Chapter 70
He kept flipping through the pages, each one more damning than the last.
“Severe malnutrition.“@
“Fractures.”
“Forced blood draws leading to shock.”
“Multiple soft tissue contusions.“}
Memories crashed over him like a tidal wave.
It had been Millicent who whispered daily in his ear, “Jasmine wants to lose weight,” pushing him to quietly allow the maids to withhold Jasmine’s meals. It had been for Millicent, pregnant and demanding, that he had forced a blood draw from Jasmine, all while she burned with fever.
He slammed his fist into the wall, the pain of the impact registering only as a faint trickle of blood seeping from his knuckles. But he felt nothing.
Returning to the empty villa, the silence was deafening. The quiet presence that had once been there, always waiting, was gone. The house, once full of life, now felt cold and desolate. Ambrose collapsed onto the sofa, memories flooding his mind.
It suddenly hit him like a bolt of lightning; he had never truly hated Jasmine. What he had despised was the forced marriage, the humiliation his family had thrust upon him. But when he’d seen that shy, blushing girl lowering her head, a flicker of joy had stirred inside him.
The early days of their marriage ha
SO sweet.
He would go out of his way to buy me my favorite treats, and I would wait up late, counting the hours until he returned from his business dinners. But then, my father caused trouble, and
He started indulging in other women, paradin he began to drift away.
in front of me like trophies.}
Every time he saw me turn away without a word, a nameless anger would rise in his chest. Why didn’t I get jealous? Why didn’t I fight back?
He never knew I wasn’t unaffected. I just cried when he couldn’t see.}
Ambrose buried his face in his hands, his shoulders shaking with the weight of it
It finally hit him: the one who had loved him with everything he had lost with his own hands.
I slowly opened my eyes, the faint scent of sandalwood filling my senses. Sunlight filtered through the carved windows, casting a beautiful pattern of light and shadow across the blanket.}
“You’re awake?” A calm, cool voice whispered.
I turned my head to see a man in a moon–white robe standing beside the bed. His long fingers gently held a string of prayer beads, their soft clinking echoing in the quiet room. His features were as distant and refined as a mountain in a painting, like a deity who had stepped out of an ink scroll.
I stared at him, my mind struggling to place where I had seen him before.
“You recognize me?” He leaned in slightly, the prayer beads clinking softly as he spoke.
I nodded.
In my memory, I had caught a glimpse of him from afar at a banquet, head of the Campbell Corporation. Rumors had whispered about his devotion to God, how he donated millions every year, yet in the business world, he was known to be decisive, ruthless.
“President Campbell, the international conference,” his assistant reminded him in a quiet
Kaden Campbell didn’t even glance at him. “You attend on my behalf,” he said, his voice as light as snow yet firm and unquestionable. The soft scent of sandalwood filled the air, and I drifted back into sleep.
When I woke again, a steaming bowl of yams and cereal sat on the table, accompanied by delicate
side dishes.
The TV broadcast the news, [President of the Walker Corporation, Ambrose Walker, offers a reward of ten million for the missing wife.]}
A sharp pain suddenly stabbed through my chest. I clutched at my heart, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t remember why it hurt so badly.%
A week later, Kaden appeared with a stack of comic books.
1 lay by the window, watching him make coffee. The, way his wrist moved was elegant, almost mesmerizing.M
“Kaden,” I suddenly leaned in closer, “you treat me so well. Is it because you like me?“}}]
His hand froze, and the tips of his ears instantly turned red. The man who struck fear across the business world was now utterly flustered. “You really don’t remember anything?” His gaze deepened, searching mine.
“I just remember you’re Kaden and very rich.” I tilted my head, a playful smile tugging at my lips. “Oh, and you smell really nice.”
He laughed, and that laugh was like a mountain spring flowing gently over smooth stones.
12:17 PM
