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Reuben pushed the door of his apartment open and stepped in quietly. The silence inside felt heavy like his heart. He shut the door behind him and stood there for a moment, staring blankly at the floor.Emily's voice still echoed in his head.“You can’t just leave like that, Brother Reuben… We have barely known each other yet. We are family.”Her trembling voice replayed over and over, stabbing at his heart each time. He rubbed his face roughly, sighing deeply.“Damn it,” he muttered under his breath.He wanted to leave. He needed to leave. Staying here would only make things harder for him. He didn’t want to face the Rowland family again. He wanted to go back to his men, to the life that made sense ...simple, cold, and distant. But no matter how much he tried to convince himself now, Emily’s pleading eyes wouldn’t leave his mind. The way she had looked at him, it felt like someone had reached inside and twisted something in his chest.Reuben walked into the living room and dropped on
Reuben stood in the hallway for a while after leaving the apartment. He ran a hand through his hair and exhaled deeply before heading toward the elevator.He didn’t understand why he felt the need to make sure she was safe. He had already done more than he planned to, but somehow, leaving her in that old building didn’t sit right with him.“Stubborn woman,” he said with a faint smile, remembering their conversation and argument throughout the drive to Willow Town—how she had challenged him and talked back to him without fear.He got into his car and drove out of the apartment, heading straight to the Rowland family mansion. He wasn’t sure if Emily and Denovon had returned to their villa yet, but his instinct told him they were still at the mansion.At the Rowland Family MansionDenovon was sitting in the garden, enjoying the fresh air while going through the project document Emily had brought home yesterday. He couldn’t read it the night before because he had come home late and drunk.
It was evening when Reuben and Claire reached the city. The hum of traffic grew louder, headlights flashing against the car windows as they entered the busier streets.Claire leaned her head against the window, watching the buildings roll past one after another. After spending a few hours in Willow Town, the city suddenly felt too harsh. It reminded her that she was back and without a job since she lost hers.She sighed softly, closed her eyes, and swallowed the lump in her throat.Reuben drove in silence, but every now and then, his eyes flicked toward her, just to check. She looked pale, tired, and deep in thought.“Where do you live?” Reuben asked quietly, giving her a brief glance.Claire turned her head and told him her address.Reuben nodded and drove for a while until he slowed down and turned into a quieter street. Older buildings lined the road ... paint peeling, balconies crowded with hanging laundry and flower pots.“You live here?” Reuben asked with a frown when he stopped
Denovon slowly opened his eyes. His head felt heavy, and a dull pain throbbed behind his temples. He blinked a few times, his vision adjusting to the soft light of the room. He was lying on the bed.A sharp sting hit his head when he tried to move. He hissed and inhaled deeply, forcing himself to stay still for a moment. His throat felt dry, like he hadn’t drunk water in days, and his tongue grazed the roof of his mouth as he tried to swallow.When he shifted his arm, something tugged lightly at his hand. He frowned and turned to see a clear tube running from a bag of IV fluid into his vein. The cool sensation trickled through him.“What the…” he muttered under his breath, frowning as he forced himself upright. He leaned weakly against the headboard, his mind spinning. How did he end up like this?The last thing he remembered was Emily’s soft breath against his neck, the warmth of her body close to his. Then everything had gone blank.Just then, the door opened, and Emily stepped in,
The soft rays of dawn filtered through the sheer curtains, painting the room with a pale golden hue.Emily stirred slowly, her lashes fluttering open. She sighed as she realized it was morning already — she hadn’t gotten enough sleep.These past few weeks, she always felt sleepy. Even when she woke up, she still wanted to close her eyes and drift off again. With a soft groan, she turned back toward Denovon, reaching out to feel his warmth beside her.But something felt different. The warmth was heavier, hotter. For a moment, she thought it was just the blanket. But when she turned her head toward him, her heart skipped a beat.Denovon was still asleep, his brows slightly furrowed, a faint flush across his usually calm face. His breathing was steady, but there was a heat radiating from him that wasn’t normal.Emily frowned softly and reached out, placing her palm on his forehead. It was warm ... too warm, like he had a fever.“Hubby…” she whispered, her voice laced with worry. She touc
The clock on the bedroom wall struck eleven thirty and Denovon was not back. Emily sat on the couch, wrapped in a light shawl, her eyes on the television but her mind far away.Denovon wasn't back home and her mind was not at rest. He had told her he'd be late, but it was almost midnight now, and she couldn't help worrying a little. His phone was not connecting too.Emily was downstairs with the others and they had told her to go to sleep and not to wait for Denovon, but here she was, still awake, waiting for him. They were still at Rowland family Mansion.After thinking for a while, she turned off the television to go sleep, but just then, the door of their bedroom opened and Denovon entered with his tie and coat in his hand. His hair was slightly messy, and his steps were a bit unstable.Emily’s heart relaxed instantly. She stood from the couch, her eyes soft but slightly worried.“Hubby, you are back,” she said gently, walking to him. She was already tired and feeling sleepy.Denov








