Jackson knew Serenity had gone through hell in prison but did not understand the abuse she had suffered. Seeing her in pain gave him a better sense of what she had gone through. He was so breathless with the realization, and that made his heart ache. Filled with regret and anger, Jackson could not believe how he had stood by with cold eyes, watching her sentenced to prison, and how he had acquiesced in her torture. It was the first time he felt such pain and regret, stronger than anything he had ever felt.Yes. Jackson regretted it immensely. Kneeling on his feet, he held her hand and kissed her fingertips. "How I wish I could've fallen in love with you before you went to prison," Jackson rasped, his voice like a low rumble of a murmur carrying on the breeze. How he wished he could start all over again. If Jackson could turn back time, he would protect Serenity at all costs, not let her suffer from any pain. He would do everything to prove her innocence, not let her get accused
Mr. Smith returned home. Lucas hurried to the Smith Residence almost as soon as he got the news."Smith, where were you taken today?" Lucas had a look of anxiety on his face.Mr. Smith looked at Lucas and could not help but sigh. In all the years he had known the boy, it was the first time he had ever seen him so anxious. His anxiety was probably also because of that girl. "You're here for Serenity, right?"Lucas' eyes narrowed. "So, did you really go to treat Serenity's hand today?""That's right! It's the first time I got blindfolded like this!" Mr. Smith said, "There is a man. He has been staying with that girl. I think he is from the Valor family. Is he Jackson Valor?""Yes. It's Jackson," Lucas said, pursing his lips."It seems you've met your competition," Mr. Smith said. No matter who Serenity would love, Lucas would have a tough time pursuing Serenity. Lucas inquired, "Do you know where they took you?""I was blindfolded the whole time. The ride took about 20 minutes.
"Ah!" Serenity screamed, her eyes snapping open. She finally woke up and sat up from the bed, panting in fear. Another nightmare? Was it just a nightmare?!"What did you dream of?" A deep voice asked.Serenity looked up and met Jackson's eyes. "I-It's nothing!" Serenity blurted out. "It's late. Why are you in my room?""I couldn't sleep," Jackson said as he grabbed a tissue and gently wiped the sweat from her forehead. "You're full of sweat. You're sweating more than the treatment earlier. Did you dream about something in prison?"'He knew?' Serenity stiffened, looking at him with wide eyes, surprised."You were talking in your sleep. I guessed it from your intermittent speech," Jackson explained. Seeing the pain and helplessness in her sleep was precisely what made him more remorseful of the past.Serenity smiled at his words with a touch of bitterness. It was Jackson the last time. Serenity had heard him talking in his fevered dreams, calling out for his parents. This time, it
"Serenity, I want you to love me and only me. I'll love you more than anyone else…" Jackson murmured drowsily. Just holding her hand like this made him feel at ease.After a long silence, Serenity slowly turned to Jackson, looking at Jackson sleeping soundly on the floor.*** Serenity had no idea when she fell asleep. The last thing she remembered was Jackson's sleeping face, wondering if she had fallen asleep while staring at him the whole time.Serenity woke up only to find that Jackson was no longer in the room, which saved her the embarrassment.Serenity got out of bed and went to the washroom. After getting ready, she left her room and went downstairs, only to find Jackson in the kitchen preparing breakfast."You're up. Breakfast will be ready in a minute," Jackson said.Jackson kept himself busy in the kitchen. Jackson had prepared the meals for the past few days, except when he had a cold. Serenity had only prepared the food while Jackson was sick. She had not been aroun
"It's not that you can't fall in love with me. You're just afraid I'll hurt you again, right?" Jackson asked in a soft voice, almost like he could read Serenity's mind.Maybe Jackson was right. Maybe Serenity was afraid and no longer dared to love again. "Serenity, I won't hurt you again!" Jackson was no longer teasing her. His expression was dead serious. When Jackson rose and approached her, their eyes met, and his eyes were pinned to hers. "You don't believe me?" he asked."No one can promise this sort of future," Serenity said."You still don't believe me. I'll swear an oath to you.""There's no need to…" Before Serenity could finish her sentence, Jackson was already kneeling on one knee. "I, Jackson Valor, swear by God that I'll never hurt you again. If I ever make you cry again, I'll be in agony, pained to the bone," Jackson swore, his face solemn and full of devotion.Serenity's eyes were filled with shock. She gazed down, staring at him in bewilderment. She never tho
"What are you doing here?" Serenity looked at Lucas, surprised. As he got closer, she realized he seemed to have gotten thinner, his right hand still wrapped in a bandage."How's your hand?" Serenity thought of how Jackson had broken Lucas' hand earlier when he had taken her away. "I'm fine. It's nothing serious," Lucas said, making light of the matter. "What about you? It was hard to find this place. I couldn't find any clues until Jackson brought Mr. Smith here yesterday."Lucas was worried about her, and it was showing in his eyes. "Did he give you a hard time here?""No, he didn't." Serenity shook her head, but her expression changed as she thought about Jackson's behavior during the last few days she had spent with him.Lucas felt uneasy noticing the subtle change in her expression. He was unwilling to consider the possibilities that might become a reality."I'll take you away now," Lucas said, suddenly grabbing Serenity's hand in his left hand. "There's a very high level o
'What's going on?' Serenity wondered. "Unless I agree, no one can leave!" A cold voice said.Before Serenity could react, she heard the all-too-familiar voice and froze, realizing who had come. That was…. Jackson's voice!Standing behind Lucas, Serenity glanced up to see a tall figure standing not far away from them, and behind him stood a line of people. It felt almost like a trap. It was like he had been waiting all along, standing there."I was too careless," Lucas murmured coldly, looking at Jackson, who was not far away. "Did you deliberately bring Mr. Smith here? Just to lure me here?" If Jackson had not brought Mr. Smith here, it would not have been so easy for Lucas to find this place!Jackson did not answer Lucas. Instead, he pinned his gaze to Serenity. "Serenity. Are you going to leave with Lucas? Even after I promised to give you my all?"Serenity watched as Jackson approached, stepping closer to her. She sensed danger seeing the ice-cold fury in his eyes. There was
"Maybe," Lucas said without flinching.Jackson and Lucas, both powerful and influential men in Solaria, were confronting each other for Serenity. "If Serenity has no intention of staying, I'll take her away at all costs!" Lucas declared."Then I'll break your other hand as well." As Jackson spoke, he struck, his hand snatching out to grab Lucas' wrist.Lucas had been well-prepared, immediately dodging the attack. The two men fought, but Lucas was at a disadvantage. He was less agile because of his injured right hand.Jackson soon pinned Lucas in place, grabbing Lucas' hand. Jackson intended to break Lucas' uninjured left hand in his grasp. Just as he was about to break it, Serenity rushed forward and grabbed Jackson's hand with all her might. "Stop it! Don't hurt him again! Please!" Jackson had a sour look on his face. "And if I insist?""Must you break his hand? Does that really mean nothing to you?!" Serenity questioned, remembering what Jenny and Zeke had done to her. They