Lahat ng Kabanata ng Leaving You Bereft: Kabanata 851 - Kabanata 860

Off to the side, a waiter happened to be clearing a table. Hearing Landon's words, his face flushed bright red.Thalia noticed and felt extremely awkward. She shot Landon a vicious glare, grabbed her purse, and stormed out.Landon just chuckled and followed after her.Once they were in the car, he buckled his seat belt, glanced at her, and teased, "Are you mad at me? Come on, isn't it completely normal for men and women to have fun?"She ignored that and asked something else, "How did you know Cecilia was setting me up on a blind date?"He lightly tapped the steering wheel and smirked. "When women get together, what else do they talk about? It's always stuff like that."She was unconvinced, but she didn't press it.He was taking her to the Ziegler residence to celebrate the holiday, and after thinking it over, she told him to stop by a supermarket downtown so that she could pick up some gifts.He frowned. "Toby's already been born. Gifts seem unnecessary now."She kicked him.

The main hall at the Ziegler residence was rarely used.The big round table that could accommodate 20 people finally came in handy. Though the oldest were Tyler and Karen, they insisted Julian sit at the head. After all, he was now the head of the Ziegler family.Tyler's eyes crinkled with a smile. "I'm old. The spotlight should be on the younger generation."Julian poured him a glass of white wine. "Uncle Tyler, you're still strong and healthy."Tyler kept smiling. "You sure know how to make me happy."Toby was seated next to Julian and Willow.Thalia, mindful of her place, didn't sit over there. She joined Maisie and the other younger women instead. Conveniently, the seat beside her was left empty. It was unclear whether Gabriella had left the seat empty intentionally or by chance.When the group who'd been playing cards came over, Xavier spotted the empty chair and sat down right next to Gabriella.Gabriella glanced up. "Xavier?"Xavier rubbed his nose. "What's it?"Just t

After a long moment, Thalia finally turned to the side and let Landon in.With so many people in the Ziegler residence, she dreaded the thought of a maid seeing them. It would be humiliating.Landon seemed to know exactly what was on her mind. The moment he stepped in, he took her hand and pulled her onto the couch, guiding her to sit sideways on his bent leg. He was still dressed in a crisp suit while she wore only a white bathrobe. The contrast was striking yet harmonious, creating an image that was both elegant and intimate.He played idly with her slender wrist and said casually, "Do you think the family can't tell?"Her cheeks flushed pink. "They should be able to tell, but flaunting it doesn't look good."His hand slid down to her narrow waist, holding her firmly. "Ms. Sherman, is there something about me you're ashamed of? Or are you just keeping your options open?"Keeping her options open?He might have meant it as a joke, but they both instantly thought of Luca, who ha

After a moment, Thalia smiled gently. "Long time no see."Theresa's gaze fixed on her outfit, especially the jewelry at her neck. Envy and jealousy flickered in her eyes. She knew perfectly well that she and Landon lived in two different worlds, that they would never truly cross paths again. But still, she wanted to tell Thalia the truth.She didn't want Thalia feeling so smug.A look of longing slowly rose on Theresa's face. "Ms. Sherman, did you know that I almost became Landon's girlfriend?"Two years ago, I was traveling in Hortosia. I never expected to run into Landon there. It was snowing that day, bitterly cold, but the snow on the streets was beautiful. I was standing there, catching snowflakes in my hands, and he saw me from inside his car."I know my face looks like yours. Maybe he was desperate from not finding you, or maybe he just wanted some comfort. Either way, he got out of the car, walked straight up to me, and wrapped me in his coat. He held me close and called m

Landon returned to the suite.Inside, it was dim. Thalia was still asleep, her faint scent lingering in the air.He took off his jacket, undid two buttons of his shirt, and pulled her into his arms along with the quilt. The moment her body stiffened, he knew she was awake. His voice was low and hoarse. "Did you just wake up, or were you never asleep?"Lying in his arms, she slowly opened her eyes, dropping the act. "I just woke up."He gave a soft hum, resting his chin on her head and saying in a deep voice, "It was two years ago. I was at the end of my rope. The moment I saw Theresa and her features that reminded me so much of you, I wanted some kind of comfort."Thalia thought, "He's being brutally honest."She looked toward the night outside the floor-to-ceiling window and said softly, "Landon, I can understand. We were apart, and you had no obligation to stay faithful."But here's the problem. If you had kept Theresa and later found me again amd won me back, what would you h