A loud shout echoed through the hospital corridor, breaking the silence. Angelina, who was standing beside the ICU bed, reflexively turned around toward the growing commotion.“Get out, you! You bring bad luck!” screamed a middle-aged woman with smudged makeup and eyes filled with anger.Angelina stepped out. There, Evelyn stood with trembling hands, pointing at her.“Mrs. Evelyn, this is a hospital, not a jungle. Could you please lower your voice?” Angelina said calmly.“Who do you think you are, daring to tell me what to do?! Ever since you came into Axton’s life, my son has done nothing but suffer! You’re a curse!” she snapped as she approached.Angelina clenched her fists, squeezing her fingers as her chest tightened. In the past, she might have simply bowed her head and respected Evelyn as her mother-in-law. But now, things were different.“If you want to find a scapegoat, go ahead. But don’t forget—Axton is a traitor and has ruined my life!”“Because you’re not worthy of being p
The sound of car horns echoed back and forth on the Washington freeway that afternoon. The lights of the vehicles formed a long line that flickered erratically. Amidst the chaos, a black car sped along—out of control.“Malic! Focus on driving!” Axton shouted from the back seat, gripping Moreen’s trembling hand.“I... I’m sleepy, sir...” Malic replied weakly, stuttering. His eyes struggled to stay open, but his eyelids kept drooping.“Stop! Pull over now!” Axton shouted, panicking.But it was too late.The front tire skidded, colliding with the road barrier. Moreen’s scream split the car cabin.“Axton...!”BRAAAKK!!A violent collision shook the entire vehicle. The car spun wildly, colliding with another vehicle coming from the opposite direction. Glass shattered. Metal clanged. Smoke began to fill the front of the car. The alarm blared, adding to the uncontrollable panic.Moreen collapsed beside the door, blood flowing from her temple. Meanwhile, Axton was trapped between the seat and
“What nonsense is this?!” Axton shouted, his voice echoing through the room that had once been his throne room.Angelina stood up slowly, her eyes never leaving Axton’s flushed face. “You can be angry, but you can’t deny the facts. Almero is no longer yours, Axton.”Axton took a quick step forward, almost charging at the table, but was stopped by two men in black suits who suddenly appeared at the doorway.“Step back, Mr. Axton,” one of them said in a flat tone. “This is no longer your territory.”“Damn it! Do you think you can kick me out of the office I built with my own hands?!” Axton shouted, his eyes wild.Angelina stepped closer. “You built it, yes, but you also destroyed it. You were the one who brought Almero into debt and dirty deals with outside parties. You think Derox came just to save us? No. They came because you handed over the company.”“I never signed the transfer of control!” Axton pushed away the guard’s hand that was trying to hold him back.Angelina stared at him
That night, Axton's office was filled with cigarette smoke hanging in the air. His hand clutched a glass of bourbon, while his eyes stared blankly at the pile of debt documents on the table.Suddenly, there was a soft knock on the door. “Axton,” Evelyn’s voice echoed as she slowly entered the room. “There’s a man who wants to speak with you. He said... he’s from the Derox Company Group.” Axton raised an eyebrow. “Why come here, Mom? Just tell him I’m out of the country.”Evelyn hesitated. “So... you want to avoid him?”The glass in Axton’s hand nearly slipped from his grasp. “I’m not avoiding him; I’m just calming my mind. My emotions are unstable,” he said coldly.Evelyn nodded slowly. “But... the man is already waiting in the living room.”"Ask Moreen to come see me!" ordered Axton."Axton, your wife left this afternoon. She hasn't come home yet," replied Evelyn, looking worried at her son's angry face. Axton was clearly not feeling well.With a swift motion, Axton tossed the re
The small shop on the corner of the street, not far from the crematorium, always had the distinctive aroma of mint and ginger. Its warm atmosphere embraced anyone who entered.Angelina sat in a chair near the window, wearing a thin, cream-colored sweater. Her hands clutched a cup of hot tea, while her eyes stared at the old woman across from her."Hana..." Angelina said softly.Hana lifted her face, her wrinkled lines tightening as she smiled. “You look worried, Angelina. What’s wrong?”Angelina took a deep breath. “The Almero family isn’t doing well.”“What do you mean?” Hana’s eyebrows raised.Angelina finally recounted the events of Hans’s failed engagement night. Hana listened intently; her expression was serious and curious."This morning, I saw the news on the internet. All the reporters were standing in front of the gate, waiting for the owner of the house to come out."Hana smiled slyly. "We'll just be loyal spectators, watching how those arrogant and greedy people solve this
The next day, as promised, Hans came to the café—where Angelina had been working part-time for the past few months. The café was never really crowded, but it was always warm. Large glass windows displayed a view of the busy street, and the aroma of roasted coffee filled the air.Angelina, who was tidying up the tables, immediately smiled when she saw the man standing near the entrance, wearing a light blue shirt rolled up to his elbows."Hans," Angelina greeted him, removing her apron. "You came too.""Of course. A promise is a promise," Hans smiled, then sat at a table near the window, where the afternoon light illuminated his face.Angelina handed him the menu, though she already knew his favorite dish."But today, I'm treating you," she said, her smile gentle."In that case," said Hans as he opened the thin menu featuring signature dishes such as grilled salmon with lemon butter, creamy mushroom pasta, and chicken quesadilla, which was always served warm with guacamole sauce."I'll