The moment Vanessa said, “This is my home, and I have every right to let Adrian stay for breakfast,” Darren's expression changed completely. There was no anger. No argument. No visible frustration. Instead, something inside him seemed to become completely cold. He looked at Vanessa for several seconds, as though he were seeing her from a great distance. Then he nodded slowly. “If Adrian has no intention of leaving,” Darren said quietly, “and you want him to stay so badly, then you should let him stay.” Vanessa's anger immediately faded. “Darren, I didn't mean—” “I'll leave.” The words were so calm that Vanessa froze. “What?” Darren turned toward the guest bedroom. “If this is your home and you have every right to invite whoever you want into it, then I have no reason to remain where I'm clearly unwanted.” “Darren, wait.” He did not stop. He walked into the guest bedroom and closed the door behind him. Vanessa hurried after him. “Darren, please listen to me.” There w

There was no denying that Anita was an exceptionally beautiful woman. She had a stunning figure, elegant features, and the kind of composed presence that naturally attracted attention. Because of her profession, she usually dressed in the restrained, polished style expected of a professional psychologist. Her clothing was never excessively revealing, yet there was something quietly alluring about the way she carried herself. She possessed a calm, sophisticated aura that made people instinctively lower their voices around her. Adrian, despite everything that had just happened, couldn't help looking at her. His gaze lingered, then a flash of possessiveness crossed his eyes. It was brief, almost imperceptible. But Anita noticed it immediately. Her expression became cold. She had spent years studying human behavior. She knew the difference between simple admiration and the first flicker of possessive interest. And she deeply disliked what she had just seen. Still, Adrian had n

It was Adrian calling. The moment Vanessa answered, she heard a weak, trembling voice on the other end. “Vanessa…” “Adrian? What happened?” There was a long pause. Then she heard him crying. Not loud sobs, but broken breaths that sounded as though he were struggling to speak. “Adrian, what's wrong?” “I... I just wanted to say goodbye.” Vanessa's heart dropped. “What?” “I don't think I'm going to make it.” Her face went pale. “Where are you?” Adrian coughed weakly. “Don't come looking for me.” “Adrian!” “I don't want you to see me like this.” Vanessa immediately began walking toward the direction where she believed Darren and Adrian had gone. “What happened?” Adrian took a shaky breath. “After Darren pushed me... I was trying to get away. I didn't want to cause any more problems between you two. Then...” His voice broke. “A vehicle hit me.” Vanessa stopped walking. “What?” “I was thrown onto the road.” “Where are you?” “I don't know exactly.” “You need to tell

The tanker roared past Darren with terrifying force. For a fraction of a second, everything seemed to happen in slow motion. Adrian, who had intended to shove Darren into the path of the vehicle, had used far more force than necessary. When Darren twisted away, Adrian's hands found nothing to stop them. His own momentum carried him forward. "Ah!" Adrian stumbled violently toward the tanker. The side of the massive vehicle slammed into him. His body struck the metal with a heavy impact, and before he could regain his balance, he was dragged along the side of the moving tanker. The friction pulled him several meters. Then several more. Adrian desperately grabbed at the tanker, but there was nothing he could hold. He screamed, but his voice was swallowed by the deafening engine. The driver had already been terrified. Only moments earlier, he had nearly struck Darren. Now, seeing a man suddenly appear against the side of his tanker, he panicked. "What is happening?!" He jerke

Adrian's shameless behavior completely enraged Darren. For the past six months, Darren had endured more than enough. He had endured the favoritism. He had endured the humiliation. He had endured Vanessa repeatedly rushing to Adrian whenever he called, even on occasions when Darren desperately needed her attention. He had endured being treated as though his feelings were less important than Adrian's. And despite all of that, Darren had still tried to let go. He had decided to walk away from Vanessa. He had decided that whatever happened between her and Adrian was no longer his concern. But Adrian had crossed a line that Darren could not ignore. He had tried to kill him. Then, when the attempt failed, he had shamelessly called Vanessa and fabricated a story that made Darren look like the aggressor. The combination of the lies, the betrayal, and the attempt on his life finally shattered the last thread of Darren's restraint. His eyes became terrifyingly cold. His face was pa