"What are you talking about?" Madelyn asked.Zach picked her up and tossed her onto the bed. Madelyn's head hit the pillow, and in the dim light of the moon, she looked up at the tall figure of Zach looming over her. He removed his jacket and leaned down toward her."Did you like the fireworks? Need a reminder of what went on?"As she tried to sit up, he pulled her legs, making her lie back down. He leaned in, planting strong, wild kisses on her neck."Are you jealous, Zach? Why should you be? Remember what Hayson told you today. At dinner, you could tell Father wanted me to impress Ethan. If Ethan finds out, the Arnold family and Father will both be after you! Be careful, Zach. You might mess up all your plans with what you're doing now."He stopped and propped himself up. His eyes were dark, and he looked at her with a mean smile. "So what? The thing I want to do doesn't stop me from doing what I need to do now." For a moment, he thought of overpowering her and forcing himself o

Forrest chuckled, placing apple slices onto a paper plate. "What's so special about him? Isn't he the same as always?" He passed the plate to Sylvia while he nibbled on the leftover apple core."Well, he's still your brother. You should go see him at Southern Haven Villas during the school break," Sylvia suggested."He's staying at the Arnold residence," Forrest explained.Sylvia's face stiffened at that, but she didn't say anything more.A month after Owen's divorce from his first wife, he and Sylvia tied the knot. Sylvia, a girl from a small town, was a leading actress in local plays. At 16, she met Owen, a young man from the bustling city of Ventropolis, who was teaching in her town. Despite their seven-year age difference, they immediately felt a connection. However, two years into their relationship, Owen returned to Ventropolis. Sylvia patiently waited for him for three years. During that time, he visited her and promised to return in three months to marry her. But heartbreak

After locking her door, Madelyn painted in her room. Her father did not allow painting, so she did it secretly. After about half an hour, she suddenly heard a knock on the door. Madelyn quickly put away her sketchbook and opened the door. When she saw Zach outside, she frowned. "What's up?""Time to eat," Zach said."Got it. I'll change my clothes and come down."As she was about to close the door, Zach stopped it with his foot. Madelyn, surprised and slightly annoyed, saw his foot in the doorway. "What are you doing?""Can't I come in and sit?" he smirked."Are you crazy? It's almost mealtime; what's the point of sitting down?"Madelyn felt a tightness in her chest as she looked into his deep eyes, feeling completely helpless against him. "Fine, whatever."She let go, turned around, and went to her wardrobe, taking out a long cashmere skirt she often wore. The house was heated, and she also wore leggings, so she would not be too cold. She went into the bathroom to change, tying

"You're busy now, so I won't disturb you," Madelyn said.Ethan turned his attention to her. "You're not curious about what I'm up to?" he asked.Madelyn was taken aback for a moment. It did not seem necessary for him to tell her what he was dealing with. Besides, she was not one to pry into other people's private matters. Madelyn did not answer his question, she just casually said, "You better get busy. Don't miss your flight.""Alright. When I get back, I'll bring you a gift." His voice was calm.Madelyn quickly replied, "No need. You've already given me so much. I can't ask for more.""Madelyn... Do we really have to be this formal with each other?" His voice held a hint of deeper emotion.Despite everything, Madelyn always seemed to find a way to turn him down. He had hoped that the events of the previous night would bring them closer, but a single phone call had shifted Ethan's once-positive mood into one of frustration and disappointment.Madelyn held onto her dress hem. "I

"Don't just stand there. Hop on the bike!" Forrest commanded.Madelyn pressed her lips together. "Actually, I'm not really in the mood to go out.""Still want to be cooped up at home? Come on, get on the bike, it's freezing out here!""Where are we going?""A nice place..."Reluctantly, Madelyn climbed onto his motorcycle. She had never been on a bike before.Forrest turned to look at her with a furrowed brow.Perplexed by his gaze, Madelyn asked, "What's wrong?"Forrest reached out, releasing her bun, and then placed a helmet on her head. He fastened the elastic band he had removed from her hair around his wrist.He instructed, "Hold onto me!"'What?!' Madelyn was taken aback.Perhaps due to his words or the chilly weather, a light blush dusted Madelyn's cheeks, and she softly grasped his clothing on both sides. "I'm ready. Let's go.""You really stubborn."Forrest reached back and grabbed her hands, guiding them to wrap around his waist. "Like this. Hold on and don't let