“Does Dad not want Ray anymore? Is that why he hasn’t come back?”
Rayden’s question caught Amora off guard. It had been a long time since Rayden last asked about his father’s whereabouts.
In the past, Amora had concocted a story about Rayden’s father, claiming he was busy working in a distant country.
She told this lie to give her son peace of mind. Amora planned to tell him the truth when Rayden grew older.
But a lie is still a lie. Amora had to keep coming up with new excuses until Rayden eventually stopped asking about his father.
"Why... why would you suddenly think that?" Amora asked, panic creeping into her voice.
"If Dad really cared about me, shouldn't he still come to see me and Mom no matter how busy he is?" Rayden mumbled, his face downcast with sadness.
“Ray—”
“Ray knows Mom’s lying,” Rayden interrupted, catching Amora off guard, "Ray doesn't have a dad at all, right?"
Amora’s eyes grew wide. She was complete
“Crap!” Regis blurted as he suddenly pulled away from the kiss, staring at Amora in alarm.Amora frowned. Her hazel eyes searched his face in confusion, thinking something bad had happened—until he said, “I think I want to devour you.”Amora gawked at him, her eyes wide. Then a faint smirk curved her lips as she gave him a light smack on the back of his hand.Regis chuckled softly. Even though Amora couldn’t scold him out loud, her annoyed expression said it all.His desire had been building like wildfire. The overwhelming joy of having her awake again stirred something deep inside him. If it weren’t for her current condition, he probably wouldn’t have stopped at just a kiss.“It’s been so long since we did ‘that,’ babe. Don’t you feel sorry for me?” Regis teased, eyes gleaming with mischief as he watched her cheeks flush a bright pink.Amora cleared her throat awkwardly and rolled her eyes before mumbling under her breath, “Pervert .…”Regis let out another amused laugh. He reached f
“A-Amora … This … this isn’t a dream, right?” muttered Regis with trembling lips. His eyes were foggy from the tears blocking his vision.He still couldn’t believe what he was seeing. Slowly, he stepped closer to her, hesitantly reaching out to take her hand.“I’m not dreaming, am I?” asked Regis once again.However, Amora did not respond and only gave a very weak-looking smile.“My wishes really came true. This … this is truly an amazing miracle,” Regis whispered in disbelief, still overwhelmed by the sight before him.A profound sense of gratitude filled his heart. He had never imagined his desperate prayer would be answered. Compared to any gift he had ever received, Amora’s consciousness was the most precious gift of all.“Do you recognize me? Try to say something, Amora,” Regis pleaded anxiously.Amora hadn’t said a word since she opened her eyes, and part of him still feared that this was all just a dream.Amora’s eyes were hazy. She tried to open her mouth, struggling to form a
“I’m here again, Amora,” Regis whispered as he set the shopping bags down on the nightstand beside her hospital bed.“How was your sleep today? Did you dream about me?” he asked with a faint, forced smile tugging at the corners of his lips.“I brought you something today,” Regis continued, pulling a medium-sized cake box from one of the bags and placing it carefully on the table.“Do you know what day it is?”Silence.Regis gave a soft, sad chuckle. “It’s my birthday, Amora. Aren’t you going to say something to me?”Regis slowly took her hand. He grasped it tightly, then looked down deeply.“I only want one thing today, Amora. Will you grant me that?”Regis brought her hand to his lips and kissed it gently. “Give me a miracle, Amora,” he whispered.It had been a month since Regis sat in the same spot, saying the same words, holding onto the same hope. And not once did he ever consider giving up.He sat still, deep in prayer. In the quiet of his heart, he asked for forgiveness for ever
"What?" Estelle’s eyes widened in disbelief. “I’m sorry, I thought…”Biana offered a faint smile. “It’s okay. Maybe we just weren’t meant to be,” she murmured.“So what really happened? Do you mind if I ask? Because honestly, I think he still has feelings for you, Biana,” Estelle said, her curiosity piquing.She had seen the way Mark looked at Biana—quiet, subtle glances full of something unspoken, every time they were in the same room.“Throughout our relationship, I could never tell if he was actually serious about me,” Biana admitted.Estelle’s brows furrowed. “What do you mean? Was Mr. Carter just playing around? Did he … take advantage of you?” she asked, her mind jumping to all the worst possibilities.Biana shook her head. “No, nothing like that.”“Then what?” Estelle arched an eyebrow, clearly not letting it go.“I just never knew where I stood with him. He was always caught up in work. He canceled on me three times in a row,” Biana sighed.Estelle was quiet for a moment. She
The morning sun cast a warm glow across the room, its rays falling gently on Amora, who still lay unconscious on the hospital bed. Two women, both her age, sat beside her, keeping her company.One of them sat by her side, carefully wiping her face and arms to keep her clean. The other arranged a bouquet she had brought earlier.The room was filled with fruit baskets and flower arrangements, all sent by couriers on behalf of prominent businessmen and major companies—partners and affiliates of the Royal Dragon and the Volker family, who had heard about Amora’s condition.Of course, their gestures were partly to show sympathy, but mostly an attempt to stay in the good graces of the Lorenzo and Volker families.“Ugh, these people didn’t even bother to check what she might be allergic to. They just sent flowers at random. They should’ve at least made sure nothing here could trigger a reaction,” muttered Estelle Mauverick, sorting through the bouquets.She was careful to remove any flowers
“Don’t speak for everyone. This was all about you and your selfishness, Dad!” Cedric spat, his voice filled with rage.Alejandro had expected this. His son clearly still couldn’t accept the decision.“Cedric—”“Don’t act like I don’t know you did all of this for Regis Lorenzo and your precious little daughter,” Cedric cut in, voice dripping with sarcasm.Alejandro remained calm. He knew that no matter what he did, Cedric wouldn’t accept his decision. But he still wanted to try—he wanted to mend their broken bond.“Cedric, I regret what your mother did. Maybe you blame me for not stopping her when I had the chance. And if hating me for the rest of your life brings you peace, then so be it. I’ll carry that burden. But please don’t forget … you’re still my son.”Cedric laughed bitterly. He saw every word from his father as nothing more than guilt dressed up as concern.“You know what word I hate the most now?” he hissed.Alejandro said nothing. He could feel the fury radiating off his so