On the surface, it sounded like an ordinary remark, but between the lines was a suffocating pressure.

    The atmosphere felt tense instantly.

    Jerry narrowed his eyes–suddenly, they gleamed with a sharp, dangerous edge, like des drawn.”

    What, are you nning to call the cops on me?”

    Tyler let go of Jerry’s hand, rubbing his fingertips as he raised a brow and gave Jerry a sidelong look.”

    You were a killer once. Leaving you at my girlfriend’s side–I can’t feel at ease with that.”

    Jerry’s fists clenched tight, his jaw grinding.

    “My life belongs to Rachel. Even if you want it, you can’t have it.”

    Tyler caught the possessiveness in those words, and his lips pressed into a thin line.

    “Young man, you’d better get this straight. The choice isn’t yours to make.”

    Jerry refused to back down. Their gazes locked, sparks crackling between them.

    “Then go ahead and try!”

    Seeing they were about to get serious, Rachel rushed in to stop them.

    “Enough! Both of you, calm down. Jerry, he’s just teasing you.”

    Tyler finally looked away from Jerry and faced Rachel. “Why haven’t you been answering your phone?”

    “Oh, I was busy just now, so I didn’t pick up.”

    Without asking further, Tyler walked straight in, sitting down in a chair with casual authority. He didn’t

    look like a guest in someone else’s ce–he looked like the master of it. He had the posture of someone

    inmand.

    “Did you know Sasha just brought a psychiatrist to see your father?”

    Rachel’s expression turned tense immediately.

    “How is my dad? Did Sasha do anything to him?”

    “The doctor said your father’s mental state is already deteriorating. You understand what that means, don’t you?”

    Tyler didn’t borate. He knew Rachel was sharp enough to piece it together without him spelling it out.

    Sure enough, Rachel instantly grasped Sasha’s intentions. Her brows furrowed. “So Sasha wants to use

    this to overturn the will, doesn’t sheb?/bb” /b

    “Exactly. Which means, if Sasha manages to get your father for further testing, you know the

    consequences.”

    Rachel seemed a little sad. Frustration clouded her eyes.

    b“/bIf my dad really is diagnosed with mental problems, doesn’t that mean Sasha can do whatever she

    wants? And with their divorce still in the cooling–off period, there won’t be time to stop her.”

    Tyler massaged his temples. He was exhausted. Nights without sleep had hollowed him out.

    Rachel noticed. Her heart ached at how much thinner he lookedpared to a few days ago. Dark shadows pooled under his eyes.

    She ced a hand on his shoulder. “Why don’t you rest for a bit?”

    Tyler raised his hand to cover hers. “Stay with me.”

    Rachel felt troubled. “Can’t you sleep by yourself? I still have things I need to finish.”

    Her proposal wasn’t done yet. If Tyler stayed here, there was no way she could work.

    Tyler leaned his head against her arm, his demeanorpletely different from his usual coldness-

    almost childishly willful.

    “You know about my sleep problems.”

    Rachel had no choice but to give in. This man was reminding her, in his own way, of the contract

    between them.

    Whenever he needed her, she was bound toply.