LOGIN"Afraid of what?""Afraid that my kindness wasn't real."His voice was gentle."Afraid I'd leave one day."He brushed his thumb across my hand."Afraid you'd fall too hard and never be able to climb back out."I froze.Every word was true.How had he seen through me so completely?A smile tugged at his lips."So..."He pinched my cheek lightly."Don't run anymore."His gaze never wavered."No matter what happens, I'm not going anywhere."I nodded so hard my eyes started watering again."Okay."I smiled."I'm done running."…Three years later.My medical aesthetics clinics had expanded to three locations and grown into one of the area's most recognizable brands.Landon's company had gone public as well.He'd become one of the youngest business titans in the country.Our son was three years old.He was bright, adorable, and absolutely incapable of tolerating premium berries.Every time I ate them, he'd run away."I hate berries!"Landon would just laugh."Just like your mother.""Excuse
He pulled a ring from his pocket and dropped to one knee."This isn't because of a contract."His eyes never left mine."And it's not because we're having a child."He took a slow breath."This is me, Landon Pierce, asking because I love you."His voice softened."Because I want to spend the rest of my life with you, Carol Stone."I was crying too hard to speak.All I could do was nod.Landon slipped the ring onto my finger.Then he rose to his feet and kissed me.[He's proposing!][This proposal is everything!][I officially declare this the sweetest love story of the year!]The wedding took place a month later.It was grand and elegant, everything I never would have dared dream of.The Pierce family patriarch personally officiated the ceremony, and many of the biggest names in business were there to witness it.Dressed in a wedding gown and balancing on four-inch heels, I was so nervous my hands wouldn't stop shaking.Landon stood waiting for me at the end of the aisle.Step by step,
Landon placed his hand on my stomach.For a few seconds, he just sat there in stunned silence.Then his eyes turned red."He's kicking me."I laughed through my tears."Does it hurt?""No."His voice came out rough."It's just..."He swallowed."Amazing."His hand remained pressed against my stomach."There's a little life in there."His gaze lifted to mine."You gave that to me."That was enough to make me cry too.The two of us ended up holding each other, laughing and crying at the same time.Even the comments were emotional.[I'm crying. This family is so happy.][This is what a real happy ending looks like.][Hold on, the baby's not even here yet. Don't celebrate too early.]A week before my due date, Landon practically stopped working altogether.He spent every day at home with me.I told him he didn't have to go that far.His answer never changed."You're ten thousand times more important than work."One night, I woke up suddenly from a sharp pain.A second later, I realized my
He stopped making me attend etiquette lessons.He wouldn't let me lift anything heavy.He wouldn't even let me walk around without someone nearby to help.I told him I wasn't made of glass.He just glared at me."You are to me."We weren't even married yet, and he was already talking like that.[I'm dying from the sweetness!][Landon's devoted-husband mode is at maximum strength.][But Selena's case hasn't gone to trial yet, has it?][Don't worry. She's not getting out of this.]One day, Landon was at the office dealing with company business while I stayed home alone.At that moment, I received a phone call.It was Selena's attorney.He said Selena wanted to meet with me.There was something important she needed to say.After some hesitation, I agreed.By the time I saw her, she looked nothing like the woman I'd met before.She'd lost weight.Dark circles shadowed her eyes.The confidence and elegance she once carried were gone.When she saw me, she forced a smile."You came.""What di
Every night, Landon came to check on me.Whenever he found me asleep at my desk, he'd carry me to bed.One night, I woke up and found him still sitting beside me, quietly watching."Why aren't you asleep?" I mumbled, still half-dreaming."I'm watching you."His voice was soft."Did you ever watch me like this back in the apartment?"I thought about it.Back then, I'd often wake up in the middle of the night and find him curled up at the edge of the bed, afraid of taking up too much space.At the time, I'd always thought the same thing.How could someone be so foolish?Only now did I realize the fool had been me."Landon."I reached for his hand."When I used to yell at you and treat you badly... did you ever think about leaving me?"He considered the question."No.""Why not?""Because you only had me."He looked at me steadily."You told me your mother passed away when you were young. You said your father remarried and stopped caring about you."His grip tightened slightly around mine
I froze."Later, I found out she never actually saved my life." The old man shook his head, but there was a smile on his face. "So what?"His gaze softened."She stayed by my side through a lifetime of hardship and never regretted it once."He rose from his chair and walked over to me."Carol, I don't judge people by what they say. I judge them by what they do."He stopped in front of me."As far as I'm concerned, you've passed."My eyes widened."But you'll need to sign an agreement.""What kind of agreement?""If you ever mistreat Landon in the future, you leave with nothing. And the child stays with the Pierce family."I didn't hesitate."Okay."Mr. Pierce had someone bring the paperwork.I signed it immediately.Beside me, Landon frowned."Grandpa, isn't that a little—""Quiet."Mr. Pierce shot him a look."I'm doing this for your sake. You're so hopelessly devoted to her you'd throw away your life if she asked."He snorted."If I don't keep an eye on things, you'll end up getting







