After Skylar paid the deposit for the car, she arranged to pick it up the next day. As she stepped out of the dealership, her phone rang. It was Amelia.
“How have you been, Skye? Why didn’t you visit me in the hospital?” Amelia’s voice was warm, but it instantly reminded Skylar of how she had treated Amelia like a mother in her past life. She used to be there for her whenever Amelia was hospitalized. Some of the other patients had even mistaken her for Amelia’s daughter.
But then, everything changed. After Skylar had lost her legs, Amelia had called her and demanded that she break up with Christopher. Amelia had told her that she was no longer a good match for him, that her disability made her even less suited for him than before. Her tone had been sharp, cold, and harsh—nothing like the warm, kind voice she used now.
In her past life, Skylar would have cried after receiving that phone call, devastated by the betrayal. But now, she felt numb.
“I’ve broken up with Christopher, just like you wanted. Stop calling me,” Skylar said flatly.
Before Amelia could respond, Skylar hung up.
Amelia sat on her hospital bed, staring at her phone in shock. She couldn’t understand why Skylar was so upset now. Wasn’t she afraid of angering her? Amelia frowned and sent Christopher a voice message: “I just spoke with Skye. She said she’s broken up with you. She even hung up on me! What’s going on?”
Christopher, who was enjoying dinner with Maisy, quickly converted the voice message into text. His eyes widened with concern as he read it. Something was off with Skylar.
Meanwhile, Joe stood at the top of Jubilance Hotel, looking out over the night view of Lindfield. It was 10:00 pm when Paul burst into the room, visibly agitated.
“Mr. Martin, Ms. Sullivan was right! My emerald charm—it’s cursed! It’s stolen property!” Paul exclaimed. He had sent someone to investigate the charm, and the results had shocked him. The previous owner had been poisoned to death, and the charm had turned black and purple after being stolen. It had only returned to its original emerald color after some repairs.
“I’ve already sent it back! I don’t want it anymore. It’s caused me nothing but bad luck!” Paul added, shuddering in fear.
Joe took a long drag from his cigarette, processing the information. “If that’s the case, return it, like she advised.”
Three days later, Skylar drove her new energy vehicle back to Pearlhall Residence. She had received a call from Gloria earlier, saying she wasn’t feeling well. Skylar handed her car keys to Edgar to park and rushed inside the mansion, anxiety creeping up on her.
As soon as she entered, Skylar spotted Joe. He was dressed in a crisp white shirt, his broad shoulders and tall frame hard to miss. When he looked at her, his gaze was warm and caring—when it was directed at Gloria. But when his eyes met hers, they were cold, void of any emotion.
Skylar froze, realizing that she was wearing nothing more than casual sportswear, her white T-shirt stained. She had rushed straight to the mansion without changing after leaving Daniel’s store.
“How’s Grandma?” she asked, trying to brush off the discomfort.
“She’s upstairs,” Joe replied coldly.
Ignoring his tone, Skylar nodded and started toward the stairs, but Joe stopped her.
“Ms. Sullivan, we need to talk before you see Grandma.”
Skylar stopped and turned toward him, raising an eyebrow. “What is it, Mr. Martin?”
Joe’s expression turned serious. “Grandma isn’t feeling well. She wants us to stay here for a few days.”
Skylar nodded. “I can stay with Grandma.”
Joe’s gaze darkened. “She wants us to stay in the same room,” he said, his tone clipped. “But it’s just for show. We don’t love each other. This is an act. Don’t worry—I won’t touch you.”
Joe walked upstairs before Skylar could respond. She stood there, momentarily stunned, then quickly regained her composure. It was just an act. She would do whatever it took to make Gloria happy.
However, his words about not loving her seemed to linger in her mind. Was he warning her not to develop feelings for him? Was he concerned that she might fall in love with him?
If he hadn’t left so quickly, Skylar would have reassured him that he had nothing to worry about.
When Skylar reached the upstairs room, she found Gloria lying weakly on the bed. Skylar hurried to her side.
“Grandma,” Skylar called softly.
Gloria, hearing her voice, pushed Joe aside. “Skye, come here.”
Joe’s mouth twitched in frustration, but he stayed silent.
Skylar sat beside Gloria. “How are you feeling, Grandma? Where does it hurt?”
“I’m okay,” Gloria said weakly. “Just feeling tired. But I feel better seeing you both.”
Skylar smiled softly. “Are you having a headache? Let me give you a massage. When I was in the countryside, Grandma Viola loved my head massages. Let me wash my hands first.”
She walked out of the room to wash her hands. Joe raised an eyebrow silently. He didn’t believe that Skylar had no ulterior motives. She was just trying to please Gloria.
When Skylar returned, Gloria shook her head tiredly. “I’m tired. I’m going to rest. Skye, why don’t you give Joe a massage? He has migraines.”
Skylar froze, taken aback. Joe hadn’t expected Gloria to suggest that either.
“Edgar, watch and learn from Skye. She probably knows more about massage than any professional out there. You can give me more sessions after you learn from her,” Gloria added with a knowing look.
Skylar looked at Joe, who was now the one caught off guard. She didn’t know whether to feel sorry for him or amused. Whatever it was, Gloria was clearly in control.
Skip to content