Ethan opened the wooden door. The room had a simple layout, and all the furniture was made of wood.There was a small bed in the room, and a drawing board was placed next to it.The picture showed cherry trees under the moonlight. The island looked especially quiet in the moon's glow.The artist was extremely skilled. From a glance, Ethan could tell that Olivia had drawn the picture.He was overjoyed when he confirmed it. He had finally found her.There was also a thick pile of drawings at the side. Ethan calmly looked through them.A picture showed fishermen returning in the evening light. Smiles filled the faces of the women and children.There was a youth weaving straw hats while another painted in the morning sunlight. A man with a metal mask leaned against a cherry tree.Perhaps Olivia didn't mean anything when she drew it. But to Ethan, there was another meaning to this drawing.This was the man who took her away.Ethan had a cold air about him. He walked up to Martha w
Olivia looked up at him. The sunlight shone on his body, but there was no warmth in his eyes.Instead, his eyes were filled with rage, mockery, and disdain."What exactly do you want me to do, Ethan? Do I not deserve my own life anymore?"They were already divorced, but this man only got even more possessive of her. His possessiveness was so serious that it was almost perverted.Ethan's gaze fell upon the large hand gripping Olivia's wrist. When Jack noticed Ethan looking, he subconsciously stood in front of Olivia.Their gazes met. Jack didn't seem scared at all when he looked at Ethan. "You're already divorced. She doesn't want to go with you."Jack's movements and words made Ethan mad.Ethan's eyes were dark as he looked at Jack. There was an upset expression on his face.Even the air around him seemed restless. The sea breeze passed by, rustling Olivia's hair, which had grown a little longer.She was pale in the face as she hid behind the man. Even though Jack had a decent
The scalding temperature seemed to spread from the back of her hand to every inch of her body. Olivia was terrified."Ethan, the islanders are good people. They took great care of me, and they didn't hurt Connor—not even a little. Connor loves it here. The kidnapping was a misunderstanding. I can explain …"She didn't try to break free from his grasp. Instead, she begged earnestly, "I'll go back with you, so please let them go, okay?"With the cigarette between his fingers, Ethan caressed her head.He said in a cold voice, "Liv, why are you always making me angry? If you were this obedient from the start, we wouldn't have come to this point."Olivia suppressed her sorrow. She raised her pale face, forcing a smile as tears pooled in her eyes."Okay. I won't run away again. Ever.""Is that a promise? What do we do if you run away again?"Olivia silently looked at him. The tears in her eyes broke his heart.Still holding the cigarette between his fingers, he held Olivia's chin. T
Olivia knew that she wouldn't be able to escape this time. So, she stopped being wary like she used to. Looking Ethan in the eye, she spoke in a sterner tone."I hate how arrogant and inconsistent you are. You're the one who didn't want me anymore, but you're also the one who refuses to let me go now."You said that my father owes you for your sister's life. Now, the Fordhams have gone bankrupt, and my father is constantly in critical condition. I've also sacrificed my marriage and my child."Is this still not enough for you? If so, then just take my life as well."When she said that, she noticed Ethan's gaze turning colder. In reality, Olivia felt quite nervous. Her heart pounded along with her worked-up emotions.She continued, "When you're in a good mood, you give me one billion dollars and allow me to leave. When you're in a bad mood, you turn around and start looking for me again."Ethan, I'm human, not some toy in your hand. Do you know why I'd rather stay on a remote islan
Jack knew about crazy people like Ethan. If he showed too much concern about Olivia, he would only be putting her in danger.Soon, the door to the room opened. Jack watched as Ethan dragged Olivia out with him. Olivia looked so fragile, but Ethan didn't seem to pity her one bit.Jack subconsciously tried to move forward. Brent reminded him in a cold voice, "Don't move."Jack looked at Olivia in worry. He opened his mouth but didn't say anything.A gun had appeared in Ethan's hand. He looked high and mighty as if he were some god that controlled others' lives at will."Watch closely, Liv. He died because of you."Olivia was terrified. She didn't know what she could do now to stop Ethan's frenzy.The more she begged, the more it would stoke Ethan's murderous intent. But even if she didn't beg him, he would still do it."What should I do? What on earth can I do?" she thought.At that moment, a clear voice rang out. "Go to hell, you criminal!"It was Tom's voice. He had been hidi
Shaking her head, Olivia continued to beg. "Ethan, I—"With one hand carrying the child, Ethan wiped her tears with his other hand. "Liv, with every plea you make, I'll add one more hole to his body. Do you want to test me?"Olivia instantly shut up. This perverse man was capable of anything at all.She could only let her tears fall in silence. Ethan whispered, "The more tears you shed for his sake, the more he will bleed later."Olivia felt like a heavy boulder was weighing upon her heart. There were thousands of words she wanted to say, but at that moment, she couldn't make a sound.She could only shake her head continuously. Reaching out, Ethan rubbed her eyes. "Be a good girl and look away. We can return to our normal lives after this."Tom, who was being held down, started shouting. Popping out of nowhere, Jerry spoke up as well, "If you want to kill someone, kill me. Don't hurt Jack."He just wants to improve the islanders' quality of life. He's a good man. Even when we to
Everyone tensed up. It was just a noise Ethan made with his mouth, but the youth was already frowning deeply.Ethan let go of the gun, a look of approval coloring his eyes. "Not bad. You're quite the man. Still, no one can replace his life."Ethan walked toward Jack. Just then, Jack swiftly took out his gun and aimed it at Ethan's forehead."Don't move!" Guns were pointed at Jack from all sides. The man had been waiting for a chance to make his move."If my lowly life can be exchanged for Mr. Miller's, then it doesn't seem like a bad deal." A rare smile appeared under Jack's mask.He looked at Olivia with an earnest look that seemed to say, "From today onward, you'll be free."Jack knew very well that as soon as he fired the gun, bullets from all sides would come at him as well. He had nowhere to run.Olivia was stunned. No one could've expected this turn of events.She had known Jack for only two weeks. She couldn't allow him to die for her."No, don't shoot!" Olivia ran towa
When Olivia passed by Tom and Jerry, they looked at her with heavy hearts.She smiled at them in an attempt to comfort them.Jack didn't say anything. He watched her board the helicopter silently because he knew that now wasn't the time.In order not to cause trouble to the people on the island, Ethan mustn't die here. However, once he was away from the island …A malicious glint fleeted across Jack's eyes when Ethan happened to look back at him as if he sensed the danger.They met each other's eyes. The two strong men stared at each other for a second.Both of them were aware that today wasn't the end.Olivia wasn't able to bid farewell before leaving the island.She looked at the huge cherry blossom tree and the small wooden house.Martha was standing in front of her house, sending her off. The kids and the neighbors were watching her too.Olivia didn't realize when Jack left. With his back facing her, he advanced deeper into the woods like a lone wolf."Goodbye, everyo