Hi Readers! I know I messed up again, and I am so sorry. As you know the previous chapter is not meant for this book. I accidentally uploaded the wrong chapter; it was for my other book. I was exhausted and not focused; I know that's not an excuse. I already changed it to the correct one the same day, but apparently my editor is on leave. She will be back on Monday to approve the change. Please kindly wait. In the meantime, please read this chapter first, and you can go back to the previous chapter once it is changed. Thank you for your understanding. Please accept my sincere apology.
Alana, her face flushed with frustration, finally decided she could no longer endure the evening. With a forced smile, she approached Albert, who was mingling with his guests. "Albert, thank you for hosting such a lovely evening, but I'm feeling quite exhausted. I hope you don’t mind if I leave a bit early," she said, her voice tinged with strain.Albert, ever the gracious host, gave her a warm smile. "Of course, Alana. Your health and comfort are most important. Please, take care and get some rest," he replied, patting her shoulder gently.As Alana made her way towards the exit, she cast a sharp, lingering glance at Christina, her eyes filled with a mixture of jealousy and resentment. Christina met her gaze calmly, not flinching under the intensity of Alana’s stare.Once Alana had left, the atmosphere in the garden seemed to lighten. Christina turned to Calvin, her expression thoughtful. "It seems like Alana still has strong feelings for you," she observed, her tone cautious.Calvin
As the night wore on, Christina continued to sip on cocktails, enjoying the relaxed atmosphere and the company of the other guests. She chatted animatedly, her laughter ringing out amidst the evening's festivities. However, as the drinks kept coming, Christina began to lose track of how much she had consumed.Calvin, observing her from a distance, noticed her starting to wobble slightly and her speech becoming more slurred. Concerned, he approached her gently. "Christina, I think you've had enough for tonight. How about we get you home?"Christina pouted, her cheeks flushed from the alcohol. "No, Calvin," she insisted, her words drawn out. "I still want to have fun. Just one more drink."Calvin shook his head, his tone firm but kind. "You've already had more than enough. You can barely stand. It's time to go home."Despite her protests, Calvin managed to guide Christina away from the party. He approached Albert to bid farewell, explaining the situation. Albert, ever the gracious host,
"Would you like to stay the night?" Christina asked, her face flushed. Her heart was racing. This was the first time Christina had invited a man to stay over at her apartment. It was also the first time she felt the fear of rejection. Usually, no man would refuse her, but this time it felt different. Christina truly wanted Calvin to stay with her tonight."Christina... I can't promise anything about our relationship," Calvin replied, trying to be as gentle as possible to avoid hurting her feelings. He didn't want to ruin their friendship, and he still had a lot to deal with."I know. There’s no ‘us.’ There never has been. Tomorrow, tonight will never have happened," Christina said, moving closer to him."Christina, I think you’ve had too much to drink at the party," Calvin said, concerned.Christina had indeed had a few glasses of alcohol because she didn’t know what else to do at the party. Perhaps she had drunk too much, but she was fully aware of her actions now."We’ll forget abou
Calvin awoke to the tantalizing aroma wafting from the kitchen, a scent that promised a morning filled with warmth and comfort. Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, he followed the scent, his stomach rumbling in anticipation. Stepping into the kitchen, he found his younger sister, Lizzie, already busy at the stove, a mischievous glint in her eyes."Morning, sleepyhead," Lizzie greeted, flashing a playful grin as she flipped a pancake with practiced ease.Calvin smiled, the corners of his lips curling up in response to her infectious energy. "Morning, Liz. What's cooking?"Lizzie chuckled, her movements graceful as she continued her culinary dance. "Just your favorite – pancakes with maple syrup."Calvin's brows furrowed slightly at the mention of the party. "Are you feeling better now?" he asked, concern lacing his words. "You mentioned having a stomachache yesterday."Lizzie waved a dismissive hand, her laughter tinkling like wind chimes in the morning breeze. "Oh, I'm all good now. Just
Calvin drove through the bustling city streets, his mind focused on the address Miranda Dew had given him. He soon arrived at a well-kept apartment complex, its exterior neat and inviting. Parking his car, Calvin walked towards the building, feeling a mix of anticipation and apprehension.Reaching the specified unit, he took a deep breath and pressed the doorbell. Almost instantly, the door swung open to reveal a woman who looked utterly exhausted, dark circles under her eyes and worry etched into her features."Who are you?" she asked, her voice tinged with both hope and desperation."I'm Calvin Hudson," he replied gently, offering a reassuring smile. "You called me about your husband."At the sound of his name, her eyes brightened with relief. "Mr. Hudson, thank you for coming. I've been waiting for you."She stepped aside, holding the door open wider. "Please, come in."Calvin entered the apartment, noting its modest yet tidy appearance. It was a typical middle-class home, furnished
Minutes passed, though it felt like hours. Slowly, almost imperceptibly at first, the sores on James's skin began to shrink and fade. The pallor of his skin started to improve, and his breathing grew a bit stronger, more even. Miranda let out a small gasp, her hands flying to her mouth in astonishment."It's working," she whispered, tears streaming down her face. "Oh my God, it's working!"Calvin didn't respond, his focus entirely on James. He continued to channel his energy, willing the man's body to heal, to fight off the illness that had ravaged it. Gradually, the foul odor began to dissipate, replaced by the faint, fresh scent of healing.Finally, Calvin withdrew his hands, opening his eyes to survey his work. James looked markedly better, though still weak and in need of rest. Calvin turned to Miranda, who was now openly weeping with relief."He's not out of the woods yet," Calvin cautioned, his voice gentle. "But he's much better than he was. He needs rest and care, but I believ
Calvin walked briskly towards his car, his mind still buzzing with the recent revelations and the encounter with Miranda Dew. The air was fresh from a recent rain, the sidewalk slick and reflective. As he reached his vehicle, a sudden commotion caught his attention—a woman, teetering precariously on the slippery pavement.Without thinking, Calvin rushed forward, catching her just as she was about to fall. "Careful," he said, his grip firm as he steadied her. "The sidewalk is—"He stopped mid-sentence as the woman lifted her head, her wide-brimmed hat falling back slightly to reveal her face. It was Alana."Calvin," she said, her voice a mix of surprise and something else he couldn't quite place. "What a coincidence. Though, I don't believe in coincidences."Calvin's expression hardened, a mixture of surprise and suspicion flickering in his eyes. "If you're alright, I'll be on my way," he replied coldly, gently releasing her.As he turned to leave, Alana reached out and grabbed his arm
As Calvin turned to leave, he felt Alana's eyes boring into his back, a mixture of suspicion and jealousy swirling in their depths. He braced himself for her next words, knowing that their encounter was far from over."You seem to have had an enjoyable night last night," Alana said, her voice laced with a hint of bitterness. "Was it with Christina?"Calvin stopped in his tracks, his jaw tightening at the accusation in her tone. "My personal life is none of your concern, Alana," he replied evenly, refusing to give her the satisfaction of a detailed response.With that, he resumed his departure, his steps purposeful and resolute. But before he could reach the door, Alana intercepted him, her expression suddenly earnest."Wait, Calvin," she said, her voice softer now, lacking the edge from before.Calvin turned to face her, his patience wearing thin. "What now, Alana?" he asked, his tone tinged with frustration.Alana took a deep breath, her gaze searching his face for any sign of relent