Morning light poured into the room as Adela stirred awake. The clock on the bedside table read a little after ten. She yawned, stretching, but froze when she realized the space next to her was empty.Herbie wasn’t there.Panic set in instantly, and Adela’s voice came out in a frantic cry, “Herbie! Where are you?”“Here, sister!”Herbie’s small voice called out as she walked into the room, a piece of bread in her hand. Adela exhaled sharply, relief washing over her like a wave.“Herbie, where did you get that bread?” Adela asked as she moved to pull her little sister close, inspecting her carefully.“The man from yesterday brought it over,” Herbie replied, her face lighting up with innocence.Adela paused, confused for a moment. She assumed Herbie meant Layson, though she didn’t realize it was actually Barnes who had delivered the food.“Herbie,” Adela said softly, crouching down to Herbie’s level. “You can’t open the door for strangers, okay? Call for me first. Promise?”Herbie nodded
Layson looked at her for a moment, his sharp eyes searching hers. Without a word, he gestured for Barnes to untie Ella.“Untie her.”At his command, Barnes stepped forward to untie Ella’s bindings. Once freed, Ella stretched her stiff wrists and glared at Barnes with indignation, as though she were the victim in all of this.Adela walked forward and bent down slightly to help Ella to her feet. Her voice was calm but probing. “Ella, do you know why my dad suddenly decided to take his own life?”Ella’s expression shifted slightly, and she hesitated before replying. “I honestly don’t know. That morning, I went out to buy some groceries with Herbie, and when I got back… Calvin had already hanged himself.”Her voice wavered as she recounted the event, but Adela could sense an air of defensiveness, like Ella was trying to absolve herself of blame.“I was terrified,” Ella continued, her tone growing more dramatic. “I had no idea what to do!”Her eyes darted around the room, feigning innocenc
The door clicked open, and Adela stepped inside, greeted by the sound of Herbie’s cheerful laughter. A faint smile tugged at her lips, momentarily easing the weight on her chest.“What’s so funny?” she asked, her voice soft as she stepped into the room.Herbie’s head whipped around, her face lighting up with pure joy. “You’re back, sister!” she squealed, bounding over to Adela.Adela knelt and pulled her into a gentle hug. No matter how dark her day had been, Herbie’s innocent enthusiasm was a reminder that there was still something in life worth holding on to.“What are you watching?” Adela asked, glancing toward the TV.“It’s a cartoon!” Herbie replied, holding a piece of bread in her hand. “Look, they’re dancing!” She pointed to the screen with glee.Adela noticed the bread and asked, “Where did you get that, Herbie?”Herbie shrugged, still munching on her snack. “The nice man from yesterday brought it. He left it for us!”Adela froze for a moment, her thoughts jumping to Layson. D
Days had passed since Calvin’s funeral, but Adela still found herself and Herbie living in the hotel that Layson had arranged for them. While the accommodations were comfortable, she couldn’t help but feel like an unwanted guest, relying on others for something as basic as a roof over their heads.She resolved to take control of her life. There was still a contract between her and Layson, but their relationship was purely transactional. Adela didn’t want to feel like she owed him anything more than she already did.The weather in New York had improved that day. The sun was warm but not overpowering, and a slight breeze ruffled the hem of Adela’s simple dress. A newspaper clutched in her hand, she walked down the street, scanning for the address she’d circled in ink.“It should be around here somewhere,” she muttered, squinting up at the buildings.The address in the classified section had promised a job opening at an advertising agency, but the rundown appearance of the neighborhood d
The bathroom door opened, and Layson stepped out wearing nothing but a white towel wrapped loosely around his waist. Water dripped from his still-damp hair, trailing down his neck and shoulders.“Go take a shower,” he said casually, his deep voice breaking the silence.Adela, who had been lost in thought on the sofa, jerked her head up at the sound. Her eyes widened when she saw him like that—barefoot, broad-shouldered, and utterly unbothered by his state of undress. Her face turned a deep shade of red, hotter than she thought possible.“Uh… okay,” she stammered, standing abruptly. She scrambled to make her way past him, her movements so awkward she almost stepped on his foot in the process.By the time she returned from her shower, wearing a loose robe and toweling her wet hair, Layson was already in bed. He sat propped against the headboard, one hand flipping through a folder of documents while the other rested casually on the bed.“Come here,” he said without looking up, his tone a
Bella noticed Adela zoning out as she organized files at her desk. Her usually attentive new assistant seemed unusually distant.“Adela, is everything alright?” Bella asked gently, setting down a stack of papers.Adela snapped out of her thoughts, quickly mustering a polite smile. “Oh, yes. Sorry, Bella. I guess I’m just a little distracted.”The truth was, Adela couldn’t shake the disbelief that she had landed a job at Walton Enterprises. She suspected it had everything to do with Liam Walton’s influence, a thought that made her both grateful and uneasy. While she appreciated the opportunity, she was determined to prove herself and not rely on charity.That morning, she’d left Herbie at the hotel again, guilt gnawing at her. Her little sister had been remarkably patient and well-behaved, but Adela hated leaving her alone. She promised herself she’d start looking for an affordable apartment soon, somewhere they could truly settle down.Arriving at Commerce Tower early, Adela was greet
Layson had been watching Adela from the car window, his gaze sharp and unreadable. As she stepped out of the Walton Enterprises building, he gave Barnes a slight nod.“Bring her over,” he said simply.Barnes immediately exited the car and approached Adela, who hesitated as he neared her. She hadn’t anticipated this. Although she had planned to meet Layson later in the evening, she wasn’t prepared for it to happen so abruptly.“Miss,” Barnes said politely, gesturing toward the sleek black car parked a few meters away. “Mr. Norman is waiting for you.”Adela glanced at the car, her stomach twisting with nerves. She bit her lip, trying to steel herself. “Alright,” she murmured, stepping toward the vehicle with hesitant steps.Sliding into the car, she was immediately enveloped by the quiet, luxurious interior. Layson sat in his usual place, his posture immaculate and his expression as cold as ever. His jaw was set, and his dark eyes barely flickered in her direction.“Mr. Norman,” Adela g
Layson’s decision to take Adela out for dinner had been impulsive, but now, watching her delicate movements and quiet demeanor, he thought it might have been the right call. For a man as calculated as he was, such spontaneous actions were rare.Walton EnterprisesLiam Walton had been watching from the window of his office as Layson’s car idled downstairs. His sharp eyes tracked Adela as she exited the building and was ushered into the car. Though he was tempted to interfere, he restrained himself. Right now, his only connection to her was through Layson, and he couldn’t risk jeopardizing that tenuous link.The night outside was illuminated by streetlights and the glow of skyscrapers. The bustling city had an almost magical quality, but Liam’s thoughts were far from the scenery. Finding his sister had brought him equal measures of joy and sorrow. He was thrilled she was alive and within reach, yet saddened by the distance—emotional and otherwise—that still lay between them.Liam’s phon
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