LOGINIt had been two weeks since Devon fell into a coma and another two weeks since he woke up and refused to speak to anyone.The moment replayed in his mind as vividly as if it had happened yesterday. He remembered every detail with painful clarity. The moment his father uttered the name Goodwill Orphanage, the memories he had buried for years came rushing back all at once. Faces. Voices. Fear. Pain. Things he had forgotten, things his mind had desperately tried to protect him from. He remembered forcing himself to stay calm, holding everything together by the thinnest thread as he walked out of the house. He had wanted to make it to the car. Just the car.But the moment he sat down, the weight of it all crashed into him.The truth.The realization that everything he thought he knew about himself had been a lie.And then darkness.Karina came by again as usual to feed him.Over the past two weeks, she had become the only person whose presence he could tolerate for more than a few minutes
“Sit, please.” Mr. Russell gestured toward the couch. “Make yourself comfortable.”“Thank you, sir.” Karina sat down, offering him a warm smile.Mr. Russell laughed heartily, slapping his knee. “Just call me Dad.”Karina's cheeks warmed at his kindness, and she smiled back.“Thanks, Dad.”Devon still hadn't spoken since they arrived. He sat beside Karina, staring blankly at the space in front of him.A few moments later, his mother came downstairs. Mrs. Leila wrapped her shawl tighter around herself and rubbed her hands together for warmth. Judging by the look on her face, she was anything but pleased.“What do you need at this hour?” she complained as she sat beside her husband. “Do you know how late it is?”“It must be something important.” Mr. Russell patted her hand lightly. “Let's hear him out.”Mrs. Leila huffed and turned her gaze to Devon.Devon sighed and sat up straighter.He looked at his parents and opened his mouth to speak, but the words refused to come out.Karina notic
Devon watched with a faint smile as Karina moved effortlessly through the kitchen, preparing meals for customers.Ryan—the man from earlier, whom Karina had explained was both her junior and the person she had left in charge of the restaurant—worked beside her.No one needed to tell Devon that the way Ryan looked at her went beyond friendship.Even if Karina herself seemed completely oblivious to it.Leaning back in his chair, Devon took a better look around the restaurant.The place was small, but every table was occupied.As soon as one group of customers left, another quickly took their place.Business was clearly thriving.What surprised him more were the prices.For the quality of food being served, Karina was charging far less than he expected.Then again, considering the neighborhood, it made sense.Which also meant she was barely making a profit."I'm sorry," Karina said as she slipped on another pair of gloves and walked over to him. "We're unusually busy today, so we might e
"So you're saying the box made him like this?" Dr. Harrison asked as he checked Devon's pulse. "All of a sudden?""Yes. That's exactly what happened," Karina answered, unconsciously pinching her palm in anxiety.Dr. Harrison exhaled slowly before taking a seat across from Devon."This is the worst state I've ever seen you in," he said gravely. "Did anything happen before this? Anything at all?"Devon opened his mouth to answer, but his eyes drifted toward Karina.He hesitated."I'm not going anywhere," Karina huffed, crossing her arms before plopping down into the chair beside him.An exasperated sigh escaped Devon.Dr. Harrison chuckled at their exchange."When I was kidnapped—""You were what?!" Dr. Harrison practically shouted, staring at him in disbelief."It's a long story."Devon rubbed his temple before continuing."Anyway, I was locked in a room. Everything about that place felt strangely familiar. The painting that arrived at the manor today was the same one I saw there."His
Karina fluttered her eyes open and instinctively looked at the other side of the bed.Devon wasn't there.A flicker of worry rose in her chest. She quickly got out of bed and hurried downstairs.Her steps slowed when she spotted him seated at the dining table, eating breakfast as if nothing was wrong.Devon noticed her and gave a small nod.She smiled in return and made her way over, taking the seat beside him.Devon gestured for Patricia to bring Karina's breakfast. Patricia nodded and quietly placed the dishes on the table."Good morning," Karina greeted with a grin. She wanted to know whether Patricia still held a grudge against her or if she had softened even a little.Patricia paused for a moment, slightly startled as she set down the last dish.A faint smile appeared on her face."Good morning, Karina."Then, without another word, she turned and left.Karina's smile dimmed slightly, but she quickly brushed it off. At least Patricia was answering her greetings now.Across from he
Karina remained silent for a while before finally speaking.She lifted her head and met his gaze, determination shining in her eyes.“I want you to trust me.”She paused, carefully studying his reaction.When his expression remained unreadable, she continued.“No matter what happens in the future... I want you to trust me. Then everything I said earlier will still stand.”She finished in one breath and searched his eyes for an answer.Silence settled between them.For a long moment, neither looked away.Finally, Devon exhaled slowly.“I'll try.”His gaze drifted toward the window.Why not give her a chance?Then he would finally know whether what he felt for her was real... or just a fleeting illusion.After everything that had happened, he wanted to be certain.Karina's eyes immediately lit up.Before he could react, she wrapped her arms around his side and rested her head on his shoulder.“G-Get off.”Devon tried to push her away, but her grip only tightened.“No way.” She shook her
“This is beautiful. I didn't think you would remember something like this,” Karina said softly, pointing at the flowers.“How would I forget the girl who fed me delicious dishes?” Seth chuckled, shifting slightly to make space for the waiter to place their drinks.“Tch.” Karina rolled her eyes and
A while earlier…Jade stepped out of the car, the contract clutched tightly in her hand.She still couldn't understand why Devon had suddenly asked for the contract to be reviewed.Everything had gone well last night.At least… she thought it had.The review had placed their company in a difficult
Devon arrived at the scene, not a trace of panic visible on his face.He looked up calmly and spoke, “What do you want?”The maid laughed harshly, her eyes wide in a crazed manner.“Clear the path and make sure none of your guards follow me.”One of the guards immediately stepped forward and pulled
Karina made her way toward Devon’s study.She had been summoned there unusually early.Did something happen last night?Or was he still going to question her about Seth?Karina frowned slightly, her mind crowded with different possibilities.Last night, after dinner, just as they were about to head







