7

My face flushed red, and I hurriedly turned my head away.

"Really."

Jared raised an eyebrow.

He laughed heartily and opened his arms, pulling me into his embrace.

Just like that, Jared and I got together.

I thought our days would continue peacefully like this.

Who knew that the good times wouldn't last.

A video suddenly went viral online.

In the video, my parents, who had never fulfilled their responsibilities, were tearfully accusing me of abandoning them and being utterly heartless.

The camera turned, and Ethan was lying on a hospital bed in a patient gown, looking skeletal.

His black, luscious hair, which he cherished the most, had become sparse and falling out.

He had really gone all out to frame me.

Looking at the video website again, they were actually livestreaming! Someone in the livestream room @ed my school, demanding that I be expelled.

That night, I stood on the rooftop, gazing at the countless stars.

My mind was filled with images of Jared.

I loved him, and I couldn't harm him.

A soft cough came from behind me.

It was him.

Jared's warm hand rested on my shoulder. "Silly girl, what are you thinking about, hiding here alone?"

Tears, no longer able to be held back, burst forth like a broken dam.

I threw myself into his arms, sobbing uncontrollably. "Jared, let's break up."

His body instantly stiffened. "What did you say?"

"With a family like this, what right do I have to drag others down with me?"

"Don't be ridiculous."

Jared gripped my shoulders, forcing me to look directly into his eyes. "Have you forgotten what I told you? It's you, the person, that I love!"

"If I don't have you, Jasmine Jiang, my life is yours! If you want me to live, I'll live.

If you want me to die, I'll die!"

I was in tears, unable to utter a single "no."

How could I bear to let you die? I just...

couldn't bear for you to give up everything for me.

I choked back sobs, burying my head in the crook of his neck.

"Since you insist on being with me, then let's turn this situation around together."

Jared held me tightly, whispering a promise in my ear. "Don't worry.

With me here, no one can hurt you."

The following period was the most difficult time in my life.

Online violence came crashing down like a torrential flood.

With Jared by my side, I made many efforts.

I found the audio evidence of my mother's domestic violence from back then.

I collected medical records of my hospital visits over the years because of them.

I filmed a video explaining the injustices I suffered and accusing them of cruelly forcing me to donate bone marrow at a young age.

I even made a special trip back to my hometown to find the neighbors from back then and asked them to testify for me.

Ethan and the others launched a frenzied counterattack online.

They claimed that their parenting methods were just a bit "simple and crud."

and did not constitute abuse.

At this point, Jared spoke up for me online, denouncing my parents' evil deeds.

He said that the first time he saw me, I was skin and bones, covered in scars, and full of wariness towards people.

It was because of this that he vowed to give me a warm home.

He found the two police officers who responded to the call that year.

In the video, they said, "At the time, we received a report of suspected child trafficking.

When we arrived at the scene, we discovered it was a case of domestic violence."

"The child's injuries were shocking.

The mother's verbal abuse was chilling."

Faced with overwhelming evidence, Ethan and Mother could no longer make excuses.

Their dirty laundry was completely exposed.

Some netizens even dug up various pieces of evidence of Ethan faking illness in the hospital.

Under the netizens' condemnation, they could only flee back to the countryside with their tails between their legs.

Perhaps even the heavens couldn't bear to watch anymore.

On their way back to the countryside, a rare landslide occurred.

And the victims were only the three of them.

I hung up the phone from my hometown confirming the deaths.

Jared rested his chin on my shoulder, tightly wrapping his arms around my waist.

"Silly girl, even at a time like this, you're still thinking of others.

He never once considered you."

He kissed my earlobe. "Besides, for you, I'm willing to give up everything."

"Why are you so good to me..."

My nose turned sour again.

"Jasmine Jiang, you deserve the best of everything in the world."

Jared pressed his forehead against mine.

"From now on, I'll protect you.

I won't let anyone bully you again."

He gently held me tight.

With him by my side, it was as if I had the entire world.

Two wounded souls had finally found a home in each other.

I couldn't help but raise my head and kiss his lips.

"Hiss...

Why did you..."

"Because I love you."

Outside the window, the scorching sun hung high in the sky, just like when we first met.