Caleb was sitting on a park bench after losing everything—his money, his home, his dignity.
All because of one camera flash.
One unlucky frame.
One accidental touch on a noblewoman's butt in a crowded train.
"Just because I accidentally touched her ass…?"
He stared at his hand—the same hand that brushed against that woman's rear.
A woman from a powerful family.
A woman whose name alone could bankrupt yours.
"Mom… I followed all your advice… but my life got wrecked over something this stupid…"
He leaned back, eyes heavy with memories.
Big house.
Maids always around.
A father who still kissed his wife on the cheek every morning.
It was all gone.
"All because of your kindness, Mom…"
His thoughts drifted to Melisa—his mother.
Too kind.
Too soft.
Too trusting.
Especially to Maya.
An employee at his father's company.
Someone she welcomed like a little sister.
Someone who turned out to be far better at making his dad's private Glock fire white bullets.
"Our lives went to shit…"
The pain leaked into his voice, too dull to sound like anger.
It was like someone flipped a switch and shut the lights off.
From silver spoons and silk sheets…
To stained pillows and broken ramen packets.
From being spoon-fed by maids because "he didn't feel like eating"…
To "Just instant noddle for today."
Caleb's life felt like one of those smutty web novels.
The kind that started off strong with a spicy cover and promise of madness.
Then got mass-reported by holy keyboard warriors.
The cover replaced with a plain color and font.
And suddenly, no one clicked anymore.
(Unless the title was absolutely unhinged.)
He let out a breath. It came out dry.
"And all because of your advice…"
He smiled a little, hollow and bitter.
"Caleb, remember… don't waste your kindness on just anyone. Choose the ones who deserve it."
Advice she only gave after everything collapsed.
After her own trust had backfired.
After her husband left.
After her eyes changed.
"My life was getting better…"
At least he thought so.
But fate was allergic to progress.
A cold wind swept the park.
A crow flew across the sky, cawing once.
Ding…
The sound of a tiny bell.
He turned.
An old woman, cloaked in faded gray, walked toward him with a crooked staff.
At the tip of her stick dangled a small bell, swaying like some cursed wind chime.
"Sonny," she rasped. "Give me a coin, and I'll give you the power to play with human common sense!"
Caleb flinched.
Weirded out.
But not surprised.
Weird was normal in a life this broken.
He clenched his fist.
I've got nothing left anyway…
Ding…
She shook the bell again, as if daring him.
He sighed.
"Tch… whatever. Here."
He tossed her a coin.
She caught it, grinned like a witch, and raised her staff.
"What now, you crazy old—"
SMACK.
The tip of her staff cracked against his skull like a home run bat.
And everything went black.