"Flora, why are you here?" In the span of a few short days, this was the second time Selena had said this to the woman standing before her. Flora smiled at her, clutching a pile of documents tightly in her hands: "The CEO has rescinded the transfer order. I'm returning to work here starting today." Her casual revelation was akin to a bombshell exploding over tranquil waters. As the CEO's fiancee in her words, Selena couldn't keep her composure at the news. She wasn't foolish enough not to realize there was something unusual between this secretary and her betrothed. "I warn you, Matthew is mine. You better..." "You can tell the CEO that yourself." Flora cut her off with a smile: "Saying it to me seems a bit pointless." With that, she breezed past Selena and walked straight into the CEO's office, indifferent to her resentment or indignation. If Matthew were just a stranger, that would be one thing, but he was the father of her two children... It was predetermined that she and Sel
The unexpected question forced Flora to think for a while. She had never considered this issue before, but if she was forced to answer, she would seriously consider it to reply to him. "I did, once. I used to wonder why other children had fathers while I didn’t...especially when I was teased by others. But later, it didn't matter anymore, I have two adorable kids, I have my own happiness." Those who find their own happiness won't dwell on the past. Matthew laughed. It was a bitter laugh, filled with years of suppressed emotions. "Therein lies your uniqueness. There are so many women who could sell their children for money..." He paused for a moment: "Just like my mother... As a child, I was just a lad living at the bottom of society, a vagrant at the roadside. Then my foster father took me in. And then my mother came into the picture..." When she made her appearance, young Matthew thought he had finally received the motherly love he had long yearned for. Little did he expect her t
After getting the child settled into her room, he cautiously opened the door to Flora's room. She was lying on her side on the bed, it wasn't clear whether she was sleeping or awake, but as he neared, she sat up and rubbed her eyes. "You're back, then?" "You heartless woman... Why did you leave me alone in the bar?" He whispered into her ear, his tone both teasing and reproachful. Flora had already thought up a perfect excuse. "When I emerged from the restroom, you had already been whisked away by someone. I overheard the staff saying... the person who took you away was a close friend of yours." Flora shared with a soft smile: "I suppose they didn't take you to sell you off, so I wasn't too worried." Matthew's emotions cooled slightly. He tenderly enveloped Flora, pressing her soft body into the bed: "Shall we continue where we left off last time..." "What do you mean? Are you teasing me again?" Matthew chuckled. "If you wish, I can give you the opportunity to tease me. Go on..
Taking a deep breath, Flora decided to break the silence: "Thank you for helping me take care of the kids." "It's nothing, just what should be done. You don't have to thank me..." Matthew forced a smile: "I always feel a deep connection and desire to be close to the kids... Sometimes I wish they were mine." Flora sighed, her voice soft: "Well, they are..." "What did you say?" Matthew didn't catch her whisper and asked again. But she just shook her head, steering the conversation to another topic, not any cheerier. Just that, they both knew they'd have to face it sooner or later. She abruptly raised her head to look straight into Matthew's face: “You're marrying Selena? That... it's not true, is it?” Even now, she clung onto a shred of hope that everything was just a dreadful nightmare. The man who professed his love for her just the day before, who wanted to spend the rest of his life with her, couldn't possibly marry someone else. Yet he nodded, offering a sensible explanation.
Matthew watched as Flora entered the mansion before turning to leave. Right then, his phone rang. A familiar string of digits, yet one not saved in his contacts. “What is it?” His voice was frosty. A mirthful laughter emanated from the other end, unmasked and unabashed: "Is there a necessity for such coldness when conversing with me?” “Spit it out.” Matthew clenched his phone tightly, barely suppressing the urge to berate the caller: "If this is a casual call, I’m hanging up. I don’t have time for your games.” The man on the other end seemed indifferent to his threats. They knew each other well. He knew the caller had a reason for calling and the caller knew his patience had its limits, but he wouldn’t hang up until everything was clear. “It’s about your fiancée. Today, someone saw her lurking around your mansion, and unless I’m mistaken, she doesn’t live nearby. Do take care of the beauties you’re harboring there, after all, she is... the main consort.” Having said his piece, th
"In truth..." she sighed, abandoning her attempts to explain. Instead, she asked: "What brings you here to find me?" Layla looked at her with probing eyes: "I just wanted to ask you again, are you truly intending to let him go?" The "him" here was Patrick, her ex-boyfriend, the man who was now engaged to Layla. "Absolutely. Layla, the chapter with him closed seven years ago, it's meaningless to discuss it now. You're the one by his side..." "But he's always been searching for you." The voice opposite cut in hastily, then realized her tone was misplaced and lowered her head, offering a bitter smile: "You've always held a place in his heart." Despite believing Flora had betrayed him, Patrick's love for her was relentless, his pursuit unceasing. Even now, when he had chosen to stand by Layla, his love for Flora was profound, etched deep into every breath he took. The quest for her became second nature to him. "You're engaged to him now. He's a responsible man, he wouldn't make such
"But how do you know all this?" Flora asked, slightly suspicious. The wounds of a strong man are like scales on his body, the plucking of which causes a pain as if skin and flesh were being grated. Surely he wouldn't easily let others know about his past experiences. "Patrick told me. They were very close back then." It turned out that Matthew's childhood had never known the warmth of a family, which was why he craved it so much. Hanging up the phone, she once again looked out at the distant night sky, where the city lights flickered. Her man was far away, but in her heart, she wanted to be close to him, to wrap her arms around his weary shoulders that had endured so many long years. She wanted to give him all the warmth she possessed. Perhaps there truly was such a thing as telepathy. As Flora was missing Matthew, she received a text from him. "Flora, I miss you very much. Do you miss me?" A simple line of text brought tears to Flora's eyes. Without hesitation, she called him.
"You've spent quite a bit of effort investigating my affairs, haven't you?" Flora retorted, her voice cold and sharp: "But this is my private business, as I recall, it has nothing to do with you." At this moment, two men entered from the grand entrance of the mansion. Flora recognized that one of them was a regular follower of Matthew. He sighed heavily: "Miss Selena, you should be careful with your actions. If the boss hears about today's incident... it won't be easy to explain. Didn't the boss tell you to take good care of your pregnancy?" His words caught Selena off guard. She had intended to use her unborn child as leverage against Flora, driving her and her child out of the house. But just as he said, if Matthew found out, it would be a difficult conversation. Before leaving the mansion, she turned around, casting a chilling glare at mother and child. "You despicable lot, leave quickly! Don't make me resort to harsh measures!" Her threat echoed through the mansion. Flora, hug