A few moments later, Canary stepped out of the mansion and headed toward the swimming pool area. The morning sun reflected softly across the water, but nothing about today felt warm.
His mind was too loud.
Lucy's confession.
Alexander.
His real mother.
Lisa.
Everything kept replaying.
Without thinking much more, he removed his shoes and dived into the water.
For several minutes, he simply swam.
Back and forth.
Trying to quiet his thoughts.
Trying to feel something other than confusion.
Trying not to think.
Meanwhile, at the orphanage, the atmosphere was completely different.
The children, caregivers, and staff had gathered for morning prayers. Lisa stood among them beside Stella, trying to focus on the prayers, but her mind kept drifting back to yesterday.
Lucy's words.
Canary's face.
The fear of losing everything.
After prayers ended, everyone slowly dispersed.
Lisa walked outside into the compound where children were already running around happily.
One small child quickly ran toward her.
"Lisa!"
She looked down and smiled softly.
"Yes?"
The child tilted their head.
"When is Uncle Canary coming back to see us? It's been a while."
Lisa's smile weakened for a second.
Then she forced it back.
"He'll be coming. He's just so busy these days."
She gently touched the child's shoulder.
"But I promise, he'll come very soon."
The child smiled excitedly.
"He should come. We have a wonderful event next week."
Lisa raised an eyebrow.
"Oh really?"
"Yes! He should celebrate with us."
Lisa nodded slowly.
"I'll try talking to him."
The child happily ran away.
But Stella had been watching the whole time. She slowly walked over.
"Lisa… is everything fine?"
Lisa quickly nodded.
"Yeah. Sure."
She forced another smile.
Stella crossed her arms.
"Mm-mm. You don't seem okay."
She moved closer.
"Tell me what is wrong. Is it work or something else?"
Lisa looked away.
After a moment, she spoke quietly.
"I don't really know."
Her voice became smaller.
"I feel like… maybe I'm unworthy."
Stella frowned immediately.
"What do you mean?"
Lisa sighed deeply.
"Yesterday I went for Canary's birthday."
She looked down.
"Everything was going well."
Then her expression changed.
"But I don't know what I did wrong."
She swallowed hard.
"Mrs. Andersons said I don't deserve Canary ."
Stella's eyes widened slightly.
"She wants me to break up with him."
Stella looked shocked.
"Why would she say something like that?"
Lisa's eyes became teary.
"Because I'm an orphan."
She looked away quickly.
"Because I have no parents."
"Because I have nobody."
Stella immediately shook her head.
"That's unfair."
Lisa stayed quiet. Stella held her hands.
"You should know something."
Lisa looked at her.
"You have people who love you."
She smiled softly.
"We love you here, Lisa."
Lisa's eyes watered.
"Thank you."
Stella squeezed her hand gently.
"So what are you going to do?"
Lisa took a slow breath.
"I'm waiting for tomorrow."
She stared ahead.
"I'll talk to Canary ."
Then quietly added:
"And see where things go from there."
***
The following day was Monday, fresh for work.
Canary wore a black suit, black shirt, black tie, black shoes everything black like he was going to mourn for something.
He stood in front of his dressing mirror, his fingers moving slowly as he tightened the tie around his neck. His sharp eyes remained fixed on his reflection.
Cold.
Empty.
Dangerous.
For the first time in years, Canary Andersons hated the man staring back at him.
His mind replayed Lucy's words from the previous night again and again until even sleep had refused to stay with him.
His fists tightened.
Today, he was going to make one of the most powerful decisions of his life.
At Andersons Group, the morning atmosphere was lively as always. Workers rushed through the entrance carrying coffee cups and files while others laughed in groups before work officially started.
The moment Canary entered, conversations lowered.
"Good morning, Mr. Andersons."
"Welcome back, sir."
"Happy belated birthday, sir."
He simply nodded and continued walking.
Little did they know that party that launch had become one of the days he hated most.
His polished shoes echoed through the hallway, making workers instinctively move aside.
Something about him today felt different.
Even frightening.
He entered his office, placed his car keys on the desk, removed his suit jacket carefully and hung it behind his chair.
For a moment, he stood near the large glass windows overlooking the city.
Everything looked normal outside.
Inside him, everything was collapsing.
A knock interrupted his thoughts.
One by one, team leaders entered to give reports.
Numbers.
Projects.
Targets.
He heard them but barely listened.
Jenny entered carrying a file pressed against her chest.
"This is the weekly report, sir."
Canary flipped through it absentmindedly before dropping it on the desk.
"Call Lisa for me."
Jenny froze slightly. Normally he texted Lisa. Normally, mentioning Lisa came with hidden smiles. Today his face looked carved from stone.
"Yes, sir."
Meanwhile, Lisa had arrived earlier than usual.
She wore a red silk top that matched perfectly with her black pants and casual sneakers. Her simple look somehow still made heads turn.
She greeted everyone with her usual warmth.
"Good morning, Gladys."
"Morning, Lisa."
After arranging documents on her desk, she finally relaxed into her seat. For a moment, things felt normal.
Then Jenny appeared.
Her heels clicked against the floor until she stopped near Lisa's desk.
"Your man wants to see you," Jenny said with obvious bitterness. "Better hurry before you find another woman in his office."
A few workers quietly looked over.
Jenny returned to her seat proudly.
Gladys rolled her eyes.
"Don't mind jealous Jenny. Go."
Lisa forced a smile. Ever since they started dating, Canary always texted whenever he wanted to see her.
Today there was nothing. No messages. No teasing. No good morning. Maybe it's business, she told herself.
She stood up slowly and adjusted her top.
As she walked toward Canary's office, workers greeted her along the corridor but she barely noticed.
The closer she got, the heavier her chest became. Something was wrong.
The building looked the same. The people looked the same. But somehow…Today felt different.
Lisa finally reached his office door. Her heart still felt strangely heavy. She knocked softly.
"Come in."
She slowly opened the door and stepped inside.
Canary was already standing near the large glass window, his back facing her. The city stretched behind him while his reflection stared back from the glass.
He did not turn.
Lisa smiled despite the strange atmosphere. Maybe he was stressed. Maybe work. Maybe family.
Without thinking much, she quietly walked toward him and wrapped her arms around his waist from behind, resting her cheek against his back.
"Good morning," she said softly.
Canary felt her warmth immediately. Her presence. Her scent. The familiar comfort that always gave him peace.
For one dangerous second, he almost forgot everything.
His chest tightened painfully.
But he forced his face back into that cold expression.
Lisa waited.
He did not hold her back.
Slowly, confusion replaced the smile on her face. She released him and moved around to face him.
"Canary… is everything okay?"
"Yes," he answered shortly. "We need to talk about something."
Lisa smiled gently.
"Sure. I'm here for you."
He looked at her. Really looked at her. The red silk top. The hopeful eyes.
The woman he once thought he would protect from everything. His mind drifted for a second.
Should I tell her?
Should I ask first?
Should I
Silence stretched too long.
"Huh…" Lisa laughed nervously. "Are you okay? I actually had something to tell you too. I.,…"
"Let's break up."
The words landed between them heavily. Lisa blinked. Then laughed.
A small laugh.
An uncertain one.
"Haha… that's quite a joke for this morning."
Canary's expression never changed.
"Really," he asked quietly. "Do I look like I'm joking?"
Her smile weakened.
"Yes… of course."
Then realization slowly crossed her face.
"Wait… is it your mother that scared you? I knew she would. She told me things too. But I know you can't just give up on us."
Canary let out a dry chuckle.
"Lisa, put yourself together."
His voice was calm. Too calm.
"I'm serious about this. We are breaking up."
He paused.
"And it has nothing to do with my mother."
For the first time since entering the office, Lisa's face completely changed. The confusion disappeared.
The joking disappeared.
Only shock remained.
"Do you mean what you're saying?" she asked quietly.
Canary walked past her and sat behind his desk.
He opened his laptop. Pretending to be busy.
Pretending not to notice that his hands were slightly shaking.
"Yes."
One word. That was all.
Lisa remained standing.
Because somehow sitting down felt like accepting it.