Chapter 21
darkened immediately.
In a flash, Shakira flipped her hand over and seized the moment she twisted Walter's wrist and slammed his arm against the armrest of the wheelchair. The sharp smack echoed in the bathroom, and for a brief moment, they both froze, eyes locked. Walter's expression Seeing the fiery anger rising in his eyes, Shakira quickly let go. "Sorry, that was just a reflex..."
She turned his palm over, checked, and gasped heavily. The skin on his palm and the inside of his elbow was bright red. A wave of guilt washed over her. "I didn't think you would grab me How about I give you a little massage instead?" Walter
r narrowed his eyes, a dangerous glint shining in his gaze. "What game are you playing this time, Shakira?" Shakira wrinkled her nose. "Am I really that obvious?"
Walter smirked. 'Does she think I'm that easy to fool
"Hey, stop looking at me like I'm some kind of criminal. I had no idea your skin was so sensitive. Just a little touch and it'll all be red?" Shakira retorted, glancing at his tanned skin. She could tell he was naturally fair-skinned, but it shouldn't be that easy for him to get red. Walter glared at her in silence, looking fiercer than Baby Fishy, his pet crocodile. Shakira pouted. "I just don't want you to be mad at me."
Her soft, sweet t voice sent a a jolt through him. There
was something indescribable in the air that made his heart race. He kept his expression cool while retorting, "You actually care about that?" without hesitation, not noticing Walter's expression softening just a bit.
But then she added, "If y "If you hate me and refuse
Of course I do," Shakira replied me and refuse to let me help with your leg, I'll be stuck being your servant forever."
Walter's face
Walter s lac face darkened again as he pushed her away. He couldn't help but think that one day he might actually lose it and strangle her.
"Hey!" Shakira exclaimed, confused, feeling that dealing with him was like walking on eggshells. She shook her wrist and continued, "Also, I came here to tell you something
at her with a cynical look. Finally ready to reveal her true self, huh?"
Walter glanced at
"I'm starting school next week, so I won't be around during the day," Shakira said.
After a long silence, Walter asked in a weird tone, "Is that it?"
"Yep! Levi said he was worried you'd get mad, so I should tell you myself
Walter chuckled out of anger. "I don't have time to babysit you."
"Fine then." Shakira puffed out her cheeks, resisting the urge to snap back..
'It's like he's not the one who followed me all the way to Yonder Digital, and the one whose mood swings of his could scare anyone off. Honestly, if I weren't afraid he might show up at my school to drag me back, I wouldn't even care, Shakira thought, feeling frustrated. She glanced back at the steaming water in the bathtub. "Alright, just take care of yourself. I'll head out now.. "Go ahead."
Shakira blinked, thinking she must have misheard. She pointed between him and herself. "Didn't you just tell me to go!"
That was then, and this is now." Walter's expression was stoic as he added, "Since you look so sincere, I'll give you this chance.
'Damn, you didn't even look my way. What a weirdo-changing moods faster than flipping a page in a book! Grumbling to herself, Shakira bent down to help him loosen the buttons on his shirt.
Walter stayed still, letting her be. He looked at her again-her eyes were slightly downcast, her long eyelashes brushing her checks, concealing whatever emotions she was feeling. But that little red mole on her cheek stood out more vividly as her checks puffed up in irritation, making her look cuter.
Seeing her annoyed brought him a strange sense of amusement, but it was short-lived. He wasn't used to being touched by anyone, especially not a woman. Shakira's fingers gliding over his skin sent an unexpected tingle through him, one he found hard to shake off. At this distance, the only one who had been this close when he was awake... was "her."
Shakira peeled off Walter's shirt, revealing a striking tattoo on his chest. The intricate design was so lifelike that it sent a shiver down her spine. The Jesus pendant hanging at his collarbone stood out even more against the tattoo of Satan, drawing her in-she found herself momentarily captivated.
Walter shot her a glance, a smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. "What's the matter? Scared of this?"
"Not at all." Shakira snapped back to reality, her eyebrows raised. "I'm just surprised that someone like you would wear a Jesus pendant."
She leaned She
closer, her curiosity piqued. "This pendant doesn't match the tattoo at all. Was it a gift from someone special?"
Her bright, mischievous eyes locked onto Walter's. He felt a tightening in his chest, and it took him a moment too long to push her away. "This isn't something you should be fantasizing about Get out" "Alright, alright, I'll drop it for now. I'll just disappear once your leg heals up." Shakira shrugged, making her way out of the bathroom.
Walter frowned, annoyance stirring within him. The thought of her leaving him alone again filled him with an inexplicable sense of frustration.
In the hospital, Yvette was finally rolled into a luxurious ward after two grueling hours in emergency care. The atmosphere was tense, and the Nelson family looked conflicted while the Smiths appeared nervous. When Lago and Jessie saw the news, they had nearly freaked out What was Yvette thinking? Instead of acting like the beloved lady, she made headlines for all the wrong reasons, leaving the entire Nelson family humiliated. If it weren't for the Ortiz family coming to the rescue, the Nelsons would have been in even bigger trouble!
"Dad, Mom, I'm so sorry. Please don't abandon me... Yvette's cries broke through the silence, echoing in the ward.
Cody and Rebecca, along with Lago and Jessie, moved in closer. As they exchanged glances, Lago and Jessie froze in their tracks, looking nervous.Text © owned by NôvelDrama.Org.
Rebecca took Yvette's cold hand in hers, feeling her heart ache. After eighteen years of raising her, the bond was undeniable. "I'm here, sweetie." Rebecca's voice was soothing as she gently comforted Yvette, like a mother lulling her child to sleep. Yvette opened her eyes. The moment she saw Cody and Rebecca, tears spilled down her cheeks. "Mom, Dad, I thought I lost you I was so scared..."
Slowly Silly, dreams are not real. We would never abandon you." Rebecca wiped away Yvette's tears, her heart breaking a little more with every sob. Yvette sniffled, not daring to meet Cody's eyes. "I messed up... I hurt the Nelson Group... U
Cody's expression had softened considerably since the incident at Yonder Digital, but hearing her words made him furrow his brow again. He tried to keep calm, but his tone was still serious. "Yvette. I don't want to be hard on you, but this is too much." Rebecca shot him a look. "Yvette just got out of the ER, and everything is settled, right? There's no need to keep bringing it
up.'
"Mom, Dad's right. I acted on impulse, thinking I could save the Nelson Group, I was so naive... Yvette's voice cracked, and more tears streamed down her face. "Let him yell at me. I deserve it. I'll take whatever comes..." Gradually, Cody's anger was giving way to guilt as he took in her remorseful state.