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.
Damien enters the house, built on an acre of field, surrounded by classic gardens and an artificial fountain. This is built with all kinds of facilities for him to accommodate. Although it looks luxurious but he has no emotional attachment to this house. Even the sight of the huge wooden Door of this luxurious villa reminds him of Carol's house. It's cozy, mostly - It feels like home. The scent of spicy cologne and freshly baked cookies and brewed tea welcomes him with an alert on someone- unwelcome presence in his own house. He wheels himself - Steady and controlled. The scent of the tea is enough to tell him who it is. So, his expression is as cold as his usual self- No expression and no emotions But when he arrives in the living room, he is welcomed by the scene of her parents sitting on the couch, James who is family friends as well, has accompanied them. This sound of his wheelchair rolling on the tiles lets everyone know his presence. The first person who stands up wi
Strong people tend to hide their emotions pretty well. However, it doesn't mean that they don't go through the pain that an average person does. Carol is getting ready to grab some coffee and light snacks from a café nearby where she is a regular. After getting the proposal from Damien, she has been thinking about her life a lot. It causes her pain for a long time and then helps her to recover from the pain as well. However, the instability of her emotions has been bothering her a lot. She knows she is clearly not okay in her house. Even the slightest thing makes her remember that everyone has abandoned her like last week's garbage. Sometimes she ends up sobbing in her bed, having constant nightmares and uncertainty about her life. She isn't in the right mind, she is aware of this. Her next therapy is scheduled on Monday next week which is impossible for her to stay. The house looks awfully empty after everyone left. She doesn't know if she can continue living like this. But she n
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
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