The Last Time I Cried Your Name novel Chapter 459

Aaron regretted the words the moment they left his mouth. J wasn't the type of guy to do something like that. He was too disciplined to just start furiously typing out insults, even if it was to cheer Miss Petty up...

But a second later, he watched in shock as Malcom's fingers flew across the keyboard.

[Franco is an asshole.]

Aaron stared. So J *did* know how to swear!

Petty glanced at the glowing screen, the corners of her lips twitching as a weak, exhausted smile finally broke through.

Malcom suppressed a rough cough deep in his throat. His knuckles turned white as he gripped his crutch, fighting to keep his battered body upright. Slowly, he hooked a chair with the end of his cane and pulled it to the side of the bed.

He sat down and immediately started typing another message.

[Don't dwell on things you can't figure out. Not everything in this world has an answer. Even if Franco manipulated your life, you are still Petty. No one can change who you are but you.]

[If you give up on yourself, Petty truly disappears.]

Petty's bloodshot eyes instantly welled with fresh tears. Blinking through the blur, she stared at the man in front of her, meeting those profound, dark brown eyes.

[Eat something. Live for yourself.]

It was as if a tiny crack of light had finally pierced through the suffocating darkness of her mind. Her pale lips parted, and her voice was raspy as she whispered, "...Okay."

Hearing her answer, the heavy tension radiating from the man instantly dissolved. The harsh lines around his eyes softened.

Thrilled, Aaron practically shoved the tray of food forward. A black-gloved hand intercepted it, gently placing it in front of Petty.

...

Galen drove his car up to Carter Manor. As he walked through the courtyard, his footsteps faltered. He turned his head and spotted a sleek red sports car parked to the side.

"Get out." The woman's stunning face was ice-cold, completely devoid of emotion.

Galen loved it when that flawless mask cracked.

She had been adopted from an orphanage by his parents before he was even born, legally making her his older sister. Not a single drop of shared blood ran through their veins.

His fingers trailed up Livia's waist, deliberately smearing the thick lather of her soap. "Why so fierce the second you see me, sister?"

Smack!

She spun around and slapped him hard across his right cheek.

Galen didn't even flinch. Instead, he grabbed her hand, brought it to his lips, and pressed a kiss against her knuckles. The moment her expression faltered, he sank his teeth into her wrist. "I warned you, Livia. Hit me again, and you'll see just how out of my mind I can get."

She violently yanked her hand away and shoved him back.