The day had not yet fully dawned when Elice opened the door to her home. The atmosphere inside was quiet, but far from peaceful. Elice could feel it clearly.Since that day, for some reason, Elice knew that the atmosphere at home had changed. The peace that had once existed was gone, replaced by a lingering sadness that persisted even as the days passed.Elice walked in and closed the door behind her, making her way through the dark living room. She could still see the picture on the wall. A photograph that captured Elice's happiness with her parents, Wilda Russell and Peter McLean.Not immediately continuing her steps, Elice found her feet stopped right under the happy portrait. Her hand lifted to touch the photo, but had to settle for feeling the frame.Elice bit her lower lip, realizing that after Peter's departure, she had almost failed to keep Wilda's smile from fading. Her mother no longer experienced happiness, but rather feelings of shame and sadn
"It doesn't look like a nice day."A comment that greeted Garrett's arrival that morning. Just as he was about to walk past his secretary's desk. The woman, who was in her late thirties, smiled warmly at Garrett.Garrett shook his head. "Definitely not one of the best mornings I've ever had."With that, Garrett continued on his way. Followed by the secretary who also got up from her seat. She followed Garrett with a book in her hand.As they entered his office, Garrett went to his desk. He set down his work bag and immediately settled into his chair."Is there anything important today?"Amber Bailey, the secretary who wore a black suit and knee-length skirt that day, shook her head."No, sir. There's nothing important today. No meetings or appointments."Garrett was relieved to hear Amber's words. Oh, it could not be put into words. He really needed a break. If possible, he would take today off. But when he imagined sudden appo
Talking about Pacific Energy, of course, meant talking about a value of more than a hundred million dollars. That's quite a number, isn't it? And you would think that just looking at all those zeros would make Garrett's eyes turn green with envy. But what? Nelson found the opposite to be true. He saw Garrett seem completely indifferent to the enormity of the company that could fall into his hands. It was truly unfathomable.Pacific Energy, as its name suggested, was a company focused on large-scale energy procurement. It was a coal mining company headquartered in Ashford City. It already had three subsidiaries and was solidifying its position as a mining company with a household name. So it was no surprise that the company caused some serious controversy among family members.Nelson knew for a fact that a life of turmoil was the main reason why, four years after Allan's death, Garrett still refused to accept his inheritance. He did not want the fortune to drag him back
When she received a message on her Instagram account, Elice realized that she had not done everything. She may have changed her phone number, but she forgot to do the same with her social media accounts.After reading the same message from the same person again, she immediately deleted her account. Not only Instagram, but also Facebook and Twitter.Please, Ariel. There's nothing left between us. So please don't contact me again.Of course, Elice did not say this to Ariel directly. It was just a whispered hope in her heart."Are you done?" Wilda's voice made Elice turn around. Her mother opened the door to her room and let her look inside. She saw that her daughter was still busy packing, with some clothes spread out on the bed.Elice shook her head. "Maybe in a little while," she replied. "Turns out I have more stuff than I thought."At first, Elice thought that packing her things would be an easy task. But it turned out to be quite
As usual, when Garrett and Norah entered the party, several pairs of eyes immediately turned to them. Some admired Garrett's good looks, that was obvious. But there were also those who looked down on his mother, which could not be denied. Neither Garrett nor Norah really cared, but it still had an effect, especially on Garrett.Norah gave several reassuring pats on Garrett's hand, a firm place for her hand to land, allowing her son to lead them where they were going."What a lively party," Norah complimented. "Don't you think so?"Garrett did not pay much attention to the party itself. But he nodded and gave his brief comment."Yes, it is a lively party. Especially considering the number of invited guests."Norah smiled faintly. At least she felt that her son still had a sense of humor that night, which was a good sign."You know, if I'm not mistaken... my boyfriend is also invited to this party."As they walked, Garrett glanced brief
When the drops of the drink fell and wetted Norah's head and face, not only Garrett was startled. All the guests present reacted in disbelief. How could a brother-in-law do this to his own sister-in-law? In public?As a result, the mood of the once lively party quickly changed. Tense whispers spread like wildfire and all eyes were fixed on the same scene.Farrah sighed heavily and placed the empty glass on a nearby round table. Her gaze remained fixed on Norah before shifting to Garrett.Words could not express the intense emotions swirling within Garrett at that moment. His face turned deep red, a clear indication of his anger. Anyone who looked at him, even briefly, could see it.Norah hastily tried to restrain Garrett, afraid that her son might act out. Although Garrett had never raised a hand against a woman, who could predict what might happen tonight?"Garrett."Norah cried, trying to bring him to his senses and stop him from doing som
"Garrett, this is not a difficult requirement. You just have to get married."Horror was written all over Garrett's face. Even though the room was at normal temperature, sweat began to form on his forehead and trickled down the sides of his cheeks, making his tanned skin glisten under the piercing gaze."Just?" Garrett repeated the word coldly, clearly disagreeing with Nelson's choice of words. "Just is definitely not the right word to describe marriage."Nelson chuckled. "I apologize. Marriage is indeed more than just that," he corrected himself playfully. "But what I meant was that you should understand my true intention."Still not convinced, Garrett shook his head as he paced back and forth."I'm not sure I understand what you mean, sir."As Garrett continued to pace, Nelson kept his eyes on him, nodding along with his movements."If that's the case, let me clear things up," Nelson said, adjusting his sitting pos
"She hasn't come back since that night."A voice caught Garrett's attention, causing him to turn on the backless round chair. When his hand landed on the bar, Garrett realized it was the bartender speaking to him. He offered Garrett a glass of drink."Thank you."Expressing his gratitude, Garrett immediately took the glass. He enjoyed a sip and noticed the bartender taking a deep breath. She was leaning against the bar."The last time I saw her was that night. With you. And she never came back after that. Not even once."While Garrett could ignore the first statement, he could not ignore the second. Of course, he couldn't pretend that the bartender wasn't talking to him. Because, in fact, he was."What's your name?"Finally, Garrett decided to join the conversation. Starting with a basic question."Bert."Garrett nodded once. "I'm Garrett. And the one you mean..."Garrett decided to leave his sentence hanging. He
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