Mason had been holding his breath for her answer for the entire day. He hadn’t expected her to reject him and push him away.His heart sank at what she said, but he didn’t respond to this matter. Today was her birthday. So, he told her that she’d find the gifts from her friends and business associates in the fitting room. She didn’t want to kill the mood entirely, so she forced a smile and said, “I’ll open them up after I’ve taken a shower!”Pulling her toward him, he ran his hands across her dress provocatively and said in a husky voice, “Let’s shower together!”However, she rejected him. “I’m on my period!”He stared at her intensely before swooping her up and carrying her into the bathroom. Needless to say, he wasn’t about to force himself on her when she was having a period. Again, it was her birthday today. All he ever wanted was to make her happy. What he didn’t know was that the better he treated her, the guiltier she got. With that said, she didn’t regret her decision o
Dawn broke over the city. Mason drove back to Lockwood Manor. The security guard was dumbfounded when he opened the gate and saw his car. After all, Mason hadn’t been back there for three years. Moments later, the black Bentley pulled into the premises.He got out of the car and closed the door before sweeping his eyes across the manor.The place had been deprived of its masters and mistresses for far too long and had lost its former warming sensation. Instead, a lifelessness surrounded the manor now. It was depressingly ironic, considering Barbara had loved making the place lively when she was still around. The servants hadn’t woken up yet. Walking into the living room, his leather shoes stepped on the unblemished floor and made a crisp tapping sound that reverberated in the room, further accentuating its emptiness. Barbara’s portrait could be found on the home altar, smiling affectionately. Running his fingers across her picture longingly, he murmured, “Westley’s back. He
Yanni was sent to Lockwood Hospital. She needed an AB-type blood transfusion urgently, but there had been a horrible accident that morning and supplies were running short. It just so happened that both Mason and Zoe weren’t in the AB blood group. It would take an hour for them to transport the blood supply from another institution. Yanni could faint and pass into a coma at any given moment. He made a snap decision and exclaimed, “Use the helicopter to transport the blood!”“My blood type is a match!” Cecil declared as he walked right into the room. Everyone held their breath. They knew Cecil and Mason were enemies. No one dared make a peep, much less agree to his offer.After a brief moment, Mason barked, “Prepare to perform the blood transfusion!”Cecil had always done a routine health checkup and he was fit enough for this process. They extracted seventeen ounces of blood from him and transfused it into Yanni without a moment’s delay.The seventeen ounces of blood was like
The walls in the VIP suite were painted light pink. It was heartwarming to look at. However, Yanni was still looking very fragile. Lying down on the white pillow, she opened her eyes and asked her mom a question that she had been holding back for a long time, “Am I going to die, Mom?”It broke Zoe’s heart to hear it, but she used everything she had to pull herself together for her little girl. She even managed to smile and say, “No way!”Yanni was still feeling very weak. Leaning on her mom, she murmured, “Why can’t I go to school like ordinary kids? If you and Dad are going to make a little brother for me, I hope he’ll be all healthy and fit. You have to make sure he’s handsome too. That way, you and Dad will still have a good-looking baby when I’m gone!”Zoe had no idea where her little girl learned to say this stuff, but it struck home and made her fall apart. She said with a sob, “Please look after her for a second, Mia.” Then, she opened the door and went out. She needed
“I can’t do that! Yanni’s important to me, but Zoe is equally important as well. The fact that I did so many wrongs by her just made it worse! I owe it to her!”…Mason paused a little before clenching his fist and continuing softly. “I know you still love her and that she used to have feelings for you…”Cecil cut him off and asked, “Why are you so generous all of a sudden?”Lowering his gaze, Mason smiled bitterly. Moments later, he turned around and said to Cecil, “Power and status was all I cared about in the past. I used to think that having a family of my own was nothing but a bonus. Never did I consider that I’d sacrifice myself just so my kid could live on. I could just as easily make another kid. Don’t you agree?“However, Zoe gave birth to Yanni because of me. “That’s why I love her.”…Mason didn’t specify who he was talking about and Cecil didn’t ask any further questions. He stopped fighting him on his decision because he could see the determination and courage i
Yanni was discharged from the hospital three days later. They returned to Kirk Manor and lived out the rest of the month peacefully. Both of them looked after Yanni together. When Mason had a social or business outing, he’d take Zoe along with him. It looked like they were an actual married couple.Neither of them brought up their painful history. Instead, they tried to put it past them. He knew this was his last few weeks with the people he loved.He told Zoe that he needed to work late into the night, but he’d make sure he came back home before Yanni’s bedtime. He’d bathe her, put on pyjamas for her, and wrap her in a warm blanket before letting her sleep on his chest. Underneath the warm glow of the night light, he’d tell her fairy tales until she slept. Afterward, he’d return to his study and resume his work. By the time he was done, it was past midnight. Both his wife and daughter were long asleep.It was enough for him to simply lie next to them. That was happiness for him
All of the love and hatred that they shared would cease to exist.This was the first time she leaned on his chest of her own accord. She proceeded to talk to him. Her voice was soft when she said, “Ella and Farley are going to get married at the end of the year. Yanni’s condition will have improved by then. I might take her back to Silvercrest to attend the ceremony. I’m wondering what kind of gift should I prepare for them.”He didn’t say anything about it. Brushing her hair, which was damp from the sweat, he chose to enjoy the quiet for a brief moment. She gave him some time. Her voice was a little strained when she spoke. “Are you going to attend the ceremony as well? Ella told me that you have some business dealings with Farley as of late.”Lowering his head, he stared at her intensely, “Do you want me to go?”Instead of answering his question, she ran her fingers across his dashing features and talked about Rosemary. “Rosemary is going to attend as well. After all, she was
“I’m going to make something warm to drink!”Mason didn’t reject his offer. He watched as his father hurried into the cramped kitchen and went about boiling water clumsily. The night breeze was a tad too strong, causing him to cough intermittently. All of a sudden, Mason asked, “Have you gone to see the doctor?”Westley’s body stiffened. Then, he responded softly, “I’ve had this cough for a long time. It’s no big deal, really! All it takes is some pill and I’ll feel better.”Mason knew he was lying. One look was all he needed to know that this condition had haunted his father for a long time. However, he didn’t press for more information. Instead, he started paging through the books on the couch. Westley proceeded to make some tea once the water was boiled. He was a little uneasy when he gave his son the cup of tea. He even smiled bitterly when he said, “I don’t have any better tea leaves. I’m sorry if you find it distasteful.”Mason took a sip and put the cup down.The old ma