After the death of her parents two weeks ago, the life of a fifteen-year-old girl changed drastically. Her family's assets were taken over by her uncle, including the company her father had left behind. Instead of protecting her, her uncle's family coldly cast her out of her own house. Even her grandfather, the one she once respected the most, Instead ignore her.

That night, dragging a small suitcase and worn-out steps, she wandered through the cold, silent city streets. Her tears wouldn’t stop. She had nowhere to go. Strangled by despair, she found herself standing at the edge of a bridge, staring down at the dark river below. Her heart felt hollow. It was as if no one in the world wanted her anymore.

Then, a Luxury black car suddenly pulled up nearby. A tall, broad-shouldered man stepped out. He wore a tailored suit, his presence cold yet commanding. He was Felix Dorian—the CEO of Dorian Group, a highly respected man with an empire of international businesses.

Felix stood a few meters from her, watching in silence. He didn’t speak right away—he simply studied the face he vaguely remembered.

Two years ago, on a stormy night, Felix had been in a minor accident while traveling alone. Injured and lying on the roadside, he was found by a young girl who had rushed out of a car, unbothered by the rain drenching her small frame. Her parents followed closely behind. They helped Felix, brought him to the hospital, and stayed by his side until he recovered. The girl, cheerful and warm, had brought him comfort in those days—comfort he never forgot.

And now, recognizing her in such a broken state, Felix didn’t hesitate. He brought her to his mansion, and from that moment on, took care of her like she was someone who mattered.

🕰️ Five years later

The girl had now grown into a young woman of twenty. Gentle, feminine, and independent. To her, Felix was like family—someone who had stood by her when the world turned away.

But for Felix, his feelings had changed. What began as protection had quietly blossomed into love. Still, he buried it deep. He didn’t want to ruin the bond they shared by admitting something too heavy, too soon. He was thirty-nine now, and the age gap between them was undeniable. The last thing he wanted was to make her uncomfortable or cause her to drift away.

One day, after an argument sparked by her attempt to leave the mansion without permission, Felix—out of fear for her safety—ordered her to be confined to her room temporarily. But she felt suffocated, cornered. In a burst of frustration, she shattered one of Felix’s prized golden bear statues, broke the aquarium, and created chaos in the house.

Felix, who was in the middle of a business meeting, immediately canceled everything and rushed home.

When he arrived, he found her sitting on the edge of his bed, eyes swollen from crying. Her hands and feet had been tightly restrained by guards to prevent further destruction. Seeing the red marks around her wrists, Felix knelt down in silence and unfastened the ropes himself—his expression cold, yet controlled.

“If you’re angry with me... tell them to burn down the whole mansion. Smash everything in this house if you must. I don’t care about any of it. But don’t hurt yourself like this,” he said softly but firmly, his large, calloused hand gently brushing over the girl’s reddened wrist.