“Besides, every piece of evidence points to the fact that Charlene abducted you, so there's no way he would help her. I guess he’s just trying to redeem himself. That’s why he gave the evidence to the police.”Deirdre found the remark to be saddening and amusing. Brendan’s effort was completely worthless. Moreover, his repentance came two years too late. If it came a little earlier, if her mother was still alive, perhaps she could pretend that nothing had happened and live a peaceful life. However, everything had already collapsed, and she did not want Brendan’s repentance anymore. She took a deep breath and lay back on the bed, her painful fingers still tightly clenched. She felt an ineffable feeling of lethargy overpowering her and fell asleep curled up in the bed. She lost count of time until she felt someone touching her fingers. She was awakened forcefully by the unbearable pain. However, she felt a shiver down her spine the next moment. Someone was standing next to
“That is none of your business!”“How is that none of my business when I’m your husband?” Brendan said in a bitter tone, “I think he’s just a coward who ran away in fear of trouble!”“You have no right to criticize him, Brendan!” It was Deirdre’s first time losing her temper. She exhausted every means to defend her lover. “He is a thousand times better than you! Forget it.”Deirdre suppressed her shakiness and found the situation amusing for no apparent reason. “What’s the point of me taking what someone like you said so seriously? You’ve always lived in your own world! When have you ever cared about others’ feelings? You will never feel that you are at fault!”Brendan stared straight at the woman’s face and felt a wave of pain wash over his chest. The pain was so overwhelming that he bent over and buried his head in the nook of her neck. He said in a hoarse voice, “What if I… know that I’m at fault?”Brendan spoke in a soft voice as if he was consumed by his ego or was not planni
‘You don’t deserve to compare yourself to him.’The remark was merciless. It sent a wave of pain through his body like a sharp knife that stabbed into his heart. Yet, he did not even have the excuse to disclose the truth about himself.Kyran was him but not him at the same time.Kyran was the product of his meticulous disguise. He was a robot with forcefully controlled emotions and sexual desires. He was the exact opposite of Brendan.In truth, he wanted Deirdre to accept his true self even more. However, he knew that it was only his silly notion.Brendan’s fists tightened at the sight of the vigilant woman who was near the point of breakdown. A feeling of extreme reluctance was burning in his chest.He could not refrain from saying, “Do you hate me that much?”Deirdre was shaking. She sneered upon hearing that, as if she was poking fun at his question.“I understand now.” Brendan chuckled in a self-mocking way. “That man is all you care about, so you want me to disappear from
After Declan left, Deirdre stretched out her hand and felt for the business card placed on the bedside table. The business card was made of sturdy materials, just like the man’s mannerisms. The corners of the business card felt so sharp it could cut through skin, and the writing etched onto the card's surface could be felt just by touching it with one's fingers. Brendan had come prepared. He knew she was blind, so he left a business card she could read with her touch.‘Does he think I will agree to his condition?’Filled with boundless rage, Deirdre wished she could throw away the business card. Yet, in the next moment, she was reminded by a voice in her head, “Are you really going to give up on the chance to get a divorce?”If she agreed to his condition, she could be rid of interacting with this man for eternity in exchange.She could travel to Germia with Kyran to have their wedding with peace of mind. She would not be bothered by her past marriage. She knew this was a rare
Deirdre would not think this way in the past, so it was apparent that Kyran had spoiled her.She could not refrain from making a call to Kyran.The call was picked up after a long time. “Deirdre.”His voice sounded hoarse, as if he had been smoking all night long.Deirdre was momentarily stunned, and she could not help feeling concerned. “Kyran… are you alright?”“I’m alright. Why do you ask?”Deirdre said, “You sound very tired, like you haven’t slept all night.”Kyran paused for a moment before he said, “I haven’t slept all night, indeed.”“Why? Is it because your father’s condition is not so good? Or is it because you have something else happening at work?”Deirdre regretted not going to Germia with Kyran so she could monitor the situation over there.She would not be how she was now, doing nothing at home but feeling anxious. She sounded anxious.Kyran chuckled and comforted her with a gentle voice by saying, “Don’t fret. I’m alright. I’m the caregiver of my father in
“What?”“I’m asking you if your condition involves only a date, right?”Brendan could not refrain from chuckling as if he was making fun of her sensitive emotion. “Or else?”“At night… I’m not going to sleep with you.”The other end of the call was quiet momentarily as soon as she made the remark. Soon afterward, he laughed sarcastically and said, “Are you doing this so you can keep your chastity for the man?”Deirdre shut her eyes tightly. She did not want to quarrel with Brendan on this issue. “I just don’t want to be touched by someone like you.”Brendan was stunned for a moment before he sneered and said, “Someone like me? What kind of person am I?”Deirdre did not answer, and he did not inquire further. He said, “Don’t worry about this, Miss McKinnon. I’ve encountered way too many women who are prettier than you with better bodies. I’m not interested when they push themselves against me, let alone you. We’re just going on a date, and that is all.”He said it in contempt,
‘Treat him like he’s my husband?’If she had a chance like this in the past, she would be so delighted that she could not sleep all night. She found it cynical now that she heard Brendan’s request and resisted the idea very much in her heart.“What if I don’t?”Brendan’s gaze was still. He walked one step closer to the woman and exhaled warm breath when he spoke, yet the words he spoke were cold. “I will just consider that you wish to continue this relationship willingly, and I’ll come and take you back to Neve when I’m done with my tasks.”“That would be impossible!”Brendan smirked mockingly. “Would you like me to remind you once again? You have a favor to seek from me, Deirdre. It’s you who wants to get a divorce and not me who is forcing you to get it.“You can always turn around and go back. I’ll just pretend that nothing happened today.”‘Go back?’Deirdre’s chest felt so heavy that she was suffocating. ‘If I were to go back, all my previous efforts would be wasted, right
Brendan found it ridiculous as well. “This is the result of setting up two people by force.”Even if they were holding hands, the outsiders would never feel their love for each other. Brendan kept quiet for a moment and could not refrain from asking, “How about you and that person? Will both of you be regarded as a couple as you ought to be?”Deirdre furrowed her eyebrows. “Don’t bring him up constantly.”Brendan appeared powerless and said sarcastically, “It’s because you’ve never smiled when you’re with me.”Deirdre was stunned. She took a deep breath and said, “Is it caused by my reluctance to smile?”She had been all loving and affectionate in the past. She would not be able to hold back her smile every time she saw him in the past, which was not that different from her current situation.All in all, they were just not suited for each other.Their marriage was a product of reluctance, and it could not be faked nor forced. The atmosphere turned solemn. The waitress could
"Where is she?"Brendan stared at him, utterly surprised. Sean's voice trembled a bit, but his eyes held a clear and hopeful gaze.Brendan finally calmed down and looked behind him. "There, that's your mother."This was the first time Sean had spoken. Deirdre felt her mind buzzing. When she snapped back to reality, she extended her hand. "Sean, come here."Sean's eyes held gentle amazement. He was intelligent—perhaps he had sensed it on the way there. Thus, his feelings were a blend of happiness and satisfaction.He felt joy that Deirdre was going to be his mother.Being a kid, he took a few steps but couldn't stop his tears, holding onto Deirdre firmly.Deirdre suppressed her own urge to cry and crouched down, wiping away his tears. "Do you... hate mom for not being there and not recognizing you?"Sean shook his head frantically. "As long as you're here… That's enough…"Deirdre hugged him tightly, and Brendan approached, wrapping them both in his embrace.When they brought S
"I was too young back then, still sulking with my father," Brendan replied after recalling his childhood.Arthur chuckled. "Kids will be kids, after all. Besides, your father was an excellent businessman, and you've followed in his footsteps. I've heard about your impressive success with the business in Neve. You're truly talented. With the Parkers under your control, I can finally relax." Brendan thought it was just praise from an elder. He was about to give a humble response when he got surprised by the rest of the statement. This made him freeze in place."The Parkers?" Deirdre was equally surprised."What's wrong?" Arthur beamed. "Don't you both already have children? Although you've divorced, your relationship is still strong. Don't tell me there's no thought of remarriage?""Remarriage? It's not the right time yet." Deirdre blushed from the teasing."It'll come eventually. If that's the case, then you are both part of the Parkers now. You're my only daughter, and he's my s
Beneath the envelope lay the evidence. Deirdre stared at it for a long time, with Brendan by her side, offering silent support.The next day, they boarded a plane back to Southedge. Within three days, news of the top political figure's downfall due to corruption spread like wildfire throughout Southedge, even captivating the interest of other cities.Upon learning the full story in his study, Arthur's aging face was stained with tears of regret. "If only I had known sooner... I wouldn't have let your mother leave like that."Deirdre lowered her gaze and handed the letter to Arthur. "My mother explains in the letter that her departure was a voluntary sacrifice to protect everyone. She never blamed you."Arthur gazed at the letter, struggling to find the right words.Deirdre left silently, shutting the door.-Ryker was also brought to the police station. Under Sterling's methods, he confessed to the murders. Emily faced the same outcome.All of them waited for their trials.-
The distance from Southedge to Village Alnwick was immense, yet Brendan displayed unwavering resolve."Then let's depart today," he said.As Deirdre bid farewell to Arthur, an unexpected glimmer of sadness flickered in his eyes. "Visiting your mother's grave, huh? Okay, go ahead. Take care of yourself, don't overexert.""Yes," Deirdre replied. Faced with Arthur's hesitant gaze, she felt compelled to add, "Dad, I'll be back."Arthur met Deirdre's gaze, hope rekindling in his eyes.Deirdre softly sighed. "You're my father, my family. Of course, I'll return." "Really? You mean it?" Arthur's excitement made his hands tremble slightly. He held onto Deirdre as if wanting to convey something, but all that emerged was a murmur, "Then please return early... Come back as soon as you can...""Sure. I have a friend coming over later today. Take care of him. Oh, and my boyfriend is here, too. Don't worry about the specifics. I'll explain everything upon my return."As she stepped out, Bren
"Brendan Brighthall?" Ryker wiped away his own nosebleed. "How did you manage to come from Neve? Didn't I ask Emily to keep an eye on you? That useless fool who can't even accomplish simple tasks.""Choosing to control minds with drugs all along, you should have anticipated this outcome." Brendan acted roughly. As he got up, he took the key from Ryker and placed Ryker on a chair.Deirdre clenched Brendan's sleeve tightly. Sensing her tension, Brendan embraced her to calm her down."It's okay. I'm sorry for coming back so late, making you go through this.""It's not your fault. Your timely arrival saved me from further trouble. It's my own foolishness... I let him find something to use against me," Deirdre said, shaking her head weakly.Brendan frowned, cupping Deirdre's face. "He wasn't someone easily deceived, to begin with. You've done well. I'm the one who brought you into this danger, which is unforgivable."Brendan's dark eyes were filled with intense emotions. He had arrive
Deirdre hugged Ryker, resting her head on his chest as he patted her back. "By the way, you're not curious about where I went after I left early this morning?"Deirdre realized the hidden meaning behind Ryker's words, retreated from Ryker's embrace little by little, and looked at him.Ryker's eyes, as enigmatic as ever, held a clarity that seemed to pierce through everything. "I went to the hospital."He didn't wait for Deirdre to respond. "Because I was curious why I was so sleepy last night for no reason. Any ordinary person might chalk it up to exhaustion. But I know my body too well. You drugged me."Deirdre felt a sudden chill running down her spine.Ryker took a step forward casually, but his eyes were full of killing intent. "I underestimated you, Deirdre. Your acting skills are far more impressive than I imagined. You nearly had me fooled. You deserve an Oscar. What a pity that you're now in my hands."Deirdre retreated abruptly, but she found a cold wall barring her esca
Deirdre was momentarily stunned as she watched Arthur search around the study. Eventually, he uncovered a rusty key from a drawer.Arthur raised the key. "Is this what your mother desired?"Deirdre's mind raced, thoughts swirling. "Is this from my mother?"A hint of disappointment shadowed Arthur's eyes as he nodded. "This is the only thing she left me before she departed. She didn't explain why. She just made me promise to keep this key and never search for her."Although I agreed, the thought of it weighed heavily on me. So, I hid the key in a corner of the drawer instead of treating it like any other possession. In hindsight, I shouldn't have made that promise. I shouldn't have let her go alone."Deirdre's voice wavered, confusion evident. But as realization dawned, her heart raced. "Can you give me the key?"Arthur earnestly nodded, his expression solemn. "This belongs to your mother. I'm willing to give it to you whenever you're ready. To be honest, I'm relieved to pass it o
The butler nodded and guided Deirdre to the study's door. Gathering her emotions, she pushed it open.Arthur's attention was on some documents, but the door's creak made him look up. He met Deirdre's gaze, causing a subtle flicker of surprise and uncertainty in his eyes."Deirdre..." He set aside the file. "Did you just wake up? Hungry? I'll have the kitchen prepare something."Deirdre shook her head, closing the door gently."Not hungry. I came to talk.""Everything okay?" Concern colored Arthur's expression. Though he seemed worried she might leave, he tried to hide it. "Go ahead. I'm with you."Deirdre found his reaction slightly amusing. "I'm not leaving."A spark returned to Arthur's eyes. "Then what's up?"As Deirdre grew more serious, she said, "I came to Southedge not just for a visit. I want to know if my mother left something with you before she passed. Something significant.""Left something?" Arthur was puzzled. "She left several things. Which one do you mean?"De
Brendan's eyes held a hint of pity as he spoke hesitantly. "Your mother took that item away."He gently touched Deirdre's face. "That man kidnapped your mother years ago. I don't know what happened during that time. Maybe he hurt your mother and wanted to keep her forcibly. Eventually, your mother found a chance to escape back to your father with the man's item."She left suddenly while pregnant with you, not out of hatred for your father, but to protect you. Now, that person is unsure if your mother or Arthur has the item. Thus, he aimed to kidnap both you and your father, taking his time to retrieve them."Deirdre's mind was overwhelmed, flooded with information that threatened to drown her. This unexpected revelation left her in disbelief.'My mother left my father because of me? And the mastermind behind Ryker is responsible for my mother's kidnapping?'"So that item holds significant importance for this person, enough to bring him down, right?" Deirdre forced herself to calm