MasukElena downed almost half of the can of soda. Her parched throat finally quenched her thirst, albeit with an uncomfortable taste. She should have bought water instead of soda. "This is for your face," someone said, handing Elena a bag of ice cubes. "Thanks, Jay," Elena said with a faint smile as she took the ice cubes and placed them on her face. Jayden, her boyfriend since college, sat beside her. They had known each other since high school but hadn't started dating until now. He looked at Elena with concern. How could she not be flushed, with the corners of her lips slightly blue from a small cut. "That woman came again?" Jayden asked, pulling out some ointment from his bag. "She comes almost every day," Elena replied in an irritated tone. Jayden squeezed the white ointment onto his fingertip and gently rubbed it on the corner of Elena's injured lip. Elena winced slightly at the cold, stinging sensation of the ointment as it touched her skin. "Elena?" Jayden called. "
**Flashback** "Ah!" Elena winced as her body hit the asphalt, scattering trash everywhere. Her body slammed hard into the yard of the house she—no, I mean, the one her mother rented for her to live in. A house that was far from decent, but it was the only place she could find shelter. "Where's your damn mother, huh!" snapped the woman in luxurious clothes, pointing at Elena's face. The woman also dragged the sleeping Elena to the front of the house. Elena turned with a blank stare. "I don't know," she replied flatly and got up, ignoring the bleeding on her knee from scraping against the asphalt. The woman seemed to feel no pain. "How could you not know! You're that bitch's daughter," the woman snapped, gripping Elena's small arm tightly. Elena chuckled, as if mocking the woman in her fifties. "Just so you know, I never considered her my mother anymore." Her brown eyes began to burn and redden. "I NEVER THOUGHT OF HER AS MY MOTHER SINCE SHE MARRIED YOUR HUSBAND!" Elena shouted so
"Elena, what are you doing?!" Jayden screamed, holding Elena back as the woman seemed about to attack Aria again, who hadn't even gotten to her feet yet. "Let go of me, Jayden! I have to teach this woman a lesson to never tease you again!" Elena protested, trying to free herself from Jayden, but failed. Instead, Jayden pulled her small body away from her, ignoring Aria, who was Elena's victim. Truly, Elena felt dissatisfied with only being able to push Aria away. She should have just pulled her hair or slapped the woman to make her learn her lesson and not interfere with her relationship with Jayden again. "Let go of me, Jayden!" Elena said, struggling to be released. But Jayden didn't care. He only let go of Elena once they were in the car. "What are you doing, Elena?" Jayden asked. He was completely shocked and hadn't expected something like this to happen. "To teach your ex-wife a lesson for daring to tease you again," Elena said sharply, crossing her arms across her chest. He
Not long after Anne, Andrew, and Hans left, Jayden emerged from Juan's treatment room. "He's asleep again." Those were Jayden's first words. Aria simply nodded slowly in response. The smile that had been on her face instantly vanished, replaced by a blank, expressionless face. Aria quickly changed her expression. "I'm going in to take care of Juan," Tara said, refusing to add to the awkward atmosphere between the ex-husband and wife. Aria didn't want to be trapped any longer. She intended to leave Jayden there but stopped when the man spoke again. "Why didn't you tell me when Juan was allowed to go home?" Jayden asked. "Because even without me telling you, you would have known, Jayden," Aria replied. The woman's expression looked slightly confused by Jayden's question. He was already here, why did he have to ask again? Jayden sighed heavily. "But, at least I know from you." "What's the difference?" Aria asked. It's different, Aria. Because you contacted me. Jayden desp
Elena took a deep breath before continuing into her husband's office. She placed a tray containing two glasses of warm tea and small snacks on the round table not far from Jayden's desk. "You said you were on leave from our wedding, so why are you still working?" Elena asked, crossing her legs and leaning back on the sofa. "There are some things that can't be postponed, honey. I'm sorry," Jayden said, his face radiating guilt. Elena was right. They should be spending time together right now, but the Alatha Center business couldn't be ignored either. Elena smiled faintly and got up to approach Jayden. She clung to him affectionately, hugging him from behind. "It's okay. I can understand for now, but I'm still looking forward to a romantic honeymoon, Jay," Elena said in a tone she made as coquettish as possible. "Sure, honey. We'll do it, but not anytime soon. I still have too much work to leave anytime soon. In fact, my leave is only until today," Jayden said, gently stroking Elen
The man then took Aria's hand and held it tightly. "Please believe me, honey. I couldn't possibly lie to you. I'm telling the truth," Hans said with a pleading expression. His eyes were also glistening with tears. Aria couldn't hold back her laughter any longer, seeing Hans's hilarious face. She was laughing until she burst out laughing. Hans, on the other hand, put on a stupid, clueless face, making Aria laugh even longer. "Hey! Why are you laughing?" Hans finally asked, slightly annoyed. Was Aria just messing with him? "You look so cute with that pitiful face, Hans," Aria said between her laughter, which hadn't yet subsided. Hans bit his lip. He was already panicking, afraid Aria would misunderstand, but she was laughing at his expression. Who wouldn't be annoyed? He then folded his arms facing forward. Seeing Hans remain silent with a sullen face made Aria feel guilty. Although it looked funny, Aria could see how sincere he was to her. Aria truly felt incredibly lucky to
The atmosphere that morning was so beautiful. Accompanied by a cup of warm tea and the blowing wind brings a cool feeling. Elena closed her eyes for a moment to enjoy the view of the small garden behind the house. "You don't want to go home?" Jayden asked after his hands were perfectly wrapped ar
A happy expression radiated clearly on Elena's beautiful face. Especially when she saw Aria walking over to Jayden and holding Baby Juan. The woman seemed to deliberately show off her affection for Jayden in front of the woman.Meanwhile, Aria herself was confused by the situation. didn't they just
"Tara!" Aria called."Yes, Ma'am," Tara said as she arrived in front of Aria. The young woman was somewhat surprised by the situation. Aria was crying and Hans looked listless."Please escort Mr. Hans out," Aria said, leaving without waiting for Tara's response.Hans could only sigh heavily as Aria
Viona followed behind the man. "Something like what?" she asked, teasingly. "Come on, Hans! What kind of thing?" The woman clung to Hans until he finally grew tired of Viona's annoying behavior. Hans turned to look at Viona, who was still grinning. 'Looks like it'll be fun to play a little prank







