Chapter 5:
Paige bustled around the kitchen, setting Lena's bags aside and moving with purpose. The stove clicked to life as she began reheating leftovers, tossing in extra spices, chopping fresh fruit, and pouring soup into a pot. The table was soon set with a care she hadn't shown in weeks.
Eliot remained at the small dining table, hunched forward, his hands folded, eyes staring at a spot on the floor as though it might open and swallow him whole. He puts the contract away.
Lena, watching the strange domestic scene unfold.
"Okay… is anyone going to tell me what's happening?" she asked.
"I need to head to the store," Eliot said abruptly, rising from his chair.
Lena frowned. "Now?"
He didn't answer. He was already slipping out the door.
As he stepped outside, he crossed paths with Kyle, who had just returned from university.
"Hey, I'm home! Smells good," Kyle said. "Where are you going, Dad?"
"Store," Eliot mumbled and kept walking.
Kyle raised an eyebrow but didn't push it. He kicked off his shoes and headed into the kitchen. "Hey, Mom, what are you cooking? It smells amazing."
"Your sister brought chicken wings. I made some soup and rice. Thought I'd throw in some fruit too," Paige said, beaming. When he reached for one of the wings, she smacked his hand without hesitation. "Go wash up first before touching my pot."
Kyle grinned, hands raised in surrender. "Fine, fine. Just one fruit though." He snatched a slice of mango from the plate and made a run for it.
"Come here again and I'll chase you with the pan!" Paige called after him.
Lena leaned on the kitchen counter, watching it all unfold. "It's really lively today. What's going on, Mom? You planning to cook the whole neighborhood's dinner?"
"Then let's invite them over," Paige joked, laying down more plates.
Lena narrowed her eyes playfully. "Did you drink something? You're usually the queen of saving."
"Leave her alone," Kyle shouted from the hallway. "She's happy for once, don't ruin it."
Lena rolled her eyes. "Did I ask you anything?"
Kyle peeked around the corner, mimicking her voice. "Did I ask you anything?"
"You're asking for a beating, aren't you?"
Kyle repeated everything she said in a high-pitched tone, making her more annoyed.
Their petty back-and-forth came to a sudden halt when Paige brought the meat to the table. The scent filled the room, silencing everyone.
They sat together, though Eliot hadn't returned. When Lena asked about him, Paige waved it off. "He already ate."
They ate until they were full, laughter echoing through the walls.
During the meal, Paige turned to Kyle. "Did you apply for your internship yet?"
He leaned back with a sigh. "Of course not. Where would I find the money? I was actually thinking of getting a part-time job—"
"No," Paige and Lena said in unison.
Kyle blinked. "Why not? Lena's doing enough. I'm a man—I should act like one."
"I told you," Lena said firmly. "I'm already saving up for your next phase. Let me handle it."
"You don't need to—"
"Enough," Paige interjected. "You will do that internship in the best hospital. Working part-time could injure your hands. A doctor is nothing without steady hands."
Kyle opened his mouth to protest, but Paige kept going. "And can you eat like a girl?"
Lena, mid-bite, frowned. "What does that mean? I am a girl."
Kyle muttered, "Debatable."
Lena shot him a glare. "Say that again."
Kyle smirked. "Look at you, stuffing your face. No one's ever going to fall for that."
"Enough," Paige said, already standing with dishes in her hands. "If you're done, go to your rooms."
Kyle stood up. "I'll help you clean, Mom."
"Good. Take the plates and the pot."
Lena leaned back. "Whatever. I wonder where Dad disappeared to…"
Meanwhile…
Eliot sat slumped at a bar, surrounded by empty glasses. The guilt had crept in like a storm and now poured through him freely.
"I think I sold my daughter," he mumbled aloud.
A few men nearby paused.
"What did he say?"
"Sold his daughter?"
"And now he's here drinking away the guilt?"
Eliot didn't respond. He stumbled out into the night, legs heavy, heart heavier.
By the time he returned home, the house was quiet. He collapsed onto the couch, mumbling to no one.
From the hallway, Lena cracked open her bedroom door. She had been waiting for him to return. She watched him quietly, her heart tugging with unease. He looked… empty.
And other day,
The glass doors of Lumina Corp glinted under the setting sun.
Lena adjusted the strap of her small bag and took a breath. "I just need to return this hoodie," she murmured to herself. "No big deal. In and out."
She wore the black-and-white dress she'd saved for Kyle's graduation and a pair of old black heels she'd barely worn. It was the only one she had. After this, she was supposed to grab lunch with Rowan.
"Thank God I found this dress again," she said with a little smile.
Inside the building, she walked quickly toward the front desk, hoodie folded neatly in her arms.
At the same time, Will Shade entered through the opposite door, striding straight toward the elevators with Jin at his side.
"Keep me updated," Will said. "I want the full report—what her family looks like, the terms they agreed to. No surprises."
"Yes, sir," Jin replied. "The documents are on your desk."
Will nodded. "And schedule—"
He stopped mid-sentence. In a sharp turn around the corner, he collided into someone.
Lena stumbled backward with a startled gasp—her heel snapped, and she crashed to the floor.
"I'm so sorry," she muttered, blinking up at the towering man. Then she looked down. "Oh no. No, no—not today."
Will looked down at her, eyes narrowing for half a second. Something about her seemed familiar, but she wasn't bleeding, just embarrassed.
"Handle this," he told Jin coolly, then turned back to the elevator.
Lena's voice shot up, sharp and incredulous. "You're not even going to say sorry are you?"
Will didn't pause. He stepped into the elevator and, without turning around, said flatly to Jin, "Make it quick."
The doors closed behind him.
Lena struggled to get up, balancing awkwardly on one heel. Her jaw clenched. "Unbelievable."
Jin crouched beside her, offering the fallen hoodie. "Miss, are you alright? I apologize on his behalf—Mr. Shade's schedule is intense."
Lena took the hoodie from him, still fuming. "You're his assistant?"
Then he looked more closely at her—and recognition hit.
"Miss Morisawa?" he asked, blinking.
She paused. "How do you know my name?"
"It's Jin. We met… briefly. I'm sorry again. If I'd known it was you, I wouldn't have—"
She narrowed her eyes. "Wait. Did you just say Mr. Shade?"
Her face dropped.
"Oh no. Not him."
Jin cleared his throat. "I assumed… you were here to move in, per the contract."
Lena stared. "What contract?"
"The one your parents signed." Jin's voice was cautious now. "I was under the impression they told you already."
Lena's expression hardened. "They did what?"
"I'm… truly sorry," Jin said quickly. "Please talk to them. If I may suggest—use the back door when leaving. It's quieter."
Then, like a man dodging disaster, Jin bolted for the elevator.
Lena stepped out of the building moments later, one heel in her hand, the hoodie still clutched to her chest. Her heart pounded.
Deception. Confusion. Anger.
She didn't know which one hurt more.