Alan didn't say a word, but silence pretty much meant confirmation.
Jessica's hands clenched tightly, her lips trembling. "Alan, I never should've fallen for you. I never should've arranged that fake kidnapping for your fiancée. I just wanted to stage a scene, that's all! I had no idea Chloe brought in one of your enemies. I didn't mean for her to die! I already paid for it with my life four years ago. Besides, if she hadn't died, you wouldn't have ended up with Chloe. So I owe you nothing! But my parents-I will get to the bottom of what happened to them. When I do, it'll be life for a life."
Alan let out a low, cold laugh. "Jessica, you'll never be able to pay back what you owe me. As for your parents, stay out of it. I'll give you an explanation. For now, get the hell out of Helvaria!"
Her return and sudden meddling wasn't something he saw coming. He wasn't afraid she'd come back out of revenge or anything, but this matter was off-limits to her. Did she even understand what danger meant?
Jessica frowned. So, no matter what she did, she could never repay what she owed him? Was he still so attached to his late fiancée that he couldn't even tolerate sharing the same air with her? Was that why he wanted her gone so badly?
The tense moment was cut off by a sudden ringtone blasting through the room. Alan answered.
"Alan, thank god! Ethan said you're okay. Where are you? I was so scared something had happened-"
Chloe was terrified Alan would dig into the past with Jessica.
"I'm fine, wait for me," Alan replied shortly and hung up. Without sparing Jessica another glance, he strode out of the room.
Jessica stared at his retreating figure and let out a dry chuckle. Just moments ago he was all caught up brooding about his ex, and now he was running off to his new girl like nothing happened. Men really do switch up faster than flipping a page. But if he loved his ex-fiancée that much, why didn't he seem bothered at all about Chloe being involved with those kidnappers?
"Jessica! Are you alright?" Daniel rushed inside.
"I'm fine. I'm Richard's sister-he wouldn't dare lay a hand on me." Her voice was calm. "Daniel, in Helvaria, there are two people you can't afford to mess with. One's Richard, the other is Alan. I'm the person Alan hates the most. Being with me automatically puts a target on your back. He might spare me, but you? He won't hold back."
"You think I'm scared that easily? Come on, I'll take you home."
Jessica didn't argue. She'd already made up her mind to quit. She knew Daniel didn't even qualify to be Alan's pawn-no way she was dragging him into this mess.
The next morning, warm sunlight streamed into the bedroom. Jessica rubbed her temples groggily and stretched out her hand, catching a sliver of sunlight shimmering like a dream.
A scene flashed in her mind-ten-year-old her sitting on a man's lap. He gently combed her long hair, kisses occasionally brushing her cheeks.
"Alan, why do you like me?"
"Because you're my girl."
"So, kissing means you're in love?" The girl looped her arms around the man's neck, her face all innocent as she gently pressed her lips to his.
The man froze for a second. The next moment, his lips brushed softly over hers. "Jessie, you gotta love me forever, okay?"
Jessica's hand clenched instinctively, but no matter how tightly she gripped, she couldn't hold onto even a hint of warmth. Her chest ached. She tapped her forehead a few times-those memories buried for four years had come flooding back the minute she saw Alan again. So much for pretending she was over it.
Her phone rang. No caller ID, but she knew who it was-the man who gave her a second chance at life.
"Alice, where to today?" The guy on the line sounded laid-back, almost like he was just making small talk.
"Heading home. Gotta get back what's mine."
"Alright then. Got a little surprise for you," he replied, voice carrying a hint of mischief.
"What kind of surprise?"
"You'll see when you get there."
Jessica hung up, a small smile tugging at the corner of her lips. A surprise, huh?
It was late autumn. The rose vines twisted along the iron fences had long withered, leaving only bare branches. Red-frosted ivy clung to the walls of the villa's main house.
Jessica wasn't too familiar with the Southern estate. She'd grown up with the Knights, barely spending any time here.
As she stepped into the villa, the staff stared at her in stunned silence.
On the living room couch, a man and woman were locked in a tender embrace, heads pressed close-it almost looked like a painting.
Wow. Great timing-really. Jessica hadn't expected this. So Alan didn't believe a word she said. Not surprising, was it? He hated her. Of course he'd trust the woman he loved over her.
The sudden intrusion clearly caught them off guard. Though still leaning on each other, they were no longer quite so close.
Alan's face showed nothing but cold detachment.
Chloe's face was flushed red with anger. Her voice held no warmth. "Jessica, what are you doing here?" She'd just gotten Alan into that rare sweet mood-and now Jessica had ruined it.
Unbothered, Jessica sat down boldly on the couch across from them. "What, I can't come back to my own house now?"
Chloe's expression stiffened, clearly at a loss for words. No matter how long Jessica had been away, this was still her home. Chloe was just the cousin who moved in later. Sometimes, even she forgot that part.
"I mean... just saying... you could've let me know first so I could have the staff get a room ready for you."
Jessica scoffed, cold and sharp. "Chloe, do I need you to arrange anything for me in my own home? Acting like you run this place now, huh? Someone, get my room cleaned up."
She said it without hesitation, but clearly, things didn't go the way she intended-because the staff just walked in and looked right at Chloe.
Jessica had barely ever been back. The maids and attendants all worked for Chloe now. Of course they weren't going to take orders from her.
