Lana POV:

  Life is full of unexpected twists and turns, catching us off guard when we least expect it. I was fortunate to have a loving family, with a gentle mother, a kindhearted and stern father, and an adorable little sister.

  My life was picture-perfect, filled with happiness and surrounded by love.

  My father worked hard to provide us with a fulfilling and dignified life, while my mother instilled discipline and respect in us.

  But just when I thought everything would stay this way forever, life decided to shuffle the deck.

  In the blink of an eye, everything went up in smoke.

  My father, a respected merchant and businessman, lost everything when his company went bankrupt. He fought tooth and nail to rebuild what was lost, to solve the problems, and to keep a smile on his face. But despite his best efforts, it all seemed futile.

  Behind that smile, my strong father started to drown his sorrows in alcohol, and the kindhearted and stern man I knew began to fade away. As he struggled to fix everything, the weight of mounting debts pressed down on his shoulders.

  No matter what he tried, they never seemed to go away, and slowly but surely, my father felt trapped.

  Then, one fateful day, we found him lifeless, a victim of overdose. Next to his cold body, we discovered his final message on his terminal: "I'm sorry and I love you."

  The devastation that followed was indescribable.

  The pilr that had protected us crumbled, leaving us vulnerable and exposed.

  At seventeen years old, I didn't have the luxury of mourning. My father was a kindhearted person in his life, however in his death he was selfish. We were left burdened with a huge sum of debt.

  My mother had to rely on the mercy of our extended family, begging for their help. And as for me, a teenager facing the unfairness of the world, all I could do was cry and ment.

  But deep down, I knew that crying wouldn't bring my father back, and it certainly wouldn't pay off our debts. I realized that I had to face the harsh reality head-on. So, I took a leap of faith and applied for a nursing schorship. Miraculously, I was granted the opportunity and graduated with the highest honors.

  Swiftly, I searched for a job and found one with a decent sary. The contract seemed a bit shady at the time, but the pay was too good to pass up. So, without much concern, I accepted the offer, determined to do whatever it took to overcome the challenges that y ahead.

  However, it turned out to be a colossal mistake.

  I found myself thrust into a grim facility, a pce where people were subjected to unimaginable horrors. Regardless of age, innocence, or guilt, everyone suffered the same cruel fate. It was a nightmare from which escape seemed impossible, as I feared not only for my own safety but also for the safety of my family.

  Trapped in a vicious cycle of fear and indebtedness, I felt powerless to change my circumstances.

  All I could do was resign myself to my fate and do whatever I could to alleviate the suffering of those around me. I believed that these dark days would stretch on indefinitely, until I became numb or completely broken.

  But then, fate dealt me an unexpected card—a joker that would forever alter the course of my life. This joker possessed an extraordinary power, capable of not only dismantling the facility and bringing justice to those who deserved it but also solving the very problems I had been struggling with for so long, with a mere flick of their finger.

  Suddenly, I found myself with the means to repay my debts and a newfound family whose warmth began to heal my shattered heart. Today, accompanied by one of my new family members and two guards as escorts, I embarked on a journey to restore my mother's dignity and rid ourselves of the burdens that had weighed us down for far too long.

  With the money in my hand, I could finally give my sister and mother the fresh start they deserved—a life free from the suffering they had endured, a life where my sister could thrive and grow in a healthy environment. And it was all thanks to that joker, to Xeno, my beloved.

  As nostalgia and excitement washed over me, I was suddenly interrupted by a familiar voice calling out to me.

  It was none other than Albert, the now disguised butler, expressing concern: "Mistress, are you feeling well?"

  "Yeah, I'm alright Albert, just lost in thought. And please, don't call me mistress, it's so embarrassing," I replied, feeling my cheeks flush.

  "Why shouldn't I? Doesn't master Xeno adore you? It's clear to me that you hold a special pce in his heart. That's why I refer to you as mistress. It's only a matter of time," Albert reasoned.

  "Well, he does care about me and treats me well. But he's dealing with a lot of personal issues right now, so he's not ready for a retionship. And to make matters more complicated, there are these persistent twins and even that masochist Aurora, all vying for his attention and love. I know that polygamy is more accepted these days due to the shortage of men, but for some reason, it bothers me. Do you understand what I mean, Albert?" I expined.

  "I understand, mistress. But since you were the first to capture his heart and he's protective of you, there shouldn't be a problem if he shares his love with others. If you already have a special pce in his heart, everything will be fine. My master wouldn't treat you any differently or love you any less just because he's loved by others, would he?" Albert reassured me.

  "You're absolutely right, Albert. It does bother me deep down but just knowing that he loves me is enough. I can't imagine myself loving anyone else; that idiot stole my heart," I confessed with a mix of frustration and affection.

  "Anyway, enough of this. Let's hurry up and finish our shopping for all the essentials and clothes before we break the news to my mother. I can't wait to see the smile on her face after all this time."

  With renewed determination, Albert and I embarked on a shopping spree, exploring numerous shops in search of everything we needed. We meticulously selected necessities for women and gathered supplies for the rest of the men. Clothes, gear, food—you name it, we bought it. We also bought gifts and necessities for my mother and sister so that they would need nothing.

  To lighten our load, we arranged for the shops to deliver everything directly to my mother's house. This way, we wouldn't be burdened with carrying all our purchases ourselves.

  Walking alongside Albert, engaged in lively conversation, felt like a natural and comforting experience. It was evident why Xeno had chosen him as his confidant and butler. Albert exuded a sense of goodness, dispying impeccable behavior, professionalism, and resourcefulness. The guards who accompanied us on our journey were equally remarkable, radiating a genuine kindness and unwavering vigince that made the entire trip to my mother's house an enjoyable one.

  As we approached the familiar front door, my heart raced with anticipation. The sound of our knock echoed through the house, and I could hear my mother's footsteps drawing closer. The moment was charged with excitement and nervous energy.

  With a creak, the door swung open, revealing my mother standing there, her eyes widening in surprise and joy. "What are you doing here, Lana? Weren't you supposed to be at work? Didn't they forbid you from leaving?" she excimed, a mix of confusion and concern in her voice.

  "You're right, Mom. They didn't allow me to leave, but here I am," I replied, a determined fire burning in my eyes. "I've come to recim our dignity and pay off our debts. No more grueling hours of work for you, no more relying on the mercy of others. From now on, sunny days await us."

  My mother listened intently to my words, her eyes welling up with tears. In an instant, she enveloped me in a tight embrace, and I reciprocated with equal fervor. The warmth of that moment seemed to stretch on indefinitely, as if time itself had paused to savor the joy and relief that washed over us.