Natalie used to think she could melt Connor's icy heart, but she was sorely mistaken. When at last she decided to leave, she discovered that she was pregnant. Even so, she chose to quietly leave his world, prompting Connor to mobilize all of his resources and expand his business to a global scale-all in a bid to find her. But there was no trace of Natalie. Connor slowly spiraled into madness, turning the city upside down and leaving chaos in his wake. Natalie finally surfaced years later, with wealth and power of her own, only to find herself entangled with Connor once again.
The night following a lengthy separation was filled with unrestrained passion.
After slipping in and out of awareness multiple times during lovemaking, Natalie Simpson finally registered the familiar sound of water running in the bathroom.
Resting against the pillow, she felt completely drained, yet the moment the man stepped out, she gathered all her remaining energy and pushed herself upright.
Connor Hughes emerged shirtless, droplets still trailing from his damp hair. His skin, unusually smooth for a man, seemed to radiate an almost mesmerizing allure that was impossible to overlook.
He reached for a folder, placed it on the nightstand, and nudged it toward her.
"Contract terminated."
His words struck like an icy gust, leaving her frozen in place.
Her gaze landed on the bold heading-Sponsorship Agreement-printed across the document. A tremor ran through her as she fought to keep her tone composed.
"There are still three months left. Can't you wait a little longer?"
She had always known this day would arrive. After so many years by his side, it was inevitable. Yet, she had clung to the hope-just a little more time, just a little longer-to remain with him.
At least not now, when she had just been told she had only six months left.
The heavy silence between them gave her the clearest, most devastating answer.
"It was just a joke." Natalie lifted her shoulders in a casual shrug, trying to play it off. "Honestly, I've been meaning to end this for a while. My family's been urging me to settle down, and they've already lined up blind dates for next week. I was actually wondering how to bring it up to you."
She forced out a laugh, as if the situation was nothing more than a trivial matter.
Connor, midway through drying his hair, paused, his dark eyes flickering toward her. "You're going on blind dates?"
Natalie nodded, her expression giving the impression that it was the most natural thing in the world. "After all, I can't be with you forever; I need to settle down."
Given her fragile health condition, dreaming of a future with him was out of the question. All she wanted was to leave without making a scene.
Connor's eyes darkened. Irritated, he tossed the towel aside, pulled on his clothes hastily, and left his hair still damp.
"Dean will take care of the rest."
His voice was devoid of warmth, treating her less like a partner and more like an object he had lost interest in.
A sharp ache twisted in her chest. In that instant, every lingering thought she had held onto dissolved. She no longer harbored any illusions.
Connor's gaze landed on the torn blouse on the floor, realizing it was beyond repair. After a brief pause, he spoke again. "Stay here tonight. Dean will bring fresh clothes in the morning."
Natalie forced a smile and said, "Don't forget to remind him to bring birth control pills."
Connor's hand halted briefly as he adjusted his watch. Without looking back, he turned to leave. "Can't you tell him that yourself?"
The forced smile on Natalie's face stiffened before slowly fading.
The next morning, at exactly ten o'clock, Dean Williams, Connor's assistant, appeared at the door as expected.
He handed her a cup of warm water along with a familiar pill.
"Appreciate the cooperation, Ms. Simpson."
For three years, she had been taking these pills while with Connor. Every single time, Dean was the one who delivered them-always with that same polite, detached expression, ensuring she took them.
Natalie stared at the pill in her palm, an unsettling chill creeping through her veins.
"I brought warm water for you. Drink it before it cools," Dean said, his tone seemingly considerate, though she knew better.
He was merely making sure she wouldn't be pregnant with Connor's child.
Natalie smiled faintly, swallowed the pill, and took a slow sip of water before returning the empty glass.
"Thanks, but I prefer mine with ice."
Unbothered, Dean pulled out a stack of documents and began laying them out one by one.
"A villa at Aroma Estates, a penthouse at Bloom Towers, a suite in Spring Residences..."
As he continued listing properties, Natalie's thoughts wandered.
She had first visited Aroma Estates two years ago on her birthday. That night, she had casually mentioned to Connor that she had never seen the ocean before.
Despite having just returned from a trip to Uzrersey, he had driven for hours to take her to the coast, just so she could witness the stars shimmering over the waves.
She still remembered the salty breeze, the rhythmic crashing of the tide, the way her hair tangled with grains of sand-most of all, she remembered Connor's voice, whispering her name over and over.
That night had been the most unforgettable birthday of her life.
After two years of marriage, Sadie was finally pregnant. Filled with hope and joy, she was blindsided when Noah asked for a divorce. During a failed attempt on her life, Sadie found herself lying in a pool of blood, desperately calling Noah to ask him to save her and the baby. But her calls went unanswered. Shattered by his betrayal, she left the country. Time passed, and Sadie was about to be wed for a second time. Noah appeared in a frenzy and fell to his knees. "How dare you marry someone else after bearing my child?"
After hiding her true identity throughout her three-year marriage to Colton, Allison had committed wholeheartedly, only to find herself neglected and pushed toward divorce. Disheartened, she set out to rediscover her true self-a talented perfumer, the mastermind of a famous intelligence agency, and the heir to a secret hacker network. Realizing his mistakes, Colton expressed his regret. "I know I messed up. Please, give me another chance." Yet, Kellan, a once-disabled tycoon, stood up from his wheelchair, took Allison's hand, and scoffed dismissively, "You think she'll take you back? Dream on."
Lucia Balstone thought she had chosen the right man to spend the rest of her life with, but he was the one who ended her life. Their ten-year marriage seemed like a joke when her husband stabbed her with a dagger. Fortunately, God is never blind to people's tears. Lucia got a second chance. She was reborn at the age of 22, before all the terrible things had happened. This time, she was determined to avenge herself and let those who hurt her pay! She made an elaborate list of her goals, and the first thing on her list was to marry her ex-husband's enemy, Alonso Callen!
Kaelyn devoted three years tending to her husband after a terrible accident. But once he was fully recovered, he cast her aside and brought his first love back from abroad. Devastated, Kaelyn decided on a divorce as people mocked her for being discarded. She went on to reinvent herself, becoming a highly sought-after doctor, a champion racer, and an internationally renowned architectural designer. Even then, the traitors sneered in disdain, believing Kaelyn would never find someone. But then the ex-husband’s uncle, a powerful warlord, returned with his army to ask for Kaelyn’s hand in marriage.
Linsey was stood up by her groom to run off with another woman. Furious, she grabbed a random stranger and declared, "Let's get married!" She had acted on impulse, realizing too late that her new husband was the notorious rascal, Collin. The public laughed at her, and even her runaway ex offered to reconcile. But Linsey scoffed at him. "My husband and I are very much in love!" Everyone thought she was delusional. Then Collin was revealed to be the richest man in the world. In front of everyone, he got down on one knee and held up a stunning diamond ring. "I look forward to our forever, honey."
Rumors claimed that Fernanda, newly back with her family, was nothing more than a violent country bumpkin. Fernanda just flashed a casual, dismissive grin in response. Another rumor suggested that the usually rational Cristian had lost all sense, madly in love with Fernanda. This frustrated her. She could tolerate gossip about herself, but slander against her beloved crossed the line! Gradually, as Fernanda's multiple identities as a celebrated designer, a savvy gamer, an acclaimed painter, and a successful business magnate came to light, everyone realized they were the ones who had been fooled.