"Aspen said Zac did it. What does that have to do with you? Your brother's always been reckless and undisciplined—him doing something outrageous isn't exactly a stretch," Colin said calmly, trying to stay rational.But Gwyneth, sitting beside him, already understood something crystal clear—her place in Colin's heart wasn't what it used to be.Before this, Colin had never approached her issues with reason. He had always been impulsive, acting purely on emotion. And now? He could actually stay level-headed when it came to her. That only meant one thing—he didn't care anymore."Colin… do you not love me anymore?" Gwyneth's voice trembled with hurt, and tears began to stream down her face.She cried, "I know I've been a mess lately, and I'm sorry. But I can't help it. I love you too much—I can't live without you. I can't lose you!"As she spoke, she curled up in the passenger seat, trembling all over.Seeing her like that, Colin's heart softened, and his tone eased. "I'm not blaming
"Move aside!" Colin roared, his face twisted in fury.Maria was unfamiliar with Colin or his status, and she stood her ground. "Sir, I must protect my patient. Leave now, or I'll call security.""Maria, it's fine. He's my husband," Aspen said, her voice dripping with sarcasm at the word "husband". Maria stared in disbelief. She had been caring for Aspen for weeks, and Aren was the only visitor she had ever seen. She couldn't believe this snarling stranger was Aspen's husband.She eyed Colin suspiciously and asked, "Ms. Nicholls, are you sure you don't want me to call the police?""No need. Thank you." Aspen smiled and gave Maria's hand a reassuring squeeze.Maria glared at Colin and scoffed, warning him, "I'll be right outside that door. Lay one finger on her, and I'm dialing 911 myself. He's got a fancy suit but can't keep his hands to himself… How disgraceful."Then, she shoved past him and headed outside.Watching Colin's thunderous expression, Aspen almost laughed. She dou
"Ms. Nicholls, didn't you know? Your child's condition is hereditary bone cancer. At most, she has six months to live. If I'm not mistaken, your mother passed away from the same disease. I advice you to get a thorough checkup yourself…"Aspen Nicholls felt like all the strength drained from her body. The doctor's words kept echoing in her mind as she stood there trembling uncontrollably."What's wrong, Mommy?" Sophie Fuller's sweet, gentle voice broke through Aspen's thoughts. The little girl looked up at her mother with concern. "Did I do something to make you unhappy?"Aspen's eyes fell on Sophie, lying frail and pale on the hospital bed. Guilt gnawed at her heart as she stared at her precious daughter's thin little face. She couldn't help but think Sophie didn't deserve such a fate."If it's my fault, I can apologize, okay?" Sophie forced a smile, trying her best to be brave.Aspen's heart twisted in agony. She couldn't believe her beloved child only had six months left. Aspe
Colin glanced at Gwyneth's hands on his arm, his expression growing darker. Finally, he said, "Fine. One month. But don't even think about pulling any tricks, Aspen. If you do, there will be consequences."Aspen gave him a faint smile. "As long as you spend time with Sophie, I'll fully cooperate." She paused and then added, "As her father, shouldn't you at least give her a birthday gift?"...Sophie lay quietly in Aspen's arms as the car headed toward the Fuller residence. Her voice trembled ever so lightly as she asked, "Mommy... is Daddy really coming?" Though she tried to hide it, the longing in her eyes was undeniable. Aspen gently patted her back and reassured her softly, "Of course he is, sweetheart."Sophie's eyes brightened for a moment before she hesitated. "Mommy, don't tell Daddy that I'm sick, okay? I don't want him to be upset."Aspen's eyes stung with tears, and her chest tightened painfully. She stroked Sophie's soft hair and whispered, "Okay, I promise."Sophi
Sophie suddenly smiled and said, "Because Mommy loves you. Daddy, you don't have to like me, but could you maybe like Mommy a little more? Can you be nicer to her from now on?"Her voice was soft, and her large, dark eyes gazed at Colin with hope. Colin's expression shifted subtly, and he scoffed internally. He had known from the beginning that Aspen couldn't possibly have pure intentions."Did she tell you to say that?" Colin asked coldly, his voice laced with condescension."No!" Sophie shook her head quickly.Colin didn't believe her and glanced dismissively at her. Sophie noticed the slight change in his demeanor and felt uneasy. She didn't want to upset him, but deep down, she knew the truth. She was like the sea princess in the story—her time was limited. Aspen kept saying she would get better, but Sophie could feel that her condition was serious.Still, if she was going to disappear like sea foam, she wanted Aspen to have someone who loved her after she was gone. With t
Apparently, Riley had forgotten to block Aspen from seeing that post. Aspen's eyes darkened slightly, and any trace of emotion faded from her face. Just yesterday, Colin had borrowed Gwyneth's diamond earrings and given them to Sophie. They had already been replaced with a new gift today.Aspen had to admit that Colin's efficiency was impressive. Then again, Gwyneth was the woman he truly cherished, so it was not surprising.Aspen chuckled softly. Just as she was about to close the social media app, a new message notification popped up. It read, "Aspen, I'm returning in ten days."The profile picture was blank, with the initials "A. J." displayed instead. It was someone who had been on her contact list for years—one she had not spoken to in six years. Aspen's breath hitched, but she didn't respond. ...At 4:20 pm, Colin had just wrapped up a grueling board meeting. It wasn't until Riley reminded him that he remembered he had promised to pick up Sophie. He got into his ca
Sophie coughed violently again. This time, the force of it left her unable to stay upright. She collapsed to her knees, and with a sickening sound, blood spurted from her mouth."Sophie!" Aspen's voice shook as she rushed to her side.Sophie's face was burning with fever, and her lips were deathly pale. She whispered weakly, "I'm okay, Mommy..." Aspen immediately scooped her up. "No, sweetheart. Mommy's taking you to the hospital."Sophie clung tightly to Aspen, her tear-filled eyes red. Aspen rushed to the hospital, barely stopping for breath. After a blood test, they sat outside the examination room, waiting for the results."Mommy... does Daddy hate me?" Sophie's small, fragile voice finally betrayed her inner fear.Aspen froze, unable to answer. The question tore her apart. She wanted so badly to say, "No, Sophie, Daddy doesn't hate you."However, the truth was far more cruel. If Sophie had been Gwyneth's child, Colin would have adored her. Aspen blinked away tears and fo
"Colin, since Ms. Nicholls wants to talk, take your time and have a conversation. You shouldn't argue in front of Sophie," Gwyneth said as she caressed Colin's cheek.Though her expression hinted at suppressed hurt, she maintained an air of understanding. Colin was obviously unwilling, but he ultimately nodded and stepped aside with Aspen.It had been so long since they had last been alone together that Aspen found herself unsure of how to begin. However, Colin clearly had little patience for her.He asked, "What is it that you want to say? You brought Sophie here to cause a scene. Are you even fit to be a mother?"His words cut deep, his disgust palpable. To him, Aspen had always been a woman willing to use any means to get what she wanted, even if it meant exploiting their own daughter.Aspen said flatly, "You promised to spend a month with Sophie. All I'm asking is that, during this time, you keep Ms. Sanders away from her."Colin's eyes hardened. "I promised to spend time wit
"Move aside!" Colin roared, his face twisted in fury.Maria was unfamiliar with Colin or his status, and she stood her ground. "Sir, I must protect my patient. Leave now, or I'll call security.""Maria, it's fine. He's my husband," Aspen said, her voice dripping with sarcasm at the word "husband". Maria stared in disbelief. She had been caring for Aspen for weeks, and Aren was the only visitor she had ever seen. She couldn't believe this snarling stranger was Aspen's husband.She eyed Colin suspiciously and asked, "Ms. Nicholls, are you sure you don't want me to call the police?""No need. Thank you." Aspen smiled and gave Maria's hand a reassuring squeeze.Maria glared at Colin and scoffed, warning him, "I'll be right outside that door. Lay one finger on her, and I'm dialing 911 myself. He's got a fancy suit but can't keep his hands to himself… How disgraceful."Then, she shoved past him and headed outside.Watching Colin's thunderous expression, Aspen almost laughed. She dou
"Aspen said Zac did it. What does that have to do with you? Your brother's always been reckless and undisciplined—him doing something outrageous isn't exactly a stretch," Colin said calmly, trying to stay rational.But Gwyneth, sitting beside him, already understood something crystal clear—her place in Colin's heart wasn't what it used to be.Before this, Colin had never approached her issues with reason. He had always been impulsive, acting purely on emotion. And now? He could actually stay level-headed when it came to her. That only meant one thing—he didn't care anymore."Colin… do you not love me anymore?" Gwyneth's voice trembled with hurt, and tears began to stream down her face.She cried, "I know I've been a mess lately, and I'm sorry. But I can't help it. I love you too much—I can't live without you. I can't lose you!"As she spoke, she curled up in the passenger seat, trembling all over.Seeing her like that, Colin's heart softened, and his tone eased. "I'm not blaming
Right after stepping out, Colin grabbed Gwyneth by the arm and dragged her straight to his car. He frowned at her and said coldly, "Call Zac."Gwyneth stared at him in disbelief. "Colin, do you really believe what Ms. Nicholls said? You actually think Zac did it?""Call him!" Colin didn't bother responding to her questions. This time, it wasn't a suggestion—it was an order.Gwyneth didn't dare argue. Her eyes welled up with frustration as she pulled out her phone and started dialing Zac's number....At that moment, Zac was hanging from the ceiling, being whipped mercilessly. He howled in pain, sounding like a pig being slaughtered, thrashing around helplessly. When his phone suddenly started ringing, it felt like the light at the end of the tunnel."Sir, please—I've got money! Just let me answer the call, I'm begging you!" Zac pleaded over and over. He couldn't take it anymore.Kian shook out his sore hand with a grimace of disgust. "You're a grown man, yet all you do is bully
"Aspen, I don't have the energy for this anymore. Just tell me what you want." Colin rubbed his temples, exhaustion etched into every word. Between the company's critical restructuring and this domestic chaos, he was under siege from all sides.Seeing how weary he was, Aspen let out a humorless laugh. She lowered her head and said, "Colin, I want a divorce. A fair one. I want everything I'm entitled to." Colin was shocked. Of all the things she could have asked for—even having another child—he hadn't anticipated that all she wanted was to carve out his assets and walk away.In an instant, his composure shattered. He lunged forward, his hand closing around her throat. "You're desperate to leave and bleed me dry just to fund that Jefferson brat? You whore! How long has this been going on?"Aspen didn't even flinch. Up close, his rage was almost pitiable. She said disdainfully, "The only cheater here is you, and you dare play the victim?" "Aspen, don't push me past my limits." Col
Aspen kept her eyes downcast, the picture of wounded vulnerability. It was enough to soften Colin's expression.Gwyneth hadn't anticipated Aspen mastering the art of playing the victim. Watching Colin's demeanor shift, alarm bells rang in her head. "Colin, Zac would never do such a thing! Ms. Nicholls is slandering him!" "Yes, yes, it's all my fault. You're absolutely right." Aspen nodded eagerly, like a chastised child agreeing to whatever would end the conversation.Gwyneth's temper flared. She stepped forward, teeth clenched. "Aspen, I know you've always resented me because of Colin. But if you hate me, take it out on me. Why target Zac? What has he ever done to you? This isn't fair!""How exactly have I 'targeted' him? Did I hit him? Insult him?" Aspen blinked, all wide-eyed innocence. She gestured to her bandaged ribs, then leveled her gaze at Colin. "And you're just going to stand there while someone screams at your wife? What kind of husband does that?"If he wanted to
Colin scoffed, brandishing his status like a weapon. Regardless of the circumstances, he undoubtedly had a greater right to rage than the man before him.Watching his theatrics, Aren suddenly realized any further words would be wasted. He smirked and said, "It's great that you finally know who you are. Just don't cling to what you don't appreciate.""Hey! Aren, you're a homewrecker. Do you think your family will tolerate your actions if they find out that you're involved with another man's wife?" Colin's face darkened, the threat dripping from every word."The CEO of Fuller Group, reduced to tattling to Mommy and Daddy? How pathetic," Aren retorted. Then, he glanced at Aspen and left. Aspen sat silently, forcing steady breaths through the pain. When she finally looked up, she met Colin's furious gaze.He hissed, "How many times must I say it? You're my wife—Mrs. Fuller. Stop embarrassing me with your shameless behavior! What exactly is going on between you and Aren?" His molars
Chester instinctively stepped back under Aren's piercing glare, momentarily stunned. Aren had always been the picture of refined elegance in their previous encounters, and this was the first time Chester had seen the feral intensity lurking beneath that polished exterior.Nonetheless, he gained his composure quickly. He patted Aren's shoulder patronizingly and said, "Relax. I've no interest in another man's wife."Truthfully, if Aspen hadn't been the wife of Fuller Group's CEO, he wouldn't have given her a second glance.Aren watched Chester leave with a conflicted gaze before entering the hospital room."Aren, you're here! Where's the food?" Aspen called out from her bed. She was confined to her hospital bed now. Every movement sent waves of pain through her body. These days were pure agony, and Aren's home-cooked meals had become her only solace.Seeing her eager expression, Aren's face softened into a gentle smile as he set the food container on the bedside table. "You're a
Just hearing Zac's name made Aspen's blood boil. Grinding her molars, she hissed furiously, "That goddamn bastard—just thinking about him makes me furious! He's the reason I'm stuck here in agony. Chet, you better make him pay, you hear me?""Just tell me what you want done," Chester said, oddly charmed by her seething rage.Aspen was tempted to demand the bastard's head on a platter, but after a moment's thought, she growled, "Beat him to a pulp. I want him barely recognizable. Then, dump him at the gates of Oceanus Villa.""Just a beating?" Chester raised an eyebrow, amused. "Didn't take you for the merciful type."Aspen heard the sarcasm dripping from his words. She scoffed and muttered, "You seem like a tough guy, so why are you talking like a nagging old lady? You asked what I wanted—now you're getting all sarcastic?""It's quite a big favor. How do you plan to repay me?" Chester decided to drop his attitude. Instead, he stared at her calculatingly, already planning to ask f
When Zephyr walked out of Colin's office, he was drenched in sweat. He returned to the tech department looking pitiful, taking a sip of water before muttering, "What the hell got into Mr. Fuller today? Just last week, he was raving about this proposal—now suddenly it's 'complete garbage'? He chewed me out for over an hour. Did I commit some kind of capital offense?""Thank goodness Ms. Nicholls isn't here today, or she'd be the one getting an earful," said Candice, tossing him a pack of trail mix with a grin.Hearing that, Zephyr's face twisted in disbelief. He glared at her and hissed, "Candice, you're so heartless! Do you even hear yourself? How is Ms. Nicholls' life more valuable than mine?""Speaking of which, what's up with Ms. Nicholls lately? Why is she on leave again?" Candice glanced worriedly at Aspen's empty desk and lowered her voice. "Do you think Mr. Fuller abused her, and she couldn't get out of bed?"Zephyr nearly choked on his trail mix and covered her mouth with