Sky Chandler, a powerful CEO, first captured Jules Parker's heart in high school with kindness and charisma. Jules idolizes Sky, but when their paths cross again years later in the unforgiving corporate world, the hero of Jules' past becomes a guard...
Fantasy isn't real. But its fleeting embrace has the power to cloak reality, letting us savor a few blissful hours, or even days, of escape. Yet, no one can remain in its comforting grasp forever. Sooner or later, the veil lifts, revealing the unrelenting truth beneath. Sky and Jules were no exception; their steps had already begun treading the path back to reality.
Downstairs, Riya jingled a set of keys as she descended. Erik waited at the base, his face shadowed with concern. "Did everything go well?" he asked, his voice edged with tension.
"Perfect," Riya replied with a faint smile, her confidence smoothing the air between them.
Not far from them stood Jules, locked in a heartfelt embrace with her sister, Dianne. "Congrats, sis! It finally happened. I'll see you again when we're back," Dianne said, her words a mixture of joy and farewell.
Nearby, Tee and Sky exchanged a similar moment of connection before Tee joined Dianne. Together, they made their way to a waiting car, the engine rumbling softly as it prepared to carry them away.
Sky turned toward Jules, his hand outstretched in an unspoken invitation. Without hesitation, Jules placed her hand in his, and together, they strolled toward the beckoning beach. The waves lapped at the shore, their rhythm a soothing backdrop to the duo's laughter and light-hearted conversation. They captured each moment in playful selfies, their poses a mix of genuine joy and stolen kisses.
As they walked, a voice pierced the air from the distance, sharp and unmistakable.
"Little one!"
Both stopped in their tracks, Jules tilting her head curiously as Sky stiffened. Under the shade of a nearby umbrella, a woman waved energetically, her hand clutching an art brush, her other balancing a canvas board on her lap.
Sky turned toward the voice, his expression a tumult of shock and disbelief. The woman's excitement spilled over as she waved even harder, grinning ear to ear.
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"It's Silvia," Sky whispered, more to himself than to Jules.
His legs carried him forward before he could think, pulling Jules along. They approached the woman, her paint-speckled hands outstretched in greeting.
"Silvia, my sister," Sky said, his voice tinged with emotions Jules couldn't place. "This is Jules... aka Mon."
Jules smiled politely, offering a respectful, "Hello."
Silvia leaned back, appraising Jules with a twinkle in her eye. "Mon, huh? Nice to meet you." She then turned her attention back to Sky, her grin fading as curiosity settled in. "Where have you been all this time? You haven't contacted me at all."
Sky's face tightened, his worry masked by the sternness in his voice. "I could ask you the same thing."
"I've been traveling," Silvia said lightly, though her gaze faltered. "I come back here to paint, use up my money, and then hit the road again. What about you, little one? Vacationing?" Her tone tried for cheer, but a note of uncertainty lingered.
Sky nodded silently, his throat too tight to form words.
"And Grandma?" Silvia's voice dropped, laced with a hint of sarcasm. "Still breathing?"
The question struck a nerve. Sky's voice rose, the frustration spilling over. "Silvy, you were so mean to have left us!"
Silvia's laughter came brittle, masking a deep well of pain. "If I had stayed, it would've been a living hell for me, and you know it better than anyone."
Sky's jaw clenched, his eyes clouded with a mix of anger and sorrow. "Things got worse after you left. All the pressure fell on Selena!"
The name seemed to slice through the air, freezing Silvia in place. Her shoulders straightened, her lips forming a tight line. "Are you trying to tell me that Selena died because of me?" Her voice, though calm, carried a razor-sharp edge.
Sky's gaze drifted toward the endless waves, his shoulders tense as he avoided Silvia's piercing eyes. Her words hung heavy in the air, slicing through his emotions like a blade.
"Has it ever crossed your mind," Silvia began, her voice trembling but firm, "that if I had let Grandma take control of my life, I could have been the one who died? I set myself free, Sky, and because of that, I can actually live right now. I'm happy." Her expression faltered, tears brimming at the edges of her eyes. "Sele was so fragile, and fragile things..." her voice cracked slightly, "...they break easily. And I'm terrified you'll end up just like her."
Sky flinched, his jaw tightening. Jules instinctively reached for his arm, her worried eyes searching his face for any sign of reassurance.
"If you love Grandma so much," Silvia continued, her tone hardening as she glanced at Jules, "then prepare to sacrifice your life. That's what it takes."
Sky's head snapped toward her, his voice low and full of hurt. "Why didn't you attend Sele's funeral?"
Silvia's eyes narrowed, her composure barely holding. "How do you know I wasn't there?" she shot back. Her voice softened as she looked away, shame creeping into her expression. "I was there... but I couldn't bring myself to look at Granny's face. So I stayed outside. That's it. Never mind the gloomy stuff, though." Her lips twisted into a strained smile. "Let's not dwell on the past. Tell me..." her gaze flickered between Sky and Jules. "Is she your love?"
Sky's hand tightened around Jules', and he nodded, his voice quiet but certain. "Yes. She's mine."
Jules looked at him, hope lighting up her features as her heart fluttered.
Silvia's smirk returned, a playful glint in her eye. "Oh, our little one has come so far. You dare to stand against Grandma now? Have you told her yet?" Her questions came rapid-fire, her tone light yet probing. "Does she know?"
Sky's confidence faltered, his gaze dropping as silence took over. Jules glanced at him, her chest tightening at his reluctance to answer.
