Days later...
"I’m fine, Amala," Lola repeated for the umpteenth time, raising her brows briefly as she leaned against the balcony of Atlas’s room. She held the phone up so Amala could see her clearly.
"I told you where I was going," she hummed. "I did that because I knew you’d worry about me."
Amala, on the video call, narrowed her eyes to study Lola. She wasn’t sure whether it was the morning light shining on Lola’s face or something else, but Lola looked... blooming. She was already beautiful, but now she was glowing — even through the screen.
A sigh of relief escaped Amala as she smiled. "I just called because you haven’t been responding to me."
"I know." Lola chuckled. "I was a little busy here."
She had promised Amala that she would keep her updated once she arrived in Anteca. But from the moment she set foot in the Bennet residence, Lola simply didn’t get the time. Her future in-laws welcomed her warmly and made time for her despite their busy schedules.
And at night, Atlas kept her even busier — his hand clamped over her mouth while his body rocked hers into the mattress.
A family woman in the morning, and Atlas’s whore at night.
How was she supposed to have time to text?
"But I’m glad everything is alright over there, Lola," Amala said warmly. "About the auction, I’ll be attending with Haji later. And as for Silo, he’s busy with Cedrick. So, you don’t have to worry about anything here."
"I’m not worried at all." A light giggle slipped from Lola’s lips. "Knowing you’re there, I have nothing to worry about."
Amala pressed her lips together, eyes softening with affection as she took in Lola’s serene face. A small lump formed in her throat, and she cleared it before she got too emotional.
"Anyway, Lola, enjoy your vacation there," she said. "As for me, I’ll be busy with the auction. Also, your friend Aileen dropped by with some gifts. I’ll keep them until you get back."
"Thank you, Amala," Lola said sincerely. "I mean it."
"I know you do."
With that, the call ended, leaving Lola smiling at her phone. She wouldn’t have been able to leave Novera for emotional recovery if Amala weren’t there. But knowing that woman, Lola could finally breathe.
"I have good people," she whispered. "Not just a good family now... but really good friends."
Friends who had been through the worst parts of her life with her.
A child’s voice suddenly echoed from below.
"Mommy~!"
Down in the garden were Chacha and Second with their cousins and their little aunt (Haines and Grace’s daughter). Behind them were Butler Jen and the helpers, who were busy setting up a picnic.
Lola smiled and waved back.
"Mommy, come down~! We’re going to play!" Second shouted.
Lola nodded, drawing in a breath before shouting back, "Coming~!"
Giggling, she pushed herself away from the railing, rushed into the room, and left her phone behind.
Since arriving here, Lola had realized one thing — she had been smiling more and more. Even when she tried not to, she couldn’t stop herself from looking like a happy fool.
This place had become her happy place.
Her safe place.
A place where she knew she was welcome, and a place where people seemed more eager to keep her with Atlas than to ever break her heart.
*****
[Novera: Young Residence]
Jasmine sat in the residence, her complexion pale. The usual aura of Mrs. Young — the one she carried for decades — was gone. She wasn’t alone.
A crowd filled the house, and all of them were... carrying things out.
She watched as people emptied her home piece by piece, taking everything in sight.
The once grand Young residence, filled with expensive items, was now almost bare. It wasn’t that people were moving out. No — these items were being collected to pay off Lawrence’s debt, part of the process after his declaration of bankruptcy. The company alone wasn’t enough.
It’s alright, she told herself. It’s... alright. I can start anew.
Jasmine rushed out just in time to see two men restraining Melissa, who was thrashing wildly and screaming.
"Melissa!" Jasmine shouted. "Enough!"
Melissa froze and glared at her. Shaking off the men’s hands, she faced Jasmine directly.
"Enough?" she spat. "What do you mean by enough? These are my things! Why are you letting them take them from me!?"
"Melissa—"
"Hahahaha!" Melissa let out a manic laugh. "Why would I even ask? You... you took everything from me. My mother—"
SLAP!
The crack of the slap echoed through the nearly empty house.
Jasmine’s hand trembled mid-air. She had never — not once — struck Melissa. She could be cruel to everyone else, but never to her daughter. This was the first.
The shock on Melissa’s face was raw and painful.
Even Jasmine looked horrified by her own hand.
"Meli— I’m so—"
"I HATE YOU!" Melissa screamed, tears streaming down her face. "I HATE YOU, JASMINE YOUNG! I HATE YOU SO MUCH!!"
Before Jasmine could reach for her, Melissa spun around and ran to her car. Jasmine reached out, voice trembling.
"Meli—!"
But the car sped off.
Jasmine could only stand there, exhaling sharply as the dust settled.
While Lola had closed this Chapter of her life and begun a new one filled with joy... the Young family’s downfall had only just begun.

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