LOGINTalia 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
Jericho knew where Quentin's heart was. So, he wasn't going to argue with him about it. "Alright. I'll take care of it."He then left the office. Quentin stretched, rolled his shoulders, and was about to head home for the night.Then he heard Talia's voice through the phone, strangled with fear. "Quentin..."She must have been having a nightmare. Her hair was plastered to her forehead with sweat, and the moment his name left her lips, she shot upright in bed.Quentin quickly unmuted his phone. "Talia, I'm here. I've been here the whole time. It's okay."His voice reached her, and she slowly turned toward the screen, dazed and disoriented. It took her a long moment before she could manage his name, and even then, it came out uncertain. "Quentin?"He sat back down at his desk. "It's me. You're not dreaming. We're still on the call."Talia nodded numbly. "Right. Not a dream."He gave her time. A long stretch of silence passed before her breathing finally steadied, and only then di
Even through a screen, Quentin was as he always was—easy confidence and shameless charm. He always did this. A line or two, and she had nowhere to hide.Talia's face went hot. She pulled back until she was out of frame, pretending to be annoyed. "Quentin, you... You're shameless."Quentin burst out laughing. "Sweetie, you're adorable. You've known me long enough by now. When have I ever had any shame?"Her face burned even hotter, and she stayed hidden behind the screen. "It's late. Go finish your work so you can get home sooner."Quentin sat back in his chair and looked at the screen, where only half of Talia's body was visible. A gentle smile crossed his face. "Talia, I don't want to keep you up. I'll put my phone on mute, but you can check in on me whenever you want."Still tucked behind the camera, she let out a quiet "Mm."His end of his line went silent. Talia waited until the heat in her cheeks finally faded, then cautiously leaned her face back into frame.On screen, Que
After talking himself into it, Quentin rolled around under the covers, deciding on his own to warm Talia's bed for her.He figured that when she came back and finished showering, she could slip straight into a warm bed and fall asleep.But Quentin kept waiting. He waited long enough to nearly fini
Garrett's entire body froze as the truth sank in.After regaining his composure, he tried to bypass Willow and head toward her ward."I'm going to see her," he said.But Willow blocked his way. Her voice was almost pleading as she said, "Garrett, Talia hasn't slept for two days straight. She fina
Christian glanced at Nancy's smiling face and returned a faint smile. "Julian and William are at the VIP booth. You can find them there. I need to go."Seeing him about to leave, Nancy couldn't help but say, "But Chris, Yvonne said she wants to see you."Since the fall field trip, Christian had ra
Quentin's words left Talia frozen in shock. She looked down at him and saw nothing but genuine sincerity in his eyes. For a brief moment, she wavered again.She thought perhaps she really could leave with him and live the life she wanted. But the absurd notion lasted only a few seconds.Whatever k







