Michael wasn’t convinced. He started the engine and said, “That gave me a shock. I thought he had hit you.”Zoey said nothing.Michael blabbered like he weren’t a foreigner. He was using this chance to practice the language. “What do you think he meant by that? It feels like he’s up to something, but he still returned Teddy.”He glanced at Zoey in the backseat.Zoey was doubtful, too. “What was it like at the Scott’s? Did anyone pick on you?”A biological father might not hurt his child. However, if anyone else in that family didn’t like the child, they could scheme in secret. Although Teddy was smart, he was no match for sleazy adults.Teddy thought about it and said, “No.”He clung tightly to his mother and curled his fingers around hers. “There was a granny who was very nice and gentle to me. I don’t hate her, Mommy.”Zoey remembered Mrs. Scott. She was a really nice person who never treated her cruelly. She had almost forgotten her. She relaxed a little, but then her heart
His suit was visibly expensive.Sarah looked up at him. She was stunned. Then, she picked up her medical report and thanked him in a low voice. She began walking away, but he called out to her.She turned. Her face was sickly pale, and her gaze was full of bewilderment. If it weren’t for his expensive suit and his watch worth thousands, she wouldn’t even have turned to look at him.She asked, “What is it?”He went straight to the point. “Can I have your number?”Sarah’s eyelids twitched. Her fingers loosened. She got over herself and nodded slightly. “Alright.”He definitely wasn’t just anybody. He wasn’t poor, at least. No ordinary person could afford his expensive clothes, custom shoes, and limited edition watch.Sarah was desperately in need of money. Without Laurence, she was living miserably. She’d been so poor that she had to sell her belongings to survive. All the expensive items in her house were sold off. She was going to hit rock bottom this month.She no longer wante
His assistant rushed over and handed Zoey a black umbrella. It was just the beginning of fall. The rain was incessant, and the entire city was drenched.Zoey did not take it. “I’m good, thanks.”The assistant looked distressed. He wouldn’t know how to inform Laurence of this. He smiled and said, “Look at the storm. It’ll be difficult if you don’t have an umbrella. What if your clothes get wet and you get sick?”Zoey turned and glanced at him through the corner of her eye. She pursed her lips. “Thank you for your concern, but my husband is coming for me.”Michael had gotten his driver’s license two days before and immediately got a car. He would send her home after work or wait for Teddy at the kindergarten. The assistant couldn’t continue bothering her after that. The umbrella became a weight in his hands.Zoey glanced at the time and figured Michael would be there soon. She strode out in her high heels. Not long after, a black G65 appeared in the rain. Michael looked like a shy
Like everyone else, Jared had felt Zoey was in an irreparable situation back then. His last bit of hope crumbled at the funeral happened.Now, a glass door separated him from her. It was like the hustle and bustle around him went silent. He studied her features and wondered if he was dreaming. He felt seeing her in such perfect condition was only possible in a dream.Jared had climbed up the ladder in his career. Five years had passed, and he no longer looked as youthful or innocent. He was the head of his department and had excellent leadership skills.Zoey never thought she would bump into him, either. After losing contact for five years, she blocked out any news associated with the people she used to know."It's been a while," she greeted him.Her gentle voice convinced Jared she was real. He took two slow steps toward her. His movements were cautious. Then, his hand shot forward to pull her into a hug. Jared behaved like the same passionate boy with an unshakeable will he used
Laurence's message instantly ruined Zoey's mood.…The time came in the blink of an eye. Zoey didn't think Laurence would remember his message. When he said he would pick Teddy up later, she assumed he meant 9:00 pm or 10:00 pm. She had just arrived home when her phone rang. Laurence announced, "I'm downstairs. Do you need me to come up?" He spoke with an arrogant tone and acted like he was negotiating. "No." Zoey didn't want him coming upstairs. She didn't want to hand Teddy to him that early. She couldn't calm down, even if it was only for a day. Zoey pursed her lips and huffed. "Didn't you say you'd be here later?"The sky hadn't even darkened. That made him seem a little too eager."Yeah, it's almost 6:00 pm," Laurance said casually.Zoey pressed her lips together.Unlike her, Laurance was extra patient. He didn't hang up, even when they remained silent for a long time. Eventually, he spoke with an unbothered tone. "I'll head up in five minutes."Zoey's fingers tighte
Laurence put aside his emotions as Zoey appeared wary, building up walls of defense against him. She was nervous, uneasy, and drained as if every second of the day was excruciating to her. He ignored her reaction, pretending that she was there of her own accord. All that mattered to him was that she was within his reach."Aren't you hungry? Let's have dinner." The household staff at the villa had prepared dinner in advance, and the rest of the people on the property had been dismissed.Zoey thought she had almost forgotten everything that had happened in the villa. She kept telling herself to forget, but the memory was seared into her mind. Standing there, she felt suffocated by the familiarity that washed over her.She had never met a more challenging person than Laurence. She felt exhausted every time she had to deal with him. "I want to eat at home." Laurence stared calmly at Zoey, his eyes dark and unreadable. He knew why she had asked to have dinner at home—she despised h
The cake in the fridge was still good to eat. Laurence hired a pastry chef to come to his house. Since he was a faster learner, Laurence quickly learned the ropes after briefly observing the pastry chef at work. The first two cakes he made weren't very pretty. They were uneven.By the third cake, he made one that could pass as the cake displayed in pastry shops. The pastry chef was paid a generous amount. She rarely came across people of high social standing, so she felt anxious, and her flattery came off calculated. She said, "Your wife will love it." The man stared at the cake for a long time before asking nonchalantly, "Is it beautiful?" The pastry chef was genuinely impressed by Laurence's baking skills. She gave a nod of approval." You've done a good job. If you don't say, she might not guess that you made it.""I see." Laurence summoned the butler. "Get the chauffeur to drop her home." No one could tell who made the cake, and Laurence would prefer that Zoey didn't fin
Laurence held Zoey close to him, even in a deep sleep. Zoey was sweaty and restless in the middle of the night. She was mumbling in her sleep, and it sounded like she was having a nightmare.Laurence woke up and saw tears streaming down her face. She was trapped in a nightmare, unable to wake up. Laurence gently called Zoey's name in her ear, but she didn't respond.Fortunately, her whimpers eventually subsided. The nightmare must have finally left her. Laurence was relieved. He crept out of bed and went to the bathroom to grab a clean towel. He wiped away the cold sweat on her forehead, wondering what she had dreamed about. She didn't really have nightmares in the past. She barely moved when she slept, curling up in his arms. Only during the cold winters would she cling to him for warmth. Zoey was probably afraid of him at the time. Maybe she didn't want him to get the wrong idea. She would always be terrified to wake up in his arms, her face red from sleep or embarrass