After Yaslyn resigned, she devoted herself to caring for Henry, ensuring he was discharged from the hospital as quickly as possible.She also visited Rachel's hospital room, but found her asleep.Not wanting to disturb her, Yaslyn left her homemade gingerbread treats with Mr. Carden to give to Rachel.While Henry was in the hospital, he felt as if Yaslyn hovered over him at every turn. Since he was finally free, he wanted to take her on a thrilling day out."Yaslyn, can we go to the amusement park today? I haven't been to one in a long time!"Seemingly disappointed, Henry looked down as if he wanted to go.Yaslyn had lost her taste for amusement parks at a young age and quickly rejected the idea. "I'm not going, Henry. If you want to go, go by yourself.""Oh, come on, Yaslyn. All my injuries were because of you, and you can't even spare a day for me? You're heartless," Henry said.Yaslyn was furious. "Well, maybe you shouldn't have saved me then!"Henry immediately softened his
Yaslyn, knowing all too well the wrenching pain of losing a father, instantly rejected Henry's proposal to let him stay behind."Remember me, okay? I've saved you twice, you know?"Henry's eyes filled with a complicated blend of devotion and reluctance as he looked at Yaslyn.In response, Yaslyn playfully punched him. "Why are you talking like it's the end of the world? What if everything turns out fine?"Henry pouted. "Fine. I won't speak of it, but I'm staying. Nothing you say will change my mind."Mr. Carden sighed deeply. "What a fine young man. It's a shame this had to happen."Yaslyn, noticing Mr. Carden's sad expression, comforted him. "Don't worry just yet. Maybe the crane can save all of us."The crane quickly extended its arm. After Mr. Carden and his family were on board, Henry tried to help Yaslyn up. But she firmly kicked him away."We're good to go!" she shouted, her voice trembling but resolute.The crane started to move, lifting the Carden family and Henry to s
"Yaslyn, are you okay?"The voice on the other end of the line was Xoan's, tinged with urgency.It bore the weight of a man who had looked at trending posts and found his girlfriend sprawled on train tracks. Even at a distance, he recognized her instantly.Yaslyn stifled a laugh, speaking in a low voice to disguise herself."I'm sorry, sir, but the owner of this phone passed away half an hour ago. Who are you?"Xoan paused. "I'm her boyfriend. Is she really gone?"Hearing Xoan's voice, almost devoid of emotion but subtly laced with dread, Yaslyn felt a shiver run down her spine."Yes, sir. She’s going to be cremated shortly.""Yaslyn, do you find this funny?"Xoan could not keep up the act anymore. He had seen right through her."Wow, you caught me. I thought I'd disguised myself well."Xoan sighed. "How could I not recognize your voice? Also, don't lie to me again."His tone was almost protective, as if advising a loved one."Why are you snooping around in my life?"Igno
Mrs. Carden quickly finished cooking, and Rachel stopped arguing with Henry. She took Yaslyn's hand and led her back into the house, leaving Henry standing behind with a disgruntled expression.At the dinner table, Mr. Carden seemed distracted. He found his eyes returning to Yaslyn's familiar face repeatedly.Finally, he could not resist asking, "Yaslyn, may I ask a question?"Yaslyn smiled softly. "Your curiosity is almost tangible, Mr. Carden. Please go ahead and ask. I'll answer if I can."Mr. Carden nodded. "What's your father's name?"Yaslyn's thoughts seemed to drift away momentarily. "My father… His name was Oliver Lyon."The atmosphere at the table instantly grew cold and heavy.Seeing Mr. Carden silent, Yaslyn could not help but ask, "What's the matter? Do you know my father?""How could I say I know him, Yaslyn? Do you remember what your mother's name was?"Yaslyn paused for a moment and said, "Helen."Upon hearing the familiar name, Mr. Carden could no longer hold
"Alright, that's settled then," said Yaslyn as she wrapped up the brief chat with Mr. Carden.Suddenly, it began to rain. Henry quickly ushered Rachel indoors. Seeing the two of them soaking wet, Yaslyn could not help but laugh."You two really love to play, don't you? Henry, you're just like a little kid."Henry squinted and smiled, "I'm not the one who wanted to play. This little one insisted that I make her twenty-two flower crowns to give to her twenty-two classmates back in school.""Ah, she knows how to share."Yaslyn affectionately ruffled Rachel's hair. "Alright. Rachel, go take a shower and change your clothes, or you'll catch a cold again." Rachel nodded obediently, scampering off.Yaslyn then turned her attention back to Henry, scrutinizing his tall, bulky frame. "There might not be any spare clothes here that'll fit you, and I don’t have anything suitable in my car either."Mr. Carden, ever the host, grabbed a set of his own clothes from the wardrobe. "These should
"She'll return to the Carden family eventually. Just watch yourself and don't make enemies," Mr. Carden warned.Brad mulled over the information. "I understand," he murmured.'Having her as family could be interesting,' Brad thought.Meanwhile, Yaslyn's mind filled with memories of her arrogant brother, sparking a fire within her. Henry noticed her gloom but faked anger."Don't worry. With his terrible temperament, we won't have to deal with him anymore.""Anyway, is today your first day back on set? Did the director call you?" Yaslyn asked.Henry frowned. "Yes, he's been nagging since early morning to get me to the set. The man's really irritating.""Let's hurry."They reached the set, a place Yaslyn had never visited despite her extensive dealings with artists and agents.As they arrived, the face of the film director—Laird—brightened at the sight of Henry."Finally, you're here! We couldn't shoot without you. I was getting nervous.""Too kind, director," Henry replied, ex
Laird held his face in his hands, his eyes full of fear and regret. He tried to steady himself, forcing out an offer."Henry, let's not call the cops. You want to be the leading man, right? I'll make sure you're in every future production. Just don't report this!"Henry Warren was not a man easily swayed. Looking at Yaslyn who looked humiliated and hurt, he pulled out his phone and dialed 911 without hesitation."Save your excuses for the police," Henry said.Laird was furious. "Listen, Henry, if you do this, forget about ever working in showbiz again."Henry tightened his grip on his phone. "I couldn't care less. I'll quit if I have to."Yaslyn frowned slightly. "Henry, what are you saying?"He turned to her and smiled, a flicker of sweetness lacing the tension in the air. "It's okay. If I lose the opportunity to act, I'll just go back and inherit the family business."His words were light, but Yaslyn saw it—the sliver of hidden pain in the depths of his eyes. Pissing off Lair
'Could it be that the call that was broadcast and then immediately disconnected alerted him? If that's really the case, it means Xoan is truly attentive and genuinely cares..."Yaslyn looked at Xoan's face and felt a surge of unexpected inspiration."Xoan," she said, her voice clear and bright, latching onto his gaze.Xoan looked at her silently, his emotions rising and falling like tumultuous waves. It had been a long time since she had initiated a conversation with him."Henry angered the director because of me. Things will be tough for him," Yaslyn said, her eyes focused and sharp."So, I want to ask you for a favor.""What favor?" Xoan asked.Yaslyn gave a sly smile. "Mr. Xoan Warren, with your immense wealth, over a million dollars shouldn't be a problem, right?"Xoan grasped her implication instantly. "Do you want me to pay off Henry's penalty for breaking his contract?""Seems like great minds think alike," Yaslyn responded.Xoan's expressive eyebrows hinted at his pro
Whitey glanced back and forth between them, shaking her head. "You two are a mystery."Suddenly, Doniel stood and waved Whitey over. "Hey, Whitey. Come here for a second."Confused but compliant, Whitey walked over.In a swift move, Doniel took her hand. With a smug look at Matheo, he announced, "I'm taking Whitey off your hands for a bit."Matheo's expression turned steely. "What's your game?""Don't sweat it, she'll be back soon."With that, Doniel led Whitey out.They reached a more secluded spot before Doniel finally released her hand. "Whitey, you're not hurt, right?"Whitey shook her head, twirling in front of him to prove her point. "See? I'm totally fine."Doniel reached out and gently tapped her forehead. "Someone hit you, didn't they? Your face is still swollen, and here you are, telling me it's nothing."Whitey playfully stuck out her tongue. "I just didn't want you to worry. Besides, I'm not the one who got seriously hurt. It was Matheo.""I know. Matheo really d
"Don't make that call!" Whitey screamed in a panic.A harsh slap struck her face as the ringleader yelled, "Shut it, woman! Who said you could talk?"The man, not satisfied after hitting her, gave in to his fury and kicked her. However, before he knew it, Matheo, who was standing nearby, had silently moved behind him. Suddenly, a sharp crack echoed as Matheo snapped the man's fingers with raw force.Matheo wrapped his arms around Whitey and quickly retreated."I can't take it! I'm done. I don't want anything else. Just do it!"The ringleader was seething with rage, the throbbing in his fingers ruining his will to fight Matheo.A few thugs had been itching for a reason to go after Matheo, and they wasted no time grabbing their weapons and launching an assault.Matheo fought back while dragging Whitey out of harm's way, but as the fight dragged on, he started losing ground.A vicious knife cut to Matheo's leg sent him tumbling down with a grunt."Matheo!"Whitey crouched beside
Whitey shook her head. She did not have a clue, and even if she could guess, she did not know what to do about it."I was actually about to..."Before Matheo could finish, a deafening crash rang out.Startled, Whitey clapped her hands over her ears. Matheo wrapped her in his arms and glanced at the rear window.A random stone had shattered the car's back glass, leaving a gaping hole.The chaos erupted out of nowhere, catching both of them off guard. They had been deep in conversation when suddenly, a line of cars barricaded the road, trapping them.Matheo gently patted her head, a silent plea for calm.Whitey, frantic, nodded and fumbled for her phone, only to find it had mysteriously powered down."Stay put in the car and don't worry," Matheo said, handing her his phone."If things go south, call the cops, call anyone."He was ready to step out and face the unknown threat head-on.Whitey protested. "Matheo, we don't know what we're dealing with. Don't just rush out there."
Whitey was back to her usual routine—classes by day, radio station by night. However, she had a luxury she did not have previously. A private car service, ensuring her safety was never in question.Doniel's lips were sealed, not breathing a word of her injury to anyone. Except for Matheo, who had somehow stumbled upon the secret.That night, after her radio gig, Whitey stepped out expecting to see the familiar pink sports car tucked away in its usual spot. However, it was nowhere in sight.Moreover, he had not even bothered to call her. A knot of worry formed in her stomach. Did something happen to him?Whitey had called his number three, maybe four times, but got nothing.As she was wrestling with her thoughts, a familiar yet unsettling figure approached her.Matheo.Why was he there?Nobody knew about Whitey's job at the radio station except Doniel."Doniel's tied up today, so I'm your ride," Matheo said.Alarm bells rang in Whitey's head. How did Matheo know about Doniel
The nurse nodded, gesturing for Doniel to give them some space.Once the bandaging was complete, Doniel returned with a treat—Whitey's beloved chocolate cupcakes."For you. Why didn't you say it hurt? He was so rough, and yet you asked me not to hold it against him."Whitey, her mouth full of frosting, mumbled a reply. "It's not that bad. Besides, you two are usually on good terms. Why fight over pointless things because of me?"Doniel tapped her head gently. "You're such a goof. What are you even talking about? Meaningless things?""I just thought that you two grew up together, so it'd be a shame to fall out over something so small, right?"Doniel huffed, "I never really cared for him, you know.""Okay, let's figure out a plan B. This mess means I might be stuck in the hospital longer, so I'm counting on you to smooth things over back home."Doniel looked at her with a teasing grin. "Relax, I've got this."Somehow, Whitey could always pick up a strange vibe from his smile, an
Whitey was injured, and Doniel rushed her to the hospital that very night. It was just a slash on her arm, but Doniel was beside himself with worry.Watching Whitey grit her teeth through the stitching, Doniel's face turned a shade of stormy gray. "I'll track down that driver's family if it's the last thing I do!"Whitey winced in pain, but seeing Doniel's fury, she tried to soothe him. "Really, it's not so bad."Doniel looked at her bandaged arm. "Thirteen stitches, Whitey. If you're not in pain, I'm in pain for both of us."Whitey was always the center of attention—a princess who was doted on from the day she was born. She had never experienced an injury as severe as that. As Doniel reached for his phone to call Whitey's parents, she quickly stopped him with a hand gesture, wincing as she accidentally grazed her wound, "Please don't call them. They'll just scold me again if they find out.""I told you to let me drive you home. Now, look at what happened because you didn't li
Whitey gripped the edge of her skirt, a new kind of worry blooming in her chest.'What if Matheo was…'She shuddered at the thought, her mind a garden where fears grew into giant oaks, so tall and dark that they scared her.Looking up again, Whitey's eyes widened as she noticed the taxi had taken a wrong turn, heading into unfamiliar territory.In the rearview mirror, she caught a glimpse of the driver's unsettling smirk.Taking a cab late at night was proving to be a bad idea, her heart racing with fear. If only she had accepted a ride from Doniel, none of that would happen. Regret washed over her as she scrambled for her phone, desperate to call for help.Sensing her panic, the driver floored it to a secluded spot and then abruptly stopped the car.Whitey's head snapped forward, hitting the seat, and as the world spun, her phone slipped from her grasp. Then, the driver was toying with her phone, his grin wide and wicked."Planning to call the cops or a friend, sweetheart?""
As time swiftly marched on, three years went by.Whitey nailed her entrance exam into the top university in Jefferson City—Jefferson City University.As for the others, Caleb turned 30, tied the knot, had kids, and took control of Sheldon's international ventures. He and his family packed up and moved overseas, while the rest stayed back."Thanks for tuning into 'Moonlit Wishes,' your go-to spot for all things heartfelt. I'm your host, Macie."At the stroke of ten, Macie's soothing voice filled the evening airwaves."Let's hear from our first caller tonight. Hey there, sir, what's on your mind?"Macie's voice was soothing, soft yet strong enough to coax secrets from the most guarded of hearts."Here's the thing, Macie. I've been head over heels for this girl, but she's always kept me at arm's length, saying I haven't done enough. However, today, I caught her in another guy's arms. What gives?"The man's voice quivered with barely concealed tears, slurred slightly by alcohol.M
"So, just because you're into him, you decide to set me up? How does that make any sense?"Whitey could not help but find her logic almost laughable."Because I noticed he always had a soft spot for you, jealousy clouded my judgment, and that's why I..."Jade inhaled deeply, as if bracing herself for what was to come. "Well, you've uncovered the truth, so there's no point in hiding anything. Punish me however you see fit."What was the point in pleading guilty then?Jade stood there, a mix of defiance and dignity, stubborn even in the face of her mistake.Whitey was not looking to lay blame. "I'm not going to take this to the principal, and I won't breathe a word of it to anyone else. However, as of today, our friendship is done. I'll find a new place to sit when we get back."Whitey let out a tired sigh. "There's something else you should know. He's got a girlfriend now."Jade's eyes widened in disbelief. "Wait, are you two an item now?""No, I'm not the one he's dating."Wi