Chapter 1

"Anna, I've been diagnosed with cancer and may not have long to live. Your brother, Leon, will be all by himself here. Come home. At least you two will still have each other."

Lydia Sharp's call reached Anna Rees in the border city, Eighton, all the way from Junivale.

After cutting herself off from the world for four whole years, Anna had thought she would never set foot in Junivale again as long as she lived. However, because of Lydia's call, she returned to Junivale, the city so familiar yet now somehow strange to her.

Summer in Junivale was just as scorching and dry as she remembered.

Even when it was cloudy, the air felt thick and suffocating.

The first thing Anna did when she arrived in Junivale was to visit the hospital.

The doctor told her, "Your mother has developed breast cancer, and it's currently in the advanced stage. Surgical intervention is the best treatment for her now."

Ever since Lydia found out about her condition, she had only been taking common medicine to ease the pain she felt. She never intended to undergo the surgery, hence the call to Anna that carried her last words.

In the doctor's office, Anna skimmed through Lydia's medical report. Her luscious eyelashes drooped over her eyes, hiding the emotions swirling within. Her already fair skin seemed to pale further.

"Can she be cured?" she asked.

"It might be challenging to cure her completely, but we can help her live longer and improve her quality of life."

The doctor was being subtle. Still, Anna understood the underlying meaning behind his words.

Her eyelashes fluttered. "Please arrange for her surgery as soon as you can."

"The surgery and her treatment will total up to approximately 300 thousand dollars," said the doctor as he handed her the billing statement. He continued, "Go ahead and make the payment."

Clutching the bill tightly, Anna walked out of the office. As she rounded a corner, she leaned against the wall and took several deep breaths.

That amount of money was a huge sum for her.

Lydia wasn't her biological mother. Even so, given how she'd looked after Anna for more than 20 years, there was no way Anna could just stand by and watch Lydia live the rest of her life in pain.

For the past four years that Anna'd been in Eighton, she'd been living a modest life. She'd been consistently sending money to Lydia, too. Now, she had only around 80 thousand dollars in her account.

She headed to the first floor to settle the bill and, while she was at it, complete the admission procedure for Lydia.

She'd just arrived at the lobby on the first floor when a crisp voice rang out behind her.

"Anna?"

Marie Lowe's voice rang out loud and clear in the busy lobby.

Anna subconsciously held her breath upon hearing her voice and stopped in her tracks.

Unable to pretend she didn't hear Marie, she slowly turned around.

"It really is you!" Marie exclaimed in surprise as she quickly walked up to her. She asked, "It's really you, Anna! What are you doing here?"

Marie couldn't believe her eyes. She had thought she was mistaken at first, but Anna's distinctive features stood out easily. Even in the crowded lobby, she noticed Anna right away.

The moment Anna saw Marie, flashbacks of familiar faces and memories from four years back played in her mind like a movie.

She had thought her memories would all fade with time.

She also had been hopeful that she would no longer cross paths with everyone else upon returning to Junivale.

Unexpectedly, she bumped into someone she knew on the first day she returned to Junivale.

Forcing a smile, she greeted Marie, "Marie—"

"Whoa, Anna dear, is that you?" a shrill, mocking voice interrupted her.

It was Sheila Turner, yet another of Anna's acquaintances, who was from a wealthy family.

With her arms folded across her chest, she eyed Anna up and down.

Anna hadn't put on any makeup. Her outfit was as plain as plain could be, but it didn't look cheap on her. In the busy lobby, she turned more heads than Sheila did, who'd carefully styled her outfit. That realization angered Sheila even more.

"Back then, you—our little 'princess of the slums'—ran off after taking a huge sum from Martin, thinking that you'll become a real princess. You don't look like you've been living the good life, though. You look as poor as ever!"

Martin…

Martin Moss…

Sheila's words abruptly uncovered the name that Anna'd tucked away in the depths of her memory.

She felt as though someone was tightening their grip on her neck, suffocating her.

Anna clenched her fists, creasing the bill she held. Her face paled slightly, and she froze, turning as stiff as wood.

She quickly suppressed the hurricane of emotions raging within her. Within seconds, she regained her composure.

Sheila had spoken loudly, so people around them were turning to look.

Anna knew Sheila was purposely mocking her because Sheila liked Martin.

Back then, when Martin introduced Anna to his circle of friends, Sheila disliked her.

After the series of events that occurred later, Sheila disdained her even more.

Anna didn't want to argue with her. She still had to register Lydia for admission and gather the funds needed for the surgery.

She had no time to reminisce about their "good old days".

She had been on good terms with Marie. Smiling, she turned to Marie. "Marie, I have something else to attend to. Please excuse me."

Before she could turn around, someone grabbed her arm violently and slapped her hard on the face.

She didn't see it coming at all. Her left cheek burned intensely, and red marks soon showed on her cheek.

Just because Anna didn't want to be caught in drama, it didn't mean that she would allow people to step all over her.

She was about to return the slap when Sheila shouted furiously, "That was for Martin! I feel sorry for him, after everything he's done for you!"

The moment Sheila brought up Martin, Anna could no longer lay a finger on her.

Looking away, she listened as Sheila continued hollering, "Anna! You've been gone for four years. Why do you have to come back?

"Is it because Martin has inherited his family business and become the CEO of Omega Enterprises, and you can continue to lead him on again? Hadn't you hurt him enough throughout those two years you were together? What makes you think you can come back and bother him further?"

She held Anna's arm tightly, fury burning in her eyes.

Marie stepped forward, trying to stop Sheila. "Sheila, stop. We're at the hospital, so let's not make things ugly."

"Marie, you know how sly dear Anna here is." Sheila scoffed.

She continued, "She's a penniless woman from the slums who sells her blood and pretends to be all innocent. She tricked Martin through and through, all for money. You know how the poor are like—it's in their blood to yearn for money!"

With a sarcastic smile, she turned to Anna, who had remained silent. "You've vanished for four years. Why are you back now?"

Just as those words left her lips, out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of a tall, sturdy figure entering the lobby.

Dressed in an elegant, well-tailored casual suit, he carried an air of understated nobility. Hands in pockets, he took a few steps forward before his gaze landed on them. Then, he stopped in his tracks.

Just a few steps behind Anna.

His dashing features were cold as his indifferent gaze fell on Anna's thin figure. Then, he looked away, unconcerned.

From Anna's angle, she couldn't see who was behind her.

She wrestled her arm from Sheila's grasp. Looking at her, she calmly said, "That's none of your concern."

Sheila let out a scoff. Glancing at Martin, she purposely asked out loud, "You can't be thinking of getting more money from Martin, can you? Or, perhaps, have you found a new sugar daddy?"

Immediately after she said that, Martin's hands, tucked away in his pockets, balled into fists. His knuckles turned white. Still, he remained indifferent on the surface as contempt crept into his eyes.

Anna shrugged nonchalantly. She graciously admitted Sheila's accusation. "So what if I have? I'm indeed back for money."

She wasn't after Martin's money, though. She just needed money for Lydia's treatment.

The sky was gloomy outside. The wind was billowing through the streets.

Anna felt too tired to argue any further. Straightening out the hospital bill, which was already crumpled, she turned to leave.

Suddenly, a breeze passed through the lobby and took the bill with it. It twirled in the air before falling to the ground.

She quickly picked it up.

Just as she extended her hand, a well-polished leather shoe landed on the piece of paper without hesitation.

She caught a whiff of a cool, crisp scent. The clean fragrance lingered in the air.

"Excuse me, you're stepping on my—" she started, looking up as she did.

When she saw his face, her words broke off abruptly, and her face paled.

Chapter 2

Anna was half-crouched. As she looked up, her initially calm gaze met Martin's striking face. Instantly, her eyes widened as emotions swirled within her, leaving a dull ache in her chest.

Martin was looking condescendingly at her.

His jawline was well-defined, and his nose was sharp. His eyes were charming, and a sense of aloofness filled his gaze.

The small, pale beauty mark on his brow was as alluring as she remembered. Whenever they shared their intimate moments, she used to kiss the mark gently.

As their gazes met, Anna's chest tightened. Instinctively, she withdrew her gaze and lowered it. Her eyes started brimming with tears, and her vision blurred.

Doing all she could to hold back the overwhelming urge to cry, she wished for dear life she could vanish on the spot.

She had no makeup on and was wearing cheap clothes she had bought at a discount. Her cheek still bore the red slap mark. She must've looked miserable.

His gaze felt hurtful. It was still as soulful as it used to be, but it was now as dead as a still lake.

His cold gaze and condescending manner. It was as though she were nothing more than a stray dog crouching at his feet.

That was exactly it. He was staring at her as though she were a stray dog. His gaze was filled with contempt.

Anna had boasted that she would lead a better life. Four years later, he was the one living a better life. He was still as dignified and untouchable as she knew him to be.

On the other hand, she'd been sinking deeper and deeper into the endless darkness that swallowed her whole.

Their situation now reminded Anna of the night they went their separate ways. She had sat on her suitcase, packed to the brim with clothes, as she looked down at Martin, down to one knee before her.

He had held her hands tightly, and his eyes were reddened as he gazed at her. Tears filled his eyes. He looked so pitiful.

Meanwhile, her gaze was calm. To him, she must have been as condescending as he was right now.

When Anna decided to return to Junivale, she was prepared for the possibility of meeting Martin again.

She had pictured numerous possible scenarios in which they might meet and had even planned what she would say if they met each other again.

However, she had never thought they would meet under such circumstances.

His cold, hard leather shoe was stepping on her mother's hospital bill. It was as though it was trampling on her fragile dignity.

She couldn't finish her sentence, as she was feeling choked up and unable to utter another word.

Martin swiftly removed his foot. Without hesitation, he swung his leg past her and strode off.

Anna remained crouching, dazed.

She heard Sheila call out, "Martin."

Then, their footsteps faded away.

She picked up the bill, with the shoeprint showing faintly. His cold, crisp scent still lingered in the air around her.

Her knuckles whitened, and she teared up. Looking up, she forced her tears back before they could roll down her cheeks.

…

In the hospital elevator, Martin stood tall and upright, with his hands still in his pockets. He remained silent and aloof.

Only he knew how tightly his fists were clenched and how much his veins were bulging.

Marie was behind him. She carefully observed his expression—there was none. He looked calm, and no one could know what he was feeling at that moment.

Everyone in their circle knew how deeply in love Martin and Anna had been back then.

They used to joke, saying that the second son of the wealthiest family, the Moss family, had fallen in love with a naive commoner. He was head over heels in love with her and brought her along wherever he went.

They had all thought Martin had grown bored with women from the same circle and had wanted to try being with someone more ordinary. To their surprise, he took their relationship seriously and showered endless love on Anna.

At that time, his best friends had wondered how Martin would introduce Anna to his family. However, all of a sudden, Anna broke up with him.

Rumors had it that the innocent Anna had leaked Moss Corporation's trade secret in return for a hefty sum and fled the country.

No one had heard from her since.

Because of that incident, Martin locked himself up in his room for a fortnight, barely surviving.

Marie didn't expect to see Anna in the hospital.

Her boyfriend, Dustin Hunt, also Martin's good friend from the bikers' club, had gotten into an accident and scraped himself. Hence, Martin had dropped by to visit him.

Marie originally thought there would be some sort of confrontation when Martin and Anna bumped into each other.

However…

Marie wasn't even sure if Martin had recognized Anna.

There were only three of them in the elevator, and the atmosphere was getting strange.

Sheila initiated a conversation and said, "It's surprising to see Anna back in Junivale. She wouldn't try the same scheme again, tricking someone into marriage and ripping them off, would she?"

She glanced at Martin. Her words were intended for him to hear.

Martin remained expressionless. He didn't respond, but the air around him turned chilly and worryingly tense.

Sheila reluctantly fell silent and said nothing more.

When the elevator doors opened, Martin walked out.

…

The weather was depressing in the afternoon. The gloomy clouds sealed away the last streaks of sunlight.

Anna had been busy in the hospital, spending the whole day completing the paperwork needed for Lydia's surgery and admission.

The 80 thousand dollars she had was temporarily sufficient to pay for the surgery.

Still, she had to figure out how to afford the fees for Lydia's following treatment, admission charges, and her expenses in Junivale.

She was about to go and bring Lydia to the hospital.

Hailing a taxi would cost her 150 dollars, while taking the bus would only cost her six dollars, albeit having to change buses three times.

Anna decided on the latter.

Taking a seat at the bus stop outside the hospital, she looked down at her phone. She transferred the remaining 5,000 dollars in her savings to a contact.

Then, she texted, "Jessie, I'll be quite busy for the time being, so I'll be leaving Simon in your care during the day. I've transferred this month's pay to you."

Jessie Prescott was a nanny Anna had contacted in advance before she returned to Junivale. Jessie was a middle-aged woman who was meticulous and got things done quickly. The pay she asked for was affordable too—at least, it was considered cheap in Junivale, the capital city.

Simon Rees had spent the whole day with her yesterday and had taken a liking to her.

Soon, Anna received a voice message from Jessie. "Ms. Rees, you can take your time with the payment. Paying me by the end of the month is fine too. Also, are you and Simon going to keep staying in a hotel? It's rather inconvenient for daily living. I suggest you look for a house to rent."

Anna had only returned to Junivale two days ago and hadn't gotten about to renting a place to stay. She simply booked a cheaper hotel and headed to the hospital.

She texted, "Okay."

Then, Anna asked, "Has Monty been a good boy today?"

"Yeah. He also said he misses you and asked when you'd be coming back."

Jessie added, "Oh, right. Does he dislike egg yolks and only prefer to eat the whites?"

Anna had been in a rush and hadn't had the time to tell Jessie about that.

She replied, "I forgot to let you know. He has always disliked egg yolks and is allergic to shrimp. Please keep that in mind."

In her voice message, Jessie asked cheerfully, "Did he take after you or his dad?"

Anna's hand jolted. Her finger hovered above the screen for a few seconds longer, and she stopped replying.

She put her phone away and was about to go and check if the bus was arriving when she went numb in her limbs.

She frowned. Her blood sugar always went low when she least expected it. She'd been busy the whole day and had forgotten to take her meals again.

Suddenly, her vision blurred, and she started palpitating. Her hand trembled uncontrollably. Her already pale face turned a lighter shade as she felt weak all over. She broke out in a cold sweat.

She quickly searched her handbag, desperate for something to eat, as her hands trembled even more vigorously. Even a candy would do…

Nothing. She had nothing in her bag.

There was a convenience store nearby.

Pushing against her seat, she got up. She went weak in her knees and staggered backward. She wasn't sure if she could reach the convenience store and buy some bread before she passed out.

It was going to rain soon. If she fainted by the roadside and got drenched, it would really be a pathetic sight.

As she took a step forward, her legs gave way, and she fell back onto the seat. Sweat rolled off her chin as her breathing became heavy.

Almost immediately, a black luxurious car stopped beside her.

The Spirit of Ecstasy gleamed brilliantly, symbolizing wealth and authority—a striking contrast to the bus stop she was waiting at.

Chapter 3

The sky was dreary. It was going to rain soon.

There was no one else at the bus stop except for Anna. She was obviously the reason why the car pulled over.

The window on the passenger side was rolled down.

Anna peeked through it. Through her blurry vision, she saw a pair of cold, distant eyes.

Her heart palpitated even faster at that sight.

In the car, Martin noted coldly how pale she was and how she swayed on her feet.

He parked his car and said nothing, as if watching a drowning person struggle to stay afloat, completely detached.

Anna dug her nails into her palms, clutching on to the last bit of consciousness.

She knew Martin was taking pleasure in her predicament. He wanted to see her collapse in disgrace.

There was no one else around. He was the only person she could seek help from.

She sat weakly on the bench at the bus stop, her face as pale as a sheet. Lowering her gaze, she was seemingly lost in an inward struggle.

Martin was exceedingly patient. His eyes showed nothing, his expression indifferent.

The way he looked at her was as though he was watching an ant trying its best to crawl out of harm's way.

A minute later, Anna knocked on the window, and Martin rolled it down further, just enough to see her small, pale face.

"C-Could you give me a candy?" Anna asked with difficulty, her voice quivering. She was supporting herself against the tinted window.

She wasn't sure if he would agree to her request.

He wouldn't ignore someone's plea for help, even if it were a stranger, would he?

"Get in." His voice was cool and raspy.

Anna held the handle with her trembling hand, but she was too weak to open the door.

The next moment, Martin extended his leg and kicked it open.

The car was chilly inside, but for Anna, who had broken out in a cold sweat, it only made her feel worse.

She got into the passenger seat as Martin tossed a golden box to her. It contained chocolates in golden wrappers.

Anna couldn't think of anything else. Her survival instincts urged her to open the box and tear the wrapper apart, which she did so clumsily.

Like a desert traveler dying of thirst, she wolfed down a chocolate in mere seconds. Then, she started on a second one.

She was behaving embarrassingly before Martin. Even so, survival came first.

Lydia had to have her surgery done. Simon was waiting for Anna to come home…

As the glucose entered her system, her hazy mind regained clarity for a moment. Her hands also stopped trembling.

However, her heart was still beating irregularly.

The first person to give her a chocolate in her entire life was Martin. It was the same chocolate in the same wrapper.

The chocolate she had received six years ago tasted sweet and rich. In comparison, the chocolate she was eating now was much more bitter.

Martin kept driving. She didn't know where he was going.

She didn't dare to look up, nor did she dare to speak. All she did was stare at the box of chocolates on her lap, keeping herself busy by unwrapping them.

Out of the corner of her eye, she stared at his slender hands that were skillfully manipulating the steering wheel.

Night fell.

The street lamps on both sides of the road lit up. They slowly pulled over to the side of the road.

Martin leaned back in his seat and turned to look at her. She wore a basic white T-shirt, exposing her fair, lean arms.

They were very thin, so much so that he could easily hold both of her arms with only one hand.

Her face was fair and slim, on which red marks could be seen. Her eyelashes drooped over her eyes, fluttering.

She had a green scarf wrapped around her left wrist and tied into a ribbon. As she unwrapped the chocolates, the ribbon danced around like a butterfly.

The car was eerily silent.

Anna heard a click as Martin lit a cigarette.

Surprised, she turned to look. He held a cigarette between his slender fingers. As he took a drag of it, the reddish end of the cigarette blinked. As he exhaled, wisps of smoke clouded his distinct features. His movements were natural and captivating.

The Martin she knew from four years ago wasn't a smoker.

Anna felt a bitter taste in her mouth. She kept quiet and hung her head.

"Had enough?" Martin's voice pierced the silence in the car. Because of the smoke, his voice came out raspy and attractive. His tone was flat without a hint of emotion.

Anna looked at the chocolate in her hand. There were six. Now, only one was left.

"D-Do you want it?"

She gingerly offered him the last chocolate.

The hand with which he held the cigarette was propped against the window. Without even casting her a glance, he fiddled with his phone and extended it to her.

"That's 280 dollars per box. Pay up."

His phone was showing the QR code for receiving payment.

Anna was taken aback. That was expensive.

She had decided to take the bus, which cost six dollars, to save the 150 dollars she would've had to pay for a taxi.

Yet those six pieces of chocolate easily cost her 280 dollars!

Still, since she had taken something belonging to someone else, it was only reasonable that she should pay.

She thought it made sense. How would she be able to afford something Martin owned?

In the past, he wouldn't even have bothered about a box of chocolates in that price range.

Anna stopped herself from wanting to negotiate and withdrew her outstretched hand.

Martin continued smoking calmly. He shook off the ashes, waiting for her to pay.

Anna pulled out her phone and opened her Venmo app. As she was scanning the QR code, she subconsciously glanced at his profile picture.

It was different from the one he used back then. His profile picture used to be an intimate photo of them together.

She looked up slightly and blinked. His username was still the same—M.M.

She clicked to pay 280 dollars.

Right after, her hand trembled as she realized she had insufficient balance to make the payment.

She switched to another card, but it was the same.

Frowning, she gripped her phone tightly, feeling uneasy.

She forgot—she'd just paid the fees for Lydia's surgery and transferred the last 5,000 dollars she had to Jessie in advance.

Currently, she had only around 100 dollars left in her savings.

She felt so miserable that she couldn't even pay Martin for a box of chocolate.

"I… Uh…"

Afraid that he might wound her already fragile pride again, she mustered up the courage to ask, "Can I pay you another day?"

The cigarette had burned up. Martin snuffed it out. He stared coolly at her reddened ears and smirked.

Her face and ears would always turn red whenever she lied. It'd been so many years, yet she hadn't changed at all.

He assumed she would have been doing well over the years, yet four years later, she was still as broke as ever.

"When, specifically? You can't even afford 280 dollars? Do you want to pay in installments?" His words stung her mercilessly.

He knew Anna too well—he knew where it would hurt the most.

With the calmest voice, he uttered words that cut the deepest.

Anna's fingers curled tightly around the hems of her skirt. She teared up instantly. Her chest tightened, but she did her best to suppress her emotions.

At that moment, her phone rang, breaking the stifling silence in the car.

Anna answered it. An adorable, childish voice came through the receiver. "Mommy! It's raining. When are you coming back?"

She didn't turn it on speaker mode, but Simon's voice was exceptionally clear in the quiet car.

Martin's eyes widened, and he gripped the steering wheel so hard that his veins bulged.

He wondered if Anna already had a child.

Chapter 4

Martin practically chased Anna out of the car.

By then, dark clouds had taken over the sky, and rain was falling in torrents. The downpour struck the ground hard enough to splash up against her glistening legs.

The rain soaked her to the bones.

Rapid streams of water ran down the broad road, drenching her white shoes. Rain blurred her vision as her gaze followed the black car speeding past, splashing her with water. She watched as the car sped off into the distance until its red taillights disappeared into the night.

Braving the rain, Anna walked toward a shop by the roadside that was already closed. The foot-wide awning barely sheltered her from the rain.

She stared in the direction where the car had left as she crouched, hugging her knees to her chest. Taking deep breaths, she suppressed the overwhelming emotions within her.

Something rolled down her cheeks. It might've been the rain or, perhaps, her tears. It was warm yet cool at the same time, and it flowed nonstop.

She shielded the last piece of chocolate she had left in her bag the best she could, worrying that the rain might get to it.

…

The rain was as heavy as the one four years ago when she left him. It lashed against the streets.

The black luxurious car was parked in a secluded spot by the roadside. With its headlights turned off, the car blended into the dark.

Sitting in the driver's seat, Martin pressed his lips together to form a thin line on his well-defined face. Emotions swirled in his eyes like waves crashing against the reefs. A subtle shade of red tinged the corners of his eyes.

His gaze was fixated on the frail figure in the distance.

The dim light from the streetlight in front of the shop shone on her crouched figure. She huddled tightly into a ball, her thin figure bent over like a shrimp.

Because of the rain, her thin clothes clung tightly to her body, accentuating her curves.

She looked so fragile, as though she would burst like a bubble upon contact.

Martin thought Anna was acting all pitiful again.

His fingers closed tightly around the steering wheel. Veins popped, and his fingertips trembled.

If he'd never experienced how heartless she was four years ago, she would've managed to trick him again this time.

The rain four years back was much heavier than the current one. It struck him so hard that even his bones ached.

Martin could still remember Anna's cold words that rainy night.

"Martin, all I wanted was to see whether wealthy people like you are any different from us commoners when you're in a relationship.

"Martin, I've had enough of this game. Let's end things here."

He'd humbled himself and pleaded, "Anna, I'll fight for the inheritance. As long as you don't leave me, I'll take over Moss Corporation for you!"

She had scoffed. "Don't you understand, Martin? I've always been after your money and nothing else. Now that I'm bored, I'm not even interested in your wealth anymore."

She shoved him aside, as though he were a clingy, loyal dog.

After the argument, she insisted on leaving.

Helpless, he sank to his knees. Though defeated, he threatened harshly, "Anna, if you walk away now, you'd better not come back!"

Turning a deaf ear to him, she vanished completely from his world.

It'd been four years since then.

Martin stared at Anna, who'd risen to her feet, with bloodshot eyes. "Four years have passed, Anna. It's been a long time."

…

The downpour had no signs of stopping.

Anna got up and rubbed her numb knees. It was time to head back.

Simon had a habit—if Anna wasn't with him before he went to bed, he would burst into tears.

Standing by the road, she looked around. It would cost more to take a taxi from here. There was a bus stop a few hundred yards away, and buses were still running at this hour.

Since she was already drenched, she didn't mind walking in the rain for a bit more.

She was about to run into the rain when she heard footsteps splattering toward her.

Soon, someone handed her an umbrella.

She looked up to see a woman in her 40s. She held an umbrella over herself in one hand, and in the other, she offered another umbrella to Anna. She smiled as she said, "Thank goodness I caught you in time. I thought you'd left."

Anna was puzzled. The woman continued, "Young lady, the rain is too heavy and doesn't seem like it's stopping soon. Take this umbrella and use it while you go on your way."

It turned out she intended to lend Anna the umbrella.

Such an act of kindness at that moment warmed Anna's heart. She glanced at the woman's kindly face and then at the price tag on the new umbrella. She wanted to pay the woman for it.

The woman waved her off. "It's alright. Here, take it."

Anna assumed she'd met someone kind. She thanked the woman and waited for her to leave before she went on her way, holding the umbrella above her.

In the car some distance away, Martin's reddened eyes had regained their clarity. He watched Anna's silhouette blur in the rain and sharpen again as the wipers swept aside the droplets on the windscreen. His gaze remained emotionless.

A ringtone interrupted his bleak, damp recollection.

Glancing at the ID of the caller, he hesitated for a while before answering the call.

A woman asked in a gentle voice, "Martin, why aren't you here yet? Didn't you promise to have dinner with me today? Where are you now?"

With the phone in one hand, Martin started his car and drove along the road slowly. He stared as Anna kept the umbrella and boarded a bus. He then said into the phone, "I have something to attend to and have been held up."

Willow Baxter said understandingly, "It's alright. When will you be here? I'll wait for you."

"I'll arrive in a moment."

Martin followed the bus for some distance. Then, he checked the time and turned around, speeding off in the opposite direction.

…

In a glamorously decorated private room of a restaurant, young, pretty Willow stared at her phone after ending the call. Then, she made another call.

"Sean, are you and Martin working overtime? When will you both be done?"

Her red lips curled into a smile.

"Martin left in the afternoon after a meeting. He said he was going to the hospital to visit Dustin," replied Sean Lambert.

He continued jokingly, "You know, Ms. Baxter, you can just call Martin if you want to know what he's up to. You two are getting engaged soon. What's with the formalities?"

Willow lowered her gaze and smiled. "I just didn't want to disturb him. Alright, I'll call him."

Her smile faded as soon as she ended the call.

Then, she made yet another call.

"Marie, Martin went to the hospital to visit Dustin this afternoon. Is he still with you guys?"

"Martin left much earlier," Marie replied. Then, she asked, "Willow, do you know Anna's back?"

Willow's hand jolted as her dainty face froze over.

"You mean Anna Rees?"

"Yes, Martin's ex-wife, Anna Rees. I saw her at the hospital today and almost thought I was mistaken…"

Chapter 5

Willow could no longer focus on whatever Marie said next.

The only words replaying in her mind were "Anna is back".

The wine glass right beside her hand fell to the floor with a smash and shattered into pieces.

Willow clutched her phone tightly after ending the call. Unmistakable hatred burned in her eyes.

Anna was back.

She had already left for good, so why would she come back?

…

When Anna returned to the hotel she was temporarily staying in, drenched, Jessie was shocked.

"Oh my goodness! How on earth did you end up like this?"

She quickly brought Anna a towel to dry her hair. She sounded concerned as she asked, "Ms. Rees, why did you brave the rain? You'll catch a cold!"

Anna had tied her shoulder-length hair into a bun. Now, she untied it to wipe her dripping hair dry. Her hair lacked volume, but fortunately, it was healthy.

Jessie used a towel to wipe Anna's body dry. As she did, she casually asked, "Ms. Rees, your hair looked fabulous before. It grew all the way down to your waist and looked like silk. Why did you cut it short?"

Anna paused in the middle of drying her hair and stiffened.

Noticing her reaction, Jessie quickly apologized. "I'm sorry. I didn't go through your photos on purpose. Monty accidentally dug them out, and I happened to glance at them while tidying up."

Jessie instantly recognized Anna's younger self from the photos.

Her dainty face was the same as it was now—pretty and barefaced.

Her long hair cascaded over her shoulders like silk, giving her a sense of aloofness.

Anna was still as pretty as she used to be in the photos. However, in the photos, she seemed happier—her eyes sparkled brightly and radiated soft affection.

Meanwhile, the current Anna carried a kind of sadness that couldn't be put into words.

"It's fine," Anna replied as she dried her hair. Lowering her gaze, she continued calmly, "It was often in the way when I was taking care of Monty, so I cut it."

"Mommy!" a soft, childish voice suddenly called out. Almost immediately, a child came running from the room. His fair, plump hands found Anna's.

"Mommy's back!"

"I'm back."

Anna's eyes lit up when she saw the adorable child. Bending down, she asked smilingly, "Have you been good today, Monty?"

"I've been very good today!"

Three-year-old Simon had delicate features. On his fair, roundish face were a pair of big, bright eyes. He was just about to hug Anna when she stopped him.

"I'm soaked. Let's hug after I take a shower, okay?"

Simon was a sensible child. He pecked her on each cheek and nodded. In a sweet voice, he replied, "Okay!"

…

The warm shower misted the small, square frosted-glass window in the bathroom.

The condensed droplets slowly trickled down the tiny mirror, leaving behind trails that reflected Anna's fair, curvy figure.

The warm water brushed against the green ribbon on her left wrist, and water droplets formed on its edges.

She gently tugged on it, and it fell off, revealing several menacing scars that varied in depth.

Anna stared at the scars. They were evidence of how much she had yearned for Martin over the past four years.

Warm tears streamed down her cheeks. As she closed her eyes, images of his cold, indifferent eyes filled her mind.

Over the years, she never told anyone how much she missed him.

She missed his hugs and passionate kisses. She missed him whispering her name in her ear repeatedly, calling her, "Anna… Ann…"

The photos she kept away were once his treasure. She took them with her when she left.

He had once adored her long hair. He'd caress it over and over again, bowing his head to catch its fragrance.

Actually, she didn't cut off her hair. Her hair fell out.

Four months after leaving him, her hair started falling out at a worrying rate.

Tilting her head upward, Anna let the shower wash away her tears.

At night, she hugged Simon and stared at his pretty eyes. Then, she placed a gentle kiss on his forehead.

Monty.

Martin… Martin.

…

The next day, as the sun rose, Anna returned to Crowborough in the district of Levisford.

Amid the prosperity of Junivale lay an underprivileged area deprived of hope—the village of Crowborough.

Residents there were poor and had low living standards, but they were complacent and preferred to enjoy the benefits of others' efforts instead of their own. They constantly hoped to strike a fortune through urban redevelopment projects and reach the peak of their lives.

It was also where Anna had lived for 22 years. 17 years, to be precise.

At the low doorway, Lydia, her gaze heavy with fatigue, froze for several seconds the moment she laid eyes on Anna. Then, she burst out crying.

"You heartless woman! I'm surprised you know your way back! Where have you been for the past four years? You left without a word. Where on earth did you go?"

Lydia bawled her eyes out as she held Anna in a tight embrace.

She continued, "No matter what, I raised you as my child. Even though I'm not your biological mother, you're still my child. How could you be so stubborn and not visit us even once for four whole years? Will you only come back when I'm nearing the end of my life?"

Anna looked around at the small house where the sun could never reach. Not much had changed. It was still dark, narrow, shabby, and suffocating as ever.

The only difference was the addition of a black and white portrait in the living room—a portrait of her adoptive father, Frederick Rees.

Lydia wiped her tears. "Your father passed away two years ago. He died of an alcohol overdose. He got drunk and never woke up."

Anna glanced at Frederick's portrait and turned to Lydia.

"Pack your belongings and get ready to be admitted to the hospital. I've registered you for admission." Anna's voice was flat, and her eyes were calm.

Lydia asked, "Your dad has passed away. Aren't you going to pay him your respect?"

Anna pretended she didn't hear that. She said, "The doctor said he could arrange for the surgery as soon as possible. He'll run a few check-ups these few days. Just go along with his instructions."

"Anna!" Lydia called out in disbelief. Patting her on the shoulder, Lydia asked, "Did you hear me? You haven't been back in four years. Don't you feel anything when you see your dad's portrait? I'm only asking you to pay him your respect. Where's your conscience?"

Lydia didn't use much force when she patted her, but Anna still felt the sting.

Her eyes reddened. "Should I thank him, then? Should I thank him for leaving behind hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt that almost crushed me?

"Should I thank him for forcing me to marry someone else just so he could receive the wedding gifts that were worth a hundred thousand dollars? Or should I thank him for taking the Moss family's money behind my back and humiliating me?"

Tears welled in her eyes. Defiant, she refused to let them fall. She continued, "No, I should thank you two for buying me from the human traffickers. Until now, I don't even know who my real parents are!"

Lips moving, Lydia was at a loss for words. She teared up, too.

A tear rolled off Anna's cheek. She quickly wiped it off and entered Lydia's room.

"Pack your stuff and go to the hospital," Anna instructed, pulling open the drawers. She regained her composure as she said, "I'll pack your clothes for you. Bring along your daily necessities."

Silence fell between them.

Soon, Lydia came to the door with a canvas bag filled with her daily necessities. She watched Anna, who was packing her clothes. Anna's head hung low, and she had a defiant look on her face.

"Anna…"

Lydia said hesitantly, "I saw Martin on the news."

Upon hearing that, Anna paused briefly.

Lydia continued, "It seems he's getting engaged to a daughter of the family who owned Baxter Group… next month."