Yes, everyone grows old, but seeing someone age overnight? That hit different. It pulled at your heart in a way that was hard to put into words.Matthew still brewed the tea, but even as I sipped it, all I could taste was the bitterness."Take this tea with you. Brew it at home—it's good for your skin," he said, carefully packing up the rest of the tea leaves for me.He really did treat me like a daughter. And now, more than ever, I could feel the guilt behind his kindness.I couldn't say no—it'd only make him feel worse."Alright, once I run out, I'll be back for more," I said, trying to keep my tone light, hoping to cut through the heaviness in the air."Good. Whatever you need, just ask. Rea, you're my daughter. You know that, right?" His voice was filled with sincerity.I nodded. "And in my heart, you've always been like a father to me."Back when I was in school, Matthew always came to my parent-teacher meetings.Sometimes Lindey wanted to go, but he insisted, saying his
I'd planned and plotted to get into Matthew's car, but in the end, it was way easier than I expected.Now, finding the address I needed? That was gonna take some work."Hey, Edward, can you pull over? My stomach's feeling kinda off. I think I'm gonna puke," I said, putting on my best 'I'm-about-to-die' face as we passed a pharmacy.He glanced at me in the rearview mirror, instantly looking freaked out. "Yeah, sure, sure," he said, pulling over fast.Once the car stopped, Edward turned around, full-on worried now. "Rea, you okay? Do you need to go to the hospital?""Nah, it's probably just the tea Matthew made. Messed with my stomach or something," I said casually, dropping Matthew's name so Edward wouldn't brush it off.I clutched my stomach for extra drama. "Could you grab me some omeprazole from the pharmacy? One pill should do the trick."Edward nodded, but still looked unsure. "You sure you don't need a doctor?"I didn't respond, just gave him a look that said, drop it.Ed
I decided to take the plunge—entering the last three digits of their birthdays.It felt too obvious, but Matthew and Lindey always seemed to favor Jace a bit more, so I started with his numbers, then Wayne's.As I typed in the last digit, my heart felt like it was about to explode. I couldn't even hear anything over the pounding in my chest.Edward was only ten meters away. I didn't dare look at him. I was locked on the screen, praying it would work.Suddenly, the "Private" label blinked to life. The password had worked. And right there, the destination popped up: Serenity Retreat.I knew that place. It was one of the three wellness centers I'd researched. After all that effort, I finally had the answer I needed—those two crucial words.I quickly reached to close the navigation history just as Edward opened the door.His eyes immediately flicked to my hand and then to the screen. My hand was trembling, and sweat was starting to trickle down my back."Rea, what are you doing?" h
Matthew and Lindey had always been so good to me—so good that even thinking about doubting them made me feel guilty.But now, even Lena was starting to suspect something.It felt like my heart was free-falling from the sky, crashing into a pit of panic I couldn't escape."I need to find out the truth."The more uncertain things got, the more desperate I was to know. Not just for my dad, but to clear Matthew's name—if he was innocent.Lena didn't say much, just gave me a small nod. "Whatever happens, I've got your back."Her words hit me harder than I expected, like she already knew what I might uncover.But I couldn't stop until I found the truth.After leaving the ER, I stepped outside to catch a cab. To my surprise, Edward was still there. He stood a little ways off, clutching the meds he'd bought me, his phone glued to his ear."...Yeah, she accessed the car's display... said she was just looking for music..."My entire body went cold, even with the sun beating down on me.
The silence between Lindey and me was suffocating.I was just about to come up with an excuse to end the call when Lindey's voice cut through, trembling with anger. "Matthew's like this because of that bitch. For that alone, I'll never forgive her."She was practically spitting the words out. I had never heard Lindey sound so vicious before. It sent a chill down my spine, leaving me completely speechless."Rea," she said, "when you can, visit Matthew more often. You're the only one who can give him some peace."Her words weighed heavy on me, but I agreed.After the call ended, I leaned back in my car seat, feeling completely drained, like something was crushing my chest, making it hard to breathe.When I got home, I curled up on the couch, my mind racing, trying to piece everything together.Everything pointed to Thorsten. But the connection between him and Matthew—their business ties—and the fact that Thorsten's location was password-protected? That just made things feel even m
"I don't know!" Hayden answered briskly.I laughed. "You don't know, but you showed up at my door anyway?"He finished chopping and tossed the veggies onto a plate. "The old lady downstairs told me. She was like, 'Your girlfriend's back.'"I froze for a second, caught off guard.Sipping my tea, I watched Hayden work with quiet admiration.Suddenly, he turned and caught me staring. "What? Why are you giving me that look?"I smiled lightly. "Just wondering if you're stalking me."His eyebrows shot up. "What?""I'm kidding, chill. I know you've got better things to do," I teased, wandering back into the living room.After a few more sips of tea, I set my cup down and started scrolling through my phone. Before I knew it, my eyes started getting heavy. I fell asleep fast.Then the nightmare hit. Darby grabbed me, and Thorsten Drago was there, telling him to kill me. A knife flashed, and I thrashed, trying to escape..."Kiki! Kiki, wake up..."I jerked awake, my heart pounding, b
Sometimes, girls put in effort to look good for someone they care about. At that moment, I realized I cared about Hayden.After washing my hands, I stepped out of the bathroom. Sure enough, Hayden came over, ready to help.I brushed it off, trying to seem chill. "I'm good."He didn't push, just followed me to the table. Along with the risotto, spinach, and chicken breast he'd mentioned, there were a few more sides and a fruit platter that made the whole spread look even more tempting."Your sister must be really lucky," I said. It was my way of acknowledging his effort.He didn't respond, and I remembered his sister's heart condition. A random thought popped into my head. "Where's your family from? Where does your sister live?"Hayden glanced at me, staying quiet.I grinned, biting my spoon. "What, are you afraid I'm gonna hunt her down?""Pencetown. It's near Chiverton," he finally answered, offering more than I expected.I nodded. "I got some unexpected time off. My boss dec
That evening, I left home. Hayden wasn't around—his windows were completely dark.By the time Wayne called, I was already at the train station, sitting in the waiting room.I decided against flying. Took the high-speed rail instead. Sure, it was a couple hours longer, but I liked the idea of staying grounded. It felt safer."Rea, your car's fixed. Where are you? I can drop it off," Wayne's voice came through, warm as always.I glanced around the station—people were either glued to their phones or zoned out. "Just leave it at the shop. I'll pick it up later."There was a pause. I could feel his concern before he spoke again. "The mechanic said your car was tampered with."My stomach dropped, even though I knew it already—it was me who arranged the whole thing."Seriously?" I faked surprise."Has anyone else driven it recently?" Wayne asked, sounding more worried now.I bit my lip, trying to think fast, but Wayne jumped in before I could. "Whoever did it wasn't trying to hurt yo
"Should we drink a little today?" Lena asked. Nate nodded. "Let’s have a drink." They warmed a bottle of wine and ordered a few small dishes. Neither of them spoke, simply sitting quietly, gazing out at the river and the occasional boats passing by. "Lena," Nate called her softly. Lena turned to look at him. The warm yellow light above cast a gentle glow on his nose, brows, and lips. His gold-rimmed glasses exuded elegance, and the texture of his shirt spoke of refined taste. Even after their breakup, Lena had to admit that Nate was precisely her type. In all her life, among all the men she had met, only Aaron and Nate could truly be called attractive in her eyes. Even Hayden and Jace were merely "not bad." It wasn’t that her standards were excessively high—it was simply that if someone didn’t resonate with her, no matter how perfect they were, she wouldn’t care for them. "Thank you," Nate said softly. Lena was momentarily stunned, assuming he was referring to their wor
Recently, Lena had been in a constant state of distraction. Aaron's decision to sever ties with the Aces weighed heavily on her mind. He hadn't told her the reason, only saying that she would find out in due time. She could live without knowing why, but she feared the fallout. When the truth came to light, she worried her grandparents and her mother would crumble under the weight of the news, collectively breaking down. Aaron had assured her he would handle everything, but she didn’t trust that he could shield the family from such devastation. Most importantly, she couldn’t understand why he would choose to leave the Aces. Could it really be, as the old saying went, that someone else’s child was like an ungrateful wolf? If it were anyone else, she might believe it, but this was Aaron. She couldn’t bring herself to believe he would be so heartless, so ungrateful. And yet, he had said it to her himself. It felt so unreal that Lena wondered if she had imagined it all. This tur
Mrs. Lane finally pieced together all the questions Lena had asked her and understood everything. Gabriel furrowed his brow and looked at Lena. "Is this really what you think?" Lena stayed silent. She did have those suspicions, but seeing how her mother had reacted so strongly, she began to wonder if she had been overthinking it. Aaron, who had already figured out the situation, looked at Lena and spoke up. "She must have misunderstood something." And he knew it was his fault. "She’s just an ungrateful brat! She doesn’t appreciate the kindness she’s been given and can’t stand seeing me be good to someone else," Mrs. Lane fumed again. Gabriel wiped away her tears gently. "Alright, maybe she was just joking with you." "Ask her if she was joking! Look at the things she’s been asking me—let her tell you herself!" Mrs. Lane pointed an accusing finger at Lena. "Big Sis," Aaron called out softly, "I’ll take Lil' Lena out for some fresh air." Without waiting for a reply, he r
"You’ll find out soon enough," Aaron’s answer echoed in Lena’s ears, leaving her restless and unable to sleep. The next day, Mrs. Lane arrived with chicken soup for Aaron and a bag full of fresh produce. "These vegetables are from a village I visited. They’re all organic, no chemical fertilizers," she gushed proudly. Lena's gaze followed her mother’s every move, scrutinizing her intently. Wherever she went, Lena's eyes followed, making her incredibly uncomfortable. "What are you staring at me for? It’s creepy," Mrs. Lane said. "Mom, why are you so good to my uncle?" Lena finally asked. "He’s my brother. Isn’t it normal for me to care for him? You think everyone’s as heartless as you?" Mrs. Lane scolded her, throwing in an insult for good measure. Lena didn’t retaliate to the insult. Instead, she pressed further, "It’s normal, sure, but the way you care for him doesn’t feel like how you’d treat a brother. It feels more like..." She paused before continuing, "Like how you’d
Keira chuckled softly. "Well, a DNA test isn’t a bad idea. At least then you won’t have to worry about being related to Mr. Ace if you two get together." Lena's eyebrows shot up instantly. "What nonsense are you spouting? Do you want me to hit you?" "Go ahead. If you break anything, you’ll have to compensate me," Keira said smugly, knowing full well she had a trump card—her precious little one growing inside her. Their playful banter caught the attention of the people in the room. They exchanged amused glances. "The things girls find joy in are beyond us," one of them said with a smile. "Let’s hope they stay happy forever," Aaron added, just as his phone began to ring. Glancing at the caller ID, he nodded at Hayden. "I’ll take this call." Aaron walked toward his study. Hayden also pulled out his phone, while Lena and Keira moved to the sofa. Keira recounted Lena’s gossip to him. "Hayden, do you think I could be the person the Mitchell family owes a debt to?" "It’s not
"I don't know them!" Lena shook her head. Was she joking? Keira pinched her lightly and looped her arm through hers as they continued walking inside. Lena began, "I heard some gossip from my colleagues, something about the Mitchell family of Windy City." "Let’s hear it," Keira said, strolling leisurely alongside her. Meanwhile, Hayden had already marched ahead, carrying the luggage into the hall. He was always efficient and precise, a trait ingrained in his very being from his military days. It showed in his every move, even in his stride. "A while back, the only legitimate heir of the Mitchell family in Windy City had an accident. Apparently, he fell from something high, hit his head, and ended up as a vegetable," she said. Keira had already heard Hayden mention this earlier. "That’s it?" she pouted dismissively. Lena huffed. "There’s more." "The Mitchell family has spared no expense trying to treat him. They’ve consulted every expert in the country, flown in wave afte
Hayden took out his phone and made a call. “There’s a car tailing me and my wife. Find out their identity, but make sure they don’t realize we’re onto them,” he instructed. “Why don’t you want them to know we’ve noticed?” Keira asked, puzzled. “Don’t startle the snake. If they really have ulterior motives, taking care of this group might just bring another wave,” Hayden explained. His reasoning made sense, and Keira nodded in understanding. They picked up Lena’s suitcase and were on their way to deliver it when the car behind them got rear-ended. They stopped to check, and Hayden received a message—a series of photos and some information. “Windy City… the Mitchell family?” Hayden muttered under his breath. Keira leaned over to look at the photos. One showed the driver partially visible, cautiously keeping the car windows barely open. The backseat passenger was only captured in silhouette. But Hayden’s people were well-prepared and used high-definition cameras, managing to cap
Ever since the matter with the Drago family and Wayne was resolved, and Hayden returned safely, Keira thought all the danger was behind them. But now, with Hayden’s sudden remark, unease crept back into her. It wasn’t fear; it was something else. Now that she had a baby on the way, she just wanted to get through each day peacefully, ensuring her child could come into this world happy and safe. Through the rearview mirror, she saw the car tailing them. It was a large SUV—imposing and sturdy. "If you were to collide with them head-on now, what are our chances of winning?" she asked Hayden. He let out a soft chuckle. "What do you think?" To make getting in and out of the car more convenient and comfortable for Keira, Hayden had chosen to drive a corporate vehicle. In terms of size, the car behind them was far larger than theirs. "Even if we could win a collision, we won’t do it," Hayden said, taking her hand in his. "Don’t worry. Once we reach the next stop, I’ll let you out
Keira hung up the phone, chuckling to herself. When Hayden returned, he found her smiling. “What’s got you in such a good mood?” he asked, glancing at the TV, which was off, and then at her phone, which she wasn’t using either. Keira reached for the durian he had bought her. Lately, she’d been craving it like an addict. No idea why—it was as if she couldn’t get enough of it. “I’ll wash my hands and cut it for you,” Hayden said, stopping her from handling it. “You just need to eat.” He pulled her along to wash her hands as well. Hayden stood behind her at the sink, his arms wrapping around her protectively. As he washed her hands, she recounted the story about Lena. “The car accident on the news is probably the same one,” he commented. “But it only mentioned the White family.” “Aaron has always kept a low profile,” Keira replied, but as she turned her head, her words were cut off. Her lips brushed against his. It was completely unintentional, yet somehow, it was a perfect