Cathy was amused. "Yes, you can hold yourself up even if the sky falls on you. You're resilient– That part of you is admirable. But what I can't understand is why you still love Jackson. How can you stand the way he treats you again and again?"

Anna sighed. "Probably because… I owe him?"

Cathy was still angry. "He will regret losing you."

Anna didn't reply. So what if he regretted it? They were still not meant to be.

When Jackson returned, Anna was alone in her hospital room and had an IV drip attached to her hand. The room was a little warm, so she did not cover herself with a blanket. She was half-lying on the bed with her legs crossed, her feet shaking rhythmically while reading a book. Her current image was far from the elegant lady she usually presented in front of him and the public.

This was the first time Jackson saw her in a far different light. Their interaction had been limited to their fixed Wednesday schedule and visits to his grandparents, where they had to maintain a loving appearance. He realized that he didn't know much about her at all.

Who would've thought she looked so lazy when she was relaxed?

Jackson's eyes stayed on her feet, still shaking idly in that unknown rhythm.

Anna heard the door open when someone entered. Thinking it was Cathy, she said, "The pear must be cut into rabbit shapes, or I won't eat it."

When there was no response, she raised her eyes only to meet Jackson's deep gaze. Anna stiffened in surprise and immediately dived under the blanket. She didn't expect him to come back and listen to Gina's words!

They did not become part on the best of terms yesterday, but today, he still had the nerve to be so lovey-dovey with Gina right in front of her and barely pay her any attention! She turned on her side so that her back was turned on him and then went back to reading while pretending he didn't exist.

Jackson sat on the sofa. Gary arrived a few minutes later with a fruit basket in his right hand and the documents Jackson needed on his left.

Gary noticed the weird atmosphere in the room the moment he stepped inside. He put the things in his hands and only said a few words of polite concern to Anna before leaving immediately. He even pulled Cathy away when he met her in the hallways, leaving the couple alone.

Anna was impatient for Cathy's return. She wanted to eat pears but didn't want to peel her own. Her throat felt dry and itchy, but no more water was left in the glass. The discomfort became too much to bear. She sat up and said, "I want some water."

Jackson was immersed in his work and ignored her.

She rolled her eyes. If he wanted to focus on his work, he should've gone straight to his company. His presence there was unneeded.

Anna had no idea what to do. She wanted to ring the bell to call for a nurse, but that would increase their workload unnecessarily when all she wanted was a glass of water. She gave up when no help was forthcoming and returned to reading again.

Only a few minutes passed when she suddenly started coughing uncontrollably. She felt her eyes water with tears, and dry, racking coughs that were so painful.

Jackson finally got up and poured water for her. He sat beside Anna and gently patted her back until the coughing ceased.

Her eyes were still red and watery when they looked at him.

Jackson was dazed for a second but caught himself immediately and said in a bad tone, "What are you looking at? Drink!"

Anna was confused. What was up with Jackson's temper? If he didn't want to stay, then he could leave! No one would stop him.

The water moistened her throat, easing the dryness slightly. She felt a little better and went back to ignoring him again. She heard him leave.

She didn't care where he went. She thought about what to do with the IV drip once it ran out. With Jackson gone, she didn't have anyone else she could ask for help.

A while later, Jackson returned with a small plate of cute rabbit-shaped pear slices, which he handed her. "Eat. I don't want others to think that I'm abusing you."

Anna was about to reach for one but paused when she remembered something. She looked at Jackson again. "I didn't wash my hands."

Jackson muttered, "So troublesome!" but still went to get a wet towel she could use to wipe her hands. She leaned against the pillow and bowed her head to eat. The pears were already cut into smaller bite-sized pieces, but Anna still didn't eat them in one bite but gnawed on them slowly like a little squirrel.

She looked cute. Jackson's mood improved as he watched her eat quietly. "Is that enough?"

"It's not enough. I want another one." The pear was moist, calm, and sweet. It made her throat more comfortable.

Jackson glanced at her. She still looked ill. Her pale and bloodless face had toned down her vibrant beauty, which made her seem delicate and a little pitiful.

He sat on the chair beside her bed, took the fruit knife, and started peeling another pear.

Anna watched him, and his head bowed on the task. His side profile was cold but still good-looking. Even his jawline was perfect, as if God carefully carved it.

This man's appearance was very attractive to women. Even she had been captivated by it.

Half a year of marriage was the first time they could get along so peacefully. And it was only because of Gina's charity. It was really pathetic.

Anna couldn't see any sense in being sad now that she had finally decided to give up on Jackson. She was the one who wanted their marriage. Their bad ending was also her fault. There was no one else that she could blame other than herself.

She married into the prestigious Will family, so it was very troublesome to file for a divorce. She needed to consider many things, weigh the advantages and disadvantages, and take a long-term view of the repercussions on their families. It wasn't very pleasant!

Jackson felt her watching him. His head turned slightly, and their gazes met. Her long eyelashes and bright and beautiful eyes were so tempting to him. He felt irritated when he realized she was in a daze and was not really looking at him. "What are you looking at?" he asked coldly.

Anna blinked, shaking herself out of her stupor. "You. It's because you're so handsome." She smiled flirtatiously.

Jackson frowned. He had never met anyone like Anna. In Sam's words, she was sinfully attractive, like an angel and a demon combined.

He had to admit that it was true. She was a perfect blend of beautiful contradiction, both seductive and pure, her eyes as innocent as a rabbit's but also as charming as a fox's.

Even if she was sick, she was still restless.

His face clouded over, and his irritation increased. He handed Anna the half-cut pear directly.

Anna was speechless as she stared at the big pear in his hand. What was the matter with him?!

Earlier, it was Gina, and now it was his turn. These two lovers… They were really challenging her temper! Would he leave her alone if she let this pass? No, he wouldn't.

"I want to eat rabbit-shaped pear slices," she said emphatically, pushing the plate back to him.

He gave her a chilly stare and remained unmoving.

"Is this the way you repay someone's kindness? I can't feel any sincerity at all. Maybe I need to call your sweetheart back so she can personally repay her gratitude to me."

She ignored the way Jackson's expression turned even colder and went on speaking.

"You don't want her anywhere near me, but she wanted to thank me. I hope you will not regret it if I don't treat her kindly." Anna said lazily, leaning against the headboard of the hospital bed as she waited for his reaction.

Maybe it was the mention of Gina, or maybe it was because of her threat, but Jackson's eyes flashed with anger.

Anna's lips curled into a smile. The fake way they were getting along earlier was over. They were finally back to normal.

"You don't have to take care of me here, and Gina doesn't need to repay anything at all." She was ill and didn't want to put herself in a bad mood for such a trivial thing.

"I don't believe you." Jackson's voice dripped with contempt. He took the pear back and then continued to cut it.

Anna's eyes soured. She hurriedly turned her face away so he wouldn't see the tears she tried to blink away. They didn't speak again. Every time they talked, she only got angry and hurt. It was a waste of saliva.

It didn't take long before the plate was placed on her bedside table. Jackson went back to the sofa to continue his work. Anna stared at the neat rabbit-shaped pear slices but had no more appetite for them.

The hospital room was completely silent. The harmonious scene earlier seemed to have been a passing illusion.

He was absorbed in his work while she continued reading.

Sudden pain in the back of her hand pulled her attention away. She realized the IV was empty, and her blood had started flowing into its long tube. She rang the bell to call for a nurse.

One immediately arrived accompanied by Grandma Amy. The drip had long been empty, so the blood had clotted and stuck to the needle and the thin tube. The nurse needed to change it to a new one.

Grandma Amy couldn't help but scold her grandson for his indifference. "Is that how you take care of your wife?"

Jackson only frowned and silently watched the nurse attend to Anna.

It was really painful, but Anna didn't care. She was even able to smile at Grandma Amy. "It's not his fault. We talked for a while, and I forgot that the IV was running out."

Grandma sighed. "My useless grandson…." He didn't care about Anna but the silly girl still spoke for him. Grandma Amy was not happy. "It's better to rely on a wall than to rely on him. Does it hurt? How can you be so fascinated by reading a book?"

Anna only smiled and didn't say anything. It was better to read. She can get lost in words and let her mind wander freely. Otherwise, she would've already lost her temper.

It's better for her to feel the pain. The more painful, the better, so she would give up earlier. If she had given up earlier, she would have no more wishful thinking!