SAMANTHA almost froze when she heard what Bruce said. She doesn’t want to give any of his words a hidden meaning, but she couldn’t help it, especially when she saw how the side of Bruce’s lips rose while staring at her.“Surprised?” he asked confidently. “Don’t cry too hard, Samantha. I didn't even say anything, yet you started crying right away.”“I-I’m sorry—”“It’s fine,” said Bruce as he pulled Samantha into a hug. “We do that sometimes. We do bad things, and sometimes, hide things to survive.”Bruce wasn’t oblivious to it. In fact, he knew everything before he proposed to Samantha. She isn’t a real Evergreen, and she wasn’t even legally adopted by the Evergreen family. It means that she’s even poorer than August.However, Samantha did something that would protect her reputation. She manipulated the documents in secret, made herself the legal child of the Evergreen family, and made Myra the adopted one.Myra found out about it, but it was too late. Samantha already left them, and

A DAY had passed, and it was already seven o’clock in the morning. This is a special day for the Remington family, so August called Daphne to help him pick the best suit and style he could wear. He was wearing a three-piece suit with a silver and white color on it. His hair was parted to the left, and although he couldn’t see it himself, Daphne had admiration in her eyes while watching her great creation. “I look good now, right?” asked August as he fixed his tie again, although it was already fixed. Daphne nodded in response. August had been asking her that question since earlier. August didn’t understand why his heart was beating so fast. He was nervous.  

AT A SECOND, August didn’t know what to do. He held tightly onto the steering wheel and the gear lever, but he had mixed emotions about his actions. He was torn between going to the hidden villa or on the building to help Sapphire. Sapphire said it was chaotic, but as he saw the situation in the place by the broadcasters’ live stream, August thought it would be an understatement.  It was not just the police looking for him, but there was a rally as well. The rallyists wanted August to step down from his position for being an abusive ex-boyfriend and a manipulator who made everyone believe that he was a good person. “God…”

ONE MORE punch from Bruce, and he was already unconscious. When he woke up, he was lying on the streets— specifically in front of the police station.  Many people were surrounding him, and there were camera flashes everywhere. He didn’t realize how he had lost consciousness earlier. What he only knew was that his body was in pain. He was about to cover his eyes using his hands. The flashes of the camera blinded him so much. However, he couldn’t do that with his hands— No. His whole body was tied using duct tape. “Mr. Fordman, how did you end up here?!” “Are the accusations about you true?!”

AUGUST’S EYES widened, and his lips parted in shock. He looked at Charles in disbelief as his other hand traveled onto his right cheek. The intensity of Charles' slap made August temporarily deaf. That's just how impactful the slap was. He grimaced afterward as the pain stung. “Father…” August mumbled, not knowing what to say. Charles didn't even look like he regretted what he had made. He stared at August with madness in his eyes. Piercing August with his intense, deadly stare, August suddenly surrendered.  August pursed his lips and didn’t complain. He feared that he might increase Charles’ rage more if he spoke. That’s the last thing he wanted to do in this situatio

A FEW days later, August did follow Charles’ command. It’s not like he had another choice. They had an agreement with each other, and Charles was right. He had a job to take, and he should do something to control the damage to the other party. “Was it true?” “Why did you suddenly admit to your crimes?” “Just how bad did Bruce Sandoval and Harvey Johnson do for you to rebut in a way like this?” After he confessed to the press and his defense lawyer that he fabricated the video he showed everyone before, every reporter wanted to talk with him and conduct an interview with him. They disgusted August as the police accompanied him to the trial today. He couldn’t believe that those people who didn't want to listen to his words back then were desperate to talk with him now. “I believe I said everything in my confession,” answered August as he turned to the reporters. “I will appreciate it if you will not give me a hard time again.” “Mr. Fordman! Mr. Fordman!” As August went to the

BLACKBELL PRISON.It was the largest private prison cell in the whole country. Every prisoner who committed heinous crimes was thrown into this cell. Once a prisoner went inside this place, there was a small to no chance of getting out alive.Despite how elegant the name of the prison was, the experience of the prisoners inside was something they wanted to forget for the rest of their lives.August remembered the documentary he watched before about a guy who was framed for committing murder. That person told the reporter how unholy his experience was— people treated him less than everyone would treat a pig and trash.“Fuck…” August muttered. He didn't expect his curse to get a little louder, causing one of the police officers to hear him.Without any warning, the police officer hit his head using the black stick he was holding.“The moment I hear you curse again, that's not all you'll get from me,” said the violent guard coldly before he turned his gaze to the front. “Everyone, prepar

THE FIRST night as a prisoner passed peacefully and smoothly for August. The prisoners treated him as a wallflower until they dozed asleep. Everyone was already snoring, and some were even cursing in their dreams.However, August was just sitting at the edge of the wall, staring at the prison cell door while hugging both his knees. He wasn’t used to being with people— especially not during his sleeping time, and especially not in a prison cell.He was used to being alone, and even though he had companions, he still felt isolated. No one here could be his ally. This would be a battle between him and the world.There was only one thing on his mind. He needed to endure a year, although he doesn’t have any idea how. He doesn’t know what to do afterward— whether he’ll continue his revenge or not.But one thing was for sure. Despite the fake confession that he needed to make before, August must prove his innocence! However, negative thoughts consumed him, again and again. He felt betrayed

“THIS IS what I like about this place. They give delicious food unlike the other prisons out there,” said Rio as he sat on the table, beside August. He ate the beef steak and the other dishes with a smirk on his face. All of them were at the same table as they were roommates, but no one dared to talk with August, except for Amadeus who was looking at him intently.Well, it wasn’t just Amadeus who was looking at him intently. Because of what happened in the field earlier, he already got everyone’s attention. It was just his first time here, yet everyone knew his existence now. August cursed himself repeatedly as he thought of that.“Why aren’t you eating?” asked Amadeus as he took one spoonful of rice from his mouth. “Don’t you like the food?”August shook his head. “No… I like it.” August took the spoon and fork. “I’ll eat now.”August sliced the beef steak on his plate, and he was about to take a bite when someone held on to his spoon and threw it on the floor. His eyes widened as

THE TIP of the knife buried into August’s skin as he tried to dodge to the side. He groaned in pain, but at the same time, his movements became faster and he was able to stay away from his attacker before the knife would bury more in his body. “Fuck!” August cussed loudly. His breathing became ragged when he looked at the blood dripping from his wound. “Who are you?” “My apologies, Fordman.” The man smirked before he played with the knife in his hand. “This is just a part of my job that I needed to execute.” In one swift, the man who had a crazy, wicked smirk on his lips attacked August again. Unlike Gabriel, his opponent now was skilled in combat and using knives. August could only dodge, but at the same time, his vision