Love Her to No End

Chapter 23

Chapter 23 A Complex Agenda

“Why did you save me? Why didn’t you let me die?”

Inside the emergency room, Lucille lay on the bed, looking like a lifeless doll. Her palm-sized face had lost all color, while her wrist was wrapped in thick gauze. Blood was already oozing out of it due to how desperately she had struggled, which made for a gruesome sight.

Meanwhile, Zack was attempting to pull the emotional Lucille into his embrace. His towering back had hidden the expression on his face from view. However, one could still hear his trembling voice ring out. “Why were you so foolish to take your life so lightly? Lucille, you shouldn’t have done that!”

Just an hour ago, Zack had received Lucille’s message. In addition to a photo of her lying in the bathtub, there was also a worded message.

it wasn’t a long one, but every word was filled with conviction.

She wrote: Zack, I didn’t realize that loving you would result in such devastating consequences. If someone needs to take responsibility for what happened, I’m willing to be that person. All I wish for is to meet you again in my next life. Is that all right?

Realizing something was amiss, Zack called Lucille’s phone, but no one answered. Finally, he found clues from the photo that lead him to the hotel Lucille was in.

On the way to the hotel, he called for the ambulance. Even then, the doctor told him that they had just gotten to Lucille in the nick of time. Or else, the consequences would have been unthinkable.

When he saw Lucille’s ashen face, Zack was filled with regret.

Ever since their affair was exposed a few days ago, Zack hadn’t contacted Lucille at all. Moreover, he didn’t even reply to the messages she sent to apologize and show concern for him.

Nonetheless, it never crossed his mind that Lucille would unilaterally take responsibility for the matter. Because of that, he was unable to let her go.

His warm hug caused Lucille to curl the corner of her lips. As tears welled up in her eyes, they gushed out like water that had burst its dam even before she said a word.

“Zack, leave me. I’m too embarrassed to face you or even Michaela and my parents. In fact, I don’t even dare to go back home or out in public. Other than death, I have no other way out. Since everything is my fault, I will be the one to bear it. Zack, you should just leave and forget about me!”

Just as she spoke, Lucille was already bawling, causing her tears to flow even more intensely.

As she tried to struggle free from Zack’s arms, she attempted to push him away. Nevertheless, she barely had any strength to do so and was so weak that she could collapse anytime.

The scene in front of him reminded Zack suddenly of what Lucille had been through and how she shielded him with her body the day before. At that moment, a pang of pain struck his heart inexplicably.

Blinded by the moment, he declared without hesitation, “If you don’t know how to face it, then don’t. Just let me take care of you, all right?”

“What did you say?”

Lucille froze before her tears continued to drop incessantly. As if his declaration had come as a big shock to her, she stared listlessly at him.

Subsequently, she saw Zack nod with conviction. “From the beginning, this wasn’t your fault alone. Besides, both families have already seen us together. So there’s no need for us to hide anymore. Since you don’t know how to face it, let me do it for you. Come what may, we will shoulder the burden together, all right?”

To Zack, Lucille and Michaela had totally opposite personalities. He found the former passionate and courageous in confessing her feelings and taking responsibility for their mistake.

Given that she liked and cherished him, and was also brave and innocent, there was no reason for him to turn down a girl like that. There’s no way I can disappoint her at all.

Unfortunately, he didn’t expect his promise to be heard by Michaela who was standing by the door.

“Mich!”

Just a while ago, Michaela was so concerned about Lucille’s condition that she had made a beeline toward the emergency room, leaving Hannah far behind her.

The moment Hannah finally caught up, she was greeted by the intimate scene inside the emergency room. As she shifted her concerned gaze toward Michaela, she called out in a sympathetic tone, “Mich…”

“Mom.” Michaela turned around and threw her a faint smile. Her voice was so calm that it caused one to worry. “Let’s go.”

After staring at her daughter’s leaving silhouette, Hannah glanced at the two hugging figures in the emergency room. As a cold glint flashed in her eyes, she turned around without hesitation before hurrying in the direction Michaela went.

It wasn’t until her mother and sister’s silhouette disappeared by the corridor that Lucille recovered her gaze. At the same time, her eyes began to glisten in a frosty manner.

Don’t worry, Michaela, this is just the beginning. Soon, you will lose even more. I will take back everything that belongs to me, including the position and honor of being the eldest daughter of the Lingard family.

On her way home, Michaela was strangely at peace.

Worried about her daughter, Hannah took the initiative to drive. She then tried her best to distract Michaela’s attention. However, all the latter did was stare out the window in silence.

“Mich, let’s go on a trip. After all, it’s been a long time since we have gone somewhere. Where would you like to go? I’ll accompany you there, all right? Would you like to visit a hot spring? Or perhaps—”

“Mom…”

Before Hannah could finish, Michaela turned to look at her mother. Her deep and tranquil gaze was tinged with a little confusion. “Why do I suddenly feel as if Lucille is different from the person I have grown up with? Why is she so scheming and can put on such a convincing act? I feel as if I don’t know her at all!”

I thought she was feeling distraught because of Zack. It never crossed my mind that Lucille is the reason. Wait a minute…

Hannah’s mind suddenly clicked. As the shocking thought flashed across her mind, she spun the car around and stopped by the roadside. “Are you saying that she had planned everything?”

“What else can it be? Mom, can’t you see that she has killed two birds with one stone with the drama? Not only did she obtain Zack’s promise, but she was also able to warn me to not have any designs on

him. Marrying into the Xander family has been her true goal all along!”

Before she left, she had locked gazes with Lucille. The latter’s eyes were so vicious and sharp that Michaela felt as if they could pierce through her anytime.

If it wasn’t for the look in Lucille’s eye, Michaela wouldn’t have been able to tell that it was all part of the former’s plot from the very beginning.

“Mich, let me deal with this. Going forward, you should just ignore her affairs.”

The moment the scandal between Zack and Lucille broke, the Lingard family was forever changed.

To avoid embarrassment and worried that Michaela would be saddened by the sight of her sister, Hannah had originally planned to send Lucille overseas. After realizing what was going on, her conviction to do so intensified.

It wasn’t until she saw Michaela nod in acknowledgment that Hannah’s mind was put at ease. Only then did she start the car again. Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

Since the incident with Lucille had ruined their mood for shopping, Hannah turned the car around and drove back to Haversville Pavillion.

However, before they arrived back home, they saw a Bentley parked outside their entrance.

Just when the mother and daughter duo were hesitating, the car’s passenger seat door was opened from the outside. Subsequently, a man with a distinguished and elegant aura alighted.

He was none other than Jonathan.