Mag-log inThe preparations felt less like an upcoming family gathering and more like the calm before a war.By late afternoon, Lydia began helping Naomi study some of the basic etiquette required for facing the Chen family elders.“Don’t openly argue with them,” Lydia advised while opening a thin notebook ins
“The right pavilion has been prepared for you, Miss Chen. Meanwhile, Master Kai and Mrs. Lydia will stay in the left pavilion.”Naomi frowned deeply. “Why are they so far apart? Move my room closer.”“That’s not possible, Miss Chen. Master Kai and Mrs. Lydia already—”Ah.Naomi suddenly understood e
“You’re… serious?”The question slipped out the moment Naomi stepped into the dining room. She had just overheard Cale informing Lydia that for the next few days, they would be staying at the Chen family’s main residence.Naomi had thought Lydia would disagree.But instead…“Yes, I think you’re righ
Naomi drew in a small breath.The way Cale said it sounded painful. As though the memories he spoke about had truly happened right in front of him.As though he had personally witnessed all of it.“So I really was troublesome even as a child?” she asked softly, trying to ease the tightness growing i
The mansion felt far quieter than usual that night.The rain that had been falling since the afternoon had faded into nothing more than a soft drizzle outside the windows. Most of the lights throughout the house had already been turned off, leaving only dim pools of light along the main corridors an
A moment later, Brandon entered with an expression far more serious than usual.“Is this one of your new habits now?” Cale asked without lifting his gaze from the report he still hadn’t finished reviewing. “You should know I’m starting to hate it.”Brandon let out a quiet laugh.He then asked everyo
“I don’t think so,” the guard replied, then stepped aside to let Cale in.The room was dim, lit only by a single hanging lamp that glowed weakly from the center of the rusted ceiling. Its yellow light spilled unevenly, casting long shadows across damp concrete walls. The stench of blood, sweat, and
“Oh God, what am I going to do?” Eli was in a full-blown panic. She kept jabbing the elevator buttons, as if pressing them again and again would make the doors close faster and carry her straight to her floor.She couldn’t imagine how furious her mother would be. All she could do was hope—desperatel
Silence settled over the family room after Althea’s last question hung in the air. No one spoke. Lydia stared at Althea in disbelief, while Althea kept her eyes on her husband, hoping—needing—an answer to the question that had been haunting her for days.Unfortunately, Daven chose to remain silent.
The television screen in the living room glowed brightly. Selena had deliberately turned the volume up. There was no one else in the apartment anyway—Eli had already left for school, and she had intentionally sent Silvia out to do the grocery shopping. There were plenty of household items she claime







