Yuna wanting to give up her heart—this was something Keira never anticipated. She had once told Keira that no matter whose heart it was, as long as it beat in her chest, it was hers. But now she had changed her mind. Why, Keira didn’t know. The thought saddened Keira. That heart was the only blood connection she had left in this world, and yet Yuna seemed unwilling to keep it. Still, it was her right. The heart was hers now, and whatever she chose to do with it was her decision. Hayden seemed to sense Keira’s emotions. He kissed the top of her head gently. “She’s just asking. She won’t give it up so easily.” He sighed softly, adding, “Maybe she’s afraid she’s truly infected and doesn’t think she’ll live long. She might want to give the heart to someone who needs it more, so Narelle can continue to live.” His words struck Keira like a wake-up call. Of course! Why hadn’t she considered that? Instead, she had assumed the worst of her. In that moment, Keira felt a sharp pang
Aaron stood in the doorway, dressed in a sleek black silk pajama set. His freshly showered hair, slightly tousled, softened his usual sharp appearance, and a pair of rimless glasses perched elegantly on his high nose bridge gave him an air of refined sophistication. Lena had always known her uncle was handsome, but at that moment, he seemed almost impossibly so. The sight stirred an impulsive, fleeting thought in her—an inexplicable urge to claim him as her own. The notion passed as quickly as it came, leaving her cheeks flushed red. She hurriedly lowered her gaze, avoiding both his eyes and her own wandering thoughts. “I saw your light was still on. Why aren’t you asleep yet?” Aaron’s voice was soft and slightly husky, magnetic and soothing in the stillness of the night. “Can’t sleep,” Lena replied as she stepped out of her bedroom and made her way to the living room sofa. He followed her without prying further, though she explained on her own. “I have surgery tomorrow—a pro
Performing heart surgery on a fetus—such a groundbreaking medical innovation drew not only the hospital’s full attention but also the media’s. Aaron was there as well. When Lena saw him standing in the center alongside the hospital director, it finally dawned on her just how significant Aaron’s position was. But why? What exactly gave him this level of influence? She made a mental note to ask him about it once the surgery was over. Lena was fully suited in surgical scrubs—deep blue isolation garments, a matching cap, and a face mask, leaving only her eyes visible. This focus on her eyes made their natural brilliance even more striking. “Good luck to all of you!” the director said as a final send-off before they entered the operating room. Nate, the lead surgeon, looked just as prepared as Lena. Both nodded briefly at the director before heading to the surgical table, exchanging a few words as they began their work. “Mr. Ace, you may not know, but this Nate and your niec
Lena’s gaze naturally found Aaron’s face. He was watching her, not saying anything, but his eyes conveyed a clear sense of pride and approval. Since she was a child, it wasn’t her parents’ reactions to her exam results that she feared—it was Aaron’s. Even now, that feeling lingered. Seeing his satisfaction, she felt a surge of joy. “Uncle, we did it!” Lena exclaimed, standing excitedly in front of him. Aaron reached out, removed her surgical cap, and gently patted her head. “Lil' Lena is the best.” “I’m so happy, Uncle,” Lena said, unable to suppress her excitement. The next second, she threw her arms around him in a tight hug. It had been him who stayed by her side the night before, calming her nerves with homemade milk tea and their quiet conversation. Leaning close to his ear, she whispered, “Uncle, half of this success belongs to you.” A faint smile appeared on Aaron’s lips. His hovering hand rested lightly on her waist as he murmured back, “Mm, we’ll celebrate toni
This wasn’t a difficult question to answer. Either it was true, or it wasn’t. But saying “no” outright would put Nate in an awkward position, especially after he had just admitted that he brought the project to Seavora for her. On the other hand, if she didn’t deny it, the media could twist the story, turning a groundbreaking medical achievement into a narrative about Nate using a life-saving project as a romantic gesture for his supposed girlfriend. “I’ll answer this,” Lena finally spoke, taking the metaphorical grenade. “Professor Neumann and I were university classmates. He was my senior, and now he is my teacher and colleague. That is the extent of our relationship.” Her words fell like a gavel, and the journalists’ cameras clicked away more furiously than ever. Sitting beside her, Nate’s gaze dimmed as he looked at her. It was clear now—she would never come back to him. If she had even the slightest inclination, she wouldn’t have denied their connection so thoroughly
"I'm aiming to go big, to create a nationwide chain—not just fooling around," Keira was about to share her grand vision with Lena when the doorbell rang. She walked toward the door, still holding the phone, and glanced at the monitor to see who it was. The sight made her pause. “Someone’s here. I’ll call you back,” Keira said to Lena. “Who is it?” she asked, curious. “It’s Kylian!” Lena immediately recognized the name. “Is he here to see Hayden?” “Hayden isn’t home.” After a brief pause, Lena speculated, “Then he’s probably here for you.” “That’s what I think too,” Keira replied. “Call me in a bit. If I don’t answer, assume he’s killed me and report it to the police.” Lena laughed. “Pregnancy brain strikes again. If you’re that worried, why not call the police now and save yourself?” Keira chuckled. “No, I’ll report this to Hayden first.” After hanging up, Keira sent Hayden a snapshot from the surveillance feed before opening the door. “Mr. Hart,” Keira greeted
Hayden had told Keira before that the Hart family wanted him to acknowledge his roots and return to the fold, but with a catch: he had to agree to an arranged marriage. Now, Kylian’s approach seemed to contradict that condition, as he appeared to be accepting Keira. Had they changed their minds? If there were no strings attached, why didn’t they talk to Hayden directly instead of trying to persuade her? It didn’t take much thought to realize there was something fishy about the situation. But Keira didn’t call him out. Instead, she played along, half-seriously. “Oh, really? That sounds rare and wonderful, but..." Keira paused for effect. “This isn’t up to me. It’s Hayden’s decision. You know the saying, ‘A woman should follow whatever her husband orders.’” Kylian coughed lightly, probably choking on her analogy. “Hayden has likely told you about his issues with the Hart family. He’s too stubborn, holding onto some old grievances. Right now, he only listens to you.” “I’ve a
“It’s just that your old man has no eye for talent...” Keira almost blurted out “it takes one to know one,” but managed to stop herself just in time. Kylian appeared sincere. He had taken care of her during Hayden’s disappearance, but she didn’t know enough about him to discern whether he was a true ally or a hidden adversary. Some things were better left unsaid. After all, Hayden was part of the Hart family. If he ever decided to reconcile with them, her comments about their patriarch might come back to haunt her. “Exactly! Here I am, a perfectly obedient and capable heir, yet they keep pushing for Hayden to take over. I just don’t get it. If Hayden keeps refusing, what’s the old man going to do in the end?” Kylian’s words rang true, and Keira believed he meant them wholeheartedly. “Maybe he’ll end up begging you to take over the family business,” she joked. Kylian pointed at her with a smirk. “You really are Hayden’s wife. Just as devious as he is.” After he left, Keira s
“What did Sasha come to talk to you about?” That evening, as Hayden dried Keira's hair, he asked her softly. He rarely pried, but he must have noticed her low spirits ever since Sasha left and figured something was on her mind. “Do you think the Drago family’s influence has been completely eradicated?” Keira asked, her question making Hayden pause mid-motion. “On the surface, it seems so,” he replied, turning off the hairdryer. “But Thorsten had loyal confidants over the years. It’s possible there are still remnants left unchecked. Did Sasha notice something?” Keira shook her head slightly. “She told me she opened a private bank account, one that no one knows about. She said if anything happens to her—if she’s gone suddenly or meets with some accident—I should ensure the money is kept for Nina.” Hayden frowned, his gaze turning serious. “For her to bring this up out of nowhere, something must be wrong. Do you think she’s worried the Drago family's remnants might target her?
When Keira's parents first passed away, she missed them so much it felt like self-inflicted torture. She clawed at my own skin until it bled, as if the physical pain could dull the ache of losing them. The saying "longing cuts to the bone" couldn’t be truer. “She’s impossible—just like her father, stubborn as a mule,” Sasha muttered. Patience had never been her strong suit. “Bring her here next weekend when she’s not at school,” Keira offered. “I like Nina.” “Great, I’ll pay you babysitting fees.” Keira gave her a faint smile. “My rates are very high, you know.” They strolled around the courtyard, and Keira eventually led her to a tea table where they sat down. She started preparing tea for her, letting the tranquil act of brewing set the tone. “Keira,” she suddenly said, her tone unusually serious. “You’re living such a peaceful and carefree life now.” Around the fire, brewing tea—it wasn’t just about the drink itself. It was about savoring the taste, reflecting on lif
What an entrance! Everyone turned to look at the source of the bold voice. A tall woman strutted in, dressed in a mix of luxury and extravagance: a fur coat on top, leather pants on the bottom, and a pair of oversized sunglasses perched on her nose. No one seemed to recognize her, and whispers began to ripple through the courtyard. “Who is she?” One of the bolder ones shot Hayden a look and joked, “Is this one of your unresolved affairs?” Unfazed, Hayden replied calmly, “She’s not here for me.” Keira, however, wasn’t surprised by the woman's sudden appearance. Nor did she hold back. “Who are you, and why would we need to notify you?” This remark drew curious glances toward her. The woman, unfazed, swayed her hips dramatically and smirked. “You’re acting all high and mighty already, and you’re not even Mrs. Hart yet?” Her words immediately shifted the attention to Hayden. It was a clear jab at him for not having formally married Keira yet, suggesting he’d shortchanged he
When Keira first learned that Jace had entered the Carthusian monastery, she didn’t understand. She even thought he was doing it for Abbot Levinsky or because he had become disillusioned with life after the family turmoil. Only now did she realize he knew his time was limited. He had gone there to spend the remainder of his days in peace. Jace lived his life with pride and abandon. He had stood at the pinnacle, admired by all, and had also fallen from grace when love led him astray. He had once gone to extremes to win her back and later turned against his own brother to protect her. His life was brief—only a third as long as others’—but it burned brightly, full of passion and color. No matter how much it hurt, no matter how much she missed him, he was gone. - When Gavin arrived and learned of Jace’s passing, tears streamed down his face. Then, in a sudden outburst, he slapped himself twice. "It’s all my fault. How could I not have noticed something was wrong with him?" "Y
Keira couldn’t accept that Jace was gone. That he had chosen to leave like this. Even though he said it was his way of taking responsibility for himself, she couldn’t reconcile it. And his illness? Keira knew nothing about it... No! She had noticed. The blood he coughed up in front of her, the nosebleeds, the repeated hospital stays, his increasingly thin frame—these were all signs. But she ignored them. She didn’t care enough, didn’t pay attention enough, and brushed it all aside. Though the romantic love between Jace and Keira had long since faded, he remained one of the most important people in her life. He was her family. He was there as she grew up, bringing her warm sugar water when she had her first period, standing up for her and kicking bullies away without hesitation. Jace wasn’t just a past lover. He was the person who witnessed her youth, shared her journey, and taught her how to navigate life. And now, he had slipped out of her world without a word, witho
Hayden’s dedication to the courtyard was no less than hers. On any other day, Keira would have been thrilled to follow his lead and share in the excitement. But today, she couldn’t muster any enthusiasm. Her attention was fixed entirely on the temple gates. Even as the sun rose higher into the sky, the gates remained shut, and the unease in her heart grew heavier. When Abbot Levinsky was still here, he opened the gates every morning without fail. After Jace arrived, he took over the task and once told her that opening the temple gates each day was like opening the door to one’s heart. But today... why hadn’t he come? Was he unwell? The thought sent a ripple of panic through her. Unable to wait any longer, Keira stepped forward and knocked on the door. After what felt like an eternity, someone finally answered—a lay disciple living at the monastery. "Apologies," he said with a slight bow. "Master Gregory might have overslept today." Gregory. That was Jace’s monastic name
They say what you thought about during the day would appear in your dreams at night. The night before Keira planned to visit Jace, she dreamed of him. He stood at the foot of her bed, dressed in a pure white monk’s robe. "Rea, look at me," he said softly. Hearing his voice, Keira opened her eyes. The moment she saw him, she felt a wave of disorientation, as if the person before her wasn’t him but a celestial being descended from the heavens. "Why are you here? I was just about to visit you," Keira said, sitting up slowly. "Mm, I know. That’s why I came to see you first," Jace replied. He was the same as Keira remembered, but thinner, and an air of ethereal detachment clung to him. "But you didn’t answer my calls. I was so worried about you," Keira said with a smile, though her heart felt heavy, as though something was pressing down on it. "My fault," he said, reaching out to pat her head. "But from now on, you don’t need to worry about me anymore." "Jace, I bought a cou
“Afraid I’ll steal their jobs?” Hayden teased, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “They’re just curious,” Keira replied, watching him deftly sand the wood. “How do you know how to do all this? Have you done it before?” Hayden paused his work. “Yeah, I’ve done all this before.” Keira handed him a bottle of water, brushing the wood shavings off his face as she sat beside him. “Don’t tell me you used to make a living doing this.” Hayden took a sip of water. “I did. I made money this way to pay for my tuition and cover Yuna’s medical bills. Otherwise, my mom would’ve had too much to bear on her own.” Hearing him mention this, Keira couldn’t help but think about the deaths of his father and my parents. But those things were in the past. Instead, Keira focused on his age back then. “You couldn’t have been very old at the time, right?” “Eleven or twelve,” Hayden said. “But I was already tall—just skinny. When I went to construction sites, people thought I was fifteen or sixteen
When Lena arrived and took in the sight before her, she uttered three simple words: “You’re insane.” To anyone else, Keira probably did look insane—spending a million dollars on a dilapidated courtyard. The walls were crumbling, the roof had gaping holes, and the yard was overrun with weeds. "This is what people mean by to carry water to the sea. I’ve finally seen it with my own eyes," Lena grumbled as she scanned the mess with a look of utter disappointment. "If you’ve got money to burn, why not donate it to someone who actually needs it?" Keira didn’t bother defending herself. She just smiled and said, “Give me a month. You won’t even recognize this place.” Lena sighed heavily. "Sure, you can fix it up, but why not just buy a new property and build from scratch? Why insist on renovating this pile of rubble?" "Sure, it’s a mess now, but it’s got character. Renovating something old brings out a charm you can’t recreate with something new. Just wait—you’ll witness a miracle,"