Chapter 158: Slumber and Sacrifice
The drive to Emerald Garden took only fifteen minutes, but to Irene it felt like crossing the Sahara. Her eyelids drooped with each passing streetlight. By the time she pulled up outside Adam's house, keeping her head up took everything she had left.
She sat in her car, trying to spark life into he...
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Chapters
1. Chapter 1: Unexpected Pregnancy
2. Chapter 2: Pieces Moving Into Place
3. Chapter 3: Just Make It Look Good
4. Chapter 4: Finding Mom a Husband
5. Chapter 5: I'm Calling Security
6. Chapter 6: What Kind of Job
7. Chapter 7: Playing Hard to Get
8. Chapter 8: She's Got Me In Her Corner
9. Chapter 9: Why Are We Hiding?
10. Chapter 10: Don't Reject Me, Daddy
11. Chapter 11: Calculated Moves
12. Chapter 12: You're Crossing A Line
13. Chapter 13: Your move, Dad
14. Chapter 14: A Matter of Persistence
15. Chapter 15: Soon to Be Neighbors
16. Chapter 16: The More the Merrier
17. Chapter 17: An Unexpected Invitation
18. Chapter 18: A Gift for Daddy
19. Chapter 19: The Anonymous Buyer
20. Chapter 20: The First Touch
21. Chapter 21: A Lucky Star After All
22. Chapter 22: Blowing Away the Pain
23. Chapter 23: Long-Term Treatment
24. Chapter 24: A Chance Encounter
25. Chapter 25: Is That a Hint of Disdain I Detect?
26. Chapter 26: Daddy Really Gets Us
27. Chapter 27: An Unexpected Touch
28. Chapter 28: The Call She Shouldn't Have Answered
29. Chapter 29: Not Letting Irene Win
30. Chapter 30: False Sincerity
31. Chapter 31: What's Not Yours
32. Chapter 32: Connecting the Dots
33. Chapter 33: Cutting Ties
34. Chapter 34: Just Another Business Deal
35. Chapter 35: Second Accidental Touch
36. Chapter 36: No One Hurts Him
37. Chapter 37: I'll Kill You
38. Chapter 38: Little Lions Protecting Their Mother
39. Chapter 39: You Have No Right
40. Chapter 40: Looking for the Real Sterling
41. Chapter 41: No One By Her Side
42. Chapter 42: Real Family
43. Chapter 43: The Calm Before
44. Chapter 44: When Had He Grown So Tall?
45. Chapter 45: Find Yourself Another Doctor
46. Chapter 46: The Only One Who Can Control Him
47. Chapter 47: Six More Months Confined to This Chair
48. Chapter 48: The One Who Actually Gives a Damn
49. Chapter 49: What's Rightfully Yours
50. Chapter 50: The Old Trick
51. Chapter 51: The CEO Has a Fiancée?
52. Chapter 52: The Little Angels' Movie Plan
53. Chapter 53: A Peaceful Evening
54. Chapter 54: The Morning After
55. Chapter 55: The Early Bird
56. Chapter 56: Daddy's So Amazing
57. Chapter 57: The Little Hacker's Plan
58. Chapter 58: Can We Stay Tonight?
59. Chapter 59: Uncle Adam Can Help
60. Chapter 60: Can We Sleep with Uncle Adam?
61. Chapter 61: Good Night Kisses
62. Chapter 62: A Night with Daddy
63. Chapter 63: Don't Tell Mom
64. Chapter 64: DNA Truth
65. Chapter 65: Weekend Plans
66. Chapter 66: Can You Take a Hit?
67. Chapter 67: You Deserve an Oscar!
68. Chapter 68: The Unflappable Dr. Sterling
69. Chapter 69: Just Like Family
70. Chapter 70: Dress to Kill
71. Chapter 71: His Sweet Side
72. Chapter 72: Inherited Intelligence
73. Chapter 73: Doctors Know Best
74. Chapter 74: Dr. Joy
75. Chapter 75: Wait Outside
76. Chapter 76: Suspicions
77. Chapter 77: The White Elephant
78. Chapter 78: Fishing for Daddy's Attention
79. Chapter 79: Peaceful
80. Chapter 80: Tense
81. Chapter 81: Exhausted
82. Chapter 82: After Exhaustion
83. Chapter 83: So Close
84. Chapter 84: Not For The Soap Opera
85. Chapter 85: A Racer's Gamble
86. Chapter 86: I'll Make Up My Own Mind
87. Chapter 87: I Only Have One Sister
88. Chapter 88: Just Like An Old Couple
89. Chapter 89: What Thomas Was Really Thinking
90. Chapter 90: Someone Is Waiting
91. Chapter 91: The Best Drawing I've Ever Seen
92. Chapter 92: The Handkerchief Moment
93. Chapter 93: First Impressions
94. Chapter 94: They're Sleeping Together
95. Chapter 95: Not Giving Up
96. Chapter 96: Can't Mess With the Sterling Family
97. Chapter 97: Run Away or Pay Up?
98. Chapter 98: Responsible for Dishes
99. Chapter 99: More Likely to Blow Up in Her Face
100. Chapter 100: Went from Dead Last to Champion
101. Chapter 101: Strategic Retreat
102. Chapter 102: Waste of Good Food
103. Chapter 103: Double Jealousy
104. Chapter 104: Caught in the Act
105. Chapter 105: Raiding Collections
106. Chapter 106: We'll Beat Your Scores Someday
107. Chapter 107: New Car
108. Chapter 108: The Drawing's Main Character
109. Chapter 109: Tired of Mom
110. Chapter 110: Overdosed and Outraged
111. Chapter 111: Hero to the Rescue
112. Chapter 112: Such Nerve
113. Chapter 113: Not Even Close to Uncle Adam
114. Chapter 114: Unexpected Olive Branch
115. Chapter 115: Three Little Words, One Giant Leap
116. Chapter 116: Why Wasn't I Invited to the Wedding
117. Chapter 117: The Bombshell
118. Chapter 118: Drowning in Family Debts
119. Chapter 119: Information Bombardment
120. Chapter 120: Hospital Hallway Trap
121. Chapter 121: Digital Witness
122. Chapter 122: Not Some Sacrificial Lamb
123. Chapter 123: Don't Say I Can't Find a Girlfriend
124. Chapter 124: What Kind of Hot Springs Is This
125. Chapter 125: The 26th Time's the Charm
126. Chapter 126: Wanna Be Part of the Scene
127. Chapter 127: Treating Her Like a Rival
128. Chapter 128: He Burned Her
129. Chapter 129: Uncle Adam Is Mom's. Period
130. Chapter 130: The Last Straw
131. Chapter 131: I'm In
132. Chapter 132: The Police Can Get Him
133. Chapter 133: If You Won't Fight for Him, I Will
134. Chapter 134: Funny Timing
135. Chapter 135: This Isn't a Game
136. Chapter 136: They're Armor
137. Chapter 137: They Said No
138. Chapter 138: No Way He Came Out Just to Have Dinner With Me
139. Chapter 139: His Lifeline in a Storm
140. Chapter 140: Can't Exactly Leave Her Alone
141. Chapter 141: We Are Not
142. Chapter 142: A Declaration of War
143. Chapter 143: Not Even Blood
144. Chapter 144: I Really Miss Dad!
145. Chapter 145: Checkmate at Dinner
146. Chapter 146: Rain Keeps Falling
147. Chapter 147: The Role Reversal
148. Chapter 148: The Doctor Effect
149. Chapter 149: Shields Up When Storms Hit
150. Chapter 150: Outside Looking In
151. Chapter 151: Checkmate in Three Moves
152. Chapter 152: A New Doctor from the Past
153. Chapter 153: CEO's Burning Exposure
154. Chapter 154: Fever, Feathers, and Feelings
155. Chapter 155: Sharks In The Doorway
156. Chapter 156: Lines in the Sand
157. Chapter 157: Scalpels and Stamina
158. Chapter 158: Slumber and Sacrifice
159. Chapter 159: Fury Recruits Another Ally
160. Chapter 160: Roses Can't Fix Everything
161. Chapter 161: Human Buffer
162. Chapter 162: Accidental Wounds, Calculated Strikes
163. Chapter 163: Exposed Secrets
164. Chapter 164: Walls of Paper
165. Chapter 165: Wright Medical vs. Irene Sterling
166. Chapter 166: Half-Billion-Dollar Scissors
167. Chapter 167: Walls Come Tumbling
168. Chapter 168: Champagne Shadows
169. Chapter 169: Backfired Trap
170. Chapter 170: Wine's Daring Truth
171. Chapter 171: Billion-Dollar Fan
172. Chapter 172: Memory's Morning After
173. Chapter 173: Hidden Past, Looming Crisis
174. Chapter 174: What Could Possibly Go Wrong?
175. Chapter 175: Invisible Handshake
176. Chapter 176: Cold Ward, Warm Evening
177. Chapter 177: Wheels of Mistaken Identity
178. Chapter 178: Secrets After Sunset
179. Chapter 179: Seventy Percent Heartache
180. Chapter 180: Would You Join Me?
181. Chapter 181: Sober Drunk
182. Chapter 182: He Knows？
183. Chapter 183: She Knows!
184. Chapter 184: Not My First Rodeo
185. Chapter 185: The Seventh Shadow
186. Chapter 186: Hunting the Hunter
187. Chapter 187: Paper Tiger Burns
188. Chapter 188: Press Play for Payback
189. Chapter 189: Checkmate
190. Chapter 190: Midnight Invitation
191. Chapter 191: One More Day Won't Hurt
192. Chapter 192: Clean Slate
193. Chapter 193: Handcuffs and Heartbeats
194. Chapter 194: First Steps Toward You
195. Chapter 195: Silent Prescription
196. Chapter 196: Skeletons at Dinner
197. Chapter 197: Brave Until Treatment
198. Chapter 198: Beyond Patient Zero
199. Chapter 199: Bleeding From Within
200. Chapter 200: When Will It Be Our Turn?
201. Chapter 201: When Did His Look Change?
202. Chapter 202: Midnight Messages
203. Chapter 203: His Secret Battle Lines
204. Chapter 204: Her Nose Never Lies
205. Chapter 205: I Need You
206. Chapter 206: The Last Debt
207. Chapter 207: The Third Wheel Uncle
208. Chapter 208: Tied By Invisible Strings
209. Chapter 209: Don't Be Ridiculous
210. Chapter 210: Sweet Revenge and Cookies
211. Chapter 211: No Enough Money to Save Him
212. Chapter 212: Choose Your Battles
213. Chapter 213: His Choice, Her Battle
214. Chapter 214: I Only Need You
215. Chapter 215: Moved On To The Next Model Already
216. Chapter 216: Battle For Her Attention
217. Chapter 217: Her Heart In His Eyes
218. Chapter 218: When He Caught Her Falling
219. Chapter 219: When She Pouted
220. Chapter 220: The Wrong Doctor
221. Chapter 221: The Fall She Couldn't Stop
222. Chapter 222: Promises in Handcuffs
223. Chapter 223: His Eyes Said Otherwise
224. Chapter 224: The Devil's in the Details
225. Chapter 225: When She Finally Snapped
226. Chapter 226: She Let Him Teach Her
227. Chapter 227: Whipped Into Shape
228. Chapter 228: I'm Dying Here!
229. Chapter 229: His Shoulder, Her Sanctuary
230. Chapter 230: Cut Your Losses
231. Chapter 231: Taken
232. Chapter 232: The Moment He Stood for Her
233. Chapter 233: Even He Gets Scared
234. Chapter 234: Morning Confessions
235. Chapter 235: Not Even Trying to Hide It
236. Chapter 236: Heart Decided
237. Chapter 237: When Little Eyes Notice
238. Chapter 238: Standing Up For Family
239. Chapter 239: When He Makes Them Feel Safe
240. Chapter 240: How Did He Get All the Hero Moments?
241. Chapter 241: When He Gets Aroused
242. Chapter 242: Hot Dreams, Cold Reality
243. Chapter 243: Islands and Secret Plans
244. Chapter 244: When She Allows Herself to Imagine
245. Chapter 245: The Hero Moment
246. Chapter 246: Starlight Confessions
247. Chapter 247: A Face Like That Comes in Handy
248. Chapter 248: Fast Deal Adam
249. Chapter 249: Between Busy Moments
250. Chapter 250: Kitchen Conspiracy
251. Chapter 251: Checkmate, My Heart
252. Chapter 252: 30s Is Not Enough
253. Chapter 253: Too Late To Turn Back
254. Chapter 254: Before Someone Else Entered the Picture
255. Chapter 255: Willing to Lose
256. Chapter 256: Busy Preparations
257. Chapter 257: The Last Guest
258. Chapter 258: When Birthday Candles Burn Both Ends
259. Chapter 259: When Candles Keep Burning
260. Chapter 260: Irene, Give Me a Minute
261. Chapter 261: Mapping His Road to Power
262. Chapter 262: Dolphins Dancing on Forgotten Promises
263. Chapter 263: Wolves Behind Smiles
264. Chapter 264: Birds, Legs, and Hearts
265. Chapter 265: Threat
266. Chapter 266: Hostages Without Chains
267. Chapter 267: Deals After Dark
268. Chapter 268: Hawks and Handshakes
269. Chapter 269: Wolves in the Shadows
270. Chapter 270: Blessings
271. Chapter 271: Lockscreens
272. Chapter 272: Your Corner
273. Chapter 273: Back in the Game
274. Chapter 274: Queen of the Lab
275. Chapter 275: Celebrations and Bonuses
276. Chapter 276: Rumors and Truth
277. Chapter 277: The Calm Her Name Brings
278. Chapter 278: Personal Doctor
279. Chapter 279: Checkmate, Uncle
280. Chapter 280: Wheelchair Privileges
281. Chapter 281: Whoever Marries You
282. Chapter 282: Moves Made in Advance
283. Chapter 283: Don't Forget to Bring a Pen
284. Chapter 284: In Your Arms Again
285. Chapter 285: Can't-Eat-Can't-Sleep Love
286. Chapter 286: Two Necklaces
287. Chapter 287: Family Approval
288. Chapter 288: Did You Think This Was Over?
289. Chapter 289: Nobody Hurts You
290. Chapter 290: She Is Connected
291. Chapter 291: Electric Moments by the Fountain
292. Chapter 292: When Matchmakers Get Matched
293. Chapter 293: Her Little Helper
294. Chapter 294: Wonder Boy Strikes
295. Chapter 295: Double Resignation
296. Chapter 296: New Project
297. Chapter 297: I Like You
298. Chapter 298: Blocking Her Future
299. Chapter 299: Unnatural Deaths
300. Chapter 300: When Neuron Meets Heart
301. Chapter 301: Taking the First Step
302. Chapter 302: No Chance Left
303. Chapter 303: You're Nothing Compared to Her
304. Chapter 304: Fall from Grace
305. Chapter 305: Ice Queen Meets Wheelchair Prince
306. Chapter 306: Have You Been Sneaking Romance Novels?
307. Chapter 307: Known To Kick in My Sleep
308. Chapter 308: The Question He Finally Asked
309. Chapter 309: Branded Into My Mind
310. Chapter 310: Three Mothers
311. Chapter 311: No Price Tag
312. Chapter 312: Operation: Tell Daddy Everything
313. Chapter 313: Super Duper Important
314. Chapter 314: So This Is Fatherhood
315. Chapter 315: Can't Even See The Screen
316. Chapter 316: Family Fun Day
317. Chapter 317: If Not Me, Then Who?
318. Chapter 318: For Adam, For Irene
319. Chapter 319: A Day Late and a Dollar Short?
320. Chapter 320: The Joke Is Too Much
321. Chapter 321: Their First Meeting
322. Chapter 322: Risking Life and Limb
323. Chapter 323: What's The Emergency?
324. Chapter 324: He Finished For Her
325. Chapter 325: Wrist Candy from Grandma & Grandpa
326. Chapter 326: When Truth Calls
327. Chapter 327: Casual Clothes
328. Chapter 328: I MADE IT HAPPEN!
329. Chapter 329: Forget Adam Haven
330. Chapter 330: Logic And Heart
331. Chapter 331: One Kid, One Grown-Up
332. Chapter 332: Little Peacemakers
333. Chapter 333: Dear Family
334. Chapter 334: What She Wrote
335. Chapter 335: Searching
336. Chapter 336: Calling
337. Chapter 337: Teaching
338. Chapter 338: Inviting
339. Chapter 339: Betting
340. Chapter 340: Returning
341. Chapter 341: Passing
342. Chapter 342: The SCHEME!
343. Chapter 343: Cat Out of the Bag
344. Chapter 344: Everyone Plays Their Part
345. Chapter 345: "H"
346. Chapter 346: Phase Two
347. Chapter 347: Get Ambushed with Another Scheme?
348. Chapter 348: Never Just About Us Two
349. Chapter 349: The Wedding (Part one)
350. Chapter 350: The Wedding (Part Two)
351. Chapter 351: The END
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