LANAShe looked into my eyes with a blank expression and said, "You’re too emotional, Lana. We need to forget the past. There’s a brighter future ahead, and I’ve decided to be a good mother to you and a better person in general."As I stared at her, my heart ached, and tears streamed down my cheeks. Deep down, I knew her changes weren’t for me; they were for my biological father. To her, I was just a stepping stone or an obstacle, and that realization cut deep.I replied, "I don’t see a future with you. I hope you find happiness, Mom."I turned away and reached for the doorknob. Just as I was about to pull it open, I heard her voice behind me. "Lana, if you change your mind, you can come back. I’ll be waiting."In that moment, my resentment for her only grew.Fuck her and her plans for the future.As I stepped out of the ward, I saw Maximum leaning against the wall, hands stuffed in his pockets.When he opened his eyes and turned to me, his expression was blank. I couldn't decipher wha
LANAI knew I was wrong, but I didn’t want to admit it.Jealousy gnawed at me, knowing someone else had his heart. He had deceived me, making me feel like a fool.I just stared at him in silence, wrapping the duvet tighter around myself.He ran his fingers through his hair, frustration etched on his face. I could see the anger and confusion in his eyes, and my heart ached for him, even amidst my own turmoil.Turning away, I interrupted him, “Lana, I know I was wrong to test your love and loyalty, b—”“There’s no need to feel guilty,” I cut him off. “I’ve accepted my place in your heart and your life. I don’t want much—please don’t give me false hope.”I slipped off the bed and headed to the shower. After washing up, I emerged to find only breakfast waiting for me.Maximum was nowhere to be found. After I ate, boredom settled in, so I switched on the television.A female reporter appeared on the screen, her voice serious.“Reporting from the scene of a recent crime, authorities are in
LANAMy mother smiled gently, and it only fueled my anger. I couldn't stand her hypocritical facade.It hit me hard that she wasn't denying the truth—my heart ached as I realized that neither my biological father nor my mother wanted me.None of them wanted me.My dad had rejected me as an infant.My mom had turned her back on me as I grew older.I thought I could accept this brutal reality, but then the tears came.I hated feeling this way.I looked at my mother, a complete stranger in that moment. She sat there calmly, her face a mask of indifference.In that instant, I understood: my pain meant nothing to her."Are you sending me away just to win his approval?" I asked, my heart heavy with hurt.She stared back at me, her smile a hollow thing, and said, "Stop blaming him."I knew there was no point in talking to her anymore. I turned away, leaving with the remnants of my shattered heart.I was taken aback to see Maximum standing just a few meters away. I had thought he’d gone back
LANAHis words sent a chill down my spine, and I stared at him, unsure of how to respond.He must have sensed my turmoil because he continued, "Lana, I didn’t mean to frighten you. I tried to keep it to myself, but I couldn’t. You’ve consumed my thoughts—I can’t eat, drink, or think straight. My whole world feels meaningless without you..."I couldn’t let him finish. "Please, stop," I interrupted, my heart racing.He looked at me, disappointment etched on his face. I stood up, feeling a mix of anger and confusion. "You know I have a boyfriend. Did Maximum put you up to this?"He shook his head and stood up too, his gaze steady. "Lana, this is about my feelings for you. It’s not about anyone else. I hope you can understand that."The more he spoke, the more irritated I became. "Just stop, okay? Take me back to where you picked me up."I turned on my heel and walked toward the exit, desperate to escape the chaos in my mind. I was done with this conversation; he was only complicating eve
LANAI instinctively frowned as I looked at the flower bouquet and the card the girl was holding. I already had a good idea of who had sent it."I have a boyfriend," I told her firmly.But she acted as if she hadn’t heard me. "The young man over there wants you to have it," she replied calmly.I turned to see Pedro leaning against a pillar, a smile on his face. He waved at me, then lowered his hand."Tell him I have a boyfriend," I reiterated, then turned and walked away without looking back.After school, I stepped outside to find Pedro waiting for me at the gate. To my dismay, six other people stood nearby, all holding flower bouquets and cards. The sight was overwhelming, and I felt a mix of frustration and discomfort knowing they were all there for me.I approached him, knowing he wouldn’t let me slip away easily."Pedro, why are you still here?" I asked, my irritation bubbling just beneath the surface.He smiled warmly, a look that sent a shiver down my spine. I was used to the c
LANAI thought that would make Pedro give up, but when I returned to school after the weekend, I was taken aback by what happened next.A young man approached me, someone I had never seen before. "After school today, you’re going to get a big surprise," he said mysteriously.“Who are you?” I asked, but he simply turned and walked away, leaving me puzzled and unable to figure out what he meant.As I entered the school through the gate, I couldn’t shake off the feeling of anticipation.Later that day, after school, I began to hear music. A voice was singing, and I couldn’t quite make out the words.“He’s so handsome! Who is he singing for?” I overheard a girl whisper to her friend.A sense of dread washed over me, and I quickened my pace toward the exit. When I stepped outside, I was stunned to see a van parked nearby, surrounded by speakers and musical equipment. A whole band was set up, and there was Pedro, holding a microphone and singing.My heart sank when he spotted me. There was n
LANAThe car sped down the streets, and frustration bubbled inside me. I made a quick decision and booked a taxi on my phone. Just as I was about to get in, Pedro approached.“Lana, look at how he abandoned you. He doesn’t care about you like you care about him. What did you do to make him ignore you and—”I spun around, cutting him off. “Shut up!”I didn’t realize my eyes were brimming with tears until I saw the surprise in his gaze. I faced him defiantly. “Why are you doing this? It’s not just hurting me; you’re ruining my happiness. When I was at my lowest, he came to me. He healed me. He gave me a reason to smile…”I wiped my tears angrily. “What you’re doing is trying to come between me and the person who gave me a chance to live a normal life, a chance to love and be loved.”He stood there, speechless. I couldn’t tell if he understood, but all I wanted was to see Maximum and explain everything.As I reached for the car door, Pedro grabbed my wrist. I turned to him, my expression
LANAAt that moment, I didn't know whether to feel happy or sad. Maximum's jealousy felt like both a blessing and a curse.As another A-list singer took the stage, the crowd erupted with excitement. I stood there, my emotions tangled, when someone nudged me. I turned to see a girl smiling at me. I didn’t recognize her, but her name tag suggested she was a classmate."Lana, you’re really something! First, a guy confessed his love for you by singing in the street, and now the whole crowd is buzzing again. How do you do it?" she asked, her eyes glinting with curiosity.I was at a loss for words."Lana, I think you should pick the richer guy," she said seriously.I looked at her, slightly baffled. "I have a boyfriend," I replied.She scoffed. "What does that mean? Can he love you and treat you like they can?"Frustrated, I decided to disengage from the conversation and made my way through the crowd. Finally, I managed to squeeze out and catch a glimpse of Maximum’s car parked down the str
LANAMy mother looked at me with such intense hatred that I knew I'd struck a nerve.Even though I didn’t want to stay with my father, seeing how restless and angry she was made me reconsider.I had made my decision: I would stay.Taking a deep breath, she suppressed her emotions and, with an expressionless face, calmly said, "Get ready. Your dad has prepared a welcome home party for you."Without waiting for a response, she turned and headed for the door. That’s when I realized the root of her anger.She was furious that my father hadn’t organized a party to welcome her as he was doing for me.How petty and narrow-minded she was! I couldn’t help but burst into laughter."Mom, it seems my dad doesn’t love you the way you want to be loved," I mocked.This time, she didn’t retort. Instead, she opened the door and slammed it behind her.I felt a rush of satisfaction from having the upper hand. Years of feeling suppressed by her made fighting back feel like a release, a way to make her ex
LANAI expected her to hit me, but instead, she lowered her hand and tried to make peace. "Lana, can we move past this and build a better future? Dwelling on the past will only ruin our relationship. Can't you see that?"I grinned because I knew why she hadn't slapped me. She feared my father's reaction. She was only holding back because of him.I sneered, "Mother, why are you so afraid of the truth? You waited for my father because you knew he wouldn’t be a loser like your ex, Bernardo. You’re just greedy and selfish..."She cut me off, yelling, "Lana, that's enough!"Her eyes blazed with anger, and she was trembling with rage.I smiled, chuckling, "Are you angry? That's how you made me feel for years—angry, powerless, with nowhere to vent. I was filled with so much pain."She closed her eyes, trying to regain her composure. "I think you should stop, Lana. You've had your fun. Let's not make things uglier than they are."I gave her a hollow smile, ready to mock her again, but the doo
LANAI was surprised when he brought a glass of water to my lips. As I took a sip, he flashed a smile and said, "As my only child, it's understandable that we know each other well."After taking several gulps, I was satisfied. He took the empty glass and fed me. When I was full, he asked, "Where is your mother?"Before I could answer, the door opened and my mother walked in. I looked at her intently, and Lionel, noticing my gaze, turned to see her.A big smile appeared on his face as he called out, "Darling."My mother replied, "Yes, my honey."I lay back on the bed and said loudly enough for them both to hear, "I want to sleep."I shut my eyes, and soon drifted off. When I woke, my father was gone, leaving only my mother.She looked at me with an annoyed expression. "Lana, stop pretending and get discharged already. I'm fed up with spending days here."I was shocked. I thought I'd only been in the hospital for a day. Her mention of days shook me."How many days have I been here?" I a
LANAHe sneered, "You are the reason I am like this."I gave him a confused look, wondering what he meant by saying I was the reason he was wounded, rather than explaining that he had tried to kiss me.I vehemently resisted, my hands outstretched as I tried to push him off. He held my hands firmly."Stop trying to resist," he said. "You are the reason Maximum's men hunted me down and almost killed me. I'm going to fuck you anyway. I'm about to die, and I wonder how he would react if he knew I gave his woman the best sex before I died."Hearing this, my heart thumped wildly. I swallowed the lump in my throat; those close to death fear nothing."Please, there's no reason for you to throw your life away," I pleaded. "If you let me take you to the hospital right now, you will survive."He looked at me as if I were an idiot and then sarcastically ridiculed, "Going to the hospital? You mean taking myself into the mortuary?"My eyes widened; I didn’t understand him at all.He reached for my
LANASeeing the handsome man before me, I understood why my mother had been so captivated by him. Even with age, his charm was undeniable.Now, I recognized where my own looks came from—both my parents were striking in their own ways.I pretended not to know him and asked, "Who are you?"The dragon tattoo on his neck didn’t seem crude; instead, it gave him a wild allure.He grinned and replied calmly, "Lionel, your father."I looked him straight in the eyes and retorted, "I’ve never met you. My mom has only ever introduced Bernardo as my father, so I don’t know you."He smiled, as if he had anticipated my resistance. Glancing at his wristwatch and then at the sky, he suggested, "Why don’t we go inside and talk? The sun will be up soon, and it’s not the best place to discuss what I need to tell you."Reluctantly, I agreed. "Alright."I opened my apartment door, and he stepped inside, taking his time to survey the space. I handed him a glass of water and said, "Please, have a seat."He
LANAI stepped out of the taxi and walked up to Pedro, folding my arms as I asked coldly, "What are you doing here?"Pedro flashed me a warm smile and replied cheekily, "I wanted to check on my future girlfriend and see how she’s doing."Realizing he wasn’t being serious, I shook my head and said, "Stop daydreaming; Maximum and I will never break up."He spread his arms and retorted nonchalantly, "You never can tell."Then he turned and walked away without looking back. I furrowed my eyebrows, watching him leave. I didn’t know what Pedro had been hinting at lately, but I was starting to feel wary.I went inside my apartment and lay down on the bed, quickly drifting off to sleep. When I woke up, I felt as if I were being watched. I sat up and turned to see Maximum sitting in the chair.I jumped up from the bed, exclaiming, "Babe!"I ran into his arms. He wrapped his arms around me, and I curled my legs around his waist, burying my head in the crook of his neck, inhaling his familiar sc
LANAI was taken aback, unsure of who might show up at my door besides the driver and my mom, who already knew I was back in New York. I didn't have any friends here; Bernardo had made sure of that.Another knock echoed, and curiosity got the better of me. I opened the door, and my eyes widened in disbelief."Pedro!" I exclaimed, my voice a mix of shock and surprise.He flashed a grin and replied, "Lana, you didn’t mention you were coming back! If I hadn’t been keeping tabs on you, I wouldn’t have known."I stood there, speechless. Pedro was the most stubborn person I had ever met, and his determination was something to behold."Can I come in?" he asked, noticing I hadn’t invited him inside.I shook my head firmly. "Of course not."I closed the door slightly but stood in front of it with my arms crossed, demanding, "Why are you here?"He grinned, his expression shifting to seriousness. "To see you, of course."I had anticipated that response, so I shot back, "Now that you’ve seen me,
LANAI smiled sweetly at him, my heart heavy with emotion."I'm going to miss you even more," I said, my voice thick with tears. We embraced tightly, and I didn’t even notice when my eyes began to redden, warm tears spilling down my cheeks.The thought of spending days without him felt unbearable; I had grown so accustomed to his presence.He placed a gentle kiss on my forehead. "I will come for you, baby," he promised.After we left the swimming pool, we shared a quiet dinner together. Once we finished, I headed up to my room while he stepped out.Sleep eluded me. I lay in bed, eyes wide open, tossing and turning, unable to find comfort.Just then, my phone rang. Without glancing at the screen, I answered, "Hello?"To my surprise, it was my mother on the other end. "Lana, when do you say you’re coming to New York tomorrow?"I replied, my impatience bubbling over, "I’ll be on my way to New York in the morning.""Well, I already bought a flig—"I cut her off, hanging up and tossing my
LANAAt that moment, my heart was filled with joy. I smiled and embraced him tightly, holding him close.He kissed my forehead, and we held each other for ten whole minutes before we reluctantly parted.After dinner, we were in our bedroom when Maximum brought up the topic."Have you made up your mind?" he asked.I turned to him on the bed, my arm around his neck. "I will return, but I have one condition."He looked into my eyes and asked, "What is that, baby?"I replied, "I don’t want to live under the same roof as the man who abandoned my mother when she was pregnant and who just reappeared, expecting us to welcome him with open arms."I expected him to disagree, so I was surprised when he readily agreed without hesitation. "I agree."Looking at his handsome face, I couldn’t help myself. I leaned in and kissed him, and he wrapped his arm around my back, deepening the kiss.I straightened up and tugged at my shirt collar. He helped me out of it, and we tossed it aside. I returned the