Hades raised an eyebrow, glancing at Alanna.Alanna's lips twitch. Before she could say anything, Melanie's voice came from the entrance. "Hades."Hades walked toward the door. "Why are you here? Aren't you afraid of being seen?"His voice was unusually gentle as he spoke. No matter how many times Alanna heard it, it aroused uneasiness in her."Can't I visit a friend? Besides, I'm not here to see you. I came specifically to see Ms. Jacinto."While saying that, Melanie entered the apartment without waiting for an invitation."Ms. Jacinto, are you alright? I thought about it after I went home yesterday. I felt that I should come over to formally apologize to you. So, I took the liberty to visit. I hope you don't mind."Alanna let out a bitter laugh; she was in no mood to entertain Melanie's pretentious act. "Just say that you're sorry. I don't need to hear such grandiose phrases."Melanie instantly looked aggrieved. However, this time, she surprisingly didn't say much and proceed
Terrence was taken aback by Hades' comment.Arching an eyebrow, he looked at Hades with interest, then glanced at Alanna. "Hades, are you feeling bad for her?"Melanie's eyes were slightly red as she looked at Hades, feeling a bit aggrieved.Hades exuded a chilling aura as he replied, "Mr. Abbott, you've misunderstood. I'm just stating the facts."After concluding the subject, he turned his attention to Melanie. "How's your arm?"Instantly, Melanie broke into sobs. While wiping her tears, she looked at him with a mix of frustration and sadness. "You finally thought about me now?"Hades wasn't in the best mood. When he noticed Alanna's face had turned pale, he felt distressed. Thus, facing Melanie's immature behavior, he responded in annoyance, "Since when do I not care about you?"Melanie was stunned, not expecting Hades to speak to her in that tone. Her tears fell rapidly as she quavered, "I just wish you would care about me a little more. That's all I meant."Melanie loved to
Melanie's harsh words touched a nerve in Alanna.Yes, she had lost her baby. But even if the baby had survived, Hades wouldn't allowed her to keep it anyway.The realization hurt so much that she felt suffocated.Melanie, however, wasn't satisfied. She leaned in close to Alanna's ear and continued, "Alanna, don't you understand by now? You were just a fuck buddy. Do you really think you can rise in status by having his child?"With a sneer, she added, "Guess what would happen if it were me who got pregnant instead?"If it were Melanie, Alanna knew without a doubt that Hades would be extremely caring.Alanna's hands clenched tightly, her pale fingertips trembling slightly. She raised her head to meet Melanie's gaze, wearing a smile and making her tone seem indifferent as she responded, "Well, Ms. Smith, you have your work cut out for you."Even after all this time you've been back, Hades hasn't shown any intention of reconciling with you. You still have a long way to go before ge
Alanna Jacinto couldn't help but find humor in the situation after speaking. Staying to care for her was a duty for Hades Florentine. It was not a choice. He preferred to accompany Melanie Smith to the hospital for her dressing change.Alanna had thought she would never use responsibility as a chain to bind someone. It reminded her of the time she found out she was pregnant and didn't want to trap him with so-called responsibilities. Yet, here she was, using it. She didn't want to watch Hades leave with Melanie. It was probably just to spite Melanie.Hades squinted at her, then laughed after a long silence. "You didn't want me to stay before, did you, Ms. Jacinto? What changed your mind?"Alanna met his mocking gaze. Her lips paled slightly as she replied, "Mr. Florentine, you said it yourself. Taking care of me is your responsibility, isn't it?"Hades chuckled lightly and let go of her. "Don't worry, Ms. Jacinto. I won't leave you behind. I'll be back after changing Melanie's
The call connected after two rings. "Mr. Florentine, I'm currently..." Before Alanna could finish, Terrence Abbott's voice interrupted. His tone carried lazy sarcasm. "Ms. Jacinto? Hades went to pick up Melanie. He left in a hurry and forgot his phone. Do you need something?"Alanna's grip on her phone tightened. Her knuckles turned white. She ended the call abruptly and resumed her attempt to hail a ride through her phone app.When she finally got a ride and arrived at the hospital, an hour had passed. Chelsey Soltz greeted Alanna with a concerned frown upon seeing her drenched in the rain. "Do you realize you shouldn't be getting wet in the rain at a time like this?"A weak smile appeared on Alanna's pale lips. "Okay, I get it. Don't be angry. I'm feeling really awful right now. Can you not be angry for my sake?"Chelsey's expression was a mix of anger and heartbreak. She glared at Alanna before reluctantly accompanying her for a check-up. "You've got a bit of an infection. L
Hades returned home after dropping Melanie off, and it was already past ten in the evening. Upon entering, Margaret immediately mentioned, "Mr. Florentine, you're finally back. Ms. Jacinto has a fever."Hades paused before taking off his shoes, and his brow furrowed instantly. "How did she get a fever?" he asked while striding toward the bedroom.When he opened the bedroom door, he found the room empty. His expression darkened. "Where is she?" he inquired."Ms. Jacinto went to the hospital," Margaret informed him.His face grew even more displeased upon hearing this. "Why didn't you accompany her?" he demanded.Margaret appeared troubled. "Ms. Jacinto insisted she could go by herself. I wanted to go with her, but she wouldn't allow it."Hades' expression turned even darker. "So, you just let her go alone because she said so? Don't you realize she's ill? How could you let her go by herself?" His already commanding voice now carried an intimidating edge, which left Margaret too
Alanna nodded. Chelsey stood by the bed and carefully unwrapped the bandage. When the wound was revealed, Alanna's brow immediately furrowed. "Does it hurt?" Chelsey asked.Alanna endured the pain. She glanced at the wound and quickly looked away. "It's manageable.""What do you mean manageable? Your face has turned pale from the pain." Chelsey changed the dressing while saying, "This wound will leave a scar. Do you still have any scar removal cream?"Alanna nodded. Garrett Jacinto had often beaten her until she was bruised and battered in her early years. Since then, she had frequently used scar removal creams. She kept them stocked at home to this day."What happened to that fan afterward?" Chelsey asked with a frown."The legal process was followed for a lawsuit.""That's it? You're not going to investigate further?"Alanna scoffed, "What else could I have done? The authorities have concluded that Melanie had nothing to do with it." And with Hades protecting Melanie so we
Alanna avoided his gaze. "I had my phone on silent and didn't see it," she explained.Hades scoffed. He approached her and towered over her. "Didn't see it? Really?" he pressed.Alanna looked up to meet his gaze. "What else could it be? Why do you think I didn't answer, Mr. Florentine?"Hades' expression darkened instantly. "Ms. Jacinto, haven't I told you not to throw useless tantrums?""What do you mean by 'useless'?" Alanna couldn't hold back her frustration. "Is it that only Melanie's tears are 'useful' in your eyes? Only Melanie has the right to be upset, and I don't even have the right to throw a tantrum?"Hades narrowed his eyes slightly. He reached forward to pinch her chin with his cold fingers. "Why do you make yourself sound so aggrieved? I've hired a caretaker for you and provided compensation for you. What are you still feeling aggrieved about? Is it because I didn't take you to the hospital?"Alanna laughed as her eyes unexpectedly welled up with tears. She fought