“Huh?” I furrowed my brows.What does that have to do with falling out of Grandpa’s favor?The Butler’s eyes darted around nervously as if what he was about to say next could land him in trouble. He lowered his voice and continued, “Actually, it happened many years ago at a moment like this. The Master was ready to send the young master abroad but that didn’t settle well with the Young Master’s mother. She begged him all day and then resorted to arguing, before her family got involved. That was the moment she fell out of the master’s favor and stopped being his favorite.”I blinked. Maya— Grandpa’s favorite?That was hard to believe. “You don’t think the Young Master’s father married her simply because they loved each other, do you?” The Butler chuckled. “That’s not how things work in this family, and you know that, Young Miss. The Master chose her for his son the same way he chose you for the Young Master. He has once doted on her as well.”That was a revelation. The hope inside m
But I won’t be fine once he leaves. I’ll never be fine to have my son grow up in a far-away land. He’ll only get to return once he finishes his studies.That will be many years later.Will he still recognize me? Won’t our bond become weaker as the years pass by?“Look at you… Who said you have to work hard to make Mommy happy? Just staying beside me is enough, Dave?” I pinched his cheeks playfully while holding back my tears. “Theo won’t stop bullying you,” He replied, still adamant on his decision. “If I don’t become strong and more successful than him, how will I be able to protect you? It’s just a few years. I’ll be back before you know it.”Funny how the roles have been reversed. He’s supposed to be the one sad about Theo’s grandfather’s decision.Dave is too calm. Too composed for his own good. He’s just a kid and doesn’t know what awaits him in that foreign land. Hadn’t those people molded Theo into the cold and ruthless business man he’s today?“Baby, I will speak with grea
The Next Morning. The clicking of utensils against each other was the only sound in the dining room.Neither Ethan nor I spoke a word.Tension hung in the air. An awkward one. I couldn’t bring myself to look in his direction, guilt overwhelming me. Last night, I shouldn’t have pulled away.It was a reflex- my body reacting before I had a chance to speak. Ethan’s attempt to kiss me might be a test to know if what I’d said was true- If I was comfortable having him around.My heart sank, and I sighed, picking at my food. I’m in no mood to eat anything, but I have to force it down. Ethan’s Mom won’t like it if I refuse to eat the food she prepared.“What’s wrong with you guys? Why’re you both quiet?” She broke the silence.I looked up. My eyes met his, but I couldn’t hold his gaze for a second and had to quickly look away. “We had a long night, Mom…” I replied. “We’re both exhausted.”“Really?” His mother threw us both an incredulous look. “It’s good, but don’t overwork yourself. Yo
Ethan must have tried calling after not finding me in the hospital. I left suddenly, in a hurry, driven by the conviction and fear that Theo had kidnapped my son. Theo Wellington, that maniac. I forgot my phone and bag in his office, and he very well knew that I would head straight to the Wellington Mansion after leaving his company.He could have sent someone to return my things, but he didn’t. Because he’d expected me to come back— so he could finish what he started. I don’t know what came over him, but Theo had become more dangerous than ever. He confessed to me, knowing I’m married– as if nothing else mattered to him. It meant Theo had no restrictions. He doesn’t care about anything else except what he wants. Telling Ethan the truth… I’m not sure how he’ll perceive it. My reason for going to Theo’s company turned out to be groundless, and I also wished I could erase that part and even forget those words he told me. “I-I was at the Wellington Mansion,” I replied. “And my ph
Olivia’s POV. This matter is affecting me more than it should. And it’s not good for my sanity. I couldn’t add this to my pile of problems. I should be happy, grateful in fact, that Theo’s grandfather had made a decision. But it’s that same decision that haunts me. I can’t imagine Dave being sent abroad to study. My son is too young for that. I can’t imagine him living alone in a foreign country- a boarding school, surrounded by strangers. Grandpa told me that Dave took after Theo, who was also fond of wandering off when he was a kid.Nobody could make him break that habit, and the only solution had been sending him abroad to study. Dave’s disappearance yesterday changed everything. It revealed a habit nobody suspected he had. He still wouldn’t mention where he spent the night, and that was scary.The more my son grows up, the bigger my fears become that he will turn out just like his father. Cold, stubborn, and dismissive. Will sending him to a boarding school change him?It
I left my car and approached her. “You’re back, Dear.”Olivia flinched, and her palm flew to her chest.Strangely, she hadn’t sensed my presence or footsteps.Maybe I’d been wrong. She wasn’t as calm as I’d imagined, and there was a hint of distraction in her eyes- a distant look.“Y-Yeah…” She forced a smile. “Were you waiting outside for me?”“I just arrived too.”She made an ‘Oh’ sound, nodding at my response. “Mom has been worried about us…” I added, noticing the subtle changes in her expression. She might look calm, but underneath the surface, there is a hint of anxiousness and hesitation. Her response to me was rapid. “That’s sad. Well, we’d better hurry inside! God, I’ve totally forgotten.”About what?My Mom?How could she easily forget that she had a guest in her apartment?What could have distracted her so much?I sighed. No need to jump to conclusions yet. Something had definitely happened with her, because she didn’t even return with her car. Olivia took the lead, and