"Contact Elice. Ask her what she needs. And send a maid there. If there's anything wrong with Garrett and Elice, inform me immediately."As the sun reappeared on the eastern horizon, Daphne quickly summoned her butler. She gave him several instructions. To make sure that Garrett and Elice would have everything they needed while in the hospital."I don't want Elice's health to deteriorate due to lack of food or exhaustion. Make sure you provide everything."Yocelyn nodded. "Yes, madam.""And remember. Don't let her lack for anything," Daphne said, looking at Yocelyn. "I don't want to hear complaints from either of them. You better not make mistakes like the other day if you want to stay here."That was about Yocelyn's carelessness in accepting the new maid. It might seem trivial, but not in Daphne's eyes. In fact, she remembered it until now."Yes, Madam."Yocelyn nodded with a seemingly bowed face, feeling her face stiff and hot. She felt embarrassed by the reprimand, as a pair of eye
"How are you, sir?"Amber's expression was one of genuine concern as she received permission to meet with Garrett. Momentarily stunned, her hand covering her mouth, Amber hadn't expected her boss to be in such a terrible state. In all her years of accompanying Garrett, Amber had never seen him in such a state. All bruised and battered. She had to take a deep breath to suppress her worries."I'm fine," Garrett replied with a smile on his face. A form of courtesy he had a hard time maintaining. "No need to worry."Amber clearly knew that Garrett wasn't fine. But she nodded."I called you here on purpose because there are some things that need your attention. Since I obviously won't be in the office for a few days."Amber understood. "Of course, sir," she nodded again. "What would you like me to do?"For a moment, Garrett took a deep breath. He adjusted his sitting position on the hospital bed. At this point, only he and Amber were in the makeshift room while two guards stood outside.El
When she got home, Elice really felt the fatigue in her body. She needed to take a shower and rest for a while. After that, she was sure she would feel refreshed. But first she had to meet Norah and Daphne. They both needed to know about Garrett's condition.Instead of going straight to her room with the intention of going to Daphne's room, Elice went to the elevator. Due to her fatigue, she felt that she wouldn't be able to climb the stairs to the third floor.Elice was about to push the button to open the elevator door when she heard an unfamiliar voice. It sounded like a whisper, but with emphasis. It made Elice hesitate for a moment.Intent on finding the source of the voice, Elice moved closer. She listened carefully. And she found it. Behind the wall were Yocelyn and Regina.Elice could see that something was wrong. Yocelyn seemed to be scolding Regina, causing the young girl to shake her head repeatedly.But what could be the reason for this anger? Didn't they have a working re
As Elice walked toward Garrett's office, the question marks in her mind grew more intense. Curiosity and confusion combined to fill her mind with questions.Who had entered Garrett's office last night? For what purpose?However, all these questions vanished from Elice's mind in an instant, coinciding with her footsteps, which stopped at the same moment. This happened because when she was just a short distance from Garrett's office door, Elice found Regina coming out of it.Regina closed the door, turned around and started to leave, but Elice's unexpected presence startled her."Madam."Elice approached Regina, her eyes scanning Regina from top to bottom. The young girl's hands clenched with barely concealed tension."What were you doing in my husband's office?""I was doing nothing, madam," Regina replied. "I was just passing by and found Mr. Garrett's office door open. I went in to check and then left."Elice didn't immediately react to Regina's words. Instead, she stared at the youn
Daphne realized. She should have stayed calm. Not to act rashly. But how could she stay calm when Garrett asked a completely unexpected question? Daphne was shocked. And the surprise was clearly visible on her face, as her eyes widened and one hand went up to her mouth. Daphne knew that her reaction was too late. Especially with one word her tongue couldn't hold back. "What?" All of Daphne's reflexes had provided Garrett with an answer. And Daphne knew she couldn't deny it. In the end, all she could do was close her eyes as her hand slowly descended. Her fingers clenched in her lap. "How do you know it was me who did this?" Garrett couldn't say that he'd seen Carolus' name pop up on Dirk's phone screen during his visit. He didn't want to take the risk for the two middle-aged men. So, Garrett smiled. And seeing that, Daphne knew she wouldn't get an answer to that particular question. "It doesn't matter how I know, grandma," Garrett said. "But there's only one thing I want to know
Elice turned on the bedside lamp. She noticed that Garrett's face was covered in sweat."Maybe it's just the medication," Garrett replied as he sat up. "Don't worry."Garrett reached for the glass on the bedside table. But there was no more water. He had finished it earlier, just before he tried to fall asleep."I'll get some. Just wait a minute."Elice got out of bed, put on her robe and went out.Not yet accustomed to the upper-class lifestyle, there was one habit that made Elice uncomfortable. It was letting the housekeeper in and out of her private room. She felt uncomfortable, especially when Garrett was with her.So, Elice chose to go downstairs in the middle of the night instead of calling a housekeeper to her room. She happily prepared a glass of warm water with her own hands."Madam."Yocelyn was in the kitchen. Elice smiled, stepped forward and grabbed a glass."You're not asleep yet?" Elice asked as she filled the glass with water. "It's already midnight."Yocelyn shook her
When Elice turned on the computer that morning, she remembered something she had not told Garrett. It had to do with the profiles of Dirk and Dakota that she had found in her husband's desk drawer. She had almost forgotten her curiosity about why Garrett had kept them. But later. She kept reminding herself not to miss the opportunity to ask Garrett about it.Elice worked as usual. Despite some gossip she heard occasionally, she remained relaxed. She had learned a lot during this time. That something that did not affect her life was not worth thinking about. This included gossip from people.Exactly at four o'clock in the afternoon, Elice went home from the office. Together with her private driver named Rowan Smith. As the car they were in left the office security gate, Elice briefly saw another car following theirs. Rowan noticed it too."They've been instructed for your safety, ma'am. To avoid incidents like yesterday."Knowing what was on Elice's mind, the driver explained even thou
A small relief flooded Elice's chest. She did not want to hope too much, but Elice's gaze suggested otherwise. In her heart, she prayed that Neva still remembered exactly what she had said that day. Neva was her only hope."If I remember correctly. That day you said I was followed by bodyguards," Elice said, her heart pounding wildly. Her eyes stared at Neva. "Is that true?"Neva answered a moment after Elice had asked her question. Almost without a pause. Because like reporters or people involved in the news industry, memory was one of the most important things."Yes. That's what I said."Elice swallowed hard. Still trying to restrain herself. Not yet. She knew she still could not prove anything. Neva could have been wrong about what she saw."Why would you say something like that? It could have just been someone who happened to be around me or..."Elice did not finish her sentence. Instead, she immediately gave Neva the chance to answer."I couldn't have been wrong. When I left for
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