---- Chapter 25 Jake fell ill. He became weak and slipped into a semi- comatose state. He refused food, drink, and all treatment. He refused medication and even IV drips. The doctors issued critical condition notices more than once. Jake's parents, who were traveling elsewhere for relaxation, hurried back upon hearing the news. Seeing Jake in such a dire state, they quickly understood the root of the problem. James was furious. "You ungrateful fool. You threw away the opportunity when it was right in front of you. Now that she's left, what's the point of this dramatic display?" Ellen was both angry and anxious, yet she couldn't bear to see Jake suffer. "Why do you have to do this? Eva is just heartbroken. You can work hard to win her back. If your health fails, then there truly won't be a chance." "How can he win Eva back? She is stubborn. Even when Jake was so indifferent toward her, she was still willing to marry him and stay with him. She was so stubborn that she went for it even though she knew full well it was a dead end. Now that she's realized the truth, do you really expect her to come back?" Ellen was overwhelmed with worry and pounded on James's ---- shoulder. "Jake is suffering so severely. Can't you say something nice to him?" James was equally angry. "He's an adult. Didn't he consider the consequences before acting? This is his own doing. How did | have such a son? You can't make up his mind and be decisive." Jake lay there with his eyes tightly shut. He said nothing, but his trembling eyelashes betrayed his regretful heart. Ellen noticed how Jake's face turned even paler after hearing James's words. She tried to comfort Jake again. "How about we reach out to Eva..." "No way!" James interrupted firmly. "Jacob repeatedly instructed us not to interfere in Eva's affairs. She's already sacrificed a lot for our family and Jake over the years." He looked intently at Jake, and his voice was heavy. "I know you're conscious and understand what I'm saying. This is my last warning. Do not disturb Eva again. You are my son, and she is like a daughter to me, raised as my own. She's kind- hearted and forgiving, especially out of gratitude for the Stephens family's upbringing. She has repeatedly given in to us. But that doesn't give you the right to bully her. In the past, she loved you and was nice to you, which gave you the chance to hurt her. But now that she no longer loves you, you must not bully her anymore. Jake, if you're a real man, pull yourself together." With those words, James left. ---- Over the years, James had seen clearly what had happened between Jake and Eva. But he never intervened. He had been young, too, and understood that one must learn some lessons personally to truly grow. Ellen sighed and shook her head. She hesitated several times but was unsure what to say. As she was about to leave, she heard Jake weakly call out, "Mom." Tears welled up in her eyes again as she sat by the bed and gently stroked Jake's face. Jake struggled to open his eyes. He looked vulnerable, which Ellen had never seen in him before. "Could you please help me and ask Eva to see me one more time?" Ellen shook her head with a bitter smile. "She gave you too many chances. We've all seen how deeply you've hurt her. How could | have the nerve to talk to her again? The day you called to ask for a divorce, she had already told Jacob that she wanted to leave the Stephens family. And he agreed. | was still holding out hope and thought that as long as you didn't mention divorce, she might stay a bit longer. But you called the next moment and were adamant about the divorce immediately. Jacob was so enraged that he fainted. What more can | say?" As Ellen's words fell, the faint hope in Jake's eyes faded ---- completely.