Trent arrived shortly after receiving a call from the old butler; it only took him twenty minutes to get there. The house was warm, and Trent walked in, tossing his coat to a servant as he passed. He glanced at his watch and gestured for his subordinate to hand him a cigarette.The subordinate offered a cigarette, and after Trent placed it in his mouth, he respectfully lit it for him.Trent squinted, took a deep drag, and the pale blue smoke rose lazily from his lips. He waved his hand through the thin smoke and pushed open the door to the reception room.Seeing Percival sitting inside, Trent’s eyes narrowed, and he sneered, "Yo, Percival, haven’t seen you in a week. How’d you end up looking so ghostly? Looks like Eulalia's death hit you hard.""That fire, you started it." It wasn't a question, but a confirmation."Are you here to find out who started the fire? Or do you want the truth? Or are you just trying to shift the blame?" Trent asked mockingly, flicking the burning cigarette a
She's been over you for a while, especially after you kept pushing her around... and finally, that woman who only had eyes for you? She's done with you.You had it coming, man. You totally brought this on yourself. The love she had for you, it was either stolen or forced. How can you chill and enjoy the perks that aren't yours, acting all righteous about taking over someone else’s spot?Every part of him ached where blood had flowed. He thought the pain of Eulalia’s death was the ultimate pain, that his soul was dried up. But pain is endless—it can hurt a lot and then hurt even more.Sharp pains always hit when least expected, yelling inside him. He couldn't help but step back as he tasted a sweet, metallic flavor in his mouth.“The real truth you should know, Percival, isn't how Eulalia died but who actually saved you nine years ago. Wanna know?”“Enough! I don’t wanna know!”Memories of the past were vivid in his mind. He had nearly touched the truth about that night nine years ago.
Trent pinched his own icy earlobe. Having it torn apart must hurt, huh? Nine years ago, Eulalia had jumped into the water to save someone, never imagining that the person she saved would be the one to break her family and leave her body scarred, ultimately confining her to a wheelchair, watching as flames consumed her. What a foolish girl, diving into icy waters despite hating the cold.Her fate was cruel, but she never lost her kindness. She treated others well, yet heaven never treated her the same. If mistaking someone’s character was a sin, it wasn’t one deserving death. Like the stories of the farmer and the snake, or the boy and the wolf, Eulalia and Percival’s tale was a perfect tragic echo.Percival didn’t deserve death; he deserved a painful life. Death would only tarnish Eulalia’s cycle of rebirth.Trent, who’d often taken pleasure in tormenting others, never thought his first good deed would involve killing a woman. The original Eulalia wanted to live more than anything, bu
Even though Percival was sick, his grip was still strong as he clenched Oliver’s collar, the veins on the back of his hand bulging. The force was enough to strangle someone if aimed at the neck.Oliver found it hard to breathe, more from fright than anything else.“Why didn’t you keep an eye on her, letting someone take her away!” Percival’s jaw clenched, his eyes nearly splitting with rage, tears rimming his eyes like a dying prisoner struggling for life.Oliver, watching Percival shake violently, felt his legs turn to jelly. He would have collapsed if Percival hadn’t been holding onto his collar.“Where did they take her? I need to find her.”Oliver shook his head, took a deep breath, and said, “It’s no use, Boss. She was taken away by her brother.”“Are you talking about Benedict?”Oliver replied with difficulty, “Yes.”“Benedict? What right does he have? He never cared for Eulalia. He insulted her, hit her; he has no right to take her away!”Oliver couldn’t help but laugh hearing
They went to the beach… They not only cremated Eulalia’s body but also took the ashes to the beach. What are they planning to do…The staff looked at the man in front of them, utterly confused.Percival, feeling helpless, let go of the staff member’s hand. His once proud posture seemed to break at that moment...“Are you really going to scatter the ashes into the sea?”Orian nodded, sitting on the island, gently holding the urn in his hands.Three years ago, when Eulalia was diagnosed with stomach cancer, it was almost as if she had foreseen this outcome.The salty sea breeze brushed against his face, making Orian’s dry eyes start to water again. He carefully cradled the urn like it was a priceless treasure.“She said to donate her organs to those in need after she died, and then to scatter the remaining ashes into the sea…”Even in death, she thought about using her body to help others. How could such a kind-hearted girl not be treated better by fate?Benedict squatted nearby, feelin
Percival slept for a full 24 hours before finally waking up. He opened his swollen eyes and stared at the IV drip hanging above him, the liquid slowly flowing down the tube.He looked at the needle in the back of his left hand and immediately ripped it out."Boss, the IV isn't finished yet. Why are you pulling the needle out?" Oliver rushed in and quickly tried to hold Percival's hand down.Percival had been unconscious for a whole day and was weak and feeble. He no longer struggled against Oliver.Oliver pressed the call button to summon a nurse to re-insert the IV.Percival was quite ill - he hadn't rested properly for several days and had been spending time in the cold room, causing all sorts of medical issues like stomach bleeding and a high fever of 40 degrees Celsius. If it got any higher, it could've turned him into a vegetable."Where's Evadne?" Percival's voice was hoarse.Oliver thought he would continue pestering him about Eulalia, but after a moment, he replied, "She's sti
At first, she could still struggle, but eventually she lost even the strength to move, only hoping the dog would find her unappetizing and bite her less severely.This three-day ordeal was all thanks to the man she had once desperately wanted to marry, the one she had loved with all her heart.She had done many evil things, always counting on Percival's "forgiving" nature. Even if he knew she had colluded with others to harm Eulalia, she thought he wouldn't do anything to her, after all the good years they had shared.But she never imagined Percival would be so ruthless, locking her in a dog cage to be mauled.Evadne had forgotten that those seven years were all a lie, a nest she had usurped.When Evadne reached out to him, Percival kicked her away.Evadne couldn't hold back her sobs, her mouth agape as she gasped for air, blood trickling from the corners. It only made her already filthy face even dirtier.Just as Percival had once "cherished" her, now he hated her with equal intensit
"Percival, what you're doing is illegal...""Evadne, do you even know me?" Percival asked.She'd known Percival for years, knew he was vengeful, and knew he never cared about the law.Evadne trembled, watching him come closer. Her body was already shaking from the cold, and now she was shaking like a leaf in the wind, ready to break at any moment.Her bloodshot eyes stared at the cold man, "Percival, after these seven years, do you have no feelings for me at all?""Feelings?" Percival laughed like he'd heard a joke, "Do you need me to remind you how you got these seven years? Evadne, you tricked me. I just used you as a stand-in."Just like Eulalia, who loved the boy who gave her a string of candied haws and carried her home over a decade ago. He wasn't that boy, but he was willing to be a stand-in. Unfortunately, Eulalia wouldn't even give him that chance.Who was a stand-in for whom, and who truly loved whom?"Percival, your love is so cheap. I stayed with you for years but can't co
#Barry AnimalAbuse#This trending topic suddenly appeared at the top of social media.Barry rubbed her eyes, wondering if she was hallucinating from stress or if there was an issue with her phone. Hadn't Evette just told her on the call that #Eulalia AnimalAbuse# was trending? Why was she seeing something different?Barry's heart pounded, and a growing sense of unease filled her. She carefully opened her eyes again and looked at her phone. Nothing had changed from what she saw earlier, except the trending topic kept rising in popularity.Barry's face went pale, and her breath grew cold. Though autumn hadn't arrived yet, she felt a winter chill. The air entering her nose felt like icy vapor, freezing her heart. The cold sensation spread down her spine.How could this be happening?Why was it completely different from what Evette had said?Didn't Evette say Eulalia was trending? Why was she herself the top trend instead?Though animal abuse wasn't technically illegal, and what's done wa
Victor's large, warm hands enveloped Eulalia's cold ones completely.Victor was the golden boy, a perfect specimen in the entertainment world. This perfection wasn't just about his looks, but also his voice and his very soul.They say that pretty faces are a dime a dozen, while fascinating souls are one in a million. Victor had both.Those who knew him well were aware of his quirks - he could be a total dork sometimes, clueless about romance despite being overly narcissistic. His face would betray his Evettery emotion, and his ears would wiggle when he got cocky. For all his self-admiration, he'd turn beet red whenEvetter his crush was near.With Eulalia, he was gentle, wanting to get close but afraid of scaring her off. When she was in trouble, he stood firmly by her side, even if she didn't spare him a glance.Victor's affection for Eulalia was obvious, but his approach was cautious.Eulalia watched his lips move, his soft voice reaching her ears like a gentle breeze, slowly soothin
Eulalia gently stroked the singed fur of the ragdoll cat, tears streaming down her face uncontrollably. Her gray eyes were filled with moisture, stinging painfully.Her eyes were either unable to cry or unable to stop once they started. Now they seemed almost blind with grief. She tilted her head back, veins bulging in her neck, mouth slightly open and eyes tightly shut as she let out a hoarse, anguished cry.Her choked, raspy voice was broken, like a rusty knife scraping against a whetstone - so harsh and painful to hear that it made one's heart clench.Victor's eyes were red too, but he turned away silently. He couldn't show any weakness, afraid he wouldn't be able to support Eulalia if he did.Kneeling on the ground, Eulalia slowly scattered dirt over Misty's body, burying her until she was no longer visible. Eulalia's thin frame shook violently, her fragmented sobs growing from quiet to loud as her grief reached its peak.Eulalia had never imagined she could feel heartbreak like t
As much as she wanted to block out the world, cruel voices kept invading Eulalia's ears. Misty wasn't just a cat; she had saved Eulalia's life. They had promised to be together forever. Misty was family, a lifeline in her darkest moments, a light in the shadows.Eulalia's voice was hoarse, her tear-choked words barely intelligible as she called out "Misty" over and over. The pain in her chest was unbearable, desperately needing something to fill the void. Her grip on Victor's shirt loosened as she clutched Misty's collar tightly to her heart."Eulalia," Victor whispered. The girl in his arms was ice-cold, shivering uncontrollably. Her anguished sobs had faded to quiet whimpers.Even after crying her heart out, Eulalia wasn't feeling any better. Her veins were bulging, her temples throbbing. Her body alternated between freezing shivers and feverish heat, her back burning and itching.Victor's heart clenched. He opened his mouth, but no words of comfort came out.Kneeling down, Victor g
Eulalia's hands trembled as she reached out to touch Misty's wounded body. Her hands came away bloody. Ropes had cut deeply into Misty's limbs, and blood covered the cat's body, tail, paws, and head."Misty..." Eulalia's eyes were terrifyingly red, dry from the intensity of her grief. The pain was so extreme she couldn't even cry.In a daze, Eulalia somehow managed to untie the ropes binding Misty. All she could see were the burn wounds on Misty's skin and the blood oozing from four small punctures in the cat's mouth. Misty's sharpest fangs had been viciously pulled out. How much agony had Misty endured?"Misty, I'm here now. Look at me. Didn't we promise to always be together?" Eulalia's body shook as she cradled the bloodied cat. "I'll cancel all my work... I'll stay by your side from now on. I'll never leave you with anyone else again. Please, just hang on a little longer..."Misty lay in Eulalia's arms, struggling to open her eyes at the sound of Eulalia's voice.It's Eulalia... E
Barry noticed the collar around the cat's neck and tried to cut it off with a knife, but it wouldn't budge. Frustrated, she gave up—she couldn’t waste time on a collar.Gripping the cat's jaw, she forced its mouth open, grabbing its sharp teeth with pliers. "You want to bite me? I’ll pull out every last tooth and see if you try that again."Misty trembled, lying helpless on the ground, bound and unable to move. After all, it was just a cat—no way to beg for mercy.Barry's eyes darkened, and with a sharp tug, a sickening crack rang out, like bones being torn from flesh. Misty's scream filled the air."Meow..." Blood spilled from the cat's mouth, staining its once-pristine fur. Misty lay there, defeated, and in that moment, all it could think about was Eulalia."I just wanted to spend more time with you... I wanted to see you again…"...After dinner, Eulalia was told to get ready for the next scene. She glanced at the door, feeling uneasy—Jane hadn't returned yet. Eulalia called her, a
Eulalia took the phone Jane handed her and attached the tracking device to Misty’s collar. “Misty's well-behaved; she won't run off.” “I know, but just in case… too many people dislike me. If they can’t get to me, they might target Misty. A tracker at least adds some safety.” Eulalia focused on the device, missing the brief flicker in Jane’s expression. Jane pressed her lips together, hesitating like she wanted to say something, but held back. “All done,” Eulalia returned the phone, noticing Jane still looked tense. She ruffled her hair. “If something’s on your mind, tell me, don’t bottle it up.” “I…” Jane started, then glanced at Misty in her arms, “I’m fine, really.” “Alright, if you say so.” Eulalia could sense something off, but couldn’t quite place it. Maybe Jane had issues at home these past few days. It wasn’t her place to pry if Jane didn’t want to talk.Just then, Reid called, telling Eulalia to get ready for her scenes. The day was packed with her shoot, and wrap
Percival’s heart felt like it was being pierced by a thousand arrows at the thought of Eulalia in bed with Victor. It was only 1 a.m. when he glanced at the clock, and he reached under his pillow for the wedding photo of him and Eulalia. In the picture, she smiled cautiously, her dimples soft, eyes gentle. The photo wasn’t big, but he pressed it to his chest alongside the well-worn journal he often read, then lay back down.That night, he didn’t dream. But when he woke, his eyes were damp, his face sticky with tears that left his skin stinging.As a cancer patient, Percival's body was weak, and he often caught colds easily. The open window and a night of cold wind, combined with the emotional breakdown after seeing the picture Victor posted, left him feverish.The housekeeper was the first to notice and rushed to inform Mr. Lee, who promptly called for a doctor. The doctor came, measured Percival's temperature, and set up an IV. But as the doctor tried to insert the needle, he noticed
Eulalia had never seen a post about herself deleted so quickly before.She sat cradling Misty in one arm, absently fingering the tag on the cat's collar. After a few minutes, her phone buzzed with a text from an unknown number:"Eulalia, I don't want you as a replacement anymore. Stay by my side and I can protect you. Percival is ruthless - if you want a better life, stay far away from that madman."Eulalia frowned as she read the message. Her fingers hovered over the keyboard to reply "Go to hell," but she thought better of it and deleted the draft. There was nothing worth saying to someone like Trent. She blocked the number and set up a custom auto-reply instead.Meanwhile, Trent was anxiously awaiting Eulalia's response. He thought he had made himself clear - surely the small-town girl would get the hint. But after half an hour of silence, doubt crept in. Had she not seen the message? Or was she too afraid to reply?He sent another text:"If you come back to me obediently, I'm will