LOGINIan 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
“I'm sorry, Lottie...” Zac took a step forward, reaching out to touch Charlotte’s arm, but she slapped his hand away without hesitation.“Don’t touch me!” she snapped, glaring at him with fury in her eyes.Zac’s gaze darkened, his face twisted in pain. “It’s my fault. I didn’t meet Joseph’s expectat
The winter garden was quiet, the air laced with the faint scent of cherry blossoms. Snow drifted down in soft flurries, melting the moment it touched Charlotte’s hair.She stood in the cold wind, barely steady on her feet. Her flu hadn’t fully passed, and the chill was starting to bring back a dull
The night before, Desmond called the Jasper estate.“Is Lottie’s disappearance somehow connected to your illegitimate son?” he asked, barely holding back his anger.James’s expression darkened. “What? Charlotte’s missing? Did you call the police?”“It was the police who called me to confirm she’s mi
“Ahem, Mia.” Lena gave Charlotte a subtle glance and cleared her throat, signaling Mia to drop the subject.But Mia didn’t care. She waved her hand dismissively. “Oh, come on. It’s been ages since the breakup. Lottie’s way past that. Right, Lottie?”Charlotte gave a small, resigned smile. “Yeah, I’v







