Renee turned around and their eyes met. In his eyes, she once again saw the coldness of old.The air seemed to freeze at that moment. Even though they were on a warm island, it felt as cold as the South Pole.Neither of them spoke, but one could feel the exchange of sharp blades between their eyes.“Oh no!”Leia covered her face. She knew this would happen!The atmosphere was as eerie as a horror film. Leia, who was stuck between them, felt extremely awkward. She felt like jumping into the sea to get away."Umm... Mr. Hunt, please don't misunderstand. The two of us talk nonsense to each other all the time. Sometimes, we don't really mean what we say. Besides, besides...”Leia was crumbling under intense pressure. She racked her brains trying to make excuses for Renee.Although she strongly disapproved of their reunion, she did not hope to see them get into a fight over something so ridiculous.“I meant everything I said.”Renee stared at Stefan expressionlessly. His coldness
“You mean you've been thinking of a “future” with me?”“Of course!”Renee held the handsome man's face and teased him, "If I don't plan to have a long-term relationship with you, why would I waste my time? Look at you. Your face becomes tense so easily. It's not handsome anymore. Come on, smile for me. I love your smile. It captivates me every time.”“Stop being glib with me. I warn you, if you dare leave me, I'll break your leg.”Stefan's tone was still cool and arrogant, but his mood had obviously improved, and he could not help but smile."I know, I know. Hurry up and make dinner already. Lei's starving!""Fine. Xavier is roasting a leg of lamb. It should be done soon. Let's head over there."After that, he gave Renee a possessive kiss and went away to prepare dinner.Leia watched everything with wide eyes. She remained shocked for a long time.“T-That's it?”She gulped hard and asked, "Renee, what did you do? How did you tame the legendary giant iceberg who's used to bein
“What the hell???”Leia was staring at the leg of lamb and salivating wildly when she heard what Xavier said. It was so sudden that it stunned her.“I still remember the bold words you said on the speedboat. I, Xavier, have rarely been impressed with anyone, especially women, but after hearing what you said, I'm completely impressed. Don't let me down now.”“What bold words? I say lots of bold words all the time. You can't expect me to remember all of them.”Leia feigned ignorance and said, "Wow, the leg of lamb looks so good...”“It's okay if you don't remember because I do. I can remind you. You said you would show him your skills with a knife, you said you would castrate him and turn him into a eunuch, you said you would force him to his knees to apologize, etc...”Xavier crossed his long legs and said mischievously. He kept fanning the flames, trying to turn the situation chaotic.“D-Did I say that?”Leia shrunk back. Cold sweat broke out on her forehead.Yes, she was inde
“Simply drinking like this is boring. Why don't we play the Three Gardens game?”Renee reached out to stop Leia and Xavier from drinking and proposed eagerly.“That's a kid's game. Boring!”Leia and Xavier surprisingly had the same opinion. They both expressed no interest in the game.“How can you say my wife's proposal is boring?”Stefan's expression turned cold. He threatened, "You'll play the game, and you'll like it.”“Alright, alright, we'll play it.”Leia and Xavier once again acted in unison. They both succumbed to Stefan's pressure.Leia secretly complained to Xavier, "Is Stefan possessed? He's completely turned into a henpecked husband. It's scary."Xavier was unperturbed. "Nah. Deep down, my bro is actually a hopeless romantic. It took him a lot of effort to act like an iceberg in the past.”Renee clapped her hands and said, "Okay, let's start. I visited the Three Gardens on Wednesday. Today, we visited the—Fruit Garden!”Stefan: “Watermelon.”Leia: “Peach.”Abig
The atmosphere suddenly became tense again. Everyone looked at Stefan, waiting for his answer.The man slowly took a sip of champagne and said meaningfully, "I used to be fearless, but now, what I fear most is my wife leaving me.”“Oh no, you really are a hopeless romantic. Show some backbone, Stef!”Xavier waved his hand. He expected that answer. It did not surprise him at all.Leia also could not help mocking Stefan. "Can you two please stop taking every opportunity to show how much you're in love? It's making me sick. I don't even have the appetite for the leg of lamb anymore.”Renee was calm, though. Her beautiful lips curled into a shallow smile. She looked gentle and peaceful, but there was a trace of coldness in her eyes.She crossed her legs and wrapped the blanket tighter around her, then said to Stefan, "May I ask you a question?”Stefan shrugged and said calmly, "Go ahead.”“You keep emphasizing that you're afraid I'd leave you one day. Does that mean, deep down in y
Xavier leaped up, swooped Leia off her feet and carried her on his shoulder, then walked unsteadily towards the villa.Stefan and Renee were in shock. They stared at each other for a long time before they snapped back to their senses.Renee: "Your buddy is crazy.”Stefan: "Your bestie doesn't seem that normal either."Renee: "Are they entering the bridal chamber now?”Stefan: "Probably.”Renee: "Should we stop them?”Stefan: "They're consenting adults. Whatever happens, happens.”And thus, Leia and Xavier spent a whole night doing adult stuff.After Renee put the two kids to bed, she sat on the beach next to the fire with Stefan, drinking some wine.The waves rose and fell. The two drank one glass after another. They were both feeling a bit tipsy by now, Stefan more so than Renee because his alcohol tolerance was low.“We're alone. Can you tell me what your dark side is now?”Renee's hair had been blown into disarray by the sea breeze. It also made her mind much clearer. In
“Admit it, Stefan. You're a murderer. You killed Mr. Q, didn't you?!”Renee clenched her fists and questioned Stefan emotionally.She had had her suspicions before, but it was not until Stefan arrived at Sun Island that it was 100% confirmed.This was also the reason she had been feeling depressed and gloomy all day. She wanted to confront Stefan about it, but she was afraid that the moment she did, they would never be able to go back.Stefan was caught off guard by the accusation.He did not expect Renee to come to that kind of conclusion.He did not know whether to laugh or cry.It seemed like he overestimated her intelligence. He thought she had already realized that he was "Mr. Q"!“What kind of reaction is that? Did you kill him or not? Tell me the truth. Why are you laughing?”Renee could not understand why he was holding back laughter.Was it an arrogant laugh because she guessed right, or was it a mocking laugh because she guessed wrong?“Do I look like a murderer to
It was time to bring the matter to a conclusion.The next day.“Ah!”Leai's scream could be heard from the guest room.As soon as she opened her eyes, she saw Xavier sleeping next to her on the bed. The most tragic thing was that she was holding onto him tightly with her hands and legs like an octopus!“You're awake, Lei?”Xavier stretched with drowsy eyes. He looked gently at the woman in his arms with a smile.“Xavier Stuart, what's going on? You… me… how did we...”“We drank a lot last night. Generally speaking, this is a normal outcome.”Xavier put on a relaxed demeanor. Every inch of him, from his hair to his toes, told Leia that he was "experienced”.Leia was going crazy. She had a sacred view of love. She could not accept the concept of casual sex.“Shut up, you rotten scumbag! Don't talk to me!”She kicked him out of bed, hastily put on her clothes and fled the room like she was running for her life.“Good morning, Lei!”Renee was already awake. She was taking a w
The Lotso bear was a villain in the movie, but it was a pitiful villain because it was abandoned by its owner. It used various means and encountered a lot of hardships to return to Daisy, its owner. In the end, it found that its owner had long gained new toys.After getting hurt, it no longer wanted to be kind. It was used to act cunningly as a form of disguise. But honestly, it was a dear baby who needed love. Of course, it was not a villain at all. Renee liked it because she saw herself as well as others in it. Everyone was gloomy in some way. People got hurt and slowly became gloomy. Instead of criticizing such a thing, Renee felt more compassion and sorry for such a situation. "But you still don't want it and want to throw it away." Stefan was gripped with complicated feelings after listening to Renee's explanation. He sounded sad."Yes, I like it. But I still want to throw it away. It's better to stop in time." Renee laughed and stopped shaking her legs. She was her usual
A week later, Renee recovered because she listened to the doctor and underwent treatment. She could be discharged from the hospital.In the meantime, Stefan stayed outside the ward and did not enter the ward.On the contrary, Jovan kept entering the ward from time to time. Renee would either scold or drive him away. Stefan entered the ward on the day Renee was leaving the hospital. He quietly helped Renee pack up her things. Generally, a caretaker could do that. However, Stefan acted like he wanted to repent and felt better when he took it upon himself. "Do you still need this?" Stefan pointed at a Lotso bear toy at the head of the bed and asked Renee calmly.During the one-week hospitalization, Renee got bored. Stefan would give her some blind boxes as entertainment. Renee found Rubik's cubes, stickers, and keychains when she opened the boxes. She would always throw them away because she was not interested in them. When she unpacked a rather large Lotso bear toy, she became
Jovan had kidnapped Renee, but he risked his life for her though he appeared like a cunning and selfish man. Renee felt that she did not deserve his love. She had wronged both Jovan and Justin, but she could not love them back. On the other hand, the one she wanted to love kept pushing her away cruelly…She slapped herself fiercely. Her action frightened the nurse. "Ms. Everheart, we can talk things out! Why did you hurt yourself? You can't…" "Don't worry. I'll get better and won't harm myself again." Renee was teary and laughed at herself. "I slapped myself because I recalled the things I'd done. I was very stupid, and I wanted to knock some sense into myself." "Okay, I'm glad to hear that." The nurse heaved a sigh of relief, but she was afraid to see Renee keep acting crazily. After she was done bandaging Renee's wound, she left hurriedly.When Stefan saw the nurse exit the ward, he walked in nervously and inquired about Renee. "How she's doing?" "She's already feeling be
Having said that, Justin turned to leave. He knew that if he stayed, he would only look more of a fool. "Tsk! What a pity!" Jovan watched him leave, shrugging and sighing. "He's sincere and loyal. Too bad he pales in comparison to the scumbag!""Get out!" Renee was overcome with sadness and pushed Jovan away fiercely. "Get out! I don't want to see anyone!" Knowing that she had harmed Justin again, she was filled with guilt. She just wanted to be left alone."Rest well. I'll be with you until you're recovered and discharged from the hospital," Stefan said calmly before exiting the ward.In a while, a nurse came to tend to the bandages that Renee had removed. She advised Renee, "Ms. Everheart, you have to be careful. You're weak now. You can't get angry, or it might be life-threatening.""I don't care. My life is so messy, I'd rather die."Thinking of the recent events and the men around her, a severe headache hit her. She wanted to keep being unconscious."Please don't say tha
"Do you still want to marry me?" Justin asked Renee."I…" Renee could talk nonsense with Jovan, but she couldn't joke with Justin. She had harmed him many times and couldn't keep hurting him. Honestly, she didn't want to marry him or anyone else. She did not want to rely on anyone. She knew she could rely on a man and lead a steady life if there was love. But without love, it would be very hard to rely on a man.However, she knew that Justin liked her and wanted to marry her. If she promised to marry him, the impulsive Jovan would get the staff of the City Hall here. If she turned Justin down at that time, she would harm him again."Fine. You don't have to feel stressed. I know the answer." Justin was no fool. Renee's hesitation told him what she wanted. "When I begged you to marry me, you forced yourself to say yes. You just wanted to repay me for saving your life.""No, you're wrong!" Seeing Justin hurt pained her more than when she was hurt. She hurriedly explained, "I reall
"What is it?" Renee looked at Justin curiously.Renee, Stefan, and Jovan were curious about what was on Justin's mind."If my family starts fighting the Hunt family, which side will you take?" Justin went straight to the point. He had been curious about that as he made wild guesses about Renee's mind. Since Renee was right before him, he wanted to get the answer from her before he could give up."Hmph! I thought it was something serious. Why did you make it sound that serious…" Jovan burst into laughter, finding Justin a loyal man. "Isn't that obvious? If she wants to take your side, you guys would be married by now. There wouldn't be so many shitty things either!""Shut up, Jovan!" Renee glared at Jovan. If she was stronger, she would beat him up. She said coldly, "Did you forget how you took me away?""Yes, I used some cunning means to take you away, but let's be frank. If I didn't come that day, would you marry him?"Jovan had long gotten used to Renee's fierceness. On the c
Similarly, Renee used an iron wire to cut her wrist just to meet Stefan."Am I right? You did so many things just to see him. Now you finally met him. Are you happy and satisfied now? But you look worse than before." Jovan teased Renee. He found her pitiful, but at the same time, he felt that it served her right. It seemed everybody was a joke in their romance with others. Only those who never loved could be at the top of the food chain. They would laugh at those who gave up their hearts to others and could not understand those people's bizarre actions."Stop gloating. It's none of your business! Let go of me, or I'll make you feel sorry for yourself."Renee had just escaped death and was weak. Had it not been for that, Jovan wouldn't be able to stop her or watch her make a fool of herself. Still, she would be fine with losing blood again just to torment him if he kept on talking nonsense. Then, he would watch his tongue."Tell me, Phoenix. Is he telling the truth?" Justin
The loud noises in the ward naturally alerted Justin and Jovan."What's going on?" Justin became very nervous and kicked the door of the ward open. He saw that Renee had woken up and was crazily tearing at the bandages."Uh…" Justin was struck dumb. He had thought of the possibility of Stefan waking Renee up, but he did not expect it to be that effective. Renee ended up becoming a maniac who had lost control of herself. "You're awake?" Jovan was stunned too. He instantly understood the whole incident and gave Renee a thumbs-up. "You're great!"Renee looked coldly at them and ordered them, "Get out, you two! I haven't settled things with him!" Although she was fine with the way they regarded her, she did not want them to see her as a maniac. Besides, their presence would affect her and stop her from being crazy."I won't get out."Jovan turned Renee down. He rushed over and hugged her, stopping her from hurting herself."What are you doing? Let go of me!"Renee was still ha
After a long pause, Stefan finally admitted honestly, "That wasn't a lie." He turned to look at Renee. He knew what he had to do, and heaved a long sigh."But life isn't just about love.""Why not?" Renee became teary as she stared at him like a child who failed to get what she wanted. "To me, that's already enough. As long as we love each other, we can conquer everything. Without love, it'll be hopeless.""If loving each other is already enough, there wouldn't be the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet. Didn't they love each other deeply? They loved each other a lot, but they ended up dead!" Stefan shot back.He could not stop himself from getting impulsive. Heartbroken, he turned around to look into Renee's eyes. "Compared to love, I'd rather you lead a steady and happy life. But I'm not the one who can give you that. I'll only bring you pain and death!""Romeo and Juliet?" Renee found that preposterous and bizarre. "What a lousy excuse! Did I kill your parents, or did you kill my p