Chapter 1

บทล่าสุด

• Scorched   Chapter 14

  As Tristan thought back to the reckless things he had done over the past two years, besides regret, there was a hint of fear.He thought, "Luckily, Esther never found out about my relationship with Chloe. If she had, how would she have viewed me?"…After our marriage, I focused on building my own career. Leon, still the workaholic he always was, remained busy, but he always supported me, no matter how tired he was.It wasn't until five years later, when my business had stabilized, and I had my own small studio, that we decided to have a child.After having our daughter, Stella Russell, the once-dominant CEO with a net worth in the billions spent his days thinking whether Stella had drunk her milk and whether I had rested well.Usually, our nanny, Zuri Pate, took care of Stella. But as soon as Leon came home, he would take over, eager to do the work himself. He firmly believed that raising a child himself would foster a deeper bond.Nobody would have guessed how skilled he was a

• Scorched   Chapter 13

  Tristan had truly put in the effort when he pursued me back then. He followed me around every day, showing concern and driving away many of my admirers.Unfortunately, that also led to Leon's misunderstanding.But in the end, after all the twists and turns, we still found our way back to each other.What I had thought was just an ordinary blind date turned out to be the result of a decade-long wait.Leon's proposal was extravagant, and someone had uploaded the video online. Soon, everyone knew that a woman named Esther Wilder was about to marry Leon....Tristan saw the video of Leon proposing to Esther.It was the middle of the night. The house without Esther seemed empty and lifeless.He couldn't fall asleep. The truth was, it had been a long time since he'd had a good night's rest.That night, as he scrolled through his phone, he saw the whole internet buzzing over a proposal video. The moment he clicked on it, his blood ran cold.The thumbnail was Esther's radiant smile.

• Scorched   Chapter 12

  I looked at Tristan indifferently, saying nothing.The truth was, even now, he still didn't understand what he had done wrong.He thought I didn't know about him and Chloe because I never questioned him even when I saw them together.But not asking didn't mean I didn't care. It just meant I had already given up inside.Chloe had actually texted me long ago, gloating about how much Tristan favored her. But I never confronted him about it.I also never told him that I had seen his post.There was no need.He had countless chances to stop and make amends, but he never did. He was just relieved that I hadn't found out.Now, Tristan was finally panicking. But it was far too late.…My birthday was in June, and Leon had been incredibly busy lately. He had always been a workaholic.Ever since we got together, he made sure we saw each other every day. Lately, though, he had been traveling nonstop for business.At the same time, with his encouragement, I had picked up painting again

• Scorched   Chapter 11

  Tristan still couldn't accept that I was engaged.Leon cut him off, saying, "Enough! Do you expect her to mourn for you after a breakup?"Tristan scoffed at those words. "We were together for eight years. Eight years, not eight months. You wouldn't understand this kind of relationship. How long have you two known each other? Even if you're together, you're just my replacement."He sneered, but Leon shot back just as sharply, "So what? Eight years together, and you're still begging for attention? Sorry, the one who's marrying her is me."Tristan, clearly frustrated by Leon, turned to look at me. "How well do you really know him, Esther? Don't you think it's too hasty to decide to marry him this quickly?"You think someone with his status would marry a woman he's only met a few times through a blind date? I heard he's never even been with a woman. He's probably just using marriage with you to cover up his real preference."I sighed deeply. "You're wrong, Tristan."When I first ent

• Scorched   Chapter 10

  What right did Tristan have to go to Esther's house now?At that moment, his friend, Matthew Hudson, came up with an idea."Tristan, I just remembered. The Straburgh investment conference is next month. You can attend, representing your company. Since Russell Group is a major player there, they'll definitely be attending."Esther is a loyal person. You two have been together for eight years, and they've only known each other for a few months. How can he be compared to you?"Tristan tapped his fingers on the table and made up his mind. "Alright, Matthew, you're coming with me."…"Esther!"I didn't expect to run into Tristan here in Straburgh.As I walked down the hallway after coming out of the restroom, I heard him call my name. After eight years, I recognized his voice instantly.Looking toward the voice, I saw him leaning against the wall with a glass of wine in hand while squinting at me. It seemed like he had been waiting for me on purpose."What are you doing here?" I a

• Scorched   Chapter 9

  It's fine. Take it. He's giving it to you anyway," Leon said.The others followed suit, handing over gifts. Leon urged me to accept them. "Don't feel burdened. These things aren't worth much.""This gathering seems more about introducing me to your friends," I remarked.Leon buried his head in my neck."Yes, Estie, I want to announce to everyone that I have a wife now. I love you, and I just can't wait to bring you into my world."…Ever since the breakup at the class reunion, Tristan had been fuming at Esther. He felt she had humiliated him.It was one thing to make a scene at home, but to pressure him into marriage in front of everyone at the reunion really set him off.He could not believe that the gentle Esther would suddenly say she was marrying someone else.Tristan was sure that her fiancé from Straburgh was fake. She must have pulled someone out of nowhere just to make him angry. He almost fell for it.When his friends asked about Esther, he remained confident."She'