LOGINThat night, after signing contracts and attending the celebratory party of the other company, it was already quite late.Carter, acting as Sharon's companion, had accompanied her to the event and personally driven her home afterward.Even though Thomas hadn't contacted Sharon for some time, she continued the pretense with Carter, keeping up appearances to avoid arousing suspicion.The night was pitch-black, and the streetlights cast dappled shadows along the road.Watching the scenery blur past the window, Sharon asked, "Has Thomas returned from Zachemaine yet?"Carter replied calmly, "I haven't received any word. But with his abilities, if he wanted to avoid my notice, it would be fairly easy."He glanced at her as he spoke."He hasn't contacted you again?""No," Sharon said. "So I'm planning to reach out to Carmen tomorrow."Carter asked, "What if he'd rather break up than undergo the hypnosis?"Sharon's voice was level. "When feelings fade, people instinctively weigh the p
Theo nodded. "Okay, Dad, I understand."On the ride back, Sharon remained silent, her thoughts buried deep within her.Once they returned to the villa, Carter coaxed Theo upstairs before turning to Sharon."You knew he wouldn't have harmed Theo… so why even do that?"Sharon didn't answer. She simply turned and went upstairs.After that, a week passed without Sharon seeing Thomas, and she didn't receive a single call or message from him. It seemed as if that confrontation had truly broken his heart.Wendy called, telling Sharon there was an important contract in Marcentine that required her presence.Seeing no further movement from Thomas, Sharon guessed he had given up and decided it was time to return.Those seven days were calm and uneventful. At first, Sharon remained cautious, suspecting Thomas might be lying in wait for her to let her guard down. But the reality proved she had worried unnecessarily—no matter where she went, Thomas did not appear.Meanwhile, Carter finally
Sharon's gaze was icy as she stared at Thomas's sharp, handsome features, her tone cutting."Thomas… have you really stooped so low as to use a child to threaten me?"The slap she delivered wasn't heavy, but in the full view of everyone present, it was undeniably humiliating.Sharon had always treated Thomas with respect. Even knowing he had once helped Kelly, she had never laid a hand on him.Thomas didn't flinch, nor did he show any anger. He watched her quietly, a dense black haze creeping through his eyes, his emotions shrouded in shadow."Sharon," he said calmly, "do you really think I'm such a despicable man?"Sharon clenched her fists, her long nails digging into her palms, pain shooting through her.Her voice was sharp, almost cruel. "This isn't the first time you've done something like this. Didn't you once use Matty to threaten Xavier?"Afternoon sunlight bathed Thomas in a soft golden glow, highlighting his striking features. Yet, the warm light brought no warmth to
After the last parent-child event in the afternoon, the entire day's activities finally came to an end.Theo, oblivious to everything else, was the happiest of them all.He held Sharon's hand in one and Carter's in the other, beaming. "This is the first time I've ever participated in an activity with both my mom and dad! I hope from now on, I can always do things like this with both of you!"Sharon and Carter froze for a moment, then exchanged a quick glance.Indeed… Theo was already this old, and yet, this was the first time they had attended an event together as a family.Carter looked at Theo's joyful face and murmured softly, "I'm sorry… Dad was too busy before. From now on, your mom and I will spend as much time with you as we can."He subconsciously glanced at Sharon, but she only smiled gently, holding Theo's hand without a word.Theo, brimming with happiness, ran over to the other children, proudly showing off his parents.The group of children clustered around him, eye
Sharon stood frozen in place, letting Thomas hold her. She didn't resist, but she didn't respond either, like a puppet stripped of its soul.After a while, her voice broke the silence."I've done what I promised. Now… you can leave, right?"Thomas tightened his arms around her and paused for a moment before slowly letting her go."Fine… then I'll come see you tomorrow."Sharon lowered her lashes, clearing the thoughts swirling in her eyes."No need," she said, her voice flat, betraying no emotion. "Thomas, today is the last time you'll see me. I've decided to get back together with Carter, so please… don't come looking for me again.""I don't believe you, Sharon," Thomas said stubbornly.Sharon lifted her head to meet his dark, intense eyes."Thomas… Carter has admitted his mistakes. He promised me he won't make them again. I grew up in a single-parent household. I know better than anyone what that life feels like. That's why I want to give Theo a complete family."She paused
"Carter, you need to start looking forward too," Sharon said.Carter's gaze was deep, unwavering as he looked at her. "Sharon, you once said that for someone worth it, anything done for them is worth it. You have your life. I won't interfere. But I also have my memories. You don't need to feel burdened. And…"His eyes reflected her image, focused and earnest."All that you've given over these five years—it hasn't just touched you. It's just that I didn't know how to cherish it. Sharon… to me, you are that person worth everything."Sharon knew no words of persuasion could change him now. She shifted the topic."This weekend, arrange a large-scale parent-child activity at the school."There were only two days left until the weekend.Carter understood immediately. "I'll take care of it."Sharon asked, "The bodyguards… everything's arranged?"He nodded lightly. "He won't be able to act so recklessly as he did in Zachemaine.""Good," Sharon said. "I'll be staying with Theo for the
As Xavier drove, they passed a small restaurant. Sharon suddenly said, "Xavier, could you wait a moment? I want to get a takeout meal."He pulled over without a word.Inside, Sharon placed her order, then told the waiter, "No chili, no onions, no cilantro. And please, pack the rice and dishes sepa
Carter arrived to find only Julliard standing there, holding Theo in his arms. Sharon was nowhere to be seen.He hurried forward. "Julliard, Theo's out of the fire now. Where's Sharon?"Julliard pressed his lips into a thin line, his expression tight. "Sharon said Thomas is here. She insisted on f
Sharon paused, her hand still clutching the map."It's so late… he should be resting by now."Julliard's voice carried a faint reproach. "Resting? Theo was kidnapped because of him. How could he possibly sleep?"Carter, meanwhile, had long abandoned the thought of sending Thomas to check on Theo.
Breakfast was the only meal she had shared with Thomas for the day.She hadn't been around for lunch, and Liam had kept him company instead—but in the end, Thomas hadn't eaten anything.Liam, as his friend, had already done more than enough by bringing the food. Sharon couldn't possibly expect him







