Chapter Five
In a dimly lit alleyway reeking of smoke and cheap alcohol, a group of young men lounged against the graffiti-stained walls, their laughter coarse and boisterous. The sound of a motorcycle engine tore through the night, drawing their attention.
Adonis pulled up, dressed in black, his face unreadable beneath the shadows of the flickering streetlamp.
"Yo, my brother!" Rudy,a gang member called out, pushing off the wall and striding toward him. "Good thing you came. I was just about to head to your place."
Adonis removed his helmet and raised an eyebrow. "What's going on?"
Rudy lowered his voice and reached into his jacket, producing a small brown package. "The boss wants you to deliver this."
Adonis took the package with a silent nod, but his eyes lingered on it, expression tightening with hesitation. The weight in his hand felt heavier than it should have.
In an upscale private room decorated with velvet drapes and mahogany furniture, Rosalind sat across from a young man with striking features and an unsettling air of authority. Despite the warmth of the room, a chill seemed to linger in the air.
A brown envelope rested between them on the table. Rosalind picked it up quickly, her fingers trembling slightly as she opened it. Her eyes widened at the sight of the photograph inside—a young, beautiful girl with eyes that seemed to pierce right through the lens.
"Sir's meaning is...?" she asked, trying to mask her surprise with a flattering smile.
"I want you to choose her for the job," Harry said, voice calm but laced with steel. "Everything you need to know is in that envelope. She's the best candidate. Do whatever it takes to convince her."
Rosalind nodded quickly. "Please don't worry, Sir. I'll get it done as soon as possible."
Harry stood to leave, his sharp gaze halting her in place.
"One more thing," he said coldly. "Not a word of today's meeting to anyone. If I find out otherwise..." His voice trailed off, but the unspoken threat hung heavy in the air.
Rosalind forced a smile, though her spine tingled with fear. "Sir need not worry. I won't tell a soul."
She watched him go, her heart pounding. The man had the face of a god, but the heart of a devil. Offending him meant certain death.
Outside Julia's school, Ana stood waiting beneath a jacaranda tree, the late afternoon sun bathing her in golden light.
"Sister!" Julia 's cheerful voice rang out as she ran toward her, her tiny arms outstretched.
Ana knelt, gathering the little girl into her embrace. The scent of jasmine filled Julia's lungs as she breathed in deeply, finding comfort in her sister's arms.
Their bond was unshakable. With a mother constantly working to pay off debts, Ana had been more than a sister, she had been a second mother, best friend, and protector all in one.
A teacher approached them, her smile gentle but her eyes filled with concern. "Miss Ana?"
Ana turned. "Yes, Miss Regina?"
"May I have a word with you?"
Ana gave Julia a quick kiss on the forehead. "Wait for me over there, sweetheart."
As they stepped aside, Regina lowered her voice. "Ana... I understand Julia isn't in the best health conditions but lately I've noticed she's been getting weaker recently, panting just from walking. We're very worried."
Ana's heart clenched.
"She begged me not to tell you," Teacher Regina added. "She said your family is going through a lot, and she doesn't want to add to your burden."
Tears welled in Ana's eyes as she glanced at her sister, standing patienty under the shades and kicking pebbles. Smiling faintly. So young, yet so thoughtful. Since she was born, she never cried for anything and was content with whatever was given to her. Ana's heart ached.
On the walk home, Ana noticed how Julia lagged behind, her face pale and movements sluggish. Without a word, she knelt down and said softly, "Come on, let big sister carry you."
Julia climbed onto her back with a small giggle, and Ana carried her for the rest of the way, her arms trembling not from the weight, but from sorrow.
Elsewhere in S City, an elderly man in an expensive custom made suit stared out of a towering window into the vast darkness beyond.
A young man in a black suit stood behind him. "Sir, we're very close to finding the young heir. After the wreckage, he was rescued by someone who relocated to B City. We're tracking him now."
The old man said nothing, simply waved his hand to dismiss the messenger. Alone once more, he sighed deeply. The night offered no comfort, only memories of a past drenched in regret.
At the Lyle residence, the scent of garlic and onions filled the modest kitchen as Ana and Mrs Lyle prepared dinner.
"What's your brother doing?" Mrs Lyle asked with a frown. "He hasn't come out of his room since he got home."
"I'll check on him," Ana said, wiping her hands and heading down the narrow hallway.
She knocked. "Big brother, dinner's ready."
No answer.
Pushing the door open, she froze. Adonis stood shirtless before the mirror, struggling to apply balm to a nasty wound on his back. Blood-stained swabs littered the floor.
"Adonis!" she gasped. "What happened to you?"
"It's nothing. Don't tell Mom," he replied flatly.
"What do you mean 'nothing'? You're bleeding! Sit down. I'll help you."
He obeyed, and Ana carefully tended to the deep slash across his shoulder. Her touch was gentle, her breath warm as she blew lightly on the wound.
In the mirror, Adonis watched her. Her brows furrowed in worry, her lips pursed in focus—she was beautiful and kind. His heart stirred, heavy with silent emotion.
When she finished bandaging his wound, he buttoned up his shirt, and they went to join their mother for dinner.
The next morning, Ana was hanging laundry in the courtyard when a familiar voice called out.
"Ana! Ana!"
She turned to see a petite young woman rushing toward her, golden hair flying behind her like silk ribbons.
"Sandra?" Ana blinked. "Why are you so excited?"
Panting, Sandra beamed. "I've found something that could change your life."
"Are you drunk?" Ana teased, reaching out to touch her forehead.
Sandra slapped her hand away. "No! Dummy!"
She leaned in, eyes gleaming. "Have you heard of surrogacy?"
Ana nodded slowly. "Yes, but..."
"Well, I heard from a reliable source that a rich family is offering five million dollars—five million!—to anyone willing to be a surrogate mother. Artificial insemination. Confidential. No strings attached!"
Ana's jaw dropped. "Five... million dollars?!"
Sandra nodded furiously. "That's right. Just carry the baby and go on with your life like nothing ever happened. Isn't that amazing?"
Ana stood frozen, heart pounding as she processed the idea. Five million dollars could wipe away all her family's suffering but at what cost?
Ana stood rooted to the spot, the echo of "Five million dollars!" ringing in her ears long after Julia stopped talking. Her heart pounded furiously in her chest, her mind spinning with thoughts she couldn't quite process. Five million dollars could solve all their problems—Annie's treatments, their family's debts,
"Sandra… are you sure about this?" Ana asked slowly, her voice laced with caution.
Sandra nodded eagerly. "I wouldn't joke about this, Ana. I know how much you're struggling. I saw the hospital bills you tried to hide. This is your chance. One child. Nine months. And you'll never have to worry again."