HUSH

HUSH. Episode 14

Few weeks later,

Crystal chandeliers bathed the magnificent Raymond Grand Hall in a warm golden glow, their light reflecting off polished marble floors and towering glass walls overlooking the estate’s perfectly manicured gardens.

It was the annual Raymond Charity Gala.

The most prestigious event in the country.

Politicians, billionaires, CEOs, diplomats, celebrities, and old-money families filled the lavish ballroom, each dressed in breathtaking elegance.

Champagne flowed freely.

A string quartet performed softly from the center stage while waiters moved gracefully through the crowd carrying silver trays filled with expensive hors d’oeuvres.

Although the evening was held in the name of charity, everyone understood the unspoken truth.

The gala was where fortunes were made…

Powerful alliances were forged…

And influential families searched for suitable marriages.

Near one corner of the ballroom, several wealthy mothers whispered among themselves while discreetly watching the Raymond heirs.

“If my daughter could marry into the Raymond family…”

“Our family’s future would be secured.”

“I heard the second grandson is still unmarried.”

“No, I’ve been told the youngest one is accepting introductions.”

Nearby, ambitious businessmen exchanged business cards, each hoping to secure a partnership with the Raymond empire.

Others simply wished to be noticed.

A single handshake from a Raymond could change the course of a company overnight.

Across the ballroom, the Raymond daughters-in-law wore elegant designer gowns, smiling gracefully as they entertained guests.

Their children stood proudly beside them, introducing themselves to influential investors and prominent families.

To the outside world…

The Raymond family appeared united.

Perfect.

Sophisticated.

Powerful.

Only those carrying the Raymond name knew how much greed simmered beneath those polished smiles.

At the head of the grand ballroom sat Theodore Raymond.

The patriarch occupied a magnificent chair reserved solely for him.

Though age had added silver to his hair, his commanding presence remained undeniable.

Guests approached one after another to offer greetings and congratulations.

Theodore accepted each politely.

Yet every few moments…

His eyes drifted toward the massive entrance.

Waiting.

Watching.

Several family members noticed.

One of his daughters leaned toward her brother.

“Father seems distracted tonight.”

Another shrugged.

“Perhaps he’s tired.”

One grandson smirked.

“Or maybe he’s waiting for an important investor.”

They laughed quietly before returning to their conversations.

None of them imagined the truth.

Theodore wasn’t waiting for a billionaire.

Nor a politician.

He was waiting for one man.

Damian.

His fingers rested calmly on the polished handle of his cane as he glanced once more toward the entrance.

A faint smile crossed his face.

“You’ll come.”

He knew his grandson well.

If Damian had given his word…

He would keep it.

The orchestra continued playing.

Guests laughed over crystal glasses.

Marriage proposals were subtly discussed.

Business deals quietly negotiated.

Photographers captured images of smiling faces that concealed ambitious hearts.

Still…

Theodore’s attention never strayed far from the entrance.

Unlike everyone else in the ballroom…

He wasn’t wondering if Damian would arrive.

He was simply waiting to see when the doors would finally open.

The afternoon sun had begun to soften, casting a warm golden light across the little cottage and its blooming garden. The gentle breeze carried the scent of lavender and freshly watered soil, making the quiet town feel even more peaceful.

Rebecca stood on a small wooden stool, hanging freshly washed clothes on the clothesline.

Beside her, the old lady hummed an old tune as she carefully watered her roses.

For a while, neither of them spoke.

Rebecca glanced toward the dirt road leading away from the cottage.

Empty.

She looked away before she could dwell on it.

It was strange.

The cabin felt… quieter than usual.

No deep voice reminding the old lady not to overwork herself.

No calm footsteps echoing through the wooden floors.

No sight of Damian sitting on the porch with a cup of coffee while reading documents that somehow always found their way to him.

She frowned slightly without realizing it.

The old lady noticed immediately.

A knowing smile tugged at the corners of her lips.

“Looking for someone?”

Rebecca blinked, nearly dropping a clothespin.

“What?”

The old lady chuckled.

“You’ve looked toward that road at least five times.”

Rebecca quickly turned back to the laundry.

“I wasn’t looking for anyone.”

“Mm-hmm.”

“I was just…”

She searched for an excuse.

“…wondering why it’s so quiet today.”

The old lady smiled but didn’t tease her further.

“Oh, Damian had to step out.”

Rebecca tried to sound casual.

“Where did he go?”

The old lady gently placed the watering can on the ground.

“He said his attention was needed at the farm.”

“The farm?”

“Yes.”

“He left not long after breakfast.”

Rebecca nodded.

“I see.”

She clipped another shirt onto the line, but her movements had slowed.

The old lady watched her for a moment before returning to her flowers.

“He works harder than people realize.”

Rebecca smiled faintly.

“I’ve noticed.”

“Even when he’s resting, his mind never seems to stop.”

The old lady laughed softly.

“That boy carries the weight of the world on those broad shoulders.”

Rebecca found herself smiling.

“Sometimes I wonder if he even knows how to relax.”

“He doesn’t.”

They both laughed quietly.

A comfortable silence settled between them.

Rebecca finished hanging the last towel before instinctively glancing toward the road again.

Still no sign of him.

She looked down at the empty basket in her hands.

For someone she had only known for a short time…

His absence was surprisingly noticeable.

The porch felt emptier.

The cabin seemed unusually still.

Even the afternoon felt longer than usual.

The old lady caught the fleeting expression on Rebecca’s face and smiled to herself, wisely choosing not to say another word.

Some feelings…

Were sweeter when they revealed themselves naturally.

Rebecca let out a quiet breath before carrying the empty basket inside, telling herself she was simply looking forward to having everyone back under the same roof again.

Yet somewhere deep inside…

She couldn’t shake the feeling that she was waiting for one particular person to return.

The Raymond Charity Gala continued in full splendor.

The ballroom buzzed with polished conversations and carefully rehearsed smiles. Crystal glasses clinked together as orchestral music drifted elegantly through the air.

Everywhere one looked, powerful people were mingling.

Some discussed billion-dollar investments.

Others quietly negotiated mergers behind warm smiles.

A few influential families subtly introduced their sons and daughters to eligible heirs, hoping to secure marriages that would strengthen both wealth and reputation.

No one was there simply for charity.

Connections.

Influence.

Power.

Those were the true currencies of the evening.

Members of the Raymond family moved effortlessly through the crowd, greeting guests and entertaining potential business partners as though they were one united household.

Behind every smile, however, lay hidden ambition.

At the head of the ballroom, Theodore Raymond remained seated, exchanging brief pleasantries whenever someone approached him.

Yet his attention wandered again.

And again.

Toward the grand entrance.

His fingers tapped lightly against the handle of his cane.

“You’re late,” he thought with the faintest smile.

One of his sons noticed.

“Father.”

Theodore looked at him.

“You seem distracted tonight.”

“I’m simply observing.”

The answer was calm enough to end the conversation.

His son nodded politely before walking away.

Across the hall, whispers floated among the guests.

“I heard Damian Raymond disappeared years ago.”

“Some say he abandoned the family.”

“No one even knows where he is.”

“Perhaps he won’t return.”

Several members of the Raymond family overheard the gossip but paid little attention.

None of them expected Damian to appear.

To them…

He was a ghost from the past.

A chapter already closed.

The orchestra reached the end of a beautiful performance.

For a brief moment…

The ballroom grew unusually quiet.

Then—

The massive double doors at the entrance slowly swung open.

Every conversation stopped.

Heads turned instinctively.

Even the musicians lowered their instruments.

A pair of polished black shoes crossed the threshold first.

Then came the unmistakable figure.

Damian.

Dressed in a perfectly tailored black tuxedo that fit him like it had been made for him alone, he walked with calm, measured steps.

There was no hesitation.

No nervousness.

No need to announce himself.

His sharp gaze swept across the ballroom with quiet confidence, as though he had never left this world behind.

The air itself seemed to grow heavier.

Some guests widened their eyes in disbelief.

Others exchanged confused glances.

A few of the older business tycoons straightened instinctively, recognizing the man they had once considered the future of the Raymond empire.

At the front of the hall…

Theodore slowly rose to his feet.

A proud smile, one he had hidden all evening, finally appeared on his face.

Without saying a single word…

Grandfather and grandson locked eyes across the crowded ballroom.

Everything else seemed to disappear.

The music.

The conversations.

The hundreds of guests.

For one suspended moment…

The entire gala stood still.

And then—