Chapter 30 The next morning, I woke up feeling lighter… but sadness quickly returned as I remembered last night’s conversation with Sisi. She didn’t hear me. I guess she had fallen asleep before my words could reach her.I turned to look at her sleeping peacefully beside me, still snoring softly. Sisi was never a morning person, and after yesterday's journey and hours of deep talk, I knew it’d be a long time before she opened her eyes.She looked beautiful and peaceful, like always. Just having her here made things feel a little easier.I stepped out of the room quietly and headed to the kitchen to prepare something for me, Sisi, and Grandpa. On the way, I noticed Grandpa sitting alone in the living room, deep in thought. His face was calm, but his eyes were distant.I walked up to him and gently touched his shoulder.“Grandpa…” I said softly, trying not to startle him.“Oh, Camila, my love.” He turned and smiled. “How are you feeling today?”“I’m okay, Grandpa,” I replied, though th
Chapter 29 I finished preparing the food and walked up to Roderick’s room. I knocked on the door… no answer. “Come to think of it, why didn’t Miss Miranda make something for him? Was it because she wanted me to do it?” I whispered to myself, unsure whether to smile or feel nervous. Finally, I decided to open the door and stepped inside. There he was. He looked so peaceful, so handsome. The way the sunlight hit his skin… it almost made him glow. And his lips—they looked softer than ever. The image of yesterday flashed in my head, sending a wave of heat through my chest. No, no, no. Focus, Camila. I shook my head, trying to drive away the thought. I walked slowly to his side and sat beside him, placing the tray on the bedside table. I couldn’t stop myself—I stared at his beautiful face for a moment, then gently reached out. My fingers touched his cheek, and my thumb brushed across his lips. I quickly turned back to grab my phone from the tray. But when I looked back… His eyes w
Chapter 28 "Roderick, will you kiss me?" I whispered, my voice trembling. My heart raced, my grip tightened around his hand, but I couldn’t meet his eyes. I braced myself for rejection. What I asked… felt too much, too forward, too vulnerable. I turned my gaze to the bedside, eyes fixed on the corner of the blanket. But then he spoke—his voice soft, yet firm. "Camila, if I do… promise me two things." He gently turned my face to his. Our eyes locked. "Promise you’ll never try to hurt yourself again. And promise you won’t return to work until we’re married. Deal?" I could barely breathe. His face was so close. I nodded slowly. “I… I promise.” He leaned in, and I felt his breath mixing with mine. Everything else faded. All that remained was his closeness, his warmth, and the silence between our heartbeats. Then, our lips touched. A jolt of emotion surged through me—shock, warmth, excitement. His lips moved gently, unhurried, careful. He pulled back slowly, watching my face, read
Chapter 27After Liam left, I collapsed into the chair, unable to move. The weight of the truth pressed on me like a boulder. My legs had given out. My head throbbed.Everything Federico said echoed in my mind—my parents, Grandpa’s lie, my own identity.Tears streamed down my face freely as I whispered to the empty room, “Why? Why me? Why did you lie to me, Grandpa? Who am I? Who were my parents really?”I fumbled for my phone with shaky fingers and opened my call log. I saw Sisi’s name—but scrolled past it.I tapped on Roderick.It rang. Once… twice…Then he picked up.“Yeah? What do you want?” His voice was cold—his usual.But I couldn’t hold it anymore. “Roderick… please come. I… I don’t want to be here anymore.”My voice broke, tears pouring uncontrollably as exhaustion overtook me. I didn’t hear his reply. The room began to spin. Heat crawled through my chest. Everything blurred.Then, darkness.---I woke up to a dull ache in my head, but I felt oddly comfortable. My eyes flutte
Chapter 26 “Here,” I said, placing the cups on the table. My hands trembled slightly, not from fear—but exhaustion. I didn’t know what was going on, but I was tired of fighting. Tired of screaming. I didn’t realize how draining anger could be until now. “Well done, beautiful,” Liam said with that infuriating smirk. His voice grated against my nerves. He enjoyed riling me up, and my face gave him all the satisfaction he needed. I hated him. “Now,” I said quietly, eyes sharp despite my drained voice. “Who are you—and what do you want?” The older man took a slow sip of tea, nodding. “This is good tea, young lady. Please… drink with us.” He offered me his cup. I wanted to throw it in his face. But they had a gun—and more importantly, I had Grandpa to think about. I couldn’t risk anything reckless. I took the cup, lifted it to my lips, and drank. It was sweet. I was thirsty. I nearly drank it all. “Here, here,” Liam chimed in, sliding his cup toward me dramatically. “Com
Chapter 25 “Oh my,” the younger man said, clearly entertained. “Looks like this beautiful chick is hot-headed. No wonder Damian took her in.” I stood frozen, holding the knife in trembling hands. Fear coursed through my veins, but I was more than willing to spill blood if I found out something had happened to Grandpa. They knew him. That much was clear. But they didn’t talk like friends. There was something dangerous in their tone—something that made my skin crawl. “Please, miss,” the older man said calmly, his voice steady. “Put down the knife. We can talk this out. No one wants to hurt you.” He said it with such ease, like I wasn’t pointing a blade at his chest. The younger man scoffed and raised my bra to his face, inhaling with a smirk. “Hot,” he muttered, tossing it aside carelessly. Then—he pulled a gun. My breath hitched. Not for myself, but for Grandpa. “Put that thing down, Liam,” the older one ordered, eyes locked on the gun. “Whoever she is, she’s with Damian. Tr