The Illegitimate Flame: Bride of Ashes-Chapter 36- start a family

When Ternence realized that her heart already belonged to someone else, his fury erupted beyond control.

"Damn it, what the hell are you doing?"

Her head had slammed into the corner of a cabinet, and the pain brought Zoey back to her senses. Seeing the man before her towering above with a twisted, furious expression, she cursed under her breath and climbed up from the floor—completely unbothered by her naked body exposed to him. Like a lazy cat, she slinked her way back toward Ternence.

"Charles—you like him? Is that why you accepted the endorsement deal with Black Rock Co.?"

Ternence finally connected the dots. Zoey’s earlier strange behavior now made sense. She was coveting another man. And that man had ties to his sister.

"Yes," Zoey admitted openly. Her crimson-painted fingers traced Ternence’s bare chest, but they stirred nothing in him. No man could tolerate a woman who fantasized about someone else while in his arms.

"Who I like is my business. As long as, right now, I’m under you, isn’t that enough?"

Zoey teased him boldly. Ternence, as a lover, was undeniably perfect. But she’d seen too many pretty, useless playboys like him. The only man who truly intrigued her was someone like Charles—a ruthless, devilish tycoon radiating danger. Since she couldn’t have him, she could only seek comfort elsewhere.

"Shut the fuck up!"

Ternence knew Zoey had always been bold and forward-thinking. That was part of what made their connection spark in the beginning. But he hadn’t expected her to say something that so thoroughly humiliated him.

"What are you so angry about? At the very least, up until now, you’re the only man besides Charles who could satisfy me. Without him, maybe I’d even consider marrying you. But for now, darling... let’s just keep going."

Zoey twisted her body toward him again, but it was useless. Her beauty—her arrogance—her flawless model’s figure, the pride of a wealthy French heiress—none of it stirred Ternence anymore. To him, it all now felt like a cruel joke.

Disgusted, Ternence shoved her away.

"Get out."

Janet was woken up by Philip’s voice in the early morning. When she opened her eyes, a handsome face appeared enlarged right in front of her. Startled, she immediately sat up in bed. Philip was already dressed and sitting by her side. Seeing that she was awake, he smiled and said, "You’re up? You’re going to be late!"

Following his gaze to the wall clock, Janet saw that it was almost nine. She touched her forehead, still feeling weak all over. Someone as punctual as her had actually overslept again — she was unusually drowsy lately.

"Janet, are you feeling unwell? How about calling Charles and taking the day off to rest at home?" Philip asked with concern, noting her dazed expression.

"No, no, I’m fine. I can still make it in time!"

Janet threw off the covers, grabbed her clothes, rushed into the bathroom to wash up, and then sprinted out of the villa. Even though she hurried, she still arrived at the office ten minutes late. However, this time Charles didn’t make things difficult for her — he just gave her a faint smile, which oddly made her feel even more uneasy.

Since yesterday, he had already been acting a little strange. He would randomly appear behind her, catching her off guard, and then turn around and leave without a word. No one seemed to notice the trace of happiness that lingered between his brows.

The second-phase bidding for Golden Bay was ultimately won by SK Group — just as Charles had predicted. When the result was announced, he noticed the restrained fury in August’s eyes as he pretended to remain indifferent — another well-executed victory for Charles.

"You’re really generous, throwing such a juicy piece of land right into my lap!"

Dressed in an elegant black suit, a handsome man named Brian walked out of the building alongside Charles, smirking playfully.

"If you feel guilty, just remember to give me fifty percent of the profits,"

Charles lifted his chin, walking at the head of the crowd. Side by side, he and Brian looked like two unruly dragons — superior in both presence and looks.

"You’ve got quite the appetite!"

Brian jabbed a finger at Charles’s chest. An unspoken camaraderie sparkled between their eyes. Brian knew full well that Charles had the ability to win the project himself. But that would have openly provoked the opposition. By using Brian as a proxy, he left TZ Group’s Manfred fuming — but unable to express it.

Originally, Charles had expected that after discovering August’s betrayal, Black Rock Co. would raise their bid by one point, Manfred by two. But then SK Group unexpectedly jumped in and precisely outbid them by three points — seizing the contract.

"Oh right, Shaun asked when you’re planning to give him a daughter-in-law. If you take any longer, Callum’s going to be snatched away, and he’s not taking responsibility!"

Brian mimicked Shaun’s tone as he relayed the message. Charles’s lips twitched, and he muttered a curse. So Shaun was riding high on romance now, and still had time to meddle in his business!

"Fine. Tell him that if Callum can’t wait for my daughter to be born, then he and Angela should go have another son to be my son-in-law instead!"

Charles’s reply made Brian burst out laughing. Who would’ve thought that even the cold-faced devil had a sense of humor?

As Charles drove, he recalled the promise he had made with Shaun. Seeing Brian and Shaun both transformed by love, basking in bliss, he suddenly felt a stir within himself — a desire to start a family of his own.

The only woman who had ever stirred his heart was Janet. But right now, she was still Philip’s wife in name. Charles knew that unless Philip stepped aside, he had no rightful way to be with her. Yet he was finding it harder and harder to bear the moments when she wasn’t around.

Every time he thought of that delicate yet stubborn little face, his heart would warm, and even the colors around him seemed to brighten. Charles stepped hard on the accelerator — he couldn’t wait another second to see Janet.

The bluish-purple irises — not as glamorous as blue enchantresses, nor as dazzling as red roses — carried a pure and natural charm. If they hadn’t come from Manfred, Janet might have liked them. But after stumbling upon a scene she could hardly process, whatever faint goodwill she once had toward Manfred had turned into deep disgust.

She didn’t answer his calls anymore and had thrown the bouquet into the most hidden corner. Janet knew that if Charles saw it, he would be angry again. Now that she had discovered the close ties between Manfred and August, and knowing how Charles felt about August, he would never allow her to have any dealings with Manfred.

When Charles returned to the office, he didn’t go straight to his own. Instead, he made his way to Janet’s desk. There, he found her resting her head on the table, her laptop still open in front of her. Her serene face was framed by long lashes, like a delicate fan spread across her closed lids. The golden sunlight cast a soft glow on her porcelain cheeks, making her look holy and beautiful.

Unable to help himself, Charles leaned down, like a prince trying to awaken a sleeping beauty, and gently pressed a kiss to the corner of her lips. Yet the sleeping beauty showed no sign of waking.

Charles looked at the woman in slumber. The air conditioning was still on, and her frail frame made him ache with unspoken tenderness.

"Janet, wake up," he said, gently shaking her shoulders. He was afraid she’d catch a cold if she slept like this any longer. A thought crossed his mind: next time she wanted to rest, he would let her use the lounge in his office.