Chapter 77 Why Are You So Naive?
As night fell, the moonlight flickered intermittently under the cover of the overcast clouds.
The thick clouds, much like Eileen’s emotions, were oppressive and suffocating, making her feel breathless.
She felt like a cat that had just been bullied and abandoned, wandering the streets, unsure of where to go.
Despite the vastness of the world, Eileen didn’t know where she truly belonged.
He emerged from the darkness. Eileen didn’t receive his response; all she heard was the sound of the wind through the phone.
Hearing the steady and strong footsteps, Eileen looked in the direction of the sound. Her eyes were filled with tears, and through them, his black silhouette seemed somewhat indistinct.
Her phone was still pressed to her ear until he approached. At that point, Eileen’s strength waned, and the phone sl*pped from her grasp. The blood flowing from her arm was slowly starting to dry.
Having lost too much blood, Eileen’s complexion turned pale. Now, her whole b*dy radiated. despair.
Eileen clutched his suit pants, her breathing fast as she demanded, “Why? Eric, what exactly did I do wrong for you to treat me like this?”
I love you so deeply, so why do you keep making me sad and upset?
“Eileen, sometimes it’s not Swire to be too clever!” Eric bent down, gripping her face with one hand. “Were you planning to use the Smith family to escape the clutches of the Swan family? Why are you always so naive?”
“Eric, I know you don’t like me, so I’ve already let go. What else do you want from me? If you wanted me dead from the start, why did you save me that time? I’m really in a lot of pain…. I’m begging you, please stop tormenting me, okay?”
Eric narrowed his sharp eyes, his tone icy. “Call me brother!”
“You’re not my brother! All the kindness you showed me before was fake! You’re not worthy to be my brother!” Eileen screamed hysterically. The fear had pa*sed, and now there was only grief and indignation in her heart, along with a sense of helplessness against fate.
“You are forbidden from approaching anyone from the Smith family in the future. If you
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disobey… You know the consequences.”
On her long eyelashes, tiny pearls of tears glistened. Seeing her current state, one couldn’t help but feel immense pity.
Eileen, clutching her arm, leaned on the nearby railing and shakily rose to her feet.
She dared not meet his gaze, her eyes cast down to the ground. With her uninjured left hand, she wiped away the tears from both eyes. “I understand,” she said. “Today, Jasper was just accompanying me to the art exhibition. There’s nothing between him and me. I won’t tell. Dad about what happened tonight. After today, I’ll act as if nothing ever happened. Are you satisfied now?”
“Call me brother!” His tone was harsh and uncompromising, his gaze cold. “Eileen, don’t make me repeat myself.”
Eileen sneered, “Brother? Do you think what you’ve done to me is what a brother would do? I treat you like my brother, yet time and again, you’ve tried to take my life! I’ve said it before that I really don’t like you, and I wasn’t joking. Also, all this about using the Smith family? I’ve never thought about doing that. From the moment I decided to go to Lumiose, I never planned on coming back. Eric, I stopped wanting you a long time ago. I don’t need or want Dad, and I don’t need that family either. That’s why you should stop picking on me!”
Eileen’s tone was like a petulant child’s.
Her voice was soft and gentle, devoid of any intimidation.
The result was that it made others want to bully her more.
Eric quietly watched as she turned around, heading in the opposite direction of Undella Mansion. She walked with a limp, and he had no idea where she was going.
On this pitch-black road, there was no one else but her.
Eileen was wearing a thin black sweater. One of her hands was completely covered in blood, and her phone had been left on the ground.
Eric stood still, his dark and deep gaze like the night itself as he watched her retreating figure.
In less than half a minute, he noticed the figure in front of him collapse to the ground.
As if it was expected, he didn’t rush to pick her up.
He was like a beast prowling in the darkness, moving toward his prey.
You fool!
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Even if Will knew, what difference would it make? It’s all too late now!
Eric picked up Eileen, who had fainted from the excessive blood loss. She was so light she was almost weightless.
The moment he lifted her up, a flake of icy-cold Blake landed on Eric’s nose, melting under the warmth of his skin.
He looked up, unaware of when it had started to snow heavily.
The snowflakes lingered on the ground for a while before melting.
The first year Eric joined the Swan family, eight-year-old Eileen had exclaimed, “Brother, look quickly. It’s snowing!”
Three years later, eleven-year-old Eileen had suggested, “Brother, shall we go outside and build a snowman? I like you the best!”
Another few years later, eighteen-year-old Eileen had said, “Brother, if it snows in Hulbury this year, I will confess my feelings to you. Will you be with me then?”
Eileen, you’ve done nothing wrong!
The only mistake you made was that you were born into the Swan family.
What you’re experiencing now is just the beginning…
Eileen wandered aimlessly in the darkness, unaware of how long she had been walking.
She felt like a soulless puppet, devoid of her own thoughts as her b*dy was manipulated. Suddenly, a light appeared before her, and she walked toward it.
Gradually, consciousness began to return to her.
The person lying on the bed gasped.
As the person stared at the grey ceiling above, a scent both strange and familiar filled the air- the subtle fragrance of camellia.
Eileen looked to her left, where a man in a black woolen sweater sat by the bed. He had a calm demeanor, handsome features, and soft lines that defined his face. There was a mysterious aura about him that made her wonder if she was imagining him.
Why am I here?
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“Mr. Snow, what happened to Eileen? How did she suddenly get injured? She was perfectly fine just yesterday.”
It was Sharon who spoke.
“I’m awake…
Sharon approached with a bowl of soup, her eyes filled with concern as she gazed at Eileen. “Are you alright, dear? Please don’t move! Mr. Snow is tending to your
wounds.”
Eric was stitching up her wound without any anesthesia.
Vera held down her other hand, fearing that she might move recklessly. “Eric, maybe we should take Eileen to the hospital.”
Eileen’s hand clenched tightly into a fist as the pain intensified. It felt as though the flesh on her arm was being torn off.
Eric replied, “I’ll be finished soon.”
Eileen remained silent, patiently waiting for him to complete the task.
Even though he could have taken me to the hospital, he chose to bring me here instead….
What is he planning?
Vera held Eileen’s cold hand and expressed concern, “Eric, Eileen’s hand is so cold. Could you please bring the blanket from my room for her?”
Eileen closed her eyes. Perhaps due to excessive blood loss, she felt dizzy and nauseous.
Sharon felt heartbroken. “Are you still feeling unwell, Eileen? Have some soup. It might provide some relief.”
The spoon was brought to Eileen’s l*ps, and she opened her mouth to swallow the soup. Looking at Sharon, she said, “I apologize for causing you worry, Sharon. Rest a*sured, I’ll be fine. I just need some rest.”
“What did you do to end up like this, you foolish child?”
