LOGINPetra was crying openly now, her tears soaking into Oscar's shirt as though she was trying to leave a part of herself with him before everything faded away completely. Her breathing came shallow and broken, every single inhale now a visible, painful effort."Oscar…" she whispered, her voice trembling like glass about to shatter into pieces. "I've lived a life of loneliness."Her words came slow and heavy, as if each one had to be dragged up laboriously from deep within her failing chest."People mocked me for being an orphan," she continued weakly, her voice barely above a whisper. "No parents… no real home… I was always the extra one, the unwanted one."Oscar shook his head frantically, tightening his hold around her as though his arms alone could somehow keep her alive against everything working against them."Don't say that," he said hoarsely, his voice thick with emotion. "You're not alone. You've never been alone."But Petra barely seemed to hear him at all.Her eyes brimmed wit
Oscar rushed to Petra's side the moment her body crumpled to the ground, his knees hitting the cold stone hard as he gathered her carefully into his arms.The heat of the day pressed down on them mercilessly, the bright afternoon sun illuminating every horrifying detail with unforgiving clarity, her lips stained red, her skin drained entirely of color, her chest rising and falling in shallow, uneven gasps that grew weaker with every passing second."Petra… Petra, look at me," he pleaded, panic clawing violently at his throat.Blood continued to trickle steadily from the corner of her mouth, warm against his trembling fingers. Her body felt frighteningly light in his arms, as though life itself was already slipping quietly away from her, drop by drop.She tried to breathe, but each inhale came accompanied by a faint, broken sound, as if her lungs could no longer manage to keep pace with what her body needed.Around them, chaos erupted instantly.Some people gasped audibly. Others step
"Pete, doesn't he look like a dog right now?" Zoe said mockingly, her laughter sharp and clear, ringing out across the open air with cruel amusement."It's not that he looks like one," Pete replied coldly, his gaze fixed steadily downward at the man still kneeling before him. "He is one."Oscar remained on his knees upon the red carpet that had been rolled out earlier for distinguished guests, the fabric now creased and dulled by dust and quiet humiliation.His spine remained straight, his palms resting calmly against his thighs, but the strain visible in his jaw betrayed the true weight he was carrying beneath that composed exterior."Oscar, get up!" Petra cried out. She stumbled forward and dropped to the ground beside him. "Please… get up. I don't want the medicine anymore."Her voice was hoarse, raw from begging, from fear, from pain she could no longer manage to hide. Her body leaned heavily against him, her breath coming uneven and shallow with every passing second.Oscar turne
Petra lifted her trembling gaze toward Oscar, her eyes red and glossy, silently pleading with him without a single word needing to be spoken. She shook her head slowly, a desperate refusal written plainly across every line of her face.Then she turned toward Pete, her lips pale and bloodless, her voice barely holding itself together under the strain."Pete, don't push it," she said weakly, each word costing her more than the last. "Please."Pete's brows slammed together instantly, his expression darkening. "Why are you so agitated?" Pete snapped fiercely, his voice echoing loudly across the open space between them.The words had barely left his mouth when Petra's strength finally gave out completely.Her knees buckled violently beneath her, and she bent forward, coughing uncontrollably, the sound tearing raw and painful through the surrounding silence, frightening everyone within earshot.Oscar reacted instantly, wrapping one arm firmly around her waist and pulling her against his c
"Petra, shut up."Pete's voice cut through the hall like a blade, sharp and utterly merciless, slicing through the tension that had been building around them for what felt like an eternity. Every murmur died instantly, as though the very walls themselves had been ordered into silence. His eyes were cold, fixed directly on Petra with a sternness that carried absolutely no patience, no compassion whatsoever."I get that you don't like Zoe," he continued, his tone rising steadily with restrained irritation simmering just beneath the surface, "but can you not treat her life as a joke? This is a life-saving medicine for her."Those words struck Petra harder than any physical slap ever could have managed.For one long, agonizing moment, the world tilted beneath her feet. Her fingers curled slowly into a tight fist at her side, nails digging deep into her palm as though the sharp pain was the only thing still keeping her grounded to reality.Beside Pete, Zoe lowered her head slightly, as
Pete walked out of the auction hall with long, decisive strides, his fingers interlocked tightly with Zoe's, moving with the kind of purposeful certainty that dared anyone to question him. The bright lights spilling from behind them poured onto their backs, casting long shadows that stretched across the polished marble floor like unfinished accusations waiting to be spoken aloud.Around them, murmurs rose and fell in waves, confused, indignant, endlessly curious. The very air itself seemed unsettled, as though the auction hall had not yet recovered from what had just unfolded upon that stage only moments before.Zoe leaned slightly toward Pete, her lips curving into a smile she tried, and utterly failed, to hide. Behind them, Petra staggered forward, her legs unsteady beneath her."Pete, stop right there!"Her voice cut through the hall, strained and hoarse, carrying more raw desperation than actual volume. The chatter around them died down almost instantly. Heads turned in uniso
The shareholders' meeting stretched well into the afternoon before it finally came to an end. The conference hall, which had been filled with probing questions, financial reports, and lengthy discussions about the future of eCloud Tech, gradually emptied as investors gathered their files and excha
Oscar arrived earlier than expected for dinner.The restaurant was one of the most luxurious establishments in the city, known for its elegant atmosphere, exceptional service, and breathtaking evening view. Oscar had intended to arrive before Petra so he could gather his thoughts and prepare himse
The taxi rolled to a stop outside Martins' apartment building just as the afternoon sun began settling lazily over the city. Zoe remained seated for a few seconds after the driver announced they had arrived. Her fingers tightened around her handbag as she stared through the window at the familiar
Zoe raised her hand to knock at the door, but the door slowly opened on its own.She paused at the entrance, her fingers still hanging in the air where she had intended to knock. The silence inside the house felt strange.Usually, Eric kept the place neat, but today the living room looked completel







