로그인086Andrea barely spoke after leaving the mall.His hands were on the steering wheel, but his mind wasn’t on the road.It was stuck on her words.“Do I know you?”“I am married.”The sentences echoed in his head like a broken record.His grip tightened.A horn blared suddenly—“Watch it!” Vanessa’s voice snapped sharply from the passenger seat.Andrea jerked the wheel just in time, narrowly avoiding a collision.The car swerved slightly before stabilizing, there was silence in the car for a while , but then Vanessa turned to him, alarmed.“Do you want to get us killed?” she demanded. “What is wrong with you today?”Andrea didn’t answer immediately.His jaw was tight, and his eyes were fixed on the road again.“Andrea,” she pressed, softer now.“whatever it is… you can talk to me. I’m here for you.”“I’m fine,” he said flatly. “Just work stress.”Vanessa studied him for a moment, then sighed.“…Okay.” She said rolling her eyes.“,just don't get us killed”And she didn’t push further.
085The mall was busy as usual.Lucas walked ahead excitedly, grabbing items from the shelves and dropping them into the shopping cart.Miguel followed behind him, pushing the cart and watching him closely.“Uncle, can I get this?” Lucas asked, holding up a box.Miguel barely looked. “If it’s not junk, take it.”Lucas grinned and tossed it into the cart.A few steps later, he picked another item.“And this?”Miguel sighed. “Lucas…”“Okay, okay,” Lucas laughed, dropping it back and picking something else.Miguel shook his head, but there was a faint smile on his face.Lucas ran ahead, weaving through people, his excitement carrying him forward without care.“Lucas—slow down!” Miguel called from behind, pushing the cart.But Lucas didn’t stop.And then—Thud.He slammed into someone.A sharp gasp followed as shopping bags slipped from delicate fingers, scattering across the floor.“What is wrong with you?!” the woman snapped.Lucas staggered back, his eyes wide.“I—I’m sorry, aun—”“Wh
084Andrea’s car rolled smoothly into the company parking lot.He stepped out, his expression was composed, and his presence commanding as always. Without sparing a glance around, he walked straight into the building and toward his office.CEO – AndreaThe name stood boldly on the door.He pushed it open and stopped. Vanessa was seated behind his desk.Relaxed and comfortable, as if she owned the place.Andrea’s brows drew together instantly.“What are you doing here?”Vanessa looked up, her lips curving into a bright smile as she rose to her feet.“Oh, Andrea—you’re finally back.”She walked toward him with ease, like she belonged there. “When did you get in?”Her hand lifted, brushing lightly against his cheek in a familiar gesture.Andrea caught her wrist mid-air and removed it.“I asked you a question,” he said coldly. “Who gave you access to my office?”Vanessa blinked, then rolled her eyes slightly.“I didn’t hear you ask me that.”“Well, I’m asking you now.”She sighed, fold
083The classroom buzzed with noise.It was break time, and most of the students were outside, running around, some shouting, and. some laughing.But Lucas stayed back.He sat at his desk, his brows slightly furrowed as he tried to solve a math puzzle in his workbook, his pencil tapping lightly against the page.Just as he was about to write an answer, the classroom door opened.“Lucas,” his teacher called gently. “You have a visitor.”Lucas looked up, surprised.“A visitor?”He quickly closed his book and stood up, curiosity already building inside him.As he walked out of the classroom, his mind raced.Who could it be?His mother never came to school like this. And the only person he could think of was…Uncle Miguel?A small smile formed on his face.Maybe he brought my birthday cake…Excitement made him quickened his steps.But the moment he stepped outside and saw who was waiting.He stopped and his smile faded into confusion.“You again?” Lucas said, frowning slightly. “What are
082Lucas’ face lit up the moment the front door opened.“Uncle Miguel!” he screamed, his voice bursting with excitement.Sophia was still bent over, helping him pull on his socks, but Lucas didn’t wait. He sprang to his feet and dashed across the room, nearly tripping in his hurry.Miguel barely had time to brace himself before the little boy crashed into him.“Hey, hey—easy there,” Miguel laughed, scooping him up into his arms. “Happy birthday, Lucas.”Lucas pulled back slightly, his eyes wide with surprise. “Oh… you remembered?”Miguel raised a brow, pretending to be offended. “Of course I remembered. How could I forget my big boy’s birthday?”Lucas grinned, wrapping his arms tighter around his uncle’s neck.Miguel glanced past him. “Where’s your mom?”As if on cue, Isabella appeared at the top of the stairs. The moment her eyes landed on Miguel, she froze for a split second. She clearly was not expecting him.“Miguel?”She hurried down the stairs and pulled him into a quick hug
081 It had been one week.One long, heavy, unbearable week.A week since the funeral.A week since Andrea stood beside his father and watched his mother lowered into the ground.A week since everything changed.The mansion, once full of quiet comfort, now felt empty and cold.Like something important had been taken from it.Andrea hadn’t slept properly since that day.Not even once.Every night, he lay on his bed, eyes open, staring into the darkness while memories played in his head like a punishment he couldn’t escape.The fire.The crash.His mother’s smile.His father’s broken voice.“I couldn’t save her…”Andrea swallowed hard as he stood at the entrance of the living room.His eyes rested on his father.The old man sat in his wheelchair.Still and silent.His gaze fixed on nothing.Not the television.Not the walls.Not even the people around him.Just… nothing.It was like he was there physically…But gone everywhere else.Andrea stepped closer slowly.“Dad…” he called softly,
020“Madam, you look so happy. Care to share the good news?” the driver asked, staring at her through the rearview mirror.Isabella didn’t answer immediately. She leaned back in her seat, her head resting lightly against the window as her eyes followed the passing streetlights. The city lights refle
019Andrea was unsettled after handing over Isabella the divorce papers.If I had known, I wouldn't have given it to her, he thought.The fear of letting Isabella go was so overwhelming but Andrea refused to accept that he wanted her to stay back.After few hours of thinking, he walked back toward
017The gate to the mansion flung open and Andrea drove in, Isabella had given up yelling and knocking on the window frame of the car, she was sobbing silently in the car.Andrea stepped out and opened the door, expecting her to come out but she refused to move.“Are you coming out or not?” Andrea a
016Isabella lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling,Sleep refused to come, her mind occupied with a lot of things. The chandelier above her did not move, yet her eyes followed it like it was spinning. Her hand moved to her stomach, and she pressed her palm there gently.“I’m sorry,” she whispered.







