Chapter 12
Martha knew Kayla too well. When Kayla said she was done, she meant it. She never looked back.
Martha gently patted her on the head and didn’t say anything more, though deep down, she couldn’t help but feel a deep sadness.
Eight years wasn’t just about youth. It was about giving someone the purest, most passionate kind of love a woman could offer.
1/1
At Jolsa General Hospital, Lily sat by Sally’s bedside, frustration clearly written across her face.
“Mom, Kayla’s gone. I don’t think Jonah’s given up yet. You need to help me again,” Lily demanded.
Sally’s cloudy eyes moved slightly. Her vision was too poor to see Lily’s expression, but she tried to gently reason with her.
“Lily, if Jonah really loved you, he wouldn’t have married Kayla in the first place. Let it go.”
“Let go?” Lily’s voice suddenly pitched up.
“If you hadn’t dragged me overseas back then, I’d already be married to Jonah! This is all your fault! I don’t care how you do it–threaten him with death if you have to–but you need to get him to get our marriage registered. Not just some useless ceremony.”
“Lily…”
Lily’s voice suddenly shifted, sounding syrupy and calm. “Mom, you’re dying anyway. What’s the difference between doing it sooner or later? As long as you’re willing to go all in, Jonah will divorce Kayla and marry me.”
With that, Lily shoved a fruit knife into Sally’s frail hand.
Not long after, Jonah walked into the hospital room, looking worn and hollow.
Lily gave Sally a quick look before excusing herself and slipping out of the room.
Jonah sat down beside the bed, his face filled with concern. “Ms. White, how are you feeling today?”
Sally knew that he didn’t love Lily. She’d always known. But Lily was all she had, her only daughter. And Sally was willing to squeeze out the last bit of her life to try to buy Lily a stable future.
“Jonah, I know you only went through with the wedding ceremony to give me peace of mind. You’re still not divorced from Kayla.”
Jonah hadn’t even gotten a chance to explain why he came. He was actually planning to tell her he’d be out of Jolsa fór a few days.
“Ms. White, I’ll take care of Lily, I promise. You don’t need to worry.”
“No. I don’t believe you. You’re just saying what I want to hear. You know how much I did for you growing up. I’ve never asked for anything in return- except this. Marry Lily. Make it legal. If you don’t… I’ll die right here in front of you.”
Then, with a sudden jolt, she pulled her hand from under the blanket, gripping the knife. She raised it toward her neck in the blink of an eye.
Jonah lunged forward, grabbing the blade with his bare hand. “Ms. White! What are you doing?”
He snapped for the first time and yelled at the woman who had practically raised him,
Blood welled up in his palm as the sharp blade sliced through his skin, dripping red onto the pristine white sheets.
Sally, startled, loosened her grip. The knife clattered to the side. Guilt flickered across her face.
Jonah gently set the knife down. He lowered his gaze and said in a hoarse voice, “Get some rest. I won’t be able to visit for a few days. I’ve got something I need to take care of.”
Then he stood and left.
Outside the door, Lily had been eavesdropping the whole time. She seethed with a mix of anger and resentment. With gritted teeth, she swore to herself –there was no way she’d let Jonah and Kayla get back together.
That same day, Jonah boarded a flight to Kayla’s city. He’d always said he’d visit her hometown and stay with her family for a while, but work always came first. There was never time.
He hadn’t even spent a single New Year with her family in the two years they’d been married.
Now, being in her city again, he suddenly realized just how much he’d taken for granted.
Jonah showed up at Kayla’s door that evening with his arms full of gifts and a large bouquet of flowers.
