Chapter 559


    "Please, can you just give me a break?" she pleaded.


    She had never witnessed Everett in such an assertive and unyielding demeanor. That scared


    Dorothy a bit.


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    Finally, sensing the tremor in her voice, Everett''s resolve softened. Clenching his jaw, he pulled her


    into his arms after a moment of hesitation.


    Both drenched in sweat, theyy in the darkness of the unlit night. They panted heavily as their


    heartbeats were syncing up in an unspoken understanding.


    Neither Dorothy nor Everett spoke again. But the answer they were both seeking had already


    silently revealed itself.


    After holding her for a while, Dorothy ventured softly, "Do you... want me to draw you a bath?"


    "What''s really got you trapped, Dorothy?"


    He couldn''t fathom it, nor could he imagine what his parents could possibly hold over her head.


    But she remained silent.


    "I promise I''ll keep Abigail and Langston safe. There won''t be any slip-ups. And from now on, my


    folks won''t get a chance to corner you alone again. Okay?"


    Dorothy steadied herself and mustered a smile, "It''s not about any of that! I trust you to protect our


    children, and as for your parents... I hardly ever see them."


    "Are they using Keh''s safety to threaten you? Or is it Karen?"


    Everett was stubborn. He was determined to guess the reason.


    He had spent the day alone in the hospital room, turning over every possibility in his mind. He


    concluded that, if Dorothy would just let him, he could take care of all her troubles and concerns.


    He''d even go as far as hiring protection for Keh, his rival, if that''s what it took!


    "No, your parents didn’t threaten me."


    "And sending the kids to the Lopez family was your own choice?"


    Dorothy pursed her lips, then gave a small nod, "Yes. Though it was your father''s suggestion, the


    decision was mine after careful consideration. They truly have a better life with the Lopezes."


    "And what about me?"


    Dorothy was muted on hearing that.


    "Dorothy, did you ever think about me?"


    She had been dodging and avoiding any talk of the future, in which case she was clearly looking for


    an out!


    Everett wasn''t a fool; he could see right through it.


    But he could also see that Dorothy was genuinely happy with him, that she didn''t resent their time


    together. So why... why couldn''t she agree to remarry him?


    "Of course I''ve thought about you!" Dorothy tried to keep her tone light, not wanting to get stuck on


    the topic, "Like right now, I think you really should take a shower, or your need for cleanliness is


    going to kick in."


    "Dorothy!"


    "Alright." Dorothy reached out to take his hand, her voice soothing, "Give me some time, okay? One


    month, I''ll give you an answer in one month. You''ve got to stay here to recuperate for at least that


    long anyway. I promise you''ll have your answer before you''re discharged."


    Everett frowned.


    "You need to let me think it through, right? We''ve been apart for so many years. You haven''t


    changed, but I have. I''ve been through a lot, and I don''t think I should rush into marriage again."


    Dorothy smiled, "Plus, you''ll have some time to slow down and really consider whether you''re just


    obsessing over me or if it''s genuine love."


    Everett suddenly let out augh. She could detect a hint of disappointment in it.


    "You think this is just an obsession?"


    "Well, it''s possible, right? Maybe you just feel like you missed out on your youthful crush on me, and


    now that you''re all grown up, you''re fixated on getting what you never had."