ERT

ng no one witnessed my vulnerability-neither my em

s intertwined as tears streamed down my cheeks. Strange

I glanced at her hand, warm and comforting in min

started, my voice trembling. "He was on his way home for me,

ears

as the house buzzed with the

ttention. I reached for it, and my father's famil

t, how are

d relaxed, but a knot of worry twisted in my

r birthday. I have a sur

dad was away, working hard to win a huge government c

oor, wishing he would walk in, but he never did. Frustration bubbled inside me as e

what was happening. A heavy feeling settled in my chest, but I convi

e lay my dad, still and silent. I chuckled, thinking it was a joke. "C'mo

hrough the air. I turned to see his tear-str

he floor. My hands scraped against the cold surface as I s

h my dad and my birthday gift, I faced th

gh the door again. Tears threatened to spill from my eyes, blurring my vision as I faced this cru

t. It felt as if the world had stopped, the weight of sorrow pressing down on

ling. "You said what?" he shouted

cold floor. Suddenly, the air was thick with the sharp scent of an

pounding in my chest. The steady beeping of the heart monitor echoed

ed past me, her expression tense. "He's asking for A

a was lying on the bed beneath the white

ight before my eyes. But the moment his gaze found

the bed. I rushed to his side, taking his hand in

washed over me as he reached for a thick, worn leather diary.

er died trying to secure it. Now, it's your turn,"

ert. You're the last one who can save this family

servant to my grandfather, he had now become a thief, snatching away the contra

ry; it was a ruthless guide, a blueprint detailing every alliance, e

gift, but like a chain that would trap me in boar

ear-old, dancing through life, not drowning

ng back of sitting beside him at the dinner t

fetime. My heart ached, and despite my efforts to hold b

cts, enemies, or the family name. I just wanted my grandfather to get bet

ough my fears. I felt my lip trembling, a wa

ipping his hand tightly, fee

ound that sent a chill down my spine. A nurse rushed in, her fac

always protected our family was no longer there, and in his

to guarantee a contract, but William Lucas ripped it away. The shock didn't just kill the contract; it killed my grandf

home to." My voice broke. "But they both left, and

ena drew closer, wrapping her arms around my neck. She remained silent, simp

lionaire facing a storm. I was just a