Chapter 2
“My only condition is this: I want to cut all ties with the Adams family. From now on, I am no longer an Adams.”
Carlson Adams’s brows drew together in a deep frown. “Are you serious?”
He’d expected Jessica Lane to use this moment to force him into marriage, but it shocked him that all she wanted was to sever their connection.
Jessica met his gaze and said with cold voice: “Yes. I’m serious.“N
Carlson stared at her in suspicion for a few seconds before his expression darkened.
“Jessica, let me give you some advice–stop playing games. Don’t think that just because you cut ties with the Adams family, there’s any chance between us.“} “There never will be,” he continued, his voice steely. “My heart belongs to one person, and that’s Laura. Not you.”
Jessica’s lashes quivered, but her tone remained steady. “I know.”
The humiliation of her past life was still fresh in her memory; Jessica understood all too well how deeply Carlson loved Laura Main. In this life, she had no intention of ever loving Carlson Adams again. All she wanted was to get as far away from him as possible.
Carlson’s eyes lingered on her face a moment longer, as if searching for something he couldn’t name. Something about Jessica was different, but he couldn’t put his finger on it.
He opened his mouth to speak, but before he could, Laura Main’s voice called out from the hospital room.
Without thinking, Carlson rushed inside. Jessica’s expression dulled as she followed behind.
Laura sat up in bed, coughing, her eyes rimmed red with tears. “Carlson, please–stop making things difficult for Ms. Lane. I know she doesn’t like me. Even if she refuses to donate her kidney, I can understand.””
She tried to go on, but Carlson squeezed her hand, his voice brimming with relief. “Laura, Jessica Lane has agreed to the transplant. You’re going to get better!” Laura’s words died abruptly. She tumed to Jessica in shock, her eyes filling with disbelief and anger.
“Carlson, did she make you promise to marry her in exchange?“!
Before Carison could answer, Laura’s hand shot out and slapped Jessica hard across the face.
A red mark bloomed instantly on Jessica’s cheek. Clutching her chest, Laura’s voice trembled with emotion. “Jessica Lane, have you no shame? Carlson is your uncle–how could you stoop so shameless?”
“Carlson, if you marry Jessica Lane, I’d rather die right now!”
Overcome with emotion, Laura trembled. Carlson paid no attention to the slap Jessica had received; he simply pulled Laura into his arms.
“Laura, you’re the only one I love. I’ll marry you and no one else. Don’t even think otherwise.”
Jessica pressed a trembling hand to her stinging cheek, a bitter smile twisting her lips. She knew better than to stay and watch. As she turned to leave, their voices drifted to her from behind the door.
“She’s already donated part of her liver for you. If she gives up a kidney too, won’t that be dangerous?” Laura’s voice was laced with worry.
Jessica paused in the hallway, her heart holding out the faintest hope for Carlson’s answer–hope that shattered in the very next moment.
“Laura, you know I don’t care what happens to anyone else. All that matters is that you’re okay. That’s enough for me.” Jessica stood in the corridor for a few seconds, composing herself. Then she pulled out her phone and dialed her mentor. “Hello? About the Western Assistance Program you mentioned before–I’ve decided to join!!
