Asher’s lips tightened into a straight line, his eyes downcast, his emotions unreadable. He remained silent, his thoughts his own.
After a pause, the Blackwood patriarch continued gravely: “Asher, remember this well. Such a thing must never happen again. You are the only heir of the Blackwood family. Don’t sacrifice yourself for a woman, understood?”
Asher’s hands, hanging at his sides, tightened almost imperceptibly. His eyes clouded with something indecipherable as he replied solemnly: “I understand.”
The patriarch then addressed Andrew: “From now on, as long as Asher’s actions don’t violate our family code or the law, don’t interfere with him.”
Andrew was internally fuming. He was still in his prime, yet family power and business were being transferred directly from his father to his son Asher, bypassing him entirely. He might be seething, but he dared not voice any objection in his father’s presence. Besides, the root of this trouble was his own illegitimate son. If he had controlled his urges back then, none of this would have happened. He had no right to dispute anything, however displeased or unwilling he might be.
Andrew consoled himself with the thought that at least the power remained with his son, not some outsider. “I understand,” he acknowledged.
The cold front arrived. Temperatures suddenly dropped below freezing, and London experienced its first snowfall of the winter. Winter days grew dark early, and by the time Kimberly left Sinclair & Klein, night had fully descended. Snowflakes fell gently, appearing even more romantic under the glow of the city lights. Kimberly stood at the roadside, extending her hand to catch a few snowflakes. The biting north wind cut to the bone. Kimberly pulled her scarf tighter, her warm breath turning to white mist in the cold air.
Asher’s Maybach was parked by the roadside. Kimberly walked toward it. Asher had already stepped out and was walking briskly toward her. They had arranged to visit Teresa at the hospital together. As the car door closed, the howling winter wind was shut out. Asher held Kimberly close in the back seat, taking her hands in his and rubbing them gently. The young woman’s hands were ice-cold. Asher looked down at them, concerned. “Why on earth aren’t you wearing gloves? Your hands are absolutely freezing.”
Kimberly sniffled. “It was hardly worth it for such a short walk.”
“That’s no excuse,” Asher said, massaging her hands. “Do remember to wear them next time, won’t you?”
Kimberly responded with a soft “Mmm.”
In the hospital room, when Kimberly pushed open the door, Teresa was leaning against her bed, gazing absently at the heavy snow outside. The young girl was lost in thought, so deeply engrossed that she didn’t notice Kimberly and Asher entering.
“Teresa, I’ve come to see you,” Kimberly placed her packages on the small table and greeted her. Only then did Teresa snap back to reality. She turned to look, her gaze lingering on Asher’s face with surprise and curiosity.
Kimberly smiled and introduced them: “Teresa, this is my boyfriend, Asher.”
Teresa’s expression cleared in understanding, and she greeted him in a sweet, clear voice: “Hello. Asher.”
Asher remembered Kimberly’s repeated instructions to smile when meeting the young girl, rather than appearing cold and frightening her. He made an effort to soften his tone, his lips curving into a gentle smile. “Hello there, Teresa.”
The young girl pressed her lips together, shyly averting her gaze. Kimberly approached and sat by Teresa’s bedside. The girl looked increasingly pale and haggard, with sunken eye sockets, dangerously thin. Kimberly felt a painfully tight sensation in her chest. Fighting back her distress, she took out a fluffy cream-colored beanie from a gift bag, her eyes crinkling with a smile. “Teresa, this is a gift from me. Do you like it?”
The little girl’s eyes sparkled, her smile sweet. “I love it! Thank you, Kimberly.”
After spending time together these past few days, they had become friends. Teresa no longer formally addressed Kimberly as “Ms. Jordan,” but affectionately called her by her first name. Teresa took the beanie and immediately replaced the one she was wearing. After putting on the new hat, she looked at Kimberly with hopeful eyes. “Does it look nice, Kimberly?”
Kimberly reached out to gently stroke the young girl’s head, saying softly: “It looks absolutely darling on you.”
As Kimberly chatted with Teresa, Asher’s phone rang. He held up his phone, gesturing to Kimberly that he needed to step out to take the call. Kimberly nodded. After Asher left, only Kimberly and Teresa remained in the room. The young girl seemed to have something she wanted to say, hesitating several times. Kimberly caught her subtle expressions. “Teresa, is there something you’d like to tell me?”
The young girl stammered: “Kimberly, could you… could you possibly help me with makeup?”
Kimberly was surprised.
Teresa continued: “I’ve been getting worse lately, as you’ve probably noticed. My complexion deteriorates each day. My brother’s eyes are red every time he visits. I know he’s hurting inside, and I don’t want him to worry about me.”
A wave of sorrow washed over Kimberly, her eyes involuntarily misting. “Of course I can, sweetheart. You’re already so lovely; with makeup, you’ll be absolutely gorgeous.”
Teresa smiled, two small dimples appearing on her pale face. “Really?”
“Yes, absolutely!” Kimberly nodded, her nose prickling with emotion. “I’ll bring my makeup kit when I visit tomorrow and give you a proper makeover.”
“That would be brilKimmynt,” Teresa replied, her eyes crinkling with joy.
In the corridor, Asher was on the phone with Lucas. Lucas informed him: “Sir, we’ve received word from Russia that we’ve established contact with Mr. Talbot. They’ll be discussing specific plans to take over Tom Malfoy’s project in the coming days.”
“Good.”
Lucas updated Asher on other matters before ending the call. Afterward, Asher returned to the hospital room. Kimberly and Teresa were engaged in conversation, both smiling, seemingly happy. He looked over at them. Teresa immediately averted her gaze, whispering something to Kimberly. Kimberly’s smile deepened after hearing it.
Asher gave them a curious look. “What’s so amusing, may I ask?”
Kimberly responded mysteriously: “It’s a secret.”
Just as Asher was about to say something, his phone rang again. This time, he didn’t step out to answer. When the call connected, the person on the other end said: “Mr. Blackwood, we’ve found a compatible bone marrow donor as per your requirements.”
Asher instinctively glanced in Kimberly’s direction. “Bring the donor in for examination tomorrow.”
“Understood.”
After hanging up, Asher walked to Kimberly’s side and said gently: “Kimmy, they’ve found a compatible bone marrow donor.”
Kimberly seemed not to comprehend immediately. “I beg your pardon?”
Asher’s expression softened. “I said they’ve found a compatible bone marrow donor. Teresa’s condition can be treated now.”
Kimberly’s expression transformed as tears sprang to her eyes – tears of joy. She wiped them away, excitedly grasping Teresa’s hand, both crying and laughing as she said: “Teresa, did you hear that? They’ve found a compatible bone marrow donor. Your illness can be cured!”
Teresa sat stunned, her eyes reddening. “Can my illness really be cured?”
Kimberly’s eyes brimmed with tears as she choked out: “Yes, it can! I told you not to give up, didn’t I? Your illness will definitely be cured!”
“That’s wonderful, that’s wonderful…” Teresa’s eyes glistened with tears as she murmured. “Now my brother won’t have to worry about me anymore…”
This was truly wonderful news. The gloom that had shadowed Kimberly for days was instantly swept away. On the journey back, she held Asher’s hand, chattering continuously. Even after returning to the apartment, her excitement remained palpable. Asher, seeing her furrowed brow finally relaxed after days of worry, felt his own spirits lift. The two of them cuddled on the sofa, and the atmosphere gradually shifted to one of intimacy. Asher tightened his arm around Kimberly, desire steadily intensifying in his eyes.