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?"

eyes. "Tina, you'd better not take it," he said.

want to hear this again," Tina complained. Tina looked up at the tall figure in front of her and said, "You promised that you would

the drug was. He also knew that the more drugs Tina took, the further she drifted away from recovery.

Her voice was not as vibrant and pleasant 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 and stood on tiptoe to kiss him.

away to avoid her kiss. "No, Tina! Don't!" he

sweet torture for Mark. It was hard for him to refuse her advances, but he didn't want Tina lost

she had succumbed to darkness

Why not, Mark? Why don't you want this?" asked Tina. Tina grabbed his tie and yanked him close, forcing him to lower his head against hers. Tina asked,

Mark grumbled.

don't you? You can't stand me anymore! Get out! Get out

sucked her venomous tongue, and swallowed every

the strength to push him away, so instead

back, clutching his stinging face. He kept still, like a statue, and the air around them froze

You turned me down when I came on

Mark turned his face to her

you give me, honey or poison, I will happily

instant. The convoluted emotions she carried in her

you like me, right?" Tina

she softened her voice, just like she did when she begged

using her soft voice to get what she wanted, and it worked every

chest, and continued, "Can we go back to the old days? The days when there was only you and me, when

the right notes, Mark failed to resist her requests. Once again, he was deeply bewitched by her, like a seductive

out a box from his pocket and whispered, "Here! The injection is too harmful to the

like a child with a lollipop

she would trip over in the dark, so he turned on