What can they do now? Play petty games and act like bullies again? Dawn exhales sharply, her fingers gripping the edge of her phone as Travis's message flickers on the screen. His words carry a weight of guilt and concern. He has arranged for her to attend the reunion with bodyguards. She wants to be angry at him for being so overprotective, but deep down, she knows his actions stem from love. He’s been working himself to the bone, determined to clear his schedule before the final month of her pregnancy. The pressure he carries is palpable, his desire to protect her and their unborn son consuming him. After everything they’ve endured—the threats, the near-misses—he refuses to take any risks. Dawn sets her phone down, her chest tightening. She wishes Travis could be here tonight, but she doesn’t dwell on the thought for long. Tiara, stepped in at the last moment, eager to take his place. Tiara’s presence feels like a shield, a reminder that Dawn doesn’t have to face her past al
"My Lady!" Dawn flinches at the sound of a female voice behind her. The running faucet muffles the words, but she turns to find a female waitress standing there. Before Dawn can say anything, the waitress places a folded piece of paper on her purse and quickly leaves the restroom. Confused, Dawn picks up the note and glances at it. Her expression hardens, but she remains silent. Moments later, some of her classmates enter the bathroom. Among them is Nora Brown, her unmistakable presence commanding the room. Not wanting to waste energy on people she deems unimportant, Dawn turns to leave. But just as she reaches the door, a hand blocks her path. "So, you got pregnant!" Nora’s smirk widens as she shoves Dawn against the wall. "I wonder if the man who knocked you up knows how worthless you really are." Dawn gently shields her belly, her expression calm and composed. Her lack of reaction only fuels Nora’s rage. "Nora!" one of her underlings hisses, glancing nervously at the
"Dawn! Let's have dinner together!" Jake approaches her after finding her alone in the corner of the room. She has been trying to find Danny, who has yet to arrive. The sole purpose of coming here is to meet Danny, so it's upsetting that he hasn’t shown up yet. "Thank you. But I am a bit busy!" she says while trying to message Danny. "I don't know what happened between us, Dawn, but I don't want to ruin our friendship. Millie misses you too!" Dawn looks at him, clearly uninterested in his words. "Mr. Jake, I don't think we have any friendship." "Jake! What are you doing?" Spring approaches them and wraps her hand around his arm. "Oh! Dawn? Sorry! In this room, staying five feet apart is impossible since we're at the same party. Anyway, I think you’ve met my boyfriend. This is Jake." She grins. "So rest assured, I won’t come after Travis!" She chuckles, pressing a kiss on his cheek. Dawn looks unbothered once again and dials a number. The only friend who always had her back w
Surprisingly, the rest of the party goes smoothly. Danny is overly protective of Dawn, and even Tiara can’t stop talking about it. However, there are visible walls of friendship between them. Dawn feels overjoyed to spend what she believes might be her last moments with Danny. She knows he will soon become sick and pass away, which breaks her heart. Danny has turned into the kind of sweet friend she has always wanted. Meanwhile, Spring keeps her distance and avoids Dawn entirely, choosing instead to hang out with her own friends. Tiara is busy replying to Travis’s endless messages—about the bodyguards, the female waitstaff he sends, and everything else. Tiara is shocked when Travis first confides in her about his plan. He knows he won’t get much time to stay with Dawn, but he wants to ensure that everyone working at the event is replaced by his own people. So now, all the female staff and male security guards are part of the Ericson security team. “So, what about you coming to
The car pulls up in front of a vast expanse of land. At first glance, Dawn is confused by the darkness. She glances at Travis as he steps out of the car. Her heart starts thumping. She trusts him, but this scenario—away from the city, shrouded in darkness, the sound of crickets echoing in the air, and no one else around—makes her tremble slightly.She cradles her belly, trying not to let doubts creep in about whether Travis would ever hurt her or the baby."Why are we here? This doesn’t look like a date!" she asks, her jaw clenched tightly.Travis notices the troubled expression on her face. He opens her door and gently pecks her cheek. "We’re here!" he says with a grin.She tilts her head, trying to understand what’s happening, but her eyes widen in shock as the surroundings suddenly become illuminated by thousands of lights.The entire path is lined with glowing lights and vibrant flowers, forming arches that look like floral gates. At the end of the road stands a giant tent."What’
Travis’s eyes open with a panic when he feels the wetness on his arm. Thinking that it’s pouring and the raindrops are dripping off the ceiling of the tent, he almost jumps until… He finds Dawn crying silently in her sleep, tears streaming down his arm. “Dawn!” he mutters, looking worried. Gently wiping her face, he shakes her slowly, careful not to frighten her. “Dawn! Wake up! It’s fine,” he whispers, rubbing her back. “Do-Don’t kill him. Don’t kill my baby boy,” she sobs, wrapping her arms around her belly. Travis’s eyes moisten as she cries in his arms. He holds her without disrupting her dreams, whispering softly, “It’s just a dream. You are alright!” It has become a common occurrence for them. Travis shares the same nightmares, watching her and Asher dying constantly. It has become a part of his life, an unrelenting reminder of everything he must do to protect her and Asher. His heart echoes his sadness as he pulls her closer into his arms, resting her against his c
Spring's expression shifts to seriousness as she shakes the glass of wine. Her eyes are settled on her reflection in the counter. Beads of sweat gather at the corner of her left brow, with a deep frown between her eyebrows. "Don't worry!" A cold tone comes as she takes a glance at the sushi master. "She wasn't as important as you thought she would be." Spring looks up at the man. His blonde hair and dark blue eyes don't match the Sagari he has adorned himself with. She lowers her gaze, then reaches for the sliced raw squid sashimi he just prepared. "Fanny is my ex-boyfriend's sister. She was one of the most cunning people I have ever met," she says calmly, clenching the chopsticks. "So?" the man retorts. "She crossed the line—blackmailing us. How stupid!" Spring leans into the chair and meets his eyes with a sharp sigh. "You should have at least used her before killing her. Whatever. When will your brother be here?" The man grins playfully while cleaning the knife. "He won
Travis stands firm behind her, his hand resting gently on her shoulder as she sits upright on the couch. Across from her, Jasmine reclines with an air of superiority, her sharp eyes glinting with judgment. The corner of Jasmine’s lips twitches upward into a smug smirk as she glances briefly at Dawn before redirecting her attention to Travis.“So, tell me,” Jasmine begins, her tone laced with disdain, “what made you marry her, Travis? I introduced you to countless women—highly qualified, stunning women. And yet, you chose... this?”The room plunges into a suffocating silence. The weight of unspoken words hangs heavy in the air as all eyes shift to Jasmine. The glint in their gazes sharpens like predators zeroing in on prey.Travis’s fingers move in slow, soothing circles on Dawn’s shoulder, his voice steady but firm. “Because she’s the one I want to be with.”Jasmine scoffs, loud and dismissive. Her gaze sweeps over Dawn like a disinterested interviewer appraising a candidate. “So,” sh
Five days ago, The last call Travis received from Dawn, saying she was being stalked by someone, sent a shiver down his spine. The link indicated that she was at a mall, waiting for Tiara. That was when she noticed the same person who had been in every shop they visited. At first, she didn't think much of it, but when she entered the women's restroom, she realized that the person was standing in front of the door, waiting. Unable to do anything with her heavily pregnant belly, she quickly sent a link to Travis, fearing that she might be in danger. Travis left everything behind and rushed straight to the mall. When he arrived, he found her crying, sitting on a bench with Tiara hugging her tightly. Later, he learned that Tiara had threatened the person for standing in front of the restroom like a creep, unaware that he had actually been stalking Dawn. Now, Travis's main focus is to find out who the stalker was while also handling the case of Butler Jacob. Sitting across f
Danny Parker, the boy with striking blue eyes and blonde hair, was always seated near Dawn in class. Despite the constant bullying she endured, Danny remained by her side like a shadow. He would often stand up for her, only to end up beaten by others. Surprisingly, Dawn felt deeply connected to him as a best friend. One day, while studying together in the library, she murmured, "I wish I could stay with you forever. Nobody wants me." Danny’s heart shattered at her words. In that moment, he vowed to be with her forever. But the word forever held different meanings in their two innocent yet exhausted hearts. Danny, a boy who despised being labeled a betrayal child, longed for someone to see him as just Danny, the way Dawn did. Dawn, weary and disheartened, yearned for a lifelong friend—someone who would stay with her for hours without questioning her worth. But their wishes never came true. Dawn had to transfer to another university under the pretense of her sister's decisio
The room feels like a cold, sterile storage unit rather than a place meant for recovery. Danny sits stiffly on the couch, his fingers twitching slightly as he watches the nurse. She moves with gentle precision, adjusting the IV drip before carefully drawing his blood for testing. The faint clink of metal instruments against glass echoes in the silence, amplifying the tension in his chest. A deep voice cuts through the air. “So.” Danny’s eyes flick to the man sitting across from him. Despite the overwhelming dominance radiating from him, there is an odd sense of security in his presence—rather than fear, Danny feels protected. “You knew they were hurting you?” A thin line forms between Danny’s lips, his expression darkening with quiet sorrow. “I know my body. And I know what kind of illness my father had,” he murmurs, his voice calm but laced with an underlying bitterness. “Even though I never showed symptoms, I knew exactly what medicine I needed to protect myself.” He i
When Fate Plays a Twisted GameDanny’s eyelids flutter open just as the IV drip ceases. A dull ache pulses through his body, and a sense of confusion washes over him. His mind struggles to grasp how his health had declined so suddenly. His gaze shifts to Mary, who sits beside him, her eyes filled with worry—a worry that feels too perfect, too rehearsed. "Danny! You have no idea how terrified I was! Your health declined so suddenly—I almost became a widow at twenty-three!" A pang of guilt settles in Danny’s chest, but he knows he cannot blame himself for his illness. He exhales slowly. "I thought this would happen around my thirties, not now…" He pauses before noticing the packed suitcases scattered across the room. "Are we going somewhere? You’ve been busy packing." Mary stills for a moment before approaching him. Wrapping her arms gently around his neck, she presses a soft kiss against his lips. "You don’t know how lucky I feel right now. Not only have you woken up, but one of
Henry’s eyes flutter open with a subtle grunt as the phone rings. Beside him, Mary remains asleep, curled beneath the blanket, her breathing soft and steady. Pressing a gentle kiss to her shoulder, he stretches an arm toward the nightstand, reaching for the phone. "What’s the time—!?" His brows knit together the moment he sees the caller’s name. His breath catches, and his grip on the device tightens. "Im—Impossible!" he mutters under his breath, throwing the blanket off his legs in one swift motion. His gaze lingers on Mary, a flicker of hesitation and guilt clouding his blue eyes. But the name on the screen—it’s more than just a person to him. It’s a ghost from the past, one he had long believed to be buried. Moving with silent urgency, he slips out of bed and enters his study. Locking the door behind him, he settles before his desk, his fingers trembling slightly. With a press of a button, the monitor flickers to life, revealing the hidden camera feed of the bedroom. His eyes
"We must save him!"Just one line is enough to make her man do the impossible. Dawn has no idea that her husband can start an international conflict with a single snap of his fingers. Travis pulls the curtains and walks quietly toward his wife. She has finally drifted into deep slumber after crying in his arms about Danny. His fingers gently brush against her cheeks, wiping away the traces of her tears. "Dawn," he whispers, his voice soft and filled with warmth. "Don't cry for another man. It breaks me." He presses a tender kiss against her forehead. "The last thing I ever want to see is you in tears. Whether it's for me, Asher, or anyone else, just say the word, and I will do it, get it, or claim it for you. But don't cry." His gaze lingers on her, memorizing her peaceful expression. He doesn’t know if his love for her is enough. But even if it isn’t, he will love her more—more than anything in the world. After gently massaging her legs and feet, he steps out of the bedro
Death is a cruel truth that everyone tries not to remember. As time goes by, death creeps closer, an unavoidable fate lurking in the shadows.Danny's life hangs by the few wires connecting him to the machines in a private hospital. His once-handsome face has turned pale, as if someone has applied a lighter shade of foundation over his skin. The beeping of the monitor is steady but weak, a fragile tether between him and the world of the living.The sound of heavy footsteps echoes in the sterile room as a nurse walks in, her hands gripping a few syringes and a vial of blue liquid. Her expression is stiff, her every movement reluctant, as if she has been forced into this moment against her will."Just inject it and leave without making a noise."The command crackles through her earpiece, making her stiffen. She hesitates, her gaze darting toward the wall clock hanging above Danny's head. The second hand ticks forward, a cruel reminder that time waits for no one.Swallowing hard, she grip
Travis rests the iPad on the table and takes a deep breath. His eyes dart around, as if trying to grasp something that makes sense. A sharp exhale escapes his lips as he walks into the kitchen and opens the refrigerator. Grabbing a cold beer, he makes his way toward the master bedroom. Leaning against the doorframe, he takes a sip, his gaze fixed on Dawn. Longing, yearning, and a flicker of sadness reflect in the depths of his distinct blue eyes. "Even kindness leads to downfall, doesn’t it?" he mutters, feeling the cold beer burn down his throat. After standing there for a moment, lost in thought, he walks back to the balcony and grabs his phone. "Mr. Holden." "Yes?" Mr. Holden, who has been on the case, trying to dig up any information about Spring and her associates, finally shifts his focus to the call. "Don’t tell Dawn about this. She’ll be upset. I want her to enjoy her life without unnecessary worry." Travis takes another sip, his eyes scanning the horizon. "But…
Travis glances at his sleeping wife, his gaze softening as he takes in her peaceful features. Leaning down, he presses the gentlest kiss to her forehead, his lips barely brushing against her warm skin. A quiet sigh escapes him as he straightens, his movements careful, ensuring he doesn’t wake her. Without another sound, he turns and slips out of the room, closing the door with a soft click. The hallway is dimly lit, shadows stretching along the walls as the night settles over the house. As he moves toward the lobby, his footsteps are measured, his mind already consumed by the weight of his thoughts. He reaches the wooden rocking chair near the window and lowers himself into it, placing his laptop on his lap. The glow from the screen illuminates his face, casting sharp angles as his fingers move over the keyboard with quiet precision. With each passing moment, his expression hardens, his focus narrowing as he clicks through files and documents. The air around him grows heavier, thi