Justin bumped into Karen, his face suddenly darkening. He deliberately lowered his voice and asked, "What are you doing here? Karen, I warn you, don't even think about hurting Sammie. Otherwise, I won't show any mercy."
His uncompromising warning made Karen's heart sink.
Thinking of Justin's ruthlessness, she lifted her chin defiantly and retorted, "Is that so? Then don't expect me to show any mercy either! Since the child is gone, I have no reason to live. But..."
She paused deliberately, then stepped closer to Justin, coldly curling her lips as she said menacingly, "But even if I die, I'll make sure Samantha takes the blame for me."
Justin narrowed his dangerous gaze. "Do you dare?"
Karen scoffed, "Just watch and see if I dare or not. I have nothing to lose anyway. If I die, I don't mind taking someone down with me!"
With that, she strode past Justin and confidently entered the elevator.
Justin clenched his fists tightly, his veins bulging on the back of his hands. His knuckles turned white as he pressed his lips into a thin line. Anger seemed to envelop him.
Even though Karen had turned her back to him, she could still feel his anger emanating from him. Her petite body couldn't help but tremble involuntarily.
Despite her inner retreat, she still held her head high like a proud peacock as she entered the elevator.
The elevator doors closed slowly.
Justin stood in front of Samantha's door, his hands repeatedly rising and falling, showing signs of worry.
He was worried that Karen would reveal the truth about the miscarriage to Samantha.
Even more so, he feared that Samantha would become afraid of him and distance herself because of this incident.
They had come so far today. They couldn't afford to lose everything because of Karen.
Just as he hesitated, the door suddenly opened, and Samantha, while changing shoes, urged their two children inside, "Charlotte, Elliot, hurry up, we'll be late if you keep dawdling."
"Coming!"
Charlotte's sweet voice came from inside.
Hearing their voices, Justin's eyes softened instantly, and a genuine smile curved his lips.
Samantha tied her shoelaces and looked up, startled to see Justin. She nearly stumbled, but Justin, quick to react, caught her just in time.
"Be careful, you're in your twenties already, yet still so careless."
Samantha blushed with embarrassment and changed the subject, "When did you arrive? Why didn't you call me beforehand?"
Justin didn't answer her question, deliberately changing the subject, "What? Not happy to see me?"
As he spoke, he secretly observed Samantha's facial expression.
Seeing no unusual expression on her face, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Samantha smiled, "No, it’s not that I don’t happy to see you, but I have to take the two little ones to kindergarten now. I also have important matters to attend to later, so I can't entertain you!"
Justin stepped into the house, unconcerned, "It's okay, I'll accompany Grandpa for a while. You go ahead!"
Samantha exchanged a few pleasantries and then left with Charlotte and Elliot.
Justin sat down beside Grandpa Miller, chatting with him and watching TV.
...
Chelsea Creek.
Ethan had a simple breakfast, and the steward had already prepared the offerings.
When they left, Alexander and Noah were still sound asleep.
At the agreed time, the three of them appeared on Jessica's tombstone.
Each of them laid a bouquet of flowers.
Nick specially wore a white casual outfit today. He looked at the bright smile on Jessica's tombstone, feeling a mix of emotions surging inside him, a strong sense of sadness overwhelming him.
"Jessica has been gone for five years, but I feel like everything happened just yesterday..."
Oliver patted his shoulder reassuringly, "Things have already passed. If you keep dwelling on it, Jessica's spirit won't find peace."
Nick's eyes were moist, he lowered his head, silent, immersed in sorrow.
Ethan looked at the photo on the tombstone, unexpectedly calm, devoid of the sadness and sorrow from previous years, only self-blame remained.
He bowed his head sincerely, "Jessica, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to forget your death anniversary..."
Before he could finish his words, he heard Nick sarcastically say, "He already has another woman in his heart now, so he forgot your death anniversary. Don't blame him. After all, you've been dead for five years, he has the right to pursue his own happiness."
Oliver couldn't bear it anymore, he said in a deep voice, "Nick, stop it."
Nick still felt angry but didn't continue speaking. His thin lips pressed tightly together, restraining his anger with all his willpower.
Ethan didn't argue with him, his slender fingers gently caressed the photo on the tombstone, as if he was touching Jessica herself.
Oliver sighed helplessly, his peripheral vision caught something familiar.
A familiar figure passed by.
She was wearing a white chiffon dress, her long hair tied into two ponytails hanging in front of her chest, and she wore a purple violet pearl necklace around her neck.
This person, unexpectedly looked exactly like the photo of Jessica on the tombstone.
Same hairstyle, same appearance, same clothes, even the necklace was exactly the same.
This necklace was personally salvaged by the four of them while diving in the sea during their trip to gather seafood, a uniquely shaped violet pearl.
Jessica liked it very much and had it made into a necklace, which she always wore.
On the day of her accident, she was also wearing this necklace.
Seeing her, Oliver's breath hitched, and he instinctively called out, "Jessica..."
Ethan and Nick didn't notice anything unusual and remained indifferent.
Oliver quickly added, "It's Jessica, Jessica isn't dead, she's back..."
Ethan and Nick immediately raised their heads, following his gaze.
But they saw nothing.
Nick furrowed his brows, "Oliver, are you seeing things in broad daylight?"
Oliver looked puzzled. Was he hallucinating just now? He wasn't someone who overly longed for her, so why would he hallucinate?
But indeed, there was a fleeting glimpse, and now there was no one to be seen.
Oliver shook his head, not dwelling on it further.
The three of them personally cleaned Jessica's tombstone, then sat and chatted for a while before reluctantly leaving.
As they descended the steps, a white figure flashed past them again.
This time, all three of them saw it.
Oliver hurriedly exclaimed, "It's Jessica...!"
Nick's breath became chaotic, his mind went blank, and without thinking, he quickly caught up, with only one thought in his mind: he couldn't let Jessica leave him again.
He was fast, like a cheetah, and soon caught up with the woman. Grabbing her wrist from behind, he pulled her towards him eagerly, his eyes full of joy, and he couldn't wait to exclaim, "Jessica, you're finally back..."
***