Lahat ng Kabanata ng Kicking Him to the Curb: Kabanata 331 - Kabanata 340

Aspen sat by the bedside, quietly peeling an apple as a gloomy atmosphere filled the room. Suddenly, the hospital room door opened, and Lucille walked in."Mrs. Schmidt, what brings you here?" Aspen asked with surprise, quickly standing to greet her."I came to see Aren," Lucille replied, her gaze falling on Aren. "How are you doing? Are your injuries serious?""Thank you for your concern, Mrs. Schmidt, but I'm fine," Aren said with a forced smile. "How can you be fine when you're so badly injured? What exactly happened? How did you end up in a car accident out of nowhere?" Lucille sighed. "Aren, did you offend someone?" she added, her tone slightly probing."Mrs. Schmidt, we actually suspect—" Aspen was about to conceal her suspicion, since they had no concrete evidence.However, Aren interrupted her and stated, "We suspect Colin is behind this."His tone was calm, but his gaze was unusually determined."What?" Aspen looked at Aren with astonishment, not expecting him to be

"Aren? What about him?" Gwyneth asked, her voice tinged with confusion.Aspen said, "He's hurt, and it's bad. The doctors said his condition is serious. He might not make it."Gwyneth blinked in disbelief. "What? That can't be. He was totally fine the last time I saw him."Aspen replied, "Someone tried to hurt him. Ms. Sanders, ever since the day we met Zac, it seems like he's completely vanished, hasn't he?""Watch what you're saying," Gwyneth growled, her tone darkening but still composed. "Are you accusing Zac?""You know exactly what I'm talking about. Ms. Sanders, I need you to tell me the truth," Aspen said calmly."I have no idea what you're referring to. Zac would never do something like that," Gwyneth retorted."Wouldn't he?" Aspen gave a faint, knowing smile. She added coldly, "Ms. Sanders, Aren was injured because he saved me. If it weren't for him, I'd probably be dead right now.""Ms. Nicholls, what are you trying to say?" Gwyneth's eyes flickered, and she fought t

Aspen's tears rolled down her cheeks, striking Colin's chest with a heat that seared through his composure. She grabbed his shirt collar tightly, the veins on the back of her hands visibly bulging."You bastard!" Aspen's voice was hoarse and cracked, every word torn from her throat. "What gives you the right to even say Sophie's name? What right do you have?"She yelled, "When she was alive, did you ever act like her father for even a single day? Did you ever care? Did you ever buy her a toy? Celebrate even one birthday with her?" Aspen broke down completely, sobbing as she pounded her fists against Colin's chest. "You say you loved her—then where was that love? Was it love to dump her on me and disappear? Was it love to watch her suffer through her illness while you acted like it wasn't your problem?"She became more and more agitated as she spoke. Her voice rose with each word as the tears poured harder. Colin's face went pale, then flushed, only to pale again. He opened hi

At the villa, Colin gently laid Gwyneth down on the bed and tucked the blanket around her. He stood there for a moment, watching her peaceful expression, and a rare softness flickered in his eyes. He leaned down and kissed her lightly on the forehead, then tiptoed out of the bedroom.In the living room, the warm amber light spilled quietly across the floor, cloaking the space in silence. Colin sank into the couch with a heavy sigh, his fingers brushing the side of his face where Aspen had slapped him. He closed his eyes, and Aspen's words from earlier came rushing back, each one slicing through his mind like glass."What gives you the right to even say Sophie's name? What right do you have?""You say you loved her—then where was that love?""You're selfish, Colin. You've only ever loved yourself. You never understood what love even meant." Her voice echoed relentlessly in his head, refusing to fade. He found himself wondering if he had ever truly known Aspen.How did the so

Aspen stood at the hospital entrance, watching as Aren was wheeled out by a nurse. Although his face was still somewhat pale, his spirits seemed much improved."Aren, let's go," Aspen said gently, stepping forward and taking the medications from the nurse. "Pen, what's this about..." Aren looked at Aspen, hesitating to finish his thought. "I rented a unit near your place to make it easier to take care of you," Aspen explained, her tone calm. "You didn't have to do that, I—" Aren felt a warmth spreading through him, surprised that Aspen would do so much for him."Aren, don't say anything else. You got injured saving me, so it's only right that I take care of you," Aspen interrupted him.She added, "Let's go."...Aspen pushed Aren's wheelchair to her newly rented apartment. It was a two-bedroom place that, while not large, was clean and cozy. As she helped unpack his belongings, she said, "Aren, you can stay here for now. Just let me know if you need anything.""Pen, thank