The news about Zac and Jemma got out through that man, leading to another scandal. Jemma's reputation was completely ruined. Probably because she had no other choice, she married an elderly man who had a history of domestic violence.One day, I ran into Jemma while I was out for dinner. Her face was covered in bruises. She stood in front of the glass door of a French restaurant, looking inside longingly. The old man slapped her on the back, saying, "What are you looking at? Do you even deserve to eat here?"She turned her gaze away, and by chance, our eyes met. In that moment, her face displayed a mix of humiliation and resentment. However, in just a few seconds, everything turned numb and silent again. She was pulled away by the old man, and her son followed behind them. He noticed me and lowered his head in shame, saying, "Miss, I want to apologize."People were bustling at the mall entrance, and the sun was a bit too strong. I shielded my eyes from the intense light with my han
The day I discovered Zac was cheating, I smashed everything in the house. The maid frantically called him multiple times."Mr. Saunders, Mrs. Saunders is having another fit at home."I stood there in a daze, then slumped onto the carpet. When Zac rushed back, his face bore deep weariness."Sammi, what's wrong with you again?" he asked as he loosened his tie with a tired hand. Seeing the knot he held, I had a moment of confusion. In the morning, I had tied a Windsor knot for him. But now, it was a complicated Eldredge knot - the only knot style Jemma Jacobs, his former secretary, could tie. Back when she was still his secretary, she was always clumsy with her tasks. Yet, Zac was unusually patient with her. I had asked him the reason once, and he explained to me, "Sammi, she has that same determination you do." At that time, I didn't think much of it, assuming he just wanted to give a newcomer in the workplace a chance.Things only started to change when Zac began talking about her mo
I tried to control my emotions, but I couldn't stop trembling all over. Faced with my persistent questions, Zac couldn't find the words.After a long pause, he finally spoke, his voice hoarse, "So, you know everything, huh?"Zac openly recounted his past with Jemma, like it was a storyline from a typical TV drama. At first, he didn't really like the inexperienced newcomer in the workplace. However, when he faced a lot of difficulties and frustration, it was this young rookie who kept him company.The cold wind outside blew in sharply. Zac lit a cigarette, and the smoke surrounded his face, making it hard to read his emotions. He looked at me and said, "She's like a little ball of sunshine, always full of energy."Unlike you, who tends to have emotional outbursts."Work already gives me enough headaches, and coming home to you adds to it."Zac rubbed his temples, looking somewhat tired. "Sammi, I am indeed worn out."I stared at him blankly and murmured, "Then, why didn’t you suggest a
I mustered a smile that felt even uglier than crying, as if I were tearing my heart open with scissors. "Should I be grateful that you've actually put up with me all these years?"Zac let out a deep sigh and bent down to help me up. "Sammi, I never wanted to leave you—"A loud ringtone interrupted him. On the other end of the call was Jemma, sounding frantic, "Zac, Lucas has a high fever."Zac's face turned pale upon hearing this, and he stood up to leave."Lucas? Who's that?" I instinctively grabbed his arm, but he forcefully shook my hand off and left in long strides. Grinding my teeth, I followed him out the door, all the way to the hospital.When I found Zac in the hospital room, he and Jemma were taking care of the child in the bed, showing concern.That child!I pushed the door open with a loud "bang," startling everyone. Zac turned to look at me, his eyes briefly showing panic. The child in his arms also broke free and pointed at me, asking, "Daddy, who is this lady?"Zac bent d
Zac pulled me into the stairwell, anger still apparent in his expression. "What were you saying in front of a child?"I rubbed my wrist, which he had gripped and reddened, and questioned him, "Which part of what I said was wrong?"Was it your 'wife' part or the one part about him causing the death of my child?" Zac's face darkened instantly."That incident was an accident—" He began to defend himself.I leaned against the hospital wall, silently watching him. "Do you even believe that yourself?"A year ago, I rushed back from a business trip, excited to share my pregnancy news with Zac. However, upon entering our home, I found it in complete chaos. The staircase was cluttered with shattered wedding photos.As I went upstairs to investigate, I didn't expect the staircase to be slippery from spilled shower gel. I slipped and tumbled down the stairs, resulting in the loss of the baby I was carrying."At that time, you told me it was your relative's child causing trouble at our house," I
A sharp pain pierced my heart, and I bit my tongue lightly to distract from it."Zac Saunders, what should we do? I'm pregnant," I said.He froze, seeming a bit slow to respond. "What did you say?"I stared into his eyes and repeated myself.Zac's pupils contracted, and he looked at my belly. "Pregnant..."A chill ran through my body. I stared blankly at a patch of light on the floor, feeling an overwhelming sadness creeping in."You don't want this child, do you?" I asked.Zac lit a cigarette and took a puff "Sammi, be reasonable. I didn’t say that.”He looked at me through the haze of smoke, his eyes clouded and unreadable. "I hope you won't keep imposing your thoughts on me every time."It seemed that people who had already drifted apart in a marriage tended to do this—pushing responsibility away when they felt guilty."But if you really want this child," I smiled at him and continued slowly, "you wouldn't be lighting up this cigarette in front of me."This time, Zac remained silent
The air suddenly felt thin. After a moment, I looked down and chuckled, "Zac Saunders, can't you just be straightforward?"Zac stared at me with a darkening expression. "I'm sorry, Sammi. Lucas is quite possessive."He won't accept a child that's not his mother's." "And then? What do you want to say?" I said. He turned his head slightly, as if finding it difficult to continue."Get rid of this child," each of Zac's words felt like a sharp blade, cutting into me mercilessly.My ears buzzed, and my mind went blank. It felt like there was no sound around me. My body trembled, and I forced a bitter smile. "What if I don't want to?"After what felt like half a minute, he spoke slowly, "Sammi, please, be obedient. You have no family members anymore, and I don't want to deal with you."As I smiled, tears welled up in my eyes. You see, this was the person I had loved for fourteen years. I curled my lips and smiled brightly at him, "You want to harm my child, so I'll make ‘your child’ pay fo
When I walked out of the stairwell, Jemma was waiting outside. Upon seeing me, she began to look anxious, her eyes wide and reddened, like startled rabbits."Miss Lewis, please don't harm my child," she pleaded, folding her hands together in front of her chest and gazing at me with desperation. "I'll leave with Lucas. Please, don't hurt him.""Don't talk nonsense. Where can you go?" Zac stepped forward, protecting Jemma in his embrace. "With me here, who would dare to harm you both?"It was clear whom that statement was directed at, and a wave of sadness washed over me. My eyes welled up with bitterness."I'm sorry for interrupting," I managed to say."Does the child know his mother is a mistress and that he's a bastard?" I asked, my words piercing through the tense atmosphere.Jemma's face turned pale instantly. She clung to Zac's sleeve, her gaze pleading with him. "He's not... he's not..."She bit her lip, looking helpless and fragile. Her teary-eyed expression was truly pitiable. Z