LOGIN"Well?" Cleo leaned forward expectantly as Seren sampled the dish she had prepared. Her eyes never left Seren's face.She watched every reaction carefully, waiting for the verdict.After taking another bite, Seren finally looked up. She had no intention of lying.The food was genuinely delicious. Seren knew how to cook, but even she had to admit that she couldn't make something this good."It's amazing." The compliment came naturally. A bright smile immediately spread across Cleo's face."Really?" She looked delighted."Do you know how many years it took me to perfect that dish?" She rested her chin on her palm. "And here's a secret."Her smile widened. "I became a chef just so I could learn how to cook all of Rafael's favorite meals."Seren couldn't help feeling impressed. That level of dedication was extraordinary. Unfortunately, someone else clearly disagreed."For the record," Rafael said from the doorway, "you becam
"I honestly thought you'd be an actual little girl." Cleo tilted her head as she looked Seren up and down. "You know... a little, little sister."She laughed. "I didn't expect you to be a grown woman."Seren stared at her. For a moment, she was completely speechless. The longer Cleo spoke, the more irritated she became.She still didn't know why the woman had suddenly appeared in their house. And she was already beginning to dislike her.Whether Cleo was Rafael's friend or not, Seren couldn't stand the way she spoke.It wasn't exactly rude. But there was something about her tone that rubbed Seren the wrong way.Rafael immediately noticed. "You're overthinking things."His voice was calm. "It's been years since Dad talked to you about her."He glanced at Seren. "She couldn't stay a child forever." The emphasis on the last sentence wasn't lost on Seren. She narrowed her eyes at him.Rafael suddenly felt a chill run down hi
"Rafael!"A cheerful female voice suddenly rang through the office the moment Rafael stepped inside De Luna Corporation.Everyone froze. Before anyone could react, a young woman rushed toward him and threw her arms around him.Leo, Trisha, Kim, and Daniel, who were already inside Rafael's office, exchanged stunned glances.Even Rafael himself was caught completely off guard."Cleo?" His eyes widened as he gently pulled her back to get a better look at her face. The surprise on his expression was impossible to hide."Cleo, what are you doing here?"The young woman pouted playfully. "Well, at least you still remember me."She crossed her arms. "You haven't contacted me in ages. I was beginning to think you'd forgotten all about me."Before Rafael could respond, she slipped her arm around his and rested her head on his shoulder as though it were the most natural thing in the world.Several pairs of eyes immediately t
"Seren, can't you just stay here?"Anna's voice was filled with hope as she walked beside Seren toward the front gate.Breakfast had just ended. Just as Rafael had promised, he was coming to pick her up. Earlier, Seren had even received a message from Kim informing her that he and Rafael were already on their way."Anna," Lena said gently, "your sister has things she needs to do. Besides, she can always come back and visit whenever she wants."Seren glanced at her mother.After everything that had happened the previous night, she still didn't know how she was supposed to act around her.Perhaps one day they could become a proper family. Perhaps things could eventually become natural between them. But she knew it would take time."Aren't you staying?" Anna asked again."Anna," Lena warned softly."I'll visit whenever I have time," Seren said with a smile before turning to her mother. "I'm leaving now.""Oh..." Lena
Sleep refused to come.After lying awake for what felt like hours, Seren finally decided to get out of bed. She rose carefully, making sure not to wake Anna. Even when she opened the bedroom door, she moved with the utmost caution, determined not to disturb her sister's sleep.She had just started down the stairs when the sound of voices drifted up from below.Instinctively, she paused.From the staircase, she peeked into the living room and saw her parents sitting together, deep in conversation.She was about to retreat to her room when she suddenly heard her name.Seren was not the type to eavesdrop on other people's conversations. Yet at that moment, she found herself unable to leave. Something deep inside urged her to stay and listen."Do you think Seren suspects us?" her mother asked quietly."It wouldn't be surprising if she did," her father replied with a bitter laugh. "After everything we've done to her, she probably th
Seren could not tell whether the clothes in her hands felt heavier than they should, or if it was simply the weight of uncertainty settling in her chest.“I don't know if Mera's clothes will fit you,” her mother said as she stepped into Anna's room, carrying a neatly folded set of clothes. “But there isn't anything else here you can wear.”Without waiting for a response, she handed them over.“Thank you,” Seren replied quietly, accepting the clothes.“Get changed so we can have dinner.”And just like that, her mother turned and left.Seren remained standing there, staring at the doorway long after her mother disappeared downstairs.She was stunned. Not because of the clothes. Not because they had allowed her to stay. But because of how normal it all felt.Too normal. Too easy. Too different.“Why are you looking at her like that?” Anna asked, noticing the way Seren's gaze remained fixed on the empty doorway.Seren
“Do you really think the Sector Leaders will stop pressuring you to marry Seren just because of what you said?” Leon asked as they made their way toward Rafael’s office.“If those old men ever lose their minds, they might end up siding with Eric again,” he add
“Wow!” Seren stared up at the towering skyscraper before her, unable to hide her amazement.The moment she stepped out of Rafael’s car, her eyes were immediately drawn to the massive De Luna Group headquarters rising into the sky. It was her first time seeing the building
As a token of gratitude, Rafael sent the surviving terrorist back to the Bianchi headquarters. Alive. But barely. They hadn't killed him.They had simply made sure he suffered enough to understand what happened to those who crossed Rafael De Luna.When the package arrived, several B
As agreed upon by Rafael and the National Security Secretary, two elite soldiers were dispatched to Rafael's estate to assist in planning the rescue operation and clear the De Luna name from the allegations surrounding the Prime Minister's kidnapping.After an hour of preparation and strategic plan







