Mrs. Levine paused before adding, "This isn't between you, John, and Henry Barnes. This is about the Levines and the Barnes."John isn't just one person—he's the head of the family who shoulders all our fates. I don't care what he does for you, but if he's going to sacrifice the whole family…"The whole family?Tina was stunned.All John had told her was not to worry, because he would stop Henry from interfering with Mrs. Smith's surgery.She knew about John sabotaging Henry's project, and he told her that things were going well.She never suspected John to lie, only for Mrs. Levine to suggest otherwise.It was also true that Henry was a ruthless businessman and never backed down easily, and that the Barnes family was superior over the Levines in the first place.If a fight really broke out, all John would get at best was a Pyrrhic victory.And Tina could not make John sacrifice the Levines for her sake.Her face was pale, as she realized that she had been too worried about h
It was Henry's car.The window was lowered, revealing his handsome face.He looked past John at Tina and breathed, "Get in."As Tina looked up at his triumphant smile, her frustrations could consume her right then.Her eyes flaring in rage, she flung her bag at him through the window, wishing that he would die that instant.So many people died every year—why could it not be Henry?However, Henry snatched the bag out of the air, calmly putting it aside and even getting out to open the door for her.Tina turned to leave instead—every second of his absence she could get counted, as she hated him the most.A cab arrived, and she got in.Seeing that from the rearview mirror, Henry closed the door, ready to turn his car around and give chase when another car crashed into him.It was John, whose car was parked by the road.He could tell that Tina needed time to calm down, but seeing that Henry was going to give chase, he floored the gas pedal and crashed his car into Henry's, rammi
Jimmy bellowed at Henry, "Don't you lay a finger on Tina!"He had no right!Jimmy had hurried to Tina when she called him two years ago—she had slit her wrists for the first time as her depression struck.It was only then that Jimmy found out the truth about Sophie's death, and like Tina, he came to loathe Henry and Linda to the bone.At the same time, his heart bled for Tina having to suffer everything and ultimately being forced into crippling depression by those two.And when Tina finally pulled herself together when she was reunited with Mrs. Smith, Henry had to show up again, now using Mrs. Smith's illness to coerce Tina.He should die a thousand times over!As grudges old and new came together, Jimmy could not stop himself despite promising Tina that he would not be rash.He was ready to smash the bottle on Henry's head to kill him.However, Henry was quick, sidestepping before the bottle landed and blocking it with his hand.The bottle smashed on his wrist, the glass c
Turning, Henry leveled a sharp glare at Jimmy and growled coldly, "What are you talking about?!"He was killing Tina again?! What?!"What am I talking about?!" Jimmy retorted. "You and Linda gave Tina crippling depression two years ago! Do you even know how she survived?!"Crippling depression?! Henry was clearly stunned.It was not as if he doubted that it was a real condition, but in his mind, all Tina showed was just a few mood swings, and there was no sign she had been depressed.Now, two years later, she was even more normal.And Jimmy said she had depression? No way!Seeing that Henry was skeptical, Jimmy strode up toward him—not to hit him this time, but to pick up the hand Tina was clutching her own belly with.As Henry watched, he rolled up her sleeve, revealing a wrist brace underneath.Even before it could register in his mind, Jimmy pulled the brace upward, revealing the scars Tina was hiding.Henry was left thunderstruck, not quite believing his eyes.There we
As the car door opened, Henry reached out to help Tina out of the car, but she shook him off, staggering toward a trash can and puking into it.Her mind cleared a little when she was done.Henry stood beside her, quietly passing her a bottle of water.Tina did not refuse because she had to wash the sickening taste in her mouth.But she paused as she took it, as she saw the scars on her wrist exposed.However, she did not try to hide them—seeing that her wrist brace was pulled upward, she knew that Henry had seen them.Despite her surprise, she calmly took the bottle and drank."Why didn't you tell me?" Henry then asked quietly.Tina laughed in cold contempt before shooting back, "Tell you? What would that change? Will you kill yourself and Linda to atone for Sophie's death? Or will you find mercy in your heart to spare my mother and myself?"No, you won't, so don't try to pretend to be human when you're not. You have no reason to do that!"Two years ago, in the days immediate
At the hospital, the doctor's expression darkened after examining Tina, and he snapped, "Don't you know that you suffer terrible period cramps? And you're taking so much hormonal birth control? Are you trying to kill yourself?""Sorry…" Tina murmured, enfeebled but aware the doctor was just being concerned, and no doctor would like to see a woman sabotaging their own health.Seeing that she was really in a lot of pain, the doctor calmed down. Tina was quite young too, so he added, "Don't ever do that again, or you might never get pregnant.""Yeah," Tina murmured softly.With that, the doctor left so that she could rest.Henry, who was outside, glowered as he heard everything the doctor said and understood.Tina was hurting because she took birth control pills without a care for her health—why she had induced her period was all too obvious.She did not want him to touch her.Did she really hate him so much that she would hurt herself just to stop him?!His chest heaving, he l
All Linda could think about was what Zach said: I've been released from prison. I'm free now.Spacing out, she inadvertently pulled the lever of her wheelchair.She was already at the doorway in front of some steps, and it was too late when she realized that the wheelchair kept going."Argh!!!" She screamed as she crashed down the stairs along the wheelchair and was thrown to the ground, dropping her phone.Hearing Linda's scream on the other end, Zach promptly asked, "What's wrong, Linda?""No, I'm fine…"Linda's face was pale in pain, and her voice too soft for Zach to hear her over the phone.Panicking, he cried out worriedly, "Why are you being quiet, Linda? Are you hurt? It's alright, I'll be right there!"Linda panicked at his words, as she was really concerned that Zach would show up without a care for the consequences.It was daytime, and if someone saw them, someone might tell Henry.Linda did not dare to imagine what Henry would think if he knew she knew Zach…Not c
For Linda, if Zach stayed in prison forever, it would mean all the perks without any consequences.But now, Tina had returned alive, so it was good that Zach was released—he would once again be his sharpest blade to eliminate Tina.Better yet, it would get rid of Zach for Linda too.Still, even as she hatched the most evil plan there was in her mind, she did not forget to comfort Zach. "Don't say that. I'm willingly doing this for you and Rory. There's no reason to doubt my love for you…"As she sounded hurt, Zach was immediately heartbroken, slapping himself audibly on the cheeks and hating his big fat mouth back then. "No! I deserve to die! Don't cry, Linda—you'll break my heart! I'll do everything you say, okay?"Linda only waited until he was done slapping himself to pretend to stop him. "What are you doing? You'll break my heart too if you hurt yourself. You know how much I care about you…"Her heartbroken voice left Zach beside himself in joy, and he promptly said, "Okay, o
Tina glared viciously at Henry, who was pig-brained whenever Linda was concerned. "That pendant was never Linda's! She got it from someone else! You had the wrong person from the start!"If it was not for her mother, Madam Barnes, and Sophie's sake, she would not even bother talking to Henry, as she did not want him to keep protecting Linda mindlessly because he thought she was her savior.Otherwise, he could treat Linda as whoever he thought she was—she would not care!Henry stared at Tina in turn, asking before he knew it, "If Linda isn't Orange, then who is?"That was when Linda suddenly appeared at the doorway, crying out tearfully before Tina could speak, "Tina! What do I have to do for you to stop?!"You paid off Zach Foster to try to turn Henry against me! Now that it has gone south, you're lying to Henry that I'm not Orange! What do you want from me?!"And I'm not Orange, you say? Then who's Orange? You?!"However, Tina's eyes flared with irrational hatred the instant Li
Henry's eyes widened, unable to believe what he was hearing.It was Linda? How could it be so?!On the other hand, Mrs. Fuller could not help cringing from the cold air that seemed to spill from Henry.There was no turning back now that she already betrayed Linda, and she was genuinely terrified of Henry. As such, she decided to turn to Tina, who, between the two, was much more agreeable.She really did not want to end up in prison, and hence started begging, "Please, Ms. Smith—I'll tell you everything I know, just don't call the cops on me."Trust me—I never wanted to hurt your mother… But Linda Cook paid me so much, and I was tricked into doing such a thing."I have a big family with many mouths to feed… they're all hopeless without me. And you're so kind—you're not going to destroy my family, right?"Mrs. Fuller could have spent the money for her son's future, and then assumed a new identity to keep working.But now that she was exposed, she thought she could bank on Tina'
"Argh!!!"Mrs. Fuller could feel her collarbone breaking, and the agony left her face contorting!At that moment, she realized that Tina and Henry might have noticed something.But that should not be possible!She made sure the hallways were clear and even closed the curtains just in case.No one should have known!Still, even as Mrs. Fuller panicked, she told herself to stay calm.That was when Tina pulled out the IV drip needle and got out of bed."Tina!"Henry noticed that right away and turned to hold her down by her shoulder. "Just leave this to me. I'll make sure she suffers."She was too weak now, after all.However, Tina shook his hand off and strode toward Mrs. Fuller.Henry frowned but did not stop her since she was insistent, staying behind her while keeping a close eye on her.Mrs. Fuller was naturally relieved that it was Tina, who was definitely more agreeable between her and Henry.Henry was so scary that just one look made Mrs. Fuller think she was going t
However, Mrs. Fuller soon composed herself and leveled a wounded look at Tina."If you think it's my fault that this happened to Mrs. Smith, then I quit!" she snapped, tears welling up in her eyes as she complained, looking utterly aggrieved. "I believe I've done everything I could to take good care of your mother and have never once slacked. She has been good to me and treated me like her sister."I know that Mrs. Smith had an accident while I was away, and you held it against me. That was my negligence, and I'm sorry because I shouldn't have left her alone."But you can't blame her for going to shock me over one instance of negligence. You have no evidence and yet you still suspect me! You're breaking my heart!"However, Tina's question was just probing at best.There were just too many coincidences—Mrs. Smith first had an accident, and then went into shock in the half hour when she was gone.But it would all make sense if this was all done on purpose.And if it was, then Mrs.
Mrs. Fuller had heard rumors of her colleagues doing the same thing, with none being the wiser.So she could not help being interested—and did it.She was supposed to take Mrs. Smith's life right then and there and was surprised by a nurse who came in doing her rounds.Hearing the nurse come in, Mrs. Fuller promptly reattached Mrs. Smith's oxygen tube and hurried off to a corner to look busy. Mrs. Smith had already gone into shock by then, and the nurse immediately noticed that something was wrong.Mrs. Fuller played along, feigning panic when the nurse pressed the call button.Everything went smoothly—even if Mrs. Smith survived, she was in a vegetative state and was no different from dead.Just the thought that she would soon get 500 grand left Mrs. Fuller's hands shaking in excitement. [She's not dead, but she's in a vegetative state. Dr. Sandler even told Ms. Smith to prepare for the worst, so she might be gone before long anyway.]Linda could not help smiling smugly whe
Yancy was himself on the way to the hospital when he called Henry, and his expression was somber as he hung up.Even as he sped toward the hospital, he was left wondering how Mrs. Smith suddenly went into shock, when her condition was clearly stabilizing?She was already weak after a major surgery, and the shock came with terrible timing.If they could not save her in time, she would die.And even if they did, she might remain comatose, staying in a vegetative state.Even as the thought crossed Yancy's mind, he floored the gas pedal again.Every second counted for such medical crises, and just being early by one minute might make all the difference.And Yancy prayed that Mrs. Smith would be fine.-Tina was pale as she stood outside the doors of the emergency room.She and Jimmy were going to take turns taking care of Mrs. Smith, as there was no reason for two people to stay with her at the same time.As such, Tina told Jimmy to go home to rest and come tomorrow so they coul
On the other hand, Linda felt gleeful about it too.Sophie was six feet under but had never once experienced such fatherly love from Henry.It all went to Rory instead.Smart as ever, Rory called out to Linda just then, "Mommy." Linda hurried over as Rory held out a hand while she remained in Henry's arms.Linda quickly grasped Rory's hand and used that as an excuse to move beside Henry, even pressing herself against him.Her spirits soared as she inhaled that mature masculine scent of his.How could she ever let go of his man?No matter what happened, she would never let Henry find out that Tina was Orange.Henry was hers and hers alone!As Linda subtly pressed herself closer to Henry, they looked just like a blissful family of three in the distance.Still, she had to get up when the specialist Henry recruited hurried over, and Henry told Rory to lie down.After the specialists took turns to examine Rory, Henry went with them to the office to speak about her condition in
Hearing that there was evidence, Tina's spirit soared.After countless attempts on her own life and pulling herself together, she told herself repeatedly that she must be patient—that she must not break before she avenged Sophie.That she must never rush things and always be calm, and never let Henry or Linda get to her.However, how could she not get impatient?Linda had murdered her baby, and her hatred for Linda cut deep into her bones.Even in her dreams, she wanted justice for Sophie.But now, knowing that Linda was a fraud all along, Tina could not wait to get her hands on the evidence and rip off Linda's mask of lies as Henry watched!"Where's the evidence, Mom?" Tina pressed urgently.Beside Mrs. Smith's bed, Mrs. Fuller leaned closer when Mrs. Smith said there was evidence.Mrs. Smith's voice was too soft for her to catch, and Jimmy and Tina were both too focused on Mrs. Smith to notice what she was doing anyway.However, just before Mrs. Smith could tell Tina where
Crash!However, just as Mrs. Smith finished, Mrs. Fuller suddenly staggered and knocked over a bedside lamp.It shattered loudly on the floor, drowning out Mrs. Smith's already enfeebled voice."I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" Mrs. Fuller apologized repeatedly as she dropped down to pick up the pieces, and no one paid attention to that minor distraction after.Still, Henry missed what Mrs. Smith said and was about to ask what it was when Linda grabbed his arm and caught his attention. "Please, Henry—Tina's mother's surgery was a success. She can wait, but Rory can't."She's really in terrible danger—anything else can wait. Can't you go to Rory now?"Linda's tears poured as she pleaded miserably, as all she wanted was to get Henry away from this place.Once she did, she would use Rory to buy even more time while she came up with a plan.Henry had to agree that Linda was right—there was a priority to things.Mrs. Smith's surgery was a success, and she had already passed her risk period—t