"You!" Kisa was sad, and when she heard what he said, it instantly bummed her out. 'I really, really can't talk to this man about feelings, or I will definitely be pissed off.' His EQ was high in business but low in relationships. Kisa was so pissed that she thought she might as well keep her mouth shut.Gilbert also stopped talking, and the already depressive atmosphere became even tenser.Feeling irritated, Kisa subtly moved her body, pulling away from him. This time, he did not draw her back to him."Want to sleep?" He suddenly spoke from above her head."What?" Kisa subconsciously responded."If you don't want to sleep, let's do something else," he said in a flat tone of voice.Kisa's body involuntarily tensed up. "W-What do you want to do?"Gilbert knew she was thinking the wrong way as soon as he heard her tense and defensive tone of voice. He snickered, and his eyes glowed cunningly in the darkness. "What do you think?""H-How do I know what you want to do?""I want to.
"Here you go!" She held out one of the slightly larger loaves of bread to him.Gilbert glanced down at it, then at the bread in her other hand, and said disdainfully, "Do you think I'd eat a sweet thing like that?""You!" Kisa was really pissed off. She took the bread back. "Forget it. Why are you still so picky in time like this?" She sat back down at the place where she had just slept. Seeing that his coat was still on the floor, she reached out and picked it up before throwing it at him. "Put it on, or you will bother me if you get sick.""Put it on. You are much weaker and more likely to get sick." Gilbert threw the coat back again, landing on her body. The coat still carried the warmth of their body.She looked at his thin sweater and said, "I'm not very cold. I won't get sick. So you should put it on." Kisa was about to throw the coat back.Gilbert suddenly sneered. "Stop playing tough with that kind of body of yours. You will only trouble me if you get sick." He always soun
"Heh, do you think that's possible?" Gilbert snorted, his face full of disdain."Why is it impossible? You men are the most cunning." Kisa grunted."Humph!"Gilbert snorted again with a look of growing disdain that made Kisa want to punch him in the face. She glared at him but decided to ignore him, as anger cost energy, and she was already hungry.The fire gradually flared up, warm and bright, illuminating the entire cave. Gilbert turned off the torchlight of his phone and checked the battery indicator; only 20% of the battery was left. He looked at Kisa across from him. "How much power do you have left on your phone?"Kisa was puzzled as she took out her phone and checked."Only 28%.""Turn it off. When the blizzard stops, we can call Davian for help if we can get up there."Kisa nodded and turned off the phone as told. Gilbert warmed himself in front of the fire for a while, then got up and collected more dead twigs. Kisa looked at him for a while and got up to help him.Ju
"You had better eat something, even if it doesn't taste good. At least you can replenish some energy, lest you faint before we get out."Gilbert glanced at the bread wrapped in the packaging and sneered, "Is this thing even edible?"Kisa took a deep breath and put the bread back in her pocket. "Fine. I will see how long you can last."He lowered his head again and earnestly moved the twigs around a bit in the fire. He was wearing a thin, light gray sweater with a slightly short collar, so she could see the clean ends of his hair and the back of his neck as soon as she raised her eyes.While the icy wind was howling outside the cave, the crackling sound of burning branches accented the quietness in the cave.Gilbert suddenly said, "If you want to sleep, sleep some more. We will find a way to go up in the morning."Kisa hugged her legs and rested her chin on her knees silently.Gilbert ignored her and lay down by the fire. He rested one hand on the back of his head and the other a
Mia's eyes were red with resentment. "It is all because of you. If you hadn't forced Jensen to go out and look for him, Jensen wouldn't have gone missing. If Gilbert comes back and Jensen is missing, I bet you are going to feel guilty for the rest of your life."Madalyn covered her face and sobbed uncontrollably, looking pitiful and hateful.Adrien glanced slyly at Madalyn, the corners of his lips curled up in mockery.Peter suddenly pulled Mia over. "Come on, Mrs. Kooper Sr. is sad enough. Can you not add salt to injury? Besides, if Gilbert can come back, why not Jensen? In your mind, is Jensen not as capable as Gilbert?""Jensen is certainly just as capable as Gilbert. I'm just pissed off.""Okay, I know you are angry, but you are not going to skin Mrs. Kooper Sr. alive, are you?""Absolutely." Davian chimed in and said to Mia, "Mrs. Kooper Sr. is at least Jensen's grandmother. If you rebuke her like this, Jensen will not be happy if he finds out.""Heh, Jensen's grandmother?"
"Don't worry, if I really get sick, I will hit myself against the wall and definitely won't become your burden in the slightest!" Kisa instantly pulled her hand back, her eyes reddening as she stared at him with resentment and aggrievement. "Also, if my foot can't get better and you have found a way to get out, leave. I definitely won't hold you back," she said with utmost determination.Gilbert was upset to hear what she said. He told himself to be patient and softened his tone of voice. "I don't mean that. I just want you to stay well, and we can leave this cave together. Only this way will the chance of us being rescued become greater. What will I do if you fall ill or your foot injury worsens?""What do you mean? You can just go by yourself.""Then wouldn't my jumping down with you be all for naught?"Kisa stared at him, not saying anything. 'Hell knows why he jumped down after me.'Gilbert held her hands tightly again and said in a deep voice, "You know it; there is no way I
"Just come over here.""Say what you have to say!""Come over here and I will say it.""Then you had better keep it to yourself," Gilbert said nonchalantly and continued to bend down to collect firewood.Kisa glared at him, then staggered to stand up with one leg.Gilbert caught a glimpse of her action, and his face darkened instantly. "I told you to stay where you are? You are not listening again." He came for her as he spoke.Kisa pouted. "I called you so many times, and you didn't come over, so I had to go over to you."Gilbert pressed her to sit down. "What do you want to talk to me about?""Nothing, just trying to get you to eat something," Kisa said, taking the last of the bread out of her pocket.Gilbert furrowed his brows. "This kind of stuff, I—""Come on. You had better stop being picky. You try to be tough with your mouth, but your stomach is honest. Eat some and save yourself from fainting because of physical exhaustion.""Heh, am I that weak?""You just look th
She saw a bright light outside the cave opening and no more wind and snow blowing in. She hurried to Gilbert's side, and she almost fell to the ground because of so much haste and elation."Wake up, Gilbert. The blizzard has stopped. Get up and take a look."Gilbert was lying on the ground and showed no sign of waking up despite her call. He had always been shrewd and alert and could not have slept like a log. Her heart sank, and she hurriedly reached out to shake his shoulder. But he still did not respond. Kisa was getting more and more flustered, and she was almost crying. "Gilbert, what is wrong with you? Don't scare me, Gilbert. Wake up, wake up..." But no matter how loud she called out, he did not respond in the slightest, and Kisa burst into tears."You said you wouldn't get sick. You said you wouldn't leave me. You said you'd take me out. Gilbert, please wake up. Gilbert..."She fell, sitting helplessly on the ground. At this moment, despair and fear ran through her, and she
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