LOGINAdriana looked at Milo, whose face was so similar to Francesco's, and curled her lips into a faint smile.There was no fault to find with Francesco's appearance. Having children who resembled him was a good thing. It was just that the man himself was a little difficult to deal with.In the days that followed, Adriana went to the laboratory building every day without ever taking leave or missing a single day of work.Whenever the two children needed vaccinations, it was Mrs. Moss and Heidi who took them.That day, she worked as usual. Just before leaving, she had finished processing a set of data when Oliver stood outside the office and waved at her."Oliver, what's wrong?" she asked as she walked over."Bianca came to invite us out for dinner."Following his gaze, Adriana saw not only Bianca, but also Francesco.Bianca waved at her, her smile bright and cheerful."Adriana, long time no see."Adriana walked over and hugged her."Sorry, Bianca. I've been really busy lately. I
The hospital room fell into silence.After a moment, Adriana spoke in a low voice."We're already divorced. Whether they're yours or not, what difference does it make?"She didn't understand why Francesco was so obsessed with the children's identity. She even felt that it was because of those two children that he had approached her again.Francesco continued looking at her, his gaze restrained."I just want an answer.""Looks like you're fine now."Adriana climbed down from the companion bed, her expression calm. She put on her coat and left the room."Adriana."Francesco called out to her, but she didn't even turn around.Not long after she left, a male caregiver entered."Sir, if you need anything, please press the call button.""Where is the woman who just left?" Francesco asked."She went home. I'm the temporary caregiver she hired for you. I'll stay with you until morning."Francesco hummed in response and asked the caregiver to leave. Then he let out a deep sigh.H
It was such a cold night, yet Francesco's forehead was covered in a layer of cold sweat, and he was still stubbornly pretending everything was fine.The nameless anger burning inside Adriana suddenly surged. She grabbed him and hauled him up from the ground. Her movements were rough, but when his unsteady body staggered forward, she instinctively reached out and steadied his arm.She half-supported and half-dragged him down the steps, pushed him into the back seat, and shut the door decisively.Just as she started the car, a low chuckle came from the back."What are you laughing at?" Adriana asked.Francesco didn't answer immediately. Instead, he leaned against the seat, his gaze falling on her tense profile.Her jawline was tight from anger, and a faint flush colored her skin.She looked really cute.He slowly said, "You still care about me."The burning pain twisting through his stomach from the alcohol surged again and again, but at this moment, it didn't feel quite as unbe
Adriana sat in the driver's seat.Her reason told her, 'Don't go. You're already divorced. Why do you still care?'But her emotions were like a thin, unbreakable thread, pulling her toward the bar.She stared at the heavy darkness beyond the windshield and mocked herself for being so hopeless.Even if she didn't go, what would happen? At worst, the owner could call the police.But she couldn't do it.She could face the cold and distant Francesco without changing her expression, yet she couldn't bear to see the Francesco who had lost himself, hiding in a corner and ruining himself.She pushed open the door of the bar and found him immediately.Francesco leaned lazily against the back of the booth seat, his lashes lowered as he drifted between consciousness and sleep.The moment she approached, the sharp smell of alcohol hit her.Several empty bottles sat on the table.Adriana glanced at them, took out a card from her pocket, and handed it to the owner who was waiting nearby.
Adriana ignored Francesco all the time now."Grandpa asked me to bring the children their New Year's money. It's his goodwill. Please accept it."He took out two huge envelopes containing gold bars and held them out to Adriana.She did not take them. Instead, she smiled faintly."I appreciate Grandpa's kindness, but the children are still too young. They can't handle such a heavy gift."Chris let out a cold laugh."Mr. Este, if you truly wanted to give the kids money as a New Year's gift, a few hundred dollars would be enough. After all, our two families aren't particularly close. Giving so much at once might make people think the Slater family is so poor that the Stanleys came here to give charity."Francesco put away the gold-bar filled envelopes and took out two ordinary money envelopes instead. He handed them to Adriana again."Its Grandpa's sincerity. If you really don't want them, you can return them to Grandpa next time you see him."He placed the envelopes on the coffe
Francesco's heart stopped. With stiff movements, he took the paternity test report from the staff member.He skipped straight to the conclusion at the bottom.The moment he saw the result, his mind went blank, as if he had been struck hard.[Probability of paternity: 0.00%. The tested father's sample alleles do not comply with Mendelian inheritance patterns with the child's sample.]There had to be a mistake. How could Adriana's children not be his?Perhaps the hair samples did not belong to those two children.Something must have gone wrong.Other than him, Adriana absolutely would not have another man.He tore the test report into pieces and threw them into the trash.The next day, he asked Bianca to accompany him to the Slater family estate.On the way, Bianca reminded him, "Cesco, Adriana said she doesn't want to see you. Just drop me off at the entrance and go home."Francesco's grip on the steering wheel tightened slightly."Chris is there too. I don't feel comfortabl
Heidi hadn't just made soup—she'd also made some chicken tacos for Adriana.Chris, at some point, had taken a seat across from Adriana. He poured some red sauce in a little saucer for her."Edward suddenly had a sharp stomachache, so I rushed him to the hospital."Adriana nodded. "It wasn't serio
Adriana hesitated, then stole a quick glance at Francesco. His expression remained cold and detached, revealing no trace of emotion."Could we use cooperation as leverage… to make them leave Chris alone?" she asked softly.Francesco tilted his head, not even bothering to hide the faintest smirk of
Adriana stepped forward with calm composure. "Dean, gentlemen, this really isn't such a big deal. I'm sorry you had to make the trip."Dean got straight to the point. "Where's Chris?""He's in his ward. The doctor has instructed that no one disturb him for now, and he doesn't wish to see anyone."
Alex skimmed through the two articles in the newspaper, then crumpled it into a ball and tossed it into the trash.If Chris saw the second article, he would only get angry all over again."And this Francesco… his remarks are completely inappropriate.""Achoo!"Francesco, lounging against the edg







