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The quiet, nearly deserted streets of Jipsburg City at night allowed Joe and Skylar to reach the hospital quickly.
When they arrived at the ward, Gloria was asleep in bed and looking pale. Skylar’s concern was evident in the furrow of her brow
After leaving the ward, Joe immediately asked Edgar, How did Grandma suddenly develop heart trouble in the middle of the night?”
Edgar, also pale, was about to respond when a middle–aged man’s voice interrupted from behind them.
“What is Mrs. Martin Senior’s condition? What did the doctors say?”
Skylar, Joe, and Edgar turned to see who was speaking
This was Skylar’s first encounter with Edwin, who was accompanied by Molly.
Skylar hadn’t expected to meet Joe’s father under such circumstances. There was little resemblance between Joe and Edwin; Joe took more after his mother.
“Why are you here?” Joe demanded, his eyes narrowing sharply as he regarded Edwin with cold hostility.
The tension between them was more like that of enemies than father and son, even more strained than if they were complete strangers.
Edwin’s face hardened in anger at Joe’s attitude. “Mrs. Martin Senior is your grandma and my mother. Since she’s in the hospital, I came to see her.”
Molly immediately interjected, “Mrs. Martin Senior suddenly felt unwell while talking to your father on the phone. We rushed over as soon as we learned about it. What did the doctor say? Do we need to bring in a specialist from abroad?”
Molly’s eyes briefly met Skylar’s.
Skylar remained calm and indifferent when their gazes met, as if she didn’t recognize her.
Molly was secretly astonished. Despite her young age, Skylar’s composure and calmness made Molly see her in a new light.
Joe shot a cold glance at Molly and said, “Leave.”
Molly was unfazed. She turned to Edwin and said, “Darling, I’ll wait for you outside the hospital.”
“Joe, after all these years, you still can’t accept her? Let’s put this matter aside for now, What’s important is your grandmother,” Edwin said gravely.
With that, Edwin’s gaze swept over Skylar. His eyes held a frosty, scrutinizing look.
Skylar sensed Edwin’s disapproval and scrutiny. She had no intention of trying to please him, especially after Molly’s previous attitude.
“What did you say to Grandma?” Joe asked coldly.
Edwin frowned. “What I said isn’t important.”
“You’d better hope nothing happens to Grandma,” Joe said icily, as if the man standing before him wasn’t his father but his enemy.
Edwin’s face darkened. “I’m your father her to be healthy more than anyone.”
Do you think I want something to happen to your grandma? I want
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Standing to the side, Edgar sighed inwardly. This kind of situation was typical. However, with Skylar present now, Joe had somewhat restrained himself.
Edwin had never really fulfilled his responsibilities as a father, and the conversation he had had with Gloria that night had deeply hurt her.
In Edwin’s view, Gloria’s age was the reason for her seemingly foolish decisions. He was adamant that Skylar was not the daughter–in–law he desired.
Skylar could guess some of the reasons from Edgar’s expression.
Joe let out a cold, disdainful laugh. It seemed as though he found the term “father” from Edwin’s mouth to be contemptible.
Edwin’s expression darkened further. He turned his gaze to Skylar, his eyes now filled with even more disdain. With an air of superiority, he coldly asked, “Are you Skylar?”
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Skylar’s appearance was striking enough to
in her and reluctant to divorce.
make any man’s heart flutter. No wonder Joe was so invested
Skylar’s expression remained calm and indifferent as she replied, “I am.”
Joe took her hand firmly in his. He wrapped it entirely in his grasp and said, “She’s my wife.”
His firm
dearation made Skylar’s hand
slightly. His tone was resolute, without a trace of
It was clear that he took great pride in her being his wife. This declaration also gave him the confidence and strength to invest his heart fully.
Watching from the sidelines, Edgar felt warmth spread through his chest. He thought to himself that Gloria could finally rest easy–Joe truly cared for Skylar
It was evident that Joe was standing up for Skylar before Edwin. It was something he had never done so earnestly before.
Edwin’s face darkened with anger. He thought Joe was merely an ungrateful son.
“You two only have a marriage certificate. Many people in Jipsburg City still don’t know about your relationship,” he said coldly.
Molly, who had yet to leave, subtly furrowed her brow at the scene.
Joe’s concern for Skylar was more pronounced than she had anticipated. There was a softness in Joe’s eyes when he looked at Skylar, perhaps even a tenderness he himself was unaware of.
“I’m preparing for the wedding. You’ll be notified to attend when it’s time. For now, we should focus on Grandma’s condition. If anything happens to her, you will be held accountable,” Joe said coldly.
Edwin’s anger was palpable. “Do you even realize what you’re saying?” he demanded.
The elderly had less resilience as they aged, so it was normal for them to suddenly feel unwell while on the phone. Yet Joe dared to blame him for it.
“There’s too much going on with the Martin family right now. You’d better postpone the wedding,” Edwin added sharply.
Skylar felt Edwin’s hostility acutely this time. Regardless of Joe’s earlier words, the wedding would have failed to take place.
Aside from Gloria, the rest of the Martin family would not tolerate Skylar staying with Joe.
Skylar had a rebellious streak and felt even more determined to stay with Joe under these
circumstances. She wanted the Martin family, who failed to care for Joe, to see them living harmoniously together.
Joe’s lips curled into a cold smile. “The Martin family has a lot going on lately. What does that have to do with me?”
He was determined to do what he wanted, and no one could stop him.
“The wedding must go on. I’ll not let my wife be wronged in any way,” Joe declared. His voice grew firmer with each word. His tone clearly indicated a fierce disagreement between him and his father.
Skylar kept her head down. She appeared obedient and silent. Yet, a ripple of doubt stirred within her. She wondered if Joe’s constant reference to her as his wife was merely a way to provoke Edwin.
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This thought was quickly pushed aside. Regardless of his reasons, she couldn’t dwell on it.
Edwin’s expression darkened further. “Your grandma isn’t feeling well today, and we’re in a hospital. It’s not the right time to discuss things. We’ll talk later.”
Joe sneered. He suddenly glanced at Molly. “Aren’t you leaving yet?”
Molly’s face stiffened immediately.
Having been Mrs. Martin for so many years, she was accustomed to being respected and treated with utmost care whenever she went. Her elevated status had made her forget what it was like to be treated with disdain.
Now, faced with Joe’s cold stare and the command to leave, she felt a storm of emotions rising within her.
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Molly managed to force a smile. “Joe, there’s no need for such hostility. I’ve
son.”
Joe’s expression hardened into a sharp, menacing glare. “Get out.”
ways thought of you as my
“Joe!” Edwin roared in fury. He had hoped time would soften Joe’s stance, but it seemed to have only made him more unyielding.
Molly’s expression darkened. “I’ll leave now.”
“Just because I don’t voice my thoughts doesn’t mean I’m unaware. I simply refuse to dirty my wife’s ears with these matters. You’d better leave the hospital while I’m still rational.” Joe’s tone was icy, full of contempt. Old grievances buzzed in his mind like gnawing insects, stirring nausea in his gut.
The two before him were middle–aged, yet the stains of their past sins lingered in Joe’s mind, vivid as
ever.
Skylar sensed Joe’s emotional turmoil and gently clasped his hand. He applied a strength to her grasp
that even he hadn’t realized.
Joe snapped back to reality, peering down at Skylar. He felt the queasy feeling in his stomach abruptly diminish.
Molly’s face turned pale, and she quickly left without saying a word.
Edwin appeared somewhat restrained. He glanced at Edgar unwillingly and said, “Take good care of Mrs.
Martin Senior.”
“I will,” Edgar replied.
After Edwin and Molly left, Joe’s expression softened considerably.
Edgar looked at Skylar with some concern. He worried that the earlier scene might have upset her. But seeing her calm demeanor, he realized Gloria was right. Anyway, her judgment had always been spot on.
“Dr. Colon says Mrs. Martin Senior’s condition is stable for now Edgar said softly to the young couple.
If Gloria were awake, she wouldn’t want to see them so worried.
“What did he say to Grandma?” Joe asked Edgar.
You two don’t need to worry too much,”
Edgar glanced at Skylar and then shook his head. “I was busy then and didn’t hear what Mrs. Martin Senior and Mr. Martin discussed.”
Skylar could guess what their conversation had been about.
“I’ll stay here to take care of Grandma. You two should go back and get some rest,” Skylar told Joe and Edgar.
Edgar was older. He shouldn’t stay up all night at the hospital. Joe had just confronted his father, so his emotions were likely in turmoil.
Skylar suggested staying behind to care for Gloria, as she was emotionally stable and more suited to the task.
“Let me stay. There are other staff and nurses here. You two should return to Galaxy Villa and come back to the hospital tomorrow morning,” Edgar offered.
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Joe glanced at his watch and checked the time.
It was already midnight. Returning to the villa and back was impractical.
“Alright,” Joe agreed. He then led Skylar out of the hospital.
He didn’t take Skylar back to the Galaxy Villa. Instead, they stayed at a hotel nearby.
After the earlier ordeal, neither felt like sleeping once they arrived at the hotel.
Joe held Skylar in his arms. He remained silent for a while. He only spoke when he sensed that Skylar wasn’t sleeping either. “Were you scared at the hospital?”
“No, I’m not that easily frightened,” Skylar replied honestly.
After witnessing various forms of human nature and betrayal, she was no longer afraid of much. “Don’t let their attitudes toward you today bother you too much,” Joe said, his voice growing somber.
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Skylar nodded softly.
Joe gently ruffled her hair and asked, “What kind of wedding do you want?”
Skylar looked surprised. “Are we really going to have a wedding?”
She had thought Joe’s mention of a wedding was just to provoke Edwin and Molly.
The wedding… She had never thought about it before.
“Yes. Don’t most women dream of a wedding they’ll remember for a lifetime? As my wife, you deserve nothing less,” Joe said, his voice tender.
His tone was so soft, as if the wedding was something he genuinely looked forward to.
Skylar replied quietly, “I’ll need to think about it.”
“Any thoughts or requests you have, just let me know,” Joe said.
As the conversation turned to wedding plans, Joe’s demeanor softened further. Unnoticed by both, they eventually drifted off to sleep.
After returning home that night, Edwin and Molly couldn’t calm their emotions for a long time.
“Darling, given Joe’s attitude toward Skylar today, if we try to act against him, it might backfire,” Molly said. Joe’s words seemed mild, but they were likely a warning. Joe probably had some incriminating evidence against them.
Edwin remained stern–faced. “No matter what, I’m still his father. I won’t worry about him. I’ll do what needs to be done.”
In his view, no matter how much Joe might try to assert control, he would never be able to overshadow
him as a father.
Molly nodded. “Alright.”
In the darkness of the night, Molly’s eyes were filled with a grim determination.
If Joe truly cared about Skylar, she would ensure he didn’t get his way. Over the years, Joe had made her life difficult and embarrassed her on more than one occasion.
She was determined to ensure he wouldn’t have the satisfaction of achieving his desires, and there was also Gloria who hadn’t accepted her. She couldn’t allow the two of them to live so comfortably.
The next morning, Skylar and Joe h
breakfast at the hotel before going to the hospital.
Gloria had just woken up. Upon seeing them, she smiled warmly and said, “I’m fine. You two don’t need to worry.”
Her health was deteriorating more and more. Just a few words with her son had caused her to faint from a sudden surge of anger, which in turn made Joe and Skylar worry about her.
“Mrs. Martin Senior just had a large bowl of chicken soup, and Dr. Colon has been by. You don’t need to be concerned,” Edgar said.
Seeing Gloria’s improved condition eased Skylar’s worries. She said, “It’s good that Grandma is fine.”
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Earlier that morning, the doctor, Gavin Colon, called Joe to explain Gloria’s current condition. Although her fainting spell was related to her heart, it was primarily due to a surge of anger that overwhelmed her, causing her to faint. Since she had come to the hospital on time, there was no need for excessive
concern.
“Did your father come by last night? Did the two of you argue again?” Gloria asked. She turned to Joe, who had been quiet and had a somber expression.
Although Edgar hadn’t said anything to her, she knew she had fainted while on the phone with Edwin.
Despite Edwin’s lack of loyalty, he would still come to the hospital.
The father and son duo were practically enemies. They fought whenever they met, all due to the unfortunate events of the past.
Gloria sighed again with resignation,
Joe spoke calmly, “It’s normal for us to argue whenever we meet. Don’t worry about it.”
In his eyes, having a father or not made no difference. He might as well be dead.
Skylar quietly peeled an apple beside them. The faint apple scent helped to neutralize the smell of disinfectant in the room.
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Gloria sighed, feeling helpless. But considering what Edwin had done, Joe’s behavior was understandable.
Although she had been with the Martin family for many years, since her husband’s passing, the Martin family had gradually become fragmented. Each member had their own thoughts, and she could only adapt to the changes rather than influence them.
On the surface, everyone showed respect for her.
Gloria remembered what Viola had told her. She said that some things couldn’t be changed by one person’s efforts. Times and people would evolve.
When Edwin was young, he was quite good–natured. However, as he grew older and was influenced by those around him, he became distant from her.
His relationship with Gloria had deteriorated, especially after he married Molly some 20 years ago. Now that Edwin was meddling in Joe’s affairs, he was no different from the other family members.
“Just in time, I was craving an apple,” Gloria said. Despite her heavy heart, she quickly adjusted. At her age, she had to learn how to handle these negative emotions.
Skylar handed over the apple.
Although Gloria had been troubled, her mood lightened just by looking at Skylar. Her presence seemed to calm her chaotic feelings.
Joe noticed the change in Gloria’s mood. He subtly glanced at Skylar, who seemed to have a calming effect on people.
Being with her always brought a sense of calm, no matter what challenges were being faced. The present difficulties never seemed to confine or overwhelm.
Noticing Joe’s gaze, Skylar asked, “Would you like an apple too?”
Before Joe could respond, Gloria huffed, “Let him peel his own apple. Don’t spoil him, Skye.”
Joe had been looking much healthier lately. His complexion was rosy and lively. His condition had noticeably improved despite having had many things to deal with recently.
The credit definitely went to Skylar. Without her, Joe’s current state might have been quite different.
Joe’s lips twitched into a faint smile. “I’ll do it.”
Skylar handed him the knife.
Soon, Joe had peeled an apple but didn’t keep it for himself. Instead, he handed it to Skylar.
Seeing that scene, Gloria smiled and nodded approvingly. “Skye, you go ahead and eat first. The apples today are really good and sweet. Try them.”
“Sure,” Skylar responded. She was momentarily surprised by the warmth in Joe’s eyes as she took the apple.
Seeing the tender exchange between the two, Gloria and Edgar shared a knowing look.
Gloria was pleased: Joe seemed to understand how to show care for others, and it was clear that Skylar had a significant influence on him.
After leaving the hospital, Joe dropped Skylar off at work.
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They ran into Caleb: Caleb raised an eyebrow as he saw Skylar leave Joe’s car. He waited for her to approach.
As Skylar got closer, Caleb asked concernedly, “Did Joe give you any trouble?”
Caleb had always suspected that Joe was mistreating Skylar. Now, seeing her with puffy eyes and looking like she hadn’t slept well, his suspicions were confirmed.
Skylar had yawned several times in the car.
The night before, she and Joe had talked late into the night. The following day, she had to get up early to go to the hospital.
She hadn’t had much rest and now felt utterly drained. All she could think about was getting a cup of coffee to wake herself up.
Just then, Caleb’s question interrupted her thoughts. She smiled and replied, “He treats me well. He wouldn’t hurt me.”
“Don’t think you can fool me like I’m a kid. You look exhausted. If he’s not mistreating you, why do you look so worn out?” Caleb stared at her intensely. His worry for Skylar was evident.
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The more Caleb looked at Skylar, the more convinced he became. In his view, Joe was nothing but a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
Caleb had believed this since he was a child, and now he was more convinced than ever.
Skylar couldn’t help but laugh. “Last night, a family member was admitted to the hospital. I was worried all night and didn’t sleep well. Let’s go. I need to get a cup of coffee.”
Caleb scratched his head. He felt a bit awkward. “Sorry, I misunderstood.”
Even though it was a misunderstanding, he still believed Joe was a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Skylar was just being deceived by Joe’s appearance.
One day, she would see Joe’s true nature.
Edwin and Molly arrived at the hospital around noon. Molly didn’t enter the ward but waited outside.
When Edwin appeared in the ward, Gloria was having lunch. She had a bowl of light, easily digestible chicken soup.
“Mom, how are you feeling today?” Edwin asked.
Gloria gave him a cold look. She replied blandly, “A bit better.”
At least she was still alive and hadn’t been angered to death. She was still hanging on.
Edwin was used to Gloria’s cold demeanor toward him over the years. After all, she was his mother. He spoke gently, “I brought some tomato soup. I checked with Dr. Colon, and he said you could have it.”
Molly had personally made the tomato soup. She spent the whole morning on it with great care.
Gloria acknowledged with a nod. “That’s thoughtful. I’ll have it later.”
Edwin was not one for these gestures, so this had to be Molly’s idea.
After all these years, Molly’s patience and tactics had kept her by Edwin’s side. Unfortunately, the things they had done together still made Gloria sick whenever she thought about them.
It was probably divine retribution that neither could have children, even through IVF.
“Mom, I was wrong last night. I shouldn’t have argued with you. I know that while anyone could hurt Joe, you never would,” Edwin said softly.
Gloria’s expression eased a bit. “You’re right about that. No one else will look out for Joe like I will.”
“Joe is my son and my only child. I care about him and would never harm him. Mom, we both want what’s best for him,” Edwin continued.
Gloria frowned, “You may want children, but none of the women around you can bear them. You didn’t care about Joe when you were younger. Now that you’re older, you want to step in as a father?
“Isn’t it too late? Joe can handle things on his own now. He’s not the same child who needed protection. You need to see him as he is and stop meddling in his affairs.”
“Mom, I’m still his father. I would never harm him,” Edwin said, frowning. He had been a foolish young man. Besides, everyone around him was doing the same. He never thought his body would give out.
Gloria let
Chapter
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more disciplined and self–controlled than you. He demands almost obsessively high standards from himself. Yes, you are his father, but you fall far short of him.”
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That was a fact. The Martin family didn’t pass on the business to Edwin because he lacked the capability. Joe took over Martin Group when he was just 20 years old. Under Joe’s leadership, the Martin Group thrived even more.
Edwin’s face darkened as if his deepest insecurities were laid bare. “Mom, there’s no point in discussing this now. The most important thing is for you to focus on your health and recover as soon as possible.”
M
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Gloria’s senility was evident in her old age as she continued to dwell on the past.
Gloria sniffed coldly. “Yes, I need to take good care of my health and do my best to support Joe.” She had lived her life with a clear conscience, but her failure lay in how she raised her son. Edwin had gone astray after growing up.
Thinking about everything Edwin had done over the past 20 years, she felt as if a heavy stone was pressing on her chest. It left her completely stifled.
Edwin couldn’t stand to stay any longer. “Mom, I have many things to handle now that I’m back in Jipsburg. I’ll leave for now. If anything comes up, you can have Edgar contact me, and I’ll come right over.”
“Go ahead,” Gloria said. Her expression darkened, and she didn’t insist on keeping him. Having Edwin around made no difference to her.
When Edwin opened the door to leave, he looked visibly upset.
When the door swung open, Gloria saw Molly standing outside. From the first time she met Molly, she had disliked her. Gloria was convinced that Molly had bewitched Edwin.
More than 20 years had passed, but Molly appeared to be even more reserved.
Molly noticed Gloria’s gaze. She smiled politely and nodded at her.
She wasn’t surprised to see the disdain in Gloria’s eyes. She had long been aware that Gloria didn’t like her, so she had grown indifferent to it.
Gloria could do whatever she wanted. After all, Edwin couldn’t live without Molly.
After years of Molly’s influence, Edwin’s feelings for his mother had faded. The maternal bond that once held them together had all but vanished. The remnants of their relationship were no longer enough to have any real impact.
Edgar positioned himself at the door in a timely manner. He was well aware of Gloria’s aversion to Molly. One could hardly blame her; Molly’s actions from over 20 years ago were still quite repulsive.
Once the door was closed, Gloria couldn’t help but cough a few times.
“Here, have some water, Mrs. Martin Senior,” Edgar said. He quickly offered her a glass of water.
Gloria accepted the glass of water and sipped slowly.
After calming down, she turned to Edgar and said, “You saw Edwin’s attitude. He definitely won’t let this go easily. He insists on meddling in Joe’s affairs, and my words mean nothing to him. As for Molly, she clearly wants to see the rift between father and son deepen.”
Edgar listed with a hint of resignation. He replied, “Mrs. Martin Senior, you once said that each member of the Martin family has their own destiny. Now that Mr. Joe is in charge, others can’t sway his decisions.
“As for Mrs. Martin, she is indeed clever. Mr. Edwin will eventually understand the situation and step back. What’s most important now is that you try not to let these issues weigh on your mind.”
Gloria sighed. “I know. You’re right.”
But knowing and doing were two different things.
Natalie was carrying the items she had just brought from the food market near the hotel.
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She had arrived in Cuvale City earlier that morning.
Austin had two events to attend in Cuvale City over the next couple of days. Before coming yesterday, she had researched and found a popular food market near the hotel.
So, after checking into the hotel, she went to the food market to buy some food. Meanwhile, Austin and Hank were preparing for the events.
She intended to get everything ready before Austin’s makeup session so he could have a bite.
Just as she was about to use her key card to enter her room, her phone rang.
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With her hands full, Natalie couldn’t answer the phone. She hurriedly used her key card to open the door.
After putting the items down, she answered the call without checking who it was.
“Hello.”
“Are you settling in at the hotel?” Jeremy’s voice came through the phone.
Natalie’s hand holding the phone trembled slightly. She was momentarily stunned. Then, with a delayed reaction, she replied, “The hotel’s environment is nice There’s a large shopping mall next door, which is convenient and great for shopping.”
Natalie realized her words sounded too formal and unfamiliar, and her heart felt heavy. It was a kind of indescribable discomfort.
“Yes, I’m here on a business trip and staying in the penthouse suite,” Jeremy said after a brief pause.
Natalie’s expression changed abruptly. “You’re also staying at this hotel?”
Natalie wondered at the coincidence.
“Yes, Jeremy replied simply.
Natalie bit her lip and made a decision. “Alright, I’ll come up to find you shortly.”
Ten minutes later, Natalie delivered the items to Austin and Hank and then went to the penthouse suite.
She knocked on the door several times. Jeremy opened it almost immediately.
Natalie walked in, feeling heavy in her chest. The suite was much larger than her room.
“This hotel’s penthouse suite is really impressive,” Natalie commented with a somewhat strained smile.
During their time together, Natalie gradually realized they couldn’t return to how things once were. Despite their efforts, it became clear that things had changed.
Their trust had never faltered, and they could do whatever they wanted without being overly cautious. She didn’t need to worry too much, and she would naturally find herself leaning on Jeremy and sharing her feelings with him. However, she no longer wanted to share her thoughts and concerns with him.
Jeremy, a shrewd businessman, must have noticed the changes in her and their relationship.
She knew he must have sensed it long ago.
“Do you want to move in with me? I’ll be staying here for three days,” Jeremy said. His gaze fixed on
Natalie with a calm but intense look.
His eyes conveyed a depth of understanding that only adults could grasp.
Natalie’s heart skipped a beat. Her lips were pressed into a thin line; her face gradually grew pale.
Images of Jeremy with Annabelle flashed in her mind, making it seem as if Jeremy’s affectionate gaze
was meant for Annabelle, not her.
She clenched her hands tightly. However, the images kept flooding her mind uncontrollably.
She repeatedly told herself that these things weren’t Jeremy’s fault. He had been manipulated, and she was a victim just as much as he was.
Natalie lowered her head and spoke softly, “I’m working tonight and have to accompany Mr. Powell to an
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event. It’s inconvenient to stay with you. So let’s leave it for another time.”
Jeremy’s gaze grew dimmer as he asked in a low voice, “You still care, don’t you?”
He watched as Natalie walked away, heading in the opposite direction.
With red–rimmed eyes, Natalie mustered the courage to look up at him and said, “I still can’t forget.”
Jeremy’s demeanor grew colder, and the veins on his forehead became more pronounced.
They fell into a prolonged silence.
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For a moment, Natalie had the unsettling feeling that Jeremy might say, “Let’s end it here. Let’s part ways
and move on.”
Just the thought seemed to lift the heavy weight pressing on her heart.
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Jeremy said, “There’s no rush, we have plenty of time. We’ll take it slowly. This situation is my fault. You’ve done nothing wrong and you shouldn’t blame yourself.”
His voice was gentle and soothing, as it used to be.
Natalie had cherished these moments when Jeremy comforted her in the past. She felt like she was everything to him. But now, Natalie felt helpless as tears streamed down uncontrollably. The emotions she had suppressed for so long were breaking free.
Jeremy stepped forward. He tried to embrace her, but Natalie recoiled as though faced with a threat. She backed away from Jeremy’s approach.
The distance between them made the atmosphere even more awkward and tense.
Natalie quickly composed herself and looked up at Jeremy.
Jeremy was momentarily taken aback. His outstretched hand was still hovering in midair.
“I… Jeremy, can we both take a moment to calm down? Are we really suited to continue together? We’ve both made efforts during this time, and there’s indeed a long road ahead. But is this how you and I want to keep going, torturing each other like this?”
Natalie couldn’t hold back any longer and finally expressed everything she had been feeling.
Jeremy froze, his eyes locked on her. After a long silence, he said, “I’m calm enough now. You are and will always be my wife. That will never change.”
Natalie suddenly found it hard to breathe.
Hank stood outside Natalie’s door. He knocked repeatedly, but he received no response. Even if Natalie had fallen asleep, she would normally respond to a knock on the door. Hank wondered why there was still
no answer.
Half an hour ago, she sent him a message saying she had bought something and was returning. He and Austin had waited for her for half an hour, but she hadn’t brought anything over.
After sending several messages and making phone calls, Natalie still didn’t answer or respond. He informed Austin of the situation and then called the hotel front desk to have them open the door.
Before the hotel staff arrived, Austin got there first.
“She still hasn’t responded?” Austin asked.
Hank nodded. “I’ve tried various methods to reach her, but there’s been no reply. I’m not sure if she’s even
in the room.”
-Austin’s face grew stern. “She wouldn’t ignore calls without a special reason.”
Furthermore, knowing she had work tonight, she wouldn’t have turned off her phone. And with no response to the knocking…
“Kick the door open,” Austin commanded.
Hank looked at Austin in disbelief. “Are you serious? Can we even kick the door open?”
The hotel staff arrived just as Austin was about to force the door open. As they unlocked the door, Hank observed Austin closely.
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He had initially thought Austin’s interest in Natalie was mere affection, something he would restrain until Natalie was divorced.
At least Natalie hadn’t noticed anything unusual.
Hank suddenly wondered if he had underestimated Austin’s feelings for Natalie.
Kicking down a hotel room door was an impulsive action, yet it was Austin’s decision. Even knowing the hotel staff were already on their way, Austin still acted like this.
Hank felt uneasy.
Austin was the first to rush inside when the hotel staff finally opened the door.
The room was filled with the aroma of food. Various local snacks and delicacies were laid out on the table, but Natalie was nowhere to be seen.
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“You all…” At that moment, Natalie’s voice came from behind them.
Austin, Hank, and the hotel staff turned around to see her.
Natalie’s eyes were slightly red, but only noticeable if one looked closely. Her mood seemed a bit down.
Just as she was thinking about going back to her room to touch up her makeup and improve her appearance, she found several people standing there.
After ensuring everything was fine, the hotel staff left.
The moment Austin saw Natalie, he noticed Natalie’s unusual demeanor. He asked, “Is something wrong?”
Hank came to his senses. He glanced at the worried Austin. “I came to find you because you didn’t respond to my calls and messages. We had to get the hotel staff involved. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. I just went out for a bit. My phone… it must have accidentally been set to silence. Sorry, I didn’t notice,” Natalie said.
She pulled out her phone and looked at it. It seemed she had hit the mute button when she received Jeremy’s call.
At that time, she hadn’t noticed it at all.
Austin’s gaze grew somber.
Natalie entered the room. “I bought quite a few things. We can eat together now.”
Hank watched Austin closely. He almost wanted to remind Austin that Natalie was still married. Fortunately, Austin had never lost his composure at crucial moments.
“Perfect. I’m hungry,” Austin said.
Hank checked the time. “We have half an hour before we need to leave. We should eat something now.”
Otherwise, they would end up starving by the end of the night.
Natalie wasn’t really in a good mood. It was clear she had something on her mind. When she was preoccupied, she talked nonstop. However, neither Austin nor Hank mentioned anything about it.
It wasn’t until half an hour later, when they were heading downstairs to leave for the event that they understood the reason for Natalie’s low mood.
They happened to see Jeremy getting into a nearby car
Jeremy glanced at Natalie and then at Austin as the car window rolled up,
On the way, they didn’t exchange a word. The atmosphere was tense and strange.
Hank felt as if someone had a chokehold on him, making his breathing slightly constricted. Turning to Austin, he asked quietly, “What did Jeremy’s look just now mean?”
It seemed like his gaze was assessing Austin as a rival
Austin had always been calm, even when he harbored feelings for Natalie that she remained unaware of. Yet, Jeremy’s look suggested he knew more than he should.
Austin’s demeanor was cold.
The distance and coldness from Austin made Hank deeply uncomfortable. He was all too familiar with
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Austin’s tendencies, and this situation only confirmed his suspicions. It felt like Austin was deliberately complicating things for himself.
Hank glanced at Natalie. She had applied light everyday makeup in the restroom, which improved her appearance considerably.
However, when she saw Jeremy just now, her expression changed noticeably. Even though she had applied foundation and blush, they couldn’t conceal the brief moment of bewilderment on her face.
Anyone with eyes could see that something was amiss between Natalie and Jeremy. Hank had always doubted that Natalie and Jeremy’s reunion would end well.
Given Natalie’s stubborn nature, it was hard to imagine her accepting Jeremy’s past infidelities.
Once they were in the car, the silence was palpable. Hank decided not to make things worse by speaking. Instead, he pondered how to deal with the ongoing challenges he anticipated.
L
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Natalie stared down at her phone. There was a WhatsApp message from Jeremy on the phone. He simply said he could wait.
The mere phrase “I could wait” felt like a personal accusation. It was as if Natalie were a heartless person. She was the one unwilling to face their troubles together.
Jeremy had been schemed against and was caught in a situation beyond his control. Meanwhile, she was thinking of leaving him while he was suffering.
Even her mother’s frequent inquiries and concerns felt like a form of supervision, as if she were being monitored to regulate her behavior.
Soon, they arrived at the event venue.
Natalie buried her thoughts and doubts deep inside as they exited the car. They were not revealed in the slightest.
Skylar had just finished a call with Joe. They were scheduled to meet at the hospital later.
They planned to stay at the hospital with Gloria for dinner.
She had just clocked out from work. She was about to leave, but someone suddenly stopped her.
“Skylar!” a deep voice called out.
Skylar looked at the person blocking her path. After only two days of peace, someone else had come to confront her. This time, it
wasn’t a familiar face.
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It was Amelia.
Amelia glared at Skylar with a face full of anger, as if Skylar were her enemy.
She had utterly forgotten who had been taking care of her in the hospital over the years.
“Skylar, should we call a security guard?” a colleague asked.
Skylar shook her head. “You all go ahead. It’s fine.”
Her colleagues said nothing more. They had worked with Skylar long enough to understand her. If she said everything was fine, it was likely true. Besides, they were at the company entrance, so nothing serious was likely to happen.
Once her colleagues had left, Skylar turned her full attention to Amelia. Amelia had been silent earlier because Skylar seemed
unfamiliar to her.
From their previous encounters at the hospital until now, she had never seen Skylar like this. Today, Amelia noticed that Skylar’s demeanor had changed significantly–seeing her felt like encountering a stranger. A sharp pang of discomfort struck Amelia, and it was particularly unsettling.
“Skylar, are you ashamed of abandoning my son and afraid to let your colleagues find out? Do you think you can enjoy wealth and luxury after leaving him? Those men are just treating you like a plaything!” Amelia suddenly snapped.
Christopher had been acting out in the past few days. Since leaving Jipsburg City, he announced that he wasn’t coming back.
Once he returned to Liberty County, he drank heavily every day and fell into a state of deep despair. He kept saying he regretted
everything. He claimed that Skylar was too heartless. He also insulted Maisy, calling her bitch.
Despite everything, he kept lamenting his regret over Skylar and drank excessively.
Amelia couldn’t understand why Christopher was so obsessed
with Skylar. With his good prospects, he could find any woman he wanted, but she couldn’t understand why he was so fixated on Skylar.
“Finished? If you’re done, you can leave,” Skylar said.
Skylar always showed respect to her elders. However, with Amelia, – politeness didn’t help.
Amelia’s eyes widened in shock at Skylar’s coldness. “What did you say? You want me to leave? Skylar, remember how you used to try to please me?
“Do you think that now you have a new support, you can disregard me and my son? If one day you find yourself abandoned and come to me begging, I won’t give you a chance. Do you believe that?”
“It’s best to pick a better time for daydreaming,” Skylar said. She pushed Amelia away.
Amelia was stunned by the push. She exclaimed, “You’ll regret this. You will definitely regret it. Do you believe it?”
Christopher was outstanding, and many people liked him. Skylar would regret her decision.
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Natalie stared down at her phone. There was a WhatsApp message from Jeremy on the phone. He simply said he could wait.
The mere phrase “I could wait” felt like a personal accusation. It was as if Natalie were a heartless person. She was the one unwilling to face their troubles together.
Jeremy had been schemed against and was caught in a situation beyond his control. Meanwhile, she was thinking of leaving him while he was suffering.
Even her mother’s frequent inquiries and concerns felt like a form of supervision, as if she were being monitored to regulate her behavior.
Soon, they arrived at the event venue.
Natalie buried her thoughts and doubts deep inside as they exited the car. They were not revealed in the slightest.
Skylar had just finished a call with Joe. They were scheduled to meet at the hospital later.
They planned to stay at the hospital with Gloria for dinner.
She had just clocked out from work. She was about to leave, but someone suddenly stopped her.
“Skylar!” a deep voice called out.
Skylar looked at the person blocking her path. After only two days of peace, someone else had come to confront her. This time, it
wasn’t a familiar face.
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It was Amelia.
Amelia glared at Skylar with a face full of anger, as if Skylar were her enemy.
She had utterly forgotten who had been taking care of her in the hospital over the years.
“Skylar, should we call a security guard?” a colleague asked.
Skylar shook her head. “You all go ahead. It’s fine.”
Her colleagues said nothing more. They had worked with Skylar long enough to understand her. If she said everything was fine, it was likely true. Besides, they were at the company entrance, so nothing serious was likely to happen.
Once her colleagues had left, Skylar turned her full attention to Amelia. Amelia had been silent earlier because Skylar seemed
unfamiliar to her.
From their previous encounters at the hospital until now, she had never seen Skylar like this. Today, Amelia noticed that Skylar’s demeanor had changed significantly–seeing her felt like encountering a stranger. A sharp pang of discomfort struck Amelia, and it was particularly unsettling.
“Skylar, are you ashamed of abandoning my son and afraid to let your colleagues find out? Do you think you can enjoy wealth and luxury after leaving him? Those men are just treating you like a plaything!” Amelia suddenly snapped.
Christopher had been acting out in the past few days. Since leaving Jipsburg City, he announced that he wasn’t coming back.
Once he returned to Liberty County, he drank heavily every day and fell into a state of deep despair. He kept saying he regretted
everything. He claimed that Skylar was too heartless. He also insulted Maisy, calling her bitch.
Despite everything, he kept lamenting his regret over Skylar and drank excessively.
Amelia couldn’t understand why Christopher was so obsessed
with Skylar. With his good prospects, he could find any woman he wanted, but she couldn’t understand why he was so fixated on Skylar.
“Finished? If you’re done, you can leave,” Skylar said.
Skylar always showed respect to her elders. However, with Amelia, – politeness didn’t help.
Amelia’s eyes widened in shock at Skylar’s coldness. “What did you say? You want me to leave? Skylar, remember how you used to try to please me?
“Do you think that now you have a new support, you can disregard me and my son? If one day you find yourself abandoned and come to me begging, I won’t give you a chance. Do you believe that?”
“It’s best to pick a better time for daydreaming,” Skylar said. She pushed Amelia away.
Amelia was stunned by the push. She exclaimed, “You’ll regret this. You will definitely regret it. Do you believe it?”
Christopher was outstanding, and many people liked him. Skylar would regret her decision.
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Skylar took a few steps outside and then stopped. She turned to look back at Amelia. She didn’t hide the disgust in her eyes. She glared at Amelia with a cold, disdainful look.
Even without speaking, her silence was incredibly intimidating, leaving Amelia deeply shocked.
It took Amelia a while to regain her composure after Skylar had left. Amelia snapped out of her daze once Skylar’s figure was out of sight.
She suddenly started banging her thighs in frustration. “How could I let her intimidate me and then just walk away? It infuriates me! How could that manipulative fox seduce my son? What kind of world is this?”
She was convinced that one day, Skylar would get her
comeuppance. One day, she would come begging to return to Christopher, pleading desperately.
At that moment, a cool voice suddenly spoke from behind her.
“Your son is nothing compared to Skylar. He’s not even worthy of carrying her shoes. If you dare cause a scene at our company’s entrance again, I have plenty of ways to make things difficult for you and your son. Do you believe it?”
Amelia was startled. She turned around and looked at the person
who had spoken to her.
When she saw that it was just a young pretty boy, she dismissed him with disdain and spat, “Are you also involved with Skylar? Are you so blinded by her that you defend her? Do you have any idea
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how she’s deceived you?”
These men were really getting more clueless by the day. Aside from her looks, Skylar had nothing else going for her. Amelia thought they were all too foolish to see through it.
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Caleb’s expression turned serious as he looked down at Amelia with cold, unfeeling eyes. “Are you still trying to slander Skylar?”
Then, Caleb made a phone call. He simply said, “I’m at the south plaza of the building. Bring some people over here.”
“Well, are you trying to scare me with that childish trick? I’ve seen and dealt with more than you could imagine. How would I survive in society if I couldn’t see through such petty schemes?
“Don’t say I didn’t warn you–stay as far away from Skylar as
possible, or you’ll end up regretting it. You’ll be fooled by a mere manipulative fox at such a young age. It will make it hard for you to find a wife in the future.” Amelia completely dismissed Caleb.
She was most familiar with such young people. They think speaking up for Skylar made them a hero. It was so childish.
She was furious that Christopher was still infatuated with Skylar and wondered what a manipulative fox like Skylar had to offer. After meeting her just now, she didn’t show even a hint of respect
to her elder.
It seemed like the saying “Like mother, like son” was clearly true. Caleb was almost amused by Amelia’s ignorance.
Soon, a few security guards arrived.
Seeing them, Amelia was surprised. “You…”
Caleb’s voice was cold as he addressed the security guards, “If she
shows up at our company again, you are to remove her
immediately. If she causes any trouble, call the police right away. Also, find a lawyer. I intend to sue her until she’s bankrupt.”
Amelia’s expression changed dramatically. She realized something was wrong. The young man in front of her was no ordinary person.
“I came here to find Skylar, not to cause trouble. From now on… I won’t even bother coming here. Do you think I would come back to a place like this? If you keep protecting Skylar, you’ll face retribution. She’s nothing but a tramp!” Amelia began to shout.
Caleb’s expression darkened, and he kicked toward Amelia. She was startled.
Fortunately, a nearby security guard saw and intervened. He
stopped Caleb and said, “Kicking someone like her will only cause more trouble. If she dares to come back, I promise we’ll make her
regret it.”
Caleb’s gaze was fierce. It was clear that if Amelia insulted Skylar again, he wouldn’t hesitate to follow through on his threat.
Amelia knew how impulsive young men could be and understood that if he wanted to hurt her, he wouldn’t hesitate.
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After shouting, Amelia quickly turned and ran away. She felt a sudden pang of guilt.
Caleb’s face darkened, his lips pursed. He found Christopher disgusting, but his mother was even worse.
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Skylar had no idea what had happened after she left.
Amelia’s appearance had no real impact on her. At most, it was just another display of their shamelessness that briefly surprised her.
When she arrived at the hospital, she saw Paul holding two large takeout bags with a hotel logo on them. It seemed he had just picked them up from the hotel.
“Mrs. Martin,” Paul greeted her immediately upon seeing her.
Skylar smiled. “You bought so much?”
“Not really, the boxes just look big,” Paul replied.
Skylar didn’t comment further, and they walked to the ward together.
Skylar noticed that besides Joe and Edgar, there were other people in the ward. She paused, not moving forward.
She stopped for a moment at the door.
Jenny heard the sound and looked toward Skylar and Pual at the door. When she saw Skylar, her expression changed slightly, and she greeted them with a bright smile. “Skylar, Paul.”
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Paul was a bit surprised. He wondered if Jenny had arrived while he was picking up the dinner.
Skylar smiled and nodded. “Good evening.”
Gloria, who had seen countless situations, immediately noticed Skylar’s polite yet distant demeanor and understood what was happening.
Skylar was so intelligent and kind–hearted that she couldn’t possibly be unaware of Jenny’s feelings for Joe. Gloria cast a glance at her restless grandson.
Joe was puzzled by Gloria’s look. He wondered if she was even more displeased with him now.
Then, he walked over to Skylar and took her hand. Holding her hand, he glanced at it and raised an eyebrow. He asked, “Why is your hand so cold?”
Skylar smiled faintly. “I just washed my hands.”
Her hands had always been like this. Since the last time she fainted, Joe always felt her hands were cold whenever he held
them.
Jenny felt sad seeing the closeness between them and the warmth. and focus in Joe’s eyes when he looked at Skylar. She wondered if Joe was only focused on Skylar now.
It seemed he was even more attentive to Skylar than the last time
they met at the villa. Perhaps it was because they were in front of Gloria.
“You two don’t need to worry about me. I know my own health, and there’s nothing to worry about. You don’t need to come to the hospital every day.
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“You both work hard during the day, so please get some rest at night. After tonight, don’t come back for the next couple of days. Enjoy some time together,” Gloria said with a smile.
“I came to see you because I miss you, Grandma,” Skylar said honestly. She needed to see for herself how Gloria was recovering to be at ease.
Joe said nothing. His dark eyes fixed on Slylar, his thoughts unreadable.
“Mrs. Martin Senior is just worried about how hard Joe works. I’ve been working at the company these past few days, and I’ve seen firsthand how tough Joe’s job is,” Jenny suddenly said.
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Chapter 674
Jenny’s eyes were filled with concern as she spoke. She showed more care for Joe than Skylar did as his wife.
Joe’s expression remained as cold as ever.
The shift in the atmosphere took Paul aback. Skylar remained calm and unaffected.
Gloria subtly soothed the tension in the air. With a hint of
indifference, she replied, “It’s normal to have a tough job. Skye’s work is challenging, too.”
She knew from experience that jobs requiring repetitive tasks demanded a great deal of patience and resilience.
Viola used to say that talent was just one part of the equation for someone in her line of work. What was even more important was character and endurance. Both were essential.
Jenny’s smile faltered for a moment. “Yes, Skylar’s work is very demanding as well.”
She hadn’t expected Gloria to stand up for Skylar so firmly, especially in Joe’s presence.
While they spoke, Paul had already set up the packed meals.
Noticing the change in atmosphere, Jenny decided to leave before
she embarrassed herself further. She made an excuse and
departed.
After leaving the hospital, Jenny took a cab back to her newly decorated home. The house was decorated in all the styles she liked, reflecting Rowan’s intentions
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Living alone in such a large house, she felt an overwhelming sense of loneliness and isolation.
She suddenly felt like an outsider, especially after witnessing
Skylar’s interaction with Gloria in the hospital and seeing how Joe focus on Skylar.
No matter how hard Jenny tried to integrate herself, it seemed like an unattainable goal. The feeling of being shut out stirred jealousy within her. She couldn’t understand why, after returning to
Jipsburg, Joe had distanced himself from her and embraced Skylar
With no one to confide in, she thought of Rowan. She immediately dialed his number.
There was no answer.
Suddenly, she remembered that Rowan had distanced himself from her since her successful interview. It had been days since he last reached out.
“Rowan, are you distancing yourself from me too?” Jenny
murmured to herself. She scrolled through Rowan’s Instagram and discovered his feed had been stuck on a post about his engagement. He hadn’t posted anything since then.
Their chat history ended with her asking about the house renovations, to which he had never replied.
It was as if he had completely ignored her. Jenny wondered if he had really given up on her. She couldn’t believe that he would truly let her go. Feeling a surge of frustration, she quickly put on her coat and went out. She took a cab to Rowan’s place.
When she knocked on the door, someone opened the door for her.
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As the door swung open, Jenny stood frozen in shock. It wasn’t Rowan who opened the door. Instead, it was Rowan’s fiancée, Minerva Reid:
Minerva was wearing Rowan’s shirt. It covered everything that needed to be covered but still radiated an air of post–event allure and innocent charm.
The sight was incredibly striking.
Jenny’s face went pale. “You…”
“Are you looking for Rowan? He’s in the shower. You can wait for him inside,” Minerva said calmly and indifferently.
Seeing Minerva’s confident demeanor, Jenny suddenly recalled the time she had stayed here. Back then, Rowan had catered to her every need. He treated her with utmost care.
As it turned out, just a few short days later, another woman was living in his home.
Minerva recognized Jenny. In their social circle, she was aware of the dynamics around Joe. She also knew that Rowan had a thing for Jenny. But it was obvious to anyone with eyes that Jenny had no interest in Rowan.
Given that Rowan was now engaged to her, their relationship was now publicly recognized. They were considered a couple in the eyes of society. Thus, Minerva had nothing to hide or explain when it came to Jenny.
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Jenny said, “No need. I was just passing by. Since you’re busy, I won’t disturb you anymore.” With that, she hurriedly turned and fled.
Minerva didn’t immediately close the door. As Jenny entered the elevator, Minerva chuckled softly. She was puzzled by Jenny’s sudden appearance.
From behind, Rowan asked, “Why is the door open?”
Minerva turned to Rowan and replied, “Jenny was here earlier. I. asked her to wait, but she said she had nothing important and left. Do you want to give her a call and check?”
Rowan briefly studied Minerva before responding coldly, “No need.”
Minerva wasn’t bothered by Rowan’s indifference and smiled. ” Okay.”
Meanwhile, Jenny fled in a state of panic. She sat in a cab with tears streaming down her face. She felt abandoned by everyone around her.
She was bewildered by Rowan’s actions.
How could he so easily be with another woman? What did she mean to him?
She could sense that Minerva was different from the other women. Rowan had been surrounded by various fleeting romances before, but his relationships with those women were just casual flings.
However, Minerva was different. She was a socialite with a prestigious background, and they were even engaged.
Jenny felt utterly lost and confused. Her mind was in turmoil.
After leaving the hospital, Skylar and Joe didn’t head directly back to Galaxy Villa. Instead, they decided to walk in the city center’s pedestrian street.
Under the night sky, the street was bustling with people. Neon lights illuminated the shops, each crowded with visitors.
This was their first time strolling through such a commercial area together.
As they passed a popular smoothie shop with a long line, Skylar glanced at it curiously.
Joe asked, “Do you want some?”
“Yes,” Skylar replied and nodded. It didn’t feel quite right if they didn’t get a snack or drink while shopping.
“Let’s go, then,” Joe said. He strode toward the end of the line at the smoothie shop.
Skylar followed him.
The shop was a trendy spot. There was a long line of people, and those who got their drinks were quick to take a photo right away.
Skylar asked, “What do you want to drink?”
“I’m not having any,” Joe replied. He showed no interest in the
sweet drinks.
Skylar wasn’t surprised. Joe’s diet had always been bland. She
remembered that he didn’t even eat breakfast when she first
moved into Galaxy Villa. His meals were very minimal.
Soon, it was their turn. Skylar ordered a signature smoothie from
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the shop. Just as she was about to take a sip to taste it, she noticed Joe watching her. She asked, “What’s wrong?”
Joe’s eyes seemed to sparkle with a certain captivating light. ” Aren’t you going to take a photo?”
Skylar realized belatedly and pulled out her phone to snap a picture of the smoothie.
Joe seemed dissatisfied with how Skylar was taking the photo. He snatched the phone from her hand, held it high, and kissed Skylar on the forehead.
The moment captured on the phone was when they were kissing..
Behind them, the line of people waiting in front of the smoothie shop was visible. Neon lights hovered above their heads.
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Skylar recovered her composure slowly while staring at the
picture. Her heart raced. She asked, “Aren’t you scared of being seen, Joe?”
Joe’s eyes glinted with a hint of a smile. He asked, “Are you scared, or am I?”
Skylar froze. When had their relationship evolved? They’d started acting like a couple who were madly in love with each other.
Joe made breakfast.
Ever since he’d prepared breakfast for the first time, he’d whip up breakfast whenever he woke up early. Per the adage, practice made perfect. With every meal he prepared, his skills improved. He would even make bolognese pasta from time to time.
That was precisely what he’d cooked that day. It would taste delicious with the addition of chopped bacon, which Skylar had prepared a few days ago. It would last them for at least a week.
Joe loved it. On some mornings, he could finish off two large. bowls of pasta with chopped bacon.
After chatting casually with Skylar, Joe asked suddenly, “Did you meet Molly a few days ago?”
Skylar was surprised. How had he found out?
She nodded. Skylar wasn’t interested in keeping things from Joe. She admitted, “Yeah. She asked me to meet with her in a café a while ago.”
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Joe’s eyes darkened. He asked, “What did she tell you?”
“It was like something out of a soap opera. She gave me a check and told me to leave you,” Skylar answered with a smile.
However, Molly had remained far calmer and more generous than the characters in those dramas. Skylar might’ve wavered if Gloria hadn’t stood between her and Joe, and they were a regular couple.
Joe chuckled coldly and echoed incredulously, “A check?”
“Yeah.”
“How did you refuse her offer?”
Skylar grinned and asked, “How do you know I refused it?” Joe asked her straight out how she refused instead of how she responded.
Did he trust her that much?
Joe raised an eyebrow and answered, “I have faith in you.”
With those five words, Skylar regained a neutral expression and replied, “I told her I would leave if you asked me for a divorce.”
Their relationship had deviated from the terms defined in their
contract of covert marriage. If he filed for divorce, she would leave without question. If the woman he cherished returned, she would let him go if she chose her.
Joe stared intently at Skylar. When their eyes met, it was as though they could read each other’s minds.
Suddenly, Joe’s phone rang. He picked it up and put it on speaker.
“Joe, I’m sick. I took my temperature just now, and it was 102 degrees Fahrenheit. When I was discharged, the doctor told me not
to get sick. I’m terrified. I feel so weak. Am I going to die?” Jenny’s
oice rang out.
Joe glanced at Skylar. She looked down and took a swig of her
milk
Joe did not respond immediately. As a result, Jenny added, “I’m sorry, Joe. I’m here bothering you again. You’ve been extremely busy, and you just got married recently. You definitely don’t have time to worry about me. I’m sorry.”
“Wait at home,” Joe instructed calmly.
Jenny agreed cheerily.
Skylar wasn’t surprised. She only felt a little uncomfortable. She got up to put away the cutleries on the table.
As she took the cups and headed to the kitchen, Joe took it from her and said, “Leave it. I’ll deal with it.”
“Aren’t you going to check on Jenny?” Skylar asked in surprise.
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Chapter 677
Just then, Joe’s phone rang out with Paul’s voice. He said, “Mr. Martin.”
“Take Dr. Grey to see Jenny. She’s got a fever,” Joe instructed.
“Alright, Mr. Martin.”
After hanging up, Joe continued tidying up.
Skylar couldn’t get a read on Joe’s intentions. He seemed to be keeping his distance from Jenny. Was he worried that she minded?
After Jenny ended the call, she excitedly anticipated Joe’s arrival.
“At the end of the day, Joe still cares about me. He hurried over right after my phone call. He definitely wants me to be safe.”
Jenny hadn’t thought she would have a fever.
It was probably because she’d gone to Rowan’s house last night. Seeing Minerva had hurt her. Moreover, Joe and Gloria’s ignorance of her in the hospital had dealt her a huge blow. She couldn’t stand it, which was why she’d fallen sick.
Her phone call was merely a test. She’d prepared herself for the possibility that Joe wouldn’t show up. Jenny wasn’t expecting Joe to hurry over immediately.
She did have a high fever and was feeling quite weak. However, she still stumbled into the washroom to check how she looked in
the mirror.
The woman in the mirror was extremely pale. She looked visibly
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frail and was the very picture of a sick person. Yet, her eyes glinted with anticipation..
As long as Joe hadn’t decided to distance himself from her, she had the whole world in her hands.
As to Rowan…
That was a problem for the future.
At the thought of him, she took a selfie with the thermometer and posted it on Instagram.
While waiting for Joe’s arrival, she looked at the slew of comments . and messages asking about her health. Some were her friends, others were colleagues. Even some of her colleagues, which she’d known for barely two days, showed their concern. Yet, Rowan was
missing.
In the past, he would be the first to enquire after her whenever she got sick. He would also be the first to visit her.
Jenny glanced at the time. It wasn’t even eight yet. Were Rowan and Minerva still asleep at this hour?
Jenny felt uncomfortable when she thought of Rowan’s
relationship with Minerva. Wasn’t their relationship developing a little too fast?
As she was lost in thought, the doorbell rang.
She immediately came to and lugged her sick body toward the door. Anticipation and excitement brewed within her.
Her eyes brimmed with tears even before she opened the door.
However, the second she opened the door, she saw Paul and Howard standing outside. Her tears froze,
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Paul wasn’t surprised to see her face fall. He knew Jenny wanted to see Joe.
Howard and Jenny had known each other for a long time. They weren’t strangers. He asked, “How are you feeling now? Did you take your temperature again?”
Jenny regained her composure after being disoriented. She asked, ” Where’s Joe? Did he not come?”
Hadn’t Joe asked her to wait?
Howard glanced at Paul in surprise. He’d thought that Jenny harbored some absurd feelings for Joe. This was visibly weird.
Paul could tell. He said, “Mr. Martin is extremely busy. He couldn’t come in time. Let Dr. Grey take a look at you. If your condition is worse than expected, you’ll need to go to the hospital.”
Jenny shrunk. She stuttered, “I… Alright.”
Did Joe not care about her? She had a 102–degree fever. Wasn’t that enough?
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As Natalie registered, she noticed that her seat number had changed. It wasn’t the seat she’d originally picked out for herself.
Based on company policy, Austin would be in first class while she and Hank sat in business class. Most of the time, Austin would ask them to buy first–class seats. However, there was only one seat left this time.
After checking in their luggage, Hank noticed that Natalie hadn’t moved. He asked, “What are you thinking about while staring at your ticket?”
Natalie showed the ticket to Hank and asked, “Is this a mistake on the airline’s part?”
Hank read the ticket before replying, “Airlines would never make mistakes like that. Someone upgraded your seat.”
Did someone upgrade her seat? Natalie was confused.
Hank patted Natalie’s shoulder and reassured her, “You’re lucky. Maybe someone made a mistake and upgraded your seat from a business–class one to a first–class one. Someone probably canceled their flight after we bought our tickets. If not, you wouldn’t have been upgraded even if you wanted to.”
Natalie thought about it and found it a likely possibility. She tended to be a lucky woman. When playing cards, she tended to win round after round. Thus, she pushed it to the back of her mind.
When Austin found out that Natalie’s seat had been upgraded, he grinned and said, “Hank, why don’t you ask the airlines if there are empty seats so you can get an upgrade too?”
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Hank realized he was right and exclaimed, “Shit, how could I have been slow enough to forget to do that?”
As he spoke, he called the airline company.
He was disappointed by the results. Hank explained, “There are no empty seats. Forget it. It’s only a three–hour journey. I’ll take a nap. When I wake up, we’ll be there already.”
Natalie thought for a moment and said, “Hank, sit at my place.”
Hank had been busy for the past few days. He’d had to arrange various aspects of the event and deal with a bunch of people. He was much more exhausted than she was.
Hank shook his hands and replied, “I’m a tough man. I could take an overnight train in a straight–backed seat. This is nothing. I’m not that fragile.”
The three of them chatted for a while.
They entered the airplane. Natalie sat down and looked beside her. Her heart sank.
Austin was sitting in front of her. He looked back at Natalie and said, “Later, I’ll change seats with the person beside you.”
“Oh, alright,” Natalie said and nodded.
A few minutes later, someone sat down beside her.
She was looking at her phone and didn’t notice them. After they settled down, she came to her senses and glanced over.
She was stunned.
“You…”
It was Jeremy!
Jeremy grinned, as he looked at Natalie, who was dumbfounded. He asked, “Are you surprised?”
Natalie’s mind was a mess. She was rather nervous but forced
herself to smile and shake her head while saying, “I’m not surprised.”
She hadn’t been lucky. Jeremy had upgraded her seat. She should’ve known.
Austin suddenly turned back and asked, “Hi, can I change seats with…”
Before finishing his question, he noticed Jeremy’s presence and cut himself off. His eyes fell on Jeremy before looking toward Natalie instead. He said, “I’ll sleep now. If you need anything, do call me.”
Natalie hummed in acknowledgment.
When Jeremy made contact with Austin, his gaze took on an icy chill.
It looked like the two of them hadn’t interacted much. In reality, hidden currents flowed beneath the appearance of calm.
Natalie hadn’t noticed it. Her heart sank into her stomach, weighed down by her concerns.
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The plane took off after a while.
Turbulence had been rampant in the past few days. It was a rough flight.
Natalie felt rather uncomfortable. Jeremy sat beside her and gently consoled her as he used to. “Don’t be scared. I’m here for you.”
When she heard those familiar words, she was transported into a scene from their past. For a second, Natalie thought she’d been
dreaming.
She relaxed. Then, she nodded calmly at Jeremy and replied, “Okay.
She added, like she used to, “I’m not scared.”
Jeremy’s eyes glinted with surprise. He’d waited for her for a day just to fly back with her. The problems between them would vanish with time. They would stop feeling the effects of the affair.
“I brought a book. Would you like to read it?”
Jeremy pulled a book out after the plane began cruising.
Natalie looked down. It was a romance novel with cliche tropes.
Girls tended to have unrealistic dreams. They fantasized about being the main character in a passionate love story.
She’d known Jeremy for decades. They had been in love for years. He knew her likes and dislikes even better than herself.
Her eyes tended to get irritated if she looked at her phone. However, reading wouldn’t have the same effect on her eyes.
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“Thank you,” Natalie said. She took the book from him.
She hadn’t read such novels in a long time. In the past, those romantic stories enthralled her because she had a relationship like the ones described in novels. She believed that the stories would come to life from the pages.
However, she no longer liked to dream.
Looking at the embracing couple on the cover, she couldn’t bear to read the novel. But Natalie couldn’t refuse Jeremy’s kindness. She flipped through it.
Natalie felt like she’d read an online copy of the book before,
She’d even cried for the couple’s circumstances. She promised herself that she would buy a physical copy once the novel was published.
Natalie had no idea whether this was a coincidence or Jeremy remembered it.
Jeremy stared intently at Natalie’s expression. He could tell that she was distracted.
Natalie tended to doubt herself around him. She kept her distance.
How could he miss it?
Meeting him at the hotel and catching the same flight to Jipsburg had only served to frighten her. There was no element of joy in her surprise.
The woman he loved couldn’t bear any imperfections.
“Nath, we’ll get better. Believe me, Jeremy said softly. A pleading undertone flowed through his words.
Natalie felt her chest tighten painfully. She wanted to escape, but
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her rationality took over. She couldn’t help but nod and say, ” Alright, I believe you.”
Natalie understood that her belief meant nothing. Once trust broke down, rebuilding it would be difficult.
Perhaps she was a little selfish and headstrong.
Austin could hear their conversation. He also sensed that they weren’t like other married couples.
He knew that Jeremy must’ve done something to make Natalie give up on her principles and ignore the imperfections in their marriage. It was enough to make Natalie force herself to face it head–on and bend to Jeremy’s will.
Although the flight was only three hours long, it felt like an eon.
Natalie couldn’t keep pretending to read. She knew every word in the book but couldn’t process them. It was as though her head had been filled with a thick glue. She couldn’t think.
When it was time to get off the plane, Jeremy took her hand.
She jerked it out stiffly, but Jeremy’s grip on her remained tight.
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A realization dawned upon Natalie–she was repulsed by physical contact with Jeremy. Her love for him had been converted to utter disgust at his touch.
Natalie struggled out of his grasp with all her might, not caring whether her arm could’ve been dislocated. Then, she stood aside and dry heaved.
It shocked Jeremy, as well as Hank and Austin.
Jeremy was frozen in place. He turned as pale as a ghost.
Natalie vomited nothing. However, the nausea had been too strong to resist.
Once she recovered, the color drained from Natalie’s face upon seeing Jeremy’s paleness. A torrent of words lingered on her lips, but they dissipated shortly after. She had no idea how to explain.
Hank asked hurriedly, “How are you doing? Do you need to make a trip to the hospital?”
This wasn’t a regular occurrence.
“I–I’ll go home to rest,” Natalie said. She looked at Austin and Hank.
Austin nodded.
Hank agreed, “Go home and rest well. Tell me if you need anything.”
Natalie nodded and turned to Jeremy. She said, ‘I’m alright. Are you heading to the office? Or will you be coming home?”
Jeremy gazed deeply at Natalie. Then, he said, “I’ll be going to the office before going home.”
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“Alright,” Natalie said. She couldn’t help but sigh in relief.
Once Natalie and Jeremy left, Hank revealed his thoughts, “That doesn’t mean that she’s pregnant, does it? Jeremy’s attitude leaves much to the imagination. Their dynamic is extremely weird. Did you see Jeremy’s face after Natalie began vomiting? He paled all of a sudden!”
People in the entertainment industry also needed to be highly observant in addition to being suave and tactful. Otherwise, all their efforts wouldn’t yield results.
Austin’s expression was terrifying Darkness hovered around him. · It wasn’t an act. Although Austin was extremely intimidating on set, Hank knew what was happening. Austin was genuinely livid.
Fuck! Could Austin not scare Hank to death?
“If she is pregnant, she might not be able to work in the future. As to you… why don’t you go overseas and shoot a few movies?” asked Hank.
It was just a bit of romance between them. It wouldn’t stand the test of time. In addition, there hadn’t been much of a relationship anyway. It wasn’t too late to back down, not to mention Natalie had no idea about Austin’s feelings for her.
Austin remained silent. He got into the car silently.
Hank did not say anything more.
-After Natalie returned home, she sat on the couch for a long time,
lost in thought.
In the end, she pulled her phone out and called Kate.
Kate picked up quickly and asked, “Nath, aren’t you on a business trip? How did you find the time to call me?”
“Mom, I’ve reflected on this extensively and made my decision. I cannot continue being together with Jeremy. I want a divorce,” Natalie announced somberly.
Her tone was devoid of hesitation.
As she walked off the plane, during the car ride home, and until she made this call, only one thought consumed her.
She couldn’t fool herself anymore.
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They hadn’t met up. However, Natalie knew that Kate was definitely floored.
“What? A divorce? Are you sure? Nath, a divorce is more than just a declaration. You’ve just gone home for a few days. I think Jeremy has changed drastically. He has become much more attentive toward you.
“Nath, there’s no way to turn back time. Let’s… You must consider your decision thoroughly. After all, Jeremy wouldn’t have wanted this to happen, right?”
She was briefly shocked. Then, Kate immediately tried to talk her out of it. Her heart seized whenever she thought of Jeremy and Natalie.
She was launched into further agony upon hearing Natalie’s determination to divorce him.
Natalie wasn’t surprised by Kate’s reaction. She replied, “Mom, I know it’s unfair to Jeremy if I divorce him. However, it wouldn’t be fair to either of us if we didn’t get a divorce, would it?
‘Mom, I think of his betrayal every time I look at him. He only held my hand and I wanted to throw up.”
“What?” Kate was dumbfounded.
“How did things get to this point? Nath, why don’t you visit a psychologist? Let him help you.”
A psychologist would be their best bet. They couldn’t convince Natalie to stay in their marriage, but a psychologist would definitely be able to help.
Natalie didn’t know how to react to Kate’s words. She said, “Mom, I’ve been to a psychological assessment already.”
How could she have passed over a visit to a psychologist? Yet, he could not help her forget those memories or make her continue loving Jeremy.
It would’ve been untrue to say she’d never loved Jeremy. However, she couldn’t keep loving him anymore.
Who could sympathize with her situation if they hadn’t gone through the same thing?
“What did the doctor say?” Kate pressed on
Natalie didn’t keep things to herself. She explained, “Mom, this isn’t a mental health issue. He can’t make me forget what happened.”
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Kate was speechless. She flailed helplessly and murmured, “Nath…”
“I’m sorry, Mom,” Natalie said. She hung up immediately after.
Then, she went to the study upstairs and printed two copies of their divorce agreement. She signed both copies.
Then, she headed to the kitchen to prepare dinner. She made dishes both she and Jeremy adored. It was a simple meal.
Then, she texted Jeremy. After a few minutes, he messaged her back, telling her he would be home around six.
Natalie stared at the word “home“, lost in thought.
When Skylar got off work, she noticed that Jenny had texted her. How typical of a little girl–blaming others when wronged before looking inward.
*Skylar, were you the one who stopped Joe from coming to see me? Don’t you know that Joe was my only companion growing up? I don’t have any family except for Joe. “He’s the only one I want to see when I’m sick. Aren’t you being too cruel? How do you sleep at night after doing so? You and Joe have gotten married. Why are you still unsatisfied? You’ve hurt me and caused me to wither hopelessly. Does this entertain you? Don’t be too inhumane!”
She’d sent the message around 3:00 pm. When Skylar offered no reply, Jenny sent another message half an hour later.
“Skylar, give Joe back to me, alright? Before you came into the picture, Joe never treated me like that. He’d spoiled me silly. He would never ignore me while I was sick.
“Yet, you’ve forced him to turn a blind eye to my situation. Aren’t you being unnecessarily cruel? I’m begging you. Please! I’ll do anything.”
Skylar looked at the huge bl
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Jenny’s reasoning was flawed. She started out cursing Skylar but ended up begging for her mercy.
This wasn’t a soap opera. Skylar wouldn’t be moved by her pathetic little act.
Skylar shut her phone off. She got into the car and set off to Pearlhall Residence. Gloria was about to be discharged. She and Joe had planned to visit her after work.
Jenny lay in bed lamenting her ignored text. At the same time, she was tortured by her fever. Skylar shouldn’t have ignored her no matter the circumstance, right
Jenny took three days of leave from work to recover from her fever.
Howard was the only person who’d visited her. Joe did not show up.
Rowan didn’t ask how she was doing either. She posted a story on Instagram every day. Rowan couldn’t have missed it. He was ignoring her on purpose.
“I did nothing wrong. Why can’t all of you treat me like how you used to in the past?”
Would everything be different if Skylar and Minerva hadn’t come into the picture?
For some reason, there was a jam where there usually wouldn’t have been. She was stuck there for half an hour. Skylar glanced at the road in front of her. They were completely still.
She wouldn’t be able to get to Pearlhall Residence anytime soon. She could only call Joe and inform him of her situation. Joe consoled her and advised her against panicking.
Perhaps the other drivers had lost their patience because they’d been waiting for so
long.
When the cars began nudging forward, a loud crash rang out. Skylar’s car had been
rear–ended!
The car surged forward. Skylar’s head collided with the steering wheel. She was instantly overcome with dizziness as her ears rang. She wouldn’t get a concussion from this, would she?
Then, someone knocked on the window and signaled for her to open the door so they could check on her.
Skylar steeled herself before opening the door to get out. She couldn’t quite find her
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balance.
“Call a traffic cop.”
Skylar called emergency services. She needed to get herself checked up.
Her phone was slapped out of her hand.
Before she realized what had happened, she was yanked into a neighboring car.
At the same time, a needle was stabbed into her arm.
She lost consciousness before she had the chance to fight back.
Jeremy came home early, at ten minutes to six.
He held a cake in hand.
Natalie was surprised by it. She murmured, “You…”
How did he come up with the idea of buying a cake?
Jeremy put the cake down. His expression was calm, as though nothing had happened at the airport. Today is our wedding anniversary. Have you forgotten?”
Natalie froze. She asked, “Wedding anniversary?”
They had been married for a year.
Perhaps because they’d known each other for a long time and had dated for a few years, Natalie felt like they’d been married for a long time.
Only a year had passed.
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Even though the date had been written across the divorce contract while she signed it, Natalie still forgot the date. She was a heartless woman.
“You’ve always been lost in your own world. It’s not surprising that you forgot.”
Tears welled
up in Natalie’s eyes.
Jeremy looked at the dishes on the table. It set off alarm bells in his mind. His gaze darkened. However, his eyes flicked back to Natalie as though nothing had happened.
“You made dinner? It has probably cooled. I’ll heat it up.”
Jeremy was still dressed in a suit. He rolled his sleeves up and took the plates to the kitchen. Although he was a CEO, he did not boss her around. He behaved as though they were equals.
He heated the dishes up expertly.
Tears rolled down Natalie’s cheeks as she stared at the cake. Natalie felt dumb for
crying over it.
After Jeremy came out with the dishes all reheated, Natalie took his hand and turned around. She stared at him with red–rimmed eyes and stated, “Jeremy, let’s get a
divorce.”
She couldn’t meet his eyes after that and ran upstairs.
A few minutes later, she returned with the signed divorce agreements.
Within that time, she’d calmed herself down. She was no longer as panicked as she had been while talking to him. She explained, “We can’t go on like this. Forcing ourselves to stay together will only hurt both parties. Today, you merely took my hand, and I couldn’t tolerate it. I’m sorry, Jeremy.”
Jeremy pursed his lips. He was still frozen.
Natalie couldn’t get a read on him.
The second he caught sight of the divorce agreement, he exuded a menacing demeanor.
“I’ve said we’ve got the rest of our lives together. I can wait,” Jeremy repeated forcefully.
Natalie shook her head. Tears rolled in her eyes. She said, “Indeed, we’ve got many
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years before–us. You’ll have many other choices, but I won’t be one of them. I can’t face you now, and I won’t be able to face you in the future.
“Jeremy, stop lying to yourself. We know each other well. You know me like the back of your hand. We’ve become more and more courteous toward each other. We’re acting as though we are complete strangers. Our dynamic is no longer one of a married couple.”
“It has been less than a month, Nath,” Jeremy reminded.
What difference could a month make?
He knew her well. She needed a long time to process what she’d seen.
Natalie inhaled deeply and pulled her phone out. She clicked into her chat records. with Annabelle and played the video. She brandished her phone in front of Jeremy.
She’d only seen the video once. Yet, it had become deeply ingrained in her brain. Playing it again felt like being torn apart once more..
She’d never wanted this to happen since the beginning. Natalie did not want their relationship to land in this situation. It was intolerable.
The second Jeremy saw the videos, his pupils dilated. He roared, “Nath! Turn it off!”
He grabbed her phone. Veins popped in his forearm.
Natalie sobbed silently. Then, she pleaded, “Jeremy, we can’t go back to how things used to be. Let’s get a divorce!”
Jeremy launched her phone across the room. Then, he stared at Natalie silently.
In Pearlhall Residence, Gloria checked the time. An hour had passed since Skylar had called.
“What kind of traffic could keep her for so long? Even the busiest roads should’ve calmed at this hour,” Gloria said.
“I’ll call her to ask,” Joe replied. It had been too long. However, no one picked up. He called her twice consecutively. On the third try, it didn’t even go through.
Gloria asked, “What’s going on? Did Skylar text you?”
For some reason, she felt unexplained anxiety coursing through her. She’d done a full -body examination just now. Her symptoms wouldn’t recur, would they?
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Gloria thought she’d survive for at least three more years. Why was she feeling sick. shortly after leaving the hospital?
Joe’s expression turned grim. He called Paul and asked him to look into what wast going on with Skylar.
“I’ll scope out the situation now,” Paul said.
Gloria waved Joe away and agreed, “Head over there as soon as possible!”
When Joe arrived at the road Skylar said she’d been stuck at, he realized the traffic had cleared. He had a bad feeling about this
Paul hurried over immediately and reported, “Mr. Martin, I’ve looked into what happened here. It doesn’t usually get congested here, even during peak hours. I got clearance to look through the surveillance footage. We’ll be able to find out what exactly happened soon.”
Joe watched the footage.
There was a stretch of highway where the footage was missing. One of the cameras had allegedly malfunctioned. It was being repaired.
However, they could see Skylar’s car in the stream of vehicles. After a while, Skylar’s car got through the jam.
However, in the video, they saw Skylar’s car get rear–ended. Her bumper was badly dented as a result.
Based on the time stamps in the footage, Skylar had gotten past the jam an hour ago. It was only a ten–minute journey from where she had been last seen to Pearlhall Residence. She should’ve arrived a long time ago.
“Could Mrs. Martin have gone to the car dealership to get her car fixed?”
Joe’s expression was stiff. He pursed his lips. Then, he ordered, “Something must have happened. Investigate it. Find Skylar as soon as possible.”
Paul exclaimed, “Alright!”
An hour later, Paul gave Joe Skylar’s battered phone.
“We’ve found Mrs. Martin’s car. It has been burnt to a shell. Something has happened to Mrs. Martin!”
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When Joe saw her phone, his face fell further. He exclaimed, “Deploy all possible. resources to look for her. I want to see her before dawn!”
The longer she remained missing, the more danger she would be in.
When Joe thought of her inexperience in dealing with such treacherous situations, he clenched his fist till his veins popped.
“Mr. Martin, would you like Aiken to help? Paul asked after a moment of hesitation.
“Get in touch with him. He can set the price, Joe said.
Aiken had been reading a book about appraising antiques. At this hour, there would seldom be anyone or anything who could disrupt his flow. Even Simona wouldn’t disturb his peace.
However, someone was calling his private number. Not many people were privy to it. When he saw Paul calling, he raised a brow and picked up.
Paul described Skylar’s disappearance succinctly.
Aiken’s expression changed drastically. He asked, “Does that mean that Skylar is Joe’s wife?”
He’d received a few pictures of Skylar. Before refusing the case, he hadn’t even sent someone to look into Skylar. Who knew that Skylar would be Joe’s wife?
News of their marriage had been kept under wraps. No one in Jipsburg had found out about it. That would explain why Edwin wanted to murder Skylar. He still disliked her background and who she was as a person.
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Others in Jipsburg might not have known about the Martin family. However, Aiken had an inkling of what went on behind the scenes. Edwin and Joe had a rocky relationship.
yeah. Mr. Martin said that you can set whatever price you want. We just want news on Skylar’s whereabouts,” Paul said.
Aiken.stopped speculating about the Martins. He put his book down and stood up. He stated, “I’ll update soon.”
When Skylar woke up, she was extremely disoriented and felt extremely weak. She was freezing and had to mobilize every ounce of strength to open her eyes.
When the world stopped spinning around her, Skylar suddenly realized something. She’d gotten kidnapped!
Her eyes were scalded by a bright light the second she opened them. She shut her eyes immediately.
Skylar recalled what had happened before she lost consciousness. She’d been injected with a drug. It was why she was so limp.
Her movements were miniscule and she didn’t make much noise. Perhaps that was why no one noticed she’d woken up.
“Set up another camera over there. Remember what I’m telling you now. It has to be filmed from all angles. You mustn’t miss out on any of the action. When she wakes up, give her the drug. She can’t look like she was forced at all. It needs to seem like she had initiated it.”
“Don’t worry. We’ve filmed many videos in the past few years. We’ve got enough tactics and positions for you to make a whole movie out of it.”
“This is the first time I’ve met such a beautiful woman. She doesn’t have a spot of makeup on her and she’s this gorgeous already. I can’t stand it anymore.”
“Ha! You’re pathetic!”
‘Just don’t kill her by accident. You can have your way with her as long as that doesn’t happen.”
“She’s gorgeous with an excellent figure. How could we kill her? We’ll take our time with her. Don’t worry. We will film a video that satisfies you!”
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Their conversation took a turn for the worse as it progressed. Skylar’s heart sank upon hearing their words. She knew what she would be subjected to.
They were in Jipsburg, a city filled with police officers. How could they dare to commit such heinous crimes?
It wasn’t the time to think about that. She had been drugged and was feeling weak all over. Escaping wasn’t an option. She could only continue faking unconsciousness to delay the eventual for as long as she could.
She hadn’t arrived in Pearlhall Residence despite having set off hours ago. Joe and Gloria would definitely have noticed that something was off.
She had to delay it and calm down. Then, she needed to recuperate.
The men spoke louder as time went on. They could no longer hold themselves back.
“Why hasn’t she woken up? Did you inject an excessive dosage?”
“It was a normal amount. It shouldn’t be an issue. She should’ve woken up. She’s horribly unhealthy. If not, she should’ve woken up by now.”
“Let me take a look.”
A man walked over. Skylar was motionless and showed no signs of being awake. He immediately checked her breathing. When he felt her even breaths, he sighed in relief.
“She’s fine. If we can’t hold back, we can get a head start on her first. We’ll edit the footage once she wakes up. I can’t stand it anymore!”
“Me too! I can’t hold myself back. She’s too fucking gorgeous. If I had such a gorgeous girlfriend, I’d lock her at home every day.”
“Alright, I’ll turn the cameras on. Put on your masks.”
They put on masks excitedly.
Skylar tightened her fists as her heart raced. It thundered even faster than it used to when facing Maisy and Christopher before her rebirth.
When all the cameras started working, Skylar opened
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They were spooked by Skylar’s sudden awakening. Hadn’t she been unconscious?
“She’s woken up at the perfect time. She was gorgeous enough with her eyes closed. With her eyes open, she’s even more beautiful than any actress I’ve seen.”
“Stop talking. I can’t hold myself back anymore.”
Their eyes glinted under their masks like those of greedy wolves. They eyed Skylar like prey. It was as though they knew they’d be able to have their way with her.
તા.
“Do you know who I am?” Skylar sounded extremely calm. She didn’t seem panicked at all.
If it had been anyone else, they would’ve been terrified and begged them to stop like horrified little rabbits.
However, the gorgeous woman before them looked at most 23 years old. With her calm demeanor, she could’ve been asking them about the weather.
Their lust faded slightly. They looked back at one of the men behind the camera.
He had a hat and a mask on. He asked, “You’ve played with all kinds of women. Destroy her. Would she tell others about what happened? We’ve got footage of it. She wouldn’t have the guts to talk about it. Don’t worry.”
He was right.
Skylar felt extremely nervous. However, she tried to remain calm. She tested the waters by saying, “I can guess who asked you guys to abduct me. The people around me probably know as well.”
“This woman is acting weirdly. Isn’t she being a little too calm?” One of the men looked Skylar over. She scared them. They’d never run into such a situation.
They were filled with lust but devoid of courage.
Skylar sighed silently before continuing, “The man who made you lot kidnap me didn’t tell you my husband is Joe Martin, did he?”
The mention of his name surprised the masked man behind the camera.
Joe Martin?”
The gigantic warehouse was shrouded in silence.
He couldn’t help himself. He made a call and asked, “Why didn’t you tell me Skylar’s
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husband is Joe? Didn’t you say she was the daughter of a fallen wealthy family?”
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He’d also investigated her and found that she belonged to the Williams family, whose reputation was currently in tatters.
Making a move on a woman like her shouldn’t have repercussions. However, if she was Joe’s woman, they might as well be asking to die.
The men stared intently at him.
even
His mood soured further in response to what was said. He roared, “How could you possibly say that it makes no difference? You’re trying to get us killed!”
Skylar looked down and picked out useful information from the man’s words. Someone had asked them to kidnap her. Who was behind it?
She’d observed the surroundings. They were in an abandoned warehouse. The gigantic bed she was on was the only thing in the room.
There were also many glaring lights and cameras.
This was a planned abduction coming straight for her. For someone to find these people to humiliate her meant that this wasn’t just a simple kidnapping case.
Who loathed her this much? Had her presence been a disturbance to someone? Skylar’s thoughts raced.
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“If Joe realizes that we were behind this, would we still be able to leave Jipsburg?” asked the masked man.
The person on the line must’ve consoled him. He calmed down. However, cruelty flashed across his eyes. After ending the call, he said, “At this point, there’s no turning back. At the very least, we need to film a video to blackmail her so she doesn’t talk about it. Hurry up, you lot. Give her the medicine.”
“Will this work? Won’t he seek us out? Are we in a hidden location?” One of them was incredibly cowardly.
If it had been anyone else, they wouldn’t have worried. However, if it was Joe, they needed to give this a second thought.
If they were not careful, their lives might be destroyed. They wouldn’t sacrifice the rest of their lives for a woman like that.
The masked man glared at Skylar, saying, “Even if he finds us here, we won’t have time to regret it. Don’t forget that all of you have received money in your account for this. Time is running out. They’re asking for the video as soon as possible.”
He pulled a box of pills out of the bag. Then, he threw them to the men before. instructing, “Give it to her.”
All of them were wearing masks. Skylar couldn’t see a change in their facial expression.
She paled when they poured the pills out.
After Molly hung up, she knocked on the door to the study.
Edwin had been busy with work. He replied, “Come in.”
“I’ve made the necessary arrangements. They’ll send me the video soon. Skylar will be leaving even if she doesn’t want to, Molly said immediately.
A smile graced Edwin’s face. He said, “You’ve always been a capable woman. Remind them to be careful. Don’t leave any hints behind.
“Don’t worry. They’ve hidden themselves well. They won’t leave any evidence behind. They’ve done this multiple times. However, Skylar will be suffering as a result.”
Although Molly indicated her worry over Skylar’s suffering, her expression was
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nonchalant.
She’d seen too many girls like Skylar suffer unimaginable levels of horror. They couldn’t struggle; instead, their lives were dictated by powerful people like Molly.
It would be unfair to say that Molly had never given Skylar a chance. Instead, she had been too young and too greedy.
Edwin narrowed his eyes and replied, “She deserves it. With her background, she’ll bring trouble to Joe. When she remarried Joe, she should’ve known that she‘ wouldn’t be able to bear the consequences of her actions.”
As they spoke, someone called Edwin. It was Aiken. He furrowed his brows. Molly seldom asked about Edwin’s affairs. She knew her place.
However, when she saw Edwin’s expression, she asked naturally, “Were they scam calls?”
“It was Aiken,” Edwin said.
Molly was surprised. She asked, “Why would he call you?”
Edwin was confused as well. He replied, “Perhaps he has regretted his decision. He wants to take up my case.”
“That’s a possibility. However, he’s too late. If he’d called earlier, I would’ve made him do it instead. We would have less to worry about,” Molly said.
Fate worked in mysterious ways.
Aiken explained why he was calling. He said, “Mr. Martin, I would like to confirm whether Skylar’s abduction had anything to do with you.”
Edwin’s expression changed. “Why do you ask?”
“Skylar saved me. Now that something has happened to her, I have to find her no matter what. Whoever dares hurt her will become my nemesis. If it has nothing to do with you, I’ll take another approach to this,” Aiken said. He sounded rather cruel.
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Although Aiken was young, he posed a formidable threat.
Edwin felt a migraine coming on from Aiken’s statement. He hissed through gritted teeth, “It has nothing to do with me.”
After ending the call, Edwin slammed his phone on the table.
Molly was stunned. She asked, “Darling, what’s going on?”
“Has Skylar fed Aiken a love potion? She managed to get him to help her! He asked me whether Skylar’s disappearance had anything to do with me. If not, he would take another approach.
“What do you think he means by this? Is he threatening me? Or is he trying to test my. involvement in this? He’s just a kid who took over the Parkinson family a few months
ago. How dare he threaten me!”
ago.
Edwin was furious.
Molly’s expression changed. She asked, “How did he find out about this so quickly?”
She believed that Aiken wouldn’t have called if he had not had some evidence
pointing toward Edwin. Aiken was usually a careful man.
“Joe must’ve contacted him. Does he know what he’s doing? She’s just a plain woman. Does he need to cause such a commotion?” Edwin complained.
Molly voiced her concerns, “Should we ask them to stop?”
“Why would you do that? Do not stop them! Just wait. They aren’t capable enough to find Skylar. Even if they managed to find her, they wouldn’t be able to reverse what had happened. It’s time for Joe to find out the consequences of disobeying me,” said Edwin.
Molly was speechless.
Aiken spit his cigarette out and extinguished it by stepping on it.
Smoke floated around him. He’d partaken in illegal activities. The air around him seemed to thicken with darkness. He ordered, “Look into Molly Frost.” –
Simona had learned about Skylar’s disappearance from Caleb. Multiple people knew that Skylar had been kidnapped and was now missing. Her friends had begun mobilizing their family resources and using their connections to find her.
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Simona panicked. She ran to Aiken and begged, “You have to find Skylar no matter what! If not for Skylar, I would’ve been done for. We owe her. I can’t watch something happen to her! Aiken, promise me you won’t let anything happen to her. You have to find her as soon as possible. If I find out who kidnapped her, I’ll make their life a living
hell.
Aiken looked at his panicked sister. He stated coldly, “Don’t worry. I will do everything I can to find her.”
Of course, even if he did not participate in the rescue, Joe would find her using various methods. He even told others about their relationship to find her. Clearly, Joe adored her.
Jenny’s fever recurred daily. Her fever reached an alarming temperature at night.
Three or four days had passed. Yet, she showed no signs of recovery. Jenny was a little scared.
After taking her temperature, she called Howard. He must’ve been busy as he didn’t pick up. Then, she called Joe. He didn’t answer either. Jenny had no choice but to call Paul, and he took her call.
“I took my temperature just now. I’ve still got a fever. I think there’s something wrong with me. Cold you ask Joe to come over?”
Paul replied coldly, “Mr. Martin is busy. You should call the emergency services.”
He hung up immediately after.
Although Joe hadn’t come in the past few days, Paul and Howard would pick up immediately when she called. They would then help her get things done.
They’d never brushed her off and asked her to call emergency services.
On the phone, she heard someone say they had news of Mrs. Martin.
Mrs. Martin?
Were they referring to Skylar?
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Had something happened to Skylar?
Jenny thought of how Skylar had yet to reply to her message and how Joe wasn’t picking up. Paul even asked her to call emergency services. Considering all those factors, something had probably happened to Skylar.
“Had I heard it wrongly?”
When one had a fever, one’s hearing would decline. Jenny thought she might have been mistaken.
However, if something had happened to Skylar….
Jenny’s heart began racing. She said, “If… If something happened to Skylar… Perhaps she wouldn’t be saved if it was a serious accident.”
Jenny bit her lip. Her heart rate quickened even further. She had to confirm whether something had happened to Skylar.
She called Howard multiple times. However, he didn’t pick up.
Jenny could confirm that something had happened to Skylar.
Half an hour later, the tightly locked door for the warehouse was sawed open.
A few men ran in. When they saw the cameras and lights, their expression changed.
Skylar heard them come in. Her eyes were unfocused as she turned to look at them. Although her vision was blurry, she identified one of the men.
“Joe, you’ve finally come, sighed Skylar weakly.
Joe was horrified by the blood streaking down Skylar’s face. He looked at the men surrounding her. They were hurt as well.
All of them wore nothing more than underwear. Their wounds looked terrifying.
Aiken was dumbfounded. He stared at Skylar incredulously. She…
Blood coated her head and her face. Her clothes had also been tugged out of shape. Immediately after speaking, she fainted.
She wasn’t holding a knife. It was only a rusted metal piece.
When it fell out of her hand, it revealed the wound across her palm. Her entire palm
22
was bloody. While using it to fight back, shed managed to harm them. However, she also hurt herself in the process.
“All of you have a death wish!” Joe roared at the stunned men.
The men were extremely enraged by her. They wanted to murder her. They weren’t expecting her to be powerful enough to wound them.
The thing they dreaded the most had come true. Joe had found them!
Aiken stared at Skylar with a conflicted expression on his face. For a weak woman in such a situation, it was shocking that she could fight back.
Joe took his coat off and covered Skylar with it. He gathered the limp woman in his arms and told Aiken, “Teach them a lesson. Find out who paid them off.”
Aiken nodded when he met Joe’s eyes.
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After Joe took Skylar away, Aiken leisurely turned toward the men, who were being restrained. “Do you know who I am?”
The men were dumbfounded. How could they have known? They wouldn’t need to make money like that if they knew who people were at first glance.
“In that case, do you know who Skylar is?” Alken looked like a patient man as he asked another question.
The men had been restrained. They lay flat on the floor and needed to strain their necks to look up at him. Now, they were utterly confused by his questions.
Who was this man? Why was he asking these questions?
The masked man hissed through gritted teeth, “I didn’t know who Skylar was. Now I know that she’s Joe’s wife.
Aiken chuckled and replied, “You’re right, but not really. Not only is she Joe’s wife but she’s also someone that the Parkinson family has vowed to protect. My name is Aiken Parkinson, and she’s a friend of mine. Do you understand?”
The masked men’s eyes widened.
Aiken? Aiken Parkinson?
What kind of monster had they accidentally fucked with?
“You know what I want to hear. Come over and say it one by one.”
He pointed to the side and said, “Turn on the cameras and point it at them.”
On the way to the hospital, Howard tended to Skylar’s wounds.
When he saw the gaping wounds on her fair skin, Howard frowned. The one on her head was especially horrible. Her hair was matted on the wound and stuck to her head.
She’d bled horribly and was covered in wounds. It was a testament to how much she’d struggled to save herself.
Paul’s eyes welled up with tears. He looked out the window and instructed the driver to drive faster.
Even Paul and Howard felt horrible about it. They couldn’t imagine how Joe was
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feeling. He hadn’t said a word since getting into the car. His gaze was utterly cold as he stared at Skylar’s wounds.
Howard tended to Skylar’s wounds. When he looked up, he noticed Joe’s wretched mood. He said, “Thankfully, they were only skin–deep wounds. They didn’t cause harm to any important organs. She fainted because of the drugs she’d been injected with. Her struggle against them had contributed to it as well.”
If those men had raped Skylar before they arrived, the consequences would have been disastrous.
Joe’s expression was grim. He merely uttered, “Alright.”
When they got to the hospital, Joe received a list of Skylar’s examination reports. He was livid.
“Have there been any updates from Aiken?” Joe asked Paul.
Paul hesitated on whether to tell him about it.
Joe narrowed his eyes and asked, “Does it have anything to do with Edwin?”
Paul nodded and said, “Aiken can confirm that Molly was the one who’d contacted
them.
Joe clenched his jaw. He glanced at Skylar, who was unconscious. He said, “Watch over her here.”
Aiken dealt with the men and sent them out of Jipsburg immediately.
Joe saw no need to enquire after them. People who suffered in Aiken’s hands would keep their mouths sealed. Dead men had looser lips than them.
He sent a bunch of evidence to Joe..
When the emails got through, he walked home.
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