Our story begins in a homeless shelter in a nameless city, but this is no ordinary shelter—for this is where everything started.
The air inside was warm, filled with the soft murmur of people talking, the clatter of trays, and the occasional laugh from those who, despite their hardships, found solace in each other's company. Volunteers bustled about, distributing food and blankets, offering small comforts to those who had little.
"Hey, Cade, where'd you put the extra blankets?" called out a pale, blonde-haired woman wearing a beige sweater and tight blue jeans that accentuated her figure.
Cade Vincent looked up from his task. He was a tanned man dressed in a tight black shirt that highlighted his broad frame and gray sweatpants, he cut an imposing yet approachable figure. "They're in the box beside the inflatable mattresses, Luna," he answered.
"Thanks," Luna replied, flashing him a brief smile before heading to retrieve the blankets.
Cade watched her for a second before turning his attention back to the old man in front of him. The man's face was weathered, his clothes tattered, but his eyes hopeless. Cade picked up a paper plate from the table beside him and asked, "Do you have any allergies?"
The old man shook his head.
Cade nodded and proceeded to hand him a sandwich wrapped in foil, a pack of fries, and a bag of nuts. "Here you go. If you need seconds, come to me," he said with a kind smile.
The man hesitated, looking at the food as if it were a rare treasure. Then, with a slight bow of his head, he muttered, "Thank you, son. You have a good heart."
Cade simply smiled and moved on to the next person.
For the next hour, he continued handing out meals, exchanging small conversations with those who needed a kind word as much as they needed the food. Meanwhile, Luna made sure everyone had blankets and a place to sleep, occasionally shooting Cade a glance, making sure he wasn't overworking himself.
It was a routine they had followed for years, one that neither of them minded. After all, this was where Cade felt at home—among people who had struggled, who had suffered, but who still pushed forward despite everything.
Once the shelter's needs were met for the night, Cade and Luna stepped outside into the cool night air. The city was quiet at this hour, the usual hustle of the day replaced by a calm stillness. Cade took a deep breath, enjoying the silence before speaking.
"I'll walk you home," he said simply.
Luna rolled her eyes but smiled. "You always do. Not that I mind, but one of these days, I might just have to start walking you home."
Cade smirked. "I'd like to see that happen."
They fell into an easy rhythm, walking side by side through the dimly lit streets. As they walked, Cade's mind drifted back to the path that had led him here.
His father had been the CEO of a major corporation, a man of power and influence. His mother, a famous idol, beloved by millions. To the outside world, Cade had been born into privilege, destined for a life of luxury.
But fate had other plans.
When he was ten, tragedy struck. The family had been driving home from an outing when their car's tire blew out, sending them tumbling down the highway. The impact had been brutal. His parents didn't survive.
Cade did.
Alone, with no living relatives, he quickly learned that wealth meant nothing when there was no one to protect it. His father's company seized control of everything. The board, viewing him as a liability, manipulated legal loopholes to strip him of his inheritance. Then, to ensure he wouldn't become a problem later, they had him sent to an orphanage.
Those first few years had been hell. He had gone from a life of comfort to one of struggle, surrounded by strangers, abandoned by those who should have cared. He had been angry, lost, and at times, dangerously close to giving up and ending it all.
But then Luna's family had found him.
They had taken him in, given him a home, treated him as one of their own. They became his anchor in a world that had cast him aside.
When he turned sixteen, Cade made a decision. He didn't want anyone else to go through what he had. He studied relentlessly, fueled by a desire for justice. Eventually, he became a lawyer—one of the best. He fought corruption, helped those who had no voice, and even brought down the very people who had stolen his inheritance.
But through it all, he never forgot those who had helped him. He remained close to Luna's family, supporting them in any way he could. He continued to volunteer at shelters, donate to charities, and fight for the underprivileged.
To the world, he was a rising star in the legal field. To the people in shelters like the one he had just left, he was someone who cared.
And to Luna, he was family.
As they turned a corner, their quiet walk was interrupted.
A figure stepped out from the shadows of an alleyway, blocking their path.
Cade's muscles tensed immediately. He recognized the man. So did Luna.
Her stalker ex.
His face was twisted with rage, his eyes wild. His clothes were wrinkled, his breath heavy with alcohol.
"YOU BITCH! IS THIS WHY YOU HAVE'NT BEEN ANSWERING MY CALLS?!" he screamed, pointing at Cade with a shaking hand.
Luna stiffened beside him, her expression a mixture of fear and anger. "Go home, Mason. You're drunk."
"Don't you dare tell me what to do!" Mason snarled. His gaze flickered back to Cade, burning with jealousy and hatred. "So this is why, huh?! You left me for him?!"
Cade took a step forward, placing himself slightly in front of Luna. "She didn't leave you for anyone," he said calmly. "You need to walk away before you do something you'll regret."
Mason's face twisted further. "I'll regret? You're the one who's gonna regret this, asshole!"
And then, before either of them could react, he pulled out a knife and lunged.
Time seemed to slow.
Cade saw the movement, saw the blade glint in the dim light. Instinct kicked in. He moved—
—but not fast enough.
Pain erupted in his stomach as the knife plunged in.
Luna screamed.
Cade staggered, his vision swimming. Mason yanked the blade free and, realizing what he had done, panicked. He turned and bolted into the darkness, leaving Cade to collapse onto the pavement.
The world blurred.
Luna was beside him, pressing her hands against his wound, her face streaked with tears. "Stay with me! Cade, stay with me!"
But he knew. He could feel the life draining from him. The cold creeping in.
As his body grew numb, a single thought crossed his fading mind.
"Damn… I wish I got laid."
And then—nothing.