Chapter 147



Kallie was plagued by nightmares and struggled to find rest.

Her sleeplessness was evident, prompting the doctor to suggest melatonin to ease her anxiety.

However, gripped by fear, Kallie assumed those pills were abortion drugs and adamantly refused them.

In a state of panic, Kallie forced everyone out of her hospital room.

Wary of provoking Kallie further, the medical staff withdrew in silent confusion.

Alone, Kallie retreated to a corner of her bed, seeking refuge under her blanket, where she felt a semblance of safety.

Cradling her belly, she longed to whisper kind words to her unborn child but realized she couldn’t speak.

Tears gathered in her eyes as she pondered whether her baby could understand her thoughts.

Drifting between wakefulness and sleep, she began to doze off.

At that moment, the door creaked open.

Jake walked in, the smell of alcohol clinging to him, his steps uncertain. He stopped, steadied himself with a chair, and sat a short distance from the bed.

Though the room was dark, the light from the hallway and the moon through the window allowed him to see Kallie’s face distinctly.

Kallie appeared even thinner and wearier than before. Even in her sleep, her cheeks were marked with tears.

Jake parted his lips, aching to speak, but the words eluded him.

He hadn’t foreseen Kallie’s refusal.

The doctor had informed Jake that she was not adhering to her medication.

All Jake knew was that she was unwell.

Initially, his anger had prevented him from visiting her. However, his concerns for her eventually drove him to inquire about her condition.

The primary doctor’s responses were vague, sometimes claiming she was alright, or other times suggesting that she preferred not to communicate with anyone, and the medical staff had to honor her wishes.

The primary doctor reassured Jake that these were trivial issues. Kallie’s physical health was stable, but her spirits were low, and she resisted cooperation.

This only fueled Jake’s anger, pushing him to immerse himself deeper in his work to avoid thinking about Kallie still being confined to the hospital.

The solution was quite simple. If Kallie would approach him as she once did, pleading, Jake believed his fury would dissolve.

But Kallie wouldn’t resort to such measures now. She resembled a bird craving liberty, frantically seeking to flee from the confines Jake had imposed.

Doubts occasionally clouded Jake’s mind. Did she truly despise him to such an extent?

Jake was unable to make sense of his thoughts, and the more he pondered, the more bewildering his feelings became. His chest tightened, a confluence of soreness and irritation swelling within him. He harbored a destructive urge, craving tranquility amidst the chaos.

In the enveloping darkness, Jake sighed, massaging his throbbing forehead and feeling a sharp pang of pain.

His gaze fixed on Kallie, and he could no longer contain himself. Rising abruptly, he strode to her bedside.

Gripping Kallie’s chin, Jake lost all restraint. He bent down and pressed his lips to hers in a kiss laced with the bitterness of alcohol. Kallie, still ensnared in sleep, stirred slightly in her slumber but did not awaken, ultimately yielding to the kiss without resistance.

Initially harsh and filled with spite, Jake’s kiss gradually softened.

Releasing her chin, Jake resolved to offer her another opportunity if she chose to be truthful upon waking.

Jake studied Kallie with intensity and then turned away, exiting the room.

As the night deepened, Kallie was tormented by another nightmare. She dreamt of herself bound and immobile.

In her nightmare, the door creaked open, and a doctor approached steadily with familiar surgical tools in hand. He inched closer with a scalpel poised.

Then, someone else entered. It was Jake, his expression cold and emotionless.

Kallie dropped her gaze, silently pleading with him. She could do nothing but strain her throat and manage to utter his name, hoping for some mercy.

Jake merely smirked and coldly instructed the doctor, “She’s making too much noise. Just slit her throat.”

As the scalpel neared her skin, Kallie bolted upright from her nightmare. Her heart thudded loudly, resonating through the pitch-black silence around her.

Tension gripped her body, and before she could settle her nerves, a soft sound caught her attention.

In the dead of night, every whisper seemed magnified.

Fear propelled her heart into her throat.

Kallie scanned the room and pinpointed the noise. It was coming from the window.

She cast a wary glance at the door, relieved that no one outside seemed to have heard the disturbance.

Stealthily, Kallie opened the window and peered down to discover several people gathered below.

She wasn’t very high up, just on the third floor.

She immediately recognized one of the figures. It was Brent.

Her surprise was evident as she clapped a hand over her mouth. Hadn’t she messaged Brent, telling him she didn’t need him to whisk her away? Yet, here he was.

The commotion she had heard earlier must have been Brent trying to catch her attention.

Assuming Kallie hadn’t noticed him, Brent continued to wave, eventually pointing at his phone.

Getting the hint, Kallie swiftly pulled out her own device and sent him a text. “Mr. Hayes, really, there’s no need for you to come and whisk me away. It’s an unnecessary trouble for you.”

Kallie’s concern for Brent was genuine. She was well aware of Jake’s temperament. If he found out, he would surely try to cause trouble. By then, explaining the situation wouldn’t mitigate the potential damage.

Brent’s reply showed his worry. “I can see you’re not alright. Whatever it is, it’s held you back for too long. We can’t let this continue. I’m here to take you out today, Kallie. Don’t worry about it. Consider me a brother figure. Remember, you helped me before. If my grandpa found out you were struggling and I did nothing, he’d be disappointed.”

Seeing Brent’s genuine care between the lines, Kallie couldn’t help but tear up. She could tell he truly considered her part of his family. She hadn’t felt such support in such a long time that it stirred a mix of emotions within her.

She was tempted by his offer. Rather than staying here, awaiting an uncertain fate, why wouldn’t she seize this chance?

However, her gaze fell to her belly, heavy with the weight of her unborn child. She doubted the baby could endure much longer.

The question haunted her. Should she involve Brent in this precarious situation? Was it even worth considering?

Unaware of Kallie’s internal struggle, Brent assumed her hesitation was due to her inability to detach from Jake. In an attempt to sway her, he sent her several photos he had taken today, capturing Jake and Sarah dining together.

Brent’s next messages carried a clear trace of discontent and bitterness: “You’re here, stuck, while he’s out there, enjoying himself with the other woman. Kallie, can’t you see? Jake isn’t the man you think he is. Staying with him is a mistake. The Hayes family might not have the clout of the Reeves family, but the Hayes family can take care of you. We’re here for you.”

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