When Blood Turns Cold

The lady's voice broke as she spoke, the weight of her words almost too much to bear. "He took over everything... Then one day, when you were three years old, he killed your mother. That bastard." She began to sob, tears streaming down her face as she struggled to continue. "I could only sit there and watch. I was tied in a room, my mouth sealed shut."

She paused, placing her hand over her chest, coughing weakly before she managed to speak again. "He told your grandmother that your mom fell down the stairs and died. And since he was too busy to take care of you, he left you with her and went abroad for a while." She paused again, her voice growing heavier with each word. "Of course, he planned everything so no one would catch him. Meanwhile, I was locked in one of the rooms in the house."

The pain and helplessness in her voice were impossible to ignore, as if she had carried the weight of this secret for far too long.

The lady took a deep breath, her voice shaky as she continued. "Then, one day, I was finally released from that prison. I went to your grandmother and told her everything. She understood because she knew her son well enough to recognize that he was nothing but a gold digger." She paused, her eyes growing distant. "I wanted to tell the world the truth, but I couldn't... I had no proof. I was helpless, and after everything I had endured, we decided it was best to leave it for the time being."

She stopped speaking and glanced up at the ceiling, her eyes lost in the past. The room fell into a heavy silence. Alex stood motionless, unable to accept what he had just heard, while Emerald's face had gone pale, the shock of the truth settling over her like a heavy weight.

The lady turned to Emerald, her grip on her hand tightening as she spoke through tears. "I went back to the orphanage and started living there... He threatened me a few times when he found out that I had told his mother the truth, so I... cough... cough..." She struggled to catch her breath, the weight of her words catching up to her. "I decided to lay low," she whispered, tears falling freely now as the pain of those memories overwhelmed her.

Emerald could feel the raw emotion in the lady's words, the quiet suffering of a woman who had been silenced for so long.

The lady looked at Emerald with a glimmer of hope in her eyes, her voice fragile but determined. "I think he knows you want to take revenge, so he tried to lock me up again. But I've already told you the truth. There's no need to silence me anymore. I don't have enough time left." She paused, the weight of her words sinking in. "I was diagnosed with lung cancer, and it's in the last stage. I don't have much longer to live. But I'm holding on... for your mother, for you. Please, deal with this man."

She stopped to catch her breath, but the coughing interrupted her, and Emerald's heart broke as she listened to the woman struggle. Unable to hold it in any longer, Emerald began to sob, the sound of her grief low and heartbreaking. She covered her face, her shoulders trembling with each quiet sob, as the truth hit her all at once.

Alex stood quietly, his gaze softening as he placed his hand gently on Emerald's shoulder, giving it a comforting squeeze. His heart ached for her, for the woman beside them, and for all the pain they had endured. He couldn't fathom that this kind, soft-hearted lady—who had endured so much—had been brought into the world by such a cruel man.

Emerald coughed softly, trying to control her sobs, aware that they were still being filmed. She took a deep breath, gathering her strength, and stood up, walking over to the lady. Without a word, she embraced her, holding her tightly as the lady's tears flowed in silence. For those two minutes, neither of them spoke—just the raw, shared sorrow between them.

When Emerald finally pulled back, she gently wiped the lady's tears away, her own eyes glistening with emotion. "We will take back what's ours... together," she said with determination, a tear slipping down her cheek. "I'll make sure you receive treatment," she promised, her voice firm, yet filled with the deep love and urgency of someone who had just found a new purpose.

The lady nodded quietly, her eyes filled with a mix of gratitude and resignation. She wanted to tell Emerald that there was no need for her to make promises, that she had already accepted her fate, but she chose not to. Instead, she coughed weakly before speaking again.

"You... should head back," the lady said softly, her voice frail. "This gentleman here," she nodded toward Alex, "has provided me with a nurse to take care of me. You should go now, and stay safe."

Alex gave the lady a respectful nod before turning to Emerald. "We should leave now," he said firmly. Then, with a quick gesture, he signaled the guard recording to stop. The guard immediately complied, lowering the camera.

"But I want her to come with me," Emerald protested, her voice filled with desperation.

Alex's expression hardened slightly, his tone becoming serious. "Emerald," he said, his voice steady yet gentle, "you'll be in danger if you take her with you. Besides, my men will keep an eye on her here and ensure she has everything she needs."

He reached out and gently pulled her up from the chair. Emerald hesitated, tears brimming in her eyes, but the lady interrupted softly. "He's right, my dear… cough… you should leave." Her voice was frail but firm, filled with the wisdom of someone who had endured far too much.

The lady waved her hand weakly to dismiss them, her strength fading. She turned to lay down, her frail body sinking into the bed, as if retreating into the only comfort she had left.

Emerald opened her mouth to protest again, but Alex gently but firmly took her arm and guided her out of the factory. Before leaving, he turned back, bowing slightly to the lady and saying, "Goodbye." His tone was respectful, almost apologetic, as he acknowledged her quiet strength.

Once outside, Alex led Emerald to the car. She sighed heavily, her shoulders slumping as she reluctantly climbed into the passenger seat. She settled in, her head resting against the window, her gaze unfocused and distant, lost in thought.

As they drove off, the tension lingered in the air. Alex kept glancing at her, his concern growing with each silent moment. Emerald didn't say a word, her mind still reeling from the truth she had just uncovered. The faint reflection of her face in the glass was a picture of quiet devastation, and Alex's heart ached for her as he drove on in silence.

"Just drop me at the bus station," Emerald said, her voice faint and almost emotionless.

Alex frowned, glancing at her with concern. "Are you sure? I can take you home. You're not in a good state right now," he suggested gently, his voice filled with care.

"Just leave me alone, will you?" Emerald snapped, her tone sharp and unexpected.

Alex blinked, momentarily taken aback by her sudden outburst, but he wasn't angry. He understood better than to take her words personally. She was overwhelmed, and he knew she needed space.

Alex pulled up to the bus station and watched as Emerald stepped out of the car. Without a word, she walked toward the waiting area, her shoulders slumped. He stayed for a moment, hesitant, but then drove off, giving her the space she clearly needed.

A short distance away, Alex pulled out his phone and dialed Amy's number.

"Hey, Mr. Jonas!" came her bright, chirpy voice.

Alex sighed heavily, rubbing his temple. He wasn't in the mood for her usual energy. "We went to see the lady," he said, his tone flat.

Amy frowned on the other end. "What lady?" she asked, confused. Then it clicked, and her eyes widened as she remembered what Emerald had told her after meeting Alex last time. Sitting up straight, she pressed him eagerly.

"What? Already? What happened? Did you guys get your answers? How is Emerald? Where is she?" Amy's questions spilled out in rapid-fire, her concern evident as she tried to piece everything together.

Alex sighed, running a hand through his hair. These two were definitely a handful, he thought to himself. "I think it's best you hear everything from Emerald. I'm in no position to snitch on her," he said, his tone firm but tinged with weariness. "I just called to check on her. I wanted to take her back to the apartment, but she insisted on being dropped at the bus station. She got upset when I pressed, so... just check on her, okay?"

Amy's voice sharpened. "What? You left her there in that state?"

Alex sighed again, his patience thinning but his understanding still intact. He could tell she wasn't happy, but he wasn't about to argue.

Amy, however, wanted to call him out on his earlier comment—'I'm in no position to snitch on her'—but decided to let it slide for now. Instead, she exhaled sharply. "Thanks for letting me know. I'll check on her," she said curtly.

"Bye," she added before hanging up, her worry for Emerald outweighing her frustration with Alex.