An abortion?! Seriously?Tanya was still out here stirring up drama, as usual.But, whatever. If she wanted to be extra, let her. I've got enough problems right now. There was no way I was about to go play hero."Let her be," I said, shrugging it off."Whoa, not playing the saint today?" Lena teased, reminding me just how much I used to butt into everything.I smirked. "The saint went rogue."She burst out laughing. "I love it."After she hung up, I dragged myself to the demolition office to deal with the final paperwork. They handed me a form, saying I had three days to pack and bounce.I thought I'd been ready for this since I first saw that demolition notice. I even started packing. But now, with the deadline set in stone, it hit me like a truck—my apartment was about to be torn down, for real.When I got back to the complex, I just stood there, staring up at the building like an idiot. The old ladies I used to see hanging around? Gone. Probably moved already.I was so dee
So, it was all just in my head. Even my dad's voice—it was nothing more than an illusion.They'd been gone for ten years. How could I have possibly heard them?I stood there, feeling completely lost. The last rays of light disappeared, and the room was swallowed by darkness. The weight of losing them—of never seeing them again—hit me hard, and the tears finally came, unstoppable.That night, I barely slept. My dreams were filled with flashes of my mom and dad, haunting and bittersweet.When I woke up, I felt like I'd been hit by a truck. My body was heavy, aching, like I'd spent the night doing hard labor. I tried to drag myself out of bed but couldn't manage it.That's when it hit me—I was sick. I touched my forehead. Warm. Fever, probably."Kiki, you up?" Hayden's voice came from outside the door.I opened my mouth to answer, but all that came out was a raspy whisper. My throat felt like I'd swallowed glass.I grabbed my phone and typed out a message: [I'm sick. You can come
"I'll have two orders of pasta. One without tomato sauce, sub black pepper sauce. A mango juice, plain water, and a blueberry mousse—light on the cream."Nate placed the order with such ease, and it was clearly meant for two.One of those dishes? Tailored exactly to Lena's tastes. She was all about black pepper sauce, but hated tomatoes. A detail only someone close to her would know. Lena never made a fuss about food in public, but she'd never touch anything with tomatoes.Nate hadn't seen her in years, and they'd only recently made things official. Yet here he was, already tuned into her preferences. It was sweet how much attention he was putting into this relationship.I used to joke that watching them was like watching two clueless people stumble into love, but clearly, they were way more serious than I gave them credit for."We should order," Hayden squeezed my hand gently, bringing me back to reality.I nodded, realizing now wasn't the time to interrupt Lena and Nate. They w
I opened my social media and noticed a new friend request. Normally, I don't accept random adds unless they got my number, but I clicked on it out of habit. The name? Cedric Sawyer. Apparently, he's a cop.I racked my brain, trying to place him. Then it clicked—he was the officer from yesterday, the one who handled my parents' case. I didn't catch his name at the time, but yeah, that had to be him. Plus, he'd asked for my number, so it made sense.I shrugged and hit accept. A notification popped up, saying we were now connected. I didn't message him, though. If he had something to say, he'd reach out first.I flipped over to Lena's profile and shot her a message: [Girl, you need to tone down the superhero vibe. Be playful, maybe even a little flirty. Let him feel like he's gotta protect you or something. Right now, you're making him feel like he's the sidekick.]After sending it, I glanced across the café at Lena, but she was totally absorbed in her drink. Classic Lena—always obliv
Hayden, quick as ever, caught my juice before it could spill all over the table. Before I could even turn around, I heard a voice I knew way too well."Kiki, you're something else. Maybe I should start taking notes," Lena teased, sliding up beside me with that mischievous grin.I lightly swatted her arm. "You know, scaring people isn't cool.""If you're scared, I definitely can't afford the compensation. Right, Hayden?" Lena shot him a playful look.This girl—around Nate, she was all sweet and innocent, but with anyone else, it was like she got a license for sass. How she managed to flip the switch in front of Nate, I'd never know."Where's Nate?" I asked, glancing at the empty seat he'd been in earlier."He left," Lena shrugged, plopping down next to me. Her eyes flicked to Hayden. "Hayden, seriously? Two plates, and Kiki's got none? Not exactly boyfriend of the year material."She said it on purpose, totally knowing Hayden had eaten my leftovers.I nudged her under the table,
Lena's face went stone cold. "I've already told you—keep this up, and it's harassment. I'll call the cops.""Dr. Lane, it's not harassment! I just... I like you. I wanna be with you..."I cringed so hard I could barely stand it. It reminded me of the guy who sent her flowers signed "Sancho." Was this him? I didn't care—he was Sancho now."Dr. Lane, I swear, it was love at first sight..." Sancho even raised his hand like he was making some grand, heartfelt vow."But she hated you at first sight," I shot back, sliding next to Lena.Hayden stood up too, looking like he'd be ready to step in if things got any worse.Sancho glanced at me. "Who are you? I'm talking to Dr. Lane. Could you, like, not?"If I'd eaten more earlier, I probably would've puked just from his voice."And who are you to think just 'cause you say you like her, she has to care?" No way was I letting this go."Yeah, I like her! It's a pure, sacred kind of love. My feelings are noble!" He actually sounded serious,
Lena didn't answer me right away. Her gaze was locked on Hayden outside the window. "How long do you think he'll take?"I glanced outside. Sancho was practically groveling, completely at Hayden's mercy, while Hayden just stood there with one hand casually tucked in his pocket. The morning sunlight hit him just right, making him look like he was glowing or something.And I couldn't take my eyes off him.This quiet sense of pride bubbled up inside me, a voice in the back of my mind whispering, 'Keira, that's your guy.'Getting involved with Hayden had been kind of an accident—something that happened when I was still reeling from my breakup with Jace, just looking for a distraction. But now? I realized I'd hit the jackpot. He wasn't just good-looking; he could handle things."Uh, hello? I asked you a question," Lena nudged me when I didn't respond.I blinked, snapping out of my thoughts. "Oh, right. Shouldn't take much longer."If I had to guess, Sancho was probably begging Hayden
Out of nowhere, Lena blurted, "If you'd been this smooth earlier, Jace wouldn't have run off." It felt like she'd lost her mind for a second, because bringing up an ex in front of your current boyfriend? Major no-no.I stiffened for a second, but I knew Lena wasn't trying to hurt me. She wasn't clueless either. One glance at her and I caught the mischievous wink she sent my way.I got it—she was testing Hayden. She wanted to see how he'd react to hearing about Jace. Classic Lena, always pushing boundaries.Most guys would flinch at the mention of an ex, especially in front of their girlfriend. But I wondered, How far is she gonna take this? What if she pushed too hard, and Hayden just decided to peace out?I risked a glance at him. His expression didn't change. No flicker of annoyance, no comment, nothing.Lena wasn't about to let it go. "Right, Hayden? Don't you think?"I wanted to melt into the floor.But Hayden just replied, "Kiki only gets clingy with me."A wave of sweet
No girl could resist a gesture of kindness, especially when it came with a dessert. "Can I sit for a moment?" Keira asked the girl, seeking her permission even though this was her place. "Of course. You’re the owner here, right?" she replied, recognizing Keira immediately. Keira glanced down at her work apron, smiling lightly. "How did you guess? Is it written on my face?" "You look even better in person than in the photos," the girl said candidly, studying her with an open gaze. Keira gave her a puzzled look. "Hmm?" She pulled out her phone and opened a video. "This is how I found this place. It’s amazing." It turned out that a blogger had visited the café and shared a video and photos online. In his post, he wrote: The air here is soft; it calms your weary heart as you breathe it in. The leaves on the trees are alive, reminding you that every day has its colors. The coffee is bittersweet, much like life, and the owner is a stranger who genuinely cares. When she greets
The message Keira had asked Hayden to pass on was simple: "My father is no longer here. I will speak of his origins at his gravesite, and nothing more is needed." Over the years, only the Johnston family had given her warmth and familial love. She didn’t feel any attachment to the other so-called relatives, nor did she see a need to force a connection. Having gone through so much, Keira had come to understand that no matter how strong blood ties might be, they require companionship and nurturing to truly matter. - When Hayden returned, Keira was busy at the café. For some reason, business was particularly good today, with an unusually large crowd. Even the staff were struggling to keep up. "Quite a crowd today," Hayden remarked, sounding as puzzled as Keira felt. "Right? Look at this," she said, glancing at the full tables inside and outside the café. Her heart brimmed with satisfaction. Over the years, Keira had held high-ranking, well-paying positions, whether working f
Peter's expression darkened at Hayden's playful jab, but Hayden merely smiled lightly, as if relishing the discomfort. "From what you’ve said, Mr. Mitchell, you must be quite the romantic," he teased. The tea began to boil, releasing a rich fragrance into the air. Hayden had done his homework on Peter. Despite his dignified reputation, Mr. Mitchell had married three times, fathered no children with his wives, and even had an illegitimate child with a mistress. This mistress had borne him a son and then tried to leverage the child to gain the title of "Madam Mitchell." Peter, stubborn and prideful, refused her demands and even sent people to take the child by force. But the mistress, knowing Peter’s methods, preemptively entrusted the child to someone else. When Mitchell’s men came to seize the boy, an explosive argument broke out. In a fit of rage, Mitchell struck her, and in defiance, the mistress stabbed herself in the chest, intending only to scare him. Unfortunately, the blad
When Hayden arrived at the teahouse, Ron glanced at his watch and tapped it meaningfully before saying in a low voice, "The man’s been waiting for half an hour." "Getting impatient?" Hayden asked casually, his tone devoid of concern. His attire was simple and understated, nothing to draw attention. If not for his sharply defined features and the naturally aloof aura he carried, his outfit would have rendered him almost invisible in a crowd. "No, not at all. I’m quite patient," Ron replied with an exaggerated expression of innocence, as though pleading not to be falsely accused. Hayden gave him a glance that seemed to say, Then why bother pointing it out? "But arriving this late does come across as impolite, doesn’t it?" Ron added, his tone that of a model citizen, someone who might have been a class leader or an exemplary student back in the day. "I did it on purpose," Hayden replied, cutting him off with five simple words that silenced Ron. Hayden pushed open the door an
"Because this love didn’t give me the happiness I imagined," Lena explained with a faint smile. "It’s like going to the supermarket, picking out a snack you’re excited about, and then finding out it doesn’t suit your taste. After that, you just don’t like it anymore and won’t bother with it again." Her metaphor was strikingly apt. "And what does the happiness you imagine look like?" Aaron asked, as though playing the role of a persistent interviewer. Lena, softened by the alcohol, answered obediently, "I don’t know. But whatever it is, Nate didn’t give it to me." Aaron observed the peaceful resignation in her expression and pressed further. "Do you still believe in love? Do you still want to start a new relationship?" "Of course," Lena said, finally lifting her gaze to meet his. Her eyebrows arched into a cheerful expression. "I’m not the kind of person who gets scared off by a bad experience. If I meet someone who makes my heart race again, I’ll love them boldly and passiona
He was waiting for her? What for? "Uncle, you didn’t skip dinner, did you?" Lena’s first thought was his meal. In truth, he hadn’t eaten. After receiving her message, he had been uneasy all evening, unable to focus on food. "You didn’t eat? I’ll make something for you," Lena assumed his silence was confirmation. "There’s no need," Aaron refused. "Then why were you waiting for me? Is something wrong?" In Lena’s view, Aaron would never wait for her without a reason. He gazed at her, his sharp eyes narrowing slightly. "You’ve been drinking?" She nodded, flashing him a sweet, soft smile. She even gestured with her hand, "Just a little." Aaron stepped closer, his tall frame looming over her with an intensity that made her feel small. Though the light above bathed his eyes, they remained dark and inscrutable, filled with a depth that was hard to read. Lena sensed something was off. "Uncle, what’s wrong?" She looked into his deep, clear eyes, untouched by any impurity.
"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