As Leonel approached with a glass of water, he heard her ask, "Where is Anika?"

Leonel sat across from Alexis, studying her pale face. In a low voice, he assured her, “I've taken care of that woman. You have my word she won't appear in our lives again and she'll never be able to hurt"

"She won't appear in our Lives anymore? And never hurt Evelyn again?"

Alexis' voice was just as soft. "Leonel, why didn't you take care of her sooner? Because of you, Evelyn is almost deaf mow. Can you restore her hearing?"

Her words were laced with sorrow and a deep-seated resentment toward both Anika and the man before her.

If only Leonel had dealt with Anika earlier, she wouldn't have been able to interfere in their lives or harm Evelyn.

Lifting her head to meet his gaze, Alexis stated coldly, “Leave her to me!"

Leonel rose and crouched in front of Alexis. He reached out, hesitating, as if afraid she might spurn his touch. Looking into her eyes, he promised, “Alexis, I promise that she wouldn't disturb us anymore."

He didn't want Alexis to confront Anika and find out what he had done to her.

He feared Alexis discovering the extent of his darker side.

Alexis lowered her gaze and sneered. “Well, are you afraid I'll harm your darling?"

Leonel felt a sting in his heart. After a brief pause, he brushed the hair from her forehead gently and said, “Of course not! I'm just worried you'll have nightmares if you see what she looks like now."

Alexis didn't believe him, but she also knew Leonel was unlikely to hand Anika over easily.

She rejected his touch and wouldn't let him get close to her.

No matter how much Leonel tried, she ignored him, simply curling up on the bed and holding Evelyn in her arms carefully. The ceiling light was turned off, and under the dim glow of the bedside Lamp, Leonel saw Alexis holding Evelyn in the same protective posture they had used in the shaft of the building.

Suddenly, his heart felt so heavy he found it hard to breathe.

In the dim room, Alexis' cold voice cut through the silence. "You can leave now!"

Leonel didn't leave.

Instead, he collapsed onto the sofa. The quiet of the ward enveloped them. They could hear each other breathing and knew neither was asleep. Yet, there was nothing left between them but mutual hatred.

If only time could be reversed...