Tegan remained still. Lorian turned to look at her, then leaned over to open her side of the car door. He said, “Get out.”Tegan unfastened her seatbelt and slowly walked toward the foyer. Lorian smoked and watched her retreating figure. He saw how her back was upright, but it also carried a hint of loneliness under the night’s shadows.Lorian's gaze grew contemplative. He was overwhelmed by a sense of confusion. He found himself at a loss about how to handle and arrange things with Tegan.It seemed there was no love between Lorian and Tegan. Separation was something he didn’t want, either.Lorian rarely felt so torn. He stayed in the car, smoking a couple of cigarettes before finally stepping out. When he entered the villa’s grand hall, Tegan was not there. Two servants were clearing the table in the dining room. They saw Lorian and reported softly, “Ms. Tegan seemed upset. She only ate a couple of bites before going upstairs.”Lorian looked up toward the second floor. Moments

It was spring night. It suddenly started pouring rain outside, and the downpour was heavy. Tegan was comforting Gwen in the living room. Lorian was dressed in a black shirt. He stood on the terrace smoking while looking at an SUV parked at the villa’s gate.After a while, a man got out of the car. From his stature, it seemed to be Oakley.Oakley stood in the torrential rain for about ten minutes. Suddenly, he wiped his face and took out his phone from his pocket to answer a call.Lorian watched quietly.He saw Oakley hang up the phone and stand in the rain for only a minute or two before getting back into the car and leaving. Lorian thought that Oakley must have had something urgent that forced him to leave.Oakley was yet another professor. Lorian couldn’t help but think of Dustin, the man who admired Tegan.Lorian held the cigarette with his distinctly knuckled fingers and took slow drags. His handsome face showed no emotion. Only when the SUV was out of sight did he turn to lo

Oakley was an exceptional young man. He was handsome and well-spoken. Lorian's sister had good taste. However, the family behind Oakley meant that this relationship was destined to be rejected by the Sanders family. Although Gwen was deeply cherished at home, Noah had still cruelly locked her in her bedroom and confiscated her phone, leaving her with no way to contact Oakley.Lorian was dressed in a pristine white shirt. He stood there with an air of refined elegance. A slender cigarette was held between his long fingers, and the pale blue smoke curled around him, adding to the cold expressionless mask he wore. He had never held professors in high regard.Lorian spoke calmly, “I won’t beat around the bush, Mr. Oakley. My father doesn’t approve of your relationship. Gwen has already gone abroad, and she won’t be back for two or three years. You probably won’t even have the chance to buy a plane ticket to see her.“I don’t oppose your relationship, but you and Gwen really aren’t sui

Suddenly, Lorian's eyes grew teary as he thought of Tegan. He imagined that if Tegan had become a mother, she would have been just as gentle and loving. It was unfortunate that their first child miscarried.Everyone else left the room while Holly was feeding the baby, leaving only Ignacio to accompany her. Holly unbuttoned her clothes to nurse little Lucius in the comfortably warm bedroom. Lucius was strong and had a healthy appetite. He stared intently at Holly. He was so focused even though he couldn’t see clearly.Ignacio leaned against the bedside. He wore a crisp white shirt, just as handsome and upright as always. However, there was a trace of fatigue in his expression. He gently teased Lucius, and his voice was full of a man’s tenderness as he spoke to Holly.“How has Gwen been lately?”“She’s doing well,” Holly murmured, leaning against Ignacio's shoulder. “With that said, I can tell she hasn’t forgotten Oakley. I don't try to persuade her, Ignacio. Matters of the heart c

Noah and Gwynn were unaware of Tegan’s situation. It was only when Lorian announced his intention to return to the country that they learned of the severity of the situation. On that day, Noah traveled back with Lorian. By the time Lorian arrived back in Zutriystein, however, it seemed that everything had already become too late.…On the day Lorian returned to the country, Theo had already been buried.As dusk fell, Lorian’s car arrived at the villa. Upon opening the car door, he stepped out and walked toward the entrance. The housekeeper noticed his expression and didn't ask any questions. However, she did say something."Ms. Tegan just got back home. She's upstairs embroidering. She’s been so busy with family matters that she hardly rested for the past few days. "All she did was embroider day and night. I’m really worried that she’ll overwork herself. You should comfort her well when you see her, Mr. Lorian."Lorian murmured, "Okay."Lorian carried his luggage upstairs. To