Like usual, she wakes up at 6, but unlike other days, she looks exhausted and unmotivated. Her bed hair is untouched as she grabs the cereal and milk. Her body is heavier and sore than usual. Her eyelids are heavy and burning because of constant crying last night. This Betrayal from everyone hurt her so bad that she couldn't comprehend how to deal with her emotions at all. She got rid of Troy's stuff that she bought with her own money. She sent some of them for donations as well. Every single thing has been giving her the taste of betrayal and she doesn't know where she heads from today onwards. The thought of meeting her husband's family or meeting him is completely off her mind. The constant messages from her secretary telling her that lots of clients are refusing to attend any meetings after her announcement of quitting the family company has been overbearing. Her side of the family tried to contact her. But unlike others, her grandparents didn't reach out for once. She doe
After the engagement party, Elder Diego somehow shuts himself in his room, talking to some old clients who have been retreating themselves from working with CL company from now on. After learning about the official statement of the new CEO and the formal CEO's resignation, lots of clients asked for a better explanation since they all have been working with Carol. But all he could do is reply with a half truth answer, " My son-in-law is a good business man. He will handle the company well. Please put trust in him!" Elder Diego gets a bitter reply with retort and the client hangs up on his call. For the last five years, Carol made sure that there were some loyal clients who would support her despite her disabilities. At first nobody wanted to give in, asking why they appointed a deaf CEO in the first place. It's a business not a welfare program. However once they started working with her, they knew they found the right person to do business with. So losing her suddenly without any
** No! It's delicious. But what do you mean by never cooked for twos? I heard you had been together with your ex-fiance for a while!** Although it's a harmless question, Carol hangs her head down. She has forgotten about it since she started cooking. But his question reminds her of all the betrayal. However she hates to show her vulnerability to people, so she looks at him with no expression but explains it. ** Troy started a business a few months ago. Also his job was in next city. So we met on the weekend sometime. Also because of work, we had been in long distance relationships. He stayed with me on the weekend but we didn't have time to cook something leisurely. You are the first person who I cooked for honestly speaking!** She explained. " I see!" He murmurs. ** Anyway, I don't know anything about you. Also I told you not to talk about personal matter. But I am wondering what you do if it doesn't offend you to ask. Since we are completely strangers!** She signs, giving h
Surprisingly, unlike other times, Carol seems to have been enjoying the day instead of feeling depressed. The stranger she got married to has come out as a good company for her at this stage of her life. Damien who has a very polite and friendly personality seems to know what kind of conversation they need to start for not making their time boring. Not everyone can keep up with her, especially when it comes to sign language and having a smooth talk with no difficulties. Right now, both of them are crunching the popcorn and watching a comedy show. Carol sometimes has difficulty with reading the subtitles and watching the show but she is used to reading the subtitles and watching the shows. So it doesn't matter. Damien on the other hand glances at her sometimes, wondering if she is really enjoying the show or not. She has explained that she doesn't need sound if there are subtitles. So, it works out fine. He leans his back a bit, thinking about the day he got married to her.
Although it is supposed not to be her problem, the messages live rent free in her head as she keeps eating the fruits. Her mind keeps questioning random things that she just shrugs off. She rests her head on the cushion, enjoying the sour, sweet taste of the fruit. With deep thought, she keeps eating the kiwis while staring at the space. As Damien moves closer, he notices she is staring at him. He raises his brow, when their eyes meet but she says nothing or does anything. She is just eating the kiwis like a squirrel, while giving an intense gaze on him. ** Is everything alright?** He asks, confused. She responds nothing. The way she is lying on the couch, eating the kiwis like a squirrel, and looking at him, one thing is pretty sure she is getting comfortable around him. He laughs a bit and moves closer, letting her stare as much as possible. However, she sits straight and looks at him, ** I checked your messages!** Damien's eyebrows knit a bit as instant reactions. He g
Carol just opens the door, finding her two cousins who have been at least a bit close to her over the years. She just walks towards her study room, sending a message to Damien that she has guests and dinner will be a bit late. Damien responds in a short reply and decides to work on his laptop until then. Carol's Cousin, Brianna and Alex, look at each other with confusion when they find a stranger in their cousin's house, being so comfortable that he is wearing pajamas and working on his laptop like his own house. They want to ask questions but judging by the situation they're in, they don't want to provoke Carol more. Not to mention that they both get their share from the company. Especially Briana, even though she is a woman. As three of them enter the room, Carol turns, only to look at them with indifferent expressions, ** What made you bring you here?** Her cousins take a deep breath and look at her with a sad expression, ** We didn't know why Grandpa did that. Grandm
It wasn't detailed but it was enough for Damien to understand what is going on with the woman he just got married to. Her strong and over friendly demeanor is a way to escape her own feelings and try to cope up with everything. What is he going to say about it? Their lives are the same? No, hers is way worse than his. He wasn't bullied to the death but was indeed neglected terribly. But he knows why he was bullied but - Her situation is way too unimaginative. Why would her own blood do such a thing? If they didn't want that child, they could have given her for adoption! If they didn't like her existence, there were plenty of options to let her go. But at the end of the day, those terrible things happened and last eight hours with her, Damien had no idea how much she was holding back. He thought he met a woman who knew how to move on from a terrible relationship. And she was welcoming and friendly with him. But now he knows, she has nobody to rely on. " Alex, Right?" He looks
After having breakfast, Carol sits on the chair in her study room. All the previous files that are important for her company have piled up in her room before she knew. Those are very important documents for her company and she can use them to teach her lessons. But she isn't going to play dirty when she knows Karma will hit them once they realize what they lost. She won't go back to her family business but sitting in her room, playing thousands of melancholic songs in her head that she used to listen to when she was a kid won't feed her. She has inherited a hefty amount of money and wealth from her grandparents that can feed her for years but she isn't someone who will be lazing around. Also the situation right now, without any job she is like an unemployed and she needs to work. For the first time in years, she searches for some jobs that she can handle without any problems. However, most of them don't suit her taste at all. But she can't be arrogant. Beggars can't be choosers.
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