Kai let go of Lana, stepped out of the passenger seat, and answered his phone. "She's dead?" he asked."You weren't involved?"After a brief silence, Kai said, "I'll investigate."He had no motive to kill Rosario, especially knowing she did not have much time left. If he had wanted her gone, he would have done it quietly, not blatantly. The leads were now lost. For years, Kai had been searching for the torn pages from Alicia's diary. Those pages contained the truth about certain past events.Kai had taken a brief ten-minute nap and was completely drained. When he turned, he collided with Lana. She teetered backward, about to fall, but Kai was quick to steady her."Can you drive?" he asked.Lana, with a hint of skepticism, replied, "What do you want to do?""Drive back to the hospital once we're off this mountain," Kai said, handing her the keys.Kai needed a break. As he took the passenger seat, he quickly fell asleep, evident from his steady breathing. Lana got into the driver
Remembering the prescription he had eagerly given to Zach filled Kai with guilt. 'My action led to Alicia losing her only daughter.'A past promise he made as a child now weighed heavily on his mind. At eight, standing next to the radiant Alicia and looking at a starry sky, he had said, "If you ever have a daughter, Ms. Wood, I'll look out for her like a big brother."Alicia smiled warmly. "I can see you being a wonderful big brother. And if I'm not around," she had added, her tone more serious, "promise me you'll take care of her."Kai, even as a young boy, had taken the promise to heart. "I promise."Yet, thinking of it now, he felt a pang of sorrow. 'I was supposed to protect her. If Madelyn dies, I'm to blame.'Lana waited outside the operating room, watching as Kai, dressed in blue scrubs, went inside. She was not used to seeing him so serious; his usual self was so playful.After a short nap, Madelyn came down to the living room, feeling hungry. "Margaret, did someone stop
"He's legitimate because I say so. I will let everyone know that Dalton Jardin is my son, "Zach declared.Zach was not discussing this with Madelyn; he merely told her what he planned to do. Madelyn could never stop Zach from doing whatever he wanted. Sometimes, even she would not know what Zach was thinking."I can't allow you to do that. You should put the child under my name. Then he would be my child and have no relation to you. Besides, leaving Ventropolis is your business. I won't be going with you," Madelyn said calmly to Zach. He had his plans, while Madelyn had her convictions.'Father... No... I don't even know if I should call him 'Father,'' Madelyn thought. She was staying in Ventropolis because there were still many things she needed to understand. Most importantly, Madelyn wanted to know whether she was Hayson's biological daughter.However, she did not want their arguing to wake Dalton up. Madelyn got up and left the room. She walked to the living room downstairs to
Madelyn was still concerned about what Zach had said.'Marry me? Marriage? He must've gone crazy!' Madelyn thought.She then absent-mindedly wiped the saliva off Dalton's face. Dalton saw the pacifier near his mouth, so he bit down and sucked on it. He lay down in her arms while staring at Madelyn. Madelyn lowered her head and smiled, caressing Dalton's face.His initial skinny face and brittle hair were totally different now. His cheeks were chubbier, while his hair had grown thicker and darker. Madelyn somehow knew he would grow into a troublemaker by gazing into his eyes. As Zach stepped into the room, the phone in his pocket rang. He took it out to check the caller ID. When his gaze landed on Madelyn, embracing the child, Zach went to his study instead, only accepting the call after he reached the windowsill."What's the matter?" Zach asked.Kai had just finished doing surgery on Frida. He came out of the surgery room and sat down on his chair. He asked tiredly while massaging
Zach answered Madelyn, "It's a follow-up appointment. You've taken your medication too frequently."Madelyn stayed silent. Dalton did not move when he was in Zach's arms. He was wearing a long sleeved shirt today, holding a blue teddy bear close to his chest. He was also wearing a jacket, with a cap on his head. Madelyn had chosen this outfit for Dalton meticulously. Dalton was not as lively as when he was in Madelyn's arms. Dalton was silently biting his fingers as saliva drooled from his mouth.Madelyn turned around to look outside the window. Her cold hands were immediately held by Zach's warm hand. Madelyn froze momentarily and turned her head away as if nothing happened. The car drove for a while and seemed to be heading toward SereneCare Hospital.Zach exited the car with Dalton in his arms when they arrived at the hospital. They gave off the impression of a happy family of three. Zach walked in with his tall frame while Madelyn followed behind him.Madelyn was wearing a beig
Madelyn walked into the changing room. She then did a blood test, neural CT scan, and more. The check-up this time was much more comprehensive. Madelyn lay down on a bed while Kai sat by a machine.She told him, "I've read the whole diary, except for the few pages that were torn off. So am I truly not Hayson's biological daughter?" "Yes!" Kai answered."The revenge plot that you've been talking about since the beginning was all because I was Hayson's daughter, but I never was...""I-I'm sorry," Kai whispered. Madelyn turned to face him, her expression cold as the blood drawn from her left arm was taken to the lab for testing. They were the only people left in the room. Madelyn felt her emotions surge, and her head throbbed. She closed her eyes, not knowing how to process the truth that had just been revealed to her. She could not forgive Kai even though he had done it all for her mother.Kai struggled immensely before saying, "Stay at the hospital for treatment. I'll do everythin
Kai replied, "Forty years ago, Willowbrookshire was where Marisburg stands today. There's a place there called the Forsaken Garden. All those people who died in vain are buried there.""H-He's there too?" Madelyn asked.Kai knew who Madelyn meant. He answered, "After Erick Blinken died, Ms. Wood made his tombstone all by herself. Regardless of whether you believe me or not, you'll know the truth once you arrive at Marisburg. I know that no matter what I do now, I can't undo the damage I've caused you. I will give you my life if you want it now. You don't even have to do it yourself."This was Kai's punishment for himself, to punish himself for foolishly torturing her for so many years."For now, it's best you stay by Zach's side while I investigate some matters. He won't hurt you now. Right now, while there are still unknown dangers lurking, only Zach can protect you," Kai continued.Despite their family's relationship, Madelyn would never call him her brother. When they finished
Madelyn thought, 'Rosario and Hayson are both dead now.'After the cremation, the person who held the urn covered it with a black cloth. He brought it over and said, "My condolences."Zach took over the urn. He said, "I'll handle the funeral."Madelyn expressionlessly responded, "Up to you. I'm fine with anything."She turned around and left after that.In the hall upstairs, Kai had already settled all the expenses. He was carrying a bag containing the medication Madelyn needed for chemotherapy. He said, "The medicines you've been using work well, but they have some negative side effects, so it's time to stop taking them. The medicines I'm giving you now have been clinically tested and are free of any side effects."When Kai saw Zach walk toward them, he leaned slightly toward Madelyn and whispered in her ear, "From now on, I'll always stand by your side."Madelyn trembled and looked at him with a confused expression.Zach walked closer with the child in his arms. Kevin, who ha