Ch. 16..20: Begging For A Reconciliation Chapter 16-20

Chapter 16

Shyanne hugged Leah and cried as soon as he came. He whispered in her ear, “I’m sorry, my brother had been keeping me locked up and wouldn’t let me find you. You’re suffering.” I don’t know what’s going on. In the past, every time Leah cried, Leah would feel distressed and couldn’t help coaxing her, but at this moment, she felt extremely strange in her heart. Could it be that she took her anger on Shyanne because of Han’s incident? “How did you find this place?” Leah pushed Shyanne away and wiped the tears from her face, Shyanne said lightly, “I only found out about it by eavesdropping on my brother and his assistant. I’ve also heard about what happened to you at the engagement banquet.” Speaking of the engagement banquet, Shyanne said hesitantly, “I’m sorry, I know it’s wrong for my brother to lock you up, but can I still ask you to help my brother out?” The smile at the corner of Leah’s mouth faded. “Since he has a lot of power, why does he still need help from someone who can’t even help herself?” Shyanne clenched her fist and nodded. “Only you can help my brother at this point. The engagement was canceled because of you. Mr. Lamere was very angry and refused to cooperate with the Howard family’s business. I believe that as long as you apologize to Miss Lamere, everything will be fine.” The warmth in Leah’s eyes gradually disappeared, and she looked at her as if she knew this little girl for the first time. Had she lost sight of herself over the years? Everyone from the Howard family shares the same ruthless heart. Leah chuckled. “You want me to apologize to Molly? Do you have any idea how she treated me?” Shyanne bit her lip in embarrassment. ” I know it’s unfair to you, Leah. But do you have the heart to see what will happen to the Howard family? I’m begging you, Leah. Please.” Leah fell silent. After a long pause, she said, “If I agree to do so, you’ll have to promise me one thing.” Shyanne nodded. ” I’ll agree to anything you say.” Leah stared at her with a serious expression. “I want you to help me divorce Han and help me leave Linkville.” Shyanne was stunned, then lowered her eyes, covering up her disdain. “Alright, I promise.” There were not any issues leaving the psychiatric hospital. People were very respectful to Shyanne, however, Leah was treated differently. Leah was not disappointed when she realized something as it was only something she expected. They returned to the Howard residence where she had lived for many years. Yet, she still felt unfamiliar. To meet the chief’s daughter’s preferences, the living room seemed to have been redecorated, and the style had also changed a lot. It could be seen that Han was indulgent to Molly. Thinking about when Leah bought

a potted plant and placed it in the living room, Han threw it away coldly and told her not to do something useless. Haha… Sure enough, Molly was given the carte blanche to do whatever she wanted. However, when it came to Leah, everything she did was a mistake, even breathing. “Who allowed you to bring her back?” A cold voice suddenly was heard from behind. Leah turned back subconsciously and saw Han with a gloomy face. His sharp gaze was directed at her. “Han!” Shyanne was afraid that he would teach her another lesson and quickly explained. “I’m bringing her back so that she’ll apologize to Miss Lamere.” Miss Lamere? Leah glanced at Shyanne calmly. When she came back, she no longer addressed Leah as her sister-in-law but addressed her as her pronoun.

 

Chapter 17

“Stop that nonsense!” Han frowned and scolded after hearing Shyanne’s explanation. Then, he walked over to Leah and grabbed her wrist. “I’ll bring you back there myself,” said Han coldly. Leah did not want to go back after escaping from that horrible place. “No, I’m not going back.” Leah tried to pull out her wrist. “Don’t even think about it. That person is still at the hospital, unconscious from the concussion you caused. Her family had reported it to the police. So, you better stay at the mental hospital before they find you!” warned Han. “I rather stay in jail forever than the mental hospital,” said Leah through her gritted teeth as she looked directly into Han’s cold stare. “You!” Han was so furious. His clenched fists started to produce a crackling sound. At that moment, Molly appeared on the top of the staircase. “Han!” Molly slowly walked towards Han, but Shyanne tried to block her way. “Hey, Molly. I brought that woman here to apologize to you,” said Shyanne with a stiff smile. “I don’t need her to apologize to me. If she hurts someone, so she will be sent to the police. But, I want to know why Han is protecting that woman,” said Molly, looking at Han with a sad expression, like she had been wronged. “Protecting her?” Shyanne was startled. “That’s impossible, Molly. Why would my brother protect a stranger instead of you? You know his feelings for you,” she explained. Leah thought she would be sad when she heard such hurtful words, but she did not. She was not surprised at Shyanne saying those words because she knew everyone in the Howard family had hearts of stone, including Han and Shyanne. So, Leah turned and looked at Molly. “Miss Lamere, I think you had misunderstood.” It was the first time she denied her relationship with Han. “Didn’t you claim that Han is your husband? So why do you deny it now?” Molly did not plan to let Leah go easily. “I’m sorry, I wasn’t well that day and had misspoken. Please do not take my words too seriously. I had absolutely no relation with Mr. Howard at all,” said Leah flatly. Suddenly, she felt Han tighten his grip on her wrist and inflict pain. “Isn’t that so, Mister Howard?” Leah looked up at Han and gave him a meaningful smile. However, Han’s face scrunched up, like he could swallow Leah whole. “Say it again?” Leah could not understand. she thought that was what Han would want her to say. Instead, Han looked even more furious. “Han!” Shyanne quickly tried to warn her brother. However, Han completely ignored Shyanne. Instead, he stared at the smile on Leah’s lips. How dare this woman challenge me in front of everyone? Does she truly think that I am too cowardly to admit our relationship? Who does she think she is? Han was

irritated by the smile on Leah’s face. He threw off her wrist, but when he looked at Molly, he behaved like nothing mattered. “I had no relation with her, so there’s no need for me to protect her. She is just a mental patient. We don’t need to get all worked up over her.” Leah lowered her eyes and looked at her bruised wrist. Indeed, Han would never make the woman he loved sad.

Chapter 18

Molly would have let the matter go if it was a different situation. However, now she knew about the secret between Han and Leah, Molly would not let them off this easily. Molly liked Han too much to hurt him, but she had no problem getting rid of Leah. She pushed away Shyanne’s hand and sighed. “I am not angry at you, Han. But, I must take Miss Murray with me. My friend is still unconscious from her beating, so I must bring her to my friend’s family for an explanation.” Then, Molly clapped her hands twice, and two bodyguards in black came in. “Take that woman,” said Molly, pointing at Leah. Suddenly, Han stood in front of Leah, blocking her with his tall body. He bent down and put his mouth near her ear. “If you beg me now, I’ll help you to stay,” said Han in a soft voice that Leah could only hear. He did not think this woman could stay stubborn forever. Leah smiled bitterly. Why would I beg you? So that you can send me back to the mental hospital? She shook her head and declined. Han’s smile froze. His expression became dark and terrifying. “This is your choice, and you better not regret it.” Molly pulled a long face when she saw Han and Leah whispering. “What are you waiting for? Come and get her!” she barked at her bodyguards. So, Leah was taken away by Molly. Shyanne was relieved. She walked up to Han. “You better don’t make Molly suspect anything again. Mr. Lamere is temperamental. It would be terrible if he refused to work together with us.” Han turned and looked at her. “Shyanne, this would be the last time I tolerate you. I would not hesitate to send you overseas if you meddle in my matters again,” said Han in a cold tone. Ignoring Shyanne’s pale expression, Han walked away. Once he left, he started to order his assistant, Ben, who was following him behind. “Go to the Lamere residence now and bring Leah back after three hours. Don’t let her speak too much.” “Yes, sir.” Ben sighed behind Han’s back. He knew behind the hard shell of a seemingly controlling husband was a soft center of a caring husband who wanted to protect his wife. …… Leah thought Molly would bring her straight to the Lamere residence. But instead, they drove her to the top of a mountain by the coast. Leah immediately felt there was something not right. So, she pretended like she was confused. “Miss Lamere?” Molly ignored Leah completely. When the car stopped, the bodyguards in black dragged Leah out of the car forcefully. At that moment, Leah finally understood Molly’s intention. She regretted leaving with Molly because a jealous woman was also a dangerous woman. The bodyguards in black forced Leah to the edge of the cliff. Below the cliff were ocean waves crashing against the shore. Leah

took a look and felt dizzy. She took a deep breath. “Miss Lamere, please stay calm and hear me out,” she said. However, Molly looked completely different from when she was at the Howard residence. She hardly hid her hatred towards Leah. “Tell me. How did you get married to Han three years ago?” Leah was stunned. How does she know that?” Moly slowly closed the distance between her and Leah. Then, suddenly, she let out a laugh that was so eerie it sent a chill down one’s spine. “I have loved Han for more than ten years. No one in the world loves him more than I do. So who do you think you are? Do you think you are more worthy than I am to be Han’s wife?”

Chapter 19

Leah was frightened by Molly’s paranoia. She moved backward to keep a distance from Molly, but she was only inches away from the edge. “Please calm down and listen to me. The relationship between Han and me is not what you imagined. He never treats me like his wife, and I want to divorce him. So, I am not a threat to your relationship with him,” Leah explained. She would have to save herself from Molly, no matter what. After that, she would draw the line with Han! However, Molly was determined to get rid of Leah. “I don’t believe you. I want you to disappear; only then would Han be completely mine.” Not letting Leah have another chance to speak, Molly signaled her bodyguards with a look. Leah sensed the danger. Without thinking, she wanted to push Molly away and escape. However, she lost her balance on the slippery surface of slopy rocks and fell from the cliff. Splash! When Molly looked down from the cliff, Leah had already disappeared into waves. Molly was startled at first, but then she turned to her bodyguards behind her. “I didn’t push her. She fell by herself. Let’s go!” smirked Molly. A period of time passed after Molly left, a small head appeared above the water. Then, Leah emerged from the water and breathed hard. Luckily Leah knew how to swim. Otherwise, she would be dead by now. Leah learned to swim because she used to have recurring nightmares of getting trapped in a burning vehicle and falling into the sea. To get rid of the fear of drowning, she enrolled in a swimming course behind her father’s back with the money she earned from her summer job. With a deep breath, Leah pushed herself up from the sea. She was unharmed, except her scalp hurt from soaking in seawater for too long. Leah figured that since she had now escaped Han’s control, she did not want to return to him again. However, without her ID, she could not leave Linkville. Furthermore, Han had a vast influence in Linkville. Therefore, it would be difficult to stay below his radar in Linkville. Suddenly, an idea came to Leah’s mind. Her eyes glimmered with excitement. The most dangerous place could be the safest place! Leah felt like a heavy weight lifted from her shoulders. She did not know that the news of her accident had reached Han’s ears. Clunk! An ashtray dropped on the floor. Han froze in his seat, with a cigarette between his fingers. His pupils contracted. “Say it again?” “Mis Lamere… she said that Miss Murray ran away on their way to the Lamere residence. By the time her bodyguards went for her, Miss Murray had fallen into the sea,” said Ben in a timid voice. He observed Han’s reaction. Han stared into the void with a blank expression. Suddenly, Han stood up. The chair made an

ear-piercing sound from his sudden movement. Han took his jacket and wanted to leave. Then, he stopped. No. Han realized he could not just go to the Lamere residence and interrogate them. Han suppressed all his emotions and began to regain his sense. “Send someone to the coast. I need proof, life or death,” ordered Han with a hoarse voice. He could not even breathe at the thought of Leah’s death. Waves of emotion rolled underneath Han’s eyes. His face grew sterner when his lips pressed thinner. His breaths became heavier amid the silence in the room. “Yes, sir.” Right before he closed the door, Ben saw Han’s clenched fists shaking. He sighed. After all, there was no way that Han would feel nothing at all after being married to Leah for three years.

Chapter 20

Meanwhile, Leah was finally near the psychiatric hospital after struggling along the way. No one would have guessed she would return to the place she tried to get away from. Exhausted, Leah sat beside the road to rest her feet. At that moment, a grey car drove by. Splash. Water on the ground splashed on Leah. Leah was speechless. When it rained, it poured. Leah sighed. She lifted her sleeves to wipe away the dirty water on her face. Then, she saw the grey had turned back and stopped beside her. Leah’s body stiffened. Could that be Han? A familiar voice called Leah when she was about to sneak away. “Miss Murray, it’s me.” Leah stayed in place and turned her head in surprise. “Dr. Sanders?” Ian frowned at Leah’s awkward situation. ” What happened?” “It’s a long story.” Leah gave him a bitter smile. “Get in the car. I’ll bring you to my place.” Ian gave it a thought, then opened his car door. Leah was relieved that Ian did not immediately send her back to the psychiatric hospital. She was exhausted and famished. So, she decided to trust Ian, at least for now. Both stayed quiet during the ride. Finally, Ian brought Leah back to his house. He first washed the dirty water away from her head. Then he changed the gauze on the wound on her head. “Dr. Sanders, can I trust you?” asked Leah hesitantly. Ian could tell what Leah was worried about from her anxious expression. “Don’t worry. I will not tell Mr. Howard your whereabouts.” He nodded. So, Leah began to tell Ian every detail of her experience, from admission to the psychiatric hospital to Molly cornering her till she fell into the sea. Ian stayed silent after hearing Leah’s story. “I never know Mr. Howard is such a person. So, what’s your plan now? You can’t keep hiding from him,” said Ian, looking at Leah’s pale face. “I don’t know…” Leah shook her head, looking lost. Ian decided to tell Leah his thoughts after staying quiet for a while. “Actually, Miss Murray, I found some scars from plastic surgeries behind your ears during your last checkup.” Leah’s eyes widened. “Impossible! I never had plastic surgery.” Also, who would have plastic surgery to have an ordinary face like mine? Ian looked at Leah. “Do you still remember anything from childhood?” Leah was startled at first, then she frowned. ” I had a car accident and hit my head when I was little. As a result, I lost all my memory before twelve years old.” She looked at Ian suspiciously. “What are you thinking, Dr. Sanders?” Ian did not plan to keep it from Leah. He took out his phone and showed her the pictures he had taken before. “Look at his, Miss Murray. These are the scars behind your ears. I did not make these up. I suspect this has something to do with your identity.” Leah was surprised to see

the scars, but she was not convinced. “Probably the scars came from something that happened when I was little?” Ian shook his head confidently. “No way! I’m very sure these are scars from plastic surgery. Another reason I’m skeptical about your identity is the diamond shape birthmark on your wrist. I know someone with the same birthmark, even the position of the birthmark is exactly the same.” Leah lifted her wrist and looked at it. There it was, the diamond-shaped birthmark. “I have had this birthmark since I could remember. So, do you mean that my past might have some connection with the person you know?” “Yes.” Ian smiled and pushed his glasses up. “So, Miss Murray, would you like to come with me to find out about your past?” Leah kept silent. In fact, she had no interest in learning about her past. Leah had heard stories about her family from her dad. Unfortunately, after he died, she had no other blood relatives left. Also, Leah hesitated because while she wanted to get away from Han’s radar, she was hesitant to trust someone she barely knew completely. After consideration, Leah finally made her decision. “Alright, I’ll come with you.” It would be better to take a chance than do nothing at all.