"How did you know?" That question had been nagging Isaac for a while.Irene explained, "I saw Layla Gooding's photo on your desk, and she looked just like Stephen Carr's photo of a special patient. Luckily, I have Stephen's trust, and I managed to make contact with her. My guess was that you're investigating her, so I wanted to help you and find out what's her deal."Isaac's gaze softened right then. She had insisted on coming to the hospital to investigate Layla—she was helping him in secret without him knowing. Reaching out to take her dainty hand in his, he gave it a squeeze and said, "Thank you."He had actually misunderstood that she was so obsessed with work she could ignore Tommy's illness—but it was not entirely the case.Irene smiled. "We're married—you don't have to thank me. Also, there's not much to worry about, since your mother's memories would return once that thing in her brain is taken out. She'll definitely remember you… also, I was going to tell you tonight
Mrs. Watson said, "I don't know—it's from a courier, and I didn't open it."On the other hand, out of curiosity, Irene picked up the invitation and opened it…Only to find Zachary Slate's name on it.Her eyes widened. "Zachary is getting married already?"She then checked the bride's name and saw that it was 'Ember Lindt'. Was that the woman who got into bed with Zachary? Irene's face fell at the very thought. How many days had it been since Zachary broke up with Lulu? And he was getting married already?How terrible would Lulu feel if she were to find out?She heaved a sigh.Isaac walked up to her then and read the invitation but did not comment. He and Zachary were close, but he would not ask about Zachary's private affairs, and would rather Irene did not either."He's an adult. He knows what he's doing—you don't have to worry about him."Despite understanding that, Irene said, "Yes, it's Zachary's marriage and his choice. No one can interfere… but I just feel bad for
"Come closer, and I'll tell you."Irene hesitated for a moment, but walked up to Isaac anyway, only for him to reach out and pull her toward himself, firmly holding her in his arms. Irene's hands pushed against his chest to keep them apart. Blushing, she whispered, "W-What are you doing?""Just telling you why I was laughing."He then leaned down to breathe flirtily into her ear, "My wit passed into you when we did it, don't you think?"Irene flushed. How shameless could he be?!She shot him a glare in embarrassment. "You're so… vulgar!"Isaac chuckled. "Vulgar? Who cares, when I'm with you? We certainly wouldn't have had Tommy if we cared."Irene was left speechless—where did his usual noble loftiness go? He was just a common scoundrel now!Worried that he would keep going, she said, "Anyway, we should get an expert soon.""Yeah. I'll go make a call."Isaac just wanted a moment of respite with her to ease his mind anyway, since flirting with Irene relaxed him. However,
Zachary had been busy for a while—he was bogged down by everything from family issues and relationship troubles to workplace problems.He had not met Isaac for a while, and so did not know about Layla.Irene glanced at Isaac, and knowing that he would not offer information on his personal affairs, she spoke in his stead. "She's Isaac's mother.""What?!" Zachary exclaimed.He stopped short of mouthing an expletive, but that was just how shocking it was—anyone would be when they find out that someone who was supposed to have died over a decade ago had survived.Irene said, "That's just it. We still don't know how she survived, and what happened after."It took Zachary a while to digest the information—it was simply unbelievable! Still, he suddenly asked, "Is this why you've spared Ian Jefferson and Light Group?"Even though he was not paying attention to Isaac's affairs lately, he was perfectly aware that Isaac was the one who sabotaged Light Group. After all, he was involved
Irene forced herself to stay calm. "I'll resuscitate the patient.""It won't work." Stephen said—he knew from the start that the surgery itself was almost hopeless.In fact, he called in Irene because he had his own agenda."You never know until you try!" Irene snapped, ignoring him and pressing her full weight on Layla's ribs, pumping as hard as she could.It was taxing, and she was soon sweating buckets.Even though beads of sweat as large as peas trickled off her hair and rained over Layla's face, she did not give up. "I'll save her! I won't let her die!"As there was still no response on the ECG, she tried the defibrillators next. Although Layla's body rose inches into the air from the jolt, it landed heavily soon after, and there was still no response."Vitals lost," someone said.Irene flipped out right then. "Who was that?!" She would save Layla whatever it took—that was the only thought on Irene's mind, because Layla was Isaac's only family and she mattered to him
Irene simply thought it hilarious. "Yvaine died because of Mick's selfishness. Yes, he saved her at first, but he also killed her, didn't he? He wanted that inhibitor chip planted because he wanted her to forget the past, and if it was never implanted, it would never have caused her coma. Are you saying that he's not a murderer for that? Don't you think that Isaac should get revenge as Yvaine's son?""Mick genuinely loved Yvaine," Stephen replied.He did not shy from asking Irene to sacrifice herself because he wanted to save Mick. After being friends for years with the man, he knew how Mick felt toward Yvaine."Sure he is, but does Yvaine really love him back? If she did, why would she have married Andrew Jefferson? Moreover, did he have Yvaine's permission to implant that chip?"Irene was convinced that Mick was selfish—he had stolen Yvaine's memories, and used love to disguise his crime of stealing another man's wife and a boy's mother."I won't agree to this—no way. I won't al
What could Layla have sent her?Irene was unusually nervous, and curious to find out as soon as possible, she took the parcel to her office, sat down, and opened it. There was a letter and a red velvet box within, and Irene's hand paused for a moment instead of taking everything out immediately.The thought that Layla was gone, and that these were her relics left her tearing up—not because of Layla herself, but because of Isaac.He had just found her, but she was taken away soon after.Tragedy and blessing happened with such quick succession that the gods must be mocking him.In fact, no one could prepare for something like this!Irene inhaled deeply several times to calm herself before opening the red velvet box, and saw that it contained a simple ring, but the yellow diamond embedded on it was dazzling.She did not know much about jewelry, but could tell that it is worth a lot given the size and color.She closed the box and returned it inside the parcel box, and eventually
Stephen heaved a soft sigh and glanced at Mick, who clearly did not care about appearances now. "You heard? Honestly, he really is embarrassing himself in front of youngsters now…"Irene gave no comment—she would not be here at all if not for Yvaine's letter.She said, "I'll take the fall." Stephen did a double take—she changed her mind already? He could barely keep up!"W-What was that?" he asked in slight disbelief."I said, I'll take the fall—""You don't have to. My selfishness killed her, and I don't want to live now that she's gone. You don't have to sacrifice yourself to protect me…"Mick wobbled even as he rose to his feet and tried to carry Yvaine, but Irene said, "She remembered."Mick froze, and turned around after a while. "W-What did you say?"Stephen was looking at Irene in shock too. "How did you find out?""She wrote me a letter, addressing it here since she doesn't know where I live. I just read it—""What did she say?" Mick cried as he suddenly jumped t