Layson Norman handed a file to Liam Walton across the desk, nodding toward it with a slight, almost mysterious gesture. Liam raised an eyebrow, feeling a bit curious, and opened the file.“What’s this?” Liam asked, flipping through the pages.Inside, it was all Adela’s academic records from her time in England, every detail meticulously documented, even her exam results. Liam took his time reading each page, impressed by the solid performance and glowing grades. He felt a deep sense of pride for Adela.“Adela’s almost finished her studies in England. She’s graduating in a couple of months,” Layson said, his tone casual yet purposeful. He was letting Liam know that Adela was at a crossroads—she could either return home or stay in England. It was up to her now. Liam’s expression shifted, his brows furrowing as he processed the information.“Her career in England is going well. She’s made a name for herself and has already met some well-known designers,” Layson continued. He wasn’t just
The spring weather in England was still a bit chilly, with the sun's light struggling to break through the clouds. Adela had returned to her school today to handle her graduation formalities. It felt surreal—five years had passed since she first came to England. Walking down the street, Adela couldn’t help but reflect on how quickly time had flown by.“Hey, Adela!”Suddenly, she heard someone call her name from behind. She turned around and saw her mentor, Vivian. Adela paused and waited for Vivian to catch up.“Vivian, hello!”As Vivian walked up, the two of them continued walking side by side. Vivian glanced at the documents Adela was holding and quickly guessed why she was at the school today.“Are you here to handle your graduation formalities?”Adela nodded, shaking the papers in her hand. “Yes.”Vivian smiled at her and, with a hint of excitement in her voice, asked, “So, where are you going next? Eric’s company is offering you a position, you know.”Adela chuckled softly. Vivia
Outside the door, Marah heard every word of the conversation inside. Her hands clenched tightly together, a deep sense of resentment bubbling up inside her. She had always believed that whatever she wanted, she would get. She couldn’t accept that she, Marah, wouldn’t be able to win Layson Norman over—so what if he had a child? Her eyes darkened as she moved forward, her steps heavy with determination.Diana came downstairs with Ralph in tow, only to find Richard alone in the living room. Diana still couldn’t shake the discomfort she felt upon seeing him. She had told him countless times not to let Marah live in their house, but he had insisted it was to repay a debt to an old friend, that he had to take care of her daughter. Diana had even argued with him over this before, but to no avail.“Ralph, Grandma will take you out for some delicious food!” Diana said, crouching down to Ralph’s level. Ralph glanced at the atmosphere between the adults, then nodded in agreement. Diana let out a
The room was cluttered, with clothes piled high on the bed. Sweat glistened on Adela’s forehead as she surveyed the chaos around her, realizing just how much stuff she had accumulated. The landlady, startled by the sight, entered with a cup of coffee and paused in surprise.“Do you really have this much stuff?”Adela, hearing the voice, turned around with a helpless smile before accepting the coffee. “I didn’t realize I had this much either. I’m definitely not taking it all back.”“Well, Jennifer is doing a charity sale. If you have things you don’t need, you could donate them.”The landlady suggested, offering a practical solution. Adela nodded. She rarely bought anything, but after living in the UK for five years, her belongings had quietly multiplied. It wasn’t until now that she was overwhelmed by it all.“You continue with the sorting,” the landlady said, waving her hand. “I’m off to watch my soap opera.”When Adela had told her that she would soon be returning to the States, the
Before boarding the plane, Adela sent a message to Herbie, telling her that after five years, she was finally leaving this place. The feeling was different from when she first arrived. Back then, her heart was full of anxiety, but now, she felt gratitude. This place had allowed her to become a new version of herself, and it was with a smile that she was now leaving.Herbie received the message that Adela had boarded the plane and smiled happily. She had finally waited for her sister to return. Over the past five years, she had lived comfortably at Grandma Anderson's house, but every day, she longed for Adela's return, hoping that they could live together again.Herbie walked out of her room, and there was a large table full of food prepared by Grandma Anderson. She knew that today was the day Adela would return and likely take her away, so Grandma Anderson would be left behind. A sense of reluctance and sadness filled her heart. Grandma Anderson's husband, Professor Anderson, had pass
Spring in New York was warm, with sunshine softer than in the UK, blending with the breeze and gently falling over everything. As Adela stepped off the plane, she was greeted by that familiar sunshine. It felt warm, a comforting presence that reminded her of home.Dressed in a long, elegant dress, Adela stood tall in the center of the airport. She removed her sunglasses, revealing her meticulously done makeup and confident smile. Her distinctive aura caught the attention of several passersby. She glanced around, seemingly searching for something—or rather, someone."Adela!"The voice was unmistakable, and without thinking, Adela turned around. There, running toward her with open arms, was her younger sister, Herbie. Herbie had grown taller over the years, now reaching Adela’s chest, which took Adela by surprise. It was a testament to how much time had passed."Herbie!"For the first time in five years, the two sisters embraced. There was a mixture of emotions they couldn’t quite expre
Liam Walton stepped out of his bedroom, carefully closing the door behind him. Ever since Evelyn became pregnant, she had been unusually tired and emotionally unstable, so Liam had just spent some time soothing her to sleep. Since admitting his feelings for Evelyn, it had taken him a long time to win her forgiveness. After that, their life together had been sweet, and he often boasted to Layson Norman about his happy married life.After moving back to the Walton family, Evelyn continued with her design work, focusing on her passion for wedding dress design. She even started her own studio and brand, and Liam had helped her along the way. However, once Evelyn became pregnant, Liam insisted that she stop working and focus on resting at home. Evelyn, of course, was frustrated by this and had argued with him several times. But after he reassured her, she reluctantly agreed, though she still spent her time sketching designs. One thing that made her happy was how much Liam cared for her now
After settling into their hotel, Adela and Herbie went out for dinner. It was their first meal together in five years, so Adela felt it needed to have a sense of ceremony. They searched for a while and eventually found a Chinese restaurant, both of them silently nodding in agreement.Though they didn’t have many good memories in New York, they both cherished the time they spent together as sisters, even though those years were more often filled with tears and disappointments. But life always remembers the beauty hidden within the toughest moments. During those years, five-year-old Herbie would comfort Adela, and Adela, in turn, would do everything for her younger sister.“What do you want to eat?”Adela handed the menu to Herbie, who eagerly scanned it. The dishes listed were all so familiar to them that they couldn’t help but salivate at the thought. They ordered a variety of dishes, almost as if they were going to eat everything they had missed in New York."How have you been in the
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