He laughed, gave her a peck, and scolded, "You little shrew!"
Past sweetness resurfaced as the greatest irony, and Mort Thorne felt a stabbing pain in his heart—he knew he had sullied himself. If Dianna Hollis found out about all this, she would surely despise him and leave him.
Mort also thought about his addiction; now he lived like neither man nor ghost, what could he give her for happiness?
Where is she now?
What is she doing?
I heard she’s married to Yuric Thatcher, right?
Is she now soone else’s Mrs. Thatcher?
...
Mort walked out, and Kate Lee was still there, tidying the sheets. "Mort, you ca out? Are you okay?"
Mort said nothing, his deep ink-black eyes fell on the sheets, he saw a snow plum blossom on them.
He knew very well what it was; three years ago, he took Dianna Hollis’s first ti and saw this snow plum blossom.
Kate knew Mort had seen it; she imdiately gathered the dirty sheets and spread new ones. "Mort, it’s very late today, you should rest first. I’ll take these dirty sheets to wash."
Kate walked out.
"Kate." Mort suddenly called out to Kate.
Kate paused her steps; she knew Mort would call her. To deal with a proud man like Mort, one must advance through retreat.
Kate turned back to look at Mort, speaking gently, "Mort, is there sothing?"
"Last night... was it really you?" Mort pinched his lips and asked.
Kate’s heart tightened, feeling inevitably a bit tense. Mort’s deep and blood-red eyes fell on her, sharp as a hawk’s gaze carrying review and scrutiny. He seed not yet convinced that the person last night was her.
In front of such a strong-man aura, anyone would feel pressured, and Kate did too.
But Kate had prepared long ago. She knew Mort was not easily deceived; she had her answer ready.
"Mort, last night... last night..." Kate hesitated, acting shy. "Last night, you seed not in a good state; we... ended quickly. But please don’t misunderstand; I don’t an to despise you. How about... I prepare so herbs to help you recuperate?"
Mort directly pursed his thin lips into a cold arc. His body was fine, but indeed he didn’t perform well last night, lasting only a few minutes...
All along, he had thought it was Dianna Hollis beneath him; at the critical mont, she refused and even bit him. He lost control, nearly losing himself to her.
This matter was known to no one except the one who shared the bed with him last night.
Now Kate brought it up, crushing Mort’s last straw of hope.
Kate continued her gentle offensive, "Mort, is there sothing you need to tell ? If what you want to talk about is last night’s matter, it’s unnecessary; it was just an accident. I’m not asking you to be responsible."
"Mort, I know you like that girl, Dianna Hollis, don’t worry. This will always remain our secret, I will never ntion it to Dianna Hollis, she will never know about it."
"Mort, I’ve never told you all these years; actually... actually, I like you. I’ve always buried my affection for you deep in my heart. It’s okay, you like Dianna Hollis, I like you. I ask for nothing; with last night... having last night, I’m content even in death, I only hope you find a little place for in your heart."
After speaking, Kate turned and left.
Mort stood in place, he didn’t pursue her—there was nothing to chase after because he couldn’t be responsible for Kate.
He did not like Kate; marrying her out of responsibility would only harm her for life.
...
Charles Bishop ca to find Mort; he pushed the door open and entered, "Mort, Kiki says you overca this bout of addiction, that’s great!"
Mort, tall and leggy, stood by the bed. He had changed clothes, in simple black attire, wearing a cap, looking prepared for a long journey.
"Mort, are you going out? Where are you going?" Charles asked with curiosity.
Mort pursed his lips, "Good timing; tell them I’m leaving for a few days."
Mort started to leave.
"Mort!" Charles quickly blocked Mort’s path, "Mort, you’re not going to find Dianna Hollis, are you?"
Mort didn’t speak but tacitly admitted.
He was indeed going to find Dianna Hollis.
Upon learning she was about to marry Yuric Thatcher, he decided to go find her. But he had relapsed into addiction; now, feeling better, he must go find Dianna Hollis.
"Mort, you’re crazy! Do you not realize your physical state? You could relapse any ti; are you planning to die out there by finding Dianna Hollis?"
"Don’t go looking for Dianna Hollis. It’s too late; everything is too late. Dianna Hollis is already Mrs. Thatcher, wake up! If she truly loved you, she wouldn’t so quickly marry another man during your absence!"
Mort’s handso face turned stern, his aura silent and hard. He glanced at Charles, thin lips releasing two words, "Move aside!"
"I won’t move! Mort, Dianna Hollis is now a married woman; entangling with her further is self-destruction. She isn’t worth it!"
Charles had barely finished speaking when Mort’s large hand suddenly reached out, gripping Charles’s collar and tossing him aside.
Charles couldn’t keep his balance, being hurled by an imposing force into the wall.
Mort’s coldly displeased gaze ca over sharply, "If you’re a brother, don’t let hear such talk from your mouth again. Dianna Hollis is my woman; whether or not she loves , whether or not she’s worth—for you, what right do you have to say? I won’t permit anyone to speak ill of her, won’t allow anyone to slander her!"
Charles was infuriated, feeling Mort was under Dianna Hollis’s spell, "Mort, you can’t go, you absolutely cannot go!"
At that mont, Kate walked in. She initially ant to use retreat as an advance, drawing Mort back to her. Smart as she was, she knew how to play on a man’s guilt and remorse. But she waited and waited, yet didn’t wait for Mort to reach out to her.
Now upon entering, she found Mort and Charles arguing. These two were life-and-death brothers who had never quarreled before. She exclaid, "Mort, Charles, what are you arguing about?"
Charles instantly replied, "Kiki, quickly persuade Mort! He’s just recovered and wants to go find Dianna Hollis!"
What?
Kate stiffened; she hadn’t anticipated Mort wouldn’t co after her but instead planned to seek Dianna Hollis!
The mont he’s better, he’s off to find Dianna Hollis!
"Mort, Charles is just looking out for you; if you go find Dianna Hollis now, you’ll die out there," Kate said.
Mort did not look at Kate; he gazed into the distance and slowly spoke, "If dying by her side is possible, it’s alright."
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