Lahat ng Kabanata ng I wish it were you: Kabanata 1541 - Kabanata 1550

Even after what they did, Audrey couldn’t accept James’s plea for reconciliation.She knew herself well—just because they’d slept together a few times didn’t mean anything had changed.If sex could cure emotional wounds, therapists would’ve gone extinct by now, right?So she told James, “No.”He sighed but continued holding her, a trace of pitifulness in his voice. “It’s the middle of the night. I’ve had a rough day. Let me crash on half your bed before heading home?”“You literally live next door.”“I’ve been on my feet all day. I’m exhausted—my legs feel like jelly. I can’t make it down the stairs.”“You think I believe that?”He gave a wry smile. “I’m not lying. I’m in my thirties now—not as energetic as I used to be in my twenties.”Audrey didn’t kick him out. Just this once, she bent the rules for him.But with some things, once leads to twice.After James let his feelings show, he no longer bothered to hide them…Every few days, he’d come up with a new excuse to bother her—today

The young man froze for a couple of seconds. “Uh… but…”James immediately cut in. “But what? You can always find another job. But if you miss the birth of your child, you’ll regret it for the rest of your life.”The young man’s eyes turned red in an instant. “Right! Thank you. I’ll go now!”He restarted the car, hit the gas, and sped off.Audrey withdrew her gaze and glanced at James. “It’s been years, and you’re still hung up on it?”He looked into her eyes. “It’s something I’ll regret for a lifetime.”That single sentence nearly brought Audrey to tears again. She quickly took a deep breath and looked away…Her thoughts drifted back to the year Julian was born…She had gone into the delivery room alone. After giving birth, she was so exhausted that she passed out.When she woke up, it was early the next morning. James was slumped at her bedside, holding her hand.The moment she moved her fingers, he woke up immediately.His eyes were red as he looked at her, gently stroking her cheek

Audrey was offered a chance to participate in a social practice program, which took her to Elfhedge. Seizing the opportunity, James arranged to visit his company’s Elfhedge branch as well.For two months, they broke free from all restrictions and lived together. During the day, they were busy with their respective responsibilities; at night, they were entangled in passionate intimacy in his tiny apartment.Their indulgence didn’t just bring excitement or deepen their affection—it also brought them a major complication.After the break, Audrey’s school organized a routine physical exam. During the check-up, she was told she had been pregnant for over a month.Only then did she realize her missed period wasn’t due to hormonal imbalance—but because she was unexpectedly pregnant with his child.Audrey’s counselor, a kind middle-aged woman who’d always been fond of her, didn’t make a scene. Instead, she quietly called Audrey into her office and asked her about the situation.Audrey confess

“You don’t need to remind me... I remember everything,” Audrey said as she wrapped her arms around his waist. “You don’t seem to have changed much.”He chuckled and kissed her ear. “I was worried you’d think I’m old, so I’ve been working out.”Audrey laughed too and gave his arm a playful squeeze. “It’s paid off.”Age-wise, both she and James weren’t exactly young anymore.But maybe because time had passed so quickly, Audrey often had the illusion that she was still in her twenties.Only when she saw how much the kids had grown did she suddenly remember—oh, she wasn’t a young girl anymore.But tonight, being with James, she forgot about the kids, forgot about her age, forgot everything tied to time.She was just a woman.And he, just a man.—Much later.She was lying on his arm, drifting off to sleep, when he suddenly asked:“Did Colten talk to you over the phone, or in person?”“In person, of course. Can’t explain everything over the phone.”“You two met alone?”Audrey turned over w

At this moment, Liam was busy greeting guests, a polite smile on his face.Julissa knew he wasn’t truly okay. His reddened eyes betrayed him—it looked like he hadn’t slept in two days, probably cried quite a bit in private too.So how could he still smile?If it were her, she’d probably be crying nonstop.And just like that, her thoughts wandered—one day, her parents would be gone too. The sorrow crept up again.As tears started rolling down her cheeks, her mother, standing by her side, scolded gently, “Stop crying already. Your eyes are all swollen. Doesn’t look good.”Which only made Julissa feel more aggrieved.Wasn’t that what funerals were for?If not to cry, were they supposed to smile?Other people might be able to smile—she simply couldn’t.Just then, her father took her mother off to greet some friends. Her mom gave her a little nudge and told Scott to comfort her, before leaving with her dad.With a sigh, she looked toward Scott.His expression was calm and solemn.Julissa a