My beloved Celeste Koa,Hi, baby. I know that at this moment, you're crying and hurting deeply. I promised that I wouldn't make you cry anymore, but I repeatedly failed, so please forgive me.Forgive me because I was a coward to face you. Forgive me because, in the end, my courage wasn't enough to fight for you and our child. I didn't know what to do. I didn't know how to tell you that I'm tired.I'm so tired, but I don't want to give up. I don't want to die. I don't want to leave you, but I can't do anything.When they told me that my memories would return soon, that was the sign that I would soon be gone. I wanted to tell you, my love. I wished to tell you because I wanted you to stay by my side until the end, but I felt like I was being too selfish. I couldn't bear to see you hurt and crying anymore.So forgive me if I did everything to make you hate me. I did everything to make it easier for you to accept that I'm no longer here. So that you wouldn't be hurt too much.But I was wr
"Are you sure about this, girl? Your dad might freak out. I don't know how your family does it, but they have ways of finding out some things. Especially about you." Aurora said as we marched towards the VIP section. Fuck rules and regulations. This is just a one-night of celebration of my failure. Who cares? They wouldn't know anyway. Unless someone might see me here and tell Dad. "What happened exactly? Why didn't Mr. Lim accept your proposal?" Kim asked as we settled in the VIP room we rented at that bar. I shrugged. "He wanted something else from me." "What do you mean by 'something else'? Maybe he wants you to propose something different to him. You know how he is, that old pervert," Aurora muttered some curses. "That's exactly the problem. He wanted me to have a private meeting with him, just the two of us. When I refused, he backed out. He said he would personally inform Dad," I said, pouring myself a drink. I could hear the two of them cursing under their breath. The wei
"Celeste, hurry up! The guests are arriving soon." Isabella yelled outside.Taking a deep breath, I composed myself and opened the door. Isabella's eyes widened at the sight of my breathtaking beauty. As she should. Hm."Wow, Celeste, you look stunning. The perfect Yuchengco princess."Isabella's voice is filled with both awe and a hint of envy. I forced a smile, grateful that my true emotions were concealed behind my polished facade."Thank you, Isabella. You look lovely as well."A lie."Right. Let's go. Dad and Mom are downstairs."As we descended the grand staircase together, my gaze caught a glimpse of my stepmother, Victoria, watching me with a discerning eye.I had spent years trying to earn her approval, to be seen as more than just a replacement for my deceased mother.But no matter how hard I tried, it seemed her love remained elusive."You look stunning, my love, Isabella." She greeted her daughter with a soft expression."Thank you, Mom." "And as usual, you're late, Celest
"Celeste, last night, you suddenly disappeared. Is everything alright? You said you weren't feeling well."His full attention is on me now after Isabella.I'm really the second choice here. I hate it."We were looking for you to introduce you to the Riofloridas, but you weren't around anymore. Are you feeling okay now?"I couldn't help but silently roll my eyes at his remark. They had already introduced Isabella to that prominent family before, so why did I also have to be introduced to them? Was it to further emphasize that I was the least favorite?"Yes, Dad. I'm feeling better now. I just needed to rest suddenly. I'm sorry." I lied and continued eating silently. I could feel his intense gaze on me."Oh, really? You didn't have any potential investors, then?" Dad turns to Isabella.I could clearly see how his expression softened as his gaze shifted to his other daughter."Isabella had conversations and secured deals with several major investors last night. Including the son of Rioflo
I could hardly bring myself to go to the office the next day because of the heaviness I felt in my body. I haven't been able to have myself checked to confirm if I am indeed pregnant because I'm still scared. I don't even know what to do next.Dad must not find out about this. He'll kill me. I've heard more than enough from him when he found out about Mr. Lim rejected the company's proposal. I wonder if he has more hurtful words in store. In the end, I arrived at the office feeling like a lifeless vegetable and immediately started my work. I didn't have a choice. I just hope I won't encounter Isabella today because I don't have the strength to engage in a heated exchange with her, knowing there is hidden anger within me."Pau, can you make me a cup of coffee, please?" I requested my secretary as she placed the files I assigned to her on my desk."Sure, Ma'am Celeste. Are you alright? You look pale," she remarked with concern.I shook my head and ignored what she said. "Just tired and
Isabella greeted me as if she had been waiting for me. There was a strange smirk on her lips. It felt like she was judging me by the way she looked at me."So, you came," she smirked and looked at me from head to toe. "Such a cunning whore."Before I could even react to what she said, Dad suddenly appeared behind her, accompanied by Mama Victoria.I immediately noticed the sharp gaze from Dad, as if he could harm me at any moment, while Mama Victoria just looked at me coldly. It was her usual expression toward me."Dad—"I couldn't continue what I was about to say as Dad threw something at me. It hit my eye and fell to the floor."How long do you plan to hide that shame from us, Celeste Koa?!" His voice thundered, full of threats and anger.Still recovering from whatever hit my eye, which, if it was a sharp object, surely left me blinded, he threw something else at my words."What—""You're pregnant?! How, when you haven't introduced any boyfriend to us yet? What is this? Did you just
I entered the prestigious halls of YCC for the last time, my heart is heavy with a mixture of sorrow and longing.I glanced through the glass walls of the conference room and watched Isabella confidently lead a meeting with my important clients.It was supposed to be me, representing the family's legacy. The weight of disappointment and shattered dreams crushed my spirit.Feeling a surge of emotions, I made my way to my father's office. I knocked softly, my voice trembling as I called out, "Dad, may I come in?"Dad's stern voice responded, "Come in."As I stepped into the room, the tension between us was palpable. I could see the disappointment in his eyes, the remnants of anger simmering beneath the surface.This confrontation was long overdue. I have contemplated gathering my courage for this to happen but I feel like I'm going back out. I feel like I can't do this."Is your transition over? Don't you have anything else to do here? Why are you still here?" He asked me sternly.I coul
As I walked out of his office, I carried the weight of my broken dreams and the agony of my fractured relationship with him.It was a painful sacrifice, but I was determined to prove my worth and build a future for myself and my child, even if it meant forging a new path outside the confines of the Yuchengco name.Fuck this family reputation."Is this final? Are you really leaving? How? Where will you go?"Aurora bombarded me with questions as she hurriedly sat beside me. Kim just looked at me, holding my ultrasound results.Yes, I'm pregnant. I've been disowned by my own father. Oh, how great it is to start fresh. Fucking fresh."Don't you think you should tell him about this? You can just show him this and everything will surely be fine. Show your Dad that the father of your child is not just some random guy." Kim suggested.I lowered my gaze to my hand that was resting on my stomach. I had thought about that too.Maybe if I tell him that the child is from the Rioflorida family, he'
My beloved Celeste Koa,Hi, baby. I know that at this moment, you're crying and hurting deeply. I promised that I wouldn't make you cry anymore, but I repeatedly failed, so please forgive me.Forgive me because I was a coward to face you. Forgive me because, in the end, my courage wasn't enough to fight for you and our child. I didn't know what to do. I didn't know how to tell you that I'm tired.I'm so tired, but I don't want to give up. I don't want to die. I don't want to leave you, but I can't do anything.When they told me that my memories would return soon, that was the sign that I would soon be gone. I wanted to tell you, my love. I wished to tell you because I wanted you to stay by my side until the end, but I felt like I was being too selfish. I couldn't bear to see you hurt and crying anymore.So forgive me if I did everything to make you hate me. I did everything to make it easier for you to accept that I'm no longer here. So that you wouldn't be hurt too much.But I was wr
And what does he call what I'm feeling now? Easy? Is this easier for him? He died without me by his side. He died without me knowing his final wishes. He died without me knowing his last words.He died without us, without his daughter by his side.How do I tell this to Ariah? How do I explain everything to her? Why did he have to do this? I can't understand.I caught my breath as I tried to pull myself back from the darkness. In the midst of my sobbing and wailing, Rusty came to pick me up and hug me. When I looked at him, he was also crying. A sign that he knew nothing about what happened."Celeste, I'm so sorry. Please forgive us..." Tito Isaiah muttered. "My son... It was his wish not to let you know everything. If it were up to me, I would have told you about his last day, but he didn't want that, and I couldn't do anything."My hands trembled. I sobbed again. I covered my mouth and screamed in anguish. Rusty held me tightly to prevent me from collapsing."If only I could have tol
He had a serious expression as he stood up and approached me. He helped me put on my necklace."I'm with her, Au. If you want, you can come too. Once she's satisfied enough, then we'll bring her home immediately," Rusty convinced her.Aurora just rolled her eyes, almost losing the color in them."You're spoiling her too much, Rusty. I don't know about you two," she said, grabbing her bag. "But I'm coming along, even if you don't say so."After that, Aurora stormed out. I could feel her anger, and I understood it because she just wanted to protect me. I was also frustrated with myself for not being able to give in to the people around me.It's just that I feel like I need this. I need to witness firsthand that there's really no hope left for us to reconcile. I need to see that so I have nothing left to hold on to."Hey..." Rusty called me.He turned from behind me and faced me. His eyes showed deep concern as they glistened."Are you sure you want to do this?" he asked carefully.I bit
When I exited, I used the service elevator as Paula said he was waiting in the parking lot. As I arrived, I immediately spotted him. He was standing, facing his car, talking on his phone. I could hear his voice clearly."I don't want to force her. I'm not expecting anything, but if she agrees to this, then okay. I'll be happy. It's for her too," he said to the person on the other end.Who was he talking to, and what were they discussing?I remained standing behind him. He was too focused on his conversation, probably not sensing my presence."I hope she agrees. I've been wanting to ask her about this since last week. I'm just looking for the right time—idiot, Ru! Fool! That's why you still don't have a girlfriend because you're a shy son of a bitch!" he exclaimed to his friend, Ruru.I couldn't help but burst into laughter at that. After a while, he ended the call and slowly turned to face me. I could clearly see how his soul briefly left him in shock when he saw me."Celeste! You sta
I hugged Ariah, and I almost teared up. "Very good, baby! I'm so proud of you. Whatever the result of your exam, mommy will always be proud of you, always remember that, okay?""I love you, mommy. I'm happy that you're back," she whispered to me, causing me to pause."Because of that, we're going to have a little outing! Right, mommy?" Rusty cheered again, so I looked at him."Am I already your child, and is that how you address me?" I teased him.He just smirked and approached Ariah. "Don't mind your grumpy mommy. Where do you want to go?"I returned to my desk to organize my things while still hearing their conversation."Alright. Mall it is. What my little unicorn wants, my little unicorn gets," Rusty said playfully to my daughter, and I glanced at him.He stood up from kneeling and looked at me. I smiled at him and mouthed thank you. He just approached me and hugged me tightly, including Ariah."I love you both. A lot," he whispered.It was already late when we arrived at the mall
When he finished, he headed straight to me and sat down beside me."Your voice is amazing! You could be a dancer now!" Kim shouted at him, and everyone cheered.I just stared at him, amused by his participation in the banter."That's my hidden talent," he said."I wish you had hidden it instead," Oliver joked, and they all laughed again.When their banter subsided, he finally turned his gaze to me. I gave him a restrained smile, unable to explain my emotions.All I knew was, he is too good for me, and I am too bad for him."You were amazing," I whispered in a low voice, taking a sip of the beer in my hand before grabbing another. "I need to go to the bathroom," I excused myself when I felt a wave of nausea due to excessive nervousness.I heard Rusty calling out to me, but I ignored him. I went straight to the bathroom and threw up repeatedly, followed by another round of silent sobbing.I didn't know the reason. I didn't know why. I just wanted to cry because it felt like my heart was
I couldn't control my emotions when I briefly saw her behind the large doors of the church. I gasped as I witnessed how beautiful she looked in her wedding gown. Happiness radiated from her eyes as she slowly marched towards the front. Toward Noah."Gods. It makes me want to get married too," I heard Aurora whisper, so I nudged her."Then accept Oliver's proposal already," I said, redirecting my attention to Kim."Okay, later," she replied, and we both laughed.When Kim reached our seats, she began to cry, and we couldn't help but cry along with her. She couldn't even continue walking, so Noah quickly came to escort her down the aisle, and everyone applauded.Throughout the ceremony, I just gazed at Him. I couldn't help but silently pray. I hoped that everything would be okay after this. That I could fully accept what happened between Arik and me.It was so hard. Starting over was so difficult, but every time I remembered how Ariah begged me while crying, my heart shattered. I always
"Are you okay, Celeste?" he asked me gently, about to approach me, so I spoke up immediately."Don't you dare," I sternly replied, looking him in the eyes.Pain flashed in his eyes, intensifying my emotions. Is this real? Is he playing with me?"I just want to check on you...""Leave."My anger was barely contained, and I averted my gaze from him."I don't want to see you again. Leave, and don't show yourself to me again."It seemed like my heart wanted to take back those words, so I quickly closed my mouth and glanced at Rusty. He was just looking at me, concern evident in his eyes."Celeste-""What the hell are you doing here, moron?"I swiftly turned at the speaker, and that's when I saw Dad and Mom entering. Benjamin was behind them, marching towards me.I saw Arik glance at Dad. I suddenly felt afraid for him, but I couldn't do anything anymore. Why did he even come?"Mr. Fuentebella, I'm just here to check on Celeste—""And why? Can't you see that she's not okay? And what's next
Life is so mercilessly relentless, and that's what makes grieving hard. The world keeps on spinning, and after every sleepless night, the sun still rises.Even when you want to die, there are people who will persistently try to save you from the death you've long desired.I stared blankly at the ceiling in the room where I found myself, slowly recalling the memories of what I did before losing consciousness. What am I doing here again? Why am I still here?I slowly roamed my eyes throughout the entire room, and there, I saw the bandage wrapped around my pulse. There were traces of blood. What happened?Who fucking saved me?"Celeste..."I turned slowly to the one calling my name, and Aurora quickly appeared before me. I suddenly remembered that she was the last person I saw, and her loud scream was the last thing I heard.She saved me. She wanted me to live, so she rescued me. Why?"How are you? Is there still pain?" She asked me, trying to calm herself, but I could clearly see the th