“Jeffrey, what are you playing at?” Valerie’s voice cut air, and distrustful. The sight of blood my lips seemed to momentarily unsettle her, and instinctively her grip. Her brows remained furrowed while eyes were still and filled contempt. It as if she believed had bitten my cheek on purpose, faking the blood to win her sympathy. time to play games with you anymore. ” wiped the blood from my mouth, voice and emotionless. My eyes reflected nothing but a hollow emptiness. “We’re done. From now on, we owe each nothing. “Jeffrey, Valerie began, her eyes as she glared at me. She looked if she to me from leaving, but then her gaze fell on her blood–stained fingers. A something–perhaps guilt–crossed her face. I took advantage her hesitation walked away. Andrew, who had been lurking shot me a look, his lips as he was eager to spew snide remark. I had patience him. With a hard glare, I silenced him. He froze, his words catching in his throat. After leaving the hotel, I head to the Page family as planned. Instead, I made my to the cemetery on the eastern outskirts of Netherwood, where my parents and child were buried. Yes, I once had the chance to be father. But Valerie, in her even allow that. Shortly after we married, she became pregnant. Yet, instead joy, she filled for the life inside her. Without much as a word to me, she decided to get of the baby. By the time I at the the child I had longed for, who blood, was already gone, to a of blood and tissue. I remembered that day vividly–collapsing in the outside operating room, nearly losing my with and grief. However, I couldn’t bring myself blame Valerie. I convinced myself had time, that we would another chance, and that eventually, would to share my longing for a child. But that day onward, she never let touch her again. Instead, she began to surround herself with string young men, becoming more brazen with each day. Unable bear the of losing my first I the to preserve what was left and had remains a specimen. found a beautiful laid her to rest. Now, kneeling beside the small grave, I gently touched the feeling a deep, painful gratitude I made that decision. At least I a place to mourn–to remember. After I died, this little headstone would be the proof that she ever existed. I swept the from headstone, placing a pink princess dress a doll in front of it. Chapter 4 2/3 The ultrasound had Valerie was a girl. If she had been born, she be nearly nine years old now, hence the gifts. After my forced myself to stand, leaning on my support. Then, I moved to the nearby grave my parents buried. “Mom, Dad, I’m so sorry. It’s my fault. If I stubbornly on marrying Valerie, our family wouldn’t have and you both could have enjoyed your in peace. ” My voice cracked as I staring the smiling faces on headstone. The pain in heart was unbearable. Tears had been holding back so long finally fell, and I choked my sobs. If I hadn’t diverted large sum of Page Group’s working capital into Lindberg the company wouldn’t have faced a financial crisis. wouldn’t have suffered a fatal heart attack under the pressure of bankruptcy, and Mom wouldn’t have succumbed to depression, passing away from sorrow losing him. My vision blurred as the of regret bore down on me. The pain was overwhelming. If could go back in I would have involved with Lindberg Group–I wouldn’t even want to know Valerie. But there changing the past; mistakes could never be undone Perhaps it was to the grief, but my head grew heavy, and I tombstone, my eyes closing involuntarily. As drifted into what felt like had a vision. On the distant lawn, I my parents, holding with a little girl dressed in pink princess dress, playing happily. She had a Barbie doll in her arms, and she to look at me, her eyes the stars. was the adorable I ever seen, exactly how I imagined my unborn daughter would grow to be. Nina, wait for me… Soon… We’ll all be together again,” I whispered, leaning against the cold stone, eventually losing consciousness. thought I would die miserably in some forgotten just like that, but to my I woke up When I opened my eyes, the faces I saw were Valerie’s and Andrew’s. The sight of brought a wave of exhaustion over me. didn’t want engage in more meaningless arguments, so I let my eyes again. But Valerie wasn’t ready to let me go. The moment our met, her impatience turned to anger, her. “Jeffrey, how long are you going keep up this talk about refuse to home with then run off to the cemetery to cry and pass out, to get photographed reporters. Now everyone is accusing me of being ungrateful. Are you happy now?” Valerie’s voice was seething with rage, her eyes blazing with fire made her look striking. Even in her she stunning. Once, her beauty the most powerful weapon against me–a single tear could soften my heart, and a simple smile would make me fall for her over again. Now, all I felt was indifference, tinged with a growing resentment. If I had never met I still be heir of the family. I wouldn’t be reduced to with a pretentious guy, losing each time, and even risking my life. Chapter 4 most of all, I hated for to see ruthlessness behind her beautiful face. “Jeffrey, it’s all my fault. I have come between you and Valerie,” Andrew his voice filled with sincerity. “If you’re willing to clear up this misunderstanding and tell the media it was false I’ll leave Brightville good and never come back. ” Seeing look in Valerie’s eyes, Andrew couldn’t a flash triumph before into his act. His words were earnest that even I felt a twinge of emotion. As expected of a top actor, his acting skills were flawless. “Valerie, don’t be angry. You’ll hurt yourself,” said, turning back to Valerie. “When I’m gone, please take care of yourself. Eat on time, and don’t drink alcohol. ” His eyes began to well with tears, and he looked if he was torn between staying and leaving. “Andrew, can please stay out of this?” Valerie’s anger to concern as she instinctively reached out him. But before she could, she suddenly a dry retch escaping her lips.