My mind went completely blank. I clutched my phone tightly, but I had no idea who to call. The airport announcement snapped me back to reality. I quickly found Yasmine's number and dialed it, but all I heard was a cold, automated voice. The phone was turned off.I rarely called Yasmine's parents. I
On the plane, I was restless. After an hour, the plane finally landed. I immediately called Pete the moment I could turn my phone on. No matter what the situation was, if we wanted to get Yasmine bailed out quickly, with my current abilities... Things would be a lot easier if Pete were around. I h
As the elevator climbed higher, an uneasy feeling gnawed at me. This scene felt oddly familiar as if I had experienced it before. Every time I was in a hospital, something bad seemed to happen.The hallway outside the ward smelt like a faint floral scent instead of the usual strong smell of disinfec
"Go ahead! Smash it! Keep going! Whatever you do to me, I'll pay it back double to Yasmine!" Jasmine stretched her neck forward, gritting her teeth as she screamed in rage. "Ariana, you're the one who started this! Everything happening now is your karma!"I couldn't understand what Jasmine meant. C
Nicholas's tall figure cast a shadow over the hallway, dimming the overhead lights and fueling the anger in my heart.Of course. If Nicholas wasn't backing Jasmine up, how could she have the means to locate them and devise such a manipulative scheme?It didn't matter who was the mastermind behind th
Jasmine's eyes widened in disbelief. "Nick, what did you say?""I don't have the habit of repeating myself. You heard me." Nicholas sighed, but his tone was firm.It took Jasmine almost three minutes to process the reality, but she still couldn't accept it."Nick, are you saying that after using me,
Nicholas knew that chasing after me would be futile. All he would catch was destined to be nothing but emptiness.At first, he merely thought this city's temperature felt colder than in Radiant City. But now, he understood that this damp chill that seeped into his chest and lungs, making him shiver,
"I thought the first thing you would ask me is about how Yasmine is doing," Nicholas slowly turned around, stepping closer to me with each word."Since when did Pete become more important to you than Yasmine?"Even Nicholas's shadow seemed to carry weight. For a moment, I felt like I could barely br
My heart tightened. "Nicholas, what do you take me for? You're making it sound like I'm taking your advantage."I lifted my hand and pinched his waist. He cried out in pain and finally let go. I quickly sat up to put some distance between us, glaring at him angrily.Nicholas narrowed his eyes and wr
The cold sweat on my back instantly soaked my nightgown. Upon seeing who was standing in front of me, I felt so drained that I couldn't even muster the energy to glare at Nicholas."What's wrong?" he asked, reaching up to touch my forehead before turning on the bedside lamp. He grabbed a tissue and
Although Nicholas gave me his assurances, I still couldn't fully relax. I lay beside Tabitha, unable to fall asleep. So, I decided to search for information on childhood autism. As soon as I opened my phone, a trending topic popped up with Nicholas' name on it. The headline read, "CEO of Hawk Corp
I went to Nicholas' room to check on Tabitha. She was sleeping soundly, her cheeks flushed a rosy red.She didn't know yet that, tomorrow, she'd have to go to the hospital again instead of going to kindergarten.Other kids her age would be going to school or the amusement park, but Tabitha had to fr
Suddenly, a force pulled on my hand, startling me.My reflexive jerk knocked the bowl, making it wobble noisily against the table. The clattering sound felt louder than the pounding of our hearts."Sorry," I muttered, quickly steadying the bowl. I glanced up at Nicholas. His hand froze midair, stil
As my thoughts ran wild, I somehow drifted off to sleep in Tabitha's room. When I opened my eyes again, the sky was dark.I sat up in a panic, fumbling with the door lock before finally getting it open. The moment I stepped out, the door to the room next to mine opened as well.Nicholas stood there,
Nicholas' bright eyes dimmed instantly, a wave of dejection washing over him."I haven't eaten anything. I've been in back-to-back meetings and barely even had time for water. Can't you just keep me company?"At that moment, I felt the fragile understanding between us was once again on the verge of
I quickly got ready and waited for Nicholas to pick me up. He had called earlier, saying he'd wrapped up work early. He asked if I wanted to join him to pick up Tabitha from school.I immediately caught the hopeful tone in his voice but still turned him down.Lately, Nicholas had been eager to take
Once Tabitha finished her meal and Wendy took her to school, I finally had a bit of time to myself.I sent the prepared documents to Douglas, asking him to help arrange Tabitha's visa for Berland.Once her condition improved, I planned to take her abroad. Since Nicholas hadn't insisted on having Tab