MasukIan raised an eyebrow. “I wasn’t drunk last night. I was completely sober.“Sweetheart, I knew exactly what I was doing. I have been aware of my feelings for you for a long time. I just kept holding them back. But last night, when you hired those male escorts and leaned into that man’s arms, I could
Mia’s expression hardened. “Ian, what kind of thing is that to say? Who I date is none of your business.”“Fine.” Ian gave a short, cold laugh. “None of my business.”His face remained dark as he walked out. From that day on, he never returned to the Quinton estate.Mia did not see him for more than
Mia’s relationship with Ian had changed completely. Somewhere along the way, she had become the one doing the bullying.If she was upset, she would pinch or swat him without hesitation, and Ian would only grin and call her “Little Princess” or “Miss Trouble,” never once fighting back.Later, Mia was
By the time Ian was eighteen and in his senior year, his life was too busy with schoolwork to waste time picking on his stepsister. It had been a long time since he had teased Mia.The high school and middle school buildings were close to each other. That afternoon, he and a few classmates walked to
Lester was often away from home.In the beginning, whenever Mia was bullied by Ian, she would run to her mother, Sharon, in tears. But as a stepmother, Sharon felt she had no authority to discipline Ian. For the sake of keeping the household peaceful, she chose to turn a blind eye and never told Le
The first time Mia met Ian, she was only nine years old.Her mother, Sharon, held her hand and smiled brightly. “Say hello to your new brother.”The little girl tilted her head up at the tall boy in front of her, pressed her lips together, and obediently said, “Hi, brother.”The boy didn’t look the
Sean lowered his gaze and asked in a soft, magnetic voice, “Do you want a kiss?”Charlotte turned her head slightly to glance at the driver, then pressed her lips together. “No.”Sean reached out and gently tapped the tip of her nose. “Say you do. Be good.”She lifted her eyes to meet his. Those alm
“Mia, Ian has made it clear he wants to spend his life with you. What about you? How do you feel?”“I thought about it all night,” Mia said seriously, her eyes full of determination. “I’ve made up my mind. I’m going to stay by his side no matter what.”Just then, Ian returned and happened to hear he
It was Zoe Gibson. She was the same woman who had looked at her with barely concealed hostility.The realization made Charlotte’s expression turn cold.*By ten o’clock that night, Charlotte picked up her phone right on time.Sean still had not called.There was no message either.Their last exchang
Charlotte didn’t want to say more. “Let’s not talk about him. It’ll ruin my mood.”Sophie glanced over. “Charlotte, are you okay?”Charlotte’s expression was slightly tense, but she said, “I’m fine.”Sophie and Jenny exchanged a look and, with unspoken agreement, didn’t press further.Jenny looped h







