“Michelle?” Coco asked, but she shook her head. She did not want to be anywhere near Ezrah after embracing her newfound independence.“You guys can go. I have a few things to take care of, but you can bring me takeout.”She was working on her computer when Ezrah leaned against the edge of her desk, facing her.Knowing she was avoiding him, he was not willing to let it continue like that. He placed his hand on her keyboard, halting her movements as he spoke seriously.“For how long are you going to avoid me, Zora? If Lake and Coco get married one day, you won’t be able to avoid seeing me.”It was a sad truth Michelle had to swallow, but she also felt she was strong enough to overcome every obstacle alone.“I don’t care for you, Ezrah. I’m busy.”She wheeled her swivel chair slightly to the back to avoid any skin contact as Ezrah shook his head bitterly.“Lies. I see it in your eyes. If you claim to not love me, then why do you keep avoiding me? I won’t believe it’s because you are disgu

“Margo, what are you doing here?” Madison asked. Margo was full of smiles, dressed decently in a long designer pleated dress, looking stunning. She and Madison lived together in the new mansion she purchased for Sebastian.She even insisted that Madison drive one of the luxury cars to the office but had not informed the latter that she would be coming to her office.This made her intentions suspicious to Madison. Margo’s attention was only focused on Ezrah. The man was aging like fine wine, making her blush at the sight of him.“Margo?” Ezrah asked, still on the phone. “Ezrah, is Lake’s sister with you?”Madison had told Sebastian about Margo since the two had gone to purchase the house and car together. Margo surely had great taste, influencing everything Madison bought.When Madison thought the mansion and car were too expensive, Margo insisted they add another car since the house was too big and would look empty with just a single car. She had ended up feeling like she spent to

Ezrah did not want anything to hinder the progress of these projects and was not amused by Madison’s silence.“Be quick about it, and why have you not told me until now?”Madison pursed her lips before speaking again. “That is because you never wanted to take advantage of Michelle by using these projects.”“That’s not what I mean. The secret garden should still be ready nonetheless. When she left, there was no trace of her except for that diary.”Ezrah recalled how Michelle had slept on the couch downstairs that night, leading him to his insomnia and suddenly took an interest in her handbag.That was where he took the diary from and hid it.He was just trying to get something on her so that if she turned against the contract, he could use it against her, but he never thought he would see the things he saw.“I decided to fulfill everything in it for her soul to rest in peace. Who knew she was just in Los Angeles under a disguised name?” Ezrah’s lips stretched into a remorseful smile.G

“Her father said that since I wasn't going to help them, then the marriage had to be contractual until they found a man suitable to help.”Madison was shocked. “So you never meant for it to be a contract marriage?”Ezrah shook his head and said, “I agreed to their terms because I had Piper. I wanted the news about the press to die down so I agreed and forced Zora to sign a prenup.”“Trust me, Ezrah, Michelle knew nothing about it.”“I realized it too late, but how was I not to suspect her when she equally made the demand twice?” Ezrah asked. Madison was rendered speechless as Ezra continued.“I took it on her because I felt it was a plan for her to get something from the Gannons. That was one of the reasons why I treated her the way I did, aside from the fact that she came between me and Piper.”“It was also the reason I kept asking for a divorce, but I still take the blame. I was attracted to her in so many ways than the woman I claimed to love, so I thought it best to be away from h

‘Ezrah is so happy with your gifts. He had them arranged in his closet and said they would be waiting for your return.’Michelle fumed. It ached her that all her loved ones turned against her, supporting Ezrah.‘He should keep dreaming,’ she texted back and put the phone away.It was just hard for her to get on Ezrah’s nerves nowadays. What an irony?“What is going on?” Coco asked when they were stable in the air. “You look upset.”Michelle wanted to trust that Coco would be on her side this time and let it out.“It’s Ezrah. I just don’t know what to do to upset him. I told him not to speak to me, so he sent me gifts through Madison. I wanted to upset him, so I bought him female clothes, but see what he did with them?” She passed her phone to Coco with a frustrated sigh.Coco laughed after watching the video and reading the words attached to it.“That is a man on a mission. Michelle, just give love a chance for the last time. You could even make it a contract.”Michelle frowned at Coc