Here's what happened next. Garrett paused, leaning on one elbow as he looked at Elice, whose eyes were beginning to fade. She looked tired, but at the same time incredibly happy.Elice's smile curved perfectly. With a hint of sadness in her eyes, she whispered to Garrett, "I feel like I'm going to fall asleep at any moment.At that moment, Garrett realized that it wasn't just sickness that could be contagious. Instead of frowning, a moment after Elice said that, a chuckle came out of him, tickling the corners of his lips and causing Garrett to smile as well."I think I might fall asleep soon, too," he said, not at all with the intention of reassuring Elice, but rather feeling the heaviness in his own eyes. Garrett yawned, and in his sleepiness Elice chuckled.Garrett wanted to respond to Elice's laughter, but his body felt incredibly tired now. So he settled for a stifled chuckle, shifting and adjusting the pillow under his head.But before consciousness left him, Garrett made sure to
It wasn't just Garrett who thought the situation was odd. So did Amber. As someone who had been directly involved with Dirk and Dakota for the past few days, the incident clearly took her by surprise. It made Amber feel almost unable to raise her face in front of Garrett. Embarrassed. Like someone incompetent. "Is everything okay?" Sherly's question made Amber turn. She looked at her colleague, forced a smile, and nodded. "I'm fine," Amber replied. "Thank you." Exhaling, Amber tried to contact Dirk and Dakota again. Alternately. Repeatedly. Ignoring a pair of eyes that had been looking at her phone screen all along. Clearly seeing whose name Amber was calling. * "Don't get used to contacting me suddenly like this. If your husband finds out, he might think we're having an affair." Nelson said after sipping his latte, grinning mischievously. It looked funny to see Amber's disheveled face in front of him. The middle-aged woman scowled. "You know what? My husband is worthy of being
The morning continued to be beautiful and perfect for Daphne. The sun rising in the east radiated a bright, sparkling light. More than enough to signal that a day of joy awaited her.Daphne stood on the side terrace of the house, enjoying the fresh and cool morning air. It felt incredibly peaceful to her aging lungs.As usual, Daphne was accompanied by her personal nurse, Regina. The young girl stood not far from Daphne, who was doing some light exercises."Here, madam."Regina handed Daphne a small towel to wipe the sweat from her face. Daphne smiled as she took a deep breath. Then, with Regina's help, she sat down."Drink first, madam."Carefully, Regina handed Daphne a glass of water. Its coolness quickly flowed down Daphne's parched throat. She sighed, feeling immensely satisfied with the fresh and healthy sensation she still felt up to this moment."Madam."As Regina called out to her, Daphne immediately turned. Their eyes met and Daphne sensed something different in the way the
"You're finally here, Ariel. We have been waiting for you."In truth, Ariel didn't want to come to his parents' house at all. But that afternoon, Farrah contacted him. She invited him to dinner because it seemed that Farrah and Kurt would be returning to Crestdale soon. There was something urgent.Ariel pulled up a chair right in front of Farrah. He glanced at the dishes and then turned to his parents. He asked, "So... when are Mom and Dad planning to return to Crestdale?"There were no small talk questions about news or anything else. Instead, Ariel asked the only question that was the reason for his visit that night. He looked at Kurt. The middle-aged man seemed to be enjoying his meal with a relaxed expression on his face. Unlike her husband, Farrah looked different."Probably next Saturday," Farrah answered. "Your dad needs to check on something."Ariel wasn't interested in knowing exactly what Kurt needed to check. His head was already full of his own affairs and problems. He did
It was clearly a new world for Elice and Norah. Coming to charity events and visiting orphanages had never been their activities before. So, it wasn't surprising that they felt a little awkward at the moment.Unlike her daughter-in-law and granddaughter-in-law, Daphne seemed so at ease. She greeted people there. She smiled at the caretakers. Laughing with the children. It was truly a sight Elice never expected to see. For someone who had been marginalized by Daphne's category, Elice really didn't think that the grandmother had a sense of humor as well."Let me introduce you. This is my daughter-in-law, Norah. And this is my granddaughter-in-law, Elice."Daphne led Norah and Elice to a woman who seeme
Quick as a flash, Dirk grabbed his phone. Swallowing hard, he rose from his seat, clutching the device to his chest. He spoke to Garrett, "Just a minute. I have to take this call."Garrett simply nodded, just before Dirk hurried away. He stepped aside to answer the call, his heart pounding."Hello."As much as Dirk tried to keep his voice from shaking, it was difficult. If he had to accept Garrett's visit, now there was another man reaching out to him? A man who was the link between him and a past reality. A reality that forced him to make a difficult choice. To be honest or the opposite."Hello, Mr. Dirk. How are you?"Dirk knew it was just an opening question. The real question would come later. Maybe a few seconds later."I'm fine, Mr. Carolus," Dirk replied. "What is it?"Indeed, it was Carolus who had contacted him. And in Dirk's life, there weren't many Caroluses he knew. But among several of his colleagues named Carolu
The car carrying Daphne, Norah, and Elice pulled up to the Morales' gate almost at the same time as the sun was setting. It was not quite night yet, but the evening was already creeping into the dim light. The soft colors of twilight were fading, more than enough to signal that the day would soon lose all sunlight. It was also a sign that the three women had been out of the house for most of the day.It was clearly an event that consumed a lot of time, filled with a number of agendas that forced them to drain their energy. All the way home, Daphne, unable to contain her fatigue, slipped into unconsciousness."Nana, we're home."Slowly, and trying not to startle her mother-in-law, Elice woke Daphne. Accompanied by the gentle shaking of her hand, she tried to rouse the old woman from her unconscious state.A faint moan was heard. Daphne blinked, showing a tired look in both eyes. She saw Elice smiling."We have arrived. Later I'll ask Regina to help you freshen up, Nana."Daphne took a
Saying this, Daphne did not forget how Carolus had contacted her earlier that morning. It was about an hour after she, Norah and Elice had left the house. They were on their way to the Harmony House orphanage when the call came in."But I was even more surprised when you said that Garrett was on his way to Dirk's house."Saying this, Daphne unconsciously took a deep breath. She tried to calm herself, because just saying that made Daphne's heart race. Especially before? Especially because Elice was sitting next to her. She only hoped that Elice had not overheard their conversation."My apologies, madam," Carolus said. "I just wanted to inform you as soon as possible.""It's okay. I understand. What you did was right."Carolus breathed a sigh of relief. Only Daphne did not seem to feel the same. Her calm face, now showing signs of age, looked restless."Madam."Daphne blinked once. Her eyes returned to Carolus."Is there something on your mind? Is there something I should do?"Carolus h
Amidst the drizzle of raindrops, there was a slender fingered hand that welcomed the droplets. Gathering them deliberately to feel the chill that accompanied the wetness against the skin.Chill. It made the body shiver slightly. But in truth, there was no intention of moving from there.To stand still. Allow the rain and the wind that accompanied it to bring even more coldness.For she needed to see with her own eyes. The shape of the promise that the universe would fulfill. That there would always be a time for every moment.There is a beginning. And there is an end. And for the chill that pervades now, it will end. Replaced by the returning warmth.Then she realized that the last raindrop had just fallen into her hand. No more drops to follow.The rain had stopped. So did the wind that accompanied it. So, it was the perfect time to raise her head.To look far into the distance. At the clouds that had appeared dark before and were now gradually fading. The gray color that had covered
Farrah fell silent. Her face hardened and remained unmoved as the sad question was directed at her."Are you satisfied now?" Kurt stared at Farrah, his face and eyes red. Tears dried on his cheeks. "Are you happy now?" Kurt asked again. "Will you be satisfied only when Ariel is dead?"Farrah's breath caught in her chest for a moment. Her chest rumbled. Was Kurt really going to accuse her like that?"Kurt."Kurt's hand gripped Farrah's upper arm. He squeezed it with the fury of a father who had lost his son. Anger and sadness collided in his eyes."I told you, Farrah. I told you repeatedly. And now you see the consequences of your actions?"Kurt's shoulders trembled with painful sobs. Regret quickly filled his heart and mind. If only he could have stopped his wife. If only he had stayed there. If only. If only. If only.But it was all too late. There was nothing more Kurt could do."You killed our son, Farrah. You killed Ariel!"Farrah blinked. A tear that had been there for who knew h
Day after day. In life, there will always be different shades at every turn of the changing times.White.Black.It's only a matter of time before they visit each individual's story. And this time it seems that gray is paying a visit.Not too dark. But certainly not light. It's a state in between. Between despair and hope. Standing on a thin thread. Falling or trying to be able to. Struggling to stay upright when the fear becomes more pressing.Exactly what they felt. Family and loved ones when they heard what happened to Elice. News that shattered common sense and elicited hysterical screams from everyone who heard it.Norah, Wilda and Rita walked fast. Navigating the corridors of the hospital. Cutting through the bustle of the medical staff. Making their way to a main ward, closely guarded by several personal guards.The door to the room opened. Norah, Wilda and Rita were welcomed to enter and find the figure of their concern.Elice lay on the hospital bed. Next to Garrett, who did
"Ariel. Ariel. I beg you, Ariel."Elice shook Ariel's body. But Ariel didn't move at all. Completely still."Ariel, please."Elice let go of Ariel's hand. Just to touch his face. Just to feel that there was no feeling there.Ariel's eyes opened. Unblinking. Unfocused. Those eyes had lost their light. Faded. Gone. Leaving behind a reality that made Elice's tears flow uncontrollably.There was no breath. No more pulse. No more heartbeat. All signs of life were gone. Just as the soul had finally left its body."Ariel!" Elice sobbed. She embraced Ariel's lifeless body. Holding it tight. "Ariel, please."No matter how hard Elice shook the body in her embrace, she received no response. The rigid body remained motionless. Crushing any hope Elice had clung to.Ending in a hug full of devastation that made Elice cry even harder. Allowing Ariel's blood and her tears to mix into one."Ariel."Elice's voice was filled with fear. A pain she had never imagined before. For in that moment, Ariel was
Ariel winced. Ignoring the pain in his stomach, he tried to stand up. But as soon as his body was lifted slightly from the ground, he fell again."Ariel!"Elice screamed when she saw Ariel's condition. He looked at her. He tried to speak."I-I'm okay."Elice shook her head. She knew for sure that Ariel wasn't okay right now. His condition was truly pitiful. But compared to that, there was something even more pitiful. That was her inability to do anything about it."Do you see that, Elice?" Farrah's voice made Elice turn around. The expression of hatred towards her was clearly overflowing. "Because of you," Farrah said in a trembling voice. "Ariel dares to defy me. His own mother."Elice shook her head. She tried to stand, but her legs felt completely powerless. Not to mention walking, even standing still was difficult for her."You are such a troublemaker, Elice. I should have gotten rid of you a long time ago."Farrah moved. She approached Teddy with an outstretched hand. The man qui
For a moment, darkness was all Elice could feel. Until voices touched her senses. Awakening her consciousness. Pushing her to open her eyes.Elice's eyelids fluttered. Blinking repeatedly. Trying to open. And a wrinkle formed on her forehead.The voice was familiar. Causing Elice's eyes to focus even more. To look around. The place where she was right now.Elice wasn't sure where she was right now. The place seemed untidy. Untouched by humans and neglected for a long time.Dirty. Dusty. And Elice's eyes widened when she realized where she was lying. On the cold floor full of footprints."Of course, I can do that, Ariel! I will do anything to achieve my goals. Anything. Even if I have to get rid of Elice!"Elice turned away. Trying to get up, but unable to, she could only look straight ahead. At the three human figures that seemed to be in conflict.It was Ariel, Farrah and... Elice's body froze with cold fear. She would never forget that face.Teddy. The man who claimed to be Randi's
Running his hands through his hair in escalating panic, Ariel prayed that he could get there in time. But the looming shadow of his own potential lateness drove him almost mad with fear.I have to stop Mama. I'll do anything to make sure Mama can't hurt Elice anymore.Ariel blinked. He realized something and immediately contacted two different people.The first was Garrett. Reluctantly, Ariel once again ignored all the arguments between them. None of it mattered when Elice's safety was at stake with every decision he made.However, contacting Garrett didn't immediately ease Ariel's mind. For Ariel knew exactly what Farrah was like. The middle-aged woman who was his biological mother would not hesitate to act again. To do anything to ensure that all her desires were fulfilled.Farrah wouldn't stop. No. Not until she had everything she wanted.Ariel wouldn't take that chance. So, he contacted the second person. And that was Ruben, his husband."Ruben, listen to me."Ariel took a deep br
When the car with Elice was already on the road, two other cars hurriedly followed. Together with the car Carolus was riding in, there were a total of four cars involved in the trip. Two cars with specially trained personal guards walked in front and behind to protect Elice and Carolus inside.The four vehicles moved in line at a regular and almost steady speed. Ready to take Elice and Carolus to their next destination. Namely, the boarding school under the care of the Morales Family Foundation.A bright day. As the sun began to roll toward the west, the weather was not as hot as it had been. It felt cooler."Are you thirsty, Madam?"Teddy's voice caught Elice's attention. Elice wanted to shake her head to answer the question, but instead she heard Teddy talking to her again."Maybe some water will soothe madam's throat."Elice looked at the bottle of mineral water. Somehow, she, who had not felt thirsty at all, suddenly felt the opposite. Suddenly, a feeling of dryness appeared and m
Ariel's eyes widened. The worry came back. Exactly the same as yesterday.Ariel could not ignore it. He suddenly stood up from his seat. An action so sudden that it immediately stopped Wijono's presentation.Everyone looked confused as they saw Ariel leave the meeting room without saying a word, causing whispers and panic among them.And as the secretary, Nikita could not say anything either. She could only reassure the meeting participants that everything was fine.Of course, it was not. Everything was far from okay. When Ariel returned to his room, he quickly turned on his laptop. He quickly put on his headphones and listened to another recording.A recording that Ariel had almost forgotten due to the euphoria of relief he had felt. Something he deeply regretted when he heard Farrah's words."Ariel tapped me?"Ariel dramatically closed his eyes. Farrah knew he was tapping on his mother. And Ariel knew for sure that it was a bad thing.Ariel's worries intensified. With every word Far