(Aiden’s POV) “You’re the best friend. Tell me, who’s Aiden’s first love?” Deborah chuckled, glancing at me and then Jessamine while I prepared the chicken.I didn’t want to show off, but Susan asked me if I could cook anything to match the pasta, her way of telling me to prepare her favorite dish. It seldom happened since I was not home much since I went to college, but I had to focus on something else before Susan could ask me questions I didn’t want to lie to. She may not be my biological mother, but she knew what had happened that decade I was away with Jessamine.“Why are you asking me?” Jessamine’s eyebrows knitted for a second.“Come on, Jess,” Deborah giggled. “This is my only chance to kill Aiden with annoyance.”“Laurie?” She answered in a hushed tone as if supporting her friend’s idea of killing me.As if it would happen.“Laurie?” Deborah repeated, copying her sound. Unsure.The corners of my mouth lifted as I remembered the pretty girl in class. Laurie was every guy’s dr

(Jessamine’s POV) “What did I do this time?” A brief but mocking laugh escaped his mouth, embracing the baguette.“Why is everything a joke to you, Aiden?” My lips trembled, too late to realize I had put myself again in another circus of embarrassing situations before Teddy and Susan, but I was hurt for my son.“A joke?” Aiden shrugged, peering at Deborah.“Jess…” Deborah grabbed my wrist but did not pull me away from Aiden. “The question was meant as a joke. I’m sorry.”Her voice was apologetic. When our eyes met, she shook her head slightly and glanced at Theodore, enough to remind me to watch my behavior before the Knight family. They must not know about the incident about Kyle and my visit to my doctor. But then, I just couldn’t hide my emotions. I was furious after Aiden told me last night that he would still marry Naomi. Mixed feelings kept spiraling inside me – anger, pain, guilt, sadness. I lowered my head, hiding my moistened eyes. I didn’t want them to think I was not fit

(Aiden’s POV) “You’re just like your dad,” Susan chuckled tensely, her face still red, and then she sighed. “But yes, I’m here to talk about my niece.” She rolled her eyes as if she were caught red-handed.Naomi’s mother is Susan’s cousin. If I had treated Naomi as a relative, maybe I would have avoided the complexity of our situation now. Instead, I used her, entertaining her despite Paige’s plea to leave her flirt and brat cousin alone. Perhaps I wouldn't be in this situation if I didn’t rebel against Dad. He would have chosen someone else's daughter. It would be easier to say no. Kyle whimpered when the music from his hanging toy stopped, but it was only for a while. When I pressed the remote control, switching it on, he returned his attention to the toys and listened intently to the music again.“Susan,” I sighed, facing her. “What else is there to talk about? I already agreed to marry Naomi,” I said irately. I gritted my teeth and then breathed out, realizing Susan was not my e

(Jessamine’s POV) “Love, you’ve gone mad. I’m still in shock. So, don’t talk to me, okay?”When Deborah chuckled softly, I knew she had forgiven me. It was a short laugh, and then she sighed. Yet I could not tell if this was about what happened earlier or because of the TV drama she was watching. Even if she denied it, I could hear the actors' voices in her favorite series. I wanted to laugh as I imagined her eyes wide at the screen, not blinking as she waited for what would happen next.“Did you tell Aiden? Don’t let him hear it first from Luke,” she added when I didn’t speak.I pouted, but then I remembered she could not see me. I copied her, sighing, but mine was more profound, and there was a hint I wanted to cry. After that brief conversation with Teddy, I had to escape into the garden with the hope of clearing my mind.“Should I?” I asked, my eyes wandering sadly at the vast garden, thinking it was like Adilene’s, a wasted property.The Adilene’s and the Knight Residence were b

(Jessamine’s POV) “Ouch!” I winced when Aiden pressed his finger on my scalp.It was a light touch, but the tingling on my scalp worried me that I would go home bald or I might be wearing a wig on my wedding day. Maybe my hair would have grown an inch or two at that time. Still, I would feel bad. I imagined having my hair loosely braided vertically and horizontally on that big day, but after what happened, I should think of another hairstyle.Aiden clucked his tongue, sighed, and sat on the edge of the bed, turning the chair I was sitting on to face him. I was still mad at him, but sometimes I tend to forget whenever I get stunned by his gorgeous face. I hissed, cursing inwardly and lowering my head to avoid his gaze.“Does it hurt?” He asked worriedly, lifting my chin to meet his eyes. “Tell me, Jess.” When I didn’t answer, he continued, “I’m bringing you to the hospital now.”I squinted, shaking my head. “I’m okay. This is nothing serious. Why don’t you check on Naomi?”He scoffed,