"I was completely unconscious from the beginning, and I only woke up about half an hour ago. And only then I realized I have gone viral." He continued. "Miss Collins and I had never been alone in the same room before. Do you really think her assistant would be there to watch us doing it together?"He sounded grim, his words weighed by the gravity of his sincerity. It even stunned Deirdre. Brendan took a step back from her and turned around. Before he left, he added, "I'll settle this thing to the best of my abilities, so don't… cast me away just yet."He left as hurriedly as he came. Only his words remained, echoing in Deirdre's brain over and over. 'I'll settle this thing to the best of my abilities, so don't… cast me away just yet.'Somehow, she sensed an undercurrent of forlornness in his voice. She breathed hard. It felt like her chest was stuffed with cotton. Brendan drove to the nearest store. Emily was already there, talking with Sam, though she quickly greeted him the

Deirdre walked toward Mrs. Engel and took the phone. Placing it close to her ears revealed that it was a rather noisy place wherever Brendan was. "What is it?""Dee." He took a deep breath. "Please switch on the TV. I want you to listen to what's being said there. I made do with what I've promised."Someone called him and told him he had been stalling enough time. Something about "our time is running out." It forced him to shorten whatever he had planned to say and ended it with a simple, "Watch closely, Dee."The call ended. Mrs. Engel asked instantly, "So, what did he say, Mrs. Brighthall?"Deirdre was stunned. She had no idea what he could have meant. Why had he asked her to switch on the TV? Was something about to happen?"Nothing," she answered flatly. She retook her seat and told herself to calm down. In the end, though, she rose and said, "Please turn on the TV, Mrs. Engel."The older woman was baffled but did as she was told posthaste. The screen lit up. Mrs. Engel lo

Deirdre started to grow anxious. Brendan was silent. For the longest time, all there was was the sound of his breathing. Then, his voice cracked a little as he spoke. "I can't tell you."Because she… doesn't love me. So, I want to give her enough space and freedom not to be involved. I hope that she will still be allowed the freedom to live her life even after she leaves me, by her own will. To be free from the scrutiny of the public's prying eyes. To be free from being bound to my name. The last thing I want is to create more trouble for her life."There was no sound. The crowd was nonplussed. Disbelief shadowed everyone's faces. On the Internet, however, a furor had already erupted. "Did I hear that right!? Y'all heard him say he has someone he loves, right? And it ain't Emily Collins!""F*ck, who's that gal asserting dominance all over Emily like that? Must be f*cking hot!""Can you be any less invasive? He said he's trying to protect her freedom and peace.""Guys, is it

It was unlikely Brendan would stop seeing Emily because Deirdre’s eyes still needed her help. Besides, it was just her speculation without evidence. Even if she were to tell Brendan, he wouldn’t entirely believe it.“Mrs. Engel, I’ll talk to Brendan about this matter myself. You can just act as if nothing happened.”“Alright.”With the issue regarding Brendan resolved Deirdre felt a wave of drowsiness hit her. She went to her room and took a shower. As soon as she came out, a pair of arms wrapped around her, causing her to embrace Brendan’s neck as she lost her balance.Brendan placed her on the bed and tenderly kissed the palm of her hand and her forehead.“I’m sorry,” he said, burying his head in her neck and breathing onto her. “If I could control myself from drinking, I wouldn’t have made you worry.“Yesterday… you must have had a hard time, didn’t you?”Brendan couldn’t hide his remorse.Deirdre was tired, but the thought of Brendan possibly being manipulated by Emily ma

Deirdre felt a bit frustrated, but she managed to hold back her outburst because she was thin-skinned."But if it's these issues, didn't the doctor say…""What did he say?"Deirdre turned around. "Forget it. He didn't say anything."She closed her eyes and complained about her personality. She didn't know if it was because of pregnancy, but her emotions were becoming more and more uncontrollable. Sometimes, she wanted to stay calm and maintain a normal attitude, but it was difficult to do so.Just then, a hand suddenly grabbed onto her waist. Brendan had taken off his shirt at some point, his warm body pressing against hrs from the side. His breath was hot and suppressive."Deirdre, are your thoughts the same as mine?"Brendan's hands on her were filled with intense heat and suppressed tremors, as if all it took was one command from Deirdre for his soul, burning with passion, to break through the body and envelope Deirdre, melding with her.Brendan's heavy breath made Deird