Devil's Prisoner of Love by Prefer

When Kimberly turned her head, Paul noticed her eyes were red and brimming with tears. She fought hard to hold them back, refusing to let a single drop fall.

"Kim, you..." Paul began, astonished by her reaction. In the past, he could have predicted harsh words or reckless behavior from her. But today, she told him not to let Alison down, even though she was clearly in pain herself.

Kimberly's greatest sorrow wasn't Paul's betrayal-it was that she had lost her ability to have children. She had none of her own. Although Eric treated them like his biological parents, her deepest regret was not giving Paul a child. Yet, fate had played a cruel trick-another woman had borne his child instead.

As a mother at heart, Kimberly couldn't bring herself to take out her anger on Alison or Genevieve, no matter how much she hated them. When Paul suggested giving two houses to Zachary and Ivy, she didn't object. That was Paul's debt to her, not the children's.

Without much protest, Kimberly left the houses to them. Now, Alison had Paul's child as well. No matter how much she disliked that woman, the child was innocent.

"We're already divorced. If she doesn't mind that you're penniless, then go and be with her. Give her a home. Be a father to her child," Kimberly said, gripping the blanket tightly. She had already made the biggest compromise she could.

As she had said before, she was letting go. After everything they'd been through, she had changed. Love wasn't about possession. If all her efforts couldn't win Paul's heart, it was better to let go.

"Kim, the one I love is-" Paul tried to explain. After all these years, he realized how much he owed Kimberly and wanted to make amends. But then Alison had appeared.

"Are you hungry? I made chicken soup for you!" Emily walked in, cheerfully carrying a food container.

"Oh, please. The last time you made soup for my mom, the smell alone made me want to throw up. Don't poison anyone," Eric teased mercilessly.

Emily's banter by now. In the past, they would have laughed it off. But today, when Emily and Eric entered, they saw Kimberly wiping her tears, her eyes red, and

to argue all the time. Had they fought

just blew into my eyes," Kimberly quickly deflected. "Emily, did you really make chicken soup? Let me

Emily, ever the optimist, didn't think too much of it. Only Eric glanced at the window. It was

pretended as if nothing had happened and tasted the soup. Emily's wide

pretty good,"

it, have some more. Oh, and this bowl is for Uncle Paul," Emily chirped, handing

to stay calm. "Eric, could you handle

was sharp and perceptive. Kimberly could have gone home to recover long ago, but she had

the blue, Kimberly wanted to be discharged. Was it because of the tears she had

removed. This

Dad is here anyway. Why not stay and keep him company? You can recover together

the paperwork, I'll call someone else to do it," Kimberly said firmly. She had made her decision and wasn't giving Paul another chance-not because

chimed in, "Kimberly, staying in the hospital every day must be tiresome. If your wound isn't too serious, going home sounds like

for saying the wrong thing at the wrong time. Still, he figured something

it right now," Eric

to wait. Go now,"

moment," Eric argued. Kimberly's expression made it clear she didn't want to stay a

ready to leave. Emily is right-nothing feels as good as home. I've been away too long. I miss it,"