A Call That Changed Her Entire Life

Magee knew she was just being curious, so he blurted out, "Since you two are so mushy, you are making me feel lonely. It isn't easy to find a girl in the jungle. It was a mutually beneficial arrangement, even though I don't really like her."

Emily pulled a face in disgust, "You are such a jerk, as usual."

"I'm flattered." Magee said insouciantly, "In a way, I have avenged you, you know. Now, how about serving me a cup of tea?"

Daintily she poured a cup of aromatic tea for him, "What do you mean?" she asked with a raised eyebrow.

Running his fingers along the rough cup's pitted surface, he replied, "Don't you see? Whether Rose or Cherry, they both bore a grudge against you. But both of them loved me, and I dumped them. It broke their hearts. So, now they suffer for their deeds."

"That's a horse of a different color. You are a jerk by nature. Don't justify your love affairs with my suffering." Though she couldn't condone his deeds, she never felt any sympathy for women dumped by Magee, including Rose and Cherry.

In any case, it was their choice, so they must each bear the consequences.

In a way, she believed that they asked for it.

"I'm surprised that you still remember Rose," Emily said sarcastically, "I thought you'd forgotten her."

No one could be as cruel as Magee.

When he was interested in someone, he was willing to do anything to please her. But when his love faded, he would ruthlessly turn his back on them. His was a fragile and worthless love.

That was the reason why Emily had refused Magee. He was incapable of loving anyone except himself, to her that made him scum.

She would not choose him, even if she had never met Jacob.

any further as it dredged up some very complicated memories. He changed the topic smoothly, "I didn't see

smile beaming across

happiness made him jealous. He looked down at his tea and smiled, "Well, that's good news. Why don't we leave here together when

serious at the mention of leaving, "But I don't want to wait so long. What I

villagers remained involved in trafficking, more

some of them

labyrinth of mountain roads without local guidance, if they run away from the

we need to act at once. Is your phone

she was thinking, "Yes, but there's no signal. I went to the top of the mountain. The signal there was intermittent, but

his words, spilling some hot water and scalding her hand

tea-pot and gently took her injured hand in his. Her skin turned bright red, where the water burned her, a stark contrast to

with instant pity for her and he gently

sudden intimacy of his touch, she

reaction made Magee uncomfortable, and he assuaged

wanted to respond, but was distracted by the shadow of someone passing at the periphery of her vision. Turning, she saw Jacob returning from

Emily were caught off guard and wondered how long

be ashamed of. She had not been disloyal to Jacob, but still... Rising she said, "Hi,

but made no further comment. As always, he acted gently where Emily was concerned, but he stared at Magee with a razor

his heart tremble with fear at the

moment, he suspected that the old, cruel and merciless

'Oh, that's interesting, '

calm remained seated and casually