She wondered how the public would react if they found out that she treated Jackson Valor and Lucas Gomez, two of the most important people in Solaria, to a $378 meal.It sounded ridiculous even to Serenity!By the time Serenity reached her apartment, she was exhausted.She quickly took a shower and went to bed.It wasn't her body that was tired, but her mind.She never expected Lucas to tell her that he loved her. Unfortunately, she couldn't reciprocate the love.Besides, even if Lucas truly loved her now, who knew how long it would last? A few months? A year or two?She didn't want to fall in love anymore. The pain of falling in love and then being dumped was too much to bear.Serenity was able to get back on her feet twice, but she didn't know if she could do it a third time.She closed her eyes and emptied her thoughts. She eventually managed to fall asleep.Suddenly, she was jolted awake by an urgent knock at the door. She checked the time and saw that it was past 10pm. S
Serenity glared at Connor, expecting him to take Jackson back.Connor, however, looked back at Serenity with a wry smile and said, "Umm... I'll have to trouble you to take care of him for the night, Miss Lewis. I'll pick him up in the morning. If you need anything during the night, feel free to call me."Connor placed his business card on a low cabinet by the door before thoughtfully helping Serenity close the door.Serenity immediately felt a sense of powerlessness. It appeared that Connor was determined to keep Jackson here for the night.But... she had to stay with him alone all night? She didn't know what other choice she had. She gritted her teeth and brought him to the bed...Connor got into the car, took one last look at the door, and let out a long sigh.He hadn't seen Mr. Valor get drunk in years. Mr. Valor had always been a disciplined and rational man.It was for this reason that he was able to endure Master Zack's harsh training and eventually take over the Valor fam
And later, after she fell in love with him, the wish to protect him became even stronger.Even though she knew that he was a powerful man and that his abilities were far superior to hers, she still wanted to do everything she could to protect him.If he felt insecure, she would do everything she could to make him feel safe. She would love him wholeheartedly and let him know how much he meant to her.But what happened afterwards made her realize that everything she did was nothing but a joke.He never needed her protection.To him, she was nothing more than a pawn.With a bitter smile, Serenity bent down and took off the shoes from Jackson's feet. She would just sleep on the couch.She reached for the blanket to cover him up. Because the bed leaned against one of the walls and the blanket was currently pushed against the wall, she had to reach across his body to grab the blanket.While she was doing that, Jackson suddenly opened his eyes.His pitch-black eyes were flooded with
"You... don't want me too?" He seemed to be having a hard time saying those words.Want him? Serenity found that word funny.He was Jackson Valor. Who was she to want a man like him?"You're drunk. Let me up, it's getting late..."He suddenly moved his face even lower, cutting her short. The tip of his nose was almost touching the tip of her nose now. "Drunk..." Serenity couldn't tell whether he was smiling or crying."Serenity, I'm not drunk, my mind is crystal clear..."His scent was all around her. He said he wasn't drunk, but if he wasn't, he wouldn't be saying something like that."Please don't abandon me," he murmured, his voice hoarse. His dark, pain-filled eyes looked like they were pleading.It was as if her promise meant the world to him.Knowing full well that he was drunk at the moment and that he might not even remember what she said tomorrow morning, Serenity still couldn't help but say, "Why are you saying these things to me, Jackson? You're asking me not to a
But the pain she was bracing herself for never arrived.She tentatively opened her eyes and saw him looking at her hand intently. He asked softly, "Does it hurt?"A wave of emotions that even she couldn't describe washed over her, making her nose turn slightly stuffy.He always gave her the illusion that he cherished her, but the truth was, he could dump her anytime without any hesitation!"Jackson Valor, if you don't love me, then don't kiss me! And don't ask me whether the hand that slapped you hurt! It'll only make me feel disgusted!"She glared at him and forcefully pulled her hand back from his fingers.Her long hair was in disarray. Her face alternated between pale and flushed. A few strands of hair fell messily onto her cheeks. Her dark, almond-shaped eyes were full of anger.Jackson's face paled. His body swayed unsteadily, and a nauseous feeling suddenly came over him. Covering his mouth with his hand, he staggered off the bed and headed for the bathroom.Soon after th
"If it makes you feel better, you can just pretend that I don’t care about you," she said. Using practically all of her strength, she helped him up from the tiled bathroom floor and half-dragged him over to the bed so he could lie down.He was obviously in great discomfort. He curled up like a shrimp on the bed. His pretty face was contorted in pain. His teeth were chattering, and his hands were holding his stomach.Serenity suddenly recalled that time he had a stomach cramp. Was he suffering from gastric pain again?It's possible. After all, he drank a lot of wine today. Moreover, before he started drinking with Lucas, he... didn't eat any food, did he? She didn't see him eat anything."Are you having a stomach ache?" she asked.His lips tightened and he didn't answer. His eyes kept staring at her."Should I call Connor and have him pick you up and take you to the hospital?" she asked."No," he finally opened his mouth and said with some difficulty, "I thought... you don't love
Serenity... Serenity...Why was his mind filled with her name, her voice and her face at a time like this?Why did her rejection make him despair?He felt like a drowning man losing his last straw!The pain... it hurt so much that he could barely breathe!He heard the door open. He heard footsteps. He heard the sound of things being put down.Had she returned? Once again, she went out in the middle of the night to purchase medicine for him, just like back in the old rental house.That time, when he opened his eyes and saw her, he felt a throb in his heart for the first time ever.Was that the moment he fell in love with her? "Here, take this medicine. It'll make you feel better," her voice echoed in his ears as she helped him sit up.He could smell her scent. He slowly opened his eyes. Her calm and pretty face was in front of him, and he suddenly felt a little less lonely. Every cell in his body told him that he desired her! He wanted her to stay by his side, just like thi
Jackson did not know how much time had passed, but after a while, the pain in his stomach gradually eased.He slowly climbed out of bed and approached Serenity.She was breathing evenly, so she was probably asleep.He leaned down, enduring the discomfort, and carefully lifted her up. He carried her to the bed, put her down and tucked her in gently.His eyes lingered on her face.Earlier, a thought flitted past his mind... If things were truly over between him and her for good, he... might not be able to go on living!He would have lost his reason to go on living!A self-deprecating smile appeared at the corner of his mouth. It appeared that... she was still in control of his life and death after all!He thought by breaking up with her, he could take back control of his own life and she would not be able to influence him anymore. He did not want to commit the same mistake his father did – giving up his life after being betrayed by a woman.However, in the end, he realized that