LOGINNancy stood in the office with her dress slipped down to her waist, wearing only her bra. Even exposed like this, Christian wouldn't look at her.Seeing him so unmoved, Nancy nearly broke down. "Chris, and you still say you trust me?"Tears streamed down her face. She could barely stand but refused to pull her clothes back up.After several seconds of this standoff, Christian finally stood. He walked over, pulled her dress back up, and gently embraced her. "Nancy, let's wait until we're married."Nancy broke down crying. She clung to him. "You keep telling me to wait. How much longer?"Christian gently pushed her back and looked down at her, keeping his tone soft. "Nancy, tell me what you want. If money can buy it, it's yours."Nancy shook her head, tears still falling. "I don't want anything. I just want to be yours. Really yours."Christian cupped her face and wiped away her tears with his thumbs. "You already are."Nancy shook her head desperately. "No. I mean really yours.
Before Christian knew it, it was noon. The people working outside had already gone to the cafeteria for lunch. Only he remained sitting at his desk, his mind filled with memories of the past.In his nostalgia, he even pulled up his chat history with Talia. The further back he scrolled, the more evidence he found of how deeply she'd once loved him."Chris, it's raining outside. Remember to bring an umbrella."It's Memorial Day weekend. I made a bunch of your favorite dishes. Come home early, okay?"Christian, can you pick me up after my shift?"Chris, the hospital was so busy today. I'm exhausted. I wish you were here."Chris, I miss you. I want you to hold me."Do you think I'm annoying?"…There were so many messages, and Christian had never replied to any of them. He'd even forgotten Talia had sent him messages like these.But looking at them now, they were the most direct and obvious proof.While his mind wandered, a knock sounded at the door. Christian pulled himself fro
Christian sat in his office chair. He looked up at Julian with disdain. "You came here just to say that?"Julian answered firmly. "Yes."Christian let out a derisive laugh. "And you think I'll believe you?"But Julian stood his ground, unfazed. "Whether you believe me or not, it's the truth."Christian looked away. He stopped looking at Julian and said quietly, "Julian, you can leave now. If you have time to run over here and talk nonsense, you should be dealing with your own problems."Seeing Christian act so indifferent, Julian growled in frustration, "Christian, I'm telling you I kissed Nancy. I didn't just kiss her. I touched her too. Are you really going to sit there unmoved?"Christian didn't want to hear another word. He raised his hand and pointed toward the office door. "Get out."Julian's exhausted face twisted as he shouted at Christian, "Christian, you're heartless. You say you love her, but you don't love her at all. You don't love anyone. You didn't love Talia, and
Christian gently held Nancy. His large hand stroked her hair as he asked, "What happened?"Hearing this, Nancy looked up at him, her tone almost pleading. "Chris, those photos online are AI-generated. Please don't believe them. Julian and I would never betray you."Christian gently pushed Nancy back. He looked at her, smiling. "Mm?"Nancy asked uncertainly, "You believe me?"Christian asked back, "Why wouldn't I?"Yvonne had been standing in the doorway the whole time. Hearing their conversation and seeing they weren't fighting, the anger in her heart dissipated completely.She ran over and hugged both Christian's and Nancy's legs. She looked up at them. "Daddy, Nancy, you have to stay together, okay? I only have you two now."Tears rolled down Yvonne's cheeks. Christian and Nancy crouched and pulled her into a hug.Nancy said gently, "Don't worry, Yvonne. I'll always treat you like my own daughter."Christian ruffled Yvonne's hair and laughed softly. "I'll always be here, and
When Yvonne woke up that morning, her eyes were crusted shut with sleep. After rubbing them vigorously, she felt much better.It was Saturday, so she didn't have school. The first thing Yvonne did was grab her digital tablet.When she opened her video app, she saw that the top trending headline was about Christian, Nancy, and Julian's relationship. Seeing that the video was about people she knew, Yvonne stopped scrolling and watched it.The blogger went through each person's background."Christian Lane, CEO of Lane Group. Billionaire. Cold, handsome, married but separated. He is publicly dating Nancy York."Nancy York. Medical resident working on her PhD. Plays piano, sings, and acts. She was a former modeling champion. Comes from nothing, but she's beautiful and poised. Every guy's dream girl."Julian Gardner, CEO of Gardner Group. Another billionaire. Smooth, charismatic, good-looking."Christian and Julian used to be best friends until Nancy came between them. She's engaged t
Quentin turned to Talia, his smile bright. "I want you to feed me."Maeve sat at the edge of the bed, her legs dangling over the edge. Hearing Quentin's words, she made a teasing face. "Quentin, you're already a grown man, but still acting like a baby. Shame on you."Quentin laughed. "I'm not acting like a baby. But if your aunt feeds me, my injury will heal much, much faster."Maeve rolled her eyes at Quentin and stuck her tongue out at him. "You're just lazy."Quentin laughed, looking at Maeve warmly. Talia knew he was deliberately making things difficult for her.But after thinking it over, Talia did as he asked. She sat on the edge of the bed and picked up a spoon to feed Quentin the soup. Worried he might burn himself, she blew on it to cool it down before bringing it to his lips.When it entered his mouth, Quentin couldn't help but praise it. "This is delicious."Talia said softly, "My mom made it. She saved it especially for you."Hearing this, Quentin's smile deepened.
Quentin tried to hold himself back, but Talia's words only poured fuel on the fire burning in his chest.Instead of restraining himself, he lowered his head and pressed his lips against hers.The taste of tobacco and mint flooded her mouth.His kiss was fierce and overpowering, like a storm crash
Yet, Talia felt unbearably heavy inside. "Henry, you've helped me so much. I just want to do something in return."In other words, she didn't want to keep owing him.Henry naturally caught the meaning behind her words and sensed her deliberate distance. The smile on his lips froze for a moment, bu
Obviously, Christian didn't take Talia's words to heart.Talia felt a mix of anger and frustration bubbling up. Almost instinctively, she took a few steps toward Christian and the others.Suddenly, she stopped.Even if she took Yvonne out of the bar that night, what about next time?If she storm
When Quentin pulled Talia into his arms, her body twisted awkwardly across the car's center console.Fearing that the reporter outside might catch a clear shot of Talia, Quentin covered her entire body with his coat.Talia's face was buried against his chest. She could smell the faint mix of tobac







