[11]

“No!” I cried out. “That’s not the kind of promise I meant!”But Adam was stronger than me. He forced me into the closet, shut the door, and before I could react, I heard him run out of the room. A second later, the sound of the bedroom door locking from the outside echoed in my ears.Damn it, Adam!I immediately started trying to get out. I threw myself against the closet door, slamming it with my shoulder. It hurt—but I didn’t care. There was no way Adam would act like this without a reason, especially not with the look he gave me. That terrified, pleading expression—like if I met whoever was at the door, something awful would happen. But what?What the hell was going on?The shouting outside grew louder, each word stabbing into my chest like a blade.“Vanessa! I know you're in there! Come out! Now! Or I’ll break the damn door down!”Still trapped, I gritted my teeth

Last Updated : 2025-06-28

[12]

“I’ll be back, Vanessa,” he warned, voice thick with menace. “And when I come, you’d better have the money. If not… don’t say I didn’t warn you.”“Come back all you want. I don’t care,” I shot back. “But you’ll get the same welcome. I’m still the useless daughter you called me. Funny, isn’t it? You insult me, yet you’re the one begging for help. Shouldn’t you be ashamed, relying on the daughter you claim is worthless?”“Damn you!” His eyes blazed with fury. “You’ll regret this, Vanessa. I swear you will. I just need you to cover a few expenses—your moneys not enough anymore. Didn’t you get hefty compensation from the hospital? Where is that money?!”I could see it in his eyes—he was dying to grab me, to slap me like he did to Adam. But his gaze kept flicking to the corner of the room, checking

Last Updated : 2025-06-30

[13]

“I need caffeine,” I muttered under my breath the moment I finished reading the breakdown from the hospital administration.Even with Adam’s insurance, there were still some treatments and medications that weren’t covered.“Maybe I should bring Rio a cup too. What kind of coffee does he likes?”Two cups of coffee were already in my hands. When it came to finances, there was no one else I could really talk to besides Rio. He understood Vanessa’s financial situation better than I did—though, honestly, I wasn’t sure there was a way out of this mess. I still remembered what he said about how critical things were. And with Vanessa currently unable to return to work as usual…“What am I supposed to—”“—Johan could find Vanessa? I told you—never let that man show up in front of her again—”I froze, my body moving on instinct as I ducked behind the wall outside Adam’s hospital room.Rio. Who was he talking to?“Damn it! Why am I even listening to you? You’re trying to back her into a corner a

Last Updated : 2025-07-02

[14]

“I don’t know if you remember the day of the school festival,” Adam said quietly. “You performed on stage. You sang.”I sat still, watching him. I’d asked him to tell me more about the man named Johan—who he claimed was our father.“Your performance was unforgettable.” A faint smile tugged at Adam’s lips, pride flickering in his expression like he was replaying the scene in his mind. “The whole auditorium stood and clapped. I remember how happy you were that day.”I kept my eyes on him, waiting for the part that would make that smile fade.“And that bastard was there too,” he added with a low growl. His fists clenched, the muscles in his jaw tight with barely restrained emotion. “It was the first time he ever saw you on stage. At first, he only came because Mom begged him. But after hearing you sing… something shifted.”“Shifted?” I echoed.“Yeah. After that, it was like—he became obsessed. He said you had a voice that could lift the whole f

Last Updated : 2025-07-04

[15]

“How do you like the house?” Rio asked as I settled into the seat across from him, after arranging the snacks he’d brought for tonight.“You really didn’t have to go through the trouble,” I replied.“I just happened to be nearby,” he said with a small shrug. “But I also wanted your opinion on the new place. Are you comfortable here?”I nodded, taking a sip of the tea, I’d just brewed. “The people you sent over were a big help, especially with Adam’s room. At least when he’s back home, everything will already be set up for him.”Rio leaned forward slightly, reaching for a piece of cake from the box he brought. “By the way,” he began, “are you ready for Miss Jeany’s dinner party?”I stared into my cup of tea for a moment before answering. “Mentally? Not completely. But Jihan already dropped off a few dresses from the brands we

Last Updated : 2025-07-06

[16]

“I don’t know why…” Rio paused, his eyes trailing over me slowly, from the tips of my shoes to the last strand of my hair, clearly weighing his words. “You look… different tonight.”I gave him a faint smile, not interested in denying it or entertaining the thought too deeply. “Is that a bad thing?”He quickly shook his head. “Not at all.”He moved to open the door of the van—spacious and sleek, clearly chosen for tonight’s event. The kind of ride meant for comfort and convenience, large enough to hold wardrobe pieces, a small crew, or maybe equipment for shoots. I imagined Vanessa, before the accident, riding in this same vehicle for press events, agency meetings, or studio runs.“You look stunning in that blue dress,” Rio added, his voice tinged with approval. “It’s simple, yet somehow… graceful and elegant.”“Maybe it’s

Last Updated : 2025-07-08