MasukEli’s POV I opened my eyes slowly and for a moment, I just lay there, staring at the ceiling.I turned my head slightly, taking in the familiar space. I pushed myself up slowly and sat on the bed, stretching a little as I let out a quiet yawn. My body felt normal. There was no pain and no lingering discomfort. If anything, I felt rested and refreshed. But, that weird for someone who was poisoned earlier this morning. I glanced down at my hands, turning them slightly as if I expected to see some kind of sign. I exhaled and shook my head. “Maybe I’m just recovering fast,” I muttered. My stomach growled loudly. “Alright, I get it,” I said under my breath. I swung my legs off the bed and stood up. “Food first,” I added. I stepped out of my room and walked toward the stairs. The house was quiet, but not empty. I could hear faint movements from downstairs. As I reached the top of the stairs, I paused. I tilted my head slightly towards Dad’s office. I could hear Andy’s voice.
Jane’s POV I walked into the kitchen without making any noise. The smell of spices and frying oil filled the air. A few of the maids were busy—cutting vegetables, stirring pots, arranging plates. “Stop what you’re doing,” I said, my voice firm but controlled. “Everyone is needed in the living room. Now.” They all froze for a second, then quickly started putting things down. “Yes, madam,” one of them said. Within seconds, they began filing out of the kitchen one after the other.I stood still, watching them leave. Then, just as the last few were about to step out, I reached forward and grabbed one of them by the arm. She stiffened immediately. “Y-you… can go ahead,” she stammered to the others, trying to keep her voice steady. The rest didn’t question it and they left. The moment there is no one any longer,the air changed. I let go of her arm slowly and stepped closer. Her head was lowered and her hands trembled slightly. “Why didn’t you do exactly what I told you?” I as
Eli’s POV “Food poisoning?” I repeated, my voice filled with disbelief. I was sitting up now, the drip still connected to my hand. My body felt weak, but my mind was far from calm. Alaric stood beside the bed, his posture straight, his expression serious as he explained what the doctor had said. “Yes,” he replied. “The doctor said it wasn’t just ordinary food poisoning. There were signs that something stronger was in the food.” Something stronger? The words didn’t sit well with me. Before I could say anything else, Desmond spoke. “Apart from breakfast, what else did you eat today?” he asked, his eyes fixed on me. I shook my head slowly. “Nothing. I only had breakfast.” There was a brief silence. “Then it must have come from the breakfast,” Alaric said. His tone was calm and almost certain. I leaned back slightly, staring at nothing in particular. But… Who would poison my food? The question stayed in my mind, heavy and unsettling. The first person that came to mind
~~~~~~~~Alaric’s POV~~~~~~~ I had never felt panic like that before. The moment Eli collapsed in class, something inside me snapped. One second he was sitting beside me, and the next—he just… fell. For a few seconds, I couldn’t even move. Then everything rushed in at once. Voices, chairs moving and People standing up. I was already on my feet before I realized it. “Eli!” He didn’t respond and that was when the fear really hit. “Move,” I said, pushing past a few students as I reached him. “Give him space.” I didn’t wait for anyone to help. I lifted him carefully, adjusting his arm over my shoulder, and hurried out of the classroom. The school clinic doors opened quickly when I got there. “Help!” I called out. Two nurses rushed forward immediately, taking him from me and laying him on one of the beds. “What happened?” one of them asked. “He just collapsed,” I said, my voice tight. “He was fine, then suddenly he wasn’t.” They didn’t waste time as they started checking him imme
Eli’s POV “I’ll meet you during break this time. And I mean it,” Desmond said as soon as we stepped out of the van. We had just arrived at school. Students were already walking in through the gates, some laughing, some rushing like they were late. I adjusted my bag on my shoulder and looked at him. “You don’t have to,” I said. “Going to school together and going back home together is already enough.” I tried to sound casual, but I meant it. But as usual, he didn’t look convinced. He just smiled. “I’ll still come,” he said. I sighed quietly. Of course he would. There was no point arguing with him. “Do whatever you want,” I muttered, turning away as I headed toward the school building. “I will,” he called after me. I didn’t turn back. I walked into my class, and walked straight to my seat and sat down, placing my bag on the desk. I turned my head slightly to see that Alaric had been watching me the whole time. Our eyes met and I smiled immediately. “Hi.” Damn… this guy is damn
Eli’s POV I was scrolling through my phone when the maid knocked softly on my door. “Young Sir, your father and Andy have arrived,” she said. I didn’t wait a second. I jumped out of bed and rushed downstairs. “Dad! You’re back!” I said, a smile breaking across my face. I ran to him and hugged him tightly. He hugged me back, his hand rubbing gently across my back. I pulled away after a moment and went straight to Andy. “Are you okay?” I asked, staring into his eyes. Andy smiled, though it didn’t quite reach the corners of his mouth. “Don’t worry. I’m fine.” Guilt pricked me sharply at his words. I knew I was the reason he had been in danger. He must have noticed my expression because he hugged me again, rubbing my back to reassure me. Despite everything, I felt relief. He was back safe and unharmed. Dinner that night was lively as I laughed freely, enjoying the simple happiness of being with a family. After dinner, I slipped back into my room. I lay on my bed, staring at the c







