"I'm okay, Rafael."However, no matter how hard she tried to steady her thoughts and her heart, to pretend everything was normal, the tears would not obey. They just kept coming.Rafael stood by, feeling utterly powerless. She would not reveal the reason to herself, much less accept any comfort from him. All he could do was gently pat her shoulder and hand her tissues, one after another."You have to stay positive. Life's still full of beautiful things. You have to keep looking ahead."Zyra forced a smile, her voice laced with sorrow. "Beautiful? Why doesn't it feel that way to me?"Two relationships, both had crumbled to dust. She felt like she was cursed when it came to love, as if she had a deep grudge against it. She had not done anything wrong nor had she committed any terrible acts. Why, then, did these things keep happening to her? The more she thought about it, the more aggrieved she felt.Rafael was not clueless. Hearing her words and knowing her usual demeanor, he could
Yaslyn, too, sensed the gravity of the situation. Her expression hardened."We need to figure out where this kid comes from. It's like someone's gone to great lengths to bury his past, and we can't dig up a thing." She had a hunch there was more to this than what was on the surface."I agree." Xoan nodded.However, Yaslyn could not shake off how bizarre it all was. "We've got the kid's address right here. How about we swing by and ask a few questions?"It turned out the boy lived a stone's throw from the Warrens."We're free today, so why not head out now?" Xoan got up, keys in hand, ready to hit the road.What he did not see coming was the figure at the door, someone who had no business being there."Sadie?"At the name, Yaslyn tensed up.There stood Youri, unfazed by Xoan's shock. "Sir, you've got the wrong person."Xoan's gut screamed otherwise. The girl before him, though slightly altered in presence, was Sadie through and through, from her looks to that unmistakable vibe
Yaslyn decided to join Xoan in seeking out the little boy named Caleb.After their conversation with Youri, Yaslyn was more convinced than ever that they needed to track down that little boy swiftly. He might just have the answers they were looking for.Their place was not too far from the Warrens', but getting there was like navigating a maze. They drove in circles for over an hour before finally arriving.As they stepped out of the car, they both scrunched their noses at the sight of the run-down neighborhood. It did not add up. Jimera did not strike them as someone strapped for cash, so why was she holed up in this shabby, out-of-the-way spot?"Maybe...she's not here because she's broke but because it's off the beaten path and safer," he guessed. Yaslyn figured he was probably right. The way they kept dodging looks meant they had to be scared. Scared of being found, most likely.What was Jimera so afraid of? The whole thing was a puzzle Yaslyn was itching to solve.They trudge
Yaslyn and Xoan could not believe their ears. Jimera's claim was so outlandish that they wondered if she was out of her mind."What are you talking about? How on earth could the child be his?"Yaslyn's brow furrowed. "Are you okay? You seem off."Jimera could not help but laugh. "Isn't this what you've been dying to find out?"Yaslyn was speechless.She had been curious, sure, but she did not need to invent such a ludicrous story. "And what proof do you have that the child is Xoan's?" she challenged.Jimera looked down, her voice heavy with defeat. "Proof? I've told you the truth. What more do you want from me?"Xoan watched her as a sinking feeling in his gut. She did not look like she was lying. Could it be true after all?Yaslyn stared at him, her mind reeling. The words sounded so far-fetched.Xoan could not have been secretly dealing with Jimera. She was sure of it. Yet Jimera's words rang with a certain truth that was hard to dismiss."How did this child come to be?"J
"First, I need to apologize to Xoan. I'm sorry," Jimera said, her voice quivering, betraying her lack of readiness to face the situation."Five years ago, I got this crazy idea in my head," she confessed."I did what I had to do to get pregnant with Caleb. At first, I was over the moon—I figured if I couldn't have you, I'd have at least a piece of you. However, as time slipped by, the craziness of it all started to sink in."By then, it was too late to turn back, and the baby was too far along. I had no choice but to go through with the pregnancy."Being a single mom was tough as nails. I'd cut ties with my family, too ashamed to let them know what I'd done."As Caleb got older, he started to look more like you. It was both a joy and a constant worry."He'd ask about his dad, and I'd dodge the question every time. I couldn't tell him the truth—I was scared it would mess up your life. The last thing I wanted was to cause you trouble or have you take him away from me."Jimera's vo
Nobody could figure out Jimera's death. Upon getting the grim news, Yaslyn and Xoan dashed to the hospital only to find a lifeless body covered in a white cloth. The piercing cries of a child cut through the hospital's hush, a stark and haunting contrast.It seemed deliberate how the child was left unharmed.Caleb's sobs filled the corridors, lingering long after they began.Yaslyn understood the deep cut of losing a mother. She knelt down, reaching out to stroke the boy's hair, but he shoved her hand away with a force that startled her."You're the reason she's gone. My mom would still be alive if you hadn't shown up!"Caleb was clueless about the details, blind to the truth. All he knew was that his mom had started acting weird after Yaslyn had entered their lives, and then, just like that, she was gone.The terror in his mom's eyes whenever she saw him had convinced Caleb of one thing. Yaslyn was the villain who had brought that nightmare upon them, directly or indirectly.Hi
Sheldon figured that Jimera had already passed away. He spoke without much thought, making things up as he went along. Caleb, however, was so naive that he would not recognize a lie even if it were blatantly obvious in broad daylight.Caleb doubtfully asked, "Got any other proof?"Jimera's life had been a masterclass in caution, a lesson Caleb had learned all too well."Take a good look at us. Don't you see the family resemblance?" Sheldon replied.His question was not a shot in the dark. Sheldon had once blended seamlessly into the Warren clan, thanks to his uncanny likeness to Xoan. It was a curious twist of fate that two unrelated souls could closely mirror each other.It became the perfect card for Sheldon to play.Caleb eyed him, the resemblance uncanny indeed."That guy over there… He looks like me too. Why isn't he my dad?"Sheldon quickly responded, "That's because he's my brother. If he's my spitting image, he's bound to look like you too. Plus, he's married. How could
"Oh, the thing you asked me to look into? I got the goods," Wade said, noticing Yaslyn's troubled look and choosing his words carefully."Jimera was certainly in a car crash on the way to the airport. The twist? It was a hit-and-run with a truck that had no plates. Witnesses say the truck was running on empty. The driver bailed out before the crash even happened.""Did they check the cameras around there?"Wade shook his head. "For some reason, every single camera on that stretch was out of commission that day.""No cameras, so no proof, huh?""It's not that there's no proof. It's just that any evidence we might dig up is likely to be a dead end. We can forget about getting to the source of it all."Yaslyn felt her hope drain away. "Got it. If there's nothing else, you should head back to the office.""Actually, Yaslyn, I did find something else.""What's that?""The last place that driver was seen? A coffee shop right by the Linton Group."Yaslyn squinted. "Got it."At the
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