- 3.
074
The jade pendant was stained with blood, and I
got my agent, Macy, to clean it.
Sierra threw this pendant at me the day she came back.
It had four words carved on it: “Peace and Joy.”
And at the bottom, in tiny script, was the
signature: “Mom.
(Ning).”
Sierra said it was some cheap trinket my real parents bought for her.
But I could smell the faint scent of gardenias on
- it. I could almost see a gentle woman carefully polishing this delicate pendant.
Macy squeezed my hand, her eyes red.
“Listen to me, let’s get you more treatment.”
I swallowed the metallic tang in my mouth and
asked, “Is seven days enough? I’m afraid I only
have seven days left.”
She blinked back tears and shook her head.
“It’s not enough. You just hold on. You know I
don’t have much talent. If I hadn’t met a
talented actress like you, I wouldn’t have
become a top agent. Finding people isn’t my
thing. You have to live a long life so I can find
them slowly and bring them to your side.”
“Don’t waste your energy. I’ve already pulled
back everyone you hired.”
Holden walked in, expressionless. He still had
some confetti on his black overcoat, so he must
have come straight from the launch party.
Macy bristled. “Mr. Holden, that’s a low blow!
I’m spending my money to hire people to do a
job. What right do you have to stop me? Just
because your family is powerful doesn’t mean
voi non billi maanta like thinl
you can bully people like this!”
He just gave her a cold look and ignored her.
After scanning me up and down, the light in his
eyes softened a bit.
“Your acting is good. You can stay in character
even when the cameras aren’t rolling.”
He crouched down, his long fingers caressing
my face. The longing in his eyes intensified.
“You’ve lost weight. It must have been hard for
you.”
“Take a year off. Once Sierra settles down, I’ll
help you get back on top of your game. In the
meantime, just think of it as playing a terminally
ill patient. Just keep acting.”
I stared at the man I’d known since I was a kid
and felt a strange ache in my chest.
<
9:13
I really did love him.
He always wanted to protect me, but I was
fiercely independent and never asked him for
anything.
But now, I had to make an exception.
“Holden, I want to meet my real parents.”
I didn’t realize I was crying until he wiped the
tears away with both hands.
“I can help you find them, but you have to
promise me something.”
974
He paused for a few seconds, watching me,
then hesitantly said, “Sierra wants to marry me
too. The psychologist said it’s an impulse driven by a fear of loss. After discussing it with your
family, we decided to indulge her. We’ll have a
wedding. After she gets better, I’ll divorce her
and marry you.”
9:13
“I’ve already prepared most of our wedding. I just have to change the bride’s name. You’re
always reasonable, you won’t make things
difficult for me, right?”
I blinked, feeling a little hazy.
“If I don’t agree, you won’t let me find my
parents?”
He didn’t deny it.
I was disappointed, and wanted to lash out.
974
But I knew I didn’t have much time left. I didn’t
want to waste it on this meaningless drama.
I might as well use his power to fulfill my last
dream.
“Okay. But you have to find them within seven
days.”
<
9:13
974
He smiled, and kissed my lips. “I knew you were
the best.”
I smiled sadly. “Anyway, it’s hers to begin with.
Give it back, and there’ll be no hard feelings.”
He frowned. “I don’t have an opinion on the
family stuff, but I’ll always be yours. Holden
wants to marry only you, T.”
I’d been hearing that since middle school. I used
to believe it. Not anymore.
