On our 10th wedding anniversary, Forest took me back to the rental apartment we lived in during college to reminisce. "Let's have another healthy child, right on this bed." I didn't answer, endured the nausea and pushed him away. His phone fell out, a text message popped up, from our daughter's attending doctor. "Mr. Forest, the surgery was very successful! Your little son currently has no rejection reaction to your daughter's heart." Tears suddenly burst, phone was fiercely snatched by him and smashed on the floor. "Your daughter has been in a vegetative state for three years." "She won't wake up, now the only heart can save people, when can you accept reality!" Before fainting from the shock, Forest's twisted face double-imaged in front of my eyes. We were together for ten years. He couldn't help cheating, sleeping with one starlet after another, I slowly became numb. Mistress pregnant gave birth brought to door to provoke, I pretended not to know, kept praising his friend's child cute. To wait until daughter wakes up, I endured this rotten relationship. Didn't expect he actually for saving illegitimate son's life, dug out my daughter's heart. On the ambulance to the hospital, he held my hand and said hoarsely: "Summer! We still have many ten years." Luckily, a car accident interrupted his hypocritical deep affection. I woke up from severe pain, returned to the rental apartment when I was eighteen. ... Chapter 1 My whole body was soaked in cold sweat, pain like falling apart. Forest lay beside me, dazedly opened eyes, subconsciously hugged me into his arms. "Awake? Still uncomfortable?" I fiercely pushed him away, rushed into the bathroom, crazy vomiting. Yellowed tile walls, rusty faucet, dirty and yellow toilet reflecting smell... This is the apartment Forest rented near my university. Our first home. Last night we had our first time. "Summer! What's wrong with you? Open the door!" Forest anxiously twisted the handle. I didn't have time to lock the door, it broke by itself. Same thing happened in previous life. "Sorry baby, I will definitely make money fast, change to a better house." He did it. But he also changed, the sincerity in his eyes swallowed bit by bit by paper drunk gold fans. Before he smashed the door with a hammer, I opened the door from inside. I stared into his eyes, "Do you remember?" He looked confused, "What?" Only I came back alone. Inside his body is still the twenty-year-old Forest. At night, he went to work at the bar, I dragged my suitcase, sat on the Greyhound Bus home. Bumped and shook for more than twenty hours. Came with joy, returned with heaviness. One day in eighth grade, I came home from school, saw a bruised boy sitting in my seat at the dining table. He was Forest, my dad's student. His parents divorced when he was three, mom remarried and went south, no news. Dad addicted to gambling, died of drunk driving two years ago. My dad's earnest advice to study didn't succeed that day, Forest still continued skipping classes, soon dropped out. Seeing him again was two years later. I rode bike home after evening Study Hall, wind lifted raincoat, blocked vision, crashed with a motorcycle. That day midterm results came out, I slipped more than fifty ranks, didn't know how to explain to parents. Period came early again, stomach uncomfortable whole day. Also so unlucky, palms and knees burning pain. I sat in the mud and cried. "Summer Xu?" Hearing my name, I then looked up in surprise. Boy's features sharp, eyes deep and sharp, under dim light, misty drizzle, extraordinarily good looking. Time seemed pressed pause button, only heart beat especially fast. He pulled me up, sent me home, apologizing all the way. My face burned hot, didn't say a word, even more didn't dare look at him. Next morning, out of community I saw him. He handed me breakfast, "Are you okay?" My tears like incontinence again, big drops fell down. He panicked, helpless, helpless tsk like annoyed himself provoked a big trouble. "Why is your face so hot? Fever?" I got up said uncomfortable, asked mom if I can skip morning study hall. Got a sentence: "Test so low score still have face ask leave?" But I skipped class. Forest took me to hospital for IV drip. "You are so good already, why your parents still not satisfied?" His one sentence provoked me cry again, raised both hands surrender. "Okay okay, little ancestor, you cry my heart hurts." After going home that day, naturally got a storm-like scolding. But I seemed not feel so suffocated. I let Forest make amends, buy me breakfast, send me home after evening study hall, for a month. He looked at me smiling, as if saw through all my thoughts. "Okay, deal." A month later, I asked him if he wanted to be my boyfriend. Voice trembling. His smile faded a bit, "Summer, no." I cried again. "Wait you finish SATs, get into college, very fast." He wiped my tears, saw by my dad. My dad's strict eyes scraped back and forth on us two. Said to me: "Go home!" He confiscated my phone, until Graduation, he and mom took turns pick me up and drop me off. Also begged my homeroom teacher must watch me tight. Not allowed me have a bit freedom and privacy. Senior year second semester, I cut wrist suicide. Forest sneaked into hospital see me, eye rims red. "Silly girl, if you really have accident, how let me live." "You take SATs well, we go south together, go far far away, they can't control us." I choked and nodded. Admission notice arrived, my parents then knew I changed application last minute, all filled schools in the south. My mom slapped me, hysterical. "You guys haven't broken up right?" I looked at them indifferently, "No, I just want to stay away from you as far as possible, don't want be arranged by you again." That door closed, I never went back. Forest made breakfast for me everyday, sent me to class. Night worked as waiter in bar, sang, same time delivered food, modeled, did all odd jobs. Life turning point happened two years later. He was spotted by a music company, participated in American Idol style show, became famous overnight. Released album, held concert. Later transformed to actor, from being mocked to winning Oscar, he only used three years. When scenery most prosperous, he suddenly announced retire behind scenes, do film production company. I was pregnant, he didn't want me and child receive malicious attacks again. That was the most peaceful, most happy time I lived. But when daughter was two, diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). I put all energy on her ABA Therapy. Forest's work also more and more busy, time at home less and less. I knew he was escaping, heart disappointed. But also felt self also responsible, indeed ignored our couple feeling. On his birthday, I dressed up half day, brought flowers and gift to pick him up from work. In trash can saw two just used, still in time to throw condoms. After moment panic, he heavily sat back on chair, tired and impatient. "Wife you count, how long we haven't shared room, how many times you rejected me?" "Your heart only has daughter, only her treatment, already fast to obsessive degree. You don't give yourself a bit breath relax time, but I can't stand it." "You know what, every time I open home door, have to deep breath. Because inside too suffocating." "Summer Xu, no longer is that girl I loved, she already completely became a mothering machine." I stood stiff in place, how went home, consciousness blank. Divorce noise half year, he disagreed, used daughter and property to threaten me. Daughter finally could call "Mom". I laughed, again cried. Just live like this, I too tired, can't toss anymore. Daughter grew to seven, can simple communicate with people, self toilet eat. Just in few days of my appendicitis surgery, she fell from second floor. Forest kept small actress want act an autism movie, use my daughter "collect wind" (observe/study). They insisted was accident, was daughter self suddenly throw temper, stepped on toy slipped. But daughter afraid of height, I never let her go up second floor. Forest very guilty, let me beat scold, also always accompany me, comfort me, say daughter definitely will wake up. Passed a period time start persuade me give up, finally grabbing my hand sign give up treatment consent form. I desperately broke free, fiercely slapped him, beat my own wrist to dislocation. "You must want our mother daughter life then willing?" "You want healthy child, so many young pretty girls queuing up, every one willing give birth for you!" His eyes colder, like completely gave up me, turn leave back view indifferent and decisive. "Annie" this name, was he gave daughter, hope she safe whole life, simple pure. Also represent she is our only treasure. But was him personal hand took away daughter's life. Maybe in his eyes, daughter from diagnosed day, just not count as a complete person. Forest arrived earlier than my Greyhound Bus, waiting at community gate. His eyes dark, beard also grew out, voice very tired. "Summer you tell me exactly what happened? Why leave without goodbye run back yourself?" I lowered eyes, "I wrote on note, I want break up." "Why?" His voice trembling. Not wait me answer, he himself heavy nodded two times. "Good. I said, respect your every decision. You here with me, forever are free." I felt funny in heart. When I wanted divorce, he was another set of rhetoric. What I love you, you are my this life only wife, leave me you think don't think... "I accompany you in, I will tell Mr. Xu and Mrs. Xu, is I forced you go with me." I shook head, "No need." "Summer..." He grabbed my hand, eyes red scary. "Have matter anytime call me, our home, you anytime can come back. I will always wait you." I said a "Sorry" to twenty-year-old Forest. "Such big lad, cry what!" An old man voice loud. I turned back, saw Forest squatting on ground, shoulders shrugging. I knelt at home door, told parents already broke with Forest, I repeat study, listen them, study medicine. My mom opened door, obviously still angry. "You still come back for what..." I pounced up hugged her waist. "Mom, sorry, I miss you so much." Previous life, Forest's obsessive fans dug out my identity, found my parents home. Smashed door, splashed paint, pointed nose scolded daughter they born is shameless bitch. My dad angry to brain stroke, after he died, my mom also followed suicide. I regret lifelong. Their education way indeed caused me big trauma. But when I most sad, most helpless, let me feel safe, still this home I grew up from small. This year of repeat study, my parents still everyday pick up drop off. But I not repel, will active hold their hands, chat with them. They occasionally careful probe, me and Forest still have contact or not. I smiling shake head, "I won't be that silly again." Second year SATs, I was city top scorer, admitted to UCLA Medical School. Very close to home, train three hours can arrive. Graduation party day, I hurried glance, Forest seemed stand opposite road. Ceremony ended, hotel waiter gave me a gift, said left by my classmate. Inside is a set of gray suit, on top placed a brooch. When me and Forest shopping in Beverly Hills, passed a suit custom shop. He said I go college definitely have many activities need wear formal wear, wait he salary again, take me custom make a set. Promises he made, all done. Previous life, my major was adjusted, Business Administration, I not interested. Most energy put on part-time make money, only circle Forest one person, didn't make what friends in college. Study medicine eight years, I classroom, library, lab three point one line, year year GPA first. Get along very well with classmates roommates, had two special close friends. When choose specialty, I chose Pediatrics. Research direction is Autism. Previous life for daughter, I read all related professional books and academic papers, big small rehab institutions also almost walked all. My mentor, also one of experts I took daughter consult. He shocked by my graduation thesis workload big, ask me why interested in this field so much. I could only vague, said I have a sister is autism, already passed away. Forest still follow previous life track, became big star, big boss. In mall, bus billboard, app splash screen... everywhere can see his photo. Real person suddenly appeared at my door, I still stunned a bit then dare recognize. He wore a suit exactly same as day we got license, hand holding same bouquet. My brain buzzed. He one knee kneel, I scared back a step. "Summer, separated these ten years, I miss you everyday." "You want restart your life, I respect you. Is me sorry you, hurt you, I really special special regret, I don't know how redeem to you." "Wife, except you, I never touched any other woman, moved heart to anyone. I want use time prove to you, my love to you no change." He also reborn. In rental apartment, he lied to me. Yes ah, people is can win Oscar, acting of course good. That familiar suffocation like pain, spread from heart to whole body. "Summer, give me, give us another chance, we start over, beg you marry me again." I subconsciously shake head, tears also fall down I then later realize, raise hand wipe two times. "You roll, immediately roll for me!" "We long bridge return bridge road return road, I impossible marry a murderer!" I person shaking. He stood up hug me. "Summer, you believe me, everything different." I mocking laughed, force push him. "If child we born still sick ne? Won't repeat mistake?" He shook head, "Not born, we not born, I go do vasectomy! This life just us two people." Door pushed open from inside. "Wife, food ready. Your this friend, want come in eat together?" Forest looking man wearing home clothes inside door stunned. Pupil vibrate, full eyes disbelief. "Nate?" Nate eyebrow slight raise, eyes immediately become sharp, "You know me? Have we met?" I also very surprised, heart follow jump. Nate is DEA Agent, how Forest know him. In breath, Forest already restrain emotion. Turn head look me. "Summer..." I let Nate go in first, we have words say alone. Door close, Forest pull me to stairwell, silence long time then difficult open mouth. "I survived in car accident, but coma one year." I listen then happy. He drop head, self-mock bitter smile, "Is my retribution." "After I wake, have police come find me question, is that Nate. Company few small artists do drugs, Brother Tang always open one eye close one eye, hide from me." Brother Tang is his partner, also his Bole (talent scout), like biological big brother take care him, trust him. "Summer you don't look me like this, I really don't know, I also give Brother Tang vaccine ahead, ordered three times five times, won't happen that kind thing again." My brain very messy, many lines, intuition not only these. I nodded, "Nate side I will explain." "You and him how know? He call you... Wife? You guys together? When matter?" Instant, Forest become jealous man, strong and pitiful. "No... I impossible not know, you guys acting lie me. How possible you so fast fall in love with others?" I stare him, "You monitoring me." He eyes guilty, didn't deny. I sneer once, deep breath. "Me with who together, with you no any relation. You also no need keep body like jade for me, we impossible return past." "Previous life you always let me accept reality, now this sentence I send you." Enter home, sure enough smell very fragrant chicken soup. Nate sit on shoe change bench at door, look up see me smile, extend hand let me pull him up. "Sent away?" I hug him, warm embrace let my nose sour. He went execute mission, we already almost one year not see. "Back why not tell me?" He arms tighten, unstable breath express his miss. "Surprise how can say ahead." Nate is my college best friend Nina's brother. He came school give Nina birthday gift, we ate a meal together, then knew. Back dorm, Nina just excited shout: "My brother definitely interesting to you, a meal looked you twenty eight times!" I smile didn't take serious, "I to man and dating no interest." She hate iron not steel, "You just spend life with your thesis ba!" Later together opportunity is, Nate they caught a gang use kids transport drugs. Inside have two autism kids, ask me help communicate. But they small not accept intervention treatment, completely closed, ask nothing out. I emotion somewhat low, Nate send me back school way, get off buy an ice cream. Eyes meet, instant become very uncomfortable. And to Forest love at first sight different, heart didn't beat how intense, just feel tongue can't taste ice cream sweet. That day added WeChat, Nate everyday chat with me, start chase me. Half year later, I agreed his confession. He said, always feel my heart press a secret no way say out, eye bottom always reveal sadness. He hope can accompany me, with me protect this secret. Like pressed a switch, I tears flow non-stop. Suddenly realize, since come back, I never cried again. "Okay, go in eat." Nate hold me up, carry me walk inside. Knock door sound untimely ring. "Summer, I just say last sentence..." Forest stare my lips, smeared lipstick deeply prick pain him. "You as long as live happy, joyful, I will bless you. But you believe me, I this life won't have others again. You as long as turn back, I always there." I indifferent look him. "I won't turn back." He stubborn show determination: "I will wait, until day I die." "Up to you." I close door, he again reach hand block a bit, low voice said: "Your this Officer Nate, not worthy." I lean behind door, eyelid suddenly jump few times. Forest last glance inside, inexplicably make me feel very uneasy. I instruct Nate, pay more attention to Forest company, also be careful him. Nate serious nod, "Know." Days calm passed half year. Except my birthday that day a bunch flower, Forest didn't appear again. Until that day mentor suddenly call me to office. Forest sit on sofa. He pretend accident and surprise look, "Turns out really not same name. Summer, long time no see." "Professor Meng, Summer father is my high school homeroom teacher, we know." Forest establish a autism children foundation, among have scientific fund support autism research. Mentor recommended me. Forest sanctimonious face, make me vomit. I direct poke his disguise: "You use public for private interesting ma?" Then explain to mentor, he is culprit harm dead my that autism sister. I won't accept. Mentor alone chat with me, my attitude very firm. If Forest intervene my research and work, I immediately resign. Mentor angry, "You threaten who? Your professional attitude?" Looks like Forest gave money indeed a lot. Forest waiting me at hospital gate, apologize with me. "I no other meaning, I just want help you, want redeem." "These years I also always doing charity, I see those kids, think of daughter, heart special uncomfortable." "Enough!" I fired, hatefully stare him, "Don't mention daughter with me, you no qualification." I turn want go. He pull me, "Summer, we together eat meal okay? I want let you see a person." Leaf four years old, with daughter at least six seven point like. She intelligence healthy, but born no vision, thrown in orphanage. "Summer, we together adopt Leaf okay?" Leaf grab my hand nervous clench tight. My heart sour. This time my phone vibrate. Is Nate captain. Nate died. Shot fall sea. Police team search out drugs and guns in my home. Nate not martyr sacrifice for duty, is country traitor. I completely dumbfounded. Compare me die after reborn this matter still fantasy. Interrogation room. "Summer Xu, have you heard 'Kingfisher'?" My pupil fierce widen, blood flow back, ears can only hear own violent heartbeat. "Summer Xu!" I horror return spirit, big mouth pant. Female police hand over tissue, I then realize self already full head cold sweat. I consecutive drank several cups water, try hard let self calm. "Heard, not once." "He always lying me." ...
? Continue the story here ?? ? Download the "MotoNovel" app ? search for "390629", and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel