《Revenge on My Heartless Husband and Daughter》


 Yearning 1

    <h1 ss="article-title">Chapter 1 Reborn</h1><ul id="article-main-ul" ss="article-list"><li ss="text">It was the end of 2044.</li><li ss="text">In my 50s, I, Tiffany Mayfield, was nearing the final chapter of my life.</li><li ss="text">Breast cancer had spread through my body. My husband, Shawn Hartwell, spared no effort in finding the best doctor to save me, but I had already given up.</li><li ss="text">For three days, I refused to eat or drink.</li><li ss="text">After 30 years of marriage, I didn¡¯t want to see his face before I left this world.</li><li ss="text">Lying in the hospice bed, I shut my eyes tightly.</li><li ss="text">Footsteps approached. I knew it was Shawn and our daughter, Yuna Hartwell.</li><li ss="text">The doctor¡¯s voice was solemn. ¡°She¡¯s refusing food. There¡¯s not much time left.¡±</li><li ss="text">Silence filled the room. My consciousness began to drift away.</li><li ss="text">Then, I heard Yuna¡¯s voice, deliberately hushed. ¡°Mom is finally leaving. When are you nning Queena¡¯s wedding?¡±</li><li ss="text">After a moment, Shawn replied, ¡°Let¡¯s wait. At least until after the funeral.¡±</li><li ss="text">Yuna sighed. ¡°Mom spent her whole life enduring. I wonder what kept her going. She should have divorced earlier instead of making herself sick.¡±</li><li ss="text">Upon hearing her words, I felt bitter. I had stayed in this marriage to let Yuna have aplete family. I just wanted to ensure that no one would look down on her when she got married.</li><li ss="text">But now, my persistence felt like a cruel joke.</li><li ss="text">It didn¡¯t matter anymore. Soon, I would leave this world that had worn me down. I just wanted to be free.</li><li ss="text">¡°She looks calm, but she¡¯s stubborn¡ªhurting herself and others,¡± Shawn murmured.</li><li ss="text">Hurting myself and others? That was an urate way to put it.</li><li ss="text">¡°Queena has suffered too. She spent half her life with you, without a name or title. But at least she¡¯s finally getting what she deserves,¡± Yuna said with a sense of relief.</li><li ss="text">¡°Yes, I owe her too much. I¡¯ll spend the rest of my life making it up to her,¡± Shawn admitted, his voice heavy with guilt.</li><li ss="text">Tears filled my eyes and spilled over. So that was how it was. All the years I spent giving my all meant nothing to them. Instead, the woman who had stepped into my marriage, enduring silently for years, was the one they remembered and sympathized with.</li><li ss="text">A faint ringing echoed in my ears. My body felt drained, desperate for rest.</li><li ss="text">Then, a sharp light hit my eyes, and I blinked my eyes open.</li><li ss="text">A familiar voice, filled with disapproval, reached me. ¡°Tiffany, wake up. Yuna is almost done with ss.¡±</li><li ss="text">I abruptly stood up and turned around, only to see my mother, who had passed away years ago. She was standing by the window, pulling back the curtains to let the sunlight pour in and reveal a lush garden outside.</li><li ss="text">¡°Tiffany, still daydreaming? Go pick up Yuna now.¡± She walked over and lightly patted my arm teasingly. ¡°Were you upte reading romance novels again? I¡¯ve told you so many times not to exhaust yourself. I¡¯m still hoping you and Shawn will have a second child soon.¡±</li><li ss="text">¡°Mom ¡­ ¡± The dazzling light softened. Seeing my mother again, I instinctively grabbed her hand, felt its warmth, and clung to it like a precious treasure. ¡°Mom, is it truly you? How did you get here?¡±</li><li ss="text">She looked startled by my reaction, then curiously reached out to touch my forehead. ¡°Tiffany, did you forget everything after sleeping? You were bored, so you asked the driver to bring me here from our hometown to stay for a few days.¡±</li><li ss="text">Her words unlocked memories buried deep in my mind. It was 2014, shortly after May. My mother had taken some time off, and I had arranged for the driver to bring her from our hometown to Hanzora so she could stay with me for a while.</li><li ss="text">Could it be ¡­</li><li ss="text">¡°Alright, stop acting strange. Go pick up Yuna. Shawn will be home for dinner tonight. I need to start preparing the fish,¡± she said, heading downstairs.</li><li ss="text">I took a deep breath and looked around. It was the vi Shawn had bought after we got married.</li><li ss="text">In 2014, Yuna was already six and in kindergarten.</li><li ss="text">Shawn, a local in Hanzora, managed the family business. As the eldest son, he had led thepany exceptionally well, earning admiration from many. People often praised me for marrying a young, capable, and sessful man.</li><li ss="text">I stepped onto the balcony, letting the warm sunlight wash over me.</li><li ss="text">So I was reborn for a second chance?</li><li ss="text">Oh, thank God for sending me back to 2014!</li><li ss="text">My past life wasplete trash. This time, could I change it?</li><li ss="text">Not far away, a group of young people yed tennis on themunity sports field, full of life and energy.</li><li ss="text">I rested my chin in my hand for a while before suddenlyughing.</li><li ss="text">Maybe my prayers had been answered after all the times I visited churches and made wishes.</li><li ss="text">Taking a deep breath, I checked the time¡ª3:40 p.m. It would take about 30 minutes to drive to Yuna¡¯s kindergarten. That had been my daily routine as a housewife.</li><li ss="text">But today, I wanted a break. Yuna was my daughter, but she wasn¡¯t just my responsibility.</li><li ss="text">I picked up my phone and called Shawn.</li><li ss="text">His familiar, youthful voice came through. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Aren¡¯t you picking up Yuna?¡±</li><li ss="text">I leaned back on the couch and casually lied, ¡°I¡¯m not feeling well. My stomach hurts. Can you go get her?¡±</li><li ss="text">¡°I have a meeting. Can your mom go instead?¡±</li><li ss="text">¡°My mom¡¯s busy cooking. You know I can¡¯t handle killing a fish. Just send the driver to pick her up.¡± As long as I avoided picking up Yuna, Shawn would always find a way.</li><li ss="text">¡°Alright, I¡¯ll have someone pick her up.¡± Without another word, he ended the call.</li><li ss="text">I rose from the couch and headed to the walk-in closet, stopping in front of the mirror. It reflected a young woman in a loose, casual outfit.</li><li ss="text">Shawn wasn¡¯t drawn to me because of my good personality. It was purely because of my alluring face and figure.</li><li ss="text">No one would have thought that someone as aplished as Shawn had his shallow moments, too.</li><li ss="text">He could be seen as a gentleman. After getting together with me, he was always courteous and never picked a fight. If we had disagreements, he would reason with me or withdraw in silence, but he never acted rough or crudely. He never swore, remainedposed at all times, and handled situations smoothly.</li><li ss="text">I remembered our wedding night. He had a drink beforeing to bed. When he saw me in a mermaid dress, his eyes revealed both excitement and possessiveness, yet he still asked politely if he could touch me.</li><li ss="text">I admired him. Though he didn¡¯t take me with overwhelming passion like other men might, my wish was still fulfilled that night¡ªI became his wife in every sense.</li><li ss="text">I held onto beautiful hopes, picturing a future where we spent every day together, raising children and building a life. He earned money while I took care of everything at home.</li><li ss="text">But dreams and reality always seemed to be separated by an invisible line that could never be crossed.</li><li ss="text">Five years into our marriage, he took a mistress. Her name was Queena Tackman¡ªhis assistant and closest confidante. He once told me she was his greatest support, someone who could stand beside him in battle and face his enemies. He couldn¡¯t live without her.</li><li ss="text">Now, they had been together for over a year. In my previous life, I had beenpletely unaware during this time.</li><li ss="text">But in this life, I had chosen to let go¡ªboth of him and myself.</li><li ss="text">I would embrace my future with this mindset: ¡°Cherish him¡ªhe¡¯s the only one who gives me money without asking me to repay with something like my body.¡±</li></ul>

 Yearning 2

    <h1 ss="article-title">Chapter 2 A Lesson in Discipline</h1><ul id="article-main-ul" ss="article-list"><li ss="text">In my previous life, I had a narrow outlook. But now, I wanted to see beyond my old limits.</li><li ss="text">I no longer felt the need to prove my beauty or convince myself that Shawn would always love me. That kind of thinking was foolish.</li><li ss="text">Luckily, I was naturally attractive¡ªI could see it in the way men admired me.</li><li ss="text">But looks alone weren¡¯t enough. Before, I indulged in the shallow satisfaction of being envied by women and admired by men. Now, I saw those feelings for what they were¡ªfragile illusions, easily shattered.</li><li ss="text">In my second chance at life, I understood that real security came from power, influence, and respect.</li><li ss="text">Fairness mighte from us, but if I wanted to stand my ground, I needed strength.</li><li ss="text">If I were a wolf, I had to sharpen my fangs; if I were a sheep, I had to make sure I could run.</li><li ss="text">After experiencing the terrifying previous life, I believed the rest of my life would be peaceful and calm.</li><li ss="text">I studied my reflection for a while before slipping out of my casual dress and stepping into the bathroom.</li><li ss="text">For five years, I had devoted myself to being the ideal wife, ensuring Shawn had nothing to worry about. I had packed away and discarded every outfit that entuated my figure. Whenever I went shopping, I focused only on choosing modest and refined clothing.</li><li ss="text">But now, my perspective had shifted. My body hadn¡¯t changed. In truth, it had only be fuller and more graceful with time. A simple, well-fitted dress could easily bring back my former radiance. Why should I let such a figure go to waste?</li><li ss="text">¡­</li><li ss="text">The sky outside dimmed.</li><li ss="text">An off-road vehicle soon pulled up in front of the house.</li><li ss="text">I thought William, Shawn¡¯s driver, had picked up Yuna. But to my surprise, it was Shawn himself.</li><li ss="text">He opened the back door, and Yuna, dragging her small school bag with one hand, half-stumbled into the living room.</li><li ss="text">Seeing me sitting on the couch, she threw her bag at me. ¡°Mommy! Why didn¡¯t youe get me? You promised to pick me up on time every day!¡±</li><li ss="text">Watching my daughter, who had already developed such a fiery temper at a young age, I realized just how much I had spoiled her.</li><li ss="text">She carried herself like a little princess, ordering me around as if I were her devoted maid.</li><li ss="text">Shawn entered with a deep frown. At 30, he carried himself with the refined elegance of someone in power. Dressed in a suit, he had the poised demeanor of a CEO straight out of a novel.</li><li ss="text">In my previous life, I had loved him so much that I lost myself. But now, I felt nothing, as if I was looking at a lover who had passed away yesterday.</li><li ss="text">¡°I don¡¯t want to talk to you anymore!¡± Yuna shouted at me angrily. ¡°You¡¯re a bad mommy!¡±</li><li ss="text">I shot up from the couch and blocked her at the stairs. I grabbed her arm firmly, my voice low and cold.</li><li ss="text">¡°Look at me. You do not speak to me like that.¡±</li><li ss="text">Her teary eyes filled with disbelief and fury. She shot me a sharp re.</li><li ss="text">¡°Pick up your school bag,¡± I ordered firmly.</li><li ss="text">¡°No!¡± she shouted in defiance.</li><li ss="text">I raised my hand¡ªnot to strike, but to calm myself, pausing in the air for just a beat.</li><li ss="text">Yuna flinched and shut her eyes tight, bracing for something that never came.</li><li ss="text">¡°Tiffany.¡± Shawn¡¯s stern voice cut through the air.</li><li ss="text">I turned to him as he strode over, picked up the school bag, and silently led his furious daughter upstairs.</li><li ss="text">Hearing themotion, my mother stepped out of the kitchen. ¡°What happened? Is Yuna crying?¡±</li><li ss="text">I approached her. ¡°Yes. I lost my temper. She¡¯s too spoiled.¡±</li><li ss="text">¡°She¡¯s still a child. Why did you do that?¡±</li><li ss="text">¡°Exactly because she¡¯s a child, she needs discipline. Otherwise, she won¡¯t respect me,¡± I replied coolly. My tone made my mother give me a puzzled look.</li><li ss="text">She was probably shocked. In the past, I always treated Yuna like she was precious. Even when she threw tantrums, I would patientlyfort her. Sometimes, it took me over an hour, and in the end, I had topromise and agree to her various conditions to settle things.</li><li ss="text">But now, I had no patience left. I didn¡¯t want to waste my time on an ungrateful child. After all, the one she would treasure wouldn¡¯t be me¡ªit would be her stepmother, someone who held no real title in this family.</li><li ss="text">I helped my mother prepare dinner. Since we had no maid, I was always the one doing the cooking. Every few days, a cleaner came to tidy up, and a gardener handled the yard work.</li><li ss="text">I wanted to be a good wife, so I made sure the house was always spotless, both inside and out. I hoped Shawn would notice my hard work and speak well of me to others.</li><li ss="text">¡°Mom, I¡¯m going to the housekeeping agency tomorrow,¡± I said casually while rinsing vegetables.</li><li ss="text">My mother, busy at the stove, turned her head. ¡°Why? Are you thinking of hiring a new cleaner?¡±</li><li ss="text">¡°No,¡± I repliedzily. ¡°I¡¯m hiring two maids.¡±</li><li ss="text">Her face filled with disbelief. ¡°Why? There¡¯s nothing urgent at home. You can manage the cooking, cleaning, and taking care of Yuna by yourself, can¡¯t you?¡±</li><li ss="text">¡°Mom, I¡¯m a wealthy wife now. I don¡¯t want to do housework anymore,¡± I said with a smile, though my tone was serious. ¡°Women in my position have several maids. Why should I make things hard for myself when I can afford help?¡±</li><li ss="text">She wanted to argue, but the food in the pan nearly burned, so she quickly turned back to the stove.</li><li ss="text">Once dinner was ready, my mother told me, ¡°Go call Shawn and Yuna down before the food gets cold.¡±</li><li ss="text">I went upstairs and stepped into the children¡¯s room, where Yuna was still sobbing. She gripped a pair of small scissors, snipping away at our photos. Every picture of me was cut into pieces¡ªonly hers remained intact.</li><li ss="text">¡°What are you doing?¡± I was shocked. I never imagined she¡¯d go so far as to destroy our photos just because I scolded her. She had always been ungrateful.</li><li ss="text">¡°I don¡¯t want you to be my mommy! You¡¯re a bad mommy! You scared me!¡± Yuna lifted her head, fury burning in her teary eyes.</li><li ss="text">Staring at her, whatever little affection I still had disappearedpletely.</li><li ss="text">¡°If I¡¯m not your mother, then who do you want instead?¡± I asked calmly.</li><li ss="text">Without hesitation, Yuna yelled, ¡°I want Queena! She treats me the best! Not like you¡ªyou lied to me, didn¡¯t pick me up from school, and ¡­ you hurt my feelings! I hate you!¡±</li><li ss="text">I never imagined I¡¯d hear Queena¡¯s name from my daughter so quickly.</li><li ss="text">I was just about to question her further when Shawn¡¯s firm voice interrupted from the doorway.</li><li ss="text">¡°Yuna, stop saying nonsense.¡±</li><li ss="text">Shawn had just ended a phone call when he stepped inside. The moment she saw him, Yuna dropped the scissors and ran straight into his arms. She clung to him tightly, sobbing as she pointed at me. ¡°I don¡¯t want her to be my mommy! She¡¯s mean! She yelled at me!¡±</li><li ss="text">He turned his gaze toward me, and for a brief moment, a flicker of surprise crossed his face.</li><li ss="text">I knew why. Thece dress I wore hugged my figure, leaving my back exposed. My fair skin and elegant curves were impossible for him to ignore.</li></ul>

 Yearning 3

    <h1 ss="article-title">Chapter 2 A Lesson in Discipline</h1><ul id="article-main-ul" ss="article-list"><li ss="text">In my previous life, I had a narrow outlook. But now, I wanted to see beyond my old limits.</li><li ss="text">I no longer felt the need to prove my beauty or convince myself that Shawn would always love me. That kind of thinking was foolish.</li><li ss="text">Luckily, I was naturally attractive¡ªI could see it in the way men admired me.</li><li ss="text">But looks alone weren¡¯t enough. Before, I indulged in the shallow satisfaction of being envied by women and admired by men. Now, I saw those feelings for what they were¡ªfragile illusions, easily shattered.</li><li ss="text">In my second chance at life, I understood that real security came from power, influence, and respect.</li><li ss="text">Fairness mighte from us, but if I wanted to stand my ground, I needed strength.</li><li ss="text">If I were a wolf, I had to sharpen my fangs; if I were a sheep, I had to make sure I could run.</li><li ss="text">After experiencing the terrifying previous life, I believed the rest of my life would be peaceful and calm.</li><li ss="text">I studied my reflection for a while before slipping out of my casual dress and stepping into the bathroom.</li><li ss="text">For five years, I had devoted myself to being the ideal wife, ensuring Shawn had nothing to worry about. I had packed away and discarded every outfit that entuated my figure. Whenever I went shopping, I focused only on choosing modest and refined clothing.</li><li ss="text">But now, my perspective had shifted. My body hadn¡¯t changed. In truth, it had only be fuller and more graceful with time. A simple, well-fitted dress could easily bring back my former radiance. Why should I let such a figure go to waste?</li><li ss="text">¡­</li><li ss="text">The sky outside dimmed.</li><li ss="text">An off-road vehicle soon pulled up in front of the house.</li><li ss="text">I thought William, Shawn¡¯s driver, had picked up Yuna. But to my surprise, it was Shawn himself.</li><li ss="text">He opened the back door, and Yuna, dragging her small school bag with one hand, half-stumbled into the living room.</li><li ss="text">Seeing me sitting on the couch, she threw her bag at me. ¡°Mommy! Why didn¡¯t youe get me? You promised to pick me up on time every day!¡±</li><li ss="text">Watching my daughter, who had already developed such a fiery temper at a young age, I realized just how much I had spoiled her.</li><li ss="text">She carried herself like a little princess, ordering me around as if I were her devoted maid.</li><li ss="text">Shawn entered with a deep frown. At 30, he carried himself with the refined elegance of someone in power. Dressed in a suit, he had the poised demeanor of a CEO straight out of a novel.</li><li ss="text">In my previous life, I had loved him so much that I lost myself. But now, I felt nothing, as if I was looking at a lover who had passed away yesterday.</li><li ss="text">¡°I don¡¯t want to talk to you anymore!¡± Yuna shouted at me angrily. ¡°You¡¯re a bad mommy!¡±</li><li ss="text">I shot up from the couch and blocked her at the stairs. I grabbed her arm firmly, my voice low and cold.</li><li ss="text">¡°Look at me. You do not speak to me like that.¡±</li><li ss="text">Her teary eyes filled with disbelief and fury. She shot me a sharp re.</li><li ss="text">¡°Pick up your school bag,¡± I ordered firmly.</li><li ss="text">¡°No!¡± she shouted in defiance.</li><li ss="text">I raised my hand¡ªnot to strike, but to calm myself, pausing in the air for just a beat.</li><li ss="text">Yuna flinched and shut her eyes tight, bracing for something that never came.</li><li ss="text">¡°Tiffany.¡± Shawn¡¯s stern voice cut through the air.</li><li ss="text">I turned to him as he strode over, picked up the school bag, and silently led his furious daughter upstairs.</li><li ss="text">Hearing themotion, my mother stepped out of the kitchen. ¡°What happened? Is Yuna crying?¡±</li><li ss="text">I approached her. ¡°Yes. I lost my temper. She¡¯s too spoiled.¡±</li><li ss="text">¡°She¡¯s still a child. Why did you do that?¡±</li><li ss="text">¡°Exactly because she¡¯s a child, she needs discipline. Otherwise, she won¡¯t respect me,¡± I replied coolly. My tone made my mother give me a puzzled look.</li><li ss="text">She was probably shocked. In the past, I always treated Yuna like she was precious. Even when she threw tantrums, I would patientlyfort her. Sometimes, it took me over an hour, and in the end, I had topromise and agree to her various conditions to settle things.</li><li ss="text">But now, I had no patience left. I didn¡¯t want to waste my time on an ungrateful child. After all, the one she would treasure wouldn¡¯t be me¡ªit would be her stepmother, someone who held no real title in this family.</li><li ss="text">I helped my mother prepare dinner. Since we had no maid, I was always the one doing the cooking. Every few days, a cleaner came to tidy up, and a gardener handled the yard work.</li><li ss="text">I wanted to be a good wife, so I made sure the house was always spotless, both inside and out. I hoped Shawn would notice my hard work and speak well of me to others.</li><li ss="text">¡°Mom, I¡¯m going to the housekeeping agency tomorrow,¡± I said casually while rinsing vegetables.</li><li ss="text">My mother, busy at the stove, turned her head. ¡°Why? Are you thinking of hiring a new cleaner?¡±</li><li ss="text">¡°No,¡± I repliedzily. ¡°I¡¯m hiring two maids.¡±</li><li ss="text">Her face filled with disbelief. ¡°Why? There¡¯s nothing urgent at home. You can manage the cooking, cleaning, and taking care of Yuna by yourself, can¡¯t you?¡±</li><li ss="text">¡°Mom, I¡¯m a wealthy wife now. I don¡¯t want to do housework anymore,¡± I said with a smile, though my tone was serious. ¡°Women in my position have several maids. Why should I make things hard for myself when I can afford help?¡±</li><li ss="text">She wanted to argue, but the food in the pan nearly burned, so she quickly turned back to the stove.</li><li ss="text">Once dinner was ready, my mother told me, ¡°Go call Shawn and Yuna down before the food gets cold.¡±</li><li ss="text">I went upstairs and stepped into the children¡¯s room, where Yuna was still sobbing. She gripped a pair of small scissors, snipping away at our photos. Every picture of me was cut into pieces¡ªonly hers remained intact.</li><li ss="text">¡°What are you doing?¡± I was shocked. I never imagined she¡¯d go so far as to destroy our photos just because I scolded her. She had always been ungrateful.</li><li ss="text">¡°I don¡¯t want you to be my mommy! You¡¯re a bad mommy! You scared me!¡± Yuna lifted her head, fury burning in her teary eyes.</li><li ss="text">Staring at her, whatever little affection I still had disappearedpletely.</li><li ss="text">¡°If I¡¯m not your mother, then who do you want instead?¡± I asked calmly.</li><li ss="text">Without hesitation, Yuna yelled, ¡°I want Queena! She treats me the best! Not like you¡ªyou lied to me, didn¡¯t pick me up from school, and ¡­ you hurt my feelings! I hate you!¡±</li><li ss="text">I never imagined I¡¯d hear Queena¡¯s name from my daughter so quickly.</li><li ss="text">I was just about to question her further when Shawn¡¯s firm voice interrupted from the doorway.</li><li ss="text">¡°Yuna, stop saying nonsense.¡±</li><li ss="text">Shawn had just ended a phone call when he stepped inside. The moment she saw him, Yuna dropped the scissors and ran straight into his arms. She clung to him tightly, sobbing as she pointed at me. ¡°I don¡¯t want her to be my mommy! She¡¯s mean! She yelled at me!¡±</li><li ss="text">He turned his gaze toward me, and for a brief moment, a flicker of surprise crossed his face.</li><li ss="text">I knew why. Thece dress I wore hugged my figure, leaving my back exposed. My fair skin and elegant curves were impossible for him to ignore.</li></ul>

 Yearning 4

    <h1 ss="article-title">Chapter 4 His Calls No Longer Have Power</h1><ul id="article-main-ul" ss="article-list"><li ss="text">I turned to look at Shawn. It had been years since he¡¯d shown any real concern for me, and I almost found itughable.</li><li ss="text">But, of course, his worry wasn¡¯t about me¡ªit was about maintaining his wife¡¯s image.</li><li ss="text">¡°What¡¯s wrong with my outfit?¡± I asked, unwilling to stay silent this time.</li><li ss="text">Shawn frowned, clearly displeased. But that was just how he was. As long as something didn¡¯t interfere with his core interests, he would tolerate it.</li><li ss="text">¡°Nothing. Just don¡¯t stay out toote.¡± With that, he turned and went upstairs. In the background, I could still hear my mother coaxing Yuna, urging her to eat a little more.</li><li ss="text">I watched the scene unfold, shaking my head. I wouldn¡¯t stop others from doting on Yuna, but I had lost the ability to love. I could no longer spoil her the way a mother should.</li><li ss="text">Grabbing my car keys, I stepped outside.</li><li ss="text">Shawn had given me a silver Mercedes-Benz E-ss, but there were other options in the garage. I usually drove the Bentley when picking Yuna up from school. After all, it made a better statement.</li><li ss="text">I started the engine and pressed the gas.</li><li ss="text">Under the night sky, I had ns to meet a former university friend. Mnie Justice was awyer who had spent years building a career in this city. She was unmarried and had recently bought her home, inviting me to her housewarming party.</li><li ss="text">That day, Yuna had fallen sick. Her vomiting and diarrhea kept me at her side all day. When Shawn came home, he med me for taking her to an indoor yground, saying that was how she had caught a virus.</li><li ss="text">Thinking about thest time I had missed out, I took the initiative to invite Mnie tonight.</li><li ss="text">She arrived in a rush with a briefcase, looking surprised.</li><li ss="text">I handed her a blue gift box I had bought earlier. ¡°I wasn¡¯t able to attend your housewarming, so this is for you.¡±</li><li ss="text">Mnie opened it and gasped. She lifted the gold bracelet inside and immediately slipped it onto her wrist.</li><li ss="text">¡°My God, Tiffany, this is too much ¡­ It¡¯s too expensive,¡± she said, though her eyes sparkled with delight.</li><li ss="text">I pressed her hand before she could take it off. ¡°If you consider me a friend, then just ept it.¡±</li><li ss="text">Tears welled in her eyes as she hugged me. ¡°Thank you, Tiffany. I love it.¡±</li><li ss="text">Hearing her say that, I smiled and pulled out two movie tickets. ¡°Come watch a movie with me.¡±</li><li ss="text">Mnie shot me a teasing look, clearly surprised. ¡°Oh? Why the sudden movie invitation? Did your husband and little princess finally grant you some time off?¡±</li><li ss="text">¡°I don¡¯t let them dictate my life anymore. From now on, I¡¯ll be the one making my choices.¡± Thinking back to my past, I had always been caught up in endless tasks¡ªso busy, yet never truly living for myself.</li><li ss="text">¡°Seriously?¡± Mnie eyed me with disbelief, though her excitement was unmistakable. ¡°Well, I must say, I like this new, carefree version of you¡ªreminds me of the old days.¡±</li><li ss="text">I nodded. ¡°I like it too.¡±</li><li ss="text">As we stepped into the theater, Mnie suddenly reached out and touched my back. I turned to her in confusion.</li><li ss="text">Grinning mischievously, she lifted her hand. ¡°Your back is gorgeous¡ªI just had to touch it. It¡¯s strange, though. You always used to dress so conservatively. What made you change your style today?¡±</li><li ss="text">I smiled. ¡°Do I look good?¡±</li><li ss="text">Leaning in close, she whispered, ¡°You¡¯re practically hypnotizing every man within ten feet of you. Of course, you look good. That fair, delicate back of yours¡ªsuch a little temptress!¡±</li><li ss="text">I couldn¡¯t help butugh. She hadn¡¯t changed at all¡ªstill as bold as ever. She reminded me of my younger self.</li><li ss="text">¡°Let them stare all they want,¡± I murmured back. ¡°A wise person once said that beauty is meant to be seen. Hiding it would be a waste.¡±</li><li ss="text">¡°Won¡¯t Shawn get jealous?¡± Mnie teased as if his jealousy mattered to me.</li><li ss="text">I chuckled. ¡°If he feels the need to control what his wife wears, he isn¡¯t much of a man.¡±</li><li ss="text">Mnie burst intoughter at that, drawing curious nces from the people around us.</li><li ss="text">She quickly covered her mouth and shot me a re. ¡°This is your fault. You just made me forget how to act like ady.¡±</li><li ss="text">Smirking, I handed her the bucket of popcorn. ¡°Here. Stuff your mouth with this and behave.¡±</li><li ss="text">The movie didn¡¯t hold my interest, but Mnie waspletely into it, her eyes gleaming with excitement.</li><li ss="text">I leaned back in my seat, resting my chin on my hand. Finally, I had a moment to process the reality that I had traveled back in time.</li><li ss="text">At 26, I was still young. I had my whole future ahead of me, and this time, I would live for myself.</li><li ss="text">For now, I was a wealthy wife, blessed with money, beauty, and a carefree life. In my previous life, I had believed that was the peak of sess for a woman. I had been satisfied with a life without ambition, devoting myself entirely to raising my daughter.</li><li ss="text">I had even dreamed of having a son¡ªone as capable and charismatic as Shawn¡ªso I could depend on my husband in my youth and my son in old age.</li><li ss="text">But in reality, ever since Queena entered the picture, Shawn and I had barely been intimate. A whole year could pass without anything happening between us, while I, young and full of desire, longed for more. During my ovtion period each month, I would wait eagerly for him toe home.</li><li ss="text">However, he acted as if he didn¡¯t see the effort I put into dressing up for him. Without a second nce, he would disappear into his study, staying there until the early hours of the morning before retreating to the guest room.</li><li ss="text">I would lie awake, restless and frustrated, tossing and turning as I debated whether to gather the courage to knock on his door.</li><li ss="text">Shawn was gentle and refined, not particrly intense in bed. But when he did engage, he couldst an hour. He was quite restrained.</li><li ss="text">He filled my mind with expectations and fantasies, yet real moments between us were scarce, leaving me even more frustrated.</li><li ss="text">When the frustration became too much, I had no choice but to solve it myself, but it always felt hollow and unfulfilling.</li><li ss="text">¡°Tiffany, is your phone ringing?¡± Mnie¡¯s voice pulled me from my thoughts.</li><li ss="text">I nced at the screen, seeing Shawn¡¯s name sh.</li><li ss="text">Slipping the phone back into my bag, I said casually, ¡°I don¡¯t want to be bothered while watching the movie.¡±</li><li ss="text">Mnie blinked at me in surprise before reminding me, ¡°Tiffany, it¡¯s Shawn.¡±</li><li ss="text">Resting my chin on my hand, I kept my eyes on the screen and responded calmly, ¡°I know. I¡¯m not picking up.¡±</li><li ss="text">Her jaw dropped as she gawked at me for a long time.</li><li ss="text">I understood why she was so shocked. In my previous life, Shawn¡¯s calls had been likemands, and I had treated each one as urgent. Ignoring him had never been an option.</li><li ss="text">But now, after everything he had put me through¡ªboth emotionally and physically¡ªI refused to obey him anymore.</li><li ss="text">The phone eventually stopped ringing. But soon after, a message came in.</li><li ss="text">Shawn said Yuna had a stomachache and needed to go to the hospital. He asked when I would be home.</li></ul>

 Yearning 5

    <ul id="article-main-ul" ss="article-list"><li ss="text">I knew Yuna was faking her stomachache¡ªit was just a way to manipte her parents.</li><li ss="text">Even at such a young age, she was full of schemes. With her high intelligence, she had mepletely fooled in my past life.</li><li ss="text">I replied, ¡°Take her to see a doctor.¡±</li><li ss="text">After that, I put my phone down and focused on watching the end of the movie.</li><li ss="text">Shawn left me alone after that. When the movie finished, some men behind me seemed to be pushing through, and one of them bumped into me by ident. He turned red with embarrassment.</li><li ss="text">Mnie was about to confront him, but I gently held her hand and said, ¡°It¡¯s fine.¡±</li><li ss="text">The man stammered out an apology before dragging his friend away.</li><li ss="text">Mnie smirked and teased, ¡°Looks like beauty really does lower IQ. Tiffany, Shawn is so lucky. He must be driven wild having to see your face and figure every day.¡±</li><li ss="text">Her words made my face heat up in an instant.</li><li ss="text">I wasn¡¯t about to admit that maybe I was the one driven wild in this situation.</li><li ss="text">¡°You¡¯ll get it once you have a boyfriend,¡± I said with a smile.</li><li ss="text">¡°Get what?¡± Mnie blinked in confusion.</li><li ss="text">¡°No matter how beautiful a woman is, people eventually get used to seeing the same face. Don¡¯t put too much faith in romantic ideals,¡± I said lightly.</li><li ss="text">Mnie let out a frustrated sigh. ¡°Now that you mention it, I see your point. I¡¯ve handled a few divorce cases recently, and the wives were all gorgeous. But their husbands still cheated like it was nothing. It¡¯spletely shattered my view of rtionships.¡± She gritted her teeth in anger.</li><li ss="text">I let out a bitter chuckle. ¡°Don¡¯t expect too much from men.¡±</li><li ss="text">Sensing something was off, Mnie worriedly asked me, ¡°Wait, is Shawn¡ªdoes he have someone outside?¡±</li><li ss="text">Shawn and Queena had only just started their affairs, and no one else knew yet. As his wife, I had no intention of making it public¡ªafter all, it didn¡¯t matter to me anymore.</li><li ss="text">¡°Probably not.¡± I kept up appearances.</li><li ss="text">By the time I returned to the vi, it was alreadyte, but the living room lights were still on.</li><li ss="text">My mom was pacing around the living room with Yuna on her back. Yuna was nearly asleep, but the sound of the car engine woke her up. She quickly slid off my mom¡¯s back and ran to the door to wait for me.</li><li ss="text">¡°Yuna, let me put you to bed. Mommy still needs to take a shower,¡± my mom said, ever the worrier, as she walked over to persuade her.</li><li ss="text">¡°No, I want Mommy,¡± Yuna grumbled, clearly annoyed. She pushed my mother away. ¡°Grandma, go upstairs and sleep. Don¡¯t worry about me.¡±</li><li ss="text">I parked the car and walked into the living room. The moment Yuna saw me, she ran over and clung to my leg. ¡°Mommy, you¡¯re home sote! Were you out cheating?¡±</li><li ss="text">Unsurprisingly, herment earned her a gentle p. ¡°Who taught you to speak so like that?¡±</li><li ss="text">Yuna held her cheek, her teary eyes welling up as tears streamed down her face.</li><li ss="text">¡°You hit me again?¡± She pouted, crying as she slowly backed away. Then, without another word, she turned and ran upstairs in sadness.</li><li ss="text">My mom looked at me in shock, then nced toward the stairs. ¡°Tiffany, why did you p Yuna the moment you got home? She¡¯s been waiting for you all night. Don¡¯t be angry with her.¡±</li><li ss="text">I smiled at her. ¡°It¡¯s fine. A little discipline won¡¯t hurt. You heard what she just said¡ªtalking nonsense at her age. She needs to be taught a lesson.¡±</li><li ss="text">My mom frowned, her expression stern. ¡°She probably picked it up from TV. She¡¯s too young to even understand what she¡¯s saying. Kids are sensitive¡ªyou pped her, and now her pride is hurt. Don¡¯t do it again.¡±</li><li ss="text">¡°Okay, Mom. It¡¯ste; go get some rest,¡± I replied, but inside, I was convinced that Yuna¡¯s upbringing needed a serious reevaluation. Even if she kept disrespecting and ignoring me, it would still be better than loving her deeply and being repaid with betrayal and hatred.</li><li ss="text">I walked upstairs, step by step. At the top of the staircase, Shawn stood holding a tearful Yuna, as if he had been waiting for me.</li><li ss="text">Pausing at the stairs, I looked up at them with a faint, unreadable smile. ¡°What now? Did she run to you toin?¡±</li><li ss="text">¡°Daddy, my face hurts so much ¡­ Does Mommy want to beat me to death?¡± Yuna clung to Shawn¡¯s neck, looking pitiful as she tearfully used me.</li><li ss="text">I continued walking upstairs, my tone indifferent. ¡°If one p could kill you, then honestly, you were just wasting air.¡±</li><li ss="text">¡°Tiffany, we need to talk ¡­ ¡± Shawn said, setting Yuna down and crouching tofort her. ¡°Go lie down in your room. I¡¯lle read you a bedtime story in a bit.¡±</li><li ss="text">¡°Hmph!¡± Feelingforted by Shawn¡¯s attention, Yuna red at me, her nose scrunching in defiance, before stomping into her room and mming the door behind her.</li><li ss="text">I didn¡¯t follow Shawn to his study. Instead, I went straight to the master bedroom.</li><li ss="text">Sitting in front of the vanity, I slowly removed my earrings. Dressed in a sleek, form-fitting dress, my long, jet-ck hair cascaded down my back like seaweed, flowing without any styling. Its natural waves carried an effortless allure, exuding elegance and charm.</li><li ss="text">I didn¡¯t know if Shawn was tired of me. In my past life, no matter how hard I tried to please him, he would push me away with a nk expression and simply say, ¡°I¡¯m tired from work. Get some rest.¡±</li><li ss="text">I sat charmingly on the white chair, turning to look at him, and saw that he was zoning out.</li><li ss="text">¡°What do you want to talk about?¡± I asked.</li><li ss="text">Shawn snapped out of it, his expression turning serious. ¡°Why did you keep hitting Yuna today? She¡¯s just a child. Even if she made a mistake, as her mother, a few words of guidance should be enough. You don¡¯t hit a child in the face¡ªshe has her own pride too.¡±</li><li ss="text">I nodded and stood up, resting my hands on the vanity behind me. Tilting my head back slightly, I arched my body just enough to exude confidence and allure as I looked at him. ¡°Then you must not have heard what she said to me.¡±</li><li ss="text">¡°No matter what she said¡ª¡±</li><li ss="text">¡°She said I was out thiste because I was cheating.¡± I cut him off, smiling. ¡°Cheating isn¡¯t a small matter. If that got out, it wouldn¡¯t just ruin my reputation¡ªit would damage yours too.¡±</li><li ss="text">Shawn frowned, his expression turning grim. I wasn¡¯t sure if it was the word cheating that struck a nerve, but he clearly didn¡¯t look pleased.</li><li ss="text">After all, he was the one doing the cheating.</li><li ss="text">¡°Yuna is still a child. She doesn¡¯t understand what she¡¯s saying,¡± he defended her.</li><li ss="text">I held out my fingers. They used to be slender, delicate, and fair, but years of housework had made them rougher. I looked at them and said indifferently, ¡°She¡¯s so young and already so rebellious. I can¡¯t imagine what she¡¯ll be like when she grows up. You know that strict discipline raises respectful children. If you don¡¯t like how I¡¯m raising her, why don¡¯t you take over from now on?¡±</li><li ss="text">Seeing that I was neither reflecting on myself nor taking responsibility, Shawn became angrier. ¡°Tiffany, do you know what you¡¯re saying? She¡¯s your daughter. It¡¯s your responsibility to raise her properly.¡±</li><li ss="text">I nodded. ¡°Of course, I know that. But when I¡¯m disciplining her, I¡¯d appreciate it if you didn¡¯t interfere. If you want to be a kind and loving father, then let me be a strict mother. You y the good cop, I¡¯ll y the bad cop. I don¡¯t mind if she ends up hating me ¡­ but don¡¯t me me either.¡±</li><li ss="text">Shawn¡¯s face stiffened, a rare crack appearing in his usuallyposed, handsome features.</li><li ss="text">¡°Go take a shower. I¡¯ll put Yuna to sleep ande over,¡± he said, as if choosing to drop the argument. Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked away.</li><li ss="text">I was momentarily taken aback. Did he just say he wasing over?</li><li ss="text">Is this his way of showing affection?</li></ul>

 Yearning 6

    Chapter 6 I Wanted to Start Again


    Chapter 6 I Wanted to Start Again


    s


    By the time Shawn came over, I was still in the shower. When I stepped out, dressed in my pajamas, I saw that he had also changed into his and was sitting on the other side of the bed, casually flipping through a book.


    The quiet rustling of pages was the only sound in the room.


    I sat down at my vanity, carefully applying my skincare products. As I went through my routine, my mind drifted, wandering to what was missing from my collection and what I needed to restock tomorrow.


    I spent over ten minutes tending to my skin when Shawn finally asked from the bed, ¡°Are you done?¡±


    After smoothing on thest bit of moisturizer, I walked over andy down.


    Only then did he set his book aside, switching off the main light and leaving just a dim bedsidemp on.


    The soft glow filled the room, adding a sense of intimacy.


    His hand reached over, resting on my chest. Then, in his usual refined and courteous manner, he asked, ¡°Is this okay?¡±


    I had been waiting for him to say that. I replied seriously, ¡°I¡¯m a little tired today. Maybe next time.¡±


    His hand, which had just reached over, immediately froze. After a few seconds, he pulled it back and said, ¡®Alright.¡±


    Sharing the same bed but lost in our own thoughts-I actually fell asleep with ease.


    Turns out that having nothing to dwell on really does improve sleep.


    The next morning, my rm clock jolted me awake. Shawn was already gone. I stood there for a moment before getting dressed and stepping out of the room. Down the hall, I heard Yuna¡¯s spoiled, stubborn voice. ¡°Daddy, I want you to take me. I don¡¯t want her. I haven¡¯t forgiven her yet.¡±


    ¡®Yuna, she¡¯s your mother.¡±


    ¡®But she hit me! Twice! What kind of mother does that?¡± Sharp-tongued as ever. Not that it surprised me.


    ¡®She did it because she wants to teach you properly. I¡¯m sure she didn¡¯t mean to hurt you. It probably made her feel bad too,¡± Shawn exined,


    Hmph! I don¡¯t care. I just want you to take me!¡± Yuna demanded, stubborn as ever.


    Shawn had always spoiled her, and he could never say no. In the end, he gave in. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s go.¡±


    Yuna grabbed her little backpack and happily followed him downstairs.


    I stayed by the door, listening. Once I heard them leave, I decided not to go down.


    They took their breakfast to eat in the car, and only then did I go downstairs. Watching their car disappear into the distance, I thought to myself, Those two are better off sticking together. The less they bother me, the better.


    3:41 pm


    Chapter 6 I Wanted to Start Again


    s


    I had two tasks today. First, hire two reliable maids. Second, find a private investigator to secretly gather evidence of Shawn and Queena¡¯s affair.


    This was all in preparation for the divorce and property division. In my past life, I never cared about money. I always had a few million sitting in my ount, but my spending habits were minimal-I didn¡¯t buy luxury brands or indulge in expensive things. I yed the role of the perfect wife, always thinking about managing the household wisely and only spending money where it was necessary.


    Now, I saw things clearly. Money was best kept firmly in my own hands-and the more, the better.


    My mom came with me to a housekeeping agency, where we conducted three rounds of interviews before finally selecting two maids who seemed like a good fit. In the afternoon, I took her shopping and bought her a bunch of things, leaving her so stunned she almost jumped in disbelief.


    On the way home, she keptining, ¡°Tiffany, Shawn¡¯s money doesn¡¯t grow on trees! How can you spend like this? A scarf for 60,000? Is it made of gold? That¡¯s outrageous!¡±


    ¡°Mom, just ept it. It¡¯s my way of showing you my love.¡± I cherished my mother deeply-she was the most devoted and caring person in my life. If things yed out like my past life, she wouldn¡¯t have many years left. I wanted to give her the best while I still had the chance.


    ¡°Spending money like this isn¡¯t practical. I know you¡¯re wealthy and filial, but I¡¯m too old for anything fancy now. Focus on Shawn and Yuna, build a strong marriage, and have a son soon. That¡¯s the best way to show your love for me.¡± My mom, holding onto old beliefs, just wants an heir.


    In my past life, I had tried everything to get pregnant sooner-I took countless herbal remedies and visited numerous doctors. But since Shawn barely touched me, all my efforts were in vain. In the end, I never had another child.


    In this life, there was no way I would give him a son.


    ¡°Mom, I already have a daughter. That proof I can have children,¡± I said calmly.


    ¡°Of course, you can have children,¡± my mom said anxiously. ¡°You and Shawn are still young, and he¡¯s the eldest son. Now that he¡¯s in charge of thepany, people will talk if he doesn¡¯t have an heir. He must be hoping for a son.¡± She was worried that without a son, my position wouldn¡¯t be secure.


    But I had no such concerns. If Shawn wanted an heir, Queena could take care of that. It wasn¡¯t my problem.


    All I needed was proof of his affair to push for a divorce and secure my share of the assets. I was young, attractive, and financially stable-I could definitely live a fulfilling life on my own.


    Not wanting to argue with my mom or upset her, I changed the subject. ¡°Mom, are you leaving the day after tomorrow? Why not stay a little longer?¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t leave your father and brother for too long. As long as I know you¡¯re doing well, that¡¯s enough for me,¡± she said. She had always been the type to worry-her whole life had been dedicated to the family.


    I knew her heart wasn¡¯t really here with me, so I didn¡¯t try to persuade her to stay. Before she left, I slipped a bank card with three million into her bag.


    Shawn hadn¡¯t been home for two days, and Yuna had vanished along with him-no calls, no messages.


    3:41 pm


    Chapter 6 I Wanted to Start Again


    s


    But I didn¡¯t bother to ask about their whereabouts. Unlike my past life, where their absence would leave me feeling lost and desperate, desperately calling to find thein, this time, I felt nothing.


    Over the past two days, I got rid of all the clothes I no longer liked-some were donated, while others were tossed out. The same went for the shoes thatcked any femininity. I reced them all with a stylish


    selection.


    The two maids had also moved in-one for cleaning, the other for cooking-instantly making my life more convenient.


    But I had no ns to waste my days in idleness. It was time to revisit my profession and start a new chapter. I was ready to get back to work.


    I studied hotel management at university, and my parents spent a lot on my hobbies like dancing and ying the violin. After getting married and having kids, I becamezy and stopped pursuing them. Now, I wanted to start again.


    I scheduled lessons with my old instructors and also decided to improve my Enrian. As a widely spokennguage, mastering it would make traveling-or even moving abroad-much easier.


    Thest time I gave Mnie a gold bracelet, she felt so grateful that she insisted on treating me to a fancy dinner. I epted her invitation.


    ¡°Tsk, tsk, this dress looks like it was designed just for you-gorgeous,¡± Mnie praised without holding back the moment she saw me.


    They say purple carries a certain charm. That night, I wore a sleek, form-fitting purple dress-off-the- shoulder with a subtle open-back design. A delicate tinum ne and elegant swan-shaped earrings added the perfect finishing touch.


    I had always known what kind of woman could captivate a man. And it seemed the pure seductress look was finally working its magic on me.


    As Mnie led me inside, she suddenly grabbed my fingers tightly. ¡°Tiffany, let¡¯s go somewhere else.¡±


    But I had already seen what she was trying to hide.


    Shawn was sitting by the window with Yuna, and right beside them was a woman in a beige business suit- Queena.


    3:42 pm

 Yearning 7

    Chapter 7 He Really Had No Shame


    Chapter 7 He Really Had No Shame


    s


    Mnie was even more flustered than I was. She held my fingers tightly, afraid I¡¯d lose my temper and


    make a scene.


    After all, Shawn was a well-known businessman. If a fight really broke out here and embarrassed him, my life wouldn¡¯t be easy afterward.


    ¡°Tiffany, I¡¯m sorry¡­ It¡¯s all my fault. I really didn¡¯t expect this ¡­ ¡°Mnie¡¯s lips trembled as she spoke. She was genuinely terrified that I¡¯d lose control and do something reckless.


    I patted the back of her hand gently and said softly, ¡°It¡¯s okay. Where¡¯s your table? Let¡¯s go.¡±


    Mnie¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief. She didn¡¯t expect me to react this way.


    ¡°Tiffany¡­¡± She hesitated, as if wanting to say something.


    I smiled calmly. ¡°I know who that woman is. She¡¯s his assistant, Queena Tackman. It¡¯s nothing.¡±


    Mnie nced over quickly, then let out a sigh before leading me to our seats.


    Maybe my outfit was too eye-catching because Shawn noticed me almost instantly. Not only did his gazend on me, but several other men around the restaurant also looked up from their meals. Maybe it was that irresistible mix of innocence and allure I carried-a charm they couldn¡¯t ignore.


    ¡°Mom!¡± Yuna suddenly stood up and called out to me.


    I turned and waved at her, but instead of running over right away, she nced at Queena first.


    Queena looked over at me, then gently ran her fingers through Yuna¡¯s hair lovingly. She leaned in and whispered something to her, but Yuna still hesitated and didn¡¯te over.


    Instead, Shawn stood up, took her small hand, and led her to my side.


    ¡°What brings you here for dinner?¡± he asked, his gaze lingering on me for a moment.


    Mnie quickly straightened up, smiling brightly. ¡°Mr. Hartwell, I invited Tiffany to dinner.¡±


    Shawn gave her a polite nod before turning to Yuna and saying, ¡°Greet her properly.¡±


    Only then did Yuna reluctantly mumble, ¡°Hi, Mnie,¡± toward Mnie.


    Mnie¡¯s face lit up with a smile. ¡°Yuna, you¡¯re getting prettier every day! And you¡¯ve grown so much.


    Shawn nced at me, then at Queena in the distance, before asking Yuna, ¡°Do you want to go with your


    mom?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Yuna answered without hesitation. ¡°I¡¯m already full, and Queena said she¡¯s taking me to win a plushieter. I want to go¡±


    Shawn nodded. ¡°Alright. Tiffany, we¡¯ll be leaving first.¡±


    I smiled and replied calmly, ¡°Okay.¡±


    3:42 pm


    Chapter 7 He Really Had No Shame


    He stared at me for a while, as if my response had caught him off guard.


    s


    Maybe he had expected me to cause a scene, get upset, or question him about the woman with shoulder- length hair and their rtionship.


    Shawn led Yuna back to their table, and soon, they left in a hurry.


    Mnie watched their figures disappear, then turned to me with a sympathetic look. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Tiffany. This is my fault. I shouldn¡¯t have booked a table here ¡­ I never wanted you to see something so heartbreaking.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not heartbroken,¡± I said calmly. ¡°Mnie, from this moment on, I don¡¯t care about Shawn anymore.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± Mnie was stunned, her mouth hanging open in disbelief.


    I took a sip of tea and said with a wry smile, ¡°There¡¯s no point in trying to control a man whocks self- awareness. If he wants to have fun outside, let him.¡±


    ¡°Tiffany, are you feeling hurt?¡± Mnie asked, her voice full of concern.


    ¡°No, I just suddenly figured it out,¡± I replied calmly. ¡°All these years, I¡¯ve been revolving around him and Yuna. To be honest, it¡¯s exhausting-like being a thankless caretaker. No matter how much effort I put in, it never made a difference.¡±


    Mnie¡¯s eyes turned red with emotion, her heart aching for me, as if I were just putting on a brave face while suppressing my pain.


    ¡°Don¡¯t look at me like that. You should be celebrating my rebirth.¡± I lifted my wine ss toward her with a smile. ¡°From now on, let¡¯s toast to my bright future, youthful beauty, and good health.¡±


    Mnie was momentarily stunned by my words. After a while, with tears shimmering in her eyes, she raised her ss and clinked it against mine. ¡°Alright, then here¡¯s to you. May everything go smoothly, and may all your wishese true.¡±


    I smiled subtly.


    As we ate, a staff member arrived with three expensive dishes.


    Mnie looked surprised. ¡°I didn¡¯t order these. Did you make a mistake?¡±


    The staff member smiled and exined, ¡°These were sent by Mr. Hartwell, The bill has already been settled.¡±


    Mnie was taken aback and immediately turned to me. ¡°Your husband sent them?¡±


    I picked up my utensils, took a bite, and said casually, ¡°It tastes pretty good. Might as well cat. Don¡¯t waste


    it.¡±


    Mnie chuckled. ¡°Just one of these dishes costs as much as my entire meal.¡±


    I hadn¡¯t expected Shawn to send us three dishes-maybe it was his way of easing his guilt by throwing money at the situation.


    He was still the same-thoughtful in his actions, never leaving room for mistakes. But his heart remained


    3:42 pm


    Chapter 7 He Really Had No Shame


    s


    cold. A man like him seemed perfect on the surface, but the closer you got, the more ws you discovered.


    Halfway through the meal, Mnie still found my reaction unusual. She looked at me and asked, ¡°Tiffany, Yuna seems really close to that woman. If I didn¡¯t know the truth, I¡¯d think she was her daughter. Are you sure you¡¯re not upset?¡±


    I wasn¡¯t surprised by Mnie¡¯s question. She had always known how much Yuna meant to me. Before this, I treated my daughter like a treasure, afraid she¡¯d get even the slightest bump or bruise. I had very little breast milk, so I had actation consultante every day, rubbing my skin raw in a circle, but still no milk. I cried while holding my daughter throughout my postpartum period, showing how much I cherished her. Mnie always said Yuna was my world, the one thing that kept me going.


    So, knowing that my world, my precious daughter, was being taken away by another woman, of course, it hurt. It hurt more than being cut with a knife.


    I took a sip of wine and shook my head. ¡°Maybe before, but not anymore. She¡¯s six now, old enough to understand right from wrong and theplexities of rtionships. I know she¡¯s not a kite I can keep tethered to my hand forever. One day, she¡¯ll fly on her own. If she¡¯s happier with someone else, then I¡¯ll let her go.¡±


    ¡°Tiffany, you¡¯ve changed so much; it¡¯s like you¡¯re apletely different person.¡± Mnie was startled by my words and sighed. ¡°If your face hadn¡¯t stayed the same, I¡¯d honestly think someone else had taken over your body-like your soul belonged to someone else.¡±


    Iughed. ¡°Sometimes, growth happens in an instant. That¡¯s just how it is. Mnie, we¡¯ve known each other since high school, spent four years in college together, and now we¡¯re working in the same city. I haven¡¯t changed-I¡¯ve just learned to see things differently.¡±


    Mnie nodded. ¡°Alright. No matter what, you¡¯ll always be my friend.¡±


    After dinner, Mnie went to pay the bill, only to find out that Shawn had already covered it. She sighed and shrugged. ¡°I was supposed to treat you, but in the end, your husband paid. I guess I¡¯ll have to make it up to you next time.¡±


    I smiled and nodded. ¡°Alright, next time.¡±


    Since we had both been drinking and couldn¡¯t drive, Mnie stood by the roadside, trying to hail a cab.


    Just then, a ck Range Rover pulled up. The driver, William, rolled down the window and said, ¡°Mrs. Hartwell, Mr. Hartwell asked me to take you both home.¡±


    Mnie immediately smiled mockingly. ¡°Mr. Hartwell sure is thoughtful.¡±


    I didn¡¯t respond. Instead, I opened the door, let Mnie in first, and then got in myself.


    On the way back, I closed my eyes to rest. Shawn¡¯s behavior was truly battling.


    If he wanted to cheat, he might as well ignore me altogether. Yet here he was-taking his mistress out for dinner while still pretending to be attentive. He really had no shame.


    3:42 pm

 Yearning 8

    Chapter 8 Let¡¯s Get a Divorce


    Chapter 8 Let¡¯s Get a Divorce


    s


    From what I know about Shawn, most of his attention was on his work. Half of what¡¯s left goes to our daughter, and the rest is spent on Queena. As for me, I¡¯m just an afterthought.


    I should prepare for the divorce.


    When I got home, the housemaids were still awake. Seeing me return, they greeted me.


    Their names were Mona and Beata-both in their early 40s and hardworking. With them around, the house was always spotless.


    ¡°Mrs. Hartwell, I made some bird¡¯s nest soup. Have a bowl before you sleep,¡± Mona said as she walked over.


    ¡°Alright, give me a serving.¡± From now on, taking care of my body inside and out would be a priority. I needed to restore my energy and keep myself glowing.


    Mona¡¯s cooking was impressive-her bird¡¯s nest soup tasted just as good as the ones from upscale restaurants. I let her and Beata share the leftovers.


    Tonight, Shawn and Yuna probably wouldn¡¯t being home. Queena had her ways.


    Not only did she take my husband, but she also had my daughterpletely under her control.


    In my past life, I saw her as a constant thorn in my side. I even went so far as to seek out a mystic and use a voodoo doll, stabbing it with needles every day. I had barely crossed paths with Queena a handful of times, yet she drained me of everything, leading to my death in my 50s.


    I finally knew how terrifying emotional exhaustion could be. Toxic people and messy situations were like a dark cloud hanging over you, blocking out every bit of joy and sunlight.


    No, I refused to be consumed by anyone¡¯s negativity again. From that moment on, I was determined to do what made me happy.


    Late that night, I fell asleep. At some point, I vaguely heard footsteps stop by my bedside for a moment before moving away. It seemed like Shawn and Yuna hade home,


    The next morning, a small, warm body crawled under my nket.


    ¡°Mommy, you¡¯re still sleeping? You have to take me to school!¡± Yuna clung to my arm, shaking me awake.


    I suddenly remembered that I had turned off my rm, which was why I didn¡¯t wake up on time,


    ¡°Let


    your dad take you. I have something to doter.¡± She was my own flesh and blood, so I still spoke to her gently. But I would gradually withdraw my love for her. Once she grew up and became independent, I wouldn¡¯t concern myself with her anymore.


    ¡°Mommy, what could you have to do? You don¡¯t even have a job, and with two housemaids taking care of everything, you have nothing but free time,¡± Yuna said, frowning in frustration.


    I sat up, and Yuna immediately grabbed a long, rectangr box beside her, shaking it in front of me. ¡°Daddy picked this out for youst night. Open it and take a look!¡±


    3:42 pm


    Chapter 8 Let¡¯s Get a Divorce


    I lifted the lid and found a diamond ne with a purple gemstone pendant.


    ¡°Who picked it out for him?¡± I asked evenly.


    s


    ¡°It was Quee-I mean, Ms. Tackman! She¡¯s gorgeous and has great taste.¡± Yuna hesitated, as if Shawn had already warned her to be careful with her words.


    ¡°Do you like her a lot?¡± I asked, looking straight into my daughter¡¯s eyes.


    Yuna was sharp for her age, but she still had a bit of innocence left. She nodded. ¡°Mommy, please don¡¯t be mad, okay? Ms. Tackman is Daddy¡¯s work partner. She¡¯s nice to me because I¡¯m Daddy¡¯s little princess.¡±


    I almost wanted tough. Yuna might be young, but she understood everything.


    Queena wasn¡¯t just Shawn¡¯s work partner-she was also his lover.


    ¡°Let go first. I need to freshen up, then I¡¯ll take you to school.¡± Since she was my daughter, I wouldn¡¯t avoid my responsibilities.


    ¡°Mommy, can you carry me to the bathroom and do my hair?¡± Yuna askedzily.


    I frowned but still lifted her up and carried her to the bathroom. She wrapped her arms around my neck, pouting. ¡°Mommy, I don¡¯t hate you anymore for hitting mest time, but why do you still look so serious?¡±


    As I braided her hair, I said calmly, ¡°It¡¯s fine as long as you don¡¯t hate me. I¡¯m not upset anymore either.¡±


    Yuna nodded and picked up one of her bath toys, ying with it absentmindedly.


    Once I finished her hair, I tidied myself up. I opened the wardrobe, chose a white skirt suit, and styled my hair into a side braid. The look carried a cool, elegant beauty. Yuna watched me in awe. ¡°Mommy, you look so pretty today! Why didn¡¯t you dress like this before?¡±


    ¡°I will from now on,¡± I said, grabbing my bag and leading her downstairs.


    Shawn was by the door, taking a call, his expression asposed and indifferent as ever.


    As he spoke, he nced toward the staircase and caught sight of me. For a brief moment, his gaze seemed to freeze.


    I sat at the dining table, where Mona had prepared a delicious breakfast. She even helped feed Yuna,


    I took my time enjoying breakfast with Yuna when a memory from my past life surfaced. Back then, I would wake up at 6:30, spend an hour preparing breakfast, barely take a few bites, and then rush out in loose casual clothes to take my daughter to school.


    I had thought my efforts would move everyone, but in reality, I was the only one who felt moved.


    Money had never been an issue in this household-hiring two housemaids was nothing more than a trivial expense. Yet in my past life, I had been stuck in a mindset of self-sacrifice.


    Shawn walked over and took a seat beside me. ¡°There¡¯s a senior executive gathering at thepany this afternoon. Want to join?¡±


    I shook my head without hesitation. ¡°No, I have other ns.¡±


    3:42 pm


    Chapter 8 Let¡¯s Get a Divorce


    He turned to look at me, his gaze lingering. ¡°What ns? Another lunch appointment?¡±


    I replied calmly, ¡°No, I scheduled a lesson with a teacher.¡±


    Shawn looked surprised. ¡°A lesson? What kind of lesson?¡±


    s


    As Yuna ate her porridge, she said, ¡°Mommy, didn¡¯t you always want to visit Daddy¡¯spany? This is a great chance-why aren¡¯t you going?¡±


    Her words suddenly sparked a realization.


    Why was I acting so aloof? Shawn rarely invited me to apany gathering, so why should I miss this chance to see Queena?


    Reconsidering my thoughts, I changed my response. ¡°Alright. Which restaurant? I¡¯ll meet you there at


    noon.¡±


    Shawn frowned. ¡°You didn¡¯t discuss taking lessons with me.¡±


    ¡°Oh.¡± I smiled and said, ¡°I never consulted you about what I did either.¡±


    His expression darkened slightly, as if I were an insensible wife who had just displeased him.


    ¡°Since there¡¯s nothing going on at home, I want to learn dance and violin. Also, I¡¯ve hired an Enrian tutor to help me improve my Enrian. Oh, and in a while, I n to look for a job.¡±


    ¡°Why do you want to work?¡± As expected, Shawn had an opinion about it. ¡°It¡¯s not like we need your ie.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to stay home and be just a housewife anymore.¡± I met his gaze, my tone unwavering. ¡°I want a career of my own. Please support me.¡±


    Shawn mmed his fork onto the table and stood up. ¡°No.¡±


    My expression tensed instantly-a silent protest.


    Shawn continued, ¡°Your job is to take care of the house and Yuna. If you need money, just ask me.¡±


    With that, he reached into his pocket, pulled out a card, and ced it on the table. ¡°This is my secondary card. Use it,¡±


    I nced at the card and chuckled. My defiance had clearly annoyed him.


    I remembered him once telling his friends that I was low-maintenance, family-oriented, reliable at home, and presentable in public. Being his full-time wife-that was my job. All I had to do was manage it well


    and not ask for more.


    But now, I had challenged his authority as the head of the family, and he was unhappy.


    Yuna, of course, took his side without hesitation. She chimed in, scolding me, ¡°Mommy, Daddy is already so busy with work. Why are you upsetting him? Just take care of me. Daddy will make plenty of money!


    ¡°Mommy, are you neglecting me because you want to work? I haven¡¯t been home for two days, and you didn¡¯t even call to check on me. You¡¯re not being a good mom!¡± Yuna shouted.


    3:42 pm


    Chapter 8 Let¡¯s Get a Divorce


    s


    I threw the bowl in my hand, letting it crash onto the floor. The sharp sound echoed through the dining room, silencing everyone for a few moments.


    Mona and Beata stood frozen in shock before quickly hurrying to grab supplies to clean up.


    I turned to Shawn slowly, locking eyes with him. ¡°I¡¯ve already said it-I don¡¯t want to be trapped at home as a housewife. I want to work. If you can¡¯t ept that, then let¡¯s get a divorce.¡±


    The word ¡°divorce¡± left my lips so effortlessly.


    In my past life, Shawn had brought up divorce at least a hundred times. But for the sake of our daughter, I had always held on, refusing to let go.


    In this life, I had to be the one to bring up divorce first. I needed to take control.


    ¡°Say that again?¡± Shawn stared into my eyes, his gaze dark and stormy. He wasn¡¯t raising his voice, but the pressure in the air felt like a storm was about to break.


    3:42 pm

 Yearning 9

    Chapter 9 Using Daughter Against Him


    Chapter 9 Using Daughter Against Him


    s


    Yuna froze in ce. This was the first time I had ever seen my parents argue. In the past, no matter how tense things got, I was always the one to apologize first, smoothing things over before a real fight could


    start.


    But today was different. I didn¡¯t apologize, and I didn¡¯t back down.


    ¡°Daddy, Mommy, please don¡¯t fight.¡± Yuna suddenly burst into tears, clinging to Shawn¡¯s arm as she wiped her face. ¡°I don¡¯t want you two to argue. Please, don¡¯t be like this.¡±


    Shawn¡¯s voice remained cold and firm. ¡°There¡¯s nothing to discuss about work. You can have your hobbies, but you can¡¯t abandon this family.¡±


    Then, he bent down, picked up Yuna, grabbed her school bag, and walked out the door.


    There were no tears in my eyes, not even anger. I had already expected this oue.


    ¡°Mrs. Hartwell, are you alright?¡± Mona and Beata asked, their voices filled with concern.


    I smiled at them. ¡°I¡¯m fine. Sorry for the trouble, but could you clean up for me?¡±


    Then, I picked up my bag and car keys and headed out.


    I drove aimlessly through the streets, the wind rushing in through the open window, lifting my scarf. Beneath my sunsses, the corners of my eyes slowly turned red.


    To outsiders, I seemed to have married a wealthy man and was living a morous life-without worries and full of happiness.


    At first, that was true. But I soon found myself trapped in a cage, slowly withering away.


    I thought that after the argument with Shawn, he wouldn¡¯t ask me to join the lunch gathering.


    It was a little past eleven when I sat in a caf¨¦, savoring the bitterness of my coffee, and a message from Shawn popped up, asking where I was.


    I snapped a photo and sent it to him. Not long after, he told me to meet him at a restaurant below his office at noon.


    I stood in front of the bathroom mirror, fixing my makeup. If Shawn wanted me to be a trophy wife, then I might as well perfect the role.


    As expected, the moment I walked in, the once lively atmosphere fell silent.


    When those men saw me, they couldn¡¯t even look me in the eye. They suddenly turned into perfect gentlemen, speaking softly. Some greeted me, and I smiled in return; othersplimented me, and I nodded politely.


    I walked over to Shawn¡¯s side. Dressed in a sharp suit and standing well over six feet tall, he exuded confidence. With me beside him-radiant andposed-we undoubtedly made a striking pair.


    That¡¯s when I noticed Queena sitting on his other side. She wore a gray business suit and had short hair,


    3:43 pm


    Chapter 9 Using Daughter Against Him


    s


    looking sharp and professional. Though she didn¡¯t unt it, her 800,000-dor watch and 100,000-dor ne quietly revealed her wealth and presence.


    Queena nced up at me but didn¡¯t greet me. Shawn gestured for me to sit, and only then did the conversation and dining resume. Throughout the meal, people took turns toasting him.


    Shawn seemed to be in a great mood today-with a beautiful wife on one side and a capable, elegant mistress on the other. He was enjoying a privilege many men in the room wish they had but never would.


    I spared Shawn embarrassment by acting unaware of Queena¡¯s position, elegantly managing the social interactions for him. I caught the lustful nces from several men but chose to ignore them.


    Shawn was quite tipsy, his handsome face flushed. When someone came to toast him, Queena intervened smoothly, ¡°Mr. Hartwell shouldn¡¯t drink anymore-he has a meeting this afternoon.¡±


    The person immediately said something nice and didn¡¯t try to toast again.


    I could see it-Queena had a real influence in thepany, and everyone respected her authority.


    This was her silent way of challenging me, but I pretended not to notice. After all, I didn¡¯t even want Shawn anymore-why would I care about someone fighting over this piece of trash?


    Queena didn¡¯t seem happy today; her face remained nk throughout lunch. When the meal ended and I was about to leave, Shawn, drunk, swayed toward me and briefly hugged me.


    I noticed Queena instinctively raising her hand to steady him, only to freeze midair.


    In my past life, I would have longed for Shawn¡¯s touch, but now, as he held me, I felt nothing. If anything, I had the urge to push him away.


    With so many executives present, I didn¡¯t want to embarrass him. So after gently pushing him off, I let one of his assistants take over and support him.


    Shawn¡¯s deep, bloodshot eyes lingered on me for a moment before he asked, ¡°Where are you going this afternoon?¡±


    ¡°I have ss. Send someone to pick up Yuna,¡± I replied.


    Shawn frowned, as if my refusal to pick up our child was some kind of unforgivable offense.


    ¡°Yuna specifically wants you to go,¡± he said, clearly displeased.


    I really don¡¯t have time.¡± I shook my head lightly, my tone indifferent. ¡°Why don¡¯t you find someone she likes instead? Ms. Tackman seems like a great choice.¡±


    Beside us, Queena¡¯s expression tightened, her lips pressing into a thin line.


    Shawn turned to nce at her, and with a hint of deliberation in his voice, he asked, ¡°Ms. Tackman, are you avable?¡±


    Queena immediately replied, ¡°Of course, Mr. Hartwell. I¡¯ll pick up Yuna and take her out for dinner.¡±


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll leave it to you,¡± Shawn said before striding away without giving me another nce.


    3:43 pm


    Chapter 9 Using Daughter Against Him


    s


    After leaving the restaurant, I got in my car and drove off. Since I hadn¡¯t had any alcohol during lunch, I met with my violin instructor in the afternoon to finalize my lesson schedule.


    That evening, Shawn didn¡¯te home. I opened myptop and followed the tutorial my teacher had given me to continue studying Enrian.


    The next afternoon, Yuna had an equestrian lesson that required a parent¡¯s presence. I was just thinking about how to get out of it when Shawn called me. ¡°Why did you cancel Yuna¡¯s riding lesson?¡±


    I replied calmly, ¡°I have ss this afternoon. I don¡¯t have time to go.¡±


    ¡°Tiffany, your behavior has been getting more and more unreasonabletely. What exactly are you so dissatisfied about?¡± Shawn finally lost his temper. His daughter was his bottom line¡ªif I didn¡¯t treat her well, I was crossing a line he wouldn¡¯t tolerate.


    I had expected his outburst, so I remainedposed as I countered, ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll hire a nanny tomorrow to apany Yuna during her lessons and handle her school drop-offs and pick-ups. That way, her studies won¡¯t be affected.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re her mother,¡± Shawn snapped, his voice rising.


    ¡°Being rted by blood doesn¡¯t always mean being the best choice.¡± I knew this all too well. In my past life, I poured my heart into raising my daughter, giving her all my love-only for her to devote herself to Queena instead. When Queena had a minor surgery, she stayed by her side the entire time. And yet, when I was dying, she still felt sorry for Queena. What was the point of raising a daughter like that? Just to break my own heart?


    ¡°Are you protesting against me?¡± Shawn¡¯s voice grew colder.


    I remained silent.


    ¡°So, just because I won¡¯t let you go out and work, you¡¯re going to keep treating Yuna with this cold and indifferent attitude? Tiffany, do you even deserve to be a mother? You¡¯repletely ignoring your own daughter, only thinking about yourself.¡± He had seen right through me, and that only fueled his anger further.


    I didn¡¯t care how angry he got. My focus was on my own happiness-everyone else¡¯s problems were none of my concern.


    Fine. Your degree is in hotel management, right? I¡¯ll have you take charge of two hotels under thepany. You¡¯ll get half of the profits, but if either one goes bankrupt, you¡¯reing home to take care of Yuna and forget about anything else,¡± Shawn said, finally giving in. Not only was he allowing me to work, but he was also handing over two hotels for me to manage. Had I actually won?


    ¡°Really? I suddenly became more interested in the conversation. ¡°Then I¡¯ll go with Yuna to her riding


    lesson this afternoon¡±


    ¡°Tiffany, a woman being too smart isn¡¯t always a good thing. Using your daughter to ckmail me isn¡¯t very wise,¡± Shawn said coldly before hanging up.


    I calmly replied, ¡°Oh, thanks for the advice, Hubby. With such an amazing husband like you, it¡¯s hard for your wife to be so bad. I¡¯ll make sure to learn from you.¡±


    ¡°Tiffany-¡± Shawn almost lost his temper, angrily snapping at me.


    3:43 pm


    Chapter 9 Using Daughter Against Him


    s


    ¡°I need to go now, or I¡¯ll bete for the riding lesson. Bye,¡± I said, hanging up before he could say another


    word.


    I drove to the lesson and found Yuna sitting by herself, her eyes puffy and red from crying, her lips pouted. A teacher was sitting with her while the other kids happily rode their horses.


    ¡°Yuna, I¡¯m here,¡± I said as I walked over to her.


    Yuna shot me a look full of resentment. ¡°I don¡¯t want you here. I want Daddy toe.¡±


    I crouched down to her level, meeting her gaze directly. ¡°Oh, really? Did your dad say he¡¯de?¡±


    The teacher beside me quickly spoke up, ¡°Mrs. Hartwell, Mr. Hartwell said he couldn¡¯t make it, but he mentioned you¡¯de. But Yuna seems upset-maybe you can try to calm her down?¡±


    ¡°Calm her down? She¡¯s not a baby anymore,¡± I said, sitting down next to her. ¡°She¡¯s old enough, no need for all that coddling.¡±


    Yuna red at me even harder, as if I were some cruel stepmother.


    The teacher awkwardly chuckled, ¡°Yuna, why don¡¯t you talk with your mommy for a bit? I¡¯lle get you to ride in a little while.¡±


    Yuna red at me, her tiny fists clenched so tightly that if she were older, she might¡¯ve really hit me.


    I quietly raised my hand.


    But as soon as I did, Yuna¡¯s fists rxed, and with a sudden burst of emotion, she threw herself into myp, crying, ¡°Mommy, how could you not care about me? How could you bete?¡±


    I patted her shoulder, without any maternal warmth, just going through the motions. ¡°Stop crying, go ride your horse.¡±


    Yuna wiped her tears and, still sniffling, followed the teacher to her lesson.


    I sat nearby, surrounded by a group of wealthy wives. A few had better backgrounds than mine, but most came from less prestigious families. There were also a couple of madams from political families, and they were quite popr.


    Women, especially the rich wives, were all inherently proud in their own way. Apart from a few who indulged in ttering conversations and trying to win favor, most of them preferred not to speak.


    One of the other parents asked me, ¡°Mrs. Hartwell, we were nning to organize a baking ss tonight. Would you and your child like to join?¡±


    I smiled and said, ¡°I don¡¯t have the time.¡±


    ¡°My husband is close with Mr. Hartwell. You should bring him along too!¡±


    I shook my head. ¡°I really don¡¯t have the time.¡±


    Later that evening, I saw this woman¡¯s Instagram post. In one photo, a group of men sat on the sofa, sipping tea, with Shawn among them. In another picture, there was a screenshot of Yuna seriously working on a cake batter, with Queena sitting next to her.


    3:43 pm

 Yearning 10

    Chapter 10 The Pressure from My Mother-in-Law


    Chapter 10 The Pressure from My Mother-in-Law


    The photos looked warm and harmonious, but to me, they were a humiliation.


    s


    The actions of this stay-at-home mom were frustrating. Just because I declined her event, she posted these pictures on her Instagram? She exposed the cracks in my family and turned me into a joke for everyone to


    see.


    Human nature can truly be dark.


    I couldn¡¯t let her get away with it. The moment I saw the photos, I immediately called her.


    ¡°Mrs. Hartwell¡­ ¡± she answered the phone with a smile in her voice.


    ¡°Delete the photos on your Instagram,¡± I demanded coldly.


    Her smile faded, and she responded with an innocent tone, ¡°What¡¯s the problem? It¡¯s just a few pictures of the kids making cake, a beautiful moment to share.¡±


    ¡°It may seem like a beautiful moment to you, but that ¡®beautiful moment¡¯ shouldn¡¯te at the cost of interfering with someone else¡¯s marriage. I know your husband works with the Hartwells. Shawn has a good temper, but if he finds out you¡¯ve posted his photo online ¡­


    ¡°I¡¯ll delete them right away,¡± she quickly agreed. But before hanging up, she deliberately added, ¡°I overheard Mr. Hartwell and the others talking earlier. They mentioned that Mr. Hartwell wants a son. Also his assistant seems to get along really well with your little girl. Now that we¡¯re on the topic, are you starting to feel a bit of pressure?¡±


    I sneered. ¡°If you think your family is so happy, try checking your husband¡¯s phone. You might find some interesting surprises.¡±


    The woman quickly hung up with a snap.


    From what I knew, any sessful man was rarely content at home. All of the rich wives were in the same situation, fully aware of the reality. But no one couldugh about it.


    I no longer loved Shawn. His actions no longer had the power to hurt me.


    After a shower andpleting my skincare routine, I spent some time working on my body shape before heading to bed.


    Once again, Shawn didn¡¯t bring Yuna home that night.


    The next morning, as I was having breakfast, my mother-inw arrived.


    Her name was Susanna Lawrence. In her fifties, she had a round, graceful figure, radiating an air of wealth and sophistication. Her hair was styled in a deep burgundy, even more fashionable than mine.


    ¡°Susanna.¡± I stood up and called out to her.


    My mother-inw red at me angrily. ¡°What¡¯s going on with you? Yuna told me you hit her a couple of days ago and that you don¡¯t pick her up or drop her off for school, neglecting herpletely. What kind of mother treats her child like that?¡±


    3:43 pm


    Chapter 10 The Pressure from My Mother-in-Law


    s


    I broke into a cold sweat, realizing I almost forgot-Yuna was smart. She would go aroundining, getting everyone to speak out against me, and Susanna was her biggest supporter.


    I had no reply to my mother-inw¡¯s reprimand because it was truc.


    ¡°Susanna, Yuna¡¯s already six, and I just want to help her be more independent. It¡¯s not as serious as you¡¯re making it out to be. How could I not love her?¡± I exined with a smile.


    ¡°At that age, how can she be independent? What she really needs now is a mother¡¯s love. And remember, girls care about their appearance. You can¡¯t keep hitting her. What if you hurt her? She¡¯s my only granddaughter.¡± Susanna adored the child. Even though Yuna wasn¡¯t a boy, she resembled Shawn so much -her looks, her expressions- that Susanna spoiled her even more because of it.


    ¡°Yes, I understand,¡± I said, not wanting to argue. I wasn¡¯t going to make things too difficult with anyone until I got my share of the divorce settlement.


    Susanna sat down on the sofa, and I made her a cup of tea. Since she was here, I thought it was the perfect moment to bring something up.


    ¡°I want to go back to work,¡± I said honestly.


    Susanna, about to take a sip of tea, looked up at me. ¡°You¡¯ve been a stay-at-home mom for six years. What kind of work can you do now?¡±


    Her words hit me like a sharp sting. Thankfully, it was only six years-if it had been 60, my whole life would have been ruined.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to fall out of touch with society. Things are changing so fast these days, and women can make their mark in their careers too. I don¡¯t want to be a parasite in the Hartwells,¡± I said firmly, meeting her gaze with a pleading expression.


    Susanna seemed surprised, staring at me for a long time before speaking. ¡°So, you¡¯re not nning to give the Hartwells an heir?¡±


    3


    I knew it whenever a mother-inw and daughter-inw talk, the topic of having a son alwayses up.


    ¡°I can work and still have a baby. I haven¡¯t gotten pregnant in these six years, maybe because I¡¯ve been stuck at home, feeling stressed. If I go back to work and my mood improves, who knows, I might get pregnant sooner,¡± I said, tying together the idea of work and having a baby, since she brought it up.


    Susanna frowned. ¡°I told you to stay home and enjoy being a rich wife, and yet you¡¯ve gotten sick from it. Looks like you don¡¯t have the fortune for a life of luxury after all.¡±


    I¡¯m not pregnant anyway, so why not let me go out and work for a while, just to try it?¡± I quickly stepped forward and began massaging her shoulders as I spoke.


    1 knew Susanna was easy to please-as long as you showed her respect, she wouldn¡¯t be too strict.


    Susanna, hoping I would quickly give the Hartwells a son, naturally went along with my n. She took a sip of her tea and nodded. ¡°Alright, but you need to talk to Shawn about it. If he agrees, then it¡¯s settled. But you really need to hurry. Shawn will be 30 next year.¡±


    ¡°Of course,¡± I said, agreeing on the surface, but inside, I was unaffected.


    3:43 pm


    Chapter 10 The Pressure from My Mother-in-Law


    Having a son was out of the question. The next step for me could only be divorce.


    s


    Susanna had her own social circle and life, so she didn¡¯t pay much attention to me as her daughter-inw. After sitting for a while, she left.


    Not long after she left, I received a call from Mnie, who told me that a few of our college ssmates were organizing a reunion that night and asked if I was going this year.


    A college reunion sounds like it could be a bit awkward, but in reality, it could be even more dramatic-it¡¯s the kind of event that could break up more than one couple.


    Back in school, no one really paid attention to each other¡¯s status or background. But once we entered the workforce, we all ended up in different roles, with new jobs and identities, and the differences between us became more apparent.


    It wasn¡¯t just about having fun anymore-it became about purposefulparison,working, and building connections.


    ¡°Well, I¡¯m bored, so I¡¯ll go check it out,¡± I said. In the past few years, I had always turned down the invitation, but this year, I felt like going to check it out.


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll contact youter,¡± Mnie said. Her job was pretty busy, and during our call, I could hear a woman crying and men arguing in the background.


    As usual, I went to study today, and around noon, Yuna called me.


    ¡°Mommy, where are you? Can youe pick me up for lunch? I don¡¯t want to stay at Daddy¡¯spany, it¡¯s so boring,¡± Yuna pouted.


    It hit me then-it was Saturday, and Yuna had been taken to Shawn¡¯s office.


    ¡°I have a lunch meeting with my teacher. I don¡¯t have time,¡± I coldly refused.


    ¡°I want to have lunch with you too, Mommy. Can youe pick me up, please?¡± Yuna, just like always, tried to charm me by acting cute and whining.


    Just then, Shawn answered the phone.


    I¡¯m going to Sylvania this afternoon for a business trip. Can youe pick up Yuna?¡± Shawn said.


    I had no choice but to drive over to hispany to pick up Yuna. When I arrived, Shawn was standing with Yuna in the lobby downstairs.


    He was wearing a ck suit, his youthful and tall figure quite charming.


    Yuna, in a princess dress and carrying her cute little backpack, ran around him. They seemed to have a great father-daughter bond.


    As I got out of the Mercedes, my outfit made Shawn¡¯s gaze darken.


    3:43 pm

 Yearning 11

    Chapter 11 That Ungrateful Daughter Who Tattles On Me Again


    Chapter 11 That Ungrateful Daughter Who Tattles On Me Again


    s


    I was wearing a sleek, sleeveless ck top-cropped just enough to reveal a sliver of my waist-and a pair of wide-legged beige trousers that swayed with every step. At five-foot-six, I had a tall, lean frame with baster skin and cool undertones. My long, wavy hair was chestnut-colored, which made myplexion appear fairer.


    ¡°Mom, what are you wearing?¡± Yuna asked, her eyes widening in surprise. ¡°It looks really good on you!¡± It was the first time she had ever seen me dressed so differently, and she was clearly taken aback.


    Even Shawn looked stunned; his dark eyes couldn¡¯t mask his disbelief.


    I flipped my wavy hair over my shoulder and walked up to them. ¡°Yuna, get in the car. I¡¯m going to bete for dinner.¡±


    Shawn gently patted Yuna¡¯s head and spoke softly. ¡°Be good and listen to your mom, alright? Don¡¯t cause her any trouble.¡±


    Yuna puffed up her cheeks, rebutting in annoyance, ¡°I know, I know. You say that every day. So annoying.¡±


    Shawn gave her an affectionate look, but when he turned to me, his gaze swept over me from head to toe. ¡°Who are you having dinner with?¡±


    ¡°Just my piano teacher and some ssmates,¡± I said casually.


    His eyebrows creased with concern as he urged, ¡°Be careful who you hang out with; don¡¯t get involved with the wrong crowd.¡±


    I chuckled and said, ¡°Meeting new people is actually nice. I enjoy it.¡±


    And before he could say another word, I shut the car door and drove off, the engine humming beneath <ol><li></li></ol>


    In the rearview mirror, I caught onest glimpse of him-still standing there.


    Yuna pulled out her handheld game console and started ying, casually asking, ¡°Mom, why didn¡¯t youe bake the cake with me yesterday?¡±


    I blinked, surprised she brought that up. ¡°Didn¡¯t you already have someone with you?¡±


    That¡¯s not the same,¡± she said, not looking up. ¡°Other kids had both their parents there. I only had Dad. If Queena hadn¡¯t canceled her dinner ns toe, I would¡¯ve looked really pitiful.¡± She was ming me. I wasn¡¯t living up to her standards of what a mother should be.


    Inside, I let out a silent, bitterugh. Queena likely jumped at the opportunity. She ought to thank me.


    ¡°Your dad seems pretty close to Ms. Tackman,¡± I said casually.


    ¡°Of course, Queena¡­ Yuna slipped up, momentarily changing how she addressed her. Still, she had Shawn¡¯s caution in her blood. She didn¡¯t finish the sentence and just grumbled, ¡°Mom, are you trying to get information about Dad out of me? That¡¯s some.¡±


    I repeatedly tried to test her, only to discover that she was still very young and not on my side. I couldn¡¯t


    3:43 pm


    Chapter 11 That Ungrateful Daughter Who Tattles On Me Again


    keep forcing myself to love her.


    s


    We arrived at the restaurant. My piano teacher and ssmates were already there. A few of the single men who had subtly shown interest before looked surprised-almost stunned-to see that I¡¯d brought my daughter.


    I knew Shawn was fooling around behind my back, but I wasn¡¯t going to stoop to his level just to get even.


    Romance didn¡¯t hold much weight for me anymore. What I wanted was money, sess, and independence. I wanted to build something for myself. If I could be sessful, there would always be men-plenty of them.


    Dinner was pleasant, filled with easy conversation and sharedughter. I even picked up some intriguing information-there might be uing performance opportunities, and they would notify me. I hadn¡¯t been on stage since college, but I still remembered what it felt like to be in the spotlight. That rush, that admiration-it nourished the soul. And I wanted it back.


    It¡¯s the same reason so many people in leadership fall apart after retirement. No more respect, no more attention-they lose their purpose. For women, it¡¯s no different; without nourishment for the soul, we


    wither.


    Yuna, ever the social butterfly, got along well with the group. At one point, she even mentioned she was keen to learn piano with me. But I shut that idea down immediately-it just wasn¡¯t realistic. She pouted, folding her arms. ¡°Fine! If you won¡¯t let me, I¡¯ll ask Dad. One day, I¡¯ll be better than you-and don¡¯t get jealous when I am.¡±


    I knew she had a gift. She picked things up fast. But jealous? Hardly. I was already preparing to let go of this mother-daughter bond. Her future? I wouldn¡¯t be part of it.


    She spent the afternoon trailing behind me-napping during my lessons, ying games while I practiced. She was utterly exhausted. So I asked if she wanted to go to her grandma¡¯s house. She said yes right away.


    I called my mother-inw, who was more than thrilled to have Yuna. She even had the maid prepare Yuna¡¯s favorite cupcake and yogurt ahead of time.


    ¡°Grandma!¡± Yuna squealed, running into Susanna¡¯s arms.


    ¡°Let me get a good look at you!¡± Susanna said, kissing Yuna¡¯s cheeks. ¡°My little sweetheart¡¯s gotten taller- and even more beautiful.¡±


    I ced her backpack on the couch and said, ¡°Mom, I¡¯ve got dinner ns tonight. Yuna can stay the night. I¡¯ll pick her up tomorrow around noon.¡±


    Susanna gave me a curious look and asked, ¡°You¡¯ve been pretty busytely. Are you getting ready to start working again?¡±


    Before I could answer, Yuna chirped, ¡°Mom¡¯s out to lunch and dinner all the time! Today she ate with a whole bunch of people!¡±


    Susanna frowned. I was still part of the family, and no mother-inw liked to see her daughter-inw constantly out and about.


    ¡°Yuna,¡± I said sharply. ¡°What have I told you? Kids stay out of grown-up business.¡±


    3:43 pm


    Chapter 11 That Ungrateful Daughter Who Tattles On Me Again


    She looked hurt and pouted, hiding in Susanna¡¯s arms, peeking at me with a re.


    s


    ¡°As I expected, Susanna started getting suspicious. She gave me a serious look. ¡°Tiffany, I¡¯m not going to meddle in your friendships, but please be mindful of the people you surround yourself with. You still carry the Hartwell name, and we count on you to uphold that. Don¡¯t let Shawn get dragged into anything messy.¡±


    In my past lives, hearing something like that would¡¯ve sent me into a spiral. I¡¯d start ming myself, doubting myself, trying to please everyone just to avoid causing trouble. But not this time.


    ¡°I know, Mom. I won¡¯t do anything reckless. You can trust me,¡± I said calmly.


    She nodded, and maybe because I¡¯d always been steady in the past, she actually believed me.


    Once I left the house, I picked up Mnie. She got in the car and immediately started ranting about hertest divorce cases. ¡°The more cases I handle, the more I think-men just don¡¯t have a conscience anymore,¡± she said, frustrated. ¡°Maybe love just doesn¡¯t work the way we think it does.¡±


    I listened silently, not offering any opinions. Then, out of nowhere, she tugged at my sleeve and grinned. ¡°Tiffany, guess who¡¯s treating us to dinner tonight?¡±


    Stunned, I asked, ¡°Who?¡±


    ¡°Our ss president from university! He¡¯s doing great now. I heard he¡¯s a manager at a big techpany. Super promising.¡± She lookedpletely starstruck.


    ¡°Then go for it,¡± I teased. ¡°He¡¯s clearly already got your head spinning.¡±


    ¡°Haha! As if he¡¯d be into me,¡± she said dramatically. Then sighed, ¡°Going out with someone as gorgeous as you, I¡¯m doomed to be the background character. I¡¯ve got no shot.¡±


    I couldn¡¯t help butugh. Mnie hadn¡¯t changed a bit. Still quirky, still dramatic.


    Despite her absurdity, she was my closestpanion and the source of joy in my otherwise gloomy


    existence.


    A group of familiar faces greeted us when we arrived at the restaurant. The moment Mnie and I walked up, someone called out with a grin, ¡°Well, isn¡¯t that our campus be!¡±


    3:43 pm

 Yearning 12

    Chapter 12 My Husband Reminds Me to Act Properly


    Chapter 12 My Husband Reminds Me to Act Properly


    471


    s


    I never considered myself the prettiest girl on campus. Sure, I was once nominated during university, but I lost to another girl who had the kind of wealthy, picture-perfect background I didn¡¯t. I didn¡¯t mind one bit. But behind my back, it became one of those stories people loved to gossip about.


    ¡°Fake campus be,¡± I joked as I greeted a few familiar faces.


    The man hosting tonight¡¯s dinner was named Gilbert Lawrence-tall, well-dressed in a tailored suit, exuding that sleek, executive charm.


    Everyone surrounded him, showering him with praise. He wore the kind of smug, polished smile sessful men always seem to have. But every now and then, his eyes would flicker toward me. The thing is, besides Mnie, hardly anyone knew I was married to Shawn. They knew I had a husband, sure¡ªbut they didn¡¯t know who. All they knew was that I was livingfortably.


    ¡°Tiffany!¡± Someone called my name loudly from across the room. All heads turned. It was one of the guys from our ss, one of the most outgoing. Once upon a time, he was one of my suitors.


    In my previous life, I always tried to avoid situations like this. Maybe I was insecure-everyone else had made something of themselves, while I stayed home. I wasn¡¯t struggling financially, but Icked something more important: self-worth.


    Just then, a ck Mercedes-Maybach pulled up outside the hall. The doors opened, and a group of people stepped out.


    Leading the group was a man-tall, lean, and probably over 6 feet. He wore a dark-blue suit and gold- rimmed sses. The moment he heard my name, he stopped and turned toward me.


    The lights from the vintagemp above the entry cast a soft glow over his face. We locked eyes-just for a second-but it was enough.


    ¡°Oh wow, isn¡¯t that Mr. Hayes?¡± Gilbert nearly tripped over himself as he rushed forward. ¡°Hello, Mr. Hayes! I¡¯m Gilbert Lawrence from Modenex Tech. We met briefly not long ago.¡± He fumbled for a business card and handed it over with both hands.


    Ethan Hayes epted it politely. ¡°Nice to see you.¡±


    Then, without another word, he looked at me once more, stepped into the car, and was gone.


    I had been watching him too, honestly. How could I not? In a crowd full of average-looking men, someone like him stood out like a spotlight on a stage.


    Gilbert practically bent over backward to close the car door for him, waving enthusiastically as the car pulled away.


    Mnie used to think Gilbert was alright-charming, even. But something about the way he quickly shifted into groveling mode seemed to change that. The admiration in her eyes vanished.


    During dinner, the men were busy bragging about their careers and investments. We women, on the other hand, sat quietly, eating our meals.


    Someone asked me what I did. I said I stayed home and looked after my child. That was the end of that


    3:43 pm


    Chapter 12 My Husband Reminds Me to Act Properly


    conversation.


    Halfway through dinner, my phone buzzed. Shawn was calling.


    I didn¡¯t answer. I just let it ring until it stopped.


    After dinner, someone suggested karaoke. Mnie and I made our escape with a polite excuse.


    s


    I drove her back to her apartment. She had a bit of wine, but her words were clear when she said, ¡°Tiffany, sometimes I think maybe getting married young isn¡¯t such a terrible idea. Look at me now-I can¡¯t stand most men anymore. If I¡¯d known better, maybe I would¡¯ve just picked someone and married them when I had the chance.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t be silly. Not having a man doesn¡¯t mean life¡¯s over. Don¡¯t turn them into gods-they¡¯re a human being like us. Don¡¯t lose hope. There are still good men out there.¡± Afterforting her, I drove home.


    The music in the car was soft, and for once, my heart was calm. I felt free. Peaceful.


    Listening to those men discuss their businesses earlier sparked something inside me. I may be a woman, but I want a ce among them. I want to walk into a room and speak with confidence, just like they do.


    When I got home, Shawn called again. I sat on the couch and picked up.


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you answer earlier?¡± His tone was sharp and suspicious.


    ¡°My phone was on silent. I didn¡¯t hear it. What¡¯s going on?¡± Lying to him came so easily now; it came out naturally.


    ¡°Who were you having dinner with? Yuna said you went out tonight.¡± He sounded like he was keeping tabs


    on me.


    I chuckled and said, ¡°Just a few old university friends. They all live around here. I thought I¡¯d reconnect before going back to work-revive some of those oldworks.¡±


    He didn¡¯t find anything wrong with my answer. After a short pause, he said, ¡°You¡¯ve changedtely. What¡¯s going on?¡±


    ¡°In what way?¡± I twirled a strand of hair between my fingers. It hit me-there was a time I believed that 1 was born to be a minx, not a housewife.


    ¡°Your outfits. You don¡¯t dress like you used to.¡± As expected, he had taken notice of my new look.


    ¡°You don¡¯t think I look good?¡± I smiled.


    ¡°You look beautiful, just not very proper.¡± He pointed out.


    Proper? I raised an eyebrow, amused. Remember your wedding vows? You said no matter how t changed, you¡¯d love me, support me, and be by my side.¡±


    That shut him up.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t say it was a bad thing he mumbled after a pause.


    ¡°Anything else? I¡¯m tired. I want to get some sleep 1 refused to waste my time and listened to his


    3:43 pm


    Chapter 12 My Husband Reminds Me to Act Properly


    s


    nonsense.


    He must¡¯ve been irritated, because there was another pause before he said, ¡°Alright. Goodnight.¡±


    I held the phone, chuckled to myself, and shook my head. Shawn had always been the gentleman type- never raised his voice, never swore-but he was also distant, emotionally unavable, always cool. Never


    warm.


    And I realized something: women change based on how they¡¯re treated. A woman in the cold turns to ice; in warmth, she melts. It all depends on the man she meets.


    Back in university, I was warm and bright¡ªlike the morning sun. I smiled at everyone.


    But after I married Shawn, those smiles grew rare. I spent years trying to please him, constantly reminding myself of my role, and treading carefully with every word and gesture.


    ¡°Ma¡¯am, I made some soup. Would you like some?¡± Mona asked softly.


    ¡°Yes, thank you. Please bring me one.¡± I took a deep breath. I wasn¡¯t going to stay in this box anymore. I was going to be myself again.


    That night, I slept soundly-until morning came, and a nightmare jolted me awake.


    I dreamed of my past life, of the moments before I died. That same helpless, crushing feeling took hold of me again. I shot upright in bed, chilled to the bone.


    I hurried to the bathroom, barefoot, and gazed into the mirror. I saw my young, beautiful face staring back. Only then did I start to calm down.


    After breakfast, I got a call from a local charity.


    ¡°Ms. Mayfield,¡± the woman on the line said. ¡°A student you once sponsored asked if you¡¯d be willing to have lunch with him. Would you be free sometime soon?¡±


    I sipped my oatmeal, trying to remember. ¡°When was this? I don¡¯t quite recall.¡±


    Sheughed kindly. ¡°It was about five years ago. You volunteered with us. There was a university student whose family had gone bankrupt and couldn¡¯t afford tuition. You donated 800,000 dors to help him finish his degree. Does that ring a bell?¡±


    The memory hit me like a wave. ¡°Oh, I remember now. Didn¡¯t I sign a confidentiality agreement? How did he find out my name?¡±


    I¡¯m terribly sorry,¡± she said. ¡°He requested some information, and our staff made an exception. If he bothers you in any way, we¡¯ll take care of it.¡±


    ¡®No need for lunch. Just tell him I prefer to be like a secret Santa-do good without needing credit.¡± I ended the call with a small smile. And yet, it warmed my heart a little. In a world that often feels cold and broken, it¡¯sforting to know that some people still remember kindness. Maybe the world isn¡¯t so awful


    after all


    3:43 pm

 Yearning 13

    Chapter 13 The Mistress Couldn¡¯t y Her Part


    Chapter 13 The Mistress Couldn¡¯t y Her Part


    s


    That morning, I had dance ss. Afterward, I was dripping with sweat but strangely rxed. The tension in my body had melted away.


    By noon, I called Susanna to check if Yuna wanted toe home.


    ¡°She¡¯s not with me,¡± Susanna said. ¡°She went to the amusement park. Shawn¡¯s assistant, Queena, picked her up. You should give Queena a call.¡±


    Queena had be a mother figure to Yuna. She truly cared about her and always found time to be there.


    But I had done that, too-dedicated every bit of my time and energy to my daughter. The love I gave Yuna was no less than anyone else¡¯s.


    I didn¡¯t call Queena. If Yuna was happier with her, maybe it was time for me to learn to let go.


    I headed out by myself, nning to grab lunch at some quiet diner. But just as I was about to park, my phone rang.


    An unknown number.


    I pressed the phone to my ear, and a pleasant, youthful male voice came through the speaker. ¡°Is this Tiffany Mayfield?¡±


    Surprised, I asked, ¡°Yes, this is she. Who¡¯s calling?¡±


    I¡¯m the student you sponsored a few years ago. I was wondering, would you have lunch with me today?¡± His voice was steady, filled with honest gratitude.


    ¡®Mmm.¡± My brain kicked into gear. Truthfully, I didn¡¯t feel like meeting someone I¡¯d helped in the past. For one, I never expected anything in return. And two, I had my reasons.


    I¡¯d seen too many stories online-people who epted help andter turned against their benefactors, Sometimes dragging things into endless drama.


    ¡°It¡¯s just lunch,¡± he said, almost reading my thoughts. ¡°Nothing more. I promise I won¡¯t interfere with your life.


    ¡°Well, I¡¯m married,¡± I replied, still trying to find a polite excuse. ¡°Meeting alone with someone I don¡¯t know wouldn¡¯t be appropriate.¡±


    ¡°You can bring a friend,¡± he said, offering a solution right away.


    He was thoughtful, I¡¯ll give him that. But I stayed calm and firm. ¡°That won¡¯t be necessary. If you really want to thank me, finish school, get a job, and be someone who gives back to society. That¡¯s all the gratitude I need.¡±


    I didn¡¯t give him the chance to respond. I ended the call


    Lunch by myself was quiet and peaceful But at 8 pm, my phone rang again. This time, it was Shawn. ¡°Where are you?¡± he asked. ¡°Yuna fell and hurt her leg. I need you toe to the hospital¡±


    3:43 pm


    Chapter 13 The Mistress Couldn¡¯t y Her Part


    ¡°How did it happen?¡± I was shocked.


    ¡°She tripped while walking,¡± he said, then sent me the hospital address.


    s


    She was my daughter. I had to be there. When I arrived, Yuna was curled up in Shawn¡¯s arms, softly crying. One of her legs was wrapped in gauze. Queena sat nearby, guilt written all over her face.


    The moment I walked in, Yuna reached toward me with tearful eyes. ¡°Mommy, hold me.¡±


    I sat down on the hospital bed and gathered her into my arms.


    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry.¡± Queena owned her mistake at once. ¡°I should¡¯ve taken better care of her. I didn¡¯t mean for her to get hurt.¡± Her voice trembled, heavy with guilt.


    ¡°She¡¯s always naughty,¡± Shawnforted from the side. ¡°She tried climbing the railing by herself. If she hadn¡¯t done that, she wouldn¡¯t have fallen. Don¡¯t me yourself.¡±


    Queena¡¯s eyes had turned red, tears falling silently.


    Yuna must¡¯ve cried herself out. She was so exhausted that, once in my arms, she drifted off to sleep almost instantly.


    Shawn looked tense, as if he was bracing for me to snap at Queena. He quickly added, ¡°Tiffany, you can¡¯t me Queena for this. She was just trying to help.¡±


    Inwardly, I sneered coldly. Was he trying to shield her because he cared that much? Or was he afraid I¡¯d lose my temper and say something harsh to her?


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Mrs. Hartwell,¡± Queena said, still crying, voice low and pleading.


    They were both watching me closely, waiting to see how I¡¯d react. If this were the old me-my past life-I might¡¯ve gone ballistic. If anyone had hurt my daughter, I would¡¯ve lost it. Queena would¡¯ve paid for it dearly.


    But now? I didn¡¯t have the energy for that.


    I gently brushed the loose strands of hair from Yuna¡¯s forehead. Then I looked at Queena and said, ¡°Thanks for taking care of her. Yuna¡¯s wild and fearless-I know that. Honestly, even I have a hard time keeping up with her sometimes.¡±


    As soon as I said it, both of them looked shocked.


    Especially Queena. Perhaps she had anticipated that I would scream, point fingers, or even explode. Maybe she was disappointed that I didn¡¯t.


    In my past life, she always yed the quiet victim-polite, gentle, innocent-while making me look like the mad woman. She pushed me into madness, and in the end, I became someone Shawn couldn¡¯t stand.


    ¡°Mrs. Hartwell, what happened was my fault. Please, punish me,¡± Queena said dramatically, her eyes shining with tears. She even looked like she was about to bow.


    Quickly, I reached out and stopped her from bowing. Queena looked up at me, startled-like someone whose ns had just fallen apart.


    3:43 pm


    Chapter 13 The Mistress Couldn¡¯t y Her Part


    I turned to Shawn and said, ¡°Why don¡¯t you walk Ms. Tackman out? I¡¯ll stay here with Yuna.¡±


    His expression turned awkward, as he didn¡¯t expect me to be so reasonable or kind.


    s


    ¡°Ms. Tackman, you can leave now,¡± Shawn said, maybe out of guilt or maybe just confusion. He stayed behind.


    Queena looked at me onest time, unwilling, but left without a word.


    I held my daughter close and leaned against the headboard, closing my eyes for a moment.


    Shawn¡¯s voice cut through the silence. ¡°Let me hold her. You shouldn¡¯t overdo it.¡±


    I opened my eyes as he bent down to take her. I loosened my arms and let him lift her gently.


    He was close-close enough to catch the faint scent of my new perfume. His eyes lingered on me, quietly


    intense.


    It wasn¡¯t just the perfume; I had changed my styletely. That day, I wore a sheer white blouse with a ck strapless top underneath-tasteful but bold. My neckline hinted just enough to stir his imagination, and the sheer fabric only made it more suggestive.


    As he reached out to lift Yuna, his arm brushed against my chest, causing his whole body tensed up.


    I climbed out of bed, stretchedzily, and moved to the couch to get some sleep.


    Shawn suddenly asked, ¡°Aren¡¯t you even going to ask how badly she¡¯s hurt?¡±


    I answeredzily without looking at him, ¡°Whatever it is, she¡¯s okay now. That¡¯s what matters.¡±


    ¡°Tiffany, don¡¯t you care anymore?¡± Shawn asked, clearly displeased with my attitude.


    ¡°Of course I care. She¡¯s still my daughter.¡± I stared at the ceiling and continued, ¡°Next time Ms. Tackman takes her out, maybe give her a few more reminders. After this, Yuna probably won¡¯t be as reckless. It might¡¯ve even taught her a lesson.¡±


    ¡°Ms. Tackman is a very responsible person,¡± Shawn added, as if he needed to defend her. ¡°She truly cares


    about Yuna.¡±


    Iughed inwardly. The person she really cares about is you; if it weren¡¯t for you, she wouldn¡¯t even look twice at


    Yuna.


    ¡°Yeah, I can see that,¡± I said casually. ¡°She¡¯s like a perfect wife-fighting beside you in the office and looking after your daughter like a pro. You should give her a raise. It¡¯d be a shame to lose someone like that.¡± I added, half-jokingly,


    Shawn fell silent. Maybe I¡¯d hit too close to the truth; he dared not let the conversation continue.


    ¡°After a few minutes, he changed the subject. ¡°At next month¡¯s board meeting. I¡¯m going to propose that you take over hotel operations. Don¡¯t rush into anything. Just be at the office tomorrow-I¡¯ll have someone walk you through everything¡±


    1:43 pm

 Yearning 14

    Chapter 14 Shawn Invited Me to Dinner


    Chapter 14 Shawn Invited Me to Dinner


    I gave a soft ¡°okay¡± and closed my eyes, not wanting to say another word.


    s


    As expected, men are like sand-clench your fist, and they slip right through. If you push against them, you¡¯ll only trigger resistance, maybe even cruelty. It¡¯s a losing game. But if you¡¯re smart and go along with them, they might grow a conscience. And from that, you might just benefit, too.


    In my past life, I knew Shawn¡¯s personality like the back of my hand. If I wanted to get more out of him, I had to show weakness. Only when he thought you were worthy of his pity would he be generous.


    Yuna¡¯s wound wasn¡¯t serious. The doctor changed her bandages that evening and told us we could go


    home.


    She¡¯s always been a little drama queen, but this injury seemed to tone her down a little.


    The next morning, she stayed home from school. She wanted me to stay with her, but I had other ns. I needed to visit Shawn¡¯s office to check on the hotel situation. I asked Mona and Beata to stay home with her, cook her meals, and keep herpany.


    Shawn frowned when I didn¡¯t volunteer to stay behind.


    Maybe he noticed. Lately, I couldn¡¯t maintain the act of a doting mother. He must¡¯ve seen the shift-the way I pulled back from our daughter. I was sure he didn¡¯t like it.


    I slipped into a soft, baby blue dress and applied my makeup with care. Shawn stood in the doorway and isked, ¡°Are you sure you want to go to the office? Yuna needs you right now; she can¡¯t leave you.¡±


    ¡®She¡¯ll be okay,¡± I answered, as I put on my earrings. ¡°One day she¡¯ll have to be without me. She¡¯s six-old enough to start learning some independence.¡±


    Tiffany, you¡¯ve changed. You never used to be this distant,¡± Shawn said, studying me from head to toe. Back then, if Yuna cried, you¡¯d drop everything tofort her. If she so much as coughed, you wouldn¡¯t eave her side.¡±


    That was then. She was young. Now she¡¯s six. When I was six, I walked myself to school,¡± I replied, grasping for an excuse. Six wasn¡¯t old, but she wasn¡¯t a baby either. She was old enough to talk back and urn to her stepmother when she was mad at me-but also young enough to still want to cling to me when she felt alone.


    Shawn didn¡¯t argue. He went downstairs to calm Yuna. In the end, he promised her a pony¡ªyes, a real pony-to keep in the backyard as a pet. That finally soothed her.


    I watched him spoil her, step by step, and thought he was going to regret this.


    In my previous life, Shawn eventually left the entirepany to Yuna. She became a master at squandering the money away-burned through over a billion in a single year.


    ¡°Mom, do you really not care about me anymore?¡± Yuna asked, draped across the couch, her eyes filled with hurt. ¡°I got hurt, and you¡¯re still dressing up to go out? Hmph, you don¡¯t love your baby anymore.¡±


    I turned to her and chuckled lightly. ¡°Yuna, love isn¡¯t something you just say. Mommy¡¯s going to make money for you to spend. Be good, listen to the maids, and call me if anythinges up.¡±


    3:43 pm


    Chapter 14 Shawn Invited Me to Dinner


    She was still too young to fully understand. My excuse left her stunned and confused.


    s


    Shawn stayed with her a while longer, then came outside just as I was heading toward my car. ¡°Just ride with me,¡± he offered. ¡°No need to take two cars.¡±


    ¡°No thanks, I might have somewhere to goter.¡± I would rather not ride with him. I felt nothing for him anymore and had no interest in unnecessary conversation.


    He didn¡¯t press further and left ahead of me.


    For the first time, I was stepping into a career of my own-something I never would¡¯ve dreamed of in my past life.


    Shawn had never denied me anything materially, but I was tired of reaching out like a beggar. I wanted to stop asking for money and start earning my own.


    When I arrived at the office, my appearance turned heads. Among a sea of gray suits and dull heels, my outfit stood out-bright, fresh, and full of life. I could hear the whispers behind my back.


    My office was next to Queena¡¯s, separated from Shawn¡¯s only by a ss wall. I could see him working inside.


    He called me in, along with a few senior staff members.


    The two hotels I was being handed were aging properties once owned by the Hartwells. Neglected and outdated, both were losing money.


    I listened carefully as the managers gave their reports. The equipment was old, and the decor was outdated. They had no solutions-they couldn¡¯t afford any more investment.


    Shawn sat silently beside me, cold and distant.


    I knew exactly what the situation was-a setup. He wanted me to fail, to prove I wasn¡¯t cut out for this, so I¡¯d return to my role as a housewife.


    Giving me two money pits? He clearly doesn¡¯t have good intentions.


    I flipped through the financial reports and took note of their locations. Both hotels were just a few miles from Sceace Lake. These hotels were prime real estate once tourism bounced back. There was potential here. I just needed to convince Shawn to invest in a full-scale renovation and turnaround.


    ¡°Honey, this is my first time starting a business,¡± I said, turning to Shawn with a coy smile. ¡°Will you support me?¡± In that moment, I didn¡¯t mind using a little charm. I looked straight into his eyes, unflinching.


    He didn¡¯t expect that. The confidence in my voice, the way I was negotiating-it clearly caught him off guard.


    ¡°How much do you want?¡± He asked, not shooting me down but going straight to the point.


    I did a quick mental calction and held up three fingers.


    ¡°Thirty million?¡± Shawn raised an eyebrow.


    3:44 pm


    Chapter 14 Shawn Invited Me to Dinner


    s


    ¡°Three hundred million,¡± I said calmly. If I was going to rebuild from the ground up, I had to aim high- transform these hotels into something extraordinary, something no one would forget. Once they became true destinations, the money would follow naturally.


    The managers sitting nearby were dumbstruck. Should I invest 300 million into two struggling hotels? They thought I was out of my mind.


    Shawn let out a quietugh, half mocking. ¡°Tiffany, are you serious? You want me to throw that much money into a hole? It¡¯s clearly a waste. You¡¯re not cut out for business.¡±


    I just shrugged,pletely unfazed. ¡°How would we know unless we try?¡±


    ¡°Three hundred million is a lot of money,¡± he said, his voice t.


    Of course, I knew that. But I also knew that a year from now, he¡¯d spend that same amount on a mansion for Queenavish, extravagant-just to keep her like a pampered songbird in a golden cage.


    ¡°If you won¡¯t fund it, that¡¯s fine,¡± I said evenly. ¡°Can I use the hotels to secure a loan?¡±


    Shawn¡¯s brow furrowed. He hadn¡¯t expected me to be so determined.


    ¡°I¡¯ll give you 100 million,¡± he said atst. ¡°Do what you want with it.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, darling,¡± I replied sweetly, my toneced with gratitude. I took the files and returned to my office without another word.


    I knew that bringing these hotels back to life wouldn¡¯t be easy. I¡¯d need a full business n before I could even think aboutunching. It was 2014, and in my previous life, I¡¯d traveled across the world and stayed in some of the most unique and memorable hotels. Now, I would create two of my own. They would be boutique, bold, and unforgettable. I¡¯d hire someone to write the operations strategy and start building a strong brand presence. TikTok would beunching soon, and I nned to create ounts on every major tform. Whatever it took, I¡¯d make sure we were ready. Timing was everything-and if I could move fast, I had a real shot.


    By six in the evening, the sky outside had already turned dark.


    Shawn knocked on my office door. I looked up to see him standing there.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go out for dinner,¡± he said. ¡°Just the two of us.¡±


    3:44 pm

 Yearning 15

    Chapter 15 Shawn Waited Me Home Late at Night


    Chapter 15 Shawn Waited Me Home Late at Night


    s


    Shawn asked me to dinner, and honestly, it caught me off guard. We¡¯d been married for six years, and apart from special asions when we¡¯d join the family for a meal out, we usually just ate at home. asionally, I¡¯d go all out-setting the table and cooking a whole spread-but then Shawn would get caught up in endless calls, endless business. Ultimately, my efforts would be futile, and I would find myself alone at the table, nibbling on cold food.


    Now that we had a live-in cook who carefully nned our meals every day, Shawn suddenly wanted to take me out?


    I had experienced the loneliness, letdowns, and quiet hurt of rejection. Maybe it was his turn now.


    ¡°No, I¡¯ve still got a lot on my te,¡± I said without looking up. ¡°Ask someone else.¡±


    Shawn stood there as if he¡¯d been turned to stone. Even the gentle expression on his face froze.


    He probably expected me to be thrilled, to jump at the chance. He didn¡¯t expect me to brush him off like it meant nothing.


    ¡°Work will always be there-you won¡¯t finish it all in a day or two. But eating your meals? That still matters.¡± Shawn, for once, managed to sound a little patient as he tried to convince me to eat on time.


    ¡°I¡¯m not hungry.¡± I looked up and smiled politely. ¡°Had some dessert earlier.¡±


    Since my reaction was calm, just quietly indifferent, he seemed a little relieved.


    ¡°Alright then,¡± he said. ¡°I¡¯ll go get Yuna. Don¡¯t stay toote.¡± And with that, he left.


    I turned my focus back to the paperwork in front of me.


    Shawn said a board meeting was needed to finalize my position, but I knew that was just for appearances. When it came to work, he was dominant. He made a statement, and it was done. The board respected his judgment-no one ever second-guessed him.


    Of course, there were always whispers. I was his wife, after all. Mixing business and family didn¡¯t sit well with everyone. But I trusted Shawn¡¯s ability to keep things in line.


    It was nearly 11 p.m. when I came home, my arms full of files. Yuna was already asleep-Shawn had taken care of that. He was on the couch in his pajamas, sipping tea.


    When I walked in, he put down the cup. His long legs crossed, and his eyes met mine. ¡°Youe home


    thiste?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, there¡¯s still a lot I don¡¯t understand yet,¡± I said calmly as I kicked off my shoes and headed upstairs. I


    wasn¡¯t in the mood for a heart-to-heart.


    Shawn sat there, frozen once more as I neglected him. Then, slowly, he stood and followed me up.


    In the bedroom, the first thing I did was grab my pajamas before heading to the shower.


    I took my time-at least half an hour. When I came out, Shawn was sitting on the other side of the bed, reading.


    3:44 pm


    Chapter 15 Shawn Waited Me Home Late at Night


    s


    The scene felt painfully familiar. I¡¯d once longed for moments like this, waiting for him night after night. When he finally came home andy beside me, I¡¯d reach for him. He would take my hand gently, set it aside, and tell me he was tired of brushing me off.


    I sat at the vanity, rubbing lotion onto my skin. The pleasant scent filled the room. In the mirror, I looked different. My face had a soft glow, my skin was smooth, and my eyes were bright, brimming with life.


    ¡°Are you done yet?¡± he asked from the bed, probably because I was taking so long.


    I knew what he meant. Was I ready to perform marital duty and get intimate with him?


    Maybe it was the way I¡¯d been dressingtely-more confident, more feminine. Men are visual. He might not love me, but he definitely wanted to sleep with me again.


    I finished applying my hand cream, walked to the other side of the bed, andy down.


    Shawn seemed a little sulky, as if he¡¯d been waiting for a long time and growing impatient. The moment Iy down, he tossed his book aside, flipped off the main light, and slid under the covers toward me. His hand, warm and insistent, found my waist, fingers slowly trailing upward.


    I reached out and gently stopped him, murmuring, ¡°I¡¯m exhausted tonight.¡±


    His arm froze, tension rushing through him. His voice came out rough and low. ¡°It¡¯s been three months, hasn¡¯t it?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, about that.¡± I wasn¡¯t in the mood to give him an exact count.


    ¡°You don¡¯t want it?¡± he asked. Shawn knew my body well-he understood me, and he knew how strong my drive had been after holding back for a long time. In the past, I¡¯d always been the one who needed that intimacy more than he did.


    ¡°Not really,¡± I said honestly. The truth? I didn¡¯t want it at all. It wasn¡¯t that he was tired of me¡ªit was that I had grown tired of him.


    Shawn¡¯s breathing quickened. In the past, if I said no, he¡¯d always stop-immediately.


    But tonight he was different. His fingers remained pressed against my skin, tense, as if my rejection had stirred something in him. He wasn¡¯t pulling away like the polite gentleman I¡¯d known.


    ¡°Is someone else keeping you satisfied?¡± he suddenly whispered near my ear, lips brushing against it, his voice tinged with frustration. ¡°Who¡¯s been satisfying you?¡±


    I almostughed at this. Shawn-so proud, so self-assured-actually asking something that childish?


    ¡°You really don¡¯t trust me at all, do you?¡± I shoved his arm away and sat up, ring at him. ¡°Just because I turned you down, it meant I cheated on you? So what about the years that you ignored me? Who were you with then, Shawn? Don¡¯t throw usations around like that.¡±


    He didn¡¯t expect me to blow up like that. Under the soft amber light, his expression shifted. He sat up, fixing his intense gaze on me, ¡°Then why won¡¯t you let me touch you?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not in the mood,¡± I said simply, standing my ground.


    ¡°You need a mood for this?¡± he rebuked, annoyance evident in his voice.


    3:44 pm


    Chapter 15 Shawn Waited Me Home Late at Night


    s


    I let out a cold chuckle and mocked, ¡°Of course. You men act like you can flip a switch anytime, anywhere. But women? We don¡¯t just spread our legs for anyone. We do it only for someone who loves us.¡±


    Shawn was stunned. Maybe my answer was bold, maybe I was too direct, but I didn¡¯t care.


    In another life, I spent more than 30 years swallowing my pride, staying quiet, keeping the peace. This time, I¡¯d rather live boldly and speak up. Holding everything inside isn¡¯t good for the heart-or the body.


    ¡°Tiffany, what¡¯s going on with you?¡± His tone suddenly softened, sensing something was off. ¡°It feels like something¡¯s been bothering you. Talk to me.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing to talk about.¡± Iy back down and turned my back to him. ¡°I¡¯m just tired of this same routine, over and over. It¡¯s dull. Lifeless. My mom didn¡¯t bring me into this world just to wither away inside this house. I should be out there-watching the flowers bloom, the rivers flow.¡±


    Again, my words left Shawn speechless, as if he finally realized I had a voice and a will of my own. Perhaps the quiet, obedient version of me had been a fa?ade all along. And this, the woman with fire in her voice and steel in her spine-maybe this was who I truly was.


    ¡°Did you feel wrong over the past six years of being the perfect wife?¡± There was a new edge to his tone¡ª part anger, part disbelief. Maybe he was frustrated that I¡¯d faked it for so long, or maybe it was just that I no longer fit into the neat little box where he once kept me.


    3:44 pm

 Yearning 16

    Chapter 16 Shawn Takes the First Moves


    Chapter 16 Shawn Takes the First Moves


    s


    I was ready. I was prepared to face his questions and his anger. I wasn¡¯t even mad. I justy there, looking up at him, calmly meeting his shocked and furious eyes.


    ¡°You haven¡¯t wronged me,¡± I said. ¡°You¡¯ve always been generous with money and polite in your manners. You¡¯re a gentleman, truly. You don¡¯t talk to me about your work anymore, and you don¡¯t bring me to meet your friends. You just stopped loving me. But that doesn¡¯t mean you¡¯re not a good husband or a loving father.¡± I looked him straight in the eye and said what I truly felt.


    Shawn¡¯s eyes froze, his shock quickly turning to fury. ¡°Tiffany, are you being serious right now? If I didn¡¯t love you, why on earth would I have married you?¡±


    I stared at his handsome face, now red with anger. He wasn¡¯t just mad-he was hurt and scrambling to stay in control.


    I let out a quiet sigh, closed my eyes, and spoke softly. ¡°I believe you loved me once. But love doesn¡¯tst forever. It changes. It fades. I¡¯m a woman-I can feel it when that happens.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not true.¡± Shawn finally snapped. His temper red as he suddenly leaned over, pinning me beneath him. His lips crashed onto mine, the heat of his anger fueling every movement. He wasn¡¯t gentle like he used to be¨Che came at me like a violent storm, wild and relentless. I felt like a tiny boat in a hurricane,pletely powerless against his overwhelming force.


    ¡°My nightgown was slipping fast, barely hanging on. His eyes burned with intensity, and his touch was rough, almost desperate. I waspletely pinned down, unable to resist him in the slightest. After three monthscking intimacy, this storm of emotion reached its peak. It was as if Shawn needed to prove something-he explored every part of me, trying to reignite the passion I once had for him, searching for some sign that I still loved him.


    And for the first time, he truly made me feel good. Really good.


    Still, no matter how much I might¡¯ve enjoyed it, I had to y the part of the victim. I had to be the wronged wife. I needed more benefits from this marriage. He didn¡¯t stop until past 2 a.m. When the storm finally calmed, I wrapped myself in a nket, my hair a mess and tears in my eyes, and dragged myself to the guest room to sleep.


    I had no idea what was going through Shawn¡¯s mind. But one thing was certain-he¡¯d broken his own rules. For the first time, he initiated action. A wall inside him had finally crumbled. And as with most things, the moment the line is crossed, everything changes. It meant he had lost his position of power over certain things.


    His sudden shift made me realize something. When you stop caring, when you invest in yourself-really glow up and carry yourself with confidence-unexpected things start to happen.


    Deep down, men haven¡¯t changed much.


    Centuries of male-centered thinking still shape how they act-even now. That core instinct to dominate, to retreat when they lose control, is still present


    It seems that women can¡¯t afford to be soft when ites to love or men. When it¡¯s time to be tough, we need to be even tougher. When we go cold, we must be willing to walk away without hesitation.


    3:44 pm


    Chapter 16 Shawn Takes the First Moves


    Morning.


    s


    I was still sound asleep when Yuna barged into the room and started yelling beside my bed. ¡°Mom! It¡¯s already morning! Why are you still sleeping? Come y with me!


    ¡°No more sleeping! I want you to y with me now!¡±


    I kept my eyes shut, pretending not to hear. That little girl waspletely spoiled,cking both manners and a sense of respect. It was barely seven in the morning, and she was already interrupting my rest.


    Just as I was about to snap and ask her to leave, I heard Shawn¡¯s voice from outside the door.


    ¡°Yuna,e out here. Don¡¯t wake your mom.¡±


    ¡°But Dad, Mom is sozy! Why would you marry someone who sleeps in all the time?¡± sheined furiously.


    ¡°You don¡¯t talk about her like that. She¡¯s your mother,¡± he said firmly, stepping in to pick her up and carry her out. He even shut the door gently behind them.


    I cracked one eye open, looked at the shut door, and fell back asleep.


    When I finally woke up again, it was after nine. Yuna was outside, ying with her pony.


    Yes, Shawn had actually followed through. When she said she wanted a pony, he had a miniature white one flown in from overseas. He brought it in specifically for her to y with.


    Mona made me a nutritious breakfast. After I finished the meal, Yuna ran back inside and plopped down beside me. ¡°Mom, you¡¯re not allowed to go to work today. You have to stay home with me.¡±


    I took a sip of my oatmeal and nced at her. ¡°Yuna, starting today, I¡¯m going back to work. I won¡¯t be home all the time anymore. If you want someone to y with, I¡¯ll sign you up for more sses. You¡¯ll have teachers and friends to keep youpany.¡±


    As soon as she heard about more sses that awaited, her face turned pale. A secondter, she pointed at me and burst into dramatic tears. ¡°I don¡¯t want to go to ss! You¡¯re a wicked mom! I don¡¯t like you! I¡¯m telling Grandma!¡±


    ¡°Come back here,¡± I said, calm but authoritative. ¡°Go ahead-try it.¡±


    Her fake tears vanished instantly. She turned around, looking at me like she was seeing a stranger. Her big eyes flickered with something new-fear, or maybe respect.


    I set my bowl down slowly, picked up my ss of lemon water, and stared at her with cool seriousness. ¡°I carried you for nine months. I¡¯m your mother. The person you should always respect is me. But if you don¡¯t like me as your mom, you can go ask your dad to find you a new one. I won¡¯t stop you.¡±


    Yuna wasn¡¯t stupid. She understood every word. The girl blinked, then she slowly walked over, clutched my arm, and muttered an apology. ¡°Mommy, I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯ll say nothing more. I won¡¯t tell Grandma either. I know you love me the most¡±


    I looked down at my clever little girl. She understood perfectly-she always had.


    I thought back to the past life. She was already 30 and still siding with Queena-telling me I deserved the


    3:44 pm


    Chapter 16 Shawn Takes the First Moves


    pain I¡¯d suffered, that I didn¡¯t know how to let go, and that I made everyone around me unhappy.


    I suddenly thought, Maybe I had failed as a mother. I feelpletely lost.


    How do you raise a child who loves you and feels grateful?


    s


    Modern parenting tells us not to expect too much, emphasizing that parents need to support their children rather than control them. We didn¡¯t bring them into the world to suffer; we¡¯re supposed to let them flourish freely. However, the sh between old and new parenting philosophies can be exhausting. Those of us born in the 80s and 90s often find ourselves caught in the middle, and it¡¯s hard.


    ¡°Go on, y. I¡¯m going to work soon.¡± My head was starting to ache. I sent Yuna off to her pony and went upstairs to change. In the mirror, the marks Shawn leftst night were still visible across my neck and back. In the past, I would¡¯ve hidden every single one. I used to be soft-spoken and modest-I¡¯d never have walked out of the house with signs like these.


    But today? I let them show. Why hide them? We were married, and it was our private joy. Why pretend otherwise?


    I deliberately chose a sleeveless V-neck knit top and beige pants. I tied my long hair backzily with a ribbon. Everything about my look said, Yes, I¡¯m a woman who was deeply lovedst night. The rose-shaped earrings dangled by my cheeks.


    When I walked into the office carrying the documents, I passed Queena in the hallway. She was walking with a few senior executives toward the conference room. As we brushed past each other, I tilted my head ever so slightly. Her eyes locked on my neck and froze at the sight.


    3:44 pm

 Yearning 17

    Chapter 17 His Name Is Ethan Hayes


    Chapter 17 His Name Is Ethan Hayes


    s


    As I passed by those senior executives, they each gave me knowing nces and greeted me with overly warm smiles. ¡°Good morning, Mrs. Hartwell.¡±


    ¡°Good morning,¡± I replied with a gracious nod, smiling politely.


    Queena¡¯s expression darkened. Her lips pressed into a thin line as she strode quickly toward the conference room.


    When I reached the door to my office, Shawn happened to be stepping out of his. The moment his eyesnded on me, his brows furrowed. He was probably judging my outfit again-something about it seemed to bother him.


    I couldn¡¯t care less. After what happenedst night, I had every right to feel the way I did.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got a meeting,¡± he said, his voice tight. ¡°What do you want for lunch?¡± Even in his hurry, he made the effort to speak to me.


    I turned to him and nced at him. ¡°I¡¯m good. I¡¯ve got lunch ns with Mnie.¡±


    Shawn wasn¡¯t used to me turning him down. He didn¡¯t like it. But now, it was bing routine. There wasn¡¯t much he could do about it.


    ¡°All right,¡± he said shortly, then walked away.


    That morning, I was still handling the transition of duties with the current managers at the hotels. By eleven o¡¯clock, I left the office and headed to lunch with Mnie.


    Mnie was already scanning the restaurant, eyes darting from one handsome man to the next. She wanted nothing more than a sweeping, soul-deep kind of love-the kind people wrote books about.


    I understood. She was getting impatient, but I kept telling her not to rush.


    Still, she was restless. ¡°Tiffany,¡± she said, ¡°I¡¯m two years older than you. You¡¯re 26, and I¡¯m 28. You¡¯ve got a 6-year-old daughter, and I haven¡¯t even held any guy¡¯s hand. Tell me, what¡¯s it like to kiss someone?¡±


    I couldn¡¯t help butugh. Of all things, why would she ask me about kissing?


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing special,¡± I said with a shrug, sipping my tea. ¡°Pretty overrated, honestly.¡±


    The moment I said it, I heard a deep chuckleing from the table behind us.


    I turned and spotted a man in a ck shirt, quietly sipping his tea like he was waiting for someone,


    That face-I remembered him clearly. He was the guy that showed up at our ss reunion. The one our ss president treated with so much respect. What were the chances?


    Mnie saw him too. She mouthed to me, He¡¯s gorgeous.


    I wasn¡¯t sure if he¡¯dughed at what I¡¯d said or if something else had amused him. Either way, I felt mildly


    self-conscious.


    3:44 pm


    Chapter 17 His Name Is Ethan Hayes


    Just then, another young man walked in and joined him at the same table.


    s


    Mnie leaned in again, sighing dreamily. ¡°Hot guys always hang out with other hot guys. It¡¯s like us- pretty girls stick with pretty girls.¡±


    I couldn¡¯t help but burst outughing. Mnie sure knew how to tter people when she wanted to.


    Maybe myughter drew his attention because the man behind us turned and looked straight at me. His gaze was calm but piercing, like still water with something deep beneath.


    I met his eyes for just a second, and for some reason, something inside me stirred-like the soft pluck of a harp string.


    Mnie suddenly became far moredylike; she ate less than usual. I knew that look. She had her eye on one of the men behind us. Unfortunately, she didn¡¯t have an excuse to start a conversation.


    She gave me a look, asking if I could help her somehow. I shook my head and said quietly, ¡°I¡¯m not into men anymore. If you like him, go for it.¡±


    Mnie knew about my messy marriage. She also knew I wasn¡¯t exactly hopeful when it came to love. But she hadn¡¯t experienced men and was full of fantasies about them. She just didn¡¯t know how to make the first move and get his number.


    I excused myself to go to the restroom-and quietly paid the bill on the way out. On my way back, I nearly bump into someone at the corner and knocked his phone right out of his hand.


    The sound of it hitting the floor made my heart thump. I bent down quickly to pick it up-and saw the screen had cracked.


    ¡°Dang it!¡± I muttered to myself in annoyance. ¡°It¡¯s okay.¡± Came a calm, low voice from above me. ¡°It¡¯s my fault. I wasn¡¯t holding it properly.¡±


    That voice.


    I looked up sharply-and saw the man from the table behind us. He wasn¡¯t wearing sses now. Without them, he looked even more refined. There was something quiet and noble about his presence.


    ¡°I¡¯m Ethan Hayes,¡± he said, introducing himself out of nowhere.


    I froze for a second. I hadn¡¯t asked for his name.


    After saying it, his eyes stayed fixed on mine, deep and searching, like he was waiting for a reaction.


    ¡°I broke your phone screen. Let me pay for it,¡± I said, worried about the damage.


    ¡°No need,¡± he replied softly. ¡°I¡¯ll take care of it.¡±


    ¡°I insist,¡± I said, turning back to my table.


    A momentter, I came back and pressed 3,000 dors¨Cthe only cash I had-into his hand. ¡°Get yourself


    a new one.¡±


    He stood quietly in the hallway, unmoving. When I handed him the cash, he gently caught my fingers. ¡°I¡¯m Ethan Hayes,¡± he said again.


    1:44 pm


    Chapter 17 His Name Is Ethan Hayes


    I stared at him stupidly and said, ¡°You already told me that.¡±


    s


    ¡°You don¡¯t remember me?¡± His voice dropped, while his eyes looked wounded. ¡°Tiffany, don¡¯t you remember? You once donated 800,000 dors so I could stay in school.¡±


    My eyes widened in disbelief. I stared at him, studying his face. ¡°That was you?¡±


    Ethan nodded. ¡°Yes, it¡¯s me.¡±


    My mind shed to that night again-his car, a luxury Mercedes-and how my ssmate had acted so deferential toward him. He didn¡¯t look like someone who¡¯d ever struggled with tuition.


    While I stood there, stunned, he reached over and tucked the money back into my hand. ¡°You¡¯ve already given me enough. It¡¯s just a phone screen. I can handle it. No need to give me more.¡±


    I looked down at the cash, then back up at him in amazement. ¡°So, the person who told the charity foundation they wanted to take me out to dinner-that was you too?¡±


    Ethan lowered his head, chuckling. When he looked at me again, his face and the tips of his ears had turned red. ¡°Yeah. That was me.¡±


    ¡°Oh, if I¡¯d known you were this handsome, I would¡¯ve said yes to dinner right away.¡± I grinned yfully, teasing him. What could I say? Making a good-looking guy blush was fun.


    ¡°Really?¡± Ethan¡¯s voice had dropped to a husky tone. ¡°Then let me take you out¡ªmaybe tonight.¡±


    I chuckled, shaking my head. ¡°No need. I was only teasing. Just seeing you doing well, living a good life, that¡¯s exactly why I made that donation in the first ce.¡± I smiled warmly at him, then suddenly remembered something. ¡°Do you have a business card?¡±


    He quickly reached into his pocket and handed one to me.


    I nced at it and grinned. ¡°A friend of mine is actually pretty interested in you. If you ever get the chance, maybe you two could chat sometime.¡±


    Ethan didn¡¯t say a word.


    I was ready to leave, but before I could take a step, Ethan suddenly grabbed my wrist. His voice came out fast, tinged with nervous energy. ¡°I¡¯m not interested in your friend.¡±


    I froze, startled by his bluntness.


    His eyes locked onto mine, shadowed and intense. ¡°The one I¡¯m interested in is you.¡±


    I nearly jumped. Damn it, that caught mepletely off guard. I¡¯d clearly taken the joke too far.


    Gently, I pulled my hand from his grip and gave him a yful, cautious smile. ¡°You¡¯re going to be disappointed. I¡¯m already married.¡±


    I lifted my hand, ready to show him my wedding ring-only to remember I¡¯d taken it off a few days ago.


    Ethan¡¯s gaze dimmed, his voice dropping to a quiet murmur. ¡°I know. Your husband is Shawn Hartwell. But, word is, things between you two aren¡¯t exactly great.¡±


    3:44 pm

 Yearning 18

    Chapter 18 Shawn Apologized


    Chapter 18 Shawn Apologized


    Ethan¡¯s words caught me off guard. He knew me surprisingly well.


    s


    ¡°Have you been investigating me?¡± My expression darkened. Although my marriage might have failed, that didn¡¯t mean I liked people digging into my life behind my back. It made me feel even more exposed- more humiliated.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I just heard some things in passing. I didn¡¯t go looking into anything on purpose.¡± Ethan looked uneasy, his deep eyes meeting mine, then flickering away with hesitation.


    ¡°It was a pleasure meeting you.¡± I would rather not talk to him, so I turned and walked away.


    He stayed right where he was.


    Back at the table, Mnie was still fretting over how to talk to the handsome guy across from us.


    ¡°Mnie, are you full? Let¡¯s head out,¡± I said, trying to shake the unsettling feeling of Ethan¡¯s eyes. I was particrly struck by his statement that he expressed interest in me.


    Mnie stood up, albeit unwillingly. Just then, Ethan came back.


    I didn¡¯t hesitate-I tugged her over and introduced her boldly. ¡°Mr. Hayes, this is my friend Mnie. She¡¯s awyer. If you ever need legal advice, she¡¯s very good at what she does.¡±


    ¡°Tiffany.¡± Mnie looked mortified. She hadn¡¯t expected me to just throw her into the spotlight like that. Her cheeks flushed, as if she wanted to disappear instantly.


    I gave her a reassuring nce and said, ¡°It¡¯s fine. Mr. Hayes and I ¡­ we¡¯ve met before.¡±


    Ethan smiled slightly and handed her a business card. ¡°Nice to meet you, Ms. Justice. Mypany is currently looking for legal support. If you¡¯re interested, feel free to reach out to my assistant, Richard.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m Richard Sowle,¡± said the handsome man across the table, lifting a hand in greeting. ¡°Just reach out to me directly. Here¡¯s my card.¡±


    Mnie took both cards, blushing so hard. She whispered, ¡°Thank you. It¡¯s a pleasure meeting you both.¡±


    She quickly grabbed my arm and hurried us out of the restaurant.


    Once outside, I couldn¡¯t help it-I burst outughing at the sight of her tomato-red face.


    ¡°Tiffany! That was so embarrassing!¡± Mnie stomped her foot and red at me. ¡°How could you just go up and ask for their numbers so casually? I¡¯m doomed. I can never show my face again.¡±


    I patted her on the shoulder, stillughing. ¡°You¡¯ve got their cards now. If you don¡¯t reach out, it¡¯d be such


    a waste!¡±


    ¡°Wait a sec.¡± Mnie¡¯s expression shifted as something clicked. She grabbed my wrist. ¡°You knew Mr. Hayes? When did you meet him? Under what circumstances?¡±


    I froze, caught off guard by her rapid-fire questions.


    3:44 pm


    Chapter 18 Shawn Apologized


    s


    ¡°Tiffany, does he like you?¡± She narrowed her eyes suspiciously. ¡°Don¡¯t even try to deny it. I saw the way he looked at you-there¡¯s something going on.¡±


    Mnie was my friend-I would rather not keep her in the dark. So, I told her the whole story about volunteering at that charity event and making a donation.


    ¡°Wait, what?! You donated to some hotshot tech CEO?¡± Mnie had already read Ethan¡¯s business card. He was one of those young entrepreneurs who took the industry by storm-only 27 and already wildly sessful.


    I shrugged and shook my head. ¡°I never met him before. I was unaware of his identity. Someone told me a story about this brilliant kid whose family went bankrupt, whose dad died, and he was still top of his ss. I was representing the Hartwells for a charity fundraiser and ¡­ well, it just tugged at my heart. I wrote a check for 800,000 dors just for him.¡±


    ¡°Tiffany, you have incredible instincts.¡± Mnie gave me a big thumbs-up. ¡°That was a top-tier investment.¡±


    I let out a bitterugh. ¡°It wasn¡¯t even my money. It was Shawn¡¯s. Technically, the one who helped Ethan wasn¡¯t me-it was Shawn.¡±


    Mnie burst intoughter, pping her leg. ¡°Hahaha! That¡¯s hrious! Shawn basically funded his own futurepetition. He¡¯s probably crying in the bathroom!¡±


    I pped a hand over her mouth. ¡°Keep your voice down! If anyone hears you, our friendship ends right here.¡±


    Mnie calmed down, then whispered carefully, ¡°Are you really divorcing Shawn? Do you want me to draft the papers? It¡¯s kind of my specialty-I¡¯ll do it for free.¡±


    I looked at her serious face and couldn¡¯t help but smile. ¡°Sure, write something up. Let me see it.¡±


    ¡°Think he¡¯ll give you half of everything?¡± she asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.


    I shook my head and said, ¡°Highly unlikely. I¡¯m not expecting half. If he gives me even ten percent, that¡¯s enough to keep mefortable for the rest of my life.¡±


    ¡°But hasn¡¯t he always been generous with you? Even if you don¡¯t ask, he might just give it to you. Tiffany, when you got married, did you ever imagine it would end like this?¡±


    ¡°Of course not.¡± My voice grew soft, bitter. ¡°I thought it wouldst forever. Grow old together. Build a life. Have kids, a home, and a family.¡±


    ¡°Maybe we just idealized love and marriage too much,¡± Mnie said, cutting me off gently, ¡°Marriage is a partnership. If you find the right person, it works. If not ¡­ ¡±


    ¡°You get out while you still can,¡± I finished for her.


    Mnie smiled, nodding. ¡°Exactly. You¡¯re still young. You can still find the right one.¡±


    But I shook my head and said, ¡°I don¡¯t want to anymore. I believe the majority of men share this sentiment. Indeed, this sentiment extends to women as well. The longer you¡¯re with someone, the more the love fades. Maybe it¡¯s better to just keep dating-never settle down. Always have someone who loves and misses you, but avoid bing stuck in a routine.¡±


    3:44 pm


    Chapter 18 Shawn Apologized


    Mnie stared at me in disbelief. ¡°Wow. Did you actually say that, Tiffany?¡±


    s


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t have said it before. But now, I think I believe it.¡± I looped my arm through hers, and we walked toward my car.


    There parked a luxury Maybach a few spaces down.


    I knew it had to be Ethan¡¯s.


    Sure enough, as soon as Mnie and I got in my car, Ethan and his assistant started walking over. Without waiting for them, I stepped on the gas and we departed.


    That afternoon, I was back at the office, sorting out the hotel¡¯s operation transition. Shawn called me into his office.


    I went in, keeping my face tense and dodging his eyes.


    ¡°Last night, I was out of line.¡± He wasn¡¯t calling me in for work. He was apologizing.


    I turned my face away, pressing my lips together without saying a word.


    Shawn stood up and handed me a dark blue box. ¡°This is a gift for you, as an apology.¡±


    I nced at it but didn¡¯t reach out.


    So he took my hand and shoved the box into my hands. ¡°It won¡¯t happen again. I promise.¡±


    I held the box, blinking fast as I forced the tears to stay back.


    Shawn leaned against the edge of his desk, his eyes fixed on me. When I still didn¡¯t speak, he sighed heavily. ¡°I¡¯m thinking about investing 65 million dors into your project. Will that make up for it?¡±


    My eyes, still red, widened instantly as I stared at him. ¡°Are you serious?¡±


    3:44 pm

 Yearning 19

    Chapter 19 Not Even Worthy to Be Her Rival


    Chapter 19 Not Even Worthy to Be Her Rival


    s


    Shawn apologized. He seemed genuinely sorry-he brought a gift and even promised a big investment.


    But I still couldn¡¯t forgive him. And I definitely wasn¡¯t going to let him back into my heart.


    Even if he broke up with Queena tomorrow and became a free man again, to me, he was just a useful tool


    1 -something I could use, but never someone who could influence my life again.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to open it?¡± Shawn asked when he saw how uninterested I was in his gift. I caught a glimpse of disappointment flickering in his eyes.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure it wasn¡¯t cheap,¡± I said with a fake sniffle as I dabbed at my eyes. ¡°But I¡¯ve got to go.¡±


    He said nothing; I stepped out of his office and, right on cue, ran into Queenaing down the hallway, arms full of documents. I hadn¡¯t realized how many projects she was managing until recently-turned out, I¡¯d missed a lot while I was gone.


    The office gossip had been buzzingtely. Apparently, Queena was more than just a capable worker-she came from money. She wasn¡¯t here for the paycheck but for Shawn.


    In the past life, Shawn had done everything to keep her hidden. He didn¡¯t let me cause scenes or disturb her life. To protect her, he gave in to a few of my unreasonable demands-mostly material things¡ªbut emotionally, he had nothing left to give me.


    Queena must truly love him. Rumor had it that when she got pregnant with their first child, she ended it just to avoid upsetting Yuna. When Shawn found out, he was furious and heartbroken. To make it up to her, he gave her a chunk ofpany shares and bought her a mansion.


    Just thinking about it made my expression turn cold. I opened my office door and stepped inside.


    A soft knock came a few minutester. I braced myself, assuming Queena hade to rub something in my face. But no-she was just here to deliver a report.


    ¡°Mrs. Hartwell,¡± she said, cing a folder on my desk. ¡°This is part of the financial report from the hotel division. I¡¯ve included my assessment, along with some suggestions. Take a look when you have time. You¡¯ve been out of the field for six years-your degree might not line up with how fast things have changed. If you run into trouble, I¡¯d be happy to help. And if I can¡¯t, I know people who can.¡± Her eyes met mine, and to my surprise, she seemed genuinely kind. She wasn¡¯t talking to a rival, but someone she considered a family member of Shawn.


    I couldn¡¯t tell if she was just that confident or if she was truly kind enough to care about a love rival like <ol><li></li></ol>


    If it was thetter, I might actually consider stepping aside and giving her my husband and daughter.


    But if it was the former-if she didn¡¯t even see me aspetition-then I¡¯d really fallen that far.


    To be fair, she had every reason to be proud. Queena came from privilege. She had a bright personality, a prestigious finance degree from a top university overseas, and her friends were all from elite circles. She hiked, skied, boxed, and even raced cars. And in those scenes, she was something of a celebrity.


    So in her eyes, I must¡¯ve looked like a total nobody-a stay-at-home mom with zero value and even less


    3:44 pm


    Chapter 19 Not Even Worthy to Be Her Rival


    fight in her.


    s


    ¡°Thank you, Ms. Tackman,¡± I said, giving her the sweetest, most harmless smile I could muster. I even made myself look more innocent than she did. Rising from my seat, I extended my hand. ¡°Everyone in thepany knows how capable you are. I hope you¡¯ll continue helping me out-I¡¯ve been buried in these reports. It¡¯s honestly been a bit much.¡±


    Queena nced at my hand, then smiled and shook it lightly. ¡°Mrs. Hartwell, you¡¯re too kind. As part of the team, it¡¯s only right that I help where I can.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll treat you to dinner sometime,¡± I said with gratitude, keeping my tone light and friendly.


    ¡°Sure, bring Yuna along,¡± Queena replied with an easy smile. ¡°She¡¯s such a sweetheart.¡±


    I nodded. ¡°Certainly, she¡¯s always saying such nice things about you.¡±


    Once Queena was gone, I sat back down. When I turned my head, I caught sight of Shawn sitting in his office across the hall. Through the ss, I could see him watching us-he¡¯d seen the handshake, the friendly exchange, all of it.


    I looked away and focused on the stack of papers in front of me. Whatever Shawn was thinking didn¡¯t matter. If Queena saw me as beneath her-as someone not even worthy of being her rival-then I¡¯d just have to show her what I was made of. Just like her, I could y the game too.


    [ust after five, the office phone rang. It was Shawn. ¡°Yuna says she¡¯s been cooped up at home too long. Let¡¯s clock out early and take her out for dinner.¡±


    Thest thing I wanted was a forced dinner with the three of us pretending to be a happy family. So I gave him a convenient excuse. ¡°I still have a lot of things to finish. Why don¡¯t you take her out? And if she gets bored, maybe invite Ms. Tackman to join you. She seems to get along well with kids.¡±


    Tiffany.¡± Shawn didn¡¯t even try to hide his irritation. ¡°Ms. Tackman isn¡¯t my wife. She has her own life. Yuna is our daughter. We¡¯re the ones responsible for her.¡±


    A bitter smirk crept into my lips. So Shawn could tell the difference between personal and work. That neant his feelings for Queena were real. He didn¡¯t want her helping with my child-not because she couldn¡¯t, but because he cared about her too much to ask her to. 1 §ã§ä


    You¡¯re right,¡± I replied. ¡°Then how about I bring some work along? There are a few things I¡¯d like to ask your opinion on.¡± Since I couldn¡¯t dodge my role as a mother, the least I could do was bring along a little headache of my own to share with him.


    ¡®We¡¯re off the clock, Tiffany. Don¡¯t bring work into it,¡± he replied, irritation rising in his voice. ¡°Honestly, talent is something you¡¯re either born with or you¡¯re not. You can learn slowly, sure, but you don¡¯t need to push yourself like Ms. Tackman does. You¡¯re not her.¡±


    Just like that, my face turned cold. So in Shawn¡¯s eyes, she was gifted-born to seed. And I? I was just faking it. My efforts were nothing but a poor imitation. A joke.


    ¡°Well, honey, that¡¯s fair,¡± I said agitatedly and in a half-joking manner. ¡°If Ms. Tackman were your wife, I¡¯m sure your life would be like a poem-perfect harmony, hand in hand through everything. It¡¯s too bad, really. You married someone who doesn¡¯t have a gift for business. Do you ever regret it? Getting married too young and missing out on someone more talented? Someone who¡¯s actually right for you?¡±


    3:45 pm


    Chapter 19 Not Even Worthy to Be Her Rival


    s


    ¡°Tiffany, what are you even talking about?¡± Shawn snapped. He was rattled. I was too close to the truth, and he knew it. And like always, when he panicked, heshed out.


    I quickly smiled and apologized. ¡°Don¡¯t be upset, honey. I was just thinking out loud. I mean, it¡¯s true-I¡¯m not exactly a natural. I¡¯m not good enough for someone like you.¡±


    ¡°If you know you¡¯recking, then work on it,¡± he said tly. ¡°I haven¡¯t given up on you. Don¡¯t give up on yourself.¡± With that, he hung up.


    A few minutester, Shawn was standing outside my office. ¡°Let¡¯s go. Yuna hurt her leg-she needs both her parents with her tonight.¡±


    3:45 pm

 Yearning 20

    Chapter 20 Shawn Stayed Out All Night


    Chapter 20 Shawn Stayed Out All Night


    s


    When it came to spending time with my daughter, I tried to avoid it whenever I could. But if I couldn¡¯t, I just had to go along with it.


    Shawn drove and asked me to ride with him. Meanwhile, he sent a driver to pick up Yuna.


    My memories of my previous life were hazy, and since the plot no longer seemed to follow the same course, I had no idea what would happen next.


    But no matter what happened, I wasn¡¯t going to let myself suffer anymore.


    The restaurant Shawn had booked was a high-end spot known for its premium wine and steak. By the time we arrived, Yuna was already there. She sat on the couch, looking utterly bored, her small face set in an expression of world-weary disdain that seemed far too mature for her age.


    ¡°Daddy, Mommy, you¡¯re so slow,¡± Yuna said when she saw us. Instead of greeting us happily, she immediately startedining.


    Shawn apologized softly. ¡°There was some traffic. What do you want to eat? Daddy will order for you.¡±


    ¡°I want chocte, ice cream, and crispy fried food,¡± Yuna said.


    Like any other child, she craved what she wasn¡¯t allowed to have. The more forbidden it was, the more she wanted it.


    In my previous life, junk food like that had been on my no-go list. She used to throw tantrums just for a few bites.


    Shawn looked at me and, seeing that I hadn¡¯t said anything, lowered his voice. ¡°Yuna, you can¡¯t eat that stuff. It¡¯ll upset your stomach, and you might end up in the hospital getting a shot.¡±


    ¡°Mommy won¡¯t let me eat it, right? I knew it. I really want to grow up faster. Why do adults get to eat whatever they want, but I can¡¯t eat what I want?¡± Yunained, sulking. She crossed her arms and curled up, turning her back to us.


    ¡°Let her eat what she wants,¡± I said, taking a seat.


    ¡°Wasn¡¯t it you who didn¡¯t let her eat junk food before?¡± Shawn asked, looking surprised. My change in attitude must have confused him.


    I smiled. ¡°Can¡¯t you see she¡¯s upset? Maybe being a kid has its own frustrations. Unlike adults, who buy only what they like, children don¡¯t get that choice. Yuna, from now on, Mommy won¡¯t be so strict. Eat whatever you want.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± Yuna¡¯s face lit up with joy. She immediately crawled over to me, hugging my arm tightly. ¡°Mommy, you should have done this earlier! If you had, I wouldn¡¯t have gotten mad at you. Daddy, hurry up and order for me!¡±


    Shawn frowned slightly but eventually ordered some of Yuna¡¯s favorite foods, along with a few signature dishes-red wine steak, foie gras, and caviar. When it came to food, he neverpromised on quality for himself or his family.


    3:45 pm


    :?


    Chapter 20 Shawn Stayed Out All Night


    A phone call came in, and Shawn stepped out to answer it.


    s


    Yuna¡¯s cake arrived. She happily dug in, chatting as she ate. ¡°Mommy, my leg still hurts a little. Can I take a few more days off?¡±


    I knew she just didn¡¯t want to go to school, having grown too used to the leisure of staying home. I looked at her expectant little face, slowly sipped my wine, and said, ¡°Hmm, ask Daddy about that. I have no problem with it.¡±


    ¡°Really? Mommy, you¡¯re being so much nicer to me now. I¡¯ll love you even more,¡± Yuna cooed, immediately clinging to me.


    I let out a quiet, bitterugh.


    As expected, whoever disciplines a child bes the child¡¯s enemy. Now that I ignore her, she suddenly tells me she loves me.


    Shawn returned after finishing his call and sat down beside me, cing his phone on the table.


    A message popped up on his phone. I caught a glimpse of it from the corner of my eye-it seemed to be from Queena.


    But Shawn only nced at it briefly and didn¡¯t reply right away.


    Yuna had fried chicken, then ice cream, and finally devoured a big piece of chocte. She waspletely satisfied.


    Just then, the steak was served. Shawn cut it into bite-sized pieces for Yuna and urged her to take a few bites. But she was already full and refused to eat anymore. Shawn had no choice but to give up.


    Turning his head, he saw that I was still drinking. Without hesitation, he asked, ¡°Do you need me to cut yours too?¡±


    ¡°No, thanks.¡± I knew this was just a habit ingrained in him. He did it not because he loved me, but because he had been raised as a gentleman from a wealthy family.


    We didn¡¯t talk much and just kept eating. At some point, Queena seemed to have sent another message, but Shawn still didn¡¯t respond right away.


    Like any other family, dining together had be an essential routine in our lives, but if I had to say it was warm or romantic-it really wasn¡¯t.


    After dinner, Shawn turned to me and said, ¡°I have something to take care of. Take Yuna home first.¡±


    I knew he was probably going to see Queena. I nodded. ¡°Okay.¡±


    Without saying anything else, I carried Yuna and got into the car the driver had pulled up.


    ¡°Daddy, where are you going? Can I go with you?¡± Yuna seemed to have guessed who he was going to see. She immediately perked up and pleaded, ¡°Daddy, take me with you, please? It¡¯s so boring at home.¡±


    But of course, Shawn wouldn¡¯t bring her along. After all, he and Queena had a lot to do tonight.


    ¡°Yuna, I¡¯ll bring you next time. Daddy has something important to handle today,¡± Shawn refused as


    3:45 pm


    Chapter 20 Shawn Stayed Out All Night


    expected.


    ¡°All right then.¡± Yuna was a little unhappy. She nestled into my arms and stopped talking.


    s


    I told the driver to leave as quickly as possible, yet deep down, a heavy sense of sorrow settled over me.


    My husband was tantly going to see his mistress-where did that leave me, hiswful wife?


    People always said that aside from the legal wife, every other woman was just a mistress.


    But the cruelest part? The wife was treated worse than the mistress.


    When we got home, Yuna clung to me, begging for a bedtime story. I picked up a book and read it aloud to her. Before long, she drifted off to sleep. I tucked her in and returned to the master bedroom.


    As expected, Shawn didn¡¯te home all night. But I didn¡¯t lose sleep over it. In fact, I slept quite well- because before dozing off, I spent some time thinking about Ethan. He really was a handsome man.


    The next morning, Shawn called to ask, ¡°Did you take Yuna to school? Her leg should be fine by now.¡±


    I answered, ¡°She doesn¡¯t want to go. She wants to stay home for a few more days.¡±


    Shawn didn¡¯t argue. ¡°Let her be, then.¡±


    I thought back to my past life. At this very moment back then, I had already mapped out Yuna¡¯s entire weekly schedule-piano on Mondays and Wednesdays, dance and violin on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and private tutoring all day Friday to prepare her for elementary school. That included English conversation training, too.


    She had been so young, yet I dragged her from one teacher to the next, staying by her side every step of the way. I never dared to ck off, not even for a single day.


    Back then, the way Yuna looked at me was practically seething with resentment. Maybe it was my strictness that pushed her toward Queena.


    While I forced her to study until exhaustion, Queena took her out to y, bought her toys and pretty dresses, and even secretly took her on a three-day trip to Sakuran for her birthday.


    Looking back now, why did I put myself through all that?


    Raising our daughter was never meant to be my sole responsibility. If Shawn wasn¡¯t going to make an effort, then I wasn¡¯t going to force it either.


    Let her grow at her own pace. That¡¯s all she ever wanted.


    At the office, Queena arrived past ten. She carried an air of leisurely satisfaction, like a woman who had been thoroughly adored.


    When I saw her in the hallway, I wondered if she¡¯d proudly unt the love bites Shawn had left on herst night. But when I looked her over, I saw nothing.


    Shawn arrived at noon. The moment he approached me, I caught a faint scent of cherry blossoms-the exact perfume Queena always wore.


    [


    3:45 pm

 Yearning 21

    Chapter 21 Your Hubby Is Rich


    Chapter 21 Your Hubby Is Rich


    s


    Shawn pushed open the door to my office. The first thing he asked was what my ns were for lunch.


    As he stepped closer, the scent of cherry blossoms grew stronger. My expression instantly turned cold as I replied indifferently, ¡°Nothing special, just heading to the cafeteria.¡±


    Thepany had a cafeteria, and if I wanted, I could even have the chef prepare something special for <ol><li></li></ol>


    Shawn¡¯s gaze lingered on my face for two seconds before he said, ¡°I¡¯m meeting some friends for lunch. Come with me.¡±


    Shawn had three close friends-two men and one woman. They had grown up together and were also schoolmates, with one of the men dating the woman. In the six years I had been with Shawn, I had only met them a handful of times.


    So when he suddenly invited me to join their gathering, I was taken aback.


    ¡®Are you sure it¡¯s appropriate for me to go?¡± I didn¡¯t mind going if he was willing to bring me along.


    ¡®Why wouldn¡¯t it be? It¡¯s not like you haven¡¯t met them before.¡± Shawn¡¯s gaze swept over me. ¡°When did you buy that dress? I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve seen you wear it before.¡±


    I smiled. ¡°I reced all the clothes in my wardrobe. Do you like this dress?¡±


    Shawn pressed his lips together but said nothing. ¡°Be downstairs in ten minutes.¡±


    Men were such superficial creatures. Back when I dressed casually, Shawn never once noticed what I wore. But now, the moment I slipped into this figure-hugging, sultry dress, he suddenly paid attention.


    Since I now understood how men were wired, I would have to put more effort into my appearance.


    Shawn was the one whobeled me as a trophy wife. If I didn¡¯t go all out with my looks, wouldn¡¯t that mean I was failing to live up to his expectations?


    Maybe the reason he wanted to take me to see his friends today was because I finally looked good enough to be paraded around,


    In the end, I was nothing more than a decorative trophy to him.


    Did he ever truly see me as his wife?


    Ten minutester, I got into Shawn¡¯s car. As soon as I sat down, I closed my eyes to rest.


    Suddenly, I felt something warm wrapping around my fingers. My eyes snapped open, and I looked down at therge, masculine hand holding mine.


    Shawn studied my fingers carefully, ¡°Your hands are so soft and fair. Have you been taking extra care of themtely?¡±


    I didn¡¯t pull away immediately. I let him toy with them as I responded tly, ¡°If a woman wants to be beautiful, she has to spend money. Sigh, I¡¯ve been spending a lottely.¡±


    3:45 pm


    Chapter 21 Your Hubby Is Rich


    s


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. Your hubby is rich.¡± Shawn reached into his coat and pulled out a bank card. ¡°The password is your birthday.¡±


    I took the card without hesitation and smiled. ¡°My dear Hubby, you¡¯re so generous to me. If you ever leave me one day, how could I possibly bear it?¡±


    I had meant it as a joke, but Shawn clearly took it to heart. He tightened his grip on my fingers. ¡°What? Are you already thinking about leaving me?¡±


    I pursed my lips slightly and murmured, ¡°Of course not. It¡¯s just that ¡­ love is unpredictable, isn¡¯t it? One moment it¡¯s here, the next it¡¯s gone, just like the changing weather.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t overthink it.¡± Shawn squeezed my other hand. The next second, his expression darkened. ¡°Where¡¯s your wedding ring?¡±


    My heart skipped a beat. I remembered the vow I had made on our wedding day¡ªI had sworn never to take off that ring.


    I quickly feigned surprise. ¡°Oh no! Where did it go? Did I lose it?¡±


    Shawn¡¯s brows furrowed. ¡°How could a diamond ring just go missing?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s because I lost weight,¡± I quickly exined in a quiet voice. ¡°I used to weigh over 60 kg, but now I¡¯m down to just over 50 kg. Sorry, Hubby, I know that ring wasn¡¯t cheap ¡­


    ¡±


    My acting was wless. Shawn didn¡¯t even suspect me. Instead, heforted me. ¡°It¡¯s fine. I¡¯ll take you to buy another one this afternoon.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s no need. I have other diamond rings at home,¡± I replied.


    I wasn¡¯t keen on epting another ring from him. I¡¯d rather have him give me the cash instead.


    ¡°That¡¯s different. Those are just essories. A wedding ring represents our marriage. It has to be something I buy, and you have to wear it on your ring finger.¡± Shawn had always been a traditional man.


    ¡°Hubby, why don¡¯t you just give me the money, and I¡¯ll buy it myself?¡± I stopped beating around the bush and got straight to the point.


    Shawn¡¯s frown deepened. Just then, his phone rang. He answered it without letting go of my fingers, still ying with them absentmindedly.


    After hanging up, he said, ¡°I have something to take care of this afternoon. Go buy the ring yourself. I¡¯ll have someone send you the money.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Hubby¡± I immediately leaned against his arm with feigned affection, conveniently ignoring the fact that he had just handed me a bank card moments ago.


    3:45 pm

 Yearning 22

    Chapter 22 Maturity Is Inevitable


    Chapter 22 Maturity Is Inevitable


    s


    If Shawn really gave me the money, I would secretly stash it away. As for the wedding ring, a cheap second-hand one would do just fine. After all, that was about as much as he was worth now.


    When we arrived at the restaurant, Shawn¡¯s friends were already there. They were all of simr age and background, the only difference being that they still relied on their families for financial support. Shawn, on the other hand, had already taken over the family business, making him far more aplished than the rest.


    ¡°Oh, Tiffany is here too?¡± A clear, cheerful female voice called out with a smile.


    The casually dressed beauty was Samantha Lynch. She had delicate, doll-like features, the kind that made her seem sweet and gentle. She was from Sylvania, and her voice was soft and soothing, which was typical of a Sylvanian woman.


    Shawn was a year older than all of them.


    He spoke up. ¡°Tiffany is nning to start working, so I¡¯m letting her manage Apex Hotel.¡±


    ¡°I see.¡± I remembered the man as Samantha¡¯s boyfriend, Daniel Whitman. He was a man with a good nature but a sharp tongue.


    The other man, Zachary Turner, had a more mature demeanor.


    I didn¡¯t have much of an impression of these three. It had been over two years since Ist saw them, and I had never bothered to find out how they were doing. But one thing was certain-children from affluent families rarely spent their time idling.


    We sat out on the balcony, basking in the sun while waiting for lunch. Their conversation revolved around market trends, and I listened attentively without joining in.


    ¡°Tiffany, you¡¯ve lost a lot of weight, and your fashion sense has really improved.¡±


    Samantha, being a woman, naturally had a habit ofparing herself to other women. She had been eyeing me for a while before finally seizing the chance to make a teasing remark.


    With that, all eyes turned to me, and the conversation shifted in my direction.


    Shawn chuckled. ¡°Tiffany took her time maturing. She used to be just like a kid, buttely, she seems to have wised up


    ¡°That¡¯s only because she felt safe and loved by Shawn. That¡¯s why she never had to grow up,¡± Daniel said with a grin.


    As soon as he said that, Shawn¡¯s expression stiffened for a brief moment.


    Samantha quickly pinched Daniel¡¯s arm. ¡°What are you even saying? Are you implying that Shawn doesn¡¯t give her enough love now, so Tiffany had no choice but to mature?¡±


    Shawn¡¯s deep gaze locked onto me, but I merely smiled without saying a word


    Zachary took a sip of his tea andmented, ¡°Ms. Mayfield has had a child now, so she¡¯s at that stage in


    3:45 pm


    Chapter 22 Maturity Is Inevitable


    life where maturity is inevitable.¡±


    21


    s


    I nced at Zachary. He was right. But what intrigued me more was that he didn¡¯t call me Tiffany-he addressed me as Ms. Mayfield instead. Now, that was interesting.


    Shawn sighed deeply. ¡°When kids are little, you don¡¯t think much of it. But once they grow up, they start talking back every day. I honestly don¡¯t know how to handle it.¡±


    Samantha smiled. ¡°When ites to parenting, Tiffany must be an expert. She spent six years at home for Yuna, giving her undivided attention. There¡¯s no way she¡¯d raise her wrong.¡±


    Hearing that, I couldn¡¯t help but sneer inwardly.


    Maybe conscience is something you¡¯re born with-you either have it or you don¡¯t. It has little to do with how you¡¯re raised.


    Lunch was served, and the conversation continued as we ate. The atmosphere was pleasant enough. Shawn asionally picked food for me, making sure his presence as a husband was felt.


    Samantha nced at me with a look of envy. Compared to her, her boyfriend Daniel wasn¡¯t nearly as attentive-he was too focused on eating.


    If Queena had never appeared, and if Shawn had never cheated, my marriage wouldn¡¯t have been so bad. But things had long since changed.


    After lunch, Shawn actually transferred the money for the ring to me. He asked if I wanted to go to his office in the afternoon, but I told him I¡¯d be heading to Apex Hotel instead.


    He had his driver take me to the hotel while he left with Zachary.


    Shawn and I had been married for six years. To be honest, our rtionship had be as calm as still water-no passion, no excitement. Even our conversations felt distant and indifferent.


    Would all marriages eventually end up like this, or was it just ours that had faded into nothing?


    Apex Hotel had two buildings, and the location wasn¡¯t bad. The only drawback was that the facilities were outdated and unimpressive. Being an old establishment, it still had a decent upancy rate, but business was declining. If this continued, closure would be inevitable.


    By the time I finished inspecting the hotel, night had fallen. I took some photos and brought the hotel¡¯s renovation ns home with me.


    Yuna had been in good spirits ever since she got her little pony, but I had already decided-I would be sending her back to school the next day.


    That evening, Shawn came home for dinner. He was wearing a suit, and the moment he stepped inside, he took off his jacket.


    3:45 pm M

 Yearning 23

    Chapter 23 Uncontroble


    Chapter 23 Uncontroble


    s


    I was sitting on the couch, reviewing hotel documents, when he nced at me as he took off his coat.


    In the past, I would have rushed over immediately, taken his coat, hung it up for him, and asked if he had eaten, what he wanted to eat, whether he wanted to take a bath, and if he needed me to prepare the water for him.


    But today, I didn¡¯t move an inch. Shawn waited for a moment, and when he saw that I wasn¡¯t getting up, he simply took his coat and went upstairs.


    ¡°Daddy, look what I drew for you!¡± Yuna¡¯s voice came from the stairs, carrying a hint ofint. ¡°Mommy won¡¯t y with me. Daddy, does Mommy have to go to work? Didn¡¯t you say she would always stay with me?¡±


    Hearing Yuna¡¯s words from the couch, I frowned. ¡°When did Shawn ever promise her that?¡±


    Shawnforted her in a low voice, ¡°If Mommy wants to work, let her. You¡¯re growing up now, and you have school every day. You¡¯ll have fun ying with your teachers and ssmates too.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want that!¡± Yuna plopped down on the stairs, soundingpletely dissatisfied. ¡°I want Mommy to stay home and take care of me. I¡¯m still little-her job is to look after me!¡±


    Hearing that, I couldn¡¯t even muster a bitter smile.


    They said love should be mutual. I once loved her wholeheartedly, yet she wanted to keep me trapped at home, refusing to let me go out. Yuna¡¯s love was too possessive, and too selfish.


    ¡°Yuna, don¡¯t be unreasonable,¡± Shawn reprimanded her seriously, clearly aware that her attitude was a problem. ¡°Daddy and Mommy can¡¯t be with you forever. You need to learn how to handle things on your


    own.¡±


    ¡°Daddy¡­¡± Yuna ignored me, but she clearly cared about Shawn¡¯s words. She pouted and tried to act cute.


    This is not up for discussion. You¡¯re going to school tomorrow.¡± Shawn¡¯s tone was firm as he finished speaking and strode upstairs.


    Yuna, still unhappy, came downstairs and walked straight to me. When she saw me reading documents, she reached out and snatched them from my hands. The next second, she was about to tear them apart.


    Without a word, I raised my hand and struck her arm-not her face, but her arm.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± Yuna shrieked at me. ¡°You don¡¯t deserve to be my Mommy! Get out of here!¡±


    I froze. Her temper was getting worse and worse. I was genuinely shocked. Both Shawn and I had rtively stable temperaments, so I couldn¡¯t understand why she was always yelling and throwing tantrums.


    Later, I figured it out. Shawn¡¯s sister had the same temper. Was it some kind of family trait?


    ¡°Go stand by the door for half an hour before youe back inside,¡± I said coldly, pointing outside.


    ¡°I¡¯m not going!¡± Yuna was startled at first, but the next second, she crossed her arms over her chest in defiance.


    3:45 pm


    Chapter 23 Uncontroble


    ¡°Then you can skip dinner,¡± I said, determined to find a way to discipline her.


    ¡°You can¡¯t starve me-I¡¯ll just sneak food!¡± Yuna huffed.


    s


    Looking at the little tyrant I had spoiled, I felt an overwhelming sense of bitterness. People said excessive pampering bred ungrateful children. I never used to believe it. But reality had given me a harsh lesson.


    ¡°Yuna, starting tomorrow, there will be house rules. If you don¡¯t follow them, I¡¯ll punish you. I don¡¯t care if I have to beat you, cripple you, or even ¡­ ¡± I stopped myself, exhaling sharply before picking up my documents and heading upstairs. Other kids had rules set for them since they were little. Yuna was already six. If I didn¡¯t discipline her now, she would bepletely uncontroble.


    ¡°You wouldn¡¯t dare!¡± Yuna put her hands on her hips and shouted after me, ¡°I¡¯ll tell Grandma to deal with you!¡±


    As I reached the second floor, I ran into Shawn, who had just finished showering. He was wearing casual loungewear, his sharp and handsome features softened by the warm glow of the hallway light.


    Right now, he didn¡¯t have the samemanding presence he did in a suit. I remembered how, back then, I had been drawn to him¡ªnot just for his money, but also for that face. Over the years, he had remained disciplined with his physique, maintaining a well-built body. Seeing him now, looking just as I remembered, stirred something in me-an ache I couldn¡¯t quite put into words.


    Shawn stood in the hallway, watching me. Noticing my expression, he asked, ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Did you argue with Yuna again?¡±


    ¡°You handle her,¡± I said, soundingpletely defeated. ¡°I can¡¯t do it anymore.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a irresponsible thing to say.¡± Shawn¡¯s tone dropped slightly. ¡°She¡¯s still a child. You just need to find the right way¡­


    ¡°Then tell me, what is the right way?¡± I suddenly lifted my head, locking eyes with him. ¡°Maybe I really am a failure of a mother. I don¡¯t know what to do anymore.¡±


    Shawn was momentarily taken aback by my gaze. The next second, he suddenly reached out and gently pulled me into his arms.


    There was a faint scent of another woman¡¯s perfume on him. The moment he embraced me, my body instinctively resisted. I took a step back and turned away, walking straight into my bedroom.

 Yearning 24

    Slipping Through the Cracks


    Chapter 24 Slipping Through the Cracks


    s


    Ever since our daughter was born, Shawn and I had been sleeping in separate rooms. Unless we had marital needs, he woulde to my room. Most of the time, though, he slept alone in the guest room next door.


    The master bedroom was mine alone.


    I didn¡¯t care whether my rejection would hurt Shawn¡¯s feelings. I stayed in my room until dinnertime before finallying out.


    Downstairs, Shawn was with Yuna, helping her feed the pony. When Mona called them in for dinner, they washed their hands and sat at the table.


    ¡°Daddy, it¡¯s been so long since I had Mommy¡¯s homemade meatballs! Can you ask her to make me some right now?¡± Yuna grabbed Shawn¡¯s arm and shook it as soon as she saw meing down the stairs.


    Shawn nced at me and asked, ¡°Yuna wants your meatballs. Do you have time to make her some now?¡±


    Mona, who had just finished setting the table with a full spread of dishes, looked from him to me.


    I sat down indifferently and said, ¡°No. There¡¯s already plenty of food on the table.¡±


    ¡°But I don¡¯t like any of this! I just want Mommy¡¯s meatballs.¡±


    Yuna crossed her arms, looking like she was about to go on a hunger strike.


    Shawn knew Yuna had always been a picky eater. She refused to eat anything even remotely spicy. Over the years, I had gone to great lengths just to get her to eat a few bites of food.


    Now, Mona made sure at least three dishes on the table were prepared specifically for Yuna every meal.


    Yet she still wasn¡¯t satisfied. Or maybe this was her way of punishing me for suggesting we set household rules earlier.


    ¡°I kind of want some too. Why don¡¯t you go make a batch?¡± Shawn, as expected, sided with Yuna and turned to me.


    I almostughed. Instead, I looked at him and asked, ¡°Hubby, do you even know how long it takes to make meatballs?¡±


    Before Shawn could answer, Mona chimed in, ¡°At least half an hour. Plus, you have to pound the meat repeatedly to get the right texture.¡±


    ¡°That long?¡± Shawn looked genuinely surprised. ¡°I thought it would only take a few minutes.¡±


    Seeing that Shawn was starting to understand my point, Yuna panicked. She pouted and whined, ¡°Daddy, I just want meatballs, nothing else! If Mommy won¡¯t make them, then I won¡¯t eat anything tonight!¡±


    ¡°Then don¡¯t eat.¡± I was already on the verge of losing my temper. Yuna knew exactly how to push my buttons. She had pulled this kind of stunt before, and I had always caved. She assumed that if she stuck to her demand, she would win again. But this time, I couldn¡¯t care less.


    3:46 pm


    Chapter 24 Slipping Through the Cracks


    s


    Shawn frowned and said, ¡°Just eat first. If you¡¯re still hungry, I¡¯ll take you out for ate-night snack.¡±


    Yuna pouted but reluctantly picked up her utensils. ¡°Fine.¡±


    I didn¡¯t feel like saying another word. After silently finishing my meal, I turned and headed upstairs, not wanting to deal with them anymore. As long as they left me alone, I was fine with it.


    Because of that argument, I ignored Yuna the next morning. Naturally, she decided to give me the cold shoulder as well.


    Shawn dropped her off at school early.


    By the time I arrived at the office, it was past ten. I had ns to work on a new design blueprint, so I wasn¡¯t just idling around. In fact, I had plenty to do.


    Shawn had always treated me like a housewife, dismissing my abilities entirely.


    Now, seeing how efficiently I handled things, his gaze toward me grew more unreadable.


    Queena was a decisive leader in thepany. She had a strong presence, and everyone followed her orders without question. Shawn highly valued her at work and supported every decision she made.


    There was no doubt-Shawn had fully embraced his role as a capitalist. He had stepped back, letting his subordinates handle the day-to-day operations while he simply steered thepany¡¯s direction.


    Compared to Queena¡¯s position, I was still on the sidelines. But because I was Shawn¡¯s wife, people avoided gossiping about me in my presence.


    Of course, rumors always had a way of slipping through the cracks.


    As I entered the restroom, I overheard a conversation outside.


    ¡°Do you think Mrs. Hartwell suddenly started working at thepany because she feels threatened?¡±


    ¡°Well, she is just a housewife. How could she possiblypare to Ms. Tackman? Not only does Ms. Tackmane from a privileged family, but she¡¯s also a top-tier talent that every major corporation fights over. Mr. Hartwell isn¡¯t stupid-she¡¯s his most valuable asset at work. Mrs. Hartwell should just stop embarrassing herself. Every dor she spends is thanks to Ms. Tackman¡¯s efforts.¡±


    ¡°But Mrs. Hartwell is stunning! She¡¯s even prettier than celebrities.¡±


    ¡°Of course. What do you think Mr. Hartwell saw in her? It¡¯s all about her looks.¡±


    3:46 pm

 Yearning 25

    Chapter 25 Joke


    Chapter 25 Joke


    s


    ¡°If I were this pretty, I wouldn¡¯t even bother closing the bathroom door when I shower.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d be such a tease! God, please let me look like this in my next life-I want a husband as handsome and capable as Mr. Hartwell.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure? What if you end up with a strong rival like Ms. Tackman?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t care, as long as I¡¯ve got money to spend. That¡¯s all that matters to me.¡±


    ¡°Enough chatter, let¡¯s go.¡±


    I waited until the group of women finished gossiping before stepping out. So, it was no secret in the office that Queena and Shawn were involved. How shameless.


    Honestly, knowing my husband was being shared with another woman infuriated me. But at the same time, what could I do? I had no power. All I could do was stew in my anger.


    I closed my eyes. Even though I had been given a second chance, I knew that changing my circumstances, getting my hands on the money, and reiming my life wouldn¡¯t be easy. There was still a long road ahead.


    The Hartwells weren¡¯t just any family. Shawn wasn¡¯t just any man. And Queena¡ªshe was a rich girl with cunning, patience, and an iron grip. In my past life, she managed to turn the role of the mistress into that of a wife in everything but name. She had Shawn¡¯s love, his career, and his undivided attention. The only thing shecked was the title of Mrs. Hartwell, but she still lived the kind of life any woman would envy.


    [ leaned against the sink, listening to the steady flow of water. My next step was clear-I needed to divorce him, get my share of the assets, and walk away. I didn¡¯t want Yuna. I didn¡¯t want Shawn. What I wanted was my career and my freedom.


    The weather was strange today. By four in the afternoon, thick clouds had gathered over the city, and thunder rumbled ominously. Standing by the window, I felt even heavier than the storm clouds above.


    I was finally beginning to understand just how much effort it took to run a business. Compared to Shawn and Queena, I was nothing. Their capabilities far outmatched mine.


    A deep rumble of thunder rolled through the sky, followed by a sudden downpour, raindrops pelting against the ss like tiny pebbles.


    Shawn suddenly walked in. ¡°I asked Ms. Tackman to pick up Yuna. You don¡¯t mind, do you?¡±


    I turned to look at the impably dressed, handsome man behind me and almostughed. So now he was making decisions without consulting me, too? He never cared about my opinion.


    ¡°Ms. Tackman is already so busy, and now you¡¯re making her run errands? That¡¯s too much trouble for her.¡± I forced down the bitterness in my heart and smiled politely.


    Shawn studied me with aplicated expression. ¡°Have you heard any rumors at the officetely?¡±


    The wind howled outside,shing the rain against the windows. His question sent a jolt through me.


    3:46 pm


    Chapter 25 Joke


    s


    Why was he suddenly bringing this up? Was he worried I had found out something, or was he about to confess?


    In my past life, this was around the time he hadid everything out on the table, treating his rtionship with Queena like a business negotiation. Back then, I had been so stubborn, clinging to our marriage certificate like a lifeline, refusing to let go no matter what.


    If this time around he wanted to offer me a deal, I would dly take it. I¡¯d walk away with the money and leave without looking back.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Feeling guilty about something?¡± I teased, watching his reaction.


    Shawn was a man who never wore his emotions on his face. Even when furious, he had a way of keeping his temper in check, only to strike when his target least expected it.


    I couldn¡¯t afford to provoke him. If he decided to throw away whatever was left of our marriage, I¡¯d end up in a far worse position. The best thing I could do was leave quietly-take the money and go. I already knew he wouldn¡¯t give me custody of Yuna. That much was certain.


    Shawn¡¯s gaze lingered on my face for a moment before he finally spoke. ¡°Whatever you¡¯ve heard, don¡¯t believe it. It¡¯s all baseless rumors. Yuna is still young-we should put her first.¡±


    I stared at him in disbelief.


    So he wasn¡¯t ready to admit it yet. He was still trying to keep up the charade.


    Men were such a joke. They were brave enough to cheat but too cowardly to own up to it. They¡¯d rather gaslight their wives than take responsibility.


    But if a rumor was making the rounds, it was probably true.


    ¡°Okay, Hubby. Don¡¯t worry, I believe you.¡± I walked up to him, putting on my best look of sincerity.


    His expression softened, and he reached out to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. ¡°Have you been adjusting well to work? You seem focused. Are you serious about building a career?¡±


    ¡°Of course I am.¡± I turned toward the window, watching the rain streak down the ss. ¡°Hubby, I think I¡¯ll stayte at the office tonight. You should head home first. Yuna and I are still at odds, and she probably doesn¡¯t want to see me anyway.¡±

 Yearning 26

    3:46 pm


    Chapter 26 Hired Companion


    Chapter 26 Hired Companion


    s


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. I had Ms. Tackman take Yuna to my mom¡¯s ce. Tonight, it¡¯s just the two of us¡­¡± Shawn murmured as he suddenly leaned in from behind me.


    I was wearing an off-the-shoulder knit top today, leaving my bare shoulders exposed-smooth and fair.


    Before he even finished speaking, he dipped his head and pressed a kiss onto my shoulder. ¡°Don¡¯t work.te. Come home early,¡± he said, his voice tinged with something deeper, something rare in the six years we¡¯d been together.


    I still remember our honeymoon-he had always been so restrained, so proper, even when it came to intimacy. He never kissed me without my permission, never crossed any lines.


    Thinking about it now, it was almostughable. In a normal rtionship, things just happen naturally when emotions run deep.


    But Shawn had always respected my boundaries. If I didn¡¯t give him the green light, he wouldn¡¯t touch me -no kissing, no hugging, nothing. He remained distant, almost like some untouchable deity, as if he had no earthly desires at all.


    Yettely, he¡¯d been unpredictable. I had stopped ying by the rules and started dressing up, making myself look my best. And now, here he was-kissing me in the office, telling me toe home early.


    ¡®But I want to finish these documents first ¡­ ¡± I deliberately refused to give him what he wanted. If he told me not to do something, I would do the opposite.


    ¡®What could be more important than me?¡± Shawn was displeased. He grabbed my waist, pressing his body against my back. ¡°Be good. Come home early.¡±


    He left a lingering kiss on my earlobe before turning and walking out of the office.


    I watched his retreating figure, unable to figure out what had gotten into him today.


    If he wanted that kind of intimacy, he had Queena. She knew all sorts of tricks in bed-she could give him an experience far different from anything I could.


    In my past life, I remember him telling me once about all the ces they had done it-the mountaintop under the stars, the backseat of a car, the wild hills with wolves howling in the distance, the locker room of a boxing gym, the bathroom at a racetrack ¡­


    Just thinking about it made me want to curse him out. If Queena was so exciting, why didn¡¯t he just go to


    her?


    Shawn¡¯s attitude was so unclear. It seemed like I needed to push things further on Queena¡¯s end. I had to provoke her, make her feel threatened-make her cause a scene and force Shawn into a divorce.


    The thought left a bitter taste in my mouth. Men always benefit from marriage. As long as the wife at home doesn¡¯t make a fuss, he can have a mistress on the side and still maintain his family. He would never choose to divorce on his own-most men still hold onto the idea of family.


    It¡¯s always women who make things difficult for each other. Fighting, scheming, going to extremes just to win over a man. Meanwhile, the man stands there, the final victor, smugly believing he must be something


    3:46 pm


    Chapter 26 Hired Companion


    special.


    +10 Free Coins


    By the time I got home, it was already past nine. Shawn was sitting in the living room, waiting for me.


    ¡°Where are Mona and the others?¡± The house was eerily quiet, making me frown.


    ¡°Yuna isn¡¯t home, so I gave them a couple of days off,¡± Shawn said in a low voice, setting hisptop aside. ¡°Have you eaten?¡±


    ¡°No.¡± I hade home on an empty stomach.


    ¡°Good. I had Mona leave some food for you-it should still be warm. Go eat something.¡± He sounded like the perfect, considerate husband.


    I looked at him, a little surprised. He knew how to put on a show. I could only imagine that he acted just as thoughtful and caring in front of Queena.


    No wonder Queena was willing to throw away her family¡¯s inheritance just to be with him. She had devoted herself to the Hartwells, pulling strings and making connections on Shawn¡¯s behalf. Shawn had a kind of allure-one that could drive a woman mad.


    I went into the kitchen, brought out the warm food, and sat down at the table to eat.


    Meanwhile, Shawn walked over to the liquor cab, took out a bottle of red wine, and poured half a ss, setting it beside me. ¡°Try it. It¡¯s from a new batch-pretty good.¡±


    Shawn was a wine enthusiast. In my past life, he had gone into business with some partners and bought a vineyard in Francia. He ended up making a fortune in the wine business.


    I took a sip-and the next second, I downed the whole ss. Thinking about what was supposed to happen tonight put me in a foul mood.


    I no longer loved Shawn like I did in my past life. Now, I treated him like nothing more than a hiredpanion-just someone to fulfill a physical need. But he was dirty. The thought of sharing a bed with a man who had been with someone else-who had been with her-made my stomach turn.


    If I got a little drunk, maybe I could numb myself to it. Maybe I could forget.


    ¡°Don¡¯t drink too much. It¡¯s strong-you¡¯ll get drunk,¡± Shawn warned, taking the bottle away.


    I had just enough alcohol in my system to dull my senses, making my body a little restless.


    I reached out my arms to him, my voiceced withmand. ¡°Carry me upstairs.¡±


    3:46 pm

 Yearning 27

    Chapter 27 Best Attitude


    Chapter 27 Best Attitude


    +10 Free Coins


    Shawn was momentarily stunned, then let out a low chuckle. ¡°Why are you still as yful as a child?¡±


    With alcohol fueling our passion, we spent over an hour in the bedroom. Afterward, Shawn didn¡¯t head to the bathroom like he usually did. Instead, he wrapped his arms around me from behind and said, ¡°If you need help with work, just let me know. Or I can find a couple of professional managers to handle things. for you.¡±


    ¡°That won¡¯t be necessary.¡± This was my business-I had to take charge of it myself.


    Shawn looked a little surprised. He gently turned me to face him. Under the dim glow of the bedsidemp, my eyes still carried traces of lingering desire, and my cheeks were flushed. He studied me for a long moment before pinching my waist. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect you to be so capable all of a sudden.¡±


    1ughed coldly to myself. I could be even more capable-because I was nning for divorce and my share of the assets.


    ¡°Hubby, have you been taking any supplementstely?¡± My voice was soft and sweet, with a teasing lilt.


    ¡°Supplements?¡± Shawn¡¯s expression stiffened as he narrowed his eyes at me. ¡°I¡¯m not that old. Why would I


    need them?¡±


    I smiled, pressing myself into his embrace and rubbing against him like a spoiled kitten. ¡°Then how are you still so energetic ¡­ ¡±


    He had initially looked like he was about to get annoyed, but after hearing my praise, his mood instantly brightened.


    He lowered his head and kissed my cheek, his voice husky. ¡°Isn¡¯t it a blessing to have such a strong husband?¡±


    ¡°Is this blessing mine alone?¡± I didn¡¯t know why, but I couldn¡¯t stop myself from throwing in a few barbed


    words.


    Shawn paused mid-kiss, and the next second, it was as if he had lost all interest. He got out of bed, draped a towel around his waist, and said, ¡°Stop overthinking. Get some rest.¡±


    I watched as Shawn walked out of the master bedroom. Lying naked under the covers, I felt the cool night air drifting in through the window.


    When all the passion and heat faded, Shawn was still Shawn,


    But I was no longer the woman who begged for his love-desperate and stubborn.


    That night, I slept soundly, perhaps because my body was exhausted or maybe because my heart had finally found rity.


    The next morning, I didn¡¯t bother getting up to make breakfast for Shawn. He walked over to my bed, holding two slices of bread. ¡°Is the soy milk machine broken? I put in the soybeans, but nothing came out.¡±


    I nced at him sleepily and drawled, ¡°Did you put in dry soybeans?¡±


    3:46 pm


    Chapter 27 Best Attitude


    ¡°What else was I supposed to do?¡± Shawn raised an eyebrow.


    ¡°You have to soak them in water the night before.¡±


    ¡°Oh!¡± With that, he turned and went downstairs.


    I knew he hade up hoping I¡¯d get out of bed and make him breakfast.


    +10 Free Coins


    But I had no intention of doing so. I stayed in bed, listeningzily. Before long, I heard the sound of a car engine outside-Shawn had left.


    Only then did I slowly get up and take my time dressing, and getting ready.


    Looking at my wardrobe, I realized I was bored with my clothes again. Time for another shopping trip. Instead of tossing my old outfits around, I decided to send them to a second-hand store. Most of them had only been worn once or twice, anyway.


    Today, I went for a new look-an airy, floral dress with thin straps, revealing just a hint of my d¨¦colletage. A delicate, teardrop-shaped pendant rested between my curves, and my ears were adorned with a pair of soft pink pearl earrings,plementing my fairplexion.


    Having died from illness in my past life, I understood all too well that every yesterday was gone forever.


    So today, I had to live fully, with the best attitude possible.


    When I arrived at the office, I once again became the center of attention. The women in thepany loved showering me withpliments and asking for fashion advice, but I knew they whispered behind my back¡ªiming I relied on dressing up to secure my position as Shawn¡¯s wife since I couldn¡¯tpete with Queena in business orpetence.


    I didn¡¯t care. As long as they didn¡¯t say it to my face, I pretended not to hear. Being gossiped about was just another form of ttery.


    Maybe because he hadn¡¯t gotten his soy milk that morning, Shawn looked irritated until noon.


    But I wasn¡¯t about to concern myself with his mood. My focus was on my work.


    I was discussing design ns with our designers when Shawn called around noon. ¡°Where are you?¡± he


    asked.


    ¡°Still at the design studio. I was nning to have lunch here.¡±


    ¡°Come to the restaurant near my office.¡± His tone made it clear he wasn¡¯t giving me a choice.


    With no other option, I hurried over. As I stepped out of the car, a gust of wind lifted the hem of my floral dress and sent my waist-length curls swaying. Several passing men froze in their tracks, their gazes locked on me. When I reached down to press my dress down, my flustered expression only made their eyes light up with admiration.


    Lowering my head shyly, I quickened my pace into the restaurant.


    Shawn had asked me to go upstairs. As I ascended, I realized his private dining room was directly above the parking lot. He was standing by the window, watching me over his shoulder.


    3:46 pm


    :?

 Yearning 28

    Chapter 28 Defiant Blooms


    Chapter 28 Defiant Blooms


    +10 Free Coins


    ¡°Hubby, what are the signature dishes at this restaurant?¡± I asked with a beaming smile as I walked in.


    Shawn¡¯s gaze lingered on me, but he remained silent.


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± I quickly nced down at myself, checking for anything out of ce. ¡°Do I look inappropriate?¡±


    Shawn sat in the chair, picked up the teacup, and took a couple of sips. Then he said, ¡°Quite a few people in thepany have been talking about you recently. Are you trying to be famous?¡±


    I was stunned for a moment, then sat down and poured myself a cup of tea. ¡°Hubby, are you ming me for being too mboyant? These are just normal women¡¯s outfits. I don¡¯t see any problem with them.¡±


    You can wear these, but you shouldn¡¯t wear them at thepany. That¡¯s a workce, not your personal runway. Please be mindful of the asion.¡± Shawn¡¯s voice took on a sterner tone.


    My fingers stiffened around the teacup as I red at him. ¡°You men are so interesting. You expect flowers to bloom, yet you don¡¯t allow them to grow under the sun.¡±


    Shawn¡¯s expression froze, his handsome features reddening with rage.


    I felt anger surge through me, my face rigid with fury as I turned away and brushed him off.


    Shawn seemed to remember that he was supposed to be an emotionally stable and gentle person. The rage ne had just shown seemed out of character for him.


    He suppressed his emotions and said in a softer tone, ¡°I¡¯m doing this because I truly care about your well- being. You have no idea how many men in thepany are leering at you, withscivious thoughts of indressing you in their minds.¡±


    [let out an ¡°oh,¡± realizing his jealousy. How petty.


    Hubby, if I dress well, doesn¡¯t it also reflect well on you?¡± I became more flexible, looking at him with eigned sweetness as I exined softly.


    You¡¯re already beautiful. There¡¯s no need to overdo it,¡± Shawn stared at my face, his eyes flickering with a aint of fascination.


    Beauty has no universal measure. Besides, dressing up makes me feel better. Hubby, if you don¡¯t like seeing me at thepany, I can move my office to Apex Hotel. Anyway, I¡¯ll be discussing the renovation ns with the designpany soon.¡± I looked at him seriously and replied.


    Shawn¡¯s eyes froze, clearly finding my attitude inappropriate. He was angry, and I was avoiding the issue.


    Was that a solution?


    I knew exactly what Shawn was thinking-it was the same double standard that all men seemed to adore. They wanted other men¡¯s wives to dress provocatively and alluringly yet expected their own wives to remain poised and elegant. Such a petty and hypocritical mindset.


    I wouldn¡¯t give up my hobbies just because Shawn didn¡¯t like them.


    3:46 pm


    Chapter 28 Defiant Blooms


    :??


    +10 Free Coins


    In my past life, he hadn¡¯t treated me harshly-aside from not loving me, he provided materialforts.


    But in this life, I chose not to love him. I wanted to reim my lost spiritual world, and he couldn¡¯t control <ol><li></li></ol>


    ¡°Forget it, just stay at thepany for now,¡± Shawn said, not letting me move out after all.


    The delicious lunch was served, and Shawn had actually ordered my favorite dishes-the duck confit leg and stuffed pork ribs.


    I looked at the dishes, my eyes fixed on him in surprise.


    Shawn avoided my gaze and said softly, ¡°Dig in.¡±


    I picked up my cutlery, slowly tasted the food, and softly praised, ¡°It¡¯s quite delicious.¡±


    Shawn chuckled when he saw the look of happiness on my face after tasting the food. ¡°You¡¯ve mostly been eating at home before, so you haven¡¯t seen much of the world.¡±


    I couldn¡¯t refute that. It was true. I had once vowed to be the best mother, so how could I allow my children to eat out all the time? I usually cooked everything myself. Sometimes, I would spend the entire day preparing a single dish.


    ¡°Hubby, thank you for the lovely lunch.¡± In Shawn¡¯s mind, I was just a sheltered woman who hadn¡¯t seen much of the world, someone who could thrive with a little encouragement.


    Since he thought that way, I would let him believe it.


    I just needed to do what I had to do and say what I had to say.


    After all, he would eventually ask for a divorce. Queena wouldn¡¯t wait too long.


    Perhaps in a few months, she and Shawn would have their first child. If Queena still considered aborting the first child for her career or for Yuna, I would have to give her a thumbs-up. Her willingness to sacrifice everything for a man¡¯s sympathy and care was remarkable.


    Sometimes, I had to admit, Queena was an amazing woman. With her tenacity, she could seed at anything,


    But I refused to follow her example.


    I wouldn¡¯t harm my body for a man anymore, nor would I suppress my emotions to please them.


    After lunch, Shawn paid the bill and asked, ¡°Are you going out this afternoon?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I still have to negotiate matters rted to the design with them this afternoon.¡±


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 Yearning 29

    Chapter 29 Ethan¡¯s Arrival


    Chapter 29 Ethan¡¯s Arrival


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    ¡°Are you familiar with matters in this regard?¡± In Shawn¡¯s eyes, I was a novice, someone who relied on him to make decisions for everything.


    ¡°I know a little,¡± I replied. I had already submitted my design concepts and ns, and most of the uing designs would be revised ording to my requirements.


    ¡°Alright, I look forward to your masterpiece,¡± Shawn said, choosing not to interfere further before heading back to the office.


    That evening, while I was still working in the bedroom, Shawn walked in with his phone and said, ¡°It¡¯s Yuna calling. Do you want to answer?¡±


    ¡°No, she¡¯s not looking for me anyway,¡± I replied without looking up.


    Shawn returned to his study room and continued talking with Yuna. After a few minutes, he came back to interrupt me again.


    He leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, his deep eyes filled with dissatisfaction.


    ¡°Tiffany, you¡¯re a grown adult. Why are you picking a fight with a child? She¡¯s your precious daughter. You won¡¯t even answer her call or care about what she¡¯s doing now? How did your heart be so cold?¡± As expected, Shawn was flooded withints.


    I nced back at him and smiled faintly. ¡°I¡¯m simply trying to mold her behavior. You know how she often shouts at me and has long lost respect for me as her mother. If I continue to indulge her, we¡¯ll eventually be enemies.¡±


    ¡®It¡¯s not as serious as you make it out to be. She¡¯s just a child. No child would hold a grudge against their mother,¡± Shawn felt that my standards were too harsh.


    ¡°It will,¡± I said firmly. ¡°If her core values are twisted, she¡¯ll resent me, and I might resent her too.¡±


    Shawn found me unreasonable and stormed back to his study room.


    My thoughts were disrupted, so I leaned back in my chair and closed my eyes.


    In my past life, Yuna grew increasingly disrespectful toward me. Her rebellious phase at the age of 13 left me utterly drained. She threatened to starve herself and even harm herself, so I stayed by her side 24/7. During that time, I became gaunt, with dark circles under my eyes, aging 10 years almost overnight.


    That won¡¯t happen again. A child needs guidance, but it must be strict to instill the right core values and emotional stability, I don¡¯t want to go through her rebellious phases again.


    The next day, I continued working on the design. The day passed quickly, and as night fell, I received a call. A deep male voice came through, ¡°Tiffany Mayfield, this is Ethan Hayes.¡±


    He addressed me by my full name?


    How disrespectful. As his benefactor, he should at least call me ¡°Ms. Mayfield.¡±


    ¡°How old are you, Mr. Hayes?¡± I asked with a smile.


    3:47 pm


    Chapter 29 Ethan¡¯s Arrival


    ¡°27,¡± he replied.


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    ¡°Oh, I thought you were younger. I was hoping you¡¯d call me Ms. Mayfield,¡± I teased, using the opportunity to lighten the mood after a long day of work.


    ¡°If you want me to call you Ms. Mayfield, then I will,¡± Ethan replied, proving to be more cunning and good at pleasing people.


    ¡°Never mind, you¡¯re older than me,¡± I said, feeling awkward.


    Ethan chuckled on the other end, ¡°Any ns for tonight?¡±.


    ¡°Going home to take care of my husband,¡± I replied, making it clear that I had no intention of flirting with him. It was necessary to bring up my husband to set boundaries.


    Last time, Ethan had said he was interested in me, which made things overlyplicated. I couldn¡¯t let him make any more mistakes.


    ¡°Oh,¡± Ethan responded, his enthusiasm seemingly doused by a bucket of cold water.


    ¡°If there¡¯s nothing else, I¡¯ll hang up now. I¡¯m a bit busy,¡± I said with a smile.


    ¡°Alright, goodbye,¡± Ethan waited for me to end the call. I hung up without hesitation.


    By the time it waspletely dark, Shawn suddenly appeared at the designer¡¯s office.


    At that moment, I was discussing design issues with a few people, with a projector disying design images on the wall.


    ¡°Mr. Hartwell!¡± Someone recognized him and greeted him respectfully.


    ¡°I¡¯m here to pick up my wife for dinner,¡± Shawn said calmly.


    I turned to look at him, quickly wrapped up my work, and walked over to ask, ¡°How did you find me here?¡¯


    ¡°Let¡¯s go. I¡¯ve made dinner ns,¡± Shawn said with a cold expression, turning to leave without another word.


    I had no choice but to grab my bag and follow him.


    I asked him who we were having dinner with, but Shawn remained silent, sitting quietly in the back seat with an inscrutable expression.


    I had no idea what he was upset about this time. He was being so cryptic.


    We arrived at a hotel, where the third floor housed a business restaurant. Shawn led me upstairs and pushed open the door to a private room.


    Inside, about a dozen people were seated, but my gaze instantly locked onto the man at the head of the


    table.


    Ethan?


    Before I could snap out of my shock, Shawn had already introduced me to the crowd. ¡°This is my wife,


    3:47 pm


    Chapter 29 Ethan¡¯s Arrival


    Tiffany Mayfield.¡±

 Yearning 30

    Chapter 30 Dinner With Mr Hayes


    Chapter 30 Dinner With Mr Hayes


    ¡°Hello, Mrs. Hartwell.¡±


    ¡°Mr. Hartwell, you sure are lucky! Married to such a young and pretty wife.¡±


    With a polite smile, Shawn gracefully led me forward until we stood before Ethan.


    +10 Free Coins


    There was an empty seat beside Ethan, and Shawn, already seated, gestured for me to sit next to him.


    ¡°Tiffany, let me introduce you to Mr. Hayes. Ourpany often coborates with him, so let¡¯s get acquainted.¡± Shawn was wholly unaware that this ¡°Mr. Hayes¡± and I already knew each other as he made the introduction in earnest.


    ¡°It¡¯s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Hartwell.¡± Ethan was quite good with his pretense, putting on a sincere look as he extended his hand towards me.


    I nced at Shawn, but he showed no reaction. Without hesitation, I reached out and shook Ethan¡¯s hand.


    What I didn¡¯t expect was that he didn¡¯t let go immediately, and instead he held onto my hand while casually asking, ¡°If you don¡¯t mind me asking, what is your profession, Mrs. Hartwell?¡±


    I was startled by his boldness. Shawn was sitting right there! Could he stop looking at me with such deep, lingering eyes?!


    Shawn didn¡¯t seem to notice anything unusual. Well, that was not unexpected of him. In his eyes, my world revolved around him. He was my everything, my one and only, my undeniable number one. No other man could take me away from him.


    The thought sent a pang of bitterness through my heart.


    They say good men aren¡¯t up for grabs. Perhaps, in Shawn¡¯s eyes, neither was I. I was just another off-the- market possession-one that would never change hands.


    Shawn smiled and said, ¡°My wife has been feeling bored at hometely, so she¡¯s itching to look for something to do. I¡¯m nning to hand over the Apex Hotel, which is under the Hartwells, for her to manage. Since everyone present is a well-respected figure in the business world, I hope you¡¯ll lend her your support in the future.¡±


    Upon hearing this, I couldn¡¯t help but turn to look at him.


    Is this the purpose of him bringing me to this dinner tonight?


    Toy the groundwork for my connections?


    ¡°Of course, I¡¯m happy to help. Mrs. Hartwell isn¡¯t just beautiful. She¡¯s got a sharp business sense too.¡±


    Ethan chuckled, his voice low and soothing. ¡°The Apex Hotel has been an established name for years. Mypany is currently looking for a suitable hotel for our corporate hospitality needs, and if I remember correctly, one of your hotels is quite close to mypany.¡±


    Hearing this, my gaze instinctively shifted toward Ethan.


    3:47 pm


    Chapter 30 Dinner With Mr Hayes


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    Meanwhile, Shawn had already lifted his ss of red wine with a grin. ¡°Then I shall thank Mr. Hayes in advance on behalf of my wife for your generous support.¡±


    A subtle smile lingered at the corners of Ethan¡¯s eyes. With aposed and courteous expression, he replied, ¡°You¡¯re too kind, Mr. Hartwell.¡±


    I barely tasted the food throughout the meal because, time and again, whether intentionally or not, Ethan¡¯s gaze wouldnd on me. He was a handsome young man with a calm and reserved look in his eyes, but I could see that beneath that restraint hid an unyielding intensity.


    He must have seen me as his benefactor, someone to be deeply grateful for. But I have no interest in being repaid.


    Business dinners aren¡¯t really about eating. It¡¯s about achieving your objective. Once that¡¯s done, the night naturallyes to an end.


    Shawn was slightly intoxicated-he had drunk a little too much. He turned to me and signaled for me to support him.


    Since he had spent the evening expanding mywork, I wasn¡¯t about to refuse him this small gesture.


    I reached out and steadied his arm as he exchanged farewells. Shawn had also been drinking. A faint blush colored his striking features. His eyes, tinged with red, burned as they met mine.


    ¡°Mrs. Hartwell, do you need any help?¡± He walked over and asked.


    I immediately shook my head. ¡°No, thanks. The car¡¯s already here.¡±


    Right on cue, William pulled up beside us, bringing the car to a smooth stop.


    Ethan strode forward and pulled the car door open for us. I let Shawn get in first, then followed. Just as I was about to sit down, arge hand suddenly appeared above me, shielding my head from bumping against the car frame.


    ¡°Drive safe,¡± Ethan said, his voice calm yet filled with quiet attentiveness, making my heart flutter.


    I shot him a meaningful re, but he merely curved his lips into a faint smile, unfazed. He waved at me casually before closing the door with a quiet click.


    Inside the car, Shawn pressed his fingers against his brow, his expression slightly tense. The alcohol was starting to take its toll on him.


    ¡°Give Yuna a call and ask if she wants toe home to sleep.¡± Even in his drunken state, Shawn hadn¡¯t forgotten to consider his daughter¡¯s preference.


    1 immediately dialed Susanna. The background noise on her end was lively with sounds of cards shuttling and bursts of chatter. It sounded like she was in the middle of a spirited game night. She hurriedly said a few words before passing the phone over to Yuna.


    ¡°Mom, are you nning to apologize to me?¡± Yuna¡¯s tone was that of a little adult, full of authority and pompousness. ¡°Too bad. I¡¯m not quite ready to forgive you yet.¡±


    Her words were so direct and usatory that they left a sense of heaviness that pressed against my chest.


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    Chapter 30 Dinner With Mr Hayes


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    ¡°Your dad wants to know if you want toe home tonight. If you do, we¡¯lle and pick you up.¡±


    She let out a huff, clearly upset. ¡°You don¡¯t like me anymore, so why should I go back? I¡¯m not going home! I want to stay with grandma forever!¡±


    ¡°Fine, it¡¯s up to you.¡± With that, I ended the call.


    Yuna¡¯s sharp and pompous attitude was a result of my overindulgence throughout the years. Now, as she spoke to me in such a disrespectful manner, I had no choice but to bear with it.


    ¡°Yuna¡¯s noting home?¡± Shawn asked, his brows knitting together.


    ¡°No, she¡¯s not.¡± I let out a bone-deep sigh, exhausted and resigned, ¡°She¡¯s still mad at me.¡±


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 Yearning 31

    Chapter 31 Do You Still Love Me?


    Chapter 31 Do You Still Love Me?


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    Shawn seemed to have an even worse headache. He suddenly leaned toward me, his masculine presence enveloping me.


    ¡°Buy her a gift tomorrow afternoon and make her feel better,¡± he said, his warm breath brushing against my neck, bringing a wave of heat.


    ¡°I¡¯m not doing that.¡± My temper red instantly.


    Shawn¡¯s expression tightened for a long moment. ¡°Do you¡¯really n to stay at odds with your daughter forever?¡±


    ¡°If she can¡¯t learn to respect me as her mother, then being enemies isn¡¯t out of the question,¡± I said coldly, leaving no room for negotiation.


    ¡°Tiffany, you¡¯re an adult. Why are you picking fights with a child?¡± Shawn was angry, his gaze pressing down on me.


    I met his angry stare and couldn¡¯t help but find it amusing. I really had changed. In my past life, Shawn had always been distant and indifferent, treating me with nothing but polite detachment. But now, it seemed like I could anger him every day, stirring his emotions at will.


    ¡°Hubby, do you still love me?¡± I asked softly, meeting his angry gaze.


    Shawn frowned, looking like he had no interest in discussing this.


    I lowered my eyes in disappointment. ¡°I heard that the best way to teach a child is for the father to love the mother. Maybe Yuna doesn¡¯t respect me because you¡¯ve forgotten how to love me.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s nonsense,¡± Shawn dismissed my theory outright. ¡°You¡¯ve been in a bad moodtely. Yuna doesn¡¯t feel your motherly love, so she¡¯s acting out.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not some lifeless doll. Push me too far, and of course, I¡¯ll snap.¡± I turned to face the window, my voiceced with indifference.


    Shawn sneered mockingly. ¡°Then why didn¡¯t you lose your temper before? Were you just ying the long game, or are you really that tolerant? Holding it in for six years?¡±


    A sharp pain stabbed at my heart. Six years? If only it were just six. In my past life, I endured for 30 years. Maybe I was a masochist back then?


    I was already set on divorce. I had no interest in carefully maintaining this rtionship anymore. Since Shawn asked, I might as well be honest. ¡°I endured it because I loved you. But if that love is gone, you mean nothing to me,¡±


    My words hit like a direct blow. Half the alcohol seemed to drain from Shawn¡¯s system as he stared at me in disbelief.


    He stared for at least five seconds.


    I met his gaze head-on-calm, steady, and unshaken.


    3:47 pm


    Chapter 31 Do You Still Love Me?


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    He probably thought I had lost my mind. Maybe he was even furious that I¡¯d said something so reckless- angry enough to demand a divorce on the spot.


    Suddenly, the car swerved hard in his direction to avoid a cyclist.


    The force of inertia sent me straight into his arms, my hands instinctively gripping his shirt tightly.


    Above me, I heard Shawn let out a quiet, almost amused chuckle.


    My breath hitched. I froze in his embrace for a moment before quickly sitting back up.


    ¡°Tiffany, we¡¯ve been together for so long-love isn¡¯t a novelty anymore,¡± Shawn brushed off my question.


    ¡°So being together for years means we don¡¯t need love to keep things going? Why don¡¯t we just be siblings then? You be my brother, I¡¯ll be your sister. We can treat this house like a hotel and run our marriage like family ties¡ª¡±


    ¡°Tiffany, you¡¯re crossing the line,¡± Shawn cut me off coldly.


    I went silent immediately, and he didn¡¯t say another word either.


    The car pulled into the vi¡¯s courtyard, the heavy tension hanging between us.


    Mona and Beata hadn¡¯t returned to work yet, leaving the vi inplete silence.


    William drove the car away as I quietly headed upstairs. After that argument, I figured I¡¯d finally get a peaceful night¡¯s sleep.


    From what I knew of Shawn, whenever I upset him, he¡¯d ignore me for at least ten days, maybe even two weeks.


    Perfect. That was exactly what I wanted.


    I went into the bathroom to take a bath. After drinking tonight, a warm soak sounded even better. I sank into the bathtub, added a few drops of rose essential oil, and closed my eyes, enjoying this moment of


    peace.


    No rebellious daughter, no cold husband-just warm water gently soothing my heart. So quiet. So peaceful.


    But when I stepped out of the bathroom, I found a man sitting on the other side of the bed.


    After taking a shower, Shawn sat there flipping through a magazine, and my eyebrows twitched,


    What was going on?


    I had clearly pissed him off-wasn¡¯t he supposed to stay out of my bedroom for at least ten days, maybe


    even two weeks?


    Unless ¡­ did he have memory loss? Forget how he used to act?


    The moment Shawn saw me step out, his gaze locked onto me. I was wearing a pure white silk nightdress -short, delicate-the smooth fabric entuating the glow of my fair skin.


    3:47 pm


    Chapter 31 Do You Still Love Me?


    The epitome of a perfect wife.


    Shawn stared for a moment before asking in a low voice, ¡°Can we sleep now?¡±


    I wanted to run-escape this suffocating room. I had no desire to entertain him tonight.


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    ¡°I¡¯m tired,¡± I said, pressing my fingers to my temple, pretending to be exhausted. No way was I letting him have his way.


    3:47 pm

 Yearning 32

    Chapter 32 Credit


    Chapter 32 Credit


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    Shawn¡¯s eyes narrowed as he mmed the magazine onto the nightstand, and the next second, he kicked off the nket and left the room.


    I sneered. So, now he knew what rejection felt like.


    That night, I slept peacefully. The next morning, the sounds of movement downstairs told me Mona and Beata had returned to work.


    I changed into a graceful long dress and headed downstairs.


    Shawn was finally spared from eating just bread-Mona had prepared a delicious breakfast early in the morning.


    ¡°Good morning, Mrs. Hartwell,¡± the two maids greeted me as they approached.


    ¡°Good morning.¡± I returned their smiles before taking a seat at the dining table and enjoying my bone broth.


    Shawn nced at me from the side but didn¡¯t look directly at me.


    ¡°This afternoon, we should bring Yuna back. She can¡¯t stay at my mom¡¯s ce forever. Otherwise, she¡¯ll start thinking there¡¯s something wrong with our marriage,¡± he said coolly while eating.


    ¡°Sure, but I¡¯m a bit busy with work. Hubby, why don¡¯t you go pick her up?¡± I immediately tried to dodge the task.


    ¡°We¡¯ll go together.¡± Shawn wasn¡¯t giving me an easy way out. ¡°I¡¯ll get Yuna a gift she likes, and you can just say it¡¯s from you.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s no need for that kind of lie,¡± I said indifferently. ¡°She¡¯s not a clueless child. She understands a lot more than you think.¡±


    I¡¯m just trying to help you-¡± Shawn¡¯s expression darkened when he realized I wasn¡¯t going along with it.


    ¡®No need. Marriage is about fate, and so is the bond between a mother and daughter. Just because she was born from me doesn¡¯t mean she owes me a lifetime of devotion,¡± I said, grabbing two slices of bread and going out with my bag.


    Shawn watched my back until my car disappeared from sight.


    The moment I stopped trying to be the perfect wife and mother, I grew a tough, thorny exterior. Gradually, it became my shield.


    Today was still all about the renovation of the drainage system. My memory was pretty good, so I borrowed design ideas from some of the most popr hotels I had stayed in before.


    In 2014, the domestic economy was already booming, but it was still in its early stages. Managing this hotel well was just the beginning-I was going to learn about investments too. I knew when to buy stocks, when to invest in gold, and when an economic downturn wasing. I needed the ability to navigate risks and stay resilient.


    3:47 pm


    Chapter 32 Credit


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    The model room, designed ording to my requirements, amazed several designers. Its originality was definitely a sight to behold.


    With a finalized temte, I could now get Shawn¡¯s signature to approve the funding. But, of course, there was one more person I had to go through-Queena.


    At the conference table, Queena sat with an air of authority, arms crossed as she studied the images on the projector. She raised an eyebrow. ¡°The designs are impressive, Mrs. Hartwell. The design firm you found is quite forward-thinking. These styles are very unique at the moment, and I think they¡¯ll work.¡±


    Shawn was still giving me the cold shoulder. Sitting at the head of the table, his gaze lingered on the images before he finally asked, ¡°Who¡¯s the designer behind this? We might consider working with them again.¡±


    The designers exchanged nces before one of the team leads spoke up. ¡°Mr. Hartwell, actually, all of these designs came from Mrs. Hartwell. We just assisted with the drawings. Every element-theyout, the color schemes-was based on her vision. She¡¯s the one who deserves the most credit.¡±


    The room fell into a long silence.


    Shawn momentarily forgot about our ongoing cold war, his eyes shing with surprise as he looked at me. ¡°You came up with all of this?¡±


    I smiled. ¡°I can¡¯t draw, but I provided the ideas.¡±


    Queena¡¯s expression darkened slightly, though she kept up a polite smile. ¡°The concepts are great, but I think some of the colors aren¡¯t quite right. How about making a few adjustments?¡±


    ¡°No changes,¡± I said firmly. ¡°These are our traditional color palettes-they create the most authentic and meaningful aesthetic.¡±


    Queena¡¯s expression stiffened instantly. She turned her face to the side, a faint smirk of mockery tugging at her lips.


    Shawn nced at her before shifting his attention back to me. ¡°Maybe Ms. Tackman is just offering a well- intentioned suggestion. She¡¯s traveled the world and has extensive experience-¡±


    ¡°Hubby, this is my project, and I¡¯d prefer not to have outsiders interfering,¡± I said calmly. I knew Queena was impressive, but 1 had no interest in being overshadowed. Otherwise, once the hotel became profitable, everyone would assume the credit belonged to her.


    There was no way I¡¯d let her steal my credit.


    My firm stance made Queena press her lips in silence.


    Of course-she only needed to casually suggest a few changes. If Iplied, she¡¯d take all the credit for my hard work over the past few days. But if I refused, her little scheme would be for nothing.


    3:47 pm

 Yearning 33

    Chapter 33 Secretly in Love


    Chapter 33 Secretly in Love


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    Shawn looked at me with a hint of surprise-perhaps because of the talent I had just revealed, or maybe because of my assertiveness.


    Regardless, he was a reasonable husband. In the end, he concluded, ¡°Since Tiffany is in charge of Apex Hotel, all decisions will be hers to make.¡±


    As I watched Shawn leave the conference room, Queena stood up with a smile and said, ¡°I never expected your design to be so unique. I¡¯d love to learn from you sometime.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I wouldn¡¯t dare. If anything, I should thank Ms. Tackman for her invaluable contributions to thepany. My husband speaks very highly of you,¡± I said with a polite fake smile, locking eyes with her.


    As expected. Queena¡¯s expression faltered for a moment. After all, she was still the other woman in this situation. As a wealthy heiress, she might not care about her reputation, but her family certainly did. Until Shawn and I were officially divorced, whatever was going on between them could never be made public.


    ¡°If you ever need my help, don¡¯t hesitate to ask. Anything for thepany,¡± Queena said smoothly before walking away. A few senior executives followed her out, leaving me standing in the conference room.


    With the room designs finalized, I also entrusted the lobby¡¯syout to a team with more experience. Once their ns were ready, construction could begin.


    As I stood at the entrance of Apex Hotel, I recalled Shawn mentioning that half of the hotel¡¯s profits would go into my pocket. The thought alone instantly brightened my mood.


    Once I had a sizable amount of disposable ie, I nned to dive into various investments-real estate starting in 2016, and gold in 2023 ¡­.


    ¡°Ms. Mayfield.¡± A deep voice suddenly came from behind me.


    I turned my head and saw Ethan stepping out of a sleek ck Mercedes.


    ¡°Mr. Hayes?¡± I greeted him with a smile. ¡°What brings you here?¡±


    ¡°Just passing by Ethan replied casually before ncing up at the hotel entrance. ¡°Running into any


    trouble?


    I shook my head. ¡°No, just stopping by to check things out.¡±


    Ethan smiled. ¡°Didn¡¯t expect you to be this career-driven.¡±


    Seeing a few people approaching, I decided to keep my distance to avoid suspicion, ¡°I have something to take care of. I¡¯ll go first?


    ¡°Are you avoiding me?¡¯ Ethan¡¯s eyes darkened, and he said in a low voice, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I won¡¯t be so ignorant as to put you in a difficult position¡±


    I turned to look at him. His voice was quiet-too low for others to hear, but enough to send a chill down my spine.


    ¡°Mr. Hayes, I¡¯d appreciate it if you kept your distance. No matter how handsome he was, I wasn¡¯t about to


    3:47 pm


    Chapter 33 Secretly in Love


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    make any exceptions. Married or not, I had no interest in getting caught up in unnecessary entanglements.


    Ethan¡¯s deep eyes lingered on me, blinking twice, looking almost like a helpless, abandoned puppy. Oh no¡­ Don¡¯t even try to charm me.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been searching for you¡­¡± he whispered. ¡°The charity keeps making excuses-one moment they im the records were lost, the next they say they were destroyed. They refuse to tell me who you are.¡±


    I was stunned, frowning and staring at him. ¡°Why are you looking for me?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure.¡± Ethan said, his voice tinged with bitterness. ¡°That day, when you made the donation, I caught a glimpse of you from afar. I ran outside to find you, but you were already gone.¡±


    I shrugged. ¡°Let me guess-you saw that I¡¯m young and pretty, so you chased after me, hoping I¡¯d donate more money?¡±


    Ethan lowered his gaze, looking sad and helpless. ¡°No, I just wanted to know what you, with your beauty and kindness, truly look like, instead of just a blurry shadow that lingers in my mind.¡±


    I looked at his solemn, sorrowful expression and sighed helplessly. ¡°Alright, now that you¡¯ve seen me, your curiosity should be satisfied. Can you stop bothering me now?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not bothering you, I just ¡­¡± Ethan looked like he wanted to say something, but when he saw my serious expression, he held back. His fingers tensed slightly, and his voice grew husky. ¡°I¡¯ve just always wanted to treat you to a meal.¡±


    Hearing that, I smiled and said, ¡°Mr. Hayes, no need to be so polite. If we¡¯re being precise, that donation came from the Hartwells. If you really want to express your gratitude, you should take Shawn out for a meal-he¡¯s the one you should be thanking.¡±


    ¡°No. I know the Hartwells are wealthy, but without you, that money never would have reached me. It was you-always you.¡± His voice grew more insistent, his gaze filled with determination.


    I caught my breath, and under his sincere and intense gaze, my heart felt overwhelmed, beating unevenly and quickly.


    ¡°We¡¯ll see when I have time. I have to go.¡± I said, avoiding his eyes. I couldn¡¯t let this conversation continue. It was as if Ethan had been secretly in love with me for a long time. If what he said was true, then he was only in love with a blurry shadow of me.


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    Chapter 34 Ungrateful Daughter Got Sick


    Chapter 34 Ungrateful Daughter Got Sick


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    A single shadow had been enough for him to secretly admire for so many years. Now that I was standing right in front of him, how could he not lose his mind?


    No, he already had.


    Ethan had stood in ce, watching as I got into the car. Only then had he turned around and returned to his own. Our cars passed each other head-on, and the rear window of his car rolled down. Ethan gazed over with deep, piercing eyes.


    I gripped the steering wheel tightly, refusing to meet his gaze.


    Sigh, did he even figure it out? Not only was I married, but I was also a mother.


    By the time evening fell, Shawn knocked on my office door. ¡°Let¡¯s go. I¡¯ve talked to Yuna. She¡¯s willing to go home.¡±


    I got up and followed him to Susanna¡¯s vi.


    On the way, Shawn suddenly reached over, grabbed my fingers, and yed with them. ¡°Those refreshing and impressive design sketches today¡­ Were they really your idea?¡±


    ¡®Mm.¡± I responded calmly.


    ¡®How did youe up with them? I never knew you had such a creative mind,¡± Shawn said, sounding curious.


    ¡®Hubby, that¡¯s your fault,¡± I said, turning to face him. ¡°You never took the time to understand me. You were only ever interested in my body.¡±


    Shawn¡¯s handsome face froze for a moment. The next second, the streetlights cast a faint glow on his ears -they had turned slightly red.


    ¡®Are you ming me?¡± His voice was low and maic. If it were in a previous life, if he spoke to me in that gentle and affectionate tone, I wouldn¡¯t have let him go that night.


    Now, I felt nothing. I just wanted to pull my hand away from his grasp as quickly as possible.


    I just feel wronged,¡± I said softly.


    ¡°So, you are ming me.¡± Shawn reached for my left ring finger. ¡°Why haven¡¯t you put your wedding ring


    on?¡±


    ¡°Tomorrow¡¯s the weekend. I was nning to go take a look with Mnie,¡± I replied casually.


    ¡°How about I go with you instead?¡± Shawn said, trying to assert his presence as my husband.


    ¡°No need. You should stay and take care of our daughter,¡± I said, deciding to let Shawn spend more time with Yuna. After all, whoever took care of the child ended up going crazy. That said, it was strange- whenever Yuna was with Shawn, she became well-behaved. She didn¡¯t throw tantrums, didn¡¯t scream, or make a fuss. But the moment she was with me, she turned into a little tyrant,pletely unreasonable.


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    Chapter 34 Ungrateful Daughter Got Sick


    Looks like even kids know exactly who to bully-the weaker ones.


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    Susanna didn¡¯t look too happy-maybe she lost money ying poker. When we arrived, she was in a bad mood, cursing out her card buddies right in front of Shawn.


    Shawn immediately reached into his pocket and discreetly slipped a card into Susanna¡¯s hand where I couldn¡¯t see.


    Her expression brightened instantly. ¡°Shawn, Yuna is sleeping upstairs. Go check on her.¡±


    Shawn nced at me and said, ¡°Go upstairs and bring Yuna down. It¡¯s time for us to leave.¡±


    I rushed upstairs and saw Yuna lying in bed, her breathing heavy and her face flushed.


    I reached out and pressed a hand to her forehead-she was burning up.


    I immediately picked her up. Yuna called out ¡°Mommy¡± in a daze, her little hands clinging tightly to my neck. ¡°Mommy, I feel unwell ¡­ ¡±


    As I carried her downstairs, Shawn came over and took her into his arms. The moment he felt how rmingly hot she was, his expression darkened. He immediately turned to Susanna. ¡°Mom, Yuna has a fever. Didn¡¯t you notice?¡±


    Susanna sprang up from the couch. ¡°What? She¡¯s sick? Oh no! I had no idea! Hurry, take her to the hospital!¡±


    Shawn¡¯s face instantly darkened. Without another word, he walked to the door.


    Panicked, Susanna rushed over and grabbed my arm. ¡°Is Shawn angry with me? Yuna was perfectly fine this afternoon-she was running around! I really didn¡¯t notice when she got sick.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. She probably just caught a cold,¡± I reassured her before getting into the car.


    We headed straight to the hospital, and even at night, it was still fairly crowded. Since we hadn¡¯t called ahead, we had to register and wait in line. Luckily, the wait wasn¡¯t too long-after about ten minutes, it was


    our turn.


    While we waited, Yuna suddenly threw up. Terrified, she burst into tears, her little face turning pale as she clung to Shawn. ¡°Daddy, am I going to die? If I do, will you and Mommy have another baby¡ªa little brother?¡±


    Shawn¡¯s heart ached as he gentlyforted her. ¡°You¡¯re not going to die. It¡¯s just a cold.¡±


    ¡°But you and Mommy still want to have a baby brother, don¡¯t you?¡± Yuna sobbed as she spoke. ¡°I don¡¯t want a little brother. I just want Daddy and Mommy. I want you to love only me.¡±


    Shawn nced at me, and I immediately spoke firmly. ¡°Yuna, you¡¯re being too possessive. Whether we have another child or not is a decision for me and your dad, not you.¡±


    ¡°But if you have a baby brother, you¡¯ll forget about me! I don¡¯t want that ¡­ I don¡¯t want him to take your love away!¡± Feverish and confused, Yuna spoke her fears out loud, not caring how we adults might feel


    about it.


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    Shawn held her tighter, gently patting her back. ¡°Alright, don¡¯t cry. Mommy and I aren¡¯t nning to have another baby right now. Just rest for a bit if you¡¯re feeling unwell.


    ¡°Dad¡­ Mom just wants to have a little brother. She¡¯s scared you¡¯ll abandon her. She¡¯s been drinking medicine and going to the doctor¡¯s every day, boohoo, don¡¯t have a little brother with her.¡± Yuna was crying her heart out, and she somehow pinned the whole ¡°having a son¡± thing on me.


    I was taken aback and looked at Shawn.


    He pressed his lips together, his gaze fixed on me with a hint of frustration.


    I felt both helpless and speechless. I admitted that before this, I had indeed been seeing a traditional medicine doctor, drinking herbal medicine, and acting as if I desperately wanted a son. But now, I had let go of that thought.


    Shawn¡¯s expression was full of me, as if silently using me of making my intentions too obvious-so much so that it had already begun affecting our daughter¡¯s emotional well-being.


    Shawn¡¯s gaze stung me, but since I had already decided to divorce him, there was no need to keep these thoughts bottled up. So, I spoke with certainty, making my stance clear to Yuna, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I won¡¯t have another baby. You will be my only child in this lifetime.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± Yuna turned to look at me, her pale little face finally showing a hint of a smile. ¡°Mommy, swear it.¡±


    I immediately raised my hand and swore, ¡°I, Tiffany Mayfield, swear right here-if I ever have another child with Shawn Hartwell, may I be cursed.¡±


    ¡°Tiffany, that¡¯s enough.¡± Shawn¡¯s expression darkened, taken aback by my words. His voice was firm as he reprimanded me, ¡°Don¡¯t say such nonsense in front of the child.¡±


    I¡¯m not talking nonsense-I already made my vow,¡± I said with a smile.


    The look of me on Shawn¡¯s face disappeared, reced by a heavy, brooding silence.


    He must think I was even more irrational than Yuna.


    Mommy, I believe you. You said you¡¯d only love me,¡± Yuna said, her attitude shifting instantly. She reached out, wanting me to hold her.


    I pulled her into my arms, but unlike before, I didn¡¯t give her endless kisses on her cheeks, hair, or arms, filled with motherly love.


    Now, I saw Yuna simply as a child-one who needed an adult¡¯s care. But the kind of love I used to shower her with so easily? I wasn¡¯t going to give it so freely anymore.


    ¡°Mommy, hold me tighter. I¡¯m cold,¡± Yuna murmured softly, sensing that my embracecked warmth.


    I hugged her tighter.


    The doctor diagnosed her with a possible viral cold,plicated by rotavirus-induced diarrhea and vomiting. With a persistent high fever and severe symptoms, Yuna was hospitalized.


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    We arranged for a private room. While Shawn went home to get her things, I stayed behind, sitting by her side as she received her IV drip. Yuna remained asleep the entire time.


    When Shawn returned, Queena was with him.


    She brought some toys and food, but their arrival woke Yuna.


    As soon as Yuna opened her eyes and saw Queena, she lit up with excitement. ¡°Queena, you¡¯re here!¡± she eximed happily.


    Queena walked over and hugged her gently, but Yuna quickly pushed her away. ¡°Don¡¯t hug me! I have a cold. The doctor said it¡¯s contagious-you shouldn¡¯t get too close.¡±


    The moment she said that, I stiffened.


    Queena hugged her, yet she was worried about Queena getting infected. But what about me?


    Just moments ago, she wasining about dizziness and insisting that I hug her while she got the injection.


    Queena still held her tightly, pressing a gentle kiss to her little head. ¡°It¡¯s okay, I just want to hug you. My poor girl, what happened to your hand? Why is it swollen?¡±


    ¡°That blind nurse messed up and made my hand swell. It hurts!¡± Yuna huffed angrily.


    Queena quickly turned, taking a towel from the small basin Shawn had brought and began preparing


    warm water.


    Shawn walked over and said, ¡°Yuna seems to be feeling a bit better.¡±


    I was still in a daze. My daughter, as usual, was more concerned about the mistress than me.


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m a little hungry. I¡¯m heading downstairs to grab something to eat. You and Ms. Tackman can stay


    with her.¡±


    ¡°We brought food¡­¡± Shawn grabbed my arm. ¡°Let¡¯s eat here.¡±


    I was in a bad mood and shook off his hand. ¡°No, I want to eat downstairs.¡±


    Without another word, I walked out and nearly bumped into Queena outside the door.


    ¡°I want to help warm Yuna¡¯s hand, you don¡¯t mind, do you?¡± Queena asked, her tone soft but with an underlying edge.


    It was clear to me that she was poking at the wound in my heart, acting all gentle while making me look foolish and stupid.


    ¡°No, it¡¯s fine. Thank you,¡± I said with a forced smile, then quickly walked toward the elevator.


    Queena was trying to win over Shawn and Yuna, but I didn¡¯t care anymore. A man who can¡¯t be kept is better off let go-there¡¯s nothing wrong with that.

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    As for Yuna, her actions tonight truly broke my heart. Queena¡¯s life mattered to her, but mine clearly didn¡¯t.


    I bought some food upstairs and sat on a cold chair for a long while before Shawn called.


    ¡°Are you done eating? Come up and stay with Yuna for a while; I need to head back to the office for some work,¡± Shawn said, his tone as calm and gentle as usual.


    I nodded and made my way upstairs. Queena was sitting beside Yuna¡¯s bed, helping her open a new toy, and Yuna¡¯s pale face lit up with excitement and happiness.


    However, as soon as I entered, Yuna¡¯s joyful expression faded, as if my arrival had ruined the moment.


    ¡°Yuna, Ms. Tackman and I need to head to the office for a bit. Mommy will stay here to take care of you, so listen to her,¡± Shawn said softly.


    ¡°Okay,¡± Yuna replied unhappily.


    Shawn looked at me, but I avoided his gaze, focusing on tidying up the table instead.


    He still reminded me, ¡°The nurse brought the medicine earlier. Make sure Yuna takes it. Don¡¯t forget.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to take medicine! I already had a shot!¡± Yuna protested, starting to throw a fit.


    I said quietly, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll make sure she takes it.¡±


    Yuna looked at me with a scared expression, her eyes pleading with Shawn, ¡°Daddy, pleasee back soon.¡±


    Queena gently reassured her, ¡°Mr. Hartwell wille right after he¡¯s done with his


    work.¡±


    I thought to myself, It¡¯ste at <i>night</i>. <i>Who </i><i>knows </i><i>how </i>long their <i>work </i><i>would </i><i>be</i><i>? </i>


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    Once Shawn and Queena left, I poured a ss of warm water and ced the medicine in front of Yuna. ¡°Take it.¡±


    ¡°Mom, can you get me some candy? I can¡¯t take it, it¡¯s too bitter,¡± Yuna tried her usual trick, thinking I¡¯d give in like before¨Csheined, and I¡¯dfort her with promises.


    ¡°No candy, but you have to take the medicine. If you don¡¯t, I¡¯ll have the nursee in and hold you down to make you take it,¡± I said, my tone t. After seeing how she treated Queena, I couldn¡¯t bring myself to feel sorry for her anymore.


    ¡°You¡¯re so mean, Mommy! Why have you be so awful?¡± Yuna¡¯s tears fell instantly as she used me, ¡°I want the old mom back. I don¡¯t want you like this.¡±


    I was stunned, staring at Yuna. She was sharp, already noticing the change in me. But what about Shawn? Had he noticed too?


    ¡°I¡¯m still the same mom. The difference is, I¡¯ve decided to start properly teaching you now.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re just bullying me,¡± Yuna crossed her arms and red at me angrily.


    ¡°What do you mean, bullying? Yuna, I¡¯m your mom. Have you ever shown me any respect?¡± I looked at her seriously, studying her. She really looked like Shawn. They say if a father is good¨Clooking, his daughter will also be good¨Clooking, and Yuna was indeed pretty with striking features. features.


    ¡°You brought me into this world but don¡¯t love me, so why should I respect you?¡± Yuna snapped back, her words sharp as she cried, as if I was the viin in her eyes.


    ¡°Stop crying,¡± I said, my voice turning stern. ¡°If I didn¡¯t love you, how did you grow up? I just want you to understand that love is earned. It¡¯s not that I don¡¯t love you; it¡¯s that you¡¯re being ungrateful.¡±


    Yuna was momentarily taken aback, but then her emotions red up again. ¡°Anyway, you don¡¯t love me anymore. Grandma said if you don¡¯t love me, Daddy will find a lot of other women to love me. I don¡¯t need you.¡±


    I was shocked. It sounded exactly like something my mother¨Cinw would say. Behind my back, she had been teaching Yuna this.


    Was this the reason Yuna didn¡¯t take me seriously? In the Heartwell family, I had


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    no position, no voice, and no presence. Everyone ignored me, so naturally, Yuna didn¡¯t respect me as her mother.


    The lessons I didn¡¯t understand in my past life were clear to me now. My heart was filled with bitterness and sorrow.


    I finally understood the truth that I didn¡¯t understand in my past life. My heart was filled with bitterness and sorrow.


    ¡°Great, you¡¯ve grown up. Everyone¡¯s hoping for me and your dad to get divorced,¡± I said, crossing my legs and leaning back in my chairzily. ¡°If someone else can take my ce as your mom, I¡¯d step aside.¡±


    ¡°You wouldn¡¯t,¡± Yuna rolled her eyes. ¡°You love Dad too much. If he left you, you¡¯d just cry and beg. Do I not know you?¡±


    ¡°Yuna, do you really think your mom has no backbone?¡± I raised an eyebrow.


    ¡°Duh! What else would you call it? That time you ¡®ran away from home¡® but turned back at the doorstep because you rememberedundry on the balcony? Heh,¡± Yuna mocked me with my past actions.


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    Chapter 37 Caught a Cold

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    Chapter 37 Caught a Cold


    I was at a loss for words because it was the truth.


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    ¡°I used to be weak, but from now on, I¡¯ll be strong. Yuna, if you still consider me your mother, then learn to respect me. If you can¡¯t, our rtionship won¡¯t go far.¡± I stood up, my tone firm as I gave her amand, ¡°You have one minute to take your medicine. If you don¡¯t, I won¡¯t be so lenient.¡±


    Yuna¡¯s eyes widened, tears welling up as she picked up the ss of water and swallowed each pill one by one.


    I didn¡¯t want to look at her pitiful, upset expression, so I turned and stood by the window, gazing out at the night.


    The room was silent for a long time. Yuna sobbed quietly while hugging the nket, eventually falling asleep.


    I closed my eyes, sitting on the small sofa, my heart heavy.


    It seemed like divorce was inevitable.


    I nced at my phone¨Cit was already 10:30, and Shawn still hadn¡¯t shown up.


    Honestly, part of me wanted to call him, just to hear if he¡¯d panic and try to exin himself.


    But then I stopped myself. If I called, it would mean this jerk still had some effect on me. No. I had to ignore him. Even if he didn¡¯te tonight and stayed with his mistress until the morning, I¡¯d act like he was dead to me.


    By 11 p.m., Shawn finally returned, holding a box of roasted duck. Seeing Yuna asleep, he ced it in front of me and said softly, ¡°I remember you love duck. Try it.¡±


    As he sat next to me, my sharp nose caught the scent of cherry blossom perfume.


    Even though I no longer loved Shawn, the fact that he carried the scent of another woman on him and still spoke to me with such a caring tone made me feel utterly disgusted.


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    Perhaps, in front of Shawn and Queena, two people with high IQ and EQ, I seemed like a naive fool who couldn¡¯t even graduate from kindergarten. They probably thought they could manipte me without me catching on.


    In my past life, I indeed didn¡¯t know. I was even unaware that Queena aborted his child to win Yuna¡¯s favor. I foolishly poured all my care and love into my daughter and husband, preparing meals at home and waiting for them to return.


    ¡°Why aren¡¯t you eating?¡± Shawn asked, ncing up from his phone. With WhatsApp now in use, most of theirmunication happened there.


    ¡°I¡¯m not hungry,¡± I replied calmly.


    ¡°Then go home and sleep. I¡¯ll stay here with Yuna.¡± Shawn pinched the bridge of his nose, looking exhausted. ¡°Did you argue with Yuna again?¡±


    ¡°She never shows me any respect as her mother. I can¡¯t love her the way I used to,¡± I said, grabbing my bag and standing up. ¡°Please take care of her. I¡¯m heading out first.¡±


    Shawn¡¯s hand remained pressed to his forehead, his movements stiff as he watched me leave. I walked so quickly that he didn¡¯t even have time to respond to what I¡¯d said.


    Their father¨Cdaughter bond was real love. I was just a delivery person. As long as their rtionship stayed solid, who would care about someone like me?


    would


    I got home, took a shower, and copsed into a deep sleep on my bed.


    The next morning, my body ached all over, and I felt chills. I had Mona bring me a thermometer, and when I checked, my temperature was 102.2¡ãF.


    ¡°You¡¯re sick,¡± Mona said, stepping forward to help me out of bed.


    I quickly stopped her. ¡°Don¡¯te near me. I have a cold, and it¡¯s contagious. You and Beata can go home for the day.¡±


    Mona was taken aback, looking like she wanted to speak but didn¡¯t know what to


    say.


    I smiled bitterly. ¡°Yuna had a cold yesterday. I took care of her, and now I¡¯ve got a


    ??


    TI11


    <b>doctor </b>on my own.¡±


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    Chapter 37 Caught a Cold


    There was a glint in her eyes, and she sighed before leaving.


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    Iy back down on the bed. Though I felt awful, I could still manage to get up. I quickly got dressed, didn¡¯t botherbing my hair, and headed out.


    I didn¡¯t go to a big hospital; I vaguely remembered there was a good clinic near the Apex Hotel.


    I decided to go get an injection there.


    I parked in the Apex Hotel lot, then made my way to the clinic, stumbling along, my body aching and weak, and sweaty all over.


    After walking for a while, I felt nauseous again and felt an indescribable difort.


    I leaned on a tree, trying to vomit, but couldn¡¯t. A deep male voice asked nearby, ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    I looked up with teary eyes and was surprised to see Ethan.


    ¡°Mr. Hayes?¡± I stared at him in disbelief. ¡°What are you doing here?¡±


    ¡°I came here for breakfast,¡± Ethan replied, his eyes fixed on me, studying my face. ¡°You don¡¯t look too well. Are you sick? Do you need to go to the hospital?¡±

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    ¡°No, I just want to go to the clinic up ahead for a shot,¡± I said, then paused to catch my breath before continuing to walk forward.


    But Ethan followed me, his voice full of concern. ¡°Did you catch a cold? Let me take you there.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine, Mr. Hayes. I can manage on my own,¡± I replied, not wanting <i>to </i>seem delicate.


    Ethan ignored my words and kept getting closer. I didn¡¯t notice the raised brick and stumbled, lurching forward.


    Just then, a strong hand reached out and grabbed my arm, pulling me back with force.


    I almost copsed into his chest, my legs too weak to support myself.


    Seeing how frail I looked, Ethan looked shocked. Without asking, he swiftly picked me up in his arms.


    ¡°Ethan Hayes ¡­ put me down,¡± I said in panic, calling him with his full name.


    ¡°You¡¯re about to faint, and you¡¯re still trying to act tough? You¡¯re acting like a child,¡± Ethan scolded, his tone sharp with frustration.


    ¡°I¡¯m really fine ¡­ Just put me down,¡± I said. It was early in the morning, and being carried in a man¡¯s arms like a princess was inappropriate, especially because I was married.


    Ethan walked ahead, much faster than me. The clinic was right ahead, and he carried me inside without hesitation.


    After the consultation, the prescription, and the injection, I felt dizzy and sore all over. When the medication started to drip into my veins, I sighed in relief. When you¡¯re at your most vulnerable, you can¡¯t help but long for a little care from others.


    ¡°Mr. Hayes, you can go now. I¡¯m fine here,¡± I said softly.


    ¡°Let¡¯s wait until you finish the IV drip,¡± Ethan replied, sitting beside me,


    his eyes


    r


    09:32 Wed, 3 Sept


    Chapter 38 Guarded Emotions


    full of concern.


    s


    ¡°It will take at least two hours,¡± I said, ncing up at the nurse, who was blushing as she brought over two more bottles of medication.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine, I have time,¡± Ethan said calmly.


    Hearing that, I thought to myself that it seemed impossible to get rid of him now, so I added, ¡°Then maybe you should ask the doctor for a mask, so you don¡¯t catch my illness.¡±


    Ethan¡¯s expression darkened, and he seemed hurt. ¡°Are you that scared? Worried about being seen?¡±


    ¡°Seen what?¡± I was trying to remind him to take precautions, but now he was acting all emotional.


    With a hint of sadness in his eyes, Ethan stood up and asked the doctor for a ck mask, then quietly put it on beside me.


    I turned to look at him, and his gaze revealed a hint of hurt. ¡°As long as you don¡¯t ask me to leave, if you want me to hide my face, I¡¯ll hide it.¡±


    ¡°What are you talking about?¡± I couldn¡¯t help butugh at his childish behavior, but I quickly became serious. ¡°Mr. Hayes, I caught this illness from my daughter. I¡¯m genuinely trying to look out for you.


    you.¡±


    ¡°If you say so,¡± Ethan said with a look that suggested he was just going along with whatever made me happy.


    I was left speechless.


    By now, I had a pretty good understanding of Ethan¡¯s feelings. He had secretly been in love with me for years, and no matter that I was married with a child, it seemed nothing was stopping him from getting closer to me.


    To be honest, with his handsome looks, tech prodigy status, and potential to be the world¡¯s richest man, all those qualitiesbined on a 27¨Cyear¨Cold, he could make any woman infatuated.


    But I had lost interest in men. I wasn¡¯t looking for romance anymore. However, if he could offer some advice on my career, I would dly wee it.


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    Ethan sat beside me in silence. Behind the mask, his deep, almond¨Cshaped eyes shimmered¨Cwith feeling, perhaps because they were looking at me.


    ¡°Ma¡¯am, have your husbande over to get your medication,¡± the elderly doctor called out from a distance.


    Ethan and I both looked at each other, stunned.


    ¡°Okay!¡± Ethan stood up and walked over.


    He stood by the doctor, paying close attention to the instructions, and I suddenly felt a bit uneasy.


    He came back with the medication and quietly asked, ¡°Have you had breakfast?¡±


    I was stunned and didn¡¯t speak. He continued, ¡°The doctor said you should eat something before taking your medication.¡±


    ¡°I haven¡¯t had breakfast,¡± I replied quietly.


    ¡°What would you like to eat? I¡¯ll get it for you,¡± Ethan asked in a low voice.


    ¡°I just want some soup. Chicken soup will do,¡± I said. I was only craving something light.


    ¡°Okay! Wait for me,¡± Ethan said, setting the medication down before turning and walking out.


    His tall, lean figure <i>looked </i>striking even in a simple ck shirt. And with the mask still on, that air of mystery only deepened his charm.


    I stared for a while before my mind until reality snapped back. If I wanted to seed, the first step was to rid myself of infatuation¨Cno, more than that. Stop seeing anyone through rose¨Ctinted sses.


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    I recall an artist once mentioned on a TV show asking what defines a scumbag. He said, if you ce your fingers under his nose and he¡¯s still breathing, then that¡¯s him. Any living man could be a scumbag.


    I genuinely think men are capable of putting on an act, pretending to be devoted, and feigning kindness. Of course, women can do the same, which just proves that nobody is truly genuine.


    Since no one is an expert in love, there¡¯s no need to put it on a pedestal.


    While I was lost in my own thoughts, Ethan returned, carrying a bowl of chicken soup along with ravioli.


    ¡°Eat while it¡¯s warm. I also got you some small side dishes,¡± he said, sitting beside me and cing everything down. Since I had a needle inserted in my right hand, I had no choice but to use my left. Unfortunately, my left hand wasn¡¯t very steady, and the first spoonful almostnded on my chin.


    Feeling embarrassed, I murmured, ¡°My hand is trembling a little.¡±


    Ethan noticed right away. Before I could attempt another bite, he took the spoon from me and started feeding me himself.


    I was taken aback.


    ¡°Stop trying to act tough and just eat,¡± he said gently. This was the first time a man had taken care of me <i>so </i>attentively. In my past life, when I was hospitalized with cancer, neither my husband nor my daughter ever fed me. It was always the nurses I had hired.


    Now, with just a simple cold, Ethan was treating me with such care. The contrast was striking, and it left me a little shaken.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± I whispered, my cheeks heating up as I quickly swallowed a few mouthfuls.


    Noticing that I was eating mechanically without savoring the food, Ethan thoughtfully added a bit of side dish to each spoonful. The rich,yered vors instantly brightened my mood. It truly did taste much better that way.


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    After finishing half the bowl, I decided to stop, mostly because the way he was feeding me felt far too intimate.


    ¡°You¡¯re not going to eat more?¡± Ethan asked, frowning slightly. I could tell that he was genuinely looking after me without any hidden intentions.


    I realized I was the one making a big deal out of it.


    ¡°No, I¡¯ll take my medicine first,¡± I replied, picking up the ss of water and swallowing the pills. The process was unpleasant, and thest one got stuck in my throat, its bitterness nearly making me gag.


    ¡°Here, have a piece of candy.¡± Just as I managed a few gulps of water, Ethan suddenly handed me a milk candy. ¡°When I was young, my mom always had candy ready for me whenever I had to take medicine.¡±


    I froze for a moment, staring at him nkly. ¡°Ethan, I¡¯m not a little kid. I can handle a little bitterness.¡±


    His deep, steady gaze lingered on me before he slowly started to pull the candy back.


    ¡°But who says adults have to endure bitterness all the time?¡± I quickly snatched it from his hand. ¡°I think we should still look for moments of sweetness in life.¡±


    My words seemed to catch him off guard. He paused before letting out a soft chuckle. ¡°You¡¯ve got quite a sense of humor.¡±


    Seeing himugh made me feel a little lighter. As I bit into the candy, a small sense of warmth settled in my chest,


    Just then, my phone rang. When I checked the screen, I saw it was Shawn.


    I answered immediately, and his voice came through the line. ¡°When are youing over? Yuna¡¯s condition is stable now, and I need to head to the office soon.¡±


    ¡°I have a fever of 102¡ãF and am currently getting an IV drip. I¡¯ll leave my daughter with you for now,¡± I said honestly. Surprisingly, saying those words gave me a sense of relief.


    It reminded me of my past life, how many times my daughter had been sick, and how I had endured my own pain to take care of her. Back then, whenever Shawn


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    asked, I always reassured him with gentle words, never wanting to burden him with worry.


    But now, when I¡¯m sick, I¡¯m simply sick. I, too, have moments when my whole body ached, when I feel weak and utterly drained.


    Since Shawn hadn¡¯t caught the illness and had a strong resistance to it, he was the best choice to look after Yuna.


    ¡°Where are you now? How is your condition?¡± To my surprise, Shawn seemed genuinely worried about me.


    I nced at Ethan, who was standing nearby and thought about how I already had someone taking care of me. My husband, who was only adding to my stress, was better off staying away.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine. I just finished getting my shots, but I¡¯ll need some time to recover. I¡¯ll drop byter tonight,¡± I said before ending the call.


    Ethan¡¯s previously stiff expression finally softened. He must have sensed something unusual in my exchange with Shawn. Perhaps the fact that he had already suspected my rtionship with Shawn wasn¡¯t great.


    This conversation only reinforced his doubts.


    ¡°Is your daughter unwell too? Is it serious?¡± Ethan, unaware of how ungrateful my daughter could be, assumed that any mother would be deeply worried if their child fell sick, so he asked with concern.


    ¡°She¡¯ll be fine. Her father is taking care of her,¡± I answered without emotion.


    ¡°Alright, be sure to get some rest. The doctor mentioned that you¡¯ll need to return for another injection tomorrow,¡± Ethan said gently, his tone filled with concern.


    ¡°I¡¯ll look after myself. After all, health is the foundation of everything,¡± I replied with a small smile. ¡°I appreciate what you did today. You should head out first. I don¡¯t have anything else to take care of, and I¡¯m feeling a lot better now.¡±


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    ¡°I¡¯m not in a rush. I can wait a little longer.¡± No matter how much I tried to rush Ethan away, he wouldn¡¯t budge.


    Just as he finished speaking, his phone rang. He stood up and walked away to


    answer it.


    When he returned, his expression remainedposed as he sat back down.


    I immediately asked, ¡°Was that a work call? If you¡¯re busy, you should go ahead and handle it.¡±


    ¡°Nothing at work is more important than you. Just rx.¡± Ethan leaned backzily, his words carrying a casual confidence. His straightforwardness was almost like a confession, making my face heat up. I shot him a re.


    But he remained unfazed, his gaze steady. ¡°My apologies. I¡¯ve always been a straightforward person. I hope you don¡¯t mind.¡±


    I refused to indulge him any longer. ¡°I mind it very much. Mr. Hayes, I understand that you want to express your gratitude, but please remember that I am not single. Saying these things is tantamount to leading me down a path of moral transgression.¡±


    My serious words made Ethan¡¯s ears/turn red. ¡°Sorry. I won¡¯t say it again.¡±


    I spoke calmly, ¡°I don¡¯t need apologies. I need you to show it through your actions.¡±


    Ethan stiffened for a moment before standing up. ¡°Alright¡­ I¡¯ll drop by again


    tomorrow.¡±


    He turned, gave me a lingering nce, and then walked away.


    The moment he left, I felt an immediate sense of relief.


    A nurse passed by and grinned. ¡°Your husband is really good¨Clooking.¡±


    I was at a loss for words, This was going to be difficult to exin.


    Illness strikes suddenly, like a copsing mountain. I had been through it before.


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    By nightfall, I felt a little better and decided to head to the hospital.


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    Despite being young, Yuna had always been in great health. By the time I arrived, she was already full of energy, bouncing around in her hospital room.


    As soon as I stepped in, she quickly shoved her phone under the nket. I heard the soft ping of a phone notification as I entered.


    Yuna hurriedly ducked under the nket to reply before peeking up at me.


    ¡°Mommy, why are you sote? I¡¯m starving!¡± Yuna started grumbling the moment she saw me.


    I gathered what little strength I had and sat beside her. ¡°Sorry. I¡¯m not feeling well either. I didn¡¯t bring any food, so why don¡¯t you call your dad and ask him to bring some?¡±


    ¡°Did I infect you?¡± Yuna blinked innocently. ¡°Good thing I didn¡¯t let Queena hug me. If she got sick, Daddy would have no one to help him at work.¡±


    Hearing that, I sighed inwardly. <i>Having </i><i>you </i><i>in </i><i>my </i><i>life </i><i>is </i><i>truly </i>my ¡°<i>blessing</i><i>¡°</i>.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you hungry? Why not call your dad?¡± I really wasn¡¯t in the mood to argue. Maybe it was pointless to reason with a child. Ignoring her might be the best strategy.


    Yuna pouted. ¡°Why should I call? Can¡¯t you do it?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re the one who¡¯s hungry,¡± I pointed out.


    ¡°But you¡¯re my mommy,¡± she sniffled, looking utterly wronged. ¡°Other moms take care of their kids all the time. But you? I barely even see you.¡±


    I was shocked for a moment, but I quickly grabbed my phone and sent a message to Shawn, asking him to bring some food.


    Not long after, Shawn¡¯s driver arrived with dinner. The dishes were all Yuna¡¯s favorite dishes.


    She sat on the bed with her legs crossed, eating at a leisurely pace while watching <ol><li>me. </li></ol>


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    I was hungry, too, but I didn¡¯t feel like eating. More than anything, I just wanted to sleep.


    Once she finished eating, Yunay down and said, ¡°Mommy, clean this up now.¡± I got up to take care of it, but before I could, she suddenly jumped up from the bed. ¡°Queena told me there¡¯s a supermarket downstairs with a bunch of toys. I want to go and pick some out.¡±


    Thinking back to how she was at this age in my previous life, I realized that she nevercked anything. Her clothes were always expensive, and she only chose high¨Cend items. But now, I didn¡¯t intend to spoil her like before.


    I couldn¡¯t just hand her everything she wanted.


    ¡°No. You already have plenty of toys by your bed. y with those first,¡± I said without hesitation.


    ¡°Why can¡¯t I have what I want? You¡¯re doing this on purpose just to make me unhappy! I¡¯m sick, I had an injection this afternoon, and my hand is swollen again.¡± Whenever Yuna didn¡¯t get her way, she would start acting up, her eyes welling with tears as if she had suffered a great injustice.


    I had seen this act before, so I didn¡¯t give in.


    ¡°Yuna, people need to experience the satisfaction of earning something. If you always get what you want without any effort, you¡¯ll never learn to cherish it,¡± I told her firmly.


    ¡°I don¡¯t see any reason to cherish anything. My daddy is rich, my grandma is rich. Whatever I want, they give it to me without question. But you? You don¡¯t earn a single cent in this house, yet you try to stop me from spending money. Everything you usees from Daddy¡¯s earnings. You¡¯re nothing but a parasite,¡± Yuna shot back, her confidence in arguing growing even sharper. I couldn¡¯t help but wonder who had taught her these things. She already had a frightening level of awareness at such a young age. D

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    Chapter 41 Yuna Learned How to Manipte Others


    I stared at her as if she were a small wolf cub that might suddenly bite. My expression was cold and sharp, urging Yuna to say something, but in the end, she simply pressed her lips together.


    ¡°You just reminded me. I should focus on my own efforts and never rely on others for money. So, Yuna, from now on, I will be busy with work. You need to learn to handle things on your own. And ¡­ as for your dad giving me money, that¡¯s normal. I¡¯m his wife.¡±


    Yuna blinked several times, as if she had never heard me speak in such a firm and serious tone before. She seemed a little uneasy.


    ¡°If one day Daddy doesn¡¯t want you anymore, you won¡¯t be able to spend his money.¡± She seemed momentarily shaken, but she quicklyshed back with another sharp jab, her words cutting deeper than before.


    I let out a softugh. ¡°Why would I worry? I¡¯m young, attractive, and not stupid. If your dad doesn¡¯t support me, there will always be other men who will. But that¡¯s beside the point. I need to be capable on my own. So in the future, if you need something, go to your daddy or grandma.¡± At that moment, I no longer saw her as just a child or my daughter but as someone who needed to understand reality. Whether she truly grasped my words or not, she had to know that as she grew older, I wouldn¡¯t be devoting all my time to her anymore.


    1


    Yuna¡¯s eyes widened even more. She had spoken earlier in an attempt to make me feel insecure, as if I should always put her first, like a nanny meant to obey her wishes. She assumed that as the little princess of this family, she had a powerful justification. Compared to her, as a woman with no ie, I was nothing more than an penniless nanny who should know my ce and prioritize her.


    But I didn¡¯t give in. She miscalcted, and now she was caught off guard.


    She was so young, yet already learning to manipte others. I had to admit that Shawn¡¯s genes were truly impressive.


    In my previous life, I had willingly let myself be controlled by Yuna. As long as she was happy, I thought that was enough.


    But the truth was, a mother was a child¡¯s role model. The person you became was


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    eyes,


    the person they would strive to be. If a mother lost her dignity in her child¡¯s she would eventually be nothing more than someone to be looked down on.


    Yuna realized she couldn¡¯t win the argument against me and went quiet. She lowered her head, fiddling with her toys.


    I leaned back on the couch and shut my eyes for a short rest.


    At around nine, Shawn arrived. He walked in and saw me lying there. Stepping closer, he asked, ¡°Have you eaten yet?¡±


    I opened my eyes slowly and saw him. My mind momentarily went nk.


    Maybe because I was sick, I couldn¡¯t fully separate my past life from reality. Even though I knew what kind of person Shawn was, he still held a ce in my heart. After all, I had once loved him deeply for many years


    I just looked at him, expressionless, without uttering a single word.


    He leaned down, hisrge palm reaching out as he pressed the back of his hand against my forehead. ¡°You¡¯re still not feeling better?¡±


    The warmth of his skin jolted me awake, snapping me back to reality. I quickly pushed his arm away and said, ¡°Since you¡¯re here, I¡¯ll go downstairs to eat something.¡±


    Without another word, I grabbed my bag and made my way to the door.


    ¡°I¡¯ll go with you.¡± Shawn suddenly followed, adding, ¡°I¡¯ll have William watch Yuna.¡±


    ¡°No need. You stay here,¡± I refused without hesitation.


    Just then, Yuna clung to him, her voice filled with grievance. ¡°Daddy, don¡¯t leave me. y with me.¡±


    Shawn shifted his gaze between Yuna and me. ¡°Are you sure you don¡¯t want me toe?¡±


    His <i>tone </i>carried a hint of irritation. I used to do everything I could to keep him by my side. I relied on him too much, far more than I should have.


    Shawn must have enjoyed being needed. I still remembered the time he went


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    shopping with me. That small moment of him being with me kept me happy for days.


    ¡°No need.¡± I let go of all my attachment to him.


    Downstairs, I ate pasta, then took my medicine with warm water. To my dismay, the most bitter pill got stuck in my throat. A few coughster, the bitter taste spread across my tongue.


    I gulped down several mouthfuls of water, but the bitterness refused to fade. That¡¯s when I suddenly remembered the candy Ethan had given me in the morning.


    For some reason, my eyes stung with tears.


    Only someone starved for affection would feel touched over a single piece of candy.


    A deep sadness settled in my chest. What kind of lonely existence had I lived before that something so small could make me feel sentimental?


    I turned left, stepped into a convenience store, and bought a pack of milk candies. Tearing the wrapper open, I popped one into my mouth.


    Hmm<i>¡­ </i>it¡¯s <i>sweet </i><i>and </i><i>rich</i><i>, </i><i>with </i><i>a </i><i>lingering </i><i>creaminess</i>.


    With a pack of candy in hand, I walked back to the hospital room. Inside, Shawn and Yuna were ying chess together. The warmth between them was undeniable, a picture¨Cperfect father¨Cand¨Cdaughter moment. But as soon as I stepped in, I shattered the harmony.


    Yuna shot me a look of disdain before turning away. ¡°Mommy, go home. I want Daddy to stay with me.¡±


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    Shawn turned toward me, his expression serious. ¡°Yuna just told me you scolded her again. Tiffany, I don¡¯t care what happens with others, but Yuna is still a kid. Do you really have to be so harsh on her?¡±


    My eyes widened in disbelief. Was Yuna ming me for something again?


    No, no, this wasn¡¯t right. I needed to rethink everything. I must have been too lenient with her, which gave her the courage to act so boldly against me.


    ¡°So, are you saying I failed to teach her properly? You¡¯re right. This is on me. I indulged her too much when she was little, and now she¡¯s developed these habits.¡± I inhaled deeply, keeping my tone steady.


    ¡°It¡¯s good that you understand.¡± Shawn¡¯s sharp gaze darkened. ¡°You should change that from now on.¡±


    I shook my head. ¡°It¡¯s easy to change the environment, but a person¡¯s nature is much harder to reshape. What I mean is Yuna¡¯s temperament is likely already set. Changing her will be difficult.¡±


    Yuna immediately pouted. ¡°Mommy, what¡¯s that supposed to mean? Are you saying I¡¯m bad? Daddy, did you hear her? I¡¯m still young, and she¡¯s already talking about me like this!¡±


    Shawn¡¯s expression darkened even further. He stood abruptly and walked toward me. ¡°Tiffany Mayfield, is this really how you n to go on?¡±


    Hearing my full name meant he was beingpletely serious. In the past, a moment like this would have made me feel like my entire world was crumbling like there was no hope ahead.


    But now? Now<i>, </i>I saw things differently. He was not a saint or some god. He wasn¡¯t immune to emotions or frustrations. He wasn¡¯t asposed as I once thought. Didn¡¯t I just manage to make his face darken with anger?


    If I wanted rity, I needed to reset my mindset.


    I turned my gaze to Yuna.


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    She was ying with a few beads, a victorious smirk on her lips, as if silently dering that she had won yet another battle.


    Shawn would always take her side.


    ¡°Shawn, I¡¯m sorry. Things havee this far, and I take responsibility. But when ites to raising our child, I have my own principles. If you can¡¯t ept that, then maybe ¡­ we should end this marriage.¡±


    Sometimes, emotions couldpletely take over. Even though I always said money mattered, and I wanted to use Shawn¡¯s influence to build my own career, facing Yuna¡¯s constant defiance, my husband¡¯s obvious bias, and his unwillingness to understand me, I realized something. Money wasn¡¯t the only way to secure my future.


    Even if I divorced him, I¡¯d still receive a hefty settlement, reaching financial independence sooner than expected. That didn¡¯t seem like a bad deal after all.


    But more than anything, I didn¡¯t want to endure this emotional turmoil anymore.


    They could continue with their perfect father¨Cdaughter duo. I didn¡¯t need to worry about Yuna¡¯s future. After all, mine was far more uncertain than hers. She had the Hartwells to rely on and Shawn¡¯s endless favoritism to shield her. But what about


    me?


    I only had myself and the family who raised me. If something happened to me, they¡¯re the ones who would truly suffer.


    ¡°What did you just say?¡± Shawn¡¯s face twisted with rage, his eyes shaking with barely contained fury. His voice carried a weight of intimidation, but it no longer shook me.


    I met his gaze, unwavering. ¡°If we can¡¯t make this work, then let¡¯s get a divorce. I have no desire to be an obstacle in your life, and I refuse to turn into my own daughter¡¯s enemy¡±


    Yuna barely reacted to Shawn¡¯s anger. She simply continued fiddling with her beads, asionally casting indifferent nces our way.


    ¡°Go home and reflect on yourself. From now on, you don¡¯t need to worry about Yuna.¡± Shawn¡¯s tone was cold, his finger pointing toward the hospital room¡¯s exit. His expression made it clear that I was no longer needed here.


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    Chapter 42 Let¡¯s Get a Divorce


    I picked up my handbag and strode away.


    s


    As the elevator moved downward, my heart remained steady¨Cunlike in my past. life when it would have plunged into darkness.


    Instead, a sense of relief washed over me. Letting go of attachments truly felt like breaking free, as if endless possibilitiesy ahead.


    I drove back, took a quick shower, and went to bed. Lying there, I knew it wouldn¡¯t be long before Shawn sent over the divorce papers. I had already angered him, so he wouldn¡¯t wait until the New Year. He would settle everything fast and cut me offpletely from Yuna¡¯s upbringing.


    To Shawn, our daughter was his real family. I was nothing more than an outsider- someone he could discard without hesitation.


    With this thought in mind, I drifted into a deep sleep.


    The next morning, I got ready and headed straight to the clinic for an injection.


    Fatigue still clung to me, but I had just returned from the Apex Hotel with some new documents to review.


    I couldn¡¯t afford to ck off anymore. My daughter looked down on me. I needed to prove myself, set a goal, and push forward.


    As I flipped through the documents, a shadow loomed over me. A tall figure took the seat beside me. It was Ethan. He ced breakfast in front of me. Today, he wasn¡¯t dressed in his usual formal attire. Instead, he wore casual sportswear, looking fresh and full of energy.


    ¡°What brings you here again?¡± I asked, startled.


    The first thing Ethan did after sitting down was to leisurely pull a mask from his pocket and put it on. When he turned to me, his gaze was steady, his eyes deep and amused. A faint smile yed on his lips. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I came prepared.¡±

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    Chapter 43 Ethan Came to Visit Again


    Chapter 43 Ethan Came to Visit Again


    I was taken aback. Ethan had a pleasant demeanor, but his shamelessness that was on another level.


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    well,


    ¡°The breakfast I brought was prepared by the cook at mypany. Give it a try,¡± Ethan murmured.


    ¡°How did you know I hadn¡¯t eaten?¡± I shot him a curious nce before lowering my head and continuing to read the document.


    Folding his hands together, Ethan leaned forward slightly. That simple movement unexpectedly carried a sense of respect¨Csomething I hadn¡¯t quite anticipated.


    ¡°Even if you¡¯ve already eaten, have a little more,¡± he coaxed gently.


    It suddenly struck me that no man had cared for me like this in a long while. His words, soft yet persistent, made me feel oddlyforted.


    ¡°Thanks.¡± Today, it was my left hand that received the injection, so at least my right hand was free to finally enjoy a proper meal. ¡°You guessed right. I really dide here without having breakfast.¡±


    Ethan¡¯s brows knitted together. ¡°Why don¡¯t you take better care of yourself? You¡¯re sick and still neglecting meals?¡±


    A mischievous thought surfaced, and I couldn¡¯t resist teasing, ¡°Maybe I knew someone would bring me <i>food</i>.¡±


    His frown eased instantly, and a flicker of emotion shed in his eyes, barely concealed. ¡°Oh? Were you waiting for me?¡±


    The air grew tense with something unspoken. Watching Ethan steal nces at me, I wondered if I had taken the joke too far.


    I had no ns to deepen my connection with him, yet I couldn¡¯t help but provoke him. It was reckless of me.


    ¡°Mr. Hayes, I have work to finish. You should go,¡± I said, making my request clear.


    ¡°I can help you take a look,¡± he offered, disappointment flickering across his face.


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    Chapter 43 Ethan Came to Visit Again


    Yet, despite my dismissal, he showed no intention of leaving.


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    ¡°There¡¯s no need. I can manage on my own.¡± Some connections only grew moreplicated the deeper they got. Right now, Ethan and I weren¡¯t even close enough to be considered friends. It was best not to rely on him.


    ¡°Tiffany, when are you getting a divorce?¡± His sudden question caught me off guard, especially given my distant demeanor.


    I froze for a moment, recalling the chaos I stirred up with Shawnst night. If things went as expected, I wouldn¡¯t have to wait much longer to end that chapter of my life.


    ¡°Why do you ask? It¡¯s quite rude to pry into someone else¡¯s private matters,¡± I said coolly.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I just worry about you.¡± His gaze held an undeniable sincerity.


    ¡°Even if I do get divorced, I have no intention of stepping into another


    rtionship anytime soon. Mr. Hayes, you¡¯d be better off not wasting your energy,¡± I replied evenly.


    ¡°That¡¯s fine. We have plenty of time.¡± His lips curved into a deeper smile, though I couldn¡¯t tell what he was hoping for.


    I studied him, curiosity flickering in my mind. ¡°Mr. Hayes, have you secretly had a crush on me for a long time?¡±


    Ethan was startled by my blunt question. His ears turned red, and a flicker of unease appeared in his eyes. ¡°Yes, for a long time.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but I have no answer for you.¡± Leaning back in my chair, I kept my face emotionless. ¡°This marriage has drained all my passion.¡±


    Ethan stared at me, as if struggling to process my words. My rejection was unmistakable, and it clearly hurt him.


    ¡°I won¡¯t trouble you too much. I just want to see you a little more,¡± he murmured, his tone carrying a touch of humility.


    I stared at him in silence, a bitter taste rising in my heart. I had never taken the time to truly understand men. When Shawn married me, he, too, had promised a


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    lifetime of love, a future spent growing old together. In the end, those words had been nothing more than empty promises, a way to deceive women. I was no longer young and naive. My emotions now came with conditions and practical


    considerations.


    Ethan seemed like someone inexperienced in love, pure¨Chearted and filled with hopeful expectations. How could I bear to shatter his beautiful illusions?


    Out of responsibility, I chose to push him away as harshly as I could.


    ¡°You¡¯ve never been married, while I¡¯ve already experienced it once. We¡¯re not a good match. You should go and find someone else,¡± I advised him gently.


    Ethan lowered his eyes, lost in thought. After a brief silence, he stood up. ¡°Then let¡¯s have dinner another day. If you ever need help, just ask.¡±


    I watched him, puzzled. He hadn¡¯t really acknowledged my rejection.


    Without¨Clingering, Ethan turned and left. He hadn¡¯t pressed the issue, yet I couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that he wouldn¡¯t give up so easily.


    Around noon, Yuna called. She was about to be discharged from the hospital and asked me to bring a gift when I came to pick her <ol><li>up. </li></ol>


    Recalling the unpleasant argument with Shawn yesterday, I could go pick her up, but I had no desire to see him.


    Now that divorce was inevitable, any encounter would only worsen the tension between us.


    I grabbed a random gift on the way and headed to the hospital. Susanna, my mother¨Cinw, was already there, carrying homemade food and a pile of fun new toys. Yuna lounged on the couch like a princess, her legs propped up on a chair as she yed a video game. Without looking up, she grumbled, ¡°Grandma, can you hurry up? I don¡¯t want to stay here any longer. This ce smells weird.¡±

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    Susanna had already gathered Luna¡¯s belongings. The moment she noticed me entering, she quickly asked, ¡°Tiffany, what brings you here?¡±


    ¡°Susanna, I¡¯m here to pick up Yuna and take her home,¡± I replied.


    Yuna nced at me and pouted. ¡°If I go home, I¡¯ll be all alone. Mommy, can you stay home and y with me this afternoon?¡±


    Hearing that, Susanna frowned and scolded, ¡°Tiffany, why don¡¯t you take a break from work and focus on your family? That should be your top priority. Yuna is so young, she shouldn¡¯t be left alone.¡±


    I understood her implication. In her eyes, since we weren¡¯t struggling financially, I should dedicate myself to the family.


    But no matter what, I wasn¡¯t going to give up my career just to be a stay¨Cat¨Chome wife.


    Having financial stability was one thing, but losing self¨Crespect and independence was another kind of suffering.


    ¡°Susanna, my decision is final. I need to work. Yuna is old enough, and if she ever feels lonely, I¡¯ll hire a tutor to teach her at home.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want that! I don¡¯t want to take lessons!¡± Yuna immediately protested.


    Seeing how determined I was, Susanna¡¯s expression darkened.


    At that moment, Shawn suddenly appeared at the doorway. He was dressed in a suit with a crisp white shirt underneath, exuding a professional aura. As soon as he spotted me, his expression turned icy, as if reminded of our heated argument the night before.


    ¡°Daddy!¡± Yuna chirped like a little bird, rushing into his arms. ¡°Why are you here? Don¡¯t you have work?¡±


    Shawn lifted her up and kissed her cheek. ¡°I just wanted to see you.¡±


    ¡°Can we have lunch togetherter?¡± Since our rtionship had be strained,


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    Yuna had been getting closer to Shawn. Thankfully, no matter what happened between us, he had always been a devoted and patient father.


    ¡°Of course. Mom, you shoulde along too,¡± he added before carrying Yuna toward the elevator.


    Susanna and I stepped into the elevator behind him, each carrying a few bags.


    The small space was crowded with people, and at one point, Susanna nudged me slightly, causing me to bump into Shawn.


    At some point, my perception of him had changed. I no longer saw him as my husband but just another man I happened to know. The idental touch made me uneasy, as if he were nothing more than a stranger.


    When we reached the basement parking lot, Shawn carefully ced Yuna into his car, gave the driver an address, and shut the door.


    ¡°I¡¯ll ride with you,¡± he said, ncing in my direction.


    Susanna had her own driver, and soon, three cars exited the basement parking lot at the same time.


    Shawn sat in the passenger seat beside me, quiet for a long while. I had no idea what was on his mind.


    I kept my focus on the road, uninterested in starting a conversation.


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t in a good mood yesterday. Don¡¯t take what I said too seriously,¡± he said, turning to look at me as we stopped at a red light.


    My fingers tightened around the steering wheel as I fought to keep my emotions in check. In my past life<i>, </i>if he had said this, I would have broken down in tears, ying the part of the wounded wife, hoping he would notice my pain, feel guilty, and love me more.


    But now? His words meant nothing to me.


    I had no desire to appear weak in front of him. All I wanted was a rational conversation about ending our marriage.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t give it much thought,¡± I replied tly.


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    Shawn fixed his gaze on me for a long while. He was probably just as shocked, puzzled by the fact that I neither cried nor held him responsible.


    After all, in the two months before my rebirth, I must have cried no less than three times. Each time, I pleaded for his care and tenderness, mourning and resenting in equal measure. It was as if, without his love, I would wither away like a fish stranded on drynd.


    ¡°Let¡¯s not bring up the divorce again,¡± Shawnmanded, his voice low and firm.


    I let out a softugh. ¡°Even if we avoid the topic, does that change anything about our situation?¡±


    ¡°What situation?¡± His voice turned cold.


    I stayed quiet for a moment before speaking. ¡°Our days feel empty, like drinking water. I haven¡¯t done well in raising our daughter, I don¡¯t have a career I can take pride in, and you¡¯re always caught up with work, barely home for days at a time. Living like this over and over again, it¡¯s exhausting.¡±


    Shawn didn¡¯t respond right away. When he finally spoke, there was no trace of understanding in his voice, only mockery. ¡°Sounds like you¡¯ve been toofortable if you have time to think about things like this.¡±


    His words caught me off guard, and I turned to look at him. He continued without hesitation, ¡°Let¡¯s not even talk about your niche major. Do you really think you¡¯ll find a decent job after you graduate? And even if you do, how far do you think you can go?¡±


    My grip on the steering wheel tightened. As much as I hated to admit it, he wasn¡¯t wrong.


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    Shawn sneered, his tone full of mockery. ¡°Sess isn¡¯t built on daydreams and empty promises. I¡¯m swamped with work, dealing with constant stress. Money doesn¡¯t magically appear out of nowhere. If you expect me to be considerate of your feelings, shouldn¡¯t you also acknowledge the challenges I face? I¡¯ve never been stingy with you. I give you a monthly allowance of a million and even support your parents. So tell me, Tiffany, is it that unbearable to be my wife?¡±


    His words hit me like a freezing downpour, sending chills through my entire body.


    Maybe he was right. Maybe I was being selfish, constantly asking for more and never satisfied.


    But every choice came with a price. Over the past six years, he had provided me with a life of wealth andfort, so much so that I had lost all sense of financial hardship. Yet, as a woman who had spent three decades tormented by emotions, only to die of illness in the end¡ªI couldn¡¯t bear to relive the same fate.


    Just call it arrogance. Perhaps I simply craved something more, a wealth of the soul rather than the money. I wanted to live differently this time.


    Seeing me fall silent, Shawn assumed he had crushed my foolish dreams. From this moment on, I would be the obedient wife, turning a blind eye to his affairs. He wanted the best of both worlds, a loyal wife at home and mistresses outside, all living in silent understanding.


    For him, this was the ideal arrangement.


    But what about me? I could never ept sharing my husband with other women. I just couldn¡¯t. Unless I was the one who gained something from it.


    ¡°Tiffany, we¡¯ve been married for six years, not just a few months. This passion and romance you keep chasing, it¡¯s not that I don¡¯t care, but it¡¯s unnecessary. Let¡¯s just focus on living a stable life, raising Yuna. And if you ever feel lonely, we can have another baby. If you don¡¯t want to go through the struggle of pregnancy, IVF is an option. You could even have twin boys if you wanted.¡±


    ¡°No.¡± His words felt like an invisible hand tightening around my throat, cutting off my breath.


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    One Yuna had already turned my world upside down. Having two more sons was out of the question. Suppose the Hartwells needed an heir, that was their concern, not mine. All I wanted was to end this marriage and take back control of my life.


    Shawn narrowed his eyes, his expression darkening. Clearly, my response didn¡¯t sit well with him.


    ¡°Can you stop overreacting? If you keep pushing, you¡¯ll only hurt yourself in the end,¡± he said, his voiceced with disappointment.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­¡± My grip tightened on the steering wheel as I suddenly hit the brakes, pulling over. Pain colored my voice. ¡°Maybe I am too selfish, maybe I¡¯ve been too naive. But Shawn, this marriage isn¡¯t working. I¡¯m not saying you¡¯re a bad husband, you¡¯re good, really. But I ¡­¡®


    ¡°Tiffany, that¡¯s enough.¡± He cut me off sharply, as if terrified I¡¯d mention divorce again. His voice rose with frustration. ¡°I¡¯ve alreadypromised. I¡¯m handing Apex Hotel over to you. Isn¡¯t that what you wanted? You want a career, don¡¯t you? I saw the design ns you showed mest time. I admire your talent. You¡¯re capable. So tell me, do you still want a divorce?¡±


    I looked at him, momentarily stunned.


    His eyes burned with fury, as dark and unfathomable as a ck hole. ¡°If we divorce, you¡¯ll lose everything, including this career you im to want so badly. And if you¡¯re the one who files for divorce, I can make sure you walk away with nothing. No child, no assets.¡±


    I gazed at him and suddenly understood how truly frightening Shawn could be.


    His feelings for me hadpletely faded. He had just told me to stop dreaming about love and passion because Queena had already given him plenty of that. Their romance had left its mark everywhere, yet he still wanted me trapped in this lifeless marriage, refusing to set me free.


    Shawn was utterly selfish. He could indulge in passion and excitement whenever he pleased, yet he trapped me in a lifeless cage.


    But he did remind me of one thing. If I divorced him, I might lose my career. And there was a good chance I wouldn¡¯t walk away with much of the wealth, either.


    I needed Apex Hotel as a stepping stone. Once I had gathered enough skills and


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    09:34 Wed, 3 Sept


    Chapter 45 Stop Overreacting


    experience, I would be ready to face any challenges ahead.


    Now was not the right moment to bring up divorce.


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    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I wasn¡¯t thinking straight,¡± I murmured, adjusting the car back onto the road.


    Shawn was seething, arms folded, his expression dark and unreadable as he stared ahead in silence.


    Staying married was fine, as long as my heart remained my own.


    I would stop waiting for his surprises or gifts. I wouldn¡¯t ask when he nned toe home. We would simply exist like two strangers who knew each other too well.


    At the lunch table, Susanna brought up the topic of having a baby again, but Yuna lost her temper, snapping at her until she finally fell silent.


    Shawn nced at his furious daughter, who was too upset to touch her food, and gently reassured her, ¡°All right, Yuna. Mommy and I have decided not to have a baby for the time being.¡±

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    Chapter 46 Sing With Another Woman


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    ¡°It¡¯s not just for now, it¡¯s never going to happen.¡± Yuna tightened her hands into fists, her eyes brimming with unshed tears.


    Beside her, Susanna chuckled, shaking her head. ¡°You¡¯re so headstrong for someone so young. Our family need a son. One day, someone has to run your daddy¡¯s business.¡±


    ¡°I can do it.¡± Yuna dered, puffing out her chest.


    I spoke up softly, ¡°But didn¡¯t you once say that a woman¡¯s ce is at home, raising children instead of chasing a career?¡±


    Yuna¡¯s face turned red. Those were the values she¡¯d grown up with, after all.


    She muttered under her breath, ¡°I¡¯m not the same as you. Gramps and Granny doesn¡¯t have the capability, so you have no choice but to stay home and care for the kids.¡±


    Shawn¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°Enough, Yuna. Let¡¯s drop this and eat.¡±


    After the meal, Susanna took Yuna away while I apanied Shawn to the office.


    That evening. Queena arranged apany dinner, gathering thepany¡¯s top executives in an extravagant private lounge. The space wasvish,plete with a karaoke system. A dozen men and women lounged on the sofas, sipping their drinks. I hadn¡¯t intended toe, but Shawn insisted.


    Queena didn¡¯t seem pleased by my presence. Just to irritate her, I tagged along.


    Shawn, being reserved, had no interest in lively gatherings. While others belted out songs, he quietly sipped his tea. In contrast, Queena was quite active. It was unclear who yed an Enrian love song, but soon, its soft melody filled the room.


    She suddenly walked over and extended the microphone toward Shawn. ¡°Mr. Hartwell, join me for a song.¡±


    Without even ncing at me, Shawn took the mic. A gentle, delighted smile curled on Queena¡¯s lips.


    Yet, as if remembering my presence, she turned and smiled sweetly. ¡°Mrs. Hartwell, you don¡¯t mind if I sing with your husband, do you?¡±


    I answered without hesitation, ¡°Not at all. I¡¯ve never heard him sing before. I¡¯d love to.¡±


    Shawn shot me a look, his expression unreadable. He said nothing.


    Their duet began, their voices flowing seamlessly in perfect Enrian, rich with emotion. Shawn¡¯s voice caught me off guard. It was unexpectedly captivating. Deep, maic, carrying a charm that was entirely his own.


    I had never heard him sing before. I had no idea he possessed such talent.


    A sharp pang settled in my chest. I truly was a failed wife.


    Each time Queena took her turn, her gaze softened as she looked at Shawn. In her eyes, there was admiration and reverence, along with a lingering emotion that seemed like a hint of unspoken affection.


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    Chapter 46 Sing With Another Woman


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    Compared to her, I might have had the advantage in looks, but when it came to understanding men, I fell short. My nature was too blunt, too straightforward. Icked the grace, the allure that drew them in. I had never tried to be anything other than a good wife and mother.


    And yet, it was obvious that Shawn liked the way she looked at him. His face flushed slightly, whether from the alcohol or something deeper, I couldn¡¯t tell.


    I¡¯d seen him look like this before. However, it¡¯s usually in bed, on rare asions when it happened.


    Queena had a rare talent. Just one song from her was enough to stir Shawn¡¯s emotions.


    I lowered my head, eating popcorn. Once the song ended, the room was swallowed by silence. Without hesitation, I pped first. ¡°Hubby, that was really good.¡±


    My words shattered the quiet, and all eyes turned to me.


    They must have thought I was ridiculous. Any other woman would have stormed out if her husband sang a ove song with another woman. Yet, instead of making a scene, I chose to apud.


    But I had my own reasons. Since Shawn had forbidden me from ever bringing up divorce again, I needed 1 different approach to move things along.


    Queena wasn¡¯t young. She was two years older than me, already in herte twenties. She had to be eager to secure her position.


    As long as she applied enough pressure, Shawn would eventually give in and agree to divorce on good erms. Just like before, he would offer me the vi, eight percent of thepany¡¯s shares, and severalmercial properties under his name. The only thing he wouldn¡¯t part with was custody of our daughter. Everything else would be mine, enough to keep me financially secure for life.


    But in my past life, none of that mattered to me. I only cared about him, not wealth. I believed that if I held onto him, I would never have to worry about struggling. I thought that keeping my marriage and materialforts intact meant I would always be happy.


    But in truth, pressure could break a person, and emotions could be suffocating.


    The constant worry, sleepless nights, and unbearable mental strain¨Cwithin just a few years, I nearly lost my mind. Even on the brightest days, I felt an icy chill creeping over me. I avoided familiar faces, afraid they would whisper behind my back. Even my own family became people I feared, worried they would truly believe I had lost my mind.


    ¡°Tiffany, let¡¯s go home,¡± Shawn said. Maybe my apuse unsettled him. He grabbed his suit and strode toward the exit.


    I set down the popcorn, took a sip of tea, and bid farewell to everyone in the room.

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    Chapter 47 I Won¡¯t Touch You


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    ¡°Mr. Hartwell, won¡¯t you sit for a while longer?¡± Queena hurried to the door, her expression showing a hint of disappointment.


    Shawn turned back and replied, ¡°You all go on. I still have a kid at home.¡±


    He then made his way to the elevator, with me following at a leisurely pace. 2


    Queena was usually good at hiding her emotions and keeping aposed and steady exterior. But in the brief moment our gazes met, I could sense a quiet bitterness and disapproval simmering within her toward me.


    Hah, <i>how </i><i>long </i><i>do </i><i>you </i><i>think </i><i>you </i><i>can </i>keep <i>up </i><i>the </i><i>act</i><i>? </i>


    As long as I stayed quiet, she¡¯d be the one to stir up trouble.


    Inside the elevator, Shawn surprised me by pulling out a cigarette. Just as he was about to light it, a woman with a young child, around five or six, stepped in from the next floor.


    Without a second thought, Shawn snapped the cigarette in half and crushed it in his hand.


    The truth was, Shawn was a true gentleman, his manners ingrained in him. He was genuinely a good person. Perhaps in my past life, I had been too harsh, causing him to drift away from me and towards someone else.


    It¡¯s often said that when one partner in a marriage didn¡¯t grow, they¡¯d eventually be left behind. Over time, differences in perspective, values, and ambitions would widen into an unbridgeable gap¨Cuntil divorce became the inevitable conclusion.


    In my past life, Icked ambition so I chose to focus solely on the children. During that time, my weight climbed to over 130 pounds. With my tall frame, I felt heavy and sturdy. Seeing how slim and delicate Queena was, I assumed Shawn preferred petite women. So, I pushed myself to lose weight, only to end up malnourished, with poor blood cirction and a paleplexion. I felt weak all over.


    In the end, I had been too self¨Cabsorbed, never realizing that Shawn no longer loved me because I had fallen behind and no longer fit his life.


    The elevator door chimed open, and Shawn stepped out. He nced at me and said, ¡°Wait for me in the car. I just need to have a smoke<i>.¡± </i>


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you driving here?¡± I asked.


    ¡°No, Shawn answered, heading toward the nearby smoking area.


    I knew he didn¡¯t usually smoke. He only lit up when something was bothering him.


    What happened? Did his mood take a dive after singing a love song with his lover?


    Was it because of my presence that their bond couldn¡¯t grow stronger, leaving him feeling empty and


    uncertain?


    2:50 pm


    Chapter 47 I Won¡¯t Touch You


    I let out a quietugh and made my way to the car, settling in to wait for him.


    A few minutester, Shawn approached, tall and carrying himself with a sense of authority.


    He opened the passenger door and slid in.


    s


    Over the past few days, he had sat in the passenger seat of my car more than once, something that would have been unthinkable in my past life.


    I started the engine and, trying to lighten the mood, said, ¡°Hubby, maybe we should stop riding together in the future. It¡¯s not very safe.¡±


    Shawn looked at me with a nk expression and replied, ¡°Just focus on driving.¡±


    I let out a deep sigh and remarked, ¡°No matter how much I concentrate on driving, idents always seem to happen. Haven¡¯t you heard that it¡¯s safer if family members sit apart in case of an ident. At least if something happens, not everyone will be lost.¡±


    ¡°Keep quiet and focus on the road,¡± Shawn ordered sharply as soon as I finished speaking.


    Truthfully, I made thatment, hoping he wouldn¡¯t want to ride with me again. I wasn¡¯t keen on being cramped up with him in such a small space.


    By the time we got home, it was already quitete. My mother¨Cinw hadn¡¯t brought Yuna back. She¡¯d taken her to her own ce instead.


    Maybe it was because my mother¨Cinw felt a bit guilty. After all, Yuna had fallen ill under her care. And now, with both Shawn and I working, she probably wanted to make up for it.


    Either way, with Yuna gone, the house felt a little calmer.


    After a quick shower, I slipped into my pajamas and nced at my reflection in the full¨Clength mirror of the dressing room.


    Thanks to a healthy diet and keeping up with my dance and yoga routines, my body had be more toned and bnced.


    However, the cold I¡¯d caught over the past few days had caused me to lose a few pounds, giving me a more slender and delicate appearance.


    I turned toward the makeup mirror to start my skincare routine, only to notice Shawn sitting on the edge of the bed.


    When did hee in? How did he manage to sneak in without making a sound?


    Lately, not only had he been spending more time in the passenger seat, but he¡¯d also beening into my room more often than before,


    ¡°Hubby, I have a cold.¡± I immediately yed the part of being weak, hoping to avoid giving him any


    reason to stay.


    ¡°I know,¡± Shawn replied, ncing up at me. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I won¡¯t touch you.¡±


    I froze. If <i>you </i>won¡¯t touch <i>me</i>, <i>then </i><i>why </i><i>are </i><i>you </i><i>here</i>? Just <i>to </i>sleep<i>? </i>


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    I remembered him saying before that he prefered sleeping alone and didn¡¯t like anyone lying next to him.


    Honestly, I had no idea which of his words were ever true.


    After finishing my skincare routine, Iy beside him, pulling up a light nket and preparing to sleep.


    Suddenly, Shawn reached out and ced his hand on my


    forehead.


    I stiffened at the contact, giving him a confused look. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±


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    Chapter

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    48 Jealous of Queena


    Chapter 48 Jealous of Queena


    ¡°Let me check if you have a fever.¡± Shawn¡¯s tone carried a hint of frustration.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been taking medicine for two days, so my fever is gone,¡± I answered without hesitation.


    ¡°If you¡¯re thinking clearly, then why were you pping tonight?¡± His voice turned colder, and his expression darkened. It was obvious he was upset.


    s


    It was my turn to act, so I quickly smiled and spoke sincerely, ¡°Hubby, I was pping because your singing was amazing. I never knew your voice could be so wonderful.¡±


    Shawn studied me for a long time, his sharp gaze scanning my face as if searching for something.


    ¡°We were singing a love song together. Aren¡¯t you jealous?¡± he asked in a low voice, carrying a hint of something unreadable.


    Seeing the seriousness in his expression, I decided to y dumb. ¡°Oh? That was a love song? My Enrian isn¡¯t great, so I didn¡¯t notice. But your Enrian was so smooth, just what I¡¯d expect from a top student who studied abroad.¡±


    He let out a soft hum. ¡°You¡¯re getting worse at pretending. I only sang with Queena tonight to help her out. There were many important executives present. As thepany¡¯s vice president, if I embarrassed her, she¡¯d lose credibility in front of them.¡±


    ¡°Vice president? Isn¡¯t she just your assistant?¡± I was caught off guard.


    Shawn lowered his voice. ¡°She was recently promoted at the board meeting. She¡¯s capable enough for the role.¡±


    Listening to his words, a sour feeling rose in my chest. Her promotion must have meant Shawn admired and valued her a lot.


    Suddenly, I didn¡¯t feel like talking anymore. I simply nodded, turned over, and closed my eyes.


    Noticing my reaction, Shawn let out a sneer. ¡°Now you¡¯re jealous? Isn¡¯t it a bitte for that?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not jealous,¡± I said calmly, keeping my voice steady. ¡°Ms. Tackman is known for her abilities. She got promoted because of her skills, unlike me. I only got the management rights of Apex Hotel because of you.¡±


    Shawn frowned. ¡°You¡¯re my wife. That¡¯s different.¡±


    ¡°All right, let¡¯s sleep, Hubby.¡± I had no interest in continuing the conversation.


    Sensing myck of enthusiasm, Shawn suddenly pulled me into his arms from behind. His lips brushed against the back of my neck, sending a wave of heat through me.


    I stiffened and quickly pushed him away. ¡°I¡¯m still not feeling well.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine, I¡¯ll be gentle,¡± he murmured before flipping me over in one swift motion. His body pressed against mine, and he leaned down, kissing my lips.


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    Chapter 48 Jealous of Queena


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    His warm breath surrounded me, making me instinctively resist. As I struggled to push him away, he suddenly grabbed my wrists with one strong hand, pinning them above my head.


    ¡°Hubby, I have a cold. It¡¯s contagious ¡­ mmph!¡± Before I could even finish, Shawn kissed my lips in a deep kiss, cutting off any chance for me to speak.


    His actions were rougher and more intense than ever, leaving me no room to resist. Tonight, there was something different about him, almost like he had lost control. Maybe it was because he hadn¡¯t been able to have a deep conversation with Queena about their feelings. With nowhere else to release his frustration he turned to me instead, as if I were her, pouring all his pent¨Cup emotions into this moment. D


    Without warning, he grabbed me and flipped me over, acting aggressively from behind.


    My strength gave out. I couldn¡¯t support myself and copsed forward. But before I could fallpletely, he caught me without hesitation, holding me firmly in ce, leaving no room to escape.


    He didn¡¯t look at me. He didn¡¯t want to. He only wanted to move mechanically, as if I was just a stand¨Cin for Queena, a way to ease his emptiness.


    After what felt like forever, he finally stopped. Though his body seemed thoroughly satisfied, his face showed no satisfaction. It was as if something was still missing, as if it still hadn¡¯t met his expectations.


    ¡°Tiffany, what¡¯s wrong with you tonight?¡± He suddenly spoke, sitting on the edge of the bed.


    Shivering from both exhaustion and the lingering chill in my body, I pulled the nket over myself, barely able to process his words.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with me? I just recovered from a serious sickness ¡­ ¡± My voice trembled with anger. The realization that I was nothing more than a recement for Queena, nothing more than his tool, ignited a fire inside me. I wanted to scream and curse at him.


    ¡°That¡¯s not the point.¡± Shawn¡¯s voice was deep and firm. ¡°You¡¯ve lost your passion for me.¡±


    His words stunned me. I turned to face him, only to find his expression filled with frustration and doubt.


    ¡°Haven¡¯t you?¡± He had already slipped on his robe, standing by the bed with sharp eyes fixed on me. ¡°Are you seeing someone else?¡±


    The usation hit me like a p. I jumped up from the bed, furious. Was he really trying to turn this around on me?


    I clutched the nket tightly around myself, but it kept sliding down, exposing my bare skin to his gaze. His eyes darkened as he took in the sight.


    ¡°Shawn, how dare you suspect me of being unfaithful? What about you? Don¡¯t you have someone else out there?¡± My voice was steady, my re unyielding. I refused to back down.

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    Chapter 49 A Business Trip With Queena


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    Shawn gazed at me without a trace of emotion. ¡°So, you actually believed the rumors about Queena and


    me at work?¡±


    I met his stare, my voice trembling with restrained anger. ¡°Since you knew about the rumors, why didn¡¯t you stop them from turning into reality? If you no longer love me, I can ept that, but what I won¡¯t tolerate is your distrust.¡± My chest tightened as sorrow and fury surged through me like a raging tide.


    Shawn found my response unreasonable. Instead of rifying his rtionship with Queena, he uttered something even colder. ¡°Even if something did happen between us, Tiffany, maybe you should ask yourself why.¡±


    I stiffened. A chill crept through my veins.


    What did he mean by that? Was he ming me?


    ¡°If you don¡¯t love me anymore, just say it. There¡¯s no need for excuses. Yes, I admit it. I¡¯ve neglected mysel over the years. I didn¡¯t chase dreams, clinging to you like a vine wrapping around a tree. I gave you and our child everything and forgot to love myself. But don¡¯t worry, starting now, that will change.¡± My red- rimmed eyes locked onto his, filled with a mix of bitterness and determination.


    Shawn frowned. ¡°At least you realize your problem. That means there¡¯s still hope for you. But don¡¯t be so paranoid. Queena and I work together. We are merely superior and subordinate. There¡¯s nothing inappropriate between us.¡±


    I let out a coldugh. ¡°Is that so? Since when do coworkers sing love songs so passionately?¡±


    His patience snapped. ¡°Tiffany, must you keep pushing? Calm yourself down,¡± he said, his voice turning sharp with frustration.


    Without another word, he turned around and walked away, leaving the room in silence.


    I sat there, staring at the disheveled sheets, reying his every word in my head. Whenever I didn¡¯t conform to his expectations, he questioned my love for him. He had always been sharp¨Ctongued.


    But this time, he wasn¡¯t wrong. I didn¡¯t love him anymore.


    The next morning, I went downstairs for breakfast, only to find Shawn lounging on the couch. Momentster, Queena walked in, carrying a stack of documents. In her other hand was a neatly folded shirt and a


    suit¨Cboth for him.


    ¡°Good morning, Mrs. Hartwell,¡± she greeted me with a polite smile. ¡°Mr. Hartwell and I have a flight to Andorwood at 10:30. Would you mind if I had breakfast here?¡±


    Her tone was courteous, but every word was filled with a hidden threat.


    I responded without hesitation, ¡°Of course.¡±


    Susanna nced at me, and in her eyes, I caught a flicker of sympathy¨Cpity, even. Perhaps women, no matter their age, possessed an innate sense when it came to matters of the heart.


    Even she could tell that Queena¡¯s motives were far from pure. If Susanna saw it, there was no way Shawn


    2:50 pm


    Chapter 49 A Business Trip With Queena


    didn¡¯t.


    s


    Last night, he imed nothing happened between them. Maybe this trip would finally give them the chance to cross that line.


    ¡°Thank you, Mrs. Hartwell. You¡¯re truly a generous and considerate wife.¡± Queena stepped forward, took a seat, and began eating as if she belonged there.


    I took a slow sip of my oat milk. ¡°Ms. Tackman, don¡¯t bother ttering me. I¡¯m not as generous as you might think. I¡¯m not always so understanding about everything.¡±


    Her face stiffened, the forced politeness slipping for a fraction of a second. Then, as if on cue, she cast a pitiful nce in Shawn¡¯s direction, silently seeking his attention.


    But Shawn was too engrossed in his documents to notice the quiet battle unfolding right beside him.


    ¡°Oh, speaking of which, Mr. Hartwell got his shirt and suit stainedst time. I washed them by hand until they were spotless. Mrs. Hartwell, I¡¯ll have to trouble you to tidy them up for himter,¡± Queena reminded me warmly.


    I gave her a nod. ¡°Got it. Thanks, Ms. Tackman. You¡¯d make a great wife. Whoever ends up with you is truly fortunate.¡±


    I made sure to speak a little louder than necessary, and just as expected, Shawn, who wasn¡¯t too far away, nced in my direction.


    Queena¡¯s cheeks turned pink as she quietly sipped her soup. Since I had already set the mood for them, it was only natural for me to take my leave.


    I grabbed my handbag and announced, ¡°Hubby, I¡¯m heading to work.¡±


    To my surprise, Shawn trailed after me to the garage, his sharp gaze sweeping over me from head to toe.


    I had on a pair of red jeans and a rose gold blouse. In the past, I used to pile on luxury essories, as if expensive trinkets could fill the emptiness inside me.


    But today, I kept it simple, just a delicate ne resting against my corbone and a pair of soft pink pearl earrings. It was understated yet elegant.


    ¡°Drive safe,¡± Shawn said, his tone free of any criticism, just quiet concern.


    I responded gently before pressing my foot on the gas and pulling away.


    Shawn would likely be away for a four¨Cday business trip, so I called Yuna. She didn¡¯t pick up, not even once. A clear message that she had no intention of speaking to me.


    Instead, it was my mother¨Cinw, Susanna, who called. Her voice was sharp,ced with disappointment. She scolded me, iming I had failed as a mother and broken Yuna¡¯s heart. For now, she said, I should stay away. She would take care of Yuna herself.


    I used to believe that Yuna¡¯s rebellious phase would hit around 13 or 14. Back then, she had mepletely at her mercy. But now, it seemed her rebellion had arrived early. At just six, she already knew how to rally everyone against me. Oh well, at least I¡¯d get some peace and quiet.


    2:50 pm


    Chapter

 Yearning 50

    50 No One Stays Young Forever


    Chapter 50 No One Stays Young Forever


    s


    That evening, I arranged to have dinner with Mnie. She arrived in a hurry, carrying a pile of document -clearly, work never left her hands.


    Mnie had always been a woman devoted to her career. In her past life, she had been married and divorced three times, but each time, she gained more wealth as she aged. She had three children from different fathers, yet they all listened to her without question. Compared to her, my own fate had been far less fortunate.


    Recalling the ups and downs of her journey, I couldn¡¯t help but feel a sense of self¨Cpity.


    ¡°Order whatever you¡¯d like,¡± I said, passing her the menu. She responded with her usual grace.


    ¡°It¡¯s just the two of us, no need to go overboard,¡± she replied before selecting three dishes and a soup.


    She adjusted her sses, pushed aside the stack of documents before her, and fixed me with a thoughtful gaze. ¡°Tiffany, you¡¯ve changed a lot recently. Are you seeing someone new?¡±


    Her question caught me off guard. I instinctively ran a hand through my hair, then smiled. ¡°Really? And how exactly have I changed?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve slimmed down, your fashion sense has improved, and when we went to the moviesst time, I could tell you had a new kind of confidence. Today, you look even more stunning. Not just men, women would find it hard to look away.¡± Her words were exaggerated, but there was truth in them.


    I took a slow sip of tea and replied casually, ¡°I just realized something important. Beauty fades, and no one stays young forever. When I still have my youth and the means, why not dress up? If I wait until age has taken its toll, I might no longer have the luxury to do so.¡±


    Mnie smirked, tapping the table. ¡°That¡¯s quite a change of heart. What happened to your old views? Weren¡¯t you the one who insisted that a wife should be dignified and reserved? You even said Mr. Hartwell preferred elegant women, so you always dressed conservatively.¡±


    I chuckled, unfazed. ¡°That was then. This is now. Things change.¡±


    ¡°So, you must be feeling a little flutter in your heart. Tell me, is it because of Ethan Hayes?¡± Mnie leaned in, her eyes gleaming with curiosity as she pressed me for answers.


    I let out a boredugh. ¡°Ethan? What does he have to do with anything? Can¡¯t I have my own realization without a man being the cause?¡±


    Mnie leaned back and gave me a look that practically screamed disbelief. ¡°Come on, we¡¯ve known each other for years. I still remember the most dazzling, confident version of you¨Cthe year Shawn was chasing after you, before you got married.¡±


    That year remained vivid in my mind. I had excelled academically, reaching my junior year by the age of 19. It was at a campus dance event that I first encountered Shawn. He hade with friends, merely looking to have fun, while I was performing on stage as part of the university¡¯s dance troupe. Later, he would tell me that from the moment he saw me under the lights, he was enchanted. He imed even the way my hair moved carried an irresistible magic.


    But the past was untouchable, and every recollection felt like a de to the heart.


    2:50 pm


    Chapter 50 No One Stays Young Forever


    s


    ¡°Mnie, let¡¯s not dig up old stories. Let¡¯s talk about now,¡± I said, forcing a smile. ¡°Aren¡¯t you eager to find a boyfriend? Any progresstely?¡±


    Mnie¡¯s expression shifted awkwardly before she admitted, ¡°Well ¡­ Mr. Hayes¡¯s assistant and I have been in close contact recently.¡±


    I blinked in surprise. ¡°What? You and him? Did he reach out to you first?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± she dered boldly, holding my gaze. ¡°I made the first move. What, do you disapprove?¡±


    I chuckled softly and reassured her, ¡°No, if you have feelings for him, go for it. If you let the opportunity slip away, you might regret itter.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve moved in with him ¡­¡± Mnie¡¯s next wordspletely shook my understanding of the situation.


    ¡°Already? I remember we just had dinner together not too long ago!¡± I eximed, utterly shocked.


    Mnie¡¯s cheeks turned pink as she lowered her gaze, sipping her tea. ¡°A few days ago, there was a heavy downpour. I invited him over to watch a movie, and well ¡­ we ended up trapped in the rain together.¡±


    Hearing this, I nearly burst intoughter. Mnie was always decisive in her career, and it seemed she carried the same straightforwardness into her personal life.


    ¡°Where are you living now?¡± I asked, intrigued.


    She murmured, ¡°At his ce. He has a two¨Cbedroom apartment, and it¡¯s really close to my office.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s good. You¡¯re not getting any younger. If it feels right, don¡¯t hesitate to settle down,¡± I said, offering my sincere support.


    ¡°He may not be on the same level as your husband, Mr. Hartwell, but he¡¯s a good guy and ambitious,¡± Mnie said, her face glowing with happiness.


    ¡°Don¡¯tpare him to Shawn.¡± The thought of Shawn possibly getting tangled up with Queena in Andorwood made my chest tighten with frustration. ¡°He¡¯s not a great man either.¡±


    Mnie gazed at me in confusion. ¡°You don¡¯t think he¡¯s seeing someone else, do you?¡±


    ¡°I have no idea,¡± I replied, my voiceced with bitterness. Even though I no longer loved him, we were still legally married. I wasn¡¯t dead yet. And yet, he was already openly traveling abroad with Queena.


    Mnie gave me a sympathetic look and murmured, ¡°It¡¯s all right, Tiffany. Don¡¯t overthink it. Mr. Hartwell wouldn¡¯t do something like that.¡±

 Yearning 51

    Chapter 51 Prove That I Wasn¡¯t Like Shawn


    <b>+5 </b>Free Coins


    ¡°Let¡¯s eat and not bring him up.¡± Right now, I just want to rx and have a peaceful conversation with my


    friend.


    Once we finished our meal, Mnie and I stepped out of the restaurant. She suddenly nced toward a nearby parked car and turned to me. ¡°He¡¯s here to pick me up. I¡¯ll leave first,¡± she said.


    My eyesnded on the Volkswagen. The man inside quickly stepped out and opened the door for her.


    I couldn¡¯t help but wonder. Would Mnie experience multiple marriages in this lifetime, or would she settle down with just one?


    A gentle breeze drifted through the early summer night as I made my way toward the parking lot.


    Just then, a striking Maybach rounded the corner from the opposite side of the street.


    Something about the car felt oddly familiar.


    It wasn¡¯t until it rolled to a stop beside me that I saw the driver. It was Ethan. Dressed in a ck shirt, he leaned slightly, looking at me through the open window. ¡°Are you heading home?¡±


    I blinked, caught off guard. ¡°What are you doing here? What a coincidence.¡±


    Ethan smoothly pulled over, stepped out, and faced me. ¡°Not really a coincidence. I came here on purpose to see you.¡±


    For a second, I was at a loss for words. His openness was unexpected.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. My assistant and your friend are dating now. He happened to mention you were here,¡± he admitted, meeting my gaze. His voice carried a note of sincerity.


    ¡°Did you have something to say to me?¡± I asked, my expression turning serious.


    ¡°I just got off work and haven¡¯t eaten yet. Will you join me for ate¨Cnight snack?¡± His voice was low, almost pleading.


    ¡°Sorry, I need to go home. My daughter is by herself, and she gets scared alone.¡± Just because Shawn was fooling around abroad with Queena didn¡¯t mean I¡¯d retaliate by having ate¨Cnight snack with another


    man.


    Disappointment flickered across Ethan¡¯s face. But even as I turned him down, his eyes held an undeniable brightness.


    ¡°All right. Head home early, then,¡± Ethan murmured.


    I turned away and got into my car. As I drove past him, I caught a glimpse of him standing by his car, silently watching me leave.


    I had lied, but I didn¡¯t regret it.


    Shawn had no boundaries, trampling over the very foundation of marriage. I needed to prove that I wasn¡¯t


    like him.


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    Chapter 51 Prove That I Wasn¡¯t Like Shawn


    s


    I didn¡¯t mind Ethan orchestrating these chance meetings, but if I were to enter another rtionship, it would be on my own terms, when I was single.


    Not while I was still married, entangled in something that had no future. That would be unfair to both of <ol><li>us. </li></ol>


    By the time I arrived home, it was already past ten. The housekeeper appeared, asking if I needed a meal, but I waved them off, telling them to rest.


    Upstairs, just as I settled in, my phone buzzed. A call from Shawn overseas.


    The moment I answered, his first words were, ¡°Didn¡¯t you pick up Yuna today?¡±


    I spoke in an even tone. ¡°I called her, but she didn¡¯t pick up. Susanna told me to stay out of the child¡¯s affairs for the next few days.¡±


    Shawn¡¯s temper red again. ¡°So just because Mom said that, you decided not to care? Don¡¯t forget, you¡¯re Yuna¡¯s mother. You might ignore her during the day, but once work is over, you need to be there for her.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll pick her up from school tomorrow afternoon.¡± No matter what, Yuna was my daughter. It¡¯s my responsibility to look after her.


    ¡°When you see Yuna, don¡¯t be so harsh. Try to be gentle with her. She¡¯s just a kid.¡± Shawn seemed to have noticed how distant I had beentely, and he brought it up.


    ¡°I got it.¡± I had no interest in listening to his lecture. And honestly, what right did a man like him, a cheater have to tell me what to do?


    For a moment, there was only silence on his end. Then, he asked, ¡°Where were you tonight?¡±


    ¡°I had dinner with Mnie,¡± I answered honestly.


    It seemed like he wanted <i>to </i>say more, but before he could, a soft, affectionate voice called for him from hi side of the line. He quickly said goodbye, and then the call ended.


    I tossed my phone aside andy back on the bed. An unexpected wave of difort washed over me.


    The following afternoon at four sharp, I arrived at the entrance of Yuna¡¯s elite kindergarten.


    Maybe because I hadn¡¯t been here in a while, a few familiar moms approached me, smiling as they asked it I had been traveling overseas and why I hadn¡¯t been around.


    I casually made up an excuse, but their expressions carried a hint of ridicule. Perhaps they had already dug into my personal affairs and knew my marriage was falling apart. They had likely seen the picture of Shawn and Queena baking a cake together for Yuna.


    Yuna walked out with her ssmates, spotted me, and immediately turned away, heading in the opposite direction. I hurried after her.


    ¡°Yuna, aren¡¯t you afraid of getting kidnapped, running around like that?¡± I called from behind.


    She stopped in her tracks, spun around, and shot me a furious re. ¡°Why didn¡¯t Grandma pick me up?¡±


    Leaning casually against a nearby wall, I spoke gently. ¡°I¡¯m your mom. It¡¯s my duty to pick you up from


    2:50 pm

 Yearning 52

    Chapter 52 Find a Way to Teach Yuna


    Chapter 52 Find a Way to Teach Yuna


    s


    ¡°You hit me before! You treat me so badly! I don¡¯t want a mommy like you!¡± Yuna used me, her face filled with hurt.


    I saw her eyes turn red, and after a brief silence, I lowered my gaze, thinking. ¡°Did your teacher ever teach you to respect your parents? I used to spoil you because I love you. But now, I just want you to understand that I also need your love in return.¡±


    Yuna blinked a few times, then, without warning, she leaped into my arms and hugged me tightly. ¡°Mommy, will you still love me like you did before?¡±


    Holding her small body close, I sighed inwardly. Even though I had been strict and distanttely, carrying the pain of my past life and wanting to teach her better, I couldn¡¯t deny that she was still the daughter I had loved for so many years.


    I could never truly push her away. I just needed to find a better way to guide her.


    ¡°Yuna, no matter what happens, I will always love you. But I also hope that you can return my love and try to understand the struggles I face,¡± I said, gently stroking her hair.


    Yuna stared at me, wide¨Ceyed. Then, after a moment, she gave a small nod. ¡°Okay, Mommy. I will.¡±


    And just like that, I took her home. I thought my previous lessons had finally made an impact. Yuna seemed more well¨Cbehaved than before. At least, she wasn¡¯t throwing tantrums like she used to.


    That night, I gave her a bath, let her y in bed for a while, then headed into the bathroom to wash up myself.


    When I finished my shower and stepped out, I noticed something strange. Yuna was gone. My chest tightened. I hurried to her bedroom, but she wasn¡¯t there. Just as panic started to set in, I heard her voiceing from the movie room.


    The sound of cartoons filled the space, along with Yuna chatting on the phone.


    ¡°Robot toys? Do they really dance and talk? That sounds amazing! I want one! Queena, when are youing back? You promised to take me to the zoost time. Do you still remember?


    ¡°If only my mommy were as kind as you. She¡¯s been so moodytely.


    ¡°Then make sure to tell my daddy. He has to teach Mommy a lesson. She can¡¯t be so mean to me.


    <i>¡°</i>Oh! When you return, it¡¯ll be almost your birthday! I asked Grandma for some allowance because I want to get you a present.


    ¡°You want me to draw something for you?


    ¡°All right! I¡¯ll draw a rose for you and even make a ne. Does that sound good?¡±


    Hearing this, my face darkened, and I quietly turned back to my room without saying a word.


    A short whileter, Yuna returned and spotted me sitting in front of my makeup mirror. Without hesitation, she ran over and started ying with my cosmetics. ¡°Mommy, when will you buy me a lipstick?


    2:51 pm


    Chapter 52 Find a Way to Teach Yuna


    I also want to wear your perfume!¡±


    471


    s


    I grabbed a bottle of baby lotion and gently rubbed it on her face and arms. ¡°Go to sleep first. I will finish


    soon.¡±


    ¡°Mommy, I was just watching cartoons.¡± Yuna, maybe feeling a little guilty, suddenly told me.


    I gave her a nod. ¡°All right, sleep early. You have school tomorrow.¡±


    Yuna didn¡¯t think much of it. She climbed into my bed and quickly drifted off, but I couldn¡¯t fall asleep.


    Queena¡¯s birthday wasing up, and Yuna, being so thoughtful, remembered to prepare a present for


    her.


    My birthday was in November. Last year, at my celebration, Yuna got upset and cried because I didn¡¯t let her blow out the candles, my brother did instead. She was so frustrated that she burst into tears, and in the end, there weren¡¯t even any presents.


    People really were different. At such a young age, Yuna was already so considerate of Queena. But when it came to me, all she wanted was my endless love, without giving anything in return.


    The next morning, I dropped Yuna off at school before diving into work.


    For the hotel¡¯s lobby and corridor design, I enlisted the expertise of a Francia designer. The romantic style, along with the beautifully matched colors, created an elegant and sophisticated atmosphere.


    Handling countless little tasks could be draining, but I dedicated myselfpletely to my job. I refused to stop halfway. I was also pushing my own limits. I couldn¡¯t believe that someone who was once a top student like me could be incapable.


    Before I knew it, time had passed, and Shawn came back from his business trip. He reached the office in the afternoon, still looking sharp, though there was a trace of tiredness on his striking face. He workedte into the night, not stopping until nine.


    In the afternoon, the driver picked up Yuna and brought her to thepany. She stayed in Shawn¡¯s office, spending a lot of time with Queena. When I came from Apex Hotel, I found Queena teaching Yuna how to sing. Yuna waspletely focused and eager to learn.


    The moment Queena spotted me, she quickly stood up. ¡°Mrs. Hartwell, are you here to take Yuna home?¡±


    ¡°Mommy, can Ms. Tackman sing with me a little longer?¡± Yuna looked so happy, clearly not ready to leave just yet.


    I gave her a nod. ¡°Of course. Keep singing and have fun. I¡¯ll be heading first. You can ride home with Daddyter

 Yearning 53

    2:51 pm


    Chapter 53 Turned His Own Words Against Him


    Chapter 53 Turned His Own Words Against Him


    ¡°All right!¡± Yuna beamed with joy and ran over to hug me tightly. ¡°Mommy, goodbye!¡±


    Queena cast aplicated nce my way, but she remained silent, simply staying by Yuna¡¯s side.


    <b>+5 </b>Free Coins


    When I got home, I took a warm shower and drank some bone broth. Then, I checked the dance studio where I had recently hired workers to renovate. From now on, I nned to do yoga and dance here every morning and evening. The space was also equipped with various workout machines.


    Dressed in a light yoga outfit, I was in the middle of a challenging pose when a familiar voice suddenly sounded behind me. ¡°It¡¯ste. You¡¯re still practicing?¡± Shawn¡¯s deep voice broke the silence.


    I slowly straightened from the alluring pose and shed him a gentle smile. ¡°Hubby, I just <i>got </i>started. You¡¯ve been away on a business trip for so long. You must be exhausted. Go ahead and rest first.¡±


    My considerate words didn¡¯t earn his appreciation. His face darkened even more.


    He had already showered, wearing a set of gray pajamas. His short hair was still damp, slightly messy, giving him a rugged yet mature look.


    Still, no matter how striking his features were, I had long grown tired of looking at them.


    ¡°Stop practicing. Go upstairs and sleep.¡± His breath was heavier, his toneced with authority, amand, not a suggestion.


    ¡°You head up first. I¡¯ll join you soon,¡± I reassured him patiently.


    Clearly still upset, Shawn turned and left without another word.


    I continued practicing for another half hour. The tension in my body gradually eased, leaving me feeling lighter. Then, I made my way upstairs.


    The master bedroom was empty. A satisfied smile curled on my lips. I had sessfully sent him away.


    Stepping into the bathroom, I let the hot water cascade down my shoulders, washing away the fatigue of the day. At that moment, my mind feltpletely at ease¨Ca peace I had never experienced in my past life.


    As the night stretched on, a strange restlessness stirred within me. It was like tiny ants crawling under my skin¨Can itch I couldn¡¯t scratch, an expectation met with disappointment. Every time he distanced himself, an invisible weight pressed down on me, slowly draining my energy, leaving me feeling more hollow with each passing day.


    Now<i>, </i>without expectations, disappointments naturally ceased to exist.


    After my shower, I let my long hair fall freely over my shoulders. The thin straps of my nightgown entuated my delicate corbone, while my fair skin, still damp from the steam, seemed to glow with a


    soft radiance.


    Stepping out of the bathroom, I prepared to go through my nightly skincare routine.


    But as soon as I approached the bed, I noticed someone lying on the other side.


    2:51 pm


    Chapter 53 Turned His Own Words Against Him


    I paused, momentarily taken aback. Shawn? Lately, he had been acting strangely.


    Where was he getting all this energy?


    <b>+5 </b>Free Coins


    I paid him no attention and focused on my skincare routine. As I gently massaged the cream onto my face, I suddenly heard soft footsteps approaching from behind.


    I hesitated, a cool sensation brushing against my neck. In the mirror, I caught sight of a delicate silver chain with a teardrop¨Cshaped pendant now hanging around my neck.


    ¡°Do you like it?¡± Shawn murmured, leaning in slightly, his gaze locked on our reflection.


    Dressed in a violet silk nightgown, the color highlighted my fairplexion. With the addition of the ne, an air of sophistication surrounded me.


    ¡°Thank you, Hubby.¡± The gift was exquisite, and since Shawn had gone out of his way to give it to me, I saw no reason to refuse.


    ¡°And how do you n to show your appreciation?¡± His voice grew softer as his lips brushed lightly against my neck, a warmth spreading from where he touched.


    A small shiver ran through me. Before I could utter a word, he suddenly bent down and lifted me up from my chair. ¡°Give yourself to me.¡±


    His recent change in behavior baffled me. He used to keep his distance, no matter how much effort I put into getting close to him. He never once seemed interested.


    But now¡­ now that I no longer wanted to be with him, he¡¯s the one clinging to me.


    ¡°I¡¯m feeling a little exhausted¡­ ¡°Though I had just epted his gift, I didn¡¯t want to hurt his feelings. Still, I couldn¡¯t help but recall how he had always used this excuse on me before. Perhaps now, it was his turn to be politely turned down.


    Shawn¡¯s hands rested on my shoulders, his deep eyes studying me closely.


    ¡°Hubby¡­ ¡°I met his intense gaze and softly pleaded, ¡°Can we do this another time?¡±


    Shawn leaned in, capturing my lips in a forceful kiss<b>, </b>silencing any chance of protest.


    His frustration was evident, yet for some strange reason, it amused me. Was he really this upset just because I turned his own words against him?


    When anger red in him, he always took control in moments like this. I supposed I only had myself to me.


    He pressed me against him, his teeth sinking lightly into my shoulder as he whispered in a low, threatening voice, ¡°Tiffany, you are my wife. Call me Hubby.¡±


    ¡°Sir¡­ have mercy¡­¡± I refused to call him that, shouting out in defiance.


    ¡°Call me Hubby. Right now!¡± His voice was sharp and demanding, like a man who wouldn¡¯t take no for an


    answer.


    I bit down on my lower lip, stubbornly holding my silence.


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    Chapter 53 Turned His Own Words Against Him


    s


    He clearly intended to teach me a lesson, but after three failed attempts, he seemed to lose his momentum. In the end, he simply held me close, his grip tight, as if he wanted to make me a part of him.


    2:51 pm


    Chapter 54 You Don¡¯t Love Me Anymore?

 Yearning 54

    Chapter 54 You Don¡¯t Love Me Anymore?


    <b>+5 </b>Free Coins


    Although he seemed to have released his desire, something still weighed heavily on his heart. Unable to find satisfaction, he kissed me forcefully, as if trying to silence whatever lingering dissatisfaction remained.


    I didn¡¯t fight it. I allowed him to, until he finally released me, his eyes bloodshot with emotion.


    ¡°What¡¯s bothering you? Tell me now.¡± Shawn seized my arm, his voice sharp with anger.


    At that moment, we were bothpletely naked, and it didn¡¯t seem like the right time for a calm discussion.


    I quickly pulled the nket around myself, and Shawn put on his robe, fastening it and fixing me with a stern gaze. ¡°What¡¯s bothering you? Why do you look so hollow? Are you truly upset?¡±


    I couldn¡¯t help but notice his sudden outburst, likely because I hadn¡¯t been giving him the attention he expectedtely. I hadn¡¯t clung around him as I used to. His pride and his sense of authority as the head of the family, had been challenged.


    ¡°Hubby, what are you talking about? I don¡¯t get it,¡± I replied vaguely, avoiding a direct answer.


    Shawn didn¡¯t like my evasive response. His teeth clenched as he sneered. ¡°You really think I¡¯ve been seeing someone else, and that it¡¯s Queena, don¡¯t you? I took her on this trip for business, and now you¡¯re jealous? Should I fire her to make you happy?¡±


    I was taken aback. Did he really consider firing Queena for me?


    But hadn¡¯t he once praised her as his most trusted assistant, a reliable ally in his work?


    Would he actually go through with it?


    However, Queena wasn¡¯t my current target. In fact, I needed her assistance to get a divorce.


    I said, ¡°Hubby, I¡¯m not jealous of Ms. Tackman, I swear. Ms. Tackman is too valuable to thepany. If you let her go, wouldn¡¯t it hurt the business?¡±


    ¡°Then why do you look like that?¡± Shawn still seethed with anger,


    I blinked my eyes innocently. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with me?¡±


    ¡°You¡­ the way you¡¯re acting, it¡¯s like you don¡¯t love me anymore.¡± Shawn was so furious he could barely get his words out.


    After a moment of confusion, I let out a soft chuckle. ¡°Hubby, we¡¯ve been married for so long, there¡¯s no more love to speak of. I¡¯ve always seen you as family. Besides, didn¡¯t you say before that after all these years, the passion is gone? I just want to live a peaceful life.¡±


    I turned his own words against him, and his face flushed with a mix of red and purple.


    Shawn, fuming, stormed out of my room.


    I settled back on the bed, feeling much better. My mood had already lifted, and now it was even better.


    2:51 pm


    Chapter 54 You Don¡¯t Love Me Anymore?


    I didn¡¯t care about his outburst or where his frustrationsy. I just wanted peace for myself.


    s


    The next morning, I went to dress Yuna. She was sleepy and tired, keeping her eyes shut while I dressed


    her.


    Once I finished, she held out her hands. ¡°Mommy, carry me downstairs.¡±


    I gently carried her down the stairs and helped her into a chair, setting a te of breakfast in front of her. ¡°Eat up.¡±


    ¡°What about Daddy?¡± Yuna nced toward the stairs. ¡°He used to wake up early and go for a run, but why hasn¡¯t hee down today?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about him, just eat your breakfast. Once you¡¯re done, I¡¯ll take you to school,¡± I replied softly.


    Yuna quickly jumped off the chair and dashed upstairs.


    Watching her run, I felt conflicted. Thest time I was unwell, Yuna didn¡¯t seem to care much, but now, just because Shawn waste for breakfast, she was so worried.


    A momentter, Yuna returned and sat down to finish her meal. ¡°Daddy said he didn¡¯t sleep wellst night and wants to sleep a little longer.¡±


    ¡°All right, let him rest,¡± I replied, understanding.


    However, Yuna furrowed her brow and said, ¡°Daddy must be exhausted from his trip, that¡¯s why he couldn¡¯t sleep. Mommy, I¡¯ve been thinking, you should go back to work and earn money. It must be too hard for Daddy to support the whole family alone.¡±


    I was taken aback by her suggestion. She didn¡¯t seem to respect my decision, but instead, felt sorry for her father having to carry the weight of everything.


    ¡®And Mommy, you should spend less on clothes and bags from now on. Your closet is overflowing with things. You need to start saving,¡± Yuna added, speaking like an adult.


    I couldn¡¯t help but think, how did it end up like this? Soon enough, Shawn might buy an expensive mansion for Queena. As his legal wife, surely spending his money wouldn¡¯t be a problem, right?


    I didn¡¯t respond to her, merely urging her to finish her meal quickly.


    Once I dropped Yuna off at school, I headed straight to Apex Hotel. Both hotels were currently closed for renovations. Shawn was concerned that I might be at a disadvantage, so he had someone assist me.


    By midday, I was back at thepany. My office was still located next to Shawn¡¯s office.

 Yearning 55

    Chapter <i>55 </i>Quenna Has a Morning Sickness?


    When I stepped into the office, I was immediately met with a flood of curious stares.


    s


    At first, I thought the problem was mine, but then a young assistant, who owed me a favor, hurried over and told me, ¡°Mrs. Hartwell, I just heard that Ms. Tackman vomited during the meeting, and Mr. Hartwell took her to the hospital himself.¡±


    I froze, my expression hardening as I looked at her and asked, ¡°Is that true?¡±


    The assistant gave me a sympathetic nce and nodded, ¡°Yes, it¡¯s true. There were so many people there, all watching. Ms. Tackman looked really unwell, and Mr. Hartwell even helped her into the elevator.¡±


    I thanked her and walked into my office. Even though I knew from my past life that Queena was pregnant at this time, she hadn¡¯t told Shawn because of work and Yuna. She went <i>to </i>the hospital for an abortion without informing him, and when he found out, he was both angry and heartbroken. His feelings for her grew deeper, and he quickly gave her a mansion to make up for it, allowing her <i>to </i>rest after the abortion.


    Was a simr situation about to happen again?


    Was Queena vomiting due to morning sickness<b>? </b>


    I slumped into my chair, and as people passed by my office, I could feel their eyes on me. I became the subject of their sympathetic yet mocking stares. It felt like they were all waiting for me to be handed a divorce.


    Around noon, I decided to leave the office. Although I didn¡¯t care about their looks, they still pricked at me like needles, making me uneasy.


    For the first time, I made ns to meet Ethan.


    When Ethan picked up my call, the line was quiet, as though he was in the middle of a meeting.


    But he sounded a bit excited. ¡°What¡¯s up? Why are you calling all of a sudden?¡±


    ¡®Would you like to have lunch with me today?¡± I remembered that he had asked me out several times before, and I had always turned him down.


    Of course! Where are you? Do you want me to pick you up?¡± Ethan¡¯s voice had a yful tone, charming as always.


    ¡®No need. Just give me an address, and I¡¯ll drive over.¡± I took a deep breath, trying to calm the uneasy feeling inside.


    Ethan gave me a location, a bit out of the way in the suburbs, about a 40¨Cminute drive.


    ¡°Is that too far?¡± he asked, then waited for my response,


    ¡°It¡¯s fine, a little distance is good. It makes it better for doing naughty things,¡± I teased him.


    Ethan picked up on the odd tone in my voice and, with concern, asked softly, ¡°Is everything all right? Is something troubling you?¡±


    2:51 pm


    Chapter 55 Quenna Has a Morning Sickness?


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing, I¡¯ll see you soon.¡± I quickly ended the call and drove toward the restaurant.


    :


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    By the time I arrived, it was nearly one o¡¯clock. Ethan had arrived earlier and was waiting at the entrance.


    The area outside the restaurant was filled with flowers, with gardenias and lilies in full bloom. Ethan¡¯s tall frame stood out in the midst of the floral disy, looking incredibly handsome.


    I stepped out of the car, and he walked toward me, smiling as he said, ¡°Sorry for the long trip, but this ce is really worth it.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s okay. It¡¯s beautiful here,¡± I said with a smile, taking in the surroundings.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go in, I¡¯ve already ordered the food,¡± Ethan said, guiding me into a cozy private room on the second floor. A balcony filled with flowers was just outside, and beyond that, the sight of open farnd added a peaceful, country feeling to the scene.


    ¡°Please, enjoy the coffee,¡± Ethan offered with a warm smile.


    ¡°Thanks.¡± I took a slow sip before heading toward the balcony.


    Ethan settled behind me, his gaze on me, and softly asked, ¡°You seem like something¡¯s bothering you. Is everything all right? Can I help with anything?¡±


    I turned to meet his gaze. His eyes were calm but filled with concern.


    ¡°You¡¯ve already helped by inviting me to lunch,¡± I replied with a smile.


    Heughed softly. ¡°It¡¯s just a meal. No need to be so formal.¡±


    I didn¡¯t bring up my concerns, and Ethan, with his tact, didn¡¯t press any further. Instead, we shifted to talking about his business. His passion for his work was evident, and his eyes sparkled as he spoke about his industry.


    I couldn¡¯t help but think that the future of technology was bright, and he was sure to achieve great sess.


    Ethan spoke up suddenly, ¡°Mr. Hartwell has recently invested in several new projects.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know much about hispany,¡± I admitted. I was aware that Shawn was an expert investor, someone who was always careful and rarely suffered any losses.


    Ethan said with a soft smile, ¡°Mr. Hartwell is quite an outstanding person. If you¡¯re interested in learning about investment management, he¡¯d be a great person to consult.¡±


    ¡°Well, we¡¯ll see,¡± I responded casually. Despite Shawn¡¯s skills as a mentor, I wasn¡¯t particrly interested. I wasn¡¯t driven by the desire to umte wealth. Once I had enough, I intended to live a simpler life, perhaps spending my days tending to flowers and nts. That would be enough for me.


    ¡°Your daughter resembles him,¡± Ethan suddenlymented.


    ¡°Have you met my daughter?¡± I asked, surprised.


    ¡°At a gathering once, I saw her. I couldn¡¯t help but notice that she looks just like Mr. Hartwell, not a hint of you in her features,¡± Ethan said, his gaze full of curiosity as he looked at me. ¡°If she took after you a little more, she might be even more beautiful.¡±

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    Chapter 56 Can You Do Me a Favor?


    Chapter 56 Can You Do Me a Favor?


    1949


    s


    I turned my face slightly, avoiding his gaze, and let out a faint, indifferent smile. ¡°It¡¯s fine if she doesn¡¯t look like me. She¡¯s Shawn¡¯s child, after all. As long as the Hartwells like her, that¡¯s <b>all </b>that matters.¡±


    Hearing my words, Ethan already had a good guess as to why I was upset.


    He hesitated momentarily before asking, ¡°Did Mr. Hartwell do something <i>to </i>hurt you?¡±


    My expression froze for a second. I shook my head. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter anymore. Every family has its own skeletons in the closet. Some things just happen. It¡¯s normal.¡±


    Ethan frowned deeply. ¡°Did Mr. Hartwell cheat on you?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re a man. You should understand men better than I do. If I say he did, would you be surprised? Or would you think it¡¯s normal?¡± I really needed someone to talk to about this. I had considered confiding in Mnie, but she¡¯s happily in love, and I couldn¡¯t bring myself to taint her perfect view of romance now.


    Ethan, on the other hand, was someone I could talk to. And conveniently, he was a man.


    He studied me for a long time before saying, ¡°If a man is unmarried, it¡¯s understandable for him to meet different women while searching for the right one. But if he¡¯s married and still messing around, that¡¯s definitely not normal.¡±


    His response caught my attention. However, men were born actors. They knew what to say at the right time. Moreover, Ethan had feelings for me, after all. Telling me exactly what I wanted to hear wouldn¡¯t be hard for him.


    ¡°When two people get married, it¡¯s because they¡¯re happy together. But as time goes on, a dull, stagnant marriage can be suffocating. If a man meets someone who truly understands him at this time, it¡¯s easy for him to fall. That¡¯s normal, too.¡± I leaned back in my chair, my voice tinged with both insight and resignation.


    ¡°Someone who understands him?¡± Ethan¡¯s eyes flickered slightly. ¡°Does that person have to be


    a woman?¡±


    His words pulled me out of my thoughts. I stared at him, momentarily stunned.


    His gaze was steady, deep, and unwavering¨Cit was as if he could withstand anything I threw


    his way.


    I quickly reined in my wandering thoughts and straightened my expression. ¡°Mr. Hayes, if my


    <b>9:51 </b><b>Fri</b>, Sep <b>5 </b>


    Chapter 56 Can You Do Me a Favor?


    pet dog decides to cat filth outside, it doesn¡¯t mean I will do the same. The same logic applies to my husband.¡±


    Ethan burst intoughter.


    ¡°Is that funny?¡± I asked with a serious expression, unable to smile at all. Earlier today, Shawn had taken Queena to the hospital for a checkup¨Cshe had been struggling with morning


    sickness.


    Ethan held back hisughter and said softly, ¡°I think that¡¯s a great mindset. Don¡¯t punish yourself for someone else¡¯s mistakes. Just be yourself. There will always be people who appreciate beautiful things.¡±


    Upon hearing his words, the heavy sorrow in my heart eased just a little.


    ¡°Are you sure you¡¯re not trying to seduce me?¡± I was too caught up in my emotions to think before speaking.


    Ethan was stunned. Momentster, a deep blush spread across his handsome face.


    Innocent men truly couldn¡¯t handle a little teasing.


    I cleared my throat and exined, ¡°What I mean is, I can be friends with you, but I won¡¯t cross any moral boundaries.¡± I really did want to be friends with Ethan. Having a powerful friend who could help me achieve sess in the future¨Cwhat could be better than that?


    Ethan looked as if my words had hurt him. He gazed at me with a deep, brooding expression. ¡°I never intended to cross any boundaries with you. From the very beginning, I just wanted to get to know you.¡±


    I pressed my lips together and smiled. ¡°Aren¡¯t we friends now?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. If you¡¯re willing to treat me as a friend, that would make me really happy.¡± His eyes shone with warmth. He called it friendship, but I knew there was more beneath the surface.


    Whatever it was, he chose not to push the conversation further.


    Halfway through my meal, I suddenly remembered something far more important.


    I turned to Ethan at once, ¡°Can you do me a favor? Right now.¡±


    Noticing my serious expression, he nodded immediately. ¡°All right, what is it?¡±


    ¡°I need you to send someone to the Hanzora Affiliated Hospital¡¯s gynecology department to take a few photos for me.¡± My voice was urgent.


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    Chapter 56 Can You Do Me a Favor?


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    pet dog decides <b>to </b>eat filth outside, it doesn¡¯t mean I will do the same. The same logic <b>applies </b>to my husband.¡±


    Ethan burst intoughter.


    ¡°Is that funny?¡± I asked with a serious expression, unable to smile at all. Earlier today, Shawn had taken Queena to the hospital for a checkup¨Cshe had been struggling with morning sickness.


    Ethan held back hisughter and said softly, ¡°I think that¡¯s a great mindset. Don¡¯t punish yourself for someone <b>else¡¯s </b>mistakes. Just be yourself. There will always be people who appreciate beautiful things.¡±


    Upon hearing his words, the heavy sorrow in my heart eased just a little.


    ¡°Are you sure you¡¯re not trying to seduce me?¡± I was too caught up in my emotions to think before speaking.


    Ethan was stunned. Momentster, a deep blush spread across his handsome face.


    Innocent men truly couldn¡¯t handle a little teasing.


    I cleared my throat and exined, ¡°What I mean is, I can be friends with you, but I won¡¯t cross any moral boundaries.¡± I really did want to be friends with Ethan. Having a powerful friend who could help me achieve sess in the future¨Cwhat could be better than that?


    Ethan looked as if my words had hurt him. He gazed at me with a deep, brooding expression. ¡°I never intended to cross any boundaries with you. From the very beginning, I just wanted to get to know you.¡±


    I pressed my lips together and smiled. ¡°Aren¡¯t we friends now?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. If you¡¯re willing <i>to </i>treat me as a friend, that would make me really happy.¡± His eyes shone with warmth. He called it friendship, but I knew there was more beneath the surface.


    Whatever it was, he chose not to push the conversation further.


    Halfway through my meal, I suddenly remembered something far more important.


    I turned to Ethan at once. ¡°Can you do me a favor? Right now.¡±


    Noticing my serious expression, he nodded immediately. ¡°All right, what is it?¡±


    ¡°I need you to send someone to the Hanzora Affiliated Hospital¡¯s gynecology department to take a few photos for me.¡± My voice was urgent.


    <b>9:51 </b><b>Fri</b><b>, </b><b>Sep </b><b>5 </b>


    ??


    Chapter 56 Can You Do Me a Favor?


    ¡°Okay. Whose photo do you need?¡± Ethan asked.


    1941


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    ¡°Shawn took Queena, the vice president of Hartwell Group, to the obstetrics department for <b>a </b>checkup.¡± My face remained expressionless as I said it.


    Ethan was stunned.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know if we¡¯re already toote, but I have to do this. I need evidence to file for divorce.<b>¡± </b>I lowered my gaze, hiding the sorrow in my eyes.


    Ethan studied me for a long moment before standing up and stepping outside to make a call.


    It didn¡¯t take long before he returned. ¡°I sent my most trusted men. If they don¡¯t get the photos, I can use my connections to dig deeper.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡± I looked at him, my gaze filled with gratitude.


    In my previous life, everyone I knew had turned their back on me when Shawn cheated. I was not a native of Hanzora, nor was I adept at making connections. Had Yuna not let something slip while throwing a tantrum, I would have remained entirely unaware of the passionate rtionship between Queena and Shawn.

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    9:51 Fri<b>, </b>Sep <b>5 </b>


    Chapter 57 It Was Really Just an ident


    Chapter 57 It Was Really Just an ident.


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    That¡¯s why when Ethan offered me a helping hand, he felt like an angel bringing warmth to me


    in the dead of winter.


    Ethan¡¯s gaze held a touch of sympathy as he looked at me.


    I lowered my head and sipped my <b>tea</b><b>, </b>afraid he would keep pressing me for more details about the incident.


    Fortunately, he didn¡¯t ask any more questions. He simply reassured me that he would let me know immediately if there were any updates.


    We left the restaurant at 2:30 p.m., my car in front and his car trailing closely behind.


    I had always been confident in my driving skills, but after driving for over ten minutes, I still ended up rear¨Cending the car ahead when we made a turn.


    The other driver jumped out of his car, cursing loudly. He shot daggers at me as he stared at the dented taillight I had caused.


    I was startled as well, and my forehead hit the steering wheel. Ignoring the pain, I quickly got out of the car and apologized to him.


    Maybe it was because I looked good, but the driver froze for a couple of seconds when he saw <ol><li>me. </li></ol>


    Despite still being angry, his attitude softened significantly. ¡°Youngdy, you¡¯re a new driver, aren¡¯t you? Look at what you¡¯ve done to my taillight. I¡¯m rushing to pick up my kid.¡±


    My thoughts were a little jumbled at that moment, and I instinctively said, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I didn¡¯t /do it on purpose. I take full responsibility.¡±


    Just then, a gentle male voice sounded from behind me. ¡°Ms. Mayfield, are you all right?¡±


    I turned around in surprise and saw that Ethan was still behind me. I was taken aback¡ªwasn¡¯t hispany in the opposite direction?


    ¡°Are you her husband?¡± The driver immediately asked him.


    ¡°I¡¯m her friend,¡± Ethan replied.


    ¡°She just said she takes full responsibility; you don¡¯t have any objections, right?¡± The driver pressed him further.


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    Chapter 57 It Was Really Just an ident


    s


    Ethan remained calm as he exined, ¡°You were making an illegal U¨Cturn across double <b>lines</b>. <b>so </b>she¡¯s not fully at fault.¡±


    The driver froze, unable to retort.


    ¡°Let¡¯s settle this privately,¡± Ethan said firmly.


    The driver seemed a little frustrated, realizing that he had indeed made the illegal U¨Cturn <b>and </b>thus had some responsibility.


    ¡°We¡¯ll pay you 5,000 dors,¡± Ethan stated bluntly.


    The driver apparently wanted to ask for more. However, he was intimidated by Ethan¡¯s authoritative presence and sighed in resignation. ¡°All right, all right, you outnumber me. You call the shots.¡±


    I immediately headed back to my car to get the money.


    When I came back with the money, the driver had jumped into his car and driven off.


    ¡°Does he not want anypensation?¡± I was stunned by the turn of events.


    ¡°I already paid him.¡± Ethan furrowed his brow, looking at me with concern. ¡°Ms. Mayfield, has Mr. Hartwell¡¯s affair distracted you? You¡¯re not fit to drive in this state. Come ride with me in my car.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± I said as I tried to get into my car, but Ethan grabbed my arm. ¡°Are you trying to get yourself killed?¡±


    I turned to look at him, somewhat bewildered. ¡°It was really just an ident.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t let you drive in this state,¡± Ethan said firmly as he dragged me toward his car. His driver then got out and politely spoke to me. ¡°Miss Mayfield, I¡¯ll drive your car back to the city for you. Don¡¯t worry about it.¡±


    I looked at Ethan, but he swiftly pushed me into the backseat of his car without giving me a chance to speak.


    Once I was seated, he didn¡¯t immediately close the door. Instead, he fixed his eyes on my forehead. ¡°You¡¯ve bruised your forehead. Let me take you to buy some medicine.¡±


    I reached up to touch my forehead, and sure enough, the pain shot through me.


    I had also broken a headlight on my car. I asked Ethan to have his assistant take my car to the dealership service center. Thankfully, the car was under my name, so Shawn wouldn¡¯t hear


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    Chapter 57 It Was Really just an ident


    about this.


    The driver had already driven off with my car, and Ethan parked his Maybach outside a pharmacy.


    He went inside to buy the medicine.


    I watched him through the window as he walked into the pharmacy. He spoke with the staff and picked out some medicine, all while asking questions along the way.


    I rested my chin on my hand as I observed him, and suddenly, I was reminded of an ident 1 had three years ago. At that time<b>, </b>I had smashed into a row of guardrails<b>, </b>and my forehead had swelled up. Shawn didn¡¯te to my rescue. Instead, he sent his assistant. On that cold, wintry street, I stood for over an hour in a thin wool coat. In the end, Shawn¡¯s assistant bought <b>me </b>a hot coffee and took me home.


    Shawn didn¡¯t even call me.


    Ethan soon returned with the medicine and opened the back door. A cool breeze swept in, and I could smell the cedarwood on him.


    ¡°Come closer. Let me take a look at your wound,¡± Ethan furrowed his brow and said to me.


    I didn¡¯t move closer but instead extended my hand. ¡°Just give me the medicine. <b>I </b>can apply <i>it </i>myself.¡±


    ¡°We need to disinfect it first,¡± Ethan said. ¡°It¡¯s a small scrape.¡±


    I softly acknowledged him and inched a little closer.


    Ethan dipped a cotton swab into the disinfectant. Just as he was about to apply it, I instinctively flinched. Then, his deep voice softly reassured me, ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid. It won¡¯t hurt.¡±


    <b>3/8 </b>

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    Chapter 58 Don¡¯t Put Men on a Pedestal


    60


    I looked up at Ethan, but he was focused on my wound. When our eyes finally met<b>, </b><b>a </b>flicker of awkwardness crossed his face.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be upset. No matter what happens, just find a way to deal with it. It¡¯s not the end of the world, and life goes on.¡± He let out a sigh, his voice filled with concern.


    ¡°I¡¯m not upset.¡± I lowered my head and smiled. ¡°I really mean it.¡±


    Ethan thought I was just putting on a brave front. After <b>all</b><b>, </b>anyone who knew me would understand how much I used to love Shawn.


    At this moment, my words felt like a feeble excuse<b>, </b>ast¨Cditch effort to preserve my pride before my lovepletely crumbled.


    ¡°All right, don¡¯t overthink it. And don¡¯t put men on a pedestal. No matter how powerful or outstanding they seem, they all have their own calctions. If you were never part of his world to begin with, then there¡¯s nothing to feel bad about.¡± Ethan¡¯s meaning was clear¨Che was convinced that Shawn and I were headed for a divorce.


    ¡°Thanks, I¡¯ll keep that in mind.¡± I smiled at him. As he finished dressing my wound, he suddenly asked where I was headed next.


    ¡°I¡¯m heading to the dealership service center. I need to get my car fixed today.¡± I closed my eyes briefly, feeling exhaustion creeping over me.


    ¡°Your headlights arepletely shattered. There¡¯s no way they can fix it in half a day.¡± Ethan assumed I was in such a rush to get my car repaired because I was afraid Shawn would me me. The thought seemed to pain him even more.


    A nced at him, but Ethan didn¡¯t say anything else. He simply drove me to the dealership service center. As soon as we arrived, his driver quickly walked over and handed me my car keys.


    I epted them gratefully. Just then, Ethan¡¯s phone rang. After answering the call, he turned to me and said, ¡°Shawn didn¡¯t take Queena to the gynecology department. They went to internal medicine¨Cshe seems to have caught a cold.¡±


    I froze for a moment. So Queena wasn¡¯t experiencing morning sickness?


    Ethan¡¯s expression was unreadable. Sensing the awkward atmosphere, his driver tactfully got into the car ahead of him.


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    Chapter 58 Don¡¯t Put Men on a Pedestal


    Then, Ethan lowered his voice and said, ¡°You got upset for nothing.¡±


    Maybe it was just a misunderstanding this time. But sooner orter, Queena would get pregnant, and she would experience morning sickness by then.


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    ¡°So, I really misjudged him? Are you sure your information is urate?¡± <b>I </b>still had my doubts.


    Ethan nodded firmly. ¡°Absolutely.¡±


    I had no reason not to believe him. Ethan always seemed sincere.


    I had Ethan leave first and stayed behind at the Mercedes dealership service center, sipping coffee as I watched peoplee and go.


    Out of nowhere, my phone rang. It was Shawn. He asked where I was.


    For some reason, my mind nked for a second. Before I knew it, I blurted out, ¡°I just smashed my car¡¯s headlights. I¡¯m getting them fixed now.¡±


    There was a brief silence before he asked, ¡°Are you hurt?¡±


    ¡°I hit my forehead. Just a minor cut.¡± I didn¡¯t want to keep sugarcoating things for him anymore. In the past, I never dared to tell him when I was sick or in pain, afraid it would affect his work. I acted like a resilient warrior, terrified of making even the slightest mistake.


    <b><i>But </i></b><i>when </i><i>has </i><i>life </i><i>ever </i><i>gone </i><i>exactly </i><i>as </i><i>nned</i><i>? </i><i>Life </i><i>is </i><i>full </i><i>of </i><i>uncertainties</i><i>. </i><i>Suffering </i><i>and </i><i>hardship </i><i>are </i><i>inevitable</i><i>. </i>


    As <i>the </i><i>saying </i><b><i>goes</i></b><i>, </i><i>¡°</i><i>The </i><i>squeaky </i><i>wheel </i><i>gets </i><i>the </i><i>grease</i>.¡± As <i>adults</i><i>, </i><i>strong </i><i>women </i><i>are </i><i>often </i><i>the </i><i>ones </i><i>left </i><i>to </i><i>fend </i><i>for </i><i>themselves</i>.


    <i>don¡¯t </i><i>want </i><i>to </i><i>be </i><i>a </i><i>strong </i><i>woman </i><i>anymore</i><i>. </i><i>If </i><i>I¡¯m </i><i>in </i><i>pain</i><i>, </i><i>if </i><i>I¡¯m </i><i>exhausted</i>, <i>I </i><i>am </i><i>going </i><i>to </i><i>cry </i><i>and </i><i>vent</i>. <i>Only </i><i>then </i><i>can </i><i>I </i><i>filter </i><i>out </i><i>the </i><i>people </i>who <i>truly </i><i>care </i><i>about </i><i>me </i><i>from </i><i>those </i><i>who </i><i>only </i><i>offer </i><i>empty </i><i>words</i><i>. </i><i>For </i><i>those </i>who <i>do </i><i>nothing </i><i>but </i><i>talk</i>¨CI¡¯ll <i>make </i><i>sure </i><i>to </i><i>stay </i><i>as </i><i>far </i><i>away </i><i>from </i><i>them </i><i>as </i><i>possible</i>.


    I ended the call and closed my eyes to rest.


    Because I was a VIP customer, the manager came over several times before finally breaking the news¨Cmy car wouldn¡¯t be ready today. I¡¯d have toe back in three days.


    I had no intention of making things difficult for him. Since there was no point in staying, I picked up my bag and got ready to leave.


    The manager eagerly offered to drive me home, but I declined.


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    Standing at the entrance, I waited for a taxi. Before long, a silver Bentley slowly pulled <b>up </b><b>in </b>


    front of me.


    The window rolled down, revealing Shawn in the backseat. He looked at me and said, <b>¡°</b>Get in.¡±


    ¡°Why are you here?¡± I was genuinely surprised. Not only had Shawn shown up, but he hade personally.


    His brows knitted together. ¡°How could you be so careless?¡±


    I got into the car, and the moment I did, he reached out to check my forehead.


    I had already put a band¨Caid on the wound, and when his hand came near, I instinctively flinched.


    His fingers stiffened slightly before he withdrew them. Then, he asked in a deep voice, ¡°Did you hear that I took Queena to the hospital? Is that why you¡¯re acting out?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± I denied. ¡°Next time, I¡¯ll be more careful when driving.¡±


    Shawn turned his head and stared at me for a moment. Then, he let out a mockingugh. ¡°You¡¯re so jealous you can¡¯t even drive straight, yet you¡¯re still denying it? You really are stubborn.¡±


    I looked up at him sharply and said seriously, ¡°I¡¯m really not jealous. Ms. Tackman has given so much to thepany and worked until she fell sick. As the person in charge, it makes perfect sense for you to check on her. Why would I be jealous?¡±


    ¡°Tiffany, if you fake something too much, it gets annoying.¡± Shawn¡¯s voice wasced with sarcasm. He didn¡¯t believe me at all.


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    I instantly mped my mouth shut. People always said men were narcissistic<b>, </b>but <b>I </b>never expected Shawn to have this particr w too.


    How could I prove that I wasn¡¯t jealous and that I no longer loved him?


    Silence filled the car. Neither of us spoke a word during the entire ride home<b>, </b>but I knew Shawn thought I was unbearably hypocritical, just as I thought he was ridiculously self- absorbed.


    When we got home, Yuna came bouncing over. ¡°Why are you twoing home together?¡±


    That was an interesting question. As a married couple, the fact that the two of us returned home at the same time was apparently such a rare urrence that it surprised her.


    I didn¡¯t answer and went straight upstairs.


    Shawn crouched down and hugged Yuna. ¡°What do you want for dinner? I¡¯ll have Mona make it for you.¡±


    ¡°Can I have fried chicken drumsticks?¡± Yuna loved anything crispy and vorful.


    ¡°All right. I¡¯ll tell her to make some for you.¡± Shawn headed straight to the kitchen to give Mona instructions.


    In the bathroom, I checked my wound carefully. Fortunately, it was just a minor scrape, nothing deep enough to leave a scar, though the area was still swollen.


    At dinner, I went downstairs to eat. Shawn and Yuna were talking about something at the table, and Yuna wasughing so hard she nearly fell over. But the moment she saw me, she immediately mped her hands over her mouth and stoppedughing.


    Shawn shot me a cryptic nce but didn¡¯t say a word.


    I knew what he was doing. He was using his signature silent treatment to punish me for being stubborn again.


    In my past life, I neversted more than three days before caving in. Like a pitiful stray dog, I would knock on his bedroom door in the middle of the night, seeking his attention.


    He would open the door with a cold expression, gaze at me in my thin nightgown, and then turn away to lie back down on his bed. I would quietly close the door, slip in behind him, and wrap my arms around him from behind, whispering an apology. In return, he would grant me


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    his affection for the night.


    Shawn <b>was </b>still nning to tame me the same way.


    As expected, he was waiting for me to soften up and go to him first.


    The next two days were the weekend. Aside from overseeing things at the Apex Hotel, I <b>also </b>took Mnie out for a meal. Then, my mother¨Cinw called and invited the three of us over for dinner.


    That afternoon, Yuna stayed at her grandmother¡¯s ce. When she returned home that evening, she was carrying a huge bag of toys. Among them was <b>a </b>collection of delicate little silver trinkets.


    As soon as she got back, she searched for a pair of scissors and sat down in her room, stringing beads together.


    I knew she was making a gift for Queena, one crafted with great care and attention.


    When I brought her some fruit, she instinctively tried to hide what she was making, as <b>if </b>feeling guilty, But in her panic, all the half¨Cstrung beads tumbled onto the floor. She let out an annoyed yelp. ¡°It¡¯s your fault, Mom! You distracted me!¡±


    Then, she dropped to her knees and crawled around, picking up the beads one by one. I sat beside her, popping a cherry tomato into my mouth. ¡°Who¡¯s it for? You¡¯re putting so much effort into it.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s none of your business.¡± Yuna obviously wasn¡¯t going to tell me the truth. Instead, she hurried me along. ¡°Mom, go away. You¡¯re bothering me.¡±


    I had no choice but to leave her room. But as I walked away, it felt like a knife had been plunged into my chest.


    Why did Yuna like Queena so much? Why did she seem so distant from me, her own mother?


    I must have done something wrong. Or maybe this was just human nature¨Cpeople always treasured what was distant and took for granted what was close.


    Queena barely had to put in any effort, yet Yuna adored her so much.


    Meanwhile, I cared for Yuna day and night, looking after every detail of her life, and yet I had somehow be the person she resented the most.


    Later that night, I was lying in bed when my period suddenly arrived without warning. I


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    Chapter 59 I¡¯m On My Period


    hurried into the bathroom to deal with it, and by the time I stepped out, Shawn was <b>already </b>sitting on the other side of the bed.


    I froze for a moment before remembering that this was the third day of our cold war, But tonight, I still hadn¡¯t gone to him to apologize.


    Tomorrow night was Queena¡¯s birthday. Shawn had probably put a lot of thought into picking out the perfect gift for her.


    I turned onto my side and saw Shawn suddenly fling his hand before lying down.


    ¡°I am on my period ¡­ ¡°I knew exactly what he was waiting for, so I crushed his expectations without hesitation.


    A momentter, Shawn got up, walked out, and shut my bedroom door behind him.


    So, he left just because I couldn¡¯t have sex with him.


    <i>That </i>was all he hade here for.


    The next morning, I noticed that Mona had prepared a few dishes that were supposed to help with menstrual cramps.


    your favorite


    ¡°Mrs. Hartwell, Mr. Hartwell asked me to specially make this for you. This is your Greek Yogurt Parfait and meatball soup ¡­


    11


    ¡°Thank you, Mona.¡± I gave her a grateful smile.


    Mona smiled back and said, ¡°Mrs. Hartwell, Mr. Hartwell really cares about you.¡±


    I didn¡¯t take those words to heart. If asking the servant to cook a few dishes for me counted as caring, then his affection was far too cheap.


    ¡°Mr. Hartwell already took Ms. Yuna to school,¡± Mona added.

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    Chapter 60 Queena¡¯s Birthday


    Chapter 60 Queena¡¯s Birthday


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    I nodded. It was Monday. After finishing breakfast, I had to head to the office as well.


    When I arrived at the office, Queena told me she was treating everyone to lunch. She <b>even </b>came over specifically to ask if I was free, saying that it was her birthday today and she wanted to invite the senior executives of Hartwell Group for a meal.


    Of course, she didn¡¯t have enough influence to make me join her birthday gathering, so I didn¡¯t go.


    Not only did I skip it, but I also went straight to the cafeteria and asked the kitchen to prepare a special meal for me. They made my favorite fish and chips along with roasted chicken.


    I sat in a private room, enjoying my meal when the door suddenly swung open.


    Then, Shawn appeared before of me. The sight of him startled me¨Cwhat was he doing here?


    Without hesitation, Shawn asked the kitchen for a set of utensils. Then, he sat down and started eating my lunch, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.


    ¡°Ms. Tackman says it¡¯s her birthday today. She invited a lot of people to lunch for the celebration. Why didn¡¯t you go?¡± I asked casually.


    ¡°I promised to take her out for dinner tonight. That means I don¡¯t have to join them for lunch.¡± Shawn didn¡¯t even try to hide it¡ªhe just admitted it outright.


    ¡°Oh.¡± I suddenly felt ridiculous for even asking. Did I actually think I was more important than Queena?


    ¡°You shoulde to dinner tonight, too.¡± Shawn suddenly suggested.


    A chill spread through my heart. Shawn must have adored Queena. It was her birthday, and he wanted to bring me, his legal wife, along to show everyone who knew the truth that his beloved mistress and his wife got along just fine¡ªeven to the point where his wife could attend the birthday celebration of his mistress.


    ¡°I have dinner ns with a friend tonight, so I won¡¯t be going.¡± I turned him down coldly.


    ¡°With that femalewyer again?¡± Shawn seemed to have developed some hostility toward Mnie. ¡°What¡¯s the point of you two women having dinner together all the time?¡±


    ¡°Her name is Mnie. She¡¯s been my close friend for years.¡± I answered him seriously.


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    Shawn gave me a look, then smirked mockingly. ¡°I know what her name is. <b>I¡¯m </b>just reminding you¨Cthere¡¯s no need to get too close to her. Make sure <b>that </b>she doesn¡¯t take advantage of you


    Hearing this, I mmed my utensils down on the table. ¡°Shawn, <b>can </b>you be reasonable for once? First of all, I am a person. Secondly, I am your wife. People are social beings. So <b>what </b>if I <b>have </b>my <b>own </b>circle of friends? Don¡¯t you have your own group of friends? Have I ever interfered with your personal space?¡±


    Shawn looked at me strangely and answered in an nonchnt tone, ¡°Same¨Cgender friends are fine. But you are not allowed to keep opposite¨Cgender friends.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡± I refused to give up my right to choose my own friends.


    Shawn gave me a once¨Cover before saying bluntly, ¡°To put it crudely, any man who wants to get close to you is just trying to sleep with you.¡±


    His words stunned me, and I stared at him in disbelief.


    Shawn, however, ignored my embarrassed expression. He let out a low scoff before saying, ¡°With how well you dress yourself these days, I bet quite a few men already have their eyes on you. Tiffany, I hope you understand¨Couter beauty will neverpare to inner beauty. You don¡¯t need to doll yourself up every day just to please me.¡±


    I truly believed there was something wrong with Shawn. There was something seriously wrong with him mentally.


    1


    I had put effort into making myself beautiful and dressing up more, all to please myself. Yet he thought I was doing it just to get his attention.


    ¡°Hubby, if <i>a </i>dinosaur stood in front of you, would you appreciate its inner beauty?¡± I asked with a mocking smile.


    ¡°Ridiculous.¡± Shawn took two sips of tea and stood up. ¡°Are you really not going to Queena¡¯s birthday celebration tonight? Yuna said she wanted to go too.¡±


    ¡°No, I¡¯m not going.¡± My voice wasced with emotion when I said that.


    Shawn thought I was throwing a fit, so he didn¡¯t press the issue further.


    By the time dusk fell, I left the office. On my way home, Mnie suddenly asked if I wanted to have dinner at the ce she shared with her boyfriend.


    If I hadn¡¯t been in such a foul mood today, I wouldn¡¯t have even considered intruding on their evening together.


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    But I figured that soaking up some of her happiness might bring me a little luck, so I agreed.


    On my way to Mnie¡¯s, I picked up arge bag of fruit as a gift.


    By the time I arrived at her ce, I was already worn out from carrying them. I had to set the bags down by the elevator door, pressing a hand to my waist as I tried to catch my breath.


    ¡°Fancy seeing you here.¡± A deep male voice,ced with surprise, came from behind me.


    I turned around to see Ethan standing there with two bottles of red wine. He was dressed casually, and the warm light above spilled down and illuminated his face. Against the glow, his face looked particrly chiseled.


    I nced at the elevator, then at Ethan. An odd feeling crept in¨Clike I had unknowingly walked into a setup.


    <i>Well </i><i>yed</i><i>, </i><i>Mnie</i><i>. </i><i>I </i><i>never </i><i>expected </i><i>you </i><i>to </i><i>start </i><i>ying </i><i>matchmaker </i><i>at </i><i>such </i><i>a </i><i>young </i><i>age</i>!


    <i>What </i><i>a </i><i>carefully </i><i>arranged </i><i>coincidence</i><i>¡­ </i><i>Well </i><i>done</i><i>, </i><i>Mnie</i><i>. </i><i>Well </i><i>done</i>.


    ¡°Is it too heavy for you? Let me carry it for you.¡± Ethan reached out and effortlessly picked up my oversized bag of fruit.


    ¡°Thanks.¡± My jumbled thoughts stilled in an instant.


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    Com


    I didn¡¯t make any private ns with Ethan¨CI was just going to a friend¡¯s house for dinner <b>with </b>him. That didn¡¯t cross any moral lines for me.


    ¡°What¡¯s happened? This is the first time I¡¯ve seen you blush,¡± Ethan asked with a smile <b>as </b>we were alone in the elevator.


    I immediately touched my face and exined, ¡°I parked my car too far away, so I had to walk. I¡¯ve walked quite a distance, and I¡¯m a bit out of breath, which is why I¡¯m blushing.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­¡± Ethan¡¯s responded tly, his voice carrying a hint of disappointment.


    ¡°Erm¡­ I know you¡¯re not from Hanzora. Is there a tradition in your hometown of bringing a gift when you go to someone¡¯s house for a housewarming?¡± Ethan suddenly asked.


    ¡°Huh?¡± I was taken aback. ¡°Is today Mnie and Richard¡¯s housewarming celebration?¡±


    Ethan nodded. ¡°Yes, I brought Ikea gift cards so they can buy home decor at their convenience. Since we¡¯reing together, if I give a present and you don¡¯t, it might be a bit awkward for you.¡±


    I awkwardly said, ¡°Do you think it¡¯s toote if I go buy something now?¡±


    Ethanughed at my words and immediately shoved the gift cards into my bag. ¡°Never mind, I¡¯ll just give Richard a bonus some other time. No need for the gift cards.¡±


    I stared at the gift cards he¡¯d put in my bag. I was about to take them out to return them when I heard his low, pleading voice, ¡°Just leave them there for now. My pocket¡¯s shallow, and they might fall out.¡±


    What could I say? He was genuinely looking out for me, worried I¡¯d feel awkward.


    When the elevator reached the floor, Mnie was already waiting by the door for me. I guessed she was surprised to see both of us appear together.


    ¡°Tiffany, you and Mr. Hayes really have a connection. Hanzora is such a big city, and yet you two run into each other in the same elevator,¡± Mnie said, grinning as she came over to help with the bags. ¡°Thank you for the wine, Mr. Hayes.¡±


    Ethan chuckled. ¡°The bag of fruit was bought by Ms. Mayfield, and these two bottles of wine are for Richard.¡±


    Just then, Richard excitedly ran over, wearing an apron and holding a spat. ¡°Mr. Hayes, Ms.


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    Mayfield, thank you so much for taking the time toe! Please sit down for a bit. Mel, could you keep them entertained? There are just three more dishes to go.¡±


    I gave Mnie a teasing look. Richard had just called her ¡°Mel.¡± It sounded so cheesy.


    Upon receiving my teasing nce, the usually strong and tough Mnie suddenly blushed.


    With Ethan standing next to me, I didn¡¯t have a chance to joke with her, so I just politely sat down on the couch.


    Mnie was busy pouring tea for us. Ethan, as the well¨Cmannered man he was, reached out to take the tea from Mnie¡¯s hands. His fingers were long and fair, with visible veins on the back of his hand. I felt a sudden stir in my heart when I looked at them.


    ¡°I¡¯ll go help Richard. You two sit here for a bit,¡± Mnie said, tactfully leaving us alone.


    Ethan nced toward the kitchen where the couple was working together and couldn¡¯t help butugh. ¡°They seem to have a great rtionship.¡±


    I looked over as well. Richard was stir¨Cfrying some wonderfully fragrant dish, while Mnie washed the pan he had used. The ttering of pots and pans filled the air with a warm, homey feeling.


    Seeing this, an image from my past life suddenly came to mind¨CI usually worked alone in the kitchen. Back then, Shawn wouldn¡¯t even bother toe in and help me out, let alone share such a harmonious moment.


    ¡°Mnie has finally found someone who can cook and satisfy her appetite.¡± I couldn¡¯t help butugh.


    ¡°Richard is Caelorian. Caelorians are famous for their spicy food, and the Caelorian dishes he made are quite authentic,¡± Ethan added.


    ¡°Oh, I <i>see</i>,¡± I said,ughing along<i>. </i>I¡¯d heard that people who cook tend to dote on their wives- whether that¡¯s true or not, I wasn¡¯t sure.


    While I was looking at the couple in the kitchen, I suddenly felt a burning gaze on me. I immediately lowered my head and calmly sipped my tea.


    Ethan seemed to realize it wasn¡¯t quite right to stare at me like that, so he quickly took a sip of


    his tea as well.


    ¡°Ms. Mayfield, I really didn¡¯t know you¡¯d <i>be </iing,¡± Ethan said in a low voice, clearly worried I might misunderstand.


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    I looked at him sincerely. ¡°I trust you.¡±


    Ethan stared at me, stunned. ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing. I just think you¡¯re quite straightforward. You don¡¯t seem like the type <b>to </b>y games,¡± I said. Ethan was a top science student, and his gaze was so clear, unlike someone with ulterior motives.


    Ethan suddenly felt a little belittled. He lowered his voice and said, ¡°Then you don¡¯t really know me.¡±


    I looked at him with interest. ¡°We¡¯re just friends. There¡¯s no need to know each other too deeply. As long as I feel you¡¯re trustworthy, that¡¯s enough.¡±


    A shadow of disappointment fell over Ethan¡¯s eyes, and he didn¡¯t say anything else.


    The dinner was plentiful. Both Richard and Mnie were outgoing and good at striking up conversation. Ethan also said a few words of blessing for the housewarming celebration. When it was my turn, I found myself at a loss for words.


    Ethan smiled at me, and I blurted out, ¡°Wishing you a long and happy rtionship, and an abundance of children in the years toe.¡±


    ¡°Tiffany ¡­ ¡± Mnie protested, her face turning crimson. She yfully red at me.


    Richard, however, smiled at me and said, ¡°Thank you for your blessing, Ms. Mayfield. We¡¯ll work hard at it.¡±


    Mnie¡¯s eyes instantly lit up, her bashful smile glowing with happiness.


    At the dinner table, we chatted about light¨Chearted topics. I didn¡¯t drink because I had to drive. Ethan had some drinks, but fortunately, he was smart enough to bring a driver with him.


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    Richard was in high spirits and drank quite a bit. Mnie didn¡¯t drink much, but by the <b>time </b>the gathering ended, Ethan suddenly swayed. I was standing right next to him, and without thinking, I reached out to steady him.


    ¡°Sorry, I think I¡¯ve had a little too much,¡± he said, his eyes tinged with red, his breath slightly heavy.


    Richard was already passed out, and Mnie had to take care of him. Ethan and I were getting ready to leave as well.


    ¡°Tiffany, can you keep an eye on Mr. Hayes? Make sure he doesn¡¯t fall,¡± Mnie said, looking worried.


    I nodded.


    At the elevator, the voice¨Cactivated light suddenly went out, plunging us into darkness. The elevator was slow to arrive, leaving us standing there in the pitch¨Cck hallway.


    Ethan stood quietly beside me, tall and steady like a tree.


    I felt a little nervous. I couldn¡¯t help but wonder, was I too much of a coward to do what Shawn had done?


    I couldn¡¯t stand the thought of him unting his love for Queena right in front of me.


    My eyes flickered toward the elevator¨Cit was still on the third floor.


    Ethan suddenly swayed again, pressing a hand against the wall for support. I instinctively reached out to steady his other arm. In the darkness, he turned to look at me, and I met his gaze head¨Con.


    ¡°Tiffany ¡­ ¡± Ethan¡¯s voice was hoarse, barely recognizable.


    I answered softly, and then I felt his breath draw closer¨Conly to stop just inches away from <ol><li>me. </li></ol>


    It was obvious he was holding himself back. He wanted this.


    I wasn¡¯t na?ve¡ªEthan had never really hidden his feelings for me. He must have thought this was the perfect opportunity, but because I was married, he didn¡¯t want to put me in a difficult position. More than that, he didn¡¯t want topromise his image as a decent man.


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    I waited for two seconds. The elevator was about to arrive. So, he was even more hesitant than


    I was.


    Doubt gnawed at me, my mind consumed by the bitterness of my past. Tonight, I was going to make a mistake.


    Ethan reminded me of a well¨Ctrained, obedient dog, just waiting for me to make the first move. And, of course, I couldn¡¯t let my dog down.


    Just as I was about to close the distance between us, the elevator dinged, and the doors slid open. A man stepped out, carrying a child in his arms.


    Startled, I immediately shoved Ethan away and quickly moved <i>to </i>the side.


    Ethan steadied himself with his palm against the wall. The elevator lights illuminated his face, and for the first time, I saw the sh of hurt and disappointment in his expression.


    ¡°Sorry, are you okay?¡± I asked. I had acted on impulse¨Cpushing him away simply because I hadn¡¯t expected anyone to be inside.


    ¡°I¡¯m not okay,¡± Ethan admitted. His handsome face was flushed, and he leaned back against the elevator wall, closing his eyes. ¡°Sorry.¡±


    ¡°You didn¡¯t do anything wrong,¡± I said, forcing a smile.


    The elevator was dead silent. I thought that was the end of it, but when we reached the 13th floor, a group of six or seven people suddenly squeezed in. For a moment, I was caught off guard. Then, before I could react, a strong hand grabbed my arm and pulled me forward. I found myself standing right in front of Ethan.


    ¡°Move in a little more,¡± someone outside called.


    Everyone shuffled backward, and in the process, I ended up pressed even closer to Ethan.


    The scent of cedar from his body became more intense. I wasn¡¯t sure if it was because of my dress, but two men who had just entered seemed to be deliberately edging toward me. Thankfully, Ethan turned around and shielded me with his body, backing me into the corner of the elevator. No one else could get near me¨Cbut now, Ethan was practically pressed up against me instead.


    Standing this <i>close</i>, I realized just how tall he was¨Cat least six foot two. Shawn was tall too, but he was only about six foot one.


    As the elevator descended, I felt the man towering over me take a deep, slow breath. I felt embarrassed. My eyshes fluttered, and I instinctively ced my hands between us as a


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    Chapter 62 Closer


    barrier.


    ????? ?????


    Secondster, we reached the first floor. As soon as everyone stepped <i>out</i>, the elevator <b>was </b>empty again.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± I murmured, giving Ethan a gentle push. He finally snapped out of it, his deep, emotional gaze quickly fading intoposure. He stepped aside, letting me exit first.


    Once we were outside, I said, ¡°I¡¯ll head out now. See you.¡±


    The night air was warm and stifling¨Csummer was almost here.


    That also meant Yuna¡¯s summer vacation was just around the corner.


    For the past few years, Shawn had always arranged trips for us during Yuna¡¯s break. Sometimes abroad, sometimes within the country. He never shortchanged Yuna, and I, of course, yed the role of the ever¨Cprepared babysitter, packing everything we needed.


    But this year, I¡¯d decided Shawn could take care of Yuna on his own. Wherever he wanted to take her, he could.


    I wasn¡¯t going with them. Maybe without me, they¡¯d have even more fun. After <i>all</i>, Queena would be there every step of the way¨Centertaining Yuna during the day and keeping Shawnpany at night.


    Today was Queena¡¯s birthday. I figured Shawn and Yuna would be outte celebrating.


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    Chapter 63 Another Agreement


    Chapter 63 Another Agreement


    s


    When I got home, I saw Shawn¡¯s car parked at the entrance of the garden. He was back.


    It was only around 9:30 p.m., though he might have just sent Yuna home with the driver before heading off for a romantic evening with Queena.


    ¡°Daddy, are you feeling better? Do you want some more warm water?¡±


    Just as I reached the entrance to the living room, I heard Yuna¡¯s voice. When I stepped inside, both Shawn and Yuna turned to look at me. ¡°Mommy, where did you go? Why are you back sote? Daddy drank a lot¨Che¡¯s drunk,¡± Yuna said.


    She was just a child, too young to understand. Whether or not Shawn got drunk had nothing to do with others pushing drinks on him¡ªit was all about his mood. He must have been in high spirits, so he drank too much.


    ¡°Is that so? Well, let him sleep <i>it </i>off,¡± I said as I changed my shoes and headed upstairs.


    ¡°Mommy, aren¡¯t you going to check on Daddy?¡± Yuna called out from the staircase.


    ¡°I¡¯m a bit tired. I¡¯ll take a shower first.¡± I wasn¡¯t in the mood. If he got drunk over his lover, then she could take care of him. As his wife, I knew where I stood.


    After my shower, I brought Yuna upstairs and helped her bathe. While we were in the bathroom, she told me about the birthday party. She was smart¡ªshe didn¡¯t mention a word about Queena and Shawn interacting.


    ¡°Mommy, I¡¯m sleepy. You should go take care of Daddy,¡± Yuna murmured as she climbed into bed. She had a strict bedtime routine¨Conce it was past ten, she¡¯d fall asleep almost instantly.


    I didn¡¯t go downstairs. Instead, I went to my bedroom¨Cthere were still some sry reports I hadn¡¯t finished reviewing, and I needed to look up some information on myputer.


    Just as I was sitting at my desk, the door suddenly swung open. Shawn stood by the doorway, his face flushed from the alcohol.


    ¡°Tiffany, are you still mad?¡± His voice carried an unmistakable edge of irritation.


    I turned to look at him, my expression calm. ¡°I¡¯m working. I don¡¯t have time to be mad.¡±


    ¡°All I did was celebrate Queena¡¯s birthday. Do you have to be this petty? She¡¯s the vice president of thepany¨Cshe needs my approval as her boss <b>¡­ </b>¡±


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    ¡°Then go.


    It¡¯s your legs, not mine. I didn¡¯t tie you down,¡± I cut him off, my tone turning cold.


    Shawn¡¯s eyes widened, and in the next second, he strode over and yanked the documents <b>from </b>my hands. Without a moment¡¯s hesitation, he tore them to shreds and flung the pieces into the air. The papers fluttered down around me like snowkes.


    ¡°Tiffany, get this straight¨CI married you so you could take care of this home, not so you could throw tantrums like some jealous lunatic.¡± He was more irritable than usual, probably because of the alcohol. His normally handsome face darkened, his eyes zing with anger.


    I let out a quiet, mockingugh. ¡°Shawn, how about we sign another agreement?¡±


    His whole body stiffened as he stared at me.


    I got up and leaned against the desk, meeting his gaze steadily. ¡°From now on, we won¡¯t interfere with each other¡¯s lives. You can do whatever you want, and I can see whoever I want. We¡¯ll each go our own way¨CI won¡¯t demand that youe home early, and you won¡¯t ask where I¡¯ve been.¡±


    ¡°Tiffany, what are you trying to do?¡± His face flushed with shock and humiliation. ¡°Do you even realize how much you¡¯ve benefited from this family? How much have I sacrificed? Every year, I pour <i>a </i>fortune into this household and you! The clothes in your closet, your jewelry, your bags -I bought all of them for you. And now you¡¯re talking to me about fairness?¡±


    His bloodshot eyes burned with rage, like a beast on the verge of losing control. But I was calm.


    I knew why he was angry. He was mad that I no longer yed the role of the perfect wife, mad that I had developed a backbone, mad that I wasn¡¯t trying to please him anymore.


    But I wasn¡¯t born just to cater to others.


    I didn¡¯t <i>see </i>the point in arguing. Winning or losing would only prove that this marriage was falling apart.


    In my past life, I had yed the jealous wife, the shrew, the bitter woman. In this life, <i>I </i>just wanted to live with dignity.


    ¡°Hubby, I know it¡¯s hard for you to provide for this family. Back when I didn¡¯t work, I never understood how exhausting it was to make a living. But now I do. So from now on, don¡¯t waste so much money on me. I need to learn how to support myself.¡± My voice was light, almost indifferent, as if I could discard him at any moment.


    Shawn had expected me to cry, to get emotional, to beg for forgiveness.


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    But I remained calm andposed. His anger dissipated in an instant.


    s


    After over 30 years as husband and wife, I knew him well. His pride wouldn¡¯t allow him topletely lose his temper, so he didn¡¯t argue any further.


    Instead, he simply sat down on the couch beside me, his expression dark and unreadable.

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    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I shouldn¡¯t have said those things. I never meant to dismiss everything you¡¯ve done for this family. I know that ever since Yuna was born, you¡¯ve had no freedom, no social life, and you¡¯ve been stuck in an exhausting cycle of sleepless nights. The least I can do is make sure you never have to worry about material things.¡± Shawn¡¯s voice was heavy as he spoke. Then, closing his eyes in pain, he added, ¡°Tiffany, maybe one day, we really will get divorced. When that dayes ¡­ Will you regret it?¡±


    My eyes lit up, and I stared at him. ¡°Regret what?¡±


    Seeing me suddenly so full of energy again, Shawn frowned. ¡°Regret arguing with me. Regret being too proud. Hanzora isn¡¯t your hometown. You¡¯ve lived here for six years, but aside from Mnie, you don¡¯t have anyone else. If we get divorced, where will you go?¡±


    I nearlyughed at that. Shawn was still living in the delusion that I couldn¡¯t survive without him.


    He had no idea that I had already broken free from the shackles of worldly desires and material concerns. I was on a whole different level than him. There was no way I¡¯d regret anything.


    ¡°Hubby, be honest with me¨Cif we got divorced, would you give me a settlement?¡± I flicked my hair flirtatiously, looking at him with a sultry gaze I hadn¡¯t used in ages.


    Shawn¡¯s frown deepened. He had brought up divorce half¨Cjokingly to test my reaction, to see if he still had control over me. This was the kind of game maniptors yed, treating fools like toys.


    ¡°I would. After all, we were husband and wife. I wouldn¡¯t leave you with nothing,¡± he said, though it was clear he didn¡¯t want to continue this conversation. He got up, ready to leave.


    ¡°Hubby, I knew I wasn¡¯t making a losing bet when I married you,¡± I said with a smile. ¡°As for where I¡¯ll <i>go </i>after the divorce¨CHanzora isn¡¯t my birthce, and I¡¯m not that familiar with it. So I¡¯ll just go back to Sudtirol. Worst case, I¡¯ll head to Zleson¨Cmy brother is still studying there.¡±


    Just as Shawn was about to leave, he suddenly stopped in his tracks. He turned to look at me, his lips pressed into a thin line, but he said nothing and walked out of my room.


    The moment he was gone, I rxed and immediately texted the private investigator I¡¯d hired. ¡°Any updates?¡±


    He responded quickly, sending me a set of photos. Unfortunately, they were all of Shawn and


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    Queena¨Cwalking separately but close together, him holding the car door open for her, things like that. There were no photos of them hugging, kissing, or standing outside a hotel.


    ¡°I paid you 100,000 dors, and this is all you got me?¡± My anger red, and I immediately questioned him, ¡°Are you even a professional?¡±


    He sent a voice message right away, saying, ¡°Mrs. Hartwell, I¡¯ve done my best. My apprentice and I have been taking shifts, watching your husband¡¯s mistress for 20 hours a day. It¡¯s not easy for us either. This is all we¡¯ve got.¡±


    I couldn¡¯t believe it.


    ording to how things yed out in my past life, Shawn and Queena should already be entangled by now.


    Queena should even be pregnant and nning to get an abortion. But now, the investigator couldn¡¯t even catch a single moment of physical intimacy?


    That left only two possibilities¨Ceither the investigator I hired wasn¡¯t skilled enough, or Shawn and Queena had taken extreme precautions to keep their affair hidden.


    To keep our working rtionship intact, I didn¡¯t press him too hard. I just told him to continue watching them and to make sure he got me something solid.


    He agreed immediately. Once our conversation was over, I deleted all our messages.


    The next day at noon, Yuna¡¯s teacher called to inform me about an uing parent¨Cteacher conference and asked me to attend.


    Lately, Yuna has been enjoying school a lot. She looked forward to going every day and even insisted that I style her hair into cute little braids each morning. At night, she would sneakily use my makeup¨Cshe was already starting to care about her looks at such a young age.


    Shawn didn¡¯te home for dinner that evening. Out of nowhere, Yuna asked in a small voice, ¡°Mommy, do you have work on Thursday?¡±


    I nodded. ¡°Yeah. Why?¡±


    ¡°Nothing. Just checking,¡± she said with a mischievous blink.


    Her question made me think. The parent¨Cteacher conference was on Thursday night, and she was bringing up my work schedule. Did she not want me to go?


    ¡°Yuna, your teacher mentioned the conference to me. I do have work that night, so how about I ask Daddy to go instead?¡± I said, testing her reaction.


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    ¡°Sure<b>! </b>But Daddy might be busy too, and he doesn¡¯t like showing up to these things,¡± she said, pouting. Then she looked up at me and asked, ¡°Mommy, if you and Daddy both can¡¯t <i>go </i>¡­ Can I invite Ms. Tackman instead?<b>¡± </b>


    Hearing that, a chill spread through me. So this was what she had been waiting to ask me all along.


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    ¡°If you want her to go, then you should ask her. I just started my new job, and things are too hectic for me right now.¡± I had long given up on trying to control Yuna. However she turned out would be entirely up to her. If she preferred Queena to attend her parent¨Cteacher conference, I wouldn¡¯t even ask why.


    She was six years old¨Cmore than capable of understanding right from wrong. She had even learned a thing or two about human nature.


    Before I knew it, Thursday arrived. Around noon, I nned to take a few senior managers out for lunch at a restaurant near the hotel. Just as I stepped into the hallway, Shawn appeared and blocked my way.


    ¡°Got any ns for lunch?¡± Ever since ourst argument, we had been giving each other the cold shoulder. But today, he took the initiative to talk to me. It seemed our silent war wasing to an end.


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m taking a few hotel executives out for a meal,¡± I replied.


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯lle along,¡± Shawn said casually before turning toward the elevator.


    I frowned at his retreating figure, puzzled as to why he wanted to join.


    The restaurant had been booked in advance¡ªa Caribbean cuisine restaurant with an authentic menu. I had already set a bottle of whiskey on the ten¨Cperson dining table in our private room. It was Shawn¡¯s, something he had left at home, but I had brought it along to use as a goodwill gesture.


    Sure enough, as soon as the liquor was ced on the table, the executives¨Cespecially the ones who loved a good drink¨Cstared at it, itching to have a taste.


    ¡°Mr. and Mrs. Hartwell, you seem to have such a wonderful rtionship! Mrs. Hartwell, you¡¯re so lucky.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right! Mr. Hartwell is young, aplished, and adores you. You¡¯re truly fortunate.¡±


    I had heard these empty pleasantries more times than I could count. If Shawn and I weren¡¯t maintaining a polished image in public, no one would have guessed that we hadn¡¯t spoken in three days¨Cor that we hadn¡¯t been intimate in over a year.


    Shawn carried himself with theposed authority of a man in power. His ck dress shirt only made his striking features stand out even more, exuding an effortless charisma in every


    movement.


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    ¡°Please, everyone, make yourselves at home,¡± Shawn said with a polite smile. ¡°Tiffany will need all of your support moving forward. Now, let¡¯s eat.¡±


    With that, the toasts began.


    Someone offered to pour me a ss of red wine. Just as I reached for my ss, arge hand suddenly covered the rim, blocking it. ¡°She¡¯s not drinking,¡± Shawn said from beside me. ¡°We¡¯re trying for a baby.¡±


    The moment those words left his mouth, the entire room fell into a brief but heavy silence. Then, all eyes turned to us with knowing smiles.


    I whipped my head toward Shawn, wondering if he had lost his mind.


    ¡°Mrs. Hartwell, you¡¯re truly blessed. You and Mr. Hartwell are going to have the most adorable baby!¡±


    ¡°With genes like yours, you should have a few more. It¡¯d be such a waste not to!¡±


    I had no choice but to put my ss down. But in the next second, I picked up Shawn¡¯s whiskey instead and smiled. ¡°Let¡¯s not get ahead of ourselves. Right now, our priority is making Apex Hotel a sess. Once our careers are stable, we¡¯ll think about baby number two.¡±


    With that, I took a sip of Shawn¡¯s whiskey. The moment I did, I noticed Shawn¡¯s expression darken considerably.


    The others, however, remained oblivious to the silent battle between us, assuming it was nothing more than yful flirting between a married couple.


    As the strong liquor burned down my throat, my head began to buzz. I quickly excused myself and headed to the restroom. Big mistake. I hadn¡¯t even swallowed much, yet the effects hit me almost instantly.


    My head spun, and I tried desperately to make myself throw up, but to no avail. When I looked at my reflection in the mirror, my cheeks were flushed a deep red, making me look as vibrant as a flower in full bloom. My eyes shimmered with an unnatural gloss, and I couldn¡¯t help but let out a bitter chuckle at my foolishness.


    At that moment, the sound of running water came from beside me. I turned my head¨CShawn was washing his hands at the sink next to me.


    His gaze was colder than before. ¡°Do you seriously not know your alcohol tolerance? That¡¯s strong whiskey. Next time, don¡¯t be so reckless.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± I said, sshing my face with cold water. ¡°But thanks for the concern.¡±


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    My response only seemed to irritate him further. Without another word, he turned and walked


    out.


    I took a deep breath, pulled myself together, and returned to the private dining room. Just as I sat down, Shawn¡¯s phone rang.


    I nced at the screen out of reflex. Queena.


    Shawn picked up his phone and immediately stepped out of the room.


    A few minutester, he returned and said, ¡°Something came up at thepany. I need to leave.¡±


    Several executives stood up to see him off, but he waved them down before walking out.


    The rest of the luncheon continued as usual¨Cdrinks flowed, and conversation carried on¨Cbut I noticed a shift in the way some of the women looked at me. There was sympathy in their eyes. And just a hint of schadenfreude.


    I knew exactly what they were thinking. Shawn¡¯s favoritism toward Queena was no secret anymore. As his nominal wife, I had naturally be their new topic of gossip.


    Once the meal was over, I stayed in my temporary office at Apex Hotel for the rest of the afternoon.


    Around four, Shawn texted me. ¡°Has the alcohol worn off? Can you make it to the parent- teacher conference tonight?¡±


    I knew Yuna wanted Queena to go in my ce, so I responded without hesitation. ¡°No time and my head still hurts.¡±

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    Shawn already knew about my drinking earlier that morning, so he said, ¡°I have a dinner meeting tonight, too. If you can¡¯t make it, I¡¯ll have Mom go instead.¡±


    ¡°Do as you see fit,¡± I replied indifferently.


    When I got home a little after nine that night, I found Yuna sitting on the couch, angrily tearing pages out of a book.


    As soon as I walked in, she clenched her tiny fists and charged at me. ¡°You just don¡¯t want me to be friends with Queena, do you? You¡¯re so mean! Why did you make Grandma go to the parent¨Cteacher conference? Queena and I had already agreed to go together!¡±


    She looked at me as if I were her worst enemy.


    I hadn¡¯t expected a simple parent¨Cteacher meeting to upset her this much. Keeping my voice calm, I said, ¡°I never stopped Queena from going. Your daddy made the arrangements¨Cit had nothing to do with me.¡±


    ¡°I know it was because of you! Daddy would never stop me from liking her. You¡¯re the only one who keeps getting in the way!¡± Yuna med everything on me without hesitation.


    I looked down at her from above, my expression devoid of emotion.


    ¡°Yuna, do you really like Queena?¡±


    Something in my tone must have changed because her wide eyes blinked a few times, but she didn¡¯t say a word.


    I crouched down and smoothed out her messy hair, then gave her a hollow smile. ¡°If you like something, then fight <i>for </i>it. I¡¯m your mommy, and I just want you to be happy. I won¡¯t interfere anymore, and I won¡¯t stop you from being friends with whomever you want. Yuna, do you like this version of Mommy?¡±


    She froze for a moment, then nodded. ¡°If you mean it, then I¡¯ll still like you.¡±


    ¡°Alright. From now on, you can see whoever you want¨CI won¡¯t stop you.¡± I gently patted her shoulder, then stood up and walked toward the kitchen. Mona had been preparing something to help replenish my blood. When she saw me, she brought a te over. ¡°Mrs. Hartwell, this is


    still warmn


    ¡°Thank you,¡± I said politely before sitting down and taking small bites.


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    Yuna had been ready to throw a full¨Cblown tantrum, but with just a few words, I had defused her anger. She must have lost her steam because she simply turned on her heel and ran upstairs.


    I had just finished eating when I heard Shawn¡¯s car pull into the driveway. I immediately got up, intending to head upstairs.


    I had only made it halfway up when he walked in.


    I ignored him, didn¡¯t greet him, and just went straight to my bedroom.


    A whileter, Shawn also went upstairs¨Cto Yuna¡¯s room. I didn¡¯t know what they were talking about, but they were in there for over half an hour.


    When he finally came out, he strode straight to my door, his face dark with anger. ¡°Tiffany, what did you say to Yuna?¡±


    I was holding my pajamas, about to take a shower. Seeing him suddenlysh out, I replied coolly, ¡°What now?¡±


    ¡°Why did you bring up Queena? What are you trying to do?¡± he demanded.


    I let out a smallugh. ¡°I was just having a normal conversation with Yuna. What¡¯s wrong with that?¡±


    ¨D


    ¡°Thepany rumors about me and Queena haven¡¯t died down. Now you¡¯re talking to Yuna about her are you trying to make her think our marriage is falling apart because of Queena?¡± Shawn¡¯s gaze was icy.


    ¡°Are you saying she bears no responsibility at all?¡± I crossed my arms, my tone almost amused.


    Shawn hesitated for a moment, his expression darkening further.


    ¡°This is between us. Don¡¯t drag others into it,¡± he said, lowering his voice, though his irritation was clear.


    I nodded. He wasn¡¯t wrong¨Cwhen it came to cheating, the biggest responsibilityy with him.


    ¡°Fine, let¡¯s not talk about Queena. Let¡¯s talk about you. If there¡¯s nothing between you two, why are you so defensive?¡± I asked sharply.


    Shawn¡¯s expression froze for a split second before he scoffed. ¡°When have I ever been defensive? I¡¯m just discussing this with you, so stop twisting my words.¡±


    He wasn¡¯t trying to exin anything¨Che was just using his usual tough stance to cover up his


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    <b>I </b>instantly lost interest in arguing with him. I needed to prioritize my health¨Cmy hormones and my well¨Cbeing mattered more.


    ¡°Alright, I get it. I won¡¯t bring up Ms. Tackman in front of Yuna again,¡± I said before stepping into the bathroom.


    If he wanted to ¡®win¡® the argument, I¡¯d let him.


    By the time I came out of the shower, Shawn was nowhere to be found.


    In the middle of the night, Yuna suddenly crawled into my arms, wrapping her little hands tightly around my arm. ¡°Mommy, I had a nightmare. Can you hold me while I sleep?¡±


    Looking at the small figure nestled against me, a wave of mncholy washed over me.


    I had already decided to stop controlling her. And once Shawn and I divorced, the time <b>I </b>spent with her would dwindle¨Cfrom days to weeks, maybe even months apart.


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    Chapter 67 Choosing Priorities


    Chapter 67 Choosing Priorities.


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    If I really left to build my career elsewhere, I¡¯d miss Yuna¡¯s teenage years¨Cher rebellious phase. I wouldn¡¯t be there to help her with her school tutoring or wait up for her when she came homete from her activities. When she eventually went abroad for college, it would be Shawn and Queena by her side, not me. I would just be a distant voice on the phone, checking in from far away.


    At some point, tears had welled up in my eyes.


    How should one live to have no regrets?


    Early the next morning, Yuna ran off to look for Shawn, only to discover that his room was empty.


    When I finished getting dressed and went downstairs, Mona told me that Shawn had already left the night before.


    I figured that he was probably in a bad mood and had gone to seekfort from his beloved mistress.


    At the dining table, Yuna munched on her food while looking at me. ¡°Mommy, you¡¯ve been dressing so beautifullytely. When I grow up, can I wear your clothes?¡±


    I shook my head and responded to her question, ¡°Nope. By the time you grow up, these clothes will be worn out already.¡±


    She giggled. ¡°My teacher said you¡¯re so pretty and that I¡¯ll grow up to be a beauty too!¡±


    ¡°Is that so?¡± <b>I </b>smiled, scooping another spoonful of porridge into her bowl and said, ¡°Then eat more so you can grow up quickly.¡±


    Today, I was wearing a white blouse with arge bow at the neckline, paired with a high- waisted mermaid skirt. Paired with my tall figure, the outfit looked elegant and striking.


    From now on, I would dress my best every day, as a way to make up for what I owed myself.


    On our way to drop Yuna off at school, she excitedly asked where we¡¯d be going during the summer vacation. She rattled off a list of ces she wanted to visit, such as Disnend, Universal Studios, the beach and many more.


    They were all ces I had taken her tost year. The memories were so vivid for her that she wanted to experience them all over again.


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    I told her there were no ns for this summer. If she wanted to go somewhere, Shawn could take her as I needed to focus on work. She looked disappointed and pouted for the rest of the ride, ignoring me all the way.


    When we arrived at the school gates, her teacher reminded her to say goodbye, but she just scoffed as she ran into the school.


    Perhaps, I was getting more ignorant. I was no longer angry at her indifferent attitude.


    At Apex Hotel, the renovations were progressing quickly. With a generous budget, everything was moving smoothly. Though the construction was scheduled for three months, I had already started discussing the promotional strategies with the advertisers.


    When it was revealed in a meeting that I had allocated a significant sum for advertising, Queena voiced out her objections, arguing that good products did not need deliberate promotions and that we would cheapen the brand image and lower the standard.


    Shawn was upset with mest night. Upon hearing Queena¡¯s objections, I frowned and was worried that he would be indulged in her words, taking her side and eventually reducing my budget.


    ¡°What do you think?¡± Shawn looked at me from his seat at the head of the table.


    I immediately stood up and presented my promotional n, emphasizing that we were in the era of diversification, where online tforms reigned supreme and inte traffic is the king. Marketing was undoubtedly essential.


    Shawn had always been sharp in business, even more than me. So, when I mentioned that traffic is king, his brows lifted slightly in what seemed like approval to me.


    Queena¡¯s so¨Ccalled concern about saving money wasn¡¯t just about the budget, but more like a silent power move, as an attempt to suppress me.


    Fortunately, Shawn didn¡¯t reduce any of my advertising budget. Instead, he called me into his office afterward to ask if I was confident. I couldn¡¯t guarantee sess, but I responded to him still, ¡°I¡¯ll do my best.¡±


    Seated at his desk with his long legs crossed casually, he yed with a Rubik¡¯s Cube in one hand while gazing at me deeply. He asked, ¡°This whole ¡®traffic is king¡® concept, where did you get that idea from?¡±


    If I told him the truth, would he freak out?


    <b>I </b>casually made something up, saying, ¡°I did some market research.¡±


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    He looked at me with suspicion. ¡°Do you have a mentor guiding you behind the scenes?¡± His voice was calm, but there was an underlying sharpness. He continued, ¡°Who is it?¡±


    I looked at him with confused gaze. ¡°What mentor? I have no idea what you¡¯re talking about.¡±


    ¡°Is it Ethan?¡± Shawn suddenly mentioned a name.


    I felt guilty for a second, but my expression remained calm. ¡°We just know each other, that¡¯s all.¡±


    ¡°When did you meet him?¡± he asked casually, as if he wasn¡¯t really invested in my answer. He continued, ¡°Surely, it wasn¡¯t right after I introduced you two that you started secretly meeting for dinner?<b>¡± </b>


    I stared at him in disbelief. I confronted him, ¡°Did you have someone watching me?¡±


    He set the Rubik¡¯s Cube down and strolled toward me. With his hands in the pockets, he stood in front of me, and looked at me intensely. ¡°I just happened to know someone who saw you two together,¡± he said.


    Like hell I¡¯d believe that. I knew Shawn too well for that.


    He must have sensed my recent change that I wasn¡¯t as devoted as I used to be to the household and how I no longer clung to him the way I used to. That¡¯s why he started investigating. He probably thought I had fallen for someone else.

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    Chapter 68 A Kiss for the Audience


    I replied coolly, ¡°I met Mr. Hayes years ago through a donation. There¡¯s no personal rtionship between us. The dinner was merely his way of expressing gratitude.¡±


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    Shawn arched a brow, his lips curling into a mocking smirk. ¡°Give me a reason I can actually believe.¡±


    I frowned. Had Shawn lost his mind today? Since when did he care enough to interrogate me like this?


    ¡°That¡¯s


    my answer. Believe it or not¨CI couldn¡¯t care less.¡± There was no point exining further. Emotions are like ink¨Cthe harder you press, the messier they get. And I? I¡¯d learned not to smear myself ck for anyone.


    Seeing my dismissive expression, Shawn¡¯s voice turned icy. ¡°Is it because he¡¯s younger than me?<b>¡± </b>


    I stared at him, amused. ¡°So what if he is? That¡¯s just a fact.¡±


    Shawn¡¯s face darkened instantly, a storm brewing in his eyes.


    Shawn clearly wanted to use me of something, but without proof, he was powerless.


    Besides, his arrogance blinded him. For six years, I¡¯d loved him hopelessly and had been obedient and devoted¨Cuntil recently, when I¡¯d started acting out of character.


    Shawn was convinced I¡¯d never dare to cheat¨Cat most, he assumed his neglect had left me resentful, sparking this rebellious streak.


    He knew exactly how to pacify that defiance. A few sweet words, some cash tossed my way, another empty promise crammed down my throat. Then he¡¯d just rock me back into submission a few nights of ¡®making up,¡® and he¡¯d expect me to fall back in line.


    But now, I wasn¡¯t <i>so </i>easily pacified. The extra effort annoyed him.


    ¡°Tiffany, you¡¯re a married woman with a child. Remember your duties and restrain yourself. The entirepany is watching. You wouldn¡¯t embarrass me, would you?¡± His tone was stern, a warning not to vite our marital vows.


    I¡¯d always beenposed, but this time, I snapped.


    ¡°You demand loyalty from me, but where¡¯s my dignity? You and Ms. Tackman¨Ccould you at


    least be discreet?¡±


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    Chapter 68 A Kiss for the Audience


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    His face froze. He¡¯d expected hysterics, but true despair was silent.


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    I took a deep breath, turning my back to him. ¡°Shawn, please maintain proper boundaries at the office. And if you insist on hooking up in hotels, at least pick ones farther away. That¡¯s the most I¡¯m willing to concede.¡±


    I didn¡¯t wait for his response before moving to leave.


    But in the next instant, Shawn yanked me back with brutal force.


    The back of my skull collided with his chin, pain radiating through me as he spun me around to face him.


    ¡°Tiffany, how many times must I say it? There¡¯s nothing between me and Queena!¡± he shouted, his voice trembling with fury.


    ¡°Just because nothing¡¯s happened yet doesn¡¯t mean it won¡¯t.¡± I¡¯d suffered enough of their betrayal in my past life¨Cthis time, I refused to swallow love¡¯s bitter pills. No more gaslighting.


    ¡°It will never happen.¡± Shawn¡¯s breath came ragged, his eyes burning crimson as he pinned me with his gaze. ¡°Stop fabricating infidelity scenarios in that head of yours. It¡¯s pathetic.¡±


    His grip on my arm tightened to the point of pain. I twisted against him, but he only pulled me closer.


    Then, without warning, he crushed his lips against mine in a savage, brutal kiss.


    I froze. When my senses returned, I shoved at his chest¨Cbut my resistance seemed to fuel him. He backed me against his desk, his mouth relentlessly continuing to kiss.


    I wanted to scream. Was this some twisted dominance disy?


    As if I¡¯d ever want this<b>! </b>


    ¡°You two¡­


    ??


    The office door, left slightly ajar, suddenly swung open. Queena stood frozen in the doorway, her eyes wide with shock.


    Behind her, two senior executives gaped at thepromising scene.


    A flicker of humiliation crossed Shawn¡¯s face before his cheeks flushed crimson. He yanked me upright and barked at the spectators, ¡°Wait for me in Conference Room 1.


    ¡°And close the door!¡±


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    Queena obeyed mechanically. My lipstick was thoroughly smeared, leaving me looking thoroughly disheveled.


    Shawn studied me with exasperated amusement, brushing his thumb across my lipstick mark. ¡°Tiffany, you¡¯ve be insufferably willfultely. But I¡¯ll admit¨Cyou¡¯re more vibrant than ever.¡± His voice dropped to a possessive murmur, ¡°We have decades ahead of us, let¡¯s get used to it.¡±


    I pped his hand away and stormed out of the office in big strides.


    Absolute lunatic!


    A lifetime with him? I¡¯d rather expedite the divorce papers. My youth was just as precious as anyone else¡¯s.


    No way would I waste it on some self¨Cproimed gentleman who was actually a first¨Css jerk.


    As I exited, I nearly collided with Queena. The quiet hostility in her eyes had sharpened into something visceral.


    She clutched her files tighter and hissed as I passed, ¡°Next time, have the decency to lock the door. Nobody wants to watch your little soap opera.¡±

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    Chapter 69 The Golden Child¡¯s Request


    Chapter 69 The Golden Child¡¯s Request


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    I turned to look at Queena. Did she think I¡¯d left the door slightly ajar on purpose, just so she could walk in and witness the spectacle?


    Oops, talk about backfiring¨Cunintentionally, I had struck a nerve on her.


    It felt so good!


    ¡°My mistake. It won¡¯t happen again. Ms. Tackman, you should also learn some basic knocking etiquette.¡± With that, I tilted my chin up slightly and returned to my office.


    Queena must¡¯ve been seething by now, probably convinced I was some scheming, maniptive viper.


    But in my past life, I¡¯d lived without an ounce of cunning¨Cand where had that gotten me?


    This time around, what¡¯s wrong with having more


    with having more tricks up my sleeve?


    Work wrapped up a little past six in the evening. The lights in Shawn¡¯s office were off¨Che was heading home.


    I pretended to still be busy. Tonight, I¡¯d decided to eat alone outside, leaving him and his daughter to enjoy their dinner in peace.


    A knock sounded at the door. Shawn stood there and said, ¡°Come eat at my mother¡¯s ce. My sister¡¯s back, and Yuna¡¯s already there.¡±


    My expression froze. ¡°I still have work to finish. Maybe¡­


    ¡°1


    ¡°Tiffany, it¡¯s a family dinner.¡± He didn¡¯t leave room for refusal.


    I packed up and walked over. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±


    I insisted on driving myself there. Shawn didn¡¯t argue, though his expression darkened as he got into his car.


    As for my sister¨Cinw? If she didn¡¯t have a thousand schemes in mind, she certainly had a few. dozen backup ns. Her focus was on thepany¡¯s shares, the Hartwells money¨Cand how to keep outsiders from getting a piece.


    And me? I was the outsider in her eyes. In my past life, when Shawn filed for divorce, the settlement was already drafted. But the moment my sister¨Cinw saw the alimony and assets allocated to me, she quietly worked her magic within the family¡ªuntil the final number had


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    This year, she was 23. After 3 years abroad, half¨Cstudying, half¨Cpartying, she came away with nothing worthwhile. What she did umte was a string of boyfriends, each quickly reced by the next. Her grand ambition? To marry up¨Csomeone from a family even wealthier than the Hartwells. She even dabbled in chasing fame, getting subtle cosmetic tweaks and appearing on obscure reality shows, nearly breaking into entertainment¡ªuntil leaked scandals sent her crashing back to reality.


    Thinking about this, another realization hit me¨Cthe plot of my rebirth seems different from my previous life. Back then, I¡¯d never met Ethan, and Mnie¡¯s first husband hadn¡¯t been Richard.


    So, what will happen in this life? I have no idea, feeling quite confused.


    But no matter what lies ahead, I will stick to my own beliefs, just like how I firmly adhere to my principles.


    When I arrived at my mother¨Cinw¡¯s house, Shawn had already gotten there before me. The family was already gathered, chatting warmly in the living room. My father¨Cinw was still alive, though he and my mother¨Cinw had an open marriage. He only appeared for important asions. Lately, he¡¯d hopped on the trend of dyeing his salt¨Cand¨Cpepper hair bright blond. Dressed trendier than Shawn, his lean; tall frame resembled that of <i>a </i>young man from behind¡ªuntil he turned around, revealing a face weathered by time. None of that stopped him from changing girlfriends frequently. Shawn was capable, allowing his father to retire at 50. He managed thepany on his own, supported a group of rtives, and funneled hefty monthly allowances to his parents.


    ¡°Tiffany, you¡¯re here!¡± Hazel shed me a perfunctory smile. ¡°Sorry, I rushed back this time and forgot to get you a gift.¡±


    I smiled back. ¡°No worries. Your brother just gave me something the other day.¡±


    Hazel immediately lost interest, turning to cling to Shawn¡¯s arm instead. ¡°Shawn, about what I mentioned earlier¨Cplease say yes? My friend¡¯s in a tough spot. Her dad just passed away, and she¡¯s holding her whole family up. Just let her join thepany, please?¡±


    My breath hitched. A memory from my past life surfaced¨CHazel had introduced her best friend to seduce Shawn, only for Queena to obliterate her, sending her fleeing in disgrace.


    Well, this was about to get interesting.


    In the Hartwell household, I might as well have been a ghost. All light and attention naturally flowed to Hazel the family¡¯s undisputed golden child. Even when Shawn was only six years older, he had pampered her since childhood.


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    Chapter 69 The Golden Child¡¯s Request


    ¡°Shawn¡­¡± Seeing Shawn hesitate, Hazel amped up the whine in her voice. ¡°Please?¡±


    Shawn sighed. ¡°Fine. Tell her to report to HR tomorrow. I¡¯ll arrange training.¡±


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    ¡°Yay! Love you, best brother ever!¡± Mission aplished, she nted a kiss on his cheek.


    He pushed her away, feigning disgust. ¡°So you¡¯re really not going back abroad this time?¡±


    ¡°Nope.¡± Her gaze darted. ¡°I¡¯m thinking ofunching my own clothing line here.¡±


    Shawn nodded. ¡°You didn¡¯t let your studies slip while you were overseas<b>, </b>did you?¡±

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    Chapter 70 Family Tensions


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    ¡°No, I was serious in my studies,¡± Hazel said defensively.


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    Just then, my father¨Cinw called from the second floor, ¡°Shawn,e upstairs. I need to discuss a project with you.¡±


    Shawn went upstairs, and Hazel suddenly turned her gaze to me. ¡°Tiffany, your outfit today is a bit different from usual.¡±


    ¡°Is it?¡± I responded with a forced smile.


    ¡°You look very professional today. By the way, Tiffany, I heard from my brother that you¡¯re taking over Apex Hotel? You¡¯ve been out of touch with society for six years¨Cdo you really think you can manage it? Don¡¯t just throw money in and see zero returns. Even though you¡¯re my brother¡¯s wife, his money didn¡¯t just fall from the sky. You should value it,¡± Hazel began picking at me.


    Ever since I married into the Hartwells, whenever Shawn gave me money to spend, Hazel would get upset if she found out.


    Now, even though Apex Hotel was dpidated, it still held some value. Handing it over to me was bound to make Hazel even more resentful.


    ¡°Precisely because I¡¯ve been disconnected from society, I want to use this job to reintegrate myself. A woman feels more secure when she has her own career,¡± I exined calmly.


    ¡°You should just focus on managing the household and taking care of Yuna. Stop stirring up trouble,¡± Hazel said, admiring her nails while sneaking nces at my reaction. Seeing my expression darken, she quickly added with a smile, ¡°Tiffany, you know me¨CI¡¯ve always been blunt. Don¡¯t take it personally. I didn¡¯t mean anything by it.¡±


    Her tactic of pping me first and then offering candy no longer worked on me.


    ¡°I know you didn¡¯t mean anything by it, but this decision was made by your brother.¡± Some people aren¡¯t worth arguing with¨Cit¡¯s better to respond with indifference, Hazel¡¯s personality wasbative; the more you engaged, the more she escted. Besides, this was the Hartwells. Arguing with her would only put me at a disadvantage.


    ¡°My brother is so unreasonable. When I asked him to invest in my clothing brand, he demanded a business proposal,¡± Hazel grumbled before standing up and storming out.


    I sat quietly on the sofa alone, wondering where my mother¨Cinw had taken Yuna. Probably to the park outside to gossip or dance with the other elderlydies.


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    Shortly after, Shawn came downstairs. Seeing me sitting alone, he walked over and said, ¡°Why didn¡¯t you go out to find Yuna?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m tired,¡± I murmured, lowering my eyes and scrolling through my phone.


    Shawn suddenly sat beside me, his gaze fixed directly on my screen.


    Feeling startled, I quickly locked my phone.


    Shawn seemed displeased.


    ¡°Hiding something from me?¡± He raised an eyebrow.


    I countered, ¡°Would you let me look through your phone?¡±


    He leaned backzily, a mocking smile ying on his lips. ¡°Haven¡¯t you been sneaking it into the bathroom to check every midnight?¡±


    He caught me off guard.


    The embarrassment of the past was nowid bare in his casual remark, and my face burned with shame.


    ¡°You knew?¡± I forcedposure, hating my past lovesick self.


    ¡°I just let you have a peace of mind. Did you really think I slept like a log?¡± His expression turned cold.


    ¡°It won¡¯t happen again,¡± I said softly. ¡°I¡¯ll respect your privacy.¡±


    Shawn let out a coldugh. ¡°The words you said at thepany today didn¡¯t exactly seem respectul.¡±


    ¡°What exactly did I say?¡± I frowned.


    ¡°You¡¯re the one who spread those rumors about me and Queena sleeping together in a hotel,¡± he said, his voice ice¨Ccold. ¡°She¡¯s an unmarried woman. Did you even consider how this would destroy her reputation?¡±


    I choked for a moment. ¡°If you care so much about her reputation, then how did those rumors start in the first ce?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t care what others say, but you¡¯re different. Every word from you is a death sentence for her. She¡¯s not just my subordinate but also my friend. If you respect me, shouldn¡¯t you extend that respect to my friends as well?¡± His tone darkened, his expression turning grim.


    Chapter 70 Family Tensions


    I suddenlyughed and said nothing more.


    F:.


    Fine. I could ept that not everyone would love me¨CI¡¯d just have to love myself.


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    I remembered reading a sentence in my past life¨Chow could life be the same with just anyone?


    My marriage with Shawn was already dead. I couldn¡¯t keep living like this.


    Susanna returned with Yuna and Hazel, and dinner officially began.


    My father¨Cinw, Vincent, smiled and asked me, ¡°Tiffany, shouldn¡¯t you and Shawn consider having another child?¡±


    Before either of us could respond, Yuna loudly dered, ¡°My mommy swore she wouldn¡¯t have another baby with Daddy!¡±


    Both Shawn and I stiffened.


    ¡°No interruptions, sweetheart. Eat your dinner,¡± Susanna coaxed Yuna with a smile.


    Hazel shot me a nce. ¡°Yuna is already six. If you could¡¯ve had another, you would¡¯ve by now. Tiffany, is there something wrong with you or my


    brother?¡±


    Shawn gave her a stern look. ¡°Enough. We¡¯re both perfectly fine.¡±

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    Chapter 71 Hungry


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    ¡°So you two don¡¯t sleep together much, huh?¡± Hazel teased, half¨Cjokingly, half- sarcastically.


    Shawn¡¯s expression froze for a second. The truth was, before my rebirth, it didn¡¯t happen often. He is only passionate about making love with me for a short period of time.


    ¡°It¡¯ll get better,¡± Shawn said, cing a slice of roast beef on my te. ¡°Tiffany, you heard me, right?¡±


    Shawn was clearly trying to put on a show for his family, ying the doting husband. Naturally, I had to y along.


    ¡°I heard you,¡± I replied.


    That finally brought a bit of a smile to his face. ¡°Yuna, most of your ssmates have brothers or sisters. Don¡¯t you want one too?¡±


    Yuna blinked and looked at Susanna.


    Susanna beamed and stroked Yuna¡¯s hair affectionately. ¡°See, Aunt Hazel and your dad are siblings. They grew up together and always had someone to y with. Wouldn¡¯t it be nice if your mom and dad gave you apanion to y with?¡±


    Yuna, being a child, wasn¡¯t thinking too deeply about it. With my mother¨Cinw constantly nting ideas in her head, Yuna actually agreed with this. ¡°Okay¡ªbut I only want a brother. I don¡¯t want a sister. A brother can y with me. A sister would fight me for my dresses.¡±


    That made the inws allugh. Hazel made a weird expression, like she wanted to say something, but she stayed quiet.


    Shawn looked at Yuna with this soft, proud gaze, like his precious little girl had suddenly grown up. Clearly, he felt touched.


    But me? I watched it coldly.


    ¡­


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    The Hartwells could dream about having another heir all they wanted¨Cthere were plenty of women who¡¯d line up to give Shawn one. Just not from me.


    Dinner was pleasant enough. Yuna stayed with my inws. Shawn said he¡¯d ride back with me and allowed his driver to head home early.


    On the drive back, I rolled down the window. A cool breeze rushed in.


    At a red light, I rested one hand on the wheel andzily watched the countdown. The wind picked up my long hair, tossing it in the air.


    I caught Shawn staring at me through the side mirror.


    A chill crept up my spine. What¡¯s with the long, moody gaze? Trying to y the brooding lover now?


    ¡°You seem more rxedtely. Kinda free¨Cspirited,¡± Shawn said, breaking the silence.


    I answered without much thought, ¡°Yeah. I¡¯ve made peace with the world. I don¡¯t hold on so tight to things anymore.¡±


    He frowned slightly and asked, ¡°What brought this on? Found religion or something? Didn¡¯t you say you were going to take one of those soul¨Chealing sses? Have you attended any of those?¡±


    I¡¯d long forgotten about that. But since he mentioned it, I did recall going through a rough patch back then. Somedies in our social circle had rmended a so- called spiritual workshop to help work through emotional blocks. I even signed up.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t go. Total scam,¡± I said tly.


    That must¡¯ve tickled him, because Shawn suddenly burst outughing. ¡°So you figured it out after all. I honestly thought it¡¯d take you getting conned three times before you snapped out of it.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not dumb. If I had that kind of money to waste, I¡¯d rather buy gold.¡± I snorted gently.


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    Chapter 71 Hungry


    ¡°You like gold?¡± He raised an eyebrow.


    :.


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    ¡°Who doesn¡¯t?¡± I shot back. Honestly, what kind of dumb question was that?


    He seemed to get the hint I didn¡¯t want to keep chatting and stayed quiet the rest of the ride. I elerated our speed and guided us back to the house. It was already


    As I was heading downstairs, Shawn asked, ¡°Hey, has your period ended yet?¡±


    I instantly got what he meant. Really? Was Queena not enough to satisfy him, and now he was crawling back, still hungry?


    ¡°Nope,¡± I said, then went straight to my room.


    He didn¡¯t bother me after that. The next morning at breakfast, Shawn reached over and brushed a finger across the ring on my left hand. ¡°New ring? Doesn¡¯t really suit you.¡±


    It was something I picked up from a thrift market. Dirt cheap, obviously not new.


    ¡°I like vintage styles,¡± I replied, making something up on the spot.


    He didn¡¯t say anything else.


    Later, during lunch break, I got a text from Ethan. He was overseas and had sent me a photo of a scenic view¨Che wasn¡¯t in the shot.


    I looked at it and replied, ¡°So beautiful.¡±


    He messaged back, ¡°It¡¯s even more breathtaking in the winter, all covered in snow.¡±


    My heart fluttered a little. They say sharing is a silent confession. Ethan was pretty good at this.


    ¡°I¡¯d love to <i>see </i>it someday,¡± I replied.


    He answered simply, ¡°Deal.¡± I didn¡¯t send anything else. As always, he was thoughtful and didn¡¯t send anything more.


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    That afternoon, I wrapped up most of my work. Just then, I got added to a new WhatsApp group¨Cthese days, we all used WhatsApp for work.


    Susanna had added me. In the group chat, she wrote that she¡¯d pick up Yunater in the day so we could all focus on work.

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    I observed the addition of Shawn, Hazel, and Vincent to the group chat. Then Susanna renamed it ¡°Home of Love¡°.


    It was a cheesy name¡ªbut also kind of homey. ¡°This will be the group for anything rted to picking up the kids,¡± Susanna announced. I replied with a quick, ¡°Got it.¡± Shawn sent a simple, ¡°Okay.¡± Hazel immediately dropped a voice message, saying she had just started her own business and didn¡¯t have time for this. Vincent didn¡¯t reply at all.


    Since it wasn¡¯t my turn to pick up the kids, I headed to the dance studio where I used to take sses. I had a solid foundation, and in my past life, I had danced for years. Rhythm was in my blood.


    As soon as I walked in, the instructor waved me over. ¡°Let¡¯s record a clip of the routine we practicedst time. You nailed it.¡±


    Dancing was my escape. But I didn¡¯t like being recognized, so I ran downstairs and bought a face mask. I also borrowed a baseball cap from a ssmate.


    I was wearing white denim shorts and a light, cropped tee. My waist¨Clength hair was loose, and with everything except my eyes covered, I danced alongside the stunning instructor.


    It was meant just for the students watching in the studio, but someone on the side started recording us. I didn¡¯t even notice. I was lost in the moment, fully immersed.


    After we finished, someone ran over to ask if I was a guest instructor¨Cthey said I danced with such emotion.


    The dance instructor gave me an approving look. ¡°Wanna teach here? I think the girls love your style. You¡¯ve got a natural feel for rhythm.¡±


    I shook my head. ¡°I just came to unwind a little. I don¡¯t have time to teach.¡±


    ¡°These girls are nning to go into show business. Money¡¯s not an issue for them,¡± she added casually.


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    I froze for a second. Come to think of it, when I signed up for sses here, I never actually said what I did for a living. Maybe they thought I was just an average mom who needed the extra cash.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got other work,¡± I refused gently. ¡°And a kid at home.¡±


    I danced until just after 6 p.m., then went home, took a shower, and started studying Enrian.


    The fact was I couldn¡¯t get that scene out of my head¨CShawn and Queena, singing that emotional duet together. I swore I¡¯d master thisnguage. One day, I¡¯d grab a handsome guy and sing a romantic Enrian bad right in front of Shawn. Fair¡¯s fair.


    1


    Shawn didn¡¯te home tonight. Not that I was surprised. Without Yuna here, there wasn¡¯t a single soul in this house he actually cared about.


    He didn¡¯te home for three days in a row.


    So much for saying he and Queena weren¡¯t a thing. He must¡¯ve thought I was a total fool.


    Men like Shawn¨Crich, charming, and sessful¨Care always hunters.


    Even if it¡¯s not Queena, it¡¯ll be Joyce. Or Kate. Or someone else. Guys like Shawn will never stop chasing the thrill of the hunt.


    Well, fine. I decided I¡¯d join the game too. I want to be a hunter too.


    But first, I wanted to get divorced. I¡¯d rather hunt while single, keeping it clean. At least then I¡¯d have the moral high ground.


    The most urgent thing right now? Ending this marriage.


    Queena really let me down this time. In myst life, she got pregnant around this time. She had an abortion and milked Shawn¡¯s sympathy until he threw a divorce agreement at me before I even knew what hit me.


    Now? I¡¯m getting impatient just waiting for those papers.


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    I called my private investigator again to ask for updates.


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    ¡°Nothing juicy yet,¡± he sighed. That¡¯s when a bold new idea popped into my head.


    ¡°I¡¯ll pay you an extra five grand. From now on, follow Shawn closely. He might be seeing someone else. If you can¡¯t catch him with Queena, maybe someone else will show up.¡±


    I needed evidence¨Cin and simple.


    He perked up instantly. ¡°Thanks, boss. Consider it done.¡±


    As for the divorce settlement? Oh, I was going to fight for what I deserved. There¡¯s no way I¡¯m walking away from this marriage empty¨Chanded. I¡¯m not that noble.


    I¡¯vee to realize something: once you¡¯ve tasted wealth and power¨Conce you¡¯ve lived that life¡ªit¡¯s hard to give it up. Beautiful women are often sculpted by money. Discipline can keep you fit, sure, but it¡¯s money that gives you that poise¡ª that confidence.


    Money was my backbone. It¡¯s what helps me stand tall against everything that


    Shawn had worked hard over the years, sure. But I¡¯d held this home together. Maybe I didn¡¯t bring in paychecks, but I earned my share in sweat and sacrifice. I wanted what was mine.


    Night fell, and a sudden storm swept in. I left the temporary office at Apex Hotel without an umbre, and my car was parked far away in the back lot.


    Everyone else had already left¨CI was thest one out.


    I figured I¡¯d wait until the rain let up, then make a run for it.


    The rain slowed. I lifted the hem of my skirt, ready to sprint-


    Suddenly, a silver Bentley pulled up in front of me. Shawn stepped out, holding a ck umbre. ¡°Come on,¡± he said. ¡°I¡¯ll drive you home.¡±

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    I didn¡¯t expect Shawn to show up. Instinctively, I reached out and took his umbre. ¡°Let me borrow this. I¡¯ll return it to you when I get home.¡±


    With that, I took his umbre and walked toward my car.


    Shawn sat back in his car with a stiff expression. Within moments, the silver Bentley disappeared into the rainy blur.


    When I got home, I found out Shawn had given the maids the day off. That meant dinner was up to me.


    Just as I was about to protest, he added, ¡°If it¡¯s too much trouble, just make some instant noodles. It has been a while since I had your cooking.¡±


    Shawn had this habit of randomly giving his employees time off. He really was quite the generous employer.


    I stepped into the kitchen and cracked three eggs. I was in the middle of whisking them when I felt a presence behind me. Shawn came up close and kissed the back of my neck. ¡°How about we eatter?¡±


    Shocked, I turned to re at him, but he kissed me before I could speak.


    Quickly, I pushed him away.


    His <i>eyes </i>darkened. The next thing I knew, he scooped me up in his arms and headed straight for the couch.


    ¡°Are you crazy? You want to do it here?!¡± I was fuming.


    Without saying a word, Shawn opened a nearby box. Inside, neatly stacked, were gleaming gold bars¨Crow after row of solid gold bars.


    I froze at the sight. Noticing my stunned expression, Shawn leaned down and kissed the corner of my mouth. ¡°So, can I do it now?¡±


    His gift today was certainly unique. Still stunned, I barely noticed as his lips


    s


    pressed against mine again. The night air from the open door made me shiver a little. I gently pushed him back. ¡°Let¡¯s go upstairs.¡±


    The look in his eyes was unreadable, clouded.


    He let out a raspy grunt and stood up.


    I nced at the box, then quietly closed it, hugged it to my chest, and made my way upstairs.


    Shawn was tongue¨Ctied.


    Once I got to the bedroom, I set the box on the nightstand, opened it, and admired it for a while.


    Shawn finally walked in. Maybe his mood had cooled off¨Che leaned against the doorway, watching me stare at the gold. ¡°You like it that much?¡± he asked, ¡°Are you still looking at it?¡±


    I smiled at him. ¡°It¡¯s not that I like it ¡­ I just love it.¡±


    Shawn looked at me like I¡¯d lost my mind. But something red in him. Passion burned hot in his chest. He strode across the room, cupped my face, and kissed me hard¨Cno gentleness left in him.


    Fulfilling our marital duties wasn¡¯t something I disliked. In fact, it was quite the opposite.


    Shawn was in good shape, had decent stamina, and his performance? I¡¯d give it a solid 80 marks.


    As a woman,


    I saw no shame in enjoying what he brought to the table.


    ¡°Focus,¡± he murmured when he noticed my eyes drifting toward the gold on the nightstand. He squeezed my cheek gently, his movements firm and intense.


    After one round, I was over it. My mind wandered. However, Shawn was far from finished.


    He could tell I wasn¡¯t into it anymore¨Cand that only spurred him on. Driven by pride or frustration, he pushed harder. Even if I wasn¡¯t feeling it, he still made sure I got there¨Ctwice.


    Eventually, he kissed me again, deep and fierce.


    ¡°I¡¯m tired. I want to sleep now,¡± I saidzily.


    ¡°Done already? The night¡¯s still young.¡± He pinned me down again, fiddling behind <ol><li>me. </li></ol>


    Some time passed.


    Shawn sat on the edge of the bed, his expression unreadable. Whether he was satisfied or not, I couldn¡¯t tell. He stared down at me and asked, ¡°What were you thinking about just now?¡±


    I shook my head. ¡°Nothing much. Just wondering why you gave me gold.¡±


    ¡°You like it, don¡¯t you? I was just giving you what you wanted,¡± he said, voice edged with sarcasm.


    ¡°Yeah, I do like it. But I¡¯ve liked many things before. It doesn¡¯t mean you always remember,¡± I said, focusing my gaze on him. His face was still flushed from earlier, his hair a bit tousled. The heat lingered in the lines of his handsome features. He looked healthier and energized.


    ¡°Shawn looked at me strangely. ¡°You¡¯re my wife.¡±


    That made meugh. So, he did remember.


    ¡°Honestly, as a husband, I¡¯d give you maybe a 60 out of 100,¡± I said, stretchingzily on the bed. Maybe it was the post¨Ccoital haze or just a sudden burst of honesty, but I felt bold enough to say it.


    Shawn raised a brow in surprise. ¡°Only 60? I put in more than 60 minutes of effort just now<i>.</i><i>¡± </i>


    I rolled over onto my stomach, arms outstretched. ¡°The thing is ¡­ I don¡¯t think you


    really love me, do you?¡±


    Shawn was quiet for a long time before replying. ¡°I don¡¯t really love anyone. Don¡¯t start getting dramatic.¡±


    I didn¡¯t want to talk anymore. Deep down, I already knew the answer. Pushing the topic would only make things worse.


    Then Shawn reached out and gently ran his fingers through my thick ck hair. ¡°Tiffany, let¡¯s have another baby.¡±


    ¡°No way!¡± I bolted upright, not caring that the sheet slipped off me. My voice was steady, my expression cool. ¡°Right now, I just want to focus on my career. A baby isn¡¯t in the n.¡±

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    Shawn¡¯s eyes reluctantly shifted from my body to my face. When he saw how firm my stance was, his face darkened. ¡°You really don¡¯t want to give me another son?¡± he asked.


    ¡°No.¡± I replied calmly, throwing on a robe without another nce at him.


    Clearly annoyed, Shawn got out of bed too, marching around to grab my arm. ¡°What¡¯s this tantrum about now? If you give me a son, I¡¯ll give you a generous reward¨Cmore than you¡¯d expect, not less.¡±


    He must¡¯ve noticed how money seems to sway metely and thought he could use it to win me over again.


    But between a fat check and a lifetime of responsibility, I know which one weighs more.


    A woman¡¯s greatest discipline is knowing not to have children on a whim.


    I was already thinking about divorce. If I had another child with him now, I¡¯d just be repeating the same mistakes from myst life.


    And this time, I might not get another chance to start over. Therefore, I refuse to allow anyone to restrict my freedom once more.


    Love? That¡¯s no longer a course I¡¯m required to take in life.


    ¡°I said no.¡± Each word fell with crisp rity.


    Shawn¡¯s anger red. To him, letting me have another child was a gift¨Chis way of ensuring I¡¯d always have a share of his wealth, a ce in his world.


    He believed that only with a son could a woman earn her ce.


    But real happiness isn¡¯t about a woman earning her ce through her child¨Cit¡¯s about a child being honored because of the mother.


    Only when the mother is cherished first can the child be born into a real loving family.


    Take Nell Gwyn and King Charles II¨Cif a king loves you, your child will be granted a noble title.


    ¡°Tiffany, you¡¯re not the only woman in the world who can give me a son. Have you thought the matter through?¡± he warned, practically seething.


    I¡¯m not easy to scare. He can¡¯t frighten me into submission.


    I smiled seductively, teasing and confident. ¡°Fine then. Let another woman have your child. If she can do it, I¡¯ll even take care of her postpartum. Will that work for you?¡±


    With that, I yanked my arm free and marched into the bathroom without looking back.


    I could hear Shawn¡¯s heavy breathing behind me. He was furious. He was likely on the verge of exploding.


    There was a time, when I used to be so obedient¨Cgentle and quiet, like a kitten without ws.


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    He was my god. Whatever he said, I did. I had no opinions of my own. Never questioned anything.


    But now? I was like a rebellious teenager. A wild little stray cat with sharp edges. Every word he threw at me, I threw one right back. He couldn¡¯t control me anymore.


    Shawn had left when I emerged. I took the box of gold bars he gave me and tucked it into my safe.


    I figured he probably snuck out in the middle of the night again. But to my surprise, I saw him in the hallway the next morning.


    He looked unusually polished¨Cslicked¨Cback hair, sharp gray suit. Not sure where he was off to.


    Upon catching sight of me, his expression turned icy, and he immediately headed downstairs.


    I listened as the sound of his car faded down the driveway. Then I slowly made my way down to the kitchen to fix myself some breakfast.


    Mona used to cook for me. She was wonderful in the kitchen. Without her, everything felt <i>a </i>little off.


    Later that afternoon, Mnie invited me to lunch. When I got there, I realized she¡¯d picked a rather expensive ce.


    ¡°Promotion, Ms. Justice?¡± I asked with a teasing smile as I slid into the seat.


    Mnie wore a bitter look on her face. ¡°Not quite ¡­ I was actually hoping to borrow some money.¡±


    I asked with a smile, ¡°How much?¡±


    ¡°Ten grand.¡± She knew that was pocket change for me, but still, she pulled out a loan agreement andid it on the table. ¡°I want to buy a house. When the babyes, I¡¯ll need my mom to help out. She said she¡¯de if there¡¯s somewhere for her to stay.¡±


    Stunned, I asked, ¡°What about Richard¡¯s parents?¡±


    She gave a bitter smile and exined, ¡°They¡¯re already helping his brother with two kids. And his sister¡¯s expecting it too. They all havemitments. I talked to my mom. She¡¯s willing, but she needs her space.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re pregnant?¡± I asked,pletely shocked.


    Mnie lowered her head, a little shy. ¡°Not yet, but Richard and I are nning to visit both families over Harvest Festival. Weddings are in November. We want to get the house ready first¨Cthere¡¯s renovation to do, so we¡¯re just taking it one step at a time.¡±


    I agreed. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll wire the money to you this afternoon. And if it¡¯s not enough, I can lend you a bit


    more.¡±


    ¡°No, no, this is more than enough¡± Mnie wasn¡¯t the type to take advantage. Lending her money was something I didn¡¯t have to think twice about.


    We were seated on the second floor of the restaurant, by the window overlooking the main hall.


    Suddenly, I caught sight of Shawn and Queena. My whole body tensed. They were heading toward a private dining room downstairs. Just before stepping in, Queena reached up to smooth out Shawn¡¯s shoulder¨Csomething on his suit was slightly creased.


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    Mnie noticed me staring and leaned closer. ¡°Is that Mr. Hartwell? And who¡¯s the vixen with him? What is her hand doing on his suit?¡±


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    Chapter 75 Is He Cheating on You?


    ¡°She¡¯s helping him with his tie.¡± Queena had just smoothed Shawn¡¯s shoulders and fixed his tie<i>. </i>The ne <i>of </i>them finally smiled and walked through the door together.


    ¡°Mnie¡¯s eyes widened in shock. A momentter, she looked at me with genuine concern.


    ¡°Tiffany¡­ are you hurting?¡± She reached out and wrapped her arms around me. My body petrified, like someone had pressed pause on me. It took a while before I moved again. I gave her a soft smile. ¡°No. I¡¯m not surprised, really.¡±


    Mnie gasped. ¡°They¡¯re together? Did Shawn cheat on you?¡±


    I picked up my cup and took a slow sip of tea. My voice was calm as I said, ¡°I¡¯m not sure yet. I haven¡¯t caught him red¨Chanded. But judging by the way they acted just now ¡­ it seems likely


    ¡°Tiffany, I was just telling someone how lucky you are. And now¨Cwhat can I even say?¡± Mnie looked at me, full of sympathy. ¡°So what¡¯s the n? Are you going to just let it go? Turn a blind eye and let them do whatever they want?¡±


    ¡°No. I¡¯m going to file for divorce.¡± My eyes dropped slightly, but my tone was firm. ¡°Once I¡¯ve got the evidence I need, I¡¯ll take him to court, im what¡¯s rightfully mine, and move on with my life<b>¨C</b>as a single.¡±


    Being a woman herself, Mnie understood all too well the blow of betrayal. She nodded. ¡°Okay, I support you. But what about your daughter? You¡¯re strong enough to leave him, but can you leave her too?¡±


    Thinking of Yuna and herplicated little thoughts, I looked out the window and smiled bitterly. ¡°To be honest, my daughter¡¯s actually quite fond of the homewrecker he¡¯s seeing.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Mnie looked absolutely floored. ¡°She¡¯s not on your side? She should be standing with you!¡±


    ¡°I thought so too,¡± I said bitterly. ¡°But people are unpredictable. Even your own child doesn¡¯t always see things the way you do.¡±


    Mnie looked at me with a kind of sorrow only a friend could have. ¡°You¡¯ve changed so muchtely, Tiffany. I didn¡¯t realize you were going through all this. She¡¯s your flesh and blood. How are you supposed to handle that kind of pain?¡±


    ¡°I just let it be,¡± I said softly. ¡°I don¡¯t force anything anymore. Life will go how it goes. And time is a good healer. Eventually, it¡¯ll smooth out the hurt inside me.¡±


    Mnie gawked at me for a long time, then gave a little smile. ¡°Do you regret marrying him? Having a kid with him?¡±


    The question caught me off guard. I opened my mouth, but no words came out right away.


    ¡°Every step we take in life leads somewhere,¡± I said atst. ¡°Marrying Shawn wasn¡¯t a waste. Sure, I gave him my best years, but he gave his too. And thefortable life I have now? It came from him. It was a fair trade.¡±


    Mnie looked stunned. I could tell she thought the woman sitting in front of her wasn¡¯t the same person she used to know.


    13:37. Mon<b>, </b>8. sept. ? MB


    Chapter <i>75 </i>Is He Cheating on You?


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    Not long ago. I was crying on her shoulder, desperate to hold onto Shawn: I was that devoted housewife who braved rain and wind to drop off and pick up my daughter. This change it must¡¯ve felt jarring


    She reached out and touched my forehead, then took my hand and pustied up my sleeve, eyeing the fle mole on my arm. ¡°What happened to you? You¡¯re so clear headed now, like you¡¯ve had some great awakening. I almost don¡¯t recognize you.¡± (


    I knew my transformation was dramatic and maybe even scary to those closest to me<i>. </i>


    But I couldn¡¯t help it. Life had pushed me, hard. All I could do was toughen up and keep walking forward


    ¡°Let¡¯s not talk about Shawn anymore,¡± I said ¡°,


    talk about us. Think about it, Mnie¨Cclothes, purses,


    stuff for the house, even that show you were obsessed withst year, or your idols crushes¡­ don¡¯t we always get tired of things, eventually? I think that¡¯s human nature. We crave the new. We enjoy chasing the idea of forever. I don¡¯t want to keep draining myself chasing it anymore.¡±


    Mnie finally believed me that I had elevated my thoughts. She patted me on the back with a serious look. ¡°Alright then. You¡¯ve changed at just the right time. Once you build your own career, you won¡¯t have to depend on any man for anything. There¡¯s a future in that.¡±


    I smiled and nodded. ¡°Yeah. I¡¯m the type that heeds good advice.¡±


    Mnie nced down at the lobby below and sighed. ¡°It¡¯s crazy, isn¡¯t <i>it</i>? A pretty face or a sweet little lie can tear apart two people who have endured so much together. Marriage is a gamble.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about me,¡± I said, gentlyforting her. ¡°You and Richard are still going strong. Don¡¯t let my story make you lose faith. Sure, marriage isn¡¯t always perfect¨Cbut it¡¯s not all bad either. Some people do find happiness.¡±


    Mnie smiled and nodded.


    Maybe it was because we knew Shawn and Queena were in that private room downstairs, but I couldn¡¯t help ncing down every now and then while we ate.


    Eventually, the two of them came out¡ªwith a man who looked to be in his 50s.


    The three of them stood just outside the private room, talking.


    Queena stood like a bashful schoolgirl, fingersced together, eyes on the tips of her shoes. She looked sweet and flirtatious.


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    Shawn was smiling as he chatted with a middle¨Caged man. Out of the blue, the man reacher out and


    aughter. gently patted Queena on the head, like a father doting on his


    Shawn turned to Queena too, a look of admiration softening his features.


    Queena leaned sweetly against the man¡¯s shoulder and spoke to him in a yful, girlish tone. She didn¡¯t look anything like the stern, professional woman she usually was at the office. No, she looked like <i>a </i>daughter chattering away in front of her loving dad.


    Shawn¡¯s smile was warm and easy. The three of them chatted andughed; the atmosphere was rxed and pleasant. Whatever they were discussing seemed to have gone smoothly, because they eventually went into a private dining room together.


    I had been watching the entire time, snapping photo after photo with my phone.


    ¡°What is she blushing about? Are they really at the ¡®meet¨Cthe¨Cparents¡® stage now?¡± Mnie huffed beside me, her fists clenched in frustration. ¡°Shawn is unbelievable. You two aren¡¯t even divorced yet!¡±


    ¡°I set my phone down and told her gently, ¡°Don¡¯t get worked up. Let¡¯s finish our meal.¡±


    ¡°Eat? I¡¯m already full of anger,¡± she grumbled. ¡°Shawn can¡¯t treat you like this. Is it appropriate to meet her family before your divorce is finalized? Does he hate being married to you that much?¡± Mnie was always straightforward, and right now, she was even more furious than I was.


    The truth was, I felt awful too. But what could I do?


    Evenst night¡¯s passionate encounter between Shawn and me wasn¡¯t enough to stop this train from derailing. We were drifting apart, and nothing could fix that.


    Suddenly, Mnie looked at me seriously. ¡°Tiffany, your marriage is already on the rocks. Will you let me give you some advice?¡±


    I looked up at her.


    ¡°You ever hear that saying?¡± she continued, ¡°You¡¯re supposed to sell stocks when the market is booming¨Cat the most valuable. The same goes for a woman¡¯s youth. You ¡®sell¡® when you¡¯re at your best; that¡¯s when you¡¯ll get the highest return.¡±


    I froze, still holding my fork, staring at her in disbelief.


    She looked me over with a calcting gaze. ¡°You¡¯re young, elegant, and beautiful. The other day, you said Shawn¡¯s been showing more interest in you again. Have you thought about what that could mean? Maybe -just maybe¨Che¡¯s starting to feel something again.¡±


    ¡°And then what?¡± I asked, already knowing where she was going.


    ¡°Then you y along. Make him fall for you again. Then, once he¡¯s fully invested, you initiate the divorce process. He¡¯ll be full of guilt, remorse, and maybe even still in love with you. That¡¯s when you¡¯ll get the most money out of him. Trust me, I¡¯ve handled enough divorces to know this<b>¨C</b>smart women don¡¯t fight men head¨Con. They use that guilt to walk away with more. Tiffany, I know you¡¯re kind, but now is not the time for kindness. Be sharp. Don¡¯t walk away empty¨Chanded, or I¡¯ll be seriously disappointed in you as a


    Chapter 76 Beat Him at His Own Game


    friend.¡±


    I gave her a faint smile. ¡°All take your advice.<i>¡± </i>


    After lunch, Mnie and I headed downstairs, and just as we reached the lobby, the door to that private dining room opened too.


    Shawn and the middle¨Caged man came out first, still deep in conversation. But Queena spotted me right away. She walked over with a smile that was all charm and grace. ¡°Mrs. Hartwell! What <i>a </i>coincidence¨Care you dining here too? Shawn and I were just having lunch with my father¡± she said sweetly.


    Shawn?


    They were already on a first¨Cname basis?


    Shawn noticed me. He paused slightly before politely saying goodbye to Queena¡¯s father and walking over.


    Davis Tackman¨CQueena¡¯s father¨Cgave me a long, thoughtful look, then called his daughter by <i>a </i>nickname with clear affection.


    Queena gave Shawn a deste look. ¡°Shawn, I¡¯ll head out with my dad now.¡±


    Shawn nodded gently. ¡°Alright, go ahead.¡±


    ¡°But Queena didn¡¯t leave right away. She smiled sweetly at me and added, ¡°Mrs. Hartwell, please don¡¯t misunderstand. Today¡¯s just a business lunch. Shawn¡¯s discussing a potential partnership with the Tackman Group. Don¡¯t worry¨Cwith me on board, this deal is as good as done.¡±


    Then she gave a final sweet smile, the picture of a well¨Cbehaved daughter, and followed her father out of the restaurant.


    Shawn turned to me, his expression unreadable. ¡°What are you and your friend doing here?¡±


    Mnie wasn¡¯t having it. ¡°Mr. Hartwell, are you saying Tiffany isn¡¯t allowed to be anywhere you are?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not what I meant,¡± Shawn said with a slight smile.


    ¡°Oh?¡± Mnie pressed. ¡°Then what did you mean? Are you suggesting Tiffany followed you here?¡±


    Her words struck me deeply<i>, </i>yet I remained silent about Shawn and Queena. I had decided¨CI wouldn¡¯t waste another breath on them. As far as I was concerned, she didn¡¯t exist.


    Shawn shook his head. ¡°That¡¯s not what I meant either. Tiffany, are you nning to head back now? I¡¯ll ride with you.¡±


    ¡°Sorry, I¡¯m giving Mnie a ride home.¡± Without waiting for a response, I took Mnie¡¯s hand and walked straight out.


    Shawn didn¡¯t follow.


    Inside the elevator, Mnie turned to me, still fuming. ¡°Tiffany, why are you so quiet? Don¡¯t bottle this up. You can¡¯t just let him off the hook. At the very least, make him write a confession letter <b>or </b>something!¡±

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    Chapter 77 I Love His Money


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    I said coolly. ¡°It¡¯s his nature to be fond of garbage.so what if he wrote something?¡±


    ¡°Mnie burst intoughter at that, nodding enthusiastically. ¡°Exactly! That trashy man¡¯s addicted to garbage!¡±


    Then she went on, ranting, ¡°That woman just now¨Cdid she call out his name? She sounded so sweet and cozy with it, anyone listening might¡¯ve thought she was his wife.¡±


    Suddenly, I remembered something from my past life. Queena had told me that at work, she called him Mr. Hartwell. In private, it was just his first name. However, in bed, it was a different story. She had a whole list of pet names¨Conce, she¡¯d even called him Daddy.


    ¡°Mnie, don¡¯t let them get to you,¡± I said gently.


    ¡°I¡¯m not¨Cokay, maybe I am. Any person in her sane mind would be angry,¡± she said, then looked at me. wide¨Ceyed. ¡°Do you not love him anymore? Is that it? Only when you stop loving someone does it stop hurting. You really don¡¯t love him anymore?¡±


    I gave her a soft smile. ¡°To be honest, there are still things about him I appreciate¨Clike his money. But the man himself? I stopped loving him a long time ago.¡±


    ¡°Well, that¡¯s a good thing,¡± Mnie said, raising her brows. ¡°But he is loaded. If you two split things 50-50, you¡¯d be a billionaire.¡±


    I didn¡¯t dare dream of bing a billionaire. Just a small cut would be more than enough tost me <i>a </i>lifetime.


    After dropping Mnie off, I went straight home. Shawn was already back. He¡¯d made a stop at his mom¡¯s ce to pick up Yuna. Now the two of them were in the yroom, building a little city out of blocks.


    Shawn had on his usual white shirt and ck cks, sharp and businesslike. Yuna was in a dress, the soft golden light from themp falling over them. The whole scene looked so warm, so peaceful.


    ¡°Mommy, why are you home sote?¡± Yuna pouted when she saw me standing in the doorway. ¡°You¡¯re even busier than Daddy now. You never y with me anymore.¡±


    Shawn turned to look at me, then gently stroked Yuna¡¯s head. ¡°Mommy¡¯s just getting her business started. It¡¯s normal for her to be busy now. I¡¯ll make time to y with you, okay?¡±


    Yuna wasn¡¯t fully convinced. She p¨´ffed her cheeks and sulked a little.


    I didn¡¯t join them. Instead, I went straight to the master bedroom. After a long day, I was exhausted, and tonight, all I wanted was a soak in the tub.


    I turned on the water, added a few drops of essential oil, and some rose petals. The scent filled the bathroom like a dream.


    As I was checking the water temperature, Shawn appeared at the doorway and said, ¡°The Tackman Group has a new project. I¡¯ve been in talks with them. Today was just business¨Cnothing more, I swear.¡±


    I hadn¡¯t expected him to exin himself. It surprised me.


    Chapter 77 I Love His Money


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    He used to do everything he could to cover things up, like he wished I¡¯d never find out. Now, he was offering exnations?


    Maybe Shawn was changing. Maybe there really is such a thing as bnce in the universe¨Cwhen one person stops loving, the other starts caring more.


    Now that my love for him had faded, he was finally making an effort..


    I gave him a small smile. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I wasn¡¯t thinking anything. We¡¯re all working hard for our careers, right? I know it¡¯s tough, Hubby. You¡¯re working so hard for this family.¡±


    Even if that means charming other women with your looks.


    ¡°My consideration made the look in his eyes freeze for a split second.


    I stood and nudged him out with a light push. ¡°I¡¯m going to take a bath. Go tuck Yuna in.¡±


    He backed out of the bathroom, clearly a little unhappy, and I closed the door behind him.


    By the time I finished my bath, he was still in Yuna¡¯s room, probably trying to get her to sleep. I crawled into bed without waiting for him.


    That night, Shawn didn¡¯t show up to bother me.


    The next morning, the rm hadn¡¯t gone off yet when my phone rang.


    It was Susanna. She said, ¡°Tiffany, I¡¯ming over. Get Yuna dressed¨Cwe¡¯re going to pray at the church. Today¡¯s the first Sunday of the month.¡±


    I was taken by surprise, but then I remembered. Susanna always liked to go pray on the first and third Sundays of the month.


    ¡°Mom, I think I¡¯ll skip today. It¡¯s not even a day off,¡± I said as gently as I could.


    ¡°No. You need to go,¡± she said firmly. ¡°You, of all people, should be there. Anyway, I¡¯m outside. Get Yuna up.¡±


    Despite her easygoing demeanor, my mother¨Cinw was a headstrong wealthydy when it came to matters she cared about.


    I got up, got dressed, and went to wake Yuna.


    She refused to get out of bed. That girl rolled around a few times, then promptly fell back asleep.


    So I ended up dressing her while shey there grumbling. Yunained, ¡°Mommy, you said you weren¡¯t going to boss me around anymore. Why do I have to wake up so early?¡±


    ¡°Your grandma said we¡¯re going to pray at the church. She wants to bring you,¡± I exined.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to. I¡¯m not going.¡± Yuna¡¯s morning mood was in full swing.


    ¡°Well, she¡¯s already here. You can tell her that yourself,¡± I said, giving up, and went to wash up.


    On my way to the bathroom, I passed Shawn¡¯s room. The door was wide open¨Cit looked like he¡¯d already


    Chapter 77 Love His Money


    left the house.


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    Susanna joined us to have breakfast¨Cbut she didn¡¯te alone. Hazel tagged along; she had the kind, chic, cold, and slightly aloof expression.


    ¡°My little angel,e on downstairs. I¡¯ll buy you a toy at lunch,¡± Susanna coaxed with her usual ir for spoiling children. She always gave them whatever they wanted.


    Hazel was still having her breakfast when I came down. She nced at me, unimpressed. ¡°Tiffany, you¡¯re really living the high life now, huh? Weren¡¯t you the one who used <i>to </i>cook? And now you¡¯ve got two maids<b>? </b>Must be nice to just chill.¡±


    Yup. ssic Hazel. She just couldn¡¯t stand to see me happy. The more at ease I looked, the more sour she became.


    Mona, looking a bit awkward, ced a te of pierogi on the dining table and quickly retreated into the kitchen.


    I sat down calmly and said, ¡°When you get married, I bet you¡¯ll be the perfect daughter¨Cinw¨Calways thinking of your inws, even now.¡±


    Hazel rolled her eyes. ¡°Not me. I¡¯m not doing a single chore; don¡¯t lump me in with you.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t do any housework even when I was living with my parents,¡± I shot back.


    ¡°That¡¯s not the same. Your family and mine? Please, there¡¯s noparison.¡± she said with that all¨Ctoo- familiar smugness.


    I was about to snap back when Susanna came down the stairs holding Yuna¡¯s hand. I decided to keep quiet and just focus on eating.


    After breakfast, we all headed to the church.


    The ce had a long history. ording to Susanna, the prayers here really worked. People came from all


    over.


    On certain holy days, the ce would be packed. But Susanna was a regr¨Cshe had someone who always arranged everything for her.


    I knelt down in front of the statue, eyes closed, quietly praying for wealth, when someone knelt beside me.


    Then I heard a familiar voice. ¡°What are you praying for?¡±


    I snapped my eyes open and turned to look. It was Shawn.


    He closed his eyes and began his own solemn prayer.


    He was wearing a casual outfit, nothing stiff or businesslike. Without his usual corporate edge, he actually looked¡­ well, kind of charming.


    But I was annoyed. He¡¯dpletely broken my focus.


    I wasn¡¯t even halfway through asking for fortune from above, and there he was, cutting in.


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    Chapter 78 Swear to God


    Tm praying for money. I muttered.


    Shawn turned to me in the middle of his prayer. ¡°Not praying for a baby?¡±


    I chuckled. ¡°Money is more loyal than a child. It doesn¡¯t go through rebellious phases. Kids start acting <i>as </i>from day one and never stop.¡±


    He gave me a look of speechless disbelief, then finished his prayer and stood up.


    I ignored him, closed my eyes again, and finished my prayer. Then I lit a candle and headed ourside.


    The sun was zing. So bright it made it hard to keep my eyes open.


    Shawn stood beneath a tree, watching me. Yuna and Hazel had wandered off somewhere with Susanna.


    I had no intention of walking over to him. Instead, I deliberately went the opposite direction, casually scanning the crowd as I moved.


    Shawn followed behind at azy pace, then picked up speed and caught up. ¡°You¡¯ve been cold to metely. he said.


    I kept my eyes on the crowd. ¡°Really? I feel like I¡¯ve been the same as always.¡±


    ¡°You never used to walk away when you saw me,¡± he said, as if presenting a piece of evidence.


    ¡°We¡¯ve been married for years. The honeymoon phase is long gone, isn¡¯t it?¡± I said casually.


    Suddenly, he grabbed my wrist and pulled me into a quiet corner. ¡°You¡¯re still mad about me having lunch with Queena, aren¡¯t you?¡±


    I pulled my arm away gently and looked him in the eye. ¡°I¡¯m not mad. I just think some things aren¡¯t meant to be forced. I wouldn¡¯t be surprised if you fell in love with someone else. You¡¯re a wonderful guy. Of course, people would be drawn to you.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not acting like yourself,¡± he said, his brow furrowed. ¡°Lately, it feels like you¡¯ve been angry at me for something.¡±


    ¡°Most married couples are like this, aren¡¯t they? We¡¯ve been together for seven years¨Cit¡¯s the infamous seven¨Cyear itch. Feelings fade. That¡¯s normal,¡± I said.


    I turned to leave, but Shawn stepped in front of me, blocking my way. ¡°Tiffany, you¡¯re not seriously thinking of divorcing me, are you?¡±


    I nced at him, then looked away.


    ¡°Is this taking ce because of Ethan?¡± he suddenly asked. ¡°He¡¯s younger than me. He is a tech genius with a bright future. You¡¯re into him, aren¡¯t you?¡±


    Being hit with such a heavy usation out of nowhere, I was, of course, not having it. I retorted sharply, ¡°Shawn, I¡¯m not like you. I don¡¯t sneak around and cheat while I¡¯m married.¡±


    His face flushed with anger. ¡°It¡¯s not what you think. Me and Queena¨Cit wasn¡¯t like that.¡±


    I stared at him, those red¨Crimmed eyes<b>, </b>that desperate look. I remembered his words from previous life-


    <b>2/3 </b>


    13:32 Mon, & Sept


    Chapter 78 Swear to God


    how passionate, how consumed he¡¯d been with Queena. And now he had the nerve to say it wasn¡¯t <b>like </b>that? Did he really think I was that na?ve?


    ¡°Shawn,¡± I said coldly, locking eyes with him, ¡°Can you honestly say you never once thought about divorcing me to be with her? Can you swear to God right here in this church that you never wanted that My voice was icy, and I meant every word. ¡°Go on. You better think it through. This church is known to be powerful. Swear something here, and it might juste true.¡±

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    Chapter 79 Warning


    Shawn¡¯s expression changed rapidly. In the end, he dared not make the vow. He just stood there with his hands on his hips, staring irritably off into the distance.


    1 brushed past him quickly, turned a corner, and spotted Susanna walking over with Yuna holding her hand.


    ¡°Mommy!¡± Yuna spotted me and lit up with joy. She ran over and grabbed my fingers tightly.


    Susanna beamed. ¡°We just visited a fortune teller to read Yuna¡¯s fortune. He said, the next baby you have will be a son.¡±


    ¡°Mommy, can you please give me a baby brother?¡± Yuna was clearly in a good mood, swinging my hand enthusiastically. ¡°I want a brother! I want a brother!¡±


    ¡°Alright, Yuna, let¡¯s keep that wish in our hearts, okay?¡± Susanna spoke, clearly pleased¨Cas <b>if </b>I could deliver a chubby baby boy tomorrow just to make her day.


    Then Shawn walked over. Susanna looked surprised and asked, ¡°Shawn, didn¡¯t you say you weren¡¯ting?¡±


    Shawn¡¯s expression was gentle, almost charming. ¡°Mom, this is our child. It¡¯s only right that wee together if we want our wishes toe true.¡±


    ¡°Daddy!¡± Yuna let go of my hand and bolted toward her father with glee.


    He bent down to scoop her into his arms and tapped her little nose. ¡°Having fun?¡±


    ¡°Yes! Daddy, when are you going to kiss Mommy? Grandma said, If you two kiss<b>, </b>I¡¯ll get a baby brother!¡±


    Everyone was taken aback by that. Even Susanna¡¯s face turned bright red, and she quickly covered Yuna¡¯s mouth. ¡°Hush! Don¡¯t say that out loud. There are people around¨Cyour parents will be embarrassed.¡±


    Shawn just chuckled affectionately. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, it¡¯ll happen soon.¡±


    I honestly didn¡¯t want to hear another word of their father¨Cdaughter banter. No one cared how I felt or even bothered to ask.


    ¡°Where¡¯s Hazel?¡± Shawn asked.


    Susanna gave a disapproving look. ¡°She left right after she finished praying. Said her friends were taking- her out.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s have lunch together,¡± Shawn said, ncing at me. ¡°Tiffany, it¡¯s been a while since we all had a meal together with Yuna.¡±


    Susanna nodded and agreed, ¡°Good idea. I was thinking of buying her a toy this afternoon anyway¨Clet¡¯s stop by the mall.¡±


    On the way back, Shawn asked me to ride in his car. When I didn¡¯t respond, Susanna quickly stepped in. ¡°Tiffany, why don¡¯t you ride with Shawn and have a chat? I¡¯ll take care of Yuna.¡±


    Chapter 79 Warning


    I hadn¡¯t driven, I hade with Susanna, so I didn¡¯t have much choice.


    Shawn didn¡¯t bring a driver: he just came on his own. When I opened the back door, he frowned andmanded, ¡°Take the passenger seat.


    I ignored him and settled into the back seat without a word.


    He turned and gave me a look full of dissatisfaction. ¡°What, you think your husband¡¯s your chauffeur now?¡±


    ¡°If you don¡¯t want me in your car, I can call a ride,¡± I said calmly, reaching for the door.


    ¡°Alright, alright, don¡¯t be dramatic.¡± Shawn eased off. ¡°Your husband¡¯s here to serve you¨Cdriving you around is hardly a hardship, right?¡±


    I didn¡¯t respond. Who¡¯s the real servant here? I wouldn¡¯t dare im that title¨CI don¡¯t have the luck to enjoy such privileges.


    Shawn looked good behind the wheelid¨Cback, confident. He focused on the road in silence, not saying much.


    At a red light, a sleek Maybach pulled up beside us. He nced at it and adjusted the rearview mirror, catching a glimpse of me in the back seat. I observed the car, too¨CEthan drove that same model. My heart stirred just a little.


    ¡°Imagining Ethan¡¯s in that car?¡± Shawn raised an eyebrow, his toneced with sarcasm.


    I folded my arms and answered coolly, ¡°So what if I am? Are you nning to control my thoughts now?¡±


    His long fingers tapped rhythmically on the steering wheel. ¡°Tiffany, as long as we¡¯re not divorced, you¡¯re still my wife. Ethan doesn¡¯t even get to dream.¡±


    The quiet authority in his voice gave me pause. I¡¯d almost forgotten how domineering and possessive Shawn could be beneath that polite exterior.


    ¡°Got that? Ethan might be young, but stay away from him,¡± he said, eyes locking onto mine through the mirror.


    That was a warning. A reminder.


    Some men carry their pride like armor¨Cthey treat their wives like property. They have the freedom to do anything they want, but what about the wife? She¡¯s supposed to belong only to them.


    The moment another man shows interest, their guard goes up.


    I wasn¡¯t na?ve. I was gradually learning to assess the potential risks. Until we were officially divorced, I would rather not provoke him. I had no intention of cornering myself.


    Like Hazel said¨Cwe¡¯re different. I was born into a middle¨Css family. My mom was a teacher; my worked for a government¨Cbackedpany. If it weren¡¯t for the wealth my grandparents left behind, we¡¯d probably be dirt poor.


    dad

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    Chapter 80 I Won¡¯t Cheat on You


    Chapter 80 I Won¡¯t Cheat on You


    So, yeah I needed money.


    <b>I </b>said quietly. ¡°I¡¯m not the scheming type, and I¡¯m not about to cheat on you. Rx¡±


    Shawn¡¯s gaze withdrew from the rearview mirror back to the road ahead. He stayed silent for a long inoment, then said out of nowhere, ¡°There¡¯s nothing between Queena and me. She¡¯s just a colleague. If i had to define our rtionship beyond that, maybe just old friends.¡±


    He sounded sincere, but I didn¡¯t believe a word of it.


    Men lie. That¡¯s what they do.


    Shawn frowned when I didn¡¯t respond, clearly annoyed.


    However, I couldn¡¯t care less. Let him say whatever he wants.


    One day, I¡¯d catch them in the act, right there in bed, and that would be the end of his sweet little lies.


    Right now? Best toy low and wait.


    At noon, we picked a trendy restaurant¨Csomece with decent vibes. Whenever we went out with Yuna, she was always the center of attention. Everyone showered her with affection, and she grew ustomed to it. Being the family¡¯s darling came naturally to her.


    Shawn noticed I wasn¡¯t eating much and asked, ¡°Don¡¯t like the food here? Why aren¡¯t you eating more?¡± Susanna turned to look at me and asked, ¡°Tiffany, you¡¯ve lost quite a bit of weighttely. Are you dieting?¡±


    ¡°Mhm. If I eat too much, I feel bloated,¡± I answered casually.


    ¡°Don¡¯t go dieting now,¡± Susanna chided. ¡°You and Shawn should be thinking about baby number two. You need to stay well¨Cnourished,¡± she said, cing a slice of roast beef onto my te.


    Shawn gave me aplicated look. We¡¯d already talked about this I wasn¡¯t having another child. He knew that. But clearly, he hadn¡¯t told his mother.


    So between the two of us, it was a silent agreement. No second baby.


    After lunch, Shawn and I went straight to the office. On the way, he asked a bunch of questions about the hotel renovation. When I answered smoothly, he actually looked a little surprised. ¡°You¡¯ve done your homework on all this?¡± he asked.


    I nodded. ¡°If you don¡¯t want to get scammed, you¡¯ve got toe prepared.¡±


    He let out a low chuckle and said, ¡°You¡¯ve changed a lottely. There¡¯s this spark about you, like you¡¯re ready to spread your wings and fly. What¨Care you preparing for life after me? Gaining experience for your next chapter?¡±


    He said it yfully, but it hit a nerve.


    Shawn wasn¡¯t that old, but he was cunning. He always had a keen insight into the true nature of things.


    13:32 Mon, 8 sont


    Chapter 80 I Won¡¯t Cheat on Your


    And yes, congrats, he was right. I was preparing for my future.


    ¡°I thought you liked ambitious women. Like Ms. Tackman, for example. I just want to be a better version of myself, too.¡± I had meant to brush him off with a vague reply, but Mnie¡¯s arivice came crashing back like a storm in my mind.


    Sell when stocks are booming. Win his heart first, then cash in with a generous breakup fee<i>. </i>


    So my answer? Half¨Ctruths. Half¨Clies.


    Sure enough, Shawn gave me a long, unreadable look in the mirror. ¡°So you¡¯re changing for me?


    I nodded and said seriously, ¡°What else would it be?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re working hard, but you¡¯re also pulling away from me. I don¡¯t buy it.¡± His voice turned dry with sarcasm. ¡°Don¡¯t lie to me. You¡¯re doing it for yourself.¡±


    I was shocked. Yeah, he wasn¡¯t exactly easy to manipte. I should¡¯ve known.


    ¡°So you don¡¯t like the new, hard¨Cworking me?¡± I raised an eyebrow, showing a little attitude.


    He hesitated for a few seconds, then said in a low, hoarse voice, ¡°I do like it. You¡¯re young. You should be full of life.¡±


    ¡°And when I was beingzy and aimless, what did you think of me then?¡± I took the chance to prod him. I remembered overhearing him talk to a friend once¨Che called me a trophy wife, beautiful and decorative. Good to have around the house.


    How about now? Would he say that straight to my face?


    ¡°I didn¡¯t really think too much. Just figured you were taking good care of the home,¡± he said ndly. ¡°I¡¯m not asking about what I did. I¡¯m asking what you considered me to be a person,¡± I pressed further. A red light stopped us. He turned his head and looked straight at me. ¡°The you I liked was the first time I saw you¨Cleading the dance performance on stage. It feels like you¡¯re finally back.¡±


    I choked up a little, then asked stiffly, ¡°So you only liked how I looked?¡±


    He nodded, answering cruelly, ¡°What else? You fall for someone¡¯s looks first, always.¡±


    Ouch. Thatnded like a punch to the gut. I slumped a little, defeated. So that was it¨CShawn¡¯s honest truth.


    ¡°Upset?¡± he asked smoothly, his hands steady on the wheel as he turned onto a different road. ¡°Didn¡¯t you agree to date me because I¡¯m rich, capable, and, well ¡­ easy on the eyes?¡±


    I didn¡¯t answer.


    Shawn chuckled when I gave no response. ¡°We¡¯re the same, you and me. Let¡¯s stop dwell on it.¡±


    Chapter 81 Different Paths

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    Chapter 81 Different Paths


    Chapter 81 Different Paths


    <b>¡°</b>I married you and found myself falling deeper in love. But you married me and seem to love me lesterol less. We¡¯re walking down twopletely different paths. How can you say we¡¯re even?¡± I hit my lip and pushed back at him.


    This marriage was wrong from the start. He wanted a beautiful, obedient wife to carry on the family naret. And like a fool¨Cbelieved he married me out of love.


    Shawn¡¯s lips pressed into a thin, unreadable line. He said nothing.


    I gave a short, bitterugh. ¡°Love is like shifting sand. That old saying? Turns out it¡¯s true.¡±


    He sounded a little annoyed. ¡°Enough. Whatever road we took to get here, we¡¯re married now. We¡¯re Yuna¡¯s parents. That doesn¡¯t change.¡±


    I didn¡¯t reply. Because once the truth isid bare, what¡¯s left of a marriage isn¡¯t sweet or beautiful¨Cit¡¯s just a naked deal. I traded my looks for hismitment and his¨Cmoney.


    But I learned the hard way¨C30 long years in myst life¨Cthat beauty fades, and with it, so does love.


    Being pretty is a weapon. But it¡¯s no foundation for happiness.


    When we got to the office, Queena came right up. ¡°There are a few important documents that need your signature.¡±


    Shawn nodded and followed her into his office.


    I felt the curious eyes around me¨Cgossip waiting to happen. I straighthened my back, walked into my own office, and shut the door behind me, leaving all those nosy stares on the other side.


    It was a little after seven in the evening when Shawn knocked on my door. ¡°I made ns with a few friends. Come have dinner with us.¡±


    I nced up from myputer screen. ¡°I¡¯ve still got work to finish. You go ahead.¡±


    He knitted his brows. ¡°You can do it tomorrow. It¡¯s not that urgent.¡±


    I remembered my own n, so I packed up my things and left with him.


    We met his childhood buddies at a game room. They were already seated at a poker table, loudlyining they needed a fourth yer. Naturally, Shawn joined in.


    They were ying poker. Shawn looked at me and said, ¡°Bring a chair and sit by me.¡±


    I was stunned. A few of the other guys nced at me, then chuckled knowingly.


    ¡°Tiffany¡¯s looking prettier by the day. No wonder Shawn brings her everywhere.¡±


    ¡°Better keep an eye on her, man. She¡¯s a catch¨Cyou don¡¯t want someone else swooping in,¡± another one joked, grinning.


    Shawn ignored their teasing andzily shuffled his cards.


    Chapter 81 Different Paths


    I stood up suddenly, ready to leave,


    He reached out and caught my arm. ¡°Where are you going?¡±


    ¡°I feel like a trophy wife you brought just to show off. They¡¯re judging me like I¡¯m on disy. <i>I </i>looked at him. a little hurt.


    I¡¯d shown my emotions, expecting him to brush it off like he used to¨Ctelling me not to be so sensitive, that it was just harmless teasing.


    But instead, Shawn gave the other guys a sharp look. ¡°Cut it out. Stop joking about Tiffany, she¡¯s sensitive


    I was dumbfounded. The three men got the message and quickly apologized.


    ¡°Tiffany, sorry¨Cwe just used to run our mouth. Didn¡¯t mean anything by it.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, you¡¯re Shawn¡¯s wife. We¡¯re d to have you here.¡±


    ¡°Shawn, maybe Tiffany¡¯s bored. Want to switch and let her y a round?¡±


    Shawn kept one hand on my wrist and used the other to keep dealing cards. ¡°Sit down. You¡¯re not a trophy.¡±


    With a gentle tug, he pulled me back into the chair. But in my mind, his words echoed: You¡¯re not a trophy.


    Was he lying again?


    Right then, Shawn¡¯s phone rang. He stood up and handed the cards to me. ¡°Your turn.¡±


    I shook my head. ¡°I¡¯m not good at this.¡±


    ¡°If you win, the prize is yours. If you lose, it¡¯s on me.¡± He knew how to coax a girl, I¡¯ll give him that. With him saying that, how could I say no? So I yed. Maybe it was beginner¡¯s luck, but I won two hands in a row. The guys suddenly got serious, trying hard to win their money back.


    Shawn returned at some point, but didn¡¯t ask me to give up the seat. Instead, he leaned over me, resting one arm on the table. His scent¨Cclean, cool, and a little dark¨Cdrifted around me, intimate and suggestive.


    I had to admit¨Cwhen it came to winning women over, Shawn knew what he was doing.


    That was how I got caught in his web in the first ce.


    Back when we first started dating, he was generousvish gifts on holidays, romantic dinners, sweet gestures. Just three months in, he bought me a car and a house. Now, I live in the new vi he bought for our wedding, but that wasn¡¯t the only house he gave me. I own three other properties, all from him. The first was a spacious four¨Cbedroom right in the city center¨Che gave it to me after just a few months of dating. The second was a shop¨Chis gift after I gave birth to Yuna. Thest one? That was during a New Year visit. On our drive home from his mom¡¯s, I pointed out a high¨Crise building and said the view must be amazing up there. A few dayster, I got the keys.


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    Chapter 82 Good Girl Don¡¯t Get the Guy


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    Shawn used money to shatter the barriers within my heart. So, yes¨CI could call him a jerk, but I¡¯d never call him stingy.


    ¡°y this card!¡± I had a card in my hand, ready to toss it out. Shawn suddenly reached over, picked one for me, and threw it out. ¡°You¡¯ve got good luck tonight,¡± he said.


    ¡°Tiffany¡¯s luck is wonderful. Don¡¯t expect us to go easy on her just because she¡¯s with you, Shawn!¡±


    ¡°Look at her face¨Cthe type that brings good fortune for her husband. Shawn, you hit the jackpot marrying her!¡±


    I paused, startled by thement. A memory bubbled up¨Cyears ago, I¡¯d gone hiking with my parents in Forfair Hill and ran into a fortune teller. He examined my features and predicted that I would marry a wealthy man.


    Back then, I never thought much of it, but now ¡­ I nced over at Shawn.


    He happened to be looking at me too, eyes low, the corner of his lips lifting into a faint smile. Our gazes met and held.


    ¡°You go ahead. I¡¯m tired.¡± I felt restless. I couldn¡¯t help but imagine him ying poker like this with Queena in the past, giving her tips from the side. The thought soured my mood.


    ¡°Just two more rounds,¡± Shawn said humbly. ¡°You¡¯re on a roll.¡±


    ¡°No, I need some air.¡± I stood up and headed straight for the door.


    Shawn sat down in my spot and didn¡¯t follow me out.


    The restaurant wasn¡¯trge, but it was known for its private kitchen¨Ca three¨Cstory ce with no elevator, only narrow staircases.


    Outside, there was a lovely garden, designed like an old courtyard,plete with a burbling stream and tiny decorative rowboats. I found a bench and sat.


    Chapter 82 Good Girl Don¡¯t Get the Guy


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    Suddenly, the garden gate creaked open, and a group of people entered, chattering excitedly.


    At the front was a tall, lean man with gold¨Crimmed sses, wearing jeans and a soft gray tee. It was Ethan.


    He was listening to them attentively and didn¡¯t seem to expect to see me here. But the moment he spotted me leaning by the stream, his eyes lit up behind the lenses.


    I was a little surprised to see him here. Fate has a strange sense of humor.


    This city was huge, yet somehow, we kept crossing paths.


    ¡°Ms. Mayfield, are you here alone?¡± Ethan asked as he walked up. He always called me differently. Sometimes, when he was mad, he¡¯d say ¡®Mrs. Hartwell¡®. Other times, when he was in a good mood, it was ¡®Ms. Mayfield.¡® And asionally, when he wanted sympathy, he¡¯d just say my name softly. He was an oddball.


    ¡°Nope. I¡¯m here with my husband. They¡¯re upstairs ying poker.¡± I gave him a small smile.


    His mood shifted slightly, but then he nodded. ¡°Got it. I¡¯m here with some friends too. We¡¯re heading up.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡± I lowered my eyes and scrolled my phone.


    Ethan and his group went upstairs.


    My eyes were fixed on the phone screen, but I barely scrolled it. My mind was spinning with the image of Ethan standing there just moments ago.


    I kept thinking about that day at Mnie and Richard¡¯s housewarming, how close we¡¯d gotten¨Calmost too close. I lost my calm.


    But I shook it off quickly. I didn¡¯t need a man. What I needed was capability, a career, and ambition.


    These days, I don¡¯t look at a sessful man and dream about marrying him. No, I want topete. I want to outdo him. I want to build my own empire and wear


    Chapter 82 Good Girl Don¡¯t Get the Guy


    my crown.


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    ¡°Why are you out here by yourself? Feeding the mosquitoes?¡± Shawn hade downstairs, probably because the food was ready.


    Now that he mentioned it, my legs did feel itchy. I probably got bitten a few times.


    I got up and followed him toward the stairs. But as we reached the railing, Shawn turned to me. ¡°Mr. Hayes came by earlier to say hello.¡±


    I was shocked. Ethan had gone to find Shawn?


    Shawn went on, ¡°Ourpany is installing a new system. His firm¡¯s behind it. We¡¯ll probably be working together more often.¡±


    I wasn¡¯t sure what Shawn meant by that. Was he hinting at something? Still suspicious of me and Ethan?


    ¡°Oh. That doesn¡¯t have much to do with me, does it?¡± I replied with a calm smile.


    Shawn gave me a look. ¡°Just letting you know¨Csometimes, in a man¡¯s world, career matters more than anything else.¡±


    I raised an eyebrow and grinned defiantly. ¡°Really? You¡¯ve never tried choosing between the two¨Chow would you know what¡¯s more important?¡±


    Shawn¡¯s expression turned rigid.


    ¡°Don¡¯t try it,¡± he said, turning toward the stairs. ¡°You might not be able to handle it.¡± He took a few steps, then stopped and looked back at me. ¡°Are you sure you want to try?¡±


    I shrugged. ¡°Kidding. Don¡¯t take everything so seriously,¡±


    There was an almostical look on his face, like I¡¯d just pulled a fast one on him. He seemed half¨Cembarrassed, half¨Cannoyed. ¡°Tiffany, you¡¯ve changed. You¡¯re naughty.¡±


    I justughed. ¡°Well, they say good girls don¡¯t get the guy.¡±


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    And just as the words left my mouth, the door to one of the private rooms on the second floor swung open¨CEthan walked out.


    11:48 Tue, Sep <b>9 </b>


    Chapter

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    83 A Showdown


    Chapter 83 A Showdown


    Shawn and I were standing right in front of him.


    Time seemed to freeze.


    ?00


    64


    s


    It wasn¡¯t quite a showdown, but it was definitely awkward¨Cespecially since Shawn now knew I¡¯d been in touch with Ethan privately.


    ¡°Mr. and Mrs. Hartwell, haven¡¯t they served the food yet?¡± Ethan¡¯s eyes brushed over my face before he turned to Shawn with a casual smile.


    ¡°We were just heading upstairs for dinner. Want to join us?¡± Shawn asked politely.


    But something in Ethan¡¯s expression shifted; his words might have touched a nerve. His smile deepened, though it didn¡¯t reach his eyes. ¡°Not the best timing. Maybe next time.¡±


    Shawn¡¯s lips pressed into a thin line, and his expression lost the warmth it had a moment ago.


    I didn¡¯t say anything, but my eyes were drawn to Ethan anyway.


    With those sses and that calm demeanor, he looked like a gentleman, but there was something wild and dangerous just under the surface¨Clike a panther lurking in the shadows.


    Shawn, on the other hand, looked polished on the outside, but something about him gave off the air of a charming scoundrel.


    ¡°Alright, we¡¯ll head up now,¡± Shawn said, and without warning, he slid his arm around my waist and forcibly pulled me close to his side.


    That sudden disy of affection made my heart tighthened. Was Shawnpeting with another man for me?


    Now that was interesting. Could it be, like Mnie said, that he was genuinely starting to care?


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    Chapter 83 A Showdown


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    Upstairs, dinner felt nd. Shawn actedpletely normal in front of his friends ¡ªjust a regr meal, all talk about work, not a single word about women. Maybe it was because I was there.


    Afterward, Shawn drove us home. Well, technically, I drove¨Che¡¯d had some wine and leaned back in the passenger seat, eyes half¨Cclosed.


    Just as we pulled out, I noticed a sleek ck Maybach parked nearby. Its engine suddenly came alive. I sneaked a nce at Shawn. Did he notice?


    My heart raced a little. In the rearview mirror, I could just make out the figure in the driver¡¯s seat, barely visible behind the glow of the dashboard.


    I pulled out in our Bentley and kept my focus steady. In the mirror, I saw Ethan wasn¡¯t following us. Maybe he just wanted me to know he was leaving too.


    That little gesture¡ªso quiet and subtle¡ªstill managed to make my heart jump wildly for a moment. Honestly? Ethan understood women far better than Shawn ever did.


    Yuna had already left by the time we got home. It appeared that Susanna was adamant about granting us our private time.


    I got out of the car, and <i>so </i>did Shawn. He wasn¡¯t drunk¨Che held his suit jacket in one hand as he walked toward me.


    I had a feeling he was going to offer it to me. But just as he reached me, I turned


    away.


    The jacket slipped from his hand andnded on the floor with a soft thud.


    I didn¡¯t look back. I just walked upstairs. Shawn bent to pick it up, his expression darkening.


    The maids came to check if he needed anything, but he waved them off and told them to get some rest.


    The first thing I did after stepping into my room was head straight for a shower. I have this little quirk¨Cmaybe even a mild obsession with cleanliness. I can¡¯t sit on


    Chapter 83 A Showdown


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    my bed or my couch if I haven¡¯t showered. It feels as though I would be bringing all the germs from the outside world into my personal space.

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    Chapter 84 A Trip


    Chapter 84 A Trip


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    s


    After a hot shower and a full skincare routine, I curled up in bed, ready to sleep. I was just slipping into a light doze when I felt the other side of the bed dip. My body tensed. I blinked myself awake.


    ¡°I had a nightmare,¡± Shawn¡¯s voice came from behind me. ¡°Go back to sleep. I won¡¯t touch you.¡± He wrapped an arm around me¨Cgentle but firm.


    What type of nightmare might genuinely unsettle someone like Shawn?


    Still, he kept his word. He didn¡¯t try anything. And surprisingly, I fell right back asleep. Ever since I got a second chance at life, sleep hade easier. Maybe it was because I had tasted death once, and thereafter, nothing else felt quite as terrifying.


    Rain tapped softly against the windows the next morning. The whole room felt warm, humid, and a little stuffy.


    Last night I had definitely fallen asleep facing away from him. But now, somehow, my head was on his chest, one leg casually thrown over his.


    It was as if some buried vulnerability had leaked out from me. I was angry at myself, so I sat up quickly and got out of bed.


    By the time I finished getting ready, Shawn was already up and out of the room.


    It was the weekend. Since his mom had offered to take care of Yuna, I¡¯d decided to take a trip. Just me¨Cno kid, no husband.


    I packed light, just a small duffel, and headed downstairs. Shawn had juste in from his morning run, dressed in ck athletic gear, sweat still fresh on his forehead.


    He eyed my bag and narrowed his eyes. ¡°Where are you going?¡±


    ¡°Sylvania,¡± I answered.


    Chapter 84 A Trip


    ¡°For work?¡±


    :


    ¡°Nope. I just want to see the coast. Clear my head,¡± I said inly.


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    He was startled, like he hadn¡¯t expected that answer. After a second, he exhaled. ¡°You¡¯re going alone?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡± I nodded.


    His eyes stayed on mine, like he was trying to read through me. Then his voice turned cold. ¡°Not happening.¡±


    Iughed. ¡°If you¡¯re worried, thene with me.¡±


    Actually, I already knew he hated vacations. Any time he left the city, it was always work¨Crted. Well, no¨Cthat wasn¡¯t quite true. He liked traveling. He just didn¡¯t like traveling with me.


    Shawn furrowed his brows.


    I could tell he was about to say no.


    He brushed past me without another word. But on the stairs, he turned his head slightly and asked, ¡°You got a ride arranged?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m driving myself.¡±


    He didn¡¯t reply. A few minutester, he came back down the stairs¨Ccarrying a bag of his own. Shawn exined, ¡°I asked William to drive. It¡¯s a long trip. You shouldn¡¯t be on the road that long by yourself.¡±


    I froze<i>, </i>staring at the bag in his hand, unable to believe what I was seeing.


    He wasn¡¯t stopping me from leaving. He wasing with me. That was unexpected.


    This won¡¯t do. I needed someone to stop him.


    So I came up with something. I quickly posted a story on social media, making it


    Chapter 84 A Trip


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    visible to Queena only. I snapped a discreet photo of our two bags and captioned it, ¡°Getting ready for a getaway¨Cthe new beginning that starts with genuine feelings.¡±


    Five minutester, Shawn¡¯s phone rang.


    He was still eating breakfast. He answered the call, talked for just a moment, then stepped outside to finish it.


    Bingo. My little signal worked. Queena had called, just like I hoped.


    He came back in and calmly resumed eating.


    I waited for him to say something, like an urgent meeting or an emergency at work, followed by the usual credit card toss, and he told me to go have fun without <ol><li>me. </li></ol>


    But nope. William pulled up in the SUV, we got in, and off we went toward Sylvania. Shawn didn¡¯t tell me anything. He closed his eyes as soon as we were on the road, like he hadn¡¯t slept well the night before.


    I put on my sunsses and stared out at the scenery.


    In my past life, I¡¯d spent so much time dealing with family drama and rtionship messes, I never let myself enjoy things like this. Now, watching the mistyndscape through the ss, I felt a strange twinge of guilt¨Cfor all the ways I¡¯d neglected myself.


    That wouldn¡¯t happen again. From now on, I¡¯d take myself to see every corner of the world. No regrets.


    It took us almost three hours to get from Hanzora to Sylvania. By the time we arrived, the rain had stopped. Sunlight broke through the clouds and created a different kind of scenery.


    Shawn rubbed his tired eyes and looked out the window. ¡°Let¡¯s grab something to


    eat.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not hungry,¡± I replied immediately.


    Chapter 84 A Trip


    He ignored me and gave William an address to a restaurant.


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    I pressed my lips together. There was no point in arguing. This whole trip was my idea¨Cshouldn¡¯t my opinion count for something?


    The restaurant turned out to be a local spot known for traditional Sylvania¨Cstyle dishes.


    Those were rich¨Cvored dishes with strong¨Cvored sauces. Roast goose, for example¨Ccrispy on the outside, melt¨Cin¨Cyour¨Cmouth tender inside.


    But I was more of a spicy food kind of girl. All these vors just didn¡¯t hit right.


    At the door, Shawn suddenly turned to me and said, ¡°Queena¡¯s meeting a few execs here. They¡¯ll be joining us for lunch. I hope you don¡¯t mind.¡±


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    As soon as Shawn said it, I felt a knot in my stomach. I turned sharply to face him. ¡°I¡¯m here on vacation, Shawn. To rx. Not to sit through a lunch with you.¡±


    He looked annoyed. ¡°Tiffany, it¡¯s just lunch. Do you really have to make a big deal out of it?¡±


    I let out a small, bitterugh. ¡°Exactly¡ªit¡¯s just a lunch. Something trivial in the grand scheme of things. But when there are too many of these trivial things taking ce, it will wear a person out.¡±


    Shawn¡¯s brow furrowed tighter, but instead of trying tofort me, he simply said in a t voice, ¡°If you don¡¯t want to eat here, then do whatever you want.¡±


    ¡°Fine.¡± That¡¯s all I said before opening the car door, stepping out, and gging down another cab without looking back.


    Through the rearview mirror of the taxi, I saw him suddenly bolt from the other side of the Bentley, racing to the sidewalk. He stood there, watching me as my cab pulled away.


    I folded my arms across my chest. I was finally free from his control.


    If he could quietly invite Queena to Sylvania behind my back, then fine. They could stay locked together for all I cared.


    Traveling alone meant freedom. I wandered wherever I pleased, taking my time, not even bothering with photos. I let the views sink into my memory instead of my phone.


    I ate, drank, and wandered through boutiques and street corners. By <i>5 </i>p.m., I was worn out and checked into the best hotel I could find.


    Yuna had called me twice earlier. I had ignored both. Now, back at the hotel, she was calling again.


    I slumped into the sofa and picked up the phone. Yuna¡¯s tiny voice came through, and she already threw a tantrum. ¡°Mom! Are you deaf or something? I called you


    11:48 Tue<b>, </b>Sep 9


    Chapter 85 Cherry Blossom


    twice! Why didn¡¯t you answer?¡±


    ¡°I was busy. What¡¯s going on?¡± I asked calmly.


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    ¡°I fell down. Scraped my knee, and it hurts really bad.¡± Her voice cracked, and she suddenly started crying¨Cloud and hard.


    ¡°Don¡¯t cry, sweetie. Just be more careful next time,¡± I said gently.


    ¡°Mom, where are you? I want you toe home and take care of me,¡± she sobbed.


    ¡°I¡¯m in Sylvania,¡± I answered. There was no need to lie.


    ¡°You¡¯re in Sylvania for work?¡± she asked, sniffling.


    I wanted to say, ¡°No¨CI¡¯m just here to unwind.¡°¨Cbut hearing her hurt made me hesitate. So I just murmured a quiet ¡°yeah.¡±


    She kept talking for a little while, sounding pitiful and pouty. Then her phone buzzed again, indicating another call. ¡°Mom, I gotta go! Talkter!¡± she said quickly before hanging up.


    I tossed my phone onto the bed and wandered over to the floor¨Cto¨Cceiling window. The sun was setting, casting soft golden light over the city.


    My phone buzzed again. It was Shawn.


    I ignored it.


    Then a text popped up. ¡°Where are you?¡±


    I replied, ¡°Need something?¡±


    He messaged back instantly. ¡°I¡¯ming for you.¡±


    ¡°You should take care of your work. I¡¯m fine on my own.¡± I am no longer begging or trying to win his attention, as I did in my previous life. My tone was t, calm, and distant.


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    Chapter 85 Cherry Blossom


    :


    Then he called again. I had no choice but to pick it up.


    His voice had that low, worn¨Cout tone. ¡°What do you want for dinner?¡±


    ¡°Nothing in particr,¡± I replied.


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    ¡°I know you didn¡¯t like the local cuisine at lunch. Let¡¯s get something you actually enjoy tonight,¡± he said, like he was trying to be considerate.


    And that was when it hit me¨Cthis food? Sylvania¨Cstyle? That was Queena¡¯s favorite. Her mother¡¯s family was from this city, while her dad was from Hanzora.


    So, Shawn had driven over three hours to Sylvania just to take Queena out for lunch with the food she liked. He was crazy about her.


    ¡°No, thanks. I¡¯m perfectly fine by myself. Go handle your business,¡± I said, trying to sound more understanding than he ever had.


    ¡°Where are you?¡± he asked again, this time more impatient. ¡°Are you really alone?¡±


    Those sharp, jealous words of his made me realize he was suspicious of me.


    He had spent the afternoon sweet¨Ctalking his mistress, and now he remembered his wife, whom he had neglected, and wondered if she might betray him too.


    ¡°Shawn,¡± I said, anger bubbling up, ¡°Is there really no trust left between us? If you¡¯re always going to assume I¡¯m cheating on you, then maybe we should stop pretending this marriage works.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not using you,¡± he said, his voice deeper now. ¡°I¡¯ve wrapped up everything on my end.¡±


    But I didn¡¯t want him near me. I couldn¡¯t stop imagining the afternoon he spent with Queena. And now he wanted to crawl back into my bed like nothing happened? I¡¯m not some garbage can, here to swallow every leftover mess he brings home.


    ¡°No, you don¡¯t have to worry about me. I just need some time alone,¡± I rejected him firmly.


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    I never told him which hotel I was staying at. But Shawn wasn¡¯t exactly helpless; he was an influential man. That evening, he showed up at my door anyway. That was when I remembered¨CI had used my ID to check in.


    When he knocked, I opened the door and found him standing there, calm and collected, like none of this bothered him. He stepped right in. ¡°I was worried you¡¯d picked some random cheap ce,¡± he said casually.


    And the moment he walked past me, I caught a faint scent. Cherry blossoms. It was Queena¡¯s perfume.


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    Chapter 86 Greedy


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    Shawn walked in with his bag and sat down on the couch. He looked straight at me and said, ¡°Sorry. I had a friend do me a favor. I was worried something might happen to you.¡±


    Iughed silently to myself. What he really feared was that I¡¯d be with someone else.


    Since he was already here, I couldn¡¯t exactly throw him out. Luckily, there were two beds in the room. ¡°I¡¯m tired,¡± I said. ¡°I¡¯m going to bed.¡±


    Shawn grabbed his clothes and headed to the bathroom. A little whileter, he came out wearing pajamas.


    When he saw I had alreadyid down, he suddenly climbed into my bed, wrapped his arms around me from behind, andforted me, saying, ¡°Tiffany, don¡¯t be mad anymore, okay?¡±


    He knew I was upset. And he knew exactly how to get around it.


    His lips brushed softly behind my ear, trailing lightly across my cheek. ¡°Tomorrow morning, I¡¯ll take you shopping,¡± he said gently. ¡°Buy you something nice.¡±


    I pushed him away. ¡°That¡¯s not necessary. I¡¯m really tired,¡± I said tly.


    Shawn hesitated for a moment, his hand resting on me for maybe two seconds before he leaned in <i>to </i>kiss me again. ¡°Tiffany,¡± he murmured, ¡°just let me make it up to you tonight, please?¡±


    This version of Shawn¨Cclingy and desperate¨CI had never seen before. Not even during our newlywed days. Back then, he wasn¡¯t the clingy one. I was.


    His whole world was his job. Thepany had just fallen into hisp, and he was buried in work. He was gone more often than not, and what should¡¯ve been a honeymoon was cut short. When he did finally show up, I would rush to his side, desperate for his attention.


    Looking back, I don¡¯t think he ever truly loved me. He wanted my youth,


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    emotionalfort, and someone to make him feel better when the weight got too heavy.


    I was a pet to him. If I made a fuss, he handed me money. If I¡¯m sad, he buys me gifts. Sure, he¡¯d sometimes say something sweet to coax me, but that was just because he knew how easy I was to soothe.


    He was the type of husband who knows exactly how to hook you emotionally. After we got married, I was the fish¨Chooked and wriggling.


    But now? I¡¯m done being the fish. I want to be the one holding the rod. Even between husband and wife, things had turned into apetition.


    So, the real question is: Who is the one who held the rod?


    To me, the one who took the bait first was the fish.


    I didn¡¯t respond. But I was soft, sensitive, and too easily swayed. Shawn knew exactly where to touch, and every brush of his fingers awakened something in me.


    The crystal chandelier above spilled a soft, golden glow over the room. Shawn¡¯s gaze deepened, and for a moment, it felt like he was truly seeing me for the first time.


    He reached out and gently tucked a few stray hairs behind my ear. Then he let his fingers drift across my cheek¨Csmooth and fair¨Chis lips curled into a slight smile. ¡°Tiffany,¡± he murmured, ¡°are you turning into a kid or something?¡±


    I was caught off guard, turned my head away from his gaze, and stared out the window into the night.


    When I didn¡¯t answer, he probably felt a little disappointed. I thought he¡¯d finally get the message and move to the other bed.


    But I had underestimated him. Even my dull, uninterested expression didn¡¯t stop


    him.


    He reached out and turned off the light. The shadows consumed the room.


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    The silhouettes on the wall wereyered over each other. The sight made my cheeks flush. I reached out, trying to push him away again.


    Then suddenly, he snapped. He grabbed his leather belt from the nightstand. Shawn stopped his advance, pulled my hands above my head, and tied them together. The leather dug into my skin, leaving a sting. His voice was rough, low in my ear. ¡°Just hold on; it won¡¯t be long.¡±


    It felt like forever before he finally stopped, lying on top of me, panting hard and not moving an inch.


    ¡°You¡¯re heavy.¡± I gasped. I could barely breathe.


    He finally kissed my cheek, undid the belt, and freed my wrists. Then he gently ran his fingers across the marks left behind, kissing them too. ¡°Tiffany, do you not love me anymore?¡±


    Of all moments, he chose this one to ask that? My heart jumped wildly at his question.


    When I finally spoke, my voice was hoarse. ¡°What if I don¡¯t?¡±


    Shawn pulled the nket over both of us and gave a quiet littleugh. ¡°If you don¡¯t, then you don¡¯t. Love isn¡¯t something you can fake. And it¡¯s not something you can hide, either.¡±


    I froze. In the dim light, I turned to look at him.


    His eyes were oddly bright in the darkness, watching me closely. After a moment, he said, ¡°Honestly, whether we¡¯re in love or not doesn¡¯t matter that much in a marriage. I allow you to not love me. But I¡¯m not ready for a divorce.¡±


    He sounded as if he¡¯d thought it through carefully. And just like that, he got up and went straight into the bathroom without waiting for a reply.


    I pushed myself upright in bed, eyes locked on the bathroom light glowing under


    the door.


    <i>The </i><i>man </i><i>appeared </i><i>to </i><i>be </i><i>delusional</i>. <i>Did </i><i>he </i><i>think </i><i>he </i><i>could </i><i>have </i>a <i>wife </i><i>at </i><i>home </i><i>and </i><i>someone </i>


    Chapter 86 Greedy


    <i>else </i><i>on </i><i>the </i><i>side</i><i>, </i><i>too</i><i>? </i>


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    He <i>wants </i><i>the </i><i>best </i><i>of </i><i>both </i><i>worlds</i>? <i>Does </i><i>he </i><i>think </i><i>he¡¯s </i><i>such </i><i>a </i><i>lucky </i><i>man</i>? <i>He¡¯d </i><i>better </i>be <i>careful</i>, or <i>he¡¯ll </i><i>run </i><i>himself </i><i>into </i><i>the </i><i>ground </i><i>before </i><i>long</i>.


    I was fuming. I wanted to yell, to throw every insult I knew. But the way I was raised¨Cthose polite manners drilled into me since I was a kid¨Cstopped the words in my throat.


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    When Shawn came out, he lookedpletely unfazed, as if nothing had happened. He sat on the other bed, opened hisptop, and got to work.


    +10 Free Coins


    Seeing me still fuming in silence, he didn¡¯t even look my way. He just chuckled lightly and said, ¡°Didn¡¯t you say you were tired? Looks like the more we went at it, the more awake you got.¡±


    I didn¡¯t bother responding. I stormed into the bathroom and took a shower. When I came back out, I climbed into bed and turned my back on him.


    If Shawn refused to divorce me, then I¡¯d have no choice but to find proof of him cheating and take him to court. 2


    Of course, I knew that if I even mentioned divorce, my whole family would rush in to stop me.


    Just like in the past life¨Cwhen Shawn wanted to divorce me, everyone tried to talk him out of it. They said we had a daughter, that I hadn¡¯t done anything truly wrong, and that it would hurt the kid. They told him I wouldn¡¯t survive without Shawn. In the end, Shawn didn¡¯t divorce me¨Cbut he did leave. I was like a banished queen in a gilded prison, stuck in a luxurious mansion with a fat allowance but feeling like some forgotten creature in the dark, crawling with insecurity and fear.


    Looking back on it, if I divorced Shawn and didn¡¯t get a solid settlement, then what would even be the point?


    I don¡¯t know how other women see money, but I believe it can do everything. Without it, you¡¯re nothing.


    Shawn had money. He was a sharp investor. In the past life, Queena¡¯s family might¡¯ve been a bit better off than his in the beginning, butter on, Shawn bailed out the Tackman Group more than once¨Ceach time pouring in millions, if not billions. Why would he do that? Love. He did it for Queena.


    That¡¯s why I treated Shawn like a money¨Cmaking machine. Marriage and responsibility were just the reins to steer him toward making more¨Cfor me.


    Chapter 87 It Takes Skill to Keep a Man


    Wasn¡¯t that its kind of sess?


    After all, how many capable men in this world can a woman actually steer?


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    Anyway, I¡¯m not naive enough to think that a divorce will magically turn me into some big¨Ctime bossdy. This was real life. If youck the necessary skills, connections, or direction, you will find yourself among the 99% who are barely surviving.


    I turned my head to nce at Shawn. He seemed lost in thought, his eyesnding on me just as I looked over.


    He must¡¯ve thought I was sneaking peeks at him, and a smirk tugged at his lips.


    I¡¯ll I slowly turned around. In my mind, I thought the divorce could wait. For now, treat him like my servant. Learn everything I can from him about making money -he¡¯s got the connections and the knowledge. And he¡¯s not a cold¨Cblooded, heartless guy either. If we part ways peacefully, maybe he¡¯d even help me outter on. There¡¯s no need to treat him like an enemy. Hate and love¨Cthey both take you to extremes. It would be more beneficial to view him as a mentor. From him, I could learn how topete for resources in a man¡¯s world.


    Shawn¡¯s abilities and qualities drew Queena to him.


    With that thought, I drifted off to sleep.


    The next morning, Shawn was still sleeping when I got up and started reading.


    It was a finance and investment book I¡¯d grabbed from his bookshelf.


    ¡°I left some notes in there. You should check them out,¡± Shawn said, his voice a little hoarse.


    I lowered the book and looked at him.


    He slowly sat up and asked, ¡°What¡¯s gotten into you? Finally growing a brain?¡±


    I lifted the book higher to block his gaze. ¡°I said I wanted to build something of my own. I can¡¯t just talk about it¨CI have to start doing something.¡±


    Chapter 87 It Takes Skill to Keep a Man


    Shawn chuckled and asked, ¡°You really admire women like Queena, huh?¡±


    I mocked, ¡°Well, I have to admit¨Cshe¡¯s definitely smarter than I am.¡±


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    Shawn stared at me for a long time, suspecting I¡¯d lost my mind. Then he got out of bed and asked, ¡°So, where do you want to go today? Any gifts you¡¯ve got your eye on?¡±


    I closed the book. ¡°Is this my reward forst night?¡±


    He nodded. ¡°From now on, every time you sleep with me, you can ask for a reward. As long as it¡¯s not too over¨Cthe¨Ctop, I¡¯ll say yes.¡±


    That was ssic Shawn¨Cthe same man I knew, someone who yed by the rules of the jungle.


    It didn¡¯t surprise me. Shawn didn¡¯t like owing anyone anything¨Cnot even emotionally.


    But people like him, the ones who seem cold and distant, are often the most intense when they finally fall in love.


    In our past life, he was crazy about Queena. She was capable, sharp, and even ruthless. That woman fought her way through a sea of pretty faces to take his whole heart.


    Thinking about that now, I realized how ridiculous I¡¯d been. Queena used skill and strategy to reel him in. And me? I¡¯d honestly believed that love alone would be enough.


    But no¨Cdopamine onlysts about three months. If you really want to hold onto a man¡¯s heart, it takes more than just feelings. It takes skill.


    After breakfast at the hotel, Shawn took me to a luxury women¡¯s boutique. In the VIP lounge, he sat on a plush sofa while the sales assistant brought in racks of new arrivals. I tried things on one by one like I was picking out groceries¨Cslowly, carefully, enjoying every second of it.


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    Purses. Shoes. Everything came perfectly paired, as if selected by a personal stylist.


    Shawn, ever the gentleman, offered his opinions at the side¨Cbut every time he said something looked great, I picked the opposite. I bought only what I liked. He was clearly frustrated, though he didn¡¯t say a word.


    ¡°Mr. Hartwell, your wife has such wless skin,¡± someone finally said, unable to hold back. A dress in a turquoise color¨Cnot easy to carry¨Clooked downright refreshing on me.


    Shawn smiled politely. ¡°Thank you. That¡¯s kind of you to say.¡±


    By the time we were done, the entire morning had slipped away. Shawn carried all the bags to the car¨Cmore than a few, actually.


    But I wasn¡¯t going to feel bad about spending his money anymore. In my past life, every time he offered to buy me something, I¡¯d act like a responsible, frugal wife. Until one day, Queena showed off an emerald bracelet worth over two million dors. She said she just nced at it, and Shawn had someone buy it for her.


    That moment, I swear I heard my heart shatter. Shawn was rich¡ªwhat difference did it make who spent his money?


    Before I divorced him, I was going to walk away with an emerald bracelet in the million¨Cdor league. He owed me that from thest life.


    ¡°Tired? Want to check out a few more shops?¡± Shawn asked softly.


    ¡°Nope. I¡¯m starving,¡± I replied. Shopping was fun but exhausting. I needed food before I could power through round two.


    Shawn¡¯s eyes darkened slightly. I wondered if his mind had wandered somewhere it shouldn¡¯t.


    ¡°Alright. What are you in the mood for?¡± He asked, extra gentle today.


    I turned to him and asked, ¡°Is Ms. Tackman still around?¡±


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    ¡°She¡¯s having lunch at her grandma¡¯s house today. Thereafter, she¡¯ll be heading straight back to Hanzora,¡± he answered.


    The moment the words left my mouth, I regretted them. <i>Why </i><i>did </i><i>I </i><i>even </i><i>ask</i><i>? </i>


    <i>Idiot</i>. <i>Big </i><i>mouth</i>.


    <i>Great</i>. <i>I </i><i>now </i>know <i>Shawn </i><i>kept </i><i>tabs </i><i>on </i><i>Queena¡¯s </i><i>every </i><i>move</i><i>. </i><i>Way </i><i>to </i><i>crush </i><i>my </i>own <i>spirit</i>.


    ¡°Oh.¡± I suddenly felt like wandering off alone to enjoy the scenery.


    Shawn looked at me, puzzled. ¡°You always see Queena as your enemy. You¡¯re hurting yourself for no reason. What¡¯s the point?¡±


    His words made my already bitter mood worse.


    ¡°There is no point. For lunch, I¡¯d rather explore on my own. You can head back to Hanzora on your own.¡± I used to hold back from saying what I really thought, always worried about how he¡¯d feel.


    But not anymore. If I wanted something, I¡¯d tell him. And if he tried to stop me, I had every right to throw a fit.


    Sure enough, Shawn¡¯s face darkened. He tapped his fingers against the car door. ¡°You want me to leave early because Ethan¡¯sing for that tech summit this afternoon, right? Did you two make ns?¡±


    ¡°What tech summit?¡± I was stunned and asked, ¡°I haven¡¯t heard anything about that.¡±


    Shawn gave me a fake smile and probed, ¡°Oh really? You expect me to believe that?¡±


    I was shocked. <i>No </i><i>way</i><i>. </i><i>Is </i><i>Ethan </i><i>actually </i><i>here </i><i>in </i><i>Sylvania</i><i>? </i>


    I nced at a row of banners pping in the breeze, attached to the nearby streetlights. In bold letters, they read: Wee to Sylvania Tech Summit, innovation for the future.


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    Shawn followed my gaze to those banners fluttering in the wind, his expression turning even more unpleasant.


    ¡°Tiffany,¡± he said, his voice low but sharp, ¡°it¡¯s good to be bold¡ªbut pick the right time and ce for it.¡± Then, in amanding tone, he said, ¡°Get in. We¡¯re going back to Hanzora.¡±


    I stared at those banners with aplicated expression. <i>Just </i><i>my </i><i>luck</i>.


    Once I was in the car, Shawn told the driver, ¡°Straight back to Hanzora, William.¡±


    The whole ride back, Shawn leaned back with his eyes closed. He took two work calls but otherwise didn¡¯t say a single word to me.


    Before heading home, we stopped by his family house to pick up Yuna.


    Lately, my mother¨Cinw had been spoiling her silly. The moment Yuna climbed into the car, she curled into myp and asked to be held while she napped.


    Shawn nced over at us. I didn¡¯t know what was going through his mind, but he probably noticed¨CI was cold toward him, but toward Yuna too.


    As the car rolled toward home, we passed by a familiar street. I noticed Shawn nce¨Cjust briefly¨Cat a shop nearby. His lips pressed into a thin line.


    That tiny action brought a flood of memories. Bittersweet ones.


    Shawn used to love the fig bars from that shop. I¡¯d always go out of my way to stop and pick up a pack so he could have them when he got home from work.


    But this time, I didn¡¯t even mention it. He probably felt a little disappointed.


    <i>Haha</i>, <i>too </i><i>bad </i><i>for </i><i>you</i><i>, </i><i>jerk</i><i>. </i><i>I¡¯m </i><i>done </i><i>being </i><i>nice </i><i>to </i><i>a </i><i>guy </i>who <i>never </i><i>deserved </i><i>it</i>.


    Yuna soon drifted off to sleep in my arms. Shawn¡¯s voice came darkly, ¡°When are you going to buy me those fig bars again?¡±


    I was brushing Yuna¡¯s sweaty hair out of her face when I heard him ask that childishly.

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    ¡°I don¡¯t want to stand in line,¡± Shawn said, his tone sharp and full of attitude.


    ¡°I don¡¯t either,¡± I replied, watching him with a grin. ¡°Why don¡¯t you ask Ms. Tackman for help? I¡¯m sure she¡¯d be happy to.¡±


    ¡°Tiffany, are you done yet?¡± Shawn¡¯s face darkened with irritation.


    Just like that, the mood soured. All it took was one sentence from me to ruin the atmosphere.


    Maybe it was because I didn¡¯t buy those fig bars. That seemed to be the spark that lit the fuse. Shawn ignored me for the next three days and nights. Two of those nights, he didn¡¯t evene home.


    If he was going to ignore me, I wasn¡¯t about to go chasing after him like some desperate puppy. Luckily, work kept me swamped, and I barely had a second to spare between meetings and workouts.


    Lately, Yuna had taken up a new hobby¨Ccrafting. She begged me to sign her up for a ss. I did, but I stopped taking her to the ss myself. That job now belonged to the driver.


    Yuna noticed. And she was not happy about it.


    One night, it started raining. Out of the blue, Yuna disappeared. The driver¡¯s frantic state nearly caused him to have a heart attack. He called both Shawn and me, and even the teachers from the center ran out to help look for her.


    Shawn was out in the rain, searching for her like a madman. Honestly, in that moment, I panicked <i>too</i>.


    After more than an hour of searching in the downpour, Yuna finally came running out from a storage room of the center building. When she saw all of us, soaked to the bone, she realized just how serious our situation was.


    For the first time, I saw Shawnpletely lose it. He stormed over, gave her a couple of light swats on the backside¨Cnot enough to hurt, just enough to make a


    Chapter 89 I Can¡¯t Love Her


    point¨Cand then wrapped her up in a tight hug.


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    Yuna was stubborn. She didn¡¯t cry when he hit her, but when he pulled her close, she broke down, sobbing and apologizing over and over. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I won¡¯t hide again. I promise.¡±


    On the ride home, all three of us were drenched. Yuna kept sniffling in the back


    seat.


    ¡°I¡¯m still crying,¡± she said. ¡°I just wanted to scare Mommy. She doesn¡¯te with me to ss anymore.¡±


    I crossed my arms, my face tightening. Her words hit a nerve. ¡°Your life is yours. If you lose it¡ªif someone kidnaps you¨Cwe¡¯ll be heartbroken for a while. But I¡¯ll eventually believe it was fate. And I¡¯ll still n to live to 99. You hear me?¡±


    Her little body trembled in fright. Her eyes widened as tears flowed down her face. Yuna stared back at me, and she began to cry again. Shawn pulled a long face and turned to me with frustration. ¡°She¡¯s scared enough. Don¡¯t make it worse.¡±


    ¡°And what? Let her think this was okay to scare the hell out of us! Didn¡¯t she do something wrong? What if something really happened? We¡¯d never see her again. Do you know why things like this happen? Because she was spoiled and never taught better!¡± My voice cracked. My eyes burned with angry tears. I¡¯d raised her with love, and now she used her disappearance to punish me.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Mommy. I really am. I won¡¯t do it again.¡± Yuna reached out and tugged my arm. ¡°I just wanted you to spend more time with me. I didn¡¯t mean to hurt you.¡±


    I looked at her apologetic face. I wanted so badly to love her like I used to¡ªbut I couldn¡¯t. I knew what she would grow up to be. I knew where her heart would eventually wander. Even now, looking so small and in need of love, I dared not let myself love her <i>too </i>easily.


    ¡°If you know you¡¯re wrong, then fix it. This is my first time being a mother too. Why should I always be the one who has to give in?¡± My mood turned more awful as I spoke. I curled over on my knees, quietly crying.


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    A strong hand reached out, pulling me gently into a hug. ¡°Alright,¡± Shawn said softly. ¡°You¡¯re crying louder than the kid now. I know you were scared. I¡¯ll hire a full¨Ctime nanny to stay with Yuna. She won¡¯t be alone again.¡±


    ¡°I want Mommy.¡± Yuna mumbled.


    Her words pierced my heart. I didn¡¯t even know how to educate her anymore.


    Shawn looked shaken too. When we got home, he didn¡¯t say much. Yuna went straight to her room, curled up on her bed, and kept crying. Shawn and I both took showers and changed into dry clothes.


    Eventually, we stood together by her bedside. Yuna yanked the nket over her head, trying to hide her face from us.


    I walked over, sat down, and pulled it back.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± She pouted, ring at me.


    ¡°Running away when things get tough¨Cwhat are you, a coward?¡± I snapped.


    She looked at me, hurt, then turned to Shawn. ¡°What else am I supposed to do? You¡¯re just going to yell at me again.¡±


    ¡°You knew we¡¯d scolded you and still did it?¡± I gave a bitterugh.


    She pouted, still not sure if she understood just how serious what she had done


    was.


    Shawn¡¯s voice turned serious. ¡°Yuna, promise me that this won¡¯t ever happen again.¡±


    3/

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    Ever since Yuna could understand things, she¡¯d always held a quiet respect¡ª maybe even fear¨Cfor Shawn. This was particrly evident when he spoke with his stern face. Whenever that happened, Yuna would take his words to heart and store them away like sacredmandments.


    ¡°Yes, Daddy, I promise.¡± Yuna raised her hand solemnly. ¡°But can you ask Mommy to leave the room?<b>¡± </b>


    Shawn¡¯s brow creased. I didn¡¯t wait for a word from him¨CI got up and walked straight out.


    He reached out and grabbed my arm, but I pulled away with force.


    Well, that just proved it again. I was just the delivery truck. They¨Cfather and daughter¨Cwere the real family.


    Downstairs, Mona was making dinner. When she saw me, she offered a warm smile. ¡°Mrs. Hartwell, just a few more minutes and dinner will be ready.¡±


    ¡°No rush. Take your time,¡± I replied with a soft smile.


    Outside in the hallway, one of the maids was mopping. Rain had blown in under the porch, leaving puddles on the wooden floor.


    The rain had finally stopped.


    I stepped out into the garden for some air; I needed some fresh air more than anything. Not long after, I felt Shawn behind me.


    He said, ¡°Don¡¯t take it out on Yuna. She¡¯s just a kid. You have to guide her, not fight


    her.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not fighting her,¡± I murmured, eyes fixed on the green leaves at my feet. ¡°She just doesn¡¯t like me as her mother.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s nonsense,¡± he said, his voice sharp with disbelief. ¡°What kid doesn¡¯t love their mother?<b>¡± </b>


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    I turned to him, a trace of sarcasm curling on my ups. ¡°Then maybe you should find her a new mother. I¡¯m sure Ms. Tackman would get along with her just fine.¡±


    ¡°Tiffany, do you even hear yourself right now?¡± Shawn¡¯s face darkened like a storm cloud.


    I raised a brow, voice cool. ¡°Can you honestly swear to God you haven¡¯t thought about it?¡±


    Shawn choked on his words. ¡°That¡¯s ridiculous,¡± he snapped.


    And with that, he turned and went inside for dinner. I stayed out, breathing in the cool air; my mood strangely felt better.


    I remembered the old days, when I knew full well he was wrapped up with Queena, and I still suppressed myself, never even mentioning her name for fear it would end our marriage.


    Now? That dreaded name rolls off my tongue with ease. I suppose that¡¯s progress, in its own twisted way.


    Shawn called Yuna down for dinner. She might have cried herself hungry, as she ate two servings of pasta and sneaked nces at me between bites to gauge my mood.


    I kept my expression neutral. Since I¡¯d decided to stop caring about her, there was no point in pretending.


    ¡°I¡¯m full,¡± Yuna said, setting down her spoon. ¡°Dad, Mom, I¡¯m going upstairs to watch cartoons!¡±


    She darted up the stairs without waiting for a reply. Shawn didn¡¯t say another word to me, probably still mad about earlier. I was fine with the silence.


    The night passed quietly.


    But the next morning, Susanna showed up¨Cwith Hazel in tow.


    Susanna hurriedly ascended the stairs. I was putting on makeup when she stormed


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    into the room, pointing a finger right at me. ¡°Do you call yourself a mother?¡± she scolded. ¡°Yuna almost got lost yesterday! This can¡¯t happen again¨Cdo you hear me? She¡¯s my granddaughter; she¡¯s precious. I don¡¯t care how upset you are; you¡¯re not to yell at her, and you sure as heck better noty a hand on her again.¡±


    I didn¡¯t need to ask¨CI knew Yuna had called her grandma and spilled the whole thing. She¡¯d probably even eavesdropped from outside the room, knowing full well that I¡¯d never talk back to my mother¨Cinw. Yuna was clever like that. She knew exactly who had the authority to keep me in line.


    ¡°Suzanna,¡± I said calmly, ¡°spoiling a child is just as harmful as ignoring them. She disappears now, and one day she¡¯ll run away from home or get into worse trouble. Would you really be okay with that?¡±


    Susanna froze. For a moment, the possibility seemed to hit her. ¡°Even if you¡¯re trying to teach her something,¡± she said, softening a little, ¡°you could be gentler. She¡¯s a girl, after all.¡±


    ¡°Sheins to you every time I discipline her,¡± I said quietly, turning to face her. ¡°How am I supposed to teach her anything if she keeps bringing in the cavalry every time? asionally, I felt powerless.¡±


    Susanna looked at me and seemed to see something different for once- something worn¨Cout and tired.


    ¡°Fine,¡± she sighed. ¡°You and Shawn figure this out between yourselves. I¡¯ll take Yuna to school today. Shawn said he wants to hire a full¨Ctime nanny. I¡¯ll take care of it. I¡¯ll find someone she likes.¡±


    ¡°Thank you,¡± I said softly.


    We went downstairs together. Hazel was sitting on the couch, ying with Yuna, who wasughing like she didn¡¯t have a care in the world.


    But when she spotted me, her smile vanished. She turned her face away and pouted.


    Hazel saw the whole thing, hands on her hips. ¡°Tiffany, what did you do to her? You¡¯re scaring the poor girl. You¡¯re like a mama bear on a rampage.¡±


    ¡­


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    ¡°Hazel, that¡¯s enough; you can¡¯t use your sister¨Cinw like that.¡± Shawn cut in sharply. ¡°You all should head out.¡±


    Hazel quickly picked up Yuna¡¯s backpack, and Susanna took the little girl¡¯s hand in hers, swaying it gently, and said, ¡°Say goodbye to your parents.¡±

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    Yuna suddenly called out in a bright voice, ¡°Bye, Dad! Bye, Mom!¡±


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    She was a well¨Cbehaved little girl who always knew how to act just right in front of the grown¨Cups.


    I was sitting at the dining table, eating my breakfast slowly. Shawn had already finished his and was on the couch, taking a phone call.


    I could vaguely hear bits and pieces of what he was saying¨Cit sounded like he was giving someone instructions to handle something.


    Perhaps I had been a professional eavesdropper in a previous life, as the instant Shawn picked up the phone, my ears would be alert like a radar. And of course, I couldn¡¯t help suspecting it was Queena on the other end.


    That suspicion hadn¡¯t changed one bit today. If he had nothing to hide, why step outside to take the call?


    Shawn came back in and asked<i>, </i>¡°Are you heading to the office or going to the hotel today?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m going to the hotel,¡± I replied. ¡°They¡¯re delivering some materials, and I want to be there to check on things myself.¡±


    He paused for a moment and said, ¡°You don¡¯t always need to handle everything personally. I assigned people to help you, remember?¡±


    ¡°I know,¡± I nodded. ¡°They¡¯re good, but I¡¯d like to learn more by doing things myself.¡±


    Shawn didn¡¯t say anything else. He walked out, and not long after, I heard his car drive off.


    After breakfast, I headed straight to the hotel. Unexpectedly, Queena¡¯s cousin was running the deliverypany today. I had seen him in my past life¨Ca pretty boy with the looks of a heartthrob but engaged in despicable and immoral activities.


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    In his words, he wasn¡¯t interested in young women¨Che was into married ones.


    At this very moment, he hopped out of his Porsche, and his eyes lit up the moment he saw me. He dashed over with an outstretched hand and a wide grin. ¡°Mrs. Hartwell, it¡¯s such a pleasure to be working with you. I guarantee everything we¡¯ve got is top quality. Why don¡¯t you double¨Ccheck?¡±


    His words were full of implications, but I kept a calm, distant tone. ¡°No need. If there¡¯s any problem, I¡¯ll just go straight to court.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m Noah Lawrence, by the way. My cousin Queena is yourpany¡¯s vice president. You¡¯ve met her, haven¡¯t you?¡± His eyes were practically glued to me, scanning me up and down like I was on disy.


    I found his gaze repulsive. And yet, what made me even more ufortable was the fact that Shawn had picked Queena¡¯s cousin to work with me. Was this his way to make me sick?


    Shawn¡¯s actions hurt me again. But if I couldn¡¯t handle even Queena¡¯s cousin without flinching, what kind of dreams and goals could I talk about?


    Sometimes, to grow stronger, you had to ept the things and people that made your skin crawl.


    I¡¯ve always believed that an ambitious woman needs incredible resilience and a sharp sense <i>of </i>direction.


    Forget reputation. Climb, push, and maneuver¡ªwhatever it takes, use what you and build something thatsts. Just make sure you always put yourself first.


    can,


    Later, I brewed a pot of tea in the lounge and invited Noah to sit and have a cup. He looked thrilled and told me, ¡°Mrs. Hartwell, I just asked around and heard that you guys haven¡¯t finalized the wardrobe order yet. Is that true?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, we¡¯re still discussing it.¡±


    ¡°Well, why don¡¯t you let mypany handle it? I¡¯ll give you the best price- guaranteed.¡± Noah might be more skilled at flirting than business, but his silver tongue worked either way.


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    ¡°Alright, send me a quote, and I¡¯ll take a look,¡± I said. Since it was an open bidding process, I needed topare a few offers anyway.


    ¡°Will do. I¡¯ll have my team send it over.¡± He nodded eagerly, then added, ¡°How about lunch? My treat.¡±


    I smiled politely. ¡°Sure. That¡¯s very kind of you.¡±


    ¡°No trouble at all. Just d you¡¯re willing to join me.¡± Despite the sleazy look in his eyes, he was aware of who I was and was determined not to cross the boundary. Or at least, I hoped he wouldn¡¯t. Who knew¨Cmaybe Queena had told him to flirt with me, get some dirt to use against me for Shawn¡¯s benefit.


    Just as I agreed to lunch with Noah, my phone rang. It was Shawn.


    I got up and stepped into the office to take the call. ¡°What are you doing for lunch today?¡± he asked.


    ¡°One of the suppliers invited me out,¡± I replied. ¡°I said yes. It¡¯s just part of the job, right?¡±


    ¡°Which supplier?¡± His voice grew colder.


    ¡°It¡¯s a young guy. Said he¡¯s Queena¡¯s cousin. Noah Lawrence. He¡¯s quite a character,¡± I said, maintaining a light tone. ¡°Oh, and about the wardrobe order¡ª we¡¯re still negotiating prices. I asked him to send me a quote too.¡±


    ¡°Your brother¡¯s in Hanzora. Has he called you?¡± Shawn cut me off,


    ¡°What?¡± I shot up from the couch. ¡°Lionel¡¯s here? Where is he?¡±


    ¡°He just got in from Sylvania yesterday, with a few of his buddies. I thought he¡¯d have reached out to you.¡±


    ¡°He didn¡¯t,¡± I muttered, feeling a little hurt. Lionel Mayfield was my own brother- and he¡¯d only contacted Shawn when he was in the city?


    Then again, I almost forgot. Shawn was the wealthy, generous, and consistently reliable brother¨Cinw. Lionel idolized him and had been swearing for years he


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    ¡°I asked him to lunch. You¡¯re his sister¨Cwouldn¡¯t it look bad if you didn¡¯t show up?¡± Shawn said casually on the phone.


    ¡°Send me the address,¡± I muttered.


    He chuckled softly on the other end. ¡°Don¡¯t be mad. Lionel¡¯s just here for fun.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not mad.¡± I hung up right after.


    A momentter, Shawn texted me the restaurant address.


    I stepped outside and told Noah I had something going on at noon. He looked disappointed but quickly bounced back and asked if I was free for dinner the day after tomorrow. I said yes.


    By the time I got to the restaurant, Lionel was already there, chatting with a few friends. One of them¨Ca sweet¨Clooking girl with sses¨Cwas leaning on his shoulder, smiling like the whole world had gone soft. The chemistry between them was obvious.


    ¡°Hey, Tiffany.¡± Lionel jumped when he saw me at the door. ¡°What are you doing here?¡±


    I smiled. ¡°Shawn invited me. He¡¯s not here yet?¡±


    Lionel rushed over and grabbed my arm, panic written all over his face. ¡°Tiffany, let¡¯s talk outside.¡±


    We walked under the shade of a tree. I pulled my arm out of his grasp and got straight to the point. ¡°Alright, how much did you ask Shawn for this time?¡±


    ¡°Not much. Just a bit of pocket change,¡± Lionel mumbled, seeing my face darken. <i>¡°</i>Come on, don¡¯t be mad, okay? I brought my girlfriend here for a little getaway. Didn¡¯t want to bother you. Aren¡¯t you needed to take care of Yuna?¡±


    I looked at my little brother. Still a college kid, still kind of innocent in his way. Found a girlfriend; probably just wants to show off a bit. I got it.


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    But still, he came all the way to Hanzora and didn¡¯t reach out to me first. That stung a little.


    Shawn had a unique ability to captivate people. My whole family practically worshipped him. He was polite, generous, and always put on the perfect act¨Cwho wouldn¡¯t like him?


    ¡°The ce Shawn booked for us¡ªit¡¯s like a paradise. Tsk, tsk, it¡¯s so beautiful,¡± Lionel sighed, starry¨Ceyed. ¡°Man, rich people really know how to live.¡±


    A weird mix of emotions stirred in my chest. Lionel was my brother and a decent guy at heart. Our parents wanted him to go into public service, and he did; he even passed the exam for a spot here in Hanzora. He worked for a few years before quitting because the pay didn¡¯t align with his desired lifestyle. He decided to take <i>a </i>risk andunch a business alongside some friends. With Shawn¡¯s help, he got into international trade and started making real money. But by his forties, he got cocky -money, power, women, you name it. He was drunk on it all.


    I had no idea how his life would turn out in this lifetime.


    But seeing him now, in his early twenties, full of hope and energy¡ªit hit me right


    in the heart.


    I couldn¡¯t help but pull him into a hug. Lionel lookedpletely stunned. A secondter, he blushed and pushed me off. ¡°Tiffany,e on. We¡¯re adults. Don¡¯t hug me like that. My girlfriend¡¯s watching!¡±


    I switched to tugging on his ear instead. ¡°Ow! Okay, okay, I¡¯m sorry!¡± he cried. ¡°Next time I¡¯m in town, I swear, you¡¯ll be the first one I call. If I don¡¯t¨Check, you can punish me!¡±


    ¡°Forget it,¡± I said,ughing despite my anger. I let go of his ear and sighed, ¡°Go back inside. I¡¯ll wait here for Shawn here.¡±


    Lionel dashed back into the private room, grinning.


    Not long after, a sleek silver Bentley pulled up, glinting under the sun.


    Shawn stepped out in a in white tee and gray pants, looking effortlessly rxed.


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    ¡°Why are you standing out here? Waiting for me?¡± He asked with a smile.


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    A soft breeze blew across theke behind us. I felt the moisture in the air brush against my skin. My hair lifted and danced around my waist.


    I tucked a few strands behind my ear and said, ¡°Thanks for arranging a ce for Lionel. And for looking out for him.¡±


    For a second, the look in his eyes froze, but then he smiled. ¡°I¡¯m his brother¨Cin-w. It¡¯s no big deal; you don¡¯t have to thank me.¡±


    ¡°It is a big deal,¡± I said quietly. ¡°I know I once told you that, as a husband, I¡¯d only give you a 60 out of a 100. But as a man, you¡¯d score over 90.¡±


    His eyebrows lifted. ¡°Oh yeah?¡±


    I nodded.


    His mood suddenly turned lighter, more cheerful. He reached out and took my fingers in his. ¡°You don¡¯t need to be so polite with me. We¡¯re married, remember? And since you¡¯re grading me, do you want to know what score I¡¯d give you?¡±


    I paused, slowing my steps. ¡°Probably failing.¡±


    Shawn shook his head and said, ¡°You did not ce first in the ss, but you did pass.¡±


    I yanked my hand away. ¡°Well, I guess I¡¯m not your star student then. It seems someone else holds that title, right?


    Shawn looked at me in puzzlement. Whatever vibe we¡¯d just built, it vanished instantly.

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    ¡°Tiffany, let¡¯s have a proper meal today, okay? No more dramatic outbursts.¡±


    I quickened my pace. Shawn, with his long legs, caught up effortlessly. As we entered the private dining room, he casually wrapped his arm around my waist, ying the part of a loving husband.


    My younger brother and his friends immediately stood up when we walked in, greeting us cheerfully.


    The group of young guys blushed when they saw me, and their voices dropped noticeablypared to earlier.


    Even the girl wearing sses sitting beside my brother looked at me in stunned silence.


    ¡°Uh, Tiffany and Shawn, this is Jora Craig. S¨Cshe¡¯s my girlfriend,¡± Lionel stammered, scratching the back of his head, his face red as a tomato.


    Ah, youth. Love always makes the young blush so easily.


    That scene reminded me of the night I first met Shawn¨Cduring a backstage break at intermission. He had walked in with a few folks from the student council. I had thought he was just another university student, but something about him didn¡¯t quite match the typical vibe. He looked at me with a gentle smile, and back then, just that one nce had my heart racing and my cheeks burning.


    But those butterflies had long since drowned in the still waters of our marriage.


    I smiled politely, making small talk. Shawn yed the part well¨Cwarm, courteous, and gracious.


    Jora seemed sweet and soft¨Cspoken. She looked innocent enough, but I knew deep down she wouldn¡¯t be the one my brother married someday. In my previous life, she wasn¡¯t even in the picture. Who knows¨Cmaybe this lifetime will be different.


    ¡°Tiffany, Mom, and Dad are hoping I¡¯lle home after graduation and take the civil service exam. What do you think?¡± Lionel¡¯s face clouded as we chatted.


    Chapter 93 Crush His Dream


    â}


    ¡°Honestly, I don¡¯t really want to. I¡¯d rather learn the business from Shawn.¡±


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    Shawn was sipping his tea, but he gave a small smile when he heard this. ¡°Why not? If you¡¯re interested, I can teach you.¡±


    ¡°No,¡± I said firmly, shutting down my brother¡¯s dreams before they could bloom. ¡°Your main priority right now is finishing school. You¡¯re only a sophomore¡ª there¡¯s plenty of time to figure things out.¡±


    I didn¡¯t want him to build castles in the air. By the time he graduates, Shawn won¡¯t even be his brother¨Cinw anymore. If I let this y out, it¡¯d just turn into a joke down the road.


    Shawn nced at me deeply, his gaze lingering on my face for a few seconds.


    My brother looked a bit deted but didn¡¯t dare argue. He gave a quiet okay, ying the obedient little brother role.


    Seeing Lionel that disappointed made me silently vow to work harder on my own business. I didn¡¯t want to be one of those sisters who sacrifice everything for their brother, but if I had the means one day, I¡¯d help him.


    The meal was pleasant¨Cyoung folks, plenty to talk about. Before we left, I pulled a cash gift out of my purse and slipped it discreetly into Jora¡¯s hand.


    She blushed intensely and attempted to decline, but ultimately, she gave in.


    ¡°Tiffany, we¡¯re probably catching the train back to Zleson this afternoon. We¡¯ll visit Yuna next time,¡± Lionel said.


    I nodded. ¡°No worries. Just take care on the way, ande visit again soon.¡±


    They left in Shawn¡¯spany car, which meant he had to ride with me back to the office.


    ¡°Those guys were all tongue¨Ctied when they saw you,¡± Shawn joked, settling into the passenger seat.


    ¡°Did they? Oh please, they¡¯re just young and shy.¡± I¡¯d been that age once. I knew


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    how it felt.


    ¡°But why were they shy?¡± Shawn pressed.


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    I shot him a sideways nce and asked in displeasure, ¡°What exactly are you trying to say?¡±


    His eyes flicked down toward my slightly open neckline. ¡°Maybe don¡¯t wear something like this next time. It¡¯s not really appropriate for you.¡±


    I ridiculed, ¡°What, are you my mom now? Someone designed this dress for a reason¨Cbecause it¡¯s meant to be worn.¡±


    Shawn didn¡¯t respond. His aura turned heavy in the air.


    After a while, I remembered something and asked, ¡°How much money did you give my brother?¡±


    He chuckled, clearly amused. ¡°Rx. He¡¯s your brother¨Cif anything, I gave him more, not less.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t give him any more,¡± I reminded him sharply. ¡°Seriously.¡±


    Shawn frowned, clearly annoyed. ¡°What now? Too much or too little¨Cyou¡¯re never happy. Are you just looking for something to argue about?¡±


    I was stunned.


    His reaction reminded me of the fights we had when we visited my parents¡® house after getting married. Those had all been marital disagreements¨Cnot real conflicts between our families.


    ¡°That was then. Now I¡¯ve had time to think it over,¡± I said calmly. ¡°My brother¡¯s still young. The monthly allowance from Mom and Dad shapes his understanding of money. I chip in too, but it¡¯s never more than a few thousand dors total. That falls within hisfortable financial range. If you suddenly hand him ten or a hundred grand, he¡¯ll start thinking he doesn¡¯t need to work for anything. He won¡¯t know how to control his spending. It¡¯s not good. Human nature is to take the easy way out. And right now, he¡¯s not earning anything¨Che doesn¡¯t get to live like he is.¡±


    Chapter 93 Crush His Dream


    I let all my concerns pour out at onc

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    Shawn leaned against the car door, his fingers gently brushing his lips as he stared at me, unblinking, with a grace that reminded me of a panther.


    ¡°You¡¯re not wrong to be worried,¡± he said smoothly. ¡°Alright, next time I won¡¯t give him that much.¡± He didn¡¯t argue¨Che actually agreed with me.


    I turned to nce at him and asked, ¡°How much did you give, exactly?¡±


    ¡°I give him a bank card. It has 30 grand on it.¡± He told me truthfully.


    My heart twisted. <i>Thirty </i><i>thousand </i><i>grand</i>? <i>Why </i><i>would </i><i>he </i><i>give </i><i>him </i><i>that </i><i>much</i><i>? </i>


    Shawn chuckled, trying to soothe me. ¡°Rx. A guy with a little money walks taller. Lionel¡¯s an adult now. He knows how to spend wisely. And hey¨Che¡¯s got a girlfriend now. That costs money.¡±


    I bit my lip. Shawn is always being considerate of Lionel. He really was the kind of brother¨Cinw who knew how to do the right thing.


    ¡°Stop giving him money in the future,¡± I said. ¡°I¡¯m not short on cash. I can take care of him.¡±


    Shawn raised an eyebrow and asked, ¡°What, getting all formal with me now?¡±


    I didn¡¯t answer that. I was already quietly gathering evidence to divorce him¨C<b>so </b>what if I was being formal?


    It¡¯s better to <i>draw </i><i>the </i><i>lines </i><i>early</i>. <i>That </i><i>way</i><i>, </i><i>when </i><i>the </i><i>divorce </i><i>came</i>, <i>there </i><i>wouldn¡¯t </i><i>be </i><i>extra </i><i>drama</i>.


    As the car pulled into the parking lot outside the office, Shawn said suddenly, ¡°Storm¡¯sing. Better park in the garage.¡±


    I nced up at the dark clouds rolling in. Sure enough, rain was on the way. Maybe Shawn really did care about this car. I didn¡¯t argue and turned toward the underground parking.


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    He had three private garages. I parked in one of them while Shawn got out first, standing to the side as I pulled in.


    Once I parked, he suddenly pressed the button <i>to </i>close the garage door.


    When I stepped out of the car, the garage was nearly pitch ck¨Conly the headlights carved out a bit of space around us.


    Then, out of nowhere, Shawn came up to me, gently pinned me against the car, and kissed me. ¡°Tiffany,¡± he murmured against my lips, ¡°Did I ever tell you how beautiful you looked back then¨Cshy and flushed?¡±


    I tried to dodge him, but he cupped my face, deepening the kiss.


    ¡°Shawn, are you out of your mind?¡± I protested. He was acting like a dog that was in heat, entirely ignoring where we were.


    Back then, he wouldn¡¯t even think about doing this sort of thing without a proper room and a soft bed.


    If I didn¡¯t take all my clothes off, he¡¯d say he wasn¡¯t in the mood.


    <i>Haha</i>, <i>men</i><i>. </i><i>What </i><i>they </i><i>say </i><i>and </i><i>what </i><i>they </i><i>do</i><i>¨C</i><i>never </i><i>quite </i><i>the </i><i>same</i><i>. </i>


    ¡°I¡¯m not out of my mind,¡± he said, his voice low and rough. ¡°Didn¡¯t even drink today. I¡¯mpletely sober.¡±


    I pushed against him, irritated. ¡°This is a garage. Please, just respect me a little.¡±


    ¡°Tiffany,¡± he said, unnervingly calm, ¡°sometimes a change of setting makes things feel different.¡± But his hands didn¡¯t stop. When I continued to resist him, suddenly he carried me into the backseat. He was all arms and legs¨Cnot easy to maneuver- but when a man was burned with desire, there¡¯s no stopping him.


    ¡°No. Stop,¡± I said firmly as things escted. ¡°We don¡¯t have protection.¡±


    Shawn kissed me again, deep and desperate. ¡°Didn¡¯t we pray to be blessed with a baby?¡±


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    My eyes went wide. Does this jerk still want a son?


    Before I could process it, he had already barged into my body.


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    I couldn¡¯t fight anymore; my resistance slowly faded away. My body lost control, and my mind went nk. I thought about the money he¡¯d given Lionel, and I sighed. In the end, wasn¡¯t this just part of the marital duty? Whether you enjoy it or not, it¡¯s all the same.


    Shawn was exceptionally excited today. Twice, each time trying something new, finally he released himself inside of me.


    He looked much happier afterward. When he noticed I still hadn¡¯t moved, he grinned. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Did I hurt you?¡±


    I finally sat up, fixed my clothes, and opened the garage door.


    Right then, a few female employees passed by outside, arms full of files.


    They didn¡¯t see everything, just enough to be startled and hurry off. I guess all they saw was me¨Cand a pair of long legs behind me that definitely belonged to Shawn.


    In the elevator, I didn¡¯t look at him. My expression was tense, unreadable.


    When we reached the first floor, I started to walk off. He grabbed my wrist and asked, ¡°Where are you going now?¡±


    ¡°I need to get some pills,¡± I said, yanking free and leaving.


    I didn¡¯t know what kind of expression he wore then. But one thing I knew for sure: I wasn¡¯t getting pregnant. Not again.


    When I got back from the pharmacy, there were already whispers circting through the office¨Cgarage gossip, no doubt.


    I guess I had nothing better to do. I snuck into one of the quieter restrooms, hoping to overhear a bit of what people were saying.


    As I sat on the toilet lid, I watched thest bar of battery vanish from my phone¡ª


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    and just like that, it shut off.

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    Ugh. So annoying. I thought I could scroll on my phone to kill time. Guess not- gotta find a charger first.


    I reached out to push the door open.


    Suddenly, the sharp click of high heels echoed in the room- more than one pair.


    Then, I heard a woman speak. ¡°Ms. Tackman, that gossip earlier has to be fake, right? It was just the garage door opening. People act like their marriage is picture perfect.¡±


    Queena responded coolly, ¡°I don¡¯t care what people say. It doesn¡¯t affect me. Shawn¡¯s coboration with my father¡¯s firm just started. I¡¯m only focused on tightening the partnership between ourpanies.¡±


    ¡°Do you love him, Ms. Tackman?¡± The other woman asked, curiosity in her voice. ¡°He¡¯s a married man, after all.¡±


    Queena gave a smallugh. ¡°To me, he¡¯s still the same Shawn I knew all those years ago. Married, kid or not¨Cit doesn¡¯t change a thing.¡±


    The other woman dropped her voice. ¡°But I¡¯ve heard Mrs. Hartwell¡¯s got a temper. You might be ying with fire.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t see her as a threat,¡± Queena said casually. ¡°She¡¯s just a nobody from some small town. Even if she throws a tantrum, she¡¯s nothing more than a sideshow act. Sure, a clown can be entertaining for a moment, but never for a lifetime. Shawn¡¯s still young. He¡¯s got a long road ahead of him.¡± Her words hit me like a dagger stabbed straight into the chest; my heart thudded violently.


    Honestly speaking, <i>I¡¯m </i><i>Shawn¡¯s </i>legal wife <i>anyway</i>. <i>But </i><i>in </i><i>Queena¡¯s </i><i>eyes</i>, I wasn¡¯t even worthy of <i>being </i>considered <i>a </i><i>rival</i><i>. </i><i>She </i>was <i>unbelievably </i>arrogant.


    ¡°Yeah, you¡¯re right,¡± the other woman murmured. ¡°Other than a pretty face, what does she know about business? I doubt she even knows how much money Mr. Hartwell has. She¡¯s probably just happy ying house with a few bucks. The other woman seemed to cover her mouth to suppress her giggle.


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    ¡°Just treat her like air,¡± Queena added as she touched up her make¨Cup. ¡°I don¡¯t want my image ruined because of her. Let¡¯s dy the meeting another half hour¨Cmy dad¡¯s people are stuck in traffic.¡±


    ¡°Got it,¡± the woman replied. Then the sound of their heels faded down the hallway.


    I was frozen in the cubicle wall; my arms were stiff, and my hand was still on the door like I was about to walk out. After a minute, I finally stepped out¨Cand saw it. A red heart drawn in lipstick on the mirror. No idea who did it.


    A spark of rage red up inside me. That dumb heart was sharp¨Cit stirred up a storm in the calm waters of my heart. Does Queena really see me as nothing?


    <i>Haha</i>. <i>She¡¯s </i><i>just </i><i>like </i><i>her </i><i>past </i><i>self</i><i>¡ª</i><i>arrogant </i><i>to </i><i>the </i><i>bone</i>. <i>Back </i><i>then</i><i>, </i><i>she </i><i>was </i><i>the </i><i>other </i><i>woman </i><i>¡ªalways </i><i>graceful</i><i>, </i><i>always </i><i>above </i><i>it </i><i>all</i><i>. </i><i>She </i><i>swooped in</i><i>, </i><i>took </i><i>everything </i><i>I </i><i>had</i><i>, </i>and <i>I </i>was <i>left </i><i>as </i><i>the </i><i>discarded </i>wife<i>. </i><i>People </i><i>called </i><i>me washed</i><i>¨C</i><i>up</i>, <i>bitter</i><i>, </i><i>and </i><i>clueless</i>. <i>Told </i><i>me </i><i>I </i><i>should¡¯ve </i><i>just </i><i>stepped </i><i>aside </i><i>with </i><i>some </i><i>dignity</i>.


    <i>Queena </i><i>strutted </i><i>around </i><i>in </i><i>expensive </i><i>clothes</i><i>, hand </i><i>in </i><i>hand </i><i>with </i><i>Shawn </i><i>in </i><i>public</i>, <i>conquering </i><i>the </i><i>business </i><i>world </i><i>like </i><i>they </i><i>were </i><i>royalty</i>. <i>The </i><i>rumors </i><i>became increasingly </i><i>absurd </i><i>each </i><i>day</i><i>. </i><i>People </i><i>even </i><i>came </i><i>to </i><i>me </i><i>with </i><i>kind </i><i>advice</i><i>, </i><i>saying </i><i>half </i><i>the </i><i>money </i>I <i>spent </i><i>was </i><i>probably </i><i>earned </i><i>by </i><i>Queena</i>, so <i>I </i><i>should </i><i>just </i><i>turn </i><i>a </i><i>blind </i><i>eye</i>.


    I stared at the woman in the mirror¨Cthe one who refused to back down. In her sharp eyes, ambition and unwillingness started to burn.


    I clenched my fists tightly. If I¡¯m really going through with this divorce, then I want to leave a scar on Queena¡¯s perfect little heart before I go.


    <i>She </i>looked down <i>on </i><i>me </i><i>and </i><i>saw </i><i>me </i><i>as </i><i>air</i><i>? </i>


    Well, even air can be toxic. And toxic air suffocates.


    I grabbed my lipstick and shed a bold X right over that heart,


    Challenge epted.


    <i>Am </i><i>I </i><i>being </i><i>impulsive</i><i>? </i>


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    My original n was simple: divorce Shawn, take the settlement, leave the kid behind, and walk away clean.


    <i>Why </i><i>has </i><i>the </i><i>situation </i><i>be </i><iplicated </i><i>now</i><i>? </i>


    I haven¡¯t gotten any solid proof for the divorce. And weirdly, the same Shawn who used to fool around was now clingier than ever. Yuna was still rebellious and acted like I didn¡¯t exist, but I¡¯m slowly detaching myself emotionally. At least she can¡¯t hurt me that easily anymore.


    Maybe Mnie was right. The best move for now was to y the long game¨Cmess up with Shawn¡¯s heart a bit, then strike when the time is right. If I¡¯m going to leave, I¡¯m leaving with a big check.


    My mind was still in chaos when I got back to the office. I plugged in my phone, and the work calls didn¡¯t stop until nightfall. Shawn messaged me, saying he had dinner ns with the reps from the Tackman Group, and I should go home early to spend time with Yuna.


    I watched as Queena changed out of her gray power suit into an elegant ivory dress. Her makeup was wless, and her eyes glinted with ambition. She looked every bit like the rightful queen.


    She didn¡¯t even spare a nce for my feelings with all these. She simply walked past me, exuding calmness and confidence. Then she called a few people over, telling them to bring documents because they might need them during dinner.


    I stared at her. With every move, she was silently mocking me¨Cthe legal wife.

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    Shawn stepped out of his office. Maybe tonight¡¯s dinner was important¨Che was dressed in a crisp white shirt, a sleek watch on his left wrist. When he saw me standing in the hallway, he walked over to speak with me. I caught a glimpse of a glint on his ring finger.


    For a second, I thought I was imagining things.


    But no¨CI looked again, and it was real. The diamond wedding band he once tossed into the bookshelf drawer had found its way back onto his hand.


    People say a man in a white shirt with a ring on his finger gives off husband vibes.


    <i>So </i><i>what </i><i>exactly </i><i>was </i><i>Shawn </i><i>trying </i><i>to </i><i>show </i><i>by </i><i>doing </i><i>this</i><i>? </i>


    <i>Maybe </i><i>once </i><i>he </i><i>got </i><i>in </i><i>the </i><i>car</i>, <i>he¡¯d </i><i>slip </i><i>the </i><i>ring </i><i>back </i><i>into </i><i>his </i><i>pocket</i>. <i>Who </i><i>knows</i><i>? </i>


    ¡°Why are you still here? I had William take Yuna home already,¡± he said, ncing at his watch.


    ¡°On your way back, pick her up a little something to make her smile.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not happening,¡± I said as I turned towards the elevator. ¡°The house is already overflowing with her toys.¡±


    He didn¡¯t push it and said no more.


    Just as I stepped inside the elevator, Queena came over to talk to him. They stood side by side


    -oddly fitting, in a way I couldn¡¯t quite exin.


    That¡¯s when it hit me. Even though I spent so much effort putting myself together every day, Queena exuded a kind of ambition and hunger that matched Shawn¡¯s energy perfectly. They just looked like a match with each other.


    Whatever. I wasn¡¯t going to make myself upset over it. Maybe they lookedpatible because they were sharing a bed. People who sleep together¨Cof course their energy starts to sync up.


    When I got home, Yuna was out in the backyard, feeding her miniature pony. It had been freshly washed by the maid, its tiny coat shining under the evening sun. As soon as she saw my car pulling in, she shouted, ¡°Mommy,e feed the pony with me!¡±


    I walked over. Yuna pointed at the pony¡¯s belly and said, ¡°Look! I gave it so much hay; its tummy is all round and full.¡±


    I nodded and urged, ¡°Don¡¯t give him too much, sweetie. You don¡¯t want him to get sick.¡±


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    Yuna pouted and argued, ¡°If he dies from cating too much, it¡¯s okay. We¡¯ll just get another one.¡±


    ¡°What did you say?¡± I blinked, unsure if I¡¯d heard her right. But that¡¯s precisely what came out of her mouth.


    ¡°Nothing,¡± she mumbled quickly, realizing it probably wasn¡¯t the right thing to say. Her big eyes widened as she stared at me. ¡°Mommy, why have you been so grumpytely? You¡¯re kind of scary when you get mad.¡±


    ¡°Yuna, at school ¡­ don¡¯t your teachers talk to you about being a good person?¡± I sat down on the garden bench and looked straight at her.


    ¡°They do,¡± she said with a little shrug. ¡°But I already know everything they teach. I consistently finish my homework first. She beamed, proud. ¡°They say I¡¯m really smart. I told them that my dad¡¯s really smart too.¡±


    It was true¨CYuna was gifted with learning. But intelligence doesn¡¯t equal character. In another life, Yuna had grown up to be a picture¨Cperfect egoist. Maybe it was her time studying abroad -soaking in all that freedom, individuality, and equality belief¨Cthat made her drift away from the values I once tried to raise her with.


    I remembered when my mother passed. Yuna had stood there, emotionless, not shedding a single tear. That moment shattered something inside me.


    ¡°Mom, what are you thinking about again?¡± Yuna asked suddenly. ¡°I¡¯m going to grab my race cars from upstairs. Let¡¯s <i>y </i>racing, okay?¡± She didn¡¯t feel like feeding the pony anymore. A momentter, she came back with a little cart filled with toy race cars.


    She sorted them carefully, then handed me a remote. ¡°Let¡¯s race! Whoever loses has to listen to the winner.¡±


    I looked at her, my heart a tangled mess. I couldn¡¯tpletely detach myself from her, not yet. She was still young. Watching her tiny figure dart around, I would always feel a flicker of hesitation.


    ¡°Come on, Mom! Let¡¯s y. Whoever loses has to listen to the other person, no questions asked!¡± Yuna pouted and begged.


    That got my attention. ¡°Really? You lose; you do what I say?¡±


    Yuna nodded eagerly. ¡°Promise! No take¨Cbacks!¡±


    Her expression fired up something in me¨Can unexpected urge to win.


    No matter how clever Yuna was, she was still a kid. I used to let her win deliberately in every


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    game we yed. I wanted her to feel confident, taste victory, and build self¨Cworth.


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    ¡°Mom, you¡¯re going too fast! Slow down!¡± She cried out, assuming I¡¯d go easy on her again. But this time, I didn¡¯t hold back. My car zoomed past hers, leaving her in the dust. She stomped her feet in frustration.


    ¡°Again! I¡¯m definitely going to beat you this time!¡± Herpetitive streak red up as she spoke.


    ¡°Bring it on,¡± I said coolly.


    Second round. Third round. I won them all. Yuna plopped down on the grass, legs folded, eyes welling up with tears. She threw her controller onto the ground and cried out, ¡°No fair! You¡¯re a grown¨Cup¨Cyou¡¯re obviously faster than me! This is so unfair!¡±

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    I watched as she tossed her toys aside and said sternly, ¡°Pick those up and put them back in the yroom.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to! Mommy¡¯s being mean!¡± Yuna sulked, dropping to her knees, hugging herself, and burying her face in her arms.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to count to three.¡± By now, I¡¯d stopped believing that gentle parenting worked on Yuna. I needed to adopt a more traditional approach¨Cperhaps a firmer hand could foster a respectful child.


    Yuna peeked up at me, confused. The moment I counted two, she sprang up like a jack¨Cin¨Cthe- box and rushed to collect her toys. ¡°Mommy! Stop counting! Can¡¯t you see I¡¯m cleaning up?¡±


    She crammed everyst toy into her small wagon and swiftly wheeled it back into the yroom.


    When she came running back out, I met her at the doorway. ¡°You just said losers have to obey the rules. So now, I want you to pull the weeds in the garden. No dinner until it¡¯s done.¡±


    ¡°What? That¡¯s too much!¡± Yuna scrunched her eyebrows together. ¡°Mommy, please don¡¯t punish me. You¡¯re the best mother in the whole wide world. I love you so much.¡±


    ¡°Nice try. Get to work,¡± I said,pletely unmoved.


    Her lips trembled, eyes ssy with tears¨Cbut she still trudged outside, casting long, dramatic nces back at me every few steps. She knew how to do the chore, but she just didn¡¯t want to.


    Mona stepped outside and praised her with a warm smile. Yuna was surprised by thepliment, then doubled her speed, yanking weeds like a little machine.


    I sat nearby, supervising. Halfway through, Yuna pulled out her kiddie smartwatch and called Shawn while still tugging weeds.


    ¡°Yuna? What¡¯s up?¡± His voice came through, rich and smooth. ¡°Daddy¡¯s in the middle of having my dinner.¡±


    ¡°Daddy, quicklye home to rescue your daughter! Mommy¡¯s making me pull weeds, and she won¡¯t give me dinner until I finish.¡± Her voice wasn¡¯t one of tears; her expression was simply one of hurt.


    I expected Shawn tofort her; maybe he would question my parenting.


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    But instead, he chuckled low and deep. ¡°Oh yeah? Well then, you better do what your mom says and finish the job. Then you¡¯ll earn your dinner.¡±


    Yuna huffed when she realized her father wouldn¡¯t save her. She ended the call and went back to pulling weeds in silence. At one point, right in front of me, she yanked up a little flower on purpose. I reached for a nearby twig. She quickly dug a shallow hole and rented the flower, all while casting those big, watery eyes at me¨Cusatory and wounded.


    After 10 or 15 minutes, she¡¯d cleared the whole flower patch. She ran over, practically glowing. ¡°Mom! Look how awesome I am. I really did it!¡±


    ¡°Hmm, wash your hands, take a shower, and have your dinner,¡± I said. No more long, drawn- out praise. No more kisses or your amazing speeches. These days, I just give clear orders.


    ¡°Okay!¡± Yuna ran upstairs. She could shower by herself now, and I¡¯d asked her to wash her underwear properly, which she actually does.


    I had a light meal during dinner. After a short break, I rolled out the yoga mat. Yuna yed beside me with my yoga ball, asionally trying to copy my poses.


    ¡°Whoa<i>, </i>Mommy! How can your leg go that high?¡± She asked, eyes wide with awe.


    ¡°I¡¯d trained in dance for over ten years¨Cevery move was sharp and controlled. She¡¯d never seen me like this before. Her eyes were wide with wonder, like she was discovering a whole new version of me.


    But I didn¡¯t say much. I¡¯d stopped exining myself too often. Some things didn¡¯t need words


    anymore.


    Around 11 p.m., I put on my headphones and finished repeating a chapter from the Enrian textbook. Thereafter, I got ready for bed.


    Then I heard a car engine shut off outside. My expression tensed. I quickly turned off the lights and pulled the covers over my head.


    Before long, footsteps followed¨Cbut they went to the guest room next door.


    Shawn had definitely had too much to drink again. Queena had probably fed his ego enough for one night, and he wasn¡¯t in the mood toe find me.


    With zero expectations, I fell into a deep and restful sleep.


    When your heart is calm, everything falls into ce. You can handle anything. That¡¯s what I hoped for myself moving forward¨Cgrace under pressure.


    3


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    Morning came.


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    It was a bright, early summer day. Sunshine poured through the window, and my mood was unusually light. I wore something that paired well with a side ponytail, then tied a satin ribbon through my hair for a touch of charm. The light danced across the floor, and in the mirror, I saw a woman with a kind of quiet, divine beauty.


    That moment pulled me back¡ª18 years old, leaning against a windowsill, sketching and daydreaming, not a single worry in the world. I¡¯d peek out the window and watch sunlight flutter through the trees.


    I realized it had been a while since I visited my parents. In the six years since I got married, I¡¯d only gone home for the holidays. The rest of the time, I¡¯d always used busy as an excuse.

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    I let out a quiet sigh. Once Yuna starts her summer break, I¡¯ll head home for a few days¡ªjust me, without her or Shawn. Just me and my nostalgic heart.


    ¡°I¡¯ll ride with you to the officeter,¡± came a voice from behind.


    I turned to find Shawn standing at the doorway, buttoning his shirt, his voice low and casual.


    I found him annoying.


    He had his own driver. There were several cars sitting in the garage. Yet he always asked me for a ride.


    Still, he¡¯d earned it all. The house, the cars, our wealth¨Call came from his sess. It didn¡¯t feel right toin, so I simply nodded and said, ¡°Okay.¡±


    When I came downstairs, Yuna was energetically reenacting her battle with a patch of weeds in the backyard from yesterday. Shawn was listening with a smile, gently wiping the corner of her mouth with a napkin now and then.


    The moment she heard my footsteps, she stopped talking and quickly gulped down a big spoonful of oatmeal, eyes wide as she peeked up at me.


    Shawn patted her head fondly and said, ¡°A little yard work is good for her.¡±


    ¡°But Daddy¡­¡± Yuna¡¯s face scrunched with frustration.


    Shawn just chuckled, even more charming than before. I ignored their father¨Cdaughter banter and took my seat. Mona quickly brought over my breakfast.


    ¡°What¡¯s that, Mommy?¡± Yuna craned her neck, eyeing my te.


    ¡°Bone broth,¡± I replied coolly.


    ¡°I want some too!¡± She chirped.


    ¡°Not for kids,¡± I said. ¡°Too many hormones. It¡¯s not good for your growth.¡±


    Yuna grumbled in rage, ¡°Then why can you have it? Daddy¡¯s an adult too. Why doesn¡¯t he get any?¡±


    Shawn nced at me with a smirk. ¡°Because your mom needs it for her energy and to replenish her blood. I¡¯m fine without it.¡±


    Chapter 98 Jealous


    Yuna crossed her arms, clearly sulking.


    +20 Free Coins


    We both took Yuna to school that morning. I drove while the two of them chatted in the backseat. I mostly stayed silent.


    At the school gate, Shawn got out to walk Yuna to her ss. Her homeroom teacher came over to chat with him¨Csomething about schoolwork, I assumed. He looked his usual self: polite, poised, and warm. It wasn¡¯t hard to tell the teacher was reluctant to say goodbye.


    Shawn returned to the car and got in the passenger seat.


    I nced at his ring finger on his left hand¡ªsure enough, the diamond ring had mysteriously vanished.


    The thought of it irritated me, so right in front of him, I started fidgeting with the ring on my own finger, deliberately drawing attention to it.


    ¡°What now?¡± He asked, eyebrows drawn together.


    ¡°Nothing,¡± I said softly. ¡°I just got tired of this ring. Don¡¯t feel like wearing it anymore.¡±


    He didn¡¯t scold me for being vain. Instead, he gently offered, ¡°Let¡¯s go pick out another one tonight. Maybe this one¡¯s too tight?¡±


    I hadn¡¯t expected he wouldfort me in such a way and be willing to spend on me.


    ¡°No need,¡± I said quickly. ¡°I¡¯ve got something on tonight anyway. Don¡¯t have time to shop.¡±


    As I drove toward the office, Shawn leaned back, massaging his temples like he had a hangover. Not long after, he fell asleep.


    At a red light, I stopped and turned my head slightly to study him.


    His profile was striking¨Cstrong brow bone, sharp lines, a quiet intensity in his features even in rest. His eyes<b>, </b>when open, carried an intelligence that was hard to ignore. With them closed, though, he seemed at peace.


    I looked away. Yes, he was dangerously handsome. Easy to get lost in.


    We arrived at thepany, and he stirred just as I pulled in. ¡°Just leave the car at thepany entrance. William will handle the parking.¡±


    ¡°Alright.¡± I got out and closed the door behind me. Just then, three ck cars pulled in behind us. The first was a Maybach. My heart raced a little as I nced at it.


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    Chapter 98 Jealous


    Sure enough, the man who stepped out of the backseat was Ethan.


    I hadn¡¯t seen him in a long time, but he still looked sharp, effortlesslyposed.


    Shawn looked surprised too, and he murmured, ¡°Mr. Hayes is here for the meeting.¡±


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    I gave him a nk look. ¡°Well, I¡¯ll get out of the way then. I¡¯m headed to the hotel to check on the site.¡±


    As I walked around the car, Shawn followed and gently tucked a stray strand of hair behind my ear. ¡°Drive safe. Call me if you need anything.¡±


    I was caught off guard and widened my eyes a little. This lunatic was on it again, trying to y the concerned husband.


    ¡°Thanks,¡± I muttered. I didn¡¯t look at Ethan. Didn¡¯t even pause. I just stepped on the gas and sped off, brushing past Shawn like he was air.


    By the time I reached the temporary office at the hotel, my phone buzzed.


    I was in the middle of a conversation, so I ignored it. It wasn¡¯t until ten minutester that I finally checked.


    It was from Ethan. His message was short, tinged with a hint of jealousy. He asked, ¡°When did you and Mr. Hartwell get <i>so </i>close again?¡±


    I stared at the screen, stunned. Something about the way he said it didn¡¯t sit right.


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    How did this turn into a situation where Ethan and I seemed like the real couple, and Shawn ended up as the outsider?


    As a married woman, I had to stand by my principles. I couldn¡¯t give Ethan the wrong idea¡ª that something could happen between us at any moment. That illusion had to be shattered.


    So I replied, ¡°Thanks for your concern, Mr. Hayes. Things between us are not good, but not terrible either.¡±


    Ethan messaged back almost instantly. ¡°I thought you were mad and ignoring me.¡±


    It wasn¡¯t that I didn¡¯t want to talk to him. I just didn¡¯t want to leave any evidence behind that Shawn could twist into something bigger than it was.


    Wasn¡¯t this the inner monologue of anyone walking the line of temptation? Scared of getting caught but unable to resist the pull?


    I answered, ¡°Just a casual chat. Nothing to get upset about.¡±


    Ethan didn¡¯t text back after that. Maybe he got busy¨Cor maybe I was a little too cold, and he picked up on it.


    Around noon, Noah dropped by. As Queena¡¯s cousin, he¡¯d always shown a suspicious amount of interest in me.


    His squinty eyes scanned me at least dozens of times, up and down, before he finally said with a grin, ¡°Mrs. Hartwell, free for lunch? I know a ce that serves great grilled fish. Want to try it with me?¡±


    I nodded. ¡°Sure, I love fish.¡±


    That one simple reply probably convinced Noah I was easy to figure out. He jumped on his phone right away to reserve a private room.


    But of course, I wasn¡¯t going to let my guard down around him. Even if Shawn and I were headed for divorce, I wasn¡¯t about to hand over any leverage¨Cand if anything, I needed to


    catch them instead.


    My hand brushed against the recorder I¡¯d tucked into my purse. Good thing I brought it with <ol><li>me. </li></ol>


    Noah offered to drive, but I turned him down and brought two senior managers from the


    Chapter 99 Fight Fire with Fire


    hotel with me in my own car.


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    I wasn¡¯t sure whether Noah had nned something with Queena, but when we pulled into the underground parking garage, I thought I saw a car I recognized¨CShawn¡¯s. Not far from it was Queena¡¯s sleek red Porsche, elegant but not showy.


    I acted like I hadn¡¯t seen anything and chatted with the hotel execs about renovation ns as we stepped into the elevator.


    Noah pressed the button, subtly watching my face for a reaction. When he saw nothing out of the ordinary, he seemed visibly relieved.


    I assumed Shawn and Queena were already upstairs in one of the private dining rooms.


    But no-


    -they were sitting boldly by the window in the main hall, sipping wine, enjoying grilled fish,ughing like nothing was out of ce. Shawn wore a ck shirt today, and it made his fair, refined features seem even more refined.


    Noah, clearly thinking he¡¯d aplished his mission, nced their way and said in a deliberately casual tone, ¡°Oh wow, my cousin and Mr. Hartwell are here too. What are the odds?¡±


    I gave them a brief nce, then said calmly, ¡°Noah, let¡¯s not disturb them. Let¡¯s head upstairs to talk business.¡±


    Noah clearly wanted me to make a scene, to go over and catch them red¨Chanded. But I turned and walked away, cool and collected.


    He hurried after me. ¡°Mrs. Hartwell, you¡¯re not even going to say hi to your husband?¡±


    I opened the door <i>to </i>the private room and said over my shoulder, ¡°He¡¯s not dead. Why should I greet him?¡±


    Noah looked confused, like he couldn¡¯t understand what was happening. One of the hotel execs towed behind me wore a knowing smile, like they were waiting for drama to unfold.


    I took my seat, and someone quickly poured me a cup of tea. I thanked them politely, pulled out my phone, and focused on thetest material inventory and pricing sheets. I wasn¡¯t here to bust anyone I had work to do.


    ¡ª


    Maybe Queena wanted me to see her being lovey¨Cdovey with Shawn. Maybe she didn¡¯t need a public fight¨Cshe just wanted me to witness their everyday bliss.


    That was her style¨Cnever overt, never vulgar. Just subtle daily moments meant to get under your skin.


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    They weren¡¯t being overly affectionate, at least not that I could see. But the quiet intimacy between them said it all. That silence, those simple smiles¨Csometimes it hurts more than any betrayal shouted from the rooftops.


    I knew how Queena yed her games.


    But if she was using fire, I needed to fight back with fire. If she wanted me to watch¨Cfine. I saw everything. Now what?


    Noah went to order food, and soon enough, Shawn showed up¡ªwith Queena right behind him.


    Anyone who didn¡¯t know the truth would think they made a perfect couple.


    ¡°Mrs. Hartwell! What a surprise,¡± Queena said with fake astonishment. She turned to Noah. ¡°You invited Mrs. Hartwell to lunch today? Is it because she¡¯s decided to move forward with the materials deal?¡±


    Noah chuckled and said, ¡°Mrs. Hartwell is still considering, but I¡¯m serious about this. With Mr. Hartwell and you here, I can promise you quality wood with an unbeatable price.¡±


    Shawn said nothing. His dark eyes were fixed on me, unreadable.


    I leaned my chin on my


    chin on my hand and gave Noah a sweet smile. ¡°Sounds good. I¡¯ll consider it. But don¡¯t think you can pull tricks just because your cousin¡¯s a vice president at thepany.¡±


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    Chapter 100 Petty

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    Chapter 100 Petty


    ¡°No way! You¡¯re my boss now,¡± Noah said cheerfully as he refilled my cup of tea.


    I took a small sip and smiled. ¡°Well then, here¡¯s to a sessful partnership.¡±


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    Noah¡¯s eyes crinkled with delight, his whole face glowing red with excitement as he looked at <ol><li>me. </li></ol>


    We¡¯d finished discussing business when I pretended to just notice Shawn sitting nearby. I turned to him and asked, ¡°Honey, are you done with lunch with Ms. Tackman? Want to join us for a little more?¡±


    Shawn didn¡¯t look too happy. His voice dropped low and cool. ¡°No<i>, </i>I¡¯m good. You all enjoy.¡±


    Then he turned and walked off. Queena quickly leaned over to Noah and whispered, ¡°Take good care of Mrs. Hartwell, alright? Don¡¯t let anything go wrong.¡±


    Noah lit up, practically buzzing with enthusiasm. ¡°Don¡¯t worry! Mrs. Hartwell¡¯s like a goddess to me right now. I¡¯ll take good care of her.¡±


    I didn¡¯t let Shawn¡¯s sour mood ruin mine. I just stayed and ate with Noah and the rest. Honestly, I used to find social dinners like this a bore¨Ctoo many games, too much small talk. But once you be the one calling the shots at the table, the whole dynamic changes. Suddenly, those games be tools you control. And it¡¯s not boring at all.


    I didn¡¯t drink because I was driving, and no one dared try to push a drink on me anyway. I just sat back, listening to the men boast about their ability and jokes. Surprisingly, I was in a pretty good mood.


    Later that afternoon, just as I was about to sign the contract with Noah, I got a call from headquarters. They¡¯d already finalized a deal with a new supplier¨Cvery politely noting that it was Shawn¡¯s decision.


    My hand froze mid¨Csignature. <b>Noah</b>, who¡¯d been watching me anxiously to sign, noticed the change in my expression as I put the phone down. His face fell immediately.


    ¡°I¡¯m truly sorry, Mr. Lawrence,¡± I said with genuine regret. ¡°The head office already locked in a new supplier. They¡¯ve finalized everything.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Noah¡¯s eyes widened.


    I leaned back in my chair, keeping my voice calm andposed. ¡°It means we can¡¯t work together this time. Maybe next round.¡±


    Chapter 100 Petty


    Noah quickly tried to exin. ¡°But Queena¡¯s the vice president, and she¡¯s


    my cousin.¡±


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    ¡°Oh, well, maybe she¡¯s not the one making the final call,¡± I said, my smile just a touch cunning. ¡°I actually liked working with you, Mr. Lawrence. You¡¯re straightforward. But perhaps you should ask your cousin where things went wrong.¡±


    Noah rushed out to make a call.


    I toyed with the pen in my hand, the corners of my lips lifting in a knowing smile. Shawn, that control freak, was messing around behind my back again.


    <i>Tsk</i>. <i>Men </i><i>can </i><i>be </i><i>petty</i><i>. </i><i>He </i><i>may </i><i>enjoy </i>candlelit <i>dinners </i><i>with </i>other women, <i>which </i><i>is </i><i>fine</i>, <i>but </i><i>when </i>I <i>engage </i><i>in </i><i>a </i><i>business </i><i>conversation </i>with another <i>man</i>, he bes <i>agitated </i>and <i>sabotages </i><i>the </i><i>deal</i><i>. </i>


    <i>Now </i><i>that </i><i>I </i><i>understand </i><i>the </i><i>rules </i><i>of </i><i>the </i><i>game</i><i>, </i><i>I¡¯ve </i><i>earned </i>a ce <i>at </i>the <i>table</i>.


    In my past life, I thought taking care of the family and being a good wife was enough¨Cthat my husband would see my efforts and appreciate them. I thought being the perfect homemaker made me irreceable.


    But the truth is, the only future you can truly hold onto is the one you build with your own two hands.


    Trusting your fate to someone else? That¡¯s the real mistake.


    Chasing shadows, clinging to illusions, in the end, only when you be a spectator of life can you finally understand the rules of this game¨Cand how to y it to win.


    By the time I got home that evening, Shawn was already back. He was sitting in the living room, helping Yuna with her homework.


    She was working on an essay in Enrian, describing her family members.


    As I stepped in, I heard Shawn speaking in that deep, low voice of his, guiding Yuna through the sentences. Her Enrian was getting impressively fluent. But then she turned to me with a cheeky little grin and said¨Cin perfect Enrian-¡°My mom has a bad temper. She¡¯s strict most of the time. And she spends a lot of money on her appearance.¡±


    Shawn nced up at me and casually reached over to ruffle Yuna¡¯s hair. Was that supposed to be encouragement or a reward? Did he think she got my personality right?


    They both thought I didn¡¯t understand thenguage well enough to catch what they were saying.


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    Buttely, I¡¯ve been working hard on it. My Enrian wasn¡¯t that bad to begin with. Their little scheme? Yeah, I saw right through it.


    Yuna seized the chance before I headed upstairs to say¨Cagain in Enrian-¡°My mom¡¯s obsessed with worktely. She¡¯s been ignoring me. I wish she¡¯d give me all of her love.¡±


    She was speaking while recording the sentence¨Cher writing skills hadn¡¯t quite caught up yet.


    I turned to look at the father¨Cdaughter duo. Shawn met my gaze, those dark eyes of his flickering with something I couldn¡¯t quite ce.


    ¡°Yun¨¢, record that part for now. I¡¯ll check itter,¡± Shawn said as I climbed the stairs. He followed me up soon after.


    Once I was back in my room, I realized I had about 30 minutes before dinner. I decided to squeeze in a workout.


    Today was strength training¡ªgotta keep those facial muscles firm and gravity <i>at </i><i>bay</i>.


    I changed into a light workout outfit and headed downstairs to the home studio.


    But just as I reached the door, Shawn stepped in front of me and raised an arm to block my


    way.

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    Chapter 101 I Finally Rebelled


    I said nothing and looked up at him.


    :


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    Shawn frowned and said, ¡°At noon, Queena and I were discussing a potential coboration with her dad. Don¡¯t overthink it.¡±


    Honestly, the moment he exined, it only made me feel like he had something to hide. I would¡¯ve rather stayed silent and let the whole thing blow over¨Cit¡¯d be easier for both of us.


    Maybe my emotional defenses weren¡¯t fully built yet, still too soft. That¡¯s why his exnations could still shake me.


    I fought the urge tosh out, forcing a calm smile. ¡°I know. It¡¯s fine. Workes first.¡±


    ¡°You shouldn¡¯t be the only woman at a table full of men during business dinners anymore,¡± Shawn said, frowning even more deeply when he saw me smile. As I brushed past him, he grabbed my arm. ¡°Women tend to get the short end of the stick at those things.¡±


    I raised my eyebrows and smiled. ¡°Are you speaking from experience? Who exactly have you seen suffer?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not joking,¡± Shawn said, his expression darkening instantly.


    ¡°I¡¯m not joking either. It¡¯s just a normal conversation about work. Don¡¯t blow it out of proportion. I see Ms. Tackman surrounded by men all the time discussing business, and you never seem to say anything about that.¡± I matched his tone, my smile fading as I argued back.


    ¡°She¡¯s her. You¡¯re you. It¡¯s different. Her parents raised her in the business world. She can handle things you can¡¯t. Don¡¯t try to be like her. There¡¯s no need topare,¡± Shawn said, stunned for a moment, then switched to a ¡°I¡¯m doing this for your own good¡± tone.


    ¡°Well, everything has a first time. She had her parents as role models from the start. I didn¡¯t. So, kids without umbres have to learn to run. I¡¯ve got to work even harder to learn. Hubby, how about you teach me then? I really want to improve,¡± I said sweetly, pretending to be coy,


    Shawn looked at me like I waspletely unreasonable. ¡°You¡¯re prettier than Queena. Isn¡¯t that enough?¡±


    The air froze. My smile stiffened, and Shawn realized he¡¯d just let something slip. Frustrated, he ran both hands through his hair, then tried to exin as best he could. ¡°You don¡¯t need topare yourself to her. I admit, you both have your strengths. Tiffany, you don¡¯t have to change anything for me. I just want you to live a happy, carefree life ¡­ Let me worry about the money, okay? If you want anything, just tell me.¡±


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    ¡°I¡¯m not happy.¡± I bit my lip and spoke in a low voice. ¡°I want to be able to start something of my own. Not topete, not to impress you¨Cbut for myself. I want to have the ability to survive. As for you saying I¡¯m pretty, that¡¯s temporary. Beauty fades, and so does love. You men know that even better than we do.¡±


    Shawn¡¯s sharp eyes widened in disbelief.


    I took a deep breath, looked at him calmly, and said, ¡°There¡¯s a book that says the best way to predict the future is to create it yourself. I grew up under my parents¡® protection, and you¡¯ve given me afortable, carefree life. After marrying you, everyone said this vase finally found the right owner. But I understand that vases are fragile too. Shawn, I don¡¯t want to be a stic flower in a vase. I want to be wild grass in the open. I don¡¯t need to be admired. I want to break through the soil with strength.¡±


    After saying that, I didn¡¯t want to see Shawn¡¯s expression and turned to go downstairs.


    He must think I¡¯d gone crazy¡ªbecause the vase he brought home wants to turn into a weed.


    He was probably very disappointed. In the seventh year of marriage, I finally rebelled.


    While working out, I still felt a bit uneasy inside.


    The Shawn I know was a strong and rule¨Cbound man. In his world, he didn¡¯t like rules being broken.


    So I was worried he might already be thinking about divorce¨Cwhile I haven¡¯t yet learned how to grow.


    At dinner, Shawn ate first with Yuna. I took a shower and came downstairs. Mona looked at me with some concern.


    She probably heard the argument upstairs and was worried we had a fight. Mona was kindhearted¨Cshe was probably more afraid I¡¯d be upset.


    I smiled at her. Seeing I hadn¡¯t cried, she finally felt relieved and went back to her work.


    Yuna came downstairs after her bath and said to me, ¡°Mommy, I don¡¯t want this long braid anymore. Take me to cut it off tomorrow.¡±


    I asked her, ¡°Why do you want to cut it?<b>¡± </b>


    ¡°I want to be a boy.¡± Yuna¡¯s big, mischievous eyes sparkled.


    ¡°Okay!¡± I agreed without asking why.


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    But Yuna wasn¡¯t happy. She pouted and said, ¡°Mommy, why didn¡¯t you ask me why I want to cut it?<b>¡± </b>


    ¡°As long as you¡¯re happy,¡± I said calmly.


    ¡°I heard from my ssmates that girls can¡¯t do business. So now I want to be a boy.¡± Yuna tilted her little head, as if she had a grand idea. At such a young age, she already wanted to be the heir.

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    ¡°As long as you¡¯ve made up your mind, I¡¯ll take you to get it cut.¡± I wasn¡¯t going to argue the pros and cons with her. Yuna was stubborn by nature¡ªif I asked her not to cut it, she¡¯d definitely throw a huge tantrum.


    The next day was the weekend. Early in the morning, I took Yuna to the hair salon. She had her hair cut short and stood in front of the mirror practicing her coolest expressions.


    ¡°Mommy, look at me! Don¡¯t I look like a little boy?¡± Yuna asked happily.


    I looked at her. In that moment, I felt like I was seeing a smaller version of Shawn.


    ¡°You look like your dad,¡± I said.


    ¡°Really? Did my dad look like this when he was little?¡± She blinked her big eyes and crossed her arms over her chest. ¡°Hmph! Those bratty boys won¡¯t dare look down on me now.¡±


    I was taken aback. Did Yuna cut her hair short just to get back at someone?


    I brought her home. Shawn must not have slept well the night before, because he slept in today. By the time we got back, Susanna and Hazel had also arrived. The three of them were sitting in the living room, sipping tea and chatting.


    ¡°Oh my God! Tiffany, what have you done?¡± Susanna shrieked dramatically when she saw me walk in with short¨Chaired Yuna.


    Yuna had been expecting praise from her family, but she was so stunned by my mother¨Cin-w¡¯s over¨Cthe¨Ctop reaction that she froze for a second¨Cthen immediately ran to hide behind Shawn.


    Shawn frowned and examined her boyish haircut closely, then turned to me with disapproval in his eyes. ¡°Tiffany, how could you let our daughter get such a short haircut?¡±


    Hazel rolled her eyes at me and silently mouthed, ¡°Crazy.¡±


    I knew every mistake Yuna made would always end up being my fault.


    I was used to it.


    ¡°Yuna asked for the haircut,¡± I said.


    Yuna clutched Shawn¡¯s shirt nervously, then finally spoke in a small voice, ¡°Yeah, I wanted to cut it. Doesn¡¯t it look good?¡±


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    This time, I didn¡¯t shield Yuna and take all the me myself. Since she was the one who made the decision, I wanted her to speak up for herself.


    ¡°Oh, my darling, why would you cut off your hair that long¨Cdown to your waist¨Cinto something like this? It looks like it was chewed up by a dog.¡± My mother¨Cinw finally stopped ming me and turned her scolding to Yuna instead.


    Shawn squatted down and asked Yuna seriously, ¡°Why did you cut your hair? You¡¯re a girl. Girls look prettier with long hair.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to be pretty! Mommy is really pretty, but that doesn¡¯t seem to help her much,¡± Yuna said, using me as a reference. She put her hands on her hips and spoke in an adult¨Clike tone, ¡°I want to fight like a boy!¡±


    Shawn and my mother¨Cinw shared a nce before bursting intoughter. Then they gently pinched Yuna¡¯s cheeks, and just like that, the haircut drama passed without further fuss.


    Shawn looked up at me. Maybe because they¡¯d just been ming me earlier, he said, ¡°If it was really Yuna¡¯s idea, you still should¡¯ve discussed it with me first.¡±


    I didn¡¯t think much of his after¨Cthe¨Cfact attempt tofort me. I replied calmly, ¡°She¡¯s growing up. She can make her own decisions. I respect her wishes.¡±


    However, Susanna wasn¡¯t satisfied with my response. ¡°What do you mean? Growing up? She¡¯s not even 18 yet! She still needs proper discipline. Just look at her, like some tomboy. Does she even look like a girl anymore?¡±


    ¡°Grandma, I¡¯ve decided to be a boy for a while,¡± Yuna said rebelliously.


    Susanna was amused again and let it go with augh.


    Shawn nced at me and said, ¡°I have a flight to Sertonia this afternoon. Do you want to


    I narrowed my eyes. ¡°What for?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m going there for a business meeting. Didn¡¯t you say you felt bored staying here? I¡¯ll bring you along for a refreshing change.¡± Out of nowhere, Shawn was actually being considerate of how I felt.


    ¡°Sure, I¡¯ll go.¡± With an opportunity like this, of course I wasn¡¯t going to waste it.


    Susanna, however, objected. ¡°Shawn, you¡¯re going there for work. Is it really appropriate to bring Tiffany? She doesn¡¯t even understand.¡±


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    ¡°She doesn¡¯t, but she can learn,¡± Shawn said, giving me a meaningful nce.


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    I narrowed my eyes slightly. Could it be that the argument we hadst night actually got through to him?


    ¡°What¡¯s a housewife going to learn all that for?¡± Susanna said, clearly displeased.


    Hazel chimed inzily from the side, ¡°Shawn, are you feeling bad for Tiffany? Are you trying to ditch Yuna with us and take her out for fun?¡±


    Shawn nced at me for a moment before quickly looking away and said in a neutral tone, ¡°She hasn¡¯t left Hanzora in a long time. A change of scenery might be good for her.¡±


    ¡°Daddy, I want to go too!¡± Yuna immediately started fussing. ¡°Take me with you!¡±

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    Susanna¡¯s sharp eyes darted around, then she suddenly scooped up Yuna in her arms. ¡°Yuna, don¡¯t go. Let your mom and dad go out and have fun for a couple of days.¡±


    I believed my mother¨Cinw just acts on impulse. She was probably considering having a chubby little grandson again.


    Hazel had a sour expression on her face. That¡¯s because Shawn being good to me meant my status in this family was rising. As the youngdy of the Hartwells, she didn¡¯t like anyone threatening her position. So, even toward Yuna, she was sometimes a bit hostile.


    ¡°Shawn, what do you think of that brand I mentioned?¡± Hazel was also starting a business, but Shawn didn¡¯t give her an immediate answer.


    ¡°I¡¯m still having someone evaluate it. I¡¯ll give you an answer in a while,¡± Shawn said as he headed to the door to put on his leather shoes. ¡°Tiffany, go upstairs and pack a few things. I¡¯ll wait for you in the car.¡±


    I turned and went upstairs. A momentter, I came down carrying a bag. Susanna suddenly walked over and shoved a packet into my hand. ¡°Make sure Shawn eats this. It boosts male vitality. Oh, and this white packet is meant for female nourishment. You both need to take it.¡±


    My brain buzzed. <i>Where </i><i>did </i><i>she </i><i>find </i><i>these </i><i>unusual </i>folk <i>remedies </i><i>again</i><i>? </i>


    ¡°Oh, sure. I¡¯ll have him take it,¡± I replied with a forced smile. But there¡¯s no way I¡¯d touch that stuff. I didn¡¯t want to get poisoned.


    Once we got in the car, Shawn had William drive us to the airport.


    I asked him on the way, ¡°Is it just the two of us?¡±


    ¡°No, a few people from thepany are going too. They went over this morning,¡± Shawn replied coolly.


    ¡°One of them isn¡¯t Ms. Tackman, is it?¡± I asked, sarcasm dripping from my voice.


    Shawn gave me a visibly annoyed look. ¡°She¡¯s in charge of several big projects. She¡¯s leading this one too, so it¡¯s not strange that she¡¯s there.¡±


    I let out a half¨Chearted ¡°oh.¡± No wonder she was his go¨Cto support¨Cevery penny in the Hartwells seemed to have her contribution in it.


    But I didn¡¯t care anymore. Queena showing off her capabilities so hard was clearly just to get


    Chapter 103 Seven¨Cyear Itch


    Shawn to notice her more.


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    As the boss, Shawn obviously evaluated everyone¡¯s abilities and weighed the pros and cons. Queena charging ahead was just another form of sucking up.


    Then a big, warm, dry hand reached over and took hold of the fingers I had resting on myp.


    I stiffened instantly, instinctively wanting to pull my hand away, but Shawn seemed to anticipate my move and tightly held on just as I flinched.


    I looked up at him, and Shawn looked right back at me.


    Though he didn¡¯t speak, his eyes seemed to say a lot on his behalf.


    I couldn¡¯t understand it. What was Shawn trying to pull now, acting all tender and deep?


    ¡°We¡¯re almost at the seven¨Cyear itch, Tiffany. Tell me, where exactly are you feeling it?¡± Shawn narrowed his eyes at me, his tone far from tender.


    I was stunned. <i>What¡¯s </i><i>wrong </i>with him? <i>Why </i><i>ask </i><i>something </i><i>like </i><i>that </i><i>out </i><i>of </i><i>nowhere</i><i>? </i>


    Shawn closed his eyes slightly and said, ¡°Let¡¯s stop talking about love or not love. Adult rtionships are fluid. Just tell me what would it take for you to behave a little better?¡±


    ¡°My bottom line? You¡¯re not allowed to sleep with Queena,¡± I said it bluntly and without euphemism.


    Shawn slowly lifted his eyes to look at me. ¡°And if I already have?¡±


    I instantly flung his hand away in anger.


    The next second, he leaned in closer. ¡°I¡¯m kidding. You actually believed that?¡±


    I turned my face away and sneered. ¡°The truth from an adult usuallyes wrapped in a joke.


    Take a guess¨Cdo I believe you or not?¡±


    His expression stiffened slightly. My retort had clearly hit a nerve.


    Then, as if nothing had happened, he turned to look out the window and stopped joking around with me.


    Someone had already helped us buy the ne tickets. While we waited in the VIP lounge, Shawn took out his phone to reply to messages.


    I had work to focus on, too. Unlike before, I no longer just sat around while he got busy,


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    feeling like some idle tagalong, hoping he¡¯d spare a moment to say something to me or that he¡¯d need something I could help with.


    My phone was also filled with work emails waiting to be handled. The progress on the hotel training program was moving fast. I believed it wouldn¡¯t be long before we saw some truly impressive results on¨Csite.


    I kept typing replies on my phone when suddenly Shawn asked out of nowhere, ¡°We¡¯re boarding soon. How much longer?¡±


    Only then did I check the time, put down my phone, and follow him to board the ne.


    Watching his tall, straight figure ahead of me, a wave of emotion rose in my heart.


    Maybe people really should find something for themselves¨Csomething to do¡ªrather than making another person their whole world.


    This was the first time in our six¨Cyear marriage that Shawn and I were traveling alone together.


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    Chapter 104 Once You Come, You¡¯re a Sertonian


    In the past, wherever we went, we always had to bring Yuna along.


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    As soon as I sat on the ne, I closed my eyes to sleep. Shawn seemed like he wanted to say something, but I didn¡¯t want to hear it.


    The flight wasn¡¯t long, but just beforending, we encountered extreme weather. It was <b>as </b>if a tornado had swept through Gandaria. The ne shook violently in the air, and people screamed repeatedly.


    I felt a sense of impending death and could only grip the armrest tightly, trying to suppress the feeling.


    Shawn seemed scared too. His face turned slightly pale. Amid the intense turbulence, he suddenly turned to look at me, and I couldn¡¯t help but nce at him as well.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay, don¡¯t be afraid.¡± Shawn must¡¯ve thought I was too scared to speak¡ªmaybe I didn¡¯t look so good either¨Cso he suddenly reached out and held my fingers tightly.


    I abruptly pulled my hand away and curled up, unwilling to let him touch me.


    Shawn¡¯s eyes widened in surprise. That feeling of facing death brought my memory back to my past life. Even in my final moments, Shawn hadn¡¯t held my hand to see me off. Now, just because of some turbulence, I needed his concern even less.


    Fortunately, despite the scare, the nended safely at Sertonia International Airport.


    I didn¡¯t know if it was because I had pulled my hand away on the ne, but Shawn remained silent the entire way.


    I didn¡¯t bother with him either. As soon as we got to the hotel, I said to him, ¡°I want to go out and walk around alone. <b>Is </b>that okay?¡±


    ¡°Whatever!¡± Shawn was still angry. His words didn¡¯t match his usualposure,


    ¡°Okay.¡± I turned and gged down a taxi. After getting in, I saw Shawn still standing at the hotel entrance, his eyes fixed in my direction.


    Sertonia is a modern, international, and innovative city¨Cculturally diverse and rapidly developing.


    I rode the taxi aimlessly, weaving through the towering skyscrapers. Suddenly, I remembered the most iconic phrase about Sertonia-¡°Once youe, you¡¯re a Sertonian.¡±


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    This modern, inclusive city might just be a paradise for all who chase their dreams.


    Eventually, I arrived at Sertonia Bay. I¡¯d heard it was picturesque and unforgettable.


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    The sun was warm like fire, and the sea breeze was intoxicating. I wandered alone, feeling peaceful and free.


    In my past life, I never had this kind of mindset. Though I had money and time, I was always caught up in human rtionships and love affairs, never daring to open my heart and embrace a new world.


    Now, I opened my hand, allowing everything to happen¨Cand allowing everything to pass.


    With no worries on my mind, my body felt light. The beautiful scenery before me was almost blinding.


    I sat on a bench, shadows of the trees swaying gently.


    Suddenly, someone blocked the sunlight. I squinted slightly, feeling a bit annoyed.


    ¡°Ms. Mayfield, are you alone?¡± A deep, pleasant male voice made me feel as though I were dreaming.


    My eyes widened and widened again. When the light finally focused, I could hardly believe it -Ethan was standing right in front of me.


    ¡°Ethan?¡± <b>I </b>still couldn¡¯t believe he was real, not until he sat down beside me and the bench gently rocked beneath his weight.


    ¡°Sorry. I followed you.¡± Ethan¡¯s first words were actually an exnation.


    ¡°How did you follow me?¡± I asked curiously.


    Ethan only smiled without answering, tilting his head to nce up at the tree canopy above.


    ¡°Goodbye,¡± I said, trying to put him in his ce,


    But Ethan suddenly reached out and grabbed my hand. A jolt went through me¨CI couldn¡¯t shake him off. He applied a bit of force<b>, </b>and I fell back onto the bench.


    ¡°Ms. Mayfield, do you know why I chose to work with Mr. Hartwell?¡± His voice came softly.


    My heart pounded, and I shifted my gaze toward him.


    His clear eyes, like glowing amber, were impossibly beautiful,


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    Ethan seemed a bit flustered under my gaze and looked away, letting out a softugh. ¡°Of course, it was because of you. I couldn¡¯t find a better way to get close to you. It just so happened that Mr. Hartwell needed a settlement system¨Cand it just so happened mypany developed one. Everything ¡­ just happened to line up.¡±


    By the end, his voice had turned slightly hoarse. Then he added quietly, ¡°Back then, you gave me 800,000 dors. You helped me pay off my family¡¯s debts. You even helped me bury Grandma. You didn¡¯t let me fall into utter despair. Tiffany, how could I ever repay you for all that?¡±


    A few shes of memory suddenly surfaced in my mind. In my past life, I vaguely recalled receiving some photos from a charity organization¨Cupdates on the beneficiaries. One scene showed a thin figure standing at a doorway as someone carried a coffin out of the church.


    I suddenly turned to stare at Ethan. In my previous life, I had seen him once too¨Cbut only as a standing figure from behind.


    ¡°You must believe there are still more good people than bad in this world.¡± I smiled and tried tofort him. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s not talk about the past. I¡¯m sure your grandma, wherever she is, can see what you¡¯ve achieved. She¡¯d be proud of you.¡±


    ¡°Mm¨Chmm. But I think my grandma would¡¯ve wanted to see me married, with a family and <i>a </i>career of my own,¡± Ethan said, his deep eyes locked firmly onto me.

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    I had been through this myself, so how could I not understand the meaning behind that look in his eyes? <i>Sigh</i>¡­ Pure<i>¨C</i><i>hearted </i><i>men </i><i>are </i><i>just </i>so <i>charming</i>. <i>Those </i><i>eyes </i>of <i>his</i><i>, </i><i>full </i><i>of </i><i>unspoken </i><i>words</i>, <b><i>stir </i></b><i>up </i><i>the </i>still <i>waters </i><i>of </i><i>my </i><i>heart </i><i>without </i><i>even </i><i>trying</i>.


    I replied vaguely, ¡°You need to be more realistic. Don¡¯t pin your hopes on a married woman.¡±


    But Ethan¡¯s voice was unusually firm. ¡°You¡¯re going to get divorced eventually, aren¡¯t you?¡±


    I was startled. <i>Why </i><i>does </i><i>he </i><i>sound </i><i>so </i><i>certain</i><i>? </i><i>Can </i><i>he </i><i>read </i><i>my </i><i>mind</i><i>? </i>


    ¡°Everyone in thepany knows about Mr. Hartwell and Queena. I don¡¯t believe you don¡¯t,¡± Ethan said, his voice low and aggrieved, his expression pitiful and heart¨Ctugging.


    ¡°You really know how to hit a nerve.¡± I shot him a re, but he just looked at me, eyes full of


    concern.


    My fingers tightened around the armrest as I gave him an answer. ¡°Yes, you guessed right. I¡¯m going to divorce him sooner orter.¡±


    A faint light seemed to break into Ethan¡¯s once¨Cshadowed eyes, as if sunlight had finally pierced through. The gloomy look vanished, and he smiled as he asked, ¡°Sooner orter¨Cso when exactly? Tomorrow morning? Or tomorrow night?¡±


    I rolled my eyes at him. ¡°You think divorce is as simple as eating or sleeping? Morning or night, seriously?¡±


    Getting scolded by me seemed to delight him¨Che giggled to himself for a bit, then asked seriously, ¡°So now that you know how close they are Do you and Mr. Hartwell still sleep together?¡±


    That question stumped me.


    644


    How should I put this? Despite Shawn¡¯s messy love life, his physique and stamina were impressive. Besides, I had long stopped pretending to be some chaste and noble woman. If it¡¯s avable, why not make use of it? He was still better than some random gigolo on the street.


    ¡°Uhm, that¡¯s a bit much.¡± I cleared my throat and ended the topic,


    ¡°So


    you


    still do, huh?¡± A cloud of jealousy instantly enveloped Ethan.


    I turned to look at him, thinking, This <i>guy </i>owns his own <i>tech </i><ipany</i><i>, </i><i>and </i><i>yet </i><i>he¡¯s </i><i>still </i><b><i>this pure</i></b><b>? </b>


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    ¡°When you have a woman of your own, you¡¯ll understand. Try to see the bigger picture.¡± I got and started walking, and Ethan followed behind like a loyal puppy I couldn¡¯t shake off.


    up


    I walked, paused, walked again, and he mimicked my every step.


    Noticing the time, I realized it was already afternoon, and I hadn¡¯t eaten. I said to him, ¡°Let¡¯s part ways here. Don¡¯t follow me back to the hotel. Shawn isn¡¯t stupid. He¡¯s already suspecting something between us¡­ though honestly, there¡¯s not much between us.¡±


    ¡°I like you. Doesn¡¯t that count?¡± Ethan, as always, was bold and direct. Compared to him, I¡ªa married woman¨Cseemed downright innocent.


    ¡°It counts. But just because you like me doesn¡¯t mean we can mess around right now. Ethan, just wait a little longer. You¡¯ll be the first person I turn to after my


    divorce.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± His eyes lit up slightly, like he¡¯d just won a prize.


    ¡°Mm¨Chmm.¡± I nodded with a smile. ¡°But let¡¯s be clear¨CI¡¯m not getting married again.¡±


    His expression froze, and he looked at me with hurt in his eyes. ¡°I¡¯m not Shawn. I won¡¯t use you or toss you aside.¡±


    ¡°But I will.¡± ying the game was my core identity in this life.


    Ethan looked at me in disbelief.


    I suddenly burst outughing. <i>Sigh</i><b><i>, </i></b><i>teasing </i><i>him</i><i>, </i><i>watching </i><i>him </i><i>blush</i><i>¨C</i>looks like I¡¯ve <i>turned </i><i>bad </i><i>too</i>.


    I wasn¡¯t sure if he was embarrassed or angry, but his handsome face turned bright red, and his hands clenched subtly. ¡°Fine, no marriage¨Cbut we have to be together.¡±


    Those soulful eyes of his actually put me in a great mood, I gave him a verbal promise. ¡°Yeah, we will. I¡¯m off now.¡±


    He rushed over to open the car door for me. ¡°Stay safe. Text me when you get there.¡±


    ¡°Sorry, I don¡¯t want to leave any evidence. The text is already too much,¡± I said as I slipped into


    the car.


    By the time I got back to the hotel, it was already past four in the afternoon. Shawn was


    nowhere to be found.


    I had the hotel send up some food and booked a separate room for myself. I¡¯d decided <b>I </b><b>wasn¡¯t </b>going to stay with Shawn anymore. If he shamelessly came knocking, I¡¯d just feed him the supplement my mother¨Cinw gave me. I was pretty sure she¡¯d gone to some desperate back-


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    alley herbalist again for a so¨Ccalled ¡°ancestral remedy.¡± It probably didn¡¯t work¨Cit might even <b>be </b>poisonous.


    As I ate in the hotel room, Shawn called.


    I picked up mid¨Cbite. His voice was low and calm as he asked, ¡°Where are you?¡±


    ¡°At the hotel,¡± I replied.


    ¡°You¡¯re back?¡± His tone lifted slightly.


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Did you have fun?¡± he asked, pretending to care.


    My heart skipped a beat. <i>What </i><i>does </i><i>he </i><i>mean </i><i>by </i><i>that</i>? <i>Don¡¯t </i><i>tell </i><i>me </i><i>that </i><i>he </i><i>had </i><i>someone </i><i>follow </i><i>me </i><i>to </i>Sertonia <i>Bay </i><i>and </i><i>caught </i><i>me </i>with <i>Ethan</i>.

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    ¡°I just had a meeting in the hotel¡¯s conference room. We¡¯re going to have dinner in a bit. Come join us.¡± Shawn spoke first when I didn¡¯t say anything.


    I tried to read his tone and felt he probably didn¡¯t know that I had met with Ethan.


    ¡°Okay, I¡¯lle over in a bit.¡± Since I was here to learn business from him, I should naturally tag along. No matter what kind of experience it was, observing and learning more could always be useful.


    I changed into a more proper outfit¨Cnot showing off my figure like I used to.


    But it was also different from the loose, casual clothes I wore before. This outfit was more form¨Cfitting, still entuating my curves.


    When I arrived at the ce Shawn mentioned, they were still talking in the conference room. This time it was Shawn¡¯s team having a discussion. The door wasn¡¯t closed when I got there. Shawn was wearing a more formal suit, sitting at the head of the table, listening.


    He twirled a pen elegantly between his fingers. When he saw me, he waved me over.


    I walked in right away and saw Queena, dressed in business attire. The moment she saw me, her expression sharpened, like I was a threat.


    Shawn pointed to the seat next to him. I sat down. The conversation didn¡¯t pause just because I arrived.


    Turns out, they were nning to invest in a real estatepany, and it involved quite arge sum. That exined the serious looks on Shawn¡¯s and the executives¡® faces.


    As I listened to the conversation, I picked up a lot of knowledge. Queena was indeed quite professional- her analysis and data were impressive.


    Shawn admired her. I could tell.


    Queena carried a natural air of superiority. As she spoke, her eyes would nce across my face before settling on Shawn¡¯s. She liked watching the moment he nodded in approval.


    It was past six when they finally wrapped up and headed to the restaurant.


    On the way<i>, </i>I sat in a car with Shawn¨Cjust the two of us.


    ¡°Did you


    understand?¡± After a whole afternoon of work, he looked a bit tired, but he still turned to ask me.


    ¡°Yeah, I could understand it.¡± I¡¯m not dumb. As long as I focus on something, I can usually get it¨Cexcept math.


    Shawn suddenlyughed. ¡°I thought you¡¯d find that kind of meeting dull and boring.¡±


    ¡°I used to. Not anymore.¡± I shook my head.


    Shawn nodded slightly, then fell silent for a long while.


    I looked out at the night view. The buildings lit up with endless lights, forming a river of fire stretching


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    across the ground. It was indescribably magnificent.


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    ¡°Tiffany, how long has it been since youst showed you cared about me?¡± As I lost myself in the neon glow- outside, Shawn casually posed this question.


    I was a bit surprised. I turned to look at him, not expecting a question like that.


    His gaze was stubborn as he looked at me again. ¡°And you haven¡¯t called me in a long time either. Like today¨Cyou went out, I didn¡¯t know where you were, and you didn¡¯t bother to tell me. What did you see? Where did you go? You used to be so eager to share everything with me. Have you forgotten?¡±


    It was rare to see Shawn this sentimental. It caught me off guard.


    I looked at him and, for a moment, forgot to deny it. I didn¡¯t know how to respond. I never expected him to ask if I cared¨Cbecause I thought he didn¡¯t.


    ¡°Is that so? You¡¯re overthinking,¡± I said with a fake smile.


    A flicker of displeasure crossed his face. ¡°Ever since you said you wanted to start working, you¡¯ve changed.¡±


    ¡°Changed how? I¡¯m still the same me,¡± I yed dumb and asked.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know how to describe it, but you¡¯ve changed.¡± Shawn always gave off a sense of detachment, but deep down, he was sharp. Turns out, he could tell I didn¡¯t love him anymore.


    ¡°You¡¯re overthinking. I¡¯ve just been busy with work and stressed,¡± I replied calmly, throwing his old excuse back at him.


    He looked even more unhappy, hisrge hand slowly curling into a fist. He pressed his lips together and said nothing.


    I sneered inwardly<i>. </i>Didn¡¯t <i>you </i><i>once </i><i>say </i><i>love </i><i>doesn¡¯t </i><i>matter</i><i>? </i><i>So </i><i>why </i><i>are </i><i>you </i><i>suddenly </i><i>saying </i><i>the </i><i>opposite </i><i>now</i>?


    Since <i>you </i><i>yourself </i><i>said </i><i>love </i><i>isn¡¯t </i><i>important</i><i>, </i><i>then </i><i>you </i><i>have </i><i>no </i><i>right </i><i>to </i><i>ask </i>it <i>of </i><i>me</i><i>. </i>


    ¡°Tiffany, I want to apologize for what I said before.¡± The car moved forward steadily. A few minutester, Shawn did something rare¨Che apologized.


    ¡°What did you do wrong?¡± I asked instinctively.


    ¡°For saying love doesn¡¯t matter and for suggesting money could buy what happens in bed.¡± He fell into silence again, as if reflecting, and then looked at me. His eyes fixed on my face as he said, ¡°Not long ago, I read a line that said, ¡°There are at least two things in life that one should never take lightly.¡°¡±

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    Chapter 107 Let Nature Take Its Course


    I looked at him like he was an idiot. <i>Since </i><i>when </i><i>did </i><i>Shawn </i><i>enjoy </i><i>waxing </i><i>poetic </i><i>about </i><i>rtionships</i>?


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    He shifted his gaze to the window, his voice dropping a few tones, slow and steady. ¡°There are two important things in life¨Cfinding the right career and finding the right partner. When the sun rises, you throw yourself into your work. But when it sets, you should go home and hold the one you love. A sense of value and a sense of belonging¨Cboth are important. One affirms you, the other loves you.¡±


    I stared at him, eyes wide.


    This¡­ this didn¡¯t sound like the Shawn I knew. Since when did he have the time or the depth to ponder such lofty ideals?


    Could it be¡­ he transmigrated too?


    But then again, in my previous life, he didn¡¯t die. After I died, he was probably busy throwing Queena thevish wedding she always wanted. Yuna would be by her side, squealing with joy, calling Queena ¡°Mommy¡± in front of everyone.


    My death had cleared the way for their happiness.


    Just thinking about it made a cold wave crawl over me¨Cpalms, soles, everything chilled to the bone.


    I didn¡¯t care why this version of Shawn suddenly had all these sentimental thoughts about going home and embracing a lover. He must¡¯ve lost his mind.


    ¡°What do you think?¡± Shawn asked when I didn¡¯t respond, even turning to look at me deliberately.


    I smiled enigmatically. ¡°You know, the forest never swears loyalty to the seasons. It says, ¡®Let nature take its course.¡°¡±


    He furrowed his brows, clearly puzzled.


    ¡°Speak humannguage,¡± he said. He was typical Shawn¨Calways domineering.


    ¡°Let love and hatee as they will. No need to overanalyze,¡± I smiled as I replied.


    His pupils trembled slightly. These past few days, it seemed like he¡¯d been testing how I felt about him¨CI could sense it. Not long ago, his whole self, even his heart, was still out there somewhere. But ever since I came back and started changing, it¡¯s like one foot of his has stepped back into this home.


    But men¨Cthey always want it all. It¡¯s in their nature.


    Queena was attractive, warm, and proactive. She was fully devoted to helping Shawn build his career and expand thepany. She was his most trusted de¨Che wouldn¡¯t cast her aside.


    And me¨CI was the wife he married through proper channels. If we didn¡¯t have a child between us, I believe Shawn would¡¯ve divorced me long ago, caimly and without guilt. He could afford to pay for youth. The only reason he hadn¡¯t abandoned me was because I gave him a daughter.


    I admit, Shawn never took things too far. Deep down, he still had a conscience. Maybe, in my past life, that tiny shred of conscience was what I fell for, what I gambled everything on. He was gentle and refined,


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    graceful and poised¨Cas long as he didn¡¯t harden his heart, I bet he wouldn¡¯t go through with a divorce.


    I didn¡¯t hate him. I hated myself more. When ites to love, the worst thing one can do is drag things out¨Cand I broke that rulepletely. I not only dragged him along¨CI dragged out my own life. How unbearably heavy it was.


    I was the one who couldn¡¯t let him go, and in turn, couldn¡¯t let myself go. The root of everything wrong was my stubbornness¨Cmy delusion.


    No, I couldn¡¯t go on like this. I should set a goal for myself.


    Then I¡¯d be a well¨Ceducated, sharp¨Ctongued woman.


    My indifferent answer was like a knife stabbing into Shawn¡¯s heart. Anotheryer to ¡°let love and hatee as they will¡± was¨C<i>I </i><i>don¡¯t </i><i>care </i><i>anymore</i>. <i>Do </i><i>as </i><i>you </i><i>please</i>.


    Shawn was smart. He got it. He must have got it.


    The silence in the car was suffocating, like death itself.


    My heart started beating faster¨Cmaybe because I wasn¡¯t following the n I¡¯d set for myself. Mnie told me to win his heart back first, earn his sympathy, and then, at the peak of his emotional vulnerability, ask for a divorce and walk away with more money.


    But me? My damn mouth just couldn¡¯t back down.


    What if Shawn <i>really </i><i>sees </i><i>through </i><i>me</i>, <i>then </i><i>calmly </i><i>divorces </i><i>me </i><i>and </i><i>gives </i><i>me </i><i>some </i><ipensation </i><i>for </i><i>my </i><i>youth</i><i>? </i>


    <i>Whatever</i>. <i>Why overthink </i>it? <i>The </i><i>world </i><i>still </i>spins <i>without </i><i>him</i>.


    Thinking of the way Shawn looked at me today¡­ I thought I knew what my next move should be.


    Having a quality rtionship while single certainly doesn¡¯t count as being fickle.


    When we arrived at the restaurant, I thought Shawn wouldn¡¯t talk to me anymore. As I was getting out of the car, a little boy on a bike suddenly darted past. Before I could react, arge hand quickly pulled me back. ¡°Careful.¡±


    By the time I realized what had happened, I was pressed tightly against Shawn¡¯s chest. He looked down and scolded me, ¡°What were you spacing out about this time?¡±


    My heart started racing¨Cnot because he was holding me, but because I¡¯d almost daydreamed about stripping down with Shawn ¡­


    I was not sure if my face turned red, but Shawn stared at it for two seconds before letting go.


    What I wore today was pretty businesslike. In my past life, I never tried this kind of outfit because I never worked and thought dressing too formally would feel awkward.


    Now I realize that when you¡¯ve got the figure and the face, business attire bes a woman¡¯s armor. It boosts your presence and your confidence¡ªand of course men love to look.


    <b>2.2 </b>


    <b>11:21 </b><b>Thu</b><b>, </b><b>11 </b>Sept


    Chapter 108 Hatred

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    Chapter 108 Hatred


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    Queena and her group also came over. Her expression didn¡¯t look good, and the way she looked at me was cold and indifferent.


    If Shawn had changed, Queena would definitely be the first to notice. Before, she never gave me a second nce, but now, I saw a trace of disgust and hatred toward me in her eyes.


    Hatred, huh? Fine, let me <i>give </i><i>you </i><i>something </i><i>more</i>.


    ¡°Ouch¡­ ¡°I was walking forward when I twisted my foot and almost fell. I propped myself against the wall with my hand, held it in forcefully, my face turned red, and sweat formed on my forehead.


    Shawn was walking ahead, talking to someone. When he heard something was wrong on my end, he stopped and quickly came over to ask, ¡°What happened?¡±


    ¡°Twisted my ankle,¡± I said softly, lowering my head to check.


    Shawn nced at my three¨Cinch high heels. The thin stiletto heels made him instantly frown. ¡°Don¡¯t wear such high heels next time.¡±


    ¡°Hubby, don¡¯t worry about me. You guys go upstairs first. I¡¯ll be fine after resting a bit,¡± I said coyly.


    Shawn told the others, ¡°You go up first.¡±


    Queena widened her eyes. At that moment, I felt like she wanted toe up and p me.


    After all, we¡¯re both women. How could she not see through my act?


    In my past life, I always thought Shawn was blind. Even though Queena was acting, he couldn¡¯t see through it.


    Now I gave it a try, and sure enough, he is blind. I acted, and he didn¡¯t see through it either.


    ¡°I¡¯ll carry you upstairs,¡± Shawn said. He was a man of action. When he said he¡¯d carry me, he didn¡¯t wait for my response and just picked me up.


    The sudden change made Queena¡¯s eyes turn red with anger. She turned around and led the group of executives to the elevator.


    ¡°Hubby, don¡¯t carry me. Put me down. I can walk,¡± I said, trying to be tough.


    But Shawn replied with a serious face, ¡°Don¡¯t be stubborn. Your leg is injured, so be good.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s actually not that bad. I just need a moment to rest,¡± I said, since I wasn¡¯t really hurt and could only exin it that way.


    ¡°Yeah.¡± Shawn said nothing more.


    The door of another elevator opened. Shawn carried me inside. I felt a bit shy¨Cafter all, this wasn¡¯t a novel. In real life, being carried like this was really strange.


    ¡°Put me down. Just support me,¡± I insisted, squirming a little.


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    Chapter 108 Hatred


    Shawn had no choice but to put me down, hisrge hand grabbing my arm.


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    I slowly made my way into the private room. Shawn supported me the whole time. As we entered, Queena was outside in the hallway on the phone, deliberately raising her voice to curse someone out¨CI didn¡¯t know exactly who she was scolding.


    But I said to Shawn, ¡°Didn¡¯t expect Ms. Tackman to be so fierce.¡±


    Shawn looked toward the door and said lightly, ¡°Maybe someone really pissed her off.¡±


    My heart skipped a beat. <i>Does </i><i>Shawn </i>notice I <i>am </i><i>being </i><i>too </i><i>fake</i><i>? </i>


    Queena came back. Her face didn¡¯t look too good, but since she deeply loved Shawn, when she spoke to him, she was still full of confidence and gentleness. She gave off the vibe of someone who could live well without love, but her eyes would asionally look at Shawn with grievance, full of faint resentment.


    I witnessed her seductive little expressions right beside her¨Candpletely ignored them.


    <i>Didn¡¯t </i><i>Queena </i>think <i>I </i>didn¡¯t <i>matter</i>? <i>Then </i><i>let¡¯s </i><i>see </i>what <i>this </i><i>is </i><i>all </i><i>about</i>.


    I admit, Queena¡¯s family background was better than mine, but in reality, she was also looking for a strong and powerful backer.


    Shawn¨Cyoung, handsome, and highly capable¨Cwas her first choice.


    Queena could never go for some man in his 40s or 50s. Deep down, she still longed for love. She wouldn¡¯t only chase money.


    Shawn could meet all her demands. Her only dissatisfaction was that Shawn married me, and I gave birth to Yuna.


    No¨Cmaybe she really did like Yuna. Otherwise, why would she, in the previous life, secretly abort her own child just to avoid upsetting Yuna? Wasn¡¯t it because she knew Shawn doted on Yuna, and she wanted to win over both father and daughter?


    In my family, the idea of valuing boys over girls was quite serious. But here in Hanzora, it didn¡¯t seem as bad¨Conly daughters weremon.


    At first, I thought it was just a rumor until I gave birth to Yuna. Shawn truly doted on her. When she was little, if he had time, he¡¯de home to be with her. She often fell asleep in his arms, and even while working, he¡¯d have her on hisp. What I remember most clearly was when Yuna got sick¨CShawn¡¯s eyes reddened silently, but he didn¡¯t cry in front of us. Instead, he went to the smoking area to cry alone.


    All these fatal little details piled up and filled my whole love¨Cblinded life in my past life.


    I really hated Shawn. He didn¡¯t love me, so why were there always these inexplicable things pulling me toward him?


    Why couldn¡¯t he just be colder, more ruthless? Why did he have to show that bit of warmth in this cold world?


    In this life, I¡¯ve fixed my mindset. Yuna shares half of his blood, and his love for his daughter is his duty <b>as </b>a father. Since it¡¯s a duty, I¡¯ve naturally stopped being charmed by him.


    III


    <b>11:21 </b><b>Thu</b><b>, </b><b>11 </b><b>Sept </b>J Anh g


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    At the dinner table, the topic was still work¨Crted. I ate while listening carefully and realized that investment truly requires extra caution¨Ca single wrong decision can lead to total failure.


    Before I could even reach for a dish I liked, Shawn picked it up and ced it on my te. He was still chatting with others as he did it, as if the gesture waspletely unconscious.


    I paused in surprise, and Queena gripped her cutlery tightly.


    Details. Details. I¡¯m seriously speechless<i>. </i>Can Shawn <i>stop with </i><i>these </i><i>pointless </i><i>little </i><i>gestures? </i>


    I really couldn¡¯t stand this ¡°fishing¡± type of man. Did he believe that I was the type of person who would readily ept the bait? Did he think that by giving me small, sweet gestures in daily life, I would keep ying the role of the perfect wife and mother?


    But had he ever considered the fact that being a good wife and mother was a reward for good men, not a tactic used by scumbags to keep their marriage going?


    It¡¯s not that women can¡¯t be good wives and mothers; it¡¯s that most men can¡¯t make them want to. They¡¯re just too good at putting on a show.


    After dinner, a female executive suddenly suggested visiting the St. Patrick¡¯s Cathedral tomorrow, saying it¡¯s great for praying for love and career sess. She mentioned she¡¯s been divorced for years and still hasn¡¯t found the right person, so she wanted to give it a try.


    Shawn said tomorrow¡¯s a rest day with no work scheduled, so everyone was free to do as they pleased.


    Queena then suggested we all take a walk on Aurelian Peak. Shawn looked at me and asked softly, ¡°Do you want to go?¡°.


    I nodded. ¡°Sure.¡±


    Later that evening, everyone returned to the hotel. When he found out I had booked a room on my own, Shawn was visibly displeased.


    ¡°Hubby, I¡¯m a bit tired from today. I¡¯m going to rest early¨Cgotta hike tomorrow,¡± I said to him in the hallway.


    ¡°Yeah.¡± Shawn turned away and went straight into his room, expression cold.


    When I got back to my room, I couldn¡¯t help but wonder¨C<i>if </i><i>Queena </i><i>finds </i><i>out </i>I¡¯m <i>not </i><i>sharing </i><i>a </i><i>room </i>with Shawn, will <i>she </i><i>sneak </i><i>over </i><i>in </i><i>the </i><i>dark and </i><i>climb </i>into his <i>bed</i><i>? </i>


    That thought vanished around 9:30 p.m., when Shawn, freshly showered, came straight to my room.


    I had just finished showering myself and was drying the tips of my damp hair when he came in and looked.


    at me.


    <b>I </b>avoided his gaze and didn¡¯t look at him.


    After I finished drying my hair, Shawn suddenly asked, ¡°My mom said she gave you some supplement. Are you going to take it?¡±


    O


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    Chapter 109 Love and Hate


    I froze<i>. </i><i>Did </i><i>my </i><i>mother</i><i>¨C</i>inw <i>even </i><i>tell </i><i>him </i><i>about </i><i>that</i><i>? </i>


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    ¡°I don¡¯t want to take it. I don¡¯t think it works anyway.¡± I had already consumed a significant amount, and I was beginning to worry that it might harm my liver or kidneys.


    Shawn suddenly said, ¡°Give me the supplement.¡±


    Limmediately ced the ck paper¨Cwrapped powder in front of him. ¡°Are you really going to take it?¡±


    ¡°My mom insisted I should,¡± Shawn said calmly.


    ¡°What if it¡¯s poisonous?¡± I asked yfully.


    His gaze heated up a little. ¡°How would I know if I don¡¯t try?¡±


    My heart skipped a beat. <i>Is </i><i>he </i><i>going </i><i>to </i><i>take </i><i>it </i><i>and </i><i>try </i><i>it </i><i>with </i><i>me</i><i>? </i>


    ¡°How about you don¡¯t take it? It doesn¡¯t work.¡± I quickly reached out to take it back.


    But Shawn caught my hand. ¡°What are you afraid of? I take it; you enjoy it.¡±


    Under my stunned gaze, he actually mixed the powder into water and drank it down in one gulp.


    ¡°Don¡¯te over here ¡­ ¡± I was genuinely spooked. Lately, Shawn had been acting way too unpredictable.


    He sat by the bed for a while, and visibly, his handsome face started to flush. Unbuttoning his sleepwear, he said, ¡°Tiffany, I feel a bit hot.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll take you to a doctor. You¡¯re definitely poisoned,¡± I said, feigning concern.


    He seemed to sense I was about to bolt. Suddenly, he grabbed my arm and pushed me onto the bed, his tall frame pressing down on me. ¡°Tiffany, what are you running from?¡±


    Looking at the lust¨Cdriven Shawn, I shut my eyes and said the most mood¨Ckilling thing possible, ¡°So how much are you paying me this time?¡±


    All the heat in Shawn seemed to freeze instantly. ¡°You really have to bring up money right now?¡±


    ¡°We should settle the price first, or else afterward¨Cmmph!¡± Before I could finish, he kissed me hard, anger radiating from him.


    Maybe the supplement did work, because Shawn was even more intense than usual tonight.


    I tried to escape several times, only to be pulled back. He gripped my waist tightly, his face buried in the crook of my neck, biting me as he said, ¡°Tiffany, are love and hate really all the same to you?¡±


    My head was spinning, overwhelmed by the heat and sensation.


    ¡°Yes!¡± I bit my lip, answering with calm resolve.


    That one word was like a switch¨Cigniting something even stronger in him.


    I didn¡¯t know how long it went on. At the end, he held me tightly, unmoving, leaving two bite marks on my neck.


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    Curled against his chest, I asked in a muffled voice, ¡°How much?¡±


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    The warmth that had been lingering was abruptly cut off as soon as I finished speaking.


    Shawn pushed me away, got up, and started putting on his clothes. His voice had turned noticeably colder. ¡°How much do you want?¡±


    I twirled a strand of hair around my finger, thinking through a few things in my mind.


    In 2014, the global economy was in a recovery phase. Various industries were showing strong investment potential¨Clike Apple and Google in tech, Johnson & Johnson or Gilead in medicine, and First Sr and Amazon¨Cand the domestic real estate market was also heating up. These stocks all had huge potential.


    Right now, I have limited funds. If I wanted to take the first step forward, I needed solid cash flow.


    ¡°Still haven¡¯t decided?¡± Shawn was buttoning thest button of his pajama shirt. He turned to look at me, his gaze ice cold.


    I raised one finger. ¡°What if I said¡ª¡±


    ¡°One million. Fine. It¡¯ll be in your ount tomorrow.¡± Shawn cut me off. After speaking, he walked to the door, then stopped and looked back at me. ¡°Tiffany, there should be a limit to being willful. From now on, I won¡¯t force you on this again.¡±


    Right after finishing, he said something so cold.


    I looked at him with a sweet, flower¨Clike smile and said, ¡°Thank you, Hubby.¡±


    The door mmed shut behind him, the loud bang startling me.


    Looks like I made the right bet. Shawn would never shortchange me when it came to money.


    Once we were back from this trip to Sertonia, I would start seriously studying stock investment. In my past life as a rich housewife, I was exposed to a fair amount of it, but when it came to actual trading, I would still need to do a deep dive and learn more.


    The next morning, Queena had dark circles under her eyes¨Cshe probably didn¡¯t sleep well.


    Shawn wasn¡¯t riding in the same car as me today. I was alone in one, and when I nced in the rearview mirror, I saw Queena finish chatting with a few people and then get into Shawn¡¯s car.


    When we arrived at Aurelian Peak, our group headed toward St. Patrick¡¯s Cathedral. The scenery along the way was beautiful, filled with birdsong and flowers.


    Shawn was walking in the back, talking business with others. I was in front with two female executives, chatting about women¡¯s topics. Queena was walking with Shawn¡¯s group¨Cafter all, she was thepany¡¯s VP and had real authority.


    The two women by my side¨Cone married, the other divorced and looking to remarry¨Cwere clearly watching the drama unfold the whole way. They seemed to sympathize with me.


    There were things they wanted to say but hesitated. After all, Queena was their superior. They didn¡¯t dare speak against her.


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    Chapter 110 Breakup Peak


    When we arrived in front of the cathedral, we sat on a bench to rest and chatted about the ce.


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    A kind old man nearby told us that Aurelian Peak shouldn¡¯t be worshipped casually¨Cit¡¯s a sacred religious


    site.


    Another elderly manughed and asked if we were a couple, then added that Aurelian Peak has a legend: it¡¯s known as the Breakup Peak, and many couples avoid making random offerings here.


    That dampened the mood a bit, especially for the female exec who was hoping to find a husband. She spread her hands helplessly and said she hadn¡¯t done enough research beforehand, which led to this wasted trip.


    In the end, we decided to at least wish upon the wishing tree.


    The two execs and I bent down to write our wishes.


    I took the pen and wrote on the wooden que. ¡°May you stand tall with unwavering strength, unafraid of hardship, always radiant and moving forward.¡±


    Then I added something. I felt like Icked the courage to rise from despair, so I didn¡¯t have the drive to climb. So I wrote a few more words as encouragement for my future self. ¡°If the mountainside is too crowded, why not climb to the top and see?¡±


    After finishing, I stood on tiptoe, took a string, and tied my wish to a low¨Changing branch.


    I stepped back and watched the wind sway the wish que, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.


    Afterpleting the wishing ques, the two executives and I headed to the cathedral for a visit. We didn¡¯t bother to find out what Shawn and his group were up to. When we finished our round and came back out, we saw Shawn standing alone in the smoking area. The others had vanished.


    I didn¡¯t go over to talk to him. I just chose a seat, sat down, and took a sip of water.


    In the distance, I saw Queena writing a wish que. So even someone as driven and confident as her could be a little superstitious.


    When Shawn saw mee out, he stubbed out his cigarette and walked over.


    He sat beside me and said, ¡°I¡¯ve got something tonight. Do you want to head back this afternoon?¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡± I nodded.


    His gaze lingered on my face for two seconds. After a moment, he asked, ¡°Have you called Yuna?¡±


    ¡°No.¡± I really hadn¡¯t thought about her at all. In the past, I¡¯d get anxious if she left my side for even three minutes. But now, I¡¯d been away from her for a whole day and night and hadn¡¯t thought of her once.


    <i>Perhaps </i><i>this </i>is the <i>experience </i><i>of </i><i>a </i><i>truly </i><i>dead </i><i>heart</i>.


    ¡°Yuna said she misses you. She also asked you to bring her a gift when you go back,¡± Shawn reminded me.

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    Chapter 111 Our Daughter


    ¡°There¡¯s no need to buy things every day. She¡¯s notcking anything.¡± I refused.


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    Shawn furrowed his brows slightly and said in a low voice, ¡°You¡¯ve been paying less attention to Yunately. Is it because of me?¡±


    I turned to look at him, and Shawn was looking at me too.


    The light filtered through the shadows of the trees, flickering across our faces. Shawn suddenly seemed burdened with more thoughts.


    ¡°You¡¯re overthinking it. I just think we shouldn¡¯t spoil her too much.¡± I didn¡¯t want Shawn to think I was still holding a grudge against him.


    After all, love is the root of hate. What happens when even the hate is gone?


    Shawn gave a softugh, then said, ¡°Tiffany, have you ever really tried to understand me?¡±


    My expression froze. <i>Didn¡¯t </i>I <i>understand </i><i>him </i><i>enough</i>? <i>We </i><i>already </i><i>lived </i><i>a </i><i>whole </i><i>previous </i><i>life </i><i>together</i>. <i>Wouldn¡¯t </i><i>that </i><i>count</i>?


    I said nothing, but Shawn followed up with a strangement. ¡°I¡¯m not as pathetic as you think. I care about my reputation too.¡±


    After that, he stood up, turned his back to me, and slipped one hand into the pocket of his cks. ¡°If you want to reach the top, do you want me to help you find the path?¡±


    My heart trembled violently. I stared at his tall figure. His short, dark hair was neatly trimmed, entuating the sharp lines of his jaw, making him all the more masculine. He nced sideways but didn¡¯t look at me directly.


    ¡°You peeked at my wish tag?¡± I asked angrily.


    Shawn turned his head toward the wishing tree. ¡°With so many people writing wishes, if I didn¡¯t recognize your handwriting, it would¡¯ve been hard to find.¡±


    I bit my lip and said, ¡°No need. I¡¯ll find my own way.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve been disconnected from society for six years. How do you n to discover that path? Or is there someone willing to show you the way now? Is that it?¡± Shawn suddenly turned around, looking down at me from above. ¡°Is it Ethan?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t bring him up. This has nothing to do with him.¡± I met his gaze without the slightest guilt.


    Shawn nodded. ¡°Actually, you don¡¯t understand me. And it seems I don¡¯t understand you either.¡±


    ¡°You were always busy with work and your career. I was just going in circles at home. When did we ever have time? We were both too busy.¡± I smiled, with a hint of mockery in my voice.


    Shawn seemed to agree. He gave a small smile, but it didn¡¯t reach his eyes. ¡°I know you feel uneasy inside, afraid I¡¯ll abandon you. So you want a career of your own. Fine, I¡¯ll help you. When you reach the peak of your career, we can talk about having a second child.¡±


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    Chapter 111 Our Daughter


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    ¡°There won¡¯t be a second child,¡± I said to him with certainty. ¡°But if you¡¯re willing to help me build a career of my own, I¡¯ll be grateful.¡±


    ¡°And how exactly would you show that gratitude?¡± Shawn¡¯s gaze darkened.


    I deeply understand the principle of giving someone a fish versus teaching them to fish. The reality is, as a housewife, relying solely on my abilities, I might survive, but it¡¯s hard to be truly rich.


    I knew Shawn¡¯s capabilities. He had knowledge, insight, and connections. By following in his footsteps, I could potentially earn in a few years what would otherwise take me a lifetime.


    Of course, divorcing him could also bring gains, but gaining and earning through one¡¯s own abilities are two different concepts.


    I¡¯m still young. Would having money really make me lie t?


    No. I knew too well the feeling of doing nothing or being so idle that it became unbearable. A day or two is fine, a year or two is hard to endure, but ten or twenty years would be unbearable.


    Humans are social creatures. People need value and affirmation. I won¡¯t lie t, and I don¡¯t want to.


    ¡°If that day reallyes, I¡¯ll show my gratitude however you want,¡± I said with a flirtatious smile. It was the first time I spoke to Shawn with a negotiator¡¯s mindset.


    He didn¡¯t seem to like my tone. His expression stiffened, his voice taut. ¡°Fine. But you have to promise me -don¡¯t neglect our daughter because of me.¡±


    ¡°I think you misunderstood. I haven¡¯t neglected her. I just ¡­ ¡± I couldn¡¯t bring myself to say the cruel words.


    In truth, truly strong people don¡¯t need to exin or justify such things. If I had to say those harsh things out loud, it only proved I wasn¡¯t strong enough yet.


    ¡°Just what? What did Yuna do to disappoint you?¡± As her father, he had every right to question me.


    I lowered my head. <i>How </i><i>could </i><i>I </i><i>tell </i><i>him </i><i>that</i><i>, </i><i>in </i><i>my </i><i>past </i><i>life</i><i>, </i><i>I </i><i>had </i><i>endured </i><i>the </i><i>deepest </i><i>kind </i><i>of </i><i>betrayal </i><i>and </i><i>hurt </i><i>from </i><i>our </i><i>daughter</i><i>? </i>


    He <i>would </i><i>only </i>think I <i>was </i><i>mentally </i><i>unstable</i><i>¨C</i><i>insane</i>.


    I had <i>to </i><i>handle </i><i>and </i><i>sever </i><i>this </i><i>connection </i><i>like </i><i>a </i><i>normal </i><i>person </i><i>would</i>.


    ¡°Nothing. I just feel like I haven¡¯t done a good job raising her. Maybe I¡¯ve be emotionally incapable of loving her.¡± I sighed softly.


    ¡°That¡¯s not what you said before. You said you¡¯d love her with a lifetime¡¯s patience, no matter what she became¨Cbecause she¡¯s your daughter.¡± Shawn stared at me, disappointmentced in his voice.


    ¡°Maybe. Maybe I¡¯m contradicting myself. Hubby, our daughter likes you more anyway. From now on, try to spend more time with her. I¡¯ve heard that children raised by fathers tend to be more bold and assertive, while those raised by mothers can be softer and more fragile. I believe you want to raise a daughter who¡¯s brave and unafraid to fight for what she wants, right?¡± I had begun subtly manipting Shawn with logic.


    TWI

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    Shawn looked at me with an unreadable expression, then nodded. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll try <i>to </i>make time to be with her. But as her mother, you can¡¯t be absent either¨Cunless you don¡¯t want her anymore.¡±


    My chest tightened. I didn¡¯t want her anymore, but I hadn¡¯t figured out how to shake her off.


    Shawn saw I didn¡¯t respond, and his expression stiffened. ¡°You don¡¯t want her anymore¨Cthen what about me?¡±


    With that, he turned and strode away.


    I stared at his back. After a while, Queena and a few executives walked over to Shawn mid¨Cconversation. They seemed ready to leave first. Queena turned to look at me¨Cno words, but clearly a provocation.


    Leaning forward slightly, my fingers resting on my chin, I coldly watched their figures disappear.


    On the way to the airport, Ethan sent me a text, asking where I was.


    I said I was heading to the airport, going back to Hanzora.


    Ethan replied that Shawn was still in Sertonia and asked why I was leaving alone.


    I didn¡¯t give a reason, just said I had something to do.


    After a pause, Ethan asked if I could have dinner with him tonight.


    Perfect. I wanted to hear what he had to say about the investment, so I agreed.


    Ethan sent back a happy emoji.


    At the airport lounge, my mother¨Cinw called, I answered¨Cit was Yuna¡¯s voice.


    She sounded unhappy as she asked, ¡°Mommy, when are youing back? I told Daddy to ask you to buy me a present. Will you buy it?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± I replied bluntly.


    ¡°You don¡¯t love me anymore?¡± Yuna asked angrily, ¡°Is it because you don¡¯t love me anymore?¡±


    I answered calmly, ¡°Love is conditional. Even a mother¡¯s love for her child doesn¡¯te without reason orst forever


    ¡°What did I do wrong? You¡¯re lecturing me again, but I don¡¯t understand what you¡¯re saying.¡± Yuna had another trait¨Cshe avoided problems.


    She could understand, actually. She just didn¡¯t want to.


    She hung up, and I didn¡¯t call back to exin.


    By the time I got back to Hanzora, it was already past six in the evening. I headed straight to dinner from the airport.


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    Getting out of the taxi, I saw that it was a ssic¨Cstyle courtyard with ink¨Cpainting aesthetics and not many guests around. Flowers and trees partially shaded the post¨Crain parking lot outside the gate.


    Ethan parked his eye¨Ccatching Maybach there, its lights on. The rain¨Cwashed surface gleamed¨Celegant and beautiful.


    I walked over, and Ethan stepped out of his car. His tall, lean figure was dressed in a long¨Csleeved white shirt. His whole vibe had that cool, academic air of someone from a STEM background.


    Just then, a family came out from the restaurant entrance¨Cprobably also here for dinner.


    A boy around 13 or 14 locked his eyes onto Ethan¡¯s car. He ran over to get a closer look, eximing in awe. Then, spotting Ethan, he boldly asked, ¡°Hey, is this your car?¡±


    Ethan nodded with a smile. ¡°Yes.¡±


    The boy¡¯s eyes sparkled like stars. He asked hopefully, ¡°If I study really hard, will I be able to afford a car like this?¡±


    Ethan¡¯s gaze softened with a smile. He looked at me, then patted the boy¡¯s shoulder and said, ¡°You definitely can. Keep it up.¡±


    The boy lit up like a happy little pony and ran back to his family, still ncing at the car as he went.


    When Ethan looked at me, there was even a bit of shyness in his eyes. But he still looked straight at me and said, ¡°You¡¯re here.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, let¡¯s go. I¡¯m a bit hungry,¡± I replied with azy tone.


    In front of Ethan, a certain assertive part of my femininity awakened¨Cmaybe because he gave off the kind of sincerity that made people let their guard down. People tend to bully the soft and fear the tough¨CI¡¯m no exception.


    ¡°Okay,e with me.¡± Ethan led me into a cozy little private room.


    After we sat down, he handed me the menu. His eyes lowered, not daring to look at me. Finally, he said shyly, ¡°If you don¡¯t mind, it¡¯s just the two of us.¡±


    I was reading the menu when he said that, and I smiled. ¡°If it were three people, it¡¯d be a bit too cramped.¡±


    Ethan looked up at me, his eyes clear and bright. The next second, he seemed to catch my meaning and chuckled softly. ¡°True. Something like this is best for two.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t get me wrong, I meant eating,¡± I teased him yfully.


    Sure enough, Ethan blushed even more. He had definitely been thinking about something else.


    I finished ordering and passed it to him. He added one more dish.


    As soon as the server left and closed the door, the enclosed space and restless hearts¡­ Sigh, the ambiguous atmosphere instantly rushed in.


    It was obvious that Ethan was more nervous than I was.


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    His handsome face was slightly flushed the whole time. He seemed hot, and his gaze would asionally drift toward me in a daze.


    ept


    Chapter 113 Rookie


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    I held the teacup, took a sip, and asked him, ¡°I¡¯ve been considering doing some investing and financial nningtely. Do you have any good suggestions?¡±


    Ethan looked startled and asked in surprise, ¡°Are you short on money?¡±


    That question actually moved me a little, but reason quickly returned, and I said, ¡°Not really. I just want to learn how to make money grow.¡±


    Ethan nodded. ¡°It¡¯s a good mindset. nning carly, finding yourself a way out.¡±


    My heart ached a little. Maybe all those spectators out there had already started counting down to the end of my marriage.


    <i>Yeah</i>. <i>If </i><i>I </i><i>don¡¯t </i><i>fight </i><i>for </i><i>a </i><i>backup </i><i>n</i>, <i>what </i><i>else </i><i>can </i><i>I </i><i>do</i><i>? </i>


    Although Shawn had been acting a little strangetely¨Chot¨Cand cold¨CI knew better than anyone what kind of person he was in our previous life.


    Everyone was just the result of his weighing pros and cons.


    Queena was. So was I. Maybe Yuna was the one person he kept protected in his world.


    ¡°If you want to hear my thoughts, I can give you some advice. Has Mr. Hartwell already handed over Apex Hotel to youpletely?¡± Ethan asked sincerely.


    ¡°Yes, the business at these two hotels is average. If I hadn¡¯t taken over and made some changes, Shawn would probably be shutting them down. He clears out unprofitable ventures every year.¡± I knew Shawn was a forward¨Cthinking man with sharp insight¨Che wouldn¡¯t let those debts linger. ¡±


    ¡°What made you want to take on this job? Did you study this topic in school?¡± Ethan was a bit curious.


    I nodded. ¡°Yes, but the diploma¡¯s been collecting dust in a drawer for six years. I¡¯ve forgotten everything I learned. I¡¯m just a rookie now.¡±


    ¡°Rookie?¡± A smile touched Ethan¡¯s eyes. ¡°That sounds like someone who needs protection and care.¡±


    ¡°You got it wrong. It means beginner, not weak and needing protection.¡± I corrected him.


    But Ethan said seriously, ¡°I still prefer my interpretation. I know some professionals in this field¨CI can introduce them to you.¡±


    ¡°Great! Thank you in advance.¡± I really did need someone to introduce me. Competent people usually had their circles. Without someone influential to bring you in, those circles were like sealed drums- impossible to break into.


    ¡°No big deal. Back to your investments¨Cright now, I think you could try looking into stocks,¡± Ethan suggested.


    I nodded. ¡°That¡¯s exactly what I was thinking. But stock trading needs professional guidance.¡±


    Ethan looked at me gently. ¡°If you trust me, I¡¯ll find you the most professional person.¡±


    I


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    I looked at him. His eyes were clear, reflecting my silhouette.


    B


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    ¡°Sorry, was I being too forward? We haven¡¯t known each other long, and money is a pretty sensitive topic. How about I just introduce you to a teacher who can guide you step by step?¡± After I stared at him for a couple of seconds, Ethan seemed a little shy and looked down with a smile.


    ¡°Alright, are there any courses for this? I can attend them myself.¡± Since I¡¯d decided to step out of myfort zone, I naturally wouldn¡¯t give myself any excuse to ck off.


    ¡°There are. I also attend some professional lectures from time to time.¡± Ethan nodded. ¡°I¡¯ll organize some rted materials and send them to you.¡±


    ¡°Thanks.¡± I epted his sincerity.


    Since I wasn¡¯t a professional, I didn¡¯t even know how to continue the conversation. The atmosphere became a little awkward.


    ¡°Tiffany, actually, you shouldn¡¯t blindly idolize any so¨Ccalled sessful people. Look more at their real experiences¨Cthe true ones, not the polished ones. Mr. Hartwell is a pretty good example. If you have time, you can ask him for advice. His guidance will be more practical than those teachers.¡± Though Ethan¡¯s tone carried a trace of jealousy, he still pointed me in the right direction.


    I naturally thought the same. Learning a thing or two from Shawn would be of great help to me.


    <i>It¡¯s </i><i>just</i>¡­ <i>his </i><i>identity</i>¡­.


    ¡°Okay. I¡¯ll ask him when I get the chance,¡± I replied softly.


    Finally, the delicious dinner was served. Ethan picked out the most tender part of the fish head for me. ¡°Let¡¯s eat.¡±


    I stared nkly at the fish that had died with its eyes open, a bitterness rising in my chest.


    I suddenly remembered how I used to take care of Shawn like this. The dishes he liked, I would deliberately ce in front of him; the ones he didn¡¯t like, I would move farther away.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Ethan noticed I was spacing out and asked again, ¡°Don¡¯t you like fish?¡±


    ¡°I do.¡± I smiled at him and tucked away all my thoughts.


    The meal turned out quite well. Later on, I asked more about investment and making money, and Ethan answered all my questions openly¨Cit was a truly sincere response.


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    I learned my lesson, and I started testing men myself.


    Ethan was more genuine than I expected.


    As we were about to part, he quietly asked, ¡°Can I give you a ride home?¡±


    It was already past nine, so I shook my head and said, ¡°Not tonight. I¡¯ll take a cab.¡±


    ¡°Okay,¡± he replied, not insisting.


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    I hailed a cab, and Ethan came over to pay. He gave the driver an extra 200, making the guy grin from ear


    to ear.


    I looked at Ethan, and he met my eyes, saying in a low voice, ¡°Get home safe.¡±


    The driver eagerly promised he¡¯d drive carefully.


    I smiled, and when Ethan saw it, he smiled too and gently closed the door.


    By the time I got home, it was alreadyte. I took a quick shower and went straight to bed.


    The next morning, I went to check on the hotels. Progress was moving faster than I¡¯d expected. I¡¯d chosen distinct styles for the two hotels¨Cone with a modern luxury feel, the other inspired by ancient dynasty aesthetics with a refined ssic touch. With the styles set, I brought in top¨Ctier designers who specialized in each.


    From the elegance of modern luxury style to the subtle beauty of ancient style, I insisted on perfection in every detail.


    Around 3 p.m., Shawn showed up out of nowhere. I was wearing a mask, deep in a work discussion at the time.


    He strolled in casually, ncing around at thetest updates. I could tell he was a bit surprised.


    I walked over and asked, ¡°When did you get here?¡±


    ¡°Just now,¡± he said. ¡°Was in the area and thought I¡¯d stop by. Looks pretty unique.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s all just the result of pouring in money. What do you think, Mr. Hartwell?¡± I asked with a polite, almost businesslike smile.


    Shawn gave me aplicated look before saying, ¡°It¡¯s much better than I expected. You¡¯ve actually got some talent.¡±


    I took thepliment calmly. ¡°Thanks.¡±


    ¡°Come have some tea with me. I¡¯m a bit thirsty,¡± he said, already turning toward the office.


    I followed hirn in. Shawn sat down on the couch and looked up at me. Maybe it was the mask that made me seem a little unfamiliar¨Chis gaze lingered on me for a moment. ¡°Really buried yourself into work, huh?<b>¡± </b>


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    Chapter 114 Lily or Red Rose?


    I wasn¡¯t sure what he meant by that, but I nodded. ¡°Yeah, why?¡±


    ¡°You know how it is with work and family¨Cfocusing on one means neglecting the other,¡± Shawn reminded.


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    I smiled, took off my mask, and tossed my long hair over my shoulder. ¡°Don¡¯t be so greedy. Wanting both the lily and the red rose. Aren¡¯t you exhausted?¡±


    Shawn¡¯s tea¨Cpouring movement froze abruptly. He looked at me and asked, ¡°So which one are you¨Clily or red rose?¡±


    I leaned back in my chair with azy smile. ¡°Neither. At most, I¡¯m the mosquito blood smear on your wall, or a smear of ketchup on your shirt.¡±


    Shawn gave me a long, curious look before sighing and muttering, ¡°Women who think too much are prone to hair loss.¡±


    His words left me speechless. All of a sudden, I felt a little suffocated.


    I once read a psychology book about a concept called ¡°deactivation.¡± It said that when you stop giving emotional responses, the other person¡¯s power y starts to lose its grip.


    But right now, it felt like I¡¯d stepped into the game. Every word he said made me feel like I had to respond, to defend myself.


    I lowered my head, frustrated, and sipped my tea while Shawn sat there, calm andposed, watching <ol><li>me. </li></ol>


    ??64)


    Just then, a message popped up on my phone¨Ca bank notification. One of my ounts had just been credited with one million.


    I nced down at the message, and then looked up at Shawn. He actually kept his word.


    He seemed to guess what the text was about and joked, ¡°Want to double¨Ccheck how many zeros there are?¡±


    I set my phone down right away, refusing to y into his game. Keeping my cool, I said calmly, ¡°I trust you.¡±


    Shawn looked a bit bored and then stood up. ¡°Dinner at my mom¡¯s tonight. Want me toe pick you up?¡±


    ¡°No need. I¡¯ll go on my own,¡± I said quickly, shaking my head.


    He pressed his lips into a thin line and didn¡¯t say anything else. After finishing his tea, he left.


    That evening, when I drove over, Yuna was nowhere to be seen. Of course, I didn¡¯t ask where she was.


    It was Susanna who spoke up, saying, ¡°Hazel took Yuna out. Said they¡¯re going to a concert.¡±


    I nodded. As long as someone was keeping Yuna upied and she wasn¡¯t picking a fight with me, that was good. Maybe being away from a failed mother like me would give her a different kind of upbringing.


    My father¨Cinw joined us for dinner. He mainly came to talk to Shawn about his investment. Susanna kept making a few sarcastic remarks, but my father¨Cinw had a good temper and just chuckled and


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    Shawn was the type of manpletely immersed in his career. He never got involved in his parents¡® messy, broken rtionship¨Cas long as they weren¡¯t at each other¡¯s throats, he stayed out of it.


    Looking at Shawn, I realized for the first time just how strong he was inside, how solid his core was. Nothing external seemed to shake his determination to build his empire.


    It was obvious my father¨Cinw didn¡¯t get the investment amount he was hoping for again this time. Shawn carefully exined his reasons several times, but my father¨Cinw was a bit displeased and drove off in his shy sports car.


    Shawn nced at his phone and asked Susanna, ¡°When is Hazel bringing Yuna back?¡±


    Susanna said, ¡°Try calling her. I did earlier, but it must¡¯ve been too noisy¨Cshe didn¡¯t pick up.¡±


    Just as Shawn picked up his phone, it started ringing.


    He nced at the screen, brows furrowed, and stepped outside to answer the call.


    I was getting ready to leave too. I grabbed my bag and headed out. As I passed by Shawn, he didn¡¯t seem to notice me.


    His voice was low and steady as he spoke, ¡°Where are you now? I¡¯ll go picked up Yuna. You just got off the ne and already helped me take care of her. I really appreciate it.


    ¡°Okay, stay there.¡±


    Shawn hung up and turned to see me. There was a brief sh of awkwardness in his expression. ¡°I¡¯m going to pick up Yuna. You should head home.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡± I hadn¡¯t nned on going with him anyway, but something about his dodging gaze set off my


    instincts.


    Maybe it wasn¡¯t just Hazel and Yuna at the concert¨Cmaybe Queena was there too.


    Which would exin why Shawn didn¡¯t bring me along this time. Because tonight, he didn¡¯t want me there.


    I walked straight to my car, got in, and drove away without hesitation.


    When I got home, I had no idea what time Shawn and Yuna returned¨CI was already asleep.


    The next morning, Yuna was half¨Casleep in Shawn¡¯s arms, pouting and pretending to have a stomachache to avoid school. Shawn was trying to coax her.


    ¡°Yuna, Mommy and I have work today. You need to go to school,¡± he said calmly. He spoiled her, but when it came to serious matters, he stood firm. ¡°If your stomach really hurts, I¡¯ll take you to the hospital to get it


    checked.


    ¡°Will they have to draw blood or give me a shot?¡± Yuna asked, eyes wide.


    ¡°Maybe,¡± Shawn replied calmly.


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    ¡°Then no thanks,¡± Yuna said quickly, sitting up straight in hisp. ¡°I¡¯d rather go to school.¡±


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    Just then, I wasing down the stairs. Yuna dashed over from Shawn¡¯s side and hugged my leg, looking up at me with pleading eyes. ¡°Mommy, how about you skip work today and take me out to y instead?¡±


    I nced at Yuna. Her face was dotted with several swollen mosquito bites that still hadn¡¯t faded. Her skin was sensitive¨Cjust one bite would leave a big red bump that took three days to heal, even with ointment. This time, I didn¡¯t bother putting any on.


    ¡°I¡¯m busy with work. I don¡¯t have time,¡± I replied coolly.


    ¡°Mom, you don¡¯t love me anymore! Hmph. Even Queena is better; at least she-¡± Yuna was so angry that she wasn¡¯t watching what she said, but she was smart enough to stop herself in time.


    Shawn looked over at me, clearly watching for a reaction.


    I gave him nothing¨Cjust calmly sat down and started eating the nutritious breakfast Mona had prepared.


    Lately, my health has improved. My skin was smooth and glowing, no longer pale like it used to be. My sleep had probably improved, too. My eyes looked clearer and brighter, no longer dull and tired from all the pent¨Cup stress.


    Shawn stood and crouched down in front of Yuna. ¡°Mom¡¯s busy, so go to school for now. I¡¯ll try toe pick you up this afternoon.¡±


    ¡­


    ¡°Can someone else pick me up? I want ¡°Yuna leaned in and whispered in his ear, clearly not wanting me to hear.


    Shawn¡¯s brows drew together, his expression tightening.


    ¡°Please, Daddy,¡± Yuna pleaded sweetly.


    Shawn couldn¡¯t resist her. He simply patted her head and said, ¡°Alright, but first, finish your breakfast.¡±


    Yuna immediately brightened and quickly cleaned her te, even tossing me a cheeky nce afterward.


    Shawn dropped her off at school on the way out. As for me, I had to head to the office¨Cthere were a few payments I needed to sort out with the finance team.


    As soon as I arrived at the office, I saw Queena in the finance department. Her expression turned a bit sour when she spotted me.


    Just as she was about to leave, she suddenly asked, ¡°Yesterday, one million was transferred from Mr. Hartwell¡¯s personal ount. Mrs. Hartwell, do you know where that money went?¡±


    I was momentarily stunned, <i>So </i><i>now </i><i>Queena </i><i>was </i>managing <i>Shawn¡¯s </i><i>finances</i>? <i>She </i>was <i>really </i><i>stepping </i><i>into </i><i>the </i><i>role </i>ofdy <i>of </i><i>the </i><i>house</i>.¡±


    ¡°Why are you asking me? Ask hiin,¡± I snapped back, no longer the pushover I once was.


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    Queena¡¯s expression darkened even more. ¡°I will,¡± she said.


    Now I was curious. How would Shawn handle this? Would he tell her the truth?


    If Queena found out the truth, would she fall apart on the spot?


    But most likely, Shawn wouldn¡¯t say anything¨Che valued his privacy.


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    I was walking out of the finance department when I saw Shawning out of the elevator. I pretended not to see him and turned the other way. But he called out, ¡°Honey,e to the office for a moment.¡±


    There were still quite a few people in the hallway, and that ¡°honey¡± caught me off guard. This guy really knew how to put on a show.


    Bute on, everyone in thepany knew Queena was his so¨Ccalled confidante.


    I pretended not to hear and kept walking.


    Shawn caught up, grabbed my arm, and asked, ¡°What¡¯s wrong now?¡±


    I stared at his face, trying hard to imagine he looked like a pile of money.


    ¡°What do you need?¡± I asked calmly, pushing down the emotions swirling inside me.


    ¡°My cousin¡¯s getting married tomorrow. Tonight, we¡¯re going to Craneport together,¡± Shawn said, right there in the corridor.


    I knew which cousin he meant¡ªa college professor. I vaguely remembered my mother¨Cinw mentioning his wedding in myst life. But back then, Shawn went alone.


    Of course, in his previous life, when he went out alone, he must have been apanied by his so¨Ccalled confidante.


    I was a bit surprised¨CShawn was actually nning to take me? Queena was probably going to cry her eyes out in the bathroom.


    ¡°I see, but I¡¯m swamped with work right now. Maybe, I¡¯ll just skip it.¡± Right now, I not only had


    <i>go </i>of my feelings for him, but I also had to make sure my words and actions disgusted


    to let


    him.


    He owed me that much in his past life.


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    As expected, Shawn¡¯s expression darkened, clearly annoyed. ¡°He¡¯s my cousin. Our families are pretty close. My parents are busy, so we¡¯re going on their behalf. If you don¡¯t go, is that appropriate?¡±


    ¡°Are we bringing Yuna too?¡± I didn¡¯t want to travel far with her again.


    ¡°No. Just the two of us,¡± Shawn said, his expression darkening.


    I didn¡¯t want to miss the chance to get out and see more of the world. Craneport was a major business hub. Visiting it had always been a dream of mine.


    Plus, the wedding guests tomorrow were bound to be influential. Showing up with Shawn might help me make some useful connections. That could benefit my career.


    I was also nning to start a Tiktok ount¨Cshare some daily hotel content, build up a following, and eventually use that traffic to increase bookings.


    ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll head home and pack once I¡¯m done here.¡± I pulled my arm from his grasp and walked back to my office.


    In the reflection on the ss, I saw Shawn standing there, stiff and tense, frustration written all over his face.


    That evening, we headed to the airport together.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t tell Yuna we¡¯re going to Craneport, did you?¡± Shawn suddenly asked.


    I shook my head. ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s not mention it then. No need to upset her,¡± he said, still spoiling his daughter as always.


    I stayed quiet, eyes fixed on the city lights outside the window.


    The airport was crowded when we arrived. Both of us packed light. After clearing security, we waited in the lounge for our flight.


    Shawn was tall and lean, and his wardrobe was almost entirely business attire. He was working on hisputer in the VIP lounge¨Chis white shirt subtly revealing a million¨Cdor watch, giving off an air of elite and wealth.


    I stood by the ss outside, sipping my coffee and watching nes take off, deliberately choosing not to sit with him.


    When I got back, I saw three young and pretty girls sitting next to Shawn. Their faces were flushed, and they kept ncing at him, nudging each other as if they were trying to get his


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    contact details.


    :


    I stood by the door with my arms crossed, watching quietly.


    Young was great¨Cbold, fearless, full of hope.


    Unlike me. I wasn¡¯t old, but inside, it felt like a wastnd left behind after a storm.


    Still, rebuilding a wall of hope in that emptiness¨Cthat was a kind of rebirth.


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    Eventually, one of the girls finally gathered the courage to walk up to Shawn and ask for his number.


    Shawn seemed a bit taken aback, looking up from hisptop. He nced at the girl, then looked past her to me leaning against the door, and said, ¡°Sorry, my wife is here. She might get the wrong


    idea.¡±


    All three girls turned to look at me at the same time, then hurried out of the lounge like they¡¯d been caught doing something wrong.


    Actually, although these three girls were well¨Cdressed and clearly came from good families with good upbringings, they probably just thought Shawn was attractive and looked like a sessful young man and were hoping for a romantic encounter.


    I knew Shawn well. He no longer had that reckless energy he once did. Not like back then- when he spotted me in the crowd and fell for me instantly, pursuing me passionately, and even marrying me.

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    Marrying me on a whim¨Cit must be one of his biggest regrets.


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    Drawn in by appearances, swept up in a moment of impulse, only to realize I was just an empty shell. Aside from my face, nothing about me ever truly fit with him.


    Those three girls just had bad timing. The Shawn of today was calm<b>, </bposed, and cautious -he wasn¡¯t someone who¡¯d be swayed by a pretty face so easily anymore.


    I thought back to what he said outside the church. Now, it seemed to carry more weight than I realized.


    He was protecting his reputation.


    And it made sense. As a young entrepreneur, it was easy to fall into traps. Guarding his reputation wasn¡¯t about pride¡ªit was survival. Of course, he had to be careful. Even in his past life, there weren¡¯t many women around him¨Cjust Queena.


    In my past life, I once had the petty thought of using some 18- or 19¨Cyear¨Cold girl to break them up. I even tried. But Shawn didn¡¯t fall for it. I still remember that night. The girl confessed her feelings, ended up crying in the rain, and asked Shawn if she could have his suit jacket. He gave it to her¨Cbut told her not to bother returning it. Said she could just throw it


    away.


    When that girl handed the suit jacket back to me, Ipletely broke down inside.


    He had turned down a young, beautiful girl¨Cproof that Queena was the only one in his heart.


    ¡°Tiffany, let me have a sip of your coffee,¡± Shawn called out while I was lost in thought.


    I quickly tilted my head back, finished it in one gulp, and then showed him the empty cup before tossing it into the trash.


    Shawn was speechless.


    As we were boarding, Shawn stood right behind me. Up ahead, a little boy yfully shoved his parent, causing the adult to stumble backward and bump into me. The impact made me lose bnce, and I ended up falling straight into Shawn¡¯s arms.


    He caught me by the waist and asked softly, ¡°Are you okay?¡±


    The parent quickly turned to apologize, and I shook my head before stepping forward without


    a word.


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    Shawn didn¡¯t have time to retract his hand around my waist and was jolted by the force. His eyes becameplicated, and his expression darkened.


    I closed my eyes to sleep on the flight while Shawn left me alone, putting on his headphones.


    The legendary city of Craneport had a charm that made travelers linger.


    When we arrived, it was alreadyte at night.


    The hotel Shawn booked was near Veronica Harbor, with a stunning view right outside the


    window.


    But instead of admiring the scenery, my mind was upied with how I was going <i>to </i>sleep tonight.


    Shawn had promisedst time that he wouldn¡¯t force the ¡°husband and wife¡± thing on me. I hoped he meant it.


    After his shower, he came out and saw me leaning by the floor¨Cto¨Cceiling window. ¡°Do you want to have a ce of your own here one day?¡±


    I looked at him in surprise. Shawn had just showered, and his neat, dark, short hair was still dripping. But he pointed in a direction and said, ¡°They¡¯re developing a pretty nice housingplex over there. Let¡¯s go take a look tomorrow.¡±


    My breath caught for a moment, and my heart started to race.


    Shawn was using money to lure me again.


    I admit that I wasn¡¯t those bold, sharp heroines you read about in revenge novels. So when he said he wanted to give me a home here, I felt tempted.


    When I married him, I was the kind of person who treated love like it was everything. To I loved him for who he was¨Cnot for his money¨CI insisted on signing a prenuptial prove agreement. Of course, Shawn initially refused.


    Unfortunately, I lost my mind, insisting on proving that the person I loved was him, not his money. In front of my parents and inws, we divided our assets. Only when Shawn willingly gave me his property and money would it belong to me. I didn¡¯t ask to share hispany shares or any property under his name. Of course, to that day, I still didn¡¯t know exactly how much money Shawn had, and he had never brought it up.


    But I knew¨Cbuying a property in Craneport was nothing to him. Just a drop in the bucket.


    ¡°This ce will be under your name,¡± Shawn said softly when I stayed quiet. ¡°Completely


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    yours. If you¡¯re ever feeling down, you cane here to rx. Didn¡¯t you say you love shopping for clothes and bags? There are way more options here.¡±


    I calmed myself and asked, ¡°Why are you being so nice to me all of a sudden?¡±


    Shawn stood by the window with his back to me. ¡°These past six years, I¡¯ve been focused on my career. I know I¡¯ve neglected you and Yuna. You¡¯ve been raising her on your own¨Cit must¡¯ve been tough. I understand if you resent me. Tiffany, let¡¯s try to go back to living a normal life.¡±


    He turned to face me. ¡°Like any married couple, we¡¯ll talk things out, and make a loving environment for Yuna, so she can grow up feeling loved by both her parents.¡±


    I looked at him, trying to see how much of what he said was genuine.


    12:17 <b>Fri</b><b>, </b><b>Sep </b>12

 Yearning 118

    Chapter 118 I Wanted Money, Not Him


    Chapter 118 I Wanted Money, Not Him


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    Shawn¡¯s gaze was deep and unreadable¨CI couldn¡¯t quite figure him out at that moment.


    If he had said those words to me in our previous life, I would¡¯ve burst into tears, thrown myself into his arms, and agreed without hesitation.


    But in this life? No thanks.


    If he were truly dependable, I wouldn¡¯t be this disappointed in him.


    Still, the act had to go on. And honestly, it seemed like the advice Mnie gave me was starting to work.


    Lately, Shawn¡¯s attitude toward me had noticeably shifted¨Cfirst the gold, then the money, and now he was even offering to buy me a property in Craneport.


    His actions were puzzling, sure, but the asset was real, tangible assets I could actually control.


    ¡°Hubby, it¡¯s just¡­ I feel so unsure, so lost.¡± My eyes welled up as I slowly walked toward him, looking at him like a sheep without a shepherd¨Cconfused and afraid. ¡°Sometimes I feel like I have everything but also nothing at all. Yuna will grow up eventually and you ¡­ Even when we got married, I knew I wasn¡¯t your equal. Now your career¡¯s taken off, and I¡¯m still standing in the same ce. Hubby, I¡¯m really scared.¡±


    ¡°What are you afraid of? Don¡¯t you have me?¡± Shawn actually believed me. His gaze had never been so gentle. He wrapped an arm around me, patting my back softly as he pulled me into his embrace. ¡°Maybe I got distracted for a while, but I¡¯ll always find my way back home. Tiffany, if you want a career, I¡¯ll help you.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± I looked at him like I wholeheartedly trusted him. ¡°But you once said¨Cit¡¯s impossible to bnce both family and career. If I choose my career, I might not be able to take care of the family.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll give you three years to focus on your career,¡± Shawn said, gently brushing his fingers through my hair. ¡°We can talk about having another child after that. Yuna¡¯s still too young to understand. Having a baby now might upset her. But in three years, she¡¯ll be ten¨Cshe should be old enough to ept a little brother or sister.¡±


    Shawn still put his daughter first¨Cjust as I expected.


    ¡°Okay, I agree. Can we go check out that property now?¡± I stepped back from his arms, blinking up at him. ¡°Just to take a quick look at the exterior.¡±


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    Chapter 118 I Wanted Money, Not Him.


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    Shawn was surprised. He nced out the window, then at me¡­ therge bed behind us.


    and finally, his eyesnded on


    ¡°Honey, please?¡± I quickly switched to my soft and sweet tone, tugging at his sleeve.


    Seeing how much I wanted to go, Shawn reluctantly agreed. ¡°Alright, give me a moment to change.¡±


    We arrived at the road next to the property development, and it was indeed a high¨Cend project. The building was already structurallyplete, and construction workers were even workingte into the night. The adjacent sales office was also very luxurious and grand, but since it was past midnight, it was closed.


    ¡°Hubby, I want a unit on a higher level with a nice view.¡± I had already pointed up, counted each floor, and finally said I wanted the 28th floor.


    Seeing how excited I was, Shawn agreed without hesitation. ¡°Okay, after the wedding tomorrow, we¡¯ll go take a look.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, Hubby,¡± I said sweetly.


    Shawn had clearly noticed the change in me, that I was now more focused on what I could get. He disliked it but stayed silent.


    He probably saw it as a sign that I was feeling insecure.


    As I was smiling brightly, Shawn suddenly asked, ¡°Tiffany, I need you to tell me something honest¨Cdo I still have a ce in your heart?¡±


    I shifted my gaze from the tall building to the man standing under the streemp beside me.


    What a joke. <i>Honest </i><i>had </i><i>another </i><i>name</i><i>¨C</i><i>leverage</i><i>. </i><i>Who </i><i>would </i><i>say </i><i>that</i><i>? </i>


    Shawn kept his intense gaze locked on me and continued, ¡°I want you to look at me the way you used to, with your eyes only for me. Can you do that?¡±


    I opened my mouth, but I realized that sometimes it was difficult to say things that go against my conscience.


    Seeing that I was silent for a long time, Shawn suddenly reached out, hisrge hand gently holding the back of my head, drawing me closer. He briefly kissed my lips before releasing me. ¡°From the moment I saw you, I knew it wasn¡¯t just a passing impulse. My body was drawn to you, too. You don¡¯t have topare yourself to anyone. Just by being there, you outshine everyone.¡±


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    Chapter 118 I Wanted Money, Not Him


    My eyes widened, thinking, <i>I¡¯d </i><i>be </i><i>a </i><i>fool </i><i>to </i><i>believe </i><i>you</i>.


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    In my past life, he had the same kind of physical attraction to Queena. She just had to be there, and she¡¯d easily outshine me.


    Men did know how to tter when they wanted something.


    Shawn¡¯s intense gaze made me feel disconnected.


    I wanted money, not him. But the money was in his hands, so if I wanted it, I had to go through him.


    Maybe I needed to change my mindset. <i>Men </i><i>are </i><i>meant </i><i>to </i><i>be </i><i>enjoyed </i><i>in </i><i>the </i><i>present</i><i>. </i><i>Why </i><i>care </i><i>about </i>who <i>they¡¯ll </i><i>belong </i><i>to </i><i>tomorrow</i>?


    <i>Shawn </i><i>is </i><i>my </i><i>husband</i><i>, </i><i>and </i><i>I¡¯m </i><i>not </i><i>pretending </i><i>to </i><i>be </i><i>innocent</i><i>. </i><i>He¡¯s </i><i>attractive </i><i>and </i><i>pays </i><i>well</i><i>, </i>so <i>I¡¯ll </i><i>enjoy </i>him while I <i>can</i>. <i>Because </i><i>once </i><i>we¡¯re </i><i>divorced</i><i>, </i><i>I </i><i>won¡¯t </i><i>be </i><i>able </i><i>to </i><i>use </i><i>him </i><i>anymore </i><i>even </i><i>if </i><i>I </i><i>want </i><i>to</i>.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


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 Yearning 119

    Chapter 119 Am I Impressive?


    Chapter 119 Am I Impressive?


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    ¡°Hubby, what¡¯s wrong with you today? You¡¯re acting moody¨Cthis isn¡¯t like you,¡± I said with a teasing smile.


    Shawn leaned against the car door and lit a cigarette, clearly in a bad mood.


    ¡°I used to not believe it, but now it seems like I get it. When you fall for someone at first sight, no matter what happens, you¡¯ll still love them,¡± Shawn said, taking a drag from his cigarette. The pale smoke drifted across his face as he quietly mocked himself, ¡°Our ending was written the moment we met, Tiffany. What do you think?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think so.¡±


    Men, even after all these years, still confused me.


    It was like Shawn¨Cwhat was he trying to say?


    I remember that sweet talk wasn¡¯t his style, and honestly, he didn¡¯t seem lik knew how to say them.


    e type who


    In my eyes, he had always been calm andposed, handling everything with ease. Whenever trouble came, he was focused on finding a solution. He was a cool¨Cheaded and rational man, with a mind for detail that was almost obsessive. A rational man with a sentimental side was a dangerousbination; it proved he had a dual charm. What woman could resist that?


    ¡°Hubby, you¡¯ve been saying sweet thingstely. Did someone teach you?¡± I asked, half¨Cjoking, half¨Cseriously, with my hands behind my back as I looked at him.


    Shawn¡¯s expression faltered for a moment.


    When his sincerity was doubted, it lost its value.


    ¡°Tiffany, what are you getting at?¡± Shawn replied, looking frustrated and annoyed. He took another drag of his cigarette, releasing a cloud of smoke with a hint of irritation.


    I shrugged and said calmly, ¡°I didn¡¯t say anything. Why are you taking it so personally? Only someone guilty would react like that.¡±


    Shawn¡¯s expression stiffened. The next second, he crushed his cigarette in the nearby trash <b>can </b>and turned to me. ¡°Let¡¯s go. It¡¯ste.¡±


    The fact that he couldn¡¯t meet my eyes showed he was hiding something.


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    Chapter 119 Am I Impressive?


    But then again, Shawn¡¯s heart was always wandering, that was just how he was.


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    From the beginning, he always thought of having a wife and a mistress. Now I just had the same idea as him, and I gradually understood him.


    Once you see things from a wider perspective, no matter how sweet the promises are, they won¡¯t fool you.


    We were using the hotel¡¯s car with a driver on duty. On the way back, I felt a bit exhausted and closed my eyes, dozing off.


    Suddenly, an arm pulled me. I opened my eyes and found myself resting against Shawn¡¯s chest, the faint smell of cigarette smoke still on him.


    At that moment, a sadness washed over me.


    Now that I no longer loved him, he was doing these sweet things. How had we even made it through all these years together? He had never been this gentle before.


    rt and go to his He had always been unmoved. Sometimes, right after a shower, I¡¯d wear his study, trying to charm him. He¡¯d just nce at me and say indifferently, ¡°Stop messing around. I¡¯m in a meeting. It wouldn¡¯t look good if someone saw.¡±


    The memory of his past indifference made me jerk upright, leaving Shawn stirring awake, his arms now empty as he looked at me.


    ¡°I can¡¯t sleep,¡± I exined under his intense gaze.


    Shawn closed his eyes again, not pushing me any


    further.


    By the time we <i>got </i>back <i>to </i>the hotel, it was already past 2 a.m. I went to take a shower, assuming Shawn had showered and would be getting to bed early.


    But when I stepped out in my pajamas, I found Shawn standing by the floor¨Cto¨Cceiling window, holding a ss of red wine, one hand in his pocket, gazing out at the dimming city lights.


    My face stiffened. <i>He wouldn¡¯t</i>¡­


    Hearing the movement, he turned to face me. Setting his wine ss down, he approached with the smooth grace of a predator. ¡°Can we tonight?¡±


    My eyes widened. ¡°It¡¯s sote. I¡¯m not in the mood.¡±


    But Shawn ignored my words. He reached out, his dry palm warm pressed gently against my


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    cheek. He stared at me with a fiery gaze. ¡°For the sake of the apartment ¡­ give me a reward.¡±


    His voice was deep and hoarse,ced with subtle allure.


    I gazed out at the lights, the city that never sleeps, full of bustling energy. The desire for wealth drove the body¡¯s instincts.


    Shawn lowered his head and kissed my corbone. I looked at the shing neon lights and raised my chin slightly, allowing him to kiss deeper.


    He pestered me for more than an hour before letting me sleep. In my drowsy haze<i>, </i>I heard him ask, ¡°Tiffany, am I impressive?¡±


    I almostughed myself awake, but a man¡¯s pride always hangs on that little bit of ego. Whatever, considering the house, I muttered, ¡°I guess you are.¡±

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    Chapter 120 Beneath the morous Exterior.


    Chapter 120 Beneath the morous Exterior


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    As soon as Shawn heard that, he wasn¡¯t having it. He immediately turned me to face him and pressed, ¡°Why ¡®I guess? Am I not impressive?¡±


    My eyelids were fighting a battle of their own from being so tired, so I mumbled, ¡°Okay, fine, you¡¯re really impressive.¡±


    Shawn¡¯s face darkened, probably because I added ¡°okay, fine.¡±


    The night passed, and the morning sun streamed in through the curtains.


    The sunlight stung my eyes a little. I nced at the time¨Cit was already ten o¡¯clock.


    Shawn was sitting in the living room, taking calls. There were quite a few, one after another. His face slowly shifted into a businesslike expression. He turned to look at me and said, ¡°Change your clothes. We should be leaving soon.¡±


    I brought an elegant slit dress with me, a soft pink one with hand¨Cembroidered flowers and


    it birds. The craftsmanship was exquisite, and it wasn¡¯t cheap. I bought it becaplemented myplexion.


    After changing into the dress, I styled my thick, waist¨Clength hair, and put on simple pearl drop earrings. My whole look was less about wealth and more simple and understated, a stark contrast from how I used to be in my previous life.


    In my past life, I loved to unt wealth through jewelry and essories, always feeling that if I didn¡¯t wear something worth tens of millions, others would look down on me.


    My mindset now was simple: if anyone looked down on me, I¡¯d return the favor. Nobody got special treatment.


    It was like Shawn¨Cin my past life, he was my world, my god, my light. Now, he was nothing more than a tool for making money, a stepping stone for my progress, adder to reach for the


    stars.


    As I turned, Shawn was ying with his phone, leaning against the door, watching me.


    ¡°Where are all your beautiful jewelry and bags? Did you forget them?¡± Shawn noticed my simple outfit and assumed I had been in a rush that I forgot to bring the things that showed off my status.


    I smiled. ¡°Those are just material things. Didn¡¯t I bring you instead? With you here, what do I need them for?¡±


    Chapter 120 Beneath the morous Exterior


    s


    Shawn was momentarily stunned, and then smiled, reaching out to pinch my check. ¡°Looks like your mouth is getting better at talking.¡±


    ¡°What can I do? A woman with a sharp tongue tends to suffer,¡± I said with a sigh.


    Shawn stared at me for a moment before replying, ¡°I¡¯ve realized I¡¯m quite conflicted. I used toin that you were too dull. Now I¡¯m worried you¡¯ll be too clever, too charming.


    ¡°Be more confident, Hubby. I will make you proud,¡± I said, reaching out to adjust his tie. ¡°Please take good care of me, Hubby.¡±


    Shawn took my hand, gently pressing it to his lips and kissing it. ¡°If I push you into the business world, I¡¯m worried someone will set their sights on you.¡±


    I was taken aback, blinking in surprise. ¡°Honey, you¡¯re overthinking it.¡±


    But Shawn suddenly pulled me closer, his lips brushing against the back of my ear as he whispered, ¡°I¡¯m not overthinking. The world is harsher than you think. Looks like I¡¯ll need to be even stronger to protect you.¡±


    I bit my lip in silence. <i>He </i><i>was </i><i>actually </i><i>wasting </i><i>his </i><i>energy </i><i>worrying </i><i>about </i><i>this</i><i>? </i>


    <i>What </i><i>was </i><i>going </i><i>on</i><i>? </i><i>Was </i><i>I </i><i>really </i>so <i>stunning</i><i>, </i><i>like </i><i>some </i><i>kind of </i><i>goddess</i><i>? </i>


    Shawn released my hand, lowered his head to take a closer look at my face, and then quickly masked all his emotions. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±


    I watched him walk away, the brief glimpse of concern still lingering in my mind. I sneered. <i>Was </i><i>he </i><i>worried </i><i>that </i><i>he </i><i>could </i><i>no </i><i>longer </i><i>control </i><i>my </i>life? <i>What </i><i>a </i><i>fool</i>.


    The grand restaurant was full of guests. Shawn¡¯s cousin and his family stood at the entrance, greeting guests. Shawn¡¯s uncle had relocated to Craneport years ago. While his cousin wasn¡¯t in the business world, his uncle still ran twopanies, having built his wealth by trading electronics in the early years. He was a seasoned yer with a considerable financial standing.


    When we arrived, Shawn¡¯s uncle personally led us to a private room. Shawn seemed to know everyone inside, but I wasn¡¯t familiar with most of them.


    It was a wedding banquet, so many of the guests had brought their wives, and some had even brought their children.


    As seated, I quietly observed the wealthy women around me. Though their faces were well- kept and youthful, I could see the sadness in their eyes, a weariness with life.


    I felt as though I were looking at my past self¨Cthe loneliness and sadness beneath the


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    Chapter 120 Beneath the morous Exterior


    morous exterior, visible to others through the eyes.


    I didn¡¯t know if the darkness from my past still lingered in my eyes.


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    But I tried not to ovep with my former self anymore. I wanted <i>to </i>be apletely new version of myself.


    As we were drinking and chatting, I realized that everyone present was influential. But Shawn wouldn¡¯t let me exchange cards with any man.


    At first, I wanted to use hiswork, but I realized he didn¡¯t want me to have my own connections.

 Yearning 121

    Chapter 121 Drunk Boy


    Chapter 121 Drunk Boy


    Heh, <i>men</i><i>! </i>


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    Perhaps in Shawn¡¯s eyes, my running Apex Hotel just made me a manager¨Csomeone who would never be like him, wielding capital to expand their influence.


    It seemed I was too naive. Building connections wasn¡¯t something that came so easily.


    Being by Shawn¡¯s side, I received a lot of praise, including some men¡¯s scrutinizing and fascinated stares.


    A woman¡¯s most beautiful side wasn¡¯t just her appearance, but also something far more precious¨Cher health.


    Only a woman who radiates health and vitality can truly captivate a man. After all, a strong life force is like the morning sun at 8 AM¨Cwho wouldn¡¯t want to soak it in?


    So, the reason I attracted attention from those men today wasn¡¯t just abo


    low I looked, but


    because I had focused on improving my health. I radiated vitality, no longer struggling with myself.


    After a round of drinks, Shawn was a little drunk.


    I sipped my wine slowly, feeling the heat of the gazes around me.


    Turning my head, I saw Shawn staring at me quietly with a drunken look.


    That familiar look made me feel uneasy.


    <i>What </i>is it? <i>Am </i><i>I </i><i>just </i><i>another ornament </i><i>for </i><i>him</i><i>, </i><i>a </i><i>pretty </i><i>face </i><i>to </i><i>boost </i><i>his </i><i>image</i>?


    In the end, it was just his male pride acting up. I avoided his gaze and stood up. ¡°I¡¯m going to the bathroom.¡±


    Shawn nodded.


    I stepped out of the private room, and the area outside was filled with over 20 tables of guests. Feeling suffocated, I decided to leave through another door.


    The corridor I found myself in was quiet and peaceful, leading to the passageway of the nearby five¨Cstar hotel.


    Since it was less crowded here, I figured I¡¯d take a walk around and then return. I wasn¡¯t in the


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    Chapter 121 Drunk Boy


    mood to look at the drunk men anymore.


    s


    As I turned a corner, I heard a sound. ¡°Ugh¡­¡± A man was crouching by a nt, clearly drunk.


    As I walked over, he suddenly asked, ¡°Can you give me tissue?¡±


    I opened my handbag and handed him a pack of tissues.


    He muttered thank you before tearing it open and wiping away the alcohol stains.


    When he turned his face toward me, I realized he must have been quite young¨Cprobably in his early twenties.


    What struck me, though, was how handsome he was.


    He stood up, wearing a white T¨Cshirt and a tinum chain, giving off a youthful and carefree vibe.


    He seemed to finally notice me, smiling as he said, ¡°Thanks.¡±


    His voice had a clear, youthful tone, the kind that hints that a boy was just starting <i>to </i>mature. I asked, ¡°Are you here for the wedding next door?¡±


    He shook his head. ¡°No.¡±


    I nodded, then turned to leave.


    Just then, a group of people rushed down the corridor, all dressed in suits, quickly passing <i>by </i>me. One of them turned back and asked, ¡°Excuse me, have you seen a young man in a white T- shirt pass by here?¡±


    I was startled. With the urgency in their movement, were they trying to catch someone?


    Thinking of the drunk boy from earlier, I shook my head. ¡°I think I saw him. He went over that way just now.¡±


    The group immediately stopped and headed in the direction I pointed.


    Just then, I heard a quiet chuckle¨Cfrom behind me. ¡°Thanks. You¡¯re really kind.¡±


    I turned to see the boy emerging from behind a pir, frowning as I asked, ¡°Are they trying to catch you? Why haven¡¯t you run yet?¡±


    The boy slouched against the pir, andzily replied, ¡°They are trying to catch me, but I don¡¯t


    need to run.¡±


    Chapter 121 Drunk Boy


    +5 <b>Free </b><b>Coins </b>


    Youth does make one act impulsively. He was about to be caught, yet still had that confident look on his face.


    ¡°Well, good luck not getting caught,¡± I said before walking away quickly.


    When I returned to the private room, Shawn was still sober¨Chis alcohol tolerance <b>was </b>impressive.


    ¡°We¡¯re heading over to Uncle Mario¡¯s ce to sit for a while. Let¡¯s go now,¡± Shawn said, pushing himself up from the table. But as he stood, he swayed and then leaned toward me. ¡°Tiffany, help me out.¡±


    I couldn¡¯t roll my eyes in public, so I just helped him out and we got into a car to leave.


    Inside the car, Shawn kept sticking close to me, but I didn¡¯t feel like paying him any attention.


    We arrived at Mario Hartwell¡¯s ce. It was a three¨Cstory vi in a highly sought¨Cafter area.


    By the time we got there, the rest of the Hartwells had arrived. I spotted Hazel as well, though I hadn¡¯t seen her during lunch.


    Hazel had always been close with Wendy Hartwell because they were around the same age. At the moment, the two of them were sitting on the sofa, discussing where to go for some fun shoppingter.


    When they saw use in, Hazel quickly ran over, but only to talk to Shawn.


    ¡°Finally, you¡¯re here! Wendy and I are heading out tonight, so I¡¯ll need you to support me up a bit.¡±


    <b>3</b>


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