"Back then, the Dutton family was a wealthy family who was as highly regarded as the Beckett family is today. Mr. Javier's first wife was the second daughter of the Dutton family, Caroline Dutton. Their marriage was ordained by Mr. Newton personally and was publicly known as a marriage alliance between corporations. "It is said that both parties barely met a few times before their marriage, so there was no opportunity for them to date romantically. In other words, their marriage wasn't built on love. Back then, the marriage alliance Mr. Newton forged with the Dutton family was only to salvage the Beckett Group, which was embroiled in some financial turmoil at the time." As Alyssa listened to Jonah's elaboration, she looked unperturbed. "Marriage alliances between wealthy families are commonplace. Winston even wanted to have Taty marry into the Schmidt family previously." "Mrs. Beckett only had one son, Mr. Justin. Even though the relationship between Mr. Justin's parents wasn't g
"M-Mr. Beckett?"Jasper was in a daze. He turned his eyes slowly toward Sean and stared at him coldly. "How's Ms. Alyssa?" he asked. His voice was deep and throaty, as if he was parched. Sean fixed his eyes on the man before him. Suddenly, he was overcome by a plethora of emotions and was moved to tears. He choked, "Ms. Alyssa… She's sick. Very sick. Go on in and see her. I'm sure she will be very happy to see you and she will get better." Promptly, Sean pushed the door open for him.Jasper pursed his lips into a thin line. Clenching his hands into fists, he walked into the ward slowly. Jonah and Cyrus were moved by Jasper showing up. Even so, they did their best to keep a straight face before coming up with an excuse to leave the room. Soon enough, Alyssa and Jasper were the only ones left in the room. As much as they used to be a sweet, intimate, and happy couple in the past, they had nothing to say to one another when they now looked into each other's eyes. There was
Alyssa stared blankly at Jasper. The icy look on his face reminded her of a mountain that was covered in white snow. She was clearly right in front of him. Yet, it was as if they were separated by the farthest distance in the world. Although he was clearly aware that she was in love with him, he was drawing a clear and firm line in front of her, separating himself from her passionate and tumultuous love for him. Jasper had returned to the person he was three years ago. Or, perhaps he was worse now than he was then. Maybe he was expressing his concern for her. But he couldn't be as gentle and caring as he was. He could no longer cajole her affectionately or think of her. All of a sudden, she was completely submerged in that overwhelming feeling of disappointment. As flustered as she was, it woke her up. "As you're also aware, I've always had gastritis." Alyssa looked into Jasper's dark and dull eyes. She smiled in relief. "Don't worry. From today onward, I will take good c
In a flash, two days passed, and it was Jonah's birthday. Last night, Solana City had its first snowfall of the winter. That day, a thin blanket of white clung to the branches outside the window like newly bloomed lilacs, creating a serene and romantic atmosphere."Dr. Lovelace, the white roses you ordered have arrived." Julien was in the midst of studying Jasper's medical records and scans when he saw a nurse standing before him with a huge bouquet of white roses. Only then did he realize that it was time to get off work. "Thank you. Just leave it on the tea table." He smiled so brightly that the smile reached his eyes. His face looked far more captivating than the snowy scene out the window. The young nurse looked at Julien, blushing. Out of curiosity, she couldn't help but ask, "Dr. Lovelace, the roses you bought are beautiful. Who are you giving them to?" Julien stretched his back. His eyes twinkled brightly as a flush of pink came across his cheeks. "It's for my lover
Jonah? There was a mystery surrounding Jonah?Every word was like a blooming poppy, drawing Julien in, tempting him to the point where it was difficult to resist. But that was only because of how deeply he loved Jonah.And that love was the chink in Julien's armor, leaving him vulnerable to manipulation. In the end, Julien wavered. In a heavy voice, he asked, "How long will this take? I need to go home to celebrate my lover's birthday." "It'll be quick." Uri Holland shut his gloomy eyes. He turned to his side and slipped a hand into his pocket. He gestured to Julien. "Let's take my car. This way." …As the black vehicle sped through the dark winter night, colorful lights flashed past them on both sides. Seated in the passenger seat, Julien held onto that bouquet of white roses in his arms as he gazed out the window with a restless, doubtful expression. As Uri drove, he glanced at Julien's strikingly handsome, almost ethereal face as he drove, his gaze unreadable."What'
Julien was gradually losing his patience. He glanced at his watch before snapping, "If you've got something to say, spit it out. I'm not wasting more time here.""Do you like watching movies, Dr. Lovelace?" Uri disregarded Julien's growing frustration and chuckled slyly. "I know Jonah does. I've got a film he'll find quite special."As soon as he finished, the large screen came to life, casting a glow on Julien's confused face.The surround sound system produced amorous-sounding laughter, making it an immersive experience. Julien recognized Jonah's voice quickly. But the other one—the warm, crisp, pleasant voice—belonged to a stranger."Jonah, do you love me?" the man in the video asked gleefully. "I do." Jonah's deep, raspy voice quivered slightly with emotion. "I love you. Very much. I'll love you forever." Jonah was typically so composed and restrained. Hearing this level of raw passion in his voice was jarring. "What if… I died one day?" The man's voice was gentle th
Uri pressed on, "More than that, how absurd is it that he found a ridiculous substitute like you? Did he truly think that he was so deeply in love with Blake? Was it because his love for Blake was so unforgettable that he needed someone to ease his lovesickness?"Substitute, substitute, substitute! The word sliced through Julien's suffocated heart like a sharp knife.He had never dared to hope he would be the only one Jonah ever loved. But it would be enough for him to be Jonah's last. He didn't care about the past. Yet, what he couldn't bear was that it was his face—so similar to Jonah's ex-lover—that had drawn Jonah in and made him fall in love.Uri laughed mockingly. "If I had the chance, I'd ask Judas if he was being fair to Blake by finding a new lover. I'd want to know if he was being fair to you by making you Blake's substitute."His laughter was so hysterical that tears streamed down his face. In an extremely sarcastic tone, he continued, "I doubt Jonah feels he made a
The night was silent and cold, and a chilling breeze suddenly swept across Jonah's face.Judas. That was a name he had not heard in ages. It echoed from a bloody, misty place far away, igniting a storm of turmoil in his chest. The voice that carried it felt vaguely familiar, but he couldn't place it immediately."Who are you? Are you an ex-Cloudtop member?" Jonah turned away from Alyssa immediately and lowered his voice as much as he could. "Jonah…" In an instant, Alyssa sensed something was wrong when she noticed the shift in his expression."Judas, high status really does make one forgetful, doesn't it?" Uri's icy, sinister voice pierced through Jonah's thoughts like a venomous snake. "It seems that the ever noble Judas has eyes only for Blake.""You're… Uri Holland?" An uncertainty clawed at Jonah, and a sharp pain shot through his heart. The night closed in around him like a crushing, mottled wall. Blake—his hidden ex-lover—haunted him still, a scar he dared not revisit.