LOGINWindyI woke up with messy hair and an exhausted body. Since I'd deliberately dressed up to tease Tucker the night before, he'd taken full advantage of it.I slowly shifted, only to feel an ache in my back that forced me to pause for a moment. Eventually, I managed to get out of bed and leave the bedroom.It was already late in the morning. I quickly texted Grace to let her know I wouldn't be coming to the store today. After that, I ordered some takeout.I got everything ready so Tucker and I could eat together once it arrived.When he finally opened his eyes, Tucker stretched lazily on the bed, looking unexpectedly adorable."Morning..." he mumbled groggily.He rubbed his eyes before looking at me, and I immediately noticed the change in his expression."You didn't have to go to all this trouble, Windy."Even though he said that, I could tell he was genuinely happy with what I'd done. The corners of his lips had lifted into a smile he simply couldn't hide.After setting the food out
TuckerWhen I returned home to pick up something, I ran into someone I hadn't expected to see. It had been a long time since we'd last met."Uncle Cillian!"I called out his name and immediately pulled him into a warm hug."What brings you here, Uncle?" I asked as I let go and looked at him.One of his eyebrows lifted, a relaxed grin spreading across his face."So I'm not allowed to come here? Or are you trying to kick me out, Tucker?"That wasn't it at all. I was genuinely happy to see him. It was just that after he failed to win the heart of Miles's mother, he'd chosen to return to the place where he'd once lived. He had spent his time there building his business into something truly remarkable.Yeah, I knew Uncle no longer loved Aunt Sandra. But I hadn't forgotten that story from the past—how he'd boldly stood up to the terrifying Uncle Sebastian in an attempt to win back the woman he loved."Don't get the wrong idea, Uncle. I just wasn't expecting to see you."My gaze shifted to A
WindyNo one wanted to pick a fight with him. But I was a little pissed off that Tucker had deliberately teased me with messages from my coworker.I mean, I was acting professionally. I wasn't looking for another man to replace Tucker. If a man happened to like me, that wasn't my fault. I just happened to have exceptional charm."Come on, eat, Windy." Tucker pushed the steak the waiter had just served toward me. "I'm not talking about that old man anymore."I immediately let out a snort, smirking. He was always like this, saying things as if he'd already forgotten them."But what are you going to do?" I looked at him. "In that mind of yours... are you planning to mess with him?"I tapped my finger against the table while watching him. "Don't even think about sabotaging my partnership with him, Tucker.""No. I'll just keep an eye on him and see if he tries anything."I rolled my eyes at his response. Since I was hungry, I pulled my plate closer and started eating right away.Yeah, fill
WindyMy breathing was still uneven.Slowly, I sat up and quickly put my clothes back on, all while glancing at Tucker, who was sitting there in an almost provocatively relaxed posture.The broad grin on his face made it obvious how satisfied he was. Yeah, he was happy—proud, even—of what had happened today.He was finally relieved that I wasn't giving him the silent treatment anymore. Then he gently patted his thigh."Windy," he called softly.I turned my face away before smoothing my hair back into place. "No. I have work to do, and all you've done is distract me."Fortunately, we'd stopped when we did.Otherwise, I wouldn't have gotten any work done at all.But Tucker was as stubborn as ever. He wrapped his arms around me from behind, and when he spoke, his voice carried a soft sigh."But, Windy... don't you still want it too?"His hand slowly slid from my shoulder toward my chest.He really knew how to tease me.I had to clench my fists just to keep myself under control. Somehow,
Tucker"Did you just get a bouquet from your secret admirer? Is that why you look so happy, Windy?"For some reason, the moment I found the courage to walk toward her again, those were the first words that came out of my mouth.Maybe it was because I'd been anxious, confused, and terrified ever since she'd started avoiding me.And then I saw her smiling as she accepted that bouquet of flowers.It felt like I was the only one suffering from our silence.The only one hurting because we weren't talking... because we weren't together.Windy looked at me coldly.Still holding the bouquet, she let out a quiet snort and turned her back on me.What?She was ignoring me?Panic instantly flooded my chest.Taking a few quick strides, I grabbed her by the shoulder and, without thinking, turned her around to face me a little too roughly."Ouch! What are you doing?" she winced.The moment I realized what I'd done, I immediately let go."I'm sorry, Windy. I really didn't mean to do that."Guilt fill
TuckerThere's nothing more difficult than dealing with a woman's jealousy.At least, that's what I've learned.Back then, I never understood why men struggled so much with the women they loved. I mean, shouldn't they be able to work things out easily?But now, I finally understood what they had been going through.Because when it comes to love, things are never that simple.One wrong move, and the woman you love might ignore you even more—and for much longer.At the orchestra, Windy had looked perfectly fine. She hadn't seemed upset at all.But afterward, her mood changed just as quickly as the wind.Yeah, she was upset because another woman had approached me.Actually, it wasn't the first time.Women from my past often acted as if they could still expect the same treatment I used to give them.Maybe they were just trying to tease me... or make Windy jealous.Fortunately, I'd truly changed. The last thing I wanted was for my relationship with Windy to fall apart."Ah... she still has
CassandraThe year had changed, as had the months. Each passing moment brought a variety of feelings, but I can say that I was handling them better.Sometimes I would meet Julie. She greeted me and behaved in a way very different from how she had treated me before. But I still remained cautious.So
SebastianI had already spent my time working since last night, even though earlier I had enjoyed a wonderful Christmas Eve with Cassandra and Miles, taking photos together, photos I kept staring at over and over.Before the day even changed, Alden called me with a voice full of chaos. Those busine
CassandraMy head felt unbearably hot listening to their argument again.Sitting between them always put me on edge, afraid they would start another unpleasant fight. And as I was enjoying my coffee, the argument surfaced once more.For heaven’s sake, in this relaxed moment, I didn’t want to hear a
SebastianI watched her quietly. I was certain she knew very well about me. And this meeting happened because I wanted to meet her.My mind was always filled with Cassandra. Her red, swollen eyes worried me—she must have cried a great deal.What she said that night made me uneasy. Our relationship







