MasukThe 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
“Please, Miss Selena,” Erick said as he opened the car door, gesturing for her to step inside—the car Nathaniel Miller had personally ordered for her.Erick didn’t dare ask who this woman was or why his employer had instructed him to treat her with special attention and careful service. Even so, cur
“Mom’s going to be okay… right?” Felicia wrung her hands together so tightly her knuckles turned white. Even after the doctor had explained their mother’s latest condition, she couldn’t stop worrying—not until she could see her mother.Kalina placed a gentle hand on her sister’s shoulder. Her face w
That afternoon, the house was filled with the sound of Josh’s laughter—soft, bright, and utterly contagious. The little boy sat cross-legged on the living room rug, carefully stacking colorful blocks into a tower that wobbled dangerously high. Beside him, Althea watched with amused focus, occasional
That night, the hospital room was painfully still. The only sound came from the steady beeping of the heart monitor, blending softly with Althea’s uneven breathing. Sleep refused to come. Her trembling hand reached for the phone on the small bedside table.The news was still playing on the screen —







