MasukEirene flinched at Bradley’s unexpected arrival. However, she did not turn around; instead, she quickened her pace. She had to leave as soon as possible, before her emotions overwhelmed her.
“Wait!” Bradley shouted, running after her and catching up to block her path. “You came.” His breath was still uneven from rushing out of the car, but he looked clearly relieved. “Why didn't you go inside?”
Eirene couldn’t avoid it any longer.
Barrett did not own that place without reason. In fact, it was one of his most carefully considered decisions.A café on the corner of the street was the perfect choice. It was almost unnoticeable among the other buildings. Its signboard was simple, with slightly peeling paint in places. It neither drew attention nor invited suspicion.The atmosphere inside was warm. Yellow lights hung low, casting a soft glow over the wooden tables, which were beginning to show their age. The rich aroma of coffee filled the air, mingling with the low murmur of conversation and the occasional clink of spoons against cups.Barrett sat in the corner. He sat with his back straight, one hand resting lightly on the table while the other held a cup of black coffee that was still releasing thin wisps of steam.Barrett appeared relaxed. He was never in a hurry—never had been. To him, waiting was part of the job. The most important thing was knowing exactly who was wo
The day began as usual—quietly, orderly and under control. Sunlight marked the morning as it streamed through Yoren’s tall curtains, casting soft lines across the cold marble floor. The air felt clean and cool, carrying the faint scent of cedarwood that always filled the room each morning.Yoren stood in front of a large mirror, observing his reflection. A black suit fell neatly over his shoulders, forming a sharp silhouette that reflected his discipline.Behind him stood Ruth. As usual, she moved efficiently, making invisible adjustments to the final details.Yoren picked up his tie, lifted it, and hooked it around his collar. His movements were calm and measured, like a ritual he had performed hundreds of times, until suddenly they stopped. He froze, not because he had forgotten the next step or made a mistake, but because he felt something inexplicable.One second, two seconds, and it continued. Time seemed to hold its breath along with Yor
That morning felt calmer than usual. Sunlight streamed through the large dining room windows of the Calloway residence, falling softly across the neatly laid table. The aroma of freshly brewed black coffee mingled with the scent of toasted bread and butter melting slowly on the plate.Paige sat with her back straight, but the way she held her cup suggested that her body had not fully recovered. Her movements were slower and her breathing felt heavier than usual.“How are you feeling?” Osmond asked, breaking the silence. His voice was calm, though not entirely without tension. He had been watching Paige for some time. “I heard you donated blood to Alpha again yesterday.”Paige lifted her gaze. “Yes,” she answered briefly. She took a slow breath before continuing. “Yes, I did donate blood to Alpha again yesterday. That’s why my body feels so weak right now.” She gave a faint smile, trying to appear fine. &ldquo
“Did you see Eirene?”Even Isabella wasn’t sure when she had said those words. Her voice had sounded sharper than she had intended; it was as if something within her had reacted faster than her thoughts.Daisy nodded. “Yes,” she answered lightly, her expression contrasting with the tone of the question. There was a glint of satisfaction in her eyes. “I saw her at a bar. She was with her friends. I think she’s staying at Sabrina’s apartment now.”Isabella fell silent for a moment. She studied Daisy’s face, trying to discern something hidden behind her relaxed expression. However, to Isabella, Daisy looked completely normal—if anything, she seemed pleased. It was a feeling Isabella had not expected at all. “How is she?” she asked.“She looked fine.” Daisy shrugged lightly, then asked in return, “Why? Are you worried about her, Mum?”Isabella quickly
Bricklane Bar was an average bar that didn’t seem particularly special at first. Its interior was dominated by dark wood, and the dim lighting was designed to create a warm atmosphere. The music playing wasn’t anything special either; just popular songs rearranged into slower tempos. It didn’t stand out, but it hadn’t been quiet for the past three weeks.It all started with a shocking incident about two months ago. A massive fire had reduced The Ledger to ashes, and the owner of Bricklane Bar had seized the opportunity to take over the premises.Bricklane Bar underwent a rebrand. The concept changed, becoming more appealing and drawing the attention of many people. As a result, it was now always filled with visitors every night.Daisy had heard about the bar two weeks ago. She had wanted to visit ever since, but Bradley had always been busy, whether with work or other commitments that he never really explained in detail. So she had no cho
Eirene knew that her main reason for leaving the Aurelion Residence was to escape Yoren's influence. She wanted to distance herself from him and stop thinking about him. If possible, she wanted to forget everything. Unfortunately, even after moving into Sabrina’s apartment and settling into a warm and familiar living room, she still couldn’t escape Yoren.His name kept resurfacing, as if it had never truly left. It lingered like something eternal.Eirene tried to act normally. She sat between Sabrina and Chloe, trying to keep smiling and stay composed. However, as time passed, she felt something inside her slowly begin to crack.“W-wait a second.” Sabrina’s voice sounded hesitant, almost disbelieving. “What did you say? Did Alpha end your partnership?”Eirene had thought that at least half of her problems would disappear once she left the Aurelion Residence, but that wasn’t the case. Distance meant nothing w
Since leaving the palace yesterday, Abigail’s mind had never truly settled. Even after arriving home, she was still thinking about everything that had happened there.Lost in thought, Abigail stood in her room. She stood near the large window overlooking the back garden, the curtains
The apartment door had just closed, yet the echo of the argument lingered in the air. The atmosphere felt heavy and oppressive.Sabrina strode briskly into the living room, her house slippers slapping loudly against the floor. Behind her, Chloe followed, grumbling non-stop.“That bastard,” Sabrina
Bradley parked his car right outside Sabrina’s apartment building. He had turned off the engine, but didn’t get out right away. Instead, he continued to grip the steering wheel tightly. His fingers tensed and his jaw hardened. His gaze was fixed straight ahead, but his focus seemed to be elsewhere.
The car pulled up smoothly in the palace courtyard and Paige got out at a leisurely pace. Her heels touched the stone pavement with an elegant, light sound. The morning air felt fresh, yet the palace always carried the same scent for her: power, order and something she had long considered her own







