Chloe uttered softly as she tried not to prove her captors. She would try to play the innocent card until she could figure out how she could flee from this place. "When I woke up after the incident, I already had this face on me. I didn't know... they switched out bodies identifying me as Ruby," she uttered truthfully not breaking eye contact. "So, Luke knew all along that his wife was dead? Did he plan to have you assume Ruby’s role then?" Rebecca jumped into the conversation, and a hint of disgust registered on her face. Choe saw how Martin flinched. "He probably didn't know either. The rescuers, the medical team, they all just assumed I was Ruby Ramirez, and the one who died was Chloe," she explained, attempting to justify the confusion and divert Rebecca's attention away from involving Luke in the conversation. Napapikit ng mata si Chloe nang maramdaman niyang unti unting sumisikip ang mga kamay na nakahawak sa kanyang mukha ng biglang mabanggit ang pangalan ni Luke. "You shoul
Luke was certain that they had narrowly escaped death, and he felt immense relief when reinforcements finally arrived that night, securing the perimeter. Toni was swiftly taken to the hospital and received proper medical attention. Luke's parents were furious when they learned of the ordeal, and they made him promise never to put himself in harm's way again. He accepted their admonition and put the memory behind him. However, his bond with Toni endured. Even after Luke inherited his father's business, he ensured that Toni and his family were well taken care of. He offered Toni a job, and their friendship flourished over the years. As Luke's business expanded and he started his own family, his priorities shifted. His interactions with Toni became less frequent, but their mutual respect and trust never wavered. Despite the passage of time, their connection remained strong, a testament to the enduring bond forged in the crucible of adversity. "Utang ko sa yo ang buhay ko, kung sa hinah
Chloe's breathing stops momentarily when the main door opens and gives way to the menacing presence of her stepmother. For the second time, Lucille beat her in this contest of wit and Chloe felt her knees weakened. She finds herself yet again in this situation where she becomes the pawn of her stepmom's twisted game. Her eyes went to the smirking faces of Lucille, Martin, and Rebecca. She was about to utter some words when two additional presences emerged from behind. Chloe can't help feeling a sense of panic, these were the two men who abducted her from her home and torched her alive in the cabin months ago. They were smiling at her, mocking her entire being, this was every nightmare that haunted him each night, and this now became her reality. She whimpers. "Well, well, well... Akalain mong you were under my nose all along patiently waiting for an opportunity to strike back. you were slowly penetrating my circle, lurking, watching me fail. I bet you prayed each night so I could fal
Luke extended his arms towards Lucille trying to ease her from making any harsh decisions. As Luke's gaze fell upon the older woman, a sense of dread washed over him, causing his features to contort with fear. His eyes widened in horror, reflecting the realization of the danger they were facing. His breath caught in his throat, and his body tensed, ready to spring into action to protect Chloe from the impending threat. Despite his efforts to remain composed, his trembling hands betrayed the overwhelming fear coursing through him. Every fiber of his being screamed with urgency, urging him to act swiftly to prevent the unthinkable from happening. "I recommend you take no step further Mr. Ramirez if ayaw mong aksidente kong maitulak si Chloe dito sa bangin. It's going to be a terrifying fall below this cliff, "she threatened. Luke raised his hand surrendering to her demands. "What do you want Lucille?" He asked. Toni is standing at his side habang nakikiramdam din ito sa sitwasyon kung
One morning, after months of relentless searching and heartache, Luke found himself seated at the rocky beachfront, gazing out at the horizon with a heavy heart. Lost in his thoughts, he felt a gentle touch on his face, like the soft caress of tiny hands. Napalingon si Luke dito at mataimtim na nakangiti. "Daddy, is mommy gone?" Zoie's innocent voice pierced through the morning air, her question hanging conveyed a sense of longing and uncertainty. Luke felt a heavy weight settle in his chest at Zoie's question, and he had to swallow hard before responding to his daughter. "Mommy is out there somewhere," he began, his voice thick with emotion. "We may not be able to see her anymore, but she's in a better place now," he replied, his words tinged with both sorrow and acceptance. The truth of her mother's passing might be difficult for Zoie to fully comprehend at her young age. Ruby may not have been the perfect mother for Zoie, but she was still her mother, nonetheless. Despite their d
Luke watched, almost in a daze, as she plucked a flower from the ground and tucked it behind her ear, mirroring the action with Zoie. The little girl giggled as the flower brushed against her earlobe. "It tickles," Zoie commented, her laughter filling the air. Luke's mind went blank as he mindlessly dropped the book he was holding. He felt himself standing up, his movements slow and deliberate, as he walked towards the figure in front of him, unable to tear his gaze away. Nakatuon ang kanyang mga mata sa imahe nito afraid that it might just be a figment of his imagination. Luke swallowed hard, the lump in his throat making it difficult to breathe. As he approached them, his shocked expression was so evident that even Zoie noticed it. His hands trembled uncontrollably, and cold sweat began to form on his forehead as he tried to process the surreal sight before him. "Daddy, meet my friend. She's so pretty..." Zoie exclaimed, her innocent excitement evident as she touched the woman's
Chloe was panting loudly habang pilit niyang pinapakalma ang kanyang sarili. She tried to heighten her senses as the two men who kidnap her tightly put her in blindfold habang nakatali ang dalawa niyang kamay. She tried to wriggle to ease the pain on her wrist pero hindi man lamang lumuluwag ang pagkakatali nito. She heard their murmur. "Ano ang kailangan nila sa akin? Ransom?" She thought to herself. Her fear is an understatement. She wondered kung sino ang may pakana nito at kung bakit. She was confused about how they entered the house without alerting the alarm system. The last thing she expected na magiging ganito ang kahihinatnan ng kanyang gabi. She was in bed reading her books when a loud thud was heard downstairs. Chloe wondered at first if the helpers were back. It was out of the blue na pinayagan ng kanyang madrasta na bigyan ng pahinga ang lahat ng drivers at yaya nila. She thought it was odd but didn't mind calling her out about it. Bothered by the unusual sound Chloe
A loud painful scream echoed the walls of the cabin ng mahulugan si Chloe ng nagliliyab na kahoy mula sa bubong. It landed on her face, and she felt the horrifying burn on her skin. "Help me!" She shouted as her life depended on it. She's losing her will to live, she's now feeling dizzy as the thick smoke penetrates her lungs. Her voice sounded far as her consciousness slowly departs. "I'm going to die." She thought again inwardly. She was about to give up nang bigla niyang makita ang bitak sa pader, the integrity of the wood had weakened and she just needed to gather the last resort of her energy to kick it off and flee. Chloe coughed painfully as she tried to concentrate on her actions. She pulled the broken chair across the tiny room and with all force ibinato niya ito papalabas ng cabin. She heard the wood crack, and she used that as an opportunity to usher herself out from the burning inferno. She felt the cold air mixed with the heat when she could now see the darkened area wh
Luke watched, almost in a daze, as she plucked a flower from the ground and tucked it behind her ear, mirroring the action with Zoie. The little girl giggled as the flower brushed against her earlobe. "It tickles," Zoie commented, her laughter filling the air. Luke's mind went blank as he mindlessly dropped the book he was holding. He felt himself standing up, his movements slow and deliberate, as he walked towards the figure in front of him, unable to tear his gaze away. Nakatuon ang kanyang mga mata sa imahe nito afraid that it might just be a figment of his imagination. Luke swallowed hard, the lump in his throat making it difficult to breathe. As he approached them, his shocked expression was so evident that even Zoie noticed it. His hands trembled uncontrollably, and cold sweat began to form on his forehead as he tried to process the surreal sight before him. "Daddy, meet my friend. She's so pretty..." Zoie exclaimed, her innocent excitement evident as she touched the woman's
One morning, after months of relentless searching and heartache, Luke found himself seated at the rocky beachfront, gazing out at the horizon with a heavy heart. Lost in his thoughts, he felt a gentle touch on his face, like the soft caress of tiny hands. Napalingon si Luke dito at mataimtim na nakangiti. "Daddy, is mommy gone?" Zoie's innocent voice pierced through the morning air, her question hanging conveyed a sense of longing and uncertainty. Luke felt a heavy weight settle in his chest at Zoie's question, and he had to swallow hard before responding to his daughter. "Mommy is out there somewhere," he began, his voice thick with emotion. "We may not be able to see her anymore, but she's in a better place now," he replied, his words tinged with both sorrow and acceptance. The truth of her mother's passing might be difficult for Zoie to fully comprehend at her young age. Ruby may not have been the perfect mother for Zoie, but she was still her mother, nonetheless. Despite their d
Luke extended his arms towards Lucille trying to ease her from making any harsh decisions. As Luke's gaze fell upon the older woman, a sense of dread washed over him, causing his features to contort with fear. His eyes widened in horror, reflecting the realization of the danger they were facing. His breath caught in his throat, and his body tensed, ready to spring into action to protect Chloe from the impending threat. Despite his efforts to remain composed, his trembling hands betrayed the overwhelming fear coursing through him. Every fiber of his being screamed with urgency, urging him to act swiftly to prevent the unthinkable from happening. "I recommend you take no step further Mr. Ramirez if ayaw mong aksidente kong maitulak si Chloe dito sa bangin. It's going to be a terrifying fall below this cliff, "she threatened. Luke raised his hand surrendering to her demands. "What do you want Lucille?" He asked. Toni is standing at his side habang nakikiramdam din ito sa sitwasyon kung
Chloe's breathing stops momentarily when the main door opens and gives way to the menacing presence of her stepmother. For the second time, Lucille beat her in this contest of wit and Chloe felt her knees weakened. She finds herself yet again in this situation where she becomes the pawn of her stepmom's twisted game. Her eyes went to the smirking faces of Lucille, Martin, and Rebecca. She was about to utter some words when two additional presences emerged from behind. Chloe can't help feeling a sense of panic, these were the two men who abducted her from her home and torched her alive in the cabin months ago. They were smiling at her, mocking her entire being, this was every nightmare that haunted him each night, and this now became her reality. She whimpers. "Well, well, well... Akalain mong you were under my nose all along patiently waiting for an opportunity to strike back. you were slowly penetrating my circle, lurking, watching me fail. I bet you prayed each night so I could fal
Luke was certain that they had narrowly escaped death, and he felt immense relief when reinforcements finally arrived that night, securing the perimeter. Toni was swiftly taken to the hospital and received proper medical attention. Luke's parents were furious when they learned of the ordeal, and they made him promise never to put himself in harm's way again. He accepted their admonition and put the memory behind him. However, his bond with Toni endured. Even after Luke inherited his father's business, he ensured that Toni and his family were well taken care of. He offered Toni a job, and their friendship flourished over the years. As Luke's business expanded and he started his own family, his priorities shifted. His interactions with Toni became less frequent, but their mutual respect and trust never wavered. Despite the passage of time, their connection remained strong, a testament to the enduring bond forged in the crucible of adversity. "Utang ko sa yo ang buhay ko, kung sa hinah
Chloe uttered softly as she tried not to prove her captors. She would try to play the innocent card until she could figure out how she could flee from this place. "When I woke up after the incident, I already had this face on me. I didn't know... they switched out bodies identifying me as Ruby," she uttered truthfully not breaking eye contact. "So, Luke knew all along that his wife was dead? Did he plan to have you assume Ruby’s role then?" Rebecca jumped into the conversation, and a hint of disgust registered on her face. Choe saw how Martin flinched. "He probably didn't know either. The rescuers, the medical team, they all just assumed I was Ruby Ramirez, and the one who died was Chloe," she explained, attempting to justify the confusion and divert Rebecca's attention away from involving Luke in the conversation. Napapikit ng mata si Chloe nang maramdaman niyang unti unting sumisikip ang mga kamay na nakahawak sa kanyang mukha ng biglang mabanggit ang pangalan ni Luke. "You shoul
Rebecca paused and met her eyes. "Well, I guess I just want to talk to you since we do share something in common. Our beloved Luke..." she smiled abruptly. "The connection between us is undeniable, sharing the same man we both love, is just a profound thing, don't you think?" Chloe felt a sudden rush of heat on her cheek. She's provoking her and so far, it's working. "Why are you doing this? When will you stop? How often must Luke turn you down until you realize your worth? You know he's married, right?" she tried to reason out. A sharp gaze went Chloe's way, but Rebecca was quick to hide it as a sultry laugh echoed in the bar loudly. It was a little showstopper that made Chloe check her surroundings, she breathed when no one paid attention. Madalang lang din ang tao sa mga oras na yun giving them their much-needed privacy. "You are such a hypocrite I can't believe it! And is it okay for you to take on the role of his wife? The damsel in distress, the poor girl in need? And you da
Isang matunog na tawa ang namamayagpag ng biglang hindi mapigilan ni Martin ang kanyang sarili. He was sitting right across from Lucille Reyes and listening to her story intently as it completed the puzzle that had burdened his mind for some time. The investigation that he had for that mysterious woman on the night of the accident came to light after the report was out and he stumbled upon Chloe Reyes and her relationship with her stepmother Lucille who very interestingly owns the clothing line that Ruby is modeling currently. Too much of a coincidence. Hindi mapagtanto ni Martin ang kanyang swerte ng hindi man lang naging mahirap sa kanya ang pakikipag-ugnayan kay Lucille and set this meeting up, he anticipated a little bit of resistance and caution from this woman but apparently, she was equally curious about Ruby Ramirez too, na parang bang hinihintay niya ang pagkakataong ito. "Kaano ano ka ulit ni Ruby?" Lucille asked while sipping her hot coffee. "You can say we are close fri
When Chloe entered the familiar confines of their house, she suddenly felt a sense of belongingness, ito ang bahay kung saan siya lumaki, lahat ng anggulo ng kanilang mansiyon ay kabisado niya, this was her playground when she was just a little girl. She closed her eyes, greeted by the same scent she was used to. Trailing the living room of their old home Chloe could see the same marble polished against time. It was nostalgic, all her memories came back to life. She just loved the natural light hitting brightly through the massive glass window, she smiled, and they still used the sheer curtains that her father liked. Not much had changed with the furniture and its arrangement, the soft sofa was still there with a cozy armchair that overlapped the window, except for the old coffee table, that was adorned with books and other trinkets, that one was gone, Chloe realized. It’s like time went still from the last time she was here. When she made her presence known at the Reyes mansion she