Emily didn’t say anything, but her mind was a mess. “You don’t need to say so many sentimental things,” she replied softly. “For Meggie’s sake, I’ll go through with the wedding. Don’t worry.” “But I don’t want a fake wedding,” Satan replied. “I want it to be real.” The elevator stopped on the ground floor. Emily stepped out first, and unlike the warmth of the room upstairs, cold snowflakes were now drifting down outside, and the air felt sharp against her skin, like knives slicing across her face. Standing at the Hilton’s entrance, she asked, “Did you drive here?” “I took a cab.” “Did you sneak out again?” Satan shrugged with a wry smile. “Dylan’s been keeping too close an eye on me.” With no other option, Emily walked to the curb and flagged down a taxi for him, signaling for him to hurry up. “To St. Mary’s Hospital, please,” she instructed, then turned back to him. “When you get there, have Dylan call me to let me know you arrived safely, okay?” He nodded. “And what about you? What are your plans this afternoon?” “I’m going to see Jackson.” His gaze tightened slightly. She spoke softly, “I have to clear things up with him.” Emily watched as the cab drove off, disappearing into the falling snow, before she finally turned back inside to the hotel. Bert had already tidied up the dishes. “So, when’s Vincent coming over next?” “Let’s let him focus on recovering,” she replied. “Right now, his health is the most important thing.” Bert nodded eagerly. “Yes, yes, health is the most important thing. You two will be married soon, so he really needs to take good care of himself. Oh, by the way, Emily, I noticed you made some extra porridge—is that for breakfast tomorrow?”She went to check the pot. “Uncle, I have to head out for a bit.” “In this cold, with the snow falling and everything? Where to?” “To visit a friend,” she replied with a smile. The snow made it dark unusually early, and by the time Emily reached the hospital with the porridge, night had begun to fall. Just as Jackson had told her on the phone, he was thoroughly bandaged, lying immobile on the bed. He couldn’t move, and even turning over required help. Allen was seated on a chair next to him, balancing a laptop on his knees as he worked, all while keeping an eye on his troublesome brother. Emily knocked lightly on the door. “Allen, Jackson.” Jackson’s face lit up with joy. “Emily, you’re here already? I thought I’d be waiting a lot longer…” Allen shot him a glare. “Just lie still! You troublemaker…” He then turned to Emily, his gaze softening when he saw the thermos in her hand. “Sorry for the trouble, and thank you for going out of your way to make porridge and bring it here.” “It’s no trouble,” Emily replied. “Making porridge is easy.” Though Jackson lay unable to move, his eyes sparkled with excitement. “Emily, that porridge is for me, right?” “Yes,” she answered, opening the thermos, releasing the warm aroma of cooked rice. “Are you hungry?” “I’m starving!” he replied dramatically. “The doctors keep me on a nutrition drip, but that’s no substitute for real food. At least if I eat, my stomach won’t be growling all the time.” Emily nodded, stirring the porridge with a spoon to let it cool. “You seem a bit off,” Jackson observed. “Is something bothering you? Is work stressing you out?” She forced a smile. “No, Jackson, there’s something I need to tell you.” Immediately, Jackson’s face darkened. “I don’t want to hear it. Don’t say it.” “Jackson…” “I don’t want to hear it!” Jackson muttered in a low, stubborn tone. “No matter what it is, I refuse to break up with you. I don’t care what methods I used or how immoral or deceitful they might have been, but you’re my girlfriend, and I won’t accept breaking up.”Emily’s carefully prepared words faltered, vanishing under the weight of his determined refusal. The things she had rehearsed on her way over dissolved into a single sigh. “Emily, let’s not break up, okay?” he pleaded, visibly anxious. “I shouldn’t have snapped at you just now. I know I have a bad temper, but I’ll work on it, alright? If I ever lose it, you can hit me. We’ve only just started dating, and we promised each other we’d go back to England together once I’m back on my feet. Let’s stick to that, okay?” Emily paused mid-stir, lowering her head. Everything she’d wanted to say felt impossible to voice. “Jackson…” “Say whatever’s on your mind. Tell me where I’m lacking. I promise I’ll work on it.” “It’s not that. You’re great…” she replied, though the words didn’t make him smile. With a wry chuckle, he replied, “That doesn’t sound very reassuring.” Emily closed her eyes, bracing herself. “Jackson, will you let me finish what I have to say?” He fell silent, clearly struggling but waiting. After a deep breath, she carefully chose her words. “No matter what methods you used to be close to me, I won’t resent you for it; they all came from a place of care. But Jackson, we don’t live in a vacuum. We can’t just cut ourselves off from our families and friends. Your family has been with you for thirty years, supporting you, caring for you—they’re the people who mean the most to you. If you push them away because of me, I’d never feel at peace.”