Thedus Del Novan are well known as Dangerous and ruthless when it comes to business, well not only in business but also when it comes to a woman. He doesn't care about women but because he is old enough to have a family, but what? If he doesn't like women because to him women look like money.. It's not just because he doesn't know how to love, but what if he meets someone who is a woman he himself adopted? he's 29 yrs old rich and handsome man NBSB because no one has won the young man's heart yet Since he needed to have children, he adopted, he adopted a boy but he ended up with a girl He hates woman right but why he suddenly wants to possess her? it's supposed to hate her right?... He should hate all women, but what the hell f*ck! that girl is the only one who caught his interest and attention for the first time. the first and ever woman he ever wanted, but shit it feels wrong to own her. Because that girl is his soon to be daughter. Well that's bullshit! it's soon to be he's anyway. After all he is Del Novan. Thedus Del Novan can get anything he wants and Dhalia Selline Vera is no exception. Thedus Del novan will have her!Even Dhalia is soon to be his daughter!,no one can stop him not even d3ath!
Chapter 1
Come Dhalia!!" I immediately approached sister Lina who took care of me since I was a child..
We were going to give Jiro, but the person who first adopted him already got it!!" explained sister Lina
There is no one else because all the children here have been adopted by us, I'm sorry Dhalia, you know that it is necessary to stop our adoption house, so you all need to be adopted by us as soon as possible before our adoption house is demolished!!" the long wait subsided. the sponsoring, so the adoption house could no longer take care of the children, that's why almost all of us had to be adopted, even if it was against them, because they fell in love with us, but they didn't want to take us in, so we were adopted.
My name is Dhalia. I lived in an orphanage when I was young. I don't know who I really am or where I live because Sister Lina just picked me up in front of the orphanage.
It hurts me not to see or meet my parents but it's okay because for me I don't need them anymore because I never met them and I don't want to meet them either since they just left me.
I only smiled at sister Lina because it was my dream to get out and have a new family
They will adopt me because it is necessary. I am not too sad because I really want to be with my parents. I want to experience things that I have not experienced in real life..
I only felt a little sad because I would be far away from the others I was with in the adoption that I considered like brothers, friends and family, especially sister Lina who grew up with us.
I smiled and looked at my things that were already wrapped because now my adoptive father would take me
I was a little sad to know that I will not have a mother because I only have a father
But it's also amazing because the adopter is a famous man all over the country known in magazines, tv or anywhere in other countries
Thedus Del novan, I haven't seen him yet, but it is said that he is handsome and famous everywhere
I looked in awe at the expensive van in front of me that was now striking
Iha dhalia will miss us, don't forget us! sister lina and the other nuns said goodbye, I waved to them before getting into the van
The inside of the van is very grand, strong, wealthy, clean and spacious, it is not like an ordinary van because the seat does not recline and there is a kitchen inside with a refrigerator that contains expensive wine.
I swallowed hard and adjusted my seat and looked out the window
I lowered the glass to better see the outside and breathe in the fresh air, scratching my head because the air conditioner might come out of the van
The building that is going to be built is so beautiful that I just saw it in person because for 18 years I was locked up in an orphanage that's why my skin is almost pale as if I lived in the snow because of its super white color.
I didn't know that the outside of the orphanage is so beautiful because you can see the sights that you can't get tired of looking at
We came from Cebu to Manila because that is where I will live with my future father-in-law
Since the flight was still quite long, I thought about going to sleep, but I woke up to a cold and scary voice
Fuck i hate girl, why is it a girl that a man wants to be a child!!..hearing that thing made me realize
I squirmed a little and adjusted my seat when I met the cold gaze of an angelic man
He has a big body and a very handsome face,, I smiled at him because I knew he was referring to Sister Lina who adopted me
H-hello!!"..it was a friendly greeting but it only returned a cold expression, I frowned a little because the man's face had no intention of smiling.
Is this my future father?
Why is he scary?
It's late at night and we are currently at the dining table, and my father-to-be wrapped around the two of us.
What's your name!!?"..I looked up so much when my father-to-be spoke, I thought he wouldn't speak!
Dhalia Selline Vera po!!"..I smiled at this but my smile was erased and turned into a grimace because like before it only gave a cold expression again
Age!!?"
eighten Mr. Del Novan!!"..said a few words here, I saw the parting of his lips, but eventually a grin appeared.
I'm thedus just call me what ever you want but don't Del novan we're not close!!..I gathered myself and quickly nodded and smiled
I'm 29 yrs old i hate b*cht,i hate annoying and i hate woman!!"
I just bowed down because of the last word it mentioned
Since it's here, there's nothing I can do!!..he responded again before getting up and leaving even though he hadn't finished eating
I hate woman, it turns out that I'm snotty, so maybe I don't have a husband because I'm grumpy
If only he would be my father, I'd rather be a tramp on the road than be his father, but since I'm here, there's nothing I can do!
I smiled as I went up to my room because I really enjoyed the room because it was very nice, spacious and clean, not like the adoption house where we would be crowded but it was very happy.
The theme of my room is white and gold, there are a lot of expensive things, I immediately went to the walk in closet because my clothes don't fit anymore
I felt sorry for my lips because my clothes looked like wipes because of the beauty of the walk-in closet, it's spacious and clean and smells good, walk-in closets have air conditioning, who are you!!
I folded the rest of my clothes while I hung the rest on a gold hanger that was also good to sell.
When I finished fixing it, I happily jumped on the bed and jumped because it was so soft, it was so good to lie down, it was relaxing
After I toured my room and I'm happy because my room has its own library, there are dictionaries and stories and so on so it's fun
My room right now seems to be as long as three rooms in the foster home in terms of size, if I were to ask, I would prefer the foster home because I'm not used to it, it's too expensive
I just look like an assistant
I immediately fell asleep so I fell asleep
the next day I woke up because of the noise that came from the door, I immediately opened it and was greeted by an elderly butler, who I guess is in his 70's or 80's
Good morning, breakfast is ready!!"..I smiled at her and quickly said goodbye that I would take a shower first
I took a simple white dress from the walk in closet and took a shower intending to tour the entire mansion to get to know each area so we could be familiar
After I dried my hair using the blower sauna, I didn't know how to scare you because the blower's air was a bit hot, but eventually everything went well, so I went on to do my face, I just put on a little curler and went down
I couldn't eat with daddy because he left early because he had a meeting at work, said Laura, who was the butler earlier.
Btw, I called him daddy because manang laura said that Mr. Thedus is my father, so why is he Daddy?
After breakfast, I just rested for a while before going around the mansion, it's very beautiful here and you'll really be amazed
The mansion looks like the size of a mall, so I spent several hours touring the entire mansion.
I also help with the tasks so that I can do something and I am also except when I am not doing anything, so now I am just continuing to study and take my online class as a grade 12 student and I am about to start my first year of college after only 2 months of college. My dream is to become a doctor, that's why I insisted if I could finish it even though I was in foster care at the time, but it turned out that I didn't neglect my studies, even if it was only a module and online.
I have a cell phone that Sister Lina gave me for the online class that is currently being used even though it hangs and lags, I put up with it just to finish..
I'm tired sitting in the living room while having a snack, I don't plan to eat rice, so I packed cake and pizza, it's already 1:23 PM, so my tour is taking too long, I also helped the maids clean up so it's useful I!!
It is now night and now Daddy Thedus has come home and we are now in the big dining room.
we were quiet while we ate because I was just like air to him so I opened the topic so that daddy could be close to me
I talked to it while eating sometimes it got annoyed and sometimes it answered my questions
he really hates woman, that's why I'm a little sad
me too daddy i hate woman too!!"
daddy huh!!?...Did i tell you to call me daddy?
I swallowed and smiled
Why do you hate woman? you're woman too that's why i hate you but it's here so i can't do anything but next time if i think properly I can send you away!! I still have him
i hate woman because i'm boy!!..when i pretended she just grinned
Thanks!!..
I didn't follow my chatter anymore, that's why our meal was quiet again, I was the only one who made the noise earlier!
we went upstairs together after all our room was right next to it
Good night daddy!!..I smiled and immediately went into my room with a flying kiss because I was suddenly afraid of his reaction to what I did.
he started at me like nothing the expression is cold he has never experienced love or care
I smiled because I thought I made him close to me so that our time together would be happy and he would consider me his son.
I challenge myself to make him close to me in 3 weeks, hopefully it will work because he will dump me
He's kind, he's just grumpy
I went to sleep immediately after cleaning my body
I woke up because of the maid who was knocking in my door
the maid immediately greeted me with a smile, she greeted me kindly so I let her into the room because she said she was going to clean
I was very scratched because my room was clean
He said that even though it is clean, it needs to be cleaned for safety from germs because that is also the order of the Lord or should i say by daddy thedus.
I found out that I took a shower because daddy Thedus was already downstairs
After I finished taking a shower, I immediately went downstairs to look at his handsome face
Good morning daddyyy!!"..I smiled and quickly hugged him. I need to do this so we can be close. I want to annoy him even though he doesn't like annoying.
D*mn woman Just sit down Don't lay your Hands on me!!"..angry that it's hoarse instead of being scared I'm dumbfounded because of that handsome is not enough to describe his appearance his deep hoarse voice of him is so soothing even though he looks like a gangster in his expression
I sat down and started eating but I still didn't stop talking
Here money happy? now Stop annoying me!!..I stopped when he suddenly dropped the thick money in front of me, I wondered what I was going to do with it
what is it daddy?
Obviously money!!"..this is a grumpy answer
I mean what am I going to do here!!"..he grinned at me
This what you want and I know that Stop pretending because I know you like the other woman Who only want money From men, waste my money It's 5 million is enough for you to live Leave this house after this breakfast I Don't need you!!" ..I was silenced because of what he said like other woman?
It doesn't look like money, I really don't know anything about shopping. It's just something that makes me happy
"I don't need you" is really hurtful. I took her for adoption, but then I don't need you. This is the proof that no one will love me as family. I want to Stop being assuming that I will have a happy family even if it is not complete as long as I can be considered family.
To Be Continued...
A Tragedy, Tragedy that changed the cycle of my life. He accused me that I was the reason why his girlfriend and her child died. I shook my head. "That's not true. No!" "It's not my fault!" I defend myself and my vision blurs because of the first tears to flow. My hands can't move freely because of the handcuffs that were put on. I looked boldly into his eyes. Beautiful eyes, while he is standing to my front and he is ready to ask me. "I'm talking to you Attorney," I asked him. It hurts when it's not a priority. The Judge banged his gavel 3 times and said! "Order in the Court, Order in the Court!" So I kept quiet. "Let me proceed your Honor," he said and took an Envelope from the table and gave it to the judge. "Your Honor, This is the Evidence, " I saw him give the Envelope as well as my cousin's cell phone so I swallowed three times. "That's Evidence says everything that the accused planned the crime!" he said firmly and looked at me so I shook my head again. If only I could return it. I wish I wouldn't have asked my cousin to bathe in the sea if I had known that this would happen to everyone and also that I didn't know she was pregnant. Who else will defend me with all the evidence that says I'm the one who made a way to jail me. Even the gov't. Atty. He who is handling my case cannot defend me either. I bowed when the verdict was read. "This honorable court fines Accused Anya Belle Mendez, Guilty..." I just bowed to what I heard and my tears continued to fall. What do I have against an atty? Noah Lev Sebastian. "That's Ordered!" Judge banged his gavel again, so I went down. I was just bending down while looking at my two hands and also I am wearing Yellow t-shirt too. I stopped being honest with him. "I know you knew the truth. It's not my fault what happened," I looked into his eyes. He's amber anger eyes on me so I swallowed and bowed. "Atty. Have mercy on me, I'm not guilty," I try to hold his hand and kneel down. I begged him again. His softened hand, the hands that caress my face, arms that always hug me, his lips that I always kiss, the man I used to belong to but not now. "Please, I will do everything, just don't do this, you will feel sorry for my family," I told him. He slowly removed his hand and walked away a little. "Bring two lives and I'll set you free," he said. So I looked up and shook my head. "Then you will rot in prison." He said to me again, I was about to answer when I was violently stood up and the police pulled my five. I almost lost my balance, but he held me too. "Be careful!" I heard him call the police. "Mang! Pang! Jess!" I said in fear and hugged them. "I'll always be here for you, no matter what happens." Jessie said and kissed me on the forehead. "I love you," I heard him say to me and I was about to answer but Noah bumped into his back, and passed him but also looked at him again. "Whatever you do as long as you fight me. I guarantee that girl will rot in jail!" He threatened Jessie and left. "What is he doing to you and why are you so angry with him? You know it's not his fault that your girlfriend and your son died!" Jess said angrily to him. He still has no idea. He left until he disappeared from our sight. Murder Case is Lifetime Jail Sentence, I'm just going to be paroled. My life right now is miserable. I'm guilty for murder that I didn't commit. Can I still go out? Will I ever return to the world I live in? Will I still be able to see the man I love even though he is the reason why I was imprisoned? Can I still defend myself against him from his accusation against me? Will everything be okay and will I be loved again if we meet again or will he just make me feel my guilt in the past. Im Anya Belle Mendez His Atty. Noah Lev Sebastian
"Lazel Hyrroz," I said her name firmly and coldly. I followed him until we entered his room. He unbuttoned his uniform after collapsing, dropping his backpack on the bed. "I'm tired. Don't bother me now," he told me coldly without looking at me. "That's why I'm asking you why you're here now and where did you go to come home at this hour?" I asked strictly. He completely took off his white polo shirt and left only the shirt he was wearing. "You know? You have so many roles in my life," he mockingly promised and faced me. His face was still emotionless and he didn't change the way he looked at me, as if he could see my soul as well. "You are no longer just a mother, sister and brother. Now, your role is that of a strict father who waited for his own son who didn't come home last night but only now thought of going home," he added at length and even grinned. "You've grown up, Lazel Hyrroz. Even if you are no longer in the power of your parents, remember that there is one more person who will worry about you," I stated the fact. "You? Are you the person who will worry about me? I'm just your wife on paper and I didn't ask you to worry about me. I told you from the very beginning not to interfere with me and I will do the same to you," he promised firmly. That's how he really is. His heart is so hard and he really doesn't care about me or even my feelings. “Lazel Hyrroz...” "If you have nothing more to say, go out, Grandma?" he said with an insult in his voice. This time he called me Grandma. I just sighed because of his bad behavior and his bad treatment of me. I turned back when he finally took off his white shirt. "You've already seen my body, so why are you still avoiding me? You liked what we did last night, didn't you? You took advantage of me while I was out of my mind and drunk," he insulted me and it was as if those words just slapped me. My chest rose and fell violently because of my shortness of breath. "Before you go to sleep, take a shower or wash your body and if you haven't eaten, just heat up the food I cooked earlier," I said and I heard her loud chuckle again and the bed moving, a sign that he sat there. "Yes, Manang." I closed my eyes tightly because of him calling me. I went to the door of his room and closed it softly. I stopped for a moment in front of the door and leaned. The corners of my eyes are burning and I feel like crying. Heavy in the chest. Is that why he just came home now? Because in over a year something happened to us only once? We were both drunk and I don't even remember what we did. I'm really asking myself. How long will we be like this, Lazel Hyrroz? When I wake up every morning, my uniform is neatly ironed on the sofa bed. Even my black shoes are ready. In the kitchen, there is food already prepared and there is a sticky note on the fridge. I took it and read what was written. His penmanship is neat and beautiful. Even so, I still don't like it. "Don't forget to eat your breakfast before you go to school, Lazel Hyrroz." Calysta After I read that I crumpled the paper and threw it in the trashbin. I opened the fridge and got cold water. I opened the lid and took out the contents. I even looked at the breakfast that was ready on the table but like I often do, I didn't touch it and I didn't even eat. I entered the university with an empty stomach. It's okay, Hanemira often makes fun of me. So I only eat my breakfast at school. "You didn't have breakfast again, did you?" I just smiled at his question and smiled slowly. At the same time he held my hand and gave me the spoon. "I still cooked that." His cooking was not that good but I still appreciated it. Because...she's the only girl I want. When I got home, I expected to find him sitting in the living room. He was drinking coffee and busy with his laptop again. "You didn't eat your breakfast again. You didn't even touch them," he told me. The corners of my lips rose. As long as he always said that to me, I memorized those words. "Who told you to cook my breakfast?" I asked him and I heard him sigh again. In fact, I have no feelings for him. I don't like her and I will never love a woman who is ten years apart from each other. We only got married because he was richer than my family and our company only needed him. That is the only reason why I put up with this crowded home. I ignored him and went up the stairs but before that I stopped to ask him about this matter. "For you, what is love?" He suddenly turned to me and was obviously confused as to why I asked him that. "Why are you asking me that?" she asked me back. "I just want to know your opinion. What is love for you?" I asked, curious to know his opinion. What is his view on love? "Love destroys a person's life." I raised an eyebrow at what he said. In what way is it damaging? "When it comes to your life, you will feel the gradual destruction of your life." "What a mess you said. I don't understand anything," I said. He stared at
"Sir, where are you taking me?" Fear of telling him. He suddenly dragged me out of his office for some reason. I kept trying to remove his hand that was holding my arm tightly, causing me to feel pain. "Don't try to do that or else you won't like what I'm going to do to you here" he said sternly that I scared him. Today I saw sir that you are so angry for some unknown reason. . . . . . . "Get in" He shouted a little. That's when I realized that we were in the parking lot of his company. I forced my way in because I was afraid of him. I don't know what he is thinking of doing to me so I can't help but be afraid of him. "Sir please...where can you take me?..." Begging said to him. He didn't even listen and started the car. "Sir... Tell me what did you do if it was wrong for you to do this to me... Please, I'm begging you to put me down sir" he said crying. But he didn't even look at me, he continued driving. "No one will ever go near you....no one dares to touch you, and come near you.... Because you are mine.... Mine!" he emphasized at the end which made me startle with a mixture of fear when he said that. "S-sir...."
That's right, please... have mercy on us. Please have mercy on us!" I'm begging dad who is full of emotions. My voice was hoarse from exhaustion and constant crying while pleading for papa to stop hurting us. I'm broken and closed but I'm still trying to protect my sister who is only seven years old and my mom who has a weakness from the pillar of our home that is making us suffer right now. The same thing always happens at home every time dad comes home. He is always angry and pours it on everyone. Dad wasn't like that before but when he learned to gamble and get into vices that's when our complicated life started. I can't even count how many times he almost killed us because of his beatings. Times where we almost looked like dead because of the bruises and pale bodies that dad had done. I want to defend them. I want to protect them but I'm just a humble man with a small body because of our state in life, that's what they call our condition 'poor' and what about me? Maybe I can say that I'm a man who gets patted down and gets weak easily because of not being able to eat properly. Even if I wanted to run away, I couldn't. Even if we want to fight, we can't. Even if I want to rebuke dad, be brave and be a man even for one time, I can't do it, I can't. I'm disgusted with myself for thinking that even once I could be a man, a complete man who can defend my loved ones, but no, I'm just a very useless man. I could not save them from the hands of my father who was swallowed by annoyance and anger. I want to keep mom and Abi away from dad's hands so that we can be safe and live happily and peacefully but I can't do it either, I can't because mom still believes that dad will change too which I just believed because he was taking a risk I know that when we make dad feel how much we love him, he will return to the way he was before, our dad who is so sweet and caring. My dad always smiles when he comes home because he is greeted with a bag of noodles that my brother and I will run to get at the same time as greeting him, kissing him, shaking his hand and giving him a hug. I miss seeing papa being sweet to mama, the type where they are like stars in a telenovela where there is no conflict, just full of love.
"Brother, let me go" I shouted here. He didn't want to let go of me until now, I'll leave it to him why he doesn't let me go from his arms like I'm a cat tied to his body "No stay for a while!" he said as he buried his face in my neck. I tried to keep him away from my neck because he was so muscular and I couldn't push him because of his strength. "Brother, what the hell! If you don't let me go, I'll report you!" When I threatened him. I thought I would be afraid, but I was the one who would be afraid of him because it's like facing a very hot fire and it will really melt you. "Stop assuming that someone will help you Mika. Remember we don't have parents now because they left us alone here in the mansion" I pushed him as far as I could and it was fine because he let go of me. I quickly went down from the room and went to the kitchen. I've been hungry for a while now, that's why. I immediately stopped what I was doing when I felt a stony body behind me while hugging my waist so tightly I could hardly breathe. "Brother, let me go.. What is happening to you and why are you doing this? Can you let me go first because my tummy is hungry!" I faced him with annoyance and I heard a small laugh from him. I immediately stopped because I only once heard him laughing even softly. "You're cute as ever my love" "What are you? Are you drunk and you can 'love love'? Hey brother, think of us as brothers. Or if you're not drunk, maybe you have a cold, brother, or are you just a friend?" "Tsk. Annoying just eat or ill kiss ya" "tsk.. There's a kiss kiss you know when you don't have siblings. It must have a worm in its brain because it suddenly tsk." "Are you whispering something?" I immediately became alert and smiled. "huh? I'm just eating here" I lied and continued eating. "I heard it. Stop lying just tell me" "Nothing" I stood up and drank water. I was about to leave to go upstairs but the monk spoke "Where are you going??" "Why get dressed? Are you the same?" "Can I?" "che! just kidding" Hi my name is Mika Veldes and im 18 years old. And my mother shit brother by my is Ezekiel Veldes is 20 years old, he already has his own company Instead, I should have finished school because I'm stubborn I've always been a cutie girl, but that was then and I've changed. And This is my Story
Larghserv well known as a One of the richest and leading the wealthiest family. Anxious Larghserv is known as cruel and ruthless Principal who has no use in love because love for him is like a Werthless because of the belief that all women have the same personality but what if he meets his sister friend he can change his way of looking at women Wharaine Dela Vina lives alone and only friends are with her in life his innocent and kind is one of the reasons why he will be imprisoned in the prison of the man Anxious known as the principal of their school can she be with a demonic man like anxious, can she successfully escape the man who imprisoned her or his stay forever caged in the arms of ruthless and cruel Principal.
Eight years ago, Eleanor was a pampered and arrogant young heiress, while Andreas was just a nameless talent from a humble background. Although she had taken him in, she never treated him with any warmth. Their fates flipped, and now Andreas was a business titan feared by all, while Eleanor wallowed in shame and despair after her fall from grace. Upon their reunion, he pinned her with a venomous glare and declared, "It was my hatred for you that drove me into becoming what I am today."
After three secretive years of marriage, Eliana never met her enigmatic husband until she was served with divorce papers and learned of his extravagant pursuit of another. She snapped back to reality and secured a divorce. Thereafter, Eliana unveiled her various personas: an esteemed doctor, legendary secret agent, master hacker, celebrated designer, adept race car driver, and distinguished scientist. As her diverse talents became known, her ex-husband was consumed by remorse. Desperately, he pleaded, "Eliana, give me another chance! All my properties, even my life, are yours."
After being kicked out of her home, Harlee learned she wasn't the biological daughter of her family. Rumors had it that her impoverished biological family favored sons and planned to profit from her return. Unexpectedly, her real father was a zillionaire, catapulting her into immense wealth and making her the most cherished member of the family. While they anticipated her disgrace, Harlee secretly held design patents worth billions. Celebrated for her brilliance, she was invited to mentor in a national astronomy group, drew interest from wealthy suitors, and caught the eye of a mysterious figure, ascending to legendary status.
Rosalynn's marriage to Brian wasn't what she envisioned it to be. Her husband, Brian, barely came home. He avoided her like a plague. Worse still, he was always in the news for dating numerous celebrities. Rosalynn persevered until she couldn't take it anymore. She upped and left after filing for a divorce. Everything changed days later. Brian took interest in a designer that worked for his company anonymously. From her profile, he could tell that she was brilliant and dazzling. He pulled the stops to find out her true identity. Little did he know that he was going to receive the greatest shocker of his life. Brian bit his finger with regret when he recalled his past actions and the woman he foolishly let go.
When they were kids, Derek saved Norah's life. Years later, after Derek ended up in a vegetative state from a car crash, Norah married him without a second thought and even used her medical knowledge to heal him. For two years, Norah was devoted, seeking his affection and looking to settle her life-saving debt. But when Derek's first love returned, Norah, faced with divorce, didn't hesitate to sign. Despite being labeled as forsaken, few knew of her true talents. She was a race car driver, a famed designer, a genius hacker, and a renowned doctor. Regretting his decision, Derek begged for her forgiveness. Just then, a charming CEO intervened, embracing Norah and declaring, "Back off! She's my wife!" Taken aback, Norah blurted out, "What did you say?"
Everyone thought Lorenzo truly loved Gracie, until the day of their daughter’s heart surgery. To Gracie’s utter shock, Lorenzo gave the precious organ needed by their child to another woman. Devastated, Gracie opted for a divorce. Fueled by her need for revenge, Gracie joined hands with Lorenzo’s uncle, Waylon, and orchestrated Lorenzo’s downfall. In the end, Lorenzo was left with nothing and consumed by remorse. He pleaded for a reconciliation. Gracie thought she was free to move on with her life, but Waylon held her back in a death grip. “Did you think you can just walk out on me?”