‘This is how we can be together for an eternity, Maddox.’…Silence hung over the center courtyard. By the time Gladys made her way here, the crowd was muttering amongst themselves. The old servant had a sinking feeling in her stomach. Working her way through the crowd, she finally saw Maddox and his wife in a pool of blood. She couldn’t take such a heartbreaking and grisly sight. Falling to her knees, she stared at the young couple and said in a choked-up voice, “It’s Maddox and his wife! It’s really them.”Holly waved her arms in the air and continued to wail at the top of her lungs. The old servant swooped the baby up gently while tears flowed down her withered cheeks. “I recognize this jade. You’re Maddox’s daughter!”It was so excruciatingly painful that it felt like someone had stabbed her through the heart. Holding the baby in her arms, she said shakily, “Oh, my sweet child. Let’s take a last look at your mom and dad. You won’t be able to see them again after today
Kim nodded. “Leave it to me, Ms. Gwynn!”After a brief moment, Gwynn said in a daze. “Find a nice, cozy place and bury them together. I want these engravings on his tombstone. ‘Here lies Gwynn’s loving protector, Maddox. Loving husband to Hailey.’ I’ll take their daughter to visit them every year on their death anniversary.”…Gwynn attended Maddox and Hailey’s funeral. Carrying Holly in her arms, Gladys and Kim supported her from both sides. She said before their tombstones, “Don’t worry, guys. I’m going to take good care of Holly and raise her until she’s all grown up.”There was a picture of Maddox and Hailey embedded in the tombstone. It was a happy picture, and they both had big smiles on their faces.…Kim finally managed to call her director. It had already been three days since Gwynn received the cornea transplant. She no longer understood who was more important to Noah. Was it his wife or Ms. Gianna? She was calling now because she wanted to tell him what happened
Noah was about to say something, but the Gerlandian doctor came over with a stack of X-rays in his hand. “I’d like a word with you, Mr. Noah. It’s about Ms. Gianna’s condition.”So, he responded to Kim, “I’ll call Gwynn in a while.”Then, he hung up. Kim couldn’t help but curse at her director.…Things were looking grim for Gianna. The doctor said it wasn’t plausible to surgically remove her uterus. Simply put, she had no chance of surviving the cancer. The Gerlandian doctor said gloomily, “By my estimation, she only has three more months left to live. Stay by her side while you still can, Mr. Noah!”After the doctor left, Noah stood by the window with a phone in one hand and a cigar in the other. However, the cigar wasn’t lit. Gianna hugged him from behind, sniffing his scent longingly. It was fine if he refused to sleep with her, as long as he kept her company. They looked just like a married couple. She was about to die, but she wasn’t scared at all. That was becau
Gwynn picked up the phone after a brief moment.They didn’t utter a single word for a long time. All they could hear was each other’s light breathing. They were supposed to be a married couple. However, it felt as if they were starting to not recognize each other’s breath. Noah broke the silence. “How’s the recovery going?”The night was as cold as it felt in winter. Gwynn spoke dryly in Francorian, “I think Kim has filled you in on what's been going on here. I’m recovering very well. I’ve got Maddox’s corneas and regained my sight… As for him, he jumped off the hospital building and died. His wife followed him into death not long after.“I know you’ll be bothered by the fact that I’ll always have his corneas the next time we meet each other.“I don’t think this is something you can live with!“That’s why I’m asking for a divorce, Noah! Once you’re free from the bonds of marriage, you’ll be able to treat Gianna the way she deserves. You can love her and even marry her for all I
The pediatrician used his stethoscope to listen to Holly’s heartbeat and breathing.After a brief moment, he tucked it away and said, “She probably caught a cold and has a mild case of pneumonia. It’s not that serious. She’ll be right as rain once I prescribe her some medicine.”The word ‘pneumonia’ unnerved the old servant.She asked gingerly, “Should we hook her up to an IV drip? The other children get it when they have pneumonia.”He smiled. “It’s not that serious.”He was aware of Holly’s tragic background. Reaching out, he brushed his fingers on her cheeks tenderly, and said to Gwynn, “If it’s possible, feed her some breast milk, Ms. Gwynn. That’ll help the baby girl build up her immune system.”Gwynn nodded. “Okay.”Carrying Holly in her arms, she soothed the baby tenderly. Tears filled the doctor’s eyes. He hid it in a cough and said, “I’m going to prescribe her some medicine now.”She asked the old servant to follow the doctor. After weeks of attentive care, Holly sta
Gwynn looked glum. …Kim opened the door and came in.Gwynn was standing by the window, gazing out wordlessly. Once she heard the sound of the door opening, she said softly, “I want to fly to Gerlandia, Kim. Can you arrange it for me? Also, I don’t want Noah to know about it.”Kim hesitated a little. After all, she was Noah’s assistant. She worked for him, but she was being asked to do something that was as good as a betrayal to him. After a brief moment, she smiled miserably. “I guess I can always look for another job.” Being the efficient lady that she was, she booked the earliest flight available for Gwynn and gave the latter Noah’s address in Gerlandia. Before Gwynn left, Kim packed some Gerlandian notes in her suitcase. “Digital wallets aren't common in Gerlandia. It’d be wise to have some cash in the local currency with you.”Gladys also prepared some pre-packed food for her. She was concerned that her mistress couldn’t get used to Gerlandian food. Worried, she said
Gwynn looked much healthier now, and had regained much of her former figure.She was still quite skinny, but there was flesh where there should be on her body. Even her skin was restored to its former glory. Dressed in a form-fitting dress, she looked slender and curvaceous.Noah stared at her for a long time. It felt as if it had been centuries since he had last seen her. The personnel from the wedding boutique asked again, “We’re going to hang your wedding photo here, Mr. Noah. Does it look fine for you?”Coming back to his senses, he took brisk steps toward Gwynn instinctively. Grabbing her slender wrist, he spoke in a hushed voice because he knew he was in the wrong this time. “We’ll talk outside.”“Why do we have to talk outside?”Shaking his hand off, she swept her eyes across the living room. Noticing the extravagant architectural style, she chuckled softly, “Is it because this is where you hide your mistress? Are you ashamed of it?”Then, her chuckle turned into a s
Out of nowhere, he recalled the way Gwynn’s body shook when they first kissed. Back then, her eyes were filled with nothing but love when she looked at him. Now, however, her eyes were brimming with unfeeling coldness. Gwynn said softly, “Why didn’t you slap me? Why didn’t you do what’s right by your beloved mistress?”He simmered down and was calm again.Just as he was about to speak, she raised the same vase and smashed his head with all her might. She didn’t pull back at all. She really meant to kill him. She’d simply go to jail if he was dead. No big deal. Kim was going to find Holly and she had faith the assistant would make arrangements for both of her kids’ future.A cold, unsympathetic smile crept up on her face. Her voice was extremely hoarse when she said, “I wish you two scumbags would stay forever and ever with each other!”Ignoring his bleeding head, he grabbed her slender wrist and pulled her into his arms. Staring into her eyes, he found that he no longer rec