《Give Me Your Heart Edmund by Bonnie Judson》


 Chapter 1

    <h2>Chapter 1 She Is Dying</h2>


    ¡°Ms. McCoy, is your family here with you?¡± the doctor asked.


    Dahlia McCoy was baffled as she wondered, ¡®I¡¯m just here to get my medical report. Why do I need someone to apany me? Besides, what family do I have?¡¯


    Dahlia¡¯s mother L McCoy died giving birth to her, her father Craig McCoy saw her as nothing more than a means to earn money, and her elder brother Curtis McCoy, filled with resentment, wrongfully med her for their mother¡¯s demise. As for her lover, she earned him herself. The concept of ¡°family¡± was a distant memory, only revived when the doctor unexpectedly mentioned it.


    Dahlia was stunned for a moment and then shook her head. ¡°I¡¯m all alone.¡±


    Frowning, the doctor adjusted her sses and let out a heavy sigh, her eyes filled with sympathy and resignation. She then handed Dahlia the stack of test reports from the table.Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    ¡°Ms. McCoy, the test results are out. You have terminal stomach cancer,¡± the doctor announced.


    She seemed to be pitying the woman who was terminally ill at such a young age, as her words and actions were notably cautious and considerate.


    Dahlia¡¯s breath caught. Taking the test reports, she frowned while examining the indices on them. Though not a medical student, she could discern the severity of her stomach¡¯s condition.


    In reality, she had a vague sense of foreboding during the gastroscopy, but she refrained from delving too deeply into it.


    The doctor pointed to the pictures on the report and exined to Dahlia her condition. As she listened with a sense of detachment, Dahlia nonchntly concluded that she didn¡¯t have much time left and needed to be promptly admitted to the hospital for chemotherapy.


    Dahlia was well aware of the life expectancy of a patient with terminal stomach cancer, having witnessed her grandfather¡¯s two-year struggle in a hospital bed before he passed away.


    The doctor kindly suggested, ¡°Ms. McCoy, I suggest you be hospitalized as soon as possible.¡±


    ¡°Is it curable if I get admitted?¡± Dahlia¡¯s voice sounded hoarse, and her expression appeared numb as if she was speaking to herself.


    The doctor said nothing but shook her head, seemingly hesitant to reveal the answer.


    ¡®Then I won¡¯t proceed with the treatment,¡¯ Dahlia thought as she licked her dry lips and stood up, stuffing all the medical reports into her bag.


    She thanked the doctor and turned to leave the diagnosis room.


    As Dahlia exited the hospital, she was met with a steady rain. The light drizzle, coupled with a brisk wind, felt sharp against her skin, reminiscent of small, piercing des. She retrieved an umbre from her bag and opened it, but it was hardly effective against the nting, icy rain.


    Despite it being March when the cold shouldn¡¯t have been too severe, Dahlia experienced a profound chill. It was as though the coldness emanated from within her, spreading through her bloodstream and reaching every part of her body.


    Her fingers were red from the cold. She held the umbre in one hand while clenching the other into a fist in her pocket, yet she couldn¡¯t seem to warm it.


    Dahlia wandered aimlessly, idly turning the ring on her ring finger as she gazed at the overcast sky. The weather in Radford changed so swiftly that, before she even realized it, spring had arrived. ¡®Spring is the season teeming with life for all creatures. Howe I¡¯m dying now?¡¯ she mused.


    Dahlia hailed a taxi by the side of the road. As the taxi came to a stop, she leisurely stowed her umbre before opening the back door and taking a seat.


    The driver turned around and asked her, ¡°Where are we going?¡±


    ¡°Zone C, Halfur,¡± Dahlia answered, keeping her head low.


    After a while, Dahlia couldn¡¯t help but open her bag and look at the pictures on the medical reports.


    She found it hard to believe that the grotesquely contorted stomach in the picture was part of her body.


    Her stomach cancer was a product of prolonged hunger. During her four years of marriage to Edmund Carlton, Dahlia had been earnestly preparing his favorite dishes, catering them to his preferences. She held onto the hope that when he returned and saw the dishes she had keenly prepared, her efforts would move him and soften his demeanor toward her even if he didn¡¯t love her.


    Unfortunately, Edmund didn¡¯t want to have a meal with her at all. Even so, she didn¡¯t feel dejected and persisted in preparing meals daily and sent timely texts, eagerly anticipating his return. However, before his return materialized, she received the diagnosis of stomach cancer.


    Tears finally poured from her eyes. Dahlia sniffed, having used to think she was strong enough to face the storm.


    But that day, all her strong fa?ade crumbled into pieces. Having stomach spasms, Dahlia curled up, unable to suppress the tremors. She gritted her teeth and let out deep sobs.


    The driver heard the sound of sobbing and looked up at the rearview mirror. He saw that Dahlia curled up, her slender frame constantly trembling, and the atmosphere in the car seemed to be sucked away by her despair. It was the first time he had seen someone cry so desperately.


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter, miss? Brokenhearted, or a bad day at work?¡± the driver asked.


    Receiving no response from Dahlia, he continued, ¡°There is nothing that can¡¯t be ovee. Come on, crying won¡¯t solve the problem. Go back and have a good rest. Tomorrow is a brand new day.¡±


    Dahlia raised her head and said bitterly, ¡°Thank you.¡± She didn¡¯t expect to beforted by a stranger after she got diagnosed with a terminal illness.


    The driver simply smiled, maintained silence, and concentrated on driving. Upon reaching Halfur, he parked his car in a temporary parking space.


    The trip took half an hour, and the total fare was 14 dors. Dahlia scanned the QR code for payment and exited the car. Subsequently, she tore the medical reports in her hand into shreds and discarded them into the dustbin.


    A cold breeze swept by, and Dahlia wiped away the dried tears on her face. She regained herposure and maturity, yet her eyes remained slightly red and swollen, her face pale.

 Chapter 2

    <h2>Chapter 2 Blood Donation</h2>


    Exhausted, Dahlia went upstairs. She took out the key and inserted it into the keyhole, turning it halfway to the left until the door opened. Her mind, which was muddled a moment ago, quickly snapped to attention as she sensed the changed atmosphere in the room.


    Through the door, she heard someone making a phone call.


    Edmund was back.


    ¡®Should I tell him about the stomach cancer? Will he care about me once he knows?¡¯ Dahlia asked herself in a continuous loop. As she pondered, she pushed the door open and saw Edmund gazing at her with a somber expression.


    ¡°Where have you been fooling around? Take a good look at how many calls I¡¯ve made to you!¡± he reprimanded.


    ¡®Fooling around? If going to the hospital for a blood test and gastroscopy is considered fooling around, it would be really funny. After all, my time is running short,¡¯ Dahliamented inwardly.


    Her eyes stung at the thought of this. Nevertheless, Edmund didn¡¯t notice Dahlia¡¯s reddened eyes. He just kept looking daggers at her, using her of not answering his calls.


    Dahlia took out her phone from her bag, shook the darkened screen, and said, ¡°The battery is dead.¡±


    She had two phones in total¡ªone for work and the other solely used to contact Edmund. For the past two days, she was so troubled by her stomach condition that she forgot to charge her phone. That was why she didn¡¯t get his call on the way back.


    ¡°What¡¯s the emergency?¡± Dahlia asked. She didn¡¯t need to think much to figure out who Edmund was calling her so anxiously and repeatedly for.


    As she mused, Edmund grabbed her hand and dragged her out. ¡°Abigail is injured. She¡¯s bleeding too much. You need to go to the hospital with me.¡±


    Dahlia¡¯s heart waspletely filled with sorrow as she mused, ¡®As expected, his nervousness is all about Abigail.¡¯


    Abigail Burton had a severe coagtion disorder. She had a rare blood type, and Dahlia was the only person with an exact match for her blood type.


    Dahlia¡¯s entire body was soaked by the rain, her long, wet hair clinging to her back, her lips pallid, and her hands as cold as ice. However, Edmund didn¡¯t notice any of these signs. The hospital where Abigail was admitted was nearby, just a ten-minute walk away. Despite this, Edmund, in his anxiety, forcefully pushed Dahlia into the back seat of the car.


    Edmund, who was driving, nced inadvertently into the rearview mirror. When he saw Dahlia¡¯s pale face, he frowned subconsciously. ¡°Why is your face so pale?¡±


    ¡®He¡¯s only noticing it now¡­¡¯ Dahlia thought.


    She curled her lips into a mocking smile, feeling a heavy lump in her throat. As she rolled down the window and observed the heavy rain outside, her body felt frozen, her breath turning into mist, and her eyshes trembled slightly.


    Edmund nced at her indifferently. Seeing that she didn¡¯t speak, he felt annoyed for some inexplicable reason.


    He felt that something was wrong with Dahlia today.


    But upon reflection, he reckoned Dahlia¡¯s well-being had nothing to do with him. He should focus on Abigail¡¯s condition now. With this in mind, he gently stepped on the elerator with his right foot, increasing the car¡¯s speed.


    Upon reaching the hospital, Edmund pulled Dahlia¡¯s hand and dragged her out of the car. Before she could stand on her feet, Edmund dragged her away, causing her to stagger behind him.


    Edmund took Dahlia directly into the blood collection room and said coldly to a nurse, ¡°Draw her blood. No need for a check-up. Hurry up.¡±


    A wry smile touched Dahlia¡¯s lips. Edmund seemed to trust her blood more than he trusted her and didn¡¯t even bother to examine her blood. ¡®Won¡¯t he worry that the cancer cells in my body might enter Abigail¡¯s?¡¯ she thought.


    Dahlia¡¯s expression changed briefly, and she said, ¡°Edmund, I¡¯m not feeling well. Can we not¡­¡±


    Edmund¡¯s eyes narrowed, and a dangerous gleam emanated from within. Bending down, he gripped Dahlia¡¯s chin with one hand and spoke coldly. ¡°Who are you to say no? We signed the contract four years ago. You should fulfill your duties.¡±


    ¡®Indeed. ording to the contract signed four years ago, in the event of Abigail suffering severe blood loss, I am obligated to donate blood unconditionally,¡¯ Dahlia thought.


    This was the deal she had signed. Even if Dahlia was going to die soon, she would still have to donate blood for Abigail.


    She owed it to Edmund.


    That year, Abigail had a car ident in Ackleton and urgently needed Rh-negative blood type, as she had lost a significant amount of blood from the wound due to the dyed arrival at the hospital.


    When Edmund learned of Abigail¡¯s ident, he begged Dahlia anxiously for help.


    At that time, Dahlia somehow came up with a deal. ¡°You be my man. We get married, and I will save Abigail.¡±


    She could still vividly remember the shock in Edmund¡¯s eyes and his disgust for her.Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    From that moment on, Dahlia knew they could no longer live together peacefully.


    She took advantage of Edmund¡¯s difficult situation and coerced him intoplying with her request.


    Born into the esteemed Carlton family, Edmund was naturally privileged. Despite having a hot temper, he made up for it with considerable wealth. He indulged in the finest things life had to offer. Those around him followed his lead. No one had ever spoken harshly to him before, but that day, he found himself being threatened for the first time.


    Dahlia knew that what Edmund hated most was being coerced into doing things against his will, so when she saw Edmund signing the contract without any hesitation, she knew she had lost.


    Seeing him willing to go to such lengths for Abigail, Dahlia felt a deep sadness that tugged at her heart. However, she consoled herself that love could be cultivated, and perhaps, after marriage, Edmund would treat her as well as he treated Abigail.


    Unfortunately, fate had its way. Dahlia never anticipated that she would face her retribution so swiftly.


    Unexpectedly, she was diagnosed with a terminal illness. ¡®Perhaps I deserve this harsh twist of fate,¡¯ she thought bitterly.


    As Dahlia watched the needle pierce her skin and the red blood being drawn out, her face paled with pain. It hurt so much, even more than when she underwent gastroscopy.


    The nurse who drew her blood had never seen such a frail woman. She stared at Dahlia¡¯s pallid wrist and asked in a low voice, ¡°Can you still hold on?¡±


    Dahlia shook her head. Feeling dizzy, she replied in a hoarse voice, ¡°Go ahead. I¡¯m fine.¡±


    The nurse drew a total of 20 fluid ounces and hesitated to continue. Dahlia¡¯s hands were abnormally cold, far below normal body temperature.


    Just before Dahlia passed out, she heard Edmund asking the nurse, ¡°Is that enough? You can keep drawing if you don¡¯t have enough.¡±


    ¡®How did Edmund be so cruel after all these years?¡¯ This was Dahlia¡¯sst thought before she sank into oblivion.

 Chapter 3

    <h2>Chapter 3 Ring That No Longer Fits</h2>


    When Dahlia woke up again, she was alone in the ward.


    Her phone was dead, and Dahlia didn¡¯t know how long she had slept. She looked outside the window and found it was still dark.


    Dahlia got up, put on her shoes, and walked out with her bag. When she walked past Abigail¡¯s ward and noticed the door was ajar, she couldn¡¯t help but halt in her tracks.


    The person who was staying in this ward was Abigail, and she was currently apanied by Dahlia¡¯s nominal husband, Edmund.


    Abigail had an innocent face, and her neat and graceful disposition couldn¡¯t be concealed by the blue-and-white striped hospital gown. Her skin had a warm, bronze tone, and her bright, almond-shaped eyes added to her charm. Dahlia reckoned perhaps Edmund was drawn to Abigail¡¯s natural innocence and in contrast, saw herself as a viin with malicious intentions who was trying to split them apart.


    Edmund¡¯s kindness toward Abigail sparked a twinge of jealousy in Dahlia. The more she observed the two, the stronger her jealousy became.


    People who didn¡¯t know Edmund might assume he was naturally cold, but Dahlia knew he had reserved all his warmth for Abigail and had no intention of sharing it with anyone else.


    Of course, he used to be kind to her too, but now there was nothing left.


    Her ¡°peeping¡± eventually caught the attention of the two people inside. The moment Abigail nced at her, she trembled like a frightened animal and hid behind Edmund.


    A fearful expression crept up Abigail¡¯s face. Her eyes were red as if she had seen a heinous viin.N?velDrama.Org owns this text.


    Edmund patted Abigail on the shoulder and looked over coldly. When he saw Dahlia standing by the door, annoyance surged within his heart.


    His annoyance transformed into disgust, openly manifested on his face. He scolded, ¡°Why are you sneakily standing there?¡±


    Dahlia stood at the door, gazing at the inseparable pair. For a moment she found the sight quite jarring. She didn¡¯t want to witness them, but she couldn¡¯t look away. The gentle Edmund before her was someone she had never seen before, someone she had been yearning for.


    Her eyes got teary as she watched them. A sharp pang of pain struck her heart, leaving her utterly heartbroken.


    Edmund shielded Abigail behind him and red at Dahlia. When he saw her pale, bloodless face, a mixed emotion welled up within him, causing his brows to furrow together.


    ¡°Now that you¡¯re awake, go back,¡± he said.


    Dahlia hesitated and asked in a hoarse voice, ¡°Are youing back tonight?¡±


    Seeing the guarded look in Edmund¡¯s eyes, Dahlia didn¡¯t bother to exin herself to him. She couldn¡¯tprehend what wicked deeds she hadmitted over the years to make Edmund treat her with such caution and distrust.


    Her heart wasn¡¯t made of stone. Despite hindering him from being with Abigail, Dahlia had, during their four years of marriage, served Edmund like a diligent housekeeper.


    Even though she couldn¡¯t attain family harmony and a joyful marriage, she had never asked about him and Abigail throughout the years.


    In the past, Edmund exercised self-restraint and visited Abigail discreetly. However, as the McCoy family gradually declined and fell off the rich list, Dahlia was no longer considered a threat to Edmund.


    Dahlia hadn¡¯t mentioned anything about his involvement with Abigail, whether discreet or open. But how could she not care? Was that even possible?


    Dahlia had lost everything since being with Edmund. She was battling stomach cancer but still had to help Abigail to extend her life. Her own life was fading, yet no one was willing to help her.


    Dahlia¡¯s heart suddenly ached as if pricked by thousands of needles. The pain surged through her veins, reaching all her limbs, and even her fingertips trembled with pain.


    She didn¡¯t argue with Edmund¡¯smand. After so many years, Dahlia had long grown ustomed to it. From pleasing him, she fell into total submission. At times, it seemed as if she was reaping what she had sown.


    The moment she turned around, Dahlia heard Abigail¡¯s voiceing from inside.


    ¡°Is Dahlia all right with that much blood transfusion? She looks so pale¡­¡± Abigail said.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. She¡¯s always in good health,¡± Edmund responded.


    ¡®Look, this is the man I love. Even my love rival can tell that I look unwell, but he can¡¯t,¡¯ Dahlia mused self-deprecatingly.


    Edmund was not a careless person. He could always spot work problems at a nce and immediately discern what was wrong with Abigail. However, he showed no patience or attentiveness toward Dahlia, whom he had known for six years.


    Dahlia took a deep breath and left the ce without looking back. The rain was getting heavier outside.


    She walked back slowly with her head down. There was no umbre in her bag, and she was soon soaked after walking in the rain for a while. Dahlia¡¯s body was sensitive to the cold, and the chill seemed to seep into her bones. At this point, her pale lips were dry and cracked, and her curly eyshes were also wet.


    Dahlia¡¯s head throbbed, and even her stomach ached from the cold. She reached out to clutch her stomach but identally touched the ring on her ring finger, causing it to fall off.


    Dahlia¡¯s eyes zed over. The ring she had worn for four years had lost its original luster and looked dull. She remembered that when she signed the marriage contract with Edmund, she casually said, ¡°Since we are married, there should be a ring.¡±


    Hearing that, Edmund bought a ring at a roadside stall for 6 dors and threw it to her.


    He said sarcastically, ¡°Take it. That¡¯s all you are worth.¡±


    At that moment, Dahlia just smiled, her eyes indescribably deste. The ring was too small, but she still forced it onto her finger. Despite the ring finger turning red and bleeding, she still insisted on wearing it.


    Dahlia stubbornly believed that the ring would fit one day, but she never expected that one day the ring would be too big for her finger and slip off.


    It was just like her rtionship with Edmund.


    Dahlia curled up in the heavy rain, her stomach burning and churning. She quickly covered her mouth and retched twice. Her eyes were bloodshot with pain, and tears flowed uncontrobly.


    It was still raining. Pedestrians on the street held up their umbres one after another. Dahlia squatted on the ground, picked up the ring, and pressed it against her chest. She didn¡¯t stand up until her stomach felt better.


    She wandered aimlessly in the rain. In a trance, she bumped into someone. Dahlia came back to her senses and hurriedly bowed her head to apologize. The woman, holding a child¡¯s hand, said softly, ¡°It¡¯s okay.¡±


    The child looked up at Dahlia¡¯s reddened eyes and asked in a low voice, ¡°Are you crying, miss?¡±


    The woman patted the child¡¯s head, gave Dahlia an apologetic look, and took him away.


    With their backs to her, Dahlia heard the child ask his mother, ¡°Why is she crying? Is it because she¡¯s scared?¡±


    ¡°Why would she be scared?¡± the mother responded.


    The rain was pouring down, and Dahlia gradually couldn¡¯t hear what the mother and son were saying.


    She gently covered her stomach and raised her head to hold back her tears. ¡®Scared? How could I not be scared? I was scared when I went to the hospital alone; I was scared when I underwent a gastroscopy; I was scared when I was summoned alone to the diagnosis room by the doctor. When I was handed a terminal illness diagnosis, I was so scared that I could feel my blood run cold, draining all the warmth from my body,¡¯ Dahlia thought in a trance.


    However, she was more scared of dying alone without anyone around her.

 Chapter 4

    <h2>Chapter 4 Divorce Edmund</h2>


    Dahlia staggered back home, the usual ten-minute walk extending to 20 minutes. The mansion¡¯s heating wasn¡¯t turned on, and the vast room was freezing cold.


    Dahlia kicked off her high heels and stumbled into the bathroom as if she was drunk. She hastily started the hot water in the bathtub. But before the tub could fill up, Dahlia, who had been barely maintaining herposure, copsed into it, her body limp and devoid of strength. The impact caused the hot water to ssh, and her bright red dress unfurled in the water, resembling a pool of vibrant blood. Against this startling backdrop, Dahlia¡¯s face appeared ghostly pale, a stark contrast to the vivid red around her.


    Dahlia closed her eyes and sank into the water. The water gradually submerged her head, muffling all her senses. After a while, she couldn¡¯t help but open her mouth. Hot water entered, causing a feeling of nausea to surge from her stomach.


    Dahlia opened her bloodshot eyes and poked her head out of the water. She leaned over the edge of the bathtub, barely hanging on. Her stomach felt as though there was an invisible hand twisting it. She opened her mouth numbly, and her upper body twitched uncontrobly. Having not eaten the whole day, she spat out yellowish stomach acid, causing her throat to hurt, and tears streamed down her face.


    Eventually, Dahlia, with eyes red and sore, turned her attention to the specks of blood mixed with mucus on the floor. A faint, unconvincing smile flickered across her lips, one that failed to light up her eyes. Those eyes, instead, were deep pools of quiet despair and destion.


    She took off her red dress and wiped the blood on the ground. She couldn¡¯t let Edmund see it.


    It was getting dark outside. Dahlia went back to the bedroom barefoot and fell into bed. She couldn¡¯t fall asleep. Before knowing about her illness, she could still imagine a promising future. But now, she knew that it was futile, no matter how hard she tried and struggled.


    It took her four years to lose everything, from being full of love and happiness to sinking into endless despair.


    She seemed to have shed all her tears that day. Dahlia put her hand on her heart and mocked bitterly, ¡®It¡¯s my stomach that¡¯s cancerous, so why is my heart hurting?¡¯


    The phone in her bag suddenly vibrated. Dahlia reflexively propped herself up, opened the bag, and took out her phone as quickly as possible. When she saw the caller ID on the screen, she seemed to lose all her strength.


    ¡®It isn¡¯t him¡­ Dahlia, what exactly do you expect?¡¯ she asked herself.


    Dahlia stared at the phone nkly for two seconds, and then she answered it with her stiff fingers.


    ¡°Maximilian.¡± Dahlia¡¯s voice was raspy.


    Maximilian Quigley was her childhood friend. They weren¡¯t rted by blood, but they were like family to each other. When she was a child, she used to live in the Quigley residence for a long time. For Dahlia, Maximilian was like an elder brother.


    On the phone, Maximilian asked worriedly, ¡°Dahlia, why is your voice so raspy? Are you sick?¡±


    ¡°I have a cold, and I just woke up. That¡¯s why I sound a bit raspy¡­¡± Dahlia answered.


    Before Dahlia could finish her words, Maximilian interrupted her, ¡°Dahlia, are you going to lie to me? Have you forgotten that I¡¯m a doctor? I can distinguish between the voice of someone just waking up and the voice of someone crying after catching a cold.¡±


    Dahlia choked, feeling as if there was a jagged stone stuck in her throat, which caused a painful, bloody difort. She found herself unable to either spit it out or swallow it. She was at a loss for words, unable to offer any exnation, and she eventually gave in to a bitter, ironic chuckle.


    Maximilian asked, ¡°Can you tell me why you¡¯re crying, Dahlia?¡±


    Dahlia held her phone and stared at the wooden floor. No one liked to show their fragility to others, so she shook her head and refused, ¡°No.¡±


    Maximilian was dumbfounded. He knew Dahlia¡¯s character well. She was as stubborn as a mule. If she didn¡¯t want to say something, even if others tried to pry it out from her, she simply wouldn¡¯t spill.


    He could only change the topic, asking, ¡°What¡¯s the result of the medical report you got from the hospital today?¡±


    Dahlia pursed her cracked lips and said, ¡°Everything¡¯s fine.¡±N?velDrama.Org owns this text.


    Maximilian said, ¡°Forget it if you don¡¯t want to tell me. I¡¯ll go to the hospital and check it myself. I have the authority to check your medical report.¡±


    Maximilian was a surgeon in that hospital, and it was easy for him to check her information.


    ¡®I didn¡¯t expect this¡­¡¯ Dahlia mused.


    ¡°You can tell me yourself, or I¡¯ll find out myself. It¡¯s up to you.¡± Maximilian was still pushing her.


    The line fell into such silence that Dahlia could hear the sound of Maximilian¡¯s breathing. She finally relented and said, ¡°Cancer. Terminal stomach cancer.¡±


    Maximilian was struck mute.


    He seemed to be holding back his emotions, as the chaotic sound of breathing kept reaching Dahlia¡¯s ears through the phone.


    ¡°How is that possible? You¡¯re so young¡­¡± Maximilian muttered, his voice gradually turning into a sob.


    Dahlia could feel his sadness through the phone. He felt sorry for her, and she was satisfied that someone had cared about her before she died.


    ¡°Come to the hospital, and I¡¯ll re-examine you,¡± Maximilian finally said.


    Dahlia declined, saying, ¡°The result wille out the same no matter how many times we do it. Maximilian, I know my own body. Maybe this is karma¡­¡±


    ¡°What nonsense are you talking about? Dahlia, listen to me. You¡¯ll be fine if you stay in the hospital and receive treatment¡­¡± Maximilian¡¯s voice was sad. He was a doctor who specialized in cancer, and he knew how serious the disease was and how painful it could be.


    ¡®How did Dahlia¡¯s body condition deteriorate to this extent?¡¯ he thought.


    Maximilian didn¡¯t know how to persuade Dahlia. Sometimes, it wasn¡¯t about whether she wanted to live or not, but whether she could. Her time had a limit. The hospital rmended either staying for treatment and gaining a few more years to live or giving up treatment and resigning herself to fate. In short, she was dying.


    ¡°Dahlia, divorce Edmund. Look what he¡¯s done to you in the past four years,¡± Maximilian said.


    ¡®Divorce¡­¡¯ The word lingered in Dahlia¡¯s mind. She had never thought of divorcing Edmund. He meant everything to her, like the bright light she always longed to hold on to. Yet, how could one catch hold of light?


    Dahlia clenched her phone tightly. Her knuckles turned pale and she said with great strength, ¡°I¡¯ll think about it.¡±


    Divorcing Edmund was like digging a piece of flesh out of her chest, and it was a hard choice to make.


    Maximilian told her to go to the hospital again the next day, but Dahlia didn¡¯t take it seriously despite agreeing with him.


    In addition to being Edmund¡¯s wife, she was also the CEO of McCoy Corporation and was always busy with different business endeavors.


    Human endurance was simr to that of a camel, capable of bearing burdens under significant pressure. However, sometimes, it just took an extra straw to break a camel¡¯s back.


    After hanging up the phone, Dahlia casually tossed her phone on the bedside table. Her stomach hurt the entire time, and she was afraid that it would be difficult to fall asleep that night. She opened the drawer and took out two bottles of medicine from there, one for pain relief and another for sleep. Then she took two pills each and copsed onto the bed.


    Dahlia didn¡¯t know if the medicine had worked, as her mind started to feel a bit muddled. She was haunted by frequent nightmares throughout the night. She felt as if a rock was weighing down on her chest, taking away her breath. She shook her head and mumbled incoherently. When she finally jolted up from sleep, she realized that it was Edmund who had been pressing on her.


    <h2></h2>

 Chapter 5

    <h2>Chapter 5 Dahlia Never Gets Sick</h2>


    The two were only a few inches apart. Edmund exuded a chilling aura, sending a shiver down Dahlia¡¯s spine and waking her up instantly. Facing Edmund¡¯s sinister gaze, Dahlia didn¡¯t know where to look.


    Suddenly, Dahlia¡¯s chin was pinched by well-defined fingers, forcing her to look up in panic. ¡°Edmund, why are you back?¡± she asked.


    ¡°I¡¯lle back whenever I want. Do I have to report to you?¡± Edmund knelt on the bed and forcibly pinned Dahlia underneath him despite her resistance. His movement was rough as he clutched Dahlia¡¯s wrist without a hint of tenderness.


    Edmund sensed the woman¡¯s body go from rxed to stiff in his embrace. She tried her best to resist and struggle, but her legs were eventually suppressed.


    Dahlia panicked. She had never seen Edmund like this, akin to a fierce wolf trying to eat her alive, and she was scared of him in that state. His gentle and elegant image in her memory was getting increasingly blurry and distant.


    Dahlia subconsciously began to beg for mercy, ¡°Edmund, it hurts¡­¡±


    ¡°Dahlia, you make me sick. Both your face and body make me sick.¡± To Edmund, a woman like Dahlia didn¡¯t deserve good things, and it seemed unnecessary to treat her with patience.


    Dahlia¡¯s body stiffened. She bit her lower lip tightly, and her face looked deadly pale in the dim light.


    Dahlia should have gotten used to Edmund¡¯s insults a long time ago, but somehow, her heart still hurt, as if it had been crushed bit by bit in someone¡¯s hand.


    Edmund seldom came home. He thought of Dahlia as a hostess and would onlye back to lie down when he had nothing to do and then leave again, as if to fulfill his obligation as a husband.


    Abigail was injured that day. Edmund should have been apanying his sweetheart in the hospital, but now he showed up in her bedroom in the middle of the night. Dahlia thought for a moment and figured it out. Edmund had probably had a fight with Abigail. Otherwise, Edmund wouldn¡¯t have chosen her over Abigail.


    However, Dahlia couldn¡¯t muster any strength to deal with Edmund that night. She pushed his solid chest and found an opening to escape. As soon as she straightened up, the long hair on the back of her head was grabbed from behind.


    ¡°Ah!¡± Dahlia let out a painful cry as her neck tilted backward. ¡°Edmund, it¡¯ste today. I don¡¯t want to do it with you¡­¡±


    Those words provoked Edmund for some reason. His grim face looked particrly scary in the light. He grabbed Dahlia¡¯s hand and forcefully pressed her head onto the pillow.


    ¡°Dahlia, what are you pretending to be innocent for? Do you think I don¡¯t know whether you want to do it or not? You threatened me to marry you, and now you pretend to be a nobledy when you¡¯re just a wretched woman?¡± Edmund said.


    Those words of his were terribly insulting. Dahlia trembled so much that even her breathing was shaking. She stared at the ceiling, tears welling up in her eyes, and eventually, she couldn¡¯t help sobbing and wetting the pillow.


    This was the man she had wanted to marry wholeheartedly, and he hurt her all over with the most vicious words.


    Edmund¡¯s heart tightened as he looked into her wet eyes. He pulled off his tie around his neck in annoyance and tied Dahlia¡¯s hands to the head of the bed.


    Dahlia endured the pain caused by her stomach cancer and pressed the tip of her tongue against her teeth. She suppressed her voice and tried hard to swallow the taste of blood in her throat. She was in so much pain that she almost wished she could just die.


    Edmund watched as Dahlia curled up in bed like a cat, trembling slightly, looking pathetic.


    He didn¡¯t take Dahlia¡¯s condition seriously and naturally didn¡¯t care about it. Dahlia had always been in good health, and it wasmon for her to go to work on time the next day even after working overtime all night. He never seemed to have seen her get sick after being with her for so long.


    Her long hair spread messily on the bed, and her back looked scrawny. When she curled up, her shoulder des looked like a pair of butterfly wings about to spread.


    Edmund couldn¡¯t help but reach out to touch her shoulder de. As soon as his fingertips touched it, Dahlia gave a start and abruptly dodged aside. A vicious light shed in Edmund¡¯s eyes, and he was extremely displeased.


    ¡°You usually act like a dead fish, but today you want to y hard-to-get? But I¡¯m telling you, it¡¯s no use!¡± mes of anger arose in Edmund¡¯s heart out of nowhere, and he didn¡¯t even know how to put it out.


    He was reluctant to admit that Dahlia had evoked that emotion from him, so he could only think about Abigail. When he thought of what Abigail said to him in the hospital, asking him when he would divorce Dahlia, his mood suddenly dropped.


    Edmund clenched his teeth, wondering what about Dahlia was worth him arguing with Abigail.


    Dahlia, resembling a turtle retracting into its shell, curled up into herself in a state of self-protection. Despite her efforts to ward off the chill by shutting off the air conditioner and cocooning herself beneath a quilt, the coldness persisted, seeping through her defenses.


    Dahlia felt as if there was a cut in her heart. The wound festered, infecting every organ within her.


    She had always had a high pain threshold and was good at enduring pain withoutining, but she really couldn¡¯t take it this time. Once the notion of divorce surfaced in her mind, it threatened to spread like wild fire.


    She thought of broaching the subject of divorce with Edmund when she had the energy. Finding herself on the brink of death, she didn¡¯t have the time nor the luxury to please him anymore.


    Just before Dahlia passed out in pain, she heard Edmund say his final sentence. ¡°If you didn¡¯t share the same blood type as Abigail, do you think I would even look at you? Anyway, you¡¯ll soon be of no use.¡±


    *****


    When Dahlia woke up, Edmund was long gone. Feebly, she propped herself up, the quilt sliding down to unveil the grotesque wounds on her shoulders and neck.


    Dahlia maneuvered out of bed, and as her feet met the floor, a wave of dizziness washed over her, plunging her vision into a momentary darkness. In a daze, she staggered to the bathroom, looking at herself in the mirror.


    The sight of a body marred by wounds elicited sympathy, even from Dahlia herself. She pitied herself as her heart remained tethered to Edmund. Despite four years of earnest efforts to please him, she found herself reluctantly bidding farewell in the end.N?velDrama.Org owns this text.


    ¡®It¡¯d be great if one could get love through hard work in this world,¡¯ she thought.


    Dahlia stood before the sink, washing her face and brushing her teeth. The aftermath of the previous night¡¯s tears lingered, intensifying the pain in her already sore throat. The act of brushing her teeth triggered her gag reflex, causing her upper body to convulse as she retched. The toothpaste foam she spat out bore the unsettling hue of blood.


    Dahlia, ever adaptable, seemed almost indifferent to the act of vomiting blood, as if she had grown ustomed to it over time. Turning on the faucet, she rinsed away the bloody foam in the sink.


    As shepleted her morning routine and emerged from the bathroom, it was already past seven-thirty. Though unable to stomach any solid food, Dahlia still warmed up a ss of milk, considering her stomach, which was in bad shape.


    Upon arriving at thepany, Dahlia started working on the documents, meticulously examining McCoy Corporation¡¯s recent financial reports. The figures painted a grim picture of decline. It was as if she could already discern the impending day when McCoy Corporation would sumb to a downturn.


    Dahlia had long been aware of Edmund¡¯s covert scheme against McCoy Corporation, fueled by a vendetta he harbored against her.


    Edmund had always been a vengeful person, and he operated with swift and decisive intent. In just a few short years, he had dragged McCoy Corporation down from its top status in Ackleton¡¯s business world.


    Dahlia found herself outmatched, realizing that Edmund¡¯s formidable tactics were something she could never hope to master in her lifetime.


    After skimming through one of the files, Dahlia leaned back in her chair and took a sip of the cold coffee on the table. The bitter vor gradually disced the lingering taste of blood in her throat.


    Despite theirpany¡¯s diminished prosperity, they still fared better than many others. Dahlia rose from her seat and approached the floor-to-ceiling window. Gazing at the towering buildings ahead, she reckoned it was time to prepare for her funeral.


    However, she fretted over the fate of this bigpany, a culmination of decades of relentless effort, after her demise.


    Both her father and brother were people who sat idle and squandered their wealth. The fear loomed that if she were to entrust McCoy Corporation to them, thepany would inevitably face bankruptcy within a few short years.


    Upon contemtion, Dahlia arrived at the realization that the most suitable candidate to assume control of McCoy Corporation was her legal husband, Edmund, who wished for thepany¡¯s downfall.


    A pall of gloom clouded Dahlia¡¯s countenance. Her gaze, fixated on the outside world through the window, turned exceptionally somber. Raising her left hand, she pressed it against the cold window, her fingertips appearing pallid as they rhythmically tapped on the ss.


    In the silent office, the soft tapping noise was apparent. Dahlia seldom found the time to empty her mind. She relished the opportunity to drift into a reverie, immersing herself in a trance, as if this was the sole respite from the pain reality relentlessly thrust upon her.


    The phone resting on the desk suddenly vibrated, pulling Dahlia back to her senses. As she refocused, her eyes locked onto the device from a distance of ten feet, capturing the unmistakable word ¡°father¡± shing on the screen.


    While ¡°father¡± was conventionally regarded as one of the warmest and most intimate titles in the world, to Dahlia, it was nothing more than a cold, distant designation. She approached and answered the phone.


    ¡°Dahlia, transfer 400 thousand dors to my ount.¡± There came the slightly deep and indifferent voice of Craig.


    Dahlia clenched the phone tightly as she said, ¡°Dad, is this why you called me? Just for money?¡±


    Impatiently, Craig responded, ¡°It¡¯s only natural for a daughter to support her father financially. If you¡¯re not in charge of the McCoy family, do you think I would bother asking you for money? If you¡¯re unwilling to give me money, just transfer the McCoy family¡¯s shares to me.¡±


    Dahlia mulled over the term ¡°daughter¡± and was surprised that Craig acknowledged her as his daughter rather than a dispassionate ATM.


    She wondered why he never cared about her even though he remembered she was his daughter. Dahlia harbored no grand expectations of kindness from Craig; all she wished for were simple inquiries in their daily conversations, such as whether she had eaten, how she was feeling, and if work was tiring. She never asked for much, and a touch of concern was all she needed.


    ¡°Did you hear me?¡± Craig snapped over the phone.


    Dahlia suppressed her emotions and said, ¡°Didn¡¯t I just transfer 200 thousand dors to youst week? It¡¯s only been a few days, and you¡¯ve used them all?¡±


    ¡°What can I do with that little money?¡± Craig said sheepishly, but his tone swiftly reverted to overbearing when he considered Dahlia¡¯s substantial daily earnings as the head of argepany. ¡°Hurry up and transfer the money, or I will go straight to yourpany to ask for it. Let¡¯s see who¡¯ll be the embarrassed one.¡±


    ¡°I can give you the money, but you have to tell me what you¡¯re going to do with it,¡± Dahlia said. 400 thousand dors was not a small sum.


    Craig softened his tone when Dahlia showed signs of acquiescence. ¡°I¡¯m interested in an investment project, and I¡¯m only 400 thousand dors short. Once I start making money, I won¡¯t ask for it from you again.¡±

 Chapter 6

    <h2>Chapter 6 A Glimmer Of Hope</h2>


    ¡°Investment project?¡± Dahlia frowned and doubted Craig¡¯s words. If Craig had good business sense, her grandfather wouldn¡¯t have handed McCoy Corporation to her.


    ¡°Now that you know what I¡¯m going to use it for, just transfer the money. I¡¯m in a hurry to use it now,¡± Craig insisted.


    ¡°I can give you the money, but you need to send me information about your investment project,¡± Dahlia countered.


    Feeling the weight of embarrassment as a father being controlled by his daughter, Craigshed out at Dahlia over the phone. He hurled harsh words, iming she was worthless and expressing regret that he hadn¡¯t chosen to abort her back then. In an attempt to manipte emotions, he yed the pity card right after that.


    Dahlia, familiar with her father¡¯s maniptive tactics, responded withposure, ¡°Is there anything else you want to say? I¡¯m busy here. I¡¯ll hang up if there is nothing else.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t hang up. Okay, I¡¯ll show you!¡± Craig hastily halted her, fearing she might change her mind and he would lose his opportunity.


    Upon ending the call, Dahlia waited by herputer and promptly received a file from Craig. She forwarded it to her assistant, Elissa Langley, instructing her to print a copy and prepare another cup of coffee.


    After the documents were delivered, Dahlia lowered her eyes to scrutinize them, immersing herself in the contents. Her concentration only wavered when a cup of steaming coffee was ced on her desk. The aroma wafted through the air, signaling the presence of the fine Blue Mountain Coffee¡ªa rich blend with a fragrant aftertaste, albeit still too bitter for Dahlia¡¯s liking.


    She loved sweetness and hated bitterness. In the past, she would need a piece of candy to go with her pills, but now, she had to rely on bitter coffee to keep herself awake.


    Dahlia took a light sip and set the cup down, resuming her focus on the documents in her hands.


    Craig¡¯s investment proposal detailed ns, certificates, and what appeared to be apetent team. Dahlia had barely read it for half an hour when Craig called again, urgently pressing for the funds.


    Simultaneously, Elissa knocked on the door. Answering the phone and gesturing for Elissa to enter, Dahlia gave her a meaningful look, indicating that she could speak.


    Elissa said, ¡°Ms. McCoy, Dr. Quigley is downstairs asking to meet you.¡±


    Dahlia was taken aback, wondering why Maximilian was there. She couldn¡¯t be bothered to worry about Craig anymore and swiftly said before she hung up, ¡°I got it.¡±


    ¡°You go downstairs and invite him toe up. Then, get someone to make a cup of Earl Grey tea and bring it in,¡± Dahlia instructed Elissa.


    While Elissa went to fetch Maximilian, Dahlia promptly wired 400 thousand dors into Craig¡¯s ount.N?velDrama.Org owns this text.


    She stared at her phone until the screen dimmed, noting that Craig hadn¡¯t even offered a word of thanks. A self-deprecatingugh escaped her lips, and finally, Dahlia tossed the phone onto the desk.


    ¡°Ms. McCoy, Dr. Quigley is here,¡± Elissa said.


    The office door stood open, and upon seeing Maximilian enter, Dahlia gestured to Elissa to step out.


    ¡°Have a seat,¡± she invited, rising from her chair. The office was spacious, featuring a designated area for guests and meetings. Leading Maximilian to the couch near the floor-to-ceiling window, Dahlia encouraged him to sit.


    As soon as Maximilian entered, he caught a whiff of the rich coffee aroma. He followed the scent and noticed a half-full cup of coffee on the desk. Frowning, he remarked, ¡°Why are you still drinking coffee?¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t I drink it?¡± Dahlia pushed the Earl Grey tea on the coffee table toward him and asked casually, ¡°Why are you here today?¡±


    Maximilian sat down and said, ¡°It seems you have forgotten everything I told youst night.¡±


    Dahlia¡¯s outstretched hand froze abruptly. She withdrew it, sitting quietly on the couch. With her head down, she resembled a child who had done something wrong.


    ¡°You muste with me to the hospital today, no matter what,¡± Maximilian said.


    Dahlia raised her head but avoided making eye contact with Maximilian. Instead, she focused on the withered potted nts nearby and murmured, ¡°What for?¡±


    ¡°For a detailed examination, determination of treatment n, and hospitalization,¡± Maximilian said.


    Maximilian observed Dahlia closely. Although it had only been a month since hest saw her, she had noticeably lost weight. He couldn¡¯t fathom how Dahlia, who once feared injections for a simple cold, could endure the pain brought by stomach cancer.


    Dahlia shook her head, and strands of hair on her forehead obscured the emotions in her eyes. ¡°Maximilian, my disease is like this potted flower. The roots are already rotten. It can¡¯t be cured no matter what we do.¡±


    ¡°Leah, how would you know it can¡¯t be cured without a try? You can work day and night, and you can go to great lengths to please a man who doesn¡¯t love you for four years, so why can¡¯t you spend some time caring for your own health?¡± Maximilian felt sorry for Dahlia, who was not yet 24 years old, thinking she was still too young to die.


    She should have been healthy, happy, and full of vigor, enjoying the best of her life rather than settling for a dull marriage and trapping herself in work, let alone suffering from cancer.


    Maximilian walked over to Dahlia and stroked her head as he did in the past. ¡°Nowadays, medical science is advanced. As long as you don¡¯t give up receiving treatment and surgery, there will be¡­¡± He halted mid-sentence, unable to continue, as he witnessed tears welling up in Dahlia¡¯s eyes.


    Dahlia gently stroked the withered yellow leaves with her right hand and murmured, ¡°Then tell me what the sess rate of surgery is. Is it 50%, 20%, or 0.1%?¡±


    Maximilian pursed his thin lips, choosing to remain silent.


    ¡°Forget it,¡± Dahlia said, her chapped lips curling into a bitter smile. ¡°You¡¯d better not tell me. It¡¯s better not to give me that glimmer of hope.¡±


    She understood what Maximilian was trying to tell her. While everyone desired to live and stay healthy, she had never heard of anyone surviving terminal stomach cancer.


    Dahlia clenched her right hand, causing the withered yellow leaf to shatter in her grasp, its fragments cascading to the floor from between her fingers.

 Chapter 7

    <h2>Chapter 7 Divorce</h2>


    Dahlia¡¯s eyescked vitality, and there seemed to be no desire left in her, causing Maximilian to panic. ¡°Leah, don¡¯t you have anything you want?¡± he pressed.


    ¡°What I want¡­¡± Dahlia¡¯s eyes were vacant at that moment, and she felt something roll down her cheeks. She reached out to cover her eyes, and her palm became damp. Only then did she realize she was crying.


    ¡°Maximilian, apart from the fact that I never met my mother, what else do I not have in life? I have wealth, power, and even the person I¡¯ve been in love with for so many years.¡± Everything Dahlia desired seemed to be right before her, within arm¡¯s reach yet beyond her grasp.


    Dahlia clearly had no intention of continuing the conversation. She turned away, settling beside theputer to immerse herself in the ongoing work on the documents. Maximilian¡¯s attempt to persuade her had proven futile, as Dahlia seemed to have shut herself off from everyone.


    ¡°Does Edmund know you¡¯re ill?¡± Maximilian asked.


    ¡°He doesn¡¯t know, and I don¡¯t want him to know.¡± Ill or not, Dahlia remained the same proud woman. She refused to exploit her illness for sympathy and was well aware that Edmund might not offer any genuine sympathy. Faced with her impending demise, he might onlyment the loss of her as the convenient blood source for Abigail.


    Maximilian fell silent, letting out a low sigh. From his bag, he retrieved two bottles of medicine, cing them on the coffee table. One contained a potent painkiller, while the other held an anticancer drug.


    ¡°Stop drinking coffee. Take the medicine. Eat your meals on time¡­¡± Maximilian offered some instructions and reminders before taking a deep breath and leaving.


    As the door closed, Dahlia nced up at the two bottles of medicine on the coffee table. Retrieving her phone, she checked for text messages, finding nothing but work-rted news.


    *****


    Edmund didn¡¯te home for another half month. Dahlia gradually abandoned her former habits, refraining from leaving lights on for him and ceasing to cook. However, she found herself unable to break the habit of checking her phe at night.


    She had initially believed she could swiftly rid herself of her feelings for Edmund. Yet, her feelings for him proved insidious, akin to a seedling that sprouted and grew into a towering tree, casting a shadow over everything. Its poisonous roots dug deep into her, even seeping into her bones. To remove it would require cutting it down and uprooting it, but it had entwined itself with her most delicate flesh. The mere thought of severing it caused her heart to ache.


    Dahlia tapped her phone to open her contacts, and Edmund¡¯s name stood alone on the list. She pressed it.


    Three consecutive calls were made, yet none of them were answered. Such a response had be routine, and disappointment was an emotion she had grown ustomed to. Aside from a hint of despair, she felt nothing but numbness.


    Dahlia continued to call persistently. It marked the first time since her marriage that she exhibited such unwavering persistence.


    Beep¡­ Beep¡­


    During her fourth attempt, after the waiting tone rang for a long while, Edmund finally answered, likely out of annoyance.


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± Edmund¡¯s voice, transmitted through the phone, offered little warmth, mirroring the coldness of Dahlia¡¯s hands.


    Seventeen days of no contact had brought a semnce of stability to Dahlia¡¯s emotions. At least she didn¡¯t burst into tears in Edmund¡¯s presence.


    Her voice, however, carried a hoarseness as she spoke. ¡°Can you make time toe back during the weekend, the day after tomorrow?¡±


    ¡°What? I haven¡¯t touched you for half a month, and you¡¯re already eager to deliver yourself to me? Dahlia, you¡¯re so cheap,¡± Edmund said.


    Dahlia froze.


    In the dynamics of a rtionship, the one who fell in love first and loved the deepest was often treated unequally. Moreover, in Dahlia¡¯s case, Edmund had never reciprocated her love, so she was as lowly as a worm.


    Dahlia said patiently, ¡°I have something important to talk to you. It¡¯s what you¡¯ve always wanted. Are you sure you don¡¯t want toe back?¡±


    Edmund remained silent, and background noises filtered through the phone. Dahlia listened carefully and recognized Abigail¡¯s voice, which was gentle, soft, and sweet. She couldn¡¯t make out what Abigail was saying, but she caught Edmund¡¯s response with his maic voice, ¡°Go to sleep. I will watch over you.¡±


    Dahlia suddenly felt a chill and wondered if the window was left open. Her chest constricted, making it difficult to breathe. She clutched her chest, gasping for air like a fish tossed ashore, on the brink of death.


    Groaning, Dahlia felt her stomach convulse, and a mouthful of blood rose in her throat.


    On the other end of the phone, the atmosphere gradually quieted. Edmund finally responded, ¡°What is it?¡±


    Dahlia swallowed the blood in her mouth and pretended to ask nonchntly, ¡°Edmund, if I told you that I was dying, would you feel sorry for me at all?¡±


    ¡°Ha!¡± Edmund sneered in a cold voice. ¡°Dahlia, what tricks are you ying again? Do I not know your body? What diseases can possibly ail you? Mental illness? Or paranoia?¡±


    Dahlia felt as though a dagger had been thrust into her heart, the pain intensifying with every beat. It seemed ludicrous for Edmund to im he knew her body. Perhaps her worn appearance meant nothing to him. Yet, it might be true she had mental problems. That was what kept her obsessed with him for 16 long years.


    Before Dahlia could speak, Abigail couldn¡¯t resist chiming in, ¡°Edmund, Dahlia must be missing you. Just go back and have a look.¡±


    When Dahlia heard that, she suddenly felt disgusted by herself, thinking she was foolish to have asked such a question that brought shame upon herself, making Edmund¡¯s mistress pity her and persuade him toe home to her.


    She finally realized Edmund had been having a good time with Abigail in the past two weeks and didn¡¯t once think of her.


    Reflecting on the past four years, Dahlia chuckled, yet her smile was cold and didn¡¯t reach her eyes.? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.


    Dahlia wasn¡¯t aware of when the call ended. She clutched the phone until her hand felt slightly stiff, then slowly set it down. The screen had been ck for a while.


    She took a deep breath, and blood dripped from the corner of her lips. Wiping it away, she disregarded the sticky and ufortable sensation on her blood-stained hand and sent Edmund a text message: [Let¡¯s get a divorce.]

 Chapter 111

    Yasmin entered the house<b>, </b>catching Mary, who was just about to leave.


    Mary greeted, ¡°Mrs. Ford, you¡¯re back.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Are you heading out now?¡± Staff members of Oak Garden lived in a small building a short distance away. So a quick phone call would summon them to the house if anything happened.


    ¡°Yes.¡± It was already 8:00 pm.


    Mary informed Yasmin, ¡°Mr. Ford is upstairs.¡±


    Just then, she noticed something and called, ¡°Mr. Ford.¡±


    Yasmin looked up.


    ke, who had appeared out of nowhere, was watching her with a stoic expression from the second¨Cfloor railing.


    Didn¡¯t she say he was bothering her? Why had hee back?


    ¡°You go on ahead,¡± the man instructed Mary.


    ¡°Yes, sir. Mrs. Ford, there¡¯s some soup in the pot. Remember to have someter,¡± Mary reminded before leaving.


    Instead of entering the kitchen, Yasmin headed straight for the stairs.


    ¡°Why did youe back?¡± ke asked coldly.


    ¡°I¡¯m here to pack my things,¡± Yasmin replied.


    ke¡¯s face was twisted in a scowl, but he remained silent.


    Ignoring his cold demeanor, Yasmin walked into her closet. She subsequently pulled out a suitcase and began sorting through her belongings.


    The jewelry cab in the <b>room </b>was full of gems.


    They were extremely expensive and could fetch tens of millions of dors if sold.


    Yasmin knew the jewelry belonged to ke¡¯s rightful wife, not her. And just like the vi at Newphoria Bay, she could only use them¨Cnot take them.


    Eventually, she ended up not taking anything with her. This made her realize that although she had been married to ke for two years, there was nothing she could call her own.


    She then walked over to where the handbags were kept, figuring she¡¯d grab the valuable ones


    to sell.


    However, as she lifted her head, she spotted ke standing at the door, shooting her a re that sent chills down her spine.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± he asked, stepping forward with a prating stare.


    Holding two bags in her hands, Yasmin pursed her lips. ¡°I¡¯m here to take some bags with me.¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t afford to buy them yourself, so you want to use my things to attract other men?¡± ke sneered.


    Yasmin retorted, ¡°You don¡¯t even need them, so what¡¯s the point of keeping them? I¡¯ve already used them before, so don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re going to give them to Giselle.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s my choice who to give them <i>to</i>, and you¡¯re not allowed to take any of them.¡±


    The man walked over and swiped the bags out of her hands.


    Startled, Yasmin watched him step forward, trapping her between his body and the shelf.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± Yasmin didn¡¯t understand why he was suddenly acting this way. Hadn¡¯t they cleared things up earlier in the afternoon?C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org


    ¡°Forget the bags; you aren¡¯t even allowed to take any of the clothes,¡± he snapped.


    ¡°<b>I </b>designed some of the clothes myself, so I should be allowed to take those, right?¡±


    ¡°No. They belong to me as long as they¡¯re here.¡± ke¡¯s expression was grim.


    He was standing too close tofort, his lips nearly touching Yasmin¡¯s.


    Feeling ufortable, she lifted her arms to put some distance between them. Unexpectedly, he grabbed her hands and pressed them over her head.


    As a result, Yasmin¡¯s body arched, her lips brushing the man¡¯s Adam¡¯s apple.


    Immediately, ke stiffened.


    ¡°Just tell me what you want. I only came back to get my belongings.¡±


    ¡°Like I said, everything here belongs to me,¡± ke stated emotionlessly. ¡°Don¡¯t even think of using my things to hook up with other men.¡±


    ke was actingpletely unreasonably.


    Yasmin had been busying up with ways to earn money. Yet, everything she was doing just


    made her seem like a slut to him.


    She tried to break free from his grasp, but he was too strong.


    With no other way out, she decided topromise. ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll leave without taking anything,


    alright?¡±


    ¡°No.¡± Shooting her a re, ke leaned in slightly, pressing their lips together.

 Chapter 112

    Yasmin froze, stunned.


    What on earth was ke trying to do?


    +15 BONUS


    Had he scolded her and made scornful remarks just so he could kiss her?


    ¡°Don¡¯t kiss me.¡± Yasmin held her breath, refusing to kiss him back.


    Ignoring her protest, ke pulled her chin closer and deepened the kiss urgently.


    Momentster, Yasmin found herself lifted onto the shelf. ke pressed his lips against hers once more, wounding his arms around her waist tightly.


    ¡°ke¡­¡± Yasmin muttered, her mind going nk.


    The man continued drowning himself in her scent as his hand reached behind her to pull down her zipper.? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.


    ¡°ke!¡± she eximed.


    However, ke didn¡¯t let up. Instead, he lifted her skirt and bit her neck.


    Yasmin¡¯s knees went weak, and ke held her ckened body close<b>.</b>


    Her clothes were soon in disarray.


    When she realized ke was about to take things even further, she quickly cried, ¡°No! Let go


    of me!¡±


    Infuriated by her words, he ripped off her underwear.


    Yasmin¡¯s eyes widened fearfully, and she snapped, ¡°Let go of me!¡±


    Frantically kicking the man, she protested, ¡°I didn¡¯t give you my consent, ke! You¡¯re forcing me-¡±


    In her panic, she identally kicked his injured leg. ke grunted and paled but still didn¡¯t release her.


    Yasmin, who failed to notice his reaction, nted several more kicks.


    ke¡¯s face twisted in pain as his left leg went numb. He quickly sat down, his expression grim.


    Yasmin finally noticed his response. ¡°Did I kick your injured leg?¡±


    His leg had just been freed from its cast and hadn¡¯t fully healed yet.


    ke gave her a cold stare but didn¡¯t say anything.


    TE BONUS


    With her suspicions confirmed, Yasmin asked anxiously, ¡°Did I really?¡±


    She approached him carefully and asked, ¡°Should I give Dr. Sawyer a call?¡±


    ke still didn¡¯t answer her.


    Worried, Yasmin decided to ring Joel up. ¡°Hi, Dr. Sawyer. ke hurt his leg again. Could pleasee over?¡±


    you


    Soon, Joel arrived.


    Yasmin quickly tidied herself. When she spotted Joel, she felt as if she had found her savior. ¡± Please take a look at him, Dr. Sawyer.¡±


    After examining ke<b>, </b>Joel exined, ¡°Everything seems fine. He might have hit a nerve, the numbness should go away after a while.¡±


    but


    Hearing this, Yasmin immediately sighed in relief.


    Joel went back to his car to grab some medication for ke.


    Realizing there was nothing left for her to do, Yasmin told ke, ¡°Since Dr. Sawyer is here, I¡¯ll take my leave.¡±


    Her words seemed to anger the man, who red at her. ¡°Do you hate staying here that much?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. This ce isn¡¯t my home anymore,¡± she replied before walking out.


    ke watched her retreating figure, his interest fizzling away. ¡°If you leave now, don¡¯t evere back.¡±


    Reaching the door, Yasmin stiffened before leaving with a nod.


    Soon, she left Oak Garden.


    The winter temperature was dropping, so she wrapped her coat tightly around her body as she walked down the quiet mountain path.


    By the time she returned to her studio, her feet were covered in blisters.


    She applied some ointment and silently sat on the sofa for a long time, lost in thought.


    The next day, Yasmin put her handbag up for sale online for 250 thousand dors.


    It was the one she had picked up.


    Since it was something she found, it belonged to her and not ke.


    By noon<b>, </b>someone bought her bag and asked her to deliver it to No. 10, Newphoria Bay.


    +15 <b>BONUS</b>


    Yasmin was surprised to learn that the buyer was her neighbor since her family used to live in


    Lot No.


    <ol>


    <li></li>


    </ol>


    After work, she grabbed the handbag and went over.


    When she arrived, she was surprised to find herself at Giselle¡¯s vi.

 Chapter 113

    <b>Chapter </b>113


    Yasmin froze at <b>the </b>sight of Giselle.


    ke had spent nearly <b>200 </b>million dors to purchase the vi for Giselle, yet he had refused <b>to </b>return her father¡¯s house to her.


    Yasmin felt a stab of <b>pain </b>in her chest as she realized how generous ke was to his first love.


    Looking around, she noticed the simrities between vis No. 10 and No. 8, which made her miss her father even more<b>.</b>


    She slowly made her way to the backyard, where Giselle was enjoying some dessert.


    Giselle smiled when she noticed her. ¡°This vi is a gift from ke. Isn¡¯t it pretty?¡±


    <b>¡°</b>Yeah, it is,<b>¡± </b>Yasmin replied absentmindedly.


    Giselle then asked, ¡°I heard your family used to live in No. 8. Didn¡¯t ke give you that vi after the divorce?¡±


    Yasmin didn¡¯t want to answer the question, so she handed the handbag instead. ¡°Ms. O¡¯Shea, this is the bag you ordered. I¡¯ve only used it once. You can inspect it yourself.¡±


    If she hadn¡¯t scratched it during that one time, Yasmin could have sold the bag for over 300


    thousand dors.


    ¡°Bring it to me.¡± Giselle waved Yasmin closer.


    Yasmin walked over and lifted the bag.


    Giselle didn¡¯t take it. Instead, she peered at the bag in the box and let Yasmin continue holding it. ¡°Why are you selling the bag? Are you short on money?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, kind of,¡± Yasmin answered, feeling her blisters starting to hurt again.


    Giselle pretended not to notice Yasmin¡¯s pain and nonchntly suggested, ¡°Why don¡¯t I introduce you to a part¨Ctime job? I heard you know how to y the piano. Why don¡¯t youe and perform during my birthday? I¡¯ll pay you 50 thousand a night.¡±


    ¡°No, thanks. I¡¯m quite busytely.¡± Yasmin declined with a smile.


    She was mildly surprised to realize that theing Saturday was already Giselle¡¯s birthday.


    ¡°Is it too little? Then, how about 100 thousand a night? I just want you to y the piano while ke and I share a dance.


    Giselle was clearly trying to humiliate Yasmin.


    After <b>all</b>, she <b>was </b>requesting Yasmin to y the piano while thetter¡¯s husband danced with


    +15 BONUS


    another woman.


    Feeling irked, Yasmin was about to refuse when she heard Giselle ask, ¡°What brings you here, ke?¡±


    Yasmin nced over and saw a pair of long legs.


    ke was wearing a ck suit as he walked over with a bag of supplements. ¡°I brought you some supplements.¡±


    Yasmin naturally stood aside.


    ke, not sparing her a nce, sat down next to Giselle. In a smooth voice, he said, ¡°These are for your health. Remember to take them every day.¡±


    ¡°I haven¡¯t even finished the ones you broughtst time,¡± Giselleined tenderly. ¡°ke, didn¡¯t you give Yasmin an alimony? She¡¯s resorted to selling handbags now.¡±


    Hearing this, Yasmin¡¯s chest tightened.


    ke turned his head, his gazending on the bag Yasmin was holding.


    Giselle continued, ¡°Yasmin was married to you for two years. Now that you¡¯re divorced, she¡¯s just an orphan again. How is she going to survive without alimony?¡±


    ke chuckled coldly in response. ¡°She doesn¡¯t need me.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t you know? She¡¯s been growing closer to Erik recently. I don¡¯t have anything to worry about with him around.¡±


    ¡°I see.¡± Giselle nodded and turned to Yasmin. ¡°Yasmin, the bag is fine. You can leave it here. I¡¯ll buy it.¡±Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    ¡°Okay.¡± Maintaining a smile, Yasmin put the bag down and turned to leave.


    Suddenly, Giselle recalled something and called, ¡°Oh, what do you say about the gig at my birthday party?¡±


    ke nced at Giselle. ¡°What gig?¡±


    ¡°Well, Yasmin seems to need money desperately, so I figured I¡¯d invite her to y the piano at my birthday party. I¡¯d pay her 50 thousand dors in return. This way, I can help her at the same time.¡±


    GET IT NOW

 Chapter 114

    Yasmin turned around and replied softly, ¡°No, thanks. Our studio has been busy with a coborationtely, so I don¡¯t think I have the time to <b>go</b>.


    ¡°Is it the coboration with NAS Group?¡± Giselle asked.


    ¡°Yeah<b>,</b><b>¡± </b>Yasmin confirmed.


    ke¡¯s demeanor turned ice cold as he learned that the two had still ended up partnering together.


    After Yasmin left, only Giselle and ke remained in the backyard.


    Giselle was wearing a sexy spaghetti¨Cstrap dress. In a calcted move, she leaned forward to hold ke¡¯s hand, revealing her cleavage.


    you


    She asked softly, ¡°Why don¡¯t you sleep over tonight? I¡¯ll ask the maids to prepare your things.


    It was a tant invitation.


    This wasn¡¯t the first time she was making a move, but he always pretended not to notice.


    His expression was stoic as usual as he replied, ¡°I¡¯m busy tonight.¡±


    With that, he stood up and left.


    At the vi gate, Yasmin received Ivan¡¯s call. ¡°Yasmin, your Porsche has been repaired. Do you want me to bring it over to you?¡±


    Yasmin finally remembered that her car had been sent for repairs after being damaged during


    the ident.


    uran


    Her feet still felt sore, so she replied, you deliver it to No. 8, Newphoria Bay?¡±


    She wanted to take a look at her former home.


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    <b>¡°</b>Thank you,¡± Yasmin replied before walking over to No. 8.


    The gate was locked, and the yard was covered in fallen leaves, making the house look cold and


    abandoned.


    Just then, another car drove past No. 8..


    Malcolm said, ¡°Sir, it¡¯s Mrs. Ford.¡±


    +15 <b>BONUS</b>


    ke, who was sitting in the back seat, looked up and spotted Yasmin standing at the vi gate. Despite the cold wind, the gorgeous woman was gracefully observing the plum blossoms in the yard.


    ¡°Is she short of moneytely?¡± ke asked softly.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t she return to the Starr family home yesterday night?¡± Malcolm hinted. Every time Yasmin returned home, the Starr family woulde up with countless excuses to ask for money or projects, which was why ke never liked them.


    ¡°Go find out what¡¯s going on,¡± ke ordered.


    Tentatively, Malcolm asked, ¡°Sir, do you n to help Madam solve this issue?¡±


    Before ke could answer, the pink Porsche Yasmin had sent for repairs rolled up the street and pulled up in front of her.


    The car window rolled down to reveal Ivan¡¯s handsome face. ¡°Here you go, Yasmin.¡±


    Yasmin was surprised. ¡°Mr. Burke, you didn¡¯t have toe in person.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d just gotten off work anyway, so I thought I¡¯d take a drive,¡± Ivan responded with a small


    smile.


    Yasmin smiled back.


    ¡°Is this your former house?¡± Ivan asked, ncing at the vi.


    ¡°Mm¨Chmm.¡±


    Yasmin nodded before sensing a gaze. She turned her head and met ke¡¯s stern expression.


    Recalling Giselle¡¯s vi, Yasmin decided to ignore him. She straightened her spine and said to Ivan, ¡°Look, the plum blossoms in my yard are blooming.¡±


    Ivan peered over.C¨°ntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org


    The white plum trees nted in the yard danced beautifully in the cold breeze.


    Getting out of the car, Ivan walked over and stood next to Yasmin outside the gates to admire. the scenery.


    ¡°Drive,¡± ke ordered coldly.


    Malcolm immediately stepped on the gas pedal. After a moment, he asked, ¡°Are you going to solve Mrs. Ford¡¯s issues with her family?¡±


    ¡°Forget it.¡± ke averted his eyes from Yasmin, scowling.


    Malcolm was confused. ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    <i>¡°</i>You don¡¯t have to do anything,¡± ke hissed. ¡°Let her suffer. She won¡¯t know how


    dangerous the world can be <i>if </i>she doesn¡¯t experience it herself.¡±

 Chapter 115

    Yasmin and Ivan stood at the gate.


    Suddenly, ivan asked, ¡°Do you want to go in?<b>¡±</b>


    ¡°Huh?¡± Startled, Yasmin nced at the lock on the gate. ¡°But the gate is locked.¡±


    ¡°Just climb over it.¡± Ivan removed his suit jacket and began rolling up <b>his </b>sleeves. ¡°I¡¯ll prop you up so you can climb over.


    ¡®Really?¡± Yasmin really wanted to go in and steal a peek. Fortunately, she was wearing t shoes today. Although there were still some blisters on her feet, the pain was still bearable.


    ¡°Come on,¡± Ivan said, crouching down. ¡°Just don¡¯t be afraid.¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t be. I used to climb over it all the time.¡± Yasmin grinned. In the past, she would sneak out and climb over the iron gate upon her return<b>, </b>so she knew what to do.


    Propping one foot on Ivan¡¯s knee, she pushed herself over the iron gate.


    Ivan swiftly climbed over as well.


    As the two strolled into the vi, Yasmin began showing Ivan around.


    ¡°It¡¯s even prettier here during the day.¡± Yasmin slinked between trees and paused when she reached an apricot tree. She pointed at the tree and told Ivan, ¡°I used to stay up on that tree during summers.¡±


    ¡°Stay up?¡± Ivan was confused.


    ¡°Yeah.¡± Yasmin agilely climbed the tree and perched on a branch before ncing at the man.¡± Just like this.¡±


    Ivan was surprised. He didn¡¯t expect her to be so lively.


    ¡°Mr. Burke, would you like to join me? The view up here is even better.¡± Yasmin reached out a


    hand to invite him.


    For a moment, Ivan felt enchanted by her. Without thinking, he grabbed her hand and climbed


    up the tree.


    The two of them sat perched on a branch as they studied the spectacr view before them.


    ¡°I miss the past.¡± Yasmin sighed. How she wished she could return to this home and live a


    carefree life.


    Ivan watched her swing her legs with a content expression.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you happy with ke?¡± Ivan felt sorry for her when he saw her frown.


    +15 BONUS


    Yasmin shook her head and smiled. ¡°I¡¯m sure you know he has someone he likes.¡±


    ¡°Do you like him?


    Yasmin hesitated. She stared at the dense leaves over her head but never answered the question.


    By the time she reached the studio, it was already 11:00 pm.Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    After parking her car, Yasmin thanked Ivan. ¡°Thank <b>you </b>for delivering my car, Mr. Burke. Shall I call a designated driver to send you back?¡±


    ¡°No, thanks. I¡¯ve already contacted my secretary, so she¡¯s on her way to pick me up now,¡±


    Ivan said, his dark blue suit giving him a reserved but gentle look.


    Yasmin didn¡¯t feelfortable leaving him by himself, so she stood downstairs with him for a while.


    Suddenly, her phone rang.


    Yasmin pulled it out and saw that the call was from Joel.


    She wondered why he was calling her.


    Confused, Yasmin stepped away and answered the call. ¡°Yes, Dr. Sawyer?¡±


    ¡°Hey, Yasmin. ke had too much to drink, so I need you to pick him up from Nightshade,¡± Joel told her, sounding slightly tipsy.


    They were currently in a room at the Nightshade Lounge.


    ke had had too much to drink and was resting on the sofa with his eyes closed.


    He had called Joel out for a drink because he was in a bad mood.


    When Yasmin heard this, she pressed her lips together and said, ¡°I don¡¯t have time to go there, Dr. Sawyer.¡±


    ¡°Tell him that yourself.¡± Joel instantly handed his phone over to ke.


    ¡°Hello?¡± ke¡¯s voice rang out.

 Chapter 116

    Yasmin¡¯s breath hitched<b>. </b>¡°It¡¯s me.¡±


    ¡°I know.¡± ke closed his eyes. His voice was hoarse from the drinks.


    <b>¡°</b>Did you have too much to drink?¡±


    ke hummed in response. In the past, she would always pick him up when he drank too much. So, he waited quietly for her response.


    However<b>, </b>the voice he heard after waiting for a long time didn¡¯t belong to her¨Cit was Ivan¡¯s.


    Yasmin.¡±


    ¡°Yeah?¡±


    ¡°Wait here for a moment. I¡¯m going to the pharmacy across the street.


    ¡°Okay,¡± Yasmin replied<b>.</b>


    On the other end of the call, ke¡¯s expression turned hard. ¡°You¡¯re with Ivan?¡±


    ¡°Mm¨Chmm.¡± Yasmin nodded.


    ke¡¯s grip tightened around the phone. It was already past 11:00 pm<b>, </b>so why were they still together?


    Were they nning to spend the night together?


    With a scowl, hemanded, ¡°Come here.¡±


    Not liking his sudden domineering tone, Yasmin frowned before replying, ¡°I¡¯m not your wife anymore, ke. You have no right to order me around. Call a driver if you¡¯re drunk. I don¡¯t have time to pick you up.¡±


    ke chuckled coldly.


    Annoyed by his sneer, Yasmin added, ¡°Don¡¯t call me unless it¡¯s something urgent.¡±


    ¡°Fine, bye.¡± ke ended the call.


    Yasmin stared at the dark screen, feeling down.


    <b>¡°</b>Yasmin.¡± Ivan emerged from the shop across the street and handed her a tube of ointment. ¡± This is for you.


    Yasmin was puzzled. ¡°What¡¯s this for?<b>¡±</b>


    ¡°You seem to be walking strangely tonight. You have blisters on your feet, don¡¯t you?¡± Ivan¡¯s¡± eyes were filled with concern.


    +15 BONUS


    Yasmin smiled, surprised. ¡°You noticed?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Did you hurt your feet?¡±


    ¡°Walking too much gave me two blisters.¡± Yasmin never liked others¡® pity, so she hid the fact that she actually had six


    Still, Ivan insisted on giving her the ointment. ¡°I¡¯ve already bought it, so you might as well take it. Remember to apply it when you get home.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Mr. Burke.¡± Yasmin epted the tube.


    Just then, Ivan¡¯s secretary, Summer pulled up in front of them and greeted, ¡°Mr. Burke, Ms. Starr.¡±


    Bidding Ivan farewell, Yasmin returned to her studio and applied the ointment to her blisters.


    had been credited.


    Afterward, she checked her bnce and saw that the money for the handbag


    She now had a total of 270 thousand dors.N?velDrama.Org owns this text.


    This meant that she was still 30 thousand dors short of the 300 thousand dors.


    Yasmin began searching for her broken bracelet.


    It was the only piece of jewelry she had left, and it was something ke had bought her after lots of pestering


    Yasmin held the bracelet to the light and examined it silently.


    Then, she rang Eunice up. ¡°Eunice, can you help me sell a piece of jewelry?¡±


    Yasmin wanted to sell the bracelet to pay off her father¡¯s debt.


    Besides, out of sight, out of mind.


    Eunice asked, ¡°Are you short of money, Yaz?¡±


    Eunice was an observant person and noticed immediately. Although her family was wealthy, her mother was just a stepmother who lived with the rest of the family. As such, she didn¡¯t hold much power.


    Yasmin didn¡¯t want to trouble her friend, so she said, ¡°No. I just want it out of my sight since it¡¯s something ke gave me.¡±


    When Eunice heard that it was a gift from the scumbag, she immediately agreed. ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll take care of it for you to


    you tomorrow!¡±


    Yasmin smiled. Eunice was still being very nice to her.


    +15 BONUS


    Soon, it was Saturday.


    At 7:00 pm, the studio¡¯s phone rang.


    There was no orie else working at this time, so Yasmin went downstairs and answered the call. ¡°Hello?¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter with you, Yasmin Starr? Why did you guys send Giselle a ruined dress? Did you do this on purpose so she¡¯d embarrass herself at the banquet?¡±


    It turned out that Giselle¡¯s birthday banquet was tonight.

 Chapter 117

    Yasmin answered, ¡°How can that be? I checked it before sending it out, and the dress was <b>fine</b><b>.</b>


    ¡°The dress we received is damaged. You bettere to Giselle¡¯s house now to fix it, or she won¡¯t have a dress to wear tonight,¡± Roxy snapped before hanging up.


    She immediately sent Yasmin a photo of the damaged dress.


    Yasmin took a look. Parts of thece had been torn, but it was an easy fix.


    Grabbing her toolbox, Yasmin was about to head out when she remembered she was going to Giselle¡¯s birthday banquet. She better dress up, or she might be unable to get in.


    Digging around, she found a light¨Ccolored dress she had designed and put it on. After


    applying some makeup, she rushed to No. 10, Newphoria Bay.


    However, when she arrived, she saw someone guarding the entrance.


    The guard didn¡¯t allow her to enter without an invitation.


    Yasmin bit her lip and dialed Roxy¡¯s number, but thetter never picked up.


    Yasmin¡¯s brows furrowed in agitation.


    Just then, a low voice came from behind. ¡°Yasmin?¡±


    Yasmin turned her head.


    Ivan, who was dressed in a dark gray suit, gave her a look over, astonished. ¡°What are you doing here?¡±


    The suit he was wearing was made by Yasmin¡¯s studio,


    When Yasmin saw the suit, she felt a sense of aplishment. ¡°Roxy told me toe over. She said the dress Giselle had ordered from my studio was damaged, so I came to see if it could be mended. But I can¡¯t get in because I don¡¯t have an invitation.¡±


    Ivan smiled. <b>¡°</b>You might not have one, but I do.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°You can attend the banquet as mypanion.¡± Ivan offered Yasmin his hand. ¡°May I have the honor of inviting you to attend the banquet with me, mdy?¡±


    Ivan was very considerate, even when he was helping others.


    Yasmin responded with a smile and took his hand. ¡°Of course.¡±


    Ivan asked Summer to carry Yasmin¡¯s toolbox, and the three of them entered the hall together.


    Giselle¡¯s party was being held in the back garden.


    Yasmin and Ivan immediately attracted everyone¡¯s attention when the crowd spotted their


    interlocked arms.


    ¡°Holy shit! What¡¯s going on between them?¡± On the second floor, Joel, who was holding at ss of wine, was stunned.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Erik turned his head.


    Joel immediately pointed down. ¡°It¡¯s Ivan Burke and our Yasmin¨CI mean, Yasmin.¡±


    ke was sitting on the side, enjoying some wine, with his back resting against the chair. His eyes, which had been closed, opened abruptly when he heard Yasmin¡¯s name.


    He walked over to the railing and looked down.


    At the entrance, Ivan was apanied by a gorgeous woman.


    The woman wore a soft pink gown with pearls gently adorning her neck.


    Yasmin was a beautiful woman with good looks and a good figure, making her outshine all the other women present.


    ke fixed his gaze on her.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Are both of you entranced?¡± Joel waved a hand in front of the two dumbstruck men.


    Erik pped his hand away and lied, ¡°Of course not!¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s she doing here?¡± ke asked coldly.


    Joel smiled. ¡°She¡¯s clearly Ivan¡¯spanion.¡±


    Hearing this, ke¡¯s scowl deepened.Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.


    Just then, Erik¡¯s phone rang.


    Giselle was standing in front of the window on the third floor.


    She bit her lip as she watched Yasmin steal the limelight downstairs. She said into the phone, ¡± Erik, can youe upstairs and do me a favor?¡±

 Chapter 118

    ¡°Sure.¡± Erik agreed without hesitation and turned to leave.


    Walking past the corridor, <b>he </b>nced at Yasmin, who was downstairs. However, she didn¡¯t notice him. Instead, every man¡¯s eyes were trained on her.


    Feeling ufortable, he leaned against the railing and deliberately called out loudly. ¡±


    Yasmin Starr.¡±


    Yasmin lifted her head and finally noticed the people on the second floor¨Cincluding ke. The man was resting against the railing as he regarded her from above.


    Her heart skipped a beat, but she didn¡¯t say anything.


    <b>¡°</b>You¡¯re here, our darling Yasmin!¡± Joel leaned over the railing with a ss of wine in his hand, his lips curved into azy grin.


    ¡°Don¡¯t call me that,¡± Yasmin retorted calmly.


    ¡°I¡¯m just used to it,¡± Joel pouted. ¡°Why don¡¯t you invite Mr. Burke up for a drink?¡±


    Yasmin nced at Ivan.


    The man replied, ¡°Sure.¡±


    However, Yasmin didn¡¯t want to go upstairs. She wasn¡¯t here for them tonight, so she whispered to Ivan, ¡°Why don¡¯t you go, Mr. Burke? I need to find Roxy and finish a task.¡±


    ¡°Then, be careful. Call me if anythinges up,¡± Ivan gently reminded her.


    ¡°Okay.¡± Yasmin began making her way down the stairs.


    Everyone was surprised to see her going back downstairs. Erik asked, ¡°Why is she leaving?¡±


    ¡°She doesn¡¯t want to be around a certain somebody.¡± Ivan smiled slyly, holding a ss of


    wine.


    Erik immediately paled, assuming that Ivan was referring to him. He snorted and walked away.


    ke¡¯s expression wasn¡¯t much better.


    Yasmin glided back downstairs, looking as graceful as an angel.? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t that Yasmin Starr from the Starr family?¡± A group of women watched her and began sneering.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t her family go bankrupt? How can she afford such a pretty dress?¡±


    Yasmin¡¯s dress clearly wasn¡¯t cheap.


    ¡°Is it pretty<b>? </b>I designed it myself.¡±


    While the other woman was taken aback, Yasmin added, ¡°I opened a studio that makes custom gowns. Our dresses aren¡¯t too expensive, so feel free to approach me if you need a dress made.¡±


    Yasmin took this opportunity to advertise her business.


    One <b>of </b>the women said, ¡°I have to say, the dress is quite beautiful.¡±


    Several women epted Yasmin¡¯s business card.


    However, there was one woman who still seemed disgusted. She humphed, ¡°How did you find money to open a business when your family¡¯s bankrupt? Don¡¯t tell me you have someone sponsoring you?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right. How did you know?¡± Yasmin asked with widened eyes.


    Everyone was astonished. ¡°Really? Who is it?¡±


    Yasmin initially wanted to reply with an insulting ¡°your dad¡± remark but changed her mind. when she saw ke upstairs out of the corner of her eye. She deliberately said, ¡°ke Ford.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s impossible.¡± The group of people didn¡¯t believe her at all.


    After all, there were rumors of ke being together with Giselle, so how could he be sleeping with Yasmin?


    Besides, ke was allegedly uninterested in women. Naturally, everyone assumed that Yasmin was lying.


    Yasmin smiled.


    Indeed.


    Because they had gotten married in secret, not many people knew about their marriage.


    However, they were divorced now.


    While she was in a trance, a bodyguard walked up to her and said politely, ¡°Ms. Starr, someone would like to see you upstairs.¡±


    ¡°Who was it?¡±


    Yasmin lifted her head and saw ke staring at her, his solemn ck suit making his expression even harsher.


    What did he want?


    Yasmin sighed and made her way upstairs under the gaze of the crowd.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!