“I can't help it,” Ben said, counting on his fingers. “I can't wait to see Liora. It's been six days since we last saw each other.”
He had planned to visit her tonight anyway, but his dad’s broken bone made for an unexpected, yet welcome, excuse.
The group reached the office of the orthopedic chief on the third floor.
Since only one family member was allowed inside, Ben accompanied James.
Standing at the door, Ben was about to knock when James stopped him.
“Wait.”
Ben was puzzled. “What’s wrong?”
“It’s the first time meeting my future daughter-in-law. I’m a bit nervous.”
Future daughter-in-law?
Ben sheepishly rubbed his nose. “Isn't that title a bit premature?”
“What, you’re not dating Liora with the intention of marrying her?”
“Of course I am! I just don’t know if Liora feels the same way. I’m afraid she might not want to go the distance with me.”
James nodded. “That’s a legitimate concern.”
Liora's voice was soft and seductive. Ben swallowed hard, ready to kiss her again when his phone rang. Startled, he pulled away."Hold on, my phone's ringing..."He answered the call, his expression changing as he listened. He replied a few times and then hung up, looking crestfallen."It’s the production team... They need me back this afternoon.""This afternoon?""Yeah." Ben checked the time, his face full of disappointment. "Looks like we won't get to be together tonight after all."As he spoke, his eyes lingered on Liora's perfect figure, his frustration clear.Liora picked up her phone from the side table and checked the time."Forty minutes left before I start work."Hearing this, Ben felt a wave of sadness wash over him.Did this mean he only had forty minutes left to spend with Liora today?Ben suddenly felt a tightening around his neck. Liora had wrapped one arm around it, her other hand brushing t
Ivana's breathing was labored, her face contorted with pain like a wronged child."Hold me," she whispered.Before Jacob's brain could process, Jacob's arms had already enveloped her. Ivana clung to his waist, resting her head on his chest, biting her lip hard.Jacob held her gently, whispering, "If it hurts, let Dr. Myers give you some pain medication."Ivana nodded, then shook her head. "It won't help," she said quietly.Jacob looked down, a flicker of worry crossing his eyes. He gently patted her back, offering what little comfort he could. Gradually, Ivana's tense body began to relax, and her grip on his shirt loosened as the pain seemed to subside.Jacob stroked her hair and asked softly, "Does it hurt less now?"Ivana, her face buried in his chest, made a small, cat-like sound of assent. "Mm."Jacob let out a breath of relief and glanced at Dr. Myers, who was standing by. "You can go now. I'll take care of her."Dr
After a long pause, Ivana gazed at Jacob with pleading eyes and asked quietly, "Why won't you come over?"Jacob hesitated, feeling a mixture of confusion and frustration. "You seem a bit tense," Ivana noted softly, tilting her head.Jacob couldn't help but let out a small, derisive laugh. "Ha."He walked over and sat beside Ivana on the bed. "If you have something to say, just..."Before he could finish, Ivana leaned into him, her small hand pressing against his bare chest. The scent of her faint perfume filled the air as she fell into his embrace, catching him completely off guard.Jacob was momentarily stunned, his mind blank for a few seconds. Her delicate hand tightened on his chest, and he instinctively grabbed her hand, stopping her."What are you doing?" he demanded.Ivana looked up at him, her eyes full of innocence, and then she frowned slightly, a hint of hurt in her expression. "It hurts," she said softly.Jacob rele
Ivana sniffled, her eyes rimmed with red. “She had too many toxins building up in her body and didn’t make it. By the time she died, she was swollen and bruised beyond recognition. Dad buried her in a hurry. After Mom died, Dad worried I’d be too traumatized and might kill myself, ruining all his hard work. So he kept a close watch on me. But I didn’t want to kill myself… I wanted to kill him. He’s a madman, not fit to be my father.”Ivana continued in a low voice, “Dad and my uncles valued me greatly because I was the only one in years to successfully become a Voodoo Lwa. They were ecstatic, planning among themselves, saying the Boss would be thrilled when he saw me. They talked about how much money they’d make.”Jacob’s eyes narrowed slightly. “The Boss?”“Yeah... I don’t know who the Boss is. I just knew they were planning to sell me. So, on the day the Boss was supposed to come, I decided to kill my dad first. But I failed. Dad and my uncles tied me up and w
The relationships within the Nelson family were tangled, but Jacob remembered that Carl hadn’t had any prior conflicts with the Matthews Group.“Go and investigate this man thoroughly.”“We’re already on it,” Mitbahl replied, his eyes studying Jacob. “But, Captain, since Ivana’s origins are suspicious, shouldn’t we be more cautious with her? Maybe even confine her?”“No need,” Jacob said, turning the glass in his hand. “She’s not in good health, and besides… she’s not someone with malicious intentions.”Mitbahl stayed silent for a moment. Jacob noticed his intense stare, as if trying to bore a hole through him.“What are you staring at?”“You’re doomed.” Mitbahl made an exaggerated face. “You’ve fallen in love!”Jacob: ...“Get out!”“Just because I hit the mark, you get all defensive…”Mitbahl pouted, grumbling under his breath. As he walked towards the window, he turned back, a mischievous glint in his eye as he
Patrick walked over.“Kevin, you’re awake?”“Yeah.”Kevin walked in, his eyes scanning the tidy room before landing on the man sitting on the sofa.He climbed onto the sofa next to Yosef, puzzled.“Bro, what was that noise outside just now? It was so loud.”“Nothing much, just had Kirin feed the fish.”“Why would feeding fish make such a commotion?”“Feeding sharks.”“Oh.”Kevin’s expression showed sudden understanding, then he sighed. “Bro, when are we going back to the Rainbow City? Your health isn’t good; you can’t keep running around like this.”Yosef didn’t respond immediately.Then he said slowly, “We’re going back tomorrow.”“Really?”“Yeah, but before that, tonight I’m taking you to see someone.”“Who?”Yosef reached out and gently pinched Kevin’s cheek. “You’ve been wanting to see your angel sister, right? We’ll see her before we leave.”Kevin’s eyes lit up
"What’s with this? Even if I’m staying with the angel sister for a bit, the proper way to do this would be for you to take me to her place, we’d have dinner together, you’d tell her to take good care of me, and then we’d have a heartfelt goodbye. Isn’t that right?"Didn't expect it to be so hasty?Kevin even wore a little suit today, ready to make it formal.Yosef narrowed his eyes, "You really know how to dramatize things, huh?""At least there should be a proper farewell… Bro, if I just leave like this, won’t you be sad?" Kevin looked up, his dark eyes gazing at the cold, pale man in front of him.As if trying to read something from his face.Yosef crossed his long legs, his expression indifferent."What’s there to be sad about? You’ll be living in comfort over there, with your angel sister. It’s better than staying with me.""Is that what you really think?""… Yes."Upon hearing this, Kevin lowered his head sli
The moment their eyes met, Kevin's small body stiffened. He quickly sat up straighter.John sighed inwardly.Diana turned to John, concern in her eyes.“You see? You’re scaring Kevin.”“I didn’t say anything,” John replied, somewhat exasperated.Did he really look that intimidating?Diana patted Kevin’s head reassuringly.“Kevin, don’t be afraid. This is John, my fiancé. He might look a little scary, but he’s actually really, really nice. Give it some time, and I’m sure you’ll come to like him.”Kevin fiddled with his fingers and mumbled, “Okay…”He raised his round, innocent face and looked at John. Gathering his courage, he said, “Your fiancé is really handsome. Super handsome. Even a little more handsome than my brother.”Kevin added silently: Sorry, bro, but I have to be fair.Diana smiled warmly.“See? I think he’s handsome too. Sometimes, just looking at his face makes my day.”“Is that