Frank’s clothes were drenched in red as he was seized in agony. Still on his knees due to the lack of air and pain, he pushed away Charmine’s hand. “Charmine, can you help Faye?” he pleaded listlessly. “I know I shouldn’t do this, and I shouldn’t let you get hurt, but I have no other way. Faye is my only sister, and I can’t let her down…” His voice was weak and hoarse. The doctor said Faye was severely ill, and Anthony had yet found her a suitable kidney. She could die at such a rate. Charmine already knew what he wanted to say before he uttered a word of it. “Just get up now,” she spoke. He did not budge from his kneeling position as blood trickled from his wound. His face was pale as he said helplessly, “Charmine, I’ve never expected this day to come, to ask you to get hurt, but…Faye is actually my wife’s actual sister. No one knows this. Faye survived the earthquake but lost her memory, and from then on, I regarded her as my actual sister…” Charmine was shocked. Faye was
Anthony would not agree to Charmine donating her kidney, hence she must not alert him of it. Still, he had been staying in the office. How could she make him leave? Just as she tried to think of something, the door opened abruptly, and in came Anthony as he elegantly walked. His lips twisted into a frown when he saw her sitting upright. “Why’re you not resting?” Charmine instantly walked up to lay in bed and explained, “I got up to use the bathroom.” Anthony’s displeasure faded at how Charmine listened to his advice. He walked over to the bed and sat down. Charmine asked, “Any progress?” “Same old.” Anthony’ brows furrowed. Gazing at his fatigue-ridden face, she asked, “Darling, are you tired?” Anthony’s body jolted as he looked at her. “What did you just call me?” “Darling?” Charmine replied naturally. Anthony’s eyes darkened as he lifted her face by her chin, lowered his head, and seized her red lips. Charmine jolted and resisted. They were at the hospital, an
Anthony’s eyes dulled at Charmine’s peculiar behavior. However, Charmine seemed so calm that she did not even falter. Anthony then felt he was the one overthinking things. Why could she not kiss him? He tucked the hair behind her ears, lovingly cooing, “I really need to go now.” “Okay.” Charmine nodded. Anthony shot her one last glance, one with reluctance. He wanted nothing more than to stay with her, but he knew she fretted about Frank’s health, so he had to quickly find Faye a suitable kidney. All problems could be resolved afterward. After Anthony had left, Charmine laid in bed quietly after Anthony left, though unable to fall asleep as the image of Frank’s body eaten up by the sulfuric acid haunted her. Anxious, she sneaked to the operating room. With the door still shut, Charmine asked the nurse, “Is Frank still inside?” “Yes,” the nurse replied. “We’ve been notified that he needs a skin graft.” Charmine’s heart dropped. Frank’s journey had been too painfu
Nial pursed his lips. He understood the link and also knew that Faye’s condition was worsening. Still, he shuddered at the thought of potentially risking Charmine’s life in exchange for Faye's! Nial shook his head and insisted, “Charmine, you can’t do that. Anyone can give her the kidney but you!” “It’s just one kidney,” retorted Charmine earnestly. “Many donors carried on with their lives just fine. I can only marry your brother and stand in the public eye with him only when everything is settled!” “Still a no.” Nial did not even hesitate. “The wedding can be postponed, but you still can’t donate your kidney!” “While the wedding can be postponed, Faye and Frank’s health can’t be put on hold any longer, can it now?” challenged Charmine as she looked at him. “Do you know how severe this matter is?” The guilt would torment her if they both died, especially since Frank came to her rescue today. Nial nodded. “I know, but this doesn’t warrant you getting hurt for it! Charmin
Charmine caught onto Anthony’s suspicion and piped in, “I realized this afternoon how it’s not worth being so beat for Faye. Look at you: You haven’t been resting in the past two days, and you look so worn out. It hurts me to see you like this.” Anthony felt moved as he gazed at her meaningfully. was touched. “Do you really think so?” “Yes.” He could not help kissing her cheek, his eyes gleaming endearingly instead of being aloof. “I’ll listen to my wife. Let’s go home.”... Chris ran out of the playground the moment they both entered the villa. Instead of running to his father, his own kin, he ran right into Charmine’s arms. “Mommy! You’re finally home! I missed you so much!” Charmine lifted him into her arms, her eyes filled with maternal adoration. “Mommy misses you, too! That’s why I came home to spend time with you.” “Haha! Mommy is the best! Mwah!” Chris pecked Charmine’s cheek as he was still nestled in her arms, not wanting to let go of her. Anthony’s face turned
Anthony headed upstairs. Charmine, still standing where she stood, looked at Chris. “Where’s your father going?” Chris shook his head. “I don’t know.” Both of them were still confused, even as Anthony came downstairs. He changed out of his usual black suit, opting for casual wear with a black mask and sunglasses. He was no longer that arrogant and cold President; he was like a cool-looking-celebrity instead. If one did not know him, one could not tell that he was Anthony Bailey! Anthony walked over and put on a mask over Chris’ mouth. He turned to Charmine and said, “Let’s go.” Charmine halted. He dressed himself and his son up just to be able to go out with her? She wanted to treat him nicely, yet he was the one… With that, the three of them went out. Since they lived in a high-end area, not many people were around, and not many noticed them, too. Chris sat inside the shopping trolley while Anthony pushed at it, Charmine following right behind as she carefully
Since when did Anthony become so flirtatious? Charmine blinked away her shyness and changed the topic by getting some food for Chris. “Eat some more, Momo.” Chris nodded. “Yay! Mommy made it so yummy, I want to finish all by myself!” Charmine smiled. She felt appreciated and loved. As she was about to take some food for Anthony, he had already filled up her plate. “My lady has been working too hard lately. Have some more.” Charmine felt moved, again. The ambiance was affection-filled, homely after the meal. A smile graced Chris’ face, and Anthony’s eyes were filled with love and gentleness. Seeing how happy they were, melancholy flashed past her eyes. She was to have her kidney removed tomorrow, so she had to treasure their time together tonight. After dinner, Charmine cleaned the table when Anthony reached over to take away the things from her hands. “Let me do it.” “No need. I—” Before Charmine could finish her sentence, he took the plates away from her and wa
Anthony and Charmine laid in bed, with Chris nestled between them. It might have been due to his excitement that Chris still tossed and turned at 11 p.m., unable to sleep a wink as he gazed at Charmine, brightly grinning at her. Seeing how tired Charmine seemed, Anthony’s gaze grew wrathful as he snapped, “Sleep, now!” Chris blinked his innocently big eyes, muttering, “But I can’t fall asleep.” He had not seen Charmine for too many days. He missed her too much. Anthony was speechless. Charmine offered, “I’ll tell you some bedtime stories, then?” “Okay! Hehe!” Chris leaned into her arms obediently. Charmine then picked up a storybook with her clear voice ringing, “One day, Adam made a robot friend. The robot ran with him…” Her voice was gentle and soothing, almost hypnotic, so much so that Chris somehow fell asleep in her arms as he listened. Charmine put him down carefully and draped the blanket over him. Thinking Anthony was asleep, she looked over to see his han
There was an unnoticeable glint in Sonia's eyes. She nestled herself further into Harry's arms as she added, "Let’s go to Pares. We'll come back after I give birth to the baby.""Alright."Harry stayed by Sonia's side as he watched over her, cared for her, and talked to her until she finally slept in his care.He stood up tiredly and walked out of the room to sit in the living room.Thuck!Something fell out of his pocket.He narrowed his eyes to the source of sound and spotted a USB.Since when did he have a USB in his pocket?With a small frown on his face, Harry curiously picked it up and noticed the front side of the USB glowing. Something was carved onto its surface, too.[Granger].Was it Dior’s USB? Why was her USB inside his pocket?Harry’s clear fingers held on the USB tightly. He thought for a moment before he took out a laptop, turned it on, and plugged in the USB.A moment later, the screen showed what seemed to be peculiar surveillance footage with a descriptio
Dior was still lost in her storm of thoughts when a shadowy figure zipped past her and ran toward Harry.When she spotted this familiar figure, she reacted quickly and held onto him."Let go of me!" growled Guy. "How dare he slap you and misunderstood you? I have to beat some sense into him!"Harry broke free and chased after Harry.Dior, despite having lost all hope and life in her, mustered the last strand of her will to chase after Guy and reeled him back. "Brother, don't," she muttered, "spare your energy…" Her sorrow clouded her eyes as she mumbled, "He’s the man I love. Even though he hates me, I won’t allow you to hurt him. As for the explanation…"Dior smiled ironically. "Whatever. That slap decimated every beautiful daydream I have about him, anyway."She no longer expected anything from him.He had no trust in her, so what would it matter if she finally got him? He did not even love her, and he did not trust her either.Dior smiled elegantly, but her eyes were fille
Dior looked forward to that new shift.She watched as Harry made his way into the restaurant silently, unable to deter her mind from the daydreams she had of him, of the new chapter of their story they would have.He would apologize to her, trying to redeem himself, and kiss her dearly as he embraced her. Later down the line, they would have a child of their own, too.Harry's long legs walked in strides, his dark gaze trained on Dior.The bright light shone on Dior’s delicately stunning face, and she also wore a red dress.He remembered her wearing this back in Mount Village.He could remember how alluring she looked back then, how they stayed in the same room, how she put down her ego to treat him with so much gentleness.Harry’s cold face mellowed down, but recalling a certain memory, the vague wistfulness in him vanished and he sat in front of her.Dior looked at him fondly, like she always would. "Long time no see."Her eyes burned brightly as if she wanted to drink in his
Dior examined the footage the moment she received it.True enough, it showed Sonia and George talking about their little deal. It also showed how Dior was telling the truth while they both ganged up on her.Dior’s frail heart felt as though it was rejuvenated once more, feeling as though blood was once more pumped into her heart. Her dull eyes devoid of hope regained their lost luster once more.Not thinking twice, she dialed Harry's number with this evidence, though he had to be busy, seeing as he did not pick up even after the phone rang for a long while.Just as she was about to hang up, Harry picked up the phone."What do you want?"On the other end of the call was the voice that she had missed for so long. His low, hoarse voice sounded so cold and emotionless.Hearing his voice brought Dior back to the image of his handsome face, and her heart skipped a beat.She tried her best to restrain her fluttering emotions as she tried to speak calmly, "Do you have time? I’d like to
At Mount Village…Inside the elegant bamboo house was Dior, dressed in a beige dress. She sat in the front yard as she took sips of her wine.The sunlight shone past the leaves and illuminated her, yet she exuded an air of loneliness.She swirled the glass and could not help recalling the moments she spent with Harry.In the beginning, she was attracted by his looks; he looked so gentle and elegant.She gave him money, kept him company, and continuously showed up around him in hopes of conquering him.Alas, she ended up in this state.The time she spent with him in Mount Village was the happiest time she had ever had. They had lived inside the bamboo house together, where he took care of her and claimed her to be his woman.They even laid inside the same room.Everything was so beautiful.Cursed was her luck, however, that it was just an illusion. He had been using her from the start, while he chose to stay with the woman who lied to him and even hurt him!No matter how mu
"Although Susan was unhappy, she should've voiced out her displeasure instead of bottling things. Cheating is wrong, regardless. Furthermore, if she wanted a career, she didn't have to stay home and depend on her husband."Grandma Bailey halted.Was that what Charmine truly thought of?Grandma Bailey thought Charmine would find Susan too aggressive unto herself.Charmine glanced at Susan again and apathetically commented, "She doesn't want to make money on her own, but she wants to be rich while complaining about her man not making time for her and taking care of her? If a woman has no ability of her own and also blames others for her miseries, all she's worth is to sit quietly at home and wait for her husband to come home. She also has no right to cheat! This is how the world works."Charmine patted Grandma Bailey’s shoulder and held Anthony’s hand, her words met with everyone's evidently surprised gazes and their silence.Grandma Bailey was shocked. Sure, Charmine sounded rathe
The colossal cruise started to drift away from the pier.Eric stood on the cruise and let the wind blow at him, loneliness and hatred still oozing from his being.He stared at the blue ocean ahead of him as Charmine's words rang in his mind unceasingly.'Will you really feel good after you've killed them?''You saw Susan suffering from a serious wound; would you still kill the one sibling you have left in the world?'"Forgive them and yourself.'Deliberating everything carefully, his lips curled into a bitter smile.It was true, after all, that Charmine understood him the most.Eric poured himself another drink and downed it with loneliness as he allowed the cruise to bring him wherever it would take him.…Susan was still inside the operating room when Charmine and the rest of the Baileys rushed into the hospital.Darryl stood before the room, his expression blank, his figure lonely and helpless.So many things had happened in half a day.He found out about his wife's inf
"No one's stopping you now. Eat!"Anthony clenched his hands tightly and took another glance at Charmine. He was more determined than before, and he was close to eating the pills in the bottle.Charmine, who was held hostage, gradually opened her eyes at that moment. Her gaze drifted toward Eric before she asked, her tone challenging, "Will you really feel good after you've killed them? You saw Susan suffering from a serious wound; would you still kill the one sibling you have left in the world?"Eric halted, and his eyes darkened.Charmine had just woken up, yet what she said…He cast a cold glance at Charmine. "It's my business, and it has nothing to do with you!"They were his family, and he did not want a family like this!Charmine looked squarely at him. "Eric, I don’t care if you used me or plotted against me all these years; I've treated you like a true friend, nothing more nor less. You were the only person who stayed by my side in the past five years, so I hope that you
Anthony's breath hitched when he saw Charmine.He clenched his fists and, without doubting himself, relented "I can agree to your terms, so let her go right away. This has nothing to do with her; you only hate me after all. As long as you let her go, I'll take the pill. Everything will end right away."Susan shook her head. "We'll die after eating the pill. I’m not taking that!"She had just reunited with Eric, and she did not want to die yet. She looked at Eric and begged, "Please let Anthony be, why don't you? He’s your brother, after all, and he doesn’t even know about your existence. If you’re really angry, just kill Charmine, and I'll make it up to you—"Anthony's expression contorted in sheer fury upon hearing Susan's plea, and he glared at her with murderous intent."This was all your fault, so what right do you have to make Charmine take your blame?!""What on earth are you going on about?" snapped Grandma Bailey. "Charmine has been kidnapped because of you, yet you want