Yaslyn stood her ground, her resolve unshakable."There are only two things I ask of you. Meet them, and I'll stand by you with all my heart. Fail, and I'll never find peace."Radman studied her composed expression, almost convinced she was not bluffing. Despite his tough stance, he did not want it to sour their future relationship."Alright. I'll agree to your terms, but you have to promise me one thing. Once Xoan leaves the hospital, you'll cut all ties with him."Yaslyn smiled subtly. "It's a deal. Now, will you tell me where you've stashed Matheo?"The question brought back Yaslyn's anxiety. Matheo was probably injured from being hauled off like that.Radman pondered for a moment. He had wanted to bring the boy back himself, but ultimately, he gave her the address."He's in my villa's basement. It's safe. Trust me."Radman had grown fond of Matheo and could not stand the thought of hurting him, even if he had taken him by force. He made sure the boy was safe in his home.Y
Radman's voice became urgent. "Norinne, cut it out and get the kid back here now.""What's your deal calling it 'cutting it out'?"Norinne, aware that the child's crying was overheard, swung her foot out and kicked him."I'm not telling you!"With those final words, she ended the call abruptly.Yaslyn, who had been straining to hear anything from the other side, recognized the thud for what it was—a kick. She had been in enough fights to know.The thought of Matheo being abused sent a surge of anger through her, her eyes blazing with fury. "Radman, if your sister does anything to my boy, I swear, she won't get off easy. Neither will you."Radman felt the weight of the situation on him. "Relax, I'll make sure the kid returns to you safe and sound."Radman had toyed with the idea of using Yaslyn's son as leverage, but never would he dream of endangering Matheo's life.Out of options, he dialed a number."Find out where Norinne is this instant."Minutes passed until his phone r
Norinne saw Matheo's miserable face and could not help but feel a bit irritated.Why did he have to act so pitiful? She had taken a beating from a crowd and had not made a sound. There he was, sobbing over a mere bruise.'It's all an act, all of it!'With that thought, Norinne spun around and grabbed a stick from nearby. She was all set to give him a taste of his own medicine, but as she swung the stick, a roar of anger stopped her abruptly."Norinne, what in the world are you doing?!"She jumped at the sound of that familiar voice, and the stick clattered to the ground.Norinne turned to face the man she had been dreaming of, her voice shaking."Radman, I'm back."Norinne had not expected him to be so harsh with her over a kid who meant nothing to them, and she moved closer to him, feeling hurt.However, Radman was not having any of it. He shoved her away swiftly, and she stumbled to the ground.Norinne looked up in shock. "Radman, you pushed me. You've never done that befor
Radman inhaled deeply, his voice steady, "It was never like that. There's only one sister in my eyes—the innocent and good-hearted girl I found on the street corner."Norinne let out a sudden, booming laugh."Innocent and good-hearted? What made you think I was ever that? I put on a brave face when those people harassed me, not because I was calm, but to dodge their attacks. Deep down, I was plotting. I swore I'd get back at them with a vengeance once I got the chance. I'd choke the life out of each and every one of them to make them feel the pain they caused."Radman, my heart's been bitter for a long time. I thought I was doomed to a life of misery until you showed up. You stood up to them, chased them off, and brought me to a home built like a palace. How could I not be drawn to you?"I had hoped you felt something for me too. I'm not ugly, but when I finally confessed, you called me shameless. Radman, I've been crooked for a long time. Your words hit me like a death sentence."
Radman sensed something was wrong. His head snapped up, and he saw Norinne tripping over herself as she ran toward the beach."Norinne, what are you doing?"He yelled after her, but she barely faltered and kept on going."Norinne!"At last, she stopped.She turned around with a smile. The harsh sea wind whipped her dress around her frail frame."Radman, you were my everything. Now, you don't want me either, so what's the point of living?"Radman's gaze was a storm of emotions, and he was at a loss for words."Thanks for all the kindness you've shown me. I don't need it anymore."With that, she headed for the sea as if she were possessed.Radman watched in horror as the waves grew wilder, threatening to swallow her whole. His face went pale as he dashed forward to save her, only to be knocked down by the relentless tide."Norinne, stop! If you go any further, you're going to die!"She did not stop, the water rising above her knees. "Don't bother saving me. Just go back."He
Wade drove them to the hospital, and Yaslyn was with Matheo at the nurse's station.The nurse gasped. The boy who was perfectly fine just that morning was suddenly full of bruises and cuts.She instructed urgently, "Lay him down quickly. I need to check for injuries."Matheo's body was full of wounds. They were not life-threatening, but they painted a picture of tragedy.Yaslyn stood by, her fists clenched so tight her knuckles turned white. The thought of Norinne ignited a firestorm in her belly.The sea had been too kind in taking her. If Norinne ever crossed Yaslyn's path again, there would be hell to pay.The nurse treated the less serious cuts and pointed to a gash on Matheo's forehead. "This one's deep. He might need stitches.""Please do whatever is necessary," Yaslyn replied with a nod.The nurse organized her tools. "I'll be back with the doctor. Just wait here."Once the nurse had left, Wade looked down at Matheo, unconscious and in pain, and his heart clenched. "Yas
The tragic news was finally confirmed. Norinne was barely clinging to life when they rescued her from the sea, most signs of life already gone.She was rushed to the hospital, but despite the doctors' efforts, she passed away after two hours.A young girl, in the prime of her life, was lost to the relentless sea.Yaslyn knew that would hit Radman hard, so before she left, she paid him one last visit and gently reminded him to let go of any lingering feelings for her.She stood at the familiar doorstep of Radman's villa, where the nanny immediately recognized her."Ms. Lyon, you've returned. The master has been down these days. If you could, would you mind offering him some comfort?"The nanny's plea was evident, her years of caring for Radman had built a bond.Yaslyn nodded, signaling her willingness to help, and stepped inside.Radman was holed up in his room, refusing to face the world. Yaslyn made her way upstairs and tapped on his door.Radman's room was as neat as it had
Yaslyn touched her bruised neck, coughing softly. "Radman, I get it. You've never come to terms with who you are."Radman laughed bitterly."You think you get it? You don't have a clue. Ever since my mom passed when I was just a kid, I've been on my own. Shylah, out of guilt for not saving her, left me a fortune but banned me from Jefferson City for life."Sure, I had millions, but what's a kid to do? My mom's relatives only wanted to 'adopt' me for the cash, so I ended up with my uncle. Do you know what that was like? He was a drunk who wouldn't lay a hand on his own kid. However, me? I got the beatings."Radman's laugh was hollow as he rolled up his sleeve, revealing a long, jagged scar."The scar on my arm? That's from the time he grabbed a kitchen knife and cut me deep. Blood was everywhere, and I passed out in a pool of my own blood. I guess he realized I could actually die, so he rushed me to the nearest clinic in the dead of night. They patched me up, but the job was botche
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