The question hung heavily between them.
Why did you lie to me?
Harrison didn’t answer.
Valentina remained standing in front of him.
Their eyes locked.
Neither of them moved and neither seemed to understand why they were staring at each other that way.
The silence stretched,seconds passed.
For almost a minute, they simply stood there, lost in each other’s gaze.
Valentina couldn’t explain the strange feeling in her chest.She didn’t know this man.
At least, she couldn’t remember knowing him.Yet whenever she looked into his eyes, something inside her seemed to pull her Before either of them could say anything, a cheerful voice suddenly broke the silence.
“Mr.
Harrison!”
Madam Daisy hurried towards them.
Harrison immediately looked away.
Valentina also turned her face, slightly embarrassed by the strange moment they had just shared.
Daisy smiled warmly.
“Welcome, young master.”
She quickly approached Harrison and greeted him affectionately.
“It’s good to see you.”
Harrison nodded.
“Good morning, Daisy.”
“Please, sit down.
I’ll get you something.”
Before Harrison could refuse, Daisy hurried towards the kitchen.A few moments later, she returned with a cup of freshly brewed coffee.
“Here.”
Harrison accepted it.
“Thank you.”
Valentina stood quietly nearby, watching.
She couldn’t help noticing how warmly Daisy treated him.It almost seemed as though Harrison belonged there.
Her eyes drifted toward him.
He was tall, handsome, and impeccably dressed.Even when he said nothing, there was something commanding about him.
Valentina quickly looked away.
Why was she even staring at him?
She didn’t know him.
At least, not that she could remember anything
Harrison took one sip of the coffee before placing the cup down as he looked toward Daisy.
“Daisy, can I speak with you privately?”
Her smile disappeared slightly.
“Of course.”
Harrison walked toward the entrance.
Daisy followed him.
They stepped outside, far enough from Valentina that their conversation wouldn’t easily be heard.
Harrison stopped and turned toward her with his voice lowered.
“Daisy…”
She looked at him.
“I’ve always trusted you.”
Daisy’s heart sank.
Harrison continued.
“So why did you help Ashley carry out something like this?”
Daisy froze though she knew this moment would come because she had betrayed Harrison.
She had stood before the police and claimed that Valentina was her daughter and had lied to the very person who had always treated her with kindness.
Daisy lowered her head.
“I’m sorry, young master.”
Harrison’s expression remained stern.
“I’m waiting.”
Daisy hesitated.
“My daughter…” Her voice trembled.
“She is in the hospital.”
Harrison’s expression changed slightly.
Daisy continued.
“I needed money for her treatment.
Ashley came to me and offered to help.”
She swallowed.
“She told me all I had to do was claim that Valentina was my daughter.”
Harrison stared at her in disbelief.
“Then you could have called me.” His voice became sharper.
“You could have told me first.”
He stepped closer
“You know I would have helped you.
I would have gotten you whatever you needed.”
Daisy lowered her eyes.
“Yes, young master.”
“Then why?”
“It happened so quickly,” Daisy explained desperately.
“I didn’t have time to think.
And I didn’t even know that the girl was connected to you.”
Harrison’s brows furrowed.
“I didn’t know she was the girl you rescued”
Daisy shook her head.
“It was only after I made the claim that I realized she was connected to you”
Harrison slowly exhaled and looked away.
For several moments, neither spoke.
He was angry but he also understood why Daisy had done it.
Her daughter was sick and she had needed money.
And Ashley had taken advantage of that desperation.
Daisy’s voice became softer.
“I’m truly sorry.”
Harrison closed his eyes briefly.
“Just don’t do something like this again.”
Daisy nodded quickly.
“I won’t.”
Neither of them noticed the figure standing just inside the doorway.
Valentina!
She had heard everything.
Every word.
Her heart pounded violently.
She slowly stepped forward.
Her face had gone pale.
“So…”Her voice trembled.
“You lied?”
Harrison and Daisy turned around.
Harrison’s eyes widened.
“Valentina.”
She stared at him.
“You lied to me?”
“Valentina, calm down.”
“Who exactly am I?” Her voice cracked.
Harrison took a step toward her.
“Listen to me.”
“No!”
She stepped backward.
“Who am I?”
Harrison stopped.
“I can explain.”
“Then explain!”
Tears immediately filled her eyes.
“My name isn’t even Valentina, is it?”
Harrison froze.
Daisy covered her mouth in shock.
Valentina’s breathing became faster.
“You’ve all been lying to me!” She pointed toward Harrison.
“You told me I was your girlfriend!”
Then she pointed toward Daisy.
“She told everyone she was my mother!”
Her voice broke.
“Who am I?”
Harrison moved closer.
“Valentina, please.
You don’t understand”
“I don’t understand because nobody is telling me the truth!”
Tears streamed down her cheeks.
“I woke up without my memories, and instead of helping me, everyone kept giving me stories!” She shook her head frantically.
“Maybe you kidnapped me!”
Harrison’s expression changed.
“What?”
“You brought me here!” She backed away from him.
“You lied about being my boyfriend.
You lied about my family.
How do I know you didn’t kidnap me?”
“You’re wrong.”
“Then tell me who I am!”
Harrison couldn’t answer immediately.
That hesitation was enough.
Valentina broke down as she covered her face as sobs escaped her lips.
Everything she thought she knew had collapsed.
She didn’t know her name,she didn’t know her family not even Harrison and where she belonged.
She didn’t even know whether she could trust herself.
Suddenly, she turned and ran.
“Valentina!”
Harrison rushed after her.
She burst out of the basement house and sprinted across the compound.
“Stop!”
She didn’t listen.
Her only thought was escape.
Inside the main villa, the commotion quickly attracted attention.
Carter, Ashley, and Andrew moved toward the windows.
“What is happening?” Carter asked.
Andrew looked outside.
“Isn’t that the woman Harrison brought here?”
Ashley stepped closer.
The moment she saw Valentina running towards the gate, her expression changed.
She knew exactly what may had happened.
Harrison was running behind her.
“Hold her!” he shouted.”Don’t let her leave!”
The security guards immediately moved but Valentina was desperate.
She pushed past one guard.
Another reached for her arm, but she slipped away.
The guards had no idea what was happening.
To them, she looked like someone trying to escape the property.They assumed she was an intruder.
Valentina reached the gate and before anyone could stop her, she slipped through.
She kept running.
Inside the villa, Andrew let out a quiet scoff.
Ashley stood beside him, watching the scene with a faint smile.
“So much for Harrison’s mysterious guest,” Andrew mocked.
Ashley said nothing and simply watched.
Harrison rushed towards his car.
He grabbed his keys and got inside.
The engine roared to life.
“Valentina!”
He accelerated after her.
Valentina kept running,she didn’t know where she was going or where she would go.She only knew that she had to get away,away from the Whitmore family.
Away from Harrison and away from everyone who had lied to her.
But then…
Something flashed through her mind.
A dark street,heavy footsteps,three men rough voices.
Hands grabbing her.
She gasped.
Another image appeared.
Rain,darkness,fear as she saw herself running,running desperately through the darkness.
Trying to escape from three rough-looking men who were chasing her.
Valentina stumbled.
She grabbed her head.
“What…?”
Another flash.
A hand reaching toward her,a man’s voice shouting.
She screamed.
“No!”
The memories disappeared as quickly as they had come and her breathing became heavier.
Her legs suddenly felt weak,yet she forced herself to keep running.Another memory flashed.
The same men, same darkness,and the same desperate escape then Valentina’s speed began to slow.
Her vision blurred and she stumbled again.
The road beneath her seemed to move,she tried to steady herself but her strength was gone.
Her knees buckled as she finally collapsed onto the ground.
Harrison slammed on the brakes.
At that exact moment, a police car appeared ahead.
Its headlights cut through the road as it moved directly toward the scene.
Harrison stared in shock.
Why were the police here?