"Don't get worked up. I just wanted to... connect emotionally with you, Auntie,"
Mia's weak voice carried a subtle chill.
"After all, I'm going to marry into the Jackson family sooner or later. I'll have to start calling you 'Mom' eventually, right? Mommy~"
She said it sweetly.
But Caroline Jenkins felt a chill down her spine.
She had the terrifying sense that this girl was like a ghost clinging to them — her son, the entire Jackson family, all about to be thrown into chaos.
She never should’ve let this ghost into their lives in the first place.
Now, it was far too late for regret.
Five days later.
Candice’s leg had mostly healed.
These days had been eerily peaceful — too peaceful.
Kyle hadn’t come looking for her.
Given the scandal on Twitter, he probably had his hands full. Mia, being the target of online outrage, and the Jones family, now under public scrutiny, surely
Candice froze.Her thoughts jolted violently, as if her soul had been torn from her body.After a long pause, she finally replied with just two words: "Welcome back."Jessica had gone out of her way to add her, and even informed her she’d be returning next Wednesday—the meaning behind it couldn’t be more obvious.She vaguely recalled what Charlie’s sister had said earlier that morning, something about their mother calling a certain “so-and-so” and warning her brother to be careful.Could that “so-and-so”… be Jessica?Her heart began to sink.A moment later, she let out a quiet, self-deprecating laugh.Lost in her thoughts, her phone slipped from her hands into the water, instantly disappearing beneath a sea of flower petals and foam. She hurried to fish it out, but the screen was already black—completely unresponsive. It had met its end.She blinked slowly.
Charlie gently placed Candice on the sofa and leaned down to kiss her.She instinctively placed her hands on his chest to push him away, but when he became serious, her slender arms couldn’t hold him back. He pressed her down, his mint-scented lips pressing firmly against hers.He was angry.Hmph, she was angry too!In frustration, she bit down on his tongue that had entered her mouth.Charlie winced in pain, but didn’t pull away. Instead, he used his bloody, teasing tongue to continue to tangle with hers.Candice wanted to bite him again, but a sudden rush of tenderness and vulnerability washed over her. She stopped resisting, slowly wrapping her arms around his neck and responding to his kiss.They kissed deeply, the intimacy becoming addictive.“Ah—!”A woman’s sharp scream broke the moment, echoing through the room.Both of them jumped in surprise.Charlie immediately
His soft, teasing whispers sent a shiver down her spine.The kiss, laced with the scent of liquor, was intoxicating. The warmth of their tangled bodies and the mingling of their lips left her tipsy. She closed her eyes and melted into his embrace, letting him take control as he wished, obedient and pliant.“I’ll take you upstairs.”Charlie released her lips, cupping her bottom to lift her effortlessly, his hand grabbing the bag of medicine from the pharmacy.Candice wrapped her arms around his neck, her legs clinging to his waist, fearing she might fall.Her face flushed deeply, her skin burning from the proximity.She nestled against his shoulder, her fingers tracing the curve of his long neck, playing with the buttons of his shirt, unfastening them one by one. Her teeth lightly nipped at his collarbone, her chest pressed close to his...But before they could even reach the upstairs room, she was pinned against the
Her body was pulled straight into a tall, solid wall of muscle.The warm, woody scent of a man invaded every pore with overwhelming dominance.The grip around her waist tightened gradually. Cool, slender fingers lifted her chin gently—and she found herself staring into his slightly narrowed eyes, glowing with a dangerous light.“Why were you so eager to pull her back?” he asked, his tone unnervingly gentle.“…To protect me,” Candice replied, her expression pitiful, laced with a pleading undertone.Charlie leaned in, his cheek lowering closer to hers.His breath, carrying the scent of strong liquor, brushed against her face as he murmured, “Why do you need protecting? Is Candice in danger? Should I protect you instead?”His voice was low and warm, dripping with indulgence—but the strength at her waist was anything but gentle.Candice: I’m doomed. He’s really mad
Everyone was confused.At the door, Margaret welcomed a middle-aged woman inside.Ruth Blackwood walked into the house.She immediately spotted Charlie sitting at the dining table. That man was just too eye-catching—impossible to ignore.Her smile faltered slightly.Candice already has a boyfriend?And such a stunning man, no less…Is my son going to be heartbroken again?“Ruth, I’m so sorry—some guests dropped by today and I forgot to tell you,” Margaret said awkwardly, pulling her to the sofa.They had been on the phone frequently these past few days.Ruth was a former colleague and fellow teacher of Margaret’s. They lived in the same neighborhood and their families had frequent contact.Her son was outstanding—now a doctor.After hearing on the phone that her son was asking about Candice, Margaret realized the boy had liked her daughter for years bu
Candice: “...!”Sophia!You traitor! Spy! Useless saboteur!Are you trying to kill me!?At this moment, Charlie was no different from a walking time bomb in her eyes—one that could go off in her house at any second. Even glancing at him filled her with anxiety and dread.But being the skilled actress she was, she quickly returned her widened eyes to normal.Those sly fox-like eyes of hers curved into a smile, radiating an air of "peace and harmony."“Sophia, you’re so thoughtful,” she said with a sugary tone. “Thank you so much, my dearest bestie…”I’m going to kill you!Sophia felt like she’d been turned into a pincushion by the daggers hidden in her best friend’s smile. She waved her hand sheepishly.“ah, no need to thank me~”Spare me, bestie~~But Mr. Clemens gave me so much… a Birkin 20 in white, okay~~~