Chapter 369 The Pain of Parting
Patricia planted a firm kiss on his cold, thin lips, her voice soft as she asked, "How are the kids doing? They were full-term, but being twins they are, they're so delicate—definitely more work than a singleton."
The mention of Maria brought a tender smile to Martin's face.
"Maria's just like you—obedient, sweet. She eats, then she sleeps, and sometimes she stays up to play a bit. She never cries or fusses, a real darling."
Patricia looked at him with surprise,. "Maria?"
Martin nodded, "RandyMaria. "Maria Langley, that's the name I chose for her. Like the flowers that bloom on the other shore as the sun sets, I hope she embodies that beauty and wisdom and lives a life full of peace and happiness."
Tears welled in Patricia's eyes welled with tears as she nodded.
"It's beautiful—I love that name."
Just as she was about to inquire about the other child, a flurry of hurried and disordered footsteps came from outside the security door.
Patricia's heart sank with a heavy thud.
"Hunter has sent someone. You need to go—now!. There are no cameras in the stairwell. Climb up, and you can come back down after I've sent Hunter off, you can come back down."
Martin held onto her hand, visibly strugglingreluctant to let go.
And Patricia felt the same reluctance.
Wrapping, and she reciprocated his feelings. She wrapped her arms around his neck, she tiptoed to press and stood on her lips against his.
tiptoes to kiss him. Their breaths mingled.
Their breathing and entwined.
Martin cradled the back of her head, deepening their kiss. His tongue pried between her teeth, intertwining with hers, exploring every corner of her mouth.
Patricia savored his breath, his taste, hisand being—everything about him. She wished they could throw all caution to the wind and be together forever, even if it meant dying together.
She wished they could throw all caution to the wind and be together, forever, even if it meant dying together.
But theThe footsteps outside grew louder.
Like a bucket of cold water poured over her head,, extinguishing her passion was extinguished instantly.
No, it couldn't be.
Martin had to leave quickly.
Charles and the others were waiting for therm to return.
The whereabouts of anotherthe other baby still beckoned to her— and demanded her pursuit.
She couldn't afford the luxury of selfishness, indulging in her own joyherself while ignoring a child's welfare.
As Martin pinned her against the wall, his hands uncontrollably exploring beneath the hem of her clothes, greedily finding her waist's slim contour,. sShe quickly grasped his hands, turned her head away, and dodged his kisses.
"We're out of time, Hunter is bound to show up any second. We have to move now , or it'll be too late."
"Patricia..."
Martin's voice was hoarse with barely concealed torment, as if he were fighting down intense feelings.
Patricia looked at him with a pang of compassion. "We have all the time in the world once we make our escape. Opportunities will abound!. Remember, the kids are waiting for us to return for a reunion."
Thinking of the children at home, clarity washed over Martin. He reluctantly stepped back from Patricia.
Seeing him so composed, Patricia couldn't help but urge him,. "Hurry, if we don't leave now, we won't make it. I played insane just so he'd let his guard down and bring me here. If we get caught, all my efforts will be for nothing."
Under her pleading gaze, Martin finally tore himself away.
Just as Martin made it to the juncture between the first and second floor, the security door swung open.
Hunter rushed in with the hospital's security guards.
At the sight of Patricia huddled in the corner, he let out a deep sigh of relief.
"Patricia, what are you doing here? Did something scare you earlier? Are you alright?"
Patricia cast a glance towards the stairs, seeing that Martin had made his escape. She then reverted to her feigned madness, shoving him away venomously as she kept shrinking back as far as she could go, even though there was no more room to retreat.
"You monster, you devil—don't touch me!... You're all villains!..."
Hunter, thinking the recent chaos had exacerbated her condition, was flooded with guilt.
"I'm so sorry. I should have taken better care of you... Let's go home. I'll have James fetch your medication later!"."
He tentatively reached out his hand toward Patricia.
Patricia She stopped screaming and instead stared at him with a face full of terror and scrutiny.
Sensing an opening, Hunter cautiously moved closer.
Patricia contracted further into herself, but she didn't resist.
Hunter, so he inched closer, his slender fingers tentatively touching her hand, only to be thrown off when she reacted with a start.
Patricia recoiled as if touched by a snake, frantically rubbing the spot where Hunter's hand had brushed against her. "You're bad news, don't! Don't touch me,. I don't want your hands on me,! gGet away..."!"
A dull pain throbbed in Hunter's heart.
Daring not to touch her hand again, he gently grasped her sleeve.
This time, Patricia didn't resist. Though she kept muttering about him being the villain and not wanting him near, she didn't violently shove him away.
Hunter sighed in relief and, holding onto her sleeve, stood up.
"Patricia, it's crowded here. Let's go home, okay?"
She didn't respond but her gaze suddenly became vacant and unfocused, ultimately staring into nothingness.
She was a lot more compliant when she wasn't in her fits of frenzy.
Seeing a momentary improvement in her condition, Hunter quickly seized the opportunity to lead her away. The emergency exit door swung shut behind them.
The emergency exit door swung shut behind them.
Having left earlier, Martin unexpectedly came back.
Standing on the steps around the corner, he watched them leave. His grip on the stair railing tightened to the point where his knuckles whitened from the strain.
All this time, had Patricia been feigning madness, playing the fool to get by?
A few shades of crimson clouded the depths of Martin's eyes, as if lava was churning inside him, ready to erupt.
Anger, heartache, guilt, and a sense of helplessness enveloped him tightly.
It was his fault – his inability to protect Patricia – that had driven her to this charade for self-preservation.
He had to find a way to rescue Patricia. And soon.
...
At the Roman Hotel, in the Presidential Suite.
W, watching Grace, who had gone the whole day without food or drink, Jeremy was torn between frustration and sympathy.
"SisCuz, it's just not worth it for a guy!. There are plenty of fish in the sea. If he said he doesn't like you, why force things? I could find you someone even better looking than Martin. Carter, for one, is a catch – refined, polite, and he's got his act together. – hHe'd be perfect for you."
With her head bowed, Grace silently shed tears.
"Jeremy, I'm sorry for worrying you!"."
With that, she picked up her utensils and started to eat silently.
But as she ate, tears began to fall, dropping like pearls onto the glistening white rice.
Jeremy stared, at a loss.
If she had been loud and hysterical, he might have reasoned with her.
However, seeing her so sensible, he felt even more heartache. In that instant, it seemed like the whole world had wronged his little sistergirl cousin.
"Alright, alright, sis, no more tears, you're breaking my heart! Jeremy promises. I promise you, by hook or by crook, I'll make Martin yours."
Grace shook her head.
"I don't want to break up a family; if he's married, then it's just not meant to be. It's just bad timing for us."
Jeremy's temper flared up instantly:. "Screw fate and destiny, I don't believe in that crap!. Just wait, I'll go tie him up and drag him back here. Once I force his hand, he'll have no choice but to marry you. And if he won't, I swear I'll castrate him."
With those words, heHe stormed off without looking back.
Grace watched him leave, not stopping him, not crying or laughing, just silently continuing her meal—.
Chapter370
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