After Layson left to shower, Adela sat frozen on the couch, his words still ringing in her ears.“Not tonight. Go sleep in the next room.”She blinked, trying to make sense of it. Why had he asked her here at all? What was the point?The sound of water running in the bathroom snapped her out of her thoughts. Her cheeks burned, perhaps from the wine, or maybe from the confusion swirling in her mind. She got up, stretching stiff legs, and walked toward the room Layson had mentioned.Opening the door, a cool breeze greeted her. The room’s window was slightly ajar, allowing the crisp night air to seep in. Adela welcomed the relief, stepping over to close the window. The room was minimally furnished but tidy, with an inviting bed waiting in the corner. She sighed, shaking her head.“What’s gotten into him today?” she murmured to herself, slipping under the covers.The following morning, Adela woke early. She had to head to work at Walton Enterprises and didn’t want to be late. Grabbing her
Adela had grown accustomed to the whispers and pointed glances at Walton Enterprises. She tried to brush them off, telling herself it didn’t matter, but the persistent undercurrent of judgment still stung. To avoid further scrutiny, she kept her head down and focused on her work, even if the sting of isolation lingered in her heart.After a long day, Adela gathered her things and prepared to leave the office. Since her last encounter with Layson, he’d had Barnes arrange an apartment for her and Herbie near Walton Enterprises, as well as enroll Herbie in a nearby preschool. Adela was grateful for the support, though she hadn’t yet had the chance to thank Layson personally—he’d been elusive.As she left the building, she hesitated, contemplating calling Barnes to find out where Layson might be. When the call connected, she heard Barnes’s ever-professional voice on the other end.“Adela, how can I help you?”Adela hesitated, her grip tightening on the phone. Asking about Layson felt too
Adela carried the food tray to the table, her eyes scanning the play area where Herbie was happily sliding down. She waved at her sister, her voice soft but commanding.“Herbie, come over and eat first before going back to play.”Herbie, her small frame radiating energy, bounded toward her with an infectious grin. She was sweaty, her hair sticking to her forehead in damp strands. Adela couldn’t help but smile at her enthusiasm, even as she reached for a napkin.“Look at you, all sweaty. Go wash your hands first,” she said with a mix of exasperation and affection.From a table nearby, Evelyn observed Adela. She had chosen a seat diagonally across, curious yet conflicted. There was something about Adela’s face—a vague familiarity Evelyn couldn’t place. She toyed with her untouched burger, her mind flipping through faces from her past like a Rolodex.Herbie returned, her small hands freshly washed. Adela opened the burger wrapper and handed it to her. As the aroma of the food hit her, Ad
After what felt like an eternity of waiting, the test results finally came in. The report confirmed it: Adela was three weeks pregnant. Layson held the paper, scanning it carefully, his expression unreadable.“How’s the baby?” he asked the doctor, his voice calm yet firm.“The baby is healthy. Nothing to worry about at this stage,” the doctor reassured him. Then, turning to Adela, she rattled off a long list of precautions, some of which were so personal that Adela’s face turned bright red.Assuming the two were a married couple, the doctor included Layson in the conversation, urging him to ensure Adela was well cared for. “You must look after your wife properly,” she emphasized, unaware of their unique arrangement.Layson, however, remained composed, responding to the doctor’s instructions with polite but detached efficiency. Adela, on the other hand, felt awkward throughout, her embarrassment growing with each word.As they exited the hospital, Layson glanced at Adela and said, “I’l
The next morning, Adela walked into Walton Enterprises with a mix of apprehension and exhaustion. She was already feeling the physical toll of early pregnancy, and the thought of the office gossip weighed heavily on her.Since discovering she was pregnant, Adela had been trying to keep her emotions in check, but the whispers and speculative glances from her colleagues had been draining. Today, however, something felt different.As she walked past the reception desk, the receptionist greeted her warmly—a rarity given the cold shoulders she had grown used to.“Good morning, Adela,” the receptionist said with a smile. Adela blinked in surprise, nodding back hesitantly. Her curiosity deepened as she noticed the absence of hushed murmurs and judgmental stares as she moved through the corridors.Once she reached her desk, she leaned toward Bella, the department manager, with a puzzled expression. “Bella, is it just me, or is something different today? Everyone’s acting... friendly.”Bella l
Adela leaned against the cool elevator wall, rolling her neck to ease the tension from a long day. The familiar ding signaled the elevator’s stop, and the doors opened to reveal a poised and elegant woman stepping inside.Adela instinctively moved to the side, creating space even though there was no need; they were the only two in the elevator. Something about the woman’s presence commanded respect. She exuded a quiet grace, her faint floral perfume adding to the aura of sophistication.As the elevator began its descent, the woman turned to Adela with a soft but clear voice. “Are you Adela?”Startled, Adela blinked. How does she know my name? she wondered, but she nodded out of politeness. “Yes, I am.”The woman smiled gently, her demeanor warm yet unreadable. “I thought so.”Before Adela could ask anything, the elevator arrived at the ground floor, and the doors slid open. Neither woman moved. The woman finally extended her hand, her smile deepening.“My name is Evelyn.”Adela hesita
Liam Walton and Layson Norman stepped out of the upscale private club into the crisp afternoon air of New York. They had come together for business-related matters, but now it was time for each of them to head their separate ways. Just as they were about to part, Liam caught sight of a familiar figure across the street, inside a small, street-corner café with large glass windows.“Is that… Adela?” Liam’s voice was tense, his brows knitting together in disbelief. He narrowed his eyes, peering through the reflective glare of the café’s glass. Next to him, Layson squinted as well, adjusting the collar of his tailored coat. Adela, Liam’s long-lost sister, was sitting at a corner table. What was she doing here alone, and, more importantly, who was she meeting with?Liam’s heart sank with worry. He knew that Adela wasn’t supposed to be indulging in too much caffeine these days—her health had been delicate. And yet, there she was, leaning over the small wooden table. He and Layson both notic
When Liam Walton felt Layson Norman’s firm arm holding him back, he realized only then that his body had tensed, ready to dash after Adela without a second thought. Forced to stop, Liam turned and found himself face-to-face with Evelyn. He saw a new expression there—one he had never seen before. Evelyn, who had always been gentle, soft-spoken, and keenly aware of propriety, now stood before him, eyes rimmed red from tears she had tried to restrain, shoulders drawn tight with remorse.He himself was unsettled by the note of anger and doubt he had heard from her earlier. It was the first time Evelyn had spoken to him that way, her voice laced with bitterness and jealousy. She was usually so understanding, gracefully fitting into the Walton family’s expectations, never raising her voice, never challenging Liam’s decisions. Now, she looked lost and guilt-ridden, as if only now comprehending the consequences of her impulsive confrontation.“I’m sorry,” Evelyn managed, her voice barely abov
Layson drove steadily through the quiet streets, making sure Adela and Herbie got home safely. After seeing them both settled, he finally left and headed straight to the police station. Meanwhile, Liam Walton was in the interrogation room with the officers, listening to Ella’s statement. Apparently, she had been following Adela for a while, originally just intending to ask her for money. But somehow, her greed had spiraled out of control, and things escalated into the kidnapping of Herbie.“I have nothing more to say. I just wanted to take her with me,” Ella muttered, her head hanging low. The confidence and aggression she had earlier were now gone, replaced by a hollow expression. Sitting in the dimly lit interrogation room, she seemed completely unaware of the weight of her actions.Liam, who had come to check on the situation, frowned at her indifferent attitude. “Do you even realize what you’ve done?”Ella scoffed and lifted her head slightly. “What did I do? Taking my own daughte
Ella watched as Jackson surrendered, surrounded by countless cars. She knew that today was the end of the road for her—there was no escape. Just as she came to this realization, Layson’s car arrived.Adela saw the chaotic scene before them, and a deep sense of unease settled in her chest. The moment the car came to a stop, she hurriedly pushed the door open and ran out. Layson hadn’t even had time to react before she was already on her way. His heart clenched in alarm—police officers had their weapons drawn, and the situation was clearly dangerous."Adela, come back!"Layson quickly opened his door to chase after her. At the same time, Liam’s car pulled up, and he caught sight of Adela rushing toward the scene. His chest tightened with anxiety.Adela ran into the crowd of officers but didn’t see Herbie or Ella. Instead, she only spotted a man she didn’t recognize. Her heart pounded in fear."Where is my sister, Herbie?"She grabbed a nearby officer, desperate for answers. The uncertai
As soon as Adela stepped into the dimly lit apartment, the stench hit her like a wave—damp mold mixed with the acrid scent of cigarettes and alcohol. The place reeked of decay, of hopelessness. The police had already arrived, but the room was empty. The only things left behind were a dirty mattress and a chair with loose ropes around it. Clearly, they had missed them."Mr. Norman, by the time we got here, they were already gone," an officer reported.Adela walked further inside, her heart tightening as she imagined Herbie sitting there, tied up, scared, trapped in this suffocating place. Her mind raced with a whirlwind of emotions—fear, anger, and a deep-seated guilt. If only she had been more cautious. If only she had noticed something was off sooner.“We need to find them. Now.” Layson’s voice was calm, but the authority in his tone was undeniable. He was fuming inside, not just at the situation, but at himself for underestimating Ella. He had always seen her as nothing more than a
The dimly lit room reeked of damp mold, mixed with the stifling scent of cigarette smoke, making Herbie feel dizzy. Her hands had been tied up for so long that they had gone numb. Across the room, Ella and Jackson sat on a moldy, yellowed mattress, both frowning deeply."So, you're saying we should use this kid to get money from her sister?" Jackson took a long drag from his cigarette, the smoke curling through the damp air, barely dispersing before it clung to the surroundings like an invisible fog. Ella cast a glance at Herbie, who was bound tightly, her eyes darkening with ruthless intent. A chill ran down Herbie’s spine as her sense of unease grew stronger."Yes, her sister has money now. Once we get our hands on a decent amount, we can get out of here and start over somewhere better." Ella’s eyes glimmered with greed, her mind already envisioning a brighter future, oblivious to how terrifying her expression had become. Jackson observed her face and felt a flicker of hesitation. H
Layson saw the redness in Adela's eyes, and it felt like someone had squeezed his heart. A wave of pain surged through him. Without thinking, he gently patted her arms, trying to comfort her."Don't worry, I'm here."His words were like an anchor, grounding her amidst the chaos. Somehow, just knowing he was there made everything feel a little less terrifying, as if things would turn out okay."It’s alright. Get in the car first."Layson held her close and guided her into the car, but he stayed outside, making a call. Adela watched him through the window, noticing the way his brows furrowed as he spoke. She couldn't hear everything clearly, but she caught bits and pieces. His eyes flickered toward her every so often, checking on her. The subtle gestures, the quiet attention—it warmed her heart in a way she hadn’t expected.When he finally finished the call, he circled the car and slid into the driver’s seat.He had been in the middle of a crucial meeting when Mrs. Anderson’s call came
Herbie was heading home as usual that day, completely unaware that she would run into someone from her past—someone she hadn’t seen in years. When she first saw Ella standing there on the street, it took her a moment to even recognize her. The woman looked older, much thinner, and had a weary, almost defeated air about her. Life had clearly not been kind to her."Herbie!"Ella had been waiting along Herbie’s usual route home, and her sudden appearance startled the girl so much that she instinctively took several steps back. Her only memory of this woman was from when she was five years old—the same woman who had abandoned her, leaving her alone in the same house where her father had died."Herbie, it's me, your mother."Ella's face was filled with an exaggerated sadness, as if genuinely hurt by Herbie’s reaction. But her presence here wasn’t some spontaneous decision—she had been planning this moment for a long time. She had been watching, observing from a distance, learning about Her
Liam Walton watched as the old man slowly made his way up the stairs, his back slightly hunched with age. He could tell that his grandfather was feeling down. The man who had once commanded power and influence in the business world was now worn out, troubled by family matters that refused to resolve themselves.Turning back to Evelyn, Liam gently stroked her hand, offering silent comfort."By the way, Liam, when is your father coming back?" the old man suddenly asked, pausing at the staircase. He had almost forgotten that Spencer had called, saying he was returning soon. The thought only struck him now."His flight is the day after tomorrow," Liam replied, his voice carrying a mix of anticipation and tension. He hadn’t yet told his father that they had found Adela.Spencer Walton had left for overseas after his wife passed away. He had been devastated by her death, completely unable to recover from the grief. The knowledge that he had a daughter who had been abandoned only added to hi
The room was filled with the gentle trickle of a small indoor fountain, the sound making the silence between them even more pronounced. Adela sat with her head slightly lowered, absentmindedly toying with her fingers as she processed everything Liam had just told her. She could understand now why she had been abandoned—it was a desperate move, a last resort by a mother trying to protect both her children. But understanding didn't make it any easier to accept.“Adela, I know this isn’t something you can just accept overnight,” Liam said, his voice carrying a mix of patience and pleading. “But Grandpa’s getting older. He’s been hoping for years that you’d come back.”Adela’s lips pressed together into a tight line. She barely remembered her grandfather, and whatever connection they might have had was severed long ago. As far as she was concerned, she had spent her entire life as an outsider to the Walton family, and she wasn’t sure she wanted that to change now.Liam exhaled, sensing he
It was a cold night, one without rain but with a biting wind that swept through the dark streets of New York. Under the dim glow of streetlights, a woman walked slowly, cradling a baby in her arms. She was well-dressed, her makeup still flawless despite the lateness of the hour. Even in the shadows, one could tell she was a strikingly beautiful woman.The child in her arms was unusually quiet, not frightened by the howling wind, as if sensing the inevitable abandonment looming ahead. Perhaps, in its innocent way, the baby was trying to be good, trying not to upset the mother who was about to leave it behind. Wide, curious eyes gazed up at the world, unaffected by the chill in the air.At this hour, New York’s streets were nearly deserted, especially on such a cold night. Most houses had their doors tightly shut, leaving only the occasional glow of lights spilling out onto the pavement. The woman walked aimlessly, as though searching for something—or perhaps stalling for time.At the e