Barbara spoke up, "Although you give Mia and Vivian the same amount of money for their upkeep, Mia might have other expenses that the money isn't sufficient for."
This statement infuriated Mr. Thompson even more.He swiftly turned towards the cab driver and commanded, "If she fails to provide your money, take her to the police station. Better yet, do whatever you want with her."Angrily, he turned around and marched into the house.Mia's heart shattered as she watched her father's retreating figure, while Barbara's eyes gleamed with triumph as she snickered victoriously.Mia shifted her gaze from the door and fixed her eyes on the woman who claimed to be her mother.Her stepmother clicked her tongue and sneered, "You are a disgrace to this family." With that, she turned and walked inside the house.Tears, which Mia had been holding back, finally streamed down her face. Why was the world so cruel to her?"Ahem." The cab driver cleared his throat, a smug grin stretching across his face."You heard the man. He gave me the authority to deal with you as I please," he declared victoriously.He reveled in the satisfaction of knowing he could do whatever he wanted with the girl. He had a clear idea of the things he would subject her to—the horrors he would inflict upon her.No, he had no intention of involving the police in this minor issue.Licking his lips with a predatory hunger, he stared at Mia, his eyes filled with lust."Don't waste my time. Get in the car," he growled.Trembling with fear, Mia took two steps backward, recoiling from the repulsive expression on the perverted man's face.With an evil grin, he revealed his decayed, yellowed teeth. "You can't escape from me. You belong to me now."He started moving swiftly toward her. The moment he grabbed her hand, he forcefully dragged her toward the car. As he struggled with her, his mind raced with the twisted things he desired to do to her. When he was finished, she would be too weak to even lift her legs for a week. He giggled sinisterly.Mia's tears flowed uncontrollably. She tried to fight off the man, but her strength was no match for his.In the midst of their struggle, a loud voice interrupted them. "Let the girl go."Both of them froze, turning toward the source of the voice.A woman in her late fifties stood firmly a few meters away, her face filled with anger.The cab driver eyed her. "Who are you, woman?""I'm taking this girl to the police station. Why are you stopping me?" she inquired angrily.Madam Grace cast a cold gaze at the perverted man. "Are you really planning to take her to the police station?"Uncomfortably, the man averted his gaze, feeling ashamed.Displeased, Madam Grace took out some cash from her purse and extended her hand. "Here you go, your money."The cab driver glanced from her face to the money she was holding, annoyed. Grudgingly, he released the girl's hand and snatched the money from her.He gave Madam Grace a disgusted look before stepping into the car. Slamming the door shut, he sped away, leaving a trail of dust in the air. That meddling woman had disrupted his plans—he wished for her demise as soon as possible.After the cab driver left, Madam Grace smiled warmly at the girl standing in front of her."My darling," she called sweetly, opening her arms.Without hesitation, Mia ran to her and collapsed into her embrace, crying like never before.Madam Grace clicked her tongue sympathetically and let out a sigh. "It's okay, my darling." She patted the poor girl's back in a comforting manner.Thank goodness she had witnessed the whole incident through her window; otherwise, that despicable man would have done unspeakable things to her girl.Mia continued sobbing, her tears flowing freely. Even the tears she had suppressed since the previous night now poured down her face. She was grateful that Madam Grace had come to her rescue. If not for her, what might have become of her if that man had succeeded in taking her away?After silently watching the girl cry for a while, Madam Grace gently guided Mia to a nearby tree. She would have taken her to her room, but she feared her boss would be furious if he found Mia there.Seeing that Mia had finally calmed down, Madam Grace reached out to stroke her face. "How are you doing? You look so thin. Are you eating regularly?" Her heart broke for Mia.Ever since the child's mother passed away and Mr. Thomson's mistress moved in, poor Mia had been suffering. Life had been anything but easy for her."I heard you passed out. What were you thinking about that caused it? Is something troubling you?""Your mother wouldn't be happy to see you like this, Mia."Mia sniffled and lowered her head sorrowfully. Her mother.Madam Grace sighed, realizing that the girl wasn't ready to share her thoughts. She took a small nylon bag out of her gown's pocket. "It contains herbs. Soak them in hot water and drink before you go to bed. They're highly medicinal." She placed the bag in Mia's hand, her face filled with love and concern.Sniffling once more, Mia looked at the bag and then back at Madam Grace. What would she have done without this woman in her life? "Thank you, Madam Grace.""Don't thank me, it's nothing."The older woman took out some cash from her purse and handed it to Mia. "This should be enough to get you back to school.""Now, you need to hurry and leave before your father finds out you're still here."Mia sobbed softly. "Thank you, Madam Grace.""Quickly, go now—be on your way." The woman waved as Mia slowly shuffled out of the compound.Sighing, Madam Grace pondered how she couldn't treat that child poorly, considering how good Mia's mother had been to her while she was alive. Mia's mother had found her when she had nothing to eat, when she was homeless and starving in the slums. Mia's mother had taken her in.If she didn't treat that woman's daughter well, wouldn't that be considered ungrateful? Wouldn't the deceased be disappointed in her?Mia's mother had found her when she was homeless and starving, living in the slums. With nowhere to go and no one to turn to, Mia's mother took her in.If she didn't treat that woman's daughter well, wouldn't that be considered ungrateful? Wouldn't the deceased be disappointed?After ensuring that Mia was completely out of sight, Madam Grace shook her head and returned to the mansion.—Mia flagged down a taxi by the roadside and returned to the school's dormitory. She had missed the day's classes and needed to copy some notes.She actually wished she didn't have to go back to the dorm, to her room—the room she shared with Martha, her supposed best friend—but what other choice did she have?Like Madam Grace had rightly said, her mother wouldn't be happy to see her in such a state. Mia needed to forget about the past, focus on the present, and move on. Right?As soon as the taxi pulled up in front of the dormitory's imposing iron gates, Mia paid the driver and began walking slowly insid
Martha couldn't just snatch Max from Mia and dump her, just like that. The kids at school would paint her as a bad person. The entire universe would curse her for stealing her best friend's boyfriend. She would be tagged as a "boyfriend snatcher." Her public persona would be ruined, and her whole life would be over.But Martha didn't want that to happen. Never ever. Therefore, she still needed to keep Mia by her side."Thank you, Mia," Martha said, smiling sweetly. However, her smile quickly faded, and she started sobbing wearily.Concerned, Mia asked, "What's wrong?""Mia, will you forgive Max too? Please? It wasn't his fault either. It just happened that way, I swear," Martha pleaded.Mia's face fell. Max, her boyfriend—the only guy she had ever loved in her entire life. How could she stay mad at him? He was a victim too. Like Martha said, things just turned out that way."I forgive Max as well. None of this was your fault, or his.” Mia said softly.Martha flashed a grateful smile, b
The car's exhaust filling up Lucas' nostrils, after the CEO had zoomed off, was what replied the young man. He coughed loudly, waving off the exhaust as he headed back into the corporation. He still had a few things to do before he would call it a day. He chuckled as thughts of his icy cold boss overwhelmed his mind. He was a hundred percent sure that the lady his boss had sent him to go deliver the divorce papers to, had something to do with the man being in a bad mood throughout today.Lucas wondered how the two even got married in the first place... It mush have been that lady's fault. He knew his boss had no romantic relationship going on with any lady... In fact, the man despised women... He's even tagged 'gay lord'. So, how come?He was extremely surprised when his boss had called him in the morning to come pick him up in front of the Bureau's office. But then, thinking about that lady's physical appearance... Earlier on, when he went to hand over the divorce papers... she didn'
Ever since that accident... "Grandpa had a panic attack." The doctor broke the silence and his voice brought Shawn out of his reverie. Panic attack? The young man couldn't help but scoff. His grandfather had a panic attack because that issue? Because he told him he divorced that girl? Just how immensely was the old champ obsessed with him getting married that he'd actually suffered from a panic attack? Doctor Alfred eyed the dangerous man seated in front of him mindfully before speaking. "Mr. Shawn, there's something I think you deserve to know..." His voice trailed off. Shawn stared directly at the man's face as a go ahead. "I'll like for you to digest what I'm about to say well." The doctor chose his words carefully. He couldn't afford to say anything that would offend this formidable man in front of him, or he might spend the rest of his life in jail. He swallowed hesitantly before opening his mouth, "Grandfather is critically ill." He paused to observe the facial
However, now, for his dying grandfather, he'd have to do it. Get married. The search for a wife officially began. Shawn began to make a mental list of all the girls he could choose a bride from. There was none. Absolutely none. He found that all of them were either after his fame, money, or the position of the madam of Beats Corporations. Rubbish. The CEO scoffed exasperatedly. Whether he likes it or not, he has to choose one out of all of those despicable people... He had no choice. And this angered him greatly. Who would he choose to marry?... Right at this moment, something flashed through his eyes. In reality, he was, in fact, already married. That girl... That tiny little girl... The girl from this morning... The CEO pursed his lips. Could she have signed the divorce papers already? But wait. Is he making the right decision by choosing her? Her attitude this morning was... She was just too forward... Look at the way she had jumped at him... Well, she'd made her i
They all expected Mia to have started crying buckets of tears by now, instead, it was the other way round. In actual fact, Mia was exhausted. She'd cried herself to sleep after returning from the hospital last night. There were no more tears in her eyes. She'd poured everything out yesterday. She feels so empty right now.The students clicked their tongues disdainfully at her. At exactly this time, the bell rang, marking the beginning of classes for the day.On after the other, they all rushed to their various classes, leaving behind crying Martha and dry-faced Mia. "Mm-ia, who could have done th-this?" Martha's lips quivered and her body trembled as she wailed uncontrollably. Mia's heart broke at the sight of this and she quickly wrapped her arms around her best friend. "It's okay, stop crying." "No. This is so unfair to you. I'm so sorry... I'm so sorry. How I wish I knew the person that did this...""It's okay. Stop crying--it's not your fault." Mia patted her gently.She smil
After Martha left the table, Max and Mia remained silent, not speaking a word to each other. The atmosphere around them was tense and awkward. Mia immediately regretted not following Martha to the bathroom.Although the harsh words she was hearing around her were heart-piercing, those words weren't as devastating as sitting beside the one person who she loved so dearly, and the both of them acting like total strangers.Max regretted not forcing Martha to stay back with them... It was really so awkward being left alone with his ex. Aish.Several moments passed before he summoned up the courage to speak."Are you okay?" He asked in his cool voice, throwing a sideways glance at Mia.The girl replied by nodding her head. Then she let out a small smile.They both fell silent again.Max bit hesitantly on his lip as he eyed her, "are you angry?" Mia pursed her lips. Again, she nodded her head in response.Truth be told, she realized that she was no longer angry. Instead, she felt sad and emp
After moving closer to the person lying on the ground and confirming that it was indeed her elder sister, Vivian rushed to the girl's side with immediate effect. She hastily knelt on the ground. "What happened?—who did this to you?!" She was very angry. Although, she and Mia were half-sisters, she held Mia dearly to her heart. She did not joke with her at all. Mia was too weak to say a word, so Vivian gently helped her up from the ground. She picked also picked her sister's bag from the ground and then put Mia's arm around her neck. With difficulty, she began to help the girl to the dormitory. ***Martha's phone dinged all of a sudden and she immediately knew that it was what she'd been waiting for that'd come in. In fact, her phone was already in her hand in anticipation. She secretly played the video. After watching it, she grinned and quickly put her phone away in her bag before Max noticed anything.The two lovebirds were currently in the shopping mall--of course, for Martha.
Jennifer Mandez smiled, observing the girl's downcast expression as she joined her side. She gently took off her gloves and cradled Mia's cheeks in her palms."Be free with me, Mia. I'm your mother as well. I held that title before I resumed being Shawn's mother," she chuckled.She paused briefly before continuing, "I want you to forgive me for hurting you. I apologize sincerely. Now, I know better. You're a rare gem, and I wouldn't want Sunshine to be with anyone but you."Mia's eyes widened, "Does that mean we have your blessing to proceed…?"She nodded, grinning."Thank you, Mom!" The girl squeaked happily, and they embraced in a tight, warm hug.“Now, we have to start preparing for the wedding. The date’s just around the corner.”She nodded and they both returned back inside.Soon, the wedding day arrived. Despite the commonality of extravagant weddings among the wealthy, Shawn and Mia's celebration stood out for its simplicity. Only a select few family and friends were invited, a
Shawn's lips tightened. "I believe you," he paused, "however, it's not you that I was referring to; it's the person behind you."‘Huh?’ Amanda's tears ceased instantly, and she swiftly turned to look behind her, as did everyone else.Anderson.Confusion swept through the room."You sending provoking pictures to Yvonne, making her rush back to the country... I was initially going to let you be. However, things changed after discovering you were the one who instigated the accident three years ago. And then you completely crossed the line by sending me those absurd threat messages," Shawn's icy voice confronted Anderson.Anderson stood, clearly taken aback. He hadn't anticipated Shawn's discovery to be so soon. He usually covered his tracks meticulously…“Why? After all these years working for Grandfather, why engage in such actions?” Shawn's brows furrowed deeply.Anderson chuckled. There was nothing to hide anymore, so why not come out clean? “Exactly. I've toiled for the old geezer fo
Upon arriving home, Shawn tenderly lifted his wife and placed her in their bedroom; she had fallen asleep during the ride. Delicately, he undressed her and tucked her into bed, taking a moment to remove her makeup with beauty wipes.As he disposed of the used wipes, Mia's phone started ringing on the nightstand. Without hesitation, he picked it up and noticed that the caller ID was unknown. He answered the call and brought the phone to his ear."Mia, I apologize. It's all my fault. Please, let's reconcile and go back to how we used to be."Upon hearing those words from the caller, Shawn's brows furrowed in irritation. Without uttering a word, he promptly ended the call. 'Dimwit.' As he placed the phone back on the stand, his thumb inadvertently pressed the photos app and opened it.He perched on the edge of the bed, smiling as he scrolled through the pictures on the girl’s phone. Soon, he stumbled upon an unexpected image—none other than a picture of himself, Shawn Mandez. In it, he
Veronica observed, sipping her cocktail, "Ah, so you two are acquainted." She taunted Martha, "Give this cocktail a try; after all, you seem to enjoy coveting what doesn't belong to you."Martha, a hint of fear in her voice, responded quickly, "Um, I don't know him."Veronica clicked her tongue in irritation, shaking her head at Martha's facade. How could she have been so blind to see the girl’s true color all these while?Everyone eyed the person who had just stepped in with confused expressions on their faces. The boy seemed to be around their age, however, he wasn’t familiar at all. He didn't bear the hallmarks of someone from their high school."Who's he?""No idea.""Recognize him?""Not at all."Veronica smiled, reassuring them, "Relax, everyone. You're about to meet him now."Martha's heart raced, fear escalating within her.Veronica turned to the newcomer, asking, "Tell us who you are and what brings you here."The guy's eyes shifted, locking onto Martha. "I'm Jason, Martha's
"Vicky Lewis!" Gasps echoed through the room as all eyes fixated on the newcomer.Mia was also taken aback to see her. She hadn't crossed paths with Vicky since she was expelled from high school, making tonight's encounter unexpected. Instinctively, an uneasy feeling settled within her.Was she here to bully her?However, Mia wasn't alone in her discomfort. Another individual seemed to be grappling with an even stronger sense of unease in response to Vicky's presence.'Why is she here? How did she manage to appear?' Martha gnawed on her lip, nearly drawing blood.After the girl's family faced bankruptcy and her father was incarcerated, Martha believed it spelled the end for Vicky Lewis.Despite Vicky’s persistent calls and attempts to connect, she remained indifferent, never acknowledging her.Long ago, she'd blocked her contact when her incessant calls became irritating. She wasn't responsible for her father's corruption or having a baby mama. She hadn't urged her to bully Mia to the
Upon entering the venue, a chorus of admiration erupted as Martha made her presence known.“You're as dazzling as ever, Martha.”“Your skin is positively radiant.”“Share your beauty secrets with us.”In a chic caramel knee-length dress beautified with subtle floral patterns, paired with classic silver heels, she exuded elegance. A silver necklace firmly adorned on her neck added a touch of poise, creating a simple yet tasteful look for the one-month school reunion.Martha waved her hand dismissively, cheeks turning a rosy hue as she blushed at the compliments pouring in. “Oh, come on, you guys. Enough about me. You all look fantastic yourselves,” she chuckled, taking her seat."Ah, I know. Max is treating her well.""Trueeee!" The collective cooing echoed.Martha simply giggled. "He'll be joining us shortly also.""Thank goodness that Mia girl didn't succeed back then," remarked one of Martha's ex-classmates, and the rest nodded in agreement.Martha's expression dropped upon hearing
"I'll leave now, and never cross your path again."Shawn stood in silence, observing the girl. Without warning, he marched towards the mini lounge, retrieving a lighter from the center table.Returning to Mia, he set ablaze the documents held in his grasp before one could comprehend what was about to happen.Mia let out an immediate shriek, her eyes widening in sheer horror. "What are you—?""You are mistaken. We're eternally linked—bound forever," Shawn calmly muttered as ashes drifted to the floor.Mia blinked rapidly at him."With that resolved, let's head downstairs for dinner. It’s late," he said, changing from his robe into more casual attire.Mia remained rooted in place, her heart burdened and fatigued. "But I don't belong here... your betro—""That's not your concern, Little One. We're married. Legally married. Are you willing to discard that for a meaningless contract?"She frowned at his words.Shawn's mouth twitched as he took her hand, guiding her downstairs to the dining
Three years prior,As an intern, Charlotte found herself working late into the night on this particular day. Upon completing her tasks at B.Y TV building, she headed out. As she walked down the road, a young man approached her."Miss, Master Davis would like to see you. Please, come with me."Upon hearing this, Charlotte felt a mix of surprise and anticipation.The Davis family had consistently opposed her relationship with Damien, and the reasons remained a mystery to her. Perhaps, they were here to reconcile with her. That was her initial assumption.She promptly followed the man to the car, her heart beating rapidly in her chest as she got in."Uncle, Aunt," she bowed politely.Master Davis and his wife cast disdainful glances at the girl.“The reason we summoned you today is straightforward,” Madam Davis spoke. “Sever ties with our son. We don't want you for him.”Upon hearing the woman's heart-wrenching words, a wave of sadness engulfed Charlotte. "Wh-why? Did I do something wron
Stella and her younger siblings were bewildered to see Madam Mandez. She was meant to be deceased—three years prior, they attended her burial ceremony. How was it possible for her to stand before them now?Their astonishment outweighed any excitement, rendering them unable to leap towards her in joy at the unexpected reunion after several years. Was she a ghost?"Master Davis, Madam Davis," Jennifer greeted with a subtle smile, gesturing for the visitors to take their seats.Madam Davis closed the gap between them, taking Jennifer's hands in hers and patting them comfortingly. "It must have been challenging for you these past few years. Are you alright?"She and her husband had learnt that the woman didn’t die in the accident and had been in a coma all these while, only waking up recently…Jennifer Mandez nodded, "I'm fine, thank you, Natasha. Please, take your seat."Madam Davis nodded and then took her seat beside her husband.“It’s good to see you're doing well. However, we've come