---- "The research center won't be the same without your brilliant mind." During these six months at the Alpha Council, I had long since let go of the past. The work had healed me in ways I never expected. From now on, I would live only for myself. After returning to Silverpine Pack, I found a place to settle in. The hotel room was temporary, but it felt liberating to be able to leave whenever I wanted. Then I bought a bouquet of white lilies-my mother's favorites-and went to the cemetery. But at my mother's gravestone, I saw that the headstone had been cleaned spotless. Fresh flowers and my mother's favorite sweets from when she was alive were already placed in front of it. Someone had been taking care of it regularly. ---- Looking at the family photo of me, Max, and our mother pasted on the gravestone, I lowered my gaze with calm eyes. We looked so happy in that picture. So innocent. I set down my flowers and turned to leave, only to see Max standing behind me. Six months had passed, and he didn't look as spirited as before. His clothes were worn and shabby. His face was gaunt, like he hadn't been eating properly. He no longer dressed himself up and seemed like a walking corpse. He kept his head down, his voice hoarse and tinged with unmistakable guilt: "Sister, you're back." The word 'sister' sounded foreign coming from his lips now. He rubbed the corner of his faded short-sleeved shirt ---- and forced out a smile: "The house where Mom used to live has been cleared out." "T've been staying there, taking care of things. Keeping it clean for when you came back." "Before Garrett lost his Alpha position, he drove those three scumbags away." "Mom's research materials weren't stolen by them either. They didn't succeed in selling out the pack's interests." The more he spoke, the more excited he became, unable to help smiling as he looked up. "Thave everything saved for you. All of Mom's work, her personal things. I've been protecting them." But when he saw my still-cold expression, tears suddenly fell. "Sister... you're all I have left... 1 know I was wrong." His voice broke completely. In "Cinderella's Glass Slipper: The One I’ve Always Loved" by CrushReel, a heartfelt romance unfolds between a woman and the president she has long admired since youth. Overcoming insecurities about her appearance, she finds herself working closely with him as his assistant, leading to unexpected twists and turns in their relationship. This modern romance novel explores themes of self-acceptance, unrequited love, and the dynamics of power and attraction in an office setting. The unique blend of billionaire CEO dynamics, hidden feelings, and the revelation of secrets adds layers of intrigue to the story, keeping readers captivated as the plot unfolds. What sets this novel apart is its delicate balance between sweet romance and the complexities of relationships in a contemporary workplace. With each chapter, readers are drawn deeper into the emotional journey of the characters as they navigate their growing connection amidst professional responsibilities and personal desires. For those seeking a compelling tale that combines elements of romance, secrecy, and personal transformation, "Cinderella's Glass Slipper: The One I’ve Always Loved" is available to read at CrushReel, offering a captivating escape into a world where love conquers all.