No one could hurt Mark—not even a bit. But the look in Summer’s eyes and a word from her mouth could hurt him dearly.. Her words pierced into his heart like needles. Mark snickered, his voice hoarse. “Since this is what you want, then I will give it to you. But remember, I will no longer be available to you as no one will stay in one place and wait for someone forever.” For the first time, he loved a woman so much that he offered his heart to her, yet she threw it away. He got up and walked away, his steps not long and quick, as if he still had some expectations. Summer stared at him from behind, panting heavily, and tears rolled down her cheeks as an uncontrollable sadness consumed her. Hearing nothing from her, Mark sneered and laughed, and he never looked back. What else could he expect from her? If she did not want him to leave, she would have spoken just now. What else could he expect? Leaving the coffee shop meant the end between the two of them. It was a complete
The three of them were equally good at drinking. But Charlie was the first to pass out, and Billy was still drinking and kicking Charlie. Using alcohol to numb his sorrow was making the matter worse. He got more upset in the end. He leaned back and stayed motionless. The culprit was still smoking. Charlie’s eyes teared up because of the choking smoke. “Didn’t you quit smoking a long time ago?” “I can’t help myself,” Mark uttered a short sentence in a hoarse voice. “It seems that no one could read the ‘Smoking can kill you’ warning sign on the cigarette packs.” Charlie smiled. Mark said nothing, took out another pack of cigarettes, and lit up again. While Billy was still in a blackout, his phone rang. It was Sherman calling. So Charlie picked it up and talked to her briefly. “I will send this Billy home. You have also drunk too much, Mark. I will find a DD (designated driver) for you.” Charlie was about to make the call. “That won’t be necessary. Do I look drunk to y
The hospital The light in the emergency room was off. When Mark arrived, the doctor told him that the boy was unconscious and that he did not have a clue when the boy would wake up. Mark furrowed his brows and grabbed the doctor by his collar. The doctor was shocked, his expression changing. “We have tried our best. The patient has a congenital heart disease and might have a heart attack at that moment. So that is why…” Congenital heart disease? Mark let go of the doctor and walked outside the ward, where a girl was crouching on the floor and crying. The doctor told him that this was the boy’s elder sister. The boy’s name was Ayaan Donovan, 12, and the girl was Makayla Donovan, 18. They were orphans. The girl still looked immature and appeared to have an introverted personality, as she looked uneasy and lost. People said that children growing up in the orphanage were withdrawn and afraid of the crowd. She was green and quiet, sharing some characteristics with Summer. So
“Yeah,” he responded. “He will wake up knowing that you are waiting for him.” The corner of the girl’s mouth upturned into a smile. She thought the same. Ayaan would not want to make her sad, and so he would wake up. When they reached the top of the stairs, they inadvertently came face-to-face with Summer and Grace. The two were obviously shopping for clothes, too. A day felt like a long time since they last met. Summer knew that she should not look at him, but she still could not help herself. Apart from her, who was surprised to bump into Mark, there were many other people looking at him. Wearing a black suit with a simple white shirt and a dark blue tie, he looked elegant and smart and always caught the attention of women. Mark saw her yet just glanced over at her, looking haughty and alienated, as if she was a stranger. She had a mixed bag of feelings and more pain inside. They had become strangers to each other at last. While trying to catch up with Mark, the girl sp
Sometimes, you come to your senses in just a matter of seconds, and you suddenly see the light at the end of the tunnel. The sadness, depression, and the feeling of suffocation were fading away. She was now different from the miserable look of the past few days. She was a little excited, her expression brightening up. But then, her expression froze as she looked in a particular direction. Those changes of expressions would never escape Grace’s eyes. She turned around and saw through the transparent glass of Mark and the girl getting into the car together. “No way is he going out with another girl so quickly. Look at your expression; you look like a grumbling woman. Are you sure you can let go of him?” Summer pulled back her eyes and stared at Grace, who was still chewing the straw. “Don’t you think the girl’s behavior is a bit of an eyesore?” “I just think you are jealous. Why do you think that girl is an eyesore to you? Have you thought of a solution?” “Almost.” Grace po
He demeaned himself for the sake of her. Back at the hospital, Summer went to the reception to settle the hospitalization bill. The nurse at the reception told her that someone else had settled the bill. Summer’s breathing sped up, and she felt a pain in her chest, as if a thousand needles pierced her. Her hands and feet curled up and her voice trembled involuntarily. “Who paid for it?” “Mr. Valentine. All the bills would be settled under his name; he has instructed so earlier.” The nurse smiled. She could not even squeeze a smile, the look on her face looking more awful than crying, and her nails sank into the tender flesh of her palms. ‘What a fool!’ She felt touched and as if she wanted to cry. The two emotions came together, and she finally laughed. That thought was breeding and spreading like crazy inside her. Every cell in her body shouted that she missed him. Back in the ward, Daisy was watching TV. But Summer was sitting by the window, taking out some wool and k
Charlotte was still young, but old enough to understand what Summer meant. Her tears started to flow. “Mommy, is that Daddy’s new girlfriend?” Summer said nothing, but hugged Charlotte in her arms with a flash of light in her eyes. She looked cunning, like a fox. Summer’s back was facing Daisy, so Daisy did not see her expression but Charlotte’s crying face. She felt sorry for Charlotte. Daisy had seen Charlotte grow up. It broke her heart as a grandma to see Charlotte crying. “Mommy, has Daddy abandoned me? Will Daddy have a baby with his new girlfriend and never want me again?” She cried so hard that she was out of breath. “It is okay, Charlotte. Daddy will have his new life, but he is still your daddy.” She carried up Charlotte and sat down by the window. Tears flowed down her cheeks like a river burst its bank. Her eyes reddened and swelled as she whimpered. “Will Daddy have children again?” Summer did not answer, but just gently patted Charlotte on the back and coaxe
“Thank you.” He thanked her politely but indifferently, like a stranger. “No problem.” Her heart ached, and she took a deep breath. He did not look at her again as he turned to Daisy and said hello politely. “How are you doing, Mrs. Hart?” Daisy looked at the girl and Mark, then at Summer. “Surviving!” she said grumpily. “Take care. After having dinner with Charlotte, I will send her back.” Mark did not mind Daisy’s reaction. Summer remained silent. It was Daisy who felt not too happy. “Charlotte has already had dinner. Thank you for your kindness.” “I want to have dinner with Daddy. I want to be with Daddy. I am hungry,” Charlotte suddenly said. Charlotte’s words were a slap in the face for Daisy. She looked embarrassed. But it was her own granddaughter; there was nothing she could do about it. “I will send her back safely.” Mark turned around and left with the girl and Charlotte. Mark did not look back again, not even trying to glance out of the corner of his eye. H