Even though nearly thirty years had passed,
the man before her didn’t look all that different from back then.
Older, yes—with some wrinkles—but still dignified, still carrying that refined handsomeness from his youth.
The eldest son of the Lawrence family…
He was James.
She had lived with her mother in the Lawrence household for many years, only leaving when she started university and moved to Vanclyn.
Now, James was looking at Margaret up close.
His gaze froze.
Their expressions made both Candice and Robert feel a flicker of suspicion.
“You’re Aunt Smith’s daughter… Maria?”
James dug through layers of memory and pulled out the image of a young, innocent face.
He was utterly shocked.
Margaret’s heart pounded wildly.
She’d never dreamed that after all these years, they would meet again—and in this way, no less.
But
Even though nearly thirty years had passed,the man before her didn’t look all that different from back then.Older, yes—with some wrinkles—but still dignified, still carrying that refined handsomeness from his youth.The eldest son of the Lawrence family…He was James.She had lived with her mother in the Lawrence household for many years, only leaving when she started university and moved to Vanclyn.Now, James was looking at Margaret up close.His gaze froze.Their expressions made both Candice and Robert feel a flicker of suspicion.“You’re Aunt Smith’s daughter… Maria?”James dug through layers of memory and pulled out the image of a young, innocent face.He was utterly shocked.Margaret’s heart pounded wildly.She’d never dreamed that after all these years, they would meet again—and in this way, no less.But
She knew he was joking.Even if he wasn’t, it still wasn’t realistic.Even if he could make it real, it would come at the cost of winning against his parents. He might be happy—but for her, it could be the start of another nightmare.She had just escaped one den of wolves; she wasn’t about to walk into a tiger’s lair.Better to enjoy the pleasure while it lasted, then quit while she was ahead. No need for any results.Charlie looked at the beautiful face before him, smiling with cool detachment. His expression darkened slightly.His eyes grew deep and unreadable for a moment, but then softened again.“Being single isn’t so bad. But if you ever change your mind, make sure I’m the first one you tell.”Candice neither agreed nor disagreed.It was a false proposition to begin with.She tugged on his tie and kissed him again.Right now, they were burning like
“I…”Candice glanced around nervously, then lowered her voice.“I’m afraid I might be pregnant. We… didn’t use protection either time. And last night, you just had to do it in the water…”Charlie was silent for a long while.She kept looking around anxiously, scared they’d run into someone they knew—or worse, that someone might recognize him and take a photo. He was way too eye-catching, and these days people were snapping photos of everything—flowers, stray cats… much less a man like him.Suddenly, her body felt weightless—he had swept her up into his arms.“Put me down!” she hissed.It was dark last night, and no one had been around. But now they were in a hospital—a princess carry? Way too over the top!Charlie ignored her protests and carried her through the most crowded corridor, looking as calm and natural as if he di
Sophia walked through the door.The sound of it made Candice nearly jump out of her soul.She instinctively reached to pull Charlie into the bedroom to hide him—like some shady affair where she’d secretly "kept" a young pretty boy and didn’t want her best friend to find out.Just as her hand caught his, he turned his palm and laced their fingers together. Calm and composed, he smiled faintly and exhaled,“Relax, Candice. It’s too late now.”Candice’s pupils trembled.She slowly, stiffly turned her head.In the living room, Sophia stood there in a crisp, sharp white suit, her almond eyes wide open, shock slowly shifting into excitement.She sauntered in casually, but her radar-sharp gaze had already locked on the pair by the dining table. Her eyes flicked from the breakfast on the table, to their interlocked hands, and her smile turned suggestive.“You two… having bre
A storm had raged through much of the night before finally ceasing. At 1:50 AM, Candice awoke from a semi-conscious haze, her fingers too weary to bend. Her features wore a satisfied languor. The clamminess clung to her body as if coated with glue—every stir threatened to lift the sheets. She craved a shower.Like a sluggish caterpillar, she dragged herself upright.“Don’t move.” A firm hand pressed against her chest, and a warm kiss brushed her earlobe. “Where do you want to run off to? You’re home.”Her cheeks warmed pink. “...I want a shower.”Charlie opened his eyes and murmured, “I’ll help you.”She panicked. “No—don’t bother!”If he kissed her again, she thought she’d die. She realized all her estrogen must have balanced out in one go.But Charlie stood, buttoned his clothes, and insisted on carrying her: “You want a shower? I can’t refuse that. We’ll bathe first, then sleep.”She clutched the sheets. “...I don’t want a shower! I want to sleep!”He bent her finger back until—In
Candice stared at his hand. “…”Wasn’t this a little too exaggerated?!Charlie, as if reading her inner thoughts, helpfully reminded her, “Jackson always did this.”His slightly lowered gaze carried a hint of grievance.Candice faltered, “Then I… I can take you to the trauma clinic. Adonis can rub some herbal wine on it for you. His skills are excellent.”Charlie: “…”He sighed and extended his hand toward her. “Whoever I got hurt for, should be responsible.”Candice gave a sheepish smile. “I didn’t say I wasn’t responsible. It’s just that… my technique might not be the best, so I thought maybe a professional would be better…” Under the weight of his intense gaze, her voice grew softer and softer. “But… if you don’t mind… I could boil an egg to rub on it for you.”A flicker of amusement danced in Charlie’s eyes. “So… your place, or mine?”Candice fell silent.“Or…” He leaned in, lips brushing against her ear, his low voice murmuring, “Your parents’ place? Weren’t you going there?”Her