LOGIN"But…" Evelyn scrunched up the tablecloth. "I saw bloodstains on your bandages in the morning."Amelia was quietly cleaning up as well, but paused when she heard Evelyn's words.Christopher put the napkins down and stretched out his uninjured left hand. He hesitated for a moment before gently touching Evelyn's head.Her hair was very soft like silk. "It's not bleeding anymore. Don't worry, Evie."His fingers were coarse and calloused. When his fingers touched her head, Evelyn shrunk back a little but didn't avoid his touch.This was the first in a long, long time since her dad touched her.She looked up shyly at him and realized that his lips weren't as tense as before. The look in his eyes was a lot kinder as well.She gathered up the courage to offer him a piece of pumpkin from her bowl. "This is very sweet. Try it."Christopher looked at the pumpkin and then at Evelyn's bright eyes, his heart clenching and aching amidst the warmth filling his heart.He nodded and took the p
Amelia looked at Christopher and took a deep breath.She put the files down and said, "You really should listen to the doctor."He should be resting.Christopher turned around, his eyes as dark as ink. He stared at her for a few seconds and said, "Are you concerned for me?"Amelia's brows furrowed. "Right now, I just hope that you won't die too early."There were still many unknowns that she needed him to explain.Christopher's eyes were dark as he said calmly, "My condition isn't terminal. I'm just doing some work. I won't die from it."Amelia's gaze landed on his right arm that kept getting injured."But your wound can't keep opening," she said matter-of-factly. "You need to be hospitalized if it gets infected, and it'll only get worse if you drag things out."Christopher didn't refute her words but simply looked quietly at her.Just then, footsteps sounded from the staircase. It was Evelyn, standing outside the door. "Mom, I'm hungry."Her voice was soft and tender, sou
Amelia suddenly felt drawn toward the room next to the living room that was always locked.She hesitated for a moment before pushing the door open and walking in.The room wasn't huge, but it was very neatly kept.There was a bookshelf leaning against the wall. Instead of books, many little trinkets were on display: a chipped ceramic bunny that she won from an arcade in her university days. She accidentally dropped it and she forgot where she threw it.A yellowed notebook filled with her doodles. There was a doodle of two little people, labelled Mr. Zephyr and Mrs. Zephyr.She saw an old photo frame with a photo of herself. Her hair was up in a ponytail and she was wearing a white shirt, smiling and revealing her teeth. That photo was taken when they first got to know each other…Amelia's breath caught in her lungs.She took a few steps forward and realized that the room was filled with traces of her.The top layer of the bookshelf was filled with the gifts she received every y
The funeral was supposed to be this weekend, but the fire had clearly ruined their plans."We'll hold it as planned," Christopher said, his voice low and tinged with fatigue. "Grandma cared very much about these things while she was around. We can't let her go like this."Amelia fell silent for a few seconds and said, "I want to be there."Christopher stared at her for a long time.The warm sunlight landed on her face and he could see the mixed emotions in her eyes. There was hesitation, emotional struggle, and a tenderness that he couldn't quite understand.He suddenly felt that perhaps Jessica wasn't entirely wrong. He nodded and said gently, "Okay. I'll make arrangements."He would have his assistant ensure that everything was in place so that all those ridiculous people and things wouldn't bother Amelia.Amelia nodded before turning around to prepare something for Christopher to eat.Suddenly, he grabbed her wrist. His hand felt cold and his fingers felt calloused. He didn'
Amelia sat on the chair by the window, her side profile obscured by the dark, unlit room.There was an open book in her hands, but she wasn't reading it. Her fingertip rested on a page. She was looking at Christopher, quiet like a portrait.Christopher's breath caught in his throat.He moved his fingers, recalling how he had collapsed. He thought he wouldn't see her when he woke up.The last time, she accused him of pretending.But…What was she doing here now?His Adam's apple bobbed; he was about to speak when Amelia beat him to it. She shut her book and stood up very quietly, as though afraid of interrupting something.She walked to his bedside and looked down at his pale face, saying rather flatly, "Are you hungry? Want something to eat?"Christopher arched a brow.He was indeed hungry.His stomach was empty and he was still dealing with some pain. Compared to his physical needs, however, he cared more about what Amelia was thinking right now.She didn't question him or
Amelia was thunderstruck by Jessica's words, her blood freezing in her veins.She stood rooted to the ground, her eyes widening as she stared hard at Jessica. Her lips moved, but she couldn't say a word.The questioning look in her eyes gave way to disbelief and fear. She felt someone grip her heart, making even breathing painful.All those details she had neglected…The silence he fell into when they were alone, the sighs she heard in the deep of the night, the cold indifference and lack of emotions he displayed… She had overlooked them all.All those memories turned into shards of ice, piercing through her mind.He wasn't an emotionless robot."No… Impossible…" she finally managed to squeeze out. Her voice trembled and her fingertips turned icy. "He… He looks so…"She couldn't bring herself to complete the sentence; she felt something stuck in her throat.All those recklessness and narrow escapes from death had not been by chance.He wasn't risking his life. He was struggli
Edmund admired Amelia's humble, grounded nature."Alright. I'll wait for you. If you run into any difficulties, don't hesitate to tell me."Jasper saw that they were getting along well, so he stepped outside to take a call. He had just hung up when he ran into Nicole.It wasn't a coincidence. She
Nicole froze at Christopher's actions, then she turned and saw Amelia standing there in the living room.Seeing her "husband" so intimately close with another woman, Amelia had no idea what to make of her own feelings. Her chest felt tight, and her throat constricted. She wanted to say something, b
Nicole's mind went completely blank. Without a second thought, she lunged forward, putting herself in front of Amelia and Evelyn. The bullet scraped violently along her arm.Amelia's first instinct was to shield Evelyn. A sharp, searing pain shot through her wrist. When she looked up, she saw Nic
Winona watched Amelia with a twinge of pity.After all these years in the Zephyr family, Amelia knew exactly how power worked. She understood its weight and its reach. She also understood Christopher's true nature, but she had never fully accepted that he didn't love her. She had always held onto h







