Carol taps out a message on her phone, her fingers gliding over the screen as she searches for the right words to ask for a text instead of a call. But the message won’t send, and a strange chill runs through her. She glances around. The café, Chat & Bake, is oddly empty. Usually, it’s buzzing with life at this hour. She comes here every week, drawn by the best hot chocolate and apple pie in town. But today, there’s no one—no waitress, no manager. The absence feels unsettling. The familiar scent of fresh bread and coffee lingers in the air, but without the usual hum of people, it feels strangely hollow. She has watched a lot of horror movies. Although the sound didn't reach her, or the eerie music as background, but she knows how to feel about the oddly empty café with nobody out of nowhere- There are lots of crime documentaries. She doesn't want to entertain herself with this - No, thank you. Stepping outside, Carol tries to shake off the unease. The strange calls she’s been g
" Damien! Is this okay with provoking your parents? Also, are you sure about Miss Carol? If she learns the truth behind your sudden appearance and asks for marrying you - This is too much!" James strides in, approaching Damien, who is sitting in his wheelchair and typing something. He knows everything about Damien, including how his family treats him. But involving someone who has no connection with his messy life seems to be an unfair action that James can't help but despise. However, Damien isn't an average Man to deal with either. With 160 IQ and with that mask of coldness, nobody can read what's going on in his mind. His steps are unpredictable, and so was his marriage to Carol. Since he was a kindergarten student and bench mate of Damien, he knows him well. After hearing James's words, he pulls himself away from the window and looks at James with his usual hard to understand expression. He is an I-don't-give-a-fuck-on-your-opinion kinda guy. He always has his own worl
Carol feels much better as soon as she has been left alone. She doesn't know where she is. But one thing is positive that she is inside a house. The room temperature and the scent of burning charcoal gives her the thought of -- Lake house. Someone is throwing a BBQ party while kidnapping her here, she finds it quite amusing. While sitting on the couch, feeling the coldness of the wooden floor with her bare legs , waiting for anyone to open the blindfold and the tie around her wrists. Soon after she can feel the floor is vibrating. She tries to understand the vibration of someone's footsteps. Since most of the time she needs to feel the vibration just to ensure she gets the phone call immediately, she can feel the footsteps approaching her. One is way heavier than the other. Seemingly two people are coming towards her and one of them is a female. She takes a deep breath, unable to see or hear, the sense of her is working fully. The footsteps stop and the wind of someone stopping
It's been years since she last came here - almost 19 years. Each and every single day, she tried to forget about this place. But instead of forgetting the memories, she forgot about the roads. Now she is stuck in the dense forest. She has checked every single way to out of this curse place. Frustratedly, she almost punches the steering wheel. All she remembers is that there is a sign of the entrance when the car takes turn into the woods. This place is out of network as well. That's why her mother was so confident about her death 19 years ago. Nobody would know how she died. But she didn't die that day - fortunately? Carol pulls over, trying to get signals. For two seconds, it might have helped her. But as expected, there is no connection here. She hates this kind of place. Serial killers have their perfect place to hide their crimes easily. While Carol is trying to get a signal, her eyes widen when she notices a truck stopping ahead of her and signals to follow it. Her eye
Boss. Her location, along with someone else’s, popped up at the same place an hour ago." Damien’s head snaps up. His piercing eyes lock onto James, who sits at his desk, fidgeting as he navigates through a map on his screen. "Someone else?" Damien's voice tightens with irritation. James swallows nervously, shifting in his seat. "It’s...Troy. Her ex." It is like a slap on his face when James mentions Troy's Name. Is she with him? Did she betray him? Did she think of getting together to the Man who hurt her? The mention of Troy hits Damien like a punch to the gut. For a moment, his jaw clenches. His eyes narrow, and his lips curl into a thin, hard line. Is she with him? Did she betray me? The thoughts race through his mind, relentless and sharp. Did she really go back to the man who hurt her? Damien’s thick brows draw together, tension rippling across his features. But he smooths out the storm gathering in his expression, keeping his composure. According to the rules, no be
The Crawley family is the number one family with overwhelming authority and wealth. Everything about them has to be perfect and flawless. From the bathroom floor to the terrace, from the garden to swan lake, Mrs Crawley personally instructs everything to become a perfect image. However, 25 years ago, when she was busy with her own son growing up, she found herself standing before her husband playing families with another woman who used to work for her. It was devastating. It was cruel to her to watch her Man being with another woman. But she wouldn't give up on the family that she built alongside her husband. Mr Crawley who fell in love with another woman knew better that without his wife, he was nothing. So, instead of asking for divorce, he led the other woman to be crazy and brought the newborn child - Naming him Damien Crawley, the first son of the Crawley couple. Nobody knew that he was his father's illegitimate son and Mrs Crawley who announced the birth of her baby son
The small town is surrounded by the dense forest. Even from the rooftop of the house, the fog can be seen that has covered the entire forest like some horror movie scene. Carol grabs her phone that she has been charging in Rima's room. Rima Victoria lives in a small cottage, inherited from her parents who died a few years ago in an accident. After sharing conversations, Carol learns that the town has been keeping themselves hidden from the rest of the country. Daily necessities and other things that aren't available here in this town have been delivered by the truck drivers. It gave Carol the idea of steaming off. She needs to escape from her harsh reality. " Is someone coming to pick you up?" Rima sends a message to Carol who is standing with her phone, plugged in. She looks at Rima who is messaging her with a smile. She doesn't know sign language but is dealing with her through messages. " Yes!" She sends the reply, " My friend is coming to pick me up!" Rima's expr
The night air is crisp and electric as Carol speeds ahead, her bike gliding through sharp turns like an extension of herself. The city lights blur into streaks of neon, the hum of engines roaring through the streets. Eunice rides beside her, but it’s Carol’s movements that keep pulling Damien’s attention. Every motion—every lean, every shift—seems effortless. From behind, in the scar, Damien watches, transfixed. Carol’s ability is nothing short of breathtaking. She rides with precision and grace, as if she’s dancing with the road itself. It’s not just skill—it’s artistry, her world. Damien leans forward slightly in his seat, murmuring himself, "Excellence is not a skill, it is an attitude." The words, originally from Ralph Marston, feel fitting. Carol doesn’t just know how to ride—she owns the road, as if it bends to her will. She approaches a hairpin curve—one that would make most riders slow down—but Carol does the opposite. She leans low, her bike tilting dangerously close t
**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
Carol is still in disbelief that his parents are too cruel and self-centered to see how much he's suffering. She thought only her parents were cruel people. But it just proved that people are way too selfish to love someone unconditionally.Sitting on a chair, holding his hand, Carol rests her head on the edge of the bed. The soft hum of the monitoring machine reminds her that he is still alive. His hand is warm as usual. But that hand doesn't gently squeeze hers with the sensation of love.Carol can't help but cry silently. Before the world, she shows no emotion, no agony, but when she is alone, she can't help but cry."I am sorry for everything! I don't want to leave the life I had with you. I don't want to lose that happy me when I was with you. I know that I started disliking you for all the lies, but I can't imagine how I will spend the rest of my life alone! Just wake up. I won't... I will never mention anything. Just wake up. I won't leave you at all!" she thinks between her so
Carol stands by Damien's hospital bed, her fingers gently wiping his hands with a damp cloth. The rhythmic beeping of the machines fills the room. It has become a constant reminder that life still clings to him. The nurse has just finished redressing his wounds, the scent of antiseptics hanging in the sterile air. It's been three days since the accident, and since then, she has made it her mission to be here, taking all the responsibilities, from the company to the hospital. Damien’s face is pale, almost unnaturally so, framed by the stark white bandages wrapped around his head. His chest rises and falls steadily, but the stillness of his body is unnerving. The doctors have said his condition is serious — a head injury that could have gone far worse — but they remain cautiously optimistic. Carol clings to their optimism like a fragile thread, afraid that letting go of hope would cause everything to shatter. Although at first they said it wasn't that life-threatening now it appeared
Carol's exhausted body shifts slightly as she turns to look at Eunice and Sarah, who are standing next to her bed. The movement sends a wave of soreness through her limbs. William walks in shortly after, deep in conversation with a nurse about something she can’t hear.Her eyes slowly settle on Eunice, and she tries to lift her hand to communicate, but the pain is too much. Tears begin to stream down her face, her lips quivering with pain and heartache. Eunice notices Carol staring at her, her hands trembling. Without hesitation, Eunice grabs Carol’s hands and signs carefully.**Everything is alright! Damien’s surgery went well. The doctors are hopeful. It was a brain injury, so it’s complicated, but they believe he will recover.**Eunice signs messily, worried that her misuse of words might unsettle Carol even more.Carol nods, her eyelids growing heavy. She doesn’t feel like moving. Everything feels colorless, painfully cruel, and suffocatingly silent. The silence she once enjoyed n