LOGIN"Akiko," Mr. Eloise immediately embraced his daughter the moment he stepped into the grand house. Glen had just arrived, his heart heavy with the burden of returning the girl he cherished. Yet deep down, he believed Akiko would only suffer more if she stayed with him—someone still too selfish and rough around the edges.Akiko stood frozen, silent. It was the first time her father had ever embraced her. It felt strange—sad, yet comforting all at once.“You’re finally home,” Mr. Eloise murmured, gently brushing her hair with his hand.“You agreed with Glen, Father?” Akiko asked cautiously. “You allowed me to come back and stay here?”“Of course,” he replied softly. “I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time. I kept trying to call Glen, asking him to return you to me.”He paused briefly, “And at last… my wish has finally been granted.”“But... you’re not sacrificing my sister for me, are you?” she asked again.“No,” Mr. Eloise shook his head. “You came back because it was Glen’s
The girl had fallen asleep, but her hands remained cold and trembling. Even after Glen wrapped her in thick blankets, she continued to shiver. Every now and then, a harsh cough escaped her lips, followed by a faint wince of pain. Her breathing was so shallow that Glen kept leaning closer, just to make sure she was still breathing.“Her fever’s getting worse,” he muttered, watching beads of sweat gather on her forehead. He wiped them gently, hoping to ease her into deeper sleep. But moments later, Akiko stirred and broke into another coughing fit.“Here, drink some water,” Glen said softly, lifting the bottle her lips. She swallowed, but the water burned her throat, triggering another wave of coughing.“We’ll go to the hospital later,” he added, stroking her short hair—then freezing when several strands came away in his hand.“Don’t touch my hair… your hand will get dirty,” Akiko whispered, gently brushing his hand aside. Her voice was weak, her face calm despite the pain written all o
"Are you sure you can drive?" Akiko asked softly, worry lacing her voice. She was afraid Glen was forcing himself just to take her to the orphanage."My head's the only thing that hurts, Aiko. My hands and feet are perfectly fine," Glen replied. He fastened her seatbelt, then, without hesitation, pressed a quick kiss to her cheek.The car pulled onto the road. From time to time, Glen reached for Akiko's cold hand, holding it firmly as if to reassure both of them.They had just returned from Glen's mother's house. Their plan was to go back to the apartment that evening after visiting the orphanage, especially since Akiko had a hospital check-up the next day. Before that, they stopped to buy food and supplies for the children."Why do you care so much about that kid?" Glen asked, glancing at her. "Wasn't he just a random boy you met on the street?""Because we share the same story," Akiko replied quietly. "His parents were truly cruel. If I hadn't stepped in, he might have died at their
"Aiko... Aiko..." Glen murmured softly as he opened his eyes, his hand reaching out for the girl who was nowhere to be found. His head throbbed, his body unbearably heavy.He couldn't remember what had happened."Glen..."That soft voice stirred something deep within him.He sat up, blinking in confusion. An endless field of green stretched before his eyes. Standing there in a white dress, her hair swaying gently in the breeze, was Akiko.She looked ethereal. Lighter. Softer. But something was different.Her hair was long."Are you alright?" Glen asked, stepping closer, brushing her cool cheek with trembling fingers.Akiko smiled.She didn't say a word-she simply reached for his hand and tugged him forward, her sweet smile pulling him into motion.In that very second, Glen's body felt impossibly light. Every burden in his life seemed to fade away.They ran across the endless meadow, laughing freely, as if the world had never known pain.Eventually, they collapsed onto the grass togeth
“Glen, you haven’t been focusing on work for days now. You don’t have to sacrifice so much of your time just to take care of me,” Akiko said softly.Glen had been skipping the office often, choosing instead to stay with her or take her out. The work he once ruled over was piling up, but he barely seemed to care.The tall man pulled her into his arms, resting his chin lightly on the top of her head.“If I’m not with you, I’m losing something far more important,” he said quietly. “Have you taken your medicine this morning?”She nodded.“I wanted to take you somewhere today, but you should rest this afternoon. Tonight might take a lot of energy.”Her brows lifted slightly. “Where are you taking me?”A rare, almost boyish smile curved his lips.“A carnival,” he said. “With lights, games, food stalls. I don’t think you’ve ever been to one.”He had searched for it late at night, scrolling through endless lists of places people said could make someone smile. He wanted to give her everything—
Glen woke up to the blaring sound of the alarm. His heart raced in panic—he had just woken from a nightmare about Akiko’s death, the image still clawing at his mind.When he looked beside him, the bed was empty. Panic surged through his chest as he rushed out of the room. He finally found her in the laundry area, sorting dirty clothes for the washing machine.“Aiko, what are you doing up this early?” Glen asked, rubbing a hand over his face, still shaken.“I always wake up at this time,” she replied flatly. The routine was carved into her—cleaning, organizing, making herself useful.“Forget all this,” Glen said, gently taking her hand and pulling her to her feet. “You’re not doing chores anymore. I’ve hired a housemaid.”Akiko blinked in surprise but said nothing as she followed him back toward the living room.Just then, the doorbell rang. Glen opened the door to reveal an elderly woman standing with a small suitcase beside her.“Come in,” he said with a firm nod. She stepped inside,
“You… gave me away?” Akiko’s voice cracked as she stared at her father across the table. Her heart sank as the man nodded, calm and unapologetic, fingers laced together, cigarette smoke curling around him. “You’re just a guarantee. I’m not selling you off permanently. Once I pay the debt, I’ll brin
“You... have cancer?” Glen asked, his eyes wide with disbelief.Akiko merely nodded. She calmly took the paper from his hand and folded it, as if nothing had happened.“Why didn’t you tell me?” Glen pressed.“Why would I?” she replied flatly. “It’s none of your business. You wouldn’t care anyway.”
Three days had passed since Glen left. The house felt unnervingly quiet, as if even the walls were holding their breath.“Do you think Glen is alright?” Akiko asked softly. She sat on the bed, supported by pillows, while Freya and Harley stayed close beside her. “He still hasn’t come back.”No one
At 3 a.m., Akiko woke up with a tightness in her chest. She thought maybe the cold air was weakening her body again. But then she remembered—tonight she was sleeping in the same room as Glen, and he had a heater. Unlike her old, empty, and freezing room, this one was warm. So why did she still feel







