Chapter 14
The headlines were everywhere, saturating every trending search.
In the blink of an eye, the Chromos Group‘ s stock price plummeted, taking years of hard–earned progress and reducing it to dust.
Everyone around Primo urged him to find Asteria and make her take the fall for it all.
But Primo couldn‘ t bring himself to do it.
He had known Asteria since he was seven, and more than anyone, he understood just how pure and good she truly was.
“Primo, what are you doing? Your father and I are losing our minds. The paparazzi and reporters are hunting us down everywhere.”
“Are you really willing to sacrifice the entire family for this woman?”
“For people like us, games are part of life. If
50% 11:08
1/6
Chapter 14
she wanted the wealth and power of the Chromos family, she should‘ ve known the price to pay. How could she let her emotions tear everything apart?”
Primo had heard those words more times than he could count that day.
He massaged his temples, the weight of exhaustion settling in. “Mom, don‘ t
worry. Just give me some time. I’ll take care of it.”
But how to fix this? Primo had no idea.
The situation had spiraled too far out of control, and the entire Chromos family was seething with anger at Asteria.
But Primo couldn’t stand to hear anyone speak ill of her.
He understood why Asteria had been with him, and even more, he understood why she had left.
She had loved him.
Loved him so fiercely that it had morphed
50% 11:08
2/6
Chapter 14
into something darker–hatred.
After finishing the last cigarette in his hand, Primo rose slowly.
He made his way to the living room, reaching for a glass of water, but in his distracted state, he stumbled over the sofa and crashed into the cabinet.
The pain jolted through him, sharp and unforgiving.
Primo pressed his hand to his forehead, fumbling in the dark for the light switch.
As usual, the room was in disarray.
Shards of broken glass scattered across the floor, and Primo noticed a few cuts on his ankle, deepening his frustration.
He groaned and started searching for the medicine cabinet, but it took longer than expected, and he still couldn’t find it.
Before this, it had always been Asteria who took care of these things.
50% 11:08
3/6
Chapter 14
No matter how late, Asteria would leave a soft light glowing as though she knew the darkness would never sit well with him.
She’d always pull out his favorite food as if by magic.
She’d make sure the house was spotless, just as he liked it.
And when he’d inevitably hurt himself, she’d tend to his wounds with the patience only she had.
In his daze, Primo could almost hear Asteria‘ s soothing voice, “Just blow on it, and it won’t hurt!”
It felt as if she was still there, gazing at him with her ever–present, comforting smile.
The sharp ringtone of his phone suddenly shattered the illusion.
Frowning, Primo saw the caller ID: Yesha.
He hesitated, then picked up the call.
“Primo, sister… she won’t be in trouble,
50% 11:08
4/6
Chapter 14
right? It’s all my fault…”
If this had happened before, hearing Yesha’s cries would have made Primo‘ s
heartache, and he would have dropped everything to console her.
But this time, her crying grated on his
nerves.
A sudden thought struck him.
He had to find Asteria.
No matter the cost, he would bring her back.
Primo hung up the phone with Yesha and began searching through the apartment as if, by some miracle, he might find a trace of Asteria.
She had left without a word, taking nothing with her.
The teddy bear she used to cling to while she slept, her precious diamond bracelet, the couple rings that once symbolized their bond, and the letters, those childish yet
50% 11:08
5/6
Chapter 14
sincere notes from their youth, were all
gone.
