Grandpa George's words resonated deeply with her. Having experienced so many wars, he understood how precious the present days were. A strong nation was less likely to be bullied, so it was essential to safeguard this homeland. Though Nina hadn't lived through the cruelty of that era, she could still recognize that Grandpa George's most glorious moments were in his youth. Even as he aged, he still harbored a desire to contribute more to the country.Grandpa George's eyes welled up as he spoke. Nina listened attentively, noticing the scars left on his legs from gunshot wounds, which revealed the hardships they had endured."Grandpa George, our country is strong now, and there are many talented individuals. There's little chance of war happening," Nina comforted him."You shouldn't be too complacent," Grandpa George cautioned.Suddenly, he chuckled, "But there's no shortage of talent. Nash is a prime example. Achieving feats at such a young age. It's all thanks to his grandfather.
He was reminding Nina. Her own husband should be managed well, and she shouldn't let others take advantage of her.Nina didn't want Grandpa George to worry about her relationship with Nash while he was ill, so she smiled and said, "I know, Nash has already talked to me about it. Grandpa George, it's getting late, and it's chilly outside. Let's go back in.""Okay." Grandpa George understood and didn't say anything more.Nina escorted Grandpa George back to his hospital room, bid him farewell, and was debating whether or not to go to the obstetrics and gynecology department. But Linda happened to call her, "Nina, could you come to the hospital? I have something to discuss with you."Nina decided to go after all.Quincy was standing guard at the door and seemed bewildered when he saw Nina approaching, as if he was afraid of her coming here."Nina, why are you here?" Quincy forced a smile.Nina remained calm and asked, "What's going on?""Well, maybe you should call Mr. York first
Quincy glanced at Nina. Nina said, "Please leave." Quincy then closed the door. Linda lifted the covers, sat on the edge of the bed, and eagerly caressed her belly. "Nina, I know Mr. York has someone in his heart." Nina clenched her fists tightly. Linda hung her head and slowly continued, "Mr. York's kindness towards me is also because of that person. He only likes me because I resemble her. Even so, I am content. I don't ask for much. Being pregnant with Mr. York's child is enough for me." At this point, Linda looked at Nina and said, "Nina, you are also aware, aren't you? That person's name is Miranda." Nina's face turned pale. She even knew about this. "Has Nash told you that he considers you a substitute for Miranda?" Nina asked again. Linda shrugged, "Whether I'm a substitute or not doesn't matter to me. I was born ordinary, so receiving even a bit of favoritism is enough." If it weren't for Nash personally telling Linda, how would she have known? Nina felt dishearte
"What?" Linda's expression instantly turned ugly, unable to believe it. "Impossible. The timing matches, and I have memories of it. How could it not be Mr. York? You must have made a mistake.""It's just so coincidental!" the person on the phone said. "When I heard they were looking for someone, I thought you must have hit the jackpot. But it turns out we were all mistaken. The room number was wrong, and the person that night wasn't Mr. York. He was a man in his forties or fifties."Now Linda's face went pale, and she glanced at her belly, becoming agitated. "How could I possibly be pregnant with a child from a man in his forties or fifties?"This was a huge letdown.She had been living in a bubble of happiness.If she hadn't been given such high expectations, she wouldn't have held onto hope.When she found out the man from that night was Nash, she thought it was the smartest thing she had ever done in her life.To hook such a rich and handsome man so quickly.But reality told
Nash's words also caught Quincy off guard.Quincy thought to himself, "No, it couldn't be. Linda was pregnant, and she was the woman from that night. The child must be his.""Let's go," Nash suddenly said."Okay," Quincy started the car.Nash frowned. "I meant get out of the car!""Mr. York, don't you have a meeting to attend? They're all waiting, and there's too many people here!" Quincy observed the crowded area, knowing it would be congested.It wasn't unusual for Nina to be here, but for him to come without security clearing the area, given his typical lifestyle habits, he wouldn't fancy going this route.Nash stared at Quincy calmly and said, "Don't you enjoy places like this?""Huh?" Quincy was taken aback. Since when did he like coming to places like this? But seeing Nash's sharp gaze, he could only nod. "Yes, yes, I enjoy coming here.""Alright, let's get out!" Nash turned his gaze outside.He got out of the car first, watching the bustling crowd, unable to fathom why
Fortunately, the boss was prepared and had already hidden before Nash’s second shot."Quincy, did I hit it?" Nash asked absentmindedly."...," Quincy looked at the pale-faced boss, "You almost did!"As Scott was being hugged by Nina, he witnessed her happiness for the first time and paused for a moment. Then, he smiled as he gently said, "No need to rush now, right?""Not anymore, I'm very happy," Nina smiled.The boss also breathed a sigh of relief and said with a smile, "Young man, you're very skilled. Not many people can hit the one at the back!"He quickly handed giant brown bear soft toy over to Nina.Nina hugged it, feeling a sense of relief as if something that belonged to her had finally arrived."There are still so many hoops left, what should we do?" Scott said."We'll toss them all. We will take whichever one we hook," replied Nina."Alright." Scott agreed, still skilled in the game. Each toss was precise, catching only trivial prizes that served no real purpose ex
Quincy, however, was sweating profusely. This was his livelihood. How could he not follow Nash along? Seeing Nash's displeased expression, he added, "Mr. York, don't be upset. Nina still wants to play. How about we join them?"Nash replied sourly, "Who wants to be with her?"Not wanting to push it further, Nina turned to Scott and said, "There are many more fun things up ahead. Let's go check them out.""Okay," Scott glanced at Nash again. "Mr. York, I’ll go ahead first."The two continued walking ahead.Watching their backs, Nash's expression darkened. "Quincy, do you want to go with them?""Of course, of course!" Quincy immediately called out. "Nina, I'd like to join you."With that, Nash followed suit.Trailing behind them, his gaze naturally fell on the brown bear soft toy that Nina clung to tightly. "Just a small toy makes her so happy," he thought. Her excitement just now seemed as if she had found the world's greatest treasure. Yet, it was just a cheap toy!He cou
"Is this big enough?" Nash asked. "Isn't it better looking than the one you have?"Nina looked at the bear, even taller than him, realizing she couldn't carry it without dragging it on the ground. She quickly shook her head, "I don't want it, it's too big, and I don't like it."Nash's expression darkened instantly. "Isn't this better than the one you have? Take it!" He tossed it over with one hand.Nina looked at the bear she was holding, then another one was thrown at her. She was already carrying too much, and she felt like she was suffocating."Nash, stop it!" Nina didn't want them to fall on the ground. She struggled to get her head out and spoke.Nash remained silent, his expression cold. He couldn't understand. Wasn't she supposed to like big soft toys? This one was even bigger than the one she had, why wasn't she excited? Why couldn't she be happy?Where did he go wrong?Nina realized her words might have hurt his pride too much, so she softened her tone, "It's too heavy,
Jamie closed her eyes briefly, sinking further into despair. She didn’t even notice when Ben had left the room. Her thoughts were scattered, her mind drifting in and out of focus.Though she wanted to leave the hospital, she was constantly watched, making it impossible. By afternoon, a nurse came in to change her dressing.Jamie glanced up absentmindedly. “It’s fine. I don’t need it.”“This is under Dr. Lawson’s direct orders,” the nurse replied gently but firmly. “I can’t afford to cut corners. Since you’re still admitted, please cooperate.”Jamie lifted her gaze slightly, her tone subdued. “I’d like to get some fresh air.”“Of course, once we’re done changing your dressing, I can take you outside. Just make sure not to strain your muscles,” the nurse said patiently.The weather was exceptionally pleasant that day. As she sat in the wheelchair outside, Jamie made several calls to Winnie. The phone was still off, as if Winnie had made up her mind to disappear completely from her
“You're the patient, and I'm the doctor. Taking care of you is my job,” Jay said with a light smile, handing her the utensils. “Go ahead, try it.”Jamie was indeed hungry. She hadn’t felt like eating, but she couldn’t refuse his gesture. Besides, she needed to regain her strength quickly if she hoped to find Charlie. She picked up the utensils and was just about to take a bite when footsteps sounded outside the room. The door swung open, revealing Ben. His expression darkened instantly, his face stormy as he took in the scene before him. “So, Dr. Lawson, is this how you treat all your patients, or is this a special case?” Ben’s tone dripped with sarcasm. “Just giving an old classmate some extra care. What’s the harm in that?” Jay replied, his words laced with subtle defiance. The room's atmosphere froze, tension thick in the air. Ben’s sharp gaze flickered between Jamie and Jay before finally settling on Jamie’s pale face, his expression unreadable. Jamie, sensing th
“Wake up, Charlie.” Winnie held him tightly, panic overwhelming her. She wanted to take him away, not harm him! Just then, the sound of a car pulling up broke through the darkness. Footsteps approached, slow and deliberate. A tall man emerged from the shadows and stopped in front of her. Tears streaming down her face, Winnie looked up. The man’s sharp, angular features were obscured by the dim light, adding to his air of mystery. But she immediately recognized him. It was the same man who had told her the truth about Jack Green being Ben Lucas. Winnie glared at him with fierce determination. “Why are you here? Are you happy now that things have come to this?” “You foolish woman, do you think being deceived feels any better?” the mysterious man sneered. “The truth is nothing but a bloody wound. I’d rather…” Winnie’s voice faltered, unable to continue. “Stop lying to yourself,” the man said with a slight shake of his head. “What do you want?” Winnie asked
Jamie couldn’t help but suck in a sharp breath. “Stop pretending.” Ben's harsh words cut through the air, as cold and unrelenting as ever. Jamie couldn’t straighten up for a long moment. She gritted her teeth, determined to ignore the pain radiating from her wound, spreading like fire through her body. Sweat dripped from her forehead onto the pale hospital bed, leaving tiny dark stains. “I don’t need to play games with you,” she said finally, her voice frail but resolute. “It wouldn’t work, and I don’t want to. I just want my child back.” Ben’s sharp gaze faltered for a moment before he replied in a cold tone, “Focus on recovering first.” With that, he turned and left the room. Jamie slumped against the edge of the bed, exhausted and broken. *Meanwhile, Winnie drove aimlessly, following random road signs, unaware of where she was heading. The road grew increasingly desolate, with the sun sinking below the horizon and barely a soul in sight. “Where are we, Aunt
Perhaps due to her injuries, Jamie couldn’t muster much strength, and her resistance felt as feeble as a kitten pawing at someone.Jay gently guided her back to the hospital bed. While examining her injuries, his expression turned serious. “All these years, I’ve attended every class reunion, but I’ve never seen you. Did you move abroad?” Jamie shook her head slightly. “Life’s been messy. Nothing worth mentioning.” “If there’s anything troubling you, tell me. Maybe this old classmate can help,” Jay said softly, his eyes full of concern. Though time had barely left its mark on her face, her eyes carried a deep weariness, dulling the radiance she once had. It was clear she had endured more than her fair share of hardships over the years. Jamie remained silent for a moment before shaking her head again. “I’m fine, Jay.” Instinctively, he asked, “So, did you become a lawyer?” The question hit her like a sharp sting. Her lips trembled for a second before she forced a weak
Jamie bit her lip tightly, her face pale as paper from blood loss. A mocking smile played on her lips. “Don’t worry, Ben. I know my place. How could someone like me possibly hurt someone like you?” Ben felt a heavy weight settle in his chest, as if a boulder had lodged itself there. It was neither something he could expel nor swallow. His dark, piercing eyes glinted with cold, unrelenting anger. “Jamie, you never fail to impress me,” he said, his voice dripping with icy sarcasm. Mrs. Lucas, watching their verbal sparring with satisfaction, chimed in, her tone sharp. “This woman would throw you away for the smallest gain. Why waste your energy on her?” “Enough,” Ben snapped, his voice even and calm, though his gaze burned with quiet fury. It was as if the exchange hadn’t phased him at all. “No need to give her any more money. She’s not worth it.” His cold, piercing stare lingered on Jamie, making her breath hitch. Mrs. Lucas couldn’t contain her glee. “Good. Now that yo
Jamie forced herself to swallow the rising pain in her chest. If cutting Ben off completely was the only way to make him give up, then so be it.A million dollars...For Ben, whether as the alias "Jack Green" or as his true self, money had never been an issue. His mother had made sure he never lacked anything. However, Jamie’s single remark, sharp and calculated, cut straight to the heart of their relationship. It reduced everything they had shared to something insignificant and transactional.Ben’s expression turned grim, his dark eyes filled with anguish and anger. “Jamie, if you needed money, you could’ve just asked me. Winning me over would’ve gotten you more than a million. Was it really worth it?”There was a deep sadness in his voice, almost as if he was pleading for her to lie to him, just to make him feel wanted. Jamie could feel the weight of his words, the memories of his kindness clawing at her heart. She opened her mouth to respond, but before she could say a word,
That child was Winnie’s only connection to Ben. She never expected him to call her at such a moment. When Ben’s name appeared on her phone, she answered immediately. However, not wanting Charlie to see her disheveled and emotional state, she stepped aside to take the call. Ben’s voice came through the line, cold and detached. “Winnie, I admit I approached you under a different name, but I’ve never done anything to harm you. And the child you’re carrying, it’s not mine.” His words hit her like a bolt from the blue. If the child wasn’t his, then whose was it? That night, it was Ben who was by her side.But then, he sent her a video. It was a horrifying one, showing those depraved playboys. Everything became clear. Ben had chosen this moment to reveal the truth, not to clear his name but to stop her from harming an innocent child. Even in her madness, she couldn’t bring herself to harm a child she had once protected with her heart. No matter how lost Winnie fel
Ben never expected Jamie to take the blade for him.Caught off guard, he stared in shock as Jamie clutched his arm, her voice trembling with desperation. “Ben, please… save my child…”*When Jamie woke up, she found herself in a hospital room. Pain shot through her body, but her thoughts were only of Charlie. She quickly sent a message to Winnie.“Winnie, if someone has to pay, let it be me. A life for a life. Please don’t hurt Charlie. He’s innocent, and he loves you so much.”Jamie hoped to appeal to Winnie’s emotions, trying to remind her of the bond they once shared. But Winnie’s heart was hardened.Her child was gone, lost before ever seeing the light of day. And yet, Jamie’s and Ben’s child was safe and sound. To Winnie, it was an unbearable injustice.If Jamie had ever truly thought of her as a sister, she would have told her the truth from the very beginning. She would have revealed Ben’s identity and his intentions. But Jamie had said nothing, standing by as Winnie fell