NA

golden light. I slowly opened my eyes, wrapped in soft silk sheets that felt str

beside me, not knowing where I would spend the night. But now, I

overnight, but the empt

me through the neatly arranged flowers and the large tr

e magnificent building stood before me, its large white

the worn leather was in contrast

d. "She... lives here

nodding. "Madam Vivian is

e villa opened, a cheerful housem

as she took my bag. "Madam Vivian is waiting fo

ling." Vivian sat on a plush, red velvet couch, drapin

forward, dropping to my knees beside her. "

ng my cheek, her eyes glistening with grat

nt quickly faded into silence. Vivian's gaz

na... What re

ven supposed to begin? The wedding? Maxwell? My father? There was too muc

didn't have to be strong all the time. Maybe it

ied yesterday. Everything was ready. But just hours before th

re her eyes widened in horror.

home, thinking my father would protect me. Instead, he threw a D

e for twenty years because he wanted to t

tle, caring grandmother I knew seemed to disappear. Her eyes

ep and menacing, filled with a fierce energy; wit

stepmother threw my clothes onto the pavement and ordered me to leave. I pleaded to

issed, her voice sha

e. I didn't know what to do... And then y

e whispered. "You didn't deserve this," she said, grabbing my trembling hands, pulling

nt hung in the air until Vivian gently rele

u stay here with me? Just for now... until we figure

company, but right now..." I sighed, feeling the hea

ad, her expression

ere; under this roof, you are safe. And you a

's the people who choose to stay. Who wipes your tears? Who fights for

, then back at Vivian. "Thank you...

it. My grandson, Albert, needs a new branch executive assistant-someone

ERT

s, watching my grandmother and the stran

heard Grandma mention that Elena could start w

e. Just yesterday, she had turned down a million-

omeone turn down that much money and choose to work instead? A

t under

allowed close to her. Yet, after knowing Elena for barely

ng my throat as Grandma

ing my throat as Grandma

andma said w

rning, G

nod to Elena.

gaze meeting mine briefly before she loo

her came for money or came for connections. I couldn't tell which

nal protection of

s,

can on Elena Jonathan

her, then back a

y voice was fir

es on her until I