Mariam’s face had gone completely pale. “Get my medication.”Claire immediately turned toward the hallway at a fast pace. “You!” She called out to one of the workers passing the lobby. “Get my mother’s medication now!”“Yes, ma’am,” the worker quickly ran to get it and was back in no time. Mariam’s fingers trembled against her forehead. Everything was becoming too much for her to handle. Too much was happening all at once, and Mariam couldn’t handle it anymore. At this point, she could fall terribly ill. She quickly took her medication and resolved to rest. Suddenly, Claire received a call and decided to excuse herself. “Has everything with the boutique been finalized….” she said, her voice fading into distance as she walked away. On the other hand, John entered his own bedroom and slammed the door shut. He walked to the edge of his bed and sat down. His face was still twisted with anger as his right foot tapped rapidly against the floor. But most importantly, he needed to get

The following morning, Chay sat across from Molly at the breakfast table.Sunlight reflected through the large windows in the dining room spilled across the table decorated with a light breakfast feast in front of them.There was freshly baked bread, eggs, pancakes, fruits, coffee and juice. There was more than enough food for several people, yet Molly had barely touched hers.She sat quietly, staring at the plate in front of her and lightly touching here and there on the plate with her fork. Chay noticed. He had been watching her for the past several minutes while he ate. Molly was still grieving heavily. She had spent almost the entire past few days inside her room, she barely ate and barely spoke. Chay tried to be there for her while also giving her enough space to grieve and heal properly. But whenever he tried to talk to her about Nana, she simply became quiet.Chay finally put down his fork, “Molly.”She looked up, raising her brows. “Hmm?”“Why aren’t you eating?…” she di

“Mimi. My name is Mimi.”Chay nodded, still smiling. “Alright, it’s good to see you again, Mimi,” he said, extending his hand for a shake. She took his hand and gave it a tight cute squeeze while accepting the handshake. “What’s yours?” she asked him. “I’ll tell you when and if we meet again,” Chay said and both of them burst out laughing. Molly watched both of them from where she stood, smiling at how close they seemed. Seeing Chay be so gentle and kind to the little girl touched her. “So tell me, how have you been?” Chay asked. “Good.”“Still bossing people around?”“Sometimes.”“That's good.”She nodded with a serious expression. “I'm the boss here too.”Chay raised an eyebrow, almost laughing again. “Yes,” she said confidently, the pitch of her voice increasing. “Well, my mum owns the boutique.”“Where’s she?”“Well,” Mimi answered, looking around the place. “She must be somewhere scolding a staff, or in her office.”“Hmm,” Chay nodded“I was trying to hide from my nanny whe

Claire turned sharply toward her. “I wasn’t speaking to you, young lady,” she immediately shunned Molly and continued, “this is my boutique and I need you both…” she paused, eyeing Molly.“…to leave now.”Molly fell silent and looked at Chay. Chay’s expression, though calm, had changed slightly. He wasn’t surprised at Claire’s haughty behavior as that’s how she had always been. Though Molly sensed a hint of possessiveness from Claire instead. Chay finally spoke, “You will not speak to her like that..”Before he could finish speaking, Claire scoffed. “Excuse me?”“You heard me,” he responded, his expression very serious. “This is your boutique…”“Exactly!” Claire exclaimed. “This is my property, Chay. I decide who stays and who leaves.”“And apparently you’ve also decided that manners don’t apply to you anymore,” Chay said, his tone calm. Claire stared at him, her eyes narrowing further. She remained silent for a few seconds, not knowing what else to say as her anger boiled. “Look

Claire’s fingers were still trembling.“Security!” she screamed again. Chay remained where he was. He was still calm, though his mind raced with several questions. Molly stood beside him, watching Claire with a mixture of confusion and irritation. She clearly did not understand why this woman seemed hell bent on throwing them out.Claire folded her arms, trying desperately to regain control of herself.She had just discovered that Chay, a man she had believed to be dead, had somehow met her daughter, without her consent. Chay was never meant to meet Mimi. After realizing he was back, she was going to make sure of that. But he met her even before she realized he was back or even alive. Her mind was still struggling to process it.Then–“Claire?” Claire heard a voice call her name, as footsteps echoed from behind her. She turned and saw a man walking toward her from the other end of the boutique.He was in his early forties, tall and broad-shouldered, dressed in a dark suit. He h