We sat on the sofa and exchanged glances. My two friends looked intently at the woman who had interrupted our conversation. Just like me, they also didn't immediately believe her sincerity in helping me.None of my family members took my side, let alone my relatives. They had learned from the past year, seeing me get up on my hands and feet without anyone else's help. Naturally, they were suspicious of her coming to my office."Did you have any ill intentions in inviting Heather on your birthday?" asked Faye.Taylor turned to her. "No, I don't. I want to prove that I'm serious about being friends with her through that event. I'll show her I'm not the person I used to be.""No need. What happened on Darcy's wedding day is proof enough that you are not serious about your intentions," Charity warned. "I didn't see you defending her when her mother insulted her in front of everyone.""How would you know if no one published the video in the media? After Heather left, I confronted Aunt Dian

Kyle drove the car carefully, but I remained restless. Checking stock developments or reading reports from the various hotel branches or my construction team no longer held my attention. I repeatedly looked at my watch and the road ahead of us.Arriving at Richard's office building, my heartbeat grew wilder. I saw no sign of anyone else I recognized, including Heather. Seeing my lawyer's car coming, I sighed in relief. It was good that he arrived on time, even though this meeting was spontaneous.Richard's secretary greeted us. After giving us our IDs, she invited us to follow her. We entered the elevator and patiently waited until we reached our destination floor. I tried to maintain a calm demeanor while waiting."Welcome, Blaze. It's good to see you again," Richard greeted me kindly. He extended his hand, so I shook it."Thank you for your invitation, Richard. What honor is it for you to invite me to lunch so suddenly?" I asked. I noticed his condition. "Are you all right? You look

He didn't refuse to eat, so I knew he was hungry. I forced him to swallow the medicine and then let him rest. To help bring down his fever, I compressed his forehead. I raised the room temperature and added a blanket to make him sweat.That night, I kept him hydrated and checked his temperature regularly. I could only breathe a sigh of relief when his fever dropped. Seeing him sleeping so peacefully, I couldn't believe he was such a cold person. What had happened to make him so numb?His demeanor before and after marrying me was so much different. He was so warm, affectionate, and had a high zest for life when he approached me. After we got married, he turned indifferent to me. But I thought he was just tired of working.Noise after noise disturbed my sleep, but I blocked it by pulling the blanket over my head. I felt like I was just closing my eyes. I didn't want to wake up until I didn't feel sleepy anymore. I slept at dawn, so—Oh, no! I quickly opened my eyes and pulled down the b

"Would you believe me if I told you I wanted you?" he asked. His eyes looked at me seriously. Blue orbs that mesmerized anyone who looked at them. "Would you believe I didn't come home during our marriage to avoid the turmoil I felt whenever you were around?" "Liar," I whispered, disbelieving. He took my right hand on his left cheek, then guided it to his left chest. "Would you believe me if I told you my heart always beats this wildly when I'm around you? I don't feel love for you, Heather. Don't get me wrong. No one has been able to revive my dead heart. "Yet I wasn't lying when I said I wanted you. I can't stop imagining what the skin on your body feels like. You're the only woman I want after all this time." My heart was beating fast at his confession. He didn't love me, but his body wanted me. His heart pounded in sync with mine, tapping the smooth surface of my hand on his chest as if to confirm he was telling the truth. I couldn't believe a man as handsome as him would want

[Blaze]I knew people I avoided would come to mourn at the house. Having Kyle by my side helped to prevent them from approaching me all at once. The first person to arrive was Willow."Poor guy. I met him at church last Sunday, and he was very healthy. Who would have guessed that two days later, he breathed his last?" she said in a sad voice. "You see his two children? They don't look sad."I remained silent, not responding to her words. The line in front of me continued, albeit very slowly. I couldn't wait for my turn to leave this place. I tried to calm down with the woman who wouldn't stop talking next to me.When my turn came, I looked at his peaceful face. I couldn't believe I was so lucky. My business with Richard was finished before he left. If it was even one day late, I'd have to deal with his children. I was sure they would demand a high price, capitalizing on my interest."You've never attended an event like this before," Cullen said as I picked up a glass of drink on the s