Serenity continued walking forward with her bodyguard faithfully following behind her.Serenity had just reached the entrance of the hospital when she heard a voice call out from behind, "Serenity, Serenity!"With a slight frown, Serenity turned around to see Zeke Shaw hurrying over. But before he could reach Serenity, the bodyguard blocked his path."Serenity, I...I have something I want to say to you!" said Zeke."Very well, go ahead," replied Serenity, signaling to her bodyguard who then withdrew his arm."Did you pay off my mother's medical bills and also put $15,000 in her account?" Zeke asked."Yes," Serenity admitted."Why? Shouldn't you hate me and my family?""I did hate you once, but now, the feeling has faded and I don't really feel anything about you anymore. I only paid your mother's bills to clear the debts between us," Serenity said emotionlessly.A mix of embarrassment, bitterness and regret welled up in Zeke's heart - a feeling he couldn't quite describe. It w
He couldn't help but want to take a few more steps forward, to get closer to her, but the bodyguard beside her simply blocked his path again by raising his hand.Zeke stared at the hand in front of him - she was so near, yet so far that he couldn't reach her. He once thought he could be with her against his family's wishes, but in the end, he crushed his pure feelings for her with his own hands."Serenity... I really did love you once. I really did," Zeke murmured, his hand still reaching out yet unable to reach Serenity.Serenity gazed quietly at this man before her - not yet 40 but looking so weathered. Even after hearing what he said, her heart remained still without a ripple. "Zeke, I wish I've never been loved by you."After saying that, Serenity turned and left, the bodyguard following behind. Zeke faltered, standing rooted as her figure eventually disappeared from view.She said she would not forgive him, that she wished to have never been loved by him! In his life, he had
“Let me go! Are you trying to rob me in broad daylight?” Jenny struggled angrily.Her cries drew attention from passersby in the hospital. Zeke had also rushed over upon seeing his sister surrounded by a group of men. “What do you guys think you're doing?!”“She took photos she shouldn’t have and she won’t hand them over, so this is how it has to be,” one of the men replied.“What photos? Who are you people?! Let go of my sister!” Zeke shouted fiercely.A chilling voice then cut in from behind Zeke, freezing his blood instantly. “They're my men. They won't let go if I don't tell them to.”That voice... it's Jackson Valor! The man who easily orchestrated the Shaw family’s downfall, the man Serenity loved, and the most untouchable figure in the city!Zeke turned around slowly to find the onlookers mysteriously gone, replaced by security guards blocking the perimeter under Jackson’s command. As expected of Jackson Valor! He could even order the hospital's security guards around. I
Zeke's pupils constricted. "You...heard what I said to her?"Jackson's face remained indifferent. "So what if I did? If you dare appear before her again spouting such nonsense or trying to reconnect with her, I will make your suffering a thousand times worse."Jackson's voice was deep and pleasing to the ear, yet it chilled Jenny to her core like the Grim Reaper's summons. She paled in terror, yet her brother smiled wryly in the face of the threat."So you were nearby the whole time, huh, Jackson Valor? Yet when I spoke with Serenity, you didn't show yourself – what are you hesitant about? Or should I ask, what are you afraid of?"Jackson's eyes darkened with fury."What, are you afraid that Serenity and I would rekindle old flames?"Jackson instantly gripped Zeke's collar savagely, choking him. "Rekindle old flames? Don't flatter yourself." Jackson scoffed, his menace thickening. "If not for saving Serenity's life, do you think you could stand here talking to me?"His breat
Serenity was in her bedroom getting changed to pick up her two children from kindergarten when Jackson came home, much to her surprise."Why are you home so early?" she asked, buttoning up her blouse."I didn't have much to do at work today, so I decided to come home early," Jackson replied, stepping closer to help with the buttons she was doing up. "Let me help you."Her face reddened slightly from his attention. Even though he had often helped her change her clothes lately, his intent gaze never failed to stir her heartbeat and make her blush.He admired the bloom in her cheeks - a reaction he alone could elicit.His long fingers deftly fastened each button as he enquired casually, "What did you do today?""I went to the hospital," Serenity answered. "Zeke Shaw's mother was hospitalized for a kidney problem. She already accrued over $3000 in medical bills and needs $15,000 more for further treatment. I transferred the money into her account.""I see," Jackson replied with his
It must have been a flashback of Jackson triggering the device.Master Zack's recording clearly stated that once the device was pressed, it would explode when time ran out, but Jackson focused solely on comforting her despite imminent danger to himself."I will handle any matters regarding Zeke Shaw from now on, so please don't contact or see him and his family again," Jackson said between gentle kisses to her lips.Still lost in recollection, Serenity was jolted back by a sting on her neck. Beneath Jackson's sea-like gaze, she grew self-conscious. "What are you thinking about?" he looked right into her eyes and asked, noting that she was clearly lost in thought.He mentioned Zeke Shaw just now, so was she dwelling on her earlier conversation with him? Was she reminiscing about their past?"Nothing," she assured him hastily. "I'm just thinking that you're right. If you were there, you would have fought to protect me.""Then, can you promise not to meet with Zeke Shaw or anyon
Fortunately, Jacqueline didn't ask further, and instead turned her head to whisper with Micah.Serenity noticed that the two siblings had often spoken in hushed tones like this for the past week, as if they had little secrets. However, she didn't mind it. After all, siblings sharing secrets meant that they're bonding well. She was initially afraid that they wouldn't get along since they had been apart since infancy.Moreover, Micah wasn't a very friendly kid.It warmed Serenity's heart to see the two children get along."Do you really not feel hot?" Jackson's voice sounded in Serenity's ear. She turned her head, and her lips almost brushed against his cheek.Embarrassed, she insisted "I... I don't!" Right now, they were standing so close that Serenity could clearly see his every eyelash and the reflection of herself in his pupils. Their breaths mingled as one."Really?" he smiled knowingly. She cleared her throat and reminded him meaningfully, "Next time, um... be more careful.
When the performance came to an end, many people around them applauded. But Jacquelin looked at the little boy with confusion. She approached him, asking, "Why did you play bad on purpose when you can clearly play well?"This remark immediately drew the attention of the adults nearby, one of whom said, "What are you saying, little girl? He played beautifully!""That's right, he played well. This is a difficult piece. Even those who have practiced for many years would still find it hard to play it that well!""But he clearly played poorly on purpose," insisted Jacqueline. She stared right at the little boy, intent on discerning the truth.The boy ignored her, preparing to leave. Swiftly, Jacqueline grabbed his hand and pleaded, "Can you play it again? This time, play it properly. Don't play poorly on purpose."He scowled, wishing to pull away, but Jacqueline held on tight.Serenity was about to ask her daughter to let go when another tiny figure sprinted towards Jacqueline and th