로그인A few days passed. During that time, Rose gradually became more comfortable around Hayden. Their conversations became more frequent, and they began having casual conversations whenever they ate together or happened to cross paths around the mansion. Rose also discovered that Hayden was quite dif
“I've been awake for a while.” Rose replied. Hayden nodded and gestured toward the chair opposite him. “Come sit.” Rose moved to the table and settled into the seat prepared for her. She stared at the table filled with a lot of dishes before turning to look at Hayden. “Is this all for me?” she
Hayden remained near the doorway for a moment, taking in the scene before him. Rose was still curled up in the corner, her arms wrapped tightly around herself. Her breathing was uneven, and her eyes remained fixed on him as if she still couldn't completely separate him from whatever she had seen i
That evening, Emily received an urgent call from the hospital just as she was preparing to return to the Black mansion. Rose was sitting near the window, watching the sky slowly darken when Emily approached her with an apologetic expression. “I’m sorry, Miss Rose. There’s an emergency at the hospit
By the following afternoon, Rose had grown tired of staying inside her room. She had spent most of the past few days resting because of her injuries, but now that she was becoming more familiar with the mansion, remaining in bed for hours at a time was beginning to feel suffocating. Emily had just
Meanwhile, back in Los Angeles, Alex sat behind the desk in his study, surrounded by reports that had barely been touched. He looked nothing like the composed man everyone was accustomed to seeing. His shirt was wrinkled, his hair was slightly disheveled, and dark circles had formed beneath his eye
Their waiter arrived shortly after, handing them both leather-bound menus. They placed their orders — grilled salmon for Mr. Reyes and a plate of lemon herb chicken with roasted vegetables for Rose — along with two glasses of sparkling water. With the formalities out of the way, their conversation
Later That Day – School Library, Quiet Section. The library was quiet, filled only with the faint hum of the air conditioner and the gentle rustle of pages. Most students were at lunch, but Rose remained seated at the far end near the tall arched window, surrounded by opened books and notes. She
The next day. It was still early in the school day, just before the second bell. The halls buzzed faintly with the murmur of students heading to first period, but Victoria wasn't in class. She excused herself with the calm assurance of someone used to moving unnoticed—just a quiet nod and a vague
Inside the office, Lopez shut the door with a sharp click, crossing to her desk. “Jesse,” she said, folding her hands, “I’m going to ask this once—who told you to start those rumors?” Jesse’s breath hitched. “I… I don’t know what you’re—” “Stop,” Lopez interrupted, her voice slicing clean through.







