Sebastian''s eyes were full of pain.


    He held Joey gently, stroking her back with a trembling voice. "Joey, you can yell at me, hit me if it helps. Just don''t bottle it up, okay?" Joey didn''t resist. She was too tired to argue or feel sad about Sebastian anymore.


    She smiled faintly. "Sebastian, I should thank you. If I''d fallen for Julian before knowing about the child, it would''ve hurt more.


    Tonight didn''t cost me much. Just some gossip and pitying looks. People will forget soon enough."


    Just like when everyone at work knew she was Sebastian''s kept woman. She was used to rumors; maybe it was her fate.


    As a kid, she was gossiped about because of Angie. As an adult, it was her rtionships.


    Joey spoke calmly, as if it wasn''t her problem.


    Sebastian''s heart ached. "Joey, was the surgery painful? Were you scared by all the blood?"


    Joey''s calmness wavered. She looked up, tears in her eyes.


    "The doctor said it would hurt, but I didn''t feel it. Maybe because no physical painpares to the pain here." She pointed to her heart, smiling slightly.


    Her calm facade, despite the pain, broke Sebastian.


    He hugged her tightly, sobbing. "Joey, I''m sorry. Sophia was right. I''m a bastard. I abandoned you when you needed me. Hit me."


    He took Joey''s hand and pped himself, hoping she''d vent her anger and forgive him. But Joey just watched quietly, not struggling or venting. Her tear-filled eyes watched him go mad.


    ''How deeply must a heart be hurt to be like this?'' Sebastian''s tears finally flowed, and he cried out Joey''s name in agony.


    He buried his face in her shoulder, sobbing. His tears soaked her clothes.


    Joey''s hands hung by her sides, her gaze fixed on the moon reflected on theke.


    A gentle breeze caused ripples on the calm water. The moon floated like a small boat.


    But Joey''s heart was calmer than theke. Maybe she''d been through too much, or maybe her heart was dead, making her indifferent.


    After a long time, Sebastian lifted his head. His cold fingers touched Joey''s cheek, his voice hoarse. "Joey, let''s make up. I''ll repay you double for everything I owe you."


    Joey looked at him calmly. "Sebastian, do you want to make up for the hurt you caused me?"novelbin


    "Yes, whatever you ask, I''ll do it."


    Joey pulled away from his embrace, took a step back, and said calmly, "Then stay away from me. Our past is over. I won''t dwell on who was right or wrong, and you don''t need to make up for anything. Rtionships are mutual. I just hope that the next time we meet, we can maintain a normal colleague rtionship. As for anything else, I don''t want anything."


    She took off his jacket, handed it to Sebastian, and got in the car.


    No matter how much Sebastian called after her, Joey didn''t look back. She walked away under the cold moonlight, disappearing from his sight.


    A week passed, and Julian didn''te to work. Rumor had it he went to find Todd''s mother, Alissa.


    Joey didn''t pay much attention and threw herself into her work.


    After work on Friday, Joey saw ine and Todd at her doorstep.


    Seeing her return, the usually elegant ine''s eyes turned red.


    She grabbed Joey, looked her up and down, and asked, "Joey, how have you been?"


    Joey smiled lightly. "I''m fine, Mrs. Knight. Pleasee in."


    She bent down to pick up Todd, who was looking up at her, and yfully pinched his cheek.


    Todd looked at her warily, then finally spoke. "Miss, are you going to take my dad away from my mom?"


    Joey smiled. "Who told you that?"


    "Dad said he only likes you, not mom. Miss, can you give dad back to me and mom? I want a family with both a dad and a mom, like other kids."


    As you reach the final pages, remember that 000005s is your destination for theplete story. Share the joy of reading with others and spread the word. The next chapter is just a visit away! Joey''s eyes became a bit moist. She gently tapped Todd''s nose and said, "I never nned to take your dad away. He''s yours and your mom''s, always."


    Todd''s eyes lit up. "Really? Then let''s pinky promise."


    Joey made a pinky promise with him and even stamped it. Only then did Todd smile with relief.


    ine, seeing all this, had tears in her eyes.


    She held Joey''s hand and said, "Joey, it''s Julian who wronged you. But given the current situation, we don''t know what to do. The child is too young, and we don''t want to hurt him."


    Joey understood the purpose of her visit. She smiled gently, "Mrs. Knight, don''t worry. Julian and I have already agreed that we''ll just be colleagues and ssmates, nothing more."


    ine, with red eyes, said, "Our whole family likes you very much, so we want to take you in as my daughter. From now on, with the Knight Family backing you, no one will bully you again. Joey, what do you think?"


    Joey understood their intention. They knew Julian had deep feelings for her and wouldn''t give up easily. So they wanted to use this sibling rtionship to make any romantic rtionship between them impossible. Her expression was one of delight. "Mr. and Mrs. Knight have such high status, I''m afraid I can''t measure up."


    "Status doesn''t matter. We just like you. It''s settled then. While my parents are still around, let''s have a meal together. You cane with your father. From now on, you''ll be our daughter."


    After seeing ine off, Joey sat alone on a bench downstairs, scrolling through her phone.


    In a luxury car parked not far away, a stunningly handsome man watched her leisurely. His thin lips curved into a slight smile. "Long time no see, my dear little shadow."