LOGIN“And we’re done!” the stylist exclaimed again after finishing the touches she did on my dress. “It’s time for the party, baby!”Everyone was so delighted… excluding me.They led me down the long corridor, past the guests and our relatives whose eyes seemed to judge me, or use me for their own gain as well.I wanted to scream and fight, but the medicine kept me weak. It felt like I had lost my voice, my strength, and my sanity.“Walk on your own,” Mom said as she guided me into the aisle, her other hand holding my arm, nails burying into my skin as if she was giving me a warning. “Remember. This will be your life now.”I didn’t answer, even though I knew it would make her mad.This is the last string of my defiance. No matter what I do, there’s no way I could escape here.I don’t like it, but I started walking toward Hans, who was smiling while waiting for me to reach him.He looked stunning in his white suit, and I understand why so many women were swarming over him. For their eyes, h
“That’s why I’m asking for your help. I need your connection because I can’t openly use mine for this,” River told her. “I’ve been kicked out of the Miller Mansion, and I want her out as well. I don’t care how.”Evelyn’s eyes widened at that confession.“River, I just want you to remember that you’re not on your turf, okay?” she warned. “In the States, the Millers are the powerful ones. And if I’m not mistaken, she’s engaged to Hans Continental. Are you asking for war?”“If it’s for Serenity, then so be it.”Suddenly, River’s phone buzzed again. An unknown number was calling him.“I’ll talk to you later again, Evelyn. I just need to answer this call.”After ending the call, River clicked the green button again. “Who’s this?”“Sir River… This is me.”River frowned, recognizing the voice on the other line.It was no other than Hans’ former spy, whom he sent to the Miller Mansion, someone River caught and blackmailed to work for him.He moves fast and silently, to the point that no one
I froze.His voice echoed through the room. Not from the door, not from the window, but from everywhere and nowhere all at once.Where is he? I couldn’t see him. But I could feel him.“I’m here,” he said softly, and I could hear him in my mind.I don’t know what was happening. Am I going crazy?“River?” I called, feeding the delusions in my mind. “Are you… Are you really here?”I asked that question even though I already knew the answer. He’s not here. It will be impossible for him to enter this room with all the locks, and I’m sure that there were more security guards outside the mansion, even if I hadn’t seen them.Then, why could I hear his voice?“I’m here,” he repeated, and this time, his voice was softer than before.I stood up, walking in circles, tears blurring my vision as I tried finding him.“They already took you away. I saw them—”“I’m not gone,” his voice insisted. Still, I couldn’t see him, but it felt like he was talking to me.Or… is it already from my imagination? Bu
As soon as the servants pushed me into the bedroom, they immediately closed the door, and the lock clicked from the outside.Once.Twice.Thrice.There were a total of three locks outside the door, and I don’t even have any idea about those locks outside the room. This is the second time I’ve been grounded, and with my mom’s rage, I doubt it will subside soon.But it doesn’t mean I can’t do my best. I can’t stay here, especially since River is not here now. It will kill me, literally and figuratively.“Mom!” I shouted as I pounded against the door with both fists. “Open it, please! Open it!”My voice cracked as I shouted, but it was useless against my mom, who’s dedicated to caging me here. Even Dad doesn’t have plans on letting me go.And with those locks? I doubt I can escape anytime soon.“Mom! Dad! Let me go!” I shouted again, but all I could hear from outside was the footsteps retreating down the hallway, calm and steady, as if nothing horrible had just happened. “Anyone, please
I shook my head, sobbing as River took the blow. I even noticed just now that there was blood at the corner of his mouth.He didn’t look at Dad, but at me.“Don’t be afraid. I’ll always be with you,” he said hoarsely, the sincerity evident in his voice. “I meant every word.”Dad didn’t like what he had just said. He looked at the guards who were holding River and exclaimed, “Get him out of my house.”“Yes, Sir.”“No!” I shrieked, trying to free myself from Mom’s grasp. “Dad, you can’t do this! He can’t leave!”“And why can’t he?” Dad asked, raising an eyebrow, looking at me with fury. “You two have shamed this family. Don’t you have any idea what the others will say once they find out about what you did?!”“This shouldn’t have happened in the first place!” Mom agreed, and I could feel her grip tightening on my hair.Then, she looked at the guards and commanded,“River Sage Palmer is banished from the Miller Mansion. Effective immediately. If he ever comes near her again, I will have h
While we were cherishing the moment with each other’s arms, we heard a knock on the door.“Serenity, open this door right now!” Mom shouted from the outside, the anger evident in her voice. “If you don’t, we’ll be forced to break it!”I jolted upright, my heart thumping rapidly.“River… They must have known that you’re here in the room,” I muttered, biting my nails because of nervousness. “You need to go, or else they’ll find you here. We’re dead once they do!”Shivers ran down my spine as Mom continued knocking on the door, and I knew that it was only a matter of time before she completely lost her patience.“I know that River is inside. You can’t hide it from me now. Someone had seen him from the veranda!” Mom shouted as she banged into the door, the same as my beating heart. She added, “I told you always to keep the door unlocked and not to let strangers come in. But ever since River came here, you have always defied us! You weren’t like this before!”Mom was now losing her compos







