WINTER: I played with my hands on my lap. “M-Miss Winter, we never talked about that.” Hawk’s face went red. He was not used to this kind of thing. “I’m only your bodyguard. Not your pretend fiancé.” “I’m so sorry, Hawk. But please bear with me. Until my ex-husband stopped pestering me.” He shook his head. “He will never stop, Miss Winter. He still wants you.” “Why would he do that when he already has a child?” “I don’t know. But I cannot promise anything to you, Miss Winter. Pretending to be your fiancé might be a little difficult, but if it’s what you want, I will try.” “Thank you,” I said. A couple of minutes passed and Hawk finally pulled over in Dad’s mansion. He hurried outside and opened the door beside me and opened it. “I’ll carry Liam for you.” I nodded, stepped out of the car, and waited for Hawk. In a matter of seconds, he was already carrying my son, and together we entered the mansion. Daddy was already waiting for the three of us. Given his old age, he was s

WINTER:The first thing that entered my mind when Dad asked me to give my ex-husband a chance was a blatant refusal in my head. I meant why would he do that? He knew firsthand how I suffered. I did not understand at first why he would ask such things when he knew for a fact that my ex-husband had hurt me.You did not listen to what he said? He wanted you to have someone when he died. But before I could blurt them out loud, I saw how he was expecting this.It was a dying man's old wish, my mind softly said. Can you say no to your Dad's wish?“What if I don't want him to give me a chance?” I asked quietly. Can I be civil with my ex-husband and not kill him in my mind? Seeing him always reminded me of his betrayal. And there was his daughter. The child had nothing to do with the sin…but still, I could not help but feel the pain mixed with anguish. How could Calcifer betray me like this?Hawk was about to say something but stopped himself. What could it be? Dad's face fell. “If that'

WINTER:I get that not everyone liked the idea of me talking back to Calcifer, but I also did not expect the same words to come from Hawk. For a couple of three years, he never involved himself in my personal life since there was a clear boundary between work and my private life. But now...it seemed that there was a shift in him. What made him change? What made him involved?I crossed my legs and leaned on my seat. "And why is that?"He averted his gaze. "Your ex-husband...he does not deserve you and Liam."And who deserved us?I raised my eyebrows. "Do you hear what you said, Hawk?"He shook his head. "I...I ... don't like him for you."I stared at him in disbelief and laughed. "You don't like him? Since when did you care?""Miss Winter...I...I can act as Liam's Dad if you want. The kid wanted me. I can pretend that I am your finance for real if it’s for the sake of you and Liam. I don’t want that man after what he did to you."I did not regret hiring him. He was one of the best dec

WINTER:The child was not Calcifer’s. How? It was impossible. And if it wasn't him, why did she call him Daddy? Where was Carmela now? What happened to her? I mentally shook my head. Calcifer was good at telling lies and now, he was saying it so that I would trust him and give him a chance. My eyes narrowed while folding my arms in my chest. “You’re lying until now. Let's drop this act, Calcifer, and tell us the truth.”“What child are you talking about, Cali?” Dad said it seemed that he did not have any idea about the child. Even after talking for three years? Why did he hide it from my father? Maybe because he got scared that Dad would be mad at him again. “Calcifer has a child, Dad. The same age as Liam,” I answered for my ex-husband when he did not say anything.“Jett-Jett is four years old. She is older than my son.”Four years old? So he had been cheating on me on our first wedding anniversary?I clenched my fist. How could he do that to me? “I’m not buying it. The child

WINTER:My heart tightened looking at my ex-husband’s reaction. It seemed like he was in disbelief upon seeing Liam for the second time. Who wouldn’t? He was seeing the mini-version of him. Was I feeling guilty that I kept our son away from him? Partly. But those small thoughts telling me that my ex-husband deserved it was the one who was victorious. Calcifer brought this upon himself.You are punishing Liam for his Dad’s sins. Your son deserved a father who will guide him as he grows up, the other part of my mind said. Am I punishing my son? Is that what it was called? I did not want anything but to make my son happy. It was not bad, right? But how could I do that if my ex-husband was suddenly in the equations?“Mommy!” Liam exclaimed while giggling as Ynes was tailing him. The old woman was already saying that her knees were in pain and now Liam made her walk fast. If not, maybe run earlier. “Liam. You have to walk slowly or else you will stumble. Wait for Ynes.”Not listening t