Of All Sorrows, Love Is the Deepest

Nicholas Shaffer stayed silent for a long time, so long that Karina Fleming dug her nails into her palm, drawing faint traces of blood."No," he finally said, his voice low and firm. "Never."Rowena Fleming's tears instantly gave way to a radiant smile, and she rose on her toes to kiss his lips. Nicholas' hand hovered in the air for a moment before slowly settling at her waist as he deepened the kiss.Standing not far away, Karina felt as though her world had shattered in that instant.If Nicholas had never forgotten Rowena, then what did that make Karina?A harsh blare of car horns snapped Karina back to reality. Trembling, she turned her head and saw three black Maybachs parked by the roadside. The three Fleming brothers, dressed in crisp suits, stepped out of the vehicles."All done with the marriage license?" one of them asked. "We've already booked a restaurant to celebrate."Karina's entire body shook.These were the same brothers who had personally made her breakfast jus

By the time Karina woke up again, it was already the next day. She slowly opened her eyes, the sharp scent of disinfectant filling her nose."Ms. Karina, you're finally awake!" Molly, her eyes swollen and red, rushed to the bedside. Her rough hands grasped Karina's cold fingers. "You scared me half to death!""H-How did I survive?" Karina asked hoarsely.Fresh tears welled up in Molly's eyes. "A kind-hearted doctor couldn't bear to see you suffer anymore, so he secretly gave you the antidote. He said if he had been just ten minutes later, you wouldn't have made it."Her voice grew more choked with emotion as she continued, "I went to beg Mr. Clarence to save you. I told him you really were bitten by a venomous snake, but he insisted you were faking it. Mr. Irving refused to even see me, while Mr. Luther said you brought it on yourself."Molly wiped away her tears, her voice growing increasingly shaky. "Mr. Shaffer was the worst of all! I knelt and begged him to come see you, but h

The four men were still anxiously checking if Rowena was hurt. A small patch on her arm was red from the burn."Rowena, are you alright?""Let me take a look!""It's a little red. Quick, get the ointment!"In the end, it was a passing crew member who noticed Karina. He rushed over in a panic and swiftly put out the flames on her dress with a fire extinguisher."Ms. Fleming, hang in there!" the crew member shouted in alarm.Through blurred vision, Karina saw the four men hurrying toward the cabin with Rowena in their arms. They didn't spare her a single glance at all.By the time she was carried back to her room, she was in too much pain to speak.Large areas of her skin were burned, and even the slightest movement caused bloody fluid to seep out. The crew member hurried off to find a doctor, leaving her alone in the room.Her phone suddenly vibrated."Ms. Fleming, the uninhabited island you purchased requires some additional documents.""I'll send them to you right now," Kar

When Karina opened her eyes, she found herself in a hospital bed. The sharp scent of disinfectant filled her nose, and the steady beep of a heart monitor echoed in the room.A nurse pushed the door open and entered. "You're awake? You were badly injured—three broken ribs. You'll need a family member to take care of you, so give them a call."The nurse handed her a phone, and Karina took it with trembling hands.On the screen were dozens of unread messages, all from Rowena."Nicholas peeled an apple for me himself. It tasted so sweet.""Clarence bought me a new dress. He says I look best in white.""Irving and Luther stayed with me all day for my check-ups. They're so worried about me.""It's been two days now, and at the slightest mention of a headache, they all fuss over me. No one even asked where you were.""A thief is always a thief, and stolen love has to be returned sooner or later. Karina, I pity you. Not a single person truly loves you. If I were you, I'd have killed my

"Rowena, do you feel uncomfortable anywhere else?"The moment they saw Rowena wake up, everyone crowded around her, their eyes filled with worry.Clarence spoke first. "Don't ever do anything so dangerous again. You will always be our sister."At this, Rowena's eyes reddened perfectly on cue—her expression filled with hurt.She clung to Nicholas, who stood closest to her. "I was just so afraid you'd abandon me. I know what I did back then was wrong, but—"She lowered her head, letting out a couple of choked sobs. Her reaction tugged at the heartstrings of everyone present."Rowena, there's no need to be afraid," Clarence said dotingly. "What happened in the past is water under the bridge. We'll take good care of you." The other two Fleming brothers nodded.Nicholas looked at her, an uneasy feeling suddenly rising in his chest. It was as though he had lost something forever.Rowena met his eyes and asked softly, "Nicholas, are you still angry at me?""No. Don't overthink it.