"Mary has been regretting all this time. She's actually kept you in her heart all along..." Serenity said."Don't mention her again," he interrupted, "I don't want to hear about her anymore."Serenity hesitated and ultimately dropped the topic.Back at Valor Residence, both children were already asleep. Serenity and Jackson returned to the bedroom. As Jackson changed out of his clothes, the scar on his chest caught her eye.Her heart twinged again. The scar was so prominent, a reminder of the injuries he had suffered.With today's medical technology, such scars could easily be removed with laser treatment. Yet, he chose to keep it. It was a reminder of the harm his mother had caused him, right?"Jack, are you really happy like this?" Serenity asked abruptly."What?" he turned to look at her.She walked up to him, gently running her fingers over the scar on his chest. "You've never really let go of the past. Are you truly happy?"He tensed, his gaze complex as he looked at he
However, Serenity continued to hold onto Jackson tightly. She deepened the kiss as if this moment was everything to her.After what seemed like an eternity, the kiss finally ended. By that time, she was thoroughly soaked."What's wrong?" Jackson asked, wiping the water droplets off Serenity's face."It's just... I suddenly felt the urge to tell you that I love you!" Serenity said. Her petite chin, delicate nose bridge, and almond-shaped eyes glistened with moisture. Her rosy lips were slightly parted, and they appeared alluring and endearing. If anyone saw her, one wouldn't imagine she was the mother of three children."You ran in here just to tell me you love me?" He chuckled, finding her behavior somewhat surprising."Yeah," she said.She slid her fingers gently over his eyebrows, the corners of his eyes, his nose bridge, and finally stopped on his lips. "Jack, I want you to know that you're the one I love the most."She cupped his face as he carried her out of the bathr
Serenity murmured, "Yeah, I wouldn't want to."She quickly finished preparing the beef and vegetable soup, then the two of them sat at the dining table. Jackson fetched the utensils, and they began to eat."Jack, do you trust me?" Serenity suddenly asked."As long as you don't betray me, I will always trust you," Jackson replied.Serenity's hand tightened around her spoon."What if... one day, I'm forced to betray you? If, for many reasons, an accidental betrayal occurs, would you..." She bit her lip, struggling to continue. "would you forgive me?""What if I don't forgive you?" he continued to eat the soup she had made as he answered casually.Her fingers suddenly slackened, and the spoon fell with a clatter onto the table.He looked up, glanced at the spoon, then back at her face. "What's wrong? Surprised by what I said?"Surprised?Yes. Serenity had to admit that she was."In this world, anyone can betray me. Connor, Elliot, and even the kids. But only you, Serenity... Yo
This time, Serenity didn't call for a driver but drove herself to the destination.As she arrived, Jackson's men seemed quite surprised to see her. "Madam, what brings you here?" one of them questioned."I've come to check on Edward and Mary. Is there a problem?" Serenity countered."But, Sir...""If Jack hadn't told me that Edward and Mary were here, how could I have found this place? Step aside!" Serenity snapped.Knowing Serenity's significance in Jackson's heart, the men didn't dare say much and moved aside.After entering the rundown apartment, Serenity found Edward sitting on a chair by the bed, holding Mary's hand tightly. His head bobbed up and down with obvious signs of exhaustion.Mary lay on the shabby bed. She seemed asleep but was clearly restless. Her face was flushed, and she was breathing heavily. Her forehead was also covered in sweat.Serenity quickly reached out to touch Mary's forehead, feeling the alarming heat. Her action startled Edward, who woke up abr
"Mary, you need to go to the hospital first. After you recover from your fever, you can ask him yourself," Serenity advised."Okay, okay, I... I'll ask him myself after I get better!" Mary mumbled before passing out again.Serenity and Edward exchanged glances, then carefully carried Mary out of the apartment.However, as soon as they stepped outside, the guards assigned to watch Mary stopped them."Mrs. Valor, Mr. Klein can leave anytime, but Mr. Valor did not give permission for, um... for his wife to leave!" one of the guards said."I'm taking Mary to the hospital right now. Step aside, all of you!" Serenity insisted."I'm sorry, but we cannot let you pass," the guard insisted.Serenity took a determined step forward. "Mrs. Valor, please don't make this difficult," the guard warned."I'm Mrs. Valor, the mistress of the Valor family, and I'm taking her away. If anything happens, I will take full responsibility. But if you continue to hinder us and if anything happens to Mar
Her hands tightly gripped the steering wheel, her palms growing sweaty. It had been a while since she felt this level of anxiety while driving. Her heart raced, and a constant unease lingered within her.Would Jack forgive her?He had always said that anyone could betray him, but not her.And yet, she had betrayed him. For Mary's sake, she actually... The images of him savoring the vegetable beef soup she made, and of him sleeping soundly in bed surfaced in Serenity's mind, causing a pang in her heart.Stop dwelling on it, she silently admonished herself. The most important thing now was to get Edward and Mary out of Solaria.Once they reached the highway entrance, she could pass Edward and Mary onto the person who helped her locate Mary. Everything would be alright then.As the car gradually approached the highway entrance, Serenity could already make out the familiar sign up ahead.However, as they drew closer, she froze. Her foot slowly released the accelerator, and her han
"No, that's not it, I did it because..." She attempted to explain, but he gently pressed his finger against her lips, silencing her.Her eyes widened as she watched him retrieve a talisman and a bottle of pills from his pocket.The talisman was the one Lucas gave her. The address on it helped her find Edward and Mary. The bottle contained the sleeping pills she used to drug the vegetable beef soup. But he was supposed to be asleep. Why was he standing in front of her right now?"For Mary, you sought help from Lucas' contact and drugged me. Is this how you love me?" He toyed with the two items in his hand.Serenity's face turned pale, and her throat felt constricted. So he knew everything! Or perhaps, everything was under his control all along?"I replaced the pills in this bottle with regular vitamins, so naturally, I didn't fall asleep as you intended. As for the person helping you..." Jackson's gaze shifted to the side, and it was then that Serenity noticed the person who was su
This was the biggest compromise he could make. Serenity bit her lip tightly, then asked, "What if... I choose not to go back with you?"His eyes darkened, and his voice grew colder. "Are you sure you want to do this?""Jack, Mary's fever can’t be ignored any longer. She has to return to Latveria or she will die! I can't just watch her die!" she expressed in anguish."So you choose to continue hurting me?" he asked softly."I'm sorry, I'm so sorry..." Those were the only words she could offer at the moment. Not daring to meet his gaze again, she turned around, rushed back to the car, and started the engine.She had to take Mary back to Latveria; she couldn't let her die!"Can we leave, Serenity?" Edward asked anxiously."I'll give it a try," Serenity replied, although she wasn't entirely confident. Ahead, at the highway entrance, stood Jack, and roadblocks had been set up behind him. Could she really break through the roadblocks?Jackson remained motionless, observing Serenity