로그인After observing for some time, Jamie realized that Sharon had a remarkable way of caring for people. She wasn't a professional caregiver, but she anticipated Thomas's needs with an almost uncanny precision. Thomas rarely had to ask—she would already have everything ready.At first, Jamie had been skeptical. Could such small attentions really win over someone as ruthless as Thomas? Sharon was capable of captivating so many men… maybe she had a way with them, a subtle skill for seduction.Yet after days of watching, he had seen nothing even remotely flirtatious between them. Whenever Sharon was occupied, she either relied on Liam or Doug, or let the nurses handle things. The closest to intimacy was a few days where she had fed Thomas herself.Jamie's curiosity deepened. Could a simple act like feeding him really make Thomas so devoted?Beyond that, Sharon often cooked for him, preparing meals and medicinal dishes suited to his needs. Thomas ate with evident enjoyment each time.Ja
Sharon gradually spread the colors of the sky across the canvas, letting the horizon bleed into a single, unified red. She continued painting the evening sky from the day Thomas had woken—a brilliant, fiery sunset.…In the distance, Jamie lowered his binoculars.Sharon had been painting for over two hours. Through it all, Thomas had watched, not once feeling bored or restless.Because Sharon painted toward the window, Jamie couldn't see exactly what she was creating. He let out a quiet, mocking laugh. "So pretentious," he muttered.Then he turned and noticed the painting Victoria had given him, displayed on the table. He had no desire to look at it now. Instead, a strange pull made him want to see MK's work.He picked up his phone and called his assistant. "When can MK's painting be delivered?"The assistant hesitated a moment. "Sir, MK only agreed recently. If they are painting it now… it will still take some time."Jamie realized it had been less than a week since MK had p
Sharon said, "Exactly. Claire's father wanted her to weasel her way into the Kalen family, ideally to marry in, so he orchestrated her and Silas's involvement."Claire Winter—the central figure in this whole affair—was undeniably shaped by her family's designs. In a sense, Silas wasn't entirely at fault. After all, many of the moves that followed were planned by her own family.The tragedy was, they had still underestimated the Kalen family's power and connections. The matter ultimately fizzled out, unresolved.Sharon had investigated and discovered that after being forced onto the operating table for an abortion, Claire had sustained injuries that might make it difficult for her to conceive in the future. She had been treated like a pawn, pushed and pulled, and in the end, only she bore the cost. Claire hated Silas and her own family for it.That was why Claire had chosen to escalate things. Her aim was not just revenge against Silas, but a reckoning with her own family as well.
Sharon thought of the injustices she had endured with Kelly. Carter had always leaned on her sense of debt to make her yield, to force her into endless compromise. She understood that feeling all too well. That was why she had promised herself she would never become another Carter.Yet Thomas's words left her unsettled."You don't feel wronged?" she asked.He smiled softly. "Sharon, I don't feel wronged at all. If I can use myself to repay all your debts, so that you owe nothing to anyone, I will do it gladly."Her pupils quivered slightly. "Thomas, you really shouldn't have to bear this for me."He shook his head gently. "True concession, real sacrifice, is only suffering when given to someone unworthy. If someone is worthy, even giving your life feels sweet."Then he added, "Sharon, from now on, you will owe Julliard nothing. Do you understand?"Heat rose in her eyes; her throat felt tight. Julliard had been good to her, and he had helped her in so many ways. But to repay hi
After speaking, Sharon didn't wait for Carter to respond. She simply turned and walked out of the room.She had once treated Theo as her entire world, but in doing so, she had lost herself and gained nothing. Love had become a prison, and she had trapped herself within its narrow walls. Every hope, every ounce of meaning, she had placed entirely on Theo.But the small child could not bear such weight. He felt burdened, suffocated, struggling to breathe.From the moment a child is born, the distance between parent and child begins to grow. It is never that the child cannot live without the mother—it is the mother who cannot let go.Stepping outside, Sharon began to understand this truth with a quiet, aching clarity.…Sharon paused at the door of Thomas's ward, about to knock, when she heard voices inside.Liam was speaking. "There was a problem with Julliard's music box. There was a listening device inside, but the mechanism was sophisticated and included a self-destruct functio
From Theo's trembling voice, Sharon and Carter learned exactly what had happened.Sharon's heart ached even more for Thomas. She could feel, deep down, the depth of his sacrifice and suffering.Carter stayed silent, too. No matter how little he might have liked Thomas, he couldn't deny the enormity of what Thomas had endured.Theo, crying as he spoke, finally asked hesitantly, "Mom… I heard Thomas woke up. Can I go see him?"Sharon nodded gently. "In a few days, after Thomas recovers a little more, I'll take you to see him. But for now, Theo, I need to talk to your father. Go rest for a while."Obediently, Theo left the room.Once the boy was gone, Sharon turned to Carter. "Have you been in touch with Julliard recently?"Carter shook his head slightly. "I tried, but couldn't reach him. I don't even know if he's back in Zachemaine."Sharon's brow furrowed.Noticing her expression, Carter asked, "Sharon… did you know him before you knew me?"A flicker of realization crossed Sha






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