LOGINWhen Jesse came home that evening, he found me awkwardly trying to make soup in the kitchen. He stepped up behind me, the evening chill still lingering on his skin. "What are you doing?" he asked."I noticed how worn out you've been lately, so I wanted to make something that might help you feel better." I avoided his gaze, pretending to focus on the pot of soup.Jesse was silent for a moment. Without warning, he gently wrapped his arms around my waist.His chest was warm and solid. Through the thin fabric of my clothes, I could feel the strong, steady thump of his heartbeat.My whole body froze. His warm breath brushed against my ear, sending a shiver down my spine. "Did you see the news?""Yeah…""I told you I'd handle it." His voice came out low and hoarse."From now on, he'll never have the chance to bother you again." My heart was pounding, and a flush of warmth spread across my cheeks."Jesse…""Yes?" Gathering every ounce of courage, I turned to face him. "Are… are y
Jesse brought me to a tiny restaurant tucked away in a downtown alley. There were only a handful of tables, and the owners were an elderly couple."The flavors here are very similar to my mother's cooking," Jesse said as he served the dishes. His voice held a rare trace of warmth.During the meal, I discovered that Jesse had lost his mother at a very young age. He had been raised almost entirely by Morris. That evening, he opened up about his childhood, the trials he had endured overseas, as well as his aspirations for Aldridge Group's future.Even behind his usual impassive expression, a spark shone in his eyes. He exuded a certainty and control over the future that Theodore could never hope to match.I listened quietly, responding only occasionally with a word or two.Through the wooden lattice windows, moonlight spilled across the room, creating a serene and beautiful atmosphere. In that moment, I realized that marrying Jesse might have been the best decision of my life.The
The photos lay scattered across the floor, every detail crystal clear. Some captured Sofia and Tom feeding each other at a restaurant; others showed them walking into a hotel with their arms around each other.One photo was a close-up of a hospital surgery consent form, with "Tom Parker" written in the signature field. The evidence was irrefutable.Theodore stared blankly at the photos scattered on the floor. He felt as though every ounce of strength had been drained from him.He turned slowly, his gaze falling on Sofia in his arms. Her cheeks had lost every trace of color."Is what this woman said… true? So the child wasn't mine all along, huh?" he murmured, his voice shaking.Sofia's body trembled uncontrollably. She stammered, struggling to find the words. "N-No, Theo… It's not what you think. Please, just listen to me…"That man trapped and forced himself on me. The only person I've ever loved is you!""He forced himself on you?" Lily shot back, disbelief dripping from every
Theodore was left speechless. He could only watch as I walked past him. That afternoon, Blake called."Ms. Wetherby, we have the information you requested. Ms. Moretti's miscarriage took place at a private obstetrics and gynecology clinic in the suburbs. The records indicate it was caused by a severe hemorrhage from an accidental fall."Most importantly, Theodore wasn't the one who took her to the hospital or signed the consent form for the procedure. It was a man named Tom Parker.""Tom Parker?" The name didn't ring any bells."Yes. We checked. He's the vice president of another publicly listed real estate company in the city."On top of that, he's already married. His wife just so happens to be the only daughter of the chairman of Everstone Realty."As I hung up the phone, a smile slowly curved my lips. "Damn, Sofia, there's certainly a lot to unpack in your story," I thought.A few days later, Aldridge Group threw a grand charity gala. The event drew the city's most promine
The atmosphere at the family dinner that evening was charged with tension. I sat beside Jesse, fully aware of my new role as the Aldridge family's lady of the house.Across from us, Theodore kept Sofia company, her cheeks still wet with tears.Velda shot Sofia a look of pure contempt. Still, she held herself in check, unwilling to provoke a scene in Theodore's presence.During the meal, Sofia spoke softly, "Dako—I mean, Mrs. Aldridge, I'm truly sorry for what happened today."If you could find it in your heart to forgive Theo, I will accept any punishment you choose to give me. He simply acted in a moment of impulse."I dabbed at the corner of my mouth with a napkin. Looking up at her, I offered a faint smile. "Ms. Moretti, I think you've misunderstood something."You don't need to apologize to me. The one you should be apologizing to is Theodore's mother, Ms. Velda."I turned to Velda, feigning a trace of concern."Velda, Ms. Moretti says she's willing to accept any punishmen
Unfazed, Jesse shot Theodore a cold, dismissive glance. "She's not with you anymore."Theodore froze under his commanding stare.Just as Velda opened her mouth to protest, Frank held her back. Any further disruption now could cost their family the Wetherbys' support—a risk Frank couldn't afford.My father made a swift decision. "In that case, let's not waste any more time."Ben, take your sister and Theodore to the courthouse. Make sure the divorce is finalized."I'll stay and handle the details of her upcoming marriage with Mr. Frank."Two hours later, I found myself clutching a divorce certificate in one hand and a freshly issued marriage certificate in the other.The new certificate still bore the face of an Aldridge. This time, however, it was Jesse instead of Theodore.In the photo, he wore his trademark stoic expression, while a faint smile lingered at the corners of my lips.Outside the courthouse, Theodore stood at the bottom of the steps, looking utterly dazed. When h







