Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 11 - Chapitre 20

"Colin, you should still go check on Ms. Nicholls. Don't let things get out of hand." Gwyneth sighed while tugging at Colin's sleeve. Her expression was full of restrained sorrow.Colin couldn't stand seeing her upset. Her words only fueled his anger."If I go looking for her, I'll be falling right into her trap. I want to see how she plans to keep up this act without me!"He let out a cold scoff before pulling Gwyneth into his arms. "If only she were as understanding as you," he murmured.Despite his words, Gwyneth didn't feel particularly pleased. Still, she leaned against his chest, keeping up appearances."Don't be angry. At the end of the day, Ms. Nicholls just cares too much about being Mrs. Fuller. You should try to understand her a little."Her eyes misted over slightly, and she hesitated before adding, "But… you two are already divorced. How much longer is she going to keep making a scene?"The word "divorce" hit Colin like a dagger, and his expression darkened instantl

As for Colin, Aspen no longer wanted to think about him. She didn't need to—he didn't matter anymore.Aspen's eyes burned from shedding so many tears.Stepping out of the funeral home, she was met with the blinding sunlight. For the first time in a long while, she felt like she was still a living, breathing person.She tilted her head back to face the sun, staring at it until fresh tears slipped down her cheeks."Sophie, Mommy misses you so much. Sophie… my Sophie…"Clutching the pendant that held Sophie's ashes tightly against her chest, she collapsed onto the ground, sobbing uncontrollably.No matter how many times she told herself that Sophie would have wanted her to be happy, she couldn't bear it. She simply wasn't that strong.She cried until she was drained, barely managing to push herself up from the ground. She then dragged herself toward her childhood home, moving like a lifeless shell.The tiny, 650-square-foot apartment was the only thing her parents had left her bef

"What did you just say?"Colin's expression darkened. He hadn't seen Sophie for days. The last time he had gone to look for Aspen, Sophie had been nowhere to be found either.Thinking back to that call from the funeral home, an unexplainable sense of unease crept into his chest. He knew this was one of Aspen's tricks, yet he still felt a flicker of panic."Colin, don't worry too much. Ms. Nicholls is just acting out in anger. She wouldn't actually hurt Sophie."It's just… where would she take her? Does she have any other family members?" Gwyneth stepped forward, gently patting his chest as she spoke in a soft, soothing voice.Family members?Colin's thoughts immediately turned to Joseph—and that canceled check.That man was a gambling addict who would do anything for money. If Sophie was truly in his hands, then she was in danger."To the airport. Now." Colin shoved Gwyneth aside and strode toward the door.No matter what, Sophie was a Fuller and his daughter. He would never a

No matter what, Colin knew he would never allow Sophie to continue living with a woman like Aspen."Sophie is dead! She died while you were whispering sweet nothings to this woman and lit up the entire city with fireworks for her! Our Sophie—your daughter—died because there was no money for her surgery! She's gone! She's dead!"Aspen struggled violently as tears streamed down her face. Every word was filled with accusation, despair, and the helpless rage of a mother.With all her strength, she wrenched herself free from Colin's grip and dropped to her knees, desperately trying to pick up the photograph on the ground. Shards of glass pierced her palms, and blood dripped onto the floor, but she didn't care.She wiped her bleeding hands on her clothes without a second thought and carefully cradled the crumpled photograph, brushing away the dirt with trembling fingers."You…" Colin's heart sank in an instant. A deep, unsettling feeling crept over him, as if something inside him had co

Yet now, seeing Aspen like this, a dull ache pressed against Colin's chest."Ms. Nicholls, don't say that. Colin and I… We're not what you think." Gwyneth's eyes reddened as she instinctively hid behind Colin. "We… we're not disgusting.""I love Gwen. We've always loved each other. You were the one who schemed to sleep with me and tried to use Sophie to tie me down. "Now, not only have you failed at being Mrs. Fuller, but you don't even know how to be a mother. Where's Sophie? Hand her over before I lose my patience."Colin's expression remained cold as he stepped slightly in front of Gwyneth, as if shielding her from any possible harm.That unconscious movement—positioning himself protectively in front of Gwyneth—wasn't an act.Aspen understood that Colin truly loved Gwyneth and that he truly didn't love her. Even Sophie had become an innocent casualty just because he didn't love her."She's dead." Aspen lowered her gaze and stated the truth, appearing chillingly calm.Sophie