He urgently called out to me, "Chloe, I miss Ava."
This sentence made me both sad and angry.
I turned slowly and looked at Matthew on the bed with a sense of detachment. "Then you need to act like a man even more. Your previous actions have already had a huge impact on her. She's been mocked and beaten in kindergarten, and her injuries haven't healed yet. Reflect on what you've brought to her."
I paused for a moment. "You need to be a real man so she can be proud of you one day. You still have a lot to do.”
I looked at Atlas, who had been by my side all along. At this moment, I was truly moved. He was my pillar and support. It was this man who carried all the burden for Ava and I.
"Atlas, let's go," I whispered softly.
Atlas nodded, held my hand, and we walked out together. I heard a sobbing sound behind me, followed by loud wailing.
The two cops rushed in, afraid that he might do something again.
Once outside the ward, I suddenly felt much lighter. During breakfast, I forced a smile, not wanting Atlas to know about my inner struggles. But at this moment, having said everything that needed, I felt much relieved.
From any perspective, whether it was regarding the Murphy family or Matthew, I had done my best.
I had also fulfilled the last wish of the Grace.
Seeing me silent and not speaking, fearing that I still carried a burden, Atlas tightened his arm and said softly, "It's been several days since you last saw Lauren, right? Do you want to go see her?"
I instantly felt happy and said, "Let's go."
When we arrived at Lauren's room, she was flipping through her phone. Seeing the two of us coming together, she looked puzzled. "Don't you two have to work?"
I quickly ran to her bed. "We came to see Matthew. Why didn't you get out of bed today? How about... I accompany you to the garden downstairs for some fresh air?"
"How do you feel? Are you really okay?” I looked at her with a bit of concern. "If not, stay a few more days."
"No way. I've had enough of staying here. Do I look unwell to you? I'm perfectly fine." she said.
Then she continued, "Let me tell you something, Chloe. Don’t get too entangled with Matthew. It might affect your relationship with Atlas. He has been searching for you for over 10 years, and that's not easy for him.
"He commands the world, but he sincerely loves you. Don't let that annoying parasite stick to you. He's not worth your further efforts. Sometimes harsh words are sincere advice, so don’t blame me for being too harsh with you."
I remained silent. Indeed, Matthew was not worthy of my continued efforts, and I knew that.
"He's just a despicable person, and he brought all this upon himself by doing all those things over the years. This is the life he deserves. But you’re different.
“It's a joke of fate that you encountered this idiot, wasting so many years. Now that you've returned to the right path, don’t mess it up again.”
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