《Fated to the Ruthless CEO》


 His Promise

    ¡°Dev¡­Devlin, I don¡¯t have much time left. Plea¡­ please pro- pro- mise me that yo.. you are going to do my wish.¡± Came the faint, faltering voice of Devlin¡¯s grandmother, Olivia. She looks very pale and her eyes are starting to close. She has been having difficulty breathing but she insisted on talking to Devlin alone in her hospital room. Even in her dying moments, she still thinks of her beloved grandson. She wants to make sure that he is going to be well taken care of by a great woman¡­ not just those usual women he keeps dating.


    Devlin has a grimmed expression on his face. He has been hearing these past few months from his grandmother about someone whom she thought would be a fit wife for him. He has never met the woman. Besides, marriage is far from his mind right now. He still has a lot of personal issues to resolve on his own and a thrivingpany to manage. He can¡¯t just afford to add another problem.


    However, he cannot refuse his grandmother as well, especially that she has been very sick for years. Lately, she has been repeatedly asking him to marry the granddaughter of her friend. He did not even have the time to think about anything else except his grandmother.


    He shook his head lightly. He took his grandmother¡¯s fragile hands,forting her in herst moments. If there is anything he could do for her right now is to help her ease the pain she is feeling.


    ¡°Pro¨C promise me, son.¡± Again, the weak voice of his grandma took over his head. He only smiled at her lovingly, holding tightly her hand.


    ¡°I.. I  need to hear you.¡± She almost whispered. Devlin took a deep sigh. His grandmother has always been a stubborn woman even in herst moments.


    ¡°Yes, grandma, I promise. Please don¡¯t worry about that.¡± Answered Devlin seriously. He loves his grandmother so much. He was closer to her than to his parents and only brother.


    ¡°Than- thank you, son.¡± She tried to smile at him. Devlin also smiled back at her. Peace and calmness suddenly overtook her exhausted appearance just a few moments ago.


    After a long while, his grandma took herst breath. She looks peaceful just like she¡¯s sleeping. Tears escaped from Devlin¡¯s eyes. His shoulders were shaking. His grandmother just sumbed to her long battle from cancer.


    Devlin is now driving back to his penthouse. He is quietly contemting what happened today.


    His grandmother just passed away. Despite his sorrow, he could not understand why his grandmother would insist for him to marry someone he never met at all. Then, he remembered what happened six months ago. He was visiting his grandmother when the topic came up.


    ¡°Devlin, I wanted to visit a very good old friend. It has been decades since Ist saw her.¡± She said with unexpected excitement. It has been a while since he saw his grandmother this happy and excited. So, he engaged her into talking some more.


    ¡°Who are you going to visit, grandma? You have not traveled for a couple of years now.¡± He said with curiosity.Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°I finally found her! She is in California right now with her beautiful granddaughter!¡± She eximed enthusiastically. Then, it dawned on him that she was talking about that childhood friend of hers she used to tell him since he was a kid.


    ¡°I thought you lost track of her. How did you know she is in California?¡± He wondered how his grandmother found out about her. She never told him anything.


    ¡°Oh, I am sorry I forgot to tell you. I identally met her granddaughter at the hospital during my annual check-upst year.¡± Devlin remembered that year. That was the time she found out first that her cancer came back. She was only with her personal nurse at that time.


    ¡°While waiting for my doctor, I was seated next to this beautifuldy. She smiled at me first and I smiled back at her. We started talking. She was waiting for her friend to get checked by the doctor. We kept talking until I found out that she is the granddaughter of my friend, Amelia. Isn¡¯t it amazing?¡± His grandmother kept talking about Amelia¡¯s granddaughter incessantly for about half an hour. She could not stop praising the woman.


    ¡°You should meet her. She is very beautiful, nice and friendly.¡± His grandmother excitedly said. Devlin only smiled at his grandmother who suddenly appeared energetic.


    ¡°But grandma, that will be a long trip for you especially with your condi¡­¡± His grandma cut him off. She had that determined look on her face.


    ¡°When are you going to get ready? I can ask Tanya here to prepare everything. I will be ready tomorrow.¡± Tanya is her nurse who stayed with her since she got sick from cancer before. Olivia gave her grandson her sweetest smile. Devlin just rolled his eyes at her. She knows very well that he can¡¯t say no to her.


    ¡°Grandma, I have a suggestion. Why don¡¯t we ask your friend toe here instead? I can use my private ne to take her?¡± He said, hoping he could convince her to change her mind.


    ¡°Do you think I did not think of that? I want to go see her ce. I was able to contact her immediately right after I got her number from her granddaughter. We have been talking over the phone.¡± She said with a big smile. Devlin just learned that information now.


    ¡°Did you purposely forget to tell me that piece of information?¡± He asked his grandma casually.


    ¡°How can I tell you? You got so busy with your business. I tried telling you but you were too busy to pay attention to what I was saying that day.¡± His grandma said with a disappointed voice.


    ¡°If I didn¡¯t get sick again, you would note visit me regrly. Life is too short, Devlin. I know you have been doing great in yourpany but don¡¯t forget to take time off for yourself and your loved ones¡± Olivia further said with a sad voice. Devlin could not look at his grandma. He is guilty.


    It was his fault. Thest four years were very busy for him. He just graduated and started working but resigned from thepany after six months. He decided to invest in the construction business. From there, he was able to build a sessful constructionpany. Just two yearster, he was already reaping the result of his hardwork and dedication. He regretted that he had to sacrifice his time for his grandma.


    ¡°I am very sorry, grandma. I should not have left you by yourself. I felt so terrible.¡± He said with great remorse. He sat down on the chair next to where his grandmother is sitting.


    ¡°Grandma, I will cancel all my appointments tomorrow. I wille with you to California.¡± He immediately said out of the blue. His grandmother¡¯s reaction was priceless. He would never forget that day. She was crying and at the same time smiling. She could not even say anything.


    ¡°Thank you, my son. You just don¡¯t know how much you made me so happy today.¡± She said still crying. Devlin tapped her back gently tofort her.


    ¡°Grandma, you deserve more than that. I am grateful for everything that you did for me. I am extremely sorry for neglecting you. I barely evene here to check on you these past few years.¡± He said regretfully but his grandma silenced him.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to say anything. I know that you are a great grandson.¡± Devlin hugged his grandmother to show his appreciation of her.


    The next day, his grandmother woke up so early for their flight. Devlin arranged for his private jet for their trip. He already called his secretary right after he made the decision to apany his grandmother to California.


    ¡°I can¡¯t wait to see my friend again. Our friendship goes a long way. I owe my life to her. For sure, she will be happy. She lives with her granddaughter and a few workers in their farm.¡± His grandma had a distant look, lost in her thoughts.


    Devlin knows their story very well since he heard it all his life. His grandmother would never stop talking about her past in the orphanage. She always ends up teary-eyed just like right now.


    ¡°If it were not for  Amelia, I would not be here right now.¡± She ended her story. Devlin looked at his grandma who was slowly closing her eyes. After a minute, she went to sleep. He covered her with a warm nket. Her nurse, Tanya, was sitting on the other side listening to some music from her phone.


    They arrived before lunch at a remote area. Amelia¡¯s ce is a neat, modest house surrounded with blooming flowers of different varieties in front. The back of the house is where the fruit orchard of the family is located. Devlin noticed that there were some men busy doing something at the back of the house.


    They had to ring the bell a few times before someone came to them. They introduced themselves to the middle-aged woman whose name is Mrs. Lina Mills. She recognized her grandmother and immediately let them in. Before they could even get inside the house, an older woman came beaming at them.


    ¡°Olivia?! It is really you. This is such a big surprise.¡± She said cheerfully. She hugged her grandma tightly who was in her wheelchair. They were crying for a few minutes before they let go of each other.


    ¡°Please,e inside. I am sorry I looked messy. We are busy harvesting some fruits from the back. Why didn¡¯t you tell me you areing today?¡± She continued talking then suddenly gasped loudly.


    ¡°Please forgive my manners.¡± She directed her attention towards Devlin and his grandmother¡¯s personal nurse.


    ¡°I am Amelia Adams, your grandma¡¯s childhood friend.¡± She shook hands with them. Devlin and Tanya introduced themselves.


    ¡°It is great to finally meet you, ma¡¯am. I have heard so much about you.¡± Devlin said politely. Amelia only smiled widely at him.


    ¡°Olivia, you should have waited for me toe to your ce. I told you I am nning to visit you as soon as we finish all the work here.¡± She said with a worried look on her face.


    ¡°That is what my grandson said but I really wanted to go somewhere. I wanted to get out of the house. I felt like I was a prisoner.¡± Then, sheughed. Devlin was looking at his grandma incredulously. So, that is what she has been feeling for the past years. He felt more guilty.


    ¡°Amelia, I am so happy to be here, to finally see you again after several years. Where is your beautiful granddaughter? I can¡¯t wait to see her again. She was the reason why we were able to reconnect.¡± Grandma Olivia said with great happiness.


    ¡°Oh you just missed her. She just left like fifteen minutes ago before you arrived here. She had to be in the city to do some errands for me. She won¡¯t be back until two dayster.  She would have been so happy to see you again.¡± Amelia said with a disappointed look. Even Olivia was disappointed.


    After a few minutes, the housemaid came to inform them that lunch is ready. They feasted over different fresh vegetable sds, pumpkin soup, and grilled meat with mashed potatoes. For dessert, Amelia made a freshly baked apple pie.


    ¡°This is the best meal we could serve straight from our farm. I hope you like it.¡±  Amelia said with pride. Everyone was grateful for the delicious meal.


    ¡°This is really delicious. Thank you so much for lunch. And I can¡¯t thank you enough for the times you spent with my grandmother. She never stops talking about you.¡± Devlin said sincerely to Amelia. He wants to take that chance to express his gratitude towards the woman whom his grandma loves so dearly.


    ¡°Don¡¯t mention it. Your grandma is like a sister to me.¡± Amelia was teary-eyed while looking at his grandma who is now in the backyard. Everyone went back to work after lunch was served.


    They stayed for the night. It was Amelia who insisted for them to stay the night. Devlin refused at first since he already booked  a ce at a nearby inn.


    ¡°Please, stay for the night. I have extra rooms for you. I just want to spend a longer time with Olivia.¡± Devlin looked at his grandma¡¯s happy face. She has not looked any happier than now. He relented to Amelia¡¯s request. Looking at his grandma, it was a wise decision to stay for the night.

 First Meeting

    That trip was great for his grandma. She went back home to Seattle happy and full of energy. However, that trip was bad news for Devlin. He heard his grandma suggesting for the first time that Amelia¡¯s granddaughter would be a good match for him. He thought that was only a funny idea that came to his grandma¡¯s head. Days passed, and she kept telling him of her wish for him to marry her friend¡¯s granddaughter. Devlin did not say anything. He just passed it off as his grandma¡¯s obsession to return back the favor that her friend did to her years ago.


    ¡°Grandma, you know very well that I am too busy with mypany. And besides, aren¡¯t I too young to marry at this time?¡± He asked his grandma casually. He still thought his grandma would get over her fascination over Amber, that¡¯s the name of her granddaughter¡¯s friend.


    ¡°Busy? Young?¡± Olivia snorted. She knows that his grandson is not taking her words seriously.


    ¡°Young man, do you think I am kidding with you? Amelia and I made a pact that we would have our kids marry each other if we have a boy or a girl respectively. Unfortunately, we both have sons. So, meeting Amber made my hopes high again.¡± Olivia said with a serious tone. She really hopes her grandson will listen to her.


    ¡°Devlin, it is my ultimate wish that you would marry Amelia¡¯s granddaughter.¡± Devlin held his words. He does not want to say anything that he would regretter on. His grandmother does not know what really is going on with his life. He has his construction business to manage. And he is trying to get back to his ex-girlfriend, Raven Crawford. Thetter is much moreplicated to aplish.


    ¡°But grandma, what does the woman think of your idea? Isn¡¯t it unfair for both of us?¡± He tried to reason out. He saw his grandma starting to breathe heavily and looking pale. He tried to hold back his words this time.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.


    ¡°I am sorry, grandma. I will see what I can do. Maybe we should know each other first. Who knows if that woman has a boyfriend or a fianc¨¦?¡± He asked calmly. He does not want to trigger any more health issues for his grandma.


    ¡°That woman has a name. She is Amber.¡± She said with an annoyed voice. Devlin looked at his grandma for a while with a nk expression.


    ¡°Alright, grandma. Amber and I should know each other first before we think of marriage. Don¡¯t you think so?¡± He appealed hoping that he could put some sense into her but her defiant look disappointed him.


    ¡°I have spoken to her. She is single. I am sure you will like each other.¡± Devlin tried very hard to hide his frustration. How can his grandma think about all of these crazy ideas?


    ¡°Let¡¯s see, grandma. For now, don¡¯t think of anything else. I want you to focus on yourself so you will get better. I promise you we will go on a trip to any ce you want. I am not going to leave your side again, grandma.¡± He said emotionally. When he found out that his grandma is sick again, he decided to stay with her so he could keep an eye on her. His estranged parents also took time to be with her.


    Devlin had to deal with the same feelings all over again when they first found out about his grandmother¡¯s cancer.


    Back to the present, they are all gathered together to pay theirst respect for his grandmother. They offered silent prayers. Then, it all ended so fast. Her grandmother wasid to rest next to her husband. Everyone left except Devlin and his family.


    ¡°Son, we are leaving. Do you want toe with us?¡± Asked Devlin¡¯s dad. He shook his head. He wants to stay a bit longer.


    ¡°See youter then.¡± It was his mom who hugged him before they left with his older brother.


    Devlin stayed for a couple of minutes before he decided to leave. He was walking silently when suddenly, he bumped into someone.


    ¡°Please watch out where you are going.¡± Devlin said with annoyance. The woman stumbled to the ground. He helped her up.


    ¡± I¡­ I am sorry. I didn¡¯t mean to get in your way. I just wanted to talk to you.¡± She said nervously. She is not looking at his face.


    ¡°And who might you be?¡±  He asked while trying to think if he knew this woman from somewhere. She looks familiar but for sure he never went out with her on a date. He looked closely at the woman¡¯s face. She is devoid of any makeup. She has thick eyebrows with long, curved eyshes. Her deep-set gray eyes are very attractive. Her straight nose is a perfect match to her fuller lips. She could have been a great beauty if she added more makeup.


    ¡°I.. I am Amber Adams. I am the grand¡­¡± She didn¡¯t get to finish what she had to say since Devlin pulled her with him.


    ¡°Let¡¯s talk in the car.¡± He ordered seriously. He immediately opened the car door. Good thing he decided to drive today instead of tagging along his driver.


    ¡°What are you doing here?!¡± He gripped her wrist tightly once he got inside the car..


    ¡°Please¡­ you are hurting me.¡± She tried to pull her hand away from his tight grip.


    ¡°I came here because I wanted to attend your grandma¡¯s funeral. I am deeply sorry for your loss. And¡­¡± Amber could not say any further. She wanted to just back down and go home.


    ¡°And what?¡± Devlin asked impatiently. He never expected for this woman to appear in his life. He heard so much about her that he started to detest her name.


    ¡°To honor the wish of our grandmothers.¡± She blurted out while closing her eyes.


    ¡°What wish? I thought you would not go for that.¡± Amber is ying with her fingers. She is starting to get tense.


    ¡°My¨C my grandmother told me about it. She told me it was my decision at the end. However¡­¡± Amber hesitated. She is too nervous to talk further. Devlin¡¯s look is like throwing daggers at her.


    ¡°Keep going. You are trying my patience.¡± He said with frustration after her silence for more than a minute. He never got the chance to think about that promise he made to his grandma. He was grieving and still is.


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t have agreed to their wishes but your grandma called me a week before she died. She made me promise to marry you.¡± Amber said truthfully. She could not refuse a dying person¡¯s wish. Besides, Grandma Olivia  is not just any person. She only saw her once but her own grandmother spoke highly of her.


    ¡°So you came here for that?¡± Devin asked with mockery in his voice. Amber could only nod without looking at Devlin. She is too afraid to see his reaction. She could hear him taking several deep breaths before he spoke again.


    ¡°Very well. Since you are already here, you shoulde with me until we finally decide what to do with our grandmothers¡¯ agreement. ¡°Where is your grandmother, by the way?¡± He simply asked. Her grandmother received them warmlyst time when they visited her at the farm.


    ¡°She is at the farm. She wanted toe here but she got sick. I did not want to leave her but she told me toe here instead of her to see Grandma Oliviaid to rest.¡± Amber said with a shaky voice. Devlin started the engine.


    ¡°By the way, I don¡¯t have toe with you. I have a ce to stay. I am sorry for bothering you. We can talkter on when you are ready.¡± She said trying to stay calm. She never nned to stay in Devlin¡¯s ce. She dide for two things aside from attending the funeral. She wanted to hear his opinion regarding the marriage. They can forget about it or they can go with it. She can¡¯t imagine marrying someone who is basically a stranger. And second, to see Devlin personally. She heard a lot about him from her marmee.


    ¡°I am responsible for you now. What would your grandmother think of me? Don¡¯t worry, I have a good ce where you can stay while you are here in the city. Take as much time as you want to explore the city. Until then, we will talk when we are both ready to face the issue.¡± Devlin said matter-of-factly. Amber looked at him straight in the eyes for the first time. He has mesmerizing green eyes. She stared at those eyes for a while until she realized what she just did.


    ¡°Are you fine?¡± Devlin asked her, looking curiously at her.


    ¡°Yes, I.. I am fine. I just remembered something. I left my stuff at the apartment where I am staying.¡± She answered nervously. She is d he never thought that she was simply admiring his beautiful eyes. The first time she saw him earlier, she could not believe how handsome he was. He is like one of those GQ male models. His perfectly chiseled jawline makes him look so manly. His thin lips are just so enticing. She wondered where all her thoughts came from. It does not mean that they were promised to marry each other, she can just openly admire his looks. She does not know anything about him.


    ¡°Then, we can get your stuff. We can pass by now. Just tell me the address.¡± He said right away. Amber is starting to panic. Things are moving too fast. They just met and this guy already decided what to do with her. Did he even ask her what she wants to do?


    ¡°Just wait. I did note to stay in whatever ce you want to bring me. I just want us to talk and then be done with it. That¡¯s all. I am pretty sure you have a girlfriend who is waiting for you.¡± She said seriously while looking at Devlin who was only smirking at her.


    ¡°What made you think I have a girlfriend, huh?¡± He said out of nowhere, making Amber more ufortable.


    ¡°I am sorry. I was just guessing. I shouldn¡¯t have approached you. That was a wrong timing at a wrong ce. I just took that spur of the moment decision since I may not be able to get hold of you again.¡± She said sincerely. She thought he was a very busy person. Besides, it took a lot of courage on her part to go to him.


    ¡°That is not the answer to my question.¡± Devlin said while looking at her face carefully. She is not that bad.


    ¡°I am sorry I said that. I¡¯ve read news about you so I assumed you have a girlfriend.¡± She said shyly. She just wanted to get out of the car and run as far away from him. But she could not just disregard the promise she made to Devlin¡¯s grandmother. Her conscience keeps nagging her. So, she decided to meet Devlin and they can decide together. However, talking to him right now deems futile.


    ¡°So, where is your address? We can pick your stuff from your apartment.¡± Amber still tried to reason out but to no avail. Devlin is determined to bring her to his ce. She sighed with regret.


    When they arrived at Amber¡¯s ce, she immediately gathered all her things. She doesn¡¯t have much to take anyway except her clothes and some important papers. When she came back to the car, Devlin was looking at her weirdly. He took her luggage and deposited it at the back of the car.


    ¡°Is this all that you have? Just one piece of small luggage?¡± Amber simply nodded her head. She was wondering about his reaction.


    ¡°Yes, I don¡¯t have to bring that much clothing. I only nned to stay here for less than a week. I just wanted to attend the funeral and talk to you.¡± She wanted to say something more but Devlin cut her off.


    ¡°We can talk about itter. I am not really in my right mind this time. I hope you understand. I have a condo unit that no one is using. You can stay there for now. And please don¡¯t start arguing. I am responsible for you right now.¡± That¡¯s all and they closed the subject. Devlin was quiet the whole time they were driving to their destination.


    They stopped at a fifteen storey condominium building. She had no idea that Devlin owned the entire building. They parked at the basement parking lot. He immediately guided her to a private elevator that would take them directly to his condo unit.


    ¡°This is your ce for now. If you need anything like grocery stuff and other things, you can contact this person.¡± He simply handed her a business card.


    ¡°Feel at home. I will be contacting you in a few days.¡± Devlin said casually like he was addressing a business meeting. He immediately left her after that.


    Amber sighed deeply. What has she gotten herself into? She could have just ditched her conscience and went on living her normal life. But she is not that kind of person¡­Now, she feels like she is in big trouble.

 First Dinner Date

    On her first night in the condo, Amber felt uneasy. She could not go to sleep. She called her grandmother earlier to check on her.


    ¡°Marmee, how are you?¡± She said happily. Marmee is her endearment for her grandmother.


    ¡°Amber, I am so d you finally called. I was so worried about you. How was everything?¡± Her grandmother was referring to the funeral she attended early in the day.


    ¡°It was fine, marmee. It went on smoothly. How are you doing, marmee? Are you feeling much better now?¡± She asked with a concerned voice. Before she left, her grandmotherined of headache and dizziness. However,  it was her who suggested for Amber to go to Seattle to attend the funeral of her friend. She still remembers their conversations¡­


    ¡°But marmee, I just can¡¯t leave you like this. You are not feeling well.¡± Amber protested. Her grandmother simply waved her hand at her.


    ¡°If I weren¡¯t sick, I could have gone with you. Don¡¯t worry about me. I have many people on the farm who can check on me. Besides, Mrs. Mills and her daughter are here to take care of me.¡± She reasoned out. Amber looked at her grandmother carefully. She feels slightly rxed knowing that she will be taken care of without her. But still that lingering feeling that she will not be there to personally take care of her doesn¡¯t make her feel good about herself.


    ¡°You just graduated from college. Besides, you have been helping me a lot on the farm. I want you to take this time off as a vacation for you. It is my graduation gift for you.¡± Amber couldn¡¯t say anything but express her gratitude to her grandmother.


    ¡°Thank you so much, marmee. You always think of me before yourself. And I love you so much for everything.¡± She hugged her grandmother tightly. She saw her grandmother teary-eyed after they shared that warm hug.


    ¡°Are you in the apartment right now?¡± Her grandmother suddenly asked. She was lost in her thoughts for a few moments thinking back about their conversations two days ago. Amber does not know how to answer her grandmother¡¯s question. She cannot just tell her that she is staying in Devlin¡¯s condo unit. She is sick and she does not want to stress her out.


    ¡°Yes, I am home, marmee. Don¡¯t worry about me. I just want to make sure that you are fine.¡± She felt bad that she lied.


    ¡°You worry too much. I am still strong.¡± She heard her chuckling softly. Somehow, itforted Amber.


    ¡°So, how was the funeral? Did you meet Devlin and his family?¡± Her grandmother asked further. Amber didn¡¯t get the chance to introduce herself to Devlin¡¯s parents. She arrived when the ceremony already started.


    ¡°I¡¯ve just met Devlin Wesley. They already started the ceremony when I got to the cemetery. I offered a silent prayer to Grandma Olivia. I wish I had known her more.¡± Amber said sadly. She was disappointed that she was not around when Grandmother Olivia came to visit her marmee with Devlin a few months ago.


    ¡°So, you met each other. I hope he received you well. He was nice when he came here.¡± Amber stayed silent for a few seconds. She did not want to tell her grandmother what she thought of Devlin during their first meeting earlier.


    ¡°Yes, he is fine.¡± Came her brief reply. Good thing her grandmother did not ask more about him. They talked about the farm and Amber¡¯s n while she¡¯s in the city.


    ¡°So, what¡¯s your n while in Seattle? There are so many nice ces to go in there.¡± Encouraged her grandmother.


    ¡°I have no ns, marmee. Probably, I will explore the city soon.¡± She didn¡¯t really think about the vacation anymore. She got stuck with Devlin.


    ¡°Maybe you should take this chance to get to know Oilivia¡¯ grandson. He is a nice man.¡± Her grandmother suggested. Amber didn¡¯t say anything except to agree so she does not have to exin further her situation.


    ¡°Please take care, marmee. Don¡¯t forget to take your meds on time. I love you so much.¡± Amber¡¯sst words before she ended the call.This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.


    Now, three days have passed since she came to the condo. It has been three days of waiting in vain for Devlin to contact her. She has not gone out of the condo unit yet. Whatever she needs, she just contacts Jackson. He is the only one who knows she is in Devlin¡¯s condo. He is like a trusted bodyguard to him.


    She decided that if they could not talk after two days, she would leave the ce and go home. She can just forget about the whole thing. Then, out of  nowhere she remembers Grandma Olivia¡¯ words.


    ¡°Am¨C Amber, my child, when I am go¨Cgone, please promise me that you will marry my grandson. He is a good man. And he needs a good woman to take care  of him.¡± Grandma Olivia¡¯s weak voice is noticeable. She even had to pause several times before she continued talking. Amber does not know what to say to her. At the end, she promised to marry Devlin.


    Suddenly, her phone started ringing. It was from an unregistered number. She got nervous. She had a feeling it¡¯s Devlin.


    ¡°Hello¡­¡± She answered nervously. She heard someone talking in the background. It was a female voice. She almost ended the call after a few seconds without any response from the caller. However, she heard the baritone voice of Devlin.


    ¡°Hi¡­I am sorry to keep you waiting. Anyway, how are you doing?¡± He asked casually while he was signing some papers in his office. Amber had to take a deep breath before she replied to him.


    ¡°I am fine. d to hear from you.¡± She said formally for theck of words to say.


    ¡°Can we meet up tonight over dinner? We need to discuss our situation. I can pick you up around 7 pm. Are you fine with that?¡± This is what Amber is waiting for¡­ to get to talk to Devlin. She needs to do this for her peace of mind. For sure, Devlin will reject the idea to marry her. At least, it won¡¯te from her. She can go home with her conscience clear.


    ¡°Yes, I am fine with that.¡± She said with a calm voice. She felt better with the idea that this will be over soon.


    ¡°So, how¡¯s your stay in the condo? Is Jackson helpful to you?¡± Devlin continued asking casually. He felt like he wanted to know what she has been doing these past three days in his condo although Jackson has been regrly informing him about her.


    ¡°Everything is fine. Thank you. Jackson has been very helpful.¡± She is grateful for her amodation in Devlin¡¯s ce. However, she needs to move out from the condo soon. She can open the subject now since Devlin seems to be in a good mood.


    ¡°Ummm¡­I am really grateful to you for letting me stay here but I would like to leave soon. After our meeting tonight, I want to go home.¡± She said straight away although her grandmother wanted her to spend more time in Seattle for vacation. However, there is no reason for her to stay in the condo after their meeting tonight.


    ¡°We will talk about it tonight.¡± Came the short reply of Devlin.


    ¡°Anyway, Jackson told me you never got out of the condo. Howe? I told you that he will do anything you want. You have the car at your disposal if you want to explore the city.¡± Amber could not believe that he was being extra nice to her. The first time they met, he wasn¡¯t as friendly as now.


    ¡°Thank you for the offer. I did not think of doing that.¡± She actually got bored in the condo. One time, she did a movie marathon for eight hours. She was watching some rom movies. The next day, she spent her time on the phone talking to her grandmother, Mrs. Mills and her daughter. Then, she read some news online. She ended up reading mostly about Devlin. Of course, she would never tell him that.


    ¡°You still have plenty of time. You can ask Jackson to show you around. He is great at his job.¡± Devlin suggested. They continued talking for a few more minutes before Devlin ended the call.


    He is in his office right now. He was too busy from work these past few days. Now, he is back full-time, so much work is waiting for him. When Amber showed up that day, he was already nning the things he wanted to do. That¡¯s why he was annoyed that she just approached him and wanted to discuss the marriage thing. He never thought that she would open up about the marriage.


    While driving the car, so many things went on in his head. He can just easily tell her that they don¡¯t have to do the marriage. However, his grandma¡¯s words kepting to him. He is torn between honoring his promise to his grandma or just discard it like it never happened.


    It would be unfair to me Amber for anything. She is also trapped just like him. He was thinking of how he could inform Amber not to go with the marriage. But something came up the other day. And he may need Amber¡¯s help without her knowledge.


    What he is about to do is really bad but he is desperate. He wants to get back Raven and she is giving him a hard time. When they were together, she wanted time for their rtionship but he failed. Now, he wants her back so bad. And with Amber¡¯s help, he may be able to get her back soon. He is determined to convince Amber to stay longer.


    That night, he wore a formal suit. He is going to take Amber to an expensive restaurant. He already had a reservation at the VIP section. He came earlier than their agreed time. Instead of waiting at the parking area, he went to the condo unit and decided to pick up Amber there.


    Amber was still wearing her robe and getting herself ready for her dinner meeting with Devlin. She didn¡¯t have much clothes with her. She is d that she brought her body hugging ck halter neck dress which is above the knee. She paired it with a white zer to cover her curves. She wore a ck high heeled shoes. She only wore this outfit once during a convention for an art exhibit. It looks semi-formal but good enough to wear over a dinner meeting. She decided to leave her natural wavy auburn hair down. She only put on a cheek tint and a nice pink lipstick. When she finished, she heard the doorbell ring. She wondered who it might be. She didn¡¯t ask for Jackson.


    ¡°Who is it?¡± She asked from behind the door. She walks barefoot towards the door.


    ¡°It¡¯s Devlin. Are you done? Please open up.¡± She gasped in surprise. Why would hee here? She checked her watch. There is still ten minutes before 7. And they agreed to meet at the basement parking area. Although she hesitated for a while, she opened the door for him.


    The moment he entered, she immediately smelled his expensive perfume. He smells so good. He looks dapper in his ck suit. He is definitely the most handsome man she has ever met in her life. She was simply gaping at him.


    ¡°So, did you like what you see?¡± He sounded serious but trying to suppress a smile. Amber immediately turned red when she realized what he just said. She is so embarrassed that he caught her admiring his looks. Instead of replying to his question, she excused herself to get her purse. When she came back, she could not help but ask him.


    ¡°You are ten minutes early. I thought we were going to meet in the parking area.¡± She voiced out what¡¯s in her head, not that she¡¯sining. She is ready to go anyway.


    ¡°Yes, but I finished early from work. So, I decided toe pick you up here instead.¡± He noted how she looks so beautiful tonight. The clothes are not even so revealing yet it shows that she is a great beauty. He is right. If she only dresses up nicely and puts some makeup on, she can pass for a model. That is his type of woman¡­ tall, beautiful and sophisticated just like Raven.


    ¡°So, are you ready?¡± She only nodded at him. Together, they went inside the private elevator. They were quiet the whole time. Devlin was on his phone while Amber was just standing quietly to the corner.


    When they reached the basement, he opened the car door for her. He even put on the seatbelt for her when they got inside his car.


    ¡°May I?¡± She only nodded her head. She noticed how gentleman Devlin is. This must be the real him, far from the first time she met him. She wondered why he was wearing a nice suit tonight. They are just going to a casual dinner anyway. Well, he did not really mention which restaurant they are going to. She quickly checked her clothes. On second thought, it doesn¡¯t matter anyway. After tonight, she is leaving.

 Friendship

    Amber did not expect where they went. It was a fine dining restaurant on a yacht. She saw some diners who were dressed elegantly. She thought when Devlin mentioned dinner, it was just a regr dinner at an expensive restaurant. Not this kind of set-up. This is more like a dream dinner date for her.


    ¡°Are you meeting someone else here?¡¯ she asked curiously. She had never been to a ce like this before, and even going to an expensive restaurant was a rarity for her.


    ¡°No, I am not meeting no one except you.¡± A waiter came to them and guided them to a sliding door where their VIP section is located. It is interesting how she can see the other diners from their stained ss wall.


    ¡°This is very nice. I¡¯ve never been to a ce like this. Isn¡¯t this too much for a dinner meeting? I thought we would go to a regr restaurant.¡± She said candidly while looking around the spacious VIP room that Devlin reserved for them.


    ¡°I am d you like it. This is the best ce where we could discuss things. Anyway, we should take our order first before anything else.¡± He simply dered. Immediately, the waiter gave them the menu for their order.


    Amber only ordered sd while the rest of their food was ordered by Devlin. She doesn¡¯t even recognize the name of some food on the menu. So, she asked him to order for her instead. They didn¡¯t wait long for their food to get served. They had a sumptuous meal of seafood which included seafood chowder soup, shrimp and vegetable sd, steamed asparagus, and baked scallops. For their main dish, they had the sizzling grilled lobster and salmon steak. Amber¡¯s mouth turned watery as she stared at all the delicious food served on their table.


    ¡°This is too much for two people.¡± She chuckled. She actually felt hungry when she smelled the grilled lobster. They had white wine to go with their food. Amber was enjoying the dinner while Devlin would casually ask her about her life on the farm.


    ¡°Last time we went there, your grandma served a very delicious lunch. I was amazed that the food was all organic straight from your farm.¡± Devlin said while he took a sip of his wine. Amber could only nod at him as she was still busy gobbling her food. She had to drink a ss of water before replying to him.


    ¡°Most of our food is fresh from the farm.¡± She said fondly while thinking of her marmee and everyone in the farm at that moment. She feels rxed now that they are talking about something she isfortable discussing.


    ¡°That¡¯s great! I am a city guy. I never lived on a farm but it would be great to have one. I think farming can be a good business if you handle it well.¡± He spoke enthusiastically over the subject of farming. Amber wonders how someone like him could handle a farm life. She could not even imagine Devlin doing some farming work. She almostughed at her crazy idea. She just could not picture him in the farm at all.


    ¡°Well, for someone who never lived in the rural area and experienced the farm life, then it may be hard for you. And if you n to run a farm for business, you need to have someone you can trust to oversee the operation of the whole farm. Our farm is small. It is enough to support our basic needs including the workers who work with us.¡± Listening to Amber right now impressed Devlin. She may be naive but she definitely got a good head over running a business. And she is hard working, too. Well, she is not the usual woman he goes out with or those women he meets during board meetings. She is simple yet if given a chance, she can be a good businesswoman.


    They did not notice the time since they got busy talking. When their desserts were served, Amber realized that they have not discussed anything yet about the marriage.


    ¡°Uhmm¡­ maybe we should discuss why I am here. I also don¡¯t want to take much of your time and abuse your hospitality. After our conversation tonight, I will leave first thing tomorrow morning. Thank you very much for everything by the way.¡± Devlin tried hard to hide his annoyance. He does not like the direction of their conversation. He has other ns in his head.


    ¡°Why are you leaving so soon? I mean there is still that promise we made to our grandmothers, our marriage.¡± He said casually while Amber¡¯s eyes popped out wide. How can he discuss marriage so casually?


    ¡°I don¡¯t think we have an issue about that. I just want to hear your thoughts about it for my peace of mind. I am sure you also don¡¯t want to do the marriage thing. It is my conscience that is nagging me to go with the marriage since I made a promise to your grandmother.¡± Amber said honestly. Devlin was looking intently at her. He is right about her. She is really naive and even a nice person.


    ¡°I have a suggestion. Why don¡¯t you stay for a bit more so we can also know each other better? I mean, ever since I heard about you, grandma did not stop talking about you by the way. I felt like I wanted to know you further.¡± Devlin is already doing his sweet talks so he can convince her to stay. He needs her. He does not think that she would get harmed with his ns. She just needs to be with him so Raven would take notice that he is dating someone else different. Maybe it will get her attention this time.


    ¡°Huh? I am sorry but I don¡¯t get it. We are not going to get married so there is no use for me to stay here.¡± She said with a serious tone. She can just leave and continue with her life.


    ¡°Well, our grandmothers are great friends. Don¡¯t you think it would be nice if we try to get to know each other as friends as well?¡± Amber was quiet for a few minutes. There is nothing wrong with being friends with him. But he is a male and staying in his ce would give a different impression to others. Maybe she can move out or something.


    ¡°Your idea is good but I also have to be with my marmee.¡± Amber mentioned her marmee for the first time which made Devlin confused.


    ¡°Marmee?¡± He asked with his forehead slightly wrinkled.


    ¡°Oh¡­ that¡¯s my endearment for my grandmother. I called her, marmee.¡± She smiled with fondness.


    ¡°You are also close to your grandmother just like I am. I grew up with her as my parents were too busy with their work.¡± Devlin shared a bit of his life. Maybe Amber will warm up to him. He was not mistaken. He immediately saw her looking sad, then smiled tofort him.


    ¡°I am sorry to hear that.¡± She said gently. Then, she took a deep breath before she continued talking. ¡°I lived with my marmee after my dad died when I was six. A yearter, my mom remarried and moved in with her new husband. My mother brought me with her but I didn¡¯t get along well with his husband¡¯s kids. I begged my mom that I will stay with marmee. She agreed at the end.¡± She said positively. If there is one thing more interesting about Amber, she has that positive outlook in life despite what she¡¯s been through, Devlin noted.


    ¡°Please stay for a few more days or even weeks. And by the way, I already called your marmee yesterday to check on her. I also asked her permission if you could stay longer and she agreed. I just want to tour you around here. I was not able to be with you since I got busy from work. What do you think?¡± Devlin suddenly asked her which made her confused.


    ¡°What do I think? I am sorry I got lost with what you are saying. You mentioned so many things at once.¡± She heard Devlin chuckled softly. When she looked at him, she couldn¡¯t help but stare at  his handsome face for a while. He has this maic effect on her. She can¡¯t for a few seconds avoid staring at him.


    ¡°Do I have dirt on my face?¡± Amber choked since she didn¡¯t expect him to notice. He was checking something on his phone so she stared at him for a long time.


    Immediately, Devlin stood up and tapped her back. He also handed her a ss of water.


    ¡®So, you have a sweet tooth. You quickly ate your dessert, that¡¯s why you choke. Have more water.¡± He poured sparkling water in her ss. She is d that he did not notice why she choked.


    ¡°So, tomorrow I am free. Do you want to go somewhere? I have some nice ces in mind that we can check.¡± Amber had no choice but to stay. He already asked permission from her grandmother and she approved it. She didn¡¯t even tell her anything.


    Anyway, it was nice of him to suggest that they should know each other and be friends. Although, she still thinks it is not a good idea especially that she finds him really attractive. She had to shake her head. She keeps losing her mind every time she stares at him. That is not good. From their conversation tonight, they silently agreed to be friends. She should put away any crazy thoughts in her head. He is just being nice and friendly. She wonders how he is with his girlfriend. She almost forgot that aside from being a young billionaire, he is also a notorious yboy.


    ¡°I honestly have no clue where to go. Whatever you have in mind, I think that is interesting.¡± She said while smiling at him. Devlin also smiled back at her, satisfied with her answer.


    ¡°Then, it is settled. Tomorrow, I will pick you up from the condo around 9 am. Is that good?¡± Again, his spellbinding smile is hard to resist.


    ¡°Yes, that is a good time. But please, let¡¯s not go to ces like this. It is toovish and grand. I like to go somewhere simple like the park or anything outdoors.¡± She said shyly. She prefers to be in a simple setting, one that she isfortable with. If they didn¡¯t stay in the VIP section far away from the other diners, she could have felt more ufortable. Thankfully, Devlin was thoughtful enough to bring her to this secluded section.This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.


    ¡°No problem. There are so many nice ces you can visit here. And thank you for being honest. I admire that you are honest enough to indirectly tell me that you felt ufortable here.¡± Devlin was toying with his fork while talking to her.


    ¡°Oh no, please don¡¯t get me wrong. I am not justfortable in ces like this. I am used to the simple life back on the farm.¡± She said sincerely. Deep inside Devlin, he admires her simplicity and sincerity.


    They talked further after dinner. They even ordered some tea before they decided to call it a night.


    Devlin drove her back to the condo. While in the car, he yed some rxing music. Amber admires the choice of music he ys. It goes with her taste. That¡¯s a good start for their friendship.


    While Amber is listening to the music, Devlin is busy with his own thoughts. He is d that it was not hard to convince Amber to stay. Tomorrow, he is going to make sure that Raven will see them together. He knows where to find her tomorrow. He is going to make sure to bring Amber with him. He immediately nced at her who was listening intently to the music with eyes closed. She is definitely something. It is interesting that he enjoyed their time tonight.


    He has to stop his line of thoughts. There is Raven that he is trying to win back. Hopefully all his ns would work out. But why does a pair of beautiful gray eyes keep distracting his thoughts¡­

 At The Salon

    Amber could not believe that she had to stay for a few more days. She was firm in her decision earlier to leave his condo. But just like that¡­Devlin convinced her to stay. If her marmee did not agree, she would have been getting ready to pack now.


    She could not sleep immediately. She keeps thinking of what happened during dinner. Devlin was theplete opposite from her first encounter with him. He was acting as the best gentleman. She couldn¡¯t deny that she was really impressed the moment she saw him walking inside the condo with his ck suit. Then, he brought her to  a ce beyond what she could imagine for a casual dinner. And their conversations were very light and rxing. The most surprising part was he wanted to be friends with her. She doesn¡¯t know why he decided to do that although she likes the idea.


    She must admit that she sees him more than a friend. A lot of women admire him for his looks. She is no different from those women except she promised his grandmother to marry him. She tried to forget about that promise because it will put pressure on her. The least she can have with Devlin is friendship. She knows his type. He likes tall, beautiful and famous women.


    For now, she will enjoy whatever time they can spend together as friends. She wants to create beautiful memories before she gets home. Her mind is busy thinking about what she is going to wear tomorrow. She suggested that they go somewhere simple and outdoorsy. She can¡¯t wait for tomorrow though. She finally went to sleep after almost two hours of just thinking about Devlin.


    Devlin on the other hand could not go to sleep either. He was busy nning what they are going to do tomorrow. He is nning to bring Amber with her to meet Raven. He can¡¯t wait to see Raven¡¯s reaction when she sees them. Now, he already has a smile of triumph.


    The next day, Amber woke up around 7 am. She did her usual daily exercise. Then, she made some breakfast which is just a cup of ck coffee and some toasted bread with butter. She also had some apples and bananas. She still has plenty of time to clean the condo. She vacuumed the floor and cleaned the bedroom and bathroom. By the time it was 8:30, she was finished with all her chores. Then, she took a quick shower. She decided to wear jeans and a white v-neck t-shirt. She paired it with white sneakers. She looks sporty enough for any outdoor activities.


    At exactly 9 am, the doorbell rang. She checked from the peephole to make sure it was Devlin. She didn¡¯t notice there was a peephole to the door when Devlin camest time.


    She immediately opened the door upon seeing him. As  usual, the familiar smell of his expensive perfume overtook her senses. He just took a shower because she noticed his damp hair. He was wearing jeans with a in gray t-shirt. Whatever he wears, he still looks very handsome.


    ¡°Good morning. How are you today? Did you sleep well?¡± came Devlin¡¯s familiar baritone voice.


    ¡°Hi! Good morning to you, too. Yes, I did sleep well. I woke up early to do some cleaning here.¡± she said, beaming brightly.


    ¡°I forgot to tell you that you don¡¯t have to do the cleaning. Someonees here every Wednesday to do all the cleaning.¡±


    ¡°It is okay. I have nothing to do. That was a good exercise for me.¡± Her smile never fails to attract him. She does not realize how beautiful she is with her beaming smile. She did not put any makeup on just like the first time they met. However, she has natural beauty. Her clear, wless skinplexion is something any woman would be envious of.


    Devlin cleared his throat before he said something to her. He can¡¯t be simply admiring Amber¡¯s appearance. She is not his type in the first ce. Besides, there is Raven who he has been pursuing again for a year now.


    He has an on and off rtionship with Raven Crawford. Their rtionship started way back in highschool. They were schoolmates. He was in his senior year when he noticed the beautiful Raven. She was a transferee and a junior highschool in their campus. She is smart and famous in their campus. On her first day of school, she immediately caught the eyes of every male student. Devlin wasn¡¯t spared of her beauty. Not long enough, he told his real feelings towards her. It did not take long for her to reciprocate his feelings. She was his girlfriend two months after the start of their school year. They had lots of petty quarrels but they stayed together. Devlin graduated from highschool, but still they stayed as a couple. Then, they took a short break from their rtionship after Devlin had to stay with his grandma who was sick at that time from cancer. A yearter, they got back together. Their rtionship has been like that, on and off. Finally, Raven decided to call it quits for good after Devlin¡¯s graduation from college. Aside from work andck of time, he has been linked to a lot of women. That was the time when he was dubbed as a notorious yboy. After their breakup, he was on a dating spree. He went from one woman to another so quickly just like changing his clothes.


    Now, looking back, he really wanted to make it right with Raven especially that she is involved now with someone he detested. He wants to take her back for good.


    Devlin is now driving quietly to their destination. He is going to take her to somewhere this ce is famous for. After an hour driving around the city, they finally stopped at their destination.


    ¡°Our ce is famous for salmon. So, I decided for us to do some salmon watching. It will be fun. Then, we can go outside so we can see those different ships of all sizes. And I can just drive you around the city after that to see some famousndmarks. On the weekend, we can go somewhere farther. So, just enjoy and have fun.¡± Devlin said cheerfully.


    He saw how happy Amber was¡­ just smiling all day. She was enjoying every bit of their sightseeing activity. Her smile andughter are quite infectious. However, he remains mostly quiet just letting Amber enjoy the scenery.


    ¡°Hey, I¡¯ve noticed you have been quiet for a while now. Is there something wrong?¡± The worried look on Amber¡¯s face is visible.


    ¡°No, nothing is wrong. I just remember grandma. When I was a kid, we used to go fishing together at theke or sometimes we simply enjoyed watching the view of theke.¡± He said in a low voice, he has a dreamy look in his eyes. His mind is wandering in the past.


    ¡°I am sure your grandma is truly happy and proud of you.¡± Amber said in a gentle voice. She almost held his hand tofort him but she reminded herself that she should not breach any boundaries between them. They are just friends.


    ¡°Thank you. I can¡¯t talk to no one. I am distant to my parents. And my brother¡­ We always have this silent sibling rivalry.¡± When he thought of his brother, he felt really bad and angry at the same time. The reason why he is dying to get back with Raven is because the two are together right now. Raven is now the girlfriend of his brother. He had a feeling that his brother did it on purpose to hurt him. And he can¡¯t let anyone step on his ego, especially not his brother.


    ¡°Anyway, you must be hungry by now.¡± Devlin checked his wristwatch. It is almost 12 noon. Amber only nodded at him. She is not that hungry but she felt that they needed to change location. The view of the water only reminded Devlin  about the past. It just made him sad.


    They decided to go to a seafood restaurant. For Amber who grew up on a farm and eats mostly organic meat and vegetables, seafood is a great wee treat for her. So far, she is having a great time with their tour around the city.


    ¡®So, I hope you are having fun.¡± Devlin said right after their food was served.


    ¡°Yes, everything was fun. I love it. The view here is definitely way different.¡± Amber chuckled lightly, happiness radiating on her face. She is far from the serious, simple woman he saw the first time. He did not even like her the first time. But now¡­ Devlin has to stop himself. What is he thinking? His focus should be Raven only and not entertain any thoughts on someone else.


    ¡°Anyway, after our ride around the city, we are going to the mall. We will shop for your clothes.¡± He dered but Amber protested.


    ¡°Wait, I don¡¯t want to be rude. I am thankful for all of these but I don¡¯t have to shop for clothes. That is too much.¡± Devlin only smiled at her which made her sighed in frustration.


    ¡°You will need more clothes. I need you toe with me to a business dinner on Friday. And I don¡¯t take no for an answer.¡± Amber waspletely surprised. She agreed to go out with him to tour around the city. He offered and she took it as a friendly gesture from his side. However, why does she have to apany him on a business dinner?


    ¡°A business dinner? What do I have to do with it?¡± She said nkly, her head is busy with other thoughts.


    ¡°Come on. It is only a business dinner. You only have to give your best smile to them. Besides, you are great at talking, especially about business things. You have the knowledge for it.¡± Devlin¡¯s encouraging words are convincing. But she is still hesitant to go to a business dinner with him.


    ¡°O¨Cokay, as long as I do only what you just said, I think I am fine with it. I can handle it.¡± She said shyly. She is not really sure why every minute she is getting pulled more towards Devlin.


    Right after lunch, they proceeded to the mall to buy a dress for her for the business dinner. They went to this boutique where they already have dresses on disy. Amber tried at least three dresses before she finally settled on one dress which Devlin approved. When she tried it on, it perfectly hugged her curves.


    ¡°Ma¡¯am, you look so beautiful!¡± Eximed the saledy who assisted her in the fitting area. Amber shyly looked at herself in the mirror. She couldn¡¯t even recognize herself. Back in the farm, she is used to wearing jeans and a simple t-shirt. She does not have to dress up for any grand asion. She does have some dresses for special celebrations but not asvish as the dress she tried on right now.


    She quickly looked at Devlin who only stared at her for a while. He only nodded at her to give his approval. He did not say anything. She was slightly disappointed but she did not dress up to impress him. It is for the business dinner on Friday. She should stop thinking way beyond her imagination.


    After buying her dress, he also bought an expensive purse and a pair of shoes to go with her dress. This is too much, she thought to herself. Why does he have to spend this much on her? Yes, they are friends now but still¡­ She just could not understand why he has to spend all these things for her? Is he running out of women? Last time she checked, she read about him dating a blonde beauty who is equally as rich as him. She only shook her head. She has no time to think further as Devlin keeps pulling her to different stores.


    They went to the other stores to shop for some casual clothes for her. They ended up bringing a lot of shopping bags to the car.


    Amber thought they were driving back to the condo but they stopped by at a salon. She gave Devlin a curious look.This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.


    ¡°I booked an appointment for you at the salon. They are actually the best in town. You can ask thedy what hairstyle you want. Or they can make some nice suggestions for you.¡± He said while parking the car in front of the salon.


    ¡°Do I really have to do it?¡± Devlin looked at her for a few moments and simply smiled. She took his reaction as a disapproval of her look right now.


    The moment they got inside the salon, a woman named Bridgette immediately greeted Devlin. He must have frequently visited this ce but this salon is exclusive for women only. She did not have time to think further as someone came to talk to Devlin. Amber noted that she is a very beautiful, sophisticated woman. She has long, straight ck hair. She looks so confident in the way she speaks and carries herself. She wonders who the woman might be¡­

 The Raven-Haired Beauty

    ¡°Devlin? What are you doing here?¡± Asked the tall, beautifuldy who passed by them. Amber was a few meters away from them. She distanced herself further so she would give them some privacy. She must be his friend.


    ¡°Raven! Nice to see you. I am doing well. What about you? I didn¡¯t see you during the funeral.¡± Devlin casually asked his ex-girlfriend. She is so beautiful wearing her white bandage dress that perfectly shows off her body. Amber noticed how he looked at her. She could see great admiration from his face for the woman. She felt a slight pain in her chest from what she had just witnessed.


    ¡°I was actually there. Didn¡¯t Dalton tell you? I camete but I also left quickly. There was an emergency.¡± Raven said regretfully. She did not say what the emergency was.


    ¡°So, who are you with?¡± She asked and suddenly looked at Amber. Devlin urged Amber toe to him by extending his hand.


    ¡°This is Amber Adams, she is a very special friend.¡± Devlin said while beaming. Amber looked at him wide-eyed. She wanted to tell Raven that she is not his special friend. Just a casual friend he just met recently.


    ¡°Hi Amber! It is a great pleasure to meet you. Is this your first time in the salon?¡± Raven hugged her instead of just shaking hands.


    ¡°Yes, it is my first time.¡± Amber answered briefly with a smile. She suddenly feels awkward. She wonders why Devlin introduced her like there is something special between them.


    ¡°That¡¯s great! Bridgette, please take care of Ms. Adams. This is her first time in our salon.¡± Raven told the receptionist. Amber heard what she just said. She must be the owner of this ce.


    ¡°Ms. Adams¡­ I would like to talk with you more but I will have a meeting soon. I am sorry. I hope you enjoy the service here.¡± Her friendly smile seems genuine. Then, Raven simply nodded at Devlin and left the ce.


    She heard Devlin take a deep sigh while staring intently as Raven was leaving. Amber thinks there must be something between them. Just the way Devlin looked at her is way different. She has never seen that kind of look when he talks to women.


    ¡°Are you close to her? You seem like you know each other well. And by the way, why did you tell her I am your special friend?¡± Amber asked without thinking. She is just curious.


    ¡°Why? Aren¡¯t we already special friends? I mean our grandmothers were so close to each other. What would that make us?¡± Amber only shook her head. She will never get a serious answer from him.


    ¡°Alright, my special friend, what should I do next?¡± Amber teased him which earned a chuckle from him. However, she noticed that his eyescked the spark. He seemed sad after he saw Raven.


    ¡°Bridgette, please give her the best package you can offer in this salon.¡± Devlin ordered the receptionist.


    ¡°Amber, it will take a few hours for you to finish the package I chose for you. Please enjoy. They are very good here. Do you want anything else?¡± asked Devlin. Amber only shook her head. She doesn¡¯t want anything right now. She still wonders why he looks sad.


    ¡°Alright, see youter then. I will call you. I will just have to go to the nearest coffee shop here. I wille back as soon as I finish.¡± He winked at her yfully which made Amber¡¯s heart skip a bit. She simply smiled at him.


    ¡°Ms. Amber, this way please.¡± Bridgette led her to a door leading to the haircut area. She was given some magazines to check the hairstyle she wanted. Amber decided to go for the pedicure and manicure first before going for the haircut. This will take a longer time just what Colton told her. There are more services offered in the package that Devlin chose for her.


    Meanwhile, Devlin was in a hurry to catch Raven. He wanted to talk to her privately. He spotted her next to the coffee shop. She was on the phone. He waited patiently until she finished.


    ¡°Raven, do you still have time? Can we talk over a cup of coffee? You have been avoiding me for a while now.¡± Devlin said seriously. He did not realize that he tightly gripped her wrist until he saw her winced slightly. He immediately apologized.


    ¡°Devlin, what are you doing? Your date is in the salon. And, I am not avoiding you. It is only right and proper not to talk to you privately. You know that I am Dalton¡¯s girlfriend now.¡± Devlin smirked at her.


    ¡°Dalton? You definitely went for a downgrade. I am so disappointed in you.¡± He said, mocking her. He saw how Raven controlled her emotions. She is very good at that.


    ¡°There is no use talking to you. It does not help that you are acting this way. Devlin, our rtionship ended a long time ago. Please move on with your life. And that beautiful woman you have with you, I like her. She is far different from those women you have been dating.¡± Raven said frankly. She wishes that Devlin would find a good woman that would curb his behavior. They had their time together but their rtionship did not work out the way they wanted it.


    ¡°But she is not you.¡± Devlin said with a pained voice. Then, he heaved a deep sigh.


    ¡°Devlin, please¡­¡± Raven is trying to make him understand that they are both grown-ups now. What they had before was great but they have grown apart.


    ¡°Raven, I just want to know why Dalton? He is my brother for goodness sake. You know our story. We never get along well.¡± Devlin looked desperate. He could not imagine that his ex-girlfriend would end up with his brother.


    ¡°That is because he acts like an adult. Please grow up, Devlin. You can¡¯t just go on ming your family for not getting the attention you want from them. You are an adult now, so please act like one.¡± Raven ended. She immediately left Devlin who stayed rooted on his spot. He can¡¯t believe he would hear those words from the woman he used to love and still is. He admits that he was such an idiot for letting her get away from his life. He may have felt better if she ended up with someone else, but not his brother. That is what hurts him the most. Ever since they were kids, there was already that sibling rivalry between them. Dalton is the achiever between them. When there are family gatherings, his parents would always proudly show off Dalton¡¯s achievements. While he, on the other hand, would listen at the corner.


    When he decided to stay with his grandma, he started to get better. His grandma encouraged him to pursue his studies. She was very supportive of him. Now that he is a sessful businessman and way more famous than his brother, why can¡¯t Raven see that in him? Why can¡¯t she take him back? Probably his brother must have told her something about him. Dalton is maniptive and controlling. That¡¯s something he does not like about his brother.


    Instead of drinking some coffee, he decided to go to a bar. He would have some drinks to forget about his pains.


    Meanwhile, Amber was done with her pedicure and manicure. She is going to get her haircut and some hair treatmentster on. She was wondering where Devlin was. It has been closed for half an hour now since he left. She is just going to wait for him until hees back.


    She finished everything two hoursters. She waited for Devlin for almost an hour now. She tried calling him but she could not get hold of him. She has been calling him several times. She started to get worried. Then she remembers Jackson. However, she could not contact him as well. What is going on?


    She decided to wait a few more minutes. If she could not contact any of them, she would just have the taxi.


    ¡°Ma¡¯am, here is a refreshment for you while waiting for Mr. Wesley.¡± Bridgette offered. Amber epted the drinks. The service in this salon is definitely amazing. Amber thought to herself.


    ¡°Thank you so much. You are very nice and I love your service here.¡± She said gratefully. She gave her a big ss of orange juice and some sweets. Amber waited another half hour until she started to get up and decided to leave the ce. She just sent a message to Devlin.


    ¡°Hi, is everything fine? I have been trying to get hold of you but to no avail. I hope you are fine. I am going to take a taxi back to the condo. Thank you so much for everything.¡± She reread her message before she sent it to Devlin. She hopes everything is fine with him.


    She was already outside the salon when she saw Jackson. He also spotted her immediately.


    ¡°I am sorry, Ms. Adams. I am going to drive you back to the condo. Unfortunately, Mr. Wesley is unavable right now.¡± He said seriously. He is waiting for Amber toe with him.


    ¡°What happened to him? Is he fine? I tried calling him several times but he isn¡¯t picking up my calls. Then, at the end, I could not contact him anymore.¡± She asked with a worried look.


    ¡°I am not at liberty to tell you anything. Mr. Wesley will exin to you what happened. Of course, everything is fine with him.¡± Jackson added after he saw her worried look. He has been working with Devlin for more than two years now. This woman in front of him is different from all the women Devlin dated before. She must be someone very special to him. He even let her stay in his condo unit. His boss never did that to any woman as far as Jackson can remember.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go?¡± He asked politely. He even grabbed the shopping bags from her. She just followed Jackson. She appreciates how Jackson does his job right.


    When they reached the condo, she thanked Jackson and went immediately to the unit. She called Devlin again to check on him. Still, she could not contact him. She just sent him a message that she is back in the condo with Jackson driving her back home.


    After a few minutes, her phone rang. It was her grandmother.


    ¡°Marmee, how are you doing?¡± They have been talking every single day, checking on each other.


    ¡°My child, I am doing good. Look at you! Did you just have a haircut?¡± Asked her grandmother while doing a video call.


    ¡°Yes, marmee. Do you like it?¡± She said excitedly, which made her grandmotherugh.


    ¡°I love your new hairstyle. It makes you look even more beautiful. I am d that Devlin has been taking good care of you.¡± Her grandmother said sincerely.


    ¡°Thank you, marmee. I got my looks from you.¡± She teased her grandmother.


    ¡°Oh¡­ you really know how to make your marmee smile with happiness. I miss you, my child. When are youing home?¡± She already asked that questionst night. That¡¯s why Amber chuckled softly.


    ¡°I am not sure, marmee. Probably next week. I will have to inform Devlin about that. Anyway, he was being nice enough to tour me around his ce.¡± She said happily. But she never mentioned that Devlin left her alone at the salon and never came back.


    ¡°By the way marmee, this Friday, I am going to attend a business dinner with Devlin. He bought me some stuff for that dinner.¡± Then, Amber immediately took her shopping bags and showed the dress, purse and shoes to her grandmother. Jackson drove her earlier with the same car that Devlin used when they toured earlier in the day. She brought with her the shopping bags with Jackson¡¯s help.


    ¡°He bought all of those for you? Why would he bring you to the business dinner?¡± Her grandmother wondered. Amber has really no answer to that except what Devlin told her earlier. Probably, he has no one avable toe with him to the business dinner.


    ¡°I actually don¡¯t know why he asked me toe with him. Probably, he likes mypany. So far, we are getting along well together as friends.¡± Amber saw the teasing smile from her grandmother.


    ¡°Are you sure it is only a business dinner? Isn¡¯t it a dinner date?¡± Her grandmother¡¯s words made her turn red.


    ¡°Marmee! That is not what you thought it is. I guess we are good friends now. He is nothing but nice and friendly to me.¡± She said with a big smile. She is now in the kitchen, checking the fridge on what food to cook. She suddenly got hungry.


    ¡°Alright, my child. I am d to hear that. Just always stay safe. Take care of yourself. I love you.¡± They ended their conversation after that. Amber went on to prepare her dinner. She decided to make some sd and a tuna sandwich. She went to the living room to watch a show. However, her mind is really not on what she is watching. She wonders what exactly happened to Devlin¡­This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.

 Reminiscing the Past

    Devlin woke up nursing a hangover. He had too many drinksst night. He was at the bar past 5 pm. He did not exactly remember how he got home. He just remembers Jackson calling him on the phone, mentioning Amber. Thinking of her right now, he felt bad that he left her all by herself. He did note back for her.


    He went to the kitchen and made his own cup of coffee. He is in his bachelor¡¯s pad right now. He must have been dead drunkst night for not remembering anything else after his call with Jackson.


    The only person he believed could bring him home was Jackson, his trusted right-hand man. Only Jackson knows about his properties. This was the closest ce that Jackson could take him. He has three houses. He got the bachelor¡¯s pad, the condo unit where Amber is staying and a sprawling mansion. He only has the maids there. That would be his house for his family in the future.


    Suddenly, thoughts of Raven flooded his mind, echoing her words from yesterday. He felt so defeated hearing what Raven said to him, especially that she is trying to protect her rtionship with his brother. He felt so lost knowing that the woman he loves the most is with someone else now. Despite everything, he still has high hopes that they could get back together. His brother is no saint. He knows what he has been doing in his job. He is not as clean as what the others thought of him. He has secret under-the-table transactions. As a renowned corporatewyer,panies are vying to get his service.


    Devlin needs to be patient. One false move from his brother and everything would turn to his favor. And when that timees, he will be there tofort Raven. And he is not going to leave her side again. With that in mind, he decided to go with his n to visit Amber today and apologize for what he did.


    He already called his secretary informing her that he will not report to work today. He still has something else to do. He is d he has a very efficient secretary who can take care of his paperwork without him.


    After taking the time to shower and get dressed, he is now on his way driving to the condo. While waiting for the traffic to move, he saw a flower shop. He decided to drop by the ce.


    The incessant ringing of the doorbell made Amber quickly finish her shower. She just got in the shower like five minutes ago. She poured shampoo quickly and rubbed on her hair. Then, she immediatelyther a soap on her body and quickly rinse. She finished shower in record time. She was still in her bathroom robe when she decided to check who kept ringing the bell. She was surprised that her visitor was none other than Devlin. Although she hesitated for a bit, she opened the door after a few seconds. She does not have time to change, Devlin has been ringing the bell nonstop.


    ¡°Devlin, what are you doing here?¡± She asked shyly while clinging to her bathrobe. She suddenly became conscious that she was not wearing anything underneath her robe.


    ¡°Good morning, Amber. May Ie in?¡± She opened the door widely for him. He then handed her the bouquet of tulips much to her surprise.


    ¡°It¡¯s for you. It is an apology offering.¡± He said seriously while scratching his eyebrow. He hopes that she would not make a fuss over what happened yesterday.


    ¡°But you don¡¯t have to apologize. I was worried about you. I could not contact you at all.¡± Amber¡¯s words surprised Devlin. It is not what he expected she would say. The other women he had gone with would make it a big deal if he could not just pick up the phone right away. He had to give them something like flowers or jewelry topensate for his shorings. But Amber¡­ she wasn¡¯t even bothered that he did note back for her. She did not think of herself. In fact, she worried about him. She is really an interesting woman.


    ¡°No, it was my fault. I did note back for you yesterday. Something came up and I didn¡¯t have the chance to check my phone. I am truly sorry.¡± Hemended himself for acting so casually when he lied about everything. He suddenly felt a slight pang of conscience.


    ¡°Thank you for these flowers. They are so beautiful.¡± Amber sniffed the flowers while smiling.


    ¡°Can I leave you here for a sec? I will look for something to set these flowers.¡± Devlin simply nodded. He made himselffortable on the sofa. He even turned on the television to watch some shows while waiting for her. It didn¡¯t escape his attention though that she just took a shower. Her hair was not even brushed yet. And she is just wearing a bathrobe. Something stirred in him and he had to shake off his head. What was he thinking?


    Amber quickly put on her clothes while in her room. She chose casual gray shorts and a white t-shirt. She just brushed her hair quickly. She did not want Devlin to wait any longer for her.


    ¡°I am sorry to keep you waiting.¡± She said as she was walking to the living room . She already brought the flowers inside the vase. She set it on the centerpiece table.


    ¡°It is okay. I don¡¯t mind. So, that¡¯s the new haircut you got? You look very nice with your new hairstyle. Did you get all the services they offered in the package?¡± Devlin asked candidly. He did like her new hairstyle. She took a medium lengthyered haircut.


    ¡°Yes, I did. Thank you so much. They were actually very nice and amodating.¡± Amber said while consciously touching her hair.


    ¡°Don¡¯t mention it. I owe you more than that.¡± Amber¡¯s eyebrows crossed. She doesn¡¯t understand what he meant by what he just said.


    ¡°So, do you have any ns for today?¡± Devlin asked to change the subject.


    ¡°You know I just stay here in the condo. I don¡¯t have any ns except maybe to do a movie marathon.¡± Sheughed. Devlin was staring at her for a while. He likes the way sheughs. It is very pleasing to the ears. What has gotten into him? He has been thinking weirdtely ever since he met Amber.


    ¡°In that case, can I invite you out? Then, we can go to a movie theater after that. What do you think?¡± He smiled widely at her this time. He did not realize it but Amber has been staring at him for a long time when he was not paying that much attention. She has been carefully observing him, his gestures, the way he talks¡­ She could not help but admire him. Although she did not have a good start with him; he seems to be a nice person. He would never offer his ce if he is not concerned about her, she thought to herself.


    ¡°Hmmm¡­¡± Amber tried to tease him by dying her answer. ¡°I think¡­ I think your idea is great!¡± She immediately said while both of themughed at the same time. For some reason, Devlin enjoys Amber¡¯spany. She is actually easy to get along with.


    ¡°Alright, do you want to change? I think you already look great!¡± He said while checking her outfit. It made her conscious of her look and she turned red. She just tried to pretend to do something by fixing the cushions.Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Okay, just let me get my pu¨C purse.¡± She immediately retreated to her room. The moment she closed the door to her room, she took a deep sigh. Ever since she met Devlin, her emotions have been on a roller coaster. She admits that she admires him but there is something more to it. Every time she hears his voice or sees him, she just feels those butterflies in her stomach. She could not contain her happiness when she was with him. Right now, she is imagining that they are going out on a date instead of just a friendly gesture from Devlin¡¯s part. Well, she can silently admire him. He does not have to know. Even if she promised his grandmother to marry him , that is not an assurance that they would go do the marriage.


    Together, they went to the car. They went to a mall at first, just looking around. Then, they went to have lunch together. They ended up going to an Italian restaurant to try the best pasta in the city ording to Devlin.


    Indeed, he was right. They shared a delicious lunch over a ss of red wine. She wanted to protest about the wine but Devlin cut her off.


    ¡°Just enjoy the drink. It is good for a heavy meal.¡± And he winked at her. She smiled at his yfulness.


    During their lunch, Devlin talked about hispany. He started his business right after he resigned from his first job. He had enough money which he got from his grandma to invest in a constructionpany. He started from scratch until he was able to grow his business. Four yearster, he is at the peak of his career. He is one of the most eligible bachelors in the country. Then, not too long ago, he joined the list of the young billionaires in the country.


    While listening to Devlin, she could feel how proud he is of what he has achieved. He does not brag about it but just being proud to talk of all his hard work. She noted though that he does not talk much about his family. So, she took the courage to ask about them since he started to open up about himself.


    ¡°So, how are your parents? Are they always busy?¡± Amber asked. A sudden sadness crossed on Devlin¡¯s face before he answered her.


    ¡°Yes, they are always busy with their work. I grew up not seeing them that much. When they finally took the time off to be with grandma when she was sick, I was already distant from them. In fairness to them, especially my mom, she did try to reconnect with me. I was young at that time. I was in my teenage years. I closed the door for whatever chance we could have as a family. And my brother¡­ we had a long history of sibling rivalry. It could have been avoided had not some of our family friends and rtives startedparing us. They started topare our achievements particrly in school. Dalton started school early. He was a consistent first honor student in his ss and graduated as valedictorian from highschool. And of course, he graduated with the highest honors in college. He was immediately epted to a famousw firm in the country right after he passed the bar exam. He is a corporatewyer.¡± He ended while he had that distant look on his face.


    He would never forget that day when everyone gathered together to celebrate Dalton¡¯s graduation from college. They all cheered for him, even Devlin himself. Deep inside him, he was happy for his brother. However, it is the people around them that made him resent his brother. It was only his grandma who made him understand that no two people are alike. That he should continue with his dreams by not basing on what people would say about him. That¡¯s when he really pushed himself to take his school seriously. And up until now, he has always been hard working. He worked hard to achieve what he has today. The moment he became sessful, people started to notice him more than his brother. Before, he was called thewyer¡¯s brother. Now, he heard people would call him the young billionaire. He has surpassed his brother in terms of achievements but he is not happy at all. There is still something missing in his life. And he knows that it is Raven. He needs to get her back.


    ¡°I am sorry to hear that. It is never toote to fix things between your family. I also had that issue before when my mother decided to marry again after my father¡¯s death. I stayed with her new family together with my step siblings. However, we never got along well. So, I chose to stay with marmee. And for years, I resented my mother for what she did. I felt that I was abandoned by her. Butter on, when I got older and wiser, we finally made up. That was on my 18th birthday.¡± She said while lost in her thoughts.


    ¡°Wow! How old are you? You sounded too old for your age. I am five years older than you yet the way you talk is full of maturity and wisdom. I wish I could be like you.¡± He frankly said.


    He still could not stop the feeling of animosity he has towards his brother. At least right now, he tries to be civil towards his brother despite their present situation. In time, he would get back the woman he loves the most. And he willpletely find peace in his heart¡­

 The Business Dinner

    They ended up watching an actionedy movie together. That was the only movie that would meet their movie preferences. Devlin likes action films while Amber is into rom movies. So, they decided to meet halfway.


    ¡°Thank you for today. It was really nice. I hope you had fun.¡± Devlin said while she was at the door to the condo unit. She only smiled at him.


    ¡°No, thanks to you. I had a great time.¡±


    ¡°Hmmm¡­ do you want a cup of coffee?¡± She said after a few moments.


    ¡°Sure, that would be great!¡± Devlin replied without hesitation. He followed Amber inside while she put her purse on the center table in the living room. She went to the kitchen and turned on the coffee maker. Devlin followed her to the kitchen as well.


    ¡°How do you like your coffee? Do you want it with a creamer?¡± Amber asked while she was preparing.


    ¡°ck coffee is good.¡± He was looking at what Amber was doing which made her slightly nervous. She does not want to screw up things in front of him. Good thing that Devlin started talking to her.


    ¡°So tell me, how is your stay here in the condo? Is Jackson still doing well at his job? By the way, did the cleaningdye here to clean?¡± Devlin asked casually. He went closer to her so he could get the coffee cups up in the cupboard. He saw Amber boiling some milk for herself. She prefers her coffee with milk.


    ¡°Jackson has been very helpful, especially with the groceries. And as for cleaning, thedy came although I always clean up every single day.¡± She simply said. She is used to household chores. It is no big deal to clean Devlin¡¯s condo unit. It is actually a huge condo with three rooms but she was fine cleaning it.


    She finished the ck coffee for Devlin and poured it in one of the coffee cups he handed to her. She served it to him immediately. He is now seated at the small dining table in the kitchen. She hurriedly went to get the milk which had already started to boil. She made her own coffee, added some sugar and went to sit beside Devlin.


    ¡°This is really good!¡± Devlin even smelled the coffee. He kept taking some small sips.


    ¡°Thank you. I always make coffee for marmee so it is something that I am used to doing.¡± She gave him a beaming smile.


    ¡°That¡¯s nice. I admire how you are taking care of your grandmother. I regret that I didn¡¯t get to do that to grandma. She helped me a lot while I only gave her a lot of problems.¡± Devlin said regretfully.


    ¡°Don¡¯t say that. The first time I met your grandma, she only had great words for you. She was so proud of you. It means you did something great for her.¡± Amber¡¯s words broughtfort to him.  A ghost of a smile appeared on his face while sipping his cup of coffee.


    ¡°Anyway, tomorrow, someone wille to help you get ready before the business dinner. And I wille pick you up at 7 pm sharp.¡± Amber wonders why she needs help for the business dinner. It made her more anxious. She did not voice it out though. After finishing his cup of coffee, Devlin bid her goodbye and left.


    Amber got nervous thinking about tomorrow¡¯s dinner. It must be very important since someone has toe to assist her. She still could not believe how things between her and Devlin moved so fast. From a simple farm girl to someone who is going to meet some big shots. She feels ufortable. She doesn¡¯t know how to conduct herself tomorrow night. She started to get restless. She decided to call her grandmother before she goes to sleep. They only talked about the regr happenings at the farm. Her grandmother also reminded her to stay safe all the time. After her conversation with her marmee, she felt much better and rxed. She immediately fell asleep.


    The next day she woke up slightlyter than usual. She got up around 8 am. She allowed herself to sleep longer which made her all the more in a good mood today. She went through her usual day. Then, at 4 pm, she decided to take a bubble bath for almost an hour. When she finished, the doorbell rang. She quickly changed into shorts and a tank top. It must be the woman who would help her for tonight¡¯s business dinner. She wasn¡¯t wrong. It was indeed ady in herte 30s. She came to do her hair and makeup. She even brought an assistant with her.


    ¡°Good afternoon, Ms. Adams. I am ire Newton, your hair and makeup artist. This is my assistant, Chelsea.¡± ire¡¯s friendly demeanor made Amber forget her nervousness.


    ¡°Ms. Adams, do you have any particr style that you have in mind? I can do the style you.¡± Asked ire, who is so nice and polite to her.


    ¡°I trust your judgment. Do what you think is good for me.¡± Amber only smiled. She has no idea at all on how to dress up or what makeup to use for a business dinner. She has never been to one.


    ¡°That¡¯s great! You are not going to regret it. I will make you the most beautiful woman tonight. Mr. Wesley would definitely have his eyes only for you.¡± ire chuckled while her assistant was beaming at her.


    It would take more than an hour for Amber to finish her hair and makeup. When she finally looked at herself in the mirror, she could not even recognize herself. Gone is her medium- short hair. Instead, she is sporting a sleek bun updo that perfectly goes with her floor-length olive green Grecian style dress. It has a halter neckline and shows more skin at the back. It has a high slit to the side that goes all the way to the mid-thigh. She looks like a goddess, even ire and Chelsea could not stop telling her how beautiful she is.


    ¡°You just look so amazing. You look like a goddess!¡± Eximed ire who is so proud of her work. She definitely has highlighted Amber¡¯s look with the makeup she used on her. Devlin would surely approve of Amber¡¯s look.


    ¡°For thest touches¡­¡± ire said while getting a rectangr ck velvet box. She opened the box for Amber which made thetter gasp in surprise.


    ¡°These green jewels are emeralds surrounded by real diamonds.¡± ired showed her a pair of earrings and bracelets.


    ¡°Mr. Wesley handed it to me for you to wear tonight. You look so beautiful. All you need to do is rx and smile.¡± ire said with encouraging words.


    ¡°Really? They look so expensive that I am afraid to wear them anywhere.¡± ire and Chelsea brieflyughed at what she said.


    ¡°No, don¡¯t say that. You actually carry these jewelry so elegantly. For sure, Mr. Wesley would be impressed.¡± Said ire whose admiration for her is visible.


    Amber didn¡¯t say anything after hearing what ire said. She is focused more to make sure that the jewelry she is wearing is all safe with her. For sure, each jewelry cost a huge fortune.


    Then, suddenly ire¡¯s phone rang. She excused herself to take the phone call. A few minutester, she came back.


    ¡°We need to keep going. Don¡¯t forget to bring your purse. Mr. Wesley called and he will pick you up soon.¡± Amber thanked both ire and Chelsea before they left. She checked the time and it¡¯s 6:30 pm. They still have half an hour.


    True enough, just a couple of minutester, Devlin came. The moment Amber opened the door for him, he was quiet while simply looking at her. His nk look does not tell her anything.This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you like it? I thought ire did a good job.¡± Amber said nervously. She does not want ire to get into trouble if Devlin does not approve of her look for tonight.


    ¡°Yeah, she did a good job. Are you ready?¡± He simply replied without even giving anyment on her look. Amber was disappointed but she tried to hide her reaction. What does she expect? It is not like they are going on a dinner date. It is a formal business dinner. And she must be the only avable woman to apany him to dinner.


    Amber remained quiet even while they were in the car. Devlin put on some music and stayed quiet as well. She wanted topliment him for his great look but she hesitated after his cold treatment towards her. He must be having some issues. And she should not worry about what he would think of her looks anyway. With that in mind, she decided to act as if nothing happened.


    They arrived at the venue with so many reporters waiting at the lobby area. She has no idea that she is attending avish business dinner for the top businessmen in the country. Devlin did not inform her anything. Her mood has gone sour but she yed her part. Thepliments she received from other people made her confident. She really does not know what¡¯s gotten into Devlin. One moment, he is very nice and friendly, the next is that he stays quiet and looks so serious. If they are friends, at least he could inform her that he may not be feeling well or he got into some issues. She is not good at guessing someone¡¯s feelings.


    ¡°Devlin, who is this very beautiful woman with you?¡± Asked a middle aged woman who wears too many diamonds all over her body. Amber did not say anything but showed a poker face although deep inside she¡¯s dying to get out of the venue. When she looked around, she saw a lot of the rich and famous people in the country. She doesn¡¯t know how to carry herself in this kind of gathering.


    ¡°She is the granddaughter of a family friend.¡± Came Devlin¡¯s short reply.


    ¡°Really? From which family?¡± Amber started to get more ufortable. The woman scrutinized her carefully like she is an interesting specimen.


    ¡°Hmmm¡­ Devlin, may I use the restroom?¡± Amber asked, just so she has time to rx by herself. Devlin raised his right eyebrow at her.


    ¡°We have just arrived.¡± He simply said, dismissing her like a kid.


    ¡°I am sorry but I did not have the chance to use the restroom earlier since I got tense after I did the hair and makeup. I did not know what exactly this business dinner was like.¡± She is notining but Devlin¡¯s indifference is not helping her to calm down. She tried to pretend that it was no big deal but looking around, everything was a big deal.


    ¡°Please don¡¯t worry too much. All you need to do is to stay beside me. Just smile. You don¡¯t have to say anything unless they ask you for trivial things. Anyway, you can use the restroom. I am keeping my eye on you.¡± Devlin said after a few moments just staring at her. He does not know what is going on with him as well. He has a goal to do and that is to take back Raven. However, Amber is distracting his mindtely. He does not know why.


    Amber only nodded at him in response to what he said. She immediately excused herself to look for the restroom. On her way to the restroom, she got stopped a few times by some photographers. She politely told them that she needs to go somewhere quickly.


    She was in the restroom, cleaning her hands when she saw Raven. She looks so stunning in her red gown.


    ¡°Amber? Wow! You look so amazing. How are you doing?¡± Raven said after recognizing her. They are still in the restroom. Raven washed her hands and put some lipstick on.


    ¡°Thank you. You look amazing as well.¡± Amber responded back. She was about to get out of the restroom but Raven asked her something.


    ¡°Are you with Devlin? I haven¡¯t seen him since I got here.¡± Raven asked casually. She was just trying to make a conversation with Amber.


    ¡°We have just arrived actually. He must still be somewhere where I left him.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s good to know. See you around then.¡± Raven simply said. She felt that Amber is notfortable talking to her.


    ¡°Nice meeting you, Raven.¡± She immediately left. She does not want to linger longer since Devlin is waiting for her. She made her way through the crowd without much issue. She tried to walk quickly as fast as she could so she would not get interrogated by the waiting reporters.


    She found Devlin at the same ce where she left him. He is now talking to some people. She slowly walked to bide her time but it can¡¯t be helped. She needs to face these businessmen.


    ¡°There you are!¡± Devlin said loudly as she was approaching them. She tried not to create any attention. She already noticed that wherever Devlin is, the reporters and photographers keep following him.


    ¡°Everyone, meet my date, Amber Adams.¡± Devlin announced to those people around him much to Amber¡¯s surprise. She already saw more and more photographers flocking towards them. She really can¡¯t wait for this night to be over.

 Sadness In His Eyes

    ¡°Smile¡­we¡¯ve just started.¡± Devlin told her and to her surprise, held her hand tightly. Together, they went to their assigned table. Immediately, the cameras were shing at them until they reached their table. Amber tried to whisper to Devlin to loosen her grip on her hand but he just held it more tightly.. She could not do anything to avoid the attention. Instead, she put her head down at least to hide herself from those cameras. The attention she got tonight is making her anxious.


    ¡°What was that? Why did you tell them that I am your date? I don¡¯t understand what you are doing.¡± Came her questions in a low voice. What Devlin did just made her the center of attention from those reporters.


    ¡°Just rx. Stay with me all the time and you will be just fine. They will not bother you.¡± Devlin is known to date a lot of women but he never answered any questions from the reporters regarding those women he dated. It is actually those women who would tell the reporters for media mileage. Most of what they said were untrue but he never corrected any of them. Yes, he goes out on a date but he only has one serious rtionship. That was Raven of course.


    Devlin and Amber shared their table with four other people. There were three businessmen and a businesswoman. Devlin introduced her to them. She found out that each one of them holds a high position in theirpanies. Of course, Devlin knows them very well since he also meets them in other business conventions.


    Amber is sitting quietly next to Devlin. She is carefully observing everyone at the table and the other guests. She recognized a few of the guests since she saw them on TV and magazines. She realized that this is really a huge event and Devlin did not even bother to tell her anything. Sheined silently. Had she known, she would have politely refused his invitation. All of a sudden, it dawned on her. Devlin would never tell her since he already thought that she might refuse.


    Looking around, it is also interesting to note that the table where they are situated is just across to the table where Raven is currently at. She was busy talking to someone. Amber noticed that Devlin could not even take his eyes off her. While looking at his reaction, she realized that there must be something romantic between them. Sometimes, she caught him with a sad look on his face while staring at Raven.


    She does not understand why she has to be here when he can just invite Raven with him. Something is not right between those two. Last time she remembers how Devlin was in a hurry to leave her at the salon. Raven already left at that time. Probably, they talked. Amber has to shake her head. She must be really bored as there were so many things going on in her head.


    Suddenly, the woman next to Amber spoke. Amber thought that she must be in her early 40s. She looks friendly.


    ¡°Hi Amber, you are so quiet. Aren¡¯t you used to this kind of event? And look at these amazing jewelry you are wearing. They are priceless.¡± The woman said with a smile. Amber unconsciously touched her earrings and bracelet for fear that she may lose them.


    ¡°I am sorry I just don¡¯t know a lot of the guests here. I mean personally.¡± Sheughed at the absurdity of her words. Of course, she would never know anyone here. They belong to the upper society. Something that she would never belong to.


    ¡°I understand. Don¡¯t worry about that. Usually, with this kind of business dinner, it is more like a social gathering. Later on, they will do some auctions to raise for charity funds. This is actually what this dinner is all about.¡± She exined further.


    ¡°That¡¯s really nice. I hope you get to raise more funds.¡± Amber said casually, starting to get rxed. She continued talking more with her while Devlin was also busy talking with the others. He would from time to time check on Amber.


    ¡°How are you holding up? Looks like you are getting along with our deardy friend.¡± He whispered.N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    ¡°Yes, she is actually very nice.¡± She felt Devlin put her arm behind her chair. Anyone looking at them would think that he is a besotted lover.


    Suddenly, Raven came to greet Devlin and the rest of the guests at their table. They exchanged pleasantries. And then she heard something else. One of the guests  asked Raven about Dalton.


    ¡°He could not make it tonight. He had a prior engagement that he could not cancel.¡± Raven said while the rest of them are now listening to her. Raven is not only a very beautiful woman but she exudes so much confidence. The way she carries herself is simply stunning. Devlin was quiet the whole time while listening attentively to their conversations.


    ¡°Anyway, I am sorry I have to go. I can¡¯t join the evening¡¯s auction. I hope all of you guys will have a great time.¡± She turned to look at Devlin and slightly bowed down her head. Then, she took ast look at everyone at the table and left.


    ¡°Hey, what¡¯s up with you tonight? You have been acting strangely ever since you came to pick me up at the condo. Is there something bothering you?¡± Amber could not help but ask what she has been wondering all along.


    ¡°No, I am fine. I just had to do something from work and it was a bit stressful.¡± Amber looked at his face but she is not convinced that is the real reason. Raven may have something to do with his sour mood tonight.


    They finished the business dinner without much issues except for one incident when one reporter approached Amber to ask her something. Devlin was a few meters away from her talking with some businessmen.


    ¡°Hi! I¡¯m a reporter. Dana is my name. Would you mind if I ask you a few things?¡± Came the words of the woman who just approached her. Amber did not know what to say. She just wanted to walk away from her but that would appear rude. Thest thing in her mind is to create any issue with anyone.


    ¡°Anyway, I take your silence means yes.¡± Dana said with enthusiasm. Amber still did not say anything.


    ¡°I just would like to know since Mr. Wesley is a very famous man, how do you find your date tonight?¡± She asked frankly which made Amber surprised. She almost expected the line of questions she would ask her but still she didn¡¯t expect her to be very straightforward.


    ¡°I am sorry but I hope you understand that I wanted to keep things private. I really do not want toment on anything¡± Amber said, trying to hide her uneasiness with the situation.


    ¡°That¡¯s very interesting. The photographers followed you both earlier. Mr. Wesley held your hand for a while and there were some moments in which you were in the most intimate manner.¡± Then, Dana showed her photos with Devlin from her phone. Amber looked at the pictures carefully. There was a picture that looks like Devlin was kissing her on the cheek. There was another one that he was looking intensely at Amber while she was talking to someone. Those pictures were nothing for Amber but it could mean many things to anyone who sees them.


    ¡°There is really nothing between us right now. I am sorry but if you¡¯ll excuse me.¡± Amber does not want to answer the reporter any more. But Dana asked one more question.


    ¡°Just onest question Ms. Adams, what do you think of Mr. Wesley¡¯s ex, Ms. Raven Crawford?¡± Amber was surprised but she hid her reaction well. That question confirmed her suspicion earlier of Raven and Devlin. Amber chooses not to answer her question and immediately walks to Devlin¡¯s side who is still busy chatting with the other guests.


    ¡°Where did you go? I told you to just stay with me.¡± Devlin¡±s tone of voice came out a bit rough which made Amber¡¯s right eyebrow arched.


    ¡°I was just a few meters behind you.¡± That¡¯s all she said. She does not want to deal with his different mood changes. She understood now that it has something to do with Raven. If he still likes her, why not pursue her again? She thought to herself.


    They went home after Amber¡¯s encounter with the reporter earlier. She never told Devlin about her. Driving home was quiet just like earlier. It was Amber who broke the silence. She could not hold the silence any longer.


    ¡°So, how was your conversations with your colleagues?¡± She hopes he will say something more. He must be deep in his thoughts to even notice her.


    ¡°It was good. How about you? Did you have a good time?¡± He asked in return. Amber did have some fun but there were times she felt ufortable and nervous. All in all, it was still good.


    ¡°Yes, I had a good time although I felt ufortable sometimes.¡± She chuckled. ¡°I am not used to those kinds of dinner parties. I mean the guests alone are the experts in their field.¡± She said honestly. Devlin looked at her with an amused look.


    ¡°Well, I think you did great. Some of the guests evenmented at the way you conversed with them. They said you are not only beautiful but you are smart as well. I am d you came with me tonight. I know that you were wondering about me. Like I said, I am just bothered with a lot of things.¡± He took a deep sigh. He can¡¯t tell Amber that he took her to the business dinner for a reason. He wanted to let Raven think that he is dating Amber, to make her jealous. But he did not get the reaction he expected from her. In fact, she was friendly towards Amber. He would not forget the words she said to him about Amber.


    ¡°Devlin, take good care of her. She is for keeps.¡± He wonders why she said that. There is really nothing romantic between her and Amber. She is nice, smart and beautiful but his heart belongs only to Raven.


    He stayed mostly quiet during the night since he has been thinking of other ways to get back Raven. His brother must be controlling her or something. Knowing his brother, he could be such a controlling freak sometimes.


    ¡°Thank you. I did not expect that from them. We were simply talking about the simple things.¡± Amber said humbly. She actually gets to talk about different topics to the amazement of those she conversed with. She did not realize that she left a good impression on those influential people. They were more amazed when they found out that she¡¯s only 20 years old and a fresh graduate.


    ¡°There were like a few of them who asked for your number when they found out that you¡¯ve just graduated. I think you shared too much information tonight.¡± Amber looked at him with surprise. But his voice wasn¡¯t upset or annoyed. He was just teasing her. Sheughed when she immediately realized what was happening.


    ¡°You were great yourself. I can¡¯t help but admire the way you talked to those people. I mean most of them are more than half your age.¡± She said with a smile. She remembers when she heard him debating about a topic over soil testing. Of course, he learned about that as it is also a part of his construction business. He borately discussed everything to know about soil testing. She looked at everyone and they were listening attentively to him. She was actually impressed by his extensive knowledge of almost everything.


    ¡°No wonder you have achieved a lot at a young age. You really go out your way to learn. That¡¯s impressive.¡± She praised him for his dedication to learn about things thoroughly.


    ¡°Well, I have no choice. My grandma would never stop bugging me until I got hold of a book to learn something.¡± Heughed but at the same time looked sad again.


    ¡°I just missed grandma. Maybe we get along well since you have a connection with grandma. I felt like she was just around. You reced that sadness with joy.¡± Amber took what he just said as a bittersweetpliment. It is not easy to deal with the grief of a loved one. She experienced it herself although she was still young at that time.


    ¡°You are doing great. Your grandma is definitely proud of you.¡± She said sincerely.


    Devlin walked her to the condo. Before she could get in the condo, she told him about the jewelry.


    ¡°By the way, thank you for letting me wear these jewelry. This is one reason why I was also anxious and ufortable at the party. People could not stop looking at them. I was also afraid to lose them. If you could wait, I can put them in the velvet box¡­¡± Amber continued babbling but Devlin silenced her.


    ¡°What are you talking about? I gave them to you. That¡¯s my gift for you.¡± Amber was wide-eyed. How could he just splurge her on extremely expensive gifts like these. For sure these jewelry are worth a fortune.


    ¡°But they are too expen¡­¡± Devlin cut her off.


    ¡°It is to show my appreciation. Thank you foring with me tonight.¡± That¡¯s all what Devlin said.


    Amber wonders how much he would show his appreciation to his girlfriend. He must be really generous. She carefully ced back the earrings and bracelet inside their respective box. She must return itter on.


    Amber went to sleep that night thinking about Devlin. He is indeed a person with aplex personality. She does not know what to expect from him next¡­

 Facing The Truth

    It¡¯s a sunny Saturday morning. Amber decided to go out of the condo to do some jogging. She does not need to inform Jackson of her whereabouts anyway. Devlin already told her that she can get out whenever she wants to.


    She feels great to smell the fresh morning dew. She is now at a park, just jogging around. She checks her wristwatch and it is 40 minutes past 5 am. She has been jogging for almost half an hour now. She decided to take a break at the nearest bench she could find. The ce is almost empty at this time. She has the luxury to enjoy the view of the park all by herself.


    Her mind wanders as to what happenedst night. She thought of Devlin and Raven. Based on what she understood fromst night¡¯s conversations from the guests, she assumed that Raven is in a rtionship with someone else. She realized the reason why Devlin has that sad look on his face every time he looks at Raven.


    Amber has never been in a rtionship but she is not that naive to not know that those looks he had for Raven is a look from a brokenhearted man. She feels bad for him. She hopes that he finds happiness even if he will not end up with Raven.N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    As for her, she should n on leaving soon. She has been in Devlin¡¯s ce for almost a week now. She does not want to abuse his hospitality. Besides, her few days of vacation is already enough. She misses her grandmother at the farm. She took some deep breaths before she stood up and continued with her jogging.


    Meanwhile, Devlin just woke up. He read his messages from his phone. Most of the messages were news about the business dinnerst night. He ignored all of them. There is one important message that he got from his grandmother¡¯swyer. He wants to meet him after lunch around 1 pm. He just replied briefly to him confirming that he woulde. He wonders what the meeting is all about.


    He checked the time from his phone and it is still 6:30 am. He wants to sleep a little bit more before he starts his day. He could not sleep immediatelyst night since his mind was filled with the images of Raven. She looked so beautifulst night. And she was radiating with happiness. She must be happy with his brother. That pisses him off since he is trying his best to win her back. He stayed awake for half an hour before he slowly drifted back to sleep. However, instead of the images of Raven, it was Amber¡¯s face that came into his mind before he finally went to sleep.


    Devlin woke up from the ringing of his phone. His voice still sounded groggy when he answered the call.


    ¡°Hello¡­?¡± He asked immediately without even paying attention as to who called him.


    ¡°Hi! Good morning. I am sorry but did I just wake you up?¡± Came the familiar voice of Amber.


    ¡°No, it is okay. I woke up around 6 am but went back to sleep.¡± He checked the time and was surprised that it was past 9 am. He has been asleep for almost three hours.


    ¡°I am d to hear that. I hope you slept well. Anyway, I just called to check on you.¡± Amber actually wanted to tell him her n on going back home on Monday. And something else came up when she came back from her jogging. She wanted to talk to him about it.


    ¡°I did sleep well. So tell me, how¡¯s your morning?¡± Devlin asked casually. Although she woke him up in his sleep, still he can¡¯t be upset at her. He has slept enough.


    ¡°Everything is great! I went outside to do some jogging early in the morning. I had a great time at the park.¡± Amber said butcked the excitement from her voice. Good thing that Devlin did not notice.


    ¡°That¡¯s great to know. I am d you went out to get some fresh air.¡± They did not get to talk further since Devlin had to answer an important phone call. She felt disappointed that she didn¡¯t get to tell why she called. She decided it is best to tell him in person than just over the phone. Then, an idea came to her mind. She would cook dinner for him tonight. She hopes he has no other ns. She will just message himter to invite him to dinner in the condo.


    Right after his phone conversation with thewyer, Devlin stood up to use the restroom quickly. He slept in long enough. He decided to go to his mini gym and sweat out. He always likes to exercise before he starts his day. It is more like a routine for him.


    After more than an hour of exercise, he went to shower. Since it is the weekend, he goes for a casual outfit. He checked the time and it is almost 11 am. He feels hungry already, he did not eat breakfast at all. He decided to just eat outside. He thought of inviting Amber but he has a meeting with thewyer at 1. Speaking of his grandmother¡¯swyer, he wonders why he asked for a meeting. He thought that the reading of his grandma¡¯s will would be theing Friday. Will his parents and older brother be in the meeting? He did not think of that earlier when he talked to thewyer. He will find the answerter on. For now, he needs to grab something to eat for his brunch.


    He ended up ordering some sd and steak for lunch. He did not realize that he was that hungry until he finished all his food. He was finishing his red wine when someone caught his attention as she entered the restaurant. It was none other than Raven.


    ¡°Raven? It is nice to see you again. Having lunch by yourself?¡± Devlin asked the surprised Raven. He can tell that she must have been from work or a meeting based on her business suit. It is the weekend. When did she be a workaholic? She used toin about him having to do work during the weekends.


    ¡°Hello Devlin. Where is Amber?¡± Raven was looking around for Amber. Devlin was just staring at her with amusement.


    ¡°Why? Whenever you see me, does Amber have to be around me?¡± He quipped. It was just a joke for him but Raven did not take it that way.


    ¡°Devlin, I warned you. I find her to be a nice woman. She is sweet and naive. Please don¡¯t regard her as those women you have been datingtely.¡± Came Raven¡¯s serious reply. Devlin looked at her incredulously.


    ¡°What made you think that? Yes, she is nice and sweet. I did not say anything bad about her. Let¡¯s leave her alone. She is not with me right now.¡± He does not want to discuss Amber, especially that there is only him and Raven.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you sit here with me? I have just finished my lunch. It is more like a brunch anyway.¡± He chuckled softly while taking a sip from his red wine.


    Raven looked around. The ce is starting to get full with some customers. She saw an empty table to the far end. However, it would be rude to just refuse Devlin¡¯s offer.


    ¡®Alright, but can I order something for you? How about dessert?¡± She offered politely. But Devlin only shook his head. He had a heavy meal and having dessert is thest thing on his mind right now. He just wants to spend this time with Raven. He missed her so much. He remembers when they used to eat together during lunch when they were still in high school. Those were one of his happy memories with her. He always looked forward to spending lunch with her at their usual space at the school¡¯s cafeteria. They would just talk about anything. He missed those days. Raven was his first love. Looking back, he still regrets what happened in their rtionship.


    He observed Raven carefully while she was looking at the menu that the waiter handed her. She is very beautiful just like the way he remembers her. In fact, she is more beautiful now with all her confidence.


    ¡°So, why are you eating lunch here all by yourself? Are you losing your charm with your women?¡± Raven said while smiling at him. It is interesting how she was able topletely move forward from him. Just like Devlin, he was also her first love. First in everything. Probably, she findsfort in knowing that they still remain friends despite everything else. However Devlin has been persistent in showing his intention to get back with her.


    ¡°So, where is Dalton?¡± Came Devlin¡¯s reply instead of answering her questions.


    ¡°He is on a business trip right now. He won¡¯t be back until Tuesday.¡± Raven simply replied. She started eating her food after the waiter brought them.


    ¡°How about you? What¡¯s new with you?¡± Raven asked in between taking some bites of her food. She just wanted to strike up a friendly conversation with him. She looked at him when he did not hear any reply from him. She caught him staring intensely at her. It made her feel ufortable. Now, she regrets why she took his invitation to share a table with him. He is not going to make things easy between them.


    ¡°Raven, I still don¡¯t understand why of all people you ended up with my brother.¡± He could not hide his pains any longer.


    ¡°I felt like you betrayed me by being with my brother. You witnessed so many things that happened between us. Why?¡± He has never heard her reason why she ended up with his brother.


    Raven had to stop eating and focused her attention on Devlin. She never told him that during those times when he got busy from his job and starting his ownpany, it was Dalton who was with her. It was him whoforted her when she had no one to talk to. Thenter on, she realized that she shared many simrities with Dalton. They clicked easily. She likes how smart he is and takes things seriously.


    Devlin is also smart but in their years together, Raven felt that their rtionship did not level up. They got stuck with what they had. Raven wanted to move forward to the next level. She wanted to hear Devlin talking about his ns with her like marriage. She never heard it from him. But with Dalton, he made her feel secure. It was her who fell in love with Dalton first. It waster on that Dalton confessed his feelings towards her when she broke up with Devlin for the nth time. That¡¯s the time that Dalton made his feelings clear towards Raven. That was like six months ago. So far, Dalton did not fail to impress her. He always makes it a point that he made time for her. He always surprises her with short vacation trips together. That¡¯s something that she wanted to do with Devlin but it never happened.


    ¡°Devlin, I am very sorry. It happened thest time we broke up. He was there for me. You know that I can¡¯t just drop the years that we¡¯ve been together. However, I wanted something more. Our rtionship did not grow. We simply fell apart. You had so many priorities. First, I understand your work and then yourpany. However, there came to a point where I could not even see you for months. Even talking over the phone became more like a duty to call instead of something that you look forward to doing. I wanted something more from you, Devlin. I know you could never give me that.¡± She ended with her voice slightly shaking. She did not finish her lunch. She immediately stood up and paid her bill. Devlin tried to stop her.


    ¡°Please, don¡¯t. I guess I will have to avoid you now. We can¡¯t be talking like this every time we bump into each other. It is tiring. Please, Devlin, I am begging you. I am not the one you are looking for. You are only upset since I ended up with Dalton. Please, he is a nice person. Give yourself a chance to get closer to your older brother.¡± She immediately left after herst statement. Devlin was left devastated. He looked around the restaurant. He is d that the customers were too busy conversing with each other to even notice what happened with them.


    He wanted to go somewhere and filled his senses with alcohol. He wanted to forget all of these. However, his phone rang. He almost forgot about his meeting with his grandma¡¯swyer. He wanted to cancel the meeting but he couldn¡¯t. So despite the turmoil inside him, he tried to appear calm outside. He had to take several deep breaths before he could control his emotions.

 Unexpected Revelation

    ¡°Good afternoon, Attorney Harrison.¡± Devlin greeted his grandmother¡¯swyer the moment he saw him in his office. He wonders whether he is working today. He is such a workaholic man despite his age.


    ¡°Good afternoon, Mr. Wesley. How are you doing? Please take a seat.¡± Smiled the aging Attorney Harrison. When Devlin¡¯s grandfather was still alive, Attorney Harrison used to work for him as his personalwyer. His grandfather was a very sessful real estate developer. It was also Attorney Harrison who read thest will of his grandfather a few weeks after he died. His grandmother took the bulk of his grandfather¡¯s wealth with almost all of his real estate properties as her inheritance. Devlin¡¯s dad was also given some properties like the beach house and some apartments. Both Devlin and his older brother were given some parcels ofnd.


    Despite all the wealth her grandmother got, she lived a very simple life. Devlin knew that she also took good care of those properties. Most of those properties were leased by some majorpanies.


    ¡°Mr. Wesley, I called you here for something very important. I have yet to inform your family regarding the reading of your grandmother¡¯sst will which would be Friday next week.¡± Devlin¡¯s confused look was visible, making Attorney Harrison chuckled.


    ¡°I don¡¯t understand. What does thest will of grandma have to do with this very important meeting with you right now?¡± Devlin just blurted out. He did not want to appear rude to the old man but what happened earlier with Raven still got into his nerves.


    ¡°Rx, Mr. Wesley. Did you have a rough morning?¡± Attorney Harrison asked with his serious tone.


    ¡°I am sorry, Attorney Harrison. You are right. I had a rough morning. I hope our meeting will help lighten up the mood.¡± He smiled briefly at the agingwyer who only nodded at him.


    ¡°Anyway, do you want any drinks before we proceed?¡± Devlin only shook his head. He can¡¯t wait to hear what their meeting is all about.


    ¡°In that case, let¡¯s proceed then.¡± Attorney Harrison paused for a few seconds before he continued talking. He then took something from his drawer and handed it to Devlin.


    It is a regr white envelope with his name written on the back. Devlin gave the familywyer a questioning look.


    ¡°What is this?¡± He asked thewyer while staring at the white envelope.


    ¡°That envelope in your hand was given to me by your grandmother a few months ago. She specifically told me that should anything happen to her then I would hand this to you, a few days before the reading of herst will. By the way, she changed a small portion of herst will just a few months before she died.¡± Came Attorney Harrison¡¯s revtion. That puzzled Devlin.


    ¡°Is that bad? Why would my grandma do that?¡± He asked out of curiosity. He does not know anything about his grandmother¡¯s finances. He only knew that there is an ounting firm who takes care of all her assets.


    ¡°I think you should better read what¡¯s inside that envelope before I will tell you what she did.¡± Attorney Harrison was careful with his words. Even he was initially shocked as to his client¡¯s decision regarding herst will.


    Devlin stared at  Attorney Harrison for a while before he opened the envelope. His forehead slightly wrinkled when he opened a piece of handwritten letter. He knows the familiar penmanship of his grandmother.


    My dearest Devlin,


    By now, for sure I am already in a good ce free from all the pains. Devlin, my grandchild, I love you with all my heart. I kept fighting till the end even if I knew what the ending would be. You gave me the courage to hold onto that small hope that I could beat this cancer. However, we only live on a borrowed life. All good things muste to an end. I am so happy that you were able to show me your great love. It was a life well lived.


    However, there is only one thing I deeply regret¡­that I will not be able to see you walk down the aisle with your beautiful bride. That I will not be able to see a beautiful family that you are going to have in the future.


    Forgive me my grandchild if I made a decision that you will not like. But please understand that I only have your best interest in mind. I have a feeling that you may not honor myst wish. And I feel it is my responsibility to make sure that you will end with a great woman who will truly love you unconditionally.


    I took this drastic decision to include Amber in myst will. Thewyer will exin to you more details. And finally, I have arranged for your marriage to Amber to take ce before the reading of my will.


    You may hate me right now but you will understand what I did at the end. Please take care of yourself and so is Amber. She is a great person with a great heart.


    Much love,


    Grandma


    Devlin was totally shocked. His mind was numbed for a few minutes. The reality of what his grandmother just mentioned in her letter rendered him speechless. He closed his eyes tightly trying to imagine that this is all just a bad dream. He would have remained in his position had not Attorney Harrison started talking.


    ¡°Mr. Wesley, are you alright? Please drink this ss of water. You looked pale.¡± Devlin opened his eyes. He looked angry and confused.


    ¡°When did you know? Why didn¡¯t anyone tell me?¡± Devlin asked in an angry tone. He felt betrayed. He has never thought of marrying Amber. He was d that Amber also did not want to do the marriage. Or was that really her intention when she came to attend his grandma¡¯s burial? He is too angry to even think clearly.


    ¡°It was your grandma¡¯s decision a month after she found out that her cancer is back. She called me for a private meeting one day. She said it is something personal and does not have to do with work.¡± Attorney Harrison had to pause. Even himself did not agree with his client¡¯s decision. He tried to talk to her to think carefully before she would take any further decision.


    ¡°Your grandma was determined to have you married to her childhood friend¡¯s daughter. She mentioned about meeting her that day she heard the news of her cancer.¡± Of course, anyone close to her would never forget that day she met Amber. She never stopped talking about her.


    ¡°How about the letter? Do you know what¡¯s inside here?¡± Devlin asked nkly. He could not think clearly. He is in a desperate situation right now.


    ¡°And how can you let my grandma make her decision? She was very sick and she was not in the right mind to make a sound decision.¡± Devlin argued. It should be the family or anyone close to her could advise her in whatever decision she takes.


    ¡°Devlin, your grandma was definitely in her right mind when she made that decision months ago. I even consulted her doctors if her brain could have been fogged from those therapies and medications she took. However, she did not start her extensive therapy until two monthster. She made that decision before she started her chemotherapy. I tried talking her out. But you know your grandma. She was a very stubborn woman.¡± Devlin only smirked at thewyer. He does not know how to get out of his situation.


    ¡°Attorney Harrison, is there any way out of this? I mean what about Amber? Wouldn¡¯t thew also consider her opinion of this matter?¡± Devlin asked without thought, desperation in his voice was apparent.


    ¡°You can have your ownwyer fact-checked everything. It is a watertight document. And for Ms. Adams, she has no idea about any of these. It just so happened that your grandmother was very fond of her. She even put her in the addendum of her will. And by that time, you are already both husband and wife.¡± Attorney Harrison said seriously. He took a drink from his ss of water.


    ¡°What watertight? I don¡¯t fucking care about the damn will. And how sure are you that she has no idea about the whole thing?¡± Devlin is too angry that he could not even hold his temper. He is losing his mind.


    ¡°Mr. Wesley, I am sorry but if you will not honor your grandma¡¯s wish, she specifically added in her will that half of your inheritance from her will go to the charity and the other half of it will go to Ms. Adams.¡± Devlin wanted to say more but stayed quiet. He made a fist. He is so pissed at his situation right now. How can his own grandmother put him in this situation?


    ¡°Attorney Harrison, I still can¡¯t believe that this is all happening. How can grandma do this to me? Why did she not do it to Dalton?¡± He felt it was unfair of his grandmother to put him in such a situation while Dalton is happy with his ex. Thinking of Raven right now made the situation even worse. He had to massage his temple to calm down.


    ¡°Is there anything else that I don¡¯t know of, Attorney Harrison?¡± This time his voice started to sound calm.N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    ¡°Yes. I am sorry to break it to you but your grandmother also set the date for your wedding. All your papers are ready including the bride¡¯s papers. So, all you need to do is to sign the marriage certificate in front of the judge.¡± Attorney Harrison ended with a more serious tone. He looks tense as well. He knew Devlin¡¯s grandmother for decades through her husband. She was a very tough woman. He ended up to be her trusted confidante when her husband passed away. She could not trust no one with the financials. Her own son was not interested in thepany. He is busy with his own life. If there is someone that she could entrust her wealth to, it could have been her grandson, Devlin. So, why she forced him to do the marriage confused him. That part of Olivia¡¯s life, she never spoke about it in detail. She only shared a few snippets of her childhood life. However, Attorney Harrison knew the details too well.


    ¡°What the hell? So, you think Amber is still clueless about the whole thing? Maybe she nned all of these. She manipted a very sick woman so she could get what she wanted. Besides, how did grandma get hold of the bride¡¯s papers without Amber¡¯s knowledge?¡± Devlin said in conclusion of everything he found out today. He doesn¡¯t care anymore about the words that areing out from his mouth. He started to hate Amber. These are all her faults. If she didn¡¯t show up that day and met his grandmother, then, all of these would not have happened. He could have been focused on pursuing Raven right now.


    ¡°Attorney Harrison, I think my time here is done. I am sorry but I want to be alone and think about the whole thing.¡± Despite his anger, he could not just be upset at Mr. Harrison. He is not only an employee of his grandmother but also a family friend. He can¡¯t be channeling his frustrations on him.


    He is now in his car just sitting down. He was trying to rey in his mind what just happened a while ago.


    Amber is the reason behind all of these. He could not believe that he treated her kindly. He let her stay in his condo. Made an effort to tour her around the city. And even brought her to avish restaurant on a yacht.


    ¡®Aren¡¯t you just the same as her? You used her to get back with Raven.¡¯ His conscience contradicted his thoughts.


    Devlin had to shake off his head. At least he did it out of love for someone while Amber is motivated by her greed. It did not even take long for her toe to Seattle to see what she is going to get. Maybe she poisoned his grandma¡¯s mind. Everything is just fake. She is nothing but a parasite who saw a huge opportunity from a weak, old woman.


    While deep in his thoughts, his phone suddenly rang. He saw Amber¡¯s name on his phone screen. He smirked while looking at his phone¡­

 Her Disappointment

    ¡°Hello Devlin¡­¡± Amber hesitated a bit. But she wants to cook a nice dinner for him before she goes home to her marmee. This is the only way she thinks she could repay his kindness towards her.


    She waited for Devlin to say something but the other line was quiet except the background sound of cars honking. He must be driving somewhere.


    ¡°Devlin, can you hear me? I am not sure what you are doing but do you want me to hang up?¡± It took Devlin a full minute to respond to Amber. She could hear his deep breathing.


    ¡°Yeah, don¡¯t hang up. I¡¯m here. I just had to do something.¡± He lied. He is actually seething with anger right now. He med Amber for everything. Had she not met his grandma that day on her appointment at the hospital, he wouldn¡¯t get entangled with this mess. His grandma would have not made that drastic decision if she hadn¡¯t been very sick. Amber¡¯s appearance could have reminded his grandma of her wish to marry someone from her family to her friend¡¯s family.


    He had to control himself to not yell at Amber. He wonders why she called right after his meeting with thewyer. Did she know? Did Mr. Harrison inform her about his grandma¡¯s will? Did she manipte his grandma with nice words so..? He had to stop himself. There are too many questions in his head right now. He almost believed that Amber is different from the other women he met in his life. However, she is of the same cut as them.


    ¡°Okay. I called because I wanted to invite you for dinner tonight here in your condo. It is my way of showing gratitude to you.¡± She finally got to say it. Amber also wants to tell him tonight her n. The line went quiet for a very long while. Amber has to check her phone if Devlin is still on the line. Then, she heard the heavy breathing again.


    ¡°Devlin, is everything fine with you? You don¡¯t sound good to me.¡± She asked with a worried voice. She still knew little about Devlin but she knows that from time to time he got this moody side of him.


    ¡°Yeah, I am fine. I will be there for dinner. I also have something to talk to you about.¡± He said calmly. He really tried hard to rein his emotions. He just wants to know how his grandma decided to include her in herst will. And worst of all, the wedding that his grandma had already set-up for them. He is thinking that Amber yed a huge part by manipting his sick grandma. That made him start to boil with anger. He immediately ended the call. For now, he wants to keep calm so he knows what he will do next with her. The timid, naive woman who almost fooled him.


    Amber was wondering what happened with Devlin. He surely is in a bad mood. He mentioned wanting to talk to her. Now, she wonders what it is. She will find out tonight. She hopes that she is not the reason for his moody attitude. Anyway, it is high time for her to go home. With that in mind, she went to the kitchen to check what ingredients she would need. After checking everything, she called Jackson who does most of the grocery for her. However, she wanted to go with Jackson so she could do the grocery herself.


    A few minutester, Amber was ready to do her grocery shopping. She barely spends her money for this vacation so she decided to use her own money to buy the ingredients she needs for cooking. Jackson protested at first but Amber would not back down. She was happy to personally spend from her money. Everything went well however when she was going to the parking lot with Jackson, she saw someone she did not expect to see at all. It was the reporter who asked her some questions during the business dinner. She remembers her face but she forgot her name.


    ¡°Hi! We¡¯ve met again. How are you doing, Ms. Adams?¡± Amber was definitely surprised to see the reporter¡¯s familiar face. She just came out of nowhere. Does she live around the area? It looks like she is going to do her groceries as she is just getting out of her car.


    ¡°Hi!¡± Amber simply answered. She didn¡¯t want to be rude but she is also notfortable to strike a casual conversation with her.


    ¡°Who is he, Ms. Adams? Where is Mr. Wesley?¡± The reporter¡¯s intrusive questions caught Amber off guard. She looked at the reporter with a shocked expression. But instead of answering her, she quickly got inside the car. She could not believe how that reporter dared to ask her. It is none of her business. She was breathing heavily when Jackson¡¯s voice came.


    ¡°Ma¡¯am, are you alright?¡± He asked politely. He must have noticed her uneasiness.


    ¡°I am fine. We should better get going.¡± She only replied. She does not want to think about what happened in the parking area. Never in her life did she experience getting asked by random people. Well, not really a random one but a reporter. What kind of mess she is getting herself into. However, she quickly reminded herself that she will be leaving soon. So, there is no need to worry that much. She will just charge all of these to experience.


    The moment Amber returned to the condo unit, she immediately made herself busy cooking for tonight¡¯s dinner. She made the sds first since they are going to be served cold. Then, she also baked a cake. By 6 pm, she finished cooking their food for dinner.


    She called Devlin to check on him but his line seemed busy. She called a few more times but she failed to get hold of him. She checked the time. It¡¯s still twenty minutes past 6 pm. She looked around the dining area. Everything is ready. She already set up the table. The food is all cooked. She just needs to serve them on a nice serving teter. There is nothing to do in the kitchen anymore. She already cleaned and washed all the things she used for cooking. She decided that she should take a shower now before Devlines. Thinking of him, she is actually excited to see him tonight.


    She took a nice shower. It took her 15 minutes to finish and put on a nice dress. It is one of those dresses that Devlin bought for her when they went shopping together. She decided to put on a little bit of makeup. She doesn¡¯t understand why she had to put an effort to look good. Devlin would never care anyway.


    At 6:30 pm, Amber is already in the living room, waiting for him. She tried calling him again but she still couldn¡¯t contact him. She left him some messages to remind him of her dinner invitation. Amber thought that he must be somewhere having a meeting or anything coulde up. She decided to watch a movie that is ying on the TV. It will keep her mind upied.


    She waited until she felt hungry. When she checked the time, it was past 8 pm. She wonders what happened to Devlin. Is he stilling or did he forget about her dinner invitation? Then, she realized when she called him earlier, she never mentioned any specific time for dinner. She just told him toe for dinner. Devlin did not even ask the time for dinner. Amber castigated herself for being stupid not to inform him of the dinner time. Who knows he usually haste dinner? So, instead of eating dinner alone, she decided to wait for Devlin for an hour more. She still tried calling him several times but still couldn¡¯t contact him. She felt bad that the food would go to waste. She cooked a lot of food.


    After more than an hour of waiting, Amber decided to eat by herself. But first she needs to put away most of the food in the fridge. She will just take some for herself. It will be useless to assume that Devlin is stilling. He must be busy. She felt disappointed that he couldn¡¯t make it tonight.


    She finished her dinner quickly. She started clearing everything. She just finished washing thest dish when the doorbell started ringing. It didn¡¯t stop ringing until she was at the door asking who was outside. She didn¡¯t have time to check from the peephole.


    ¡°Who is it?¡± She raised her voice. She has a feeling it¡¯s Devlin. No one else would visit her in the condo except him. Then, she heard him say his name. She immediately opened the door for him.


    ¡°Devlin?!¡± She asked in a surprise but worried  voice. The Devlin she is seeing right now looks wasted. His hair is in a mess. His buttoned shirt was opened way more, showing a slightly hairy chest. He got that strong alcohol smell. When he got inside, he could not even walk straight.


    Amber struggled to help him get settled on the couch. He put his right arm all over her shoulder. Since he could not walk straight, he put more of his weight on her. It took Amber almost five minutes just to let Devlin settle on the sofa.


    ¡°Devlin, what happened? You are drunk. I better call Jackson now to drive you home.¡± Amber said with a serious tone. She saw the time on her phone before she was about to dial Jackson¡¯s number. It¡¯s past 11 pm.


    However, before she could call, Devlin grabbed her left hand.


    ¡°Do¨Cdon¡¯t call no¨Cno one. I wa¨Cwant to rshx a lil bit.¡± Devlin said with incoherent words. Still, Amber could understand a few words he said.


    Amber put her phone back in her pocket. She decided to get some warm water so she could use it to clean him up. She would make him a cup of strong ck coffee. It would help him regain his senses.


    She went back to the living room and gave him a cup of coffee. She saw him leaning back his head on top of the sofa¡¯s headrest with his eyes closed. He put his legs on the center table with his shoes on. He sure looked like a big mess¡­ Amber thought to herself. She just slightly shook her head.


    ¡°Devlin, I hope you are not asleep yet. I made you a cup of ck coffee. Please have a drink.¡± She offered. She didn¡¯t get any response from him. He didn¡¯t even make any slight movement.


    She left and brought a bucket of warm water and a small cloth she could use to wipe on his face. She saw him already lying down on the sofa. His coffee was not touched at all. Amber had to sigh deeply. She thought he must havee from a party with friends. But if he did, for sure one of his friends could have taken him home if he was too drunk to drive. Why did he decide toe right here? Well, of course this is his condo unit. He has every right toe here anytime. He must have been too drunk to remember her staying in his condo.


    Amber removed his shoes and socks before she started cleaning him up with the warm water.


    She took a while to finish tidying him up. He has fallen asleep. She wanted to change his shirt into a fresh t-shirt that she has. However, he is too heavy for her. So, she just took a nket from her room and covered Devlin instead. She also fixed his pillow underneath his head. Then, she turned off the light in the living room and went to her bedroom. There are so many things that went into her head but she could not find the answer as to why he drank himself to sleep. She yawned, too tired as to what happened today. She fell asleep thinking about him.N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.

 His Anger

    The next day, Amber woke up early. She tried to stretch her body several times before she finally stood up to get ready for the day.


    Suddenly, she gasped out loud. She almost forgot about Devlin. He camest night too drunk to even know where he is.


    She immediately went to the bathroom to wash her face and brush her teeth. She quickly picked up her phone on the bedside table. It is quarter to 7. She hurriedly went to the living room to check on him. She would make breakfast for him.


    However, the living room is empty. There is no trace of Devlin except the pillow he usedst night and the folded nket on top of it.N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    She went to check the kitchen. He must have gotten hungry. She felt bad that she didn¡¯t wake up earlier. But when she reached the kitchen, everything was the same the way she left itst night. Where did he go? He must have decided to leave without informing her.


    Well, she will just call him before she leaves. She wanted to properly extend her gratitude to him but things happened. She hopes that he will resolve whatever issues he has at the moment. Looks like his main issue is with Raven.


    Not that she is being nosy but the two of them really look great together. Whatever happened between them must be heartbreaking for Devlin who had to resort to getting drunk. She actually felt bad for him.


    Instead of thinking further about Devlin, she decided to do her morning exercise before she eats her breakfast. However, there was no time to do that as suddenly she heard the door open from the living room. It was none other than Devlin who just had his shower. His hair is still damp and he changed into clean clothes.


    Amber greeted him but he did not say anything. It is evident on his face that he is not in a good mood. He sat down on the sofa without saying anything to her.


    ¡°I want us to talk.¡± He said with a stony face after a few minutes. Amber doesn¡¯t have any clue about his mood right now. He has this distant look on his face.


    ¡°Uhmm¡­ do you want a cup of coffee?¡± She politely offered. This cold Devlin is way different than the Devlin she used to know the past few days.


    Devlin only shook his head. He drank into a stuporst night. That was his temporary escape to forget about his problems. Women! He smirked when he thought of that.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you hear me? I want us to talk. I didn¡¯te here to waste my time only on silly chitchats over a damn cup of coffee.¡± His loud, angry voice made Amber shocked.


    ¡°What¡¯s happening? Yesterday, we just had a casual conversation over the phone.¡± She should be disappointed in him. He was the one who came barging in, all wasted. She didn¡¯t even mention that she cooked a lot of food for their dinner. That she waited for hours for him toe.


    ¡°Will you stop nagging me? Oh wait, it only goes to show your true colors.¡± He said while smirking.


    ¡°I don¡¯t understand why you are talking like this. What¡¯s going on?¡± Amber could not take this kind of treatment from him especially that she didn¡¯t do anything wrong towards him. If there is anything, she should be upset at him for not making it for dinner.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you ask yourself? Huh?!¡± His booming voice echoed the whole ce.


    ¡°Will you please calm down? I have no idea what you are talking about.¡± Replied Amber whose voice is shaking. She tried to appear calm. She wanted to get to the bottom of his issue with her without him yelling at her.


    ¡°Calm down?! That¡¯s all you are going to say! You nned everything well.¡± Devlin paused for a couple of minutes since he could not control his anger right now. He could not even dare look at Amber.


    ¡°Could you please tell me your issue with me without yelling?¡± Amber pleaded. She wanted to find out what she did that made him this angry.


    ¡°Don¡¯t act like you are innocent. You nned everything the moment you met my grandmother. Poor grandma, she must have trusted you a lot since you acted like a naive and timid woman. I almost even believed you.¡± He said with an angry tone.


    ¡°Can you just say it to me straightforwardly? What do you mean about me nning everything? What did I do? In fact, I invited you to dinnerst night to express my gratitude for your kindness. And to inform you that I am leaving.¡± Her voice came out like trembling.


    ¡°Leaving? What kind of games are you ying this time, huh?!¡± Devlin got closer to her and pulled her right arm tightly. Amber flinched from the pain of his tight grip.


    ¡°Please, let me go. I didn¡¯t do anything to you. I just want to go home and forget all of these things.¡± She said, almost teary-eyed from despair.


    ¡°Woman, I can¡¯t let you go. You need to finish the problem you started.¡± Amber felt his grip slightly loosened so she took that chance to move away from him. She went to sit down on the single sofa. She needed to do that since her legs were trembling.


    ¡°You are talking in riddles. What problem are you talking about?¡± She asked innocently. Devlin looked at her for a while before he put his hands on his face out of frustration.


    ¡°Alright, if this is what you want, I will y with your games.¡± He paused before he continued speaking, this time with a rough voice.


    ¡°You can¡¯t leave yet until I say so. We have our wedding to attend before Friday.¡± Amber had her mouth literally open out of shock from what he just said.


    ¡°Could you say that again? Did you just mention a wedding or our wedding? What is this all about? If you are talking about that promise I made to your grandma, please forget about that. You knew my stand on that.¡± She said with a clear, calmed voice. She did not know how she was able to control her overwhelming emotions.


    ¡°Really? Didn¡¯t you n the whole thing? Your grandmother told you of their life-long wish to have their kids marry each other. Unfortunately, they both have sons. So, they decided to fulfill their wish through us. I may understand that part but for sure it¡¯s not something that my own grandmother will force on me unless someone maniptes her.¡± If looks could kill right now, Amber could have died instantly. The looks that Devlin was throwing at her are full of hatred.


    ¡°Are you trying to insinuate that I manipted your grandma? How? I met her for the first time that day when she went to the doctor. That¡¯s it. We never met after that although she would contact my marmee from time to time. I could only count the times that I was able to talk to her on the phone. I never manipted her in anything. I came here to visit your grandmother on behalf of my marmee. It never crossed my mind that I would go through with the marriage with you. I already told you my intentions the first time I approached you. I just wanted to hear from you that you also don¡¯t want anything to do with the marriage. Then, I can leave with a clear conscience.¡± Amber exined. She wanted to make sure that they understood each other.


    ¡°Look, don¡¯t waste your time exining. I talked to grandma¡¯swyer yesterday. He told me that our wedding was already arranged next week. It would be before Friday, the reading of grandma¡¯sst will. And congrattions by the way, you seeded to have yourself included in thest will. How you aplished that, beats me. You must be an expert maniptor.¡± His callous words hurt her.


    ¡°How can you say all of these things to me? There will be no wedding and I am not going to take any single cent from your grandma¡¯s money.¡± She said, close to getting tears. She tried to breathe deeply so she could control herself.


    ¡°Who said you are going anywhere? We need to do that wedding. Grandma¡¯swyer will call you anytime for the details.¡± Devlin left immediately after hisst statement.


    He took a deep breath while in his car. He just wanted to see Amber¡¯s reaction regarding the wedding. He had to admit that it was not the reaction he expected from her. It¡¯s either she is a good actress or she is innocent in all of these. However, thinking of his discussion with thewyer yesterday, he knew that Amber is ying her part well.


    Before he went outst night to drink, he had another talk with thewyer. He was exploring how he could get away from marrying her. Thewyer told him that he can freely choose not to marry Amber but he should be ready not to get any penny from his grandma.


    ¡°That¡¯s insane! Can I contest my grandma¡¯sst will? I mean she made that decision when she was very sick and for sure her mind and emotions were not stable.¡± He still could not believe what his grandmother did.


    ¡°I am sorry but herst will is watertight. She had credible witnesses including her doctors when she signed the final document.¡± Devlin held down his head. He had never felt this anger and betrayal before. He thought his grandmother only thought the best for him. Why did she do this? Unless of course that woman convinced her.


    He went to drinkst night. He remembers Jackson came to join him for a drink. He could not remember what happened after that. He only remembers the familiar smell of Amber. Then, he drifted to sleep. He woke up in the morning on the sofa. He immediately sat down when he realized he was in his condo. Of course, that deceitful woman is still in the condo. He didn¡¯t waste time to leave the condo. He went back to his penthouse. He took a quick shower and changed into clean clothes.


    While having a cup of ck coffee, he was thinking of what to do next. He changed his mind regarding the wedding. He has to go through it to punish Amber. She is going to regret why she ever messed up with him and his grandma. She is cunning. She knows what she is doing. He despises her so much.


    Suddenly, the thoughts of Raven came to his head. All his ns these past few days were useless to get back with her. Amber ruined everything. He thought he could use her but it backfired on him. Now, he is on the receiving end.


    Meanwhile, Amber is still in shock. Every piece of information has not sunk in yet in her head. She is devoid of any emotions at the moment. She thought everything was just a bad dream and she would wake up soon. But this is reality. She heard Devlin earlier about doing the wedding. She had so many questions in her head but she could not get any reasonable answers from Devlin. He was angry. Actually, Amber saw hatred in his eyes more than anger. She felt so bad. Things could have been different and way easier. She could have gone home to her marmee. Suddenly, an idea came to her. She still can get away from everything. She still can escape Devlin¡¯s wrath and leave him alone peacefully. She hopes her n will work out.


    On the other hand, Devlin has just had a long phone conversation with his grandma¡¯swyer. It is Sunday but he needs to get straight to work.


    ¡°Attorney Harrison, when are you going to inform Ms. Adams regarding the wedding?¡± He asked after hearing every detail of the wedding.


    ¡°I will probably inform her tonight. So, I am guessing that you are going to do the wedding then.¡± Dered thewyer with a serious tone.


    ¡°Yes, you could say that. I have no choice.¡± Came his short reply. He has a choice anyway but he could not bear to have Amber take half of his inheritance that easily. She needs to pay for everything that she did. For a brief moment, he wonders how his family is going to take the news that he is getting married. He ns not to invite them. He has to face his own problem as he always does.

 Lies and Misery

    ¡°Where the hell do you think you are going?¡± Came Devlin¡¯s thundering voice. Amber didn¡¯t realize that her body was trembling when she heard him. She was busy fixing the bedroom. She was already packed sincest night. She didn¡¯t have much to pack. She only took the things she brought with her when she first came to the condo. She left everything that Devlin gave her including the jewelry she got for that dinner party.


    ¡°You think you can fool me, huh?¡± Devlin went to her and grabbed her wrist tightly.


    ¡°Let go. You are hurting me, Devlin. I already told you that I am leaving. I am sorry for all the misunderstandings. I never came here for anything except to attend your grandmother¡¯s funeral and to hear your idea about our grandparents¡¯ agreement years ago. That¡¯s all. I just wanted to find peace in my heart that I will not be able to honor your grandmother¡¯s wish.¡± She said with a shaky voice, fear was evident in her eyes. Devlin¡¯s piercing eyes were really unnerving.


    ¡°So, you think you can get away easily?! You are staying here. We are going to get married on Wednesday as Attorney Harrison told me. I am assuming that he already called youst night.¡± The smirk he gave her was just so insulting.


    ¡°No, I didn¡¯t receive any call from anywyer. And how many times do I have to tell you that marrying you is thest thing on my mind.¡± It was toote for Amber to realize that her words were insulting for a notorious yboy like him.


    ¡°Bravo! Imended you for being such a great actress. However, whatever you say is not going to work with me. Not when you will take arge portion of wealth from my grandmother. You definitely nned everything right. Did your grandmother help you? I saw how small your farm is and¡­¡± Amber could take all his insults but not towards her marmee. She pped him so hard that it even left a mark on his face. He looked at her wickedly.


    ¡°That would be thest time you are going to do that. You will regret what will happen next.¡± It was a serious warning from Devlin.


    ¡°You areing with me since you already packed your stuff.¡± Amber did not have time to protest. Devlin grabbed her right hand tightly and pulled her with him. Then, two housekeepers came into sight when they were in the living room. He instructed one of them to bring her luggage to his car.


    Amber started pulling her hand  but to no avail. He opened the private elevator just next to his condo unit. He pushed Amber inside hard which made her back hit against the wall of the elevator. She started crying.


    ¡°Devlin please, I am begging you. Just let me go home. I am going to sign a paper that would denounce my im on anything that your grandma is going to give me. Please¡­¡± But Devlin was on deaf ears. He would never let her off the hook easily.


    ¡°You should have thought of that before you barged into our lives. Now, you are going down the drain. I am going to make sure that you regret the day that we met.¡± Devlin pulled her from the elevator the moment they reached the basement. Then, he pushed her unceremoniously inside the shotgun seat. Amber gave up fighting him. She stayed quiet the whole time Devlin was driving her to somewhere.


    She thought of her marmee. She didn¡¯t tell her that she nned toe home today. It was supposed to be her surprise. She wanted to call her but Devlin suddenly broke his silence.


    ¡°Give me your damn phone.¡± Amber stared at him incredulously.


    ¡°Why? How can I get hold of my marmee?¡± She protested. What she has been experiencing today is too much.


    ¡°Give me the damn phone. I will decide when you will contact your grandmother.¡± Devlin said with finality.


    ¡°Devlin please, my marmee is sick. I don¡¯t want her to worry about me.¡± She tried to appeal but his nk look made her sigh in frustration.


    ¡°Hand me the phone, now. She will not worry about you.¡± Before Amber could hand her phone, he quickly grabbed it from her.


    She could not do anything for now. She just realized this is the real Devlin. It is true what she read about him then. He is nothing but a ruthless person. That¡¯s what quickly made him get to the top.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t know that you were this kind of person. So, what they said about you is true then.¡± Devlin smiled smugly at her when he heard herment.


    ¡°You are no better than me. Besides, I don¡¯t care what others have to say about me.¡± Devlin stopped at a towering building. He owns a penthouse on the top floor. They use a private elevator that goes directly to Devlin¡¯s penthouse. It is only him who can ess it since it scans his face to open it.


    ¡°How long do I have to stay here?¡± Amber blurted out without thinking.


    ¡°You stay here until I decide what to do with you. You need to do the wedding ceremony. Then, I will file for a divorceter on. However, you need to sign a paper that you are going to return every penny that you will get from my grandma.¡± Devlin¡¯s cold voice did not bother Amber anymore. What he just said made her speak up bravely.


    ¡°If that is your n at the end, then why shouldn¡¯t I just sign the papers now? Just like what I said earlier, I am not going to get any penny from your grandmother.¡± Amber said with a gentle voice. She is still trying to convince Devlin to let her go.


    ¡°I have my reasons. Besides, I can¡¯t just let you get away with all the troubles you have caused.¡± Then, he took out Amber¡¯s phone from his pocket and handed it to her.


    ¡°Call your grandmother right now. I want you to inform her about our uing wedding. Don¡¯t tell her anything about what¡¯s happening to you. Simply tell her that we are honoring their wish.¡± Devlin ended with a stony-faced.


    ¡°Should you dare say anything to your grandmother, I can easily get your small farm burned into ashes. So, don¡¯t fool around with me.¡± Amber just could not believe that the Devlin she is hearing right now is the same person she was with these past few days. He is ruthless. He is a devil just like his name. She didn¡¯t dare say what¡¯s in her mind.


    Amber took her time to calm down before she called her grandmother. After a few rings, she heard the familiar voice of her grandmother.


    ¡°Hello marmee. How are you doing?¡± She greeted her grandmother cheerfully, trying to mask her shaky voice. Devlin was just in front of her listening to their conversation. He clicked the speaker button so he could hear her grandmother.


    ¡°Amber, my child,  I am doing great! How is everything with you? I am so happy that you never fail to contact me every single day. Anyway, when are youing home? Are you enjoying your vacation so much?¡± Her grandmother wasughing from the other line. Of course, she would never tell her of her situation at the moment.


    ¡°I am always happy to spend time with you, marmee.¡± Replied Amber with less enthusiasm.


    ¡°What is wrong, honey? You don¡¯t sound good to me.¡± Of course, her grandmother knows her too well especially if something is bothering her. She saw Devlin¡¯s warning look. He also signaled her to say something about the wedding.


    ¡°Everything is great, marmee. Maybe, I am just a bit nervous.¡± Amberughed slightly. She lied of course. She is scared especially that Devlin issued some threats against her.


    ¡°Why are you nervous? Tell me.¡± She tried hard not to lose herposure. She doesn¡¯t want to make Devlin more angry.N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    ¡°Uhmm¡­ there is something I want to tell you.¡± She said while stealing nces at Devlin.


    ¡°What is it, honey? You are making me worried now.¡± Her grandmother¡¯s worried voice brought her to tears but she tried not to make any unusual sound.


    ¡°There is nothing to worry, marmee. Everything is great. I just want to tell you that Dev- Devlin and I are getting married soon.¡± She finally said it. Her tears did not stop flowing. Devlin took the phone from her before she could say something else.


    ¡°Good afternoon, Mrs. Adams. This is Devlin. I am sorry to break the news to you this quickly. Your granddaughter and I just hit it off right. Now, I just could not let her go without putting a ring on her finger.¡± Devlin just said the perfect script of a besotted lover.


    ¡°Oh?! I must say that I was shocked for a while. I didn¡¯t expect that you both would even do the marriage. Congrattions then! I am sure your grandma would be so happy right now. And I am happy, too. I know you are a nice man.¡± Devlin suddenly felt a slight tightening in his chest. He lied to the old woman. What can he do? Her granddaughter forced him to be in this difficult situation. It made him more angry at her.


    ¡°Thank you so much. I will take good care of her.¡± He said with conviction. Amber¡¯s grandmother was happy.


    Amber was just listening while still crying silently. Devlin handed her back the phone. He went to grab a bottle of whiskey from his mini-bar. He immediately opened it and took some quick sips.


    ¡°Marmee,..¡± Said Amber who already stopped crying. She needed to act right so she would not worry her grandmother.


    ¡°Amber why you never said anything that you and Devlin are warming up to each other? I just can¡¯t believe that you two will sort out your feelings for each other this fast. Tell me, are you in love with him? Or is it just because of our wish? And the promise you made to Olivia?¡± Amber had no answer to her grandmother¡¯s questions. Furthermore, she has to be careful with every word she is going to say. Devlin is just right in front of her, leisurely drinking from his bottle of whiskey.


    ¡°Uhmm.. Marmee, it was love at first sight from my end. He is such a great man.¡± Amber said casually. She wondered why she hadn¡¯t broken down yet. She really wanted for their conversation to end soon. She may not hold her emotions any longer.


    ¡°I am so d to hear that. I hope that your love will stay strong despite all the tests you are going to face together.¡± Her grandmother¡¯s advice doesn¡¯t apply to her. She feels deep sadness within her.


    ¡°So, when is the wedding? You mentioned it soon.¡± Amber looked at Devlin again who was now leaning his head on the sofa.


    ¡°Uhmm¡­ we have not finalized it yet, marmee. However, he informed me that he wants to get married as soon as possible.¡± She heard her grandmother chuckling from the other line.


    ¡°Kids nowadays! They just want to speed up everything. Anyway, keep me updated so I can get ready to attend your big day.¡± She heard her grandmother¡¯s excited voice.


    Amber didn¡¯t prolong her conversation with her grandmother. She made an excuse that they are nning to get outter for dinner. She could not stomach her lies to her.


    The moment the call ended, she immediately set down her phone on the center table. She heard Devlin pping his hands.


    ¡°You are such a great actress! Imagine, you were able to lie to your grandmother without hesitation.¡± Devlin¡¯s insult pierced through her heart.


    ¡°You left me with no choice. My grandmother is sick. I don¡¯t want her to get worried. I would never forgive myself if something happens to her.¡± Her words did hit a nerve on him. In fairness to her, she did try very hard to conceal her emotions from her grandmother. However, that still doesn¡¯t change his mind of what he thought of her.


    ¡°It is definitely your fault if something happens to her. So, be a good girl and cooperate.¡± After hearing his taunting words, Amber left the living room and went to the restroom. That¡¯s where she let go of all her emotions. Her throat hurt and no sound woulde out from her cries. She cried until she started to have difficulty breathing. Before she left the restroom, she vowed that she would find a way to get out of her situation.

 Defying Him

    Amber woke up the next day with swollen eyes. She cried herself to sleepst night. She regretted why she epted Devlin¡¯s offer to stay in his condo unit. She thought he was just being nice to her. After all, their grandparents were good friends. However, she made a huge mistake in trusting him. Now, she regrets crossing paths with him.


    She still remembers what she thought of Devlin the first time she saw him. She would not deny that she admired his looks. That was just a week ago. Now, everything has turned upside down.


    ¡°There you are! I thought you would stay in your room for a while. I can¡¯t fault you. You can have all theseforts while itsts.¡± Said Devlin who just barged into her room without knocking.


    It is still early in the morning but Devlin¡¯s insults are making her sick. She didn¡¯t say anything to him.


    ¡°So, you are nning to ignore me, huh. You keep your drama to yourself. It is not going to change the fact that you are a gold-digger.¡± His taunting words cut like a knife in her heart.


    ¡°Why are you so angry at me? I didn¡¯t know anything. I didn¡¯t know what your grandmother did!¡± Her voice got louder, almost screaming at him.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you raise your voice at me! Anger is an understatement. And I hate you more for insisting that you are innocent from all of these. You may have fooled my grandmother but you can never fool me.¡± Devlin left while smirking at her. He mmed the door hard behind him.


    The moment Devlin was out of her sight, she let out a deep sigh. She doesn¡¯t know how she is going to spend the rest of her time with him. She still hopes that he will change his mind at the end. She doesn¡¯t understand why there is such hatred from him. She already told him that she would willingly sign anything just to not have anything to do with his grandmother¡¯s wealth. And the wedding? They don¡¯t have to do it.


    Devlin is losing his focus. Just today, he didn¡¯t report to hispany. He canceled all his appointments. He shook his head. He knows a better way to forget his problem.


    He went homete that night heavily drunk. He went to his room staggering without noticing Amber who was waiting for him in the living room.


    Amber waited a few more minutes before she decided to follow Devlin. She gently opened the door to his room. She saw himying down, face t on his bed. He is too drunk just likest night. Amber took a heavy sigh. She did the same thingst night. She carefully removed his shoes and socks. When she was about to leave to get a bucket of warm water, Devlin suddenly moved from his position. He was murmuring something that Amber could not understand.


    She left and immediately took a bucket of warm water and proceeded to do her task. She removed his belt and pants, careful not to touch him there. She also removed his shirt. She started wiping his skin which was slightly warm to touch.


    ¡°Devlin, why are you doing this? You could have just let me go. That would have immediately solved our problem.¡± Amber¡¯s voice came out as a whisper. How could he have quickly changed his attitude towards her? He doesn¡¯t even want to believe her words at all. She was only telling the truth. And it hurts to take all the insults from him.


    ¡°Raven¡­ Raven, please don¡¯t leave me.¡± Devlin said while his eyes were closed. Amber clearly heard what he said. Even in his sleep, he still thinks of the woman he loves. She only shook her head. She does not want to live in misery like him. She will try to convince him tomorrow to let her go.


    The next day, Devlin woke up covered with his nket, just wearing his boxers. He could not remember what happenedst night. He checked the time from his phone. It is 8:30 am in the morning. He saw several missed calls and messages from his secretary. He suddenly remembers he has a meeting at 9 am. His head is still hurting but he needs to take a shower to go to work. He finished quickly. He was putting his shirt on when the door to his room opened slightly. It was Amber, bringing a tray of food for him.


    ¡°Good morning. I hope you slept well. I brought you¡­¡± Devlin immediately cut her off.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you know how to knock? And by the way, you are not allowed to enter my room. You are staying in my ce but that doesn¡¯t give you any right toe to my room readily.¡± He paused while looking at her angrily.


    ¡°Take your food away. I am not hungry!¡± Devlin yelled at her ruthlessly. She remained quiet and just stared down on the ground. She only wanted to check on him. She left his room immediately.


    Devlin drove straight to his office. He immediately asked his secretary for a cup of ck coffee. His secretary went to do his coffee. She does not want to trigger his dark mood.


    ¡°Mr. Wesley, do you need anything else?¡± Devlin only shook his head and started sipping his ck coffee. It slightly relieved his hangover.


    ¡°Uhmm¡­ Sir, Mr. Dickinson called a few minutes ago. He said he would be dyed to get here as he got into a minor ident.¡± Devlin simply nodded at her.


    ¡°Just informed me when he gets here. What time is my next meeting?¡± He casually asked her. He is d that he could keep himself busy with work. He will deal with Amberter.


    Amber, on the other hand, could not keep her cool. She received a call from thewyer, Attorney Harrison. He wanted to meet her after lunch. She remembers that Devlin mentioned a certain Mr. Harrison, who is thewyer of his grandmother.


    Amber is not familiar with where she is right now. She had to mention to thewyer that she¡¯s at Devlin¡¯s penthouse.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.


    ¡°I know that ce. There is a coffee shop in the lobby area. We can meet there unless you have to ask permission from Mr. Wesley.¡± Amber thought for a few seconds before she replied to Mr. Harrison.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think he would mind. I also have some questions for you, Attorney Harrison.¡± She politely said at the end.


    They agreed to meet at exactly 1:30 pm. Amber forgot that she had no key to the penthouse. How is she going to get back without the key? She checked the time and it¡¯s already past 1 pm. She tried calling the receptionist if they had a spare key to Devlin¡¯s unit but they had none. She might as well have asked Attorney Harrison toe to the unit instead.


    If Devlin found out about their meeting, then she would just have to tell him the truth.


    ¡°Hello Attorney Harrison? Would you mind if we could just meet here in Devlin¡¯s unit? I don¡¯t have any spare key to his ce.¡± She hopes thewyer would agree.


    ¡°Alright, that¡¯s not a problem. I have been to his ce a few times.¡± After a few minutes of waiting, Amber heard the light knocking from the door. She opened the door immediately since she had been expecting thewyer. What she didn¡¯t expect is to see Devlin as well with his stony face.


    ¡°Good afternoon Ms. Adams. I¡¯m Attorney Harrison. Nice to meet you¡± Thewyer extended his hand to greet her. Amber thinks thewyer is in histe 50¡¯s or more. He looks serious but has a nice aura to his face. Amber opened the door wide for them. Devlin got in without saying a single word to her.


    She wonders why he is here. Isn¡¯t he supposed to be working in hispany?


    ¡°Attorney Harrison, I am d you informed me about this meeting. We need to finalize that wedding.¡± Devlin said without even looking at her.


    ¡°I am sorry but I have some questions before we get any further.¡± Amber quickly said, which made Devlin stare at her sharply.


    ¡°What are you talking about? Everything was already arranged. Whatever you want to talk about is not up for discussion.¡± Devlin¡¯s deep voice sounded more like a warning to Amber.


    ¡°Calm down, Mr. Wesley. I am here to discuss everything in detail with Ms. Adams. It is her full right to know everything.¡± Amber was grateful to thewyer.


    ¡°Thank you so much, Attorney Harrison.¡± She smiled gratefully at him. She saw Devlin pursing his lips.


    ¡°Uhmm¨C I just want to know if there is a chance that we could cancel the wedding? I don¡¯t want any of these. Not the wedding nor the wealth of Grandma Olivia.¡± She said sincerely. She is hoping that by what she just said she could convince thewyer to release her from all these madness. She heard Devlin make unnecessary noise but she ignored him.


    ¡°Ms. Adams, I fully understand your situation. However, my client, thete Mrs. Olivia Wesley had made that addendum on herst will. No one can contest that, not even her family members.¡± Attorney Harrison looked at the young, beautiful woman in front of him with full sympathy.


    ¡°I am not contesting anything. I am giving up whatever is my part of the will.¡± She said frankly, earning a smirk from Devlin. She didn¡¯t mind him at all. She needed to convince thewyer.


    ¡°I am not saying that there is no way out with the wedding. However, without your wedding together, you are still entitled to get your inheritance. In fact, you will get more if you don¡¯t do the wedding. You will get half of Mr. Wesley¡¯s inheritance from his grandmother. She made it clear from her will.¡± Amber could not believe what she just heard. No wonder why Devlin is acting horridly towards her.


    ¡°Why would Grandma Olivia do all of these?¡± She felt like her head started to hurt. She suddenly massaged her temple.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you ask yourself? You must have made her do this!¡± Devlin¡¯s remark is too much to bear.


    ¡°Are you using me of something I never did?¡± Amber countered back. She has been receiving a lot of his insults and threats. It¡¯s too much.


    ¡°And why do we have to do the wedding? It is crystal clear that you despise me so much.¡± It is better to say things out loud now.


    ¡°And what? Let you take off with the money easily? What a lucky bitch¡± Devlin¡¯s booming voice is like shaking the whole ce. Amber is fighting back her tears.


    ¡°That¡¯s enough Mr. Wesley. As awyer of yourte grandmother, I am only here to make sure that my client¡¯s final will will be rightfully given to her heirs. Please, you both better sort it out with the wedding. And by the way, your wedding date is tomorrow at 3 pm. A judge was already reserved to officiate your wedding.¡±


    ¡°Thank you so much, Ms. Adams for your time. It is a pleasure meeting you.¡± With that, Attorney Harrison excused himself and left the ce.


    There was a deafening silence the moment Attorney Harrison left. Amber stood up and went to the kitchen to drink some water. She felt like something just blocked her throat. She stayed for a while in the kitchen until she came back to the living room. She saw Devlin who was in deep thought. He was staring at basically nothing.


    She cleared her throat before she spoke up. ¡°Aren¡¯t you exaggerating things? Please, let¡¯s not go through with the wedding. I am sure we can find a way to settle the inheritance thing.¡± Amber said with a serious tone. She is still not giving up.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you get it? It is not only about the money that we are talking about. It is about fooling my grandma and letting her into your filthy games.¡± With his determined voice, Amber would never be able to convince him.


    ¡°And what about your grandmother? What is she going to feel from what her innocent granddaughter has done?¡± Amber looked at him with disbelief.


    ¡°I never thought of you as this heartless and ruthless. Remember this, I am going to do that wedding because I don¡¯t want my grandmother to worry.¡± Amber said with anger in her voice.


    For some strange reason, Devlin felt calm after he heard what Amber just said. He met her grandmother. She was nothing but nice to him.


    Probably, he can start punishing her right after the wedding. He is angry at her. He hates her very presence. He just wants to punish her so she knows where she stands. He will make sure that she learns her lesson well.


    ¡°d to hear that. See you tomorrow then, Mrs. Wesley.¡± He left but not before Amber saw his loathsome smile.

 Husband and Wife

    ¡°I now pronounce you husband and wife.¡± The judge said while smiling at both Devlin and Amber. There is only one person who witnessed their wedding, Attorney Harrison. All their faces looked gloomy except for the judge.


    ¡°Congrattions! I wish you both the best in your married life.¡± Said the judge. He didn¡¯t linger long though as he had something else to do. He congratted the newlyweds and exchanged a few words, then he left.


    The day was actually like a blur for Amber. She acted like a robot, following whatever Devlin told her to do. When it was close to 3 pm, they went together to the city hall. It only took less than 5 minutes to be done with their wedding.


    This is not the kind of wedding Amber had envisioned for herself. She wanted to get married to someone whom she truly loves. Looking at the man she just married, he could have been the perfect husband from his appearance. However, Amber knows who he truly is. She can¡¯t wait for their divorce.


    ¡°Mr. Wesley, I am sorry but I have to go ahead. Much as I wanted to join you with your celebration, I have a meeting in a couple of minutes.¡± Thewyer looked apologetic.


    ¡°No worries, Attorney Harrison. I can take care of things from here. See you on Friday, then.¡± Attorney Harrison nodded and bid them both goodbye. And just like that, they were left to themselves. Unlike the judge, thewyer knew exactly that they went through the wedding for a different reason.


    ¡°Jackson will drive you back to my ce.¡± Devlin did not even bother to look at her while talking. He was already on his phone, talking to someone.


    Amber carefully observed Devlin. She didn¡¯t have the time to even look at herself earlier before they came for the wedding. Devlin is wearing a long sleeve white buttoned shirt with a ck slim fit trouser. While she on the other hand is wearing a simple yet elegant A-line tullece white wedding dress. It has a V neckline and knee-length high. She wonders how Devlin was able to provide her with such a lovely dress in such short notice. Amber couldn¡¯t help but smile with bitterness. She missed her life on the farm.


    Devlin mistook Amber¡¯s smile as a smile of triumph. So, all her pleadings about not going with the wedding and denouncing her im on his grandma¡¯s wealth was all but a farce. She thinks she hits the jackpot. ¡®For sure you won¡¯t be smiling when I¡¯m done with you.¡¯ Devlin thought to himself.Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°What are you waiting for?! Didn¡¯t you hear what I said earlier? Jackson is driving you back home.¡± Devlin saw her hesitation for a few moments.


    ¡°What is it?! Spill it out. You are wasting my time.¡± He asked rudely.


    ¡°What about you? Aren¡¯t youing with me back home?¡± Amber asked in her soft voice. Now that they are married even just in papers, they might as well have some truce.


    ¡°I have some more important things to do in my office. And stop acting like a nagging wife. I hate women who like to talk a lot.¡± He took off after that, leaving her all alone. A few minutester, her phone was ringing. It was Jackson who informed her that he was outside waiting for her.


    She immediately left the ce. She was d that Jackson was quiet during the whole ride. It only took ten minutes to reach Devlin¡¯s penthouse. She politely thanked Jackson before she left.


    When she got inside the unit, she felt so alone. Until now, she still could not believe what happened to her. In the span of just less than two weeks, here she is married to the man who hates her so much. She has been begging until thest minute to not go with the wedding. But Devlin¡¯s chilling look made her stop talking.


    ¡®Now what? I haven¡¯t told marmee yet. I don¡¯t know how to tell her about my situation.¡¯ Amber said to herself. She is certain that there is a very important reason why Devlin decided to marry her. It is not just about the money. He is a very wealthy man himself.


    Since she is all by herself and she just got married, she decided to spend her time baking her favorite cake. First, she took off her wedding dress and carefully hung it inside her closet. She changed into a casual white tank top and cotton shorts. She immediately went to do her task in the kitchen.


    While waiting for the cake to bake, she went to the entertainment room to watch some shows on the TV. She ended up watching a romanticedy movie.


    By the time the movie was finished, her cake was also done. She took a slice of the cheesecake she made. She wasughing to herself when she decided to get a bottle of wine from Devlin¡¯s mini-bar. For sure, he will be upset at her when he finds out she touched his stuff.


    Well, who cares? She is getting used to his anger and insults. Besides, she just got married while her husband is keeping himself busy from work. Again sheughed to herself. What does she expect? That Devlin will carry her bridal style just like from one of the scenes in the movie she just watched earlier? Huh! That is never going to happen.


    Amber didn¡¯t realize that she almost finished half of the wine. She tried to stand up only to fall back on the couch. She was too drunk to even move. She fell asleep on the couch with the bottle of wine on the floor.


    Devlin came homete. He had ate business dinner with a client. The client was a beautiful woman. Of course, he sensed that she was trying to hit on him. If that was any ordinary day, he could have spent the night with her. However, an image of Amber in her wedding dress shed in his head. He just lost his desire to flirt with the woman. After the meeting, he went to have some drinks at a bar. There, he met other women.


    ¡°Hi Devlin, mind if I join you?¡± The woman made her voice sound lusty.


    However, it took him some time to give his attention to the woman as he was busy with his thoughts. The woman just sat down beside him and ordered a drink for herself. Then, she moved closer to him and slightly brushed her chest. Still, Devlin wasn¡¯t distracted at all. She smiled to herself. She likes the challenge.


    ¡°So, why are you alone drinking by yourself? You can talk to me, Devlin.¡± Finally, he looked at the woman beside him. She is familiar to him but right now, he just wants to be alone. He simply stared at her, then he paid for his drinks and left the venue.


    Fiona could not believe that Devlin just left without even speaking a single word to her. That is such a big insult to her. If her friends find out, for sure they wouldugh at her. She is the only daughter of a very wealthy business mogul. Her family is way richer than Devlin¡¯s family. Howe he is not interested in her? She finished her drink quickly. No one has ever turned her down except that man. She was staring at the door where Devlin exited. An evil smile crossed her face.


    Devlin went straight to his ce right after he left the bar. He lost interest with any woman. That¡¯s weird. When Raven left him, he went dating several beautiful women.


    He entered his penthouse without noticing Amber who was sleeping on the couch. He went immediately to his bedroom and closed the door. He checked his wristwatch and it¡¯s past 11 pm. He took a quick shower. He thought of Amber. She must be sleepingfortably in her room by now.


    Since she is his wife now, in papers, he needs to act on his ns right away. He smiled with satisfaction. He would take everything back through Amber. He would never give up on Raven even if she is already married.


    The next day, Devlin woke up and did his usual morning routine. He was on the phone when he stopped on his track. He just saw Amber sleeping soundly on the couch with a bottle of wine on the ground. He got angry when he realized she took the wine from his mini-bar. ¡®How dare she touch any of his stuff?!¡¯ He specifically told her not to touch anything in his house.


    ¡°Wake up!¡± He said with a loud voice. He did not get any response from her.


    ¡°Wake up!¡± He yelled which made Amber jump off.


    ¡°So, you got drunk. What a responsible wife you are! Where is my damn breakfast?!¡± He emphasized each word he said.


    Amber woke up to Devlin¡¯s yelling. She was still disoriented. She didn¡¯t realize that she fell asleep in the living room. Then, she saw Devlin mmed the door hard before he left.


    What a terrible way to start their marriage. If they could not be friends, at least Devlin could treat her civilly. If she wants to stay sane, she better learn how to get used to his behavior towards her.


    She stood up and cleaned all the mess she leftst night. Then, she took a shower and started making breakfast for herself. She made ck coffee for herself to get rid of her hangover. She tried to rey in her head what happened earlier. She screwed it up. She let her guard down. She shouldn¡¯t have drunk that bottle of winest night. It is not good to resort to alcohol when you have problems. Besides, she rarely drinks alcohol.


    She checked the time. It¡¯s still 8 am. Devlin left so early to work. She wanted to call her marmee. By now, she must have wondered what was happening with her.


    She sighed when she realized she would have another day to spend all alone by herself. There are cleaners whoe to clean Devlin¡¯s ce once a week. However, they barely talk to her. She feels so alone and lonely.


    Today, she resolves to do something productive. She took herptop and started submitting her resume for some job openings. For sure, Devlin and her won¡¯t stay married for long. She better continue on living the normal life she had  before.


    However, her n to submit her resume did not happen. An hourter, she heard the doorbell ringing. It was Jackson. Devlin called him to drive Amber to the nearest shopping mall. She is going to spend her day shopping for some casual and formal clothes. Aside from that, she was informed that she could buy shoes and other personal stuff she wants. Someone would assist her with the shopping as well.


    Amber does not know anymore what to make of Devlin. Sometimes, he is nice to her buttely, he has really been bad. Anyway, she would take this as something positive between them. Whatever he wants her to buy the clothes for, she has yet to know. All she knew is that tomorrow is the reading for Grandma Olivia¡¯sst will. She gets nervous when she thinks of tomorrow. She will also meet Devlin¡¯s parents and his only brother. Are they going to treat her nicely? Or will they treat her like the way Devlin did to her?


    She had no time to think further as they stopped at the shopping mall. Before she got out of the car, Jackson handed her a ck bank card.


    ¡°The boss told me to give this to you.¡± She was so surprised that she got a bankcard from him knowing what he thought of her. Besides, Devlin left the house earlier so angry.


    Jackson told her to call him once she is done with her shopping. She only smiled at Jackson before she left. She is going to enjoy her time rather than entertain some negative thoughts right now. She will worry about thingster.

 The Brother-In-Law

    ¡°So tell me, did you have fun with your shopping?¡± Amber was surprised to see Devlin in the penthouse almost the same time she arrived from her shopping.


    Amber didn¡¯t really buy that much for herself. She bought two pairs of  pants, shirts and dresses. Devlin frowned when he saw her shopping bags.


    ¡°I hope you followed what I told Jackson. Get dressed. We are going outside.¡± Devlin left for his room. Amber was dumbfounded. How could he just order her readily? She has just arrived.


    Anyway, the reason why she didn¡¯t buy much was because she bought something for Devlin. She saw this beautifully carved panther made from a ck gemstone. It is a bit bigger than the palm of her hand. It is quite heavy. It is the most expensive item she bought from her shopping today. She meant to give it as a gift for him. She doesn¡¯t know why she did it despite his callous treatment towards her.


    She noticed that he has huge collections of carved animals disyed all over his ce. Some of them are made from hardwood and other precious gemstones. She doesn¡¯t know the rest of what materials they were made off. When she saw the carved panther at the shop, it reminded her of Devlin¡­ powerful, graceful and fearless.


    She will just have to wait for the right time to give it to him. She hopes he will like it. She really does not want to have this kind of treatment from Devlin anymore. He can be good if he chose to. She saw that good side in him unless it was just for a show from his side.


    Despite their situation right now, she felt that it would be good to try to reach out to him. She is still hoping that their rtionship would improve just like before they learned about their wedding. Devlin was nice to her. She felt his sincerity when he told him a few snippets about his life


    She hurriedly brought all her shopping bags to her room. She also carefully hid her gift for Devlin at the bottom part of her closet. She smiled to herself.


    She needs to change into something for wherever Devlin would take her tonight. He didn¡¯t inform her where they were going. She chose a halter ck dress which is knee high. It is the only dress she thinks would go with any asion. The dress could go for formal or informal wear. She put on her own pearl earrings to go with the dress. She quickly tied her hair into a clean bun. She put some light makeup on. She hopes Devlin would approve of her look.


    She looked at herself in the mirror onest time. She was satisfied with what she saw. She took a deep breath and hoped things would go on smoothly between them.


    When she got out of her room, she saw Devlin pacing back and forth in the living room, looking impatient. She checked her wristwatch. It didn¡¯t take her that long to get ready.


    ¡°What took you so long?¡± asked Devlin with irritation in his voice.


    ¡®What does she expect?¡¯ Ever since, he used her of manipting his grandmother, he thought the worst of her. She needs a lot of patience to go through the night with Devlin.


    Together, they went to his car without exchanging any words. She was d that he put on some music while driving. That would avoid any aggressive conversations from Devlin.


    When they arrived at the venue, Devlin spoke to her seriously.


    ¡°I want you to conduct yourself well. Don¡¯t put me to shame. And don¡¯t talk too much. Just give your best smile.¡± His words came like a warning to her. That if she doesn¡¯t do her job well, she would earn his wrathter.


    Devlin made a reservation for them at a restaurant in one of the famous hotels in the city.


    The moment they sat on their table, she immediately spotted Raven dining in with someone.


    Now, she realized that Devlin only brought her outside because of Raven. Then, she remembers thest few days he was nice to her. It was because of Raven. They always ran into her every time they went outside together except for that one moment where he brought her to dinner at a yacht.. He is using her to get Raven¡¯s attention. A slight pain crossed her chest when she finally realized his intention.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t that Raven? She looks extremely beautiful tonight.¡± Amber said sincerely. She wonders though who she is with. They looked so intimately close to each other. No wonder Devlin could not contain the anger in his eyes when he stared at them.


    ¡°Just eat your dinner. We didn¡¯te here for anything else but to spend dinner together.¡± He looked at her straight to the eye, signaling to keep her thoughts to herself.


    ¡®Liar! Who is he kidding?¡± Amber thought silently. It is so obvious what he is doing. He can¡¯t even focus on his food. She caught him stealing nces at Raven. Amber ate her food in silence. She was deep in her thoughts.


    She can¡¯t believe just how ruthless Devlin is. He is willing to use other people so he can get what he wants. He doesn¡¯t care if he could hurt anyone, especially her. She felt the pain in her throat. She just wanted to cry in silence. ¡®What have I gotten myself into? This is worse than I thought.¡¯


    Amber didn¡¯t realize that both Raven and herpanion came to greet them.


    ¡°Look, who do we have here? Devlin, nice to see you. How are you doing?¡± She heard the deep voice of the man but didn¡¯t pay much attention to him until she raised her head and looked at him. She realized that he has some resemnce to Devlin.


    Of course! He is his older brother, the famouswyer. And now, the boyfriend of his ex-girlfriend.


    Devlin only nodded at his brother. He stayed quiet and was not interested in talking to his brother. He nced at Raven before he took a sip of his wine. Amber did not know what to do or say. She was already warned to remain quiet. It was Raven who broke the awkward silence between the two brothers.


    ¡°Hi Amber! I am happy to see you again.¡± She said nicely and even went to shake hands with her.


    ¡°Pleasure to meet you again.¡± She forced herself to smile since she can still feel the strong tensions between the two men. She did not want to be rude as well.


    ¡°Oh my¡­ are those an engagement and wedding ring?!¡± Raven suddenly said with a loud voice when she noticed the rings on Amber¡¯s left hand.


    Amber almost groaned in frustration. She forgot about the rings. Devlin did not tell her to remove them. She did not reply to Raven and put her hand under the table.


    Then, Raven stared at Devlin¡¯s left hand and noticed the single wedding ring on his ring finger. She gasped while staring back and forth between Amber and Devlin.


    Amber was looking at Devlin waiting for what he had to say. Instead, he was casually cutting his piece of steak and taking his time to chew it. Both Raven and Dalton were just staring at Devlin with a surprised look.


    ¡°Hey bro, are you two married? This is a huge surprise!¡± His brother chuckled.


    Amber waited for Devlin to answer. He has never uttered a single word since his brother and Raven approached them.


    ¡°Yes. We just got married yesterday.¡± Devlin casually announced like it was a simple business meeting.


    ¡°Wow! That¡¯s a big thing. Congrattions are in order then. Mind if we join you?¡± It was Dalton who spoke. Raven reluctantly sat down with them. Amber noticed that she looks uneasy to join them. She was staring intensely at Devlin.


    ¡°So, howe we were never notified of your marriage? Did mom and dad even know?¡± Dalton addressed his brother who continued eating his food.


    ¡°Well, we married in haste.¡± Another casual answer from Devlin. Both Dalton and Raven looked at Amber for answers. She looked down on her food and continued eating as well.


    ¡°Hon, we should let the newlyweds spend their time together. Let them have their privacy and enjoy their dinner.¡± Raven tried pulling Dalton so they could immediately leave. However, Dalton had something else in mind.


    ¡°Just wait up hon, my little brother here did not even introduce me to his lovely wife.¡± He smiled at Amber. And from the corner of her eyes, Amber saw Devlin¡¯s grimmed face.


    ¡°Mind your own business, Dalton. That¡¯s the reason why I never invited any members of the family.¡± His chilling voice sounds scary. Amber does not like this side of him. So calm and cold yet dangerous.


    ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t I care? Last time I checked, we share the same bloodline. Or is there more to your wedding than¡­?¡± He trailed down. He wanted Devlin to provide the answer.


    ¡°Look, this is the only time I am telling you to leave. You wouldn¡¯t want to tarnish your image in this kind of ce.¡± Devlin warned his brother.


    Both men were intensely looking at each other. Devlin with his cold eyes and Dalton with his angry eyes. It was Dalton who gave up at the end. He turned his attention to Amber.


    ¡°I am sorry Mrs. Wesley. I hope I can invite you next time to dinner with our parents. Wee to the family.¡± Dalton extended his hand to shake with Amber. She hesitated for a bit but she did not get any reaction from Devlinn so she shook hands with Dalton.N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    ¡°Anyway, congrattions again. See you tomorrow.¡± Dalton was referring to the reading of their grandmother¡¯sst will. Amber only nodded. She saw Raven smiling awkwardly at her and quickly nced at Devlin.


    When they left, there was a long silence at their table. Amber could not even chew her food. She saw Devlin had already finished his food and was drinking another ss of wine. She noticed that the waiter just brought a new bottle of wine. She carefully observed him from her peripherals. He is staring nkly at nothing. He must be deep in his thoughts. She does not want to interrupt him or say anything to him. She just continued eating her food. Thankfully, she was able to finish it.


    By the time she asked Devlin to go home, he was already too drunk to even walk properly. Unbeknown to her, the second bottle of alcohol that Devlin finished by himself was a strong whiskey. She immediately called Jackson to help her with Devlin. Again, he was as wasted just like before.


    She even asked Jackson to help her bring her husband to his room. ¡®Husband?¡¯ She could not bring herself to hate Devlin. She saw how much he loves Raven. It must be really painful for him to see the woman he truly loves to be in someone else¡¯s arms now. And worst, it was his estranged brother.


    She shook her head. She went to get a bucket with warm water to clean up Devlin. She also removed his clothes and just left him with his boxers.


    Instead of getting angry at him for his callous treatment towards her, she feels different. She wants to take care of him. She knows that he is lonely and insecure. She hopes that she could help him heal his wounds. He has deep scars that he just nurtured deep in him.


    After carefully cleaning him up, she left a bottle of water and medicine for hang-over on Devlin¡¯s bedside table. She whispered goodnight to him before she left to her own room.


    It took her a while to go to sleep. Her mind was upied with Devlin. If she only met him in a different circumstance, they may have a better rtionship right now. They could be real good friends just like what their grandparents had. ¡®But that would be impossible!¡¯ They would have never met.


    After more than an hour of not being able to sleep, she decided to go to the kitchen and drink some warm milk. Then, she heard some noises in Devlin¡¯s room. Without thought, she immediately ran to  his room to check on him. She saw him still on his bed but murmuring something. He must be having some bad dreams. She went closer to his bed and sat down to the side. She could not understand the rest of the words he was saying but he repeatedly said the name of Raven.


    ¡°Raven¡­Raven¡­¡± he said with agony. She saw tears freely flowing while his eyes were still closed.


    ¡°Shush! I am here.¡± Amber said. That made Devlin calm down in his sleep.


    Amber could not understand why sheid down beside Devlin and hugged him. She must be getting insane.

 His Grandma鈥檚 Last Will

    Amber woke up to feeling something heavy on her chest. She slowly opened her eyes and suddenly froze to her spot. She is in Devlin¡¯s room. She saw his hand on her chest. Slowly, she moved her head to look at Devlin.


    To her relief, he is still sleeping soundly. She slowly removed his hand from her chest. Then, carefully got off from his bed. She walked on tiptoes until she reached the door. She slowly turned the knob afraid to make any sounds that would wake him up. The moment she got out of his room, she let out a deep sigh.


    ¡®That was close.¡¯ She said to herself. She went to her room to check her phone. It is half an hour past six in the morning. She decided to get ready for the day. She did her daily exercise for half an hour this time. Then, she proceeded to make breakfast for Devlin. She made a special chicken soup for him. She also made some toasted bread, fried some eggs and bacon.


    After she was done in the kitchen, she took a shower in her room. She wears beige cotton shorts and white t-shirt. She does not realize it but wearing shorts really shows off her long legs, making her more attractive. She is a tall woman and has a slender body.N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    She went to the kitchen to check whether Devlin hade downstairs. But the kitchen is empty. It is almost 8 am. She decided to check on him. She knocked three times first before she got inside his room. She found the bed empty but very messy. Covers and some pillows were on the ground. She heard the sound of water inside the bathroom.


    She hurriedly made the bed before Devlin could finish his shower. She picked the pillows. She changed the covers and took the ones from the ground to theundry bin.


    She immediately left his room once she finished tidying up his bed. She will just have to wait for him in the kitchen.


    It did not take long for her to wait. She saw Devlining to the kitchen looking fresh.


    ¡°Good morning.¡± She greeted him with a smile. He didn¡¯t say anything to her but simply nodded his head.


    ¡®That¡¯s a good start, at least he looks calm right now.¡¯ Amber thought to herself.


    She immediately stood up to bring him a cup of ck coffee. Then, she served him a bowl of the chicken soup she made earlier. She just heated it up again. While waiting, she was staring at Devlin who was holding his head with both hands.


    ¡°Is your head still hurting? I have medicine here for you.¡± She offered but  Devlin only waved his hand and was still looking down.


    ¡°Here, I made you a chicken soup. It will help.¡± Still, no response from Devlin. She also started serving the food she cooked earlier. She just heated them quickly.


    A few minutester, Devlin looked at the soup in front of him. Then, he quietly took a spoon and started eating. He reached out for the toasted bread. Amber did not say anything to him while eating quietly. She is just carefully observing his every action.


    Devlin finished his bowl of chicken soup and his cup of coffee. He left the kitchen without saying anything. Amber thought he would go back to his room but instead he went to the living room. He turned on the TV whileying downfortably on the couch.


    Amber wonders why he is just rxing in the living room. Aren¡¯t they going to do something today? He must have forgotten it but before she could go inform him, he immediately appeared in the kitchen.


    ¡°Be ready in half an hour.¡± Devlin said still with his serious voice. Amber simply nodded at him. She went to change into a casual floral dress. She feelsfortable with the dress. She puts her hair in a ponytail. She added a light pink lipstick toplete her look. She took her purse with her before she got out of the room.


    She saw Devlin waiting for her in the living room. He was wearing casual jeans and a white cor shirt. He paired it with a white sneakers. Devlin always looks good regardless of what clothes he wears or whatever mood he is into. Amber could only sigh slightly before he let Devlin pull her outside.


    It took them almost half an hour to reach their destination. Amber found out that  it was the house of Grandma Olivia. That is where Attorney Harrison set up the reading for thest will of Devlin¡¯s grandmother.


    ¡°Good morning everyone. I see everyone is already here.¡± That was Attorney Harrison. Everyone is already seated on the sofa at Grandma Olivia¡¯s library. Amber saw Raven and Dalton sitting together. Then, she saw the older couples. They must be Devlin¡¯s parents.


    Amber realized that they were only waiting for them. Devlin¡¯s parents were looking at her with curiosity. They must be waiting  for their son to introduce her.


    ¡°Good morning, Attorney Harrison. I am sorry that we camete.¡± Devlin said but did not provide any exnation. Then they heard his mom clearing her throat.


    ¡°Good morning, son. How are you doing? Do you have something important to tell us before we start?¡± Devlin¡¯s mother looks like in her mid-fifties. She still looks beautiful.


    ¡°Good morning everyone, mom, dad, Dalton¡­ Raven.¡± Devlin casually said. He put his hand on Amber¡¯s waist. He could not understand why Raven had to join them. I mean she is not officially a family member yet. She is just the girlfriend of his brother while Amber is already his wife. He took a deep breath to calm himself down.


    ¡°And this is Amber Adams¡­uh¡­ Wesley. She is my wife.¡± Devlin looked at his parents with the same nonchnt look he gave the moment they arrived in his grandmother¡¯s house.


    ¡°Oh nice to meet you, Amber.¡± Although Devlin¡¯s mother already knew about the marriage from Dalton but still she is shocked to hear it directly from her son.


    ¡°Howe you never informed us that you were getting married? And worst, you never invited any of us. Don¡¯t you think that what you did is outrageously disrespectful towards your family?¡± It was his father who looked at him with anger in his eyes. His face turned red and the vein on his forehead was visible. He is trying his best to control his anger.


    ¡°Please calm down. It is not good for your health.¡± It was his mom who held her husband¡¯s hands.


    ¡°Uhmm¡­could we please proceed with what we all came here for? And may I suggest that you could discuss family matters after this.¡± It was the authoritative voice of Attorney Harrison that helped lessen the tension.


    ¡°I am sorry, Attorney Harrison. Please proceed.¡± It was Devlin¡¯s mom who spoke on behalf of everyone. Dalton and Raven were quietly sitting in their spot.


    ¡°Alright, before I continue reading thest will of my good friend, Olivia. I would like to announce that the presence of Mrs. Amber Wesley here is important.¡±


    ¡°Uhmm¡­a few months ago, Olivia changed a portion of herst will with credible witnesses to vouch that she was of the right mind when she made her decision. No one forced her against her will.¡± Everyone was listening attentively in the room except for Devlin. He looked bored and was just putting his head on top of the couch¡¯s headrest.


    ¡°Why did my mother never tell me about any of this?!¡± It was Devlin¡¯s dad whose voice resonated the whole ce.


    ¡°Dalton please, calm down. We haven¡¯t started yet.¡± His wife¡¯s gentle voice at least calmed him down. Yes, his brother¡¯s name was taken after their father.


    ¡°Everyone, shall we proceed?¡± Attorney Harrison looked at the faces of the Wesley family. They simply nodded at him to continue.


    ¡°Very well¡­¡± And Attorney Harrison proceeded to read thest will of thete Olivia Wesley.


    ¡°I hereby distribute my estate as follows¡­¡± One by one, Attorney Harrison mentioned the name of each Wesley family member.


    ¡°Andst but not the least, Olivia made an addendum to hisst will.¡± Everyone was surprised except Devlin. He already knew beforehand. Amber was nervous because she thought this is what Devlin was referring to.


    ¡°To my dearest Amber, I bequeath a prime lot that is located¡­..¡± Amber could not believe what she just heard. She basically inherited a good amount of fortune from Grandma Olivia. And her house would be shared with her and Devlin. Everyone was just as stunned as Amber when the reading of thest will of Olivia was done.


    ¡°I need to have a copy of thatst will.¡± It was Devlin¡¯s brother who broke the silence. No one said anything. They were just too stunned to speak well except of course Devlin who does not even show any care at all. But deep inside, he is seething with anger.


    ¡°Sure, Mr. Wesley. You are wee to check but it does not change the fact that this piece of paper here is legal and binding and hasplied with the localws and regtions.¡± Attorney Harrison said with finality. The family members are free to contest what¡¯s written in thest will of Olivia but at the end, it is legit.


    Dalton walked to thewyer and checked the authenticity of the document. ¡°From the looks of it, this is real with the authentic signature of grandma.¡± Dalton announced to everyone and he specifically looked towards his parents.


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe why this is happening. What did your wife do to make my mom change herst will?¡± The question was directed at Devlin who is still wearing a nk face in front of everyone.


    ¡°Why are you asking me? I am not the right person to answer your question.¡± He said with a grimmed expression.


    ¡°And what about you? What did you do?¡± This time, the question was directed at Amber who is still shocked herself. Now, she could feel the animosity from the Wesley family except from Raven who only gave her a curious look.


    ¡°I am sorry, Mr. Wesley, I also have no idea why grandma Olivia would do this. I just know that she and my grandmother were childhood friends. They grew up together from the orphanage.¡± That piece of information surprised the older Wesley.


    ¡°Say that again? How sure is my mom that your grandmother was her childhood friend? When was thest time they met? I heard about a friend of hers from the orphanage but she never saw her for the longest time. Then, out of nowhere, you and your grandmother suddenly appeared! How strange is that.¡± He said with an using voice.


    ¡°And what about your marriage to my son? What is this all about? Devlin, do you have anything to do with this?¡±


    ¡°Me? The hell¡­¡± Devlin yelled. He never meant to do that to his father but his using tone made him angry as well. He has been busy thinking of what would be his next move now that he knew exactly how much Amber got from his grandmother. He was mentally strangling her in his head. How can such an innocent looking woman manipte his poor grandmother?


    ¡°Devlin! Respect your father!¡± It was his mom who interrupted their heated discussion.


    ¡°Uhmmm¡­everyone, I advise that we should arrange a meeting to discuss and rify everything. Mr. Wesley, you can bring your ownwyer for fact-checking.¡± Attorney Harrison suggested.


    ¡°There is no need to do that. I can represent my father.¡± It was Devlin¡¯s older brother.


    ¡°Then, it is settled. I want all of you to go home for now. We can discuss this again when emotions are not too high. Thank you,dies and gentlemen. And Ms. Amber, may I have your time please even for a couple of minutes?¡± It was Attorney Harrison.


    Amber looked at everyone. Then, she looked at Devlin who only nodded at her. ¡°I will wait for you in the living room.¡± That¡¯s all Devlin said to her and everyone else left the library.

 The Letter

    Amber realized that she was shaking when everyone else left the room except Attorney Harrison. She took a heavy breath to lessen the anxiety she is feeling. It was so tense earlier that she thought she would just throw up. She could not handle the dagger looks she was getting from Devlin¡¯s father. As much as she tried to understand his outburst but that did not stop her from shaking. She is scared. She never thought in her wildest imagination that she would ever get involved in such a serious matter.


    First of all, she never thought she would inherit arge sum of money and some properties which would cost millions of dors. Second, her shotgun wedding to Devlin was something she never thought would ever happen to her. And now, she earned the wrath not only from Devlin but as well as from his father. It is basically the entire Wesley family although they were not vocal with their emotions.


    ¡°Attorney Harrison, what should I do now? I am sure everyone would love to see me gone in no time. You saw everything¡­how¨Chow Devlin¡¯s father unleashed his anger. I know everyone mes me including Devlin himself. But what should I do? I honestly don¡¯t want to do anything with all of these.¡± She looked around the library without thought. She could not understand why she had to bear all these troubles. She covered her face with both hands. Things are gettingplicated every single day. She questioned why Devlin¡¯s grandmother put her in this situation. She thought the old woman liked her.


    ¡°I am sure that Olivia would not put you in this position if she had not seen anything special about you. Probably, she knows how capable you are. Although at first I questioned her decision, when I saw you, I changed my mind. You need to figure it out yourself.¡±  Dered Attorney Harrison with a consoling voice. His gentle words made her break into silent tears.


    ¡°Thank you so much, Attorney Harrison. You just don¡¯t know how much I needed to hear that. It means a lot to me.¡± She said gratefully with a sincere smile.


    ¡°You can do it. I saw a brave yet gentle youngdy. Olivia did all of these for a reason.¡± Added thewyer.


    ¡°By the way, I have something to give you. This is a letter which was written by Olivia herself a few months ago. She wrote this a few days after she revised herst will.¡± He


    took a small envelope inside his suit and handed it to Amber.


    ¡°Please take care, Ms. Adams.. err.. Mrs. Wesley. You have my number. If you ever need anything, don¡¯t hesitate to contact me.¡± He slightly bowed down his head before he left the room.


    Amber saw her name nicely written at the back of the envelope. She smiled thinking of Grandma Olivia. She could not stop her tears from flowing. And before she could open the letter, Devlin came to the library without heeding her tear-stained face.


    ¡°Are you ready? I still have something to do today.¡± He said nonchntly. Amber stood up in silence. She can¡¯t bear this treatment from Devlin and from anyone else from his family. She feels like she is a viin in a movie, only this is in real-life. How she can get out from all these problems¡­ she still has no idea.


    As usual, they drove in silence back to Devlin¡¯s penthouse. He parked the car and got out without saying anything to her. Together, they went to the elevator still in silence. Amber could not take it anymore.


    ¡°Uhm¡­ are you going out somewhere?¡± Her question earned a smirk from Devlin.


    ¡°Wherever I go is none of your business. Put this in your head.¡± He went closer to her while pressing his index finger on her forehead.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want you to go in any of my business just as I don¡¯t care what you are doing with your life. Consider me as a stranger. I am only your husband on paper.¡± He said each word viciously.


    ¡°Then, why don¡¯t we divorce and be done with it? I don¡¯t want to deal with any of these.¡± Amber retaliated back.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you dare say any of those words. You do as I say. You can only leave here on my own terms. Understood?!¡± He pulled her arm tightly and suddenly let go of her. She almost went down to the floor, good thing she was able to lean against the wall before she wouldpletely fall down.


    ¡°By the time you have served me, you can leave any time you want.¡± His callous words really cut deep inside her heart. She only smiled at him bitterly. Might as well throw herself to the vast ocean and get lost than suffer this vile treatment from her ¡°husband¡±.


    When the elevator door opened, Devlin immediately went out and marched to his room. He mmed it so hard that the entire ce was shaking.


    Amber immediately went to her room and threw herself on her bed. She was crying hard. She missed her marmee so much but she could not bring it upon herself to talk to her about her problem. She cried as much as she could until she fell asleep from exhaustion.


    She woke up from a faint sound outside her door. She does not know what it is but she is too tired to care. Her body is aching all over. She sat down on her bed. She reached out for her phone and checked the time. It is past 7 pm. She has been asleep for hours. The meeting with the attorney was almost before lunch. She didn¡¯t even get to eat lunch. That¡¯s why she heard her stomach¡¯s non-stop grumbling. She is hungry.


    She went to the bathroom to take a quick shower. When she checked herself in the mirror, she was aplete mess. Her eyes were puffy from crying herself to exhaustion. She put on a fresh floral dress. She blow-dried her hair quickly. Then, she went out to go to the kitchen. She needs to check what food she could cook.  She is starving now.


    She quickly made sd and just boiled some eggs. She does not have time to thaw the meat from the freezer. She is that hungry. She quickly finished her food. She made some fresh juice for herself. After she was done in the kitchen, she went to the living room, just staring at nothing. Her mind is busy elsewhere. She checked around the ce and there is no sign that Devlin is around. With a deep sigh, she went to her room. She just wanted toy down and not think of anything else. Then, she saw the envelope from Grandma Olivia. She set it earlier on her bedside table.


    She immediately sat down and reached for it. She adjusted the light from hermpshade so she could read the letter well. She opened the envelope and she saw a clear, nice penmanship in cursive. She could not stop herself from smiling and crying at the same time.


    My dearest Amber,


    Knowing you was one of the best days in my life. You could not have appeared at the most appropriate moment in my life. I was alone and lonely and ready to leave this world filled with sad thoughts. When I first saw you, you were a breath of fresh air. Your infectious smile and charming ways had just uplifted this poor woman¡¯s spirit.


    Imagine my great surprise when I found out that you are the granddaughter of my good old friend, Amelia. Thank you for leading me back towards your grandmother. I could not thank you enough for meeting you that fateful day at the hospital.


    You and your grandmother had made thest months of my life truly worth living. I forgot how to live when my husband died. My own family were distant from each other. I was very sad that it happened that way. Even my own son was not there during my trying times. It was with my grandson Devlin that I found myfort. He has changed a lot over the years. He had his own fair share of shorings but I can attest that he is a great person. He just needed the right woman to bring out that best version in him.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.


    And by now, I know you both have been married. I am sorry for that. I knew that both of you detested what I did. But trust me, with my years of experience in this life,  you two would make  great partners in life. You just haven¡¯t figured it out yourself yet. And when you do, you will thank meter on.


    Anyway, I would not want to tire you from my incessant ramblings¡­I just want you to give yourself a chance to get to know my grandson deeply. Be more patient and understanding with him. And once he opens up to you, for sure he will be at your every beck and call.  What I meant to say is that I know in my heart that you both will find what you are looking for in each other. Youplete each other¡­I already knew the moment I saw you.


    Much love,


    Grandma Olivia


    After reading the letter, Amber was greatly astonished at how much Grandma Olivia believed that Devlin and her would really make it to the end. That they will figure it out together. Figure out what? Love?


    Based on the letter she just read, she found Grandma Olivia is a person who strongly believed in the notion of love and romance. Amber doubts that Devlin and her could go to that level. How can Grandma Olivia think otherwise? What has she seen that only her eyes can see?


    Amber sees things differently. She saw an evil man who used her upfront to get back to his ex-girlfriend, Raven. She saw a man who hated every inch of her. She feels that every single day from him. And most of all, his entire family hated her.


    ¡®Grandma¡­I do not know what to feel right now. What you did is unbelievable but I cannot bring myself to hate you. You were such apassionate woman. And I admire your courage despite


    everything you have been through. But I just can¡¯t see myself and Devlin as a couple who are in love with each other.¡¯ She felt sad thinking about it.


    Thinking of Grandma Olivia right now made her miss her marmee. She wanted to call her but she could not talk straight to her without breaking down. And that is thest thing she wants to happen to her marmee. She has been thinking for a long while without noticing that Devlin has not returned home yet. She fell asleep after a few hours.

 Wasted

    Meanwhile, Devlin is at the bar, getting himself wasted again. He had a heated argument with his dad when they left the library earlier. His dad was using him of bringing Amber into his game to get as much money from histe grandmother.


    ¡°How could you do this, Devlin?! You have gone too far?¡± His dad was shouting. Good thing they are in the lounge area and no one could hear them from the outside. Amber is still in the library with thewyer.


    ¡°I did not do anything. me it on grandma who changed her mind at thest minute.¡± He does not know why he has to exin to his dad. And he does not want to appear rude. But he has enough of his dad¡¯s insulting words against him. For years, he had to endure everything from constantparison to his achiever brother to getting the wrath of his father for his failures in school.


    ¡°I know you don¡¯t care about this family but you should have respected the memory of your grandmother. She would be utterly devastated knowing what you did.¡± Continued his father¡¯s usations towards him. Devlin only smirked at him.N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    ¡°I know that you think so low of me but I never did anything to have grandmother change anything in her will. You can ask your son here to investigate further.¡± Devlin taunted while quickly ncing at his brother who was trying himself to calm down. It did not help that Raven is with his brother, hugging him tightly to stop him from any crazy action he would take against Devlin.


    ¡°Please, will you all knock it off?!¡± It was Devlin¡¯s mom who screamed to be heard by everyone.


    ¡°I am sick from all of these. Devlin, would you mind telling us what exactly happened? Howe you married in haste? I mean you can¡¯t me me for thinking that way. We have not heard nor seen the girl until now.¡± Her mom¡¯s calm voice made everyone rx slightly. His dad went to sit on the nearest couch. And so is Dalton and Raven.


    ¡°All I know is that Amber is the granddaughter of grandma¡¯s very close childhood friend from the orphanage.¡± Devlin exined.


    ¡°And how sure¡­¡± His father interrupted but his mom stopped his father from saying anything further.


    ¡°Dalton, you need to learn how to listen to your son. Nothing will be resolved if you don¡¯t want to hear his side.¡± His mother said meaningfully which made his dad stay quiet.


    ¡°Last year, when grandma learned for the first time that her cancer had recurred, that¡¯s where she met Amber. From what I learned, Amber apanied a friend for her check-up at the hospital where grandma was.¡± Then, Devlin¡¯s forehead wrinkled. Suddenly, realizing something but did not voice out his thoughts.


    ¡°And how sure are you that this Amber is the granddaughter of your grandma¡¯s friend? Did you even investigate? You let a sick old woman be unwittingly manipted by that woman?¡± Devlin was quiet because that was also what he thought of Amber.


    ¡°I can attest that she is the granddaughter of grandma¡¯s friend. And grandma¡¯s friend was indeed her childhood friend from the orphanage.¡± Despite the issues between him and Amber, he can¡¯t dispel the truth about marmee and her own grandmother. He saw the old photo albums that Amber¡¯s grandmother saved for years. He saw the pictures of his grandma in her younger years. Pictures when they were still kids at the orphanage. Also, he saw that special bond between them. That¡¯s something that only both women could recognize. So, yes, he is certain that Amber¡¯s grandmother was definitely his grandma¡¯s long lost childhood friend.


    ¡°Why? Did you do your own investigation?¡± His father asked further which only made Devlin shake his head.


    ¡°No, I didn¡¯t ask anyone to investigate Amber and her grandmother. I was with grandma when she visited her friend on her small farm in California. She weed us to her home.¡± Devlin said seriously. He saw his father¡¯s grimmed face.


    ¡°Why did you never tell us any of this? It is for grandma¡¯s safety.¡± It was his brother who spoke up this time.


    ¡°Why should I tell any of you? You barely visited grandma unless she was sick. When you all found out she got cancer the first time, you came and stayed but only for a short time. The second time her cancer came back, where were all of you? I¡¯ll tell you¡­ You came and stayed for a week.¡± Devlin was speaking to his brother. Then, he went to look at his parents who only put their heads down.


    ¡°I am sorry mom and dad but you were not there either. Who was with grandma? It was me. I stayed with her and lived in this house despite the distance of this ce to mypany.¡± Now, it is his turn to speak what¡¯s in his mind all along. They could criticize him for anything but not when ites to his grandmother. He was there for her although a part of him still regretted that he was not a good kid growing up.


    Before any of his family members could speak up, Attorney Harrison appeared in the lounge area.


    ¡°I am sorry for interrupting. Guess you have an important family meeting here. I just want to bid you all goodbye. I don¡¯t want to be rude and simply leave.¡± He chuckled lightly. He sensed the tension in the air.


    ¡°Thank you so much for your time, Attorney Harrison.¡± It was Devlin¡¯s mom who spoke.


    ¡°You¡¯re wee, Mrs. Wesley. Should you have any questions or anything that has to do with the properties and other bank ounts, we could arrange another meeting next time.¡± Everyone nodded in agreement before Attorney Harrison left.


    Devlin stood up and also said goodbye to his family. He went to the library to check on Amber. He found her with those dry tears on her cheeks. He felt a bit guilty while looking at her like a wounded puppy. But when he realized something earlier, he decided to ignore her. They went to his penthouse without speaking to each other. He immediately left after that.


    So, now here he is, getting himself drunk again. He has so many questions going on in his head. He just realized something earlier while talking to his family. He did not question why Amber was in Seattle at the time when his grandma was visiting the hospital. Was it a coincidence? She is from a remote ce in California. What would someone like her do in Seattle? Did she know beforehand about his grandmother? And who is this friend she mentioned that she apanied in the hospital? Now, he is more suspicious of her than ever.


    He needs some answers. If he finds out that she is guilty, then the worst case might happen. He could not believe that the naive woman he thought that she was may be a big fraud. Who knows she may have just led him on to get hold of his grandma¡¯s wealth? And what about her grandmother? Is she part of all of this borate evil scheme?


    He remembers the sweet olddy from the farm. She is nothing but nice to everyone. How could he think ill of her? With too many questions in his head, he decided to drown himself with alcohol. At least he could forget his problems for the time being.


    On the other hand, Amber got a call from her grandmother. ¡°Amber, my child, what¡¯s going on? I have not heard from you for a while. I let you by yourself with Devlin knowing that you are enjoying hispany. How are you doing, my child? I miss you so much.¡± The old woman tried hard not to shed a tear.


    ¡°I am doing go¨Cgood, marmee.¡± Amber slightly choked from her words. She could not bring herself to keep lying to her grandmother. She is miserable and she just wanted to tell her everything but she couldn¡¯t.


    ¡°I miss you so much, marmee. I am sorry that I have not contacted you these past few days. I got busy with all the dinners and going somewhere with Devlin.¡± She started crying but tried not to make any sound.


    ¡°I am d to hear that. Are you busy preparing for the wedding? I have not heard any news about that.¡± This is the dreadful part that Amber is trying to avoid. She could not just keep on lying to her grandmother. She will be devastated once she finds out that she lied to her.


    ¡°Devlin is generally busy right now, especially from hispany. I only wait for him on whatever he decides for both of us.¡± She heard her grandmother giggling from the other line.


    ¡°Oh to be young and so in love.¡± Her grandmother eximed. Amber has never felt so bad about herself. Lies after lies¡­


    ¡°Yeah, you could say that, marmee. Wish me luck that things will go smoothly.¡± Amber just echoed what she really wanted to happen with her rtionship with Devlin.


    ¡°Not luck my child. What you both have is fate. You were fated to each other.¡± Her grandmother dered seriously.


    ¡°How can you say that, marmee? What we have is not fate but an arranged marriage that you and Grandma Olivia wanted even before we were born.¡± Amber refuted her grandma¡¯s statement. She just wanted to set the record straight. If it was not for both their grandmothers, they would never have crossed paths at all nor would there ever be a chance that they would meet.


    ¡°Trust me on this one. Arranged marriage or not, I have a strong feeling that you will still both meet each other no matter the circumstances.¡± That suddenly brought chills to Amber. How can her marmee sound so true? It is like there is a certain force that puts her and Devlin together.


    Before meeting Grandma Olivia a year ago, none of Devlin nor Amber would have known each other¡¯s existence. They are just theplete opposite. She lives a modest life in the rural area. While Devlin, he is a very sessful businessman who is living his life in a huge city. And they are miles apart. The only reason why she set foot in Seattle a year ago was because of her best friend, Amy. Her family moved to Seattle  a few years back from California. Amber went to visit her friend who unfortunately died just two months after she met grandma Olivia. The hospital she went to is a specialized institution for cancer patients.


    She bid her grandma goodnight after talking to her for almost an hour. They were just catching up. They even nned what to do when she woulde back from Seattle. Her marmee wanted her to bring Devlin with her.


    She heaved a deep sigh after her phone call. How can she bring Devlin with her? There is nothing between them except a piece of paper that says that they are married. Devlin¡¯s animosity towards her will never change. She does not know anymore how to find a solution to her problem.


    And now, she just heard some noises in the living room. She immediately put her robe on before she got out of her room. She saw Devlin all wastedying down on the couch. Jackson was trying to make him stand up.


    Amber immediately went to Devlin¡¯s other side. She understood that Jackson would want to bring his boss to his bedroom. They both helped him until he reached his bed.


    ¡°Thank you so much. I will take care of him.¡± Jackson only nodded and left the penthouse.


    As usual, Amber already knew what to do. For some reason, she feels bad for him. Both of them did not want to be in this situation they are in right now. And more so for Devlin who is still trying to win back his ex.


    ¡®Why are things soplicated? Can we just go back to our normal lives? Can we just go back to where it all started?¡¯ Amber just wanted to change what happened if only she could¡­

 Silent Truce

    Devlin¡¯s senses were dulled by the weight of alcohol that he consumed. However, he was not too wasted to not notice his surroundings. Looking at the familiar ceiling, he knows that he is back in his own room. Then, the door to his room gently opened. He saw a white figure standing just at his door. He tried to pretend that he is not aware of anything, that he is asleep like a baby.


    He heard the soft sounds of her footsteps as she moved around his room. Then, he smelled her natural feminine scent which he started to get used to. Then, a few minutester, he felt Amber slowly lifting his right arm. She started to wipe away the traces of his intoxication. She cleaned him so gently. Devlin was only feeling her presence. Her gentle touch, her show of care, her patience with him¡­ all of those he took for granted because he saw her in a different light. He saw her as a scheming vixen.


    He could not understand himself. Earlier, he was so angry at her that he thought he could hurt her real bad. That¡¯s why he decided to go out and get drunk. But right now, suddenly things have changed. He knows that Amber has been taking care of him every time he went home drunk. However, he never saw how she took care of him except tonight.


    Right in that moment, something stirred deep in his heart. He could not exin the feeling of someone taking care of him despite his ruthless treatment towards her. All his life no one really took care of him except his grandparents. The love and attention he longed for from his parents never materialized. They were too engrossed with their own world.


    Everything about him and Amber started wrong. He used her from the beginning for his personal agenda. And Amber, she was dragged down into the mess simply because his grandmother was a hopeless romantic who believes love still exists in this present time.


    Realization did hit him. And he felt horrible that he put Amber in this situation. She also got that same horrible treatment from his own family. He slightly opened his eyes to see what his wife was doing. The light in his room is dimmed so Amber would not be able to notice him watching her every move. She looks like an angel with her innocent looking face. While Raven has the sophisticated, beautiful look, Amber has an ethereal beauty. A beauty that would look even more beautiful as you keep looking at her face.


    When she was done, she went closer to him. Devlin immediately closed his eyes. Amberbed his hair with her fingers. She touched his forehead and both cheeks. Then, she whispered softly.


    ¡°I am sorry, Devlin. I hope things were different between us. It hurts knowing that I have caused you to be like this. I hope you believe me that I know nothing of Grandma Olivia¡¯s will.¡± Tears welled up in Amber¡¯s eyes. When she noticed a slight movement from Devlin, she moved away, took all the cleaning stuff and left his room.


    Outside his room, she could not stop herself from crying. If this is going to be her life, she is doomed.


    On the other hand, Devlin heard every word Amber said. He felt the sincerity of her words and the care she showed towards him. Despite his treatment towards her, she took care of him. She takes care of him not only when he is drunk. She cooks for him. She cleans his room even if she does not need to do the cleaning. She has been very patient with him.


    He saw the tenderness of Amber. What is he going to do with her? He can¡¯t continue to punish her just because of what his grandmother did. And he already made that realization earlier on. Whatever her reasons for how she met his grandmother, that is not important anymore right now.


    And he does not feel like using her anymore to get Raven back. He must admit to himself that Raven has moved on and she is happy now with his brother. Even if he is not on good terms with his brother, he can¡¯t force Raven toe back to him. He already knew that even if he could take back Raven, things are never going to be the same between them. And he saw the look that Raven shows towards his brother. It is the kind of look he had from her before. He had to ept it. Raven was his past. He should live in the present. He felt relieved after taking these big realizations himself.


    The next day, Amber walked up early to do her daily routine. She went first to Devlin¡¯s room to check on him. He is still asleep. She slowly closed the door. She went for half an hour of exercise before she made breakfast for Devlin.


    Last time, she made chicken broth. This time, she is going to make vegetable soup. She also made some mashed potatoes to go with sunny-side up and bacon. That would fill up his empty stomach. For sure, Devlin would be starving.


    Right after she finished cooking, she put all the food on a tray. She checked the time. It has been more than an hour since shest checked Devlin.


    The moment Amber entered the room, she saw Devlin slightly moving. Then, slowly he opened his eyes.


    ¡°Good morning. I brought you breakfast. I made a good vegetable soup for you.¡± She opened the bowl and the aroma of the vegetable soup made his stomach grumble. He did not eat anythingst night.


    He sat down and was just looking at what Amber was doing. He excused himself and went to use the restroom. He closed his eyes when he got inside. He could not exin himself why suddenly he felt something else towards Amber. Gone is the anger he had for her these past few days. He does not know why. Probably, his conscience made him realize his mistakes. Maybe what he feels for her now is pity.


    He quickly finished what he needed to do. When he got out, Amber was not in his room. He went to sit down on his bed. The food was on a small table he had in the room. He was checking his phone when Amber brought another tray of food. There was a pitcher of water and a ss.


    ¡°I had to heat up the soup so you can have it hot. And after you finish eating, I have medicine here. How are you feeling now?¡± She asked with her gentle voice all the while Devlin was just staring at her face. It made Amber conscious of her look. Why is he staring at her? Did she do anything wrong again? But looking at his face, he was simply staring at her with a nk expression. She had to clear her throat before she spoke up again.


    ¡°Uhmm¡­I was asking you how you are feeling.¡± Still, no answer from him but just continued staring at her for a while. Amber could not even stare back at him. She took a chair and set it next to the table. Then, she started opening the food.


    ¡°You should eat now before this soup will get cold again. Do you want anything else aside from these?¡± She was referring to all the food she cooked for breakfast.


    ¡°No, thank you. These all look delicious.¡± He said with a smile. Amber was surprised to see him smiling again. She did not say anything but started serving him.


    ¡°Why are you not eating with me? Did you already eat breakfast?¡± He asked with a soft voice. Amber is a bit suspicious why he is acting nice towards her. These past few days have been horrible for her.


    ¡°No, I just want to serve you the food first to make sure you eat well. Then, you can take the medicine. I hope you feel much better.¡± She said sincerely. She then took some food for herself. She did not see that Devlin was looking at her fantastically.


    ¡®Howe she still looks after me despite what I did to her?¡¯ Devlin silently said to himself. They continued eating in silence. When he was done, Amber handed him his medicine and his ss of water.


    ¡°I am going to do some grocery shopping today. Is there any particr food you want for lunch?¡± Devlin almost said ¡®you¡¯. He only shook his head. He did not know where it came from.


    ¡°No, you can cook anything you like. I am just going to stay in bed for a while. My head still hurts.¡± He said, starting to get ufortable with Amber¡¯s presence in his room. He felt a stirring in his loins just looking at her.


    ¡°You go with Jackson, okay?¡± He said before he went back toy down on his bed.


    Amber felt a bit strange from the way Devlin was acting earlier. It was like the way he treated her before he found out about their wedding and thest will of Grandma Olivia. What made him act differently earlier? She has no answer to her question. Probably, he was still having a bad hangover. He just wants to rx..


    Amber always likes the nice, sweet side of him but she does not know whether those times when he was nice to her¡­ were they real? She already knew that he was simply using him. Whatever¡­ She should not keep entertaining negative thoughts or it will drive her insane.Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    She called Jackson to drive her to the grocery store. She only changed quickly and was ready before Jackson informed her he was already at the parking area. The shopping did not take that long. She just bought the important stuff for the kitchen and some personal things for herself. She is d that no one was lurking around just like what happenedst time when she did the grocery. If the media finds out about their wedding, they will hound her everywhere. She hopes it will not happen. She does not want to add more stress to herself.


    When she came back, she quickly checked on Devlin who was sleeping soundly. He actually just went back to sleep. He made several phone calls earlier to ensure that none of what happened thest few days would get out in the media. He knows how cruel they can go just to get a scoop.


    Meanwhile, Amber was busy putting away all her grocery items in the kitchen. She still has plenty of time to prepare for lunch. She decided to check her phone for some news online. She was d that there was no news about her wedding to Devlin. Probably, no one has learned about it yet. That¡¯s great for her peace of mind.


    At 10 am, she was already busy preparing for their lunch. Devlin came down an hourter. He even offered to help her. She refused at first but Devlin kept insisting. She lets him do what he wants. He seemed to be in a great mood¡­ Amber noted.


    They shared a delicious lunch over pan-seared salmon and some sd. They even had a small talk about everything except of course the real issues they are facing. None wanted to discuss it. It was like a silent truce they made between them. Devlin even asked her to watch a movie with him. They ended up watching two movies together. Then, came night time, they went outside to spend a casual dinner.


    Devlin was actually nice to her all day. She was happy but still she has the nagging feeling that there must be something brewing in his head. She could not just trust him readily. Especially him, who always has different mood swings.

 Her Nurturing Nature

    Devlin spent his weekend with Amber. He has the rity of mind to sort out things between him and Amber. After realizing about his situation, he resolved to settle his issue with Amber. For days, he has been angry at her since he med her for everything. But after seeing Amber taking good care of him despite everything, she must be something. Maybe his grandmother is right all along about her.


    They were at the private pool of Devlin¡¯s penthouse when he opened the topic. Amber was wearing a yellow dress that was just above the knee while Devlin was wearing his casual walking shorts and a shirt. They were just sitting next to each other.


    ¡°Amber, I want us to talk.¡± She was silent when she heard his words. They haven¡¯t spoken about anything else except trivial things. Probably, it¡¯s for the best that they talk now when Devlin is not angry.


    ¡°Hmm.. what is it about?¡± Amber was staring at the pool while waiting for Devlin to say something more.


    ¡°First off, I do apologize for everything. I was such an a** for ming everything on you. I know that my grandmother would never mean any harm to me. She must have a very important reason why she pushed us with the marriage.  And, I am sorry that I did not give you a chance to exin your side.¡± Amber was actually surprised to hear him apologizing to her. She waited for more from him.


    ¡°And another thing¡­I am sorry foring home so drunk several times. I appreciate that you have been taking care of me.¡± Amber¡¯s face turned red. She did all of that because she truly cares for Devlin. And for sure, he will never see it that way.


    ¡°Will you forgive me?¡± Devlin said sincerely. However, Amber could still not trust his words. Yes, these two days were good. He treated her nicely but what of theing days? Will he change his mind again if somethinges up?


    ¡°I must admit that I felt miserable the past few days. If I could just turn back time, I would not have wanted to meet Grandma Olivia in such a situation. Anyway, we are here now. I am d you said what you said. I felt relieved. Honestly, I also understand your side. I would also have the same reaction as you did. I hope you believe every word that I said to you before. I have no idea about thest will and the wedding. I would never manipte no one just to get what I want. I was never raised like that by my marmee.¡± She tried hard not to cry. Devlin saw her reaction and without thinking, just readily hugged her.


    ¡°Hush now¡­we can start all over again. I promise you that I will not react the way I did without listening to your exnation.¡± Devlin closed his eyes while still hugging Amber. Thefort he is giving her is easing all the pains she is feeling.


    Even if something is still nagging in her head not to believe him but her stubborn heart is telling her something else. She should forget about what happened. She saw the sincerity in Devlin¡¯s face.


    ¡°Alright, let¡¯s try to forget about what happened. So tell me, how are we going to fix everything in grandma¡¯s will? I felt privileged to meet your grandmother and to be able to know her even if it was almost toote. But still, I really do not want to have any of the inheritance she left me. Those are yours and your family. I am so sorry. I did not know that she changed her will.¡± This time, Amber could not stop her tears from falling.


    ¡°It is alright. Don¡¯t think about it right now. We just agreed to forget the past and move forward. Let¡¯s take it one day at a time.¡± Amber only nodded in silence.


    ¡°But there is one more thing that I would like to rify. And I hope that you could tell me honestly.¡± Amber said while staring at Devlin.


    ¡°What is it? Tell me.¡± His gentle voice gave her enough courage to continue further.


    ¡°Uhmm¡­about Raven. I know about your past with her.¡± She felt him stiffened but still she continued what she had to say. It is now or never.This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    ¡°Did you just use me so you could get back with her?¡± She said frankly which made Devlin speechless for a while.


    He took a deep sigh before he replied to her. ¡°I am sorry about that. Yes, it was my n.¡± Pain crossed Amber¡¯s face. She stared back at the pool so Devlin would not notice.


    ¡°I am sorry that I used you but I felt guilty for doing that. I know that Raven is already happy with my brother. It was just my ego that could not ept that she ended up with him.¡±


    ¡°But what about your feelings for her? That must be really hard for you.¡± Amber asked. She knew that she¡¯s getting out of line.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about me. I know that I can move on from her soon.¡± Devlin gave Amber a meaningful look.


    ¡°I hope you find that peace and eptance that you are looking for.¡± That¡¯s all she said and stayed quiet after that. Devlin also did not say anything but a smile appeared on his face. Amber did not notice it.


    The next few days, Devlin spent his time busy with hispany but he always goes home to dinner with Amber.


    To Amber, she was happy with the changes that he noticed from Devlin. For the whole weekdays, they have not gotten into any arguments at all. That is a big improvement in their rtionship.


    One time he went home so exhausted from the day¡¯s work. Amber came asking about his day. He barely could say anything and just went to sit down on the couch. She went down on the ground to remove his shoes and socks. He was too tired to remove it earlier. She left for a short time. She came behind him and she felt her fragile hands on his shoulders. She started massaging him. He did not say anything but just closed his eyes and felt rxed with her massage.


    ¡°Hmmm¡­thank you. I really needed that.¡± He said while his eyes were still closed. Amber kept massaging him until he fell asleep on the couch. She smiled to herself and went to get some pillows from his room. She couldn¡¯t bring herself to wake him up so he could move to his bedroom. He really looks exhausted.


    Devlin woke up from the couch. Then, he remembered what happened the night before. What Amber did for him. It is just one of those moments that she did for him that Devlin truly appreciates about her. She is a very nurturing soul.


    Devlin thought of something he wanted to do for Amber. He wanted to surprise her thising weekend. He just wants to make it up to her.


    As the days go by, he feels more attached to her. At work when he gets exhausted, always the smiling face of Amber appears in his mind. He knows he likes her now for all the patience and care she has been showing him. And it is not difficult to like her. And probably fall for her¡­


    Devlin had to shake his head. Is it possible that what he is feeling for her is something more special? It is interesting that he wants to spend more time with her. Something that he was not able to do when he was with Raven.


    Came Saturday, he woke up early to cook breakfast for Amber. Small things to do for her who always does the cooking for them. Who never fails to care for him. And for the first time in years, after his break-up with Raven, he feels truly happy.


    ¡°Hmmm¡­that smells so good. You cooked breakfast? What¡¯s the asion?¡± Amber asked with a beaming smile.


    Devlin turned red. He has never cooked for any woman before even with Raven. He has to stopparing both women. If he wants to move on fast, he should only focus on the present.


    ¡°Are you hungry?¡± He asked casually. He set up all the food he cooked on the table. He even made a freshly squeezed orange juice. Amber could not stop herself from smiling.


    Devlin served her breakfast. He even had a ready coffee for her in case she wanted one. She is not much of a coffee drinker.


    ¡°This is really good. I might get used to your cooking.¡± She teased him which made Devlin¡¯s eyes grow a fraction wider.


    ¡°I am just mediocre. I can cook simple ones like anything fried.¡± They bothughed together.


    ¡°That¡¯s a good start for you to learn more about cooking if you want to.¡± Amber is finishing her pancake.


    ¡°This pancake is really good.¡± She winked at him. Devlin stared at her for a while. He can¡¯t believe how beautiful she is with her teasing.


    ¡°Thank you.¡± He only scratched his head for theck of words to say.


    ¡°Thanks to you. This is actually a great breakfast. Everything is delicious.¡± After they finished spending their breakfast together, she forced Devlin to leave the kitchen.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to do something for today?¡± Amber asked while putting away the dishes. Devlin was about to help her but stopped him.


    ¡°I will take care of the dishes here. You go and do what you need to do.¡± Devlin hesitated but quickly kissed her on the forehead before he headed to his room to shower.


    Amber could not move for a few moments. Devlin just kissed her on the forehead. This is the first time it happened. She felt that these past few days, they have been getting closer to each other. She is a bit scared if she would open up her heart to him. It is still too early.


    Devlin quickly took a shower but he castigated himself for not telling Amber to get ready as well. They are going to spend the day outside. But the surprise will not happen untilter in the night. He already felt excited just thinking about it. If he could see himself right now, he looks like a teenager who just had taken her crush to a first date. He has not felt this excitement while dating other women for years. The women he went out with had only one thing in mind. They wanted to getid. But with Amber, it is so different. It¡¯s so pure and innocent.


    Amber was already finished in the kitchen. She was in the living room watching a TV show when Devlin spotted her.


    ¡°Hey, what are you doing there, little minx? Get ready, we are going outside.¡± Devlin yfully ruffled her hair. Amber threw the pillow at him.


    ¡°What are you doing? Don¡¯t touch my hair.¡± Sheined. Devlin onlyughed at her and had his eyebrows up and down.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you hear me? Get ready. We are going outside. Don¡¯t keep me waiting too long.¡± He pulled her up from the couch and nudged her to go to her room.


    ¡°I will be waiting for you here.¡± Amber paused and looked at Devlin. He is wearing a casual outfit so might as well go casual.


    ¡°Alright¡­ you are so impatient. Give me some time. Women take time to get ready, you know.¡± She only raised her eyebrow at him.


    In her bedroom, Amber jumped to her bed and put the pillow on her face. She was screaming from the overwhelming feeling of how Devlin treated her. He is making her feel things that she has no control over. She feels breathless and loses her mind every time Devlin acts the way he has been actingtely. She is notining. She loves every bit of the time they spend together.

 Strange Feelings

    They have been on the road for more than two hours now. Amber has no idea where they are going. Devlin would never tell her anything. She thought they would just drive around the city. Looking at some wooded areas, she is guessing that they are now outside the city. The ces that they passed by started to be less crowded. So instead of bugging Devlin with her questions to where they are going, she decided to enjoy the view.


    The ce she is looking at right now has more verdant green trees. And of course, she would never miss the majestic mountain ranges. Another two hourster, they reached their destination.


    ¡°Wow! This is so amazing!¡± Amber could not help but admire the view in front of her. They are in Port Angeles. It is miles away from the rugged slopes of the Olympic Mountains. Devlin said that they may visit Hurricane Ridge to enjoy the beauty of nature.


    The area of Port Angeles is surrounded by a great body of water. Along the way, she already saw some people selling fresh seafood. For sure, those were brought straight right out from the water she is looking at right now. They even stopped at a restaurant where they serve the best seafood in town. The ce is a nice getaway during the weekend.


    ¡°This is a mesmerizing ce. I just can¡¯t keep my eyes from looking around. There is that great mountain range right there. And the water, amazing. It looks dreamy.¡± Devlin chuckled at the way she described the ce. Devlin did not really look around but zeroed his gaze on Amber. He is simply admiring her beauty.


    Amber did not notice what he was doing as she was too upied admiring the ce. She looks like a kid, excited to explore the area.


    ¡°Well, guess what? We are going to stay here until tomorrow. I will show you around. I like this ce a lot. I used toe here more often when I was a kid.¡± Devlin said while scanning around the ce.


    ¡°Really? That¡¯s interesting. So, you can show me around to the best attractions that this ce can offer!¡± Amber eximed excitedly.


    ¡°Oh yes¡­the best attraction indeed.¡± Looking at her meaningfully. Amber felt the intensity of his gaze towards her. She looked back at him only to look away again. She could not keep staring at him without getting conscious of her look. Besides, her heart is beating faster than normal. And worst, she could feel those butterflies in her stomach.


    After lunch, they drove around the area. She was delighted with how friendly people are. Devlin continued driving to a ce where it¡¯s full of huge trees. Amber noticed that she could not find any houses anymore. They must be somewhere very remote. She is used to farm life so being on an almost empty road is a familiar ce to her.


    Then, Devlin turned his car to the right into a narrow road. Amber saw the sign ¡®Private Property¡¯ right at the entrance of that road. She was already curious as to where they were heading but she kept her mouth shut. Devlin would not give her any answer anyway.


    After like ten minutes of driving, they stopped by a cabin. The ce seems empty.


    ¡°This is so nice. Are we the only people here?¡± Amber asked while still staring at the homely cabin. It has different flowers blooming in front. It must be maintained by someone since it looks well tended.


    ¡°Yes, but there are tourists who stay at a nearby lodge not far from here. This cabin was from my grandfather and so is the lodge. You will see it tomorrow. For now, let¡¯s get inside so you can rx. I am sure you are also tired from the long drive.¡± Amber was about to open the door to the car when she realized something.


    ¡°I was too busy earlier enjoying the view that I forgot to tell you that I did not bring clothes with me. You never told me while we were still in the penthouse that we are staying here in this ce.¡± Amberined with her lips pouting. Devlin finds it really cute.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about that. I took care of it. I brought you some clothes for you. It is at the back of the car.¡± She was more surprised to hear what he just said.


    ¡°You mean to say you nned this all along?¡± He only smiled at her while she rolled her eyes at him.


    ¡°Well, you should not take it against me. It won¡¯t be a surprise anymore. Don¡¯t you like it here?¡± He asked candidly while looking at her reaction.


    He started to learn more about Amber. She has a sweet nature and nurturing ways. She also acts like a child sometimes when she gets excited. Her face shows a lot of emotions. She appreciates the little things in life which Devlin really admires about her. He enjoys herpany except sometimes when she starts to ask a lot of questions. That made Devlin smile. He also finds that cute about her.


    When they got inside the cabin, Amber was amazed how grand the cabin was. If you look from the outside, it was simply a cozy looking cabin. The usual ones you see in the movies. But when she got inside, she saw several pieces of hardwood furniture. The carvings were intricately made by skillful hands. She passed her hand to touch the carvings.


    The cabin has two floors. The first floor has a huge chandelier hanging in the middle. There were some paintings on the wall. But the furniture really took her attention.


    ¡°They are just so amazing.¡± Amber could not count how many times she used the word, amazing, today.


    ¡°These are all antiques. These were grandpa¡¯s collections and he passed it on to me. You see all those paintings?¡± Amber absent-mindedly nodded.


    ¡°Those are his paintings. He likes to paint during his free time. Usually, when wee here, he always spends time painting.¡± Amber went closer to one of the paintings hanging on the wall. Among all of the paintings, this one painting got her attention. It is a portrait of a young boy. He was sitting down on a couch looking at his toys but his eyes looked lonely. The boy¡¯s portrait looks very familiar to Amber.


    ¡°And who is this cute little boy here?¡± She asked while still looking at the boy¡¯s sad eyes.


    ¡°That would be me.¡± Amber immediately turned towards Devlin. That¡¯s why he looks familiar to her.


    ¡°I love this painting. It is so raw. It captures the true emotion.¡± Devlin looked at Amber fantastically. No one has ever thought about what Amber just said. Only his grandpa.


    He remembers well what happened that day. He was sent to his grandparents after his parents reprimanded him for his ¡®uneptable behavior¡¯ in school. He did not understand at that time what was uneptable with his behavior. He went to school on time and was barely absent from his sses. He never bullied no one. He never had an issue with any of his ssmates. And his grades were average. He never got failing marks. He would realizeter on that they expected him to excel academically just like his older brother.


    That day when his grandpa painted him, he was very sad. At a tender age, he felt what it is like to be not loved by his parents simply because he could not match or surpass what his brother had achieved.


    The cabin has two rooms upstairs. The first floor has one guest room. After Devlin showed her the interior of the cabin, they went to the back. Amber was surprised to see a nice, cozy patio. And she saw some fruit bearing nts like almost all the berries she could find. Devlin said some of them are wild berries which just readily grow in that area.


    ¡°So, who keeps this ce neat and tidy? I mean all those furniture and paintings, they need to be well-maintained. And also, I am sure they cost a fortune.¡± Amber said while now lounging on the patio with Devlin.


    ¡°Well, we have some caretakers who maintain the ce. And those who clean the lodge would alsoe here to clean this ce once a week.¡± Amber only nodded, so rxed at such a homey ce. She feels like she is on their farm. Only this ce is way too grand.


    ¡°I like it here. You are very close to nature. It is peaceful and you can really rx.¡± She said, smiling brightly at Devlin. She suddenly wonders if he has brought other women here or most likely Raven. She tried to hide her disappointment. She should not be feeling that way.


    ¡°So, are you tired? You can take a nap in your room. I am just going to call someone from the lodge to bring extra wood for us to keep this ce warm. It gets colder here especially at night time.¡±


    ¡°Sure, I am also tired. The fresh air really made me tired today.¡± Devlin went with her to her room. He told her not to oversleep. They still need to eat dinner.


    Unbeknownst to Amber, Devlin called some workers from the lodge to fix and decorate the patio. That is where he wants to do their dinner. He actually feels excited as to what Amber¡¯s reaction might be. Much as he wants to cook a nice dinner for her but he knows that he could not do it with the amount of time left before it¡¯s going to be dinner time.


    At 6 pm, everything is already set. Devlin went to check Amber¡¯s room. She must have slept for almost two hours now. He did not get to check on her earlier since he got busy with setting up everything for dinner.


    The moment he entered, Amber was still sleeping peacefully. She looks so fragile sleeping curled up. Something in him wants to protect her. He does not know why these past few days after realization hit him, things have changed for him. He only wanted to make it up to her for treating her badly. But right now, all his efforts are something else. He has never shown that much effort to make someone happy. He did not do it with Raven who was his first love. Could it be that what he is doing is something else? Something more that he is scared to dwell on.


    ¡°Hey, sleepyhead. Wake up. It¡¯s dinner time.¡± Her familiar scent is giving him a feeling offort. She smiled at him while slowly opening her eyes and stretching.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.


    ¡°Hmmm¡­ what time is it?¡± She saidnguidly. Still her brain is fogged. She just woke up. She almost forgot that they are not in the penthouse.


    ¡°It is past 6 pm.¡± He saw her eyes widened and she immediately sat down.


    ¡°I slept that long?! I did not wake up to my rm.¡± She said, almost panicking. Devlin only chuckled at her.


    ¡°Rx. You were tired. We had a long day.¡± Devlin sat beside her on her bed.


    ¡°I hope you slept well.¡±


    ¡°Yes I did. What about you? Did you even take a nap?¡± Amber asked with a concerned voice.


    ¡°No, I was busy. Anyway, get ready, dinner will be served soon. Wear something warm because it is colder tonight.¡± Amber only nodded her head. She stood up after Devlin left her. She saw two shopping bags that Devlin bought for her. She took a quick hot shower. Then, she put on thick ck leggings and a gray knitted oversized wool sweater. She checked herself in the mirror. She looks pale so she added some lip tint. Satisfied, she left her room and was looking for Devlin. She found him in the living room looking handsome with his pants and a sweatshirt.


    ¡°Hey, I am starving.¡± Amber said shyly while Devlin simply smiled at her.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go. I am starving as well.¡± He said while beaming at her.

 The Little Minx

    ¡°So, where are we going to have dinner? I am excited.¡± Amber said, beaming with excitement. She does not have any idea what¡¯s in for her tonight. She thought they would go somewhere to a nice restaurant¡­a dinner date perhaps. She is already mentally thinking about what they are going to do at the restaurant. She imagines Devlin, her handsome date, talking some sweet nothings to her. But she stopped herself¡­Devlin never really talked about sweet nothings to her. She felt that he has changed a lot towards the way he treats her but there was no sweet talk from him. The kind of words that any woman would love to hear from their man. She forgot that he is not exactly her man. He is her husband only in papers. She got slightly disappointed but tried to hide her disappointment.


    She looked at Devlin. He looks happy and she does not want to ruin the mood tonight for both of them just because she entertained some negative thoughts.


    ¡°Are you ready?¡± Devlin stopped her from her line of thoughts. She merely nodded at him.


    Devlin led her to the back part of the cabin. The cold air suddenly enveloped her. It was too dark to even see except for the starry night.


    ¡°What are we doing here? Did you park your car here? It is too dark. I barely can see anything.¡± She only heard Devlin¡¯s light chuckles all the while holding her hand.


    ¡°Rx, my curious little minx.¡± She heard him whisper into her ear. His breath brought shivers to her entire body. It was cold but she did not get the shivers earlier. She could only be heard sighing deeply. She does not like the darkness. It is just something that she is not used to ever since she lost her father and her mother left. She even had her room with lights on, all the time at night.


    ¡°Are we getting close to the car?¡± She asked while they slowly walked somewhere. Devlin was gently guiding her. She heard some light noises. When she was about to ask again, the lights suddenly turned on.This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    Amber was not prepared to see the patio. It was decorated nicely with the nice curtains to the sides and lots of flower potted nts. They were arranged neatly. And in the middle of the patio, there is a round table for two. The light orange hue from the light bulbs made the patio a great ce for a date. She saw the electric firece to the side to keep them warm. She smiled to herself. Devlin really did not miss any small details.


    He pulled a chair for her. She went to sit down. She is still looking around the decorated patio with amazement when someonees to serve them some wine.


    ¡°How did you pull off all of these? This is really more than what I expected for dinner. I thought we were going out somewhere, like a restaurant nearby.¡± She continued babbling with excitement in her voice. Even her eyes glow with happiness from what she just saw.


    Devlin, on the other hand, was just staring at her beautiful face. He likes how her eyes glow when she gets excited. He likes listening to her voice full of enthusiasm.


    Amber did not get her answer from Devlin since another person came in to serve them their dinner. And the most exciting part, a piano is ying from the inside of the cabin. The door was fully opened so she could see the pianist ying some ssic music. She smiled dreamily. In her head, she thinks this is just the perfect date she could ever experience. ¡®Is it really a date?¡¯ A part of her head questioned Devlin¡¯s motive. She had to shake off her negative thoughts.


    ¡°Thank you. I could not say anything else but¡­amazing.¡± She blurted out while giggling.


    ¡°I am d you like it. I had like more than an hour to prepare all of these. And these people here came from the lodge. I asked them to help me. I could have cooked us some dinner but I know that there is no time to finish everything in two hours. Besides, you would wake up by then.¡± Devlin said never taking his gaze away from Amber¡¯s face. She felt his intense stares and that made her all the more uneasy. She doesn¡¯t know if she looks good enough. Nevertheless, she resolves to enjoy this great dinner that Devlin prepared for her. Her heart truly warms up to his gesture. If there is anything, she has deeply fallen into him.


    Amber doesn¡¯t know what is going on around Devlin¡¯s head at the moment. He was simply admiring her for everything. Not just her looks but the way their ¡®rtionship¡¯ is heading. He feels that he made the right decision to spend more time with her. It is not that hard to fall for her. And if hepares his past interactions with other women, this is by far the best one. He thinks he has never invested this much into someone other than Amber.


    He can¡¯tpare the feelings he had with Raven. It was a young love that fell apart since they have grown apart. They were not able to sustain the emotions they thought they had for each other. But with Amber, he feels like he is changing for the better. He feels that regardless of their situation, he has that feeling of contentment with Amber. He is a hypocrite not to acknowledge that a few days ago he was ready to ditch her. He even hurled disgusting insults towards her. He is not a monster not to see her unwavering care and resilience despite what he did to her. He sighed deeply. This is not a good time to reminisce about the past.


    They ate in silence while looking at each other from time to time with smiles on their faces. They are just enjoying the moment while a beautiful song is being yed in the background.


    ¡°I thought that dinner at the yacht was the best dinner I have ever been to. I thought nothing could surpass that but it did. This is definitely the best dinner ever. Everything is perfect down to thest detail¡­the food, the decorations, the music. Thank you for making one of my fairytale dreamse true. I felt like I was transported to a different ce and time. This is very ro¡­¡± Amber¡¯s eyes widened when she realized what she was about to say.


    Devlin¡¯s wrinkled forehead is visible, waiting for her to finish her statement but she chose to stay quiet after that. She pretended to admire the music while closing her eyes.


    ¡°Do you mean to say its romantic ambience?¡± Devlin broke her reverie. She opened her eyes and her flushed face was evident.


    ¡°Yeah you could say that.¡± She almost whispered her words.


    ¡°Hmmm¡­¡± Devlin cleared his throat. He slightly shook his head for acting like a lovesick teenager.


    ¡°Would you like to dance?¡± He offered his hand while standing. Amber only smiled and giggled.


    Devlin took a bow looking like a gentleman and he positioned himself with breast out and put his hands upwards in an exaggerated manner. Amber giggled more at his gestures. She yed along with him. She bowed down and then let him pull her closer to him the moment she put her hands on his chest. He gently moved his left hand on her tiny waist.


    ¡°Hmmm¡­ I never thought that you are a good dancer.¡± Devlin was looking at her intently but there¡¯s a smile lurking in his eyes.


    ¡°I am not.¡± Sheughed heartily. ¡°I just followed your steps.¡± They both stared at each other for a while. It was Amber who could not stand the way he looked at her.


    ¡°I know I already told you this before but I still want to say it again. I am sincerely sorry for hurting you. And I hope that you could give me a chance to treat you the way you deserve.¡± His words are music to his ears. Right in that moment, she could only hear his words kept reying in her head. The music in the background was suddenly muted.


    ¡®Is this true? Is it fine to imagine that at least at this moment, their feelings are in tune with each other? That they are actually a couple who are in love with each other? She would like to think so at least for this moment. She wants to indulge herself. And whatever happens after that, at least she has this moment that she will cherish for as long as she can remember.


    ¡°And like I said, let¡¯s just forget about that. I want to enjoy this dance with you.¡± And she yfully winked at him which made him chuckle.


    They continued dancing until they both got tired. They went to this small sofa that would only fit two people. With the slightly dimmed lights, the atmosphere turned different. It feels like there is  tension in the air the moment they sit down next to each other. Devlin was hugging her from behind. It does not only feel romantic but Amber feels something is heating up from her insides. She is definitely well aware of how Devlin was making circle strokes on her right palm. He pulled her more towards him which made her lean back on his chest. She felt his heart beating regrly while hers is like she is running in a marathon. Devlin felt her stiffened slightly. He knew too well that she is a bit ufortable with their position but that does not stop him from getting closer to his wife.


    He feels the urge to not just know her feelings but to get connected to her physically. He slightly sniffed her hair with her familiar smell of shampoo.


    ¡°Hmmm¡­¡± It was like a whisper but Amber heard it well. She turned around to look at him but that was a mistake. His face was so close to hers that for a few seconds they simply stared at each other seriously. Devlin could not stop staring at her lips. The lip tint has long been gone but her lips are naturally pinkish. For a moment, he had the sudden urge to taste those luscious lips. And slowly he moved down his head. He did not feel any resistance from her. So, he continued what he had in his mind. He felt her soft lips slowly brushed against hers. Automatically, they both closed their eyes at once.


    Devlin¡¯s lips were touching hers gently at first until they pressed further. Amber could not resist the gentle kisses from him and she just gave in, lost in her own fairytale. The kiss went deeper. She responded to his kisses with equal fervor. They kissed for a while until she felt his hand rubbing her side. She pressed herself further. Then, she realized what she just did. For a few minutes, she lost herself in those hot kisses they shared. She forgot about the people around them. They must be somewhere in the cabin. She suddenly felt shy of what happened between them. She is still shaking from that high sexual tension that she just experienced.


    Devlin simply looked at her with hooded eyes, the tension still visible on his face. And to make things worse, Amber suddenly touched something by ident when she tried to move away from his tight grip. Her handnded on something that is bulging down there. That made her gasp and suddenly stood up. She made an excuse to use the restroom. She immediately left him without waiting for his reply.


    Devlin was staring at Amber as she quickly got inside the cabin. She almost stumbled on her way but good thing she quickly regained her bnce. He was smiling to himself. ¡®I think I am enjoying being married to that little minx.¡¯

 Wanting You So Bad

    The next day was a flurry of activity for Amber and Devlin. Amber woke up to a slight knocking on her bedroom door. Before she could fully open her eyes, she heard footsteps. Then, someone sat on her bed close to her. She was still in her dreamlike state when shezily opened her eyes. She was surprised to see the smiling face of Devlin.


    ¡°Good morning, sleepyhead. Do you want to sleep some more?¡± She could hear his slight chuckles. She simply shook her head. She is tempted to sleep some more but she remembers this is theirst day here. She wants to explore the ce with Devlin.


    She slowly stretched her arms and slowly sat down on her bed. She saw him eyeing her carefully. She suddenly feels self-conscious about her appearance. She attempted to fix her  messy hair by brushing it with her fingertips. She is well aware how Devlin¡¯s eyes were following her every move. She finally took a deep sigh.


    ¡°What time is it now?¡± She asked, trying to mask her embarrassment.


    ¡°It is almost 8 am. I came to check on you. If you want to sleep some more, go ahead. I will wake you upter¡­¡± He said casually but Amber stood up. She rather spends time outside with Devlin than staying in an enclosed space with him. She always feels out of breath whenever they are intimately close to each other. Suddenly, she remembers what happenedst night. The fiery kiss that they shared at the patio. The intense way Devlin looked at her. Things have really changed after that night he went home drunk.


    After Amber was done with her personal stuff, she went out in her bedroom feeling much better. Devlin was already waiting for her in the living room. He was busy on his phone when Amber made some noises.


    ¡°So, what¡¯s the n for today?¡± Thinking of all the things they can do in this ce excites her.


    ¡°Well, you bettere with me. First, we need to have a good breakfast.¡± Amber just let him guide her to wherever and whatever he wants to do today. He knows this ce too well.


    Their first stop was at the lodge owned by Devlin¡¯s family. The moment they entered the lodge¡¯ reception area, she saw some familiar faces. They were the same people who were in the cabinst night. She greeted them cheerfully.


    Devlin guided her to the dining area of the lodge. There were some guests already eating at their tables. There was a reserved table for them. Amber saw there was plenty of food for breakfast. They were serving a buffet.


    Amber stood up to get some food at the buffet area but a waiter already came to serve them breakfast. Her eyebrow arched.


    ¡°Where are you going? I already contacted them earlier to get us breakfast ready. I had a special breakfast cooked for us. Do you want anything else aside from these foods?¡± Amber looked at the food on their table. She only shook her head. She quietly went back to sit down and started eating.


    ¡°So, how was your sleep? Didn¡¯t you sleep wellst night?¡± Devlin started some casual conversations between them.


    ¡°I could not sleep immediately. I am always like this when I am in a new ce.¡± Devlin only nodded at her.


    ¡°What about you? Did you sleep well? You were awake early.¡±  Amber asked after having a sip from her cup of coffee.


    ¡°I slept like a baby. Last night was great.¡± He yfully winked at her before he continued eating. He did not mention that he did take time to sleep but when he did, he slept soundly. His only recollection before sleep took over him was the arresting face of his wife.


    Amber was d that he did not mention at all the fiery kisses they sharedst night. That would make her feel ufortable with him.


    ¡®Isn¡¯t he your husband now? You can share intimate moments together.¡¯ Her traitorous mind reminded her. Still, this is the first time that she shared this intimacy with a man. Yes, back in her college days, men her age also tried to pursue her but she easily wards their attention away from her. As much as possible, she wants to stay in the background. She does not want to get anybody¡¯s attention. She is used to being by herself sometimes and at other times with her best friend.


    However with Devlin, she got to ces she never went to before. She did things that she thought she could not do. And most of all, she never thought she had that extreme patience to understand someone like Devlin.


    Devlin brought Amber to a quaint town of Sequim. It is dubbed as the ¡°Lavender Capital of the World¡±. When they got there, Amber was just in awe with the magnificent views that the ce can offer. Since it is the peak season, a lot of farms open for visitors. Of course, the highlight in the ce is visiting thevender farms. After all, that¡¯s what Sequim is famous for although there are other exciting activities that they can do as well. The pleasant weather and the endless wildflower meadows made it a more exciting trip for both of them. Amber could not stop taking pictures with Devlin. And this is the first time that Devlin let her take a photo of them together. After that, they had a quick lunch at a restaurant before they continued exploring the picturesque ce. And they were lucky to be able to catch a live theater performance at Olympic Theatre Arts. Then, they shared a sumptuous dinner in one of the fine dining restaurants in the area.


    ¡°Thank you for today. I had a great time. It was amazing.¡± Amber said with a huge smile on her face. She even hugged Devlin on impulse for the happiness she felt.


    ¡°I am d you had fun. I did, too.¡± Amber¡¯s happiness radiates through her face. And that affected Devlin to feel the same way.


    ¡°So, are we going back to the city?¡± Devlin only shook his head.


    ¡°We are going back to the cabin. We can drive home early in the morning. Besides, I canceled all my appointments in the morning.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s better. It is alreadyte to drive back to the city.¡± She checked her wristwatch and it¡¯s almost 10 pm.


    They were quiet the whole time they were driving back to the cabin. Amber was surprised by the well-lit cabin. On their way, the road was dark except for the headlights from their car.


    ¡°Wow, I did not know that this is how it looks at night.¡± Some light bulbs are lighting up the trees. While the pathway to the cabin is also lit with huge bulbs.


    ¡°This is definitely like a fairytale ce.¡± She giggled lightly while admiring the whole ce. And of course, when they get in, she never fails to notice the grand chandelier.


    ¡°Where are the caretakers?¡± Amber looked around but the cabin was empty.


    ¡°They are at the lodge. They just left a while ago. The caretakers onlye here when this ce is empty. They have their own rooms.


    ¡°They?¡± Amber did not see the caretakers. She was just curious.


    ¡°Ah, they are Mr. And Mrs. Holloway. They have been our caretaker in this ce even before I was born. I will introduce you to them when theye here tomorrow. You did not see them yesterday because Mr. Holloway was sick.¡± Devlin said while now sitting on the sofa. She slightly pulled Amber to sit beside him.


    Devlin has not realized it yet but he became clingy to his wife. He just wants to be as close to her. Her warmth and smiles brought him more tender feelings towards her. And Amber¡­ She is trying to act normal despite the fact that they are so close to each other. She noticed the touches that Devlin did while they were outside earlier. He could not stop putting his arms around her waist or just held hands with her while walking in the middle of thevender field.


    ¡°I can¡¯t wait to see them.¡± Amber only smiled at him. She was afraid to look at Devlin. But before she could stand up and go to her room, Devlin touched her chin.


    He made her look at him. The eye contact was really heated. Amber could feel the heat flowing in her body. It¡¯s like she is melting in his arms.


    ¡°Wh¨Cwhat are you doing? I am s-sleepy.¡± That was her futile attempt to stop him from doing what he has in his head.


    ¡°I am sleepy too but don¡¯t you want to give your husband a nice good night kiss, hmm?¡± His voice definitely sent shivers down to her spine. She tried pushing his chest but it was useless. Devlin was already hugging her body tightly. And he kissed her ever so gently. She immediately closed her eyes on impulse. She feels like it is the most natural thing to do between them. Devlin was not content with just a gentle kiss. He pried open her lips by slightly biting her lower lip. Her gasping from what he did turned into a moan.


    ¡°De¨CDevlin, hmmm¡­¡± She was losing her mind at that moment. She felt his hands slightly massaging her breasts. A soft moan escaped again from her.


    ¡°Ohhh¡­¡± She was too soft in his arms. Devlin left her lips and went to give butterfly kisses on her ears and neck. That made Amber all the more giddy with pleasure.This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    ¡°Pl¨Cplease¡± She does not know why she is begging. This is all new to her. But she knows very well that Devlin woke up something in her. She wants something more than just mere kisses. And before she knew it, shended on a soft bed. She did not even realize that Devlin carried her to his room.


    He gently removed her sweatshirt. Then, he skillfully removes all her clothes until she is left naked under him. He paused to admire the beauty in front of him. She has creamy skin that waits to be explored. He could imagine her long legs wrapping around his waist. And those full bosoms, he could not wait to get hold of them.


    Amber was just looking at Devlin who was carefully looking every inch of her. She turned red when she realized he was still fully dressed but not for long. She saw the burning desire in his eyes.


    ¡°Oh baby, you are so exquisitely beautiful.¡± He quickly removed all his clothes and he went down to kiss her hungrily this time. Amber was breathless when he was done. But he went down to focus his attention on her heavy bosoms. They are waiting to be plucked by his hungry mouth. When Devlin got a taste of them, he just became so lost in his need to fill his desire.


    He went down deeper, lightly kissing her belly making Amber writhing with pleasure that she just groaned loudly this time. He went further down to her most intimate part where no one has ever explored before. She immediately closed her legs on impulse but Devlin gently toyed with her warm velvety femininity. Amber rxes after he pried open the slit of her core with his mouth.


    ¡°Ohhhh¡­¡± A long moan came out from Amber.


    After a few minutes of Devlin devouring her soft spot, Amber got her full release. She thought that was over until she saw the lustful look on Devlin¡¯s eyes. He was not done yet.


    ¡°Baby, I want you so bad.¡± He said in his hoarse voice.

 I Want You So Bad

    ¡°Baby, I want you so bad.¡± His hoarse voice was contained. He looks like he is in pain. Amber gently touched his face and smiled at him. Devlin gave her a long fiery kiss before he started to gain entrance into her wet core.


    ¡°You are so tight, baby.¡± Amber saw him with eyes closed. He was struggling to get deep in her core. And when he sessfully got inside her, he paused.


    ¡°Fuck! I am sorry, baby.¡± He saw her tears to the sides. He gently wiped them away and kissed her on her lips.


    ¡°Baby, it will hurt but I will be gentle. I will take care of you.¡± His assuring words calmed her down. It was really painful but she trusts Devlin¡¯s words.


    Slowly, Devlin made some gentle thrusts. Making her adjust to his size until he felt her slowly melting to him. He heard her soft moans. He could not hold it any longer so he started to increase his pace.


    Amber waspletely out of her mind the moment he gave her long deep thrusts. It was like that for a while until she felt something building up inside her. She was panting and moaning with intense pleasure.


    ¡°Ahhh¡­ohhh.¡± Her moans were music to Devlin¡¯s ears.


    ¡°Damn¡­Baby, I can¡¯t hold it any longer.¡± Amber barely heard him. She just felt that warm molten liquid pouring inside her to the brim. Both of them were panting after that. Devlin fell down to the side of the bed. He gathered Amber in his arms. Giving her a hug from the back. And kissing her hair and cheeks.


    ¡°Sleep my love. You need more energy in a little while.¡± He softly whispered it in her ears with his hoarse voice.


    Amber heard what he said despite her soreness and tiredness. She immediately looked at him with a re which made him chuckle softly. It did not take long for Amber to fall asleep. However, Devlin is still fully awake. He wanted to take her again but he knew that she was tired. He kissed her head and hugged her tightly.


    ¡®I am going to give myself a chance to be more open to you.¡¯ He said seriously to himself. He was thinking about the past few days with her. It was simply amazing. He never thought he could be this happy again. He resolved to just go with the flow in his married life. For the first time in his life, he is happily content with the woman beside him. He smiled before sleep consumed him.


    Amber woke up to something heavy on her legs and chest. She slowly opened her eyes only to see Devlin sleeping soundly beside her. His right leg was on top of her legs. His arm was resting on her chest. Now, she slightly panicked. Last night, she gave herselfpletely to Devlin. She was drowned in her senses when she shamelessly gave in to her lust. But she did not feel only lust but a warm feeling that she surrendered to the man she truly cared for. To the man she lo¨C. She gasped in amazement. She loves him. That is why she never hesitated to give herself to him because she loves him. She loves him with all her heart despite their situation. She doesn¡¯t even want to think about what tomorrow will bring. She wants to live in the present with Devlin¡­her husband. And that made her happier.


    She slowly turned around to face her husband. She lightly touched his cheek. She went closer to kiss him on the lips. Then, she fell back asleep.


    ¡°Baby, please wake up.¡± Amber felt a light touch on her lips. When she woke up, it was the handsome face of Devlin that was too close to her face. He must have kissed her lips. She felt it earlier. She smiled happily at him. Devlin immediately sat down on her bed.Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Baby, how are you feeling?¡± His gentle voice warmed her heart. He touches her forehead and neck to check if she is okay.


    ¡°I am fine.¡± She said shyly. She wanted to get ready and use the bathroom. However, when she moved to sit down, she felt the pain between her thighs. She could not stop herself from wincing.


    ¡°Baby, are you okay? What¡¯s wrong? Are you in pain?¡± His worried voice made Amber smile slightly at him.


    ¡°It is still painful.¡± She continued wincing in pain. ¡°But I wanted to use the bath¨C¡± She did not finish what she had to say when Devlin immediately carried her to the bathroom. She put her face on his chest while encircling her arms around his neck.


    He set her down on the stool to the corner. Devlin immediately turned on the water. He made sure that the water was warm enough to keep her calm. He addedvender bath soap into the warm water. When he was satisfied, he carried Amber and carefully set her in the tub.


    ¡°Ahhh¡­ Thank you. This is really rxing.¡± She smiled at him gratefully. She felt that the pain between her legs slowly eased down. Devlin was with her the whole time. He was gently giving her a bath, wiping her skin with soft cloth. At first, Amber protested since she could take care of herself but he insisted. She gave up and sighed deeply.


    She felt so good being pampered by Devlin. She felt in deep trouble after realizing she had fallen deeply in love with him. But on second thought, there is nothing wrong about that. Devlin is technically her husband. Love can grow. Love can be learned. She hopes that Devlin will eventually love her. She starts to hope. She felt that he did truly change and care for her.


    After Devlin was done giving her a bath, he dried her with the towel. Then he gave her the bathrobe. All these he did quietly. Amber was just letting him do what he wanted.


    ¡°Baby, wear this one.¡± He gave her a shopping bag. ¡°I will just take a shower. Get ready. We are leaving soon.¡± He kissed her on the forehead before marching back towards the bathroom. Amber was left with a smile on her face.


    She was already finished and even tidied up the bed by the time Devlin walked out from the bathroom. He was only wrapped with a towel. He immediately went to her and hugged her from behind. On impulse, Amber closed her eyes and enjoyed his warmth.


    ¡°Baby, thank you for this wonderful weekend. I enjoyed every moment we shared together.¡± He kissed her on her ear and slowly ran his kisses down to her neck. A soft moan escaped from Amber.


    Before she got drowned again with the pleasure, Devlin immediately halted what he did. Amber slowly faced him. She saw him out of breath and his face had a tinge of red.


    ¡°Are you okay?¡± She asked with her worried voice.


    ¡°I¨CI am fine.¡± His hoarse voice was evident. He needed to stop before he would take her again. She is still sore. And besides, they will have a long drive back home. If it is up to him, he would love to stay longer in this ce but there is work waiting for him.


    ¡°Baby, please get ready downstairs and wait for me there. I am trying my best not to take you again. You are still sore.¡± He said with a constrained voice. She even saw his swollen manhood just underneath the towel.


    ¡°Please don¡¯t stare like that, baby.¡± He sounded pleading. Amber gave him a teasing smile and lightly kissed Devlin on the cheek before she went to go downstairs.


    ¡°Huh!¡­that woman will be the death of me. She doesn¡¯t know how much I want to take her right now.¡± He needed to take a quick shower again.


    They had breakfast at the lodge. Devlin also talked to the staff and gave them some instructions regarding their work.


    ¡°I want you to fix the backyard fence at the cabin. I also want to add more CCTV cameras in that area plus I want to have more guards at night. Please keep that area secure. I trust all of you with your job.¡± Amber heard while everyone was listening to him. Devlin has thatmanding aura that wouldpletely get everyone¡¯s attention. Amber looked at all the staff in the lodge. Despite his young age, the older staff has high respect for him.


    ¡°Hey, why didn¡¯t you eat yet?¡± He said as he walked towards their table.


    ¡°I was waiting for you.¡± She said, turning red with his intense gaze at her. Devlin quietly served her the food on their table. Amber is content getting all the attention from her husband.


    ¡°When we get back home, we should n to visit marmee. What do you think?¡± Devlin asked out of the blue while sipping his cup of coffee. Amber was only gaping at him for a while.


    ¡°Are you serious about that?¡± Devlin nodded at her. She immediately stood up and hugged him.


    ¡°Thank you so much.¡± She said wholeheartedly. She misses her marmee so much. She could not wait to see her together with Devlin.


    ¡°And when we get there, we should start talking about our wedding with marmee in attendance.¡± Amber was overwhelmingly happy that she loosely said the words she had been holding for a while.


    ¡°Oh¡­I love you so much.¡± She blurted out. She felt him stiffened. She felt hurt from his reaction but before she could think any further Devlin slightly pulled her chin so they are now looking into each other¡¯s eyes. Amber bit her lower lip for her stupidity.


    ¡°I am sorry¡­¡± Devlin cupped her face and kissed her deeply. She was panting when he let go of her lips. He did not say anything at all but his face clearly said everything. He was happy to know her feelings towards him.


    Amber was ashamed of what she just said. Aside from the torrid kiss they shared, he did not say anything at all. She was slightly disappointed. In her mind and heart, she actually expected that he would say the same words to her. So much for the fairytale romance she has been dreaming of. Visiting her marmee and talking about another wedding with her marmee to witness is more than enough for Amber. She should not wee any negative thoughts at all.


    They bid everyone goodbye in the lodge. She heard Devlin that they are going toe visit soon. She got excited about what he told the staff. She knew that there is more to explore in this dreamy ce. They went to the car holding hands together. Even while driving, Devlin was still holding her hand. She felt his assurance just by his actions. She doesn¡¯t need to hear him say that he also has special feelings for her. She can wait for that right moment toe. When Devlin is ready to wholeheartedly ept her as his other half¡­

 An Invitation

    Devlin was busy signing papers when his secretary came knocking at the door to his office.


    ¡°Come in.¡± He said while still engrossed with his work.


    ¡°Sir, this just came in now.¡± The secretary said with a neat envelope in his hand. Devlin¡¯s eyebrows furrowed as he looked at the card his secretary was giving him. He immediately dismissed his secretary while checking the envelope.


    At the back of it, their names were neatly handwritten. To Mr. and Mrs. Devlin Wesley. He waspletely surprised. There are only very few people who knew that he is married. His own family, Attorney Harrison, and the judge.


    He opened it knowing that it is an invitation to something important. And it is indeed very important. The heading says it all¡­ Engagement Party of Dalton and Raven


    ¡®It is with great pleasure to formally invite you as we take the next step of our life together.  We would be grateful to have your support and love. We hope to share this special moment with you.¡¯


    Devlin¡¯s expression was grimmed. He does not really know what to feel. He thought he waspletely over with Raven. A part of him was genuinely happy for her and his brother¡¯s engagement. However, there is a tiny regret he felt.


    He immediately stopped his thoughts when Amber¡¯s face came to his mind. She is his wife now. And then the past few days were one of the happiest days in his life. Amber makes him happy. That is enough for him. Raven was his past. She also made sure that he understood that what they had was over a long time ago.


    He checked the date of the engagement party. It will be a week from now. He wanted to contact his brother or Raven to make sure that it is a private party among close friends. He wanted to keep his wedding to Amber a secret for now. He saw how the media treated her during the business dinner. They were almost harassing her. He wants to give her a peaceful life, far away from the prying eyes of the media and the public. He is almost a celebrity. He is used to the limelight.


    After a few minutes deep in his thoughts, Devlin decided to call his brother. He never personally called his brother through his phone. If he needs anything from him, he always asks his secretary or Attorney Harrison to ry his message to him. However, this one is a private matter.


    He called his brother¡¯s phone but he was out of reach. He dialed Raven¡¯s number instead. After a few rings,  her pleasant voice came.


    ¡°Hello Devlin? How are you?¡± Raven asked jovially. He could also hear some people talking in the background.


    ¡°Could I talk to you for a few seconds? I called Dalton but his phone is out of reach.¡±This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.


    ¡°He must still be in a meeting with a client right now.¡± Devlin could not hear the voices in the background anymore. She must have moved somewhere.


    ¡°Anyway, I got your invitation to your engagement party. Congrattions by the way.¡± He said sincerely.


    ¡°Thank you so much. I actually was thinking of personally handing you the invitation.¡± She seriously said from the other line.


    ¡°And by the way, I did not formally congratte you on your wedding. I felt disappointed that you did not invite me or any of us¡­ I mean for old time¡¯s sake. I hope you treat her well. She seems to be a nice woman.¡± She said frankly. She still wonders how Devlin and Amber got married in haste. She felt something was amiss. But who is she to judge? When she saw them for the first time, she thought that they looked great together.


    ¡°Well, we are nning to have a bigger wedding. For sure, everyone will be invited.¡± Devlin said readily. He is surprised to hear himself saying things without even a hint of hesitation. After their phone conversation, he actually felt relieved.


    He finished his work earlier. While on his way to his penthouse, he decided to drop by a flower shop to get a nice bouquet of roses for his wife. ¡®Wife¡¯¡­ he likes the sound of that word every single day now. He used the private elevator to his penthouse which reminds him to put Amber in the system. So, she can readily use it as well.


    When he got inside his penthouse, everything was its usual ce except he smelled something from the kitchen. His lovely wife must be cooking right now. He loosened up his tie and set his suitcase on the center table in the living room. He slowly made his way to the kitchen. He saw Amber busy cooking while listening to upbeat music on her phone. He lightly chuckled when he saw her starting to sing and dance while cutting some vegetables.


    ¡°Hmmm¡­you look good at what you are doing.¡± He said when he got closer to her. His bouquet of flowers was still hidden behind him. He quickly stole a kiss on her cheek when she faced him. He immediately gave her the flowers which made her smile widely.


    ¡°Thank you. These are beautiful.¡± She lowered the fire from the oven before she took off her apron. She went around the house to look for a vase or anything to set the flowers in. When she found one, she went back to the kitchen and set it on the dining table as a centerpiece decoration.


    ¡°How was your day?¡± She asked candidly while she returned her attention to cooking. Devlin¡¯s lips slightly parted. He is slightly disappointed. He expected her to hug him tightly and share a fiery kiss.


    ¡°It was okay. I was busy from work.¡± He answered simply while taking the nearest chair to him. Amber also finished cooking their dinner.


    ¡°Are you hungry now? Dinner is ready.¡± She announced with a beaming smile. He always likes her smiling face. When he looks at her, he feels nothing can ever go wrong. She exudes that positive aura.


    ¡°I have to take a shower first. I had a long day. I would like to look good for my wife.¡± He said with a teasing smile. He even winked at her which made Amber¡¯s heart flutter.


    ¡®Here we go again.¡¯ She thought to herself. He does know how to y with words to impress her.


    ¡°Alright, you go take a shower now. I will just put away the dishes in the washer and I will take a shower as well.¡± She simply said. She was about to walk away but Devlin pulled her hand.


    ¡°Not too fast, wife. Leave thoseter. I can take care of those. Why don¡¯t we shower together?¡± He suggested while moving his eyebrows up and down. She giggled from what he did. She lightly hit his arm.


    ¡°Alright but just shower, nothing else.¡± She reminded him. Last time they showered together, he ended up taking her over and over again despite her soreness. She marched towards their room but she did not see the naughty smile he had.


    The shower took longer than usual. Of course, Devlin will not hold on to his words. He took his wife right when they got inside their bedroom. When she protested, he pinned her arms up against the door. He carried her up and put her legs around his waist. Without warning, he immediately got inside his wet, warm core. Amber was too giddy with pleasure to even protest. She surrendered herselfpletely to him.


    They had another round when they got inside the bathroom. Her insatiable husband could not get enough of her. He took her again, setting her on the bathroom counter. He slowly took his time. Kissing her lightly on the lips, her neck down to her twin peaks. Massaging each one unhurriedly. It brought shivers down to her spine. On impulse, she wrapped her legs around his waist, too delirious to even think of anything else but what Devlin is doing to her.


    ¡°Ohhhhh¡­¡± She let out a long moan when she felt him in her molten core. He is making her insane.


    ¡°Dev¡­please take me now. I could not take it any longer.¡± She whispered softly, pleading to make her his again.


    He gently made a full thrust deep in her. She matched the rhythm he was making. And not for long, they both screamed in pure ecstasy. Only loud moans could be heard inside their bathroom. They didn¡¯t take their dinner until a few hourster.

 A Special Gift From Her

    They ended up having ate dinner. Amber could not stop Devlin from taking her over and over again. He was too strong for her. Besides, she must admit that she enjoyed every fiery moment they shared together.


    By the time they get to the kitchen, she was all red from the teasing smiles Devlin was throwing at her. She kept rolling her eyes at him.


    ¡°What?!¡± She asked one time when she couldn¡¯t take anymore the teasing smile of Devlin.


    ¡°Wife, I am sorry about all those marks all over you.¡± She only gave her a half-hearted angry look.


    ¡°But I never regretted how I made those marks.¡± Amber was cherry-red from what he just said.


    ¡°Devlin, will you knock it off? Are you going to eat or no more of your naughty¡­?¡± He immediately looked at her wide-eyed. He could not believe that she was giving him a warning.


    ¡°Fine! Let¡¯s eat, wife. What do you want to do after dinner?¡± Amber only raised her eyebrow at him. ¡®Doesn¡¯t he know the time right now? It is almost midnight!¡¯


    ¡°I don¡¯t think there is much to do at this time. It is already veryte.¡± She said while almost finishing her food.


    ¡°Well, leave it to me. Who cares if it is veryte? Tomorrow is the weekend anyway.¡± He said nonchntly. She simply shrugged and finished her food.Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    After they finished dinner, they went to the entertainment room. She thought that they were going to watch a movie but he had something else in mind.


    ¡°Wife, you never told me that you can y the piano.¡± He said out of nowhere when he opened the grand piano to the corner. Amber¡¯s forehead only creased in wonder.


    ¡°Well, I heard one of the cleaningdies talking about how good you are at ying the piano. You must have yed it the day they were cleaning here.¡± Devlin was looking at her, urging her to y the piano for him.


    ¡°Baby, could you please y the piano for me? I just want to hear it myself.¡± Amber simply nodded. Even if she still feels sore from their lovemaking, she could not say no to her husband¡¯s request.


    She took a deep breath before hitting some keys for a warm-up. Then, she closed her eyes. She started ying the piece that she first learned from her marmee. She smoothly ran her fingers through every key. Devlin was just watching her quietly to the side. The moment she started ying the piano, she waspletely lost in the music. She was thinking of the green fields when she was a young child. She saw herself with her marmee, her mom, and dad. Those happy memories together with her family, before things started to fall apart.


    The moment she finished, a lone tear escaped her eyes. She immediately wiped it off before Devlin could see it.


    ¡°That was a great performance, baby. Is it marmee who taught you the piano?¡± He asked while he slightly pulled her towards the couch. He noticed the sadness in her eyes.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Why do you look sad?¡± He asked with his gentle voice. He circled his right arm around her body. Amber leaned on his chest. She felt much better finding herfort in Devlin¡¯s arms. She never expected to find what she is longing for from someone who despised her before.


    She slightly shook her head but tears began to fall from her eyes. She tried to hide but Devlin cupped her face.


    ¡°Shush baby¡­¡± He only said and hugged her tightly. When she was done crying, she calmed down.


    ¡°Mind telling what made you cry?¡± His concerned voice warmed her heart.


    ¡°That song I was ying was the first song that marmee taught me when I was a young child. And, everytime I y that song, it always reminds me of that distant past together with my mom, dad and marmee while we were having a pic.¡± She paused before she could cry again. She is trying to hold her breath.


    ¡°A week after that, dad died from a car ident. Then, you know the rest. My mom got married a yearter.¡± She said with sorrow.


    ¡°Oh baby, I am sorry. It was my fault that I made you y the piano. I could have saved you from relieving those sad moments in your life.¡± But Amber vigorously shook her head.


    ¡°No, that was not your fault. I just wanted to y that song. It was very special to me.¡± She was looking at him. She wanted to tell him how much she loves him but held back. There is a time for that.


    Suddenly, she remembered something. She immediately excused herself and went to her bedroom. She took the box where she put her gift. It was a sculpture of a panther. It was an expensive piece because it was made from natural ck onyx. It is a rare find. She was told by the salesman that most of the ck onyx in the market have already undergone some treatment method to attain its full ck color. That¡¯s why the item she bought was really expensive.


    She took her time as the item is quite heavy. When she got inside the entertainment room, Devlin gave her a questioning look. He saw her carrying a medium-sized box.


    ¡°Baby, do you want me to help you with that? It looks heavy.¡± She only shook her head. She set the box carefully on the table in front of Devlin.


    ¡°You can open it. I bought this as a gift for you. I hope you like it.¡± She said shyly.


    Devlin was surprised. He was looking at the box with amazement.


    ¡°Go ahead. Open it.¡± She said with an excited voice this time. Devlin quietly opened the box. He opened the piece which was covered with specially designed paper. When he unwrapped it, he saw a panther made from ck onyx. It looks like it was ready tounch at his prey. He ran his hands on the expensive piece.


    ¡°What do you think? I am sorry this was the only avable item from that store. It reminds me so much of you so I bought it. It looks powerful, fierce, and strong.¡± She said while never leaving her eyes on Devlin.


    ¡°I saw you have huge collections of stuff like this. You can add it to your collection if you like.¡± She added shyly.


    ¡°If I like? Of course, I would love to have this disyed here. Thank you. This is really nice.¡± He said who looks like a kid right now. You can see the tenderness in his eyes.


    ¡°Do you know that I started collecting all those figures because of grandpa?¡± He pulled Amber to show her his collections.


    ¡°This one here is my first ever gift from grandpa.¡± He showed her one of his biggest collections in terms of size. It is a bald-eagle which looks like it is about to fly. It is made from hardwood.


    ¡°He bought this for me when we went to the zoo together. This was part of the disy at a souvenir store. It was not for sale but I could not stop crying because I wanted to have this for myself. I remember how I found it so fascinating at that time. I did not want to leave the shop until I could have this thing here.¡± He ran his fingers to the carved wings of the bald eagle. That was also the first item that caught Amber¡¯s attention when she first came to the penthouse.


    ¡°Grandpa left me for a few minutes to talk to someone at the shop. We left that ce with this carved bald eagle at the back of our car.¡± he said with a wide smile.


    ¡°And from there, my collection has expanded. Whenever I travel and see anything about carved items that caught my fancy, I buy them immediately.¡± Devlin opened a room for her which made her gasp in surprise. She has never been to his personal office in the penthouse. He has more collections of carved figures. He got an intricate carved figure of an owl, a lion, and more. Aside from animals, he also got figures of action heroes,ic characters and more.


    ¡°Wow! This is amazing. I never thought you would have more collections here. If you put everything together, you can have them disyed in an art gallery.¡± She saw those figures made of other gemstones. She saw something made from marble, quartz, amethyst¡­


    ¡°Thank you for this gift. This is very special to me. Do you know that you are the only person who knows that I have this kind of collection?¡± Devlin asked which made her all the more surprised.


    ¡°Really? What about, Raven?¡± She asked without thinking. She bit her lower lip. She should have just closed her mouth.


    ¡°Not even her. She never saw this ce. And she never really asked about my interest.¡± Devlin sounded slightly disappointed. Amber finds it weird that you don¡¯t know that much about the person you are with.


    ¡°My rtionship with Raven was more like friendship than a boyfriend/girlfriend rtionship. She was there when I needed someone to talk to. She knew about my issues with my family and with my brother. But it never came to a point that we shared more intimacy untilter. But by then, our rtionship was already in trouble. So, the rest you knew about it. We broke up and she fell in love with my brother.¡± He said frankly without any hint of regret or bitterness in his voice¡­

 The Engagement Party

    Amber was surprised how Devlin candidly opened up about his feelings towards his rtionship with Raven. He looks much better nowpared to the previous weeks where he was desperate to get back with Raven. She is not sure what changed his mind. She does not want to assume that it has something to do with their rtionship now. Amber is not assured of whatever they have. Devlin shows her so many actions and words that she thinks that they are doing good. But she also understands that just weeks ago, things were definitely not fine with them. She shivered just thinking about the past. She just wants to find out if Devlin shares those same feelings with her.


    ¡°By the way, I almost forgot something.¡± He stood up to get something from his suitcase that he left in the living room earlier. He gently pulled Amber with him out of the entertainment room.


    ¡°Here, this is an invitation letter.¡± Devlin handed her the card he got from Raven and his brother.


    ¡°What is this?¡± Amber asked out of curiosity.


    ¡°Just read. We are invited next weekend to that party.¡± Amber noticed that the card was addressed to them¡­Mr. And Mrs. Devlin Wesley. Now, she grew more curious. No one knows they are married except for a few people.


    She read the invitation letter and was surprised to know that it is an invitation to an engagement party of Devlin¡¯s brother and Raven.


    ¡°Wow! That¡¯s amazing.¡± She simply said. She doesn¡¯t know what else to say. She was eyeing Devlin who had a nk look on his face. She was waiting to see something else. Probably, looking angry, sad, annoyed¡­anything that is negative about the engagement. That¡¯s not the reaction she expected from him at the moment. He seemed calm.


    ¡°So, you better get ready. Raven told me that it is a private party.¡± He said nonchntly. Amber could not believe that he could act casually about Raven¡¯s engagement. The woman he has been desperately chasing.


    ¡°If you think it is fine, then I wille with you. I am just worried about your parents¡¯ reactions when I get there.¡± She said honestly. She still remembers what happenedst time. She didn¡¯t get a good reception from his family. That is expected. However, Devlin has changed a lot after that day. And she still doesn¡¯t know what happened. Is he doing everything for real? Or is it another form of his revenge or punishment? Still, she believed his words. She was hoping that he would see her in a different light. That he would also fall for her.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about that. I will be with you all the time. They will not say nor do anything that would put them into shame. I know my parents so much that they value their family name. They would surely act civilly with you. Besides, I talked to Raven on the phone. She wants you to be there. She likes you by the way.¡± Amber¡¯s right eyebrow arched up. She could not believe what she was hearing.


    ¡°Alright, no problem. I will get ready for that engagement party.¡± She said without voicing out what has been nagging in her head. She really felt that something did not add up. For more than two weeks now, Devlin has drastically turned from a ruthless CEO to a loving husband. She lets herself believe that perhaps she could make him fall for her. Just like what happened to her. And she feels that it may not be impossible as she saw his reaction towards Raven¡¯s engagement invitation. Probably he has moved on from her. That would be great for his peace of mind. Then, he can move forward and open himself to love again.


    She shook her head. Her train of thoughts were just crazy. She already went beyond imagination. She was already nning for a future.


    Days passed, Amber and Devlin¡¯s rtionship grew deeper and more intimate. Devlin goes to work at hispany. Then, hees home early to spend time with Amber. She would prepare dinner for them. Sometimes, Devlin would call her if he wanted to eat outside. That has been their routine. And at night time, they always share their most fiery intimate moments together. It¡¯s like they could not get enough from each other.


    Amber was worried that she may get pregnant soon. They never talk about having a baby. Until now, they have never talked about their rtionship. For Amber, she feels that Devlin has been doing his job well as a husband. She is also doing the same thing. She made sure that she made Devlin feel that he is appreciated and taken care of every single day. She wants to nurture whatever they have right now.


    There are no spoken words about deration of love from Devlin. However, Amber is content at the moment for whatever they have. She does not want to put pressure on him to admit what he feels for her. And besides, they are already husband and wife. She findsfort with that thought.


    She is getting ready for the engagement party. She wore the floral dress that Devlin bought for her earlier. She left her long straight hair down. She only puts on minimal make-up. Devlin was already outside their room waiting for her. When she got out, he was on a phone conversation with someone. When he saw her, it did not take long for him to hang up the phone.


    ¡°Baby, you look so beautiful. You look great in that dress.¡± She is wearing a floral dress from one of Valentino¡¯s collections. She looked at Devlin who looked very dapper in his ck suit.


    ¡°Ready?¡± Amber only nodded her head. Together, they walked to their private elevator. They were talking casually about the party. Amber did not voice out her worry when she met Devlin¡¯s parents again. She hopes that they will act civilly towards each other. There are other guests and for sure they will be curious about her. She is bracing herself for whatever is going to happen tonight.


    If it were up to her, she would not join the party. But it would be rude not to go when Raven specifically asked Devlin for her toe.


    The moment they arrived at the party, all eyes were on them. Everyone is eyeing Amber from head to toe. She suddenly felt conscious about herself. The scrutinizing looks she got from the visitors were unnerving. Thank goodness¡­ Raven came to the rescue.Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°There you are! Good evening guys. How are you doing?¡± She was beaming at them. She even kissed Amber¡¯s cheek while she only smiled at Devlin. After that, Raven ushered them inside the living room where some of the guests were waiting. It was Devlin who introduced Amber to everyone. He did not specifically tell them who Amber is in his life. He just said a special someone. Amber was fine with that. She does not want to get asked by the other guests all night long. After the introductions, they went to sit on the spot where Raven chose for them.


    Devlin saw his parents and simply greeted them together with Amber. She felt the highly charged atmosphere surrounding the father and son. They immediately went back to their seats after that while waiting for the party tomence.


    ¡°We will wait for a little bit more before we start the party, okay?¡± It was the host of the party. Amber saw that there were some decorations in the poolside area of the house. Even the catering service was already prepared. There were some waiters who offered drinks for everyone. She took one for herself.


    ¡°Baby, don¡¯t drink too much, okay?¡± Devlin whispered in her ear. She saw almost everyone looking at them. She even caught a glimpse of Devlin¡¯s parents looking at them in annoyance. She felt Devlin¡¯s hand gripping hers.


    ¡°Rx baby. They are not going to do anything. I am here with you.¡± He assured her. That was enough for Amber to rx a little bit.


    ¡°Alright, don¡¯t worry. I think I can handle them for another hour or two.¡± That earned a chuckle from Devlin. Unbeknownst to them, someone was watching them closely with annoyance and envy.


    ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, let¡¯s all proceed to the poolside area to start the party.¡± Everyone was suddenly in a jovial mood. There were some activities that were prepared during the party. Amber joined some of them together with Devlin. All in all, it was actually a st. Dalton and Devlin were seen talking to each other. They seemed to be alright.


    Amber was happy. She saw that the brothers looked fine. Raven and Devlin look like two old friends. The four of them were talking. She would join in some of their conversations. In the middle of the party, she excused herself to use the restroom. That was when things turned for the worst.

 Who is Fiona?

    Amber went to the restroom and immediately went inside the cubicle. The moment she finished and got out, she saw Devlin¡¯s mother. She was staring nkly at her from the mirror. She forced herself to smile at her. She knows that his mom dislikes her for her son.


    ¡°Ms. Adams, I know this is not the right ce to talk about things that should have been addressed in private. However, I am asking you to please leave my son alone. I am sure you know what¡¯s going on within the family.¡± Amber was left speechless for a while. How can she leave Devlin? She could have done that a long time ago when she asked him to let her go and not proceed with the wedding. Right now, she does not have the heart to leave Devlin especially because she is bound to him not only by papers. She is bound to him with all of her heart and being. How can she leave him now that he means a lot to her?


    ¡°Mrs. Wesley, I hope we could talk together with Devlin. I am not the only one in this rtionship.¡± She said politely. She does not want to be rude to his mother.


    ¡°Huh! Did you just hear yourself? What talk? The best way is for you to leave as quietly as possible. He does not have to know. How much do you need?¡± Devlin¡¯s mom asked straightforwardly. Amber clenched her fists, trying to control the anger inside her. Does she think that she is here for the money?


    ¡°Oh¡­I forgot. You just made a lot of fortune recently because you took advantage of the poor old woman.¡± She said with a smirk, right eyebrow up.


    No wonder Devlin is still not on good terms with his parents. She thought his mom would treat her better than his dad. But she is no different than her husband. In fact, she has a more vile mouth.


    ¡°I am sorry, Mrs. Wesley but I never did anything to take advantage of no one. I was never raised to be like that.¡± Tears started to well in her eyes. She had to close her eyes tight. She will not give this woman the satisfaction to see her in pain.


    She saw Mrs. Wesley only smirked at her and left. She felt her legs shaking that she had to lean against the wall so she would not fall to the ground. She took a heavy breath and ward off her thoughts from her encounter with Devlin¡¯s mom. She needs topose herself before she goes back to the party. Maybe she could ask Devlin to go home or call Jackson to drive her home alone.


    She was still leaning against the wall when someone came out from one of the restroom¡¯s cubicles. She opened her eyes to see a tall and beautiful woman who was wearing a ck bandage dress. She could see the side slit that went way up higher than her mid thigh.


    ¡°Hey, are you alright? I am so sorry but I didn¡¯t mean to eavesdrop on your conversation with Devlin¡¯s mom. I was here and I didn¡¯t know that such heated conversation would happen here.¡± Amber looked at the woman¡¯s face carefully. She doesn¡¯t know her but she looks familiar. She must have seen her somewhere.


    ¡°Oh¡­by the way, I am Fiona¡­ Fiona Ross.¡± She smiled at her but Amber could not feel any sincerity from her.


    She only nodded her head. She did not want to be rude to the woman but she really was not in the mood to converse with her. Such humiliation from Devlin¡¯s mother still shook her senses. She just wanted to leave the party.


    Fiona was washing her hands when Amber was still deep in her thoughts.


    ¡°Nice meeting you. I knew the Wesley family so well, especially Devlin. If I were you, don¡¯t take whatever rtionship you have with him seriously. I just had a great time with him a few days ago. He is such a great lover¡­ as always.¡± She winked at her before she left.


    Amber was shocked at what Fiona just said. She must have been one of his girlfriends in the past. But she mentioned about having a great time with him a few days ago¡­She does not want to believe her but¡­ Suddenly, something registered in her head. Fiona Ross! Of course, she is a very wealthy heiress. They owned several hugepanies from all over the country.


    So, whatever Devlin was showing her these past few days  were all fake. While he was showing some ¡®affections¡¯ towards her, he was also spending time with Fiona. Probably, he spends time with other women as well. Fiona looks like a woman who just wants to y around.


    When she left the restroom, she saw Devlin waiting for her outside. He was leaning against the wall, phone in his hand.


    ¡°What took you so long? Are you okay?¡± She forced herself to smile at him. She wanted to confront him about Fiona. She also wanted to tell him about her encounter with his mother. But what good will it do? Everything Devlin showed her were all fake. All those sweet moments they shared together, the romantic getaway during the weekend, the dinner dates¡­ Everything was a farce. Is this his punishment? Is this his way to get back at what she did?Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    She is definitely stupid for believing him. For hoping that she could make him fall for her. She is nothingpared to Raven nor Fiona. Or even to those other women he dated.


    ¡°A penny for your thoughts? Do you want to go home?¡± He eyed her intently.


    ¡°I am not really feeling well but you could stay here. Just please tell Raven that I could not stay any longer.¡± She suddenly blurted out.


    ¡°I can take you home.¡± She vigorously shook her head.


    ¡°No, please stay. They would wonder why we both left. Besides, I don¡¯t want to give your family any more bad impressions about me.¡± She wondered how she was able to control her emotions in front of Devlin.


    ¡°And don¡¯t worry. Jackson can always drive me home. Please enjoy the party. I will be fine.¡± She was d that Devlin didn¡¯t push further.


    ¡°Alright, baby. You go take a rest. I will call you before I get back home.¡± He kissed her on the lips. He called for Jackson who was just waiting at the parking area.


    ¡°You take care, baby. I will tell my brother and Raven that you are not feeling well.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡± Then, she left with Jackson.


    She could not stop her tears. She tried closing her eyes so Jackson wouldn¡¯t see her. The ride did not take too long this time. She thanked Jackson and got inside the elevator. When she reached her bedroom, she was sobbing uncontrobly for a while that it hurt so bad.


    Devlin is definitely a monster that he is. Nothing changed except he got his revenge by hurting her. She wasughing when she remembered how she fell for his moves. All those sweet nothing words¡­ they were really nothing. The romantic dinner dates, those are just for a show to lead her on. And worst is that she gave herself freely to him without hesitation.


    She had to get up when she suddenly felt like throwing up. She threw up everything in the bathroom. She looked at herself in the mirror and she is a big mess. Her eyes were swollen from crying. Her nose was red. Her makeup made it worse for her. She took a quick shower before going to bed.


    She was thinking of what she should do next. The only way is for her to leave. She can contact Attorney Harrison. That should be the only way to finish this madness. To hell with Devlin. He never really values her as a woman or even as a human. He treated her like a piece of crap.


    She did not realize that she fell asleep from exhaustion. She woke up to something warm moving on her cheek. She did not mind it at first. She was too exhausted to open her eyes. But the movements kept going until it went down to her neck, chest.  She slightly opened her eyes to see Devlinying down to her side while kissing every inch of her.


    She smelled the strong alcohol from him. She tried pushing him away but he was too strong for her. He went on top of her and pinned her hands to the side. She tried kicking him but to no avail. He put more of his weight on her.


    ¡°Devlin please¡­ I am exhausted. And you are drunk!¡± She tried onest attempt to stop him from taking her but his strength prevailed over her. He did not even heed her pleas to stop. He looks like a madman right now.

 A Big Mistake

    shback¡­


    When Amber left, Devlin went back to the party. He wanted toe with her but she kept pushing him to stay. He relented at the end but he could not stop himself from getting worried about her. However, he also does not want to cause any issues between them. The moment the car drove away, he decided to get back to the party. He will stay for an hour more, then he will also go home.


    It was a bit dark from where Devlin is. All the lights came from the back of the house. He suddenly bumped into someone. He heard the groan of pain from a woman¡¯s voice. He tried to help her get up but she couldn¡¯t.


    ¡°Please, just help me to the living room. I could not stand on my feet. I must have sprained my right foot.¡± Said the woman whose face could not be seen clearly from Devlin¡¯s side.


    ¡°I am sorry. I didn¡¯t see you walking to my side. Damn¡­I don¡¯t understand why Dalton left off a few lights here.¡± He could have not bumped into her or the other way around. Now, he had to help her.


    ¡°First, we have to remove your heels. You can¡¯t walk with these high heels.¡± He was about to go down to remove her shoes but she immediately stopped him.


    ¡°If you don¡¯t mind, could you just please carry me inside to the living room at least.¡± She asked with her pained voice. He really wanted to leave her but at the back of his head, it was his fault why she got the sprained.


    ¡°Alright, just hold on tight.¡± He carried her bridal style and set her on the couch in the living room. It was only the housemaids who saw them. The visitors are all at the back of the house.


    He looked at her, dry tears were evident on her face. He knows the woman too well. She is the famous Fiona Ross. They went out on a few dates together back when Raven broke up with him.


    He wondered why she was invited to his brother¡¯s engagement party. Raven for sure does not really know her as a friend. They don¡¯t belong to the same circle of friends. Fiona is a party animal. She frequently goes to the bars to party with her sets of spoiled brat, rich friends.


    On those asions that he went out with her for dinner, she was just fine. They did not really click. Yes, she is beautiful and rich. She is famous for her family¡¯s huge wealth. But there is something off with her. She was demanding. If he could remember correctly, they only went out for dinner like three times. Nothing happened between them despite her advances to lure him into bed with her.


    ¡°I am sorry. We need to use a coldpress to your foot before it gets too swollen.¡± He immediately asked one of the housemaids to get him an ice pack. It didn¡¯t take long for the maid toe back with the ice pack. Before she left, Fiona asked her to bring a bottle of whiskey.


    ¡°That would help relieve the pain.¡± She smiled at Devlin. He only shook his head. He started pressing the ice pack on the injured area.


    ¡°Ahhh¡­¡± She dramatically groaned in pain. That made Devlin gently put pressure on her foot.


    ¡°I hope this could lessen the pain soon. And minimize the swollen area of your foot.¡± Devlin was still focused on what he was doing. He didn¡¯t see the smile of triumph on Fiona¡¯s face. She always gets what she wants no matter what¡­


    The maid brought a bottle of whiskey and two sses for them. Devlin did not n to stay longer because he wanted to be home early for Amber.


    ¡°Come on. Just take a ss. I would be very sad if you don¡¯t just drink up one ss for me.¡± She pouted, showing that she¡¯s disappointed by Devlin¡¯s refusal to drink.


    He took the ss of whiskey so he could be done with Fiona. He finished it in one gulp.


    ¡°Hey, slow down.¡± Sheughed, trying to get closer to him. He knows what she is doing.


    ¡°You are going to get drunk quickly. Why don¡¯t you have another drink? This time, take your time. You know that I can¡¯t walk with my condition right now.¡± Devlin gave her an exasperated look.


    ¡°What are you talking about? You are perfectly fine. You will get better soon. Just rest your foot for a day or two.¡±


    ¡°You are no fun, Devy.¡± She said with a husky voice. Devlin was just looking at her.


    ¡°I mean if we can¡¯t join the party with them, why not bring the party here? Please¡­¡± She smiled teasingly.


    ¡°You know that I have just arrived half an hour ago. I just saw Dalton and Raven, then this happened. I haven¡¯t even enjoyed the party.¡± She said, trying to make Devlin feel bad.


    He does not really care but he knows her. She has an obsession with getting what she wants. He does not want to create any scene in this party. So, he indulged her. Maybe he can stay for half an hour more and then he will leave.


    But it did not happen. They were joined by other visitors at the party. Some of them moved to the living room to be with Fiona. One bottle of whiskey quickly finished. They got more bottles. This time more hard drinks. Even Dalton and Raven joined themter on.


    Devlin was already tipsy when Raven asked him about Amber.


    ¡°Oh she left earlier. She was not feeling well.¡± He simply said.


    ¡°Then, why are you here with Fiona? You should be with Amber.¡± She asked again.


    ¡°I bumped into her earlier and she got a sprain on her right foot because of me.¡± Raven looked at Fiona¡¯s right foot. It does look slightly swollen.


    ¡°And?¡± She gave him a questioning look. Devlin may have not known it but Raven knew that Fiona likes Devlin a lot.


    ¡°What do you mean? I didn¡¯t do anything. I just put a coldpress on her foot. I was about to leave earlier when she ordered a bottle of whiskey. Then, some visitors started to join us here. You know what¡­ I should get going.¡± He said out of the blue. He looked at his wristwatch. It is past 11 pm. Amber left like three hours ago to his utter disappointment. He stayed longer than he nned.


    ¡°Wait, you should not drive. You are already drunk.¡± Raven stopped him. Devlin saw the worried look on her face.


    ¡°What do you care about? Besides, I am just tipsy. I can still drive.¡± He said stubbornly. He even smirked at her.


    ¡°Fine. Drive safely then. And by the way, thank you foring to my engagement party. You and Amber. It means a lot to me. And I do hope that your rtionship with Amber will work. She is a fine woman for you.¡± Devlin only rolled his eyes at her.


    ¡°What are you? Since when did you be a love adviser? Is that what my brother taught you?¡± He chuckled softly. He only meant it as a joke. Raven only smiled at what he just said.


    ¡°I should get going. Your fianc¨¦ is going to skin me alive.¡± This time, they bothughed together. He felt that what¡¯s left with them is friendship. And he likes it that way.


    ¡°Hey, I should get going. Amber is waiting for me at home.¡± He said when Dalton came to them. His brother only nodded at him. He left without saying anything to Fiona who was already loud and too drunk to notice him.This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    He arrived home safely despite getting tipsy. When he got inside his unit, suddenly he felt dizzy. He went to his room to check on Amber but she is not there. His forehead creased.


    ¡®Where is she?¡¯ He looked for her in the guest room where it used to be her room when she first came to his penthouse. He found her sleeping soundly. Her angelic face came into full view. Her red lips are waiting to be kissed. He ran his thumb on her lips. He heard her moaning from his light touch.


    And he went toy down beside her. He started kissing her cheek. She still didn¡¯t move. He kissed her ear, going to the neck. She is wearing a flimsy nightie which shows her pinkish nubs. He slowly rubbed them. He could not stop himself from taking his wife.


    He went to kiss those twin peaks. That made Amber wake up. She tried pushing him away but he was too strong for her. He does not understand her reaction. Usually, she would wee his attention with open arms.


    ¡°Devlin please¡­ I am exhausted. And you are drunk!¡± She said, looking angrily at him.


    ¡°Baby, I am sorry but I can¡¯t stop myself from making you mine. Please let me have you.¡± She tried to struggle but he felt her slowly melting with his hot kisses.


    And when he got to his favorite ce, she moaned with pleasure. And it was her who pulled him to pleasure her more.


    ¡°Dev¡­please.¡± She asked after feeling her molten liquid flowing out from her core.


    Devlin changed their position. Now, she is on top of him. He lets her do what she wants with his body.


    ¡°I am yours, baby. Take me as you please.¡± Those words fired up her desires. She positioned his shaft in the middle of her core and sat on it so deep into her. They both moaned loudly with intense pleasure.


    ¡°Baby, please take it easy on me.¡± Devlin begged. She did what their bodies both desire. It was a long while until they both reached their climax.


    Amber stiffened when Devlin just blurted out with his slurred voice¡­ ¡°I love you¡­ Raven.¡±

 Hurt

    Fate seemed to have other ns for them that night. Something unexpected happened while they both reached the pinnacle of their desires.


    Amber stiffened when Devlin just blurted out with his slurred voice¡­ ¡°I love you¡­ Raven.¡±


    It kept reying in her head over and over again. It shattered her into pieces. It shattered the fragile bond that they were both trying to form. Or were they trying to do that? On her part, she was doing that to make their marriage work. But what of Devlin? He just said the one single word that deeply left a mark in her heart.


    Devlin¡¯s momentarypse of control made him regretful. In his intoxicated haze, his lips betrayed him. He realized his huge mistake and immediately wrapped her arms around Amber¡¯s trembling body.


    He cupped her face to look at her. He wanted to exin. He never meant to say Raven¡¯s name. He saw the hurt look on her face but she was not crying at all. Her mind must be somewhere else, digesting what he just said. And he just wanted to shoot himself for his carelessness.


    ¡°Amber, listen to me please. Baby¡­I am so sorry. I can exin please.¡± He tried to force her to look at his eyes but they were only staring nkly at him.


    ¡°Baby, please¡­¡± He started kissing her cheeks.. her lips. But there was no response from her. It is like she is dead.


    Those persisting kisses from Devlin got her back to reality.


    ¡°Please¡­don¡¯t touch me. I want to be alone.¡± She said each word with emphasis. She has no strength to listen to whatever web of lies he has to say to her.


    ¡°Baby¡­ please. It is not what you think it is.¡± Devlin exined further. But Amber only shook her head.


    ¡°I love you so much, baby.¡± He said out of the blue. But Amber only smirked at him.


    ¡®Love? The only word that she has longed to hear but does not mean anything to her anymore. How could he loosely use such a word when he just called someone else¡¯ name? And in the heat of their lovemaking.


    ¡°Just go. I want to be alone.¡± She wondered where she gets the strength to stay calm despite the turmoil inside her.


    Devlin hugged her onest time before he sat down. He kissed her forehead, too.


    ¡°I would like us to talk when you are ready.¡± He said with a regretful voice. Amber didn¡¯t say anything until he closed the door to her bedroom.


    That¡¯s when she broke down. She tried to cover her face with the pillow so no sounds could escape. The weight of his careless words just broke her. She felt hurt and betrayed. Suddenly, she lost confidence in herself as a woman.


    ¡®Why? What did I do for you to hurt me so badly?¡¯ She continued crying until exhaustion consumed her.


    She woke up the next morning with a heavy heart. Her head hurts so bad. She did not sleep well. She just wanted to sleep but she needed to get up. She needed to do what she should have done a long time ago.


    She went to the bathroom. She saw herself in the mirror. She is a big mess. Her eyes are too swollen that not even makeup could hide her puffy eyes. She took a hot bath. She took her time thinking about what to do next.


    By now, Devlin must be awake. She doesn¡¯t want to face him at all but she could not avoid him for now since they live in the same house. She needs to quickly devise her n to stay away from him. After what happenedst night, she will never trust him again. What she feels for him right now is hatred. And she has to focus on that emotion so she will not break down in front of him.


    She finished her bath after an hour. She felt much better. Her eyes were also less puffy. She tried to put on concealer and eyeliner to hide their puffiness. She puts on her casual shorts and a t-shirt.


    When she got out of the bathroom, Devlin was waiting for her on her bed. He was quiet but looking intently at her face. She did not say anything to him. Her hands were shaking while holding her hairbrush. She took a deep breath so she could calm down.


    ¡°Good morning, baby.¡± She was lost in her own thoughts that she did not realize that Devlin was behind, hugging her tightly. She immediately recoiled from his touch.


    But Devlin only hugged her more tightly. ¡°Baby, can we please talk now?¡± She did not say anything but only gave her stoic face at him. He went down on his knees so they could be at eye level. Amber is still brushing her hair absent-mindedly while facing the mirror. Devlin was by her side.This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    ¡°Baby, I am so sorry that I said what I saidst night. I never meant it that way. Yes, I was tipsy when I got home. I drank with some of the guests at the party. And thest person I spoke to was Raven.¡± He paused trying to see her reaction, but nothing. So, he continued hoping that she would believe him.


    ¡°We had a friendly talk. And we had that unspoken words between us that we are happy for each other. I am happy for her that she is going to marry my brother despite my differences with him.¡± Still, no reaction from her. She was just staring at the mirror, not really looking at herself.


    ¡°Baby, it is you that I love. And I deeply regret why I said her name. But the alcohol may have just taken its effect on me.¡± He saw her smirking but still she remained quiet.


    ¡°Baby, please speak up. I want to hear your thoughts and feelings. You cansh out at me. Scream at me. I can take your anger but not your silence. You are scaring me, baby.¡± He said with his pleading voice.


    ¡°I am tired. I wanted to go back to sleep.¡± She simply said. She stood up and went toy down on her bed. She gave her back from Devlin, then covered herself with the nket.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to have some breakfast? I cooked for you.¡± He said after a while. He wanted toy down with her and hug her. To give herfort. But how? When he is the source of her pain and anger. No matter how much she tried to hide her emotions, he could see the pain in her eyes.


    ¡°I am not really hungry. I am just tired.¡± Again, her nonchnt reply made him sad. But what can he do? It was his mistake in the first ce. He was so stupid for mentioning his ex-girlfriend¡¯s name while they shared their most intimate moment together.


    After his talk with Raven, it made him feel relieved. It freed his mind and heart that he had finally moved on from Raven. Now, he could readily tell Amber that he truly loves her. But he screwed it up.


    He left her room quietly when he knew that she was not yet ready to face him. He will give her time. But he will woo her again. He knew that she had special feelings for him. And if he is not mistaken, he saw that love from her eyes for a long time now. But earlier, she was dead to the world.


    After Devlin left, Amber quietly cried on her bed. When he was talking to her, she lost all her tender feelings for him. It was reced with nothing. An empty feeling. Yes, she is angry and sad but the emptiness in her prevailed. She could not even understand what he was telling her earlier. She did not pay attention to him nor even her surroundings.


    She could not wait to get out of this penthouse. Out of his life. She still has some money with her in the bank. She wanted to start fresh somewhere. She will figure out what she will do once she gets out of here.


    She made her ns. And she knows for sure that she meant nothing to him. She is just a pawn in his game that he can decide whenever he wants to discard her. She would not let that ever happen again. He may have broken her now but she promised to herself that he will never break her again¡­

 Leaving For Good

    It has been three days since that fateful night. Amber has not spoken to Devlin about that night. She remained quiet and only answered when asked about trivial questions.


    Devlin stayed in the penthouse with her hoping that he could fix things between them. He has not reported to hispany for two days. However, he needs to go today since there is an important meeting with the shareholders. He does not want to leave Amber without even fixing the problem he created. He still regretted that every single moment.


    ¡°Baby, I need to go to the office today. When I get back, we have to talk about what happened. Please give me a chance, baby.¡± Again, she did not respond to him except to nod her head.This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    Devlin had to scratch his nape. He is getting frustrated from her continued silence. He has been trying to be patient with her. He had to because it was his fault in the first ce. Every time he remembers that moment, he just wanted to hurt himself. That was a very beautiful moment for them. But he had to screw it up with his carelessness.


    He even asked himself several times why he said what he said. If he is not stupid, then he does not know what he is. And he is getting frustrated because he can¡¯t force Amber to ept his apologies. He has to show her that he really loves her. She needs that assurance from him. And Raven was just a thing of the past.


    Amber was on the sofa, watching the TV. She did not even nce at him. Devlin only kissed her forehead before he walked away to the elevator.


    ¡°Baby, I will be right back as soon as I finish the meeting.¡± He did not wait anymore for her answer. He knows that he will only meet her silence. Her silent treatment is killing him. He rather sees her angry or sad. Or say some insulting words to him. It is like she has given up on something. She has given up whatever she feels for him. There is no emotion on her face.


    The moment Devlin left, Amber was in a flurry of actions. Now is her chance to leave the penthouse while Devlin is still away. She already nned her escape. If Devlin had not stayed for three days with her, she could have been somewhere far from him.


    She immediately took her luggage and the old clothes she brought with her. She left everything that Devlin gave her. They were neatly arranged in her closet. She already made a letter to Devlin, telling everything she thought and felt about their ¡®rtionship¡¯. She has to leave for her sanity. If she continues to be with Devlin, she would only lose herself. That is not the kind of rtionship she wants. She wants a rtionship where she would grow with the person she is with. But that is not the case between them.


    A few minutester, she was already inside the cab. Yesterday, she called Attorney Harrison if they could meet. She never told him that she is nning to leave Devlin for good.


    She stopped at a coffee shop almost close to the airport. Attorney Harrison camete but it was fine. She still has plenty of time before her flight.


    ¡°Good morning, Attorney Harrison.¡± She greeted thewyer with enthusiasm although her eyes looked sad.


    ¡°Good morning to you, Mrs. Wesley.¡± Came the smiling face of Attorney Harrison. Amber immediately called the waiter to take the order of Attorney Harrison. He only ordered a bottle of water.


    ¡°So tell me, what is wrong? You don¡¯t look fine to me.¡± Thewyer must have noticed that she is a bit agitated. She keeps looking around, afraid that Devlin would appear out of nowhere. He may have to punish her some more once he finds out what she did.


    ¡°I prepared this official letter relinquishing all the properties and finances that I inherited from Grandma Olivia. You can do whatever you want with it. I really have no wish to have those.¡± She said sadly. She could not bring herself the price she had to pay just because she was given some portions of Grandma Olivia¡¯s wealth. She regretted everything except knowing Grandma Olivia.


    ¡°I am so sorry. I know that I should not intrude in your personal life but does Devlin know about this?¡± Attorney Harrison asked gently. He saw the look on Amber¡¯s face. He saw the sorrow that she could not hide from her eyes. He saw her shaking hands. She was far from the woman he saw the first time. She was enthusiastic, fierce, smart and beautiful. She lost that glow in her eyes. He wondered what happened between her and Devlin.


    ¡°If I could be of any help to you, please tell me.¡± He wanted to console her since she really looks lost.


    ¡®Whatever happened to her, it must be really bad.¡¯ Attorney Lawson thought to himself.


    ¡°Thank you so much, Attorney Harrison. Your presence is enough. And by the way, there is one thing I would like to request from you.¡± She said, pausing to look at Attorney Harrison. She is not sure if she is doing the right thing. It did not cross her mind until she met Attorney Harrison.


    ¡°What is it?¡± He asked, prodding her to tell him more. She looked hesitant.


    ¡°Uhmmm¡­ I would like to file a divorce. Could you please help me?¡± She said anxiously while waiting for any reaction from Attorney Harrison. But it didn¡¯te.


    ¡°I will see what I can do about that. But you have to understand that the moment you file a divorce, it could get messy. Let¡¯s hope that Devlin would not contest it. Otherwise, your divorce will be granted quickly.¡± He paused for a bit then continued.


    ¡°Are you sure about all your decisions? You know that Mr. Wesley is not an easy person to deal with.¡± She understood his warning but there is no other way to go.


    ¡°I have never been this certain. I will keep in touch with you, Attorney Harrison.¡± She said while already calling the waiter for the bill.


    ¡°Where are you going?¡± Thewyer could not help but ask the distraught woman in front of him.


    ¡°Home.¡± She simply said and smiled genuinely for the first time after a few days of exhaustive crying.


    ¡°Very well. I wish you all the best, Ms. Adams. Let¡¯s keep in touch.¡± Thewyer did not ask her further for information.


    ¡°Thank you so much, Attorney Harrison. You don¡¯t know it but your presence today means a lot to me.¡± She said gratefully. She knows in her heart that she could trust the old man. He has been Grandma Olivia¡¯s confidante for years.


    They separated ways. Thewyer went back to his office, informing her that he will update her about the filing for her divorce.


    At the airport, she checked her phone but she only got some messages from Devlin. She decided to shut down her phone before he will find out that she is not in the penthouse.


    An hourter, she was already inside the ne bound to California. She can¡¯t wait to be with her grandma. A smile of relief crossed her face. She made the wise decision to leave before she wouldpletely destroy herself. She is not scared of Devlin anymore. She can finally let go of everything that she has been holding in her chest these past few days. She will be better. And if ever they cross paths again in the future, she will be a changed person. Far from the naive, foolish woman that she is now. And she vows that she will never stoop low for any man¡¯s love again.

 Getting His Attention

    Meanwhile, Devlin was so busy in hispany. He just finished a very important meeting with his shareholders. He was even surprised to see that Fiona Ross was in the meeting. She has never attended any meeting for the shareholders simply because she is not a shareholder in hispany. He found outter on that one of his shareholders is a distant rtive to the Ross¡¯ family. She came to represent the shareholder who was on a business trip.


    What he didn¡¯t know was that Fiona convinced that distant rtive toe on behalf of him. She wanted to have an excuse to see Devlin again. Although, she can readilye to his office. However, she wanted to appear like she was not chasing him.


    After the meeting, she went to see Devlin in his office. She really wanted to have him in any way possible.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.


    ¡°Hey Mr. Wesley, how are you doing? You left mest time.¡± She said, while pouting. She is wearing a ck tight pencil skirt and a white sleeveless shirt that shows a deep cleavage. She added a ck zer to appear formal for the meeting earlier. But once she got inside Devlin¡¯s office, she removed her zer.


    ¡°I am all good. I am really busy right now. Is there anything you want?¡± He said seriously while checking hisptop for any email messages.


    Fiona is annoyed that he could just ignore her presence easily.


    ¡°Well, I came here for you because I would like to invite you for lunch. I was grateful for what you did to me at the party although you left without informing me.¡± She got closer to Devlin who was still in his swivel chair. Her cleavage was showing off, just eye level to where Devlin was seated.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to thank me. I mean anyone would do what I did, especially that it was my fault that you got the sprain.¡±


    ¡°I just thought that we could spend more time together. You know, just like the old times.¡± Fiona could not really stop her mouth. She got even closer¡­ to Devlin¡¯s annoyance.


    ¡°What are you doing, Ms. Ross? I am about to leave. This is not a time to chitchat.¡± He said those words to dismiss her. But Fiona was quite persistent.


    ¡°I just want your time. It¡¯s been a while since west went out.¡± She continued bbering but Devlin was already at the end of his patience.


    ¡°Ms. Ross, I don¡¯t do those things anymore. I am a married man now.¡± Fiona gasped in surprise when she heard what he just said.


    ¡°Say that again? You are married? To whom? You must be bluffing. It¡¯s Dalton who is engaged to your ex.¡± She said whileughing almost hysterically.


    ¡°You can¡¯t be serious, right?¡± She asked after he stayed quiet.


    ¡°Yes, I am very serious. I am already married.¡± He does not really want to tell her but she is starting to annoy him. He does not want to give her any mixed signals just because he was being nice to her at the party.


    ¡°Oh alright¡­ that¡¯s big news! So, who is the lucky woman? Don¡¯t tell me it¡¯s Amber. The woman you were with at the party.¡± Then, she realized something. She remembered what happened in the restroom. Devlin¡¯s mom confronted Amber to leave her son alone. So, his family is not in favor of their marriage.


    Even if he is already married, she can still find ways to get him for herself. She knows that sooner orter, he is going to be hers. That Amber, whoever she is, can go back to where she belongs.


    ¡°If you are married, howe no one knows about it? The media would definitely pick up whatever news about you. You are a celebrity.¡± She eximed. Aside from admiring Devlin, she also loves the attention that she could get when she is with Devlin.


    She remembered when they went out for a few dates before. She had to tip the media about those dates. Devlin wanted to keep things private with his personal affairs. However, she does not want to be kept private. She is too famous and rich not to be paraded in front of the public. Every man should be proud to be with her except Devlin. She knew that Devlin only went on those few dates with her because she kept bugging him. He may have thought that once he would give in to her wish, she would grow tired of him. However, among all the men that she went out with, it was Devlin whom she really wanted to be with. Perhaps, her intense attraction towards him could have been transformed into something more special. It could be love. She has never wanted any man before except Devlin Wesley.


    ¡®Soon, you wille knocking at my door.¡¯ She feltforted with that thought.


    She is looking at Devlin now who is just busy with his phone. He is simply ignoring her.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t we celebrate your marriage? I mean, I¡¯ve met Amber but it was only for a few chitchats. She immediately left that night. I hope she is fine though.¡± She said carelessly. It was toote for her to realize that she gave too much information.


    ¡°What do you mean? Were you with her that night? She was in the restroom when I found her. And I think I saw youing out from the restroom.¡± He looked at her with curiosity.


    ¡°Did you talk to her? Did you say anything that would make her feel bad or upset?¡± He asked further. Now, his voice started to go up.


    ¡°Easy. Take it easy.¡± She chuckled while looking at his upset face.


    ¡°We talked for a bit. I was just admiring her look. That¡¯s all.¡± She lied. She does not want to tell him about his mother¡¯s harsh words towards Amber. In fact, she could use his mom so she can get closer to him.


    ¡°You better not lie about that. I already caught you lying.¡± Fiona was surprised to hear what he just said.


    ¡°What do you mean by that? I didn¡¯t lie to you.¡± For sure, Amber would never tell him anything. She did not do anything to her that night except taunted her a little after her mother-inw left.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you tell me that night that you just arrived at the time I bumped into you? Or did I really bump into you? Or it¡¯s the other way around.¡± Devlin looked at her with a grimmed face. Sheughed so loud at what he just said.


    ¡°That¡¯s the funniest thing I have ever heard. I did not know that you have wild imaginations. But I am sorry to burst your bubble, I did not bump into you as you are trying to insinuate. That area was a bit dark. You know that.¡± She lied. She dide earlier. And she saw when both Devlin and Amber arrived. She just stayed with some friends in the corner. Then, she saw Amber going to the restroom until she asked Devlin to go home alone. She followed them and devised a n that would look like that he bumped into her. She just wanted him to feel indebted to her. And her n worked. He spent time with her to help with her swollen foot. However, she got disappointed at the end when she could not find him anymore. It was Dalton who told her that Devlin left.


    ¡°Anyway, what are you doing here? I don¡¯t want to waste my time on unnecessary talks. Just leave.¡± He immediately dismissed her.


    Fiona was seething with anger. How dare he dismiss her so readily. She will not stop until she gets what she wants. She left his office without saying anything. Devlin only shook his head. He has known Fiona Ross for a while even back in highschool. She is a spoiled brat.


    He was working for hours that he did not realize the time. If his secretary did not check on him, he would not notice that it is past lunch time. He stretched his body after a long day of work. That was a lot of paperwork that he had to check thoroughly. He checked his phone but there was no reply from Amber. He tried calling her but her phone could not be reached. He hopes she is fine. He really wants to talk to her after hees back from work.


    Devlin was driving and stopped at a nearby flower shop. He wanted to buy flowers for his wife. He knows that she loves flowers a lot. He hopes that it could make her feel better. And he is hopeful that she would finally speak to him. He misses her a lot.


    As he enters his penthouse, he feels something is strange. The house is unusually quiet. At this time, he could already smell something from the kitchen. It¡¯s either Amber is cooking for their dinner or baking something. Or like what she used to do for three days, she was just watching some shows on the TV.


    He went to check in her bedroom. Maybe she is sleeping. However, her bed is neatly made. He checked her bathroom, it was empty. Everything is in its ce. He checked every room in the penthouse. He went to the pool area but she was not there. Suddenly, his heart started beating faster. Did she just leave him? No, that can¡¯t be. Amber would never do that. If she wanted to leave him, she could have just left the next day after that night. Probably, she went out to do her grocery shopping. He called Jackson but found out that Amber never contacted him. He immediately went to check her closet. She still has all her clothes. He did not notice the letter that she left behind  on the vanity table¡­

 Back Home

    Devlin was sitting on Amber¡¯s bed, hands on his face. He could not understand where she would go at this time. He has been waiting for more than an hour for her since he came back home. Worst of all, he could not contact her phone.


    He grabbed one of her pillows and just smelled it. He is afraid to think about what she might have done. He specifically told her early in the morning that he wants them to talk tonight. He stood up and checked her closet for anything. He could not find anything in there. Then, he noticed the folded paper on top of the vanity table. He did not notice it earlier. He immediately opened it.


    I have to leave before I lose my sanity. I can¡¯t be with you anymore. Whatever you have to say, just save it please. It will not fix whatever pains your words have brought me. Even your actions proved that I was just a pastime. Someone that you could use and discard after readily. By the way, I gave everything that I got from Grandma Olivia. You can take care of that with Attorney Harrison. And finally, save yourself some energy. I am filing for a divorce. It is for the best.This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    He had to reread her letter to digest what she was saying there. He could not believe that she left him. He took his phone and tried calling her but he could still not contact her. He called her grandmother¡¯s number but it only kept ringing until he could not contact it anymore. He threw his phone on the bed out of frustration.


    She must be home right now at her marmee¡¯s farm. He wanted to fly there to get her. But what good will it do? Isn¡¯t it that she just ran away from him? Because she couldn¡¯t bear to be with him anymore. She could not stand to hear his exnations. She did not even give him a chance.


    This must be his punishment for hurting her several times. For insulting her. For using her. For so many things¡­


    A few minutes into his own thoughts, his phone started ringing. He immediately grabbed his phone thinking that it could be Amber. He was disappointed to see that it was Attorney Harrison.


    ¡°Hello Attorney Harrison.¡± He greeted him with frustration and sadness in his voice.


    ¡°Hello, Mr. Wesley. I hope I have not interrupted you from whatever you are doing.¡± Attorney Harrison said politely.


    ¡°No problem, Attorney Harrison. So tell me.¡± Devlin already had an idea why thewyer called. Attorney Harrison cleared his throat before he continued.


    ¡°Well, I called because of Ms. Amber Adams. She asked me to meet her earlier. At first, I did not know that she was leaving. We met at a coffee shop. She gave me an official letter denouncing her inheritance from your grandmother. And, she also asked me to help her with your divorce.¡± There was a long silence from Devlin¡¯s end that thewyer had to call his name many times.


    ¡°So, she really did what she had wanted in the first ce. Now what? You know that I don¡¯t really care about grandma¡¯s wealth. However, it is something that I highly value since those were the results of my grandparents¡¯bor for years. You do what is best, Attorney Harrison.¡± He said with a serious tone.


    ¡°I understand, Mr. Wesley. Anyway, I have a question regarding your marriage. It does not appear in the registry office. Why is that? Was that a fake wedding, Mr. Wesley?¡± Attorney Harrison did not mince with words. He was straight to the point.


    Devlin had to pinch the bridge of his nose. They are starting to hurt¡­ going to his eyes and head. He must be having some migraines.


    ¡°There was a wedding. It was not fake. However, I had to ask the judge who officiated our wedding to dy the filing of our marriage certificate.¡± That¡¯s another problem that he had to solve immediately.


    ¡°Why is that? I don¡¯t understand.¡± Attorney Harrison wanted to know everything before he could proceed with the legal aspect. He needs to inform Ms. Adams as well since she entrusted everything to him.


    ¡°Ever since I brought Amber to that business dinner, the media¡¯s eyes were on her. It was my fault in the first ce. Then, I found out that she was being followed by some of them. And that day during the wedding, we were even followed by those reporters hungry for some gossip news. I decided to dy the filing of the marriage certificate to protect her. And when I called the judgeter on, he was on a business trip. I did not want his assistant to do the filing. I still want everything to be discreet simply because I wanted to protect my wife.¡± He finished his long exnation.


    ¡°Alright, now I understand what exactly happened. So, what are you going to do now, Devlin?¡± Attorney Harrison used his name. That means he is talking to him not as awyer now but as a family friend.


    ¡°Our marriage is not fake. And I don¡¯t want a divorce from my wife. I don¡¯t know how much she told you but I am not going to give her up.¡± He said, trying to assure himself.


    ¡°I hope you can resolve your personal issues together. Looks like you have a huge change of heart after the wedding.¡± Attorney Harrisonmented which made Devlin smile bitterly.


    He was right. Amber changed him. And whatever it takes, he is going to get back his wife.


    Meanwhile, Amber is back home in her marmee¡¯s farm. The moment she arrived, she could not stop herself from hugging her marmee so tight. She was in the backyard talking to some of their workers.


    ¡°Amber! You are here. You almost gave me a heart attack.¡± She said while holding her chest. Mrs. Mills came just in time to give her a ss of water.


    ¡°I am so sorry marmee. I should never have done that. I just miss you so much. Are you fine now, marmee?¡± She said with a worried voice. She castigated herself for not thinking of what she just did. She could have made her grandmother more sick.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about me, my child. I am still stronger than you thought.¡± They both smiled together with teary eyes. They both hugged each other tightly.


    ¡°So, why didn¡¯t you call me when you wereing home? Are you alone? Where is Devlin? I thought he wasing with you.¡± Her marmee bombarded her with so many questions.


    While she was on the ne, she was thinking how she was going to exin to her grandmother what happened. She has been lying to her ever since she arrived in Seattle. What will her grandmother feel from all her lies? And she doesn¡¯t want her to get more sick if she learns the whole truth. She resolved to only inform her some parts of what happened.


    ¡°Uhmmm¡­marmee, could we please have something to eat before I tell you everything?¡± She is actually starving. She arrived in Seattle after lunch. She only had that coffee and sandwich during breakfast. And that was around 8 am.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go to the kitchen. We still have plenty of food.¡± She immediately called Mrs. Mills to heat up all the left-over food.


    ¡°Do you want to eat something else? I can cook your favorite food.¡± Amber only shook her head.


    ¡°These are all good, marmee. I am already hungry.¡± She actually ate a lot. Aside from starving, she also missed the food on the farm. A slight burp escaped her throat after she finished eating. Her grandmother only smiled at her.


    ¡°Amber, looks like your fiance¡¯ did not take good care of you.¡± Marmee meant it as a joke but she saw Amber¡¯s eyes started to well up.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong, my child? I am so sorry. I only meant it as a joke. I hope you could tell me what exactly happened. I will always understand, no matter what.¡± Upon hearing what her marmee said, she burst into tears. She was just sobbing hysterically. It took her a little while before she calmed down.


    ¡°Are you feeling much better?¡± Amber slightly nodded. She needed to tell her grandmother. She will always understand no matter what.


    ¡°Now, tell me what exactly happened?¡± Her marmee¡¯s serious voice made her confess almost everything.

 Regrets

    ¡°I am so sorry, marmee.¡± She has been crying endlessly since she told her grandmother as to what happened between her and Devlin. She told her everything except that night when Devlin mentioned someone else¡¯s name during theirst fiery moment. It is something that she does not have the courage to tell her grandmother. She would definitely break down in front of her.This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    ¡°I am sorry, my child. I hope you told me everything sooner so you could spare yourself from the heartaches. I know that you love him so much.¡± She paused, pain and disappointment could be seen on her marmee¡¯s face before she took a deep breath.


    ¡°I wish it could have happened in a different way. I met Devlin and he seemed to be a nice, young man. I think I was wrong about him then. I saw him as a genuinely caring grandson to his grandmother. He was also nice to everyone here including the workers. And when you told everything that happened, I could not help but regret that I entrusted you to him.¡± Amber cried harder. Her marmee hugged her tightly.


    ¡°Shush now. It will not do you any good crying yourself to exhaustion. Please try to go to sleep. You need it.¡± Mrs. Mills came with a ss of water. Her marmee helped her to her room.


    ¡°Sleep, my child.¡± She heard her marmee¡¯s gentle voice from a distance. Sleep consumed her quickly the moment sheid down on her bed.


    Amber¡¯s grandmother immediately checked her phone. She left it on her bedside table earlier since she got busy making lunch with Mrs. Mills for the workers.


    She saw her phone was off. She needed to contact Devlin as soon as possible. She rarely makes mistakes with people. She can detect whether a person is genuinely nice or not. And she found Devlin to be a nice man. She could not believe that she may be wrong about what she thought of him.


    She med herself for fully entrusting Amber to Devlin. She thought that they had something special going on between them. And she was too happy to notice that something was off. Now, she realized all the talks she had with Amber. She did not share that much about her time with Devlin. She only talked more about what she did with her day.


    And she felt disappointed and upset that the two married in haste. They never informed her. Based on Amber¡¯s narration, she was forced into marrying him. Yes, Olivia set up the wedding for them. But still, Amber wanted out. Then, she found out about the inheritance that Amber got from Olivia. She may have understood the reaction of Devlin. However, that does not give him any right to insult nor hurt her granddaughter.


    She mes herself. She remembered when she had a talk with Olivia. She badly wanted her grandson to marry Amber. She personally likes Amber for Devlin. Amelia did tell her friend not to go on with their wish anymore. Her suggestion was to make them meet. And it would be up to their grandkids to figure out what they could be in the future. However, with their meddling, Amber is hurt.


    ¡®Olivia what have we done? It pains me to see my little Amber suffering her first heartache. She is so devastated.¡¯


    Suddenly, her phone started ringing. It was from an unregistered number but she has a feeling that it is that boy. She took a deep breath before answering the call.


    ¡°Hello, ma¨Cmarmee.¡± Devlin¡¯s voice cracked slightly. He has been calling for Amber and her grandmother since he found out that Amber left.


    ¡°He¨Chello.¡± He said again because marmee was quiet from the other line.


    ¡°Yes, Mr. Wesley.¡± Amelia¡¯s voice sounded firm and serious. She wanted to hear Devlin¡¯s side of the story.


    ¡°I- I am so sorry. I know I made some huge mistakes towards your granddaughter but please believe me, I truly love her.¡± He said with a defeated voice.


    ¡°How can you say that you love my granddaughter? She would not be here crying hysterically.¡± She started to get teary-eyed. Remembering her granddaughter¡¯s face earlier really pained her.


    ¡°Forgive me for not seeing her worth immediately. I regretted everything. All I want right now is to have Amber back in my life.¡± He said sincerely.


    ¡°Why are you telling me all of these? You should ask forgiveness from my granddaughter.¡± She said calmly.


    ¡°I have been trying to call her ever since I found out that she le¨Cleft me.¡±


    ¡°She has been sleeping right after I had a talk with her. Just give her time. I will tell her that you called. Whatever her decision, you should respect that.¡± She said with a warning. Amber may have something else in mind. And she would never interfere this time.


    After the call, Devlin went to get a hard drink. He just wanted to forget the pain. He med himself for everything. He still could not forget why he suddenly blurted out Raven¡¯s name. He had already moved on from her. And that conversation with Raven during her engagement party, made him feel relieved. Relief that he is free. That he has no more romantic feelings for her.


    He drowned himself with alcohol. When Amber left, emptiness overtook his whole being. There is no one to me but him. However, a part of him wished that Amber could have stayed and listened to his exnation. She never gave him a chance. Still, he can¡¯t me her. She took everything from him¡­ his insults, his usations, and his foolishness. He is the greatest fool.


    Heughed to himself. His parents are right about him. He is a big failure. He couldn¡¯t even keep a woman in his life. First, he lost Raven. Then, Amber who is now also gone from his life.


    An incessant ringing from Devlin¡¯s phone woke him up. He did not realize that he fell asleep on the floor next to the couch. He was too drunk to even move to his room. He saw all the empty bottles he consumedst night.


    He answered the call. It was his secretary. He told his secretary to cancel all his meetings today. He would fly to California to personally talk to Amber. His head hurts so bad. He took some pain reliever. Then, proceed to take a quick shower.


    He called Jackson to drive him to the airport. His private ne was already waiting for him. Four hourster, he was in front of Grandma Amelia¡¯s farm. He took a deep breath hoping that Amber would let him exin this time.


    He rang the doorbell. It was Mrs. Mills who came out to check. She remembered him and opened the door for him. Devlin followed inside. He was left in the living room.


    It did not take long for him to wait. Amber¡¯s grandmother came out. She was surprised to see him but she greeted him politely.


    ¡°Amber has been hiding in her room. She onlyes out when she gets hungry. She only came out once when she came back here.¡± She said with sadness.


    ¡°I am so sorry, marmee. I wanted to personally ask for her forgiveness and exin to her what happened.¡± He thinks Amber did not tell her grandmother what happened that night between them. If she did, marmee would never ept him in her house.


    ¡°Alright, let me just talk to her.¡± She left to check on Amber in her room.


    The moment she opened the door, she saw Amberying down. She must be in deep thought for her not to notice her grandmother.


    ¡°My child, how are you feeling? I wish I could relieve you from all the pains you are feeling.¡± Amber did not respond at all to her grandmother but only smiled at her.


    ¡°By the way, you have a visitor. I hope you can see him so you can fix yourself.¡± Her grandmother said gently. This time Amber shook her head vigorously.


    ¡°Amber, I know that I am also to be med for whatever happened to you. But I hope you could talk to him. Hear him out. You can decideter on what you want to do with your life. Don¡¯t just run away and leave things unsettled between you. It will haunt you for the rest of your life.¡± Her grandmother made sense. Although she already made her decision, she still needed to hear him out for a proper closure between them¡­

 A New Beginning

    5 yearster¡­


    Amber has justnded from her three day business trip. She attended several business meetings and conferences overseas. She could have gone to her condo unit to rest. But she was still all too fired up to keep working. She doesn¡¯t even mind having jetg.


    She is on her way to her office. She checks her wristwatch and it is 3 pm local time. She still has time to check things in thepany.


    ¡°Good afternoon ma¡¯am. How was your trip?¡± Asked Abby the moment she saw Amber getting out of the elevator. She only nodded instead of answering her. She immediately went straight to her office. Abby trailed behind her.


    ¡°Abby, why don¡¯t you fill me in with what happened these past three days?¡± Abby¡¯s face turns from cheerfulness to being serious. She has been Amber¡¯s secretary since she started herpany. She knows too well how Amber works.


    ¡°We had a meeting with Ms. Shermanst Wednesday. She finalized and signed her orders. Then, the production department made deliveries of our finished products for our new orders. The items are now in the warehouse. I already scheduled your ocr inspection which is subject to your approval of course.¡± Abby said continuously. Amber did not interrupt her. She was trying to mentally take note of what¡¯s going on with thepany while she was away for a few days. Amber is very hands-on with everything.


    ¡°Then, Mr. Jacobs had a meeting with us yesterday. He wanted to try ourtest products. I already arranged your meeting with him.¡± Abby said while closing her notes.


    ¡°Is that all?¡± Amber is now busy signing some papers on her table while listening to her secretary.


    ¡°Yes ma¡¯am.¡± Abby said, waiting for what her boss is about to say.


    ¡°Alright, I want you to forward to the production department all of Ms. Sherman¡¯s orders. Please take good care of her. She is one of our loyal customers.¡± Amber said with amanding voice.


    ¡°For the ocr inspection, what day did you set it?¡± Abby  told Amber the date and she approved immediately. It is better to check their products as soon as possible than dy it. Amber wants to give the best quality products to their customers.


    ¡°Also, I would like you to arrange a general meeting with our staff. I would like to know their work progress. Also, set me a schedule to visit our manufacturing site.¡± Abby only nodded at her.


    ¡°Yes ma¡¯am. I will do that. I already sent through your email all your uing meetings. I also included the minutes of the meeting with our two clients.¡± Amber only nodded at Abby. She is very efficient with her job. Amber is grateful to have her.


    ¡°Thank you so much, Abby.¡± She finally smiled at her.


    ¡°By the way, this is for you.¡± Amber handed her a paper bag. She got it for Abby from her business trip in Paris. She gave her secretary a purse from a famous brand. She saw Abby smiling brightly when she saw what was inside the paper bag.


    ¡°Thank you so much, ma¡¯am. I would never be able to buy this kind of purse.¡± She said gratefully. Amber only smiled at her. Well, she deserves it. Abby made her job easier for her. Besides, she is the only person she could fully trust with herpany.


    She left a few minutester and Amber was left all alone in her huge office. She stood up to look from her walled ss. She saw all the skyscrapers around her. Who would have thought she would reach this sess? Five years ago, she was a nobody who just graduated from college. Who met the man whom she thought would be the love of her life.


    Five years ago¡­ She would never forget that day when Devlin came to their farm. He wanted to apologize and exin.


    ¡°Baby¡­¡± Devlin saw her flinching when he touched her hand.


    ¡°Baby, I am so sorry. I know words are not enough to apologize for what I did that night. I never meant to say her name for any special reason.¡± Amber was quiet, not even looking at him. She just made a fist, trying her best not to break down.


    ¡°Before I left the party, I had a talk with Raven. It was a very casual talk between friends. We were able to openly talk about each other¡¯s rtionships. I was truly happy for her. I was certain at that time what I truly felt towards you.¡± He said, pausing to make sure Amber was listening to every word he said.


    ¡°You see, I have never been more certain about anything in life than my feelings towards you. Baby, forgive me. You are the one that I love. I have moved on from her. I truly do.¡± He exined further, hoping he made sense to Amber.


    ¡°Please baby,e back home to me. When you left, I felt so empty. That¡¯s why I am here to fix what I did.¡± He said with his pleading voice.


    It took Amber a while to finally say what she wanted to tell him. She wanted to believe his words but she already made up her mind. And she can¡¯t easily forget what happened.


    ¡°Devlin, I am sorry but I could not do what you want. If Ie with you right now, I don¡¯t think it would fix our problem. I am still hurt. And I don¡¯t trust you anymore. I forgave you for all the insults that you said before. For using me to get Raven. For thinking that I was after your grandma¡¯s money. For simply thinking the worst of me.¡± She paused since her tears were threatening to fall. She had to close her eyes tightly.


    ¡°I don¡¯t just take your words, Devlin. And whatever we had, it was only short lived. We didn¡¯t have a good start. During the entire time we were together, it was filled with issues. I want to go far away from you. I want to build something for myself. Call me dramatic but what you said that night really hurt me as a woman. And I hope you will respect my decision. Please don¡¯t bother me anymore.¡± She said with finality. She did not want to beat around the bush and gave him some mixed signals.


    Her decision is not easy. In her heart, she wanted to take him back. To ept his apologies and start fresh. However, her mind contradicts her heart. She needs to build what she lost. She needs to heal far away from him. She can¡¯t face him every single day without the thought of doubting him. If she follows what he wants, then for sure they still won¡¯t make it.


    ¡°And I want a divorce.¡± Devlin was devastated when he finally heard from her what she wanted.


    ¡°Why? I can give you space for as long as you want but I don¡¯t want any divorce. I let you do what you want but one day, I am going to take you back with me. And when that timees, you are never going to be out of my sight again.¡± His intense look unnerved her. It brought chills to her spine.


    That day Devlin let her go because that was what she wanted. Or is it? She never heard from him after that, at least not in person. She only knew about him from the news. And it has been five years. She had already be very sessful with herpany.Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    A few weeks after Devlin left, Amber was contacted by a cosmeticpany. The job they offer for her is in the sales marketing of their main branch which is in New York. She epted the job offer two monthster. Her grandmother was sad when she decided to go to New York but eventually let her go to work there. ording to her marmee, she is not going to stop her from what she wants to do in life. But made her promise toe visit her whenever she can. She never failed that promise.


    She worked in thepany for a year until an idea came to her mind. She learned that some of their customers inquire about manufacturing some cosmetic products for them and they will just put abel with theirpany.


    She resigned from her job. With the amount of money she got from her father, she was able to start her own make-up products made from organic materials. She studied and did extensive research. She started her business right from her small rented apartment. She contacted those customers from before and gave them some sample products. Less than a yearter, it was a huge sess for her. From there, she started hiring some staff. Then, Abby came as her personal assistant. She hired expert chemists to expand her product lines. In four years time, she has expanded her business from make-up to skin care and hair care.


    Everything is going well for her and she is grateful for that. However, sadness and regret would overtake her mind and heart when she still remembers that past that she tried hard to forget. It left a scar on her that she would bring for the rest of her life.

 Meeting Him Again

    Why would she think of Devlin now? He is from her past that she thought she already forgot. Last time she heard about him, he was on the television with Fiona Ross. They were together during a ribbon cutting of one of the Ross¡¯ group ofpanies.


    He has moved on from her as much as she has also moved on from him. They both have separate lives now. He has expanded hispany through the years. While she is also sessful with her ownpany. There is nothing to worry that they would cross paths again.


    That¡¯s what she thought. Amber was driving back to her condo unit when she decided at thest minute to go dine out in a restaurant. Her n was to order food from her ce. However, she wanted to distract her mind from any unnecessary thoughts of Devlin Wesley.


    She parked her car at an Italian restaurant where she is a regr customer. She is hoping that they would have a vacant table for her especially since it is Friday night. They are going to be really full of diners tonight. She silently castigated herself for herst minute decision.


    ¡°Ms. Adams, good evening. This way please, ma¡¯am. I am sorry but you have to wait for about fifteen minutes before a table is avable for you.¡± Said the familiar receptionist at the entrance of the restaurant. Amber knows her and she only nodded her head. Fifteen minutes is fine with her to pass her time.


    ¡°Ma¡¯am, if you like, we can take your order now while waiting here. Are you dining alone ma¡¯am?¡± The friendly voice of the receptionist is really weing. She even offered Amber a drink which she dly epted. She handed her the menu but she does not really need it. She knows very well what she would order from the restaurant. She usuallyes to the restaurant almost every weekend. She even invites her clients and business investors for a luncheon or dinner meeting in this restaurant.


    Amber was about to take her order when someone caught her attention from the entrance at the main door.


    She could only see his side view since he was talking to someone but her heart suddenly beat faster when she was staring at him. He seemed very familiar. She gasped out loud when she finally saw his face. He was walking towards her without breaking eye contact. He had that smirked on his face. His face did not even show that he was surprised to see her.


    ¡°Amber Adams or should I say Amber Wesley¡­ so we finally met again.¡± Devlin¡¯s baritone brought a chill to her entire being. She was glued to her spot. She tried not to panic. She was trying to distract herself from thinking of him. Now, the devil himself is in front of her, smirking at her. He seems to be enjoying her uneasiness.


    ¡®So stupid of me toe here in the first ce. Now what?¡¯ Amber groaned inwardly. She closed her eyes for a few moments trying to calm herself. She looked at Devlin¡¯s deep green eyes. For a few seconds, she saw sadness in his eyes before he tried to mask it with his usual nk expression.


    He has changed slightly. He still has that well-toned body but he lost some weight. What has happened to him? She heard from the news recently that he is facing new issues in hispany. She remembered five years ago that he was also embroiled in a series of serious problems.


    ¡°Small world, Mr. Wesley.¡± Amber finally gets to open her mouth with a calm demeanor. However, deep inside her, she is panicking still. Why of all the ces he would appear in this ce?! Besides, what is he doing here in New York? This is the other side from Seattle.


    ¡®Well, he is a businessman, you know.¡¯ Her mind answered her.


    ¡°Indeed it is, Mrs. Wesley.¡± He is smiling sarcastically at her. She hates how he could loosely call her Mrs. Wesley. She wanted to erase that sarcastic smile from his face. Who does he think that he could just make fun of her? Some habits really never die.


    He looks around the waiting area. There is a family of four at a corner. Then, Amber.


    ¡°I see that you are alone. Join me for dinner.¡± Devlin casually said. He didn¡¯t ask her. He simply ordered.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.


    ¡®What the hell!¡¯ There were so many curse words running in her head but she was too stunned to even open her mouth.


    Amber¡¯s mouth literally opened when he said that. She looked behind him and there were two men just a meter away from him. They must be his bodyguards. She remembered that she never saw him with bodyguards before. There was Jackson who ran some errands for him. He was like his assistant sh bodyguard.


    ¡°No, I am not alone. I am waiting for someone.¡± She lied. She is d that she regained herposure. Devlin Wesley spells danger. Seeing him right now definitely shook her senses. He is thest person she would want to cross paths with.


    ¡°So, you are still good at lying, huh? But I know you so well that I just don¡¯t take your words readily.¡± He said meaningfully.


    Pained quickly crossed her face but she hid it immediately. She is not going to let his words provoke her. She will not be this sessful if she doesn¡¯t know how to handle people like him. Controlling, maniptive, ruthless¡­


    Suddenly her phone started ringing. She felt instant relief when she saw who was calling.


    ¡°Excuse me, I¡¯ll just have to take this call,¡± Amber said without thinking. She immediately left him without looking back. The moment she got out of the restaurant, she took a deep sigh of relief. That was close.


    It was only her secretary Abby who called. Usually, she does not call after office hours unless they have ns to go outside to have dinner together or to unwind at the bar which rarely happens. So, without Abby knowing, she actually saved her from Devlin.


    She answered her call while she was inside the car. Turns out that Abby only asked her briefly about work. The call onlysted for a minute. She was grateful to Abby for saving her at that crucial moment. Otherwise, she would still be in Devlin¡¯spany right now trying to devise a n to get away from him.


    Her stomach started to grumble. She is really hungry by now. She mes Devlin for appearing out of nowhere. She just wanted to have a peaceful dinner by herself. She ended up ordering from a drive-thru of a fast food store. She drove to her condo while lost in her thoughts.


    Now, Devlin is in the city, there is a high chance that they might see each other again. She will not allow that to happen. She has lived peacefully by herself for five years.


    She went to check her schedule for this week. Thankfully, there was no appointment for any business conventions. She just took it as a mere coincidence that they met in that restaurant. People from high society frequently visit that Italian restaurant. So, there is no question that Devlin would also go there. She should stop overthinking about him.


    ¡®So what if they met again?¡¯ She has been rehearsing a million times how she is going to conduct herself if ever she would meet him again. And after five long years, she finally met the man who hurt her. She was speechless and shocked for a while during their encounter earlier. But next time, she should not put her guard down.


    She thought that with her sess from herpany, she would finally forget about him. She made herself busy and focused on herself and work so she could move on quickly. She thought she did but there were times that Devlin would still visit her in her dreams. Who is she kidding? She still thinks of him whenever she is alone and lonely. There were even times that she would wake up crying.


    She must admit that she never entertained any suitors because of her experience with Devlin. She thought all men could not be trusted. That they would use you for their personal gains. She could not count how many suitors she had turned down over thest five years. Is it really her experience with Devlin that is holding her back or the man himself?

 Her Big Success

    The next day, she had some dark circles below her eyes. She did not sleep wellst night. She kept moving on her bed. And when she thought she was asleep, she felt that her mind was busy thinking. She woke up tired and still sleepy. If it wasn¡¯t for the continuous ringing of her phone she would not want to get up today. It is the weekend. It is her time to rx.


    She reached for her phone to check who was calling. It¡¯s her friend, Jillian.


    ¡°Hello, Jillian?¡± Amber answered her friend.


    ¡°Hello, Amber! I heard you are back. You never even called me when you arrived at the airport. I could have picked you up. And, you even went to your office to work yesterday! Unbelievable!¡± She eximed. Amber had to put her phone away since Jillian¡¯s shrieking voice hurt her ears.


    ¡°Calm down.¡± Amber softly chuckled.


    ¡°You know how very hands-on I am with my work.¡± She said while moving to sit on her bed. Her friend, Jillian, alwaysins about her hectic schedule.


    ¡°Why did you call anyway? It is still early.¡± Amber said while stretchingzily.


    ¡°What do you mean early? Did you check the time?¡± Amber immediately checked her phone and it was past 10.


    She could not believe that she had slept that long. Even if it is the weekend, she always wakes up early. When she sleeps in, she usually wakes up around 8 am. She did not even realize what time she went to sleepst night.


    ¡°I slept in. I didn¡¯t really sleep wellst night.¡± Amber said while yawning. She really would like to go back to bed right now.


    ¡°Are you excited about your award then?¡± Jillian blurted out which made Amber confused.


    ¡°What award are you talking about?¡± Amber asked. She has no idea what Jillian is talking about.


    ¡°Great! Seems like you didn¡¯t know anything.¡± Jillianughed from the other line.


    ¡°Let me be the first one to congratte you, then.¡± Her friend said excitedly. It made her all the more curious.


    ¡°For what? I really have no idea what you are talking about.¡± Amber sounds impatient right now. She didn¡¯t sleep well and her friend kept talking in riddles.


    ¡°Congrattions on bagging two awards this year. You got the Best Entrepreneur Award and Company of the Year.¡± Jillian said excitedly.


    It took Amber a few moments to understand what her friend was talking about.


    ¡°Are you serious? You know I am not in the mood for your jokes.¡± Amber said with a warning. She has been nominated for the said Entrepreneur award for three consecutive years now.


    ¡°Of course I am not joking! You finally made it this year plus a big bonus. Yourpany is also given an award. I am so proud of you, Amber.¡± Amber was tearing up while smiling. She couldn¡¯t believe that all her hard work paid off.


    ¡°And by the way, I just found out in the news and mom told mest night.¡± Jillian added.


    She became friends with Jillian when she arrived in New York. She met Jillian through her mom who was one of their first customers in herpany. From then on, they became inseparable. She was d to have Jillian in her life. She reminds her so much of herte best friend. Her bubbly personality is really infectious. She used to be just like her before she met Devlin.


    ¡°We should celebrate! And I have another great news for you!¡± Jillian sounds more excited this time.


    ¡°Wow! I can¡¯t wait to hear what you are going to say.¡± Amber sounds excited as well.


    ¡°Well, we are going to have a double celebration. To celebrate your awards. And to celebrate my engagement!¡± Her excitement could be heard all over. She was literally screaming.


    ¡°Oh my¡­Congrattions! When did it happen? You never told me at all.¡± Amber is so happy for her friend. She deserves it.


    ¡°Well, it just happenedst night. I tried contacting you immediately after Jacob¡¯s proposal. Your phone just kept ringingst night.¡± Her mind must be too upied to even notice the phone calls from Jillian.


    ¡°I must have been taking a bath at that time. I could not sleep well so I decided to take a long bath.¡± It didn¡¯t work for her. She still could not sleep well after her bath.


    ¡°So, are you free tonight? Let¡¯s celebrate. Jacob would join us to celebrate. Some friends woulde, too.¡± Jillian said enthusiastically while she went about narrating what would happen tonight.


    ¡°Of course, I wille. I would not want to miss your celebration. I can arrange my victory celebration next time.¡± She ended the call with Jillian feeling much better.


    She could not believe that she won the most coveted award this year. She doesn¡¯t really expect anything everytime she gets nominated for Best Entrepreneur. And herpany has won as the Company of the Year. It is indeed a time to celebrate. She wants to celebrate it with her employees. Everyone else who made her journey to sess possible.


    She checked the local news regarding the award. Then, she saw her name and the name of herpany on the top list. There was even an article written about her. She scrolled further for more news about the award. Suddenly, she stopped when she saw a picture of her and Devlin together. That was taken during the business dinner five years ago. The article goes:


    ¡®Ms. Amber Adams was seen before with the dazzling Mr. Devlin Wesley. Together, they attended a business dinner five years ago. There were some pictures of them that would make you think that they had been an item before. Mr. Wesley is in the city to attend several business events, including the awarding ceremony for localpanies. Will they cross paths in the said event? People are excited to see the two leading personalities in the business world.¡¯


    Amber could not continue reading anymore about her and Devlin. They made more articles about them. Now, she is not sure if she would like to attend the event. However, that is such a huge event to let go. And she got one of the highest awards. Why would she not attend just because of Devlin? She can always find a way to ignore him. She is sure that he will not make any scene if ever they met each other at the event.


    She browsed through her email. She got an official emailst night from the organizer of the awarding event. Since she was too upied with the thoughts of Devlin, she did not notice the email message. Usually, before she goes to sleep, she checks her emails before calling it a night.


    She put aside her thoughts about Devlin. She took a shower. She then ate her brunch. She will attend the party for Jillian and her fiance tonight. She checks her closet for a nice dress to wear. It is a semi-formal party just between their close friends and immediate family members. She chose a lime color strapless sweetheart neckline mini dress. It would look good on her. She also chose a long gown for the awarding event that she is going to attend soon. She bought the gown from Paris.Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Later in the day, she spent her time watching some new shows on the TV. She got interrupted many times as she received endless phone calls from her clients and  business colleagues congratting her.


    When she thought that she could rx after several phone calls, her phone rang again. She wanted to ignore the call but something in her wanted to answer it. She doesn¡¯t know why. The number is unregistered. She should not waste time on it. However, her hand pressed the received call before she could stop herself.


    ¡°Hello¡­¡± She answered casually.


    ¡°Amber?¡± Of course, she would never mistake his voice for anyone else. She doesn¡¯t know what to say to him. She is not ready to see him nor talk to him at all.


    ¡°Amber? Are you still there?¡± Devlin could not hear Amber¡¯s voice. He just wanted to congratte her. He could not wait to see her at the event.


    ¡°Yes.¡± Amber said briefly. She just wanted to end the call but she also does not want to appear rude. She also does not want to make him think that she is still affected by his presence.


    ¡°I just want to congratte you. You did a great job!¡± She could not see him but she felt that he was proud of her.


    ¡°Thank you.¡± She said with an awkward voice.


    ¡°Is that all?¡± Amber asked after a long silence from him.


    ¡°Yeah.¡± He only said. He wanted to invite her for dinner but he could sense her awkwardness from her voice. He better invite her in person. At least, there¡¯s a chance that she won¡¯t refuse his offer.


    ¡°Alright. I am still doing something. Bye.¡± She said and abruptly ended the call. She is d she did that. She was holding her breath while talking to him. She is disappointed in herself. It is obvious that she is still very much affected by him.

 Missing You

    Her heart was beating rapidly after that phone call with Devlin. How did he know about her number? It has been years. And now, he reappears in her life? For what? Why would he even contact her in the first ce? To take his revenge again just like what he didst time?


    Five long freaking years. And here she is, still affected by him. How can she not move on from him?


    It¡¯s her fault anyway. She never entertained those men who showed interest in her. There is one who consistently has been asking her for a date. Jacob¡¯s best friend, Elijah. However, she could not bring herself to go out with anyone. She tried going out with Elijah. But those were just friendly dinners for her with their friends who tagged along. She never sees Elijah on a romantic level.


    After what happened with Devlin, she could not bring herself to trust any man in her life. Not even Elijah who always shows understanding and patience.


    She almost forgot about him.  Elijah would be there. Last time they had a conversation, he told her that he is willing to wait until she gives in to his wish for a date. Just a single date and see where it would lead them.


    Tonight is Jillian¡¯s small party with friends to celebrate her engagement with Jacob. They will have a grand engagement partyter on and she will be invited, of course.


    She was contemting on epting the invitation of Elijah this time. Just the two of them on a dinner date. However, it would be unfair to Elijah if she would go out with him just because Devlin is in town. She can¡¯t be callous to use him. She is no different than Devlin himself. That¡¯s what he did to her years ago and things got screwed up after that.


    She tried hard to forget about the pain. She may have forgiven him but she could not forget. What difference does it make anyway? It is as good as not forgiving him at all. Every time she remembers that one single phrase from his mouth that night, she just could not stop herself from tearing up. It was very insulting.


    When can she ever move on? It has been years¡­ more than five years to be exact. And Devlin even gave her hope that they could get back together one day. That he is going to get her back. How?


    For years, she held onto the pain. She looks confident and beautiful outside, but deep inside she is empty. Devlin ruined the chance for her to open her heart to someone else.


    ¡®How can life be so unfair?!¡¯ Maybe she should seek professional help. She must be acting not on the normal level.


    She did not do anything during her day except to watch some shows or read herfort books. She tried to forget about Devlin. She has a party to attend tonight.


    Night came and Amber was getting ready to the party. Jillian called her earlier to ask if she was on her way. She even offered to send their family driver to pick her up but she refused. She can drive to the venue. Jacob owned a bar. He had it closed just for the party. She knows the ce too well as she goes there from time to time with Jillian to unwind.


    She looked at herself in the mirror and she was satisfied with her look. She arrived at the venue a little earlier but there were already a lot of guests. They were Jillian and Jacob¡¯s families and friends. She almost knew everyone. She even took the limelight for a while. Everyone was congratting her for her award. Now, a lot of them are showing their intention to be a part of herpany. She politely diverted their talks as this was not the proper time and venue to discuss work. She came to celebrate with her lovely friend.


    She is d that Jillian came to the rescue. She immediately led her to her table with some of Jillian¡¯s family member¡¯s and friends. She knew all of them. She politely greeted each one of them.


    ¡°Thank you. I am d you came. I don¡¯t want to be rude to some of your guests.¡± She said frankly. Jillian onlyughed at her.


    ¡°I don¡¯t mind actually but I saw you getting ufortable from their presence.¡± Amber smiled widely at her good friend.


    ¡°Congrattions! I am so happy for you. You both deserve each other. By the way, I have something here for you.¡± Amber handed her gift to Jillian. It is a handbag from a high-end brand. Jillian gasped in surprise. She knows the price of the handbag.


    ¡®Oh¡­thank you so much. I never thought you would remember that I wanted this.¡± She eximed happily. Jillian likes to splurge on luxury items. Her status permits her to buy anything she wants.


    ¡°I got that in Paris. What a coincidence! Now, I have an early gift for your engagement party.¡± Jillian rolled her eyes at her.


    ¡°You still owe me for that one.¡± They bothughed at Jillian¡¯s joke. They continued talking about how Jacob did his proposal. They were so engrossed in their talks that they did not realize that some of Jillian¡¯s guests, the female ones, were swooning over someone.Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Someone screamed with excitement that got both their attention. Amber followed who the woman was screaming at. It was toote for her to realize that Devlin was walking towards her spot. He was trailing behind Jacob but he never lost his eye contact with her. He was looking at her face intently.


    ¡°Hey!¡± Jacob kissed Jillian¡¯s forehead. He lightly pulled his fiancee so he could introduce her to his business partner.


    ¡°Devlin, this is my fiancee, Jillian Smith.¡± Devlin politely nodded at her.


    ¡°Baby, he is my business partner that I mentioned to you from Seattle, Devlin Wesley.¡± Jillian smiled widely at Devlin. She extended her hand to greet him.


    ¡°Nice to meet you, Mr. Wesley. Thanks foring to our small party.¡± She said happily. She knows some things about the famous Devlin Wesley because of Jacob. But she never knew that her friend, Amber, was once connected with Devlin.


    ¡°And this beautifuldy here is my good friend, Amber¡­ Amber Adams.¡± She introduced Amber to Devlin hoping that she could find her a date tonight. She giggled at the thought. She knows that Mr. Wesley is one of the most eligible bachelors in the country.


    Amber feels ufortable but she tries her best to act ordingly in front of Jillian and everyone else here. She looked around and all eyes were on them. She does not want to make a scene. So, she extended her hand to greet Devlin, as if she never knew him.


    Amber epted his handshake with a smirk. He gripped her hand for a while despite her wanting to pull it away.


    ¡°A great pleasure to meet you, Ms. Adams.¡± He said and took the vacant spot next to her. Jacob sat down beside Jillian. The couple were talking for a while while Amber and Devlin were quiet. He was simply looking at her from his peripherals.


    It did not take long for Jillian and Jacob to excuse themselves so they could take care of the other guests. Jillian gave her friend a teasing smile before she left with her fiance.


    ¡°This is indeed a small world. We keep bumping into each other. Might as well engage in some interesting talks?¡± He suggested with his winsome smile. Amber only rolled her eyes at him.


    Why does she feel that he is enjoying her uneasiness?


    ¡°Smile, baby. Almost everyone is looking at us. They might think that I made you upset or something.¡± He taunted her more so she could start talking to him.


    ¡°I¡­AM¡­NOT¡­YOUR¡­BABY! She said each word like a venom in her mouth. Instead of intimidating Devlin, that only made himugh. Now, everyone¡¯s attention is on them. Amber saw some women whispering to each other.


    ¡®Great! He really knows how to get the attention of everyone.¡¯ She gritted her teeth.


    ¡°Could you stopughing. There is nothing funny.¡± She hissed at him but smiled for everyone to see.


    To others, it looks like they shared some funny jokes. Some guests are getting more curious about them.


    ¡°Rx, baby. The night is young. Just enjoy it.¡± He said while winking at her.


    The nerve of this man to even talk casually like nothing happened between them five years ago. She really wanted to just leave the ce. However, she just arrived. What would Jillian think?


    She took a heavy sigh and pretended to smile at Devlin even if deep inside she just wanted to pour her ss of wine at his smiling face.


    ¡°You know, I bet with my life that every single woman here would want me to spend time with them. But I choose to be with you.¡± He enjoys taunting her. He misses his feisty lil minx. He really misses her. If she only knew¡­

 A Threat?

    ¡°Then why don¡¯t you spend your time with them since every single woman here would want to be with you? Just leave me alone, Mr. Wesley.¡± Amber retorted bluntly.


    ¡°Mr. Wesley now, huh? What happened to Devlin or ¡®baby¡¯?¡± He kept taunting her. He prefers her to be talking back at him rather than  ignore his presence. He hated every single moment that she would just ignore him readily.


    ¡°Well, someone already caught my fancy. So, I would rather be with her.¡± He answered back with amusement on his face.


    ¡°There is nothing funny here. Are you trying to annoy me because you are sessfully doing that?¡± She really wanted to stay as far away from him. He is extremely annoying right now. She tried to ignore him, by checking on her phone.


    ¡°Come on, lil minx. Don¡¯t ignore me again. I really didn¡¯t like itst time.¡± She looked at him angrily but still did not talk to him. She saw him pour a bottle of wine in his ss.


    ¡°I miss you, wife.¡± He suddenly whispered close to her ear. Amber shivered from the intensity of his words. She was slowly melting to his charm again. She tried to muster the courage to hold onto her anger towards him.


    ¡°Do you know how much I stopped myself just to get you back a few years ago? I couldn¡¯t drag you in my situation. Not when I had serious issues that may cause you harm.¡± He said seriously. She did not have any idea what he was talking about.


    She heard about what was happening to hispany. He got into a serious issue with one of his clients. Hispany was even sued. It was all over the news at that time. She remembered what happened that time.


    A few weeks into their separation, the news broke out about an impendingwsuit against Devlin¡¯spany. An issue regarding using substandard materials was raised against him by the client. For weeks, Devlin has been in the headline.


    She could not deny that she got worried about him despite what happened between them. She decided to pay a visit to Devlin. She just wanted to check on him. She was in front of Devlin¡¯s building when she was telling the security guard that she wanted to meet him. Unfortunately, she was denied entry. The security was very tight due to all the controversies thepany was facing. Some reporters were just lurking outside waiting for Devlin toe out.


    She waited for a couple of minutes before she finally decided to leave. It was futile to force herself to see him.


    However, when she was about to leave, she saw themotion from the reporters. They were all moving hurriedly towards the main door of the building.


    Then, she saw Devlin. He looked tired and drained. She felt bad for him. She wanted to go to him tofort him. When she was walking towards him with all the reporters surrounding him, Fiona Ross appeared from behind him.


    She had a big smile on her face while looking at Devlin. She also smiled at the reporters. Immediately, the reporters flocked around them, throwing questions at them.This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    Devlin was looking exhausted to even answer the reporters. It was Fiona Ross with her expensive dress and polished hair who answered the reporters. Amber noticed how she tightly clung to Devlin¡¯s arm.


    ¡°Ms. Ross, are you here to support Mr. Wesley?¡± The first question thrown by one reporter.


    ¡°We heard that your father is going to be the biggest investor of Mr. Wesley¡¯spany. Could you confirm that?¡± Another reporter asked.


    ¡°Mr. Wesley, are we going to hear of any wedding engagement soon between you two?¡±


    Those were just the endless questions thrown at them. It was Fiona Ross who answered them calmly. Devlin was quiet and not even looking at anyone in particr. He was deep in his own thoughts.


    ¡°As you all know, I am here to support my fiance. I hope that all answers your questions. Thank you so much.¡± She immediately pulled Devlin and walked away from the reporters.


    The reporters were running after them even if the two were already in the car. She saw how Fiona waved at them and she kissed Devlin on the lips for everyone to see.


    Amber could not even move from her spot. It was a blessing that she came with her huge sunsses and a cap to hide her face. Again, for the nth time, she is heartbroken. When is she going to learn her lesson? She is the biggest fool for still caring for him. Never again¡­


    So, hearing Devlin¡¯s words right now of wanting to get her back was such a ludicrous idea. Is he trying to make fun of her? Is that how little he thinks of her? She almost forgot how much he hurt her over and over again.


    ¡°Mr. Wesley, I never thought that you could pass for aedian. You are good at it.¡± She smiled sarcastically at him. She saw his forehead creased.


    ¡°Excuse me, I just need to use the restroom.¡± She took her purse with her but Devlin held her hand.


    ¡°I am sorry, Amber. I really am. And I meant every word I said to you.¡± He said with intensity. Amber pulled her hand away from him. She walked out. No one really noticed what happened between them since they were situated at the corner. It was a bit dimmed in their area.


    She immediately went to wash her face in the restroom. She needed to calm down. That brute has still the same effect on her. She is disappointed and frustrated. Why can¡¯t he just leave her alone? She is already fine with her life. She doesn¡¯t care if she has not fully moved on from him but one day, she will. With that mindset, she calmed down and went out of the restroom.


    She came back to mingle with the other guests. She looked around and thankfully she didn¡¯t see  Devlin. She hopes he left for her peace of mind.


    A few minutester, she saw Elijahing her way. She gave him a big smile. Elijah went to hug her and even kissed her on the cheek. His action surprised her. She never lets him kiss her even if it is just a friendly kiss. And now, he did it in front of some guests here.


    ¡°It¡¯s been a while, Amber. I miss you.¡± Elijah said, there was longing on his face. He has been pursuing Amber for a while now. But she always rejects his attention. When he was out of the country for several months, he tried to go on dates with other women. However, he could not find that feeling when he was with Amber.


    ¡°Uhmmm¡­how was your trip? When did youe home?¡± Amber smiled at him. She only sees Elijah as a friend. Nothing else. She never gives him any hope. She was honest from the start when he made his intentions known towards her. She ismitted to her work, herpany.


    ¡°It was great! I just arrived the other day. I immediately asked Jillian about you. She told me that you were in Paris.¡± He said with enthusiasm. His eyes were sparkling. Anyone can really tell that Elijah is smitten over Amber¡¯s beauty. She is the one who is notfortable if he overdoes things. She likes to put a line between them.


    ¡°I am d to see you again, Elijah.¡± That¡¯s all she said. This time, Jacob and Jillian joined them.


    ¡°And Amber, I am so proud of you. You finally made it this time. You deserve it more than anyone else.¡± Elijah winked at her yfully. She only rolled her eyes at him. Typical of Elijah to act yfully with her. That is why when he confessed his feelings to her, she was really surprised. She saw him as a friend, a brother.


    Elijah is a great catch. Hees from a wealthy family. And he is a famous architect with his own firm sought after by rich clientele. He can easily have any woman with the same status that he has. However, he has been pursuing her for years.


    ¡°Thank you.¡± Amber only answered briefly.


    ¡°We should celebrate next time.¡± He said. Jillian was giggling to her side. She really is a hopeless romantic. She likes the idea that her friends are warming up to each other. She just doesn¡¯t know what the real score is between Amber and Elijah.


    ¡°That¡¯s what I told her earlier. Will you be joining the awarding event, Elijah?¡¯ Jillian asked candidly.


    ¡°Yes, I was invited to the event. Amber, will you be my date that night? It would be such a great honor to be with the top awardee of the year.¡± Again, he yfully winked at her.


    ¡°Oh my¡­ you two. When are you going to make it official?¡± It was Jillian¡¯s big mouth that made some other guests look at them. Amber secretly pinched her friend to her side.


    ¡°Jillian, please don¡¯t give him any idea.¡± She whispered which made Jillian chuckled softly.


    ¡°I am not doing anything. You two just look great together!¡± Amber only rolled her eyes at her hopeless, romantic friend. She used to be like Jillian¡­ a hopeless romantic.

 Come Back To Me

    Jillianughed softly while eyeing her friend who seemed annoyed about what she just told her.


    ¡°I mean, why not Elijah? It is time for you to give yourself a chance at love. And whoever hurt you before, it was his loss. Look at you right now. You built a hugepany sessfully all by yourself. Not to mention that you are such a beautiful woman. Of course, men would really fall for you. But it seems like you have other things in your head.¡± Jillian can be really brutally honest at times. But she likes that quality in her.


    ¡°I am not interested. I am not really looking for anyone right now. I don¡¯t even have time to hang out with you.¡± She reasoned out, hoping that her friend would stop talking about men. She is not desperate to be in a rtionship. Being alone does not mean that she is lonely. It was her choice and she was happy with it.


    ¡°Hmmm¡­ something is telling me that you are hiding something?¡± Jillian and all her wild imaginations.


    ¡®What are you talking about?¡± Amber acted like she had no idea what her friend was trying to drive at.


    ¡°Do you know Mr. Devlin Wesley?¡± Jillian asked frankly. She saw how Mr. Wesley was talking to her friend and how he looked at her. Looks like the two had something in the past.


    ¡°Why are you saying that? We were simply talking about my award and the uing event.¡± She was quick to reply. Good thing she was able to think fast. That was a good excuse why she was talking to Devlin.


    Jillian looked at her face closely. She looked like she was not convinced at all.This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    ¡°You can¡¯t fool me, Amber. We have been friends for four years now. And in those years, I have set you up with so many blind dates. You refused all of them. You never really entertained no one, not even Elijah who has been your consistent suitor. You know that I can vouch for him that he is a good man.¡± Jillian really put her friend in the hot seat. And she could see that Amber is notfortable with their conversation.


    ¡°There was really nothing to it. We were just talking about the event. He is a sessful businessman himself. He was also invited to that event.¡± Amber said, hoping Jillian would not ask more about Devlin.


    ¡°I am sorry. But whatever you had with Mr. Wesley, be careful with him. He is a certified heartbreaker.¡± Jillian added. Amber only stayed quiet. She was right about what she said.


    ¡°There you are, sweetie. Come here, please. Mom wanted to show you something.¡± Jacob lovingly said to Jillian.


    ¡°Amber, may I have a moment with this lovelydy here?¡± Jacob said with a big smile. Amber only nodded and smiled at him while Jillian could not stop giggling.


    ¡°You¡¯re such a big tease, sweetheart.¡± Jillian giggled further.


    ¡°That¡¯s why you love me.¡± Jacob winked at her. Amber was looking at them while trying to suppress herugh. Her friend really knows how to tease her man.


    Jillian left with Jacob to see her future mother-inw. Amber also went around to socialize with the other guests. She was talking to someone when she heard his familiar voice again.


    ¡°Amber, may I have a moment with you please?¡± She did not expect that Devlin was still at the party. She thought he left earlier. She did not see him anywhere.


    ¡°What are you doing? We already talked earlier.¡± She whispered with gritted teeth. Instead of answering her, he was talking to thedy whom Amber had an interesting conversation with.


    ¡°Will you excuse us for a moment Ms. Wilkins?¡± He said, using his charming smile. Of course, any woman would fall for his charm but not her. She only rolled her eyes at him. Annoyed that he could just easily impose himself on her. However, she lets him guide her wherever he wants them to talk. She does not want to create any issues that would get the attention of the other guests.


    Devlin took her to the rooftop of the three story bar. When they got out, she felt the cold air hitting her body. She did not bring her jacket that she left in her car. Devlin took off his jacket and put it on her.


    ¡°I am totally fine. You can have it.¡± She refused.


    ¡°No, keep it. It is too cold here. My clothes are thick enough to keep me warm.¡± He said gently. He knows that it would be hard to talk to Amber after all these years.


    ¡°So tell me, what else do you want to talk about? We already had a talk earlier. That was enough.¡± She said with calmness while looking at the ring lights of the city in front of them.


    ¡°Amber, I meant every word I said earlier. It was hard for me to just look at you from afar after all these years.¡± He started but Amber was looking at him with a confused look.


    ¡°What do you mean by what you just said? Have you been following me? For what?¡± Sheughed sarcastically. She paused, appalled by his lies.


    ¡°Please spare me from all your lies. Whatever we had a long time ago, it was all done. We both have moved on.¡± She continued while looking at him with anger in her eyes.


    ¡°I have no reason to lie to you. If you follow the news, you should know what happened to me. I was embroiled in difficult problems within mypany. It was not just one big problem. There were multiple of them. One after another. I did not want to drag you in my life and strain our rtionship further.¡± He paused, looking at her with great intensity. He stepped closer towards Amber but she moved back a few steps until she hit against the wall. There is no way for her to avoid him.


    ¡°You stay right there, Mr. Wesley.¡± Amber had to stop him. She did not want to be in close proximity with him. Knowing his effect on her, she wanted to avoid any stupid mistakes that she maymit.


    ¡°Why, baby? Are you afraid that if I get any closer you would lose it? That you would melt in my arms again?¡± He said looking straight into her eyes. He wanted to see the kind of look she used to give him before. Love, care,passion¡­ so many things. He could not find them right now.


    ¡°You, conceited brute! Why are you doing all of these? Is this part of your n again to get your revenge? I have paid more than enough. Just please, leave me alone. I am happy and content with my life right now. I don¡¯t want to go back to that dark, horrible past.¡± Her body was shaking from overwhelming emotions.


    ¡°There was no us, remember? Probably, you just enjoy giving me  a hard time.¡± Amber added. Devlin was at a loss for words to say.


    ¡°There is us. We are married. You are still my wife just as I am your husband. Your rightful ce is with me. So, I am iming you back.¡± Devlin touched her hand but she pulled it strongly.


    ¡°You take me for an idiot? Well, five years have changed me. I would not have reached where I am right now if I had not learned my lessons very well. And you were a part of that big lesson I learned in life.¡± She could not believe where she got all her strength talking to him without breaking down.


    ¡°I can see that. I am proud of everything that you achieved but I was not proud of what I did to you.¡± He said honestly with sadness and regret in his eyes.


    ¡°Amber, my brother and Raven are happily married right now. I am happy for them as well.¡± Devlin really wanted Amber to open her mind and heart to whatever he is going to say.


    ¡°Devlin, things have changed. Everyone has changed, including you and me. Just leave the past behind. Probably, if it didn¡¯t happen, I would not be this sessful right now.¡± Amber just wanted him to stop.


    ¡°Amber, no. You are the reason why I stayed sane after all these years. I vowed to take you back. I only gave you your space and time since that was what you asked for. I know I made a huge mistake and I could not change that. I can only move forward and learn to be the better version of myself.¡± Devlin looked into her eyes to see any reaction from her.


    ¡°Do you know how many times I wanted to run to you and just hug you? All those problems took a toll on me. It was too much. I have no one to support me. And each night before I go to bed, it is always your face that would make me fall to sleep.¡± He said sincerely. There was a time that he could not even eat properly or sleep right because of too many problems he had to face in hispany.


    ¡°Amber, pleasee back to me. I would never beplete without you in my life.¡± This time, he put his hands against the wall, pinning Amber to him¡­

 Ignoring Him

    ¡°I would never beplete without you in my life.¡± Those words echoed in Amber¡¯s ears. After their talks on the rooftop, she didn¡¯t say anything to Devlin. But he told her that he would do everything to get her back. He apologized that it took him five years to finally make a move.


    She learned from him that he has been following everything she has done for thest five years of her life. He told her that he had her followed closely. And he even would go discreetly just to get a glimpse of her.


    After all these years, she thought she would be ready to face him. There were many times with her conversation with Devlin that she was slowly melting to his words. However, she tried to hold back. She wanted not to give in to her emotions. What is the purpose to all of her sess if she would go back to the past that she was trying to run away from?


    And why would Devlin want toe back? Last time she checked, he was with Fiona Ross. He even took Fiona¡¯s father as an investor in hispany. The news spected that it was his move to resolve some of his financial issues. Hispany was gued with financial issues and other crises. She didn¡¯t follow the news about him after she saw him with Fiona Ross that day.


    After that, she visited Attorney Harrison regarding the status of her divorce.  Thewyer was really surprised to see her. Theymunicated when she left for California. She was told that her marriage was not registered at that time. She didn¡¯t hear back from Attorney Harrison after that.


    ¡°This is a surprise, Mrs. Wesley. How have you been?¡± Amber¡¯s eyebrow arched up when she heard what he just called her.


    ¡°I am doing fine. I came here Attorney Harrison since I have not heard from you for a while. I wanted to know the status of my divorce filing.¡± She wanted to go directly to the point. That¡¯s what she is here for aside from her stupidity to visit Devlin.


    ¡°I am sorry about that, Amber. Please sit down. Do you want some coffee or tea?¡± He offered but she only shook her head.


    ¡°I am going back to California tomorrow. I just wanted to take this quick visit to your office.¡±


    ¡°Very well. I already told you thew in this state. If your marriage was not legally recorded, filed, registered, you cannot seek relief under the marital dissolution statute. This is under the Washingtonw. As far as the state is concerned you were never married.¡±


    ¡°However, Mr. Wesley only dyed the filing for your marriage registration due to some reasons that I am not at liberty to divulge. I just checked your status a week ago and it was already registered.¡± Thewyer added.


    ¡°And? What should I do next?¡± She asked, a bit anxious. She really wanted to settle this divorce once and for all.


    ¡°Your marriage was legally registered, therefore you can now proceed to file a dissolution of your marriage under the state¡¯s marital dissolution statute.¡± He continued, trying to exin the whole process to Amber.


    ¡°However, we have an issue. I checked with your husband regarding your intention to file for a divorce. He was adamant that he would contest the divorce. It could have been easier if he would not contest and just cooperate. This could be solved by guidance and representation of a legal counsel that you would hire. If you and your husband will not reach any agreement, then the case will proceed to court.¡±


    Amber was extremely disappointed. What¡¯s wrong with Devlin for holding her back with him? Can¡¯t he just grant her full freedom? She wanted to talk to him to convince him to go with the divorce. Besides, he has Fiona Ross by his side now.


    ¡°And mind you Amber, this could take a year or more to settle the issue.¡± Thewyer warned her.


    ¡°What should I do? Should I contact Devlin and convince him to grant me the divorce without contesting it?¡± Amber asked with mixed emotions. She is angry, disappointed, and sad.


    ¡°If you can do that, it will be great. However, your husband is a very influential man. I hope you could talk it out and reach an amicable agreement.¡±


    Amber still has this day to talk to Devlin. She has his number. She didn¡¯t waste time contacting him after her talk with thewyer.


    She has been calling his phone for the nth time but he wasn¡¯t picking up her calls. Finally, when she was about to give up, her final call was answered¡­ by a female voice.


    ¡°Hello¡­who is this? You have an unregistered number. Devlin is taking a shower right now. You can leave your message.¡± Amber¡¯s heart beat faster than usual. So, he deleted her number now. What does she expect? Of course, he has moved on that quick.


    And after that stunt she witnessed earlier in front of his building, they went together to wherever they are right now. To consummate their love for each other.


    Amber cleared her throat so she could speak clearly.


    ¡°This is Amber Adams. Just please tell Devlin to call me back. There is something very important I want to discuss with him.¡± Then, she turned off the call. She could not allow herself to talk further with Fiona. She can have Devlin all to herself.


    On the other hand, Fiona had a wicked grin on her. Of course, she knew it was Amber who called. She just arrived when Devlin excused himself to take a quick shower. He carelessly left his phone in the living room where Fiona was waiting. She smiled evilly when she saw Amber was calling. She left it ringing several times until she decided to answer it herself. She made sure that Amber would think that they spent an intimate time together.


    Amber did not expect any call from Devlin. She was certain that Fiona knew who she was. Fiona is the type of woman who wants to get what she wants. And now, she definitely has Devlin in her hands. Of course, Devlin would need her so badly to help him fix hispany.


    She would try to call Devlinter on. She hopes he will answer her this time. But sadly, it did not happen. She could not contact Devlin¡¯s phone an hourter.


    She went home all the more heartbroken. She will just let Attorney Harrison to handle everything. That was like more than four years ago. The divorce never materialized. It was Attorney Harrison who advised her to give Devlin some time. Probably, he would file the divorce himself.


    Attorney Harrison made sense. She is not useful to Devlin anymore.


    She suddenly gasped about herst thought. Useful? Is she going to be useful to him right now? Big businessmen and corporations have acknowledged her sess in her field. She has expanded her business sessfully.Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    What could her sess do for Devlin? He is sessful himself. He is well established. He was able to ovee some big crises in his life.


    Thinking of him just gave her headaches. She decided to forget about him. She continued her regr work in herpany. She met some investors who are eager to help her with her n to open more branches in different states. Nothing is definite yet but the influx of interested investors was overwhelming.


    Then the awarding event came. The organizer already called her to confirm that she would attend. Some of her staff will join her to receive the award for Company of the Year. She had toe alone though as Elijah could not make it for the event. He had a family emergency.


    She came to the venue walking through the red carpet. She wore a signature dress from a famous designer. She was immediately flocked by the reporters asking about the dress she wore, her feelings regarding her award. But one question caught her attention off guard.


    ¡°Ms. Adams, is it true that you and Mr. Wesley were once romantically involved? We have pictures as proof for that.¡± She was really surprised but she sessfully hid her feelings.


    ¡°Noment on that. I came here to celebrate with everyone and just enjoy the night.¡± She said confidently. She even posed for the photographers as if that question did not bother her at all.


    She went inside and was d that Abby came waiting for her at the entrance. Her secretary looked beautiful tonight with her ck dress. She smiled and hugged her. Together, they went to their assigned table. Her staff were already waiting for her at the table.


    The awarding program would not start until half an hourter. She just wanted toe early to the venue. Food and beverages were slowly served to the guests.


    She was d she did not see Devlin anywhere. She resolved to ignore or stay away from him as much as possible. However, whatever she nned for the night did not go ording to n.


    Devlin arrived a few minutester. He came alone but she saw his bodyguards in the venue. She would not really mind about having him around when she suddenly realized that he took a seat at the table next to hers. And worst, he took the chair opposite to her.


    ¡®What is he trying to do this time?¡¯ Amber swears that she is not going to be a part of whatever he ns to do tonight. She only shook her head in frustration.

 His Persistence

    Everyone gave Amber a big round of apuse when she went to the stage to receive her award. Everyone saw a beautiful, confident woman with a big smile on her face. Deep inside, Amber was actually nervous and excited. Nervous that all eyes were on her. Also, Devlin has been intently watching her since earlier. It added more to her nervousness.


    ¡°Thank you so much. I would like to dedicate this award to my grandmother who could not make it tonight. This award means a lot to me and to everyone who works with me to make me reach where I am right now. For everything that I have been through to get here, it was all worth it. I would like to thank all the employees of AA Blossoms for all their hard work. With this award, it inspires me to strive harder. Expect that we will give you the best that ourpany can offer. Thank you so much everyone. Enjoy your night!¡± She slightly raised her que to show to everyone.


    When she got downstairs, Devlin was there standing waiting for her and escorted her to her table. She almost walked to the other side to ignore him. He really knows his timing. All the photographers and media were on them. She smiled at them even if deep inside her, she is annoyed at what Devlin just did. He added more gossip for the reporters to talk about.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± She smiled forcefully. Devlin was only looking at her with an amused look. She rolled her eyes at him. She can see that he is enjoying this. Her uneasiness to be with him made him all the more persistent to get closer to her. She could not react since people were looking at them closely. Not just the reporters but also the guests were showing interest in them.


    And the audacity of him. He leaned closer to her and whispered something. To the other spectators, it looked intimate. That there is something between them.


    ¡°Could I invite you to dinner tonight?¡± He said seriously. Amber felt his breath and it brought shivers all over her.


    She was about to refuse his invitation but he already pulled her chair for her. He didn¡¯t even let her talk. She couldn¡¯t do anything. She felt the unending shes from the cameras. She could see those reporters dying to get hold of them.


    She nced at Devlin who got a big smile on his face. He even winked at her before he took a sip of his ss of wine. She tried to calm down to hide her feelings at that moment.


    The whole event wrapped up after three more hours. They had an afterparty somewhere. She would join that party with her staff. She saw Devlin waiting for her when some guests were slowly leaving the venue. She stiffened when she felt his hand touching her right arm possessively.


    ¡°Mr. Wesley, I am warning you. Don¡¯t do anything stupid in front of everyone here.¡± Again, she forced herself to smile as reporters and photographers were surrounding them.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Mrs. Wesley. I will behave for your sake.¡± Again, came his wink that she even heard some people giggling around them.


    ¡°Mr. Wesley, we believe that Ms. Adams is your date tonight. Howe you two did note together to the event?¡± Asked the reporter nearest to them.


    ¡°Ms. Adams, how do you find your date tonight?¡± Asked another reporter.


    These people would never really stop until they get their answers. Devlin¡¯s bodyguards were quick to help them get out of the venue. She had no choice but toe with Devlin inside a limousine waiting for them just in front of the venue. The moment the door was closed, Amber could not stop herself but to spit out fire at him.


    ¡°What was that stunt you pulled inside? I hate you for that. You just ruined my night.¡± Her eyes were full of anger towards him.


    ¡°Babe¡­¡± Devlin touched her arm but she pulled away.


    ¡°Please, stop all of these. Look at what you did.¡± She showed him all those reporters and photographers next to their car before their limo drove away.


    ¡°I am sorry. I told you that I just wanted to spend time with you. You never give me a chance.¡± That made Amber give him the look again.


    Instead of getting upset at her behavior towards him, he is actually enjoying it. His lil minx bes more feisty. And she is more beautiful than ever with all her confidence and sess. He has been longing to be with her. And now, he is more determined to take her back. All that hatred she is showing towards him, he wants to rece it with love and tenderness. The same feelings he experienced from her five years ago.


    ¡°Can we have a truce, just for tonight please? I just want to spend a nice dinner with you.¡± He said almost pleading. Amber only smirked at him.


    ¡°Why? Have you lost your charm with women?¡± She smiled sarcastically. No matter what happened, she is not going to just melt easily with his words.


    ¡°What happened to you, Amber? I did not leave you at all. We are legally married. I am sorry that I did note to you after all these years. I have other reasons aside from what happened in thepany.¡±


    ¡°Devlin, I don¡¯t care about what happened to you or yourpany. Besides, I am not the naive person you met five years ago.¡± She retorted back.


    ¡°I can clearly see that. But I know that you did not change at all except you gained more confidence and became more beautiful.¡± Again, he winked at her.


    ¡°How can you say that? You don¡¯t know what I have been through to get to this level.¡± She looked at him with her piercing eyes.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.


    ¡°Like I mentioned before, I knew everything about you. I did not leave you all to yourself. I was in the background but I was supporting you quietly.¡± He stopped himself for fear that he might give more information to her.


    ¡°What do you mean by that? What support are you talking about?¡± She asked with confusion. Instead of answering her question, Devlin stayed quiet. They finally arrived at a five star restaurant in the city. It¡¯s famous for celebrities. They ditched the after-party since the reporters will surely be there.


    They were immediately guided to a private room. They were both quiet as Devlin took their orders. Amber just lets him do what he wants. The food came and they stayed quiet while eating. In the middle of their dinner, Devlin was the one who started to talk to her.


    ¡°You look so great! You did great tonight. I always know that one day you will make it big.¡± He said proudly.


    ¡°Thank you.¡± That¡¯s all she could say to him. Despite her anger towards him for forcing her toe with him, she feltfortable right now. He is right, they could set aside their issues for now and just enjoy their dinner.


    ¡°I heard that you are nning to expand your manufacturing side of yourpany. That¡¯s really a good move. I like how you manage your business. I am interested in investing in yourpany and opening up a branch in Seattle.¡± Amber choked on her food while she heard what Devlin just said.


    He immediately poured her a bottle of water after she finished gulping her ss of water.


    ¡°Are you kidding me? Your idea ispletely absurd.¡± Sheughed at him.


    ¡°Why not? I can invest in my wife¡¯spany.¡± Devlin said without hesitation.


    ¡°You know what, just please eat. I am here because I don¡¯t want to create any scenes. Plus you forced me to be with you.¡± She gritted her teeth with annoyance at him. He even smiled at her reaction.


    ¡°And what¡¯s that smile for? Am I a joke to you?¡± Her fierceness made Devlin all the more admire her. He is definitely getting insane.


    ¡°Can¡¯t you see? I am just happy to be with you.¡± Amber¡¯s mouth gaped open. No matter what she does, it seems not to affect him at all. She decided to give him the cold treatment and silence. However, she couldn¡¯t do it. He does force her to her limit.


    ¡°Baby, I like this new you. Fierce, confident, gorgeous¡­¡±


    ¡°Will you knock it off? Do you think you will melt me with your words like you used to do? We both knew that you were only using me.¡±


    Devlin¡¯s pained look showed for a moment. But still, he is determined to get her back.


    ¡°I am not here to impress you with my words. That¡¯s what I truly feel for you all these years. Even if you distanced yourself away from me nor showed me your feisty side, it will all the more encourage me to get you back.¡± Amber only smirks at him. She didn¡¯t voice out about Fiona Ross¡¯ existence in his life.


    She went home exhausted but strangely happy and content. She does not know if it is from the award she got. Or from the determined look of Devlin to pursue her. She can¡¯t stop him but he is definitely going to have a hard time.

 Pursuing Her No Matter What

    It is a sunny Monday morning. Amber went to her office earlier than usual. She has so many things to do today. She left her condo without having any breakfast. She does that when her mind is busy with work.


    She was holding her coffee while getting out of the elevator. She saw Abby who was also having her coffee. She was surprised to see herdy boss came earlier. She has no big meetings for today except to review and sign some papers piling up on her table.


    ¡°Good morning, Abby.¡± Amber said cheerfully.


    ¡°Good morning, ma¡¯am!¡± Abby equally greeted her with cheerfulness.


    ¡°Come to the office in 15 minutes.¡± Amber said before she got inside. She just wanted to enjoy her coffee. She does not feel hungry but she could order foodter on, probably for brunch.


    She immediately went to her swivel chair. She sees the piles of paperworks she has to do.   However, it did not take that long when someone knocked at her door. She sighed to herself. She just told Abby to wait for 15 minutes.


    ¡°Come in.¡± She said after a few knocks. Whatever it is, it must be important.


    ¡°Ma¡¯am, I am sorry but someone wants to see you.¡± Abby said carefully. She knows that Amber is very strict with her time.


    Amber¡¯s right eyebrow arched up. She wondered who would being to her office at this time. But before she could think further, her door opened wider. Devlin¡¯s wide grin showed up. He brought with him something.


    ¡°Abby, you can leave. Thank you.¡± Amber said quickly. She doesn¡¯t want her secretary to find out her connection with Devlin. Abby already showed her curious look at them. Of course, she would be curious. Devlin Wesley is famous all over the country. Even if he is not, his looks would surely get anyone¡¯s attention. She had to shake her head thinking about his looks. She has to admit that after all these years, he has be more handsome than ever.


    ¡°Good morning, baby. I brought you some breakfast. I am not sure if you ate but hopefully not, so we can share some breakfast together. I have been trying to call your number but you were not picking up.¡± Amber forgot to turn on the ringer and notifications on her phone. She sometimes does that if she really wants to get a good sleep and not be bothered by some calls.


    She was stressed out from herst encounter with Devlin. And now, he is back. He is setting the two bags of food on the small center table in her office.


    ¡°Why do you keep doing this? Which of what I said to youst time did you not understand?¡± She looked at him straight to his green eyes. She saw him tense but did his best to control himself.


    ¡°Your words will not stop me from pursuing you back. Do you know that there¡¯s a very thin line between love and hate?¡± Devlin asked confidently. Amberughed at him sarcastically.


    ¡°What are you talking about? Just stop what you are doing. I don¡¯t get why you have to do all of these. I am happy with my life just as you are happy with yours. Let¡¯s leave it at that.¡± She suggested. She is getting tired from all of these. It is like they are in a loop.


    ¡°No matter what you do, you are never going to convince me.¡± Amber said with finality. It is not as easy as Devlin thinks.


    ¡°How can you say that I am happy with my life? It has been my deepest regret that I have inflicted you so much pain in the past. However, I am here to make amends. I have never forgotten about you in all those five years.¡± Amber could see the sadness and pain in his eyes. She immediately turned to her side. She doesn¡¯t want to know what he has been through. Everything happened because of him.


    ¡°Devlin, what good will it do to you to have me back in your life? Please, just ept that what we had was all in the past. I can¡¯t continue all these talks with you. It just brings back so many bad memories. I nned to start my day great but¡­¡± Amber only shook her head out of frustration.


    ¡°Besides, don¡¯t you have anything to do with your time? You are a very busy businessman. And if you realized it, I am also busy with my work here. Please, let¡¯s not waste each other¡¯s time.¡± Her determined voice did not even discourage Devlin.


    He already expected her reaction towards him. She was hurt. And Devlin would ept whatever her treatments towards him. That is the price he had to pay.


    ¡°Would you at least just calm down? I won¡¯t be staying here for long. I just want to see you. Please join me for breakfast.¡± He saw Amber deliberately ignoring him.


    ¡°You know what, I can stay here longer. I guess you do want my presence here.¡± He said after a few minutes of silence from Amber. She gave him a dagger look but didn¡¯t say anything.


    He wanted to taunt her further so he could convince her to eat with him.


    ¡°I got your favorite food here. And if you are not joining me here, I would love to stay here longer. I can cancel my meeting today.¡± He said while smiling sweetly at her. She took a deep breath. He would never take no for an answer. She needs to make sure that this is thest time that she would get closer to him nor engage in any conversation with him.


    She stood up from her chair and went to sit on the couch next to Devlin. The foods are all her favorite but it still does not give her any appetite to eat. She forced herself instead to eat silently so she can be done with it. Devlin was serving her with the food. She remembered that he used to do that to her.


    They ate in silence although Devlin would talk to her from time to time. She would just move her head or give him a brief reply to whatever he said.


    ¡°Thank you. I really appreciate this time we spent together. I hope that you will let mee visit you anytime.¡± He said and Amber just gaped at him. So, he already invited himself. There is no other way for her to avoid him as long as he is in the city.


    After Devlin left, Amber cleared everything from the table. She really wanted to go somewhere far from Devlin. If she could just cancel all her appointments this week. However, that would be so unprofessional of her. Just because of her personal issues with Devlin, the performance of herpany would suffer. She just needs to keep treating him coldly. She can ignore his presence. And if ever hees back again, she can just act casually with him. And treat him like any regr client.


    She focused her mind on her work and did not realize that it¡¯s lunch time. She decided to take a break and eat lunch at the cafeteria. However, Abby came with a bag of food. Plus a bouquet ofvender flowers. She gave her a big smile. At the same time, there was curiosity in her eyes. Could it be from Mr. Devlin Wesley? Abby giggled lightly. Her boss and Mr. Wesley are definitely a great match. Both are good looking.


    She has been working with Amber for a while but she never heard her boss mention Mr. Wesley. So, she was surprised to see the famous bachelor in the country dropping by earlier. It was the second time for Abby to see Mr. Wesley upclose. The first time was during the event a few days ago.


    She saw Amber was surprised but quickly thanked her for bringing the food and flowers.


    ¡°Thank you, Abby.¡± She quickly said.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.


    She saw the card and it was from Devlin of course. She wanted to give away the food and throw the flowers away but on second thought she changed her mind. She called Abby to join her for lunch.


    ¡°Abby, mind sharing lunch with me? There¡¯s plenty of food here.¡± She smiled at her secretary who was getting ready for her lunch break. She is d that Abby does not need any convincing.


    Abby got inside her office and immediately helped her set the food on the table. They are her favorites from that Italian restaurant. She wondered how he knew all the food she usually buys from that restaurant. Of course, he could easily ask the staff from the restaurant.


    Abby was enjoying her food while looking at her boss who does not seem happy at all. She was in deep thought. She barely touched her food.


    ¡°Ma¡¯am, aren¡¯t you going to eat?¡± Abby asked while looking intently at Amber.


    Amber took a heavy sigh before eating her food. She knew that Abby more or less already had an idea who sent those food and flowers for her. She does not really know how to stop Devlin except to avoid their encounter as much as possible. She wanted to call him to tell him to stop. However, the more she pushed him to stop, the more he wanted to get closer to her. She shook her head and ate in silence.

 Her Constant Visitor

    Devlin has been regrly visiting Amber in her office for five straight working days now. He already got the attention of everyone in thepany.


    Amber wanted to ban Devlin froming to herpany but that would get more attention from her employees and the media. She decided to face him withplete indifference. For thest few days, she has been trying hard to act casually with him. She tried to put in her head that Devlin is just one of her clients. However, as days went by, she could not believe that her hatred towards him slowly waned down.


    Devlin didn¡¯t back down despite all her cold treatment towards him. And she has to admit it, that the walls she built around her are slowly breaking down.


    Every time hees to her office, he would just talk casually to her about his day. What he did in his meetings and other things. And at night, he always invites her to dinner.Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Right now, it¡¯s a Friday night. They are waiting for their order to be served. They are dining in a Japanese restaurant. They have superb service. Devlin vouched that their food was great.


    He was right! The food was excellent. And she enjoyed their light conversations together. Devlin never talked about their past. He just opened up some casual topics that they both find interest in.


    ¡°So tell me, when can I see marmee?¡± He asked out of the blue while they were having a ss of wine.


    Thatpletely surprised Amber. She never expected him to mention marmee as none of them mentioned their past. And mentioning marmee would only bring her memories to the past.


    She did not know that Devlin hired someone to look after marmee. He paid someone to disguise as one of their farm workers. He just wanted Amber and her grandmother to be both safe and protected. From his troubles in the past in hispany, he wanted to make sure that his loved ones are protected. He even had personal bodyguards for his parents.


    ¡°Uhmm¡­marmee is still at the farm. I am not sure it would be a good idea to juste and see her. Her health is not in the best condition nowadays but she is stubborn. She does not want to stay here with me for a long time. She misses her life at the farm.¡± Amber said with a hint of sadness.


    Devlin knew that, too. The guy he hired to guard marmee always gives him an update almost everyday. Unbeknown to Amber, Devlin has been visiting her grandmother over thest few years. He exined everything that happened between him and Amber to her grandmother. Of course, she was angry at him at first but eventually she forgave him.


    He asked her though to keep his meetings with her a secret. He told her to give him time to resolve all his problems until he can get back with Amber.


    The next day, Amber woke up to the incessant doorbell. She checked the wall clock and it is quarter to 7 am. Who would be visiting her at this time? It¡¯s the weekend. Usually she starts her day a little bitte.


    She stood up, quickly washed her face. She just put on her robe. She quickly brushed her hair with her fingers.


    Whoever is outside should better be important. She muttered to herself.


    The moment she opened the door, Devlin¡¯s smiling face weed her. She was gaping at him. They were just togetherst night for dinner. And now, he is her visitor early in the morning.


    ¡°Good morning. I am sorry to wake you up. Breakfast?¡± He gave her a boyish smile. She was ready to give her some harsh words but she simply gave him a grimmed expression. She opened the door for him.


    She doesn¡¯t understand herself anymore when ites to Devlin. She has been fighting back her feelings towards him but when he is in front of her, she simply loses all her thoughts.


    This is the first time that Devlin came to her condo. However, he made himselffortable in her ce. He immediately went to her kitchen. He set the food he brought for breakfast on the table.


    ¡°I am sorry. I will get our breakfast ready. Just go and take a shower. We are going somewhere after breakfast.¡± He dered. Amber just arched her eyebrow at him. Some things would never change. He still would like to impose himself on her. He did not even tell her he ising nor are they going somewhere. He is acting just like before.


    But the odd thing is that she did not refuse to go with him. In fact, if she were to bepletely honest to herself, all her anger towards him is almost gone. She feels more annoyed at him.


    After she took a shower, she spent her time looking for a nice,fortable outfit. She donned a white tank top and beige shorts. Shepleted her outfit with beige cropped polo. She does not know where they are going. She thought they might be walking around the city. So, she decided to pair her outfit with herfy white sneakers.


    She marched her way towards the kitchen where she left Devlin. He was there busy talking to someone over the phone. When he saw her, he immediately gave her a big smile. The kind of smile that would melt any woman¡¯s heart including hers.


    Devlin ended the call the moment he saw Amber. She always looks beautiful in whatever outfit she is wearing. Now, she is even more beautiful. It must be the confidence she gained that made her even beautiful.


    ¡°You look great!¡± He said candidly. He saw Amber¡¯s face turning slightly red. She tried to not smile at hispliment but he knew that it did affect her.


    ¡°Are you hungry?¡± Amber only nodded her head. She was about to make a cup of coffee but Devlin beat her to it. He already prepared coffee for them. It just needs to be heated up.


    ¡°Just sit down. I got it.¡± He immediately stood up. A few minutester, they were both enjoying their breakfast in silence.


    ¡°So, where are we going?¡± She asked when they finished their breakfast. Amber was quickly doing the dishes while Devlin was helping her clean up the table. She was looking at him once in a while when he wasn¡¯t looking at her. She can see excitement on his face.


    She does not know where they are going and he did not even answer her question. She wanted to change her mind but something in her wanted to go out. To go out with Devlin and be carefree again. Just like before.


    They are now inside the private ne of Devlin going to somewhere only Devlin knew. It took a lot of convincing from Devlin until she relented. She did not want toe with him. She thought he may bring her to Seattle. Her work is in New York.


    ¡°I swear I am going to take the immediate flight back to New York if you bring me to Seattle. What hase to you? You know I cannot just travel readily unless it is for business.¡± She said while looking angrily at him. But the brute only smiled sweetly at her.


    ¡°Rx. You made it sound like I kidnapped you.¡± He chuckled softly.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t that what you did? You forced me toe to your private ne!¡± She answered back angrily.


    ¡°How can you prove that I kidnapped you? You don¡¯t have any scratches or bruises anywhere on your body. Besides, you did not refuse earlier when I invited you to go somewhere.¡± He winked at her.


    ¡°You know what, I regret that I made a fool of myself.¡± She said in frustration. He thinks this is funny.


    She stood up and moved to the other side, far away from Devlin. She was looking from the window when she slowly drifted to sleep. The next thing she realized was a warm hand touching her cheek.


    ¡°Hey baby, we are here. I don¡¯t want to wake you up but we have to go. The car is waiting for us.¡± Am


    ber was a bit disoriented. She forgot that she was in the private ne with Devlin. She did not say anything to him. However, she realized that they are in California. Her eyes went big when she realized where they were heading.


    ¡°We are going to marmee.¡± She whispered while deep in her thoughts. She has so many questions in her head.


    ¡®How did Devlin do all these things? As far as she remembered, marmee was also upset at what he did years ago. Has her marmee forgiven him? And when did it happen? Her marmee never told her anything.¡¯


    Their car suddenly stopped, taking back Amber¡¯s attention to the present.


    ¡°We are here, baby.¡± Devlin whispered close to her ear. Amber cleared her throat and quickly opened the car door.


    She missed this ce. She visited her marmee like four months ago. She has been persuading her toe back and live with her in her condo in New York. But her grandmother was very stubborn. She wanted to stay on the farm. She told her that the city life does not suit her.


    She usually visits her every two months but there are times that herpany takes much of her time. Besides, she had to go for some business trips. That¡¯s why she really wanted her grandmother toe with her but all her attempts were all in failure.


    For sure, her grandmother would be surprised and happy to see her. However, some questions in her head lingered. She needed to talk to her grandmother about Devlin.

 Disappointed

    ¡°Devlin? You are here. Why did you never tell me that you areing? I could have prepared something great for lunch, your favorite.¡± Marmee gave Devlin a big smile. She thought it was only Devlin who came to the farm like he used to do.


    Amber was left standing next to the car on the other side. Her grandmother did not see her. But hearing her cheerful voice towards Devlin made her eyebrows cross.


    ¡®Since when did they be close to each other? She must be missing something. Her marmee is not telling her anything. She has been visiting her but she never ever mentioned Devlin at all.


    ¡°Marmee, how are you? I missed you so much.¡± Devlin went to hug her and even nted a kiss on her cheek. Marmee just giggled.


    ¡°You just came here two weeks ago. I hope next time youe here, you could bring my Amber with you.¡± She said, still did not notice her granddaughter¡¯s presence.


    Amber was listening from afar and she is more surprised to hear about what her marmee just said. She was observing her grandmother and Devlin. They really are close to each other.


    ¡°Marmee, I have a surprise for you.¡± Devlin looked behind him. Amber finally showed herself to her grandmother.


    ¡°Marmee!¡± She ran towards her and hugged her tightly. ¡°I miss you so much, marmee.¡± She said with tears. They are both crying now with happiness.


    ¡°This is a big surprise, my child!¡± Her marmee said excitedly. She then leaned closer to her granddaughter. ¡°Are you two back together?¡± Amber saw the sparkle in her marmee¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°It is not what you think it is, marmee.¡± But her marmee simply smiled at her. She left her and pulled Devlin inside the house.


    ¡°Come inside. Make yourselffortable. I need to ask Mrs. Mills to help me with lunch.¡± But Devlin stopped her.


    ¡°Marmee, please just don¡¯t worry about lunch. Jackson wille soon to bring the food I ordered.¡± He said casually. Amber was seated, on the small couch while Devlin upied the bigger couch. He would love to have Amber beside him but for now, he will let it go.


    Marmee went to sit beside Devlin since she saw her granddaughter looking seriously at them. She knows that her granddaughter has a lot of questions for her. Looking at Devlin and Amber right now, she felt that they have notpletely fixed their rtionship yet. But she knows it will happen soon. Amber will never be forced toe with Devlin unless she also permits it.


    ¡°So, how have you been, son?¡± She said with enthusiasm. She is really fond of Devlin. She came to know more of him after his several visits to the farm.


    ¡°Never been this great, marmee.¡± He smiled widely at her and even held her hand tightly. Amber saw the fondness in her marmee¡¯s eyes while talking to Devlin.This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    ¡°That¡¯s great to know! If I could take a picture of you right now, you look like a teenage boy who just caught a glimpse of his childhood sweetheart.¡± Devlinughed heartily. Marmee is definitely a romantic at heart.


    ¡°You could say that, marmee, although I am still working on it. I am just happy.¡± Devlin said shamelessly, stillughing. Suddenly, marmee nced at Amber who had been quiet the whole time. She saw her granddaughter¡¯s crimson colored cheeks.


    Amber¡¯s heart beat so fast when she heard what Devlin said. This was the feeling she felt the first time she saw him. And she realized that it is only a matter of time and she may sumb to this devil¡¯s charm again if she does not guard her heart carefully.


    ¡°I think it is working.¡± Marmee winked at Devlin. Amber saw that and she was even more shocked. Since when did her marmee learn to wink like that? She probably learned it from this evil brute whose smile could not even leave his face. He looks so happy while she is annoyed at him. He got her marmee¡¯s affection towards him. She sounded jealous but she is not.


    ¡°So, marmee¡­since when did you and him get close to each other?¡± Amber asked suddenly. Both their attention are on her now. She saw her marmee¡¯ eyes get a fraction bigger. Amber only raised her eyebrow at her grandmother. And she smirked at Devlin who was smiling foolishly.


    ¡°We can talk about thatter. Anyway, I need to go to the kitchen. I forgot that Mrs. Mills left and I have to check the food she started cooking earlier.¡± Marmee said, trying to get away from her granddaughter¡¯s curious looks. She left the living room immediately right after she said herme excuse.


    ¡°You got some exining to do. How did you and marmee get close to each other? You were both speakingfortably with each other. And I can see that she is very fond of you.¡± She said while frowning at him.


    ¡°Well, there is no surprise to that. I am a very likable guy. Everyone likes me except one.¡± He said suggestively. Of course, she knew that he was referring to her.


    ¡°I am asking you in the nicest way. So, I expect that you will give me the answer that I am looking for.¡± She said with a stern voice.

 Grateful For Her Presence

    Devlin entered the kitchen to check on Amber and her grandmother. As he approached the door, he noticed that they were both crying and embracing each other tightly. Understanding the need for privacy, Devlin quietly stepped back and left them alone, giving them the space they needed.


    After concluding his conversation with the hired bodyguard he got for marmee, Devlin felt relieved that things were going well. He is grateful that he could protect Amber and her grandmother from the troubles he is facing right now. Despite his efforts, he still hadn¡¯t been able to uncover the mastermind behind the incident that caused hispany¡¯s almost downfall five years ago.


    During his pursuit of justice, two employees from hispany had bravely spoken up against the mastermind, but tragically, both ended up dead in jail after being poisoned.


    The police released a list of suspects, and surprisingly, one of them was Devlin¡¯s own brother due to their past disagreements. However, after conducting thorough investigations, his brother was cleared of any involvement just a weekter into the investigation.


    Another suspect emerged ¨C a board member of Devlin¡¯spany, who was struggling with financial problems stemming from a gambling addiction. Despite initial suspicions, the police eventually ruled him out as a suspect.


    As the investigation continued, the authorities looked into three more individuals on the suspect list, but each of them was also cleared of any connection to the incident.


    Recently, Fiona¡¯s uncle, who happened to be a shareholder in Devlin¡¯spany, became thetest suspect. The policeunched aprehensive investigation into his potential involvement, but simr to the others, he too received clearance once the authorities finished their examination.


    Devlin found himself grappling with thoughts about who might be the mastermind behind the troubles in hispany. At the moment, his primary suspects were Fiona Ross and her filthy rich father. However, he couldn¡¯t gather enough evidence to directly link them to the incidents inside hispany. Fiona¡¯s father, despiteing from a wealthy family with a history of illegal activities, had a pristine reputation. All his business dealings were above board, and Devlin couldn¡¯t find any faults with him. His squeaky-clean image raised even more suspicion from him.


    Mr. Ross had been married twice, and while his first wife¡¯s death was attributed to an ident, there were no reports of allegations orints against him concerning illegal activities. Even his second wife, Fiona¡¯s mother, was a model citizen with no connections to any uwful deeds. Despite theck of evidence, Devlin couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that something was amiss, and his intuition pointed to the Ross family.


    Devlin was puzzled about what could possibly motivate Mr. Ross to stage the destruction of hispany. They had never engaged in any direct business dealings. Furthermore, when Devlin was struggling financially, Mr. Ross had even offered to invest in hispany to aid in its recovery, but he had turned down the offer.


    Given these circumstances, Devlin couldn¡¯t understand any apparent reason for Mr. Ross to harbor ill intentions toward him. Theck of any clear motive only deepened the mystery, leaving him even more uncertain about who might be responsible for the troubles that had befallen hispany.


    On the day Fiona visited Devlin¡¯spany, she disclosed her father¡¯s interest in investing in his strugglingpany. Initially, Devlin didn¡¯t outright reject the offer during their conversation. Later, they left the building together, and as they stepped out, they were unexpectedly surrounded by reporters. In an unfortunate turn of events, Fiona insinuated to the reporters that they were nning to get married and have theirpanies merged.


    Devlin felt deeply upset by Fiona¡¯s actions, as she fed the reporters false information, which led to misleading headlines and spections. He knew that such rumors could spread like wildfires. It would personally impact his rtionship with Amber which he was trying to fix.


    There was never any romantic involvement between him and Fiona. Despite that, Fiona continually spread rumors to the media, suggesting a romantic connection between them. She seemed to revel in the attention it brought, while he remained focused on resolving the pressing issues in hispany. He had long ignored Fiona amid the mounting challenges he was facing.


    Troubles continued to arise as two of the buildings constructed by hispany faced vition issues with the local government. Fortunately, those problems were eventually resolved. However, the most persistent issue remained: one of his clients filed awsuit, using hispany of using substandard materials in their project. Devlin knew that these usations were baseless and that someone had tampered with the procurement files.


    As if that weren¡¯t enough, he started receiving threatening messages. While the threats didn¡¯t shake his resolve to protect hispany, he was deeply concerned about the safety of his loved ones. Among them, Amber, who was far away and unaware of the escting situation, worried him the most. Devlin couldn¡¯t bear the thought of anything happening to her, and this added emotional strain to an already challenging situation. He heaved a deep sigh.N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    Devlin felt an increasing urgency to inform Amber about the true nature of the threats and the challenges he is facing. He knew he needed to share the exact details with her, especially after learning from one of his hired bodyguards that Amber was also receiving threats. However, he had refrained from telling her anything just yet.


    The first package intended for Amber was sent while she was on a business trip to Paris just a week ago. Unfortunately, she remained unaware of its contents as her secretary, Abby, had received the package on her behalf. Devlin was grateful that Amber had been spared from directly experiencing the fear and anxiety caused by the threats, but he knew that he couldn¡¯t keep her in the dark for much longer.


    Devlin wanted to find the right time and ce to talk to Amber openly, honestly, and with reassurance. He hoped that by sharing everything, they could face the situation together, supporting each other through the tough times ahead. But for now, he remained focused on ensuring her safety and keeping her away from the immediate danger.


    Determined to prioritize Amber¡¯s safety above all else, Devlin made the decision to fly to New York a week ago and be with her once again. The uncertainty of not knowing who his real enemies were only heightened his concern for his wife. With the threats now targeting Amber directly, he understood that the situation had escted to a critical point. Devlin was prepared to do whatever it takes to protect his wife. The thought of someone posing a threat to her well-being intensified his resolve. He knew that facing these unknown enemies head-on was very important. He hoped to gather more information and uncover the identities of those behind the threats. Every step he would take would be  aimed at safeguarding Amber and ensuring her security.


    He feels that it is just a matter of time and Amber would fully ept him back in her life. And when it does happen, he would make sure not to hurt the only woman he truly loves with all his being. Those five years were like hell for him.


    Devlin was lost in his deep thoughts when he heard Amber¡¯s soft voice calling out to him. Her concern was evident in the tone of her voice, and it immediately brought him back to the present.


    Slightly startled, he turned to face her, a faint smile appearing on his face.


    ¡°Devlin, I have been calling you several times. Are you okay?¡± She said more gently this time which helped soothe Devlin¡¯s worries.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, there¡¯s just a lot on my mindtely.¡± He said honestly without giving any hint what is troubling him. There¡¯s a time for that. He smiled at his lovely wife. Five years have only made his little minx more beautiful.


    ¡°I was telling you that it¡¯s time for lunch. I guessed you did not see Jackson who came to bring all the food that you ordered.¡± Amber was eyeing him closely. He tried not to look at her.


    ¡°Are you sure you are fine? You looked shaken.¡± Amber¡¯s concern was evident, and Devlin couldn¡¯t bear to hide his true emotions from her. He hugged her tightly and felt a sense of relief from her as she hugged him back. The moment she did that, he felt like all his worries were gone.


    ¡°Yes, everything is fine as long as you are here with me. Don¡¯t worry about me.¡± Then, he put his arm on her shoulder. She did not even stop him from hugging her nor getting so close to her. Instead, she showed her curious face at him.


    ¡°We should eat. I am really starving.¡± He said just to keep her from scrutinizing him further.


    ¡°Fine. I hope it is nothing serious. You really looked so bothered by your own thoughts.¡± Amber voiced out. And she was right. He is extremely bothered and frustrated. He wished everything would be resolved soon. He wants to spend his time with his wife. And showed her that his feelings for her have never changed. In fact, it only intensified a hundredfold.

 Second Chance

    As Amber sat at the lunch table with Devlin and her marmee, a radiant smile lit up her face. The feeling of contentment and happiness washed over her, and she couldn¡¯t find the words to describe how much this moment meant to her. Five years ago, this very scenario was her dream ¨C to be surrounded by the most special people in her life, sharing a meal together in harmony.


    After her heart-to-heart conversation with her marmee, she felt a change in her perspective and a deeper appreciation for the rtionships that meant the most to her. The bond with her grandmother had deepened. And she felt that stronger connection with Devlin after learning what he did.


    As theyughed, shared stories, and savored the delicious meal, Amber knew that she hadpletely changed her heart towards Devlin.


    She has already decided that she would give Devlin another chance. She would take him back in her life. And this time, she would never run away. She would stay by his side. And listen to whatever he has to say if problems arise.


    After finishing lunch, marmee left to check on the workers on the farm, and Amber and Devlin were left alone. Devlin¡¯s expression seemed serious, but he didn¡¯t say anything immediately. Instead, he offered to help Amber in the kitchen. She washed the dishes while he cleaned the table. Amber was smiling to herself since it just reminded her that they did the same thing back in her condo.


    After they finished cleaning, Amber made some tea. They settled in the living room, casually watching random shows on the TV. The atmosphere between them feltfortable and rxed. Shortly after, marmee returned and joined them for tea. The three of them spent some more quality time together, just chatting and sharing stories, cherishing the simple joy of each other¡¯spany.


    Suddenly, marmee said something out of the blue.


    ¡°I must admit, I¡¯m quite in the dark about how Amber ended up here with you, Devlin. None of you bothered to keep me informed. So, are you and Amber back together? Or do you need some more persuasion to win my granddaughter¡¯s heart?¡± Marmee asked candidly, her warm eyes showing both curiosity and concern. She couldn¡¯t help but let her romantic nature shine through at times.


    Amber¡¯s face turned red as she felt embarrassed by her grandmother¡¯s directness. Meanwhile, Devlin took a deep breath, understanding marmee¡¯s need for rity.


    ¡°Yes, marmee, I have been spending time pursuing your granddaughter. Trying to work things out. I am hoping that she will ept me back in her life. I will keep proving to her every single day that I have always loved her.¡± He said with great intensity.


    Amber remained silent, feeling torn about expressing her decision to Devlin in front of her grandmother. She knew they needed to have a deeper conversation in private, discussing certain important matters that were best not shared with others. The weight of their past and theplexity of their situation made her hesitant to reveal her thoughts just yet. She stole a nce at Devlin, hoping he could sense her internal struggle and be patient with her. There was much to discuss between them although Devlin was already telling her a lot of things these past few days.


    Marmee smiled with understanding. ¡°Ah, young love! It¡¯s such a beautiful feeling. Take all the time you need, but don¡¯t forget thatmunication is essential. I am here for you both.¡± With marmee¡¯s words of encouragement, Amber¡¯s blush subsided, and a sense of hope filled the room. The three of them continued their conversation until marmee excused herself again to take her afternoon nap.


    It was now just the two of them in the serene ambiance of the living room. Devlin finally broke the silence, his gentle voice quite unnerving to Amber.


    Devlin nced at her, the ghost of a smile ying on his lips. ¡°Well, marmee has always had a knack for speaking her mind, hasn¡¯t she?¡¯ he chuckled lightly.


    Amber pouted yfully in response, but there was a glimmer of amusement in her eyes.


    ¡°She does have a way of surprising us with her straightforwardness,¡± she admitted, ¡°but deep down, I know she just wants what¡¯s best for us.¡±


    ¡°And you think that what she said is best for us, hmm?¡± Amber heard his teasing voice. But she is not going to answer him. Let him find out for himself. She smiled at her thought.


    ¡°And she¡¯s right about one thing ¨Cmunication is essential. And I hope that you could hear me out this time. So, you canpletely forgive me and ept me back in your life for good.¡± Devlin¡¯s sincere voice moved Amber. She knew that he meant what he said.


    Amber gently took Devlin¡¯s right hand and led him to her cherished flower garden, nestled beside the house. This secluded spot granted them the much needed privacy to have a serious conversation. She believes that the moment hase for them to engage in this important discussion, and she is determined to listen attentively to every word that he is going to say.


    Seated facing each other, their eyes locked in an intense gaze, Devlin¡¯s unwavering focus on Amber was matched by her equal attentiveness. She wanted to show her willingness to hear him out entirely, even going back to the beginning, five years ago.N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    ¡°I am not fine, Amber,¡± he confessed softly, his voice quivering with emotion. ¡°There have been so many things happening, and I¡¯ve been trying to protect you from it all. But I can¡¯t keep it from you any longer.¡±


    Amber held his hands, reassuring him with her presence. ¡°Please go on. You don¡¯t have to carry your burdens alone.¡±


    Devlin felt a surge of gratitude wash over him upon hearing her reassuring words. He realized that bringing her to the farm was an important step for her to have a change of heart. The peaceful and intimate setting of the farm yed a big role in enriching their connection. And most of all, he believes that Amber¡¯s conversation with her grandmother had allowed her to open her mind and heart to him.


    Devlin took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts before he began recounting the events that had unfolded within hispany five years ago, right after Amber had left him. With a sincere and vulnerable tone, he shared the challenges and troubles he faced during that period. Amber listened intently as she understood the significance of this moment and the trust he was cing in her by sharing everything with her.


    As Devlin finished narrating the events five years ago up to the present, Amber found herself overwhelmed with a mix of emotions. Her doubts and uncertainties about Devlin had vanished, especially now that he had openly shared the truth about what happened with Fiona Ross. The air was finally cleared between them, and a newfound sense of trust and understanding grew within her.


    However, with these shocking revtions, Amber couldn¡¯t shake off her concern about the true culprit behind the plot to bring Devlin down. The mystery of the person responsible still lingered in her mind, leaving her anxious.


    ¡°And you deserve to know the truth,¡± Devlin said with a cautious tone. He didn¡¯t want to scare her, but he believed that she deserved to know everything.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± She started to feel more anxious by the minutes. Devlin¡¯s revtions had truly unsettled her.


    ¡°There have been threats, Amber,¡± he finally confessed. ¡°They began with mypany, but now they¡¯re also targeting you. I still don¡¯t know who¡¯s behind all of these, but I want you to know that I won¡¯t allow anything to happen to you, I promise to protect you.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t understand. I never received any threats from work or directly aimed at me. Is there something going on in mypany that I don¡¯t know?¡± she asked with a trembling voice.


    ¡°Like I mentioned before, I had you discreetly followed by my trusted bodyguards. They have been with you for almost five years now,¡± he exined. That statement made Amber¡¯s eyebrows furrowed in confusion. She was puzzled and curious as to those people who had been guarding her all this time.


    ¡°Tell me, who are they? What about the one who has been guarding marmee? Is he one of the farmers you were talking to earlier?¡± Devlin only smiled at Amber¡¯s keen observation towards him.


    ¡°Well,¡± Devlin began, ¡°they are a highly skilled team of security experts I hired to ensure your safety. As for the one guarding marmee, yes, he is indeed one of the farmers I was talking to earlier. He has been with me for a long time, and his expertise in security matters is exceptional. I wanted to make sure that you and marmee were always protected without drawing much attention from my enemies.¡±


    Amber looked into his eyes. ¡°I appreciate your concern, Devlin, and I¡¯m sorry if I misjudged your intentions. It¡¯s just a lot to take in, but I am grateful that you care.¡± She said sincerely.


    He reached out and gently ced a hand on hers, trying tofort her. ¡°I understand that all of this might be overwhelming for you, but I want you to know that I deeply care for you. My intentions were never to invade your privacy but to protect you from potential threats.¡± He paused, looking intently at her.


    ¡°And if there¡¯s anything you need to know or if you have any questions, I am here to answer them with all honesty.¡± Amber was just in awe while looking at the man that she truly loved. And still, continue to love. She never really stopped loving him. She just tried to get herself busy to forget the pain. And now, she is ready to embrace him back in her life. And this time, she is sure that she is doing the right thing. It just feels so right¡­

 Back In Each Other鈥檚 Arms

    Amber could not stop herself from hugging Devlin tightly. She saw how the immense pain and struggles he had endured all these years were evident on his face, and it broke her heart. Regret washed over her as she realized that she had caused him more pain by walking away without listening to him. The weight of guilt consumed her as she acknowledged that she had wasted five precious years of their lives apart.


    Yes, she had been hurt by him many times, but that shouldn¡¯t discourage her from believing what they had together five years ago was something very special. It¡¯s important to acknowledge that she had also hurt him in some ways, but dwelling on past mistakes won¡¯t help them now. Instead, they must focus on a significant problem they are facing together. They need to find out who is behind all of these issues, which have escted to some serious threats.


    After a while, Amber loosened her embrace from Devlin. However, he gently held onto her, pulling her closer, and tenderly cupped her face in his hands.


    ¡°Does this mean that I ampletely forgiven?¡± Devlin asked, his expression showing signs of nervousness.


    ¡°Yes, Devlin. And I hope you won¡¯t waste this second chance I¡¯m giving us.¡± She smiled warmly at him before leaning in and kissing him with all the love and affection she could express in that tender moment they shared.


    ¡°I love you so much, baby. You have no idea the immense significance you hold in my life. I reached a point where I felt like giving up. I was all alone but knowing that you are still there yet from afar, it grants me the strength to keep going.¡± He spoke with heartfelt sincerity, not afraid to express his emotions openly.


    ¡°I love you too, Devlin,¡± she whispered, her voice filled with sincerity and joy. ¡°I am overjoyed to finally open my heart to you. I know that we will face more challenges, but I believe in you¡­ I believe in us, and I ammitted to facing everything together.¡± Her smile was reassuring, a reflection of her emotions she felt in that moment. As their eyes met, they both knew that their love has the strength to endure any obstacles that mighte their way. With their hearts now intertwined, they sealed their derations of love with a tender kiss.


    After a couple of minutes, they remained entwined in each other¡¯s embrace, quietly savoring the renewal of their vows of love. The sense of contentment enveloped them as they reveled in thefort of being back in each other¡¯s arms. Eventually, it was Amber who gently broke the tranquil silence that enveloped them.


    ¡°So what are your ns now?¡± Amber inquired, her voice tinged with concern. ¡°I don¡¯t want to disrupt this peaceful moment we¡¯re sharing, but I can¡¯t help but think that our happiness might be iplete if there are still hidden enemies lurking around.¡± With a touch of worry in her voice, she expressed her genuine feelings, knowing that addressing any potential threats was essential to securing their future together.


    ¡°Baby, I am sorry for burdening you with my problems,¡± Devlin said sincerely. ¡°You don¡¯t need to worry anymore. I can openly protect you now. And as much as I want to support you with yourpany, there¡¯s something I need to ask you.¡± Devlin paused, and Amber looked at him curiously, waiting for what he had to say.


    ¡°I know very well how much hard work you put into yourpany to make it sessful. But what I am asking of you would be a sacrifice on your part,¡± he said, carefully observing her as her eyebrows furrowed.


    ¡°Spill it out. Whatever it is, I know that you are only looking after my best interest,¡± she said, holding his hands tightly.


    Devlin took a deep breath. ¡°I would like you toe with me to Seattle. Don¡¯t worry, I have already set up yourpany there, and you even have a branch of your manufacturing business,¡± he exined, leaving Amber utterly stunned.


    ¡°Wait¡­what?! How did you set up mypany in Seattle? I never established any branch there. That¡¯s thest ce I wanted to put mypany in. Well, before we made up,¡± she said, revising her words.


    Devlin smiled at her widely. ¡°Surprise, babe! When you started yourpany, I was your first investor ¨C I had someone represent me, and I asked her to never divulge my name.¡± It was another surprising revtion for Amber. It had never crossed her mind that Devlin would have contributed to herpany, especially when she was just starting and they were miles apart. She just left him a few months prior to starting her ownpany.Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Suddenly, a wave of realization hit Amber. She couldn¡¯t believe what she had just discovered ¨C her first investor was none other than Jillian¡¯s mother. So does it mean¡­?


    ¡°How did youe to know Jillian¡¯s mother? My friend must be unaware of your connection, isn¡¯t she?¡± Amber¡¯s mind now races with curiosity, wondering what other secrets Devlin might be about to reveal. The nagging feeling to uncover the identities of those who have been guarding her all these years grows stronger.


    Amber remembered that at the party, Devlin Wesley was introduced to her friend, Jillian, by Jacob. And she heard her friend say that she had just met the famous Devlin Wesley. She was even excited to meet Devlin. However, Amber is puzzled because she doesn¡¯t understand how Devlin is connected to her friend¡¯s family. Amber could only shake her head.


    It has been a whirlwind of revtions she had experienced in just one day. ¡°You know, all your revtions were quite a huge shock to me,¡± she said, ¡°but there¡¯s still one thing that I would really like to know ¨C who has been guarding me all this time? I feel grateful for their protection, and I would really like to express my gratitude to them.¡± Her curiosity piqued, eager to uncover the mysterious individuals who have been watching her for thest five years.


    ¡°Baby, I guess this is really the time for revtions. Are you sure you can still handle everything?¡± Devlin asked earnestly, but Amber only smirked at him.


    ¡°What else would shock me more than you being my silent investor or the faceless person or people who are after me and you?¡± She saw Devlin¡¯s slight smile, but he couldn¡¯t hide his worries at the same time when she mentioned someone who is responsible for all their problems right now.


    He heaved a deep sigh. His lil minx is curious as always, and he couldn¡¯t help but wonder how she would react when she discovered that one of the people guarding her had been her close confidante all along. The thought of revealing the truth to her both excites and frightens him.


    As he gathered his thoughts to tell her, a sudden interruption broke the moment. Marmee¡¯s voice echoed through the garden, calling their names loudly. He decided to tell herter on.


    They heard marmee¡¯s footsteps getting close to where they were. ¡°There you are! I have been looking for you around the house. I thought you both had gone somewhere.¡± Marmee¡¯s face lit up with a smile as she saw them holding hands together.


    ¡°Marmee, we were just talking. I thought you were still taking your nap.¡± Amber said looking intently at her marmee¡¯s smiling face.


    ¡°I woke up a couple of minutes ago. I only took a nap for half an hour. It has been almost two hours since I woke up. I got busy with the farmers.¡± Marmee said with a suppressed smile this time.


    Amber was pleasantly surprised to realize that she had been engrossed in conversation with Devlin for more than two hours now. Time had flown by so fast. She hadn¡¯t even noticed it passing. His revtions had captured her attentionpletely, leaving her in deep thoughts of their situation.


    ¡°Looks like you two have made up. I am so happy for both of you,¡± Marmee said, looking at them with great adoration. Amber cheeks slightly turning red. She felt like she was a teenager getting caught with her crush.


    ¡°I have you to thank for, marmee. If you hadn¡¯t had that heart-to-heart talk with your granddaughter earlier, I don¡¯t think I have even a slim chance to get back with this lovely lil minx here,¡± Devlin said while happiness was visible on his face. Amber blushed even more intensely this time.


    One can clearly see marmee¡¯s happiness as she witnessed her granddaughter getting back together with her husband. She hopes and prays that they staymitted to each other this time.


    ¡°Don¡¯t thank me yet, young man,¡± marmee said with a twinkle in her eyes.


    ¡°I would be extremely happy if I could carry your bundle of joy soon.¡± It took a moment for Amber to grasp the full meaning of her grandmother¡¯s words. She nced at Devlin, who was beaming with happiness, mirroring marmee¡¯s smile. Amber felt a mix of emotions, wanting to protest but deciding to remain silent. The idea of having a child with the love of her life was undeniably wonderful. She smiled with contentment, setting aside any worries for the time being. Right now, she resolved to relish the weekend with Devlin and her grandmother, celebrating their reunion.

 Abby鈥檚 Revelation

    It had truly been a wonderful weekend for Amber, one she wished could stretch on endlessly. Regrettably, she needed to return to New York alongside Devlin. With her responsibilities to manage herpany, she couldn¡¯t linger any longer.


    She hoped her grandmother would apany her back to New York , but marmee was adamant about remaining at the farm. She expressed that her life was deeply connected to the farm. Amber was sad that she couldn¡¯t convince her grandmother toe at all. She promised toe visit her more often.


    Currently, Amber finds herself in her office, engrossed in sifting through her paperwork when the sound of a knock interrupts her concentration. The source of the interruption is Devlin, his appearance suggesting he has recently taken a shower. His hair is still damp and he is freshly shaven. Without hesitation, Devlin strides purposefully toward her, bestowing a kiss upon her lips.


    ¡°Good morning, baby,¡± he greeted, a radiant smile on his face as he looked at her. Amber found herself speechless and just gazing at her husband¡¯s face. He had acted swiftly, catching her off guard. Behind Devlin stood Abby, whoseck of astonishment at Devlin¡¯s actions was evident. Amber¡¯s gaze shifted to her secretary, and in those moments, a sudden idea formed in her mind.


    ¡®Could she possibly be one of those who were guarding her?¡¯ She recalls Devlin¡¯s words. One of her bodyguards held a position of great trust. A gasp escaped her lips as surprise washed over her. The likelihood is significant ¨C it might just be Abby.


    Devlin anticipated her thoughts before she had a chance to voice them.


    ¡°Babe, she¡¯s the one I was about to tell youst time before marmee interrupted us,¡± Devlin said, confirming what she had suspected. Nevertheless, she was still surprised to hear Devlin actually confirm it.


    ¡°I apologize, ma¡¯am. I¡¯m worried about disappointing you by concealing the truth,¡± Abby admitted, her gaze fixed downward as guilt weighed on her. She understood the depth of Amber¡¯s trust in her, which extended beyond their professional rtionship into a meaningful friendship.


    ¡°It¡¯s Amber for you. I¡¯m not upset with you, Abby. I¡¯m just surprised,¡± she said, moving in to hug Abby.


    ¡°Thank you for helping Devlin in keeping me safe,¡± Amber expressed with heartfelt gratitude.


    ¡°I wanted to apologize if you¡¯ve ever thought that I only befriended you as part of my job. But really, I genuinely want to express my gratitude for how you¡¯ve treated me as more than just an employee. Thank you for the friendship you¡¯ve extended to me,¡± Abby said with sincerity, which brought a tear to Amber¡¯s eye.


    ¡°Please skip the formality, Abby. I am your friend, not just a boss.¡± She said while smiling at Abby.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.


    All three of them are now seated on the couch, engaged in a conversation about Abby¡¯s role protecting her. It hase to light that Abby¡¯s family actually owns a reputable security agency and her father is a retired army officer. While Abby herself hasn¡¯t divulged many details about her profession, it¡¯s bing evident that her job entails much more than just being a standard bodyguard.


    ¡°I still couldn¡¯t believe what you did for me, Abby. It¡¯s truly astonishing. You appear to be a regr employee, and the idea of you holding a gun or taking on those criminals physically is beyond my imagination. Your demeanor seems more suited for the office than active fieldwork.¡± Amber chuckled softly, still couldn¡¯t believe that Abby is a legit kick-ass undercover.


    Who would have thought that the gorgeous and slender woman who posed as her secretary was actually a formidable bodyguard? No one could have anticipated that Abby was skilled inbat.


    ¡°Fighting someone is not typically within my usual activities. I usually go undercover. I avoid conflict unless the circumstances necessitate it.¡± Abby remarked nonchntly, as if it were an ordinary task.


    ¡°Actually babe, she¡¯s quite talented. She might even outperform her brother,¡± Devlin remarked, eliciting only a wry smile from Abby.


    Amber discovered that Abby¡¯s brother was actually a friend of Devlin¡¯s. This connection  was what enabled him to seek Abby¡¯s assistance.


    ¡°Oh don¡¯t tell him that, or he might threaten to wring your neck. He was already a bit miffed at me for snagging quite a few jobs from him. He keepsining that it was because of me that he has to stay in thepany.¡± Abby¡¯s remark elicited a heartyughter from Devlin.


    ¡°I can¡¯t imagine Colby in the office. And you made your brother sound boring.¡± Devlin responded. He had met Abby¡¯s brother during his brief stint in the military. Although Devlin chose a different path, Colby continued his military career and has now risen to the rank of a decorated military officer.


    After a considerable amount of time talking about Abby¡¯s brother, the atmosphere turned serious as Devlin initiated a discussion about the issues they are currently facing.


    ¡°So tell me, what¡¯s the progress of your investigation? This is bing incredibly exasperating. I¡¯m determined to apprehend whoever is behind all of these troubles. I want to live in peace with my wife.¡± he spoke to Abby, yet his grip on Amber¡¯s hand remained firm.


    ¡°We are actively working on the matter. Our mastermind remains an enigmatic figure. It¡¯s striking how familiar he seems to be with your background, almost as if he were a part of your family. Nheless, I meticulously revisited all the information concerning your family members that underwent investigation before. We still reached the dead-end. But something has been nagging me. And I could not put it in ce.¡± Abby said while deep in her thoughts.


    She is convinced that whoever the mastermind is, they must have a close connection to Devlin. Someone he trusts implicitly. This person seems to be privy to Devlin¡¯s every move, always poised to act whenever Devlin makes a move. Justst night, as she sifted through her files, an idea took shape in her mind. A single photograph triggered her suspicions about a certain individual. If her intuition, which has proven urate countless times, holds true, she might be on the brink of apprehending the culprit. However, she¡¯s refraining from sharing her thoughts with Devlin for now, opting to gather more evidence. The suspect¡¯s record appears unblemished, devoid of any known criminal activity. Yet, she¡¯s delving deeper into the suspect¡¯s background to unveil any hiddenyers. Probably, somewhere along his past, he must have done something wrong.


    ¡°I really hope that your investigation can be concluded soon. The longer this criminal remains anonymous, the more threats we continue to receive from him. And who knows what else he can do,¡± Devlin expressed with obvious frustration. Amber reached out and gently touched his back, hoping to help him find some calmness.


    ¡°It¡¯s alright, babe. We¡¯re in this together,¡± she whispered, her words carrying to Abby¡¯s ears. Abby couldn¡¯t help but catch her boss¡¯forting words. She genuinely felt happy for Amber. For thest few years that she has been with Amber, she hase to recognize Amber¡¯s exceptional qualities. Her boss was a person of remarkable kindness and thoughtfulness, always ready to extend a helping hand. Her unparalleled work ethic also garnered admiration from all her employees. Usually, Abby wouldn¡¯t consider forging friendships with her clients, but Amber was an exception. Her innate caring nature would pull anyone like a ma, drawing people in. And she just witnessed Amber¡¯s deep concern for her husband. No wonder Devlin would move mountains just to make sure Amber is protected.


    ¡°By the way Mr. Wesley, I¡¯m nning to take this opportunity to go on leave. There¡¯s something I need to investigate personally ¨C I want to confirm my suspicions.¡± Abby¡¯s gaze shifted between Amber and Devlin. This time, she felt the urge to conduct the investigation herself. She sensed that a crucial piece of the puzzle is missing, and she is determined to uncover it soon. The clock is ticking and the looming threat is unpredictable. If her hunch was right, Amber and Devlin could be in grave danger.


    ¡°Alright, take whatever time you need. I just hope that this time, you can bring some good news,¡± Devlin said with his serious tone.


    ¡°Oh no, you just took my best staff in thepany.¡± Amberined to Devlin. Her disappointment was evident, but a glint of amusement danced in her eyes as she yfully teased her husband. Undoubtedly, Abby is exceptionally efficient in her role. Nevertheless, she currently shoulders more important and crucial responsibilities.


    Abby only chuckled at what Amber said. Shortly after, she excused herself. She needed to finish her pending work so Amber won¡¯t have a hard time when a new secretary will take her ce.


    Devlin had to answer a phone call while Amber decided to go back to her table. Half an hourter, Devlin finally finished his business call.


    ¡°Hey babe, I have a few meetings lined up today. Would you be alright here?¡± Amber simply nodded at him. She is also going to be busy.


    ¡°Anyway, I wille pick you up after work. You areing with me to my ce.¡± He dered casually without even asking Amber¡¯s opinion.


    ¡°By the way, earlier I dropped by your condo and had the maids collect some of your stuff. If you¡¯d like, we can also visit your ce if there¡¯s anything else important you want to bring along,¡± Devin mentioned nonchntly.


    Since their reconciliation, Devlin had been gently coaxing her to move in with him at his residence. Whenever he¡¯s in New York for business, he¡¯s got his own house to crash at ¨C an inheritance from his grandfather.


    ¡°Seriously? You took the decision to move my things to your ce? I haven¡¯t agreed yet to moving in with you.¡± Amber said but Devlin only smiled at her sheepishly.


    ¡°If the decision were solely yours, you would take forever to pack your things and move in with me. Babe, let¡¯s not waste any day or moment far away from each other. Your rightful ce is by my side, just as mine is by yours,¡± he dered with unwavering certainty. Amber simply responded with an eye roll but deep inside her, she is overwhelmed with happiness. Her husband could not even muster the patience to wait a mere few days for her to make the transition and move in with him.


    ¡°Besides, you owe me big time.¡± He winked at her, nting a kiss on her lips before exiting her office. He left Amber puzzled. It took her a few moments to realize the meaning of his final remark. A warm blush spread across her cheeks. Good thing that he already left. Or else, he would continue teasing her which has be his habit these past few days.

 Moving In

    Later in the afternoon, Amber was preparing her things to get ready to meet Devlin at the parking lot. However, he was already right in her office when she was just gathering all her things.


    ¡°Hey, I thought you were going to wait for me in the basement.¡± She said casually while quickly fixing her hair. She already put on a little bit of makeup earlier.


    ¡°I couldn¡¯t wait to see you, babe.¡± Devlin immediately went to her and hugged her tightly. He kissed her forehead and then her lips.  Amber equally kissed him hotly. It was not a regr peck on the lips. It was a deep kiss thatsted for more than a minute.


    ¡°We need to go before I take you here.¡± He said with his hoarse voice. He is trying hard not to lose his control. There is a time for thatter in their house. Amber quickly dismissed any thoughts of their intimacy together. That is bound to happen anyway. She admits that she is excited about it.


    Amber decided to drop by her condo to check her things. She wanted to make sure that she got her important stuff. She left Devlin in the living room as he was busy talking on the phone again. She entered her bedroom and nothing was unusual. She left her bedroom the same way as it was in the morning. However, when she got into her closet, all her clothes were wiped out. The maids must have brought everything. Even her shoes and bags were also taken.


    She has nothing much to bring with her. She just went to her safe to get all her important papers and all her jewelry.


    By the time she got out of her room, Devlin was also done with his phone call. He is always busy with work.


    ¡°Ready?¡± He asked while looking at her tiny luggage.


    ¡°Is that all you are going to bring with you?¡± She only nodded at him.


    ¡°Looks like you told your maids to clean my closet from everything.¡± Devlin smiled sheepishly at her. She couldn¡¯t be upset at him. He is right. Her ce is with him. And it is better that they stay together.


    Devlin took her luggage from her and intertwined their hands while heading to the elevator.


    ¡°Babe, I had dinner ready for us in the house. I am sure you are hungry by now. I am starving. I barely ate during lunch.¡± Devlin said casually while his eyes were on the road.


    ¡°I know that you are very busy but you shouldn¡¯t get yourself hungry.¡± Devlin smiled warmly at her concerned voice.


    ¡°For sure, I will never starve myself again since my wife is back  to take good care of me.¡± He winked at her.


    Well, he is right. She will definitely take care of him. That¡¯s the least she can do for her husband. Now that they are back together, she will make sure that she makes up for all the lost times they wasted before.


    The ride to Devlin¡¯s house took like half an hour. She saw a huge ck gate. She couldn¡¯t see the house inside. It was one of the guards who opened the gate for them. The moment the gate was open, Amber saw a sprawling mansion from a distance. There are trees surrounding the whole ce. She was in awe as to how huge the mansion is. She never thought that they were going to a huge mansion. Devlin just casually said he owns a house in New York.N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    ¡°Like what you see?¡± Devlin asked after he saw her looking amazed.


    ¡°You kept saying you owned a house here but you never mentioned it is this huge.¡± She eximed to which Devlin onlyughed heartily.


    ¡°Well, this house is almost the same size as our house in Seattle.¡± Again, he said casually.


    ¡°Really? When did you build a mansion in Seattle? Last time I knew, you had the penthouse and the condo unit where I stayed.¡± Her surprised voice only made Devlin shrug his shoulders. For him, it is not something out of the ordinary.


    ¡°I boughtnd before located in a sub-urban area. I decided to build a house there for my future family.¡± He said honestly. Amber couldn¡¯t help but remember that probably that house was built for his ex-girlfriend, Raven.


    Devlin has never mentioned Raven nor his brother. She also wondered about his rtionship with his parents and brother now. Moreso, that his family was also investigated. She didn¡¯t dare ask that question.


    They got inside the huge mansion made of solid marble. Once inside, Amber was weed with all the housemaids lining up in front of her.


    ¡°Everyone, my wife, Amber. I want you to take good care of her. Do whatever she asks you to do.¡± he said with hismanding voice. Amber greeted and smiled at everyone. After the brief introductions, Devlin guided her to the kitchen where a small dining area was to the side. The formal dining area is somewhere in the house.


    ¡°I can show you around the houseter if you are not too tired.¡± Devlin said while he put some food on her te. She misses him serving her food. She did that for him as well.


    ¡°I miss this, babe.¡± It was Devlin who voiced out what¡¯s in her thoughts. She noticed that he is more vocal now saying his feelings towards her. He has changed a lot.


    ¡°Me too.¡± She saidfortably. Amber didn¡¯t get to tour around the huge mansion. She was just too tired and she wanted to take a bath to rx. Of course, Devlin didn¡¯t hesitate to lead her to their bedroom. They have a huge bedroom like the size of her condo unit. They even have a mini kitchen and living room.


    She was getting ready for a bath. When she got inside the bathroom, she was surprised that Devlin was already inside. He was done preparing the bath for her. And before she knew it, he helped her undress and joined her in the tub.


    He immediately gave her a scorching hot kiss. That left her heady with pleasure. The kiss was so hot that she wanted more. It was her who kissed him again. And this time, his hands wandered all over her body. And when it finds its way to her center core, she just forgot everything. She only felt the sensation that Devlin is giving her and his hot body giving her extra warmth. Nothing can be heard inside the bathroom except their incessant moans.


    Amber went to sleep veryte that night. Devlin did not let go of her until she could barely open her eyes. For sure, he made a lot of marks all over her body. She felt him kissing her head and hugging her tightly from behind. She went to sleep happy and content.


    The next day, she woke upte. It was already past 9 am. She immediately sat down only to feel the soreness between her legs. She is all alone in bed. She thought that Devlin must have gone to work already. However, she was wrong. A few minutester, the door to their mini kitchen opened and she saw Devlin walking towards her with a tray of food.


    ¡°Good morning, my lil minx. How are you feeling?¡± He asked with full of love. He set the tray on a small table to the side.


    ¡°Breakfast. Are you hungry?¡± The smell of food filled her nostril. She only nodded her head. She still felt the pain down. And her body aches all over. She felt like she did a strenuous exercise all night. She turned red when she realized where her thinking was heading. Of course, Devlin was like a hungry lion. He was devouring every inch of her. She lost count of how many times he took her to oblivion.


    She winced when she moved to sit down properly. Devlin immediately helped her and made herfortable.


    ¡°I am sorry, babe. It was all my fault. I could have controlled myselfst night.¡± He said with a hint of regret. Amber held his face with her both hands. ¡°You were incrediblest night. I just


    couldn¡¯t keep up with you.¡± She smiled shyly at him which earned a light chuckle from Devlin.


    ¡°I love you so much, baby. I am so happy to see your beautiful face every waking moment of my life.¡± His intense gaze made her heart beat faster. Devlin has always had that effect on her.


    They ate their breakfast together while talking about anything.


    ¡°Babe, I called Abby. I told her that you won¡¯t be going to your office today. And before you could protest, your meeting today for one of your clients was canceled and rescheduled.¡± Amber didn¡¯t say anything but only shook her head.


    ¡°Besides, you are still sore. You need to take a good rest, babe.¡± Devlin smiled widely but Amber gave him the look.


    ¡®What can she do?¡¯ Her husband is always insatiable in bed. Right after they finished eating, Devlin handed her a medicine so her pain and soreness would go away. Devlin himself didn¡¯t attend any business meetings today. He decided to work in the house. He saw Amber now sleeping peacefully. He was just looking at her for quite some time. He is d that he has her. In fact, she is all that he has.


    Now, the thought of their enemies crossed his head. He could not wait for everything to finish. He wants to have kids with his wife. And he is already working on it.

 The Announcement

    It has been a blissful week for both Devlin and Amber. She returned to work the next day with no issues. She has been busy doing her routine paperwork plus attending some meetings. Now, her bodyguards are apanying her wherever she goes. It was Devlin¡¯s order. And it was not until Friday that the news broke out about Devlin and her.


    She was on her way to the car after a meeting with a client when some reporters suddenly appeared in front of her.


    ¡°Ms. Adams, could you please confirm about the budding romance between you and Mr. Wesley?¡± Said the first reporter who came into her view.


    ¡°Ms. Adams or should I say Mrs. Wesley, I have a report that you married Mr. Wesley five years ago. How true is that?¡± Asked another reporter. She was walking fast so she could get away from all these reporters. She felt like a deja vu. It happened also five years ago when reporters flocked her way just to get a scoop between her and Devlin.


    She was d that she was surrounded by her bodyguards. She immediately got inside the car without trouble. Once inside, her phone rang immediately.


    ¡°Babe, how are you? The driver just informed me that you have been hounded by those reporters.¡± Devlin¡¯s concerned voice calmed her down. She was slightly shaking. She doesn¡¯t want to be bothered by those reporters who would not stop at nothing just to get their piece of news.


    ¡°I am fine. I am d the bodyguards are with me. They were able to ward them off. I am now in the car. Where are you?¡± She checked her watch and it was just 4 pm.


    ¡°I am still here in my office. What about you? Are you still going back to yourpany?¡± Amber shook her head. She is done for the day.


    ¡°No, I will go home. I don¡¯t think it is good to stay out, especially now that those reporters already found something about us.¡± Her worried voice did not escape his notice. He took a deep sigh.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about them. I will take care of that. Just stay in the house.¡± He already had something in his head. He wanted to do it before but he wanted Amber to adjust to their life together. Especially now that she will be opened to scrutiny as being the wife of a famous businessman in the country.


    Amber calmed down after what Devlin told her. She decided to stay in their house. She took a short nap after taking a bath. By the time she woke up, she decided to bake a cake. It was just past 5 pm. She then watched a movie while waiting for Devlin. The cake was done but Devlin wasn¡¯t home yet.


    She did not realize that she fell asleep on the couch while waiting for him. When she woke up, it was already 8 pm. She asked one of the maids she saw cleaning in the living room. She learned that Devlin had not arrived yet.


    She checked her phone only to see several calls and messages from her friends. She was wondering what¡¯s going on. She got scared for a while, thinking about Devlin.


    When she opened her phone, there were just around three missed calls from Devlin. Then, she checked her inbox only to see a video. She immediately opened it and she saw Devlin making an announcement. The video was just sent to her half an hour ago.


    ¡°I am here to make a special announcement.¡± Devlin paused and Amber saw all the shes from the cameras. Everyone was very quiet waiting for what he was about to say next.


    ¡°It hase to my attention that some reporters just did an ambush interview on Ms. Amber Adams today. So, to settle everything once and for all¡­ Yes, Ms. Amber Adams or should I say Mrs. Amber Wesley is my wife. I am asking everyone to please stop harassing her or I will be forced to file a case against any of you. I don¡¯t want to drag my wife into any of these.¡± He paused, looking tired but continued.


    ¡°I hope you all understand. I am not entertaining any questions regarding my personal life. Thank you so much.¡± After he said that, everyone followed him but did not dare ask questions. He was surrounded by several bodyguards.


    Amber was teary-eyed after she watched the video. She could not believe that Devlin made that announcement. She was overwhelmed with emotions. It is not easy to be a billionaire¡¯s wife, especially Devlin¡¯s wife.


    ¡°Hey babe, why are you crying?¡± She did not notice that Devlin hade home. She immediately stood up to hug him.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± He got rmed thinking that someone may have threatened or harassed her.


    ¡°Is everything fine?¡± Amber cried more. This is the first time after they have made up that she really cried hard. Her shoulders were even shaking.


    She heard Devlin ordered a ss of water for her. He made her sit down on the couch.


    ¡°Babe, what¡¯s going on? Did someone threaten you?¡± She shook her head. She could not stop herself from crying. It must be from years of keeping all her emotions to herself. She thought that herst serious conversation with Devlin was already overwhelming for her. But what Devlin did tonight just opened up all the emotions that she suppressed for years.


    Devlin just hugged her until she calmed down. His worried look is still showing on his face.


    ¡°Nothing is wrong. I just saw you making that announcement about us. And warning those reporters.¡± She wasughing but crying at the same time.


    ¡°Babe, I did it for you. For us. It is about time that I should shout to the world that you are my wife. Besides, that should stop them from bothering you from now on.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t understand why you are crying andughing at the same time. Could it be that you are pregnant, babe?¡± Amber hit Devlin on his chest. How can he think of that! They just got back together a few days ago.


    ¡°That¡¯s not it. I am just too happy. Thank you, babe.¡± She said and hugged Devlin again. She is getting a lot emotional these days.


    Devlin sighed with relief. He thought that it was something else. He understood the overwhelming emotions that Amber has been experiencing. He has been feeling that as well. He is just good at keeping his emotions at bay. He needed to be strong for his wife.


    ¡°Babe, I have not eaten dinner yet. Shall we go to the kitchen now? Or do you want to skip dinner altogether and let¡¯s go to my dessert?¡± Devlin suggested. Of course, Amber knew too well that he was referring to their nightly routine before finally going to sleep.


    ¡°What are you talking about? I am hungry. And I baked a chocte cake for dessert.¡± She arched her eyebrow at him and exaggeratedly swung her hips while striding towards the kitchen.


    ¡®Such a great tease.¡¯ Devlin murmured to himself. He followed her to the kitchen. Dinner was great as usual. They were just talking about their day. It was mostly about business. Dessert was served with the delicious looking chocte cake that Amber baked. Devlin loved it that he even brought the remaining cake to their bedroom.


    ¡°Why do you have to bring that? No one is going to touch that. I baked three chocte cakes. There is enough for everyone in the house.¡± She was smiling brightly at her husband who looks like a kid right now.


    ¡°Babe, I want to keep this for myself.¡± He put it inside the fridge while Amber was onlyughing at his childishness. She loves this side of him, yful and carefree.


    ¡°I can bake other vors for you. Just tell me what your preference is.¡± Amber offered and that made him smile sexily.


    ¡°Well, there is a particr vor that I want.¡± Amber was waiting for him to say the vor but he didn¡¯t say anything at all. Instead, he carried her bridal style and immediately deposited her to their bed.This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    ¡°Now, this is the vor that I have been craving for.¡± Whatever Amber had to say was drowned with her moans right after Devlin hungrily sucked her soft mound.


    ¡°You are so delicious, babe. I just can¡¯t get enough of you.¡± He looked at her face whose lustful eyes made him all the more hot.


    ¡°God¡­ stop looking at me like that, babe. And biting your lips like that. I may have lost it before I could even start exploring you.¡± He heard her only giggling.


    ¡°This is torture.¡± He went to kiss her deeply and explore every inch of her. Her moans and screams were music to his ears. He didn¡¯t stop until he was too exhausted himself to even move a muscle.


    They went to sleep exhausted but content with each other. He wished that they could be this happy every single moment of their lives.

 Strange Package

    The next day, Amber woke up to the non-stop ringing of her phone. She checked the time. It is way too early for her rm to make some sounds. ¡®Who could be calling her at this time?¡¯ She tried to reach for her phone but could not go further as Devlin¡¯s arm was tightly hugging her. She had to move his arm carefully to not wake him up.


    By the time she reached for her phone, the call was already off. However, it quickly started ringing again only to show an unknown number. With hesitation, she answered the call.


    ¡°Got a special gift for you, Mrs. Wesley.¡± Then the call ended. That quickly sent shivers to her spine. The deep voice of a man sounded robotic. It was a t tone yet it scared Amber to the core.


    That call could never be a prank call. No one did that to her. And besides, she used two phones. One for her business transactions while her personal number was only shared among trusted friends. And that call went through her personal number.


    She checked the time and it is just past 5 am. She doesn¡¯t want to wake up Devlin who is sleeping soundly beside her. She had so many things running in her head that she could not bring herself to go back to sleep.


    She went to their mini kitchen and made a cup of coffee for herself. Her hands were shaking while holding her cup. She was still thinking about the creepy voice of whoever was on the other line who called her a while ago. This is the first time that she experienced getting a threat. It is scary, especially that they still don¡¯t know who their main guy is.


    She kept reying in her head what the caller told her. There is a special gift for her? She is scared to even think about it. She needs to tell Devlin. This is no time to overthink. Or she will get crazy quickly.


    She didn¡¯t know that she had been in the mini-kitchen for more than an hour, just thinking to herself.


    ¡°Babe, what are you doing here this early?¡± It was Devlin¡¯s voice that broke all her thoughts about the creepy caller.


    ¡°Hey, is something wrong?¡± Devlin came forward to her and kissed her forehead.


    ¡°I couldn¡¯t go back to sleep.¡± She said almost a whisper.


    ¡°You looked terrified. Did you have a bad dream?¡± Devlin wanted to know what¡¯s going on with his wife. He was staring at her earlier right by the door for a couple of minutes before he called her attention. She was in deep thoughts. Something is definitely bothering her.


    Amber only shook her head before she took a deep breath.


    ¡°Earlier, someone called my personal number.¡± That got Devlin¡¯s attention and he pulled a chair in front of her.


    ¡°It was the voice of a man. His exact words were ¨C ¡°Got a special gift for you, Mrs. Wesley.¡± Devlin hugged her tightly. She was shaking.


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you wake me up?¡± Devlin inquired with a concerned voice.


    ¡°It was very early. You were sleeping soundly. Besides, we are in the house. This ce is heavily guarded.¡± She said nkly. It is like her reason was enough to not bother waking him up.


    ¡°Listen to me, babe. What happened to your line that we are in this together? You should wake me up anytime, especially since this is a very serious matter.¡± He said with a serious voice. He wants to know everything that is going on with Amber. Sometimes, she has this attitude that she keeps things to herself. And worst, she would overthink things.


    ¡°Will you please promise me that you are going to tell me everything, especially things like this? This is a serious threat. And I am not going to let no one harm you.¡± He hugged her tightly while closing his eyes. He could not begin to imagine the worst things that could happen to her.


    ¡°I am sorry. Promise, I will tell you everything.¡± Her soft voice calmed him down. He hugged her tightly once more.


    ¡°Babe, I have something to tell you. And I hope that you agree with me on this one.¡± Devlin said each word with emphasis, trying to make sure that he got Amber¡¯s attention.


    ¡°What is it?¡± The look of concern and rm appeared in her eyes.


    ¡°I mentioned to you before that I am going to bring you with me to Seattle.¡± He paused, hoping he would not scare her more. But he needed to tell her everything.


    ¡°Aside from the growing interest of the media about our marriage, our enemies have been escting their threats against us. You have no idea about it since everyone involved in our security made sure that those threats would not reach you. However, the call this morning means that they are targeting you directly this time to make me more worried.¡± He looked intently at Amber to make sure that she is still fine from his revtion.


    ¡°And it is better for us to go to Seattle to face this once and for all. If you agree, we will immediately board the private ne. You don¡¯t have to worry about yourpany here. I made sure that I hired efficient and trusted people for you.¡± Amber¡¯s eyebrows crossed.


    ¡°Wait a minute. I didn¡¯t know that.¡± Amber wanted to know what Devlin exactly did.


    ¡°The secretary that you just hired, she is not a regr secretary. She has worked in mypany as my operations manager. So, she can actually help you a lot in running yourpany here. And before you say anything, I didn¡¯t force her to work for you. It just so happened that she wanted to relocate here and was about to resign from mypany for personal reasons. And the timing was right. You need someone to take care of yourpany while you are with me in Seattle. We can discuss the detailster on. For now, we have this pressing matter to finish.¡± Amber simply nodded at Devlin. She couldn¡¯t be upset at her husband. And it is high time to get back to Seattle. The problem all started there.


    ¡°I understand. When will our flight be?¡± She asked while drinking another cup of coffee that Devlin made for her.


    ¡°Tonight. We need to get home tonight.¡± Devlin¡¯s intense gaze at her made her shiver. She felt like something very bad was about to happen.


    Devlin left after they spent breakfast together. He needed to make some important arrangements. Meanwhile, Amber was left in their huge mansion. She saw the guards just roaming around outside. She felt much better that the whole ce is well guarded. However, one of the maids came to her to give her something. It¡¯s a box that is simply wrapped in silver.Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°What is this? Who gave this to you?¡± She asked the maid.


    ¡°Ma¡¯am, it was the delivery guy who gave this box. He was waiting just outside the gate. The guards were ignoring him. I was at the front yard to help clean up. He saw me and asked me to take the box as it was addressed to you from a rtive in California.¡± The maid politely said.


    Of course, she only has marmee from California. No one would send her any package from anywhere. Then, she remembered the call this morning. She immediately dropped the box. She called one of the guards to check the box.


    The box was brought outside the house. Suddenly, a huge dog appeared to sniff the box before the guards decided that they could open it.


    Amber was surprised to see an old photo album inside the box. The head guard checked each page of the photo album while someone checked further if the box had any item left.


    The head guard showed her the album. Inside were some ck and white pictures.


    ¡°Is there any note that you found inside?¡± The head guard only shook his head. They were all aware about the call that Amber got very early in the morning. One of them immediately called Devlin to inform him of what happened. Amber heard Devlin asking about her.


    She took the photo album with her. She does not understand what is the connection of the old photo album to the caller this morning. She checked the pictures but she does not know anyone. She saw a lot of group pictures of kids. They must be from a school or something. She couldn¡¯t point out where exactly the pictures were taken.


    An hourter, she saw Devlin getting inside the house. He immediately came to her and hugged her.


    ¡°Babe, what happened? I have been trying to call you but you were not picking up. The guards told me that you are just here in the living room, taking your time looking at the photo album you got.¡± Devlin saw the photo album on herp.


    ¡°I don¡¯t understand why someone would send me this old photo album with a bunch of ck and white photos of young kids. If this is the thing that the caller earlier said, well, it doesn¡¯t make sense to me.¡± Amber looked tired and worried. Devlin sat beside her. He also checked the album. And just like Amber, he doesn¡¯t understand why someone would send them some old photographs of kids.


    ¡°Forget about it for now, babe. We need to get ready. We are leaving in an hour.¡± Devlin announced readily.


    ¡°Oh¡­I thought we were leaving tonight.¡± Amber looked closely at Devlin who looked tired and frustrated just like her.


    ¡°Something came up at thepany. I need to be there first thing in the morning.¡± He briefly said. Amber did not ask further since she knew that something was bothering him. She will find that out soon.

 My Home

    The moment theynded in Seattle, they immediately went to the mansion that Devlin had purchased a long time ago for his future family. Amber stood at the entrance, her eyes widening as she took in the grandeur of the ce. The mansion¡¯s architecture exuded a timeless elegance, and the surrounding garden seemed to stretch endlessly, adorned with vibrant flowers and lush greenery.


    She thought that nothing can beat the grandiosity of Devlin¡¯s mansion in New York but this huge ce truly is iparable. It has just captured Amber¡¯s heart.


    As they stepped inside, Amber¡¯s breath caught in her throat. The interior was nothing short of breathtaking. A sweeping staircase adorned with intricate carvings led to the upper floors. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting a warm and inviting glow over the spacious foyer. The walls were adorned with exquisite paintings, each telling a story of its own.


    She ventured out into the backyard, and what greeted her left her utterly astounded, an overwhelming sense of amazement washed over her and took in the breathtaking revtion that the rear of the house opened up to reveal a mesmerizing view of theke. The mere words in her head seemed inadequate to capture the magnificence of the sight thaty before her. Nature¡¯s masterpiece was unveiled in front of her eyes, a picturesque image that painted an indelible mark in her soul.


    She has seen countless sunsets before but nothing prepared her for the scene right in front of her.


    The sun cast a warm golden glow across the horizon, creating a seamless fusion of orange and purple hues that adorned the sky like an artist¡¯s brush strokes. The tranquil water mirrored this celestial disy, as if theke itself sought to pay homage to the celestial spectacle above.


    As she stood there, captivated by the scene, she couldn¡¯t help but feel as if time had momentarily suspended itself, allowing her to bask in the pure tranquility of the moment. The world seemed to fall away, leaving her enveloped in serenity. The soft rustling of leaves and the distant chirping of birds harmonized with the soothingpping of water against the shore.


    The idyllic scene before her was not just a visual masterpiece but a sensory delight, an experience that reached beyond the boundaries of senses, touching her heart and igniting a sense of wonder that was as boundless as the horizon before her.


    Suddenly, a rush of emotions surged through her as Devlin¡¯s strong arms gently enfolded her waist, creating a warm and reassuring embrace. In a tender gesture, he carefully rested his chin on her right shoulder, his presence sendingforting shivers down her spine. The closeness of their bodies created an intimate moment, a connection that spoke volumes without the need for words.


    As their heartbeats seemed to synchronize, time appeared to slow down, allowing them to savor this fleeting yet profound silence.


    ¡°Hmmm¡­this is home,¡± he said, his voice tinged with contentment, his words apanied by a deep and heartfelt sigh. Amber remained in serene silence, her gaze mirroring his as they both became engrossed in the breathtaking view that the sunset painted across the horizon.


    As the sun¡¯s descent continued, it cast elongated shadows that stretched across thendscape. The world seemed to hold its breath, caught between day and night. Amber¡¯s thoughts drifted like the wisps of clouds scattered across the sky.


    As thest sliver of sun dipped below the horizon, the symphony of colors began to fade away, giving way to a star-studded sky that signaled the arrival of the night.


    Amber turned to Devlin, a soft smile ying at the corner of her lips, and he returned the gesture, his eyes reflecting the warmth of their silentmunion.


    ¡°There is nothing more beautiful than the beauty of nature.¡± Amber said dreamily, her eyes sparkling with wonder.


    It was then that the enchantment of the backyard revealed itself in a new, magical light ¨C as darkness descended, a myriad of lights began to twinkle and dance, adorning the backyard like a tapestry of stars. Large light bulbs began emitting light to their immediate surroundings. It added a more dreamy look to an already magical scene.


    ¡°I have to say, you are by far the most beautiful I have ever had the pleasure of setting my eyes upon.¡± His words had an enchanting effect on her, causing a giggle to escape her lips.


    A yful grin tugged at the corners of her lips as she regarded him, her gaze dancing with affection. ¡°Oh, Devlin,¡± she teased, her voiceced with mock disbelief. ¡± You¡¯re still as charming as ever, aren¡¯t you? Using your sweet words to sweep me off my feet.¡±


    He chuckled, the sound, warm and familiar. ¡°Well, I can¡¯t let my skills go to waste, can I?¡± he replied yfully.


    She reached out, her fingers brushing a stray strand of hair away from his face. ¡°You always do have a way with words,¡± she admitted softly, her eyes reflecting the affection that coursed through her veins.


    Devlin¡¯s gaze never wavered from hers, his expression tender and earnest. ¡°Only because they¡¯re inspired by you,¡± he confessed, his words a sincere tribute to the depth of his feelings.


    Amber had no answer to what her husband just said. She couldn¡¯t just find the right words to match whatever words he would say to her, so she stayed silent.


    They stayed a little bit more just hugging each other, enjoying the silence of the night, before Devlin gently pulled her inside the mansion.


    ¡°Devlin, I wish we could stay like this forever,¡± she whispered, her head resting on his chest.


    He chuckled softly, his arms still wrapped around her. ¡°I know what you mean babe, but unfortunately, we have a busy day ahead tomorrow.¡±


    She sighed, looking up at him with a yful pout. ¡°Do we have to deal with everything tomorrow?¡±


    He grinned at his lovely wife. ¡°Afraid so. Meetings, appointments, problems, and all that fun stuff.¡± He tried to make light of the problems they are facing.


    She let out a dramatic groan, making himugh. ¡°Well, at least I have you to make the day better.¡±


    He leaned down, cing a gentle kiss on her forehead. ¡°And you make everything brighter for me.¡±


    As they stood there, the moonlight filtering through the mansion¡¯s grand windows, she couldn¡¯t help but feel grateful for moments like this. ¡°Promise me that we¡¯ll have more of these moments, Devlin. Just you and me.¡±


    He held her closer, his voice sincere. ¡°I promise. No matter how busy and stressful life gets, I¡¯ll always make time for us.¡±


    ¡°You know, a dance under the moonlight would have been a perfect ending to tonight.¡±


    He raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise. ¡°Are you saying you want to dance now?¡±


    She giggled, swaying to an imaginary rhythm. ¡°Why not? There¡¯s always time for a night dance, even if it¡¯s just in our living room.¡±This content belongs to N?/velDra/ma.Org .


    Devlin grinned, taking her hand and spinning her gently. ¡°Well then, mydy, may I have this dance?¡±


    ¡°You may,¡± she replied with a heartyugh, letting him lead her in a  whimsical dance around the room. The grandeur of the mansion seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them lost in their own world.


    As the night wore on, they danced, theyughed, and they forgot about the outside world. They forgot about their problems. Tomorrow might be a long day, but they were determined to hold onto these precious moments together.


    Morning came, Amber woke up to a huge empty, cold bed. Devlin was nowhere in sight. She checked her phone on her bedside table only to learn that it was already 9 am. She slept in.


    She checked the messages she got from Devlin earlier. She called his phone but couldn¡¯t get hold of him. It just kept on ringing. The second time she called, someone answered his phone. It was the voice of a woman.


    ¡°Hello, who is this?¡± Came the flirty voice of the unknown woman. Amber heard her chuckling softly.


    ¡°Hi¡­ may I speak with Devlin?¡± The woman from the other line only arched her eyebrow. She knew Amber too well.


    ¡°He is not here. He is upied at the moment.¡± Came the brief reply.


    ¡°Alright. Are you his secretary?¡± Amber asked since she started to get annoyed with the woman¡¯s voice.


    ¡°I am his girlfriend.¡± The woman dered outright. That immediately made Amber annoyed and at the same time amused. She is far from the woman five years ago who kept overthinking. She knows that a lot of women admire her husband. The woman, whoever she is, should be one of them.


    ¡°Hmmm¡­interesting you said that. Last time I checked, Mr. Devlin Wesley is a married man.¡± Amber said, not telling the woman who she is to Devlin.


    ¡°Well, I have never seen the wife. Besides, married or not, I don¡¯t really care.¡± The woman heard Amberugh from the other line which made her furious.


    ¡°Oh my¡­ you are funny. Anyway, please tell my husband that I aming to see him.¡± Amber ended the call immediately.


    She tried to assess her feelings but she is not upset at all. If it was before, she could have done the most stupid things but now she knew better. She trusts her husbandpletely. Still, that woman needs to know who she exactly is.

 New Challenges

    Amber got herself ready to go to Devlin¡¯spany. She remembered that he had to fix some issues in hispany today. However, she wanted to go to him. She left the mansion with her driver. And another car was following her with several bodyguards inside. Devlin would never let Amber go out without them.


    A soft sigh escaped her lips as she contemted the situation. She understood Devlin¡¯s genuine concern, acknowledging that her adjustment to this level of protection was a work in progress. Reflecting on her life in New York, she recalled the freedom of moving about independently, unburdened by thoughts of potential danger or looming threats. While their current circumstances posed challenges, she refrained from voicing anyints. Their safety is more important right now.


    The car stopped just right in front of Devlin¡¯spany. She was riding thetest model of a known luxury car. When she got out and headed to the building, all eyes were on her. The guards did not recognize who she was so they stopped her right at the entrance to ask for her identification.


    Her brief dy was swiftly resolved as her own vignt bodyguards engaged the building¡¯s security officer. Upon learning of her identity, they efficiently ushered her through the entrance. Inside, her discreet personal guards blended seamlessly into the surroundings, adopting the appearance of ordinary individuals. The security head apanied her throughout the building until they arrived at Devlin¡¯s office. Standing at the door, she knocked but no one was answering. She turned on the doorknob and she entered. A face she knew all too well came into view ¨C Fiona Ross.


    Stepping further inside Devlin¡¯s office, Amber¡¯s curiosity mounted as she thought about the presence of Fiona Ross in her husband¡¯s office. She couldn¡¯t see Devlin anywhere in the huge office. Meanwhile, Fiona appeared at ease as she upied the swivel chair, her gaze fixed intently upon Amber.


    Amber hesitated to talk to her. She wasn¡¯t sure if she was in the right office but the security guard brought her here.


    ¡°Hi! Where is Devlin?¡± Amber asked with a nk expression. ¡®Fiona may not have not known about her or she may be pretending not to know her.¡¯ Amber thought to herself.


    ¡°Excuse me? Who are you?¡± Fiona retorted, her tone tinged with skepticism as she rolled her eyes. Amber keenly noted the gesture and met Fiona¡¯s response with a subtle, knowing smirk.


    ¡°I am his wife,¡± Amber stated with unwavering confidence. The fact of their marriage was no longer a secret, as Devlin himself had publicly acknowledged it. While there was a slim chance that Fiona might have been out of the loop, Amber harbored doubts about that possibility. The circles of high society had their own channels for disseminating news and information.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.


    ¡°Oh, is that so? Fiona responded dismissively, her attention quickly shifting back to her phone. ¡°You must be one of those desperate women who are always after him.¡± Her words carried a nonchnt air of dismissal.


    Without a word, Amber chose to sidestep any further interaction with Fiona, opting instead to settle onto a nearby couch. While her aversion to Fiona¡¯s presence was evident, Amber recognized the need to control herself. She was acutely aware that there might be unforeseen reasons for Fiona¡¯s appearance in Devlin¡¯s office. Amidst her own difort, she understood that raising an issue at this moment would be ill-timed, given Devlin¡¯s pressing problems.


    It did not take her long to wait for Devlin. He came unannounced while she was just reading some of her email messages from her phone.


    ¡°Babe, what are you doing here?¡± Devlin¡¯s voice, soft and affectionate, cut through the room as he looked at his wife with a loving gaze. His attention had been solely on Amber, rendering him oblivious to Fiona¡¯s presence. However, a throat-clearing sound pulled his attention away, triggering a subtle clenching of his jaw. Frustrations surge through him, his irritation evident. This woman is definitely getting on his nerves. They never were romantically involved yet Fiona acts like an obsessed girlfriend.


    ¡°What are you doing in my chair? I thought you already left,¡± Devlin¡¯s tone held a tinge of rudeness as he confronted Fiona. His struggle to maintainposure was evident, his efforts focused on preventing himself from unleashing his pent-up frustration on her. In a moment of tension, he felt Amber¡¯s hand gracefully intertwining with his own, a gentle gesture that ebbed down his increasing anger and brought a sense of calm to him.


    ¡°We have no business to discuss Ms. Ross,¡± Devlin¡¯s words held a firm resolve as he addressed Fiona. His gaze remained fixed on her, conveying an unmistakable message.


    ¡°And, can¡¯t you see I am with my wife?¡± He continued, his voice taking on a more assertive edge. ¡°If you could please leave, I want to talk to my wife privately.¡± The intensity of his stare bore a warning that couldn¡¯t be ignored.


    ¡°Oh my¡­ you can simply say it nicely to me, Devlin. You don¡¯t have to be this rude.¡± Fiona taunted, her wordsced with a touch of mockery. ¡°Afraid your wife will find out something?¡± Her provocative remark seemed to elicit a reaction from Devlin, but Amber, in contrast, maintained an air of indifference as she observed the exchange. Fiona¡¯s inability to provoke a reaction from Amber appeared to frustrate her, and that didn¡¯t escape Amber¡¯s notice.


    ¡°Have a nice day, Ms. Ross,¡± Amber suddenly responded with a hint of sarcasm in her smile. She chose to not engage in a verbal exchange with her.


    Fiona stormed out of Devlin¡¯s office, the sound of the door mming behind her reverberating in the room. Amber shook her head in response, her expression a mix of bemusement and disapproval. Fiona Ross just showcased nothing more than a disy of a spoiled brat individual.


    ¡°What was she doing here anyway? Amber inquired, her curiosity evident as she sought rity on Fiona¡¯s unexpected presence. ¡°Did you know that I called your phone earlier? I¡¯m quite certain she was the one who answered my call.¡± She informed Devlin, her tone carrying a mix of concern and frustration.


    He carefully looked at his wife, trying to gauge what she was thinking but she only stared at him nkly.


    ¡°She came here wanting to see me,¡± He exined, his voice carrying a note of annoyance. ¡°She was asking why I haven¡¯t contacted her for a while.¡± Amber listened attentively, her expression reflecting a mixture of interest and anticipation, awaiting further details from him.


    ¡°And?¡± Her eyebrows crossed.


    ¡°Babe, there is nothing between us''¡± Devlin reiterated, his tone more firm. ¡°We were never in a romantic rtionship. She was just someone who couldn¡¯t handle rejection from anyone.¡± He already told Amber about his past with Fiona. He aimed to reassure his wife that Fiona¡¯s presence held no significance beyond what he already disclosed.


    ¡°I trust you but I don¡¯t trust that woman.¡± Amber said frankly, her honesty apparent.


    ¡°I understand, babe. She is not going to do anything. Even if she gets naked in front of me, she is never going to get my attention.¡± Devlin exined with a touch of exaggeration, prompting Amber to arch an eyebrow at his statement.


    ¡°Anyway, what did you do today? How¡¯s thepany?¡± Amber shifted the conversation, inquiring about Devlin¡¯s activities and the state of thepany. Her question was a gentle reminder of the purpose behind their swift departure from New York the previous day.


    Devlin let out a sigh as he loosened his necktie, seeking a sense of rxation. Drawing his wife close, he embraced her tightly, finding sce andfort in the warmth of her presence.


    ¡°I am d you came,¡± Devlin expressed, his tone reflecting a mixture of relief and gratitude. ¡°I had a lengthy meeting with the board members. As for Fiona, she mentioned wanting to offerfort and support regarding mypany¡¯s issues. She probably answered your call while I was stepping away briefly to speak with one of my employees,¡± he exined, his gaze fully focused on Amber, who remained fully attentive to his words.


    ¡°The thing is, the quarterly financial report came out, and we¡¯ve incurred significant losses in our ounts,¡± Devlin began, his voice tinged with weariness. ¡°It seems someone has been embezzling funds from thepany. We¡¯re currently conducting an investigation to identify the person responsible. However, the more pressing issue is that our investors are threatening to withdraw their investments. They¡¯re demanding swift resolution, or else thepany could face dire consequences. Thepany that I have worked so hard to establish.¡± His tone reflects exhaustion and concern.


    ¡°And the worst part is, if this bes public news, thepany is utterly doomed,¡± Amber¡¯s grip on her husband¡¯s hand tightening as she absorbed the gravity of the situation.


    ¡°If there¡¯s anything I can do for you, I¡¯m right here, babe,¡± She offered gently, her words carrying a sincere promise. She wanted to give her unwavering support to Devlin as he faced another significant challenge within thepany.

 Possible Mastermind

    ¡°Don¡¯t you think this is another move from your enemy? It¡¯s undoubtedly an inside job,¡± Amber stated, with a voice of apprehension. The realization that their adversary might be someone Devlin had ced trust in was unsettling. The proximity of their unknown enemy added ayer of unease to their problem, making it all the more challenging to identify the mastermind behind these actions.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been waiting for years to uncover this person¡¯s identity, and it¡¯s been nothing short of frustrating,¡± Devlin admitted. Shifting the topic slightly, he continued, ¡°By the way, I received a call from Abby. She¡¯sing tonight to discuss her investigation. She¡¯s found a lead, although nothing is certain at this point. I just wanted her toe to see what she got for us.¡± Devlin held onto a sense of hope for any potential breakthroughs in the investigation.


    ¡°It¡¯s good to hear that Abby¡¯s making progress,¡± Amber said, breaking the sudden silence between them. ¡°We¡¯ve been hitting dead ends for so long that any lead, no matter how uncertain, is a glimmer of hope.¡± Amber¡¯s words made Devlin somehow calm.


    An hourter, Amber settled into Devlin¡¯s office, opting to engage in some work-rted tasks for her own endeavors. Her activities mainlyprised follow-ups and coordination with her newly hired secretary. Meanwhile, Devlin remained engrossed in his phone calls and meetings, tending to the pressing matters surrounding hispany. The two shared a space in Devlin¡¯s office, each upied in their respective responsibilities.


    In the afternoon, Devlin was briefed by a private investigator, Agent Smith, regarding thepany¡¯s missing funds. The investigative team had diligently collected all avable evidence and thoroughly looked into persons of interest. Given theplexity of the situation and the numerous individuals involved, identifying the responsible party for the ongoing problem within thepany might require additional time and effort.


    ¡°I really want you to speed up this investigation. We don¡¯t have much time.¡± Devlin sounded frustrated. Who wouldn¡¯t? He can¡¯t afford another huge problem when they are still trying to figure out who is behind all these problems.


    ¡°Ipletely understand your urgency, Mr. Wesley,¡± Agent Smith responded, his tone calm and reassuring. ¡°We¡¯re fully aware of the time constraints and the importance of resolving this situation quickly. Rest assured, our team is working around the clock to gather as much information as possible.¡±


    Devlin let out a sigh, his frustration still visible. ¡°I know you guys are doing your best, but every minute counts at this point. Thepany¡¯s reputation  is on the line, and we can¡¯t afford any more setbacks.¡±


    Agent Smith nodded, empathizing with Devlin¡¯s concerns. ¡°I want to assure you that we¡¯re prioritizing this investigation. We¡¯ve already been able to uncover some leads, and we¡¯re following up on them diligently. We¡¯re also coordinating with various departments to ensure we have aprehensive understanding of the situation.¡±


    Devlin¡¯s tone softened slightly. ¡°I appreciate the effort, Agent Smith. It¡¯s just that the uncertainty is affecting everyone here. The longer this drags on, the more it impacts our operations.¡±


    ¡°I understand the ripple effect this situation is causing,¡± Agent Smith replied. We¡¯re not only focused on identifying the responsible parties but also on minimizing any further disruptions to your operations. We¡¯ll do our best to finish this investigation as soon as possible.¡±


    Devlin hesitated for a moment before speaking again. ¡°Is there anything more we can do to assist your team? Any resources or information you need from our end?¡±


    ¡°Your willingness to coborate is greatly appreciated, Mr. Wesley. If you could provide us with any internal data, employee records, or ess to security footage, it would certainly help us piece together the puzzle. The more we can align our efforts, the faster we can make headway.¡±


    ¡°Consider it done, Agent Smith. I¡¯ll have our IT department prepare the necessary information for you. Let¡¯s work together to put an end to this before it esctes any further.¡±


    Amber was quiet the whole time while listening to Devlin¡¯s conversation with the detective. They could not drag Abby to investigate the issue in thepany right now as she also has a very important job to do.


    ¡°Babe, let¡¯s go home.¡± Devlin¡¯s exhausted voice made her heart ache with concern. She could see the fatigue etched in every line of his face, and the weight of his words tugged her heart. Wrapping her arms around his waist, she offered a gentle squeeze, a wordless reassurance that she will always be there for him.


    She showed her expression of love and understanding towards her husband. ¡°Let¡¯s call it a day, my love. You deserve a break¡±


    Devlin¡¯s fingers found hers, intertwining in a familiarfort. ¡°I don¡¯t tell you enough how much I appreciate you,¡± he confessed.


    Her eyes met his, a soft twinkle of affection lighting up her gaze. ¡°Actions speak louder than words, my love. And I see it in everything you do.¡±


    As they walked towards their car, the world around them seemed to quiet down, giving them space to simply be together.


    He squeezed her hand, his weariness momentarily forgotten. ¡°I¡¯m grateful to have you by my side, wife.¡±


    Exhausted, they drove home, fully aware that they still have to face Abby ¨C a conversation that Devlin had been anticipating. Abby¡¯s arrival was dyed untilte at night. She almost couldn¡¯t make it.Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Good evening, Abby. How are you? I am d that you were able to make it.¡± Amber greeted Abby as she entered their home. Abby¡¯s appearance had undergone a significant transformation since her days as Amber¡¯s secretary. Now, she sported a striking ensemble: a ck bodysuit paired with leather pants and boots. The whole outfit was elegantly rounded off with a sleek leather jacket.


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe seeing you like this. You look so different.¡± Ambermented in awe.


    ¡°I am sorry I didn¡¯t have time to change into something casual. I just got back from an errand.¡± Abby said casually while smiling at her.


    ¡°How are you holding up?¡± Abby inquired Amber, enveloping her friend in a warm hug. Judging by her observations, it appeared that both Amber and Devlin were visibly fatigued and burdened.


    ¡°Hi Abby. I hope you have something important for us.¡± Devlin interrupted. He just wanted to go directly to the purpose of their meeting tonight.


    ¡°Well, I¡¯ve stumbled upon something intriguing. However, I haven¡¯t yet managed to definitively identify the individual responsible. I haven¡¯t uncovered any discernible motive tying him to the act, but I have managed to gather a collection of information that points in his direction,¡± Abby conveyed, causing Amber¡¯s heart to quicken its pace. She exchanged an apprehensive nce with Devlin, who mirrored her unease.


    ¡°Who is it? Who¡¯s the person we¡¯re looking at?¡± Devlin¡¯s voice dropped to a near whisper. An instinctive feeling warned him that this could indeed be the individual they were after, and the prospect of unveiling his identity left him on edge.


    Abby reached for a brown envelope and handed it over. Within its confinesy a collection of documents and a photograph of the suspected mastermind. Devlin¡¯s hands trembled as he epted the envelope, his anticipation mingled with anxiety.


    ¡°Hell, no!¡± Devlin¡¯s eyes widened significantly as heid eyes on the photograph.


    Amber hurriedly went to check the picture herself. Even she couldn¡¯t contain her gasp when she finally uncovered the identity of the possible mastermind behind it all.


    ¡°Are you certain about this, Abby? It¡¯s truly shocking. I never even remotely considered him being involved in any of this. But to be the mastermind?¡­¡± Devlin closed his eyes, his emotions no longer conceble.


    ¡°Every piece of evidence we gathered right now points to this individual. However, they are not serious enough to pin him down.¡± Abby stated firmly.


    ¡°So, what¡¯s our next step? Something came up today. Someone has been stealing money from thepany. And I highly believe that this is linked to our mastermind,¡± Devlin dered without hesitation.


    ¡°I can¡¯t help but wonder about his motivation behind all of this. What has driven him all these years?¡± Devlin questioned, a hint of exasperation in his voice.


    ¡°We don¡¯t really know but we have to keep moving so all of these are soon beyond us.¡± Amber suggested. She wanted to be brave for her husband. Looking at him right now, he felt so betrayed.


    ¡°That¡¯s precisely why we must make a concrete n to finally bring him to justice,¡± Abby remarked, her body now sprawled wearily across the sofa. It had been an arduous day for her, filled with relentless investigation into the individual in question. She had even risked entering his office to gather further evidence. She narrowly escaped detection by hiding within a cab. The most frustrating aspect was that he had remained holed up in his office, engrossed in paperwork, for hours on end. Abby found herself trapped for over five painstaking hours until their culprit finally emerged from his office. This unexpected dy was the reason for herte arrival at Devlin¡¯s mansion, aside from the fact that her destination had been quite a distance away from the city.


    ¡°You looked exhausted, Abby.¡± It was Amber¡¯s concerned voice that got Abby¡¯s attention. Devlin looked at her closely after his wife¡¯sment.


    ¡°You better stay for the night. I have one of the guestrooms ready for you.¡± Amber immediately called one of the maids to do her bidding. Devlin watched his wife before she entered one of the guestrooms.


    ¡°I am also exhausted tonight. Let¡¯s make a n tomorrow.¡± Said Devlin while massaging his neck. Abby simply nodded at him. She almost fell asleep on the sofa when Amber gently woke her up and led her to her room.


    ¡°Good night, Abby. It is so good to see you again. And I am so grateful for your help.¡± She closed the door and retreated to their master¡¯s bedroom.

 Tracking Him Down

    Amber sat down on the edge of the bed, gazing at Devlin¡¯s peaceful sleeping face. The soft moonlight filtering through the curtains painted a warm glow on his features. She couldn¡¯t help but smile at his vulnerability in sleep, a stark contrast to the confident and strong man he was when awake.


    With a gentle touch, she traced the lines on his forehead, her fingertips barely grazing his skin. She leaned in to press a feather-light kiss on his forehead, Devlin stirred. His arms tightened around her, pulling her into a warm embrace. Even in his half-sleep state, he sought his presence, drawing her closer as if protecting a cherished secret.


    Amber chuckled softly, her fingers now entwined in his tousled hair. She marveled at the depth of their connection, the unspoken understanding they shared. She knew the weight he carried, the responsibilities he shouldered, and yet he found sce in her arms.


    Amber settled back against the headboard, trying to make sure that she wouldn¡¯t wake her husband. She foundfort by simply looking at Devlin. The clock on the nightstand ticked away, making the only sound in the quiet room. With her free hand, Amber traced the outline of Devlin¡¯s lips, a tender gesture that conveyed years of her longing for him. It has been just a few days since they got back together for good. And she never regretted her decision.


    As the night deepened, Amber felt her own eyelids growing heavy. She nestled closer to Devlin, their heartbeats beating as one. With her head resting on his chest, sleep slowly consumed her.


    Amber stirred in her sleep as the sun peeked through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the room. Her eyes fluttered open as she adjusted to the morning light. She stretched gently and realized she was still nestled against Devlin¡¯s chest. His rhythmic heartbeat and the rise and fall of his chest indicated that he was still deep in slumber.


    Amber carefully removed herself from the tangle of sheets and eased out of bed, trying not to disturb Devlin. She tiptoed to the window, drawing the curtains aside a bit to let more sunlight in. As she gazed outside, lost in thought, she heard a faint rustling from the bed behind her.


    ¡°Morning already?¡± Devlin¡¯s voice was husky with sleep, but his eyes were now open, a soft smile tugging at the corner of his lips.


    Amber turned around, that familiar warmth flooding her heart at the sight of him awake. ¡°Good morning, babe.¡± she replied with a soft smile. ¡°I hope I didn¡¯t wake you up. You were sleeping like a baby.¡± Amber smiled lovingly at her husband. He is definitely a sight to behold with his handsome face and all those ripped muscles at the right ce.


    Devlin sat up, rubbing his eyes. ¡°You didn¡¯t. I just didn¡¯t want to start my day without you beside me in bed.¡±


    Amber walked back to the bed and sat beside him. ¡°It¡¯s a habit I could get used to,¡± she said, her fingers absently tracing circles on the bedspread.


    He chuckled. ¡°I¡¯m d we¡¯re building good habits now.¡±


    Leaning in, Amber brushed a kiss against Devlin¡¯s cheek. ¡°How did you sleep?¡±


    ¡°Like a rock,¡± he replied, stretching his arms above his head. ¡°I have to say, waking up with you  here is the best feeling.¡±


    Amber felt a warm flush of happiness. ¡°I feel the same way.¡±


    Right after Amber uttered herst word, Devlin pulled her so quick and pinned her down on the bed.Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Devlin!¡± She protested and attempted to stop him from doing what he wanted but it was useless. She was no match to Devlin¡¯s unwavering arousal. She immediately felt his hardness. He pressed himself harder against her belly making her feel how ready he is to take her.


    It didn¡¯t take long for Devlin to get them both fully naked. The next instant, he was already inside her, pounding his flesh deeper. Amber¡¯s moans made him all the more hungry to take her deeper and harder. When they finally reached their climax, he poured all of his seed deep in her.


    When the embers of fire died down, Amber realized something. They were not using any contraceptives so the possibility of Amber getting pregnant soon is not impossible at all. They never have a concrete talk about the possibility of having a baby soon. Their minds are busy facing their problems. For sure, if she gets pregnant, she will definitely be happy.


    ¡°That was a satisfying breakfast! Thank you for making us a delicious breakfast, babe.¡± Amber said while smiling sweetly at Devlin who just finished his cup of coffee. They were eating breakfast quietly with Abby.


    Devlin simply smiled at his lovely wife. ¡°No problem, babe. Anything to keep us fueled for what we¡¯re about to tackle.¡± Amber softly chuckled at what her husband said. Just thinking about their problems brings tension in the air.


    ¡°Abby, let¡¯s go to the study room. It is the perfect ce to brainstorm ande up with a solid strategy.¡± Devlin simply suggested. She only nodded her head in agreement. The three of them made their way to the study room, a cozy ce filled with shelves of books, arge mahogany table and a whiteboard on the wall. This is the first time Amber gets to see the study room. She never really had the chance to tour the entire mansion except to some ces where Devlin showed herst time.


    ¡°So, first things first. Let¡¯s start with our mastermind¡¯s routine activities everyday. We need to find patterns and motives from his usual routines.¡± It was Devlin who spoke first.


    ¡°Your idea is great! That¡¯s actually a good start.¡± Amber dered to support Devlin.


    ¡°And as far as I know¡­ money, power, control ¨C those seem to be themon motives for most crimes.¡± Amber added. As serious as the situation is but she seemed to be excited to help in the case.


    ¡°And we can¡¯t forget that revenge can also be his motivation.¡± Abby said meaningfully.


    ¡°Revenge? I would like to know what happened to him in the past. That is something that would connect all the dots. I still can¡¯t believe that he may have done all of these.¡± Devlin sighed deeply.


    ¡°I have created a timeline of his activities. For days now, I have been following him discreetly. So far, I have not seen anything out of the ordinary with his movements. Maybe if we analyze closely, we can identify a pattern or a vulnerability we can exploit.¡± Abby¡¯s suggestion earned approval from Devlin.


    ¡°Also, we should consider potential allies. Who can help us gather more information or resources? We can¡¯t do this alone. Time is very important now.¡± Devlin¡¯s questions make sense.


    ¡°Babe, do you have an employee you can trust who is good at technology?¡± Amber suddenly asked.


    ¡°Well, yes from the IT department. He is working with Agent Smith.¡±


    Amber excitedly pped her hands. ¡°That¡¯s perfect! Maybe he can help us trace some digital footprints or vulnerabilities our culprit left behind. What do you think?¡± Amber¡¯s gray eyes twinkled with excitement at both Devlin and Abby.


    ¡°Wife, your idea is brilliant. What do you think, Abby?¡± he looked at Abby who was just listening to them.


    ¡°Keep going, I am listening.¡± Abby prodded, amusement in her eyes.


    ¡°We are doing an internal investigation right now because of some money that was stolen from thepany. I didn¡¯t want to ask for your help since you are busy with your own investigation. However, you coulde with us to the office today. Agent Smith will be there to conduct his investigation together with one of our IT experts.¡± Devlin now is more positive. He felt that finally they are getting close to their target.


    ¡°Sure. I would like to meet your investigator. I want to see what he got with him.¡± Amber and Devlin nodded in agreement.


    ¡°Great! I expect youdies to be ready in fifteen minutes.¡± Abby was ready but Amber looked at her with a creased forehead.


    ¡°Abby, I have some new office clothes in my closet that I haven¡¯t used. I guess you better wear one so you don¡¯t get any attention from thepany.¡± Abby couldn¡¯t help but nce down at her all-ck ensemble. Amber had a point. Her attire would undoubtedly draw everyone¡¯s attention in a corporate setting.


    It didn¡¯t take long for thedies to get ready. The clock was ticking, and they knew they had to hurry if they wanted to meet Devlin¡¯s investigator. As they finished getting ready, they spotted Devlin busy reading something on his phone, his brow furrowed in concentration.


    Amber didn¡¯t need to get her husband¡¯s attention; he had already heard their footsteps descending the stairs. He pocketed his phone and smiled warmly at thedies. ¡°Ready to meet this investigator?¡± Thedies only nodded their heads. Amber was excited to help while Abby only showed a nk face.


    Devlin led the way, and together, they left the mansion, ready to make some significant progress today.

 Ongoing Investigation

    At Devlin¡¯spany, Agent Smith was engrossed in discussions with the IT expert who was providing crucial assistance for their ongoing investigation. They had been diligently reviewing the footage from all the CCTVs installed throughout the premises. Alongside this, they were meticulously scrutinizing the records of thepany¡¯s employees in search of any leads that could potentially shed light on the situation. Thus far, their efforts had not yielded any remarkable findings.N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    Agent Smith, the team leader, leaned forward in his chair and directed his inquiry towards his dedicated team members. ¡°So , what¡¯s the progress so far?¡± he inquired, his tone a mix of curiosity and determination.


    ¡°We don¡¯t have the names of our suspects yet .¡± Said one of his team members.


    ¡°What about our persons of interest from the ounting department? Find anything about them?¡± He inquired further.


    ¡°We couldn¡¯t trace yet how they took the money.¡± Said one of his team members with a touch of frustration, the weight of the investigation bearing down on him.


    ¡°Alright, let¡¯s keep working,¡± Agent Smith dered seriously. His unwaveringmitment to any case he handles was well-known among the team. ¡°You know that we only have a short span of time to get our culprit.¡± Agent Smith added.


    Everyone nodded their heads in agreement, fully aware of the high stakes and the meticulous approach their leader took in these matters. They knew that every tiny detail mattered to solve their case.


    An hourter, Devlin entered the room to check on their progress. ¡°Good morning everyone. How¡¯s everything going so far¡­ Agent Smith?¡± He asked casually, scanning the room for any signs of breakthroughs or setbacks.


    ¡°Nothing special right now. So far, we keep reaching a dead-end. Their work was exceptionally clean. We¡¯ve spent more than three hours now checking every employee in the ounting department. We could not find any digital footprints indicating any financial irregrities. It¡¯s clear that they took the money in cold cash, directly from thepany. How they managed to do that likely required some involvement from your trusted employees.


    Devlin furrowed his brow, clearly concerned. ¡°This situation is getting moreplicated by the minute. I can¡¯t believe that some of my own trusted employees might be involved.¡± He paused, for a short while, contemting something.


    Agent Smith sighed, rubbing his temples. We¡¯re continuing our investigation. I have someone right now who is interviewing the ounting team one by one and cross-referencing their financial record. We¡¯ll find the paper trail soon, even if it¡¯s well hidden.¡±


    Devlin nodded, looking around at the determined team of investigators. ¡°By the way, Agent Smith, could you spare me a few minutes?¡± Devlin asked, his expression giving no hint of what they were about to discuss. Agent Smith swiftly instructed his team to continue their work and excused himself to apany Devlin. They walked in silence until they reached Devlin¡¯s office. Waiting inside were Amber and Abby.


    Upon opening the office door, Devlin was greeted by the sight of both Amber and Abby sitting patiently on the couch. Devlin hadn¡¯t informed Agent Smith about Abby¡¯s presence, but her reaction was quite intriguing. Her eyes widened as soon as she saw Agent Smith.


    Devlin noticed Abby¡¯s initial reaction but it vanished quickly, reced by her usual nk expression. He cleared his throat before addressing the situation, wondering if there was a history between the two.


    ¡°Abby, this is Agent Smith.¡± Devlin began, eyeing both Abby and the agent, who seemed equally enigmatic. ¡°He¡¯s working on the case involving the stolenpany funds, and he just started  his investigation yesterday.¡±


    Abby offered a slight nod in acknowledgement but didn¡¯t bother to make eye contact with Agent Smith. Her demeanor remained cool and detached.


    ¡°Agent Smith,¡± Devlin continued, shifting his attention to the stoic investigator, ¡°This is Abby. She is currently working on a separate case. I thought that you could work together and exchange some notes? It will speed up this whole investigation process.¡± Devlin stated, still observing both of them. Something is telling him that both knew each other before. Whatever it was, that is their personal thing. He just hopes that it is not a serious personal issue that would hinder them from executing their jobs properly.


    ¡°And, by any chance, have you crossed paths with each other before?¡± He asked further.


    There was only silence from both Abby and Agent Smith, leaving an air of intrigue hanging in the room. It was as if they were each guarding some undisclosed secret. It was Abby who shook  her head gently, while Devlin nced back and forth between her and Agent Smith.


    Amber, observing the tension, couldn¡¯t help but break the ice with a soft chuckle. ¡°You know, Devlin, just because they¡¯re both investigators doesn¡¯t mean they automatically know each other, right, Abby?¡± She looked at Abby meaningfully. She caught Agent Smith staring intensely at Abby a few times while her husband was busy introducing them.


    Abby finally looked up, her lips curving into a faint smile. ¡°Amber¡¯s right, Mr. Wesley. Investigations can be quite solitary affairs sometimes. But who knows, maybe our paths will cross more meaningfully now.¡± She said seriously but quickly smirked at Agent Smith without the others noticing.


    Agent Smith had that enigmatic smile on his face. He nodded in agreement. ¡°Indeed, Abby. Maybe it¡¯s fate bringing us together for a reason.¡± That made Amber¡¯s eyes widened but Devlin just dismissed the agent¡¯sst words. Amber now is positive that they definitely had something in the past. But she is not going to ask her friend about it. Whatever it is, they look good together.


    Half an hourter, Abby was left alone with Agent Smith to give input on their case together. Devlin left with Amber to attend a meeting with the investors.


    ¡°Since when did you be Agent Smith?¡± Abby asked immediately right after Devlin closed the door behind him in his office. They decided to do their discussion in the office since Devlin will be out all day. He won¡¯t be using his office.


    ¡°Why? Miss me?¡± Agent Smith gave her his biggest smile. She only rolled her eyes at him.


    ¡°Let¡¯s just get to work, Mr. Whatever.¡± Abby said sarcastically. She knew Agent Smith very well. And that¡¯s not his real name at all. Anyway, she doesn¡¯t care anymore. It¡¯s none of her business.


    ¡°Very well. You haven¡¯t changed at all. Instead, you have be more feisty.¡± Agent Smith remarked while looking at her intensely. It made her ufortable and she had to clear her throat.


    Abby got herself busy by opening herptop and began reviewing the case file that Agent Smith shared with her earlier. ¡°So what do we have so far?¡± she asked, trying to steer the conversation toward their case.


    Agent Smith leaned back in his chair and sighed. ¡°Well, it¡¯s not looking great. The leads are running dry, and we still can¡¯t connect the dots between the recent stolen funds in thepany and the suspect or suspects we have been tracking. Everything was clean. No trace of digital footprints.¡±


    Abby frowned. The case she has been handling for years had been a thorn on her side. And she was growing increasingly frustrated that new problems arise.


    Agent Smith continued looking at her intensely. It¡¯s like he was trying to remember every feature of her face. Abby was in deep thought that she didn¡¯t realize what he was doing. And the moment she caught him staring at her, he immediately moved his gaze to the papers on the table.


    She took a deep breath before sharing her thoughts on the case. ¡± I am not sure how far along Mr. Wesley told you regarding my investigation. I am doing an independent investigation regarding serious issues that started five years ago in thispany. And I have to fly here to personally investigate the person whom I thought is our mastermind. I followed him discreetly for days now. Like you, I was also stuck but I found a small breakthrough. I just could not pin him down for now. I need bigger, solid evidence.¡±


    He nodded in agreement. ¡°I know, Abby. I¡¯ve been working every angle I can think of, but it¡¯s like our suspect is always one step ahead. I do hope you could provide me with the name of our suspect. I am sure that whoever stole the money from thepany is the same person that you are trying to find more solid evidence of.¡±


    Abby told him the name of their mastermind. And his connection to thepany and Devlin¡¯s family. After Abby narrated everything she knew, Agent Smith had that interesting spark in his eyes.


    ¡°You never disappoint, Arabe.¡± He said but was cut off short by Abby.


    ¡°Don¡¯t call me that.¡± She interrupted. She doesn¡¯t want their discussion to lead somewhere else except the case they are working on right now.


    ¡°I always love your name, mi amor.¡± He said softly.


    ¡°If you don¡¯t stop talking like that, I swear I am going to step out of this office. And you inform Mr. Wesley why I won¡¯t do the job with you.¡± She hissed at him. Ever since she set her eyes on him earlier, she was already feeling ufortable. She was hoping that he could act as professional as her but she was wrong.


    ¡°I am sorry. My apologies.¡± Agent Smith said. He didn¡¯t dare talk about their personal lives again. He knew how the woman would react. And thest thing in his mind right now is to jeopardize their investigation just because of their personal issues.

 Supportive Wife

    Devlin and Amber are on their way to the investors¡¯ meeting. It was another emergency meeting that Devlin had to attend. He needs to exin to the investors the status of hispany, especially the financial aspect. While he has no problem seeking additional funds to bolster thepany¡¯s financial standing, he is determined to avoid depleting the wealth he inherited from histe grandmother. His ultimate goal is to resolve the issues permanently.


    ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, I assure you that right now I have expert and dedicated investigators who are doing their jobs to finally solve all the issues in thispany once and for all. I can¡¯t give you more details right now regarding the investigation, but I can assure you that we will find our mastermind before the set deadline.¡± Devlin said with finality.


    Everyone was talking at once when he took his seat. He was clear that he would not answer any questions right now regarding the internal investigation. He just wanted to assure the investors that thepany had enough funds to recover. They just needed to make sure that no news woulde out from their internal issues.Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    He looked around at everyone. He saw the dissatisfied look from some investors. He understood them since their money was also at stake. He couldn¡¯t show any weakness right now amidst all this chaos.


    As Devlin scanned the room, he noticed Sarah Griffin raising her hand. She is one of those long-standing and most vocal investors. She had a reputation for being relentless when it came to holding thepany ountable.


    Sarah spoke up, her voice measured but filled with concern. ¡°Mr. Wesley, I appreciate your assurance, but we need more than just promises. Imended you for how you turned around thepany five years ago. However, this time is different. Intion rate is extremely high. Another let down in thepany would mean huge trouble this time.¡± Sarah spoke with conviction.


    ¡°And what do you have in mind, Ms. Griffin?¡± Devlin asked casually with his serious look. He can¡¯t be deterred by no one especially now that they are getting close to the end.


    ¡°Well, we need transparency. We want to know updates of your investigation.¡± Her statement made Devlin¡¯s face more serious.


    ¡°Rest assured that as soon as we have substantial progress or any significant updates, we willmunicate them to all our stakeholders promptly. Our goal is to resolve this as swiftly as possible while ensuring a thorough investigation. So for now, let our investigators do their job.¡± He looked at everyone¡¯s faces right now.


    The room fell into a brief silence as Ms. Griffin nodded, seemingly satisfied with Devlin¡¯s response. Other investors exchanged nces, and a sense of cautious optimism began to fill the room. It was clear that Devlin¡¯smitment to transparency had resonated with many.


    And just like in the past, Devlin knew he had to strike a bnce between reassurance and ountability, and he was determined to steer thepany through these difficult times while maintaining the trust of its investors.


    On the other hand, Abby was busy discussing with Agent Smith about her own investigation.


    ¡°I am so d that you shared such crucial information with me for our investigation,¡± Agent Smith acknowledged. ¡°Now that we have the mastermind¡¯s name, we can start to narrow down our investigation. But we also need to uncover hiswork of aplices within thepany. I¡¯m certain he¡¯s had several confidantes who aided him. By speaking to these individuals, we can gather insights into what motivated this trusted man to target Mr. Wesley and hispany.


    Abby nodded in agreement, her eyes reflecting the seriousness of their task. ¡°You¡¯re absolutely right. We should not waste any time.¡±


    ¡°We should continue this discussion together with my team. It¡¯s high time we devise a solid n to apprehend this individual. He¡¯s proven to be incredibly cunning, but I am confident that it is a matter of time now that we will catch him.¡± Agent Smith dered. They stood up to go to the room where all Agent Smith¡¯s team were busy with their investigation.


    Agent Smith turned to his team, addressing them with conviction. ¡°Everyone, I want to introduce you to Ms. Abby, who¡¯s going to be a valuable asset to our investigation. I¡¯ve had the privilege of working alongside her in the past, and I can vouch for her exceptional skills. Abby pursed her lips, not wanting to contradict his statement. She felt the weight of everyone¡¯s eyes on her.


    To them, they saw a beautiful, confident  woman in her mid-20s, dressed in a sharp, formal office suit. Her soft features and slender body might have led some to doubt what she could do.


    Agent Smith, sensing the hushed conversations from his team, offered a subtle but confident smile to the team. He knows that Abby has nothing to prove to no one. She is one of the best agents he has ever known.


    ¡°Just for your information everyone,¡± Agent Smith dered, addressing his team members. ¡°Ms. Abby has just provided me with the name of the culprit that we are looking for. I want each and every one of you to get to work, as it¡¯s going to be a very long day.¡± he gestured to a nearby chair and pulled it out for Abby, a gesture of appreciation for her valuable contribution.


    As soon as Agent Smith began outlining his n, the room buzzed with activity. People hastily grabbed their notepads,ptops, andmunication devices, eager to execute the mission. The atmosphere was electric with a sense of urgency and determination.


    It was Abby who briefed everyone as to the identity of their mastermind. She took the stand and started her impromptu presentation.


    ¡°I have been following this guy for more than a week now. So far, I haven¡¯t seen any serious evidence that would link him to our case but I found tidbits of information that led me to him. That is enough reason to dig more deeper on him.


    A team member chimed in while Abby was about to finish her report, ¡°Do we have any information of any known associates?¡±


    Abby, who had taken her seat, spoke up confidently. ¡°I¡¯ve been working on profiling his associates. We might finally have the breakthrough we¡¯ve been waiting for.¡±


    A seasoned field agent added, ¡°Let¡¯s coordinate with the local authorities and set up surveince teams. We need to ensure every possible exit point is covered if ever our guy would think of escaping.¡±


    Agent Smith nodded in agreement. ¡°Good idea. Let¡¯s get in touch with our contacts and assemble the teams. Time is of the essence.¡±


    The room was abuzz with activity as the team quickly divided tasks, gathered necessary equipment, and set their n into motion. It was clear that everyone was dedicated to bringing their mastermind to justice, and they were ready for the challenging day ahead.


    An hour had passed when two of the team members returned, having just concluded their interrogation of the employees in the ounting department. They entered the room, carrying a stack of files that were in dire need of Agent Smith¡¯s scrutiny.


    As they settled at the table, Agent Smith wasted no time in getting straight to the point. He turned his inquisitive gaze toward them and asked, ¡°Did either of you stumble upon anything essential to our investigation?¡±


    The first team member, Jane, began with their findings, ¡°Well, during our interviews, we found out a rather peculiar pattern. It appears that a substantial number of employees within the ounting department have been terminated from their positions over the years.¡± She paused for a moment, allowing the gravity of this revtion to sink in.


    Dave, the other team member, chimed in, ¡°That¡¯s right. The individuals we spoke to earlier were, for the most part, rtively recent additions to the department. In fact, the most tenured employee among them has only been with thepany for a mere two years. The rest were predominantly brought on board justst year.¡±


    Agent Smith leaned forward, his expression deep in thought. ¡°That¡¯s very interesting,¡¯ he murmured, processing this new information. ¡°Could there be a connection between these frequent terminations and our current investigation?¡± He looked around at everyone but he looked at Abby for a few moments.


    The room fell silent as everyone contemted this possibility, fully aware that they were now on the cusp of uncovering a significant piece of the puzzle.


    Abby interrupted, her curiosity piqued. ¡°Do you happen to know who is in charge of the hiring and termination process?¡±


    Jane replied with a hint of hesitation, ¡°Well, they all go through the HR department for the preliminary interviews and reviews.¡±


    Abby¡¯s interest deepened as she probed further, ¡°But what about the final interviews and the approval of their hiring? I¡¯m guessing it must be someone else other than Mr. Wesley?¡±


    Jane and her colleague exchanged knowing nces before revealing, ¡°Actually, that responsibility lies with someone in the financial department.¡±


    Abby¡¯s eyes widened in astonishment. She couldn¡¯t fathom the level of trust Devlin had ced in this individual . She shook her head in disbelief.


    Meanwhile, Devlin¡¯s meeting with the investors was about to end. He was ted by how smoothly the meeting had gone. The investors had unanimously expressed their support for him despite the current issues.


    ¡°Congrattions! You were absolutely brilliant in there,¡± Amber eximed proudly as they sat together in the car.


    ¡°Thank you, wife,¡± Devlin replied, his eyes sparkling with gratitude. ¡°Having you there by my side made all the difference. Your presence gives me the confidence to face everyone.¡±


    A warm smile graced Amber¡¯s lips as she gazed at her husband. ¡°I love you,¡± she whispered, leaning in for a quick, affectionate kiss.


    Devlin couldn¡¯t resist yfully teasing her. ¡°Hey, that¡¯s not how you do it,¡± he said with a mischievous grin, pulling her gently closer. He leaned in and nted a passionate, lingering kiss on her lips. When he finally pulled away, Amber¡¯s eyes remained closed, her cheeks flushed.


    Devlin chuckled softly at her response. ¡°You¡¯re blushing, wife,¡± he teased, his fingers gently tracing her cheek. Amber could only roll her eyes at him, but her smile gave away her true feelings.


    ¡°You should be hungry by now, wife. Want to have a lunch date with me?¡± Devlin asked while giving her a wink. She could not resist her soft giggles.


    ¡°I am definitely starving.¡± She simply smiled at him.

 Unexpected Visitors

    After their delightful lunch date, they returned to Devlin¡¯s office to tackle the mountain of paperwork demanding his attention. His desk was covered with files that needed his signature and review. He would visit Agent Smith and Abbyter on to check on their progress.


    Devlin nced over at his wife, Amber, who had made herself quitefortable on the couch. A peaceful expression graced her sleeping face, and it warmed his heart. Her presence always provided him with a sense of calm amidst the chaos of his work. With a tender smile, Devlin turned his attention back to the paperwork, resolving to let Amber rest for as long as she needed.N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    He didn¡¯t realize that he had finished all his paperwork in record time. He checked his wristwatch, and it was still 4 pm. It seemed like a good idea now to visit Agent Smith and Abby to check on how far they are into their investigation. He set aside thepleted work, he trusted his capable secretary to handle those papers.


    He stood up from his swivel chair to go to his wife who is still sleeping soundly. She had been in slumber for two hours now. His gaze softened as he took in the sight of his beautiful wife, her auburn hair framing her small face. She looked ethereally beautiful with those long, curvedshes, a straight nose, and those sweet luscious lips that he couldn¡¯t resist. He moved closer, lightly brushing the back of his hand against her right cheek. She stirred in her sleep, a slight smile gracing her lips. Eventually she slowly opened her big, beautiful gray eyes, as if unveiling the world from a delicate curtain of dreams.


    ¡°I am sorry, wife,¡± he whispered apologetically. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to wake you up. I need to go check on Agent Smith and Abby. You can stay here in the office, and I¡¯lle back to pick you up.¡± His tone carried a hint of concern as he gazed tenderly at his wife.


    ¡°What time is it? How long did I sleep for?¡± she inquired, her voice groggy, as if searching for her bearings.


    ¡°Rx, my love,¡± he reassured her, his voice soothing. ¡°You¡¯ve been asleep for nearly two hours. It¡¯s 4 pm now.


    Her eyes widened in disbelief. ¡°Why did you let me sleep this long?¡± She hastily sat up, suddenly aware of the time. After all, she wasn¡¯t ustomed to taking afternoon naps, especially given her busy role as the head of her ownpany. However, the past few days had been a whirlwind of events, and she felt the weight of exhaustion from the constant contemtion of their problems.


    ¡°Just give me a few minutes please, topose myself. I would like toe with you. I also want to know about the situation of their investigation,¡± she said with determination. Devlin knew he couldn¡¯t refuse his wife¡¯s request.


    As they entered the investigation room, they were struck by the organized chaos within. The room buzzed with activity, with the team deeply engrossed in their respective tasks, each contributing to the collective effort to solve the case.


    Amber¡¯s keen eye caught the intricate scribbles written onto the whiteboard, revealing the names of the other people aside from their mastermind. She is amazed at the remarkable efficiency and swiftness with which the team operated. It seems like they have a good n to bring their guy to jail.


    As she scanned the room, Amber noticed that Devlin was also doing the same thing as her. He was meticulously absorbing the information sprawled across the whiteboard while keeping a watchful eye on their surroundings. Meanwhile, Agent Smith and Abby were fully immersed in analyzing some data on theputer screen with focused determination.


    In an attempt to gather everyone¡¯s attention, Devlin cleared his throat, breaking the silence that enveloped the room.


    ¡°So, how is everyone holding up here?¡± Devlin¡¯s voice cut through the intensity of the moment, his eyes reflecting genuine admiration for the team¡¯s dedication. ¡°I can see remarkable progress, and I must say, I¡¯m thoroughly impressed.¡±


    Agent Smith rose from his seat, acknowledging Devlin¡¯s words. ¡°We¡¯ve certainly made significant strides, but there¡¯s much work ahead of us,¡± he said, his voice reflecting both optimism and caution. ¡°We¡¯ve managed to uncoverpelling evidence against our mastermind, and now our task is to finalize every detail. In addition, we¡¯ve been in close coordination with the local police, and we¡¯re hoping to secure an arrest warrant as soon as possible.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s great news! I can¡¯t wait for this to finish,¡± he said with a hint of sadness in his voice. Still, the feeling of being betrayed by someone you¡¯ve trusted your entire life hits hard.


    ¡°Have you met him yet?¡± Abby suddenly asked out of the blue. She was referring to their mastermind.


    Both Amber and Devlin only shook their heads. The thought of meeting him hadn¡¯t even crossed their minds. It is challenging to pretend that they are still clueless.


    ¡°I am just warning you that this guy operates on arge scale. He has control over your financial department and can even approve or terminate the hiring of some of your employees. It¡¯s no wonder he gained full control of that department,¡± Abby said, her gaze fixed intensely on Devlin who looked surprised.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t know that our main guy has been responsible for approving and terminating employees in the ounting department? I was wondering how he gained such power in yourpany,¡± She pressed further. She wanted to understand how someone as sessful as Devlin had ended up ceding control of hispany¡¯s financial aspects.


    Devlin took a heavy sigh, rubbing his temples as he tried to process Abby¡¯s revtion. ¡°I had no idea,¡± he admitted, a sense of unease settling in. ¡°But how did this even happen? I¡¯ve always been cautious about maintaining control over crucial departments.¡±


    Agent Smith came forward, his expression was sympathetic. ¡°Well, it seems like he built strong rtionships with key people in the ounting department over time. He¡¯s cultivated awork of loyalists who look out for his interests. It¡¯s a ssic power y, Mr. Wesley.¡±


    Devlin frowned, feeling a mix of frustration and regret. ¡°I should have been more vignt.¡±


    ¡°And one more thing,¡± Abby said, her eyes narrowing as she leaned in, ¡°it¡¯s interesting to note that he started working in yourpany five years ago when problems started for you.¡±


    Amber moved closer to Devlin, intertwining their hands, her brow furrowed with worry. ¡°I think he set this all up from the beginning. It¡¯s hard to believe that he took advantage of our situation at that time. I just don¡¯t understand what could have driven him to do all of this.¡± Amber¡¯s voice trembled with concern.


    They continued to discuss the situation for another hour. Amber and Devlin urged Abby toe home with them, but she declined, determined to finish her work with the team.


    ¡°Very well.¡± Devlin agreed. ¡°I have the entire unit on thest floor. You can stay there for the night. This goes also to the rest of the team. We have caretakers there who will amodate all your needs. And by the way, I¡¯ve already ordered your dinner.¡± He addressed everyone, and they expressed their gratitude for his generous offer.


    ¡°Mr. Wesley,¡± Abby said, her tone serious, ¡°please stay as vignt as possible. We¡¯ll never know when this guy might strike back. I am asking you to be more cautious until we wrap up the whole investigation and put him and all his aplices behind bars.¡± She was giving a warning to both Devlin and Amber. Looks like the guy can pull out any stunt if he chose to.


    ¡°Thank you. We¡¯ll keep that in mind.¡± Devlin¡¯s brief reply.


    ¡°Thank you so much.¡± Amber said sincerely, her eyes brimming with gratitude, as she stepped forward to hug Abby. She had a deep appreciation for Abby¡¯s help and the unwavering support of the entire team. They also bid goodbye to Agent Smith and the other team members.


    They both headed to Devlin¡¯s car. They sat in silence during the car ride back, each lost in their own thoughts. When they finally arrived at the opulent mansion, Amber couldn¡¯t help but notice a sleek ck luxury car parked outside the imposing gate.


    ¡°Are you expecting someone?¡± she inquired, her gaze fixed on the heavily tinted windows of the car. She didn¡¯t receive an immediate response, but she did catch the faint sound of Devlin¡¯s heavy sigh.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go, wife,¡± her husband said with a resigned tone, reaching for Amber¡¯s hand. ¡°I¡¯m not entirely sure what they¡¯re doing here.¡±


    Before Amber could press for more information, she spotted Devlin¡¯s parents emerging from the elegant car. A wave of apprehension washed over her as she remembered how they had treated her in the past. Their disapproval of her had been obvious, and though she couldn¡¯t entirely me them for their skepticism, it still weighed heavily on her mind after all these years. She doesn¡¯t know how to approach them.


    ¡°There you are, my son.¡± It was Devlin¡¯s mom who came to greet his son and kissed him on both cheeks. Then, her gaze went to Amber. The tension in the air was inevitable.


    ¡°It¡¯s been awhile, Amber. How have you been?¡± His mom said politely to Amber.


    ¡°I am doing good, Mrs. Wesley.¡± She replied briefly. She doesn¡¯t want to be rude but she could not pretend otherwise to treat them any differently than being casual to them. Despite everything, they are still Devlin¡¯s parents.


    There was an awkward silence before Devlin¡¯s dad came closer to his son and tapped him on the shoulder.


    ¡°How are you doing, son?¡± He simply said but the longing in his eyes did not escape Amber¡¯s attention.


    ¡°I am doing great, dad.¡± Devlin replied, his voiceced with sincerity. ¡°As you can see, I have my wife back with me.¡± He looked at Amber, a tender smile breaking through the tension. It was a silent deration of hismitment to the future, and a silent plea for eptance from his parents.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t we get inside?¡± Devlin offered. Amber saw his parents smiling brightly at him. She hopes that this is a good start for all of them.

 Forgiveness and Acceptance

    It was a rare family gathering, and the tension was evident. Amber was aware that Devlin and his parents hadn¡¯t been in contact for several years. How long was that¡­she had no specific idea. The strained atmosphere hung like a thick fog. Amber felt like an outsider, caught in the middle of a reunion that held mixed emotions.


    As they moved to the living room, Devlin¡¯s mother couldn¡¯t help but steal nces at Amber. She had never fully epted their rtionship especially that they married in haste five years ago. Amber¡¯s presence was a constant reminder of the divide that had grown between her and her son. She tried to put on a pleasant facade, but her eyes revealed a deeper unease.


    Devlin¡¯s father, on the other hand, was quieter, carrying a weight of regret. He had missed out on so much of his son¡¯s life, and now that they were finally face-to-face again, he struggled to find the right words. His longing gaze at Devlin spoke volumes, and it was clear that he wanted to make amends.


    Amber, aware of the fragile rtionship between her husband and his parents, tried to maintain a cordial tone. She respected the fact that they are Devlin¡¯s parents, despite their past differences. Her demeanor was polite but guarded, her words carefully chosen to convey goodwill without going into theirplicated history.


    The long silence was so deafening. No one dared to break the ice or strike up a conversation. Amber took a deep breath and decided it was time to do something about it. She cleared her throat and excused herself from the awkward situation, using the need to check on dinner in the kitchen as her escape. She left Devlin with his parents so they could start talking as family.


    As she entered the kitchen, the scent of a simmering pot on the stove enveloped, providing a moment offort. She was d to see the housemaids busy preparing food for dinner, their bustling activity adding a sense of warmth to the room.


    ¡°Good evening, madam,¡± greeted one of the housemaids with a friendly smile, her hands expertly chopping vegetables on a wooden cutting board.


    ¡°Good evening.¡± she replied with a warm smile. ¡°The food smells delicious. We have unexpected guests tonight. Please add more food to cook. I want to make sure everyone has enough to eat.¡±


    They all nodded and immediately began to work together, swiftly pulling out additional ingredients and pots from the pantry. Amber was amused looking at them gracefully moving around the kitchen as they prepared to expand the dinner menu to amodate the unexpected guests.


    As they worked, the conversation continued, and the atmosphere in the kitchen remained jovial. The head cook, bustling near the stove, chimed in. ¡°Madam, would you prefer a specific dish or simply increase the portions of what we already have?¡±


    Amber paused for a moment, considering the options. ¡°Let¡¯s add a special touch to the meal tonight. How about we prepare that rich mushroom risotto that you cooked yesterday for lunch? It¡¯s a perfect dish for our guests. Devlin and I loved it.¡±


    Everyone exchanged knowing nces, clearly pleased with the idea. ¡°Mushroom risotto it is, madam,¡± replied the head cook, and they immediately began gathering the necessary ingredients for this delectable addition to the menu.


    Back in the living room, Amber heard muffled voices, indicating that her departure had prompted others to finally speak up. But Amber knew that this wouldn¡¯t be enough to bridge the emotional gap that had formed between them all.


    After checking for dinner, she returned with a tray of light snacks and drinks before dinner was served in an hour. She gestured to the spread she had brought and said, ¡°I thought we could all use a little refreshment before dinner is served.¡± She looked at everyone expectantly.


    She saw the relieved smile from Devlin¡¯s dad and a hesitant smile from his mother. That¡¯s a good start. She thought to herself. She served everyone some drinks and some light snacks. Shest served her husband, who was grateful for her gesture.


    ¡°Thank you, wife.¡± He whispered close to her ear and lightly pinched her arm.


    ¡°So, how have you been, Amber? I heard that you own a hugepany now.¡± It was Devlin¡¯s father who started the conversation.


    ¡°I¡¯m doing great, and yes, I¡¯m now managing my ownpany. While it¡¯s not yet a huge enterprise, it is experiencing sess.¡±


    ¡°Wife, you are far too modest to share more about your aplishments. When I was in New York, Amber received the Entrepreneur of the Year Award, and herpany also earned the Company of the Year Award.¡± Devlin dered proudly of her achievements. He even put his arm on Amber¡¯s shoulder.


    Both of Devlin¡¯s parents gazed at the joyful couple before them. It appeared that Devlin had truly found the love of his life. Mrs. Wesley had never seen her son so captivated by a woman before. The look he directed at Amber was truly priceless; she had never witnessed such a look during Devlin¡¯s rtionship with Raven.


    ¡°Congrattions, Amber! That¡¯s truly an impressive achievement,¡± Mrs. Wesley said sincerely, her warmth and approval evident in her voice. She gradually felt morefortable with his son¡¯s wife.


    Then, she cleared her throat, her nerves showing as she contemted sharing something she had wanted to say for a long time. It was long overdue, but she knew it was high time to express her regrets, especially regarding her treatment of Amber. And she also regretted not being able to be there for her sons and not raise them herself. She knew that she didn¡¯t treat Devlin rightpared to his older brother, Dalton.


    ¡°Um¡­ There¡¯s something I¡¯ve been wanting to tell you, Amber,¡± Mrs. Wesley began, her son and Amber both giving her their full attention. Even her husband wore a pleased expression as he looked on.


    ¡°I realize it¡¯s been a long timeing, but I want to apologize for what happened five years ago. I misjudged you, and I¡¯m truly sorry, Amber,¡± she said, her sincerity evident through teary eyes. I can only imagine how difficult it must have been for you at that time, and to this day, I deeply regret everything I said back then.¡± She ended and now stood up to hug Amber tightly.


    Amber, on the other hand, was rendered speechless. She hadn¡¯t expected things to unfold like this, but she was overwhelmed with happiness and tightly embraced Mrs. Wesley. She felt a deep sigh of relief escape her.


    ¡°I am sincerely sorry, Amber, for everything I said and did back then. I hope it¡¯s not toote to say this, but wee to the family, my daughter.¡± Devlin¡¯s father said with intense emotion. Amber approached him and hugged him as well.


    ¡°Thank you, so much. You never know how much I appreciate that you¡¯ve finally weed me into your family. It¡¯s never toote for anything. Devlin and I have managed to work through our issues, and I¡¯m eager to move forward with him in my life. And now both of you.¡± Amber could not stop herself from crying.


    Devlin came to her side. Happiness was evident on his face. He was grateful to his parents for finally epting Amber. He never imagined this scene would ever happen. He also came forward to hug his mom and dad. Despite what happened in his childhood, they are still his parents.


    ¡°Thank you so much, mom¡­ dad.¡± All he could ever say to them.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.


    Mrs. Wesley hugged her son tightly and whispered. ¡°You look absolutely smitten. Amber seems like a wonderful woman.¡±


    Devlin was grinning at his mom. ¡°Mom, she¡¯s amazing. I¡¯ve never felt this way before. It¡¯s like everything just falls into the right ce when I¡¯m with her.¡±


    Mrs. Wesley smiled warmly. ¡°I can see that. You¡¯re glowing, son. It¡¯s a rare sight, I must admit.¡± They both chuckled softly including his dad. Amber heard everything and she turned beet red.


    Dinner was served a few minutester in the cozy dining area. The room was bathed in the warm glow of candlelight, creating an intimate atmosphere for their gathering. As they savored each bite of the delicious meal, conversations flowed effortlessly, blending the clinking of cutlery andughter.


    ¡°I have to say this is the best mushroom risotto by far.¡± It was Devlin¡¯s dad who made thement.


    ¡°The head cook prepared it exceptionally well, which is why I requested that they serve it for tonight¡¯s dinner. I would definitely love to learn how to cook this one.¡± Amber said with a wide smile.


    They continued their conversations while eating. Devlin¡¯s parents, sitting across from Amber and Devlin, couldn¡¯t help but delve into cherished memories of their son¡¯s childhood. They shared stories of Devlin¡¯s humorous escapades, from the time he tried to use a bedsheet as a makeshift superhero cape to hisical mishaps with household pets. These stories brought a hearty chuckle to the table, bonding the family even closer.


    Despite their past as somewhat absentee parents, Amber observed genuine sincerity in their efforts to bridge the gap with Devlin. She could see the subtle trace of regret in their eyes whenever they spoke about Devlin¡¯s younger days. It was as if they were acknowledging their mistakes and yearning for a chance to rewrite the past.


    However, happiness was also unmistakably etched across their faces. It was evident in the way they exchanged nces, the warmth of their smiles, and the twinkle in their eyes as they shared these stories.


    As the evening progressed, Mrs. Wesley and Amber engaged in conversation while the father and son gathered at the poolside for some private conversations.


    ¡°Son, thank you so much for the wonderful dinner. I may not have expressed it before, but I¡¯m immensely proud of the man you¡¯ve be. I deeply regret that your mom and I weren¡¯t there for you and your brother. Between you and Dalton, I know you were the one who felt our neglect the most,¡± he said with sincerity.


    He felt grateful for his spontaneous decision earlier to visit his son and daughter-inw. Otherwise, he wouldn¡¯t have this kind of conversation with Devlin.


    Devlin was left speechless. He never imagined hearing his father utter such words. All the anguish and pain that he had held for so many years against his parents seemed to vanish into thin air.


    ¡°And your wife, I genuinely like her. She truly brings out the best in you. She¡¯s a keeper. Take good care of her,¡± his father added before patting his shoulder and returning to his wife, who was now engrossed in conversation andughter with Amber.

 Leaving the Past Behind

    That night, Devlin and Amber retired to sleep with great happiness in their hearts. Despite all their problems, something great and positive had happened. They were both relieved and overjoyed that Devlin¡¯s parents hade to make amends with their son. Amber didn¡¯t expect their heartfelt apologies and their wholehearted eptance of her into the family.


    As theyy in bed, bathed in the soft glow of the moonlight streaming through the window, Devlin turned to Amber with a loving smile. ¡°I love you so much, wife,¡± he whispered, drawing her closer into his embrace. ¡°You are the best thing that ever happened to me.¡± Devlin couldn¡¯t help but snuggle even closer to her; it seemed he couldn¡¯t get enough of her presence, not even for a few moments.


    Amber¡¯s heart fluttered at Devlin¡¯s words, and she nuzzled against his chest, her voice filled with affection. ¡°And you, my dear husband, are my rock and my home. I never imagined finding such happiness with you.¡±


    Devlin ran his fingers through Amber¡¯s hair, savoring the moment. ¡°It¡¯s incredible how life can change, isn¡¯t it? Just a few years ago, we were both struggling, far away from each other, and now here we are, stronger together.¡±


    Amber nodded, her eyes glistening with tears of joy. ¡°You know, it means the world to me that your parents have epted me. It¡¯s like a weight lifted off my shoulders.¡±


    Devlin nodded in agreement. ¡°I never thought I¡¯d see the day when they woulde around, but they¡¯ve finally realized what truly matters. Family, love, and eptance.¡±


    Amber¡¯s mind wandered to their ns for the future now that his parents finally epted her. ¡°Speaking of family, babe, do you think one day we¡¯ll have children of our own?¡±


    Devlin smiled warmly, his gaze locked onto Amber¡¯s. ¡°Absolutely, my love. I can¡¯t wait to start a family with you. Our children will be surrounded by so much love and support.¡±N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    Amber snuggled even closer, contentment washing over her. ¡°I look forward to that day. And I promise to be the best mother I can be.¡±


    Devlin gently kissed her forehead. ¡°And I¡¯ll be the best father, just like you¡¯ll be the best wife.¡±


    As they drifted to sleep, their hearts were full of love and hope for the beautiful life ahead of them.


    Morning came, and Amber stirred in her sleep. Finding the bed empty beside her. With a sigh, she threw off her warm covers and decided to start her day. The soft rays of the morning sun filtered through the curtains as she stretched and yawned.


    The thought of the delicious aroma wafting from the kitchen immediately caught her senses as she was descending down the stairs. Her stomach grumbled in anticipation. Amber followed her nose, her bare feet padding quietly against the cool marble floor. Half-expecting to see Devlin seated at the kitchen table, sipping his morning coffee, she was met with a delightful sight.


    There stood Devlin, sporting a charming apron that contrasted amusingly with his usual business attire, diligently preparing breakfast. The scent of sizzling bacon and freshly brewed coffee filled the air.


    ¡°Good morning, wife,¡± Devlin greeted her with his winsome smile, his eyes twinkling as he looked at her face.


    ¡°Good morning, baby,¡± Amber replied, a mix of curiosity and affection in her voice. She couldn¡¯t help but wonder why he had taken over the kitchen when they had a team of cooks and maids at their disposal. She scanned the kitchen, expecting to see the head cook and the maids bustling about, but it was just the two of them.


    ¡°Well, I¡¯ve given our staff a brief break from the kitchen duties,¡± Devlin exined, moving closer to Amber. His warm, reassuring presence filled the space between them as he ced a tender kiss on her lips, leaving her feeling pleasantly lightheaded. ¡°I wanted to cook breakfast for my beautiful wife today.¡± Amber¡¯s heart swelled with love and gratitude as she looked into Devlin¡¯s eyes. It was these simple, unexpected gestures of affection that made her love her husband even more. She is overwhelmed with happiness.


    On their way to Devlin¡¯s office, his secretary called to inform him that he had guests waiting for him in his office. He is surprised to know who they are.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Is everything fine?¡± Amber noticed how Devlin¡¯s demeanor changed from calm and cheerful while driving the car to suddenly being surprised and serious.


    ¡°Everything is fine, babe. It has been a series of unexpected surprises for us since we came back.¡± he replied enigmatically.


    Amber¡¯s curiosity was piqued. ¡°What is it about?¡± she inquired.


    Devlin maintained his enigmatic smile. ¡°You¡¯ll soon find out, babe.¡± He continued driving in silence, leaving Amber to wonder. She decided to keep quiet and attempted to clear her mind of any negative thoughts.


    The moment they entered the office, Amber saw a familiar face who almost resembled her husband. Of course, it¡¯s Dalton Wesley and his lovely and very pregnant wife, Raven.


    Devlin casually greeted them but it was Amber who was extra friendly to their guests. She wondered why Dalton and his wife didn¡¯test night with their parents.


    ¡°So, it¡¯s been a while. To what do I owe this unexpected visit from you?¡± Devlin chuckled, but his eyes looked serious. Of course, the brothers had a long history of a silent feud between them.


    ¡°Come on, Devy. Is that how you received a family?¡± Dalton replied back, a hint of mischievous smile on his face.


    ¡°We found out that Amber is in town. And we have been wanting to visit you guys.¡± It was Raven¡¯s gentle voice that broke the tension between the brothers, her hand gently resting on her rounded belly.


    ¡°And mom and dad calledst night. We were out of town. If we were only here, we could have joined you for dinner as well.¡± It was Dalton with a friendly tone this time but a glimmer of regret in his eyes.


    Amber, always the peacemaker, chimed in, ¡°Well, we¡¯re delighted you¡¯re here now. We missed you guys at dinner, but let¡¯s make up for it. What do you think? A family dinner soon?¡± She looked at both Dalton and Raven with a big smile. Then, she gazed at Devlin for a while, waiting for what he has to say.


    Devlin simply nodded, his stern expression softening. ¡°That sounds like a great idea. We can catch up properly. It¡¯s been too long.¡±


    Raven beamed, her hand still on her belly, which seemed to respond with a little kick. ¡°We¡¯d love that. It¡¯s been forever and we never really get to spend dinner together.¡±


    Amber exchanged a knowing nce with her husband, silently acknowledging that the tensions of the past could be put aside for the sake of family, especially now with a new addition on the way. Raven¡¯s baby is going to be the first grandchild in the family. Amber is so happy for her. Everything about Raven¡¯s past with Devlin is a distant past now.


    As the ns for dinner were being finalized, Amber and Raven found themselves sitting together at the couch while their husbands were busy catching up about work and business. Both women were enjoying some tea together. Amber asked Devlin¡¯s secretary to make some tea for them and coffee for the guys.


    Amber couldn¡¯t help butment on Raven¡¯s pregnancy, and she couldn¡¯t contain her curiosity any longer. She turned to Raven with a warm smile. ¡°How¡¯s the pregnancy treating you?¡±


    Raven chuckled softly, gently cradling her belly. ¡°Oh, Amber, thisst trimester has been quite the journey. This little one is keeping me on my toes, that¡¯s for sure.¡± The excitement in Raven¡¯s voice is palpable.


    ¡°I remember thosete-night kicks and the constant trips to the bathroom. It can be challenging, but it¡¯s also such a special time.¡± Raven sighed contentedly. ¡°Feeling those kicks and knowing we¡¯re so close to meeting our baby ¨C it¡¯s both exciting and nerve-wracking.¡±


    Amber patted Raven¡¯s hand reassuringly. ¡°You¡¯re going to be an amazing mom, Raven. I can clearly see that now. And your husband will be a fantastic dad.¡± She smiled widely at her.


    Raven¡¯s eyes lit up with enthusiasm. ¡°Dalton is indeed going to be a great dad! He has been busy setting up the nursery, picking out baby furniture, and painting the walls. It¡¯s been a joy to see him so engrossed in preparing for our little one¡¯s arrival.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s wonderful to hear. I can¡¯t wait to see your baby. By the way, do you already know the gender?¡± Amber is more curious than ever.


    Raven shook her head slightly. ¡°No, we wanted to be surprised. It¡¯s only the OB who knows the gender of our baby.¡±


    ¡°Wow! That¡¯s even more exciting. I really can¡¯t wait to see your bundle of joy.¡± Amber pped excitedly, earning the attention of both Devlin and Dalton. She just gave them a wide smile.


    ¡°And what about you? When are you going to have your bundle of joy? I hope it¡¯s soon,¡± Raven asked candidly. She noticed the loving look in Devlin¡¯s eyes every time he nced at Amber. It was something everyone couldn¡¯t help but notice.


    ¡°Well, we just got back together. We¡¯ve talked about it, and it¡¯s definitely on our minds, but we want to make sure the timing is just right.¡± Amber said seriously. She does not want to bring up the problems they are facing right now.


    ¡°We are taking it one step at a time, enjoying each other¡¯spany for now.¡± Amber added.


    ¡°That¡¯s great! Whenever it happens, I know you two will make amazing parents. You have this incredible bond, and it¡¯s evident how much you love each other.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Raven. That means a loting from you. And when the timees, you¡¯ll be one of the first to know.¡± Amber said sincerely.


    Raven and Dalton stayed for another hour before they left Devlin¡¯s office catching up on old times and sharing stories. As they prepared to leave, Raven mentioned  her doctor¡¯s appointment in half an hour. She will be due next month.


    ¡°Thank you so much for visiting us here.¡± Amber said warmly as she hugged Raven carefully, mindful of her big belly. She didn¡¯t want to squeeze too tightly.


    Raven returned the hug, feeling the genuine warmth in the room. ¡°Likewise,¡± she replied, her voice filled with gratitude and happiness. ¡°I¡¯m truly happy that you two are back together,¡± She added, her eyes reflecting the love she saw between Amber and Devlin.


    With onest round of goodbyes, Raven and Dalton left Devlin¡¯s office, hand in hand, ready to embark on the journey of parenthood together.

 Missing Piece of the Puzzle

    After Dalton and Raven left, Devlin received a call from Agent Smith.


    ¡°Hello, Agent Smith. How¡¯s everything going? How far along are you with the investigation?¡± Devlin inquired immediately.


    ¡°I think it¡¯s better for you toe here Mr. Wesley. I have both good news and bad news for you,¡± Agent Smith¡¯s voice sounded grim.


    ¡°Oh, alright. I was actually nning toe earlier as soon as we arrived here with my wife. However, we had unexpected guests to take care of,¡± He didn¡¯t waste time exining further. He wanted to know exactly what was happening with the investigation.


    ¡°Is everything alright? You looked so serious,¡± Amber asked Devlin, who was unusually quiet.


    ¡°We need to head over to Agent Smith. He has some news about the investigation,¡± Devlin replied, his expression grave.


    Amber didn¡¯t waste time on further questions. ¡°Of course. Let¡¯s go find out what¡¯s going on.¡±


    They quickly made their way to where Agent Smith and his team were staying. As they entered the room, they could feel the tension in the air. Agent Smith greeted them with a stern face, gesturing for them to take a seat as he began to exin the situation. Abby sat with them, her expression equally serious.


    Amber felt nervous just looking at both Agent Smith and Abby. However, no matter whaty ahead, they knew they had to prepare for the unexpected.


    Agent Smith began, ¡°There¡¯s been a significant development in the case. As I have mentioned to you earlier. We both have good news and bad news.¡± He paused for a while looking at both Devlin and Amber.


    ¡°Come on, Agent Smith. Spill it out.¡± Devlin¡¯s impatience was evident in his voice.


    ¡°The good news is that the police are on their way to apprehend the aplices who aided  our mastermind,¡± Agent Smith began.


    ¡°That¡¯s excellent news, Agent Smith! But you mentioned there¡¯s bad news too. What¡¯s the cause for concern?¡± Devlin asked, trying to remainposed.


    Agent Smith¡¯s expression turned graver. ¡°The bad news is that our mastermind is nowhere to be found. He is not in his office, and none of his known residences have provided any leads.


    Devlin paced back and forth, his frustration started to surface. ¡°How can he just vanish like that? It doesn¡¯t make any sense, Agent Smith. He never married and has no children of his own although he has an adopted daughter of my age. However, she is in South America right now with her husband.¡± Devlin said and suddenly the thought urred to him that he might have been in South America by now.


    Agent Smith, now in deep thought, pushed himself off the table he had been leaning against. ¡°He never flew out of the country nor did he travel outside Seattle. We¡¯ve had the local police  put him under surveince, and we¡¯vebed through all his known connections and contacts. It¡¯s as if he¡¯s disappeared into thin air.¡±


    Amber¡¯s anxiety was visible as she spoke up, ¡°So, we¡¯ve hit a dead end?¡±


    Abby, always calm under pressure, reassured them, ¡°I am coordinating with the police on his possible whereabouts. We¡¯re not giving up at all until we apprehend him.¡±


    It was Devlin who suddenly had a thought. ¡°Have you checked his financials, bank ounts, and recent transactions?¡±


    Agent Smith frowned, revealing that he hadn¡¯t overlooked any leads. ¡°We¡¯ve reviewed all of that. He closed one bank ount and withdrew all his savings a week ago. And there¡¯s no trace to any digital transaction.¡± Everyone was quiet after hearing what Agent Smith said.


    Amber¡¯s voice broke the tense silence again, ¡°What about his personal life? Any recent changes or unusual behavior? People usually leave some clues behind.¡±


    Suddenly, Devlin recalled something from a month ago, ¡°Wait, about a month ago, I remember him mentioning that he was nning a vacation, but he never specified where.¡±


    Abby added another piece to the puzzle. ¡°Just for your information, I contacted his adopted daughter in South America, but she hasn¡¯t heard from him for months now. She even sounded worried and wanted to know any news about her father.¡±


    ¡°And, do you believe her words? Who knows she might be protecting her father?¡± Devlin sighed in frustration.


    ¡°I had it confirmed. She¡¯s telling the truth.¡± Abby said with conviction.


    Devlin, now more determined than ever to bring their target to justice, pressed on, ¡°So, what¡¯s next? What¡¯s the n? The longer he stays outside, the more of a  threat he could be to us.


    ¡°I n to pay a visit to his office and residences. I may find some clues there that would lead to his whereabouts.¡± Abby said, her determination shining through. She rose from her seat, a sense of purpose urging her toward her nned destinations.


    ¡°And please, for the meantime, refrain from going out. It¡¯s crucial that you stay within the safety of your home or the office with your bodyguards,¡± Abby advised, her tone carrying a note of concern. With that, she closed the door behind her, leaving Devlin and Amber with a palpable sense of worry in the air.


    ¡°Abby is right. We need to be extra careful. We don¡¯t know how his mind works. If only we could find some clues that would tell us anything about him. The guy is like a phantom. There was no significant thing from his past.¡± Agent Smith said.


    Amber furrowed her brows, concern etched across her face as she addressed Devlin. ¡°Maybe you knew something about what he usually does? After all, he was treated as part of your family,¡± she inquired from her husband, who was still lost in deep thought.


    Devlin leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping lightly on the table as he recalled what little he knew about the elusive figure they were after. ¡°One thing I know about him is that he is fond of visiting the orphanage. I knew that he supported them. But I don¡¯t see that it has anything to do with our case with him.¡±


    ¡°It might not be directly rted, but perhaps we should look into his connections there. There could be people who know him well, who could provide us with insights into his character or any unusual behavior.¡± Agent Smith said.N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    Amber nodded in agreement. ¡°It¡¯s worth a shot. Sometimes, the most unexpected leads can break a case wide open.¡± She said meaningfully. Devlin stared at her for a long moment.


    Agent Smith was a flurry of action. He instructed one of his team members to investigate the orphanages linked with their mastermind. In just a few minutes, they found what they were looking for.


    ¡°I should send someone right now to visit the orphanages he frequently attends. Maybe we¡¯ll stumble upon something that can help us understand this ¡®phantom¡¯ a little better.¡± Agent Smith dered.


    After Agent Smith sent one of his trusted team members to check on some orphanages in the city, Devlin and Amber decided to call it a day; a break was long overdue. The drive to their mansion was again enveloped in silence. Both of them were lost in deep thoughts.


    As they pulled up in front of their sprawling mansion, Amber finally broke the silence. ¡°Devlin, there¡¯s something bothering me about this case. Something I can¡¯t quite put my finger on.¡±


    Devlin turned to her, his eyes tired but attentive. ¡°What is it? You¡¯ve been unusually quiet today.¡±


    She frowned, her brow furrowing in thought. ¡°It¡¯s just¡­ we¡¯re missing a piece of the puzzle, Dev. I can feel it. I hadn¡¯t met him until five years ago, but his presence seemed strangely familiar to me. It¡¯s as if I¡¯ve heard about him before, but I can¡¯t quite ce where or when.¡±


    ¡°I wish we could find out soon. I am so exhausted by all of this. And now, he is on the loose.¡± Devlin said anxiously. ¡°Anyway, we¡¯ll catch him soon. And when we do, we¡¯ll get the answers from him.¡±


    ¡°Enough of that talk, please. For now, let¡¯s just take a break from this darkness. Are you feeling hungry?¡± Amber asked out of nowhere.


    ¡°Not really. I don¡¯t have much of an appetite for any big meal right now.¡± Devlin said resignedly.


    ¡°Alright, why don¡¯t you go take a shower? I¡¯ll prepare a light dinner. Then, we can watch something mindless on TV and try to forget about our problems for a while.¡± Amber suggested with a smile.


    Devlin returned her smile, his eyes softening. ¡°That sounds like a n, wife. Let¡¯s set our problems aside for the night and focus on us.¡±


    By the time Devlin finished his shower, Amber had already prepared their light dinner with the help of their ever-efficient head cook. She had made some mushroom soup, popcorn shrimps for appetizers and a smoked salmon sd. Then, she brought out a nice white wine toplement their light dinner.


    ¡°Hmmm¡­now I¡¯m feeling hungry. Everything looks delicious.¡± Devlinmented while hugging Amber from behind.


    ¡°Do you want anything else to eat? They can prepare something else in the kitchen,¡± Amber offered but her husband only shook his head.


    ¡°Alright babe, let me take a quick shower, and then I¡¯ll join you for dinner,¡± Amber said before making her way to their bedroom.


    She only took a quick shower, not wanting Devlin to wait for her. Besides, dinner was ready. She decided to wear a casual floral dress that fell just above the knee. She quickly checked herself in the mirror, but something caught her attention before turning the doorknob. It was the photo album that had been mysteriously delivered to her at Devlin¡¯s house in New York.


    Suddenly, a wild thought raced through her mind. Those pictures of children, they seemed to be taken in various orphanages then, not in the school premises. And their mastermind had connections to some orphanages in the city. What truly baffled her was the reason behind sending those pictures to her. Was it some sort of clue, a cryptic message pointing toward those orphanages? And why would he send it to her instead of Devlin? It doesn¡¯t make any sense to her right now. With a resigned expression, she proceeded to the dining room, where Devlin was waiting for her.

 His Chilling Revelations

    Amber managed to maintain herposure despite the turbulent thoughts the photo album had stirred within her. She didn¡¯t want Devlin to be even more concerned. With a deep breath, she turned away from her sleeping husband. As they settled into bed, Devlin quickly sumbed to exhaustion, his peaceful slumber an indication of how much he needed rest.


    Amber couldn¡¯t shake the nagging feeling that those old photographs held a deeper significance in her life. Her grandmother had grown up in an orphanage, and so was Devlin¡¯s grandmother. The realization struck her like a bolt of lightning, causing her to gasp in astonishment.


    Could it be possible that their guy also spent his early years in the same orphanage as their grandmothers? The mere thought sent her heart racing, and she found it nearly impossible to contain her curiosity.


    Questions swirled in Amber¡¯s mind. What secretsy hidden in their shared past that had shaped their ¡®guy¡¯ into the man he is right now? For over an hour, she grappled with these thoughts, her mind thinking of different possibilities. Sleep eventually consumed her at the end. Herst thoughts were on her grandmother, wondering if she knew him. She nned to make a call to her grandmother tomorrow¡­


    Her n to call her grandmother did not materialize. She woke up to an empty bed again. Devlin was nowhere in sight. She checked the time and she was surprised to learn that it was almost 9 am. She wondered why Devlin hadn¡¯t woken her up. They always go to the office together.


    Feeling a sense of urgency, she went to the bathroom to prepare for the day. After her shower, she changed into fresh clothes, opting for a casual dress. She checked for her phone at the bedside table, but it wasn¡¯t there. She wanted to call her marmee.


    Leaving her bedroom, she was met with an unusually quiet house. ¡°Where is everyone?¡± She couldn¡¯t see the usual guards patrolling the vast mansion. A sense of unease washed over her. Determined to find answers, she headed to the kitchen.


    Upon arriving in the kitchen, she discovered it empty, void of any signs of life. None of the housemaids were around either. Worry gnawed at her, growing with each passing moment.


    Her footsteps carried her to Devlin¡¯s study room, but it too was deserted. She stopped, straining her ears to listen, but the mansion remained eerily quiet for an early morning. Panic began to grip her as she contemted the unsettling silence. Something was amiss.


    She didn¡¯t know what to do. If only she had the phone with her, she could readily call Devlin or 911. She decided to return to the bedroom and search for the phone again. She could stay there until she is certain that Devlin is back or the bodyguards are back.


    Hurrying up to the bedroom, she was suddenly stopped short by some noises. She felt relieved but was surprised toe face to face with the person she would ever dare want to see.


    ¡°What are you doing here?¡± She said with a trembling voice, attempting to remain calm despite the fear welling up inside her. There was an eerie silence between them, disturbed only by the subtle sounds of their breathing.


    ¡°Is that how you wee me? I remember how five years ago you asked for my help and I was there to readily help you. What happened to that fragile young woman I¡¯ve met before? Did you be just like your husband? Him and his line of Wesleys?¡± Amber¡¯s heart pounded in her chest, the anxiety and confusion making her breath shallow. She struggled to process what he had just said. She wondered how this person had gained ess to the sprawling mansion, a fortress protected by a legion of well-trained bodyguards.


    ¡°What do you want?¡± Amber¡¯s voice quivered as she confronted the uninvited guest. ¡°Devlin is not here. You should go to his office instead.¡± she added, trying to muster some courage.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.


    He regarded her with a sinister grin. ¡°What made you think that I want to meet your husband?¡± His words oozed with malice. ¡°Of course, I am here because I need to talk to you. It couldn¡¯t wait. And besides, I have nowhere to go right now.¡± He gestured around thevish room, a stark contrast to his own circumstances.


    ¡°Your husband made sure that I have no ce to go. Since he did this to me, why note here into the lion¡¯s den?¡± He let out a chilling, unsettlingugh that sent shivers down Amber¡¯s spine.


    ¡°Talk? Here? What do I have to do with you?¡± Amber asked, her voice quivering with a mixture of fear and curiosity. She nced around, searching for any sign of her phone or an escape route.


    ¡°You shouldn¡¯t havee and epted the marriage proposal of his grandmother.¡± He said with a sardonic smile.


    ¡°I could have spared you from all of these.¡± Then, his face showed sorrow. Amber could not understand what moved this man to do such a thing. He seemed to be out of his mind. She wanted to buy time by engaging into a conversation with him until Devlin woulde.


    ¡°Spare from what?¡± She asked. ¡°I have never met you in my entire life, not until five years ago.¡±


    ¡°Oh yes, our lives are more intertwined than what you think. I can see that you are a very smart woman. You even made a fortune by starting up your own business in New York. However, you are a very poor judge of personality.¡±


    ¡°You are talking in riddles. I never understood any single word you just said.¡± Amber is trying to mask her panic state. She moved uneasily backward, her heart pounding in her chest as she tried to make sense of the cryptic words he was saying. She still couldn¡¯t see any sign of her phone, and the room seemed eerily soundproof.


    The man drew closer to her, prompting her to instinctively step back. ¡°You see, Amber, Devlin¡¯s grandmother¡¯s marriage proposal was not a simple act of matchmaking. It was a calcted move, a chess piece on a muchrger board.¡±


    Amber¡¯s mind raced. She couldn¡¯t help but recall Grandma Olivia¡¯s excitement when she had finally given her word to honor her wish.


    ¡°What are you talking about?¡± Amber whispered, her fear slowly transforming into a growing sense of anger. ¡°I only met Grandma Olivia briefly but she struck me as a kind woman. She was also a dear friend to my grandmother. What does any of this have to do with you?¡±


    The man¡¯s sardonic smile returned, but now, it was tinged with bitterness. ¡°Ah, Amelia Adams, or should I say Amelia Redford when she was still not married. I remember your grandmother very well,¡± he said, his voice softening as he cast his gaze into the distance.


    ¡°You knew my grandmother?¡± Amber asked incredulously, her suspicions from the previous night now confirmed.


    ¡°Indeed, I did,¡± he replied solemnly. ¡°Amelia and Olivia- I knew them both very well. We were all from the same orphanage. I suppose you¡¯ve figured that out by now, especially  after I sent you the photo album.¡±


    Amber¡¯s confusion deepened. ¡°But why would you do that? Are we ying some sort of guessing game here? Whatever your past connection with our grandparents, I fail to see how Devlin and I fit into any of it¡±


    The man burst into outrageousughter at Amber¡¯s words. ¡°Oh, my dear,¡± he chuckled, his tone now tinged with anger. ¡°I heard the desperation in your voice. It reminded me of what happened to me all those years ago. I asked for help, but no one came to my aid.¡±


    Amber¡¯s fear intensified as she watched the man¡¯s mood swing unpredictably. She had no idea what he might do next. His eyes, once gentle, now seemed like the eyes of someone who had lost their sanity.


    She prayed silently for Devlin toe home soon, a sense of impending danger emanating from the man before her, who seemed to teeter on the brink of madness. Amber knew she had to tread carefully.


    ¡°I am extremely sorry for whatever suffering you¡¯ve endured in the past,¡± she began, her voice trembling with sincerity. ¡°I genuinely hope you can find it in your heart to forgive and let go of the pain. Whatever happened, I apologize on behalf of everyone involved.¡± Amber pleaded desperately, her primary goal being her own survival through this harrowing ordeal. Yet, she couldn¡¯t help but feel a twinge of sympathy for the man before her; clearly, he was deeply wounded.


    ¡°Sir,¡± she continued, ¡°it is not toote to change the course of events. Please, allow me to help you. I can talk to Devlin. My husband is an incredibly kind-hearted man¡­¡± The mere mention of Devlin caused the man to erupt into eerieughter once more.


    ¡°You fell for his sweet talk, just like Olivia fell for her husband,¡± he sneered.


    Amber persisted, ¡°I don¡¯t understand what happened in your past, or why Devlin and I have been drawn into this.¡±


    The man, with a haunted look in his eyes, began to recount his tragic history. ¡°It¡¯s quite simple, really. You see, I was once a destitute orphan living a peaceful life in an orphanage, alongside kids like Olivia and Amelia. Then, one day, one of the orphanage¡¯s patrons took an interest in me and adopted me when I was just six years old. That patron happened to be Devlin¡¯s great-grandfather. He had an only son who was sickly and frail at that time. He was only a year older than me.


    The man¡¯s voice trembled as he recalled his past. ¡°The elder Wesley groomed me to be just like him. He sent me to a prestigious school, but for every privilege he bestowed upon me, there was a dark side. I was brutally punished every time I failed orgged behind my peers. His wife, too, tormented me, believing I was stealing her husband¡¯s attention from her son.¡±


    He continued, his story unfolding like a nightmare. ¡°During our teenage years, I suffered relentless bullying at school, courtesy of Devlin¡¯s grandfather and his friends. Eventually, I couldn¡¯t take it anymore. I ran away, seeking refuge back at the orphanage, but they refused to take me in, fearing they¡¯d lose a valuable patron. It was then that the elder Mr. Wesley found me, and the daily torture resumed.¡±


    ¡°I endured those torments, holding onto the hope that one day I could escape this nightmare,¡± he confessed. ¡°Then, one fateful day, I saw Olivia in the Wesley mansion, more beautiful than ever. My heart leaped with joy, but it was short-lived when I learned she was to marry the younger Mr. Wesley. Did you know that I have liked Olivia a lot since we were children? Seeing her wed that wretched man was a crushing blow. But I kept my feelings buried; the Wesleys were too powerful to defy.¡±


    As the man¡¯s voice cracked with emotion, he continued his heart-wrenching tale. ¡°When Devlin¡¯s grandfather married Olivia, things improved somewhat for me. I graduated from college and began working for theirpany. However, my role was anything but honorable; I was responsible for their dirty work. Nearly all the Wesley family¡¯s wealth was tainted by illicit means. That¡¯s how the old man provided for his family, and his wife and son were well aware of it.¡±


    ¡°So tell me, how can I forgive them?¡± Once more, his maniacal expression returned.

 His Revenge

    ¡°I am deeply sorry for the pain you¡¯ve endured, Attorney Harrison. Regrettably, we cannot change what happened in the past. I hope you can eventually find it in your heart to forgive. I am genuinely willing to help you in any way I can. Please, spare Devlin and his family from whatever revenge you want to inflict against the Wesleys. Those responsible for your suffering have long since passed away,¡± Amber implored, hoping to persuade him that revenge wouldn¡¯t lead to any true sce.


    ¡°Huh! You don¡¯t know what you are talking about. Devlin¡¯s father and brother were cut from the same cloth. His brother, a well-known attorney, had a history of engaging in questionable, under-the-table transactions. Simrly, his father was involved in illicit activities, such as smuggling high-value art pieces and selling them on the ck market for exorbitant sums. And you know what I did to them?¡± He paused with a wild look on his face. Amber was scared but tried to appear calm from the outside.


    ¡°I resorted to a form of leverage: I ckmailed them. This action effectively restrained their involvement in any further uwful endeavors, given the substantial amount of incriminating evidence I had amassed against them. I had them under control.¡± Heughed hysterically. The sounds he made echoed the whole room making Amber more scared.


    ¡°As for your husband, he might have been spared had he not inherited the majority of the Wesley¡¯s fortune. Olivia ensured that Devlin received that inheritance,¡± Attorney Harrison dered, his expression hardening. ¡°Besides, I could not manipte her assets since she hired an ounting firm and assistant attorney to handle her wealth. I was merely an insignificant individual.¡±


    Amber took the courage to speak out for her husband. ¡°You know Devlin has no interest in his family¡¯s wealth. That¡¯s why he built hispany from the ground up. His grandmother offered some initial funding but he refused it.¡± Amber remarked. She understood how much effort Devlin had put into achieving his current sess.


    ¡°Well, I had hoped to ess that money. I wanted to use it to support more orphans with the money I had worked tirelessly to umte. Without my involvement in their less scrupulous activities, the Wesleys wouldn¡¯t be as wealthy and influential as they are now,¡± dered Attorney Harrison. Amber failed to make any sense of what he was saying.


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you just confront Devlin directly instead of resorting to all these methods?  You are endangering other people¡¯s lives,¡± she chided. She refrained from mentioning that he might spend the rest of his life in jail once he gets apprehended.


    ¡°Endangering other people¡¯s lives? Those were the Wesleys, a dangerous game I was forced to y,¡± he responded with a touch of bitterness. ¡°I was nothing more than a pawn in their scheme, trapped in a situation I couldn¡¯t escape. And didn¡¯t the Wesleys endanger the lives of more peoplepared to what I did?¡±


    ¡°But now, with them all gone, I want what¡¯s rightfully mine,¡± he dered with a determined tone.


    With a resolute tone in his voice, Amber couldn¡¯t shake the nagging doubt that Attorney Harrison might have ulterior motives for the money. It was possible, she thought, that he intended to keep it all for himself. She knew she had to continue engaging him in conversation, not only to stall for more time but also because she had no idea how to escape a situation where a gun was pointed at her while he spoke.


    ¡°Attorney Harrison,¡± she began cautiously, ¡°I truly appreciate your desire to help the orphans. It¡¯s an incredibly noble cause, and I¡¯m sure they would be immensely grateful for any support.¡± She paused, trying to gauge his reaction.


    ¡°But I¡¯m curious,¡± she continued, her words carefully chosen, ¡°how do you envision this help being provided?¡± Amber hoped that steering the conversation toward a concrete n would buy her more time to think of an escape n.


    ¡°Why do you even care, Mrs. Wesley? You¡¯re one of them now, just like Olivia, You, too, were bought through the wealth that came with your marriage to Devlin. You became an enabler, allowing him to continue the dirty money from his ancestors.¡± Attorney Harrison said with his distant look.This text is ? N?velDrama/.Org.


    Amber was in a state of panic. Attorney Harrison¡¯s words left her utterly bewildered. She had just conveyed to him that Devlin had no interest in inheriting the wealth of his ancestors. Probably, Devlin was aware of the unscrupulous activities of both his great-grandfather and his grandfather. Amber couldn¡¯t help but wonder if Attorney Harrison believed that simply by virtue of sharing their bloodline, Devlin was destined to follow in their footsteps. It was only now that Amber realized the depth of Devlin¡¯s determination to establish his own business independently, free from reliance on his family¡¯s wealth.


    Amber¡¯s understanding deepened. She realized that what Devlin did was not merely a matter of ambition. It was a rejection of the potential darkness that might lurk in his bloodline¡¯s history. In that moment, she admired her husband¡¯s determination all the more, seeing it not only as a pursuit of sess but also as an effort to break from the burdens of the past.


    She felt an overwhelming urge to correct Attorney Harrison¡¯s misconceptions about her husband. However, it seemed that the old man¡¯s sanity had long abandoned him. She couldn¡¯t quite grasp how much time had passed since their conversation had started. Amber¡¯s hope was dwindling, as she silently prayed that Devlin or someone woulde to uncover the terrifying truth unfolding in that room ¨C a lunatic old man standing before her in flesh.


    ¡°Now, you have toe with me.¡± Attorney Harrison¡¯s demeanor even grew more unsettling, his wild eyes making Amber terrified.


    She gathered her courage and pleaded with him through a trembling voice, fighting back tears that threatened to escape. ¡°Please, I¡¯m begging you, Attorney Harrison,¡± she implored. ¡°I can talk to Devlin. He never wanted any of the wealth he inherited from his family.¡±


    But Attorney Harrison remained undaunted, the depths of his determination unfathomable. ¡°It¡¯s not as simple as you think,¡± he replied coldly, his grip tightening on her arm as he forced her closer. With a chilling click, the gun pressed against her temple, its presence a stark reminder of the danger she now faced. ¡°You¡¯reing with me, whether you like it or not,¡± he dered, his lips curling into a disturbing smile.


    ¡°Don¡¯t even think about making a sound,¡± he cautioned, his voice tinged with madness. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t hesitate to pull this trigger.¡± Amber¡¯s heart raced as she found herself trapped in a chilling ordeal, desperate for any glimmer of hope from the nightmare that had be her reality.


    She prayed in silence, her desperate pleas echoing in her mind, hoping against hope that Devlin woulde to her rescue soon. Attorney Harrison, onceposed and authoritative, hadpletely gone insane, now holding her hostage with a grip that grew more ferocious with every passing moment.


    As they got out of the mansion, a chilling scene unfolded before her eyes. The house was surrounded by a sea of uniformed figures, their stern expressions and poised weapons casting an ominous shadow over the tranquil sprawling mansion.


    A shiver coursed through her as she sensed thewyer¡¯s escting panic. The cold, unyielding barrel of the gun pressed harder against the back of her head, the pressure causing her to wince in pain. His voice, tinged with desperation and rage, cut through the tense silence.


    ¡°Go ahead,¡± he hissed with a venomous intensity, his eyes darting nervously between the armed figures outside. ¡°Make a single move, and this woman¡¯s head will be blown to pieces.¡± The threat hung heavily in the air, a stark reminder of the situation she found herself in.


    Amber dared not make any sound. She slowly walked with Attorney Harrison. She was afraid that he may push the trigger any time. She prayed hard that someone would end this ordeal.


    Meanwhile, Devlin sat anxiously inside his car, parked just outside his grand mansion. His sole concern was getting inside to help rescue his wife. However, the police stopped him from interfering.


    Earlier in the day, he had chosen not to bring Amber to his office, wanting her to have a rxing day. He had several of his bodyguards to watch over her. Now, he deeply regrets his decision.


    During a meeting with Agent Smith, a call came in from Abby. She had managed to locate Attorney Harrison the previous day but lost track of himst night. Abby¡¯s relief at discreetly nting a tracking device in his car quickly turned to unease. The GPS signal from the tracker indicated that Attorney Harrison was heading toward a disturbingly familiar destination ¨C Devlin¡¯s own mansion. This revtion sent chills down her spine, prompting her to act swiftly.


    Without hesitation, she reached for her phone and dialed Agent Smith¡¯s number. The urgency in her voice was unmistakable as she inquired about the whereabouts of Devlin and Amber, deeply concerned that their lives might be in imminent danger.


    Upon learning of Attorney Harrison¡¯s destination, Devlin attempted to rush out of his office to reach the mansion. It was Agent Smith who intervened, cautioning him, ¡°Mr. Wesley, we must contact the police first. We¡¯re uncertain of Attorney Harrison¡¯s state of mind, and we must proceed with caution.¡±


    And now, he is right in front of his mansion but Devlin couldn¡¯t do anything for his wife. The waiting is killing him.

 Harrowing Situation

    Attorney Harrison and Amber slowly descended the staircase with a heavy silence hanging over them. Amber¡¯s heart raced, anxiety coursing through her veins. She faltered on thest step, her trembling legs betraying her.


    ¡°Don¡¯t make any stupid moves,¡± Attorney Harrison hissed, his grip on her tightening. ¡°You¡¯re my only ticket out of this hellhole.¡±


    Amber scanned the ce as they moved forward, her eyes catching the hushed movements of the police officers who were waiting to the sides, giving way for them to exit. The tension in the air was evident, everyone keenly aware of the vtile situation. Every step was a careful calction, every decision weighed against the risk of the hostage getting hurt.


    Amber¡¯s gaze locked onto Abby and Agent Smith, standing off to the side but poised with their guns. Their expressions etched with worry and determination. Amber couldn¡¯t help but wonder where Devlin was in all of this chaos, her mind racing with unanswered questions.


    As they neared the mansion¡¯s exit, the morning air hit Amber¡¯s face like a refreshing wave, a stark contrast to the stifling atmosphere inside. The police maintained their positions, ready for any sudden movements. Amber¡¯s heart continued to pound. Her thoughts filled with a mix of fear and hope.This text is ? N?velDrama/.Org.


    Devlin¡¯s heart raced as he heard themotion echoing from inside the mansion. The voices and shuffling footsteps made him all the more worried. He strained to understand the muffled voices, his senses on high alert. Something was terribly wrong, and he couldn¡¯t shake the foreboding sense that had settled in the pit of his stomach.


    The sound of heavy footsteps drew nearer, and Delin¡¯s pulse quickened. He instinctively retreated at the back of his car, his body tense as he watched the massive gate. It creaked open with agonizing slowness, revealing the imposing figure of Attorney Harrison.


    Devlin¡¯s breath caught in his throat as he saw the old man clutching Amber, his beloved wife, as a hostage. Amber¡¯s eyes met Devlin¡¯s, a silent plea for him to stay hidden, to not draw Harrison¡¯s attention towards him. Her eyes conveyed fear and desperation, but she remained silent knowing that any word from her could escte the situation further.


    Devlin¡¯s fists clenched, his mind racing for a n, any way to free his wife from Harrison¡¯s grip without putting her in further danger. A mixture of anger and helplessness surged through him as he watched the man who had once been their trusted legal counsel now holding Amber captive.


    He was torn between confronting the man who threatened his wife and heeding her silent plea for caution. The morning air was heavy with tension, and Devlin knew that the choices he made in the next few moments would determine the fate of their lives. He showed himself in front of Attorney Harrison.


    ¡°Mr. Wesley, it¡¯s about time you decided to make an appearance. You¡¯ve driven us to this point. I¡¯ve been stressing the importance of managing the finances left behind by your grandfathers for quite some time now. But what did you do? You were too preupied with your own affairs to even give it a second thought. You¡¯ve reaped the benefits of that tainted money, whether you care to admit it or not.¡± Harrison¡¯s words hung in the tense air, usations and grievances building up over time nowid bare. It was time to face the truth, confront the skeletons in the family closet, and make amends for the past, for the safety of his beloved wife.


    ¡°Attorney Harrison, you are absolutely right. I must admit that I was so engrossed in running mypany that I didn¡¯t give a second thought to the inheritance I received. I was busy fixing the problems in thepany. I didn¡¯t know it was you who did all of it.¡± Devlin said with huge disappointment and resentment.


    Devlin took a deep breath before speaking again. He had to tread carefully with this man. He is beyond desperation and sanity. ¡°I want to extend my sincerest apologies, not only on my behalf but also on behalf of my grandfather and great-grandfather, for the way they treated you in the past. You, more than anyone else, understood the reasons behind my reluctance to have anything to do with their wealth. Yes, I benefited from that wealth during my younger years, but as soon as I delved into our family¡¯s history and discovered the truth, I resolved to distance myself from it entirely.¡± He paused, hoping to put some sense into Attorney Harrison¡¯s mind.


    ¡°I understand that you¡¯ve been pursuing a significant share of that inheritance, and for that, I am genuinely sorry. However, my decision was not driven by a desire to hoard the wealth. On the contrary, I¡¯ve been adamant about donating my entire share to charitable organizations. I understand that this may not align with your expectations, especially considering the dubious origins of the money. It¡¯s only fitting to put it to good use.¡± Devlin exined.


    Attorney Harrison replied, ¡°It¡¯s easy for you to say that. I wanted to gain that wealth to help those in need. It served as my means of seeking redemption for my involvement in your family¡¯s evil scheme. Throughout those years, I never found peace knowing that I contributed to ruining people¡¯s lives simply because I felt I had no choice.¡±


    Devlin was willing to amodate Attorney Harrison¡¯s wish if it meant saving Amber. He pleaded,  ¡°Very well, Attorney Harrison. If that¡¯s your main concern, I can transfer everything to your ount. Please, let¡¯s put an end to this and release my wife from this situation. She¡¯spletely innocent in all of this.¡±


    Attorney Harrison, confident in his position,id out his conditions, saying, ¡°I can grant your request, but first, you must ensure that everyone else here leaves. I want you to initiate the transfer right away. Furthermore, I¡¯ll need a vehicle to make my escape. I¡¯ll take your wife with me until I¡¯m sure no one is following. I¡¯ll send you the location where I¡¯ll release her.¡±


    Devlin believed the old man was making a desperate move. He felt trapped, with no clear escape routes. Devlin had known that every exit was already blocked. Still, he attempted to negotiate, ¡°I can¡¯t allow that, Attorney Harrison. Please, release my wife. I¡¯ll contact mywyer immediately to facilitate the transfer of my inheritance.¡±


    Attorney Harrison remained skeptical, warning Devlin, ¡°I don¡¯t trust anyone at the moment. Don¡¯t try to manipte me into believing that I¡¯ll be safe after I release your wife.¡±


    Devlin was growing increasingly frustrated. He couldn¡¯t simply allow his wife to go with Attorney Harrison who clearly appeared to be mentally unstable. He scanned the surroundings, noticing the cautious gaze of police officers on Attorney Harrison, as well as the presence of both Abby and Agent Smith. Devlin found himself torn, uncertain about his next move. One thing was certain though, he had to ensure Amber¡¯s safety.


    Meanwhile, Amber was trembling uncontrobly, desperately suppressing her tears. She couldn¡¯t afford to let her emotions overwhelm her now. Any wrong move on her part could be fatal. She strained toe up with a n to escape Attorney Harrison¡¯s tight grip.


    When Devlin finally made a critical decision, a sound from the handheld radio caught Attorney Harrison¡¯s attention. He heard very well that a sniper was waiting for him. He pressed his gun closer to Amber¡¯s head.


    ¡°See? I don¡¯t trust any of you.¡± Heughed sarcastically. ¡°Move or this woman¡¯s head will blow into pieces! I want that car now!¡± He shouted, his voice chillinglyposed.


    ¡°Please give him what he wants,¡± Devlin said with a hoarse voice. It pained him to see the terrified look in his wife¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°Baby, please be strong. I won¡¯t allow any harm to befall you,¡± he yearned to rush to his wife¡¯s side and shield her from the impending danger.


    ¡°The car, now!¡± Attorney Harrison demanded, cutting off any reassurances Devlin had for Amber.


    A sleek ck vehicle crept closer,ing to a stop. Attorney Harrison quickly moved inside, positioning himself behind Amber to use her as a human shield.


    He then pulled Amber inside as he moved to the driver¡¯s seat. Amber stole a frantic nce at Devlin, their eyes locking for a brief, agonizing moment. The unspoken promise of love and protection lingered in that gaze.


    However, all hell broke loose when three consecutive gunshots could be heard in the air. Devlin saw the shattered sses to the side of the car. Everything was chaotic while the police were trying to cordon off the area. Devlin could not move from his spot. He only had Amber in his mind.


    Suddenly, someone sobbed hysterically, capturing Devlin¡¯s attention. Determination surged through him as he pushed his way towards the car, where he saw a paramedic helping Amber to calm down. Without hesitation, he embraced his wife tightly.


    ¡°Ssh¡­everything is alright now, my love. I¡¯m here,¡± he whispered soothingly, holding her even closer as he felt her vulnerability in his arms. He wanted to check her body if she got hurt. However, she desperately clung to him for her dear life. Gently, he lifted her and carried her towards the nearest ambnce, determined to get her the urgent first aid she needed.

 Recovering

    Amber awoke in an unfamiliar, white room. Her confusion mounted as she struggled to recall why she was there. Suddenly, a rush of memories flooded her mind. It became evident that she was in a hospital room. She scanned her surroundings but found no one present.


    She didn¡¯t have to wait long though as Devlin soon entered the room, a warm smile on his face. He had just stepped out to collect some homemade food prepared by their head cook, along with a selection of fresh fruits.


    ¡°Hey, baby, I¡¯m d you¡¯re awake now. Is everything okay?¡± he asked, crossing the room to embrace his wife who wore a troubled look. Amber tried to sit up but winced in pain.


    ¡°Take it easy, please. Your body is still recovering.¡± He helped Amber sit up morefortably.


    ¡°I am okay, just a bit sore.¡± Amber said, trying to smile to reassure her husband. ¡°How long have I slept for?¡± She got curious since she remembered that it was in the morning when that incident happened. However, she could see that it was still daylight, just by looking at the sunlighting from the windows.


    Devlin sighed before he spoke. ¡°You have slept for almost 24 hours,¡± he said softly while gently caressing her cheek, brushing away a strand of hair that had fallen across her face. ¡°You must be hungry by now. That¡¯s why I brought some of your favorite dishes from home, and I even told the cook to prepare them just the way you like.¡±


    Amber¡¯s stomach rumbled in response to the delicious aroma wafting from the food. She couldn¡¯t help but smile, touched by her husband¡¯s thoughtfulness. ¡°You always know how to make me feel better,¡± she said gratefully. ¡°Thank you, babe. And thank you for taking such good care of me.¡±


    Devlin leaned in, cing a gentle kiss on Amber¡¯s forehead. ¡°I¡¯ll always be here for you, no matter what,¡± he whispered. ¡°Now, let¡¯s eat up and get you back to feeling like your usual self.¡± With a warm smile, Devlin carefullyid out all the home-cooked meals on the bedside table, creating a small feast that promised to bringfort and nourishment for Amber.


    They started eating quietly when Amber wanted to ask about what happened yesterday. She cleared her throat first, getting the attention of Devlin.


    ¡°Babe, let¡¯s enjoy our food first. Please no questions on what happened yesterday for now.¡± Devlin said while looking intently at her face. Amber only nodded gently, respecting what her husband wanted.


    Just as they were finishing their meal, the door to the hospital room swung open, revealing Amber¡¯s unexpected visitor. It was her marmee who had arrived unexpectedly.


    ¡°Amber, my child!¡± Amelia eximed, rushing over to her granddaughter¡¯s bedside. She bent down to give Amber a gentle hug. ¡°How are you feeling, dear?¡±


    Tears welled up in Amber¡¯s eyes as she embraced her grandmother. ¡°I¡¯m so d to see you, marmee,¡± She whispered, her voice filled with emotion. ¡°I¡¯ve missed you.¡±


    Devlin, who had just finished putting away the food, came to greet Amelia. ¡°It¡¯s wonderful to see you, marmee. I hope you were able to rest. Did you have lunch?¡± He asked gently to which marmee only nodded.


    Amber looked at Devlin with a wrinkled forehead. ¡°I am sorry I didn¡¯t tell you that marmee arrivedst night. She was here all night watching over you. I was with her and told her to rest but she didn¡¯t listen to me.¡± Devlin only rubbed his nape while chuckling softly.


    Amelia patted Amber¡¯s hand lovingly. ¡°Devlin called me yesterday and told me what happened. I wanted to be here for you.¡± She turned her attention to Devlin. ¡°Thank you for taking care of her, young man.¡±


    Devlin nodded with gratitude. ¡°It¡¯s my pleasure, marmee. We¡¯re doing our best to get her back on her feet.¡±


    Amelia and her granddaughter were simply talking about the farm¡¯s recent developments since Amber and Devlin¡¯sst visit. None of them have mentioned yet about what happened yesterday.


    About half an hour into their conversation, Amber received unexpected visitors ¨C Agent Smith and Abby.


    Abby warmly embraced Amber as she approached her bed. ¡°How are you feeling, Amber?¡± She carefully ced the basket of fruits she had brought for Amber on the table.


    Amber replied, ¡°I¡¯m feeling much better now. Marmee, this is my friend, Abby, and that¡¯s Agent Smith.¡± Abby smiled and hugged her grandmother, while Agent Smith extended his hand in greeting. He had been engrossed in conversation with Devlin.


    ¡°Tell me, what happened after yesterday¡¯s incident?¡± Amber asked Abby, her voice trembling slightly. She had been eager to know what happened yesterday. However, Devlin did not mention anything to her.


    Abby cleared her throat, uncertain whether Devlin had disclosed everything to Amber  regarding the events of yesterday.


    ¡°Devlin didn¡¯t say anything about yesterday,¡± Amber said. ¡°I only woke up like an hour ago. I had lunch, and then my grandmother came. I can¡¯t shake this feeling of unease without knowing the full story.¡± She spoke almost a whisper, while her grandmother listened attentively. Amelia was also eager to learn the details, having received only tidbits of information from Devlin when she arrivedst night.


    Abby nced at Agent Smith, who was also staring at her for a brief moment. Devlin hesitated to share the details of yesterday¡¯s events with his wife, knowing that it would only worsen the trauma she had experienced.


    ¡°Babe,¡± he began gently, ¡°Agent Smith will fill us in on everything that happened yesterday. But for now, let¡¯s prioritize your well-being. Your doctor called earlier while you were resting and said he would being at this time.¡± As he finished speaking, there was a knock on the door. The nurse entered first, followed by Amber¡¯s doctor.


    ¡°Good afternoon, Mr. Wesley.¡± The doctor said, Devlin nodded in response.This text is ? N?velDrama/.Org.


    ¡°Good afternoon, Mrs Wesley. I hope you have rested well.¡± This time, he smiled lightly at Amber. She greeted back as the doctor began to check her condition. She answered a series of questions before the doctor finally dered that she could go home tomorrow, provided she finished herst bottle of IV.


    ¡°Thank you so much, doc,¡± Amber said gratefully. The physician prescribed some medications for her to take at home and also rmended that she schedule an appointment with a psychiatrist to ensure there were nosting psychological effects from her experience.


    ¡°Doc, can you please provide an assessment of her mental well-being? Is there a risk of her having suffered significant trauma from the incident?¡± Devlin inquired, emphasizing the importance of the question.


    ¡°It¡¯spletely normal for her to feel anxious, given the ordeal she went through,¡± the doctor exined. ¡°However, I advise that you should be around as much as possible to provide her with your unwavering support.¡±


    ¡°That makes sense,¡± replied Amelia. ¡°We want to do everything we can to help her through this.¡± Amber was only listening to their conversations.


    The doctor nodded and continued, ¡°In addition to emotional support, it¡¯s important to follow the prescribed medication and treatment n diligently.¡±


    ¡°Did you hear that, wife? We need to diligently follow your prescribed medications so you will have fast recovery.¡± Devlin was looking at his wife intently. Amber could only nod.


    ¡°Are there any specific things we should avoid or be cautious about?¡± Asked Amelia.


    The doctor replied, ¡°It¡¯s important to create a calm and stress-free environment at home. Avoid discussing any topics that might trigger any anxiety or distress for her.¡± Then, the doctor looked at Amber. ¡°Mrs. Wesley, you need to engage in rxing activities, like reading or gentle walks, to help ease your mind.¡±


    ¡°Hmmm, doc, there is one thing that¡¯s bothering me and I really want to know what happened about yesterday¡¯s incidents.¡± Amber echoed her thoughts to the doctor.


    ¡°I mean it would give me peace of mind to know what happened.¡± The doctor itched his eyebrow while Devlin sighed deeply.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about that. Like I said earlier, Agent Smith will discuss everything after we discharge here, alright?¡± Amber simply nodded and didn¡¯t push what she wanted.


    ¡°Anyway, Mr. Wesley, we¡¯re here to assist every step of the way. Don¡¯t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns.¡± The doctor said before he left the room.


    Devlin appreciated the doctor¡¯s guidance. He knew that Amber had endured a harrowing experience, and he was determined to be there for her every step of the way.

 Her Deepest Regret

    Amber was lounging by the pool when she felt a tender kiss on her forehead. It was, of course, none other than her husband, Devlin. He had left early in the morning, promising to return for lunch, and true to his word, he had.


    ¡°Hey babe, what are you doing here all alone? Where¡¯s marmee?¡± Devlin¡¯s gaze swept the area, noting that only a few bodyguards were roaming around. He had purged their security detail after the recent incident. He found out some of them were connected to Mr. Harrison.


    ¡°Oh marmee? She went out for grocery shopping. She insisted on preparing dinner tonight,¡± Amber replied. She had urged her grandmother earlier to leave the grocery shopping to the maids, but it seemed marmee was too restless to do nothing. She had grown ustomed to life on the farm.


    ¡°That¡¯s fine, babe. They will help marmee in cooking.¡± Devlin was referring to the head cook and the maids. ¡°Besides, we have visitorsing tonight.¡± Amber looked at Devlin with curiosity.


    ¡°It¡¯s Agent Smith and Abby. I know you¡¯ve been eager to hear about what happened. While I delegated most of the work to them, I still coordinated closely with them.¡±


    ¡°So, how are you feeling now?¡± Devlin said while Amber was in deep thoughts. ¡°I am sorry I had to leave you earlier. It was urgent.¡± He went to sit with Amber to look at her closely. It had been three days since Amber left the hospital. She only knew that Attorney Harrison had been rushed to the hospital that day. During those three days, Devlin had been busy even though he stayed in the mansion with her. The only time he left her was this morning.


    ¡°I¡¯m feeling much better now. I understand that you¡¯re very busy chasing after everyone involved with Attorney Harrison,¡± she said, noticing that Devlin looked different. He seemed sad.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong? You don¡¯t seem like your usual self. Mind sharing with me what¡¯s happening?¡± Amber touched his cheeks with both hands. He really looked exhausted. They had nned that after Devlin fixed everything with thepany, they were going to have a long vacation together.


    Devlin heaved a deep sigh before replying to her. ¡°Right now, they¡¯re investigating both my dad and brother. Attorney Harrison had evidence that could incriminate them.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m very sorry to hear that,¡± recalling what Attorney Harrison had told her that day. He had used the evidence to ckmail Devlin¡¯s dad and brother, but she hadn¡¯t shared this with Devlin yet since they hadn¡¯t really discussed it.


    ¡°How is Raven and your mom?¡± She thought of Dalton¡¯s wife, who is going to give birth soon.


    ¡°Raven is fine. She¡¯s with her parents. Mom is also fine. She already knew dad¡¯s illegal transactions before. She tried to stop him when she found out, but it was toote since Attorney Harrison had already gathered evidence against him.¡±


    ¡°Where is she now? Please tell her toe stay here with us,¡± Amber suggested.


    ¡°Mom is staying with her sister at the moment, but she¡¯lle to stay with us soon.¡± Amber simply nodded. She couldn¡¯t bring herself to ask more about the situation with Devlin¡¯s dad and brother.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry too much, okay? I want you to focus more on your recovery. And whatever questions you have, save them for tonight. Agent Smith and Abby will tell you everything.¡± Amber nodded and ced her head on Devlin¡¯s chest. She couldn¡¯t believe that everything had led to this. She is still grateful, though, that she survived that incident. She is d that she is fine mentally and emotionally. She has some appointments with her psychologist to ensure her continued mental well-being.


    ¡°Do you ever wonder how it all came to this?¡± she asked softly, her voice barely more than a whisper.


    Devlin tightened his grip around her. ¡°I do,¡± he admitted. There¡¯s a touch of regret in his voice. ¡°Sometimes, I wish I had paid more attention to what was happening around me, to my family. Maybe I could have stopped this from happening.¡±


    Amber lifted her head slightly to meet his gaze. ¡°Don¡¯t me yourself,¡± she said earnestly. ¡°You¡¯re not responsible for their choices. We¡¯ll get through this together.¡±


    He managed a weak smile, touched by her support despite what she went through. ¡°I don¡¯t know what I would do without you, wife. You¡¯ve been my rock through all of this.¡±


    She smiled back at him, her eyes filled with affection. ¡°And you¡¯ve been mine,¡± she replied, tracing a finger lightly along his jawline.


    Their moment of intimacy was interrupted by marmee¡¯s arrival at the mansion. She had just returned from her grocery shopping and was eager to prepare dinner tonight. Her voice could be heard from where Devlin and Amber were sitting.


    ¡°Amber, my child, would you help me in preparing your favorite dish?¡± Marmee asked as she approached her granddaughter.


    ¡°Oh, hello there young man! Do you have any particr meal in mind that you¡¯d like us to cook for you?¡± Marmee asked enthusiastically.


    Devlin smiled warmly at marmee, who always reminded him of his own grandmother. If she were here, the house would be filled with joy andughter.


    ¡°I don¡¯t have a specific dish in mind, marmee. Just surprise me. I trust your culinary expertise. Amber¡¯s culinary talents clearlye from you,¡± Devlin remarked, wrapping his arm around Amber and stealing a kiss on her cheek.


    Amber, touched by Devlin¡¯spliment, chimed in, ¡°Marmee, why don¡¯t we make that specialsagna recipe you cookedst time we were on the farm? Devlin loves it!¡±


    Marmee¡¯s eyes lit up at the suggestion. ¡°Ah, thesagna! An excellent choice, my dear. Good thing I bought the ingredients forsagna. I was nning to cook it for tonight.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s great! We¡¯ll have visitors tonight, marmee. Agent Smith and Abby areing over.¡± Devlin said.


    ¡°That¡¯s wonderful! We can cook more food, Amber.¡± Grandmother Amelia looked excitedly at her granddaughter.


    ¡°Hmm¡­marmee,¡± Devlin began gently, ¡°I know how much you enjoy cooking, but perhaps you could let the maids assist you? We want to ensure you don¡¯t tire yourself out with all the cooking.¡± Devlin suggested. He wanted to make sure that marmee is not going to stress out herself from cooking although he understood that she is bored in the mansion.


    Amber and marmee nned other dishes to cook toplement with their prizedsagna when their discussion was suddenly interrupted by one of the maids announcing that lunch was ready.


    Marmee could only chuckle softly. ¡°Oh dear¡­ I pletely forgot that it¡¯s already  lunchtime. I don¡¯t feel hungry at all.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s because your mind gets so excited about cooking,¡± Amber replied with a knowing smile. She understood her grandmother all too well. She doesn¡¯t like to rest. She always wanted to do something, especially when she was at the farm.


    After lunch, Devlin excused himself to go to his study room, while Amber and her grandmother enjoyed tea on the patio.


    ¡°I¡¯m so d to see your color returning to normal. You looked unusually pale these past few days. I hope you¡¯ve been sleeping well at night,¡± Marmeemented, her concern evident as she wanted to make sure Amber is doing well.


    ¡°I¡¯mpletely fine, marmee. Thanks to you and Devlin. You¡¯ve taken such good care of me, and I¡¯m truly grateful,¡± Amber replied with a warm smile as she sipped her tea. The peaceful silence surrounding them calmed her mind and heart.This text is ? N?velDrama/.Org.


    ¡°Marmee, there¡¯s something that I¡¯ve been wanting to ask you. Could you please wait for me here? I just need to get something.¡± Amelia nodded, her curiosity piqued. She didn¡¯t have to wait long before Amber returned, carrying what appeared to be an old photo album.


    ¡°What¡¯s that, my child?¡± Amelia asked, her curiosity getting the better of her, as Amber set the album on the small table.


    ¡°I just wanted to ask you if you know, Attorney Harrison,¡± Amber had been eager to inquire about what her marmee knew of thewyer. She opened some pages of the photo album and showed it to her marmee.


    ¡°Do you know them?¡± Amber asked, looking intently at  marmee who took a deep breath. There was no reason not to talk to Amber about the past. Amber wanted answers, and she deserved to know the truth.


    ¡°Yes, those children were orphans like me. I was in the same orphanage with Olivia,¡± she pointed at the young Olivia in one of the pictures. ¡°This is me.¡± she continued. ¡°And the boy, right here next to the swing, is Attorney Harrison.¡± Amber looked closely at the picture her marmee had just shown her. She could see the resemnce between her marmee to the young girl in the picture, who was wearing pigtails.


    ¡°We grew up together in that orphanage. Later, Attorney Harrison was adopted by a wealthy family, and we lost contact with him for several years. It was Olivia who told me where she saw him. Interestingly, his name had changed from Lucas Almeida to his current name.¡±


    ¡°He came from an immigrant family in Brazil. Unfortunately, his parents passed away shortly after their arrival in America. He was then sent to an orphanage. That was the first time we saw him.¡±  There was sadness in Amelia¡¯s eyes as she recounted what she knew about her old friend.


    ¡°He was a quiet child and rarely mingled with the other kids when he first came to the orphanage. His only friends were Olivia and me. Then, the Wesleys came to the orphanage and the old man took an interest in him. I never heard from him after that. Then one day, he came back to the orphanage, asking for help. He looked so desperate. I saw how the management didn¡¯t even make an effort to assist him. I will never forget his eyes that day. He looked so defeated, but there was a glint of anger in his eyes that sent shivers down my spine.¡±


    ¡°As much as I wanted to help him, I couldn¡¯t do anything. I was also struggling. Later on, I learned that Olivia was engaged to the only son of the Wesleys. The family who adopted Lucas.¡± Amelia grew teary-eyed as she recalled the past.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t know that all of this happened because of his past experiences. I regret that I was not able to help an old friend even in my own little way. His life might have taken a different path if those people at the orphanage had helped him as well.¡± Regret and sadness was apparent on marmee¡¯s face¡­

 His Motives

    Amber and marmee were busy preparing the table for dinner. They had just finished cooking, with the head cook and maids lending a hand. The kitchen was filled with the aroma of delicious dishes, and the table was adorned with an array of culinary delights. It was a feast fit for a celebration.


    ¡°I am so d I learned something great from the family who adopted me.¡± Amelia said out of the blue. Growing up with a family who enjoyed cooking, she was able to learn their special family recipes and now she can pass it all to her granddaughter.


    ¡°I am happy for you, marmee. I definitely learned a lot of things from you.¡± Amber went to hug her grandmother.


    Then, marmee went on to say something while looking at her granddaughter with a twinkle in her eye. ¡°Tonight¡¯s dinner feels more like a celebration for both you and Devlin,¡± she remarked with a sly grin, then added, ¡± Maybe ¡®it¡¯s time for you to start working on my great-grandchild, dear.¡±


    Devlin, standing nearby, couldn¡¯t help but chime in with a yful tone, ¡°We are working on it, marmee.¡± He winked at Amber before excusing himself to wee their anticipated visitors.


    As marmee and Amber shared a knowing nce, marmee couldn¡¯t hide her excitement. ¡°I am so happy to see you glowing with happiness right now,¡± she said to Amber. ¡°I¡¯m serious about what I said. I can¡¯t wait to hold my great-grandchild soon.¡± Her eyes sparkled with anticipation.


    Amber¡¯s cheeks turned a shade of red as she giggled in response. Her heart swelled with warmth and gratitude for all the love she received from marmee and her husband.


    Their conversation was interrupted by Abby, who had just entered the room. With impable manners, she greeted Amber¡¯s grandmother, saying, ¡°Good evening, Mrs. Adams.¡±


    ¡°Good evening, Abby! You are way too formal. I prefer you to call me, marmee.¡± Abby chuckled softly, embracing marmee¡¯s energetic vibe, while Agent Smith smiled widely at the old woman. This was the first time Amber had seen the typically stoic agent smile so genuinely.


    ¡°Everyone, let¡¯s have dinner now before the food gets cold. Marmee and Amber cooked this together.¡± Devlin said proudly.


    Marmee gracefully served the visitors, regaling them with the fascinating history of her prizedsagna. Alongside thesagna, they enjoyed an array of fresh sds as side dishes. Smoked salmon and dynamite shrimp were also on the menu for those who preferred a lighter meal.


    All in all, it was a delightful dinner filled withughter, as marmee never ran out of entertaining stories to share. Even Agent Smith joined in on theughter, exchanging jokes with marmee. Amber couldn¡¯t help but notice how her former secretary was now looking at Agent Smith with a different, more interested gaze than she had a few days ago. There was something undeniably intriguing between the two of them.


    Dinner was an absolute st: it stretched on for more than an hour. Laughter filled the air as everyone at the table shared their funniest stories. Even the typically impassive Agent Smith and enigmatic Abby couldn¡¯t resist joining in. Amber and Devlin, who knew just how seriously these two took their jobs, were pleasantly surprised to see the yful side of Agent Smith and the lighthearted-side of Abby.


    As the group began to move to the lounge area to enjoy some after-dinner drinks, Amber leaned in toward her grandmother. ¡°Thanks, marmee. Dinner was awesome,¡± she whispered with a warm smile.


    Marmee brought some jasmine tea for everyone. However, Devlin had something else in mind. ¡°Marmee, your food was so delicious that I think I need something a bit stronger to wash it down!¡± He chimed in with a heartyugh.


    Marmee simply chuckled at him. She poured tea for both Amber and Abby while she settled herself to the single chair.


    ¡°So, Agent Smith, what¡¯s thetest update on our case?¡± Devlin asked, getting straight to business. The yfulness he had disyed during dinner had vanished.


    Agent Smith took a sip from his ss of wine before responding, ¡°Mr. Harrison was dered stable yesterday. He is now recuperating in a private room, with the police guarding him round the clock. As soon as his doctor clears him, a warrant  for his arrest will be served.¡±


    ¡°And what about the crucial information you wanted to discuss in person? What¡¯s it all about?¡± Devlin inquired, eager to bring this matter to a resolution once and for all.


    ¡°We delved deeper into Mr. Harrison¡¯s background and discovered that he was deeply involved in an intricate web of illegal activities. His intense desire to gain control of all your inheritance stemmed from his need to settle his extensive gambling debts. He found himself embroiled in more significant issues within the underground world, which had been haunting him relentlessly. Using any means necessary, he manipted your father and brother into unknowingly participating in uwful endeavors. Little did they know, they were being set up by Mr. Harrison,¡± Abby exined with precision.


    ¡°Moreover, Mr. Harrison attempted to ensnare you in his schemes multiple times. One such instance urred five years ago when he deliberately used substandard materials in your construction projects, tarnishing your reputation. He bribed individuals within yourpany to facilitate this damage, all in an effort to gain leverage for ckmail. Fortunately, you managed to rectify that situation. And the rest of the issues you had to face during those years within yourpany was all his doing.¡± Agent Smith added.


    ¡°Finally, hisst resort was to steal money from yourpany with the help of his cohorts. That was his desperate move to pay off his debts,¡± Abby said.


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe he chose to lead this kind of life,¡± Marmee blurted out. All eyes turned to her, filled with confusion, except for Amber. Seeing the curiosity in their gazes, she proceeded to share her history with Mr. Harrison.


    After she narrated her story, a heavy silence fell upon the room. It was Amber who spoke up above the deafening silence. ¡°So, what happens now? Will we finally find some peace when they put him in jail?¡± She asked, her determination evident. She wanted to ensure to not live through those horrors again. She wanted to go back to her normal life together with Devlin.


    ¡°He will never harm you again, wife. I will ensure that justice is served, putting an end to his vengeful acts right now. He must stop hurting more innocent people,¡± Devlin dered firmly.


    Amber shivered at the dark depths of Mr. Harrison¡¯s twisted mind. She couldn¡¯t understand what it must be like to see the world through his perspective.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. We have a very strong case against him,¡± dered Agent Smith. ¡°He would definitely spend the rest of his life in jail.¡±N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    Marmee felt saddened by what had happened to her old friend. However, no one is above thew. Seeking revenge will only lead to destruction.


    Their discussion continued, delving into the individuals entangled in Mr. Harrison¡¯s scheme.


    ¡°As for your father and brother, I¡¯ve investigated their situation. It appears that they should consider consulting a reputablewyer. They had a serious case.¡± Agent Smith said with a grimmed expression. Amber clutched Devlin¡¯s hand tightly. Those are his family but he couldn¡¯t do anything. They are now in the hands of thew.


    Devlin took a few moments closing his eyes and took a deep breath. ¡°Alright, ensure that everyone who was an aplice to Mr. Harrison faces time behind bars,¡± Devlin said firmly instead ofmenting about his family.


    Agent Smith simply nodded, fully aware of the dangerous game Mr. Harrison had entangled himself within the underground world. He had heard about those individuals with whom Mr. Harrison dealt, and they were known to be truly vicious. He is d though that Devlin would be spared from their wrath. Or else¡­ it will be a huge problem. Hitting those people is like hitting a colossal, indestructible fortress. And victory seemed like an impossible feat. No one would want to deal with them.

 The Aftermath

    Two weekster, Devlin rushed towards the entrance of the emergency room. ¡°Where is my wife, Amber Wesley?¡± He anxiously inquired of a passing nurse on his way to the emergency room.


    ¡°This way, sir,¡± the nurse replied, her voice filled with reassurance.


    ¡°How is she doing? Is she alright?¡± He hadn¡¯t had the chance to ask marmee earlier when he received her frantic call from his office. She had only mentioned that Amber was bleeding, and he couldn¡¯t make out the rest of what marmee had tried to convey. Without hesitation, he had left his office and sprinted to the hospital where his wife was.


    ¡°Sir, the doctor will provide you with an update shortly.¡± The nurse led him to a curtained area. There, he saw his wife lying on a hospital bed, with marmee appearing deeply worried by her side.


    ¡°Marmee, what happened?¡± He rushed to her side, wrapping his arms around her in a tight embrace. Then, he turned his attention to Amber, who managed to give him a weak smile.


    ¡°She slipped on the floor and hit it pretty hard,¡± marmee exined.


    ¡°Babe, how are you feeling? Are you in pain?¡± He carefully examined her for any signs of injury or wounds.


    ¡°Hey, I¡¯m okay. Don¡¯t worry. It was just a clumsy slip. Inded on my bottom, and the next thing I knew, I felt a sharp pain here.¡± She pointed to her belly. She gently touched Devlin¡¯s face when she saw the concern in his eyes.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be fine. The doctor will be back soon. He already checked me earlier.¡± Devlin only took a deep breath determined to be strong for his wife. He couldn¡¯t shake the guilt he felt for not being able to protect her, especially after what happened with Harrison.


    Two weeks had passed since that dinner with Agent Smith and Abby. Harrison had been in jail ever since he was cleared by the doctor, and all his aplices were also put in jail. Meanwhile, his father and brother were currently out on bail. They were scheduled to face trial soon. Their arrest had been big news for a few days, but the media frenzy had since died down.


    Just when he thought things were going back to normal between him and Amber, he found her in the emergency room. Devlin was terrified when he learned what happened to Amber. That morning, he had left her healthy and happy. They even shared a long, passionate kiss before he left for his office.N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    He refrained from asking both his wife and marmee, as they seemed more worried and scared than he could bear. Instead, he sat by Amber¡¯s side, holding her hand and offering reassurance, even though she appeared really pale.


    Half an hourter, the doctor finally arrived, his presence bringing a mix of anxiety and anticipation. He examined Amber once again and asked her a series of questions. After what felt like an eternity, he finally turned to Devlin with a reassuring smile.


    ¡°Mr. Wesley, your wife is going to be just fine,¡± the doctor said, relieving the heavy tension in the room, ¡°Mrs. Wesley had a bit of a scare, but she¡¯s out of harm¡¯s way now. She experienced some bleeding, but it¡¯s nothing to be overly concerned about. We¡¯ve taken some tests on her, and she should recover soon.¡±


    Devlin let out a sigh of relief, his shoulders visibly rxing. He turned to Amber, who was still looking pale but seemed to be feeling a bit better with the doctor¡¯s words.


    ¡°And there¡¯s one more thing,¡± the doctor added, casting a reassuring nce at Amber. ¡°Mrs. Wesley is 4 weeks pregnant.


    Marmee gasped out loud, too overwhelmingly happy to put words in her mouth. Devlin¡¯s eyes widened in surprise and then filled with joy. He nced at his wife, whose face broke into a radiant smile. She was teary-eyed. They exchanged nces that  was a mix of relief, happiness and excitement.


    The doctor turned his attention to Amber, addressing her directly. ¡°Now, since you¡¯re pregnant, you need to be extra cautious. I rmend that you take it easy for a while ¨C no strenuous activities and please prioritize rest whenever possible. We¡¯ll closely monitor the baby¡¯s condition to ensure everything is proceeding as it should. I am going to give you vitamins for you and the baby.¡±


    Amber and Devlin both nodded in agreement, their concern shifting to their unborn child.


    ¡°You can go home now. Should you experience any unusual symptoms or difort, please don¡¯t hesitate to contact us immediately. Also, we¡¯ll schedule a follow-up appointment to assess the baby¡¯s progress.¡±


    The doctor excused himself afterward to attend to other patients. Devlin went to his wife and hugged her tightly. He, too, couldn¡¯t help but shed tears of joy at the thought of  their impending bundle of joy.


    And marmee found it difficult to contain her emotions.


    ¡°Marmee, please don¡¯t cry. Your wish has finallye true,¡± Amber said, gently wiping away the tears from her grandmother¡¯s face.


    ¡°I¡¯m just so thrilled for you, my child. Knowing that you have a loving husband who will take excellent care of you puts my worries to rest. And now, a great blessing ising your way. I know you are going to be a great mother. And you, young man, are going to be a great dad to my great-grandchild.¡± Marmee said between tears andughter, overwhelmed by her emotions.


    ¡°Thank you so much, marmee.¡± Amber gently hugged her grandmother once more.


    ¡°You did great, my child!¡± Marmee whispered.


    ¡°Marmee, why do you keep crying? This calls for a celebration,¡± Devlin interjected. He knew they were simply overwhelmed with happiness.


    After Amber got discharged, they all headed back to the mansion. As soon as they entered, the ce was adorned with decorations to celebrate Amber¡¯s pregnancy. There were colorful balloons, a banner reading, ¡°Congrattions, Amber & Devlin,¡± and a long table overflowing with delicious treats.


    Amber was utterly astonished that Devlin had managed to pull off this celebration party for her in such a short notice. She was speechless for several minutes.


    Devlin¡¯s mom greeted Amber with a warm hug. ¡°Amber, how are you feeling now?¡± she asked, her eyes glistening with tears of joy. ¡°I can¡¯t wait to see my grandchild.¡±


    Devlin¡¯s father joined the conversation, patting Devlin on the back. ¡°Son, you¡¯vee a long way. Your mother and I are thrilled for both of you.¡±


    Dalton grinned and handed Amber a beautifully wrapped gift. ¡°This is for the little one,¡± he said, looking genuinely happy to be an uncle. ¡°I am sorry, Raven could not make it today. She is still in her parent¡¯s house.¡±


    After exchanging some words with Devlin¡¯s family, Amber was approached by Abby. ¡°Congrattions! Everyone here is so excited about your pregnancy.¡± She quipped excitedly.


    ¡°Thank you so much foring here. I am d you made it.¡± Amber learned that Abby is working right now on another mission.


    Amber was also greeted by a group of her trusted employees from New York. They had been in Seattle for several days now since Amber and Devlin made the decision to relocate herpany, with the New York office now operating as one of their branches. Devlin yed a key role in overseeing this transition. Given his stake in herpany, he had a solid understanding of its operations, which contributed to a rtively seamless transition.


    As the evening went on, conversations andughter filled the mansion. Devlin and Amber sat on a cozy sofa, surrounded by their loved ones. Devlin simply whispered into Amber¡¯s ear, ¡°I love you so much and thank you for this great blessing.¡±


    Amber leaned in and kissed him, her eyes shimmering with happiness, ¡°I never imagined life could be this beautiful. It¡¯s all thanks to you.¡±


    The night continued with heartfelt toasts and well-wishes, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter in their lives.


    Later that night, when thest of the visitors had departed, Devlin ascended the stairs to the master¡¯s bedroom. His wife had been sound asleep. She had excused herself even in the midst of the lively celebration earlier. She attempted to stay up, but the weight of her pregnancy had taken its toll in recent days, leaving her fatigued.


    Devlin approached the bed and, with affection, gazed upon his wife¡¯s serene face. She slumbered peacefully, a stark contrast to the joyful chaos that unfolded downstairs. His attention shifted to her still t belly. He couldn¡¯t help but feel an overwhelming sense of awe and love, prompting him to lean down and tenderly kiss his wife¡¯s belly. He ensured his movements were  as gentle as a whisper, so as not to disturb her.


    With a heartfelt smile, Devlin retreated to the bathroom to freshen up, taking a moment to collect his thoughts and revel in the anticipation of the journey thaty ahead. Soon, he would be a father, and their lives would change for the better. He is going to make sure that he will be a great husband and a father.


    He joined Amber in the bed after he finished in the bathroom. ¡°Thank you so much, wife. You¡¯ve brought so much joy and happiness into my life.¡± He silently thanked histe grandmother, a wise and loving woman, who had yed a major role in making their love story possible.


    A smile spread across his face as hey in the embrace of his wife. Their love was like a warm,forting nket, wrapping them in a cocoon of affection and security. As he slowly drifted to sleep, he held her tightly, cherishing the peace and contentment that her love brought him.

 Epilogue

    Two months had passed since they found out that she was pregnant and Amber had been living in sheer bliss. She had nothing but praise for her husband who had been extraordinarily loving, patient, and understanding with her throughout this period.


    In the past two months, so many significant events have unfolded. First, Devlin¡¯s father and brother were both acquitted of their cases. It was uncovered that everything had been orchestrated by Harrison. Then, Raven gave birth to a healthy baby boy, filling their lives with so much joy.


    At marmee¡¯s request, they visited Harrison in jail. Despite the problems he had caused, Amber held hope that he would eventually find the peace he had long been searching for. In her heart, she had already forgiven him, and Devlin shared the same sentiment.


    Harrison broke down when he saw Amelia after several decades. His initial intention had been to see her before he discovered that Amber was her granddaughter. It was Olivia who told him that Amelia has been living in California all these years. However, his determination to seek revenge had been consuming him, leading to the unfortunate turn of events.


    ¡°Forgive me, Amy. I am such a horrible person for bringing all these evil deeds towards your family.¡± He said sincerely, his head bowed in remorse.


    ¡°I have forgiven you, Lucas,¡± Amelia called him by his real name. Her voice filled with understanding. ¡°And I also wanted to see you. For so long, it has been bothering me that I was not able to help you years ago when you came to the orphanage. Had I helped, perhaps you would have taken a different path, and none of this would have happened,¡± she continued, her voice faltering as she remembered the past.


    ¡°Please don¡¯t me yourself, Amy. I made wrong decisions in life. Did you know that Olivia gave me a chance to redeem myself? She allowed me to continue working in thepany and became her trusted confidante. But how did I repay her?¡± he said with choked words.


    ¡°Right after she passed away, I resumed my n to seek revenge against her family. She knew all along and was urging me to forget the past and make peace with myself. She even asked for forgiveness countless times for what herte husband did and her father-inw. But what did I do? Hatred still consumed me in the end.¡± This time, he was sobbing uncontrobly.


    Before the police returned him to his cell, he went down on his knees and apologized to Devlin and Amber. ¡°I genuinely regret what I did. I hope you can forgive me.¡±


    ¡°You are forgiven. I hope you can find forgiveness as well and peace in your heart.¡± Devlin replied without hesitation. He noticed the old man¡¯s deteriorating health and believed that choosing forgiveness was the best path, allowing him to break free from the burdens of the past.


    Amber, her eyes filled with a mixture ofpassion and sadness, added, ¡°It¡¯s not easy to carry the weight of hatred and revenge, especially for so long. We hope you can find healing.¡±


    The old man nodded, grateful for their words. ¡°I know I can never undo the past, but I want to be a better person even for these few remaining moments of my life.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s never toote to turn your life around.¡± Devlin said with a serious tone.


    As they left the police station, Amber turned to her husband and said, ¡°Forgiving him will bring some closure to this painful chapter in our lives.¡±


    Devlin agreed, ¡°You¡¯re right. Letting go of the past is the only way to move forward and find the peace we all need.¡±


    A few dayster, they found out that Harrison had peacefully passed away in his sleep.


    ¡°Amber, I¡¯ve been trying to get your attention. Your groom has been bombarding me with calls and messages for the past half hour,¡± her best friend Jillian¡¯s voice interrupted her thoughts. Amber only smirked at her friend. It is not like Devlin is far from her. He is just impatient when ites to waiting.


    ¡°Hey, is everything fine? Don¡¯t tell me you have second thoughts about marrying Devlin?¡± Jillian jokingly asked. Amber merely rolled her eyes at her best friend.


    ¡°I¡¯ve never been more certain. Besides, we are already married and in a few months time, we are going to have our baby.¡± Amber chuckled softly.


    ¡°So, in short, Mr. Devlin Wesley made sure that you¡¯re going to be his by getting you pregnant while walking down the aisle.¡± Jillian giggled.


    ¡°But kidding aside, I¡¯m so happy for you. You¡¯re positively glowing with happiness.¡± Jillian said, getting teary-eyed as she hugged her.


    ¡°Ladies, it is time. I hope you haven¡¯t ruined your make-up.¡± said the wedding coordinator as a reminder. The room buzzed with excitement as the bridesmaids checked one another¡¯s dresses and makeup, making sure everything was perfect for the asion.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go. Marmee has been waiting for us downstairs,¡± Jillian said with a bright smile.


    Today is her wedding day. Devlin took care of everything to set up their garden wedding at their spacious mansion. Following the celebration, they nned to embark on their month-long honeymoon together. Despite her visible pregnancy, it didn¡¯t deter her husband from booking their honeymoon. Amber protested but Devlin insisted on having a long, enjoyable vacation with her.


    Marmee embraced her tightly as she descended the stairs. ¡°I¡¯ve never seen you this happy and beautiful, my child.¡± Amber simply returned the hug and nted a kiss on marmee¡¯s cheek.


    ¡°I couldn¡¯t thank you enough, marmee. I love you so much.¡± Once again, they shared a warm embrace before Amber followed her bridesmaids.


    As Amber slowly made her way down the aisle, she spotted Devlin from a distance. He looked dashing in his Armani suit, a broad smile never leaving his face. He kept his gaze fixed on her as she approached, his eyes filled with love and admiration.


    Amber silently thanked Grandma Olivia for everything. It was her who insisted for them to marry even if they haven¡¯t met each other yet. She must have seen something in the two of them. And she was d that she agreed to the marriage. The road was not easy for her and Devlin. At the end, it was the love that they nurtured that prevailed.


    As she got closer to her man, she noticed that he was trying to blink hard, probably to mask the tears that were about to flow. Tears of joy, indeed! She was feeling the same thing.


    ¡°You look ethereally beautiful as you walk down that aisle, wife.¡± Devlin whispered as he gently took her arm and entwined it with his. Then, they faced the man who was going to officiate their marriage in front of almost a hundred guests.


    A kind-looking man with a warm smile weed them. ¡°Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to celebrate the union of Devlin and Amber in matrimony.¡±


    Amber felt Devlin¡¯s grip on her arm tighten, and she looked up at him with a smile. ¡°I can¡¯t believe this is happening,¡± she said softly.This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    Everything felt absolutely perfect. The garden of their grand mansion had transformed into a breathtaking scenic ce full of vibrant flowers. The sun cast a warm, golden glow over the lush, manicuredwns, making the entire setting seem like a page out of a fairytale.


    Their guestsprised an intimate gathering of beloved  family members and cherished friends. Among the well-wishers were also the loyal employees who had been an integral part of their journey, working tirelessly to bring their dreams to life. And not to be forgotten, Devlin¡¯s dedicated business investors who had shown unwavering faith in his vision were there to celebrate this momentous asion with them.


    The officiant continued, ¡°Love has brought you together, and it is love that will sustain your journey together as a married couple.¡±


    Amber couldn¡¯t hold back her tears of joy any longer. She blinked them away and turned to Devlin. ¡°I love you,¡± she whispered.


    ¡°I love you too, more than words can express,¡± Devlin replied, his voice filled with tenderness.


    As the ceremony proceeded, their love filled the room, touching the hearts of everyone in attendance. Friends and family watched in awe as the couple exchanged their vows, sealing theirmitment to one another with a kiss.


    During the reception, the newlyweds found a moment to themselves. Amber touched Devlin¡¯s arm, feeling the weight of theirmitment. ¡°You know, it¡¯s incredible how far we¡¯vee.¡±


    Devlin chuckled, ¡°I do, and I¡¯m grateful we followed what Grandma Olivia made us promise to do. I can¡¯t imagine my life without you now.¡±


    As they danced, their love story continued to unfold, proving that love could truly conquer all obstacles. Friends and family toasted their happiness, and the night was filled withughter, music, and joy as they celebrated the love between Amber and Devlin.


    Six monthster, Amber found herself back in the hospital. She had just given birth to a healthy set of twins, a girl and a boy. Her husband stood by her side, tears of joy in his eyes as they gazed at their little bundles of joy. The twins were fragile and tiny, yet their presence brought immense happiness to them.


    ¡°Thank you so much, wife. This is another incredible milestone in our growing family,¡± he whispered as he gently kissed his wife¡¯s forehead.


    END


    Author¡¯s Note:


    Thank you so much for reaching this far. I dly appreciate the time you took to read my first published story on this tform. Anyway, I am nning to write a story about our famous agents: Abby and Mr. Smith. Stay tuned next year.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!