Ronald sipped his tea. “The Angelo family is no longer how it used-to-be twenty years ago, during which it was the mover and shaker here. After Ms. Moore died, Angelo was in sorrow. Besides, he had left the company many years ago. If news spread, he would only tarnish his own reputation if he thinks of confronting me for Yvette’s sake. The Angelo family is no longer what it used to be.” Raine said nothing. By the sounds of it, he had made up his mind and would not change it anymore. “I am not a heartless person. I will do my duty to the Angelo family and not let this become a subject of ridicule,” Ronald said. “In short, I can already foresee trouble ahead for the Valentine family,” Raine said. Yvette pushed the door of the study room open and walked in with a smile while the two were still talking. “Ronald and I are going over to Mark’s apartment. Do you want to come along with us, Raine?” Raine’s expression changed, and she nodded. “Yeah, why not? Since I have nothing to do
The voice was sharp and loud, as if it was about to rip their eardrums apart. Yvette, Ronald, and Raine were standing there in the kitchen doorway. They could see clearly what was happening before their eyes, especially looking at that angle of theirs. An indescribable shock filled their faces, their expressions changing. Yvette glared at Summer, not bothering to hide her outrage. ‘Shameless bitch!’ Ronald glanced at Mark, then at Raine beside him, and frowned. Raine’s expression was no better. Her face changed from red to pale, her fingernails sinking into the flesh of her palms. Her body was shivering, as if a bucket of ice water had poured down her head, her body and limbs feeling cold. Mark’s reaction was quick. But he did not look back, his deep-set eyes moving in the eye sockets. Meanwhile, Summer’s heart was racing. That voice was all too familiar. Who would it be if not Yvette? Yvette stepped in and stood in front of Summer, and breathed out her hatred. “You a
This woman must have used some disingenuous means to bewitch Mark. Otherwise, Mark would not have behaved this way. It was as if a layer of black cloth was wrapped around his eyes, blinding him. That woman had bewitched him. Yvette would not listen to his reasoning at all, as anger had consumed her. “All this notwithstanding, you were the reason for the scars on Raine’s face. How could you treat her like this?” Raine felt so hurt, as if a sharp weapon had pierced into her heart. Ronald stepped forward, held Raine by her shoulders, and let out a soft sigh. “I feel guilty for Raine. But guilt is not the same as love. I will try my best to make up for it, in some other way,” Mark said, as he looked at Raine and then at Yvette. “I will never accept her, not in this life. She will never get to be part of the Valentine family, unless I am dead.” Yvette banged her hand on the table. “I want her.” Mark spelled out his words, and then repeated himself. “I really want her.” His
Silence returned in the kitchen. The only thing that was audible was the interlacing breathing sounds of the two. Mark’s eyes locked unto the woman in his arms. They were filled with concern, as he was afraid that those nasty words would hurt her. “Are you okay?” “About what?” Summer looked at him. “Don’t listen to what they say and don’t take what they have said to heart. Do you understand?” “Sure.” The corner of her mouth curled up, and she shook her head. “I didn’t take it to heart.” Those in the Valentine family, except Jazz and Ms. Moore, hated her. She had realized this four years ago. When she agreed to be with him again, she was mentally prepared for this situation. After all, Yvette hated her too much. He tightened his grip on her, and she fell against his broad, warm chest, letting her lean against him as he looked at her affectionately. “Leave everything to me. I will handle it. Don’t think too much and don’t be bothered by it, lest you will get more crow's fee
The Valentine mansion Raine was crying her heart out, drenching herself in her own tears. Yvette comforted her while cursing Summer, her words full of disgust and hatred. “Mark must be blinded by her. He can’t see anything right now. That woman must have pulled some tricks on him. It would get on my nerves everything I saw her.” “What about me? What am I?” Raine asked back with a sneer and tears. She had not recovered from the shock and was as if in a trance. Ronald frowned as he looked at Raine. “Yvette and I will not accept that woman, no matter what.” Raine just shook her head. She could not listen to anything at the moment. All she felt was pain—so painful that she had to cry. “Comfort her,” Ronald said to Yvette. Yvette put her arm around Raine and patted her on the back, cajoling her while cursing Summer in her mind. Ronald’s phone rang. He took it out and his expression changed with a hint of joy in his eyes at seeing the caller ID. He glanced at Yvette to mak
She was still the culprit, after all. “If you can’t keep him, so be it. Why are you staring at me like that?” Yvette gave her a few glances, but still did not know what that stare of Raine’s meant. “It is not too late to win Mark back. You should think of a way quickly.” “I am tired. I will be going upstairs first to rest for a while.” She got up, pulled her gaze back, and went upstairs. Yvette called Ronald, wanting to know where he had gone, and if he would come back for dinner in the evening. But he did not pick up his phone.… On the other hand Ronald asked the driver to drive at the fastest speed possible and they shot through every traffic light. The usual journey from the Valentine mansion to the hospital took an hour and a half, but it only took one hour this time. The attending doctor, who had been waiting for him, came up at once when Ronald arrived. “Mr. Valentine.” “How is she?” Ronald was worried, but it did not show on his face, as he did not want anyone to
Ronald held her hand tighter again, without saying a word; just holding her tightly, with force. Samantha’s willow brows were raised, and her slender fingers ran over his brows gently. “What’s wrong?” Sighing again, Ronald wrapped her hand in the palm of his hand, bowed his head, and kissed her. “I will find the right bone marrow for you. I will.” She was stunned for a moment, and then regained her composure. “Find bone marrow? My condition sounds tricky.” “It is the early stage of leukemia. The doctor said that as long as you find a matching bone marrow and undergo treatments, you will recover. Don’t worry.” Nodding, Samantha lazily squinted her narrow eyes. “Is there any fruit? I feel like eating some fruit.” Ronald took an apple and peeled the skin, and his brows were still knitted together. “Are you not worried about your illness?” She looked nonchalant, no matter what she did. She curled up like a kitten. It was leukemia. Her reaction surprised him. He was expectin
Summer closed the door and then pinched her little nose. “You have all your attention on that TV now, eh? Let’s go home now. Or else, Grandma will be worried.” “Mommy, Daddy said I am a timely rain. Whenever he was in a drought, I would always come and pour him a bucket of water. What is timely rain and drought, Mommy?” Charlotte’s two round eyes blinked and her two braids swung. Summer could not help but gritted her teeth. What the hell did Mark say to the child? She brazened it out and gave a perfunctory explanation. After just making two paces, Summer got a call from Sherman, telling her that there was a teacher vacancy in the Sunnyside High School, and asked her if she was interested. Summer thought for a moment, and then agreed to check it out at the high school the next day. The two chatted for a few moments before hanging up. It was nightfall when Summer reached home. Daisy was washing Charlotte’s clothes when she heard sounds. She looked up. “Where have you been? Wh