CHAPTER 153: CHAPTER 153- STOP FIGHTING

Manfred’s car was parked just outside the resort village, as there was no designated parking inside.

When he stepped out carrying the things he had brought for Janet and closed the door behind him, his eyes casually glanced to the right—

right in front of him were two sports cars, one black, one blue.

Manfred recognized instantly: those were Charles’s cars.

His heart skipped a beat.

The items in his hand slipped and fell to the ground, but he had no time to pick them up.

He turned and ran back without hesitation.

No matter how much he had planned, he never expected Charles to show up here.

Every step Charles took toward the resort was heavy, as the soft sobbing that floated through the air stirred his heart like molten lava—roiling and burning.

After turning away earlier, he hadn’t seen what happened next.

Since he left, her world had shattered—body and soul—without a single glimmer of light.

Charles climbed the steps, his eyes fixed on the trembling figure curled into herself, tears the size of beads dripping down her long lashes.

Her delicate lips, once like a flower, were bitten raw and stained with spots of blood.

He couldn’t understand.

If she had pushed him away and chosen Manfred, why was she crying like this now?

He didn’t say a word.

He simply knelt before her and held out the shining wedding ring.

But in the next moment, he froze—

Janet heard footsteps and thought it was Manfred.

When the tall figure knelt before her, her tears only flowed more fiercely.

She flailed her arms, desperate to grasp those hands—

all she wanted now was a shoulder to lean on.

When those warm hands finally touched hers, Janet threw herself into Charles’s arms.

Their bodies pressed tightly together.

For the first time in a long while, Charles’s heart soared from hell to heaven.

Janet clung to Charles’s jacket as if it were a lifeline.

Her tears soaked into his skin, but his eyes were filled with shock.

She hadn’t noticed the ring—

or perhaps, she still couldn’t see it...

"Manfred... he’s been here.

My heart hurts so much, what should I do?

I still miss him so much—I don’t want to leave him.

Tell me, what should I do?"

Her body stiffened in his embrace, but Charles was lost in his own pain, unaware that the woman holding him was thinking of another.

"This time, there’s no going back.

He must hate me.

I never wanted this.

I wanted to give him happiness, but in the end, I hurt him the most..."

"Manfred, I’m so sorry for him...

What should I do?"

Her sobs filled the air.

Her hollow eyes had lost all focus, just shimmering with tears.

She lifted her delicate face to call his name once again—

Charles broke down in tears.

"Manfred, what’s wrong?"

"Why aren’t you speaking?"

Janet’s tears abruptly stopped.

Her hand touched his stern jawline.

Close enough to feel his breath.

When she steadied herself, the familiar scent of Dior perfume surrounded her completely.

It was a scent she could feel even with her eyes closed — a scent uniquely his.

"No—" Janet instinctively withdrew her hand, attempting to pull away from the embrace and stand, but a pair of arms as solid and scorching as hot iron closed around her again.

Her body was lifted, placed back into the embrace she had longed for so desperately.

She never imagined that he, who had left her behind, would turn back and come searching for her.

He never imagined that upon turning back, he would uncover a secret so earth-shattering.

If he had never turned around, never discovered her secret, would they have missed each other forever?

The thought tore Charles’s heart to shreds — the pain so intense it numbed him.

"What’s wrong with your eyes?"

The moment he spoke, even his voice betrayed an unusual fear.

Yes, at that moment, he was truly afraid — but even more so, he was furious.

"Janet, answer me! What happened to your eyes?"

Charles was like a wounded lion, bloodshot eyes blazing with rage.

When he met her unflinching, vacant gaze, he felt his fury reach a breaking point — if he didn’t release it soon, he would collapse.

"No, don’t—"

Janet struggled weakly in his arms, desperate to escape.

She couldn’t see his eyes, but she could feel the anger radiating from him.

Why, at the very last step, was there such a reversal?

She would rather bear her heartache alone if it gave her strength, but now, how was she supposed to face him?

Charles’s immovable frame exerted just enough force to seize her slender chin, crushing it as if to shatter the bone beneath.

Then, his gaze dropped to her belly.

He roughly tore open the buttons of her coat, exposing the swelling underneath, his eyes piercing through the fabric like cold blades against Janet’s heart.

A destructive impulse surged through him, an icy stare slicing into her soul.

Her strength drained completely.

"Charles, what are you doing?"

Manfred arrived just in time to see the scene — pale Janet cradled in the arms of the tall, handsome man, whose hand was pressed firmly against her stomach.

This ruthless and savage Charles was far more terrifying than the one who had punched Manfred days ago in frustration when Janet refused to answer questions.

"Manfred, Manfred..."

Janet heard Manfred’s voice and felt as if she’d seen a savior, but she couldn’t move, couldn’t tell which direction he was coming from, only able to call his name anxiously.

The sound of her uttering Manfred’s name sent a violent surge of rage flooding through Charles’s veins.

His hand gently rested on her belly, feeling the realness of the life that once beat beneath his palm.

A bloodthirsty smile flickered across his lips.

Suddenly, understanding something, he pressed Janet down onto the stone bench, then raised his fist swiftly toward Manfred.

"Manfred, you’re asking for death! Why didn’t you tell me?"

Charles’s eyes, filled with murderous rage, had lost every trace of his usual composure and cold elegance.

Upon learning this staggering truth, his heart boiled with turmoil.

He couldn’t fathom why she left him — but now he knew...

"Are you her husband, and yet I have to be the one to tell you? Charles, you bastard!"

Manfred, who had long harbored resentment toward Charles, now unleashed all his anger for Janet’s sake, throwing his fist at Charles without mercy.

"Charles, you don’t deserve Janet’s life! SHIT!"

"You’ll pay for what you’ve done!"

The two men exchanged fierce blows, the sound of their violent clash filling the air, mingled with heavy breaths and gasps.

To Janet, standing tearful and helpless, unable to see their positions, the scene was terrifying.

"Stop fighting, please stop!" she cried out, her voice trembling with desperation.