A Heart Imprisoned by Compassion

“I’ll add another $5 million to your compensation. Give Alma the mansion.“She got into a car accident overseas. She’ll spend the rest of her life in a wheelchair. Just treat it as an act of charity toward someone disabled.”Wayne’s words, which were so casually spoken, nearly drove me insane.“Absolutely not! That house was my mother’s dowry!“Her mother was nothing more than a household maid back then. That maid climbed into my father’s bed while my mother was pregnant with me. Later, she shamelessly strutted around in front of my mother, showing off her belly. My mother went into premature labor from the shock and hemorrhaged badly. She died shortly after giving birth to me.“If I’m supposed to pity her, who will pity my mother and me?!”As I raged and cried out at him, Wayne removed his gold-rimmed glasses and rubbed the bridge of his nose. Then, he shot me an impatient look.“Jocelyn, stop making a scene. I’ll add another $20 million. That’s more than enough for you to buy

I did not withdraw the lawsuit. The court hearing went on as scheduled.However, with the transfer agreement in hand, Wayne had no trouble helping Alma win the case.When the hearing ended, Wayne stopped me.He asked tentatively when he saw the cold expression on my face, “Didn’t I tell you to drop the case? Are you still mad?“It’s not that I’m playing favorites. Alma was my junior in high school when I studied abroad. We were close. I can’t help but feel sorry for her, seeing her like this now. That’s why I…“There’s a new waterfront development I checked out. Its location and environment are even better than the old house. I’ll buy two units and give them to you. We can go take a look later. Consider it your compensation. I already promised you that from now on I’ll…”Wayne had yet to finish his sentence.Persistent as ever, Alma approached in her electric wheelchair and interrupted, “Jocelyn, I was just about to look for you!“Wayne said he was worried I’d be bullied after

Wayne frowned. The hint of irritation on his face was impossible to hide as he shot back, “Trending?“It must be Jocelyn again. Nearly drowning Alma wasn't enough for her. Now she wants to make a spectacle of it.“How far does she plan to push Alma before she’s satisfied?”The assistant did not dare to say another word.He could only offer a cautious reminder.“Mr. Stone, maybe you should take a look first. There might be more to this than it seems.”Then, he tapped open the surveillance video trending online and handed the phone over.Wayne pressed his fingers to his temple, glancing at the screen with obvious disdain.“What ‘more’ could there possibly be?“Don’t tell me I hurt…”His words were cut off abruptly.The video unfolded in a way completely different from what Wayne had imagined.On the screen, Alma, who was supposedly paralyzed, rose to her feet.She looked at Jocelyn with open arrogance, taunting her.Then, she stepped onto the railing herself and leapt into

Wayne felt as though a knife were carving straight into his heart.He refused to believe it.An act?If it was all an act, then what had he done these past months for Alma?He had taken from me the one thing my mother had left behind.He allowed Alma to hurt BunBun to the point of death.He even sided with Alma without question, pinning me down in the pond and nearly drowning me.Wayne did not dare to think any further. Fear crept in, inch by inch, swallowing his heart whole. He could not help but cover his face and sob quietly, only realizing what had truly happened later.It seemed that he was truly going to lose her.His voice broke as he asked, “Have you found Jocelyn?”The assistant hesitated for a moment.“Miss Peay was last seen at the North City Airport. The airline confirmed it was an international flight. As for whether she transferred afterward or her final destination…“We’ve completely lost track of her.”After landing, I did not stay in San Francino.I heade