---- Chapter 18 Kathleen ignored Joshua and headed toward the parking lot where Adrian waited. "Kathleen, you're tough to kill, aren't you? Still alive?" Ella sneered, emerging from a corner, her eyes blazing with hatred as she blocked Kathleen's path. She heard about the divorce hearing and waited here. With only the two of them in the secluded spot, she spoke without restraint. "People like you can live, so why should | die?" Kathleen replied coldly, turning to leave. She wanted no conflict with Ella, who she deemed unworthy. Ella rushed forward, grabbing Kathleen and nearly knocking her over. "What, you think you're better with your money? You owe my mom her life. If not for you, she'd still be alive. Now Joshua's turned on me because of you, you wretch." Ella pulled a fruit knife from her bag. "This is a blind spot for cameras. No one will save you if you die here, Kathleen. You should've died with your parents. Pity | went easy on you back then." Kathleen's fear vanished when Ella mentioned her parents. ---- What did she mean? Was their car accident not an accident? "What are you saying? You went easy? What else did you do to me?" Kathleen shouted, her voice breaking. Ella laughed mockingly. "Want to know? I'm not telling. But I'll do you a favor and send you to your parents for a family reunion underground. Then Joshua, me, and our daughter can be a family too, right?" Ella lunged, swinging the knife at Kathleen. Kathleen heard the blade pierce flesh but felt no pain. "Joshua... why are you here? Why did you do this?" Ella screamed, trying to staunch the blood pouring from Joshua's wound. In the split second before the knife struck Kathleen, Joshua had stepped in front of her. "L..I'm calling 911. Joshua, hold on," Ella stammered, fumbling for her phone with trembling hands. Kathleen stared as Joshua collapsed in a pool of blood, shielding her. The world spun, and she fell into a warm embrace. "Kathleen, I'm sorry | was late. Are you okay?" Adrian said, holding her unsteady form and covering her eyes to shield her ---- from the blood. He grew worried waiting and came to find her. He hadn't expected a near-disaster in the short walk to the parking lot. "Adrian, Joshua... he..." Kathleen began, but fainted in his arms. Ella knelt, clutching Joshua. "You love that wretch so much you'd take a knife for her? What am | to you?" Ambulances and police arrived simultaneously. Ella was taken away by officers. Joshua and Kathleen were rushed to the hospital. Adrian looked at Kathleen's pale face, his heart aching as if struck. He didn't understand the feeling, only that his emotions for her had shifted. When Kathleen woke, she saw Adrian by her bedside. His warm hand held hers. Their eyes met, and his reddened. "You're awake? It's my fault for being careless. | called Ellen, and she chewed me out." A bitter smile tugged at his lips. If anything happened to Kathleen, neither Ellen nor he would forgive himself. "What about Joshua? How is he?" Kathleen asked, recalling how he took the knife for her, unsure if he lived. ---- Adrian's face darkened, a strange irritation rising. Was Joshua still her main concern? "He's fine. No vital organs hit. He's out of danger." Kathleen's expression softened. Adrian licked his lips, unable to hold back. "You still care about him, don't you?" With Joshua saving her, they might rekindle old feelings. Kathleen looked at him, surprised. "Of course not. | just don't want to owe him. We're done." Adrian's heart eased, a faint smile curving his lips. "Hungry? | got your favorite food. Eat something." Kathleen saw his barely concealed joy and didn't understand why he was so happy. He was becoming more intriguing. Adrian cared for her with ease, buying dishes she loved. "Come on, princess, no more getting sick. A few more hospital stays, and I'll be a professional nurse." Kathleen paused, realizing Adrian had been by her side for over four months. His kindness seemed to go beyond duty. Could he like her? She ate, hiding her racing heart. She must be crazy to think Adrian would have feelings for a married woman like her.