Ash frowned at the stubborn turnip in his hand. "Grandma, why do turnips have so many layers?"
Grandma smirked, her knife moving smoothly. "Same reason marriages do, Ash. You keep peeling and peeling, hoping to get to the sweet part...sometimes you just end up crying."
Ash blinked. "...Are we still talking about turnips?"
Grandma raised an eyebrow, tossing a peel aside. "Peel faster, Bunny."
Ash's fingers tightened around the knife, and he pressed his lips together. Peel faster...cry anyway. Maybe Grandma's right. Life really is just like these turnips; hard, layered, and full of surprises I'm not ready for.
Aster came pushing a wheelbarrow full of turnips, his shoulders slumped. He spotted Ash and forced a smile. "Ash, you came. How have you been?"
"I've been fine, Uncle," Ash replied, though he quickly noticed something was off. Aster's usual cheer was gone, replaced by a heaviness that didn't suit him.
Grandmother's eyes dropped to the wheelbarrow, her face clouding. "Why haven't you sold the turnips yet?"
Aster stayed silent, avoiding her gaze. Concern flickered across her face. She reached out, touching his cheek as though checking for fever. "Are you feeling unwell, son?"
"I'm fine, Mother. It's just..." Aster hesitated.
"What's the matter?" she pressed.
Aster exhaled. "The enforcers came. They chased everyone from the market. They said the place was already taken by one of the big fish. We have nowhere left to sell our goods."
Grandmother's voice sharpened with anger. "It has been ages since that kind young Alpha helped us. With his money, I chose to buy turnip seedlings and start this little farm. By God's grace it grew, and it's kept us going all these years until now without disturbing Eva for help; at least until she decides so. And now these hyenas; where do they expect us commoners to survive?"
Her chest rose and fell as her anger stirred, but Aster gently held her hand. "Calm down, Mother. Don't let it upset you too much...it'll only push your blood sugar higher."
He tried to smile, though his shoulders remained heavy. "Don't worry. We'll find a way. I've got some savings that will push us through in the meantime."
Ash's chest tightened at his grandmother's teary eyes. He walked closer, pulling notes from his pocket and holding them out. "You can have these, Grandma. Even if it's little, it might help."
She shook her head quickly, her voice firm. "No, I don't need your money, Bunny. Haven't you heard what your uncle said? We will find a way."
But Ash insisted, his voice soft. "Just take it. At least you can use it as transport to the hospital. Isn't today your clinic day?"
Her expression shifted as realization struck. "Ah, yes...I nearly forgot." She reached into her pocket, flipping open her small button phone, the kind with rubber keys and a dim screen. "I'm almost late."
She hurried inside, and a few minutes later came back out dressed in a faded floral blouse tucked into a long brown skirt, a pair of worn sandals on her feet, and a small black handbag hanging from her arm.
Ash's eyes followed her with concern. "Can I go with you?"
Grandmother smiled gently. "Just finish peeling the turnips. I won't take long. When I'm back, I'll prepare you my mashed turnips."
Ash chuckled softly. "How could I not wait for Grandma's special recipe?"
Her laughter rose as she walked away, and Ash found himself laughing too, the sound lingering even as she disappeared down the path. His laugh faded when he noticed Aster watching him closely, his expression unusually serious.
"Why do you look at me that way, Uncle? Do I have something on my face?" Ash asked, half uneasy.
Aster raised a finger, pointing at his lips. "What happened to your lips?"
Ash's hand instinctively went up, brushing over the tender swelling. His thoughts stumbled. How could he ever explain that his so-called stepbrother had kissed him, bitten him, until it left a mark?
Aster's eyes stayed sharp, waiting.
"It's...a mosquito bite," Ash muttered at last.
Aster arched a brow. "What kind of enormous mosquito bites you so hungrily? Definitely it must be a female."
Ash let out a small laugh, shaking his head. "I think so."
That made Aster laugh too, the tension easing between them.
...
Adrian sat in his office, slowly swinging in his chair, fingertips brushing over his lips. His mind drifted back to the night before; how he had devoured Ash's lips. A faint smile tugged at him. How could it feel so good...
His chest tightened, the thought curding. But it's not right...he's...my stepbrother.
The sharp ring of his phone broke the silence.
He snatched it up.
"Hello?"
"Good morning, Alpha Adrian," came Dr. Han's steady voice. "Your Seal Stabilizing have arrived. Should I have them sent over?"
Adrian sat up straighter, his tone firm. "No. I'll come for them personally." He ended the call, the line clicking silent in his ear. He let the phone rest on the desk, his fingers tightening around it for a moment. I can't let my long-time secret slip...that I'm sealed.
His jaw clenched, the weight of it pressing down again; the burden he had carried alone for years.
The car rolled to a stop outside ST. Mercy Hospital. Bravin cut the engine, and Adrian stepped out, his coat catching the faint morning breeze.
As he made his way toward the entrance, a group of nurses brushed past. They paused, bowing politely. "Alpha Adrian."
Their voices trailed behind him once he passed.
An Omega nurse whispered, "I wonder what kind of person made him abandon his wedding day..."
An Alpha nurse added, "Whoever it is must be more charming than Omega Celeste, to drive him far."
A beta nurse murmured, "But I heard the wedding will be redone."
Adrian caught every word, but his expression didn't shift. He simply continues walking, unbothered, his steps steady as ever.
...
In Dr. Han's office, Adrian accepted the small bottle of pills, but the doctor didn't release his grip right away. His brows furrowed with unease.
"Alpha Adrian," he said carefully, "Your body is growing resistance. These pills...they won't stabilize you much longer."
Adrian's gaze sharpened. "And if they fail?"
Dr. Han's voice dropped heavy with warning. "If the seal destabilizes completely, the strain will kill you."
Adrian's hands tightened around the bottle, his face unreadable.
The doctor hesitated, then added quietly, "Perhaps it's time to seek another path. Not medical...but spiritual. A religious way might hold the answer where medicine cannot."
...
As Adrian left the office, his thoughts circled back, the name repeating like a weight in his chest.
Prophetess Anette...
He turned toward the lift, but paused when he noticed an elderly woman struggling at the stairway, clutching the rail with effort. Concern flickered across his face, and he stepped closer.
"Granny, you can take the lift instead," he said gently.
Her gaze stayed on the steps as she moved slowly. "No...I can't. With my blood sugar, the lift makes me feel faint."
At last, her eyes lifted to him.
Adrian's own widened, a sudden recognition striking him. "Bunny's grandma...is that you?"
The woman blinked, as if trying to place him. Adrian leaned closer, his voice softer. "Do you remember years ago; the one who helped you bring Bunny to the hospital?"
Understanding dawned, and her face brightened. "Ooh, my sweet pie....come here, give me a hug."
Adrian descended halfway down the stairs to meet her, wrapping her gently in his arms. After a long embrace, Bunny's grandmother leaned back, her eyes scanning Adrian from head to toe. She touched his hands with a smile.
"You've grown taller...and even more handsome. I never thought we'd meet again, and here of all places; the same hospital where you helped me with Bunny."
Adrian's smile softened. "How's Bunny, Granny?"
Her expression lit up. "He's grown into strong lad, not the weak Bunny you saw last time."
Adrian chuckled at her pride, then his tone turned gentle. "And you? How have you been all these years?"
She gave a little shrug. "Oh, just this blood sugar...it keeps me visiting the clinic on my scheduled days."
Adrian's smile dimmed slightly, but she caught it at once and tapped his hand. "Don't frown. This old woman isn't going anywhere yet. I still need to see Bunny graduate and finally become the doctor he's always claiming he'll be."
Adrian laughed quietly, warmth in his eyes. "How old is he now? High school, or already in university?"
"Eighteen," she said proudly. "He's in his last year of high school." She paused, brow furrowing as she tried to recall. "The school's name...oh dear, it's slipped my mind."
She gave a small laugh at herself, waving her hand dismissively.
Adrian glanced at the long staircase, then back at her frail form. "Granny, let me carry you down."
She shook her head quickly, flustered. "Oh no, my grandchild...that would be embarrassing."
But Adrian had already bent down, lifting her carefully into his arms before she could protest further. "There's nothing embarrassing about keeping you safe," he said with a gentle smile.
Step by step, he carried her down the stairs, his movements steady and sure, while she muttered softly under her breath, half embarrassed, half touched.
...
Ash's grandmother pushed open the gate, humming a cheerful tune, her hands weighed down with bulging polythene bags.
In the kitchen, the sound of clattering dishes paused. Ash tilted his head, listening.
Outside, Aster swung his axe one last time into the thick log, the crack echoing across the compound. He straightened, wiping sweat from his brow, and called out, "Mother, today you've come earlier than usual. On other days, you stay long at the clinic."
But the old woman only kept humming as she walked in, her steps light, her smile wide.
Aster frowned slightly, studying her. "And you seem extremely happy...what's the good news you got?"
She leaned closer with a secretive grin, lifting the bags in her hands. "Look here."
Aster peered inside. "What is it, Mother?"
Her eyes gleamed as she proudly showed him. "Goat's meat, fresh butter, cheese, cream, and even cinnamon. Enough to make mashed turnip the way nobles eat."
Aster's jaw tightened. "All that? Where did such money come from?"
She straightened, the humming turning into a chuckle. "From a young gentleman. Years ago, he saved Bunny's life...and today has shown me much kindness too."
Inside the kitchen, Ash froze. His hands trembled above the soapy basin. His heartbeat thudded so loud it filled his ears. Slowly, he stepped into the doorway, his eyes wide.
"Grandma..." his voice was barely above a whisper, "did he tell you his name?"
Her wrinkles face softened into a smile. "Yes. He said his name is..."