As soon as they arrived at their honeymoon destination, a beautiful island resort in Bora Bora, Lucas and Adelaide knew they were in for a treat. They spent their days lounging on the beach, snorkeling in the crystal-clear waters, and enjoying romantic dinners at the resort's fine dining restaurant.But despite the relaxing atmosphere, Lucas and Adelaide couldn't help but get into all sorts of mischief. On their first day, Lucas tried to impress Adelaide by attempting to paddleboard across the lagoon. However, he ended up face-planting into the water, much to Adelaide's amusement.The next day, Adelaide decided to try her hand at snorkeling, but she ended up getting her mask stuck on her face and had to be rescued by Lucas, who was laughing so hard he could barely swim.Despite the mishaps, they were having the time of their lives. They spent their evenings watching the sunset over the ocean, holding hands, and just enjoying each other's company.One evening, Lucas decided to surprise
As the night wore on, Lucas stumbled through the front door, reeking of alcohol and staggering like a drunkard. Adelaide, who had been sitting on the couch, waiting for him to come home, looked up at him with a mixture of concern and disappointment."Lucas, where have you been?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.Lucas looked at her with a bleary gaze, his eyes unfocused and his speech slurred. "I've been out with the boys," he mumbled. "We were celebrating a big deal at work."Adelaide sighed, feeling a pang of frustration and worry. She had been waiting up for him, worried sick about where he was and what he was doing. And now, he came stumbling in, drunk and smelling like a barroom.As Lucas stumbled towards the couch, Adelaide got up to help him. But instead of thanking her or apologizing for his behavior, Lucas pushed her away."Leave me alone," he growled, his voice cold and unforgiving. "I don't need your help."Adelaide felt a sting from his words, but she tried to ig
As the days went by, Adelaide found herself locked in the room, with no escape. She begged Lucas to release her, promising to do anything he wanted, but he just laughed and told her she was his prisoner.Adelaide was desperate. She had never felt so trapped and helpless in her life. She paced back and forth in the room, trying to find a way out, but there was none. The door was locked, and the windows were barred.As the days turned into weeks, Adelaide began to lose hope. She heard Lucas coming and going, always with a different woman. She heard the sounds of laughter and sex, and it made her feel like she was being torn apart.Adelaide couldn't understand why Lucas was doing this to her. Hadn't she loved him enough? Hadn't she given him everything he wanted? Why was he treating her like this?As the days went by, Adelaide became more and more withdrawn. She stopped eating, stopped sleeping, and stopped caring about anything. She just lay on the bed, staring blankly at the wall, feel
As Adelaide walked through the front door of her home, she couldn't help but feel a sense of relief wash over her. She had been dreading coming home, knowing that Lucas would likely be waiting for her with a scowl on his face and a list of criticisms at the ready.But as she stepped into the quiet, empty house, Adelaide felt a sense of calm settle over her. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, letting the stillness of the house envelop her.As she stood there, Adelaide's mind began to wander back to her encounter with Mino earlier that day. She couldn't help but smile as she thought about the way he had smiled at her, the way he had laughed at his own joke.As she walked into the living room, Adelaide's eyes landed on an old photo album that was sitting on the coffee table. She picked it up, running her fingers over the worn cover, and began to flip through the pages.The photos were old, taken during her and Mino's time together. Adelaide's heart swelled with nostalgia as she
As the family gathering continued, with everyone enjoying the luxury foods spread out on the table, a sudden step of a foot echoed through the room. The sound grew louder, and soon, a man came into view.He walked with a confident stride, his eyes scanning the room as if searching for someone. As he approached the table, his eyes landed on Adelaide, and for a moment, they just stared at each other.The man took a seat in the vacant chair, and as he did, the room fell silent. Everyone's eyes were fixed on him, and Adelaide could feel the tension in the air.It was Mino.Adelaide's eyes widened in shock as she took in Mino's matured presence. He looked different, yet the same. His eyes still sparkled with the same warmth and kindness, but his features had become more defined, more chiseled.Mino smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners, and said, "Why the shocked faces? I'm part of this family, too."Lucas, who had been quiet until then, let out a grin and said, "Some things never chan
As Mino drove away from the scene, he couldn't shake off the feeling that Lucas was still a threat. He glanced in the rearview mirror, and his worst fears were confirmed. Lucas's car was right behind them, his eyes blazing with anger and determination.Adelaide saw the look on Mino's face and turned around to see what was wrong. Her eyes widened in fear as she saw Lucas's car gaining on them."Oh no," she whispered, her voice trembling with fear. "He's going to catch us."Mino's eyes locked onto the road ahead, his grip on the steering wheel tightening. "Don't worry, I've got this," he said, his voice calm and reassuring.But Adelaide could see the tension in his body, the way his eyes darted back and forth between the road and the rearview mirror. She knew that Mino was worried, that he was trying to protect her from Lucas's wrath.As they sped through the streets, Lucas's car gaining on them with every passing second, Adelaide felt a sense of panic wash over her. She was trapped, wi
As Adelaide stood in the warm and cozy living room of Mino's house, she felt a wave of gratitude wash over her. She was thankful for everything that Mino had done for her, from saving her from Lucas's clutches to providing her with a safe and comfortable place to stay.But as she looked at Mino, who was standing in front of her with a kind and gentle expression, Adelaide couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt. She didn't deserve someone like Mino, someone who was so kind and selfless. She had made a wrong choice by going back to Lucas, and now she was paying the price."Mino, I don't deserve you," Adelaide said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I made a mistake by going back to Lucas, and now I'm paying the price. You deserve someone so much better than me."Mino's expression softened even further as he looked at Adelaide. He could see the pain and guilt in her eyes, and he knew that she was struggling to come to terms with what had happened.Adelaide expected Mino to lecture her, t
As the days went by, Adelaide began to realize the full extent of the trauma and phobias that Lucas had inflicted upon her. She was plagued by nightmares and flashbacks, and she found it difficult to trust anyone, even Mino. But Mino was patient and understanding. He knew that Adelaide needed help, and he was determined to support her every step of the way. One day, Mino took Adelaide to a therapy session with a renowned psychologist. The therapist, Dr. Kim, was kind and compassionate, with a warm smile that immediately put Adelaide at ease. As the therapy sessions progressed, Adelaide began to open up about her experiences with Lucas. She shared her fears and anxieties, her feelings of guilt and shame. And with each session, she began to feel a weight lifting off her shoulders. Mino was always there to support her, visiting her in the hospital and sitting with her during her therapy sessions. He held her hand and listened to her, offering words of encouragement and comfort. As t
As Atticus continued to navigate the complexities of college life, Mino decided to sit him down and have a talk with him. He wanted to make sure that his son was aware of the impact he had on the people around him, especially the girls who seemed to be swooning over him left and right."Atticus, my boy," Mino said, sitting down next to him on the couch. "I know you're a charming young man, and you've got a lot of girls interested in you. But I want to give you some advice."Atticus looked at him curiously, wondering what his dad was going to say."Don't hurt any girls, okay?" Mino said, his expression serious. "Even if you don't like them, just be kind and respectful. You don't have to lead them on or anything, but just be nice. You never know who might have a crush on you, and you don't want to break anyone's heart."Atticus rolled his eyes good-naturedly. "Dad, I know how to treat girls," he said, chuckling.Mino smiled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "I know you do, son," he sa
As the sun began to set on their beach vacation, Adelaide decided to take a run along the shore with her two sons, Atticus and Jasper. She held one hand of each of her boys, and they squealed with delight as they ran through the waves.Mino, who had been lounging on a beach towel, suddenly sprang to life, a big grin spreading across his face. "Hey, you can't get away from me that easily!" he exclaimed, taking off after them.Adelaide laughed, feeling the wind in her hair and the sun on her face. She loved days like this, where they could just be together as a family and enjoy each other's company.As they ran, the waves crashed against their feet, sending sprays of water high into the air. Atticus and Jasper shrieked with delight, trying to catch the waves in their hands.Mino chased after them, pretending to be a monster, making them laugh and scream even more. Adelaide joined in, playing along with Mino's game, and soon they were all laughing and having the time of their lives.As t
As Adelaide walked through the front door of her home, she felt a sense of relief wash over her. She had been carrying around a weight of uncertainty and doubt for what felt like an eternity, and finally, she had been able to talk things through with Mino and clear the air.She made her way to the living room, collapsing onto the couch with a sigh of exhaustion. As she sat there, she couldn't help but laugh at herself. She had been so paranoid, so convinced that Mino was hiding something from her. But in the end, it had all been for nothing.Adelaide shook her head, chuckling at her own foolishness. She had let her imagination run wild, and it had almost cost her her marriage. But Mino had been understanding, and he had reassured her that he would never do anything to hurt her or their family.As she sat there, Adelaide felt a sense of gratitude towards Mino. He was a good man, a good husband and father. He would never give her a reason to doubt him, and she knew that she could always
As Adelaide walked away from the coffee shop, she suddenly felt a wave of weakness wash over her. Her legs felt like jelly, and her heart was racing like it was going to burst out of her chest. She felt like she was going to collapse, like she couldn't take another step.She quickly scanned her surroundings, looking for a place to sit down. She spotted a bench nearby and made her way over to it, collapsing onto the seat with a sigh of relief.As she sat there, Adelaide couldn't help but think about what she had just seen. The photo on Emily's phone had been like a punch to the gut, leaving her feeling winded and disoriented. She couldn't believe what she was seeing, couldn't believe that Mino could be capable of such a thing.But as she sat there, Adelaide's mind began to spin with questions and doubts. Was Mino really having an affair with Emily? Or was there something more innocent going on? Maybe Emily had just taken a photo of Mino sleeping at his desk, and it didn't mean anything
As the day wore on, Mino found himself getting more and more tired. He had been working non-stop for hours, and the stress of the day was starting to take its toll. Despite his best efforts, he couldn't keep his eyes open, and eventually, he fell asleep at his desk.Emily, who had been watching Mino from afar, saw her chance. She quietly got up from her desk and made her way to Mino's office. She opened the door slowly, trying not to make a sound, and slipped inside.As she approached Mino's desk, Emily couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement. She had never been this close to him before, and she couldn't believe her luck. She stood there for a moment, staring at Mino's peaceful face, feeling like she was in a dream.Without thinking, Emily pulled out her phone and snapped a quick photo of herself standing next to Mino's sleeping form. She couldn't resist the opportunity to capture the moment, and she felt a thrill of excitement as she looked at the photo on her screen.Mino, obli
As the days went by, Mino found himself getting busier and busier with work. He was attending meeting after meeting, and his schedule was filled to the brim with appointments and deadlines. He was barely getting any sleep, and when he did, it was fitful and restless.Despite his best efforts, Mino found himself forgetting to eat breakfast and dinner. He would often grab a quick snack or a cup of coffee on the go, but he rarely had time to sit down and enjoy a proper meal.Adelaide would often try to remind him to eat, but Mino would just brush her off, saying that he was too busy. He knew that he needed to take care of himself, but he just couldn't seem to find the time.As a result, Mino started to feel the effects of his neglect. He was constantly tired, and his energy levels were flagging. He would often find himself yawning in the middle of meetings, and he would struggle to focus on the task at hand.Despite his exhaustion, Mino couldn't seem to slow down. He was driven by a sens
As the days turned into weeks, and the weeks turned into a month, the pain of Lucas's loss began to slowly subside. The wound was still fresh, but it was no longer as raw and painful as it had been in the immediate aftermath of his passing.Mino, in particular, had begun to return to a sense of normalcy. He had gone back to work as the CEO of their family company, throwing himself into the demands of the job. He was busy managing the company's various divisions, meeting with clients and investors, and making strategic decisions about the company's future.At first, it had been tough for Mino to focus on work. His mind had been preoccupied with thoughts of Lucas, and he had found it difficult to concentrate on anything else. But as the days turned into weeks, he had begun to find a sense of comfort in the routine of his job. It was a distraction from his grief, and it gave him a sense of purpose and direction.Adelaide had been supportive of Mino's return to work. She had known that he
The day of Lucas's burial had finally arrived, and the atmosphere was somber and sorrowful. The cemetery was filled with family, relatives, and friends, all of whom had come to pay their respects to the young man who had been taken from them too soon.Adelaide and Mino were seated in the front row, surrounded by Lucas's parents and other close family members. Mino's eyes were fixed on the casket, his face etched with pain and sorrow. He was crying silently, his body shaking with sobs as he struggled to come to terms with the loss of his cousin and friend.As the minister began to speak, Mino's eyes never left the casket. He was transfixed by the reality of Lucas's death, unable to believe that he was really gone. He kept thinking that Lucas would suddenly sit up, smile, and say that it was all just a big joke. But deep down, he knew that wasn't going to happen.The minister's words were a blur to Mino as he sat there, his mind consumed by memories of Lucas. He remembered the good time
As Mino stood in front of Lucas's lifeless body, he felt a wave of emotions wash over him. He had known Lucas his entire life, and the two of them had grown up together like brothers. They had shared countless memories, laughed together, and supported each other through thick and thin.Mino's eyes welled up with tears as he gazed at Lucas's face. He couldn't believe that his cousin, his brother, was gone. It felt like a part of him had been ripped away, leaving a gaping hole that could never be filled.Without thinking, Mino dropped to his knees, his eyes fixed on Lucas's hand. He reached out and took Lucas's hand in his, holding it tightly as if he could will his cousin back to life.As he held Lucas's hand, Mino felt a flood of memories wash over him. He remembered the time they had spent their summer vacation together, exploring the woods and playing in the creek. He remembered the time they had gotten into trouble for pulling a prank on their parents. He remembered the time they h