Just don’t be nonsensical in future.
Levant let out a sigh and mustered the courage to walk in.
“Alright, just acknowledge your mistakes and move on. There’s no need to resort to self-harm.”
Exasperated by his statement, Avril gave him a death stare and scolded, “You’re the one who’s in the wrong! I’m not, I’m right as hell!”
Levant had nothing to retaliate. She’s too stubborn. ”Fine, let’s go home.”
“So fast? It’s already so late. Why don’t we stay for dinner?”
Without uttering a word, Levant gave Avril a meaningful look before turning around to leave.
Sensing something amiss, she obediently followed behind him.
As they were about to leave, Stephen was nowhere to be found. Unable to resist the urge, Avril remarked, “He must have expected us to stay for dinner, that’s why he’s cowering in his room.”
“When we return to Levant Winery, you can have anything you fancy. Is that not enough?”
“How can the food at Levant Winery compare to a meal that he’s paying for?” Avril casually commented.
Just as they were approaching the parking area, Levant abruptly stopped in his tracks and turned around to look at Avril. With a solemn expression, he said, “Let me remind you again. If you think it’s all fine and dandy to play around with him like that, you better think again. When you really become besotted with him to the point you’re unable to detach yourself from him, you’ll be in tremendous pain and you will regret it! On the other hand, if you’re harboring any other ulterior motives, you can forget about them too. Dad and he are able to resolve their own problems. You’re in no place to interfere. With the free time you have on hand, why don’t you go find yourself a boyfriend?”
His criticisms caught Avril by surprise and a trace of nervousness flickered briefly in her eyes.
Originally, her objective was to avenge her mom. She schemed to cling to Stephen, harassing him for days on end. Her ultimate goal would be fulfilled if Stephen and Portia divorced. That way, Portia would get a taste of what it was like to be deserted.
Not only that, but she also hoped to gain something from Stephen.
However, during the period of time they spent together, she realized that Stephen was a rather decent guy. He even appeared in her dreams from time to time.
Could it be that I’ve really fallen for him? No, no, no, it can’t be. It was all an act. All for the sake of spiting Portia. I have self-control, I can keep my feelings in check. I can.
Noting her unresponsiveness, Stephen scoffed, “Don’t tell me you’ve really fallen for him. I don’t want to be your son. I’m your brother!”
Avril snapped out of her daze and scowled at him. “Piss off! I don’t need you meddling in my affairs.” With that, she took off, leaving Levant behind.
He stared at her back view as she stalked out and heaved a sigh. Murphy’s and Stephen’s lives were becoming inextricably intertwined. Not only did they have bad blood, but their son was also hopelessly in love with Stephen’s daughter. Then there was the possibility of Murphy’s daughter, Avril, liking Stephen…
Perhaps it was fated for Murphy’s children to be enchanted by Stephen’s family to atone for the sins Murphy committed.
Life sure has its ways of toying with people.
Sighing yet again, Levant ignited the engine and speedily drove off.
In the hospital.
When Nicole roused from her slumber, she was greeted by the sight of Evan by her bedside. The worry in his eyes was evident and he was visibly fatigued.
Noticing that she had awoken, Evan affectionately asked, “Nicole, how do you feel? Are you alright?”
She shook her head lightly. Then the commotion in the restroom came to mind. Everything – the woman’s every word, the two video clips – was still fresh in her memory.
The first video clip showed her trying to take someone else’s child, while the second video clip was of her biting Nina.
The woman still said that she was a lunatic and that she hurt everyone around her whenever she went insane.
Could these be true?
“Nicole, what’s wrong?”
She came back to her senses after his question. “Nothing. I’m just tired. I want some water, please,” she replied.
“Alright, give me a moment.”
As he stood up to grab her a glass of water, she mulled over the problem.
Whether or not it was true, she could verify for herself. In the video clip, she could be seen biting hard on Nina. The pain was so excruciating that Nina kept wailing. Examining Nina’s shoulder for a bite mark would answer all her queries.
The thought of that made her heart skip a beat. If it proved to be correct and she was truly unwell with some sort of “madness”, what was she going to do?
