LOGIN"Can I have the phone now, Ria?" Dan asked, stepping closer to the bed.Ria’s eyes widened in disbelief. "Why? Why are you acting so possessive all of a sudden? This isn't how you used to be."Dan exhaled sharply, catching himself before offering a tight smile. "I... I was just looking out for you. Besides, in a few hours, you'll be my fiancée."Ria stayed silent. Dan reached out, gently cupping her cheek. "I hope you liked the gift. I'd love to see you wear it tonight. I even got a matching outfit for myself—a blue suit to coordinate with your dress."Ria’s face darkened, and she forced a stiff nod. "I... I already have an outfit picked out for tonight. Besides, blue isn't my favorite color.""Does that really matter?" Dan interrupted immediately, his gaze locking onto hers with a cold intensity. "It shouldn't matter, Ria. I still want you to wear the dress I bought you tonight."Without waiting for a response, he turned on his heel and walked out of the room.Ria quickly picked up h
"Okay, girl... I think you really need to take a look at this," Mrs. Roseline spoke up the moment Ria walked into the house with Mira, still clutching Dan's gift box.Mrs. Roseline stood near the kitchen table holding the exact same package Ria had thrown into the trash earlier. She reached inside and pulled out a sleek velvet box, opening it to reveal a breath-taking diamond jewelry set.Mira’s eyes flew wide open. "Damn, girl! That diamond set costs an absolute fortune!"Mrs. Roseline then pulled out a glamorous, blush-pink designer gown from the accompanying garment bag, holding it up in front of Ria."And this too," Mrs. Roseline said softly, her eyes twinkling.Ria’s eyes fluttered open in complete shock. "That... that was inside the package I threw out?!" she asked, staring at her mother.Mrs. Roseline nodded. "Yes. And this note came with it." She handed a small card to Ria.Ria opened the note, her eyes scanning the neat handwriting:> I am so sorry, Ria. Something happened to
Ria pressed the phone to her ear, her heart hammering against her ribs in sheer anticipation.Before she could even utter a word, the line disconnected. A split second later, a text message flashed across her screen.> Did you receive my present, Ria?> Ria gasped, a painful, bitter breath escaping her lips.A wave of intense anger washed over her. With shaking, furious fingers, she tapped rapidly on the screen.> I don't want to receive anything from you ever again! If you can't even show your face or tell me who you are, then go to hell with your gifts!> She slammed the send button, threw off her bedcovers, and snatched the wrapped parcel off her nightstand. Brushing past her mother in a flash of rage, she marched out to the kitchen and hurled the package straight into the trash bin.Returning to her room, she sank onto the mattress and finally let the tears she had been holding back stream freely down her face.Mrs. Roseline rushed in after her, sitting on the edge of the bed an
Ria stared at the screen for a long moment until the display finally dimmed and went completely dark.After sending the message, she dropped the phone onto the mattress beside her. Her heart raced continuously, waiting in agonizing suspense for a reply or a notification, but nothing came.All through the night, her pulse spiked at the slightest flicker of her screen. Sleep was impossible. She tossed and turned until the harsh rays of the morning sun began filtering through her bedroom window.The very first thing her hand reached for was her phone. Still, there was no reply from him.She let out a heavy, defeated sigh.Friday, 9:00 AMStill no message from Klein.A suffocating weight settled deep in Ria's chest. Driven by a hollow sense of resignation, she picked up her phone and dialed Dan’s number."Go on with the proposal tomorrow," Ria said, her voice strained and forced. "I think I am ready.""Oh, darling! Thank you so much!" Dan’s voice boomed through the speaker, brimming with
Before the security guards could make another move, a senior head guard rushed out from the main security booth, slamming the iron gate shut behind him."That's the boss's order!" the head guard warned in a tone laced with absolute terror. "He said nobody lays a single finger on her!"The other guards scrambled backward, releasing Ria immediately as if she were made of fire.The head guard stepped forward, addressing Ria with a cautious, respectful bow. "Miss... the boss doesn't want to see you right now. He said he will meet with you when the time is right."Ria shook her head frantically. "No! No, I need to know if this picture is real! Who is your boss?! Does he know me?"She thrust her phone screen toward his face. "Is he this same person?!"The guard looked down at the photo render, then shook his head slowly. "I can't say any more than this, miss. The boss strongly suggests that you leave."He reached into his breast pocket and pulled out a sleek, matte-black business card. "He
Ria hesitated, her breath catching in her throat before she tapped gently on the doorbell. Her heart hammered against her ribs as her eyes remained locked on the wolf-engraved handle.The heavy wooden door swung open, revealing a tall, slender man wearing a chef's jacket."I... I came to see whoever lives here," Ria stammered, her voice shaking. "Someone has been sending me gifts, and the trail brought me straight to this house."The young chef looked at her in confusion. Before he could respond, heavy footsteps echoed from the hallway. The man from the SUV—tall, broad-shouldered, and dressed in a dark suit—stepped into view.He caught sight of Ria and paused."You've been dropping roses at my house," Ria said, stepping forward. "And I don't think I know you."The man motioned for the chef to step back into the house. He walked out onto the porch, looking down at Ria with a calm, unreadable expression."How are you so sure those bouquets came from me?" he asked.Ria shook her head. "I
Ria slowly opened the door, her heart trembling violently in her chest.Standing outside was Mira,At least… she looked like Mira.She wore clothing similar to Ria’s silver outfit but something about her felt strangely different. Her expression lacked warmth, and her eyes carried a distant emptiness R
Michael stood silently for a moment, studying her face as though he were trying to uncover something hidden beneath her expression.Kira kept her head lowered, gently rubbing her stomach in slow circles.“I thought your name was Serene,” Michael finally said calmly. “That’s what she called you.”Be
Ria slowly stood up, no longer paying attention to the little girl. Her mind replayed everything that had happened before this,her room, her bed and her eighteenth birthday,This had to be a dream.A terrible, ridiculous dream.She pressed trembling fingers against her forehead and slowly lowered he
“Maybe, just maybe someone saw your chats with the AI, you know? Stuff like that happens,” Mira said, trying to sound reassuring. She carefully wrapped the necklace back up and handed it to Ria. Ria accepted it slowly, her fingers trembling against the velvet box, still visibly stunned. The heat







