Jake, a once cheerful class clown hiding deep emotional scars, finds himself homeless after years of failure and rejection—banished by his family, haunted by a past love, and unsure of his worth. Sleeping at bus stops and eating cheap meals, Jake’s path crosses with Alex, a silent, muscular gym owner carrying wounds of his own.

Alex offers Jake more than just a roof—he gives him purpose.

As they clean up the dusty gym and begin rebuilding their lives, the unlikely friendship blossoms into something powerful. Jake uses humor and heart to promote the gym, while Alex becomes the mentor Jake never had. Together, they begin healing from their pasts—until a passionate baker named Alya enters their world with dreams of sweetness and success.

In a quiet corner of the city, through barbells, buttercream, and broken hearts, three people discover that sometimes, the recipe for healing starts with a little laughter, a few reps… and a whole lot of cake.

Lisa guided them quietly through the winding streets of Jake's neighborhood. Her hands gripped the steering wheel tightly, eyes focused ahead.


Alex glanced around the familiar yet distant surroundings, murmuring, "This really where he grew up?"


They pulled up in front of a modest house. The curtains were drawn, lights off. Lisa stepped out first and approached the door. She knocked.


She turned to the others. "He's not here…"


Everyone looked at one another in confusion, unsure what to do next. Then, from across the street, an elderly woman tending her small garden spoke up in a quiet voice.


"If you're looking for the family that lives there… they're at the hospital."


Her voice trembled with sorrow, as if she already knew something the others didn't.


Alex stepped forward. "Thank you," he said gently.


The woman nodded and turned back to her plants.


Without wasting another moment, they returned to the car and headed toward the nearby hospital.


Inside the car, silence wrapped around them.


Lisa stared out the window, lost in thought.


Jake stood there, his eyes not meeting hers.


She wanted to ask why—but she already knew.


Jake cracked a joke right after, trying to break the tension. His signature crooked smile appeared, masking his pain.


Day by day Jake keep making a joke as nothing happened.


And still Lisa just silent and watched.


She could feel the hole in his heart, the weight he never shared.


Alya leaned in from the back seat, voice soft. "Lisa… we've arrived."


Lisa blinked. The hospital building stood before them.


Alya added gently, "Let's hope Jake is here."


Lisa took a deep breath, nodded, and stepped out of the car.


The doors opened, and together, they walked toward the place where Jake's world was trembling.


Chapter 36 - The Road Back to Jake