Shawn Rhodes and Lillian Young soon arrived at the base.
Lillian Young held Jasmine Rhodes, sobbing uncontrollably.
"Oh, my baby... Mom thought she’d never see you again... Every day I was thinking of you, dreaming of you every night. Mom was worried sick about you..."
Talia Rhodes stood by quietly, tears streaming down her face.
In recent days, whenever she closed her eyes, she saw that madman Vincent Fletcher torturing her sister, and often had nightmares of Vincent Fletcher pouring gasoline over her sister, intending to burn her alive. She dreamt that Vincent Fletcher demanded she trade her life for her sister’s.
Under such circumstances, a tough man like Shawn Rhodes also had reddened eyes.
He had a thousand things to say, but when it ca to speaking them, all that ca out was, "Jasmine, Dad missed you too."
After the family of four cried together, the attentive Lillian Young noticed Jasmine Rhodes’ ntal state wasn’t quite right.
With teary eyes, she said, "After Jasmine was kidnapped the first ti, she was left with psychological scars. This ti she was kidnapped and taken to Aridia, and nearly lost her life. I’m worried about her..."
She couldn’t continue her words.
Jasmine Rhodes is not yet nine years old, yet she’s experienced kidnapping twice.
How can such a little girl withstand this constant trauma?
Her ntal health will surely suffer.
Dark circles ringed Shawn Rhodes’ eyes.
In the days since his younger daughter was kidnapped, he hadn’t had a good night’s sleep.
At this mont, Shawn Rhodes looked utterly exhausted and worn. The gaze he cast at his younger daughter was full of guilt and concern, "I’ll contact the best psychologist right away."
Talia said, "I’ll also reach out to friends to contact the most authoritative child psychologist at the mont. Auntie, Jasmine will get better."
Lillian Young sighed heavily, "I hope so."
Adrian Jennings and Lucas Langley were discussing matters outside.
The Rhodes Family ca out, and the two sides exchanged glances.
Adrian Jennings’ gaze fell on Talia Rhodes. Their eyes t, and Talia’s eyes were red from crying.
A hint of pain flickered in Adrian Jennings’ eyes.
Talia Rhodes pressed her lips and silently looked away.
Lillian Young originally wanted to say "thank you" to Adrian Jennings, but when she thought of how Jasmine wouldn’t have been kidnapped if not for Adrian Jennings, the words of thanks were caught in her throat.
Shawn Rhodes looked at Adrian Jennings with irritation, his gaze cold.
Adrian Jennings remained composed and greeted politely, "Mr. Rhodes."
"Please don’t call Mister; I can’t accept it," Shawn Rhodes replied sarcastically.
Adrian Jennings was not angered, rely nodded slightly, saying, "How is Jasmine?"
This question made Shawn Rhodes even angrier.
He scoffed, "Thanks to you, she almost didn’t make it."
"..." Adrian Jennings lowered his eyes, his expression guilty, "I’m very sorry."
Standing beside, Lucas Langley wanted to say sothing but without Adrian Jennings’ permission, he couldn’t speak freely.
Despite Adrian Jennings’ humble apology, Shawn Rhodes was not receptive.
A fire of anger burned within him, his face dark as he spoke coldly, "What good is an apology? Can a sorry heal the hurt Jasmine and Talia suffered?"
Adrian Jennings remained silent.
Shawn Rhodes scoffed again and stord off holding Jasmine Rhodes.
Lillian Young said nothing and followed suit.
Talia Rhodes also followed along.
As she passed Adrian Jennings, the man grabbed Talia’s wrist, "Talia..."
Talia stopped, looked up at him, "Is there anything else?"
Adrian Jennings’ eyes were deep, showing pain and humility, "Can we reconcile?"
Talia was stunned.
Her eyes were filled with disbelief.
It took her a while to respond, frowning as she asked, "What are you talking about?"
Reconcile?
Given everything, how could they reconcile now?
Not even ntioning that the Jennings’ matriarch disliked her, strongly opposing their relationship; even if they stepped back and she agreed to them being together, she couldn’t reconcile with him.
Between them lay Jasmine’s kidnapping case. She and her sister nearly lost their lives, and Shawn Rhodes now hated the Jennings Family to the core. Even if she held lingering feelings for him, reconciliation was impossible.
So, despite learning the truth from Vincent Fletcher’s n about her breakup with Adrian Jennings and knowing that the rumored celebrity was his cousin and that she held a significant place in his heart, and despite his willingness to risk his life to save her, she hadn’t ntioned reconciliation.
She could no longer turn back.
Between them, there was no possibility anymore.
Talia originally thought Adrian Jennings understood this well.
But now, it seed he still harbored unrealistic hopes.
Suddenly, Talia felt a sharp pang in her heart.
She, too, found it hard to accept such an ending.
But this was a deadlock.
She was trapped here, her mind and body suffering, yet at a loss for solutions.
Indeed, Adrian Jennings rescued Jasmine Rhodes.
But the fact remains that if it weren’t for Adrian Jennings, Jasmine wouldn’t have been kidnapped, wouldn’t have been in danger.
If it weren’t for Adrian Jennings, she wouldn’t have beco Vincent Fletcher’s ans of revenge against Adrian Jennings.
Seeing Talia Rhodes lower her lashes in silence, Adrian Jennings’ eyes reddened, his throat constricted with bitterness and heartache so intense it felt suffocating.
After what seed like a long ti, Talia finally heard her own hoarse voice say, "There’s no going back, Adrian Jennings; we can never go back."
The grip on her wrist tightened abruptly before gradually relaxing.
Finally, Adrian Jennings released Talia’s hand.
The man’s eyes were as dark as an abyss, his inner emotions churning painfully.
Talia did not look into Adrian Jennings’ eyes.
She said nothing more.
Once freed from his grip, she fled as if granted amnesty.
In the cold wind.
The man stood like a statue, unmoving.
He hung his head low, tears silently falling beneath clearly defined lashes.
Soundless.
Unnoticed.
In the singing skies of early spring, everything was reviving, vibrant and growing. The roadside trees budded anew, flowers in the garden blood, and gentle rains nourished the earth—all things thrived.
Yet in Adrian Jennings’ world, everything was dead, desolate and broken, leaving only black and white.
...
Upon learning of Jasmine Rhodes’ ntal issues, Adrian Jennings imdiately contacted the world’s most renowned psychologist, even flying overnight to invite them personally.
When Shawn Rhodes found out, he rely curled his lips disdainfully.
The psychologist arrived in Oakhaven right after adjusting to the ti change and began treating Jasmine Rhodes.
When Adrian Jennings brought the psychologist to the Rhodes Family, Lillian Young politely but distantly said "thank you," yet Shawn Rhodes remained hostile toward Adrian Jennings.
The psychologist was highly skilled and experienced.
After an initial assessnt, she quickly provided a treatnt plan and volunteered to stay with the Rhodes Family to treat Jasmine Rhodes.
The blonde-haired, blue-eyed middle-aged female doctor said in English, "For children, familiar environnts and people are beneficial for treatnt. I don’t recomnd sending her to a hospital or a sanatorium; ho treatnt is best. If convenient, I can stay here for her treatnt."
Shawn Rhodes replied fluently in English, "Of course it’s convenient. Please stay, thank you, doctor."
The doctor nodded, smiling, "You’re welco. As doctors, we naturally hope children recover quickly."
Once matters were settled, Adrian Jennings said, "Then I’ll take my leave."
Shawn Rhodes kept his cold attitude, as if he hadn’t heard, not sparing him a glance.
Lillian Young on the other hand, replied, "Alright, take care."
Adrian Jennings looked at Talia Rhodes.
Full of longing and affection.
But Talia Rhodes bowed her head, avoiding his gaze.
Adrian Jennings felt his heart ache painfully, withdrew his gaze, and turned to leave.
Only after the man turned did Talia raise her eyes to look at him.
The silhouette conveyed solitude and bleakness.
Talia’s breath hitched.
Her eyes felt sore and bitter again.
Reviews
All reviews (0)