---- Chapter 26 Jake looked lifeless, as though he was at death's door. Ellen was anxious. She immediately stood up and said she would beg Eva to come and see Jake. However, as she rose, a cool hand clasped her wrist. "Mom, don't go. | just need some rest. | will get up soon." Jake closed his eyes. He remembered many things happening before the divorce with Eva, and they pieced themselves together. Eva must have planned the divorce. She had made up her mind to leave him. Jake then understood why Vernon had initially refused to come to his country to treat Ryann, but he suddenly asked Isabel, who claimed to be Vernon's student, to do the work instead of him. Now, Jake understood why there were countless divorce agreements after he tore up one. He understood why she left those documents in the drawer. He understood why she had talked to Jacob early and asked to leave the Stephens family. ---- She had fallen in love with him sooner than he had imagined, and she had also stopped loving him sooner than he had expected. Ellen still reached out to Eva. Eva was thrilled to go and meet Ellen. Eva had not seen Ellen and James in months, and she trusted them. She took her seat happily and was about to have a casual chat with Ellen. But Eva was hit with directness from Ellen instead. "Eva, could you go and see Jake? He's seriously ill." The smile on Eva's face faded slightly. In the past two weeks, she had not seen him and had thought that he had simply left after thinking it through. But it turned out he was ill. But couldn't Ellen see Eva was feeling weak with flushed cheeks? Eva lowered her head and fell silent. Ellen was anxious at Eva's silence and pleaded, "Regardless of everything, Jake was good to you, and so were James and |. Eva, Jake realizes he was wrong. He truly loves you, but he was led astray by Ryann, so he wrongly let you down. You've heard it, right? He's punished Ryann severely and finally realized who he truly loved. Could you give him another chance?" ---- Eva lowered her head further. If she were indeed her daughter, would she ask her to see the scoundrel again after being hurt by him? And Ellen mentioned James and her. Eva gave a bitter smile. She had thought she had only lost romantic love. But she now realized the familial ties had slipped away silently before she had known it. Forcing a smile, she replied, "Auntie, I've just opened a new studio and wanted to invite you over to see it. But with Jake being sick, | suppose you wouldn't be in the mood. Perhaps another time?" "Mrs. Stephens, I've just opened a new studio and wanted to invite you over. But Jake is sick, and | suppose you wouldn't be in the mood. Perhaps you can come another time. You're always welcome." With that, Eva stood and prepared to leave. Ellen quickly held Eva's hand. "Please, just go and see Jake. It won't take much of your time. He's in utter despair, and only you can persuade him." Eva remained silent. She put her other hand over Ellen's. It had braided her hair and wiped her tears. But it seemed to pull her back into hell now. She gently removed it. But before she could turn fully, Ellen suddenly poured coffee on her. ---- "Eva, where's your conscience? I'm not asking you to marry him. | just ask you to see a sick brother. Do you have to refuse me so adamantly?" Though the coffee was hot, Eva seemed to plunge into an icy abyss. Her assistant had previously been waiting outside and rushed in furiously after she witnessed the scene inside. "Eva's been working sick for three days. She barely finished in time to heed her doctor's advice to rest. But she rushed here upon your call. She hid her condition with makeup, and you repay her by throwing coffee? Let's go, Eva." Ellen was dumbfounded. She realized what she had done only after it had happened. No wonder Eva seemed different. Ellen now knew that Eva was unwell. "Eva, I..." Eva was supported by her assistant and heard Ellen's voice. She couldn't bring herself to be cold to Ellen. Eva turned back. "Mrs. Stephens, go home. In the future, I'll call and greet you on holidays." With that, Eva left without looking back. Ellen sank onto the couch and realized that she would never see Eva again. Eva had irrevocably cut ties with Ellen and Jake both.