Irene tried to push the crushing weight on top of her, but she could not make it budge at all. She opened her eyes and immediately picked up the faint scent of alcohol hitting her nose.Frowning, she asked meekly, "Were you drinking?""Just a little," he answered vaguely, nestling his head against her collarbone. "You're heavy…" she murmured as she pushed at him again.Isaac kissed her neck and started to undress her, without forgetting to answer, "Nope."His breathing was soon short and rushed, and Irene forgot herself amid the sounds of his breathing.There was no telling they had been at it, but she was left so tired she did not want to move, while all her limbs were sore.However, Isaac remained vigorous and persisted."I still have work tomorrow… Umph…"He kissed her before she could finish, cutting her off mid-sentence.It was after a long while that she was finally willing to release her, and she lay limply under the blanket, rasping, "Get me my pills."Issac opene
James called out to Erin. "Hey."It would have been better if he did not, as she quickened her pace when he did.James quickly ran after her and caught her wrist. "Why are you running?"His tone was relaxed and did not convey his frustration.However, Erin did not feel the same.She did not like James's touch because she considered herself filthy. "Let me go!" she snapped, dead serious.James refused. "I came all the way to see you. You'd hurt me if you still hid from me," He kept his tone as mild as possible so that Erin could let go of the past. "How about a movie tonight, seeing that I'm being sincere?"Unmoved, Erin snapped coolly, "Let me go!"James did not and kept smiling. "Whatever you say." Unable to shake him off, Erin was almost hysterical, and leaned down to bite his hand so that he would let go.He did not, even though she could taste blood. In fact, he was looking at her determinedly. "That brings me back."Erin then remembered her scuffle with James soo
James had an idea of what Mick wanted to say, and so, he spoke first. "I'm convinced that time mends, and that Erin would eventually forget the trauma in the days to come. I don't believe that she'd be hurting forever, and I want to stay with her in the long run. You have nothing to worry about—you can entrust her to me, and I promise to make her happy for the rest of her life."Mick was going to ask James just that, and hence, he switched gears. "She still needs time to calm down. Give her some space.""I just wanted to see her," James said, nodding. "I didn't expect her to react that badly." "She's calm around us, but she can't do it around you," Mick explained. "That means she cares about you—what you think and how you'd feel. That's why she would lose control, so please understand her.""I know." James certainly understood and therefore did not take offense.Mick then asked, "Where are you staying? I have another house, you could—""At Swiz Hotel," James replied. "I took lea
James's frown eased when he saw that it was Erin, and he soon appeared delighted beyond words. "You came? Missed me, didn't you? Can't bear to let my trip be wasted?"Erin lowered her gaze and immediately saw her bite marks on his hand. Still, the look of heartache lasted briefly in her eyes before she quickly hid it.Her fingers gradually clenching on her handbag strap, she tried to make herself sound as calm as possible. "I want to talk." James stood aside. "Come in first."She did so, and then noticed the food left untouched on the table."You didn't have lunch?"James smiled. "I'm not hungry. Would you like a drink? I'll get it for you."Erin sat down. "I'm not thirsty. Just sit—we need to talk."James was about to reach for a glass but paused.He took a deep breath, having sensed that Erin was here to break up with him.Calming down just then, he walked over and sat opposite her."I'm not breaking up with you."Erin could not help frowning, having been stopped befor
James looked into Erin's eyes and smiled. "I like it that you're upset."It means that she cared about him, and that she did not want to share his body with other women.Erin lowered her head, her voice unwittingly turning raspy. "You're so annoying."James tenderly reached out with his arms to hold her.This time, she did not push him away, but she grabbed him by the collar instead as she forced back her tears.She was failing, even as she sobbed. "Could you not? Please don't make this difficult for me."Her shoulders were shaking and her tears started to roll, and she leaned against his chest. "I-I don't deserve to be with you…"James held her tightly then and kissed her hair and her cheek before whispering beside her ear, "You gave me your first time to me. I had you in your purest state.""No, I've been defiled…""Shush."James pressed a finger on her lips. "It's in the past, and I've punished the people who hurt you. They'll spend the rest of their lives in jail, and I'v
James kept grinning in amusement. "Just pulling your leg."Erin rose to her feet right then. "Enjoy your meal."James quickly caught her wrist. "You're really upset, huh? Alright, it's your turn to pull a prank on me.""When did you change so much?" Erin asked, staring at him—she almost could not recognize him.He never behaved like this before! How did he change so drastically in such a short time? "I just wanted to cheer you up," James said, tugging at her so that she sat down. "Alright, I won't tease you anymore. Here—take this slice and mess with me."Erin smiled despite herself."No way, that's so childish."James smiled as he watched her smiling face.There were not many others at the cinema when they arrived after James had his lunch, and it was just the two in the entire hall.Still, James put an arm around her shoulder and said, "Come on. Lean on my shoulder."Erin did so, like a delicate little bird.She suddenly said softly, "You never did this before.""Did wh
As Finn dropped to a crouch beside Dennis to check his vitals, Irene started to apply first aid since she knew Dennis's condition.However, she noticed that something was amiss when she checked Dennis's heart rate. Still, she calmly looked up at Finn and said, "Call an ambulance… Never mind. That would take too much time—just carry him out of here.""Okay." Finn fully trusted Irene now and quickly did what he was told.Irene helped him move Dennis over his back before running ahead and arranging for Eagle to get the car ready. Soon, Finn got Dennis in the car, while Eagle drove all of them to the hospital.Thanks to Irene's quick response, Dennis was rescued in time. "Is Director Turner going to be alright?" Finn asked. Irene simply stayed silent, her expression somber.After all, she knew that Dennis was in bad shape—his life was at risk."Why aren't you saying anything, Director Spencer?" Finn asked, staring at her just then. "Is it serious?"Irene remained silent—she mu
The look in Ray's eyes was basically saying: Are you kidding me? Surgeries were not a game! "Even if you're a medical research staff, surgeries are only to be performed by doctors with the proper certification and training. Do you have those?""I do," Irene replied.Ray stared fixedly at her in silence, surprised despite himself.Still, she had remained calm since the start, and that was proof enough—the average person would be losing composure once they found out that their family was facing mortal danger."But you're not a doctor of this hospital. Even if you are a doctor, you're not allowed to perform the surgery here," Ray told her.Irene had more to say when Finn and several Hotmesh Research personnel arrived together, having heard about Dennis's condition."How is it going?" Finn asked."Not good," Irene replied."What?" everyone exclaimed at once.Irene stayed silent, but Ray explained, "If you're his family too, I'll make it clear—you need to prepare yourself.""W