Torn Between Love and Hate

Chapter 232 Do Not Ever Look Back

Hector was momentarily at a loss for words.

• Set Byes

Up to this day, he sincerely apologized to Deborah and deeply regretted the things he had done in the past.

But if he were to publicly apologize in front of the media, everyone would know about everything Ashton had done.

with him.

The outside world will undoubtedly be shocked, and at that time, the extent of the fluctuations in the Mullen Group's stock price will be unpredictable for anyone.

Admitting one's mistake is equivalent to confessing to a crime. If Deborah insists on pursuing the matter, the Mullen family may have to bear legal responsibility, including being sentenced.

Hector couldn't bear Joseph's words; he couldn't face them. Joseph's every sentence was pressing and aggressively

demanding.

He looked embarrassed and remained silent for a while, then he could only turn to Deborah, who hadn't spoken for a long time.

"Ms. Shepherd, after all, you and Ashton have been married for so many years. Mr. Black is essentially an outsider, 1

just want to talk to you..."

Deborah spoke up, interrupting him, "What Joseph said is exactly what I wanted to say."

Hector's face turned pale, his voice filled with confusion and anxiety.

"I really don't know what to do anymore. The doctor said that even if Ashton successfully undergoes the tumor removal surgery and receives a compatible bone marrow transplant, there's still no guarantee.

If he doesn't take good care of his health, the chances of lung cancer recurrence are quite high. His current condition is really terrible, and he's recklessly ruining his own body..."

As Hector spoke, he began to choke up and couldn't continue speaking.

Ashton had lung cancer, so he should avoid smoking and alcohol. It was also important for him to get plenty of rest

and not stay up late.

Even now, Hector often caught him smoking outside.

Sometimes, not only would he drink alcohol, but he would also indulge in it, getting so drunk that he would lose his

senses.

As for staying up all night, he would sit in his room, staring out the floor-to-ceiling window by himself, spending countless sleepless nights.

Repeatedly falling into a stupor due to extreme exhaustion, and drinking alcohol to the point of gastric bleeding, ending up in the emergency room.

When Hector visited him while feeling unwell, he increasingly got the sense that Ashton truly couldn't escape his own

shadows.

He felt ashamed and unworthy of Deborah, unable to ask her for anything, and even more so, unable to go back to her. But he couldn't let go, couldn't give up, and all he could do was torment himself.

Only when his mind was unclear could he stop thinking.

He fiad always been like this, unable to untangle the knots in his heart. It was not something that could be cured by

D

simply removing a tumor or replacing bone marrow.

He would still drink, smoke, and recklessly ruin himself without a care in the world.

Cancer could be fortunately treated once, but it couldn't be treated for the second, third, or countless times after relapse.

In this world, the ones who could save him were not doctors, medicines, or surgeries, but Deborah and Alyssa.

Hector didn't know what to say; he had so many words, eager to be spoken.

But the more anxious he became, the harder it was for him to articulate his thoughts.

He could only plead with Deborah, "Please go see him and try to comfort him. Ashton is truly in so much pain.

How about this? I promise, as long as you can go see him and wait for his illness to get better, I will apologize to you.

all on my knees in front of the media.

I will them everything that happened, and I'll bring Ashton along to apologize to you all."

Joseph stood in front of Deborah, shielding her with his body.

He knew about her past, and every single event was painful for her.

Each time she reminisced, each time it was mentioned, it brought her more pain.

She didn't want to talk about it or mention it, so he spoke up instead.

He looked at Hector with a cold gaze. "Apologizing is what you should do, it's what you owe Deborah.

You keep saying you were wrong, but even before publicly apologizing, you want to discuss conditions. It seems your sincerity is nothing more than this."

Hector became anxious. "If I apologize publicly first, would Ms. Shepherd be willing to visit Ashton and give him some guidance?"

Deborah didn't hesitate. "No way."

Without hesitation, Hector blurted out, "Then I'll just apologize to the media..."

Realizing that his words were inappropriate, he didn't continue speaking.

He was truly anxious, desperately seeking Deborah to save Ashton.

Deborah sneered with a laugh, "That's right, apologizing won't bring you any benefits. And I don't need your apologies either."

In the end, Hector was Hector, a shrewd businessman for life, never forgetting to negotiate deals at any time.

Unfortunately, by now, she had long lost interest in making any deals with the Mullen family.

Ashton was nearby, listening to their conversation.

Jeff tried several times to help Hector up, his face showing great distress and anxiety, but Hector just wouldn't get up.

He wanted Deborah's help, and for the first time in his life, he felt like he had let go of all his pride and dignity.

But he still didn't do it well, and his cleverness backfired.

At last, Ashton pushed the wheelchair over, coming to Hector's side.

He spoke up, "Grandpa, let's go. I'm fine now, and as for my matters, I won't trouble others in the future."

Hector's eyes were red, and as he saw Ashton reaching out for support, he was afraid that Ashton might fall from the

wheelchair.

He finally stood up on his own, frustratedly saying, "What's so great about you? You're just stubborn. You're the only one left in the Mullen family, and you're going to be the death of me, an old man.” Ashton didn't respond but gestured for Jeff to help support Hector.

Jeff immediately stepped forward and helped Hector walk toward the hospital room.

Ashton pushed his own wheelchair, slowly following behind.

Ashton slowly walked away, wanting to look back and catch a glimpse of Deborah.

Hector was actually right; whether it was bone marrow transplant or surgery, neither was likely to save him.

He increasingly felt that life had lost its meaning.

Last time Rodger took him for a checkup, it was mentioned that he had some psychological issues and was advised to undergo therapy as well.

He refused, saying it was too much trouble. What was the point of going through so many treatments?

If it weren't for Deborah bringing Alyssa to him, telling him that Alyssa didn't want to wait for him to die and felt burdened by the responsibility of someone's life. So, he didn't even want to undergo surgery or a bone marrow transplant.

It was just a waste of time, unnecessary and excessive.

In the end, the

come would be the same, he knew it very well.

Deborah and Alyssa were no longer connected to him; now, the only person he still thought about and couldn't let go.

of was Hector.

However, there shouldn't be much time left, as Hector was getting old and his body wouldn't be able to endure for much longer.

Deborah watched as they walked away, and soon, she shifted her gaze.

She looked at Joseph and said, "Let's go, we're heading back."

Leaving the hospital, Joseph drove the car while Deborah sat in the passenger seat.

Without saying a word, Joseph drove the car straight to his own residence.

That was the place where Deborah had been living with him for the past three years.

It was their home.

During this period, ever since Deborah regained her memory and began accompanying Alyssa, they hadn't returned to that home together.

Now, he naturally drove the car toward that place, just like the connection between them, and just like those three

years.

without the involvement of others, they remained a stable, engaged couple. For three years, they lived together in warmth and tranquility, as if each day was the same.

Get Sup

Deborah knew where he was driving to, but she didn't say anything.

She didn't object, which meant she agreed.

Half an hour later, the car came to a stop in front of the mansion's courtyard.

Joseph got out of the car and went over to open the door for Deborah. "Let's go inside," he said.

Deborah followed him inside, just like she had grown accustomed to doing during those three years, as if it were just another ordinary evening.

Upon entering the foyer, Deborah took off her high heels and slipped into a pair of slippers from the shoe cabinet.

Everything was exactly as it had been before, with the shoes in their original position, and nothing had changed.

Joseph hadn't stayed here for quite some time, but the housekeeper came to clean every day, leaving the place spotless as always.

Deborah bent down to change her shoes, and as she stood up, her head almost collided with Joseph's chin.

She didn't expect him to suddenly stand so close. As she instinctively tried to step back, Joseph held her shoulders. firmly.

His expression was uneasy, as he stared at her intently with downcast eyes.

"As we agreed, we can't forgive him. Don't look back, never ever."