Eloise didn't return to her parents' home, though to be accurate, she hadn't had a place to truly call home since leaving Marie. Thankfully, she'd saved up enough money over the years to buy a small apartment. At least she had a roof over her head.

Exhaustion washed over her as she opened the bedroom door. She had a long dream.

In it, the Sheffields gradually grew to shun Jonathan after the cliff incident, and they couldn't care less whether he died or lived. Eloise's biological parents did not want their precious Sonia to marry Jonathan and suffer hardship, so they devised ways to force Eloise into taking Sonia's place.

Eloise had been only 18 then. She'd shown up at her parents' residence with a cake she baked herself, thrilled and eager to please them. But the next second, she was roughly manhandled and shoved through the door of Jonathan's bedroom.

"You came back too late, Eloise. We don't feel an ounce of affection for you. Don't bother returning to the Jensen family after this. We'll just pretend we never had a daughter like you. This will be your home from now on for the rest of your life," Eloise's parents told her.

Fear, resentment, bitterness, and hopelessness filled Eloise. She couldn't understand how her biological parents could be so cruel as to abandon her. Why had they bothered bringing her back into the family, to begin with?

She curled up in the corner of the room and stared at the unmoving young man on the bed. She was panicked and terrified, and her tears wouldn't stop falling. At that point, she and Jonathan were nothing more than pitiful children abandoned by their families.

The dreamscape shifted, and Eloise was suddenly staring at Jonathan, whose mental capacity had devolved to that of a seven-year-old. She was trying her best to cheer him up.

He had become extremely capricious due to his diminished mental capacity. Each time he threw a tantrum, Eloise would rush up to him and hug him around the waist, soothing him in low, comforting tones.

The house they'd lived in was small, but it carried many of their memories, which were both bitter and sweet.

On days when the sun was out, Eloise would play tag with Jonathan, their laughter reverberating through the house. When thunder rumbled across the sky, she'd hold him tightly and cry with him.

The scene changed once more. Jonathan lost control of his emotions and threw a fit, and Eloise ended up knocking her head on the table. Blood seeped from the gash in her forehead.

When Jonathan saw the crimson blood dripping from her forehead, his towering build went still. This time, he did not helplessly break down in tears like usual, and instead gaped at Eloise before carefully pulling her into his arms.

"Silly Ellie, does it hurt? Don't be scared. I'll protect you from now on," he told her.

Eloise woke up with tears streaming down her face. She wiped them off, only to realize she had yet to clean the cut on her palm. Dirt and grime still covered the cut, courtesy of the street she'd scraped her palm on.

"It hurts, Jonathan." But this time, no one was there to blow on the cut for her or promise they'd take care of her for the rest of her life.

She saw that she had multiple missed calls on her phone. At first, she thought the calls were from her company, but they turned out to be from Jonathan. "Ellie, could you come to the hospital? I need to talk to you."

Eloise had set up a biotechnology company that was currently collaborating with the hospital run by the Sheffield family.

Upon hearing Jonathan's words, she thought there'd been a hiccup with their collaboration. She got out of bed and quickly cleaned the cut on her palm with antiseptic, then left the house with her purse.

From a distance, she saw Jonathan's bodyguard standing outside a VIP hospital room. She entered the room to find an ashen-faced Sonia on the bed.

Jonathan had claimed the caretaker's chair by the bedside, looking defensive of Sonia. A bowl with the dregs of what appeared to be chicken noodle soup was set on the table, too.

Eloise's gaze darted to the other side of the room, where her parents were seated on the couch. Everyone was looking at her, their expressions hardened. It was as though they were in a criminal inquiry.

Baffled by the scene, Eloise asked, "What's going on here?"

"I should be asking you that! What are you playing at?" Eloise's mother, Helena Norris, snapped as she stormed up to Eloise like an angry beast. "What kind of a sick psychopath would hire someone to kill her own younger sister?

"Did you want to get rid of her so you could inherit the family fortune? If you thought that would work, dream on!"

Eloise's father, David Jensen, approached her furiously as well. He did not move to strike her, but the hateful look in his eyes was enough to kill her. "How could an upstanding person like me have produced a heartless monster like you? I wish you'd die outside the family instead of disgracing us!"

These were Eloise's so-called parents. Not once did they show they loved her, but they certainly did not hold back in letting her know they hated her.

"So, did you ask me to come here to confess my sins?" Eloise's gaze fell on Jonathan. He had stood up and approached her while her parents admonished her. Now, he was looking down his nose at her.

Alas, he wasn't here to speak up for her. He looked grim, and his gaze was frigid behind his gold-rimmed glasses. "Why did you hire someone to run Sonia over? Had that car gone a little faster, did you know that Sonia might not have just gone into a shock, but worse?"

"How are you so sure that I was behind it?"

Rage threatened to consume Eloise. Knowing that Jonathan and her parents wouldn't believe her, she decided not to waste her breath arguing. She just let out a quiet, bitter laugh. "Go on, then, tell me what you're hoping to get out of me through this dramatic confrontation."

Helena and David were about to speak when Jonathan beat them to it. "Apologize to Sonia and compensate her, and we'll consider this incident settled and let you off the hook."

As he said this, he furtively reached for Eloise's hand, as if hinting that this was the lightest punishment she could get off with. However, Eloise found this ironic, seeing as she had nothing to do with the incident at all.

At that moment, Sonia spoke from where she sat on the hospital bed. "I don't need Eloise's apology. She's easily embarrassed, and I don't want to make this harder for her than it should be. Besides, she was probably confused when she orchestrated this mess.

"As for the compensation… Eloise, if you give me the Southam project, I won't press charges against you."

Eloise couldn't help snorting. She glanced at Jonathan and asked, "Is that what you also think?"

Jonathan's gaze was far colder than she imagined. It was clear he agreed with Sonia's suggestion.

"And what if I refuse?" Eloise countered.

"On what grounds?" Jonathan was so hung up on Sonia nearly getting run over by a speeding car that he only wanted to make things right for her. "Ellie, for the sake of the five years we've spent together, I went along with your decisions and stood by you. I even promised to marry you.

"Isn't that enough? You already have what you wanted, so why would you plot against Sonia?"

"I told you I didn't do it! What makes you think I'd pull a deadly stunt against her in public?" Eloise knew that Jonathan didn't believe her, but she refused to be blatantly accused of something she didn't do.

Jonathan closed his eyes impatiently, not wanting to hear Eloise's explanation. "Eloise, it's only right that you're punished for your wrongdoing. If Sonia wants the Southam project, let her have it. If not, I'll take it by force and give it to her."

Such was Jonathan's great love for Sonia, unreserved and bold.

His threat was like a bucket of ice water tipped over Eloise's head, chilling her to the bone. She slowly raised her gaze to look him in the eyes. "So what will I have to do for you to back off the Southam project?"

Eloise did not hail from a powerful family or have parents to support her. She had to work twice as hard for what she wanted.

She'd prepared for the Southam project for a whole year. She stayed up on countless nights, drank until her stomach bled, and the doctors almost lost her on two occasions. In other words, she'd earned the Southam project with her life.

Jonathan knew all this as well, yet here he was, threatening to take the project by force. It was absurd.

"Eloise, beg on your knees for my forgiveness." A gentle smile curved Sonia's lips. "If you apologize to me, I'll spare your project. I know you nearly killed me, but the Southam project is your blood, sweat, and tears. I can't bring myself to take it from you, and I don't want Jon to choose between us."

Sonia had finally come out with the truth. She had never dabbled in biotechnology, so why would she want the Southam project? It was more likely that she wanted to humiliate Eloise in a different, roundabout way.

Jonathan's sharp gaze landed on Eloise. "Since Sonia has spoken, just do as she asks. Get on your knees and apologize to her, Eloise."

"You want me to get on my knees?"

There was a time when Jonathan threw a huge, violent fit, and two maids had to pin him down and beat him into submission with an electric baton. Eloise had rushed toward him and shielded him with her body. The maids forced her to get on her knees and apologize, or they'd continue beating Jonathan.

Eloise had no choice but to do as the maids asked, all so she could protect Jonathan. He'd had the mental capacity of a seven-year-old then, but that night, he cried while blowing on her bruised kneecaps.

"I'll behave from now on, Ellie. Don't get on your knees for me anymore. I won't let anyone make you do it. You're the most important person in the world to me."

He might be mentally a child, then, but he knew how humiliating it was for one to get on one's knees.

But Jonathan had gone from a gullible child to a shrewd and ruthless adult. He fixed Eloise with a grave look, expecting her to beg for Sonia's forgiveness at the expense of Eloise's pride. "You were wrong, so you must deal with the consequences."

It was as if an icy, phantom breeze had blown into the room, sweeping away all that was wonderful and leaving only a deep chill in its wake.

"Fine, I'll get on my knees." Eloise gritted her teeth and turned to face Sonia. She bent her legs slightly.

The corner of Sonia's mouth curved up in a smug smile. "Just get on your knees and I'll forgive you, Eloise."

But just as Eloise's knees were about to hit the ground, she suddenly straightened up and summoned all her strength, then slapped Sonia across the face. It was a loud and hard slap, and blood trickled out of the corner of Sonia's mouth.

"That's my apology!" Eloise snarled. She would not apologize for something she didn't do!

David and Helena charged forward like rabid animals when they saw Sonia getting slapped, but Eloise dodged them.

Not wanting to put up with these rotten folks anymore, Eloise headed for the door. But she had taken only a few steps when someone kicked her in the back of her knees. She lost her balance and staggered, then fell on the floor with a loud thud. Pain seized her.

She looked up, meeting Jonathan's dark, menacing gaze. "You crossed the line, Eloise."

At that moment, the two bodyguards who'd been at the door entered the room. Jonathan ordered, "Get her on her knees and keep it that way for three minutes."

Having heard Jonathan's instruction, the two burly bodyguards stepped forward and gripped Eloise's arms. She tried to break free, but she was no match for two male bodyguards.

They shoved her head toward the floor until her forehead knocked on the tile. No sooner had she risen than they shoved her head down once more. Before long, blood bloomed across the floor.

Sonia was clutching her chest, feigning concern like the drama queen that she was. "Please be gentle with Eloise! Don't be too hard on her."

Meanwhile, Jonathan reached out to cover Sonia's eyes, fearing the gory sight before her would scare her.

All Eloise heard was the sound of her dignity shattering. If she'd known this would happen five years ago, would she have chosen to fall in love with Jonathan still? No, she wouldn't.

When the bodyguards finally let her go, Eloise was already sapped. Fresh blood trickled down her forehead and into her eyes, then dropped on her white dress. Crimson bloomed over the front of her dress.

Her hair was a mess from being gripped, and she looked every bit the pathetic loser. She stared at Jonathan as he protected another woman. This was the man she'd loved and protected for five whole years—a man who had taken her dignity and crushed it.

"I don't want you anymore, Jonathan," Eloise muttered hoarsely. She was unsteady on her feet as she headed out the door, her parents hurling abuse at her from behind.

"If she didn't have late-stage cancer, I'd hire someone to beat her into a pulp!"

"Good riddance! She ought to die outside the family. She won't have a place in the Jensens' mausoleum!"

As it turned out, everyone thought Eloise had cancer and believed her days were numbered. And yet, no one felt sorry for her or sided with her. No one offered her even the slightest warmth in her final days.

Even after all these years, she was still alone.

Eloise's eyes prickled. Her mind went blank, and the next second, she collapsed on the floor.

When Eloise opened her eyes again, she was greeted by the white ceiling of the hospital. The sky outside was as dark as ink.

At her bedside was Jonathan, the faint shadow of his stubble covering the lower half of his face. He looked worn out, but his eyes lit up when he saw that Eloise was awake. It was as if life had been poured back into him.

"Ellie, are you thirsty? Would you like some water?" This concerned man was miles apart from the one who had forced Eloise to get on her knees earlier.

Eloise sported a bandage around her head, and her lips were badly chapped. She was too weak to speak, and only managed a soft, "Get out." However, her voice was barely more than a whisper, and Jonathan didn't hear her.

It took her a moment to finally raise her voice, albeit not by much. "Get out. I don't want to see you."

Jonathan's hand shook while holding the glass. He recalled feeling as if a part of his heart had been hollowed out when he went out of the hospital room to go after Eloise earlier, only to see her delicate frame lying on the floor.

When he scooped her into his arms, fresh blood had flowed from the gash on her head down his arm and wrist. He'd nearly lost his footing. "I'm not going anywhere until you recover."

Jonathan brought the chicken noodle soup over to the bed. Taking a spoonful and blowing on it to cool it off, he brought the spoon to Eloise's mouth. "There are too many things for me to explain, but I hope you'll understand that I'm your biggest defender."

Eloise's face was practically ashen. Her thick lashes fluttered as she let out something of a laugh. It sounded weak but sarcastic. "But can I count on you, Jonathan?"

Jonathan wanted to say yes on instinct, but when he saw the subtle, cynical curve to her lips, an inexplicable rush of fear and panic gripped him. He was reminded of the way she told him she didn't want him anymore. His heart tightened, and he suddenly pulled her into his arms.

Resting his chin atop her head, he murmured, "Don't blame me for this, Ellie. Your parents have always played favorites. They were so angry when they found out you hired someone to run Sonia over that they said they wanted to kill you.

"They'd find ways to get back at you if they didn't hear you apologize. I can't always be there to protect you, so I had to force you—"

"So, in short, I still can't count on you to protect me." Eloise gently wiggled out of Jonathan's embrace, though a bitter smile still played on her lips. No one, other than Marie, had loved and cherished Eloise since young. "Get out. I want to rest."

"Okay." Jonathan decided to let her have some time alone to cool off. When he reached the door, he glanced over his shoulder at her. "Ellie, we'll get married after you recover. I don't know how long we'll have as husband and wife, but I won't marry anyone but you."

Eloise curled up under the blanket and said nothing.

She wouldn't be dying. She wasn't marrying him, either. She would hold on to the memories they shared, but forget about ever loving him. He'd just become someone she used to know.

For the next few days, Jonathan guarded Eloise's bedside faithfully. He'd sleep on the chair when he was tired or occasionally doze off on the bench outside the room. He'd show up if Eloise so much as coughed, as if she were the most important person in his life.

The day Eloise was discharged from the hospital finally arrived. It was also her birthday.

Jonathan brought her on a luxury cruise, and only then did she know he was throwing an elaborate cruise party in her honor.

Upon arriving at the party, Eloise and Jonathan were met with envious looks from the scions of the upper-crust society. They sang praises of Eloise and Jonathan, making the former sound like an angel who fell from heaven.

But the moment Jonathan left Eloise's side, the same scions who had lauded Eloise with praise immediately turned against her. Their words took a vicious turn, too.

"Jonathan's probably toying with Eloise. Did she think he'd marry her just because she took care of him for five years? Please. Sonia is his true love."

"Yeah, and he even risked his life to protect Sonia when they got into that accident years ago. It's obvious he's deeply in love with her."

"If Jonathan had to marry someone, he'd pick Sonia without a doubt. The Jensens love her more, too. They even gave her their entire fortune. Shows how much more important she is to them than their biological daughter."

"Hey, you guys know Eloise was only 18 when Jonathan first woke up from his vegetative state, right? She was so pure and naive when she moved in with him. Do you reckon he's slept with her already?"

"I bet he did. Any man would jump at the chance to ride a little slice like Eloise."

The few scions huddled together as they chortled over their crude jokes, but their laughter ground to a halt when Jonathan slowly entered the hall with Sonia.

Sonia's arm was looped through Jonathan's, and she wore a pristine, white gown, clinging to him like a sweet, helpless young lady. A gentle smile played on her lips. She was like a princess who welcomed the people's reverence.

As Sonia stopped before Eloise, she handed Eloise a small box. "Eloise, this is the present I picked out for you."

Eloise opened the box to find a broken crown nestled within. Snorts and sniggers immediately sounded around her.

"I got the gift on short notice. I hope you don't mind." Sonia blushed and quickly closed the box. "It's all Jonathan's fault for overreacting. He said I was too weak to go gift-shopping alone, so he had his assistant do the job for me. The assistant should have been more careful with it."

Jonathan's brows furrowed as he lovingly flicked the tip of Sonia's nose. "I wasn't overreacting. You need to take better care of yourself."

There was no hiding the affection in his tone.

The guests around them began to quip, "Still hung up on Ms. Jensen, huh, Mr. Sheffield?"

"If you care about her so much, why don't you get back together with her? Today's a good day for reconciliation. Come on, give us something to cheer about!"

A smile tugged on Jonathan's lips, but perhaps Eloise's presence beside him prompted him to stop the crowd's jesting. "Ellie, don't take their words personally."

Eloise didn't, and she'd stopped caring about Jonathan, too.

During the cake-cutting ceremony, Eloise had just picked up the knife and was about to make the first cut when Sonia asked sweetly, "Jon, can I have the first slice?"

It was customary for Eloise to make the first cut and eat the first slice, considering it was her birthday.

"If my parents hadn't stopped me all those years ago, I would be the one by your side. But I know there's no chance of us getting back together.

"Eloise is your fiancee now, and it's your job to look after her." Sonia dried her tears as a quiet sob escaped her. "But I really want to have the first slice of cake, and I want you to cut it for me. Think of it as a closure for the years we spent together. Let's get married in the next life, okay?"

No one thought Sonia was wrong for making such remarks. Some of the guests even spoke up for her.

Hope glittered in Jonathan's dark eyes. He glanced at Eloise. "Ellie, this is Sonia's only wish. Let her have this moment, okay?"

Eloise stared at the scene before her. She found this entire birthday party to be a farce, and she was the biggest joke.