The Warm Sun Came for Me

It was the companys team-building day, and I brought my daughter along. My colleagues found her adorable, constantly showering her with snacks. Only our young boss, Ethan, eyed her with a knowing look.

Autumn, your daughter looks so much like a friend of mine. So much so, Id almost suspect shes his illegitimate child.

Ethan snapped a picture of Ella, then asked for my permission.

You dont mind if I send this to my friend, do you? Just to spook him a little.

I shook my head, simply dismissing it as a coincidence. My colleagues, now intrigued, gathered around me, gossiping non-stop.

Autumn, what does the babys father do?

We separated a long time ago.

Ella is so beautiful, besides your gorgeous genes, her dad must be responsible too. Was your ex-husband really handsome?

Yes, quite handsome.

Even though he wasnt even an ex-husband.

Why did you two break up? Did he cheat?

No.

Domestic violence?

No, he was very gentle.

Then why?

My colleagues were genuinely regretful. I offered a bitter smile, saying nothing more. My thoughts drifted over a thousand miles away, to the city of Portside.

I was sold to Mr. Tanner, Liam Tanner, by my adoptive father to pay off a debt. He initially didnt want me, but fearing my adoptive father might beat me to death, he took pity. Not only did he let me live rent-free in one of his properties, but he also funded my high school and university education. Yet, during that time, he never saw me again.

It wasn't until graduation that my adoptive father, burdened by gambling debts, schemed with me once more. He demanded I go to Liam for money. Little did he know, I couldn't even find Liam. The only person I normally contacted was his assistant, Ryan Lee. And I certainly didn't want to find him.

My adoptive father beat me until I was hospitalized, making me miss my graduation ceremony. I didnt tell Ryan, but Liam found out anyway. In the crowded hospital room, reeking of antiseptic, I saw Liam for the second time. He was still as composed as a mountain, refined as jade when he cast his gaze down, yet radiating an undeniable presence. My left cheek was bruised and swollen from my adoptive fathers beating, and every movement of my mouth was painful. I hid my left cheek, not daring to meet Liams eyes.

Did you learn self-defense for nothing? His tone was laced with helplessness.

No, I didnt learn for nothing, I countered. I had deliberately not fought back. That way, I'd have evidence to sue the man and sever our father-daughter relationship.

Why didnt you contact Ryan? I lowered my head, my voice barely a whisper.

No reason.

Liam sighed. He turned and instructed Ryan to move me to a spacious private room and hire a caregiver. As he was about to leave, I tugged at his sleeve. He looked at me, his eyes devoid of emotion.

Mr. Tanner, Ill pay you back.

Have you decided what youll do?

Yes, Ive already interviewed for the Executive Assistant position with Mr. Vance at Horizon Corp. I start next week.

With the injury report, I smoothly severed ties with my adoptive father, finally gaining my freedom. An Executive Assistants salary was good, but to repay Liam as soon as possible, I remained frugal. After moving out of Liams property, I chose to share an apartment.

My boss, Marcus Vance, was not an easy person to work for. Besides assisting him professionally, I also had to manage his private life. One day it was preparing an anniversary surprise for a university student, the next it was ordering flowers and gifts for a model such tasks were commonplace.

At an auction, Ryan and I both bid for a pair of earrings, the posthumous work of the famous jewelry designer Anna. After a few rounds, I could see his determination, so I gave up. As I was leaving, Ryan called out to me. He placed the brocade box containing the yellow diamond earrings in my hand. I stood frozen.

Bosss orders.

After successfully acquiring the earrings, he reported the news to Liam. He also casually mentioned,

Autumn Valley was also at the auction, presumably for these earrings.

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the line, then a direct command:

Give them to her.

I tried to return the brocade box to Ryan, but he wouldnt take it.

Mr. Vance sent you, didnt he? If you dont bring the item back, how will you report to him?

The earrings were what Marcuss new girlfriend had her eye on. At worst, hed yell at me when I got back. I was used to it. Ryan simply said, Boss said theyre yours. You can do whatever you want with them.

Later, I learned that Liam had acquired those earrings for a project he was pursuing. The daughter of the projects head particularly loved Annas jewelry designs. Getting those earrings would save him a lot of trouble.

I still got an earful from Marcus because I couldnt bear to give him the earrings. Many nights, looking at those earrings, Liams calm, restrained face would involuntarily appear before my eyes.

But then, the earrings were stolen and sold by my roommate. I was so furious I beat her up, and it ended up at the police station. The officer told me to call someone to post bail. I looked at my contact list. After much deliberation, I called Ryan, repeatedly begging him not to tell Liam.

However, as I walked out of the police station with him, the window of the black car waiting outside lowered, and Liams face appeared before me. I felt a little disoriented. It had been over a year since I last saw him.

Are you hurt? Liam didn't ask why I hit her.

I shook my head.

You really liked those earrings?

Liked them enough to almost kill the person who stole them. I bit my lip guiltily.

They were very valuable.

But I heard that person offered you all the money from selling them, yet you still didnt let her off the hook.

My head drooped completely.

Im sorry, Mr. Tanner. I caused you trouble.

He paused, then chuckled softly.

What kind of trouble is this?

Liam pulled out a neatly folded handkerchief and handed it to me to wipe the bloodstains from my hands.

Dont dirty your hands for material possessions.

The handkerchief carried Liams unique, faint scent, and I couldn't bring myself to soil it.

Liam knew where I lived, but it was his first time visiting. The hallway walls were peeling, dark, and narrow, and the room inside was so small it was hard to turn around. A place that felt cramped for one person housed three. Liam subtly frowned.

Youve been living in a place like this since you moved out of Cloud Creek? Are you that short on money?

He didn't wait for my answer, instead, he instructed Ryan to go upstairs to pack my bags and move me back to Cloud Creek. Liam refused my offer of rent, so I suggested cooking him dinner. He raised an eyebrow: Ryan said youre a great cook?

I hadnt expected Ryan to tell him even that. I loved to eat, and I loved experimenting with food. Once in college, when Ryan came to my apartment, I made him dinner.

I walked into the kitchen, and Liam followed. He took off his suit jacket, rolled up his shirt sleeves, and naturally picked up vegetables to wash. I was a little surprised.

I can manage by myself.

Ill help you out, well be faster.

He moved continuously, his back tall and slender. He looked so much like the male lead from the comic I read last night. Broad shoulders, narrow waist, inviting all sorts of fantasies.

After that day, Liam often brought groceries and joined me for dinner. Slowly, from initial awkwardness, I eventually became comfortable enough to unreservedly direct him to do tasks.

Marcus Vance had a new celebrity girlfriend. On her birthday, she was filming on set and wanted him to visit. He didnt have time, so he sent me with flowers and jewelry to soothe her mood. However, she was a fiery one. She took out all her anger towards Marcus on me. She splashed unfinished coffee without hesitation. Everyone on set watched in shock. Fearing they might be implicated, no one dared to step forward. I stood still, calmly allowing her to vent. I hoped that once she finished venting, she wouldnt bother Marcus anymore. Otherwise, Id be busy again. I still had dinner planned with Liam that evening.

Just as I was zoning out a little, a cup of coffee, without warning, was also splashed onto the celebrity. It was still steaming slightly. I turned my head in astonishment, meeting Liams sharp jawline. He stood with one hand in his pocket, casually tossing the empty coffee cup onto a nearby table. This was the first time I had ever seen Liam angry. Even Ryan, who followed behind him, was wide-eyed in shock.

I quickly pulled out tissues to wipe the celebrity. But Liam gripped my wrist, pulling me away.

I cant leave.

If I just walked away like that, Marcus would never let me hear the end of it. Liam released me, his eyelashes slightly lowered. Our eyes met, and I clearly saw indignation in his gaze.

And now you dont know how to fight back? Autumn, Im genuinely curious what goes on in your head.

I shes my bosss new girlfriend. I cant upset her.

These were just part of my job; I didnt feel wronged. Besides, in such situations, Marcus usually offered a significant compensation afterward. No job came without its frustrations, and self-respect was often worthless in the face of money.

Liam sighed helplessly.

Dont worry, Ill talk to Marcus so he doesnt take it out on you.

Liams regular penthouse apartment was near the filming location. I showered at his place and changed into the clean clothes Ryan had prepared for me. When I came out, I saw Liam leaning back on the sofa, eyes closed, asleep. The fitted suit vest tightened at his waist, subtly outlining the firm lines of his abdominal muscles. His legs were relaxed, slightly parted, radiating a strong, masculine aura. It drew me towards him involuntarily.

I stared at his face for a long time, then tiptoed over and gently removed his gold-rimmed glasses. Just as I was about to retreat, Liam slowly opened his eyes. At arm's length, I couldnt help but swallow, staring at his lips.

Mr. Tanner, I was just

Before I could finish my sentence, his sudden kiss swept away all my words. His kiss, unlike his usual gentle demeanor, was forceful and relentless, an unending assault. After a long while, I collapsed weakly onto his chest, my legs having, at some point, wrapped around his. We were so close, we could feel the rhythm of each others beating hearts.

As reason slowly returned, I felt a little embarrassed and tried to get up. But Liam held the back of my neck, pulling me even tighter into his embrace.

Autumn, will you be my girlfriend?

I looked up, surprised, and a smile slowly bloomed under his gentle gaze. I nodded furiously.

At that young age, I believed that as long as we loved each other, we could be together forever. But I forgot that two people from different worlds, even if they occasionally intersected, would eventually drift apart.

In our fourth year together, I became pregnant. Liam was overjoyed when he found out. Ryan chuckled, saying, Looks like Bosss proposal plan needs to be moved up.

While I was immersed in happiness, a video was sent to my phone. The video was secretly filmed through a door crack. Liam was sitting on the sofa with his back to the door, bare-chested, his lean back covered in crisscrossing blood marks. It was horrifying. The family doctor was carefully applying medicine to him. Each time the cotton swab touched a wound, his body trembled slightly. But from beginning to end, he didnt utter a sound.

[My brother loves you very much, but you might not understand our family. Our marriages are never our own to decide.]

[Can you really bear to see him suffer so much for you?]

[Autumn, for all hes done for you, please let him go.]

I never knew that, in places I couldnt see, Liam had to pay such a painful price to get his family to accept me. His pride shouldn't be repeatedly humbled because of me.

When I handed him the abortion papers, his eyes instantly welled up. But he didnt ask anything, merely pulled me gently into his embrace. He even thought up the reasons for me.

If you dont want children, then we wont have them. It must have hurt a lot, didnt it? Autumn, Im sorry. I wont let such an accident happen again.

I coldly pushed him away.

Liam Tanner, not only do I not want a child, I dont want you either. We were breaking up.

In a perpetually rainy February, I left the city that had given me painful memories, yet also moments of happiness. I came to my adoptive mothers hometown, Coastwood. Years ago, my adoptive father couldn't have children, so they adopted me. Later, due to work, they moved me to Portside. After that, my adoptive mother passed away, and my adoptive father became addicted to gambling, his personality changing dramatically. The years before I met Liam were a nightmare. Thats why I loved him, and even more, I was grateful to him. Precisely because of this, I wanted him to remain the brightest sun, not drag him down from his pedestal.

After my colleagues attention shifted from me, the conversation slowly moved to our newly appointed junior boss, Leo Vance. They said he had previously been expanding the market in Portside, then spent over half a year at a branch office before returning to headquarters. I paused, nervously confirming with a colleague.

What did you say? The junior boss came back from Portside?

Yeah, you didnt know?

My head buzzed. I found Leo again.

Mr. Vance, the friend you just mentioned his last name isn't Tanner, is it?

Leo looked surprised.

How did you know?

The photo from earlier, can you unsend it?

Leo had sent the photo to Liam, then put his phone away. Hearing my question, he pulled his phone back out. It was already past the unsend window. Below the photo Leo sent, there were a few lines of text.

[This company employees daughter, doesnt she look exactly like you?]

[I was stunned!]

[If I didnt know how pure you are, Id swear she was your illegitimate child!]

Just then, the person on the other end, who hadnt replied until now, sent a new message.

[Send me the address.]