A Call That Changed Her Entire Life

Abbott and Bess were discontented with Emily, mainly because of Tina. They blamed Emily for all of Tina's misfortunes.

If it weren't for Emily, would Tina have gotten addicted to drugs? Both Abbott and Bess attributed Tina's drug addiction to Emily.

By now, the entire Tao Family chose to forget that it was Tina who had harmed Emily in the first place. All they remembered was the fact that Tina, their foster daughter, whom they doted on from her infancy, was suffering in constant agony.

Master Tao, however, did not give up on the idea of bringing Emily back to Tao Family. After all, Emily was his real granddaughter. How could they let Emily live apart from her real family?

Under pressure from Master Tao, Abbott and Bess had to find an appropriate time to bring Emily back. Considering the sensitive condition Tina was in now, Abbott and Bess dared not to bring up Emily's name at the table. As a consequence, Emily's anticipated return to the Tao family was delayed.

At the Tao Villa.

Draped over the window, a pair of curtains stretched their full length and cast the room into blackness. Great depression loomed in the big room like a tortured wraith, suffocating the life out its occupant.

The drapes rustled as they got pulled open suddenly. Instantly, the sunlight streamed in like a flamboyant guest, not waiting for an invitation, unknowingly giving birth to a shrill voice that tore the silence apart like thin paper.

"Ah! Don't draw the curtains! Put them back! Mark!" Tina cried out.

"Okay! Okay! I will put them back," Mark answered. Mark instantly drew the curtains back returning the room to its former gloomy state. "Calm down," he comforted Tina.

Tina took a deep breath and finally calmed her nerves. "You know I don't like sunlight!" she said.

Tina was like a mushroom growing in a dark corner, smelling somber from top to bottom. She shied away from the sunlight so that she could hide the scars on her face.

The darkness in that way was her sanctuary, a place where she could find comfort in solitude.

"Okay! There's no more light," Mark comforted Tina and walked towards her in the dark.

Tina slowly got up and asked, "Did you get what I asked you to bring?"

appeared in his eyes.

complained. Tina looked up at the tall figure in

just how addictive the drug was. He also knew that the more drugs Tina took, the

as before. The excessive drug use had taken its toll on her voice, as it became hoarse and raspy over time. "I know what you want," she added.

into Mark's arms

face away to avoid

for him to refuse her advances, but he didn't want Tina lost her dignity because of her

even though she had succumbed to darkness and depravity, she should be supercilious

tie and yanked him close, forcing him to lower his head against hers. Tina asked, "Well? Do you find me so

not..." Mark

is! You think I'm ugly, don't you? You can't stand me anymore! Get out! Get out of my room! I don't want to see your

her mouth with a kiss. He sucked her venomous tongue, and swallowed every poisonous, hurtful words she could

him away, so instead she delivered an open-handed

like a statue,

you a masochist? You turned me down when I came on to you. And now

silence, Mark turned his

give me, honey or poison, I will happily accept it all,

in an instant. The convoluted emotions she carried in her eyes, were gradually replaced by

I know. I know that you like me, right?" Tina said.

softened her voice, just like she did

soft voice to get what she wanted, and it worked every time.

like you used to," Tina said, as she slowly hugged him and rested her little face against his firm chest, and continued, "Can we go back to

right notes, Mark failed to resist her requests. Once again, he was deeply bewitched by her, like a seductive siren luring unwary sailors on to rocks.

a box from his pocket and whispered, "Here! The injection is

laughing happily, like a child with a lollipop

so he turned on a night light just enough to cast a thin light, dim enough to gain Tina's acceptance.