Madelyn shivered, grappling with unfamiliar emotions.'Mom's childhood sweetheart? But Rosario said Mom was an orphan and Father took her in, right?'Even in the warm living room, Madelyn felt a chill go down her spine. She made her way to the study and opened the pink leather-bound notebook. As she leafed through its pages, she paused at one with precise, fine handwriting.[January 20th, 1975, sunny. I turned sixteen today! Agustin gifted me a necklace and a stunning white pony. Can't wait to ride it around town. I wonder what Mom and Dad have planned for my birthday.][January 21st, 1975, cloudy. I was out riding Agustin's pony when a man on a large horse, sporting tall boots, startled me. He snarkily called me a "whiny little kid." And my new outfit from Mom? It got ripped.][March 28th, 1975. That man from before returned, asking Dad for money. From the doorway, I caught his eye. His towering height and intense look sent me hurrying back to my room. Mom says he's around to pro
'Why isn't father's name in here?'As Madelyn flipped through the pages, the diary's tone shifted. It started out cheerful but soon turned somber, leaving her feeling heavy-hearted. The diary mostly recounted events from Silverbrook.Growing up, her mother had been the cherished daughter of a wealthy family. Her grandfather led a major business group, while her father was his right-hand man. The family was quite well-known in their town. Agustin was an orphan boy that her great-grandfather had rescued from a battlefield. He joined the Wood family when he was six. Growing up, Madelyn's mother, being a few years older, taught him to read and write. The two shared a bond tighter than most friends. It seemed her great-grandfather had hopes of Agustin marrying her mother to make him an official Wood. However, some diary entries were illegible, leaving Madelyn with lingering questions.At sixteen, her mother met the well-known military leader, Erick Blinken. By twenty-six, Erick was a res
At dinner, Zach noticed Madelyn was lost in thought. He added some mashed potatoes to her plate. "What's on your mind?" he asked."Nothing," Madelyn said, fidgeting with her fork.Zach just watched her, not pressing further. After dinner, the two shared a close moment in the bathroom. When they came out, Zach was supporting a tired Madelyn. He wore a dark robe, loosely tied, revealing a bit of his toned chest. He helped Madelyn into bed, making sure she was comfy in her pajamas. After giving her a gentle kiss on the forehead, he headed to the study.In the dimly lit study, Zach stood by the large window. His reflection showed piercing eyes that had a mysterious aura about them. The phone rang, and he answered."Mr. Jardin," the voice on the other end said, "Everything's been done as you asked. Tomorrow, Ms. Young will be on the plane with him."Before the voice finished speaking, Dalton's cry interrupted it. Zach quickly hung up and looked toward the door. Outside, he found Madely
Having baby Dalton around was becoming a challenge for Madelyn. While Zach could easily tune him out, Madelyn felt a strong pull toward the child. She took Dalton for a stroll in the backyard, patting his back and hoping he would drift off to sleep. After their walk, she settled him on the couch. As she did, Dalton nestled against her, gazing up at her. Yet, the moment she met his gaze, he playfully pretended to be asleep.Madelyn gazed into the distance, lost in thought. 'What mysteries lay within the torn pages of Mom's diary, and what stories did those stained sections hold? When she was around sixteen or seventeen, Mom was with Erick. If I'm their child, then why does Kai hold so much resentment toward me? Perhaps he thinks I'm Hayson's daughter. But he read the diary; he knows its contents. What's he hiding from me?'At Portsmouth Fishing Village, in a small, smelly room, Kai stood under a flickering bulb, eyes locked on a woman on the bed who seemed really sick."Who are Madel
There is a universal truth no one can escape from: every action has its consequences. Zach would find that out soon, and Madelyn was waiting for that day.Rosario's closest friend was Margaret. After Rosario's unexpected passing, which the police believed was an accident, Margaret took care of all the arrangements. She organized a quiet funeral and buried Rosario in a peaceful spot that Rosario had chosen. Among Rosario's belongings, Margaret discovered hair ties for a young girl and a pink princess dress. Recognizing them, she realized they must have been Madelyn's from when she was little and stored them safely in a bag.At SereneCare Hospital, Kai sat in his office with his head down, rubbing the bridge of his nose. He had been poring over this report all night.'So I got it wrong the whole time? Madelyn is actually Alicia's daughter and isn't related to Hayson at all. Darn it! How'd I miss that? What the hell have I been doing all these years?'"Dr. Stewart." Someone knocked at
"Can you help him? I'll do anything," she said.Lana searched everywhere for a treatment for Andrew, but no hospital could diagnose his condition. Surprisingly, Kai, better known for his playful nature, was highly respected in the medical community. Most doctors recommended her to consult him. She eventually found a hospital that tried to help Andrew, but his condition worsened. Having no other option, Lana came back home.Kai headed to the parking garage. As he got into his car, Lana quickly slid into the passenger seat.Kai said, "Get out."Lana replied, "Not until you agree."She thought she was being straightforward and assertive, but Kai assumed she was trying to seduce him. "Are you that eager to get intimate with me?"Lana shot him a sharp look. "If it weren't for Andrew, I'd never even go near you." Their relationship had been a mistake from the very beginning.Kai smirked, unfazed. He started the car and drove out of the parking garage. As the city disappeared in the di
Kai let go of Lana, stepped out of the passenger seat, and answered his phone. "She's dead?" he asked."You weren't involved?"After a brief silence, Kai said, "I'll investigate."He had no motive to kill Rosario, especially knowing she did not have much time left. If he had wanted her gone, he would have done it quietly, not blatantly. The leads were now lost. For years, Kai had been searching for the torn pages from Alicia's diary. Those pages contained the truth about certain past events.Kai had taken a brief ten-minute nap and was completely drained. When he turned, he collided with Lana. She teetered backward, about to fall, but Kai was quick to steady her."Can you drive?" he asked.Lana, with a hint of skepticism, replied, "What do you want to do?""Drive back to the hospital once we're off this mountain," Kai said, handing her the keys.Kai needed a break. As he took the passenger seat, he quickly fell asleep, evident from his steady breathing. Lana got into the driver
Remembering the prescription he had eagerly given to Zach filled Kai with guilt. 'My action led to Alicia losing her only daughter.'A past promise he made as a child now weighed heavily on his mind. At eight, standing next to the radiant Alicia and looking at a starry sky, he had said, "If you ever have a daughter, Ms. Wood, I'll look out for her like a big brother."Alicia smiled warmly. "I can see you being a wonderful big brother. And if I'm not around," she had added, her tone more serious, "promise me you'll take care of her."Kai, even as a young boy, had taken the promise to heart. "I promise."Yet, thinking of it now, he felt a pang of sorrow. 'I was supposed to protect her. If Madelyn dies, I'm to blame.'Lana waited outside the operating room, watching as Kai, dressed in blue scrubs, went inside. She was not used to seeing him so serious; his usual self was so playful.After a short nap, Madelyn came down to the living room, feeling hungry. "Margaret, did someone stop