All Chapters of Side Chick Era… Over: Chapter 2381 - Chapter 2390

Chris had been Thomas's partner for years now, and he knew exactly how cold and detached Thomas was underneath it all. A marriage of convenience, sure. Actually falling in love? Never in a million years. As for a wedding like this... Chris wouldn't have even considered it a possibility.Watching Thomas now, glowing with the light of a man thoroughly in love, Chris felt a small twist of envy. Out of the three of them—himself, Carmen, and Thomas—Thomas had always been the least likely to ever get married. And yet here he was, first to the altar.A few days earlier, when the two of them had met up, Thomas had made a point of mentioning, not quite casually, that he and Sharon were trying for a baby and planned to have one on the way soon. Watching Thomas's smug expression as he said it had left Chris more than a little annoyed.Chris turned to Carmen. "Watching Thomas get married, I'm starting to feel like getting married myself. What do you say, Carmen—want to just settle for me?"C

Sharon continued, "Back then, it was harder, sure, but at least I was working toward something I actually loved doing. Now... I've got more wealth than I'll ever spend and more power than anyone standing at the top could ask for, and somehow I'm not nearly as happy as I was then."Wendy nodded along without meaning to. "It's true—an ordinary life is the real thing, the genuine warmth of everyday living. Once you get power, people's hearts tend to go cold. No wonder so many people change once they get powerful—power really does corrode a person's soul. With Thomas around, security's not a concern. "Sharon, enjoy your honeymoon. I hope you come back pregnant with a little Thomas or a little Sharon—then our kids can grow up together as childhood friends. Yours and Thomas's baby is going to be criminally good-looking."Sharon's gaze drifted to the gentle curve of Wendy's stomach. Thomas had told her that Lesley had been pulled back from the brink and was no longer in danger, though he

"Some people look flawless on the outside, but who knows how ugly it gets underneath."Gus shot Vicky a meaningful look.She followed his gaze, then suddenly widened her eyes and drew in a sharp breath. She'd finally spotted the burn scars on Thomas herself.Seeing her reaction, Gus looked pleased with himself."Vicky, you can't judge people just by the surface. Some people look perfectly presentable, but who knows what they had done to get there. You know how advanced plastic surgery is these days—they could turn a toad into a prince charming if they wanted to."Vicky, who'd been gazing at Thomas with open admiration just moments earlier, now looked positively horrified."If that's true... that's genuinely terrifying.""Vicky, this world isn't as pretty as you think it is. You're too innocent—you always assume the best of everyone.""Ugh, Gus, don't talk about him anymore. It's creepy enough as it is."Gus immediately pulled her into his arms to comfort her. "Okay, okay, noth

But now, the delicate, docile Sharon had suddenly changed entirely—her eyes flashing with a fury sharp enough to be frightening, an aura of command radiating off her without effort, the presence of someone used to sitting at the top.Vicky instinctively shrank behind Gus. "Gus, she's terrifying..."Gus froze for a moment before snapping back to himself, quickly pulling Vicky further behind him, murder in his eyes."You crazy woman, who do you think you're talking to?!"Sharon didn't show a trace of fear. "If your mouth doesn't work right, cut out your tongue. If your ears don't work right, go see a doctor."Gus had never met a woman this brazen before. "Are you asking to get hit?!"Sharon's eyes went cold. "You and your girlfriend are going to apologize to him, right now. Do that, and we'll call it even. If you don't..."Gus scoffed. "And if I don't, then what?"There was a sharp crack.The instant the words left his mouth, a slap landed hard across his face.Both Gus and Vic

And really, who doesn't like being wholeheartedly protected and cherished by someone else?Sharon's heart softened, and without meaning to, her hand tightened around Thomas's.Eight hours later, the plane touched down at Xalvera's airport. The two of them made their way to the hotel where they were staying.Their room turned out to be an ocean-view suite—open the window and the sea stretched out right in front of them. Impossibly romantic.Once they'd checked in, Sharon threw open the window. The sea breeze brushed against her face, wonderfully refreshing. She stood there with her eyes closed, savoring it.Someone suddenly wrapped their arms around her from behind. A moment later, his lips found her.Sharon opened her eyes, dodging left and right as she spoke up in warning."Behave. We're supposed to go out and check out the night market this evening."His voice came low and husky, dripping with allure."Mm. I'll behave."He said the words, but his hands never once stopped mo