After Fara left, Evan, who had overheard the conversation from inside the room, simply let out a sigh. He wasn't surprised that Fara came, but he didn't want to deal with her right now.
Meanwhile, in another place, Laras was on the phone with someone.
"Yes, I've picked up Sienna. She's alright, just a bit shaken."
The voice on the other end sounded serious. "We're currently investigating the mastermind behind the kidnapping. So far, the indications point to this not being a random act."
Laras nodded, even though the caller couldn't see her. "I figured. This isn't really about Sienna, is it? It's about Evan."
"Possibly. We're still looking for more evidence."
Laras ended the call with a growing sense of unease. If this really was the work of Nathaniel William's enemies, then Sienna could be targeted again.
Back home, Sienna sat quietly on the couch, her face downcast. Laras sat beside her and gently patted her shoulder.
"Sienna, from now on you have to be more careful. Don't trust people so easily."
Sienna bit her lip, then spoke softly, "Aunt Laras… if the kidnapping happened because of Uncle Evan, why did he still protect me?"
Laras was silent for a moment before answering, "Maybe he feels responsible. But precisely because of that, you have to be careful, Sienna. Don't get too close to him."
Sienna lowered her head, but deep down, she wasn't sure she could follow Laras's advice.
A few days later, Evan was discharged from the hospital.
Though still needing rest, he decided to return to his own apartment. But as soon as he arrived in the lobby, a sharply dressed man was already waiting for him.
"Mr. Evan," the man greeted, handing over a business card. "I'm with the company's security team. I'd like to speak with you."
Evan took the card and glanced at the name: Adrian Hartono – Head of Security, William Group.
They sat down to talk in the apartment lounge.
"We've confirmed the kidnapping wasn't random," Adrian said seriously. "Someone targeted you. The perpetrators have been caught, but there's a mastermind behind them. And… it seems they mistakenly believed Sienna was someone close to you."
Evan stared at Adrian sharply. "Sienna is no one."
"That's the problem. If she's no one, then why did they go after her?"
Evan fell silent. He had the same question.
"Mr. Nathaniel asked me to ensure your security," Adrian continued. "From now on, you'll be under tighter surveillance. If possible, stay away from anyone who could become the next target."
Evan understood Adrian's message. Stay away from Sienna.
But he also knew that if someone was targeting him, keeping Sienna away wouldn't necessarily make her safe.
Meanwhile, Sienna had the growing feeling that she was being watched.
After school, she noticed a man in a black jacket standing across the street. At first glance, he seemed to be on his phone, but Sienna felt his eyes were on her the entire time.
She felt a chill.
She hurried home to Laras's house, but just before entering, a message popped up on her phone from an unknown number:
"Don't think you can escape that easily, Sienna."
Sienna bit her lip. Was this not over?
That night, Evan sat by the window in his apartment, gazing at the brightly lit city. His mind was still replaying Adrian's words:
"Avoid people who could be the next target."
But he knew—staying away from Sienna wouldn't be enough.
He picked up his phone and typed a message:
Evan:I need your help. Watch someone for me.
A reply came quickly.
???: Who's the target?
Evan typed the name already etched in his mind.
Evan:Sienna.
The message sent, and another reply followed soon after.
???: From afar or up close?
Evan paused to think.
Evan:From afar. Don't let her notice. Report to me if anything suspicious happens.
???: Understood.
Evan set the phone down and exhaled deeply. He had done what he could. Now, all he could do was hope Sienna would remain safe—without ever knowing someone was watching over her from the shadows.
Evan glanced at the calendar on his desk. It was already September. Only three months left before everything reset again.
No one was truly close to him now. Sienna had grown more distant since the kidnapping. Laras made sure Evan no longer got too involved in the girl's life.
Maybe next year, he wouldn't have to lose anyone. No one to be close to. No one to forget.
But still, there was one thing he couldn't avoid—he would have to start all over again. Back to his old desk, back to being a regular employee, reliving his life from zero as a 25-year-old man—for the fifth time.
Evan sighed and closed his laptop. No matter how far he went, no matter how hard he worked, everything always ended in the same place.
It was just a matter of time.
Evan turned his focus to work. If he couldn't escape the curse, at least he could ensure his father's company stayed safe.
He pushed himself harder, overseeing every project, making sure there were no gaps that enemies could exploit. Sienna's kidnapping months ago wasn't just a warning—it was proof that someone wanted to bring their family down.
As his father's assistant, he was now more involved in major decisions. He studied financial reports carefully, tracked stock movements, and paid close attention to their competitors. Nothing could slip through his watch.
He also made sure his trusted people remained alert—especially those protecting Sienna from afar. Even if he couldn't be near her, he would never let her fall into danger again.
Three months left. He didn't know if his efforts would carry over into the new year, but as long as he was still here, he would give it his all.
December 31, 2019
Evan sat in the family living room, dressed in a casual shirt. The atmosphere was festive, filled with laughter and chatter. Just like every year, his mother had prepared a birthday cake, with candles shaped into the number "26," ready to be lit at midnight.
But only Evan knew—that number meant nothing.
He stared at the cake in silence, his mind drifting. This year felt different. He had worked harder than ever, tried to protect his father's company, protected those he cared about, and closed every vulnerability that might endanger his family. But would it all be in vain? Would everything vanish again when he opened his eyes tomorrow?
Outside, fireworks began to crackle, signaling the final moments of the year. His mother smiled at him and placed a knife on the table, ready for the cake-cutting.
Evan took a deep breath and picked up his phone, opening his contact list. As always, it held all the important names—Sienna, Laras, Reza, and a few others.
Would they still be there tomorrow?
His eyes returned to the candle on the cake. Last year, the number "26" disappeared, replaced by "25" the moment the year changed. Like a cruel joke. A reminder that all his efforts meant nothing.
"Just a few more seconds," his mother said cheerfully, pulling him out of his thoughts. "Ready, Evan?"
Evan gave a faint smile. No one is ever truly ready for this.
He glanced at the clock. 11:59 PM
Would this time be different?
January 1, 2020
The clock struck midnight. A new year began.
Evan looked at the cake.
The number 26 was gone.
As expected, the candle now showed an impossible number: 25.
For the fifth time.
He took a deep breath. No anger. No shock. This time, he wasn't disappointed.
He had known all along it would happen again. But unlike past years, this time—he was ready.
He wouldn't waste time grieving his fate. Wouldn't search for answers he might never find.
There were still things he had to protect.
His father's company. And… Sienna.
He didn't know if Sienna would still exist in this timeline, but as long as he could remember her, as long as he could move—he would protect her.
Evan stood up, picked up his phone. As usual, he opened his contact list. And just like previous years, some names were gone.
But one name remained.
Sienna.
Evan smiled faintly. This time, he wasn't starting from zero.
Not entirely.