“He won’t return. Am I right?” Ste asked softly.


    “Jasper knew what he wanted ever since he was a child and he will achieve it on his own ord.


    He didn’t need to work so hard. With help from his father, life would have been much easier, but he refused. He started from a soldier in the special forces and became a general without any help,” Suzi replied.


    “He is a headstrong person who only listens to himself regardless of what others think, whether it’s right or wrong. He treats his family and his lover the same. He feels that he is responsible for his friends, the military base, the country, and even the world. However, he owes his family and lover,” Ste snapped.


    “Perhaps to him, those he loves are all part of him.”


    “So we deserve to suffer when he leaves us?” Ste’s eyes turned red again. It was bloodshot red.


    Suzi held Ste’s hand. “I understand your rage. You waited for him for so long. He left because he didn’t want you to worry.”


    “He’s leaving not because he’s afraid that I will worry. He left because he feared that I’ll give the biological weapons in exchange for his life. As long as he’s gone and we can’t find him, I will forgo the n. He’s doing this for the sake of the world.”


    “He is really a man with a sense of justice. Since he was a child, he declined anything given by the family. He also refused to snatch what belongs to another. It was through hard work that he gained his promotion. He could have been the President, but he declined the role and supported Sean instead. Please forgive him,” Suzi persuaded.


    “I will not forgive him. If he could leave me so easily, then he’s not worthy of my love. The world may not be aware of what he sacrificed for them, but I know that he doesn’t love me,” Ste said resolutely, tears streaming down her cheek.


    Suzi realized that Jasper’s actions had hurt Ste deeply this time.


    “Maybe, this sums up a woman’s life. What we want is just to be with our loved ones, but the men always have bigger ns in mind,” Suzi responded exasperatingly.


    “Sadly, we are unable to provide what they want,” Ste said callously.


    “Do you still remember what you said to me when you were kidnapped by Steven seven years ago? You remarked that a woman only wishes to be loved and cared for by the man she loves. If there is no love in a marriage, it will be like a grave.


    “I felt hurt for a long time because of what you said because I knew that Steven married me not because of love. He never portrayed any fondness whenever we were together. However, time still passed,” Suzi said softly.


    “Humans only have one life. My mother went berserk due to her obsession with love. Yet, the man did not even nce at her on her deathbed. I don’t want to live like how she did. I promised him that I would be happy. Even so, I will be so frustrated as though I will explode from the rage every time I think of his abandonment.


    I have always lived for others in the past. This is thest time I will wait for him. After this, I will only live for myself,” Ste dered with resolution.


    “Alright, I will support you,” Suzi choked with emotion.


    Ste finally cooled down. She felt sorry as she should not have vented her anger at Suzi. Suzi must have been so much more miserable than her when she heard the news. “I’m sorry, Mom. I blew my top.”


    “You are young and there is still hope. I understood the meaning of life toote. I have wasted my life, but there is no way to change it, neither is there a way to reverse time. I have seen how fond you were towards Jasper and how you cared for him. Unfortunately, Jasper is like his father. Their heart lies not in romance, but the bigger future. Ste, I hope that you will be happy and I pray that you will receive the love you deserve one day,” Suzi said sincerely.


    Ste’s heart ached. “Let me wait for him onest time.”


    “Yes, but don’t wait here. It will be colder at night. Your knees and joints won’t be able to stand it. Don’t fall sick. Didn’t you mentioned that you want to live for yourself?”


    Ste understood that Suzi was concerned about her.


    She did not want those who cared about her to feel sad, so she stood up and went back to the vi with Suzi.


    Sandro had fallen asleep under Anthea’s care.Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    “I’ll heat the food for you,” Suzi said and went into the room.


    Ste gazed at Suzi’s back. In fact, Suzi was doing better than her. She could control her emotions better than her. It would be impossible for her to remainposed and care for others while in sorrow.


    Tears welled up in her eyes again and trickled down her cheeks.


    Suzi emerged, putting a te of fish and chips in front of her and said with a smile, “Eat first. Don’t starve yourself.”


    For a moment, her heart melted and a thought shed through her mind. Perhaps, she could just live with Sandro and Suzi like this. It would be a peaceful life with no desire.


    However, her heart wrenched and filled with resentment whenever she recalled what had happened earlier that morning.


    She was diagnosed with mental illness before. If her condition rpsed, it would be more severe and difficult to treat.


    The thought of her mental illness rpsing frightened her. She was afraid that she would hurt others aside from being in distress.


    She wouldn’t be hurting just anyone, but someone who cared for her.


    She had a hard time finishing her meal as she did not have an appetite. After a few bites, she said, “Mom, go to bed. I’ll wait for him toe back.”


    “You should sleep early. If hees back, you will see him when you wake up,” Suzi responded.


    “I will,” Ste replied.


    Suzi looked at her with concern in her eyes before going back to her room.


    She couldn’t sleep a wink. Her head throbbed, yet she still couldn’t fall asleep. She sat on the couch and waited for Jasper to return.


    By half-past five, Suzi had awakened. Upon noticing that Ste was still huddled on the couch, she urged, “You’ve been sitting there all night. Hurry up and go to sleep. I’ll wait instead. If Jasperes back, I’ll wake you up at once.”


    Ste’s eyes were stinging and dry. She strained her eyes to look at Suzi and said, “I promised that I would wait for him for 24 hours. There are three hours left. I can wait.”


    “Poor child. If he wishes to return, he won’t let you wait for even an hour,” Suzi spoke frankly. It was a harsh reality but she didn’t want her to be exhausted from waiting.


    Ste knew that it was the truth. However, she held on to herst hope, as well as giving herself ast chance.


    If he didn’te back within three hours, she would not wait any longer. She would not wait anymore.


    Suzi perceived Ste’s determination and sighed. She entered the kitchen to prepare breakfast.


    An hourter, Sandro rose. Anthea brought him down the stairs.


    When he saw Ste, he stretched his arms out for a hug.


    Ste did not respond. She looked at Sandro with mixed emotions and tears coursed down her cheeks.


    If Jasper didn’t return this time, she would definitely copse and turn crazy.


    She promised him that she would live in hope and do what he wanted her to do after his death. However, he abandoned her first. Hence, the promise did not count…