"Prepare for the biggest fashion show of the year!!! Johanna-Beth Jones Forbes, daughter of a billionaire tycoon, is set to host her annual fashion show, which is always among the biggest events. This time, she is launching her cosmetics products: a new shade of lipstick and blush. Well, things happen to come in shades, and that includes her boyfriend, Logan Kemei. Oops, I mean ex-brother, as he was spotted in the last couple of days with a model. Would they come back together? Who knows?"Clara scoffed as she read the article. At least Johanna doesn't have it all. She was still a lonely, desperate woman too.Wait a minute, how could she hate a woman she had never met? Clara wondered.Last year, she had wanted to ask Kage to take her to the show, but it was over before she could ask. Kage had promised to take her to this one, but little did she know they would no longer be together.Damn it.The invitation was hard to get. To be a VIP, you had to get an invitation from Johan

The evening cold, but perfect. The show was a shuge success and again, Johanna knew she would be the talk of the town. "Come here" she pulled his hand. Johanna led Kage through the backstage labyrinth, the cacophony of the show fading behind them, until they reached a small, quiet alcove bathed in the soft glow of a single lamp. She turned to him, her smile a fragile thing, and simply looked at him. He could see the weariness etched on her face, the residue of stress clinging to her like a persistent perfume. But her eyes…they held a warmth that chased away the shadows, fueled by his presence alone.She love him, she looked like she really do love him.Seeing her like this, so vulnerable and yet so strong, a fierce protectiveness surged through Kage. "Can I drive you home?" he asked, the words tumbling out before he could second-guess himself.Johanna laughed, a light, airy sound that eased the tension in his shoulders. "I have my driver, the security detail my dad insists on, a

'i could just kill her' he thought.All this, he considered as he watched her walk to her room, his mind racing at a speed that threatened to overwhelm him.She could use this against him. And knowing Clara, with her sharp intellect and her unwavering determination, she would destroy him. The thought sent a jolt of fear through his veins, a cold, paralyzing dread that threatened to consume him.Slowly, deliberately, Matt turned off the cooking gas and washed his hands, as if performing a ritualistic act of cleansing. He walked to the room, drawn by an irresistible force, and saw her on the bed, her brow furrowed in concentration as she spoke into her phone. From the sound of it, she was talking to someone about a job. Desperation clung to her voice, a raw vulnerability that he had rarely seen before.His mind replayed her words, the venomous glint in her eyes, the chilling certainty in her voice, as she revealed the extent of her knowledge, the depth of her betrayal."It's not like

Kage finished his rounds, a familiar routine that usually brought a sense of accomplishment, but today felt hollow. He spoke with Mrs. Henderson about her post-operative pain management, adjusting her medication and offering words of encouragement. He examined young Timmy's fractured arm, drawing a small smile from the boy with a joke about superhero strength.He stepped out of Timmy's room and saw a cluster of nurses huddled together near the station. Nurse Matilda was among them, her eyes wide with something he couldn't quite decipher. As he approached, the conversation abruptly ceased, replaced by an awkward silence. Benjamin, that dude must have said something. He'd clearly been the topic. He waved the thought away, pushing down a surge of irritation. He had more pressing concerns.Miguel's ward was dimly lit, the air thick with the sterile scent of antiseptic and the quiet hum of machines. He found Miguel alone, his chest rising and falling in shallow, labored breaths. The

Friday. A day that promised freedom and relief, yet so often delivered only disappointment and pain.Clara forced a smile as she faced the laptop, the harsh fluorescent light reflecting in her weary eyes. She tried to project an image of composure, of professional competence, but it was a losing battle. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Matt, a shadowy figure lurking in the background, his movements erratic and unpredictable.Son of a dog .Was he deliberately trying to sabotage her, a cruel game he seemed to derive sick pleasure from.Knowing him, he surely want to mess it up for her.The interviewer, a condescending man with a smug demeanor, droned on, his voice grating on Clara's nerves. They seem to have the same vibe, obviously; Clara would hate Clara."So, Ms. Reeds," he said, his tone laced with skepticism, "your resume is certainly...impressive. Cardiac surgeon, lead cardiologist, extensive research experience..." He paused, as if waiting for her to explain herself.