"What about me?" Stefan asked casually.Dorothy wasn’t dreaming—he was talking. She rubbed her eyes thoroughly, but he was still there. He was standing tall, and he talked... He just freaking talked.Dorothy nearly passed out on her bed. She wanted Stefan to get better, but this was too sudden—it scared her.As Stefan moved closer, she inched even farther back, almost pressing herself against the wall. She wished she could disappear into it.Stefan stood there, staring at her quietly while she silently begged the wall to swallow her."You were right," he said, and she blinked, staring at him in confusion.Stefan stepped forward again, but she quickly pointed at him, signaling him to stay back."A crippled person doesn’t just suddenly walk overnight. I could believe it if you were only talking, but you’re standing. Have you been faking your injury?" Dorothy asked, her eyes searching his for answers, but he gave nothing away.She realized how ridiculous her question sounded. She remembe
Stefan quietly stared at Dorothy, watching her go crazy openly."This isn't normal, Stefan. The other day, I saw you struggle to stand. You fell, you were in so much pain, yet you couldn't cry because it was hard to even speak. Then overnight, you're suddenly walking and talking like nothing happened," Dorothy said. She couldn't understand the algorithm—something didn't add up."What's so hard to believe? I recovered after nine years. Why do you make it sound like it happened overnight?" Stefan asked, furrowing his brows."It did happen over nine years, but it feels sudden. I know you understand what I'm talking about," Dorothy replied."I don't know what you're talking about," Stefan shrugged. "Stefan, a cripple don't just walk overnight" Dorothy said and Stefan's face changed, he looked like he was offended for a second. Never had he ever imagined Dorothy calling him crippled."All I know is you people are weird" He replied, staring straight into her eyes. "When it took years to ge
Dorothy bit her lip, intertwining her fingers as her face reddened even more. “If this is too much, I’ll scrap it—”“It’s not too much at all,” Stefan cut her off.Dorothy looked up at him as he continued.“Nothing is ever too much as long as you want it. I’ll take care of everything,” Stefan assured her, and Dorothy couldn’t help but smile widely. She couldn’t believe she would be visiting the Seine River soon.“Make sure you’re ready tonight. Griffin will bring you a laptop so you can order any outfit of your choice,” Stefan said.“Really?” Dorothy’s face lit up. She had thought she was asking for too much when she made the request.Stefan reached out and gently touched her face. His touch was so soft that it made every system in Dorothy’s body momentarily shut down.“Remember, nothing is ever too much when it comes to you,” he repeated, staring deeply into her eyes. Dorothy nodded like she was spellbound, but when she noticed him leaning forward, she instinctively covered his lips
Stefan gently guided Dorothy to the dinner table. He pulled out a chair for her, ensuring she was seated before taking his own seat opposite her. A well-dressed waiter approached them and respectfully handed the menu to Stefan, who motioned for the waiter to give it to Dorothy instead.He turned to her with a soft expression.“Order whatever you like. I had your favorite dish prepared tonight, so try not to eat it all,” he said with a playful tone that Dorothy found hard to believe.She picked out the dishes she liked and glanced up at him.“Aren’t you ordering anything?” she asked when she noticed Stefan watching her intently.“I’ll have the same thing my wife is having,” he replied to the waiter.Wife?? Dorothy couldn’t help but smile to herself, hoping her cheeks weren’t burning red. She didn't know how good it felt to be called a wife feels until now. Stefan had been so sweet to her so far. But was he always like this with Bianca too?The thought dulled her mood. She didn’t know m
Griffin walked into Stefan's office. "Mr. Stefan, you sent for me. Is everything alright?" he asked, his brows furrowing with concern.Stefan was busy on his laptop. He paused and looked at Griffin for a moment before gesturing toward the chair opposite him.Griffin stared at Stefan, puzzled. He didn’t think he had ever sat down for a conversation with him before, but now, he was getting a special invite. Carefully, he took a seat, still giving Stefan a curious and slightly worried look.Stefan slid his laptop toward Griffin. The screen displayed pictures of three young women. Griffin couldn’t help but twitch his eyes in confusion as he stared at them, wondering why Stefan was showing him pictures of women."Which one do you like more?" Stefan asked, leaning back on the couch.Griffin was taken aback by the question. "I'm not sure, Mr. Stefan. Why are you asking me this? I thought you were happy with the young mistress?" he asked, looking visibly stressed.Stefan shook his head. "They
"Where do you want me to start with all these questions you're throwing at me?" Stefan asked dryly."Somewhere, Stefan." Dorothy folded her arms under her chest, staring at him impatiently.Stefan sighed and moved to sit on the bed. He pointed to the empty space beside him, signaling for Dorothy to sit. Dorothy rolled her eyes but sat beside him anyway."No, I have not been pretending about my injury, and yes, I don't want anyone to know I'm recovered. That's why I'm putting up an act now," Stefan answered her questions."But why are you hiding it? Isn't this something you should be happy about?" Dorothy asked, her face scrunching up in confusion."You're right, it is something to be happy about—and I am—but I still think I should keep it a secret for now. So, do me a favor and play along. Can you do that?" Stefan asked softly.Dorothy was silent for a moment before nodding. Stefan smiled a little and patted her hair."Thank you," he said."Why do you love doing that?" Dorothy asked.
Tasha smirked when she saw Dorothy sit opposite her, but her smirk immediately shifted to a worried, gentle expression—one that Dorothy found instantly unsettling."Dorothy, you're here already. I thought you weren’t going to show up, and I got anxious, so I ordered an orange juice before you what to you want some?," Tasha said, raising the glass of juice to Dorothy's face. She did so gently yet manipulatively and Dorothy knew she should be careful "Cut to the chase. What do you want from me?" Dorothy asked, her expression serious and unamused."Nothing, I promise. I just..." Tasha sniffled, opening her fancy little purse and pulling out a handkerchief to gently dab her teary eyes. "I just want to be close to my family again... I don’t want to fight anymore. And I’ve been thinking—you’re a good person. I shouldn’t have conspired with your mother to force you into marrying Stefan against your will," she said, crying.Dorothy stared at her, still feeling confused. "What do you want exa
"When did you—?" Kai had never looked this confused in his life. He stared at Griffin, hoping to see the same bewilderment reflected in his expression, but Griffin remained calm."We’ll answer all your questions later, Kai. Just do what Mr. Stefan said so we can find the young mistress in time," Griffin told him.Kai glanced between Stefan and Griffin before nodding and dashing out of the office. Stefan settled into his wheelchair while Griffin wheeled him out. They reached the car, and as Griffin drove, Stefan operated a small machine."I just found where the phone is," Stefan muttered.In a small, unkempt house, a familiar phone sat on the table, surrounded by some dangerous-looking equipment. A pair of black leather-clad legs crossed as someone sat on a worn-out chair. Chole stared at the phone, frowning."How do I get the stupid battery out? None of my tools seem to be working," she thought to herself, biting her fingers thoughtfully.Earlier, she had been eyeing Dorothy ever sinc
"You've got to be kidding me!" Clarissa exclaimed, her eyes widening as she took in her surroundings. She stood in front of a small, shabby-looking house, unable to believe her eyes as she analyzed everything."Please tell me this isn't where we'll be living now. Mom, of all the houses out there, is this really the best you could afford?" she complained, clearly displeased."This is what we can afford," Agnes replied with a shrug."You're kidding, Mom. Tell me you're kidding!" Clarissa refused to accept that this was her new home. Even the security guards back then when they still lived at the Florence household, had a better place than this.Clarissa wondered how low she had stooped, ger life was practically over, and she blamed Dorothy for it."Maybe if you had left the Florence household when I told you to, you wouldn’t have gone to jail. I wouldn’t have spent forever trying to fix things, and I could’ve found us a better place than this," Agnes said, rolling her eyes."Mom, why ar
The next morning, in Stefan's mansion, he watched as Dorothy packed everything she would need. Today was the day she was leaving for school."Alright, I'm set," Dorothy informed him once she was done."I didn’t see you take any of my clothes. You should take them, love, because what if you get cold and need someone to hold? I’m sure my shirt would fit into that space," Stefan said.Dorothy smiled and walked closer to him, standing between his legs and resting her arms on his shoulders."I already took plenty of your clothes, love," she said."Oh? Then did you take—""Everything, love. I took everything," Dorothy cut him off, giving him a knowing smile. She knew Stefan wished she didn’t have to leave—she wished the same—but there wasn’t much choice. She had to go."Seems like you're fully prepared. I wish I could go with you, but I can't leave the company," Stefan sighed. "Your ride will be here in the next five minutes. I wish I could take you one more time.""Stefan, five minutes? An
Police Station.Clarissa looked like she hadn't slept all night. The room was dark, the ground dirty and cold. She squeezed herself against the bars, crying loudly—simply because a cockroach was crawling toward her."Someone get me out of here!" she cried, banging on the cell door in sheer panic. The cockroach kept moving forward."Ahhhhhhh... Mummyyyyy!!!" Clarissa screamed even louder."Can you keep it down? You're not the only one sleeping here tonight," a chunky woman with a groggy voice grumbled angrily.She had been in the cell when they brought Clarissa in. Judging by the way Clarissa was dressed, she knew this was her first time here."Who are you to tell me to be quiet when that disgusting animal is coming toward me?" Clarissa retorted rudely.The woman smirked and stood up. "Woman, it's just a cockroach. Haven't you seen one before?" she asked with a curious look."Take a good look at me. Do I look like someone who should be anywhere near this filthy creature? Look at you—it
Two days laterSomeone knocked on the door repeatedly, the sound growing louder every second. Clarissa was getting sick of it. She slipped on her expensive dress and sunglasses before going to open the door. Standing at the doorstep were two unfamiliar men accompanied by the family butler."Miss Clarissa, I'm surprised you and your mother are still here. I expected you both to have packed up by now," the butler said.Clarissa burst out laughing. "You were serious about giving this house to charity?" Her expression made it clear she didn’t believe him."Miss, these are the founders of the Mary Jane Orphanage Organization" He introduced her to the men. "We've already finalized everything, and they are taking possession of the house," the butler replied.Clarissa looked at him like he was joking. "This is my family's house. It has existed for decades, and you think I'd give it up for charity?""Baby, let's just go," Agnes said tiredly from behind. She had already packed everything they n
Agnes could swear that she almost fainted, but Clarissa caught her immediately."Charity? Are you out of your mind!?" Clarissa screamed, and Dorothy responded with a nonchalant shrug."I don't want anything from that man, and both of you already got fifteen percent. Why don’t we just give the orphanage the house, money, and car? They’ll really need it," Dorothy said dryly."I agree," Stefan nodded.Clarissa gritted her teeth, flying toward Dorothy and attempting to slap her, but Dorothy was quick enough to throw her own slap first. Clarissa, who hadn’t been slapped by anyone in a long time, couldn’t believe how much it hurt."You and Agnes should be ashamed! You know what your father did to me, right? I'm not related to you, not even by blood. For years, you made me believe you were doing me a favor, but your father killed my family just to take me. Now, what have I done to deserve any of that?" Dorothy screamed with teary eyes.Stefan, who was standing beside her, moved forward and g
The next morning, Mason stood by his car with Griffin, his hands in his pants pockets, watching as the guards searched for the basement key."So incompetent. Mr. Stefan just left you people with one job!" Kai said, shaking his head in disappointment.The guards had no idea how to explain what had happened. They had all strangely fallen asleep and could only hope that the lady was still in the basement, or else Stefan would not take kindly to them.One of the guards spotted the key on the floor, his face lighting up with happiness. "I found it!" he exclaimed, picking it up and rushing to open the door. As the door swung open, the guards began coughing.They pushed through the dust, their smiles fading when they found Emily lying lifeless on the ground. Her body looked shriveled and dried up.The guards murmured in confusion. None of them had received an order from Stefan to kill anyone, so they wondered who had done it. Meanwhile, Stefan looked up, troubled, watching from where he stoo
Congratulations! You’re seriously committed!If you've made it all the way to Chapter 50, you must be incredibly loyal. I’m pretty sure your partner adores you. But if you’re thinking of leaving… well, that’s a little sus. Cheater! Just kidding, just kidding.Big thanks to everyone for sticking with me on this ride! I’m glad we’re all having fun together!
Dorothy squinted her eyes open, where Stefan sat in front of her with an offended look playing on his face."Is everything alright?" Dorothy asked, noticing Stefan’s long face."It’s just your family keeps coming, trying to convince you to go home so they can read the family will," Stefan replied.Dorothy sighed, wondering why they hadn’t given up yet. If they wanted to read the family will, then she would be fine if they read it without her. Even if she inherited anything, she wouldn’t accept it.She suddenly thought of something. "I’ll go home," she told Stefan out of the blue."Why?" Stefan asked, his face a picture of confusion."Since they won’t leave me alone, I’ll go," she replied."Love, if you’re going there, then you must let me come with you. I can’t let you go to that family alone," Stefan said. He didn’t agree with her plan of going, but he knew she had something in mind, so he wouldn’t stop her."Sure, Stefan, you can come with me," Dorothy replied softly.Stefan removed
In a dark, cold, dusty basement, a woman sat with her hands tied behind her back. She looked tired and weak, having not eaten for days. The long door slowly creaked open, and light filled the room—it was the first light she had seen in days, almost blinding her.Footsteps approached her. A tall, familiar figure stood before her. He was not happy."What is your offense?" he asked with a dry expression.Shalom's heart pounded with fear. "Please... I didn't mean to do it. I was just angry and wanted my revenge," she cried."Revenge for what exactly? What did my wife ever do to you to make you want to kill her?" Stefan asked, and Shalom cried even harder.Stefan smirked and crouched beside her. "Your real name is not Shalom," he said. She gave him a surprised look, wanting to shake her head and deny it, but the fear gripping her body betrayed her.All this while, she had worked with Stefan, always overlooking him because of his disabilities. She had thought he was useless, incapable of do