"Everyone sounded remorseful and angry about it except for Ian!" James slides his car keys into his pocket and heads toward his apartment. Damien, on the other side of the phone, takes a deep breath. "It’s fine. He’s always been sensitive about this. We all just needed a scapegoat for our hatred and frustration," he replies in a deep tone. "Where’s your flight?" James asks as he enters his apartment. "This evening. Carol is returning from Miami this morning." Damien grabs a towel and strides into the bathroom. The sun has yet to rise, and he couldn't sleep well last night. "Is everything going alright?" James asks while opening the refrigerator. Carol has been handling all the honeymoon plans, so James has no idea what she’s organized. Usually, Damien relies on him to handle tasks like booking rooms or arranging visas. "Yes… she’s acting normal," Damien replies while running the shower and checking the water temperature. "I’ll call you later." "Okay." Placing the phone o
**How did it happen? Damien said you were already getting treatment?** Carol hands Lucy a glass of water before sitting in the chair. Lucy is already crying. **It’s my fault. I became greedy. I became reckless once I learned that Damien married you!** Carol’s eyes widen in surprise, but she remains silent. She had thought Lucy returned because she was getting better. **Now, I think what I did has caused me a great loss. I came back here as a spy for Mrs. Crawley. Damien knows it, too!** Carol freezes, her shock apparent. **What do you mean?** she asks, a knot forming in her stomach. **Damien allowed me to return because of his mother’s death. Do you remember when he left for a week and came back with me?** Carol nods slowly. **His mother was found dead. But Damien and everyone knew she was murdered. He hated her, but she reminded him of someone he used to adore.** Carol’s expression shifts from shock to calm curiosity. She has no idea what Lucy is talking about
Next Day,As soon as the sun rises, they head directly to City X for hiking and skydiving. With such an eventful day planned, neither of them wants to waste time lounging around. Damien is especially excited for the plans ahead. He surprises Carol with a cozy bed and breakfast, a warm shower together, and even helps her dry her hair afterward. He carefully combs her hair, watches as she applies her makeup, and even learns a few techniques to assist her in the future. Carol, proud of her attentive husband and his quick learning, allows him to choose her lipstick color and dress. However, the lipstick doesn't last long—someone couldn't resist her lips and wiped away the last trace. ---Carol and Damien are now hiking with a group of people who will also be joining them for skydiving. The group includes individuals from different countries, but due to her disability, Carol struggles to make friends. Thankfully, Damien acts as her interpreter, helping the group understand her sign lan
People deal with different challenges in different ways. Some take immediate responsibility for their mistakes, feel remorse, and attempt to fix things. Others, stubborn and unwilling to acknowledge their faults, remain unbothered and expect others to simply move on. Watching the clients terminate contracts one after another, Diego Granger does nothing but sit silently in the chair of the Chairperson. His calm expression fails to mask the anxiety and fear of going bankrupt within weeks. Until now, he has managed to keep the company afloat. But the current situation offers no reprieve. Even old friends, for whom he has been there during their lowest moments, stop communicating with him. It feels as if the page has turned with no hope left. They have forgotten everything he has done for them. “Sir! Ten of our employees resign since we couldn’t pay their salaries for the last three months,” Diego’s assistant says calmly, placing a stack of resignation letters on the desk. Diego’s u
**How do I look?** Carol signs, spinning around in a bikini in front of Damien who is sitting on the couch. Her pale skin glows brightly under the light. Damien's fingers curl into a tight fist, conflicted about his feelings. He wants to tell her to change because he doesn’t want her to go out in that, but he fears he’ll sound controlling.His eyebrows arch with a guilty thought. He doesn’t want to become the kind of man who cages her like a wingless bird.What he doesn’t realize is that, even without him saying anything, Carol can read his expression perfectly. She silently grabs another bikini and walks into the changing room.When she returns, she’s wearing a less revealing bikini. She walks towards him as he clenches his jaw and raises his chin. **Your eyes should be on me. Why are you staring at the ground?**Damien’s attention shifts to her new bikini—a blue swimsuit with a fluffy skirt.He realizes his silence must have made her feel bad. Standing up, he signs, **I’m sorry. I d
" Sis!" Alex knocks lightly on Brianna's door before entering the room. Brianna, who has been visiting her parents' house very often after Carol's stepdad ran away with the money, looks up at Alex, who is standing there with a helpless expression. "Aunt Carla is forcing Dad to take her in. Otherwise, she says she’ll let her kids go to foster care facilities!" Brianna sends her files to the HR department of her company and shuts her laptop. "She’s seriously doing that?" She clenches her jaw and looks at Alex. "Where is Dad?" "In the living room. Mom is begging him not to move them in. It’s already bad enough that Sam moved back in after being kicked out of his apartment. Now his kids are staying in my studio!" "Those pathetic losers! It’s all my parents’ fault—enabling their golden child, and now he doesn’t even have a job to support his own family. All pathetic!" "Young lady! What are you saying?" Brianna’s mother storms inside with one of her nephews and yells at her.
"Hand it over!" Brianna demands, her face tense as she thrusts her hand out toward her father, who is poised to leave the house.Her father's face pales at her directness, but he feigns innocence. "What are you talking about, Brianna? I told you before, we don’t need your money."Brianna rolls her eyes, her tone sharp. "Cut the act, Dad. We know you took Alex’s card!" She crosses her arms, her frustration evident. While she’s put up with their entitlement toward her and her finances, she refuses to let Alex’s future be jeopardized by their selfishness.Her mother, stepping into the room and adjusting her coat, frowns. "What’s with that tone, Brianna? You’ve been so rude to us lately."Brianna glares at her father. "I can’t help it. Stealing isn’t something I tolerate." Her voice cold and indifferent.Her father’s face flushes red, and he glares back, but says nothing."Who’s stealing now? Are you just trying to start another drama?" her mother snaps.Ignoring her mother, Brianna steps
Mrs. Crawley adjusts her pearl necklace and leans closer to the mirror, giving herself a final glance before heading out. She has a movie date with her friends this afternoon, and, as always, she makes sure to flaunt her wealth. She wears her best outfit, a striking pearl necklace, and matching pearl earrings. Satisfied with her appearance, a small smile plays on her lips as she stands. However, her attention shifts to the reflection of her butler standing silently behind her. “Do you have something to say?” she asks, her tone calm as she adjusts her bangs in the mirror. The butler steps forward slightly and replies, his voice steady. “Master Damien has been away from the company for a week. He plans to return next week.” “Away from the company?” Mrs. Crawley turns to face him, her brows furrowing in thought. “Does your master know?” “I believe so,” the butler answers. A sly smile spreads across Mrs. Crawley’s face as she grabs her phone. “Is Harris home?” she asks while t
Carol enters her room with food and medicine. She doesn't know if Damien brought his medicine or not, but having extra won't hurt her. She has already informed James about Damien's reckless movements. Obviously, it made him pissed, but he couldn't be disappointed. Damien is reckless when it comes to his own decisions, so it's not surprising. As she walks in, her attention goes to Damien, who is sleeping, resting his hand on his forehead. She walks quietly, placing everything on the table. She stands next to the bed, watching his calm, peaceful, but exhausted face. Her hand slowly moves to his face, gently touching his jawline. Her eyes burn with tears. She smiles a bit, sitting on the edge of the bed, admiring the man she loves so much. Later, she sits properly, her eyes on the floor, as if the floor can comfort her. But soon she breaks down, feeling the weight of exhaustion and heartbreak bearing down on her shoulders. It feels as though carrying the pain is heavier than an
** Congratulations on the collaboration! We are looking forward to working with you and your company!** Carol shakes her hands with the Boss of the Australian company. She smiles with gratitude and nods before noticing her phone buzzing. She ignores it at first and quickly tells her team to wrap things up, so that they can join another meeting with another company. However when the phone keeps buzzing, she walks towards the lounge and opens her phone to check. Her eyebrows raise with surprise and panic when she reads the messages, " Damien isn't at the hospital. Nobody knows where he is!" Realizing something isn't clearly okay, she tries to message James back who sounds frantic through his message. But her eyebrows knit, when she notices a figure standing outside the company, against the car. At first she thinks she is misunderstanding someone else. She has been working nonstop. Maybe it's taking a toll. Because of her mental situation, she told Brianna that she wouldn't be
“What’s this supposed to be meant?” Mr. Crawley asks coldly, his eyes narrowing as Damien meets his gaze with an equally frosty, unreadable expression.Damien’s lips curl into a mocking smirk. “What do you mean?” His voice drips with derision. “Aren’t you happy to see me out of the coma? Or do you think I’m disposable now that I’m not useful to you anymore?”The Crawleys stare at Damien as if they’re seeing a ghost. Their eyes are fixed on his legs, which he deliberately shakes in a relaxed, almost arrogant way. The subtle movement is enough to shatter their composure.“Since when can you walk?” Mrs. Crawley’s voice trembles, her face drained of color.“Oh, this?” Damien grins, spreading his arms theatrically. “Since high school.”“What?” Everyone gasps, the air in the room turning cold. Mr. Crawley’s face twists with fury.“You were fine all along! Why did you lie to us?” he demands, his voice rising.Damien shrugs, his eyes glinting with a dark amusement. “Well, it was so much more
**Carol!** Brianna stops her, realizing she has done something she can’t ask forgiveness for. It’s only a matter of time before loyalty is tested. Standing before Alex and Brianna, who have always been there, Carol realizes one thing — they are indeed the family of her grandparents. **It’s not what I meant! I know you’re busy with life, and whatever happened to our family was brought upon us by our own stupidity,** Brianna says, looking extremely guilty. Carol, as usual, wears that mask of indifference. Maybe it’s time to get away from everyone. **Sis is right! We are grateful for everything. It’s just that the family has been—** Carol stops them by raising her hand. **It doesn’t matter to me.** She smiles, but it’s not a genuine smile. **The day you refused to tell me the truth about my past, I knew you were protecting something big from me. I don’t know what it is, but you clearly chose your family over me. And I’m not upset about it.** She signs matter-of-factly. There are pl
Carol gently pressed her lips on his forehead before she left for her trip. She was confused by his sudden action last night but it felt nice to see his old self. The travel to Australia wasn't great since she had a very rough time around. Probably because of her treatment and medication, her body keeps burning. The first day was on working there, having meetings, visiting companies and factories. The three days' work she completed within a day because she wanted to leave as soon as possible. Next day, Right now, she just finished a meeting with her clients who are very satisfied with her performance. Of course, it's not like she didn't feel questioned on her disabilities. But everyone is supportive and surprisingly friendly. Right now, sitting outside a café, sipping her coffee, she watches the calm surroundings of the café. The vibe of the Sydney makes her feel better. A way to escape from the world she just belonged two days ago. As she keeps enjoying her morning, h
Carol grabs her laptop after finishing the meeting with her clients. Recently, she has been feeling a bit off with her health. She feels extremely tired, sleepy, and dizzy. The pressure has been getting harder, so she can't actually blame anything else for it.As she walks towards the door to leave, James, who has been helping her, walks towards her with hurried steps.**Boss!** He opens the door, stopping her.Carol isn't used to being called Boss. But she doesn't say anything about it either.**About the business trip. I think you should go!**Carol's eyebrows narrow as he signs. Just now, she had a meeting with a foreign ambassador of a big company from Australia. It's their very first big project with great potential. However, Damien is recovering. She can't leave him alone for a week-long trip to Australia. She said she would send some experts in her place to handle the project.**I know you are trying to be there for Damien. But I think you should take this chance to give yourse
It was chaotic. I watched the videography of our wedding day. So I was nothing but a replacement as a groom and I was the one who initiated it. Did I fall in love with her at first sight? If not, why would I fall in love with her when she was about to get married? And certainly, according to James's words, I actually knew her from high school. The strange thing is that, I remember everyone including my sister who died in the car accident but I don't remember anyone named Carol who was actually in my junior school. Is this even possible to happen? I mean my sister Carol used to live binge movies with cliché parts where male lead loses memories and some part of their life. But how did I just forget such an important thing. Only her, and anything related to her. It doesn't make sense to me but here I am watching a few moments of my life with that woman who cries every night silently. She can't talk or hear. It must be hard but can I really love her the same as I used to? I mean
Damien's POV.... It's the first time James raised his voice at me. It's strange that he would dare to go against me for a woman. Carol? I don't remember her. It's not a fake or prank. Why would I prank something like this? if she is my significant other, I will never hurt her or forget her, even on my worst day. But it's strange. She is calm, composed and knows what I want before I spit it out of my mouth. As if she has the ability to read my mind. ** Stretch your legs a bit!** She says, her expression is usual calmness. How could she stay so calm after knowing that I forgot about her? I don't remember that she is my wife but she remembers that I am her husband, right? Or maybe....!!!! I actually kidnapped her and forced her to be a good wife..... Or....??? Is this a contract marriage? .... No, Maybe a fake one. That's why she doesn't care. ** Stop staring at me!** She signs again. She is really attentive. She doesn't speak. But her company doesn't make me feel boring
Carol walks in, holding her suit, exhausted and hungry. She has just had a long meeting about Damien's absence and how she would handle everything from now on. She knows the love she has for Damien has weakened, but she believes she will be alright. She loves him and chooses to forgive. Until, She steps into the VIP room, stretching her neck. Her attention has yet to turn to Damien's side as she places her suit and bag on the couch. Feeling like she will be alright if she gets some sleep, she decides to take a quick shower. But her attention shifts to the shopping bags. James's jacket is still there. The coldness is increasing; it may snow tonight. She frowns slightly and turns to grab the jacket, but she pauses, finding James standing by Damien's bed and Damien staring at her with a confused expression. "Damien?" she exclaims in her mind, tears gathering in her eyes. She leaves her phone on the couch, rushes to him, and jumps into his arms like a desperate child who has bee