Hope's entire body became rigid, and her heart beat rapidly.

Stan didn't even say which night he was talking about, but Hope knew he wasn't referring to the night he saw her with Tom Blackford. It was the night when he had returned to Oakwood.

Hope interrupted her uncle's speech without waiting for him to finish. "I'm not the one who took you upstairs that night."

Stan grimaced. His face was obscured by darkness. The cigarette in his mouth oozed with smoke as he leaned back and turned his dark gaze toward Hope.

Hope tried to calm her fastening heartbeat. She was undoubtedly terrified, especially with Stan fondling his cigarettes and staring at her as if he were measuring the situation carefully.

She released a heavy breath when Stan diverted his gaze back to the road.

Hope, worried about her uncle's reaction, spoke, "Uncle, I heard you're getting married."

Stan's thin lips rose slightly, but his tone remained the same. "You care about my affairs?"

The question seemed innocent to Hope, but she felt his words contained a hidden meaning that only he could decipher.

"I'm sorry. I just happened to overhear it. I'm not interested in your relationship," she mumbled in a low voice.

Stan rhythmically tapped the steering wheel with his delicate fingers, but he said nothing, which made Hope sigh a relief.

"Uncle, you can drop me off at the Belldown Road," Hope stated when they passed Sycamore Way, where she first intended to be dropped off.

Stan ignored her. "Stay at my place for tonight."

"Don't bother, Uncle," she immediately uttered. "My friend and I are supposed to meet here. You can just drop me off at Belldown Road."

Stan steered his car to the side of the road, taking control of the wheel. He locked it with a faint 'pop' and then turned to face Hope.

"Do you think you can lie to my face?"

All the blood on Hope's face drained.

Hope cleared her throat and reasoned, "I'm not lying, Uncle! I did set up a meeting with my classmates on this road."

She handed the phone to Stan as she talked. The screen showed the chat logs between her and Sydney, the words' Meet in Belldown Road' scrawled across the top. She told Sydney to act with her on the chat in advance.

Hope wished her uncle would not notice that she deleted some of their messages and only left the important ones.

Stan could not help but stare at Hope and notice how she acted like an obedient student. No trace of rebelliousness was evident. Her eyes were so pure, like a child who made all of her family proud because of her goodness.

Hope held out her phone for a long time; Stan didn't say anything, but she did see his eyes roaming around the screen, reading. Feeling embarrassed, Hope placed the phone back in her pocket; her palms were drenched in sweat.

As their drive resumed, Hope had a hunch that Stan did not inform their family about her trip to Sybarite. Hope was certain that Elizabeth would've said something about it if he had.

Still worried, Hope turned to her uncle. "Uncle, what happened last time was my fault. Please, I beg you, don't tell Grandpa about Sybarite," she pleaded with her shaking voice.

Stan remained silent. She could not get an answer or explanation out of him, which made her frustrated.

Eventually, the two of them arrived at Stan's house in the city. Stan went out of the car, and Hope followed, wanting to see more of the house, which looked more like an apartment complex. Its size made it look like it was a house for wealthy people.

"I purchased this property several years ago. I've never lived here, but housekeepers regularly come and go for maintenance," Stan stated as he watched Hope get her bag in the backseat.

Hope swung around and replied, "Thank you, Uncle," she murmured.

The two of them made their way toward the house, with Stan in the lead and Hope following.

"Is there anything else you need?" he asked as they both took a few more steps.

Hope shook her head. "No, I've got everything I need."

Stan nodded slowly. "Let me know if you need anything."

The two of them stepped into the elevator, and silence immediately filled the room when the door slammed shut. Stan stood tall and straight. His years in the army helped him maintain an explicit stance.

He glanced at Hope, standing still, and then the situation returned to him.

"Why did you leave your house so late at night?" he asked.

Stan's words may have expressed elderly care for her, but Hope could not help but feel touched.

However, the realization that her father, Richard, did not even consider letting her stay in their house dawned on her. It was already late in the evening, and there was also no cab service nearby. The closest was the bus stop, which would roughly take forty minutes. Another thing was she was afraid of the dark.

Besides, she had no idea where to go, after all. It was apparent that Richard sided with his legitimate children. He believed everything they said to him.

Hope suddenly felt sad because of her thoughts of what happened with her so-called father.

***

Hope bit her bottom lip as Stan opened the door using a key from his pocket. She watched him turn the light on and open the door wider for her to come through.

With hesitation, Hope entered and discovered that it was a one-bedroom house. The room only had one bed, a large television area, a table, and a soft-looking couch.

It didn't occur to her that she would share one bed with her uncle. The thought only made her chest fill with dread, and her heart beat faster.

"Make yourself comfortable," Stan stated as he removed his coat and slid the keys down the table. "Did you eat dinner already?"

Hope nodded sheepishly, asking, "Uncle, if you're lending me your bed, where will you sleep?"

Stan froze in the middle of him, removing his cufflinks. He originally intended to watch over Hope by sleeping on the couch. But seeing her scared expression, he decided otherwise.

"I am staying somewhere else." Stan smiled at Hope to make her feel relieved.

He grabbed his business card from his pocket and gave it to Hope. "Call me if you need anything."

"Okay…." Hope uttered while staring at Stan's name on the paper.

Hope didn't breathe a sigh of relief until Stan left. She was anxious about sharing a bed or room with her uncle, but thankfully, she didn't have to.

She stared at the paper and started saving her uncle's number. She would need it in case of emergency.

Hope could not sleep that night because she kept thinking about Stan, and after a while, her mind drifted towards her father, Richard. She felt uncomfortable, especially since she was sleeping in Stan’s bed.

However, her discomfort lulled her to sleep later on. She had no other choice but to rest since she still had classes to attend.

Hope found herself fumbling for her phone the next day to message Stan. She figured it was right to inform him since she was staying at his house.

She settled for a message saying, ‘I’m already at school.’

Hope planned on turning her phone off after that message to evade his call and message. However, she had no idea that Stan was already awake, and just as she sent her text, Stan’s name popped out of her screen, calling her.

It took Hope a moment to answer the call with a low voice, “Yes?”

“You’re already at school?”

“Yeah,” she confirmed.

“Okay. For the time being, you don’t have to worry about Tom.” The sudden mention of Tom’s name stunned Hope. She didn’t expect Stan to ease her worries about Tom.

“Just concentrate on your studies,” Stan stated huskily.

A period of silence fell over Hope. She knew Stan remembered the events of that night, but she didn’t know that he was still looming over it.

“Okay…” Hope said, and since she was afraid of what Stan might say further, she immediately added, “I’m going to be late for class. I have to go.”

“Alright. Take your classes seriously.” And the sound of Stan’s deep voice was the last thing Hope heard before heading to her classes.

***

“Who were you just talking to?” Ashton Maxwell gazed at Stan as he sipped his usual chamomile tea.

The two were spending their morning in a teashop after spending a night at a KTV bar. After Stan left Hope last night, he went to the basement of the building to spend his night alone. Fortunately, Ashton called and claimed he was at the nearby KTV, urging him to come.

Ashton and Stan had spent their childhood together, their hobbies intertwined, so when Ashton called him, Stan did not hesitate to come.

That night, they talked about Oakwood’s economic status and the latest projects that Ashton invested in, such as railroads and bridges. It was a long night, but Stan couldn’t sleep, and Ashton wanted breakfast, so they decided to grab a quick cup of tea.

Stan turned to Ashton after hanging up the phone. “That was my brother’s daughter,” he formally answered.

“Ella?” Ashton asked with his brow raised.

Stan frowned but slowly uttered, “It was Hope.”

Ashton’s brows raised even more as if he recalled who Hope was. “That’s the girl who was nearly shot by Tom, right?”

“Yes, that’s her.”

Stan was not surprised that Ashton forgot about Hope immediately. Ashton didn’t know Hope was part of the Lancaster family until that night. However, Stan knew that Ashton was aware of Richard’s cheating incidents. Because Richard wanted to divorce Elizabeth at that time, many of their acquaintances were trying to stick their noses into the Lancaster’s business.

In a social circle like theirs, illegitimate daughters like Hope always have a hard time, even if they are recognized as part of the family. Stan knew that the case would be different if Hope were a boy. There was always discrimination between sons and daughters in their society.

“Are you coming back this time to arrange your marriage with Hailey?” Stan asked Ashton to change the uncomfortable subject.

***

Hope was known as the illegitimate daughter of the Lancasters, and that reason was enough for students to hate her shamelessly. She never wanted to be an illegitimate daughter, but the people around her acted like it was her fault.

“Hope…” a girl in their uniform sneered, “What a funny name for someone so hopeless and helpless.”

Hope was walking through the corridors of their school when she saw Sofia Taylor. Sofia was one of the campus bullies. She always vented her frustrations toward Hope, saying that illegitimate children like her deserved it.

Hope, wanting to avoid trouble, took a detour to the classroom. However, as she passed the laboratory, someone grabbed her by the collar and pulled her towards the back of the building.

“Oh, look, little Hope is getting brave. She didn’t run away this time,” a sickly sweet voice said, but Hope’s eyes went to Sofia’s face.

Hope closed her eyes when Sofia kicked her through the chest. She coiled her body to the ground. It took a long time before she could collect her breath.

“Aw, she’s cute. She doesn’t even utter a word when kicked. She doesn’t hide away anymore, either,” another voice commented. “Why aren’t you hiding, Hope? Why didn’t you run away?”

Hope didn’t move an inch. Instead, she locked eyes with Sofia, whose eyes were filled with rage when she saw that Hope did not even utter a single word.

Hope knew what Sofia was going through. She heard it from the whispers of the other students. Sofia’s father cheated on her mother and had a son with the mistress.

Knowing their society, Hope knew that the illegitimate son would be more favored than Sofia.

Still, Hope knew that what Sofia was doing was an injustice. Even if Hope were not doing anything wrong, Sofia would always find a way to hurt her, saying it was all for Ella. Sofia and Ella were good friends, but Hope knew that it was not the reason why Sofia kept on bullying her.

Still, Hope felt unlucky. She did badly on her entrance exams on purpose to avoid attending the same school as Ella and Robert, but she didn’t expect Sofia to be here.

“Talk, you little shit! Why aren’t you speaking? Why aren’t you hiding? Fuck!”

Hope curled even more on the ground, covering the places that could easily be kicked. Cold sweat gradually broke on her body, but she gritted her teeth and remained silent, urging herself to soldier through the situation.

Fingernails dug through her flesh, and at that moment, Hope prayed. She prayed for someone to interfere. She prayed for someone to save her.

She didn’t know how long it took. She only remembered that someone shouted from far away, saying someone was coming. After that, the rush of feet running away echoed in her ears, and Sofia’s words said Hope should die.

***

When Hope returned, she found Sofia talking to her friends casually, as if she didn’t just bully a person. Their gazes met, and Sofia immediately gave her a wicked grin.

Hope felt her body tremble at the interaction, but she chose to sit quietly on her chair. She tried to hide her pain, but a soft groan escaped her lips after a few moments, and Sydney turned to her.

Sydney didn’t question her until Sofia and the others had gone out after class. “Did they hit you again?”

Hope remained motionless in her position, and Sydney’s eyes started to warm with impending tears.

“Do you need some medicine or what?” Sydney murmured.

“No, don’t talk to me. They might see you,” Hope whispered in return as she tried to put some distance in between them.

At school, Sydney was afraid to be seen hanging around Hope. Of course, Hope didn’t take it negatively. She knew that Sydney was just trying to play it safe since their school was like a tiny social club wherein, once excluded, a person’s life would be ruined.

Hope didn’t want that kind of exiled life for Sydney.

“Only a month left….” Sydney’s voice choked. “Everything will be fine once you leave here, Hope. You must do well on the exam and leave this place.”

***

That night, Hope caught a fever due to the brutal beating she received from her bullies. Her body was aching all over when she went to school. She had a few hours of free time in between classes, and she wanted to spend it off to sleep.

However, Stan’s house was far, so Hope decided to rent a computer in the nearby Internet cafe and sleep in front of it. It was the perfect spot for her since the room was cold, and she could listen to music as she slept.

She didn’t notice that a man in a black car saw her and was a bit surprised. After consideration, the man dialed a number and it was picked up quickly.

"Hello?" a man's deep voice coming from the other side.

"Guess who I saw."

...

With nonchalance, Hope decided to enter the cafe and sleep her fever off.

Loud rings from her phone interrupted her rest. Still dizzy from her fever, Hope answered the call without looking at the caller ID.

“Hello?” she spoke in a weak voice.

A deep voice coated her ears. “Where are you?”

Hope tensed up as she recognized the slumber voice at the other end of the line.

After a few moments, she whispered, “I’m at school. I’m hanging out with my classmates. Why?”

“Which internet cafe are you in?” Stan straightforwardly asked.

Unable to hide her surprise, Hope pursed her lips before finally accepting defeat and giving Stan the address.

“Alright. Wait for me. I’ll get you.”

Hope gathered what’s left of her sanity before heading outside to meet with her uncle. She didn’t want to spend so much time with him; she didn’t want to make mistakes.

She immediately saw Stan’s car when she went outside. It stopped a few inches away from where she stood. Stan immediately got out of the car and made his way toward her.

“You’re alone here, huh?” he asked as if he knew she was lying when she said she was hanging out with her classmates.

“Yes.” Hope released a heavy breath.

Stan just stood there, staring at her as if she was a puzzle he needed to solve. She didn’t even dare look at him. Her eyes only stared at his trousered legs with her head bent down.

Her throat rolled for a moment before speaking faintly, “Uncle, I’m sorry. I just wanted to check if this place is good. I didn’t plan on staying here for a long time.”

Stan didn’t utter a word. He bent down and placed his warm fingers below Hope’s chin, lifting them so their eyes would meet.

Hope felt like all air was being sucked out of her chest as she stared at him back.

“If you continuously lie to my face to avoid me, Hope, I swear to you, I will make all your fears and worries come true,” he uttered with both threat and gentleness.

***

As Stan drove, Hope recognized the roads they passed by. It was the same road they drove by yesterday, and in front of them was the Halcyon community where Stan’s house resides.

The two didn’t utter a single word even when they got out of the car, stepped into the elevator, and got inside Stan’s house. Hope silently followed, finally feeling all of her energy depleted because of the fever.

She didn’t feel the pain when resting at the internet cafe, but after walking for a few minutes, she could already feel the cold sweat trickling down her skin.

“Sit comfortably,” Stan ordered, and Hope quietly obliged.

She sat on the soft couch while Stan went to the drawer and took out a pill box filled with the medicine of various types. He pulled out a few antipyretics and handed them to her.

“Take this. We’ll talk afterward,” he said in a serious and deep voice.

Hope was stunned when Stan took the medicine box and brought a glass of water over while on his way. She was given the pills and the water, which she took a bit slower than usual.

She was a little nervous, especially when Stan said he wanted to talk to her. It also didn't help that he was watching her as she drank the half glass of water together with the medicine.

Stan waited for her to finish drinking the medicine and water before putting the items away. In the kitchen, Hope heard the sound of running water which meant that Stan was washing the glass she used.

After a couple of minutes, Stan returned and directly sat on the couch where Hope sat. She could not help but swallow the lump in her throat as butterflies of nervousness filled her chest.

Stan sat up straight, his dark eyes serene but profound. "Were you planning to sleep overnight in an Internet cafe?"

Hope bit her lip, drew her lashes lower, and clenched her fists together. Her throat was dry and scratchy from the fever, and her voice was little and soft when she spoke, "No."

"You have a fever, don't you know?" Stan kept looking at her.

"I know," Hope croaked out, wanting to be sarcastic because how could she not know that she had a fever?

"Did my brother just let you walk outdoors by yourself?"

Hope's eyes suddenly warmed with tears at the mention of her father. However, the pain of remembering was not as painful as Sofia's kick to her spine.

"It's okay. It's just that I have some stuff to do outside these days, and I'm going to stay at my classmate's house for a few days," Hope said, with her eyes sore from holding back tears.

"Were you planning to come home after checking out that cafe?" Stan's steady streams of questions continued as Hope fumbled for answers.

"Yes. Of course."

"How many days will you stay at your classmate's house?" Stan inquired with a deep, calculating look in his eyes.

Hope could not think why Stan was interested in whether she lived with a classmate. Her father wasn't even interested in her leaving their house. However, one reason came to mind after a couple of seconds. Elizabeth's birthday was three days away.

Her daughter, Ella, made it clear that they didn't want Hope's presence at the upcoming birthday celebration. Therefore, she felt more determined not to return to the Lancasters immediately.

"A total of six days, including today," Hope replied.

"Then you'll stay here for six days."

Hope's eyes widened while glancing at him, her heart skipping a beat and her heartstrings tightening. "But…"

But before she could finish, Stan interrupted, "I will stay here with you for a few days. You can sleep on the bed, and I'll take the couch. I will return every day after work."

"But I can stay with my classmates..." Hope had a string in her heart and didn't want to live at Stan's house with him at all. She felt like this was a huge mistake. If she could get out of this mistake through a lie, then she's willing to lie to Stan again.

"Hope," Stan added in a deep voice. "Do you think I don't know you're lying?"

Hope was unsure if it was because of her medicine, but her body was sweating in layers. She remembered what Stan said at the Internet cafe's entryway about her fears and worries coming to life if she lied again.

Hope pursed her lips, not daring to look Stan in the eyes.

She finally nodded after a couple of quiet seconds.

"Take your temperature first, and then have something to eat," Stan said as he removed a thermometer from his suitcase and handed it to Hope.

Hope stretched out, took the thermometer, clipped it, and sat on the sofa. She opened her mouth and was about to say something when Stan's phone rang.

Stan looked down, picked up the phone, and walked away; Hope also heard him ask, "Angel?" on the other end of the phone.

The other side was at a loss for words, so he grimaced and muttered, "Don't worry."

He hardly spoke and just listened, occasionally muttering, "hmm." After a long conversation, he hung up the phone.

Hope didn't know why her heart was racing so fast. She pursed her dry lips, and when Stan hung up the phone and turned back, she tentatively asked, "Uncle, was that Angel?"

Stan came to a halt and glanced down at Hope, and her eyes were so deep and calm that he couldn't help but ask, "Are you anxious about my marriage?"

Hope was equally concerned. All she wanted was for his uncle to marry soon. But she didn't dare to say it and was constantly afraid that Stan would say something much more impossible to deny if she tried again.

Stan stared at her for a long time. Without waiting for her reaction, he ignored her and reached out to her. Hope also responded by handing him the thermometer.

Stan looked at it and stated, "You're still running a low-grade fever. You should sleep now and rest."

Hope sighed, a little uncomfortable, and said, "If you want to sleep in the bedroom, Uncle, I won't mind. I can just sleep on the couch."

Stan stood up. He should be around 1.8 meters tall. Standing in front of Hope, the lights cut diagonally from behind him, highlighting his deep facial features. "No. Just sleep there."

Hope remained silent for a moment and said nothing. She walked right toward the bed and finally felt the relief of lying on a soft mattress.

Logically, no one has lived in this house ever since it was bought. Stan only visited a few days a year, yet all the quilts have been washed. There was no foul smell, either. Everything smelled fresh and comfortable.

However, even after she had fallen into bed and covered the quilt, Hope appeared to smell a distinct sweet scent that belonged to Stan.

...

Stan was taking a smoke while standing in front of the floor-to-ceiling window.

After some time, his phone rang, and he opened it up to see a message from Ashton Maxwell saying, "How are things going? Did you manage to catch your little niece?"