Chapter 13

He didn't intervene because he assumed Kennedy must have run into someone he knew. Kennedy blocked Darin's path as he approached, prepared to assist. "Just leave her alone, Darin. It was inevitable for her. Disregarding him, Darin assisted the woman in getting up. He said, "Are you okay?" Felicia was unable to speak because she was in so much pain. She didn't even give him a glance.

Rather, she shook her head and limped over to get her dropped thermos. Darin glanced at Kennedy. "Have you not seen that she is expecting? It's Max's business. What if she suffered an injury? Kennedy chuckled icily as he looked at Felicia's strong physique. "I think she looks excellent. Additionally, it could be preferable if she lost the baby if something did happen. Felicia stood frozen in place. Her chest tensed, the words piercing her deeply. Kennedy could only mean one thing if he said something like that.

Max had no desire for this child. Darin scowled, but a clear, upbeat voice interrupted him before he could respond. "Hey, Darin!" Darin looked up, startled out of his reverie. Andrea, wearing a pleated skirt and a nice wool sweater, was running toward him with her beret on her head. Her slender legs were embraced by white boots. She appeared youthful, vibrant, and stunningly gorgeous. A dashing man trailed behind her, Andrea's coat slung across his arm, and his eyes were beaming with love. Don't run.

It's risky. Darin gave a mild reprimand. Andrea put her arm through his before bursting. "I am not a child. It won't be easy for me to tumble." Kennedy crossed over with a playful smile. "If Andrea ever took a tumble, I bet Max would tear the whole building down just to make it right." Andrea's cheeks became flushed. She glanced at Kennedy. "Kennedy, what are you talking about?" Max approached. "Let's get lunch."

Max and Andrea had been waiting here with Kennedy and Darin. Andrea released Darin and extended her hand to grasp the man's hand next to her. As the party headed toward the door, they passed Felicia, who was having trouble bending over and raising her thermos. Max's face remained completely expressionless. Andrea gave him a short glance before turning her head away. No one halted. They simply left the building by walking. An automobile rolled up. The security officer rushed to the door and opened it.

Max cautiously and protectively assisted Andrea into the car. The company was left behind when two black automobiles drove off. Felicia appeared to have lost all of her strength as she gripped her thermos, spun around, and hobbled back to the elevator. Felicia sat back at her desk and did nothing. She was unable to even consider eating. She remained still, gazing into space. She was determined not to cry or feel sorry for herself. She had always maintained her composure and never displayed signs of weakness. But at the moment, she just wanted to cry and let go of all that had been holding her inside.

Max went to the golf course with the others after lunch. Sitting in the lounge, Darin was examining a pocket watch. A picture of a little girl, perhaps ten years old, standing on the beach wearing a woven hat, smiling, and holding a seashell. The smile was so lively and radiant. The silence was broken by Max's voice. "Looking at your sister's photo again?" Darin put the watch back in his pocket after snapping it shut. He sipped his tea slowly. "It's nothing." He was unable to explain why, but he had been uneasy ever since witnessing Kennedy bullying that expectant woman.

Max silently observed him. They had always been close and had founded a private equity firm together after meeting while studying abroad years prior. Max was aware of Darin's younger sister. As evidence of how much he missed her, Darin always carried her picture with him. Darin was taken with his mother when she remarried into the Curtis family in Northwick years ago. There, the Curtis family was quite important. Mr. Curtis raised Darin as his own, and he eventually became the CEO of IronGate Industries.

Darin had adopted his mother's last name. You're not going to find her now that you're in the capital? "Darin gave a headshake. "What's the purpose? It would be even more difficult to see her. It's likely that she doesn't even remember me. When he and their mother left, she was just nine years old. It had been so long. Felicia probably only remembered him vaguely now.

They would just be strangers who happened to have a similar past, even if they did meet. There was no purpose. Aren't you curious about her current appearance? Like he was seeing another person through Andrea, Darin's gaze strayed across the field to where she was standing. He smiled, a small, longing smile. She most likely resembles Andrea quite a little. I simply wonder which fortunate man will eventually win her.