The kidnappers were caught just as they were about to board a ship. Now, they were kneeling on the ground, trembling.“M-Mr. Paxton, this has nothing to do with us! That woman– She jumped on her own!”Sam’s expression darkened. He took two quick steps forward, grabbing the kidnapper by the collar, his teeth clenched. “What did you just say?”“The woman who was left behind… She jumped off the cliff herself…” the kidnapper stammered, his whole body shaking as if terrified of taking the blame.Paxton felt his legs go weak. His heart sank.“Who sent you?”Sam’s hand tightened around the kidnapper’s throat, his voice trembling despite himself. The kidnapper hesitated, struggling to form an answer.“Speak!”“I-It was… Miss Summers…”Sam’s grip tightened. The kidnapper’s face turned red as he struggled for air.Miss Summers was Georgina. The mention of the name left Sam and Paxton so stunned that they lost their balance..“That’s impossible…” Paxton muttered, his eyes dazed.Sam l
Georgina screamed hysterically, her beautiful eyes filled with hatred.Paxton suddenly let go of her wrist, and without his support, she stumbled and fell to the ground.“Yeah, Sam and I used to like you,” he said coldly. “But how did you respond? You rejected us both. You left us behind and ran off to another country to look for someone else. So why can’t I fall for someone new?“Did you really expect Sam and me to wait for you forever?”After turning them down, Georgina left for her studies abroad and cycled through boyfriends like they were nothing. She enjoyed watching the two men fight over her, fully convinced that Sam and Paxton would stay loyal, untouched by anyone else.“Georgina, who do you think you are?”Sam’s voice suddenly cut through the room. He had just walked in, his expression just as furious, but Georgina simply smirked maliciously.“Yet, in the end, you still gave me her heart, didn’t you? I originally planned to have someone take care of her—kill her off an
“If you can’t remember your name right now, would you mind if I give you a new one for the time being?”I shook my head to show I didn’t mind. Christina thought for a moment, then her eyes lit up. “Let’s call you Meredith. It means a protector from the sea.”I repeated the name silently in my mind and then smiled, nodding at her, accepting the new name. Just like that, I became a part of Christina’s family.Christina was a doctor and said she noticed I wasn’t in good health when she found me. Hence, she took care of me while working, making sure I took my medication, preparing nutritious meals for me, and often making time to take me and Holly out for fun.Holly, with her sassy attitude, always acted like a grown-up. She would cling to me, wanting me to watch cartoons, do crafts, or draw with her. Christina noticed my talent for drawing and called in some of her professional friends to help me develop it. After some practice, I even achieved some recognition and held a small exhibi
Holly curled up obediently in my arms. I rubbed my temples, trying to ease the pain, but it only made it worse, the ache intensifying until sweat began to bead on my forehead.After learning everything, Christina took Paxton to the lounge, allowing him one last chance to see me.Holly threw herself into Christina’s arms, crying out, “Meredith doesn’t feel well!” Christina immediately became worried. “What happened? Did you overexert yourself again?”I shook my head at Christina, then turned to Paxton, my tone light. “Christina, I remembered something.”…In the lounge, only Paxton and I remained. Christina had learned about my past from Paxton, who explained that he had come to take me back. While Christina was angry, she knew it was my decision to make.She told me it was my life, and no one, not even her, should decide what happens to me.“Leah, you remember me, don’t you?” Paxton stepped forward, wanting to hold me, but hesitated for fear of angering me. Hence, he stood the
In the end, I wasn’t taken away, after all. Due to some business setbacks, Sam and Paxton had to go back to handle things, so they didn’t have the time to bother me for a while.“Thank you, Christina,” I said as I hugged Christina and couldn’t stop the tears from falling.Holly teased me for being a crybaby, while Christina patted my back and shot a glare at the little brat.“Why thank me? You're family. Of course, I’ll protect you.”The next time I heard about Sam and Paxton was two weeks later.After returning, Sam lost his patience and, without caring about the company, went a little crazy, driving through the night to find me. Unfortunately, his tire skidded, and the car flipped. He was rushed to the hospital and barely survived, but he would be in a wheelchair for the rest of his life.Paxton, still holding on to some sanity, had begun to crack after hearing my words. With the company facing an unprecedented crisis, his focus wavered, and finally, the stress broke him. The G
I carried a plate of freshly sliced fruit to the study, only to notice that the door was slightly ajar.“I’ve got everything under control. Leah hasn’t noticed a thing.”I was just about to push the door open when I heard my name.“Relax, she trusts me completely. Take good care of Georgina. The surgery will happen soon. Sam, once the surgery is done, we’ll compete fairly. Georgina will choose for herself.”The words left me stunned. Cold sweat broke out on my back as my mind spun in chaos, struggling to piece together the truth from the fragments of their conversation.Sam Bennett’s and Paxton Gibson’s so-called love for me had never been real. Everything had been for one purpose, and that was to give Georgina Summers a healthy heart. All this time, I thought I had finally found happiness, but in reality, Paxton had another woman in mind. “Leah?”Paxton had finished his call and was now standing at the door, looking at me in surprise. “What are you doing here?” Snapping ou
Sam and Paxton, the two men who claimed to love me, were both lying to my face. I wanted to laugh, but my eyes burned. When I reached up to wipe them, my fingertips were wet with tears.Forget it. I didn’t want anything anymore. Right now, the only thing that mattered was staying alive.Paxton didn’t seem suspicious. He was still as patient and gentle as ever, but I had no intention of staying by his side anymore. I packed my things, and when he came home from work that evening, I told him I wanted to break up. He froze for a moment. Then, in that same affectionate tone, he coaxed me like always. “What’s wrong? Did I do something to upset you, my Leah?”He pulled me into his arms, his fingers gently rubbing my earlobe.I stared at him in silence. His acting was flawless. It was no wonder I hadn’t seen through him before. But now, all I saw was deceit.“Paxton, do you love me? Or do you love Georgina?”His expression stiffened as he hadn’t expected me to bring up her name so dir
Georgina was born with a weak heart, but I was perfectly healthy. The Summers said I was a curse—that I brought bad luck to my sister and ruined the family’s fortune, so my parents resented me. Not long after I was born, they had someone abandon me by the side of the road, far from home.Paxton remained indifferent, as if he had known that all along.“That’s why you don’t have a choice,” he said calmly. “Whether you want to or not, you’re going through with this surgery. Georgina is your sister. Giving her your heart is what you should do.”I bit my lip hard, trying to stay calm even as my body trembled.By now, my face was soaked with tears, but the middle-aged man before me only looked at me with cold, ruthless eyes. There was no guilt or remorse—only disgust.“Don’t you understand? You should never have been born. If it weren’t for you, our precious daughter wouldn’t have suffered all these years, and our family business wouldn’t have faced that crisis. You are nothing but a di
In the end, I wasn’t taken away, after all. Due to some business setbacks, Sam and Paxton had to go back to handle things, so they didn’t have the time to bother me for a while.“Thank you, Christina,” I said as I hugged Christina and couldn’t stop the tears from falling.Holly teased me for being a crybaby, while Christina patted my back and shot a glare at the little brat.“Why thank me? You're family. Of course, I’ll protect you.”The next time I heard about Sam and Paxton was two weeks later.After returning, Sam lost his patience and, without caring about the company, went a little crazy, driving through the night to find me. Unfortunately, his tire skidded, and the car flipped. He was rushed to the hospital and barely survived, but he would be in a wheelchair for the rest of his life.Paxton, still holding on to some sanity, had begun to crack after hearing my words. With the company facing an unprecedented crisis, his focus wavered, and finally, the stress broke him. The G
Holly curled up obediently in my arms. I rubbed my temples, trying to ease the pain, but it only made it worse, the ache intensifying until sweat began to bead on my forehead.After learning everything, Christina took Paxton to the lounge, allowing him one last chance to see me.Holly threw herself into Christina’s arms, crying out, “Meredith doesn’t feel well!” Christina immediately became worried. “What happened? Did you overexert yourself again?”I shook my head at Christina, then turned to Paxton, my tone light. “Christina, I remembered something.”…In the lounge, only Paxton and I remained. Christina had learned about my past from Paxton, who explained that he had come to take me back. While Christina was angry, she knew it was my decision to make.She told me it was my life, and no one, not even her, should decide what happens to me.“Leah, you remember me, don’t you?” Paxton stepped forward, wanting to hold me, but hesitated for fear of angering me. Hence, he stood the
“If you can’t remember your name right now, would you mind if I give you a new one for the time being?”I shook my head to show I didn’t mind. Christina thought for a moment, then her eyes lit up. “Let’s call you Meredith. It means a protector from the sea.”I repeated the name silently in my mind and then smiled, nodding at her, accepting the new name. Just like that, I became a part of Christina’s family.Christina was a doctor and said she noticed I wasn’t in good health when she found me. Hence, she took care of me while working, making sure I took my medication, preparing nutritious meals for me, and often making time to take me and Holly out for fun.Holly, with her sassy attitude, always acted like a grown-up. She would cling to me, wanting me to watch cartoons, do crafts, or draw with her. Christina noticed my talent for drawing and called in some of her professional friends to help me develop it. After some practice, I even achieved some recognition and held a small exhibi
Georgina screamed hysterically, her beautiful eyes filled with hatred.Paxton suddenly let go of her wrist, and without his support, she stumbled and fell to the ground.“Yeah, Sam and I used to like you,” he said coldly. “But how did you respond? You rejected us both. You left us behind and ran off to another country to look for someone else. So why can’t I fall for someone new?“Did you really expect Sam and me to wait for you forever?”After turning them down, Georgina left for her studies abroad and cycled through boyfriends like they were nothing. She enjoyed watching the two men fight over her, fully convinced that Sam and Paxton would stay loyal, untouched by anyone else.“Georgina, who do you think you are?”Sam’s voice suddenly cut through the room. He had just walked in, his expression just as furious, but Georgina simply smirked maliciously.“Yet, in the end, you still gave me her heart, didn’t you? I originally planned to have someone take care of her—kill her off an
The kidnappers were caught just as they were about to board a ship. Now, they were kneeling on the ground, trembling.“M-Mr. Paxton, this has nothing to do with us! That woman– She jumped on her own!”Sam’s expression darkened. He took two quick steps forward, grabbing the kidnapper by the collar, his teeth clenched. “What did you just say?”“The woman who was left behind… She jumped off the cliff herself…” the kidnapper stammered, his whole body shaking as if terrified of taking the blame.Paxton felt his legs go weak. His heart sank.“Who sent you?”Sam’s hand tightened around the kidnapper’s throat, his voice trembling despite himself. The kidnapper hesitated, struggling to form an answer.“Speak!”“I-It was… Miss Summers…”Sam’s grip tightened. The kidnapper’s face turned red as he struggled for air.Miss Summers was Georgina. The mention of the name left Sam and Paxton so stunned that they lost their balance..“That’s impossible…” Paxton muttered, his eyes dazed.Sam l
The kidnappers weren’t panicked in the slightest as Georgina had promised them they’d be safe.Sam’s gaze immediately landed on Georgina, who was struggling to breathe. His heart skipped a beat. He knew she couldn’t afford that kind of emotional distress. It could cost her life.“It hurts…”“Georgina, I’m here. Don’t be scared.” Sam’s voice was urgent.Paxton, his expression dark, shot a glance at me before turning away to comfort Georgina.“Haven’t decided yet, huh?” The kidnapper huffed impatiently. “Drag this out any longer, and neither of them will live.”Sam and Paxton held their ground, unwilling to act rashly.I watched coldly as Georgina played out the scene she had orchestrated herself, but inside, I felt nothing. We all knew how it would end.“I choose Georgina,” Paxton finally said, stopping all hesitation.Sam didn’t object. His silence was agreement.The kidnapper scoffed and shoved Georgina toward them. Only as Sam and Paxton shielded her protectively did they t
I had no home, and I had no love.After the surgery, they placed me in the hospital room right next to Georgina’s. The walls weren’t soundproof. I could hear everything—laughter, comforting words, and soft reassurances. Sam and Paxton promised Georgina they’d take her on a trip once she was discharged, while her parents doted on her, gently telling her to take better care of herself. Everything I had once desperately longed for was right there, but for some reason, I no longer cared.During my hospital stay, Sam and Paxton came to see me once, and I pretended to be asleep. They didn’t bother waiting. After standing at my door for barely half a minute, they went back to Georgina’s room.I spent nearly the entire recovery period alone, and when I was finally well enough to leave, I got up quietly, ready to disappear. However, just as I stood, an unfamiliar scent filled the air. A strange dizziness washed over me. My limbs went weak, and the next moment, everything went dark. By th
Georgina was born with a weak heart, but I was perfectly healthy. The Summers said I was a curse—that I brought bad luck to my sister and ruined the family’s fortune, so my parents resented me. Not long after I was born, they had someone abandon me by the side of the road, far from home.Paxton remained indifferent, as if he had known that all along.“That’s why you don’t have a choice,” he said calmly. “Whether you want to or not, you’re going through with this surgery. Georgina is your sister. Giving her your heart is what you should do.”I bit my lip hard, trying to stay calm even as my body trembled.By now, my face was soaked with tears, but the middle-aged man before me only looked at me with cold, ruthless eyes. There was no guilt or remorse—only disgust.“Don’t you understand? You should never have been born. If it weren’t for you, our precious daughter wouldn’t have suffered all these years, and our family business wouldn’t have faced that crisis. You are nothing but a di
Sam and Paxton, the two men who claimed to love me, were both lying to my face. I wanted to laugh, but my eyes burned. When I reached up to wipe them, my fingertips were wet with tears.Forget it. I didn’t want anything anymore. Right now, the only thing that mattered was staying alive.Paxton didn’t seem suspicious. He was still as patient and gentle as ever, but I had no intention of staying by his side anymore. I packed my things, and when he came home from work that evening, I told him I wanted to break up. He froze for a moment. Then, in that same affectionate tone, he coaxed me like always. “What’s wrong? Did I do something to upset you, my Leah?”He pulled me into his arms, his fingers gently rubbing my earlobe.I stared at him in silence. His acting was flawless. It was no wonder I hadn’t seen through him before. But now, all I saw was deceit.“Paxton, do you love me? Or do you love Georgina?”His expression stiffened as he hadn’t expected me to bring up her name so dir