His Madness Took a Life, But Not My Love

Lovell's POV

“Lovell, are you mad at me?” Horace asked gently. “Don’t worry, I promise I won’t let them interfere with us—”

But before he could finish, Jaylee’s voice broke through again, trembling and pitiful.

“Horace, this past month, while you were gone, the kid hasn’t been eating or sleeping well. His health’s starting to worry me. I want to take him to the hospital for a full checkup, but I'm not familiar with this city. Can you come with us?”

“You know I have nothing left, just Zach. If something happens to him, I...I don’t think I could go on.”

I turned to look at Horace. He didn’t say a word, but his eyes gave him away.

He was worried. Worried about that child.

As such, I gave a small nod.

“He’s just a kid. If he’s sick, it’s serious. You should go with them. After all, his father died saving your life.”

Horace’s face visibly brightened. Even his tone sounded lighter.

“I’ll go with them and come right back. Lovell, thank you. Really. Thank you for understanding.”

He turned quickly and headed for the door, scooping the child up in his arms like he’d done it a thousand times before.

He didn’t even stop to change out of his pajamas. He was that worried.

I stood there and watched as the child nestled against Horace’s shoulder, so naturally, so trustingly, like a family.

And I watched the three of them walk away together.

It felt like someone had dropped my heart into a bottomless pit. The deeper it sank, the quieter everything became until I couldn’t feel anything at all.

It wasn’t until night fell completely that Horace returned, with Jaylee and the child.

I hadn’t moved from my bed all day.

When he walked into the room, he looked guilty, and that alone made my chest tighten. Something was wrong. I could feel it.

In a serious tone, he explained, “Lovell, the boy isn’t doing well. The doctor said he needs long-term care. And they don’t really know anyone here.”

Seeing me waiting for his next words, he continued, “This house is big enough. Would it be alright if they stayed here for a while?”

I shut my eyes hard, trying to keep the bitterness from rising in my throat.

This morning, he had promised they wouldn’t affect our lives. But now, he wanted to bring them into our home.

When I opened my eyes again, my gaze was steadily cold.

I was just about to speak when I realized Jaylee was already standing at the door, with the boy’s hand in hers.

“Miss Porter, please don’t be upset with Horace. He’s only worried about my kid. He’s been there for me ever since I was pregnant. He stepped in where my husband couldn’t. It’s natural that the baby’s attached to him.”

Looking worriedly at her child, she continued, “He’s still so young. I don’t know how to explain to him that Horace isn’t his father. But if you’re uncomfortable, I’ll leave with the child right away.”

Jaylee kept going with her sweet, pitiful voice, each word carefully placed like she knew exactly what she was doing.

But I wasn’t listening anymore. My eyes were locked on the necklace around the child’s neck.

My breath caught.

I clenched the bedsheets with both fists as tears suddenly streamed down my cheeks, uncontrollably.

I looked up at Horace, my voice hoarse, raw, barely recognizable.

“That necklace around his neck, what is it?”

I was sixteen when Grandpa hired Horace to be my personal bodyguard, at a very high price.

Back then, my life wasn’t in danger. But when I turned eighteen, Horace got caught up in a vendetta with someone from the underground world.

It all happened so fast. Gunshots were exchanged in the chaos.

And somehow, my body moved before my brain could catch up. I threw myself in front of him, taking the bullet that was meant to kill him.