LOGINIn the evening, when it was time to get off work, it began to drizzle in Gabbs. Gloria was slowly walking in the rain.
Gloria arrived at a convenience store near Fittro Club. "Miss, a total of six dollars and forty cents," the attendant said as she looked at the umbrella Gloria placed on the counter. Gloria glanced at the umbrella. This was the cheapest one in this store. She then checked her purse. She could afford it, but she hesitated. "Thank you. The rain is not heavy. I guess I don't need this umbrella." Walking out of the convenience store, Gloria wrapped herself in her clothes tightly. She lowered her head and continued to walk forward. The rain was not heavy. However, every time it rained, the wound on her waist would cause more pain. However, as she reached the dormitory, the rain grew heavier. Gloria was drenched. She stumbled and finally arrived at the door of her dormitory. She put the key into the keyholeHe saw the caller ID. He didn't want to answer, but he had requested a favor from this person. He reluctantly hit accept.He frowned and used a long finger to slide the unlock button, his voice cold, "What do you want?"A gentle voice answered from the other end. "Cline, shouldn't I be asking you that?"Cline's expression was icy. He clearly didn't want to talk.The person knew his temper. She didn't beat around the bush. She went straight to the price, "You want me back in the country to reconstruct her burns and repair the damaged skin. Agree to one condition."A flicker of annoyance crossed Cline's eyes. "Name your price in cash. Don't give me conditions."She chuckled. Her tone remained soft, "I could. But I'm the only person globally who can take this kind of deep chemical burn and make it nearly perfect. If you want to negotiate, we talk. If not, I'm hanging up—"She was about to disconnect. Cline's voice cut in, cold and
She always thought Cline wasn't interested because she wasn't good enough. That was why she went abroad and worked hard to reinvent herself.Who would have thought that a man usually so cold to romance would secretly keep a girl who looked vaguely like her after she left?She planned everything, but she never saw this coming. The woman looked like her. So shy was he not interested in Runa?The thought of a germaphobe who wouldn't even touch her, yet held another woman while doing that, drove Runa insane.She glared at the emotionless Cline. She screamed hysterically, "Cline, no matter what, you promised Cohenli you'd marry me! You CAN'T break your word!"The smile on Cline's thin lips became colder. "You tried to get close to me. You deceived Cohenli. And you want me to marry you? DREAM ON!"He hadn't known the reason before. He might have married Runa for his brother's last wish. But now...Cline raised a long hand. He crooked a fing
The meeting ended. Cline tilted his head toward him. "Did you remember all that?"Gehrmann's face was etched with despair. "Why don't you just kill me now?"Cline shifted his cold gaze to Bert. "Give him a month. Just to sort out the project frameworks."Bert shot Gehrmann a look of disgust. "Make it two months. I doubt you'll get it in one."Bert's taunt fired up Gehrmann. He threw his phone down and rolled up his sleeves. Very 'friendly,' he punched Bert hard."I'll finish it in one WEEK!"Bert took the punch. He didn't say anything. He just sneered at Gehrmann, closed his laptop and walked out.Gehrmann hated Bert's arrogant attitude. He wanted to chase him and hit him a few more times. Cline stopped him.Cline looked out at the setting sun. His eyes used to be full of stars. Now they held only endless darkness.Gehrmann saw his expression. He dropped his playful act. He sat next to him and asked softly, "Cline, is th
Albion set the papers aside. A gentle smile touched his face.Luana lay on the bed, looking at him. It was like seeing the boy he used to be. The one in the back row of the classroom. He would rest his chin on his hand and watched her walk by through the window light. He looked just like this now—calm, controlled, elegant, and reserved.They looked at each other. It was a dignified farewell to the missed chance of their youth.After a long time, Albion looked away. He glanced down at his watch. When he looked up again, his expression was much lighter."Luana, it's a quarter after four. I have to go back to Washington."Guilt still weighed on her, but his eyes showed release. She finally swallowed the words she wanted to say.She spoke gently, just like when she used to send him off to a game. "Then be careful on your trip."His fingers clenched the contract suddenly. "Do you remember what a quarter after four means?"She
She hadn't finished. Albion cut her off. "Luana, you don't need to apologize. I understand anything you do."That made her feel worse. She looked at his pale face and didn't know what to say.Albion seemed to not want to press her. He spoke gently instead, "I came to give you a gift.""What?" She tilted her head, her bright eyes full of questions.He pulled a stack of legal papers from his folder. He slid them toward her. "The divorce papers. I rushed the marriage record through the County Clerk's office. You never explicitly agreed to it. I took the liberty of finalizing this divorce decree too. I'm sorry."She stared at the "divorce decree." She froze for a moment. She looked up. "Didn't we agree to start over?"His eyes showed reluctance. A sense of peace slowly surfaced. "We can't go back to how things were."Her chest tightened. She frowned. "Is it because I took that acid for him? Is that why you're..."He shook his head
After Cline finished feeding her water, he asked softly, "Need more?"Luana lightly shook her head. Her eyes fell on his distinct, bony fingers. There were burn marks on them.She looked up at him. "Your hand..."Cline curled his fingers slightly, avoiding her gaze. He used his other hand to pick up a clean cloth and wipe her lips.He didn't answer her question. Luana didn't press him. Her clear eyes surveyed the room. "How long was I out?"After wiping her lips, Cline answered, "Over half a month."She thought it had only been a few days. She hadn't expected it to be over two weeks.She woke up and saw Cline. What about Clarissa and Albion?She wanted to ask Cline, but she saw him gently cup her cheek. He helped her change her pillow.Then he brought toiletries. He started cleaning her face, her mouth, and her exposed skin.He did everything so naturally. It seemed this was how he had taken care of her while she







