Soon there will be a summer festival in Dustown, an eagerly anticipated annual event by the entire Community because it's the only lively event that will be held for a whole week, boosting the economy as visitors from out of town also come. Since Dustown was previously a stopover city, the festival here promotes creativity in making fashion from recycled waste. The city is renowned for producing exceptionally exquisite works.The good news is that it shifted the news about me a bit, overshadowed by the excitement of those preparing for the festival. I assume Elliot, as the mayor, will be busy in the coming days. [Stay cautious, as Elliot must have considered this as well,] advised the system.‘Surely, any movements from Alex?’[Yesterday, he visited Elliot's residence and met with Sonia and Camilla, ending their engagement.]‘Hmm… So he's starting to consider being serious with Anne because from the beginning, he knew that Anne and I were only in a business marriage. It also means An
The streets leading to the clinic were bustling with people setting up tents for the bazaar and vibrant, eye-catching ornaments for the festival. I slipped through the crowd, walking, wearing the Dustown city mascot costume—a mouse holding a golden coin—perfectly resembling Elliot.People high-fived me as I passed, thinking I was there to entertain and cheer them up. Some even asked for photos together. I patiently indulged them.Upon arriving at La Travola Reale, I entered and changed out of my usual costume. From the back door, I stepped into a waiting van. Hammam and Gushton were helping me this time, along with all their men; the restaurant was closed.Using three cars, we made our way to the clinic. Gushton stopped 200 meters away, took his binoculars, and observed the situation there."The place is filled with his men, Dan," he reported. "The man is suffering from acute paranoia," he added.I asked for the binoculars and observed; armed men were guarding the front. From their ve
*SLAM*Alex forcefully shut Anne's door, startling her and making her cringe in place. After the encounter with Danzel, Alex seemed angry and unstable in the car, talking and arguing with himself. Anne could see that. That's why she dared not speak, afraid that anything she might say could be misinterpreted by Alex. But deep down, she felt happy to have seen Danzel, even if only for a brief moment. How Danzel worried about her, risking his life just to save her. She felt loved and desired. How much she wished to run into his arms right now.But as she had informed Danzel, Alex forced her to drink a poison for which only he had the antidote. If she didn't meet Alex within two hours, she'd struggle to breathe—Alex had tested it himself just to prove his point. It was a painful experience for Anne, fearing for the well-being of the baby she carried. But Alex promised he wouldn't go that far. Still, he was incredibly cruel.Anne knew that Alex was determined; if he couldn't have Anne, the
"So, Dad, what do you think?" Camilla pouted after her long rant. Elliot's face darkened as if he wanted to devour someone; waiting for his daughter to finish talking was the harshest punishment for him."I need to make sure again because I still don't understand. So, are you pregnant or not?" Elliot asked. His question made Camilla's face flush with anger. Before that could happen, Elliot immediately gave an ultimatum."If you get angry again, I won't give you this," Elliot pointed, pulling out his ultimate black credit card. Instantly, Camilla's eyes sparkled, and her demeanor, which had been like a lioness, changed into that of a kitten."Oh no, Dad, I was just looking for excuses earlier," Camilla deflected."So how did you meet both of them at the gynecologist's office?""I was just having a routine check-up, Dad, a Pap Smear, you know, for the feminine area. I don't need to discuss that with you, do I? It's strange to talk about it with your own Dad," explained Camilla. She walk
"How is this possible?" I asked, disbelieving. "I saw your grave being lowered into the ground, and Mom and Dad crying for you...""It was a momentary death. I rose and dug my own grave. In the pitch-black darkness, I realized the foolishness of my decision. God gave me a second chance to seek revenge for what they did to me," Helen replied.I stood up from my kneeling position, embracing her, and she returned it warmly, though the feeling was strange. My subconscious had already considered her gone, yet here she was, suddenly appearing before me, alive and speaking."Finally seeing you in person after all this time, only communicating through the system," she continued, further surprising me.My mind instantly connected the history of our conversations, how there was an immediate connection, and her responses seemed more humane, more subjective when needed. I even suspected she was Kak Helen, but I dismissed it as wishful thinking."So, it's been you all this time? I've been talking
"Where were you when Mom and Dad passed away, sis?" I asked, recalling how I attended the funeral alone, hands cuffed, crying alone as their coffins were lowered and buried. How devastated I was to have no one to share the grief with at that time. Remembering it now, I feel manipulated by Helen.Helen took a deep breath, tilting her head towards the car ceiling. She seemed to swallow a lump in her throat before answering, "I was in my exile, Dan. I couldn't come back then because even staying alive was a struggle for me. But as soon as I could stand on my own feet, I came here to show my condolences and vows to them, to protect you, and to avenge their pain.""You didn't even bother to visit me, sis," I retorted. Somehow, I felt like blaming Helen for everything that happened because I was in jail, and Mom and Dad passed away—all starting with Helen."It all takes time, Danzel. Do you think what they did to me was easily understandable? Acceptable? So, you choose for me to return, acc
"Baaaby… Baby!" echoed a woman's voice throughout the house. Anne recognized the voice, waiting to see what the woman would do here.Alex was startled, seeing Camilla enter with such ease, as if she owned the house herself. "What are you doing here? Damn it, why did the guards let you through?" he grumbled irritably."Calm down, baby. Why do you react so strongly to seeing me? I just came here to tell you that I'll take you back if you regret it. I’ll forgive you," Camilla explained confidently. She tossed her long, artificially extended hair with long-nailed fingers adorned with excessive accessories that were entirely unappealing.It wasn't just her hair and nails that were patched; several parts of her body were also the same. Others could tell she was a walking piece of plastic from excessive plastic surgeries. Her attitude, utterly lacking in decorum, didn't help at all; it only made her overall demeanor worse.Of course, Alex compared the woman in front of him to Anne, shaking h
“You’re delusional. I don't want anything,” answered Camilla, her lips curved into a sweet smile for Anne. Of course, Anne didn't immediately believe her, convincing herself to remain cautious around Camilla.Throughout her life, Camilla had always treated her badly, harboring negative thoughts about her. Initially, Anne had always wanted to understand the reasons behind Camilla's behavior, until she realized it was futile—Camilla's judgment of her was already formed, no matter how hard she tried to show kindness. Camilla remained steadfast and eventually deemed Anne as a mere attention-seeker.Since then, Anne realized she didn't need to waste energy on people who hated her because they would continue to do so. She had to focus on those who loved her, not many in number but sufficient for her.Thinking about it made her heart ache once again; now those people were gone, Pops and Dr. Bertha, whom she considered as her own father figures. Meha, who had been like the elder sister she ne