Jamie opened the car door. It was warm and cozy inside, but Yara's expression carried a hint of unease. After all, she was a sensitive person, and she could sense that Jamie's extraordinary enthusiasm tonight was all for that woman named Paityn.Yara had heard about the rumors between Jamie and Paityn before, but she had never paid them much mind. She believed her youth and beauty would keep her from being overshadowed by a woman in her thirties.Now, however, Yara felt uncertain. The way Jamie looked at Paityn was different. His gaze was filled with a complex mix of love and resentment.…Jamie sat in the car next to Yara. They were supposed to be engaged, but something unexpected had happened tonight. He stared into the night ahead, and his expression remained neutral. “Yara. I’m sorry, but I can’t marry you.”Yara guessed the reason. Her young eyes turned red, and there was a mix of frustration and hurt inside. Eventually, she asked with a hint of defiance, “Is it because o
The scent of fresh tobacco lingered inside the car. Jamie rolled down the window completely, blowing away the smell of smoke. Then, he grasped the steering wheel firmly and gently caressed it. After a moment, he stepped on the gas pedal and drove toward Paityn’s villa.The night breeze brushed against his face, sharpening Jamie’s thoughts and lending a more severe expression to his features. What was originally a forty-minute drive, he completed in just twenty-five. He ended up arriving five minutes earlier than Paityn.Jamie parked the car in a shadowy spot and sat quietly inside. Then, he waited. Everything was still on this spring night. Fireworks could be seen sporadically bursting in the distance. Their lights were faint and lonely from afar. It reminded Jamie of the relationship he shared with Paityn. They were always on the edge of something meaningful, but they never experienced a grand and passionate explosion.Not a single "I love you" had ever been spoken between them
As Paityn stepped on the gas pedal, her expression turned distant. She watched Carol happily dive into Jamie’s arms with no hesitation. It was a plain betrayal. The little girl went straight to his side! Paityn’s mood felt heavier as she sat in the front seat. She had no choice but to drive, pulling up in front of the small villa within seconds. Through the rearview mirror, she caught a glimpse of Jamie. However, he paid no attention to her. Instead, he carried Carol out of the car wordlessly.The soft yellow light from the wall lamp cast a warm glow, highlighting Jamie’s tall and steady figure. He walked away with calm and confident strides. It was clear Carol liked him very much. After all, her tiny arms were wrapped tightly around his neck while she peeked back at Paityn. Children often pick up on the unspoken tension between adults, and Carol seemed to sense the undercurrents between them.This was Paityn's house, and yet Jamie moved as if he were the master. The housekeeper
Paityn remained silent. She was unsure of how to respond.Jamie's gaze was intense and searching. However, he lowered his eyes to look at the little one nestled in his arms after a moment. Carol was sound asleep and her face was peaceful. At that moment, his expression softened with fatherly affection. However, the warmth vanished when he looked up again. It was replaced by his usual composed detachment and a quiet sense of pride and restraint.Paityn couldn't help but think back to when she first started developing feelings for Jamie a couple of years ago. Perhaps it was this very air of nobility and distance that drew her in. He was powerful and handsome. Given the fact that he came from a wealthy and influential family, he had never lacked women’s affection.Jamie gently tucked Carol in and made sure her blanket was secure before getting off the bed and standing. His eyes fell on Paityn as he stood by the door. He said in a soft but firm voice, "Let’s talk in your bedroom."
Some were cold, while others were lively.At the Bright Villa, tonight was the wedding night of Keaton and Yanni. His parents had moved to another house for the occasion and had thoughtfully taken Ella with them, promising to return her in a week. Gustavo said that Keaton should spend quality time with Yanni, especially since she rarely had such a long holiday because she was a doctor.Keaton and Yanni were grateful for his parents' thoughtfulness and they accepted this arrangement. As night fell, Keaton was downstairs dealing with various chores while Yanni went upstairs to remove his makeup and take a shower. After a long day, she surprisingly didn’t feel tired. She looked around the new house, taking in all the details.A gilded vanity had been added to her room. The furniture and curtains were replaced with softer hues. Keaton had redecorated everything according to Yanni’s preferences, including a larger and softer bed.After applying her skincare products, Yanni settled i
Keaton was so good in bed that Yanni found herself unable to resist. Before long, she was gently pressed onto the carpet beneath him. They kissed deeply, and their bodies entwined in a warm embrace.As their clothes fell away, they couldn’t contain their eagerness to move to the bed, where their new journey together truly began on this wedding night.…As he leaned against the sleek black Land Rover parked by the roadside, Gael exhaled a cloud of smoke into the night air. The chill wrapped around him like a cloak. Gael was dressed in a thin wool coat. He felt the weight of his thoughts pressing heavily on him. He knew he shouldn’t be here. Yanni was now someone else’s wife, and his presence could only serve to deepen the wounds of the past.However, sleep eluded him. Ever since he had sent Emilia away, the realization of the preciousness of his marriage with Yanni had hit him like a freight train. The nights stretched on. They were filled with a restless longing and a gnawing se
Jamie closed his eyes to rest for a moment. Some movement began downstairs. It was the babysitter starting her chores. Carol was in his arms, and she squirmed a bit. Perhaps it was because Jamie was holding her tightly, which made it difficult for her to escape, and that resulted in a hint of grievance. “I need to go to the bathroom.”Jamie woke up and opened his eyes to look at the child in his arms. Carol had shiny black hair that reached her ears, and her skin was fair and warm from a good night's sleep. Her narrow shoulders and small body made her particularly adorable, especially in the eyes of a father. Even though Carol could go to the bathroom by herself, Jamie still propped himself up and lifted her out of the blankets. Then, he carried her all the way to the bathroom. Carol felt a bit shy. After all, she was deeply enchanted by Jamie. Her tiny hands were tightly wrapped around his neck, and she clung to him like a little koala. At that moment, she felt especially hap
From the nearby babysitter's perspective, she saw a family of three embracing. And it was full of love and affection.…Carol was wrestling with her mashed potatoes during breakfast.Paityn observed the little girl for a while before she looked up at Jamie and said, "I have something I want to talk to you about."Jamie’s gaze towards her was somewhat unclear.Paityn might've had a fiery temper, but being looked at like that by Jamie made her feel a little uneasy. She brushed aside a strand of hair from her cheek and spoke in a very soft tone, "Let’s wait a bit longer before taking Carol back. I’m worried she won’t adjust well. She’s only just returned from Silvercrest not long ago."Jamie’s eyes were deep and inscrutable. Overall, he didn’t look too happy. Before he could say anything, however, Carol lifted her head and spoke softly while she was still battling her mashed potatoes, "I want to visit Grandpa and Grandma. I also want to go to school… Mama."Jamie affectionately