"W—What did you say?""They must be suffocated during the delivery. Don't be sad, Mrs. Miller. It is rare for a baby to survive when born in week 24. "Your well-being matters the most. You're still young. You can still have babies in the future.""No. I don't believe that they're gone just like that. I've taken care of them for months! I—""Mrs. Miller, the assassins will be here soon. We must leave.""No. No! I will never abandon my children!"Cody couldn't care much about it. She received the order to protect Olivia, and the babies came afterward.When the babies and Olivia were in danger, Cody had to put Olivia on the top of the list."I'm sorry, Mrs. Miller." Cody carried Olivia on her back.The latter watched her babies, who lay lifelessly on a jumble of clothes with teary eyes."No! My babies!"Cody crawled up the cliff with difficulty as Olivia was on her back. Although she was stronger than average people, thanks to regular training, carrying Olivia on her back re
"Don't overthink it, Mrs. Miller. Hold on, Mr. Miller will be here soon. This is our mission. We will protect you no matter what happens.""Thank you, Dr. Wells. Thank you for looking after me for the past few months."Olivia's sudden remark at such a time made Cody feel uneasy."Do not give up, Mrs. Miller. We will get out of here. We will.""Get out of here? Where to?" Olivia raised her head to look at the somber sky, and only raindrops pattered on her face."Actually, I know that my father is not left with much time. He can stay alive until today only because of the machines and medicine. He has long lost the will to live.""Mrs. Miller …""Dr. Wells, my friend once told me that I was like a small sun that shines brightly. But the illuminance that emanated from me slowly dwindled."I'm wrapped up in darkness. I had a muddy period myself."At that time, I tossed and turned and struggled. I didn't want to admit my fate, nor did I believe in destiny."Even if a faint ray of light recur
Olivia dipped into darkness, running quickly all alone.She thought, "Where are my babies? Where are they?"One thing was on her mind—"I should hurry and find my babies, or they'll be scared."She ran for a very long time, not knowing when to stop. Suddenly, a ray of light shone ahead of her, and she was standing on a field.There was a bridge made of a rainbow at the end of the field, leading to the opposite side, where it was covered with clouds.A figure slowly appeared on the opposite side of the rainbow bridge. It was Mona!She was clad in the same dress she wore while picking Olivia from the airport. She waved her hands at Olivia as always. "Mona!" Elated, Olivia dashed toward the rainbow bridge. The moment she stepped on the bridge, two brisk voices resounded. "Mommy!"She looked back only to see her two babies. The boy resembled Ethan, while the girl looked like a mini Olivia."I finally found you!" Olivia crouched to hug them. As she reached out for them, her fin
Olivia's walls of rationality crumbled. Her babies were her last straw.A pang of despair twinged her as much as she had looked forward to their birth.Tears and blood dripped onto the floor. Kneeling on the bed, she clawed at her hair. "Ethan, you shouldn't have saved me. It's too painful to stay alive!"She couldn't figure out the meaning of her living. Her existence itself was a bad omen; she would only bring misfortune to the people around her.Ethan hugged Olivia again. "Do you know why I saved you? Fine, I'll tell you why now."He crouched to slip socks and shoes to her feet before carrying her."Where are you bringing me to?""You'll find out soon."He carried her to one of the patient rooms that consisted of three compartments. The patients in the room were bandaged. Some of them were wearing casts, too!Cyril, whose leg was shot, was hopping in their direction while supporting himself with a crutch. It seemed like he wanted to head to the restroom. He greeted
The elevator door opened when it reached the third-floor basement, taking the chilling breeze in.Ethan removed his coat to drape it over Olivia's shoulders. The temperature was colder than it was up there.It was her first visit to such a place, which seemed different from the movies.The corridor was brightly lit, but the excessive illuminance over the wall made the place appear rather desolate.An older man was standing by the door to the mortuary. He was waiting for Olivia under his superior's orders."Mr. Miller, Mrs. Miller, the body is cosmetically prepared, but it is a dead body, after all. So, it's not a pleasing sight."Please be mentally prepared for it.""Open the door." Her voice was hoarse.As soon as the door was open, she saw a white sheet covering a body.Ethan explained, "I took some measures, so the case hasn't gone public yet. Her family doesn't know about it for now."Olivia strode toward the body. She had lost her consciousness for three days straight.Thus, every
Negative emotions were piling on Olivia. Ethan knew that she was too weak for an emotional rollercoaster right now.But he was more worried that something might happen from her bottling her emotions.Thus, he'd rather she let it all out.Olivia cried for a long time until her voice turned hoarse, and there were no more tears to cry.Her eyes were empty, and her legs were numb from the kneeling.She sobbed in Ethan's arms, and he didn't utter a word. He kept patting her back gently.Only when he noticed that she had slowly collected herself did he help her get up.Forming strength from anguish, she figured he was right—she should live.If she died, everything would go according to the mastermind's plan. She should live to pass on the grief of staying alive to that mastermind.Olivia wiped the last tear off. When she looked at Mona's body, her gaze turned more determined than before.She yanked the white sheet downward a little to reveal Mona's hand.The bracelet Mona treasure
The night had fallen when Olivia regained consciousness. She heard cries coming from the corridor.Fighting through the grogginess, she opened her eyes. She didn't move.She stared at the ceiling with hollow eyes instead.Everything felt like a dream. The haze in her mind rendered it surreal.Ethan gazed at her with bloodshot eyes. His voice was very hoarse. "Liv, you're awake."From his haggard face alone, it was easy for Olivia to tell that he had been looking after her for days and nights consecutively without sleep.She had received IV drips for the past few days. She didn't eat anything. He would press damp cotton buds on her lips whenever they were chapped.Olivia almost couldn't part her lips when she regained consciousness. She spoke with her eyes instead."What do you want? Are you thirsty or hungry? Tell me.""I'm thirsty ..."Feeling elated that she finally made a request, he rose from his seat.However, his sudden action incurred a pang of dizziness because he hadn't reste
Olivia had no choice but to accept reality. It had happened, and regretting it would do nothing.A lot of sacrifices were made in exchange for her life. From now onward, she wouldn't be living only for herself."You don't have to worry about me doing foolish things. Go home, get a shower, and have a good rest. Don't worry, I won't run away anymore."Ethan was surprised to hear her say that. It was as if she had become a completely different person after waking up.Previously, she was a white magnolia; she always stood with her back straight with sophisticated grace, but she was harmless.Now, she was a rose that came with thorns. Cold yet enticing, she could give anyone who came close to her pricks all over their body."Liv, I'm not tired …" Ethan wasn't sure about her current condition, so he wanted to stay by her side. He would decide after that.Olivia didn't say anything more about it. She cast her gaze at the closed door. "I heard someone crying. Who was it?""Mona's parents. They