The Intimate Enemy: A Tale of Betrayal [Chapters 21 to 26 ]

Chapter 21

Since Amanda had heard this adjective from others, she felt warm.

“Thank you. If I need another tattoo, I’ll be back. You’re skilled, and I’ll recommend you to my friends who might need your services.”

She did, smiling brightly at the girl silently.

As she walked out of the tattoo shop, the wind chimes on the revolving glass door tinkled pleasantly.

Amanda rummaged around and took a look.

It was as if she saw a hairy version of her past self waving at her.

“Goodlove….

Amanda murmured silently.

From now on, in her life, she would just move forward and never look back.

Meanwhile, in Timon……

Time flew by in the blink of an eye.

Six years had passed in a flash.

Adam and the Hacker family still had no news about Amanda’s whereabouts.

Even with the two families‘ extensive connections in Timon, if someone truly wanted to disappear from the face of the earth, they couldn’t be found.

Moreover, Amanda had been taken in by the National Security Section.

At this time in the headquarters of the Powell Group…..

Adam had visibly lost a lot of weight.

Just then, the phone rang.

Whoever called his office directly either had news about Amanda’s whereabouts or was from prison.

Adam hoped it was the former.

He rubbed his tired forehead and answered the phone.

“Mr. Powell, Ms. Grace’s mental state is really poor. She’s been acting crazy every day, and now she’s even started hurting people. The doctor suggests it would be better to transfer her to a mental hospital. What do you think?”

The prison warden’s voice was cautious.

“Is she really crazy or just faking it?” Adam was getting impatient.

After all, two years ago, Grace had faked being “crazy” once.

“This time it’s real. I had the doctor conduct a thorough examination and tests on Ms. Grace.”

“Okay, I’ll send a car to pick her up.”

After saying this, Adam quickly ended the call.

For the past six years, he had been instructing people to take special care of Grace in prison.

What Amanda had endured before, Grace had also gone through.

The Hacker family had no objections to those actions.

It seemed that after that day six years ago, they had completely given up on Grace.

Human relationships could be so cold.

Perhaps Amanda, if she knew, would sigh too.

With that, Adam just lowered his eyes and looked at the photo on the table.

In the photo, Amanda was extremely thin, wearing wrinkled clothes and with an expressionless face.

“Where are you, Amanda? I know that only when everyone suffers the same pain as you did can it be considered an apology. But if you don’t come back, how can I atone for what I owe you?”

Adam gently stroked the image of Amanda’s brows and eyes in the photo, filled with endless regret and loneliness.

At that moment, Amanda had already returned to Timon.

After completing the National Security Section’s mission ahead of schedule, she was allowed to pursue her affairs.

So Amanda started painting portraits for people.

This time, she had come back with Yvette Wolfe, a famous agent of painters..

Amanda’s paintings of nature exuded a sense of tranquility.

They were both vivid and mysterious.

She had to attend a dinner party that night.

When she stood there again, her mood was completely different from six years ago.

Time was the best healer, and Amanda had undergone a complete transformation.

In the hotel……

Adam had been invited by a business partner to attend a welcome party for emerging artists in the art world.

However, when his eyes met those of the banquet’s main guest……

The champagne in his hand suddenly slipped and crashed to the ground, shattering into pieces.

Adam thought he was seeing a hallucination……

“Amanda?” He stared intently at Amanda’s profile.

Yvette noticed his gaze and asked, “Amanda, do you know him?”

She gestured for Amanda to look at Adam.

“I don’t know him,” Amanda said, furrowing her brows as she looked Adam up and down, answering indifferently.

Adam stepped forward. “I’m Adam, and you’re Amanda. How could we not know each other?”

Amanda raised her chin, looking noble and aloof.

“Sir, you’ve mistaken me for someone else. There are many people with the same name in this world.”

Chapter 22

The long–past dreams became a reality at this very moment.

Adam suddenly felt a cold shiver run through his entire body.

Amanda remained composed, and the unfamiliarity in her eyes seemed entirely natural.

“I’m sorry,”

“Adam said, shaking his hand. “Ms. Hacker bears a striking resemblance to an old acquaintance of mine. I made a mistake.”

It was almost laughable.

Years later, the victim heard the first apology in such a situation and setting.

Amanda pursed her lips.

Did she hate Adam?

She used to, of course.

She had hated him for his ignorance and inability to tell right from wrong. She had hated him for taking her heart and kidney, which had condemned her to seven years of living hell.

But all that was in the past.

So, this “I’m sorry” seemed less significant now.

“It’s all right. Mr. Powell, your suit is wet. Let the waiter take you to the dressing room to change”

Amanda said, nodding and showing understanding in a forgiving manner.

Then, she turned around and walked away without the slightest hesitation.

Adam watched as Amanda moved gracefully and with ease among numerous artists and business magnates.

A sharp, intense pain welled up in his chest.

“Why did you pretend not to know me?”

He murmured, looking at her slender figure.

“It’s okay. As long as you’re back, as long as you’re back.”

He said, curving his lips. His mood brightened considerably at that moment.

“Amanda, there will be a long road ahead for us.”

Two hours later, at the Hacker Manor.

Adam told his assistant to inform the Hacker family about Amanda’s appearance.

“What did you say? You saw Amanda?”

Kerry asked, barely able to hold her teacup.

Fortunately, Terry quickly caught it.

“Amanda… Where is she now? Is she doing well? How’s her health?”

Kerry put down the teacup and couldn’t help but ask anxiously.

“Don’t worry, Mr. Hacker. Ms. Amanda is fine now, but…”

The assistant looked hesitant, unsure whether to tell the Hacker family that Amanda refused to admit her identity.

“What is it? Just speak up,” Terry urged.

Ms. Amanda didn’t recognize Mr. Powell and said she didn’t know him. Moreover, she was highly regarded as a rising star in the painting world.”

Under the anxious gaze of the Hacker family, the assistant finally told the truth

Kerry was taken aback. “Painting? I never knew she could paint…”

Chapter 23

As if bad in some memory, her eyes immediately turned red.

After saying this, Kerry walked towards the bedroom on the second floor.

So, Kerry came down carrying a large bag that seemed to be filled with drawing paper.

Those were the paintings she had drawn when she was pregnant with Amanda.

Would you please help me give these to her, if possible? I never gave her motherly love, never raised her. After she came back, I even showed favoritism, favoring the person who had taken her identity since child. I’m not trying to make excuses…”

Kerry was on the verge of despair.

“It’s just that when I was pregnant with her, I promised myself that I would love her well. These paintings were all drawn for her before she was born. If she’s willing to look at them, this time. If not, she can light them or throw them away.”

We don’t expect her to forgive us. As long as she’s okay, as long as she’s healthy and happy…

That’s already enough.”

That was a part of her, her own daughter whom she had carried with hardship for ten months,

Why did she become so picky about her after Amanda came back?

Why didn’t she love Amanda, but instead speak ill of her for another person?

Every night after learning the truth, Kerry would always dream of the day when Amanda just returned to the Hacker family.

She would regret it for a lifetime.

Seeing the assistant leave, Terry hugged Kerry and comforted her, “Mom, it’s okay. Rome wasn’t built in a day. As long as we make every effort to make up for Amanda, she will come back home.”

However, everyone present knew that it was not possible.

Amanda would not come back again

After Amanda took a painkiller, she sat on the yoga mat and massaged and stretched

She used to think that she would be living with a lame leg forever.

But in Grenadan, the landlady Mary and Charlie took Amanda to an authoritative orthopedic specialist.

After more than half a year of recuperation and rehabilitation, it was hard to notice that her legs had once suffered from a serious injury, as long as she didn’t run.

At that moment, the doorbell rang.

No one knew that Amanda lived there except for Yvette.

Unless…

Amanda furrowed her brows and opened the door.

A slightly haggard face appeared before her eyes..

“It is indeed you, Adam.”

The sound of Amanda’s voice reached Adam’s ears.

For some reason, Adam almost couldn’t help but shed tears.

He continued to passionately call out the name of Amanda.

“Adam, Amanda, whom you have been searching for a long time, had already died. Have you forgotten? It was you who sent her to Ouray, and it was you who killed her with your own hands!”

Amanda looked at him coldly and said, “Why are you pretending to be deeply affectionate now?”

Adam’s face turned pale.

“Amanda, I’m sorry..”

What was the use of saying sorry?

The damage that was once caused has long been irreparable.

They left indelible marks on her body even throughout the years.

“It’s late. Seven years ago, I pleaded with you to listen to me, but you didn’t. Seven years later, you hurt me even more, and I said I hoped you would never regret it.

“Do you regret now?

He was about to speak when the door was closed

This answer was no longer important to Amanda.

The next morning, Amanda was startled when she opened the door.

Adam knelt in front of the door all night long.

The temperature in the corridor had already dropped below zero in the evening.

Amanda did not expect that Adam would express his regret to her in this way.

Amanda furrowed her brows deeply and said, “Adam, when can you change your habit of being so self–centered?”

Hearing her voice, Adam slowly lifted his head.

His face was pale, and his lips were so dry and cracked.

“Amanda, what did you say?”

“I said, your so–called regret has affected my life. If you want to make amends, shouldn’t you return my kidney first?”

Amanda’s original intention was only to make him know the difficulty and retreat.

To her surprise, he staggered to his feet and took out a dagger from his pocket,

Without hesitation, he stabbed himself in the chest.

“Splash!”

The sound of the blade piercing flesh.

Immediately after, warm blood gushed out like a bursting dam.

When Adam leaned backward, he only heard the anxious voice of Amanda.

“Are you crazy? Adam!

Before losing consciousness, Adam felt his chest being held by Amanda’s warm palm.

He also heard Amanda’s hoarse voice.

“Adam, I’m telling you, even if you die in front of me right now, I will never forgive you!”

Chapter 24

In the hospital…..

Adam was taken to the emergency room.

Kerry hurriedly came after hearing the news.

“Baby girl, are you okay?”

Kerry pulled Amanda, who was covered in blood, to her and checked around.

“I’m fine. It’s all Adam’s blood.”

Amanda evaded Kerry’s hand, furrowing her brows slightly, “What did you just call me?”

“I’m sorry,” Kerry blurted out, realizing her slip of the tongue.

Amanda sat on the bench beside her, remaining silent.

Kerry constantly came to her, asking about her well–being, which made her feel very annoyed.

After knowing that Adam was safe, Amanda hurriedly left the hospital.

If Amanda had heard this “baby girl” a few years ago, she would have been extremely happy,

But the past Amanda had long been dead.

Afterward, Amanda stayed at home for three consecutive days,

She was painting non–stop for three days.

Pain, sadness, anger… too many gloomy emotions were vented by Amanda on the white paper.

“Amanda, how are you doing in Bridil? I have already packed sun–dried oranges and grapefruits and asked Charlie to send them to you. I heard that Timon is very dry, so remember to occasionally drink tea to moisturize your throat. I am praying for you in Grenadan.”

In the darkness, only the cellphone screen was emitting light.

It was a voice message sent by the landlord, Mary. Amanda curled up on the floor and listened to it over and over again.

“Mom”

Amanda murmured unconsciously.

Indeed, all her understanding of the word “mother” stemmed from this middle–aged woman far away in Grenadan.

She missed Mary’s palm filled with the scent of chamomile, the tomato sauce cod fish that was so sour it made her teeth ache, and the various sun–dried but still colorful fruits.

The doorbell rang…

Amanda got up.

She put up and wrapped herself in a thick blanket to open the door.

It was a lawyer whom she had never met before and a familiar assistant.

“Are you here together?” Amanda frowned.

The assistant with a suitcase shook his head and said, “No, this person is Mrs. Mitchell’s lawyer, and I came here on Mr. Powell’s orders.”

It seemed like they wouldn’t give up until it was resolved.

Amanda did not shut the two people out this time.

What is the matter? Please speak quickly.”

Amanda sat cross–legged on the sofa, with a cold and indifferent expression

“This is the transfer document of 45.7% equity of the Hacker Group, originally owned by Mrs. Hacker and Terry, along with a cash cheque. The transfer certificates and property deeds.”

The lawyer took out a thick and orderly stack of documents and said, “Mrs. Hacker and Terry asked me to convey that they know these things may not mean much to you, but this is their compensation. Whether you accept it or not, it is already yours.”

Amanda wasn’t surprised by Kerry’s decision, but even Terry transferred his shares?

Amanda was somewhat surprised.

The assistant cleared his throat and also took out a thick stack of documents.

“Ms. Hacker, these are all the industries of the Powell Group…”

Before the assistant could finish speaking, Amanda furrowed her brows and interrupted, “What do you mean? Does Ms. Grace also quit?”

“Well…” The assistant was unsure how to respond.

At this moment, Adam’s weak voice came from the door.

“I just wanted to apologize to you…”

The assistant and lawyer both took the clue and temporarily left.

Adam slowly approached, enduring the pain in his chest.

“I entrusted all my assets to you, and now! I am penniless. Between us, I am no longer the one in power. I’ll no longer look down on you. Amanda, I just want to give you the right and confidence to hurt me.”

Amanda stared at the pale and uninvited man without blinking.

Suddenly, she smiled and said, “Adam, can hurting you make those seven years disappear? Or can it erase all the scars between us? Are you too naive?”

She felt a sense of relief and at the same time a sourness in her chest as she spoke these words.

Wasn’t this also a way of reopening old wounds?

But as soon as Amanda’s words fell, there was a sound of plop.

Amanda looked at him with confusion.

Unexpectedly, Adam knelt towards her!

Chapter 25

“Sorry, Amanda.”

Adam put aside all his dignity and pride and knelt along the way to Amanda.

He wanted to hold her hand, but restrained himself and let go.

“Amanda, I knew that no matter what I did, I couldn’t undo the harm I caused you. I just wanted to give you an outlet for all the grievances, pain, and sadness you’ve experienced over the years…”

“You just wanted to make yourselves feel better, but why should I give you such an opportunity? I will never reconcile with you in my entire life. I want you to live in pain forever!!!

Amanda grabbed the ashtray at hand and fiercely threw it at Adam

Adam let out a muffled groan as it hit his shoulder.

However, Adam still had red eyes and stood up straight to hug Amanda.

“Amanda, it’s okay. It’s okay if you don’t forgive or reconcile. It’s okay if you hurt us.”

In the moment of embracing, Amanda was stunned.

This was a very awkward hug.

Adam seemed to also realize this.

It was over in an instant.

The shoulder that was hit by the ashtray and the unhealed pain in the chest still throbbed, but Adam still pursed his lips and lowered his eyes.

“I’m sorry, it was my fault. I couldn’t hold back my emotion.”

The faint voice brought Amanda out of her memories.

In that instant, she unexpectedly thought of Adam back to 16 years ago.

Back then, Adam was the best Adam, and now Amanda was the best Amanda.

The best of them, surprisingly, were separated by sixteen years of love and hate, tears and silence.

“Could Mr. Powell really not resist his feelings towards someone like me?”

Amanda sneered and gave a cold look, saying, “Don’t you find me repulsive now?”

Upon hearing these words, Adam’s face turned pale

Once hurtful words were spoken, they were like water spilled, unable to be taken back.

Amanda recalled that period of memory, recalling the gloomy and dim firewood room in Ouray, which was like a purgatory.

“Go away!” Amanda pointed at the door, saying harshly, “I don’t want to see you. You only bring me pain, only remind me of that night, remind me of those seven years that were worse than death!”

“Amanda, listen to me. That night I did not kiss Grace. I really did not kiss her.”

But this answer was not important anymore.

It had been a deadlock between them since Amanda was sent back to Ouray sixteen years ago.

“I’m sorry, Amanda, I’m sorry…” Adam repeated these words over and over again.

These words were useless and cheap.

But besides those, what else could Adam say?

“Snap!”

A heavy slap was heavily landed on Adam’s face.

He silently endured.

“I almost died many times, and I thought that after I came out, you would have a little bit, even just a little bit, of sympathy or pity. I won’t ask you to cover the so–called pity with. I just want you not to treat me like the Hacker family did.”

Amanda forced a smile and said, “But you didn’t.”

Upon hearing these words, Adam felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over his head.

Both his body and heart became completely cold.

It turned out that Amanda had so many hopes for him in the past.

But what did he do?

“Adam, please, spare me. Let me go.”

Amanda looked at Adam, so fragile, so helpless.

Thinking about her pain just now, Adam nodded and said the word with difficulty.

He agreed.

Before leaving, Adam looked at Amanda for a long time,

It was long enough to engrave her eyebrows and eyes into his mind.

“Amanda…

“If my presence could only bring you pain, then I am willing to disappear from your world.”

Chapter 26

The next day……

The doorbell kept ringing nonstop, and Amanda thought it was Adam.

She opened the door and was about to mock him for being untrustworthy. But to her surprise, it was Terry, who was carrying two large bags of gifts and looked embarrassed.

Terry brought Amanda to the mental hospital where Grace was.

“Amanda, not long after you left, Grace was sent to prison by Adam. But later on, she not only self–harmed, but also injured others several times, so Adam sent her here.”

Terry observed Amanda’s expression and said cautiously.

“So, what was your purpose in bringing me to see her?!!

Amanda was a little puzzled.

“I just want you to know that the bad people were punished, so don’t trouble yourself.”

Amanda was startled.

“Why do you all think that I haven’t moved on and have been struggling with myself?”

It was sincere confusion.

Terry repeatedly waved his hand, saying, “I didn’t mean that! Please don’t misunderstand. I…L‘

He couldn’t come up with any reason for a long time.

Amanda smiled faintly and said, “It’s okay. Where is she? I’ll go and see her.”

“Okay,” blushed, Terry quickly nodded.

Through the transparent glass window, Amanda saw Grace bound to a chair.

“Number 4108 is extremely unstable and is easily prone to hurting others.

“We have no choice but to handle the situation this way,”

“The nurse explained.

Ms. Grace was now just a cold and heartless sequence of numbers.

How similar to Amanda in those seven years.

“Most of the injuries on her body were from herself, and some were caused by us when we tried to feed her medicine or give her injections as a form of punishment for her non–non-cooperation. Mrs. Hacker and Mr. Powell both said that bumps and bruises were inevitable, as long as she is alive.”

Amanda stared at the scars on Grace’s arm for a long time, making the nurse feel somewhat guilty.

“Amanda, I just wish that after you know all this, you could have a good night’s sleep, and no one would ever hurt you again.”

Terry held Amanda’s hand, his expression still cautious.

He cared about the faint dark circles under her eyes, and he cared about the sleeping pills she placed on the coffee table.

“Amanda,

It seemed as if the pulses gradually synchronized.

We have the closest blood relationship, and I love you. Even though it was many years late, I love you.”

Amanda did not speak and remained silent.

“Terry, you actually didn’t need to…

Terry interrupted anxiously, “Of course, it is necessary. You are my sister, my only sister. If our world. I will share my wealth and status with you.

He shed tears and said, “Amanda, please believe that love is stronger than hatred. ”

Perhaps only Terry would say such words.

When our parents are gone, you will be my only relative in this world.

Amanda did not stop him anymore.

When she turned around and left, tears streamed down Grace’s face, who was bound to the chair.

No one cared anymore.

On December 21st, Amanda’s first art exhibition was held at the Timon Art Museum

The theme of this time was called “Rainy Season“.

In the art gallery, famous artists gathered.

Adam, wearing a black suit, stood in front of a huge and fiery red cotton tree.

The kapok tree was being rained on.

But its red became even more brilliant, like a burning flame.

The name of this painting was “Fire in the Rain.”

Adam offered a high price to buy this painting, but he was rejected by Amanda.

Amanda hoped that the buyer of her paintings would be someone who truly understood the art in her paintings, rather than buying them out of guilt or regret.

In Amanda’s heart, she wished him to suffer. She didn’t want to give him any chance for redemption.

After the art exhibition ended, Amanda returned to Grenadan.

After this parting, a long, long time passed, and they never saw each other again.

Adam occasionally saw the news on TV about Amanda holding art exhibitions in various countries around the world.

Sometimes he would also see her sharing her daily life on social media.

She got tanned and gained weight, but she was truly happy.

Perhaps the journey of life was just like this. Some people got on the bus and some people got off.

For some people, once they missed something, it lasted a lifetime.

Years later, a journalist interviewed her, “Ms. Hacker, after becoming famous, why didn’t you choose to change your name, which is full of ambiguity?” Amanda calmly looked straight into the camera.

“I won’t change my name. I am a woman who emerged from the ruins, and I am not afraid for anyone to know. I was born in discrimination, but I bravely stood up.”

Does this story shatter your heart? Let me know in the comments section below.

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