All Chapters of No Longer Theirs: The One They Can't Replace: Chapter 281 - Chapter 290

When Joshua finally stepped out of Avalon Monastery, his gaze was empty, while his mind was in turmoil. Winter and Ezekiel had left. A dull, pulsing ache settled in his temple as Ezekiel's words played on a loop in his head. "Today is the death anniversary of Ms. Everhart's mother."Joshua's brow furrowed. The memory snapped into focus. That morning, for a brief instant, he'd sensed the date mattered, but Jessica's sudden arrival had distracted him.His steps dragged as he recalled the words Winter had said over the years."Joshua, could you accompany me to my mother's death anniversary this month?""You're busy? Okay. Don't worry about it. Go ahead with your work matters.""You won't make it this year as well? It's alright. The company matters more. I'll go alone."After that, she never mentioned Victoria's death anniversary again. He had never noticed. And now, the guilt pressed down like a weight in his chest.Joshua closed his bloodshot eyes and tugged at his loosened

Back at Stroud Estate, Florence led Joshua straight upstairs to Horace's study.The room had been left exactly as it was when Horace was alive. The cups on the coffee table, the sheets of paper resting on the desk, the coat casually draped over the chair—everything remained untouched, frozen in time.Joshua's eyes swept over the room as he took in the rows of photos on the shelves, from snapshots of his grandparents to formal portraits and casual moments.On the wall hung a massive family portrait. In it, he appeared as a child in Horace's arms, while Philip stood beside them, radiating confidence and composure.Joshua's throat tightened, and an unexpected ache swept through his chest.Florence looked elegant in the photos, but since Horace's passing, she had grown thinner and frailer, her health steadily declining. The Strouds were prone to deep, all-consuming love, the kind that could make the heart ache.Joshua didn't consider himself callous or heartless. Even if he had marri

"Abel told me you've improved a lot. Stay a couple more days, then you'll be able to recover at home." Ezekiel studied her gentle features for a moment, then added with a teasing edge, "But promise me you'll take it easy. Don't go wandering all over like some free-range chicken in the countryside."Winter stared at him in speechless disbelief. Such a handsome man. Why did he insist on ruining it by opening his mouth?"Mr. Fulton, I'm sure you're a busy man. How would you know anything about any free-range chickens in the countryside?" she replied with a faint smile, clearly well enough to trade barbs.Ezekiel raised an eyebrow, about to respond, when Alistair cut in first, exclaiming, "My dad goes to the countryside all the time to buy chickens! He even jumps into the chicken coop to catch them himself!"Winter looked at Ezekiel's suddenly flustered face and couldn't hold back her laughter. She could just picture him flailing around in a chicken coop.Ezekiel's voice dropped. "Aur

Joshua stayed at the hospital until the afternoon before dragging himself back to Rippleview Court.He had been awake all night, his nerves stretched to the breaking point. Logan's words left him feeling hollowed out, as if all his strength had been siphoned away.It felt as though something precious had slipped away without a sound, leaving a cold, empty space in his chest.The moment he stepped through the door, before he could even take a sip of water, Gretchen hurried over. "Mr. Stroud, please go upstairs and check on Mr. Terence! Something terrible has happened!"Joshua's expression tightened. "What? Is Terry sick?""No! He's hurt!""What happened?""Today, Mr. Terence and Mr. Bradley went to visit Ms. Heather. Because of something, they got into an argument. Then the two children started fighting. I barely managed to pull them apart. Mr. Terence's eye is swollen, and his face is scratched up badly!"Gretchen's heart ached as she continued, "Mr. Bradley struck viciously, a

"Ruth, I'm sorry."A man's voice came from the other end, tinged with guilt but soft to the point of melting hearts. "I had everything planned perfectly. I thought the Everhart woman would die for sure. But I didn't expect Ezekiel to be backing her. That man is powerful, in every way; he can hold his own against Joshua."Ruth clenched her teeth in frustration. "I thought Joshua didn't love her, was tired of her… I thought she'd be an easy target. I can't believe we slipped up!"The man's tone was calm, soothing. "Ruth, there's plenty of time. For now, letting them divorce and having Jessie marry into the Stroud family is what matters most."Ruth sighed. "There's nothing else we can do now!""Ruth…" The man hesitated, then asked softly, "Has Steven been treating you both well all these years?""It doesn't matter how he treats me. What matters is Jessie, and he treats her very well. Everything she has is fit for a wealthy heiress, more than Winter could ever dream of," Ruth said, c