"I seized this mansion and the Kooper family's fortune out of bitter envy, but you're different. You've been my hidden obsession since we were young."Desperate, he begged, "Stay with me, won't you?"He grasped her like a drowning man clinging to a lifeline.Overwhelmed with sadness, Kisa closed her eyes. Taking a deep breath, she gently pried his hand away. "I'm sorry."As she retreated inside, Jensen laughed bitterly. Turning to David, paralyzed in his wheelchair, he taunted. "See? In the end, it's just us two pathetic souls left. Emilia loved Damon, and now she loves Gilbert. We are nothing. Nothing at all."Tears streamed down David's face as he stared at Jensen. It was unclear if they were tears of sadness or regret.After searching the mansion for two days, Kisa found her mother's diary. Jensen had hidden it, likely to prevent David from discovering her mother's true feelings. But Kisa believed David deserved to know her mother had loved him until her dying breath.One bea
Kisa's lips pressed together as she sat down beside David.He held the photo album and his mother's diary tenderly in his arms, then said, "Regardless of what others may say about your mother, she was the most incredible woman this world has ever known."Hearing him praise her mother so passionately, Kisa's heart swelled with gratitude. In truth, neither of them had ever truly let the other down; it was a series of misunderstandings and unfortunate events that had kept them apart. A lifetime of missed connections. He shared his memories of Emilia, reminiscing about their idyllic days in the countryside awaiting the birth of their child. When Peter was born, he embodied their love and hope for the future. But, to support Emilia's acting career, David had reluctantly left Peter in the care of a friend. His plan had been to marry Emilia and reunite their family once everything was settled.But fate had other plans, and a series of heartbreaking events unfolded. He was forcibly expelled
Peter tried to call him 'Dad' but could not find the words. Instead, he resorted to 'Uncle Adrien'. David had been caring and loving toward him since he was just 'Uncle Adrien'. And he knew that David's acquisition of the Kooper family fortune had been all for him. So, he alone embraced David's tombstone, weeping like an abandoned child.Jensen observed him, his eyes void of emotion. He did not shed a single tear throughout the entire funeral.After the service, Peter attempted to take Kisa with him, but Jensen intervened. Peter's anger erupted, and he shouted at Jensen, "What the hell do you want? You drove our dad to his grave. Do you want her to meet the same fate?"Jensen remained silent, instead instructing his bodyguards to escort Kisa back to the Kooper residence.As they left, Kisa saw Jensen depart with Peter, though she had no clue where they were headed. Worried for Peter, she called him repeatedly after returning to the Kooper residence, but no one answered. She tried J
Jensen's hands were drenched in blood, shaking uncontrollably as he fumbled to dial the number. "Fairmont Medical Center... You need to see her now."When Gilbert arrived, he found Jensen hunched over, face buried in his blood-soaked hands. The sight was both shocking and terrifying. Gilbert rushed over, grabbed him by the collar, and demanded, "What the hell happened? I trusted you to take care of her! That's why I let her go. How could you let this happen?"Jensen looked up at him, his crimson eyes filled with a haunting emptiness. It was as if his soul had been swallowed by a rotting swamp, never to resurface.In the end, Gilbert could not bring himself to hit Jensen. He released him and approached the emergency room door. Staring at it, he felt suffocated and overwhelmed."I'm so sorry. I won't yell at you or be cruel anymore. Just please, stay alive. You have to make it through this."He prayed silently, filled with regret for sending her away. He could not fathom life withou
'Maybe separating is the best resolution for us,' Kisa thought.Gilbert did not reply. Instead, he tightened his embrace, pulling her closer, showing her that he did not want to part ways, not even at the cost of his life.Kisa lowered her gaze, overwhelmed by melancholy, and remained silent.The next morning, she awoke to the sound of lighthearted laughter and the bustling activity in the kitchen. She gazed blankly at the ceiling, her heart stirring faintly.'How long has it been? How long since I last heard such carefree laughter? How long since I last experienced this simple, comforting sense of home?'Slowly sitting up, she pushed herself off the bed. Since losing the baby, her weight had dropped dramatically, her 5'5" frame scarcely weighing over 100 pounds. Her face was pale, and her emaciated body exuded a fragile frailty. As she stared into the mirror, there was a knock at the door. A small head peeked in.It was Ada."Mommy, can I come in?"Kisa smiled at her. "Of cour
That fateful day, if he had not pushed her away for Sara's sake, the child growing inside her might have been born safely. The memory of the unborn child caused a mist to form in the corners of his eyes. The truth was, he had driven her away not because of Sara, but because he could not bear to face her. After discovering the horrific truth about his parents' untimely death, he was haunted by vivid images of the accident. He knew he should not blame her, and he did not. But as she had once said, it was like a persistent thorn lodged in his heart, impossible to remove.He felt the need to step back, to give himself time to extract that painful thorn. Yet, he could not bring himself to let her go. He knew deep down that he could not live without her. So, he fought desperately to hold onto her, gripping her tightly. Even if it meant both of them would end up in anguish, he could not bear to let go of her.He leaned back in his chair, lost in thought for a long while before finally start
The most profound sorrow comes from realizing you have reached an age where regrets can no longer be mended.Kisa stared at the bent silhouette of the flower farmer and, suddenly, it was as if a revelation dawned upon her.Turning to the man beside her, she whispered, "Let's... give it a try."Gilbert shuddered, his eyes brimming with excitement. "What did you say?""Let's... try to be together again."In an instant, Gilbert pulled her into a fierce embrace. "As long as you're willing to start over with me, I believe that everything will get better."Kisa did not dwell on the future. As she gazed at the clouds on the horizon, she was struck by the vibrant, endless blue. It felt as if her world had suddenly burst into brilliant light.On their way back, Gilbert asked Davian to pick up the children and bring them to the Kooper residence. Meanwhile, he and Kisa discussed their upcoming vacation. He wanted to take her away, just the two of them, to clear their minds and find solace.
As Kisa started to walk away, she was suddenly pulled back into place.Gilbert firmly held her hand once again, addressing Sara. "You were injured while saving me, so in a way, I owe you my life. Tell me what you want. If it's within my means, I'll give it to you."Sara's voice caught in her throat, her expression growing even more heart-wrenching. Tears streamed down her face as she asked him, "Do you really believe I saved you just to receive something in return? After all these years, haven't you figured out how I feel about you?""Initially, you helped me. Later, to save you from trouble, I became your boyfriend in name only. You know very well that we never shared a deeper connection," he recounted.Back in school, he had accidentally misplaced the birthday gift Kisa had given him. Sara found it, and to show his gratitude, he promised to do her a favor. Not long after, she asked him to become her boyfriend in name only, claiming she was overwhelmed by her numerous admirers, wh
In a small town in the South, a gentle breeze caressed the cheeks of passersby, creating a pleasant and serene atmosphere. This town, known for its tourism, was adorned with flowers even in its narrow alleys. The surrounding houses were all quaint inns, exuding a poetic and picturesque charm.Beneath an arching bridge, Kisa set up an easel to display and sell her paintings. She had always loved painting since childhood. Although she had not achieved great success in this field, her vivid and evocative paintings were very popular with tourists. She would sell most of her paintings every day.On weekends, Blake would join her at the stall, but today was Wednesday, and she was alone. After arranging her paintings, she had barely sat down when people began to gather around. Some admired her art, while others immediately offered to buy. Her paintings were reasonably priced, which attracted many customers."Miss, I'd like that painting of the snow-covered rose garden at night.""Alright,
In the backyard, Kohen looked at his older brother's calm expression, a hint of worry in his voice. "Bro, are you alright?""I'm fine," Hayes said, adjusting the blanket on his lap. "Tomorrow, take me to meet those medical geniuses you found.""Oh, sure..." Kohen nodded in agreement, but after a moment, he could not help but ask, "Bro, what did that woman say to you that made you change your mind so suddenly?"Hayes gazed at the stars in the sky, his voice cool and distant. "She told me she's doing well, very happy. Then she pointed out how pitiful and miserable I am right now. She asked me if I don't feel envious, knowing how well she is doing compared to me."Kohen grimaced, realizing that the woman had provoked his brother into action.Hayes lowered his eyes, a faint smile on his face. "That's right. How could I not be envious? So, I want to heal my legs, live a good life, and show her that I can do better than her."Kohen felt a pang of sympathy for his brother. From Hayes's
Mentioning Hayes, Eylul's expression became complex. "Hayes is reclusive and doesn't like to see people. Only a single old servant has been taking care of him all these years. I only met him once, back when I married Kohen."Mia's heart ached, recalling the enigmatic yet deeply emotional man. She could not help but feel a lump in her throat. "How's his health?" Mia asked.Eylul replied, "His health is fine, but his legs have remained the same. Kohen has found top orthopedic experts for him and even sought out Kelvin Hoover from Calthon, but he refuses treatment. For so many years, he hasn't even stepped outside the backyard.""You mean he's been living in the backyard all this time?" Jensen asked gravely.Eylul nodded. "Yes, Kohen wanted him to live in the main house, but he refused. He only likes staying in the backyard. Moreover, the room he stays in used to be..." Eylul glanced at Mia. She had heard that Mia used to live in that room.With a complicated expression, Mia pursed h
"Let's forget everything that just happened,' Mia said.Jensen looked up at her. In the moonlight, his eyes were deep and complex, profound and unfathomable.Mia tried to muster a smile. "You don't have to feel burdened. In a way, I forced you. And you must have always disliked me. Actually, I didn't come to you for money; I just wanted to see you. Now that I have, I should go. Jensen, from now on... take care."With that, she walked away, fearing that if she lingered any longer, she would not be able to leave. But after only a few steps, she was embraced from behind.Jensen's voice was low and hoarse. "Stay with me."Mia trembled at his words. Jensen continued. "But I still have so many things to do and someone in my heart I can't let go of. I don't know... when I will be able to give you a satisfactory answer. If you don't want to stay with me without any promises or guarantees, you can—""I'm willing," Mia blurted out, "as long as I can be with you, I don't care about anything
Mia's face changed instantly. " You... you know I like Jensen, why would you...""Heh, if you like Jensen, shouldn't you be willing to do anything for him? If you can't even do this, how can you claim to love him?""I won't do it! Doing this would be betraying Jensen. I would risk my life for him, but I can't do this."Adrien stared at her flushed face and gently chuckled, his words loaded with meaning. "Aren't you feeling all hot and bothered yet?"Mia frowned. Her body was indeed getting hotter and more agitated. 'Why would Adrien ask this? Could it be the drink...?'As the thought crossed her mind, her heart sank. Seeing Adrien's cold expression and the man's playful smile, Mia turned and ran. But before she could take more than a few steps, she was dragged back. Weakened by the drink, her desperate struggles were futile. As the man pressed her down, playing with her like a toy, she closed her eyes in despair. She thought she could never face Jensen again. With a bitter laugh,
Adrien Tanner, Jensen's father, stood before Mia with a warm smile. "My son is truly awkward when it comes to matters of the heart. He's even willing to refuse such a beautiful young woman like you."Mia stared at him, her tears suddenly streaming down her face. "I only wanted to see him, even if it was to face rejection. Wouldn't it better to say it clearly to my face?""Yes, it would." Adrien agreed. "But standing here stubbornly won't help, because he left on a business trip a couple of days ago."Mia's heart ached even more, realizing that Jensen had avoided using the front door just to evade her.Adrien continued. "I have a way to make him come to you willingly, but it depends on whether you're willing to cooperate."Mia nodded. "What do I have to do?"Adrien motioned to his bodyguard, who handed him a glass of wine. "Drink this," he said.Mia furrowed her brow, hesitant.Adrien gently patted her shoulder, like a father would."Don't be afraid. I won't harm you. From the
Filled with guilt, Mia stepped forward, but Kohen suddenly pulled out a handgun and aimed it at her."Get out!"Jensen pulled Mia back. He looked at the cold man before him. It was this man who had taken him in years ago. At that time, Kohen was young, a carefree and privileged young man. Now, he seemed to have grown up all at once, his eyes colder and more distant.Jensen said with a troubled expression, "If you ever need me in the future, don't hesitate to find me."Kohen sneered coldly; pain etched in his brow. He mocked himself. "I never should have taken you in back then. In the end, it was I who harmed my own brother."Jensen pursed his lips, not knowing what to say, only feeling an unbearable pain in his heart. It was the first time he felt he owed someone. That sense of indebtedness suffocated him."Get out, and don't let me see you two ever again."On that night, Jensen and Mia left the McCray family. As a result of Hayes's ordeal, the McCray family underwent tremendous
"What on earth happened?"Jensen did not speak. Mia choked out. "The collaboration between the Burton family and the McCray family was a trap. We were ambushed by the Burton family, and Hayes... he was hit by a car trying to save us.""Damn it!" Kohen cursed under his breath, abruptly pulling a knife from a nearby bodyguard and pointing it at them. "What are your lives worth? Why would my brother save you? Why?"Mia bit her lip, tears streaming down her face. 'It's my fault. I wanted to save Jensen, but I should have gone alone. I shouldn't have dragged Hayes into this. He seemed cold-blooded and heartless, and I never thought that he would risk his life for me. Why was he so good to me?'"Kohen..."Suddenly, a weak cry rang out. Hayes had awakened.Kohen hurriedly moved closer, gripping Hayes's hand. "Bro!"Hayes's face was deathly pale. He did not look at Kohen, but instead turned his gaze to Mia. His eyes were calm. He saw Mia's red-rimmed eyes and the tears lingering there,
Hayes was sent flying by the car, his body crashing into a wall before bouncing back.Mia's entire body felt ice-cold as she trembled, yelling, "Hayes!""Kill them all!" A hoarse, aged voice suddenly rang out from the entrance. It was Curtis. He looked at Kendall's lifeless body on the ground, his eyes filled with rage, shouting, "Run them over! I want them to join my grandson in death!""Ah!" Jensen roared, disregarding the guards' swinging knives, and like a madman, charged at Curtis. Curtis's face changed, desperately pulling a nearby guard in front of him as a shield. But it was useless. Jensen, like a crazed beast, attacked anyone in his path. Soon, his knife was held against Curtis's throat.Curtis trembled all over. "Wh-What do you want?"Jensen, covered in blood with splatters on his face, looked like a demon that had emerged from a battleground. He grabbed Curtis and held him hostage in front of him. "Let us go!""Don't even think about it!" Curtis retorted angrily. "You