Chapter 2 My Love at the Edge of Suffering

Suddenly, my throat felt incredibly dry. The air around me seemed to vanish, making it hard to breathe. Cold sweat began to trickle down my face and into the palms of my hands. Dark thoughts immediately filled my mind. Nathan's explanation had made me think hard. No! This can't be right. It must be just a coincidence. I still wanted to dismiss the thought, until I saw for myself who Nathan's parent was, lying in the hospital. I swallowed hard, finally managing to speak again. "Yeah, I understand, Nathan. We have to accept that anything can happen when we're not careful," I said, trying to mask my anxiety. As I was still trying to calm the storm in my mind, Nathan validated my feelings. He gently squeezed my hand and, with tenderness, he said, "I know you're worried too, huh? Don't worry, I'm sure it's not serious." Nathan could read the worry on my face, but in a different way. The truth was, I wasn't concerned about his parent. I was worried about myself. Would this charade end just like that? Damn it! To save time and cut through my curiosity, I immediately asked Nathan to help me find his father's hospital room. I hated worrying. I hated the thought that the mission I had been planning for so long could end in such a ridiculous way. This couldn't happen. It couldn't possibly be the same man that Nathan considered his father- the same man I was seeking revenge on. Please, someone tell me the world isn't that small, that I have to suffer through two situations at once with the same person! Damn it! My heart was pounding faster now. Nathan's father's room was close. My legs felt like they were losing balance, and my whole body felt out of control. Nathan quickly opened the door. There was no sound at all, except for the medical equipment attached to the patient inside. I was still overcome with fear. As Nathan gestured for me to enter, the first thing I wanted to see was the person lying in the hospital bed. A man, yes. But what did he look like? Every second that passed, Nathan's steps took him straight into his mother's arms. My own steps seemed to float toward the bed. Despite my racing heartbeat, I tried to act like someone visiting a sick relative. I couldn't let anyone see my anxiety! And sure enough, the moment my eyes finally landed on the face of the person in the bed, every drop of blood in my body seemed to freeze. It was Henry Austin! The bastard who abandoned my mother and ruined my life when I didn't understand anything! The man Nathan called father was the same man I almost slept with for revenge! Nathan A. That, who I'd known all this time, was actually Austin? Henry Austin's family name? Oh, God! Is this really the path fate has written for me? Here's the translation into American English: That I've loved a man who is my blood relative for years? And at the same time, I'm the one who makes him sad because there is another man whose life I must make miserable? This is so unfair! Just hiding my vengeful identity from my lover has almost driven me crazy. Let alone this fact! Now, my legs have completely lost their balance. My body sways to the right. But Nathan quickly catches me. His hand reflexively wraps perfectly around my waist. "Are you okay, babe? Are you tired?" Nathan asks with concern. Nathan's tone of voice makes me realize that these two men should never share the same bloodline. Nathan is nothing like Henry. This man loves me sincerely. The vibrations in my heart when he touches and kisses my lips. Also, every word that comes out of his mouth seems like a magical cure for the restlessness in my heart. The affection he gives is so precious in my life. But why does reality rip apart this happiness? I've fallen in love with my own blood relative? Once again. Do I really have to love Nathan Austin? I lost control of myself in that instant. I cried in Nathan's arms. Maybe both Nathan and his mother think this cry is because of my worry for Henry's safety. But that's not it at all! I'm growing to hate that old man even more! Why does he always have to be the one to take everything I have in this world? I truly sobbed in Nathan's arms. What should I do now? What should I choose? This forbidden love or my thirst for revenge? "Bianca, I'm Jane. I'm Nathan's mother, and the man who hasn't woken up is my husband. Nathan once talked to me about you. He said you have such a soft and pure heart," Jane said, her gaze seeming to admire me. She extended her hand to stroke my head. Maybe her heart was moved by seeing me cry over this misfortune. But that's not what's happening, Jane! Wake up, I don't feel sympathy for your husband's fate. "I told you, Mom. Bianca is an angel. Her heart is pure because I found her in a holy place." Nathan gently kissed the top of my head. Their treatment of me truly made me more confused. I just want to eliminate Henry Austin, without taking away the sincerity that Nathan and Jane have shown me. Could I do that? Will I succeed? Won't I hurt them as well in the process? I cried for five minutes. At the same time, several strategic plans began to form in my mind. This situation was critical and urgent. If only Henry were still fine. However, fortunately, this man was experiencing a concerning condition in his head, which left him unconscious for the time being. While I stalled for time with Jane, who was explaining the details of the accident, I tried to find another opportunity I could use to continue my mission. Yes, call me a terrible girl, because I chose to continue my revenge rather than show mercy to the two people in front of me. That doesn't mean I will hurt Nathan or his mother. I will still be the angelic girl for them. But as for Henry, I will remain the misery that is ready to hunt him down whenever I wish. Just wait and see! I swear! "Um, Mom, is there a possibility that Henry's father will receive further treatment soon?" I asked, biting my lip, trying to suppress my nervousness. This was the first tactic that came to mind. I needed to confirm the latest condition after the accident. Would this man be permanently disabled so I still had plenty of time to make things worse? Or would he recover soon, and I would fail in avenging my late mother? The woman, who I guessed to be in her late fifties, took a deep breath, her eyes filled with sadness. It seemed like she loved that despicable man deeply. If only she knew that the girl her son loved was also the flesh and blood of her husband. Maybe Henry would already be torn apart by now. Someone, please make Jane realize that she's been betrayed by her own husband for decades! She shouldn't be wasting her energy crying over a man like Henry! That man deserves to go to hell right now! Jane tried to open her mouth and speak!