Chapter 311

[Vivienne]After Caden revealed another grand truth of his life, he stormed out of my room as if he couldn’t bear to stand in the same room as me.I, on the other hand, drop my ass on the edge of the bed and cover my face with my hands.Shit.Why does everything have to be so messed up? So complicated? So damn… annoying?Just when I think everything between us is starting to calm down and maybe there’s a chance we can have a peaceful, platonic relationship for the sake of Axel, something like this happens, and I’m forced to wonder if all these efforts are even worth it. If letting Caden back into our lives is going to make our lives easier or even more complicated.The truth is, I don’t have answers to any of these questions.Not yet.But I need to find them, or it will be too late to fix anything at all.I stare at the ring on my finger, the generous diamond ring Xander made me wear after his proposal.God knows, I still don’t know what I feel for that man, or if I even feel anything

Last Updated : 2025-04-29

Chapter 312

I swallow hard, his words sinking into my chest like heavy stones dragging me down.Is this really how it’s going to end? Is this really the fate waiting for Axel? To see his father not as a hero, not even as a villain, but as a stranger?The thought alone feels like a knife twisting in my gut.I glance at Caden again, at the hard set of his jaw, the empty look in his eyes. He believes every word he just said. Maybe he’s even accepted it already, as if there’s no point in fighting it.But me? I can’t accept that.I won’t.Axel deserves better. He deserves a family that doesn’t shatter at the first sign of trouble. He deserves parents who at least try—who don’t just give up and call it fate."Maybe... maybe it doesn't have to be like that," I whisper, surprising even myself.Caden finally looks at me, really looks at me, with an expression I can't quite read. Sadness? Hope? Or maybe just pity because he thinks I'm naive enough to think I can save my son from something as broken as us.

Last Updated : 2025-04-29

Chapter 313

[Caden]“So, what would you like to order?” I ask, gazing into her deep brown eyes as she looks at me with a slightly shy smile on her face.Ever since we walked into this restaurant, not far from the hotel, she has been oddly quiet. Not quiet in the sense that she looks unhappy or uncomfortable, but definitely not quite herself either.Something still seems to be bothering her, and I intend to find out what it is.But first, “Have you tried Japanese cuisine before?” I ask.“A bit, here and there. Never thought about it much.”“Then you should know the difference between sake, shochu, and umeshu,” I say, watching as she looks at me in confusion. “Have you tried them?”“No? I mean, I don't know. I haven't been much of an explorer when it comes to... foreign cuisines.”I smile. “Well, since you're already in Japan, why don't we do that tonight? I'm sure you'll love them. Besides, they taste very different from wine or whiskey.”I glance over the menu.“We have plenty to choose from,” I

Last Updated : 2025-04-30

Chapter 314

[Vivienne] By the time we made it to the hotel, my heart was in my throat, and my head was buzzing with all kinds of impossible thoughts. Even though Caden does his best to calm me down—with his gentle words in my ears, with his soft and assuring touches—nothing seems to be working enough to make me completely relax. When we reach the reception lobby, the manager and two of his staff are already waiting for us. My voice is almost a scream when I open my mouth. “Where are they?” The manager stutters, “In your suite?” “Still?” “We were just waiting for you.” “For the love of God!” I throw my hands in the air and charge toward the elevator. Thankfully, one opens right when we reach, and we all get in, with Caden existing quietly by my side. During the ride, the manager once again briefs us on the situation. “This is an unfortunate situation, but I assure you nothing like this has ever happened before. Samiko is one of our best nannies. She’s absolutely wonderful with kids. I don

Last Updated : 2025-05-07

Chapter 315

[Caden]I have never seen Vivienne this outraged before—this scared—but isn’t that exactly how I feel?I feel like this can’t be happening in real life, that Axel and Ben are just playing some weird hide-and-seek, and that this is probably just a nightmare.But as time passes and nothing can be heard about them, my chest grows tighter and stuffier. My head feels like a place too blank and crowded for its own good, and my frustration is beyond charts.Once Vivienne has threatened and shaken the manager to his very core, she shoves him away and runs a hand through her hair. I try to reach for her, but she starts pacing the lobby instead.She snaps her head at the manager, who still hasn’t moved, looking more shocked than ever.“Why are you still here?” she growls.That gets him moving—and his staff people, too. They all rush outside, taking out thei

Last Updated : 2025-05-08

Chapter 316

[Vivienne]Every time I think I have seen the worst, something happens and leaves me beyond frustrated and baffled for my own good.This time, it’s the audacity of Caden’s birth family.How can they be so shameless? Do they have no humanity? No emotions? No sentiments for their only child? The only thing they seem to care about is his perfection—the fact that he can represent their family or not, or if he’s worthy of their name.Right now, I want nothing more than to hold this man in my arms and let him forget about the kind of life he has lived. I want him to forget all the pain and betrayal and toxicity he has experienced since his childhood and live in this moment, where everything is selfless and loving and perfect.But I can’t even do that.Because this is not the moment I want him to have. In fact, this is not the kind of moment any parent should ever experience in their whole life.Axel and Ben are nowhere to be found, and that just… ugh… I don’t know what to do.However, befor

Last Updated : 2025-05-09