Jadie's eyes welled up with tears. She then hugged him from behind while sobbing. She cried, "Zach, do you know how much I envy Madelyn? To see how the person she loves also loves her back unconditionally? She is able to be engaged with the person she likes.""I also want to be with you forever, too, Zach, just like her. I want to be your wife forevermore. But... why can't you like me back?" Jadie asked.Although Zach's back was hot, his heart seemed like it had frozen over. He replied, "Jadie, I'm not as good as you think. There are many things that you still don't understand."Jadie clutched his waist tightly and did not let go. She screamed, "No! You will always be the best in my eyes. I don't need to understand or care what kind of person you are. I want to stay by your side, become your wife, and give birth to your children. You promised you would give me a family. You can't go back on your words, Zach."His suit was soaking as Jadie's tears seeped into it. Zach turned around
Regardless of Jadie's actions of putting everything on the line today, Zach's decisions were resolute and unwavering. He lifted her and drove to SereneCare Hospital.In the emergency room, Kai calmly stitched up Jadie's wound. "I never expected such a delicate girl would risk her life for you. Haven't you ever thought about giving in to her? Madelyn is going to marry Mr. Arnold. It's a done deal. Unless you can take down the Arnold Corporation quickly, you won't be able to take Madelyn away from him."Oh! There's something crucial you must remember. According to the DNA test, you and Madelyn are siblings. If you two really get together, it could lead to significant consequences! Tsk! I never thought someone could actually like a person as rotten as you."Kai laughed, "How rare is that!""Are you finished?" Zach turned away from the floor-to-ceiling window. He furrowed his brows, and his tone revealed a hint of annoyance.Kai finished suturing and wrapped Jadie's wound up with a ba
The night was quiet. The wind rustled through the branches outside the window, causing the heavy curtains to billow. The weather in April was not too cold. The medicinal scent filled the air as the wind blew into the ward.Jadie woke up but did not want to face Zach. So, she turned her head to gaze at the billowing curtains. "You don't want me anymore, so why are you still at the hospital? Just go back. I don't need you to take care of me."Zach picked up a medicine from the bedside table. The thick, black liquid inside emitted an unpleasant odor. Upon hearing what Jadie said, he answered, "Okay." Then, he put the medicine back down.He stood up and checked his wristwatch. "It's 12:12 a.m. now. I'll give you ten minutes to calm down. Think it over, and I'll come back in.""Zach!" Jadie called out to him urgently.Zach stopped and asked, "Are you calm now?"Jadie bit her lip and nodded, "Yes."Zach sat down by the bedside and tucked her in. "Drink it before it gets cold. I'll tak
Zach fed Jadie a natural medicine and spent nearly half an hour reassuring her before leaving the ward. It was too late now. So, he decided to stay overnight at the hospital and return home the next day. Zach stepped out to the quiet, dimly lit balcony, shielding his hand from the wind as he lit a cigarette. He took a drag and exhaled a puff of smoke.Halfway through his cigarette, Kai approached him with a report in hand. "If we keep delaying, the hypnosis we did on Jadie eight years ago will soon lose its effect. This time, her emotional outburst is just a reflection of what's inside of her. If her inner strength isn't strong enough, and you don't keep an eye on her, she might repeat the same action with even a slight slip."The nicotine in the cigarette eased some of Zach's tension. While smoking could be addictive, it had little hold over him. He knew what addiction felt like. The craving was akin to a swarm of worms crawling over his body and gnawing at his bones when he went wi
Eight years ago, Ventropolis was nothing more than a run-down district. Unruly elements and motley crew filled the streets. There were no eyewitnesses or surveillance footage of the events from that time. However, Zach had never stopped searching for them for the past eight years. Sending Jadie abroad was not only because of her asthma but also to let her leave, allowing her to forget everything and start anew."Ah!" Jadie let out a piercing scream. When Zach entered the ward, he found Jadie holding her head and huddled in a corner, trembling and with a vacant expression."Z-Zach, where are you?" Jadie's voice quivered.Zach crouched ahead of her and gently held her in his arms, saying, "It's okay."Zach's voice provided warmth, stabilizing Jadie's emotions. Smelling the tobacco on his body, her grip around his waist tightened even more. "Z-Zach, I had a terrifying nightmare. I'm so scared. I dreamed that I was covered in blood. It was so painful. I tried to find you, but no matter
Mya handed Madelyn a milk bottle and said, "Madelyn, do your best! After your exam, we'll pick you up. I have a surprise for you tonight."Lem leaned on the car window and waved at her. "Madelyn, no matter how you perform in the exam, Kennedy and I will guarantee that you will become the top scorer in this year's college entrance exam. The mayor will personally award you, so give it your all!" After saying that, he gave her an encouraging gesture.Kennedy did not say much but two words, "Good luck."Madelyn watched them drive away before heading to the exam hall and finding her seat. Upon receiving her drawing paper, she tried to calm herself and started to draw. Madelyn had been painting for two lifetimes, but this was the first time she was officially testing her actual level of proficiency. It would be a lie to say she was not nervous.Madelyn loved drawing since she was a child. However, Hayson never allowed her to do it for some reason. So, she could only draw in secret. After
In the evening, Kennedy booked a seafood barbecue restaurant near the school. There were many late-night stalls here. It happened to be the season for beer and crayfish now.Lem suggested, "How about we sit by the entrance?"Mya agreed, "Sure, I'm fine with that."Madelyn nodded, "It's okay for me too."Madelyn remembered the first time she ate at the street food vendor during last year's holiday. It was Forrest who took her there. After the meal, she had diarrhea that night. In order to avoid spoiling their mood, Madelyn decided to eat as little as possible.It was just right for the four of them to sit at the table. Kennedy and Lem were clearly regulars here. They went to the food area, and each grabbed an iron tray. All four of them picked various items. Madelyn did not take much since she could not eat a lot.They also ordered eight pounds of crayfish. When they returned to their seats, Lem brought over a case of beer. "Girls shouldn't drink. So just leave it to Kennedy and m
The three of them all turned their eyes unanimously to Madelyn. She answered, "He left."Mya asked, "When will he come back?"Mya grumbled in her heart, 'He took my lollipop during the last basketball game, promising to return it. But he still hadn't.'"I'm not sure. Maybe Forrest will come back when his mom recovers from her illness."Lem shrugged. "Once he left, Ken had it tough. Admirers filled his desk with love letters. To avoid them, he rarely goes to class now."They strolled for half an hour. Madelyn's phone in her pocket rang when the time just passed eight o'clock. The mood of their conversation suddenly became quiet.Seeing the caller ID, Madelyn answered the phone. "My gathering is over. Just come to the school gate to pick me up.""...""Yes, I'll wait for you. Be careful on the way." After a few short sentences, Madelyn hung up."I should get going," she said.Lem said, "We'll accompany you to the school. After you leave, we'll send Mya back."Mya quickly waved