LOGINKENDRICKI had called Yulia twenty-three times in the past three days.Every time, the call went straight to voicemail, and by the twenty-fourth attempt, I stared at my phone as if I could somehow force her to answer through sheer will.Her voicemail picked up again.“Hey, this is Yulia. I’m probably busy right now, so leave me a message, and I’ll call you back when I can.”The cheerful sound of her recorded voice only made the silence afterward feel worse.I ended the call, tossed my phone onto the center table, and leaned back against the couch. My jaw tightened as I dragged both hands over my face. “Damn.”I had never felt this helpless.Money could fix almost anything. A business problem, a delayed project, a legal issue, a property dispute—there was always a solution when I had enough resources and the right people around me.But I couldn't buy Yulia's forgiveness.I couldn't pay to erase the look on her face when my mother announced Natalie's pregnancy.The front door opening p
NATALIE“Our plan worked, Mom.” I cut my eyes toward my mother before returning my attention to the road. The party was still fresh in my mind, especially the look on Kendrick’s face when his mother announced my pregnancy. It had been exactly the reaction I was hoping for. Shock. Panic. Confusion. And most importantly, pressure.Mom smiled beside me, settling comfortably into her seat as we drove away from Yulia’s home. “I told you it would work, sweetheart.”I let out a small laugh. “You were right.”“Of course I was.” She glanced at me, looking far too pleased with herself. “Did you really think Daphne would sit back and watch her grandchild be born without a proper marriage? That woman is traditional to the bone. The moment she heard there was a baby involved, I knew she would start talking about a wedding.”I smiled to myself. That was exactly what we'd been counting on.My mother had understood something I hadn't at first. Kendrick might not love me, but his mother loved the id
KENDRICKI watched Yulia disappear into the house, and every instinct in me screamed to go after her.My feet almost moved before I stopped myself.Adeline followed her moments later, leaving me standing in the middle of a celebration that suddenly felt nothing like a celebration. “Uh… sorry about that.” My mother spoke into the microphone with an awkward expression, then smiled. “Enjoy, everyone!”The music started playing, and guests began conversing again. A few people continued eating as though nothing had happened.But I could feel the tension hanging over everything.A staff member came over with a collector and carefully collected the broken pieces of glass from the ground. I watched her work while my mind remained upstairs with Yulia.She was hurting because of me.That thought sat heavily in my chest.Then I caught William's gaze. He was glaring at me from across the backyard, his expression hard and unreadable. His jaw tightened, and his fist clenched.There was no need f
YULIA“Yulia!”I heard my mother’s voice, but it sounded distant, almost as though she were calling me from the other side of a thick wall. I remained frozen, staring at Kendrick from across the backyard. He stood a few feet away, his face pale, his eyes fixed on the ground as if he couldn’t bring himself to look at me. He looked ashamed. Guilty. Broken. But none of those expressions could erase the words that had just been spoken.I’m expecting my first grandchild from Natalie and Kendrick.I searched Kendrick’s face for something—anything—that would tell me this was a mistake. That his mother had gotten it wrong. That there was an explanation waiting for me.But he said nothing.“Yulia!” My mother called again, louder this time.I blinked, finally dragged back into the moment. I turned toward her, forcing myself to swallow the lump that had formed in my throat.“Are you okay?” she asked, her forehead creasing with concern.“Yeah. . .” My voice came out weak. I cleared my throat a
YULIAThe house had never looked this alive. By late morning, almost every corner of my father's house had been transformed for my graduation celebration. Balloons floated along the staircase, flowers decorated the tables, and strings of warm lights draped across the backyard where several tables had been arranged for our guests.It felt strange seeing my childhood home filled with so much excitement.Yesterday, I had officially graduated. Today, my family had decided to celebrate it properly.I stood in the backyard, beaming as Adeline adjusted a flower on the table.“You're going to make yourself crazy if you keep checking everything,” she said.I laughed. “I just want everything to be perfect.”“It's already perfect.” She backed away, admiring her work. “Besides, you're the graduate. You're not supposed to be running around decorating.”“I can't help it.”Adeline had been helping since she arrived, and I was honestly grateful to have her around. This celebration wasn't only about
KENDRICKYulia approached me and murmured, “This—”I didn’t wait for her to finish. Instead, I lifted her chin with my free hand and kissed her deeply. Her arms slipped around my neck, and I pulled her closer, so our bodies were flush against each other. Our tongues met as the kiss deepened, carrying all the emotions I'd been holding back—the pride, the excitement, and the overwhelming happiness of having her here with me on a day that meant so much to her.All too soon, the kiss slowed down and then stopped. Our foreheads pressed together as I tried to still my beating heart.Her smile grew as she took in the rooftop around us. “This is magical,” she whispered, and peered into my eyes. “I love you, Kendrick.”“I love you more, Peaches,” I replied without hesitation.I took her hand and gently ushered her toward the table. “Now sit down before you make me forget we actually have food waiting for us.”She laughed as she settled into her chair.Dinner was everything I had hoped it wo
YULIA“This is it?” I asked, glancing around the parking lot filled with cars. “Yes.” Kendrick parked his car and turned to me. “Ever been to a street race?”I shook my head wildly, speechless all of a sudden. His expression barely changed, but his eyes said otherwise . “Then prepare yourself. Yo
KENDRICK“What were they thinking, letting her live with you?” Victor asked, leaning back lazily in the chair across from my desk like he owned the space.“Safety.” I shrugged, flipping through the folder in front of me without bothering to look up. “Apparently, her father thinks London will collap
YULIA“We’re almost there, baby girl.” My father watched me as I angled towards the side window, lost in my thoughts.“I still can’t believe you eloped and got married.” I glanced at him, and he was smiling.“Well… I can’t be single forever. I’m ready to settle down and spend the rest of my life wi
YULIA“So you’re telling me that you’re living with the Kendrick Fernsby?” Adeline asked dramatically, raising both hands to make quotation marks in the air. I laughed, taking another sip of my pineapple smoothie. I had decided to meet her at The Good Life Eatery because their smoothies were ridic







