Ixora Crystabella Moores quickly withdrew her leg from the woman's handkerchief as she noticed the fear in the woman's reaction. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught the way Jerald was looking at her, and it made her heart tighten.He's looking at me as if I'm just another stranger, like everyone else. Surprisingly, the only person who still clung to her hand tightly was his daughter, Zira.Ixora knelt down beside the woman, took out her own handkerchief, and began wiping the woman's sweat-filled face. "It's alright, please stop apologizing."The woman regarded her with suspicion but continued, "I'm truly sorry—""I'm Ixora, not Cherry," she interjected with a warm smile.Relieved, the woman let out a sigh. "Oh, thank God. It's good Bella. Thank God!" She said emphatically and hugged Ixora tightly. "Thank God it's you, good Bella. I thought I had stepped on Cherry!"Ixora nodded in understanding, waved off the woman's thanks, and walked away.Turning to face Jerald, she couldn't h

He couldn't tear his gaze away from her as she strolled along the beach, her hips swaying rhythmically, akin to a slow dancer. Her dark hair cascaded like a waterfall, framing her like a moon goddess. Although many women graced the beach in bikinis, hers redefined the term. She was a breathtaking beauty, her body so perfectly contoured it seemed otherworldly. Jake Brown instantly sensed she would bring trouble.Jake couldn't divert his eyes from her, not even when she caught him looking, and their gazes locked. She didn't shy away; instead, she removed her sunglasses, meeting his gaze head-on. Yes, trouble indeed.Beyond her striking appearance, she exuded a fiery spirit. He had witnessed the entire scene: how she swiftly handled two women and sent the third one fleeing within seconds, all while maintaining a smile. She seemed efficient, the kind of person trained fighters needed to be cautious of if they ever crossed paths. She might lack formal training, but she knew how to exploit

Cherry regarded him with narrowed eyes. She was well aware of his desire, and she didn't need another look to confirm it. She couldn't quite understand why he was delaying their physical encounter, but she decided to go along with it. After all, he was meant to be just a one-night stand; there was no rush to get to the main event. The night was still young, and there was plenty of time."Alright, dinner first. But I want a kiss," she whispered seductively as she approached him.He smiled once more and leaned closer, his lips just inches from hers. "What will a single kiss accomplish?" he teased, his eyes filled with playful curiosity."Everything," Cherry murmured, her anticipation clear as she traced the tip of her own tongue along the seam of her lips."Are you always this talkative?" she inquired instead, her voice laced with playful teasing."No," Jake replied automatically, his eyes locked onto her.She grinned devilishly, her desire unmistakable. "Then, kiss me."Jake hesitated

"You did a great job in there, Bella," Small Mark praised as we left the room. "I don't know how you knew what each drug was for, but they were already making progress on him before I arrived." Ixora closed the door behind her and asked, "Will he be okay, Small Mark?" "If he takes the medication I left properly and redresses the wound every night, he should be just fine," Small Mark assured her. Ixora sighed in relief, realizing she had been holding her breath until this diagnosis. "Thank you, Small Mark." As Small Mark was about to leave, he paused and looked at her with concern. "Do you know anything about him? Those scars on his body aren't normal. Is he a fugitive or running from the law?" His voice carried suspicion and fear. She thought to herself that she had no more information than he did. "No, he's not a wanted man. He used to be in the Army," she added to ease the doctor's suspicions. "Ah, that makes sense," Small Mark replied as he left. "One of my boys joined the Arm

After Ixora had put Zira to bed, she returned to Jerald's room. His breathing remained steady as he lay motionless in the bed, his wound carefully bandaged. She lowered herself beside the bed and simply watched him. Now that he was asleep, she allowed herself to gaze at him, to take in his features.Should she help him shave his beard? No, she thought better of it. He might be quite angry when he woke up. She took a closer look at his chest, noticing numerous scars marring his skin. How had he come to be a canvas for a weapons field day?She was so engrossed in studying him that she didn't notice when his breathing changed, becoming heavier and more uneven. It wasn't until he started gasping out words in his sleep that she realized something was wrong."No! No, don't go with them! No, please!?" he pleaded, shaking his head violently from side to side."Jerald, what's wrong?" Ixora shook him fearfully, but he wouldn't wake."What about mother!? She can't lose both of us!? Go! Go! pleas