LOGIN072The heavy iron gates of the Villanueva estate groaned shut behind the black convoy as Andrea stepped out of the car.Night had already settled over the city like a thick, suffocating veil. The air carried the scent of distant rain and burned fuel from the lower districts, a reminder that beyond the marble walls of his home, the world never truly slept. Security lights washed the driveway in cold white brilliance, making everything feel more controlled than life was supposed to be.Andrea adjusted the cuffs of his shirt as he walked. His tie hung loosely around his neck, already loosened the moment he had left the car. He never liked ties. They felt like reminders—of expectations, of chains, of everything he was supposed to become but never fully agreed to be.The front doors opened automatically before he even reached them.Inside, the mansion swallowed him in silence.The floors were polished marble imported from Italy, the chandeliers dripping with crystal that scattered light
071Isabella quickly stepped on the brake.The car came to a sudden stop by the side of the road.Her breathing became uneven.Her hand moved to her head.“Ah…” she groaned softly.“Mummy, are you okay?” Lucas asked, his small hands reaching for her arm.Isabella shut her eyes tightly.The pain throbbed hard.Like something was trying to break through.But then—Just like that—It stopped.The images faded.Issabella was confused as she opened her eyes slowly.What are those images that she can't really see clearly?Is it from her past life?Her chest was rising and falling fast.Lucas was staring at her, he looked worried.“Mummy…” he said again.“I’m fine,” Issabella managed to say.Her voice was weak.But she forced a small smile.“I’m fine,” she repeated.Lucas did not look convinced.“You stopped the car,” he said.“I just felt a little headache,” she replied.She rubbed her temple gently.“It’s nothing.”Lucas watched her carefully.“You’re sure?” he asked.“Yes,” Isabella nodde
070The car door shut with a soft thud.Isabella adjusted her seat, her hands still wrapped firmly around the steering wheel. For a moment, she did not move.Lucas sat beside her, buckling his seatbelt with a small struggle.“Wait,” he muttered, pulling it harder.Click.“There,” he said proudly.Isabella glanced at him, a small tired smile touching her lips.“Good boy,” she said.But her voice still carried the weight of everything that had just happened.She started the engine.The car hummed to life.Slowly, she pulled out of the school compound.For a few seconds, silence filled the car.Just the sound of the engine.“Mummy,” Lucas called.“Yes?” she replied, her eyes still on the road.“That man I met today…” he started, his voice already full of excitement.Isabella glanced at him briefly.“What about him?” she asked.Lucas straightened in his seat.“He is very handsome,” he said.Isabella almost laughed.“Handsome?” she repeated.“Yes,” Lucas nodded seriously. “And rich too.”I
069“Mummy!”The voice came fast, bright and alive.Isabella had just ended the call, her phone still in her hand, when she heard it.Her heart stopped.Then jumped.She turned sharply.And there he was.Lucas.Running toward her.Her breath caught in her throat.“Lucas…” she whispered.Before she could move, he crashed into her.Her hands dropped everything—her phone, her bag slipping slightly—just so she could hold him.“Lucas!” she cried, pulling him close, her fingers gripping his shirt like she was afraid he would disappear again.Lucas wrapped his small arms around her waist.“I’m here,” he said softly.Isabella’s body trembled.Her hands moved quickly over him.His head.His face.His arms.Checking.Searching.“Are you okay?” she asked, her voice shaking. “Are you hurt? Did something happen?”“I’m fine, mummy,” Lucas replied quickly.Isabella pulled back just enough to look at his face.Her eyes scanned him again.No blood.No bruises.Nothing.Her breath came out slowly.The
068“Wait—” Andrea started.But it was too late.The door swung open, and Lucas jumped down, his small feet hitting the ground fast. Without looking back, he ran.Straight into the school compound.“Lucas!” Andrea called instinctively.But the boy was already gone, his small body weaving past the gate, past the guard, into the open space beyond.Andrea stepped out quickly, closing the car door behind him.“Stay here,” he told his driver and guard.“Yes, sir,” they replied.Andrea adjusted his coat slightly and walked in after Lucas, his steps longer, faster now.Inside the school, the air was thick, different from before.Parents stood around.Some were whispering.Some were pacing.Teachers moved about, their faces tight.And not too far from the waiting area, Isabella sat down.Her hands were clenched around her phone.Her phone rang suddenly, the sound cutting through the tension.She blinked, startled, then quickly looked at the screen.“Ethan…” she whispered.She stood up slowly,
067Andrea's car moved smoothly along the road, the low hum of the engine filling the quiet space inside.Lucas sat by the window at first, his small face pressed slightly toward the glass as he looked outside. Cars passed. People walked. A woman balanced a basket on her head. A man pushed a wheelbarrow across the road.Everything looked normal, but Lucas was not calm.He shifted in his seat and turned to Andrea.“You have to turn here,” he said quickly, pointing ahead.The driver glanced at Andrea through the rearview mirror.Andrea gave a small nod.“Turn,” he said.The car slowed slightly and turned into the road Lucas had pointed at.Lucas leaned forward a little, like he was in charge now.“Yes, yes… this is the way,” he said.Andrea watched him quietly.“You seem very sure,” he said.Lucas nodded fast.“I know my school,” he replied. “I go there every day.”There was a small pause, then Lucas added, his voice softer now,“My mummy will be worried.”Andrea’s eyes shifted to him.
014The only sound inside the car was the soft hum of the engine and the faint brushing sound of the tyres against the road. Streetlights passed by, flashing shadows across Andrea’s face. He sat stiffly in the back seat, his eyes were fixed straight ahead.The driver kept stealing glances at him thr
013Isabella walked slowly toward the car as the night air brushed against her skin, but it did nothing to calm the storm in her chest.How dare Andrea? Seeing him with that evil bitch makes her feel like strangling life out of him, she wanted to go back upstairs, take off the clothes and stay indo
012Isabella walked into the living room with Andrea beside her.“Sit.” Andrea said, with a cold voice.Isabella did not argue, she lowered herself onto the couch, her back sank into the cushions, her shoulders dropped the moment she sat, she was exhausted.Andrea stood in front of her for a moment
011Vanessa woke up slowly, a sharp pain stabbed through her forehead. She groaned softly, trying to move, only to be met with another wave of pain. Her body felt heavy.“Oh… you’re awake.” A soft voice spoke behind her. Vanessa tried to lift her hand, she watch as the nurse hovered over her.“Whe







