Ice and Fire novel Chapter 374

Jackson was looking at the ground, silently, with a look of concern, as he leaned against the wall out in front of the emergency room.

Jackson heard Cherry's footsteps as she rushed up to him, but he didn't look up or greet her.

Cherry rushed to the emergency room door. She peered through the window, but wasn't able to see anything, so, she approached Jackson.

She stood in front of Jackson, grabbed him by the hand and said, "Jackson, listen to me, it isn't what you think. Honestly, I didn't know why Mond came over. Really, I didn't know!"

Jackson didn't look up, nor say a word, instead, he yanked his hand from Cherry's grip.

Cherry stood there stunned at Jackson's reaction. She leaned forward, trying to make eye contact with Jackson, "Jackson, trust me! You have to believe me!"

Jackson finally had enough of listening to Cherry, and looked up at her yelling, "How? Tell me, Cherry, how can I trust you? I saw you standing there with Mond, you were inside, and he was outside. How on earth can I possibly trust you?"

"No, no, " tears were streaming down Cherry's face as she shook her head, "It isn't what you think! That's not how it was."

Cherry was already feeling fragile, and seeing the desperation in Jackson's eyes, she had no desire to bother trying to explain anymore. The anger and hatred in his eyes told her louder than any words could how he felt, and that he might never trust her again.

Meanwhile, Mond came strolling up to the entranceway towards the two of them.

Jackson and Cherry knew Mond was there, even though neither of them looked at him. Jackson gave Cherry a look of raw anger, while Cherry stared into Jackson's eyes, with tears running down her face.

"Cherry, " said Jackson calmly through gritted teeth. From his tone and the look in his eyes she knew, he could lose his temper at any moment.

Cherry didn't say a word; she just stared at Jackson.

"There isn't a place on earth you will be able to hide, and I won't let you get away, if Grandpa doesn't recover, " Jackson threatened, annunciating each word so slowly and with such bitterness, that his threat echoed, ringing in Cherry's head.

Before giving his threat, Jackson had struggled. He pondered his feelings, 'Grandpa is my blood relative, but I love this woman more than anyone in the world. I don't want to hurt her, I don't want to abandon her. I used to be able to face any difficulty and endure any hardship. Everything I do is to keep her by me, because she is my woman. But now, now Grandpa is in the emergency room. He has done nothing but love and protect me my entire life. I cannot abandon him and I will not accept it if he isn't okay. He is like a Buddha statue in my heart and always supports me. If not for him, I simply couldn't continue. He's been so much a part of my life since I was a child. I won't give up on him. I will protect him! He's my Grandfather.'

Cherry's eye were like large pools as she looked at Jackson. She couldn't believe what Jackson said. She didn't blame Jackson for being so protective of Andrew, but she hadn't expected Jackson to treat her like an enemy. She was his wife and he was the one person in this world she trusted and she loved; how could he hurt her like this? Even if the world turned against her, and hurt her; she didn't believe he would ever act like that too. She couldn't bear it.

Mond had been standing next to Cherry, and heard Jackson. He knew Jackson blamed Cherry for everything, and could see the unsettling hatred in his eyes.

"Jackson, it must be very clear to you who my target is, " Mond said as he glared at Jackson. He knew Jackson was on the fence, and he didn't hate this woman. As Mond stared into Jackson's eyes, he saw patience and knew he was hiding what he really felt.

Jackson suddenly grabbed Mond by the collar, turned him around and shoved him hard against the wall, ferociously glaring at him.

"What more do you want?" Jackson demanded. A teardrop trickling from Jackson's eye as he held Mond against the wall.

Seeing Jackson shed a tear, Mond was flabbergasted to see that this powerful man could cry. So, Jackson also had a vulnerable side. Mond wondered if he might have gone too far.

Mond held back what he was feeling deep down and firmly said, "Well, this isn't a bad start, I have been waiting for so many years to see this."

"This? This is what you want?" Jackson continued, "Do you really hate the Chu Family that much?"

"Yes, I hate Chu Family, " Mond screeched angrily. "I hate you, Jackson! Why do you have so much? Why?"

Jackson looked at Mond with a look of pity mixed with loathing in his eyes. He knew better than anyone what Mond really cared about. He knew that Mond's true target was always him.

"These things you want?" said Jackson suddenly. "Are you able to take them from me?"

With that, Jackson slammed Mond into the wall and headed to the emergency room doorway, but Cherry caught his arm, dragging him back.

Cherry clung to Jackson's arm and said hurriedly, "Jackson, listen to me, it really isn't the case... "

Jackson punched Cherry before she could finish, and she felt the violent force as he made contact with her face.

Cherry lost her balance and collapsed to the floor.

Jackson looked down at Cherry as she sat in a heap on the floor, and sneering told her, "Go away, I don't want to see you again."

Jackson's words shook Cherry's world more violently than his hand, 'Is he driving me away?'

Cherry scrambled to feet, grabbed the sleeve of Jackson's shirt, and pleaded, "No, Jackson, no! Don't drive me away, you said we wouldn't be separated in this life. We promised...."

Cherry was sobbing and crying to the point that she couldn't finish what she was saying. She stared up at Jackson, his eyebrows were furrowed and there was a sense that he was hurting. How could she leave him at a time like this? She was a member of the Chu Family and his woman. She should be with him now.

Mond stood nearby watching Cherry. She would rather be beaten and scolded by Jackson than leave him. She was even willing to demean herself, kneel on the ground like that, begging Jackson for forgiveness. Mond suddenly felt a twinge of sadness when he realized, he had never been treated like this his whole life. No one cherished him, or apologized.

Just then, Mond envied Jackson even more. It was really envy not hatred. He envied that Jackson had someone to love him so much.

Jackson slowly looked down at Cherry. He saw her swollen red eyes and part of her face slowly puffing up and turning reds and purple where he had made contact. It was clear how hard he hit her.

"I can't calm down now, you should know what to do, " said Jackson in a little calmer voice.

Jackson walked away after that, heading to the door.

Cherry remained crumpled on the ground watching Jackson walk away, and kept crying, but she didn't beg for forgiveness anymore. How could she not understand him? How would she know not what to do? She shouldn't bother him now. She should give him time. He must be very worried about Grandpa fainting. He must have been in shock seeing Mond standing outside the door of his house.

When Jackson left, Mond walked to Cherry, offered her a hand, and helped her to a chair not far from her.

The lights in the emergency room were always on, and Jackson waited outside the emergency room door. Cherry sat in a chair, watching Jackson quietly, and worrying about Grandpa.

Mond stood by the door a while before he turned to leave. He realized being here wasn't good for him. Mond wasn't feeling anything he expected, he was feeling as sad as the other two waiting there.

Mond sat in his car, stunned when he left the hospital. He couldn't help crying as he sat there. Sitting there, he was frustrated and yelled, "Aren't you so powerful!? Aren't you the man able to alter others' destiny? Then get up! Stop laying in that bed in there! Why are you lying in bed? Everyone always looks up to you. Keep controlling things with your power and money. Why are you lying in bed? Why?"

Mond finally screamed, his emotions pouring out. He was worried about Andrew. He never thought he would be so worried. He should hate him, but as he stared at the emergency room door, he recalled how Andrew looked when he saw him in the Chu Family's doorway. He was not as strong as Mond had remembered. He was not the person he had been all those years ago. His hair was white, and his face aged and full of wrinkles. He had age spots on his face, and wasn't as strong as he once was.

Mond took off out of the parking lot, and drove away very fast.

Back at the villa, Jean and Sally waited for Mond in the living room. When Mond came back, he was angry. Sally and Jean looked at each other and wondered what happened.

Mond ignored the ladies and headed up the stairs. Sally followed him, calling after him, "Mond, what happened?"

Mond didn't reply and kept going.

Sally grabbed his arm as she got nearer, "What happened exactly?"

Mond stopped, all his aggression was gone, and he stared off at the stairs in front of him, then sighed and bowed his head, "Something happened to Andrew."

"What? What happened?" Sally asked. Seeing him, and hearing his tone, Sally had a bad feeling. Mond wouldn't look like this if it was not a big deal.

Jean was listening to the exchange. Mond's tone had her worried too. Was the situation very serious?

"Andrew may..." Mond's words trailed off. He pushed Sally aside and went upstairs without finishing.

Sally stood still, astonished. Even if Mond hadn't finished what he was saying, she could guess the result.

Mond burst into tears as he walked up the stairs. He knew what had caused the problem. He was sure he knew what irritated Andrew.