“You didn't tell me why you have so many writings on your arm, daddy,” Asher said in his tiny, curious voice, the hint of laughter tugging at his lips as he fumbled with one of Ethan’s fingers, laying on the bed.“Oh, these?" Ethan said with a raised brow, glancing at his tattoos.Asher nodded.“It's art." He replied. “You know, daddy used to like art when he was little." “Like me?" “Yeah, exactly like you. I’d draw on everything—my books, the walls, even my bed. And my mum? She’d beat me so hard.” He pulled a goofy face.Asher giggled."And when I became a man, I still drew everywhere until I drew on my body.”"Isn't that bad?" Ethan nodded. “Very. And if my mummy were here, she'd beat me till I pee on myself." Asher chuckled some more.Jules leaned against the doorway, arms folded, a soft smile playing at the corners of her lips.She had expected Ethan to be furious when he arrived at the hospital—instead, he’d said almost nothing about Asher’s condition and took it as a chance
The words hit Jules like someone had clapped a pair of cymbals against her ears.‘Before I get married to Evie.’It echoed, sharp and relentless.She stared at Nolan, unable to look away, her heartbeat pulsing through her ears. Her breathing shook. And she didn’t even know why.Did he have to dump the information on her like that? At this moment?“I made a promise.” He added, his voice low, his eyes unable to meet hers. “And I want to keep it.”Jules just swallowed and turned back to her fingers.“And after the wedding here, we'll move back to the city." She gritted her teeth, forcing her voice out steady. “When is the wedding?”“In about three weeks." He took a quick glance at her but couldn't catch her expression."Well, then…" she paused. “Good luck." But Nolan couldn't help but feel uneasy. The thought of getting married to Evie had died a long time ago, especially when he realized Jules had a son.But there was nothing he could do now because, out of his arrogance and thoughtle
Before Nolan could get to the parking lot, he could see her car zooming out of the premises, with her driver standing dazed by the curb.“Shit,” he muttered, rushing toward his own car and fumbling with his keys. There wasn’t time to ask where she was going.All that mattered was following her.And the moment he got into the car, he got on her tail in a hot chase.They hit the highway, and Nolan slowed a bit, trying not to cause a scene. But when Jules didn’t even stop for a truck as massive as a trailer, his brows lifted.She wasn’t just in a hurry. She was in panic mode.Nolan floored it. He wasn't about to miss her.He glided through cars and trucks and traffic lights that he almost felt like he was doing a stunt for some movie.Whatever was making Jules drive like that sounded like trouble.Finally, she slowed down and swerved into a parking lot.Nolan looked. “A hospital?" He wondered, giving her a head start. Before pulling into a free space away from hers. With the way she dro
Jules pulled open the drawer in her desk and took out the bottle of vodka, poured herself a shot and downed it in one gulp, all while keeping her eyes on the door in case anyone walked in.Then she quickly shut it back in the drawer and smoothened her blouse, taking deep breaths.Finally, she walked out towards the conference room where she'd called for a meeting with the board, the entire executive team, and, of course, Nolan.When she got there, almost everyone was ready and waiting, including Zee, standing at attention behind her chair—and of course Nolan was also present.Their eyes met briefly—only a second—but it was enough to send an unexplainable shiver down her spine.Why? She couldn't decipher.“Sorry for the delay." She said out loud, her voice cutting through the silence in the room. Then a small smile appeared on her lips. “Before I start, I'd like to say thank you to all of you for seeing that the company was still running in my absence." A few nodded. The rest just sta
The sound of Nolan’s heavy footsteps echoed through the house. It felt silent and hollow—just like his chest.It'd been two days since he confirmed Asher was getting a half sibling and he felt nothing less than foolish.‘Do I really act without my brain?’ he asked himself as he got up the hallway and turned towards his bedroom.It was dark out. Later than the time, he usually got off work. But for the last two days, he'd buried himself in more work and drank a little more booze.Evie hadn't spoken to him ever since, and he knew his aunt was lurking in the shadows, just waiting for the right time to bring up their marriage.He opened his room's door and walked in.He froze.“Evie,” he breathed, eyes locked on the figure sprawled across his bed.It was either Evie was lying on his bed, covered with the duvet, and scrolling through her phone, or the booze was playing with his head.“Evie?" He called again.This time, she only spared him a glance for a second and turned back to her phone.
“I’m just glad everything is finally going back to normal,” Jules said into the phone just as the car rolled to a stop in front of her company.“So just like that? The media are silent?" “Nah, not really,” she replied, stepping out of the car. "Some are still digging—wanting to know what's next after this. How Nolan's going to handle the aftermath of all.”"Me included, bitch.” Cassie quipped.Jules just smiled, her eye catching sight of Zee standing at the door, waiting. “Of course you do, Cassie." "Good morning, ma'am.” Zee greeted, her smile sharper than the gator on her pants.“I have to go, Cassie. Some of us have work to do.”Cassie gasped in the background. "Good one Jules." Jules just chuckled and ended the call. “Welcome back, ma'am. You've got—" “Don't tell me." Jules interrupted with a small wave and a smile. “I know I have a lot to do, and you can brief me when I'm in my chair." Zee smiled back and shrugged.She was greeted by the few employees she passed by, but th