Noreen's PoV

After the period of confusion and confession passed, I calmed down.

My parents were very supportive and showed their concern without hesitation.

"Why does Noreen look so fat now?" Aunt Merly asked when she came to my house to show off the new bag her beloved son-in-law, Thomas, had bought her. "Are you stressed, dear Noreen?"

I glanced at my mother, unsure of how to respond. I wanted to rebuke my nosy aunt, but I knew she probably wasn't happy because she loved her little sister.

"Of course she's fat; it's a sign she's taking good care of herself, for the baby's health," my mother said calmly.

Aunt Merly's eyes widened as if they were about to pop out of their sockets. "W-what? A  baby, you say? Is Noreen pregnant?"

"Yes. It's sixteen weeks now, and the baby is growing very fast," my mother replied proudly, patting my belly. "I'm going to be a grandmother soon."

I think Aunt Merly needed some time to process all of that, but a few minutes later she grinned.

"Did you get married secretly, Noreen? Who's your husband? Or... could it be that the baby doesn't even have a father?"

"Well, whatever you think will help you sleep soundly tonight, Aunt Merly," I replied calmly. "This has nothing to do with you at all."

Aunt Merly smiled slyly. "Of course it's my business too, honey. We're one family, so there's bound to be questions. So, what am I supposed to answer?"

"I haven't felt like a family to you since your daughter slept with my boyfriend, in broad daylight in public. I'm too embarrassed to acknowledge you as family," I said calmly. "So you don't have to worry about other people asking questions. Just tell them to ask me directly."

Aunt Merly's face flushed red. "At least Veronica and Thomas are finally married," Aunt Merly snapped. "You? Did you just have a one-night stand with a stranger and get pregnant?"

I smiled. "If so, does it harm you?"

Aunt Merly snorted. She gave my mother a sharp look. "Noreen has embarrassed you, Maria, why are you still defending her?"

"Didn't you defend Veronica when she was doing something indecent with her own cousin's boyfriend?" my mother snapped with a smirk. "That's a stupid question, Merly!"

"Huh," Aunt Merly snorted in annoyance. "You're both embarrassing."

"Come on, Merly, if you feel that way, I'd gladly ask you not to come here every time your son-in-law buys you something, because it's annoying. You don't have to show off, because if I wanted to, I could show off too. Noreen buys me nice things, too. She's my own daughter, not someone else's child who became part of your family through indecent means!"

I stared at my mother, dumbfounded. Wow! I didn't know she could say such cool things. I thought my mother would side with her sister, or at least keep quiet.

Aunt Merly looked as shocked as I was. My mother had always been the one to give in, and everyone knew how much she loved her sister, as they had been living alone since childhood, after their parents, or grandparents I never knew, died in an accident.

"You!" Aunt Merly snapped, glaring.

My mother put down the spatula in her hand and then placed both hands on her hips.

"Don't yell at me!" my mother hissed dangerously. "I could make Veronica and Thomas the butt of gossip, even more so than Noreen, if I wanted to."

She approached Merly, then whispered something in her ear, and Aunt Merly's face instantly turned pale. She then snorted, walked quickly to the door, exited, and slammed it so hard that the glass rattled.

"If any of my windows break, I'll break yours too!" my mother shouted at Aunt Merly, who immediately quickened her pace.

I burst out laughing at my mother's words. This was completely unexpected.

After that, of course, news of my pregnancy spread quickly. Neighbors gave me strange looks every time I passed, some even looking away or whispering while glancing at me.

My parents were unwavering. They would say things that would make anyone who asked questions feel uncomfortable, and if someone acted annoyingly like Aunt Merly, they would respond calmly until they finally fell silent in embarrassment.

Lisbeth was my biggest supporter. She had already declared herself godmother to my child even before the baby was born. Both of her parents were the same, showing great attention and enthusiasm.

The three of them, Lisbeth, her mother, and my mother, shopped for baby supplies, even starting to think about the name and design of her bedroom.

Daniel and my friends at work were also very helpful. They insisted that I stop going out into the field and only leave the office under their supervision.

In the first week of my seventh month, my stomach cramped so badly that I couldn't move from bed. I screamed loudly when I felt something stabbing me in the lower abdomen.

"Oh my God, your water has broken," said my mother, rushing into my room, still wearing an apron and smelling of vanilla.

My father frowned. "But, it's only the seventh month?"

"Quick, honey, get the car ready," my mother said calmly.  She grabbed the suitcase containing the birthing supplies she'd prepared earlier. "And call Lisbeth and Sandra."

I gripped my mother's hand tightly on the way to the hospital. My stomach was churning violently, as if the baby inside was struggling frantically, trying to get out. I felt aches and pains all over me, as if someone were beating me with a piece of wood.

I was already half-unconscious by the time I arrived at the hospital. Dr. Lucia and two other doctors were already waiting in the hospital yard when my father's car arrived.

I screamed loudly as I felt a sharp tear through my insides. My father held my hand tightly the entire ride on the gurney. I can still see his tears welling up before darkness finally overtook me, followed by the immense pain that devastated me.

I was in a large field in the middle of the night, where a large, round moon shone brightly, its light a golden hue.

I looked down at my body, amazed at my clothes.  A beautiful white dress with delicate gold threads, complemented by luxurious gold accessories.

Where am I? Who am I?

My surroundings were illuminated by moonlight, and as I looked down at my bare feet, I realized that the thick grass I was treading on wasn't green, but red.

Goosebumps rose up my spine. The wind that brushed against my skin was cool and carried the sweet scent of vanilla, mingled with the fresh scent of bergamot, the mysterious scent of pine forests, and the dominant scent of luxurious amber.

As far as the eye could see, the field was completely empty. I felt nervous. Where should I go?

I took a step forward, but before I could take three steps, I gasped as flashing red lights appeared all around me.

At first, just a few pairs, but then more and more, until I realized that the red lights weren't lights at all, but pairs of eyes.

My knees gave out, and I knelt in the grass, feeling fear paralyzing me.

Then, from a distance, I heard a long, drawn-out wolf howl, as if on cue, and hundreds of pairs of red eyes around me moved closer to me.

I screamed at the top of my lungs.

Everyone had the same opinion. Anyone who saw the baby boy would think he was incredibly handsome and adorable.

Not only that, for a baby born at 28 weeks, he was incredibly large, healthy, and perfect.

After being in a coma for three days after giving birth, Noreen suddenly woke up screaming, startling everyone who had been anxiously waiting for her. However, Noreen was fine, which brought them relief.

Then, Noreen saw her son for the first time and cried loudly with emotion. She named her son Jonathan Luke Winchester.

Jonathan had soft, buttery-white skin, jet-black hair that was slightly wavy, thick, and silky. Every aspect of his little face was exquisite and nearly perfect.

Thin red lips, a high nose, thick eyebrows and eyelashes, crowning almond-shaped eyes with caramel-colored pupils that shimmered golden in the light. He was truly handsome.

"Noreen, I think you're only getting a silver lining from this process," Lisbeth said, stroking Jonathan's sleeping cheek. "He doesn't look like you at all. But I'm sure whoever his father is, is incredibly handsome, right?"

Noreen grimaced. She remembered the man who had made her thrash about repeatedly in ecstasy.  Even though she wasn't fully conscious at the time and there was still some alcohol in her brain, her eyes saw clearly, and yes, he was the most handsome man she had ever seen in her life.

And now, his handsomeness was imprinted clearly, in miniature, on her baby.

"Well, while I have to admit your baby is very handsome, it still doesn't negate the fact that he doesn't know his father," Veronica said, visiting Jonathan two weeks after he was born.

Thomas touched Veronica's arm and shook his head. He glanced at Noreen, who looked calm and simply smiled in response to his wife's words.

"It's okay," Noreen said lightly. "He has a mother, grandparents, a wonderful aunt-not you, of course, but Lisbeth, and that's enough."

"What if he asks about his father someday?" Veronica asked sneeringly. "How unfortunate."

"Oh, Veronica, you should start thinking about yourself," Noreen said. "You haven't gotten pregnant yet, have you? Is it because you had an abortion before, making it difficult to get pregnant now?"

Veronica's face paled. "W-what are you saying? Noreen, are you slandering me?"

Noreen smiled softly. "Slander? For what? What do you have that I don't? A husband? Tsk! If only a husband like yours could be mine, I'd rather be single for life. I don't like keeping trash in my life."

Now, Thomas's face was bright red. "Noreen, what do you mean?"

"Nothing," Noreen said with a shrug. "Ah, it's my son's nap time. Can you guys please leave? I'm starting to feel like my house smells awful now."

Noreen grabbed an air freshener and began spraying it around her.

Veronica and Thomas quickly left, grumbling. Noreen closed the door after spraying the air freshener on them once they were on the porch. She laughed loudly after the couple left, making sure they heard her laughter.

Jonathan was growing up fast, surrounded by a huge circle of love.  He was a very healthy and strong baby, rarely sick, and his motor skills were very advanced for his age.

A few days after Jonathan's fourth birthday, Daniel called Noreen into his office. His face was very serious.

"Noreen, Mr. Trevor called me. They asked me to send an interior designer who can also design furniture to the Ontario branch," Daniel said.

"You mean Mr. Trevor Bradley, the owner?" Noreen asked, surprised. "Is there a problem at the Ontario branch?"

"Yes. Two weeks ago, a senior designer, who had just won a major project from noble society there, renovating 12 mansions and 16 private villas, suddenly had a heart attack. The problem is, Mr. Trevor himself appointed him to lead the project," Daniel said, rubbing his forehead. "So now, the team that had been so solidly assembled for the project has lost its leader, the person who played the most important role in it."

"Uh, that's bad," Noreen muttered. "Then why did you call me, Daniel? Don't tell me you're asking me to replace that senior designer? There's no way I can do it!"

"You do tend to belittle yourself sometimes, Noreen," Daniel said with a laugh. "Just listen to me. The project will be taken over, led directly by Mr. Thiery Bradley. He needs an assistant, and a few days ago, after going through a selection process, he chose your design, out of hundreds submitted by designers across our company."

"Mr. Thiery Bradley? The mysterious heir?" Noreen asked, her eyes wide. "Does he really exist?"

Daniel laughed softly. "Don't talk nonsense, you naughty girl! Of course he does. He's just been operating behind the scenes all this time because the Bradley family tradition doesn't allow a sole heir to appear in public until he's officially inaugurated."

"Uh, does that mean I have to move to Ontario?" Noreen asked again.

"Of course. You'll immediately assume the position of executive manager, reporting directly to Mr. Thiery. Your job will be to be his right-hand man throughout the project," Daniel said.

"Is that another word for secretary?" Noreen said with a grimace.

"Of course not. Mr. Thiery has two dedicated secretaries who have been with him since ninth grade. Your job is more project-specific. You'll create the designs he wants, refine them, or he might even ask you to oversee the design process until completion. You really enjoy being in the field, don't you?"

"Oh, that's interesting," Noreen said. "But what does this heir look like? I've only heard his name, but no one really knows what he looks like, right?"

Daniel laughed at Noreen's remark. "You'll have to start being more careful with what you say, Noreen, or you might get in trouble. Rumor has it that Mr. Thiery experienced several kidnapping attempts as a child, so his extended family agreed to keep his identity a secret until he ascended the throne."

"Ugh, it must be tough being the heir of a wealthy family," Noreen murmured pityingly.

"That's not just Mr. Thiery. Some of the people above him are, too, especially if there's only one heir in his generation," Daniel said. "Mr. Thiery is his parents' only child. Regardless, I heard there are specific criteria that make him the only worthy heir."

"Uh, too complicated," Noreen said, disinterested. "So, what's the technical side of things? I'll be moving to Ontario, for how long?"

"Your first contract will be according to the project plan, one year. After that, anything can happen. Maybe Mr. Thiery likes your work and wants you to be his Beta," Daniel said.

"His... What? His Beta?" Noreen asked, confused.

"Like in werewolf stories. Ms. Thiery is clearly an Alpha, and his confidante is usually a Beta," Daniel said with a laugh. "Don't you like reading werewolf stories?"

"I didn't know you were into such fantasy stuff, Daniel," Noreen frowned.

"My daughter. She loves reading online novels and is especially fond of werewolf ones," Daniel chuckled. "Get ready, Noreen. I'll contact HR immediately about your move."

"But, I need some time to sort things out first," Noreen said nervously. "This is too sudden. I have a son now, Daniel, and he'll be nearing school age soon. I need to make sure this move doesn't affect him too much."

"You don't need to worry about that. The company provides a three-bedroom apartment, child support, including school fees or daycare, and a certified nanny. Jonathan will be fine," Daniel said reassuringly. "I think it's me and your other colleagues here who aren't doing well after you moved."

"Huh? Why?" Noreen asked, confused.

"Why? Because we can't play with Jonathan anymore!" Daniel said gloomily.

Noreen's heart melted at her boss's words. She sometimes brought Jonathan to the office when Maria or Theodore had morning classes. Usually, five minutes after arriving in her office, Jonathan would disappear, "kidnapped" by another staff member.

Noreen was grateful because not only was he physically attractive, but Jonathan also had good manners, as a child. He was friendly and polite, not a crybaby, and intelligent, so no one could help but fall in love with him.

Coming home from work, Noreen found her son eating pudding.  Sitting in his chair, he neatly spooned pudding into his pink mouth. Maria was making something on the stove, which smelled like caramel.

"Hi, baby Jon," Noreen said, kissing the top of Jonathan's head. "Chocolate pudding?"

Jonathan smiled and lifted his spoon, trying to feed Noreen the remaining pudding on the spoon. Noreen laughed and took the spoon, making Jonathan smile broadly.

"Hi, mom," Noreen said to Maria. "What are you doing?"

"I'm making grilled bananas with caramel sauce. I took Jonathan to school this afternoon, and one of the teachers gave him some. He really liked it, so I asked my colleague for the recipe and am trying to make it now," Maria replied seriously.

"Nana is going to burn the bananas," Jonathan said suddenly.

Maria looked at the bananas in the pan and sighed. "Ugh, you distracted me, Noreen, so they're a little burnt."

Noreen sat on the counter, enjoying the warmth of her family's kitchen, which had been a part of her life since she was born.  Moving meant leaving all of this behind, and who knew when they would be able to enjoy it again.

That evening after dinner, Noreen looked at her parents seriously.

"Mom, Dad, I'm moving to Ontario."

"Baby Jon, take good care of your mommy," Theodore said hoarsely. "You're a four-year-old man now, so you have to be your mommy's protector."

Jonathan looked at Theodore with his golden eyes. He was holding a toy hammer, and after Theodore's words, he brandished it.

"I'll protect Mommy!" he said seriously. "Don't worry, Grandpa, Mommy will be fine with me."

It was amazing how, at just four years old, Jonathan was already speaking fluently without a lisp.

He was also forming sentences well, without any errors in meaning, and could pronounce them clearly.

Maria told Theodore that when she took Jonathan to school and sat him in the front seat of her biology class, Jonathan looked intent and serious, joining in, as if he understood.

Lisbeth was so convinced that Jonathan was a genius that she bought him an iPad for his fourth birthday and installed all the apps on it for math, engineering, art, and foreign languages, ignoring Noreen's nagging that Lisbeth was exploiting her son.

But, Theodore, Maria, Sandra and Jake--Lisbeth's parents--had the same opinion as her and Noreen could only surrender and silently felt happy for her lovely son.

Maria kissed Jonathan's plump, pink cheek. Her eyes were glassy and her chest felt tight. The scent of Jonathan's soap and baby powder would make her lonely after he and Noreen left.

"Don't forget to let us know when you get there," Theodore said, hugging Noreen tightly. "Take care of yourself and Jonathan, keep in touch with us, and don't hesitate to let us know if you need any help."

Noreen wiped her tear-stained cheeks and hugged Theodore, then turned to Maria, who was now crying too.

"I'll find some time off soon and come see you there," Maria said. She kissed Noreen's forehead. "Take care and take good care of my grandson."

While Theodore and Maria hugged and kissed Jonathan, Noreen and Lisbeth held each other tightly.

"I'll take care of my work here soon and then come to you," Lisbeth said. "Someone needs to take good care of you and my baby Jon."

Noreen laughed through her tears. She never expected the separation to be this hard, although it wouldn't be forever, and it wouldn't be as far as Africa.

When Noreen said she was moving to Ontario for her job, everyone had a different reaction.

Maria was shocked and worried, especially because of Noreen's plan to take Jonathan with her. She tried to negotiate with Noreen to leave Jonathan with her, and when that didn't work, she forbade Jonathan from sleeping in his own room or with Noreen and put him between herself and Theodore every night.

Theodore was silent. He was worried, but tried not to show it. But after that announcement, he always came home early from college to take Jonathan to the park and bought him toys and ice cream more often.

Lisbeth was different. She simply nodded, then called her father. "Dad, are there any open positions at our company in Canada? Give them to me. Noreen and Jonathan are moving there, and I can't leave them alone."

Noreen hugged Lisbeth again. "Don't take too long. I'll have a hard time dealing with Jonathan when he asks absurd questions I don't know the answers to."

Jonathan's face was already wet with kisses from his grandparents and Lisbeth when Noreen finally managed to remove him from Maria's arms. The boy remained calm and smiled faintly as usual.

"Mom, Dad, while I'm gone, don't make any more babies," Noreen said, before leaving. "Just adopt if you're lonely."

"You naughty child!" Maria said, pretending to hit Noreen. Tears welled up in her eyes again. "Take care of yourself, honey."

Noreen stared at the blue sky outside the plane window, thinking that now she and Jonathan were truly alone facing the world.

"Mommy," Jonathan called, touching Noreen's hand. "Don't worry."

Those simple words from a fourth-year-old touched Noreen. She reached out and hugged her son tightly.

"I'm not worried, my knight," Noreen said cheerfully. "I'm with you."

Jonathan smiled, revealing pearly white teeth and healthy pink gums.

The seven-hour-plus flight hadn't made Jonathan fuss at all. He ate and slept, watched cartoons, and chatted with Noreen.

The flight attendants and some of the passengers also spoke to Jonathan, complimenting his kind and polite manners, instantly falling in love with his smile and beautiful eyes.

When he finally got off the plane, Jonathan's small backpack had grown heavier from the various snacks he'd received from them.

Noreen had been given clear instructions on what to do upon arriving in Ontario, so she didn't hesitate, immediately catching a taxi from the airport to the apartment the company had provided for her and Jonathan.

Noreen got out of the taxi and stared at the Moonlight Haven apartment complex in awe. Jonathan held her hand tightly.

"Mommy, it's beautiful," Jonathan said, pointing to the building in front of him.

"Hmm, yes, this is part of The Golden Moonlight real estate, so it must be beautiful," Noreen said. "We'll be staying here for a year. Are you happy?"

"Uhm," Jonathan said, nodding.

Noreen smiled and led him into the lobby. Even the interior of the lobby was beautiful and elegant. He approached the reception desk.

"Good afternoon, sir," Nooren greeted. "I'm Noreen Winchester, and I was told that-"

"Ah, Ms. Winchester," greeted a middle-aged man. "I am waiting for you. I was told you'd be arriving today. I'm Larry Kellan, the apartment manager. Let me show you to your unit."

Larry was a friendly and talkative man. He explained a few things about Noreen's unit as he walked up to the eighth floor.

"This is it," said Larry Kellan, opening unit 804. "There are only four units on every floor from the eighth through twelfth floors. The rooms are big and spacious, even this handsome little gentleman can run around freely inside."

Gently, Larry patted Jonathan's head and helped Noreen load her suitcase. "Please look around, Ms. Winchester. I'm sure you and your handsome little gentleman will feel right at home."

"My name is Jonathan, sir," Jonathan said politely.

"Oh, what a lovely name," Larry said. "And are you going to school soon? How old are you?"

"He just turned four, Mr. Kellan," Noreen replied. "I wish there was a school nearby for him."

"Just call me Larry," Larry said. "You don't have to worry, Ms. Winchester. This apartment complex has all the amenities. There's a playground, a kindergarten, and a daycare center. A supermarket, a department store, beauty salon, sauna and spa, a 24-hour emergency clinic with doctors on duty, a pharmacy, a veterinary clinic and pet shop, even a public library, and several cafes, restaurants, and boutiques. They're all on the first floor of this apartment complex."

Noreen was amazed by Larry's explanation. "How many buildings are there in this apartment complex?"

"Three," Larry replied. "Each has fifteen floors. They all have the same amenities, the same design, and the same rental or selling price. The only difference is the color. Building one is predominantly dark blue, building two is tourmaline green, and this building, the third, is predominantly off-white."

"What a unique concept," Noreen murmured.

"Those colors represent the designer's, Mr. Thiery Bradley's, favorite colors. This is his first apartment project in London, and all the units were sold out within two weeks of opening," Larry said.

"Ah," Noreen said. "I see. When was this apartment built? The building looks brand new."

"Almost three years ago, not long after Mr. Thiery returned from his business trip," Larry replied. "Ah, I'm talking too much. You must be tired after the flight, and I'm just talking nonstop."

"It's okay," Wilona said with a smile. "I'm glad you explained so much, so I didn't have to bother asking. By the way, just call me Noreen."

"Well, Noreen, please take a break. You can call me anytime if you need any help," Larry said. "It's so nice to have you and Jonathan here."

After Larry goes, Noreen stood in the middle of the spacious apartment, feeling relieved. She would have been grateful for a regular two-bedroom apartment, but this was a suite level for her, spacious and fully furnished in an elegant, modern minimalist style.

"Mommy, can I choose a room?" asked Jonathan, who had just emerged from the room next to the balcony.

"Of course, my sunshine," Noreen said, approaching her son. "Which room do you want? We have three here."

"There," Jonathan said, pointing to the room on the right. "There's a painting of a large, silver-furred wolf there. I really like it."

"Oh, doesn't that scare you?" Noreen asked.

"No. The wolf has the same color eyes as me, so I'm not afraid," Jonathan replied. "You'll like it, too."

Noreen was stunned. Her heart was suddenly beating very fast.