Clarissa had already cried herself into a mess by the time she finished reading the letter.
The bank card tucked inside the envelope felt like a heavy iron weight, pressing down on her heart and making it hard for her to breathe.
Luana was so silly, worrying about her being short of money even at the brink of death, but...
"Luana, I don't need your money. I just want you to come back..."
Clarissa clutched the envelope tightly, a wave of longing unlike anything she had ever felt before washing over her, causing her to cry her heart out.
Eventually, Clarissa fell into a deep sleep from sheer exhaustion, even her dreams filled with visions of Luana returning.
Her heart was filled with sorry and a subconscious longing for Luana to come back, which was why she saw her in her dreams.
When she woke up and returned to reality, that feeling of falling into an abyss and the sense of helplessness instantly filled her entire being, suffocating he
Cline looked down at her, not wanting to waste any more breath. He simply said coldly, "Get out."Under normal circumstances, Runa would have left without daring to defy Cline.But at this moment, she was wrapped in a bath towel, her feminine curves fully exposed to him.It was bad enough that he was indifferent. He wouldn't even glance at her and now told her to leave. How could she bear that?Runa clenched her fists so tightly that her fingernails dug into her palms, and she said resentfully, "You promised him that you would marry me. Have you forgotten?"Upon hearing this, the darkness in Cline's eyes didn't lessen but intensified. "If it weren't for him, I would never marry you. Do you understand? Now get out quickly!"Runa's breath caught. In the past, whenever she had used this threat against Cline, he would always concede to some extent.Even if he didn't give in, his attitude towards her would improve. But now, he completely d
She saw a folded piece of paper in the drawer.Upon opening it, she discovered it was a message from Luana to Cline.Just a few short sentences, but they revealed Luana's true feelings.To honor her wishes, Clarissa picked up the phone.Taking a deep breath, Clarissa said into the receiver, "Luana is gone. Don't call anymore."Cline had been waiting for Luana to speak, but instead, he heard a strange woman's voice.Ignoring the statement that "Luana is gone," he said in a deep voice, "Let Luana speak."Clarissa was immediately angered. "She's dead. How can she speak?"This was the third time today someone had told him Luana was dead, which was just too absurd.He tightly gripped his phone and coldly asked, "Who are you?"Clarissa replied with patience, "Luana's friend, Clarissa."He knew Luana had a close friend who had been her support, but he still couldn't believe what she was saying. "You're Ms. Moss, r
Calvert chose a gravesite overlooking LA's night view.Across the scenic mountain was where he and Luana had been.She once said she loved this place and wanted him to bring her often.But he broke his promise, never taking her again, even forgetting her.Calvert lowered his head towards the urn in his arms, guilt staining his eyes red."Luana, I'm sorry..."Clarissa arrived with the belongings, hearing Calvert's apology.She stopped, looking at him holding the urn, and felt a moment of pity.The lovers' missed connection must have left him more regretful than her.Clarissa held back tears, pushed the suitcase to him, and said softly, "Albion, it's time for the burial."Lois had picked the burial date. Further delay would cause trouble.Clarissa wanted Luana to rest in peace.Calvert came to his senses and looked at the suitcase. "Is this all she has?"Clarissa shook her head. "I can't burn th
Calvert approached Cline step by step, his tone gentle but his words cutting deep, "Inside is just a handful of ashes. Even if you open the coffin, you won't see her—because... I was the one who cremated her."Calvert looked Cline in the eye, noting the redness in his eyes, and felt a surge of satisfaction.The Luana he held dear had wanted to see this man one last time before passing, but Cline hadn't answered her calls and had even let another woman hurt her, causing her to leave with regret.How could he not hate him?Calvert's words caused Cline's slightly curled fingers to suddenly clench tightly, his nails digging deep into his palms.The pain in his heart didn't subside.Instead, it quickly spread throughout his body, like electric shocks coursing through his limbs, making him tremble all over.Despite the intense pain, he still refused to believe Luana was dead.He hadn't had the chance to see her one last time&md
He recalled that night when he held her and unintentionally hurled hurtful words, driving her further away.His thoughts drifted back to their first encounter.He was bloodied, sitting in the shade waiting for Gehrmann.She left a bottle of water as she hurried into the school, her profile forever etched in his mind.Later, outside the nightclub, he saw her soaked through, kneeling on the ground with eyes filled with despair.He took her, became addicted to her tenderness, and even forced her to sign a lover's agreement.But every time she called out Albion's name in her sleep, his heart stirred with jealousy.When Runa returned to the States, he ended the agreement, only to find he couldn't let go.He posed as "Mr. Night" to get close to her, using Runa to test her feelings, just to confirm if she had fallen for him.It wasn't until Calvert appeared that he realized he was already deeply ensnared.Now, looking at
When Eva was impersonating Cline's lover, she was also terrified of being tortured to death like Valda.But she mustered the courage to do so because, since Gath sent people to rape her, she had felt she should disappear from the world.It was Cline who reached out to her, telling her not to rush revenge and that it would eventually succeed.This gave her the courage to live on.With Cline's support, Eva traveled far to study medicine.Cline had given her the strength to start anew, and so she remained devoted to him.But she hadn't anticipated that her initial intention was to protect Luana by keeping a low profile, only to inadvertently drag her into trouble.Eva lowered her dim eyes, striving to suppress her guilt, and looked up at Cline."Luana, do it!" she urged.The worst that could happen was losing her life, which was nothing to fear.Cline glanced at Eva, his icy gaze shifting back to Sheila
Back then, he was young and naive, thinking that by attempting suicide, his mother would show him some kindness.But he soon realized that not all women who have given birth deserve the title of "mother."Ironically, the woman who wanted to torture him to death wasn't a wicked stepmother but his biological mother.The Moriarty family treated him with care, while the Preston family, his mother's side, devised ways to torment him.He had once doubted whether he was his mother's biological son, but investigations proved otherwise. He was her son, a plaything she intended to torture to death.His mother's method of torture was to force him to live and watch everything he cared about be destroyed before his eyes.Cline's lips curled into a bitter smile. He had once believed that all mothers loved their children and had yearned for maternal love.Now, he knew better. Cline lifted his hate-filled eyes and coldly regarded the woman in the whe
Cline entered the study, unlocked a drawer, and retrieved a gold-bronze mask and a bottle of grey plant juice.He picked up a brush and carefully painted a wolf pattern on his neck.After finishing, he made a call.The recipient answered promptly, addressing him respectfully.Cline, gazing at the night outside, said coldly, "Tonight's targets are Sidney and Runa."The recipient responded promptly, "Yes, I'll come to pick you up right away."Cline hung up, his eyes cold and filled with malice as he looked at the manor lit by streetlights.Through the lights, he seemed to see the old mansion of the Preston family, and his eyes blazed with hatred.'Sheila, I promised my father I wouldn't kill you, but you've destroyed what I care about, so I'll destroy what you care about.''If you want to play, I'll play along...'Cline rewound the blood-soaked bandage on his hand and put on a pair of black leather gloves.He
Last time, it was her negligence that failed to keep Albion by her side. This time, she was determined to do everything in her power to protect Luana.Clarissa raised her hand and gently patted Luana's shoulder, hoping to offer some warmth.Time ticked by, and they remained in the same position until a man in a gray suit approached.Clarissa looked up at him, noticing his gaze fixed on Luana, and her tension grew.Before she could inquire about his identity, the man stepped forward and gently pushed Luana's head with his slender fingers."It's ten o'clock. It's time to go home..."Luana, recognizing Dorian's voice, didn't lift her head, her lifeless eyes fixed on the floor.Dorian frowned at her silence, then bent down slightly and spoke patiently, "Dorothy, come home with me."Luana raised her weary head and said, "I don't want to go home today..."She wanted to stay and support Clarissa, to quietly live for herself for
She couldn't believe it. Even with the news reports and Clarissa's own words, she still refused to accept it.Albion, the gentle and considerate young man who had cherished her, how could he have taken his own life in such a tragic way? It was impossible.Luana shook her head in disbelief. "No, he wouldn't do this..."Clarissa stepped forward and embraced Luana. She felt Luana's body growing cold, and her heart ached."Luana, I don't want to believe it either, but..."Clarissa's words trailed off, tears streaming down her face.Three years ago, fearing Albion might do something rash, she had followed him to the cemetery.There, she found no sign of Albion, only bloodstains on the tombstone.Her unease grew as she searched for him, but he was nowhere to be found.The next day, the news reported that Coburn Group's CEO, Calvert, had committed suicide at the cemetery.Only then did she realize Albion had truly done s
"Clarissa..." Albert wept and pleaded, "My mom has cancer, I got fired from my job, and the baby still needs milk. For the sake of our years together, treat me like a beggar and spare me a little help.""If you were truly a beggar, I'd give you some money to send you on your way, but you're not..."A clear voice cut through the air, tinged with exhaustion, coldness, and a hint of ruthlessness. "You're nothing but scum!""Clarissa!""Gag him and get him out of my sight!"At the command, the bodyguards immediately seized Albert and shoved him into the elevator."Humph, this despicable man!"Luana followed the voice and spotted a familiar figure leaning against the bar.The woman had a slender figure, waist-length curly hair, and fair, slender fingers holding a slender cigarette, while her other hand toyed with a wine glass.She tilted her head, staring into the red wine in her glass, as if observing another world from afar
Upon learning of this possibility, Cline simply said, "Thank you," and hung up the phone.He gazed once more in the direction the black luxury car had vanished, now more certain than ever that Dorian had taken his Luana.However, he refused to believe they were husband and wife.Russell arrived with the bodyguards in a hurry, seeing Cline standing in front of the smashed Bugatti.Thinking Cline's car had been in an accident, he quickly approached."Mr. Moriarty, are you alright? Did you take too much sleeping pill and start hallucinating again?"For the past three years, Cline had been plagued by insomnia, clutching two mementos of Luana and struggling to sleep through the night.Russell, worried about his health, had obtained some sleeping pills from Eva.Little did he know, Cline had become addicted to them. Later, Russell found out that the medication could induce hallucinations when taken in excess.It was these hall
Cline's brow twitched, his eyes filled with disdain as he regarded Dorian.He strode quickly to Luana, extending his hand with an unyielding tone, "Come with me."Before Luana could refuse, Dorian swiftly acted, his long arm encircling her shoulder and pulling her tightly into his embrace. A provocative smile played on his lips as he challenged, "On what grounds?"Cline's vision sharpened with pain, witnessing Luana clinging to Dorian, their bodies pressed close. A surge of rage erupted within him."Because I love her!"Cline's voice trembled yet rang out loud and clear, eight years of pent-up emotions bursting forth like a flood breaking its dam.Dorian, noticing the bloodshot eyes and the fervor in Cline's gaze, felt a flicker of realization. He glanced down at Luana in his arms.Her expression was calm, a faint smile curling her lips as if she had just heard an absurd joke, detached and indifferent.Not only did Dorian not l
Dorian rolled his eyes at the scene and impatiently pushed open the car door, stepping out to approach the Bugatti.He bent down and knocked on the window, "Dorothy, get out now."Luana, upon hearing Dorian's voice, froze for a moment before pushing away from Cline, who was still kissing her.Her breathing was slightly labored as she coldly instructed, "Open the door. My husband's here!"Cline's body stiffened. He averted his gaze from Luana and slowly looked at the man outside.Dorian, dressed in a gray suit, was impeccably neat. His handsome face and aristocratic demeanor made him look distinguished and aloof. Cline didn't care about Dorian's appearance, but he was annoyed that Dorian had called her Dorothy, not Luana.Cline swiftly fastened Luana's seatbelt and started the car, speeding out of the parking lot without another word.Dorian watched the Bugatti speed away, a look of frustration crossing his face.He muttered tha
Cline turned on the air conditioning, leaned sideways, and drew closer to Luana.His long, thick lashes lowered as he gazed at the petite Luana, his eyes revealing a longing he had never shown before."Luana..."He uttered her name as if it had taken all his strength.Luana opened her mouth to retort, but Cline suddenly gripped the back of her head with one hand, pressing her into his embrace.He whispered into her ear, "I... miss you so much."For three years, he had thought of her obsessively, to the point of madness, sleeplessness, and even hallucinations from medication.Now that he had found her alive and well, how could he let her go so easily?A flicker of disbelief crossed Luana's previously calm face, followed by a cold sneer in her heart.Would Cline truly miss her? He had never cared before. How could he miss her now?Was it because she was gone, and he couldn't find anyone to replace Runa, that he reme
For the past three years, his heart had felt hollow, a persistent ache that never truly subsided.Now, in this moment of holding Luana close, his restless heart finally found its resting place.To Cline, having someone he longed for still alive was like reclaiming what had been lost.He held Luana tightly, his throat constricting with emotion, unable to utter a word, wishing only to merge her into his very being and feel her presence undeniably.Luana, however, was perplexed by Cline's behavior.It was uncharacteristic of him—cold and distant at their airport encounter, avoiding even a glance, yet now he was uncharacteristically intimate.She wondered if the three years apart had taken a toll on his mental state.Frowning, she struggled to push him away, but Cline easily restrained her wrist with one hand.He spun her around, pinning her against the car door.Before she could speak, Cline captured her lips in a kis
Luana stood outside the door, her fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her clothes as she contemplated Clarissa's changes over the years.Suddenly, the door creaked open from the inside.Angela, holding a child of about three years old, came into view.The little kid clutched a toy car, its round eyes wide with curiosity as it stared at Luana.Luana's gaze shifted between Angela and the child, a fleeting thought crossing her mind that Angela might be staying with Clarissa and Albert.Suppressing her doubts, she asked, "I'm a friend of Clarissa's. Is she home?"Angela froze, sizing up Luana from head to toe, unable to recognize the elegantly dressed woman with delicate makeup before her.It wasn't until Luana spoke that Angela's pupils contracted sharply, her face draining of color, her lips trembling as she stammered, "Y-y-y-o-u..."Then, as if she had seen a ghost, Angela retreated backward with the child, screaming at th