"People change, Ian," Sage said. "I used to put your safety above my own, and seeing you hurt me more than seeing myself hurt. "But I'm more concerned about my own well-being now, and I just don't dare to jump in front of danger for you anymore. So please don't attempt to test me like this again."She clearly warned Ian when the scrawny man whipped out his switchblade. Ian could've dodged it, but he still ended up getting injured. Sage figured that he was testing her based on his reaction after being injured and the words he had just said. "What you're doing is pointless," she said. Ian's chest felt stuffy when he looked at her stoic face and unwavering eyes. He hadn't dodged the man's attack on purpose because he wanted to see if Sage would grow anxious and rush over to him like she did in the past.Of course, he wouldn't let anything happen to Sage. He would've pushed her away if she had come running. He just wanted to know if he still mattered to her. However, Sage didn'
Sage was so tired that, initially, she decided to ignore the sensation. But then it hit her—she wasn't sleeping in her hotel bed! She jolted awake, and she realized she was still seated in the chair in the ward. However, she had slumped over near the edge of Ian's hospital bed due to fatigue. Sage sat up straight. The IV hooked to Ian's right hand had been removed at some point, and he was resting with his eyes closed in the same position as before. His breathing was labored, and his brows were knitted as if the pain from his injury was causing him discomfort. Sage touched her cheeks and lips but felt nothing out of the ordinary. There was a pull-out bed in the ward. She was so exhausted that she crawled into it and went back to sleep. She didn't notice that Ian had turned his gaze to the adjacent bed after she fell asleep. His dark eyes burned with an undiminished desire. …When she awoke again, she heard Terry's soft voice from the corridor outside. Ian was nowhere to be
Delilah had caused her a lot of trouble. Sage couldn't believe that she would hire people to kidnap her this time. She wanted to confront Delilah and get to the bottom of this. Terry glanced at Ian and then nodded. "Of course, Mrs. Holcomb. You're the victim after all. You have the right to know the whole story."Sage responded, "Let's go then.""I'll come with you." Ian rose from the bed.Sage refused. "No way. Your injury hasn't healed yet. Just stay put.""Are you worried that you'll have to take care of me for a few more days if my condition worsens?" he asked with a sneer.She did have that thought in mind and was a bit embarrassed to be called out on it. "This doesn't concern you. There's no need for you to come with me."Ian pointed to his wound and said, "I'm also one of the victims. Why wouldn't I need to go?"That was true. Sage couldn't argue with that logic. She picked up his jacket and was about to leave when a phone rang inside the ward. The unfamiliar ringtone m
"I'll shut up, then," she brooded. Sage responded, "I'm just worried that you'll overwork yourself and blame it on me." Ian was rendered speechless.…The group arrived at the police station. Someone must've heard Ian was coming because a senior police officer came out to greet him. He and Ian exchanged pleasantries in the hall while Sage gave her statement. On her way out, she spotted Delilah in the room across the corridor looking defiant. "I refuse to answer any of your questions until my lawyer arrives! Y'all can forget about tricking me into confessing!"After she said that, she spotted Sage and stormed over, her face contorted in rage. "Sage Joyner, how dare you show your face here you wretch! All I ever asked you to do was buy me a few things and lend me your clothes. Did you really have to go to such lengths to ruin me?"Sage found the whole situation ridiculous. "Have you lost your mind, Delilah Stromberg? You're the one who's been out to get me! "Not only did you co
"Even though you used a different number to contact them and didn't meet them in person to pay them, the police have gotten the location of where the cash was handed over to them." Sage continued, "Wearing a mask and a hat was a pretty weak attempt to hide. The police have experts who can identify you through various methods. You won't be able to get away from this!"She had learned all of this from Terry. It was just a matter of time before the police came to a definitive conclusion. Delilah wouldn't be able to turn the tables on her then. It was a done deal.Sure enough, the blood drained from Delilah's face when she heard that. "I have no idea what you're on about! Don't you dare accuse me without proof!" she insisted. "If you come clean now, you might get a lighter sentence, Ms. Stromberg. But if you keep denying it, I'm afraid you may spend the rest of your life behind bars," Terry chimed in. Delilah was aware that Terry wasn't bluffing. If Ian decided to press charges, sh
Yet, Delilah kept putting her in a tough spot. She brought her to those women and made her listen to their mocking remarks at Holcomb Corporation's banquet. In an attempt to plot against her family, Delilah couldn't get to her and her grandfather, so she turned around and approached her aunt instead. Was all of that scheming and plotting just to support Ivy?"Have I not been good to you, Delilah? Why would you team up with Ivy to frame me?" Sage asked calmly. "We've been best friends for almost a decade. Doesn't that outweigh what Ivy has offered you?"Delilah's trembling body stiffened when she heard that. She hastily glanced at Ian before exclaiming in disbelief, "What are you on about, Sage? When did I team up with Ivy to conspire against you? What payoff are you blabbering about? "I know Ivy has had her eyes on Ian, and I've always been on your side. I've even confronted her a few times. She probably hates me for it, so why would she ever offer me anything?"Ian's expression
Ian glanced at Sage when he heard that. She seemed unfazed as if Delilah's words didn't bother her at all. "Ivy bribed you to ruin Sage and her family?" Ian asked Delilah. Delilah looked at him and denied, "I did all of those because I hate Sage. It's got nothing to do with anyone else.""Do you even hear yourself, Delilah?" Sage continued, "If you hate me that much, why did you confront Ivy on my behalf and cause a scene with her right in front of Ian?""Because I know Ian would hate you if I did that!" Delilah spat out. "Why don't you just chase after him like a sad little puppy? If you kept failing, I'd take pity on you and be your friend. But why did you get so lucky to get married to Ian?"Ian's such a great catch. How could you be with him? Lady Luck always seemed to be on your side. You were always better than me. You were even further out of my reach when you became Mrs. Holcomb. My dad kept chastising me for being useless. He said I couldn't even hold a candle to you!"
"Yes, I did." Sage was about to tell Delilah to shut up when Ian spoke up.His words caught her off guard for a moment. Instinctively, she turned to look at him. His expression was calm, and his deep, dark eyes were unreadable. "I've never fallen for a woman before, and I didn't know what being in love feels like. But I've never thought about marrying someone before meeting her."Even though Sage was aware that Ian was probably just attempting to stand up for her, her chest still felt a little stuffy."That's easy for you to say." Delilah looked at Sage with a hint of mockery in her eyes. "Look at that. You've managed to overcome the only setback you've ever faced in your life. Why does luck always seem to be on your side, Sage?"Sage didn't entertain her question. Instead, she said, "Let's not stray from the subject, Delilah. You're obviously working with Ivy. Why won't you admit it?"Delilah reverted to her previous demeanor. "I have no idea what you're on about. I hired those