't sleep. Just then, the phone on her bedside table rang loudly. It was a call from an unfamiliar number. Yvette picked up the call. A familiar voice, yet one she dreaded, sounded from the other end. "Is this Yvvy? Xav is drunk. Can you come pick him up?" When Yvette arrived at Sternhow Club, she heard loud coaxing and jeering from the wealthy heirs inside the private room. "Daph, didn't you say you came back to get our dear Mr. Lane back into your arms? This is your chance now. Go on, tell him how you feel!" Daphne was a pretty woman who was popular wherever she went. She was also Xavier's first love, so the rich young men of the upper crust were happy to push the two together. Daphne wasn't shy at all. She turned to Xavier and said without any reservations, "I like you, Xav. Please be with me again." That was what Yvette heard when she arrived at the door of the private room. Inside, the other people were urging Xavier to answer Daphne. His best friend, Tristan Shaw, was the most vocal among them. "Xav, you've been waiting for Daphne for three years. She's back now. So, go on, answer her!" Yvette stood frozen outside the door. Her heart was pounding. Just then, one of the men pulled the door open. "Ms. Snyder?" Chapter 2 Everyone in the private room looked over at the door. For a moment, the room was eerily silent. Yvette immediately caught sight of Xavier in the middle of the room. His eyes were clear and bright. He was clearly not drunk. She knew that she had been tricked by Daphne. When Xavier saw Yvette, his pupils constricted. Everyone else in the room looked awkward, including Tristan, who had been the most vocal in getting Xavier to accept Daphne's confession earlier. Yvette shouldn't have gone there. Daphne was the first to break the silence. "Please don't get the wrong idea, Yvvy. Tristan was joking. Xavier and I are just friends." Before Yvette could answer, Xavier stood up impatiently. "There's no need to explain it to her." Then, he stalked over to Yvette. "What are you doing here?" "I thought you were drunk, so I came to take you home," Yvette answered truthfully. Xavier scoffed. "You really didn't retain anything I told you, did you?" Lowering his voice, he said softly so that only she could hear him, "Are you here to remind everyone that I was tricked into marrying you three years ago? Did you think they forgot?" Yvette was stunned. Xavier gave her a cold look. "Stop seeking attention. You're only making me hate you more." With that, he turned away, leaving Yvette standing alone. Yvette stared after his retreating figure, unable to snap out of her shock. None of the other scions in the room took pity on her when they saw Xavier ignoring her. Tristan even had no qualms in telling Daphne, who was feigning distress, "You're too kind, Daphne. You didn't need to explain anything. "If Yvette hadn't scammed Xav, he would've married you in the first place. You wouldn't have needed to suffer abroad as well." Despite the constant ringing in her ears, Yvette could still hear every word clearly. She knew better than anyone that even if Xavier hadn't married her, he wouldn't have married Daphne. Daphne was a nobody with no background, after all. Daphne was well aware of this as well. That was why she had chosen to break up with Xavier and leave the country. How had everything turned out to be Yvette's fault? When Yvette left Sternhow Club with her umbrella, she felt as if she had been enveloped by darkness. Just then, a lithe figure appeared beside her. It was Daphne. She was decked out in fine clothes, complete with high heels. She looked smug. "It's a cold night, isn't it? So, how does it feel to get scoffed at by Xavier after you came all the way here at this time to get him?" Yvette didn't answer her, but Daphne didn't mind her silence. She just continued speaking. "I do pity you, you know. You've never experienced true love before, have you? "Do you know that when I was with Xav, he would cook for me himself? When I was sick, he would drop everything and stay with me. "Has Xav ever told you he loves you? He used to say that to me all the time…" Yvette listened to Daphne's rambling quietly, her mind going over the past three years she had been married to Xavier. He had never so much as stepped into the kitchen during that time. When she had gotten sick, he had never comforted her. He had never told her he loved her either. … That night, Yvette couldn't fall asleep. She had only just found out that the man she had loved for the past 12 years had once loved another with all his heart, in the spectacular way that only young people could. At that moment, she realized that it was time for her to give him up. She had a sleepless night. The next morning, Xavier returned home. The glare he gave her was cold. "How attached are you to the Lane family's money, to me, your money-making robot?" he demanded. Yvette was stunned. She didn't know what had gotten into him so early in the morning. Instinctively, she said, "I never wanted your money." She had only ever wanted Xavier. Xavier laughed in disdain. "Then, why did your mother come to my office and beg me to give you a child?" Yvette was stunned. She stared into Xavier's eyes. It was only then that she realized that he wasn't angry about what had happened last night. Xavier had no desire to waste his breath on her. "If you want to continue staying with me and keep your family afloat, tell your mother to behave herself!" ... In the end, Yvette didn't need to look for Yara. Yara found Yvette instead. She was no longer cold and distant; she gripped Yvette's hands and said gently, "Yvvy, you should ask Xavier to give you a child. He doesn't have to do it biologically. He could do it through scientific measures." Scientific measures. Yvette stared at Yara in shock as the latter continued, "Daphne told me that Xavier hasn't slept with you in the past three years." That was the last straw for Yvette. She didn't know why Xavier would tell Daphne about that. Maybe he really loved Daphne a lot. With that thought, she suddenly felt relieved. "Just let it go, Mom." Yara paused. She frowned. "What?" "I'm tired. I want to get a divorce—" Before she could finish, Yara slapped her hard across the face. The kind, motherly facade was gone in an instant. She jabbed a finger at Yvette and gritted out, "You have no right to ask for a divorce! "Without the Lane family, what do you think you're going to do? Who's going to remarry a disabled divorcee like you?" Yvette felt her body go numb. Yara had never liked Yvette, even when the latter had been a child. Yara had been a famous dancer. The fact that she had given birth to a daughter with hearing issues was one of her biggest regrets. Therefore, she had sent Yvette away to be taken care of by a nanny. She had only allowed Yvette to return home when the latter started school. People used to tell Yvette that every mother loved their child. So, she had done everything she could to excel at everything in hopes of making Yara happy. Despite her hearing issues, she had been at the top of her class in dance, music, and art classes. But no matter how hard she tried, Yara still didn't consider her a good daughter. In Yara's words, Yvette wasn't "complete". Not only physically, but also in love and familial relationships. After Yara left, Yvette used some makeup to cover up the red print on her face. Then, she packed her bags quietly. Even after three years of married life, all her personal belongings fit into a single suitcase. After she finished packing up, she gathered her courage and sent Xavier a message. "Are you free tonight? I need to talk to you." Xavier didn't reply to her. Yvette's eyes darkened. She knew that he didn't want to reply to her messages. All she could do was wait for him to come home in the morning. She had thought that he wouldn't come home that night, but he got back at midnight. Yvette wasn't asleep at the time. She went up to him and took his coat and bag from him with familiarity in her actions. It was as if they were a normal married couple. Xavier's cold voice broke the peace. "Don't send me inane texts again." As Yvette held Xavier's coat, her hand trembled slightly. "I won't do it again," she mumbled. Xavier didn't notice anything wrong with her tone. He went straight to his study. Generally, if he came home, he would stay holed up in his study. He probably thought that someone who was hard of hearing would live in a silent world. Either that, or he simply didn't care about Yvette. That would explain why he got straight to discussing his acquisition of Snyder Group in his study as if nothing was wrong. When Yvette brought him some soup, she heard Xavier animatedly discussing work with his employees. He was talking about the acquisition of Snyder Group, her father, James Snyder's company. She didn't know how to feel about that. She knew that her brother, Terrence Synder, was useless at running a business, so it was only a matter of time before Snyder Group fell. However, she had never thought that her own husband would be the first to cause Snyder Group's downfall. "Xav," she interrupted. Xavier was slightly startled. Out of guilt, or maybe some other emotion, he quickly hung up the phone and closed his laptop. Feigning ignorance, Yvette walked into the study and placed the bowl in front of him. "Have some soup, then get to bed soon. Your health is more important than work." For some reason, Xavier felt himself relax when he heard her soft voice. She probably hadn't heard anything. Feeling conflicted, he stopped Yvette before she could leave. "You said you wanted to talk to me. What is it?" Hearing this, Yvette turned back to look at him. Softly, she said, "I just wanted to ask if you're free in the morning so we can go and file for divorce." Chapter 3 Yvette's voice was calm and impassive, as though divorce were a menial matter to her. Xavier's pupils contracted. "What did you just say?" Over the last three years, no matter what he had done, Yvette had never brought up divorce. In truth, Xavier knew that Yvette loved him. Her eyes, which were usually dull and empty, were clear and bright now. "I'm sorry for being a burden over the last few years, Mr. Lane. We should get divorced." Xavier clenched his fists unconsciously. "You heard what I said earlier, didn't you? Snyder Group was already failing; it won't matter whether I buy it or someone else does. What are you trying to do by bringing up divorce? "Is it because you want money? Or a child? Or do you want me to leave Snyder Group alone?" he asked coldly. "Don't forget that I don't love you. Your threats won't work on me!" At that moment, he seemed like a stranger to Yvette. A lump formed in her throat as her ears began throbbing. Even though she was wearing her hearing aids, she could barely hear what Xavier was saying. She could only answer his last question. "I don't want anything." Afraid that he would notice something wrong with her, Yvette left the study in a hurry. As he watched her leave, Xavier felt frustrated for some reason. He had never felt like this before. Not one to hold in his emotions, he flipped the table over. The bowl of soup that Yvette had brought him spilled all over the ground. ... Back in her own room, Yvette forced herself to swallow a handful of pills. She reached up to touch her ear. As she retracted her fingers, she saw crimson blood on them. Thanks to the medicine, her hearing recovered a little by the time it was dawn. Yvette stared blankly at the soft rays of sunlight streaming from the window. "The rain has stopped," she said quietly to herself. Xavier didn't leave the manor that day. He was in the living room bright and early, settled on the couch, waiting for Yvette to apologize and express her regret to him. This wasn't the first time Yvette had lost her temper with him. However, after every tantrum, she would apologize to him before long. Xavier figured that it would be the same this time around. Soon, he saw Yvette coming out of her room, all freshened up. She wore her usual dark-colored clothes. She dragged a suitcase with one hand while holding a piece of paper in the other. She handed the paper to him. It was a divorce agreement. "Let me know when you have time, Xav." With that, she left the manor, pulling her suitcase behind her. It was bright and sunny outside. Yvette felt as if she had gotten a new chance at life. Meanwhile, Xavier sat frozen on the couch, still clutching the divorce agreement in his hand. It took him a long time to come back to his senses. It was Saturday. Usually, around this time of the year, Xavier would take Yvette back to his hometown to pay respects to his ancestors. During this time, they would have to endure strange looks from his extended family. However, he was alone that day, which made him extraordinarily happy. At Lane Mansion, Shannon and the rest of the Lanes were surprised to see him alone. In the past, Yvette had always been the first one to turn up every year and the last to leave since she had been trying to please everyone. Why wasn't she there today? Shanon frowned and asked Xavier, "Where's Yvette, Xav?" Xavier's expression turned cold. "She wanted a divorce and left me." Everyone fell silent in disbelief when he said that. Shannon was shocked. She knew that Yvette probably loved Xavier more than anything in the world, only surpassed by his own parents. Seven years ago, Yvette had even protected Xavier with her own body when someone had attempted to stab him. Four years ago, not long after the two had gotten engaged, something had happened to Xavier while he had been on a business trip in Dibay. Everyone had been convinced that he was dead, but Yvette had refused to believe that. She had dropped everything and gone to the foreign city just to look for him. Then, after they had gotten married, Yvette had taken care of almost everything in his life with meticulous precision, including being polite to everyone around him, even his secretaries. She had always been afraid of offending them. Yvette clearly couldn't live without Xavier. So, why had she suggested getting a divorce? Shannon had no idea, but she was glad that Yvette had finally decided to let Xavier go. "She's not worthy to be your wife anyway. It's a good thing that you're divorcing her. She doesn't deserve you," she said The others immediately chimed in. "Yeah, you're young and handsome, Xav. You're in your best years now. Yvette's been dragging you down all this time!" Instantly, the gathering turned into a slander fest. They spoke of Yvette as if she were an unforgivable criminal. Xavier should have felt happy that they were defending him, but for some reason, he found their words too sharp and crass. He left Lane Mansion earlier than usual and made his way back to Dewberry Estate. The sky was just starting to darken when he arrived home. He opened the door and entered the manor. When he saw nothing but darkness, he remembered, with a start, that Yvette had left. He changed into his house slippers and tossed his coat into the washer. For some reason, he felt unusually exhausted today. He went to the wine cellar to get a bottle of wine so that he could celebrate Yvette's leaving. However, when he got to the wine cellar and saw the locked door, he realized too late that he didn't have the key. He didn't like strangers in his house, so there were no maids or servants at Dewberry Estate. Ever since he had married Yvette, she had been the one taking care of the household affairs. He could only go back to his room. Picking up his phone, he scrolled through his messages only to find work-related texts. Yvette hadn't called or texted him to apologize at all. Tossing his phone aside, he got up and headed over to the kitchen. When he opened the door of the fridge, he was stunned. Apart from food, there were also a lot of supplements. He picked one of the bags up and read the instructions on it. "Take five times a day for incapable of conceived." He took a whiff of the supplement. It smelled disgusting. He recalled that Yvette always smelled strange. So, this was why. He scoffed silently. They had never slept, so no matter how much medicine she took, she would never have gotten conceived. ... Meanwhile, over in a dark and dinky hotel, Yvette opened her eyes blearily. Her head was pounding. The world was silent. She knew, then, that her condition had worsened again. Before this, she had still been able to hear some sounds, even without her hearing aids. She pushed herself up and felt around on the bedside table until she found her medicine. She popped the pills in her mouth, tasting their bitterness. The day before, she had left Dewberry Estate, which had been her home for the past three years. At first, she had gone to her parents' house, Snyder Residence. However, at the door, she had overheard Yara and Terrence discussing how they would marry her off to an old man if the Lanes kicked her out. Yvette had blanked upon hearing that. It was then that she finally realized that she had no place to call home anymore. Even though she hadn't eaten anything in two days, she still didn't feel hungry. However, it was too quiet. The silence scared her. It had been raining more frequently in Tirion this year than it had in previous years. Yvette stared out at the passing pedestrians. Most of them were paired up or in groups. She was the only one alone. She bought a bus ticket heading out of the city. She decided to go to her nanny's house in the countryside. Viola Xenos, her nanny, had taken care of her when she was a child. It was already 9:00 pm when Yvette got there. When Viola saw Yvette, she looked pleasantly surprised. Yvette teared up when she saw Viola's warm smile. She reached out to her and hugged her. "Viola." Due to health issues, Viola had never married and didn't have children of her own. Yvette was closer to her than she was to her own mother. That night, Yvette cuddled up in Viola's embrace, just like she had when she was a child. Viola wrapped her arms around Yvette, only to realize that the latter was very thin. She pressed a hand on the Yvette's bony back, trembling uncontrollably. Forcing herself to calm down, she asked cautiously, "Has Xavier been treating you well, Yvvy?" Yvette felt a sharp pain in her throat when she heard Xavier's name. She wanted to lie to Viola and tell her that Xavier had treated her well, but she knew that Viola wasn't silly. Since she had already made up her mind to leave him, there was no need to lie to herself or to the people who loved her any longer. "The person he loves has returned. I've decided to let him go and divorce him." Viola was stunned. She couldn't believe her ears. Yvette had told her multiple times before that she wanted to spend the rest of her life with Xavier. Not knowing what else to say, she comforted Yvette by telling her that there were plenty of other fish in the sea. There was bound to be one who would love her. Yvette just nodded silently. The buzzing in her ears drowned out Viola's comforting voice. That night, she managed to get a good night's sleep, which was rare. However, when she woke up, she was greeted with the alarming sight of blood staining the spot where her head had laid on the pillow. Yvette touched her right ear. Her fingers felt sticky. She looked at her hand. It was covered in blood. Chapter 4 Even Yvette's hearing aids were stained red. Her pupils contracted, and she quickly grabbed some tissues to wipe her ear. Then, she stripped the bedsheets and washed them. She was afraid that Viola would worry about her if she found out that her illness was worsening. So, she cleaned up the mess and found an excuse to bid goodbye to Viola. Before she left, she placed a part of her savings on the bedside table without telling Viola. Viola walked Yvette to the bus stop and waved goodbye reluctantly. … After Yvette left, Viola couldn't stop thinking about how thin the former was. Unable to just sit by, she called Lane Group. When the secretary heard that Viola was Yvette's nanny and wanted to speak to Xavier, she transferred the call to Xavier's line. It was the third day after Yvette had left Xavier. It was also the first time in three days that he had received a call about her. Sitting behind his desk, he felt exceptionally pleased. Just as he had expected, Yvette wouldn't be able to last more than three days without him—or so he thought. Viola's voice came through the other line, sounding weighed with age. "Mr. Lane, I am Yvvy's nanny. I've been taking care of her since she was a baby. "Please, I beg you, treat her well. Don't hurt her more than you already have. She's not as strong as she seems on the surface. "When she was born, Mrs. Snyder left her in my care because she didn't like that Yvvy is hard of hearing. Yvvy only returned home when she had to start going to school. "The Snyders have never treated her as one of their own. Apart from Mr. Snyder, everyone else treated her like she was a maid. "You and Mr. Snyder are the most important people she has in this world. I'm begging you, please. Please be kind to her." Xavier's mood darkened when he heard what Viola said. "Did she tell you to give me this sob story because she didn't want to face me herself?" he asked coldly. "Why should I care about her life? If you ask me, she deserved everything she got!" That said, he hung up the phone without waiting for an answer. Viola had heard Yvette gushing about how nice Xavier was to her. So, it was only then that she realized the truth—Xavier wasn't a good man at all. He wasn't a good husband to Yvette. ... Yvette sat on the bus, heading home. Just then, her phone vibrated. It was a message from Xavier. "You said you wanted to get divorced, right? I'll see you at 10:00 am tomorrow." Yvette stared at the text blankly for a while before replying, "Okay." Just one word. It infuriated Xavier and completely ruined his mood. Unable to work anymore, he called up his friends and invited them out for drinks. Daphne was also at the club when he arrived. "I'm not going home until I'm drunk!" she declared. Tristan sat down beside Xavier. He couldn't help asking curiously, "How's Deaf Yvvy?" Xavier raised an eyebrow at him. "There's no need to talk about her ever again. We're filing for divorce tomorrow." Tristan was stunned. He couldn't believe his ears. "Really?" Beside them, Daphne brightened. She poured out a shot for him. "Congrats on getting back your freedom, Xav!" Xavier drank a lot that night. Daphne offered to send him home, but he rejected her suggestion. "No need. It's not appropriate." If he and Yvette were going to get divorced tomorrow, she might come home that night. Daphne wasn't happy about the rejection. "Why? You're divorcing her anyway. Why wouldn't it be appropriate? Are you still scared that she might find out about our relationship?" Their relationship? Xavier narrowed his eyes. "You're overthinking this." He got into his own car. Out of consideration, he also called a cab to send Daphne home. On the drive home, he kept unlocking his phone to check if Yvette had sent him any messages. She hadn't. When he reached Dewberry Estate, it was dark. With a stormy expression, Xavier opened the door and turned on the light. Yvette was nowhere to be seen. She hadn't come home. The manor was left exactly the way it had been when she had left. Still feeling the effects of the wine, Xavier threw himself heavily onto the couch and soon fell asleep. In his nightmares, Yvette was covered in blood, but there was a smile on her face. "I don't love you anymore, Xav," she said. When Xavier jolted awake, the sky outside had just brightened up. He rubbed his forehead and went to the bathroom to freshen himself up. Then, he changed into a smart suit and made his way to the courthouse. At the entrance of the courthouse, he spotted Yvette standing under a tree not far off. As usual, she was dressed in dark-colored clothes. From the distance, she looked incredibly frail and thin as she stood amid the drizzle. It was as if a single gust of wind could knock her over. Xavier could still remember how young and lively she had been when they had first gotten married. She hadn't been as thin and gloomy back then. Holding an umbrella, he walked toward Yvette. It took her a few moments to notice him. Xiaver hadn't changed much over the last three years. He was as handsome and as confident as ever, with the added hint of matureness that came with age. Yvette was a little dazed. The last three years felt like a blink in time to her, yet she also seemed to have exhausted a whole lifetime. Xavier stalked over to Yvette and gazed at her coldly. He was waiting for her to apologize to him. She had been sulking enough. It was time to put an end to this. However, Yvette just said, "I'm sorry to pull you away from your work. Let's go in." Xavier stiffened, but he quickly recovered. "Don't regret this." With that, he turned and headed into the courthouse. Yvette stared after him sadly. Would she regret this? She didn't know either. In the courthouse, the judge asked them if they were sure about going through with the divorce. Yvette's answer was firm. "Yes." Her determined expression frustrated Xavier. After filing for divorce, they still had to return to the courthouse in a month. If they didn't show up, then the divorce would be considered null. As they left the courthouse, Yvette looked at Xavier, her expression unusually calm. "I'll see you next month. Take care." With that, she stepped out into the rain, hailed a cab, and left. Xavier was left standing on the spot. He didn't know how to feel as he watched her car leave. Relieved, probably. Relieved that he wouldn't need to put up with her any longer or endure others' ridicule for having a disabled wife. ... In the cab, Yvette leaned against the window and stared blankly at the rain droplets on the glass. In the rearview mirror, the driver suddenly saw blood dripping from her ear. He was shocked by the sight. "Miss? Miss!" Yvette didn't answer him. The driver hastily stopped the car. Yvette was confused. They weren't at her destination yet. Why had they stopped? She looked over at the driver and saw him mouthing silently. She realized that she had gone deaf again. "I'm sorry, I can't hear you. What are you saying?" In the end, the driver had to type out what he wanted to say on his phone so that he could tell her about her bleeding ear. Yvette reached out belatedly and felt the warm sensation in her ear. She was used to it now. "It's alright. This happens all the time. I'm fine." She was hard of hearing, but her ears hadn't bled like this before. Two years ago, at a gathering, Tristan had pushed her into a swimming pool. Yvette didn't know how to swim, so she had almost drowned. At the same time, her eardrums had also expanded due to the pressure. She had been sent to the hospital, but the damage had been done. At the time, she had been told that everything was fine. Why was this happening again? The cab driver was still worried, so he dropped her off at the hospital she told him. After thanking him, Yvette went into the hospital on her own. This time, she saw her usual doctor, Tom Jensen. "Dr. Jensen, my memory has been rather bad lately. I kept forgetting what I'm doing," she said. When she had woken up at the hotel that morning, it had taken her a long time to remember that she had to file for divorce with Xavier. Tom looked at her latest report worriedly. "Ms. Snyder, I think you should consider getting tested for other things. Specifically, mental health issues." Mental health… Following Tom's recommendation, Yvette went and got a psychiatric diagnosis. She was diagnosed with depression. It turned out that patients with severe depression often experienced memory loss. Before heading back to the hotel, Yvette stopped and bought a notebook and a pen. She wrote down everything that had happened lately. She placed the notebook right beside her bed so that it would be the first thing she saw when she woke up in the morning. News of her and Xavier's divorce spread quickly. That night, Yara called her multiple times, but she didn't hear anything. … When she woke up the next morning, she saw a barrage of texts from Yara. "Where are you?" "Who do you think you are? Even if you're getting a divorce, Xavier should have been the one to ask for it!" "You're such a jinx! Back when you got married, your dad got into a car crash and died. What's going to happen now that you're getting divorced? Do you want Snyder Group to go bankrupt? Is that it?" Yvette stared at the messages. She was used to the verbal bully by now. She typed out a reply. "Mom, it's time that we live by our own merits. We shouldn't depend on others so much." Yara's response was swift. "You're such an ingrate! I shouldn't have given birth to you in the first place!" Yvette didn't bother replying to that. She placed her phone aside. She just had to wait a month. Once the divorce was finalized, she would be able to leave Tirion and start a new life. … Yvette's health worsened over the next few days. She often found herself completely deaf. Sometimes, it took a very long time for her hearing to go back to normal. Her memory was deteriorating too. On the bright side, even though her hearing loss was incurable, at least she could do something about the depression. She tried everything she could to keep herself happy. She busied herself by registering as a volunteer online. She spent time taking care of abandoned old people and orphans. Helping them made her feel like she had a reason to continue living. A few days later, Yvette woke up in the morning and checked her notebook as usual. Then, she got ready to head out to the orphanage. When she picked up her phone, she saw several unread messages. There were messages from Terrance and Yara, as well as Daphne. She opened the texts one by one. Yara: "As you wished, Snyder Group is no more." Terrence: "Keep hiding. You're the most cowardly and cruel person I've ever seen." Daphne: "My condolences, Yvette. Actually, I think Snyder Group would thrive better under Xav." Daphne: "Since your family has helped me so much in the past, do let me know if you need anything. I'll help you if I can." Yvette had no idea what was happening. She closed the messaging app. Almost immediately, she got a notification about the latest news. Chapter 5 Yvette watched the news and saw the press conference held by Lane Group. It was an announcement that Xavier had successfully acquired Snyder Group. James' company no longer existed in the world. … Things on Xavier's end had been extra pleasant lately. He had acquired Snyder Group and gotten his revenge. "The Snyder family finally got what they deserved for tricking you into that marriage three years ago." Tristan chuckled. Yet, he changed the topic in the next instant. He asked Xavier, "Xav, has Deaf Yvvy approached you during the past few days?" Xavier froze halfway through signing a document. He didn't know why, but people around him kept mentioning Yvette these days. "No," he replied coldly. That shocked Tristan. After all, how could Yvette not do anything when something this massive had happened to her family? With that in mind, he spoke again. "Could it be that she's finally come around? I heard her family has been looking everywhere for her. Nobody knows where she's gone—" He kept blabbering on. Xavier frowned, feeling utterly annoyed. "Get out!" Tristan jolted. That was when he realized that Xavier was furious. Not daring to say another word, Tristan bolted out of the CEO's office. Once outside, he took his phone and called his assistant, Avery Fitzpatrick. "Have you found Yvette?" "Yes, she's in a small hotel in Hexim Pass," answered Avery. Tristan had Avery send him the location before he drove there. He refused to let Yvette off the hook so easily. So what if she was willing to divorce Xavier now? She had already prevented Xavier and Daphne from being together for over three years! Besides, Daphne had saved Tristan's life once, so he owed her. It rained outside. Yvette finished her volunteer work and picked up her medication from the hospital. Then, she held an umbrella while walking back to the hotel. There were very few people on the road. Tristan drove his car but kept his eyes on Yvette's slim back. He deliberately sped up as he drove past her, sending a puddle of rainwater splashing onto her. Yvette shot him a blank stare. Tristan happened to meet her emotionless gaze through his rearview mirror. He didn't know why, but he felt inexplicably nervous. Yvette recognized Tristan's luxurious, dark gray Bugatti. Yet, she retracted her gaze and pretended not to notice him. Even so, Tristan refused to stop there. He deliberately slowed his car and followed her. "Hey, Deaf Yvvy. So, you have a temper now, huh? "You're not even going to greet me now? Didn't you used to love greeting me? Didn't you enjoy tickling my fancy?" Yvette remained stoic while the former mocked her. She used to do everything to win over those around Xavier, including his friends. It was all because she liked him. She had figured that Xavier's family and friends would one day accept her. Alas, it seemed she had been too naïve. At the previous gathering, Tristan had declared that he was Daphne's friend. He couldn't care less about maintaining his gentlemanly, upper-class image when siding with Daphne. He had insulted Yvette and called her shameless. In the end, he had also thrown her into the pool, leaving her to die. Since then, Yvette had steered clear of him. Upon receiving no reaction or response from Yvette, Tristan stopped the car, opened the door, and strolled toward her. He grabbed her arm and asked, "What stunts are you planning to pull this time?" Yvette's arm hurt, so she looked up at him. "I don't know what you're saying." She wanted to pry his hand off her arm, but he flung her aside. "Don't touch me with your filthy hands!" Tristan bellowed. Yvette stumbled backward before falling to the ground with a loud thud. Tristan froze on the spot in slight disbelief. It baffled him to see Yvette resorting to such tricks. He had only pushed her with a slight force, so how could she fall like that? Seeing people looking their way, he nervously got back into his car. Still, he gave her a warning before driving away. "Don't mess with Daph just because you're a disabled person, Yvette! "She's different from you. It's taken her a lot of effort to get to where she is now, so you'd better not disrupt her and Xav's relationship again!" After driving away, he even told the Snyder family where Yvette was staying. Yvette's hands and knees were scraped when she fell. It hurt so much that she couldn't stand for a long time. Deep down, she didn't understand why Tristan was so blind to what was right and wrong. She recalled risking her life to rescue him from a car that had been about to explode four years ago. His face had been covered in blood, and his eyes hadn't been visible. However, he had spoken in the warmest voice. He had said, "Thank you. I promise I'll repay you someday." Yvette couldn't help but bitterly wonder if this was his way of repaying her. … Once Yvette returned to the hotel, she took a shower and applied medication to her scraped skin. Then, she lay down in a daze. The fall hardened her determination to leave Xavier for good. … The sun was shining brightly outside when Yvette woke up. She got up and headed to the living area, only to see Yara sitting on the couch, wearing a formal dress. Yara didn't seem to care one bit that Yvette had just woken up. She picked the document off the coffee table and handed it to the latter. "Take a good look at this. It's the backup plan I've selected for you." Yvette accepted the document but saw the title "prenuptial agreement" on the cover. She flipped through the pages while reading the contents aloud. "Ms. Yvette Snyder will marry Mr. Liam Lorimer. As his wife, she'll devote herself to him and look after him until the end of his life. Liam will look after Yvette's family, which includes maintaining their quality of life. He'll also provide 300 million as funds for the Snyder family." Following that, the document stated Liam's details. He was an entrepreneur from the older generation in Tirion. He was 78 years old that year. Yvette's mind tensed. At that moment, Yara spoke up again. "Mr. Lorimer has expressed that he doesn't mind that you were married before. "He'll help revive our family's reputation from the ashes, as long as you marry him. Come on, dearest. You wouldn't let me and Terrence down, right?" Yvette's face paled even more. "I can't agree to what you're asking of me." Yara had never imagined that Yvette would reject her so candidly. She blew up in a fit of rage at once. "What right do you have to refuse? I gave you life!" Hearing that, Yvette met Yara's gaze. "How about I return my life to you? Would that mean I no longer owe you?" "What did you say?" Yara shrilled. Yvette's pale lips moved as she said, "If I returned my life to you, would it mean you'd no longer be my mother? And I'll no longer be indebted to you for giving birth to me?" Yara sneered, not believing Yvette would dare do such a thing. "Okay, then. I won't force you to marry Mr. Lorimer if you give your life back to me. But the question is, do you have the guts to do it?" "Give me a month." Yvette seemed determined. In Yara's eyes, Yvette seemed like a crazed person. She warned, "You'd best not threaten me by only saying you'll end your life. We're not that close, so I don't care if you die. However, you must sign this document if you're too afraid to end your life." … Yvette had suppressed all her emotions to the brim and needed to vent somewhere. So, she went to a bar. She sat in a corner, drinking and watching the crowd happily dance in a daze. That was when a dashing man with striking eyes noticed Yvette, who was all alone. He approached and asked, "Yvette?" Yvette stared at the man but didn't recognize him. Still dazed, she asked, "Do you know how one can achieve happiness?" The man was confused. "What did you say?" Yvette continued drinking as she spoke. "The doctor says I'm ill and should try to be happier, but I can't make myself feel happy…" That sparked discomfort in the man, Claude Lander. He wondered if Yvette had forgotten about him. Also, he was confused by what she said—something about being ill and needing to be happier. "You shouldn't be in a place like this if you want to be happy. Why don't I drive you home?" Claude spoke in a gentle tone. A smile curved across Yvette's face as she looked at him. "You're a good person." Complex emotions stirred in Claude when he saw her bitter smile. He wondered what she had been through these past few years. Why did she seem so sorrowful? Meanwhile, Xavier was also at the bar. After settling the divorce papers, he had let himself loose every night. On top of that, he hadn't returned to Dewberry Estate in a long time. It was getting late. When the crowd was about to leave, Daphne noticed a familiar figure in a corner of the bar. She exclaimed, "Isn't that Yvvy?" Xavier glanced in the direction Daphne was staring in and saw a man merrily chatting with Yvette. His expression soured at once. He was disappointed in Yvette for getting drunk at a bar and chatting up another man. He felt like he had thought too highly of her before. "Should we go and check up on her, Xav?" asked Daphne. "No," was all Xavier said before speedily leaving. On the other hand, Yvette declined Claude's offer. "There's no need to trouble yourself. I can go home on my own." Claude was still worried about Yvette, so he ran after her when he noticed her leaving the bar. "Do you really not remember me?" Yvette gazed at him but couldn't recall who he was. "It's Chubbs. Have you forgotten?" Claude reminded her. Only then did Yvette remember her friend, Chubbs, whom she met when she had been living with Viola in the countryside. Back then, Claude had been chubbier and nowhere near Yvette's height. Yet, his six-foot-two-inch frame now towered over her. He had even grown to have handsome features. "I remember now! You've changed so much. I didn't even recognize you!" said Yvette. Meeting an old friend away from home was a pleasant thing. But only a slight smile curved on Yvette's face. That upset Claude. "Come on. I'll drive you home," Claude stated. When he dropped her off, he was shocked to learn she lived in a run-down hotel. Yvette shifted in embarrassment. "Sorry, it's not a glamorous place. Please don't tell Viola I'm living in such a place. I don't want her to worry." Claude nodded. Since it was getting late, it was unwise for him to stay longer. So, he left after telling Yvette he would visit her the next day. He didn't notice the matte black car lingering in a dark area beneath the hotel as he walked out. Now that Claude had left, Yvette felt dizzy and had an upset stomach from drinking too much. That was when someone knocked hard on the door. Yvette had just opened the door when Xavier grabbed her wrist. He exerted so much strength on her slender wrist that it felt close to snapping in half. "You've made me look at you in a new light, Yvette!" Xavier snarled while shutting and locking the door. He then forcefully led her to the couch. He sneered with words as sharp and lethal as a blade, "So, you've already settled on which family you'll marry into next, huh? I knew you wouldn't be so willing to let me go for no reason!" Yvette didn't know why he had come over, nor did she know how he had seen Claude. She was only briefly dazed. Once she snapped out of it, she shot a furious look at Xavier and didn't bother explaining herself to him. The rims of her eyes reddened. "You and I aren't that different from each other." The Snyder family had tricked Xavier into marrying Yvette. However, Xavier had treated her coldly for three years while remaining entangled with his first love. Neither Xavier nor Yvette was a better person than the other. Xavier had also drunk some wine, so he reeked of it. Eyes reddening, he pinched Yvette's chin and spoke with a dangerously low voice. "Who is he? When did you guys meet?" That was the first time Yvette had seen him behave like this. She suddenly chuckled. "Are you jealous?" Xavier's gaze grew tense as he scoffed. "You're unworthy of such a reaction." Yvette became choked up. That was when Xavier leaned in domineeringly and continued interrogating her. "Has he already touched you? Huh?" In her three years of marriage, Yvette had given up on her work and declined to meet her friends whenever they had occasionally invited her out. She had done so to obey the Lane family's rules. But now Xavier was suspicious of her. Relief washed over Yvette just then. She questioned him back, "What do you think?" That utterly angered Xavier, and his heated hands started travelling down her body. | Read freely | 18 | https://facebook.com/61557986570531 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1715324400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841187 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682328 | 1723710538 | 858 | 1361528064521212 | 1 | 7.4287710132688E+14 | 1715410800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 250753834794512 | 0 | Read freely | 120208075188720056 | beokn.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | ❤️😍What happens next👉Click Here to read on👉 | https://beokn.com/market/buenovela/3?lpid=11230&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1715224592 | 2.5075383479451E+14 | Read freely | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/422079631_823590829824839_4719608256142825580_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=zRrWu5cWNVoQ7kNvgGlPwcN&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYDOKfR6AdQVBkGHxZ7oRkovEG_cTVH3Fhai_NcioNO3Lg&oe=665834C6 | person_profile | 0 | Read freely | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441057328_1702104656985535_4588455529970348064_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=o0QCZODViNgQ7kNvgHrHhkE&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYCq8jC5eDyRX5crJStFEQcpuaK8E5JvRlMOeIvajggmRg&oe=6658688A | 0 | 3 | Yvette Snyder stood at the entrance of the hospital, her body frail, clutching a report in her thin hands. Three words on the report stood out: "No conception detected". "You've been married for three years. How are you not conceived?" Her mother, Yara Cadwell, demanded, jabbing a finger in Yvette's face disappointedly. Yara was dressed lavishly and wore high heels. "Why are you so useless? If you don't get conceived soon, the Lanes are going to kick you out of the family. What's going to happen to our family then?" Yvette looked at Yara blankly. She had a lot to say, but the words were stuck in her throat. In the end, all she could manage was, "I'm sorry." "I don't want you to be sorry. I want you to give birth to Xavier's child. Do you understand me?" Yvette's throat felt tight; she didn't know how to answer Yara. In their three years of marriage, her husband, Xavier Lane, had never slept with her. How could she ever have his child? Yara stared at Yvette. The latter's weak demeanor was so unlike her own. Finally, she said coldly before leaving, "If you really can't give him a child, then find him a woman who can. At least he'll appreciate you for that." Yvette stared after Yara's retreating figure in disbelief. Had her own mother just told her to find another woman for her husband to sleep with? ... As Yvette made her journey home, she couldn't stop thinking about Yara's parting words. Suddenly, a loud ringing in her ear drowned out her thoughts. She knew that her condition had worsened. Just then, she received a message on her phone. It was from Xavier, and the content was the same as always. "I'm not coming home tonight." In the past three years they had been married, Xavier had never spent the night at home before. He had never so much as touched Yvette either. Yvette could remember their wedding night three years ago. He had told her, "Since your family is bold enough to trick me into marrying you, you'd better be prepared to spend the rest of your life in loneliness." Three years ago, the Snyder and Lane families had decided to form an alliance through marriage. Both families had agreed to mutually beneficial terms in the agreement. But when the day of the wedding came around, the Snyder family went back on their word and transferred all of their assets away, including the billions that Xavier had paid to marry Yvette. Yvette's eyes dulled at the memory. She replied to Xavier's text with her usual response: "Okay." Without her realizing it, the report she was holding got scrunched up in her hands. When she got home, Yvette tossed the report into the trash can. Every month, around this time, she would feel unusually lethargic. Yvette didn't prepare dinner for herself. She just leaned back on the couch, blearily drifting in and out of sleep. The rumbling in her ear persisted. That was another reason why Xavier hated her—she was hard of hearing, which, to the rich and powerful, was no better than being crippled. Xavier would never allow her to carry his child. … At 5 o'clock in the morning, the pendulum clock on the wall chimed dully. Xavier would be home in an hour. Yvette realized too late that she had fallen asleep on the couch. She got up hastily and went to the kitchen to prepare Xavier's breakfast. Xavier was a meticulous man who was strict about punctuality, not only with himself but also with the people around him. He arrived home at six o'clock sharp. Xavier was a tall and handsome man. Clad in a smart tailored suit, his demeanor was quiet and reserved, yet undoubtedly masculine. However, to Yvette, he was cold and distant. Xavier didn't even look at Yvette. He walked right past her to look at the food on the table and said with a scoff, "You do this every day. Are you a nanny or what?" Over the past three years, Yvette had been doing the same things over and over again. She wore the same dark clothes and replied to his messages with the same singular word. If it hadn't been for the business alliance and the Snyders' deceit, Xavier would never have married a woman like Yvette. At the word "nanny", the rumbling in Yvette's ears returned. She swallowed, feeling a lump in her throat, and said bravely, "Xav, do you have someone that you like?" Her sudden question surprised Xavier. His eyes darkened. "What do you mean by that?" Yvette raised her head and stared at him, swallowing the bile rising in the back of her throat. "If you love someone else, you can be with her—" Before she could finish, Xavier interrupted her. "You're mad." ... After Xavier left, Yvette sat on the balcony alone, staring out into the cold rain. The sound of the raindrops drifted in and out of clarity. She took off her hearing aids, letting the world around her fall into silence. A month ago, her doctor had told her, "Ms. Snyder, there's been a pathological change in your auditory nerves and some of your cranial nerves, causing your hearing to worsen. If this goes on, you may lose your hearing completely." Not used to a silent world, Yvette went to the living room and turned on the television. She turned up the volume to the max, which allowed her to hear some sound. By coincidence, the television was showing an interview with Daphne Reyes, an internationally renowned singer known for her love songs. Yvette's hands trembled slightly as she gripped the remote control. Daphne was Xavier's first love. It had been a long time since Yvette had seen her, but Daphne was still as pretty as ever. She was confident and relaxed in front of the cameras, unlike the shy and frightened young woman who had begged the Snyders for sponsorship in the past. When the interviewer asked Daphne why she had returned to her home country, her answer was bold. "I came home to get my first love back." The remote control slipped out of Yvette's hands. Her heart also fell to her stomach. Flustered, Yvette turned off the television and went to the table to clean up the uneaten breakfast. When she got to the kitchen, she found that Xavier had forgotten to take his phone. She picked it up and saw the unread messages on the lock screen. "Xav, you must have been unhappy over the past few years, right?" "I know you don't love her. How about we meet up tonight? I've missed you." Yvette stared blankly at the messages until the screen went dark again. Then, she called a cab to Xavier's office. On the way, she stared out of the window. The rain fell incessantly. It felt like it would never stop. Xavier never liked it when Yvette visited him at his office, so whenever she was there, she would take the service elevator from the loading bay. When Xavier's assistant, Mark Xyrax, saw her, he just greeted her impassively, "Ms. Snyder." No one around Xavier considered Yvette his wife. She was nothing but a smear on his reputation. When Xavier saw Yvette bringing him his phone, he frowned. She was always like this. No matter what he forgot, be it his lunch, his documents, a shirt, or even an umbrella, she would bring them to him. "I thought I told you that you didn't need to deliver my things to me yourself." Yvette froze. "Sorry, I forgot." Since when had her memory been so bad? Maybe she had panicked after seeing Daphne's message and became afraid that Xavier would disappear from her life suddenly. Before she left, she looked back at Xavier. Unable to help herself, she blurted out, "Xav, do you still like Daphne?" Xavier thought that Yvette had been behaving rather strangely lately. She kept forgetting things and asking weird questions. How could a person like her be his wife? Impatiently, he replied, "If you have so much free time, go find yourself something to do." Yvette had tried getting a job before, but Xavier's mother, Shannon Guetta, had reprimanded her without holding back. "Do you want the whole world to know that Xav married a disabled woman with hearing issues?" Therefore, Yvette had given up on finding a job and focused on her fruitless life as "Mrs. Lane" at Dewberry Estate. … At home, she sat alone until nightfall. She couldn't sleep. Just then, the phone on her bedside table rang loudly. It was a call from an unfamiliar number. Yvette picked up the call. A familiar voice, yet one she dreaded, sounded from the other end. "Is this Yvvy? Xav is drunk. Can you come pick him up?" When Yvette arrived at Sternhow Club, she heard loud coaxing and jeering from the wealthy heirs inside the private room. "Daph, didn't you say you came back to get our dear Mr. Lane back into your arms? This is your chance now. Go on, tell him how you feel!" Daphne was a pretty woman who was popular wherever she went. She was also Xavier's first love, so the rich young men of the upper crust were happy to push the two together. Daphne wasn't shy at all. She turned to Xavier and said without any reservations, "I like you, Xav. Please be with me again." That was what Yvette heard when she arrived at the door of the private room. Inside, the other people were urging Xavier to answer Daphne. His best friend, Tristan Shaw, was the most vocal among them. "Xav, you've been waiting for Daphne for three years. She's back now. So, go on, answer her!" Yvette stood frozen outside the door. Her heart was pounding. Just then, one of the men pulled the door open. "Ms. Snyder?" Chapter 2 Everyone in the private room looked over at the door. For a moment, the room was eerily silent. Yvette immediately caught sight of Xavier in the middle of the room. His eyes were clear and bright. He was clearly not drunk. She knew that she had been tricked by Daphne. When Xavier saw Yvette, his pupils constricted. Everyone else in the room looked awkward, including Tristan, who had been the most vocal in getting Xavier to accept Daphne's confession earlier. Yvette shouldn't have gone there. Daphne was the first to break the silence. "Please don't get the wrong idea, Yvvy. Tristan was joking. Xavier and I are just friends." Before Yvette could answer, Xavier stood up impatiently. "There's no need to explain it to her." Then, he stalked over to Yvette. "What are you doing here?" "I thought you were drunk, so I came to take you home," Yvette answered truthfully. Xavier scoffed. "You really didn't retain anything I told you, did you?" Lowering his voice, he said softly so that only she could hear him, "Are you here to remind everyone that I was tricked into marrying you three years ago? Did you think they forgot?" Yvette was stunned. Xavier gave her a cold look. "Stop seeking attention. You're only making me hate you more." With that, he turned away, leaving Yvette standing alone. Yvette stared after his retreating figure, unable to snap out of her shock. None of the other scions in the room took pity on her when they saw Xavier ignoring her. Tristan even had no qualms in telling Daphne, who was feigning distress, "You're too kind, Daphne. You didn't need to explain anything. "If Yvette hadn't scammed Xav, he would've married you in the first place. You wouldn't have needed to suffer abroad as well." Despite the constant ringing in her ears, Yvette could still hear every word clearly. She knew better than anyone that even if Xavier hadn't married her, he wouldn't have married Daphne. Daphne was a nobody with no background, after all. Daphne was well aware of this as well. That was why she had chosen to break up with Xavier and leave the country. How had everything turned out to be Yvette's fault? When Yvette left Sternhow Club with her umbrella, she felt as if she had been enveloped by darkness. Just then, a lithe figure appeared beside her. It was Daphne. She was decked out in fine clothes, complete with high heels. She looked smug. "It's a cold night, isn't it? So, how does it feel to get scoffed at by Xavier after you came all the way here at this time to get him?" Yvette didn't answer her, but Daphne didn't mind her silence. She just continued speaking. "I do pity you, you know. You've never experienced true love before, have you? "Do you know that when I was with Xav, he would cook for me himself? When I was sick, he would drop everything and stay with me. "Has Xav ever told you he loves you? He used to say that to me all the time…" Yvette listened to Daphne's rambling quietly, her mind going over the past three years she had been married to Xavier. He had never so much as stepped into the kitchen during that time. When she had gotten sick, he had never comforted her. He had never told her he loved her either. … That night, Yvette couldn't fall asleep. She had only just found out that the man she had loved for the past 12 years had once loved another with all his heart, in the spectacular way that only young people could. At that moment, she realized that it was time for her to give him up. She had a sleepless night. The next morning, Xavier returned home. The glare he gave her was cold. "How attached are you to the Lane family's money, to me, your money-making robot?" he demanded. Yvette was stunned. She didn't know what had gotten into him so early in the morning. Instinctively, she said, "I never wanted your money." She had only ever wanted Xavier. Xavier laughed in disdain. "Then, why did your mother come to my office and beg me to give you a child?" Yvette was stunned. She stared into Xavier's eyes. It was only then that she realized that he wasn't angry about what had happened last night. Xavier had no desire to waste his breath on her. "If you want to continue staying with me and keep your family afloat, tell your mother to behave herself!" ... In the end, Yvette didn't need to look for Yara. Yara found Yvette instead. She was no longer cold and distant; she gripped Yvette's hands and said gently, "Yvvy, you should ask Xavier to give you a child. He doesn't have to do it biologically. He could do it through scientific measures." Scientific measures. Yvette stared at Yara in shock as the latter continued, "Daphne told me that Xavier hasn't slept with you in the past three years." That was the last straw for Yvette. She didn't know why Xavier would tell Daphne about that. Maybe he really loved Daphne a lot. With that thought, she suddenly felt relieved. "Just let it go, Mom." Yara paused. She frowned. "What?" "I'm tired. I want to get a divorce—" Before she could finish, Yara slapped her hard across the face. The kind, motherly facade was gone in an instant. She jabbed a finger at Yvette and gritted out, "You have no right to ask for a divorce! "Without the Lane family, what do you think you're going to do? Who's going to remarry a disabled divorcee like you?" Yvette felt her body go numb. Yara had never liked Yvette, even when the latter had been a child. Yara had been a famous dancer. The fact that she had given birth to a daughter with hearing issues was one of her biggest regrets. Therefore, she had sent Yvette away to be taken care of by a nanny. She had only allowed Yvette to return home when the latter started school. People used to tell Yvette that every mother loved their child. So, she had done everything she could to excel at everything in hopes of making Yara happy. Despite her hearing issues, she had been at the top of her class in dance, music, and art classes. But no matter how hard she tried, Yara still didn't consider her a good daughter. In Yara's words, Yvette wasn't "complete". Not only physically, but also in love and familial relationships. After Yara left, Yvette used some makeup to cover up the red print on her face. Then, she packed her bags quietly. Even after three years of married life, all her personal belongings fit into a single suitcase. After she finished packing up, she gathered her courage and sent Xavier a message. "Are you free tonight? I need to talk to you." Xavier didn't reply to her. Yvette's eyes darkened. She knew that he didn't want to reply to her messages. All she could do was wait for him to come home in the morning. She had thought that he wouldn't come home that night, but he got back at midnight. Yvette wasn't asleep at the time. She went up to him and took his coat and bag from him with familiarity in her actions. It was as if they were a normal married couple. Xavier's cold voice broke the peace. "Don't send me inane texts again." As Yvette held Xavier's coat, her hand trembled slightly. "I won't do it again," she mumbled. Xavier didn't notice anything wrong with her tone. He went straight to his study. Generally, if he came home, he would stay holed up in his study. He probably thought that someone who was hard of hearing would live in a silent world. Either that, or he simply didn't care about Yvette. That would explain why he got straight to discussing his acquisition of Snyder Group in his study as if nothing was wrong. When Yvette brought him some soup, she heard Xavier animatedly discussing work with his employees. He was talking about the acquisition of Snyder Group, her father, James Snyder's company. She didn't know how to feel about that. She knew that her brother, Terrence Synder, was useless at running a business, so it was only a matter of time before Snyder Group fell. However, she had never thought that her own husband would be the first to cause Snyder Group's downfall. "Xav," she interrupted. Xavier was slightly startled. Out of guilt, or maybe some other emotion, he quickly hung up the phone and closed his laptop. Feigning ignorance, Yvette walked into the study and placed the bowl in front of him. "Have some soup, then get to bed soon. Your health is more important than work." For some reason, Xavier felt himself relax when he heard her soft voice. She probably hadn't heard anything. Feeling conflicted, he stopped Yvette before she could leave. "You said you wanted to talk to me. What is it?" Hearing this, Yvette turned back to look at him. Softly, she said, "I just wanted to ask if you're free in the morning so we can go and file for divorce." Chapter 3 Yvette's voice was calm and impassive, as though divorce were a menial matter to her. Xavier's pupils contracted. "What did you just say?" Over the last three years, no matter what he had done, Yvette had never brought up divorce. In truth, Xavier knew that Yvette loved him. Her eyes, which were usually dull and empty, were clear and bright now. "I'm sorry for being a burden over the last few years, Mr. Lane. We should get divorced." Xavier clenched his fists unconsciously. "You heard what I said earlier, didn't you? Snyder Group was already failing; it won't matter whether I buy it or someone else does. What are you trying to do by bringing up divorce? "Is it because you want money? Or a child? Or do you want me to leave Snyder Group alone?" he asked coldly. "Don't forget that I don't love you. Your threats won't work on me!" At that moment, he seemed like a stranger to Yvette. A lump formed in her throat as her ears began throbbing. Even though she was wearing her hearing aids, she could barely hear what Xavier was saying. She could only answer his last question. "I don't want anything." Afraid that he would notice something wrong with her, Yvette left the study in a hurry. As he watched her leave, Xavier felt frustrated for some reason. He had never felt like this before. Not one to hold in his emotions, he flipped the table over. The bowl of soup that Yvette had brought him spilled all over the ground. ... Back in her own room, Yvette forced herself to swallow a handful of pills. She reached up to touch her ear. As she retracted her fingers, she saw crimson blood on them. Thanks to the medicine, her hearing recovered a little by the time it was dawn. Yvette stared blankly at the soft rays of sunlight streaming from the window. "The rain has stopped," she said quietly to herself. Xavier didn't leave the manor that day. He was in the living room bright and early, settled on the couch, waiting for Yvette to apologize and express her regret to him. This wasn't the first time Yvette had lost her temper with him. However, after every tantrum, she would apologize to him before long. Xavier figured that it would be the same this time around. Soon, he saw Yvette coming out of her room, all freshened up. She wore her usual dark-colored clothes. She dragged a suitcase with one hand while holding a piece of paper in the other. She handed the paper to him. It was a divorce agreement. "Let me know when you have time, Xav." With that, she left the manor, pulling her suitcase behind her. It was bright and sunny outside. Yvette felt as if she had gotten a new chance at life. Meanwhile, Xavier sat frozen on the couch, still clutching the divorce agreement in his hand. It took him a long time to come back to his senses. It was Saturday. Usually, around this time of the year, Xavier would take Yvette back to his hometown to pay respects to his ancestors. During this time, they would have to endure strange looks from his extended family. However, he was alone that day, which made him extraordinarily happy. At Lane Mansion, Shannon and the rest of the Lanes were surprised to see him alone. In the past, Yvette had always been the first one to turn up every year and the last to leave since she had been trying to please everyone. Why wasn't she there today? Shanon frowned and asked Xavier, "Where's Yvette, Xav?" Xavier's expression turned cold. "She wanted a divorce and left me." Everyone fell silent in disbelief when he said that. Shannon was shocked. She knew that Yvette probably loved Xavier more than anything in the world, only surpassed by his own parents. Seven years ago, Yvette had even protected Xavier with her own body when someone had attempted to stab him. Four years ago, not long after the two had gotten engaged, something had happened to Xavier while he had been on a business trip in Dibay. Everyone had been convinced that he was dead, but Yvette had refused to believe that. She had dropped everything and gone to the foreign city just to look for him. Then, after they had gotten married, Yvette had taken care of almost everything in his life with meticulous precision, including being polite to everyone around him, even his secretaries. She had always been afraid of offending them. Yvette clearly couldn't live without Xavier. So, why had she suggested getting a divorce? Shannon had no idea, but she was glad that Yvette had finally decided to let Xavier go. "She's not worthy to be your wife anyway. It's a good thing that you're divorcing her. She doesn't deserve you," she said The others immediately chimed in. "Yeah, you're young and handsome, Xav. You're in your best years now. Yvette's been dragging you down all this time!" Instantly, the gathering turned into a slander fest. They spoke of Yvette as if she were an unforgivable criminal. Xavier should have felt happy that they were defending him, but for some reason, he found their words too sharp and crass. He left Lane Mansion earlier than usual and made his way back to Dewberry Estate. The sky was just starting to darken when he arrived home. He opened the door and entered the manor. When he saw nothing but darkness, he remembered, with a start, that Yvette had left. He changed into his house slippers and tossed his coat into the washer. For some reason, he felt unusually exhausted today. He went to the wine cellar to get a bottle of wine so that he could celebrate Yvette's leaving. However, when he got to the wine cellar and saw the locked door, he realized too late that he didn't have the key. He didn't like strangers in his house, so there were no maids or servants at Dewberry Estate. Ever since he had married Yvette, she had been the one taking care of the household affairs. He could only go back to his room. Picking up his phone, he scrolled through his messages only to find work-related texts. Yvette hadn't called or texted him to apologize at all. Tossing his phone aside, he got up and headed over to the kitchen. When he opened the door of the fridge, he was stunned. Apart from food, there were also a lot of supplements. He picked one of the bags up and read the instructions on it. "Take five times a day for incapable of conceived." He took a whiff of the supplement. It smelled disgusting. He recalled that Yvette always smelled strange. So, this was why. He scoffed silently. They had never slept, so no matter how much medicine she took, she would never have gotten conceived. ... Meanwhile, over in a dark and dinky hotel, Yvette opened her eyes blearily. Her head was pounding. The world was silent. She knew, then, that her condition had worsened again. Before this, she had still been able to hear some sounds, even without her hearing aids. She pushed herself up and felt around on the bedside table until she found her medicine. She popped the pills in her mouth, tasting their bitterness. The day before, she had left Dewberry Estate, which had been her home for the past three years. At first, she had gone to her parents' house, Snyder Residence. However, at the door, she had overheard Yara and Terrence discussing how they would marry her off to an old man if the Lanes kicked her out. Yvette had blanked upon hearing that. It was then that she finally realized that she had no place to call home anymore. Even though she hadn't eaten anything in two days, she still didn't feel hungry. However, it was too quiet. The silence scared her. It had been raining more frequently in Tirion this year than it had in previous years. Yvette stared out at the passing pedestrians. Most of them were paired up or in groups. She was the only one alone. She bought a bus ticket heading out of the city. She decided to go to her nanny's house in the countryside. Viola Xenos, her nanny, had taken care of her when she was a child. It was already 9:00 pm when Yvette got there. When Viola saw Yvette, she looked pleasantly surprised. Yvette teared up when she saw Viola's warm smile. She reached out to her and hugged her. "Viola." Due to health issues, Viola had never married and didn't have children of her own. Yvette was closer to her than she was to her own mother. That night, Yvette cuddled up in Viola's embrace, just like she had when she was a child. Viola wrapped her arms around Yvette, only to realize that the latter was very thin. She pressed a hand on the Yvette's bony back, trembling uncontrollably. Forcing herself to calm down, she asked cautiously, "Has Xavier been treating you well, Yvvy?" Yvette felt a sharp pain in her throat when she heard Xavier's name. She wanted to lie to Viola and tell her that Xavier had treated her well, but she knew that Viola wasn't silly. Since she had already made up her mind to leave him, there was no need to lie to herself or to the people who loved her any longer. "The person he loves has returned. I've decided to let him go and divorce him." Viola was stunned. She couldn't believe her ears. Yvette had told her multiple times before that she wanted to spend the rest of her life with Xavier. Not knowing what else to say, she comforted Yvette by telling her that there were plenty of other fish in the sea. There was bound to be one who would love her. Yvette just nodded silently. The buzzing in her ears drowned out Viola's comforting voice. That night, she managed to get a good night's sleep, which was rare. However, when she woke up, she was greeted with the alarming sight of blood staining the spot where her head had laid on the pillow. Yvette touched her right ear. Her fingers felt sticky. She looked at her hand. It was covered in blood. Chapter 4 Even Yvette's hearing aids were stained red. Her pupils contracted, and she quickly grabbed some tissues to wipe her ear. Then, she stripped the bedsheets and washed them. She was afraid that Viola would worry about her if she found out that her illness was worsening. So, she cleaned up the mess and found an excuse to bid goodbye to Viola. Before she left, she placed a part of her savings on the bedside table without telling Viola. Viola walked Yvette to the bus stop and waved goodbye reluctantly. … After Yvette left, Viola couldn't stop thinking about how thin the former was. Unable to just sit by, she called Lane Group. When the secretary heard that Viola was Yvette's nanny and wanted to speak to Xavier, she transferred the call to Xavier's line. It was the third day after Yvette had left Xavier. It was also the first time in three days that he had received a call about her. Sitting behind his desk, he felt exceptionally pleased. Just as he had expected, Yvette wouldn't be able to last more than three days without him—or so he thought. Viola's voice came through the other line, sounding weighed with age. "Mr. Lane, I am Yvvy's nanny. I've been taking care of her since she was a baby. "Please, I beg you, treat her well. Don't hurt her more than you already have. She's not as strong as she seems on the surface. "When she was born, Mrs. Snyder left her in my care because she didn't like that Yvvy is hard of hearing. Yvvy only returned home when she had to start going to school. "The Snyders have never treated her as one of their own. Apart from Mr. Snyder, everyone else treated her like she was a maid. "You and Mr. Snyder are the most important people she has in this world. I'm begging you, please. Please be kind to her." Xavier's mood darkened when he heard what Viola said. "Did she tell you to give me this sob story because she didn't want to face me herself?" he asked coldly. "Why should I care about her life? If you ask me, she deserved everything she got!" That said, he hung up the phone without waiting for an answer. Viola had heard Yvette gushing about how nice Xavier was to her. So, it was only then that she realized the truth—Xavier wasn't a good man at all. He wasn't a good husband to Yvette. ... Yvette sat on the bus, heading home. Just then, her phone vibrated. It was a message from Xavier. "You said you wanted to get divorced, right? I'll see you at 10:00 am tomorrow." Yvette stared at the text blankly for a while before replying, "Okay." Just one word. It infuriated Xavier and completely ruined his mood. Unable to work anymore, he called up his friends and invited them out for drinks. Daphne was also at the club when he arrived. "I'm not going home until I'm drunk!" she declared. Tristan sat down beside Xavier. He couldn't help asking curiously, "How's Deaf Yvvy?" Xavier raised an eyebrow at him. "There's no need to talk about her ever again. We're filing for divorce tomorrow." Tristan was stunned. He couldn't believe his ears. "Really?" Beside them, Daphne brightened. She poured out a shot for him. "Congrats on getting back your freedom, Xav!" Xavier drank a lot that night. Daphne offered to send him home, but he rejected her suggestion. "No need. It's not appropriate." If he and Yvette were going to get divorced tomorrow, she might come home that night. Daphne wasn't happy about the rejection. "Why? You're divorcing her anyway. Why wouldn't it be appropriate? Are you still scared that she might find out about our relationship?" Their relationship? Xavier narrowed his eyes. "You're overthinking this." He got into his own car. Out of consideration, he also called a cab to send Daphne home. On the drive home, he kept unlocking his phone to check if Yvette had sent him any messages. She hadn't. When he reached Dewberry Estate, it was dark. With a stormy expression, Xavier opened the door and turned on the light. Yvette was nowhere to be seen. She hadn't come home. The manor was left exactly the way it had been when she had left. Still feeling the effects of the wine, Xavier threw himself heavily onto the couch and soon fell asleep. In his nightmares, Yvette was covered in blood, but there was a smile on her face. "I don't love you anymore, Xav," she said. When Xavier jolted awake, the sky outside had just brightened up. He rubbed his forehead and went to the bathroom to freshen himself up. Then, he changed into a smart suit and made his way to the courthouse. At the entrance of the courthouse, he spotted Yvette standing under a tree not far off. As usual, she was dressed in dark-colored clothes. From the distance, she looked incredibly frail and thin as she stood amid the drizzle. It was as if a single gust of wind could knock her over. Xavier could still remember how young and lively she had been when they had first gotten married. She hadn't been as thin and gloomy back then. Holding an umbrella, he walked toward Yvette. It took her a few moments to notice him. Xiaver hadn't changed much over the last three years. He was as handsome and as confident as ever, with the added hint of matureness that came with age. Yvette was a little dazed. The last three years felt like a blink in time to her, yet she also seemed to have exhausted a whole lifetime. Xavier stalked over to Yvette and gazed at her coldly. He was waiting for her to apologize to him. She had been sulking enough. It was time to put an end to this. However, Yvette just said, "I'm sorry to pull you away from your work. Let's go in." Xavier stiffened, but he quickly recovered. "Don't regret this." With that, he turned and headed into the courthouse. Yvette stared after him sadly. Would she regret this? She didn't know either. In the courthouse, the judge asked them if they were sure about going through with the divorce. Yvette's answer was firm. "Yes." Her determined expression frustrated Xavier. After filing for divorce, they still had to return to the courthouse in a month. If they didn't show up, then the divorce would be considered null. As they left the courthouse, Yvette looked at Xavier, her expression unusually calm. "I'll see you next month. Take care." With that, she stepped out into the rain, hailed a cab, and left. Xavier was left standing on the spot. He didn't know how to feel as he watched her car leave. Relieved, probably. Relieved that he wouldn't need to put up with her any longer or endure others' ridicule for having a disabled wife. ... In the cab, Yvette leaned against the window and stared blankly at the rain droplets on the glass. In the rearview mirror, the driver suddenly saw blood dripping from her ear. He was shocked by the sight. "Miss? Miss!" Yvette didn't answer him. The driver hastily stopped the car. Yvette was confused. They weren't at her destination yet. Why had they stopped? She looked over at the driver and saw him mouthing silently. She realized that she had gone deaf again. "I'm sorry, I can't hear you. What are you saying?" In the end, the driver had to type out what he wanted to say on his phone so that he could tell her about her bleeding ear. Yvette reached out belatedly and felt the warm sensation in her ear. She was used to it now. "It's alright. This happens all the time. I'm fine." She was hard of hearing, but her ears hadn't bled like this before. Two years ago, at a gathering, Tristan had pushed her into a swimming pool. Yvette didn't know how to swim, so she had almost drowned. At the same time, her eardrums had also expanded due to the pressure. She had been sent to the hospital, but the damage had been done. At the time, she had been told that everything was fine. Why was this happening again? The cab driver was still worried, so he dropped her off at the hospital she told him. After thanking him, Yvette went into the hospital on her own. This time, she saw her usual doctor, Tom Jensen. "Dr. Jensen, my memory has been rather bad lately. I kept forgetting what I'm doing," she said. When she had woken up at the hotel that morning, it had taken her a long time to remember that she had to file for divorce with Xavier. Tom looked at her latest report worriedly. "Ms. Snyder, I think you should consider getting tested for other things. Specifically, mental health issues." Mental health… Following Tom's recommendation, Yvette went and got a psychiatric diagnosis. She was diagnosed with depression. It turned out that patients with severe depression often experienced memory loss. Before heading back to the hotel, Yvette stopped and bought a notebook and a pen. She wrote down everything that had happened lately. She placed the notebook right beside her bed so that it would be the first thing she saw when she woke up in the morning. News of her and Xavier's divorce spread quickly. That night, Yara called her multiple times, but she didn't hear anything. … When she woke up the next morning, she saw a barrage of texts from Yara. "Where are you?" "Who do you think you are? Even if you're getting a divorce, Xavier should have been the one to ask for it!" "You're such a jinx! Back when you got married, your dad got into a car crash and died. What's going to happen now that you're getting divorced? Do you want Snyder Group to go bankrupt? Is that it?" Yvette stared at the messages. She was used to the verbal bully by now. She typed out a reply. "Mom, it's time that we live by our own merits. We shouldn't depend on others so much." Yara's response was swift. "You're such an ingrate! I shouldn't have given birth to you in the first place!" Yvette didn't bother replying to that. She placed her phone aside. She just had to wait a month. Once the divorce was finalized, she would be able to leave Tirion and start a new life. … Yvette's health worsened over the next few days. She often found herself completely deaf. Sometimes, it took a very long time for her hearing to go back to normal. Her memory was deteriorating too. On the bright side, even though her hearing loss was incurable, at least she could do something about the depression. She tried everything she could to keep herself happy. She busied herself by registering as a volunteer online. She spent time taking care of abandoned old people and orphans. Helping them made her feel like she had a reason to continue living. A few days later, Yvette woke up in the morning and checked her notebook as usual. Then, she got ready to head out to the orphanage. When she picked up her phone, she saw several unread messages. There were messages from Terrance and Yara, as well as Daphne. She opened the texts one by one. Yara: "As you wished, Snyder Group is no more." Terrence: "Keep hiding. You're the most cowardly and cruel person I've ever seen." Daphne: "My condolences, Yvette. Actually, I think Snyder Group would thrive better under Xav." Daphne: "Since your family has helped me so much in the past, do let me know if you need anything. I'll help you if I can." Yvette had no idea what was happening. She closed the messaging app. Almost immediately, she got a notification about the latest news. Chapter 5 Yvette watched the news and saw the press conference held by Lane Group. It was an announcement that Xavier had successfully acquired Snyder Group. James' company no longer existed in the world. … Things on Xavier's end had been extra pleasant lately. He had acquired Snyder Group and gotten his revenge. "The Snyder family finally got what they deserved for tricking you into that marriage three years ago." Tristan chuckled. Yet, he changed the topic in the next instant. He asked Xavier, "Xav, has Deaf Yvvy approached you during the past few days?" Xavier froze halfway through signing a document. He didn't know why, but people around him kept mentioning Yvette these days. "No," he replied coldly. That shocked Tristan. After all, how could Yvette not do anything when something this massive had happened to her family? With that in mind, he spoke again. "Could it be that she's finally come around? I heard her family has been looking everywhere for her. Nobody knows where she's gone—" He kept blabbering on. Xavier frowned, feeling utterly annoyed. "Get out!" Tristan jolted. That was when he realized that Xavier was furious. Not daring to say another word, Tristan bolted out of the CEO's office. Once outside, he took his phone and called his assistant, Avery Fitzpatrick. "Have you found Yvette?" "Yes, she's in a small hotel in Hexim Pass," answered Avery. Tristan had Avery send him the location before he drove there. He refused to let Yvette off the hook so easily. So what if she was willing to divorce Xavier now? She had already prevented Xavier and Daphne from being together for over three years! Besides, Daphne had saved Tristan's life once, so he owed her. It rained outside. Yvette finished her volunteer work and picked up her medication from the hospital. Then, she held an umbrella while walking back to the hotel. There were very few people on the road. Tristan drove his car but kept his eyes on Yvette's slim back. He deliberately sped up as he drove past her, sending a puddle of rainwater splashing onto her. Yvette shot him a blank stare. Tristan happened to meet her emotionless gaze through his rearview mirror. He didn't know why, but he felt inexplicably nervous. Yvette recognized Tristan's luxurious, dark gray Bugatti. Yet, she retracted her gaze and pretended not to notice him. Even so, Tristan refused to stop there. He deliberately slowed his car and followed her. "Hey, Deaf Yvvy. So, you have a temper now, huh? "You're not even going to greet me now? Didn't you used to love greeting me? Didn't you enjoy tickling my fancy?" Yvette remained stoic while the former mocked her. She used to do everything to win over those around Xavier, including his friends. It was all because she liked him. She had figured that Xavier's family and friends would one day accept her. Alas, it seemed she had been too naïve. At the previous gathering, Tristan had declared that he was Daphne's friend. He couldn't care less about maintaining his gentlemanly, upper-class image when siding with Daphne. He had insulted Yvette and called her shameless. In the end, he had also thrown her into the pool, leaving her to die. Since then, Yvette had steered clear of him. Upon receiving no reaction or response from Yvette, Tristan stopped the car, opened the door, and strolled toward her. He grabbed her arm and asked, "What stunts are you planning to pull this time?" Yvette's arm hurt, so she looked up at him. "I don't know what you're saying." She wanted to pry his hand off her arm, but he flung her aside. "Don't touch me with your filthy hands!" Tristan bellowed. Yvette stumbled backward before falling to the ground with a loud thud. Tristan froze on the spot in slight disbelief. It baffled him to see Yvette resorting to such tricks. He had only pushed her with a slight force, so how could she fall like that? Seeing people looking their way, he nervously got back into his car. Still, he gave her a warning before driving away. "Don't mess with Daph just because you're a disabled person, Yvette! "She's different from you. It's taken her a lot of effort to get to where she is now, so you'd better not disrupt her and Xav's relationship again!" After driving away, he even told the Snyder family where Yvette was staying. Yvette's hands and knees were scraped when she fell. It hurt so much that she couldn't stand for a long time. Deep down, she didn't understand why Tristan was so blind to what was right and wrong. She recalled risking her life to rescue him from a car that had been about to explode four years ago. His face had been covered in blood, and his eyes hadn't been visible. However, he had spoken in the warmest voice. He had said, "Thank you. I promise I'll repay you someday." Yvette couldn't help but bitterly wonder if this was his way of repaying her. … Once Yvette returned to the hotel, she took a shower and applied medication to her scraped skin. Then, she lay down in a daze. The fall hardened her determination to leave Xavier for good. … The sun was shining brightly outside when Yvette woke up. She got up and headed to the living area, only to see Yara sitting on the couch, wearing a formal dress. Yara didn't seem to care one bit that Yvette had just woken up. She picked the document off the coffee table and handed it to the latter. "Take a good look at this. It's the backup plan I've selected for you." Yvette accepted the document but saw the title "prenuptial agreement" on the cover. She flipped through the pages while reading the contents aloud. "Ms. Yvette Snyder will marry Mr. Liam Lorimer. As his wife, she'll devote herself to him and look after him until the end of his life. Liam will look after Yvette's family, which includes maintaining their quality of life. He'll also provide 300 million as funds for the Snyder family." Following that, the document stated Liam's details. He was an entrepreneur from the older generation in Tirion. He was 78 years old that year. Yvette's mind tensed. At that moment, Yara spoke up again. "Mr. Lorimer has expressed that he doesn't mind that you were married before. "He'll help revive our family's reputation from the ashes, as long as you marry him. Come on, dearest. You wouldn't let me and Terrence down, right?" Yvette's face paled even more. "I can't agree to what you're asking of me." Yara had never imagined that Yvette would reject her so candidly. She blew up in a fit of rage at once. "What right do you have to refuse? I gave you life!" Hearing that, Yvette met Yara's gaze. "How about I return my life to you? Would that mean I no longer owe you?" "What did you say?" Yara shrilled. Yvette's pale lips moved as she said, "If I returned my life to you, would it mean you'd no longer be my mother? And I'll no longer be indebted to you for giving birth to me?" Yara sneered, not believing Yvette would dare do such a thing. "Okay, then. I won't force you to marry Mr. Lorimer if you give your life back to me. But the question is, do you have the guts to do it?" "Give me a month." Yvette seemed determined. In Yara's eyes, Yvette seemed like a crazed person. She warned, "You'd best not threaten me by only saying you'll end your life. We're not that close, so I don't care if you die. However, you must sign this document if you're too afraid to end your life." … Yvette had suppressed all her emotions to the brim and needed to vent somewhere. So, she went to a bar. She sat in a corner, drinking and watching the crowd happily dance in a daze. That was when a dashing man with striking eyes noticed Yvette, who was all alone. He approached and asked, "Yvette?" Yvette stared at the man but didn't recognize him. Still dazed, she asked, "Do you know how one can achieve happiness?" The man was confused. "What did you say?" Yvette continued drinking as she spoke. "The doctor says I'm ill and should try to be happier, but I can't make myself feel happy…" That sparked discomfort in the man, Claude Lander. He wondered if Yvette had forgotten about him. Also, he was confused by what she said—something about being ill and needing to be happier. "You shouldn't be in a place like this if you want to be happy. Why don't I drive you home?" Claude spoke in a gentle tone. A smile curved across Yvette's face as she looked at him. "You're a good person." Complex emotions stirred in Claude when he saw her bitter smile. He wondered what she had been through these past few years. Why did she seem so sorrowful? Meanwhile, Xavier was also at the bar. After settling the divorce papers, he had let himself loose every night. On top of that, he hadn't returned to Dewberry Estate in a long time. It was getting late. When the crowd was about to leave, Daphne noticed a familiar figure in a corner of the bar. She exclaimed, "Isn't that Yvvy?" Xavier glanced in the direction Daphne was staring in and saw a man merrily chatting with Yvette. His expression soured at once. He was disappointed in Yvette for getting drunk at a bar and chatting up another man. He felt like he had thought too highly of her before. "Should we go and check up on her, Xav?" asked Daphne. "No," was all Xavier said before speedily leaving. On the other hand, Yvette declined Claude's offer. "There's no need to trouble yourself. I can go home on my own." Claude was still worried about Yvette, so he ran after her when he noticed her leaving the bar. "Do you really not remember me?" Yvette gazed at him but couldn't recall who he was. "It's Chubbs. Have you forgotten?" Claude reminded her. Only then did Yvette remember her friend, Chubbs, whom she met when she had been living with Viola in the countryside. Back then, Claude had been chubbier and nowhere near Yvette's height. Yet, his six-foot-two-inch frame now towered over her. He had even grown to have handsome features. "I remember now! You've changed so much. I didn't even recognize you!" said Yvette. Meeting an old friend away from home was a pleasant thing. But only a slight smile curved on Yvette's face. That upset Claude. "Come on. I'll drive you home," Claude stated. When he dropped her off, he was shocked to learn she lived in a run-down hotel. Yvette shifted in embarrassment. "Sorry, it's not a glamorous place. Please don't tell Viola I'm living in such a place. I don't want her to worry." Claude nodded. Since it was getting late, it was unwise for him to stay longer. So, he left after telling Yvette he would visit her the next day. He didn't notice the matte black car lingering in a dark area beneath the hotel as he walked out. Now that Claude had left, Yvette felt dizzy and had an upset stomach from drinking too much. That was when someone knocked hard on the door. Yvette had just opened the door when Xavier grabbed her wrist. He exerted so much strength on her slender wrist that it felt close to snapping in half. "You've made me look at you in a new light, Yvette!" Xavier snarled while shutting and locking the door. He then forcefully led her to the couch. He sneered with words as sharp and lethal as a blade, "So, you've already settled on which family you'll marry into next, huh? I knew you wouldn't be so willing to let me go for no reason!" Yvette didn't know why he had come over, nor did she know how he had seen Claude. She was only briefly dazed. Once she snapped out of it, she shot a furious look at Xavier and didn't bother explaining herself to him. The rims of her eyes reddened. "You and I aren't that different from each other." The Snyder family had tricked Xavier into marrying Yvette. However, Xavier had treated her coldly for three years while remaining entangled with his first love. Neither Xavier nor Yvette was a better person than the other. Xavier had also drunk some wine, so he reeked of it. Eyes reddening, he pinched Yvette's chin and spoke with a dangerously low voice. "Who is he? When did you guys meet?" That was the first time Yvette had seen him behave like this. She suddenly chuckled. "Are you jealous?" Xavier's gaze grew tense as he scoffed. "You're unworthy of such a reaction." Yvette became choked up. That was when Xavier leaned in domineeringly and continued interrogating her. "Has he already touched you? Huh?" In her three years of marriage, Yvette had given up on her work and declined to meet her friends whenever they had occasionally invited her out. She had done so to obey the Lane family's rules. But now Xavier was suspicious of her. Relief washed over Yvette just then. She questioned him back, "What do you think?" That utterly angered Xavier, and his heated hands started travelling down her body. | Read freely | 18 | https://facebook.com/61557986570531 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1715324400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841188 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682328 | 1723710538 | 858 | 1361528064521212 | 1 | 7.4287710132688E+14 | 1715410800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 250753834794512 | 0 | Read freely | 120208075188720056 | beokn.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | ❤️😍What happens next👉Click Here to read on👉 | https://beokn.com/market/buenovela/3?lpid=11230&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1715224592 | 2.5075383479451E+14 | Read freely | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/422079631_823590829824839_4719608256142825580_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=zRrWu5cWNVoQ7kNvgGlPwcN&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYDOKfR6AdQVBkGHxZ7oRkovEG_cTVH3Fhai_NcioNO3Lg&oe=665834C6 | person_profile | 0 | Read freely | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441057328_1702104656985535_4588455529970348064_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=o0QCZODViNgQ7kNvgHrHhkE&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYCq8jC5eDyRX5crJStFEQcpuaK8E5JvRlMOeIvajggmRg&oe=6658688A | 0 | 3 | Yvette Snyder stood at the entrance of the hospital, her body frail, clutching a report in her thin hands. Three words on the report stood out: "No conception detected". "You've been married for three years. How are you not conceived?" Her mother, Yara Cadwell, demanded, jabbing a finger in Yvette's face disappointedly. Yara was dressed lavishly and wore high heels. "Why are you so useless? If you don't get conceived soon, the Lanes are going to kick you out of the family. What's going to happen to our family then?" Yvette looked at Yara blankly. She had a lot to say, but the words were stuck in her throat. In the end, all she could manage was, "I'm sorry." "I don't want you to be sorry. I want you to give birth to Xavier's child. Do you understand me?" Yvette's throat felt tight; she didn't know how to answer Yara. In their three years of marriage, her husband, Xavier Lane, had never slept with her. How could she ever have his child? Yara stared at Yvette. The latter's weak demeanor was so unlike her own. Finally, she said coldly before leaving, "If you really can't give him a child, then find him a woman who can. At least he'll appreciate you for that." Yvette stared after Yara's retreating figure in disbelief. Had her own mother just told her to find another woman for her husband to sleep with? ... As Yvette made her journey home, she couldn't stop thinking about Yara's parting words. Suddenly, a loud ringing in her ear drowned out her thoughts. She knew that her condition had worsened. Just then, she received a message on her phone. It was from Xavier, and the content was the same as always. "I'm not coming home tonight." In the past three years they had been married, Xavier had never spent the night at home before. He had never so much as touched Yvette either. Yvette could remember their wedding night three years ago. He had told her, "Since your family is bold enough to trick me into marrying you, you'd better be prepared to spend the rest of your life in loneliness." Three years ago, the Snyder and Lane families had decided to form an alliance through marriage. Both families had agreed to mutually beneficial terms in the agreement. But when the day of the wedding came around, the Snyder family went back on their word and transferred all of their assets away, including the billions that Xavier had paid to marry Yvette. Yvette's eyes dulled at the memory. She replied to Xavier's text with her usual response: "Okay." Without her realizing it, the report she was holding got scrunched up in her hands. When she got home, Yvette tossed the report into the trash can. Every month, around this time, she would feel unusually lethargic. Yvette didn't prepare dinner for herself. She just leaned back on the couch, blearily drifting in and out of sleep. The rumbling in her ear persisted. That was another reason why Xavier hated her—she was hard of hearing, which, to the rich and powerful, was no better than being crippled. Xavier would never allow her to carry his child. … At 5 o'clock in the morning, the pendulum clock on the wall chimed dully. Xavier would be home in an hour. Yvette realized too late that she had fallen asleep on the couch. She got up hastily and went to the kitchen to prepare Xavier's breakfast. Xavier was a meticulous man who was strict about punctuality, not only with himself but also with the people around him. He arrived home at six o'clock sharp. Xavier was a tall and handsome man. Clad in a smart tailored suit, his demeanor was quiet and reserved, yet undoubtedly masculine. However, to Yvette, he was cold and distant. Xavier didn't even look at Yvette. He walked right past her to look at the food on the table and said with a scoff, "You do this every day. Are you a nanny or what?" Over the past three years, Yvette had been doing the same things over and over again. She wore the same dark clothes and replied to his messages with the same singular word. If it hadn't been for the business alliance and the Snyders' deceit, Xavier would never have married a woman like Yvette. At the word "nanny", the rumbling in Yvette's ears returned. She swallowed, feeling a lump in her throat, and said bravely, "Xav, do you have someone that you like?" Her sudden question surprised Xavier. His eyes darkened. "What do you mean by that?" Yvette raised her head and stared at him, swallowing the bile rising in the back of her throat. "If you love someone else, you can be with her—" Before she could finish, Xavier interrupted her. "You're mad." ... After Xavier left, Yvette sat on the balcony alone, staring out into the cold rain. The sound of the raindrops drifted in and out of clarity. She took off her hearing aids, letting the world around her fall into silence. A month ago, her doctor had told her, "Ms. Snyder, there's been a pathological change in your auditory nerves and some of your cranial nerves, causing your hearing to worsen. If this goes on, you may lose your hearing completely." Not used to a silent world, Yvette went to the living room and turned on the television. She turned up the volume to the max, which allowed her to hear some sound. By coincidence, the television was showing an interview with Daphne Reyes, an internationally renowned singer known for her love songs. Yvette's hands trembled slightly as she gripped the remote control. Daphne was Xavier's first love. It had been a long time since Yvette had seen her, but Daphne was still as pretty as ever. She was confident and relaxed in front of the cameras, unlike the shy and frightened young woman who had begged the Snyders for sponsorship in the past. When the interviewer asked Daphne why she had returned to her home country, her answer was bold. "I came home to get my first love back." The remote control slipped out of Yvette's hands. Her heart also fell to her stomach. Flustered, Yvette turned off the television and went to the table to clean up the uneaten breakfast. When she got to the kitchen, she found that Xavier had forgotten to take his phone. She picked it up and saw the unread messages on the lock screen. "Xav, you must have been unhappy over the past few years, right?" "I know you don't love her. How about we meet up tonight? I've missed you." Yvette stared blankly at the messages until the screen went dark again. Then, she called a cab to Xavier's office. On the way, she stared out of the window. The rain fell incessantly. It felt like it would never stop. Xavier never liked it when Yvette visited him at his office, so whenever she was there, she would take the service elevator from the loading bay. When Xavier's assistant, Mark Xyrax, saw her, he just greeted her impassively, "Ms. Snyder." No one around Xavier considered Yvette his wife. She was nothing but a smear on his reputation. When Xavier saw Yvette bringing him his phone, he frowned. She was always like this. No matter what he forgot, be it his lunch, his documents, a shirt, or even an umbrella, she would bring them to him. "I thought I told you that you didn't need to deliver my things to me yourself." Yvette froze. "Sorry, I forgot." Since when had her memory been so bad? Maybe she had panicked after seeing Daphne's message and became afraid that Xavier would disappear from her life suddenly. Before she left, she looked back at Xavier. Unable to help herself, she blurted out, "Xav, do you still like Daphne?" Xavier thought that Yvette had been behaving rather strangely lately. She kept forgetting things and asking weird questions. How could a person like her be his wife? Impatiently, he replied, "If you have so much free time, go find yourself something to do." Yvette had tried getting a job before, but Xavier's mother, Shannon Guetta, had reprimanded her without holding back. "Do you want the whole world to know that Xav married a disabled woman with hearing issues?" Therefore, Yvette had given up on finding a job and focused on her fruitless life as "Mrs. Lane" at Dewberry Estate. … At home, she sat alone until nightfall. She couldn't sleep. Just then, the phone on her bedside table rang loudly. It was a call from an unfamiliar number. Yvette picked up the call. A familiar voice, yet one she dreaded, sounded from the other end. "Is this Yvvy? Xav is drunk. Can you come pick him up?" When Yvette arrived at Sternhow Club, she heard loud coaxing and jeering from the wealthy heirs inside the private room. "Daph, didn't you say you came back to get our dear Mr. Lane back into your arms? This is your chance now. Go on, tell him how you feel!" Daphne was a pretty woman who was popular wherever she went. She was also Xavier's first love, so the rich young men of the upper crust were happy to push the two together. Daphne wasn't shy at all. She turned to Xavier and said without any reservations, "I like you, Xav. Please be with me again." That was what Yvette heard when she arrived at the door of the private room. Inside, the other people were urging Xavier to answer Daphne. His best friend, Tristan Shaw, was the most vocal among them. "Xav, you've been waiting for Daphne for three years. She's back now. So, go on, answer her!" Yvette stood frozen outside the door. Her heart was pounding. Just then, one of the men pulled the door open. "Ms. Snyder?" Chapter 2 Everyone in the private room looked over at the door. For a moment, the room was eerily silent. Yvette immediately caught sight of Xavier in the middle of the room. His eyes were clear and bright. He was clearly not drunk. She knew that she had been tricked by Daphne. When Xavier saw Yvette, his pupils constricted. Everyone else in the room looked awkward, including Tristan, who had been the most vocal in getting Xavier to accept Daphne's confession earlier. Yvette shouldn't have gone there. Daphne was the first to break the silence. "Please don't get the wrong idea, Yvvy. Tristan was joking. Xavier and I are just friends." Before Yvette could answer, Xavier stood up impatiently. "There's no need to explain it to her." Then, he stalked over to Yvette. "What are you doing here?" "I thought you were drunk, so I came to take you home," Yvette answered truthfully. Xavier scoffed. "You really didn't retain anything I told you, did you?" Lowering his voice, he said softly so that only she could hear him, "Are you here to remind everyone that I was tricked into marrying you three years ago? Did you think they forgot?" Yvette was stunned. Xavier gave her a cold look. "Stop seeking attention. You're only making me hate you more." With that, he turned away, leaving Yvette standing alone. Yvette stared after his retreating figure, unable to snap out of her shock. None of the other scions in the room took pity on her when they saw Xavier ignoring her. Tristan even had no qualms in telling Daphne, who was feigning distress, "You're too kind, Daphne. You didn't need to explain anything. "If Yvette hadn't scammed Xav, he would've married you in the first place. You wouldn't have needed to suffer abroad as well." Despite the constant ringing in her ears, Yvette could still hear every word clearly. She knew better than anyone that even if Xavier hadn't married her, he wouldn't have married Daphne. Daphne was a nobody with no background, after all. Daphne was well aware of this as well. That was why she had chosen to break up with Xavier and leave the country. How had everything turned out to be Yvette's fault? When Yvette left Sternhow Club with her umbrella, she felt as if she had been enveloped by darkness. Just then, a lithe figure appeared beside her. It was Daphne. She was decked out in fine clothes, complete with high heels. She looked smug. "It's a cold night, isn't it? So, how does it feel to get scoffed at by Xavier after you came all the way here at this time to get him?" Yvette didn't answer her, but Daphne didn't mind her silence. She just continued speaking. "I do pity you, you know. You've never experienced true love before, have you? "Do you know that when I was with Xav, he would cook for me himself? When I was sick, he would drop everything and stay with me. "Has Xav ever told you he loves you? He used to say that to me all the time…" Yvette listened to Daphne's rambling quietly, her mind going over the past three years she had been married to Xavier. He had never so much as stepped into the kitchen during that time. When she had gotten sick, he had never comforted her. He had never told her he loved her either. … That night, Yvette couldn't fall asleep. She had only just found out that the man she had loved for the past 12 years had once loved another with all his heart, in the spectacular way that only young people could. At that moment, she realized that it was time for her to give him up. She had a sleepless night. The next morning, Xavier returned home. The glare he gave her was cold. "How attached are you to the Lane family's money, to me, your money-making robot?" he demanded. Yvette was stunned. She didn't know what had gotten into him so early in the morning. Instinctively, she said, "I never wanted your money." She had only ever wanted Xavier. Xavier laughed in disdain. "Then, why did your mother come to my office and beg me to give you a child?" Yvette was stunned. She stared into Xavier's eyes. It was only then that she realized that he wasn't angry about what had happened last night. Xavier had no desire to waste his breath on her. "If you want to continue staying with me and keep your family afloat, tell your mother to behave herself!" ... In the end, Yvette didn't need to look for Yara. Yara found Yvette instead. She was no longer cold and distant; she gripped Yvette's hands and said gently, "Yvvy, you should ask Xavier to give you a child. He doesn't have to do it biologically. He could do it through scientific measures." Scientific measures. Yvette stared at Yara in shock as the latter continued, "Daphne told me that Xavier hasn't slept with you in the past three years." That was the last straw for Yvette. She didn't know why Xavier would tell Daphne about that. Maybe he really loved Daphne a lot. With that thought, she suddenly felt relieved. "Just let it go, Mom." Yara paused. She frowned. "What?" "I'm tired. I want to get a divorce—" Before she could finish, Yara slapped her hard across the face. The kind, motherly facade was gone in an instant. She jabbed a finger at Yvette and gritted out, "You have no right to ask for a divorce! "Without the Lane family, what do you think you're going to do? Who's going to remarry a disabled divorcee like you?" Yvette felt her body go numb. Yara had never liked Yvette, even when the latter had been a child. Yara had been a famous dancer. The fact that she had given birth to a daughter with hearing issues was one of her biggest regrets. Therefore, she had sent Yvette away to be taken care of by a nanny. She had only allowed Yvette to return home when the latter started school. People used to tell Yvette that every mother loved their child. So, she had done everything she could to excel at everything in hopes of making Yara happy. Despite her hearing issues, she had been at the top of her class in dance, music, and art classes. But no matter how hard she tried, Yara still didn't consider her a good daughter. In Yara's words, Yvette wasn't "complete". Not only physically, but also in love and familial relationships. After Yara left, Yvette used some makeup to cover up the red print on her face. Then, she packed her bags quietly. Even after three years of married life, all her personal belongings fit into a single suitcase. After she finished packing up, she gathered her courage and sent Xavier a message. "Are you free tonight? I need to talk to you." Xavier didn't reply to her. Yvette's eyes darkened. She knew that he didn't want to reply to her messages. All she could do was wait for him to come home in the morning. She had thought that he wouldn't come home that night, but he got back at midnight. Yvette wasn't asleep at the time. She went up to him and took his coat and bag from him with familiarity in her actions. It was as if they were a normal married couple. Xavier's cold voice broke the peace. "Don't send me inane texts again." As Yvette held Xavier's coat, her hand trembled slightly. "I won't do it again," she mumbled. Xavier didn't notice anything wrong with her tone. He went straight to his study. Generally, if he came home, he would stay holed up in his study. He probably thought that someone who was hard of hearing would live in a silent world. Either that, or he simply didn't care about Yvette. That would explain why he got straight to discussing his acquisition of Snyder Group in his study as if nothing was wrong. When Yvette brought him some soup, she heard Xavier animatedly discussing work with his employees. He was talking about the acquisition of Snyder Group, her father, James Snyder's company. She didn't know how to feel about that. She knew that her brother, Terrence Synder, was useless at running a business, so it was only a matter of time before Snyder Group fell. However, she had never thought that her own husband would be the first to cause Snyder Group's downfall. "Xav," she interrupted. Xavier was slightly startled. Out of guilt, or maybe some other emotion, he quickly hung up the phone and closed his laptop. Feigning ignorance, Yvette walked into the study and placed the bowl in front of him. "Have some soup, then get to bed soon. Your health is more important than work." For some reason, Xavier felt himself relax when he heard her soft voice. She probably hadn't heard anything. Feeling conflicted, he stopped Yvette before she could leave. "You said you wanted to talk to me. What is it?" Hearing this, Yvette turned back to look at him. Softly, she said, "I just wanted to ask if you're free in the morning so we can go and file for divorce." Chapter 3 Yvette's voice was calm and impassive, as though divorce were a menial matter to her. Xavier's pupils contracted. "What did you just say?" Over the last three years, no matter what he had done, Yvette had never brought up divorce. In truth, Xavier knew that Yvette loved him. Her eyes, which were usually dull and empty, were clear and bright now. "I'm sorry for being a burden over the last few years, Mr. Lane. We should get divorced." Xavier clenched his fists unconsciously. "You heard what I said earlier, didn't you? Snyder Group was already failing; it won't matter whether I buy it or someone else does. What are you trying to do by bringing up divorce? "Is it because you want money? Or a child? Or do you want me to leave Snyder Group alone?" he asked coldly. "Don't forget that I don't love you. Your threats won't work on me!" At that moment, he seemed like a stranger to Yvette. A lump formed in her throat as her ears began throbbing. Even though she was wearing her hearing aids, she could barely hear what Xavier was saying. She could only answer his last question. "I don't want anything." Afraid that he would notice something wrong with her, Yvette left the study in a hurry. As he watched her leave, Xavier felt frustrated for some reason. He had never felt like this before. Not one to hold in his emotions, he flipped the table over. The bowl of soup that Yvette had brought him spilled all over the ground. ... Back in her own room, Yvette forced herself to swallow a handful of pills. She reached up to touch her ear. As she retracted her fingers, she saw crimson blood on them. Thanks to the medicine, her hearing recovered a little by the time it was dawn. Yvette stared blankly at the soft rays of sunlight streaming from the window. "The rain has stopped," she said quietly to herself. Xavier didn't leave the manor that day. He was in the living room bright and early, settled on the couch, waiting for Yvette to apologize and express her regret to him. This wasn't the first time Yvette had lost her temper with him. However, after every tantrum, she would apologize to him before long. Xavier figured that it would be the same this time around. Soon, he saw Yvette coming out of her room, all freshened up. She wore her usual dark-colored clothes. She dragged a suitcase with one hand while holding a piece of paper in the other. She handed the paper to him. It was a divorce agreement. "Let me know when you have time, Xav." With that, she left the manor, pulling her suitcase behind her. It was bright and sunny outside. Yvette felt as if she had gotten a new chance at life. Meanwhile, Xavier sat frozen on the couch, still clutching the divorce agreement in his hand. It took him a long time to come back to his senses. It was Saturday. Usually, around this time of the year, Xavier would take Yvette back to his hometown to pay respects to his ancestors. During this time, they would have to endure strange looks from his extended family. However, he was alone that day, which made him extraordinarily happy. At Lane Mansion, Shannon and the rest of the Lanes were surprised to see him alone. In the past, Yvette had always been the first one to turn up every year and the last to leave since she had been trying to please everyone. Why wasn't she there today? Shanon frowned and asked Xavier, "Where's Yvette, Xav?" Xavier's expression turned cold. "She wanted a divorce and left me." Everyone fell silent in disbelief when he said that. Shannon was shocked. She knew that Yvette probably loved Xavier more than anything in the world, only surpassed by his own parents. Seven years ago, Yvette had even protected Xavier with her own body when someone had attempted to stab him. Four years ago, not long after the two had gotten engaged, something had happened to Xavier while he had been on a business trip in Dibay. Everyone had been convinced that he was dead, but Yvette had refused to believe that. She had dropped everything and gone to the foreign city just to look for him. Then, after they had gotten married, Yvette had taken care of almost everything in his life with meticulous precision, including being polite to everyone around him, even his secretaries. She had always been afraid of offending them. Yvette clearly couldn't live without Xavier. So, why had she suggested getting a divorce? Shannon had no idea, but she was glad that Yvette had finally decided to let Xavier go. "She's not worthy to be your wife anyway. It's a good thing that you're divorcing her. She doesn't deserve you," she said The others immediately chimed in. "Yeah, you're young and handsome, Xav. You're in your best years now. Yvette's been dragging you down all this time!" Instantly, the gathering turned into a slander fest. They spoke of Yvette as if she were an unforgivable criminal. Xavier should have felt happy that they were defending him, but for some reason, he found their words too sharp and crass. He left Lane Mansion earlier than usual and made his way back to Dewberry Estate. The sky was just starting to darken when he arrived home. He opened the door and entered the manor. When he saw nothing but darkness, he remembered, with a start, that Yvette had left. He changed into his house slippers and tossed his coat into the washer. For some reason, he felt unusually exhausted today. He went to the wine cellar to get a bottle of wine so that he could celebrate Yvette's leaving. However, when he got to the wine cellar and saw the locked door, he realized too late that he didn't have the key. He didn't like strangers in his house, so there were no maids or servants at Dewberry Estate. Ever since he had married Yvette, she had been the one taking care of the household affairs. He could only go back to his room. Picking up his phone, he scrolled through his messages only to find work-related texts. Yvette hadn't called or texted him to apologize at all. Tossing his phone aside, he got up and headed over to the kitchen. When he opened the door of the fridge, he was stunned. Apart from food, there were also a lot of supplements. He picked one of the bags up and read the instructions on it. "Take five times a day for incapable of conceived." He took a whiff of the supplement. It smelled disgusting. He recalled that Yvette always smelled strange. So, this was why. He scoffed silently. They had never slept, so no matter how much medicine she took, she would never have gotten conceived. ... Meanwhile, over in a dark and dinky hotel, Yvette opened her eyes blearily. Her head was pounding. The world was silent. She knew, then, that her condition had worsened again. Before this, she had still been able to hear some sounds, even without her hearing aids. She pushed herself up and felt around on the bedside table until she found her medicine. She popped the pills in her mouth, tasting their bitterness. The day before, she had left Dewberry Estate, which had been her home for the past three years. At first, she had gone to her parents' house, Snyder Residence. However, at the door, she had overheard Yara and Terrence discussing how they would marry her off to an old man if the Lanes kicked her out. Yvette had blanked upon hearing that. It was then that she finally realized that she had no place to call home anymore. Even though she hadn't eaten anything in two days, she still didn't feel hungry. However, it was too quiet. The silence scared her. It had been raining more frequently in Tirion this year than it had in previous years. Yvette stared out at the passing pedestrians. Most of them were paired up or in groups. She was the only one alone. She bought a bus ticket heading out of the city. She decided to go to her nanny's house in the countryside. Viola Xenos, her nanny, had taken care of her when she was a child. It was already 9:00 pm when Yvette got there. When Viola saw Yvette, she looked pleasantly surprised. Yvette teared up when she saw Viola's warm smile. She reached out to her and hugged her. "Viola." Due to health issues, Viola had never married and didn't have children of her own. Yvette was closer to her than she was to her own mother. That night, Yvette cuddled up in Viola's embrace, just like she had when she was a child. Viola wrapped her arms around Yvette, only to realize that the latter was very thin. She pressed a hand on the Yvette's bony back, trembling uncontrollably. Forcing herself to calm down, she asked cautiously, "Has Xavier been treating you well, Yvvy?" Yvette felt a sharp pain in her throat when she heard Xavier's name. She wanted to lie to Viola and tell her that Xavier had treated her well, but she knew that Viola wasn't silly. Since she had already made up her mind to leave him, there was no need to lie to herself or to the people who loved her any longer. "The person he loves has returned. I've decided to let him go and divorce him." Viola was stunned. She couldn't believe her ears. Yvette had told her multiple times before that she wanted to spend the rest of her life with Xavier. Not knowing what else to say, she comforted Yvette by telling her that there were plenty of other fish in the sea. There was bound to be one who would love her. Yvette just nodded silently. The buzzing in her ears drowned out Viola's comforting voice. That night, she managed to get a good night's sleep, which was rare. However, when she woke up, she was greeted with the alarming sight of blood staining the spot where her head had laid on the pillow. Yvette touched her right ear. Her fingers felt sticky. She looked at her hand. It was covered in blood. Chapter 4 Even Yvette's hearing aids were stained red. Her pupils contracted, and she quickly grabbed some tissues to wipe her ear. Then, she stripped the bedsheets and washed them. She was afraid that Viola would worry about her if she found out that her illness was worsening. So, she cleaned up the mess and found an excuse to bid goodbye to Viola. Before she left, she placed a part of her savings on the bedside table without telling Viola. Viola walked Yvette to the bus stop and waved goodbye reluctantly. … After Yvette left, Viola couldn't stop thinking about how thin the former was. Unable to just sit by, she called Lane Group. When the secretary heard that Viola was Yvette's nanny and wanted to speak to Xavier, she transferred the call to Xavier's line. It was the third day after Yvette had left Xavier. It was also the first time in three days that he had received a call about her. Sitting behind his desk, he felt exceptionally pleased. Just as he had expected, Yvette wouldn't be able to last more than three days without him—or so he thought. Viola's voice came through the other line, sounding weighed with age. "Mr. Lane, I am Yvvy's nanny. I've been taking care of her since she was a baby. "Please, I beg you, treat her well. Don't hurt her more than you already have. She's not as strong as she seems on the surface. "When she was born, Mrs. Snyder left her in my care because she didn't like that Yvvy is hard of hearing. Yvvy only returned home when she had to start going to school. "The Snyders have never treated her as one of their own. Apart from Mr. Snyder, everyone else treated her like she was a maid. "You and Mr. Snyder are the most important people she has in this world. I'm begging you, please. Please be kind to her." Xavier's mood darkened when he heard what Viola said. "Did she tell you to give me this sob story because she didn't want to face me herself?" he asked coldly. "Why should I care about her life? If you ask me, she deserved everything she got!" That said, he hung up the phone without waiting for an answer. Viola had heard Yvette gushing about how nice Xavier was to her. So, it was only then that she realized the truth—Xavier wasn't a good man at all. He wasn't a good husband to Yvette. ... Yvette sat on the bus, heading home. Just then, her phone vibrated. It was a message from Xavier. "You said you wanted to get divorced, right? I'll see you at 10:00 am tomorrow." Yvette stared at the text blankly for a while before replying, "Okay." Just one word. It infuriated Xavier and completely ruined his mood. Unable to work anymore, he called up his friends and invited them out for drinks. Daphne was also at the club when he arrived. "I'm not going home until I'm drunk!" she declared. Tristan sat down beside Xavier. He couldn't help asking curiously, "How's Deaf Yvvy?" Xavier raised an eyebrow at him. "There's no need to talk about her ever again. We're filing for divorce tomorrow." Tristan was stunned. He couldn't believe his ears. "Really?" Beside them, Daphne brightened. She poured out a shot for him. "Congrats on getting back your freedom, Xav!" Xavier drank a lot that night. Daphne offered to send him home, but he rejected her suggestion. "No need. It's not appropriate." If he and Yvette were going to get divorced tomorrow, she might come home that night. Daphne wasn't happy about the rejection. "Why? You're divorcing her anyway. Why wouldn't it be appropriate? Are you still scared that she might find out about our relationship?" Their relationship? Xavier narrowed his eyes. "You're overthinking this." He got into his own car. Out of consideration, he also called a cab to send Daphne home. On the drive home, he kept unlocking his phone to check if Yvette had sent him any messages. She hadn't. When he reached Dewberry Estate, it was dark. With a stormy expression, Xavier opened the door and turned on the light. Yvette was nowhere to be seen. She hadn't come home. The manor was left exactly the way it had been when she had left. Still feeling the effects of the wine, Xavier threw himself heavily onto the couch and soon fell asleep. In his nightmares, Yvette was covered in blood, but there was a smile on her face. "I don't love you anymore, Xav," she said. When Xavier jolted awake, the sky outside had just brightened up. He rubbed his forehead and went to the bathroom to freshen himself up. Then, he changed into a smart suit and made his way to the courthouse. At the entrance of the courthouse, he spotted Yvette standing under a tree not far off. As usual, she was dressed in dark-colored clothes. From the distance, she looked incredibly frail and thin as she stood amid the drizzle. It was as if a single gust of wind could knock her over. Xavier could still remember how young and lively she had been when they had first gotten married. She hadn't been as thin and gloomy back then. Holding an umbrella, he walked toward Yvette. It took her a few moments to notice him. Xiaver hadn't changed much over the last three years. He was as handsome and as confident as ever, with the added hint of matureness that came with age. Yvette was a little dazed. The last three years felt like a blink in time to her, yet she also seemed to have exhausted a whole lifetime. Xavier stalked over to Yvette and gazed at her coldly. He was waiting for her to apologize to him. She had been sulking enough. It was time to put an end to this. However, Yvette just said, "I'm sorry to pull you away from your work. Let's go in." Xavier stiffened, but he quickly recovered. "Don't regret this." With that, he turned and headed into the courthouse. Yvette stared after him sadly. Would she regret this? She didn't know either. In the courthouse, the judge asked them if they were sure about going through with the divorce. Yvette's answer was firm. "Yes." Her determined expression frustrated Xavier. After filing for divorce, they still had to return to the courthouse in a month. If they didn't show up, then the divorce would be considered null. As they left the courthouse, Yvette looked at Xavier, her expression unusually calm. "I'll see you next month. Take care." With that, she stepped out into the rain, hailed a cab, and left. Xavier was left standing on the spot. He didn't know how to feel as he watched her car leave. Relieved, probably. Relieved that he wouldn't need to put up with her any longer or endure others' ridicule for having a disabled wife. ... In the cab, Yvette leaned against the window and stared blankly at the rain droplets on the glass. In the rearview mirror, the driver suddenly saw blood dripping from her ear. He was shocked by the sight. "Miss? Miss!" Yvette didn't answer him. The driver hastily stopped the car. Yvette was confused. They weren't at her destination yet. Why had they stopped? She looked over at the driver and saw him mouthing silently. She realized that she had gone deaf again. "I'm sorry, I can't hear you. What are you saying?" In the end, the driver had to type out what he wanted to say on his phone so that he could tell her about her bleeding ear. Yvette reached out belatedly and felt the warm sensation in her ear. She was used to it now. "It's alright. This happens all the time. I'm fine." She was hard of hearing, but her ears hadn't bled like this before. Two years ago, at a gathering, Tristan had pushed her into a swimming pool. Yvette didn't know how to swim, so she had almost drowned. At the same time, her eardrums had also expanded due to the pressure. She had been sent to the hospital, but the damage had been done. At the time, she had been told that everything was fine. Why was this happening again? The cab driver was still worried, so he dropped her off at the hospital she told him. After thanking him, Yvette went into the hospital on her own. This time, she saw her usual doctor, Tom Jensen. "Dr. Jensen, my memory has been rather bad lately. I kept forgetting what I'm doing," she said. When she had woken up at the hotel that morning, it had taken her a long time to remember that she had to file for divorce with Xavier. Tom looked at her latest report worriedly. "Ms. Snyder, I think you should consider getting tested for other things. Specifically, mental health issues." Mental health… Following Tom's recommendation, Yvette went and got a psychiatric diagnosis. She was diagnosed with depression. It turned out that patients with severe depression often experienced memory loss. Before heading back to the hotel, Yvette stopped and bought a notebook and a pen. She wrote down everything that had happened lately. She placed the notebook right beside her bed so that it would be the first thing she saw when she woke up in the morning. News of her and Xavier's divorce spread quickly. That night, Yara called her multiple times, but she didn't hear anything. … When she woke up the next morning, she saw a barrage of texts from Yara. "Where are you?" "Who do you think you are? Even if you're getting a divorce, Xavier should have been the one to ask for it!" "You're such a jinx! Back when you got married, your dad got into a car crash and died. What's going to happen now that you're getting divorced? Do you want Snyder Group to go bankrupt? Is that it?" Yvette stared at the messages. She was used to the verbal bully by now. She typed out a reply. "Mom, it's time that we live by our own merits. We shouldn't depend on others so much." Yara's response was swift. "You're such an ingrate! I shouldn't have given birth to you in the first place!" Yvette didn't bother replying to that. She placed her phone aside. She just had to wait a month. Once the divorce was finalized, she would be able to leave Tirion and start a new life. … Yvette's health worsened over the next few days. She often found herself completely deaf. Sometimes, it took a very long time for her hearing to go back to normal. Her memory was deteriorating too. On the bright side, even though her hearing loss was incurable, at least she could do something about the depression. She tried everything she could to keep herself happy. She busied herself by registering as a volunteer online. She spent time taking care of abandoned old people and orphans. Helping them made her feel like she had a reason to continue living. A few days later, Yvette woke up in the morning and checked her notebook as usual. Then, she got ready to head out to the orphanage. When she picked up her phone, she saw several unread messages. There were messages from Terrance and Yara, as well as Daphne. She opened the texts one by one. Yara: "As you wished, Snyder Group is no more." Terrence: "Keep hiding. You're the most cowardly and cruel person I've ever seen." Daphne: "My condolences, Yvette. Actually, I think Snyder Group would thrive better under Xav." Daphne: "Since your family has helped me so much in the past, do let me know if you need anything. I'll help you if I can." Yvette had no idea what was happening. She closed the messaging app. Almost immediately, she got a notification about the latest news. Chapter 5 Yvette watched the news and saw the press conference held by Lane Group. It was an announcement that Xavier had successfully acquired Snyder Group. James' company no longer existed in the world. … Things on Xavier's end had been extra pleasant lately. He had acquired Snyder Group and gotten his revenge. "The Snyder family finally got what they deserved for tricking you into that marriage three years ago." Tristan chuckled. Yet, he changed the topic in the next instant. He asked Xavier, "Xav, has Deaf Yvvy approached you during the past few days?" Xavier froze halfway through signing a document. He didn't know why, but people around him kept mentioning Yvette these days. "No," he replied coldly. That shocked Tristan. After all, how could Yvette not do anything when something this massive had happened to her family? With that in mind, he spoke again. "Could it be that she's finally come around? I heard her family has been looking everywhere for her. Nobody knows where she's gone—" He kept blabbering on. Xavier frowned, feeling utterly annoyed. "Get out!" Tristan jolted. That was when he realized that Xavier was furious. Not daring to say another word, Tristan bolted out of the CEO's office. Once outside, he took his phone and called his assistant, Avery Fitzpatrick. "Have you found Yvette?" "Yes, she's in a small hotel in Hexim Pass," answered Avery. Tristan had Avery send him the location before he drove there. He refused to let Yvette off the hook so easily. So what if she was willing to divorce Xavier now? She had already prevented Xavier and Daphne from being together for over three years! Besides, Daphne had saved Tristan's life once, so he owed her. It rained outside. Yvette finished her volunteer work and picked up her medication from the hospital. Then, she held an umbrella while walking back to the hotel. There were very few people on the road. Tristan drove his car but kept his eyes on Yvette's slim back. He deliberately sped up as he drove past her, sending a puddle of rainwater splashing onto her. Yvette shot him a blank stare. Tristan happened to meet her emotionless gaze through his rearview mirror. He didn't know why, but he felt inexplicably nervous. Yvette recognized Tristan's luxurious, dark gray Bugatti. Yet, she retracted her gaze and pretended not to notice him. Even so, Tristan refused to stop there. He deliberately slowed his car and followed her. "Hey, Deaf Yvvy. So, you have a temper now, huh? "You're not even going to greet me now? Didn't you used to love greeting me? Didn't you enjoy tickling my fancy?" Yvette remained stoic while the former mocked her. She used to do everything to win over those around Xavier, including his friends. It was all because she liked him. She had figured that Xavier's family and friends would one day accept her. Alas, it seemed she had been too naïve. At the previous gathering, Tristan had declared that he was Daphne's friend. He couldn't care less about maintaining his gentlemanly, upper-class image when siding with Daphne. He had insulted Yvette and called her shameless. In the end, he had also thrown her into the pool, leaving her to die. Since then, Yvette had steered clear of him. Upon receiving no reaction or response from Yvette, Tristan stopped the car, opened the door, and strolled toward her. He grabbed her arm and asked, "What stunts are you planning to pull this time?" Yvette's arm hurt, so she looked up at him. "I don't know what you're saying." She wanted to pry his hand off her arm, but he flung her aside. "Don't touch me with your filthy hands!" Tristan bellowed. Yvette stumbled backward before falling to the ground with a loud thud. Tristan froze on the spot in slight disbelief. It baffled him to see Yvette resorting to such tricks. He had only pushed her with a slight force, so how could she fall like that? Seeing people looking their way, he nervously got back into his car. Still, he gave her a warning before driving away. "Don't mess with Daph just because you're a disabled person, Yvette! "She's different from you. It's taken her a lot of effort to get to where she is now, so you'd better not disrupt her and Xav's relationship again!" After driving away, he even told the Snyder family where Yvette was staying. Yvette's hands and knees were scraped when she fell. It hurt so much that she couldn't stand for a long time. Deep down, she didn't understand why Tristan was so blind to what was right and wrong. She recalled risking her life to rescue him from a car that had been about to explode four years ago. His face had been covered in blood, and his eyes hadn't been visible. However, he had spoken in the warmest voice. He had said, "Thank you. I promise I'll repay you someday." Yvette couldn't help but bitterly wonder if this was his way of repaying her. … Once Yvette returned to the hotel, she took a shower and applied medication to her scraped skin. Then, she lay down in a daze. The fall hardened her determination to leave Xavier for good. … The sun was shining brightly outside when Yvette woke up. She got up and headed to the living area, only to see Yara sitting on the couch, wearing a formal dress. Yara didn't seem to care one bit that Yvette had just woken up. She picked the document off the coffee table and handed it to the latter. "Take a good look at this. It's the backup plan I've selected for you." Yvette accepted the document but saw the title "prenuptial agreement" on the cover. She flipped through the pages while reading the contents aloud. "Ms. Yvette Snyder will marry Mr. Liam Lorimer. As his wife, she'll devote herself to him and look after him until the end of his life. Liam will look after Yvette's family, which includes maintaining their quality of life. He'll also provide 300 million as funds for the Snyder family." Following that, the document stated Liam's details. He was an entrepreneur from the older generation in Tirion. He was 78 years old that year. Yvette's mind tensed. At that moment, Yara spoke up again. "Mr. Lorimer has expressed that he doesn't mind that you were married before. "He'll help revive our family's reputation from the ashes, as long as you marry him. Come on, dearest. You wouldn't let me and Terrence down, right?" Yvette's face paled even more. "I can't agree to what you're asking of me." Yara had never imagined that Yvette would reject her so candidly. She blew up in a fit of rage at once. "What right do you have to refuse? I gave you life!" Hearing that, Yvette met Yara's gaze. "How about I return my life to you? Would that mean I no longer owe you?" "What did you say?" Yara shrilled. Yvette's pale lips moved as she said, "If I returned my life to you, would it mean you'd no longer be my mother? And I'll no longer be indebted to you for giving birth to me?" Yara sneered, not believing Yvette would dare do such a thing. "Okay, then. I won't force you to marry Mr. Lorimer if you give your life back to me. But the question is, do you have the guts to do it?" "Give me a month." Yvette seemed determined. In Yara's eyes, Yvette seemed like a crazed person. She warned, "You'd best not threaten me by only saying you'll end your life. We're not that close, so I don't care if you die. However, you must sign this document if you're too afraid to end your life." … Yvette had suppressed all her emotions to the brim and needed to vent somewhere. So, she went to a bar. She sat in a corner, drinking and watching the crowd happily dance in a daze. That was when a dashing man with striking eyes noticed Yvette, who was all alone. He approached and asked, "Yvette?" Yvette stared at the man but didn't recognize him. Still dazed, she asked, "Do you know how one can achieve happiness?" The man was confused. "What did you say?" Yvette continued drinking as she spoke. "The doctor says I'm ill and should try to be happier, but I can't make myself feel happy…" That sparked discomfort in the man, Claude Lander. He wondered if Yvette had forgotten about him. Also, he was confused by what she said—something about being ill and needing to be happier. "You shouldn't be in a place like this if you want to be happy. Why don't I drive you home?" Claude spoke in a gentle tone. A smile curved across Yvette's face as she looked at him. "You're a good person." Complex emotions stirred in Claude when he saw her bitter smile. He wondered what she had been through these past few years. Why did she seem so sorrowful? Meanwhile, Xavier was also at the bar. After settling the divorce papers, he had let himself loose every night. On top of that, he hadn't returned to Dewberry Estate in a long time. It was getting late. When the crowd was about to leave, Daphne noticed a familiar figure in a corner of the bar. She exclaimed, "Isn't that Yvvy?" Xavier glanced in the direction Daphne was staring in and saw a man merrily chatting with Yvette. His expression soured at once. He was disappointed in Yvette for getting drunk at a bar and chatting up another man. He felt like he had thought too highly of her before. "Should we go and check up on her, Xav?" asked Daphne. "No," was all Xavier said before speedily leaving. On the other hand, Yvette declined Claude's offer. "There's no need to trouble yourself. I can go home on my own." Claude was still worried about Yvette, so he ran after her when he noticed her leaving the bar. "Do you really not remember me?" Yvette gazed at him but couldn't recall who he was. "It's Chubbs. Have you forgotten?" Claude reminded her. Only then did Yvette remember her friend, Chubbs, whom she met when she had been living with Viola in the countryside. Back then, Claude had been chubbier and nowhere near Yvette's height. Yet, his six-foot-two-inch frame now towered over her. He had even grown to have handsome features. "I remember now! You've changed so much. I didn't even recognize you!" said Yvette. Meeting an old friend away from home was a pleasant thing. But only a slight smile curved on Yvette's face. That upset Claude. "Come on. I'll drive you home," Claude stated. When he dropped her off, he was shocked to learn she lived in a run-down hotel. Yvette shifted in embarrassment. "Sorry, it's not a glamorous place. Please don't tell Viola I'm living in such a place. I don't want her to worry." Claude nodded. Since it was getting late, it was unwise for him to stay longer. So, he left after telling Yvette he would visit her the next day. He didn't notice the matte black car lingering in a dark area beneath the hotel as he walked out. Now that Claude had left, Yvette felt dizzy and had an upset stomach from drinking too much. That was when someone knocked hard on the door. Yvette had just opened the door when Xavier grabbed her wrist. He exerted so much strength on her slender wrist that it felt close to snapping in half. "You've made me look at you in a new light, Yvette!" Xavier snarled while shutting and locking the door. He then forcefully led her to the couch. He sneered with words as sharp and lethal as a blade, "So, you've already settled on which family you'll marry into next, huh? I knew you wouldn't be so willing to let me go for no reason!" Yvette didn't know why he had come over, nor did she know how he had seen Claude. She was only briefly dazed. Once she snapped out of it, she shot a furious look at Xavier and didn't bother explaining herself to him. The rims of her eyes reddened. "You and I aren't that different from each other." The Snyder family had tricked Xavier into marrying Yvette. However, Xavier had treated her coldly for three years while remaining entangled with his first love. Neither Xavier nor Yvette was a better person than the other. Xavier had also drunk some wine, so he reeked of it. Eyes reddening, he pinched Yvette's chin and spoke with a dangerously low voice. "Who is he? When did you guys meet?" That was the first time Yvette had seen him behave like this. She suddenly chuckled. "Are you jealous?" Xavier's gaze grew tense as he scoffed. "You're unworthy of such a reaction." Yvette became choked up. That was when Xavier leaned in domineeringly and continued interrogating her. "Has he already touched you? Huh?" In her three years of marriage, Yvette had given up on her work and declined to meet her friends whenever they had occasionally invited her out. She had done so to obey the Lane family's rules. But now Xavier was suspicious of her. Relief washed over Yvette just then. She questioned him back, "What do you think?" That utterly angered Xavier, and his heated hands started travelling down her body. | Read freely | 18 | https://facebook.com/61557986570531 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1715324400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841192 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682329 | 1723710538 | 858 | 1361528064521212 | 1 | 7.4287710132688E+14 | 1715410800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 250753834794512 | 0 | Read freely | 120208075188720056 | beokn.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | ❤️😍What happens next👉Click Here to read on👉 | https://beokn.com/market/buenovela/3?lpid=11230&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1715224592 | 2.5075383479451E+14 | Read freely | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/422079631_823590829824839_4719608256142825580_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=zRrWu5cWNVoQ7kNvgGlPwcN&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYDOKfR6AdQVBkGHxZ7oRkovEG_cTVH3Fhai_NcioNO3Lg&oe=665834C6 | person_profile | 0 | Read freely | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441057328_1702104656985535_4588455529970348064_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=o0QCZODViNgQ7kNvgHrHhkE&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYCq8jC5eDyRX5crJStFEQcpuaK8E5JvRlMOeIvajggmRg&oe=6658688A | 0 | 3 | Yvette Snyder stood at the entrance of the hospital, her body frail, clutching a report in her thin hands. Three words on the report stood out: "No conception detected". "You've been married for three years. How are you not conceived?" Her mother, Yara Cadwell, demanded, jabbing a finger in Yvette's face disappointedly. Yara was dressed lavishly and wore high heels. "Why are you so useless? If you don't get conceived soon, the Lanes are going to kick you out of the family. What's going to happen to our family then?" Yvette looked at Yara blankly. She had a lot to say, but the words were stuck in her throat. In the end, all she could manage was, "I'm sorry." "I don't want you to be sorry. I want you to give birth to Xavier's child. Do you understand me?" Yvette's throat felt tight; she didn't know how to answer Yara. In their three years of marriage, her husband, Xavier Lane, had never slept with her. How could she ever have his child? Yara stared at Yvette. The latter's weak demeanor was so unlike her own. Finally, she said coldly before leaving, "If you really can't give him a child, then find him a woman who can. At least he'll appreciate you for that." Yvette stared after Yara's retreating figure in disbelief. Had her own mother just told her to find another woman for her husband to sleep with? ... As Yvette made her journey home, she couldn't stop thinking about Yara's parting words. Suddenly, a loud ringing in her ear drowned out her thoughts. She knew that her condition had worsened. Just then, she received a message on her phone. It was from Xavier, and the content was the same as always. "I'm not coming home tonight." In the past three years they had been married, Xavier had never spent the night at home before. He had never so much as touched Yvette either. Yvette could remember their wedding night three years ago. He had told her, "Since your family is bold enough to trick me into marrying you, you'd better be prepared to spend the rest of your life in loneliness." Three years ago, the Snyder and Lane families had decided to form an alliance through marriage. Both families had agreed to mutually beneficial terms in the agreement. But when the day of the wedding came around, the Snyder family went back on their word and transferred all of their assets away, including the billions that Xavier had paid to marry Yvette. Yvette's eyes dulled at the memory. She replied to Xavier's text with her usual response: "Okay." Without her realizing it, the report she was holding got scrunched up in her hands. When she got home, Yvette tossed the report into the trash can. Every month, around this time, she would feel unusually lethargic. Yvette didn't prepare dinner for herself. She just leaned back on the couch, blearily drifting in and out of sleep. The rumbling in her ear persisted. That was another reason why Xavier hated her—she was hard of hearing, which, to the rich and powerful, was no better than being crippled. Xavier would never allow her to carry his child. … At 5 o'clock in the morning, the pendulum clock on the wall chimed dully. Xavier would be home in an hour. Yvette realized too late that she had fallen asleep on the couch. She got up hastily and went to the kitchen to prepare Xavier's breakfast. Xavier was a meticulous man who was strict about punctuality, not only with himself but also with the people around him. He arrived home at six o'clock sharp. Xavier was a tall and handsome man. Clad in a smart tailored suit, his demeanor was quiet and reserved, yet undoubtedly masculine. However, to Yvette, he was cold and distant. Xavier didn't even look at Yvette. He walked right past her to look at the food on the table and said with a scoff, "You do this every day. Are you a nanny or what?" Over the past three years, Yvette had been doing the same things over and over again. She wore the same dark clothes and replied to his messages with the same singular word. If it hadn't been for the business alliance and the Snyders' deceit, Xavier would never have married a woman like Yvette. At the word "nanny", the rumbling in Yvette's ears returned. She swallowed, feeling a lump in her throat, and said bravely, "Xav, do you have someone that you like?" Her sudden question surprised Xavier. His eyes darkened. "What do you mean by that?" Yvette raised her head and stared at him, swallowing the bile rising in the back of her throat. "If you love someone else, you can be with her—" Before she could finish, Xavier interrupted her. "You're mad." ... After Xavier left, Yvette sat on the balcony alone, staring out into the cold rain. The sound of the raindrops drifted in and out of clarity. She took off her hearing aids, letting the world around her fall into silence. A month ago, her doctor had told her, "Ms. Snyder, there's been a pathological change in your auditory nerves and some of your cranial nerves, causing your hearing to worsen. If this goes on, you may lose your hearing completely." Not used to a silent world, Yvette went to the living room and turned on the television. She turned up the volume to the max, which allowed her to hear some sound. By coincidence, the television was showing an interview with Daphne Reyes, an internationally renowned singer known for her love songs. Yvette's hands trembled slightly as she gripped the remote control. Daphne was Xavier's first love. It had been a long time since Yvette had seen her, but Daphne was still as pretty as ever. She was confident and relaxed in front of the cameras, unlike the shy and frightened young woman who had begged the Snyders for sponsorship in the past. When the interviewer asked Daphne why she had returned to her home country, her answer was bold. "I came home to get my first love back." The remote control slipped out of Yvette's hands. Her heart also fell to her stomach. Flustered, Yvette turned off the television and went to the table to clean up the uneaten breakfast. When she got to the kitchen, she found that Xavier had forgotten to take his phone. She picked it up and saw the unread messages on the lock screen. "Xav, you must have been unhappy over the past few years, right?" "I know you don't love her. How about we meet up tonight? I've missed you." Yvette stared blankly at the messages until the screen went dark again. Then, she called a cab to Xavier's office. On the way, she stared out of the window. The rain fell incessantly. It felt like it would never stop. Xavier never liked it when Yvette visited him at his office, so whenever she was there, she would take the service elevator from the loading bay. When Xavier's assistant, Mark Xyrax, saw her, he just greeted her impassively, "Ms. Snyder." No one around Xavier considered Yvette his wife. She was nothing but a smear on his reputation. When Xavier saw Yvette bringing him his phone, he frowned. She was always like this. No matter what he forgot, be it his lunch, his documents, a shirt, or even an umbrella, she would bring them to him. "I thought I told you that you didn't need to deliver my things to me yourself." Yvette froze. "Sorry, I forgot." Since when had her memory been so bad? Maybe she had panicked after seeing Daphne's message and became afraid that Xavier would disappear from her life suddenly. Before she left, she looked back at Xavier. Unable to help herself, she blurted out, "Xav, do you still like Daphne?" Xavier thought that Yvette had been behaving rather strangely lately. She kept forgetting things and asking weird questions. How could a person like her be his wife? Impatiently, he replied, "If you have so much free time, go find yourself something to do." Yvette had tried getting a job before, but Xavier's mother, Shannon Guetta, had reprimanded her without holding back. "Do you want the whole world to know that Xav married a disabled woman with hearing issues?" Therefore, Yvette had given up on finding a job and focused on her fruitless life as "Mrs. Lane" at Dewberry Estate. … At home, she sat alone until nightfall. She couldn't sleep. Just then, the phone on her bedside table rang loudly. It was a call from an unfamiliar number. Yvette picked up the call. A familiar voice, yet one she dreaded, sounded from the other end. "Is this Yvvy? Xav is drunk. Can you come pick him up?" When Yvette arrived at Sternhow Club, she heard loud coaxing and jeering from the wealthy heirs inside the private room. "Daph, didn't you say you came back to get our dear Mr. Lane back into your arms? This is your chance now. Go on, tell him how you feel!" Daphne was a pretty woman who was popular wherever she went. She was also Xavier's first love, so the rich young men of the upper crust were happy to push the two together. Daphne wasn't shy at all. She turned to Xavier and said without any reservations, "I like you, Xav. Please be with me again." That was what Yvette heard when she arrived at the door of the private room. Inside, the other people were urging Xavier to answer Daphne. His best friend, Tristan Shaw, was the most vocal among them. "Xav, you've been waiting for Daphne for three years. She's back now. So, go on, answer her!" Yvette stood frozen outside the door. Her heart was pounding. Just then, one of the men pulled the door open. "Ms. Snyder?" Chapter 2 Everyone in the private room looked over at the door. For a moment, the room was eerily silent. Yvette immediately caught sight of Xavier in the middle of the room. His eyes were clear and bright. He was clearly not drunk. She knew that she had been tricked by Daphne. When Xavier saw Yvette, his pupils constricted. Everyone else in the room looked awkward, including Tristan, who had been the most vocal in getting Xavier to accept Daphne's confession earlier. Yvette shouldn't have gone there. Daphne was the first to break the silence. "Please don't get the wrong idea, Yvvy. Tristan was joking. Xavier and I are just friends." Before Yvette could answer, Xavier stood up impatiently. "There's no need to explain it to her." Then, he stalked over to Yvette. "What are you doing here?" "I thought you were drunk, so I came to take you home," Yvette answered truthfully. Xavier scoffed. "You really didn't retain anything I told you, did you?" Lowering his voice, he said softly so that only she could hear him, "Are you here to remind everyone that I was tricked into marrying you three years ago? Did you think they forgot?" Yvette was stunned. Xavier gave her a cold look. "Stop seeking attention. You're only making me hate you more." With that, he turned away, leaving Yvette standing alone. Yvette stared after his retreating figure, unable to snap out of her shock. None of the other scions in the room took pity on her when they saw Xavier ignoring her. Tristan even had no qualms in telling Daphne, who was feigning distress, "You're too kind, Daphne. You didn't need to explain anything. "If Yvette hadn't scammed Xav, he would've married you in the first place. You wouldn't have needed to suffer abroad as well." Despite the constant ringing in her ears, Yvette could still hear every word clearly. She knew better than anyone that even if Xavier hadn't married her, he wouldn't have married Daphne. Daphne was a nobody with no background, after all. Daphne was well aware of this as well. That was why she had chosen to break up with Xavier and leave the country. How had everything turned out to be Yvette's fault? When Yvette left Sternhow Club with her umbrella, she felt as if she had been enveloped by darkness. Just then, a lithe figure appeared beside her. It was Daphne. She was decked out in fine clothes, complete with high heels. She looked smug. "It's a cold night, isn't it? So, how does it feel to get scoffed at by Xavier after you came all the way here at this time to get him?" Yvette didn't answer her, but Daphne didn't mind her silence. She just continued speaking. "I do pity you, you know. You've never experienced true love before, have you? "Do you know that when I was with Xav, he would cook for me himself? When I was sick, he would drop everything and stay with me. "Has Xav ever told you he loves you? He used to say that to me all the time…" Yvette listened to Daphne's rambling quietly, her mind going over the past three years she had been married to Xavier. He had never so much as stepped into the kitchen during that time. When she had gotten sick, he had never comforted her. He had never told her he loved her either. … That night, Yvette couldn't fall asleep. She had only just found out that the man she had loved for the past 12 years had once loved another with all his heart, in the spectacular way that only young people could. At that moment, she realized that it was time for her to give him up. She had a sleepless night. The next morning, Xavier returned home. The glare he gave her was cold. "How attached are you to the Lane family's money, to me, your money-making robot?" he demanded. Yvette was stunned. She didn't know what had gotten into him so early in the morning. Instinctively, she said, "I never wanted your money." She had only ever wanted Xavier. Xavier laughed in disdain. "Then, why did your mother come to my office and beg me to give you a child?" Yvette was stunned. She stared into Xavier's eyes. It was only then that she realized that he wasn't angry about what had happened last night. Xavier had no desire to waste his breath on her. "If you want to continue staying with me and keep your family afloat, tell your mother to behave herself!" ... In the end, Yvette didn't need to look for Yara. Yara found Yvette instead. She was no longer cold and distant; she gripped Yvette's hands and said gently, "Yvvy, you should ask Xavier to give you a child. He doesn't have to do it biologically. He could do it through scientific measures." Scientific measures. Yvette stared at Yara in shock as the latter continued, "Daphne told me that Xavier hasn't slept with you in the past three years." That was the last straw for Yvette. She didn't know why Xavier would tell Daphne about that. Maybe he really loved Daphne a lot. With that thought, she suddenly felt relieved. "Just let it go, Mom." Yara paused. She frowned. "What?" "I'm tired. I want to get a divorce—" Before she could finish, Yara slapped her hard across the face. The kind, motherly facade was gone in an instant. She jabbed a finger at Yvette and gritted out, "You have no right to ask for a divorce! "Without the Lane family, what do you think you're going to do? Who's going to remarry a disabled divorcee like you?" Yvette felt her body go numb. Yara had never liked Yvette, even when the latter had been a child. Yara had been a famous dancer. The fact that she had given birth to a daughter with hearing issues was one of her biggest regrets. Therefore, she had sent Yvette away to be taken care of by a nanny. She had only allowed Yvette to return home when the latter started school. People used to tell Yvette that every mother loved their child. So, she had done everything she could to excel at everything in hopes of making Yara happy. Despite her hearing issues, she had been at the top of her class in dance, music, and art classes. But no matter how hard she tried, Yara still didn't consider her a good daughter. In Yara's words, Yvette wasn't "complete". Not only physically, but also in love and familial relationships. After Yara left, Yvette used some makeup to cover up the red print on her face. Then, she packed her bags quietly. Even after three years of married life, all her personal belongings fit into a single suitcase. After she finished packing up, she gathered her courage and sent Xavier a message. "Are you free tonight? I need to talk to you." Xavier didn't reply to her. Yvette's eyes darkened. She knew that he didn't want to reply to her messages. All she could do was wait for him to come home in the morning. She had thought that he wouldn't come home that night, but he got back at midnight. Yvette wasn't asleep at the time. She went up to him and took his coat and bag from him with familiarity in her actions. It was as if they were a normal married couple. Xavier's cold voice broke the peace. "Don't send me inane texts again." As Yvette held Xavier's coat, her hand trembled slightly. "I won't do it again," she mumbled. Xavier didn't notice anything wrong with her tone. He went straight to his study. Generally, if he came home, he would stay holed up in his study. He probably thought that someone who was hard of hearing would live in a silent world. Either that, or he simply didn't care about Yvette. That would explain why he got straight to discussing his acquisition of Snyder Group in his study as if nothing was wrong. When Yvette brought him some soup, she heard Xavier animatedly discussing work with his employees. He was talking about the acquisition of Snyder Group, her father, James Snyder's company. She didn't know how to feel about that. She knew that her brother, Terrence Synder, was useless at running a business, so it was only a matter of time before Snyder Group fell. However, she had never thought that her own husband would be the first to cause Snyder Group's downfall. "Xav," she interrupted. Xavier was slightly startled. Out of guilt, or maybe some other emotion, he quickly hung up the phone and closed his laptop. Feigning ignorance, Yvette walked into the study and placed the bowl in front of him. "Have some soup, then get to bed soon. Your health is more important than work." For some reason, Xavier felt himself relax when he heard her soft voice. She probably hadn't heard anything. Feeling conflicted, he stopped Yvette before she could leave. "You said you wanted to talk to me. What is it?" Hearing this, Yvette turned back to look at him. Softly, she said, "I just wanted to ask if you're free in the morning so we can go and file for divorce." Chapter 3 Yvette's voice was calm and impassive, as though divorce were a menial matter to her. Xavier's pupils contracted. "What did you just say?" Over the last three years, no matter what he had done, Yvette had never brought up divorce. In truth, Xavier knew that Yvette loved him. Her eyes, which were usually dull and empty, were clear and bright now. "I'm sorry for being a burden over the last few years, Mr. Lane. We should get divorced." Xavier clenched his fists unconsciously. "You heard what I said earlier, didn't you? Snyder Group was already failing; it won't matter whether I buy it or someone else does. What are you trying to do by bringing up divorce? "Is it because you want money? Or a child? Or do you want me to leave Snyder Group alone?" he asked coldly. "Don't forget that I don't love you. Your threats won't work on me!" At that moment, he seemed like a stranger to Yvette. A lump formed in her throat as her ears began throbbing. Even though she was wearing her hearing aids, she could barely hear what Xavier was saying. She could only answer his last question. "I don't want anything." Afraid that he would notice something wrong with her, Yvette left the study in a hurry. As he watched her leave, Xavier felt frustrated for some reason. He had never felt like this before. Not one to hold in his emotions, he flipped the table over. The bowl of soup that Yvette had brought him spilled all over the ground. ... Back in her own room, Yvette forced herself to swallow a handful of pills. She reached up to touch her ear. As she retracted her fingers, she saw crimson blood on them. Thanks to the medicine, her hearing recovered a little by the time it was dawn. Yvette stared blankly at the soft rays of sunlight streaming from the window. "The rain has stopped," she said quietly to herself. Xavier didn't leave the manor that day. He was in the living room bright and early, settled on the couch, waiting for Yvette to apologize and express her regret to him. This wasn't the first time Yvette had lost her temper with him. However, after every tantrum, she would apologize to him before long. Xavier figured that it would be the same this time around. Soon, he saw Yvette coming out of her room, all freshened up. She wore her usual dark-colored clothes. She dragged a suitcase with one hand while holding a piece of paper in the other. She handed the paper to him. It was a divorce agreement. "Let me know when you have time, Xav." With that, she left the manor, pulling her suitcase behind her. It was bright and sunny outside. Yvette felt as if she had gotten a new chance at life. Meanwhile, Xavier sat frozen on the couch, still clutching the divorce agreement in his hand. It took him a long time to come back to his senses. It was Saturday. Usually, around this time of the year, Xavier would take Yvette back to his hometown to pay respects to his ancestors. During this time, they would have to endure strange looks from his extended family. However, he was alone that day, which made him extraordinarily happy. At Lane Mansion, Shannon and the rest of the Lanes were surprised to see him alone. In the past, Yvette had always been the first one to turn up every year and the last to leave since she had been trying to please everyone. Why wasn't she there today? Shanon frowned and asked Xavier, "Where's Yvette, Xav?" Xavier's expression turned cold. "She wanted a divorce and left me." Everyone fell silent in disbelief when he said that. Shannon was shocked. She knew that Yvette probably loved Xavier more than anything in the world, only surpassed by his own parents. Seven years ago, Yvette had even protected Xavier with her own body when someone had attempted to stab him. Four years ago, not long after the two had gotten engaged, something had happened to Xavier while he had been on a business trip in Dibay. Everyone had been convinced that he was dead, but Yvette had refused to believe that. She had dropped everything and gone to the foreign city just to look for him. Then, after they had gotten married, Yvette had taken care of almost everything in his life with meticulous precision, including being polite to everyone around him, even his secretaries. She had always been afraid of offending them. Yvette clearly couldn't live without Xavier. So, why had she suggested getting a divorce? Shannon had no idea, but she was glad that Yvette had finally decided to let Xavier go. "She's not worthy to be your wife anyway. It's a good thing that you're divorcing her. She doesn't deserve you," she said The others immediately chimed in. "Yeah, you're young and handsome, Xav. You're in your best years now. Yvette's been dragging you down all this time!" Instantly, the gathering turned into a slander fest. They spoke of Yvette as if she were an unforgivable criminal. Xavier should have felt happy that they were defending him, but for some reason, he found their words too sharp and crass. He left Lane Mansion earlier than usual and made his way back to Dewberry Estate. The sky was just starting to darken when he arrived home. He opened the door and entered the manor. When he saw nothing but darkness, he remembered, with a start, that Yvette had left. He changed into his house slippers and tossed his coat into the washer. For some reason, he felt unusually exhausted today. He went to the wine cellar to get a bottle of wine so that he could celebrate Yvette's leaving. However, when he got to the wine cellar and saw the locked door, he realized too late that he didn't have the key. He didn't like strangers in his house, so there were no maids or servants at Dewberry Estate. Ever since he had married Yvette, she had been the one taking care of the household affairs. He could only go back to his room. Picking up his phone, he scrolled through his messages only to find work-related texts. Yvette hadn't called or texted him to apologize at all. Tossing his phone aside, he got up and headed over to the kitchen. When he opened the door of the fridge, he was stunned. Apart from food, there were also a lot of supplements. He picked one of the bags up and read the instructions on it. "Take five times a day for incapable of conceived." He took a whiff of the supplement. It smelled disgusting. He recalled that Yvette always smelled strange. So, this was why. He scoffed silently. They had never slept, so no matter how much medicine she took, she would never have gotten conceived. ... Meanwhile, over in a dark and dinky hotel, Yvette opened her eyes blearily. Her head was pounding. The world was silent. She knew, then, that her condition had worsened again. Before this, she had still been able to hear some sounds, even without her hearing aids. She pushed herself up and felt around on the bedside table until she found her medicine. She popped the pills in her mouth, tasting their bitterness. The day before, she had left Dewberry Estate, which had been her home for the past three years. At first, she had gone to her parents' house, Snyder Residence. However, at the door, she had overheard Yara and Terrence discussing how they would marry her off to an old man if the Lanes kicked her out. Yvette had blanked upon hearing that. It was then that she finally realized that she had no place to call home anymore. Even though she hadn't eaten anything in two days, she still didn't feel hungry. However, it was too quiet. The silence scared her. It had been raining more frequently in Tirion this year than it had in previous years. Yvette stared out at the passing pedestrians. Most of them were paired up or in groups. She was the only one alone. She bought a bus ticket heading out of the city. She decided to go to her nanny's house in the countryside. Viola Xenos, her nanny, had taken care of her when she was a child. It was already 9:00 pm when Yvette got there. When Viola saw Yvette, she looked pleasantly surprised. Yvette teared up when she saw Viola's warm smile. She reached out to her and hugged her. "Viola." Due to health issues, Viola had never married and didn't have children of her own. Yvette was closer to her than she was to her own mother. That night, Yvette cuddled up in Viola's embrace, just like she had when she was a child. Viola wrapped her arms around Yvette, only to realize that the latter was very thin. She pressed a hand on the Yvette's bony back, trembling uncontrollably. Forcing herself to calm down, she asked cautiously, "Has Xavier been treating you well, Yvvy?" Yvette felt a sharp pain in her throat when she heard Xavier's name. She wanted to lie to Viola and tell her that Xavier had treated her well, but she knew that Viola wasn't silly. Since she had already made up her mind to leave him, there was no need to lie to herself or to the people who loved her any longer. "The person he loves has returned. I've decided to let him go and divorce him." Viola was stunned. She couldn't believe her ears. Yvette had told her multiple times before that she wanted to spend the rest of her life with Xavier. Not knowing what else to say, she comforted Yvette by telling her that there were plenty of other fish in the sea. There was bound to be one who would love her. Yvette just nodded silently. The buzzing in her ears drowned out Viola's comforting voice. That night, she managed to get a good night's sleep, which was rare. However, when she woke up, she was greeted with the alarming sight of blood staining the spot where her head had laid on the pillow. Yvette touched her right ear. Her fingers felt sticky. She looked at her hand. It was covered in blood. Chapter 4 Even Yvette's hearing aids were stained red. Her pupils contracted, and she quickly grabbed some tissues to wipe her ear. Then, she stripped the bedsheets and washed them. She was afraid that Viola would worry about her if she found out that her illness was worsening. So, she cleaned up the mess and found an excuse to bid goodbye to Viola. Before she left, she placed a part of her savings on the bedside table without telling Viola. Viola walked Yvette to the bus stop and waved goodbye reluctantly. … After Yvette left, Viola couldn't stop thinking about how thin the former was. Unable to just sit by, she called Lane Group. When the secretary heard that Viola was Yvette's nanny and wanted to speak to Xavier, she transferred the call to Xavier's line. It was the third day after Yvette had left Xavier. It was also the first time in three days that he had received a call about her. Sitting behind his desk, he felt exceptionally pleased. Just as he had expected, Yvette wouldn't be able to last more than three days without him—or so he thought. Viola's voice came through the other line, sounding weighed with age. "Mr. Lane, I am Yvvy's nanny. I've been taking care of her since she was a baby. "Please, I beg you, treat her well. Don't hurt her more than you already have. She's not as strong as she seems on the surface. "When she was born, Mrs. Snyder left her in my care because she didn't like that Yvvy is hard of hearing. Yvvy only returned home when she had to start going to school. "The Snyders have never treated her as one of their own. Apart from Mr. Snyder, everyone else treated her like she was a maid. "You and Mr. Snyder are the most important people she has in this world. I'm begging you, please. Please be kind to her." Xavier's mood darkened when he heard what Viola said. "Did she tell you to give me this sob story because she didn't want to face me herself?" he asked coldly. "Why should I care about her life? If you ask me, she deserved everything she got!" That said, he hung up the phone without waiting for an answer. Viola had heard Yvette gushing about how nice Xavier was to her. So, it was only then that she realized the truth—Xavier wasn't a good man at all. He wasn't a good husband to Yvette. ... Yvette sat on the bus, heading home. Just then, her phone vibrated. It was a message from Xavier. "You said you wanted to get divorced, right? I'll see you at 10:00 am tomorrow." Yvette stared at the text blankly for a while before replying, "Okay." Just one word. It infuriated Xavier and completely ruined his mood. Unable to work anymore, he called up his friends and invited them out for drinks. Daphne was also at the club when he arrived. "I'm not going home until I'm drunk!" she declared. Tristan sat down beside Xavier. He couldn't help asking curiously, "How's Deaf Yvvy?" Xavier raised an eyebrow at him. "There's no need to talk about her ever again. We're filing for divorce tomorrow." Tristan was stunned. He couldn't believe his ears. "Really?" Beside them, Daphne brightened. She poured out a shot for him. "Congrats on getting back your freedom, Xav!" Xavier drank a lot that night. Daphne offered to send him home, but he rejected her suggestion. "No need. It's not appropriate." If he and Yvette were going to get divorced tomorrow, she might come home that night. Daphne wasn't happy about the rejection. "Why? You're divorcing her anyway. Why wouldn't it be appropriate? Are you still scared that she might find out about our relationship?" Their relationship? Xavier narrowed his eyes. "You're overthinking this." He got into his own car. Out of consideration, he also called a cab to send Daphne home. On the drive home, he kept unlocking his phone to check if Yvette had sent him any messages. She hadn't. When he reached Dewberry Estate, it was dark. With a stormy expression, Xavier opened the door and turned on the light. Yvette was nowhere to be seen. She hadn't come home. The manor was left exactly the way it had been when she had left. Still feeling the effects of the wine, Xavier threw himself heavily onto the couch and soon fell asleep. In his nightmares, Yvette was covered in blood, but there was a smile on her face. "I don't love you anymore, Xav," she said. When Xavier jolted awake, the sky outside had just brightened up. He rubbed his forehead and went to the bathroom to freshen himself up. Then, he changed into a smart suit and made his way to the courthouse. At the entrance of the courthouse, he spotted Yvette standing under a tree not far off. As usual, she was dressed in dark-colored clothes. From the distance, she looked incredibly frail and thin as she stood amid the drizzle. It was as if a single gust of wind could knock her over. Xavier could still remember how young and lively she had been when they had first gotten married. She hadn't been as thin and gloomy back then. Holding an umbrella, he walked toward Yvette. It took her a few moments to notice him. Xiaver hadn't changed much over the last three years. He was as handsome and as confident as ever, with the added hint of matureness that came with age. Yvette was a little dazed. The last three years felt like a blink in time to her, yet she also seemed to have exhausted a whole lifetime. Xavier stalked over to Yvette and gazed at her coldly. He was waiting for her to apologize to him. She had been sulking enough. It was time to put an end to this. However, Yvette just said, "I'm sorry to pull you away from your work. Let's go in." Xavier stiffened, but he quickly recovered. "Don't regret this." With that, he turned and headed into the courthouse. Yvette stared after him sadly. Would she regret this? She didn't know either. In the courthouse, the judge asked them if they were sure about going through with the divorce. Yvette's answer was firm. "Yes." Her determined expression frustrated Xavier. After filing for divorce, they still had to return to the courthouse in a month. If they didn't show up, then the divorce would be considered null. As they left the courthouse, Yvette looked at Xavier, her expression unusually calm. "I'll see you next month. Take care." With that, she stepped out into the rain, hailed a cab, and left. Xavier was left standing on the spot. He didn't know how to feel as he watched her car leave. Relieved, probably. Relieved that he wouldn't need to put up with her any longer or endure others' ridicule for having a disabled wife. ... In the cab, Yvette leaned against the window and stared blankly at the rain droplets on the glass. In the rearview mirror, the driver suddenly saw blood dripping from her ear. He was shocked by the sight. "Miss? Miss!" Yvette didn't answer him. The driver hastily stopped the car. Yvette was confused. They weren't at her destination yet. Why had they stopped? She looked over at the driver and saw him mouthing silently. She realized that she had gone deaf again. "I'm sorry, I can't hear you. What are you saying?" In the end, the driver had to type out what he wanted to say on his phone so that he could tell her about her bleeding ear. Yvette reached out belatedly and felt the warm sensation in her ear. She was used to it now. "It's alright. This happens all the time. I'm fine." She was hard of hearing, but her ears hadn't bled like this before. Two years ago, at a gathering, Tristan had pushed her into a swimming pool. Yvette didn't know how to swim, so she had almost drowned. At the same time, her eardrums had also expanded due to the pressure. She had been sent to the hospital, but the damage had been done. At the time, she had been told that everything was fine. Why was this happening again? The cab driver was still worried, so he dropped her off at the hospital she told him. After thanking him, Yvette went into the hospital on her own. This time, she saw her usual doctor, Tom Jensen. "Dr. Jensen, my memory has been rather bad lately. I kept forgetting what I'm doing," she said. When she had woken up at the hotel that morning, it had taken her a long time to remember that she had to file for divorce with Xavier. Tom looked at her latest report worriedly. "Ms. Snyder, I think you should consider getting tested for other things. Specifically, mental health issues." Mental health… Following Tom's recommendation, Yvette went and got a psychiatric diagnosis. She was diagnosed with depression. It turned out that patients with severe depression often experienced memory loss. Before heading back to the hotel, Yvette stopped and bought a notebook and a pen. She wrote down everything that had happened lately. She placed the notebook right beside her bed so that it would be the first thing she saw when she woke up in the morning. News of her and Xavier's divorce spread quickly. That night, Yara called her multiple times, but she didn't hear anything. … When she woke up the next morning, she saw a barrage of texts from Yara. "Where are you?" "Who do you think you are? Even if you're getting a divorce, Xavier should have been the one to ask for it!" "You're such a jinx! Back when you got married, your dad got into a car crash and died. What's going to happen now that you're getting divorced? Do you want Snyder Group to go bankrupt? Is that it?" Yvette stared at the messages. She was used to the verbal bully by now. She typed out a reply. "Mom, it's time that we live by our own merits. We shouldn't depend on others so much." Yara's response was swift. "You're such an ingrate! I shouldn't have given birth to you in the first place!" Yvette didn't bother replying to that. She placed her phone aside. She just had to wait a month. Once the divorce was finalized, she would be able to leave Tirion and start a new life. … Yvette's health worsened over the next few days. She often found herself completely deaf. Sometimes, it took a very long time for her hearing to go back to normal. Her memory was deteriorating too. On the bright side, even though her hearing loss was incurable, at least she could do something about the depression. She tried everything she could to keep herself happy. She busied herself by registering as a volunteer online. She spent time taking care of abandoned old people and orphans. Helping them made her feel like she had a reason to continue living. A few days later, Yvette woke up in the morning and checked her notebook as usual. Then, she got ready to head out to the orphanage. When she picked up her phone, she saw several unread messages. There were messages from Terrance and Yara, as well as Daphne. She opened the texts one by one. Yara: "As you wished, Snyder Group is no more." Terrence: "Keep hiding. You're the most cowardly and cruel person I've ever seen." Daphne: "My condolences, Yvette. Actually, I think Snyder Group would thrive better under Xav." Daphne: "Since your family has helped me so much in the past, do let me know if you need anything. I'll help you if I can." Yvette had no idea what was happening. She closed the messaging app. Almost immediately, she got a notification about the latest news. Chapter 5 Yvette watched the news and saw the press conference held by Lane Group. It was an announcement that Xavier had successfully acquired Snyder Group. James' company no longer existed in the world. … Things on Xavier's end had been extra pleasant lately. He had acquired Snyder Group and gotten his revenge. "The Snyder family finally got what they deserved for tricking you into that marriage three years ago." Tristan chuckled. Yet, he changed the topic in the next instant. He asked Xavier, "Xav, has Deaf Yvvy approached you during the past few days?" Xavier froze halfway through signing a document. He didn't know why, but people around him kept mentioning Yvette these days. "No," he replied coldly. That shocked Tristan. After all, how could Yvette not do anything when something this massive had happened to her family? With that in mind, he spoke again. "Could it be that she's finally come around? I heard her family has been looking everywhere for her. Nobody knows where she's gone—" He kept blabbering on. Xavier frowned, feeling utterly annoyed. "Get out!" Tristan jolted. That was when he realized that Xavier was furious. Not daring to say another word, Tristan bolted out of the CEO's office. Once outside, he took his phone and called his assistant, Avery Fitzpatrick. "Have you found Yvette?" "Yes, she's in a small hotel in Hexim Pass," answered Avery. Tristan had Avery send him the location before he drove there. He refused to let Yvette off the hook so easily. So what if she was willing to divorce Xavier now? She had already prevented Xavier and Daphne from being together for over three years! Besides, Daphne had saved Tristan's life once, so he owed her. It rained outside. Yvette finished her volunteer work and picked up her medication from the hospital. Then, she held an umbrella while walking back to the hotel. There were very few people on the road. Tristan drove his car but kept his eyes on Yvette's slim back. He deliberately sped up as he drove past her, sending a puddle of rainwater splashing onto her. Yvette shot him a blank stare. Tristan happened to meet her emotionless gaze through his rearview mirror. He didn't know why, but he felt inexplicably nervous. Yvette recognized Tristan's luxurious, dark gray Bugatti. Yet, she retracted her gaze and pretended not to notice him. Even so, Tristan refused to stop there. He deliberately slowed his car and followed her. "Hey, Deaf Yvvy. So, you have a temper now, huh? "You're not even going to greet me now? Didn't you used to love greeting me? Didn't you enjoy tickling my fancy?" Yvette remained stoic while the former mocked her. She used to do everything to win over those around Xavier, including his friends. It was all because she liked him. She had figured that Xavier's family and friends would one day accept her. Alas, it seemed she had been too naïve. At the previous gathering, Tristan had declared that he was Daphne's friend. He couldn't care less about maintaining his gentlemanly, upper-class image when siding with Daphne. He had insulted Yvette and called her shameless. In the end, he had also thrown her into the pool, leaving her to die. Since then, Yvette had steered clear of him. Upon receiving no reaction or response from Yvette, Tristan stopped the car, opened the door, and strolled toward her. He grabbed her arm and asked, "What stunts are you planning to pull this time?" Yvette's arm hurt, so she looked up at him. "I don't know what you're saying." She wanted to pry his hand off her arm, but he flung her aside. "Don't touch me with your filthy hands!" Tristan bellowed. Yvette stumbled backward before falling to the ground with a loud thud. Tristan froze on the spot in slight disbelief. It baffled him to see Yvette resorting to such tricks. He had only pushed her with a slight force, so how could she fall like that? Seeing people looking their way, he nervously got back into his car. Still, he gave her a warning before driving away. "Don't mess with Daph just because you're a disabled person, Yvette! "She's different from you. It's taken her a lot of effort to get to where she is now, so you'd better not disrupt her and Xav's relationship again!" After driving away, he even told the Snyder family where Yvette was staying. Yvette's hands and knees were scraped when she fell. It hurt so much that she couldn't stand for a long time. Deep down, she didn't understand why Tristan was so blind to what was right and wrong. She recalled risking her life to rescue him from a car that had been about to explode four years ago. His face had been covered in blood, and his eyes hadn't been visible. However, he had spoken in the warmest voice. He had said, "Thank you. I promise I'll repay you someday." Yvette couldn't help but bitterly wonder if this was his way of repaying her. … Once Yvette returned to the hotel, she took a shower and applied medication to her scraped skin. Then, she lay down in a daze. The fall hardened her determination to leave Xavier for good. … The sun was shining brightly outside when Yvette woke up. She got up and headed to the living area, only to see Yara sitting on the couch, wearing a formal dress. Yara didn't seem to care one bit that Yvette had just woken up. She picked the document off the coffee table and handed it to the latter. "Take a good look at this. It's the backup plan I've selected for you." Yvette accepted the document but saw the title "prenuptial agreement" on the cover. She flipped through the pages while reading the contents aloud. "Ms. Yvette Snyder will marry Mr. Liam Lorimer. As his wife, she'll devote herself to him and look after him until the end of his life. Liam will look after Yvette's family, which includes maintaining their quality of life. He'll also provide 300 million as funds for the Snyder family." Following that, the document stated Liam's details. He was an entrepreneur from the older generation in Tirion. He was 78 years old that year. Yvette's mind tensed. At that moment, Yara spoke up again. "Mr. Lorimer has expressed that he doesn't mind that you were married before. "He'll help revive our family's reputation from the ashes, as long as you marry him. Come on, dearest. You wouldn't let me and Terrence down, right?" Yvette's face paled even more. "I can't agree to what you're asking of me." Yara had never imagined that Yvette would reject her so candidly. She blew up in a fit of rage at once. "What right do you have to refuse? I gave you life!" Hearing that, Yvette met Yara's gaze. "How about I return my life to you? Would that mean I no longer owe you?" "What did you say?" Yara shrilled. Yvette's pale lips moved as she said, "If I returned my life to you, would it mean you'd no longer be my mother? And I'll no longer be indebted to you for giving birth to me?" Yara sneered, not believing Yvette would dare do such a thing. "Okay, then. I won't force you to marry Mr. Lorimer if you give your life back to me. But the question is, do you have the guts to do it?" "Give me a month." Yvette seemed determined. In Yara's eyes, Yvette seemed like a crazed person. She warned, "You'd best not threaten me by only saying you'll end your life. We're not that close, so I don't care if you die. However, you must sign this document if you're too afraid to end your life." … Yvette had suppressed all her emotions to the brim and needed to vent somewhere. So, she went to a bar. She sat in a corner, drinking and watching the crowd happily dance in a daze. That was when a dashing man with striking eyes noticed Yvette, who was all alone. He approached and asked, "Yvette?" Yvette stared at the man but didn't recognize him. Still dazed, she asked, "Do you know how one can achieve happiness?" The man was confused. "What did you say?" Yvette continued drinking as she spoke. "The doctor says I'm ill and should try to be happier, but I can't make myself feel happy…" That sparked discomfort in the man, Claude Lander. He wondered if Yvette had forgotten about him. Also, he was confused by what she said—something about being ill and needing to be happier. "You shouldn't be in a place like this if you want to be happy. Why don't I drive you home?" Claude spoke in a gentle tone. A smile curved across Yvette's face as she looked at him. "You're a good person." Complex emotions stirred in Claude when he saw her bitter smile. He wondered what she had been through these past few years. Why did she seem so sorrowful? Meanwhile, Xavier was also at the bar. After settling the divorce papers, he had let himself loose every night. On top of that, he hadn't returned to Dewberry Estate in a long time. It was getting late. When the crowd was about to leave, Daphne noticed a familiar figure in a corner of the bar. She exclaimed, "Isn't that Yvvy?" Xavier glanced in the direction Daphne was staring in and saw a man merrily chatting with Yvette. His expression soured at once. He was disappointed in Yvette for getting drunk at a bar and chatting up another man. He felt like he had thought too highly of her before. "Should we go and check up on her, Xav?" asked Daphne. "No," was all Xavier said before speedily leaving. On the other hand, Yvette declined Claude's offer. "There's no need to trouble yourself. I can go home on my own." Claude was still worried about Yvette, so he ran after her when he noticed her leaving the bar. "Do you really not remember me?" Yvette gazed at him but couldn't recall who he was. "It's Chubbs. Have you forgotten?" Claude reminded her. Only then did Yvette remember her friend, Chubbs, whom she met when she had been living with Viola in the countryside. Back then, Claude had been chubbier and nowhere near Yvette's height. Yet, his six-foot-two-inch frame now towered over her. He had even grown to have handsome features. "I remember now! You've changed so much. I didn't even recognize you!" said Yvette. Meeting an old friend away from home was a pleasant thing. But only a slight smile curved on Yvette's face. That upset Claude. "Come on. I'll drive you home," Claude stated. When he dropped her off, he was shocked to learn she lived in a run-down hotel. Yvette shifted in embarrassment. "Sorry, it's not a glamorous place. Please don't tell Viola I'm living in such a place. I don't want her to worry." Claude nodded. Since it was getting late, it was unwise for him to stay longer. So, he left after telling Yvette he would visit her the next day. He didn't notice the matte black car lingering in a dark area beneath the hotel as he walked out. Now that Claude had left, Yvette felt dizzy and had an upset stomach from drinking too much. That was when someone knocked hard on the door. Yvette had just opened the door when Xavier grabbed her wrist. He exerted so much strength on her slender wrist that it felt close to snapping in half. "You've made me look at you in a new light, Yvette!" Xavier snarled while shutting and locking the door. He then forcefully led her to the couch. He sneered with words as sharp and lethal as a blade, "So, you've already settled on which family you'll marry into next, huh? I knew you wouldn't be so willing to let me go for no reason!" Yvette didn't know why he had come over, nor did she know how he had seen Claude. She was only briefly dazed. Once she snapped out of it, she shot a furious look at Xavier and didn't bother explaining herself to him. The rims of her eyes reddened. "You and I aren't that different from each other." The Snyder family had tricked Xavier into marrying Yvette. However, Xavier had treated her coldly for three years while remaining entangled with his first love. Neither Xavier nor Yvette was a better person than the other. Xavier had also drunk some wine, so he reeked of it. Eyes reddening, he pinched Yvette's chin and spoke with a dangerously low voice. "Who is he? When did you guys meet?" That was the first time Yvette had seen him behave like this. She suddenly chuckled. "Are you jealous?" Xavier's gaze grew tense as he scoffed. "You're unworthy of such a reaction." Yvette became choked up. That was when Xavier leaned in domineeringly and continued interrogating her. "Has he already touched you? Huh?" In her three years of marriage, Yvette had given up on her work and declined to meet her friends whenever they had occasionally invited her out. She had done so to obey the Lane family's rules. But now Xavier was suspicious of her. Relief washed over Yvette just then. She questioned him back, "What do you think?" That utterly angered Xavier, and his heated hands started travelling down her body. | Read freely | 18 | https://facebook.com/61557986570531 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1715324400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841195 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682329 | 1723710538 | 858 | 1457265871529992 | 1 | 1.3897169785739E+15 | 1716620400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 294527430678616 | 0 | Servall Martin | 120210487194700370 | servallpestcontrol.com | Contact Us | NONE | carousel | Gutter Solutions For Dry Homes | Gutter guard protection! | https://www.servallpestcontrol.com/ | 1710172974 | 2.9452743067862E+14 | Servall Martin | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/432252311_735374178788446_4142605466614271796_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=xVMUMyzKbJMQ7kNvgHQzx55&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYCoh43y9xaorhPPY4ZC1-NzgJTvW2mjgANhRE-9W-BJiA&oe=665853E4 | person_profile | 0 | Servall Martin | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/432280469_2714175705398879_4118516942423375862_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=SK8XqWibK-QQ7kNvgGKBkxm&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYDPuOiXI3_ty95GEv0Ffdee2jBz2QNb1Gxt6BpMUzulCg&oe=66584038 | 0 | 3 | Gutter guard protection! | Servall Martin | 1238 | https://facebook.com/ServallMartin | 0 | CONTACT_US | 1710572400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841196 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682329 | 1723710539 | 858 | 1457265871529992 | 1 | 1.3897169785739E+15 | 1716620400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 294527430678616 | 0 | Servall Martin | 120210487194700370 | servallpestcontrol.com | Contact Us | NONE | carousel | Gutter Solutions For Dry Homes | Gutter guard protection! | https://www.servallpestcontrol.com/ | 1710172974 | 2.9452743067862E+14 | Servall Martin | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/432252311_735374178788446_4142605466614271796_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=xVMUMyzKbJMQ7kNvgHQzx55&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYCoh43y9xaorhPPY4ZC1-NzgJTvW2mjgANhRE-9W-BJiA&oe=665853E4 | person_profile | 0 | Servall Martin | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/432280469_2714175705398879_4118516942423375862_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=SK8XqWibK-QQ7kNvgGKBkxm&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYDPuOiXI3_ty95GEv0Ffdee2jBz2QNb1Gxt6BpMUzulCg&oe=66584038 | 0 | 3 | Gutter guard protection! | Servall Martin | 1238 | https://facebook.com/ServallMartin | 0 | CONTACT_US | 1710572400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841197 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682329 | 1723710539 | 858 | 1457265871529992 | 1 | 1.3897169785739E+15 | 1716620400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 294527430678616 | 0 | Servall Martin | 120210487194700370 | servallpestcontrol.com | Contact Us | NONE | carousel | Gutter Solutions For Dry Homes | Gutter guard protection! | https://www.servallpestcontrol.com/ | 1710172974 | 2.9452743067862E+14 | Servall Martin | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/432252311_735374178788446_4142605466614271796_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=xVMUMyzKbJMQ7kNvgHQzx55&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYCoh43y9xaorhPPY4ZC1-NzgJTvW2mjgANhRE-9W-BJiA&oe=665853E4 | person_profile | 0 | Servall Martin | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/432280469_2714175705398879_4118516942423375862_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=SK8XqWibK-QQ7kNvgGKBkxm&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYDPuOiXI3_ty95GEv0Ffdee2jBz2QNb1Gxt6BpMUzulCg&oe=66584038 | 0 | 3 | Gutter guard protection! | Servall Martin | 1238 | https://facebook.com/ServallMartin | 0 | CONTACT_US | 1710572400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841198 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682329 | 1723710539 | 858 | 1457265871529992 | 1 | 1.3897169785739E+15 | 1716620400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 294527430678616 | 0 | Servall Martin | 120210487194700370 | servallpestcontrol.com | Contact Us | NONE | carousel | Gutter Solutions For Dry Homes | Gutter guard protection! | https://www.servallpestcontrol.com/ | 1710172974 | 2.9452743067862E+14 | Servall Martin | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/432252311_735374178788446_4142605466614271796_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=xVMUMyzKbJMQ7kNvgHQzx55&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYCoh43y9xaorhPPY4ZC1-NzgJTvW2mjgANhRE-9W-BJiA&oe=665853E4 | person_profile | 0 | Servall Martin | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/432280469_2714175705398879_4118516942423375862_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=SK8XqWibK-QQ7kNvgGKBkxm&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYDPuOiXI3_ty95GEv0Ffdee2jBz2QNb1Gxt6BpMUzulCg&oe=66584038 | 0 | 3 | Gutter guard protection! | Servall Martin | 1238 | https://facebook.com/ServallMartin | 0 | CONTACT_US | 1710572400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841194 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682329 | 1723710539 | 858 | 1457265871529992 | 1 | 1.3897169785739E+15 | 1716620400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 294527430678616 | 0 | Servall Martin | 120210487194700370 | servallpestcontrol.com | Contact Us | NONE | carousel | Gutter Solutions For Dry Homes | Gutter guard protection! | https://www.servallpestcontrol.com/ | 1710172974 | 2.9452743067862E+14 | Servall Martin | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/432252311_735374178788446_4142605466614271796_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=xVMUMyzKbJMQ7kNvgHQzx55&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYCoh43y9xaorhPPY4ZC1-NzgJTvW2mjgANhRE-9W-BJiA&oe=665853E4 | person_profile | 0 | Servall Martin | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/432280469_2714175705398879_4118516942423375862_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=SK8XqWibK-QQ7kNvgGKBkxm&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYDPuOiXI3_ty95GEv0Ffdee2jBz2QNb1Gxt6BpMUzulCg&oe=66584038 | 0 | 3 | Gutter guard protection! | Servall Martin | 1238 | https://facebook.com/ServallMartin | 0 | CONTACT_US | 1710572400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841064 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 6/8/25, 6:17 PM | 1716682322 | 1749424632 | 858 | 481369540909827 | 1 | 1.2705164739091E+15 | 1716620400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 465231436915042 | 0 | Round Hill Pines Beach Resort | 120209928064440713 | roundhillpinesresort.com | Learn more | NONE | image | Purely Lake Tahoe. | Free parking after 5pm | https://www.roundhillpinesresort.com/ | 1716313393 | 4.6523143691504E+14 | Round Hill Pines Beach Resort | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/442399839_1155585775792639_3141734500634698788_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=FWi7ioCrwEYQ7kNvgH7WQZ1&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYAe9xl2ALLXGe_M5g2gGBdzv_k0ikCVLvCx-bjSJc2XcA&oe=66585D05 | person_profile | 0 | Round Hill Pines Beach Resort | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441494432_1443238833234526_5087560177690967038_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=HTnBPrfkHEIQ7kNvgG_Hssy&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYBxk1j9PzeYhiBYFjpMXo-SfsnX1rc1a5SoSHsVDQi23g&oe=66583552 | 0 | 3 | When beach play works up an appetite, Beach Bums offers casual lakeside dining for the whole family. | Round Hill Pines Beach Resort | 6666 | https://facebook.com/roundhillpines | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1716620400 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841038 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 3/1/25, 11:04 PM | 1716682322 | 1740891864 | 858 | 437660819125917 | 2 | 3.8416801106502E+14 | 1716534000 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 108272370946537 | 0 | Fanscustom.com | 23856758333220292 | fanscustom.com | Shop now | NONE | image | FROM $24.99 | Buy Best Cheap Authentic Custom Baseball Gradient Fashion Jerseys Free Shipping, Womens Youth Mens Custom Baseball Gradient Fashion Jerseys For Sale, Build Your Own Baseball Gradient Fashion Jerseys Online. | https://www.fanscustom.com/collections/baseball-gradient-fashion | 1716443486 | 1.0827237094654E+14 | Fanscustom.com | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/363826097_1535668110584086_8262262699597251274_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=g3YIe6UKgFkQ7kNvgEZ_8K_&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYCc12qhm6SLRDxlNGDg_2PqOFxH7ENCH9n4TgwsnyHH8g&oe=665853A8 | person_profile | 0 | FANSCUSTOM | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/363432872_300505545808979_3034973220938657523_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Wl-kEkhvo-gQ7kNvgF0tzdO&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYAjUTXuUHERIgFE1OxjYlLlzTjLx-hGxFqQ6iC_wjd94A&oe=66586852 | 0 | 3 | 🎁Customize Your Name/Number/Logo<br /> ⚡Use code FST10 to get 10% Off on your order<br /> 🛒 Order here 👉<a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Ftinyurl.com%2F2hnc2t4s&h=AT1qo_MoE5IeDV82TkGhWTLuO1BVCKkScxVw8C8JP02b86zwx3BoOr0xhD-rMhnoFUW1tD_j2GcgrcY4xwACPhmn3Qkxdgr7XJfqTuOckSBz0xUsK4HH1WPk03io9va1xmLncX1hT95DFq_xofFAA7XRIn1Xhg" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://tinyurl.com/2hnc2t4s</a> | Fanscustom.com | 11492 | https://facebook.com/FansCustomShop | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1716534000 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841050 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682322 | 1723710534 | 858 | 394130523355596 | 8 | 4.2000040740374E+14 | 1714978800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 101065786425886 | 0 | Fit Fusion Hub | 120205439692940685 | fitfusionhub.co | Shop now | NONE | video | Free Worldwide Shipping! | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5 Reviews! | https://fitfusionhub.co/products/desktop-punching-bag | 1711384150 | 1.0106578642589E+14 | Fit Fusion Hub | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/433120299_795955522568787_797613211419689399_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=L6fnCz9U0aAQ7kNvgFcMITc&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYCH0SMXOV-ilJ4klAMSIH_uWCj-Mousok9rikr1ZDf6xA&oe=66586C54 | person_profile | 0 | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/433238851_786110366774651_8097829806032811625_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Dnx6H0OHPv4Q7kNvgF_URl8&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYBUBG5FXvRTAbIDxk55wc9l4_DRCNItSC_yG36k1wCP9Q&oe=66585C96 | 0 | 3 | Knock out stress with a swing – the Desktop Punching Bag for your daily dose of fitness and fun right at your desk! 🥊 | Fit Fusion Hub | 46 | https://facebook.com/fitfusionhub | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1714892400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841041 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682322 | 1723710534 | 858 | 1123290988882644 | 1716620400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 141502009216768 | 0 | Brendon Burchard - Live. Love. Matter. | 6595419036817 | www.growthday.com | Get offer | NONE | video | Rich Habits vs Poor Habits 🔥 | https://www.growthday.com/wealth-habits | 1715196002 | 1.4150200921677E+14 | Brendon Burchard - Live. Love. Matter. | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441294913_7567126103333609_2261388770697365344_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=gQvXCtEc_swQ7kNvgFaqt-d&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYDaMhGmXlC-7x0mpmRtFGGyiHE8zYtr5hfDOdZ6tXlgBg&oe=665863DE | person_profile | 0 | Brendon Burchard | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441199388_1653389275487338_454357992213693874_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=2buBUQxXq5sQ7kNvgGWtFPp&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYCnKkI4uFrs9gM1wKALGEzEl0P-AnxktbDf5ywDlwAzaw&oe=66586B2A | 0 | 3 | There are better ways of thinking about the abundance in your life, your finances, & your future success… 👀<br /> <br /> Get my Wealth Habits Masterclass & Discover the Habits of Financial Champions 🏆<br /> <br /> This is a Limited Time Offer so Get Started Now!🔥 | Brendon Burchard - Live. Love. Matter. | 5024182 | https://facebook.com/brendonburchardfan | 0 | GET_OFFER_VIEW | 1715238000 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841182 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682328 | 1723710538 | 858 | 216463318195471 | 1 | 3.5079396395983E+14 | 1716620400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1475434976107462 | 0 | Weiss Property Management | 120207717711510579 | weisspm.com | Contact Us | NONE | carousel | Expertise You Can Trust | Enhance your curb appeal | https://weisspm.com/lawn-mowing-and-landscaping/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=display&utm_campaign=sr_transform_your_property_with_weiss_property &utm_term={{ad.id}}&utm_content=4656879-e32-n-m-c{{campaign.id}}-g{{adset.id}}-a{{ad.id}}-u-cat-k-mod | 1710771508 | 1.4754349761075E+15 | Weiss Property Management | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/433883042_3571553513062526_408461915678430278_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=A8vdvDV192YQ7kNvgEG_ia0&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYAXtyA-Da9E_KZdN8HtPmjaHz1czFVer0Axza4V_th_Yw&oe=66586847 | person_profile | 0 | 0 | 3 | Enhance your curb appeal | Weiss Property Management | 808 | https://facebook.com/weisspm1 | 0 | CONTACT_US | 1710831600 | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841190 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 8/15/24, 3:28 AM | 1716682329 | 1723710538 | 858 | 1361528064521212 | 1 | 7.4287710132688E+14 | 1715410800 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 250753834794512 | 0 | Read freely | 120208075188720056 | beokn.com | Learn More | NONE | dco | ❤️😍What happens next👉Click Here to read on👉 | https://beokn.com/market/buenovela/3?lpid=11230&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}} | 1715224592 | 2.5075383479451E+14 | Read freely | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/422079631_823590829824839_4719608256142825580_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=zRrWu5cWNVoQ7kNvgGlPwcN&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYDOKfR6AdQVBkGHxZ7oRkovEG_cTVH3Fhai_NcioNO3Lg&oe=665834C6 | person_profile | 0 | Read freely | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441057328_1702104656985535_4588455529970348064_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=o0QCZODViNgQ7kNvgHrHhkE&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYCq8jC5eDyRX5crJStFEQcpuaK8E5JvRlMOeIvajggmRg&oe=6658688A | 0 | 3 | Yvette Snyder stood at the entrance of the hospital, her body frail, clutching a report in her thin hands. Three words on the report stood out: "No conception detected". "You've been married for three years. How are you not conceived?" Her mother, Yara Cadwell, demanded, jabbing a finger in Yvette's face disappointedly. Yara was dressed lavishly and wore high heels. "Why are you so useless? If you don't get conceived soon, the Lanes are going to kick you out of the family. What's going to happen to our family then?" Yvette looked at Yara blankly. She had a lot to say, but the words were stuck in her throat. In the end, all she could manage was, "I'm sorry." "I don't want you to be sorry. I want you to give birth to Xavier's child. Do you understand me?" Yvette's throat felt tight; she didn't know how to answer Yara. In their three years of marriage, her husband, Xavier Lane, had never slept with her. How could she ever have his child? Yara stared at Yvette. The latter's weak demeanor was so unlike her own. Finally, she said coldly before leaving, "If you really can't give him a child, then find him a woman who can. At least he'll appreciate you for that." Yvette stared after Yara's retreating figure in disbelief. Had her own mother just told her to find another woman for her husband to sleep with? ... As Yvette made her journey home, she couldn't stop thinking about Yara's parting words. Suddenly, a loud ringing in her ear drowned out her thoughts. She knew that her condition had worsened. Just then, she received a message on her phone. It was from Xavier, and the content was the same as always. "I'm not coming home tonight." In the past three years they had been married, Xavier had never spent the night at home before. He had never so much as touched Yvette either. Yvette could remember their wedding night three years ago. He had told her, "Since your family is bold enough to trick me into marrying you, you'd better be prepared to spend the rest of your life in loneliness." Three years ago, the Snyder and Lane families had decided to form an alliance through marriage. Both families had agreed to mutually beneficial terms in the agreement. But when the day of the wedding came around, the Snyder family went back on their word and transferred all of their assets away, including the billions that Xavier had paid to marry Yvette. Yvette's eyes dulled at the memory. She replied to Xavier's text with her usual response: "Okay." Without her realizing it, the report she was holding got scrunched up in her hands. When she got home, Yvette tossed the report into the trash can. Every month, around this time, she would feel unusually lethargic. Yvette didn't prepare dinner for herself. She just leaned back on the couch, blearily drifting in and out of sleep. The rumbling in her ear persisted. That was another reason why Xavier hated her—she was hard of hearing, which, to the rich and powerful, was no better than being crippled. Xavier would never allow her to carry his child. … At 5 o'clock in the morning, the pendulum clock on the wall chimed dully. Xavier would be home in an hour. Yvette realized too late that she had fallen asleep on the couch. She got up hastily and went to the kitchen to prepare Xavier's breakfast. Xavier was a meticulous man who was strict about punctuality, not only with himself but also with the people around him. He arrived home at six o'clock sharp. Xavier was a tall and handsome man. Clad in a smart tailored suit, his demeanor was quiet and reserved, yet undoubtedly masculine. However, to Yvette, he was cold and distant. Xavier didn't even look at Yvette. He walked right past her to look at the food on the table and said with a scoff, "You do this every day. Are you a nanny or what?" Over the past three years, Yvette had been doing the same things over and over again. She wore the same dark clothes and replied to his messages with the same singular word. If it hadn't been for the business alliance and the Snyders' deceit, Xavier would never have married a woman like Yvette. At the word "nanny", the rumbling in Yvette's ears returned. She swallowed, feeling a lump in her throat, and said bravely, "Xav, do you have someone that you like?" Her sudden question surprised Xavier. His eyes darkened. "What do you mean by that?" Yvette raised her head and stared at him, swallowing the bile rising in the back of her throat. "If you love someone else, you can be with her—" Before she could finish, Xavier interrupted her. "You're mad." ... After Xavier left, Yvette sat on the balcony alone, staring out into the cold rain. The sound of the raindrops drifted in and out of clarity. She took off her hearing aids, letting the world around her fall into silence. A month ago, her doctor had told her, "Ms. Snyder, there's been a pathological change in your auditory nerves and some of your cranial nerves, causing your hearing to worsen. If this goes on, you may lose your hearing completely." Not used to a silent world, Yvette went to the living room and turned on the television. She turned up the volume to the max, which allowed her to hear some sound. By coincidence, the television was showing an interview with Daphne Reyes, an internationally renowned singer known for her love songs. Yvette's hands trembled slightly as she gripped the remote control. Daphne was Xavier's first love. It had been a long time since Yvette had seen her, but Daphne was still as pretty as ever. She was confident and relaxed in front of the cameras, unlike the shy and frightened young woman who had begged the Snyders for sponsorship in the past. When the interviewer asked Daphne why she had returned to her home country, her answer was bold. "I came home to get my first love back." The remote control slipped out of Yvette's hands. Her heart also fell to her stomach. Flustered, Yvette turned off the television and went to the table to clean up the uneaten breakfast. When she got to the kitchen, she found that Xavier had forgotten to take his phone. She picked it up and saw the unread messages on the lock screen. "Xav, you must have been unhappy over the past few years, right?" "I know you don't love her. How about we meet up tonight? I've missed you." Yvette stared blankly at the messages until the screen went dark again. Then, she called a cab to Xavier's office. On the way, she stared out of the window. The rain fell incessantly. It felt like it would never stop. Xavier never liked it when Yvette visited him at his office, so whenever she was there, she would take the service elevator from the loading bay. When Xavier's assistant, Mark Xyrax, saw her, he just greeted her impassively, "Ms. Snyder." No one around Xavier considered Yvette his wife. She was nothing but a smear on his reputation. When Xavier saw Yvette bringing him his phone, he frowned. She was always like this. No matter what he forgot, be it his lunch, his documents, a shirt, or even an umbrella, she would bring them to him. "I thought I told you that you didn't need to deliver my things to me yourself." Yvette froze. "Sorry, I forgot." Since when had her memory been so bad? Maybe she had panicked after seeing Daphne's message and became afraid that Xavier would disappear from her life suddenly. Before she left, she looked back at Xavier. Unable to help herself, she blurted out, "Xav, do you still like Daphne?" Xavier thought that Yvette had been behaving rather strangely lately. She kept forgetting things and asking weird questions. How could a person like her be his wife? Impatiently, he replied, "If you have so much free time, go find yourself something to do." Yvette had tried getting a job before, but Xavier's mother, Shannon Guetta, had reprimanded her without holding back. "Do you want the whole world to know that Xav married a disabled woman with hearing issues?" Therefore, Yvette had given up on finding a job and focused on her fruitless life as "Mrs. Lane" at Dewberry Estate. … At home, she sat alone until nightfall. She couldn't sleep. Just then, the phone on her bedside table rang loudly. It was a call from an unfamiliar number. Yvette picked up the call. A familiar voice, yet one she dreaded, sounded from the other end. "Is this Yvvy? Xav is drunk. Can you come pick him up?" When Yvette arrived at Sternhow Club, she heard loud coaxing and jeering from the wealthy heirs inside the private room. "Daph, didn't you say you came back to get our dear Mr. Lane back into your arms? This is your chance now. Go on, tell him how you feel!" Daphne was a pretty woman who was popular wherever she went. She was also Xavier's first love, so the rich young men of the upper crust were happy to push the two together. Daphne wasn't shy at all. She turned to Xavier and said without any reservations, "I like you, Xav. Please be with me again." That was what Yvette heard when she arrived at the door of the private room. Inside, the other people were urging Xavier to answer Daphne. His best friend, Tristan Shaw, was the most vocal among them. "Xav, you've been waiting for Daphne for three years. She's back now. So, go on, answer her!" Yvette stood frozen outside the door. Her heart was pounding. Just then, one of the men pulled the door open. "Ms. Snyder?" Chapter 2 Everyone in the private room looked over at the door. For a moment, the room was eerily silent. Yvette immediately caught sight of Xavier in the middle of the room. His eyes were clear and bright. He was clearly not drunk. She knew that she had been tricked by Daphne. When Xavier saw Yvette, his pupils constricted. Everyone else in the room looked awkward, including Tristan, who had been the most vocal in getting Xavier to accept Daphne's confession earlier. Yvette shouldn't have gone there. Daphne was the first to break the silence. "Please don't get the wrong idea, Yvvy. Tristan was joking. Xavier and I are just friends." Before Yvette could answer, Xavier stood up impatiently. "There's no need to explain it to her." Then, he stalked over to Yvette. "What are you doing here?" "I thought you were drunk, so I came to take you home," Yvette answered truthfully. Xavier scoffed. "You really didn't retain anything I told you, did you?" Lowering his voice, he said softly so that only she could hear him, "Are you here to remind everyone that I was tricked into marrying you three years ago? Did you think they forgot?" Yvette was stunned. Xavier gave her a cold look. "Stop seeking attention. You're only making me hate you more." With that, he turned away, leaving Yvette standing alone. Yvette stared after his retreating figure, unable to snap out of her shock. None of the other scions in the room took pity on her when they saw Xavier ignoring her. Tristan even had no qualms in telling Daphne, who was feigning distress, "You're too kind, Daphne. You didn't need to explain anything. "If Yvette hadn't scammed Xav, he would've married you in the first place. You wouldn't have needed to suffer abroad as well." Despite the constant ringing in her ears, Yvette could still hear every word clearly. She knew better than anyone that even if Xavier hadn't married her, he wouldn't have married Daphne. Daphne was a nobody with no background, after all. Daphne was well aware of this as well. That was why she had chosen to break up with Xavier and leave the country. How had everything turned out to be Yvette's fault? When Yvette left Sternhow Club with her umbrella, she felt as if she had been enveloped by darkness. Just then, a lithe figure appeared beside her. It was Daphne. She was decked out in fine clothes, complete with high heels. She looked smug. "It's a cold night, isn't it? So, how does it feel to get scoffed at by Xavier after you came all the way here at this time to get him?" Yvette didn't answer her, but Daphne didn't mind her silence. She just continued speaking. "I do pity you, you know. You've never experienced true love before, have you? "Do you know that when I was with Xav, he would cook for me himself? When I was sick, he would drop everything and stay with me. "Has Xav ever told you he loves you? He used to say that to me all the time…" Yvette listened to Daphne's rambling quietly, her mind going over the past three years she had been married to Xavier. He had never so much as stepped into the kitchen during that time. When she had gotten sick, he had never comforted her. He had never told her he loved her either. … That night, Yvette couldn't fall asleep. She had only just found out that the man she had loved for the past 12 years had once loved another with all his heart, in the spectacular way that only young people could. At that moment, she realized that it was time for her to give him up. She had a sleepless night. The next morning, Xavier returned home. The glare he gave her was cold. "How attached are you to the Lane family's money, to me, your money-making robot?" he demanded. Yvette was stunned. She didn't know what had gotten into him so early in the morning. Instinctively, she said, "I never wanted your money." She had only ever wanted Xavier. Xavier laughed in disdain. "Then, why did your mother come to my office and beg me to give you a child?" Yvette was stunned. She stared into Xavier's eyes. It was only then that she realized that he wasn't angry about what had happened last night. Xavier had no desire to waste his breath on her. "If you want to continue staying with me and keep your family afloat, tell your mother to behave herself!" ... In the end, Yvette didn't need to look for Yara. Yara found Yvette instead. She was no longer cold and distant; she gripped Yvette's hands and said gently, "Yvvy, you should ask Xavier to give you a child. He doesn't have to do it biologically. He could do it through scientific measures." Scientific measures. Yvette stared at Yara in shock as the latter continued, "Daphne told me that Xavier hasn't slept with you in the past three years." That was the last straw for Yvette. She didn't know why Xavier would tell Daphne about that. Maybe he really loved Daphne a lot. With that thought, she suddenly felt relieved. "Just let it go, Mom." Yara paused. She frowned. "What?" "I'm tired. I want to get a divorce—" Before she could finish, Yara slapped her hard across the face. The kind, motherly facade was gone in an instant. She jabbed a finger at Yvette and gritted out, "You have no right to ask for a divorce! "Without the Lane family, what do you think you're going to do? Who's going to remarry a disabled divorcee like you?" Yvette felt her body go numb. Yara had never liked Yvette, even when the latter had been a child. Yara had been a famous dancer. The fact that she had given birth to a daughter with hearing issues was one of her biggest regrets. Therefore, she had sent Yvette away to be taken care of by a nanny. She had only allowed Yvette to return home when the latter started school. People used to tell Yvette that every mother loved their child. So, she had done everything she could to excel at everything in hopes of making Yara happy. Despite her hearing issues, she had been at the top of her class in dance, music, and art classes. But no matter how hard she tried, Yara still didn't consider her a good daughter. In Yara's words, Yvette wasn't "complete". Not only physically, but also in love and familial relationships. After Yara left, Yvette used some makeup to cover up the red print on her face. Then, she packed her bags quietly. Even after three years of married life, all her personal belongings fit into a single suitcase. After she finished packing up, she gathered her courage and sent Xavier a message. "Are you free tonight? I need to talk to you." Xavier didn't reply to her. Yvette's eyes darkened. She knew that he didn't want to reply to her messages. All she could do was wait for him to come home in the morning. She had thought that he wouldn't come home that night, but he got back at midnight. Yvette wasn't asleep at the time. She went up to him and took his coat and bag from him with familiarity in her actions. It was as if they were a normal married couple. Xavier's cold voice broke the peace. "Don't send me inane texts again." As Yvette held Xavier's coat, her hand trembled slightly. "I won't do it again," she mumbled. Xavier didn't notice anything wrong with her tone. He went straight to his study. Generally, if he came home, he would stay holed up in his study. He probably thought that someone who was hard of hearing would live in a silent world. Either that, or he simply didn't care about Yvette. That would explain why he got straight to discussing his acquisition of Snyder Group in his study as if nothing was wrong. When Yvette brought him some soup, she heard Xavier animatedly discussing work with his employees. He was talking about the acquisition of Snyder Group, her father, James Snyder's company. She didn't know how to feel about that. She knew that her brother, Terrence Synder, was useless at running a business, so it was only a matter of time before Snyder Group fell. However, she had never thought that her own husband would be the first to cause Snyder Group's downfall. "Xav," she interrupted. Xavier was slightly startled. Out of guilt, or maybe some other emotion, he quickly hung up the phone and closed his laptop. Feigning ignorance, Yvette walked into the study and placed the bowl in front of him. "Have some soup, then get to bed soon. Your health is more important than work." For some reason, Xavier felt himself relax when he heard her soft voice. She probably hadn't heard anything. Feeling conflicted, he stopped Yvette before she could leave. "You said you wanted to talk to me. What is it?" Hearing this, Yvette turned back to look at him. Softly, she said, "I just wanted to ask if you're free in the morning so we can go and file for divorce." Chapter 3 Yvette's voice was calm and impassive, as though divorce were a menial matter to her. Xavier's pupils contracted. "What did you just say?" Over the last three years, no matter what he had done, Yvette had never brought up divorce. In truth, Xavier knew that Yvette loved him. Her eyes, which were usually dull and empty, were clear and bright now. "I'm sorry for being a burden over the last few years, Mr. Lane. We should get divorced." Xavier clenched his fists unconsciously. "You heard what I said earlier, didn't you? Snyder Group was already failing; it won't matter whether I buy it or someone else does. What are you trying to do by bringing up divorce? "Is it because you want money? Or a child? Or do you want me to leave Snyder Group alone?" he asked coldly. "Don't forget that I don't love you. Your threats won't work on me!" At that moment, he seemed like a stranger to Yvette. A lump formed in her throat as her ears began throbbing. Even though she was wearing her hearing aids, she could barely hear what Xavier was saying. She could only answer his last question. "I don't want anything." Afraid that he would notice something wrong with her, Yvette left the study in a hurry. As he watched her leave, Xavier felt frustrated for some reason. He had never felt like this before. Not one to hold in his emotions, he flipped the table over. The bowl of soup that Yvette had brought him spilled all over the ground. ... Back in her own room, Yvette forced herself to swallow a handful of pills. She reached up to touch her ear. As she retracted her fingers, she saw crimson blood on them. Thanks to the medicine, her hearing recovered a little by the time it was dawn. Yvette stared blankly at the soft rays of sunlight streaming from the window. "The rain has stopped," she said quietly to herself. Xavier didn't leave the manor that day. He was in the living room bright and early, settled on the couch, waiting for Yvette to apologize and express her regret to him. This wasn't the first time Yvette had lost her temper with him. However, after every tantrum, she would apologize to him before long. Xavier figured that it would be the same this time around. Soon, he saw Yvette coming out of her room, all freshened up. She wore her usual dark-colored clothes. She dragged a suitcase with one hand while holding a piece of paper in the other. She handed the paper to him. It was a divorce agreement. "Let me know when you have time, Xav." With that, she left the manor, pulling her suitcase behind her. It was bright and sunny outside. Yvette felt as if she had gotten a new chance at life. Meanwhile, Xavier sat frozen on the couch, still clutching the divorce agreement in his hand. It took him a long time to come back to his senses. It was Saturday. Usually, around this time of the year, Xavier would take Yvette back to his hometown to pay respects to his ancestors. During this time, they would have to endure strange looks from his extended family. However, he was alone that day, which made him extraordinarily happy. At Lane Mansion, Shannon and the rest of the Lanes were surprised to see him alone. In the past, Yvette had always been the first one to turn up every year and the last to leave since she had been trying to please everyone. Why wasn't she there today? Shanon frowned and asked Xavier, "Where's Yvette, Xav?" Xavier's expression turned cold. "She wanted a divorce and left me." Everyone fell silent in disbelief when he said that. Shannon was shocked. She knew that Yvette probably loved Xavier more than anything in the world, only surpassed by his own parents. Seven years ago, Yvette had even protected Xavier with her own body when someone had attempted to stab him. Four years ago, not long after the two had gotten engaged, something had happened to Xavier while he had been on a business trip in Dibay. Everyone had been convinced that he was dead, but Yvette had refused to believe that. She had dropped everything and gone to the foreign city just to look for him. Then, after they had gotten married, Yvette had taken care of almost everything in his life with meticulous precision, including being polite to everyone around him, even his secretaries. She had always been afraid of offending them. Yvette clearly couldn't live without Xavier. So, why had she suggested getting a divorce? Shannon had no idea, but she was glad that Yvette had finally decided to let Xavier go. "She's not worthy to be your wife anyway. It's a good thing that you're divorcing her. She doesn't deserve you," she said The others immediately chimed in. "Yeah, you're young and handsome, Xav. You're in your best years now. Yvette's been dragging you down all this time!" Instantly, the gathering turned into a slander fest. They spoke of Yvette as if she were an unforgivable criminal. Xavier should have felt happy that they were defending him, but for some reason, he found their words too sharp and crass. He left Lane Mansion earlier than usual and made his way back to Dewberry Estate. The sky was just starting to darken when he arrived home. He opened the door and entered the manor. When he saw nothing but darkness, he remembered, with a start, that Yvette had left. He changed into his house slippers and tossed his coat into the washer. For some reason, he felt unusually exhausted today. He went to the wine cellar to get a bottle of wine so that he could celebrate Yvette's leaving. However, when he got to the wine cellar and saw the locked door, he realized too late that he didn't have the key. He didn't like strangers in his house, so there were no maids or servants at Dewberry Estate. Ever since he had married Yvette, she had been the one taking care of the household affairs. He could only go back to his room. Picking up his phone, he scrolled through his messages only to find work-related texts. Yvette hadn't called or texted him to apologize at all. Tossing his phone aside, he got up and headed over to the kitchen. When he opened the door of the fridge, he was stunned. Apart from food, there were also a lot of supplements. He picked one of the bags up and read the instructions on it. "Take five times a day for incapable of conceived." He took a whiff of the supplement. It smelled disgusting. He recalled that Yvette always smelled strange. So, this was why. He scoffed silently. They had never slept, so no matter how much medicine she took, she would never have gotten conceived. ... Meanwhile, over in a dark and dinky hotel, Yvette opened her eyes blearily. Her head was pounding. The world was silent. She knew, then, that her condition had worsened again. Before this, she had still been able to hear some sounds, even without her hearing aids. She pushed herself up and felt around on the bedside table until she found her medicine. She popped the pills in her mouth, tasting their bitterness. The day before, she had left Dewberry Estate, which had been her home for the past three years. At first, she had gone to her parents' house, Snyder Residence. However, at the door, she had overheard Yara and Terrence discussing how they would marry her off to an old man if the Lanes kicked her out. Yvette had blanked upon hearing that. It was then that she finally realized that she had no place to call home anymore. Even though she hadn't eaten anything in two days, she still didn't feel hungry. However, it was too quiet. The silence scared her. It had been raining more frequently in Tirion this year than it had in previous years. Yvette stared out at the passing pedestrians. Most of them were paired up or in groups. She was the only one alone. She bought a bus ticket heading out of the city. She decided to go to her nanny's house in the countryside. Viola Xenos, her nanny, had taken care of her when she was a child. It was already 9:00 pm when Yvette got there. When Viola saw Yvette, she looked pleasantly surprised. Yvette teared up when she saw Viola's warm smile. She reached out to her and hugged her. "Viola." Due to health issues, Viola had never married and didn't have children of her own. Yvette was closer to her than she was to her own mother. That night, Yvette cuddled up in Viola's embrace, just like she had when she was a child. Viola wrapped her arms around Yvette, only to realize that the latter was very thin. She pressed a hand on the Yvette's bony back, trembling uncontrollably. Forcing herself to calm down, she asked cautiously, "Has Xavier been treating you well, Yvvy?" Yvette felt a sharp pain in her throat when she heard Xavier's name. She wanted to lie to Viola and tell her that Xavier had treated her well, but she knew that Viola wasn't silly. Since she had already made up her mind to leave him, there was no need to lie to herself or to the people who loved her any longer. "The person he loves has returned. I've decided to let him go and divorce him." Viola was stunned. She couldn't believe her ears. Yvette had told her multiple times before that she wanted to spend the rest of her life with Xavier. Not knowing what else to say, she comforted Yvette by telling her that there were plenty of other fish in the sea. There was bound to be one who would love her. Yvette just nodded silently. The buzzing in her ears drowned out Viola's comforting voice. That night, she managed to get a good night's sleep, which was rare. However, when she woke up, she was greeted with the alarming sight of blood staining the spot where her head had laid on the pillow. Yvette touched her right ear. Her fingers felt sticky. She looked at her hand. It was covered in blood. Chapter 4 Even Yvette's hearing aids were stained red. Her pupils contracted, and she quickly grabbed some tissues to wipe her ear. Then, she stripped the bedsheets and washed them. She was afraid that Viola would worry about her if she found out that her illness was worsening. So, she cleaned up the mess and found an excuse to bid goodbye to Viola. Before she left, she placed a part of her savings on the bedside table without telling Viola. Viola walked Yvette to the bus stop and waved goodbye reluctantly. … After Yvette left, Viola couldn't stop thinking about how thin the former was. Unable to just sit by, she called Lane Group. When the secretary heard that Viola was Yvette's nanny and wanted to speak to Xavier, she transferred the call to Xavier's line. It was the third day after Yvette had left Xavier. It was also the first time in three days that he had received a call about her. Sitting behind his desk, he felt exceptionally pleased. Just as he had expected, Yvette wouldn't be able to last more than three days without him—or so he thought. Viola's voice came through the other line, sounding weighed with age. "Mr. Lane, I am Yvvy's nanny. I've been taking care of her since she was a baby. "Please, I beg you, treat her well. Don't hurt her more than you already have. She's not as strong as she seems on the surface. "When she was born, Mrs. Snyder left her in my care because she didn't like that Yvvy is hard of hearing. Yvvy only returned home when she had to start going to school. "The Snyders have never treated her as one of their own. Apart from Mr. Snyder, everyone else treated her like she was a maid. "You and Mr. Snyder are the most important people she has in this world. I'm begging you, please. Please be kind to her." Xavier's mood darkened when he heard what Viola said. "Did she tell you to give me this sob story because she didn't want to face me herself?" he asked coldly. "Why should I care about her life? If you ask me, she deserved everything she got!" That said, he hung up the phone without waiting for an answer. Viola had heard Yvette gushing about how nice Xavier was to her. So, it was only then that she realized the truth—Xavier wasn't a good man at all. He wasn't a good husband to Yvette. ... Yvette sat on the bus, heading home. Just then, her phone vibrated. It was a message from Xavier. "You said you wanted to get divorced, right? I'll see you at 10:00 am tomorrow." Yvette stared at the text blankly for a while before replying, "Okay." Just one word. It infuriated Xavier and completely ruined his mood. Unable to work anymore, he called up his friends and invited them out for drinks. Daphne was also at the club when he arrived. "I'm not going home until I'm drunk!" she declared. Tristan sat down beside Xavier. He couldn't help asking curiously, "How's Deaf Yvvy?" Xavier raised an eyebrow at him. "There's no need to talk about her ever again. We're filing for divorce tomorrow." Tristan was stunned. He couldn't believe his ears. "Really?" Beside them, Daphne brightened. She poured out a shot for him. "Congrats on getting back your freedom, Xav!" Xavier drank a lot that night. Daphne offered to send him home, but he rejected her suggestion. "No need. It's not appropriate." If he and Yvette were going to get divorced tomorrow, she might come home that night. Daphne wasn't happy about the rejection. "Why? You're divorcing her anyway. Why wouldn't it be appropriate? Are you still scared that she might find out about our relationship?" Their relationship? Xavier narrowed his eyes. "You're overthinking this." He got into his own car. Out of consideration, he also called a cab to send Daphne home. On the drive home, he kept unlocking his phone to check if Yvette had sent him any messages. She hadn't. When he reached Dewberry Estate, it was dark. With a stormy expression, Xavier opened the door and turned on the light. Yvette was nowhere to be seen. She hadn't come home. The manor was left exactly the way it had been when she had left. Still feeling the effects of the wine, Xavier threw himself heavily onto the couch and soon fell asleep. In his nightmares, Yvette was covered in blood, but there was a smile on her face. "I don't love you anymore, Xav," she said. When Xavier jolted awake, the sky outside had just brightened up. He rubbed his forehead and went to the bathroom to freshen himself up. Then, he changed into a smart suit and made his way to the courthouse. At the entrance of the courthouse, he spotted Yvette standing under a tree not far off. As usual, she was dressed in dark-colored clothes. From the distance, she looked incredibly frail and thin as she stood amid the drizzle. It was as if a single gust of wind could knock her over. Xavier could still remember how young and lively she had been when they had first gotten married. She hadn't been as thin and gloomy back then. Holding an umbrella, he walked toward Yvette. It took her a few moments to notice him. Xiaver hadn't changed much over the last three years. He was as handsome and as confident as ever, with the added hint of matureness that came with age. Yvette was a little dazed. The last three years felt like a blink in time to her, yet she also seemed to have exhausted a whole lifetime. Xavier stalked over to Yvette and gazed at her coldly. He was waiting for her to apologize to him. She had been sulking enough. It was time to put an end to this. However, Yvette just said, "I'm sorry to pull you away from your work. Let's go in." Xavier stiffened, but he quickly recovered. "Don't regret this." With that, he turned and headed into the courthouse. Yvette stared after him sadly. Would she regret this? She didn't know either. In the courthouse, the judge asked them if they were sure about going through with the divorce. Yvette's answer was firm. "Yes." Her determined expression frustrated Xavier. After filing for divorce, they still had to return to the courthouse in a month. If they didn't show up, then the divorce would be considered null. As they left the courthouse, Yvette looked at Xavier, her expression unusually calm. "I'll see you next month. Take care." With that, she stepped out into the rain, hailed a cab, and left. Xavier was left standing on the spot. He didn't know how to feel as he watched her car leave. Relieved, probably. Relieved that he wouldn't need to put up with her any longer or endure others' ridicule for having a disabled wife. ... In the cab, Yvette leaned against the window and stared blankly at the rain droplets on the glass. In the rearview mirror, the driver suddenly saw blood dripping from her ear. He was shocked by the sight. "Miss? Miss!" Yvette didn't answer him. The driver hastily stopped the car. Yvette was confused. They weren't at her destination yet. Why had they stopped? She looked over at the driver and saw him mouthing silently. She realized that she had gone deaf again. "I'm sorry, I can't hear you. What are you saying?" In the end, the driver had to type out what he wanted to say on his phone so that he could tell her about her bleeding ear. Yvette reached out belatedly and felt the warm sensation in her ear. She was used to it now. "It's alright. This happens all the time. I'm fine." She was hard of hearing, but her ears hadn't bled like this before. Two years ago, at a gathering, Tristan had pushed her into a swimming pool. Yvette didn't know how to swim, so she had almost drowned. At the same time, her eardrums had also expanded due to the pressure. She had been sent to the hospital, but the damage had been done. At the time, she had been told that everything was fine. Why was this happening again? The cab driver was still worried, so he dropped her off at the hospital she told him. After thanking him, Yvette went into the hospital on her own. This time, she saw her usual doctor, Tom Jensen. "Dr. Jensen, my memory has been rather bad lately. I kept forgetting what I'm doing," she said. When she had woken up at the hotel that morning, it had taken her a long time to remember that she had to file for divorce with Xavier. Tom looked at her latest report worriedly. "Ms. Snyder, I think you should consider getting tested for other things. Specifically, mental health issues." Mental health… Following Tom's recommendation, Yvette went and got a psychiatric diagnosis. She was diagnosed with depression. It turned out that patients with severe depression often experienced memory loss. Before heading back to the hotel, Yvette stopped and bought a notebook and a pen. She wrote down everything that had happened lately. She placed the notebook right beside her bed so that it would be the first thing she saw when she woke up in the morning. News of her and Xavier's divorce spread quickly. That night, Yara called her multiple times, but she didn't hear anything. … When she woke up the next morning, she saw a barrage of texts from Yara. "Where are you?" "Who do you think you are? Even if you're getting a divorce, Xavier should have been the one to ask for it!" "You're such a jinx! Back when you got married, your dad got into a car crash and died. What's going to happen now that you're getting divorced? Do you want Snyder Group to go bankrupt? Is that it?" Yvette stared at the messages. She was used to the verbal bully by now. She typed out a reply. "Mom, it's time that we live by our own merits. We shouldn't depend on others so much." Yara's response was swift. "You're such an ingrate! I shouldn't have given birth to you in the first place!" Yvette didn't bother replying to that. She placed her phone aside. She just had to wait a month. Once the divorce was finalized, she would be able to leave Tirion and start a new life. … Yvette's health worsened over the next few days. She often found herself completely deaf. Sometimes, it took a very long time for her hearing to go back to normal. Her memory was deteriorating too. On the bright side, even though her hearing loss was incurable, at least she could do something about the depression. She tried everything she could to keep herself happy. She busied herself by registering as a volunteer online. She spent time taking care of abandoned old people and orphans. Helping them made her feel like she had a reason to continue living. A few days later, Yvette woke up in the morning and checked her notebook as usual. Then, she got ready to head out to the orphanage. When she picked up her phone, she saw several unread messages. There were messages from Terrance and Yara, as well as Daphne. She opened the texts one by one. Yara: "As you wished, Snyder Group is no more." Terrence: "Keep hiding. You're the most cowardly and cruel person I've ever seen." Daphne: "My condolences, Yvette. Actually, I think Snyder Group would thrive better under Xav." Daphne: "Since your family has helped me so much in the past, do let me know if you need anything. I'll help you if I can." Yvette had no idea what was happening. She closed the messaging app. Almost immediately, she got a notification about the latest news. Chapter 5 Yvette watched the news and saw the press conference held by Lane Group. It was an announcement that Xavier had successfully acquired Snyder Group. James' company no longer existed in the world. … Things on Xavier's end had been extra pleasant lately. He had acquired Snyder Group and gotten his revenge. "The Snyder family finally got what they deserved for tricking you into that marriage three years ago." Tristan chuckled. Yet, he changed the topic in the next instant. He asked Xavier, "Xav, has Deaf Yvvy approached you during the past few days?" Xavier froze halfway through signing a document. He didn't know why, but people around him kept mentioning Yvette these days. "No," he replied coldly. That shocked Tristan. After all, how could Yvette not do anything when something this massive had happened to her family? With that in mind, he spoke again. "Could it be that she's finally come around? I heard her family has been looking everywhere for her. Nobody knows where she's gone—" He kept blabbering on. Xavier frowned, feeling utterly annoyed. "Get out!" Tristan jolted. That was when he realized that Xavier was furious. Not daring to say another word, Tristan bolted out of the CEO's office. Once outside, he took his phone and called his assistant, Avery Fitzpatrick. "Have you found Yvette?" "Yes, she's in a small hotel in Hexim Pass," answered Avery. Tristan had Avery send him the location before he drove there. He refused to let Yvette off the hook so easily. So what if she was willing to divorce Xavier now? She had already prevented Xavier and Daphne from being together for over three years! Besides, Daphne had saved Tristan's life once, so he owed her. It rained outside. Yvette finished her volunteer work and picked up her medication from the hospital. Then, she held an umbrella while walking back to the hotel. There were very few people on the road. Tristan drove his car but kept his eyes on Yvette's slim back. He deliberately sped up as he drove past her, sending a puddle of rainwater splashing onto her. Yvette shot him a blank stare. Tristan happened to meet her emotionless gaze through his rearview mirror. He didn't know why, but he felt inexplicably nervous. Yvette recognized Tristan's luxurious, dark gray Bugatti. Yet, she retracted her gaze and pretended not to notice him. Even so, Tristan refused to stop there. He deliberately slowed his car and followed her. "Hey, Deaf Yvvy. So, you have a temper now, huh? "You're not even going to greet me now? Didn't you used to love greeting me? Didn't you enjoy tickling my fancy?" Yvette remained stoic while the former mocked her. She used to do everything to win over those around Xavier, including his friends. It was all because she liked him. She had figured that Xavier's family and friends would one day accept her. Alas, it seemed she had been too naïve. At the previous gathering, Tristan had declared that he was Daphne's friend. He couldn't care less about maintaining his gentlemanly, upper-class image when siding with Daphne. He had insulted Yvette and called her shameless. In the end, he had also thrown her into the pool, leaving her to die. Since then, Yvette had steered clear of him. Upon receiving no reaction or response from Yvette, Tristan stopped the car, opened the door, and strolled toward her. He grabbed her arm and asked, "What stunts are you planning to pull this time?" Yvette's arm hurt, so she looked up at him. "I don't know what you're saying." She wanted to pry his hand off her arm, but he flung her aside. "Don't touch me with your filthy hands!" Tristan bellowed. Yvette stumbled backward before falling to the ground with a loud thud. Tristan froze on the spot in slight disbelief. It baffled him to see Yvette resorting to such tricks. He had only pushed her with a slight force, so how could she fall like that? Seeing people looking their way, he nervously got back into his car. Still, he gave her a warning before driving away. "Don't mess with Daph just because you're a disabled person, Yvette! "She's different from you. It's taken her a lot of effort to get to where she is now, so you'd better not disrupt her and Xav's relationship again!" After driving away, he even told the Snyder family where Yvette was staying. Yvette's hands and knees were scraped when she fell. It hurt so much that she couldn't stand for a long time. Deep down, she didn't understand why Tristan was so blind to what was right and wrong. She recalled risking her life to rescue him from a car that had been about to explode four years ago. His face had been covered in blood, and his eyes hadn't been visible. However, he had spoken in the warmest voice. He had said, "Thank you. I promise I'll repay you someday." Yvette couldn't help but bitterly wonder if this was his way of repaying her. … Once Yvette returned to the hotel, she took a shower and applied medication to her scraped skin. Then, she lay down in a daze. The fall hardened her determination to leave Xavier for good. … The sun was shining brightly outside when Yvette woke up. She got up and headed to the living area, only to see Yara sitting on the couch, wearing a formal dress. Yara didn't seem to care one bit that Yvette had just woken up. She picked the document off the coffee table and handed it to the latter. "Take a good look at this. It's the backup plan I've selected for you." Yvette accepted the document but saw the title "prenuptial agreement" on the cover. She flipped through the pages while reading the contents aloud. "Ms. Yvette Snyder will marry Mr. Liam Lorimer. As his wife, she'll devote herself to him and look after him until the end of his life. Liam will look after Yvette's family, which includes maintaining their quality of life. He'll also provide 300 million as funds for the Snyder family." Following that, the document stated Liam's details. He was an entrepreneur from the older generation in Tirion. He was 78 years old that year. Yvette's mind tensed. At that moment, Yara spoke up again. "Mr. Lorimer has expressed that he doesn't mind that you were married before. "He'll help revive our family's reputation from the ashes, as long as you marry him. Come on, dearest. You wouldn't let me and Terrence down, right?" Yvette's face paled even more. "I can't agree to what you're asking of me." Yara had never imagined that Yvette would reject her so candidly. She blew up in a fit of rage at once. "What right do you have to refuse? I gave you life!" Hearing that, Yvette met Yara's gaze. "How about I return my life to you? Would that mean I no longer owe you?" "What did you say?" Yara shrilled. Yvette's pale lips moved as she said, "If I returned my life to you, would it mean you'd no longer be my mother? And I'll no longer be indebted to you for giving birth to me?" Yara sneered, not believing Yvette would dare do such a thing. "Okay, then. I won't force you to marry Mr. Lorimer if you give your life back to me. But the question is, do you have the guts to do it?" "Give me a month." Yvette seemed determined. In Yara's eyes, Yvette seemed like a crazed person. She warned, "You'd best not threaten me by only saying you'll end your life. We're not that close, so I don't care if you die. However, you must sign this document if you're too afraid to end your life." … Yvette had suppressed all her emotions to the brim and needed to vent somewhere. So, she went to a bar. She sat in a corner, drinking and watching the crowd happily dance in a daze. That was when a dashing man with striking eyes noticed Yvette, who was all alone. He approached and asked, "Yvette?" Yvette stared at the man but didn't recognize him. Still dazed, she asked, "Do you know how one can achieve happiness?" The man was confused. "What did you say?" Yvette continued drinking as she spoke. "The doctor says I'm ill and should try to be happier, but I can't make myself feel happy…" That sparked discomfort in the man, Claude Lander. He wondered if Yvette had forgotten about him. Also, he was confused by what she said—something about being ill and needing to be happier. "You shouldn't be in a place like this if you want to be happy. Why don't I drive you home?" Claude spoke in a gentle tone. A smile curved across Yvette's face as she looked at him. "You're a good person." Complex emotions stirred in Claude when he saw her bitter smile. He wondered what she had been through these past few years. Why did she seem so sorrowful? Meanwhile, Xavier was also at the bar. After settling the divorce papers, he had let himself loose every night. On top of that, he hadn't returned to Dewberry Estate in a long time. It was getting late. When the crowd was about to leave, Daphne noticed a familiar figure in a corner of the bar. She exclaimed, "Isn't that Yvvy?" Xavier glanced in the direction Daphne was staring in and saw a man merrily chatting with Yvette. His expression soured at once. He was disappointed in Yvette for getting drunk at a bar and chatting up another man. He felt like he had thought too highly of her before. "Should we go and check up on her, Xav?" asked Daphne. "No," was all Xavier said before speedily leaving. On the other hand, Yvette declined Claude's offer. "There's no need to trouble yourself. I can go home on my own." Claude was still worried about Yvette, so he ran after her when he noticed her leaving the bar. "Do you really not remember me?" Yvette gazed at him but couldn't recall who he was. "It's Chubbs. Have you forgotten?" Claude reminded her. Only then did Yvette remember her friend, Chubbs, whom she met when she had been living with Viola in the countryside. Back then, Claude had been chubbier and nowhere near Yvette's height. Yet, his six-foot-two-inch frame now towered over her. He had even grown to have handsome features. "I remember now! You've changed so much. I didn't even recognize you!" said Yvette. Meeting an old friend away from home was a pleasant thing. But only a slight smile curved on Yvette's face. That upset Claude. "Come on. I'll drive you home," Claude stated. When he dropped her off, he was shocked to learn she lived in a run-down hotel. Yvette shifted in embarrassment. "Sorry, it's not a glamorous place. Please don't tell Viola I'm living in such a place. I don't want her to worry." Claude nodded. Since it was getting late, it was unwise for him to stay longer. So, he left after telling Yvette he would visit her the next day. He didn't notice the matte black car lingering in a dark area beneath the hotel as he walked out. Now that Claude had left, Yvette felt dizzy and had an upset stomach from drinking too much. That was when someone knocked hard on the door. Yvette had just opened the door when Xavier grabbed her wrist. He exerted so much strength on her slender wrist that it felt close to snapping in half. "You've made me look at you in a new light, Yvette!" Xavier snarled while shutting and locking the door. He then forcefully led her to the couch. He sneered with words as sharp and lethal as a blade, "So, you've already settled on which family you'll marry into next, huh? I knew you wouldn't be so willing to let me go for no reason!" Yvette didn't know why he had come over, nor did she know how he had seen Claude. She was only briefly dazed. Once she snapped out of it, she shot a furious look at Xavier and didn't bother explaining herself to him. The rims of her eyes reddened. "You and I aren't that different from each other." The Snyder family had tricked Xavier into marrying Yvette. However, Xavier had treated her coldly for three years while remaining entangled with his first love. Neither Xavier nor Yvette was a better person than the other. Xavier had also drunk some wine, so he reeked of it. Eyes reddening, he pinched Yvette's chin and spoke with a dangerously low voice. "Who is he? When did you guys meet?" That was the first time Yvette had seen him behave like this. She suddenly chuckled. "Are you jealous?" Xavier's gaze grew tense as he scoffed. "You're unworthy of such a reaction." Yvette became choked up. That was when Xavier leaned in domineeringly and continued interrogating her. "Has he already touched you? Huh?" In her three years of marriage, Yvette had given up on her work and declined to meet her friends whenever they had occasionally invited her out. She had done so to obey the Lane family's rules. But now Xavier was suspicious of her. Relief washed over Yvette just then. She questioned him back, "What do you think?" That utterly angered Xavier, and his heated hands started travelling down her body. | Read freely | 18 | https://facebook.com/61557986570531 | 0 | LEARN_MORE | 1715324400 | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1841039 | 1 | active | 5/25/24, 7:12 PM | 5/10/25, 11:01 PM | 1716682322 | 1746936099 | 858 | 734185368654309 | 2 | 9.3121600509454E+14 | 1716620400 | person_profile | eligible | 0 | 0 | NONE | 0 | 1 | 0 | 108272370946537 | 0 | Fanscustom.com | 23856758333220292 | fanscustom.com | Shop now | NONE | image | FROM $24.99 | Buy Best Cheap Authentic Custom Baseball Gradient Fashion Jerseys Free Shipping, Womens Youth Mens Custom Baseball Gradient Fashion Jerseys For Sale, Build Your Own Baseball Gradient Fashion Jerseys Online. | https://www.fanscustom.com/collections/baseball-gradient-fashion | 1716443486 | 1.0827237094654E+14 | Fanscustom.com | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/363826097_1535668110584086_8262262699597251274_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=g3YIe6UKgFkQ7kNvgEZ_8K_&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&oh=00_AYCc12qhm6SLRDxlNGDg_2PqOFxH7ENCH9n4TgwsnyHH8g&oe=665853A8 | person_profile | 0 | FANSCUSTOM | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/363432872_300505545808979_3034973220938657523_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Wl-kEkhvo-gQ7kNvgF0tzdO&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=00_AYAjUTXuUHERIgFE1OxjYlLlzTjLx-hGxFqQ6iC_wjd94A&oe=66586852 | 0 | 3 | 🎁Customize Your Name/Number/Logo<br /> ⚡Use code FST10 to get 10% Off on your order<br /> 🛒 Order here 👉<a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Ftinyurl.com%2F2hnc2t4s&h=AT1p__RbpOrLo6snWOFE9iNUhLs1gHK4oCSta4vUb0rBw6TghxTcD0VlU5A3VeYjlKTxuywJu6cykcCTFSMAIk5mTlKOIypEH8eczvlyCfV86llVusLozegqUJ8EUIiQQ9c-XjcC6l-BayF5xh8oEJ6xfUFvcA" rel="nofollow noreferrer" target="_blank" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy">https://tinyurl.com/2hnc2t4s</a> | Fanscustom.com | 11492 | https://facebook.com/FansCustomShop | 0 | SHOP_NOW | 1716534000 | View Edit Delete |