“Mr. Donnelly, is it true that your latest series is based on your secret crush?” asked a reporter as Marcus led Cara away from the crazy crowd. The bodyguards jostled to protect them from the crowd that had gathered around them all of a sudden. With both his arms around her, Marcus guided a panic-stricken Cara towards the entrance of the gallery. It was all a new experience for her and it felt like a nightmare already. “No comments. I’ll disclose the details at the inauguration. Thank you,” said Marcus curtly. “Only one question, please. Who is this lady, Mr. Donnelly? Is she your inspiration?” asked another reporter. Thankfully they entered the gallery and Marcus stormed inside, seething with anger. A few people rushed forward to greet him apologizing for what happened outside. 

“Come here, Cara. Sit with me for a while,” said granny, seeing her standing indecisively near the door. Cara glanced at the door and sighed and walked towards granny’s bed and sat down.“Maria told me that you’ve done very well in your college exams! Congratulations dear. I want you to do very well in life. I want you to reach for the stars, get fame, success, and lots of money. I want you to shine above the rest! May God bless you to achieve that,” she said, holding her hand. Cara’s eyes filled up with tears and she felt touched by granny’s words. “Thank you, granny,” she said softly. “Are you better now?” Granny slowly nodded. “Yes, better than I was last week but I’m under restrictions. I hate staying in bed for long

One Year LaterMarcus helped load the last canvas onto the truck and saw the packers and movers leave with his latest art collection. With his biggest exhibition coming up, he was expecting a grand sale of all his paintings. Now that the paintings were dispatched to New York, it was time for him to get ready to leave the house where he spent a year, remembering his Cara. After she disappeared from her life that fateful night, his entire world had turned upside down. His granny died the next day, he severed all ties with his mom and left New York, and came to Long Island to look for Cara. Although her family had no idea of her whereabouts, he hadn’t given up hope. He wrapped up his exhibition and moved over to his Southampton beach house where he had made memories with Cara. Every fortnight, he visited her family to ask about her whereabouts. However, it took him six months to realize that they wouldn’t leak any info

Marcus walked into the study room and looked at all their anxious faces. Although he avoided any direct eye contact with his mom, he knew that something of extreme importance was being discussed. “What’s going on?” he asked Lucas and Nicholas who sat with grave faces.“Sit,” said Lucas, picking up a legal document from his desk. Marcus frowned and sat down waiting anxiously for him to speak. “What will happen now? Your precious Cara has shown us her true colors,” said his mom, looking at him with disgust. Marcus was immediately on high alert hearing Cara’s name. “There’s no respite from this family.” “Mom, it is us who have wronged them. This was bound to happen. Just be thankful that she hasn’t sued us for defamation,” s

A haggard Lucas went forward to talk to Marcus’s doctor the moment he emerged from the emergency room. “Has Marcus gained consciousness, doctor? How serious is his condition?” The doctor shook his head. “We’re trying our best. We've carried out intubation successfully and now the patient will be shifted to the ICU. We'll start with the intravenous drips right away as well as inject antidotes at regular intervals. He should gain consciousness when the toxin level reduces,” said the doctor. “How soon can we shift the patient?” asked Lucas, wanting to shift his brother to Bellevue Hospital where Sienna used to work before. It was much bigger and better equipped to deal with the therapy that Marcus needed right now. “You can shift him once he gains consciousness. Right now his condition isn’t stable and I wouldn’t advise you to move him,” said the doctor. Four hours passed by and they decided to take turns at the hospital. Ben Duncan drove Mrs. Donnelly to Marcus’s Southampton beach