"Mom." Eulalia looked at the gentle smile of the woman in the photo, sniffling with a stuffy nose. "I really, really want to see you, even for just a moment. I thought dying would let me see you, but I never expected to live a whole new life. Why did I come back to life when you didn't?"Why was she the only one who got to live again?Did they not want her, even in death?Eulalia carefully wiped the photo on the tombstone clean. The woman in the picture wore a gentle smile, her face as beautiful as a painting.She hugged the tombstone, curling up with her head resting on the photo, like a child snuggling up to their mother for warmth and comfort."Mom, I wish you could hug me..." As soon as Eulalia opened her mouth, it felt like razor blades were stuck in her throat. Speaking caused searing pain, as if it was tearing open wounds in her flesh.Eulalia's nose turned red. She bit her lip hard, crying helplessly.She missed her mom so much, had missed her since she was little. She longed
Summer cicadas can't survive winter's cold. Once you miss your chance, you'll never get it again."What do you mean?" Rain soaked Percival's face, droplets clinging to his eyelashes. He looked at Eulalia through half-closed eyes. No one noticed his hands trembling slightly, as if he was enduring something. He clenched his fists.Eulalia held her umbrella, full of mockery: "It means I never planned on forgiving you from the start. I don't even want to see you. Get it?"Percival's lips quivered. The rain didn't feel like water anymore, but like millions of needles stabbing his body. Everything hurt.Last night when Oliver told him Eulalia was lying, he'd already guessed this outcome. He just couldn't face it, couldn't admit it. What kind of overconfidence made him think Eulalia would really forgive him? That they could go back to how things were?Go back to how things were?He'd forgotten - he and Eulalia were a mistake from the beginning. They were never good.A chill crept up his spin
The driver's door opened and Oliver got out. He looked at Eulalia with a complex expression. After hesitating for a moment, he finally spoke: "Mrs. Dunraven."Eulalia frowned. "Oliver, the Eulalia from back then died in that big fire. Even if she hadn't been burned to death, she and Percival divorced long ago. I really don't want you to call me like that."Oliver lowered his head, not daring to meet Eulalia's sharp gaze. "I'm sorry."This apology was for both his slip-up just now and for his cold indifference as a bystander back then."Ms. Clearwater, what I'm about to say might be a bit much, but I still want to say it. I hope you can give the boss another chance. He truly knows he was wrong. In the three years you've been gone, he's been living a life worse than death. Last night, he almost died trying to find the hair tie you casually threw into the river..."Eulalia clicked her tongue. "What a pity that he didn't."Her words were tinged with sarcasm and gloom. "If you think it's g
Percival was rushed to the emergency room and only came out nearly two hours later, hooked up to various tubes, with an oxygen mask over his nose and a clip on his finger to monitor blood oxygen.To be honest, although Oliver always knew Percival's health was poor, he never imagined it had gotten this bad - even his heart was having problems now.The attending physician came out with a stack of papers for the family to sign."His family isn't here. I'm his assistant - can I sign instead?" Oliver asked.The doctor adjusted his foggy glasses and said, "His condition is so serious and his family isn't here?"Oliver didn't want to explain Percival's family situation, so he just gave an awkward smile. The doctor's grave expression made Oliver nervous."Can I see his medical records?" Oliver asked."Sure. Let me explain his condition to you in detail first. When he wakes up, we'll have him sign and give a fingerprint."The doctor pulled up the computer and input the patient information, bri
Percival froze. His chest still felt dully painful. He pressed a hand to it, looking up at Oliver with dark eyes, taking in his nervous, worried, extremely complex expression.A sense of unease rose in him. He had a feeling Oliver was hiding something major.What did he mean, "You'll die"?Oliver had nagged him about this for three years, telling him to take care of his health or he'd die.He'd never taken it seriously before. He was already living a life worse than death, wishing more than anyone that he could die quickly.But hearing Oliver say those words now made him pause. A chill ran down his spine in an instant."What do you mean?"Oliver couldn't meet Percival's questioning gaze. His eyes darted around. After a long moment, he let go of Percival and opened a drawer, taking out the medical report. He carefully placed it on the blanket.Percival had seen many such reports before, but most were Eulalia's. He rarely saw his own.He read the report over and over, his body going num
Back then, Eulalia's hand bone was directly fractured by the ashtray. It took nearly four months to heal, and during that recovery period, he still dragged her to the hospital to draw blood for Evadne.Both memories and reality were too bleak. He tried to think of some happy times he had with Eulalia, but he couldn't come up with any. The only bit he could think of was stolen from when Eulalia had lost her memory.Those few months when Eulalia had amnesia were probably the happiest days he'd had in over a decade. Percival thought of Eulalia lying in his arms, laughing and blushing shyly. His eyes suddenly turned red, and the blood in his mouth grew more bitter.It turns out that taking someone's kindness for granted also has consequences. For example, in his case, death was the price."Oliver... do you think if Eulalia knew I had lung cancer, she'd come to see me?"Oliver hadn't expected Percival to still be thinking about Eulalia at a time like this. He paused, then said, "Boss, forg
Percival clawed his way to his current position, getting his hands dirty with all sorts of shady business along the way. He's not a good person - he'll do whatever it takes to get what he wants. He's petty and holds grudges like nobody's business. When he's out to get someone, he won't let up until they're totally destroyed. He's like a honey badger - even with blood pouring down his face, he'll keep fighting till his opponent's down for the count. He's full of aggression and isn't afraid of anyone.They say your environment shapes who you are, and man, does that show with Percival.Growing up in the emotionless family, Percival never learned about love. He doesn't understand it, can't do it, and looks down on it. Over time, he sealed himself off in darkness as a way to protect himself.He's a master of deception and always plans three steps ahead while others are just winging it. He always makes sure he's got a way out so he doesn't end up screwed.But then something unexpected happe
At the hotel, Eulalia had already gone through all the trending topics. Barry posted a long tweet early this morning. Soon after, the studio reposted it, tagging the livestream platform and press conference, confirming the time for 9:20 AM the day after tomorrow.Just as she finished reading, someone called her urgently.Eulalia picked up and saw it was Reid calling. Most likely about Barry's situation. Sure enough, that's what he started with."Eulalia, you doing okay?""I'm fine," Eulalia said casually. She got up to grab a soda from the cabinet, put the phone on speaker, and opened the can while listening. Reid could hear the sound clearly through the phone.She still had the energy to eat and drink. Looks like it wasn't affecting her much.Reid: "..." He paused for a moment before asking, "Why couldn't I reach you yesterday?""I turned my phone off for a bit. Didn't see it."Reid was worried sick, but Eulalia, the one actually involved, seemed totally unbothered."Come on, aren't