Maia opened her eyes and winked at him playfully. She sat up, rubbed her eyes, and smiled at him sweetly. “How did you know I was already awake?” “It’s hard not to notice when I can feel your arms around my waist tighten.” “You’d notice such a small detail?” “I’d notice anything that involved you.”Maia just smiled at him as she leaned against his chest. “Tess probably used another identity to leave Prismara City. It looks like the photograph we received is real.” Cedric nodded. “This time we need to make a stop at Nordic College.” “Yeah. If Tess had to attend Nordic College’s anniversary celebration, then who was the one who killed Mom? Even though Tess confessed to that crime, how could she do it when she’s not even here? Why lie?” “She’s trying to protect someone.” Maia grabbed onto Cedric’s arm tightly when she heard his words. “The person that she wants to protect—could it be Errol?” Maia was horrified to think of this. “B-but why would he do this? Why did he want t

Maia took the elevator and went upstairs, leaving the men behind. Cedric turned toward Eddie and commented. “Looks like you have a death wish to dare mess with your wife.”Eddie nodded his head nervously. “I think I’m already dead.” Cedric did not reply, as he stepped into the elevator and went upstairs, too.Baz smiled at Eddie as he greeted him. “How can I help you, Baz?” Eddie glanced at Baz as he massaged his temples. “Don’t worry about me, Mr. Eddie. It’s just that I think I should warn you that the next time you’re at it, you should be more careful. Ms. Gigi was telling us how there was a bed-quake.”Eddie already felt his head spinning. After listening to Baz's comments, he stood rooted to the spot. There was nothing more he wanted to do than bury himself on the spot. “There are two people I can never mess with, one of whom is my wife and the other my daughter.” Baz could not endure any longer as he turned around and laughed quietly at Eddie’s reaction. Back upstairs,

“I’ve been kept there for so long that I forgot how foods outside taste. It didn’t help that Grandma hired chefs with Michelin stars. Their cooking was so top-notch that I had to have at least five to six meals every day.”Amanda felt so sorry for herself and added, “I loved you the most, and you also said that you loved me more than anyone in the world. How could you make fun of my belly?” Then, tears started to fall.Eddie was worried when he saw her crying. “I’m not making fun of your belly, Amanda. I’m telling you, that’s the last thing I want to do. Gigi twisted my words.”Wheeling himself, he moved in front of her and grabbed her hand. “Don’t you believe me, Amanda? I’ve loved and waited for you for so long. I spent days and nights thinking about you. Don’t you believe in me?”“Well…” He was heartbroken to see her in this state. Then, he produced a handmade wristband from his pocket. “Do you remember this?”She looked at the worn-out wristband. It was handmade. So, it didn

“She was so happy when she learned that both of you had forgiven her. She wanted to make it up to both of you with whatever time she had left. However, time is against her.“Lauren might not let it show, but she knew better than anyone about her condition. She’d tell everyone she was okay every time she had an episode, but she was just putting on a brave face. She didn’t want us to worry about her.“The truth was, she really wished Cedric would call her ‘Mom,’ even if it was just once. It’s one of her dying wishes.”Amanda looked pleadingly into Maia’s eyes. It took her less than a second to catch Amanda’s drift. “I know what you’re trying to say, Amanda. I also know that Lauren wanted Cedric to call her ‘Mom,’ but you have no idea what he went through as a child. “Not only did his biological mother not love him, but she deceived and manipulated him.” Maia felt suffocated at the mention of Cedric’s feelings.Looking at Amanda, she continued, “All of us are capable of processing

Lauren’s condition might not have been too optimistic, but she was walking on cloud nine now.“This moment is worth everything I’ve sacrificed for.”…It was around 8 p.m. when Gigi dozed off. Marcus came to take Amanda and Gigi back when he saw the little girl sleeping in his sister’s arms. He went over and hugged Amanda. “Why did she fall asleep so early today?”“Perhaps she was tired from playing all day. Maia is here today, and Gigi was practically hopping around the whole day.”“Is Maia back in Nordic City?”Nodding, she said, “Yeah. She arrived at the manor this morning.”“Tomorrow’s the party for Nordic College’s hundredth anniversary. Is she going to attend it?”“Sure thing.” She responded again. Then, she glanced at Marcus and said softly, “Do you still have a thing for Maia? It won’t work. I love her too, but she and Cedric are such a perfect match.” Her tone grew more worried as she spoke, “You didn’t see how much he cherished her, Marcus. The way he looks at Mai