Ericks felt the agonizing pain of losing his bride. He never expected her to jump off the cliff, nor had he planned on killing his sister. Ash was just a blackmail tool he used to set Araya up, but who could have thought everything would end like this?
He dropped the gun in his hand—empty of bullets—fell to his knees, and let out an outraged scream. "Araya… you are mine! You weren't meant to die! Who gave you permission to leave me?!"
For the first time in over fourteen years, tears pricked his eyes. Finally, he understood the meaning of pain—he had tasted it.
A lot was expected from a mafia boss, but never his tears. Yet, what could he do when the harsh reality hit him like a flood? At this moment, he realized his obsession and possessiveness weren't just control—they were love.
He, Ericks Dragons, known as *Eagle*, was in love.
Jack exchanged looks with the other men before cautiously stepping toward his boss. He had never approved of Ericks' ways, but what choice did they have? They feared him. Even as Ericks' favorite, Jack had to bow in fright when in his presence.
Moreover, he never fully understood his boss. Sometimes he was sweet, and at other times, he was cold and ruthless—a man with two faces. What baffled Jack most was the way Ericks handled people.
He directed his gaze toward his boss and shook his head.
Aside from Emma, Ericks had never cared for anyone, never shed a tear, never shown mercy. And now? He had fallen miserably in love—and in his desperate attempt to claim Araya, he had ended up killing her.
It was understandable why he acted so cold; his past had shaped him into this. A past he never spoke about. But because of that same past, he had killed countless people… and now, the woman he loved.
Ash collapsed onto her knees at the shore, breaking down in uncontrollable sobs. Her entire body trembled, her face flushed red. She moved forward, intending to throw herself into the sea, but Jack yanked her back with a glare.
"Let me go! I want to be with my sister! Ara can't leave me! She told me she'd stay by my side forever! She wouldn't lie to me! Let me go!"
She struggled wildly against Jack's grip, but he held her tighter.
"Are you stupid? No one jumps from a cliff and survives. Are you looking for death?" His words sounded cruel, but to her, they were unbelievable. She didn't care about anything—she just wanted her sister back.
Her struggles grew more desperate, her sobs louder. "Let me go! I don't care if I die! How am I supposed to live without her?" she screamed at the top of her lungs. "I want my sister! What part of that don't you understand?!"
She abruptly twisted away from him, stumbling toward the sea. In a state of shock, Jack grabbed her and pulled her firmly against his chest.
"Don't be stupid, Ash. Your sister is dead… but her daughter is alive. Asher is alive. Who's going to take care of her if you're gone?"
His words seemed to reach her, but she was too shattered to think clearly. Her vision blurred, her body trembled, and she felt as if her heart had sunk into the deepest pit of her stomach.
At that moment, as Araya's body disappeared into the sea, Asher let out a heart-wrenching wail.
---
**Two Weeks Later**
After two weeks of searching for her without success, Jack found Araya's clothes at the shore. Shortly after, her death was officially announced.
At first, Ericks refused to believe it. "There's every possibility that she's alive," he muttered, lowering his head as he gazed out the window.
Jack exhaled sharply, stepping forward. "Boss, how long will you keep denying the truth? You have to accept that she's dead! She's gone, and she's not coming back."
Ericks took a deep breath, but the pain inside him erupted into fury. He grabbed a vase and hurled it across the room, shattering it against the wall. Turning sharply to face Jack, he snarled, "She cannot die without my consent! She belongs to me! Who gave her permission to die?!"
"No normal human could have survived that fall! And if you still think she's alive, then explain *this*!" Jack shoved the tattered clothes forward.
Ericks stared at them in horror. The harsh reality crashed down on him.
"You're the one who told us never to fall in love," Jack said, stepping closer and shoving him with a hard jerk. "What happened to the boss who made those rules? Where is he now? Stop acting like a damn fool!"
On any other day, Ericks would have shot Jack without hesitation. But now, he was drowning in grief. He had lost someone he truly loved—more than he had ever realized.
---
**Three Days Later**
With a heavy heart, a funeral was conducted in Araya's name. Ash couldn't hold back her tears, clutching Asher tightly as she sobbed. Asher, too, wailed, sensing the absolute absence of her mother.
---
**Fast Forward**
Ericks visited her tomb every day, bringing white roses, always accompanied by Asher.
Ash became his responsibility, along with Asher and Emma.
He became crueler, colder—blocking his heart from love entirely.
They boarded a plane back to Bainbridge, where Ash, with a broken heart, revealed Araya's death to Emma and Alex.
Ericks became a loner—a sadist who found solace in inflicting pain. Yet, even as he inflicted suffering, he built an impenetrable wall around his heart, dedicating it solely to his daughter and his lost love.
Nora emotionally convinced him to make her his wife—for Asher's future. For two long days, he fought against the idea, drowning in sorrow, drifting further away from his sister and daughter. But in the end, he gave in.
Finally, after a year of waiting, she became *Mrs. Dragons*. But it was only a title—an identity.
A triumphant smirk curled at the corner of her lips as she watched her husband at the terrace, rocking Asher with unusual tenderness.
"Mission accomplished," she whispered, closing the curtains.
**Six years later. **
The first rays of sunshine streamed into her room, casting a warm glow. The dawn chorus of melodic birdsong drifted in through the open window, blending with the crisp morning air. Another day had arrived, bringing with it new hopes and aspirations.
Peony rubbed her bleary eyes and walked toward the window. A pearly glow painted the sky in soft pastels. Her golden-blonde hair cascaded down her back, shimmering under the sunlight. At the corner of the windowsill, a red peony stood in full bloom, its petals unfolding in elegant glory.
Her eyes danced with delight as she stretched out her hand, relishing the warmth of the morning sun.
A small bird perched at the edge of her window, chirping and singing in cheerful bursts. Her plump lips curled into a charming smile as she called out softly.
"Lilac!"
The bird did a merry little dance before fluttering into her arms.
"How was your night, Lilac?" she murmured. Bit by bit, the bird chirped tiny musical notes into her ears, making her giggle sweetly.
"Did you miss me?" Another chirp.
"How was your night?" The bird cocked its head attentively as if understanding her words before doing another joyful hop. Peony's smile widened, her laughter light and contagious.
A voice interrupted the moment.
"Peony! Get downstairs if you're up!"
A pleasant warmth washed over her at the familiar call.
Startled by the distraction, Lilac fluttered away. Peony watched as the little bird disappeared into the sky before closing her window and heading downstairs.
Her grin brightened when she saw her parents—now in their late forties and fifties—waiting for her in the kitchen.
"Good morning, Mum! Good morning, Dad!" she greeted, planting a light kiss on their cheeks. They returned the affection warmly.
"How was your night, Peony?"
She sighed, wrapping her arms around her mother's waist in a side hug. "Aside from the same dream of falling into the sea, it was beautiful." Then, with a hopeful glint in her eyes, she asked, "Are we going to sell my perfumes today?"
Her father picked up his fishing hook and net. "Your mum will take you, Peony. But remember, don't wander too far or—"
"I'll get lost," she finished for him, stepping closer and giving him a knowing smile. "I know your words, Daddy, and I will always obey you. Do you know why?"
Her parents exchanged amused glances before shaking their heads.
Peony plucked an apple from the table and a red rose from the vase, holding them up. "Just as much as I love peonies, apples, and roses, you are my apple, Mum, and my rose, Dad. And I am the peony. A complete family with lots and lots of love!" she declared, twirling in her floral dress as it billowed with the morning breeze.
Her mother chuckled. "You're such a lovely child, and we love you very, very much."
Peony giggled and ran outside to help her father to the boat before returning to the house, where she found her mother preparing breakfast—her favorite: bacon, eggs, and cheese.
"Mum!" she squealed excitedly, her heart swelling with joy.
Her mother glanced at her with a soft but firm expression. "I'm making breakfast, dear. Go take your shower."
Peony nodded and turned toward the stairs.
Her parents had almost lost hope of ever having a child. They were past the age of childbirth, nearly helpless, and on the verge of giving up—until Peony was sent to them three years ago. They had nursed her back to health, but in the process, she had lost something: her memory.
Perhaps it was divine intervention, a miracle in their childless lives, but one thing was certain—they would cherish her forever.
Just as she was about to head upstairs, she suddenly stopped and turned back.
"Mum, can I pack some perfume for Michelle while going to the orphanage today? She loves my perfumes," Peony asked, interrupting her mother's train of thought.
Her mother nodded with a smile. "Anything for you, my sweetheart."
Melodious joy filled Peony's heart as she began humming a tune, skipping all the way to her room.
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