But Jackson, owing to self-deception or willful blindness, would rather believe everything she said and even consider her lies as the truth. Her lies seemed to be exposed only when it came to the time to choose and the inevitable tests in life, making it impossible for him to continue the self-deception."I'll stay here tonight. Leave me alone and go home," Jackson said coldly, but as he felt a pair of hands wrap around him from behind, his body stiffened.Serenity hugged Jackson, pressing her face against his back. Jackson heard her voice ringing in his ears. "I won't plead for Mary anymore, but Jack, you should know that Edward and Mary have helped me a lot. You don't understand how hard it was for me to find a living in a city I'm unfamiliar with. I felt so helpless without any memory of the past, and I had a child with me. It wasn't until I met Edward and Mary that I could finally catch my breath and take a break."After a pause, she hugged him tighter, mustering the courage
Jackson realized Serenity's exposed skin was cold after staying outside the whole night. He urged, "Get some sleep. I'll wake you up when we reach home.""Jack… Will you disappear from my sight again?" Serenity was a little worried he would leave without a word again. It was only by chance that she had found him this time."I won't," Jackson promised. "Now sleep."Relief flooded through Serenity, and as she fluttered her eyes closed, the exhaustion suddenly hit her hard, putting her to sleep.Thoughts clouded Jackson as he stared at the sleeping Serenity next to him. The car drove up the road, and soon, they were back home. Jackson did not wake Serenity up. He carried her back to the bedroom and gently put her in bed. "Serenity, I can never forgive that woman. So please don't ever plead for her again." Jackson made a low sigh, a pleading note mixed in his warning.-When Lisa met Serenity, she noticed the worried look on her friend's face. "What's wrong? Did something happen?"
"But have you thought about the future? What if Terry finds out about the child one day? What if he wants the child?" Serenity asked.Lisa immediately replied, "The child is mine! I won't give my child to anyone!""But he can file a lawsuit to get the child's custody," Serenity said, reminding Lisa of Wilson and Clara's case. "Did you forget how Wilson sued Clara and tried to fight for Yanny's custody?"Lisa's face paled, and she stopped eating her dessert. "Can he… Possibly win the child's custody?""If he's serious about it and gets the best lawyer to help him, there's at least a fifty percent chance he'll get custody when the kid turns two," Serenity stated.Lisa gritted her teeth, clenching her hands into fists. Serenity sighed. "Things might get ugly, Lisa. I'll do all I can to help, but… Why did it come to this? I thought you were planning to start over with him?""We can't start over. Terry never loved me," Lisa said, bitter about the relationship. "He told me he never
"Well, don't overthink. When it comes down to it, I'll help," Serenity reassured.After dropping Lisa off at home, Serenity contacted an experienced private investigator she knew from her time as a lawyer in Latveria."Help me investigate Monica Hart from the Hart Company. I want to know what she's been up to since her official break up with Terry White and the press conference to call off the wedding," Serenity told the investigator. She thought she had to check it out to put her mind at ease.Serenity only contacted the investigator to look into Monica's history. She wanted to know about Edward and Mary's whereabouts, but she knew the investigator would not be able to help, especially when Jack wanted to hide their whereabouts. Serenity came to the Valor Group building, wanting to meet Jackson. When she was about to reach Jackson's office, she saw Connor striding toward Jackson's office with a stack of documents in his hands."Connor!" Serenity called out to him. Connor stopp
Jackson was in his office, reviewing the paperwork at hand. When Serenity came in, he heard the noise and glanced up to find Serenity in his office. "What brings you here?" asked Jackson."Where is Edward and Mary?" Serenity questioned."What? Are you here to question me?" he said, and she could see his eyes getting cold."Mary has a fever. At her age, a little fever can cause all sorts of illnesses. I know you want Mary to atone for her sins, but Jack, you should get a doctor for her first," Serenity urged.Jackson stood up and walked over to her. "What? You think I'm holding them hostage?""Aren't you?" Serenity asked in reply."I got them a quiet place, allowing that woman to repent. Edward is free to leave at any time. As for the woman I once called Mom… She can leave, but she'll end up in prison right after she leaves." Jackson leaned down as he spoke, giving Serenity a smirk, almost as though he was mocking her gently.Serenity's breath hitched. She suddenly understood why
Staring into the darkness, Serenity watched and listened to the sound around her. Someone seemed to be sobbing. Who was it? Someone was crying, but who?Serenity tried to tear away the blinding darkness, and at last, she found a small child sobbing in the darkness. The small child was lovely—he had fair skin, his delicate features and beautiful eyes strangely attractive and doll-like.Was the boy Micah? No. Not Micah. Jack! Was this Jack as a child? The boy wore the same clothes she had seen in Jack's photo album as a child!Desperately Serenity ran forward and took the little boy in her arms. "Don't cry, Jack. Don't cry!" She heard her own voice say, and the next moment, she heard the boy's voice muttering, "Ouch! It hurts!"'It hurts?' Serenity became anxious. "Where do you hurt?" She saw blood oozing out of his chest as the crimson-red stain continued to expand. It was blood! Jack was bleeding!Serenity reached out almost uncontrollably, pressing her hand on his chest. She trie
Mary had a fever! But right now, she had no idea what the situation was, let alone where Edward and Mary were!Just then, someone said, "Was it a nightmare?"Serenity suddenly trembled, feeling a shadow looming over her. She stared blankly at the person in front of her.It was Jack!But at this moment, the room was dimly lit. She could only vaguely make out his silhouette and was unable to see his expression clearly."What did you dream about?" he asked."Nothing... I don't really remember," she replied vaguely.Really? His gaze flickered slightly in the dim light as he gently touched her cheek, knowing full well what she had dreamt about.She dreamt about him and about that woman and Edward, right?Jackson heard her calling his name in her dreams, along with Edward and... that woman!"Sorry for waking you up. I'll go wash my face," Serenity said as she pulled back the covers. She got out of bed and headed to the bathroom.She closed the bathroom door behind her and look
"Are you worried about her?" Jackson asked instead of replying to her question."She once took care of me. I can't be completely indifferent," Serenity replied.He raised his hand and gently brushed her swollen eyes. "But even if you know her condition now, what's the point?""Jack, if you really want to get revenge against Mary, at least get her a doctor. Otherwise, with such a high fever at her age, she might lose her life," Serenity said.Jackson suddenly chuckled. "She's just 'might' lose her life, but my father... He actually lost his life! And Serenity, do you know what real revenge is? She just has a fever right now!"I didn't have someone turn her into a bloody mess. I didn't cut off her tongue, gouge out her eyes, or break all her limbs. I'm already quite merciful. What more do you want from me?"If it weren't for Serenity, he might have made that woman suffer even more!Serenity gasped in shock as she looked at the person before her.Jackson gently brushed the hair