Tiffany licked the corner of her lip in satisfaction after their tango was over. “Ooh, that was not half-bad! Now, stay right there like a good boy while momma makes you something yummy for your tummy like she said she would. You’re usually the one who serves me; now, I should return the favor to my sweetie.”Jackson laid sprawling on the couch, inert. He was definitely spent.He wished his “momma” would remain this carefree and blithe forever. He wished she had never known that nightmare personified known as Ethan Connor.It was Saturday night. Jackson and Tiffany, as promised, went to the Tremont Estate for the “gathering.” For maximum merriment, Tiffany decided not to bring her newborn son with them.Knowing that one of Tiffany’s favorite foods was hotpot, Arianne had prepared all of the usual materials and dishes beforehand. Tiffany was so eager to start that she leaped onto her seat and heated the pot, exclaiming, “You know me best, Ari! Just look at how fresh and juicy this b
“Stop it!” Tiffany interjected furiously. “Him, doing this for me? Who frickin’ wants this nightmare around anymore? I don’t because he wrecked my life enough! Hell, had it not been for that piece of sh*t, my dad might still be alive now, and my family would not have suffered so much hardship, and I—! I wouldn’t have gone through so much pain. Isn’t doing just one of all of these enough? Why can’t that disgusting piece of sh*t just let—me—live? I bared my heart to him—I loved him for three frickin’ years, and what did that douchebag do to repay me? He used and abused me! And now the same jacka** comes back, uninvited, with the delusion that he ‘feels sorry’ and wants to atone for his sins? F**k him!”The more she thought back on how Alejandro had methodically tried to ingratiate on her since they first met, the more terrifying everything seemed. God, how she dreamed to never, ever cross path with anything related to Ethan for the rest of her life!Her emotional outburst stunned Smore
“Why are we going to your mother’s place?” Jackson asked apprehensively. “If you want to see her, go tomorrow morning. Why must we go in the dead of the night?”Tiffany pouted. “Can’t you listen to me? I’ve suddenly remembered that the plant from Alejandro is with my mom. I want to throw it away! If my mom finds out that that plant was a gift from Ethan, she’d grind it to mulch, let alone water it and fertilize it every day!”Jackson immediately understood. “Yes, yes, you should get rid of it.”They drove over to Lillian’s, who was surprised when she saw them. Of course, she was happy too. “What are you two doing here? You should have said something. Have you eaten?”Tiffany couldn’t be bothered to chat with Lillian. She strode towards the balcony in the bedroom and searched for the potted plant.Jackson was left with no choice but to deal with Lillian. “Uh… We’ve eaten. Tiffie just wanted to grab something, that’s why we’re here.”Lillian could tell that they were only here
Jackson felt uneasy. “I think… You should just throw it away. There’s no need to give it back to him. Tiffie… Are you okay?”Tiffany smiled at him. “What do you think? When have I not been okay? What are you so worried about? I’m an unkillable cockroach. I provoked Ethan on my own. Otherwise I wouldn’t have ended up ruined and homeless. I caused it. I can’t keep running away and relying on all of you. I’m not scared. Regardless of how scary Ethan is, we were together for three years. He’s human too, not the devil. Although, everything he’s done is scarier than the devil…”Jackson reached out and soothingly stroked her head. “Okay, let’s go home.”Tiffany thought that she was being strong enough, but she lost in her dreams.She was plagued with nightmares that night and was startled awake a few times. As a result, Jackson couldn’t get a good night’s sleep either.It was daybreak, but she couldn’t go back to sleep at all. She curled up in Jackson’s arms, sobbing. “I dreamt of my dad
Her abnormal behavior made Jackson’s heart thump. “Tiffie… Are you alright? You don’t have to act tough. If you want to cry, just do it. You’ll feel much better after that.”Tiffany rolled her eyes at him. “Why would I cry? Just because Ethan’s back and he’s deliberately trying to get close to me means I’m going to burst into tears? I’m not a three year old. Don’t underestimate me. I’d feel pressured, or at most, a little stressed. Don’t worry, it’s fine. Try my cooking today.”Jackson didn’t believe her. Her abnormal behavior was an example of her current mental state. He couldn’t help repressing his emotions too.He washed his hands and headed to the dinner table. He looked at the considerably sumptuous variety of dishes, but wasn’t in the mood to eat. “Why? Are you ignoring my food?” Tiffany asked, feeling upset. “I rarely ever cook and you’re ignoring me? You won’t ever get another chance.”He scooped a helping of salad into his mouth with a bitter smile on his face. Only the
Don Smith’s eyes filled with yearning as he stared out at the warm afternoon sun outside the window. “Ale… I’d like to go outside and enjoy the sun.”Alejandro didn’t answer. He got up and carried Don Smith onto his wheelchair. Unbeknownst to him, he moved very carefully and gently, afraid that the frail old man would get hurt somehow.They arrived at the courtyard outside. The temperature was just right, with a slight breeze in the air. There was the pleasant fragrance of green grass and earth too. A smile hung on the corners of Don Smith’s lips, a long-forgotten sight. “Ale, is this our first time enjoying the sun in peace?”Alejandro nodded. “Mm, it’s the first time.”The old man’s ruddy eyes lit up with a smile. “That’s right… It’s the first time… Maybe the last time too.”Alejandro frowned. “If you want, I can take you out here whenever you want. What do you mean, ‘last time’? You’re talking as if you’re about to breathe your last at any moment. You’re so good at tormenting,
Alejandro stood calmly in the doorway. “I haven’t done anything to her,” he replied insipidly. “She was still around this morning. This is Ayashe. Even if I wanted something to happen to her, would the Larks agree? I’ve already got my hands full with you. How could I possibly have the time to do anything to her? I won’t be responsible for you getting a stroke.”Don Smith finally calmed down when he realized that Alejandro was telling the truth. He stopped flinging everything in the room. “Find her! I’ve called Lark Mansion. She’s not there!”Alejandro had the staff clean up Don Smith’s bedroom, then headed to the courtyard. Jett tagged along and said, “Don Smith’s abnormal temper is expected in his current condition. Please, don’t mind him, sir.”Alejandro lit a cigarette. “Find Melanie. See where she’s gone off to. As long as she’s not around, the old man would think that I’ve done something to her. Once you’ve found her, tell her to come home and watch over the old man until he cl
Alejandro suddenly moved forwards and held up her chin. He spoke in a very cold tone, “If I hadn’t wanted you to give birth, this child would’ve been long gone instead of being kept till now. You’ve never believed me and have always had your guard up against me, thinking that I would get rid of you and your child the moment the old man died. How absurd!”Melanie was in so much pain, tears filled up her eyes. She was slightly startled as well. Could she have overthought it? She was uncertain of how things would turn out but did not dare put both her and her child’s life on the line. If she lost, the child would be gone for sure.Alejandro impatiently released his grip when he saw Melanie’s tearful look. “Don't you dare cause me any more f*cking trouble! Come home with me at once!”As Melanie lowered her head, her tears fell from her eyes and stained the white quilt. “I won’t go back with you. I have all the more reason to do this since you already think that way. This is grandpa’s on