Lily's body tensed, her mouth parting in protest. The thought of involving Mike clawed at her nerves. She hadn’t forgiven him. She didn’t think she ever would. The betrayal, the abandonment— it still burned under her skin, fresh as the day it happened. “I don’t think that's necessary—" Lily started to argue, but Miranda cut her off with a firm shake of her head. “He deserves to know, Lily,” Miranda said, her voice hard with finality. “Whether you like it or not.” Ben nodded grimly, already pulling out his phone. “He’s her father, too.” Lily wanted to scream, wanted to smash the phone out of Ben’s hand, but a small voice inside her whispered that maybe they were right. Maybe it was the least she could do. Ben put the call on speaker. The phone rang once, twice, three times. Then Mike’s voice came through, smooth and detached. They told him. They told him that Winnie was dead. For a moment, Mike was silent. A long, heavy pause that felt like it stretched for miles. Then he gas

The service ended quietly. No loud cries, no wailing. Just a heavy silence that pressed against every heart like a hand too firm to push away. They moved outside to the small graveyard behind the chapel. A slight drizzle had started, cold and sharp against their skin, but no one cared. No one even tried to shield themselves from the rain. It was as if they welcomed it — the cold, the sting — because it was the only thing they could still feel. The small casket was lowered slowly into the ground, the ropes creaking under its weight. The sound made Andrew flinch. It was too final. Too cruel. A grim reminder that there was no waking up from this nightmare. He watched as Miranda tossed a single white rose into the grave. Then Ben. Then Lily, her hand trembling so violently she nearly dropped the flower before it reached the edge. Andrew stayed back, his fists clenched in his pockets. Part of him screamed to move, to walk forward, to say goodbye properly. But his feet were glued to th

The air was filled with uneasy murmurs as the tension in the room grew more tense . Morin stepped forward, his jaw clenched, his polished shoes echoing against the marble floor. “l’ll give you one last chance to back out," he hissed, his eyes cold. "Drop that foolish demand of yours and walk out of this place with your life intact. But if you persist ,don't blame me for what becomes of you” Morin sneered , his eyes brimming with anger and venom Andrew stood unfazed, his hands in his pockets, his posture relaxed yet commanding. A faint smirk curled his lips as he met Morin's glare head-on. "Back out?" Andrew said, his tone calm but laced with coldness . "If anyone should reconsider, it's you. After all, I'm just a nobody, remember? A man whose life holds little value compared to yours—an heir to the Coins family, with all its wealth and influence. It would be such a shame to see someone with a 'bright future' throw it all away so recklessly." Andrew taunted casually Morin’s

An uncomfortable silence sat between Andrew and the young girl , as he drove through the empty streets. Ever since she got in the car ,she hadn't said a word . She sat curled in the passenger seat, arms wrapped tightly around herself, her body trembling despite the warmth of the car’s heater. Andrew stole a glance at vulnerable state , his chest constricting with pity . She looked so young and vulnerable . Her lip was split, her cheek swollen, dark bruises blooming along her arms. Her bare feet were caked in dirt, her thin dress torn in places. She looked fragile and torn . He exhaled sharply, focusing back on the road. He had no business getting involved. He had his own war to fight, his own revenge to see through. Yet, something in him refused to look away. “They won’t stop,” she said suddenly, her voice barely above a whisper. Andrew turned to her. “What?” “They’ll keep looking for me,” she murmured. Her fingers dug into her arms, nails pressing against bruised sk

Andrew picked up two packs of the premium ginseng and walked further into the store to get some other stuff . He scanned the aisles, picking up a small, ornate box of spring rose —a rare kind, meant to strengthen vitality. Just as he reached for a sprig of Red Sage, a sudden commotion at the entrance snapped him from his thoughts. The bell above the door gave a soft chime, but it was quickly drowned by the low murmur of voices rising in awe and astonishment . All gazes were focused on the figure who had just walked in . The shoppers , who’d been quietly scanning the aisles for what they wanted , now shifted to the sides of the store, creating a path as if royalty had walked in. Heads bowed slightly, murmurs drifted through the air, soft as leaves rustling in the wind. Andrew turned, his eyes narrowing , ‘Why the sudden change of atmosphere?’ he wondered Just then , an elderly man entered the store with slow, deliberate steps. He exuded an aura of power ,his silver ha