The evening sky dimmed to a dusky hue as Hunter stood motionless across the street, watching the grand house with its pristine white gates. From behind the tinted windows of his car, his gaze remained fixed on the second-floor bedroom window—Eliana’s room.It had been three days since Eliana vanished without a trace. Olivia had been searching frantically, but the school claimed Eliana had already been picked up by her legal guardian. When Olivia contacted the authorities, she was shocked to discover that a temporary guardianship document had been signed—under the name of Shopia Joy."I don’t believe this..." Hunter muttered, rechecking the confidential documents he had quietly stolen from the courthouse. Shopia’s name appeared as the official guardian, approved by a judge who, as it turned out, had long-standing ties to the Griffin family—the same family Shopia came from.Hunter closed his eyes briefly. He knew Shopia Joy. All too well. The woman was a master manipulator—dangerous whe
Days passed with a rhythm that felt almost empty.Eliana began to lose track of time. Hours melted into a lullaby of stillness—quiet mornings, warm soup at noon, and nights wrapped in hugs and sweet words from Shopia. The house was too comfortable, almost suffocating in its gentleness, making the girl slowly let go of her guard.Once, Eliana had been sharp, full of questions. But now… she was quieter. More obedient. Too calm.“Darling, why do you keep spacing out?” Shopia asked one afternoon as she gently brushed Eliana’s hair.Eliana shrugged faintly. “I don’t know…”“Still thinking about Mother Olivia?” Shopia’s voice was soft, yet carried an undertone that was difficult to name.Eliana looked down. Her mind was still tethered to the woman. And yet, strangely, the image of Olivia—once warm and strong—was beginning to fade. Like a memory slowly dissolving for no reason.Noticing this, Shopia gave her a look of fabricated concern. “Sweetheart… I know it’s hard. But there are things yo
The gentle clinking of a spoon against porcelain echoed softly at the dining table. The scent of homemade chicken soup filled the room, seeping into the corners of Eliana’s unsettled mind. Shopia served the meal with care, even ladling the soup into Eliana’s bowl herself, like a real mother would.“This soup is made especially for you, Eliana. With real chicken bone broth and a touch of ginger. Good for warming the body… and the heart,” Shopia said gently, her eyes resting on Eliana with a warm, loving smile.Eliana gave a small nod. Her hand held the spoon, but she didn’t take a bite. There was warmth all around her, yet it couldn’t melt the cold that had frozen inside her chest.“I’m sorry… I’m still not used to all of this,” she murmured quietly.Shopia’s smile widened as she sat across from her, reclining slightly in her chair. “Of course. After everything you’ve been through… anyone would feel that way.”Then came the voice. Soft. Slipping through the silence. Full of intent.> “
Rain poured over the school courtyard that afternoon. The overcast sky seemed to reflect Eliana’s own heart—gray, chaotic, and hollow. Ever since the kidnapping and Olivia now lying unconscious in the hospital, her life felt like a wrecked ship without a compass.She sat on a small bench facing the empty field. Her eyes stared blankly ahead, her hair damp from the drizzle. Many had approached her since that night—teachers, classmates, even the police—but none of them truly gave her answers. Or safety.Until a soft voice called her name from behind.“Eliana?”The girl turned quickly. A graceful woman stood under a white umbrella. Her hair was neatly tied back, her clothes and boots looked far too clean for the weather.Shopia Joy.“May I sit?” she asked warmly.Eliana gave a slight nod.Shopia sat beside her, maintaining a polite distance.“I heard what happened… everything. You must have been so scared.”Eliana didn’t respond. She just hugged her knees tighter.“I know this may come a
The hospital felt quieter than usual that night. On the waiting bench outside the ICU, Eliana sat curled up with her knees to her chest. Her eyes stared blankly at the door that had yet to open. Olivia was still inside. The injury she sustained was severe—stabbed while protecting Eliana from a masked kidnapper."Is this all my fault?" she whispered.No one answered. Hunter had been pacing back and forth, arranging security. The police were still searching for the perpetrators, but they had vanished as if swallowed by the earth. And Eliana—she refused to return to the dorm. Not tonight. Not when the woman who had only just begun to melt the ice around her heart now lay between life and death.A few hours later, a woman in an elegant cream jacket appeared. Her black hair was neatly styled. She approached Eliana with a sympathetic smile."Your name is Eliana, right?" Her voice was warm, gentle. "I'm Shopia Joy. The school sent me to assist you. Hunter left a message, asking that you be c
Silence blanketed the second-floor corridor of the dormitory as Eliana’s footsteps echoed softly. She couldn’t sleep tonight. Her heart was in turmoil, her thoughts spinning in endless circles of doubt and unanswered questions.She stopped in front of the staff room door. Her eyes fixed on the faint light seeping from the gap beneath it.Eliana clenched her fists.She knocked gently.Moments later, the door opened… revealing a startled and anxious Olivia.“Eliana…”“I need to talk. Just us. No Hunter. No teachers. No one else,” Eliana said firmly.Olivia could only nod. She stepped aside to let Eliana in and quietly closed the door.The room was small and modest—a folding bed, a tiny table, and a hot water thermos in the corner. Nothing remarkable, yet the stillness made the atmosphere feel unbearably intense.Eliana sat at the edge of the folding bed. Her eyes watched Olivia carefully, almost like she was facing a stranger.“I don’t remember your face. Your voice doesn’t feel familia