The phone landed heavily beside Mona, its impact echoing in the room. Julian’s face was dark with fury. “I suppose your purpose for coming here was to tear me and Aurora apart,” he said coldly. “Even though today’s unforeseen events forced you to act impulsively, you didn’t have enough time to plan it thoroughly. Mona, if you truly love Asher, you should focus on giving him happiness.”
Mona clenched her fists, her eyes glistening with suppressed emotion. “If I could give him happiness, I would have done it long ago. Do you think I need to wait until now?” Her voice cracked as she continued, “Julian, you effortlessly won Aurora’s love. But for the past three years, during Aurora’s most difficult times, it was Asher who protected her. Without him, she would’ve perished long ago. His heart belongs to her and only her. Since the day Aurora left, Asher has been drowning himself in work during the day and alcohol at night. He’s falling apart.”
Mona’s voice trembled as she confessed, “I’ve wanted to be with him, but his heart is locked on Aurora. No one can get close to him. What can I do? What else can I do?”
Julian’s gaze burned with intensity as he retorted, “Do you think your schemes will bring Aurora back to him? Your actions won’t help them-they’ll destroy them. Let’s say, for argument’s sake, that your plan succeeds. Aurora, heartbroken and vulnerable, might return to Asher. But after everything she’s endured, do you really think she’ll let him into her heart? For three years, Asher couldn’t break through her walls. Another blow like this will only make her heart harder, more impenetrable. If he truly loves her, he’ll grieve even more deeply than she does.”
Julian took a step closer, his voice firm yet laced with emotion. “If you love Asher, you should respect his choices. Only I can give Aurora the happiness she deserves. And when Aurora is happy, Asher will find his own happiness. You said I effortlessly won Aurora’s love? You couldn’t be more wrong. You don’t understand-I’ve been protecting her for fifteen years. I love her more than you could ever imagine. Perhaps it’s the same way you feel about Asher. You have someone you love, and I have someone I must protect. If you truly love him, you should think about his happiness instead of tearing it apart.”
Julian’s words grew sharper, cutting through Mona’s defenses. “Even if Asher knew what you’re doing, he would never thank you. He’s a man of integrity and would never stoop to such disgraceful behavior. What you’ve done is laughable and shameful.”
Julian rarely spoke so openly, especially to strangers. Perhaps it was Mona’s earlier admission of her purity that softened him slightly. In today’s world, women of her age who remained untouched were often those with strong principles. Her willingness to sacrifice so much for the man she loved made her pitiable in his eyes. Unlike Susan, Mona’s actions came from a place of selflessness, a desire to see the man she loved happy, no matter how much she suffered.
“He would never want me like this,” Mona murmured to herself, her voice barely audible.
Julian stepped toward the door, his tone cold once more. “I’ll pretend today never happened, considering you acted out of love for Asher. I won’t hold this against you. But if there’s a next time, I’ll repay you twice over. As for Aurora, I won’t tell her about this. I suggest you reflect on your actions.”
The door slammed shut behind him with a heavy thud. Mona sat motionless for a moment before picking up her clothes from the floor.
Aurora had rushed back to the Montgomery family estate because of an unexpected visitor. Although Genevieve and Ivy had narrowly escaped a previous predicament and found temporary refuge, a new crisis had emerged-Zachary was about to be sued by the Blake family for intentional assault.
If the matter could be settled privately, it would have been far simpler, likely involving financial compensation. But now things were spiraling out of control. When Ivy finally fell asleep, Genevieve quietly grabbed a basket of fruit and headed to the hospital. She needed to resolve the issue before the Blake family filed charges against Zachary. She knew the risks of going there, but Zachary was her only son. If he ended up in prison, his life would be ruined. She couldn’t let her mistakes destroy his future.
Dragging her aching, exhausted body, Genevieve made her way to the hospital. Paul, who had just stepped outside for a cigarette, was shocked to see her.
“What are you doing here? Are you insane?” Paul’s voice was filled with disbelief. He had never imagined that a woman as selfish and cowardly as Genevieve would willingly walk into such danger.
Genevieve brushed his hand aside. “I’m here to get Zach out.”
“I told you I’d handle it. You shouldn’t be here. Leave now, before they find you,” Paul urged, waving her away.
“I know you can’t fix this. The more you plead, the worse things will get for Zach. That woman loves you deeply. The depth of her love is equal to the depth of her hatred for me-and for Zach. This mess is my fault. I won’t let Zach’s future be destroyed because of me,” Genevieve said, stepping past him.
Paul’s voice rang out behind her. “Do you understand what will happen to you if you go in there?”
“I do,” she replied without hesitation, her steps steady as she headed toward the ward.
Zachary’s impulsive act of stabbing Kimberly hadn’t hit her heart, but it had caused massive blood loss, nearly costing her life. Years ago, Kimberly had suffered severe hemorrhaging during childbirth, leaving her body fragile. This latest incident had pushed her to the brink of death. She had only just been pulled back from the edge when Genevieve entered the room.
Seeing her, Kimberly’s pale face flushed with anger. “You… you still have the nerve to come here?”
Genevieve’s presence ignited the fury of the entire Blake family. Mr. Blake, a man in his seventies, could barely contain his rage. “You and that son of yours have caused us so much pain! You deserve to die for this!”
The Blake family’s hostility was palpable. Genevieve gritted her teeth, her face filled with remorse. “I’m sorry. My son hurt your daughter. I’m deeply sorry.”
“You think a basket of fruit will fix this?” Mr. Blake sneered.
“Of course not,” Genevieve replied humbly. “We’ll cover all the medical expenses. Whatever it takes-just please, spare my son.”
She lowered herself completely, her tone pleading, her posture submissive.
“Do you think we need your money?” Mr. Blake roared. “Let me tell you, your son nearly killed my daughter. I won’t let him off. He’ll rot in prison for this! This isn’t over!”
Genevieve’s voice cracked as she begged, “Please, I’m begging you. My son is still young. He didn’t mean to do it. If anyone must pay, let it be me. Punish me instead.”
“Don’t touch me with your filthy hands!” Mr. Blake shouted, kicking her to the side.
“Wait,” Kimberly’s weak voice interrupted. From her bed, she looked at Genevieve with cold disdain. “You said you’d do anything to save Zachary?”
Genevieve nodded desperately. “Yes, I’ll do anything.”
“Good,” Kimberly said, her voice icy. “Then show me your sincerity.”