" Master! What are you going to do with Lucy? It's unexpected but... She has gone through a lot." Alex stands next to Damien who is working in his study. He asks, looking indifferent but the frown creases his brows in tension. Lucy has always been a soft spot for everyone. But this incident is unexpectedly creating the holes. The sound of fingers hitting the keys, the sharp unbothered subtle noise of AC comes between them. Damien is silent, serious and unconcerned about what he will do with Lucy. Alex says nothing after that. When Damien doesn't think It's important enough to think about it, he will never talk about it. That makes Alex more scared. If Damien has already decided what he will do with Lucy, there is no force in the world that can actually change his mind. Time passes, the noise of the fingertips hitting the keys, soft breath of Damien, Alex standing silently behind him remains the same. But the tranquility of the room has been disrupted by the door slammed ope
This is the very first time, Carol enters Damien's room. Despite having her room next to his, they both respected each other's personal space. However as soon as she enters the room, her expression changes entirely. Her jaw drops. Their rooms are opposite. When her room is cozy and warm, mostly bright and shiny... Damien's room is an entirely authentic masculine haven. She observes every inch of the room. The room feels calm and stylish, with deep gray and black colors. The walls are a soft charcoal gray, adding warmth without making it too dark. A low, black bed rests against the wall, covered with gray blankets and a few soft pillows. A tall black lamp in the corner spreads a cozy, gentle light. Next to a large window with the garden view. Even the wooden desk, chair and rocking chair everything is black. Two abstract paintings in black and white hang above the bed, giving the room a bit of character without being too bold. Every detail feels simple but thoughtfully placed.
Damien has been trying to pull all the work together and finish as soon as possible. Recently he has been trying to make sure Carol has everything ready before she starts working on her position. Right now, the meeting with the recent project members has been held. The air is heavy with the tension between the employees and others while Damien has been checking their final works. James puts another file aside for Damien to check. Almost throwing the file away, he extends his arm on the next one. But he takes a glance at his phone when the phone starts ringing. James who is sitting next to Damien takes a glance as well. He frowns when he reads the name of the caller. It's Eunice. He thought like usual, Damien will ignore the call during the meeting. But to his surprise and surprise everyone , Damien grabs his phone, " Excuse me!" James tries to say something but Damien just opens the door and moves himself outside. " Seems like an urgent call. We should dismiss the me
Damien puts a pillow behind her back as she has been lying on the bed. She has been saying that she will be overnight and she will be able to go to the company. But Damien can't find any sign of her being okay. He doesn't know how it works. But so far whatever he learned online, is saying that it will take two or three days for her to be fine. He can't help but feel a bit of respect for women in every aspect. At least after learning that they go through such pain, cramps and discomfort every single month, the level of respect increases. Right now, Carol is trying to sleep. She doesn't want to skip her training just because of this. It's bearable and time won't wait for her. Damien, in the meantime, puts everything on the Nightstands, snacks that she likes to eat, hot water bag, painkillers if it works and other necessary things that she may need anytime soon. He hasn't let anyone come inside. So everything is done by himself. Next morning, Carol wakes up as usual. Th
After the marriage, one of the best things that happened to Carol was joining this company. Not only was everyone open-minded and hardworking, but they welcomed her warmly, almost as if they had been waiting for her arrival. Now, with her last day of training complete, Carol sits in the cafeteria having lunch with her coworkers, who have been incredibly helpful throughout the process. She grabs a beef sandwich, savoring the peaceful moment. Two female coworkers sit across from her, smiling and waving. **Hi!** they greet her cheerfully. Carol nods with a small smile, acknowledging them. **How was your last day, Ms. Carol?**one of them asks. **It was great! Everyone was so easy to communicate with,** she signs warmly. **That's the beauty of this place. They really prioritize employees' well-being, which makes us more communicative and close,** the other responds. **It feels like a second home to all of us!** they grin. Carol smiles softly, taking a bite of her sandwich. It fi
Carol glances around the office room one more time to ensure she's alone. After confirming the coast is clear, she sets her phone on the stand, taking a deep breath. Quickly, she dabs her face with tissue, smoothing her hair and wiping the streaks of dried tears from her cheeks, masking any trace of her earlier breakdown. The call rings and rings, and Carol begins to think Eunice is busy. But just as she's about to hang up, Eunice’s face pops up on the screen, her hands flying in a flurry of agitated signs. **Why haven’t you checked your phone? It’s lunchtime, isn’t it? I’ve been trying to reach you! Where are you? Are you free now? It’s an emergency!** Carol flinches at Eunice’s rapid gestures. She raises her hands, trying to calm her friend. **Eunice! Breathe! You’re signing too fast—and using the wrong signs!** Eunice pauses for a beat, inhaling deeply, her shoulders relaxing slightly. **Okay. Do you have time now?** she asks, more composed. **Yes, I have ten m
Damien’s eyebrows arch with annoyance and frustration. Today, he was supposed to be at his company, overseeing Carol’s last day of training. But instead, he’s buried in endless work. James has been watching Damien throughout the day, noticing his reluctance and irritation. Every now and then, Damien lets out deep sighs and low groans, as if he’s being forced into something he doesn’t want to do. With a shake of his head, James tries to refocus on his own work. “She didn’t even message me,” Damien mutters suddenly, disappointment heavy in his voice. “I thought we were close enough for that. Right, James?” His shoulders sag under the weight of his frustration. James shuts his laptop, finally giving Damien his full attention. He’s been watching closely for a while now. The Damien he knew seems to have changed—turned into someone consumed by emotions. But it can’t be love. Not with Carol. The day is approaching, and James knows that if this continues, everything might fall apar
“I’m sorry! I misunderstood!” Alex says, rubbing the back of his neck with guilt as he glances at the blonde. His earlier hostility vanishes now that the blonde man has explained everything. Brianna kneels beside Carol, gently examining her swollen ankle. “Thanks for helping her,” she says, her tone soft but guarded. “But we’ll take her to the hospital.” “It’s really fine,” Nicolas replies with a polite smile. “There’s a clinic nearby. I’d like to make up for the trouble. Please, let me take care of it.” The siblings share a look, silently weighing their options. After a brief moment, Brianna nods. “Alright. But Alex, call her husband. He’s going to worry if she’s not home soon.” She turns to Nicolas. “I’ll drive.” Alex shifts closer to Carol, watching her carefully. She’s holding her throat with a pained expression, and worry etches deeper into his face. Gently, he taps her hand. **Sis, are you alright?** he signs. Carol meets his gaze helplessly, frustration evident in her eye
2:30 a.m. Damien pulls into the hospital parking lot, his knuckles white as he grips the steering wheel. His chest feels tight, his breaths short and uneven. Sweat trickles down his pale skin, soaking the collar of his shirt. Exhaustion clings to him like a second skin, but the anxiety coursing through his veins is far more potent. He throws his suit jacket over his arm and bolts out of the car, not bothering to lock it. The hospital looms ahead, its bright lights a sharp contrast to the suffocating darkness of his thoughts. His phone buzzes in his pocket—a message from James with Carol’s room number. He doesn’t waste a second, heading straight for the inpatient ward. His heart pounds louder with every heavy footfall. Taking the stairs two at a time, his breath comes in ragged gasps. His mind races, replaying the call from the hospital over and over. "Mr. Crawley, your wife collapsed, and we need you here immediately." The words were enough to rip the ground from beneath him
James steps into the room, his eyes immediately drawn to the fragile figure of Carol. She’s hunched over in a chair, her hair disheveled and her face pale, clutching Aria so tightly it seems as though she fears the world might rip her daughter away. Two nurses hover nearby, their faces etched with concern, while the doctor stands to the side, flipping through a folder of reports. The air in the room is thick, tense, and suffocating. “What’s going on?” James demands, his tone firm yet tinged with worry. His eyes dart between Carol and the doctor. “Damien is on his way back. He told me to check on you two.” Carol doesn’t respond. Her body trembles visibly, silent tears streaming down her face. She clutches Aria even tighter, her lips trembling as she stares into the distance. James crouches in front of her, lowering his voice as he tries to get through to her. “Carol, please,” he says, his tone softer now. “What’s wrong? Talk to me.” But Carol remains silent, her anguish spilling ou
Carol just says goodbye to Damien before leaving Aria with Alex and the female nanny who takes care of her. She already feels low without him. The day passes with work; nothing major happens. Since there’s a time difference between her and Eunice, they don’t talk much. But her other friends reach out to her as usual. After dealing with numerous clients, workers, and other activities, she feels far more exhausted than usual. Damien's presence has always been like a 24/7 therapist, and his absence makes everything feel heavier, even for just one day. Later, after returning home, feeding Aria, and spending time on self-care, Carol calls Damien. Their conversation is sweet and comforting. As days pass, Carol notices something unusual. The new nanny, Heather, seems fine, but Carol starts feeling weaker than usual. Aria, who usually loves sleeping and rarely cries, begins crying at night. Confused and worried, Carol consults a doctor, but they find nothing physically wrong with Aria
Somewhere in a casino, Harris is sitting on the counter whilst he's staring at the debt receipt. " Harris! The only way you can pay all the debt and keep gambling if you can get your parents' property. Don't you think it's high time to take action!" The owner of the casino when Harris has been staying for a while, suggests. He is doing the job of a bartender while watching Harris being drowned in an ocean of debts. Harris, staring at the debt he has, looks at him with a frown, " That bastard has owned everything. I can't even return home because of my criminal records!" Anger crawls under his skin as his face reddens with fury." Well, there are lots of ways to get what you want. If you want help, we can help, you know!" He smirks, " With violence, everything is possible!" Harris's expression brightens. Clutching the receipt of his latest loss in gambling, he leans into the chair, " That's a good idea, I think! I am the rightful owner of those money. So I will get them back!" The
Carol leans against the doorframe, her tired eyes fixed on Eunice, who sits on the floor, rolling a toy car back and forth with Aria. The toddler’s laughter rings out, bright and carefree, clashing with the heaviness in the room. “You’re leaving?” Carol’s voice is soft, but the weight of her words fills the space. Eunice’s hand falters on the toy car for just a moment before she pushes it toward Aria again, forcing a smile. “Yeah. It’s a good promotion, Carol. And... I’ve always wanted to see the world outside.” Her smile wavers, not quite reaching her eyes. Carol steps further into the room, crossing her arms as she searches for the right words. “But... I’m not saying it’s the wrong decision, just... are you sure you don’t want to give it another try? Maybe James has been struggling with something—”“Don’t.” Eunice’s voice is calm but firm, slicing through Carol’s sentence. She turns away from Aria, who is engrossed in her toy, and looks at her friend. “Don’t go there, Carol. Not
As if the wind is knocked out of his chest, James Alexander sits frozen, watching Eunice cry in despair. Her tears streak down her face, her voice trembling with frustration. "This is it, James," she begins, her tone laced with exhaustion. "I’ve been trying to hold onto this relationship, but I’m the only one fighting for it. Do you even realize what that feels like?" James looks at her, his brow furrowing. "Eunice, I know I’ve messed up. I’m sorry, okay? I’ll do better." "You’re sorry?" She laughs bitterly, shaking her head. "You always say that, but nothing changes. I’m the one who calls you, the one who begs to meet, the one who says ‘I love you.’ What have you done, James? What effort have you made?" James opens his mouth but quickly closes it. He doesn’t have an answer. Eunice continues, her voice breaking. "I’ve never felt this tired in a relationship before. A few months, James, and I’m completely drained. This isn’t love. It’s one-sided torture." He leans forward,
The culprit was caught soon. In the meantime, the closeness had turned into a strong friendship. Right now, it's Damien's 27th birthday party. Everyone is enjoying themselves. A few clients have attended the party, unaware that the Crawley family has grown close to the Martinez family. While everyone enjoys the evening, Carol is chatting with her friends, telling them about a new friend she made, when the door swings open, pushed by two security guards. "Carol!" Millie practically runs toward her, ignoring everyone in the room. She hugs Carol tightly and gives her a few kisses on the face. "I missed you." Eunice looks upset but curious about this woman. Like Carol, Millie avoids social media and reporters, so people don’t know who Mrs. Martinez is. "Who is that?" Katie asks. "Must be the new friend she’s been talking about all morning!" Sarah chuckles. Carol takes a deep breath and looks at her friends. "She’s my daughter-in-law!" Her friends stare at her in stunned
Who knew one incident could change so much in life? For Damien Crawley, that moment arrives as he leans against the doorframe, watching his wife, Carol, chatting away on FaceTime with none other than Millie Martinez. Millie, wife of Paul Martinez—Damien’s business rival—speaks animatedly, her laughter filling the room. Carol protected their son, Julian, five days ago, and since then, both of them have been talking about everything in their lives. While Martinez is still trying to get on his nerves, here his wife is having such a sweet friendship with the rival's wife. Damien isn’t particularly annoyed but can’t help wondering why Carol is friends with her. He crosses his arms and clears his throat, but Carol barely glances at him before turning back to her phone. “It’ll be close-knit,” Carol says, her tone cheerful as she discusses Damien’s upcoming birthday party. “Your family, my friends, and a few of Damien’s friends. It’s small, so don’t worry about bringing too many peopl
Damien sprints into the hospital lobby, his heart pounding harder than it had during his last board meeting. His tie is loose, and he’s slightly out of breath. He scans the room like a hawk, his sharp gaze landing on Carol seated in a corner with a blonde-haired toddler in her arms. “Carol!” His voice echoes, startling a nurse nearby. He strides over, his face etched with worry. " Are you okay? What happened? Where is Aria?" Carol looks up, startled, and immediately begins signing with her hands: **Calm down, everything is okay.**Damien freezes, confusion replacing his panic. “Why are you signing? You’re not even anxious enough to forget how to speak!” He narrows his eyes at her, crossing his arms. “What did you do this time?” Caught, Carol stops mid-sign and bites her lip, her cheeks turning pink. “Fine,” she mutters aloud, glancing at the boy in her lap. “It’s not exactly what you think. I saved a kid.” Damien blinks, leaning forward. “A kid?” His voice rises an octave. “Wha