MasukRADA’S POVNicolas shook his head firmly. He roughly pushed away Dr. Nathan’s hand as the doctor tried to pull his arm to lead him out of the hospital room.“Rada, I know I was wrong… I’m so sorry. Please forgive me… “Give me a chance to make things right,” Nicolas whispered pleadingly, his eyes fixed on me with utter desperation.I stared at him blankly. Make things right? What could possibly be fixed after the devastation he’d already caused? Besides, I’d promised his mother to get as far away from his life as possible. I had to run. I couldn’t go back to being his prisoner.“I’m sorry, I can’t. Please go, Mr. Nicolas… I… I—”“Dada… It’s me…” he cut in quickly.I furrowed my brow in confusion. Dada?I was momentarily stunned by that name. Why was he calling me Dada? Could it be… that he was Nico from my childhood?“You haven’t forgotten, have you? It’s me, Dada… I’m Nico,” Nicolas continued, his voice trembling. “I once promised to make you happy… to help you blow out your birthday
RADA’S POVI didn’t immediately respond to Dr. Nathan’s offer—the orthopedic surgeon who had been treating me since I first arrived at this hospital. He was a warm man who had been extremely kind to me from the very beginning.I hesitated... Does a lowly, traumatized woman like me deserve the sincere attention of a man like him? I… I’m no longer pure. My body and soul feel so tainted that the very thought of entering a romantic relationship fills me with such fear that I don’t dare even consider it.Right now, I have only one greatest dream: to live peacefully, free from the shadows of fear and guilt that constantly haunt me.“Doctor, the operating room is ready,” a nurse’s voice cut in as she suddenly appeared in the doorway.I exhaled in relief. Dr. Nathan smiled warmly at me, then slowly pushed my wheelchair toward the operating room hallway.“Stay calm, Rada… This procedure will take quite a while, but afterward, you’ll be able to walk normally again,” he said, offering words of e
AUTHOR’S POV“I…” Nicolas’s voice caught in his throat. The powerful man was suddenly at a loss for words. But after just a few seconds’ pause, he puffed out his chest and spoke in a loud, confident tone.“I’m her fiancé! How is my fiancée, Doctor?! What about the results of her surgery?!” Nicolas pressed urgently.The orthopedic surgeon slowly removed the medical mask covering half his face, then gazed deeply into Nicolas’s eyes.Ever since Rada first arrived at this hospital, the doctor had taken a liking to and harbored an interest in the fragile young woman. This was especially true after learning from her medical records that Rada lived all alone, with no family or lover.It was clear that the young doctor had a strong desire to fill that precious role in Rada’s life—even though Rada hadn’t yet given him an answer to his proposal that morning.But now, a domineering man with disheveled appearance had suddenly appeared, firmly claiming to be Rada’s fiancé. How was that possible?“
ROOMAUTHOR'S POV"But... she doesn't want to see you again, son," Camila said softly, cutting him off as she voiced the fear in her heart. The middle-aged woman was also deeply shaken when she discovered that Rada was actually Dada—the little girl who had been part of her son's childhood more than a decade ago."That's because she doesn't know yet, Mother! Once she finds out that I'm Nico, her childhood friend... she'll definitely forgive me! She'll want to be with me again, Mother!" Nicolas exclaimed, his eyes blazing with hope. "Now, please tell me where she is?! I've... I've even prepared the best team of specialist doctors to heal her leg!" he added urgently.Camila didn't answer immediately. She turned her gaze toward her husband, looking at him with uncertainty."Perhaps right now... she's undergoing surgery," Javier said quietly, finally speaking up."Surgery?" Nicolas interrupted, his eyes widening in surprise.Javier nodded slowly before explaining further. "Yes. We've take
RADA'S POV"Ma'am, could you hide me? I don't want to see him ever again... I want to live in peace, Ma'am. I want to live without the shadows of fear and guilt hanging over me...""All right, I'll do that. You can live peacefully without my son casting a shadow over your life anymore. You can start a new life and find someone new to spend your life with... but please, never interfere in my son's life again!""You have my word, Ma'am. I'd even be willing to leave this country... I'll go as far away from your son as possible.""I'll hold you to that promise. Now, where will you go? Do you have a destination or a plan?""I don't, Ma'am... I have no one left in this world. As for my plans... I just want to be able to walk normally again. I want to be able to take proper steps... and run as far away as possible.""All right. I'll take you to the best hospital that can help with your leg condition. And after that, you'll be free to leave and run as far away from my son as you can."I clenc
AUTHOR'S POVAn oppressive silence suddenly fell over the living room after Clara walked out of the mansion, her steps stiff and unsteady.Camila buried her face against her husband's chest, sobbing uncontrollably. Her tears streamed down her cheeks, soaking Javier's shirt. An overwhelming sense of regret crushed her heart, especially since she had been the one who had once pressured Nicolas the most to marry Clara.Javier returned her embrace, gently and patiently rubbing his wife's back. He chose to remain silent, giving her time to let her emotions settle first.Eventually, Nicolas's deep voice broke the silence in the room.Nicolas let out a slow breath, looking at both his parents with an utterly exhausted expression, yet one that conveyed determination."Tell me... where is Rada now?" he demanded without beating around the bush.Camila slowly pulled away from Javier's embrace. She wiped the tears from her cheeks with trembling fingers before looking at her son with sorrowful eye







