MasukGABRIEL:"Do you remember what you told me and asked me to do?" I asked her, caressing her left cheek—I had missed her so much.She shook her head. "I can't remember. I only recall saving a man and him giving me the watch."I stared at the lady standing beside me, disappointment settling in my chest. She hadn't remembered me or my words.I knew it had been four years, and she might have forgotten. But I hadn't expected her to forget her own words to me.She had told me; "Please don't die on me, sir. Stay with me…"I stared at her face, speechless, before stepping away. "It's alright. What did you come to do at the hospital yesterday? I saw you crying, and you bumped into me."She frowned, as if she had no idea what I was talking about.I asked, "Weren't you the one?"I recalled the lady wore the same white nurse dress with blue print at the top."I am. I was in a hurry to leave for home. My dad called me for an arranged marriage to his rich best friend—old enough to be my father. I do
ARIANNA:"Is everything alright, miss?" the driver asked, noticing my heavy breathing, as if I had just escaped a death trap."Yeah. I'm fine. Hurry up—I don't want to miss the person I'm going to find.""Oh. Sorry, miss. But the traffic this morning is too bad," he pointed at the blocked road, and I groaned."When will this traffic clear up?" I murmured, displeased by the sight before me. The road was clogged with cars honking at those in front to move.East Polls Capital had always been a busy place.Sighing, I reclined into the black seat, knowing I couldn't trek to my father's house—it was too far from Milos Hospital. So I waited for the road to clear.I pulled out my phone and texted Edith.Me: Edith, have you seen Don Gabriel yet?I waited for her response, my heart still pounding as I recalled how Don Gabriel had stared at me from his car. He perched at the rear, and a driver glide in.Why did he have the same eyes as the man who was with me last night? "No. It can't be him," I
ARIANNA:Vincent wore a white top that hugged his muscular chest, paired with brown trousers and polished black shoes. I couldn't believe this was the same man who had asked me to be his girlfriend three years ago.My eyes narrowed at the sight of him, and my bottled-up anger surged."Vincent, what are you doing here?" I asked, my voice icy and loud enough to draw attention."Arianna, I'm sorry about what happened yesterday," Vincent apologized, striding toward me."What do you mean? You made it clear we're over. What more do you want?" I demanded, my tone frigid."Arianna, I'm sorry. I know you have every right to be furious. But you're a Maddox. How did I not notice you share a slight resemblance to your father?" Vincent pointed out, and my brows furrowed at his words."Just get out!" I pointed at the gate. "Leave now, as you can see I'm leaving too. We're over. I don't know you, and you don't know me. Don't stop me on the way again, Vincent." I threw his own words back at him—the s
ARIANNA:"Edith, give me back my watch!" I called out and reached to snatch the golden piece from her hand. But she had already strapped it on before I could collect it.My eyes widened at the golden watch circling Edith's wrist. Even after four years, it still gleamed like it had just been purchased."Oh my goodness, Arianna! This is real gold. How much did you get it for? I love it!" Edith asked, blushing as she admired the watch."Edith, take it off. It's not mine," I told her, and her eyes narrowed at me."You're lying to me, Arianna. Please, let me have it," she begged. My jaw dropped as I stared at her in disbelief."Edith, this watch isn't mine. A man gave it to me," I told her, and her jaw dropped at the mention of a man."A man? Arianna, I thought you said you were a virgin? Wait—did you cheat on Vincent?" She asked, her eyes wide with shock."No! I didn't cheat on him!" I stomped my foot on the ground. "The truth is, a man gave me this wristwatch after I helped save him on t
ARIANNA:Some neighbors passed by my apartment door, and I quickly pulled Edith inside. After all, most of those women who lived in the building didn't like my mother. Before my mother's health deteriorated, they had mocked her for her inability to keep her home.Tears pricked at my eyes at the recollection, but I tried to act brave. Now was not the time to lament."Arianna, what the hell happened to you? Did you get into a fight with someone at Milos Hospital yesterday? You told me everything was fine," Edith asked, settling onto the single brown couch in the room.The apartment was a self-contained room and parlor—one bedroom, a bathroom, a parlor, a kitchen, and a small passage connecting the room to the kitchen."Arianna!" Edith called my name, and I sighed."Why would I get into a fight?" I moved to sit next to her on the brown couch, but she shook her head."You're not telling me the truth. Wait a minute—did someone strangle your neck? What are these handprints?" She leaned clos
ARIANNA:Most of the neighbors were already asleep, since up to eight of them lived in the one-story building. Four tenants occupied the top floor, while my mother and I shared an apartment on the lower floor.I rushed to our door, pulled my spare key from my white nurse uniform pocket, unlocked it, and slipped inside.Once in the room, I exhaled heavily, my body still trembling, and I locked the door behind me. The messy space came into view—the worn-out bedsheet covering the bed. Though the place was small, everything had been neatly arranged, just as I'd left it that morning before heading to work.Drawing a deep breath, my tired legs carried me to the bed. The next moment, I collapsed onto it, crying and shaking.I had vowed to save my virginity for my husband. Now I'd lost it to an older man—old enough to be my father's age-mate.Tears streamed down my cheeks and soaked the bedsheet. I knew I had to go to work tomorrow, even though it was my off day. I needed to make up for my ab
Gabriel.I felt stunned when that lady bumped into me."Easy, Nurse. Watch where you're rushing to," I said, my tone cold as ice, thinking she was one of those nurses trying to gain my attention.But I caught the sweet lemon scent radiating from her. Instead of shouting, I stood speechless, watchin
Arianna. When we stepped into the feminine clothing store, Rose gestured to the female representative, who strode to meet us.Several young women were in the store. It was Friday, so the store buzzed with shoppers busy selecting different dresses, handbags, and underwear."Welcome, Ma'am. What wou
Arianna.I stood waiting for my stepmother to make the call as she dialed a contact. Her tone shifted to a softer, sweeter sound as she said, "Hello, Don Milos, the Mafia Don." "Who is this?" The old, crackly voice asked, and a chill rammed down my spine."It's Rose. Your Rose," my stepmother repl
Arianna."Babe, it's no one. I'm fine. I promise you," Vincent said, kissing Talia's cheek. She narrowed her eyes at me."Vince, if you don't tell me who hit you, I'm not leaving here. Whoever touched you deserves to apologize. Tell me, so I can deal with them. Mm?" Talia touched Vincent's chin and







