Zachary gazed at her, his disappointment evident in his expression."Zachary, I need one more favor," Sasha stated, disregarding his mood. "Can you bring Lena here?""What's your plan?""What else?" Sasha sneered. "It's for a bone marrow compatibility test. Do you really expect me to be tested?""You—""What?"Zachary couldn't hold back any longer. "That child calls you her aunt! She's in a life-threatening situation, and you won't save her?""Aunt?" Sasha chuckled, her face unfeeling. "What kind of aunt am I? Besides, Lena is her aunt too! Why can't she provide bone marrow?""Sasha!""Don't lecture me about family!" Sasha glared at him. "I despise it when people use family to manipulate me. Zachary, let me tell you, only one of the twins can survive! So, who are you going to choose between me and Lena?"Zachary clenched his lips, his face reddening and veins pulsating on his forehead."You've seen me grow up." Sasha finally rose from the sofa and linked arms with him, her g
"Zachary, must you speak up for her?" Sasha's gaze turned icy. "Have you considered who you've raised since childhood?"Zachary paused and averted his gaze slowly. He had a stronger emotional bond with Sasha, having been with her since she was a child.However, there was a hurdle in his heart he couldn't cross, and that was Lena, the daughter of Krystal, his savior."Zachary, after my mom's last breakfast with me in Southeast Aciatic, she headed to Centrolis. She got caught by the police on her way back... Remember what she told you in prison?" Sasha knew this was Zachary's weak point and exploited it."Your mom told me to take care of you."Sasha lightly held his hand. "Zachary, you always talk about repaying kindness. Can't you fulfill my mom's request?""She asked me to take care of you, not to help you harm her other daughter!""You're wrong. My mom only has one daughter!" Sasha's eyes looked crazed. "Between me and her, only one can survive!""You..."Sasha sneered, pulle
Zachary gazed at Lena, overwhelmed by a surge of emotions welling up inside him.As he remained silent, fixated on her, Lena grew slightly perplexed. Sensing his unease, she decided to lead him away from the bustling crowd and handed him a bottle of water."Sir, did you get hurt when you fell just now?" she asked.Zachary responded with a smile. "I'm fine. But what about you? Others ignored my fall, yet you lent a helping hand."Lena hesitated briefly. "Well, you fell, so it was only natural to help."A meaningful glance from Zachary followed. "Aren't you worried I might accuse you? Didn't you notice? The people around hesitated to assist, and some even recorded the incident.""Perhaps there are a few conniving individuals in society who've tarnished common decency, but it doesn't mean everyone is malicious," Lena replied with a smile."Do you have faith in people?""I didn't use to."Lena sat beside Zachary, both of them gazing up at the sky. From this angle, she bore a strik
Chris held Lena's hand as they entered the hospital.Zachary stayed nearby, hidden in a corner, silently observing. He had mixed feelings.Character-wise, Lena resembled Krystal. They both had fiery tempers and seemed aloof on the surface but were genuinely passionate underneath.On the other hand, Sasha was different. Despite her outwardly friendly demeanor and knack for making friends, she harbored a cold and ruthless interior. She would exploit anyone or anything to achieve her goals.Zachary was in a dilemma. He felt sorry for Sasha because Krystal had been so engrossed in her business that she had neglected her daughter for years.Over the years, Sasha and Zachary had come to rely on each other. Therefore, regardless of the magnitude of Sasha's wrongdoing, he was unwilling to punish her.He let out a deep sigh and returned to Sasha. He recounted everything he had witnessed and heard that day and handed her a thick stack of photographs, the result of an investigation he had c
Zachary squinted, his face filled with melancholy as helplessness washed over him.Sasha picked up a photograph of herself with Chris and placed it next to her pillow. She looked at Zachary, her smile radiating happiness. "One day, I'll make this man lie next to me for real!""Sasha!""You'll give me your blessing, won't you?" she asked.Zachary gazed at her for a moment, and the light in his eyes gradually dimmed."You should give me your blessing if you treat me like your own daughter!" she pressed on.He sighed. "If you were truly my daughter, I'd never harm a hair on your head...""What?"His words were mumbled, making it hard for her to hear clearly. She looked at him, perplexed. Zachary walked over and affectionately patted her head, a reminiscent look in his eyes. At that moment, he recalled the time when Krystal had saved him many years ago.Krystal had also patted his head, wiping the blood from his forehead, and had asked with a mysterious smile, "Are you willing t
Lena had never frightened Nala, but everyone around her claimed otherwise.Just like the time when she had never encountered Lina at the hospital before, yet Lina insisted she had seen her there.She couldn't help but suspect she might be experiencing memory loss or a mental illness, similar to what Renee's mother had gone through with her split personality, turning her into someone else."Sis? Sis!" Alexander shook her hand. "What's going on?""Oh, nothing." After snapping back to her senses, she patiently explained, "I have no idea what happened, but many strange things have been occurring lately."He looked at Chris, who gave him the same explanation.Alexander was shocked. After a long pause, he half-jokingly remarked, "Sis, could there be another you in this world?""What are you suggesting?""How else can you explain this?"Lena was perplexed, and her concern deepened after hearing his words.Should she consult a psychiatrist?"Hey, sis!" Alexander's voice interrupted
Chris was stunned. His instincts as a special forces soldier kicked in, keeping him on high alert as a stranger approached. Instinctively, he pulled Lena back.The moment his gaze locked onto Zachary, the piercing intensity of their eye contact sent a jolt through Zachary's heart."May I know who this is?" Zachary asked.Lena introduced them with a warm smile, "He's my boyfriend, sir. Chris, this is the man I ran into the other day."Zachary spoke with a friendly smile before Chris could respond. "Your boyfriend is quite good-looking, miss. You two make a great couple."Chris, ever the gentleman, inquired, "Can we help you, sir?"Zachary hesitated for a moment before replying, "Oh… Young man, c-could you help me carry my bags upstairs?"Lena nodded in agreement with Zachary's request. Being a soldier trained in proper manners, Chris couldn't refuse a request from an elderly man. "Sure, sir. Where are your bags?"Zachary pointed to the trunk of a taxi nearby, which held only a s
Zachary said, "Miss, you haven't told me your name." "My name's Lena.""Lena," he muttered, abruptly halting his stride.Lena was taken aback. When she turned her gaze toward him, she immediately noticed that the kindly gentleman's countenance had changed.His eyes were now as cold and piercing as ice in the darkness.Before she could react, he swiftly produced a handkerchief he had prepared earlier and covered her mouth and nose."Mmph!" She instinctively resisted. Usually, she could easily overpower an elderly man like him, but she felt strangely feeble at that moment. Her eyelids grew heavy, and soon, her consciousness blurred. She began to slump, leaning on Zachary for support.He stood there motionless, only crouching down beside her after a prolonged pause. He finally dialed a number on his phone, confirming her unconscious state."Sasha... It's me. Come to the hospital right away and change into her clothes."-Chris had been waiting impatiently after delivering the b