LOGIN089The next morning, the sun was barely up when Vanessa drove away from the estate.The city was still waking up, but her mind was already miles ahead.She drove for nearly two hours. The tall buildings of the city turned into treesand open fields. Finally, she reached the address. It was a quiet, modest compound. It wasn't poor, but it wasn't the world of luxury she was used to. It was... peaceful.She parked her car a block away and walked the rest of the distance. She kepther head down, her sunglasses hiding her eyes.She reached a small park area near a clubhouse. And then, she saw him.A small boy was kicking a ball against a brick wall. Thud. Thud. Thud.Vanessa froze. Her heart skipped a beat. She knew that boy. She remembered themessy hair, the bright eyes, and the way he stood with his chin tilted up.“The boy from the mall,” she murmured.She remembered the day she had nearly knocked him over. She had been so angry that day, so full of herself. She hadn't really look
088At the same time. Miguel’s car pulled into the compound.Lucas jumped out immediately, full of energy as always.“I’m home!” he shouted excitedly, running inside without waiting.Miguel stepped out more slowly.He had barely taken a step toward the house when another car drove into the compound.His brows furrowed.Who is that?The car came to a stop.The door opened and Andrea stepped out.Miguel froze.His heart skipped.No…His eyes darkened instantly.How did he find this place?Andrea didn’t hesitate.He just walked straight toward the house.Fast and focused.Like nothing else mattered.Miguel moved quickly, stepping in front of him.Blocking his path.“Long time, no see” Andrea said .“What are you doing here?” he demanded, but Andrea didn’t stop.“So you lied to me,” he said coldly. “You told me my wife was dead.”Miguel’s expression hardened.“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”Andrea grabbed his shirt.“Don’t you dare lie to me,” he snapped. “She’s alive. I know
087“What exactly is wrong with you?” Vanessa snapped the moment they stepped into the house. “You’ve been acting weird since we left the mall. Is there something you’re not telling me?”Andrea didn’t answer her.He walked past her in silence, dropped his jacket on the couch, then calmly removed his wristwatch and placed it on the table.Vanessa watched him closely, her irritation building with every second.“Andrea, I’m talking to you.”He finally turned to her, his expression cold and distant.“Go and take care of my father,” he said flatly. “He hasn’t eaten anything since afternoon.”Vanessa blinked in disbelief.“…What?”But Andrea was already walking away.Without another word, he headed straight to his room.Vanessa stood there for a second, stunned.Then her face twisted with anger.“So I’m your daddy’s nanny now, right?” she muttered to herself. “Is that what I’ve become?”If only Andrea knew the evil thoughts running through her mind.***Vanessa walked into the kitchen an
086Andrea 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
027Andrea slammed the door open so hard it crashed against the wall.He stormed into the living room, brushing past his guards without even sparing them a glance as they greeted him.He dropped heavily onto a chair, dragging a shaky hand through his neatly styled hair. His fingers clawed through i
024“The number you dialed is not available at the moment.”Andrea angrily dropped the phone on the table. He had been trying to reach issabella again and again, but her number was not connecting. Did she block him?He picked up the phone again and stared at the screen. “Isabella,” he muttered.
023Miguel and Ethan stared at the doctor, there were already growing impatient, the doctor had asked them to come to his office few minutes ago, which they did and instead of telling them how the surgery went, he was busy scribbling what they had no idea of into a sheet. Miguel sigh in frustration
021It was the seventh time Miguel had called Isabella, but there was still no response. His thumb hovered over the phone, trembling slightly. This was unusual. He remembered that the last time she didn’t pick his calls, she had been kidnapped by Andrea. That thought alone made his chest tightened







