Just then, the nurse pushed open the door and said, “Miss Flora, it's time for your checkup.”

“Let me help you,” Calista said, quickly getting up.

“No need,” Flora said, slowly getting up with the help of the bed rail. “Your wound hasn't healed yet...”

“I’m fine!” Calista grabbed her arm without waiting for an answer. “But you? You broke three ribs and you’re still trying to pretend strong?”

Flora couldn’t argue with her and nodded.

The two slowly walked out of the ward. The corridor was bustling with people.

Suddenly, a cart loaded with medical equipment came rushing around the corner, and the surgical instruments on it were about to fall off—

“Watch out!” Flora instinctively pushed Calista out of the way.

“Bang!”

The heavy equipment hit her shoulder, and excruciating pain swept through her body.

She went black in the eyes and fainted again.

…

When she woke up again, there were two more people in the ward.

“Flora!” Calista rushed to the bedside, her red eyes still tearful. “You scared me to death! Do you want some water? Are you hungry? Does the wound hurt?”

Flora shook her head and tried to move her shoulder, but the pain made her gasp.

“I’m fine… as long as you’re okay.”

“You silly girl…” Calista’s tears fell, “We’ve only met a few times, how could you shield me… Do you know you broke another bone…”

“Anyway, two are already broken,” Flora forced a grim smile, “Might as well heal them together.”

Calista cried even harder.

“Stop crying.” Carlton suddenly handed her a handkerchief, gently wiping Calista’s tear-stained cheeks with his fingertips, “If you keep crying, your eyes will swell tomorrow.”

He turned to Flora: “I’ll make it up to you with a gift.”

“A gift isn’t enough!” Calista wiped her tears, “From now on, Flora is my sister. I’ll agree to anything she asks!”

Flora smiled but didn't say anything.

In the days that followed, Calista and Carlton took turns caring for her.

But Flora knew that while Carlton was there to accompany her, his attention was entirely on Calista.

When Calista's hand was scalded by hot water, he rushed over to hold her hand and blew on it carefully;

When Calista said she wanted fruit, he went out to buy it without hesitation, even peeling it for her;

When Calista coughed lightly, he hurriedly poured water and fetched medicine, fearing she might feel the slightest discomfort.

Flora lay quietly in the hospital bed, watching all this unfold.

In the middle of the night, Flora was awakened by pain in her ribs.

She opened her eyes slightly and saw Calista carefully covering Carlton, who was sleeping on the sofa with a blanket.

Moonlight filtered through the curtains, falling on Calista’s gentle profile.

She stared at Carlton for a long time, then slowly leaned down and gently kissed his lips.

Flora’s heart skipped a beat, and she quickly closed her eyes.

She hadn’t been wrong after all.

Calista really did like Carlton!

Her heart raced wildly in her chest, finally calming down after a long time.

With her eyes closed, Flora finally made up her mind.

The next morning, sunlight streamed into the hospital room. When Flora woke up, Carlton was by the window making a phone call.

“You said the jewelry Calista has her eye on is being auctioned at Paris?” His voice was low. “Alright, arrange a private jet. I’ll go there today.”

After hanging up, he turned and saw that Flora had woken up, clearly startled.

After a moment, he belatedly explained, “Calista’s birthday is coming up, and I need to go abroad to buy her a gift. I’ll have the nurse take care of you for the next few days. You…”

“I understand,” Flora interrupted him calmly. “Go ahead.”

Carlton picked up his coat and was about to leave when Flora suddenly called out to him, “Carlton.”

He paused and turned to look at her.

“No matter what, I hope you can be happy,” she said softly, her voice hoarse. “Just like that afternoon, because of your presence, I was happy for a moment.”

Carlton furrowed his brow: “Which afternoon?”

Flora froze.

It turned out he didn't remember at all.

Her deeply etched redemption was nothing more than a casual gesture to him, forgotten the moment he turned away.

She smiled, but tears fell uncontrollably: “Never mind, go ahead, be careful.”

Carlton looked at her in confusion, but eventually turned and left.

As the hospital room door closed, Flora picked up her phone: “Aunt Jane, please bring my luggage to the hospital, and... the black safe in Carlton's study, bring that too.”

Half an hour later, Calista pushed open the door and saw Flora making the bed. She froze in her tracks.

“Flora?” She hurried over. “Why did you get out of bed? The doctor said your ribs haven't healed yet and you shouldn't move around!”

Flora looked up and smiled at her. “It's okay, I'm feeling much better.”

Calista tried to persuade her further, but her expression changed when she noticed the open suitcase by the bed.

Her gaze shifted between the suitcase and Flora, her voice trembling: “What are you doing…”

“I’m going back home,” Flora said calmly. “I have a flight today.”

“Going back home?” Calista’s eyes widened, and she instinctively grabbed her wrist. “What about Carlton?” You two..."

“We broke up.”

“Why?” Calista's voice suddenly rose, then she realized something and lowered it again. “Is it because... because of yesterday...”

“Yes, yesterday I saw you kiss him.” Flora looked up at her. “Calista, you've always liked him, haven't you?”

Calista's face turned pale instantly.

“No, Flora, you're misunderstanding. I just...”

“I want to break up with him not just because of that.” Flora interrupted her, turning to retrieve a brown paper bag from the bedside table. “I've kept this decision in mind for a long time. Calista, I think you should take a look at this.”

Calista took it with confusion, opening it to find a thick stack of photos, which was full all of her.

There was a side view of her watering flowers in the garden, a moment of her smiling at a banquet, and even just her back as she stood by the window daydreaming. Each photo was perfectly preserved with neat edges and not a single crease.

Below the photos was a stack of love letters.

Calista flipped open the top one, and the familiar handwriting caught her eye.

They were all written by Carlton?!

The words on the letterhead were written with such passion, filled with the love a young man dared not speak aloud!

Calista’s hand trembled violently, and tears fell onto the letterhead.

She looked up in disbelief: “This…”

“Yes, he liked you,” Flora said softly. “From the very beginning, he’s always like you.”

“I… I didn’t know…” Calista's tears fell heavily onto the letter paper, “All these years, I also...”

Flora saw shock and realization flash in her eyes, followed by uncontrollable joy. Her heart felt as though it had been tightly gripped by an invisible hand. She squeezed her palm hard to keep her voice steady.

"You don't know he likes you, and he doesn't know you like him. Now that we've talked it out, it's fine."

She paused, looking at Calista's red eyes: "Calista, you said you treat me as a sister and can agree to anything I ask."

"Then I hope you and Carlton have a good talk."

"Be with him or not, it's your own choice."

"But at least..." She smiled slightly, "Let each other know your feelings."

Calista's tears finally burst, she clutched the letters tightly, her voice choked: "Thank you..."

Flora came forward and hugged her gently, whispering in her ear: "Okay, my plane is about to take off, I have to go first."

She let go and picked up the suitcase.

When she reached the door, Calista suddenly called her: "Flora!"

Flora turned around.

"You..." Calista's voice trembled, "Will you come back after you go back to your hometown? Can we... meet again?"

Flora stood at the door, the sun shone in from behind her, casting a long shadow on the floor.

"Never." She smiled gently, "Calista, a qualified ex should disappear completely."

The sunlight in the corridor was dazzling. Flora raised her hand to cover her eyes. She felt tears all over her face, but she laughed.

When she arrived at the airport, the airport broadcast just happened to sound.

Flora handed her boarding pass to the staff. She took a last look at her phone. The screen saver was still the side face of Carlton that she secretly photographed on his birthday last year.

She gently swiped across the screen, and her fingertips stayed on the "delete" key for a second.

There was a light "ding" sound.

The photo that she had treasured for a long time, along with the number stored in the address book for seven years, and all the preferences recorded in the memo, disappeared in an instant.

Just like her seven years of love, at this moment, the ‘end’ key was completely pressed...

“Parker, you and Cornelia have been childhood sweethearts since you were little, and you've been married for three years now. Why hasn't there been any movement in your belly yet?” At the weekly Greene family dinner, Mrs. Greene once again urged them to have a baby. Seeing other people's grandchildren, she couldn't help but feel envious, and Mrs. Greene grew increasingly anxious. Cornelia noticed everyone's gaze fixed on her abdomen and felt a moment of embarrassment. She looked at Parker, but he seemed oblivious, his expression was cool and distant. Cornelia's heart sank. She bit her lip, feeling a mix of bitterness and resentment.

She and Parker had been married for three years, yet they had always slept in separate rooms. If spoken of such a thing, it would likely be hard for others to believe.

But Parker was obsessed with Bible study every day. People in their circle called him the ‘son of God in City Los’ and he truly acted like a pastor, upright and self-restrained, untouched by worldly affairs, refusing to even step into her room.

After dinner, Mrs. Greene specially asked the young couple to stay overnight at the old house.

Mrs. Greene took Cornelia’s hand and led her to the kitchen, bringing over a bowl of soup. “Cornelia, this soup is for nourishing the body. Make sure Parker drinks it all…”

The soup was filled with high-quality herbs, and Cornelia could roughly guess Mrs. Greene’s good intentions, her cheeks flushing with a blush.

Cornelia blushed as she took the bowl of soup and nodded.

She had deliberately changed into a wine-red strapless nightgown to bring the soup to Parker.

The nightgown was form-fitting and sensual, perfectly highlighting her stunning figure.

Cornelia held the bowl of warm soup, her fingertips clenched so tightly they turned white.

This was her first time doing such a thing, and her heart was pounding uncontrollably.

Would he like her like this?

Cornelia was confident in her appearance, but when faced with the man she loved, she couldn't help but feel anxious.

She took a few deep breaths before gently pushing open Parker's door.

“Parker, it's late. It's time to rest.”

Parker sat on a cushion with his eyes closed, meditating.

The dim warm light cast on his face made him appear even more serene and otherworldly.

His long fingers held the Bible, and he recited the scriptures. Cornelia's sudden entrance did not interrupt his rhythm.

Seeing this scene, Cornelia felt even more shy.

A sense of guilt and excitement arose in her heart, as if she were desecrating a deity.

Cornelia bent down and placed the soup on the low tea table beside him.

“Mother let the maid to make this is nourishing chicken soup.”

Upon hearing her words, Parker happened to open his eyes at that moment.

As Cornelia bent down, a glimpse of her figure was exposed, but Parker showed no reaction, merely shifting his gaze away indifferently.

“Have some?”

Cornelia did not want to miss the opportunity Mrs. Greene had created. She had long harbored feelings for Parker and yearned to take their relationship further.

“Put it aside. Go back to your room.”

Parker’s tone was cold, completely ignoring the anticipation on Cornelia’s face.

Cornelia’s face turned pale and stiff. Mrs. Greene had already urged her many times, and she truly wanted to give birth to a child of their own for Parker.

Why wouldn’t he even give her this chance?

Was the Bible really that interesting?

Cornelia suddenly felt the urge to challenge Parker.

She boldly sat down, her fair arms wrapped around his shoulders, about to kiss his lips.

But Parker remained unmoved by such a sight, pushing Cornelia away with a dismissive gesture, his eyes filled with annoyance.

“This is a place for studying. Are you so shameless?”

Cornelia fell to the ground, hearing those words, feeling utterly humiliated.

Parker's words felt like slaps to her face, leaving her cheeks burning with pain.

She stared blankly for a moment before coming to her senses, overwhelmed by shame and sadness, and finally ran out crying.

Cornelia locked herself in her room and cried for a long time.

She cried until her voice was hoarse, but in the end, she could only try to compose herself and comfort herself.

Parker had studied Bible for many years, and his personality was naturally reserved; he treated everybody like that.

They were husband and wife, the closest people in the world. As long as she took it slowly, one day, Parker would see her good qualities…

Cornelia wiped away her tears, composed herself, and lay down, inhaling the soothing scent of sandalwood to fall asleep.

She told herself not to rush, to take it step by step. Once Parker got used to her being by his side, everything else would fall into place.

From that day onward, whatever Parker liked, Cornelia made an effort to learn.

He liked tea, so Cornelia picked up the tea ceremony skills she had learned as a child and sought out a teacher to start over from the beginning.

Once she mastered the skill, Cornelia immediately went to Parker to demonstrate it.

Fearing she might arouse Parker’s disgust again, she simply poured the tea and left without lingering.

Seeing that Cornelia hadn’t done anything excessive, Parker didn’t drive her away.

The tea she brewed was indeed excellent, leaving a lingering fragrance in the mouth and bringing out the full essence of the leaves.

Lately, Cornelia had been behaving herself, and Parker gradually accepted her, cautiously testing the waters like a kitten.

To have more interaction with Parker, Cornelia also began reading the Bible like him.

At first, just seeing those obscure, difficult-to-understand words gave Cornelia a headache, but for Parker’s sake, she had to grit her teeth and copy them.

Later, Cornelia began to delve into the meaning of the Bible, using her studies as an excuse to approach Parker and ask him questions.

At first, Parker only gave brief explanations, but after studying for a while, Cornelia became smarter and could chat with him a bit.

Just when Cornelia thought Parker had grown accustomed to her presence, one day he didn’t return until very late.

Such a thing had never happened before.

Parker was disciplined and strict about his daily routine, waking up and going to bed at the same time every day.

Cornelia was very worried and kept calling Parker, but he never answered.

Until her phone suddenly popped up with the latest news.

The headline read:

[Greene Corporation President Parker seen with a woman late at night, behaving intimately.]

Who in the entire circle didn't know that Parker was celibate? How could such an outrageous rumor about him spread?

For a moment, Cornelia thought she had seen it wrong, or that the media was just making things up.

But when she clicked on the video, what she saw was Parker and a woman kissing passionately in the car window.

Parker's face—Cornelia had imagined it countless times in her mind—she couldn't possibly mistake it.

What shocked her even more was that in the video, he was clearly moved by emotion, a state she had never seen before!

And the woman, tilting her head slightly, revealed a face that left Cornelia speechless.