…At The Inn.Pacing on the balcony, Clyde was holding his phone to his ears. “What do you mean by they're canceling the collaboration?”“Mr. Crawford, we didn't expect it too. They think our offer isn't good enough.”How? They'd worked together for many years. How could they suddenly change business partners?“They'll soon regret it.” Clyde ended the call. Someone must be influencing their decision. But who?Clyde's phone rang again. More emergency calls.He cursed under his breath, placing the phone on silent.Glancing at his wristwatch, Clyde's annoyance increased. The sun was already out,And thirty minutes had passed. Even Cora who was stalling had already reached there before him. Clyde cursed again. He shoved the phone into his pants pocket and left the balcony. As he walked out of the Inn, however, Cora's figure approached. So soon?“Why are you back?”Cora dropped her bag, taking off her sunglasses. “The engagement's over.” She smiled sweetly. “Hard luck. You miss
…Everyone was running, grabbing their shawls, and yelling out to each other. As the sandstorm got bigger, the whole Island was bathed in dust. Violet spun around, her eyes darting back and forth.From left to right, nothing was in sight but pure dust.“Vi… let's hurry inside!” Asher called out to her. Unease crept up Violet's heart. She looked around once more. “Where's Mimi?”“I bet she's inside!” Asher replied, coming to grab her hand. Together, they rushed inside the Villa with the rest. Yet, her mind wasn't at ease. Violet couldn't point her fingers at the source of her discomfort.Once inside the living room, everyone was there.Her Mum, her Uncle and his wife… her grandma and grandpa as well.“Mum, have you seen Mimi?” Violet patted her chest, coughing slightly as some of the dust entered her throat.Her mother was dusting off her hair. Furrowing her brows, the woman shook her head. “Mimi's with Freya.”Well, where was Freya?Violet glanced around.No traces of her best
Lost in a daze, Violet stared at the shoe. Mimi. Where was her baby?Where was her other shoe?The sandstorm…Did it take her away? A sharp pain gripped her chest, and a sob tore from Violet's throat.No!“Vi…” Asher squatted beside her. “Please calm down.” His tone wasn't as energetic as before. It had zero hope in it. Asher hugged her. “It's just a shoe… she must have misplaced it.”The shoe had straps. It would be hard for Mimi to remove it on her own. Misplaced it?In this vast place?“What happened, Ash?”“Have you seen her yet?”“Where's Mimi?”“Violet, what's wrong? Why're you crying?”The others joined them, throwing questions after questions. Right. Where was Mimi?Where did the sandstorm take her?Violet shot to her feet, breaking out of Asher's embrace. Frantically, she ran around the Island as if she'd lost her mind. No! Mimi had to be here somewhere.Her baby had to be alright. Where was she!?“Mimi!!!”“Violet, please stop it!” Asher caught up. He hugged her
…Her baby's wails echoed with the wind. Inside the sandstorm, her scream for help was heart-wrenching.Violet's heart grieved, her hands grasping onto nothingness.Struggling to get a hold of her daughter, she scurried on the hot desert sand, calling out for her.Miracle!Where was she?Her tiny figure was like the fleeting breeze, disappearing the next second it came. Mimi-Violet's lungs were once again stuffed with dust, her scream reduced to rapid sobs. Her head rolling from left to right rapidly, she thrashed on the soft surface.Something was grabbing her hand,Someone was holding her…Was it her daughter?“Vi…” But it was a male voice. “Violet… please wake up.” He stroked her hair, his reassuring words floating into her ears. “You'll be fine… relax, Vi.”Violet woke up with a start. Her eyes snapped open and the white ceiling came to her vision. Her chest heaving up and down, she panted heavily. Streams of sweat rushed down her forehead. Her eyes swept across the room a
Dread coupled with fear washed over Violet, creeping into her nerves. The place was so dark,It was hard to see what was ahead. The clinic's light only illuminated a small portion of the area surrounding it.The lamp posts planted across the Island were very far away too.Violet took a few seconds, taking in the vast emptiness.Then she made up her mind.Why was she standing?Her fear was nothing in comparison with what her daughter might be going through. No matter what happened, she had to find Mimi.What was the point of living, anyway, without her daughter?Using the flickering lamp posts as her only source of light, Violet began walking.The cold air bit her skin, and her teeth chattered. Having forgotten her shoes, the sharp sand pierced her feet.“Vi!”Violet halted. “Violet, where are you!!!”Asher!He'd returned.Violet picked up her pace, almost running as his voice got nearer.Once Asher saw her, he'd stop her.He'd tell her not to search for her daughter.But how coul
Violet's ears must be tricking her.Was that really her daughter's voice?Apart from Mimi, there wasn't any other kid on this Island.Mimi! Violet staggered in relief, holding the window's frame for support.How could she have mistaken?That was Mimi's voice.“You’re an adorable kid…” Came the male's voice. “Of course, I like you… But I'm not your Daddy.”Clyde! Violet's heart sank, her hope plummeting. No way!It mustn't be Clyde who saved her daughter, right?No- it couldn't be. Although relieved that her baby was safe and sound, this realization awoke Violet's anxiety.She didn't even have time to celebrate, despite the happy tears rolling down her cheeks.What if Mimi kept on pestering Clyde that he was her father?What if her baby's determination drove Clyde to investigate?What if he discovered the truth?“W-Why… Why, Daddy!?”Mimi's sobs brought Violet back to the present.“You keep pushing me away. Liar! You don't like me! Did I do anything wrong? Bad Daddy!”Mimi's rapid
~Clyde couldn't believe his eyes.He must be hallucinating.She was sitting right in front of him, staring back at him.No way!Violet. Her face, her voice, and her overall demeanor.It was she!The woman sitting right in front of him was his ex-wife.Clyde would never mistake her voice.He'd never mistake anything about her no matter how many years had passed. Yet, she only stared at him, her wide eyes wet with tears.She neither spoke a word nor answered his question.Clyde had to confirm again.He had to make sure it wasn't his imagination tricking him.So he reached out again, to touch her face-But rushed footsteps interrupted him.Then suddenly, three men clad in black leather clothes barged into the room.Their clothes were dripping wet with water, and their eyes darted across the room in fright as if searching for someone.Then their gazes fell on Violet at once, and the fright in their eyes faded into relief.“Thank goodness, you're here!”“We thought you drowned!”“Are yo
…Violet's heart raced, her knees going weak again.Her heart raced and she hastened her steps as they returned to the Villa.Clyde!Hopefully, he wouldn't follow them!Asher walked beside her, holding Mimi in his arms.He was unaware of the air of anxiety surrounding Violet.Chatting with Mimi heartily, he didn't notice her anxiousness.“So tell me how you got saved,” He said to Mimi.Mimi's eyes lit up. She spread her arms wide, speaking nonstop. “Daddy reached out from the helicopter and picked me up. The windy sand was chasing me and I was running, and then Daddy came like a hero!”“Wow! You're brave!” Asher chuckled.“Not as brave as Daddy, Uncle Ash.” Mimi shook her head.Then she went on. “It was difficult to breathe, but Daddy told me to relax… Then I fell asleep, Uncle Ash. When I woke up, I was in a big hospital!”“Really?”“Yes! Daddy didn't leave my side. Then the Doctor came and gave me this tube as a present. He said I should inhale it whenever my asthma starts.”Asher p
…Inside The Hotel. Cora sighed, leaning against the window, her gaze fixed on the scenery below.How funny!How devastating! How ridiculous!So Clyde hadn't been kidding with her. He really had found Violet.Not only that, but that wench had a child!?Wasn't her whole life a joke then?Would she be able to believe her reality anymore?Thinking she was far ahead and could handle the situation, Cora had never looked forward to this sudden blow.When Clyde had informed her on the phone, she wished she was dreaming. At first, she'd been confused. After all, the man only went to the point, telling her that he was bringing Violet and his daughter to IvoryHills.She should be prepared. She should help them get ready!Oh, she would.Folding her hands, her lips twitched, curling up slightly at the end. Violet Harris. She'd underestimated her once more. Who would ever expect that she'd been carrying a Crawford heiress when she ran away? An heiress… a child for the Crawford family. No! I
Violet struggled to remain calm despite her heart racing at the moment.She never thought that she'd wake up to this huge shock. How the hell did he get here?Hadn't he been sitting in a chair on the opposite row beside Mimi?Well now, Clyde wasn't only sleeping beside her. He was almost lying on top of her, his breathing ragged and his hot breath fanning against her neck. Yet, the shameless man didn't show any signs of embarrassment.He even had the guts to make fun of the situation.Hopefully, he couldn't hear her heartbeat. Hopefully, he realized that she meant what she said and could even punch him in the face. Freya was right behind them.Damnit!Violet wished her best friend was fast asleep and didn't witness it. She pushed the man off her, letting the blanket fall in the process.Violet didn't mind the cold.The desire to sleep had long left her already, all thanks to the shameless man beside her. She shifted away, maintaining a safe distance from him.Now she regretted co
“Clyde Crawford…” Asher gritted out, his tone tensed and tight. “Don't you dare! You know the offense of kidnapping-”“Would have been more fun if it was a kidnap.” Clyde chortled, reveling in the moment, feeling good about himself. “Unfortunately, I have no time for such petty things. Violet came with me voluntarily-”“That's a lie!”“Whatever you say, Asher Sydney.” Clyde clicked his tongue. “Now don't waste my time. My family needs me.”Then he hung up, smirking as he dropped the phone beside him. Clyde relaxed back on the reclining chair, taking in a long, deep, contented breath.On the right row, Violet was sleeping deeply on a similar chair, while beside him, Mimi slept soundly.He'd never expected this turn of events.Never had he seen it coming that Violet would agree to follow him. Hadn't she ditched him?Hadn't she locked their daughter up because of that?What changed her mind?He thought she vowed that she would never come with him. Clyde wasn't sleepy while everyone in
…At MJ Corporation. Asher strolled around his office, circling the couch that sat on the corner. His eyes accessing the wrapped boxes of gifts, a subtle smile formed on his lips. He picked up the bouquet of roses and sniffed it, the gentle fragrance bringing a calming effect to his once anxious mind.Violet would love this. Honestly, who wouldn't?Asher had outdone himself this time. He couldn't imagine that instead of spending the whole day working and attending meetings, he invested all his time in picking out these gifts.But it would all be worth it.He couldn't wait to witness the smile on her face as she unwrapped these boxes and went through the gifts. “Mr. Sydney, I must say that Ms. Hayes is lucky to have you.” James appeared with some document folders. Staring at the gifts, he nodded in appreciation. “I just wonder how much you admire her.”“A lot,” Asher admitted. He'd always admired her ever since they met.He must have had his own selfish intentions, but he'd nev
~Her devastation knew no bounds as the Doctors took hours inside the emergency room, treating her baby.Violet was tired of walking back and forth.She was tired of sobbing and regretting, knowing this was all her fault.Her body's energy was rapidly declining. Yet, she couldn't give up.She had to keep praying. Her baby had to be fine. But the hours only increased without any sign from the emergency room.The doctor didn't come out. The nurses who had been going in and out had stopped too. Standing in front of the door, she reached out to push it open, her heart beating rapidly. But the door was bolted.Her baby was still in there. What was happening?Suddenly, she teleported back to the Villa where she stood in front of the door that led to Mimi's bedroom.Violet kept on knocking, calling out her baby's name desperately.Her fingers were bruised from struggling with the doorknob. Her weakened knees were about to give out.But then, she fell and someone caught her. Violet fell a
Clyde couldn't keep his anger from showing.He wasn't planning to control it either. What the hell was she doing that his daughter almost lost her life?How did she fall into that state in the first place? When he received an urgent call requesting emergency assistance to save a little girl's life, who knew that little girl would turn out to be his own daughter?Shock-stricken, Violet stared at him with widened eyes. Her lips trembled, and her teary eyes blinked. “C- Clyde.”“Dr. Crawford, do you know each other?” Dr. Brown glanced between them, his brows knitting in confusion. Clyde disregarded his question. He couldn't help but imagine what would have happened if he wasn't around.What if he'd taken off to IvoryHills City as he'd initially planned?After finding out that Violet had blocked him, and he couldn't have access to them in any other way because the Villa’s security had suddenly been tightened, he'd decided to leave and bring his family here instead.As luck would have
Nobody leaves?Asher had only told her that he'd tightened the Villa’s security so Clyde couldn't barge in on them like yesterday.He didn't tell her not to leave this Villa.Besides, this was a critical moment.“Are you crazy!?” Freya said the same words in her mind. Violet couldn't believe the bodyguards. Were they even supposed to say that at this moment?“Ma’am, we're only following instructions.” The second bodyguard didn't bat an eye. “Please don't blame us.”“Well, don't worry, Ma’am.” The maid chipped in, her hands shaky as she fetched water in a bowl from the bathroom. “W- We will be able to revive her. The little Miss has only fainted.”She sprinkled water on her face and then wiped her face with some of it. None of the methods worked. Violet got to her feet, hugging her baby. “Just go and get the driver! If anything happens to her, I'll hold you both accountable.”But more than anybody else, Violet was at fault.She couldn't deny that. If she hadn't given Mimi a hard ti
Freya parted her lips, giving her a shocked look. She was also speechless. The way Violet had been when Clyde stated that ridiculous offer. For a few seconds, Freya didn't say any words.Then her angry look returned. “That's too much to ask.”Exactly.Well, Clyde still insisted she was his wife. She had a feeling that he wasn't joking when he said he didn't sign the divorce.Following Clyde to IvoryHills would potentially mean an imprisonment for her.What if he never allowed her to return?“Well, you don't have to do what he said.” Freya gave her shoulder a reassuring pat. “Just let him go with Mimi and you'll stay behind.”That was impossible.Violet couldn't let her daughter embark on this journey alone. She had a feeling that Clyde and his family would take Mimi away from her.If Mimi was going, then she'd have to follow her.But Violet couldn't go either. So this journey- she couldn't risk it.“I know this is very complicated, Vi…” Freya softened her tone, giving her an appre
… At Continental Villa Estates. Violet sighed for the umpteenth time, walking back and forth in front of the door that led to Mimi's room.The little girl's heartbreaking sobs echoed from inside the room and she pounded on the window now and then, probably trying to open it. Thank goodness the window was high from the ground and tightly locked.She couldn't imagine what would have happened to her baby if she tried to jump from it.“Mimi, stop crying, Dear. Can you please open the door?” This was like her thousandth time saying the same statement.How strange that the girl could bolt the door, blocking her out. “Hearing you cry breaks Mummy's heart.”“Mummy, it's not my fault. Promise me you'll take me to my Daddy. You can't send Daddy away.” Her bitter sobs resounded, breaking Violet's heart to pieces.“I- I didn't send your Daddy away,” She stuttered.Indeed, she'd blocked him off and also made sure Asher blocked all the ways Clyde could get access to this Villa. Her daughter w