Lahat ng Kabanata ng Dear husband I can live without you : Kabanata 21 - Kabanata 30

The next morning, Anna dressed with purpose.She slipped into a tailored navy-blue blazer, its sharp lines hugging her frame, layered over a crisp white blouse neatly tucked into a high-waisted pencil skirt that hugged her hips just right. From her jewelry box, she chose bold statement earrings—elegant but daring. She pulled her hair into a sleek, no-nonsense ponytail and brushed on soft, natural makeup that enhanced her features without shouting for attention.A final touch: the floral cologne Vivian had gifted her over the weekend. Feminine. Sophisticated. Just the right hint of mystery.As she stepped out of her bedroom, the sharp click of her nude pumps echoed over the marble floor. Downstairs, Andy was on the couch, mid-sentence on a business call. But the sound of her heels—and the sight of her—cut through everything.He turned. And froze.His phone slipped from his ear. His jaw slackened."Where are you going?" he asked, curiosity laced with disbelief.Anna paused, swiped a fre

Vivian jumped as her phone slipped from her hand, landing face-down on the floor. "I guess that was your friend," Eric said, his voice smooth and unexpected. She looked up from her laptop, startled. Eric leaned casually against the doorframe, a single flower in one hand and a paper bag in the other. He looked completely at ease, like he belonged there. "Eric? What are you doing here?" "Admiring your beauty, my love," he said with a soft grin. Vivian stood and crossed the room toward him. "Flowers for you." He kissed her cheek and slipped the flower into her hand. She smiled despite herself. "Thank you." "You're glowing this morning," he said, gently brushing her chin with the back of his hand. Her dark waves framed her small, angular face perfectly. Even under the office lights, her olive skin had a soft warmth to it. She nodded toward the bag in his other hand. "What's in there?" "Lunch. Your favorite." He placed the bag on her desk. Vivian peeked inside, her

Gerald’s Range Rover roared into the private lot of Smiths Corporation, tires screeching as they met the sun-baked asphalt. The echo bounced off the walls of the towering glass building, drawing eyes like magnets.He killed the engine, took a deep breath, and stepped out.The moment his polished shoes hit the ground, time seemed to hold its breath.Every passing employee turned to stare. Conversations trailed off. Keycards hovered in midair, forgotten. All eyes landed on the man who once co-helmed the empire.“Oh my God… is that Gerald Smith?” someone whispered, not-so-discreetly. “What’s he doing here today?”Gerald didn’t flinch. He’d grown used to the attention. It was the same mix of awe and curiosity he’d drawn since his twenties. He adjusted the cuffs of his navy suit and moved forward with long, purposeful strides, eating up the marble floor beneath him.Memories tugged at the edges of his mind as he entered the lobby—ghosts of another time.Back then, he and Erick had worked s

Andy gripped the steering wheel, knuckles white against the leather as the headlights cut sharp lines through the pitch-black country road. The clock on the dash blinked 11:47 PM in sterile green digits. Trees raced by on either side, tall and spectral, their shadows curling across the windshield. The only sounds were the hum of the engine and the sporadic crunch of gravel beneath his tires. The night was thick, moonless, and heavy with anticipation. Just past a sharp bend, Penelope's estate revealed itself. The mansion loomed in the distance—its tall windows lit faintly, glowing like watchful eyes in the darkness. The gates slid open without hesitation. Clearly, Penelope had given instructions to let him in. The butler greeted him at the door with quiet efficiency, as though this sort of midnight arrival was hardly unusual. “Please, have a seat,” he said with a courteous nod. “Mrs. Kings will be with you shortly.” Andy stepped into the grand foyer and looked around. The hous

Chapter 29Anna’s mouth parted, stunned into silence. Words danced on the tip of her tongue but refused to come out. Her eyes fixated on the vein throbbing at the center of Gerald’s forehead — sharp, pronounced, like a warning. He was angry. Visibly so.But why? she thought.Why would he care?It’s not his business. It was never supposed to be.She hadn’t expected him to notice—let alone confront her about it.Gerald was close. Too close. His scent wrapped around her like a storm of cedarwood and earth. Clean, rich, and distinctly masculine. She could feel the heat radiating from his body, and it unnerved her.Anna inhaled slowly, steadying herself. She hadn’t stood this close to a man in years.“No one hit me,” she said finally, pulling back, removing her face from the cradle of his hand. His touch had been oddly gentle, but her instincts demanded distance.Gerald stared at her like she’d just grown a second head.“Then what are those?” he asked, his tone low and sharp. “You wake up