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
Mr. Jasper Sr.'s gaze was heavy with emotion.After a long silence, he finally began to speak. He gave the three officers a concise but pointed account of the long-standing feud between James and Joseph, as well as Joseph’s mother.The officers were seasoned professionals. They had heard their share
“Blood...” Mia's lips trembled uncontrollably. She stammered, unable to get out a full sentence. “There was so much blood... someone jumped... suicide...”Someone had jumped?Charlotte was stunned.“Mia!” Just then, Ian burst into the room and scooped her up in his arms.His face was full of worry
Just then, Xena walked in carrying a thermal container.Her eyes landed on the charm in Scott’s hand, and she froze.She recognized it instantly.It was the kind of charm you could only get by kneeling step by step all the way up Sunrise Chapel.Years ago, when Charlotte’s mother Sue had fallen seri
Lena knew about it because one of her girlfriends happened to be close with Megan’s best friend back then. The secret had slipped out during an afternoon tea when that friend accidentally let something slip.The moment it happened, the friend had begged them not to tell anyone. Otherwise, Megan woul







