“Head toward the north side of the city. I’ll direct you when we get close,” Karina said.Wilfred didn’t respond, but he quietly pulled up the navigation system. The car smoothly headed in the indicated direction.The north side was an older, run-down part of town, somewhere Wilfred had never been. His time in Birkham was mostly spent at the hospital, with occasional visits to Nash’s place. Even those visits had lessened now that Nash’s life had settled into a comfortable routine. Without Karina’s directions, he wouldn’t have found this area at all.Eventually, Karina pointed to a small, worn-down house, and Wilfred parked in front of it. As soon as the car stopped, the sound of smashing and shouting spilled out from inside.“Whatever we ask for, she can’t provide! I really don’t know why you’re still siding with that wretched girl!“If it weren’t for her, do you think Kieran would be like this today?” “She’s given us enough money already! And for the last time, what happened to
Karina took a deep breath. “I only suggested that trip because it was a simple get-together. No one could have predicted the accident. I’ve spent years trying to make amends, but I have my own life, and I can’t keep being dragged down by this.”The middle-aged man stepped forward, his finger nearly jabbing at Karina’s forehead. “You ungrateful girl! Tara treated you so well, and this is how you repay her?”Karina turned her head to avoid him, her voice calm but firm. “I was devastated by Tara’s death, but I can’t carry guilt that doesn’t belong to me for the rest of my life. I’ve already done more than enough.”The woman began to sob, her voice full of desperation. “Karina, please, just help us one last time. Kieran’s health is so poor. He needs money for treatment.”Karina looked at the woman who had once been her adoptive mother, her emotions a tangled mess. Memories surged through her mind like a rising tide. She remembered her younger self, tiptoeing around the house, fill
Karina’s chest tightened, but she knew that if she caved this time, there would be no end to it. “I have nothing to hide. Say whatever you want. I trust the truth will come out.”Kieran’s face contorted with rage, his eyes burning with humiliation at her defiance. He swung his arm violently, knocking over the table beside him. Cups and plates shattered against the floor, the sharp crash echoing through the cramped room. “Karina! Don’t think you can just walk out of here! I won’t let you get away with this!”The outburst was like a lit match to a powder keg, and several other members of the Stone family quickly joined in, their voices rising with accusations. A burly middle-aged man with a thick neck and a menacing scowl stormed forward, his voice booming, “Karina, you’ve been mooching off this family for years—eating our food, living under our roof. And now you think you can just walk away? Not a chance!” He stormed forward and grabbed Karina roughly by the collar, liftin
After successfully connecting with Wilfred on the messaging app, Karina let out a sigh of relief, but her nerves quickly returned. The next task of getting his photo was even more stressful. One day, while at the hospital's lounge, Karina noticed Wilfred sitting alone, absorbed in reviewing some documents. The area wasn’t crowded, and this seemed like her best opportunity. Summoning her courage, she sat down across from him, pretending to scroll through her phone. In reality, she quietly turned on the front-facing camera, adjusted the angle, and quickly snapped a photo. Luckily, Wilfred remained engrossed in his work and didn’t notice. Karina immediately sent the photo to Sera, who replied enthusiastically, “Dr. Norman, you nailed it! This is what I’m talking about.”However, trouble soon followed. Wilfred messaged Karina, inquiring about the academic discussion she had previously mentioned. Her heart pounded, unsure how to respond. Sensing the growing tension, Sera step
Receiving such a rare opportunity to participate in an international exchange program was not only a strong affirmation of Karina’s professional abilities but also a perfect chance to broaden her horizons and elevate her career. However, Sera who had been scheming with her saw this as another opportunity to escalate her plans. She approached Karina privately, slipping her a small packet of white powder. “Dr. Norman,” she whispered, her voice low and deliberate, “while you’re traveling with the director, find an opportunity to slip this into his drink. Once it’s done, I’ll give you another hundred thousand.” Karina’s eyes widened in horror, and she instinctively shook her head. “No! That’s illegal. I won’t do it.” Sera’s expression darkened, her voice turning cold and sharp. “Don’t forget! You already took my money and agreed to help me.” She leaned in closer, her words dripping with menace. “If you refuse, I’ll expose you. I’ll tell everyone you accepted money and secret
Karina’s heart raced, and she quickly blurted, “Dr. Wilfred, you don’t need to trouble yourself. I can handle the room situation.”Wilfred waved her off with a casual motion. “You’ve had a long day. Get some rest. I’ll take care of it.”Stepping into the room, Karina’s gaze fell on the two twin beds. Her emotions swirled in a complicated mix—gratitude for Wilfred’s kindness and crushing guilt over what she was about to do.She sat down at the edge of one bed, hands twisting nervously in her lap, her thoughts spiraling into a tangled mess.Not long after, Wilfred returned, a hint of exasperation on his otherwise calm face. “No luck. Every nearby hotel is fully booked. We’ll have to make do for tonight. Don’t overthink it. It’s just a special situation.” Karina nodded weakly, her voice barely audible. “Alright, Dr. Wilfred.” While Wilfred disappeared into the bathroom to shower, Karina’s gaze drifted toward the water kettle on the table. Instinctively, her hand slipped into her
Wilfred raised his hand, gently brushing aside a strand of hair from Karina's forehead. His fingertips grazed her cheek, the touch lingering with a subtle trace of something ambiguous. Karina's face flushed instantly, heat spreading across her skin. Her wide eyes reflected a mix of shock and embarrassment. “Dr. Norman, you’re acting very strangely today,” Wilfred said softly, his deep voice tinged with an almost hypnotic calm, sending shivers down her spine. Karina’s lips trembled, and she stammered, trying to explain but failing miserably. “I—I… Dr. Wilfred, I… ” Wilfred's gaze sharpened, his eyes turning cold as he suddenly grabbed her wrist. The strength of his grip made Karina gasp in pain. "So this is your plan? I finally see it now," he said, his voice laced with anger and disappointment. "You spiked my water, thinking I wouldn’t notice? Did you really think I wouldn’t taste it?" Karina froze, terror flashing across her face. She hadn’t expected him to notice.
Without hesitation, Wilfred scooped Karina up and carried her back into the room, gently placing her on the bed. He quickly grabbed a towel, soaked it in cold water, and carefully laid it across her burning forehead, trying to bring her fever down. As he looked at her pale and vulnerable face, his emotions swirled into a complicated mess. Sitting at her bedside, Wilfred silently watched over her, his thoughts wandering. He recalled Karina’s usual demeanor at the hospital—her diligent work ethic, the unwavering focus she showed while treating patients. Although she sometimes seemed shrouded in mystery, her commitment to her job was unmistakably genuine. He also thought of the times they had worked side by side in the operating room, where her calm and professional composure made her an exceptional partner. That confident woman seemed worlds apart from the fragile figure lying before him now. “Is she really as calculated as she seems?” he wondered. “Or is there somethin
When Karina stepped into the room, one of the men, his gaze hazy from drink, chuckled and said, “Well, so this is the beauty they sent over?”Karina forced herself to stay calm and replied politely, “Good evening, gentlemen. Here’s the drinks you ordered.” She began placing the drinks on the table one by one, hoping to finish quickly. Before she could finish, another man grabbed her wrist and yanked her toward him. “Come, have a few drinks with us, sweetheart.”Karina’s heart raced as she pulled her hand away with force. “Sir, I’m just here to deliver your drinks. I don’t entertain guests.”The men burst into laughter. “What bar do you think you’re in? There’s no such thing as not entertaining here. Don’t play coy, sweetheart. Sit with us, and you’ll be rewarded handsomely.”Fear surged through Karina as she instinctively stepped back, trying to maintain some distance. “I’m really just here for work,” she said, her voice trembling. “Please respect me!”But the men, emboldened
The woman leaned closer to Karina, lowering her voice. “You ruined my fun. The manager and I were having a great time, and you interrupted us. You need to make it up to me.”Karina’s frustration flared. “I didn’t mean to interrupt. The door wasn’t fully closed, and I was only there to talk about resigning.”But the woman wasn’t about to let it go. “I don’t care. You need to make it up to me. Otherwise, I can’t guarantee your night will go smoothly or that you’ll get to leave this job without issues.”Anger surged through Karina. “You’re being unreasonable! I didn’t do anything wrong!”The woman sneered. “In this bar, what I say goes. If you don’t cooperate, I have plenty of ways to make sure you can’t stay.”Karina knew arguing with her in this chaotic environment would only make things worse. But the idea of being bullied like this made her seethe. Taking a deep breath, she tried to stay calm. “What do you want me to do?”The woman’s eyes gleamed with triumph. “It’s simple. Ha
A strikingly glamorous woman sat perched on the manager’s lap, the two locked in a tight embrace, passionately kissing. The scene was nothing short of intimate, their connection palpable.Karina stood awkwardly at the door, caught between stepping in and retreating. She coughed lightly, trying to get their attention.Hearing the sound, the manager gently pushed the woman aside and turned toward the door. His expression showed no embarrassment; instead, he appeared slightly annoyed. “Karina, why didn’t you knock before coming in?”Karina forced a smile, her discomfort evident. “The door wasn’t fully closed. I didn’t mean to interrupt. I’m here to talk about resigning.”The manager adjusted his clothes, gesturing for the woman to sit aside. He raised his brows slightly. “Resign? Why the sudden decision to quit?”Karina bit her lip nervously. “It’s for personal reasons. I really can’t continue working here.”The manager leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest. A f
Karina froze for a moment, staring at Wilfred's earnest eyes. A wave of mixed emotions swirled within her. She was indeed under immense financial pressure. The entanglements with Kieran and the Stone family had left her utterly drained, and every penny counted. Yet, her pride made it hard for her to accept charity, even from someone like Wilfred. Lowering her head, she softly said, “Thank you for your kindness, Dr. Wilfred, but I can’t accept your money. I’ll work hard and solve this on my own.” Wilfred frowned, stepping closer. He gently tilted her chin upward, compelling her to meet his gaze. “Karina, I understand your concerns. But working in an environment like this, exhausting yourself, and exposing yourself to danger isn’t the solution. It could harm your health and reputation. “I’m not offering charity. I see you as a friend, and I want to help you through this tough time.” Her eyes glistened with unshed tears, and she bit her lip. “But I don’t want to owe yo
He didn’t recognize Wilfred and dismissed him as some young guy trying to play the hero. “Want to play hero? Take a look at yourself first. Get lost, or I’ll call the manager and have you thrown out!” To him, customers were ranked in tiers, and as a VIP who could afford an Ace of Spades, he considered himself in a league far above the average patron. Wilfred’s gaze flicked over him, filled with disdain as though he were looking at a fool. Even the thought of engaging with him felt like a waste of effort. Wilfred turned to Karina and said calmly, “Go get the manager.” “Got it, I’ll be right back.” Karina, understanding the urgency of the situation, didn’t hesitate and dashed toward the bar. Seeing her run off, the man felt his pride take a massive hit, as though he had been publicly humiliated. His face twisted in rage as he swung a fist toward Wilfred. But Wilfred wasn’t just anyone. He had training, and dealing with a drunkard was no challenge at all. The thought
Karina’s expression darkened instantly.Yes, she needed money, and she genuinely wanted to earn it, but she had not fallen to the point of trading her body for cash. She stepped back, keeping her tone polite but firm. “Sir, I’m just a server here. My job is to sell drinks—nothing more.”“Don’t play innocent,” the man sneered, his gaze filled with undisguised contempt. “If you’re working in a place like this, doesn’t that mean you’ll do anything for the right price? Look, I’m not asking for free. If you make us happy tonight, I’ll buy everything on your cart. Don’t believe me? Go ask your manager if he’s heard of Mike Taylor.”Karina forced an awkward smile, grabbing the cart and trying to leave. She had no intention of compromising herself, but she also couldn’t afford to escalate the situation.However, the drunk man, seeing her attempt to walk away, grew angry. He shot to his feet and grabbed her arm, muttering profanities under his breath. “I’m giving you face by choosing you,
In the end, Karina decided to call the police.The officers arrived quickly and brought both of them to the station. After understanding the situation, they began by addressing Kieran. “I have a sister too, so I understand your feelings,” one of the officers said. “But your sister is an adult, and you need to respect her decisions. Plus, you’ve caused a significant disturbance for her neighbors, and this qualifies as a public nuisance.”“I’m really sorry, Officer. I got too emotional because my dad is sick, and I wanted to persuade her to come home,” Kieran replied, his tone remarkably convincing. If Karina hadn’t witnessed his other side herself, she might have believed his performance too. The officer then turned to Karina. “Miss, when a parent falls ill, it’s a serious matter. Even if there are issues within the family, the focus should be on resolving them. You can’t avoid it forever.” Karina quickly came up with an excuse. “It’s not that I don’t want to go back, but I
Karina was more than willing to rest. It had been a while since she felt this exhausted, the kind of tiredness that made her want to stay still for days. After grabbing a cup of instant noodles from the cupboard and finishing it off, she took a quick shower and climbed into bed, ready to sleep for as long as her body needed. But just as she was drifting off, loud knocks on her door startled her awake. The banging grew louder and more insistent. At first, she thought it might be a delivery, but when she opened the door, she was greeted by the sight of Kieran sitting in a wheelchair. Instantly alert, her first instinct was to slam the door shut. “Karina, is that it? You see me and don’t even want to say a word?” Kieran’s hand shot out to block the door. He was strong. No matter how hard Karina pushed with all her might, she couldn’t close the door. Her resistance only seemed to fuel his anger. Grabbing her wrist tightly, Kieran said, “I’m here to talk, that’s all. Let m
The young man smiled faintly but then asked, “Do you know how old I am?” Karina paused, caught off guard. Though unsure why he was asking, she played along. “Twenty?” Looking no older than eighteen, she had deliberately guessed a little high. With his rapid cell division slowing his aging, she figured he might appear a couple of years younger than his actual age. But his smile deepened. “I’m thirty-five. I might even be 10 years older than you.” Karina’s eyes widened in shock. He explained that he was the CEO of a publicly traded company. Because he was already in his thirties yet didn’t age, his family was pressuring him to seek treatment. He was also increasingly uneasy about his condition. “I can’t keep living like this forever. What if I end up becoming some kind of monster?” Hearing this left Karina disoriented. She couldn’t believe it. He didn’t look a day over high school age. For the first time, she truly grasped the saying: appearances can be deceiving.