Lena gave me a quick glance and smiled. "Don't worry, the baby's doing great. I'll check on you again later."***After leaving my room, Lena headed straight to the director's office. The moment she stepped inside, her breath caught—Nate was sitting on the couch next to Dr. Warren.But Lena, ever composed, quickly recovered. "Dr. Warren. Professor Neumann."The formal title hit Nate like a punch. He wanted to call her Lena, but the name stuck in his throat."Dr. Lane, please take a seat," Dr. Warren said warmly, gesturing to the chair next to Nate.Lena sat down, calm and professional, while Dr. Warren's gaze bounced between the two of them, clearly sensing the tension."You already know Professor Neumann, so I'll skip introductions," Dr. Warren began. "He's made a groundbreaking breakthrough in fetal cardiac correction during pregnancy, and he's chosen our hospital as the pilot site. Dr. Lane, you'll be collaborating closely with him on this project."Lena's heart clenched. Sh
In this world, only one person had ever called her "Twinkle"—Aaron. And that had been a relic of their shared childhood.Nate's gaze shifted to Aaron, and his hand fell back to his side. "Uncle Aaron.""Professor Neumann," Aaron replied coolly. "Given your current situation, you can just call me Mr. Ace." His words were a subtle reminder that Nate's connection to Lena was no longer valid.Aaron then turned to Lena. "If it's convenient, I'd like to talk to you about something.""Sure," Lena agreed, glancing at Nate briefly before walking off with Aaron.Standing beside Aaron, who loomed over her like a shadow, Lena looked smaller than usual. "Is this about my parents?"Since returning, Carol and Gabriel had been pushing her to move back home, claiming it was the only way they'd feel at ease. Even her grandparents had joined in."They want to know if you've thought it through," Aaron said, confirming her suspicion.Lena put on a tone of consideration. "I don't want to move back,"
"Uncle Aaron, did you stir things up with my parents?" Lena asked.Aaron didn't bother denying it, and his silence was all the answer she needed."Aaron Ace! Are you kidding me? I trusted you!"Her voice echoed with frustration, but deep down, Lena knew arguing was pointless. Carol and Gabriel weren't exactly known for backing down. If she couldn't convince them to chill, they'd probably show up at the hospital and haul her home themselves.Taking a breath, Lena tried a different approach. "Okay, what's it gonna take for me to not move back home?"Aaron's answer was maddeningly casual. "Stay at my place."Lena blinked, stunned into silence."Just for a bit," Aaron added. "Once your parents ease up, you can go back to your apartment."Lena's stomach did a little flip. Living with Aaron? Yeah, no thanks. Sure, things weren't as awkward between them anymore, but this? Way too weird.Still, her options were basically nonexistent."I'll think about it," Lena said, even though she
I was laughing so hard my sides hurt, tears streaming down my face. Lena just sat there, arms crossed, waiting for me to finish."You good now? Because I actually need your help."If Lena was asking me for advice, she must've been really stuck. Normally, she's the one with all the answers."Okay," I said, catching my breath. "First, spill. Does Nate even still have a shot?"She grabbed an orange off the table and started peeling it. "What do you think?"When she's done with someone, she's done. No second chances, no rewrites. Nate clearly hadn't gotten that memo, though, because here he was, pulling out all the stops to win her back.And then there was Aaron—her technically-not-really-blood-related uncle and childhood friend. Cue the awkward-family-ties-turned-unexpected-complication drama."If you're not giving Nate any hope, just move in with your uncle," I said.She arched a brow. "Why?""Because Nate's literally working at this hospital to be near you. Daytime interactions
"The Hart family wants me to come back," Hayden said. I immediately got it without him needing to explain further.The Harts had stayed weirdly quiet through all the chaos Hayden had been through. Why? No clue."What are you thinking?" I asked. Then, with a sly smile, added, "Let me guess—you don't want to go, but you feel like you should?"Hayden noticed I wasn't eating and nudged my plate closer. "Eat first.""Talk, and I'll eat," I shot back.He pushed my favorite dishes right in front of me. "No one can make me do something I don't want to.""Then it's me you're worried about?" I asked, the thought hitting me mid-bite.Hayden didn't answer, which, of course, was the answer. My mind raced for a moment before I teased, "Wait—don't tell me going back means you'd have to marry Yara?"Hayden sighed. "The Hart heir and the Drago heir are supposed to marry. It's been decided for years."So if he didn't want that, all he had to do was step down as the Hart heir. Easy, right? Excep
Lena had just finished with her last patient and was finally about to sip her water when a knock interrupted her peace."Come in!" she called, expecting another patient.The door swung open, and the moment Lena saw who it was, her stomach dropped."Mom?!" she blurted. "What are you doing here?""I'm here to see a doctor!" Carol's tone wasn't exactly friendly.Lena craned her neck, glancing at the hallway behind her mom. "Where's Dad? Didn't he come with you?"Carol scoffed. "There's a sign outside that says no men allowed, isn't there?"Lena laughed. "That doesn't apply to Dad.""What, is he not a man?" Carol shot back.Lena's smile froze. Great. Mom wasn't just here—she was on a mission.For weeks now, her parents had been nagging her to move back home. Lena hadn't budged—she'd even stopped answering their calls. It looked like Carol had reached her breaking point and decided to stage a full-on ambush."Mom," Lena started, trying to sound professional, "I'm at work. If you
"Come on, be honest. Have you ever slept with Keira?"The guy's deep voice stopped me just as I was about to walk in. Peeking through the crack in the door, I spotted Jace Johnston lounging in a fancy chair, his thin lips pressed together."She made a move, but I'm not into her," he said."Don't say that. Keira's a real catch around here. Lots of guys are into her," replied Steve Smith, Jace's friend, who knew all about our ten-year history.Jace frowned. "We just know each other too well, you know?"When I was fourteen, I was sent to the Johnston residence and met Jace for the first time. Everyone told me he'd be my future husband. Since then, we'd lived together for ten years."Exactly. You guys work at the same company, spend the whole day together, then head home to eat at the same table. You probably even know each other's bathroom schedule by now," Steve teased.He continued, "These days, relationships thrive on mystery and the excitement of wanting what you can't have. Th
Jace looked up at the sound, his eyes meeting mine. I didn't need a mirror to know how bad I looked."Not feeling well?" he asked, frowning a little.I walked silently to his desk, swallowing the bitterness in my throat. "If you don't want to marry me, I can tell your mom."Jace's frown deepened. He knew I'd heard his conversation with Steve.My throat felt tight. "I didn't think I'd become something 'lacking flavor'. Jace—""Rea, in everyone's eyes, we're already married," Jace interrupted me.Rea was my nickname ever since I started living with the Johnstons.'So what? He wants to marry me for appearances?'I wanted him to marry me because he loved me and wanted to spend his life with me.With a snap, Jace closed the pen and looked at the marriage license application form I was holding. "Next Wednesday, we'll get the license."These were the words I'd been waiting for, but they made me feel awful, really awful...I looked down, shaking my head slightly. "Jace, you don't ha
Lena had just finished with her last patient and was finally about to sip her water when a knock interrupted her peace."Come in!" she called, expecting another patient.The door swung open, and the moment Lena saw who it was, her stomach dropped."Mom?!" she blurted. "What are you doing here?""I'm here to see a doctor!" Carol's tone wasn't exactly friendly.Lena craned her neck, glancing at the hallway behind her mom. "Where's Dad? Didn't he come with you?"Carol scoffed. "There's a sign outside that says no men allowed, isn't there?"Lena laughed. "That doesn't apply to Dad.""What, is he not a man?" Carol shot back.Lena's smile froze. Great. Mom wasn't just here—she was on a mission.For weeks now, her parents had been nagging her to move back home. Lena hadn't budged—she'd even stopped answering their calls. It looked like Carol had reached her breaking point and decided to stage a full-on ambush."Mom," Lena started, trying to sound professional, "I'm at work. If you
"The Hart family wants me to come back," Hayden said. I immediately got it without him needing to explain further.The Harts had stayed weirdly quiet through all the chaos Hayden had been through. Why? No clue."What are you thinking?" I asked. Then, with a sly smile, added, "Let me guess—you don't want to go, but you feel like you should?"Hayden noticed I wasn't eating and nudged my plate closer. "Eat first.""Talk, and I'll eat," I shot back.He pushed my favorite dishes right in front of me. "No one can make me do something I don't want to.""Then it's me you're worried about?" I asked, the thought hitting me mid-bite.Hayden didn't answer, which, of course, was the answer. My mind raced for a moment before I teased, "Wait—don't tell me going back means you'd have to marry Yara?"Hayden sighed. "The Hart heir and the Drago heir are supposed to marry. It's been decided for years."So if he didn't want that, all he had to do was step down as the Hart heir. Easy, right? Excep
I was laughing so hard my sides hurt, tears streaming down my face. Lena just sat there, arms crossed, waiting for me to finish."You good now? Because I actually need your help."If Lena was asking me for advice, she must've been really stuck. Normally, she's the one with all the answers."Okay," I said, catching my breath. "First, spill. Does Nate even still have a shot?"She grabbed an orange off the table and started peeling it. "What do you think?"When she's done with someone, she's done. No second chances, no rewrites. Nate clearly hadn't gotten that memo, though, because here he was, pulling out all the stops to win her back.And then there was Aaron—her technically-not-really-blood-related uncle and childhood friend. Cue the awkward-family-ties-turned-unexpected-complication drama."If you're not giving Nate any hope, just move in with your uncle," I said.She arched a brow. "Why?""Because Nate's literally working at this hospital to be near you. Daytime interactions
"Uncle Aaron, did you stir things up with my parents?" Lena asked.Aaron didn't bother denying it, and his silence was all the answer she needed."Aaron Ace! Are you kidding me? I trusted you!"Her voice echoed with frustration, but deep down, Lena knew arguing was pointless. Carol and Gabriel weren't exactly known for backing down. If she couldn't convince them to chill, they'd probably show up at the hospital and haul her home themselves.Taking a breath, Lena tried a different approach. "Okay, what's it gonna take for me to not move back home?"Aaron's answer was maddeningly casual. "Stay at my place."Lena blinked, stunned into silence."Just for a bit," Aaron added. "Once your parents ease up, you can go back to your apartment."Lena's stomach did a little flip. Living with Aaron? Yeah, no thanks. Sure, things weren't as awkward between them anymore, but this? Way too weird.Still, her options were basically nonexistent."I'll think about it," Lena said, even though she
In this world, only one person had ever called her "Twinkle"—Aaron. And that had been a relic of their shared childhood.Nate's gaze shifted to Aaron, and his hand fell back to his side. "Uncle Aaron.""Professor Neumann," Aaron replied coolly. "Given your current situation, you can just call me Mr. Ace." His words were a subtle reminder that Nate's connection to Lena was no longer valid.Aaron then turned to Lena. "If it's convenient, I'd like to talk to you about something.""Sure," Lena agreed, glancing at Nate briefly before walking off with Aaron.Standing beside Aaron, who loomed over her like a shadow, Lena looked smaller than usual. "Is this about my parents?"Since returning, Carol and Gabriel had been pushing her to move back home, claiming it was the only way they'd feel at ease. Even her grandparents had joined in."They want to know if you've thought it through," Aaron said, confirming her suspicion.Lena put on a tone of consideration. "I don't want to move back,"
Lena gave me a quick glance and smiled. "Don't worry, the baby's doing great. I'll check on you again later."***After leaving my room, Lena headed straight to the director's office. The moment she stepped inside, her breath caught—Nate was sitting on the couch next to Dr. Warren.But Lena, ever composed, quickly recovered. "Dr. Warren. Professor Neumann."The formal title hit Nate like a punch. He wanted to call her Lena, but the name stuck in his throat."Dr. Lane, please take a seat," Dr. Warren said warmly, gesturing to the chair next to Nate.Lena sat down, calm and professional, while Dr. Warren's gaze bounced between the two of them, clearly sensing the tension."You already know Professor Neumann, so I'll skip introductions," Dr. Warren began. "He's made a groundbreaking breakthrough in fetal cardiac correction during pregnancy, and he's chosen our hospital as the pilot site. Dr. Lane, you'll be collaborating closely with him on this project."Lena's heart clenched. Sh
I never imagined the boy who had shaped so much of my life would one day wear the robes of a Harmonist guide, dedicating himself to a life of reflection.Jace had cut himself off from the chaos of the world. Whether it was peace or simply his way of escaping love and attachment, he'd left everything—and everyone—behind.***After returning from Cloudscape Monastery, I fell ill. A relentless fever knocked me out for two days, leaving me trapped in a swirl of disjointed dreams—my parents, Matthew, Lindey, Jace, Wayne... all of them.In the dream, it felt like I was drowning. No matter how hard I tried to wake up, something kept pulling me deeper.At some point, I thought I heard voices. Jace's. Hayden's. Were they real? They spoke in muffled tones I couldn't make out.But when Jace left—if he was ever really there—the dreams stopped.***When I finally opened my eyes, sunlight flooded the room, blindingly warm. I raised my hand to block it, but my fingers brushed against somethin
This wasn't unfamiliar. I'd been here countless times with Jace over the years, sitting through gatherings at Cloudscape Monastery.But I never imagined I'd one day be sitting here, listening to him deliver a sermon—not as Jace Johnston, but as a spiritual guide of the Harmonist faith.Hayden helped me into a seat quietly, and Jace began to speak, reciting teachings from Harmonism. But I couldn't focus. Not a single word registered.I just watched him, piecing together his recent strange behavior. It all made sense now—he'd been on this path for a long time. Even while dealing with the chaos around him, his heart had already detached from the world.That's why, when his parents died, he didn't grieve or lash out. He just... accepted it. Jace had let go of everything, seeing life and death as part of some larger cycle.When his sermon ended, he walked over to us.Tears spilled down my cheeks before I could stop them. "Jace... how could you do this?"I thought I'd made peace with
"Do you want the truth?" Hayden's voice was calm."You promised you wouldn't lie to me," I replied, bitterness creeping into my tone as I threw his broken promise back at him."Kiki, I lied before because I didn't have a choice," he said, his eyes locked on mine, clear and unflinching. "But from now on, I swear I'll never lie to you again."I dropped my gaze. "Let's not talk about the future anymore."I forced a faint smile. "Let's just focus on the present."When I was little, my parents painted big dreams of the future for me, but they were gone before any of it could happen. Jace promised me forever, then shattered it. Even Wayne once vowed to always take care of me, only for his love to spiral into something dark and possessive.And Hayden? He said forever, too—right before almost marrying someone else.So, no. I don't think about the future anymore. I don't trust it. All I want is to live in the now.Hayden's face clouded for a second before he nodded. "Alright."When he