Chapter 286 

Jareth cradled Marilla in his arms and climbed into the car. Lily, always playing the role of the driver, steered the luxury vehicle out of the Windermere Estate. 

Inside the car, Jareth held Marilla close, softly stroking her silky hair, his heart aching with a bittersweet pain. 

His original plan for the evening had been to go out for a drink with Thaddeus, but upon entering the house, he was greeted with an unexpected scene. 

As Jareth thought about the heartbreaking words Linda had spoken, about the terrifying scars he’d seen on Marilla’s arms, a burning rage consumed him. It was as if his blood had turned into icy daggers, piercing his heart and spreading a sharp, intense pain throughout his b*dy. 

This pain was unlike anything he’d ever experienced before. 

Before, when he was heartbroken over Evadne, it definitely hurt. But that kind of pain was nothing compared to what he was feeling now. 

He took a deep breath, his chiseled jaw resting atop Marilla’s head, his fiery eyes slowly closing. 

He thought, “Manilla, I promised you. I would protect you.” 

And when Jareth made a promise, he kept it. 

“Mr. Jareth, where are we going next?Lily asked, her voice low as she glanced at Jareth through the rearview mirror. 

Jareth was taken aback, unsure of how to respond. 

Sure, he’d declared in front of Glynnis that he was taking Marilla away. But that didn’t mean he could just bring her back to his place like this! 

If Thaddeus found out, wouldn’t he skin him alive? 

“Marilla, I can take you to see Thad, or maybe your sister–in–law. You could stay with her for tonight. How does that sound? Jareth suggested gently, his long lashes casting shadows on his cheeks. 

Marilla didn’t respond, her brow furrowed in pain as she clutched her left ear. 

“Marilla? Marilla?” 

Jareth called her name several times, but she didn’t seem to notice, offering no response. 

“All I hear is… pain.” Marilla murmured. 

“Where does it hurt?” 

Marilla slowly looked up at Jareth, her cheeks still bearing the imprint of Glynnis’s slap. Her doe–like eyes, soaked with tears, were so heart–breakingly beautiful that Jareth’s heart skipped a beat. 

“Jareth. I’m sorry. I know you’re speaking to me, but I can’t hear you.” 

“You can’t hear me? Why can’t you hear me?” Jareth asked anxiously. 

Slowly, Marilla uncurled the hand she’d been using to cover her ear, revealing a smear of blood in her palm. 

A chill ran down Jareth’s spine, his heart aching as his thoughts spun out of control. 

“Lily, drive to the hospital. Now!” 

Back at the Havenbrook, in a room where he’d often stayed, there was Hamilton, Mr. Murray, a private doctor, and Evadne. Gordon, who had just finished work, had hurried over as soon as he heard about Thaddeus’s situation. He was still in his pajamas, wearing sl*ppers despite the cold. 

They were all gathered around Thaddeus, the room filled with a tense silence.. 

Finally, Evadne broke the silence, her brow furrowed in frustration. “Well, what are you waiting for? Take off your shirt!” 

“In front of everyone?” Thaddeus asked, hesitating. 

“What are you afraid of? You’re a man, aren’t you? Or do you have something that other men don’t?” Evadne retorted, her beautiful eyes filled with impatience. Gordon couldn’t help but chuckle at Evadne’s sharp words. She used to be so sweet and gentle with Thaddeus, but now she was as prickly as a bear. Thaddeus looked at Evadne, a bitter smile on his handsome face. “It’s not that. I just don’t think it’s necessary to make such a fuss over this. I just need some medicine, and having you by my side is more than enough.” 

Evadne’s eyes widened slightly, her fingers curling into fists. If there was a school called “Shameless, Thaddeus would definitely be the founder! 

“Well. Thaddeus is right. We can’t help but be anxious when we are all gathered here. Then Dr. Eric and Ilana should stay. llana also knows medical skills and can assist Dr. Eric. Let’s all stand down!” 

After all, it was Hamilton who helped his grandson create the opportunity. 

“You’re right. llana also knows medical skills. These few times, she was there to take care of me.” 

Thaddeus took a deep look at Evadne and his smile grew. “So, Dr. Eric, you can leave the medicine and get off work. I only need Evadne.” 

Everyone looked at Evadne one after another, holding an intriguing smile in their eyes. 

Evadne was so angry that she really wanted to slap him! 

Finally, Evadne and Thaddeus were left alone in the room. The silence was so thick that it was almost palpable. 

“Take off your shirt,” Evadne commanded, her voice cold. 

“Alright.” 

Without any hesitation, Thaddeus removed his suit jacket. As he tried to take off his shirt, which was torn and stained with blood, he winced in pain. 

But in reality, this kind of pain was nothing compared to what he had endured on the battlefield. He was just playing it up a bit, knowing that if he could get even a shred of sympathy from Evadne, it would be worth it. 

“Don’t move. I’ll help you!” 

In a moment of panic, Evadne reached out to stop him. Thaddeus immediately placed his other hand on top of hers, his warm palm against her skin/The warmth slowly seeped into her skin, into her blood, and finally into her heart. 

“Alright, as you say.” 

Evadne paused slightly, her l*ps sealing shut and her small hand withdrawing from his larger one. “Why would you listen to me? We’re not…related.” “Lie down.” 

Thaddeus obeyed, rolling over onto his stomach on the bed. 

Evadne noticed his shirt, stained crimson with blood, the ugly wounds underneath already beginning to scab over and stick to the fabric. Her heart clenched at the sight, her eyes redder than the blood he was losing. 

“Are you scared by my injuries?” Thaddeus asked, noticing her silence and the worry in her eyes. 

It’s fine. Just stay still.” 

Taking a deep breath, Evadne picked up a pair of scissors from the bedside table, carefully cutting away the blood–soaked fabric stuck to his wounds. Suddenly, Thaddeus’s eyes darkened, a touch of red bleeding into his gaze. The sight of Evadne, so familiar yet so unknown, made his heart skip a beat. She took out antiseptic and a tube of cream left by Dr. Eric, skillfully cleaning and dressing his wounds. 

“Evadne,” He called her name softly.  sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ Findɴovel.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Evadne only frowned in response, applying the cream with a bit more force than necessary as a subtle warning. 

Thaddeus winced, but he didn’t back down. “Evadne, you remind me of someone. An old friend.” 

Evadne asked casually, “Who?” 

“I don’t know.” 

“How can you not know?” 

“I know it sounds impossible. But I truly don’t remember.” 

Thaddeus stared out the window at the cold moon, his mind lost in distant memories. He recalled a figure, stubborn and resolute, from his days in the peacekeeping forces. 

Evadne’s heart pounded in her chest at his words, her face turning pale. The room was eerily quiet, filled only with the sound of her own heartbeat. She was afraid that her strange reactions would give her away.. 

Luckily, Thaddeus was facing away from her, unable to see her flustered expression.. 

“We were given an impossible mission back then. To rescue hostages trapped in the Terrorist Organization of Zenithia and escort them to the safe house in! Windhelm Embassy. We were less than a hundred men against an armed and dangerous terrorist organization. It was basically a suicide mission. And back then, I didn’t care if I lived or died.” 

-Thaddeus laughed, a bitter edge to his voice. “If it wasn’t for Paloma, if she hadn’t pulled me back to the camp, if she hadn’t encouraged me to keep going, I 

wouldn’t be here today.” 

“Paloma?” Evadne asked, her voice trembling slightly. 

“Yes. I didn’t know the name of the woman who saved my life. She wore a white coat, her face mostly covered by a mask, leaving only a pair of beautiful bright eyes visible. She was a medic, so I named her Paloma.” 

Evadne liked this name.. 

“When I woke up from the coma, she had already left the camp. I didn’t even get a chance to ask her name. It’s such a pity.” 

Thaddeus sighed, “Ever since I returned to Elmsworth, I’ve been searching for Paloma. But no matter how many connection’s I used, no matter what I did, Paloma seemed to have vanished from the face of the earth.” 

Evadne’s heart raced, her palms sweaty. He hadn’t forgotten her. He remembered her. 

So when you were tending to my wounds earlier, I felt a strange sense of familiarity. It reminded me of her.” 

“Seems like there are plenty of women who’ve caught your attention over the years.” 

Evadne suppressed her panic, teasing him, “If I remember correctly, you hadn’t broken up with Acacia when you were in the army, right?” 

Thaddeus didn’t respond, his l*ps pressing together in annoyance. 

“Of course. You were in the army and away from your loved one. The lonely military life must have been hard. You probably needed a woman to relieve your longing.” 

“Evadne,” He warned. 

“Maybe you could have had a romantic affair in the army if you found this Paloma. Who knows?” 

“Evadne, don’t mock the woman who saved my life.” 

Thaddeus’s brows furrowed, his voice serious. “I only met Paloma once, but she holds a special place in my heart. I swear, my feelings for her are only gratitude and admiration. There’s nothing more. You can hit me, insult me, step on my pride, and I won’t complain. But for Paloma, I hope you can show some respect.” 

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