Episode: 2 UNSPOKEN PROMISE

For a moment, the cold CEO smiled.

"Because..."

"You've always been the most important person in my life."

Anny froze.

Before she could ask what he meant, Kiaan walked away.

Standing outside the warehouse... Liana watched everything from her car. "So..."

"He still loves her." She clenched her fists.

"Then I'll make sure Anny disappears forever."

The bright morning sunlight streamed through the hospital window, casting a warm glow across the spotless white room. Anny slowly opened her eyes, her head throbbing from the previous night's ordeal. For a few moments, she simply stared at the ceiling, wondering if everything that had happened had been nothing more than a nightmare.

Then she noticed the faint bruises on her wrists.It was real the kidnapping... the abandoned warehouse... and Kiaan's furious expression as he stormed in to save her. A soft knock interrupted her thoughts.

The door opened, and Kiaan stepped inside. He wore a charcoal-grey suit, but unlike his usual perfectly composed appearance, his tie was slightly loose, and there were dark circles beneath his eyes. It was obvious he hadn't slept.

Neither of them spoke. The silence between them felt strangely familiar, just like it had during their high school days.

Finally, Kiaan placed a small paper bag on the bedside table.

"You haven't eaten since yesterday," he said calmly. "The doctor said you should have breakfast."

Anny blinked in surprise. Inside the bag were her favorite strawberry sandwiches and vanilla milk.

She looked up at him. "How... did you know these are my favorites?" For a brief second, Kiaan's expression softened."I remembered."

The single word made Anny's heart skip a beat.

Before she could ask another question, he turned toward the window as though he regretted saying too much.

"I'm just good at remembering details," he added quickly.

Anny wasn't convinced. There was something hidden behind his calm voice—something he refused to tell her.

Just then, the door burst open without warning.A cheerful young man carrying a huge bouquet of colorful flowers walked in dramatically."So this is the famous girl who made our ice-cold CEO lose his mind!"

Anny stared at him in confusion.Kiaan closed his eyes and sighed.

"Ethan."

Ethan Carter flashed a playful grin. "I'm Ethan, Kiaan's best friend. Nice to meet you, Miss Anny."

He leaned closer and whispered loudly enough for everyone to hear.

"Last night, our great CEO threatened to buy the entire warehouse just to find you." Kiaan shot him a deadly glare.

"Ethan." "I'm just telling the truth."

"Ethan." "Okay, okay! I'll stop."

Anny couldn't help laughing.For the first time since the kidnapping, genuine laughter filled the room.

Kiaan silently watched her.The sound of her laughter was exactly the same as it had been five years ago.

It made the cold walls around his heart crack just a little. Later that afternoon, Anny was discharged from the hospital. When she returned to Vale Group, every employee stopped working to look at her.

Some smiled.

Others whispered. "That's her." "The CEO personally stayed with her all night." "They must be dating."

Anny lowered her head, embarrassed.Before the gossip could grow louder, Kiaan stepped out of the elevator.

His sharp gaze swept across the office. "I don't pay people to spread rumors." The entire floor fell silent.

"Get back to work."  Within seconds, everyone rushed back to their desks.

Anny looked at him with gratitude. "You didn't have to do that."

Without looking at her, Kiaan replied, "No one in my company is allowed to disrespect my employees."

His answer sounded professional. Yet somehow... it felt deeply personal.

Meanwhile, in a luxurious apartment across the city, Liana Brooks smashed a crystal glass against the wall.

The television displayed the morning news. "CEO Kiaan Vale rescues female employee from kidnapping attempt."

Her breathing became uneven. "So everyone knows about her now." A man sitting in the shadows slowly applauded.

"You seem... jealous."  Liana looked toward him.

"Victor."  The mysterious man smiled. "You want Kiaan."  "And I want something Anny has."

He slid an old photograph across the table. Liana picked it up. Her eyes widened.

The picture showed Kiaan and Anny together in their high school uniforms... smiling at each other.

But standing in the background was another student.

Someone whose face had been scratched out completely. Victor's smile grew colder.

"That person is the key to everything."

"And very soon..."

"...they're coming back."

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