The relaxing aroma of freshly brewed coffee caressed Janet's nose as she raised the cup to her face. She took a sip from the coffee and let out a sigh of relief. The pleasing feeling slid down her throat and she felt more relaxed than before. The warmth of the cup burnt against the palm of her hands and made her feel comforted.“Are you feeling any better?” Ivan asked her in a soft tone and she nodded her head. He placed his hand on hers and squeezed it gently in an attempt to comfort her. All through the time he was still married to Vienna, he knew Janet was in pain just watching them but she never showed it to anyone when she was hurt.And he remembered clearly that her brother said she never showed her pain to anyone. She relied on no one else but herself. He promises himself that he would become a person she could rely on and show her pain to though he was worried thinking about how hard it might be for it to work out. He never actually knew that he didn't have to do much. Al
Ivan was left feeling confused after his wife mentioned his own issue and what the general public might think. She was right in every way and Alfred had warned him before that the slightest mistake from him could cause everything that his ascendants had built to crumble like it was nothing but dust from the start. He let out a sigh. Turning to face his wife, he took her hands in his and forced a smile to his face. “Jane, Darling, I want you to know that only what you feel about this is important. The public can say whatever they want about me, I don't care, this is my personal life and I will live it how I see fit.“But only if you want to do this will I make the move. Don't think about me and how it would affect me in any way, just think about yourself and if it's what you want, I'll do it without thinking twice about it.” “But Ivan–”“You're my wife, not them. I'm talking about adopting a kid here and not opening up a new business or trying to get a partnership with another comp
“Haven't you been trying?” Her mother asked her. “I didn't ask you because I knew it would hurt you. I was trying to avoid getting you hurt–”“And so you chose to ridicule me in front of the entire kitchen crew and security team.” Janet cut her mother off. “What is so shameful about adoption? When your husband was still married to his ex wife, he took her son in and raised him like his own.”“That is different! The boy belonged to his wife! What was he supposed to do? Get married to her and throw her son away?” Janet squinted her eyes as she spat out. “Can we just calm down?” Ivan interfered in a tone that was obvious he was trying to sound calm but he was already getting angry. “There is no reason for us to bring up my ex wife and her son. Janet is right, it is a completely different scenario but that's not what's important here.”Janet scoffed silently as she folded her arms below her breast. Ivan continued. “We are all adults here, there is no reason for us to be bickering and f
All eyes stared surprisedly at her. Ivan couldn't hide the shock he was in as his eyes widened and his jaw fell open. “What do you… I mean… how do you… why?” Ivan stuttered as he tried to ask her a question. He shook his head. “What I meant to say is… why the sudden change of heart? I haven't lost hope in you. Honestly I believe that you can do this, I believe WE can do this so why do you want to adopt?” She smiled. A soft and gentle smile as her gaze fell to her plate. Then she looked up at him to meet his gaze. “I know, I know you have hope in me and I know you all want to support me and make me give it a try, believe me I want to do the same as well. I want to trust myself too, no, I do trust myself, what I mean is…“There's nothing wrong in adopting one or two and even if I later have a child of my own, it's never too much. As you both know, mom and dad, I love children more than anything in this world and I have always wanted to have about four of them.” She said with a soft c
They were all surprised by Ivan's response. They all wondered if he was being sarcastic or if he was really being serious. But he didn't seem to be smiling at all, plus there wasn't even a hint of sarcasm in his tone. “Wait,” Janet spoke up. “You are being serious right now?” Her thin brow arched slightly as she asked. Ivan nodded his head. “Of course I'm being serious, there's nothing else we can do anyway. My late step mom used to tell me that there is nothing more to do when you feel stuck, for example in a situation like ours, than to tell the truth. It will surprisingly be the best solution for everything.”Janet let out a soft yet confused chuckle. “Wait, I don't mean to go against what my late mother in law said but… telling the truth? Ivan, this could ruin your entire career if we are not being careful and thoughtful!”“And if I may ask, how?” Ivan plainly asked. “I don't know but… you know very well that this could hurt your image.” “As a matter of fact, I don't know if i
Breakfast was served the next morning and as Ivan had mentioned, they had small talks about the best choice of orphanage to go to and the list had been summed up to the best three. “Okay,” Alfred started. “So we are down to smile orphanage, bright sun and victorious home. And the decision is down to you, young master Wayne. Which one would you like to go to today?” Ivan relaxed into his seat and let himself think for a minute before answering. “I got it!” All eyes fell on him as he exclaimed. “Today, well go to bright sun orphanage,”“Excellent choice young master Way–”“I'm not finished.” Ivan cut Alfred off. “Today, we'll go to bright sun orphanage, tomorrow, we'll go to smile and the day after, we'll go to victorious home.” Alfred was thrown into a pit of confusion. “You… you want to visit all three places?” His brow arched subconsciously as he questioned. “Why not? Jane wants to adopt three kids after all, nothing limits us to adopting from one place or is there a rule or some
Ivan managed to wear a smile on his face even though his heart was shattered to pieces. “Hello there, my name is Ivan.” He said with the brightest smile he could summon. “Do you want to tell me your name?”She silently stared at him, although it seemed as though she wasn't as scared as before. Yet she didn't utter a single word and neither did her gaze leave Ivan. “You don't have to tell me if you don't want to. I don't force you to do anything you don't want to do. Although I would really like to know your name. I bet it must be as pretty as your eyes.” Ivan spoke softly. Even though he already knew what her name was, he was hoping to hear her say it to him. “London…” the scared little girl responded softly, almost as soft as a whisper. Ivan smiled brightly from his heart now, a smile that reached his eyes. “I knew it, I knew it would be something pretty. Do you remember my name, London?” She nodded her head, her knees folded in front of her to rest on her chest. “Do you want t
Heather stood there, stunned, just as every other woman standing in the room. She was sure she had never heard London laugh before. She hadn't even seen the girl smile ever since she was brought to the shelter. Janet hadn't expected less though. Living with Ivan for over five years, she knew the kind of soul he was and she trusted that whatever he put his mind to, he was sure to achieve it. She couldn't have been more proud of him. Ivan carried little London back to his wife and Heather. “London, say hello to your new mom.” Janet smiled and waved at her. “Hello, my name is Janet.” “Hi, I can call you mom, right? Or do you want me to call you Janet?” London sharply responded with a smile. Janet chuckled softly. “You're such a smart little girl. You can call me mom,” she reached forward and gently smoothened London's Goldie locks hair. “I'd like that.” London smiled and nodded her head. “Will you carry me in your arms?” Janet opened her arms wide for her. “Come here.”London unw