Sometimes we ask ourselves questions that we know the answers to. Why do we do it then? A force of habit? A hope that some outside force will tell you a different answer?

  Mia wondered the same thing. She was so stunned by Lina's statement that she could do nothing, but remain frozen like a statue. Mia was lost in her own thoughts, and didn't even realize the nurse that entered.

  "Yes, please sign here for the release forms. My apologies for bringing this so late."

  Mia's ears began to ring the deeper she thought about it. Her… and Atlantis? On what planet?! Mars? Oh please, the possibility of humans living on Mars soon was much more plausible than the idea of her dating that grouchy and melancholic man.

  Mia had never seen someone as depressing as Atlantis. It was like he was taken straight out of a heartbreaking story. When he was done being the hotshot of the business world, Atlantis would retreat to his enormous, yet empty penthouse.

  The man would pour himself a glass of wine for dinner and stare out the window. He'd people-watch, for everyone else's life was always better than his. He could barely see the streets below, but sometimes he could see this family. And he'd rub his thumb over a box containing a sapphire ring.

  All night long, Atlantis would be occupied by the ring and alcohol. On some days, he'd drunk call Mia. His voice would be heavy with emotions. His throat was laced with pain and his mood darker than the stormy nights.

  That heartbroken man…


  There was no way Mia would love him. Right?

  "Ouch!" Lina hissed, flinching as she saw the clean-cut on her thumb.

  "Oh, do not fret, Mrs. DeHaven, I have a bandaid right here," the nurse quickly said, reaching into her front apron pockets.

  Something happened right before Lina's shaking eyes. The papercut healed on the spot. Lina's throat closed. She felt a punch knock the air out of her stomach. She was queasy and unwell. What the hell was that? Did the nurse see the same thing she did?

  "Oh, has it stopped bleeding already?" the nurse deadpanned, blinking in disbelief. "How impressive your genetics are. It is no wonder you have that many regenerative cells."

  Lina slowly blinked. Was it a trick of the light? Was there no cut, but just the sensation of the paper slicing over her flesh? She swallowed and dropped her hand.

  The nurse flashed her a reassuring smile. "With these documents signed, you're discharged as of this moment, Mrs. DeHaven. If you ever feel any discomfort, please do not hesitate to visit us again. It will be our pleasure to serve you."

  The nurse bowed and exited the room.

  Lina was left stunned by this revelation. She could only keep her eyes glued to her fingers.

  "What happened?" Mia remarked.

  Lina calmly glanced at Mia. She reminded herself that Mia wasn't a friend. Some things can be said and shared. The event that just occurred? Not in a billion chances.

  Lina had her suspicions before, but now, it was confirmed.

  Kaden did something to her. Lina didn't know what it was for now, but she had an inkling that it was nothing she'd like——

  After Kaden sorted half the things he needed to do with the company, he headed home. He was going to finish the rest tomorrow. Today, they dealt with the more important tasks. Sebastian had happily crossed things off their to-do list, from the stockholder's address to the dividend distribution and then the shareholders meeting, urgent conferences with other leaders in the industry, a controversy on the rise, and then organized the upcoming major revamp of their apps.

  The second everything ended, Kaden stormed out of his office. He didn't even wait for Sebastian to finish briefing tomorrow's plan. Kaden had a destination in mind. He was going to make it there no matter what.

  "You're speeding like your house is on fire," Holton dryly remarked from the car speaker. "I can practically hear you zooming down the highway right now, breaking all sorts of laws."

  "Shut your trap."

  "Someone is in a bad mood." Holton loudly sighed. "Then again, when are you not?"

  Kaden narrowed his eyes irritably onto the speaker. He roughly swerved to the right, merging into the lane at the perfect moment. He stepped hard on the gas in an attempt to rush home. That damn Sebastian!

  One meeting turned into ten. Groups of people one after the other entered the room, forcing him to stay longer than needed. What was he? Some prostitute waiting on his customers? Sebastian would make one hell of a pimp.

  Kaden wanted to go home earlier. He wanted to greet Lina the second she walked through their doors. He needed everything to be perfect.

  Kaden had purchased her favorite candles god damn it! He was supposed to have it lit, so the second she walked in, she'd smell it. Then, dinner should be prepared just the way she liked it—full of meat. Lastly, the dessert! Only he could make her the best one.

  "Papa, is that Uncle Kaden? I want to speak to him!" Hazel happily called out from the background.

  "Wait, Hazel, your Papa is busy—"

  "Hi, Uncle Kaden!" Hazel shouted into the phone, wrestling it out of her father's hands. She squirmed and climbed him like a tree. Her stubby hands wretched the item from him.

  "Hiiiii!" Hazel eagerly greeted, as if Kaden didn't hear her the first time. "Uncle Kaden, Uncle Kaden. Are you coming over?"

  "Not now, sweetheart, Uncle Kaden is very busy with the bug that crawled up his—"

  "I'm fine," Kaden deadpanned. "Your Papa is just being a pain right now, sweetie."

  "When is he not?" Hazel grumbled.

  "How can you say that about your Papa who has worked so hard to raise you?" Holton cried out in disbelief, pulling the phone back from her. She smacked his hand away and pressed the device closer to her.

  "Hazel, sweetie, if you don't give the phone back to your Papa, I'll tell you where he hides your candy." Kaden slammed his foot on the gas and swerved furiously, getting right off the highway and toward the pavement that led to their house highly secluded from the world and with advanced technology.

  Even now, Kaden sped past the armed men who guarded this place from morning to night, and then another round came from night to morning. Kaden didn't need all of this security, but his lovely wife certainly deserved it.

  "Really?" Hazel gasped.

  "Hey! Don't bribe my daughter right in front of me with candy! What kind of kidnapper are you?"

  "You'll really tell me?" Hazel breathed out, her eyes lighting up.

  "Yes, but you must run off with this phone and never give it back to him. Your Papa is damn annoying."

  Instantly, Hazel hopped off her father. She made a beeline straight for the exit of her vacation home. She heard her Mother loved this place for the enormous maze behind it.

  "Get back over here! How can you betray your Papa like that!" Holton complained whilst running after his daughter.

  "The stash is hidden right in the jar sitting on the politics section of the bookshelf. Have fun."

  "Kaden, you damn bastard!"

  Kaden's lips curled into an amused sneer. Just in time. He hung up the phone and exited his car. Finally, he was home…… And from the lights that were on in the front porch, without a doubt, the Madam of the house had returned.