Xoan had to admit that he could not stand it for another minute."I have to endure it for a couple of days. Right now, Yerick has something on me."Yaslyn looked up, not knowing why she wanted to explain it to Xoan. His expression made her feel inexplicably guilty."What does he have on you?""I helped a young girl save her mother, and now, Yerick is threatening me with it. I need to transfer her mother out of the hospital before I can break up with him. Otherwise, I'm afraid he might do something without anyone knowing."Yaslyn had already thought it through. As soon as she could distract Yerick for a few days and arrange the transfer, she would immediately break up with him."I'll help you," Xoan said thoughtlessly."I can handle it myself," Yaslyn replied, looking at Xoan, whose expression seemed slightly off.She smiled and teased, "Xoan, you don't happen to like me, do you?"Xoan did not rush to deny it. He looked at her and said seriously, "I have to admit it. I do like
"That's not pushing you away," Zoe insisted, "I'm advising you to think carefully. You're young. There are so many wonderful things in this world, so why must you cling to Xoan?"Her words were interrupted by a sharp male voice from the doorway."It's not her clinging to me. It's that I like her."Xoan stood there furiously as he listened to Zoe's attempts to persuade Yaslyn to give him up."Xoan, you're here..."Zoe became awkward, knowing Xoan had heard some of the conversation.Yaslyn could not describe what she felt. Her ears tinged with red."Don't come looking for Yaslyn again. Who I like is my business, and whether Yaslyn is there or not, I will never like Zaylee. Stop trying to persuade me."Xoan's voice was icy, standing in front of Yaslyn protectively.Seeing Xoan so infatuated with Yaslyn, Zoe's hatred for Yaslyn grew.Zoe's tone was no longer gentle and kind. "Your mother will never agree to you being together. You can only marry Zaylee."Xoan smiled mockingly. "
"Don't be in such a hurry to leave. I'm your boyfriend now. Shouldn't you stay with me?" Yerick asked, his voice low as he grabbed Yaslyn's wrist, not wanting to let her go.Yaslyn was uncomfortable as she frowned, struggling to break free but unable to do so. "Yerick, you know I don't like you.""I know. I'm trying to make you like me," Yerick whispered menacingly, "Don't anger me, Yaslyn."Yaslyn stared at him, thinking that he was insane. "Why are you so obsessed, Yerick? How did you become like this?"Yerick looked at her with disbelief in his eyes and smiled. "Maybe that's because I've always been this way."Yaslyn was bewildered, unable to understand what had transformed the boy from a normal person into what he had become. "Enough of this."Yerick grabbed Yaslyn's hand, ready to take her out. A sudden emergency phone call about an urgent surgery stopped him."It seems I can't go out with you this time either," Yerick said regretfully, making Yaslyn sigh in relief."You
Yaslyn simply nodded, and they hurried to Ruby's mother's room. Ruby was at her bedside, crying and calling out to her mother, her voice filled with despair.Xoan reassured her, trying to calm her down. "It's going to be okay, Ruby. I'm taking your mother to another hospital now."He gently lifted Ruby's mother, placing her carefully in the backseat of the car, and then, with Ruby and Yaslyn, they sped to the nearest hospital.The hospital staff were initially reluctant to admit them. Xoan's expression turned angry as they stammered about regulations and policies."I'm giving you three seconds to decide," he growled."Save her or lose your job."They then recognized him as a member of the well-known Warren family in Jefferson City, quickly changing their tune."Alright, alright, don't be angry," the head doctor said, attempting to appease them."We'll take her to emergency care right away."They waited outside. Ruby paced anxiously, eyes locked on the red light above the opera
Yaslyn took care of the funeral arrangements for Ruby's mother the past few days. Once it was finished, she sent Yerick a message, arranging to meet. Yerick knew Yaslyn wanted to talk about Ruby's mother's death, so they met at a nearby coffee shop.Yerick spotted Yaslyn sitting not far away when he walked in. Her long hair covered her shoulders, and she looked incredibly tall and elegant in a black dress. Yerick wondered if Yaslyn's grief had numbed her as he watched her sip her coffee calmly."You know why I've called you here," Yaslyn said, setting down her coffee cup."About that matter… I want to explain to you again that it really has nothing to do with me," Yerick replied.Yaslyn laughed. "Nothing to do with you, Yerick? Who else could've done it?"Yerick felt anger rising in him, but he held back. "I'll repeat it once more. This has nothing to do with me. You can investigate all you like. If I've tampered with the medication, may I never find peace."Yerick's harsh words
Was Zaylee really concerned? Yaslyn knew the truth all too clearly.She glared at Zaylee and returned to her desk, only to find the mountains of documents that had once occupied it had vanished. She frowned as she turned to a colleague and asked, "Where are my documents?"She had worked tirelessly to find those files, half of which were in progress. How could they just disappear?The colleague cautiously looked at Yaslyn and explained, "Zaylee took them all. She said you've been gone for so long that she went ahead and completed them for you."Her work, taken and presented as someone else's achievement? Yaslyn's heart pounded with frustration. She took a deep breath, about to confront Zaylee, when Zaylee herself approached."Zaylee, what's going on?" Yaslyn demanded."Don't get upset, Yaslyn," Zaylee replied smoothly, "I did those for your benefit. You wouldn't want the company's progress delayed, would you? Especially since I didn't know when you'd come back. If our progress suf
"Xoan, Zaylee has always been loyal and devoted. It's no wonder I cared for her so much as a child," Sophie said, glaring at Xoan. She patted Zaylee's hand and added, "Look how good and obedient she's become—understanding and generous too. Maybe you should reconsider being with Zaylee...""Mrs. Warren, what are you saying?" Zaylee's face turned red with embarrassment, and she gently pushed Sophie away.Xoan remained silent, and his silence was an answer in itself.When there was no reaction, Zaylee felt awkward, pulling her hand back. "Mrs. Warren, Xoan doesn't like me now. Don't force him. It makes it look like I'm threatening him.""Zaylee, what nonsense are you talking about? Your engagement with Xoan was arranged by your mother and me. You've grown up together; how could he not like you?" Sophie comforted, afraid that Xoan's attitude would hurt her."I've found someone I like," Xoan said bluntly.Yaslyn froze."You have someone you like? Is it Yaslyn?" someone asked.Xoan n
Xoan's act of self-harm successfully startled Zaylee. She did not expect Xoan to knock himself out to avoid touching her. A wave of humiliation washed over Zaylee as she started to cry. Along with the shame, intense hatred filled her.Xoan would never have treated her like that if not for Yaslyn.Gazing at Xoan as he fell into a deep sleep, Zaylee clenched her fists, struck by a bold idea. She undressed herself and Xoan, laying on his muscular chest. She took out her phone, snapped a picture, and sent it straight to Yaslyn.After that, Zaylee carefully got out of bed and got dressed before returning to her room.Meanwhile, Yaslyn woke up early to find the picture waiting for her. The two people in the photo appeared intimately close, as though they had truly slept together. She felt a pang in her chest as she thought of Xoan's words the night before. She looked at the photo again and realized something was off.Xoan's posture on the bed did not look like he had fallen asleep norma
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