MasukLiora "Look who finally decided to show up." A voice cut in, momentarily making Soren pause in his tracks. It was vaguely familiar, and out of pure curiosity, I lifted my head from Soren's chest, locking eyes with the familiar figure. It was Reagan Clark, a very a famous name in the country. He was a rich heir from one of the rich families in the capital, and also, Soren's best friend. Although he wasn't unfamiliar to me, it was the first time I was seeing him in person,I had only seen him in the news and the finance magazines, after all. While Soren was cold and unapproachable, Reagan Clark was the opposite, refined, and effortlessly easygoing. Unlike the many times that I had seen him smile in the news though, the current him looked like an ice pool, almost like a bomb, about to explode. When our gazes locked, his eyes deepened, almost in scrutiny, then his eyes softened, before he flashed me a smile, charming, like the heartbreaker he was. Yes. Aside from being a
Liora. It felt like yesterday when Soren and I landed on the private Island. Back then, our relationship was rocky, the kind that forced you to stay on your toes every other second. Back then, I had to be extra careful around him- how I talked, how I sat, and how long I stared, afraid of upsetting him, or even worse, breaking the contract terms. And again, two weeks ago, I was scared to let him know that I had fallen in love with him. But now, after two weeks of sleeping next to each other, limbs tangled and breaths mixed, all that- the contract and the need to be cautious around him was forgotten. Now, the two of us were practically inseparable. It was weird how many things could change in a span of just two weeks. And just like that, our two-week honeymoon break was over. As I sat next to him in his private jet, I couldn't help but get emotional. Those were the best two weeks of my life. Spending time with Soren, the quiet and peaceful sunset moments, the delicious b
Liora. "Are you disappointed that I didn't regain my memories like you had hoped by telling me all that?" My voice was a little low, barely masked sadness coating it as I asked. I didn't even lift my head to look at Soren. My eyes were glued on the steak on my plate, and yet, I couldn't even see it. My mind was far away, and my thoughts were muddled. "Are you sad?" Instead of answering my question, Soren asked, his voice so deep that against my better judgment, I lifted my head to look at him. Heavens! He had a way with his voice. Even in the middle of an emotional disaster, I couldn't help but get distracted. And to answer his question? Well, I gave him a feeble nod, very unconvincing. Who was I kidding? I was more than just sad. I was heartbroken. I had hoped to regain my memories sooner, know my roots, and revisit my relationship with Soren, back then. Yet, even after the outlined images, and everything, my mind was still blank, beautifully vacant of the truth that I w
Liora. "Even if your real family opposes our union?" He asked, his voice strained and his face beautifully expressionless. For a moment, I froze in place, my body stiffening as I tried to process his words. My whole life, I had been treated like dirt. Something to trample over with no real consequences. In all those years, I could count on my fingers just how much genuine affection I had received from the world. Even before he knew I was Astrid, Soren treated me genuinely. He took care of me when I was sick, and basically treated me better than anyone had ever, in years. Not to mention, I was already in love with him, and he was the father of my unborn child. As Liora, from the moment I started falling in with Soren, I had only hoped for one thing: reciprocity and now that Soren felt the same way as I did, now that our relationship was progressing beautifully, how could I dare ask for more? Unless Soren said he wanted nothing to do with me anymore, I would do anything
Liora. The second outline had tears welling up in my eyes. The image outlined a familiar space, one that I could recognise even with my eyes closed, and looking at it, my fingers trembled slightly as I caressed the images. No wonder that the moment I had stepped onto the private island, I had been washed by a sense of familiarity. The flowers, the house, the swing, and the lake- they had all seemed like pieces of a puzzle, closing in on a game I hadn't even known I had been playing. The second image was captured on the very island that I was on, just a few meters from where Soren and I were seated. From the outline, I was seated on the swing, a princess Tiara placed on my head, a wide smile playing on my lips, and next to me stood my mother, a warm smile plastered on her lips. I seemed to have been celebrating my birthday, all happy, surrounded by love and warmth, without the slightest care for the world. Who knew that years later, my perfect world would be overturned and
Liora. My fingers trembled slightly as I held the album. It was light in my hands, ridiculously so, almost feather-like. For a brief moment, my eyes moved to Soren, filled with doubts. He said he wanted me to regain my memories naturally. He said it was better if I learned who I was from my memories rather than being told. And yet, he had just given me an album, which I assumed held photos of my family and me when I was young..? but what if I didn't regain my memories even after seeing the photos? The thought had anxiety and dread coursing through me in waves. "Can I?" After contemplating for a while, I asked, my voice so small that it was barely above a whisper. "Yes. Go ahead." He encouraged, a small, almost amused smile playing on his lips. At his words, my hands moved even before my brain could react, and I flipped the hard cover, only to close my eyes dramatically before I saw the first image. At that point, I felt like I was going to lose my mind. My heartbe
Liora. After our last confrontation, the following weeks passed in a blur. You know? The same routine, interning at the elite company that the Quinns paid for me to attend, playing the perfect daughter, donating blood for Seris, organising their upcoming grand engagement party, and most impo
Liora. Five minutes! I mumbled softly as I took the elevator down, not even bothering to lock the door behind me. After everything that had happened, Seris's and Tavian's betrayal, you would have expected me to rebel, especially against my foster family and their control, no? Well, I actual
Liora. A deep and pounding headache yanked me awake, and I stirred groggily from my sleep. Deep silence stretched heavily in the room, not the usual calming silence, but the kind that buzzed deep into your scalp. My body felt weak, fatigued, like I'd been run over by a speeding truck. An
Liora. Outside, the air was still the same, cold, just the way I liked it, and yet, I didn't get the familiar comfort it used to give. The snow was falling, Christmas lights flickered, merry Christmas songs weaved softly in the air, cars passed by, hooting, honking, and my eyes stung just f







