"You bastard, Garrett."
Garrett's jaw tightened. "Aren't you the bastard?" he retorted. "You should be grateful to Elice for not reporting you to the police. I wonder how Aunt Farrah would react if she saw your misdeeds."
Ariel growled. He stood up, wiping the blood from his nose with his hand.
Garrett held his breath, knowing he would get a third punch and a second kick if he decided to stay. He had to leave immediately. Before he lost control completely.
"We're leaving, Elice."
Garrett grabbed Elice's hand and wanted to take her away right away. But Ariel's voice made him stop.
"You know, Garrett? Elice is my ex-girlfriend. She's my past."
Even Elice could feel the emotions that had enveloped Garrett. Through Garrett's grip, which tightened, causing Elice to stifle her chuckle.
Where he stood, Ariel chuckled.
"In the end, Elice will come back to me. Because from the beginning she loved only me. And only I will be the o
Out of breath, Elice fought to keep breathing. She clung to the wall behind her, trying to stay standing while her knees felt like they were melting. She could collapse at any moment. Fortunately, there was a strong hand firmly supporting her waist, preventing that possibility.Garrett's fingers traced Elice's jaw, lifting it as the owner leaned down to erase the opening of Elice's parted lips with a kiss that eagerly welcomed him. Elice's hand rose and cupped the curve of Garrett's as his lips further weakened her already shaky knees. She needed stronger support than just the wall.Garrett pressed his lips against Elice's, moving with a rhythmic flow that made Elice squirm. He pushed forward, pinning Elice between his body and the wall, leaving no meaningful distance between them.The kiss stopped, and with a breath as labored as Elice's, Garrett felt his body tense with each passing second. He opened his eyes, struggling to see how Elice, seemingly as helpless
When consciousness returned, Elice opened her eyes and blinked a few times. She tried to adjust her retinas to the surroundings—bright and slightly blinding from the light that managed to get in through the ventilation.Elice remembered vaguely. It was one of the things she liked about the unit Garrett had prepared for her. The layout and equipment of the room allowed the light of life to enter, providing illumination that could disturb her peaceful sleep.Just like what Elice had experienced this morning. Although, in reality, it wasn't just the sunlight that was the sole reason for her awakening. Instead, there was also a faint touch that had been greeting her hair ever since. Something that had become a trigger.Elice turned and looked back to find Garrett staring at her with a pair of clear eyes. A clear sign that he had been awake longer than she had."Good morning."Garrett's deep voice greeted Elice's ears, making her brow furrow for a moment. Perhaps he was trying to gather fr
There was nothing strange about Wilda's obvious surprise. It was human. In fact, if Wilda had reacted differently, that would have been strange.Wilda seemed confused. You could almost say she was dazed when she forced her eyes to blink once. Then she asked Garrett to make sure her ears were still working well. Or to make sure that Garrett didn't misspeak."W-what? What did you just say?"With that question, Wilda turned away. She looked at Elice, who looked pale. It was exactly the same as Wilda's expression. There was almost no difference."I want to marry Elice."Without feeling bothered or offended, Garrett repeated his words. This time he even raised his tone a bit.Wilda turned back to Garrett. She took a deep breath, as deep as she could. She needed to be calm for this very surprising thing."Do you want to marry Elice?""Yes. I want to marry her. I know it's too sudden, but that doesn't mean I'm not serious. More than that, this can even be said to be an action that shows my s
Garrett should have prepared himself better, so he wouldn't have been surprised when he heard Wilda's 'yes'.Garrett was taken aback, but Wilda's answer obviously pleased him. Garrett couldn't hide his happiness, and it showed in his smiling and beaming face.Now Garrett found himself at Wilda's house, prompted by a message from Elice that brought him back there. It was a bright Sunday afternoon, as bright as the reply he received.Garrett knew that a simple thank you wouldn't be enough to reciprocate Wilda's reply. But at least he was trying his best."Thank you. I promise I will always make Elice happy."Wilda smiled sadly when she heard Garrett's words. Whether she was used to that promise or not, an unconscious hope grew in her mind. She prayed that this time the promise would come true. Not overly ambitious, every parent just wants happiness for their child, especially Wilda, who clearly knew how love and men had once caused Elice pain and made her cry every night. Wilda only hop
Rita, who joined Wilda and Elice, couldn't help but be amazed as Garrett's car pulled into the Morales residence. The grandeur she was seeing for the first time made her swallow several times. Next to her, Wilda gave her younger sister a little pat on the thigh. Rita immediately grinned and quickly tried to keep her composure, not wanting Wilda to slap her harder.Wilda brought her focus back to the front, and deep inside she felt a pang of envy for her sister. Hoping to get even a little of the relaxation that Rita possessed. Perhaps it would be better for her if her thoughts were focused on the fact that Garrett did indeed come from a wealthy background rather than the current nervousness. Unfortunately, when she realized that, her nervousness immediately increased.Would they accept Elice? Would Elice be okay?These worries quickly consumed Wilda. Even more quickly, they brought back memories of the past and occupied her mind. Memories of what Elice
For a while, Elice seemed to experience what people often describe as the world standing still. Time stopped. Her world stopped. In a moment, she realized that sometimes fate can offer more than she dared to hope for.Elice never expected that one day a man would kneel before her. Armed with a beautiful ring. With a question full of desire and hope."G-Garrett...."Elice's tongue could no longer find words. She could barely speak. Instead of being able to express her thoughts, she found her body almost non-functional now.Elice froze. Immersed in a tension she couldn't prevent from enveloping her. All over her body. From top to bottom. And if she could shake off the stiffness in the next moment, it was the visible trembling.Garrett looked at Elice. Just as the woman had suspected. In a look like a dimmed sun. Appearing calm. And he waited. Though the answer he would get was already certain.But Garrett needed confirmation. In the form of a
Dressed in a golden-colored gown, Elice looked exceptionally elegant that evening. She was beautiful and clearly able to captivate all eyes that looked at her, especially when it was Garrett looking at her.A step was taken when the engagement event between Elice and Garrett took place that night. It was held in one of the most prestigious hotels in Ashford City. In a luxurious and classy concept, The Arka certainly did not disappoint the trust of the Morales family.Two rings were placed on different fingers, with the same purpose: as the first bond that would unite two people.In the focus of the lens and the camera, happiness was captured again and again. As if to make sure that this joyful moment would be perfectly recorded and remembered as history. Something that should not be forgotten by anyone. Because when it came to the name of the Morales heir, it became something to be remembered for all time."Congratulations to you both. May everything go s
Wilda couldn't contain herself. The day after the engagement party, she decided to ask Elice directly. She had to make sure that what Farrah had said that night wasn't true. That the woman was just bragging again. Just looking for a way to embarrass her. Just..."I'm sorry, Ma."Wilda fell silent. One sentence from Elice made her hopes vanish. Disappeared without a trace."W-what did you say, Elice?" Wilda asked. "So, everything Farrah said is true?"It felt like an invisible pair of hands were strangling Wilda's throat at that moment. It almost made it hard for her to breathe. Especially when she saw how Elice lowered her face, making the air seem even more reluctant to enter her lungs."Garrett and Ariel... are cousins? They're family?"Elice didn't want to admit that reality, but what could she do? It was something no one could deny."Yes, Ma," Elice finally replied. "They are cousins. They are family."Suddenly, Wilda's eye