Chapter 321
Chapter 321
“Your time belongs to me now.”
Joe’s deep, seductive voice made Skylar’s heart race, tempting her to surrender completely.
Skylar swallowed hard, and her eyes drifted from his damp hair to his chiseled features that were capable
of captivating any woman,
“You-
Before Skylar could utter another word, Joe silenced her with a passionate kiss, causing her phone to slip
from her hand.
Tonight, Joe was different- he was more intense and more insistent. It was overwhelming.
With tears in her eyes, Skylar had to call Joe “darling” countless times before he finally let her rest.
Feeling satisfied, Joe held her in his arms as they fell asleep.
As she drifted off, Skylar thought about the clients on Amazon she hadn’t replied to. She hadn’t informed them that she’d get back to them tomorrow.
However, she had no energy left; she didn’t even know where her phone had fallen.
Joe had been too relentless tonight. Skylar vowed to protest with him tomorrow.
Samuel and Maisy were taking care of Sadie at the hospital tonight. Peter and Kenny would then have to take over the next day.
Meanwhile, Jeffrey had to deal with various issues at work. Initially, Kenny had been supposed to stay with Maisy but hadn’t been able to get time off.
The hospital was quiet at night, but Sadie’s room was far from peaceful. She kept crying out in pain even
when in sleep.
Throughout the whole night, Sadie’s sleep had been restless and plagued with nightmares. She kept wailing and shouting that she couldn’t live without her legs.
Sadie’s restless night took its toll on Samuel and Maisy, leaving them tense and exhausted.
“Skylar still isn’t answering her phone? Samuel asked.
Maisy nodded. “I’ve had some of my friends call her too, but she’s not picking up. She probably knows we’re trying to reach her and is avoiding us.”
The companion beds were tiny. They were in a single–room ward, so the two additional companion beds only made the space feel cramped.
The scent of disinfectant added to their discomfort.
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“This is unacceptable. We need Skylar here. She’s neglected her duty as a daughter for too long. How can she ignore Mom at a time like this?
“I thought Skylar was just throwing a tantrum yesterday, but it turns out she really doesn’t care about Mom. I have to make her come.” Samuel’s voice was laced with frustration as he spoke from his narrow
bed.
Samuel was fed up with the cramped bed and was determined to make Skylar come.
Maisy was equally frustrated by Sadie’s painful cries. She needed Skylar’s help with Sadie. She also
needed Skylar to delete the video.
If Christopher hadn’t given her the video, who had?
She had heard that Christopher had been doing quite well recently. Despite losing his job, he was spending her money recklessly. Just the thought of it made her seethe.
“Samuel, I don’t think she’ll come, no matter how hard we try. She’s determined to cut ties with us. Given Mom’s condition now, she wants nothing to do with us. She doesn’t care about Mom like we do.” Maisy
sighed.
Samuel frowned deeply. “Is she out of her mind? She knows she has no blood relation to the Sullivan family, yet she sticks with them.”
Suddenly, an idea struck him. Samuel added, “Listen, Maisy, I didn’t mean you. You’re nothing like Skylar. You’re the baby sister we’ve always protected. You’re irreplaceable. You can’t go anywhere else.”
“I know. You guys are my real family. To me, you’re like my biological brothers. I don’t care about the Sullivans,” Maisy nodded earnestly.
Samuel smiled. “Exactly! Alright, let’s get some sleep. I need to come up with a way to force Skylar to step up. She has to take care of Mom.
“And Mom will need someone by her side when we head back home. No matter what, Skylar has to come
back
hapter 322
Steven had just clocked in for work and was about to sit down when Kenny approached him, looking worn -out. Steven just couldn’t seem to like Kenny.
“What do you want?” Steven asked after glancing up at Kenny.
Kenny’s eyes were bloodshot, a sign that he hadn’t slept well last night.
“I’ve taken a leave from work. Starting today, I’ll be coming in every other day,” Kenny announced.
Steven’s patience was wearing thin. “Why do I need to know this?”
“Of course you have to! Do you know why I had to take leave? My mom was in a car accident and had her legs amputated.
“She’s bedridden and needs constant care now. But Skylar only came to the hospital on the day of the surgery and then vanished. We can’t reach her at all,” Kenny said, his voice rising in frustration.
A car accident and an amputation? Steven was taken aback. “Your family’s issues are not my concern.”
“How is it not your concern? Skylar is your sister, too. She’s my mom’s biological daughter.
“She should be by my mom’s side now and taking care of her wholeheartedly. Instead, she disappeared without a word.” Kenny said while his frown deepened.
Steven sneered. “You’ve never treated Skye like your family before. But now that there’s trouble, you want to guilt–trip her? Do you even have the right to do that?
“It’s yours and your siblings‘ responsibility to care for your mom. If Skye chooses to help, it’ll out of kindness. And if she doesn’t, it’s perfectly reasonable.”
“But we all have jobs and can’t spare the time. Only Skye- Kenny began to argue.
Steven’s expression turned grim because of Kenny’s brazen entitlement.
He continued, “Skye has a great job, and her job is better than any of yours, I’d say. Just because your family is out of touch with reality, don’t assume everyone else is as clueless.
I
“If you have nothing else to I have work to do.”
say, get l
Instinctively, Kenny denied, “She can’t possibly compare-”
He stopped short, realizing the truth. The Williamses had always seen Skylar differently. In their eyes,
Skylar was of a lower status.
They had dismissed her as increasingly insignificant. No matter how much she contributed–it was always overlooked, as if that were the norm.
This sudden realization hit Kenny hard. His muscles became tense with the new awareness. Stiffly, he
turned and left.
Steven watched Kenny leave with a cold expression. “Shameless.”
Chapter 322
He knew Skylar was on vacation and now felt even more protective of her after knowing the Williams family’s despicable intentions.
2/2
The next morning, Skylar woke up to find it was already past ten o’clock, and Joe had left.
After showering and getting dressed, she searched for her phone on the bed, only to find that it had fallen
to the floor.
Joe had left her a message. He had left at 7:00 am and instructed her to call the hotel’s butler for
breakfast.
He’d also mentioned that he had arranged for Paul to accompany her today, emphasizing that it wasn’t
safe for a woman to travel alone.
Skylar sighed. Fine, if he said it wasn’t safe, she’d go along with it.
After breakfast, Paul knocked on the door while holding a printed itinerary.
“Ms. Sullivan, I’ve prepared an itinerary for today. It includes detailed descriptions. Take a look and choose the schedule that you like, Paul said.
Skylar was genuinely impressed as she reviewed the documents.
Such
professionalism!” she praised Paul.
“Thank you. I have a knack for making sure everything goes perfectly,” Paul said, feeling a bit proud.
Given Joe’s instructions to ensure Skylar had a great time, Paul was determined to make it happen. Skylar and Paul spent the entire day visiting several places. Paul even took a professional camera and helped take photos that could rival those of a professional photographer.
As Skylar looked through the photos on the camera, she praised Paul again. “These are amazing.”
Paul’s skills were truly impressive. Even Joe would have to acknowledge him as a master photographer. At dinner, they discussed their plans for the next day.
Chapter 323
However, Joe hadn’t been part of the plan at all, and neither Skylar nor Paul had noticed.
Nearby diners were whispering about how perfect Skylar and Paul looked together, mistaking them for a couple.
Joe arrived just in time to catch the scene and hear the comments. His eyes turned colder than a Jipsburg winter.
Paul felt a chill down his spine and was about to ask the restaurant to adjust the air conditioning when he saw Joe.
Was Joe the one giving him that icy glare?
“M–Mr. Martin…” Paul stammered. Had he done something wrong? He had made sure that Skylar had a fantastic day.
Upon hearing Paul’s greeting, Skylar immediately looked up to see Joe. His expression was stern and cold, which was typical for him.
The restaurant was cramped, crowded, and noisy. Skylar figured it must have made Joe uncomfortable.
“Have you eaten?” she asked,
Joe walked over and sat beside Skylar, but his demeanor was slightly tense. “No.”
Paul sensed the tension and quickly said, “1… I just remembered I have some work to finish. Mr. Martin, I’ll skip dinner and head back to the hotel now.”
Paul didn’t want to risk indigestion from the overwhelming tension. Judging by the murderous look Joe had given him earlier, he was clearly in a foul mood.
Paul was practically tingling with anxiety.
“Okay,” Joe agreed.
With that, Paul swiftly made his exit, not wanting to be the third wheel or face Joe’s wrath any longer.
Skylar couldn’t help but laugh at the sight of Paul scurrying away. Was Joe really that intimidating?
“Did you have fun today?” Joe asked.
“Yes, a lot! Mr. Ziegler did an awesome job planning, and we took so many photos, Skylar said between bites. She was famished after a long day of activities.
Joe glanced at the dishes on the table. They appeared plain and unremarkable, but Skylar seemed to enjoy them.
It seemed like Paul knew her taste well. Joe pursed his lips thoughtfully.
“The chicken is really tender. You should try it,” Skylar said. She noticed that Joe hadn’t eaten much and recommended her favorite dish of the evening.
Chapter 323
Some of the iciness in Joe’s demeanor melted away as he picked up his cutlery and took a bite. The flavor was decent.
“I’m not very hungry. You go ahead and eat. I’ll wait for you.”
Skylar nodded and resumed eating. Joe seemed a bit off today.
She glanced at the modestly presented dishes. They tasted surprisingly good, even if they weren’t
something she’d craved every day.
While Skylar enjoyed her meal, Joe picked up the camera Paul had left behind and started scrolling through the photos.
Seeing how Skylar looked radiant–almost like a fairy in the pictures–softened his expression. However, his tongue pressed against the roof of his mouth in contemplation.
Chapter 324
“Mr. Ziegler’s photography skills are on par with a professional’s. We’ve already planned tomorrow’s itinerary.
“He mentioned a grove of coconut trees that’s supposed to be stunning for photos. I’m so excited for it,” Skylar said as she noticed Joe browsing through the camera.
Joe raised an eyebrow. So, they’d planned everything without him? The itinerary sounded delightful, and the photos were excellent, but he’d clearly been excluded.
“You…is something bothering you?” Skylar asked, puzzled by Joe’s stern expression.
Joe’s voice was cold and distant. “Nothing.”
Skylar didn’t press further and remained silent. For now, enjoying the meal seemed more important than solving any of the mysteries.
20 minutes later, they finished dinner and got into an MPV. Joe was unusually silent during the ride, and Skylar wisely chose not to initiate conversation.
She needed to catch up on her Amazon orders, especially those left unhandled from the previous night.. But halfway through, she felt a sharp pain in her stomach. Sweat beaded on her forehead.
Joe noticed her unease immediately. “Are you feeling unwell?”
“My stomach hurts… I need to use the restroom,” Skylar’s voice trembled with pain.
1200
was, she
She couldn’t discern whether it was food poisoning or traveler’s diarrhea. But whatever it w desperately needed a bathroom.
Joe instructed the driver to stop at a nearby hotel and quickly booked a room. Skylar rushed to the bathroom and couldn’t get up for half an hour.
When she finally got out of the bathroom, her face was pale, and she looked utterly drained.
“Let’s go to the hospital,” Joe said while supporting Skylar. He had already called ahead to inform the hospital that they were coming.
Skylar nodded weakly, feeling feverish and light–headed.
An hour later, Skylar was lying in a hospital bed, receiving an IV drip. Her fever and stomach issues left
her in a daze.
Seeing Joe by her side, she felt a pang of guilt. “I’ll be fine on my own. It’s already 11:00 pm. You should go back to the hotel and rest Skylar murmured.
Joe looked at her intently, as if assessing something.
“No need. I can rest here.” His voice was cold, but his actions were surprisingly heartwarming.
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He settled into a small couch, his long legs awkwardly fitting into the space. Though this hospital was one of the best in Korel City, it still lacked amenities.
“Thank you,” Skylar whispered.
Skylar didn’t have the energy to say anything more. She thought to herself that she would repay his kindness by caring for him if he ever got sick in the future.
As she drifted into a fitful sleep, she heard Joe taking a phone call outside. He was probably being
mindful not to disturb her.
Chapter 325
In the faint distance, Skylar seemed to hear Joe say, “It’s not me; it’s my wife. Don’t worry, she’s resting. Come tomorrow instead.”
As she drifted off, Joe’s mention of “wife” made her heart skip a beat.
Joe returned to the ward after ending the call.
He frowned deeply when he saw that Skylar’s face was still drained of color, even though she’d been on an IV for over half an hour. Why was she still so ghostly pale?
He stepped out again to get a doctor. “Her condition doesn’t look good. Get the head physician over here,
he instructed promptly.
The doctor on shift hurried to get the head physician, who quickly checked on Skylar.
Finding Skylar deeply asleep with stable vital signs, he reassured Joe, “Her condition isn’t too severe. She’s already receiving fluids now.
“By tomorrow morning, she should be ready to leave the hospital. It’s likely just traveler’s diarrhea and some indigestion issues. She should bounce back with proper rest and diet.”
Joe frowned. Although the head physician said everything was fine, he didn’t see Skylar’s condition improving
“Shouldn’t we run some more tests?” he asked.
The head physician sighed lightly. “It’s not necessary for now. Rest is what the patient needs most right now. With enough rest, she should recover quickly.”
Just then, Paul rushed over in a panic. He stood hesitantly at the door, especially after seeing Joe’s serious expression while talking to the doctor.
Paul was in great dismay. He had eaten at that restaurant many times before and had never heard of anyone getting diarrhea. Today, even though they had eaten some food outside, it was all very common.
After the doctor left, Joe glanced at Paul, who was standing outside the ward.
Paul’s heart raced even faster. “Is Ms. Sullivan okay? Did the doctor say what caused her fever and diarrhea?”
“Traveler’s diarrhea combined with acute gastroenteritis,” Joe replied gravely.
“Is it that serious?” Paul widened his eyes and peered inside. After seeing Skylar’s pale face, he felt regretful. “I should have planned a lighter schedule for today.”
Joe raised an eyebrow and glanced at Paul. “You have good photography skills. Did you study it before?”
Paul was honest. “I learned it before to impress my girlfriend in college. She loved taking pictures.”
“You’re talented. Just don’t take any more pictures.” Joe’s voice had a slight edge to it.
Chapter 325
Paul’s eyes widened as he realized in hindsight that Joe was jealous.
“If the boss says no more pictures, then no more!” he quickly assured.
Joe waved him off. “Go.”
“Got it!” Paul felt fortunate that Joe hadn’t blamed Skylar’s illness on him. He wouldn’t have known how to explain it otherwise.
After Paul left, Joe leaned back on the couch with his gaze settled on Skylar.
She slept deeply, even when the doctor or Joe approached. Although usually resilient, she now seemed fragile and vulnerable. It evoked his sympathy.
Suddenly, Skylar’s phone rang. Joe walked over and picked it up. He raised an eyebrow as he saw an unknown number without a name or ID.
Then, he stepped outside and answered the call.
“Skylar! If you don’t come back right now, don’t blame me for disregarding our sibling bond! Do you can escape?
you think
“It’s not too late if you come back now. So get back now, or I’ll make sure you regret it! Otherwise, don’t blame me for being ruthless, even to my own sister!”
Samuel’s threatening words came through loud and clear. Joe could even feel Samuel’s arrogance piercing through the phone.
“What are you planning to do to Skylar?” Joe’s voice was cold with a chilling edge.
Did the Williams family still have the energy to do so much now?
“Tell me, what do you intend to do with Skylar?” Joe’s voice grew colder and more intense.
Samuel had expected the phone to be handed over to Skylar, but instead, he was hung up on. When he tried calling back, he couldn’t get through.
“Got it. I’ll handle it right away!” Paul’s spirits lifted.
2/2
Williams Group was on the brink of collapse, and now this had happened. Who knew what trouble might. arise in the future if they found out that Joe and Skylar were actually married?
Janine’s response was cool and measured. “Realizing your mistake is a good start. You can’t rush with things. Time will tell.”
“Mom, something happened with the Williams family. I’m scared and lost. I don’t know who to talk to. I don’t know what to do…” Maisy’s voice cracked with helplessness as she sobbed.
Though Janine wasn’t too overly perceptive, her eyes were keen. She couldn’t just stand by and let the Williams family mistreat Skylar.
Fuming, Malsy said, “Skylar refuses to answer any of our calls. She blocked us all.”
“With all of you around Mrs. Williams, she probably doesn’t need Skye. If she truly valued Skye, she wouldn’t have let her move out,” Janine reasoned firmly.
Maisy felt even more frustrated. “Mom, we need her. We hope she can come and take care of my mom She can’t be left alone for 24 hours a day.
“You guys can take shifts and hire a caretaker. You don’t necessarily need Skye. Plus, she just started her job and is steadily rising. She doesn’t have time to sit in the hospital.
“Mom, you’ve got us wrong. We’re not asking Skylar to take care of her. We just need Skylar to come and keep Mom company. Especially now, Mom needs family support after her surgery.”
Janine didn’t want to entertain Maisy’s explanation anymore and hung up the phone.
Thinking back, she realized she seemed to have fallen sick two or three times since her marriage with Joe. It was more often than any other year.
Watching Skylar hurry into the bathroom, Joe felt some of his drowsiness fade. She seemed much better
Skylar spent more than ten minutes in the bathroom. It was an unbearable sight as she stared at her pale, haggard reflection in the mirror.
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