A Father

JackThe blinking light on the phone glows steadily.like an unblinking eye. Henderson stares into it, his chapped lips parted, chest rising and falling. He tries to smirk. Tries to control the narrative. But something cracks."You want the truth?" he says, his voice hoarse but swelling."Fine. Let's give them a show."He lifts his chin toward the lens."Yes, I made Willow end it. That boy—" he jerks his head toward me, "—was nothing. Poor. Reckless.I wasn't about to let her throw her future away on someone who'd end up begging for scraps."My jaw clenches, but I stay silent. Let him hang himself."I gave her options. She chose the smart one. She always did what I asked... eventually." He laughs, bitter. Like they were humane choices, like he didn't threaten her."Until now. Now she thinks she has power. A child. She thinks that protects her, but I made this family; I built it from ash, and I won't let her throw it away because she's still nursing some childhood wound." He snaps, lea

Magbasa pa

Hope

JackWillow is still visibly shaken when I lead her over to where I have the car parked. Out of the corner of my eye I see police cars approaching, so I help her into the car without a word, shutting the door behind me as I round the car to meet the policemenapproaching."Carter," the taller among the policemen, says with a large grin as he approaches. I recognise him as the town's sheriff and nod in acknowledgement."Sheriff Parker," I respond in kind, taking his outstretched hand in a firm handshake."He's back there," I say, nodding towards where I left that scum lying unconscious, and he signals to the policeman beside him, who nods and starts walking back there with a pair of silver cuffs in hand."Be careful, he had a gun," I mutter. "Have a good one, Sheriff," I nod before turning away and slipping into the car.***The road stretches ahead, dark and winding.Beside me, Willow is silent, curled into the passenger seat like she's holding herself together from the inside out.I k

Magbasa pa

Free

WillowWe pull up into the parking lot of the apartment building in silence.I don't expect him to speak—not after what happened at the hospital. But somehow, his quiet felt different now. Not cold, not angry, just...surrendered.Two of Cami's bodyguards stand by the entrance like sentries, ever alert as we approach."You can take the night off," I say softly to them, and they hesitate, their gaze drifting to Jack's before they nod and walk away.Jack fidgets awkwardly on his feet, turning halfway. "I'll see you around," he says, almost under his breath, turning fully to leave.I hesitate for a moment; my hand was already on the handle of the door, with my heart thudding like it wants to be heard."Jack."He pauses, turning slowly to face me. I look at his hands—bruised, bloodied, dried, and cracked from the fight he never should've had."Come in, let me clean those." I murmur softly, and his brows crease, as if he's just now noticing the damage. He follows my gaze and looks down at h

Magbasa pa

Dust Part One

JackThe park looks different in the fall. Quieter. Golden, like it knows things are changing and doesn't mind. Leaves drift down in lazy spirals, covering the paths in copper and amber. The wind is cool, not sharp; it's just enough to make me zip my jacket halfway and pull Cami's hoodie up when she forgets to.She is seated beside me on the bench, her legs swinging back and forth in thick woollen socks and sneakers too new to be scuffed. In her lap is a half-finished bag of gummy worms she'd offered me a tiny bit of and a crumpled napkin she refuses to throw away until she finds "the perfect trash can." I let her be. She has her rituals.Willow is on the picnic blanket a few feet away, her knees tucked up under her long coat and a book open in her lap. She hasn't turned a page in the last fifteen minutes. She keeps glancing our way, letting us be without really leaving. I'm grateful for that."Do you remember the first time we met?" Cami asks suddenly, eyes tracking a squirrel zigzag

Magbasa pa

Dust Part Two

The elevator doors slide open with a soft chime, and we step out. Cami's fingers are wrapped around mine, warm and small, swinging slightly as we walk down the quiet hall toward Willow's apartment.My eyes catch a figure standing by the door, head bowed low, arms clasped in front of her like she is waiting for a verdict. Even from a distance, I feel it—hesitation, fear, maybe guilt. I slow down, and Cami does too.As we get closer, the woman straightens and lifts her head.I know that face.The maid.The one who tried to stop me that day outside Henderson's office. The one whose eyes had darted angrily when I shoved past her. I never forgot her.My grip on Cami's hand tightens slightly."Irina," Willow says beside me, her voice soft with surprise. Her eyes widen, her whole body stilling as the woman looks from her to me and back again."Willow," Irina whispers, her voice cracking around the edges. "I know I shouldn't be here. But I really need to talk to you. Just for a minute. Please

Magbasa pa

Epilogue

A Few Months Later:The garden shimmered with magic.Strings of golden fairy lights draped from tree to tree, casting a warm, ethereal glow across the night. Lanterns nestled among hedges flickered like little stars, and soft music drifted through the open air, mingling with laughter and the gentle clink of wine glasses. A crisp breeze rustled through the leaves, sending petals fluttering from nearby floral arrangements, but no one seemed to mind. The night was perfect.At the centre of it all sat a long, elegantly set table adorned with white linen, candles in tall glass holders, scattered eucalyptus, and bowls of colourful dishes. It was a feast—but more than that, it was a gathering of family, of friends, of love reclaimed and promises renewed. It was their wedding dinner.At the head of the table, Jack sat with Willow perched on his lap, nestled in as though she belonged there—and she did.She wore white, soft and flowing, with thin straps and a modest neckline, the fabric catchin

Magbasa pa

Lahat ng Kabanata ng When a Bad Boy Falls Inlove: Kabanata 61 - Kabanata 66

A Father

Hope

Free

Dust Part One

Dust Part Two

Epilogue