Mag-log inAs he picked up the call, Christian's gaze instinctively drifted toward Talia at the next table. The way she ate was far from graceful, bordering on outright crude. He frowned."Mr. Lane?" Lionel's voice came through.Christian pulled his attention back. "What is it?""Everything's just about ready."Something dark flickered behind Christian's eyes. He lowered his voice as he said, "Good. Move in."He kept his gaze on Talia as he said it, careful in case she overheard. But she didn't seem the least bit interested in who he was talking to."Understood, Mr. Lane."Still not satisfied, Christian added one more line, his tone ruthless. "Before tonight. I want him nailed down.""Got it, Mr. Lane."They sat in the cafe for another grueling half hour before Talia finally stood. "Let's go to the courthouse."At that exact moment, Christian's phone lit up with a video and photos from Nancy. She was doing a puzzle with Yvonne, the two of them laughing together.Talia caught the sound
Christian's words sent a wave of cold through Talia.But even so, she wasn't going to fight him on it. She didn't see the point in doing that at this stage. As long as Christian was willing to divorce her, nothing else mattered.When Talia didn't respond for a long time, looking lost in thought, Christian let out a short laugh. "What? Think the terms are unfair?"Talia snapped back to the present and held out her hand. "Give me a pen."Christian went still, simply staring at her in disbelief. For once, he was the one who couldn't process what was happening.Talia's reaction should not have been this calm. After all, she wanted the divorce so she could walk away with a bigger share of the money. That was what he'd assumed all along.And from Talia's perspective, the reason he'd refused to agree in court was obvious. He wanted to avoid paying her anything. He'd banked on the fact that she needed this divorce badly enough to cave, and he'd used that leverage to corner her into signi
Talia pressed her lips together, still unable to shake the worry. Over the phone, she cautioned, "Don't push yourself too hard."Quentin seemed to be waiting at a red light. All his attention was on her, and though he smiled, his expression was serious. "I don't mind working hard—not when it's for you."There he went again. With a single remark, she had no idea how to respond. She didn't want him driving distracted, so she said, "Focus on the road. I'm going to hang up."Quentin rested both hands on the steering wheel, his long fingers draped loosely over the top. He smiled at her through the screen. "Alright. I'll miss you."Talia ended the call.Close to noon, she received another message from Christian. It was the same thing he'd sent last night. She frowned but still didn't reply.If he had actually wanted a divorce, he would have agreed to one at the last court hearing. He hadn't, so what was the point of bringing it up again now?While she was still turning that over in he
After sending the message, Christian waited for a while, but no reply came. He didn't dwell on it and set his phone aside.On his way out of the study, he took off his jacket. The smell of cigarette smoke clung to it, and he didn't want it to bother Nancy.When he pushed open the bedroom door, Nancy had already washed up and was lying in bed, ready to sleep.Christian sat down on the edge of the bed and asked her softly, "Did you drink the milk Emma brought up?"Nancy nodded. "Mm, I already had it."He reached over and brushed a few stray hairs from her face. "Get some rest then."Nancy gazed up at him, her eyes lingering. "What about you? Aren't you going to sleep?"Christian smiled gently. "I still have some things to take care of. Give me a couple of days, and I'll make it up to you."He stood to leave. But Nancy caught his hand and held on tight. "Chris, will you stay with me tonight?"He understood what she was really asking. He hesitated for a moment, then gave in. Chris
Connor shook his head. "I'm fine."Nancy picked up her spoon and fork and placed some food on his plate. "Well, if nothing's wrong, then eat up. You've lost weight."Something about the way she fussed over him made Connor feel like a child again. The words slipped out before he could stop them. "Nancy, I'm 23. I'm not a kid anymore."The second it came out, he realized how it sounded. He dropped his voice quickly. "I just... I don't want you to keep seeing me as one."Nancy gave a quiet laugh. "You're right. That's my fault. I'll be more mindful."Connor lowered his head, but the heaviness in his chest wouldn't lift.Upstairs, in the study, Franklin stood at the floor-to-ceiling windows with his back to the room, both hands resting on his dragon-headed cane. He didn't need to say a single word. The authority rolled off him in waves.Christian stood behind him, head bowed, waiting.Several long seconds passed before Franklin finally turned. "You say you want to marry Nancy. What
When the car stopped outside the Lane residence, Nancy hesitated. She sat frozen in her seat, not quite ready to step out.Yvonne stood on the curb and tilted her face up toward her. "Nancy, you're so pretty and nice. Great-grandpa is going to love you. Stop worrying."And even if they don't like you, as long as Daddy and I do, that's all that matters, right? It's not like you're marrying any of them."That finally drew a laugh out of Nancy. She looked down at Yvonne and said, "You're like a little ball of sunshine, you know that? I feel better already."Then she turned to Christian. He was watching her, waiting. When he saw the fear had eased from her face, he held out his hand. "Come on. I won't let anyone make this hard for you."That was all she needed to hear.Without overthinking it, Nancy placed her hand in his. He helped her out of the car, and the three of them walked through the front gates of the Lane residence together, laughing and talking like a real family.Christ
Hearing that Talia had agreed to let them play together, Maeve suppressed whatever dissatisfaction she felt toward Yvonne.She turned to look at Yvonne and curiously asked, "Yvonne, have you drawn your picture of autumn yet?"Maeve didn't like Yvonne at school, and because of what happened with Ta
Hearing Yvonne calling her "Mommy" after such a long time, Talia's body froze for a moment. But when she returned to herself, she still forced out a smile. She said, "It's nothing. Don't worry about it."She said this casually and was prepared to leave. But Yvonne's words had also caught Christian'
After Yvonne left, Talia taught Maeve how to draw maple leaves and grass. But while they were drawing, someone called out from behind, "Ms. Stewart?"Talia looked toward the voice and saw Evan. Beside him was Seamus, who had traded his suit for casual clothes and sneakers that day.The man was in
Christian quickly answered the call, but the background was somewhat noisy—he must have been at the hospital.Christian's voice came through the phone. "Yvonne?"Hearing her father call her, Yvonne couldn't hold back. Her eyes instantly turned red, and tears trickled down. She couldn't help sobbin







