As Martins pulled up in front of Madam Katie's mansion, a wave of nervousness washed over me. I turned to Martins, my voice tinged with curiosity. "How did you know which house it was?" I asked, but Martins remained silent, his expression unreadable.As I moved to get out of the car, Martins surprised me by stepping out as well. Before I could protest, he enveloped me in a warm hug. I stiffened at first, caught off guard by his sudden display of affection, but soon I found myself melting into his embrace. It felt comforting, reassuring, amidst the uncertainty swirling around me."Be strong, Carina," Martins murmured, his voice gentle but firm. "You're capable of more than you realize."His words struck a chord within me, stirring up a whirlwind of emotions. "Why do you sound like you're saying goodbye?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper, as if afraid to voice my fears aloud.Martins pulled away slightly, his gaze meeting mine. "You won't understand," he replied cryptically, his

As Carina remained with Madam Katie, Martins paid her a surprise visit. Madam Katie couldn't help but notice the bruise on his face, prompting her to inquire if he had been in a fight. Initially, Martins brushed off the question, but under Madam Katie's persistent gaze, he relented."I went to Luke's house," Martins confessed, his voice tight with tension.Madam Katie's expression softened with understanding. "Because of Carina?" she ventured, her voice gentle yet probing.Martins nodded, his jaw set with determination. "Luke wouldn't stop insulting her, calling her names," he explained, his frustration evident.A heavy sigh escaped Madam Katie's lips as she absorbed Martins's words. "And what do you feel for Carina, Martins? Is it pity?" she asked, her eyes searching his face for the truth.Martins hesitated, his brows furrowing in thought. "I... I'm not sure," he admitted finally, his voice tinged with uncertainty.Madam Katie regarded him with a knowing look before changing the sub

Madam Katie sat behind her desk, a thoughtful expression adorning her features as she awaited Martins' arrival. When he entered the room, she motioned for him to take a seat, her eyes fixed on him intently."Martins, I need to discuss something important with you," she began, her tone serious.Martins nodded, his curiosity piqued. "Of course, Madam Katie. What's on your mind?" he inquired, his brow furrowed with concern.Madam Katie wasted no time in divulging the details of her encounter with Claire earlier that day, outlining her suspicions and her plan to use it as a test for Carina. Martins listened intently, his mind whirring with possibilities."So, you believe that Claire's invitation is a trap?" Martins questioned, his brow furrowing with concern.Madam Katie nodded, her expression grave. "Yes, I do," she confirmed, her voice laced with certainty. "And I intend to use it as an opportunity to gauge Carina's readiness to confront her past."Martins pondered her words for a momen

As I walked into the restaurant, my heart pounded in my chest. Meeting Luke after all this time filled me with a mix of emotions – anger, resentment, and a tinge of lingering affection that I wished I could shake off. The restaurant was dimly lit, with soft music playing in the background, creating an intimate ambiance that made me feel uneasy.I scanned the room, searching for Luke, and finally spotted him sitting alone at a corner table. Relief washed over me when I realized Leah wasn't with him. I couldn't bear the thought of facing her, knowing the pain her presence would bring. I approached Luke cautiously, steeling myself for whatever conversation lay ahead."Where's Leah?" I asked, trying to sound nonchalant, but failing miserably.Luke looked up at me with pleading eyes, his expression softening. "She's fast asleep," he replied softly. "I didn't want to wake her."My instincts told me to turn and walk away, to protect myself from the inevitable heartache that awaited if I stay

As I woke up the next morning, I reached for my phone and saw a flood of messages and missed calls from Luke. My heart sank as I listened to one of the voicemails – it was Leah, sobbing and pleading for me to come home. Without hesitation, I started packing a few things, feeling torn between my desire to see Leah and my wariness of Luke's intentions.I woke up to a flurry of notifications on my phone, all from Luke. My heart sank as I listened to Leah's tearful voicemail, pleading for me to come home. My mind raced with conflicting emotions as I dialed Luke's number."Hello?" Luke's voice was strained, filled with desperation."It's me," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "I got your messages. What's going on?""Carina, please come home," Luke begged, his voice trembling. "Leah's been crying since you left. I don't know what to do."I felt a pang of guilt at the thought of Leah's tears. "I'll come back," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady. "But it's for Leah, not for you.