Torn Between Love and Hate

Chapter 12 Has the News Been Released?

Ashton withdrew his gloomy gaze from the end of the corridor and sneered, "Stop her? She wants to die. Why should I prevent her?"

Jeff dared not utter another word

Ashton continued coldly, "Henceforth, I do not wish to hear anyone in Flora Villa address her as Mrs. Mullen."

Jeff nodded fearfully. "Yes, Mr. Mullen. I will issue the order."

Ashton clenched his jaw and walked back towards Helen.

He was confident that Deborah would soon regret her actions and come back to kneel and beg him.

But by then, it would be too late.

Zayne directly drove Deborah and Alyssa back to the Gaige's old house. When the car halted outside the villa, Deborah gradually calmed down from her impulse to leave Ashton.

Filled with guilt, Deborah apologized, "Dr. Gaige, I'm sorry for dragging you down."

With her and Zayne gone, Zayne might not even be able to return to the hospital.

Zayne alighted from the car and assisted them in opening the car door, saying in a gentle tone, "You don't need to say that. We're

friends.

"Now, let Alyssa settle down and take good care of her body until we find a suitable bone marrow donor. Once Alyssa transplants it, shell then be cured. This is the most crucial thing now." Deborah did not know what else to say. Although she felt sorry for Zayne, she could only whisper weakly at this time, "Thank you."

Zayne noticed that Deborah was weary and helped her carry Alyssa into the old house.

Night had already fallen, and the entire Gaige family had returned

Zayne hailed from a family of intellectuals. His mother was a venerable practitioner, and his father was a university professor. His grandfather was a retired private school educator During her college days, Deborah had visited Zayne's family multiple times, thereby getting acquainted with his family members. Even Alyssa knew them too.

As soon as they stepped in, Zayne's mother, Sarah Short, who sat on the living room sofa, caught sight of them and promptly sprang up to greet them exuberantly.

"Hey, Debby, Alyssa. It's been a while since your last visit. Alyssa seems to have lost some weight. Come here, let me embrace you!"

Uttering these words, she beamed with delight and took Alyssa from Zayne's hands.

Zayne's father and grandfather, Theo Gaige and William Gaige were in the upstairs study, but they came down when they heard the noise. They were all very enthusiastic.

Deborah greeted them one by one, and Alyssa also addressed them obediently. "Glad to see you, Mrs. Gaige, Mr. Gaige, and senior Mr. Gaige." Theo also smiled. “What a good child. Zayne, have you all had something before you brought them here? If not, I'll get Tracy to prepare the food."

"Not yet," Zayne answered. Then, Theo instantly ordered Tracy to prepare the meal, and Sarah trotted off to the kitchen to lend a hand. Deborah hadn't experienced such conviviality and warmth in a long time. She felt a tad awkward and didn't know what to do. Zayne grinned and said to her, "Don't just stand there. Come and take a seat. This isn't the first time you've visited my family

He held Alyssa with one arm and proffered her fruit with the other.

Deborah walked over and settled down opposite him. She gazed at the kitchen, unsure if she should go and assist.

With a smile, Zayne reassured her, "Don't worry about it. My mother can be quite territorial in the kitchen. She won't let you help her even if you want to." Deborah smiled awkwardly and remained seated.

After dinner, William presented Alyssa with a few of his most precious antiques to play with as toys.

Sarah hurriedly went to clean up the room prepared for Deborah and Alyssa, concerned that they might not be comfortable or well-fed.

Given the late hour of their arrival, the Gaige family could tell from Deborah's expression that she had encountered some difficulties. Though they suspected something was amiss, the Gaige family didn't press Deborah for details, assuming that she was simply there for a visit.

That night, Zayne examined Alyssa's condition and prescribed some medication for her to take. Deborah went to bed with Alyssa and had a good sleep. Alyssa had been struggling to sleep lately due to a past injury inflicted by Helen and repeated frightening experiences with Ashton.

She was deeply insecure and suffered from insomnia.

However, as she lay in Deborah's arms that night, she soon began to breathe gently and fall into a peaceful slumber.

It was possible that her traumatic experience of being thrown into the water by Ashton earlier that day had left her too exhausted to

stay awake.

Lying in the unfamiliar bedroom, Deborah gazed out at the dark night sky through the window with a sinking feeling in her heart. She

couldn't shake the fear that Ashton wouldn't easily let her go.

It wasn't until after midnight that she finally drifted off to sleep.

The next day, she overslept and didn't wake up until nearly noon. The room was quiet.

Deborah reached out to touch her daughter. Her heart skipped a beat as she realized that Alyssa was nowhere to be found. Panic rose within her. Where had Alyssa gone? She hastily rose from her bed, not even bothering to put on her shoes, and dashed out of the bedroom in a state of panic, hurrying downstairs in search of Alyssa. Upon reaching the living room downstairs, she found Alyssa and Zayne engrossed in building blocks. She let out a sigh of relief, relieved that everything was fine.

Zayne had built a small house out of blocks for Alyssa, who was overjoyed, her face flushed with excitement. Pointing to the roof, she exclaimed, "The little chimney goes here!" Zayne feigned enlightenment and fixed the chimney In place as Alyssa directed.

When he looked up, he noticed Deborah standing on the stairs, barefoot.

Deborah had strikingly beautiful facial features, looking flawlessly gentle and stunning.

It was the first time Zayne had seen her this way, just waking up. Her long hair was lightly curled, and her eyes still bore traces of sleep. She was shoeless, revealing her white feet.

Zayne's ears turned red at the sight of her white feet, and he quickly averted his gaze, pretending to organize the blocks, trying to conceal his emotions.

Zayne dared not look at her anymore and said, "Good morning. My parents and grandfather have already left for work. The house is quiet, so feel free to rest more."

Deborah felt so self-conscious that she wanted to hide her bare feet. How could she have forgotten that she was not in Ashton's home anymore? Alyssa just got up, and nothing could happen. “I have had a restful sleep. I'll head upstairs to tidy up first," she replied.

As soon as she finished speaking, she turned around and swiftly ascended the stairs. Zayne gazed directly at her while she disappeared from sight.

Alyssa clutched a wooden board and inquired, "Mr. Gaige, where should I put this?",

Zayne didn't respond. Alyssa gazed at him quizzically and noticed that he was still staring at the stairs.

Alyssa looked along his gaze but saw nothing.

Waving her hand in front of his eyes, she asked, "Mr. Gaige, are you looking at my mother? She has already gone upstairs. You can't

see her."

Zayne abruptly came back to his senses and hastily took the wooden board from Alyssa. "Keep this here," he said.

He figured that Deborah had been engrossed in caring for Alyssa lately and was also bothered with Ashton and Helen, so she probably hadn't taken the opportunity to unwind outside.

If she continued to repress herself like this and strain her brain, it would be easier for her to fall ill.

Zayne piled up the wood and asked Alyssa, "Would you like to go to the amusement park? I can take you out with your mom to relax

today."

Alyssa's eyes lit up at once. "Can I? But Mom said that I need to rest more since I'm not feeling well."

Zayne smiled and responded, "Going out to have fun occasionally is good for your health."

Alyssa nodded vigorously, her face brimming with anticipation.

Mr. Gaige is a doctor. Mom said I should listen to the doctor, Alyssa thought.

Deborah was initially concerned about Alyssa's desire to hang out, given her frail condition and the potential risks of leaving the

hospital.

However, upon hearing Zayne's assurance that it would be fine, and seeing that Alyssa also became eager to go out, Déborah eventually acquiesced. Following lunch, they went out together.

As they arrived at the amusement park and purchased their tickets, Deborah thought she caught a glimpse of a familiar figure out of

the corner of her eye.

When she turned to look, nothing was there.

She didn't dwell on it and proceeded into the park.

Meanwhile, Ashton was just getting into the car outside with a sour expression on his face.

Jeff, the driver, sensed that Ashton was in a foul mood and tried to keep a low profile, remaining silent in the front seat.

In the backseat, Ashton brooded with dark eyes for some time before finally asking, "Has the arranged news been released yet?"