Owen studied Sadie with a piercing gaze, his face showing no obvious emotion. "Sadie," he began, "was everything you told me true?"Feigning shock, Sadie responded, "Absolutely! If I've spoken even the slightest untruth, let lightning strike me!"Owen's stern expression softened slightly. "What, then, is your connection with the two of them?"Sadie hesitated for a split second, uncertainty flickering in her eyes. However, with a determined lift of her chin, she proclaimed, "She despises me because she's smitten with Xoan, but Xoan's heart belongs only to me."Under normal circumstances, Yaslyn might have retorted with a sharp comment. However, Sadie was unwittingly playing into her hands at this moment. Yaslyn would be foolish to interrupt the spectacle before her.Upon hearing this, realization dawned on Owen. It appeared that things were as Yaslyn had described: Sadie was using him to get rid of Yaslyn.Although anger bubbled within him at this revelation, his face remained cal
In the aftermath of her escape, Yaslyn sidestepped Owen's watchful gaze and headed to Zayn's shop.Zayn had been waiting anxiously, and his eyes flashed with disbelief when he saw her returning unscathed. "Never have I imagined," he murmured, "that you'd come back from Owen's grasp without so much as a scratch."Yaslyn, puzzled, asked, "How did you know he took me?"Zayn smirked and pointed to a surveillance camera overhead. "I watched the footage. He came here earlier today.""What about the curved sword?" Yaslyn's voice held a hint of urgency. Her primary concern was the potential loss of the weapon."You needn't worry about that," Zayn assured. "I've already stowed away the curved sword." He could not help but praise her, "You truly are clever, managing to acquire the sword in such a short time!"Was she that clever? Regardless, most of the credit went to Xoan.Seizing the opportunity with Zayn in a good mood, Yaslyn raised her request, "You promised me the medicinal ingredie
The phone remained ominously silent with Sadie's haunting message displayed on the screen. The weight of the situation pressed heavily on Xoan.Noticing the abrupt change in his expression, Yaslyn inquired, "What happened?""Something happened to Sadie," he responded. Without any intention of hiding it from her, he promptly showed her the message on his phone.Yaslyn glanced briefly at the message, then turned to look out the window, her expression unfathomable. "I know.""You do?" His gaze was sharp, piercing through the shadows. In the recesses of his mind, he already suspected the culprit behind Sadie's plight.Clearing his throat, he chose not to comment further and started the car."What? You're not seriously going to rescue her, are you?" Yaslyn asked, a hint of sarcasm evident in her voice, thinking he was playing the hero."Trying to be heroic? No, I'm taking you to watch a show," he replied, accelerating swiftly.As the world whizzed by outside, Yaslyn found a sudden s
With a shaky stance, Sadie laboriously pulled herself upright, fingers digging into her pocket to reveal an object resembling a small black box.Seeing this, Xoan instantly pulled Yaslyn back, both moving a step closer to the exit.Yaslyn, with sharp eyes, identified the object in Sadie's hand. "It's a lighter!" she exclaimed.The scent of gasoline in the air caught Xoan's nose, sending his heart racing. "Damn it. She's going to light up the entire gas station!"The two exchanged glances, both understanding the gravity of the situation. They turned on their heels and sprinted toward the exit, pushing themselves to their limits."Do you really think you can escape?!" Sadie, watching them run, casually lit a piece of paper and placed it on a pile of kindling that was already prepared.The flames quickly spread, igniting various items in the vicinity. As if the fire was not spreading fast enough, Sadie poured an entire can of discarded gasoline on it, causing the flames to surge dra
Signs of life? Did that mean...Sadie survived?Yaslyn gently placed the cup she was holding on the table. Before she could speak, Zyra, sitting next to her, blurted, "How on earth is that woman still alive?""Alright, let’s not talk nonsense," Yaslyn said with a smile, patting Zyra's head.Marcus, the voice of reason in the room, frowned as he muttered, "So, what do we do now?""We have no choice. If she managed to survive, it must be her good fortune. However, considering the severity of the fire and the explosion, even if she did live, she's probably in a vegetative state now."She likely would not be causing any trouble in the future.Having said this, Xoan and Yaslyn exchanged glances, subtly nodding.Zyra still seemed confused, noticing their silent communication. She cautiously asked, "What are you two thinking?""We’re planning to visit the hospital," Yaslyn replied.Zyra's face contorted in instant fury. "After everything she's done to you, why would you even consider
It was evident that Xoan noticed the shift in Yerick’s feelings toward Sadie. The former Yerick would have gone to great lengths to uncover every detail if he had known something had happened to Sadie. However, Yerick's entire attention seemed to be riveted on Yaslyn's face. Even the way he looked at her had a hint of provocation, making Xoan quite uneasy.Xoan took a few steps forward, positioning Yaslyn behind him. "Are you here to save Sadie?" he demanded.Yerick, ever the charismatic one, spread his hands in a gesture of surrender. "Her condition is hanging by a thread. Even a deity can't salvage this. What could I possibly do?" he replied, an undertone of sadness threading through his casual demeanor."Then what are you doing here?""The rescue team contacted me through her phone's contact list," Yerick replied mockingly. He glanced at Xoan. "Weren't you informed and then rushed here as well?"The implication was clear: Both men were closely connected to Sadie, so there was n
Yaslyn watched Xoan's retreating figure. She reached out to pull him back, but her hand froze. "Xoan..."Yerick smiled sardonically. "Why be so harsh to drive Xoan away?"Yaslyn lowered her head and took a deep breath. Her eyes were void of any emotion, save for a hint of sorrow. "Stay out of it. I've agreed to your terms, so you better ensure my mother gets the treatment she needs."Though Yerick should have been delighted to hear this, an unsettling feeling crept over him. His gaze held a complexity of emotions. "So you agreed to our engagement only to save your mother?""Isn't that obvious?" Yaslyn retorted.How could she ever feel anything for Yerick, especially after the way he treated her? He even used her mother's illness as leverage!The answer Yaslyn provided was exactly what Yerick had anticipated, yet any lingering hope he held vanished. "Fine. Once we're engaged, I'll ensure your mother gets the treatment she needs.""My mother only has a little over a month left!" Y
A crowd quickly gathered in one direction. Yaslyn stood still as a foreboding feeling rose in her heart, and she moved closer to see what was happening.Susie was on the ground with blood pooling beneath her.From her medical knowledge, Yaslyn deduced that Susie had likely suffered a miscarriage. She immediately called 999 and then checked Susie's breathing.This was odd. Despite the signs of miscarriage, there were also indications of poisoning!With great effort, Susie managed to whisper, her eyes barely open, "Yaslyn...""What happened?" Yaslyn leaned in closer, placing her ear near Susie's mouth to hear her clearly."Save my child, please..." Susie's hand weakly moved toward her lower abdomen.Yaslyn solemnly replied, "We'll need to see what the doctors say at the hospital. I can't help you right now."Upon hearing this, Susie's strength seemed to fade even more. Her eyes lost focus, and she eventually passed out.The ambulance arrived swiftly. Yaslyn and Yerick, abandonin
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