Outside the hospital room, a tree grew tall and strong. A few birds sat on the branches with their heads under their wings due to the cold. The aura Ethan was emanating was just as cold as the weather outside."I will not agree to breaking up!" His tone was cold and assertive.Madelyn crossed her arms and retracted her gaze before stepping back, " That's not what I meant. I just want to give us some time to sort things out. Having some time away from each other should let us know whether we're suitable for each other or not!""There can never be a third person in a romantic relationship. When you knew Donna was in danger, you chose to save her. I know you still can't let her go due to what happened in the past. I'm not a heartless person, but you and I wanted to only have each other in our hearts," Madelyn continued.She smiled and said, "Ask her properly. If it turns out to be a misunderstanding all along, it might give you some closure. Regardless, we'd be the same as we were."
Madelyn did not return to the Jent residence. Instead, she went to the unit she rented. As she took out the key to open the door, a grassy and earthy fragrance wafted through the air. Madelyn walked in and saw that the plants on the balcony were in bloom. The house was clean, with only a uniform that was obviously not hers lying on the blue sofa.It reminded Madelyn of Forrest. She walked over and held the uniform. She wondered how he was doing and started to reminisce about the past. This house was filled with memories of her and Forrest, memories of him cooking in the kitchen and doing homework on the dining table. When he was exhausted, he would lie on the sofa and sleep until the first afternoon class started.In the blink of an eye, a week had passed. During this period, her phone was off. She never left the room, so she was clueless about whatever happened outside. She shut herself in that tiny house, sitting cross-legged on the floor. She numbed herself by drawing. Sometimes,
"Stop interfering in my life from now on. I have no need for your fake concern," Madelyn said.Zach's gaze landed on the can that held the water for Madelyn to wash her brushes. Her cellphone was totally submerged within it, with its motherboard removed.Zach pulled open the curtains to let the sunlight shine in. Madelyn, who had not seen the sun in days, squinted as she put her hand up to block the glaring sunlight."What are you doing? Close the curtains!" Madelyn yelled as her temper suddenly rose."I'm giving you an hour. Clean yourself up and follow me home," Zach ordered."Are you crazy, Zach? Why would I follow you home? Do you really think that place is my home? That house is Jadie's and your home, not mine," Madelyn retorted."Rosario is probably one of your lackeys, too! Only she could have put those drugs in my milk for all those years," Madelyn yelled.Whenever Madelyn saw Zach, she was reminded of certain harsh truths, some of which she still could not bear to think
"You've really come into your own, haven't you?" Zach stood up.Madelyn averted her eyes in panic and refused to look at the thing between Zach's legs. "Put your clothes on and get out."Zach casually picked up the bedsheet from the floor and wrapped it around his lower body, revealing his perfectly toned upper body with six-pack abs. Then, he silently headed for the living room, surprising Madelyn with how easygoing he was today.Madelyn quickly got out of bed and closed the door. Then, she went to her closet to put on her clothes. The sleeping pill she had taken made her almost forget how Zach had ended up in her bed.'This room has poor sound insulation.'Suddenly, Madelyn recalled something. After getting dressed, she walked to the living room to continue working on the unfinished painting. A few days ago, she had seen a notification about an art competition and decided to enter. Today was the deadline for submitting the draft, and the organizers would send someone to collect
Madelyn was near Ventrocloud High. She had not been outside for days, so her mood brightened as she watched the bustling street. Without a phone, she realized she had no one to worry about or to contact, making her world exceptionally quiet.Unconsciously, Madelyn walked into a familiar alley, the same one Forrest had taken her for a meal before. She had no idea why she had come here. As Madelyn was about to leave, a woman in her forties or fifties walked out carrying a basin with water. Upon seeing Madelyn, she immediately recognized her, "You look somewhat familiar. You're a friend of Forry, right?"Madelyn nodded in response."Well, he gave me something last time and said it was for you. It's been so many days, and I haven't seen you come to pick it up. Just wait here. I'll get it for you."Madelyn had no idea what it was. During their last meal, she had only seen the owner, not his wife. So, she was puzzled by how the owner's wife recognized her.After a short wait, the owner'
Madelyn had initially expected to face Hayson's scolding, but it seemed he was not at home since Jasmine was pregnant. Zach mentioned that she had been pregnant for over two months, and Hayson was confident that it was his child. Hayson had taken Jasmine to Sinagora to ensure a healthy pregnancy, so Madelyn would be the only one left at home from now on.'It turns out that Father hasn't cared about my well-being these past few days.' The expectations she had disappeared in an instant.Approaching the familiar yet unfamiliar living room, Rosario came over with teary eyes. "Madelyn, you've been through so much these past few days..."Madelyn looked at her with indifference. 'I don't understand. If Rosario truly cared for me and treated me like her child, why would she put something in my milk? And now she has to pretend to care about me! What's the reason for all of this?'Rosario was also one of Zach's trusted individuals, which left Madelyn wary about who around her was truly since
Taking advantage of Kai's momentary distraction while answering the phone, Lana hurriedly adjusted her skirt in humiliation. Her eyes welled up with tears as she pushed him away and fled the office.Kai's gaze followed Lana as she left. He walked to the desk, took a cigarette, and lit it. He attempted to soothe his inner turmoil. "Depends on the situation. Treatment usually involves medication and psychotherapy, but it mostly depends on the patient. If she can't get through it herself, no matter how many pills she takes or how much therapy she undergoes, it won't help. So, have you become soft-hearted?"Kai laughed heartlessly. Without getting any response, he continued to mock Zach with reckless laughter. "I knew this day would come. Zach, don't forget your purpose! Do you think you can back out now? You've been drugging Madelyn for twelve years. Even if you treat her well now, she won't forgive you. Do I need to remind you of everything you've done to her? Once you release the bows
"Mom, where'd you go? Please don't leave me behind," said Madelyn.Zach looked at the scene before him. It seemed he was witnessing a Madelyn who had already gone mad. His imposing figure loomed over her as he slowly approached. "Why are you kneeling on the ground? Get up.""What are you here for? You scared my mom away," Madelyn said calmly.Zach pulled her up with one swift motion. "Take a good look. There's no one else in this room besides you and me.""You're talking nonsense. I clearly saw my mom. She talked to me a lot. She said that if I'm tired, she'll take me away from here. It's all because of you. It's all your fault! You drove my mom away! Why'd you come in?"Zach seemed to experience heartbreak for the first time as he watched how he had driven Madelyn step by step into madness, pushing her into hell to achieve his goals. He should never have crossed that line. Now it allowed her to manipulate him easily.Zach had faced numerous shootouts, never losing his composure
Liam was standing in the rain, and though it hadn't been long, he was thoroughly drenched.Blake quickly pulled him close, her voice laced with concern. "Are you crazy? It's pouring rain! What if you catch a cold?"Liam's look was subdued, his face showing signs of fatigue. "I'm okay. This is for you; I didn't want you to have to come out in this weather."As Blake took in his forlorn appearance, her heart softened suddenly. 'Am I losing my mind?' she thought."Now you'll have to pay more attention to me, Blake... I was just so scared of losing you. I've put everything I have into getting you to agree to marry me; the idea of you walking away is unbearable."Overwhelmed with emotion, Blake locked eyes with him. "Did she teach you to say that too?" she asked, her hand moving on its own to brush away the raindrops from his hair.A maid nearby, observing the scene, rushed over with a blanket and an umbrella. However, Grace, fully grasping the gravity of the moment, halted her. Ackno
Cecilia said, "It's fine. Let's give them a week. Rearrange the flight and all the plans for the trip. This is Blake's first time getting married and going abroad for honeymoon. I want to make sure she has a good time."Susan nodded. "Okay, Ms. Samford."Not long after Cecilia left, three editors who used to work for Olivia's company entered her office. All of them spoke in panic, "Ms. Blue, what should we do? Ms. Samford already knows everything. If the legal department finds out about it, will we go to jail?"Olivia remained calm as she said, "Don't panic. Just focus on your work.""But we got into this company through you. What if they say we got into this company through the back door and then fired us?"Olivia sat at her desk, supporting her forehead with her hands. She was obviously panicking. "Don't worry, I'll handle this."You guys can leave now."Olivia did not expect this matter to be exposed so soon. She wondered how Cecilia found out about it. 'Could it be that she'
StartReading Literary was the last place Cecilia wanted to be. But she made an exception this time.Olivia had just finalized a cooperative copyright deal with another website company. Several editors from her own company were there at StartReading Literary. As she entered the office, she saw all the editors from StartReading Literary sitting upright, not daring to make a sound.She also saw her office door was wide open. She frowned as she walked into her office and was surprised to see an unexpected gust.Olivia put down the documents in her hand. "Ms. Samford, what brings you here?"With her legs crossed and Susan standing behind her, Cecilia stared at Olivia, who was in front of her.Cecilia sneered and stood up. She ran her fingers along the desk. "StartReading is actually the last place I want to be. I came here because I found out that you enjoy meddling in other people's affairs. Otherwise, you wouldn't even qualify to see me."Olivia instantly looked wary. She remained s
Liam stood up. He watched as Blake, who looked weary, walked away. "Blake, what do you want me to do so you'll like me?"Blake did not stop walking. Instead, she took even bigger steps and left.She went to the Harper residence, which surprised everyone.Grace asked, "Blake? Why did you come back here? Where's Liam? Why didn't he come back with you?"Blake stuttered, unable to find the words. She just made up an excuse, saying, "It's nothing. I just wanted to come back."After Hannah and Yael left the wedding last night, they went back to the research institute.As for Simon, he went to the farm to manage the business.After Blake went to her room, Grace became worried. She followed her and saw her sitting with a blank expression in the room, not knowing what to do.When Blake saw Grace, she quickly adjusted her mood. "Grace, why are you here?""I came to check on you. Blake, what's wrong? Did you have a fight with Liam? You just had your wedding yesterday, and you're already
The pregnancy test report came out fifteen minutes after Blake did the test. She was indeed pregnant. She was even seven weeks pregnant.Blake had indeed been involved with Kevin while in Northern Myanmar over a month ago.She held the medical report while standing bewildered in the cold hospital corridor. Lights shone through the floor-to-ceiling window onto her body, but all Blake felt was the cold, which made her hands and feet numb.She was lost in her thoughts. 'I'm really pregnant. What should I do with this baby? I want it to be born more than anyone else. But now, everything has changed. This child shouldn't come into this world.'She wandered in the corridor. Suddenly, she saw someone coming out of another gynecological room.She thought, 'Some things are just destined by fate. When I long to see him, even catching a glimpse of him in a dream feels like a luxury, an unattainable wish. But now, when I don't want to see him, it seems he appears everywhere I go.'Kevin supp
Blake wondered, 'I'm now pregnant with Kevin's child. What should I do?'She woke up groggily when she felt someone carry her. She opened her heavy eyelids and asked, "What time is it now?"Liam responded, "It's four-thirty in the morning. It's still early; go back to sleep for a while more."Blake said in a hoarse voice, "I've made an appointment for an abortion at eight o'clock. Regardless of whether I'm really pregnant or not, I don't want to keep this child."She had thought about it all night and believed this was the best decision.Kevin was going to get engaged. Blake believed he would get married and Audrey would give birth to his children. There was simply no need for her to complicate things further.She thought, 'If I choose to be selfish and decide to keep this baby, and if people find out about it, my child will be treated as an illegitimate child. I don't even dare to imagine how badly the child will be treated.'If giving birth to the baby will bring it a lifetime
Blake continued, "What about you, Liam? Do you mind?"If you do, you can choose to divorce me. After all, I've wronged you. No one wants to marry a woman who's carrying someone else's child."Liam stepped forward on the shattered cup and hugged her tightly. "I don't mind. Blake, I love you, including everything about you. I don't mind your past. I just want to start over with you. I didn't tell you about the pregnancy because I was selfish; I wanted to keep you by my side."Blake, your child is my child. I want to raise the baby with you."Don't leave me, okay?"Blake did not know why, but she was not surprised by her pregnancy. However, she felt that there were still some things that she could not let go of, though she was unsure what those were.She was not as calm as she had imagined.She thought about her past events. Then, she indifferently said, "Liam, I don't want this child. Since I'm prepared to be with you, I won't keep this child. It wouldn't be fair to you."Liam di
On this romantic night, the moon was obscured by the clouds.Breathing heavily, Blake felt some pain in her abdomen. She asked to stop. "Liam, my stomach hurts. I think I'm going to have my period soon."Liam sobered up instantly. "I'll go get you some medicine."She peeked out from under the blanket as the bedside lamp turned on. She could clearly see Liam's naked upper body. Her face flushed as she averted her gaze. "It's fine. Just help me call the front desk and ask them to bring up a pack of sanitary pads. I'll go to the bathroom to deal with it."Liam replied, "Let's go to the hospital tomorrow for a check-up."Blake picked up her clothes from the floor and went to the bathroom. "It's okay. It's probably just my period."However, judging by the blood flowing out, it did not seem like menstrual blood to Blake. It looked like something else.Blake's voice came from the bathroom again. "I think we should go to the hospital."She sat on the toilet and watched the tall, slende
Blake had no bridesmaids, so she returned to the hotel room alone. As she stepped out of the elevator and was ready to use the room key card in her hand to swipe and enter the room, she suddenly saw a figure appear from the corner of her eye.She stopped her action and looked at the person who had left the wedding earlier.At that moment, Blake felt her breath catch, but it was only fleeting. She then quickly regained her composure and averted her gaze. She asked, "Didn't you leave? Why are you still here?"Kevin replied, "Congratulations."Upon hearing his congratulations, Blake felt a mix of amusement and discomfort. "There's nothing to congratulate. If anything, I should congratulate you. You're soon to be the mayor's son-in-law. In the future, we won't belong in the same social class anymore."I'm tired and came back to rest. You should leave now before Liam comes up and sees you here."Don't look for me again. I don't want him to misunderstand."Kevin responded, "Audrey and