LOGINCynthia couldn't fall asleep.She stared at the ceiling while listening to the gentle sound of rain tapping against the windows. Usually, falling asleep wasn't difficult anymore. Ever since she had started staying at Blackwood Estate, she had somehow convinced herself that Damien was nothing more than a giant teddy bear. A grumpy one, perhaps, but harmless enough that she never felt threatened when he was beside her.That little trick always helped her calm her nerves.But tonight was different.Ever since the awkward incident earlier, she couldn't stop thinking about it.The embarrassment lingered in her mind, making every second feel unbearably awkward.His arm rested around her, and for the first time since she had arrived, she became painfully aware of how close they were.His body radiated warmth.His breathing was slow and steady.She shifted slightly, trying to find a comfortable position.His arm barely moved."It's... heavy," she whispered.Damien slowly opened his eyes."Wha
Cynthia couldn't believe what had just happened.She stood frozen in the middle of the room, her mind refusing to process the last few seconds. Her face burned with embarrassment as she hurriedly pulled on her pajamas with trembling hands."What was I thinking?" she muttered under her breath.She had been so distracted after returning from seeing Leo that she had completely forgotten to lock the bedroom door.Once she had buttoned her pajama top, she slowly walked toward the door.Her hand rested on the handle for several seconds before she gathered enough courage to open it just a little.The hallway was empty.Damien was nowhere to be seen.She quietly closed the door again and leaned against it, releasing a long breath she hadn't realized she had been holding.Her heart continued to pound relentlessly.She walked into the bathroom and splashed cold water across her face.The cool water helped, but only slightly.She stared at her reflection in the mirror."What if he saw me?"The q
"Your wounds are healing nicely," Cynthia said with a warm smile as she gently examined the small scar near Leo's arm.Leo looked down at it before grinning proudly."See? I told you I'm strong.""You are.""I'm doing much better now.""I can see that."He straightened his shoulders dramatically."Aunt has been feeding me so much that I think I'll become fat."Cynthia laughed."Really?""She keeps making hot soup, porridge, and all kinds of healthy food.""That's because you need strength.""I know... but she watches me until I finish every single bite.""Good.""Cyn!""What?""You're taking her side.""Of course I am."Leo pretended to sulk while Cynthia playfully ruffled his hair."I'm glad you're eating properly.""I even walked around the corridor twice today.""That's wonderful.""The doctor said I can slowly start moving more.""I'm so proud of you."Leo's face brightened at her words.Just then, Aunt Sarah walked into the room carrying a tray with three cups of coffee and a pla
"Cyn, Aunt Sarah told me you vacated our house," Leo asks. Cynthia paused in the middle of unpacking a box of paints. "Yes.""You really did?"She smiled sadly."I did."There was a brief silence."But... I will miss that house."His words tugged at her heart."I know.""It wasn't a big house.""I know.""The roof leaked during the rain.""I know that too.""And the kitchen was so tiny."Cynthia laughed softly."It was.""But..." Leo's voice became quieter. "It was our home."Her eyes began to sting."Yes, Leo. It was."She looked around the spacious bedroom she now occupied. The room was larger than their entire apartment.Yet it never felt like home."The memories are still ours," she said gently. "No matter where we live.""You promise?""I promise."Leo sighed."When I come back..."She corrected herself with a smile."When I come back after work is over, we'll find another place.""A better one?""A much better one.""With a bigger kitchen?""Definitely.""And a balcony?""If t
The following morning, Cynthia woke up much earlier than usual.Why did you ruin my life? Those words refused to leave her.She had heard them over and over again until she finally fell asleep on the couch. The more she thought about them, the less they made sense.She had never met Damien Blackwood before the auction. She had never crossed paths with him. Yet, in his drunken state, he had looked at her as though she were the reason behind every misery in his life. She sat up and wrapped her arms around her knees."Who were you talking about?" she whispered to herself. Perhaps someone who had broken his heart.It certainly explained why he was always drinking. Why he barely smiled. Why did his eyes always carried a strange emptiness? No one lived like that unless they were carrying something unbearably heavy.Maybe he had recently lost someone. His mother or his father. Or perhaps a woman he had loved deeply. Whatever it was, the pain had clearly never left him.Curiosity slowly began
After leaving the hospital, Cynthia asked the driver to make one more stop before returning to Blackwood Estate."My apartment," she said.The driver nodded respectfully.Nearly twenty minutes later, the shabby apartment building came into view and the neighborhood was full of people at the poverty line. She had lived here for almost four years.The moment she stepped inside, silence welcomed her. Everything remained exactly where she had left it.A lump formed in her throat. This tiny apartment had witnessed every chapter of her life. It had heard her laughter with Grandma. It had seen Leo grow up. It had watched her cry after receiving hospital bills she couldn't afford.Now she was leaving it behind.A soft knock came from outside."Cynthia?"She turned to see Mrs. D'Souza, the elderly landlady, standing at the doorway."Oh, Mrs. D'Souza.""I saw you come in?” she asks, "Are you moving?"Cynthia nodded."For a while."Mrs. D'Souza entered the apartment."How's Leo?""The surgery w







