VALENTINE RESIDENCE
Rummaging in her bag, Cho looked around at her bedside table, desk and dressing table. No sight of her phone, she sighed.
**Cho Valentine (19)
- Has a strikingly elegant appearance with smooth, shoulder-length raven-black hair, slightly wave and a soft blend of green and blue hues almond-shaped eyes.
- Caring, considerate, observant, and always radiates kindness to the people around her despite being an introvert. But not afraid to step out of her comfort zone whenever necessary.**
''Where is it,-'' She stormed out of her room and ran down the stairs to the kitchen. ''Uncle Dom, it's not upstairs,-''
The 36 year old guy turned around.
''Can you give it a call?'' she asked.
''Sure, one sec,-'' Dominic reached his cell phone and called hers.
**Dominic Valentine (36)
- Has a rugged and charismatic appearance with a well-groomed beard and mustache that accentuate his angular facial structure, combined with deep green eyes.
- Generous, open-minded, and always willing to help others. He has a genuine selfless nature but can be overprotective when it comes to Cho. He owns an insurance company called DomVale Corporation.**
A song echoed throughout the sitting room. Dashing to it, she found it under the sofa.
'Got it!'' She headed back to the kitchen and sat around the dining table. ''How's breakfast coming along?''
''Good good,- Wil be done in a sec,-''
Cho went through her phone. Saw her empty inbox, she raised her eyebrows. ''Not a single message huh?'' She rolled her eyes. ''Great,-''
Seconds later, her cell phone rang. It was from an unknown number.
''Hello?'' she answered.
''Hey sweety,-''
Cho's eyes rounded. ''Aunt Eva!''
**Eva Forsythe (39)
- Embodies a modern edge and effortless beauty with her golden-blonde hair falling in loose, wavy layers around her shoulders, framing her face with a soft, natural charm, and has piercing blue eyes.
- Has a close relationship with Cho and Dominic. Displaying a cold and guarded appearance most of the time except in front of those she cares about and will go to great lengths to ensure their safety. **
Dominic glanced over.
''I still cannot get used to your frequent number changing,- How are you?''
''I'm fine,- You?''
''Never better,-''
''Have you guys had your breakfast?''
''Just about to,-''
''Do you guys already have plans for today?''
''Nope, I don't think so,- Why? You wanna tag along?''
''I am dying to,-''
Cho grinned.
''Is Dom there?'' she asked again.
She looked up. Her uncle was now leaning against the sink with his arms crossed, watching her. ''Yupp,-''
''Looking angry?''
''Ahah,-''
A soft sigh was heard at the end of the line. ''Put him on,-''
''Here,-'' Cho handed her cell phone to him. ''She wants to talk to you,-''
Took it, Dominic disappeared through the back door.
''Hey Dom,-''
''How many times do I have to tell you, don't call her too often,-'' he said worriedly. ''You're going to put her in danger,-''
''But I couldn't help it Dom, I missed her,-''
Dominic sighed. ''Just, be more careful please,-''
***
Dominic put two plates of toast and pancakes on the table along with a pot of coffee and a bottle of maple syrup. ''Let's eat,-''
They both continued with breakfast.
''So, where are we going today?'' Cho stuffed her mouth with a chunkable size of pancake. ''But don't ask me,- I'm out of place to suggest,-''
Dominic shrugged. ''Me too, given that we're here almost every summer,-''
Finished her meal at top speed, she got back onto her feet. Dominic looked up.
''Going somewhere?'' he asked.
''I need to buy some 'girls' stuff,-''
''I'll come with you,-''
''No it's ok,- It's not that far anyway,-''
''You're sure?''
''Yeah, of course,- See you in a bit,-''
Zipped out of the kitchen, Cho headed out and sped off to the drug store located four blocks away.
''Let's see if they have it this time around,-'' she said quietly.
Cho arrived several minutes later. After getting some pads, painkillers and a band-aid, she made her way back home before coming to a halt as something caught her attention.
''What the,-''
Not far from where she stood, Cho saw a young girl around the age of 14 being dragged by a man to a distant area, where there was no one around, which then led to an empty store building.
''That's not looking good,-''
Cho immediately called the cops. Done reporting the incident, Cho stood still.
''What if he does something bad to her in the meantime?''
Since her uncle was out of the question, Cho scanned her surroundings, searching for any dependable-looking man she could ask for help. But most of the passersby were elderly—old men and women.
Drawing in a deep breath, she hesitated before gathering her courage and moving forward. Her steps were tentative as she slipped into the building where the man had taken the girl. The air felt colder inside. A narrow, dimly lit passageway with creaking staircases greeted her.
Cho walked as quietly as she could. Her heartbeat thudded in her ears, faster with every step until she reached the end of the corridor.
"Calm the heck down, Cho," she whispered to herself, trying to steady her nerves.
At the end was a small, grimy room. She crept toward it on tiptoe and peeked inside—The man was tearing at the girl's top violently.
A gasp escaped her. Eyes darting around in panic, she searched for something—anything—to use as a weapon. Her gaze landed on an empty glass bottle nearby. Without thinking, she grabbed it and charged into the room.
The bottle shattered against the man's head with a sharp crack, and he collapsed to the ground, unconscious. Cho rushed to the girl's side, dropping to her knees.
"Hey, sweetie—" she said gently. "Are you alright?"
The girl didn't respond. Her eyes were wide open, but her stare was vacant, distant—haunted.
Cho gave her a soft shake. "Say something, please—"
But behind her, the man groaned. He was already starting to stir. Panic surged through her. Without wasting a second, Cho pulled the girl onto her back and bolted out of the room. She raced up the staircase, breath ragged and limbs trembling. But just as she neared the top, a cold hand clamped around her ankle.
"No!!" she screamed, clutching the railing as the man yanked her downward. "Let me go!!"
She kicked and struggled, but her strength was no match for his.
"Help!! Somebody help!!"
In the middle of the chaos, a pair of strong hands reached out from above and gripped her arms tightly, pulling her up with a surge of power that lifted her over the landing in seconds. She looked up—A pair of piercing light gray eyes met hers.
"Wait here," he said firmly.
He turned and rushed down the stairs. In seconds, the man was on the ground again—knocked out cold. The stranger slapped a pair of handcuffs on him before hurrying back to her.
"Are you alright?" he asked.
Cho opened her mouth, but no sound came out.
"Miss?" he said again, voice more gentle now.
She stared at him, trying to place his face—but her vision was blurry, her head spinning. All she could see were those eyes. And even then, they began to fade into darkness.
GREENDALE HOSPITAL
"Cho?" called Dominic, noticing her eyelids fluttering weakly.
Opened her eyes, she looked around and caught a pair of worried eyes staring back at her. ''Uncle Dom?''
He sighed in relief. ''Oh thank god,-''
''Where am I?'' she asked.
Dominic's eyes widened, half-angry. ''You're in a hospital Cho! And you're supposed to be at the store, not hospital!''
And everything came back to her. ''The girl,-'' She sat herself up. ''Where's the girl Uncle Dom?''
''She's fine, don't worry,-''
Cho sighed in relief.
''But that's very reckless Cho,- You could get hurt, horribly!'' he added in disbelief.
''I know, I'm sorry,- I just want to make sure the girl's alright,-''
He took a deep breath, calming himself down. ''I know,- Still, you scared the heck out of me,-''
An officer walked in a little while later. Both Dominic and Cho looked around.
''Cho Valentine?'' he asked.
''Yes?''
''I'm Sean Dawson,- I need you to come to the station to give your statement regarding the incident. But after your discharge of course,-''
''Sure,- But is the girl alright? She's already in a bad state when I came for her,-''
''That's probably because of the drugs the man gave her,-'' he replied.
Cho slightly gasped. "Drugs??"
Sean nodded. "The man had once been arrested for drug possession. Can't believe he did something like this during his parole,-" He took out two cards and handed them to Cho and Dominic. "Give me a call when you decide to come,-"
Took it, Cho nodded.
"I'll be on my way then,- Thank you for your time, Miss Valentine,-"
Gesturing Dominic who was quiet throughout the whole conversation, a farewell, Sean headed out.
"Ex-con charged with drug possession??" Dominic threw her a sharp gaze that Cho slightly jolted. "That's worse than I thought!"
He stood rather abruptly, groaning angrily under his breath. Both his hands now were on his waist, facing her. "If it goes wrong, you'll be in a lot worse situation than getting hurt! Did you realize that??"
Cho gazed quietly upon him.
"Do you even have a clue??" He put his right hand against his forehead. "Oh my god,-"
Surprisingly, a soft smile carved across her face. Spotted it, Dominic furrowed.
"Why are you smiling though?"
"Hm?"
"Are you listening?"
"Yeah, I do,- It's just, you look more like dad when you're angry and didn't realize I was smiling,- Sorry,-"
Dominic fell into a heavy silence. The anger etched on his face melted into a deep, aching sorrow as the weight of her past struck him like a blow to the chest. He pulled Cho into his arms.
Startled, she blinked up at him. "Uncle Dom?"
He didn't answer. His embrace only grew tighter, as if trying to shield her from a pain that had already passed but still lingered. As he held her close, he couldn't help but marvel at her strength — at how much she had endured. And yet, no matter how far she'd come, his heart still ached for everything she'd had to face.
"You're getting stronger, Cho," he murmured at last, his voice thick with emotion. "You can even mention him with a smile now,-"
EPILOGUE
11 YEARS AGO, VALENTINE RESIDENCE
Damian Valentine marched into the first room on the left upstairs, his eyes quickly scanning the space. A small gap in the closet door caught his attention—and he smiled.
"Where is she?" he asked in a playful tone.
A soft giggle floated from inside the closet.
"I could've sworn I saw her come up here…" he continued, feigning confusion as he checked under the bed and peeked into the bathroom. "Where could she be?" He paused dramatically, then gasped with exaggerated surprise. "Is she in the closet?"
The giggling grew louder.
He crept toward the closet, but just as he reached it, a loud bang echoed from downstairs.
Damian's smile vanished. He stepped to the doorway and glanced out, his expression sharpening instantly. Then, turning subtly toward the closet—knowing Cho was peeking through the gap—he raised a finger to his lips, silently urging her to stay quiet.
Footsteps thudded up the stairs. Moments later, a tall, slim man entered the room.
Damian moved in front of the closet, positioning himself protectively.
"For the hundredth time, I have nothing to do with the person you're talking about," he said firmly.
The man scoffed. "Oh really?" He pulled out his phone and scrolled for a moment before turning the screen toward Damian. "Then explain this."
Damian leaned in to look. His eyes widened.
It was a photo of him sitting on the backyard swing with a golden-blonde woman in her mid-twenties.
He went silent.
"You can't explain it, can you?" the man said, pocketing the phone. "All I know is that you and your daughter mean the world to her right now,-" His voice darkened as he pulled out a gun. "She tortured mine to their death, and even burned them. So,-"
Two shots rang out.
Cho screamed as Damian collapsed to the floor with a cry of agony, both legs wounded.
"Daddy!!" Cho flung open the closet door, but Damian, through the searing pain, reached out and slammed it shut again, holding it in place with trembling hands.
"Daddy!!" she pounded on the door with all her strength, voice breaking. "Daddy!!"
Bleeding and gasping, Damian looked up at his attacker. "Please… don't hurt her…"
The man smiled coldly and crouched beside him.
"Oh, don't worry, I'm not going to kill her,-" He leaned in closer, voice like ice. "I'm just going to give her a fate far more horrifying than death,-"