"When we return, we will investigate and find the perpetrator together. The main thing now is to bring you up." Kisa stood up. "I will follow the direction from where I fell. If I see vines, I will come back for you. If I don't see any, I will speed up to get help.""Listen to me—go now and don't look for any vines," Gilbert spoke in a low voice, sounding sad and powerless as if he had suddenly lost any hope.Kisa frowned at him. "Why, Gilbert? Don't you want to come up?""I do, but... Even if I go up, I won't survive. So, don't waste your energy. Go back by yourself." The headache was getting increasingly intense. His body was getting sorer and weaker. Gilbert even had difficulty speaking. He almost exhausted all his strength when he helped her escape the cave. Mustering all his remaining strength, he looked up at Kisa just to see her for one last time. He saw her eyes wide open, her pale face, her lips shivering as she repeatedly shook her head as if she could not believe somethin
Kisa went to the huge tree and clenched a bundle of vines. The tree trunk was so thick even an adult could not wrap his hands around it. The countless vines, growing from the branches to the treetop, stacking on top of each other, were strong and sturdy.Kisa tried hard to pull the vines off the tree until they hurt her hands, but none were torn off. Satisfied with the sturdiness of the strong vines, which could carry a lot of weight, Kisa grabbed the vines tighter and started to climb up the tree with the help of the vines.The vines on the upper part of the tree were less thick than the ones at the bottom.After climbing up toward those vines, Kisa balanced herself, clenching onto the vines single-handedly while stepping on them. She grabbed a bunch of ten vines with her other hand and started biting on them. Biting off the vines, one at a time, Kisa slowly unraveled them from the tree. Finishing the task, she free-falls into the thick and soft snow underneath her, exhausted, crea
Gilbert's body felt so cold that Kisa flustered after feeling his body temperature. She grabbed Gilbert's hand and said, trembling, "Gilbert, wake up. I found the vines. I'll get you out of here now. You're going to be just fine. Can you open your eyes and look at me? I beg you, Gilbert, please open your eyes."Kisa kept talking to Gilbert, but he would not wake up. Still panicking, she wiped her tears off and said in a determined yet choked voice, "You're not going to die. I haven't gotten you back for how you treated me previously. It's unfair to me if you die like this. Gilbert, I'm not going to let you die. I'm going to save you no matter what."As she said that, she grabbed the rope on the ground hurriedly, tied the rope around Gilbert three times, and ascended out of the cave. Climbing up the rope was harder than descending as Kisa's arms were swollen and numb, feeling a burning sensation in her palms. Kisa took her time to climb out of the cave, grabbing the rope and trying to
Afraid that it was just her hallucination, Kisa did not even dare to blink. "Gilbert..." She called out to Gilbert in a trembling voice, sounding weak and listless as if she would pass out anytime. Finally, Gilbert slowly opened his eyes, which got Kisa so agitated she almost stopped breathing."Y-You're awake?" She cried with happy tears, and her messy face looked a little hilarious though Gilbert thought she looked very beautiful in that way. He arduously lifted his hand and touched Kisa's choppy hair that was dampened by the snow, saying softly, "You really got me out of there."Kisa nodded hard, "I'm pretty impressive, huh?" Her lips were cracked and colorless, matching her pale, ghastly face as she smiled. Gilbert's heart broke at the sight of her chapped lips. He mumbled, "Yes. You're the best."A joyous smile appeared on Kisa's face as she snuggled into his arms weakly, not feeling like moving at all. Gilbert held her tight in his arms but hastily lifted and looked straight a
Davian went to look for them with Kohen after the snowstorm was over.Peter ordered the rescue team to look in another direction.The time they spent waiting was very tormenting. Eylul was keeping the three children company upstairs. She looked at that misty white hill far away and could not help but feel heartbroken.Andrew and Ada were the saddest as they wiped their tears silently while leaning on the window.They knew that their father and Kisa had gone missing, and everyone was searching for them. So, they did not dare to ask too many questions as they patiently waited for the updates.Blake had been keeping himself composed since the incident happened. He sat before the window without saying anything. There was not any expression on his delicate face. Nobody knew what was going on in his head. However, this kid, who was the calmest, hid in the corner and cried the hardest after Gilbert and Kisa came back.The cold wind shrieked, and it stung their faces.Kisa struggled and
"How did your hands get hurt?" Jensen asked her a question instead of answering her. His voice was deep.Kisa looked away. "It was an accident." Then, she asked again, "Where's Gilbert? Tell me now."Jensen smiled and said, "You only hurt your hands because you tried to save Gilbert, right?""He only fell into the cave with me because he tried to save me. So, there was no way I'd leave him alone in there." She shifted her gaze back at Jensen, looking stern.Jensen bowed her head down and smiled without saying anything.Kisa got anxious. After all, Gilbert ate a poisonous fruit.Then, she asked worriedly, "Jensen, how's Gilbert now?""He left.""Left?" Kisa furrowed her brows. She did not dare to think negatively as she asked blankly again, "What do you mean by that?""Gilbert was very close to dying when he got here. The medical facilities here are limited, so Davian brought him and his family back overnight.""C-Close to dying?" Kisa spoke in her feeble voice, sounding tense
The panting and the wide, warm back she heard and felt in her daze were real. It was really Gilbert who carried her back.'He said before he would not let me die with him around, and he actually did it.' Yet, she still could not figure out why a man who hated her to the bones would so desperately try to save her. What he had done was far from his so-called hatred for her. She looked blankly at her meticulously bandaged hand. The scene where she pulled that man out of the cave with vines felt like a dream.If it were in the past, she would never have dared to imagine it at all. 'Gilbert, you've accomplished what you've promised me, and so did I." She muttered to herself as she looked out the window. It seemed to be snowing outside. The snow was very fine, and Kisa could not see them without looking closely. She recalled what Gilbert said when he helped her out of that cave.Suddenly, she wanted to see that man so much. 'How are you doing now?' She muttered to herself, and little by l
Kisa's expression suddenly changed. For some reason, she recalled that earlier nightmare."That was such a close call, Kisa. Thinking of it now still gives me the jitters. It would have been really dangerous if you and Mr. Gilbert were still in that cave."Kisa barely even listened to her. What Kelvin had said in that nightmare was ringing in her ears. Although it was just a nightmare, it felt particularly real to her. Kisa quickly looked at her body and found that she was wearing a loose nightgown at this moment. She then hurriedly searched the room.Sensing that Kisa was looking for something, Lea asked, "Kisa, what are you looking for?""My shirt. That down jacket I wore when I rolled down the mountain.""Oh, oh..." Lea suddenly got up. "I changed your clothes earlier and placed them in the bathroom as I thought of washing them up for you.""Bring it over, please.""Oh, okay..." As Lea said, she walked into the bathroom.Kisa grasped the quilt tightly, her heart anxious. Her
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