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.

some very complicated memories. He changed the topic smoothly, "I didn't see Jacob. Where

herbs for me," Emily replied with a cheerful smile beaming across her face, "The doctor were so skilled, that he relieved me from

He looked down at his tea and smiled, "Well, that's good news. Why don't we leave

to wait so long. What I want is to not

in trafficking, more girls would became

villagers wanted to see. I believe some of them have already suspect me. They are just biding their time.

lose their way in the labyrinth of mountain roads

to act at once. Is your

signal. I went to the top of the mountain.

hands began shaking at his words, spilling some hot water and scalding her hand with the

Concerned Magee relieved her of the tea-pot and gently took her injured hand in his. Her skin turned bright red, where the water burned

instant pity for her and he gently blew on her fingers to ease the

sudden intimacy of his touch, she instinctively

won't eat you up!" Her dismissive reaction made Magee uncomfortable, and he assuaged her, "All right. I'll stay away

passing at the periphery of her vision. Turning, she saw Jacob returning from herbal

the gate staring at them. Both Magee and Emily were caught off guard and wondered

She had not been disloyal to Jacob, but still...

further comment. As always, he acted gently where Emily was concerned, but he stared at Magee with a

the ferocious gaze, Magee felt his heart tremble with fear at the promised violence.

he suspected that the old,

'Oh, that's interesting, '

for calm remained seated and casually explained, "She burnt