Cynthia Dion: I just sat there in silence, even as he gently pushed my hair away from my face. It was like I'd forgotten how to move a muscle."Cynthia! Are you okay?" He seemed a bit puzzled by my shaken state. Given the strong dislike I'd shown him before, my sudden change must have surprised him. He probably expected me to push him away. However, I was so exhausted and frightened by everyone that I simply wished for them to be kind."I'm f---ine. Just please, don't leave me alone here." I clung to his shirt, drawing myself closer to him, as if I feared Atticus might snatch me away. It was an odd feeling that had come out of nowhere."Yeah, I won't," he gently held my face in his hands and planted a kiss on my forehead. Even though I still shivered in disgust, for some reason, I felt more afraid of Atticus than him this time."We can have lunch together after I get ready. Charlotte mentioned that you haven't eaten or left your room," he said before heading into the restroom.As he

Cynthia Dion: I stood in the corner of the room, silently observing him as he got ready, charging his phone and stuffing his pockets with cash. I didn't want to get in his way or irritate him. I would be relieved when he left."Is the food ready yet?" Mr. Holt inquired while waiting for Charlotte to prepare the lunch box. This time, however, I didn't ask if he was going to the hospital."I'll be back home tomorrow night," I overheard him say to Charlotte."Can I go home? My father is sick--" Charlotte was outside the room, talking to him while holding the lunch box in her hands."Sure, you can," Mr. Holt replied as he approached her, adjusting his belt. While taking the lunch box from her, he brushed his hand against hers.I observed her lower her head awkwardly and steal glances at me from the corner of her eyes."Do you need money? You should take some fruits for the old man," Mr. Holt suggested, pulling out his wallet and giving her some money, once again purposely brushing the ba

Zeon Holt:I arrived at my workplace and took a seat to unwind. The food was in the package I had prepared for Maleeka, or at least that's what I had told everyone. That's when my security guard entered the room, holding it."Sir, what should I do with this?" he inquired."Put it here," I grumbled, rolling my eyes. Did I have to spell everything out for them? These ignorant folks, including those siblings and Cynthia, who seemed to cry incessantly, really got on my nerves.The irritating family's issues and the constant presence of their royal guards only added to my existing frustration.As soon as I settled in and leaned my head back, I had this strange sensation as if someone was watching me."Are you going to keep staring at me?" I asked, slowly opening my eyes to gaze at her.She was standing in the corner, shrouded in darkness as usual."You're not going to say anything?" I inquired, observing her shake her head.Just seeing her again was enough to make my broken heart feel whol

Cynthia Dion: "Now you're going to claim you didn't send this?" Atticus groaned, his eyes brimming with both sorrow and anger. His connection with me as a mate, along with his affection and concern for his sibling, were the two emotions he harbored."That can't be true," I exclaimed when he replayed it, because every droplet of water that had poured from the shower that day had now tainted me instead of cleansing me. I had to shield my ears from the sound of that shower water."Stop it now! Ple--ase!" I cried in sobs. For a moment, it felt like my body was laid bare for everyone to see, just like in that restroom."But that's not even half of it; you aimed to traumatize my sister for no reason, and yet, every time she sees you in pain, she desperately wants to help you. Do you not realize how different you are from her? Why did he choose you when she's so loving and kind, and you can be cunning and crude?" Atticus crouched down beside me and shouted.I wanted to know that too. Why am

Cynthia Dion: "Yes, I admit I called Mr. Holt that evening because it seemed like my only option. I asked him to talk to my father and convince him to let me out of my room so I could go back to school. I knew my father would listen to him because they were always like close friends. My father also enrolled me in his school to prepare for the competition because he was determined for me to win the prize no matter what. I didn't hide anything, and as he patiently listened to me, I felt very comfortable. All I could do was share my feelings and then hope and trust that he would believe me. "Atticus! Mr. Holt gave me a ride that day when I was bullied at school. I didn't know about his marriage, and I didn't really care. The way he talked, it always seemed like he was living alone. Mr. Holt was at home when I got there that day, and I had this feeling like someone was watching me while I was in the shower. You can see that the recording suddenly stops because I realized something was