The Letter

After meeting Davis, I went straight back to my dorm. I changed out of the formal wear and into a loose T-shirt and sweatpants, the kind of clothes that felt more like me. Then I pulled open the bottom drawer of my desk and took out the envelope—her envelope.

Mom had given it to me before she passed, telling me only to open it when I was ready. I hadn't been. Not until now.

As I held it in my hands, a rush of emotions overtook me—grief, hesitation, longing. It was the last thing she gave me, the last piece of her left in my world. It had been beside me all this time, but I never had the strength to open it.

I tore the seal with trembling fingers. Inside was a photograph—a family of three. A man named Heaven Samuel. A woman named Kate Samuel. And a little girl named Katherine Samuels.

My breath caught. A storm of anger, betrayal, and confusion rose within me. That girl in the photo... was the life I could have had?

Tucked behind the photo was a letter.

---

Dear Kit,

If you are reading this, then I am no longer with you. I only ask you to be strong—and to be careful. Trust no one too easily. That mistake cost me everything.

Your father, Kate, and I were once college friends. Both of us loved Heaven—but he chose me. His parents, your grandparents, were against our relationship. I ran away and married him anyway, blindly believing in love.

With my savings, we started a business and then you, my princess, were born. But soon after, everything began to fall apart. Your health deteriorated. The business faltered. In desperation, we sought guidance from a monk.

He told us... told him... that you were the cause. That you were bad luck. That if we wanted to fix our lives, we had to let you go.

And so I left with you, to the countryside. Alone.

Years later, I received a letter from your father. He said he was marrying Kate. She was pregnant, and he asked for my blessing. I confronted him. I should never have gone. That day, I was poisoned.

The waiter told me later—guilt weighing on his conscience—that it was your father's doing.

My sunshine, I'm telling you this not to burden you, but to remind you: You were never the bad luck. You are my light. My gift. My strength.

And Kit—your grandparents live in Town B. Kyle Matthew, your grandfather, is a retired army man and a respected figure. Your grandmother is a fashion designer. I regret not reconciling with them. Please find them, tell them I was wrong. Tell them I'm sorry.

Love always,

Mom

---

Tears blurred my vision.

"I promise, Mom," I whispered. "I will take revenge on everyone who hurt you. Who betrayed you. I will make them pay double for the pain you endured."

I wiped the tears from my face. I had promised her I wouldn't cry. Now it was time to act.

I sat down at my desk and started searching online—first for Heaven Samuel. Then Kate. Then Katherine.

Heaven Samuel had made a name for himself in the medical industry. Not a giant in the field, but steady, profitable. Kate Samuel? She had worked odd jobs—waitress, shopkeeper—before settling into the comfortable title of Mrs. Samuel.

But it was Katherine who caught my attention. She had become a star in the medical world. A graduate of a top medical school. An intern under Rick White himself. And the current CEO of Samuel Industries.

Interesting.

I leaned back. A storm was brewing, and I was ready to walk into it.

Just then, Cecilia burst through the door, buzzing with excitement.

"Kiefer! Oh my God, you lucky witch! I saw your name on the board—you got selected! Your proposal was accepted!"

She bounced toward me, practically squealing. "That means... you met him, right? My dream man—Mr. Davis White!"

I gave a small smile. "Yes. I met him today."

Her jaw dropped. "Whaaat?! You met him and didn't tell me? How dare you!" she wailed, spinning around the room like a headless chicken.

"Okay, okay!" I laughed. "I know I wronged you. So, Ms. Cecilia, what can I do to earn your forgiveness?"

She squinted at me with suspicion. "Anything?"

"If it's in my power."

She folded her hands dramatically. "I want his autograph."

I raised a brow. "Sorry. That's... not possible."

Her face dropped like a kid denied candy. I grinned. "But I can help you meet him."

She froze. "Are you serious?" Her eyes were wide with hope.

I leaned in. "I'll tell you a secret, but you have to keep it between us."

She nodded so fast I thought her head might fly off.

"You know my proposal was selected, right?" She nodded again.

"Well, I asked Mr. White to keep my identity anonymous. For now, he's using the name Nakia Oliver for the partnership. It's part of the arrangement."

Her mouth opened but no sound came out.

"We're putting together a research team," I continued, "and I want you on it. Interested?"

Cecilia went from stunned to ecstatic in less than a second.

"ARE YOU CRAZY, KIEFER? OF COURSE I'M IN!"

I smirked. "Then welcome aboard, partner."