LOGINJulian came and went, not lingering.Stacey was left behind, facing Maria's passive-aggressive remarks and the Old Master's interrogations alone. She was physically and mentally exhausted, yet couldn't blame anyone. When she went downstairs for a warm drink, Cliff was also at the water bar."Water?" He adjusted his glasses lightly and handed her the honey water in front of him. "Drink this; it's freshly made.""Thank you." Stacey took it, the melancholy on her face impossible to hide."I heard Aunt Blain caused you trouble?" Cliff comforted softly, as if speaking on Julian's behalf. "Don't worry, Julian never wrongfully accuses anyone."That was true. But that wasn't what Stacey was worried about. "Bro, you said before that Miss Brooks wouldn't be with Julian. Is that true?""It's true, but Vanessa was kicked out by Uncle Voss and is pregnant now. Her current situation is hard to say. After all, if she's not with Julian, she has no other options, don't you think?"This couldn't be cal
Pulling Auntie Blain away, Jerry finally let go. She adjusted her shawl, brushed back her hair, and steadied her nerves."Auntie Blain, please, don't come here again. Mr. Frost is already furious." Jerry's advice was well-meaning, but Auntie Blain wouldn't listen."You're the one who told Julian, aren't you?"Jerry was helpless, truly wondering how the gentle Stacey could have such a rogue aunt. "If Mr. Frost hadn't come and something serious happened, it wouldn't be something you could bear the consequences for.""I'm going to beat that hussy's child out of her, so she doesn't get ahead of herself just because she's carrying some bastard!""Auntie Blain!"Getting out of the car, Stacey hurried over, grabbing her aunt's arm, her expression a mix of panic and nervousness. "Jerry, what happened?""You can ask her yourself," Jerry said, a slap mark still blooming on her face from the unwarranted blow. "Miss Vanessa's health is already delicate. Charging in to hit her like that... Mr. Fro
After spending a night in the hospital, Vanessa was discharged in the afternoon.Julian didn't appear, sending Jerry to pick her up instead. Vanessa, neither warm nor cold, entrusted Jerry with a message for Julian, "Tell him, if he can't meet my conditions, he shouldn't bother coming to see me again for a while.""Miss Brooks..."Jerry felt profoundly troubled on Julian's behalf. "Your conditions are indeed a bit unreasonable. Mr. Frost has already done his utmost to meet them for you... his solution isn't bad at all, actually.""If you think it's so good, then *you* marry him," Vanessa said calmly, yet her words were sharp enough to completely silence Jerry.Knowing full well he couldn't win an argument with Vanessa, Jerry quietly shut his mouth. "Miss Brooks, the discharge procedures are done. We can go."He walked ahead and opened the ward door. A figure swiftly darted past him. Before Jerry could even react, the person had rushed up to Vanessa, raising a hand without a word and d
The deep night after midnight grew even colder, the wind like blades.Julian had quit smoking for many days but relapsed. In the brief time he'd been in the car, he'd smoked three or four cigarettes, his face etched with fatigue, eyes sunken from days of restless nights.The car stopped downstairs at the Frost family residence. He hadn't gone up in a long time, tilting his head back, exhaling smoke with a blank, numb expression. His mind was filled with memories of Vanessa at twenty, hugging him, clinging to him, her chin tilted up as she gazed at him, her eyes brimming with warm, vibrant love.It was intense, enough to melt his cold heart.But in a blink.He was back in that hospital scene.Her eyes were hollow, devoid of all youthful sparkle. She had probably cried too many times, the corners of her eyes red and swollen, almost raw from tears. Her lashes drooped, expressing both loss and hatred, as she spoke hoarsely: "If only I had a knife, I would drag you down with me."She wante
The news of Vanessa fainting reached the Frost family, and the most restless person was Stacey.She went upstairs, locked her door, trembling with anxiety and panic. A sudden ring from her phone made her jump. It was her aunt, and the moment she answered, a torrent of scolding assailed her."Stacey, did you see that? Look what happened now," her aunt’s voice was sharp, every word fueling Stacey’s terror. "That little hussy Julian keeps outside is coming for your position. She’s pregnant, Julian likes her, divorcing you and marrying her is only a matter of time. Let's see if you can still sit around doing nothing now?""Julian said he wouldn't…"Stacey’s words lacked any conviction.After all, when Vanessa had heard their plan that afternoon, the attitude she displayed wasn't satisfaction or contentment. Instead, she was riddled with resistance, and Julian’s stance was unconditionally on Vanessa’s side.
The call hadn't ended yet. Julian stood upstairs, gazing down at the two women below.Stacey explained softly, her patience boundless, like an older sister. Yet, Vanessa's expression across from her was far from what was expected. After a long, tense moment, she uttered something inaudible, then abruptly rose, snatched her bag, and walked out.A terrible premonition.Julian hung up the phone and hurried downstairs. "What's wrong with Vanessa?"Stacey's innocent facade was plastered across her face, her words coming out in a slight stammer. "I... I just explained the whole situation to her. I didn't know she'd have such a strong reaction."Julian swiftly pursued her, catching up to Vanessa just as she was about to leave. He seized her hand."Vanessa."A fresh pang shot through her hand.Vanessa yanked her hand free, shoving Julian hard. The tears glistening in her eyes were a calculated act. She gave him a scathing look, then sw
Julian's suppression wasn't just physical; he knew how to control people best, and how to shatter their courage to resist. This kiss was deep, with more emotions mixed in than the last.Jealousy, hatred.And even more, longing.If it were the Vanessa of the past, a kiss, let alone an embrace from J
Forcing himself to be busy for a few days, trying not to think about Vanessa, Julian’s attention was somewhat diverted by Rose clinging to him. Then, he heard from Adrian that Vanessa was about to marry Perry.On the way to the Voss' house, the temperature around Julian dropped several degrees. “Yo
At the board, at home, Cliff was mere air in Julian’s eyes, a weed underfoot that could be crushed without a second thought.He ignored this elder brother in name only, walking past him without a care in the world. Cliff stood behind him, secretly clenching the banister.Upstairs, he knocked on the
Again, begging.Julian, unmoved when doused with wine, now furrowed his brow. Adrian was the first to stand, grabbing Vanessa by the collar. “A way out? You want a way out? What about Ivy?”His roar was deafening, but it didn't intimidate Vanessa.“If I could, I’d rather it had been me who died bac







